I had forgotten to post highlights of the sixth round of the FIM World Superbike Championship at the Misano Adriatico track in Italy three weeks ago, back on June 10th. Round seven is taking place this weekend in Aragon, Spain. Those races WILL be fully updated in due course. Apologies for not noticing.
In race one at Misano, Johnny Rea looks to get the jump over the rest of the field going into the first corner. A battle ensues between Carlos Checa and one of the other riders. If this were the TV broadcast and not the highlight video on YouTube, it would be easier to tell who is on some of these other bikes. I will identify who I can here as the race wears on in highlight form. Tom Sykes is coming through the field and there is also an intense battle ensuing between Davide Giugliano and Johnny Rea. Actually, that is a different bike. Thought it was the #65 Honda at first.
Checa battles the BMW of Marco Melandri getting the better of him into one of the tighter corners. At Misano, those would be either turn four (Rio), turn eight (Quercia), or turn ten (Tramanto). Into the wide sweeper at Curvone, the bikes go three wide! It's Rea, Checa, and Davide Giugliano who appears to have the lead at this point. Max Biaggi passes Checa. Johnny Rea also has a look down the inside. It's Giugliano vs. Biaggi in the closing stages of race one. Biaggi ultimate gets the best of Giugliano in race one, winning it.
#3 Max Biaggi ITA Aprilia RSV4 Factory
Race two is on deck.
At the start, Tom Sykes gets the hole shot off the line. It's a land rush into the first corner. Sykes leads and it looks like Johnny Rea and the BMW's of Marco Melandri or their three other riders (Leon Haslam, Ayrton Badovini, and Michele Fabrizio), are in contention early. Giugliano passes Johnny Rea. The big moment here was when Carlos Checa (for the second consecutive race) dumps his bike and is out of it! A momentary lapse in concentration sent him reeling.
Max Biaggi gets around Tom Sykes. Then, Davide Giugliano loses it into a corner. He's a retirement as is Carlos Checa. Sykes and Rea now duke it out. It's Honda vs. Kawasaki. Another rider loses his bike. It looks to be Chaz Davies on another of the factory supported Aprilia RSV's. All this doesn't bother Max Biaggi though. He cruises on to do the double at Misano Adriatico!
#3 Max Biaggi ITA Aprilia RSV4 Factory
The next race on the WSBK schedule is this weekends action in Spain at the Aragon circuit. Stay tuned for that.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
MotoGP round 7: Holland (Dutch TT)
Round seven of the 2012 MotoGP season is the Dutch TT (Tourist Trophy), at the Assen circuit in Holland.
Assen is a great track, but, it's very technical. Confidence, skill, and luck ALL are important as MotoGP prepares to tackle the Dutch TT (Tourist Trophy). This is the 82nd running of the race, and it's been on the MotoGP schedule since the series' inception in 1949. In qualifying there was rain but the se sun came out. Casey Stoner had a huge high side in practice. But, he got pole with a huge lap in qualifying. Jorge Lorenzo starts third. Ben Spies will be sixth. Karel Abraham will not race today because of a painful, broken finger.
The bikes roll off on their warmup lap, but Michele Pirro's bike stalls. The track is very twisty and most of the track is wide open. The race will be 26 laps.
At the start, Dani Pedrosa leads. But, there's a HUGE crash! Alvaro Bautista collects Jorge Lorenzo! Casey Stoner is second as Dani Pedrosa leads. Ben Spies is the only Yamaha left. Cal Crutchlow sank at the start down to 13th place. Nicky Hayden fired straight through the chicane, picking up the bike. But, he's dropping spots. Ben Spies runs wide as he chases the two Repsol Honda's. There are names of the corners on this track. But, not sure what they are. Anyhow, Stefan Bradl passes Andrea Dovizioso for fourth. Stoner wants by Pedrosa.
Stefan Bradl has also crashed out of the race. Cal Crutchlow passes Alexis Espargaro. Someone ran fast lap but not sure who or what the time was. This actio is frantic. Hector Barbera also is moving up quickly. Some of the bikes (including the Ducati's and Spies on the Yamaha) are running the option tire which is a harder compound. Pedrosa sets fast lap at 1:34.766. The Repsol bikes are content to run 1-2 and not make any moves just yet. Cal Crutchlow is the fastest rider on track, matching the lap times of the leaders. Valentino Rossi and Hector Barbera are also in contention.
Yanny Hernandez drops his bike and he's frustrated by doing so. Pedrosa continues to lead. Ben Spies sets another personal best lap on lap seven. Colin Edwards pulls his bike into the pits, retiring from the race. He was languishing in last spot. Cal Crutchlow runs off in turn one but stays on the bike. Andrea Dovizioso passes Ben Spies. Casey Stoner seems to be biding his time as he sets his personal best lap at 1:54.759. Nicky Hayden passes Valentino Rossi. Cal Crutchlow again tries passing Rossi. Pedrosa resets fast lap at 1:34.734. Stoner is just eleven thousandths slower.
Nicky Hayden may or may not be back with the Ducati team next year. We'll see. The race is coming to halfway. It's a four way battle for fifth place now. Hector Barbera passes Cal Crutchlow. At the front, there's no change as the Repsol Honda's are still going for it. With Casey Stoner retiring, there are possibilities that Dani Pedrosa may stay with the team and it will either be Valentino Rossi, or, Moto 2 standout, Marc Marques, riding the other bike. Twelve laps remain now.
Valentino Rossi has disappeared. Aleix Espargaro drops his bike. It's not really a crash, but it could be an issue with the bike. Hector Barbera follows Nicky Hayden. Just ten laps to go. Ben Spies leads Andrea Dovizioso as far as the final spot on the podium. Casey Stoner has passed Dani Pedrosa for the lead, getting a good run as Pedrosa went over a curb. Valentino Rossi pitted to change the rear tire. He is a lap down. Randy de Puniet leads the CRT division. The lap times are now dropping. Spies is seven and a half seconds behind the leading Repsol Honda's.
Just seven laps remain in the race. Dani Pedrosa is now falling behind as Stoner continues to lead by a second and a half. Ben Spies is coming for Pedrosa. But, it's not certain that Spies can pass for second spot on the podium. Nicky Hayden battles Hector Barbera. Nicky Hayden re-passes Barbera. It's hot in Assen, and that's why the tires are being so affected. The humidity is also a concern. The fast laps have been in the 1:35 to 1:36 range. Casey Stoner had a huge crash in practice, but, he seems to be coming back. He has to, because he'll retire at the end of the year of course.
Just four laps remain. Andrea Dovizioso and Ben Spies are closing on the duo of Stoner and Pedrosa now. Dovizioso also really wants by Spies. Randy de Puniet is leading the CRT class. Andrea Dovizioso really wants by Ben Spies. Spies passes the lapped bike of James Ellison. Stoner has passed Pedrosa and is steadily gapping him. The Spies/Dovizioso battle will come down right to the end of the race. Stoner has a three and a half second advantage over Pedrosa. Can Ben Spies get by Dovizioso?
3/4 of a lap left. Stoner will take his third victory of the year and will be tied on points for the lead with Jorge Lorenzo. Lorenzo has won just one more race than Stoner. Seven races will be completed with eleven left to run. Casey Stoner wins the Dutch TT!
#1 Casey Stoner AUS Honda
The next race in MotoGP is the German Grand Prix to be held at the Sachsenring circuit next weekend.
Assen is a great track, but, it's very technical. Confidence, skill, and luck ALL are important as MotoGP prepares to tackle the Dutch TT (Tourist Trophy). This is the 82nd running of the race, and it's been on the MotoGP schedule since the series' inception in 1949. In qualifying there was rain but the se sun came out. Casey Stoner had a huge high side in practice. But, he got pole with a huge lap in qualifying. Jorge Lorenzo starts third. Ben Spies will be sixth. Karel Abraham will not race today because of a painful, broken finger.
The bikes roll off on their warmup lap, but Michele Pirro's bike stalls. The track is very twisty and most of the track is wide open. The race will be 26 laps.
At the start, Dani Pedrosa leads. But, there's a HUGE crash! Alvaro Bautista collects Jorge Lorenzo! Casey Stoner is second as Dani Pedrosa leads. Ben Spies is the only Yamaha left. Cal Crutchlow sank at the start down to 13th place. Nicky Hayden fired straight through the chicane, picking up the bike. But, he's dropping spots. Ben Spies runs wide as he chases the two Repsol Honda's. There are names of the corners on this track. But, not sure what they are. Anyhow, Stefan Bradl passes Andrea Dovizioso for fourth. Stoner wants by Pedrosa.
Stefan Bradl has also crashed out of the race. Cal Crutchlow passes Alexis Espargaro. Someone ran fast lap but not sure who or what the time was. This actio is frantic. Hector Barbera also is moving up quickly. Some of the bikes (including the Ducati's and Spies on the Yamaha) are running the option tire which is a harder compound. Pedrosa sets fast lap at 1:34.766. The Repsol bikes are content to run 1-2 and not make any moves just yet. Cal Crutchlow is the fastest rider on track, matching the lap times of the leaders. Valentino Rossi and Hector Barbera are also in contention.
Yanny Hernandez drops his bike and he's frustrated by doing so. Pedrosa continues to lead. Ben Spies sets another personal best lap on lap seven. Colin Edwards pulls his bike into the pits, retiring from the race. He was languishing in last spot. Cal Crutchlow runs off in turn one but stays on the bike. Andrea Dovizioso passes Ben Spies. Casey Stoner seems to be biding his time as he sets his personal best lap at 1:54.759. Nicky Hayden passes Valentino Rossi. Cal Crutchlow again tries passing Rossi. Pedrosa resets fast lap at 1:34.734. Stoner is just eleven thousandths slower.
Nicky Hayden may or may not be back with the Ducati team next year. We'll see. The race is coming to halfway. It's a four way battle for fifth place now. Hector Barbera passes Cal Crutchlow. At the front, there's no change as the Repsol Honda's are still going for it. With Casey Stoner retiring, there are possibilities that Dani Pedrosa may stay with the team and it will either be Valentino Rossi, or, Moto 2 standout, Marc Marques, riding the other bike. Twelve laps remain now.
Valentino Rossi has disappeared. Aleix Espargaro drops his bike. It's not really a crash, but it could be an issue with the bike. Hector Barbera follows Nicky Hayden. Just ten laps to go. Ben Spies leads Andrea Dovizioso as far as the final spot on the podium. Casey Stoner has passed Dani Pedrosa for the lead, getting a good run as Pedrosa went over a curb. Valentino Rossi pitted to change the rear tire. He is a lap down. Randy de Puniet leads the CRT division. The lap times are now dropping. Spies is seven and a half seconds behind the leading Repsol Honda's.
Just seven laps remain in the race. Dani Pedrosa is now falling behind as Stoner continues to lead by a second and a half. Ben Spies is coming for Pedrosa. But, it's not certain that Spies can pass for second spot on the podium. Nicky Hayden battles Hector Barbera. Nicky Hayden re-passes Barbera. It's hot in Assen, and that's why the tires are being so affected. The humidity is also a concern. The fast laps have been in the 1:35 to 1:36 range. Casey Stoner had a huge crash in practice, but, he seems to be coming back. He has to, because he'll retire at the end of the year of course.
Just four laps remain. Andrea Dovizioso and Ben Spies are closing on the duo of Stoner and Pedrosa now. Dovizioso also really wants by Spies. Randy de Puniet is leading the CRT class. Andrea Dovizioso really wants by Ben Spies. Spies passes the lapped bike of James Ellison. Stoner has passed Pedrosa and is steadily gapping him. The Spies/Dovizioso battle will come down right to the end of the race. Stoner has a three and a half second advantage over Pedrosa. Can Ben Spies get by Dovizioso?
