Motourage

Repsol Honda’s Casey Stoner rode another faultless race in the Gran Premio de Aragón to win his eighth victory of the season and further strengthen his position at the top of the 2011 MotoGP World Championship. Teammate Dani Pedrosa finished second to complete Repsol Honda’s fifth one-two of the year, while Marco Simoncelli scored a hard-fought fourth-place finish.

Stoner had been race favorite after dominating practice and qualifying, but track conditions were very different from yesterday, with much cooler temperatures and a strong tail-wind on the back straight. Today’s track temperature was 15 degrees lower than during qualifying, which created grip issues for several riders during the 23 laps.

Nothing, however, could stop Stoner who started from pole position for the ninth time this year. Despite being beaten into third place during the first few corners by Pedrosa and Ben Spies (Yamaha Factory Racing), the 25-year-old Australian had regained the lead by the end of the first lap. From there he never looked back, establishing a new track record on lap four and steadily increasing his advantage over Pedrosa. The success also increased his championship advantage to 44 points over reigning World Champion Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha) with four races to go.

Stoner ended the race 8.162s seconds in front of Pedrosa who also had a lonely ride to his third consecutive runner-up result. Pedrosa always knew it was going to be difficult running Stoner’s pace because throughout the weekend he had been losing several tenths through the track’s first section. During the later stages of the race he also struggled with wheel-spin issues, though he was always well clear of third- and fourth-place finishers Lorenzo and Spies.

Today all three Repsol Hondas ran a special one-off livery created by Spanish designer Davidelfin, a superb way to celebrate the partnership’s 100th Grand Prix victory. Repsol Honda achieved its first premier-class win with Mick Doohan at the 1995 Australian GP. Although the Stoner/Pedrosa one-two made today an almost perfect day for the team, Andrea Dovizioso was unable to complete the race after sliding off on the first lap.

Simoncelli did everything he could to make it an all-Honda podium, just as he had done at last month’s Czech GP. The lanky Italian came through strongly after finishing the first lap in sixth place, passing Nicky Hayden (Factory Ducati), then Lorenzo and Spies to move into third on lap nine, only to run wide the next lap and ruin all his hard work. Demoted to fifth, Simoncelli kept his cool and slowly worked his way back towards Spies, from whom he took fourth place with seven laps to go. But with his rear tire past its best there was nothing he could do about Lorenzo.

Hiroshi Aoyama (San Carlo Honda Gresini) enjoyed a spirited battle with seven-time MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi, who started the race from pit lane after exceeding his ration of six engines per year. The pair spent the last half of the race with Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha) who won the three-way contest after making contact with Aoyama on the last lap. Aoyama – who had great hopes after qualifying on the third row – finished just behind Rossi in 11th.

Toni Elias (LCR Honda) was unable to complete the race after being taken down by Loris Capirossi (Pramac Ducati) as they attacked the turn eight/nine chicane with eight laps remaining. Capirossi dislocated a shoulder in the incident.

Today’s strong winds produced some big top speeds, with Aoyama’s RC212V the fastest bike of all at 330.5km/h (205.3mph).

The MotoGP paddock now packs up and heads eastward for the first of three ‘flyaway’ races outside Europe: the Japanese, Australian and Malaysian GPs. The action then returns to the Continent for the season finale at Valencia, Spain, on November 6.

