Motourage

Lorenzo strong in Jerez, Rossi better than expected

Local hero Jorge Lorenzo looked back to his best today, finally fully recovered from his broken hand and on fast form in Jerez to finish practice in second place. His Fiat Yamaha team-mate Valentino Rossi is now the one recovering from injury but the World Champion was happy to find he was able to ride well enough to keep in touch, setting the fifth fastest time.

Lorenzo always enjoys this race and has taken pole position for the last four years, twice in the 250cc class and twice with Yamaha in MotoGP. Able to use his hand properly today for the first time since the opening test of the season, last year’s runner-up was delighted with his form and found he had a strong race pace from the word go. His time today was just off last year’s lap record and 0.144 off fastest man Casey Stoner, but he and his team hope that a few small tweaks tomorrow will see them on their best game for tomorrow’s qualifying session.

Having damaged his shoulder in a recent motocross accident, Rossi’s primary concern today was finding out how strong he felt on the bike and how hard he was able to push. He and his crew were relieved to discover the situation was not too bad; the 31-year-old was able to ride 25 laps without any painkillers and was only 0.628 off Stoner’s time. He hopes that improvements to his setting, a bit more rear grip and possibly some pain management will put him closer to the front for the rest of the weekend.

Jorge Lorenzo – Position: 2nd, Time: 1’39.875Laps: 30
“I’m really happy with this first day. Everything has gone well and I don’t have any pain in my hand anymore. I feel as good on the bike as I felt last year when I got pole, although my aim is to make sure I don’t repeat the same mistake in the race this time! I always feel like I ride well here and I’ve already got a good pace; with some small modifications we can be even better. I don’t think the perfect MotoGP bike exists but our Yamaha is definitely nearly there, maybe we just need a bit more top speed… Tomorrow my aim is to improve my pace just a bit more to be consistently in the 39s; I’m excited about the weekend.”

Valentino Rossi – Position: 5th, Time: 1”40.359Laps: 25
“The shoulder is a bit sore, especially in the two or three harder braking areas, but the most important thing is that I can ride! Of course this pain makes it more difficult but I was able to do 25 laps today without painkillers, and the pain didn’t get any worse as the session went on. I didn’t take any painkillers because I wanted to understand the level and so tomorrow and Sunday we will consider something for the pain. Today we used two different settings and now we will decide which direction to go in for the rest of the weekend. We need to find a bit more rear grip in order to be more competitive, because at this moment this is slowing us down more than the shoulder.”

Wilco Zeelenberg – Team Manager
“Jorge loves this track and it showed today, with him on the pace immediately. The bike is giving him a lot of confidence already, which helps us a lot because we can just concentrate on making small improvements. We need to try to improve the grip a little bit but this is a good start. Tomorrow we’ll try to find a couple of tenths so that we can mount a strong qualifying challenge.”

Davide Brivio – Team Manager
“The best thing is that Valentino can ride okay, even if he is not at 100% with his injury. We have had two things to think about today, the set-up for the bike and the situation with his shoulder, and this session has been more about finding out our level in both of these areas. With regards to the set-up, we have worked in two different ways today and now we will decide which is best in order to improve our pace for tomorrow.”

Valentino Rossi : Information
Age: 31
Lives: Tavullia, Italy
Bike: Yamaha
GP victories: 104 (78 x MotoGP/500cc, 14 x 250cc, 12 x 125cc)
First GP victory: Czech Republic, 1996 (125cc)
First GP: Malaysia, 1996 (125cc)
GP starts: 228 (168 x MotoGP/500cc, 30 x 250cc, 30 x 125cc)
Pole positions: 58 (48 x MotoGP/500cc, 5 x 250cc, 5 x 125cc)
World Championships: 9 Grand Prix (1 x 125cc, 1 x 250cc, 1 x 500cc, 6 x MotoGP)

Jorge Lorenzo: Information
Age: 22
Lives: Barcelona, Spain
Bike: Yamaha
GP victories: 26 (5 x MotoGP, 17 x 250cc, 4 x 125cc)
First GP victory: Brazil, 2003 (125cc)
First GP: Jerez, Spain, 2002 (125cc)
GP starts: 129 (34 x MotoGP, 48 x 250cc, 46 x 125cc)
Pole positions: 35 (9 x MotoGP, 23 x 250cc, 3 x 125cc)
World Championships: 2 (250cc, 2006/7)