3/4 of a lap left. Stoner will take his third victory of the year and will be tied on points for the lead with Jorge Lorenzo. Lorenzo has won just one more race than Stoner. Seven races will be completed with eleven left to run. Casey Stoner wins the Dutch TT!
#1 Casey Stoner AUS Honda
The next race in MotoGP is the German Grand Prix to be held at the Sachsenring circuit next weekend.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
In memoriam: Gary Nixon
Rest In Peace, late, great motorcycle road racer and Triumph rider, Gary Nixon.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Nixon
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Nixon
Monday, June 25, 2012
AMA Pro Racing round 6: Barber Motorsports Park
Round five of the 2012 AMA Pro Racing season takes place at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama. Daytona Sportbike is up first. This is race number two. Cameron Beaubier wins the first race of the weekend. It's Beaubier's first win in the series.
Beaubier took the lead and Jason DiSalvo was also strong in race one. Jake Gagne crashed while Dane Westby tried for the lead, too. Beaubier just barely won the first race. Martin Cardenas still has the points lead in the series. Rider Michael Beck is starting in this race, running in the top ten. Beck had a savage crash in the XR1200 series race at Barber last year. But, he's back, ready to race. This track has many blind and off camber corners. The track is like a roller coaster. It's hot at the track today, though less intense than the day before.
The start of the Daytona Sport Bike race is coming up. The bikes are forming up on the grid, ready to go. At the start, Dane Westby started well as Cameron Beauvier went down to fifth behind Bobby Fong. Leading is Tommy Hayden. Westby is third. Fong battles Beaubier and Fong has the advantage. Jake Gagne is going well. Jason DiSalvo slides around Tommy Hayden and tries to open a gap on the field. A rider might win in race one, but the competition is so tough, no one knows. The race is 21 laps. The riders will need to settle down.
But, Beaubier and Fong are the two really scrapping with each other. Three wide between Hayden, Beauvier and Westby. Into the valley, they are single file, but Westby charges. Westby is now second. Westby, Beauvier, and Fong are surely scrapping. Martin Cardenas and Benny Solis are behind this battle. Cardenas passes Hayden. These guys are flying as DiSalvo and the Triumph are the class of the field to this point on lap four. DiSalvo runs a 1:28.708. Beauvier passes Westby. It's Yamaha vs. Suzuki. The place to make a move is into Museum corner.
Beaubier resets fast lap at 1:28.3, taking the lead from DiSalvo and the battle rages between Bobby Fong and Dane Westby. Beauvier continues to lead with Fong, Cardenas, Westby and others going for it. The riders follow each otheer, but there is some passing going on. These riders really push hard. Fong sat out last year even after riding once on a Ducati. He was getting dehydrated in the first race. Riders will need to be very careful. Tommy Hayden is going for it. The clouds are cooling the air and the track down.
Cameron Beaubier runs wide but recovers. Martin Cardenas passes Dane Westby. Cardenas ran a 1:28.5 on the previous lap. There's a group of five riders down the order including Benny Solis, Jake Gagne, Jake Zemke and Joey Pascarella. The Triumph's three cylinder motor has a little less power than the four cylinders. But, it seems like DiSalvo has lost some handling advantages. The race is about half over. Will Westby be content to stay behind Cardenas? That's doubtful. Westby is a fighter and he'll be on top of the #36 bike to be sure.
Ten laps remain. Beaubier still leads. Westby tries passing Cardenas again, but it can't really work out for the rider of the #5 bike. Most everyone is now running in the 1:29 bracket. Westby will go after Bobby Fong and Jason DiSalvo is also right in it. Martin Cardenas goes wide into turn seven. Dane Westby tries for the lead. He wants to win a race but hasn't yet this year. Westby tries to get inside Beauvier through turn one. Westby takes over the race lead. Beauvier shoots back into the lead position. This is a see-saw battle. There are four or five bikes that can win this race with seven laps to run.
The bikes run four and five wide! Fong is pushed to the outside. Martin Cardenas is going for it. Six laps left now. Fong is all over Cardenas as Westby continues to lead. Hayden and DiSalvo are also right up in this fight. Westby was pushed wide. Beauvier will lead. Bobby Fong moves onto the podium past Cardenas. Four laps to go. But, a lot will happen in that time. It's going to be at least a four or five bike fight to the end.
Walt Sipp and Michael Morgan (lapped riders) move out of the way of the leaders as Bobby Fong loses spots. Cardenas passes Sipp and Tommy Hayden ran through the grass. David White is another backmarker that gives way. Cameron Beauvier might have better tires. He's got a way to keeping the surface level on the track without abusing the tires. Westby is doing all he can, but Beaubier has the definite edge right now.
Tommy Hayden and Martin Cardenas are battling for the last podium spot. Going into Charlotte's Web, there's some close action in these battles for the podium. Cardenas is sideways as is Hayden. Martin Cardenas goes deep into a corner but comes back on Hayden. Cameron Beaubier will do the double, winning race two!
#6 Cameron Beaubier Yamaha YZF-R6
The Superbike race is next up.
Josh Hayes is on a roll, having won four straight races in the Superbike division. This is round six, race two. Josh Herrin ran a good race in race one, but, his feet were burning after the first one. Chris Fillmore will not race today because he has a broken hand. He is at the track, but will not get on the bike. Larry Pegram has been on a roll with his BMW. Josh Hayes won the race yesterday. Hayes actually crashed his backup bike and is on his primary bike.
At the start, Josh Herrin takes the lead of the race and Ben Bostrom is up to third. Geoff May is fourth. Josh Hayes takes the lead and Ben Bostrom wnats by Herrin, but can't quite get there. Can Geoff May hold on? That EBR will be a handful. Roger Hayden is opening a gap right now. Where is Blake Young? He is riding behind Steve Rapp. This will be a 21 lap event as the Daytona SPort Bike race was. Young passes Rapp and ALMOST crashes. Herrin has lost ground to the leaders. Bostrom runs a shade wide. Meanwhile, Young continues to carve through the field.
Roger Hayden runs past Geoff May. May tries to get it back, but no. Roger Hayden has the spot. Blake Young runs a 1:26.659 for his best lap so far. Long corners are tougher to negotiate for the EBR bikes because of no traction control. Herrin runs a 1:25.7, even FASTER than the leaders! Blake Young is languishing now. Young ran third in race one. It's Hayes vs. Herrin. Hayes has taken back 2/10 of a second over his Yamaha team mate. Blake Young passes Roger Hayden for fourth and he almost hits Geoff May under braking into turn six.
Josh Herrin battles Chris Clark on the sister Yoshimura Suzuki. Josh Herrin slides wide through turn for in a section of track called Charlotte's Web, while Danny Eslick has a problem with his EBR and is out of the race. On lap seven, Josh Hayes extends his lead. Blake Young passes Ben Bostrom and so does Roger Hayden. Herrin is charging, trying to get back to a podium place. Josh Herrin passes Geoff May. The battle in the top five is going to intensify.
Josh Herrin passes both Roger Hayden and Ben Bostrom, going to third spot. One lap to halfway. Steve Rapp is now behind that battle between Bostrom and the others. Rapp still has a broken wrist. Chris Clark passes Larry Pegram. By the way, Steve Rapp will be a wildcard for the MotoGP race at Laguna Seca in July. Josh Herrin closes on Blake Young. Just ten laps remain. Josh Hayes has the lead and runs a fast lap at 1:26.8. He's increased his lead by six seconds. Geoff May passes Ben Bostrom for fourth place. Chris Clark has fallen down. There's also some rain appearing (just a few drops from a cloud).
Clark is team mate to Blake Young at Suzuki. Herrin looks to get by Blake Young. Just five laps left to run in this event. Hayes has a 6.4 second lead. Young and Herrin continue to battle. He's been having issues with heat, burning his feet. There are some drops of rain falling on track as Herrin wants to pass Young, but Young fends off the spot. Hopes are this battle will not end in tears. Into Museum corner, the bikes are sliding because of the hot conditions, not the rain.
Josh Herrin takes second from Blake Young. Can he gap the #79 Suzuki? In turn five, the Yamaha has the acceleration advantage over the Suzuki. Blake Young is not done yet, though. He's applying the blowtorch. Down the straight, they are right together. Herrin ran wide and Young passes. So, Herrin will have to settle for third, likely. Roger Hayden passes Ben Bostrom as the two Jordan Suzuki team mates scrap for fifth and sixth spot. Josh Hayes is on his last lap.
Privateer lapped rider Shawn Dwyer moves over, letting Hayes by. Hayes will not have to deal with the lapped bike of Tim Bemester. Hayes does the double!
#1 Josh Hayes Yamaha R1
In Supersport Dustin Dominguez lost track on the start, but he battled with Jake Lewis. Lewis ended up winning. In race two. Stefano Meso and Justin Dominguez both crashed. There was a red flag. Then, another later in the race. James Rispoli won. In XR1200, Tyler O'Hara was beaten by Kyle Wyman.
There will be a test session at a track in New Orleans, Louisiana. This is going to start the second half of the season. The next race on the AMA schedule will be the Buckeye Superbike Weekend presented by Dunlop Tire at the Mid Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, set to take place in a shade over two weeks.
Beaubier took the lead and Jason DiSalvo was also strong in race one. Jake Gagne crashed while Dane Westby tried for the lead, too. Beaubier just barely won the first race. Martin Cardenas still has the points lead in the series. Rider Michael Beck is starting in this race, running in the top ten. Beck had a savage crash in the XR1200 series race at Barber last year. But, he's back, ready to race. This track has many blind and off camber corners. The track is like a roller coaster. It's hot at the track today, though less intense than the day before.
The start of the Daytona Sport Bike race is coming up. The bikes are forming up on the grid, ready to go. At the start, Dane Westby started well as Cameron Beauvier went down to fifth behind Bobby Fong. Leading is Tommy Hayden. Westby is third. Fong battles Beaubier and Fong has the advantage. Jake Gagne is going well. Jason DiSalvo slides around Tommy Hayden and tries to open a gap on the field. A rider might win in race one, but the competition is so tough, no one knows. The race is 21 laps. The riders will need to settle down.
But, Beaubier and Fong are the two really scrapping with each other. Three wide between Hayden, Beauvier and Westby. Into the valley, they are single file, but Westby charges. Westby is now second. Westby, Beauvier, and Fong are surely scrapping. Martin Cardenas and Benny Solis are behind this battle. Cardenas passes Hayden. These guys are flying as DiSalvo and the Triumph are the class of the field to this point on lap four. DiSalvo runs a 1:28.708. Beauvier passes Westby. It's Yamaha vs. Suzuki. The place to make a move is into Museum corner.
Beaubier resets fast lap at 1:28.3, taking the lead from DiSalvo and the battle rages between Bobby Fong and Dane Westby. Beauvier continues to lead with Fong, Cardenas, Westby and others going for it. The riders follow each otheer, but there is some passing going on. These riders really push hard. Fong sat out last year even after riding once on a Ducati. He was getting dehydrated in the first race. Riders will need to be very careful. Tommy Hayden is going for it. The clouds are cooling the air and the track down.
Cameron Beaubier runs wide but recovers. Martin Cardenas passes Dane Westby. Cardenas ran a 1:28.5 on the previous lap. There's a group of five riders down the order including Benny Solis, Jake Gagne, Jake Zemke and Joey Pascarella. The Triumph's three cylinder motor has a little less power than the four cylinders. But, it seems like DiSalvo has lost some handling advantages. The race is about half over. Will Westby be content to stay behind Cardenas? That's doubtful. Westby is a fighter and he'll be on top of the #36 bike to be sure.
