2012 Grand Prix motorcycle racing

[Jay Adgie]

Lorenzo victorious at season opener

By Liam Marsden - MCN
MotoGP

Factory Yamaha rider Jorge Lorenzo has won the opening race of the 2012 MotoGP championship at the floodlit Losail circuit in Qatar.
Lorenzo took to the front of the pack on the first lap, but reigning champion Casey Stoner took to the lead on the third lap where he stayed until the final corner on lap 19. Stoner had opened up a comfortable gap, but his pace dropped dramatically in the final stages of the race, allowing Lorenzo and Pedrosa through.
Brit Cal Crutchlow was locked in a race-long battle with team-mate Andrea Dovizioso, who he managed to pass on lap 17 to finish in fourth place.
Factory Ducati rider Valentino Rossi continued to struggle onboard the new aluminium-framed Ducati GP12 machine, finishing the race in 10th place after also being forced off track by Hector Barbera, who finished ninth after running off track on the final lap.
Rossi's team-mate Nicky Hayden was the top Ducati in sixth place ahead of Alvaro Bautista and MotoGP rookie Stefan Bradl in an impressive eighth.
Factory Yamaha rider Ben Spies was surprisingly the last prototype machine to cross the line in 11th place, 56.907secs behind team-mate Lorenzo.
BMW Suter rider Colin Edwards was the highest place CRT rider in 12th place less than two seconds behind former team-mate Spies.
Brit James Ellison finished 18th onboard the Paul Bird Motorsport Aprilia.

1 25 99 Jorge LORENZO SPA Yamaha Factory Racing Yamaha 166.2 42'44.214
2 20 26 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 166.1 +0.852
3 16 1 Casey STONER AUS Repsol Honda Team Honda 166.0 +2.908
4 13 35 Cal CRUTCHLOW GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 165.1 +17.114
5 11 4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 165.0 +17.420
6 10 69 Nicky HAYDEN USA Ducati Team Ducati 164.3 +28.413
7 9 19 Alvaro BAUTISTA SPA San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 164.3 +28.446
8 8 6 Stefan BRADL GER LCR Honda MotoGP Honda 164.3 +29.464
9 7 8 Hector BARBERA SPA Pramac Racing Team Ducati 164.2 +31.384
10 6 46 Valentino ROSSI ITA Ducati Team Ducati 164.0 +33.665
11 5 11 Ben SPIES USA Yamaha Factory Racing Yamaha 162.6 +56.907
12 4 5 Colin EDWARDS USA NGM Mobile Forward Racing Suter 162.5 +58.088
13 3 14 Randy DE PUNIET FRA Power Electronics Aspar ART 161.7 +1'10.650
14 2 68 Yonny HERNANDEZ COL Avintia Blusens BQR-FTR 161.4 +1'15.943
15 1 41 Aleix ESPARGARO SPA Power Electronics Aspar ART 160.7 +1'26.733
16 22 Ivan SILVA SPA Avintia Blusens BQR-FTR 159.7 +1'43.327
17 54 Mattia PASINI ITA Speed Master ART 159.5 +1'47.419
18 77 James ELLISON GBR Paul Bird Motorsport ART 159.2 +1'51.882
51 Michele PIRRO ITA San Carlo Honda Gresini FTR 110.6 7 Laps
Not Classified
9 Danilo PETRUCCI ITA Came IodaRacing Project Ioda 158.8 7 Laps
17 Karel ABRAHAM CZE Cardion AB Motoracing Ducati 154.0 15 Laps

 

[Rupe Wilson]

Im a big Tommy Hill fan,
Haga's looking chubby and dangerious,

On a side note i didnt think much to marquez not leaving Luthi any where to go, that was dangerious, hes still a bit crazy at times

 

[Ross Balfour]

All three races were fantastic!

