Race'n'Automotif

http://www.hiphop.tv/

2009-02-12T00:20:00.000-08:00

This site is very good, to show the songs that are required by all people. Performance is also good, the artist's face is also seen good. Very helpful. High Class. must be updated continually, so that the background may not be bored with the color change the other.

IKLAN BARIS GRATIS

2009-02-11T23:43:00.000-08:00

Iklan publik sangat membantu untuk memperluas jaringan iklan blog kita, para blogger sangat terbantukan, dari situ kita bisa berbisnis. Banyak yang tidak tahu di dunia maya, ternyata banyak media-media yang tersedia untuk mempromo kan blog kita, disana banyak gunanya, bisa bertukar pikiran, mencari teman, cari pengalaman.

Setiap orang/blogger harus belajar bagaimana caranya memperbagus performance blognya, iklan-iklan yang ditampilkan harus ditempatkan ditempat yang benar, dan indah. Semakin banyak dilihat orang, semakin banyak orang menilai bagaimana sebenarnya blog kita itu.

Honda 2009 Motorcycle Racing Plans

2009-01-31T22:48:00.000-08:00

TOKYO, Japan, January 27, 2009–Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has announced its motorcycle racing plans for 2009, as outlined below.

With its motorsports activities as the symbol of Honda's challenging spirit, the company has competed in a variety of races since the days of it’s founding, aiming for the top level in the world. Constantly striving to fulfill big dreams and high aspirations, Honda has pursued the challenge of leading-edge innovation.

In 1954, Soichiro Honda, the company's founder, announced Honda's intention to take part in the Isle of Man T.T. Race, a Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix (WGP) race. Honda started competing in the WGP five years later in 1959. In 1961, only the company's third season, Honda succeeded in dominating the 125cc and 250cc classes of the Isle of Man T.T. Race, winning the top five positions in both classes. Honda also earned its first rider’s and manufacturer’s titles in both the 125cc and 250cc classes, titles the company had eagerly awaited. Since then, Honda has taken on challenges in a variety of motorcycle race categories. See more.

Stoner pole assures BMW M Award victory

2008-11-14T19:54:00.000-08:00

Casey Stoner´s eighth pole of 2008 gave the Ducati rider victory in the BMW M Award for best qualifier.Pole position for his home race came as a surprise for Casey Stoner, who clinched the BMW M Award for most consistent qualifier with his eighth top spot of the year. The Australian has been consistently fast on race tyres, in addition to his unexpected late qualifying record lap, as he chases a second consecutive home victory.
Read more.

FIM MotoGP Awards Ceremony celebrated in Valencia

2008-11-10T21:21:00.000-08:00

The 2008 MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi was presented with the MotoGP World Championship trophy on Sunday night in Valencia at a gala ceremony held at the city´s Oceanografic Centre.

The FIM MotoGP Awards Ceremony 2008, hosted by the government of the Comunitat Valenciana in the Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciencies area of the city, was broadcast across the globe, and was presented by the BBC´s Matthew Roberts and TVE´s Ainhoa Arbizu. See more.

Yamaha and Fiat to continue together for two more years

2008-11-06T23:16:00.000-08:00

Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd and Fiat Automobiles Spa have concluded an agreement to continue their partnership for a further two years.

The agreement will see Fiat continue as the title sponsor of Yamaha’s Factory MotoGP Team, which will continue to be known as the Fiat Yamaha Team, for 2009 and 2010.

Fiat joined Yamaha at the start of 2007 and their partnership has been a successful one with 14 grand prix wins to date, culminating in the capture of the 2008 Rider, Team and Manufacturer titles. 2009 will see the same team with Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo contesting the championship for the Fiat Yamaha Team.

“I heartily welcome the extension of the agreement with Fiat as title sponsor of our MotoGP Factory Team for another two years” said Masao Furusawa, Executive Officer Engineering Operations of Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. “We will be working to continue the great partnership that resulted in the Fiat Yamaha Team winning the triple crown in 2008”. Read more.

Valentino Rossi helmet of the day: Che Spettacolo

2008-11-06T23:14:00.000-08:00

To celebrate the launch of MCN’s exclusive 132 page Valentine Rossi tribute bookazine available on November 11, we’ll be bringing you a Valentino Rossi helmet of the day for you to poll on.

The MCN bookazine is a celebration of the career of the man himself with exclusive words written by Valentino and an introduction from the eight-time World Champion and his father, Graziano Rossi.

Priced at £7.99, it’s a limited edition glossy title written by the top names in the Grand Prix paddock – a must for every MotoGP and Valentino Rossi fan.

You can find it in newsagents from November 12 - or you can order your copy direct from Tower by calling 0845-6012672 or by visiting www.subscriptions.co.uk/product/rossi (Quote code: ROSI). An extra charge for postage and packaging applies to mail order purchases. Read more.

Italy's Valentino Rossi, from left, Australia's Casey Stoner and USA's Nicky Hayden celebrate with their champagne on the winner's podium at the end

2008-10-06T18:58:00.000-07:00

Stoner wins in Australia as champ Rossi battles to second

2008-10-06T18:53:00.000-07:00

Local hero Casey Stoner overcame a broken wrist to win yesterday's MotoGP race at Phillip Island, while newly-crowned champion Valentino Rossi put in a stunning comeback drive to secure second place.

Stoner was in dominant form in his home race and it was Rossi who was on the back foot, the Italian recovering from a big qualifying accident that left him starting from twelfth position. He battled his way up the grid, however, and passed American Nicky Hayden on the last lap to secure the runners-up slot, with Hayden rounding out the podium finishers.

"We knew that the race was going to be hard, as normally you can't get away [well from pole] here, but we did," said Stoner. "[Hayden] was with me for a while but then he seemed to drop off. To be world champion last year and in running for second this year is great. If we can challenge for the title again next year it will be fantastic, and if not for now the home victory is something that we can be happy with." See More.

Inspirational Rossi has the look of a true champion

2008-10-06T18:48:00.000-07:00

After crossing the finishing line in Japan last weekend I came across Valentino Rossi just sitting at his bike, taking in the applause of the crowd while the rest of the MotoGP pack went past him on the parade lap. I pulled up beside him and asked him a simple question: "Did you win?"

He gave me a look that was one of elation, satisfaction and relief - I knew then that this most incredible of riders had won the race and, in doing so, his fifth MotoGP world title and eighth overall.

I wanted to congratulate him properly but it's difficult to have a decent conversation when you've both got helmets on. Instead there was a handshake and a pat on the back - his achievement is phenomenal and I've got a hell of a lot of admiration for the guy.

Rossi wins rain-shortened Indy MotoGP

2008-09-14T18:46:00.000-07:00

World championship leader Valentino Rossi won the rain-shortened Indianapolis Grand Prix on Sunday to notch his fourth straight win and tighten his grip on the MotoGP title.

Italian Rossi, unbeaten since his victory at the U.S. Grand Prix in July, claimed victory when heavy rains and violent winds swept across the famed Brickyard bringing out the red flag with seven laps to run and giving the seven-times world champion a record 69th career MotoGP win.

Fiat Yamaha Team

2008-09-05T00:19:00.000-07:00

Pictures of Jorge Lorenzo

2008-09-05T00:06:00.000-07:00

MotoGP » Lorenzo suffers broken foot.

2008-09-05T00:02:00.000-07:00

Just when MotoGP rookie Jorge Lorenzo looked to have put a spate of accidents behind him, the Spaniard suffered a huge highside on the very first lap of the US Grand Prix at Laguna Seca, ending his American debut in the Turn Five gravel.

Lorenzo made a good start and was up to fourth place when the accident, similar in magnitude to his Shanghai fall, happened. It was immediately clear that the Estoril winner had injured himself, a depressing realisation for a rider who has already had to cope with two broken ankles (Shanghai) and a concussion (Catalunya) this season.

It was later confirmed that the 21-year-old Fiat Yamaha rider broke the third and fifth metatarsal bones in his left foot and - while he at least has the summer break to recuperate - still faces a race against time to be fully fit for the Czech Republic Grand Prix on August 17. See more.

Team Mate Valentino Rossi - Jorge Lorenzo

2008-09-04T23:54:00.000-07:00

20-year old Jorge Lorenzo joins the Fiat Yamaha Team for the 2008 season as double 250cc World Champion, having won the title for the past two years with Aprilia.

Lorenzo was born on the Balearic island of Mallorca, Spain on 4th May 1987. He began riding motorbikes at home at the tender age of three and within months of taking to two wheels was competing in his first minicross races. In 1995, aged eight, he won the Balearic title and followed that up the following year by taking the Island’s minicross, trial, minimoto and junior motocross titles.

Lorenzo graduated to road racing and national competition in 1997 and it didn’t take him long to adjust, winning the Aprilia 50cc Cup in 1998. Despite officially being too young, a special dispensation in 2000 allowed him to compete in the Spanish 125cc series at the age of 13 and he made history the following year when competing in Europe and becoming the youngest ever winner of a European 125cc race.

The precocious teenager, once again showing that age was no limit to a quick rise up the ranks of motorbike racing, made his first foray onto the world stage with Derbi at the Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez in 2002, the third round of the season. He did not reach the legal age of 15 until Saturday and therefore missed the first day of practice but was unfazed by this and impressed the paddock by qualifying for the race, cementing his position in the World Championship over the course of the season as he got to grips with the circuits. See more.

Casey Stoner in Action

2008-08-10T23:24:00.000-07:00

Stoner wins German GP water fight.

2008-08-10T23:15:00.001-07:00

Sunday, 13th July 2008

Casey Stoner takes victory in a wet German GP; Dani Pedrosa falls while leading; Valentino Rossi on top of the world championship; Chris Vermeulen podium.
Casey Stoner has closed to within 20 points of new MotoGP World Championship leader Valentino Rossi after taking his third victory in a row, and fourth of the season, during Sunday's wet German Grand Prix at Sachsenring.

Dani Pedrosa, who won the dry 2007 German GP by a massive 13.166secs, defied his wet weather weakness label by charging past pole sitter Stoner into turn one, then rocketing to a massive 7.4secs lead by the end of lap five of 30!

But Pedrosa's incredible pace proved too fast for the conditions and when the Spaniard hit the brakes for turn one, the front wheel of his Repsol Honda slid abruptly away and he spiralled down the road and into his first retirement of the season.

