• Welcome to the new B.I.R.D. Forum. Please be sure to read the "New Member / New Registered ? Please Read" thread in the Coffee Shop. This contains some important information. To become a full member ( £5.90 a year ) simply click on your user name near the top on the right I hope you enjoy the new site ................ Jaws ( John )

Moto GP news

KUCIAR666

Registered User
May 27 - 2010
POSITIVE THOUGHTS FOR THE PRAMAC RACING TEAM AFTER THE GRAND PRIX AT LE MANS
Last Sunday it took place on the Le Mans circuit, the twenty-fourth France Grand Prix. A partially positive Grand Prix for the Pramac Racing Team that had conquered other 10 World Championship points that gives good felling for the rest of the season. In particular, it was easy to see the first race as protagonist of Aleix Espargar?, who, after starting from the tenth place, finished the race in the ninth position by gaining a substantial haul of points useful for his personal run to the title of rookie of the year that the young Spaniard aims to win this year. A great character test for the young Catalan who had accused several falls during the first two races of the season. The results pressure, related to the unconditional trust that the team has placed in him, allowed him to achieve a result that will give him a huge moral for the rest of the season. Just think that the French track is one of the least preferred by the rider. The hope now is that he can repeat the good race in the other tracks of the MotoGP, starting from the Pramac Racing "home" race the 6th of June on the Mugello. Mika Kallio physical conditions have aroused considerable concern. The Finn, who fell during the Saturday morning practice, gritted his teeth to finish the French Grand Prix. Thanks also to fall of Spies, Capirossi and Stoner and the not starting race of Bautista, the rider has arrived in the thirteenth position that corresponds to three World Championship points. Now he will have an intense week of treatments and therapies that will alleviate the pain he have so that he will be able to ride his bike in the best way in the forthcoming Italian Grand Prix at Mugello. The next test will be very important for whole team to under stand witch is the sense to give to this season, after only three world contest is likely to be interesting, having twenty World Championship points of the season. It will be very important to try to be, even from Friday's free practice, very fast on the track so that they can be able to try all the best settings studied by engineers for the green bikes.

Paolo Campinoti - Team Principal Pramac Racing

"Mixed results for our riders. In Jerez, Mika had made a stunning comeback that allowed him to gain ten positions. Now he concluded in the last position the French race. The unlucky Le Mans result has not, however, deter the rider that has shown to have tremendous value and a great team attachment, I do not know how it was able to run with this sharp pain in his shoulder. Aleix in his part has shown in this race to be able to handle the pressure and to be at ease in the fight with some riders that have much more experience then him. We are very glad you took him with us, is a bet that is slowly giving us a payback. I hope that he will continue to improve its performance and that he will increase the feeling with his bike and that he can always try to push at the maximum. The entire team is working hard to provide to both riders a suitable bike for the various tracks, the hope is that all will continue to give their best to try to reach prestigious results."
 

KUCIAR666

Registered User
Replacement rider Kousuke Akiyoshi for Assen and Barcelona
The Interwetten Honda MotoGP Team announces, that as a quick solution for the upcoming Grand Prix in Assen and Barcelona Kousuke Akiyoshi, Honda's test rider, will replace Hiroshi Aoyama on the Honda RC212V. Hiroshi Aoyama had a nasty crash in Silverstone in which he fractured his vertebra T12 and the 28 years old Japanese will not take part in the next couple of Grand Prix due to this injury.

The team is currently looking for a stable replacement after the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona until Aoyama will come back fully recovered.

Kousuke Akiyoshi will start for the Interwetten Honda MotoGP Team with the number 64.

Daniel M. Epp, Team Manager:
"It really is a pity that Hiro had this nasty crash in Silverstone and that he injured himself so bad, so he will be out for the next couple of months. Especially now his learning process was really good and he was consistently getting better. We hope he will have a quick recovery and that he will be back with us as strong as he was before as soon as possible. For the meantime we are looking for a stable replacement. At the moment we don't have a rider apart from Assen and Barcelona and we are looking for a suitable solution."
 

KUCIAR666

Registered User
Alex de Angelis substitute in the Interwetten Honda MotoGP Team

It has been decided between the Interwetten Honda MotoGP Team, the RSM Team Scot and HRC that Alex de Angelis will step in for the injured Hiroshi Aoyama after he crashed in the Warm up in Silverstone and broke his vertebrae T12.
Because of the good relationship between HRC and both of the mentioned above teams they recommended De Angelis as a substitute until Aoyama has fully recovered and will be back on his Honda RC212V. De Angelis accepted after the RSM Team Scot did let him know about the request by HRC and will start riding for the Interwetten Honda MotoGP Team from Sachsenring on. After Aoyama is back to his team De Angelis will also return to the RSM Team Scot for the rest of the season.