Moto 3 was really impressive, a 16 year old vs a 17 year old for a win? Fenati vs Vinalez, what out for these two in the future, they are both younger than me

Moto 2 was one of the best races I have seen in ages, Top 10 group battle for the lead, Luthi hitting Marquez at the end of the race and a lot of great racing!

MotoGP was also great, the last 5 laps for the lead were very intense, the Tech 3 battle between Dovi and Crutchlow was really close, those two look a great pairing this year.

I was a bit sceptical before this season, but it's shapong up to be a great one!

 

[Jordi Casademunt]

Very fun races, I'm a bit dissapointed that Pedrosa didn't win, but after his weekend a second position is a very nice start of the season. And Stoner is a lazy bum, according to Dennis Noyes he isn't even doing any physical training. But he's still a beast. Jorge Lorenzo is looking quite strong too. The 3 seem to be in shape for a very fun championship, I hope the Ducati improves enough to see Rossi and Hayden on the podium.

Dovizioso and Crutchlow had a great battle, and well, Ben Spies was really disappointing.

In Moto3, I had hoped for more people to be in the front, but Maverick Viñales has shown he's champion material. Romano Fenati was a pleasant surprise, not only he's fast, but also he uses his brain, when Viñales got past him he didn't try anything crazy and just drove home for a second position in his first race in the World Championship. Will have to look out for him, he will surely do great things. Also great Salom, going from 10th to 4th and almost getting to the podium. Great battle for the third anyway, lots of overtakes.

As for Moto2, without watching it again I can't say Márquez did anything wrong. Then again, I've only seen it twice, and neither in detail, so I'll wait until there are videos available. He might have been too aggressive, but again, would need to see the video. Luthi did a very intelligent race, took care of the tyres and attacked at the right time. Marquez again pushed his talent to the limit, winning a race after having no pre-season due to his eye injury. Andrea Iannone had a good race too, you can never count him out of the fight. And also, it's really great that Pol Espargaró is back after how horrible last year was. I'll also highlight Elena Rosell's race, think she ran with a broken scapula so even finishing the race is an achievement.

I can't wait for Jerez, this season seems to be good for motorsport in general.

 

[Koray Can]

Rossi says "this year's going to be worse." Heads will be rolling at Ducati because they ran out of excuses.

 

[Ross Balfour]

As for Moto2, without watching it again I can't say Márquez did anything wrong. Then again, I've only seen it twice, and neither in detail, so I'll wait until there are videos available. He might have been too aggressive, but again, would need to see the video. .

Oh he definately did, moving over on Thomas at 165mph, so so dangerous. If Luthi didn't take for the escape road there could have been a huge crash. Marquez is only young though, he will leanr over time his racecraft, because at the minute he is far too aggressive.

 

[Rupe Wilson]

If ive heard correctly Stoner lost the race due to arm pump... Maybe needs to do more lapps...(says me who got cramp in his foot while sitting behind my pc)

 

[Travis]

Stoner's arm pump was a result of the front end chatter & not a lack of fitness or laps. Stoner is using the same practice and qualifying routine from last season.

The Rossi-Ducati partnership is going from bad to worse. There can be few excuses as Ducati have thrown everything at the bike to make it work for Rossi and have zero results to show for the effort. I'm sure Hayden is more content with the new Ducati as 1000cc bikes are more his type of machine.

Whilst it is sad to see a former champion fade, it happens to champions from all sports at a point in their careers.

 

[Jay Adgie]

Pedrosa leads wet second practice

By Liam Marsden - MCN
MotoGP

Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa set the fastest time during a wet free practice 2 at Jerez today.
Ducati rider Valentino Rossi was the early pace setter, with a best time of 1'51.440, but was unable to hold off Spaniard Pedrosa in the later stages of the session.
Winner of last year's wet Jerez race Jorge Lorenzo set the third fastest time despite only completing a handful of laps.
Reigning champion Casey Stoner had a disappointing session by his standards, seeting the fourth fasest time ahead of Nicky Hayden.
After an impressive ride at Qatar, Brit Cal Crutchlow set the eighth fasest time onboard his Tech 3 Yamaha. Crutchlow was again quicker than factory Yamaha rider Ben Spies in ninth.
The wet conditions enabled the CRT riders to get closer to the prototype bikes, with CRT riders Randy de Puniet and Mattia Pasini lapping faster than protype riders Karel Abraham and Hector Barbera, both on Ducatis.
Brit James Ellison finished the session in 20th place, 6.659secs of Dani Pedrosa.

