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Casey Stoner dominates the final day of testing in Sepang

admin — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:17:56 +0000

Casey Stoner sent out an emphatic statement to the rest of the MotoGP field by dominating the final day of MotoGP testing in Sepang.

Stoner broke in the sub 2 minute lap-time by posting a fastest lap of 1’59.607 on only his second lap of the day.

Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa completed the top 3, with Ben Spies in a close 4th place.

Colin Edwards was the leading CRT rider, but was still over 5 seconds off Casey Stoner’s pace. More CRT concerns were reflected in the times posted by Torres and Pietri, who were both over 10 seconds from the front.

Full times from Sepang below:

1. Casey Stoner Repsol Honda Team 1m59.607s 21
2. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha Factory Racing 2m00.198s + 0.591 35
3. Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda Team 2m00.256s + 0.649 26
4. Ben Spies Yamaha Factory Racing 2m00.495s + 0.888 16
5. Valentino Rossi Ducati Team 2m00.824s + 1.217 42
6. Hector Barbera Pramac Racing Team 2m00.929s + 1.322 40
7. Cal Crutchlow Monster Yamaha Tech 3 2m01.108s + 1.501 26
8. Andrea Dovizioso Monster Yamaha Tech 3 2m01.257s + 1.650 40
9. Alvaro Bautista San Carlo Honda Gresini 2m01.384s + 1.777 34
10. Nicky Hayden Ducati Team 2m01.729s + 2.122 19
11. Stefan Bradl LCR Honda 2m01.894s + 2.287 38
12. Karel Abraham Cardion AB Motoracing 2m02.218s + 2.611 38
13. Katsuyuki Nakasuga Yamaha Factory 2m02.334s + 2.727 27
14. Franco Battaini Ducati Team 2m03.033s + 3.426 35
15. Colin Edwards NGM Mobile Forward Racing 2m04.722s + 5.115 36
16. Ivan Silva Avintia Racing 2m08.225s + 8.618 41
17. Robertino Pietri Avintia Racing 2m09.640s + 10.033 16
18. Jordi Torres Avintia Racing 2m10.184s + 10.577 29

Sepang MotoGP Test Day 2: Stoner takes over at the top

admin — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:58:04 +0000

Day two of the MotoGP testing at Sepang, and Casey Stoner has clearly recovered from his back injury that prevented him from fully testing yesterday – Ben Spies had been the early leader, but Stoner topped the timesheets with a with a 2m00.895s lap, and only needed 29 laps to do it in.

Full times from Day 2 of MotoGP testing at Sepang:
1. Casey Stoner Honda 2m00.895s 29
2. Ben Spies Yamaha 2m01.052s + 0.157s 37
3. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha 2m01.068s + 0.173s 40
4. Dani Pedrosa Honda 2m01.508s + 0.613s 35
5. Cal Crutchlow Tech 3 Yamaha 2m01.565s + 0.670s 42
6. Hector Barbera Pramac Ducati 2m01.788s + 0.893s 50
7. Valentino Rossi Ducati 2m01.886s + 0.991s 44
8. Alvaro Bautista Gresini Honda 2m01.933s + 1.038s 46
9. Andrea Dovizioso Tech 3 Yamaha 2m02.160s + 1.265s 42
10. Nicky Hayden Ducati 2m02.354s + 1.459s 41
11. Stefan Bradl LCR Honda 2m02.414s + 1.519s 41
12. Karel Abraham Cardion Ducati 2m02.598s + 1.703s 66
13. Katsuyuki Nakasuga Yamaha 2m02.941s + 2.046s 40
14. Franco Battaini Ducati 2m04.311s + 3.416s 38
15. Colin Edwards Forward Suter-BMW 2m05.603s + 4.708s 37
16. Ivan Silva Avintia FTR-Kawasaki 2m10.297s + 9.402s 16
17. Jordi Torres Avintia FTR-Kawasaki 2m11.893s + 10.998s 2
18. Robertino Pietri Avintia FTR-Kawasaki 2m12.546s + 11.651s 5

MotoGP Sepang Test Times (Day 1) – Jorge Lorenzo on top

admin — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:02:49 +0000

Finally, it all begins again…..

The times from day one of the MotoGP 2012 Sepang test are in, with Jorge Lorenzo claiming the top spot with a lap of 2:01.657.

