Kawasaki exit a shock for riders

Marco Melandri and John Hopkins have both been taken aback by news that Kawasaki is set to confirm its withdrawal from MotoGP within days.

As autosport.com reported on Tuesday, Kawasaki is expected to announce early next week that it is to withdraw from MotoGP because of the worldwide economic downturn.

The shock news will leave both Hopkins and Melandri without rides in 2009 - with neither rider knowing what their plans now are for the year ahead.

Melandri's manager Alberto Vergani said that the Kawasaki decision had probably been made just before Christmas - and revealed that his Italian rider had already been offered to Gresini.

"Nobody expected it: the racing department had been strengthened following Marco's suggestions. There were engine evolutions, and (Olivier) Jacque had run with the new bike," Vergani told Gazzetta dello Sport. "Marco was feeling treated like a king.

"It looks like the decision was taken on December the 24th in Japan...However, I've offered Marco for free to Gresini, if he wants him..."

The chances of a Gresini switch for Melandri appear slim, however, with team boss Fausto Gresini playing the idea down.

"Marco and his manager made their decision in Brno when they refused my offer,” Gresini told Gazzetta dello Sport. “I'm not a salesman.”

Hopkins has also been linked with Gresini, but said that it was too early for him to know what was really going on.

Speaking to American website cyclenews.com, Hopkins said: “I heard it’s up in the air, but I haven’t heard anything confirmed yet.

“I got some calls from the team manager [Michael Bartholemy] and he said that everything could be up in the air as to whether they run it or not, but nothing has been confirmed. I don’t know what it would do to me. I’m really not sure.

“I’ve been talking to my managers and seeing what the plan is and they’ve been on the phone to Japan trying to figure it out as well. Right now I’m still contracted to them so I’m not sure what the plan is.”

There is speculation that Jorge Martinez could be involved in a potential private bid to run the Kawasaki bikes and operation - perhaps with some financial help from MotoGP organisers Dorna.

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Kawasaki poised to quit MotoGP

Kawasaki is poised to withdraw from the MotoGP World Championship with immediate effect, autosport.com has learned.

According to sources, the Japanese manufacturer is set to make an announcement regarding its plans for 2009 on Monday, January 5, when it is expected to confirm details of its withdrawal from the premier motorcycle racing class.

It remains unclear why Kawasaki is quitting, though both the global economic crisis and a lack of results are likely to have been factors in the decision.

The news is a blow to MotoGP's organisers, who will have the number of factory teams reduced to four at a time when the rival World Superbike Championship has gained another two in Aprilia and BMW.

Kawasaki's imminent withdrawal will leave Marco Melandri and John Hopkins without a ride for next season. Melandri had hoped to revive his career with the team after a catastrophic season with the factory Ducati squad in 2008.

"I have to wait and hear some words, as at the moment I hear nothing," Melandri told autosport.com.

"If it is true, then I can only hope that when I wake up on January 1st it is all a nightmare."

Kawasaki returned to the premier MotoGP class in 2003 with bold plans to become regular contenders, but has so far failed to record a victory in the premier class.

The closest the team came were three second places in three years with Randy de Puniet (Motegi 2007), Shinya Nakano (Assen 2006) and Olivier Jacque (Shanghai 2005).

Kawasaki secured big-money signing John Hopkins from Suzuki at the beginning of 2008 and it was hoped that this would trigger an upturn in results. But the American was hampered by injuries and both he and teammate Anthony West struggled with the inconsistent handling of the ZX-RR.

In the end, fifth places for Hopkins (at Estoril) and West (at Brno) were the best the team could manage.

Nevertheless, Kawasaki was set to enter 2009 with optimism, having landed former GP-winner Melandri, alongside the fired-up Hopkins to lead the development of the ZZ-XR in the new one-make tyre era.

Kawasaki's withdrawal will be the fourth time a Japanese manufacturer has pulled out of a major motorsport category in recent weeks. Honda announced in early December that it was quitting Formula One, while Subaru and Suzuki confirmed later in the month that they were stopping their programmes in the World Rally Championship.

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250cc: Simoncelli planning SBK outing

Marco Simoncelli is planning to take part in the first two rounds of the World Superbike Championship next season with Aprilia.

The 250cc world champion, who had already raced in Superbikes in 2002, races a Gilera-badged Aprilia in the world championship.

"Aprilia have asked me to run in the first two races of the Superbike championship in 2009, because they care a lot for it," Simoncelli told Motosprint magazine.

"I've long thought about it and I think I'm going. Yes, I really think I'll race there because I like the idea of experiencing that."

The Italian already tested the Aprilia RSV4 at Valencia earlier this year.

"I really liked the bike," he said. "It's fun, it's quick, and it's easier than a 250cc because its power output is smoother. At Valencia I did just a few laps, without practically touching the set-up and in fact engine braking was disabled, yet I was quick immediately.

"So, the potential is there. The idea of racing it, at this point, is making me eager to do it."

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125cc: FIM changes age limit from 2010

Motorcycling's governing body, FIM, has announced a change to the age limit to compete in the world championship from 2010.

Currently, riders can start competing in the 125cc category at 15, but FIM has announced the age limit will increase to 16 in two years' time.

The limit for 250 and MotoGP will remain unchanged at 16 and 18 years of age respectively.

"Sixteen years is the right age," MotoGP rider Loris Capirossi, the youngest ever world champion at 17, told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"When I won the title I had already done two years on real bikes in the Italian and European championships. I was young, but I was experienced.

"You can't push these youngsters like that: they win their parish church championship and then come straight to the world championship. Unfortunately I visit the Clinica Mobile and I see these kids there, maybe with some broken bones.

"We started talking about this last year in the Safety Commission with Valentino Rossi. Other riders, like Hayden and Pedrosa, agreed too.

"I don't think anyone can be against something like this, because if they start too young they risk getting burnt. And after all, at 16 years of age, they have a lot of time ahead of them."

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Gresini urges MotoGP to cut costs

Leading team boss Fausto Gresini has urged the MotoGP authorities to emulate the drastic cost-cutting measures being taken in Formula One.

Although MotoGP has not yet suffered any of the team losses that have rocked F1 and the World Rally Championship amid the global economic downturn - and indeed is set to see its regular field rise from 18 to 19 bikes in 2009 - Gresini believes the series should take action now to avoid problems in the future.

"Surely we can't carry on the way it's been up to now," he said in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport.

"If F1 felt the need to find some limitations, then we must do that too. We can't wait until the crisis becomes too bad before thinking of some measures, also because little can be done for 2009. We must talk and try to think which way to go."

The satellite Honda team boss said he already had ideas for how costs could be brought down.

"The objective should be reducing costs by 30 per cent," said Gresini.

"With the measures I have in mind we could already spend 20 per cent less. First of all we should get rid of one of the four bikes we have in the garage: there would be just one spare bike for the two riders to be used after a failure or a crash. This means less weight to transport around the world and a couple less technicians.

"Then we should eliminate carbon brakes and move to steel ones, which are also used in road bike production. This would save 250,000 euros."

He also wants to see MotoGP adopt similar measures to F1's engine freeze and multi-race engine rules.

"We must do something similar too, by freezing the construction of new bikes for four or five years, while only allowing development of the current bikes," said Gresini. "Most of all, we must lengthen engine life: less revs, more kilometres. Let's say 17,000 revs."

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250cc: Simoncelli to start 2009 as favourite

Reigning 250cc world champion Marco Simoncelli will start the new season as favourite to retain the title after the FIM released the entry list for 2009 today.

Despite speculation at the end of the 2008 season that the category could be hit by the poor financial climate, the Italian - who stays with the factory Gilera squad - heads a strong field of 22 riders.

The list also confirms 2008 title contender Alvaro Bautista at Aspar alongside the reigning 125cc world champion Mike di Meglio.

The Frenchman is not the only notable graduate from 125 category either, with Axel Pons moving up into his father Sito's (two-times 250cc world champion and former MotoGP team owner) new squad. He will be joined by 2008 race winner Hector Barbera.

