Rossi camp look ahead to 2010 in Brno test

Tuesday, 18 August 2009

Looking good in this year’s championship after the weekend’s events at Brno, Valentino Rossi and his team were making early plans for 2010 in the post race test.

After another success story for Valentino Rossi in Sunday’s Cardion AB Czech Republic Grand Prix has put him in a great position in the 2009 championship and the current Fiat Yamaha package is the strongest on the MotoGP grid, but in Monday’s post-race test the Italian and his team were already looking ahead to next year.

Six-time premier class World Champion Rossi got a first chance to test prototype developments for 2010, trying out a new chassis and a new engine specification, setting his best time of the day just before the end of the afternoon session, which had been interrupted by rain.

Rossi’s best time of 1’56.622, was under the new lap record set by his team-mate Jorge Lorenzo in Sunday’s race, but was the second best time of the test – 0.451s behind Lorenzo’s best test lap.

Rossi stated, “We had some important work to do as we were testing a 2010 spec engine which is more resistant and should be able to do more kilometers. We also tested the first prototype of the 2010 chassis, but I did just 20 laps in the morning.”

“Unfortunately it rained in the lunch break and so we couldn’t ride for a lot of the afternoon because of the wet rack, but it dried enough for us to do some more work at the end. This time we could really concentrate on doing a proper job testing the chassis and the new engine specification, and I was quite fast.”

Team Manager Davide Brivio added, “We got a lot done and we were able to collect a lot of data about the new chassis and engine spec, which will help the engineers back in Japan with their development for the future and next year’s bike. We also tried some electronic mapping and it was a very useful day for us. We’re now approaching the final stage of the championship and we can’t relax because our rivals are strong, so now everyone can have a well-deserved rest and then we’ll be ready for anything in Indianapolis!”

MotoGP riders enjoy Viennese whirl

As part of the build-up to the Cardion AB Czech Republic Grand Prix a number of World Championship riders called into neighbouring Austria’s capital city of Vienna on Wednesday.

An exciting event witnessed by thousands of local fans in Vienna saw a demonstration ride through the heart of the city with Jorge Lorenzo (Fiat Yamaha), Nicky Hayden (Ducati Marlboro), James Toseland (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) and Gabor Talmacsi (Scot Racing) all taking part.

Although MotoGP has visited Vienna before this was the first time in history that the Grand Prix riders were allowed to take their prototype machines along the famous Ringstreet, the main boulevard in the city.

Local government welcomingly treated the event like a state visit, with a clear 5.2km police escort ride through the city, commencing at the Burgtheater on Josef-Meinrad-Place, along Ringstreet and past several important buildings such as the State Opera House, the most famous historical museums and the Austrian Parliament.

Czech 250cc rider Karel Abraham (Cardion AB Motoracing) and three 125cc competitors - Spaniard Marc Marquez (Red Bull KTM), Austrian Michael Ranseder (CBC Corse) and Swiss rider Randy Krummenacher (Degraaf Grand Prix) – were also present at the event, which included bike presentations, an autograph session and interviews with local and international media.

Afterwards the riders headed across the border to begin their final preparations for the first round since a short summer break, with the action at the Cardion AB Czech Republic Grand Prix in Brno set to begin on Friday afternoon.

Lorenzo visits Spanish Riding School in Vienna

Jorge Lorenzo talked about his title battle with Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner’s three race absence on a visit to the Spanish Riding School in Vienna on Wednesday.

Fiat Yamaha’s young Spanish title hopeful Jorge Lorenzo paid a visit to the illustrious Spanish Riding School in the Austrian capital of Vienna on Wednesday, taking some time out to relax ahead of this weekend’s Cardion AB Czech Republic Grand Prix.

Visiting an institution with more than 430 years of tradition in the art of classical horsemanship with his Austrian sponsors GRIZZLY Energy Drink, Lorenzo spoke to motogp.com, with some interesting thoughts on his mind with regard to team-mate Valentino Rossi and his Ducati rival Casey Stoner.

On the temporary absence of his hitherto fellow title candidate Stoner, who misses the next three races due to health problems, Lorenzo remarked, “I felt really bad for him when I heard the news because Casey is such a talented rider and is a really brave guy. We feel for him because it’s a serious issue and we hope he’s ok. For the competition in general it’s also bad because we have one rival less and in this case it’s Casey, who always gives 100% and is always great to race against.”

