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MotoGP
Apr 19, 2012 14:47:02 GMT 8
Post by Jack 900SS on Apr 19, 2012 14:47:02 GMT 8
Valentino Rossi 'suffering' but won’t leave Ducati
Valentino Rossi says he is not considering quitting Ducati, but concedes once more that he is 'suffering' for being so far off the pace. Valentino Rossi has played down rumours he is considering walking away from Ducati in the wake of the scathing comments he made about his GP12 machine after the Qatar Grand Prix.
The Italian endured a dismal opening weekend at Losail on the way to a lowly tenth place finish at the chequered flag, the former champion venting his frustration in post-race comments by declaring 'the problems with the bike haven't changed, and neither have my requests. It's unrideable, and it doesn't make much difference what track we are on.”
Such comments have raised speculation that Rossi is considering leaving Ducati, but the man himself has now moved to quell such rumours, even if he reiterates his unhappiness with the current situation.
Speaking after receiving the infamous Tapiro d'Oro, a prize handed out to Italian celebrities who have endured 'a week to forget', Rossi insists he will continue to work on finding a solution.
"This is one of the most deserving of these prizes given history,” Rossi told Italian television station Canale 5, who gave him the dubious 'accolade'. “I am very 'attapirato' because I am not competitive. I cannot ride at 100 per cent, while the others are stronger. I want to win and I suffer when we are so far behind.
"I will stay with Ducati. We will do everything we can to make Rossi-Ducati work. We'll try for every race and never give up.”
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MotoGP
Apr 19, 2012 14:48:11 GMT 8
Post by Jack 900SS on Apr 19, 2012 14:48:11 GMT 8
Poor weather mars start of Hayden test
"Weather isn't cooperating today. Only a few laps on a cold track then a big shower" - Nicky Hayden. Nicky Hayden's hopes of making up for lost winter testing time, by joining the Ducati Test Team for the final two days of a private outing at Mugello, were hit by bad weather on Wednesday.
Hayden was injured in last season's Valencia finale, then again during a December training accident, meaning he was only fit enough to test the new GP12 properly at the final Jerez test.
The 2006 world champion, sixth and the top Ducati in round one at Qatar, is thus scheduled to work through set-up options at Mugello, with the testing of new updates being left to factory development rider Franco Battaini.
Unfortunately, the Tuscan weather had other ideas on Wednesday.
“Weather isn't cooperating today. Only a few laps on a cold track then a big shower,” Hayden wrote on his Twitter page @nickyhayden69, later adding: “The day wasn't a complete waste we did some testing in the wet.”
With time on his hands, Hayden was able to reply to some of the more 'interesting' Twitter messages received from fans.
One message read: “NH ducati problem is shape of tank makes u heavy in the corners. Convey this 2 rossi & burgess”.
“U must be heavy on drugs,” Hayden joked.
Ducati's Mugello test concludes on Thursday evening, with round two of the 2012 MotoGP championship taking place next weekend at Jerez. Hayden's team-mate Valentino Rossi is not testing this week.
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MotoGP
Apr 27, 2012 13:56:52 GMT 8
Post by Jack 900SS on Apr 27, 2012 13:56:52 GMT 8
"Leave Ducati? I wouldn't even think of it" - Valentino Rossi.
Struggling MotoGP superstar Valentino Rossi has categorically denied that he will walk out on Ducati.
Rossi's two-year Ducati contract expires at the end of 2012, but a nightmare start to the new season prompted Rossi's first public criticism of the factory, including:
"Ducati didn't follow the direction that I indicated, but I'm not an engineer and I can't solve every problem... The problems with the bike haven't changed, and neither have my requests. It's unrideable, and it doesn't make much difference what track we are on."
Those comments spawned speculation that Rossi could quit mid-season.
Such a move seemed highly unlikely for a variety of reasons and the seven-time MotoGP champion spelt out his commitment to stay on the eve of this weekend's second round in Jerez.