Ten laps remain. Beaubier still leads. Westby tries passing Cardenas again, but it can't really work out for the rider of the #5 bike. Most everyone is now running in the 1:29 bracket. Westby will go after Bobby Fong and Jason DiSalvo is also right in it. Martin Cardenas goes wide into turn seven. Dane Westby tries for the lead. He wants to win a race but hasn't yet this year. Westby tries to get inside Beauvier through turn one. Westby takes over the race lead. Beauvier shoots back into the lead position. This is a see-saw battle. There are four or five bikes that can win this race with seven laps to run.
The bikes run four and five wide! Fong is pushed to the outside. Martin Cardenas is going for it. Six laps left now. Fong is all over Cardenas as Westby continues to lead. Hayden and DiSalvo are also right up in this fight. Westby was pushed wide. Beauvier will lead. Bobby Fong moves onto the podium past Cardenas. Four laps to go. But, a lot will happen in that time. It's going to be at least a four or five bike fight to the end.
Walt Sipp and Michael Morgan (lapped riders) move out of the way of the leaders as Bobby Fong loses spots. Cardenas passes Sipp and Tommy Hayden ran through the grass. David White is another backmarker that gives way. Cameron Beauvier might have better tires. He's got a way to keeping the surface level on the track without abusing the tires. Westby is doing all he can, but Beaubier has the definite edge right now.
Tommy Hayden and Martin Cardenas are battling for the last podium spot. Going into Charlotte's Web, there's some close action in these battles for the podium. Cardenas is sideways as is Hayden. Martin Cardenas goes deep into a corner but comes back on Hayden. Cameron Beaubier will do the double, winning race two!
#6 Cameron Beaubier Yamaha YZF-R6
The Superbike race is next up.
Josh Hayes is on a roll, having won four straight races in the Superbike division. This is round six, race two. Josh Herrin ran a good race in race one, but, his feet were burning after the first one. Chris Fillmore will not race today because he has a broken hand. He is at the track, but will not get on the bike. Larry Pegram has been on a roll with his BMW. Josh Hayes won the race yesterday. Hayes actually crashed his backup bike and is on his primary bike.
At the start, Josh Herrin takes the lead of the race and Ben Bostrom is up to third. Geoff May is fourth. Josh Hayes takes the lead and Ben Bostrom wnats by Herrin, but can't quite get there. Can Geoff May hold on? That EBR will be a handful. Roger Hayden is opening a gap right now. Where is Blake Young? He is riding behind Steve Rapp. This will be a 21 lap event as the Daytona SPort Bike race was. Young passes Rapp and ALMOST crashes. Herrin has lost ground to the leaders. Bostrom runs a shade wide. Meanwhile, Young continues to carve through the field.
Roger Hayden runs past Geoff May. May tries to get it back, but no. Roger Hayden has the spot. Blake Young runs a 1:26.659 for his best lap so far. Long corners are tougher to negotiate for the EBR bikes because of no traction control. Herrin runs a 1:25.7, even FASTER than the leaders! Blake Young is languishing now. Young ran third in race one. It's Hayes vs. Herrin. Hayes has taken back 2/10 of a second over his Yamaha team mate. Blake Young passes Roger Hayden for fourth and he almost hits Geoff May under braking into turn six.
Josh Herrin battles Chris Clark on the sister Yoshimura Suzuki. Josh Herrin slides wide through turn for in a section of track called Charlotte's Web, while Danny Eslick has a problem with his EBR and is out of the race. On lap seven, Josh Hayes extends his lead. Blake Young passes Ben Bostrom and so does Roger Hayden. Herrin is charging, trying to get back to a podium place. Josh Herrin passes Geoff May. The battle in the top five is going to intensify.
Josh Herrin passes both Roger Hayden and Ben Bostrom, going to third spot. One lap to halfway. Steve Rapp is now behind that battle between Bostrom and the others. Rapp still has a broken wrist. Chris Clark passes Larry Pegram. By the way, Steve Rapp will be a wildcard for the MotoGP race at Laguna Seca in July. Josh Herrin closes on Blake Young. Just ten laps remain. Josh Hayes has the lead and runs a fast lap at 1:26.8. He's increased his lead by six seconds. Geoff May passes Ben Bostrom for fourth place. Chris Clark has fallen down. There's also some rain appearing (just a few drops from a cloud).
Clark is team mate to Blake Young at Suzuki. Herrin looks to get by Blake Young. Just five laps left to run in this event. Hayes has a 6.4 second lead. Young and Herrin continue to battle. He's been having issues with heat, burning his feet. There are some drops of rain falling on track as Herrin wants to pass Young, but Young fends off the spot. Hopes are this battle will not end in tears. Into Museum corner, the bikes are sliding because of the hot conditions, not the rain.
Josh Herrin takes second from Blake Young. Can he gap the #79 Suzuki? In turn five, the Yamaha has the acceleration advantage over the Suzuki. Blake Young is not done yet, though. He's applying the blowtorch. Down the straight, they are right together. Herrin ran wide and Young passes. So, Herrin will have to settle for third, likely. Roger Hayden passes Ben Bostrom as the two Jordan Suzuki team mates scrap for fifth and sixth spot. Josh Hayes is on his last lap.
Privateer lapped rider Shawn Dwyer moves over, letting Hayes by. Hayes will not have to deal with the lapped bike of Tim Bemester. Hayes does the double!
#1 Josh Hayes Yamaha R1
In Supersport Dustin Dominguez lost track on the start, but he battled with Jake Lewis. Lewis ended up winning. In race two. Stefano Meso and Justin Dominguez both crashed. There was a red flag. Then, another later in the race. James Rispoli won. In XR1200, Tyler O'Hara was beaten by Kyle Wyman.
There will be a test session at a track in New Orleans, Louisiana. This is going to start the second half of the season. The next race on the AMA schedule will be the Buckeye Superbike Weekend presented by Dunlop Tire at the Mid Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, set to take place in a shade over two weeks.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Moto 3: Great Britain
In the Moto 3 race at Silverstone, Maverick Vinales took the win over Luis Salom. Sandro Cortese, Alexis Masbou, and Efren Vasquez rounded out the top five. Most of the other major riders were classified except for notables like Louis Rossi, Danny Webb, Alex Rins, and Jack Miller, who all retired from the race. So again, the winner is:
#25 Maverick Vinales ESP FTR Honda
The next race is the Dutch Tourist Trophy at the Assen circuit in Holland in a shade over ten days' time.
#25 Maverick Vinales ESP FTR Honda
The next race is the Dutch Tourist Trophy at the Assen circuit in Holland in a shade over ten days' time.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Moto 2: Great Britain
Last year's Silverstone race was very wet. Not the case this year. Scott Redding and Bradley Smith will be the two Brits in the race. A Brit has not won this division since it was the 250cc series way back in 1976. The track is dry, but, rain showers can come quickly. They're racing in England, so that makes a lot of sense. The race for Moto 2 will be 18 laps. Pol Espargaro is on his first Moto 2 pole.
At the start, Brad Smith gets away well and takes the lead as Andrea Ianonni, Pol Espargaro and Scott Redding all file through. Redding is now second going on to the Wellington straight. Two Brits lead, and the fans will go crazy! Redding passes for the lead, forcing Smith into second. Into Woodcote onto the back straight. Pol Espargaro is fourth. Gino Rea has had a good start, too. Espargaro and Smuth battle. Through Vale, these guys are really going for it. This race is 19 laps. Marc Marques and Tom Luthi are also lurking in the back half of the top ten. Claudio Corti takes sixth from Tom Luthi. This is fifth and sxith. Now, Redding continues to lead and the battle continues between Smith and Espargaro. Johann Zarco pits for a second time. He's not having a good race.
Into the Maggots/Becketts/Chapel section, the battle continues. Johann Zarco crashed. Redding, Smith and Espargaro keep battling and Redding has taken the advantage. He can open a gap up. Simone Corsi passes Claudio Corti. Brad Smith is hounded by Corti. The bikes fly down Hangar straight towards Stowe. Espargro respects Marc Marques even though they've had some really hard battles over the last couple years. Andrea Ianonni runs wide as Smith and Corsi pull away. Tom Luthi is ninth behind Alex de Angelis.
Bradley Smith is going well. He's got a MotoGP contract with Yamaha, supposedly. Ianonni is trying to race Espargaro. Scott Redding ran a 2:07.9 which is his personal best lap. Down to Stowe, Espargaro closes on Redding but cannot get by. Marc Marques had a big crash in qualifying on Saturday through Woodcote. But, he's racing well today. Simone Corsi is really going after Ianonne. Espargaro closes on Redding. The race is not quite at half distance. Andrea Ianonni sets fast lap at 2:07.1. Tito Rebat and Toni Elias are running further down the order and they have to do testing for their bikes in the race which is not a good situation to be in.
Pol Espargaro gets closer to Redding. Can he pass Redding on Hangar straight. Yes, he can. Espargaro holds on through Vale. Andrea Ianonne successfully passes Scott Redding. Espargaro might fly now. Nine laps to go. Espargaro is dropping, but Simone Corsi sets his personal best lap. Corsi has nothing to lose. Marc Marques tries to pass Scott Redding into Stowe corner. Espargaro is ahead as he resets fast lap at 2:07.69. The bikes go down Wellington straight and into Brooklands which is named after a banked track that still exists but isn't raced on.
The tires are going away, but, it seems like the lead riders are not having to worry about degradation. Espargaro is pushing and Marc Marques passes Andrea Ianonne. Can someone take the charge to Pol Espargaro? Tom Luthi languishes and might lose his championship lead after this race. Redding has passed Ianonne. The weather could change before the end of this race. Redding passes for third into The Loop.
Redding is pushing Marques hard. Dark clouds are looming with seven laps left. Espargaro has a 1.3 second gap over Marques. The race is 2/3 over. Scott Redding has indeed passed for second, past Marques. Espargaro still leads as Corsi passes Iannone for fourth place. So, Andrea Ianonne's tires are fading. Redding sets fast lap at a 2:07.6! Wow! Five laps to go. Pol Espargaro is gapping the others, but Marques and Redding aren't finished yet. Redding is using everything he can into Brooklands corner. Bradley Smith will finish sixth.
Redding passes Marques into Stowe. If Marc Marques gets a podium, he'll take over the points lead as Luthi is having a bad race. Four laps to go. The battle is between Redding and Marques. Pol Espargaro will likely win after crashing in Barcelona, in tears after the race. Pol Espargaro has had a great race and Redding may get pass Marques. Not sure. Scott Redding wanted to save his tires and he did. Through Luffield and Woodcote, Espargaro continues to lead and he'll pick up his second win of 2012. Tom Luthi is eighth with Bradley Smith and Claudio Corti ahead.
Luthi can still pick up a couple of points. But, he's had a fraught race today. There's a lap and a half left. Espargaro runs through Maggots/Becketts once more. Scott Redding can't quite pass Marc Marques. Redding's best corner on the track is Village. Meanwhile, Luthi sets a new fastest lap. Redding passes Marques. Can he gap Marques? Pol Espargaro has the race in the bag. But, it'll be a battle for second. Into Woodcote, there's half a lap left. Corti passes Smith. Marques wants it into the corner. Marques is side-0by-side with Redding on the sitrahgt and holds off Redding. Marques nearly crashes. Redding comes back through Club. Redding takes second.
Pol Espargaro wins it!
#40 Pol Espargaro ESP Kalex
The next race will be the Tourist Trophy at Assen in Holland in two weeks, which actually starts a string of three consecutive races in three weeks for the MotoGP bikes in all classes.
At the start, Brad Smith gets away well and takes the lead as Andrea Ianonni, Pol Espargaro and Scott Redding all file through. Redding is now second going on to the Wellington straight. Two Brits lead, and the fans will go crazy! Redding passes for the lead, forcing Smith into second. Into Woodcote onto the back straight. Pol Espargaro is fourth. Gino Rea has had a good start, too. Espargaro and Smuth battle. Through Vale, these guys are really going for it. This race is 19 laps. Marc Marques and Tom Luthi are also lurking in the back half of the top ten. Claudio Corti takes sixth from Tom Luthi. This is fifth and sxith. Now, Redding continues to lead and the battle continues between Smith and Espargaro. Johann Zarco pits for a second time. He's not having a good race.