Daniel M. Epp, Team Owner:

"This replacement solution is satisfying for everybody. I want to underline that of course I look forward to welcome back Hiroshi fully recovered latest in Arag?n in September, but as the team's work has to go on, I am also happy that with Alex we have an experienced and powerful Honda rider, who already showed for example in Indianapolis last year what he is capable of achieving. He knows all the tracks that are coming now and I expect a lot from him."

Alex de Angelis:

"This is a very good chance for me and I am very happy. It is a very nice team with a Honda bike. I can come back to MotoGP through this opportunity. I will compete four or five races and have enough time to improve the settings and my feeling for the bike. So it is possible to have some good results, even though it is very difficult. I will do my best not to disappoint the team. I like all the tracks that are coming now and had success on each of them and I am looking forward for this new challenge."
 

KUCIAR666

Registered User
THE PRAMAC RACING TEAM LEAVES CATALUNYA WITH SOME REGRETS BUT WITH GREAT HOPE
The Grand Prix de Catalunya was the first opportunity of the season that the Pramac Racing Team has scheduled to place both its riders in the top ten position of the race. Unfortunately after Espargaro's slip and the not very constant trend of Kallio, who have finished the race in twelfth position, had allowed the Team to only get four World Championship points. After the race was easy to see in the eyes of all the Team the regret of a lost opportunity, but at the same time a spark of hope for an exponential growth performance of young Catalan. Aleix certainly ended his race after just five laps from the start, but its results throughout all the weekend were very rewarding. During the warm-up in the morning he was able to bring his bike in fifth place, behind the official teams and first of the independent teams. Despite the result and the distance from the winner of the race, more than a minute of gap, Kallio had positive sensations for the rest of the season, he has found the perfect physical form and the feeling with his bike can only go better. The hope is that on Sachsenring track, his favorite track, he will return to fight with the top riders of the league as he was able to do last year.


Paolo Campinoti - Team Principal Pramac Racing Team


"We knew that we where fast on Barcelona's track, but I was greatly gratified to see one of our rider so close to the first position during all weekend sessions. Unfortunately I think his race has been penalized by Saturday's qualifying session, starting the race in twelfth position, when you know that you can be faster than the riders ahead of you, did not allow you to feel comfortable. Aleix was trying to recover some position in the race and he stumbled into a slip. We are however very pleased with the growth that he was able to do in recent Grand Prix, he was pointing to a great result here and I'm sure that he could finish the race in the first seven position if he had not slipped. Mika has instead a very difficult weekend. Thanks to the work done with his engineers, he had reduced the gap from the first riders during Sunday's morning warm-up, but despite a great start, he had failed to maintain contact with the first and in the last laps has consistently turned slower than the rest of group. The hope is now that in the next Grand Prix, Aleix will confirm its growth and that Mika will return to conquest good positions. "

Aleix Espargar? - Pramac Racing Team


"I had hope to achieve a good result on Barcelona's track, my home track, in order to give a good result to my fans and my Team who have worked very hard to meet my needs. Unfortunately I wasn't able. I heard a lot of affection in all the people around me after the slip, everyone saw that I was trying to do my best and everyone saw my disappointment after the slip. But we must always look ahead, learning from mistakes and take the positive things of what's happening. I was able to run very close to the fastest riders and I was much faster than some experienced rider who have run for many years in this category: now I know that I can be able to fighting for a good position on all the tracks. For the next race I've got to conquest a better starting position during qualifying so that I don't have to comeback other riders. I have also to do a better start, in Barcelona I have not lost positions at the start, the aim is now to be able to win some position. I will work hard to improve even on this aspects. "

Mika Kallio - Pramac Racing Team

"Barcelona weekend was very difficult for me and the end result is the proof of that. Despite the work made by my technicians that have done their best to offer me a balanced bike for this track, I could not have the rhythm that was necessary to get a better position. I was constantly a second slower than the riders in front of me. We have to quickly forget this race and return to focus intensely on what will be the next round at Sachsenring, in absolute my favorite track where I have won in the past and where I had some good results. I will do my best to turn my season that is so far inadequate with results. I have to do that for my Team that never miss their support in me. "
 

KUCIAR666

Registered User
Casey stoner to join Honda in 2011
HRC is delighted to announce that Casey Stoner will become a factory Honda rider in next year's MotoGP World Championship. The Australian 2007 World Champion, who rode in the Honda LCR Team in his debut MotoGP season in 2006, will rejoin Honda after four seasons with Ducati. Honda's complete factory team line-up for 2011 will be officially presented later in the season.



