MotoGP

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Toseland says he’s getting over crash

Culture shock just what Rays needed

Evans busts out for Indios

Rossi not expecting pay cut in downturn

Valentino Rossi has said that the economic downturn will not affect him this season, but expressed his sympathy for the teams that have had to cut back.

In a press conference at Jerez, the reigning world champion joked that he reckoned his salary would be safe as he had secured his new Yamaha contract before the financial crisis.

"I'm very lucky because I sign my contract around June," he said, triggering plenty of laughter from the assembled journalists. "I don't know if there is some news, but I think (my) salary will be the same and no one from Yamaha says (to me) it will be less."

Talking more seriously, Rossi admitted that life would be harder for team personnel.

"Things change a lot," he said. "The sacrifice is more for the people of the team. My mechanics come all the way from Australia a lot of times and maybe they come in economy, but for me personally and all the riders we remain the same."

He thinks the only adjustment for the riders will be adapting to the reduced practice time, with the Friday morning sessions now removed, testing cancelled for most of the year, and other sessions truncated.

"Changes are more about technical (matters) because we have less time to set the bike up," said Rossi. More than 1.5 hours less during for the weekend for practice and no more tests during the season so for sure the way to work on the bike changes.

"I am quite worried because a lot of times we arrived on the right setting only on Sunday morning. So it will be more difficult for everybody but the real sacrifices are (for) others and more the people that work in the hospitality or down in the garage."

Many teams have implemented cheaper travel arrangements with even some team managers travelling in economy class to the long haul races.

Rossi's crew chief Jerry Burgess was one of the most outspoken voices on cutting travel costs, citing the fact that he sat on aeroplanes for 497 hours during the 2007 season, and the fact that his latest trip from Australia to Jerez took him 45 hours.

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Stoner fastest in morning practice

Casey Stoner was quickest in the morning test prior to today's BMW M Award qualifying simulation at Jerez.

The Ducati rider set his benchmark 1m39.804s time on only his fourth lap of the morning, and remained uncatchable for the rest of the session.

Stoner had initially been over a second clear of the field, but as testing progressed the Yamahas closed in. Jorge Lorenzo eventually took second place, 0.383s behind Stoner, and remained the fastest man of the weekend so far as his Saturday time was a tenth of a second quicker than Stoner managed this morning.

World champion Valentino Rossi was pushed back to third when his team-mate Lorenzo improved in the final minutes.

Andrea Dovizioso showed better form on the factory Honda to take fifth place, splitting the two Suzukis, but remained a second off the pace.

Marco Melandri continued Hayate Kawasaki's promising test by taking eighth, behind his Ducati replacement Nicky Hayden and ahead of Sete Gibernau's satellite Ducati and the two Tech 3 Yamahas.

After an hour-long lunch break, the day's action continues with the televised qualifying session nicknamed 'GP Zero' and then the final three hours of winter testing.

Pos Rider Bike Time 1. Casey Stoner Ducati 1:39.804 2. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha 1:40.187 + 0.383 3. Valentino Rossi Yamaha 1:40.252 + 0.448 4. Loris Capirossi Suzuki 1:40.330 + 0.526 5. Andrea Dovizioso Honda 1:40.806 + 1.002 6. Chris Vermeulen Suzuki 1:40.970 + 1.166 7. Nicky Hayden Ducati 1:41.060 + 1.256 8. Marco Melandri Kawasaki 1:41.207 + 1.403 9. Sete Gibernau Ducati 1:41.243 + 1.439 10. Colin Edwards Yamaha 1:41.513 + 1.709 11. James Toseland Yamaha 1:41.516 + 1.712 12. Toni Elias Honda 1:41.594 + 1.790 13. Mika Kallio Ducati 1:41.600 + 1.796 14. Randy de Puniet Honda 1:41.637 + 1.833 15. Alex de Angelis Honda 1:41.640 + 1.836 16. Vittoriano Guareschi Ducati 1:41.711 + 1.907 17. Kosuke Akiyoshi Honda 1:42.058 + 2.254 18. Niccolo Canepa Ducati 1:42.376 + 2.572 19. Yuki Takahashi Honda 1:42.564 + 2.760

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Monday, March 30, 2009

Rossi: Stoner has qualifying edge

Valentino Rossi admitted that Casey Stoner was unbeatable in today's Jerez session, which saw the Ducati rider take the top spot with a commanding 0.7-second margin.

Reigning champion Rossi had a number of dramas in his session, including being blocked by Toni Elias while on a hot lap, but he didn't think he could have matched Stoner's 1m38.646s lap even if the event had not been interrupted by James Toseland's crash and stopped early due to rain.

"This afternoon I was quite unlucky because just before the red flag I was on a fast lap and was blocked, then we had the red flag and this meant there wasn't much time before the rain came at the end," said Rossi.

"I am not sure I could have beaten Stoner today though; he was faster over one lap than me."

But Rossi remains confident about his pace on long runs.

"I am happy enough about this test because yesterday and this morning we worked very well, made some good progress and most importantly we were fast," he said.

"We have a good setting for the race here and my race pace and speed is good."

Rossi's team-mate Jorge Lorenzo had been fastest in Saturday's test but was only fourth in the qualifying session.

"Yesterday was good but today it was a lot colder and I found it harder to be as fast because the conditions were quite different," he said.

Lorenzo started his MotoGP career with three straight pole positions last year, but is concerned that he might now struggle in qualifying with the end of the tyre war.

"I think that the qualifying this year is going to be quite hard without the special tyres, which always suited my riding style quite well," he said.

"I was quite a specialist with the qualifying tyres and now I don't have that advantage, so I have to learn to adapt. My riding style is better with the harder Bridgestone tyre and so it will be quite difficult for me to be as good in the qualifying sessions this year, I think."

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MotoGP plans engine points penalties

MotoGP is to deduct points from riders and teams who require extra engine changes when it reduces its new limits later this year.

The series had already announced that each rider will be restricted to five engines from this year's Brno race to the end of the season - which is now seven races rather than eight due to the cancellation of the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Today at Jerez, FIM president Vito Ippolito said that this rule would be tightened for 2010, with each rider allowed only six engines for the whole championship, equivalent to one engine for every three races.

Any rider needing to use additional engines will receive a 10-point deduction, rather than a Formula 1-style grid penalty.

"For the rider concerned, they will have ten points less from their total season points. This is the penalty for the rider," said Ippolito.

"The classification for the manufacturers will also be deducted by ten points. This is an important issue."

Ippolito also confirmed that spare bikes will be banned from 2010.

"For the next season, 2010, we will have some important changes," he said. "The first of them is that we will have only one machine (per rider) during each MotoGP event, rather than the two machines we have usually allowed."

