Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Japanese MotoGP - Race results
Race results from the Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi, round two of the 2009 MotoGP World Championship. 1. Jorge Lorenzo SPA Fiat Yamaha Team 43min 47.238 sec 2. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team 43min 48.542 sec 3. Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda Team 43min 51.001 sec 4. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team 43min 52.929 sec 5. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Repsol Honda Team 43min 56.445 sec 6. Marco Melandri ITA Hayate Racing Team 44min 17.793 sec 7. Loris Capirossi ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 44min 19.994 sec 8. Mika Kallio FIN Pramac Racing 44min 26.654 sec 9. James Toseland GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 44min 30.344 sec 10. Chris Vermeulen AUS Rizla
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Fiat Yamaha pair share front row for floodlit opener
Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo will share the front row for tomorrow’s season-opening Grand Prix in Qatar, having qualified second and third in tonight’s session at the Losail International Circuit. The pair were split by just 0.024 seconds tonight and beaten only by Casey Stoner, with Rossi and Stoner having now been first and second in all three sessions.
Despite the single-tyre rule having spelled the end of one-lap qualifying tyres, tonight’s session proved to be exciting nonetheless with most riders, including Rossi and Lorenzo, choosing to keep one of the softer compound Bridgestone tyres to use at the end of the 45 minutes for a couple of flying laps. Tomorrow’s 22-lap race will see the riders using the harder compound Bridgestone rubber and Rossi, who has had a good race pace all weekend, is confident of being able to mount a strong challenge. Lorenzo meanwhile has posted his fast times on the softer tyre and now needs to make a few changes together with his team and use the warm-up well in order to refine his setting and find a better feeling with the race tyre. The race will begin at 2300 local time, CET 2200.
Despite the single-tyre rule having spelled the end of one-lap qualifying tyres, tonight’s session proved to be exciting nonetheless with most riders, including Rossi and Lorenzo, choosing to keep one of the softer compound Bridgestone tyres to use at the end of the 45 minutes for a couple of flying laps. Tomorrow’s 22-lap race will see the riders using the harder compound Bridgestone rubber and Rossi, who has had a good race pace all weekend, is confident of being able to mount a strong challenge. Lorenzo meanwhile has posted his fast times on the softer tyre and now needs to make a few changes together with his team and use the warm-up well in order to refine his setting and find a better feeling with the race tyre. The race will begin at 2300 local time, CET 2200.
Bridgestone content with Qatar tyre performance
The first ever single-tyre MotoGP race was a far-from straightforward affair for rubber supplier Bridgestone, with temperatures different to those of the previous year’s race and recent test in Qatar. The addition of an extra twenty minutes on track and a sandy surface left many riders with adjustments to be made, but Bridgestone’s Race Tyre Development Manager Tohru Ubukata was happy with the company’s adaptation to the delayed desert race.
“The Qatar night race was one of our most difficult tracks last year because of the cold night-time temperatures and the abrasive nature of the sandy track, so we came here this year knowing it would be challenging for our tyres again,” said Ubukata. “However I am happy with the way our soft and medium compound slicks worked this weekend and I believe the wider operating range of each tyre offered a more consistent level of performance this time. Also I was encouraged that our tyres coped well on this week's sandy conditions.
“All the riders favoured the medium compound. Our soft compound suffered graining on the sandy track with the heat and abrasion, but the medium compound worked better in these difficult conditions. Even with the medium compound tyre we had no problems with warm-up performance which was our main problem last year, so it shows the work we have done on widening the operating range of this year’s tyres.”
Bridgestone did not provide any extra rubber for the re-organised Monday race, and Ubukata was impressed by the durability of the existing tyres for overtime work.
“I believe we made the correct selection of two compounds for this first race, and I believe that these options also were ok for the teams. With just 20 tyres per rider, every team had sufficient to complete the race weekend, even though it was extended by one day, so I think new regulation is working ok. All teams were able to complete Monday’s warm-up and race using their original allocation of 20 tyres per rider. The warm-up was run twice as all riders completed it on Sunday as well, so this caused some extra mileage and I think some riders would have liked to have had more front tyres, especially of the medium compound, but tyre strategy is a decision for the teams. This is also a very unusual circumstance, but it shows there is sufficient flexibility in the new single tyre regulations,” concluded the Japanese manager.
