2011 BSB Round 12 Brands Hatch GP

Shane 'Shakey' Byrne maintained his position as the fastest rider around the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit this morning as the HM Plant Honda rider topped the second and final free practice session ahead of this afternoon's qualifying and opening race of the finale.

Byrne started the session as he would eventually end it; setting the pace in the early stages as the local ace continued to show that he will be a contender in qualifying and the race this afternoon. Michael Laverty who had pushed him in the morning session, then went ahead on the Swan Yamaha as the anticipation builds for the title-deciding three races.

Josh Brookes and the Relentless Suzuki by TAS team then were pushing and the Australian went ahead as the session reached its final minute. However last season's runner-up wasn't there for long and just seconds later Byrne again went back to the top of the times as he carried his strong momentum through to the final practice session.

Brookes and Laverty ended second and third as the Title Fighters prepare to do battle this afternoon as they headed off John Hopkins in fourth on the Samsung Crescent Racing Suzuki. He held a minimal advantage over main title rival Tommy Hill who rounded out the top five as again the Title Fighters held the top positions.

James Ellison on the Sorrymate.com Honda again showed his pace in sixth ahead of Graeme Gowland who again made it into the top eight on the Mirror.co.uk BSB Evo specification WFR Honda. Peter Hickman and the Rapid Solicitors-Bathams Ducati pairing of Michael Rutter and Martin Jessopp rounded out the top ten.


MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, free practice two:

1. Shane Byrne (HM Plant Honda) 1m:25.638s
2. Josh Brookes (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +0.024s
3. Michael Laverty (Swan Yamaha) +0.183s
4. John Hopkins (Samsung Crescent Racing Suzuki) +0.384s
5. Tommy Hill (Swan Yamaha) +0.438s
6. James Ellison (Sorrymate.com Honda) +0.475s
7. Graeme Gowland (WFR Honda) +0.569s
8. Peter Hickman (Tyco Honda) +0.632s
9. Michael Rutter (Rapid Solicitors-Bathams Ducati) +0.963s

www.britishsuperbike.com

2012 KTM  Moto-3  latest photo.


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HRC RC213V Test at Motegi Japan Photo

2012 RC213V Test Photoｓ uploaded.

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HRC RC213V Test Photo

Simoncelli tests 1000cc HRC Honda at Motegi Japan

After agreeing a new contract with San Carlo Honda Gresini and HRC at Motegi, Marco Simoncelli was back on track on Monday following a bittersweet Grand Prix to test the 1000cc bike he will ride next year. It was an important opportunity to discover the potential of the RC213V and give his feedback to HRC, and turned out to be a fun day for Marco who now heads to the Philippines for a short break before the next round of the MotoGP World Championship at Phillip Island in Australia.

San Carlo Honda Gresini 

Marco Simoncelli
“The big day finally arrived and I was able to test the bike I will be riding in Team San Carlo Honda Gresini colours next year. It was a fantastic experience to get out on the RC213V and I would like thank HRC for the opportunity. I completed 50 laps and quickly felt confident with the new bike, setting similar lap times to the RC212V. At the end of the day I gave my feedback and suggestions, which I hope will be important in the development of the bike from here. Now I am taking some days off on the island of Boracay in the Philippines before the next race at Phillip Island.”  

Yamaha Moto GP ready for team orders to help #1 Jorge

Yamaha will have no hesitation in implementing controversial team orders if required to help Jorge Lorenzo successfully defend the MotoGP world title in 2011.

The Spaniard trails Honda rival Casey Stoner by a massive 44-points with only four races remaining and Yamaha management have confirmed that if necessary they will ask Ben Spies to help Lorenzo in the final phase of the season.
Yamaha boss Lin Jarvis told MCN: “There are still some races to go and it is not like we are six points adrift with only two races to go. We need to see how the season pans out and I would hope by the last two races of the year we are still mathematically in the hunt to fight and then let’s see what we need to do in that moment.