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The mistake marked Pedrosa's first DNF of the year, handed Stoner a 1.5secs race lead over Andrea Dovizioso and ultimately cost Dani the 2008 world championship lead.

Rossi, who qualified just seventh on the grid, made a cautious start but was up to fourth by the time of Pedrosa's accident. The Fiat Yamaha star then overtook fellow M1 rider Colin Edwards for third on lap eight and passed rookie Dovizioso for second soon after.

The Italian's swift progression suggested he could threaten Stoner, but the Australian responded to Rossi's attack - initially consolidating his lead at three seconds, then pulling over five seconds clear before backing off to a 3.7secs victory margin by the end of a textbook wet weather ride.

Reigning world champion Stoner came into the event 29 points behind Pedrosa and 25 points from Rossi, but heads to next weekend's US Grand Prix at Laguna Seca - the last race before the MotoGP summer break - just four points from Pedrosa and 20 points from Rossi.

Completing the podium alongside a 'satisfied' Rossi and a sick-looking Stoner was Rizla Suzuki's Chris Vermeulen.

The Australian wet weather ace lined-up just 14th on the 17 rider grid, but had passed Edwards for third as early as lap ten. The former WSS champion came under sustained attack from rookie Alex de Angelis during the closing stages, but held on to Suzuki's first podium of the season by just 0.122secs. Fourth for de Angelis at least signalled his joint best MotoGP result to date.
see more.

Casey Stoner

2008-08-10T23:06:00.000-07:00

PERSONAL STATS
Born: 16 October 1985 in Southport (Australia)
Marital Status: Married with Adriana
Height: 1.70 m
Weight: 58 kg
Off-track interests: cycling, snorkelling, videogames
CAREER STATS
2008: Ducati MotoGP Team rider
2007: 1st - MotoGP World Champion (Ducati)
2006: 8th - MotoGP World Championship (Honda)
2005: 2nd - 250 World Championship (Aprilia)
2004: 5th - 125 World Championship (KTM)
2003: 8th - 125 World Championship (Aprilia)
2002: 12th - 250 World Championship (Aprilia)
2001: 2nd - 125 UK Championship (Honda)
2001: 2nd - 125 Spanish Championship (Honda)
2000: Aprilia Challenge UK Champion (Aprilia)
1989-99: winner of 41 titles of dirt track and long track in Australia

BIOGRAPHY

As a toddler Casey Stoner displayed a passion and talent for motorbike riding that was extraordinary, even by the standards of his bike-mad family. By the age of three he'd already graduated from pushing his older sister's (Kelly) 50cc Peewee around the yard to taking his first ride on his own.
At four years of age Casey competed in his first race in the under 9s category at the Hatchers dirt racing track on the Gold Coast. By the age of six he had won his first Australia title. Many, many hours of riding, travelling and long nights working on bikes followed. Between the ages of 6 and 14 Casey raced all over Australia, travelling with his father (Colin), mother (Bronwyn) and sister (Kelly) In that time Casey won 41 Australian dirt and long track titles and over 70 State titles, riding up to 5 bikes at a meeting in different capacity categories.
When he was twelve Casey raced the Australian Long Track Titles on the NSW Central Coast in 5 different categories with seven rounds in each capacity; a total of 35 races over the one weekend! He won 32 out of those 35 races and took five out of five Australian titles in the one meet.

Just after his 14th birthday Casey and his parents decided to make the move overseas and packed up and headed to England to start his road racing career. Casey could not legally road race in Australia until he was 16, but had decided he was ready for the challenge. So the decision was made to move to England where Casey was already of legal age to race.

A big risk to take, but it paid off. Casey was lucky enough and talented enough to attract immediate sponsorship after just one race in England. He went on to take out the English 125cc Aprilia Championship in 2000, in his first year of road racing. In that year he also raced two rounds of the Spanish 125cc Championship. It was there he was noticed by GP great Alberto Puig. Alberto was impressed by Casey's determination and skill and invited him to race for the Telefonica Movistar Team in the 125cc Spanish Championships the next year.

In 2001 Casey raced in both the English and Spanish championships in the same year. Despite missing some English races due to clashes with Spanish rounds, he still managed to come second in both championships. In that same year he was also granted wildcard entries into the MotoGP 125cc world series, in both England and Australia. He placed 18th and 12th respectively and as a result was offered a ride in the Grand Prix world series the next year for the Safilo Oxydo LCR team.

Straight onto a 250cc machine in his rookie year, and at only 16 years of age, Casey demonstrated his ability and speed with results. His best result for the year was a 5th at Brno as well as several 6th place finishes. In 2003 he went on to ride for Lucio and Safilo Oxydo LCR in the 125cc GP series and took four podium finishes and his first race win, in Valencia, at the end of the season. His first win in a GP race was a huge turning point for Casey and his career. In 2004, at 18 years of age, Casey moved to KTM for a season where he helped to develop the team's 125cc bike into a winning machine. That year he made it to the podium six times and took KTM's first ever win in a GP class. 2005 saw Casey once again come back under the welcoming umbrella of Lucio Cecchinello's team, this time riding an official 250cc Aprilia. He spent 2005 battling it out with Dani Pedrosa for the championship, visiting the podium ten times in the process and taking wins in Portugal, Shanghai, Qatar, Sepang, and Istanbul.

Finally in 2006, at twenty years of age, Casey accomplished his long held ambition of racing in MotoGP, the fastest and most prestigious of the classes. He set pole position in his second MotoGP race in Qatar and battled for the win until the final corner in the GP of Turkey, finishing runner-up just a fraction behind winner Melandri. Too many errors conditioned the second part of the year, but Casey, in finishing eighth overall in his rookie MotoGP season, demonstrated that he was in amongst the elite group, of which he is the youngest rider.

In 2007 Casey Stoner has joined the Ducati MotoGP Team alongside Loris Capirossi, with whom he has struck up a good friendship. In winter testing he has often been amongst the pacesetters and has proved to have rapidly adapted to the Desmosedici GP7 and Bridgestone tyres. On March 10, 2007, at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar, Stoner won the first grand prix of the season, the first ever 800cc grand prix, and had his first win in the MotoGP class. After that the young Australian took other nine wins, four further podium finished and scored five pole positions. On September 23rd, in Japan, Stoner secured Ducati’s first MotoGP World Championship becoming the first rider in over 30 years to win the MotoGP title on a European made bike and the second youngest premier-class World Champion, after American legend Freddie Spencer who won his title in 1983, and at the time was 84 days younger than the 21 year old Stoner.

Casey Stoner - MotoGP World Champion 2007

2008-08-04T00:09:00.001-07:00

Sunday 23rd September 2007
The Ducati Team enjoyed its greatest day in Japan today, Casey Stoner securing Ducati's first MotoGP World Championship and Loris Capirossi winning the race, run in tricky conditions on a drying track. The result triggered scenes of unbridled joy in the Ducati Marlboro Team pit, in the more than one thousand fans who watched the race in the Borgo Panigale Factory with the CEO Gabriele Del Torchio among them and in all the Ducatistis around the world.

Australian genius Stoner had to finish today's race ahead of Valentino Rossi to wrap up the title with three GPs remaining, and he did that, no problem, finishing sixth after leading the early stages. The race couldn't have been more nerve-wracking: it started on a slightly damp track, most riders choosing rain tyres, then the circuit dried out enough for riders to swap to slick-equipped bikes. Capirossi was one of the first riders to switch, at the end of lap nine, and his strategy paid rich dividends, the 2005 and 2006 Japanese GP winner going on to score a Motegi hat-trick, 10.853 seconds ahead of his closest rival. Stoner swapped bikes at the end of lap 14 and maintained his renowned cool to become the second youngest premier-class World Champion, after American legend Freddie Spencer. So far this year Stoner has won eight races, taken three further podium finished and scored five pole positions.

CASEY STONER, 6th, 2007 MotoGP World Champion on 297 points
"At the moment it all feels a little bit unrealistic! I'm struggling for words, I don't think there's any feeling that can compare to this, but I think it's really going to sink in as the day goes on and heads into tomorrow. The race started out quite well, we were able to get up front quite early and I had a reasonably good feeling with the bike, I was in a happy position. But then my rain tyres started wearing out as the track dried, and Valentino and Dani (Pedrosa) came past. I didn't really know whether to come in or not, then my team put 'box' on my pitboard, so I had a bit more confidence to come in. After I changed bikes there was something up with the steering damper, the bike wasn't allowing me to tip into corners, so I had to slow down to unwind it. Then I started to find more of a rhythm, Valentino had a problem and we managed to finish ahead of him. I guess that was the aim of the game today. Towards the end everything was creeping into my head, so I just tried to stay focused on the job in hand, I wanted to bring it home for my team. The whole thing is a bit overwhelming, because we didn't really expect to get the championship today, it's come on me quite quickly. There's a lot of people I have to thank: my parents, who have always been there for me, they've supported me throughout my career, my wife Adriana's who's been there this season and the past few and everyone else who's helped me along the way - Ducati, my whole team, Bridgestone tyres, a big thanks to everyone who's had anything to do with my career - we finally did it!".
Source

Who Casey Stoner's

2008-08-03T23:59:00.000-07:00

As a toddler Casey displayed a passion and talent for motorbike riding that was extraordinary, even by the standards of his bike-mad family. By the age of three he'd already graduated from pushing his older sister's 50cc Peewee around the yard to taking his first ride on his own. At four years of age Casey competed in his first race in the under 9s category at the Hatchers dirt racing track on the Gold Coast. By the age of six he had won his first Australia title. Many, many hours of riding, travelling and long nights working on bikes followed.

Between the ages of 6 and 14 Casey raced all over Australia, travelling with his father, mother and sister. In that time Casey won 41 Australian dirt and long track titles and over 70 State titles, riding up to 5 bikes at a meeting in different capacity categories. When he was twelve Casey raced the Australian Long Track Titles Casey out on the farm.on the NSW Central Coast in 5 different categories with seven rounds in each capacity; a total of 35 races over the one weekend! He won 32 out of those 35 races and took five out of five Australian titles in the one meet.