“The Qatar night race was one of our most difficult tracks last year because of the cold night-time temperatures and the abrasive nature of the sandy track, so we came here this year knowing it would be challenging for our tyres again,” said Ubukata. “However I am happy with the way our soft and medium compound slicks worked this weekend and I believe the wider operating range of each tyre offered a more consistent level of performance this time. Also I was encouraged that our tyres coped well on this week's sandy conditions.
“All the riders favoured the medium compound. Our soft compound suffered graining on the sandy track with the heat and abrasion, but the medium compound worked better in these difficult conditions. Even with the medium compound tyre we had no problems with warm-up performance which was our main problem last year, so it shows the work we have done on widening the operating range of this year’s tyres.”
Bridgestone did not provide any extra rubber for the re-organised Monday race, and Ubukata was impressed by the durability of the existing tyres for overtime work.
“I believe we made the correct selection of two compounds for this first race, and I believe that these options also were ok for the teams. With just 20 tyres per rider, every team had sufficient to complete the race weekend, even though it was extended by one day, so I think new regulation is working ok. All teams were able to complete Monday’s warm-up and race using their original allocation of 20 tyres per rider. The warm-up was run twice as all riders completed it on Sunday as well, so this caused some extra mileage and I think some riders would have liked to have had more front tyres, especially of the medium compound, but tyre strategy is a decision for the teams. This is also a very unusual circumstance, but it shows there is sufficient flexibility in the new single tyre regulations,” concluded the Japanese manager.
Do your predictions for Qatar match those of the MotoGP Legend?
The start of the MotoGP season in Qatar also sees the launch of a new edition of the MotoGP Fantasy League, where you can find out once and for all just how much you know about premier class racing.
There is still time to make your picks for the Commercialbank Grand Prix of Qatar, and this weekend you can also match your hunch against that of MotoGP Legend Angel Nieto, who spoke to motogp.com on Sunday afternoon.
“Stoner is very strong, but Rossi is very close and Lorenzo could get there,” analysed the Spaniard from inside the Losail International Circuit paddock, before indicating that a ‘Laguna Seca-esque’ strategy from Rossi would be needed to tame Stoner and prevent an Australian victory.
”Rossi needs to use a tactic to stop Stoner from escaping, because if he goes away from the start it will be hard to stop him. For the podium I think they will both be there, and also Lorenzo if he pushes very hard.”
Make your own predictions by entering the MotoGP 2009 Fantasy League
There is still time to make your picks for the Commercialbank Grand Prix of Qatar, and this weekend you can also match your hunch against that of MotoGP Legend Angel Nieto, who spoke to motogp.com on Sunday afternoon.
“Stoner is very strong, but Rossi is very close and Lorenzo could get there,” analysed the Spaniard from inside the Losail International Circuit paddock, before indicating that a ‘Laguna Seca-esque’ strategy from Rossi would be needed to tame Stoner and prevent an Australian victory.
”Rossi needs to use a tactic to stop Stoner from escaping, because if he goes away from the start it will be hard to stop him. For the podium I think they will both be there, and also Lorenzo if he pushes very hard.”
Make your own predictions by entering the MotoGP 2009 Fantasy League
Stoner fastest in rain-lashed MotoGP warm-up
Jorge Lorenzo emerged victorious from a thrilling Polini Grand Prix of Japan at Twin Ring Motegi, the second win of his MotoGP career and a result that retained his 100% podium record in the 2009 season.
The Fiat Yamaha rider took little time in taking the reigns of the race, having started from the front row and showed no fear when faced with the likes of Dani Pedrosa and Valentino Rossi in front of him. However, despite a relatively comfortable advantage, Lorenzo was never quite able to say a definitive ‘sayonara’ to his rivals as the action heated up. He held on to cross the line with a gap of less than two seconds between him and second placed teammate Rossi.
Lorenzo moves up into first place in the overall classification, for the second time in his MotoGP career. The battle for second place in the race was MotoGP at its finest, as Repsol Honda man Pedrosa exchanged overtaking moves in the middle third of the 24 laps. Pedrosa took third from out of nowhere, having had a storming start from the fourth row of the grid.