Into the Maggots/Becketts/Chapel section, the battle continues. Johann Zarco crashed. Redding, Smith and Espargaro keep battling and Redding has taken the advantage. He can open a gap up. Simone Corsi passes Claudio Corti. Brad Smith is hounded by Corti. The bikes fly down Hangar straight towards Stowe. Espargro respects Marc Marques even though they've had some really hard battles over the last couple years. Andrea Ianonni runs wide as Smith and Corsi pull away. Tom Luthi is ninth behind Alex de Angelis.
Bradley Smith is going well. He's got a MotoGP contract with Yamaha, supposedly. Ianonni is trying to race Espargaro. Scott Redding ran a 2:07.9 which is his personal best lap. Down to Stowe, Espargaro closes on Redding but cannot get by. Marc Marques had a big crash in qualifying on Saturday through Woodcote. But, he's racing well today. Simone Corsi is really going after Ianonne. Espargaro closes on Redding. The race is not quite at half distance. Andrea Ianonni sets fast lap at 2:07.1. Tito Rebat and Toni Elias are running further down the order and they have to do testing for their bikes in the race which is not a good situation to be in.
Pol Espargaro gets closer to Redding. Can he pass Redding on Hangar straight. Yes, he can. Espargaro holds on through Vale. Andrea Ianonne successfully passes Scott Redding. Espargaro might fly now. Nine laps to go. Espargaro is dropping, but Simone Corsi sets his personal best lap. Corsi has nothing to lose. Marc Marques tries to pass Scott Redding into Stowe corner. Espargaro is ahead as he resets fast lap at 2:07.69. The bikes go down Wellington straight and into Brooklands which is named after a banked track that still exists but isn't raced on.
The tires are going away, but, it seems like the lead riders are not having to worry about degradation. Espargaro is pushing and Marc Marques passes Andrea Ianonne. Can someone take the charge to Pol Espargaro? Tom Luthi languishes and might lose his championship lead after this race. Redding has passed Ianonne. The weather could change before the end of this race. Redding passes for third into The Loop.
Redding is pushing Marques hard. Dark clouds are looming with seven laps left. Espargaro has a 1.3 second gap over Marques. The race is 2/3 over. Scott Redding has indeed passed for second, past Marques. Espargaro still leads as Corsi passes Iannone for fourth place. So, Andrea Ianonne's tires are fading. Redding sets fast lap at a 2:07.6! Wow! Five laps to go. Pol Espargaro is gapping the others, but Marques and Redding aren't finished yet. Redding is using everything he can into Brooklands corner. Bradley Smith will finish sixth.
Redding passes Marques into Stowe. If Marc Marques gets a podium, he'll take over the points lead as Luthi is having a bad race. Four laps to go. The battle is between Redding and Marques. Pol Espargaro will likely win after crashing in Barcelona, in tears after the race. Pol Espargaro has had a great race and Redding may get pass Marques. Not sure. Scott Redding wanted to save his tires and he did. Through Luffield and Woodcote, Espargaro continues to lead and he'll pick up his second win of 2012. Tom Luthi is eighth with Bradley Smith and Claudio Corti ahead.
Luthi can still pick up a couple of points. But, he's had a fraught race today. There's a lap and a half left. Espargaro runs through Maggots/Becketts once more. Scott Redding can't quite pass Marc Marques. Redding's best corner on the track is Village. Meanwhile, Luthi sets a new fastest lap. Redding passes Marques. Can he gap Marques? Pol Espargaro has the race in the bag. But, it'll be a battle for second. Into Woodcote, there's half a lap left. Corti passes Smith. Marques wants it into the corner. Marques is side-0by-side with Redding on the sitrahgt and holds off Redding. Marques nearly crashes. Redding comes back through Club. Redding takes second.
Pol Espargaro wins it!
#40 Pol Espargaro ESP Kalex
The next race will be the Tourist Trophy at Assen in Holland in two weeks, which actually starts a string of three consecutive races in three weeks for the MotoGP bikes in all classes.
MotoGP round 6: Great Britain
Round six of the MotoGP World Championship takes place in England at the legendary Silverstone Circuit.
In qualifying, Cal Crutchlow hurt himself in practice. But, he will race. Jorge Lorenzo has a new contract with Yamaha, but couldn't go fast enough for the front row. Casey Stoner and Ben Spies will be on the front row. But, Alvaro Bautista earns his first ever pole in MotoGP. Cal Crutchlow will make the grid. But, Karel Abraham will not start the race.
The race will be dry. A dry race in England! Silverstone is 3.6 miles long and is the longest track on the MotoGP schedule. Twenty lap- race. At the start, Ben Spies got a great start and leads from Casey Stoner. Nicky Hayden is also moving up but Dani Pedrosa is behind going onto the Wellington straight and headed for Brooklands. Andrea Dovizioso and Hector Barbera follow. Cal Crutchlow is up to 16th and Dani Pedrosa is passed going through Maggots/Becketts/Chapel, before Hangar straight. Then, the bikes go through Stowe and Vale. It's been a difficult weekend for a lot of riders because qualifying was wet and cold. The bikes go back towards Brooklands and Luffield again as Casey Stoner battles Ben Spies. Nicky Hayden and Jorge Lorenzo are also coming quick.
Back through Becketts and Maggots another time. Nicky Hayden tries passing Alvaro Bautista and Stoner is right on top of Ben Spies, too. Lap one complete. Cal Cruthclow is down on Valentino Rossi as Nicky Hayden gives him a challenge. Stoner is closing on Ben Spies through Woodcote. If Stoner can pass Ben Spies, he'll be able to sail off into the distance. Nicky Hayden got third briefly before Alvaro Bautista pounced. Stoner starts gapping Lorenzo and Cal Crutchlow is behind Valentino Rossi. Bautista and Spies battle each other. Spies won't let him by.
Nicky Hayden runs wide allowing Jorge Lorenzo to pass. Dani Pedrosa is seventh right now. Karel Abraham joins the commentary team after his crash. Lorenzo wants by Bautista. Onto lap seven, Stoner takes another tenth out of the lead. Lorenzo passes Bautista down the Wellington straight. Dani Pedrosa is also coming as Andrea Dovizioso fights Dani Pedrosa into Vale. Pedrosa and Dovizioso still scrap. Alvaro Bautista is going for it as Lorenzo closes on Stoner. This is some race, three laps before halfway. Stefan Bradl and Cal Crutchlow follow behind Nicky Hayden.
Lorenzo and Stoner battle into Vale again and through Club. The race is half over. It's getting tighter. The conditions are getting better and Stoner can still hold off Lorenzo. But, where has Andrea Dovizioso gone? Dovizioso must have crashed and gotten back on the bike. He's way down the order. Cal Crutchlow tries to pass Stefan Bradl. He's making an effort because his left ankle is broken. Crutchlow passes Bradl for seventh. Lorenzo is pushing, trying to let Stoner make a mistake, right at halfway.
Dovizioso is in the pits, taking the parking brake protector off the bike, but, he will keep going in the race. Lorenzo takes the lead and then, SDtoner tries passing again into Abbey. Into Farm and Village, these two are going for it and then Lorenzo passes Stoner again. Just nine laps left now. Stoner will not let Lorenzo out of his sight. Andrea Dovizioso is back on track now, but he's at the back of the order.
Randy de Puniet and Alexis Espargaro battle for CRT. James Ellison and Michele Pirro also are riding well. Dani Pedrosa wants to get to Stoner. Valentino Rossi and Hector Barbera battle on two Ducati's. Rossi on the factory bike and Barbera on the satellite team bike. Jnto Maggots/Becketts, the race between Stoner and Pedrosa is still hot while Lorenzo opens a gap. Just five laps remain in the race and it looks like Lorenzo will win. Another rider retires. Not sure who. James Ellison runs 14th. Stoner will not give up his spot. He knows he probably can't get to Lorenzo. Bautista still hounds Pedrosa. Cal Crutchlow is up to seventh.
The gap between Crutchlow and Hayden is 2.8 seconds. Casey Stoner holds second as Nicky Hayden runs sixth. Can Cal Crutchlow catch up to Nicky Hayden? The tires are going away, so, it's going to be interesting for these last couple laps. Pedros and Stoner is still the hottest battle on the track and Alvaro Bautista is pushing hard to stay with those other two riders. The bikes run through Luffield and it's now the last lap, coming up. If it's slippery and a rider is pushing, they don't want to risk crashing. Alexi Espargaro and Randy de Puniet continue to battle in the CRT class.
Can Crutchlow pass Hayden? One lap left. Jorge Lorenzo will win another race and get more points to pad his already large points lead. This is the final lap. Cal Crutchlow might make another move as Jorge Lorenzo has an easy Sunday ride to another win wwith another mile of the track left. Can Dani Pedrosa pass Stoner? Crutchlow does pass Hayden into Becketts. Into Vale for the last time, Jorge Lorenzo will win three in a row and his second win at Silverstone!
#99 Jorge Lorenzo ESP Yamaha
The next race is at Assen in the Netherlands, the Tourist Trophy, a legendary motorcycle race. The race in the Netherlands is in two weeks, or, twelve days from today.
In qualifying, Cal Crutchlow hurt himself in practice. But, he will race. Jorge Lorenzo has a new contract with Yamaha, but couldn't go fast enough for the front row. Casey Stoner and Ben Spies will be on the front row. But, Alvaro Bautista earns his first ever pole in MotoGP. Cal Crutchlow will make the grid. But, Karel Abraham will not start the race.
The race will be dry. A dry race in England! Silverstone is 3.6 miles long and is the longest track on the MotoGP schedule. Twenty lap- race. At the start, Ben Spies got a great start and leads from Casey Stoner. Nicky Hayden is also moving up but Dani Pedrosa is behind going onto the Wellington straight and headed for Brooklands. Andrea Dovizioso and Hector Barbera follow. Cal Crutchlow is up to 16th and Dani Pedrosa is passed going through Maggots/Becketts/Chapel, before Hangar straight. Then, the bikes go through Stowe and Vale. It's been a difficult weekend for a lot of riders because qualifying was wet and cold. The bikes go back towards Brooklands and Luffield again as Casey Stoner battles Ben Spies. Nicky Hayden and Jorge Lorenzo are also coming quick.
Back through Becketts and Maggots another time. Nicky Hayden tries passing Alvaro Bautista and Stoner is right on top of Ben Spies, too. Lap one complete. Cal Cruthclow is down on Valentino Rossi as Nicky Hayden gives him a challenge. Stoner is closing on Ben Spies through Woodcote. If Stoner can pass Ben Spies, he'll be able to sail off into the distance. Nicky Hayden got third briefly before Alvaro Bautista pounced. Stoner starts gapping Lorenzo and Cal Crutchlow is behind Valentino Rossi. Bautista and Spies battle each other. Spies won't let him by.
Nicky Hayden runs wide allowing Jorge Lorenzo to pass. Dani Pedrosa is seventh right now. Karel Abraham joins the commentary team after his crash. Lorenzo wants by Bautista. Onto lap seven, Stoner takes another tenth out of the lead. Lorenzo passes Bautista down the Wellington straight. Dani Pedrosa is also coming as Andrea Dovizioso fights Dani Pedrosa into Vale. Pedrosa and Dovizioso still scrap. Alvaro Bautista is going for it as Lorenzo closes on Stoner. This is some race, three laps before halfway. Stefan Bradl and Cal Crutchlow follow behind Nicky Hayden.