Casey Stoner, Repsol Honda, Race Winner:
“Before the race everyone was a little cautious with the wind picking up after the morning warm-up session and conditions being a lot different to those we had seen all weekend. This was on our mind and also warming the hard tires to makes sure everything was good for the beginning of the race. Our start was pretty average, I pulled to the left a little on the start and managed to avoid hitting Dani but Ben came around the outside and I ended up third at turn one, from there we were able to settle down and feel pretty comfortable with the bike. I wanted to get to the front as soon as possible as the bike has been working perfect all weekend and it was our race to lose, so I wanted to try and get out in front and pull a gap. I passed Dani as soon as I could and tried to pull that gap, Dani kept with me for the first few laps but slowly I was able to push and put in a gap and from there manage the race. I think everyone was struggling with tires to some degree but the bike was fantastic and I don’t mind the bike when it slides around a little. A big, big thank you to the whole team and to take this hundredth win for Repsol Honda is something special.” Read more…

The starting grid for the MotoGP Gran Premio de Aragón was finalized in today’s qualifying session, but there’s frustration in Randy De Puniet’s Pramac Ducati garage. The Frenchman, who had the third-best time just a few laps from the end of the session – having posted a 1:49.826 with a hard tire – wasn’t able to improve after switching to the soft tire. His teammate, Loris Capirossi, continues to gain confidence on the Spanish circuit, having improved by more than three seconds since the first free practice session. The MotoGP veteran will start from the sixth row for tomorrow’s race.

Randy De Puniet, 10th, 1:49.826:
“It’s a shame how things went; but that’s how it goes. I gave my all both this morning and this afternoon. I’m tenth, just a few tenths from the sixth and seventh positions. I wasn’t able to do a lap like I needed with the soft tire; just consider that my best time was set with the hard. I would have liked to start from the third row, but anyway, my starting spot isn’t so terrible. I’m convinced that I can have a good race.”

Marco Rigamonti, Randy De Puniet’s Track Engineer:
“It’s a shame, because we did a good time with the hard tire. Randy made a few mistakes with the soft tire, and he told us he could have cut off at least three tenths. We could have started from the third or even the second row. Anyway, the important thing is to start well tomorrow, in the race. The race pace is good, as is the rider’s feeling with the bike.”

Loris Capirossi, 16th, 1:50.752:
“What a nice track, and even if the results suggest otherwise, I was able to improve my time quite a bit. Having one less session hurt us a little more than the other riders, who already knew the track. I’m sure that tomorrow I’ll manage to further lower my time, and since we’re all very close, anything can happen. For being here for the first time, it didn’t go so badly.”

The Mapfre Aspar Team and Elena Rosell have reached an agreement to collaborate until the end of the season. Elena will have the opportunity before the Aragon round to test the Suter Moto2 machine for several days, allowing her to get used to a very different type of bike than the Stock Extreme bike she pilots in the CEV Buckler Spanish Championship

Following her Moto2 World Championship appearance at Assen, Rosell placed fifth in the latest CEV Buckler race and was first in the privateer category. This summer she will work on becoming accustomed to the Suter machine before taking part in the World Championship class again at the Motorland circuit, a track where she debuted last year in the CEV Stock Extreme class, finishing eighth.

Jorge Martinez:
“For the Mapfre Aspar Team, Elena is a taking on the challenge to again compete in the Moto2 class. We believe that she is a skilled rider and we want to prove that in another trial of the Championship. To be ready, she’ll have a series of training to learn more about the bike and the category of Moto2. She’ll be much better prepared for the Gran Premio de Aragón than she was for Assen, and will be able to demonstrate the great that rider she is. In the Netherlands, it’s true that she encountered an adverse situation. But I am convinced that upon her return to the World Championship she’ll do well, that’s what we all want.”

Elena Rosell:
“I’m happy about this new opportunity the team is giving me. I have to say that since the day after Assen we have been working on this possibility, and that Jorge and the whole team were interested in helping me. I’ve already raced twice in Alcañiz and want to reach the Grand Prix with a lot of time on the Suter; that will help me do well. Jorge has been watching me all the time and even came to the Albacete CEV Buckler race to wish me luck. He really brought it because the race went very well for me!”

Yamaha stole the show in Aragon this past weekend with YZF-R6-powered riders filling the top five positions of the Superstock 600 European Championship race.

