MotoGP 2009

[blizzard]

Tough race once again. These guys are really tough.

Glad for Dovizioso, great performance.
Unfortunately Lorenzo crashed, so the championship is heading Rossi´s way once again. Rossi was very lucky yesterday.

I don´t know what the hell Ducati had on their minds. Both riders lapped, well done!
That´s it for Stoner in the championship

[phil1993]

Stoner out for 3 races

Casey Stoner will miss the next three MotoGP rounds as he recovers from the physical problems that have plagued him since the Catalunya GP in June.

The Australian will be replaced at Brno, Indianapolis and Misano by Mika Kallio, who has raced for the Pramac customer Ducati team so far this season, and is scheduled to return for the Portuguese GP in October.

"After five extremely difficult races due to my health, I returned to Australia to visit the sports doctors who have looked after me for many years," said Stoner. "We have taken the difficult decision not to contest the next three rounds of the championship, to allow my body time to recover from the recent stress.

"The doctors believe that during the Barcelona race I was suffering from a virus, and that I subsequently pushed my body too hard, leading to problems that have caused my fatigue since then. The doctors are continuing with many tests to try to understand these problems and make sure it does not happen again.

"I have spoken with Ducati and thank them for their understanding at this time. I feel very sorry for the factory, my team, my sponsors and the fans, and I am also disappointed because the bike in the last races has been very competitive. I will be doing everything possible to come back at full strength for Portugal."

Kallio is looking forward to the opportunity to prove himself on a factory Ducati in the coming races.

"When I took the call I could hardly believe it," said Kallio. "I am proud to be racing the next three events with the Ducati team.

"Obviously I'm not expecting to suddenly be a second quicker, because our bikes are very similar to the official machines, but I hope to be able to pick up some good results for the team.

"I would particularly like to thank [Pramac team boss] Paolo Campinoti, who has allowed me to enjoy this incredible opportunity. It will be a real honour for me. Nonetheless I would like to send my best wishes to Casey and I hope to see him back out on track as soon as possible."

Kallio's place at the Pramac team for the next three races will be taken by Michel Fabrizio.

Ducati team boss Livio Suppo added: "It's obviously difficult for us to contemplate the next three races without Casey, but it's clear that the most important thing at this time is his health.

"We have already overcome tough times together, like when he had to undergo surgery on his scaphoid towards the end of last season. We are united whether in times of success or in times of difficulty. We are confident that the doctors will help solve the issues that have affected him since early June and that Casey will be able to take part in the last races of the year in peak fitness.

"A big thank you to Paolo Campinoti who, as always, has proved to be a great supporter and an ideal partner for Ducati, allowing Mika to ride with the Ducati team for the next three races. Mika is having a really positive debut year in MotoGP and we are delighted that he will be alongside Nicky Hayden in the official works team."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/77610

[blizzard]

Damn, that´s my favourite rider out then.

Poor guy, but it might be better for his future in MotoGp, in the last races he was a shadow of himself, because of the health problems.

With Kallio and Hayden Ducati are in trouble now.

I would have preffered a return of either Capirossi or Melandri (who is having a great season with Hayate) to Ducati.

[coup]

Rossi takes Brno pole despite crash

Valentino Rossi produced the fastest lap ever recorded on a motorcycle around Brno to take pole position for Sunday's Czech MotoGP, and then crashed out of the session while attempting to better it.

The reigning world champion had set the quickest first sector time with just three minutes to go in qualifying as he set out to eclipse his time of 1m56.145s, when the front-end of his FIAT Yamaha gave way and he slipped into the gravel.

It was a rare error from the master, and while he walked away uninjured, his bike slammed hard into the barriers.

Rossi though, did manage to contain the challenge of his team-mate Jorge Lorenzo, who for much of the weekend has shown the upper hand.

The Spaniard was forced to settle for second position in the end, just 0.050s slower than Rossi, having led the way for much of the hour.

Dani Pedrosa qualified third fastest on the HRC Honda, more than 0.3s behind the Yamaha duo. He looked disappointed after he came up behind Mika Kallio at the end of his final flying lap, but in truth he didn't look likely to take the pole away from Rossi.

Toni Elias was fourth for the Gresini team that has just confirmed he has been dropped for 2010.

Colin Edwards continued his consistent form at Brno with fifth position ahead of Donington-winner Andrea Dovizioso on the other Repsol Honda.

Alex de Angelis was seventh ahead of Nicky Hayden, who for once was the fastest Ducati rider.

Indeed the American had the edge over Ducati stand-in Kallio for much of the session and the Finn even crashed trying to match him.

The two factory Italian machines were split by Loris Capirossi in ninth position, the Suzuki not showing quite the same potential it had in morning practice.
Pos Rider Bike Time Gap
1. Valentino Rossi Yamaha 1m56.145s
2. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha 1m56.195s + 0.050s
3. Dani Pedrosa Honda 1m56.528s + 0.383s
4. Toni Elias Gresini Honda 1m56.817s + 0.672s
5. Colin Edwards Tech 3 Yamaha 1m56.954s + 0.809s
6. Andrea Dovizioso Honda 1m57.108s + 0.963s
7. Alex de Angelis Gresini Honda 1m57.775s + 1.630s
8. Nicky Hayden Ducati 1m57.803s + 1.658s
9. Loris Capirossi Suzuki 1m57.811s + 1.666s
10. Mika Kallio Ducati 1m57.994s + 1.849s
11. Chris Vermeulen Suzuki 1m58.087s + 1.942s
12. Niccolo Canepa Pramac Ducati 1m58.208s + 2.063s
13. Randy de Puniet LCR Honda 1m58.298s + 2.153s
14. James Toseland Tech 3 Yamaha 1m58.331s + 2.186s
15. Marco Melandri Hayate Kawasaki 1m58.477s + 2.332s
16. Michel Fabrizio Pramac Ducati 1m58.680s + 2.535s
17. Gabor Talmacsi Scot Honda 1m58.749s + 2.604s

should be a great fight for the win, between lorenzo and rossi, hopefully with pedrosa joining in as well

[phil1993]

Ah shoot I'm gonna miss it

[iceman1]

Can't wait for the MotoGP race

[shailf1]

Can't wait for the MotoGP race

+1
what time is the race start? 1 pm Gmt?

[shailf1]

the race is gooo!!
great start for rossi,
but pedrosa upto first.

[iceman1]

Boring

[shailf1]

we need rain... or rossi and lorenzo and crash and rejoin in the back of the pack...

[iceman1]

New track Record set by Rossi

[shailf1]

New track Record set by Rossi

which is now beaten by lorenzo..

[iceman1]

9 laps to Go ! so boring

[shailf1]

6 laps ot go.... lorenzo passes rossi
now its getting interesting...

[iceman1]

oh Lorenzo