"Leave Ducati? I wouldn't even think of it," GPone.com quotes Rossi as saying. "We have a contract in place, and I'll give my very best right up until the end. The chances of seeing me on another bike are virtually zero.”
Rossi, seventh with just one podium during a debut Ducati season spent chopping and changing parts, had high hopes for this year's 1000cc GP12, featuring the factory's first aluminium frame.
But despite a promising first test Rossi, a 79-time grand prix winner on Japanese machinery, continues to struggle with speed-sapping understeer.
The Doctor was twelfth and last of the manufacturer bikes in Losail qualifying, then limped home tenth in the race.
"Those [harsh] words were the result of my disappointment," explained Rossi. "We have been trying to solve the same problems for over a year, without success, and that weighs on you.
"But I know that Filippo Preziosi and all the Ducati guys are working hard, and soon we will have updates to try."
Rossi hopes that the new updates will be available next weekend in Estoril, or at latest during the post-race test.
Rossi, who will make his 200th premier-class start on Sunday, crashed while charging through the field early in last year's damp Jerez race, bringing down Honda's Casey Stoner in the process.
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MotoGP
Apr 28, 2012 10:21:26 GMT 8
Post by Jack 900SS on Apr 28, 2012 10:21:26 GMT 8
McWilliams: CRT doesn't fit MotoGP mould
'It is a strange move I think to put production-based motors in a prototype chassis and expect them to add to the spectacle of MotoGP' - Jeremy McWilliams Former grand prix winner Jeremy McWilliams is unconvinced MotoGP's new privateer 'CRT' class will prove a successful strategy in terms of enhancing the appeal of the premier-class.
McWilliams, the last British rider to stand on the MotoGP podium at Donington Park in 2000, feels the present performance gap between the manufacturer and CRT bikes means they add little to the spectacle of the sport's most exclusive series.
However, the Northern Irishman believes the CRT situation will improve should the global economic downturn force the major factories to conform to similar rules within the next few years, in an effort to make MotoGP more financially viable.
“I certainly haven't been a big fan of CRT. It could be the way forward if everybody is made to conform to similar rules and then in the competition stage it would be very equal, but at the moment the competition is still very uneven,” McWilliams told Crash.net.
“It is a strange move I think to put production-based motors in a prototype chassis and expect them to add to the spectacle of MotoGP.
“I think what they have done at the moment is taken away from the spectacle of what MotoGP is about,” he added.
“I think in time, though, it will get better because it looks as though factories are struggling to put in the same kind of money and as much as we all love MotoGP and MotoGP being what it is – the pinnacle of the sport – it seems the factories at some stage will probably have to conform to CRT-type of rules in the next couple of years.
“At that stage you will have a production-based MotoGP class, which will be more financially viable and I suppose when more teams happen to go down that route then it will become competitive again.
“But for me at the moment, a difference of three seconds or up to five seconds difference between the CRT bikes and MotoGP bikes every lap doesn't make a lot of sense.”
McWilliams is adamant MotoGP must retain an element of exclusivity to ensure it retains is status as motorcycle racing's blue riband class, but concedes the astronomical costs involved in running a factory-supported MotoGP team cannot be sustained.
“MotoGP is still the very top of the sport and will continue to be so whilst factories continue to be involved at the level they are involved at, but unfortunately the formula of MotoGP isn't quite right,” he said.
“Looking at the financial crisis and the effect it has had on motorbike sales as a whole, there is obviously no way forward to continue spending £100m per year within a team to run a MotoGP bike, so it has to change.
“In saying that, CRT is a very big change and at the moment perhaps too big a change from the formula the factories want to follow.
“It's great watching Cal Crutchlow and Andrea Dovizioso on what are essentially non-factory bikes being pretty competitive this season. They are using engines leased from the factory so there is a way forward.