Jed Metcher (MTM-RT Motorsports Yamaha) took his first Championship victory of this year’s Superstock 600 European Championship. Runner up was the protagonist of round three of the Championship in Monza, Frenchman Romain Lanusse (MRS Yamaha Racing France). The final podium slot went to Metcher’s teammate, Belgium’s Gauthier Duwelz (MTM-RT Motorsports Yamaha), who held off a fierce challenge from a trio of riders just behind, before reaching the checkered flag. To complete the top five, Dino Lombardi (Martini Corse) and Stephane Egea (Team Aspi Yamaha) closely followed.

Lanusse is now leading the STK600 championship, 20 points ahead of Metcher in second place with 61, while Lombardi holds onto third place with 46. Round five of the STK600 European Championship will take place in Brno on the July 9.

 

Chaz Davies provided a remarkable race in yesterday afternoon’s Spanish heat to claim his third victory of the season and fifth race win for the Yamaha ParkinGO Team. A perfect start from fourth position on the grid saw Davies shoot into second place. The Brit immediately set the pace and was consistent throughout. Closely tailing Kawasaki’s Broc Parkes for the first 15 laps, Davies moved in and was ready to take the lead when the Australian crashed out of contention. Davies crossed the finish line just half a second ahead of fellow Brit, Parkalgar Honda’s Sam Lowes. Teammate Luca Scassa had a less fortunate race day in Aragon. Struggling to maintain the pace, the Italian lost the front of his machine causing him to crash out with just four laps to go.

Yamaha have further increased the gap in the manufacturer’s standings now leading by 27 points. Davies leaves Aragon topping the rider’s standings with a total of 105 points, 20 points ahead of Parkes in second. Scassa, now sitting in fourth place with 70 points, is just one point behind Salom in third. Yamaha ParkinGO team head to Brno for round seven of the WSS Championship in three weeks’ time.

Chaz Davies, Yamaha ParkinGO Team – 1st:
“It was a very good day especially considering all the issues I had throughout the weekend. I went into the race a bit blind and knowing that Parkes was so strong all weekend. I wasn’t sure what to expect but I figured if I could hold on for the first 10 laps and make the tires last that I’d probably be ok. I just had to make sure I kept the pace till the very end. I can’t thank the team enough for the hard work all weekend, they were amazing. It’s a pretty great bonus after such a difficult weekend. A huge thanks to all the crew, to Yamaha, Monster Energy and all my sponsors.”

Luca Scassa, Yamaha ParkinGO Team – DNF:
“We had a lot of problems over the weekend. Even when we were testing here we had a few issues, so it’s just not my track. We tried so many solutions but failed to find a good set up and improve lap times. Three crashes in one weekend is too much so I’m going to put it behind me, forget about the bad weekend and look forward to Brno.”
Read more…

Team Alstare Suzuki rider Michel Fabrizio bounced back after crashing in the first race to claim a hard-fought fourth place at the World Superbike Championship seventh round at Spain’s Motorland Aragon yesterday.

The Italian started both races from the fourth row of the grid, but once again showed his ability to fight his way through the pack and challenge for the podium. In race one he moved up to seventh by lap nine and was pushing hard when he lost the front and fell. Fortunately he was uninjured, but the impact of the fall did not do his already-damaged right hand any favors. Despite this, he came out fighting in race two and began by making a good start. He was up to fourth by lap five and soon started pressing Carlos Checa (Ducati) for third spot. For a while it looked as if he would get the better of the Spaniard but had to settle for fourth.

Marco Melandri (Yamaha) won the first race with the Aprilias of Max Biaggi and Leon Camier in second and third places. Race two was another battle between Biaggi and Melandri, but this time Biaggi took the win. Series leader Checa was third just ahead of the Suzuki rider.

Michel Fabrizio – Race 1: DNF, Race 2: 4th:
“I am happy with my performance in the second race but obviously not happy with my crash in the first. My first race start was not so good and I was pushing very hard trying to catch the leaders when I lost the front and down I went. I managed to hit my injured arm again but fortunately I didn’t do any further damage.