Lorenzo and Stoner battle into Vale again and through Club. The race is half over. It's getting tighter. The conditions are getting better and Stoner can still hold off Lorenzo. But, where has Andrea Dovizioso gone? Dovizioso must have crashed and gotten back on the bike. He's way down the order. Cal Crutchlow tries to pass Stefan Bradl. He's making an effort because his left ankle is broken. Crutchlow passes Bradl for seventh. Lorenzo is pushing, trying to let Stoner make a mistake, right at halfway.
Dovizioso is in the pits, taking the parking brake protector off the bike, but, he will keep going in the race. Lorenzo takes the lead and then, SDtoner tries passing again into Abbey. Into Farm and Village, these two are going for it and then Lorenzo passes Stoner again. Just nine laps left now. Stoner will not let Lorenzo out of his sight. Andrea Dovizioso is back on track now, but he's at the back of the order.
Randy de Puniet and Alexis Espargaro battle for CRT. James Ellison and Michele Pirro also are riding well. Dani Pedrosa wants to get to Stoner. Valentino Rossi and Hector Barbera battle on two Ducati's. Rossi on the factory bike and Barbera on the satellite team bike. Jnto Maggots/Becketts, the race between Stoner and Pedrosa is still hot while Lorenzo opens a gap. Just five laps remain in the race and it looks like Lorenzo will win. Another rider retires. Not sure who. James Ellison runs 14th. Stoner will not give up his spot. He knows he probably can't get to Lorenzo. Bautista still hounds Pedrosa. Cal Crutchlow is up to seventh.
The gap between Crutchlow and Hayden is 2.8 seconds. Casey Stoner holds second as Nicky Hayden runs sixth. Can Cal Crutchlow catch up to Nicky Hayden? The tires are going away, so, it's going to be interesting for these last couple laps. Pedros and Stoner is still the hottest battle on the track and Alvaro Bautista is pushing hard to stay with those other two riders. The bikes run through Luffield and it's now the last lap, coming up. If it's slippery and a rider is pushing, they don't want to risk crashing. Alexi Espargaro and Randy de Puniet continue to battle in the CRT class.
Can Crutchlow pass Hayden? One lap left. Jorge Lorenzo will win another race and get more points to pad his already large points lead. This is the final lap. Cal Crutchlow might make another move as Jorge Lorenzo has an easy Sunday ride to another win wwith another mile of the track left. Can Dani Pedrosa pass Stoner? Crutchlow does pass Hayden into Becketts. Into Vale for the last time, Jorge Lorenzo will win three in a row and his second win at Silverstone!
#99 Jorge Lorenzo ESP Yamaha
The next race is at Assen in the Netherlands, the Tourist Trophy, a legendary motorcycle race. The race in the Netherlands is in two weeks, or, twelve days from today.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
MotoGP round 5: Catalunya
MotoGP returns to Spain for round five of the championship at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona.
Six Spaniards start this race. Rumors about who will ride where next year has opened up. It's an early silly season. Jorge Lorenzo wants to stay with Yamaha but might go to Honda. Marc Marques could come in. But, rookies could not go to factory squads. Cal Crutchlow and Stefan Bradl might have a chance. Same goes for Valentino Rossi, but, he says it's still to early for him to make up his mind. Rossi says Catalunya is a big deal after getting on the podium at the French GP at Le Mans last time out.
Colin Edwards comes back after three weeks or so as his collarbone is still healing. In qualifying (during a session swamped with heat), Casey Stoner is on pole with a 1:41.295. Tires will be a big deal. Yamaha's riders will use soft tires and they will start within the top five. Dani Pedrosa did well but ran off the road preventing him from having a chance at pole. Rain could be a factor in the race even though it has been sunny and warm for most of the racing weekend.
The bikes prepare on their warmup lap. This track has thirteen corners. It will stress the tires. The riders use an asymmetrical tire. Rain might come. The bikes form up on the grid, ready for a start. It's Stoner, Lorenzo and Crutchlow on the front row. The race will be 25 laps. At the start, Casey Stoner, no, Dani Pedrosa leads the race with Spies, Lorenzo, Dovizioso and others getting a good start. Pedrosa will lead as Crutchlow is also right in there. The bikes run through turn nine and ten as Stefan Bradl battles Nicky Hayden.
Spies takes a wide line down the straight entering the second lap. The two Ducati's battle with each other. Rossi passes Hayden. Ben Spies is right on top of Dani Pedrosa. All three classes have run at Catalunya before. Casey Stoner is languishing in sixth place. There is a chicane at Catalunya used for the Formula One cars and not for bikes. Cal Crutchlow sets fast lap in the 1:47 bracket. Ben Spies passes Stoner for the lead but he runs wide and falls down! The Yamaha management was stunned! He's having a terrible season!
Pedrosa leads Lorenzo. Spies got on the brakes and didn't quite make the corner before hitting the gravel trap. The Yamaha team is distraught. Lorenzo sets fast lap now on lap three. Casey Stoner wobbled but stayed on the bike. Hector Barbera hangs on to eighth place. The option tire is harder and seems like it might comke into it's own later on. Lorenzo wants around Stoner but can't get there. Stoner tries to run fast lap and might have some chattering in one of his tires. Yonny Hernandez runs wide but continues before hitting the gravel trap.
Andrea Dovizioso is running a good race so far and he's at the sharp end. Alvaro Bautista might be the only Honda rider on hard tires. New leader. Jorge Lorenzo takes the lead out of New Holland corner. Dani Pedrosa tried, but Lorenzo was able to get by. Casey Stoner cannot keep up with lorenzo and Pedrosa. Pedrosa is keeping Lorenzo honest at the front of the pack. Rossi and Hayden close in on Bradl. Ben Spies passes Aleix Espargaro. Fifteen laps remain in the race. Dani Pedrosa is right near Jorge Lorenzo and gets the run on him to pass.
Can Lorenzo come back on Pedrosa? This battle put the crowd into a frenzy. Lorenzo ran wide onto the curbs though, losing time to Pedrosa. Just eleven laps remain in this race. Andrea Dovizioso is running just behind Cal Crutchlow. He ran deep into a corner but seems to have it gathered up now. Stoner and Crutchlow battle for the third spot (the last one on the podium). Jorge Lorenzo is closing on Dani Pedrosa. It's a battle for pride between these riders on their home circuit. Both have won World Championships, but not in MotoGP.
Randy de Puniet holds top spot in the CRT class now. James Ellison was the top CRT at Le Mans last time out. Jorge Lorenzo keeps closing on Pedrosa. Jorge Lorenzo is once again right on top of Pedrosa. Lorenzo is slightly quicker than Pedrosa right now. Lorenzo has an eight point lead in the championship. Can Lorenzo pass Pedrosa? Pedrosa knows Lorenzo is right on him coming into turn ten. Lorenzo wants the #1 plate back. Lorenzo tries into the corner early and then tries again into turn three.
The fans must love this as two of their hometown heroes battle. Five laps left. Andrea Dovizioso gaps Casey Stoner with Cal Crutchlow not too far away. Dani Pedrosa held on after a wheelie but that was not enough to stop Lorenzo from passing. Can Pedrosa run down Lorenzo? Cal Crutchlow is applying the blowtorch to Casey Stoner. Just three and a half laps left in this race. Lorenzo looks to have it in the bag. The battle for fourth between Crutchlow and Stoner is still red hot. Four laps to go. Stoner won this race last year. Lorenzo uncoils an advantage over Pedrosa.
Yamaha has indeed made the right tire decision. Michele Pirro passes Randy de Puniet in CRT and is closing on Alexis Espargaro. Nicky Hayden, Hector Barbera, Stefan Bradl and Ben Spies are all taking up the lower half of the top ten. Spies is doing very well though, considering his off track excursion and fall earlier. It's the last lap. Dani Pedrosa will be second. But the battle is now for third between Stoner and Dovizioso. Dovizioso runs wide. Will Stoner pass? He's all over him like a rash! Jorge Lorenzo wins! Andrea Dovizioso holds on for third place and the last spot on the podium! Phew! What a race!
#99 Jorge Lorenzo ESP Yamaha
The next race in MotoGP is the British Grand Prix at the Silverstone Circuit. That race will be run in two weeks.
Six Spaniards start this race. Rumors about who will ride where next year has opened up. It's an early silly season. Jorge Lorenzo wants to stay with Yamaha but might go to Honda. Marc Marques could come in. But, rookies could not go to factory squads. Cal Crutchlow and Stefan Bradl might have a chance. Same goes for Valentino Rossi, but, he says it's still to early for him to make up his mind. Rossi says Catalunya is a big deal after getting on the podium at the French GP at Le Mans last time out.
Colin Edwards comes back after three weeks or so as his collarbone is still healing. In qualifying (during a session swamped with heat), Casey Stoner is on pole with a 1:41.295. Tires will be a big deal. Yamaha's riders will use soft tires and they will start within the top five. Dani Pedrosa did well but ran off the road preventing him from having a chance at pole. Rain could be a factor in the race even though it has been sunny and warm for most of the racing weekend.
The bikes prepare on their warmup lap. This track has thirteen corners. It will stress the tires. The riders use an asymmetrical tire. Rain might come. The bikes form up on the grid, ready for a start. It's Stoner, Lorenzo and Crutchlow on the front row. The race will be 25 laps. At the start, Casey Stoner, no, Dani Pedrosa leads the race with Spies, Lorenzo, Dovizioso and others getting a good start. Pedrosa will lead as Crutchlow is also right in there. The bikes run through turn nine and ten as Stefan Bradl battles Nicky Hayden.
Spies takes a wide line down the straight entering the second lap. The two Ducati's battle with each other. Rossi passes Hayden. Ben Spies is right on top of Dani Pedrosa. All three classes have run at Catalunya before. Casey Stoner is languishing in sixth place. There is a chicane at Catalunya used for the Formula One cars and not for bikes. Cal Crutchlow sets fast lap in the 1:47 bracket. Ben Spies passes Stoner for the lead but he runs wide and falls down! The Yamaha management was stunned! He's having a terrible season!
Pedrosa leads Lorenzo. Spies got on the brakes and didn't quite make the corner before hitting the gravel trap. The Yamaha team is distraught. Lorenzo sets fast lap now on lap three. Casey Stoner wobbled but stayed on the bike. Hector Barbera hangs on to eighth place. The option tire is harder and seems like it might comke into it's own later on. Lorenzo wants around Stoner but can't get there. Stoner tries to run fast lap and might have some chattering in one of his tires. Yonny Hernandez runs wide but continues before hitting the gravel trap.
Andrea Dovizioso is running a good race so far and he's at the sharp end. Alvaro Bautista might be the only Honda rider on hard tires. New leader. Jorge Lorenzo takes the lead out of New Holland corner. Dani Pedrosa tried, but Lorenzo was able to get by. Casey Stoner cannot keep up with lorenzo and Pedrosa. Pedrosa is keeping Lorenzo honest at the front of the pack. Rossi and Hayden close in on Bradl. Ben Spies passes Aleix Espargaro. Fifteen laps remain in the race. Dani Pedrosa is right near Jorge Lorenzo and gets the run on him to pass.
Can Lorenzo come back on Pedrosa? This battle put the crowd into a frenzy. Lorenzo ran wide onto the curbs though, losing time to Pedrosa. Just eleven laps remain in this race. Andrea Dovizioso is running just behind Cal Crutchlow. He ran deep into a corner but seems to have it gathered up now. Stoner and Crutchlow battle for the third spot (the last one on the podium). Jorge Lorenzo is closing on Dani Pedrosa. It's a battle for pride between these riders on their home circuit. Both have won World Championships, but not in MotoGP.
Randy de Puniet holds top spot in the CRT class now. James Ellison was the top CRT at Le Mans last time out. Jorge Lorenzo keeps closing on Pedrosa. Jorge Lorenzo is once again right on top of Pedrosa. Lorenzo is slightly quicker than Pedrosa right now. Lorenzo has an eight point lead in the championship. Can Lorenzo pass Pedrosa? Pedrosa knows Lorenzo is right on him coming into turn ten. Lorenzo wants the #1 plate back. Lorenzo tries into the corner early and then tries again into turn three.