"Ben and Jorge are both team players, so I think we have a very good relationship between these two riders this year, unlike perhaps in the past. These riders are not competing against each other in the championship and the harmony that we have could be an advantager.
"What is important is that the team wins and we give our riders the maximum effort and if one rider mathematically has no chance to win the championship and the other does, I think it is only reasonable they should help.”

Team orders are frequently used in Formula One but it is a highly contentious issue, with fans angered that race results are manipulated.
But Jarvis added: “We've seen the situation in Formula One recently where they’ve cancelled the ban on team orders, which personally I agree with. In my opinion the team should have every right to decide the strategy as it sees fit and I don’t think it is for the public to decide what is the strategy of a manufacturer and a team.”

Ben Spies said Yamaha management had not even spoken him about the prospect of team orders ahead of last weekend's Motorland Aragon race and he said: "For me there’s been no team orders. We saw that at Indy when I passed Jorge. In Misano, Dani (Pedrosa) was able to pass Casey at the end and that’s racing and the way it should be.
"When a championship is won because somebody let somebody else beat them then I don’t like it so much. But I haven’t heard anything and I don’t plan on riding any differently. Whoever is in front of me I’ll be trying to pass them.” www.motorcyclenews.com

Superbike World Championship 2011 Round 12. Magny-Cours

Carlos Checa (Althea Racing Ducati) was crowned champion at Magny-Cours by the time the first 23-lap race had been completed under glorious French sunshine, in front of 86,100 spectators. By the end of race two Ducati had also secured the Manufacturers’ title, thanks to Checa’s double win. Carlos has now won 14 races this year, including five doubles. Checa enters the final round at Portimao with 467 points while Marco Melandri (Yamaha World Superbike Team) has 360 points after scoring two second places today.
Eugene Laverty (Yamaha World Superbike Team) moved up to overall third with a total of 283 points, overhauling non-starter Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia) who was ruled out of this weekend’s races because of his pre-existing foot injury. The final podium man in Magny-Cours was top BMW Motorrad Motorsport finisher Leon Haslam, who took third in race one and fourth in race two. Superpole winner Jonathan Rea (Castrol Honda) was in line to fight for a podium finish had he not had the misfortune to crash in race one and then have a technical DNF in race two.
Leon Camier (Aprilia Alitalia) was the top Aprilia finisher today, with a fourth and a sixth and top Kawasaki man was Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Racing Team) who was eighth and then seventh, moving up to 11th overall. Michel Fabrizio (Suzuki Alstare) was only 12th and then a non-finisher in the races, having another tough weekend.
Privateer rider Sylvain Guintoli (Effenbert Liberty Racing Ducati) was in sparkling form again, with a sixth and a fifth, and Haslam’s team-mate Troy Corser had two solid ninth places.

Race 1
Checa won his first Superbike World Championship with an assured victory in the opening race. Once clear of long-time leader Laverty, Checa was unopposed and took his 13th race win and raised his points total to an unassailable 442. His only pre-race title rival Melandri was second after a late charge through to the podium. Haslam made his German based team happy with a top three finish, after his usual battling performance. Camier was a close fourth, with Laverty slowing to end up fifth.
Carlos Checa: “It’s a great moment, I want to say thank you to everyone who helped me from when I started racing until now, of course especially Genesio, Ducati and all the team. It’s a perfect moment to also win the race. I don’t know what to say, just that we need to focus for the next one. It’s a great emotion going through my mind.”
Marco Melandri: “It’s a big day for me, and I’m very happy about the race. I’m a bit disappointed about the first few laps but after that my rhythm was good and I made some nice passes, but I’d like to get some more wins before the end of the year.”
Leon Haslam: “We’ve not been on the podium too many times this year so we’ll take every opportunity. It was a good battle all the way, it always seems I’m battling with Marco and Eugene for that last podium slot. I’m just looking forward now, I’ve obviously signed up with BMW for next year so we’ll just keep progressing this year”
Results: 1. Checa C. (ESP) Ducati 1098R 38'16.465 (159,04 kph); 2. Melandri M. (ITA) Yamaha YZF R1 2.201; 3. Haslam L. (GBR) BMW S1000 RR 3.218; 4. Camier L. (GBR) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 3.796; 5. Laverty E. (IRL) Yamaha YZF R1 5.602; 6. Guintoli S. (FRA) Ducati 1098R 9.634; 7. Haga N. (JPN) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 9.814; 8. Lascorz J. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX-10R 11.387; 9. Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 17.143; 10. Sykes T. (GBR) Kawasaki ZX-10R 24.523; etc.