“The crash made me all the more determined to do well in race two. I made a perfect start and was up to fourth by lap five. I saw Checa ahead and closed in on him lap by lap, but although I could get near to him, his bike’s acceleration out of the corners was better than mine and so I couldn’t pass him. It was a bit frustrating seeing the way his bike blasted out of the turns, but I kept fighting in case he made a mistake. Unfortunately for me, he didn’t so I ended fourth.

“Today I am happy because my lap times were very similar to the leaders and this proves that I can run with the best. If it hadn’t been for my poor grid position, I think I would’ve been on the podium today. If I can qualify, I’m sure I can get on the podium. The next round in Brno would be a good place to do it.”

Motorland Aragon Results:
Race 1: 1 Marco Melandri (ITA-Yamaha), 2 Max Biaggi (ITA-Aprilia), 3 Leon Camier (GBR-Aprilia), 4 Eugene Laverty (GBR-Yamaha), 5 Tom Sykes (GBR-Kawasaki), 6 Noriyuki Haga (JPN-Aprilia). DNF: Michel Fabrizio (ITA-Alstare Suzuki).

Race 2: 1 Biaggi, 2 Melandri, 3 Carlos Checa (ESP-Ducati), 4 Michel Fabrizio (ITA-Alstare Suzuki), 5 Joan Lascorz (ESP-Kawasaki), 6 Laverty.

Althea Racing’s Carlos Checa registered a hard-fought podium in yesterday’s World Superbike race 2 at Spain’s Motorland Aragon after failing to finish in race 1 at his home track.

In Race 1, Checa found himself in third place through the first corners. Even though his  pace in the opening laps was not  particularly quick, he improved a lot from the third lap onwards, finding his rhythm and recording  very fast times; each lap quicker than the last. Chasing down Factory Yamaha’s Marco Melandri and Aprilia Alitalia’s Max Biaggi, who had an advantage of around 1.5 seconds – but a pace slightly slower than that of the Spaniard – Checa made the quickest lap of the race overall on the seventh lap (1m58.862), a new lap record. Unfortunately, in the second split of the eighth lap, Checa was victim of a race-ending highside crash, which, fortunately, left him unhurt and able to participate in the second race of the day.

In the second race, even though he lost a couple of positions off the line, he immediately made them back up by passing Aprilia’s Leon Camier, Suzuki’s Michel Fabrizio and Kawasaki’s Tom Sykes in the space of two laps, to place himself third at the fifth lap. Unfortunately the distance between him and race leaders Biaggi and Melandri was too big, and despite his best efforts, Checa was unable to reach them. In the final stages he began to suffer from a drop in tire performance; the bike slid around, his times increased as a result and the Spanish rider was forced to settle for third position.

After the seventh round of the championship, Team Althea Racing and Carlos Checa continue to lead; Checa holds 261 points and an advantage of 43 over Biaggi in second.  Ducati leads the manufacturer’s championship with 273 points to Aprilia’s 257.

Carlos Checa:
“I am disappointed because it would have been fantastic to win here in front of the Spanish fans. We didn’t need the Race 1 crash. I was pushing hard to close the gap between me and the leader and I slipped. I was slowly catching them and so I’m sorry because it could have been a great race. I don’t know if I would have been able to win but I wanted to at least catch them. Anyway this is racing and I was lucky to be able to take part in race 2, despite some shoulder pain. This was a lesson today and I will learn from it. We changed the tire for Race 2 and this was an intelligent decision but I wasn’t able to close the gap that opened between me and the leaders. In the final stages the bike began to move around and I couldn’t gain any more ground. I am however satisfied. We know that we’re in great shape, me, the team, the bike and we’ll go the next round at Brno where we’ll continue to fight for race wins and for the championship.”

