Bench Racing: MotoGP 2009

[108625]

I hope Stoner recovers and remains in MotoGP, with Ducati. As much as I like Rossi, I'll be the first to admit the racing was getting boring when he had no competition, just like the Schumcher-led parades that turned me off of Formula One a few years ago. (Even Val himself seemed bored and ready for another challenge a few years ago, simply changing machines was only a brief solution.) Guys like Stoner, and Sete Gibernau before him, made the racing more challenging for Valentino, and therefore more exciting for us.

Casey deserves credit in my book, because he clearly dispelled the suggestions that the Ducati would have been dominant with anyone aboard. It's apparent that the thing requires something special in a rider to take advantage of its strengths and win with, something that makes him a threat every time he rides it.

If he's less "personable", I don't mind. Val has enough personality for both of them, at least. It's fitting that his arch-rival is virtually his polar opposite.

 

[85138]

Does ANYONE think Nicky will make a podium finish this year?? GO VALENTINO!!!

I think Indy is his best shot. I'm predicting an American in top 5 at Indy (plus 2 Italians, 2 Spaniards) - but that American could be Edwards. Barring that Nicky would need rain or crashes/mechanical problems with the perennial front runners for him to podium. I hope Nicky proves me wrong.

 

[mika]

MotoGP.com:
Big weekend for Ducati as MotoGP heads Stateside
Asymmetric rear slicks available for the Brickyard

bridgestonemotorsport.com: MotoGP Round 12 Indianapolis preview

crash.net: Lorenzo thanks Yamaha and Ducati

autosport.com: Capirossi to stay with Suzuki

 

[mika]

MotoGP.com:
Di Meglio looking for a good race at Indy ÔÇô There is more to a MotoGP race weekend than just the big boys. Some really great race action is to be found in the other races.

CanÔÇÖt make it to Indy this weekend?
motogpmatters.com: Indianapolis MotoGP TV schedule
FOX


I may have posted this already but what the heck.
motorsport.com: Bridgestone Indianapolis Preview

 

[mika]

MotoGP.com:

rizla-suzuki=motogp.co.uk: We need to be on pace as quick as possible at Indy

motorcyclenews.com: Hayden unfazed by Ducati rumors

autosport.com: Stoner denies career under threat

 

[Threeteas]

Just watched free practise...in the wet.

Pedrosa. Hayden, Rossi, Lorenzo. Those last three all putting their best times in on the last lap. Not sure how relevant these times will be if it dries at all.

 

[mika]

MotoGP.com:

RED BULL INDIANAPOLIS GRAND PRIX
MotoGP Qualifying Practice Classification
Pos. Num. Rider Nation Team Motorcycle Lap time Km/h Gap
1 3 Dani PEDROSA
SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 1'39.730 318.266

2 99 Jorge LORENZO SPA Fiat Yamaha TeamYamaha 1'40.236 314.855 0.506

3 46 Valentino ROSSI ITA Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha 1'40.609 315.870 0.879

4 15 Alex DE ANGELIS RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 1'40.620 315.870 0.890

5 5 Colin EDWARDS USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 1'40.961 311.186 1.23

6 69 Nicky HAYDEN USA Ducati Team Ducati 1'41.067 313.846 1.337

7 24 Toni ELIAS SPA San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 1'41.283 314.181 1.553

8 4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA Repsol Honda Team Honda 1'41.309 315.531 1.579

9 33 Marco MELANDRI ITA Hayate Racing Team Kawasaki 1'41.530 318.266 1.800

10 52 James TOSELAND GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 1'41.620 312.843 1.890

11 65 Loris CAPIROSSI ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 1'41.742 313.511 2.012

12 14 Randy DE PUNIET FRA LCR Honda MotoGP Honda 1'41.773 313.511 2.043

13 88 Niccolo CANEPA ITA Pramac Racing Ducati 1'41.910 313.176 2.180

14 7 Chris VERMEULEN AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 1'42.038 312.178 2.308

15 36 Mika KALLIO FIN Ducati Team Ducati 1'42.250 316.551 2.520

16 44 Aleix ESPARGARO SPA Pramac Racing Ducati 1'42.577 309.873 2.847

17 41 Gabor TALMACSI HUN Scot Racing Team MotoGP Honda 1'42.736 311.516 3.006

Indianapolis pole secured by scorching Pedrosa
Another front row double for Fiat Yamaha
American rivals to fight from row two

bbc.co.uk: Pedrosa sets pace in Indianapolis

gpone.com translated: MotoGP Qualifying – Still Pedrosa

autosport.com: Hayden not too happy with sixth slot

motogp.com: MotoGP looking at engine lease agreement
“To bolster the MotoGP entry list and also make the sport more affordable to teams, a new agreement with manufacturers is under consideration, to implement an engine lease structure for manufacturers to provide 800cc prototypes engines to teams, who would in turn develop their own chassis.”

motrcycelnews.com: Toseland still in dark over future

 

[Threeteas]

There's one bend that seems to be throwing riders off.