Lorenzo headed the timesheets all day, and was closely followed by Dani Pedrosa in second place. Crutchlow took third, with Spies in fourth.

Valentino Rossi finished the day in fifth position, 0.735s behind his former team-mate Jorge Lorenzo.

Reigning World Champion Casey Stoner opted to sit out most of the test after suffering with a back injury.

Colin Edwards was the fastest of the CRTs, but the gap was significant and he ended the session 6.6s off the pace set by Lorenzo.

Full times from day 1 of the MotoGP Sepag test below:

01 Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha Factory Racing 2:01.657 – - 30
02 Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda Team 2:02.003 +0.346 +0.346 48
03 Cal Crutchlow Monster Yamaha Tech 3 2:02.221 +0.218 +0.564 32
04 Ben Spies Yamaha Factory Racing 2:02.234 +0.013 +0.577 28
05 Valentino Rossi Ducati Team 2:02.392 +0.158 +0.735 43
06 Andrea Dovizioso Monster Yamaha Tech 3 2:02.751 +0.359 +1.094 20
07 Hector Barbera Pramac Racing Team 2:02.773 +0.022 +1.116 41
08 Katsuyuki Nakasuga Yamaha Factory 2:02.829 +0.056 +1.172 32
09 Alvaro Bautista San Carlo Honda Gresini 2:02.869 +0.040 +1.212 45
10 Nicky Hayden Ducati Team 2:03.151 +0.282 +1.494 33
11 Stefan Bradl LCR Honda 2:03.668 +0.517 +2.011 44
12 Karel Abraham Cardion AB Motoracing 2:03.781 +0.113 +2.124 45
13 Franco Battaini Ducati Team 2:04.986 +1.205 +3.329 35
14 Casey Stoner Repsol Honda Team 2:07.163 +2.177 +5.506 4
15 Colin Edwards NGM Mobile Forward Racing 2:08.240 +1.077 +6.583 21
16 Jordi Torres Avintia Racing 2:10.671 +2.431 +9.014 42
17 Ivan Silva Avintia Racing 2:11.267 +0.596 +9.610 12

Hector Barbera busted for drink driving

admin — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 20:40:42 +0000

Hector Barbera is in trouble – and that’s even before he’s got on a Pramac Ducati.

The Spanish rider was stopped by police at the weekend for erratic driving and was given a breathalyzer test. Barbera failed the test and was fined, he also had 3 points deducted from his license.

Hector Barbera swiftly issued the following press release:

“On Friday night I celebrated one last family Christmas dinner, also attended by several friends, with whom we later left by car for Valencia. I was traveling as a passenger in a Vauxhall Astra with a friend, who was stopped for a breathalyzer test and he exceeded the limit allowed by law. It was he, not I, who tested at 0.60.

“In that situation, because I had only had a drink of alcohol, the police suggested I take the car and I took the test and resulted 0.32 and 0.28 in a period of 20 minutes.

“I would have been irresponsible to drive, but having only drunk one glass I wasn’t feeling intoxicated. I’d like to apologize to my team, my sponsors and MotoGP fans for what happened. As a rider I should set an example and I can guarantee that this will never happen again.”

Stefan Bradl moves to MotoGP with LCR Honda

admin — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 13:07:53 +0000

Moto2 champion, Stefan Bradl, has confirmed that he will make the move to MotoGP in 2012 with the LCR Honda team.

Bradl has signed a 2 year contract with LCR Honda, which will see him replace Toni Elias.

Stefan Bradl said:
“This is simply fantastic like a dream that comes true!” said Brad. “When I tested the RC212V in Valencia I realised that the LCR team is very professional and well organised so I am sure they will do their best to support me: making my debut in the premier class aboard the RC213V is great and I can not wait to get back on track.”

Lucio Cecchinello, Team Manager said:
“Next year will be very important for the MotoGP; starting from next April the championship will be rich of new technical rules and participants. Together with Honda we have considered several riders and Stefan was one of our candidates. After the test in Valencia we were very impressed by his potential and his determination: Stefan is young and fast and he just clinched the Moto2 World Title so we believe we can grow together with the Team in the next two years. He already knew the technical staff and today I am happy to give him our warmest welcome in the LCR Team!”

