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MotoGP
Nov 13, 2011 6:04:42 GMT 8
Post by Jack 900SS on Nov 13, 2011 6:04:42 GMT 8
Former WCM and Tech 3 MotoGP rider James Ellison will return to grand prix riding a CRT bike for the Paul Bird Motorsports team (as rumoured last week as rumoured last week ).
"Well the cats out the bag now... Sorry to those I couldn't tell b4, it was hard not to shout it from the top of a roof!! I'm so excited! #77" Ellison wrote on his Twitter page.
The 31-year-old Englishman, who raced in BSB and WSS this season, also revealed that the team will use an Aprilia engine, despite PBM racing with Kawasakis in BSB next year.
"Aprilia... only people guessing it was a Kwak, but that's completely false."
Ellison's best MotoGP finish was ninth on a Dunlop-shod Tech 3 Yamaha at the 2006 Catalan Grand Prix.
He finished seventh in WSS this year, with two podiums.
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MotoGP
Nov 13, 2011 6:16:42 GMT 8
Post by Jack 900SS on Nov 13, 2011 6:16:42 GMT 8
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MotoGP
Nov 13, 2011 6:17:59 GMT 8
Post by Jack 900SS on Nov 13, 2011 6:17:59 GMT 8
Dovizioso enjoys Yamaha, 1000cc debut
"This test was my first chance to ride the 1000cc bike and the power of the engine is very impressive" - Andrea Dovizioso. Andrea Dovizioso made his Yamaha and 1000cc MotoGP debut during this week's Valencia test.
The former Repsol Honda rider, third in this year's championship, finished the test in fifth position for his new Monster Yamaha Tech 3 team.
Dovizioso was 1.4sec behind former team-mate Dani Pedrosa and 0.7sec from new team-mate Cal Crutchlow, in fourth.
“Firstly I want to thank the Tech 3 staff for making me feeling immediately welcome and at home this week. I've been really excited to start this new adventure together and it was a positive and productive test," said Dovizioso.
"This test was my first chance to ride the 1000cc bike and the power of the engine is very impressive. The riding style is very close to 800cc and the bike has a lot of good points for my style.
"There are some areas I have identified we can improve for the next test in Sepang and I gave a lot of important feedback that should help Yamaha improve the bike during the winter break.
"Now I will take a break to recharge the batteries and return in Sepang looking forward to getting back on the bike and carrying on the positive work we did here in Valencia.”
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MotoGP
Nov 13, 2011 6:19:01 GMT 8
Post by Jack 900SS on Nov 13, 2011 6:19:01 GMT 8
Stefan Bradl enjoys MotoGP debut
"Now we will proceed negotiations with our sponsors and Honda to fix our 2012 program" - Lucio Cechinello. Newly crowned Moto2 world champion Stefan Bradl made his MotoGP debut during two-days of riding with this year's 800cc LCR Honda at the Valencia test.
The young German performed admirably over the two days, best illustrated by comparisons with new Gresini Honda rider Alvaro Bautista.
Bautista, who has spent two seasons in MotoGP with Suzuki, was also making his RC212V debut, riding an ex-Hiroshi Aoyama bike of the same satellite spec as Bradl's ex-Toni Elias machine.
Bautista rode on day two, when he set a best lap time only 0.328sec quicker than Bradl.
“First of all I want to thank Honda and LCR Team for this great opportunity," said Bradl. "I really enjoyed riding a MotoGP bike and I was impressed by Lucio's team know-how and high level: we made a very good job together exploring the potential of this bike. I learnt a lot from this experience and I want to thank everybody for their support."
LCR are yet to announce their 2012 MotoGP rider, but Bradl must surely be in serious contention.
“We have concluded two positive days of testing with Stefan and I was impressed by his skills and the way he studies the bike: he gave us a very precise technical feedback if we consider it was his first run on a MotoGP bike," said team principal Lucio Cecchinello.
"Now we will proceed negotiations with our sponsors and Honda to fix our 2012 program."
