MotoGP-Sepang

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DUCATI TEAM IN MALAYSIA TO CONTINUE WORK ON THE GP11.1

The Ducati Team left Australia Monday, and after a 24 hour break, its members are ready to get back to work on the GP11.1 for the Malaysian GP. Sepang is one of the widest tracks on the calendar, reaching a width of 16 metres in parts, and the asphalt temperature is often very high due to the tropical climate.

The layout is varied, with a little of everything: two spots where riders reach sixth gear, but others that are technical and taken in first. Some corners are negotiated at high speed, and in others the bike is nearly stopped.

Since its MotoGP debut, the Ducati Team has achieved three wins and one additional podium at Sepang. Valentino Rossi, who counts the track among his favourites, has six wins and three additional podiums, while Nicky Hayden has never finished in the top three but has always been very fast, with five fourth-place finishes in his career, along with one fifth and a sixth.

VALENTINO ROSSI, Ducati Team
?I like the Sepang circuit a lot, although the weather conditions are always extreme. We didn?t have much good luck in Australia, and we also had to work harder than expected on the bike?s setup. We hope to do better here in Malaysia starting on Friday. Anyway, we?ll also be able to verify where we are compared to the tests that we did here last year. We tested many days at Sepang, and it will be interesting to compare things now with what we had then.?

NICKY HAYDEN, Ducati Team
?The conditions in Malaysia are typically hot and steamy, very different from what we had at Phillip Island on Sunday. The Sepang circuit has a good mix of everything, so you need the bike to do everything well. There are some long straightaways where you need a fast bike that brakes well, along with some fast corners, like Turns 5 and 6 and a section in the back. On the other hand, there are also some slow little hairpins, so it?s a good mix of everything that really challenges a rider and bike. It will be interesting to get back on this track after spending a lot of time here in February. The bike has changed a lot, so we?ll see what kind of progress we?ve actually made.?

VITTORIANO GUARESCHI, Team Manager
?Here in Malaysia, we?ll continue working on the GP11.1, both for the race and in order to gather information for our work program with an eye toward 2012. The conditions will be opposite to those in Australia. It?s very challenging from a physical point of view, both for the riders and for the team, which is working extremely hard on many fronts in this final part of the season. The Desmosedici that will take to the track on Friday is different from the one we used in the winter tests, and this event will let us make some interesting comparisons with the data that we collect.?

SEPANG CIRCUIT RECORDS

Circuit Record: Casey Stoner (Ducati ? 2007), 2:02.108 ? 163.566 Km/h
Best Pole: Valentino Rossi (Yamaha ? 2009), 2:00.518 ? 165.724 Km/h
Circuit Length: 5.548 km
MotoGP Race 2011: 20 laps (110.960 km)
MotoGP Schedule 2011: 4:00 p.m. Local Time

2010 PODIUM: 1st Valentino Rossi, 2nd Andrea Dovizioso, 3rd Jorge Lorenzo
2010 POLE: Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha ? 2010), 2:01.537, 164.335 Km/h

DUCATI TEAM?S BEST RESULTS AT SEPANG
2010: 6th (Hayden)
2009: 1st (Stoner)
2008: 6th (Stoner)
2007: 1st (Stoner)
2006: 2nd (Capirossi)
2005: 1st (Capirossi)
2004: 6th (Capirossi)
2003: 6th (Capirossi)

DUCATI TEAM ? RIDER INFO

VALENTINO ROSSI
Bike: Ducati Team Desmosedici GP11.1
Race number: 46
Age: 32 (born in Pesaro 16 February 1979)
Residence: Tavullia (Pesaro, Italy)
GPs: 257 (197 x MotoGP, 30 x 250cc, 30 x 125cc)
First GP: Malaysian GP, 1996 (125cc)
Number of wins: 105 (79 x MotoGP, 14 x 250cc, 12 x 125cc)
First GP win: Czech Republic GP, 1996 (125cc)
Poles: 59 (49 x MotoGP, 5 x 250cc, 5 x 125cc)
First Pole: Czech Republic GP, 1996 (125cc)
World Titles: 9 (6 x MotoGP, 1 x 500cc, 1 x 250cc, 1 x 125cc)

Rossi?s MotoGP track record at Sepang
2010: Grid: 6th; Race: 1st
2009: Grid: 1st; Race: 3rd
2008: Grid: 2nd; Race: 1st
2007: Grid: 9th; Race: 5th
2006: Grid: 1st; Race: 1st
2005: Grid: 7th; Race: 2nd
2004: Grid: 1st; Race: 1st
2003: Grid: 1st; Race: 1st
2002: Grid: 8th; Race: 2nd
2001: Grid: 2nd; Race: 1st
2000: Grid: 7th; Race: DNF

Rossi?s 250 track record at Sepang
1999: Grid: 1st; Race: 5th

NICKY HAYDEN
Bike: Ducati Team Desmosedici GP11.1
Race number: 69
Age: 30 (born 30 July 1981 in Owensboro, Kentucky, USA)
Residence: Owensboro, Kentucky, USA
Number of GPs: 150 (150 x MotoGP)
First GP: Japanese GP, 2003 (MotoGP)
Number of wins: 3 (3 x MotoGP)
First GP win: USA GP, 2005 (MotoGP)
Poles: 5 (5 x MotoGP)
First Pole: USA GP, 2005 (MotoGP)
World Titles: 1 (MotoGP, 2006)

Hayden?s MotoGP track record at Sepang
2010: Grid: 2nd; Race: 6th
2009: Grid: 7th; Race: 5th
2008: Grid: 4th; Race: 4th
2007: Grid: 6th; Race: 9th
2006: Grid: 2th; Race: 4th
2005: Grid: 6th; Race: 4th
2004: Grid: 6th; Race: 4th
2003: Grid: 9th; Race: 4th

 

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PENULTIMATE APPOINTMENT OF THE SEASON FOR DE PUNIET AND CAPIREX

The penultimate round of the MotoGP season takes place this weekend at the Shell Advance Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix. Pramac Racing Team arrives after the good race in Australia by Randy De Puniet, who finished sixth, and Loris Capirossi, who crossed the line in ninth place despite the shoulder pain.

Fabiano Sterlacchini - Pramac Racing Technical Director

"We know so well the Sepang circuit because we've done the test before the start of the season. It will be interesting to compare the results with those of the weekend. The track have no characteristics that may make difficult Loris with his shoulder pain. After the good race in Phillip Island we expect a lot from Randy."

Randy De Puniet - Pramac Racing Team

"I'm satisfied with what I did in Australia. I am so happy to race immediately in Malaysia, I just hope the bike will react in the same way, although I don't like very much Sepang circuit."


Loris Capirossi - Pramac Racing Team 


"Sepang is one of my favorite tracks, I hope to do well. In Australia I finished in ninth place, I think I made a good result considering my physical condition. It will be a tough race, but I'm so close to the end, and I want do it in best way possible."

 

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Yamaha Factory Racing Prepare for Grand Prix of Malaysia

Yamaha Factory Racing have arrived in Malaysia this week to prepare for the final fly away race of the 2011 season at the Sepang circuit. Jorge Lorenzo will not ride at this weekend?s Grand Prix following a crash in warm up prior to the Grand Prix of Australia last week at Phillip Island. As a result Japanese test rider and All Japan Superbike competitor Katsuyuki Nakasuga will replace him for the race and subsequent 1000cc test on Monday. Lorenzo?s Championship points tally ensures he retains second place in the standings for 2011 despite not riding this weekend.

Ben Spies arrives in Malaysia recovering from his qualifying crash in Phillip Island which also ruled him out for the subsequent race. Spies has been declared fit to race this weekend with no recurring concussion issues. He will experience some discomfort after suffering ripped soft tissue around the rib area in the crash. The Texan delivered strong results on his first Malaysian Grand Prix experience last year, starting from fourth on the grid and battling to keep the position just off the podium at the flag.

?I like Sepang,? said Ben Spies. ?It?s a track we visit a lot because of the off-season testing so we know it quite well. Coming into the weekend I want to be able to put in a good result, especially for Yamaha Motor Indonesia/Semakin di Depan and Petronas which are our main sponsors. Unfortunately I?m definitely still recovering from Phillip Island, but I?m going to give it 100% as we always do. It?s frustrating but it?s been a bit of a year for bad luck. We?ll do the best with what we?ve got and see what we can achieve.?

?I am sorry for Jorge?s crash and feel bad for his injury,? commented Katsuyuki Nakasuga. ?I am confident he will be back in action soon. Of course it is impossible to replace the 2010 World Champion but I will do my best to get a good result for Yamaha and the fans this weekend. This does not just mean a good position but actually also good feedback to help develop the new 1000cc machine for next year. Although next year?s YZR-M1 is very different, I will try to get good ideas for next year and the future. I am a little nervous as a Yamaha Factory rider but luckily Sepang is a track I know pretty well. It?s a ?stop & go? style track that I like very much. I will give 110% of my efforts to help Yamaha Factory Racing and to deserve the role of replacing of Jorge Lorenzo?.