Asked whether he thought the title battle was now a two-way fight between himself and Rossi, Lorenzo replied, “You never know. Dani (Pedrosa) is currently more than 70 points behind but you can not rule him out, because in this championship a thousand and one different things could happen. It looks like there are two riders with a real chance, especially Valentino, but mathematically you can’t rule anyone out.”

Looking to bounce straight back from his disappointing Donington DNF at Brno, Lorenzo also stated, “I’m really up for it, despite the crash which no-one was expecting. Perhaps it was to be expected in one sense though because the conditions were so difficult and I hit the ground because I made a mistake, but were are still in the fight for the title. Things have got more difficult, but it is not impossible.”

Long and abrasive track of Brno affects tyre choice

Going into their eleventh Grand Prix as the single tyre suppliers in MotoGP Bridgestone are all set for the visit to the Czech Republic.

Having won at Brno for the last three years and having supplied the tyres for the top eight finishers last year in the Czech Republic Bridgestone have a great pedigree at the venue for this weekend’s round eleven action.

The Czech circuit is undulating but fairly evenly balanced, with eight right and six left hand corners. It was resurfaced in 2008 and as a result is now more abrasive, hence Bridgestone’s decision to go with hard and extra hard compound front slicks. By contrast, because of the track’s flowing nature the medium and hard compound rear Bridgestone slicks have been selected.

Hiroshi Yamada, Bridgestone’s Motorcycle Sport Unit Manager, previewed the visit to the Czech Republic saying, “I think we are all looking forward to going racing again after the much deserved summer break, and Brno has traditionally been a good circuit for Bridgestone as we have been very successful there in recent years, with three consecutive wins.”

He went on to say, “We have seen some fantastic races so far this season in the single tyre era, and the championship is still close at the front so I’m sure we’ll continue to see more nail-biting competition.”

Bridgestone’s Motorcycle Race Tyre Development Manager Tohru Ubukata added, “Brno has a long lap but an even balance of left and right handed corners so we will bring symmetric compound tyres again. Since it was resurfaced in 2008 Brno has become a more abrasive circuit, so we will bring harder front tyres this season to cope with the loads generated through the fast and flowing corners.”

“The circuit is characterised by its undulating nature and flowing corners that require a great deal of finesse from the riders. This also places a premium on bike setup so that each rider package can use our tyres to the optimum. This is especially crucial on the more abrasive surface where excess sliding can accelerate wear.”

Owen misfires while Valencia outshines namesakes

MANCHESTER UNITED 2 - 0 VALENCIA

"Just imagine Michael Owen scoring a goal at the Stretford End," urged the relentlessly enthusiastic man on the PA. It still sounds strange, but perhaps repetition will bring a normality to it. These are surreal times at Old Trafford: directly in front of the press box, there were as many fans wearing shirts bearing David Villa's name as Owen's. One of each, to be precise.

The small matter of 158 Liverpool goals is not easily forgotten but when Owen made the slow trudge to the touchline after 63 minutes, he was greeted by generous applause. Sir Alex Ferguson's decisions rarely meet with open dissent and the same supporters who worshipped Carlos Tevez appreciated Owen's efforts, if not his finishing. His introduction to 74,311 supporters proved to be an evening with the misses. As Manchester United concluded their pre-season fixtures by defeating Valencia 2-0, the Stretford End did witness Owen bearing down on goal following a fine pass by Darren Fletcher, though imagination was required to see him scoring, the striker skewing his shot some way wide. A further effort, following a surge from Antonio Valencia, missed the other post. The majority of his opportunities actually came in front of the East Stand, not the hardcore of the United support. Owen, at least, was much more prominent than in much of his Newcastle career without resolving the debate over his recruitment: masterstroke or a sign of desperation? It is too early, of course, to make a definitive judgment, but Owen's advocates have a theory that incorporates two provisos: put Owen in a better team and he will get chances; get chances and he will score goals. On this evidence, the first is certainly true, but it doesn't necessarily lead to the latter part of the equation. Indeed, an hour at Old Trafford brought more chances than several months at St James' Park. First, he rose well to head Patrice Evra's cross over the bar. It was a reminder that, perhaps appropriately for someone who took a helicopter to training, he appeared at his most dangerous in the air at Newcastle. Next United's new-look strike-force combined. Owen and Wayne Rooney hadn't previously played a minute together in pre-season and each appears to prefer the company of Emile Heskey in an England shirt. Renewing a partnership that had seemed consigned to the past, they provided evidence of an understanding. A delightful pass from the younger man found Owen, in trademark fashion, lurking on the shoulder of the last defender. He lifted the ball over the advancing goalkeeper, but watched it trickle past the far post. Then, following Fletcher's pass, his driven shot was much too close to Cesar Sanchez. It was his sole effort on target, watched by a typically stony-faced Fabio Capello. Ferguson was more lighthearted. "He should have scored four," he said, with a grin. "His movement was fantastic. He probably deserved at least one, particularly the first one. It was a fantastic pass from Wayne, marvellous movement and he was just unlucky."