Jerez: Record Lap
V. Rossi (Yamaha) 2009, 1’39.818

Jerez: Best Lap
J. Lorenzo (Yamaha) 2008, 1’38.189

Grand Prix Results: Jerez 2009
1. V.Rossi (Yamaha) 45’18.557
2. D.Pedrosa (Honda) +2.700
3. C.Stoner (Ducati) +10.507
J. Lorenzo (Yamaha) DNF

This weekend marks Rounds 6 and 7 of the Motourage Fantasy Riders Racing League season.
Due to the postponement of the Motegi MotoGP round, no points were scored in Round 4.  Round 5 was scored with the Assen Round of the World Superbike Championship, and teams will score this weekend based on the results of the MotoGP-Jerez and British Superbike-Oulton Park races.
The top scorer in Round 5 was Brad Boutilier’s East Coast racing team with a very impressive 70 points, but a big weekend by Luckyguess mixed up the standings at the top of the chart.

In MotoGP, Valentino Rossi’s health may have been in question at the beginning of the weekend due to an injury he sustained during a motocross crash, but he finished free practice at the #5 position.  Stoner, Lorenzo, Hayden and Pedrosa rounded out the top spots, but the Jerez race is anyone’s to win.  Will the Spanish Armada flex its collective hometown muscle or will it be an Aussie an Italian or even one of the field’s three Americans atop the podium on Sunday?

The British Superbike field is another story altogether, with a total of seven riders sitting this weekend out.  Hampus Johansson, James Edmeads, James Ellison, Pat McDougall, Scott Smart, and Simon Andrews are watching from the stands, and the big news is the sudden retirement of World Superbike Champion (and a familiar face in the AMA paddock for four seasons) Neil Hodgson, who was forced out due to his aggravating a two-year-old shoulder injury by crashing at Brands Hatch.

Team lineups have been locked in since Noon EST today, so sit back and get ready for some two wheeled action, both on the track and in the virtual world.

The current Motourage Fantasy Riders Racing League standings are below. Good luck to all the Motourage teams.

Team Marlboro Ducati’s Casey Stoner set an early target that his rivals were unable to follow in this afternoon’s opening free practice for the MotoGP Grand Prix of Spain, clocking what proved to be the fastest time of the session after just four laps. An effort of 1’39.731 was inside the quickest lap of last year’s race and secured the Australian’s position at the top of the timesheet overnight, despite a crash at the end of the session from which he escaped unharmed.

His teammate Nicky Hayden also made an impressive start to the weekend, racking up 25 laps and clocking the third fastest time of the session. Hayden’s form continues a positive start to his season, having been challenging at the top of the time sheets throughout winter testing and battling for the podium at the opening race in Qatar three weeks ago.

CASEY STONER (Ducati MotoGP Team)  1st (1’39.731)
“My first run was okay but we had some problems in braking so we spent the rest of the session trying to improve this area, comparing the two bikes. The crash at the end was a similar situation to Qatar – I went into the corner with less pressure on the front and it closed. It’s never nice to crash but at least it gives us a better understanding of what happened in Qatar and which direction we need to take with the set-up over the rest of the weekend. Other than that I am really happy – I think this is the first time I’ve been fastest in any MotoGP session at Jerez. We’ve started out strongly, we have no worries and I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”

NICKY HAYDEN – (Ducati MotoGP Team) 3rd (1’40.148)
“The session went well and I’m really happy right now because this is a big one for us. I was fast in Malaysia and Qatar but that was after a lot of testing at those tracks, experimenting with many different settings, but we’ve come here and been fast out of the gate, which was one of my goals for this season – to be on the pace on Fridays. We didn’t set the world on fire or break any track records so we’re not getting carried away but the bike is close and if we can get it a little better in the fast corners we should have a good package. The team made one little change today that helped a lot and on my last exit I was able to stay in the 1’40s from the first lap to the last. It’s a good start and if we keep working in this way we can have a good weekend.”

