Motourage

Czech motorcycle rider Karel Abraham started his MotoGP World Championship in a good form and finished 13th under the floodlights at Losail International Circuit in Qatar.

While Randy de Puniet crashed and his teammate Loris Capirossi had technical problems, the Cardion AB Motoracing rider made a good start and was 14th after the first lap. Karel Abraham also defeated Toni Elias, who crashed on lap 19 when he was more than 15 seconds behind the Czech rider and didn’t finished the Grand Prix of Qatar

“I am sorry that they did not complete the race because I wanted to fight with them,” said Karel Abraham, who also had technical problems during his debut in the premier class. “I had problems with the brake on lap two. I ran off the track and almost hit the gravel. I lost contact with the group in front of me and unfortunately I wasn‘t able to catch them. My physical fitness is okay, but I have to work on my hands because in the end of the race I lost some time due to lack of strength,“ concluded satisfied Abraham.

Cardion AB Motoracing team is now heading back to the Czech Republic.

2011 MotoGP Qatar race results:
1. Casey Stoner (AUS) Honda
2. Jorge Lorenzo (SPA) Yamaha
3. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Honda
4. Andrea Dovisioso (ITA) Honda
5. Marco Simoncelli (ITA) Honda
6. Ben Spies (USA) Yamaha
7. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Ducati
8. Colin Edwards (USA) Yamaha
9. Nicky Hayden (USA) Ducati
10. Hiroshi Aoyama (JPN) Honda
11. Cal Crutchlow (GBR) Yamaha
12. Hector Barbera (SPA) Ducati
13. Karel Abraham (CZE) Ducati
DNF Toni Elias (SPA) Honda – crash
DNF Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati – retire
DNF Randy De Puniet (FRA) Ducati – crash

FTR Moto is looking to close the inaugural Moto2 World Championship in successful fashion with victory in this weekend’s 17th and final round at Valencia in Spain.

Leading FTR M210 rider Andrea Iannone, in the FIMMCO Speed Up Team colors, could clinch second place in the Championship if he can overcome a six-point deficit to Julian Simon in Sunday’s 27-lap race at the 2.49-mile circuit.

FIMMCO Speedup Moto2 rider Andrea Iannone

Iannone has three race wins this year – at Mugello, Assen and Aragon – and has taken five pole positions, two more than any other rider. The 21-year-old Italian has also recorded the fastest lap of six of the 16 races so far.

“Andrea has been a stand-out rider in 2010 and has achieved far more than anyone anticipated,” admitted FTR’s Steve Bones. “When he rode a four-stroke for the first time – in a Spanish Championship race at Valencia at the end of last year – he really looked like he would take a long time to adapt. Thankfully he quickly got used to the FTR M210 and has been devastating at times.”

Iannone’s teammate Gabor Talmacsi will be looking to protect his sixth place in the Championship at Valencia after the Hungarian scooped a first pole position in Portugal last week and finished the race in eighth place.

Karel Abraham, riding the Cardion AB Motoracing Team M210 for the final time before moving to the MotoGP class, can climb as many as five place in the Championship if results were to go his way on Sunday at Valencia – a circuit where he took a 250cc career-best sixth place finish last year.

Luckless Alex Debon and his Aeroport de Castello-Ajo Team will miss this weekend’s final round after Debon suffered a fractured right collarbone during practice at Estoril last week.

“The final round promises to throw up some spectacular action with a lot of riders wanting to end the Championship on a high, some are still to confirm a place for 2011 so therefore keen to impress and most are just looking for some final round glory,” added Bones.

“Since Estoril we’ve been moving forward with our own 2011 plans and had some really interesting track time with potential new riders at Aragon on Monday. In all we’re pretty confident about next year’s program with the much-improved M211.”

FTR Moto took two more top-10 finishes in an action-packed 16th round of the Moto2 World Championship at the Estoril Circuit in Portugal on Sunday.