Other graduates include Kenny Roberts' protege Stevie Bonsey who joins Aprilia Madrid and the 2007 125cc world champion Gabor Talmacsi who will race for a new team sponsored by the Hungarian Grand Prix venue Balaton.

There are no factory KTMs on the list following the manufacturer's withdrawal from the sport at the end of the season, but the team's former star Hiroshi Aoyama remains in the category with Scot Racing.

No Rider Team Bike 4 Hiroshi Aoyama Scot Racing Honda 7 Axel Pons Pepe World Pons Aprilia 8 Bastien Chesaux Racing Team Germany Honda 9 Toni Wirsing Racing Team Germany Honda 10 Imre Toth Team Toth Aprilia Aprilia 12 Thomas Luthi Emmi - Caffe Latte Aprilia 14 Ratthapark Wilairot Thai Honda Ptt Sag Honda 15 Roberto Locatelli Metis Gilera Gilera 16 Jules Cluzel Matteoni Racing Aprilia 17 Karel Abraham Cardion Ab Motoracing Aprilia 19 Alvaro Bautista Mapfre Aspar Aprilia 21 Hector Barbera Pepe World Pons Aprilia 25 Alex Baldolini Wtr San Marino Team Aprilia 28 Gabor Talmacsi Balaton Racing Aprilia 35 Raffaele de Rosa Scot Racing Honda 41 Aleix Espargaro Campetella Racing Aprilia 48 Shoya Tomizawa Team Cip Honda 51 Stevie Bonsey Aprilia Madrid Aprilia 52 Lukas Pesek Auto Kelly - Cp Aprilia 58 Marco Simoncelli Metis Gilera Gilera 63 Mike di Meglio Mapfre Aspar Aprilia 75 Mattia Pasini Team Toth Aprilia

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125cc: Smith's Aspar switch key '09 change

Bradley Smith's switch to the crack Aspar squad for 2009 is the key change in the 125cc field following the FIM's announcement of the 29-bike official entry list for next year.

The Briton - under pressure to deliver in 2009 with a team that won the championship in 2007 with Gabor Talmacsi and 2006 with Alvaro Bautista - is still to post his first win in the category.

But with Talmacsi and reigning champion Mike di Meglio moving up to 250s, Smith's switch from Polaris World is the most high profile of the off-season.

In a largely unchanged, but highly competitive field, Simone Corsi starts the season as one of the favourites on the Pons Aprilia but will face stiff opposition from several competitors, including his teammate Nicolas Terol.

The entry list confirms that Sergio Gadea will remain with Aspar, while Donington-winner Scott Redding stays with Blusens Aprilia.

Another race-winner from 2008, Stefan Bradl, will return for a crack at the title with Kiefer Racing.

The British-based Maxtra team, a joint venture between John Surtees and former Suzuki boss John Taylor in collaboration with Chinese bike manufacturer Haojue, has also been granted entries for Matthew Hoyle and Michael Ranseder.

No Rider Team Bike 5 Alexis Masbou Loncin Racing Loncin 7 Dominique Aegerter Ajo Interwetten Derbi 8 Lorenzo Zanetti Wwc Aprilia 11 Sandro Cortese Ajo Interwetten Derbi 12 Esteve Rabat Blusens Aprilia Aprilia 16 Cameron Beaubier Red Bull Ktm 125 Ktm 17 Stefan Bradl Kiefer Racing Aprilia 18 Nicolas Terol Jack & Jones Pons Aprilia 24 Simone Corsi Jack & Jones Pons Aprilia 27 Stefano Bianco Cbc Corse Aprilia 29 Andrea Iannone Wwc Aprilia 30 Pere Tutusaus Matteoni Racing Aprilia 32 Lorenzo Savadori Fontana Racing Aprilia 33 Sergio Gadea Bancaja Aspar Aprilia 34 Randy Krummenacher Degraaf Grand Prix Aprilia 38 Bradley Smith Bancaja Aspar Aprilia 44 Pol Espargaro Derbi Racing Derbi 45 Scott Redding Blusens Aprilia Aprilia 60 Julian Simon Bancaja Aspar Aprilia 66 Matthew Hoyle Maxtra Team Maxtra 71 Tomoyoshi Koyama Loncin Racing Loncin 72 Marco Ravaioli Cbc Corse Aprilia 73 Takaaki Nakagami Wwc Aprilia 81 Jasper Iwema Kiefer Racing Aprilia 88 Michael Ranseder Maxtra Team Maxtra 93 Marc Marquez Red Bull Ktm 125 Ktm 94 Jonas Folger Wwc Aprilia 99 Danny Webb Degraaf Grand Prix Aprilia Tbc Tbc Derbi Racing Derbi

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FIM confirms 19-rider MotoGP field

The FIM has published the entry list for the 2009 MotoGP Championship, confirming a 19-rider field complete with a solitary privateer Ducati for Sete Gibernau under the new Grupo Francisco Hernando banner.

The Spaniard's return to the sport means that there will be five Italian bikes on the grid, with two factory Ducatis for former world champions Casey Stoner and Nicky Hayden and two factory-assisted GP9s for Mika Kallio and Niccolo Canepa entered by the Pramac Racing team rather than Alice as they were known in 2008.

Despite speculation about Honda's continued factory participation, HRC have two bikes entered for Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso. Privateer Honda team Scot Racing will introduce the only other new name for 2009, Japanese 250cc graduate Yuki Takahashi.

As he has done previously, world champion Valentino Rossi will retain his competition number, 46, instead of carrying the No. 1 plate next year.

No Rider Team Bike 3 Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda Honda 4 Andrea Dovizioso Repsol Honda Honda 5 Colin Edwards Tech 3 Yamaha Yamaha 7 Chris Vermeulen Rizla Suzuki Suzuki 14 Randy De Puniet LCR Honda Honda 15 Alex De Angelis San Carlo Gresini Honda 21 John Hopkins Kawasaki Racing Kawasaki 24 Toni Elias San Carlo Gresini Honda 27 Casey Stoner Ducati Marlboro Ducati 33 Marco Melandri Kawasaki Racing Kawasaki 36 Mika Kallio Pramac Racing Ducati 46 Valentino Rossi Fiat Yamaha Yamaha 52 James Toseland Tech 3 Yamaha 59 Sete Gibernau Grupo Francisco Hernando Ducati 65 Loris Capirossi Rizla Suzuki Suzuki 69 Nicky Hayden Ducati Marlboro Ducati 72 Yuki Takahashi Scot Racing Honda 88 Niccolo Canepa Pramac Racing Ducati 99 Jorge Lorenzo Fiat Yamaha Yamaha

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250cc: FIM publishes Moto2 regulations

The FIM has published the regulations for the new Moto2 category that will replace 250cc from 2011.

As expected, the new 600cc class will be a four-stroke category with a lower weight limit than the MotoGP class, coming in at 135kg compared to 148kg for the 800s.

The highlights include a claiming clause whereby any competitor can 'claim' an opponent's engine after a race.

The cost of claiming another engine is €20,000, with the rule included in order to dissuade teams spending more than that figure on their motor. This rule has already proved a success when used in American racing.

Only one bike will be permitted per rider per meeting, while two engines can be used per weekend.

Exotic materials are banned, which means the use of steel brakes and that all major moving parts inside the engine are to be steel. The piston itself is to be aluminium alloy, as are the block and the head.

Refreshingly, there are to be no other electronic devices on the bike apart from an FIM supplied data logger, ECU and fuel injection system. This comes at a cost of €650. This ECU will limit revs to 16,000, 15,500 and 15,000 for four, triples and twins respectively.

Gearboxes will be six-speed, but teams will be limited to three choices of ratio per gear per season.

Interestingly, no mention of how much fuel is to be used is mentioned, but with a rev limit, this may not be as pivotally important as a fuel limit such as in MotoGP (21 litres).

Replacement Regulation for 250cc Class from 2011 (Moto2) :

Technical Regulations:

1. Engine

4-stroke engines only. Maximum 600cc.

4 cylinders maximum.

No oval pistons.

Engines must be normally aspirated. No turbo-charging, no super-charging.

Engine speed limited to maximum: 16,000 rpm. 4-cylinder engines, 15,500 rpm. 3-cylinder engines, 15,000 rpm. 2-cylinder engines.