Circuit Record: Valentino Rossi (Yamaha – 2009), 1’39.818 – 159.518 Km/h
Best Pole: Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha – 2008), 1’38.189 – 162.164 Km/h

The much-anticipated European phase of the 2010 MotoGP world championship kicked off in Jerez today with Monster Yamaha Tech 3 duo Colin Edwards and Ben Spies clocking the seventh and 11th fastest times respectively.

Colin Edwards looks for a little more speed for tomorrow's session

Edwards worked tirelessly on improving the set-up of his YZR-M1 machine in preparation for Sunday’s 27-lap race, the Texan setting a best time of 1.40.913 as he got more comfortable with a stiffer front and rear suspension setting.

The 36-year-old was less than two tenths away from claiming a place in the top six and he’s confident overnight gearing changes to improve acceleration will help him challenge closer to the front in tomorrow’s final practice and qualifying.

American team-mate Ben Spies once again highlighted what a fast learner he is after he started the tough challenge of learning the 4.423km circuit in breathtaking fashion.

The Andalucian circuit is one of nine tracks on the calendar that Spies has never raced at previously. But boosted by his brilliant fifth place in the opening race at Qatar earlier this month, Spies wasted no time in mastering the Jerez circuit.

Ben Spies is only .02 out of the top 10

He needed only ten laps to break into the top seven and at the end of the session he was a respectable 11th fastest and less than a second away from the top five with a best time of 1.41.200.

This weekend’s Spanish GP at the Andalucian city of Jerez is round two of the 2010 MotoGP world championship following the recent postponement of the Twin Ring Motegi race in Japan due to an Icelandic volcano.

Colin Edwards 7th 1.40.913 – 26 laps
“We got through a lot of work in a short amount of time and it wasn’t terrible but it wasn’t great either. We can make some improvements with the gearing because we were struggling a little bit for acceleration out of some of the tight sections. We haven’t come close to finding the limit of the bike yet and with the new stiffer suspension settings, I just need a bit more time to get comfortable with that. I’m confident that the base package is close but we can definitely make it better, particularly with the gearing. I followed a couple of guys today and they definitely had the jump on me out of the corner and I was losing a little bit of ground. But it’s a decent start to the weekend and as always I know my guys at Monster Yamaha Tech 3 will improve my bike and put me in good shape for Sunday when it counts.”

Ben Spies 11th 1.41.200 – 28 laps
“I’m super-happy with today. It’s 11th and I’m over a second off the pace but after only one hour at this track I’m really happy and I don’t think it could have gone too much better than it did. I’m only one second away from being really competitive and my quickest lap was one of those when I didn’t really nail it and could say it was a great lap. And I didn’t follow anybody either. I wanted to learn by myself and I know there is a lot of time to come from me and I’m sure we can make the bike better too. There is definitely more time I can find with the fast section of right-handers at the end of the lap. They aren’t really hard but you’ve got to be in a good rhythm to really make up some time. Now I’m really looking forward to tomorrow because I like the track. It’s one of those tracks if you mess a turn up, three turns later you’re still scratching your head trying to get it back. But that is good for me because I really like flowing tracks and this is definitely one of them. I’m a lot more relaxed going into tomorrow knowing I’ll be pretty competitive, so thanks to Yamaha and the Monster Tech 3 Team.”

Rizla Suzuki got back to MotoGP action at Jerez in Spain today with both riders inside the top 10 after the first free practice session.

Loris Capirossi’s fastest time of 1’40.716 from his 23 laps of the 4,423m Spanish circuit gave him sixth place overall in the standings. He made some big changes to the set-up of his GSV-R in preparation for this weekend’s event and from the first evaluation he is pleased with the new settings, but also knows there is extra to come to make his machine more competitive.

Álvaro Bautista is making his home MotoGP debut this weekend and acquitted himself well during the first day. He recorded a quickest time of 1’41.093, to give him ninth place overall after his 25 laps of the Jerez track. He is eager to make a good impression in front of his home fans and will be determined to continue to improve over the weekend.

Today’s single hour of practice was held in warm and sunny conditions, with air temperatures getting up to 26ºC and track temperatures in the high 40s. Casey Stoner on a factory Ducati set the fastest time of the day with a lap of 1’39.731.