Ducati Marlboro rider Casey Stoner was unable to break away as he had done in Qatar, finishing fourth and keeping up the pressure in the general standings. Andrea Dovizioso completed a fine day for Repsol Honda in fifth, ahead of Marco Melandri, Loris Capirossi, Mika Kallio, James Toseland and Chris Vermeulen.
Home rider Yuki Takahashi crashed out of the race in a collision with Nicky Hayden on the second lap.
The Fiat Yamaha rider took little time in taking the reigns of the race, having started from the front row and showed no fear when faced with the likes of Dani Pedrosa and Valentino Rossi in front of him. However, despite a relatively comfortable advantage, Lorenzo was never quite able to say a definitive ‘sayonara’ to his rivals as the action heated up. He held on to cross the line with a gap of less than two seconds between him and second placed teammate Rossi.
Lorenzo moves up into first place in the overall classification, for the second time in his MotoGP career. The battle for second place in the race was MotoGP at its finest, as Repsol Honda man Pedrosa exchanged overtaking moves in the middle third of the 24 laps. Pedrosa took third from out of nowhere, having had a storming start from the fourth row of the grid.
Ducati Marlboro rider Casey Stoner was unable to break away as he had done in Qatar, finishing fourth and keeping up the pressure in the general standings. Andrea Dovizioso completed a fine day for Repsol Honda in fifth, ahead of Marco Melandri, Loris Capirossi, Mika Kallio, James Toseland and Chris Vermeulen.
Home rider Yuki Takahashi crashed out of the race in a collision with Nicky Hayden on the second lap.
Qualifying cancellation leaves Rossi on Motegi pole
Heavy lunchtime rain at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit led to the cancellation of all qualifying sessions for the Polini Grand Prix of Japan, leaving grid positions in all three World Championship categories to be decided according to Free Practice positions.
Valentino Rossi will thus start from pole position at Motegi for the first time in his career, courtesy of his late time on Friday afternoon. All MotoGP times were faster in the first free practice session, the only dry run that the riders have had in preparation for the 2009 race.
Rossi will line up alongside series leader Casey Stoner and Fiat Yamaha teammate Jorge Lorenzo on Sunday, the same three riders making up the front row as at the first race of the year in Qatar. The 2008 World Champion is in a prime position to avoid a breakaway by Stoner, the rider who took victory so comprehensively less than two weeks ago.
Rizla Suzuki rider Chris Vermeulen is joined by Monster Tech3 Yamaha’s Colin Edwards –the fastest rider in the wet FP2 session- and three-time Motegi racewinner Loris Capirossi on the second line, whilst the highest placing Honda comes on the third row. Andrea Dovizioso leads the Japanese company’s charge in his first home race for the Repsol Honda factory squad, with Hayate Racing man Marco Melandri and San Carlo Honda Gresini’s Toni Elias by his side.
An extended MotoGP Warmup session takes place from 9.55-10-35am local time.
Valentino Rossi will thus start from pole position at Motegi for the first time in his career, courtesy of his late time on Friday afternoon. All MotoGP times were faster in the first free practice session, the only dry run that the riders have had in preparation for the 2009 race.
Rossi will line up alongside series leader Casey Stoner and Fiat Yamaha teammate Jorge Lorenzo on Sunday, the same three riders making up the front row as at the first race of the year in Qatar. The 2008 World Champion is in a prime position to avoid a breakaway by Stoner, the rider who took victory so comprehensively less than two weeks ago.
Rizla Suzuki rider Chris Vermeulen is joined by Monster Tech3 Yamaha’s Colin Edwards –the fastest rider in the wet FP2 session- and three-time Motegi racewinner Loris Capirossi on the second line, whilst the highest placing Honda comes on the third row. Andrea Dovizioso leads the Japanese company’s charge in his first home race for the Repsol Honda factory squad, with Hayate Racing man Marco Melandri and San Carlo Honda Gresini’s Toni Elias by his side.
An extended MotoGP Warmup session takes place from 9.55-10-35am local time.
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