Alvaro Bautista joins Gresini Honda

admin — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 13:12:08 +0000

No sooner had Rizla Suzuki anounced that Alvaro Bautista had left the team, there was an announcement that Bautista had joined Gresini Honda as a replacement for Hiroshi Aoyama.

Bautista will hit the track today for the first time on the bike.

Fausto Gresini:
“I am particularly satisfied that Alvaro Bautista will ride a Honda RC213V in the colours of Team San Carlo Honda Gresini next year. He is a very fast rider and I also hold him in high regard for his personality and pleasant nature. I am sure that he will integrate swiftly into our group and that we will enjoy some pleasant experiences together in the future.”

Alvaro Bautista leaves Rizla Suzuki

admin — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 11:46:27 +0000

Alvaro Bautista and Suzuki have announced that they will part company for 2012.

Suzuki, although not yet confirmed, look likely to run a team in the 2012 MotoGP season and will start the season using their existing 800cc bike.

Randy De Puniet could potentially be in the frame as a replacement for Bautista. De Puniet has yet to confirm his plans for next season, but he had a storming test on the Rizla Suzuki GSV-R yesterday by posting the 4th fastest time (ahead of some of the new 1000cc machines).

Álvaro Bautista:
“I am very sad to be leaving Suzuki after the two great years that I have had here. It has been a great team to work in and I have learnt a lot of things from everyone in the team. It was a fantastic experience working with an English/Japanese team and we have become like a big family, except we have never had any arguments and no-one falls out with each other! I want to thank everybody personally for the last two years, sometimes it has been difficult, but nobody ever gave up and I felt like I always had their full support and commitment. I don’t feel like I am leaving a team, but a group of friends that I hope I will know for a long time. I want to say a special thank-you to Tom, Paul, Ken san and Sahara san, and wish them and the rest of the team all the best for the future.”

Official video footage of the Marco Simoncelli tribute at Valencia

admin — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 15:17:55 +0000

This is the official video footage of the trinute to Marco Simoncelli that took place at Valencia.

Riders from all three categories of the World Championship were invited to depart from Pit Lane as a group, and complete a lap of the track in honour of Simoncelli.

The procession was led by former World Champion Kevin Schwantz riding at the head of the group on board Simoncelli’s San Carlo Honda Gresini RC212V bike.

Photograph: Valentino Rossi prepares for the Marco Simoncelli ‘casino’

admin — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 09:28:11 +0000

Photograph showing Valentino Rossi waiting for the official MotoGP tribut to Marco Simoncelli to begin. All riders from all classes will do a lap of the Valencia circuit before stopping just before the start/finish line and revving their engines. There will then be a 2 minute fireworks display.

Valentino Rossi pays tribute to Simoncelli with a special helmet design:

Casey Stoner top in FP3 at Valencia

admin — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 10:16:32 +0000

Normal service seems to have been resumed now that the wet weather from Friday has cleared up at Valencia – Casey Stoner tops the morning practice session on Saturday.

Good work from Randy De Puniet though – 3rd place and top Ducati!

1. Casey Stoner Honda 1m32.619s
2. Dani Pedrosa Honda 1m33.282s + 0.663s
3. Randy de Puniet Pramac Ducati 1m33.743s + 1.124s
4. Andrea Dovizioso Honda 1m33.929s + 1.310s
5. Ben Spies Yamaha 1m33.977s + 1.358s
6. Valentino Rossi Ducati 1m34.268s + 1.649s
7. Alvaro Bautista Suzuki 1m34.309s + 1.690s
8. Nicky Hayden Ducati 1m34.462s + 1.843s
9. Hector Barbera Aspar Ducati 1m34.676s + 2.057s
10. Hiroshi Aoyama Gresini Honda 1m34.809s + 2.190s
11. Loris Capirossi Pramac Ducati 1m35.037s + 2.418s
12. Karel Abraham Cardion Ducati 1m35.118s + 2.499s
13. Cal Crutchlow Tech 3 Yamaha 1m35.326s + 2.707s
14. Toni Elias LCR Honda 1m35.899s + 3.280s
15. Katsuyuki Nakasuga Yamaha 1m36.193s + 3.574s
16. Josh Hayes Tech 3 Yamaha 1m36.256s + 3.637s