Rizla Suzuki has one more practice session on Saturday morning followed by qualifying in the afternoon. Sunday’s 27-lap race will get underway at 14.00hrs local time (12.00hrs GMT).

Loris Capirossi:
“We decided to take a bit of a risk today and make some big changes to the bike in the hope that it would help us take some big steps and for sure it has certainly helped us. I have to give a big thanks to everyone involved for letting us make the changes. We had a big meeting between my guys and Sahara san and it looks like we have solved one of the biggest problems we have. Overall we need to continue to work in this direction and I think we will make yet more discoveries that will help us. Today has been a good day for me and Suzuki and I think there is more to come!”

Álvaro Bautista:
“This is a new circuit with new reference points for me on a MotoGP bike, so it felt like I had to start working all over again. I tried to find a good line on the track and worked with the team to get a good base setting. At the end of the session I tried the softer compound tires and I had a lot of grip from the rear and I was able to exit the corners much quicker, but I think I felt a bit too much movement from the front and I wasn’t able to enter the corner like I could on the harder tires, so that is something we have to work on tomorrow. We have a lot of work to do tomorrow and we will have to work very hard to get everything right. I think we are in a good position in the classification because we are in the top 10 and at my home GP I want to have a good race, but before that we have a lot of work to do on the bike and we must get a good setting so I can compete and enjoy myself!”

Paul Denning – Team Manager:
“It’s been a solid start to our preparations for the Jerez Grand Prix. There is not a lot of space around this circuit for the big bikes to stretch their legs and I’m sure the GSV-R felt a bit of an animal to Álvaro on his first run around here on anything bigger than a 250. He certainly didn’t look out of place during the course of the session and to be in the top 10 at the end is a very encouraging result. Loris has tried a very different set-up to that which he has used over the winter and there are some advantages, but as ever, there are also some disadvantages. Top six with a couple of problems is very reasonable and if we can make the bike a little easier and stable to ride through the fast stuff – but keep the rear grip that this setting has generated – then we can expect Loris to have a very competitive weekend.”

Gran Premio bwin de Espana Free Practice Classification:
1. Casey Stoner (Ducati) 1’39.731: 2. Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha) +0.144: 3. Nicky Hayden (Ducati) +0.417: 4. Dani Pedrosa (Honda) +0.469: 5. Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) +0.628: 6. LORIS CAPIROSSI (RIZLA SUZUKI MOTOGP) +0.985: 9. ÁLVARO BAUTISTA (RIZLA SUZUKI MOTOGP) +1.362:

The British-built FTR Moto2 machines continue to impress in round two of the World Championship at Jerez in Spain, and FTR director Steve Bones believes there is much more to come from the Buckingham-based company’s machinery.

Alex Debon Impressed at Qatar aboard an FTR Moto machine

Alex Debon, riding the Aeroport de Castello-Ajo Team machine finished runner-up in the opening round of the Championship in Qatar three weeks ago and Bones is confident Debon can maintain that form at his home race this weekend.

“Right now the focus is on a wide variety of areas including an improvement to the cooling system, testing the latest swing arm options we now have, improving the balance of the machine for the Jerez circuit and ensuring we get the maximum from the rear Dunlop tire in Sunday’s race,” said Bones.

He continued: “The chassis is clearly working well but we need to continue the development with Alex and his team in the direction they advise. Everything remains very new still so we never know what problems we will encounter as we try to get the machine working in the best possible manner at any given race track.”

Iannone and Talmasci showed promise during Jerez Free Practice today

FTR’s other two machines, running under the Fimmco Speed Up Team banner with riders Gabor Talmasci and Andrea Iannone, continued their improvement on Friday at Jerez and Bones believes they should be able to challenge for honors very soon.

Bones reported: “The Speed Up guys simply didn’t get the same amount of winter testing as many of the other teams but Gabor showed his ability with a fighting ninth place in Qatar and I’m sure he’ll be at the sharp end of races soon.  Andrea is still getting up to speed with the four-stroke machinery characteristics but he’s a Grand Prix winner and I’m certain that will begin to show again soon.”