Casey won 41 Australian dirt and long track titles and over 70 State titles.Just after his 14th birthday Casey and his parents decided to make the move overseas and packed up and headed to England to start his road racing career. Casey could not legally road race in Australia until he was 16, but had decided he was ready for the challenge. So the decision was made to move to England where Casey was already of legal age to race. A big risk to take, but it paid off. Casey was lucky enough and talented enough to attract immediate sponsorship after just one race in England. He went on to take out the English 125cc Aprilia Championship in 2000, in his first year of road racing. In that year he also raced two rounds of the Spanish 125cc Championship. It was there he was noticed by GP great Alberto Puig. Alberto was impressed by Casey's determination and skill and invited him to race for the Telefonica Movistar Team in the 125cc Spanish Championships the next year.

Casey won 32 out of those 35 races and took five out of five Australian titles in the one meet.In 2001 Casey raced in both the English and Spanish championships in the same year. Despite missing some English races due to clashes with Spanish rounds, he still managed to come second in both championships. In that same year he was also granted wildcard entries into the MotoGP 125cc world series, in both England and Australia. He placed 18th and 12th respectively and as a result was offered a ride in the Grand Prix world series the next year for the Safilo Oxydo LCR team. Straight onto a 250cc machine in his rookie year, and at only 16 years of age, Casey demonstrated his ability and speed with results. His best result for the year was a 5th at Brno as well as several 6th place finishes.

In 2003 he went on to ride for Lucio and Safilo Oxydo LCR in the 125cc GP series and took four podium finishes and his first race win, in Valencia, at the end of the season. His first win in a GP race was a huge turning point for Casey and his career.

Casey at the 2001 British Superbike Championship.In 2004, at 18 years of age, Casey moved to KTM for a season where he helped to develop the team's 125cc bike into a winning machine. That year he made it to the podium six times and took KTM's first ever win in a GP class. 2005 saw Casey once again come back under the welcoming umbrella of Lucio Cecchinello's team, this time riding an official 250cc Aprilia.

He spent 2005 battling it out with Dani Pedrosa for the championship, visiting the podium ten times in the process and taking wins in Portugal, Shanghai, Qatar, Sepang, and Istanbul.

Finally in 2006, at twenty years of age, Casey accomplished his long held ambition of racing in MotoGP, the fastest and most prestigious of the classes. He set pole position in his second MotoGP race in Qatar and battled for the win until the final corner in the GP of Turkey, finishing runner-up just a fraction behind winner Melandri. Too many errors conditioned the second part of the year, but Casey, in finishing eighth overall in his rookie MotoGP season, demonstrated that he was in amongst the elite group, of which he is the youngest rider.

In 2007 Casey Stoner has joined the Ducati MotoGP Team alongside Loris Capirossi, with whom he has struck up a good friendship. In winter testing he has often been amongst the pacesetters and has proved to have rapidly adapted to the Desmosedici GP7 and Bridgestone tyres. On March 10, 2007, at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar, Stoner won the first grand prix of the season, the first ever 800cc grand prix, and had his first win in the MotoGP class. After that the young Australian took other nine wins, four further podium finished and scored five pole positions. On September 23rd, in Japan, Stoner secured Ducati’s first MotoGP World Championship becoming the first rider in over 30 years to win the MotoGP title on a European made bike and the second youngest premier-class World Champion, after American legend Freddie Spencer who won his title in 1983, and at the time was 84 days younger than the 21 year old Stoner.
Source

Riders, Teams & News

2008-08-03T19:52:00.001-07:00

CASEY STONER
A bird´s eye view of Stoner´s Sachsenring lines
Sunday, 13 July 2008
From an aerial camera overlooking the scene of this weekend´s Alice Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland, motogp.com takes a look at how World Champion Casey Stoner approaches the Sachsenring.
Ducati Marlboro´s Casey Stoner is the poleman in Germany and the rider in-form in the premier class. In this video feature motogp.com watches the young Australian MotoGP title holder from a helicopter above the Sachsenring as he undertakes a lap of the famous German venue.

DANI PEDROSA
Pedrosa to attempt participation at Laguna Seca
Wednesday, 16 July 2008
Repsol Honda´s Dani Pedrosa will fly to the U.S.A on Wednesday, with the intention of riding this weekend.
Dani Pedrosa will be back onboard the Repsol Honda RC212V this weekend at the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix, despite a fractured left wrist and index finger and sprained right ankle. The Spaniard picked up the injuries in a crash at the last round of the MotoGP World Championship in Sachsenring.

Repsol Honda confirmed Pedrosa´s participation on Wednesday morning, revealing that he had been discharged from the Barcelona hospital where he had undergone a small arthroscopic operation on Tuesday afternoon, and would be flying straight to the U.S.A.

`In agreement with my doctor we have decided that I will fly to the US and I will do my best to ride this weekend,´ stated Pedrosa, after consulting surgeon Dr. Xavier Mir. `We know that it will not be easy and that we won´t know my exact situation until I get on the bike on Friday morning. This is a difficult time for me, of course, but my will is strong and if it is possible for me to ride the bike properly then I really want to ride.´

Pedrosa finished runner up in the 2006 Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix, but will have a hard task navigating the tricky changes required whilst still sore from his German tumble. The World Championship contender is adopting a `wait and see´ approach as to his goals for the weekend.

`Laguna is a physically demanding track when you are 100 per cent, so it will be tough with my injuries, but I know I can count on the support of the people around me to get me in the best possible shape. Laguna is what I call an ‘old school' circuit, with a lot of steep uphill and downhill sections. The fans are great there, very respectful of all the riders, so I would like to do my best for them. We will see what we can do. I would like to thank everyone around me and also my fans for their support over the last few days.

ANDREA DOVIZIOSO
Dovizioso fearful of factory improvement after fourth place
Sunday, 20 July 2008
Andrea Dovizioso took an amazing fourth place on his Laguna Seca debut, but explained afterwards that a repeat may not be so frequent after the summer break.
The first Honda and Michelin rider to cross the line at the Red Bull U.S Grand Prix, Andrea Dovizioso concluded a creditable first half of his rookie season with fourth place at Laguna Seca. The JiR Team Scot satellite team rider held off factory man and twice winner of the American round Nicky Hayden for another top five finish.

`It was a really difficult race, with a gap of 36 seconds between us and the leaders. When I realised that Hayden was running slower, I wanted to pass him, but Laguna is difficult to pass on and I spent four laps trying. Then I pushed to the maximum to pass Hayden and De Puniet, who are strong `brakers´ and who were difficult to pass,´ reviewed Dovizioso, who admitted feeling slightly apprehensive about what the second half of the season has in store for him.

`The problem is that we are a satellite team; the factory team have improved their package during the season and we couldn´t. So for that reason I am a little bit worried about the second part, when the gap will be bigger. We will have to work hard with Michelin, because they can help us,´ he explained, before reiterating his target for the end of the year.

`We are aiming for fifth or even fourth in the World Championship. I am happy to be there at the moment.´

Dovizioso has finished in the top five at the last five MotoGP races.

COLIN EDWARDS
Edwards to stay with Tech 3 Yamaha in 2009
Thursday, 17 July 2008
On the eve of his home race at Laguna Seca, Colin Edwards has announced that he will remain in MotoGP next season with the Tech 3 Yamaha team.
Speaking at the official Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix pre-event press conference on Thursday at Laguna Seca Tech 3 Yamaha rider Colin Edwards confirmed that he will continue with the team in MotoGP in 2009.

The experience Texan rider has agreed a new one-year contract for next year after enjoying the best spell of his premier class career with Herve Poncharal´s satellite Yamaha squad.

The 34-year-old has already scored two podium finishes, four top five finishes and one pole position in 2008. He has also been on the front row four times and currently sits in the top five in the general standings.

Next year will be Edwards´ fifth season with Yamaha in MotoGP. During his time in Grand Prix to date he has been one of the most consistent performers in the championship, scoring points in all but ten of his 94 MotoGP races.

A delighted Edwards stated, `It is no secret that I had agreed with Yamaha to finish my MotoGP career at the end of 2008 and continue my racing career with them in America. But as soon as I began working with the Tech 3 team I instantly formed a great relationship with my guys. A big part of me wanting to stay is down to them, particularly Herve Poncharal and my crew chief Gary Reynders, but it has been a real team effort.´

`I´d like to say a big personal thanks to Masao Furusawa, Lin Jarvis and Bob Starr. Across Japan, Europe and America, their support has been essential in securing this new deal,´ continued Edwards. `I believe I still have a lot to offer MotoGP, and I can assure the staff and management at Tech 3 and Yamaha that I will be giving it my all to produce the results all of us deserve, starting this weekend at Laguna Seca.´

Edwards´ renowned testing skills proved invaluable during the 2008 pre-season, as he played a key role in the development of the latest generation YZR-M1 machine, which has already won four of the opening ten MotoGP races this season.

Tech 3 boss Poncharal commented, `It was very important for us because the team has been working so well. Colin did an incredible job during the winter to develop the Yamaha bike and the Michelin tyres and not only that, he has been brilliant with the team. We have the feeling that he has been here forever, although it is really only half a season.´

`We are having the best season I can remember, Colin and James (Toseland) are both doing excellent jobs, Colin fits really well in the team, he loves working with Gary (Reynders) and with the whole team.´

The French team manager added, `I think his original plan was to retire at the end of ´08, but even after his first few tests with us he said he would like to stay in MotoGP a bit more if he could do that with Tech 3 and Yamaha, so I am really pleased that half way through the year we have Colin clear with us for next year.´

Meanwhile, Lin Jarvis, Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Racing stated, `We are very happy to have been able to secure Colin as a Yamaha rider for 2009. We have been working to improve the quality of the total Yamaha package in the MotoGP class and in 2008 we have achieved the best combined results to date for many years.´

`Colin´s contribution to the improvement of results in Tech 3 has been very important for the team and for the overall factory results.´

CHRIS VERMEULEN
Vermeulen and Lorenzo at San Francisco Hard Rock Cafe on Tuesday
Monday, 14 July 2008
MotoGP riders Chris Vermeulen and Jorge Lorenzo will be signing autographs at the Hard Rock Cafe from 11.30am.
In a promotional event for the upcoming Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix, MotoGP riders Jorge Lorenzo and Chris Vermeulen will be paying a visit to San Francisco´s Hard Rock Cafe on Tuesday morning. The duo will be on-hand at the famous restaurant, located near the city´s Fisherman´s Wharf area on Pier 39, from 11.30am for an autograph session.

