2011 Grand Prix motorcycle racing

[Yann Laprevotte]

OMG, Rossi would've been last without Guintoli...

Much closer times than in the last few races though, hopefully we'll see a closer race this time.

 

[Rupe Wilson]

They all complain about Marco Simoncelli ( side show Bob ) being dangerious. But this year the tyres are the most dangerious thing on the track.

 

[Jay Adgie]

It certainly looks like the new GP11.1 bike doesn't work with the 800cc engine and with Hayden 1 sec faster on the old bike....

 

[Yann Laprevotte]

Wow, an absolute tie in 125. Amazing.

But giving the victory to Faubel just because he set the fastest lap is a bit unfair for Zarco TBH. Why don't they have the same rules as F1 rules, and give the victory and full points to both?

 

[Jay Adgie]

Pedrosa takes victory

By Liam Marsden - MCN
17 July 2011 13:43

Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa has won at the Sachsenring in Germany in only his second race since breaking his collarbone.
Current champion Jorge Lorenzo managed to decrease Casey Stoner's championship lead by stealing second place from the Australian at the final turn. The two riders both held the lead early on in the race, but neither were unable to hold off Pedrosa.
Andrea Dovizioso and Marco Simoncelli made it four Honda's in the top six, finishing fourth and sixth respectively. Simoncelli ran wide at the final turn, allowing Ben Spies to cross the finish line in fifth.
Suzuki riderAlvaro Bautista continued his good form which he has shown all weekend finishing in seventh place after a race long scrap with Ducati riders Nicky Hayden and Valentino Rossi, who finished eighth and ninth respectively.
Brit Cal Crutchlow struggled again, finishing in 14th place.

1. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda 41m 12.482s
2. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Yamaha Factory Racing 41m 13.959s
3. Casey Stoner AUS Repsol Honda 41m 14.050s
4. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Repsol Honda 41m 22.995s
5. Ben Spies USA Yamaha Factory Racing 41m 23.201s
6. Marco Simoncelli ITA San Carlo Honda Gresini 41m 23.405s
7. Alvaro Bautista ESP Rizla Suzuki 41m 39.933s
8. Nicky Hayden USA Ducati Marlboro 41m 39.992s
9. Valentino Rossi ITA Ducati Marlboro 41m 40.058s
10. Colin Edwards USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 41m 45.973s
11. Hector Barbera ESP Mapfre Aspar 41m 51.426s
12. Karel Abraham CZE Cardion AB Motoracing 41m 51.630s
13. Randy de Puniet FRA Pramac Racing 41m 51.897s
14. Cal Crutchlow GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 41m 51.959s
15. Hiroshi Aoyama JPN San Carlo Honda Gresini 42m 6.998s
16. Toni Elias ESP LCR Honda 42m 24.817s
17. Sylvain Guintoli FRA Pramac Racing 41m 28.441s

 

[Omer Said]

What a race! I'm so happy for Pedrosa's return after his injury. Lucky Yamahas both gained a pos in the last turn. Now the Stoner-Lorenzo title battle gets intense, let's hope for a great season!

 

[Travis]

Indeed Omer.

All three classes had excellent races! the MotoGP race was brilliant with battles all throughout the field. Congrats to Dani, he is the King of the Sausage Ring. Stoner being pipped by Lorenzo only adds to the championship drama too. Despite being an Aussie and a Stoner fan, I like to see all of the riders doing well. Great effort by Suzuki too in getting Bautista a semi decent bike to ride.

Shame Ducati still have major issues, sad to see a 9 times world champion so far back on the starting line.

Cheers.

 

[Ross Balfour]

What an amazing race! All 3 classes were fantastic - felt really sorry for Zarco as he got another win taken off him

As for MotoGP - so glad Pedrosa took the win, looks like he is fully healed again - if he can get a full season without injury in 2012 I think he could be champion, he definiately deserves it on this performance!

 

[Jay Adgie]

Lorenzo bounces back to claim pole

To get pole after that is amazing, thats gota sting.....:eek:

By Tom Cambio -MCN
23 July 2011 22:59

Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha Factory Racing) bounced back from crashing out of the final practice session at Laguna Seca to claim pole for tomorrow's race.
Unshaken by a big highside suffered at turn 5 after making a practice start, that led to the Spaniard being struck by his YZR-M1 whilst sliding through the gravel, Lorenzo recovered in qualifying to set the fastest time around the Californian circuit.
Casey Stoner (Repsol Honda) was unable to match his pace set in FP3, leaving it to the final moments of qualifying to put in a fast lap that placed the Australian second fastest and relegated Ben Spies to starting from the second row in fourth place. Stoner's team mate Dani Pedrosa completes the front row of the grid, qualifying in third.
Spies (Yamaha Factory Racing) was unable to improve on his time after losing the front end and crashing out of the session, with his Yamaha disappearing under the air fence.