Debon was fastest in Friday’s opening free practice at Jerez with Talmasci second. Iannone ended the day in 27th place in the 42-strong entry despite running off the circuit during the session.

2010 is shaping up to be an exciting year for the Steeves Motorsports team. New for the 2010 season is the team’s switch to Suzuki GSX-R equipment. For 2010 rider Terry Steeves will be campaigning a Suzuki GSX-R 1000 superbike in Atlantic Roadracing League Atlantic Championship events and select Parts Canada Superbike Championship rounds. The team is very excited for this new challenge and is looking forward to the coming season.

New sponsors for 2010 include Suzuki and Pro Cycle. Suzuki has a rich and storied history of success in motorcycle racing, as does Pro Cycle. Both have long been supporters of racing in Atlantic Canada and we are very pleased to be working with them in 2010.

For 2010 Suomy has renewed their support of the team. Terry’s excellent Suomy suit and Helmet worked perfectly during his unfortunate accident last July and saved him from what could have been far worse injury. We couldn’t be more pleased to have Suomy back on board.

We would also like to welcome back Importations Thibault and Vicious Cycle who have renewed their support for 2010. Both are big players in our team and we are very happy to have them back on for this year. Also returning for 2010 are Atlantic Roadracing League, Accelerated Technologies, Slim Gyms, Pirelli Tires, Parts Canada Superbike Championship, Dionne Signs, Repsol lubricants, AFAM, D.I.D Racing Chains, and Brad Boutilier Photo & Press.

Rider Terry Steeves has completely recovered from his injuries sustained last July and has been training very hard during the off season. Terry is in the best shape of his life, in large part thanks to sponsors Slim-Gyms Fitness for Men. They have been coaching him through his injury and pushing him to build up his endurance and fitness. Terry is very much looking forward to the season.

As always we would like to thank all our sponsors, fans, and supporters. Without them none of this would be possible and we are very thankful for your support. Terry would also like to thank his fiancée Nicole for her support, understanding, and encouragement.

You can follow Steeves Motorsports on Twitter at twitter.com/StMotorsports.

Swan Honda’s James Ellison is already making good progress as he continues to recover from the broken femur he sustained at Thruxton two weeks ago.

Ellison had been setting the pace up until his crash in the final practice session, and now, following two operations, he is recovering in the Isle of Man as he strives to make positive progress so he can return to action as soon as possible.

Ellison said:
“I firstly just want to thank everyone for all their support since my crash; I really appreciate it and it really motivates me. It was tough after the accident as I was in hospital for six days and the morphine had made me feel really bad, just dizzy and sick which is one of the side affects. I had two operations, one to insert the rod and the other to stitch it back up.
I was so pleased to finally get out of hospital, my dad and wife Sarah had been staying in the motor home at the circuit, but I am lucky to have the best crew chief in the world and Mick (Shanley) came down from the team HQ and picked us up and drove us back to Kendal in the bus.
I am now over in the Isle of Man, as a few riders have said there are some really good people over here that can help me speed up my recovery. I have to thank Robin Croft from SMT, as he has played such a big part in organizing it, from getting the place to stay sorted here, to actually driving us over so he has been fantastic.
I am now in physio every day for about two hours, sometimes a little more. It is quite tiring but I can already feel the benefit of it and I am starting to get more movement back. I am due for some-ray in a few days which will hopefully show some progress. My goal at the moment is to get enough movement to start cycling again, even stationary so I can get the strength back. Once I have that then I know the riding won’t be that far away.
I will be watching the racing this weekend from Oulton Park, I am going to miss it but hopefully I can be back out there again soon.”

Relentless Suzuki by TAS Racing is well prepared and looking forward to this weekend’s Bank Holiday British Superbike Championship meeting at Oulton Park – always a favorite with the Irish riders. After a tough weekend at Thruxton just two weeks ago, both riders, Alastair Seeley and Michael Laverty, will be looking to increase their points tally at the Cheshire circuit. Seeley currently sits just inside the magical top six in fifth, with Laverty in tenth and hungry for a debut podium this season on his Relentless Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike.