“Riders will always aspire to being a MotoGP rider; top level World Superbike riders want to be MotoGP riders – that is their goal and that's what they want to do,” said McWilliams, who famously won the 250cc Grand Prix race at Assen in 2001.
“So MotoGP has to stay that little bit more special than anything else to remain like that. Of course riding for a factory team in MotoGP is a lot more lucrative for a rider but at the moment the spread of financial gain among the top riders and the riders at the back is obviously completely at opposite ends of the scale.”
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MotoGP
May 19, 2012 8:43:52 GMT 8
Post by Jack 900SS on May 19, 2012 8:43:52 GMT 8
West tries two different chassis versions
Team QMMF riders Anthony West and Elena Rosell had a very buys first day of practice at the French Grand Prix. Whereas Rosell, the only female rider in motorcycle Grand Prix racing, concentrated on learning yet another track, her Australian teammate West had the monumental task of trying two modified chassis versions in one day. The first one that he tried in the morning came from manufacturer Moriwaki, with less stiffness for more feedback in the corners. The second one was a chassis version the QMMF Racing Team technicians had modified themselves, with a different pivot position to make the riding position higher and with a different fuel tank in order to get more of the rider’s weight towards the front of the bike.
Anthony West – 23rd in 1.39,560
“I tried two completely different bikes today, with different chassis, different set-up and a different riding position. The chassis that I used this morning, which was an update from Moriwaki with changes to the stiffness, allowed me to do consistently good and decent lap times. I was quite happy with the bike even though it was not perfect. I still ran into the same problem of not having enough weight on the front, of not being able to turn properly and of losing the front all the time. It would have been nice to try and make an improvement on the set-up, but in the afternoon, we had to test the other frame, which was a version that the team had modified with a lower pivot position and a different weight balance. The guys worked really hard between the sessions to change the bike completely, they were flat out without lunch in order to be ready in time. Unfortunately, this bike felt wrong, it felt like I was at the limit all the time. But there were also some good points, which we hopefully can adapt to the other frame. We need to go back to the frame we had this morning with some of the settings we used on the second one this afternoon in order to keep more weight on the front and to keep it turning. If that works, we should have quite a good bike for tomorrow!”
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MotoGP
May 21, 2012 8:42:51 GMT 8
Post by Jack 900SS on May 21, 2012 8:42:51 GMT 8
West keeps trying, Saturday at le Mans West keeps trying different set-up combinations
Team QMMF rider Anthony West continued working through different set-up combinations on the second day of practice for the French Grand Prix, but still didn’t have the desired break-through that would enable him to challenge the top contenders of the Moto2 category. Whereas the Australian ended qualifying in 28th position and was “quite confused” after testing so many different things, team-mate Elena Rosell improved steadily and was happy with her progress despite her 31st position on the starting grid for the race on Sunday.
Anthony West – 28th in 1.40,573
“My bike today was a mix of our set-up at Estoril and the bike we had yesterday morning. It was like having another completely new bike again. On the first laps, I wanted to push hard because it looked as if it was going to rain, but I had a big problem with the grip and the bike behaved quite differently to what it had done in the other sessions. It was confusing because I have been riding a completely different bikes from one session to the next. Right now I feel lost. We have done a complete circle to come back to the same problems that we had with the old bike. The only difference is the feeling. The new frame is softer, so it feels nicer and not so aggressive. But the problem with turning and corner speed is still there. And the bike is still very difficult to set-up. You make the smallest change and it becomes almost unrideable. It’s a bit frustrating because it seems as if we are wasting races. But we need to try and test things so Moriwaki have the right input for the next development step!”
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MotoGP
May 22, 2012 9:59:27 GMT 8
Post by Jack 900SS on May 22, 2012 9:59:27 GMT 8
Tough outing for Vermuelen
The NGM Mobile Forward Racing Team rider fell foul of the elements, as he was forced to pit halfway through the race with a helmet problem. He subsequently managed to re-join and finish the race, to help collect valuable date for the still relatively new Suter-BMW machine. The team took the opportunity to test the bike’s wet weather set-up and work on the electronics package, which is currently the bike’s main area for improvement.