An electronic system supplied by the Organisers will be permanently attached to monitor and control
engine speed.

Pneumatic valve operation is not permitted.

Inlet and Exhaust valves must be of conventional type (reciprocating poppet valves).

Variable valve timing or variable valve lift systems are not permitted.

Only wet-sump type engine lubrication systems are permitted.

Minimum weight of complete engine with throttle body, dry: 53 kg 4-cylinder, 50 kg 3-cylinder, 47 kg 2 cylinder

Inlet & Fuel System

Variable-length inlet tract systems are not permitted.

Only one throttle control valve per cylinder is permitted. No other moving devices are permitted in the inlet tract before the engine intake valve.

Throttle bodies will have a maximum internal diameter (must be perfectly circle except for the area of dent or groove to allow the injector to come out) at engine side out-let of: 42 mm for 4-cylinder, 48 mm for 3-cylinder, 59 mm for 2-cylinder.

Fuel injectors will be restricted to a defined type (tba, based on cost).

Fuel pressure must not exceed 5.0 bar.

No artificial cooling of intake air or fuel.

Only air or air/fuel mixture is permitted in the induction tract and combustion chamber.

No direct fuel injection into the cylinder/head/combustion chamber.

Fuel specification will be for standard unleaded fuel (commercially available EU-compliant "pump fuel").

Exhaust system

Variable length exhaust systems are not permitted.

Noise limit will be a maximum of 120 dB/A, measured in a static test.

Transmission

A maximum of 6 gearbox speeds is permitted.

A maximum of 3 alternate gear ratios for each gearbox speed, and 2 alternate ratios for the primary drive gear is permitted. Teams will be required to declare the gearbox ratios for each gear used at the beginning of the season.

Electro-mechanical or electro-hydraulic clutch actuating systems are not permitted.

Ignition, Electronics & Data-Logging

Data logger system will be supplied by the series Organizer.

Only the ECU/fuel injection control units supplied by the series Organiser are allowed to be fitted to the motorcycle. Electronic control units include the timing transponder, engine RPM control, and datalogger systems. No other electronic control or datalogging systems will be allowed on the motorcycle.

The price of ECU unit made by each engine manufacturer must be equal to or less than
JPY 75,000 (about Euro650).

Chassis

Chassis will be a prototype, the design and construction of which is free within the constraints of the FIM Grand Prix Technical Regulations. The frame, swing-arm, fuel tank, seat and cowling are forbidden to use from a non-prototype as series production road-going motorcycle.

Minimum Total Weight: 135kg for 4-cylinder, 130kg for 3-cylinder, 125kg for 2-cylinder

No carbon brake discs.

Wheels & Tyres

No carbon composite wheels.

The maximum permitted wheel rim width is: Front 4.00", Rear 6.00" or 6.25"

The only permitted wheel rim diameter is: Front 17", Rear 17".

The number of slick tyres allocated to each rider per event will be controlled.

Materials & Construction

Construction materials will be limited to exclude expensive "non-conventional" materials and manufacturing methods (a list will be issued).

The following components must be made from iron-based alloys: Valve springs, camshafts, crankshafts, connecting rods, piston pins, brake discs.

Engine crankcases and cylinder heads must be made from cast aluminium alloys.

Pistons must be made from an aluminium alloy.

General

Number of machines: the team can scrutineer only one motorcycle per rider.

Number of engines: a maximum of 2 complete engines per rider is permitted at any event. Teams will be required to register engine serial numbers at Technical Control on the day before the first practice.

Apart from the above regulations, all other construction criteria, dimensions and specifications are as per the FIM Grand Prix Regulations.

The engine (excluding exhaust, throttle bodies and ECU) used in a race is available to be purchased by another competitor in the same race for a fixed price of €20,000 (Euro). Such purchase request must be made in writing to Race Direction within the protest period, that is within 60 minutes after the official end of the race.

The transaction and delivery will be completed immediately at the end of the 60 minute protest period and will be underwritten by IRTA. Teams refusing to sell when presented with a valid request will be disqualified.

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Hopkins upbeat after surgery

John Hopkins is beginning his off-season recuperation following surgery to remove the metal plates from his left ankle and foot yesterday.

The Kawasaki rider sustained the injuries in a practice crash at Assen back in June and missed the next two races in at Sachsenring and Laguna Seca.

The surgeons also cleaned up scar tissue and cartilage damage in his left knee - sustained in the same crash at Assen - and a metal plate in his left hand, which was the result of a previous injury.

"It's unbelievable, it's great to be hardware free again after all this time," said Hopkins. "I've had several injuries in the past and have had to go through a few surgical ordeals since I was 13, but you never really get used to it.

"Now all the metal is out of my body, I'm looking forward to some rest and recuperation, and spending time with my wife Ashleigh and our two families during the Christmas holiday period.

"Doctor Ting reckons it will be four weeks before I can start training properly again, but that should give me time to be fighting fit and ready for the start of pre-season testing at the end of January."

Hopkins remained in the Fremont Surgery Centre in California overnight after the operation, but will return home to San Diego today.

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Honda F1 quit won't affect MotoGP team

Honda's decision to withdraw from Formula One will not have any effect on the Repsol Honda MotoGP team, according to Honda Europe.

The global financial crisis led to marque bosses in Japan pulling their support of the European-based F1 team, but Honda Europe spokesman Paul Ormond says the MotoGP team is not under threat.

"The decision to pull out of F1 does not affect the other forms of motorsport Honda are involved in," Ormond told autosport.com.

"We will be looking at reducing our costs, as we're sure other teams will be doing too, in MotoGP and other motorcycle activities."

The factory Honda team will run Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso next year, with pre-season testing beginning at the end of January.

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Dovizioso eager for Pedrosa rivalry

Andrea Dovizioso says he is looking forward to his rivalry with Dani Pedrosa in the factory Honda team next season.

The Italian, who joined the works outfit at the end of this year following a successful debut season in MotoGP with Team JiR Scot, admitted that he has a competitive rivalry with Pedrosa but does not want that to get in the way of the team beating their rival manufacturers.

"We've raced against each other for a long time and he's always beaten me," he told Motosprint. "He is a top rider, but he's always had a better package than mine at his disposal. Now we have the same bike and the same tyres, it will be a nice fight.

"My objective is not to be the top Honda rider: it's to win. Obviously, it's also important to be the top Honda rider because this gives you importance and power, especially when it's time to develop a bike.

"But it's better to think about Rossi and Stoner, rather than Pedrosa. I've realized you must think of the big picture because you may end up being the top Honda rider but only fourth in the championship, and that would definitely be not good."

But Dovizioso says he still has progress to make during pre-season testing before he can challenge for victories.

"I'm not yet in the ideal situation to win," he said. "Obviously, HRC and I are aiming high, but now we still have our problems to solve.

"I still need to find the right feeling and I'm not quick enough to win yet."

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Kawasaki results "must improve"

The factory Kawasaki team must deliver much improved results in MotoGP next season, according to racing director Ichiro Yoda.

The boss of the Japanese manufacturer's racing team says the pressure is mounting on them and expects that he will be sacked if there isn't a dramatic upturn in their form in 2009.

"It's clear that we'll have to do a lot better next year," he told Motosprint. "There is great pressure on us, we have been told we must get results. The message comes from the boss at Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Tamba.

"The pressure on me is enormous and perhaps my next chance will be the last for my work. If we don't get the result, I will probably lose my position."

Kawasaki finished fifth and bottom of the manufacturer standings this season, 93 points behind fourth-placed Suzuki, and John Hopkins and Anthony West finished 16th and 18th respectively in the riders' standings.

The team have drafted in Ducati exile Marco Melandri to partner Hopkins next season and they tested away from most of their rivals at Phillip Island last week, though both riders were pleased with the progress made so far.

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Gibernau 'not back to win races'

Sete Gibernau admits he is not back in MotoGP to try and win races, but rather to enjoy himself on the bike.

The 35-year-old Spaniard, runner-up to Valentino Rossi in 2003 and 2004, is returning to racing after having retired from the sport at the end of the 2006 season.