Race 2
Checa took his 14th win of the season in fine style when he held off late charger Melandri. Third was long time leader Laverty who was only passed in the very late stages, in a strong and decisive move, by his team-mate Melandri. Haslam was unable to repeat his podium from race one, as he finished six seconds from the win in fourth place. Fifth place went to local man Guintoli.
Carlos Checa: “It’s a fantastic moment and now is the time to relax! Winning the title with a great weekend like this is unexpected. We felt comfortable and in the end I did what I like, race as fast as I can, and win. Now it’s time for some celebrations!”
Marco Melandri: “We tried some modifications at the front but didn’t improve like we thought. I was struggling a lot in the beginning but in the last few laps I was more comfortable on the bike and started to push. When I saw I could catch Eugene, I knew I had to pass him at the small hairpin under very hard braking, I’m sorry I was very strong with him!.”
Eugene Laverty: “I had to work hard for the podium, they were two very tough races, the first one didn’t go to plan, but in the second race it was nice to get out front, the push from the bike was good. I tried to stay with Carlos but I don’t think anyone could this year. I was close to second but Marco beat me to it. Portimao will be a decider to see if I can get third in the championship.”
Results: 1. Checa C. (ESP) Ducati 1098R 38'17.851 (158,945 kph); 2. Melandri M. (ITA) Yamaha YZF R1 1.267; 3. Laverty E. (IRL) Yamaha YZF R1 2.043; 4. Haslam L. (GBR) BMW S1000 RR 6.506; 5. Guintoli S. (FRA) Ducati 1098R 7.843; 6. Camier L. (GBR) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 8.360; 7. Lascorz J. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX-10R 15.285; 8. Badovini A. (ITA) BMW S1000 RR 15.549; 9. Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 16.278; 10. Haga N. (JPN) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 22.996; etc.
Points (after 12 of 13 rounds): 1. Checa 467 (2011 Champion); 2. Melandri 360; 3. Laverty 283; 4. Biaggi 281; 5. Haslam 216; 6. Camier 194; 7: Guintoli 179; 8. Haga 170; etc. Manufacturers: 1. Ducati 491 (2011 Champions); 2. Yamaha 415; 3. Aprilia 399; 4. BMW 261; 5. Kawasaki 209; 6. Honda 162; 7. Suzuki 162.

World Supersport
Chaz Davies (Yamaha ParkinGO) took the overall victory in the Supersport World Championship after finishing sixth, in a race won by his team-mate Luca Scassa. Sam Lowes (Parkalgar Honda) was second today with long-time leader Broc Parkes (Kawasaki Motocard.com) just holding off his rapidly advancing team-mate David Salom for third. James Ellison (Bogdanka PTR Honda) was fifth, as Davies eased to the title and a new total of 181 points with one round left to run. Fabien Foret (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) was only eighth today but remains second overall, in 144 points. Parkes is third in the points, on 136, tied with Salom.
Results: 1. Scassa L. (ITA) Yamaha YZF R6 37'48.052 (154,031 kph); 2. Lowes S. (GBR) Honda CBR600RR 1.582; 3. Parkes B. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1.749; 4. Salom D. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1.826; 5. Ellison J. (GBR) Honda CBR600RR 2.384; 6. Davies C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R6 5.212; 7. Tamburini R. (ITA) Yamaha YZF R6 9.755; 8. Foret F. (FRA) Honda CBR600RR 11.268; etc.
Points (after 11 of 12 rounds): 1. Davies 181 (2011 Champion); 2. Foret 144; 3. Parkes 136; 4. Salom 136; 5. Lowes 129; 6. Scassa 121; 7. Ellison 83; 8. Marino 78; etc. Manufacturers: 1. Yamaha 226; 2. Honda 214; 3. Kawasaki 177; 4. Triumph 36.