HRC Vice President Shuhei Nakamoto said:


"We are very pleased that Casey will join Honda again next year. Clearly he is one of the top riders in MotoGP and he will bring valuable speed and experience to our team. In the factory Honda squad we already have two very strong and experienced riders in Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso who are performing very well and currently hold second and third positions in the 2010 World Championship. HRC hopes also to retain these two riders for next year - giving us what would be a truly formidable line-up."
 

KUCIAR666

Registered User
TWO CONSECUTIVE GRAND PRIX FOR THE PRAMAC RACING TEAM BEFORE HALF SEASON SUMMER BREAK
With the Grand Prix de Catalunya ended the first triptych of consecutive races on the 2010's calendar. Now, after a week in which all were able to have a little of relax time, is the time to go back to race in Germany at the Sachsenring track located just a few kilometers away from the Czech Republic border. The Pramac Racing Team has left Catalu?a with some regret for a race that could be able to turn the season of the team. The Green Team has still gained four World Championship points which are a meager spoils for the Team that had aimed to get both bikes in the top ten. Sachsenring race will be then the immediately opportunity to recover this result. On this path, the Pramac Racing Team has good memories when in 2004 Barros has conquest the second position. The best result of the following years was a sixth place in 2008 with Guintoli on a wet track. Last year, Mika had a great start, he had comeback some riders going from the tenth to the eighth position in two laps, and then unfortunately due some technical problems he had to settle for the fourteenth position. The hope is that the rider can get a good result on this track in which he was protagonist in the past with a victory in 2005 riding a 125cc and a second position in 2007 riding a 250cc.


Paolo Campinoti - Team Principal Pramac Racing Team

"Although up to this point of the season we haven't had great results, I am happy on how our young Aleix is riding. Him, with his technical staff, is working very well and I am sure that soon the results will be seen on the track. We don't have to forget that he is the youngest rider of the top category and he still has many kilometers in front of him to improve. Sachsenring's track is Mika's preferred track, he has in the past good results, he had won the race in 2005 with 125 and he had finished the race in second position in 2007 riding a 250cc. I hope that he can be fast since Friday's free practice and that he can give a good result to his team. We are always near him and I'm sure that on this track he will repeat the good performance that he had this year at Jerez."

Aleix Espargar? - Pramac Racing rider

"We have to stop thinking about Catalu?a's Grand Prix! These things happen and it's now time to look ahead. On Sachsenring's track I had race so far only four times, two in 250cc and two in 125cc, gaining a ninth position as best placement during my rookie season in 2005. These days I had the opportunity to study very closely the track that has a very fast part and another very slow and very driven part. I'll have to work to be able to get a good position on the starting grid that can allow me to maintain a low gap from the best riders in the first laps."

Mika Kallio - Pramac Racing

"The last Grand Prix in Barcelona helped me to understand that I have finally found the perfect condition and that I can now apply myself to totally improve the feeling with my bike. There could be no better track to try to find the feeling and to get immediately good results. Sachsenring circuit is by far my favorite track; I have won here in 2005 riding a 125cc after starting the race from the pole position. In 2007 I also had the pole position, but then I finished the race in the second place. It 's a wonderful track, shame that in recent years I have failed to give my best here. Last year, unfortunately I had some problems during the race, I started from the tenth position and in just two laps I managed to take the eighth position. I had a great pace that would allow me to get some other position, but after a few laps some technical problems slowed me. I absolutely have to gain a better placement to dedicate to my team who have always worked hard and always supported me during these difficult races."
 

KUCIAR666

Registered User
BEN SPIES TO JOIN FACTORY YAMAHA TEAM FOR 2011


Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd is delighted to announce that current Yamaha Tech 3 rider Ben Spies will move to the Factory Team for the 2011 MotoGP season.
The 26-year-old American, who won the World Superbike Championship with Yamaha in 2009, is enjoying an impressive first season in MotoGP. He is currently the leading rookie and the top satellite rider, lying seventh in the championship.

"We're delighted that Ben will join the Factory Team for next season," said Lin Jarvis, Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Racing. "Ben has shown great promise in his first ten MotoGP races. He has learnt rapidly and recorded strong results, including a well-deserved podium finish at Silverstone - impressive for someone in their first full season.

"We believe that Ben will be a future title contender and that he will be a good fit with our team. His mission next year will be to continue learning, consistently challenge for podium places and try to win some races. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Herve Poncharal and the Tech 3 Team for taking care of Ben this season and for giving him such good training for the years ahead. I hope that he will repay them by getting some more podium results in the second half of this season and helping them to secure top satellite team status at the end of this year."