Gibernau will ride a Ducati for the new Onde 2000 team, and he confesses his goal is not to be fighting on top.

"I'm not back to win, I'm back to enjoy riding, knowing full well that you can't compare the Sete from 2006 to the one of today," Gibernau told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"I lack the confidence and many small things that make you go quick. I know that in order to be close to my 2006 levels, I need to work a lot more."

The Catalan, a veteran of 155 races, says he will stay in MotoGP as long as it's fun.

"As long as I enjoy myself. I've signed a contract for one year, we'll see after that," he added.

Gibernau acknowledges the bikes have changed a lot in the two year he has been absent from the sport.

"A lot: the Ducati is now a very competitive bike with a lot of potential," he said. "Cornering speed is extremely quick and compared to 2006 there's a lot more electronics.

"You must trust it almost with your eyes closed, and I still can't do it. I think the rider should do certain things, while instead you must let the bike do it."

The Spanish rider, winner of nine races, suggested he might try to rebuild his relationship with Rossi, after falling out with the Italian in the final years of their battles.

"With Vale I enjoyed myself both on and off the track. Then life changes, but the experience is still positive. I did some fantastic races against a guy considered perhaps the strongest rider of all times. That for me is cause of pride.

"The relationship on a personal level was excellent for a while, then it changed, but I have big respect for Valentino. Perhaps now a good relationship can be rebuild again."

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Suzuki positive of winter progress

Loris Capirossi and Chris Vermeulen are confident that the factory Suzuki team will make significant progress with the GSV-R over the winter following a successful three days of testing at Phillip Island in Australia this week, before the testing ban comes into force until the end of January.

The pair sampled a host of prototype parts for the 2009 bike and also conducted two race simulation runs each to test next season's proposed single spec Bridgestone tyre.

"I really enjoyed the test because we tried a lot of things and were able to get through a lot, which produced very clear and positive results," said Capirossi. "We compared many things, tested two new chassis and lots of new parts, and we now understand much better how they work together.

"We were able to compare the old and new bikes and the 2009 prototype is definitely better, especially when the tyre is worn we can maintain a better lap-time, so this is a good step. We still have some work to do - especially to improve the engine still further – but it has been a really positive three days for us."

Vermeulen added: "It was a good test and I think I managed to get almost 250 laps done in the three days, which is about 1100km.

"We had a lot of new parts from Suzuki to try including, front forks, rear linkages, new frames and swinging arms and we also tested some control tyres from Bridgestone - which look like they will be the spec tyre for next year - and they worked pretty well with the bike straight away.

"We have definitely taken a step forward with the bike. I am really looking forward to the first test of next year and being able to use the new stuff that Suzuki will be able to develop from the results we have had here."

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Rossi: Fastest time mentally important

Valentino Rossi says it was psychologically important to set the fastest time in the final test of 2008 at the Jerez circuit.

The world champion worked with both the 2008 and a prototype of the 2009 Yamaha at the Spanish circuit and just edged Honda rival Dani Pedrosa near the end of the final day of testing.

Pedrosa was also riding a 2009 prototype and Rossi reckons it was important to beat the Japanese squad to the top of the times ahead of the testing ban.

"We've done a good job. I concentrated on the new bike, and managed to end 2008 ahead of everyone. It's been an extraordinary and wonderful year for me, I'll remember it forever," Rossi was quoted as saying by Gazzetta dello Sport.

"From a certain point of view, to be quickest here meant nothing, but from a psychological aspect it's important.

"Indeed, when I got the fastest time, Pedrosa got back on the track to beat me, but didn't manage to. Going on vacation in first place is a lot more relaxing."

He added: "We tried different parts for the engine and worked on the frame, and in the end we found a set-up I liked. After this test, they'll have a lot more indications to build the 2009 M1 in Japan.

"I was the quickest, but Pedrosa was overall more consistent than me with the hard tyre. That means Honda looks strong, even though Dovizioso didn't go too well.

"Stoner, Ducati's strongest rider, is missing, but the good laptimes set by Hayden and test rider Guareschi confirm that the GP9 has improved.

"The first proper test with the new tyres went fairly well. Surely it will be difficult for Bridgestone to choose the right tyre to bring to each track. The problem is that two compounds only are too few. The riders asked for one more choice, but didn't get it."

Rossi ends Jerez test on top

U.S. dominant in World Cup qualifier

Kawasaki complete Phillip Island test

The Kawasaki team on Friday completed their three-day test at the Phillip Island circuit, where the Japanese squad were again welcomed by poor weather.

The circuit was again hit by rain at night and so it was damp in the morning, with track temperatures lower than expected, something that caught test rider Olivier Jacque out.

The Frenchman suffered a big crash late in the afternoon, although luckily he escaped injury.

Despite the accident, Jacque was happy with the work done during the test.

"These three days at Phillip Island have been positive, because we now know how much work we need to do to improve the bike before we return here to continue testing in the New Year," he said.

"We tried a slightly different engine today, which had some positive points, but we're still struggling a little bit with the front-end feeling.

"I had a big crash late on in the day after the rear came round on me through the right-hander at Hayshed. It takes some time to warm up the right-hand side of the tyre here, and although I'd been really careful up to this point, I must have just given it a bit too much gas on cold tarmac and down I went.

"It was a big impact, but apart from a few bruises, I walked away uninjured. It was scary though!"

Teammates John Hopkins and Marco Melandri had a more positive day, the Italian covering 79 laps as he continued acclimatising to the team.

Hopkins, meanwhile, managed to complete long runs despite having to adapt his riding style to compensate for the injuries he is suffering.

The Anglo-American rider will fly to the United States, where he'll undergo surgery on Wednesday to remove the metal plates from his left foot, ankle and hand.

"Today was more positive for me," he said. "The injuries weren't such a big problem, although I had to adapt my riding style because I still can't put any pressure on the left footpeg.

"We found a pretty good set-up on the bike and my lap times were pretty consistent over the long runs we did for Bridgestone, and it's this consistency that's important to our development programme right now. It's been good working with Marco; we work well together and I'm sure we'll be pushing each other all the way once we start testing and racing again next year.

"Now I'm off straight back to America, where I'll have surgery on Wednesday to remove all the metal from my various injuries. As well as taking the plates out of my left foot and ankle, Doctor Ting will also remove the plate I've had in my left hand for the past three years. I'll be about two kilograms lighter!

"My plan is to take it easy after the surgery, to make sure I'm fully recovered, and then train my butt off ready for the new season."

Pedrosa blames injuries for slump

Suzuki rev up for final test of 2008

Recurrent injury hampers Hopkins’ test

Rossi ends Jerez test on top

Valentino Rossi moved to the top of the times on the second and final day of MotoGP testing at the Jerez circuit in Spain.

The Yamaha rider, using both this year's and a prototype of next year's bike, posted a best time of 1:39.429 to outpace yesterday's pace-setter Dani Pedrosa by just 0.018 seconds.

Several riders started their work late before of an overnight rain had left the track wet.

Rossi and Honda's Pedrosa were the only two men who lapped the Spanish circuit in less than 100 seconds, with Jorge Lorenzo already in the 1:40s in the second works Yamaha.

The Honda Gresini team showed promising pace, with Toni Elias in fourth ahead of teammate Alex de Angelis, who completed the top five.

Nicky Hayden was sixth fastest on the only works Ducati on track, although the American finished with the exact same time as de Angelis.

"We've made a big improvement today," said Hayden. "It was important to have back-to-back days with similar conditions because at Valencia we only had one dry day and we weren't able to check that the changes we made to the bike overnight had worked.

"Today my feeling with the bike was much better from the first run and it is important that we've taken over a second and a half off my best time from yesterday.

"We are still a second off the top guys and I know the last second is the most difficult to find but at the same time we're less than a tenth off third fastest and the team is working well, I feel more and more comfortable with the bike and tyres and I can head home with a clear mind. I was pleased that Casey wanted to be here at the test.

"It has been useful to speak with him and Filippo (Preziosi) and it shows how tight the team is and how well everybody wants to do next season."