Gabor Talmacsi took his first pole of the season in Portugal

Gabor Talmacsi, on the FIMMCO Speed Up Team machine, finished in eighth place after taking his first pole position of the year and the sixth for FTR Moto – after two days of wet practice on Friday and Saturday led to a dry race.

Karel Abraham worked his way through from 22nd place on the grid and the Cardion AB Motoracing Team M210 rider finished in 10th place after making a trademark burst in the second half of the 26-lap race and finishing just four seconds behind the race winner.

Hard-charging Andrea Iannone looked set for a fourth win of the year as he battled through from 34th place on row nine of the grid to hold fourth place with six laps to go – after a succession of fastest laps for the Italian. But the luckless Iannone crashed out on the FIMMCO Speed Up Team machine at the start of lap 20 to end his challenge. He remounted to finish the race in 21st place. Iannone remains third in the World Championship with Talmacsi moving up to sixth. Abraham sits in 14th with Debon 15th.

Aeroport de Castello-Ajo Team M210 rider Alex Debon was a non starter at Estoril after the Spanish rider crashed in Saturday’s free practice and fractured his right collarbone.

“The lack of dry practice made for an interesting race and it looked like Andrea Iannone was going to pull off a fantastic victory at one point but it wasn’t to be,” said FTR’s Steve Bones. “Seeing Gabor Talmacsi get pole position then lead the race was superb and the battle for third on the last couple of laps could have easily gone a different way and Talmacsi and Karel Abraham could have been in contention for podium finishes.

“The weekend was obviously a disappointing one for Alex Debon and we wish him well in his recovery. We’re all looking forward to Valencia next weekend now and hopefully a victorious finish to the 2010 Championship.”

FTR Moto is looking to add to its 2010 success with the M210 machine when the Moto2 World Championship reaches its 16th and penultimate round at the Estoril Circuit in Portugal on Sunday.

FTR is also aiming to take a step towards its target of all four permanent riders finishing in the top 10 of the Championship. At present Andrea Iannone sits in third place, two points adrift of second place, his teammate, Gabor Talmacsi, is seventh while Alex Debon is 13th and Karel Abraham 15th – the latter just 13 points behind 10th place.

FIMMCO Speed Up's Gabor Talmacsi

All arrive in Portugal after mixed fortunes in the three-race tour to Japan, Malaysia and Australia. Iannone continued his 2010 success with podium finishes in Sepang and Phillip Island on his FIMMCO Speed Up M210. Debon, on the Aeroport de Castello-Ajo Team M210, returned to some consistency with top 10 finishes in all three of the races with a best of fifth place in Malaysia. Abraham enjoyed a career-best and spectacular finish of third place in Japan on the Cardion AB Motoracing Team M210 and is now aiming to better that result in the final two rounds of 2010 – at Estoril and Valencia – before the Czech Republic rider moves to the MotoGP class in 2011. Gabor Talmacsi, on the second FIMMCO Speed Up M210 will be looking to recapture his consistency at the 2.597-mile Estoril venue after failing to score in the past three rounds.

“We’ve worked with the teams since the last round in Australia and are optimistic that we can get them all into the top 10 of the Championship by Sunday evening in Valencia on November 7,” said FTR’s Steve Bones.  “With the improvements to the M210 in recent weeks and the efforts of the teams and riders it’s left us all really looking forward to these final two rounds. The Estoril and Valencia events will also include a lot of talking about 2011 plans.

“We’ve had interest from around half a dozen teams but we’re also keen to retain the highest level of support and, for that reason, we may well have to limit the number of FTR M211s on the grid.”

FTR Moto goes in search of a tenth podium finish of the year in Sunday’s 15th round of the Moto2 World Championship at the Phillip Island Circuit in Australia.

The firm’s M210 machine has taken three wins in 2010, and its leading rider of the four permanent FTR entries, Andrea Iannone, is just five points behind Spanish rider Julian Simon in the battle for second place in the inaugural World Championship.