Spies added
"My first year in MotoGP has been a great learning curve and for that I have to thank Herve Poncharal, all the team at Tech 3 and especially my American mechanics who have stuck by me throughout this great journey so far. Having previously been to only four of the ten tracks to date, I have to be pleased with where I am and with having achieved my first podium so soon. I'm especially pleased that Yamaha have recognized the potential in me and given me the opportunity to step up to the Factory Team so early in my GP career. I believe that by working closely with the Yamaha staff and my mechanics we will be able to help develop the M1 and make the next step of challenging for regular podiums, followed by future championships."
 

KUCIAR666

Registered User
DUCATI ANNOUNCE A TWO-YEAR DEAL WITH NICKY HAYDEN
Ducati is pleased to announce a renewed contract with Nicky Hayden that will see the American rider stay with the Italian factory's MotoGP effort for a further two years. His signature completes a new look of the Ducati Marlboro Team line-up for 2011, which will see the 29-year-old line up alongside Valentino Rossi.

Hayden, who over the past two seasons has won over the Ducatisti with his positive and determined attitude, currently lies sixth in the MotoGP World Championship standings and is confident for two successful seasons ahead, which he will tackle with his trademark enthusiasm.

Filippo Preziosi - Ducati Corse Director?We are really pleased that Nicky will be staying with us for the next two years. It is no secret that he is a rider who never gives up, his whole racing history shows it. As a person his tenacity is an example for us all because he shows us that nothing is impossible if you truly believe. His progress since arriving at Ducati has been impressive and I am sure this trend will continue in the future. Nicky is also a special rider because of his attention to every detail and for him having Valentino as his team-mate means a huge contribution towards the development of an even more competitive motorcycle. I think it is these characteristics that have won the hearts of all the Ducatisti and that is the reason why a Ducati is the bike for him right now.?

Nicky Hayden - Ducati Marlboro Team

"I am very proud to be signing for Ducati again. Last year I felt like I rode for Ducati but now I really feel as if I am a Ducati rider. The team, sponsors and Ducati fans have really taken me in and supported me a lot and I really hope to pay them back with the results they deserve. Next year I'll be teamed with some guy named Rossi who knows a little something about bikes! We're going to have a strong squad - I won't predict results but I have no doubt this team will have some real passion, real worth ethic and a lot of fun. It is the start of a new era at Ducati and it is an honour for me to be a part of it."
 

KUCIAR666

Registered User
Crutchlow joins Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team

The Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team is delighted to announce the signing of British rider Cal Crutchlow to contest the MotoGP world championship for the next two years.

Crutchlow will extend his successful collaboration with Yamaha having won the World Supersport championship at the first attempt in 2009 with five victories and ten pole positions.



He has claimed five pole positions so far in 2010 but the highlight of his impressive campaign was undoubtedly a majestic double victory in his home race at Silverstone in early August.

Cal Crutchlow

?It is hard for me to explain how excited I am about the prospect of riding in MotoGP next season with the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team. Joining MotoGP is like a dream come true for me, and I want to thank Yamaha and Herve Poncharal for giving me such a wonderful opportunity. Yamaha have been fantastic to me and without their incredible support I wouldn't be where I am today. And I'm really looking forward to working with the Tech 3 Team. They are a very professional team with a lot of experience and I'm sure they will be able to help me develop even more as a rider. I am under no illusions about how difficult this challenge will be. But I have always loved a challenge and I'm relishing this one. To think I will be racing against the likes of Valentino Rossi, who I grew up being a massive fan of, is a really exciting prospect and I can't wait for 2011.?

Herve Poncharal ? Team Manager


?I am delighted that a rider of Cal's calibre will ride for the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team. He has shown with his World Supersport success in 2009 and with a series of outstanding performances in World Superbikes this year what an exciting prospect he is for the future. I think he is ready to test himself against the very best in the world and I'm really looking forward to working with him. He is a very talented rider and he has an unbelievable desire to succeed. Ben has proven this year that with talent, hard work and determination you can make a successful switch from World Superbikes to MotoGP. I have no doubt that Cal has the potential to emulate Ben's success in the future. I am sure the combination of Cal, Yamaha and Tech 3 will be a strong one and I can't wait to start this exciting new adventure in our history.?
 

KUCIAR666

Registered User
Honda Racing Statement
Honda Motor Co. Ltd and Honda Racing Corporation would like to express their great sadness at the passing away of Shoya Tomizawa following an accident in today?s San Marino Grand Prix.

Tomizawa crashed on the 12th lap of the Moto2 race. The Japanese rider was immediately treated at trackside, then at the circuit medical centre and then at Riccione hospital. Numerous attempts were made to resuscitate him but at 14.20hrs he succumbed to cranial, thoracic and abdominal trauma.

Both Honda Motor Co. Ltd and Honda Racing Corporation would like to extend their deepest condolences to Tomizawa?s family and friends.