Fans and media alike are invited to come and meet Lorenzo and Vermeulen, who are passing through the Californian city on the way to the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca –scene of this weekend´s eleventh round of the MotoGP World Championship.

ANTHONY WEST
Kawasaki: `West needs to work hard to justify his place in MotoGP´
Tuesday, 22 July 2008
Kawasaki Competition Manager Michael Bartholemy has warned that an improvement in form is needed from Anthony West.
Whilst the riders on form and at the head of the MotoGP World Championship classification will be making the most of the summer break to relax and recuperate, those who have struggled over the opening eleven races of the season will not have such a luxury.

Such is the case of Anthony West, the Kawasaki rider whose first full season with `Team Green´ has not reached the heights of his sterling 2007 debut. The Australian has yet to crack the standings top ten in 2008, and the team´s Competition Manager Michael Bartholemy has made it clear that a lot of convincing is needed if West is to stay in the series he struggled to join for so many years.

`I know Anthony is disappointed with his performance this weekend, but it´s difficult to identify exactly where his problem is at the moment,´ said Bartholemy after seeing his charge finish one lap down at the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix.

`He needs to work hard now to justify his place in MotoGP. The Kawasaki Racing Team is here to secure results, and he needs to convince us he can be a part of that. We will speak to him during the summer break to see if we can find some way of improving his form ahead of the next race.´

Previous measures taken to bring West up to speed with the Ninja ZX-RR have included an uprooting to Belgium from Austria to be closer to Bartholemy and the team, and an intensive test in Japan after the Gran Premi Cinzano de Catalunya in order to find a solution to a rear grip problem.
Kawasaki´s other regular rider, John Hopkins, is expected to return to action at Brno next month.

RANDY DE PUNIET
Sixth placed De Puniet reviews American visit
Sunday, 20 July 2008
LCR Honda´s exciting French MotoGP star Randy de Puniet reviews the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix after gaining ten valuable World Championship points at Laguna Seca.

After our worst Friday since the beginning of the season we finally gained a very positive result. We struggled a bit with rear grip over the last two days but at the end the bike set-up was good and I was able to race as I like. My start was not perfect but I knew I had the potential to race up there. I was behind (James) Toseland for many laps and tried to pass him three times without success. On lap twelve I passed him pushing to close the gap with (Andrea) Dovizioso and (Nicky) Hayden. I was not able to pass them so I decided to keep my position to get this positive result for me and the team.´

ALEX DE ANGELIS
De Angelis not getting carried away after positive Friday
Friday, 11 July 2008
Despite recording the second fastest time on Friday in Sachsenring, Alex de Angelis was both confident and pragmatic in equal measures.
The second fastest rider at the Sachsenring circuit during Friday free practice, Alex de Angelis was taking a realistic approach to matters ahead of qualifying for the Alice Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland.

The San Carlo Honda Gresini rider could explain in retrospect the circumstances that permitted his leading the Casey Stoner-chasing contingent on the opening day of action, but was keeping his feet on the ground after some recent inconsistency.

`We knew that we could perform well at this track as it suits my style and the characteristics of my bike. We still lack a bit of power but it's not that crucial here, that´s why the gap with the fastest is smaller than at other tracks,´ said De Angelis after clocking a 1´21.993 lap in the afternoon session.

`However I never thought I could get that lap time and end up so high,´ he added.

Frank in his expectations for the coming two days, a mixture of ambition and honesty was expressed by the MotoGP rookie, who has yet to qualify on the first three rows for a premier class race.

`We still have to test some more tyres. Bridgestone is doing a great job ; they had some trouble here in the past but they seem determined to not repeat their past mistakes. We´re very confident for tomorrow as we still a few things to try tomorrow and which could prove useful. Of course we´re not aiming for a win but we want to have a great race,´ signalled the San Marino rider, on the podium for the past three Sachsenring visits in the 250cc class.

JOHN HOPKINS
Hopkins´ goal to return at Brno after successful surgery
Tuesday, 08 July 2008
Kawasaki´s injured Anglo-American star John Hopkins underwent surgery in L.A. on Monday and is expected to require six to eight weeks of recovery time.
Following his 230km/h crash at the A-Style TT Assen and the full assessment of his injuries by trusted orthopaedic specialist Dr. Arthur Ting, John Hopkins underwent knee and ankle surgery on Monday and has been told he will need three weeks of complete rest on his damaged leg before an extensive rehabilitation programme can commence.

It had already been confirmed that Hopkins would miss the trips to Laguna Seca and Sachsenring, after he was diagnosed as having sustained a fracture to the bottom of his left tibia, reopened a previous fracture also in the left tibia and fractured the lateral malleolus, at the top of his left ankle.

Further examination by Dr. Ting also revealed a tibial plateau fracture just below the knee, and damage to the meniscus (cartilage), which was causing Hopkins´ knee joint to lock. Surgery took place on Monday to reset the bones in the ankle and repair and reattached the meniscus in the knee.

As a result of the operation Hopkins will not be able to bear any weight on his damaged left leg for three weeks, after which he will undergo extensive rehab, with a full recovery from his injuries expected to take from six to eight weeks in total – meaning that returning to action at Brno in the Czech Republic after the summer break is an optimistic but achievable goal.

Hopkins has already battled back from a painful injury this season after he ruptured his groin in winter testing and he now faces another hard slog as he attempts to turn his difficult debut season with Kawasaki around.

Michael Bartholemy, Kawasaki´s Competition Manager, commented, `I am sorry for John, as I know he was looking forward to racing in front of his home crowd at Laguna Seca, where he always enjoys a lot of support. But it´s just not possible; he has had surgery to fix the injuries he sustained at Assen, and now he needs sufficient recovery time to ensure that he´s fully fit before he makes his racing return.´

`Obviously we are hoping that this return will come in the Czech Republic Grand Prix,´ continued Bartholemy, `but we will be monitoring John´s recovery very closely and we have no intention of putting him back on the bike before he´s ready. If this means he doesn´t race at Brno, then that´s how it will be, because we don´t want to risk making things worse by allowing him to return before he is fully recovered.´

The `Team Green´ boss added, `Now we know the full extent of John's injuries we are looking at the possibility of running a replacement rider at Laguna Seca. We will make a further announcement about this ahead of this weekend´s German Grand Prix.

MARCO MELANDRI
Melandri in talks with Kawasaki and Gresini for 2009
Sunday, 13 July 2008
Marco Melandri will not ride for Ducati Marlboro next season and is in discussions with Kawasaki and his former team San Carlo Honda Gresini about a 2009 ride.
Speaking to motogp.com in the Sachsenring paddock at the Alice Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland Marco Melandri´s manager Alberto Vergani has confirmed, as widely anticipated, that the Italian rider will not stay with Ducati Marlboro beyond the 2008 season and is already in talks with other teams about his future.

The former World Championship runner-up and 250cc World Champion has endured a highly frustrating campaign to date, failing to adapt to the factory Desmosedici GP8, accumulating just 32 points and managing just one top ten finish in the opening nine races, following his winter ´07-08 move to Ducati.

Melandri´s contract with the team for 2009 has been annulled by mutual consent, meaning the rider is free to seek opportunities elsewhere.

Despite numerous rumours that the 25 year-old could be replaced mid-season due to his poor performances – and the reappearance of former rider Sete Gibernau in private tests with Ducati – Melandri´s agent and manager Vergani insists he is determined to see out the season with his current employees.

`We have broken the contract for the ´09 season and now we are looking at the possibilities for the future,´ Vergani stated. `From Marco´s side I know he wants to finish the current season as well as possible. If Ducati wants to stop Marco´s season it is a question for Ducati, not for Marco.´

Vergani also confirmed that Melandri is considering a return to the Honda Gresini set-up which he left at the end of last season and has also talked to Kawasaki who offered him a ride at Sachsenring and Laguna Seca as a replacement for the injured John Hopkins.

`At the moment we are talking with Gresini to go back to Fausto´s team and to Kawasaki, because they were already offering Hopkins´ bike to Marco for these two races. So these are the two real options,´ Vergani said.

TONI ELIAS
Tough morning for Toni
Friday, 06 June 2008
As motogp.com follows home rider Toni Elias on day one at the Catalunya circuit the Alice Team man runs into problems in the opening free practice session.

The first session of the Gran Premio Cinzano de Catalunya weekend sees Toni Elias find the going tough as he crashes early in the practice run. Nonetheless he still has time for a quick word with motogp.com and looks forward to improving the situation on Friday afternoon.

JORGE LORENZO
Ten days of rest for Lorenzo after suffering toe fractures
Tuesday, 22 July 2008
Jorge Lorenzo will be spending the first few days of his summer break recovering from three clean toe fractures, picked up in his first lap crash at the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix.
Analysis at the USP Institut Universitari Dexeus in Barcelona, where Lorenzo has unfortunately been a frequent visitor in his rookie season in MotoGP, revealed fractures of the third, fourth and fifth metatarsal of the Fiat Yamaha rider´s left foot. The breaks were suffered without dislocation, and Lorenzo´s ankle was not reinjured in the crash.

Ten days of limited movement have been prescribed by Dr. Xavier Mir, with the goal of complete mobility in time for the next round of the MotoGP World Championship in Brno. Lorenzo will have a cast on his foot during that time, with a weight-relieving splint attached afterwards to allow him to walk thereafter.

The 21 year-old has commented that he was `in pain and angry that another crash had halted progression,´ but that he would be making the most of his layup to get back to fitness and indulge in one of his interests.

`Luckily I have time to recover before Brno, even if I won´t have any holiday. Right now I´m going to enjoy the Tour de France on television,´ said Lorenzo.

VALENTINO ROSSI
Free video highlights of Rossi-Stoner battle
Friday, 25 July 2008
motogp.com has put together a compilation of the best moments from the superb fight for victory between Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner at the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix.
The 2008 edition of the MotoGP race at Laguna Seca will be remembered by fans for many years to come after a nail-biting battle for glory between standings leader Valentino Rossi and World Champion Casey Stoner. In the early stages Rossi set about preventing Stoner from building up a lead at the front after the Aussie had won three races in succession in previous rounds and dominated practice and qualifying in California.