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Dovizioso fastest in wet final test

Honda's Andrea Dovizioso set the fastest time at Jerez this afternoon as rain meant that MotoGP's winter testing came to a low-key end.

The weather that had brought the lunchtime qualifying session to an early halt dissuaded many riders from going out at all in the last session of the weekend. No one set a lap time in the first hour, and only 10 of the 19 riders took to the track at all.

Suzuki's Chris Vermeulen showed characteristic good wet weather form to top much of the afternoon before Dovizioso edged ahead by two tenths of a second.

Marco Melandri had flown in inclement conditions on the Hayate Kawasaki in Qatar and did the same here, taking third place followed by a trio of Ducatis - test rider Vittoriano Guareschi and race rider Nicky Hayden's factory examples, and BMW Award session star Mika Kallio's satellite Pramac version.

Casey Stoner, who had won the new BMW road car on offer for the fastest time in the midday qualifying simulation, was one of those who chose not to participate in the afternoon practice, along with works Yamaha riders Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo.

The season begins in a fortnight with the floodlit Qatar Grand Prix at Losail.

Pos Rider Bike Time 1. Andrea Dovizioso Honda 1:51.488 2. Chris Vermeulen Suzuki 1:51.688 + 0.200 3. Marco Melandri Kawasaki 1:52.105 + 0.617 4. Vittoriano Guareschi Ducati 1:52.228 + 0.740 5. Nicky Hayden Ducati 1:52.243 + 0.755 6. Mika Kallio Ducati 1:52.343 + 0.855 7. Yuki Takahashi Honda 1:53.678 + 2.190 8. Loris Capirossi Suzuki 1:55.147 + 3.659 9. Niccolo Canepa Ducati 1:55.219 + 3.731 10. Randy de Puniet Honda 1:55.465 + 3.977 11. Alex de Angelis Honda no time 12. Toni Elias Honda no time 13. Casey Stoner Ducati no time 14. Valentino Rossi Yamaha no time 15. Colin Edwards Yamaha no time 16. James Toseland Yamaha no time 17. Sete Gibernau Ducati no time 18. Kosuke Akiyoshi Honda no time 19. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha no time

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Moto2 to be single engine category

The FIM, motorcycling's governing body, has announced that the new Moto2 category will use a single brand of engine.

The possibility of identical engines was mooted when details of Moto2 were first outlined last autumn, but this issue was not mentioned when initial regulations were released in December 2008.

But in a press conference at Jerez today, FIM president Vito Ippolito said agreement had now been reached to seek a single engine supplier for Moto2.

"In the case of Moto2, there is some news," he said. "This is a proposal coming from the manufacturers. The proposal is to have one-make engine regulations. That means that we will have one brand of engine (only) in the Moto2 class."

Moto2 will replace the 250cc class as MotoGP's primary feeder category from 2011. The single engine will be a 600cc, four-stroke unit. Chassis choice will remain free.

Ezpeleta defends single tyre move

No decision on MotoGP Friday sessions

FIM president Vito Ippolito says the future format of MotoGP race weekends remains undecided, with the governing body yet to commit to cancelling all Friday track action.

Friday morning sessions have already been eliminated under the new cost-cutting regulations introduced for 2009, and earlier this month MotoGP rights-holder Carmelo Ezpeleta said he expected the opening practice day to be removed altogether next season, in favour of promotional activities.

However in a press conference to announce the 2010 rules at Jerez today, Ippolito said the Friday format remained up in the air.

"We are studying the new events schedule," he said. "For next year the schedule is now under discussion. We're trying to understand what is better - to continue to have practice on Friday in the afternoon, or not.

"(To have) the same quantity of time - 120 minutes - maybe with some other specification? But we have to decide whether to continue with practice on Friday or not."

Reigning champion Valentino Rossi said yesterday that he would not be in favour of removing Friday practice outright.

"For me it is not a good idea to lose Friday because with just two hours on Saturday it will be nearly impossible to make a good setting for the race," he said.

"Also if we don't test on Friday when we arrive on Saturday (the track) will be dirty for the race with less grip, and this could be dangerous."

While the number of practice sessions for 2010 is yet to be determined, the FIM has approved a new rule limiting each team to five personnel working on each bike during practice.

"Everyone has agreed to have five people touching the machine in the pits during the practice hours," said Ippolito.

Testing cuts have also been finalised, with just eight days of running per year set to take place in 2009 and 2010.

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Lorenzo leads Yamaha one-two in test

Jorge Lorenzo led team-mate Valentino Rossi in a Yamaha one-two at the end of today's MotoGP test at Jerez.

The Spaniard had struggled with the transition to Bridgestone control tyres for much of the winter before making a breakthrough at the end of the previous test in Qatar.

He then carried that form through to Jerez, beating Rossi to the top spot with a late 1m39.791s lap, 0.070 seconds quicker than the world champion.

With the day starting on a very wet track, Rossi chose to sit out the entire morning waiting for the surface to dry. But once he joined the action he soon established himself at the top of times, where he remained until Lorenzo edged ahead late in the afternoon.

"I am very satisfied because I have improved through every hour of the day today," said Lorenzo. "I was able to confirm the good feeling that I had on the last day in Qatar, when I was second. We still need to keep working, this is just the beginning, but I think we're going in the right way."

Casey Stoner took third for Ducati, 0.115s down on Lorenzo's time, at a track he expects to be his team's weakest.

"Jerez has been our weak point for the last couple of seasons and for some reason our bike just doesn't like it here," he said.

"There used to be a lot of bumps that unsettled it but to be fair a lot of them were ironed out when they relaid the surface and now it's hard to put my finger on the problem. I think every Ducati rider is in the same boat - Jerez is like our kryptonite!"

Suzuki continued their promising winter form, with Chris Vermeulen and Loris Capirossi fourth and sixth. They were split by Colin Edwards, as the Tech 3 Yamaha team made its debut in Monster colours.

Andrea Dovizioso was only seventh on the factory Honda, just ahead of Gresini Honda's Alex de Angelis, who had a fall in the afternoon. Nicky Hayden (Ducati) and Toni Elias (Gresini Honda) completed the top ten.

Marco Melandri had run in the top ten for much of the day on the Hayate Kawasaki, before slipping back to 12th, just behind Tech 3's James Toseland.

On his first appearance deputising for Dani Pedrosa at Honda, former Suzuki rider Kosuke Akiyoshi was 18th quickest.

Tomorrow's test day - the last before the Qatar season-opener - is punctuated by the television 'qualifying simulation' session, in which the fastest rider wins a new BMW road car.