?Our targets need to be adjusted for this round,? said Team Manager Wilco Zeelenberg. ?Normally it would be the podium but that?s not necessarily realistic for Sunday. We need to see how Nakasuga-san rides, we know his best lap time is 2?02.4 seconds here which is not so bad. This will be his first Grand Prix so it will be a new experience for him. There won?t be much grip to start with after the rain here so we hope he will stay steady and remember we have four practices to go. He has all the freedom to push the bike to the limit; we want him to be comfortable to race and not to treat the weekend as just a test.?

?It?s going to be a really strange weekend. We have to see how Ben?s physical condition is,? stated Team Director Massimo Meregalli. ?Until he jumps on the bike we won?t know how fit he is. On Jorge?s side we have a different rider which is a big challenge both for Nakasuga-san and for the team. Fortunately he knows the circuit and the bike which is an advantage. He has respectable lap times here from the winter test so let?s see what happens.?



Jorge Lorenzo
Age: 24
Lives: Barcelona, Spain
Bike: Yamaha
GP victories: 38 (18 x MotoGP, 17 x 250cc, 4 x 125cc)
First GP victory: Brazil, 2003 (125cc)
First GP: Jerez, Spain, 2002 (125cc)
GP starts: 161 (65 x MotoGP, 48 x 250cc, 46 x 125cc)
Pole positions: 44 (16 x MotoGP, 23 x 250cc, 3 x 125cc)
World Championships: 3 (MotoGP 2010, 250cc, 2006/7)

Ben Spies
Age: 26
Lives: Longview Texas / Lake Como Italy
Bike: Yamaha
GP victories: 1
First GP victory: Assen, Netherlands, 2011
First GP: Donington, UK, 2008 (MotoGP)
GP starts: 36
Pole positions: 1
World Championships: 1 (WSB 2009)

Grand Prix Results: Sepang 2010

1. V.Rossi Yamaha 41'03.448
2. A.Dovizioso Honda +0.224
3. J.Lorenzo Yamaha +6.035

4. Ben Spies Yamaha Tech 3 +13.676


Sepang Record Lap
C.Stoner (Ducati) 2007, 2'02.108

Sepang Best Lap
V.Rossi (Yamaha) 2009, 2'00.518

 

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Rizla Suzuki doubles-up for Malaysian attack

Rizla Suzuki is in Sepang for the Malaysian Grand Prix where regular racer ?lvaro Bautista will be joined by wild-card entry John Hopkins.

Bautista is determined to put the disappointment of Australia firmly behind him at a circuit that saw one of his best performances last season. Bautista finished a strong fifth at the 5,543m Malaysian circuit in 2010 and is convinced that the winter testing carried out here, plus the recent promise shown by the Suzuki GSV-R, will enable him to push for a very good result this weekend.

Hopkins arrives at Sepang to partner Bautista fresh from finishing as runner-up in the British Superbike Championship during his first season in the series. He was due to race alongside the Spaniard in Brno earlier this season, but crashed in the practice session and severely broke his finger an injury that he is still recovering from. Hopkins is in a determined mood ahead of this weekends event and is aiming to produce a good performance as he tries to re-establish himself back in MotoGP on a full-time basis.

Situated approximately 60kms south of Kuala Lumpur, the Sepang International Circuit was constructed in 1998 and is one of the most modern and spectacular on the MotoGP schedule. Its layout over 15 turns is a mixture of elevation changes with sweeping curves, a tight hairpin and two wide and very long straights either side of the stunningly impressive grandstands that are a real head-turner for fans and racers alike.

The Rizla Suzuki duo take to the track on Friday - for the first two of three free practice sessions - the third being held on the following morning. Qualifying for the 20-lap race will take place on Saturday afternoon, with the main event getting underway at 16.00hrs local time (08.00hrs GMT) on Sunday 23rd October.

?lvaro Bautista:

We need to put the result of last Sunday firmly behind us and concentrate on all the positives we had there. The bike worked really well all weekend on a track that has been difficult for us and if we can continue like that in Malaysia we will be very pleased. We had a good race at Sepang last year and we have some good references from the winter tests so I expect to be competitive. If the luck is finally with us we will have a result that we all deserve, after all the hard work we have put in and the progress we have made.

John Hopkins:

Im heading to Sepang with only MotoGP on my mind! When I went to Brno I was still in the middle of the BSB season and that was my main priority, but now I am totally focused on doing the best I can for Rizla Suzuki, the team and myself. I want to get back into MotoGP full-time and I cannot wait to get on the bike and show what I can do. Ive seen ?lvaros performances in recent races and the GSV-R looks like a great piece of kit now, it seems like the factory and the crew have done a good job and I just cant wait to get on it. My finger is still sore, but that wont hold me back, Im so happy to be back here and its where I want to stay!

 

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Honda squad ready for Sepang

Repsol Honda riders delivered the 2011 MotoGP Riders and Constructors World Championship last weekend at Phillip Island. Now they aim for the Teams Championship, while also increasing Honda?s dominance in a season in which Honda riders have won 11 of 15 races, and taken 32 of 48 podium positions. The Repsol Honda team leads Yamaha Factory Racing 492 to 416 in the Teams Championship and are certain to add that crown to the two earned last weekend in Australia.

Casey Stoner (Repsol Honda RC212V) will never forget his 26th birthday, and neither will anyone who witnessed him claiming his second MotoGP World Championship in front of his fellow countrymen on his home track of Phillip Island. The win was well-earned, with blustery winds throughout and on-and-off rains near the end of the race. But Stoner maintained his composure and sped to victory, his ninth of a dream season that still has two races to run. Regardless of how those races turn out, Stoner will go down in history as the winner of the first and final championships of the 800cc era, as well as one of only five riders to win premier class championships on two different makes. The others are Giacomo Agostini, Valentino Rossi, Eddie Lawson, and Geoff Duke.

Now Stoner goes to the tropical climate of Sepang, Malaysia, where the weather forecast rarely changes; temperatures north of 32C and occasional showers. In the past that hasn?t affected Stoner, whose Sepang scorecard includes two MotoGP wins, 2007 and 2009, as well as two 250cc wins, 2004 and 2005. That number should increase if he continues on form, which includes podium finishes in every race he?s finished this season.

Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda RC212V) missed last year?s race through injury, but he?s anxious to return. The Spaniard has an impressive record in the lower categories, winning both the 125cc and 250cc GPs. His record in the premier class is almost as good, with a pair of seconds in his last two races and two thirds before that.

Pedrosa is looking forward to returning to Sepang, where the team has a wealth of data gathered during the winter testing season. And he?s also anxious to get back on track to put his fourth place finish in the Australian Grand Prix behind him. Pedrosa is locked in a championship battle with team-mate Andrea Dovizioso for third overall, with Dovi four points ahead, 212 to 208, with two races remaining.

Andrea Dovizioso, the third member of the Repsol Honda team, has almost as impressive a record as his team-mates. Sepang has a special place in Dovi?s heart; it was here that he earned his first MotoGP podium on a satellite Honda in 2008. He finished a fighting second last year and also earned a second in the 125cc race in 2004 a result that confirmed him as 125cc World Champion that year. He also fought for second last weekend in Australia, but couldn?t fend off the persistent Marco Simoncelli (San Carlo Honda Gresini RC212V).
?Super Sic? was ecstatic at finishing a career best second in Australia after yet another battle with Dovizioso. Simoncelli used a final lap pass to beat his longtime rival and claim the runner-up spot, his second podium of the season.

Simoncelli was on the podium for the final two years of the 250cc class. Simoncelli?s speed in the Sepang winter tests was an omen of greater things to come and he is now becoming a consistent podium threat.

Team-mate Hiroshi Aoyama (San Carlo Honda Gresini) has two more races in MotoGP before starting his World Superbike career on a Honda, and he?s determined to leave an impression before he leaves. The Sepang race was the best of last season for the Japanese rider-he finished seventh-which wasn?t surprising. He won two of the final three 250cc races, finishing second in the other one.
The Sepang Circuit was where Toni Elias (LCR Honda MotoGP) was crowned the inaugural Moto2 champion in 2010. The Spaniard finished a measured fourth, which gave him the title without taking undue risks. Having finished eighth at Phillip Island, tying a season best, Elias is hopeful of carrying that form to Sepang.

The Sepang International Circuit is the most familiar of all tracks for most riders. The consistently hot and tropical conditions make it the ideal winter testing venue, with the MotoGP riders visiting the southern Asia circuit twice, for three days each time. That gives team engineers familiarity with their settings and saves the riders time getting up to speed on race weekend.

At 5548m, Sepang is the second longest in the championship-only Silverstone is longer-with two sixth gear straights that end in first gear hairpins. Front tyre stability is essential, and not just in the two hairpins. The clockwise circuit has ten right-handers and five rights, and a longest straight of 920m.

Like Phillip Island, weather is the wild card, though in a completely different way. Sepang is hot and humid, with showers reliably hitting in mid-afternoon.

Sepang is the last of three fly-aways over a four week period, with the paddock returning to more familiar working conditions when they fly back to Europe for the traditional season finale in Valencia, Spain on November 6th.