Andrea Iannone is five points behind Julian Simon in the battle for second place in Moto2

Iannone, on the FIMMCO Speed Up Team’s M210, took third place in last Sunday’s Malaysian round and with three rounds remaining will be looking to add to his hat-trick of race wins and secure the World Championship runner-up position.

Iannone’s FIMMCO Speed Up team-mate Gabor Talmacsi currently sits in seventh place in the Championship and the Hungarian is looking to improve on a season-best third place in the Aragon round four weeks ago.

Alex Debon returned to form in Malaysia on the Aeroport de Castello-Ajo Team M210 with fifth place – the kind of form which took the determined Spaniard to a podium finish with second place in the opening round in Qatar in April.

After a career-best finish of third in Japan two weeks ago, Karel Abraham fought through to a solid sixth place in Malaysia last Sunday and will be hoping to continue that form at Phillip Island. Abraham, on the Cardion AB Motoracing Team M210, also qualified in seventh place in Malaysia – another career-best performance from the Czech Republic rider.

“We’ve achieved a lot more than we expected in out debut year,” said FTR’s Steve Bones. “But the successes from our four regular riders and their respective teams have just left us wanting more and more success.

“Work on the 2011 machine is well under way but we’re still learning about the challenges each circuit offers and Phillip Island is certainly unique with its coastal position and changing temperatures and weather conditions. This weekend offers a fascinating insight once more into the performance of the M210 on a new circuit.”

FTR Moto continued its run of podium finishes and point-scoring successes in the Moto2 World Championship as all of the FTR M210 finishers did so in top six places in Sunday’s 14th round at the Sepang Circuit in Malaysia.

Andrea Iannone held off Toni Elias for the first half of yesterday's Moto2 contest

Three-time 2010 race winner Andrea Iannone took his sixth podium finish of the year as the FIMMCO Speed Up Team rider took third place after leading for eight of the 19 laps and twice setting a new lap record around the 3.44-mile circuit. Iannone’s points haul has left him just five points adrift of second place in the Championship.

Alex Debon, on the Aeroport de Castello-Ajo Team M210, bounced back from a crash in qualifying to celebrate his 150th Grand Prix race start. Debon came from 10th place on the 39-strong grid to take fifth and equal his second best finish of the year. The result moves the Spaniard into 11th place in the Championship.

Following on from a sensational podium finish in Japan last week, Czech Republic rider Karel Abraham was again in impressive form at Sepang as the Cardion AB Motoracing Team rider battled through the field to take sixth place on his M210, moving him into 13th place in the Championship.

Iannone’s FIMMCO Speed Up team mate Gabor Talmacsi was in 11th place and heading for a top 10 finish when he slid off without injury with five laps remaining, recording only his second non-finish of the year. Talmacsi sits in seventh place in the Championship with three races remaining – in Australia, Portugal and Spain.

“We made a big step forward with the M210 in Malaysia,” revealed FTR’s Steve Bones. “The results were very good but there was very little circuit data available and in the heat and humidity I’m pleased that the FTR chassis preserved the Dunlop tires and gave the riders the feeling they needed.”

Bones continued: “It’s really good to see the three FTR M210s in the top six and I’m sure Gabor Talmacsi could have been at least in the top 10 but for his small mistake. The chassis has certainly proven to be adaptable and user-friendly and – with Speed Up and FTR points combined – we’re only about 40 points off the lead of the Constructors’ Championship.

“I’d also like to congratulate Toni Elias and the Gresini Team for their 2010 success in clinching the inaugural Moto2 World Championship.”

FTR Moto is hoping to add to its 2010 success in the Moto2 World Championship at the Sepang Circuit in Malaysia this weekend after Karel Abraham took third place at Motegi in Japan last Sunday to complete the achievement of all FTR M210 riders finishing on the podium in this year’s inaugural Championship.

Karel Abraham grabbed his first Moto2 podium last weekend at Motegi

Abraham’s third place came after a determined last lap by the Czech Republic rider on the Cardion AB Motoracing Team M210, passing Alex de Angelis to record a career-best third place and a first visit to a World Championship podium.