The Italian had to do everything in his power to stop Stoner and his dash through the gravel at the bottom of `the Corkscrew´ was a heart-stopping moment which he rode out to stay ahead of the title holder. Eventually of course Stoner yielded with a mistake which saw him run off and track and crash with eight laps remaining, only to remount and cross the line thirteen seconds behind an ecstatic Rossi.

SYLVAIN GUINTOLI

I started well, but then, in one of the first turns, I touched the rear tyre of another rider and I went off track losing too much time. I tried to comeback but I couldn´t maintain this morning´s pace. Maybe because of the different temperature the rear tyre didn´t give me the same confidence I had during warm up. We will check what happened. I am not happy because we could have had a really good race.´

JAMES TOSELAND
`Play it again, James´: Toseland´s Catalunya set
Sunday, 08 June 2008
Tech 3 Yamaha´s James Toseland gave a special musical performance at the Circuit de Catalunya on Saturday evening.

SHINYA NAKANO
Nakano and Aoyama anticipate challenges on familiar ground
Wednesday, 04 June 2008
Former Barcelona resident Shinya Nakano is back in the Catalan capital for this weekend´s Catalunya race, which is on home turf for his 250cc compatriot Hiroshi Aoyama who still lives locally.
For many Spanish and Catalan riders in the World Championship this weekend´s visit to Catalunya is their home race, while for those who have spent time in the CEV and the Red Bull MotoGP Academy it is also a return to well-known ground.

For San Carlo Honda Gresini´s Shinya Nakano, meanwhile, the Catalunya date brings him back to the city he lived in from 2003 to 2006, originally moving to Barcelona when he joined Luis d´Antin´s Yamaha team. The popular Japanese rider left the Mediterranean coast for Clermont Ferrand in France to live close to his personal trainer in 2007 and now resides near Gresini HQ in Misano, Italy, but still has close ties with Barcelona.

At the Gran Premi Cinzano de Catalunya launch event on Tuesday, Nakano told motogp.com, `I am happy to be here in Barcelona because I was living here for a while, so I know the city and I have some friends here. They will be coming to see the race so I am very excited.´

`The feeling is getting better and better,´ the 30 year-old continued. `I was happy to keep up good lap times in Mugello. The result was ninth, still not what we want but my best so far this year and I will be aiming for the top six this weekend.´

For Nakano´s compatriot Hiroshi Aoyama Barcelona has been his European base since 2004, when he undertook his first full World Championship campaign under the management of Alberto Puig in the Telefonica Movistar Honda team.

The Red Bull KTM 250 rider commented, `I have been living here for a few years too and I have some friends here so it is like a second home for me. This will be the fifth year I have ridden at Catalunya and some of my friends will be coming watch. I like the track and I want to have a good race.´

LORIS CAPIROSSI
Capirossi happy with Suzuki and looking forward to new GSV-R
Friday, 11 July 2008
Returning to action this weekend at the Alice Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland Rizla Suzuki´s Loris Capirossi is in good spirits and is anticipating the arrival of updated GSV-R machinery in the coming weeks.

NICKY HAYDEN
Hayden special edition helmet unveiled
Thursday, 17 July 2008
Repsol Honda´s Nicky Hayden will be riding at his home race this weekend at the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix at Laguna Seca with a special edition helmet.

All Source.

Valentino Rossi Best Action on Race

2008-08-03T18:36:00.000-07:00

MotoGP Legend of Valentino Rossi

2008-08-03T01:59:00.000-07:00

21-07-2008 · Sweet victory for Valentino Rossi at Laguna Seca

Fiat Yamaha Team rider Valentino Rossi took his first career win on American soil today, emerging victorious after an epic duel with Casey Stoner at Laguna Seca. Read More

20-07-2008 · MotoGP Race Results - Laguna Seca

1. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team (B) 25 points
2. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 20 points
3. Chris Vermeulen AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 16 points
Read More

20-07-2008 · Valentino Rossi on front row at Laguna Seca

This afternoon’s qualifying session at Laguna Seca saw Valentino Rossi put his Fiat Yamaha M1 on the front row of the grid for the sixth time this season, qualifying second for tomorrow’s US Grand Prix. Read More

20-07-2008 · MotoGP Results Qualifying Session - GP of USA

1. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 1'20.700
2. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team (B) 1'21.147
3. Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda Team (M) 1'21.430
Read More

19-07-2008 · Valentino Rossi another two years with Yamaha

Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd is delighted to announce that it has signed a new two-year agreement with Valentino Rossi. Read More

19-07-2008 · Good start for Valentino Rossi at US Grand Prix

Valentino Rossi made a good start to his US Grand Prix weekend today, finishing the day third fastest in the overall standings at Laguna Seca. Read More

See this info from.

1/12 Honda NSR500 Valentino Rossi 1st 500cc win 2000

2008-08-03T01:50:00.000-07:00

Minichamps have released a special edition of Valentino Rossi's 2000 Honda NSR500. 2000 was Rossi's very first year in the top class, which was then called 500cc instead of Moto GP. At Donington Park in July he scored his very first victory in the category, and Minichamps have created a limited edition of 12,999 pieces of his Honda from that race. This replica also has a Rossi rider figure included.

Logo #46 of Valentino Rossi

2008-08-01T22:08:00.000-07:00

YZF-R1 - Valentino Rossi testing

2008-08-01T22:04:00.000-07:00

It was only right that the rider who has had most direct interest and influence on the development of the M1 MotoGP machine should be one of the first to ride the finished 2007 R1 - containing the DNA of the M1 itself.

[YZF-R1 - Valentino Rossi testing - Image 1 - Rossi] Valentino was clearly enthused by the abilities of the newest R-series product, finding it well suited to the fast layout of the Losail circuit in Qatar. “The first impressions are great,” said Vale. “I think it's a good step from the previous R1. The first difference in the feeling on the track is from the engine. It has a lot more power from the bottom; when you open the throttle the engine is more eager to accelerate. From that point of view it's a lot easier to ride. Also, there is a very different feeling from the chassis. The bike feels a lot smaller, more compact, so there is a gain in agility; it is also more precise at the entry of the corner.”

Rossi also sensed the improvements that the adoption of the new YCC-T throttle has brought, especially as it is another offshoot of the MotoGP experience. “This system helps a lot because the connection between the throttle and the engine is a lot closer - and is better,” he asserts. “Like this the bike gives more feeling during acceleration and it is easier to open the throttle earlier and go faster. Now, in MotoGP, this aspect is very important because the horsepower is high and the way the engine delivers power is most important thing to make a good lap time. Especially when the tyres start to slide. They have taken these ideas and adapted them for the R1. In acceleration the engine is more closely matched to the throttle, so it is more easy to control the power.”

The influence of the two-stage variable inlet YCC-I system is also plainly evident to Rossi, as it plays its part in smoothing out the engine's delivery. “This is a big advantage because I think when a bike has this amount of horsepower normally we need to work a lot with the engine, but on this bike the acceleration remains very easy to use. The power arrives at a very constant curve. This is important for the track but especially for the road, where you ride more slowly, where you can have some bumps and surface changes. So the feeling of the throttle is very important.”

Rossi even goes as far as to say that the cornering abilities of the R1 are up there in M1 territory. “It is very close to the M1 - it is possible to go through the corners very fast. The bike is stable in braking and the front gives a good feeling for corner entry, so you can go in very fast, and the position of the bike at maximum angle is comfortable for the rider. You have a lot of feedback from the tyres, from the surface, to understand the limit and the amount of grip of the track. Also the clutch is very important on the MotoGP bike so they have taken the technology from the M1 for this part as well. This aspect is very different from the previous bike, because the slipper clutch needs to be used in a different way. But it never locks the rear tyre and never starts vibrating. So, it is possible to enter the corner much faster.”
See more.

Circuits of Motogp

2008-07-31T18:57:00.000-07:00

List of Circuits of MotoGP :
1. Misano San Marino
2. Belanda Assen
3. British
4. Laguna Seca US
5. Portugal Estoril
6. Sepang Malaysia
7. Mugello Italia
8. Czech Republic
9. Australia

11. German
12. Jerez Spanyol
13. Jacarepagua

Circuits Mugello in Itali

2008-07-31T18:11:00.000-07:00

Points of interest picked out by the motogp.com statisticians ahead of Sunday´s Gran Premio d´Italia Alice premier class contest.

- Valentino Rossi´s pole position lap time is the fastest ever lap of the Mugello circuit by a motorcycle. The top seven riders on the grid have gone faster than the previous pole position record set in 2006 by Sete Gibernau on a Ducati.

- Rossi will start from pole for the first time since the Grand Prix of Catalunya last year. This is the 50th occasion Rossi has started from pole in Grand Prix racing. If Rossi wins the race it will be the first time he has scored three successive victories since 2005 when he won at Donington, Sachsenring and Brno. Rossi has not won on the last six occasions he has started from pole.

- This is the first pole for Bridgestone since Casey Stoner was the fastest qualifier at the San Marino Grand Prix last year. It has been 17 years since the last non- Michelin win in the premier-class at Mugello, when Wayne Rainey won on Dunlops in 1991.

- As at all of the previous races this year, all four Yamaha riders have qualified in the top eight places on the grid.

- Dani Pedrosa finished second last year at Mugello after qualifying in eighth place on the grid.

- Loris Capirossi will be starting from the front row for the first time since the final race of 2006 in Valencia. This is also the first front row start for a Suzuki rider since Chris Vermeulen was third on the grid at Laguna Seca last year.

- Casey Stoner´s only podium finish at Mugello across all three classes was second place in the 125cc race in 2004.

- Fifth place on the grid is by far the best qualifying result at Mugello for Colin Edwards – his previous best from five previous appearances at the circuit is 12th. Edwards has never finished higher than ninth in a GP at Mugello.

- Jorge Lorenzo will be starting from his lowest grid position (seventh) since moving up to the MotoGP class at the start of the year. Lorenzo is set to become the youngest ever rider to make his 100th Grand Prix start, taking this record from Hector Barbera who will reach this milestone earlier in the day in the 250cc race.