1 26 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 275.4 1'50.780
2 46 Valentino ROSSI ITA Ducati Team Ducati 275.9 1'51.440 0.660 / 0.660
3 99 Jorge LORENZO SPA Yamaha Factory Racing Yamaha 275.7 1'51.873 1.093 / 0.433
4 1 Casey STONER AUS Repsol Honda Team Honda 277.3 1'52.106 1.326 / 0.233
5 69 Nicky HAYDEN USA Ducati Team Ducati 272.1 1'52.254 1.474 / 0.148
6 4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 276.1 1'53.070 2.290 / 0.816
7 19 Alvaro BAUTISTA SPA San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 273.3 1'53.166 2.386 / 0.096
8 35 Cal CRUTCHLOW GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 272.7 1'53.352 2.572 / 0.186
9 11 Ben SPIES USA Yamaha Factory Racing Yamaha 271.9 1'53.409 2.629 / 0.057
10 6 Stefan BRADL GER LCR Honda MotoGP Honda 273.3 1'53.409 2.629
11 14 Randy DE PUNIET FRA Power Electronics Aspar ART 256.4 1'54.155 3.375 / 0.746
12 54 Mattia PASINI ITA Speed Master ART 261.5 1'54.370 3.590 / 0.215
13 17 Karel ABRAHAM CZE Cardion AB Motoracing Ducati 273.4 1'54.378 3.598 / 0.008
14 8 Hector BARBERA SPA Pramac Racing Team Ducati 274.5 1'54.581 3.801 / 0.203
15 5 Colin EDWARDS USA NGM Mobile Forward Racing Suter 260.3 1'54.707 3.927 / 0.126
16 22 Ivan SILVA SPA Avintia Blusens BQR 260.7 1'54.748 3.968 / 0.041
17 68 Yonny HERNANDEZ COL Avintia Blusens BQR 259.0 1'54.915 4.135 / 0.167
18 9 Danilo PETRUCCI ITA Came IodaRacing Project Ioda 248.8 1'55.752 4.972 / 0.837
19 51 Michele PIRRO ITA San Carlo Honda Gresini FTR 259.1 1'56.067 5.287 / 0.315
20 77 James ELLISON GBR Paul Bird Motorsport ART 254.1 1'57.475 6.695 / 1.408
21 41 Aleix ESPARGARO SPA Power Electronics Aspar ART 257.3 1'57.789 7.009 / 0.314

 

[Jay Adgie]

Lorenzo takes home pole

By MCN
MotoGP

Factory Yamaha rider Jorge Lorenzo will start tomorrow's MotoGP race at Jerez from pole position.
Lorenzo took advantage of the drying track to take pole position on his final lap of the session.
Compatriot Dani Pedrosa will start from second on the grid after battling with Lorenzo throughout the session for pole position.
Factory Ducati rider Nicky Hayden takes the final place on the front row, while team-mate Valentino Rossi will start from 13th on the grid - the slowest prototype rider.
Aspar Aprilia rider Randy de Puniet was the fastest CRT rider, qualifying in tenth position ahead of the prototype Ducatis of Rossi, Hector Barbera and Karel Abraham.
Brit Cal Crutchlow heads the second row, despite a crash towards the end of the session. World champion Casey Stoner again struggled onboard his factroy Honda, qualifying fifth.
James Ellison starts from 20th on the grid ahead of Colin Edwards, who crashed as he was caught out by the conditions.