The FTR run of podium finishes began immediately, in the opening round, when Alex Debon secured runner-up place on the Aeroport de Castello-Ajo Team M210 in Qatar. The run was then enhanced with a mid-season brace of victories – in Italy and Holland – for the FIMMCO Speed Up Team’s Andrea Iannone.

Iannone then added a third victory at Aragon three weeks ago and his team-mate and fellow FTR M210 rider Gabor Talmacsi secured his first podium finish with third place, also at Aragon.

“We’re naturally really happy with the performance of all of the FTR riders this year, especially in a new championship where the opposition was difficult to gauge in the beginning,” said FTR’s Steve Bones.

He continued: “We’ve developed the M210 throughout the year and we believe that the changes have ensured the machine has always improved in the same, positive direction and the results would seem to confirm that pattern.”

“There are four races left in the Championship and I’d like to think the run of podium finishes can continue – along with the consistent performance of the M210. We’ve also got all four riders inside the top 15 of the World Championship now and we’ll be doing everything possible to ensure they stay there.”

Iannone sits third in the Championship with Talmacsi sixth, Debon 12th and Abraham up to 15th place after his Motegi success.

FTR Moto will field five M210 Moto2 machines in this weekend’s Motorland Aragon round of the Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix. The four regular FTR–mounted riders – Alex Debon, Andrea Iannone, Gabor Talmacsi and Karel Abraham – will be joined at Aragon by wild card entrant, CEV Buckler Spanish Championship Moto2 rider Kev Coghlan on the Monlau Competicion/Joe Darcey Team FTR machine.

“It’s the third time this year that we’ve been able to field five machines and after the last wild card outing of Jason DiSalvo at Indianapolis and his ninth place finish we’re hopeful of a strong showing from Kev and the team at Aragon,” said FTR’s Steve Bones.

Coghlan is second in the Spanish Moto2 Championship, just seven points off the lead, and is relishing the chance to tackle the World Championship competition and on a circuit where he won round four of the CEV Buckler Spanish series in July.

“I had a good run at Aragon two months ago and managed to lead the race from start to finish so I’m keen to get back there,” said Coghlan. “We run Michelins in the Spanish Championship and the World Championship is on Dunlops so we’ve a bit of work to do on set-up; but the guys can handle that OK.”

FIMMCO Speed Up's Andrea Ianonne

Andrea Iannone will be hoping this weekend’s 12th round of the World Championship can complete a hat-trick of wins in the new class, adding to his victories at Mugello, Italy and Assen, Holland in June.

Iannone is fourth in the World Championship, just nine points adrift of second place, while his FIMMCO Speed Up teammate Gabor Talmacsi sits in eighth place after a consistent campaign and just one non-finish on his M210.

Cardion AB Motoracing Team M210 rider Karel Abraham will be aiming to make up for the disappointment of missing the last two rounds while Spaniard Alex Debon and his Aeroport de Castello-Ajo Team will be hoping for success on home soil after also missing the previous round at Misano due to injury.

Bones continued: “In addition to this being the 12th round of 17, there’s also a lot of focus now on 2011, and teams are well under way with their planning. We have a lot of interest from teams for 2011, and hopefully that will be complemented and endorsed by success in Sunday’s Aragon race.

“For Aragon – with a view to the final third of the 2010 World Championship – we have improvements to the M210 with a revised frame, new triple clamps and an interim fuel tank and seat unit all being supplied and tested and available to all of the FTR teams.”

FTR Moto is looking to build on an excellent start to the inaugural Moto2 World Championship by increasing its efforts and challenging for more race wins.

FIMMCO Speed Up Moto2 rider Andrea Iannone

With eight races gone and nine to go, the four FTR M210 machines sit in third, ninth, 12th and 14th places in the World Championship standings with an incredible 33 riders having already scored points. FTR’s innovative machine has taken two wins and four podium finishes so far.