- Shinya Nakano will be starting from his best grid position (ninth) since he was the eighth fastest qualifier at the Australian GP last year. Source

Fiat Yamaha 2008 Team Launch - Valentino Rossi & Jorge Lorenzo

2008-07-31T00:15:00.000-07:00

Yamaha and Fiat celebrate their second year together at 2008 team launch in Turin.
Turin, Italy 1/18/2008 - Yamaha Motor Company Ltd. and Fiat Automo biles S.p.A. marked the second year of their MotoGP partnership today, at the official 2008 Fiat Yamaha Team Launch in Turin, Italy. The presentation was hosted by Italian TV star Simona Ventura and took place at the historic Lingotto building, which was Fiat's car factory from 1923 until 1982.

The building, which features a unique rooftop test track, played host to a different type of wheel power today when the new 2008 YZR-M1s, sporting an updated version of the Fiat Yamaha Team's eye-catching white and blue livery, were unveiled. Yamaha's double MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi was present at the ceremony alongside his new team-mate, 20-year-old Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo, who is making the step up to MotoGP after two years as 250cc World Champion.

Also present today were Lin Jarvis, Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Racing Srl, Masahiko Nakajima, Fiat Yamaha Team Director and YZR-M1 Project Leader, Davide Brivio and Daniele Romagnoli, Fiat Yamaha Team Managers, and Lorenzo Sistino, CEO of the Fiat brand.

"I'm very happy that we're so close to the start of racing," said Rossi, who will contest this season on Bridgestone tyres for the first time. "This is a very important year for us and our only aim is to win, although it's going to be hard work. My hand is much better, if not yet perfect, and I'm looking forward to getting back on the bike in Sepang next week. Everyone has been working very hard over the winter and I think our new bike is quite good, although of course we still have a lot of work to do. Everyone is very motivated and I know that we have the best team there is."

Lorenzo, whose M1 will be Michelin-shod this season, enjoyed his first official day as a Yamaha rider. "I'm very happy to be here, with these people, this bike and in this team. I have a long way to go in my development but I have improved each time I've ridden the bike and the last test especially was very good. I'm very excited about this season and it's a great honour to share the garage with Valentino, who is without doubt the most complete talent in our sport."

Lin Jarvis, Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Racing, commented, "We're very pleased to be continuing our strong partnership with our title sponsor Fiat. Meanwhile, the most important change to our team is the arrival of Jorge Lorenzo as Valentino Rossi's new team-mate. Our aim is to recapture the title and, as our most experienced rider, this is Valentino's clear mission. However we also expect Jorge to be fighting at the front as he gains experience. We have two multiple World Championship winning riders in our team and we believe we have optimum chance to realise our ambitions.

"As well as continuing with Fiat, we also enter into a second year with Official Sponsors AIA and ACER, and we're also delighted to announce today the arrival of a new Official Sponsor in solar-energy company KERSELF, with whom we have concluded a two-year sponsorship agreement. Another important new partner is YAMALUBE, Yamaha's own high performance lubricants brand. Plus, as everyone knows, this season we will be working with both Michelin and Bridgestone tyre brands and we would like to thank them, as well as all our official sponsors and suppliers, for their continued support."

"The Fiat Yamaha initiative has been a success for Fiat from the start," added Lorenzo Sistino, CEO of the Fiat brand. "The team is young, successful and dynamic and MotoGP brings us very close to our target market and gives us great visibility, not only in Italy but worldwide. We're looking forward to another great year with Yamaha."

The Fiat Yamaha Team's 2008 campaign gets underway in Sepang, Malaysia next week with the first of four pre-season tests. The 18-round MotoGP season commences in Qatar on 9th of March.

Very beautiful family me,Valentino,and my mom!

2008-07-30T23:52:00.000-07:00

Riders MotoGP

2008-07-30T23:40:00.000-07:00

Valentino and Graziano Rossi Yamaha advert available to view

2008-07-30T23:33:00.000-07:00

The father and son duo of Graziano and Valentino Rossi have been gracing screens for a special television advert, run by Yamaha for the Asian market.

The charismatic current MotoGP rider appears alongside his proud parent –himself a former World Championship competitor- in the campaign, in front of the Yamaha cameras for the first time.

The advert was recorded in Europe, although its screening has been limited to Japan since its premiere in October of last year. Now fans across the globe can watch the footage, including a `making of´ video, on motogp.com.

Rossi celebrates 29th birthday

2008-07-30T23:22:00.000-07:00

Seven time World Champion and five time premier class title winner Valentino Rossi celebrates his 29th birthday on Saturday as the MotoGP Official Test gets underway in the south of Spain.

Groups of fans gathered for the testing sessions at the Jerez de la Frontera circuit have been heard singing ‘Happy Birthday' to the hugely popular MotoGP star, who this weekend steps up his pre-season preparations with his Fiat Yamaha team and new tyre suppliers Bridgestone. Rossi is also sporting one of his typical special edition helmets to mark his big day, with a unique birthday cake design adorning his headgear. In celebration of ‘The Doctor's' 29th birthday, motogp.com wishes Italian rider ‘Buon Compleanno' and picks out 29 facts about the extraordinary life and career of the man from Urbino. 1. Rossi was born in 1979, the year his father Graziano took his first 250cc GP win (at Rijeka, Yugoslavia). 2. He started to race minimotos in 1989 and took his first regional title the following year. 3. Valentino's first proper bike was a Cagiva Mito 125cc he raced in the 93 125cc Italian Sport Production Championship. The following year, he took an official Mito to the title. 4. His first nickname, ‘Rossifumi', came about as a tribute to the much missed Japanese rider Norick Abe. 5. Rossi has an honorary Doctorate in Communications from the University of Urbino. 6. The race number 46 has been ever present in Rossi's career, as the Italian uses same number as his father Graziano ran with during his own GP career. 7. One of Rossi's favourite mascots is a turtle, which he displays with stickers on his Yamaha 800cc bike. 8. As one of the most famous Italians he has been caricatured in cartoon by the designer Milo Manara, who created his helmet artwork for the Mugello 2006 GP. 9. Valentino has become well-known for his wild race celebrations which have included dressing up as Robin Hood and taking an inflatable Claudia Schiffer doll for a ride. 10. His Grand Prix debut was in 1996. 11. The sun and the moon, which Rossi carries drawings of on his helmet, are said to reflect contrasting elements of his personality. 12. In 1999 Rossi created a superhero alter ego for himself named Valentinik. 13. Rossi was 22 when he won the (then) 500cc title in 2001. 14. His first Grand Prix win was in the 125cc race in the Cezch GP of '96. 15. Rossi has represented three manufacturers in the World Championship. With Aprilia he won 12 races in 125cc and 14 in 250cc. In the premier class he earned 33 victories with Honda, before his switch to Yamaha – with whom he has 29 GP wins to his name. 16. Indeed Rossi is the second most successful premier class rider of all time in terms of wins, with 62 in total. Only his compatriot Giacomo Agostini has won more premier class GPs. 17. In 2005, Rossi published his official biography, "What if I had never tried it?" 18. Valentino used Dunlop tyres in the lower classes and Michelin in MotoGP until the end of last year. In 2008 he runs on Bridgestone rubber. 19. When Rossi won the title with Yamaha in 2004 after his sensational move from Honda, it was his fourth consecutive premier class crown. 20. Rossi's pet dog Guido is a British bulldog which he has had since 2000. 21. The Italian has appeared on the podium 135 times in his World Championship career. 22. He has dedicated race wins to other motorsports stars such as Barry Sheene, Colin Mcrae and Mick Hailwood, amongst others. 23. One of Rossi's closest friends Uccio works as his personal assistant in the MotoGP paddock. 24. Rossi once dressed up as Elvis Presley for the magazine Rolling Stone. 25. Along with Shinya Nakano, Rossi has appeared in every race in the modern four-stroke MotoGP era. 26. In fact, since 1996, Rossi has never missed a race. 27. 2008 is Rossi's ninth year in the premier class. 28. He is a big fan of Internazionale (Milan) football club and is a good friend of their Italian international Marco Materazzi. 29. Rossi is a rally enthusiast and an accomplished driver - he has taken part in two WRC events and taken wins at the annual Monza Rally.

Jaeger-LeCoultre & Valentino Rossi - Sharing the Passion for Technology (Press Release)

2008-07-30T23:19:00.000-07:00

(Note: Press Release is as supplied by Jaeger-LeCoultre, for our analysis of this news item, please see http://www.revolution-press.com/news/?p=77 )

Jaeger-LeCoultre and Valentino Rossi, united by the values of expertise, performance and a quest for perfection, have decided to join together in a partnership for two years. Combining their two worlds, Jaeger-LeCoultre and Valentino Rossi are forming a connection between high-quality watchmaking and state-of-the-art engineering.

Jaeger-LeCoultre, the elite Swiss watch Manufacture, and Valentino Rossi, the remarkable racing motorcyclist, have decided to work together for the next few years. Far from being simply an ambassador, Valentino Rossi will bring all his technical experience as the world’s best motorcycle rider to the Great House of the Vallée de Joux for the development of a sports range in the Master Compressor series. "We will listen very closely to his suggestions; not everything may be possible, but many things can be done", declared Jaeger-LeCoultre's Managing Director Jérôme Lambert, pointing out that "Jaeger-LeCoultre has always been the most innovative of the great Swiss watch houses. In the search for new and ever more extreme solutions, we are sure we will draw much inspiration from Valentino Rossi"

The idea of cooperation between Jaeger-LeCoultre and Valentino Rossi arose during the visit of the seventimes World Champion to the Manufacture of Le Sentier on 26 April. What is more, on that occasion he was wearing "The" sports watch of the House, a Master Compressor Exteme World Chronograph. For more than two hours the rider, accompanied by Jérôme Lambert, visited the various departments of the Manufacture, arousing ever-increasing enthusiasm among the women and men responsible for the creation of the timepieces of the House. This enthusiasm was returned by Valentino, who has identified in the world of Jaeger-LeCoultre the same passion that there is in his field and the same maniac attention to detail. "It is astonishing that there should be workmanship of this kind behind every watch: it is just like one of my motorbike engines, except that the mechanism is miniaturised." First fascinated by the lacquer workshop, where 80 to 100 hours are spent in personalising the dials and casebacks of the most exclusive watches with the finest brushes, Valentino then wanted to try using the machine which ornaments the movements of Jaeger-LeCoultre watches with a tiny percussive pin controlled by a lever. With eyes fixed to the microscope, after the first tentative strokes he acquired the correct pace: concentrating as he would when taking a corner at 125 mph, he pressed the lever with two fingers of the right hand just as he would the front brake lever of his motorbike, delicately but decisively. “Am I quick enough yet?” Valentino Rossi asked the expert who had given him his chair. But it was Jérôme Lambert who replied, "Perfect, we would take you on here. And if they ask you what you will be doing next year, you can say that you have a guaranteed place decorating watches at Jaeger-LeCoultre".