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MotoGP
Nov 13, 2011 6:20:36 GMT 8
Post by Jack 900SS on Nov 13, 2011 6:20:36 GMT 8
Abraham, Barbera give first Ducati 1000cc impressions
Karel Abraham and Hector Barbera rode Ducati's 1000cc MotoGP bike for the first time at this week's Valencia test. Satellite Ducati riders Karel Abraham and Hector Barbera made their 1000cc MotoGP debuts during this week's Valencia test.
Both had spent this season on 800cc Desmosedicis, Abraham will remain with Cardion AB for 2012, while Barbera is switching from Aspar to Pramac.
Both were riding the same aluminium frame bike as factory star Valentino Rossi.
After a few teething problems on the opening day, Czech rider Abraham rose from tenth to seventh on the Wednesday timesheets.
Abraham finished 1.6sec behind Dani Pedrosa (Honda), but was only 0.101sec slower than factory Ducati rider Valentino Rossi.
"We had a lot of problems, especially with the grip of the tyres," Abraham had said at the end of day one. "At the beginning we also had problems with the clutch and then we had to change the set-up of electronics several times."
Those issues were quickly solved on day two.
"During the first few laps we solved most of the problems we had and then we tried many things and focused on the set-up of the motorcycle," said Abraham, who improved his lap time by almost one-second on day two.
"I'm quite satisfied with the result of the test, but I think I could set even better lap time. I spent most of the time on track in the morning and then I was quite tired in the afternoon, but I'm happy with the way I ended my first season in the premier class and now I'm looking forward to winter break."
Barbera, starting preparations for his third MotoGP season, was one place and 0.215sec behind Abraham on the timesheets.
"These have been two days of work where we didn't look for the fastest lap time, but we were looking to learn about the many innovations that Ducati has brought us on track," said the Spaniard.
"Sincere compliments to them as they did a great job. The bike is very powerful although there is still some things to fix. We encountered a few problems but otherwise the bike is really competitive.
"The engine is fun, very different from the 800cc used until Sunday, and this I think may be a point in my favour as my style of riding. A pity that the last two hours available today we could not get on track because of a problem with the engine that I felt on the track. Engineers are analysing what happened.
"We also had the opportunity to compare the new tyres and also here, with some positive aspects, I think there's still a little work to do. The new ones make the most in the first lap.
"The shoulder I have injured at the end of the season gives me a little pain, but does not affect my results on the track. I think this break will do me good to recover and be at the top for the next season!"
The next test will start at Sepang, Malaysia, on January 31.
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MotoGP
Nov 13, 2011 6:22:21 GMT 8
Post by Jack 900SS on Nov 13, 2011 6:22:21 GMT 8
Valencia MotoGP test times as of 5pm on Tuesday, day one of testing.
Following Sunday's season-ending Valencia Grand Prix an official MotoGP test session is being held at the circuit on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The test is the first time that the new 1000cc bikes from Honda, Yamaha and Ducati have been on track at the same time. Bikes from the new 'Claiming Rule Team' (CRT) category are also present.
The test also marks the public debut of a twin-spar aluminium frame - as used by the Japanese manufacturers - on a Ducati MotoGP bike.
Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo is absent due to his finger injury, while Nicky Hayden has been diagnosed with a broken wrist from Sunday's turn one fall.
1. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda 1m 32.186s (40 laps) 2. Casey Stoner AUS Repsol Honda 1m 32.322s (42) 3. Ben Spies USA Yamaha Factory Racing 1m 33.226s (73) 4. Randy de Puniet FRA Rizla Suzuki (800cc) 1m 33.544s (55) 5. Cal Crutchlow GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1m 33.652s (75) 6. Valentino Rossi ITA Ducati Marlboro 1m 33.857s (71) 7. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1m 33.859s (49) 8. Hector Barbera ESP Pramac Racing 1m 34.174s (57) 9. Stefan Bradl GER LCR Honda (800cc) 1m 34.330s (62) 10. Karel Abraham CZE Cardion AB Motoracing 1m 34.393s (61) 11. Franco Battaini ITA Ducati Marlboro 1m 35.371s (29) 12. Kousuke Akiyoshi JPN Repsol Honda 1m 35.728s (34) 13. Ivan Silva ESP BQR Inmotec (CRT) 1m 37.159s (44) 14. Carmelo Morales ESP Team Laglisse Suter-BMW (CRT) 1m 38.989s (33) 15. Gianluca Nannelli ITA Grillini Team Gapam (CRT) 1m 39.173s (24) 16. Federico Sandi ITA Grillini Team Gapam (CRT) 1m 39.827s (9)
Valencia MotoGP lap records: Pole position: Valentino Rossi ITA Yamaha 1m 31.002s (2006) Fastest race lap: Casey Stoner AUS Ducati 1m 32.582s (2008)
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MotoGP
Nov 13, 2011 6:23:46 GMT 8
Post by Jack 900SS on Nov 13, 2011 6:23:46 GMT 8
Valencia MotoGP test times as of 5pm on Wednesday, at the end of the second and final day.
