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Valention Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo (flew from Spain; not at testing due to his injury) again stopped in Indonesia on their way out from the testing at Sepang in Malaysia. It was yet another PR move, but it sure delighted fans in the huge Asian nation. The main purpose was to pay a visit to one of the Fiat Yamaha team's sponsors. Take the link to learn more.
http://tinyurl.com/yjwhr9k
Loris Capirossi is rather pragmatic about his work on the Suzuki GSV-R. He feels that the team and his machine are actually in a good situation after the second test of the preseason. He did finish the test in sixth position, so he is in better shape than he was at the beginning of 2009.
http://tinyurl.com/ygq5k3m
Looks like Ben Spies and Casey Stoner have taken to each other quite well. The two share some activities off the track and Stoner has been giving advice to Spies about riding in the MotoGP Championship. It is nice to hear that these guys that have so much money at stake can still be good friends. 2010 will be a good year for MotoGP.
http://tinyurl.com/ykgnh79
MotoGP Fiat Yamaha riders Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi took some time after their testing in Malaysia to stop in Thailand. They visited the Yamaha Riders Club and visited with and answered the questions of a select group of lucky riders. It was certainly an event not to be missed if you live in that nation!
http://tinyurl.com/yaobqna
Freixenet and Dorna have decided to continue their partnership. Freixenet will continue to provide the cava at each of the MotoGP events through 2011. It's always good news when a huge sponsor like this stays the course.
http://tinyurl.com/ycwdxrk
First up in the practice category is the unbelievable early performance of Ben Spies at the Malaysian test. He was on fire and managed to be in the top-five overall. That bodes very well for his freshman year in the MotoGP paddock.
http://tinyurl.com/yb8ds93
Loris Capirossi had a great test in Malaysia and he is quite happy with the testing he and his team completed. They have made some definite progress and it did show last weekend. As for Alvaro Bautista, he also made great progress in getting used to his new race weapon. Suzuki seems ready to compete, but only time will tell.
http://tinyurl.com/ybcwa43
The 2010 Yamaha YZR-M1 MotoGP is much better than it was expected to be. With the new six engine limit in the series, many thought that the bikes would lose some performance. However, based on the testing in Malaysia, it looks like that was all wrong. In fact, Colin Edwards is very happy with the power from the M1 - they believe that the 2010 engine is superior to the 2009 engine that started the season. It could be that the new rules just make the prototype motorcycles better!
Ben Spies is in no hurry to prove anything in the MotoGP paddock this year - he is well aware that he has a great deal to learn. It will not be another 2009 World Superbike season for him in his new series, but he will probably get some stellar finishes, and I bet he places rather high by the end of the year. However, it could also be a nasty crashing year for him...if it is, you do know he will learn not to make the same mistakes again. The 2010 MotoGP Championship is going to be fantastic!
http://tinyurl.com/y9fkc4k
James Toseland now has TCX boots as a sponsor in his World Superbike Championship season. The Italian manufacturer almost seems to have done this for the purpose of pun...see the link.
http://tinyurl.com/y8jborn
Yep, Cardo Systems has just announced the release of their most technologically advanced motorcycle communication system to date - Scala Rider G4. It will support up to four people (2 riders, 2 passengers), a mobile phone, GPS, and even has built-in FM radio. The controller is light and durable and it will be at dealers very soon. For more details, please take the link.
http://tinyurl.com/yz63sts
Some of the Moto2 teams were also out at Velncia doing some testing. Tech 3 was there with both riders, but left early due to the terrible weather. The Tech 3 team just cannot seem to get time on a track without some inclement weather interrupting them. Both Yuki Takahashi and Raffaele de Rosa had time on the circuit. Even Herve Poncharal thinks they may be cursed...
http://tinyurl.com/yc93xcc
Steve Parrish was at an event centered around the new Capcom MotoGP 09/10 video game. So, one enterprising press attendee took some time to interview the well-known motorcycle personality. Parrish is a fixture in worldwide motorcycle racing - as if you do not already know that. He is an interesting person as well, so take some time and read this interview.