Marco Simoncelli (San Carlo Honda Gresini) will start from fifth, in front of fellow Italian Andrea Dovizioso (Repsol Honda).
Valentino Rossi equalled his best qualifying position of the season so far on the GP11.1 Ducati, starting from seventh place ahead of Hector Barbera (Mapfre Aspar Team) and Nicky Hayden (Ducati Team) who will start from eighth and ninth respectively.
Brit Cal Crutchlow put in a strong performance on his debut at the American circuit, qualifying in tenth ahead of Texan team mate Colin Edwards.

1 Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha Factory Racing 1:21.202
2 Casey Stoner Repsol Honda Team +0.072
3 Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda Team +0.183
4 Ben Spies Yamaha Factory Racing +0.376
5 Marco Simoncelli San Carlo Honda Gresini +0.494
6 Andrea Dovizioso Repsol Honda Team +0.529
7 Valentino Rossi Ducati Team +1.033
8 Hector Barbera Mapfre Aspar Team MotoGP +1.036
9 Nicky Hayden Ducati Team +1.069
10 Cal Crutchlow Monster Yamaha Tech 3 +1.183
11 Colin Edwards Monster Yamaha Tech 3 +1.318
12 Alvaro Bautista Rizla Suzuki MotoGP +1.467
13 Karol Abraham Cardion AB Motoracing +1.691

 

[Travis]

Top 3 are very close, should be another fantastic race although Lorenzo has amazing pace and is able to lap in 1.21 all day. Thankfully Lorenzo didn't injure himself in that nasty P3 off.

A glimmer of hope for Ducati and Rossi too? Equal best qualifying this season.

Cheers.

 

[Jay Adgie]

Stoner steals victory from Lorenzo

By Tom Cambio - MCN
24 July 2011 22:55

Casey Stoner (Repsol Honda) stole an impressive fifth win of the season from Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha Factory Racing) at Laguna Seca.
Lorenzo made a strong start and led for the majority of the race, whilst Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa clung on to second until eventually conceding to team mate Stoner, being passed through the corkscrew on lap fourteen. Stoner then closed the gap on Lorenzo before getting the drive out of turn eleven to pass on the outside, taking the lead with 6 laps remaining.
Stoner continued his advance to build a 5.634 second gap, whilst Lorenzo, suffering from injuries sustained in a massive high-side in qualifying, was unable to match the Australian's unrelenting pace and had to settle for second.
Dani Pedrosa rode consistently to maintain third, but was unable to keep pace with Stoner and Lorenzo. American Ben Spies (Yamaha Factory Racing) put in a strong performance at the Californian circuit, battling with Valentino Rossi early on in the race for sixth before pushing through on the inside on the third lap.
Three laps later Marco Simoncelli crashed out of fifth place, losing the front end in turn eight whilst dropping down from the corkscrew, leaving room for Spies to fill the void and begin closing the gap on Dovizioso, who maintained fourth place throughout the race until Spies was finally able to pass the Italian on the inside with two laps remaining.
Rossi battled with his revised GP11.1 Ducati to take sixth place, fighting to maintain his advantage over team mate Nicky Hayden in seventh on the GP11 machine. Veteran Texan Colin Edwards (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) finished in eighth, whilst team mate Cal Crutchlow crashed in the third lap on his first race at the circuit.
Ben Bostrom, making his MotoGP debut at 37 for LCR Honda, retired after running off the track into the gravel trap, whilst Alvaro Bautista had been showing promise moving up from twelfth to eighth place before crashing out of the race with nine laps remaining.

1. Casey Stoner, Repsol Honda Team, 43'52.145
2. Jorge Lorenzo, Yamaha Factory Racing, +5.634
3. Dani Pedrosa, Repsol Honda Team, +9.467
4. Ben Spies, Yamaha Factory Racing, +20.562
5. Andrea Dovizioso, Repsol Honda Team, +20.885
6. Valentino Rossi, Ducati Team, +30.351
7. Nicky Hayden, Ducati Team, +31.031
8. Colin Edwards, Monster Yamaha Tech 3, +45.502
9. Hector Barbera, Mapfre Aspar Team MotoGP, +51.549
10. Hiroshi Aoyama, San Carlo Honda Gresini, +1.08.850
11. Karol Abraham, Cardion AB Motoracing, +1.09.132
12. Loris Capirossi, Pramac Racing Team, + 1 lap
13. Toni Elias, LCR Honda MotoGP, + 1 lap

 

[Helder Filipe]

Well good stuff by Ducati riders but 1sec per lap is still very, let's hope more improvements, for next GP...
Next year hope to see Valentino and Nicky fighting for victories and poles. (= (with 1000cc they can for sure!)