Following Sunday's season-ending Valencia Grand Prix an official MotoGP test session was held at the circuit on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The test was the first time that the new 1000cc bikes from Honda, Yamaha and Ducati have been on track at the same time. Bikes from the new 'Claiming Rule Team' (CRT) category were also present.
The test also marked the public debut of a twin-spar aluminium frame - as used by the Japanese manufacturers - on a Ducati MotoGP bike.
Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo was absent due to his finger injury, while Nicky Hayden also missed the test after being diagnosed with wrist fractures from Sunday's turn one pile-up.
The next test will start at the end of January, at Sepang.
1. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda 1m 31.807s (45 laps) 2. Casey Stoner AUS Repsol Honda 1m 31.968s (33) 3. Ben Spies USA Yamaha Factory Racing 1m 32.338s (75) 4. Cal Crutchlow GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1m 32.550s (67) 5. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1m 33.256s (69) 6. Valentino Rossi ITA Ducati Marlboro 1m 33.332s (62) 7. Karel Abraham CZE Cardion AB Motoracing 1m 33.433s (72) 8. Hector Barbera ESP Pramac Racing 1m 33.648s (41) 9. Alvaro Bautista ESP San Carlo Honda Gresini (800cc) 1m 33.814s (55) 10. Stefan Bradl GER LCR Honda (800cc) 1m 34.142s (61) 11. Kousuke Akiyoshi JPN Repsol Honda 1m 34.546s (32) 12. Franco Battaini ITA Ducati Marlboro 1m 34.840s (74) 13. Carmelo Morales ESP Team Laglisse Suter-BMW (CRT) 1m 35.911s (67) 14. Ivan Silva ESP BQR Inmotec (CRT) 1m 36.695s (52) 15. Yonny Hernandez COL BQR FTR Kawasaki (CRT) 1m 37.279s (30) 16. Federico Sandi ITA Grillini Team Gapam (CRT) 1m 38.680s (26)
Fastest Tuesday time: Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda 1m 32.186s
Valencia MotoGP lap records: Pole position: Valentino Rossi ITA Yamaha 1m 31.002s (2006) Fastest race lap: Casey Stoner AUS Ducati 1m 32.582s (2008)
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MotoGP
Nov 13, 2011 6:26:20 GMT 8
Post by Jack 900SS on Nov 13, 2011 6:26:20 GMT 8
Former Suzuki MotoGP rider Alvaro Bautista joins Honda Gresini for the 2012 MotoGP World Championship.
Following this morning's announcement that Alvaro Bautista had left Suzuki, the Spaniard has now been confirmed as a Honda Gresini MotoGP rider for 2012.
Bautista, a best of fifth during two injured interrupted seasons at Suzuki, will ride a 1000cc RC213V for the satellite Honda team.
However, it is not clear if it will be the full factory bike that had been assigned to Marco Simoncelli.
Bautista, a former 125cc world champion who battled with Simoncelli for the 250cc title, is making his Honda MotoGP debut on Hiroshi Aoyama's 800cc bike during Wednesday's second and final day of testing at Valencia.
"I am particularly satisfied that Alvaro Bautista will ride a Honda RC213V in the colours of Team San Carlo Honda Gresini next year," said team principal Fausto Gresini. "He is a very fast rider and I also hold him in high regard for his personality and pleasant nature. I am sure that he will integrate swiftly into our group and that we will enjoy some pleasant experiences together in the future."