Less successful was Valentino's attempt at using tweezers to pick up one of the microscopic screws which are used in the assembly of the balance. After several tries he said "It is not difficult, it is impossible." And, in response to the woman who invited him to try again, having indicated that there are only a couple of seconds to carry out the operation, the Champion replied by pointing a photograph in which he was leaning his powerful bike as far as possible and saying "I feel more comfortable there".

For the visit, Valentino Rossi wore one of the watchmakers' white coats. He asked for "a size 46", which fitted him perfectly – of course, since 46 is his lucky number, the number which he continues to carry on his motorbikes even though as World Champion he has the right to number 1. Indeed, in his honour the whole manufacture was covered with little posters on which the number 46 had been printed in yellow. By the end of his visit Valentino had signed nearly all of them for the staff.

Recalling the values shared by Jaeger-LeCoultre and Valentino Rossi, Jérôme Lambert stressed at the end of the visit that "the talent, the personality, the continual facing up to challenges and the professionalism of Valentino Rossi in his work will be a new source of inspiration and energy in our quest for ever more extreme challenges. Our technical research has never stopped aiming at the future, having been successful for 170 years, with over 200 patents, 40 specialist crafts and 20 state-of-the-art technologies. Valentino has demonstrated that he knows how take something up and turn it into a success. Our work will be a synergy of success."

This enthusiasm is shared by Valentino Rossi who, with the eye of an expert mechanic, noticed a remarkable similarity between the Jaeger-LeCoultre logo and the anchor, the key component of the balance controlling the timekeeping of the watch. At Le Sentier the great Champion found many affinities with the world of motorbikes. "Here too there are very talented people who carry out their work with passion. I find it fascinating that at the Manufacture the process starts with the raw material, a simple piece of metal, and ends with the construction of an extremely complicated watch. The final finishing operations are carried out with incredible precision. Let us say this: it can be compared to the precision which is needed to ride a motorbike."

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Manufacture is proud to associate its 170 years of history and its watchmaking knowledge with the expertise of young talents. There is no doubt that the association of high-quality watchmaking and state-of-the-art mechanical engineering will give birth to some fabulous projects which will begin to appear at the end of 2006.

For the details regarding the First Valentino Rossi Limited Edition, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Compressor Extreme World Chronograph "46", see http://www.revolution-press.com/news/?p=125

Rossi the Best

2008-07-30T19:57:00.000-07:00

MotoGP Overview

2008-07-30T19:18:00.000-07:00

MotoGP is the world’s premier motorcycling championship, with a season of 18 Grands Prix in 14 countries bringing together the world’s top motorcycle manufacturers such as Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Ducati, Kawasaki, Aprilia and KTM - plus an elite crop of riders from every corner of the globe.

The motorcycles used for MotoGP are purpose-built racing prototypes which are unavailable for purchase by the general public and cannot be legally ridden on public roads.

The Grand Prix Road-Racing World Championship was first organised by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) in 1949 and has been administrated by commercial rights owners Dorna Sports under the supervision of the FIM since 1992. It is the oldest motorsport World Championship in existence.

MotoGP began a new era in 2002 when revised regulations allowed for the participation of bikes with four-stroke engines. For the 2007 season the adaptation of MotoGP bikes from 990cc engine capacity to 800cc resulted in an even more exciting spectacle, with higher corner speeds and even more competitive races – patterns which are continuing this year.

Furthermore, in the opening round of 2008, MotoGP become the first motorsports World Championship to host a night-time Grand Prix, with the Losail International Circuit’s state-of-the-art new floodlight system permitting a superb start to the season in Qatar.

Grand Prix Weekends

On a Grand Prix weekend there are three individual races, one for each of MotoGP’s three categories:

MotoGP – the ultimate test for the finest talents in motorcycle racing, in which maximum engine displacement capacity is now the aforementioned 800cc (four-stroke engines) and the minimum age for riders is 18.
250 – the intermediate category where maximum engine displacement capacity is 250cc (twin cylinder engines) and the minimum age for riders is 16.
125 – the class which offers young riders the chance to take their first step into Grand Prix, where maximum engine displacement capacity is 125cc (single cylinder engines), the maximum age for riders is 28 (or 25 years of age for wild-card riders or for newly contracted riders participating in a 125cc race for the first time) and the minimum age is 15 years old.

Races begin from a grid which is composed of three starting positions per row (four per row in the 250cc and 125cc classes), with starting places secured by qualifying times - the fastest rider earning the famous pole position. The races can vary between 95km and 130km in distance and usually last approximately 40-45 minutes, each being a spectacular sprint to the finish line, with pit-stops being rare rather than the norm.

Tyre selection is therefore absolutely crucial and is undertaken by the teams following consultation with their riders based on knowledge of the track, weather conditions and the feel of the bike during free practice, qualifying and the pre-race warm-up sessions. A critical balance has to be found between grip and the endurance of the tyre, as soft, ‘gripping’ tyres permit quicker speeds and faster lap times but wear out quickly, whilst harder, less ‘sticky’ tyres last longer but do not assist the rider in achieving maximum velocity.

Riders

The current MotoGP World Champion is Australian Casey Stoner of the Ducati Marlboro team, who sensationally won the 2008 title in just his second season in the premier class – securing ten race wins along the way.

In defending his title in 2008 Stoner is faced with stiff competition from the likes of Valentino Rossi, the five-time MotoGP World Champion, and Dani Pedrosa, last year’s runner-up. Meanwhile, Rossi’s new Fiat Yamaha team-mate Jorge Lorenzo, the reigning 250cc World title holder, and Pedrosa’s Repsol Honda colleague Nicky Hayden, the 2006 MotoGP World Champion, are also stars of the show, with talent in abundance in each case.

Indeed, the level of racing ability throughout the 2008 MotoGP grid is exceptionally high, with the likes of Loris Capirossi, Andrea Dovizioso, Colin Edwards, John Hopkins, Marco Melandri and James Toseland also competing for podium finishes.

In the 250cc category the title race should be wide open this year, following the promotion of the likes of Lorenzo and Dovizioso to MotoGP. A strong Aprilia challenge is presented by Spanish trio Hector Barbera, Alvaro Bautista and Alex Debon, battling with KTM riders Mika Kallio and Hiroshi Aoyama.

In the single cylinder World Championship the current title holder is Hungary's Gabor Talmacsi, one of the older 125cc competitors, who defends his crown against a plethora of young riding talent in 2008.

The list of participants in each Grand Prix is composed of the permanent riders, contracted and nominated by their teams for the whole season, and wildcard entries – who are often local riders. Approximately 18 participants enter each MotoGP race, about 25 take part in each 250cc race and the 125cc races usually involve around 35 riders. The ages of the Grand Prix riders range from 34 for MotoGP’s Loris Capirossi, down to the previously stated minimum age limit of 15 for the youngsters in 125cc. The youngest regular rider in the championship is Repsol KTM rookie Marc Marquez.

Riders from around the globe take part in the World Championships including the following countries: Australia, Austria, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Republic of Ireland, Romania, San Marino, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, UK and USA.

For profiles of every rider from all three Grand Prix categories visit our dedicated Riders section.

Source

Motorbike of Valentino Rossi

2008-07-30T19:07:00.000-07:00

Marlboro Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix

2008-07-30T19:00:00.000-07:00

Valentino Rossi profile :
At 24 years old the list goes on...

Name: Valentino Rossi
Birth date: 16/02/1979
Birth place: Urbino, ITA
First Grand Prix: 1996 MAL 125cc
First Pole Position: 1996 CZE 125cc
First Race Fastest Lap: 1996 FRA 125cc
First Podium: 1996 AUT 125cc
First GP Victory: 1996 CZE 125cc
Grand Prix Starts: 122
500cc/MotoGP Starts: 62
250cc Starts: 30
125cc Starts: 30
Grand Prix Victories: 57
500cc/MotoGP Victories: 31
250cc Victories: 14
125cc Victories: 12
2nd Placements: 19
3rd placements: 12
Podium: 88
Pole Positions 26
Race Fastest Lap 54
World Championship Wins: 5
1997 125cc
1999 250cc
2001 500cc
2002 MotoGP
2003 MotoGP
Total Points: 2138

BIOGRAPHICAL DATA Born: February 16, 1979 in Urbino. Son of Graziano Rossi, who was third in the 1979 250cc World Championship on a Morbidelli. Begins sporting career in 1990 in mini-moto competitions. In 1993 makes debut with Cagiva in Italian 125cc Sport Production championship, taking first victories in rookie season and winning the title in 1994.
In 1995 contests European Championships as official Aprilia rider, finishing the season in third place. Retains his Italian 125cc Championship crown. MotoGP career: 1996: World Championship debut at the 125cc Malaysian GP riding an Aprilia in Scuderia AGV. Final Championship position: 9th with 111 points - 1 victory: Czech Republic.
1997: Second youngest ever 125cc Champion riding an Aprilia for the Nastro Azzurro Team. Final Championship position: 1st with 321 points - 11 wins: Malaysia, Spain, Italy, France, Netherlands, Imola, Germany, Brazil, Great Britain, Catalunya and Indonesia.
1998: Moves up to 250cc class riding an Aprilia for the Nastro Azzurro Team. Final Championship position: 2nd with 201 points - 5 wins: Netherlands, Imola, Catalunya, Australia and Argentina.
1999: Becomes the youngest ever 250 World Champion riding for the Aprilia Grand Prix Racing. Final Championship position: 1st with 309 points - 9 wins: Spain, Italy, Catalunya, Great Britain, Germany, Czech Republic, Australia, South Africa and Brazil.
2000: Moves up to the 500cc class riding a Honda for the Nastro Azzuro Team. Final Championship position: 2nd with 209 points - 2 wins: Great Britain and Brazil.
2001: Takes the 500cc World Championship riding a Honda for the Nastro Azzuro Team. Final Championship position: 1st with 325 points. - 11 wins: Japan, South Africa, Spain, Catalunya, Great Britain, Czech Republic, Portugal, Pacific, Australia, Malaysia and Brazil.
2002: Wins revised format MotoGP World Championship riding all-new four stroke Honda RC211V for the Repsol Honda Team. Final Championship position: 1st with 355 points -11 wins: Japan, Spain, France, Catalunya, Italy, Netherlands, Great Britain, Germany, Portugal, Brazil and Australia.
2003: Wins his second MotoGP World Championship for the Repsol Honda Team. Final Championship position: 1st with 307 points after 14 of 16 rounds. 7 wins so far: Japan, Spain, Italy, Czech Republic, Portugal, Rio and Malaysia. Other facts about Rossi\'s career: In 2001 Rossi became the youngest ever rider to win titles in three different classes. The only other two riders to win titles in three classes are Phil Read (125, 250, 500) and Mike Hailwood (250, 350, 500). Rossi was the fourth youngest rider ever to win the 500cc title after Freddie Spencer, Mike Hailwood and John Surtees. Rossi is the second rider ever to win the premier class title with a two-stroke and a four-stroke machine (2001 – Honda NSR500; 2002 – Honda RC211V). The first was Giacomo Agostini (1966 to 1972 – MV 500cc four-stroke; 1975 Yamaha 500cc two-stroke). Rossi is the eighth rider to have won three or more successive premier-class titles. He joins an illustrious list which also includes Geoff Duke, John Surtees, Mike Hailwood, Giacomo Agostini, Kenny Roberts, Wayne Rainey and Mick Doohan.
Source