HONDA MotoGP RIDER QUOTES

Repsol Honda rider Casey Stoner says:

?After clinching the title in the last race at Phillip Island we go to Malaysia with a lot less pressure and we can just look forward to the race. It's disappointing to hear that Jorge (Lorenzo) is unlikely to be there. We had hoped that his recovery from the operation would mean he could race there, but we'll miss him there again. After pre-season testing in Sepang we proved to be competitive, so we will arrive there positive and look to enjoy the weekend. We're also testing the 1000cc bike on Monday after the race; with the championship now wrapped up, we can concentrate on the development of next years machine, so I'm also looking forward to that.?


Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa says:

?We now have a couple of days to rest and recover from the race in Australia and I'm looking forward to arriving in Malaysia. Sepang is a circuit I like and where we have had good results in the past. I won in 125cc and 250cc, but not yet in MotoGP and this is a very good motivation for me. The winter test in Sepang was good and we have some interesting data to start working with. I really want to do two very good races and finish the season the best way possible.?

Repsol Honda rider Andrea Dovizioso says:

?Malaysia is one of my favourite tracks, so I really want to get there and push 100% to try to win this race. We arrive very motivated after the race we had in Australia, a circuit which has always been difficult for me. The last two races are very important; I will fight to retain third position in the championship even though I know Dani and some other riders will be also hard to beat.?

San Carlo Honda Gresini rider Marco Simoncelli says:

?I left Phillip Island, a circuit and place I really love, feeling very happy. I had another good grand prix and finished second after another wonderful battle with Dovizioso, which gave me a lot of satisfaction. I had been second for the whole race, so to see Andrea standing on the second step of the podium would have been hard to take. I celebrated it with my team in Pino?s restaurant with the lovely owner Rosa, a Phillip Island legend, but I already had my mind on Malaysia. I never managed to win at Sepang in 250, but I was on the podium there for my last two seasons in the intermediate class and in testing there last winter I was really on the pace, so I am sure I can do a good job this weekend. There is no reason why we can't be fighting for the podium and it would be great to be up there again. The top step would be even better of course and that is what we will be striving for in the Malaysian Grand Prix.?



San Carlo Honda Gresini rider Hiroshi Aoyama says:

?The weekend in Australia didn't start badly and after the first couple of sessions I was looking forward to a positive grand prix at a place where the atmosphere is always really special. Unfortunately the weather turned and it caused me a few problems, including a heavy crash on Saturday which ended my session early and then again on Sunday when I was caught out by the rain. It was a shame, because I had promised myself I would make the most of my last few races in MotoGP and unfortunately the first of the three ended in disaster. Anyway, now we go to Sepang, where I won twice in 250 and finished seventh in MotoGP last year. I like the track and I always get a good feeling there from the place and from the people.?

 

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Familiar territory awaits Tech 3 Yamaha in Malaysia

The Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team returns to familiar territory this weekend for the penultimate round of the 2011 MotoGP World Championship, with Colin Edwards and Cal Crutchlow ready for their third visit of the year to the fast and technical Sepang circuit in Malaysia.

After testing twice at the Sepang circuit during the pre-season schedule in February, Edwards and Crutchlow are confident they can put the set-up information collected over six punishing days to good use when precious World Championship points are at stake in Sunday's 20-lap race.

The Sepang race is undoubtedly the most mentally and physically demanding on the 18-round calendar, with extreme conditions experienced at the 5.548km track seeing air temperatures capable of nudging 40 degrees. Add in the gruelling humidity and the race, which takes places on the second longest track of the season, is a stern test of stamina and concentration.

Edwards arrives in Malaysia full of confidence and in peak physical condition to cope with the intense heat and humidity after he raced to a fantastic fifth place in the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island on Sunday.

His third top six finish of the campaign helped the 37-year-old take a giant leap towards finishing top non-factory rider in the championship and he is currently a healthy 15-points clear of Hiroshi Aoyama.

Edwards has already bettered his 2010 points tally with two rounds remaining and although Sepang has not been a favourite venue for the American in the past, he is optimistic he can improve on his best result of eighth in 2008.

Crutchlow has also arrived in Malaysia in determined mood, the British rider keen to make amends for an unlucky crash in Phillip Island just four days ago that cost him the chance of scoring a hard earned top 10 finish.

Crutchlow fell heavily while battling for eighth position but he has been given a clean bill of health for this weekend. He is bidding to battle for another top 10 as the contest for the coveted Rookie of the Year prize intensifies. Crutchlow holds a slender one-point advantage over Karel Abraham going into round 17.

When he tested at Sepang in February, Crutchlow was still acclimatising himself with the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 YZR-M1 machine and understanding how to alter his riding style from World Superbikes.

Eight months later and he is armed with a lot more experience and confident he can push for the top 10 again before his impressive roo kie season concludes at the traditional season finale in Valencia next month.
Colin Edwards

?Sepang sometimes feels like a second home because we spend so much time here and I practically know every inch of the track like the back of my hand. It is a long and technical track but obviously everybody talks about the weather conditions here. There's no doubt that the heat and humidity is really punishing and it doesn't matter how many years I've been coming here, you never got used to it. All you can do is drink lots of water to keep yourself hydrated and try and conserve as much as energy as possible for the race. Last weekend was a great result and if I can repeat that it would be absolutely awesome. Although I've done a million laps round Sepang, I've never come away with a decent result, so I'm looking to change that on Sunday. I'm coming to the end of my time with the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team and I really want to finish on a high because it has been an amazing spell in my career.?
Cal Crutchlow

?To be honest the two tests at the beginning of the year weren't easy at all. Sepang is not only difficult from a physical point of view with the heat and humidity but the circuit was incredibly hard to learn. It is long and very wide, so even though I've been here twice before on the YZR-M1, I'm expecting a tough weekend. Physically I'm fine after Phillip Island. I've got a few bumps and bruises but what hurt more is that I could have had an eighth place and that's a shame because those points would have been good for the Championship. Since I was here in Sepang earlier in the year I have gained so much experience about the bike and tyres and I'm looking f orward to picking up a strong result.?

 

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Grand Prix of Malaysia Gets Underway at Sepang

The Grand Prix of Malaysia began today at the Sepang circuit with the first free practice sessions of the weekend. Yamaha Factory Racing rider Ben Spies struggled to make improvements over the day, as injuries sustained from his crash in Australia last weekend continued to hamper his ability to push his YZR-M1. He completed the sessions in ninth place, just over two seconds from provisional pole.

Jorge Lorenzo?s replacement rider, Katsuyuki Nakasuga experienced the first Grand Prix sessions of his career, acquainting himself with Lorenzo?s bike and crew. A small crash in the morning warm up on the slippery Sepang circuit resulted in no injuries. An unfortunate second crash followed in the afternoon session, Nakasuga-san dropping to 18th place as he worked on understanding Lorenzo?s YZR-M1.

Ben Spies
Position : 9th Time: 2'03.312 Laps: 23

?It?s been a really rough day, coming back after the crash in Australia I?m pretty beat up and not able to ride the bike like I want to which is really showing. We?re doing the best we can but I feel like I?m struggling. We?ll try to get as many points as we can this weekend and keep a reign on fifth place in the Championship.?

Katsuyuki Nakasuga
Position : 18th Time: 2'05.390 Laps: 17



?Today was my first day riding in the MotoGP Championship; I wanted to learn as much as I could during the sessions. Unfortunately I crashed this morning but thought that afterwards I would be able to relax a little once it was out of the way. Unfortunately again I crashed this afternoon and I?m not sure why. I?m feeling disappointed about it but will come back tomorrow and try to make sure we improve and have a day without crashing!?


Wilco Zeelenberg
Team Manager


?A very difficult first day. It wasn?t the plan to crash in both practices but you can imagine how difficult it is to take on this challenge. Nakasuga-san put a lot of pressure on himself and maybe tried a little too hard too early. We need to help him find a rhythm and of course he is lacking a bit of speed compared to his competitors. We need to step up a bit tomorrow, not an easy task with the high level of competition on the track.?


Massimo Meregalli
Team Director


?Ben is really suffering with his rib injury so it?s difficult to expect more from him, he is trying as hard as he can. I think that tomorrow he can maybe deliver some better laps. During qualifying you are more focused and can fight the pain for a couple of hot laps. The bike set up is not so bad, at this moment he can?t push hard enough to find any issues or use the full performance of the bike. Nakasuga-san had a difficult start; maybe he felt too much pressure for his first day in MotoGP. At the beginning of the season in testing he put together some great laps so I think he can improve tomorrow.?