Chris Vermeulen
"The race conditions today were very difficult but we had to go out and do it. For me it was a long time ago since I rode in the rain. I think that that for the bike and the team, they have limited experience in these conditions. Early on it was raining a lot and was very cold, making it was difficult to generate heat into the tires and we struggled a lot. The more laps we did and as the track dried a little bit, it suited our setting a lot more and I was able to go reasonably fast. At some point I was close to be as quick as any of the other CRT bikes during the race. I had to pit in because I had some vision problems with my helmet. It was unfortunate that it happened, it really affected our race. Its been a log time since I have ridden in the rain but I was glad to be back racing in MotoGP and hopefully the information we gave to the team and Suter can help for the future."
Kornelis Veldeman – Crew Chief
"It was hard for us to race in the rain today. We had some issues this morning during the warm up, we did solve most of it but made a mistake with the suspension. We made a small change in the suspension, which proved to be taking us in the wrong direction, making it difficult to get the heat in the tire. Only after five laps the heat came in giving it temperature. Lap times were dropping but at that point we were already a couple of second behind the last rider. Chris also had to come in because of trouble with his helmet and we lost too much time. In the end we could say that this was a good test and we have now more data to work on for the next race."
Giovanni Cuzari – Team Owner/CEO
"A lot of work has been done in the development and test of the new electronics, as well as gathering of important data in wet conditions that will be useful for Colin. The only "regret" is that this race could have ended in a better result given Chris Vermeulen´s improvement in lap times. I would like to thank Chris for joining the team this weekend and for helping us improve our CRT."
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MotoGP
May 22, 2012 10:01:40 GMT 8
Post by Jack 900SS on May 22, 2012 10:01:40 GMT 8
West takes 7th at le Mans from 28 on grid Rain king Anthony West lived up to his reputation at the wet French Grand Prix when he pushed his Moriwaki bike from 27th on the starting grid to an unbelievable seventh place at the end of the Moto2 race. The 29-year-old Australian, who has more feeling than anybody else on a soaked track, ignored numerous slides and was close to crashing several times, but pushed on and even held fifth place in the final stages of the race, before dropping back to a still very impressive seventh place.
Anthony West – 7th
“We had a problem with rear tyre grip in the warm-up this morning and tried to fix it with a different set-up for the race. The changes that we made improved things a little bit but not enough. On the opening laps of the race, I had the first few highsiders and was close to crashing on a few occasions, before I managed to find a way to ride the bike smoothly and more effectively. This way, I passed many riders and got closer to the front. Halfway through the race, the bike became a little easier to ride, but then the rain got stronger and I was close to crashing again. All in all, it must have been about ten times that I could have gone down, sometimes I was completely out of the seat with my feet off the footpegs. Trying to find enough grip was difficult and I was lucky to stay on. I was a bit angry when the group I was riding in re-passed me in the end and I lost two positions. The result could have been even better, but all things considered, I am still happy. It was good for the team to get this seventh place and I think we can build on this and continue from there!”
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MotoGP
Jun 13, 2012 7:17:43 GMT 8
Post by Jack 900SS on Jun 13, 2012 7:17:43 GMT 8
Lorenzo: Yamaha 'made great efforts to retain me'
“They've made great efforts to retain me in the factory team so I want to thank all those involved at Yamaha for this”- Jorge Lorenzo. Jorge Lorenzo has spoken of his delight at signing to remain a Factory Yamaha MotoGP rider until at least the end of 2014.
The announcement of a new two-year deal emerged this (Tuesday) morning - unexpectedly early in the season - and extends a partnership that began when the former 250cc world champion stepped up to MotoGP in 2008.
