Rabu, 05 September 2012

Moto2 News

Márquez takes stunning Czech GP win

Sunday, 26 August 2012

It was Team CatalunyaCaixa Repsol’s Marc Márquez who took a stunning win in a close-fought Moto2™ race at the bwin Grand Prix České republiky in front of Tom Lüthi and Pol Espargaró.

The track had dried out sufficiently to be declared a dry race, with Interwetten-Paddock’s Lüthi making the best of the conditions at the start taking the lead early on ahead of Pons 40 HP Tuenti’s Espargaró and Márquez. Marc VDS Racing Team’s Scott Redding’s race was unfortunately ended very early, as the Brit crashed out after three turns.
It was Márquez who made his intentions known early on as he fought past his compatriot into second. Speed Master’s Andrea Iannone, not wishing the leading trio to pull away, overtook Came IodaRacing Project’s Simone Corsi with 17 laps to go, pushing past Espargaró shortly after. The group at the front stayed tightly bunched for a number of laps and it wasn’t until there were 13 laps remaining that Iannone battled his way past Márquez into second.
This only lasted for a lap as the Spaniard fought straight back, as Espargaró had a moment sticking with the group in fourth. With track conditions still not ideal after the wet track before, riders were tentative to make rash moves, leading to uncharacteristically cautions racing. Eight laps before the end however Espargaró sized up Iannone and took him on the inside, as further down the grid Tech 3 Racing’s Xavier Siméon and Federal Oil Gresini Moto2’s Gino Rea both crashed out.
As Márquez looked for a way past Lüthi, Espargaró went past him into second, although was taken straight back. He was subsequently ordered to drop a place, after being sighted for passing under a yellow flag. He did however not see the pit board instantly, yet Iannone helped him by passing him with four laps remaining. This ignited an entertaining battle between the pair, as Lüthi lost the lead to Márquez. The dice for fifth place was also gaining momentum a few laps before the end with JiR Moto2’s Johann Zarco and NGM Mobile Forward Racing’s Alex de Angelis swapping positions frequently.
The final lap was a thrilling affair with Lüthi and Espargaró desperate for the lead, with Iannone mixing it up as well. The Swiss rider looked to be lining up a move in the final turn, yet did not have enough drive on to the straight, meaning it was Márquez who took the chequered flag, with Lüthi and Espargaró completing the rostrum. Márquez now holds a 48-point lead at top of the championship standings in front of Espargaró. Fourth spot went to Iannone, followed by Corsi, De Angelis, Zarco, Tech 3’s Bradley Smith, Redding’s teammate Mika Kallio and Pons’ Esteve Rabat.
http://www.motogp.com

 

 



MotoGP News

Monday, 3 September 2012

Yamaha Factory Racing, the Repsol Honda Team and LCR Honda MotoGP will head to Aragón tomorrow for a two-day private test, which will also see them evaluate newly developed Bridgestone tyres.

 http://www.motogp.com

Repsol Honda’s Dani Pedrosa will head out on track with one aim being to get the right set-up for the track when the MotoGP™ grid heads there at the end of September. In addition, it will be the second time WSBK Ten Kate Honda rider Jonathan Rea will take to a circuit on Casey Stoner’s RC213V, as he looks to get to grips with the powerful machine. Whilst the team has not given official confirmation, it has said that Rea is set to substitute for the injured Stoner for the next two rounds in Misano and Aragón. On his first outing with the Australian’s machine, Rea dropped his lap times from over five seconds to within three seconds off the top pace. The rider from Northern Ireland will be hoping to close that gap even further as he continues his work with the bike and the Bridgestone tyres.
Yamaha, which last time out in Brno had Jorge Lorenzo testing one of their 2013 prototypes, will continue to drive forward with their development program, as they look to get the upper hand over their Japanese rivals for the second half of the season. One of Honda’s satellite outfits in the form of LCR Honda MotoGP will give German rookie Stefan Bradl a run out on track, as he not only seeks the correct set-up for the track, but continues to search for a solution to the rear-grip issues he has been experiencing.
Another very significant aspect of the test will be Bridgestone’s presence with newly developed tyres, which could not be evaluated clearly at the Brno test last week. The tyre is a hard compound rubber, which is closer to the composition of the medium compound than the current hard specification, and was developed to deliver a more consistent gap between the different compound options. In Brno some of the riders that tested it sighted an improvement in warm-up performance compared to the existing hard compound, but in order to test the new compound correctly, the new spec will be taken to Aragón, where Bridgestone is hoping for more relevant conditions.
On both days the sessions will run from 9am to 1pm and from 2pm to 6pm. The circuit will open Grandstand 3 for fans to watch the test action, with tickets on both days being free.