 

[Jay Adgie]

Dani Pedrosa dominates first practice

By Matthew Birt -MCN
12 August 2011 10:08

Dani Pedrosa made a fast return to MotoGP action after the short summer break in Brno this morning, the Spaniard dominating the opening free practice session at the Czech Republic track.
After Marco Simoncelli made the early running in dry but overcast conditions, Pedrosa ended the 45-minute session with an impressive best time of 1.56.328.
That put the Spaniard a massive 0.966s clear of Repsol Honda team-mate Casey Stoner, who grabbed second with a 1.57.294. The Australian was the only rider to finish inside of a second of Pedrosa this morning.
San Carlo Gresini Honda rider Simoncelli finished third but suffered a late crash when he lost the front-end of his factory RC212V machine in a left-hand turn. He walked away unhurt and set a best time of 1.57.408.
Reigning world champion Jorge Lorenzo was fourth but he was a massive 1.259s behind compatriot Pedrosa.
John Hopkins impressed on the Suzuki GSV-R, the American clocking the seventh best time.
The current BSB title contender, who is making a wild card appearance for Suzuki in Brno, set a best time of 1.58.321 to finish 0.024s ahead of Suzuki regular Alvaro Bautista.
It was another nightmare session for Ducati with Valentino Rossi the fastest Bologna factory rider in a disappointing 11th.
The nine-times world champion could only manage a best time of 1.58.819 to finish 2.491s behind Pedrosa’s best pace.
The six Ducatis sat between 11th and 17th places with Nicky Hayden struggling in 14th.

1. Dani Pedrosa, Repsol Honda Team, Honda 299.5, 1'56.328
2. Casey Stoner, Repsol Honda Team, Honda 296.7, 1'57.294, 0.966 / 0.966
3. Marco Simoncelli, San Carlo Honda Gresini, Honda 291.5, 1'57.408, 1.080 / 0.114
4. Jorge Lorenzo, Yamaha Factory Racing, Yamaha 295.0, 1'57.587, 1.259 / 0.179
5. Andrea Dovizioso, Repsol Honda Team, Honda 295.2, 1'57.776, 1.448 / 0.189
6. Ben Spies, Yamaha Factory Racing, Yamaha 290.8, 1'57.903, 1.575 / 0.127
7. John Hopkins, Rizla Suzuki MotoGP, Suzuki 293.0, 1'58.321, 1.993 / 0.418
8. Alvaro Bautista, Rizla Suzuki MotoGP, Suzuki 294.4, 1'58.345, 2.017 / 0.024
9. Cal Crutchlow, Monster Yamaha Tech 3, Yamaha 292.3, 1'58.390, 2.062 / 0.045
10. Colin Edwards, Monster Yamaha Tech 3, Yamaha 292.4, 1'58.497, 2.169 / 0.107
11. Valentino Rossi, Ducati Team, Ducati 292.0, 1'58.819, 2.491 / 0.322
12. Randy De Puniet, Pramac Racing Team, Ducati 291.0, 1'58.927, 2.599 / 0.108
13. Hector Barbera, Mapfre Aspar Team MotoGP, Ducati 297.8, 1'58.973, 2.645 / 0.046
14. Nicky Hayden, Ducati Team, Ducati 290.5, 1'58.975, 2.647 / 0.002
15. Hiroshi Aoyama, San Carlo Honda Gresini, Honda 296.5, 1'59.289, 2.961 / 0.314
16. Karel Abraham, Cardion AB Motoracing, Ducati 293.9, 1'59.334, 3.006 / 0.045
17. Loris Capirossi, Pramac Racing Team, Ducati 290.2, 1'59.706, 3.378 / 0.372
18. Toni Elias, LCR Honda MotoGP, Honda 294.0, 2'00.201, 3.873 / 0.495

 

[Jay Adgie]