http://tinyurl.com/y9ebm2m
Over at Road Racer X, their Road Racerhead column is in the midst of wondering if the old days of Carl Fogarty will return for Great Britain - a time when English riders start winning WSBK and even dominating the sport as they once did. Well, there is a chance now considering how many riders from the U.K. are competing in the WSBK paddock in 2010.
http://tinyurl.com/yzc9hdb
More news comes to us about John Hopkins and his dual role in 2010 with both the FB Corse MotoGP outfit and the M4 Suzuki AMA Pro Racing team. It seems that both options are a possibility - he may ride in two series this year. The FB Corse team, though, will only participate in select MotoGP rounds, but M4 will contest the entire American Superbike season. For more, take the link...
http://tinyurl.com/yf22uvd
More Hopper news: http://tinyurl.com/yd2gd89
Mark Neale is at it again! Remember the documentaries Faster and The Doctor, The Tornado and the Kentucky Kid? Well, he has now made on about last year's Isle of Man TTXGP race with the electric motorcycles - it is called, appropriately, Charge. Take the link and learn more...
http://tinyurl.com/yzqcrtd
It seems that Ben Spies will be one of the heaviest riders on the MotoGP circuit in 2010. He has given serious thought to losing some weight, but he also had some great success at Valencia while being at his current weight. Given how fit he is, I have to think that his weight is only a minor concern for his team, so nothing important to think about there...he is very talented and his size will not change that.
http://tinyurl.com/yz4pqh3
We are being graced with an interview of Tom Houseworth, crew chief for the Yamaha World Superbike factory team and Ben Spies. Houseworth will be going with Spies to MotoGP in 2010, and it is expected that they will continue to work very well together. So, how does he feel about Spies winning the WSBK title in 2009 and their imminent move to the premier racing series? Well, take the link and find out.
http://tinyurl.com/ykjbeeb
Also, we have news that Spanish Ducati specialists Radical Ducati have taken a turn on a Moto Guzzi. They have modified a 2003 California 1100 to look and ride like a dirt track machine. It sure looks 'different' and a bit odd, but it works for me!
http://tinyurl.com/yf59d87
Herve Poncharal, Tech 3 Yamaha boss, has said that Spies does not need to have the test as he will have plenty of time to adapt to the YZR-M1. Poncharal is even upset at the MotoGP bosses for allowing the extra tests considering the dire financial straights of the industry now. I can understand where he is coming from, but even the best riders need practice.
http://tinyurl.com/yesaobz
Lorenzo is one of the top-flight riders in the MotoGP Championship - always a threat to win a race, no matter where it is. Given his experience in the series, he really feels that Yamaha is the one to beat in 2010 and likely beyond. It makes sense when you see who is riding Yamahas in 2010 - Lorenzo, Rossi, Edwards and Spies.
http://tinyurl.com/yhms3ah
Also, here are some photos of his time in Bali where he took a vacation while he was touring Yamaha establishments in Asia last month.
http://tinyurl.com/yjnyryq
And, he is ready to challenge Rossi in the MotoGP Championship next year:
http://tinyurl.com/yz53xat
First we hear from Colin Edwards and how he believes that Ben Spies will be a real challenge in the 2010 MotoGP Championship. He really thinks that Spies will be a solid force in his new role at Tech 3 - and who can argue with him after Spies took the WSBK Championship in his first year there. Of course, the MotoGP motorcycle is very different from the Superbike.
http://tinyurl.com/yh4prbd
Next, it the new is from Herve Poncharal - Tech 3 chief - about 2010 and how much they want a victory in 2010. He, too, believes that Spies will be a threat to win once he gets the YZR-M1 sorted...
http://tinyurl.com/ylkautj
And, Poncharal wants Edwrads to stay with the team even long after he stops racing - that's an indication of just how much the team respects Edwards.
http://tinyurl.com/yckenyr
Even Casey Stoner believes that Spies will be a real force when he joins the Tech 3 team in MotoGP in 2010.
http://tinyurl.com/ya3ql8t
At least, that is what Toseland believes. Of course, I think that many would agree as he was far from the worst performing rider in the 2009 MotoGP Championship (though, in 2009 he was 13 points behind his 2008 total). It was that Yamaha wanted to launch Spies into the series given his recent performances. However, Toseland does have unfinished business in the series and he hopes to get back there very soon!