Combined Free Practice Times

1. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Repsol Honda Team 2'01.250
2. Casey Stoner (AUS) Repsol Honda Team 2'02.070
3. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) Repsol Honda Team 2'02.590
4. Marco Simoncelli (ITA) San Carlo Honda Gresini 2'02.823
5. Hiroshi Aoyama (JPN) Repsol Honda Team 2'02.951
6. Colin Edwards (USA) Monster Yamaha Tech 3 2'02.991
7. Alvaro Bautista (SPA) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 2'03.123
8. Randy De Puniet (FRA) Pramac Racing Team 2'03.159
9. Ben Spies (USA) Yamaha Factory Racing 2'03.312
10. Karel Abraham (CZE) Cardion AB Motoracing 2'03.318
11. Nicky Hayden (USA) Ducati Team 2'03.445
12. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Pramac Racing Team 2'03.595
13. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Ducati Team 2'03.677
14. John Hopkins (USA) Rizla Suzuki 2'03.885
15. Cal Crutchlow (GBR) Monster Yamaha Tech 3 2'03.901
16. Toni Elias (SPA) LCR Honda MotoGP 2'04.071
17. Hector Barbera (SPA) Aspar Team 2'04.603
18. Katsuyuki Nakasuga (Jap) Yamaha Factory Racing 2'05.390


Sepang Record Lap
C.Stoner (Ducati) 2007, 2'02.108

Sepang Best Lap
V.Rossi (Yamaha) 2009, 2'00.518

 

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Super start for Edwards in sweltering Sepang

Colin EdwardsMonster Yamaha Tech 3 Team rider Colin Edwards enjoyed a positive start to his preparations for this weekend's Malaysian MotoGP race at a sweltering hot Sepang circuit today.

The extensive work on the set-up of his YZR-M1 machine during two winter test sessions at the Sepang circuit in February paid instant dividends for Edwards today, the experienced American immediately able to find a fast and consistent rhythm.

He lapped in fourth place for the majority of this afternoon's second practice session, which took place in typically hot and humid conditions at the 5.548km track.

Air temperatures soared to well over 30 degrees and a best lap of 2.02.991s eventually secured the 37-year-old sixth position on the combined timesheets. Working on improving rear grip in the 32-laps he completed in physically demanding conditions, Edwards was almost 0.8s faster this afternoon. And he is confident with minor modifications to the set-up of his Monster Yamaha Tech 3 machine ahead of tomorrow's final practice and qualifying session that he will be challenging for a place on the second row of the grid.

Cal Crutchlow's third visit of the year to the fast and technical Sepang circuit didn't run as smoothly as he had hoped. He worked closely with his Monster Yamaha Tech 3 crew to gain more rear side grip and better turning on corner entry, but he was unable to find a set-up that gave him the confidence to lap in the high 2.02 bracket like Edwards.

The 25-year-old was 0.7s faster in the second session but a best lap of 2.03.901 left him down in 15th on the timesheets. That was just over a second away from fourth and Crutchlow is determined to improve his pace tomorrow to fight a top 10 result in qualifying ahead of Sunday's 20-lap race.

Colin Edwards 6th 2.02.991 - 32 laps:

?Today was a really good day and I was fast straight out of the crate. I was fourth for almost the whole of the second session and I'm happy to end up sixth. We pretty much ran the bike with the same set-up that we left the second test with in February and it felt great. That proves that testing twice here and riding lots of laps in punishing heat does work because we tried a couple of small changes on the bike but pretty much came back to the test setting. The first thing you need here is front-end confidence and the front was awesome right from the start. That gave us an opportunity to focus on improving rear grip and that's critical here. If you can get a set-up where the rear tyre is driving and not spinning, you can have a good race. The track is lacking a bit of rubber on it compared to the test but apart from that it feels pretty good. The conditions are typically hot here in Sepang but maybe it doesn't bother me as much as some of the others. I'm from Texas so I live in this type of heat and humidity and I'm pretty much used to it. Even though I've done millions of laps around this track I've never finished higher than eighth, but after a start like today I'm confident that I can do much better than that.?

Cal Crutchlow 15th 2.03.901 ? 33 laps:

?Today was pretty tough to be honest and not just because of the extreme heat and humidity. We're searching for front and rear grip and when the conditions are as hot as here, that's not an easy task. I'm missing side grip on the rear and like a few other tracks we've been to recently, I'm having problems getting the bike turned. The track is obviously in a lot different condition to when we tested here because the times are about two seconds slower, but I'd hoped to be a bit higher up the rankings. I knew it was going to be a tough day because I found this place hard during the two tests at the start of the year. It is such a long lap that it is difficult to get a lap nailed perfectly, but looking at the timesheets I am a second off fourth place and I'm not happy with the bike, so that gives me some encouragement. We'll continue working hard as always tomorrow and I'm sure we can find a few tenths to move up the order.?

 

[KUCIAR666]

DE PUNIET EIGHTH IN FIRST DAY OF PRACTICE AT SEPANG. TWELFTH CAPIROSSI

First day of work for the duo of white and green Pramac Ducati at Sepang, Malaysia. Randy De Puniet started working with the utmost concentration and this led him to end the day today, after two practice sessions, in eighth place. His team-mate Loris Capirossi was able to lower his personal best time recorded in the morning of a second and this places him in twelfth place. Tomorrow two more hours of work for the MotoGP riders, including the qualifying session that will define the starting grid for the Malaysian Grand Prix.

Marco Rigamonti Randy De Puniet track engineer

It was quite a positive day, although this is not the favorite track of Randy and during winter tests we didnt have great lap times recorded. The bike is much improved from earlier this year and this is the most positive day. We have worked with Sunday's race in our head: we tried various solutions of tires and we already have some solution that will be probably the ones we will use in the race.

Randy De Puniet Pramac Racing Team 8th in 203.159

"I am satisfied with this first day of work. Honestly I am a little surprised with the result because I did not feel too well riding my bike, but to finish the first working day in eighth place is not so bad. We used soft tires with many laps throughout the course of the afternoon session and for a couple of laps we tried new tyres with harder compound and things went well. We are in good shape for the weekend and hopefully I can get another good result like in Australia."

Loris Capirossi Pramac Racing Team
- 12th in 203.595

"It is not so bad today. The twelfth position is not great, this is for sure, but as the first day I can be satisfied. I tried the hard rubber in the front tyre and I really like, however, tomorrow we will study other ways to figure out how to increase the top speed at the moment because we are too slow. We will give it all to make a good weekend.

 

[KUCIAR666]

Encouraging first day for Rizla Suzuki duo

?lvaro Bautista and John Hopkins began their preparations for Sundays Malaysian Grand Prix with a positive performance from both at Sepang today.

Bautista (P7, 203.123, 33 laps) was never outside the top-10 in either session today as he carried on with the impressive form that he showed last week at Australia. He tested the two tyre compounds available to him for this weekend, as he worked with his crew to find the best configuration for his Suzuki GSV-R around the 5,543m Sepang circuit.

Hopkins used both of todays sessions to re-acquaint himself with a MotoGP machine as he joins Rizla Suzuki for a wild-card ride in Malaysia. His best time of 203.885 from his 28 laps today was good enough to give him a respectable 14th in the classification. Hopkins is sure he can make improvements tomorrow and convinced he can progress further up the standings.

Todays sessions were held in the hot and humid conditions that are so commonplace in Malaysia. The fastest time was set by Dani Pedrosa on a Honda.

Rizla Suzuki has one more free practice session tomorrow morning followed by an hour of qualifying in the afternoon when Bautista and Hopkins will be going all out to get the best grid positions for Sundays 20-lap race.

?lvaro Bautista:

Today has been quite a good day for us and I am in seventh position, which is not too bad for a Friday. This morning we tried a different setting on the bike, similar to the one we used in Australia, and we preferred that one so we carried on with that this afternoon. We continued with the soft tyres we had been using this morning during this afternoons session and I did more than race distance with them, and the rhythm felt good. In the middle of the second practice I tried a harder rear tyre, but I didnt feel too much initial grip and it didnt give me as much feedback as the softer one. We have got some good information on the tyres now and I think we will use the softer one for the race, if the conditions are similar to today. I will try to improve tomorrow in FP3 and then get a good lap in qualifying, so I am in the best possible position for the race.

John Hopkins:

Today has just been about getting comfortable on the bike and building my confidence back up to be able to ride a MotoGP machine. My main thing was getting the confidence in the tyres, because unlike at Jerez and Brno, where the tyres gave me a good feedback and I was able to get used to them straight off the bat, here with the temperatures and humidity I am spinning up a bit and struggling a bit with rear grip. Its probably not so much struggling as getting used to how its working and getting the bike picked up at the right time out of the corners. I feel quite strong in some of the parts of the track, but coming out of some of the corners Im not quite where I want to be, which is mostly due to my rider technique and getting back on terms with the bike. The day wasnt too bad for us, but I think we can improve a lot tomorrow. I will think about the track tonight and Im looking forward to the rest of the weekend.

Paul Denning Team Manager:

The first day at Sepang and it has been great to see two Rizla Suzuki out on the track! Johns been through a lot physically in the last couple of months, and that combined with the shock of the way the MotoGP bike works compared to the Superbike, held him back a little bit today. I am sure that with a good nights sleep he will be quite a bit closer to his best tomorrow.

?lvaros pace is better than his position, he equalled his best lap with race distance on the tyres and I think he can go a lot quicker tomorrow. The GSV-R is working well and if everything goes in the right direction I think ?lvaro has a chance to fight for the podium on Sunday.