Pos Rider Bike Time 1. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha 1:39.791 2. Valentino Rossi Yamaha 1:39.861 + 0.070 3. Casey Stoner Ducati 1:39.906 + 0.115 4. Chris Vermeulen Suzuki 1:40.572 + 0.781 5. Colin Edwards Yamaha 1:40.579 + 0.788 6. Loris Capirossi Suzuki 1:40.650 + 0.859 7. Andrea Dovizioso Honda 1:40.821 + 1.030 8. Alex de Angelis Honda 1:40.900 + 1.109 9. Nicky Hayden Ducati 1:40.987 + 1.196 10. Toni Elias Honda 1:41.049 + 1.258 11. James Toseland Yamaha 1:41.122 + 1.331 12. Marco Melandri Kawasaki 1:41.160 + 1.369 13. Randy de Puniet Honda 1:41.168 + 1.377 14. Mika Kallio Ducati 1:41.226 + 1.435 15. Yuki Takahashi Honda 1:41.362 + 1.571 16. Sete Gibernau Ducati 1:41.737 + 1.946 17. Niccolo Canepa Ducati 1:41.851 + 2.060 18. Kosuke Akiyoshi Honda 1:42.286 + 2.495 19. Vittoriano Guareschi Ducati 1:42.324 + 2.533

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Burgess: Control tyres won’t slow Rossi

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Burgess questions cost cutting moves

Valentino Rossi's crew chief Jerry Burgess believes this season's cost cutting measures have been misdirected.

The Yamaha engineer would have preferred to see this weekend's official MotoGP test at Jerez removed from the calendar in favour of a normal three-day test at a location more likely to have good weather.

The curtailed 2009 testing schedule has seen just two three-day tests at Sepang and Losail, plus this weekend's Jerez sessions - a massive reduction on previous years.

"I don't know if it is really the right way to go," said Burgess, who has won 11 500cc and MotoGP titles with Wayne Gardner, Mick Doohan and Rossi.

"Perhaps we need to sit back and look a little bit longer before we make such massive slashes to practice and development times.

"I wouldn't cut costs I would stabilise costs to keep them where they are."

Burgess is frustrated that a day's testing has already been lost due to rain and wind at Qatar and that the Jerez test has been cut from three days to just two. Today has dawned wet - meaning only two bikes have ventured out on track so far.

The Australian also questioned the wisdom of testing at night in Qatar, although he accepted the promotional value of the race taking place after dark.

"I would much rather see the Qatar test take place during the day for example," he said. "The temperature drops the minute you start during the evening."

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Rossi wants less races, more track time

Valentino Rossi has said that he would prefer less races in a season, but more time at each grand prix to test and set up for race on Sunday.

The eight time world champion commented in response to the possible changes that have been discussed in the Grand Prix Commission over recent weeks with a further meeting taking place today at Jerez.

Already in 2009 Friday morning's free practice has been axed while other sessions have been trimmed, with a total loss of one and a half hours of track time, and this weekend the total removal of Friday track time could be approved for 2010.

The calendar for this season had 18 races on it but has ironically dropped to 17 after the Hungarian track at Balaton failed to secure funding. In 1997 the calendar was 14 races and finished in September while this year the last race is on 8 November.

"From our (riders') point of view it is better to do less races, but with the same (practice) time (as before) to prepare for the race," said Rossi.

"However, it is more important for the television that we do more racing.

"Maybe this is a little bit worse because you have less time to prepare for the race. Many times you then arrive at the start and you are maybe without the perfect set-up, but with the single tyre rule now you have less work there, so that will make things less tricky to get to the start on Sunday."

With Friday track time looking to be completely cut in 2010, Rossi said he would be happy to do promotional activities instead, but would dearly miss the track time.

"Maybe we do autograph for the fans - this is important for the crowd who come for the weekend, but for me it is not a good idea to lose Friday because with just two hours on Saturday it will be nearly impossible to make a good setting for the race," he said.

"Also if we don't test on Friday when we arrive on Saturday (the track) will be dirty for the race with less grip, and this could be dangerous."

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Suzuki unveils its 2009 MotoGP livery

Rizla Suzuki has unveiled its 2009 colour scheme at Jerez this morning with riders Loris Capirossi and Chris Vermuelen, ahead of this weekend's final pre-season test.

The latest bike sports a similar livery to last year after Rizla renewed its deal earlier this month. Suzuki had previously carried an all-black livery in testing.

The works Suzuki effort again has just two bikes on the MotoGP grid after talks to supply further bikes to the Aspar squad, currently in 125 and 250, came to nothing last season.

The 2009 800cc Suzuki has a short, stubby silencer that has already been dubbed a 'baked bean can' exhaust. Its purpose is to reduce the noise for the riders, and so aid their concentration. Yamaha has implemented a similar system on Valentino Rossi's bike in recent years.

Technically, the bike is an evolution of last year's machine, and has shown promising pace in testing so far, running in the top three at Sepang and the top six in Qatar.

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LCR Honda lands Playboy deal

Randy de Puniet's LCR Honda will run with Playboy sponsorship this year in a new deal announced today at Jerez.

Former 125cc GP winner Lucio Cecchinello has been chasing the deal for some time with the US arm of the Hugh Hefner-run organisation.

The Playboy logo will be displayed on the Honda at a some races but not in Qatar, where strict rules concerning eroticism prevent the brand.

Lucio Cecchinello said: "We have been in touch with Playboy US for a long time and, taking advantage of the opportunity given by the presence of some American top executives part of Hugh Hefner entourage during his latest visit to Europe."

De Puniet's colours will hit the track tomorrow at Jerez.

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Thursday, March 26, 2009

Dovizioso: Honda will have tough start

Andrea Dovizioso does not think the factory Honda team will be able to solve its current problems in time for the MotoGP season-opener in Qatar on 12 April.

But the Italian remains confident that the new bike has 'massive potential' once its issues are resolved.

"Our problems are stability under braking and the engine's power curve," Dovizioso told Motosprint. "They are both equally annoying, also because the proportion between them changes depending on the circuit's characteristics.

"These two problems are always there, on every track, sometimes one is the worst, other times it's the other. They've never gone away. These are big problems because at turn exits you can't take advantage of the bike's potential, which is massive."

Dovizioso had already admitted that he was finding it tough to adjust to having a big role in bike development after previously driving for the satellite JiR Scot Honda squad.

He has carried out the team's programme alone for much of winter testing due to team-mate Dani Pedrosa's injuries, although Honda is bringing in Kousuke Akiyoshi to assist at Jerez this weekend.

"I've never ridden such a quick bike, with so much horsepower," said Dovizioso. "It's a good thing, because this great power highlights other problems and I haven't yet been able to understand how to take advantage of the whole package.

"I can assure that setting up and taking advantage of the works Honda isn't easy at all."

Dovizioso thinks Honda has now run out of time to cure its problems before Losail.

"I don't think I'll be able to take the whole development forward all at the same time [ahead of the first race], because we have very few days of work left," he said.