Four goals in as many games in the Asian leg of United's pre-season may shown that Owen can prosper against lesser opposition. An unconvincing display against Bayern Munich and a profligate showing against the Spanish side cloud the picture. If Owen's evening is open to varying interpretations, another newcomer was a definite positive. Indeed, there was rare evidence of Valencia overcoming Valencia without any evidence of a self-destructive streak. Valencia - Antonio, United's new winger - provided the cross to unlock the La Liga side's defence. Rooney headed it in emphatically. A second delivery from the right flank was only palmed away as far as Tom Cleverley, accelerating in off the left wing to slot it in. "The most exciting part was Valencia's performance," added Ferguson. "I thought he was very, very good. He's got great balance and he has got power and speed. Coming to our club, he has taken the challenge well. He is playing with a lot of purpose." The visitors twice came close when Michel struck the bar with a rasping drive and Tomasz Kuszczak made a superb block to deny Miku either side of half-time. Ultimately, however, the Valencia to impress was an electric Ecuador international.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Antonio Valencia - The Ecuadorian is unlikely to replace Cristiano Ronaldo as a goalscorer, but as an out-and-out winger, he looked a worthy successor. His pace and penetration led to a series of chances.

MANCHESTER UNITED VERDICT: Besides Valencia, Fletcher excelled to suggest he can carry on his fine form from last season. Of the lesser-known players, Cleverley showed some neat touches while, following a nervous start, Richie de Laet overlapped effectively from right-back. Darron Gibson struck the bar and drew a fine save with his ferocious long-range shooting. VALENCIA VERDICT: Quite how a club with such debts has managed to retain the services of David Villa and David Silva is a source of bemusement. But especially in the first half, before Unai Emery made 10 changes, Valencia looked a very accomplished side, capable of qualifying for the Champions League.

De Puniet has surgery on broken ankle

LCR Honda rider Randy de Puniet has broken his left ankle in a motocross training accident, but after a quick operation it is hoped that he will be fit to ride at Brno on the 14th-16th August weekend.

After Randy de Puniet’s brilliant ride to a surprise podium in MotoGP’s farewell to Donington Park at the British Grand Prix – where he finished in third place behind Andrea Dovizioso and Colin Edwards – the Frenchman has suffered a setback in a private training accident.

Undertaking a summer fitness programme De Puniet was participating in a motocross session last Saturday afternoon with his personal trainer Yves Demaria (a former motocross rider) in Aix en Provence, when he crashed on entering a corner, hitting his left leg heavily.

The 28 year-old was taken straight to hospital and x-rays showed a fracture of the left ankle. After a quick surgery to insert a screw into his ankle De Puniet left hospital on Monday and will meet Clinica Mobile staff in the next few days to organise his rehabilitation. Hopefully we will be racing in Brno in less than two weeks’ time.

De Puniet stated, “Yves and I have a specific training programme to improve my performance on track this year. This programme has helped me a lot so far and through the summer break I didn’t want to stop training. So we went out to do a short motocross session, but unfortunately I had a fall and the impact on the ground caused a fracture of the left ankle.”

“I am very disappointed about this setback but training is very important for me in order to be in good shape in MotoGP. I will do my best to race in Brno and I am sure that the Clinica Mobile staff will support me in the best way.”