Shell Advance Malaysian Motorcycle GP Free Practice Combined Classification:

1. Dani Pedrosa (Honda) 201.250: 2. Casey Stoner (Honda) +0.820: 3. Andrea Dovizioso (Honda) +1.340: 4. Marco Simoncelli (Honda) +1.573: 5. Hiroshi Aoyama (Honda) +1.701: 7. ?LVARO BAUTISTA (RIZLA SUZUKI MOTOGP) +1.873: 14. JOHN HOPKINS (RIZLA SUZUKI MOTOGP) +2.635:

 

[KUCIAR666]

Edwards storms to season best qualifying at sizzling Sepang

Colin EdwardsColin Edwards flew the flag for Yamaha in tremendous style at the Sepang International Circuit today, the American showcasing his skill and vast experience to claim a fantastic fourth place on the grid for the 20-lap Malaysian Grand Prix.

A fastest lap of 2.02.010 was over 0.4s faster than his best practice pace on the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 YZR-M1 machine and secured the popular 37-year-old his best grid position since he qualified in fourth position at the Valencia round in 2008.

Fine-tuning the set-up he worked on during two winter test sessions at the long and technical Sepang circuit, Edwards was able to find crucial tenths with improved turning performance and better rear grip in searing hot conditions this afternoon.

Temperatures once again peaked at over 30 degrees but it was the punishing humidity that tested his physical stamina and concentration to the limit. It was a challenge Edwards rose to in brilliant fashion and he was only 0.344s from claiming a sensational front row, as he comfortably outpaced a host of riders on factory-supported machinery.

Today's qualifying session also had a positive outcome for hard-charging British rider Cal Crutchlow, who will start from his best grid position since the Laguna Seca round in late July.

The 25-year-old's hard work to improve rear grip on the slippery Sepang surface paid off handsomely and he was able to knock 1.2s off his best time from yesterday in this morning's third and final session.

A brilliant attack on Bridgestone's soft compound rear tyre then saw him lower his pace to a 2.02.756, which secured him a superb 10th place.

Colin Edwards 4th 2.02.010 ? 20 laps:

?I'm ecstatic with that result because to get a fourth place in any session against this level of competition is a pretty big achievement. I said yesterday that we rolled the bike out of the crate hot and today I felt even more confident. Usually I have a really good couple of tests in February and then come back for the race and I have an awful time. But with this year's chassis I'm really enjoying this track. We've barely moved away from the setting we left the second test with in February and the bike feels awesome. I'm pushing hard but I don't feel like I'm right on the limit like I have in some races and it relatively easy. I can ride smooth and the bike is turning really well. We'd like more traction, but in this heat and humidity the grip is always going to be the thing that's missing. I'm not far off the front row but I didn't leave anything out there. The lap I did my best time on, I took a couple of risks, so I couldn't have done any better. Fourth is my best qualifying result since Valencia in 2008. That seems like a long, long time ago, so it would be great to follow today up with a top five result tomorrow and send my awesome Monster Yamaha Tech 3 crew home happy."

Cal Crutchlow 10th 2.02.756 ? 20 laps:

?I'm much happier today and I want to say a big thanks to my Monster Yamaha Tech 3 crew because they've worked really hard to improve my feeling on the bike. We definitely made some progress today and the bike was turning better and the rear grip was improved as well. It is going to be a long and tough race in the heat but also the track isn't in fantastic condition, so we'll be sliding around a lot at the end. The surface feels really greasy and it will be a case of who can keep the best grip for the longest but I'm confident we've got a good set-up. We'll try a couple of small changes to try and improve the bike in the warm-up and if we can gain a bit extra then I'm sure I can be fighting for the top 10 tomorrow. Colin did an amazing job today to take fourth. He's doing Yamaha proud without Jorge being here and Ben obviously riding in a lot of pain, so if anything he's getting faster as he gets older!?

 

[KUCIAR666]

FOURTH ROW FOR PRAMAC RACING RIDERS AT SEPANG

Hot day at the Sepang International Circuit where the Pramac Racing riders have completed the qualifying session in eleventh and twelfth position. The Frenchman, De Puniet, finished in front of the Italian, Capirossi, by only one-tenth of a second. The two practice sessions have been really hard today for all the riders for the high temperature which exceeded 30 degrees with 60% of humidity. The track has reached during the qualifying session almost 50 degrees. Tomorrow the weather should be similar, but the rain around here is always around the corner. Start of the race at 4pm local time.

Marco Rigamonti Randy De Puniet Track Engineer

We hoped to increase the lap times with the soft tyres, but as it has happened during winter testing, we can not do the same step forward that the others do when switching tyres compound. However, the eleventh is not too bad and with the race pace we are not so bad. We will have to start good and remain with the group even though Randy is suffering at this moment in the hard braking points on this track and he will have to grit his teeth when all the riders will be together in the firsts laps.

Randy De Puniet Pramac Racing Team 11th in 202.939

"I am a little disappointed because I was faster yesterday and today, despite several changes, we could not keep the same level. Compared to winter testing we are not too far away from the other riders and this is a good sign, but tomorrow will still be a complicated race. With the back of the bike I am quite comfortable, though now we will investigate further tomorrow something to help me during tomorrows race. It will be tough, it's hot, but we need another good result and we will give it all."

Loris Capirossi Pramac Racing Team
- 12th in 203.077

"I am not happy today because we could be at least in the top ten. We tried a new solution because the track had deteriorated, but it did not go as hoped. So during the last attempt at the end we returned to this morning set-up and we were able to improve. Tomorrow we can have a good race because the race pace is good. Then everything will of course depend on the weather!

 

[KUCIAR666]

Tough Qualifying for Spies in Malaysia

Qualifying for the Grand Prix of Malaysia proved to be a tough challenge for Yamaha Factory Racing rider Ben Spies today at the Sepang International Circuit. The Texan?s injuries sustained in Australia continue to hamper his abilities to ride to the limit. As a result Spies crashed in both the morning practice and afternoon qualifying session, finally taking 16th place on the grid for tomorrow?s race.

Katsuyuki Nakasuga made a step forward today, Jorge?s replacement rider getting more familiar with his bike and team as the weekend progresses. Nakasuga-san wrapped up qualifying 2.6 seconds from pole, over two seconds closer to the fastest rider than yesterday. He will start tomorrow?s race from 17th on the grid, behind his temporary team mate Spies.

Ben Spies
Position : 16th Time: 2'03.678 Laps:



?It?s been a pretty eventful weekend. The bike is working really well but I?m just not feeling 100% and ready to get it over and done with. Qualifying was tough, we went out there and experienced a crash, I?m not sure why yet but we?ll check the data later. We don?t have a great position on the grid but we?ll do the best we can for points to try and hold on to fifth place for the Championship.?


Katsuyuki Nakasuga
Position : 17th Time: 2'04.072 Laps:



?This morning?s session was quite positive for me. I had a good feeling and found a rhythm on the track which was very motivating. Tomorrow I will try my best for a good position. The bike set up is working well so I am feeling confident for my first ever MotoGP race.?


Wilco Zeelenberg
Team Manager


?This is a completely different experience to last year where we won the Championship here. Now we are second last and last on the grid. I think Nakasuga-san did a good job today, his lap time was a lot better than yesterday and he didn?t crash so he did well. He has to learn a lot but we are now approaching it the right way. He?s improving so let?s see how he gets on tomorrow. It?s going to be a long hot race, he looks good in a group so hopefully he can stay up there with some of the pack and fight with them until the end.?


Massimo Meregalli
Team Director


?It is a very tough and strange weekend for us. Ben is trying very hard; he?s putting in all he can. We have to consider what is best for him tomorrow so we will have a meeting tonight and make a decision for the race. Nakasuga made good improvements today with consistency, he has definitely made a step from yesterday and we know he will do his best during the race tomorrow.?


Qualifying Times

FRONT ROW
1. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Repsol Honda Team 2'01.462
2. Casey Stoner (AUS) Repsol Honda Team 2'01.491
3. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) Repsol Honda Team 2'01.666
SECOND ROW
4. Colin Edwards (USA) Monster Yamaha Tech 3 2'02.010
5. Marco Simoncelli (ITA) San Carlo Honda Gresini 2'02.105
6. Nicky Hayden (USA) Ducati Team 2'02.172
THIRD ROW
7. Hiroshi Aoyama (JPN) Repsol Honda Team 2'02.254
8. Alvaro Bautista (SPA) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 2'02.332
9. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Ducati Team 2'02.395
FOURTH ROW
10. Cal Crutchlow (GBR) Monster Yamaha Tech 3 2'02.756
11. Randy De Puniet (FRA) Pramac Racing Team 2'02.939
12. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Pramac Racing Team 2'03.077
FIFTH ROW
13. Karel Abraham (CZE) Cardion AB Motoracing 2'03.438
14. Hector Barbera (SPA) Aspar Team 2'03.619
15. Toni Elias (SPA) LCR Honda MotoGP 2'03.646
SIXTH ROW
16. Ben Spies (USA) Yamaha Factory Racing 2'03.678
17. Katsuyuki Nakasuga (Jap) Yamaha Factory Racing 2'04.072


Sepang Record Lap
C.Stoner (Ducati) 2007, 2'02.108

Sepang Best Lap
V.Rossi (Yamaha) 2009, 2'00.518

 

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Hopkins forced to withdraw from Malaysian Grand Prix

John Hopkins has had to withdraw from of this weekends Sepang GP due to further complications with the broken finger he damaged in Brno earlier this season.