The fans must love this as two of their hometown heroes battle. Five laps left. Andrea Dovizioso gaps Casey Stoner with Cal Crutchlow not too far away. Dani Pedrosa held on after a wheelie but that was not enough to stop Lorenzo from passing. Can Pedrosa run down Lorenzo? Cal Crutchlow is applying the blowtorch to Casey Stoner. Just three and a half laps left in this race. Lorenzo looks to have it in the bag. The battle for fourth between Crutchlow and Stoner is still red hot. Four laps to go. Stoner won this race last year. Lorenzo uncoils an advantage over Pedrosa.
Yamaha has indeed made the right tire decision. Michele Pirro passes Randy de Puniet in CRT and is closing on Alexis Espargaro. Nicky Hayden, Hector Barbera, Stefan Bradl and Ben Spies are all taking up the lower half of the top ten. Spies is doing very well though, considering his off track excursion and fall earlier. It's the last lap. Dani Pedrosa will be second. But the battle is now for third between Stoner and Dovizioso. Dovizioso runs wide. Will Stoner pass? He's all over him like a rash! Jorge Lorenzo wins! Andrea Dovizioso holds on for third place and the last spot on the podium! Phew! What a race!
#99 Jorge Lorenzo ESP Yamaha
The next race in MotoGP is the British Grand Prix at the Silverstone Circuit. That race will be run in two weeks.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
AMA Pro Racing round 5: Road America
This weekend at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, marks the fifth round of the 2012 AMA Superbike season. It is the AMA Subway Superbike double header.
Daytona Sportbike is first up. In the race at Miller Motorsports Park last weekend, Cardenas battled with Benny Solis and Jason DiSalvo. Cardenas won by holding off DiSalvo. He's got a 31 point lead over both Tommy Hayden and Jason DiSalvo. DiSalvo is on pole. This track is so long that you don't have any clue if you have pole or not. The track lap time for these bikes is oh, 2:20. Jake Lewis and James Rispoli battled in the Super Sport class. Jake Lewis on the #89 Suzuki won that race.
The Daytona Sport Bike race is on deck.
Dark clouds might be coming into the area. The bikes are on their warmup lap. This track is four miles long. So, there will be a lot of action.
At the start, the bikes fan down towards turn one with the lead going to Cameron Beauvier and one of the bikes got wide. This race will be 13 laps. It's Beaubier vs. DiSalvo. The Triumph has slightly more torque than the Yamaha. A rider is down in Canada corner. Not sure who it was. DiSalvo and Beaubier continue their battle. Bobby Fong, Cory West and others battle for position. It's Josh Galster who fell off his bike. DiSalvo passes Beaubier under braking. Passing will be done in the draft on the straight, or under braking. Jake Zemke makes his way forward.
Zemke's team almost pulled the plug on racing at Road America, but decided not to at the last minute. Tommu Hayden is buried back in the pack. Dane Westby is also moving up while Martin Cardenas battles Cory West. Three wide on the straight and Cardenas passes two bikes! Cardenas passes Bobby Fong. Westby is his next target. Can DiSalvo hold the lead? Cameron Beaubier holds the lead over DiSalvo's Triumph. DiSalvo drafts Beaubier but will not pass. Cardenas passes Dane Westby in the meantime. Then, Cardenas and Westby pull out to pass.
Four laps complete. The bikes fly out of the chicane towards Canada Corner. It's still a two way battle for the lead as well as for third place. Beaubier, DiSalvo, Cardenas, and Westby. DiSalvo passes Cardenas. Tommy Hayden is languishing further down the order. Cardenas goes to second getting around Jason DiSalvo. Martin Cardenas takes the lead through Canada corner. The race is half over. Jake Zemke and Bobby Fong battle for fifth place. Jake Zemke is having issues getting off of low speed corners. Beaubier looks inside DiSalvo but cannot make the pass.
Cory West, Jake Gagne, J.D. Beach and others are battling further back in the pack. Beaubier passes Jason DiSalvo another time. Beach, Gagne, Nash and Cory West continue to battle. Just four laps left. West and Nash try to pass into the braking zone. Cardenas' bike is beginning to move more than it should. Three laps remainn now. Dane Westby is flying. A bike runs wide as Dane Westby moves to second. It might have been Beaubier running wide. Not sure. Cardenas opens a gap. The battle is now for second spot. Westby wants by both Beaubier and DiSalvo.
Beaubier makes a pass into turn eight. It's coming up on the last lap of the race now. The white flag waves. Cameron Beaubier uses the whole race track. Jason DiSalvo charges by Westby on the straight, but Westby gets it back into the corner. Can DiSalvo outbrake Westby? No. In the entrance to the chicane, no one can really do anything. This is it. Cardenas wins! Beauvier is second and DiSalvo nips Westby for third at the line! n
#36 Martin Cardenas Suzuki GSX-R 600
There will be a second race tomorrow. Superbike is coming up next. The second races for each category will be highlighted very briefly in another post in the not-too-distant future.
This is race one for the Superbikes with rain beginning to fall. Race two will be covered in brief highlights in another post, later on, just the same as with the Sport Bikes.
The track is bone dry, but, the AMA has declared the event a wet race. Setting up for the green. At the start, Danny Eslick starts from pit lane as Josh Herrin leads before Blake Young immediately passes for the first spot. The bikes dive into turn five for the first time, over the ripple strips. Larry Pegram ran wide on the BMW. Young fends off Herrin. Josh Hayes is opening up a gap in the lead. Hayes is gone. He's got a huge gap. Meanwhile, Ben Bostrom is moving up along with Steve Rapp who still has broken ribs from his crash at Infineon Raceway three weeks ago.
Geoff May on the EBR moves up, too. This race will only be twelve laps. Ben Bostrom tried holding the line into the Carousel but couldn't quite do it. It's Heron, Bostrom, and Rapp. Hayes has a five second lead. Josh Hayes continues to lead. The Suzuki GSX-R-1000 that Blake Young rides is quite long in the tooth. It's at the end of it's development stage, whereas, Josh Hayes' Yamaha is still evolving and still getting more competitive. Blake Young got his first AMA win in Super Stock in 2008. The race is approaching halfway. Ben Bostrom, Larry Pegram, Danny Eslick, Chris Clark and Chris Fillmore round out the top ten.
Eslick is back on track and is moving up after starting from pit lane. The two KTM's are running well. The #69 bike is smoking on downshifts. Eslick might have something wrong with the bike. The other bike that is in the top ten is the #86 ridden by Jason Farrell (another Kawasaki ZX10). Note: Larry Pegram's BMW is the same bike (the S1000RR), that is ridden by Marco Melandri, Mark Aitchison, Michel Fabrizio, Ayrton Badovini, and Leon Haslam in FIM World Superbike.
This race is half over. It's Yamaha vs. Suzuki in this race. Bostrom's bike is owned by NBA legend, Michael Jordan, by the way. Danny Eslick is out of this race and will have to wait for the second race tomorrow. Roger Hayden also pits the sister Jordan Suzuki. Hayden is also a DNF. Steve Rapp holds down fifth place. He battles with Larry Pegram. Steve Rapp had a HUGE wreck at Road America back in 2000, crashing into then team mate John Kocinski. But in this race, Rapp will retire his Kawasaki with five laps left.
Josh Hayes continues to lead. Just three and a half laps to go. Steve Rapp had the chain fall off his Kawasaki and it just flew off the bike! Fortunately, it didn't hit any other riders in the face! Yikes! There could be another BMW bike at the Laguna Seca round of the series later on this summer. The new bike will be supported by the BMW factory in Germany and not just by BMW North America. The European spec bike is a newer one. Two laps remain now. Ben Bostrom is turning up the heat on Josh Herrin.
Raindrops are falling on the track. This is the U.S. version of the Nurburgring or Spa Francorchamps, because weather can be totally different on either side of the track. Josh Hayes has one lap left before he'll win this race. Josh Hayes slows down as the red flag comes out for rain. Hayes is the winner.
#1 Josh Hayes Yamaha R1
Hayes also won race two at Road America. The next race on the AMA Superbike and Daytona Sport Bike calendar is the Triumph Super Bike Classic at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama. That takes place next weekend from June 22nd to the 24th.
Daytona Sportbike is first up. In the race at Miller Motorsports Park last weekend, Cardenas battled with Benny Solis and Jason DiSalvo. Cardenas won by holding off DiSalvo. He's got a 31 point lead over both Tommy Hayden and Jason DiSalvo. DiSalvo is on pole. This track is so long that you don't have any clue if you have pole or not. The track lap time for these bikes is oh, 2:20. Jake Lewis and James Rispoli battled in the Super Sport class. Jake Lewis on the #89 Suzuki won that race.
The Daytona Sport Bike race is on deck.
Dark clouds might be coming into the area. The bikes are on their warmup lap. This track is four miles long. So, there will be a lot of action.
At the start, the bikes fan down towards turn one with the lead going to Cameron Beauvier and one of the bikes got wide. This race will be 13 laps. It's Beaubier vs. DiSalvo. The Triumph has slightly more torque than the Yamaha. A rider is down in Canada corner. Not sure who it was. DiSalvo and Beaubier continue their battle. Bobby Fong, Cory West and others battle for position. It's Josh Galster who fell off his bike. DiSalvo passes Beaubier under braking. Passing will be done in the draft on the straight, or under braking. Jake Zemke makes his way forward.
Zemke's team almost pulled the plug on racing at Road America, but decided not to at the last minute. Tommu Hayden is buried back in the pack. Dane Westby is also moving up while Martin Cardenas battles Cory West. Three wide on the straight and Cardenas passes two bikes! Cardenas passes Bobby Fong. Westby is his next target. Can DiSalvo hold the lead? Cameron Beaubier holds the lead over DiSalvo's Triumph. DiSalvo drafts Beaubier but will not pass. Cardenas passes Dane Westby in the meantime. Then, Cardenas and Westby pull out to pass.
Four laps complete. The bikes fly out of the chicane towards Canada Corner. It's still a two way battle for the lead as well as for third place. Beaubier, DiSalvo, Cardenas, and Westby. DiSalvo passes Cardenas. Tommy Hayden is languishing further down the order. Cardenas goes to second getting around Jason DiSalvo. Martin Cardenas takes the lead through Canada corner. The race is half over. Jake Zemke and Bobby Fong battle for fifth place. Jake Zemke is having issues getting off of low speed corners. Beaubier looks inside DiSalvo but cannot make the pass.
Cory West, Jake Gagne, J.D. Beach and others are battling further back in the pack. Beaubier passes Jason DiSalvo another time. Beach, Gagne, Nash and Cory West continue to battle. Just four laps left. West and Nash try to pass into the braking zone. Cardenas' bike is beginning to move more than it should. Three laps remainn now. Dane Westby is flying. A bike runs wide as Dane Westby moves to second. It might have been Beaubier running wide. Not sure. Cardenas opens a gap. The battle is now for second spot. Westby wants by both Beaubier and DiSalvo.
Beaubier makes a pass into turn eight. It's coming up on the last lap of the race now. The white flag waves. Cameron Beaubier uses the whole race track. Jason DiSalvo charges by Westby on the straight, but Westby gets it back into the corner. Can DiSalvo outbrake Westby? No. In the entrance to the chicane, no one can really do anything. This is it. Cardenas wins! Beauvier is second and DiSalvo nips Westby for third at the line! n
#36 Martin Cardenas Suzuki GSX-R 600
There will be a second race tomorrow. Superbike is coming up next. The second races for each category will be highlighted very briefly in another post in the not-too-distant future.