A race winner in his first premier-class season, Lorenzo won the MotoGP title in 2010 and currently leads the 2012 standings with three wins from the five rounds.
“I am extremely happy to have signed with Yamaha for two more years,” said Lorenzo. “They've made great efforts to retain me in the factory team so I want to thank all those involved at Yamaha for this. I've been treated like part of the Yamaha family since 2008 and I love working with them.
“It has always been my first option to stay here and so I'm happy that this important negotiation has finished with such a positive outcome. Now I can focus on the Championship and I'm looking forward to paying back Yamaha's trust in me starting at Silverstone this weekend.
“I look forward to winning many more Championships together; my dream to finish my career with Yamaha is now closer to becoming a reality!”
Lorenzo had become the prize signing for MotoGP 2013 following reigning double world champion Casey Stoner's retirement decision.
The Spaniard's signature is thus a massive coup for Yamaha, with some speculating they would be unable to match an all-out Honda effort for Lorenzo.
“This is excellent news for Yamaha and for the Yamaha Factory Racing Team,” commented Lin Jarvis, Yamaha Motor Racing managing director. “Jorge has been with us since 2008 and achieved superb results in the first four years, the highlight being his World Championship victory in 2010.
“He's currently on top form having won three of the first five GP races and finishing second in the other two. Jorge's contract extension allows both him and Yamaha to concentrate 100% on this year's Championship challenge without any distractions and also to make future plans together to further strengthen the winning partnership.”
Lorenzo rode alongside Valentino Rossi at Yamaha from 2008-2010, after which Ben Spies joined Lorenzo in the factory M1 team. The Texan is presently eleventh in the standings after a nightmare start to 2012.
Lorenzo is the only factory signing currently in place for 2013, with almost all MotoGP riders out of contract at the end of this year.
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MotoGP
Jun 13, 2012 7:25:03 GMT 8
Post by Jack 900SS on Jun 13, 2012 7:25:03 GMT 8
Westy wins DOHA 8 Hour Superstock (5th Overall)In the Superstock ranks, the Suzuki 1 of the Qatar Endurance Racing Team with Nasser Al Malki, Anthony West and Nina Prinz installed themselves from the early stages of the race and finished one lap ahead of the Suzuki Team Motors Events AMT Assurances with Guillaume Dietrich, Frédéric Moreira and Michael Savary. The mixed gender rider line up with Nasser Al Malki, Anthony West and Nina Prinz in the QERT I team, provided to be a success. The victory of a mixed gender Team in the Superstock class is a first in the history of all the FIM Endurance competition. The #95# team had a great strategy and they managed to be between 4th and 5th position all the 8 hours, finishing in a great 5th place in the overall classification category with a total of 222 laps in the 8 hours of Doha. Together with the QERT #95# team in the podium were Team Motors Event AMT Assurancesfrom France and Penz13 Kraftwerk from Germany in second and third position respectively. The German team Penz13 Kraftwerk is now leading the standings after 2 round in the Superstock category with 58 points. Press Conference quotes: Nasser Khalifa Al Attiya, QMMF President, QERT Team Manager and FIM Board Member: 'We seriously envisage returning to the FIM Endurance World championship. This victory is a reward for the efforts of our team. I also hope that we at the FIM will be able to continue to develop this championship. It feels good to be in the middle of these heroes.' Nasser Al Malki: ' I want to thank to QMMF for this great opportunity. I had a stomach problem this afternoon and I didn't feel in perfect condition to give the maximum power but thanks to my team mates Anthony and Nina that did an excellent job and all the team pushed very hard to be in the first place' Nina Prinz: 'It feels really nice to have finished as the winners. I have been wanting to win something this season and now I did it. I thank my teammates Anthony and Nasser for their support. I enjoyed the race a lot and I thank QMMF for their support'. Anthony West: ' In normal races I can relax more but in the endurance race you cannot have time to rest. I enjoyed a lot this race. My team mates did a great job without any silly mistakes and the whole team had to work hard. I am cramping a little bit so I want to rest now and prepare myself for the nextround of Moto2 in MotoGP Championship in Silverstone with the QMMF Racing Team'.www.qmmf.com/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=343&cntnt01returnid=61
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MotoGP
Jul 25, 2012 10:22:35 GMT 8
Post by Jack 900SS on Jul 25, 2012 10:22:35 GMT 8
Ben Spies to leave Yamaha MotoGP team "Next year starts a new chapter. And yes I'm pumped!” - Ben Spies. Ben Spies has announced that he will be leaving the Factory Yamaha MotoGP team at the end of this season.