There is no news on whether Gresini will be able to continue as a two-bike team, but Italian Moto2 race winner Andrea Iannone has also been linked to the Gresini team.
Confirmed 2012 MotoGP riders:
1. Casey Stoner - Repsol Honda 2. Dani Pedrosa - Repsol Honda 3. Jorge Lorenzo - Factory Yamaha 4. Ben Spies - Factory Yamaha 5. Valentino Rossi - Ducati Marlboro 6. Nicky Hayden - Ducati Marlboro 7. Cal Crutchlow - Tech 3 Yamaha 8. Andrea Dovizioso - Tech 3 Yamaha 9. Colin Edwards - Forward Racing 10. Hector Barbera - Pramac Ducati 11. Karel Abraham - Cardion AB Ducati 12. Alvaro Bautista - San Carlo Honda Gresini 13. James Ellison - Paul Bird Motorsport Aprilia
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MotoGP
Nov 17, 2011 18:47:15 GMT 8
Post by monsta on Nov 17, 2011 18:47:15 GMT 8
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MotoGP
Nov 26, 2011 15:27:44 GMT 8
Post by Jack 900SS on Nov 26, 2011 15:27:44 GMT 8
Official: Speed Master to MotoGP with Anthony West.
The Speed Master team has now officially confirmed that it will step up to MotoGP next season, running an Aprilia-powered CRT bike for Anthony West.
Ex-Factory Kawasaki rider West broke the news of his MotoGP return several days ago via his Facebook page.
The 30-year-old Australian, also a former 250GP and WSS race winner, has spent the last two seasons racing in Moto2 for MZ.
Speed Master's MotoGP chassis constructor is still to be announced.
The team will also continue in the Moto2 class with Andrea Iannone in 2012, but switch from a Suter to FTR chassis.
Iannone has won three races in each Moto2 season (first with Speed UP and then Speed Master) and has finished third in the championship on both occasions.
2012 MotoGP grid - officially announced:
1. Casey Stoner - Repsol Honda 2. Dani Pedrosa - Repsol Honda 3. Jorge Lorenzo - Factory Yamaha 4. Ben Spies - Factory Yamaha 5. Valentino Rossi - Ducati Marlboro 6. Nicky Hayden - Ducati Marlboro 7. Cal Crutchlow - Tech 3 Yamaha 8. Andrea Dovizioso - Tech 3 Yamaha 9. Colin Edwards - Forward Racing (Suter-BMW CRT) 10. Hector Barbera - Pramac Ducati 11. Karel Abraham - Cardion AB Ducati 12. Alvaro Bautista - San Carlo Honda Gresini 13. Anthony West - Speed Master (?-Aprilia CRT) 14. ? - Gresini Racing (FTR-Honda CRT)
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MotoGP
Nov 26, 2011 15:34:16 GMT 8
Post by Jack 900SS on Nov 26, 2011 15:34:16 GMT 8
What's the story? Rossi and Ducati (1)
"On a simple level, Stoner is a throttle man and Rossi a braking man..."
A feature written by viewer Cormac Ryan Meenan.
Why haven't Rossi and Ducati clicked this year, and why has he been off the pace of the ever dominant Hondas?
It's a question that doesn't have a straight or easy answer. In Valencia 2010, Rossi got on board a brand new Ducati. An all carbon chassis bike, using the technology Ducati had used through the 2010 season of having the engine as a stress mount to the whole design.
The feeling that Rossi got back from the all carbon chassis was a very vague one, especially from the front of the bike on the entry to corners. Over the winter Rossi had surgery on his shoulder, so by the time the Sepang test came around in February, he was around 85% fit.
Rossi rode an almost identical bike that he had ridden in Valencia, in Sepang, but with minor adjustments to his riding position. He finished the test +0.7 back of Stoner, which didn't seem too far considering it was his second attempt and he still wasn't 100% fit.
It is widely known by now that Jeremy Burgess and Rossi both underestimated the severity of the problems with the Ducati, chiefly because Stoner had done such a good job of hiding them through the whole year of 2010.