This is race one for the Superbikes with rain beginning to fall. Race two will be covered in brief highlights in another post, later on, just the same as with the Sport Bikes.
The track is bone dry, but, the AMA has declared the event a wet race. Setting up for the green. At the start, Danny Eslick starts from pit lane as Josh Herrin leads before Blake Young immediately passes for the first spot. The bikes dive into turn five for the first time, over the ripple strips. Larry Pegram ran wide on the BMW. Young fends off Herrin. Josh Hayes is opening up a gap in the lead. Hayes is gone. He's got a huge gap. Meanwhile, Ben Bostrom is moving up along with Steve Rapp who still has broken ribs from his crash at Infineon Raceway three weeks ago.
Geoff May on the EBR moves up, too. This race will only be twelve laps. Ben Bostrom tried holding the line into the Carousel but couldn't quite do it. It's Heron, Bostrom, and Rapp. Hayes has a five second lead. Josh Hayes continues to lead. The Suzuki GSX-R-1000 that Blake Young rides is quite long in the tooth. It's at the end of it's development stage, whereas, Josh Hayes' Yamaha is still evolving and still getting more competitive. Blake Young got his first AMA win in Super Stock in 2008. The race is approaching halfway. Ben Bostrom, Larry Pegram, Danny Eslick, Chris Clark and Chris Fillmore round out the top ten.
Eslick is back on track and is moving up after starting from pit lane. The two KTM's are running well. The #69 bike is smoking on downshifts. Eslick might have something wrong with the bike. The other bike that is in the top ten is the #86 ridden by Jason Farrell (another Kawasaki ZX10). Note: Larry Pegram's BMW is the same bike (the S1000RR), that is ridden by Marco Melandri, Mark Aitchison, Michel Fabrizio, Ayrton Badovini, and Leon Haslam in FIM World Superbike.
This race is half over. It's Yamaha vs. Suzuki in this race. Bostrom's bike is owned by NBA legend, Michael Jordan, by the way. Danny Eslick is out of this race and will have to wait for the second race tomorrow. Roger Hayden also pits the sister Jordan Suzuki. Hayden is also a DNF. Steve Rapp holds down fifth place. He battles with Larry Pegram. Steve Rapp had a HUGE wreck at Road America back in 2000, crashing into then team mate John Kocinski. But in this race, Rapp will retire his Kawasaki with five laps left.
Josh Hayes continues to lead. Just three and a half laps to go. Steve Rapp had the chain fall off his Kawasaki and it just flew off the bike! Fortunately, it didn't hit any other riders in the face! Yikes! There could be another BMW bike at the Laguna Seca round of the series later on this summer. The new bike will be supported by the BMW factory in Germany and not just by BMW North America. The European spec bike is a newer one. Two laps remain now. Ben Bostrom is turning up the heat on Josh Herrin.
Raindrops are falling on the track. This is the U.S. version of the Nurburgring or Spa Francorchamps, because weather can be totally different on either side of the track. Josh Hayes has one lap left before he'll win this race. Josh Hayes slows down as the red flag comes out for rain. Hayes is the winner.
#1 Josh Hayes Yamaha R1
Hayes also won race two at Road America. The next race on the AMA Superbike and Daytona Sport Bike calendar is the Triumph Super Bike Classic at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama. That takes place next weekend from June 22nd to the 24th.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
FIM World Superbike Round 6: Miller Motorsports Park, Race 2
It's race two for the World Superbikes at Miller Motorsports Park.
Can Carlos Checa do the double? He's done it at Miller Motorsports Park before. Max Biaggi and Ben Spies are the other two riders who have won both races during the World Superbike race weekends at Miller Motorsports Park in the past, since 2008 when they started racing there.
The grid is the same as race one was. Jakub Smrz has pole. The bikes are on the warmup lap. In the break between races, Eugene Laverty put more weight on the bike and Chaz Davis worked on the transmission of his Aprilia. The race is ready to begin. At the start, Tom Sykes sweeps past Carlos Checa into the lead. But Marco Melandri also had a huge start! Max Biaggi is also up there. Davide Giugliano was another bike to get a good start. So did Johnny Rea. 21 laps scheduled. Sykes on the Kawasaki is ahead. Through The Attitudes for the first time. Eugene Laverty moves in behind Max Biaggi. One lap is complete.
Max Biaggi wants to get past Rea, but no. Davide Giugliano is in this fight, too. Melandri and Checa are second and third after running 1-2 in race one. Davide Giugliano has fifth place. He is team mate to Carlos Checa. Biaggi and Laverty are right together. Marco Melandri drafts by Checa starting another lap at 200 miles an hour. Wow! Checa slides past Sykes back into the lead. Can he win both races? Sykes slams the door on Melandri's BMW.
Marco Melandri and others are just hanging on to Checa. Melandri can't let Checa check out. Melandri is trying to pass Sykes. Johnny Rea almost ditched his bike as the front wheel washes out briefly. Jakub Smrz is fourth behind Tom Sykes. Tom Sykes is a huge fan of American muscle cars. Hiroshi Aoyama ditched his #4 Honda and used it up. Will this bring out a red flag? Yes. The race is stopped. Aoyama is OK. But, there's fluid on the track that needs to be cleaned up.
The race will resume and be reduced to eighteen laps. The oil is cleaned up. On the restart, Tom Sykes gets a big jump, but the BMW of Marco Melandri will take the lead. Max Biaggi has a good start but loses a spot. Checa battles Sykes. Chaz Davies had a good start. Biaggi slid way wide. He's losing places. Chaz Davies and Davide Giugliano are battling. Checa wants to do the same he did in race one, breaking away from the field. Biaggi is being led by his team mate, Eugene Laverty. They're wheel-to-wheel. Laverty holds on.
During the red flag, the bikes got fresh tires and crews made mechanical changes. Chaz Davies ran 196 miles an hour in the front straight speed trap. Sykes is holding up Davies right now. Davies passed Sykes and is going for it. Chaz Davies used to run in the AMA road racing classes. The American riders are still languishing in the back of the pack as they were in race one. Aprilia, BMW, Kawasaki, Ducati and Honda have won in World Superbike. Suzuki has not won yet.
Johnny Rea is battling Sykes. Davide Giugliano muscled past Max Biaggi. Giugliano is Checa's team mate. Rea passes Sykes under braking in the last corner. Carlos Checa goes down! He throws this race away! He won't get the double at Miller Motorsports Park! Max Biaggi will gain in a big way in terms of points. What on earth? He made a mistake, just like messing up on tire choice at Assen a few races ago. Max Biaggi is right on Tom Sykes now, but can't pass. Marco Melandri is ahead.
Carlos Checa ended up grinding the foot pegs off his bike. It was a racing incident. Johnny Rea and Chaz Davies want by Marco Melandri. Will Rea make contact with the BMW of Melandri like Donington Park? It's Melandri vs. Rea. Max Biaggi is coming, fast. Johnny Rea is five kilometers slower than the other bikes. Biaggi sets fast lap at 1:48.662. Carlos Checa is back on track on the Ducati. He might salvage points but he's two laps down. Johnny Rea wants by Melandri into The Attitudes.
The Honda doesn't quite have the top speed of the BMW. Melandri wants a second win. Rea wants a third. Thw BMW has the horsepower over the Honda. Max Biaggi is all over the place. The race is half over. Nine of eighteen laps complete. Melandri leads over Rea. Johnny Rea takes the lead with Chaz Davies going to second. Melandri and the BMW is now third. Chaz Davies won the Daytona 200 back in 2008. But, he's looking for win number one in World Superbike. Seven laps left.
Four riders will battle for this race win. Checa's streak at Miller Motorsports Park has come to an end. Biaggi has also won at this track before. Marco Melandri passes Chaz Davies. Rea is his next target. John Hopkins is 16th while Holden and Scott Turpin are 19th and 20th. They've had fraught races. Biaggi and Davies battle. Davies has a customer bike and Biaggi is on the factory Aprilia RSV. Just three laps to go. Marco Melandri is reeling in Johnny Rea. Rea, Melandri, and Biaggi have all run in the 1:49 lap time bracket.
Marco Melandri takes the lead. Rea must come back. He hgas to be bold. Can't quite do it. Melandri protects the line. It's a two man race. BMW vs. Honda. Can Melnadri win it? Rea is doing everything he can. Melandri wins it! Max Biaggi is on the podium in third.
#33 Marco Melandri ITA. BMW S1000 RR
The next race for World Superbike is another Italian round of the championship to be run at the Misano circuit in two weeks.
Can Carlos Checa do the double? He's done it at Miller Motorsports Park before. Max Biaggi and Ben Spies are the other two riders who have won both races during the World Superbike race weekends at Miller Motorsports Park in the past, since 2008 when they started racing there.
The grid is the same as race one was. Jakub Smrz has pole. The bikes are on the warmup lap. In the break between races, Eugene Laverty put more weight on the bike and Chaz Davis worked on the transmission of his Aprilia. The race is ready to begin. At the start, Tom Sykes sweeps past Carlos Checa into the lead. But Marco Melandri also had a huge start! Max Biaggi is also up there. Davide Giugliano was another bike to get a good start. So did Johnny Rea. 21 laps scheduled. Sykes on the Kawasaki is ahead. Through The Attitudes for the first time. Eugene Laverty moves in behind Max Biaggi. One lap is complete.
Max Biaggi wants to get past Rea, but no. Davide Giugliano is in this fight, too. Melandri and Checa are second and third after running 1-2 in race one. Davide Giugliano has fifth place. He is team mate to Carlos Checa. Biaggi and Laverty are right together. Marco Melandri drafts by Checa starting another lap at 200 miles an hour. Wow! Checa slides past Sykes back into the lead. Can he win both races? Sykes slams the door on Melandri's BMW.
Marco Melandri and others are just hanging on to Checa. Melandri can't let Checa check out. Melandri is trying to pass Sykes. Johnny Rea almost ditched his bike as the front wheel washes out briefly. Jakub Smrz is fourth behind Tom Sykes. Tom Sykes is a huge fan of American muscle cars. Hiroshi Aoyama ditched his #4 Honda and used it up. Will this bring out a red flag? Yes. The race is stopped. Aoyama is OK. But, there's fluid on the track that needs to be cleaned up.
The race will resume and be reduced to eighteen laps. The oil is cleaned up. On the restart, Tom Sykes gets a big jump, but the BMW of Marco Melandri will take the lead. Max Biaggi has a good start but loses a spot. Checa battles Sykes. Chaz Davies had a good start. Biaggi slid way wide. He's losing places. Chaz Davies and Davide Giugliano are battling. Checa wants to do the same he did in race one, breaking away from the field. Biaggi is being led by his team mate, Eugene Laverty. They're wheel-to-wheel. Laverty holds on.
During the red flag, the bikes got fresh tires and crews made mechanical changes. Chaz Davies ran 196 miles an hour in the front straight speed trap. Sykes is holding up Davies right now. Davies passed Sykes and is going for it. Chaz Davies used to run in the AMA road racing classes. The American riders are still languishing in the back of the pack as they were in race one. Aprilia, BMW, Kawasaki, Ducati and Honda have won in World Superbike. Suzuki has not won yet.
Johnny Rea is battling Sykes. Davide Giugliano muscled past Max Biaggi. Giugliano is Checa's team mate. Rea passes Sykes under braking in the last corner. Carlos Checa goes down! He throws this race away! He won't get the double at Miller Motorsports Park! Max Biaggi will gain in a big way in terms of points. What on earth? He made a mistake, just like messing up on tire choice at Assen a few races ago. Max Biaggi is right on Tom Sykes now, but can't pass. Marco Melandri is ahead.