Mika Kallio was the quickest of the rookies in seventh, while veteran Sete Gibernau was ninth with the new Onde 2000 team.

MotoGP's testing ban kicks off at the start of next month. Pos Rider Team Time Laps 1. Valentino Rossi Fiat Yamaha Team 1:39.429 54 2. Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda 1:39.447 + 0.018 47 3. Jorge Lorenzo Fiat Yamaha Team 1:40.426 + 0.997 58 4. Toni Elias San Carlo Honda Gresini 1:40.448 + 1.019 56 5. Alex De Angelis San Carlo Honda Gresini 1:40.486 + 1.057 49 6. Nicky Hayden Ducati Marlboro Team 1:40.486 + 1.057 70 7. Mika Kallio Alice Team 1:40.564 + 1.135 54 8. Colin Edwards Tech3 Yamaha 1:40.604 + 1.175 39 9. Sete Gibernau ONDE 2000 Ducati 1:40.856 + 1.427 48 10. Andrea Dovizioso Repsol Honda 1:40.966 + 1.537 46 11. Niccolo Canepa Alice Team 1:41.077 + 1.648 48 12. James Toseland Tech3 Yamaha 1:41.740 + 2.311 45 13. Tonio Guareschi Ducati Marlboro Team 1:42.906 + 3.477 46 14. Yuki Takahashi Scot Racing Team 1:42.918 + 3.489 60

Pedrosa quickest in Jerez test

Top of SuperLiga table clash on tap

Rain hinders Kawasaki in Australia

The Kawasaki team were hindered by rain on their second day of testing at the Phillip Island circuit on Thursday.

The Japanese squad continued with the development work of their 2009 bike, with John Hopkins, Marco Melandri and test driver Olivier Jacque on track.

All three drivers, however, were forced to stop their testing early due to brief rain showers.

Melandri was also hampered by a crash but he still managed 64 laps with a best time of 1:31.800. The Italian, whose bike will be rebuilt for tomorrow, was uninjured.

Teammate Hopkins, meanwhile, was again riding in pain due to the ankle injury he suffered back in June.

"I am suffering quite badly with the pain from my ankle, as I just can't put weight on the pegs when accelerating out of the turns," said Hopkins. "We've done a lot of icing and strapping, but it's still very painful to ride.

"This test is important for us, and today we've spent a lot of time testing tyres using the same set-up we had in Valencia, as this gives us a reference point.

"We're not chasing lap times at the minute, particularly with having an injury, but we've definitely found some interesting results and gathered the all-important data we need.

"Hopefully with a bit more rest we can get out on track tomorrow for the last time this year to conclude our test with plenty of laps under our belt."

The team continue testing tomorrow.

Rested Revs shoot for clean sheet

Recurrent injury hampers Hopkins’ test

West critical of Kawasaki

Win worth wait for victorious Orange

Stoner to start training in two weeks

Casey Stoner says his recovery is progressing well following surgery to his wrist, and the former MotoGP champion will begin training soon.

The Ducati rider underwent surgery on 30 October and has been unable to ride a bike or train since then.

Stoner has stayed in Europe for the first phase of his recovery but will now travel to Australia.

An x-ray on the wrist joint carried out in Modena yesterday was positive and Stoner will start light training in around two weeks' time.

"Yesterday the doctors told me that everything is going okay with my wrist, now I must wait and see," said Stoner. "With the new cast they did yesterday I will be able to start some training on a pushbike so that is positive.

"In a few days I'll be heading back to Australia and it will be nice to be home for a while."

The Australian admitted it was awkward to miss this week's test at Jerez, where only teammate Nicky Hayden will be in action for Ducati.

"It was a very strange feeling to be watching today instead of riding. This is probably the longest period I've gone without riding a bike at all since I was three years old! I'll definitely have a lot of motivation to get back on track in February.

"It is good to watch the bikes on track together with my engineers and then speak about it with Filippo (Preziosi) and Nicky, to share our feelings and see what we can do to improve our machine for next season."

Ever-positive attitude key for Zayner

Stoner could undergo early surgery

Stoner undergoes wrist surgery

Pedrosa quickest in Jerez test

Dani Pedrosa topped the times on the opening day of the official MotoGP test at the Jerez circuit, where most teams are carrying out the final test of the year.

The Spaniard was riding two 2009 RC212V prototype bikes, while Repsol Honda teammate Andre Dovizioso ran back-to-back tests between a 2009 prototype and a 2008 spec RCV.

Pedrosa was the only rider to lap the Spanish track in less than one minute and 40 seconds, on a cold and windy day.

"They resurfaced the whole track in August and the new asphalt is very grippy and smooth, so I was able to do some good laptimes despite the cold temperatures and the strong winds which we had to deal with," said Pedrosa.

"Today we focused mainly on the engine, but the low temperatures meant that we started quite late this morning and stopped quite early this afternoon, so I need another day of testing to give a better evaluation of the latest engine configuration which is quite different from before.

"We also did some work on electronics, working to improve corner-entry performance and so on, but I think we need some more time on the motorcycle to really understand this latest engine configuration."

World champion Valentino Rossi was second quickest, albeit more than half a second behind Pedrosa.

Rossi was also using two bikes during the day, working with the 2008 and the 2009 prototype machines.

"I am happy about this first day because my performance has been good from the beginning and I have been fast all day," Rossi said. "Unfortunately it's been quite cold and there was only three hours when it was possible to go fast, but we were able to get quite a lot of work done in this short space of time.

"We have tried some different things on the old 2008 bike and we were able to make some improvements and then we also tested several new things on the prototype bike, and I am happy because I did my fastest lap with this bike. Bridgestone have brought good tyres here; so far I don't see any problems with the new rule and it seems they're doing a good job."

Teammate Jorge Lorenzo was third quickest ahead of Colin Edwards, also riding a Yamaha. Alex de Angelis completed the top five on the San Carlo Honda Gresini bike.

Nicky Hayden was the only works Ducati rider on track as Casey Stoner continues his recovery following the surgery on his wrist.

Hayden finished down in 10th position, but was still pleased with his day's work.

"It has been nice to get back on the bike and get on with the job in decent conditions," said Hayden. "The new surface is perfect, the bumps have disappeared and the grip improved with every lap. They've done a great job here at Jerez. I'm quite happy with my feeling with the bike.

"The laptimes came down with virtually every outing and that's positive, even though I'm still clearly a good way off the pace. We've got a lot of work ahead but the team is really close and we know that bike has the potential, so all we can do is keep working.

"Both tyre specs that we tried today worked well, although the softer one was obviously the preferable option in these temperatures. They've got no problem in terms of durability and I'm slowly starting to get used to the feeling the Bridgestones give back. Hopefully the good weather continues tomorrow."

The test resumes today. Pos Rider Team Time Laps 1. Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda 1:39.525 41 2. Valentino Rossi Fiat Yamaha 1:40.135 39 3. Jorge Lorenzo Fiat Yamaha 1:41.163 51 4. Colin Edwards Tech 3 Yamaha 1:41.390 49 5. Alex De Angelis San Carlo Honda Gresini 1:41.468 53 6. James Toseland Tech 3 Yamaha 1:41.539 50 7. Andrea Dovizioso Repsol Honda 1:41.655 48 8. Toni Elias San Carlo Honda Gresini 1:41.679 74 9. Niccolo Canepa Alice Team Ducati 1:42.074 50 10. Nicky Hayden Ducati Marlboro 1:42.098 69 11. Mika Kallio Alice Team Ducati 1:42.837 58 12. Sete Gibernau Onde 2000 Ducati 1:42.943 40 13. Vittoriano Guareschi Ducati 1:43.642 36 14. Yuki Takahashi Scot Racing Honda 1:44.360 64

Longtime rivals meet in postseason for first time

Pedrosa tops post-Le Mans test

Stoner quickest in Valencia test

Recurrent injury hampers Hopkins' test

John Hopkins struggled in testing at Phillip Island today after aggravating the leg injuries he sustained at Assen in June.

The Kawasaki rider missed several races in the middle of the season following his qualifying crash at the Dutch track, and had a metal plate inserted in his left ankle. The unusually high mileage notched up in today's test then caused the pain from the injury to flare up again.

