Barcelona awaits as MotoGP hits Catalunya

Monday, 08 June 2009

The sixth round of the 2009 MotoGP World Championship takes place this weekend at the Montmeló circuit close to the beautiful Mediterranean port city of Barcelona, with another huge crowd expected for Sunday’s racing.

Having ended Valentino Rossi’s seven year winning streak at Mugello last time out Casey Stoner heads to the Gran Premi Cinzano de Catalunya as the standings leader with his Italian triumph being his first victory since the opening round in Qatar. The Australian Ducati Marlboro rider was the winner of an epic Barcelona race in 2007 and will look to repeat that success at a track where he finished third last year.

Second in the general classification and the only other rider with two wins to his name thus far in 2009, Jorge Lorenzo is out to set the record straight at his home GP. The man from Mallorca trails Stoner by four points and will be keen to perform well in his first race in MotoGP in front of the Catalan crowd, having missed out last year due to concussion after a Friday practice crash.

Rossi, meanwhile, trails Stoner by nine points and will aim to close that gap at one of his strongest circuits. The Italian Fiat Yamaha star has never finished off the podium at Montmeló in the premier class, with five wins to his name there, three second places (two of which have come in the last two seasons) and one third place from his MotoGP Catalunya debut in 2000.

Last year’s race-winner and home favourite Dani Pedrosa, who grew up a short drive from the track, has victories to his name in all three Grand Prix classes at this venue but he faces a late fitness test to see if he is ready to participate. The Repsol Honda rider damaged his right thigh when he severely stretched his hip in Mugello in practice and then crashed out of the race to make matters worse.

Pedrosa’s team-mate Andrea Dovizioso, meanwhile, lies just one point behind the Spaniard in the championship having missed the podium by fractions of a second at the last two rounds. He will be keen to add to his solitary MotoGP podium to date as soon as possible and as a former 250cc Barcelona race-winner he will fancy his chances this weekend at a circuit when he was fourth in 2008.

Also in the overall top ten at present the likes of Marco Melandri (Hayate Racing), Colin Edwards (Monster Yamaha Tech 3), Loris Capirossi (Rizla Suzuki), Chris Vermeulen (Rizla Suzuki) and Randy de Puniet (LCR Honda) will all be fighting for good points to keep their 2009 campaigns on the right tracks.

It is also a key Grand Prix for Catalan pair Toni Elías (San Carlo Honda Gresini) and Sete Gibernau (Grupo Francisco Hernando) as they both try to bounce back from recent operations and climb up the general standings, Gibernau having missed the round five trip to Italy due to a shoulder injury.

Source: http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2009/Barcelo...+hits+Catalunya

Pedrosa receives clearance for Catalonia

Wednesday, 10 June 2009

Spaniard to participate in home race after last-minute check.

Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa has confirmed his presence at the Gran Premi Cinzano de Catalunya, less than two weeks after suffering a minor fracture to his right femur. The Spaniard undertook a final check-up at Barcelona’s Dexeus facility on Tuesday, with Doctors Xavier Mir and Manel Ribas giving him the all-clear to ride.

The participation of the 2008 racewinner was never in serious doubt, based on his past record of riding around injuries, the closeness of the title chase in front of him and the fact that the weekend’s race is one of his best chances of taking a first victory of the season. In a statement, Pedrosa also listed the desire to ride in front of his home fans as a key motivational factor.

“I didn’t want to miss this important date for anything in the world,” he said. “On the one hand I wanted to ride because missing this race would mean losing too much ground in the standings, and also because I wanted to race in front of my fans, friends and family.”

Pedrosa has been resting up following his Mugello ordeal, with his right leg immobilised and a cocktail of anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxants to ease the pain.

Source: http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2009/Pedrosa...he+GP+Catalunya

Sete Gibernau confirms Catalunya return

Sete Gibernau has confirmed that he will return to MotoGP action at his home Catalunya round on June 12-14.

The Grupo Francesco Hernando rider fractured his left collarbone in a practice accident at Le Mans and the injury also forced him to miss the entire Italian Grand Prix weekend.