Superstock 1000
In winning the race at Magny-Cours Danilo Petrucci (Barni Racing Ducati) did all he could to stop Davide Giugliano (Althea Racing Ducati) from being champion, but in finishing fifth Giugliano took the crown with one round to spare. A three way fight for second in the race between team-mates Lorenzo Zanetti and Sylvain Barrier (BMW Motorrad Italia Superstock), plus Niccolò Canepa (Lazio MotorSport) ended up in that order.
Results: 1. Petrucci D. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 23'48.111 (155,67 kph); 2. Zanetti L. (ITA) BMW S1000 RR 2.734; 3. Barrier S. (FRA) BMW S1000 RR 2.801; 4. Canepa N. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 2.997; 5. Giugliano D. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 11.455; 6. Massei F. (ITA) BMW S1000 RR 11.817; 7. Antonelli A. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 11.956; 8. Morais S. (RSA) Kawasaki ZX-10R 14.026; etc.
Points (after 9 of 10 rounds): 1. Giugliano 171 (2011 Champion); 2. Petrucci 144; 3. Zanetti 137; 4. Barrier 112; 5. Canepa 109; 6. Baroni 70; 7. Antonelli 67; 8. Reiterberger 64; etc. Manufacturers: 1. Ducati 215 (2011 Champions); 2. BMW 173; 3. Kawasaki 83; 4. Honda 75; 5. Yamaha 16.

2011 Moto GP in Motegi Japan. Circuit onbord video

2011 Moto GP In Motegi Japan

The Repsol Honda rider took his 10th pole position of the season at Motegi with blazing lap of 1’45″543 that broke not only Jorge Lorenzo’s 2008 qualifying record (before the one tire rule) but also lowering the same record that the Yamaha rider had set a couple of minutes earlier.
Jorge Lorenzo stopped the Repsol Honda domination that characterized this Japanese GP weekend so far. The Spaniard came back to take second and he was 0.256s adrift, the only other rider to go under the 1.46 mark and now he has an interesting race pace.
Closing the front row will be Andrea Dovizioso who moved into third on his last flying lap, demoting Repsol Honda team mate Dani Pedrosa to 4th and Valentino Rossi to seventh. With Pedrosa on the the second row will be a still recovering Ben Spies and Gresini Honda’s Marco Simoncelli who suffered a crash at turn 5 at the halfway mark of the session.

This was one of Rossi’s better qualifying sessions, even if he’s still 1,2 seconds off pace but at least he’s six tenths of second from Pedrosa.
Alvaro Bautista took his Suzuki to the 8th spot, followed by Aspar’s Hector Barbera in ninth, while Nicky Hayden who had an excellent start yesterday could manage only a 10th spot today.


MotoGP Motegi Qualifying Results:
01- Casey Stoner – Repsol Honda Team – Honda RC212V – 1’45.267
02- Jorge Lorenzo – Yamaha Factory Racing – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 0.256
03- Andrea Dovizioso – Repsol Honda Team – Honda RC212V – + 0.524
04- Dani Pedrosa – Repsol Honda Team – Honda RC212V – + 0.699
05- Ben Spies – Yamaha Factory Racing – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 0.775
06- Marco Simoncelli – San Carlo Honda Gresini – Honda RC212V – + 0.944
07- Valentino Rossi – Ducati Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP11.1 – + 1.200
08- Alvaro Bautista – Rizla Suzuki MotoGP – Suzuki GSV-R – + 1.319
09- Hector Barbera – Mapfre Aspar Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP11 – + 1.427
10- Nicky Hayden – Ducati Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP11.1 – + 1.496
11- Hiroshi Aoyama – San Carlo Honda Gresini – Honda RC212V – + 1.544
12- Cal Crutchlow – Monster Yamaha Tech 3 – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 1.551
13- Randy De Puniet – Pramac Racing Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP11 – + 1.650
14- Colin Edwards – Monster Yamaha Tech 3 – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 1.898
15- Karel Abraham – Cardion AB Motoracing – Ducati Desmosedici GP11 – + 2.655
16- Toni Elias – LCR Honda MotoGP – Honda RC212V – + 2.902
17- Kousuke Akiyoshi – LCR Honda MotoGP – Honda RC212V – + 3.100
18- Damian Cudlin – Pramac Racing Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP11 – + 3.695
19- Shinichi Itoh – Honda Racing Team – Honda RC212V – + 4.704
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DUCATI TEAM PREPARES FOR JAPANESE GP MOTEGI 2011