Wednesday, 29 August 2012

Valentino Rossi today finished a two-day test at Misano, completing an intense period of work along with the Ducati Team technicians.

The Italian turned 80 laps while working with the chassis updates that he had first tried during the post-race test at Mugello on July 15. Among the updates were a new frame and a new swingarm, which will be available in time for the next race, at Misano.
Meanwhile, Nicky Hayden checked in from the United States, reporting that his recovery is proceeding according to plan for an anticipated return at the San Marino Grand Prix.
Valentino Rossi

“We carried out a series of tests with the chassis, and the results were interesting, though they still have to be checked against the other riders. We also worked on the bike’s setup, with the goal of trying to limit the drop in performance that we usually suffer after some laps, as the tyres wear. We had some promising signs there as well, and we’ll check them again in a race context.”
Nicky Hayden

“It was pretty tough to be home while my rivals were racing, and testing is also something that I hated missing, as we had some parts that we could possibly use this year. Everything else is good news though. Bones don’t heal in ten days, but the swelling is down in my hand, and the feeling is much better with both that and my head. Everything’s right on schedule, and I’m really looking forward to getting back on the bike.”
Filippo Preziosi

“Over these two days with Valentino, we focused on chassis testing. Based on the feedback he provided, we’ll bring a new frame and a new swingarm to the next race. In the meantime, the Corse department will continue working according to the development plan that was established following the June test at Aragon. Over the remainder of the season, the Test Team and the factory riders will have the opportunity to try further chassis evolutions, which are currently being produced.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvKT_9nud1c
Monday, 27 August 2012

The Repsol Honda Team were back on track in Brno today after Dani Pedrosa's fantastic win in yesterday's Grand Prix of the Czech Republic.

Pedrosa spent the day completing a busy testing programme covering many areas, including chatter issues and also a new rear shock. Also on track for Repsol Honda was Jonathan Rea, replacing the injured Casey Stoner. Rea used this first test to familiarise himself with the 1000cc machine and adapt to the Bridgestone tyres.
The team will resume their test schedule in Aragón on the 4th and 5th of September.
Dani Pedrosa
"Today, we've done a general test looking to improve the feelings we had in yesterday's race. We tried some ideas to reduce the chatter, but this is something very difficult to fix, so we've been basically working on the electronics and the suspension trying to find more edge grip and in the exit of the corner. I tried a new Öhlins shock which gave me some positive feelings and now we have some new ideas to try in Aragón next week."
Jonathan Rea
"It's an opportunity of a lifetime for me and I'm thankful to Honda for asking me to be here, although I'm gutted for the guys in the team and obviously for Casey as he is the guy that should be here and I wish him a fast recovery. My first impressions are that the bike isn't that difficult, it's the tyres and the way they work that I'm finding hard. I'm struggling to finish off the corner, which is definitely a confidence issue as I just need to load the front and find that confidence but it's my first day and I don't want to find that limit, or risk overstepping it just yet. It's great to be able to see Dani's data and learn where to go fast, that's a big help. I don't underestimate how tough a job it is, I just need some time and I don't feel pressure to perform, it's a learning process with the team and people around me. It's been a great day, one of the best days of my life. I've been a Honda rider all my career and now to ride the best Honda machine in the World has been a dream come true."
http://www.motogp.com 


Tuesday, 4 September 2012

Riders for Health are offering you the chance to walk away with a Yamaha R1 motorcycle, exclusive signed MotoGP™ memorabilia or a once-in-a-lifetime motorsport experiences in their biggest ever online auction, taking place from 3rd to 9th September.