However the 36-year-old, returning to MotoGP this season after two years in retirement, will be back on track for round six.

Gibernau's last MotoGP appearance at Barcelona saw him tangle with Ducati Marlboro team-mate Loris Capirossi into turn one, sending the Spaniard into a somersault (pictured) that brought down Capirossi, Marco Melandri, Dani Pedrosa, Randy de Puniet and John Hopkins.

Sete broke his same left collarbone in the incident.

Source: http://www.crash.net/MotoGP/News/147847/1/...nya_return.html

MotoGP Free Practice Nr. 1 Classification

Pos. Num. Rider Nation Team Motorcycle Lap time Km/h Gap

1 46 Valentino ROSSI ITA Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha 1'43.038 324.226
2 99 Jorge LORENZO SPA Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha 1'43.340 324.324 0.302
3 27 Casey STONER AUS Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati 1'43.636 324.714 0.598
4 4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA Repsol Honda Team Honda 1'43.684 322.580 0.646
5 14 Randy DE PUNIET FRA LCR Honda MotoGP Honda 1'43.871 318.960 0.833
6 69 Nicky HAYDEN USA Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati 1'44.152 320.665 1.114
7 65 Loris CAPIROSSI ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 1'44.340 321.332 1.302
8 5 Colin EDWARDS USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 1'44.419 320.665 1.381
9 72 Yuki TAKAHASHI JPN Scot Racing Team MotoGP Honda 1'44.484 318.114 1.446
10 52 James TOSELAND GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 1'44.580 314.960 1.542
11 33 Marco MELANDRI ITA Hayate Racing Team Kawasaki 1'44.649 320.665 1.611
12 59 Sete GIBERNAU SPA Grupo Francisco Hernando Ducati 1'44.678 318.490 1.640
13 7 Chris VERMEULEN AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 1'44.744 318.021 1.706
14 3 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 1'45.043 327.173 2.005
15 24 Toni ELIAS SPA San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 1'45.101 320.950 2.063
16 15 Alex DE ANGELIS RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 1'45.126 321.046 2.088
17 36 Mika KALLIO FIN Pramac Racing Ducati 1'45.394 322.773 2.356
18 88 Niccolo CANEPA ITA Pramac Racing Ducati 1'45.454 321.524 2.416
19 41 Gabor TALMACSI HUN Scot Racing Team MotoGP Honda 1'47.654 307.955 4.616

Source: http://www.motogp.com/en/Results+Statistics/2009/CAT/MotoGP

Talmacsi amazed by first MotoGP encounter

Friday, 12 June 2009

Premier class debutant ends packed Friday with culmination of a dream.

Gabor Talmacsi was undoubtedly the busiest rider in the MotoGP paddock on Friday afternoon, making a ‘shotgun debut’ in the premier class with the Scot Racing Honda team and having to start completely from scratch.

The Hungarian had barely put pen to paper on his contract before being whisked off to undertake further preliminaries, including kitting out his new Honda RC212V and leathers with personal and sponsorship logos. Dressed to ride, Talmacsi was then shown the myriad details of the 800cc bike in preparation for his first practice session. He may have received explanations in the garage, but nothing could prepare him for being out on track.

“The bike is amazing. It’s so difficult to explain, as I’ve never felt this kind of power, this kind of braking feeling, the grip of the Bridgestone tyres… it’s another world! Of course, I need more laps in order to improve, but I think that I can do it!” said a determined Talmacsi, seemingly destined for a complicated search for a ride after a split with the Balatonring 250cc team one month ago.

Even finishing an understandable last on the timesheet was of little concern for the former 125cc World Champion, who will never forget the events of June 12th.

“It has been an exciting opportunity for me. I’m happy to be back on track, with this kind of chance. This is my dream. You know, I come from Eastern Europe, and had to work very hard to get here. Myself and the Team Manager, Cirano Mularoni, know each other from 2006 in the Humangest Honda 125cc team, and he’s more like a friend to me.”