http://tinyurl.com/ykea7nn
Spies is being realistic about his first season in MotoGP in 2010. He had an excellent test on the YZR-M1, but he knows that the task ahead is not an easy one. He will be riding a different bike in a different series against different competitors on many different tracks. That's a great deal of change for him, but he is a multiple-time champion. So, it is likely he will be able to handle it with class and skill...
http://tinyurl.com/yj7aoeh
It seems that the wall necessitated by the ongoing ill will between Colin Edwards and James Toseland (if you do not know about it, look it up) in the Tech 3 garage will remain in place in 2010. Even though Spies and Edwards are actually quite good mates, the team has said that nothing will change in the paddock as far as the separation is concerned. They say that it now provides practical use...
http://tinyurl.com/yfwgopb
We are familiar with the Tech 3 Yamaha satellite team in MotoGP, but some will also remember when Tech 3 was a 250c.c. GP team. They are now going to take on the new Moto2 Championship for 2010 and they plan to release their race bike on Tuesday. It seems that the motivation for their return to the support class was when they changed the format and allowed custom frames on spec Honda 600c.c. engines - Herve Poncharal likes the idea of building their own machine...but, who wouldn't?
http://tinyurl.com/ye5lckj
Here it is: http://tinyurl.com/ykyfrcg
Toseland is returning to World Superbike in 2010 from MotoGP, but his hometown does not consider it a move backwards. Sheffield Hallam University awarded him the honorary degree for services to sport. Well, now we can call him Dr. Toseland!
http://tinyurl.com/ybkugew
Edwards was able to test on Monday, but on Tuesday morning he woke up with a serious virus. He at first thought it was food poisoning, but Clinica Mobile determined it was a virus - no further details have been disclosed. Not the best way to end the season, but at least he did not encounter it before the race last Sunday!
http://tinyurl.com/yh9wedu
Ben Spies isn't waiting for an invitation to go fast - he is already fourth fastest in the 2010 paddock. Of course, it is only a test and not everyone is there, but it still shows how good he actually is on a motorcycle. In other interesting news, Lorenzo ended the testing in first place - two positions ahead of third-place Rossi. Stoner was right in between them on the list. For the rest of the data, take the link...
http://tinyurl.com/yfm3jh7
Tuesday testing reports from each team attending: http://tinyurl.com/yz8elyp
Well, it did not go the way I thought it would (you should see my Fantasy MotoGP standings - terrible), but Dani Pedrosa is very happy. He managed to bring home a win at Valencia in front of his home crowd. Stoner crashed out of the race during the warm-up due to 'cold tires' and did not even run in the main event. Valentino Rossi finished second and his teammate, Jorge Lorenzo, made it into a solid third. Tech 3 rider Colin Edwards pulled in with a very respectable fourth place finish - which also gives him 5th place overall, one of his 2009 goals!
http://tinyurl.com/ydhoxch
http://tinyurl.com/ydhv3h2
http://tinyurl.com/yamu5b5
Final MotoGP Standings for 2009: http://tinyurl.com/yb8zmxo
Sunday race report press releases (available on this page for a few days): http://tinyurl.com/yz8elyp
Edwards clenches 5th Overall: http://tinyurl.com/yj72pm8
James Toseland will return to World Superbike, leaving MotoGP: http://tinyurl.com/ygkdkpl
Even more post-race coverage: http://tinyurl.com/yccka9k
Photos: http://tinyurl.com/yhrujj3
Casey Stoner is sitting on pole for the last MotoGP race of 2009. It turns out that the first practice was very indicative of where the first four would be on the grid for tomorrow's event. Behind Stoner sits Dani Pedrosa, Lorenzo is in third and Rossi finished the session in fourth. Of course, the race is the real event, and only then will we actually know how it all ends in 2009. I am hoping against hope that Edwards can grab his fifth place this season...but, how ever it ends, it will be a good race!
http://tinyurl.com/yjlzocl
http://tinyurl.com/ygfkljo
Practice reports and other team notices: http://tinyurl.com/yz8elyp
How about how Ben Spies qualified, find that here: http://tinyurl.com/ye9njhy
Good summary of all three World Championship classes: http://tinyurl.com/yb6anbm