Riders for Health is supported by motorcyclists all over the world and is the official charity of MotoGP™ and the FIM. And for their latest appeal, the motorsport community has donated some incredible items to raise money for the organisation’s lifesaving work in Africa.
To bid on any of the amazing items up for grabs, visit myworld.ebay.co.uk/riders-for-health from Monday 3rd of September at 8pm.
What’s more, all of the money raised from the online auction will be matched, pound for pound, by the UK Government helping to improve vital access to health care for thousands more people across rural Africa.
Top of the bill is a 2010 Yamaha YZF-R1, generously donated by Bennetts bike insurers. The popular sports bike has previously been ridden by Bennetts-backed riders Cal Crutchlow, Scott Redding and James Toseland. What’s more, the bike carries a customized paint scheme and comes taxed until June 2013*.
Thanks to MotoGP, Riders for Health are also offering several exclusive lots signed by top MotoGP riders, including a unique painting of Valentino Rossi signed by the charismatic Italian rider.
Other lots include shirts, caps, photographs, an American flag and a knee slider signed by current MotoGP stars Jorge Lorenzo, Dani Pedrosa, Colin Edwards, Nicky Hayden, Ben Spies, Andrea Dovizioso, Cal Crutchlow, James Ellison, and young British riders Bradley Smith, Scott Redding, Danny Webb and Danny Kent.
There are two chances to tour the Sky Sports studios in London and watch a race live from the broadcast studio. Whether you bid to watch either an IndyCar or a Speedway race, you and a friend will meet the studio team, enjoy Sky Sports hospitality and take away signed memorabilia from the visit.
Riders for Health provide health workers in Africa with reliable motorcycles and four-wheel vehicles so that they can reach rural communities with lifesaving health care. They train them to ride and drive safely and carry out daily checks on their vehicle so that it never breaks down. Until September 12th the UK Government is matching all donations made by British citizens to Riders for Health. To make a donation with twice the impact, visit www.riders.org or call +44 (0)1604 889570.
*The Yamaha YZF-R1 has completed 3,185 miles and is taxed until June 2013. A customized paint scheme and tank protector is the only modifications. For more information contact rfh@riders.org.

 

Tuesday, 4 September 2012

It was Repsol Honda Team’s Dani Pedrosa who was the pace setter on day one of the unofficial test at Aragón ahead of Jorge Lorenzo and Ben Spies.

In the private test held at the Aragón circuit, with only the Repsol Honda Team, Factory Yamaha Racing and LCR Honda MotoGP present, riders set to work on their busy two-day schedule, in a bid to gain the upper hand at the forthcoming rounds. Pedrosa’s main aim was to set the bike up for the race at the circuit at the end of the month, working in particular on suspension settings and the electronics. After setting the fastest time of 1.47’983, he stated: "We tried to improve the rear grip and something with the mapping. The suspension today was not the best, so the test is not clear for me today, so tomorrow we’ll re-test the same things again just to get an idea what we can use in the following races."
Jonathan Rea, substituting for the injured Casey Stoner, was lapping the Spanish circuit in a bid to familiarise himself with it on the Repsol machine, without touching the bike’s set up. He set a quickest time just under three seconds off Pedrosa with a 1.50’679, already improving from his last outing in Brno. He said: "Today I was just getting a good feeling between me and the machine because it still feels very strange. I had to work a lot on my brake style today; normally in Superbike I don't use so much rear brake but here it seems that I have to learn to use it in every corner! Just concentrating on this and getting a better setting on the brakes and trying to do longer runs on the tyres because for me it's very different at the end. I feel comfortable on the bike, the riding position is good, but I just need to understand how the traction control is working, what happens when the tyres drop down and be more comfortable with the setup.”
Yamaha’s Lorenzo continued where he left off after the Brno test by heading out on track with the 2013 chassis, setting a 1.48’471, with more new parts to follow tomorrow. He said: "We tried the new chassis. So far we haven’t found a positive or a negative thing. We have to keep trying and do more laps to see. Tomorrow we are going to try the new engine. Maybe this will give us a little bit more power on the straight. This is our weaker point – we are loosing almost 5kmh to Dani. Dani is also very light, but for sure his engine is a little bit faster. But in general we are quite happy because we improved our lap time by half a second compared to the previous one a few months ago."
His teammate Ben Spies, who clocked a 1.48’647, focussed on improving both the set-up of his machine, focussing both on tyre-life over race distance and qualifying-lap settings. The American commented: "We have a lot of different settings with the bike. Mainly with the front-end, with the forks, to get me a little bit more comfortable with the hard braking. We’ve equalled our fastest lap time over here this morning quite easily. We have some more test parts for tomorrow."
With much speculation about his next step in 2013, Spies revealed that people wouldn’t have to wait much longer for some news: "Everybody will know something this week."
LCR Honda’s Stefan Bradl was given the opportunity to test a factory spec Honda RC213V for the day, as the German may be using the machine in the following season with his satellite outfit. He finished the day in fourth with a 1.49’570, just over a second and a half off Pedrosa’s time
 
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