Debutant Talmacsi will continue alongside Yuki Takahashi for the remainder of the 2009 season, running the number 41 in a ‘switcharound’ of his previous number 14.

Source: http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2009/Talmacs...st+800c+session

MotoGP Free Practice Nr. 2 Classification

Pos. Num. Rider Nation Team Motorcycle Lap time Km/h Gap

1 99 Jorge LORENZO SPA Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha 1'41.899 324.032
2 4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA Repsol Honda Team Honda 1'42.573 322.966 0.674
3 46 Valentino ROSSI ITA Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha 1'42.810 325.595 0.911
4 3 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 1'43.049 328.867 1.150
5 14 Randy DE PUNIET FRA LCR Honda MotoGP Honda 1'43.316 322.388 1.417
6 5 Colin EDWARDS USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 1'43.409 320.950 1.510
7 27 Casey STONER AUS Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati 1'43.496 326.086 1.597
8 52 James TOSELAND GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 1'43.628 316.622 1.729
9 88 Niccolo CANEPA ITA Pramac Racing Ducati 1'43.635 322.580 1.736
10 69 Nicky HAYDEN USA Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati 1'43.658 322.773 1.759
11 7 Chris VERMEULEN AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 1'43.682 316.808 1.783
12 15 Alex DE ANGELIS RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 1'43.726 322.677 1.827
13 72 Yuki TAKAHASHI JPN Scot Racing Team MotoGP Honda 1'43.772 320.094 1.873
14 59 Sete GIBERNAU SPA Grupo Francisco Hernando Ducati 1'43.799 320.000 1.900
15 33 Marco MELANDRI ITA Hayate Racing Team Kawasaki 1'43.840 322.291 1.941
16 65 Loris CAPIROSSI ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 1'43.857 321.237 1.958
17 36 Mika KALLIO FIN Pramac Racing Ducati 1'43.969 326.975 2.070
18 24 Toni ELIAS SPA San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 1'44.295 321.715 2.396
19 41 Gabor TALMACSI HUN Scot Racing Team MotoGP Honda 1'46.844 313.862 4.945

Source: http://www.motogp.com/en/Results+Statistics/2009/CAT/MotoGP

MotoGP Qualifying Practice Classification

Pos. Num. Rider Nation Team Motorcycle Lap time Km/h Gap

1 99 Jorge LORENZO SPA Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha 1'41.974 324.421
2 46 Valentino ROSSI ITA Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha 1'41.987 322.677 0.013
3 27 Casey STONER AUS Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati 1'42.426 326.678 0.452
4 4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA Repsol Honda Team Honda 1'42.594 325.791 0.620
5 24 Toni ELIAS SPA San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 1'43.139 323.256 1.165
6 5 Colin EDWARDS USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 1'43.168 319.054 1.194
7 14 Randy DE PUNIET FRA LCR Honda MotoGP Honda 1'43.175 320.760 1.201
8 3 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 1'43.207 326.876 1.233
9 52 James TOSELAND GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 1'43.233 316.437 1.259
10 36 Mika KALLIO FIN Pramac Racing Ducati 1'43.336 326.876 1.362
11 65 Loris CAPIROSSI ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 1'43.365 323.547 1.391
12 7 Chris VERMEULEN AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 1'43.411 314.136 1.437
13 69 Nicky HAYDEN USA Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati 1'43.414 320.950 1.440
14 15 Alex DE ANGELIS RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 1'43.422 322.003 1.448
15 59 Sete GIBERNAU SPA Grupo Francisco Hernando Ducati 1'43.714 321.907 1.740
16 72 Yuki TAKAHASHI JPN Scot Racing Team MotoGP Honda 1'43.777 318.490 1.803
17 33 Marco MELANDRI ITA Hayate Racing Team Kawasaki 1'43.792 322.580 1.818
18 88 Niccolo CANEPA ITA Pramac Racing Ducati 1'43.991 320.950 2.017
19 41 Gabor TALMACSI HUN Scot Racing Team MotoGP Honda 1'45.833 317.180 3.859