"The problems we have now, I don't think I'll be able to get rid of them from here to April 12. We'll only be able to reduce them."

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Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Akiyoshi to replace Pedrosa at Jerez

Kosuke Akiyoshi will replace Spaniard Dani Pedrosa in this weekend's official MotoGP test at the Jerez circuit.

Pedrosa will sit out the test as he continues his recovery following the surgery he underwent earlier this month after his heavy crash in Qatar.

Former Suzuki tester Akiyoshi will join Andrea Dovizioso as the team continues with the developments of its RC212V ahead of the start of the season.

"This is an important test for the Repsol Honda Team and we're looking to use these two days to maximum effect as we approach the start of the season," said team manager Kazuhiko Yamano.

"The team gathered a lot of useful data at the previous tests in Sepang and Qatar and it's our intention to make significant progress in this final pre-season test.

"Dani won't be riding because it's important he recovers fully after his operation, and so Kosuke Akiyoshi will ride Dani's machine. Although in a perfect world Dani would be testing here, we're confident that Kosuke can ably assist Andrea with our development programme for the RC212V."

The team said Pedrosa saw a doctor last week and he confirmed that his recovery is going according to plan.

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Monday, March 23, 2009

Suzuki riders expect more progress

Suzuki duo Chris Vermeulen and Loris Capirossi are optimistic that their team will take another step forward in the final pre-season MotoGP test at Jerez this weekend.

Both riders were delighted with the latest Suzuki after running in the top six in the previous tests at Sepang and Losail - but did feel that the bike needed more power to really get on terms with pace-setters Yamaha and Ducati. Vermeulen hopes that the team's efforts since Losail earlier this month will help close that gap.

"The Jerez test can't come soon enough for me," he said. "After the first two tests, where we have made some good advances, it will be interesting to see what improvements the factory has made after all the data we supplied from Sepang and Qatar - I am sure the technicians are doing all they can to find what we are looking for."

Capirossi is also expecting further progress at Jerez, and believes Suzuki can realistically target victories this year.

"We have had a good start to the year, but we must continue to improve," he said. "I believe that Suzuki will give us a bike that we can win on and I can't wait to see the latest version that we get at Jerez."

The two-day Jerez test will feature the traditional televised qualifying simulation on Sunday lunchtime. Vermeulen said this will be particularly important this year given the change to control tyres.

"It will be the first time we've had a timed session - similar to a new qualifying session - with the single rule tyres," he said.

"This will give us a good chance to gauge what we could possibly expect from qualifying in the coming season."

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Friday, March 20, 2009

Hopkins switches to World Superbikes

MotoGP refugee John Hopkins has severed his ties with Kawasaki and signed for the Stiggy Honda team in the Superbike World Championship.

The 25-year-old American had been left on the sidelines when Kawasaki announced it was pulling out of MotoGP at the start of 2009.

It had initially been thought that Hopkins would be part of any rescue plan, but Marco Melandri was named as the sole rider when a deal was reached for the ex-factory team to continue running under the Hayate Racing banner, with Hopkins opting to move on.

"Kawasaki and I worked it out where both parties left the relationship happy, and I am thankful to Kawasaki for letting me ride their bikes and race in their programme," said Hopkins.

"I'm excited about racing in the 2009 season and solely putting my focus on moving forward."

Hopkins had a miserable, injury-plagued, year with Kawasaki in 2008. He had hoped to lead the team forward after joining following a breakthrough 2007 season with Suzuki, but ended up only 16th in the championship, with just one top five finish to his team.

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MotoGP to axe Friday practice in 2010

Dorna boss Carmelo Ezpeleta expects MotoGP events to become two-day meetings from 2010, as part of the next round of cost-cutting measures that the teams will discuss later this month.

Ezpeleta has confirmed that the 2010 changes will be agreed during the Jerez test that takes place next weekend.

Friday morning sessions have already been cancelled for this season, but all track activity on the current opening day is set to cease next year. In addition, Ezpeleta expects spare bikes to be banned and a rule introduced to encourage promising rookie riders to start with private teams.

"At Jerez, during the tests, we'll meet to decide the 2010 regulations," he was quoted as saying by Gazzetta dello Sport.

"We'll surely cancel Fridays, which will be dedicated to promotional activity. There won't be spare bikes anymore, and we'll talk about the possibility of using the same engine for three races.

"The rule whereby rookies can't join a works team is also likely to be approved."

But one measure that won't take place is the introduction of a class championship for the non-factory bikes.

"I thought I could help by giving them official recognition," said Ezpeleta. "For a team like Gresini's, to be able to say 'we are privateers world champions' could have been something important to pitch to sponsors.

"But they told me it would look like a demotion to secondary league, so I accept this criticism. It won't get done."

Ezpeleta is confident that the rules changes will help MotoGP stay healthy through the economic downturn.

"We don't know how long the crisis will last, and 2010 could be even tougher," he said. "But I have faith in the strength of this sport. I'm almost certain that next year we'll have 20 riders on the track out of a maximum which I feel should be 22."

He rejected criticism that MotoGP had not responded to the crisis as rapidly or effectively as Formula 1.

"I won't judge the latest moves, they must have their own reasons," said Ezpeleta. "But if there's anyone who's done well and (acted) quickly in facing the crisis, then it's the bike world, thanks to the agreement between us, the federation, and the manufacturers.

"The others can regulate themselves the way they see fit, but I think in the end it will be them looking up at what we did."

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Thursday, March 19, 2009

De Angelis promises better season

Gresini Honda rider Alex de Angelis has promised to deliver stronger performances in his second MotoGP season this year.

The 25-year-old Italian was only 14th in the championship at the end of his first season after graduating from 250cc. A pair of fourth positions were his best results but with a year's experience behind him, de Angelis is confident of improving on that tally in 2009.

"I am approaching this new challenge with great enthusiasm," he said at a Gresini Honda media event.

"It will be an even tougher championship than last season, but I feel much stronger in myself.

"Now I have the experience of one year in MotoGP and the new RC212V is definitely competitive, above all with regard to the engine power.

"I aim to improve upon my results, I am not content with the two fourth positions that I scored last year."

Team boss Fausto Gresini is certain that de Angelis will show better form this year, and also expects stronger performances from team returnee Toni Elias, who is back at Gresini after one season with Alice Ducati.

"I believe firmly in the potential of my riders," said Gresini.

"Alex has accumulated vital experience having a complete MotoGP season under his belt, while Toni returns to the team with a wealth of expertise himself."

Elias will ride a factory-specification Honda, while de Angelis's bike is officially regarded as a 'satellite' machine so is likely to be of lower specification.

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‘Frank TV,’ take two

Capirossi expects very strong 2009

Loris Capirossi says he is increasingly optimistic about Suzuki's 2009 season after being highly impressed with the new bike in testing so far.