"We ride a lot more during testing than we do on a race weekend, and that has caused me some problems today," said Hopkins.

"The left knee and ankle I damaged in the crash at Assen has been really painful. Every time I change gear the tendons in my ankle rub across the metal plate that was inserted to fix the bones, and this causes the ankle to swell up a lot.

"My knee also kept locking out, especially on the left-hand corners, so I'm not in great physical shape."

Team boss Michael Bartholemy said Hopkins' problems were exacerbated by jet leg.

"John was not in the best of condition today; he was short on sleep as a result of jet lag and his Assen injuries were obviously causing him some pain on the bike," he said. "Hopefully, after a good night's sleep tonight, he'll be firing on all cylinders again tomorrow."

Kawasaki and Suzuki have travelled to Phillip Island for three days of testing this week, while most of the MotoGP field will be in action at Jerez prior to the winter testing ban coming into force.

Test rider Olivier Jacque was the fastest of the Kawasaki trio, setting a 1:32.4 on a 2009 development bike, with Marco Melandri and the struggling Hopkins 0.1 and 0.9 seconds slower respectively. Suzuki did not issue times for Chris Vermeulen and Loris Capirossi.

Hopkins fractures ankle in crash

Hopkins to undergo further checks

Suzuki rev up for final test of 2008

The Rizla Suzuki team are revving up for the final test of 2008 as they head to the Phillip Island circuit.

Both Loris Capirossi and Chris Vermeulen will be working at the Australian circuit alongside the Kawasaki team, while the other MotoGP squads travel to Jerez to test.

The Suzuki duo will be joined by test rider Nobuatsu Aoki for the three-day test, with the Japanese ready to assist them team with the assessment of 2009 prototype chassis and engine parts.

"This will be a very important test for us as we will be able to see where we are at the moment for next year," said Capirossi. "Suzuki has been working really hard since the last test at Valencia and we will have lots of new parts to try out at Phillip Island.

"We have just done some wind tunnel testing in Japan and with the data we got there it will be interesting to see what the new aerodynamics will be like. We need to make the most of these three days as we don't have as many tests over the winter.

"It will also be good to have Nobu there to gives us some extra info and try out all the newest parts to see their durability and performance."

Vermeulen backed the team's decision to travel to Australia instead of going to Spain, where he believes the cooler weather would have not helped them.

"It is good to be going to Phillip Island rather than Jerez, because I am sure the weather will be better and we'll be able to get a lot more work done," Vermeulen added.

"This is only the second test since the single tyre rule was introduced so it will be interesting to see how the new compound we now have to use performs at a circuit that is always tough on tyres.

"We have had some problems at Phillip Island, but if we find something that works well there then it will almost certainly work even better at other tracks.

"It feels like a long while since we last tested the bike and it will be interesting to see all the new parts that the factory has got for us to try - hopefully they will be a big step in the right direction!"

Hayden tops shortened Valencia test

Cuba hosts U.S. in World Cup match

Hoops hoping to reignite attack

Suzuki hopeful of good race performance

Capirossi looking ahead to 2009

Bike electronics set to be restricted

Carmelo Ezpeleta, head of MotoGP commercial rights-holder Dorna, has hinted that the next major regulation change will be to decrease the importance of rider aid electronics in the championship.

MotoGP is introducing a single tyre supplier next year in a bid to reduce speeds and improve the racing, but many riders have also called for limitations on electronics, as they believe systems like traction control are harming the spectacle and making the MotoGP machines too easy to handle.

Although Ezpeleta warned that there would be no changes in the short-term, he confirmed that rider aids were the next topic on the agenda now that the tyre regulations were fixed.

"We need to get down to discuss it, as it's been done in every motor racing series," he told Motosprint.

"I've asked the manufacturers to look for a solution, to start talking, but we won't see anything in 2009. We'll need more time.

"However, regulating electronics will be the next step."

He denied that the current regulations had made recent seasons less exciting, though, and insisted that the 2008 battles between Valentino Rossi, Casey Stoner and Dani Pedrosa had been an excellent advert for MotoGP.

"2008 has been a great championship: Valentino, Casey and Dani did incredible things," said Ezpeleta.

"It must not be thought that Valentino won easily, he made incredible efforts and he won thanks to his genius. And he has shown his genius to the entire world, so this is a spectacle of the highest level. You only need to remember the Laguna Seca race...

"This was a season where Valentino's strategy counted a lot, and he won because he put Stoner under pressure. And if we add to this Pedrosa, who until mid-season was ahead, the level this year was extremely high. So the title for us has extraordinary value."

Ezpeleta is also confident that the Bridgestone control tyres will improve the racing next year, especially after the successful first tests of the new rubber at Valencia earlier this month.

"Looks like the control tyre is becoming less scary now," he said.

"I've spoken to the riders, and they've all told me they're satisfied. I really think everything will be fine.

"I have lots of confidence in the control tyre, also in order to see the riders closer to each other and to see races with more overtaking.

"So I expect the control tyre not only to reduce costs, but also to improve the spectacle."

He also confirmed that the compounds used in the Valencia test would be retained for 2009.

"If there should be conditions where we need to make some adjustments, then we'll do them for sure, but in general the regulation is the one experimented at Valencia," Ezpeleta said.

Burgess: Control tyres won’t slow Rossi

Ezpeleta defends single tyre move

Rossi: Electronic aids make bikes boring

Lenhart’s MLS career delays charity work

D.C. United disappointed with draw

Lorenzo says no title pressure for 2009

Jorge Lorenzo says there is no pressure on him to fight for the championship in 2009 following his sensational debut season in MotoGP.

The Spanish rider, a two-time 250cc champion, finished in fourth place in this year's championship, winning a race and scoring six podium finishes and four pole positions.

Despite his showing in only his first year in the category, however, the Yamaha rider says the goal for 2009 would be to just improve on his rookie season.

"There have been no objectives set out, and nobody is demanding that we win the title," he told the official MotoGP website.

"I think that if I can improve my results then it will be an extraordinary season."

The Spaniard admitted there is still work to do on the new Yamaha, having tested it for just one day following the end of the season at Valencia.

"I have only had the chance to try the new bike for a day, with the intention of adjusting to the new regulations," he added.

"The bike isn't working perfectly, so in Jerez we will be working above all with the chassis, now that we won't have the engine until Sepang."

Melandri admits he considered quitting

Marco Melandri has revealed that he was tempted to retire from MotoGP as he struggled to get to grips with the Ducati this season.

The Italian had a terrible year at the 2007 champion team, and has now left for Kawasaki.

While his Ducati teammate Casey Stoner won six races and finished second in the championship, Melandri was a lowly 17th in the standings and only took one top five finish.

He admitted that things got so bad by mid-season he began to think about quitting the sport.

"It's been a learning year due to disappointments, but I really can't complain because in June I'd predicted the end of a life stage," he wrote on his personal website.

"I seriously risked giving up during the bad times in my career and throwing it all in."

Melandri felt he had done his best to acclimatise to the Ducati and to keep his motivation intact despite his problems.

"It's not that this year I didn't try my best; on the contrary, I tried everything I could to start every race as if I was going to win," he said.

"But when everything goes wrong and it's meant to be, there's nothing you can do to change fate.

"One thing I've learnt is that at times it doesn't help to ask yourself what's not working and who or what's wrong, because it doesn't improve the future and only makes you worry more and isn't helpful. I believe that at times it's best to let things be, knowing that you've done the best you can."

But while admitting that he came close to turning his back on MotoGP, Melandri says he is now extremely motivated for his new challenge at Kawasaki.

"One day something clicked in my head and I realised that if loads of people still believe in me then I should as well," he said.

"Now I see it differently, it's a bit like a wild card or an added extra because I really thought I was at a crossroads. Now I feel really good, my work is my great passion and I'll give it all I've got because I know I'll have a great time."

Watson impresses against former team

Melandri: Kawasaki will suit my style

Burgess: Control tyres won't slow Rossi

Jerry Burgess, Valentino Rossi's chief engineer, says the switch to single tyre rules in MotoGP next season will only make the Italian more dominant.