Pedrosa takes first pole of season

By Tom Cambio - MCN
13 August 2011 14:19

Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda) continued his dominant form at Brno to take his first pole position start of the season. Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha Factory Racing) was second fastest at the Czech circuit, whilst Casey Stoner (Repsol Honda), having led the early stages of the session, was unable to match Pedrosa's pace and qualified in third.
Yamaha Factory rider Ben Spies leads the second row, qualifying fourth fastest, whilst both Marco Simoncelli (San Carlo Honda Gresini) and Valentino Rossi (Ducati Team) upped their pace in the final minutes of the session to move into fifth and sixth respectively. The second row start is Rossi's best qualifying result of the season so far.
Repsol Honda rider Andrea Dovizioso will start tomorrow's race from seventh, ahead of Colin Edwards (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) and Nicky Hayden (Ducati Team) in eighth and ninth.

Hiroshi Aoyama (San Carlo Honda Gresini) completes the top ten, leading Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider Cal Crutchlow and Toni Elias (LCR Honda). Crutchlow crashed out of the session in the final fifteen minutes at turn ten in eighth and had to run back to the pits. Karel Abraham (Cardion AB Motoracing) fell at the same corner moments later. Despite rejoining the session the Czech rider was unable to improve on seventeenth and will start tomorrow's race from the back of the grid.

1. Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda Team Honda 298.0 1'56.591
2. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha Factory Racing Yamaha 291.4 1'56.704 0.113 / 0.113
3. Casey Stoner Repsol Honda Team Honda 295.5 1'56.860 0.269 / 0.156
4. Ben Spies Yamaha Factory Racing Yamaha 289.3 1'57.178 0.587 / 0.318
5. Marco Simoncelli San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 291.5 1'57.351 0.760 / 0.173
6. Valentino Rossi Ducati Team Ducati 289.9 1'57.367 0.776 / 0.016
7. Andrea Dovizioso Repsol Honda Team Honda 295.6 1'57.442 0.851 / 0.075
8. Colin Edwards Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 291.7 1'57.676 1.085 / 0.234
9. Nicky Hayden Ducati Team Ducati 289.4 1'57.721 1.130 / 0.045
10. Hiroshi Aoyama San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 294.8 1'57.784 1.193 / 0.063
11. Cal Crutchlow Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 290.9 1'57.797 1.206 / 0.013
12. Toni Elias LCR Honda MotoGP Honda 294.3 1'58.245 1.654 / 0.448
13. Hector Barbera Mapfre Aspar Team MotoGP Ducati 295.6 1'58.273 1.682 / 0.028
14. Alvaro Bautista Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 295.6 1'58.274 1.683 / 0.001
15. Randy De Puniet Pramac Racing Team Ducati 289.2 1'58.889 2.298 / 0.615
16. Loris Capirossi Pramac Racing Team Ducati 290.0 1'58.938 2.347 / 0.049
17. Karel Abraham Cardion AB Motoracing Ducati 292.5 1'58.946 2.355 / 0.008

 

[Jay Adgie]

Stoner wins, Simoncelli secures first podium finish

By MCN -
14 August 2011 16:30

Repsol Honda rider Casey Stoner took his sixth win of the season, finishing the Czech GP ahead of team mate Andrea Dovizioso and San Carlo Honda Gresini rider Marco Simoncelli, who managed his first podium finish of his MotoGP career.
Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda), who had dominated practice and qualifying to start on pole, managed a strong start to lead, before Yamaha Factory rider Jorge Lorenzo relegated him to second on the second lap. Pedrosa then promptly crashed out of the race and Stoner stole the lead from Lorenzo, allowing him to create a gap at the front.
Andrea Dovizioso then closed the gap on Lorenzo, before passing him to take second place, whilst Simoncelli also was able to pass the Spaniard and maintain third to take his first podium finish.
Ben Spies closed the gap on his team mate, but was unable to challenge Lorenzo for fourth and finished the race in fifth place ahead of Ducati team mates Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden in sixth and seventh.
Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider Colin Edwards (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) finished in eighth, whilst his team mate Cal Crutchlow suffered a crash at the first corner, sliding in to the gravel in a shower of sparks. Hiroshi Aoyama (San Carlo Honda Gresini) and Héctor Barberá (Mapfre Aspar) completed the top ten.
Karel Abraham (Cardion AB Motoracing) also crashed at Brno but was able to rejoin the race, later retiring with mechanical problems. Álvaro Bautista (Rizla Suzuki) crashed out, losing the front end whilst trying to challenge Rossi for sixth position.