Edwards and a whole bunch of the 250 top riders went down. It appears to be due to a series of small "ripples" that combined with the bikes being fully leaned over and some still trailing front brake, creates a combination that washes out the front end.

I hope Edwards does well, but need Lorenzo to win as my fantasy race team under achieved at the last round. "Oi Kallio, get that Ducati up in the points".

250s, big Bautista fan, but he wasn't quite on it yesterday.

 

[mika]

MotoGP.com:
Results
Lorenzo takes win as rivals suffer costly crashes

bbc.co.uk: Lorenzo gains vital victory

crash.net: Ducati praise Hayden after podium debut

crash.net: Edwards ÔÇô It was crap

autosport.com: Pedrosa draws positives despite crash

autosport.com: Rossi admits crash was his mistake

motogpmatters.com: Lorenzo estimates chances of title at ÔÇ£25%ÔÇØ

Motorsport.com: Indianapolis GP Race Reports
Bridgestone
Fiat Yamaha
Dcuati
Rizla ÔÇô Suzuki
Pramac Racing
Repsol Honda
Gresini Racing
LCR Honda
Tech 3 Yamaha

motrcycelnews.com: Toseland still in dark over future

crash.net: Hayden ÔÇô A couple of good options for 2010

 

[mika]

MotoGP.com:


bridgestonemotorsport.com: Round 13 San Marino preview

yamah-motor=europe.com: Yamaha Team aim for home race heroics at Misano

crash.net: Pedrosa taking Indy positives to Misano

autosport.com: de Angelis hits out at Gresini

 

[mika]

MotoGP.com:

motorsport-total.com: Hayate ÔÇô the stop gap measure was fortunate

autosport.com: Melandri ÔÇô HayateÔÇÖs pace a surprise

Motorsport.com: San Marino GP Previews:
Honda
Repsol Honda
Rizla Suzuki
Ducati
Pramac Racing
Fiat Yamaha
Bridgestone

 

[85138]

Did you Jinx?

There's one bend that seems to be throwing riders off.

Edwards and a whole bunch of the 250 top riders went down. It appears to be due to a series of small "ripples" that combined with the bikes being fully leaned over and some still trailing front brake, creates a combination that washes out the front end.

Unfortunately you were prophetic. Both Pedrosa and Rossi lost it in that area. Quite a few 250cc riders lost it there last year as well. I was in the Ducati grandstand which faces that area. Saw Rossi run a bit wide, turned to a friend and said 'Oh Oh, he's wide' ... next I knew he was out. He routinely recovers from being off line at other tracks when pushing it. The approach to that slow right is unforgiving and aside from bumps, as Rossi found out traction not as good either just being off a couple feet or so.

 

[mika]

yamaha-racing.com: Ben Spies to stay with Yamaha in 2010 (World Superbike) and 2011 (he will make the move to MotoGP)

 

[mika]

MotoGP.com:
Qualifying Results

Poleman Rossi in control at Misano

Pedrosa and Lorenzo are ready to hunt down Rossi

Hayden on second row for important race

reuters.com: Rossi storms to pole for San Marino GP

autosport.com: Dovizioso fears a compromised race

Motorsport.com: Qualifying Reports
Bridgstone
Honda
Gresini Racing
Repsol Honda
Tech 3 Yamaha
Fiat Yamaha
Pramac Racing
Rizla Suzuki
Ducati

motorsport-total.com translated: Rossi ÔÇô Ducati, why not?

 

[mika]

MotoGP.com:
Simon takes 125cc Misano victory
Superb 250cc race ends with Barbera victory
Pedrosa and Dovizioso renew HRC contracts

San Marino MotoGP Results

1 25 46 Valentino ROSSI ITA Fiat Yamaha Team YAMAHA 44'32.882 159.371
2 20 99 Jorge LORENZO SPA Fiat Yamaha Team YAMAHA 44'35.298 159.227 2.416
3 16 3 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team HONDA 44'45.282 158.635 12.400
4 13 4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA Repsol Honda Team HONDA 44'59.212 157.816 26.330
5 11 65 Loris CAPIROSSI ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP SUZUKI 44'59.421 157.804 26.539
6 10 24 Toni ELIAS SPA San Carlo Honda Gresini HONDA 45'01.168 157.702 28.286
7 9 36 Mika KALLIO FIN Ducati Marlboro Team DUCATI 45'03.066 157.591 30.184
8 8 33 Marco MELANDRI ITA Hayate Racing Team KAWASAKI 45'04.639 157.500 31.757
9 7 7 Chris VERMEULEN AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP SUZUKI 45'04.791 157.491 31.909
10 6 52 James TOSELAND GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 YAMAHA 45'11.229 157.117 38.347
11 5 44 Aleix ESPARGARO SPA Pramac Racing DUCATI 45'19.555 156.636 46.673
12 4 14 Randy DE PUNIET FRA LCR Honda MotoGP HONDA 45'24.923 156.327 52.041
13 3 88 Niccolo CANEPA ITA Pramac Racing DUCATI 45'36.080 155.690 1'03.198
14 2 41 Gabor TALMACSI HUN Scot Racing Team MotoGP HONDA 45'55.229 154.608 1'22.347