The Ducati Team is headed for the Japanese Grand Prix, which will take place on Sunday, 2 October, following a postponement due to the terrible earthquake that struck the country on March 11.

A stop-and-go track with a predominance of slow corners that are interspersed with medium-length straightaways, the Twin Ring Motegi has played host to four Ducati Team wins and one additional podium.

Valentino Rossi has posted six podium finishes at the track, including last year’s third place following a tight battle with Jorge Lorenzo, while Nicky Hayden doesn’t count the Japanese circuit among his favorites.

Starting on Friday morning, the two riders will work to refine the setup of the GP11.1, with hopes that the weather—the forecast for which is currently uncertain—allows them to take full advantage of the sessions.

VALENTINO ROSSI:

“I had a nice race last year at Motegi, despite having a painful shoulder. I had a nice duel with Lorenzo, and I finished on the podium. The Ducati won last year and has also gone well there in the past, so we’ll see if we can do any better than we have at the recent races. It’s true that we’re having to work very hard, but we always approach every Grand Prix with the goal of doing better. We’ll try hard this Sunday as well, working on the track with what we have available at this time, while also simultaneously focusing on the future.”

NICKY HAYDEN:

MOTEGI CIRCUIT RECORDS

“I’ve got a lot of fans in Japan, and there are a lot of people who love motorcycles. It would be nice to put on a good show for them, as they’ve certainly had a hard time this year. The radiation situation seems to be under control, so earthquakes are the only concern. Hopefully we can have a good race. Motegi has probably been my worst track since I’ve been with Ducati, as I’ve struggled to get turned in those hairpin corners and get out strong. I’m not expecting an easy weekend, but Ducati is really working hard to give us options and to find the best direction for the future. It’s great to see them putting in so much effort, and although we’re not seeing immediate results, we’re learning a lot and getting a bunch of data that’s going to be a big help in the long term.”(Ducati.com)

Circuit Record: Casey Stoner  (Ducati – 2008), 1:47.091 – 161.391  Km/h
Best Pole: Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha – 2008), 1:45.543 – 163.758 Km/h
Circuit Length: 4.801 km2011 MotoGP Race: 24 laps (115.224 km)
2011 MotoGP Schedule: 3:00 p.m. Local Time
2010 PODIUM: 1st Casey Stoner, 2nd Andrea Dovizioso, 3rd Valentino Rossi
2010 POLE: Andrea Dovizioso (Honda – 2010 ), 1:47.001 – 161.527 km/h 

2012 MotoGP calendar released

A provisional calendar for the 2012 FIM MotoGP World Championship has been released by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme.

A provisional calendar for the 2012 FIM MotoGP World Championship has been released today, and the schedule is as follows:


Date, Grand Prix - Circuit
15 April, Qatar* - Doha/Losail
29 April, Spain (STC) - Jerez de la Frontera
6 May, Portugal (STC) - Estoril
20 May, France - Le Mans
3 June, Catalunya - Catalunya
17 June, Great Britain - Silverstone
30 June, Netherlands** - Assen
8 July, Germany (STC) - TBC
15 July, Italy - Mugello
29 July, United States*** - Laguna Seca
19 August, Indianapolis - Indianapolis
26 August, Czech Rep. - Brno
16 September, San Marino & Riviera di Rimini - Misano
30 September, Aragon - Motorland
14 October, Japan - Motegi
21 October, Malaysia - Sepang
28 October, Australia - Phillip Island
11 November, Valencia - Ricardo Tormo – Valencia


* Evening Race
** Saturday Race
*** Only MotoGP class
STC (Subject to the contract)
TBC (To be confirmed)