The Texan, who won his first MotoGP race last year, has endured a torrid first half of 2012 and sits just tenth in the world championship with a best finish of fourth. Team-mate Jorge Lorenzo leads the standings with five wins and three second places from the opening nine rounds.
But Spies looked to have a strong chance of remaining alongside Lorenzo next season - until he made a surprise announcement, in the run-up to his home US Grand Prix at Laguna Seca this weekend, via an email to SuperbikePlanet.com:
"I have chosen to leave Yamaha after this season for a litany of reasons. I will explain more when I feel it is appropriate. I'm discussing my situation with my sponsors and they are behind me. There are a few people at Yamaha who I hate to leave. And they know who they are. I wish Yamaha the best. I won't make any further comments until the offical announcement comes out."
Spies then linked to the email on his official Twitter page (@benspies11), adding the following message:
“I'm extremely happy to push for the rest of the season to my fans and myself next year starts a new chapter. And yes I'm pumped!”
Earlier this week Spies hinted at the change to come, by tweeting:
“Big things are happening from the horses mouth! not the Internet sites haha. Gonna be fun that's for sure Ill keep ya updated!
“U can say next year will be a bit diff I'd say. excited at all prospects stay tuned.”
But he then played down those comments, saying he was just being "dramatic like all the sites and reporters are haha" and "maybe nothing changes except to be back where we are meant to be!"
Spies' 2013 destination is not yet known and the words "a new chapter" and "back where we are meant to be" are sure to be analysed in detail over the coming days.
If 'back' means returning to a former manufacturer, then perhaps Spies is referring to Suzuki - with whom he won his AMA titles. Suzuki pulled out of MotoGP at the end of last year, but plans to return by 2014.
On the other hand, 'back' could mean returning to WSBK or even the AMA - although Spies' email talks of leaving Yamaha, rather than MotoGP. Time will tell...
One thing is certain, the 28-year-old's M1 exit is sure to fuel rumours that struggling MotoGP superstar Valentino Rossi is set to leave Ducati and return to Yamaha for 2013.
After several wild-card rides for Suzuki, Spies joined MotoGP with Tech 3 Yamaha as the reigning World Superbike champion in 2010.
Two podiums and sixth in the championship cleared the way for a move to the Factory team last season, in place of Rossi, where Spies took three further podiums in addition to his debut Assen win.
Although Spies has naturally been under pressure to produce the results he has previously shown he is capable of, Yamaha had maintained public support for the Texan and it seemed that a strong ride in either of the forthcoming American events would have been enough to confirm a new contract.
The only riders so far signed for MotoGP next season are Lorenzo (Factory Yamaha), Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda), Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda), Stefan Bradl (LCR Honda) and Bradley Smith (Tech 3 Yamaha).
Tech 3 team-mates Andrea Dovizioso and Cal Crutchlow have made no secret of their desire to claim the second Factory Yamaha ride - but until today their chances seemed slim.
Dovizioso has the best 2012 record of any rider still available, with four podiums from the past five rounds - but his Factory M1 hopes will depend on how accurate the Rossi/Yamaha rumours are. Crutchlow has been strongly linked to Ducati.