“Considering nobody really knew how the series was going to evolve – apart from being ultra competitive – we’re more than happy with our return to this point of the season,” said FTR’s Steve Bones. “With Andrea Iannone third in the Championship he obviously looks a good bet to challenge for the first ever Moto2 World title.”

Iannone rides the FIMMCO Speed Up Team’s FTR, along with Gabor Talmacsi, while Spaniard Alex Debon – runner-up in the Qatar opener – pilots the Aeroport de Castello-Ajo Team – with Czech Republic rider Karel Abraham on the Cardion AB Motoracing Team FTR machine.

Bones continued: “Talmacsi continues to show signs that he could win races. He’s had five out of eight finishes in the top 10, had an 11th and a 13th and the one non-finish so the consistency and quality is evident. Debon began the year in sensational fashion but has been really unfortunate.

“A small broken wire prevented him from qualifying on the front row in Jerez then he got tangled up in the multi-machine crash at the start of the race. He suffered a bad shoulder injury in the freak crash at Assen and has become frustrated so he will benefit from the four-week break more than most.

“In Abraham we have a rider who switched to our machine after three rounds and his last three results – of ninth, fourth and fifth respectively – suggest he could be on the brink of a first podium finish.”

The break in the Championship since the German race on July 18 has given FTR a chance to further develop the M210 in readiness for the second half of the year.

Bones concluded: “The feedback from our riders has been first class and we’re confident the changes we’re working on will further enhance the possibilities of more race wins and podiums – hopefully beginning with the next race at Brno a week on Sunday.”

FTR Moto is looking for more Moto2 success in this Sunday’s seventh round of the MotoGP World Championship at the Circuit de Catalunya, near Barcelona, Spain with FIMMCO Speed Up Team rider Andrea Iannone looking to become the first rider to win three races in the inaugural year of the 600cc four-stroke class.

Iannone has taken the FTR M210 to wins in Italy and last Saturday in Holland and sits fourth in the World Championship, 33 points behind with 11 races to go. Aeroport de Castello-Ajo Team M210 rider Alex Debon will race in his home GP despite suffering a shoulder injury at Assen last week.

Iannone’s FIMMCO Speed Up team-mate Gabor Talmacsi will be looking to improve on his 10th place in the World Championship while Czech Republic rider Karel Abraham continues to adapt to the M210 after his career-best ninth place finish at Assen on his Cardion AB Motoracing FTR machine.

FTR Moto's M210 Moto2 machine has been successful all over Europe in 2010

In addition to the Catalunya Grand Prix, FTR Moto has a presence at other major events this weekend – all in addition to retaining its focus on the CEV Spanish Championship and the Kev Coghlan - Monlau Competicion program and today’s test session at the new Motorland Aragon circuit.

The FTR M210 will make its debut at a British Superbike Championship round this weekend when Scottish rider Coghlan will perform demonstration laps on his Silverstone Grand Prix wild card machine at the Knockhill sixth round on Saturday and Sunday.

Also this weekend, the FTR Moto2 race machine will make an appearance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the Dunlop Live Arena. The event, held at Goodwood Estate in Sussex, Eng, runs today through Sunday and features a historic-vehicle hill climb, expo and celebration of motorsports.

FTR’s Steve Bones:
“From heading into the first round of the World Championship in Qatar less than three months ago with three riders we’ve now got four riders on the M210 and two more teams in discussions about running the FTR machine.
We’ve become the first Moto2 constructor to contest the Isle of Man TT races and this weekend’s activities probably typify just how far the FTR Moto name has come in such a short space of time. Obviously we’d like further success at World Championship level but success in the Spanish Championship also remains crucial to our machine and rider development program.
We hope that the BSB fans enjoy the sight and sound of the FTR at Knockhill this weekend and I’m sure the first ever Moto2 machine to be present at the Goodwood Festival of Speed will attract a lot of attention. We also need to say thanks to our various partners for their support in all of these activities.”