Moto GP

[Rev004]

Well Guys and Gals thought that I would give you lot some more light reading just in case you are missing out on something.

Another round of free testing coming up at Qatar on the 1st of March so that will be interesting as well, so read on to your hears content...


Gibernau to miss Qatar test due to shoulder ligament problem
Friday, 20 February 2009

Guinea Ecuatorial Team rider Sete Gibernau suffered a small setback to his recovery from a recent shoulder operation during training yesterday, meaning he will miss the forthcoming MotoGP test in Qatar.


Veteran rider Sete Gibernau, who returns to MotoGP this year with new satellite Ducati outfit Guinea Ecuatorial Team, has suffered a preseason blow with the news that he has aggravated an old shoulder injury - requiring a visit to the Institut Universitari Dexeus in Barcelona on Thursday.

The accumulation of physical exertion at the recent MotoGP tests in Malaysia and his demanding training programme has caused a slight ligament tear in his left shoulder that will require a period of complete rest.

Keen to avoid any major complications before his return to premier-class racing in a little over a monthâ€s time, Gibernau and his team have agreed to cancel their participation in the upcoming Qatar test session as he turns his focus to a swift and full recovery.


Haydenâ€s Ducati prospects evaluated by US media
Friday, 20 February 2009

Fans of the 2006 World Champion Nicky Hayden are excited about seeing him make his race debut with Ducati in Qatar in April and the Stateside roadracing media are fully aware of the significance of the move for both Ducati and the rider himself.


Since the switch to 800cc machinery in the premier class at the beginning of the 2007 season Nicky Haydenâ€s legion of supporters across the globe have been frustrated to see him struggling for consistency in MotoGP, the American finishing eighth that year and sixth last season as he failed to repeat his 2006 success.

However, towards the end of his sixth season in MotoGP with Honda the Kentucky Kid was offered the chance to switch manufacturers and enjoy a change of scene at Ducati, causing considerable excitement for his band of fans and for Ducatisti in the U.S. and beyond.

Hayden is a popular figure in the MotoGP paddock, thanks to his courteous style, charming smile and hard-working attitude, with his new team-mate at Ducati, Casey Stoner, being one of his biggest admirers.

The significance of Haydenâ€s signing for Ducati, in terms of marketability for the Italian brand and the opportunity it gives the 27 year-old to be truly competitive once again, is not lost on the media in his native U.S. where he is cherished as the latest in a long line of American World Champions.

Chris Jonnum, the editor of Road Racer X magazine and the author of the biography on the Hayden brothers, ‘The Haydens: Nicky, Tommy, & Roger, From OWB to MotoGPâ€, picks up the story, stating, “Nickyâ€s new deal is an exciting development for Ducati North America and for U.S. Ducatisti. This market is extremely important for the Italian brand, and it enjoys a special status among American motorcycle enthusiasts.”

“Road racing isnâ€t as big in the U.S. as it is in Europe, but the people who are fans are very dedicated and passionate, and a large percentage of them love both Ducati and Nicky. Theyâ€re each popular on their own, but the pairing has the potential to increase that popularity exponentially, sort of like when two moviestars get together. Now that Nicky and Ducati have joined forces, there is a groundswell of excitement in the U.S. racing world.”

Jonnum also points out, however, that Hayden is not guaranteed a Hollywood style happy ending to his Ducati move, underlining the pressure that the rider is under. The journalist explains, “It will help considerably if Nicky enjoys success at Ducati, and American fans are eager to see how he gets along with the Desmosedici. Theyâ€re fully aware that no rider other than Casey Stoner has enjoyed consistent success with the bike, and theyâ€re hoping that Nicky will be an exception. Perhaps his aggressive style and dirt track background have prepared him well for this challenge.”

Meanwhile, Matthew Miles, Managing Editor of Cycle World magazine, adds, “My personal take on Nicky Hayden is that he may not have the most talent in the MotoGP paddock, but no one can argue with his determination. The past two seasons with Honda were difficult for Hayden. He struggled in 2007 and, once again, in 2008 on the tiny RC212V, but when Honda finally – and grudgingly – delivered the pneumatic-valve version of the V-Four engine, he finished strong, running at or near the front and never placing worse than fifth in the final five races.”