The veteran Italian was consistently in the top three at the Sepang test, and in the top six at Losail, as Suzuki proved to be Ducati and Yamaha's closest challenger.

"I like the bike," Capirossi told Motosprint. "We aren't 100 per cent engine-wise but in Qatar, on a track where we had always suffered, we didn't go bad at all.

"At the moment I'll just say that we can be competitive. I'm saying this because when we got to Malaysia I told myself: 'if we are quick by the time we leave this place, then that means we are really competitive.' The same thing happened in Qatar.

"Now I'm looking forward to Jerez. If we are competitive there too, then it means we are ready for a fine season."

But he admitted that Suzuki's horsepower deficit remained a concern.

"Frame-wise and balance-wise we are in good shape," Capirossi said. "Our bike isn't bad, but we lack a bit more power in the engine.

"But this is a type of work that can't be done on the track, it must be done back home, at the racing department. We can only do what we've done so far: work on engine mapping and set-up.

"We are finding better rideability, but we need more horsepower when we are on the straight."

Capirossi added that he was trying not to get carried away with his expectations for the season.

"My age advises me to keep my feet on the ground, but if I really must, I'll say that I'd like to fight in every race to get in the top five positions," he said.

Capirossi looking ahead to 2009

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Monday, March 16, 2009

Rizla extends deal with Suzuki

Suzuki has announced that the Imperial Tobacco Group will continue its partnership with the team for the 2009 MotoGP season.

Imperial Tobacco's Rizla brand has been Suzuki's title sponsor for the past three seasons, with a further one-year extension now confirmed.

Loris Capirossi and Chris Vermeulen will thus continue to race the "Rizla blue" Suzukis throughout the year.

"This is very positive news for Suzuki to continue our partnership with Rizla in today's current difficult climate," said team manager Paul Denning.

"We have enjoyed a very close relationship, both on and off the track, with Rizla during the past three years and have certainly considered all the representatives of Rizla as part of the team.

"Our on track performance during the first two tests has also been very encouraging and shows how much hard work the Factory has put in during the off season. The GSV-R has certainly come a long way since last year and we know there is still more to come - Chris and Loris were both very impressed with the new bike, but we know there is still a lot of work to do.

"The Suzuki team will continue to work hard to keep improving, and we are very positive about our prospects for 2009 in partnership with Rizla."

Suzuki rev up for final test of 2008

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Dovizioso feels pressure of Honda role

Andrea Dovizioso has admitted that he feels much more 'responsibility' now that he has joined the factory Honda MotoGP team.

After an impressive rookie season with the satellite JiR Scot squad last year, Dovizioso was signed by the works Repsol Honda team to replace former champion Nicky Hayden.

He has since had to carry out most of the team's winter testing workload following a series of injury blows for team-mate Dani Pedrosa.

At a Repsol launch event in Madrid's Palacio de Deportes yesterday, Dovizioso said he was still adjusting to his status as a factory rider with one of MotoGP's top teams.

"It is a great experience and an incredible challenge, something I have already had a chance to see in the pre-season practice sessions," he said.

"Being in the official team means that you carry more responsibility. I now have to help develop the motorbike, and that in the world of MotoGP is quite complex.

"All I did before was to ride and go as fast as possible, refining the set-up, but now I also have to think about how the bike behaves so that its overall performance can be improved."

Dovizioso had been concerned about Honda's performance as it trailed Yamaha, Ducati and Suzuki in the Sepang and Losail tests, but he is optimistic about recent developments.

"The bike is going quite a bit better as we have more power coming from the engine, and a new chassis has really helped us with the sensations that the front end transmits to us, it now leans over better," he said.

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Dovizioso concerned about Honda’s pace

Pedrosa says recovery on course

Dani Pedrosa says his recovery after surgery is progressing on schedule and he remains optimistic that he will be fit for the MotoGP season-opener in Qatar on 12 April.

The Spaniard will sit out the final winter test at Jerez in a fortnight while he recuperates following operations on his left wrist and knee, which were both injured in a testing accident at Losail a fortnight ago.

Pedrosa was forced to miss Repsol's official 2009 launch event in Madrid's Palacio de Deportes yesterday, but addressed the crowd via a video link to update the fans on his fitness.

"I feel fine - that is making progress at a normal pace - and taking things with a lot of patience, because I still have two weeks left before I can begin to bend my knee," said Pedrosa.

"I have to let my body recover, which after all is what you have to bear in mind in a case like this.

"I would like to be fit enough to do more practice, but I will have to find another way to prepare. The objective is stil the same, try to be fit for the first race in Qatar in a month`s time."

The Honda rider has had a skin graft on his knee after the Qatar crash reopened a wound from winter surgery, which had been required following a crash in Australia last year.

He has also had a screw inserted into his wrist to repair a fracture in an area still recovering from the injuries sustained in his massive Sachsenring crash in July 2008.

Pedrosa to undergo further surgery

Crash forces Pedrosa out of Qatar test

Dorna confirms Bulgarian MotoGP race

Saturday, March 14, 2009

No replacement for Hungarian MotoGP

The FIM, motorcycling's governing body, has confirmed that there will no replacement for the postponed Hungarian MotoGP event, meaning the 2009 championship calendar will be reduced to 17 rounds.

The organisers of the new Balatonring race, which had been scheduled for 20 September this year, announced earlier this week that the project had been delayed and requested that the grand prix was rescheduled for 2010.

Carmelo Ezpeleta, head of MotoGP rights-holder Dorna, said that the Hungarian authorities had proposed that the race go ahead in 2009 at a partially-completed venue without full paddock buildings, but that he had rejected this suggestion.

"The contract stipulated the race would take place from 2009, or from 2010 if the construction works weren't finished on time," Ezpeleta was quoted as saying by Gazzetta dello Sport.

"They proposed to me a solution halfway, with the track built without structures, but I didn't accept it. Either the maximum gets done, or we postpone for a year."

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Hungarian MotoGP race postponed

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Thursday, March 12, 2009

Hungarian MotoGP race postponed

The Hungarian MotoGP race has been postponed and will not take place until 2010 at the earliest.

The event had been due to take place on 20 September this year at the new Balatonring track, but the organisers have asked championship organiser Dorna to put it on the 2010 calendar instead due to delays in construction and, it is believed, gaining funding for the €200 million project.

It is understood that Spanish Worldwide Circuit Management was having trouble in meeting a payment trigger point meaning that delays would be too great to hold the race on the planned autumn 2009 date. Coupled with the usual harsh Hungarian winter, this put construction work behind schedule.

The large patriotic following for Hungarian Gabor Talmacsi, who won the 2007 125cc world title, and national TV coverage of the sport encouraged Dorna to bring MotoGP back to the country after an initial stint at the Hungaroring.