In an interview with Italian magazine Motosprint, Burgess said he believed the series' commercial boss Carmelo Ezpeleta had promoted control tyres as a method of improving the racing because the Michelin runners had been significantly slower than the Bridgestone riders at some Grands Prix in recent years.

But Burgess reckons Rossi's rivals would be better off trying to beat him with different equipment.

"Carmelo is trying to orchestrate everything, including the spectacle, but the problem is that Valentino is better and always will be," the Yamaha engineer said.

"Casey (Stoner) and Dani (Pedrosa) are not at his level, so making regulations to even out the playing field is useless. Valentino remains always the number one."

Bridgestone will supply the whole MotoGP field next year after Michelin decided not to tender for the single tyre contract.

Rossi had previously switched from Michelin to Bridgestone at the end of 2007, with Pedrosa following suit for the final races this season.

Burgess said he normally agreed with all Rossi's decisions but felt his enthusiasm for control tyres was misguided.

"Usually I do (agree), but there are times when I don't: the things Ezpeleta has got into many people's heads, Valentino's too, I don't agree with," he said.

"The single-tyre rule is a big mistake.

"This is a sport for prototypes where technology gets developed, so we need the confrontation between the highest possible number of technical partners. Not the other way around.

"We must not force the teams to make certain technical choices, also because the teams usually make the right choices on their own.

"You only need to look at this tyre case: Ducati, Yamaha and Honda have all gone for Bridgestone autonomously. No need to be forced by a rule book."

Clark experiences highs and lows of soccer

Michelin won’t bid to supply 2009 tyres

Dovizioso confident he can match Pedrosa

Andrea Dovizioso says his main focus for the 2009 season will be to step on the podium as much as possible, rather on trying to finish ahead of teammate Dani Pedrosa.

The Italian rider has switched from the satellite JiR Scot squad to the works Honda team for 2009, when he will be partnering former 125 and 250 world champion Pedrosa, who overshadowed teammate Nicky Hayden in the past two seasons.

Dovizioso, who made his MotoGP debut this year, says he is confident he will be able to be a match for the Spaniard.

"To finish ahead of Dani would be important, and I am confident about my chances, but I will be mainly focused on stepping on the podium any time I can, being consistent with my new Honda HRC throughout the season," said Dovizioso.

The Italian is also hopeful he will have a good relationship with Pedrosa.

"Dani is a former 125cc and 250cc world champion and a great rider, but first of all he is a good guy, probably even shyer than I am," Dovizioso was quoted as saying by the official MotoGP website.

"Maybe this is the reason why we don't have a great feeling yet, but we will have a lot of time to know each other.

"I think right now he is not reaching his level on the road, maybe also because of his manager," added Dovizioso, referring to Alberto Puig, who had a war of words with Hayden earlier this year.

MotoGP: Pedrosa disappointed by gap to Stoner

Chivas USA struggling to finish

Americans confident going forward

Dovizioso hints at works Honda deal

Pedrosa: 'Stoner was better than me'

Dani Pedrosa admitted that Casey Stoner had simply been 'better' than him after being defeated by the Australian rider at the Valencia Grand Prix.

Spaniard Pedrosa made a better start than the Ducati rider and forced his Repsol Honda into the lead at the first corner. He could not hang on though, losing his advantage before the end of the lap and remaining second for the rest of the race.

"It would have been an amazing day for a win," Pedrosa told the BBC. "But Stoner was a little bit faster every lap - one tenth per lap faster every time. Today he was better than me.

"But I'm happy to keep improving. We were on top all weekend, even in wet conditions, so it's not so bad for the end of the season."

Despite his defeat, Pedrosa said that he was happy to have ended his season competitively after a mid-season blip that saw him score just one point in three races and drop out of the championship fight.

"It's good to be back at the top," he added. "Because in the middle of the season I had some bad feelings, and now to be constantly at the top is a good thing for us."

MotoGP: Pedrosa disappointed by gap to Stoner

RSL, Morales agree to extension

Hayden delighted after maiden Ducati test

Nicky Hayden was delighted after his first test with the Ducati team on Monday, the American claiming he felt comfortable on the bike right away.

Hayden enjoyed his first taste of the Italian bike following the end of his relationship with Honda after the Valencia Grand Prix last Sunday.

The American completed a few laps with this year's GP8 bike before switching his focus to the GP9, also tested by teammate Casey Stoner.

Hayden finished around 1.5 seconds off Stoner's pace, but the former world champion admitted he felt right at home from the beginning, although he accepted there is still a lot of work ahead.

"It has been a very intense day and full of many things to test and to understand, but it was exactly as I expected it to be," said Hayden.

"I did just one run with the GP8 and then I switched completely to the GP9. Obviously there is a lot of work to do but I am happy, it was a good day that has allowed me to understand that the bike has good potential and, more than anything, I can say that I really enjoyed myself.

"This first day has given me an appreciation of the bike and the team. One of the things that really impressed me the most was the acceleration. I found myself pretty comfortable on the bike, and I really didn't make a lot of changes to levers and handlebars.

"We have not even changed a lot the settings, we have just made some small changes, some mapping settings, a couple of tyres, in order to try and understand the direction of the bike and to feel comfortable on it".

The Valencia test continues today.

Hayden confirmed at Ducati for 2009

Hayden rues costly warm-up crash

Nicky Hayden brought his Honda career to an end with a fighting fifth place in the Valencia Grand Prix, but felt his result could have been better had a morning accident not forced him to use his spare bike.

The 27-year-old American, had a mixed weekend in Spain, qualifying brilliantly on the front row for the Repsol team, but then crashing in warm-up and losing out on precious dry running as he tried to find a good race set-up.

"We started out the weekend like a bit of a fairytale - fastest in the first three sessions, so we were off to a good start, I think the conditions were better for us then," said Hayden.

"Yesterday afternoon we were third and on the front row, then this morning we had a big off which probably didn't help things. I just lost the front at turn nine, maybe conditions were a bit too cool for that front tyre.

"I had to swap bikes for the race and my crew had to change a lot of stuff: calipers, swingarm and so on. My other bike didn't feel so smooth. It wasn't too bad but I definitely liked my first bike better, but that was my fault."

Without his number one bike, fifth place was all the Ducati-bound former world champion could manage, Hayden proving powerless to resist the advances of Valentino Rossi and Andrea Dovizioso during the race.

"In the race I didn't quite get the start I wanted and those guys were just quicker in the beginning, my rhythm wasn't quick enough. It obviously would've been better to finish my last race with Honda a bit stronger," he added.

"I rode hard this weekend, now I'm looking forward to doing something different. I have to finish off by saying thanks to my team, to Honda, to Michelin and to everybody here. They made me a world champ, I'm grateful to them all."

Repsol Honda team manager Kazuhiko Yamano thanked Hayden for his efforts over the past six years and 99 races with the squad, which included three grand prix wins and the 2006 world title.

"Nicky did a good job this weekend," said Yamano. "He had quite a heavy crash this morning, but in the race he pushed as hard as he could.

"He was fastest in three practice sessions, qualified on the front row of the grid and I know he very much wanted to finish on the podium. My thanks to Nicky for a wonderful six seasons with Repsol Honda, my thanks also to the team and to Michelin."

Hayden: Tyre issues a learning experience

Lorenzo: China crash changed my year

Jorge Lorenzo believes his crash in practice for this year's Chinese Grand Prix ended his hopes of fighting for the MotoGP title in his first year.

The Spaniard began his debut season in the top category with a string of pole positions and podiums, and took his maiden win in the third round at Estoril. But the fall in China began a series of accidents that ruined his season.

He fractured his ankle in the crash at Shanghai and more falls followed in the next three rounds at Le Mans, Mugello and Barcelona. Another crash followed at Sachsenring before he broke his foot in a first-lap crash at Laguna Seca.

"I definitely could have finished with more points than I did, that's for sure," Lorenzo told Reuters. "What position I couldn't say, but I think that the fall in China hugely changed the championship... my championship."

He eventually recovered to finished fourth in the championship but expects to improve next season.