Hopkins was due to make a wild-card appearance for the Rizla Suzuki team this weekend, but the third finger on his right-hand that he broke in the Czech Republic also as a wild-card entry has re-broken at the knuckle. The finger is swollen and seized overnight, making it impossible to ride a MotoGP machine competitively or safely.

Hopkins will stay for the remainder of the weekend to give his full support to team-mate Álvaro Bautista and the Rizla Suzuki squad, before he returns to America for further surgery and convalescence to repair the damage to his hand and enable him to make a full recovery in time for next season.

John Hopkins:

I knew my hand was sore after yesterday afternoon, because it was hurting when I was riding. It is definitely a lot more painful riding a MotoGP bike than it was the British Superbike, mainly due to the immense braking forces on the GSV-R. I woke up just before six this morning and I had quite a bit of pain so I tried to loosen it up and bend it, but that wasnt an option. The screws and the plates in the finger have come apart and theres just no movement in the knuckle at all, so I cannot bend the finger. If I get any further damage to the injury it could result in amputation and certainly dont want that! My Doctor is totally confident that he can fix it, but I just havent been able to rest it and give it the proper time needed to repair it over the last six weeks. I thought it would be fine to ride this weekend and had every hope of it working, but I didnt expect the amount of force that goes into riding a GP bike would cause such a problem.

I am so sorry for the team and Rizla Suzuki, because they have given me such a great opportunity again and now I cant ride past the Friday - its heartbreaking and I cant express my disappointment. Its such a shame and I couldnt be more upset, but the priority now is to get it fixed and get myself ready for the 2012 season.

Third row for Bautista at a sweltering Sepang

Rizla Suzukis Álvaro Bautista will start tomorrows Malaysian Grand Prix from the middle of the third row after qualifying in eighth today.

Bautista (202.332, 22 laps) has been consistently in the top-six all weekend and occupied a front-row grid spot with less than a quarter of the qualifying session remaining. He put in a fresh softer rear compound tyre to make an attack and consolidate, or better, his provisional position, but got held up in traffic and couldnt find a clean lap - while other riders capitalised and produced better times. Despite being on the third row, Bautistas race pace is very promising and a good start in tomorrows race could easily see the Spaniard running with the front group.

Todays qualifying was held in very warm and humid conditions with track temperatures reaching over 50°C. Dani Pedrosa continued his good form this weekend by taking pole-position.

Tomorrows 20-lap race will see Bautista as the lone Rizla Suzuki representative after wild-card entry John Hopkins had to withdraw from the event due to complications from a broken finger that he suffered earlier in the season. The main event tomorrow will get underway at 16.00hrs local time (08.00hrs GMT), when Bautista will be going all out to try and secure his best finish of the season.

Álvaro Bautista:

I'm not very happy with the position, because all weekend we have been in the top-six and that's what I expected this afternoon. We have a good rhythm compared to some of the other riders and when I put the first soft rear in the bike to make a fast lap I did it alone and I got up to third position. On the last tyre I tried to follow some riders to try and get some tenths to make sure I got at least on the second row, but I didnt find anybody and also didnt concentrate enough to do a lap by myself. I am happy with my race pace and the feeling from the bike, but Im not pleased with my position on the grid. Tomorrow will be a hard race because with these conditions its always difficult here. During practice you can always do one fast lap and come back to the box, but in the race you have to be consistent and go for it for 20 laps. Ill try to make a good start and stay with the group like I did in Phillip Island and see what happens. Today it was possible to be on the second row, but now I need to focus on the race and use all my energy tomorrow to get a good result.

When you have a small problem, sometimes the problem can become big and I think that is what has happened to John. It has been a big disappointment for everyone, because in the Czech Republic and here we should have been two riders, but he has not been able to race at either event. It is very bad luck for him and I wish him a quick recovery and I feel really sorry for his situation.

Paul Denning Team Manager:

We didnt reach our potential in qualifying today and that was disappointing. Álvaro looked to get in behind one of the fastest guys on his last run, but in hindsight that worked against him. It would probably have been better for him to find some clear track and build his rhythm. That said, the middle of the third row is not a disaster and our race pace looks pretty strong. The GSV-R seems to be quick on its first timed lap, so if we can elbow past the traffic straight away tomorrow, it could be an interesting race.

Words cant really express the disappointment that whole team feels at Johns bad luck. It would have been special to have two Rizla Suzukis in the race tomorrow, but we cant change the situation. John requires urgent surgery and lots of rest to get his finger properly repaired and fully operational again. Hes had some bad luck, but he should be proud of everything he has achieved in 2011.

Shell Advance Malaysian Motorcycle GP Qualifying Practice Classification:

1. Dani Pedrosa (Honda) 201.462: 2. Casey Stoner (Honda) +0.029: 3. Andrea Dovizioso (Honda) +0.204: 4. Colin Edwards (Yamaha) +0.548: 5. Marco Simoncelli (Honda) +0.643: 8. ÁLVARO BAUTISTA (RIZLA SUZUKI MOTOGP) +0.870:

 

[KUCIAR666]

Tough Qualifying for Spies in Malaysia

Qualifying for the Grand Prix of Malaysia proved to be a tough challenge for Yamaha Factory Racing rider Ben Spies today at the Sepang International Circuit. The Texan?s injuries sustained in Australia continue to hamper his abilities to ride to the limit. As a result Spies crashed in both the morning practice and afternoon qualifying session, finally taking 16th place on the grid for tomorrow?s race.

Katsuyuki Nakasuga made a step forward today, Jorge?s replacement rider getting more familiar with his bike and team as the weekend progresses. Nakasuga-san wrapped up qualifying 2.6 seconds from pole, over two seconds closer to the fastest rider than yesterday. He will start tomorrow?s race from 17th on the grid, behind his temporary team mate Spies.
Ben Spies
Position 16th - Time 2.03.678

?It?s been a pretty eventful weekend. The bike is working really well but I?m just not feeling 100% and ready to get it over and done with. Qualifying was tough, we went out there and experienced a crash, I?m not sure why yet but we?ll check the data later. We don?t have a great position on the grid but we?ll do the best we can for points to try and hold on to fifth place for the Championship.?

Katsuyuki Nakasuga
Position 17th - Time 2.04.072
?This morning?s session was quite positive for me. I had a good feeling and found a rhythm on the track which was very motivating. Tomorrow I will try my best for a good position. The bike set up is working well so I am feeling confident for my first ever MotoGP race.?


Wilco Zeelenberg - Yamaha Factory Racing Team Manager
?This is a completely different experience to last year where we won the Championship here. Now we are second last and last on the grid. I think Nakasuga-san did a good job today, his lap time was a lot better than yesterday and he didn?t crash so he did well. He has to learn a lot but we are now approaching it the right way. He?s improving so let?s see how he gets on tomorrow. It?s going to be a long hot race, he looks good in a group so hopefully he can stay up there with some of the pack and fight with them until the end.?


Massimo Meregalli - Yamaha Factory Racing Team Director
?It is a very tough and strange weekend for us. Ben is trying very hard; he?s putting in all he can. We have to consider what is best for him tomorrow so we will have a meeting tonight and make a decision for the race. Nakasuga made good improvements today with consistency, he has definitely made a step from yesterday and we know he will do his best during the race tomorrow.?

Edwards storms to season best qualifying at sizzling Sepang

Colin Edwards flew the flag for Yamaha in tremendous style at the Sepang International Circuit today, the American showcasing his skill and vast experience to claim a fantastic fourth place on the grid for the 20-lap Malaysian Grand Prix.

A fastest lap of 2.02.010 was over 0.4s faster than his best practice pace on the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 YZR-M1 machine and secured the popular 37-year-old his best grid position since he qualified in fourth position at the Valencia round in 2008.

Fine-tuning the set-up he worked on during two winter test sessions at the long and technical Sepang circuit, Edwards was able to find crucial tenths with improved turning performance and better rear grip in searing hot conditions this afternoon.

Temperatures once again peaked at over 30 degrees but it was the punishing humidity that tested his physical stamina and concentration to the limit. It was a challenge Edwards rose to in brilliant fashion and he was only 0.344s from claiming a sensational front row, as he comfortably outpaced a host of riders on factory-supported machinery.

Today's qualifying session also had a positive outcome for hard-charging British rider Cal Crutchlow, who will start from his best grid position since the Laguna Seca round in late July.

The 25-year-old's hard work to improve rear grip on the slippery Sepang surface paid off handsomely and he was able to knock 1.2s off his best time from yesterday in this morning's third and final session.

A brilliant attack on Bridgestone's soft compound rear tyre then saw him lower his pace to a 2.02.756, which secured him a superb 10th place.


Colin Edwards
Position 4th - Time 2.02.010 - Laps 20
?I'm ecstatic with that result because to get a fourth place in any session against this level of competition is a pretty big achievement. I said yesterday that we rolled the bike out of the crate hot and today I felt even more confident. Usually I have a really good couple of tests in February and then come back for the race and I have an awful time. But with this year's chassis I'm really enjoying this track. We've barely moved away from the setting we left the second test with in February and the bike feels awesome. I'm pushing hard but I don't feel like I'm right on the limit like I have in some races and it relatively easy. I can ride smooth and the bike is turning really well. We'd like more traction, but in this heat and humidity the grip is always going to be the thing that's missing. I'm not far off the front row but I didn't leave anything out there. The lap I did my best time on, I took a couple of risks, so I couldn't have done any better. Fourth is my best qualifying result since Valencia in 2008. That seems like a long, long time ago, so it would be great to follow today up with a top five result tomorrow and send my awesome Monster Yamaha Tech 3 crew home happy."