Evans busts out for Indios

Rossi criticises 'elitist' MotoGP

Rossi criticises elitist MotoGP

Valentino Rossi has called on MotoGP and its manufacturers to supply more bikes to privateer teams to increase the grid size and stop the factory teams dominating.

None of the satellite or privateer teams have won a MotoGP race since Toni Elias's victory for Gresini Honda at Estoril in 2006, and Rossi is concerned that the gap between the factory and private teams has now become too great.

"Our bikes are so sophisticated that only a few manufacturers can do them," the reigning champion told Motosprint. "So the riders are few as well, and there are no privateers anymore.

"Until 2006 a privateer like (Marco) Melandri could fight for the title, but since 2007, with the 800cc bikes, the gap between works teams and privateers has become huge. MotoGP has become too elitist and that's not good."

He urged the manufacturers to make more ex-works bikes available to other teams.

"Why do my bikes get crushed under the presser at the end of the year, instead of being sold to a privateer team that would then be able to field two more riders?" said Rossi.

"We've reached such a high level that Yamaha doesn't want others to see how it makes its bikes, so it would rather crush them. But this way it's difficult to get a nice grid, which in my opinion should have at least 24 riders."

The Italian believes this problem must be addressed as part of the programme of radical cost-cutting that is being planned for 2010 and beyond.

"We must spend less, and make the bikes go slower," Rossi said.

"The situation with the economy is very ugly, the bikes aren't being sold anymore, and we can't pretend nothing is happening."

New Kawasaki starts testing

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Honda remains committed to MotoGP

Melandri: Hayate not far off the pace

Marco Melandri is optimistic that the Hayate Kawasaki will be more competitive than it looked in testing, having agreed to race for the team this year.

The Italian was announced as the new team's rider when Kawasaki confirmed that it would retain a MotoGP presence for 2009, but Melandri said he would not commit to Hayate until he was confident the bike was on the pace.

Although he was in the midfield for most of last week's Qatar test, Melandri has now decided to start the year with Hayate. He believes a rear traction issue is hiding the 2009 Kawasaki's potential at present.

"At the end of the day I think the gap to us in Qatar isn't realistic," he told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"In any case, we have just one big problem. The front end is good, the engine is a lot better than I had expected power-wise, but especially with the power curve during the initial phase of opening the throttle.

"We have absolutely no traction [at the rear end]. It's a problem that emerged in (Olivier) Jacque's first test in Australia. They've made a modification, but it doesn't solve the problem.

"We'll get some new material at Jerez and I hope that will solve the situation. Also because I think that beyond that, the racing department in Japan will only do revisions more or less. And that's already a good thing because only they can put their hands on that engine.

"Let's start off the season and we'll see. I want to stay optimistic: if we solve our problem, than the midfield runners aren't far off."

Melandri said he ultimately decided that it was better to be on the MotoGP grid with a midfield bike than to sit out the season.

"I'm a rider with a suitcase, and to stand still for one year would be really bad," he said.

One for all, all for one: Phils get it done

Melandri: Too soon to judge Hayate

Kawasaki team to use Hayate title

Monday, March 9, 2009

Dovizioso concerned about Honda's pace

Dovizioso concerned about Hondas pace

Andrea Dovizioso has admitted that he is disappointed with Honda's performance so far in pre-season testing.

The works Repsol team trailed not only main rivals Ducati and Yamaha, but also the resurgent Suzuki team, at both Sepang and Losail.

Dovizioso, who joined the factory squad from the satellite JiR Scot team over the winter, has also had to carry out most of Repsol Honda's development single-handedly due to teammate Dani Pedrosa's injuries.

The Italian said he was concerned by Honda's apparent lack of speed, and thinks he is more unhappy with the package than Pedrosa.

"It's early to tell, but I expected a more competitive package," Dovizioso told Gazzetta dello Sport. "I don't know how much that's down to Pedrosa and how much down to Honda. My understanding is that I think he doesn't want many changes."

He feels that Honda currently have several areas that require attention.

"We have a few little problems, especially with rear stability under braking, but also engine power output," said Dovizioso.

"There's also work to do on the clutch. We are slow at turn entry and in Qatar, with cold and damp conditions, the bike would slide a lot under braking."

Dovizioso believes Honda are making progress, but not rapidly enough for his liking.

"I'm happy with the improvements, but they are late," he said. "We have taken too long to see small progress. We need to react more quickly."

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Dovizioso eager for Pedrosa rivalry

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Pedrosa hopes to be fit by Qatar

Dani Pedrosa is optimistic that he will have recovered from his injuries by the MotoGP season-opener in Qatar on 12 April, but admitted he could not commit to racing at Losail yet.

The Honda rider has had a titanium screw inserted into his left wrist and a skin graft on his left knee following a violent testing accident in Qatar last Monday. Pedrosa's bike landed on him as he fell following a high-side at Turn 10, causing new injuries to the wrist and knee that were still recovering from crashes in 2008.

He left hospital in Barcelona yesterday morning, and said he was pleased with his progress so far.

"I feel quite a lot better," said Pedrosa. "When I arrived the truth is that the knee did not look very good, but the operation went well and I am pleased. This morning Dr (Bartolome) Ferreira made his final check and I saw how good the knee was looking.

Now I have to rest a little as it is very important to give the body a break for the first few days, let things take their course, then I will start my recovery plan.

"I imagine that at the beginning it will be tough trying to give the skin and knee some elasticity. Referring to my arm, this will not be so complicated, as it will not be immobilised for so long."

Pedrosa's target is to be ready to race in Qatar, but he said he will only make a final decision on race day.

"We are planning to work hard and so be ready for the first race in Qatar, but when the day arrives we will have to see whether I am really in perfect shape to get on the bike," he said. "The objective is to try and be fit for the first race."

Dr Xavier Mir, who performed the wrist surgery, was upbeat about Pedrosa's prospects.

"The work that we did today on Dani Pedrosa's knee allowed us to make it look a lot better, and so now it is looking very good," he said. "Dr Ferreira who carried out the operation, has allowed him to begin putting his foot on the floor as there were some doubts about whether he could walk with crutches.

"Turning to the recovery times, we are optimistic, although we cannot commit ourselves to being ready for the first race. We will take all the relevant steps to speed his recovery, and even though we cannot say whether he will be ready for the first race we do not rule anything out.

"The knee injury is more complicated but it is looking very good, so we are optimistic. We know that in many cases the recovery times for professional sportsmen are usually shorter, and keeping this in mind Dani's prognosis is very good."

Pedrosa added that he was not going to become downcast about his situation, despite his recent spate of injuries having limited him to just two and a half days of pre-season testing.

"You do not choose to be in a situation like this, but we have no other choice than to face up to things and to carry on," he said.