"I fell many times this season and that suggests I fall all the time, but that is not true," he said. "I remember that when I started in 125cc, I fell a lot in the first year but after that I fell hardly ever. I may make mistakes, but I think next year I won't fall so much."

Lorenzo believes he will be in the running to take the crown away from Valentino Rossi next season.

"Why not?" he added. "Valentino is an amazing rider but it is not impossible to beat him. (Nicky) Hayden and (Casey) Stoner did it.

"I can only promise to work hard and have ambition."

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MotoGP plans race in Singapore

Singapore could hold a MotoGP round as early as 2011, according to series boss Carmelo Ezpeleta.

The head of MotoGP promoter Dorna revealed that he has signed an agreement to stage a round of the world championship in Singapore when a planned purpose-built circuit in Changi is completed.

Ezpeleta told Singapore newspaper Today that he expects the new facility to be up and running in the next three years.

"We have signed an agreement with a promoter to stage a round of the motorbike world championship in Singapore," he said.

"But it depends when the permanent track will be completed. I understand it will be up in three years' time, so there could be a race as early as 2011, if not 2012.

"Asia is important to MotoGP's growth and Singapore is at the centre of it, that's why we want to hold a round there. But my agreement is subject to the track being built."

Singapore government official Teo Ser Luck said at last month's Formula One grand prix in Singapore that 20 hectares have been set aside for the Changi project and that more land could be released if necessary.

And the country's sports council CEO Oon Jin Teik told Today: "The Changi track is a major component of our motorsports industry development plan and it is intended to be funded by the private sector.

"The current financial climate will have an impact on the bidders we will be able to attract, but weaker players are unlikely to participate while stronger ones will need to put together even better proposals. Based on the feedback we're receiving, potential investors are still upbeat about the project."

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Hayden tops shortened Valencia test

Nicky Hayden topped the times on the second day of testing at the Valencia circuit, where the MotoGP teams carried out a shortened session due to the poor weather.

Only seven riders took the track today, as the rest of the teams decided not to run due to the rain that hit the Spanish circuit. The action, in fact, ended at 3pm.

Hayden covered 20 laps to finish on top of the times on his second day of work with the Ducati team.

The American outpaced Andrea Dovizioso by less than a 0.010 seconds, with Marco Melandri third quickest in the Kawasaki.

Niccolo Canepa and Mika Kallio were fourth and fifth, with the Alice team the only squad who ran with two riders.

Toni Elias and Loris Capirossi completed the timesheet, the Italian covering just seven laps.

MotoGP testing will return next month at the Phillip Island circuit. Pos Rider Team Time 1. Hayden Ducati Marlboro Team 1:48.287 2. Dovizioso Repsol Honda 1:48.296 3. Melandri Kawasaki Racing Team 1:48.786 4. Canepa Alice Team 1:49.917 5. Kallio Alice Team 1:50.275 6. Elias Team San Carlo Gresini 1:54.057 7. Capirossi Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1:57.322

Stoner quickest in Valencia test

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Yamaha and FIAT extend partnership

FIAT have signed an extension to their deal with Yamaha to be the title sponsor of the Japanese manufacturer's MotoGP team.

The partnership, which began at the start of the 2007 season, will continue at least until the end of 2010.

Yamaha's executive officer of engineering operations, Masao Furusawa, said: "I heartily welcome the extension of the agreement with FIAT for another two years. We will be working to continue the great partnership that resulted in winning the triple crown in 2008."

Valentino Rossi won the MotoGP title for the FIAT Yamaha team this year, while Jorge Lorenzo finished fourth overall as the top rookie in the series.

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Hayden 'settling in' at Ducati

New Ducati signing Nicky Hayden says he is still settling into the style of his GP9 after setting the fastest time in the wet second day of testing at Valencia.

The American, one of just seven riders to take part in the shortened second day, says he has a lot of hard to work to do before he is ready to match teammate Casey Stoner's pace in dry conditions.

"We haven't really played around with the setting too much because at the moment the most important thing is to try and adapt to the bike, the tyres, the team and their way of working and communicating," he said after yesterday's test. "I have to be careful not to speak too fast or use too much slang!

"Joking aside, I know I have a lot of hard work to do but I'm ready for it and so is the team.

"I haven't asked for too many changes because Casey has already shown what this bike can do and now it's up to me to do the same."

Hayden added that he was disappointed not to have had more dry running on the Italian machine, but said that testing in the wet was still useful.

"I would have preferred to have another dry day today because we still had a lot of things to try with the bike but at least I got chance to get a first feel for it in the wet," he said. "We've seen with the way the rain has followed us around this season how important it is to have experience in these conditions.

"After my first run I said to myself, "wow, you're so slow!" But then we made some small changes and I felt better."

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Stoner undergoes wrist surgery

Ducati rider Casey Stoner underwent successful surgery on his wrist on Thursday in Italy and has already left hospital.

The Australian, who had been hindered by the injury since it reemerged during the latter part of the 2008 season, got two floating bodies removed from the area of the styloid process of the lower arm.

The 2007 world champion was treated for pseudoarthrosis on his left scaphoid before the removal of a staple, which had been inserted during an operation in 2003.

He also received a bone graft using the Herbert Bone Screw System, which is designed to promote early active motion.

Stoner will begin his rehabilitation over the next few days in Switzerland.

Stoner could undergo early surgery

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Stoner quickest in Valencia test

Casey Stoner set the fastest time on the first day of the post-season MotoGP test at Valencia today.

The Ducati rider's best effort was a tenth of a second quicker than his fastest lap in Sunday's race, while Dani Pedrosa and Valentino Rossi set the next quickest times in a repeat of the top three from the weekend's Grand Prix. Although Rossi only joined in for the last two hours of the day.

The Suzuki's of Chris Vermeulen and Loris Capirossi were fourth and fifth quickest, ahead of Alex de Angelis on the Gresini Honda and Jorge Lorenzo's factory Yamaha.

But the spotlight today was on the riders having their first tests for new teams. Several riders switched to their new homes today as Nicky Hayden moved to Ducati, Andrea Dovizioso took his place at Repsol Honda, Marco Melandri switched to Kawasaki, and Toni Elias moved back to Gresini Honda..

Other riders also joined the series today, with Sete Gibernau making his MotoGP return on the Onde Ducati, 250cc graduates Mika Kallio and Yuki Takahashi in action for Alice Ducati and JiR Team Scot Honda, and Niccolo Canepa alongside Kallio at Alice.

Dovizioso was quickest of those to change bikes since Sunday's race, setting the eighth fastest time 1.2 seconds adrift of Stoner's benchmark.

Melandri was inside the top ten and just 0.022s slower than new Kawasaki teammate John Hopkins, while Hayden was 12th for Ducati and 1.5s behind Stoner as he concentrated on acclimatising himself with the new machine.

Lorenzo continued his troubled time at Valencia with a crash during the afternoon, but was unhurt.

The test was also the first run on Bridgestone tyres for all the riders that raced with Michelin this year, on MotoGP's first day as a single-tyre championship. The test will conclude tomorrow.

Pos Rider Team Time 1. Casey Stoner Ducati Marlboro Team 1:32.464 2. Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda 1:32.672 3. Valentino Rossi Fiat Yamaha Team 1:32.921 4. Chris Vermeulen Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1:33.142 5. Loris Capirossi Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1:33.325 6. Alex De Angelis San Carlo Honda Gresini 1:33.375 7. Jorge Lorenzo Fiat Yamaha Team 1:33.550 8. Andrea Dovizioso Repsol Honda 1:33.676 9. John Hopkins Kawasaki Racing Team 1:33.760 10. Marco Melandri Kawasaki Racing Team 1:33.782 11. Randy De Puniet LCR Honda MotoGP 1:33.832 12. Nicky Hayden Ducati Marlboro Team 1:33.960 13. Toni Elias San Carlo Honda Gresini 1:34.129 14. Sete Gibernau Onde 2000 Ducati 1:34.451 15. Mika Kallio Alice Team 1:34.793 16. Olivier Jacque Kawasaki Racing Team 1:34.925 17. Niccolo Canepa Alice Team 1:34.995 18. Yuki Takahashi JiR Team Scot Honda 1:35.203

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