Nineteen-year-old Tomizawa, from Chiba, was a very popular rider in the MotoGP paddock, known for his sunny smile and determination on the racetrack. He made his Grand Prix debut at Motegi in the 125 class in 2006. In 2008 he took the runner-up spot in the 250 All-Japan Championship. He became a full-time GP rider last season, taking 17th place in the 250 World Championship. This year he moved into the new Moto2 series and made history by winning the opening round.

?We are very saddened by this news and our thoughts of course are now with Shoya?s family and friends. He was at the start of his Grand Prix career and today we have lost fine young rider and a talent for the future. Shoya had fighting spirit, we will all miss him very much??
 

KUCIAR666

Registered User
Capirossi has successful surgery


Rizla Suzuki racer Loris Capirossi has undergone a successful operation to repair the damage caused to his right hand in the crash at last Sunday?s Grand Prix.

Capirossi had a 90-minute procedure to reconstruct the bone in his little finger and further work to re-attach the severed tendon in the same digit. The operation was performed by Dr. Oliviero Soragni at the San Marino hospital on Monday afternoon. Capirossi is now back home in Monte Carlo where he will begin his recuperation and healing period.

The experienced Italian is expected to make a full recovery from the injury and should be able to regain complete use in the damaged finger. It is not yet confirmed whether Capirossi will be able to compete in the next round of the MotoGP World Championship at Aragon in Spain on Sunday 19th September.

Loris Capirossi:


?The operation went very well and I am very pleased with what Dr. Soragni told me after I came out of surgery. Dr. Costa was also present and he knows how the injury will heal and he will help me to make the right decision about when I can ride again. The bone has been reconstructed and I have been told I will get full movement back ? which is great news ? but at the moment the finger is immobilised so I don?t cause any damage to the excellent work the surgeon has done. Although I am in a bit of pain, this is still nothing compared to what happened at Misano on Sunday and once again I want to send my wishes and prayers to Tomizawa san?s family in their time of great sadness.?
 

KUCIAR666

Registered User
REDDING READY TO RACE AFTER MISANO TRAGEDY

Scott Redding suffered only minor injuries after crashing out of Sunday's Moto2 race at the Misano World Circuit and is already well on the road to recovery. The British teenager is, however, still struggling to come to terms with the sad death of respected rival Shoya Tomizawa.

Redding was knocked unconscious in the crash, which occurred ten laps into the 23-lap Moto2 race, but recovered consciousness as marshals arrived on the scene. The Marc VDS rider was recovered by marshals and medical staff and transported to the medical centre by ambulance.

After a thorough examination Redding received 12 stitches to close a laceration in his lower back and was then released from the medical centre. The 17-year-old Briton initially had no recollection of the crash, and this remains the same now.

Redding will now spend some time resting to give the wound on his lower back time to close, before heading to a one-day test at Valencia on Monday, ahead of the next Moto2 round, which takes place at the Aragon circuit from 17-19 September.

"I was gutted when I found out the news about Tomi and it still hasn't really sunk in yet," said Redding. "He was a really good guy and will definitely be missed in the paddock and on the track. My thoughts are with his family, friends and team, who all suffered a huge loss at the weekend."

"I don't remember anything about the crash; one minute I was on the gas as normal and the rest is just a blank. I haven't seen the crash on television, and I don't want to, but I do know that I was very lucky to escape serious injury. The wound to my back is already improving, and I'm determined to get back on the bike as soon as possible. We have a one-day test at Valencia next week, which will give me a chance to check everything is okay with my back, before heading to Aragon for the next race," concluded the Gloucestershire teenager.

Hector Faubel echoed his teammate's sentiments about the tragic loss of Shoya Tomizawa.

"I rode some days together with Shoya when he arrived in the World Championship with Honda," said Faubel. "He was the most funny guy in the paddock. It didn't matter to him if you beat him in the last race or not, he still had time for you. He congratulated you if you won or even just had a good practice session. I last saw Shoya at the Clinca Mobile on Saturday evening in Misano, when he greeted me with; 'Faubel, good job in Indy. You were very strong and I'm happy for you.' That's the type of person he was."

"My thoughts are also with Scott, who I'm sure will bounce back from this tragic weekend. It will be difficult, sure, but I'm certain he can do it. I look forward to seeing him on the bike again at Valencia during the test and back at the front of the pack in Aragon."
 

KUCIAR666

Registered User
YAMAHA CONFIRMS LORENZO FOR TWO MORE YEARS
Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd is delighted to announce that it has reached an agreement with Jorge Lorenzo whereby the Spaniard will remain with the factory for the next two years.

23-year-old Lorenzo, who joined Yamaha in 2008, has won an impressive seven races so far this season and is on target to take his first premier-class crown. He currently leads the standings by 56 points with five rounds remaining.

Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Racing Lin Jarvis said, "we are extremely happy that we have reached an agreement with Jorge to remain a Factory Yamaha rider for 2011 and 2012. Since he joined three years ago he has made great progress and has improved himself every year to go from fourth place and ?best rookie' in 2008, to second place in 2009, to challenging for the MotoGP championship title in 2010. I am particularly pleased to finally get the agreement in place here in Japan because it will now enable Jorge to focus all of his efforts and concentration in the coming weeks to try to secure his first MotoGP class rider's title. Being only 23 years old I believe Jorge has a long career ahead of him and hopefully he can win many world titles with Yamaha.
"Jorge will be joined by Ben Spies in the Factory Team next year and with these two exceptionally talented hungry young riders we will start the 2011 season with the most exciting and competitive team in the paddock."

Lorenzo added, "my first choice was always to stay here with Yamaha and I am very glad that this will happen. I feel happy here; I have good people around me, a strong relationship with Yamaha and a great bike. I want to say thanks again to Lin Jarvis, who has always supported me. Now we are focused on winning the championship but I am already excited about next season. I know that Ben and I can do a great job for Yamaha and I want to thank them for their belief in me."
 

KUCIAR666

Registered User
Yamaha Factory MotoGP Team - Management Changes

Yamaha Factory Racing would like to inform the media of a change of management within the Yamaha Factory MotoGP Team.
After the last race of the 2010 season in Valencia on November 7th Davide Brivio will leave the Yamaha MotoGP organisation. Davide has been working with Yamaha in a variety of roles over a 19-year term, including as Team Manager of the Factory Yamaha World Superbike Team and also as Team Director and most recently as Team Manager of Valentino Rossi's crew in the Factory Yamaha MotoGP Team.

Yamaha would like to express its sincere thanks and appreciation for the long collaboration and specifically for his involvement in the highly successful partnership with Valentino Rossi over the past seven years. We wish Davide all the best for the future.

At the same time we would also like to inform you of the appointment of Massimo ("Maio") Meregalli, who will join the Yamaha Factory MotoGP Team in the role of Team Director. Maio joins the MotoGP Team as a next step in his successful career to date with Yamaha as Team Manager of the Yamaha Motor Italia Supersport Team and, more recently, as Team Manager of the championship-winning Yamaha World Superbike Team.

Maio will begin his new role from Monday November 8th in preparation for the 2011 MotoGP tests in Valencia and he will work together with Team Manager Wilco Zeelenberg to form an experienced and unified management team for 2011 and beyond.

Further details of the complete 2011 Yamaha Factory MotoGP Team organisation will be issued on Monday November 8th in Valencia.
 

KUCIAR666

Registered User
RANDY DE PUNIET ON THE DUCATI PRAMAC RACING TEAM BIKE NEXT YEAR
The French rider Randy De Puniet, will ride next year for the Ducati Pramac Racing Team. With today's agreement, the Pramac Racing Team completes its rider pair for next year. Randy will pair with the expert Loris Capirossi, forming a France-Italian duo of great talent. Next year will be for Randy the fourteenth year of World Championship apparence, that have seen his debut in the 1998 during the French Grand Prix riding a 125cc when he was just seventeen years old. During his career, Randy has raced three seasons in the 125cc category, five in 250cc and five in the MotoGP class from which it may now be considered one of the veterans. During his career he has conquer five victories and twenty-four podiums. The rider, born in Maison Laffitte, has scored his best results in the 250cc class when he had conquer all his five victories and twenty-two podiums.

Paolo Campinoti - Team Principal Pramac Racing Team


"We are very pleased to have closed a deal with one of the most experienced riders and one of most talented rider of the MotoGP World Championship. For Randy will be a debut riding a Ducati, but we are sure that he will be able to go fast since the tests carried out on the track Tuesday and wednesday. We all know Randy and we know the enormous value as a fighter rider, that have seen him fight with riders who were riding an official bike. He was often the first rider of the independent team and he have often finished the race before some official riders. We are confident that thanks to his quality, next year we'll have fun on all the tracks taking some satisfactions. With Randy and Loris we will celebrate the tenth anniversary of Pramac in the MotoGP and to have such a strong pair of riders and this will be real honor for us. I would like to thank our partners who have follow in an enthusiastically way our choice."

Randy De Puniet


"I am incredibly excited about this new adventure that will begin next year. I would like to thank the Pramac Racing Team Principal, Paolo Campinoti, for this great opportunity and the confidence that he has placed in me. I have worked with Italian Teams in the past and I'm happy to continue for the next year. I would like to thank one by one the LCR Team and Lucio Cecchinello with whom I shared wonderful years and I believe that they were my family and now I join a new family thanks to Pramac. I am looking forward to meet my Ducati ! "
 

KUCIAR666

Registered User
Rizla Suzuki pays tribute to Capirossi


Rizla Suzuki has given Loris Capirossi a fond farewell after he left the Suzuki MotoGP team following the final race of the year at Valencia in Spain.