Philip Neill – BSB Team Principal
“We’ve worked hard in between rounds after a tough weekend at Thruxton, including a day’s testing at Kirkistown to let the boys try out different chassis settings. It gave them both an insight to what’s available with different set-ups, so it was a productive day and they both did around 80 laps of our local circuit. We are now ready for Oulton Park and are confident with both our wet and dry options.”

Michael Laverty is still not 100% after a topple at Thruxton

Michael Laverty
“I’m now two rounds into the championship, but it hasn’t quite gone according to plan so far. We have the pace to be running at the front on the GSX–R1000 Superbike, although I have yet to show my true potential.  At a recent test at Kirkistown I got to try a lot of chassis variations and learnt even more about my GSX–R. I have found an answer for one small area where I was weak, so it was a productive day for me. I’ve also been to see my Osteopath to get myself prepared for this weekend, as I needed a few tweaks after bouncing across the curbs at Thruxton. To be fair I got off quite lightly compared to a few others who hit them; my heel is still a little bruised and tender to walk on but otherwise I’m fine, so roll on Oulton Park.”

Alastair Seeley comes to Oulton Park this weekend fifth in BSB Championship points

Alastair Seeley
“Unfortunately my Thruxton results weren’t as great as I expected but I salvaged some points out of the weekend and I’m fifth in the championship so that’s a positive. I don’t think we’ll have the same issues again this season as there is no other circuit in BSB that has the kind of characteristics that Thruxton does – spinning the rear up in four and fifth gear.  I’ve been running, cycling and doing a bit of motocrossing on my new RMZ250 Suzuki to keep me in tip-top shape coming into this weekend. I also attended the final NW200 press conference at Stormont Buildings in Belfast where my GSX-R1000 superbike was on display, and it created plenty of interest with loads of pictures in the local press. Oulton this weekend is a fun track, and throws a bit of everything at us. I hope to be at the sharp end once again and bagging some solid points come race day.”

With returning Green candidate Chris Walker on board, MSS Colchester Kawasaki intend to poll good results at this weekend’s Oulton Park British Superbike spectacular.

Walker is back in green on the grid at Oulton Park

Walker, who is standing in for the injured Simon Andrews, will partner the ever improving Gary Mason, both equipped with the well-fettled Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R Superbike. The Stalker, who is seen as a hero to many Kawasaki riders from his British Championship ZX-7RR days, is a big fan of the sweeping Oulton circuit as is Gary Mason. Walker may also be looking to the skies as he is known as a wet weather specialist, having ridden an incredible race to win in the rain from stone cold last, at Assen World Superbikes in 2006, for Kawasaki.

Howie Mainwaring will be concentrating on the Metzeler National Superstock Championship after a hectic Thruxton event juggling both Superbike and Superstock duty. Howie goes into his home round of Oulton with a strong second place in the series after two impressive runner-up positions.

Chris said, “Oulton is one of the most technical tracks on the BSB calendar and also one of the most exciting… I’ve had some great races there over the years and also some controversial ones! My first Superbike pole position, first win and first clash with Neil Hodgson…! You need a really good setting on the bike to go fast there, so I know it’ll be tough first time out while I settle in but with the experience of the MSS Team and hopefully some dry track time we’ll have as good a chance as anybody of running within the top 10 come Monday.

Gary Mason is fit to fight this weekend

Gary agreed, saying, “Oulton is a mega track, a real riders circuit which always has a great crowd really close to the action. I love the place with the flowing ups and downs. We made a big step at Thruxton and showed the bike was capable of doing the times. We’ve just got to work hard on setting up fir the track and we stand a good chance of doing well.”

Mainwaring feels right at home at his hometown track

Howie added, “I feel good about Oulton, it’s my home circuit and another good track for us. I feel on top of my game at the moment, fitter and lighter than I’ve ever been for racing. So I feel a good plan is to try and stay calm and keep pushing Plater.

MSS Colchester Kawasaki team boss Nick Morgan summed up “It’s obviously frustrating to have Simon out still for both him and us but that’s racing unfortunately. Gary has really taken a step up at Thruxton and Chris brings an added dimension with his Kawasaki experience. Howie has surprised a lot of people in Superstock and it makes sense to leave him to get on with the job, Thruxton gave him a little too much to deal with”