"I have fallen many times and I have always fought back and I will do it again. We will get back to riding fast on the bike, but it is true that I am having some problems this pre-season, but there is nothing we can do about that, we just have to keep going."

Pedrosa to undergo further surgery

Crash forces Pedrosa out of Qatar test

Stoner: Wrist problem remains an issue

Casey Stoner was relieved that his injured wrist was less of an issue during this week's Qatar test, but does not believe the problem is behind him yet.

The former world champion has suffered with wrist pain since an old injury flared up again last summer. He postponed the necessary surgery until November so he could complete the 2008 season, but was frustrated that his recovery was not progressing faster after suffering severe discomfort during last month's Sepang test.

Having feared that the injury would also wreck his 2009 campaign - or even the rest of his career - Stoner was pleased to find riding less painful at Losail this week, but remained cautious about about his wrist's progress.

"The wrist has responded quite well - it's not as painful as it was at Sepang even though the mobility still hasn't improved much," said Stoner.

"We'll have to see how at feels at circuits with harder braking and more left-hand corners, which is where I struggle the most."

The Ducati rider had a minor crash last night, which he put down to deteriorating weather.

"We knew the track conditions would get worse at around ten o'clock and that proved to be the case," Stoner said.

"The crash was on the way into turn two and it was very similar to the one here last year - practically from an upright position. I got straight back on the other bike but with such an unpredictable track we decided to finish an hour early because the conditions were only getting worse."

Despite the accident and his continued fitness concerns, Stoner ended the test 0.9 seconds faster than the rest of the field.

"I'm obviously very happy with the lap time and the rhythm we put together today although I would have liked to have been able to get a few more laps in and test some more stuff," he said.

"We still managed to try a few things with the electronics – some of them good and some not so good and we confirmed the good feeling I had yesterday with the new swingarm, although we still need more time to work on it and that's what we'll be doing at Jerez."

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Lorenzo thrilled with breakthrough test

Jorge Lorenzo declared himself delighted with a performance breakthrough on the final night of testing in Qatar.

The Yamaha rider had been off the pace throughout winter testing having struggled to adapt his style to this year's Bridgestone control tyres.

But yesterday evening Lorenzo made large gains and ended the session in second place, ahead of his teammate Valentino Rossi.

"I am so happy tonight because this session has been much, much better for us," said Lorenzo.

"The long run was especially good but in fact the whole evening has been an improvement, so I am very pleased about the job we have done."

The Spaniard said his turnaround was mainly due to a change in style.

"We've tried some different settings, which have helped, but mainly I have adapted and found a way to be comfortable, which means I can ride faster," Lorenzo explained.

"I have a much better feeling with the Bridgestone tyres and I was able to be very consistent throughout the long run and keep a good rhythm. Everyone has worked really hard to make this step and I am happy to finish this test on a good note."

His team manager Daniele Romagnoli added: "We found a good setting that enabled Jorge to find the confidence to be faster into the corners and at the same time day by day he has improved his riding style on the Bridgestone tyres."

Lorenzo's teammate Rossi already has a year's experience on Bridgestones, having switched from Michelin at the end of 2007, while Lorenzo remained on the French tyres for what turned out to be Michelin's final season in MotoGP.

Rossi thrilled with test performance

Pedrosa set to miss Jerez test

Dani Pedrosa is set to miss the final pre-season MotoGP test after doctors said that it will take up to four weeks before he regains full movement in his injured knee.

The Spaniard had an operation in Barcelona yesterday in which a titanium screw was inserted in his left wrist to mend a fracture, and a skin graft was taken from his thigh to repair a wound on his left knee.

The latter injury is likely to rule Pedrosa out of the Jerez test on 28-29 March as Dr Bartolome Ferreira, who carried out the procedure on the knee at the USP Institut Universitari Dexeus, said a four-week recovery period is needed.

"We have to wait for the injury to heal," said Dr Ferreira. "In three weeks the patient will be able to start making slight movements, to then start flexing in at least four weeks' time."

The news is a further blow to Pedrosa's pre-season preparations, which have been heavily disrupted by injury.

Last year he broke his wrist in a crash at the German Grand Prix, and then injured his knee at Phillip Island.

Continued pain from the surgery on the latter wound forced him to withdraw from last month's Sepang test after two of the three days, and he then sat out day one at Losail this week due to poor weather, before crashing halfway through the second session. Pedrosa's Repsol Honda landed on him after a high-side at Turn 10, causing the latest injuries.

Pedrosa to undergo further surgery

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Bridgestone finalising 2010 MotoGP tyres

Bridgestone has revealed that it hopes to complete the majority of its 2010 preparations during this year's pre-season MotoGP tests because of the reduction in testing mileage during the championship.

In previous years many races were followed by one or two day tests at the grand prix circuits, but under the recent regulation changes these sessions have been slashed, with just two single day tests at Catalunya and Brno now scheduled. Practice time during GP weekends has also been substantially reduced.

Tohru Ubukata, the head of Bridgestone's motorcycle racing division, said that had forced his company to bring forward its 2010 programme, with new tyres being used at this week's Qatar test.

"The recent FIM regulation changes have affected our development plan so looking now at development for 2010 is very important," Ubukata said.

"We now have to finish 80 per cent of our development for next season during this winter testing period because in-season testing has been significantly reduced.

"As a result, as well as bringing the soft and medium compound tyres from this year's line-up, we brought some new compounds in development for 2010, where the target is to give the tyres a wider still operating range."

Bridgestone has also had to accelerate its 2010 tyre development in Formula One, where testing has been similarly reduced, with several teams running next year's rubber at Jerez this week.

After a long tyre war with Michelin, Bridgestone is now the sole tyre supplier in MotoGP.

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Toseland says he's getting over crash

James Toseland says his confidence is returning after his massive Sepang testing crash, even though he remained in the midfield throughout this week's Qatar sessions.

The Tech 3 Yamaha rider suffered a 125mph high-side in Malaysia last month, and although he escaped without any broken bones, he subsequently admitted that he had probably received concussion, having struggled to concentrate on the rest of the test.

He was near the foot of the times again at Losail, taking 15th place on the final night, but insisted he was getting back up to speed.

"It has not been an easy test but on the last night I felt like we were finding a good direction and I was certainly feeling a lot more comfortable on the bike," Toseland said.

"The crash in Sepang hit my confidence and it took me a while to find my rhythm, but I feel I can go much faster now. There is still plenty of work to do but I was 1.5 seconds faster on the last night, and I just need time on the bike."

While Toseland has struggled since his accident, his teammate Colin Edwards has been consistently fast, taking third place on Monday night before falling to ninth yesterday.

"I am really happy with this test," Edwards said. "It didn't start well with the rain on the first night and the wind blew a lot of sand and dust onto the track on the second night, so the lap times were still way off normal pace.