1. 25 Casey STONER AUS Repsol Honda Team Honda 164.8 43'16.796
2. 20 Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA Repsol Honda Team Honda 164.4 +6.532
3. 16 Marco SIMONCELLI ITA San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 164.3 +7.792
4. 13 Jorge LORENZO SPA Yamaha Factory Racing Yamaha 164.2 +8.513
5. 11 Ben SPIES USA Yamaha Factory Racing Yamaha 164.1 +10.186
6. 10 Valentino ROSSI ITA Ducati Team Ducati 164.0 +12.632
7. 9 Nicky HAYDEN USA Ducati Team Ducati 163.3 +23.037
8. 8 Colin EDWARDS USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 163.3 +24.189
9. 7 Hiroshi AOYAMA JPN San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 163.2 +25.202
10. 6 Hector BARBERA SPA Mapfre Aspar Team MotoGP Ducati 162.5 +36.566
11. 5 Toni ELIAS SPA LCR Honda MotoGP Honda 162.5 +36.679
12. 4 Randy DE PUNIET FRA Pramac Racing Team Ducati 162.5 +37.109
13. 3 Loris CAPIROSSI ITA Pramac Racing Team Ducati 161.7 +48.911

Not Classified
19 Alvaro BAUTISTA SPA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 159.3 6 Laps
17 Karel ABRAHAM CZE Cardion AB Motoracing Ducati 148.8 10 Laps
35 Cal CRUTCHLOW GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 161.8 16 Laps
26 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 161.0 20 Laps

 

[Luke McVicar]

Stoner has really put it to Pedrosa this season.

and is probably the best rider in the field at current.

 

[Travis]

Great ride by all three HRC mounted riders, just a pity Dani crashed so early in the race.

 

[Ross Balfour]

The Moto2 race was the best race of the season, amazing 5 way battle for the win!

 

[Jay Adgie]

Stoner takes pole position

By Liam Marsden -mcn
27 August 2011 20:05

Championship leader Casey Stoner has taken pole position ahead of tomorrow's race at Indianapolis, smashing the previous pole position record, set by Dani Pedrosa in 2009, by just under one second.
Factory Yamaha rider Ben Spies will start from second on the grid, unable to repeat pole-setting performance from last year. Spies' team-mate and current champion Jorge Lorenzo rounds out the first row in third.
Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa heads the second row in fourth place, ahead of Andrea Dovizioso and Tech 3 Yamaha rider Colin Edwards.
Valentino Rossi crashed midway through the session and was unable to battle for a place in the top half on the grid. Rossi will start from 14th on the grid.
Brit Cal Crutchlow will start from 11th on the grid after running in to the gravel late in the sesion.

1 27 Casey STONER AUS Repsol Honda Team Honda 323.5 1'38.850
2 11 Ben SPIES USA Yamaha Factory Racing Yamaha 316.4 1'39.373 0.523 / 0.523
3 1 Jorge LORENZO SPA Yamaha Factory Racing Yamaha 316.3 1'39.629 0.779 / 0.256
4 26 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 320.0 1'39.947 1.097 / 0.318
5 4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA Repsol Honda Team Honda 320.3 1'40.024 1.174 / 0.077
6 5 Colin EDWARDS USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 314.4 1'40.098 1.248 / 0.074
7 58 Marco SIMONCELLI ITA San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 316.6 1'40.204 1.354 / 0.106
8 69 Nicky HAYDEN USA Ducati Team Ducati 322.5 1'40.244 1.394 / 0.040
9 19 Alvaro BAUTISTA SPA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 318.5 1'40.333 1.483 / 0.089
10 8 Hector BARBERA SPA Mapfre Aspar Team MotoGP Ducati 322.0 1'40.360 1.510 / 0.027
11 35 Cal CRUTCHLOW GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 314.8 1'40.620 1.770 / 0.260
12 14 Randy DE PUNIET FRA Pramac Racing Team Ducati 317.3 1'40.815 1.965 / 0.195
13 7 Hiroshi AOYAMA JPN San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 319.8 1'40.925 2.075 / 0.110
14 46 Valentino ROSSI ITA Ducati Team Ducati 318.2 1'40.975 2.125 / 0.050
15 24 Toni ELIAS SPA LCR Honda MotoGP Honda 319.2 1'41.030 2.180 / 0.055
16 17 Karel ABRAHAM CZE Cardion AB Motoracing Ducati 317.5 1'41.085 2.235 / 0.055
17 65 Loris CAPIROSSI ITA Pramac Racing Team Ducati 316.0 1'41.092 2.242 / 0.007

 

[Helder Filipe]

Go for VICTORY SPIES! (=