For Rossi at the moment, the big problem is just getting the bike turned. The other factories, mainly Honda and Yamaha, are arriving at the apex of each corner at full lean, with the maximum angle possible, meaning that they can hold a tighter line through the middle of the corner and onto the exit. Rossi on the other hand is only getting to full lean with the maximum angle at the apex of each corner, rather than before it.
This means that to be able to drive off each corner with the same speed and commitment as the top boys, he has to take a much wider line through each corner. A clear and obvious example of this was in Brno.
Through turn 8 and turn 9, Rossi had to take a much wider entrance into the corner to drive off it quick enough, giving Bautista huge closing speed during the entry and middle of the corner.
Ducati have worked tirelessly through the year bringing updates, modifications, full chassis and even half chassis to racetracks around the world for Rossi. In Aragon we saw the debut of the “half ” aluminium chassis, which had an aluminium front part, still using the engine as a stress mount, and a carbon fibre swing arm.
Rossi said that it made almost no difference, and the trouble with the front persisted, even causing him to have a small crash off the front over the weekend. In Aragon, to allow for the use of the new chassis, Rossi had to take his seventh engine of the year which meant he had to start from the pit lane. The seventh engine was taken because the mounting points on the aluminium part of the chassis were different to the original carbon one, meaning he couldn't run the sixth engine he had previously been using.
The comparison between Rossi and Stoner on the Ducati has been brought up throughout the year. On a simple level, Stoner is a throttle man and Rossi and braking man. To brake late and hard, you need feel in the front. The very problem plaguing Rossi all year.
On a more detailed level, Casey has a “rougher” riding style than Rossi, and could lose the front and technically crash up to three times a lap during a race according to his data. Rossi just doesn't ride like that. Stoner will ride around a problem and not fix it, Rossi will fix the problem.
Ducati and Rossi have, and are continuing to work towards the front of the pack. Make no mistake, they have not given up, that is 100% unquestionable. Returning to the 1000cc bikes next year will play into Rossi's favour, allowing a more diverse riding and set up style.
Jeremy Burgess said; “We have to set some sort of time when we need to crest the summit and the summit for me is the world championship in 2012. We have to be up to speed in the pre - season testing and challenging for the podium from the first race of next year.” They are fighting words, words that both him, Rossi and all of the Ducati crew are working solidly towards.
With a new 'delta box' aluminium chassis to develop, the first test of 2012 at Sepang will be the most important day since Rossi joined the Italian manufacturer.
Time will tell if 'The Doctor' can perform a successful operation on the GP12.
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MotoGP
Nov 26, 2011 15:36:57 GMT 8
Post by Jack 900SS on Nov 26, 2011 15:36:57 GMT 8
What's the story? Rossi and Ducati (2)
"The bottom line is that the gap to the front is exactly the same as it was at the same test 12 months ago..."
A feature written by viewer Andy Marking.
Nine World Championships, 105 Grand Prix wins, a thirst for victory that shames even the keenest rookie, and a reputation as one of the greatest riders in history.
So why can't Valentino Rossi win on the Ducati Desmosedici, and what's next if things don't improve?
It would appear that the Ducati has a fundamental design flaw, and that is not the carbon fibre chassis, but poor balance and incorrect weight distribution. It simply doesn't load the front tyre through the corners in the way Rossi wants. Ducati's constant upgrades throughout last season, allied to Rossi's development skills have failed to produce any tangible gains.
Ducati rolled out a revised bike with an aluminium twin spar chassis at the post season test at Valencia. Any hopes that this would provide a quick fix quickly faded as Rossi's best time at the end of the test was still over 1.5 seconds from the factory Hondas. The new bike is clearly in need of developments, and is very much a work in progress, but the bottom line is that the gap to the front is exactly the same as it was at the same test 12 months ago.
Rossi told the Ducati Corse website that new bike is an improvement on the GP11, but the same problems remain.