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MotoGP
Jul 25, 2012 10:24:18 GMT 8
Post by Jack 900SS on Jul 25, 2012 10:24:18 GMT 8
Toni Elias gets Pramac Ducati call
Toni Elias to replace injured Hector Barbera at US MotoGP You never know what's around the corner in Motorsport, on or off track.
Just over a week ago Toni Elias was left without a ride after parting company with the Aspar Moto2 team, the former champion having struggled to adapt to the Suter chassis this season.
But while his fully employed former Moto2 rivals head for their summer break, Elias will be racing in the premier MotoGP class at Laguna Seca this weekend - and possibly again at Indianapolis in mid-August.
That's because the Spaniard has been called up by the Pramac Ducati team to replace injured countryman Hector Barbera, who has broken his leg in a training incident.
Elias raced for the Pramac Ducati team in 2008 and his performance that year remains the most successful by a satellite Desmosedici rider, in terms of rostrums.
Indeed, Elias' pair of 2008 podiums - a second and third place - equals Valentino Rossi's rostrum tally after a year and half at the factory Ducati team. No other satellite Ducati rider has taken more than a single podium in a season.
Elias, a full time MotoGP rider from 2005-2009, claimed a thrilling MotoGP win for Honda Gresini at Estoril in 2006, In 2010 he stepped down to win the inaugural Moto2 title with Gresini, paving the way for an ill-fated MotoGP return with Honda LCR in 2011.
The 29-year-old then returned to Moto2 this year seeking to become the championship's first double title winner, but could only manage a best finish of seventh from his nine Aspar starts.
Elias will make his 2012 MotoGP debut during opening practice at Laguna Seca on Friday.
Barbera, who claimed his first ever MotoGP front-row start at last weekend's Mugello round, is eleventh in the championship with a best race finish of seventh on the original 'Valencia-spec' version of the GP12.
Fellow satellite Ducati rider Karel Abraham is expected to make his return from injury at Laguna Seca.
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MotoGP
Jul 25, 2012 10:32:08 GMT 8
Post by Jack 900SS on Jul 25, 2012 10:32:08 GMT 8
Ant West misses out on points at Mugello due to a rare problem
QMMF Racing Team riders Anthony West and Elena Rosell had a disappointing end of a weekend that both riders had started with high hopes of success. West, who rode his new Speed Up bike for the first time and who was convinced of his chances to conquer world championship points or even a top ten finish, had to make a pit stop when he lost his seat cushion. After a quick repair, he went out again and bravely rode on to finish in 23rd place. Team-mate Elena Rosell, who had struggled all weekend long with the handling of her bike, had hoped to put up a fight with her immediate rivals on the magnificent Mugello circuit, but retired when the handling problems became so bad that she was close to crashing on several occasions.
Anthony West – 23rd
“The seat cushion fell off! It came loose in a corner and I almost slid off the bike. I threw it off on the straight and kept going, but under this cushion is just carbon. You slide all over the place and you are also 20 millimetres lower without the cushion, which hurts the set-up. I thought I was able to continue and I rode on for two laps, but I was pushing the front because I was sitting so far on the back. So I came in and the guys put a new seat on, but it was a different one and wasn’t perfect. But once you stop, that’s it anyway for the race. It’s a bit of a shame because before that happened, I felt good. I was strong and I passed heaps of people. We made a big change to the set-up from yesterday, and on the first laps, I was not very aggressive because I was still a bit unsure of the bike. But I still caught up with the group in front of me and I could definitely have taken world championship points!”
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MotoGP
Jul 28, 2012 13:23:40 GMT 8
Post by Jack 900SS on Jul 28, 2012 13:23:40 GMT 8
Ducati confirms new Nicky Hayden MotoGP contract
"I feel like I've got some unfinished business here, and hopefully we can get all the pieces into place and reap the rewards of the hard work we've put in the last couple of years" - Nicky Hayden.
Ducati has officially confirmed its first signing for the 2013 MotoGP season by announcing a new one-year deal for Nicky Hayden.