Capirossi joined Suzuki at the Valencia test in 2007 and made his racing debut in 2008. He has been a firm favourite with Suzuki?s management and crew in his three years with the team and has brought a wealth of experience and passion that all who have worked with him have benefitted from.

Suzuki Motor Corporation, all members of the MotoGP team, title sponsor Rizla and the team?s other sponsors and partners would like to wish Capirossi and his family well in the next steps of his career and in his personal life, and to thank him for the three years of hard work and effort that he has given the team.

Loris Capirossi:

?I have had a great three years at Suzuki and am obviously very sad to be leaving. The results have not been what we wanted, but we have never given up trying and the whole crew has always given me the support and help I?ve wanted. I have made some good friends during my time here and I hope those relationships will last long after the racing. I want to wish Paul, Sahara-san, ?lvaro and the rest of the team all the best for 2011 and I look forward to fighting against them on a race-track somewhere in the near future.?

Paul Denning ? Team Manager:

?On behalf of Suzuki Motor Corporation and the whole team, in addition to Rizla, we thank Loris for the three years that he has been with the team and wish him the best of luck for the future. Loris has been a ?racing animal? and a great ambassador for Rizla Suzuki both on and off the track - even when things have not gone according to plan he has been a true professional and a gentleman. Loris has become a good friend of the team and we will be sad to see him leave. We hope that Loris, Ingrid, Ricardo, Roberto and all his family and friends will remain in touch with us and feel free to say hello and come for a coffee whenever they want ? because they will all certainly be very welcome. We all hope that Loris continues to have success, health and happiness in the next steps of his career ? grazie, Loris!?
 

KUCIAR666

Registered User
Shenton leaves Team Suzuki after 19 years

Publish Date: Monday, November 08, 2010

Suzuki?s longest serving Grand Prix team-member, Crew Chief Stuart Shenton, has left the squad after an amazing 19-year career with the Japanese marque.

Shenton and Suzuki parted company following the final race of the season at Valencia, after Suzuki confirmed its plans to field just one rider in next season?s MotoGP World Championship. The massively experienced Englishman began work in the motorcycle Grand Prix paddock in 1976 with Kawasaki, before moving to Honda in 1983. Shenton joined Suzuki in 1992 and has been chief engineer for many great Suzuki riders including, Kevin Schwantz, Sete Gibernau, John Hopkins, Loris Capirossi and numerous others in his illustrious career.

Due to Suzuki?s decision to operate a one-man team next season, several other members of the crew will join Shenton in leaving the squad. George Dziedzic, Richard Francis, Jeffrey Oh, Tsutomu Matsugano, Renato Pennacchio and Erkki Siukola will all be greatly missed following the re-structure for 2011.

Suzuki Motor Corporation would like to thank all of the departing crew-members for their years of service and wish all their ex-team-mates well in their new careers.

Shinichi Sahara ? Team Suzuki MotoGP Project Leader:


?I want to wish Stuart all the best and thank him from the bottom of my heart for everything he has done for Suzuki. He has always been so hard-working and striving for the best result. He is one of the most methodical men I have worked with in motorcycle racing and the team will greatly miss his experience and drive to get things done. I also want to pass on my best wishes on behalf of Suzuki to the other guys that have left the team. It is very unfortunate ? and sad ? to say goodbye, but I hope they will always remain friends and that we have the chance to work together again in the near future.?
 

KUCIAR666

Registered User
2011 YAMAHA FACTORY RACING MOTOGP TEAM STRUCTURE
The Yamaha Factory Racing Team has today announced the new team structure for the 2011 MotoGP World Championship season.


American rider and 2010 MotoGP ?Rookie of the Year? Ben Spies joins the team, bringing with him current crew chief Tom Houseworth, a partnership now unbroken since 2002. Spies? crew will also include Gregory Wood, mechanic from his 2010 Tech3 Yamaha Team, Jurij Pellegrini, mechanic from his 2009 Yamaha World Superbike Team and YMR mechanic Mattia Bonera. Data Engineer Erkki Siukola and Mechanic Olivier Boutron complete the Team and will start with Yamaha in January 2011.

Jorge Lorenzo?s championship winning crew will remain unchanged.

The Yamaha Factory Racing Team management role will change for 2011 with new Team Director Massimo Meregalli and current Team Manager Wilco Zeelenberg sharing responsibility for the collective team management tasks. During race weekends Wilco Zeelenberg will retain his focus as manager for Jorge Lorenzo?s crew whilst Massimo Meregalli will take on the equivalent role for Ben Spies and his crew.