1 99 Jorge LORENZO SPA Yamaha Factory Racing Yamaha 282.1 1'39.532
2 26 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 283.5 1'39.667 0.135 / 0.135
3 69 Nicky HAYDEN USA Ducati Team Ducati 282.3 1'40.563 1.031 / 0.896
4 35 Cal CRUTCHLOW GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 281.7 1'40.570 1.038 / 0.007
5 1 Casey STONER AUS Repsol Honda Team Honda 285.9 1'40.577 1.045 / 0.007
6 11 Ben SPIES USA Yamaha Factory Racing Yamaha 280.9 1'41.090 1.558 / 0.513
7 4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 284.0 1'41.180 1.648 / 0.090
8 19 Alvaro BAUTISTA SPA San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 286.9 1'41.447 1.915 / 0.267
9 6 Stefan BRADL GER LCR Honda MotoGP Honda 287.3 1'41.550 2.018 / 0.103
10 14 Randy DE PUNIET FRA Power Electronics Aspar ART 265.6 1'41.700 2.168 / 0.150
11 17 Karel ABRAHAM CZE Cardion AB Motoracing Ducati 284.2 1'41.724 2.192 / 0.024
12 8 Hector BARBERA SPA Pramac Racing Team Ducati 288.8 1'41.871 2.339 / 0.147
13 46 Valentino ROSSI ITA Ducati Team Ducati 282.3 1'42.961 3.429 / 1.090
14 41 Aleix ESPARGARO SPA Power Electronics Aspar ART 267.7 1'43.135 3.603 / 0.174
15 51 Michele PIRRO ITA San Carlo Honda Gresini FTR 268.2 1'43.363 3.831 / 0.228
16 54 Mattia PASINI ITA Speed Master ART 266.5 1'44.308 4.776 / 0.945
17 68 Yonny HERNANDEZ COL Avintia Blusens BQR 269.5 1'44.467 4.935 / 0.159
18 9 Danilo PETRUCCI ITA Came IodaRacing Project Ioda 257.4 1'44.645 5.113 / 0.178
19 22 Ivan SILVA SPA Avintia Blusens BQR 261.4 1'44.717 5.185 / 0.072
20 77 James ELLISON GBR Paul Bird Motorsport ART 264.8 1'45.724 6.192 / 1.007
21 5 Colin EDWARDS USA NGM Mobile Forward Racing Suter 264.5 1'46.200 6.668 / 0.476

 

[Jay Adgie]

Stoner takes first win of 2012

By Liam Marsden -MCN
MotoGP

Reigning MotoGP champion Casey Stoner has taken his first race win of 2012 at Jerez today despite suffering from arm pump in the latter stages of the race.
The start of the race saw some of the best racing seen in the premier class for a long time, with the first six riders all switching places as they battled for the lead.
Stoner and Jorge Lorenzo were able to pull away from the chasing pack, with Stoner opening up a slight gap to Lorenzo. Towards the end of the race Lorenzo was catching Stoner, but didn't quite get close enough to make a move.
Brit Cal Crutchlow was in touch with the front runners for the entirety of the race, equalling his best finish of fourth. Crutchlow was right on third place finisher Dani Pedrosa's rear wheel, but was unable to get close enough to make a move for his first podium finish in MotoGP.
Ducati rider Nicky Hayden got an excellent start, holding third position before making a mistake and losing several places and then dropping off the pace to finish eighth, just ahead of team-mate Valentino Rossi.
Factory Yamaha rider Ben Spies continued his disappointing start to 2012 with an 11th place finish.
Crutchlow's team-mate Andrea Dovizioso finished fifth again.
Aprilia CRT rider James Ellison pulled into the pits on the penultimate lap. Up until his retirement Ellison was enjoying a strong race, up to 14th place at one point.
CRT rider Colin Edwards was unable to replicate the good form he showed in the first race at Qatar, finishing in 16th position with only Karel Abraham behind him, who crashed and remounted.