Hayden, who turns 31 on Monday, is the 2006 MotoGP champion for Honda. The Kentuckian is currently competing in his tenth MotoGP season and fourth with Ducati.
“I'm very happy that I'll be back with Ducati and back in MotoGP, racing at the highest level for a very important team,” said Hayden. “I love the guys I work with, I love the Ducati fans, and I love the brand.
“This is an important time for Ducati in a number of ways, and I'm excited that I'll continue to be a part of it. I feel like I've got some unfinished business here, and hopefully we can get all the pieces into place and reap the rewards of the hard work we've put in the last couple of years.
“It's nice to be able to make this announcement at Laguna and to share the moment with my fans, friends and family. If I can do a good result on Sunday, it could make for a pretty special birthday weekend.”
Hayden's new deal was confirmed just minutes before the start of Friday practice for the US GP and follows rumours that the American's place was under threat from Ducati interest in Cal Crutchlow.
Crutchlow could still remain a factory Ducati option, should Hayden's team-mate Valentino Rossi not re-sign.
Seven time MotoGP champion Rossi, increasingly linked to a Yamaha return, has said he will make a decision on his 2013 plans during the summer break that follows this weekend's tenth round.
The single-year extension for Hayden (most factory MotoGP contracts are for two years) perhaps reflects the current uncertainty at Ducati, recently acquired by Audi, over Rossi's intentions.
Hayden has taken one podium finish in each of his previous Ducati seasons and has a best result of sixth so far this year.
The #69 is eighth in the world championship, but just eight points behind Rossi, who scooped 20-points with a Ducati best of second place in the wet at Le Mans.
Hayden joins Jorge Lorenzo (Factory Yamaha), Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda), Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda), Stefan Bradl (LCR Honda) and Bradley Smith (Tech 3 Yamaha) in confirming a 2013 MotoGP deal.
Colin Edwards revealed yesterday that he has a two-year deal with Forward Racing, although the machinery is a major question mark at present.
Reigning double MotoGP champion Casey Stoner will retire at the of this year, while Hayden's countryman Ben Spies has announced he will leave the Factory Yamaha team - but is yet to state his destination.
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MotoGP
Aug 10, 2012 15:28:34 GMT 8
Post by Jack 900SS on Aug 10, 2012 15:28:34 GMT 8
Official: Valentino Rossi quits Ducati
"Ducati announces that its working relationship with Valentino Rossi will conclude at the end of the 2012 MotoGP World Championship" - Valentino Rossi.
It has been officially announced that MotoGP superstar Valentino Rossi will conclude his Ducati career at the end of 2012.
Rossi had moved to Ducati with the aim of trying to become the first ever rider to win premier-class titles for three different manufacturers, but has claimed just two podiums from 27 starts.
A statement from Yamaha should follow shortly, confirming Rossi's return to the team with which he won four of his seven MotoGP titles.
“As the MotoGP series awaits its return to action for the August 19 Indianapolis Grand Prix, Ducati announces that its working relationship with Valentino Rossi will conclude at the end of the 2012 MotoGP World Championship," said the Ducati statement.
“Ducati wishes the Italian well for the new challenges that await him, and in the meantime, the team will continue to give its best effort in order to improve over the latter part of the season.
“Racing has always been in Ducati's DNA, and now more than ever, it is integral to the Borgo Panigale company's product development and image. AUDI shares Ducati's strategic approach and agrees with its growing commitment to competition.
“Therefore, having recently renewed its agreement with American Nicky Hayden, Ducati is in the process of finalizing the team that will take part in the 2013 World Championship, confident that its team and bike will be capable of competing at the highest level.”
Among the leading contenders to take Rossi's place at Ducati are Yamaha Tech 3 riders Andrea Dovizioso or Cal Crutchlow, who have both had their Factory M1 hopes thwarted by Rossi's return.
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