An organisational chart detailing names, titles and team structure is attached to this release and can also be found online at the Yamaha Factory Racing media website - www.yamahamotogp.com
 

KUCIAR666

Registered User
Repsol and Honda united again with three-rider team in 2011

HRC (Honda Racing Corporation) is delighted to announce the extension of the long-standing partnership with Repsol as title sponsor of its factory team for another two seasons.

In addition, HRC is pleased to confirm that the Repsol Honda Team will race with three riders next year, just as it did when Repsol and Honda first joined forces in 1995.

Dani Pedrosa, Andrea Dovizioso and Casey Stoner will form a very strong factory Honda team line-up in 2011, evoking memories of the mid nineties, when Mick Doohan, Alex Criville and Shinichi Ito first rode in Repsol Honda colours.

The new deal with Repsol extends the instantly recognisable Repsol Honda Team partnership which has resulted in eight riders World Championships, 90 race victories and 252 podium finishes.

Tetsuo Suzuki HRC President

?We are delighted to announce that our valued partners at Repsol will once again join us in our quest for the MotoGP World Championship next year. Honda?s partnership with Repsol has been long and successful and we are very proud to be together again for this challenge into the future. We are also very pleased to expand the Repsol Honda Team to once again include three riders next year. Our current riders Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso will be joined by Casey Stoner, all racing in Repsol Honda colours to form a truly formidable line-up that we believe can fight for victory at every race and achieve our joint goals: recapturing all three MotoGP World Championship titles.?



Bego?a Elices
Repsol Corporate Director of Communication and Head of Chairman?s Office


?Repsol is extremely satisfied to be able to extend for another two seasons such a successful relationship with HRC, which will reach 18 years and during which we have achieved ninety victories in the premier class of motorcycle racing. The combination of a reference manufacturer like Honda and three riders like Dani, Andrea and Casey, guarantees us a permanent hope for the whole championship as well as a place in the leading positions of the standings.

Competing in the top class is intrinsic to Repsol; it is part of the corporate philosophy and strategy of our company. Top competition gives us the opportunity to be leaders in research and development of new fuels and lubricants while allowing us to maintain a much closer relationship with our customers.?
 

KUCIAR666

Registered User
SUCCESSFUL SHAKEDOWN FOR SUTER MARC VDS MOTOGP MACHINE
The Suter Marc VDS MotoGP machine completed a successful first shakedown test at the Jerez circuit in Andaluc?a, Spain this week. The bike completed more than 100 laps, in both wet and dry conditions, with positive results.

Rain on the first day of testing meant that the bike made its track debut on Michelin wet tyres, with Marc VDS test rider Damian Cudlin at the controls. Despite the difficult conditions the Australian took the opportunity to complete 30 laps, getting a feel for the bike and for the Jerez circuit, which he was riding for the first time.

Dry conditions on the second day saw Cudlin joined by Suter Racing test rider, Carmelo Morales, with the Australian completing more than 70 laps in the morning, before handing over testing duties to his Spanish colleague in the afternoon.

Testing was curtailed on the third and final day, as rain returned to the Jerez circuit.

Powered by a BMW engine, the Suter Marc VDS MotoGP machine has been designed to take advantage of rule changes for 2012 that will allow teams to contest the MotoGP class with machines based around a 1000cc engine housed in a prototype chassis.

Damian Cudlin: Marc VDS Test Rider
"Not many people get to ride a MotoGP bike, especially a prototype bike for 2012 like this one; it's pretty cool and it's been heaps of fun! We've learnt a whole lot about the bike and, while there's still a lot more to learn, the potential is definitely there. The weight, or lack of it, is impressive and the handling has been pretty much spot on from the start of the test; it feels a bit like a more powerful Moto2 machine in a lot of ways. This week we've taken the first small steps on what will be a fairly long journey, I'm excited to be a part of it and I'm looking forward to seeing how the bike turns out at the end of the journey. I've got the easy job really, riding the bike, it's all the clever people around me who will be taking on responsibility for development, but they've certainly done an impressive job so far."

Michael Bartholemy: Team Manager

"For a first rollout of the new bike the test has been very successful. The weather has been a problem, restricting us to just one day of dry testing, but we still managed to complete over 100 laps on the bike with no issues at all. The bike definitely has potential; we've seen that here in Jerez this week. Now we need to sit down with Eskil Suter and his technical team to agree a development plan that will unlock this potential, starting at the next test in January. This is an exciting project and we are a part of it only because of the support of our President, Marc van der Straten, to whom I'd like to say a big thank you on behalf of the team."
 
Top