1 25 1 Casey STONER AUS Repsol Honda Team Honda 157.3 45'33.897
2 20 99 Jorge LORENZO SPA Yamaha Factory Racing Yamaha 157.2 +0.947
3 16 26 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 157.1 +2.063
4 13 35 Cal CRUTCHLOW GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 157.1 +2.465
5 11 4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 156.2 +18.100
6 10 19 Alvaro BAUTISTA SPA San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 156.0 +21.395
7 9 6 Stefan BRADL GER LCR Honda MotoGP Honda 155.6 +28.637
8 8 69 Nicky HAYDEN USA Ducati Team Ducati 155.6 +28.869
9 7 46 Valentino ROSSI ITA Ducati Team Ducati 155.3 +34.852
10 6 8 Hector BARBERA SPA Pramac Racing Team Ducati 155.3 +35.103
11 5 11 Ben SPIES USA Yamaha Factory Racing Yamaha 155.1 +38.041
12 4 41 Aleix ESPARGARO SPA Power Electronics Aspar ART 153.2 +1'12.728
13 3 9 Danilo PETRUCCI ITA Came IodaRacing Project Ioda 152.9 +1'18.669
14 2 54 Mattia PASINI ITA Speed Master ART 152.3 +1'29.142
15 1 22 Ivan SILVA SPA Avintia Blusens BQR 152.1 +1'32.478
16 5 Colin EDWARDS USA NGM Mobile Forward Racing Suter 151.7 +1'40.577
17 17 Karel ABRAHAM CZE Cardion AB Motoracing Ducati 150.6 1 Lap

 

[Travis]

Great race by Stoner & Crutchlow was fantastic too. Lorenzo still as smooth as silk, it's going to be a constant battle between Lorenzo and Stoner.

 

[Randy Wagner]

You guys would think for what Ducati is paying Rossi when he tells them something they might listen right?

Don't get me wrong Nickey is one fine rider BUT he is no ROSSI Yamaha listened to him and he gave them dominance. Those damn Honda with the sequential tranny is kicking everyone's arse on exit speeds. I had hoped Yamaha would have made one by now but maybe they gotta wait for the patents to go away but if you slow mo any of the races and watch you will see Stoner simply go gas on and pull them hard on exit now they might catch him on the straights but few folks in the world can outbreak Stoner. Spies can but I think he's got his head up his butt this year for he is a shadow of 2011 Rossi can but hell after 7 or 8 laps the Ducks are dead and this is what happens when you build a motorcycle 100% by computer and don't listen to the guys that make it sing. It seems all they wanted Rossi for was to make the company look like past Ducati Teams just b4 they sold it lol for more than it was worth so time will tell if it works but with them being so close to Ferrari and Rossi sadly killing his best friend last year I do feel his 2 wheel days are numbered but from what I have been told his F1 test timers were not all that fast and is why we didn't hear much about it.

 

[Jay Adgie]

Stoner leads dry second practice

By MCN -
MotoGP

Casey Stoner tops the times from Friday free practice at Estoril. The dry second practice session of the day allowed the Australian Repsol Honda rider to post a time of 1:38.396. Yamaha's Ben Spies was second quickest, after heading the times in the damp morning session.
Britain's Cal Crutchlow was third fastest by just .025 seconds, and lapped faster than the factory Honda of Dani Pedrosa and the factory Yamaha of Jorge Lorenzo. The fastest of the CRT bikes was Randy de Puniet, with James Ellison currently 21st on the Paul Bird Motorsport machine.