Miles continues, “Hayden will need everything in his personal arsenal to achieve success with Ducati. It wonâ€t be easy to catch front-running teammate Casey Stoner, even if the Aussieâ€s wrist isnâ€t fully functional, as Marco Melandri learned this past season. There are other potential hurdles, too, such as a largely Italian-speaking crew, new electronics and the series-spec Bridgestones. None of this will be made easier with the recently announced rule changes, namely shortened practice sessions.”

On Haydenâ€s task of helping Ducati sell more bikes Miles also comments, “If he is able to win another title, Hayden will greatly boost awareness of the Ducati brand in the U.S. If his infectious smile and escalating popularity can bring more potential buyers into Ducati dealerships, he will have done his job both on and off the racetrack.”

Haydenâ€s marketing value to the Italian factory is also highlighted by Henny Ray Abrams, of Cycle News, who states, “Nicky instantly raises Ducatiâ€s image in the U.S., where theyâ€ve been without a public face since pulling out of American Superbike racing at the end of 2006. Ducati has survived the economic downturn in the U.S. better than almost any other brand. Despite a weak fourth quarter, their 2008 sales were nearly equal to 2007â€s, which was a record year.”


Further 2009 MotoGP tickets go on sale
Friday, 20 February 2009

Fans wanting to attend the MotoGP races this year at Motegi, Assen, Laguna Seca, Estoril and Sepang can now purchase their tickets through motogp.com and our travel partners Expedia.


With the start of the 2009 MotoGP World Championship not far away, the sportâ€s army of fans across the globe are eagerly planning their Grand Prix trips for this yearâ€s competition.

MotoGP followers wanting to attend this seasonâ€s events at Motegi (Japan, 24th-26th April), Assen (Netherlands, 25th-27th June), Laguna Seca (USA, 3rd-5th July), Estoril (Portugal, 2nd-4th October) and/or Sepang (Malaysia, 23rd-25th October) will now find information available in our Race Tickets section.

Tickets for these events can now be purchased via motogp.comâ€s travel partners Expedia, in addition to the MotoGP visits to Losail International (Qatar), Jerez (Spain), Le Mans (France), Mugello (Italy), Catalunya (Spain), Sachsenring (Germany), Brno (Czech Republic), Indianapolis (USA) and Misano (San Marino), for which tickets were already available.


IRTA head Poncharal explains cost reduction decisions
Monday, 23 February 2009

Last weekâ€s Grand Prix Commission confirmation of cost reduction measures to help the teams in MotoGP was warmly welcomed by IRTA president and Tech 3 Yamaha boss Herve Poncharal.


Always a pro-active thinker and positive figure, the owner of the Tech 3 Yamaha satellite structure and IRTA President Herve Poncharal is pleased that the Grand Prix Commission – of which he is a member – are helping to reduce the costs of competing in the MotoGP World Championship.

A meeting last Wednesday (18th February 2008) at the FIMâ€s headquarters in Switzerland, saw Poncharal meet his fellow Grand Prix Commission colleagues from MotoGP organisers Dorna, the FIM and the MSMA to ratify cost reduction proposals put forward and agreed on unanimously by the MSMA in meetings held earlier this year in Japan and Malaysia.

The moves included reducing track time during GP weekends and a reduction in post-race testing dates during the season, along with additional measures as listed here.

Poncharal said of the amendments, “Mainly what has been decided for 2009, because there was already quite a bit in place and we have already received our bikes for this season, was to have less track time. This will help us to reduce our costs in terms of traveling and testing. These were the only measures we could take for â€09 but I am sure this is only the beginning and we will see some more drastic changes for 2010.”

The Frenchman also clarified the new regulations relating to post-race tests, commenting, “The only thing that will be allowed will be a day after Catalunya and a day after Brno, but only for factories developing their 2010 machinery with test riders and no MotoGP riders. So no racing teams will be involved in those tests, and once we start the season there will be no test for the teams until the post-championship Valencia test.”


Puig weighs up preseason developments
Friday, 20 February 2009

Alberto Puig, Dani Pedrosaâ€s manager and a key figure in the Repsol Honda pitbox, has given his views on the MotoGP regulation changes made by the FIM this week.


Dani Pedrosaâ€s mentor and manager Alberto Puig is taking a cautious approach in his evaluation of this weekâ€s MotoGP rule changes, ratified by the FIM in Switzerland on Wednesday with the intention of reducing costs in the World Championship.

