2012 Grand Prix motorcycle racing

[Jay Adgie]

Valentino Rossi back on a Yamaha in Valencia

By Matthew Birt-MCN

Valentino Rossi has made his long-awaited return to Yamaha’s factory MotoGP squad in Valencia this morning.
The 33-year-old was one of the first out on track in cool and cloudy conditions this morning but his YZR-M1 return didn’t last beyond a third lap as rain spots started to fall on the Ricardo Tormo track.
Rossi left the Yamaha garage with dozens of TV cameramen and photographers huddled around outside to catch the moment he jumped back on the YZR-M1 1000cc machine he will race with reigning world champion Jorge Lorenzo in 2013 and 2014.

He had set a 1.44.158 after two laps when a short cloudburst disrupted proceedings just 10 minutes after the track had opened for the start of 2013 winter testing.
The nine-times world champion has moved back to Yamaha after a disastrous two-year spell with Ducati that saw him claim just three podiums in 35 appearances.

 

[David O'Reilly]

Anyone who was inspired or impressed by Sennas legendary wet Donington opening lap must see this to believe it.
Mark Marqez is the 2012 Champion in Moto 2. Its a very tightly controlled class with a standardised Engine and ECU producing very close racing.
Not last weekend though.
At Valencia in a wet race with 33 bikes on the grid he started in 33rd due to an issue in qualifying.

Lap 1 he passed 19-20 other riders. I repeat 20 overtakes in 1 lap of Valencia.
He then caught and passed everyone else to take the win. he was in a class of his own and now moves up to apparently a richly deserved Moto GP ride on Casey Stoners old seat teaming up with Dani Pedrosa.

Watch out for this guy next season!

 

[Stuart Pocock]

Its good to see Marqez moving up, he is amazing to watch. Another rider to look out for is Pol Esperago.

 

[Rupe Wilson]

There is no doubt he is an exceptionable rider but he was also one of the lightest in the field which doe's make a big difference in the bikes power to weigh ratio. Tyres also fall in to this at the end of the race,in such a controlled class,
But you first have to have the talent to be able to use it ..He was the worthy winner of this championship but he has also been damn right dangerous at times this year,, When you look for example at the likes of Britain's own Scott Reading who is a giant on the bike he will suffer so much more with tyre issues and has...
In a controlled class as it is in moto 2 it would seem they have made a bit of a hash at the minimum weight ruling.. There were 3 or 4 riders this year who have been a class above the rest...Next year should be very interesting in more ways than one..

 

[Bram Hengeveld]

Nice livery!

 

[Rui F. Martins]

that is great news, and that livery is really nice, i like it more than the "old" yamaha livery he had

 

[Travis]

Ben Spies talks about Yamaha, his 2012 season and the times ahead on the career killing Ducati* : http://www.cycleworld.com/2013/01/02/ben-spies-leaves-yamaha-for-ducati/

*except for Stoner