Estoril MotoGP Free Practice 2 Times:
1. Casey Stoner AUS Repsol Honda (RC213V) 1m 38.396s
2. Ben Spies USA Yamaha Factory Racing (YZR-M1) 1m 38.717s
3. Cal Crutchlow GBR Monster Yamaha Tech3 (YZR-M1) 1m 38.742s
4. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda (RC213V) 1m 38.797s
5. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Yamaha Factory Racing (YZR-M1) 1m 38.930s
6. Alvaro Bautista ESP San Carlo Honda Gresini (RC213V) 1m 38.959s
7. Nicky Hayden USA Ducati Team (GP12) 1m 39.029s
8. Hector Barbera ESP Pramac Racing (GP12) 1m 39.193s
9. Valentino Rossi ITA Ducati Team (GP12) 1m 39.357s
10. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Monster Yamaha Tech3 (YZR-M1) 1m 39.615s
11. Karel Abraham CZE Cardion AB Motoracing (GP12) 1m 40.207s
12. Stefan Bradl GER LCR Honda MotoGP (RC213V) 1m 40.898s
13. Randy De Puniet FRA Power Electronics Aspar (ART CRT) 1m 41.088s
14. Aleix Espargaro ESP Power Electronics Aspar (ART CRT) 1m 41.634s
15. Yonny Hernandez COL Avintia Blusens (FTR-Kawasaki CRT) 1m 41.638s
16. Mattia Pasini ITA Speed Master (ART CRT) 1m 41.973s
17. Michele Pirro ITA San Carlo Honda Gresini (FTR-Honda CRT) 1m 42.252s
18. Colin Edwards USA NGM Forward Racing (Suter-BMW CRT) 1m 42.587s
19. Ivan Silva ESP Avintia Blusens (FTR-Kawasaki CRT) 1m 42.804s
20. Danilo Petrucci ITA Came IodaRacing (Ioda-Aprilia CRT) 1m 42.984s
21. James Ellison GBR Paul Bird Motorsport (ART CRT) 1m 43.665s

 

[Rui F. Martins]

let's see if the weather will stay dry during the weekend, tha last couple of weeks has been rainning in the area

 

[Travis]

Good to see Spies finally having a decent time in practice. Great weekend for bikes SBK and MotoGP on the same weekend.

 

[Randy Wagner]

You guys see anyone consistently beating Stoner this year? I mean the man is amazing yet again and yes I hope Spies keeps it up he can throw a wrench into the whole darn thing IF he keeps his head right. On a be a good weekend for sure.

 

[Travis]

Lorenzo is always fighting Stoner for wins & Pedrosa will win a couple this year too. I expect Crutchlow to get quicker and more confident as the season progresses; he's been fantastic already this year. The big question mark is Spies and if he can win another GP this year. He is quick enough as Assen last year proved but the top 2 guys are very fast all the time.

Ducati are lost at sea again; no idea if it's Rossi, the Ducati or both but the 'it's the rider and not the bike that wins races' statement is fast proving to be a myth as the HRC head honcho reported to GPOne just recently: http://www.gpone.com/index.php/en/201205026767/Nakamoto-Rossi-to-HRC-Impossible.html

 

[Randy Wagner]

Lorenzo is always fighting Stoner for wins & Pedrosa will win a couple this year too. I expect Crutchlow to get quicker and more confident as the season progresses; he's been fantastic already this year. The big question mark is Spies and if he can win another GP this year. He is quick enough as Assen last year proved but the top 2 guys are very fast all the time.

Ducati are lost at sea again; no idea if it's Rossi, the Ducati or both but the 'it's the rider and not the bike that wins races' statement is fast proving to be a myth as the HRC head honcho reported to GPOne just recently: http://www.gpone.com/index.php/en/201205026767/Nakamoto-Rossi-to-HRC-Impossible.html

Honda has no loyalty for it's riders never has and never will (case in point) Nickey Hayden wins the World Championship comes back the following year to find Honda has designed their new bile for a midget (Pedrosa) thanks Nickey. As far as Ducati goes,they need to listen to Rossi but being Ducati they will again build the bike THEY think should win and say "We pay you to ride it" just like Honda does.

 

[Rupe Wilson]

Go CAL.........