“We canâ€t really say too much until we see the measures in practice,” Puig told motogp.com. “The changes have been made as an attempt to make things cheaper for everyone and we now have to wait and see how things go at a technical level.”

”One obvious thing is that the bikes donâ€t have to be brand new each season,” Puig added. “If we can save ourselves a bit of investment in that area to make things simpler then it would be fine, because the riders are going to compete with whatever machinery they get given. Where safety is concerned, the more we can provide to prevent crashes, the better it is for the riders. I donâ€t think the measures that have been approved now are at odds with that, but is difficult to make a judgment yet, before seeing what happens.”

Of the new rules announced this week, one which Puig has questioned relates to the reduced amount of post-race tests this season - and the use of test riders only in the two which remain on the calendar at Barcelona and Brno.

He stated, “I donâ€t really understand the reduction of the tests and that only test riders can participate in them, because normally those test riders are three or four seconds off the main riders†pace. Iâ€m not sure that the conclusions the factories will draw from those tests will really be clear. But that is just a personal opinion.”

Asked about the combined effect the new rules could have on the World Championship scene as a whole, in conjunction with the single tyre supplier regulation also introduced over winter, Puig replied, “The single tyre supplier rule seems like a wise move to me. Everyone will be on the same tyres and this will eliminate certain complaints and differences, although we already knew about that rule change.”

Puig continued, “Also I think the elimination of qualifying tyres is a good thing too, because although at an internal level with the teams it wasnâ€t a big issue, but during qualifying sessions we were mainly focused on grid positions and you lost most of your time thinking about that.”

“With these new rules in general we need to wait a while though, before making any judgements. I donâ€t think they will have a negative influence, I think they can only be a help, so letâ€s see how things go when the season starts.

The Repsol Honda man also gave an update on the condition of Pedrosa, who rode well in the first preseason test at Sepang, but had to leave Malaysia before the third and final day due to pain in his left knee which he injured late last year and had surgery on before Christmas.

“Dani has improved, we just thought it was good to leave early from the test at Sepang,” Puig explained. “In Qatar we will keep testing the bike and will keep in mind that as there are not many tests we have to make the most of our time there. Weâ€ll work on everything that needs looking at, then move onto Jerez and wait for the championship to start.”



Suppo refutes Stoner operation speculation
Tuesday, 24 February 2009

Ducati MotoGP Project Manager says no further surgery expected on former World Champion.


His Australian rider left frustrated by a lack of comfort in his left wrist at the recent Sepang test, Ducati MotoGP Project Manager Livio Suppo has dismissed any speculation that Casey Stoner will be undertaking any further operations on the troublesome appendage.

Speaking on Monday, Suppo based his opinion on fact, namely the information given to his charge by the surgeons who operated on Stonerâ€s scaphoid last November.

”Nobody has spoken about another operation. The doctors said that the surgery went ok, so now itâ€s a question of doing exercises to increase mobility in his wrist,” said the Italian. “Everything should be under control. In Sepang he was able to ride the bike, like the doctors said, and he was unbelievably fast.”

Weakness and pain under braking, in addition to a lack of endurance, were cited by Stoner as a cause for ‘disappointment†in Malaysia. Concern over his condition was tempered by his recording the fastest time of the test, smashing last yearâ€s pole position lap. This provided convincing proof that the former World Champion is still up to the task of riding the Desmosedici GP9, especially with the dedication to the task demonstrated throughout his time with the Italian team.

”He will have to work hard on his wrist. It wonâ€t be easy for him, but he has the character to do it. We have to wait and see what happens in Qatar; hopefully the circuit is less physically demanding for the riders and better for him than Sepang.” emphasized Suppo, who also paid tribute to the work done by Stonerâ€s new teammate Nicky Hayden at the first test of 2009.

”Nicky wasnâ€t as fast as Casey in Sepang, but you have to remember that Casey joined us in 2006. Sepang is a special circuit, and Nicky was as fast as Casey in T1 and T2. I spoke to him after the test, and I really believe that he has a great attitude to us working together.”

Stoner and Hayden will be back in action at the upcoming Qatar night test in Losail, at the circuit where the former won the opening race of 2008.