Source: http://www.motogp.com/en/Results+Statistics/2009/CAT/MotoGP

MotoGP Race Classification

Pos. Points Num. Rider Nation Team Motorcycle Total time Km/h Gap

1 25 46 Valentino ROSSI ITA Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha 43'11.897 164.138
2 20 99 Jorge LORENZO SPA Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha 43'11.992 164.132 0.095
3 16 27 Casey STONER AUS Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati 43'20.781 163.577 8.884
4 13 4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA Repsol Honda Team Honda 43'20.833 163.574 8.936
5 11 65 Loris CAPIROSSI ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 43'31.728 162.892 19.831
6 10 3 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 43'34.079 162.745 22.182
7 9 5 Colin EDWARDS USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 43'35.444 162.660 23.547
8 8 14 Randy DE PUNIET FRA LCR Honda MotoGP Honda 43'37.162 162.553 25.265
9 7 36 Mika KALLIO FIN Pramac Racing Ducati 43'43.694 162.149 31.797
10 6 69 Nicky HAYDEN USA Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati 43'45.490 162.038 33.593
11 5 7 Chris VERMEULEN AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 43'48.580 161.847 36.683
12 4 15 Alex DE ANGELIS RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 43'48.771 161.836 36.874
13 3 52 James TOSELAND GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 43'51.330 161.678 39.433
14 2 33 Marco MELANDRI ITA Hayate Racing Team Kawasaki 43'56.685 161.350 44.788
15 1 59 Sete GIBERNAU SPA Grupo Francisco Hernando Ducati 43'58.651 161.230 46.754
16 88 Niccolo CANEPA ITA Pramac Racing Ducati 44'07.770 160.674 55.873
17 41 Gabor TALMACSI HUN Scot Racing Team MotoGP Honda 44'39.537 158.769 1'27.640

Not classified
24 Toni ELIAS SPA San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 15'45.214 16 Lap

Not finished 1st lap
72 Yuki TAKAHASHI JPN Scot Racing Team MotoGP Honda

Source: http://www.motogp.com/en/Results+Statistics/2009/CAT/MotoGP

Catalunya MotoGP test times - Monday

Following Sunday's Grand Prix of Catalunya, round six of the 2009 MotoGP World Championship, most riders returned for a day of testing on Monday.

The test was the first since the start of the season. The next chance to test outside of a grand prix weekend will be after the Czech Republic Grand Prix, at Brno, in mid-August.

The Monster Yamaha Tech 3 team was not present, while Dani Pedrosa missed the test to rest his injured hip. Yuki Takahashi didn't appear on track due to a broken finger sustained on lap one of Sunday's race.

Round seven of the world championship, the Dutch TT at Assen, takes place on June 27.

1. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Repsol Honda Team 1min 42.230 sec (69 laps)
2. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team 1min 42.434 sec (58)
3. Jorge Lorenzo SPA Fiat Yamaha Team 1min 42.446 sec (80)
4. Mika Kallio FIN Pramac Racing 1min 42.637 sec (98)
5. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team 1min 42.763 sec (38)
6. Loris Capirossi ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1min 43.188 sec (83)
7. Randy de Puniet FRA LCR Honda MotoGP 1min 43.247 sec (76)
8. Chris Vermeulen AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1min 43.299 sec (83)
9. Alex de Angelis RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini 1min 43.360 sec (69)
10. Niccolo Canepa ITA Pramac Racing 1min 43.391 sec (90)
11. Marco Melandri ITA Hayate Racing Team 1min 43.506 sec (89)
12. Toni Elias SPA San Carlo Honda Gresini 1min 43.708 sec (60)
13. Sete Gibernau SPA Grupo Francisco Hernando 1min 43.819 sec (45)
14. Nicky Hayden USA Ducati Marlboro Team 1min 44.157 sec (98)
15. Gabor Talmacsi HUN Scot Racing Team MotoGP 1min 45.056 sec (53)

Source: http://www.crash.net/MotoGP/News/148398/1/...s_-_monday.html