“This bike is nicer to ride than the 800. You can say that it's improved in some respects, while in others, it's very similar to the other bike, but that's exactly what we expected. The engine seems to be pretty good already. On the other hand, I'm a little slower in mid-corner, and we also have to try to improve rear grip because for now, we're not able to get the power to the ground and take full advantage of it. But it's not bad for a first taste, and the really important thing is that we can work more freely, changing the bike's balance, the weight distribution, the measurements.”
February's test at Sepang will be crucial. If the GP12 is on the pace then there will be cause for optimism. If Rossi continues to struggle, then he will almost certainly be considering his options.
Valentino Rossi is far from finished. He has not become a bad rider, nor forgotten how to ride a motorcycle. However, with his legacy at risk, if the GP12 doesn't allow him to regularly challenge for wins, it's inconceivable that he will sign for a third term with the Bologna outfit.
Rossi has already ruled out retirement. He told GPOne.com “If things don't get better, I still wouldn't consider retirement. I want to keep racing for a few more years at least.”
Should the required progress not be forthcoming at Ducati, a return to Yamaha looks unlikely. A rumour that surfaced at Laguna Seca suggests he could switch to a one man team running a factory Honda.
This would represent a huge climb down for Rossi, going back to the factory he left in 2003. But it would also put him on the same bike as Casey Stoner for the first time in their careers.
MotoGP needs this. As Stoner's star continues to rise and Rossi's falters, a head to head battle between the two would leave no excuses and nowhere to hide for either man. Undoubtedly, both would relish the prospect.
If Rossi claims a tenth championship, his legacy would be sealed. If he fails then his reputation will be tainted. One thing is certain. With his insatiable desire to compete, Rossi won't go without a fight.
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MotoGP
Dec 17, 2011 14:11:42 GMT 8
Post by Jack 900SS on Dec 17, 2011 14:11:42 GMT 8
MotoGP owner Dorna's CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta wants budgets slashed, closer racing
The boss of Dorna, the company that owns MotoGP, Carmelo Ezpeleta says he wants to make racing in the series closer between different teams, even if it means making all of the bikes slower.
After the Repsol Honda team, especially Australian world champion Casey Stoner, dominated the 2011 season, Ezpeleta says the new budget-friendly Claiming Rule Teams (CRT) are the way of the future.
"I don't like the way things are going," Ezpeleta told Italian magazine Motosprint. "I don't like MotoGP these days. We have a series where the Hondas go very quick, some others a bit less, and others even worse.
"This way there is little fighting, so the spectacle is unsatisfactory.
"This isn't just a technological challenge, it's also a sport and entertainment. I don't like this situation, so things won't go on this way for much longer."
Ezpeleta says teams who races regular MotoGP bikes will receive no funding, while CRT squads will receive financial help to try and bridge the performance gap between them.
"I've decided I won't help anymore, from a financial point of view, any team that gets MotoGP bikes leased,” Ezpeleta said. “Dorna will only help teams that use CRTs. If we get to the situation where three constructors field six bikes in total, we'll carry on supporting and helping financially only the CRT teams. This way we'll manage to have the other 16 bikes we need."
"It's clear by now that the way the bikes are built doesn't work anymore. It's not suited to the world's economic situation anymore.
"If we carry on this way, with the teams lacking the budget to have the bike leased, in 2013 we'll only have two Hondas on the grid! This sport is not supposed to go this way.”
Ezpeleta went on to say that he believes the racing in MotoGP’s undercard, Moto2, is more entertaining than the top-tier series.
"It's paradoxical that Moto2, a once heavily-criticised series, is the one that offers the best spectacle at the moment, despite having, in theory, riders of a much lower level compared to MotoGP,” Ezpeleta said. "We've reached the point where there are MotoGP riders that can't do anything because they don't have adequate technical means, because to race you need five million.
"We've reached the point where private teams can't have MotoGP bikes to race anymore: Aspar's case, like many others too, is exemplary.
"It's ridiculous that a rider like Moto2 champion Stefan Bradl is asked four or five million Euro to race in MotoGP. How the hell is it possible that you need such an amount? How can we go on with the manufacturers asking for four millions for a leased bike, that is to use a bike that can't become the team's property? That's enough, this story has to end, and quickly too. This era is over.
"The constructors may say and act the way they want, but they can't change reality. This is reality: there's no more money, we need to spend less.