Cal Crutchlow
Position 10th - Time 2.02.756 - Laps 20
?I'm much happier today and I want to say a big thanks to my Monster Yamaha Tech 3 crew because they've worked really hard to improve my feeling on the bike. We definitely made some progress today and the bike was turning better and the rear grip was improved as well. It is going to be a long and tough race in the heat but also the track isn't in fantastic condition, so we'll be sliding around a lot at the end. The surface feels really greasy and it will be a case of who can keep the best grip for the longest but I'm confident we've got a good set-up. We'll try a couple of small changes to try and improve the bike in the warm-up and if we can gain a bit extra then I'm sure I can be fighting for the top 10 tomorrow. Colin did an amazing job today to take fourth. He's doing Yamaha proud without Jorge being here and Ben obviously riding in a lot of pain, so if anything he's getting faster as he gets older!?


2011 MotoGP Malaysia
Sepang 22/10/2011
1 Daniel Pedrosa Honda ESP 2'01.462
2 Casey Stoner Honda AUS 2'01.491
3 Andrea Dovizioso Honda ITA 2'01.666
4 Colin Edwards Yamaha USA 2'02.010
5 Marco Simoncelli Honda ITA 2'02.105
6 Nicky Hayden Ducati USA 2'02.172
7 Hiroshi Aoyama Honda JPN 2'02.254
8 Alvaro Bautista Suzuki ESP 2'02.332
9 Valentino Rossi Ducati ITA 2'02.395
10 Cal Crutchlow Yamaha GBR 2'02.756
11 Randy De Puniet Ducati FRA 2'02.939
12 Loris Capirossi Ducati ITA 2'03.077
13 Karel Abraham Ducati CZE 2'03.438
14 Hector Barbera Ducati ESP 2'03.619
15 Toni Elias Honda ESP 2'03.646
16 Ben Spies Yamaha USA 2'03.678
17 Katsuyuki Nakasuga Yamaha JPN 2'04.072


Circuit Length:
5548

Weather:
Dry

Lap Record:
2'02.993
(Nicky Hayden, 1/1/2005)

Fastest Lap Ever:
2'00.518
(Valentino Rossi, 10/25/2009)

Last Years Winner:
Valentino Rossi

 

[KUCIAR666]

PROGRESS FOR DUCATI TEAM IN SEPANG QUALIFYING

Riding in sweltering conditions, Nicky Hayden and Valentino Rossi both made solid progress on Day 2 at the Malaysian Grand Prix, qualifying on the second and third rows, respectively. For the American, sixth-best equals his best qualifying position of the season, last week at Phillip Island.

Valentino Rossi suffered a fall near the end of the session, when he was in the process of lowering his time, but after returning to the garage and switching bikes, he put in a strong final effort to make the third row of the grid.

Nicky Hayden (Ducati Team) 6th (2:02.172)
?The mechanics all worked hard last night changing geometry and the transmission, and I?m thankful because the bike was immediately better. Qualifying didn?t start out great. The track felt a lot slipperier than this morning, but I put the soft tyres in and was able to get down into the 2:02s. On my last soft tyre, I was pushing the front, and I had a couple moments where I was basically down but managed to stay on the bike. We matched our best qualifying time of the year, but truthfully, I think the bike was capable of a bit better. The front row was about a half-second away, but fourth wasn?t out of the question. We know race distance around here is a long, hard day, but that?s why you put in the time doing the training. Hopefully we can have a good race tomorrow and have some fun.?

Valentino Rossi (Ducati Team) 9th (2:02.395)
?Today went better. I was able to ride more effectively, although the fall was really a shame because it was the usual type, which means that we still have to solve that problem. In addition, that wasted some precious minutes, and I had to use the second bike, which I didn?t like quite as much. We?re pretty good on most of the track, but we lose a lot?six of the nine tenths in our gap to the front?in T4, especially on the exits of the last two hairpins. Anyway, our pace has improved, especially with the hard tyre, although to tell the truth, the choice for the race won?t be easy. We?ll make the decision at the last minute after evaluating tomorrow?s conditions, and it will really be crucial. I?m expecting a hard race as is always the case here at Sepang, where the conditions are extreme, but anyway, I?m happier than yesterday, as I?m able to ride better.?

 

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Honda riders sweep front row in sultry Sepang

Honda riders swept the top three spots in MotoGP qualifying for Sunday?s Malaysian Grand Prix, with Repsol Hondas going one-two-three on the sultry Sepang International Circuit. Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda RC212V) took his second pole of the season from teammate and recently crowned world champion Casey Stoner, with Andrea Dovizioso filling out the front row for Sunday?s penultimate round of the 2011 MotoGP World Championship.

The session was thoroughly dominated by Honda riders, who were at the top of the time charts for every minute of the one hour session, held in typically tropical weather at the circuit on the outskirts of the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur.

Marco Simoncelli (San Carlo Honda Gresini RC212V) leapt to the top of the order at the start, soon to get into a battle with the Repsol Honda team. Less than ten minutes into the session Dovi took over and for the final 50 minutes a Repsol Honda rider would reign supreme.

Still, there was drama. Pedrosa had a harmless get-off, from which he quickly recovered with no ill effects. The Spaniard was in control with 16 minutes to run when he was bested by team-mate Dovizioso, who fell victim to Stoner six minutes later before Pedrosa took the top spot with just over four minutes remaining.

Stoner made one final run at Pedrosa with his final soft tyre, only to lose out on his 12th pole position by .029s. Dovi was another .175s back in third.

The pole was the second for Pedrosa-his first came in the Czech Grand Prix-and the 15th in 17 races for Honda riders.

Two of those 15 poles went to Simoncelli, who was fifth fastest today and might have been further up the grid had he not run into a small electrical issue with his ?A? bike. ?Super Sic? was using a soft tyre and aiming for the front row when the problem cropped up. Forced onto his second bike, Simoncelli wasn?t as comfortable and wasn?t able to finish on the front row for the eighth time this season.

Hiroshi Aoyama (San Carlo Honda Gresini) had been fifth at the end of Friday practice, when Honda riders filled the top five positions. Today Aoyama missed out on the second row by only .082s; he?ll start the race in seventh place. Qualifying taught him that he had the setup to race on the softer rear tyre, a choice that many others riders were uncertain of.

Toni Elias (LCR Honda MotoGP) struggled in the intense heat and humidity. The rear grip was compromised, which put the Spaniard at a disadvantage on the corner exits onto the two long straightaways, where it?s crucial to get a good drive. He also had an issue with balance, which made it difficult to control the front end on corner entry.

MOTOGP RIDER QUOTES

Dani Pedrosa, Repsol Honda RC212V: Pole Position ? 2m, 1.462s
?It was a very difficult session, extremely hot; I couldn't breathe inside the helmet. We had a small crash in the front that I didn't expect, but was able to go back and go faster and take my second pole of the season. I thought I would be able to improve a little more at the end and get closer to the time I did yesterday, but I found some traffic on my final run. Anyway, it's good to be on pole and I hope our race pace can be even better. We have to work on the setup and make a good rear tyre choice because our rivals are also very strong. It's going to be very physically demanding for everybody. To have three Repsol Honda riders on the front row is very good, but we cannot forget the other rivals and we must keep focused to finish the weekend in the best way.?

Casey Stoner, Repsol Honda RC212V: 2nd ? 2m, 1.491s
?I tried to steal pole, but it wasn't really our day today. We tried a few different things in setup, but we haven't really gone the right direction at all this weekend. In qualifying we tried to find another path to go, but we just haven't been able to get grip along with turning. We can find one or the other, but at best they are both average so we have some improvement to make for tomorrow. Our race pace isn't too bad; we?ve looked worse than everyone else because we've been running on the harder tyre all weekend, but once we put the soft tyres on the bike worked a little better.?

Andrea Dovizioso, Repsol Honda RC212V: 3rd ? 2m, 1.666s
?I?m really happy with this front row and even more satisfied with my race pace. We have improved a lot, reducing the gap to two-tenths after being 1.4 seconds behind in FP2 and 0.8 behind in FP3. We were consistent and fast both with soft and hard tyre, meaning that it?s possible to race with both of them. This afternoon the conditions were really demanding. It was very hot and there was no grip, but we were able to be consistently fast so we go into the race very strong. With such conditions here it?s impossible to push 100% for 20 laps so it will be very important to make a strategy for the race and to manage the tyres. I really like this track and tomorrow it would be fantastic to repeat a Repsol Honda 1, 2, 3 on the Podium, but? in the reverse order!?