"But I was still one of the quickest and I've got to say the Yamaha and Bridgestone combination is very impressive. I couldn't believe my race simulation. The grip from Bridgestone is really incredible and I'm seriously impressed.

"The grip just gets better the more distance you run on it and I did my best lap in the race simulation on the last lap. That's just not something I'm used to at all.

"We've got one more test in Jerez to work on a few more things but I'm ready to race. I feel stronger and more motivated than ever."

Toseland said Edwards's performance proved that he too would be on the pace once he had fully recovered from his crash.

"I can still improve and I learned about the bike and the tyres at this test, and at the end I'm only just over a second behind Colin and he has been consistently fast," he said.

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Rossi expects to match Stoner in race

Valentino Rossi has played down Casey Stoner's superiority in the Qatar night tests and believes he will be much closer to his main rival when they return to Losail for the season-opener in April.

Stoner topped both Monday and Tuesday night's floodlit tests, with world champion Rossi 1.2 seconds slower in third place yesterday evening.

But Rossi reckons he lost more pace than Stoner in the cool temperatures late in the session, which ran until midnight local time, and is confident that Yamaha can match Ducati in the race.

"In the early part of the evening we were fast enough but later on, when it became much colder and the grip went down, we suffered quite a bit," Rossi said.

"I started a long run but in fact I was getting slower and slower, so we didn't finish and concentrated on trying some different things with the setting instead.

"Our position is not so bad; we're third, close to (Jorge) Lorenzo. Stoner is very fast but I am not too worried because we have a good idea about our path for the race and I think that in one month, when it is hopefully a few degrees warmer, we will be okay."

But he admitted that he had relatively low expectations for Qatar, having struggled in last year's race - only qualifying seventh and finishing fifth.

"This is not a great track for me or for the bike and the target for the race will be to be to be better than last year," Rossi said.

"Next we go to Jerez for the final test and I am expecting to be strong there."

Never counted out, Rays take Game 2

Stoner hampered by injury pain

Phillies match pitching with power

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Melandri: Too soon to judge Hayate

Marco Melandri says the Hayate Kawasaki team have a long way to go before they can judge how competitive they will be in 2009.

The reconstituted squad joined this week's Qatar test after Kawasaki gave them the green light to continue with a one-bike team despite the parent company withdrawing from MotoGP.

Melandri was named as the team's rider when the Hayate Kawasaki plan was announced, but he subsequently declared that he would not commit to the project until he was confident the 2009 bike was on the pace.

The Italian admitted that Hayate had a lot of work to do at present, but said it was too soon to judge the team, who had missed the previous three-day test at Sepang while waiting for Kawasaki to finalise their plans, although they did manage a private test in Australia.

"The feeling was quite okay with the bike and we've been working very hard on all three days to improve the set-up of the bike," Melandri told the official MotoGP website on the final night at Losail.

"But still we are pretty far away with the rear grip and the traction, so we really have to improve and make some big changes to understand our potential. Right now we are pretty far from everyone.

"Right now we are not at 100 per cent of our potential, so we have to work a lot to understand how close we are to the other competitors."

Although he made a promising start by taking second place on the rain-affected first night, when conditions improved Melandri slipped towards the back of the pack, and was slowest of all yesterday evening, 3.1 seconds behind pace-setter Casey Stoner's Ducati.

Kawasaki team to use Hayate title

Gibernau says he’s still acclimatising

Pedrosa to undergo further surgery

Dani Pedrosa is to undergo surgery in Barcelona this evening following his crash at Losail on Monday night.

The Honda rider had to abandon the second winter test after a violent high-side. Pedrosa's bike landed on him during the accident at Turn 10, causing further damage to the wrist he had broken in Germany last year, and the knee that had required winter surgery following a fall at Phillip Island.

Although medical checks at the circuit suggested that Pedrosa had not sustained any new broken bones, after flying back to Spain a further examination uncovered a fracture in his left radius bone.

A titanium screw will be inserted into this area during today's surgery, and he will also receive a small skin graft on his knee, where the previous surgery wound had reopened due to the Qatar incident.

After the accident Pedrosa and Honda were confident that he would be fit for the final test at Jerez on 28-29 March. Having pulled out of the final day at Sepang last month due to knee pain and sat out the weather-affected first night in Qatar, Pedrosa has only completed two and a half days of 2009 testing so far.

Sox’s playoff run ends with loss to Rays

Stoner fastest again as Qatar test ends

Casey Stoner ended the Qatar test at the top of the timesheets, having dominated the final night at the Losail track.

The Ducati rider, who had also been quickest at Sepang last month, was 0.989 seconds clear of second-placed Jorge Lorenzo, whose Yamaha teammate Valentino Rossi completed the top three.

Once again Stoner limited his mileage, focusing on short runs and only completing 31 laps as he continues to recover from his winter wrist surgery. He had a minor fall at Turn 2, but escaped without injury or significant bike damage.

Lorenzo's second place was an encouraging result after the Spaniard had previously struggled to get to grips with the now mandatory Bridgestone tyres. He was 0.239 seconds quicker than Rossi.

Chris Vermeulen and Loris Capirossi continued Suzuki's strong winter form in fourth and sixth places, despite a crash for Capirossi during the evening.

They were split by Nicky Hayden, who took a promising fifth place - albeit 1.5 seconds adrift of his Ducati teammate Stoner.

Pramac Ducati's Niccolo Canepa and Scot Honda's Yuki Takahashi were the other riders to fall during tonight's session, but both rookies were unharmed.

Only 16 riders took part in the final day, with Honda's Dani Pedrosa having flown back to Barcelona for further medical checks after aggravating knee and wrist injuries in a crash yesterday. Sete Gibernau (Onde Ducati) sat out the entire test due to a shoulder problem.

There is now a three-and-a-half week break before the final pre-season test at Jerez on 28-29 March, with the MotoGP season commencing back in Qatar on 12 April.

Pos Rider Bike Time Laps 1. Casey Stoner Ducati 1:55.744 31 2. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha 1:56.733 82 3. Valentino Rossi Yamaha 1:56.972 75 4. Chris Vermeulen Suzuki 1:57.224 70 5. Nicky Hayden Ducati 1:57.225 53 6. Loris Capirossi Suzuki 1:57.253 42 7. Randy De Puniet Honda 1:57.401 77 8. Andrea Dovizioso Honda 1:57.449 74 9. Colin Edwards Yamaha 1:57.515 46 10. Alex De Angelis Honda 1:57.591 61 11. Toni Elias Honda 1:57.804 66 12. Mika Kallio Ducati 1:57.938 54 13. Niccolo Canepa Ducati 1:57.946 50 14. Yuki Takahashi Honda 1:58.412 61 15. James Toseland Yamaha 1:58.786 51 16. Marco Melandri Kawasaki 1:58.851 73