Genesio Bevilacqua, General Manager, Althea Racing:
“It was a bit of a difficult weekend, unforeseen. Unfortunately we suffered a DNF in race one when Carlos slipped and he also injured his shoulder which probably made a difference to his race 2 performance too. We made a strong choice with regard to tires for the first race and I think we would have had a good chance.  The crash came at an important point of the season but these things happen, also to our rivals. We trust that Carlos will bounce back quickly, particularly physically speaking. The season is still long but I believe that we can fight back from Brno onwards and make our best races yet because we will be even more motivated.”

Team Alstare Suzuki rider Michel Fabrizio goes to the World Superbike Championship seventh round at Motorland Aragon in Spain this weekend battered and bruised but fortunately without any broken bones following last week’s high-side in Misano.  At the time, he was diagnosed with a suspected fracture to his right scaphoid, but a visit to his specialist this week revealed no broken bones. Although this is good news, it remains to be seen how strong his arm will be this coming weekend.

Motorland Aragon is a new addition to the calendar and is a demanding 5.345 kilometer, counter-clockwise track featuring some interesting changes of elevation. Although it is new to the championship, many of the teams tested there at the end of last season.

Michel Fabrizio:
“The good news is that nothing is broken, but obviously I have given my right arm a big knock and it is pretty sore. Because of the pain, I was unable to manage my throttle control in the second race last weekend. Physically, I just couldn’t get on the gas like normal and that prevented me from making a better result. Considering the condition of my right arm and my bad grid position, the result was not so bad.

“This weekend is going to be a tough one, for sure. I will not know how my arm is going to be until I get out in the first practice. We all tested here last year and I remember it being quite a challenging circuit and it is going to give my arm a big workout. There is a very long, back straight, where the fastest bikes will maybe hit 200 mph (321 kph) followed by a lot of braking for the slowest corner on the track. We go from flat-out in sixth gear all the way down to first gear and it is the longest time spent on the brakes anywhere in the series. That’s going to put a lot of pressure on my arms, but I am determined not to let it affect my performance. What I want to do is end Saturday’s Superpole with a good grid position. It’s something that I have not managed so far, but it would be very interesting to see what kind of results I could get, if I started races on the first or second row, instead of somewhere down the grid.”

Spaniard Carlos Checa heads to Spain’s Motorland Aragon with a 72-point lead in the World Superbike Championship having scored the double win at the Misano World Circuit last weekend.

The Althea Racing Team’s home track of Misano proved to be another successful hunting ground, and Checa snatched a full quota of 50 points, which helped boost his championship advantage over second-place rival Max Biaggi and third-place Marco Melandri. Checa has won eight of the 12 races run so far this season and has finished on the podium in two more. All eyes will be on Carlos, in the form of his life, as he races at his home track of Aragon this weekend.

Although this will be the first WSBK race event to be hosted by Motorland, several riders  have already tested  at the track, and during those tests, Checa demonstrated his strength and determination, setting the fastest times on that particular day. The Spanish rider, who comes from Sant Fruitos de Bages, will understandably be looking for a win at Motorland this Sunday. Althea’s Superstock 1000 riders, Davide Giugliano and Lorenzo Baroni, will also be racing at Aragon. Giugliano, having won two of the three races held so far in 2011, leads the standings with a 17-point advantage.

Carlos Checa:
“I really liked the track when we tested there last winter and we now travel there in the best possible circumstances. It is a left-handed track and as you know I prefer those, though I’m also getting to grips with right-handers too. I’m really enthusiastic and happy to race in my home country. It’s the first time that Superbikes come to Aragon and I would love to give the Spanish public two great races. Spanish interest in the SBK championship is on the rise and so I hope that this event can help promote the championship from a media point of view. I think the fans will really enjoy themselves this weekend. I thank everyone that has worked to make the Motorland Aragon event a reality.”

Country: Spain
Circuit: MotorLand Aragon
Length: 5.345 km
Pole Position: Right
Race distance: 20 laps = 106.880 km