Rossi fastest at wet Shanghai

2008-07-30T18:47:00.000-07:00

Valentino Rossi topped the timesheet today in a rain-soaked practice session at Shanghai, China, in preparation for Sunday's MotoGP. His lap times improved throughout the day, edging in front of Loris Capirossi by 0.355 seconds. John Hopkins was third fastest, 0.259 seconds behind Capirossi.
Rossi explained how his progress was achieved:
“In Turkey we were able to understand some of the problems we were having with the bike and we found some good solutions. The modifications we made using that data here this morning were really good and now I can ride the bike at 100 per cent. Even though it was wet the grip levels were very good.”

Combined free practice times:
1.VALENTINO ROSSI (ITA) Camel Yamaha Team, 2'09.393
2.Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati Marlboro Team, 2'09.748
3.John Hopkins (USA) Team Suzuki MotoGP, 2'10.007
4.Sete Gibernau (SPA) Ducati Marlboro Team, 2'10.187
5.Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda Team, 2'10.247
6.Marco Melandri (ITA) Fortuna Honda, 2'10.411
7.Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Repsol Honda Team, 2'10.815
8.Casey Stoner (AUS) Honda LCR, 2'11.016
9.Makoto Tamada (JPN) Konica Minolta Honda, 2'11.313
10.Randy de Puniet (FRA) Kawasaki Racing Team, 2'11.425
Source

Valentino Rossi Profile

2008-07-30T18:36:00.000-07:00

Biography

Date of Birth	16/02/1979
Place of Birth	Urbino, Italy
Nationality	Italian
Residence	London, UK
Height	182 cm
Weight	59 kg
Marital Status	Single
Hobbies	Soccer, radio-controlled toys
Total Races	GP starts: 174 (114 x MotoGP/500cc, 30 x 250cc, 30 x 125cc)
Victories	84 (57 x MotoGP/500cc, 14 x 250cc, 12 x 125cc)
Pole Positions:	45
Podiums	127
Wins	7 Grand Prix (1 x 125cc, 1 x 250cc, 1 x 500cc, 4 x MotoGP)
First Race	1991
First Grand Prix	Malaysia, 1996 (125cc)
First Pole	1996
* correct as of 01.01.2007

Valentino Rossi starts his fourth campaign as a Yamaha Factory Team rider in 2007 with the clear target of recapturing the MotoGP World Championship title after being dethroned by Nicky Hayden last year. After winning two consecutive World Championships with Yamaha in 2004 and 2005, following on from three previous back-to-back title successes, Rossi finished runner-up to the American despite scoring ten podiums and winning five races - more than any other rider. Now the record-breaking Italian, widely regarded as the finest motorcycle racer of his generation, starts the season without the crown to defend for the first time in five years.

Rossi’s five wins in 2006 took his premier-class career tally to 58, leaving him within striking distance of the legendary Giacomo Agostini’s all-time record of 68 – another enticing target for the 2007 season. For the third consecutive campaign Valentino will be ably assisted by his trusted team-mate and great friend Colin Edwards, as the pair apply their highly effective development partnership to Yamaha’s all-new 800cc machine and attempt to regain the Manufacturers’ and Teams’ titles they won together in 2005.

Rossi’s World Championship debut came at the Malaysian Grand Prix in 1996 and he finished his first international season in 9th place with one race win. The following year he became the youngest ever rider to win the 125cc World Championship, winning eleven races along the way with Aprilia. The pattern continued when he moved into the 250cc class, taking second place in his first year before becoming World Champion in 1999, once again with Aprilia.
In 2000 he entered a new phase of his career when he joined forces with Honda in the 500cc class. He proved his worth once again by finishing second, before becoming the last ever 500cc World Champion in 2001. Rossi held onto his crown four the next four consecutive seasons, taking the MotoGP World title in 2002 and 2003, before moving to Yamaha and winning again in 2004 and 2005.

Rossi made history by moving to Yamaha in 2004 and winning the season-opening Grand Prix in South Africa, becoming the first rider in the history of the sport to win back-to-back premier class races for different manufacturers. He went on to win nine out of 16 races, finally clinching the World Championship title, Yamaha’s first for 12 years, with victory at the penultimate Grand Prix in Phillip Island. A final win at the Valencia Grand Prix also ensured that the Yamaha Factory Team won the team title. Rossi followed up that triumph with a season of unprecedented success in 2005, when he successfully defended the title once again with a total of eleven race wins and five pole positions - only finishing off the podium once.

Rossi turned 28 in February 2007 and remains the youngest rider to have won World Championships in all three classes. He continues to have the support of his long-standing Crew Chief, Jeremy Burgess, who moved from Honda to work with him at Yamaha Factory Racing.

One of the most popular members of the paddock, ‘The Doctor’ has a wide fan base all over the world. A keen football fan and an accomplished rally driver, he is based in London between races.
Source

1985
First go-kart

1989
Kart racing début

1990
Regional Kart Champion, with nine wins

1991
5th in Italian Junior Kart championship; made bike racing début on Minimotos

1992
Italian Minibike Endurance Champion

1993
12th in Italian 125cc Sport Production championship, with Cagiva

1994
Italian 125cc Sport Production Champion, with Cagiva

1995
Italian 125cc Champion; 3rd in European 125cc championship; 11th in Spanish Open 125cc championship - all with Aprilia

1996 Scuderia AGV, number 46 Aprilia
In his first Grand Prix season, aged seventeen, Valentino was ninth overall in the 125cc series, with 111 points and seven top six finishes. His first visit to the podium came in round ten, with third in Austria, and he won the race at Brno next time out
Also 10th in the European 125cc championship, with Aprilia

1997 Nastro Azzurro Aprilia, number 46 Aprilia
Rossi’s second year on 125s was dominant, with eleven wins from fifteen races. He also scored a second, a third and a sixth, to complete a 321-point record for the category, and his first World Championship title

1998 Nastro Azzurro Aprilia, number 46 Aprilia
The 1998 season was Rossi’s ‘learning’ year in the 250cc series, and he finished second as early as rounds three, four and five. His first win came at Assen in round seven, and four more at the end of the year took him to second overall, on 201 points, between rivals Loris Capirossi and Tetsuya Harada

1999 Aprilia Grand Prix Racing, number 46 Aprilia
As in the 125s, Valentino’s second 250 season saw him setting the pace, and his nine race wins meant he duly wrapped up a second GP championship. He was on the podium in twelve of sixteen races, and scored 309 points in total

2000 Nastro Azzurro Honda, number 46 Honda
For 2000, Rossi moved onto a works-supported 500cc Honda, engineered by the highly successful Jerry Burgess. Once again it was a learning process, but he was already finishing third in rounds four (where he qualified second), five and seven. A late season run, including wins in Britain and Brazil, saw him emerge as the nearest challenger to champion elect Kenny Roberts. A final tally of 209 points placed him second behind the American Suzuki rider
Also qualified sixth for the Suzuka 8 Hours, with Colin Edwards

2001 Nastro Azzurro Honda, number 46 Honda
By his second year, Valentino was ready to take the 500 title. Despite a strong challenge from compatriots Max Biaggi and Loris Capirossi, he racked up four pole positions and had thirteen podiums, including eleven wins. In the end he was over 100 points clear - 325 to Biaggi’s 219 - and went down in history as the last man to win a 500cc-only World Championship
Also won the Suzuka 8 Hours, with Colin Edwards and Manabu Kamada, and set fastest lap

2002 Repsol Honda Team, number 46 Honda
For 2002, Rossi and Burgess were brought into the full factory Honda team, which had produced the RC211V bike for the new 990cc four-stroke GP1 regulations. Despite four-stoke opposition from Max Biaggi, Tohru Ukawa and others, Valentino was once again the top rider. Pole positions at seven venues were converted into another eleven victories, including a run of seven straight that was only ended by a tyre failure. This time 355 points was 140 clear of his nearest rival!

2003 Repsol Honda, number 46 Honda
As ever, Rossi was the man to beat in Grands Prix, finishing first, second or third in each of the sixteen races during the year, and wrapping up another title. Although Sete Gibernau stayed in touch for some time, Valentino had plenty of experience in making the decisive break, and is still regarded as the talent by which the rest are jugded.

2004 Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha, number 46 Yamaha
For 2004, Rossi’s challenge was to take Yamaha back to the top, and that is what he did, despite Honda’s apparent performance advantage. A winner first time out, he was first home nine times in total, with five pole positions, and was always in the top four bar two non-finishes.

2005 Yamaha Gauloises Team, number 46 Yamaha
Starting as the favourite for 2005, success for the fourth time means that Valentino remains the only man to take a 990cc MotoGP class title. The Yamaha M1 was improved, but not superior to the rest and, with a lack of consistency from his Honda rivals, Rossi returned to dominant form. To complete the journey, his performances in torrential rain also proved unbeatable.
Source