Not finished first lap
15 Alex DE ANGELIS RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini HONDA
5 Colin EDWARDS USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 YAMAHA
69 Nicky HAYDEN USA Ducati Marlboro Team DUCATI

Rossi hits back with Misano triumph
bbc.co.uk: Rossi eases to San Marino victory

autosport.com: Rossi takes commanding win home

 

[mika]

MotoGP.com:
Simocelli explains Misan mishap (250cc)

Kallio pleased with performance on factory machine

bbc.co.uk:
Matt RobertÔÇÖs San Marino MotoGP column

crash.net: Ducatic looks forward to Stoner return
-Related-
autosport.com: Ducati expects stronger Stoner

Yamaha-motor-europe.com: The doctor rules at Misano with resounding home victory and Lorenzo makes it a on-two

rizila-suzuki-motogp.co.uk: Fantastic fighting fifth for Capirossi at Misano

teamtech3.fr: Toesland a gallant tenth ÔÇô Edwards makes early exit at Misano

motogpmatters.com: 2009 MotoGP Misano Race Report ÔÇô Making a point

 

[mika]

MotoGP.com:

fim-live.com: Ducati Hold Stoner hope

motorcyclenews.com: Capirossi confident Suzuki can improve

motorscyclenews.com: Burges ÔÇô Rossi continues to amaze me

 

[mika]

MotoGP.com:
Stoner and the season so far

motorcyclenews.com: Nicky Hayden expecting Estoril return for Casey Stoner

motorsport-total.com translated: de Puniet stays with LCR Honda for another year

motomatters.com: Severely curtailed 2010 MotoGP test schedule

motomatters.com: More details on the FB Corse MotoGP project

 

[mika]

MotoGP.com:
Repsol Honda team aiming hig as MotoGP hits Portugal

Ricla Suzuki back on track for Estoril encounter

fim-live.com: Rossi and Lorenzo gear up for final four races

fim-live.com: Final phase of season commences at Estoril

motorcyclenews.com: Casey stoner to tide Estoril

motomatters.com: StonerÔÇÖs return ÔÇô the media feeding frenzy continues

Repsol Honda team aiming hig as MotoGP hits Portugal

crash.net: Pedrosa ÔÇô Estoril all about brakes an bumps

Motorsport.com ÔÇô Estoril Previews
Fiat Yamaha
Rizla Suzuki

 

[mika]

MotoGP.com:

Bridgestone ready for challenging Estoril circuit

bbc.co.uk: Stoner set for Estoril comeback

superbikeplanet.com: Ducati – Stoner still not 100%

crash.net: Hayden ‘very excited for Portugal’

speedtv.com: MotoGP ’09 enters final phase

bridgestonemotorsport.com: Portugal preview


The following open letter from Vito Ippolito President appeared on the MotoGP and FIM websites. While not naming specific series or riders in the letter it has been most widely reported on MotoGP sites and so I will include it here.


News
Open letter from the FIM President Vito Ippolito to riders - Race with Fair Play!
29/09/09 - 16:50
Ladies and gentlemen,


Following many incidents between riders that have taken place during races since the beginning of the season and comments made by riders that were published by the media, as FIM President, I would like to make the following remarks:

Our sport has the privilege of being seen on TV by millions of viewers and covered by hundreds of media worldwide. Our fans admire the riders' courage and talent. These are two key ingredients that make us one of the most popular sports in the world.

Riders must also be highly focused, have very strong nerves and make correct decisions in order to make a successful career. Of course, this supreme effort exhausts physical and mental reserves and, as a consequence, it is possible to make mistakes. But this state of "agonistic trance" cannot excuse unfair behaviour in competition, as we have seen recently. This is precisely why this kind of behaviour must be severely punished. But worse yet is what has just happened when the lack of fair play extends beyond competition, with vulgar and offensive remarks towards the opponents. This is even more unforgivable.

We must show to our huge audience not only how spectacular our sport is, but also how important fair play is to us. Most riders are respectful of sporting, moral and ethical values. Therefore, we cannot allow anyone achieve victory or act unfairly or dishonestly. I really hope that this will not happen again and that the spirit of chivalry which has always distinguished our champions will prevail.

If such incidents take place in the future, it is clear that the FIM will not hesitate to intervene and take necessary disciplinary action against the riders concerned.

Yours sincerely,

Vito Ippolito
President