Marco Simoncelli, San Carlo Honda Gresini RC212V: 3rd ? 2m, 2.105s
?I was satisfied with our pace in the first half of the session when we were working on our race setting, but not so much with the 'time attack,' because just when we switched tyres I had a problem with a sensor and had to switch to my second bike which had a different setting that I wasn't as comfortable with. I was struggling a bit and instead of staying out there I decided to come back in and try to make a small change, but it didn't work out. Anyway, I am looking forward to tomorrow and feeling confident I can fight with the three guys on the front row. We just need to decide which tyre to use for the race.?

Hiroshi Aoyama, San Carlo Honda Gresini RC212V: 7th - 2m, 2.254s
?I am satisfied with today, even though we missed out on the second row by hundredths of a second. I have got a good feeling with the bike and I think we will run the soft tyres tomorrow. I like this track and if we can refine the setting a little in the warm-up tomorrow I am sure we can be fighting near the front in the Malaysian Grand Prix.?

Toni Elias, LCR Honda MotoGP RC212V: 15th ? 2m, 3.646s.
?This morning it seemed we had found a better balance on front and rear suspension, but with more heat and higher asphalt higher temperature we missed rear grip and the balance of the bike was not the same. The rear was pushing into the front and automatically I was losing the front in the corners. We must check the data to understand what we need to do because the setting of this morning on a 39 degrees track temperature was not working properly in this afternoon 50 degrees temperature.?

Pole position : 2m01.462s (164.436km/h) Dani Pedrosa, Honda
Circuit record lap : 2m02.108s (163.566km/h) Casey Stoner (Ducati, 2007)
Circuit Best Lap : 2m00.518s (165.724km/h) Valentino Rossi (Yamaha, 2009)
Qualifying position
1 Dani Pedrosa 2m01.462s SPA HONDA Repsol Honda Team
2 Casey Stoner +0.029s AUS HONDA Repsol Honda Team
3 Andrea Dovizioso +0.204s ITA HONDA Repsol Honda Team
4 Colin Edwards +0.548s USA YAMAHA Monster Yamaha Tech 3
5 Marco Simoncelli +0.643s ITA HONDA Honda Gresini
6 Nicky Hayden +0.710s USA DUCATI Ducati Team
7 Hiroshi Aoyama +0.792s JPN HONDA Honda Gresini
8 Alvaro Bautista +0.870s SPA SUZUKI Suzuki MotoGP
9 Valentino Rossi +0.933s ITA DUCATI Ducati Team
10 Cal Crutchlow +1.294s GBR YAMAHA Monster Yamaha Tech 3
11 Randy De Puniet +1.477s FRA DUCATI Pramac Racing Team
12 Loris Capirossi +1.615s ITA DUCATI Pramac Racing Team
13 Karel Abraham +1.976s CZE DUCATI Cardion AB Ducati
14 Hector Barbera +2.157s SPA DUCATI Aspar Ducati
15 Toni Elias +2.184s SPA HONDA LCR Honda MotoGP
16 Ben Spies +2.216s USA YAMAHA Yamaha Factory Racing
17 Katsuyuki Nakasuga +2.610s JPN YAMAHA Yamaha Factory Racing
Championship standings
1 Casey Stoner 325 pts AUS HONDA Repsol Honda Team
2 Jorge Lorenzo 260 pts SPA YAMAHA Yamaha Factory Racing
3 Andrea Dovizioso 212 pts ITA HONDA Repsol Honda Team
4 Dani Pedrosa 208 pts SPA HONDA Repsol Honda Team
5 Ben Spies 156 pts USA YAMAHA Yamaha Factory Racing
6 Valentino Rossi 139 pts ITA DUCATI Ducati Team
7 Marco Simoncelli 139 pts ITA HONDA Honda Gresini
8 Nicky Hayden 132 pts USA DUCATI Ducati Team
9 Colin Edwards 109 pts USA YAMAHA Monster Yamaha Tech 3
10 Hiroshi Aoyama 94 pts JPN HONDA Honda Gresini
11 Hector Barbera 77 pts SPA DUCATI Aspar Ducati
12 Alvaro Bautista 67 pts SPA SUZUKI Suzuki MotoGP
13 Cal Crutchlow 57 pts GBR YAMAHA Monster Yamaha Tech 3
14 Karel Abraham 56 pts CZE DUCATI Cardion AB Ducati
15 Toni Elias 55 pts SPA HONDA LCR Honda MotoGP
16 Randy De Puniet 49 pts FRA DUCATI Pramac Racing Team
17 Loris Capirossi 36 pts ITA DUCATI Pramac Racing Team
18 Kousuke Akiyoshi 7 pts JPN HONDA LCR Honda MotoGP
19 John Hopkins 6 pts USA SUZUKI Suzuki MotoGP
20 Shinichi Ito 3 pts JPN HONDA Team HRC
21 Sylvain Guintoli 0 pts FRA DUCATI Pramac Racing Team

 

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Cia Marco


The Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team and Tech 3 Racing Moto2 team extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Marco Simoncelli, who succumbed to injuries he received in this afternoon's Malaysian Grand Prix.

Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider Colin Edwards was involved in the second lap incident and he suffered a dislocated left shoulder. The American has left the Sepang International Circuit to begin his recovery at home in America and his thoughts and prayers are with Simoncelli and the Gresini Honda family.

RIP Super Sic - A much-loved star on and off the track

 

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Marco Simoncelli passes away at Malaysian GP

Today we are very sad to announce that HRC rider Marco Simoncelli has lost his life in a racing accident at the Sepang circuit. The 24 year old Italian was involved in an accident on lap two of the Malaysian GP. The race was instantly red flagged, and later cancelled. Medical staff were on the scene immediately and he was taken to the circuit medical centre. Unfortunately Marco's injuries were too severe and at 16h56 local time he was declared dead.

Our thoughts are with his family at this tragic time.

The test scheduled for tomorrow with Dani Pedrosa and Casey Stoner on the 2012 prototypes at the Sepang Circuit has been cancelled.

Shuhei Nakamoto - HRC Executive Vice President
"I just don't know what to say, words escape me. Marco was a very nice guy and a very talented rider. Sometimes I was a little harsh with him, for example after his first MotoGP podium in Brno when I told him: "Lucky podium!" and he was so angry... but I wanted to motivate him as I knew he was able to do even more. I was thinking that when he won his first race we would have been able to celebrate together... Now I just want to say thank you to Marco, for what you gave me and pass my sincere condolences to his family and this very sad time".

Dani Pedrosa
"In a tragedy like this there is not much to say. I just want to give my condolences to his family and all the people who love him. I've been with his father and all we could do was to hug, nothing else matters. It was a fatal accident and everybody in the paddock remains in shock. Many times we ourselves forget how dangerous this sport can be and when you lose people on the way nothing has any meaning. It's clear that we all do what we like, what we love, but on days like today nothing matters".

Andrea Dovizioso
"In these circumstances, words don?t seem to be appropriate. I think of Marco?s family and all the people dear to him, in particular his father and mother. I also have a child and what happened today is the hardest situation you can imagine. I watched the images and I?m shocked: in a race you fight and push hard and disaster is often around the corner. Marco was a strong rider and he always pushed hard. We raced together since we were kids, I saw him always pushing to the maximum, he crashed many times, but without major injuries, he was seemed invincible. What happened today seems impossible".

Casey Stoner
"I'm so shocked and saddened by the loss of Marco. When things like this happen it reminds you how precious life is, it makes me feel sick inside. All I can say is how sorry I am for Marco's whole family I can't imagine what they are all going through and our thoughts and wishes are with them at this time. I hope they all stay close and pull through this tragedy together".
Championship standings
1 Casey Stoner 325 pts AUS HONDA Repsol Honda Team
2 Jorge Lorenzo 260 pts SPA YAMAHA Yamaha Factory Racing
3 Andrea Dovizioso 212 pts ITA HONDA Repsol Honda Team
4 Dani Pedrosa 208 pts SPA HONDA Repsol Honda Team
5 Ben Spies 156 pts USA YAMAHA Yamaha Factory Racing
6 Valentino Rossi 139 pts ITA DUCATI Ducati Team
7 Marco Simoncelli 139 pts ITA HONDA Honda Gresini
8 Nicky Hayden 132 pts USA DUCATI Ducati Team
9 Colin Edwards 109 pts USA YAMAHA Monster Yamaha Tech 3
10 Hiroshi Aoyama 94 pts JPN HONDA Honda Gresini
11 Hector Barbera 77 pts SPA DUCATI Aspar Ducati
12 Alvaro Bautista 67 pts SPA SUZUKI Suzuki MotoGP
13 Cal Crutchlow 57 pts GBR YAMAHA Monster Yamaha Tech 3
14 Karel Abraham 56 pts CZE DUCATI Cardion AB Ducati
15 Toni Elias 55 pts SPA HONDA LCR Honda MotoGP
16 Randy De Puniet 49 pts FRA DUCATI Pramac Racing Team
17 Loris Capirossi 36 pts ITA DUCATI Pramac Racing Team
18 Kousuke Akiyoshi 7 pts JPN HONDA LCR Honda MotoGP
19 John Hopkins 6 pts USA SUZUKI Suzuki MotoGP
20 Shinichi Ito 3 pts JPN HONDA Team HRC
21 Sylvain Guintoli 0 pts FRA DUCATI Pramac Racing Team