"We can't keep on watching anymore, we must act now."
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MotoGP
Dec 23, 2011 19:05:02 GMT 8
Post by Jack 900SS on Dec 23, 2011 19:05:02 GMT 8
Casey Stoner's Yamaha rivals say the world champion's talent - and not his bike - made Honda's 2011
By Robert Grant AAP December 21, 2011 5:12PM
Casey Stoner's talent rather than his bike was the reason Honda became a MotoGP championship team this year, according to rival Yamaha.
The 26-year-old won the world title for the second time at Phillip Island in October after dominating the season.
Yamaha boss Wilco Zeelenberg says Honda's RC212V was barely different to the 2010 Honda but Stoner's skill turned it into a world beater.
Not only did Stoner close out Yamaha and Ducati he also was consistently quicker than teammate Dani Pedrosa.
Yamaha's former world champion, Jorge Lorenzo said Honda had improved their machine with a new gearbox but admitted it was Stoner's ability to wring so much performance from the bike which was intimidating.
"I can't say anything new that I have not said about him," Lorenzo told motorcyclenews.com.
"He is very talented and he can ride the bike to the limit in every situation.
"Casey's presence made all the other Honda riders stronger because the limit they must reach is now higher. There is more pressure so they get faster."
Zeelenberg said Stoner had reinvigorated the entire factory Honda outfit. "The big change was that Casey on the Honda took it to another level," he said. He hinted that Stoner would go into the 2012 series favoured to win a third world title with Lorenzo his closest rival.
"For me at the moment the two guys that are a step up from everybody are Casey and Jorge.
"Dani sometimes is spectacularly fast but the two guys for me in MotoGP are Casey and Jorge. That's quite clear and with the difference in our bikes, Jorge is able to beat the rest."
Honda chief Livio Suppo also praised Stoner, who won 10 times and was off the podium only once in 17 races.
"From the very first time he joined HRC (Honda Racing) and he was very fast I think this gave the engineers a lot of motivation and also a big drive inside the company," Suppo said.
"He did a super job, not making one mistake, which is unbelievable."
Seven-times world champion Valentino Rossi, who switched to Ducati, for whom Stoner won his first world title in 2007, failed to win a race for the first time in his 16-year career.
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MotoGP
Jan 28, 2012 9:54:34 GMT 8
Post by Jack 900SS on Jan 28, 2012 9:54:34 GMT 8
Anthony West priced out of MotoGP
"I will most likely not race any more and will [return] to Australia to find a normal job" - Anthony West. A statement on Anthony West's official Facebook page says that the Australian will not be able to take up his place with the Speed Master MotoGP team due to a lack of funds.
West adds that his racing career is probably now over.
The full statement reads: “I (ANTHONY WEST) will not race in moto gp this year or any other race because I can not find sponsorship to pay the SPEED MASTER team, Because all teams are asking for money from the riders only the rich can race in motogp / moto2 / moto3, I can not even afford to ride a year for free, As i have YET to be payed from my former team MZ Germany Moto2 team. I had my car mx bike and my house for sale trying to keep the ride and even gave the house as a guarantee if I did not find the money but was not enough. I will most likely not race any more and will [return] to Australia to find a normal job. Sorry to my fans.”
The 30-year-old former factory Kawasaki MotoGP rider, a race winner in 250GP and WSS, has spent the last two seasons racing in Moto2 for MZ.
West's best Moto2 finish was a fourth place (from 20th on the grid) at last year's damp Assen round, scene of his grand prix win in 2003.
Speed Master, which won three Moto2 races with Andrea Iannone last year, had planned to run West on an ART (Aprilia) under the new CRT rules. Iannone plans to stay with Speed Master in Moto2.
West, who also rode a partial 500cc season on a privateer Honda in 2001, achieved a best MotoGP finish of fifth, during his full (2008) season with Kawasaki.
Should Speed Master not make the grid, the 2012 MotoGP line-up would be reduced to 20 bikes (12 manufacturer and 8 CRT)... Or perhaps 19, with BQR's Yonny Hernandez facing similar critical funding problems to West.
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