Carlos Checa ended up grinding the foot pegs off his bike. It was a racing incident. Johnny Rea and Chaz Davies want by Marco Melandri. Will Rea make contact with the BMW of Melandri like Donington Park? It's Melandri vs. Rea. Max Biaggi is coming, fast. Johnny Rea is five kilometers slower than the other bikes. Biaggi sets fast lap at 1:48.662. Carlos Checa is back on track on the Ducati. He might salvage points but he's two laps down. Johnny Rea wants by Melandri into The Attitudes.
The Honda doesn't quite have the top speed of the BMW. Melandri wants a second win. Rea wants a third. Thw BMW has the horsepower over the Honda. Max Biaggi is all over the place. The race is half over. Nine of eighteen laps complete. Melandri leads over Rea. Johnny Rea takes the lead with Chaz Davies going to second. Melandri and the BMW is now third. Chaz Davies won the Daytona 200 back in 2008. But, he's looking for win number one in World Superbike. Seven laps left.
Four riders will battle for this race win. Checa's streak at Miller Motorsports Park has come to an end. Biaggi has also won at this track before. Marco Melandri passes Chaz Davies. Rea is his next target. John Hopkins is 16th while Holden and Scott Turpin are 19th and 20th. They've had fraught races. Biaggi and Davies battle. Davies has a customer bike and Biaggi is on the factory Aprilia RSV. Just three laps to go. Marco Melandri is reeling in Johnny Rea. Rea, Melandri, and Biaggi have all run in the 1:49 lap time bracket.
Marco Melandri takes the lead. Rea must come back. He hgas to be bold. Can't quite do it. Melandri protects the line. It's a two man race. BMW vs. Honda. Can Melnadri win it? Rea is doing everything he can. Melandri wins it! Max Biaggi is on the podium in third.
#33 Marco Melandri ITA. BMW S1000 RR
The next race for World Superbike is another Italian round of the championship to be run at the Misano circuit in two weeks.
AMA (other races)
Hayden Gillam won the AMA Supersport race. The XR1200 race was won by Tyler O'Hara. Martin Cardenas won the AMA GoPro Daytona Sport Bike race on his #36 Geico Suzuki. These were some of the other races to take place at Miller Motorsports Park. See you in an hour for WSBK race two!
AMA Superbike Round 4: Miller Motorsports Park
The one and only AMA Superbike at Miller Motorsports Park is on deck. The EBR bikes are on fire, trying to beat the established makes. This track doesn't have too many elevation changes, but it has plenty of corners as has been seen in race one for World Superbike. Josh Hayes has pole for the Superbike race. </p><p>Roger Hayden and Blake Young are using their B bikes. At the start, Josh Hayes rockets away into the lead from pole. It's Hayes leading. Roger Hayden passes Josh Herrin. Ben Bostrom and Geoff May are close by.
Danny Eslick is mired deeply in the top ten. Ben Bostrom is fifth. The bikes make their way down the mile long front straight. It's Yamaha vs. Suzuki. Herrin passes Roger Hayuden and wants to go after Blake Young. This race is 16 laps. Young passes Hayden back and Herrin is flying. Heron runs wide out of The Attitudes and out of Witchcraft corner. The World Superbike teams are watching Ben Bostrom as he used to ride in that series. </p><p>Josh Hayes runs a lap at 1:49.4 while some other bikes are in the 1:50.2 or 1:50.3 zone. Robertino Pietri drops his bike in turn six. Hayes leads this race. People from World Superbike are watching Hayes. Could he be a future rider in the world championship? Time will tell. Roger Hayden crashes again! He was battling for third place and leaned too nfar in at Witchcraft, the bike hit a bump, and he spilled in the Witchcraft corner. Amazingly, he gets right back on the bike! Eleven laps to go. Hayes wants to show he's capable as a rider. Don't push too hard in front of these World Superbike teams, or, you could make a fool of yourself.
Josh Herrin cannot hold his line properly. The setup is off. Eleven laps left. Herrin and Young tussle into turn one. Ben Bostrom is catching up to Young and Herrin. Roger Hayden brings his bike to the pits. He's out of the race. Josh Hayes has a five second lead over Blake Young, one lap from halfway. Young and Herrin continue their scrap,l though. Geoff May on the EBR is fifth and trying to hold on behind the leading quartet of bikes. This race is half over officially.
It's Suzuki, Yamaha, Suzuki, and the two EBR's. Danny Eslick is coming back from a terrible start. Larru Pegram on the BMW runs behind Eslick. Larry Pegram and Chris Clark are running well as is the #11 KTM of Chris Fillmore, followed by Steve Rapp on the Kawasaki. Rapp is still dealing with an injured wrist. But, he's hanging on well. Six laps remain in the race. May is putting the blowtorch on Bostrom. He's caught him. The EBR is more aerodynamic than the Suzuki. The front ferring is a lot narrower. It has an inline twin cylinder motor rather than four across. Bostrom is losing traction.</p><p>Just five laps remain. Young and Herrin battle. They keep seesawing. Herrin can hold a tighter line with the fuel load burned off on his bike as compared to Young's Suzuki. If Hayes wins, he'll retake the point lead. Hayes has a six plus second advantage to the other riders. Fastest laps for Young and Herrin have been in thw 1:50.3 or 1:51.3 range. Geoff May has fallen back a ways. Chris Fillmore is trying to pass David Anthony. Kawasaki and Honda do not have factotry AMA teams. It's Suzuki, Yamaha, KTM and EBR pretty much. One lap remains for Josh Hayes. Herrin drafts Young down the straight. Who brakes deeper? Young took it as deep as possible. Then, Herrin tried to get by. Young and Herrin touch. Herrin is pushed out of the way.
Herrin goes down the inside of Young. Into Tooele corner, there's no chance. Well, maybe,. Herrin is second. Josh Hayes wins it! Herrin makes it a Monster Yamaha 1-2!
#1 Josh Hayes Yamaha R1
The next AMA Superbike race is at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, next weekend.
Danny Eslick is mired deeply in the top ten. Ben Bostrom is fifth. The bikes make their way down the mile long front straight. It's Yamaha vs. Suzuki. Herrin passes Roger Hayuden and wants to go after Blake Young. This race is 16 laps. Young passes Hayden back and Herrin is flying. Heron runs wide out of The Attitudes and out of Witchcraft corner. The World Superbike teams are watching Ben Bostrom as he used to ride in that series. </p><p>Josh Hayes runs a lap at 1:49.4 while some other bikes are in the 1:50.2 or 1:50.3 zone. Robertino Pietri drops his bike in turn six. Hayes leads this race. People from World Superbike are watching Hayes. Could he be a future rider in the world championship? Time will tell. Roger Hayden crashes again! He was battling for third place and leaned too nfar in at Witchcraft, the bike hit a bump, and he spilled in the Witchcraft corner. Amazingly, he gets right back on the bike! Eleven laps to go. Hayes wants to show he's capable as a rider. Don't push too hard in front of these World Superbike teams, or, you could make a fool of yourself.
Josh Herrin cannot hold his line properly. The setup is off. Eleven laps left. Herrin and Young tussle into turn one. Ben Bostrom is catching up to Young and Herrin. Roger Hayden brings his bike to the pits. He's out of the race. Josh Hayes has a five second lead over Blake Young, one lap from halfway. Young and Herrin continue their scrap,l though. Geoff May on the EBR is fifth and trying to hold on behind the leading quartet of bikes. This race is half over officially.
It's Suzuki, Yamaha, Suzuki, and the two EBR's. Danny Eslick is coming back from a terrible start. Larru Pegram on the BMW runs behind Eslick. Larry Pegram and Chris Clark are running well as is the #11 KTM of Chris Fillmore, followed by Steve Rapp on the Kawasaki. Rapp is still dealing with an injured wrist. But, he's hanging on well. Six laps remain in the race. May is putting the blowtorch on Bostrom. He's caught him. The EBR is more aerodynamic than the Suzuki. The front ferring is a lot narrower. It has an inline twin cylinder motor rather than four across. Bostrom is losing traction.</p><p>Just five laps remain. Young and Herrin battle. They keep seesawing. Herrin can hold a tighter line with the fuel load burned off on his bike as compared to Young's Suzuki. If Hayes wins, he'll retake the point lead. Hayes has a six plus second advantage to the other riders. Fastest laps for Young and Herrin have been in thw 1:50.3 or 1:51.3 range. Geoff May has fallen back a ways. Chris Fillmore is trying to pass David Anthony. Kawasaki and Honda do not have factotry AMA teams. It's Suzuki, Yamaha, KTM and EBR pretty much. One lap remains for Josh Hayes. Herrin drafts Young down the straight. Who brakes deeper? Young took it as deep as possible. Then, Herrin tried to get by. Young and Herrin touch. Herrin is pushed out of the way.
Herrin goes down the inside of Young. Into Tooele corner, there's no chance. Well, maybe,. Herrin is second. Josh Hayes wins it! Herrin makes it a Monster Yamaha 1-2!
#1 Josh Hayes Yamaha R1
The next AMA Superbike race is at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, next weekend.
FIM World Superbike Round 6: Miller Motorsports Park, Race 1
Here are the highlights of World Superbike round six, race number one from Miller Motorsports Park. Four races have been run at Miller Motorsports Park.
On the pole it's Jakub Smrz. Three wildcard riders are in the race including AMA star Jake Holden, Shane Turpin (a local Utah rider), and John Hopkins returns. Hopkins was injured for a while. Race one is on deck. Race two highlights will follow in another post. The bikes roll off on their warmup lap. Jakub Smrz has not had a pole in World Superbike since 2008 at the Misano track in Italy. Sometimes, the winner of the first race at Miller Motorsports Park will win the second race if they play their cards right.
At the start, Tom Sykes on the Kawasaki takes the race lead. This race will be 21 laps. Carlos Checa is second. Jakub Smrz falls to fifth spot. Marco Melandri is third with Johnny Rea fourth on the Honda #65. The bikes swing down through a section of track called The Attitudes. There is a straightaway that's almost a mile long. Chaz Davies got a good jump. Marco Melandri passes Checa and Max Biagi is also right there. The BMW is quicker than the Ducati is. Tom Sykes has taken the lead. Sykes has had four poles but has one victory in those wild races back at Monza. Johnny Rea passes Carlos Checa.
Checa dips inside Rea. Eugene Laverty is moving up. Laverty is team mate to Max Biaggi on the Aprilia. Eugene Laverty went wide and Chaz Davies was held back from making a pass. This track has many corners that are fast, wide sweepers and riders need to be careful how much power they apply. Biaggi passes Checa and Max Biaggi overcooked a corner. But also, Melandri passes Sykes. Checa moves past Sykes. These guys are very aggressive. Sykes is third and now fourth as Biaggi slides by. His Kawasaki's tires are fading. Eugene Laverty also wants by Sykes.
Johnny Rea battles Checa. Checa will not let Rea get by. All this racing in the pack helps Melandri extend his lead. It's now a battle between Checa and Melandri. The American riders (Holden, Turpin and Hopkins), are well behind. Turpin said that the turning and cornering skills or setting up the bike is what the pros have an advantage in. A rider is down in the Attitudes. Niccolo Canepa was the rider who fell down. Seven laps are complete in this first race. Checa continues to dominate. He's won on a Honda and a Ducati. Can he win on a BMW?
John Hopkins crashes his Suzuki on the entry to the Attitudes. These guys just have one bike. They'll have to fix them in the break between races. Jakub Smrz has faded from pole back to seventh. Johnny Rea is up to third as Max Biaggi is still battling Checa. Checa is quite a bit slower than some of the other bikes as the race is at halfway (race one at least). The Aprilia is a very rigid bike, but, tracks that are a bit bumpy, won't help that. Eugene Laverty, Jakub Smrz, Chaz Davies, Leon Haslam, and others, run back in the pack. Lorenzo Zanetti ditches his bike.
Meanwhile, Jake Holden has moved to 20th with Shane Turpin right behind. Checa and Melandri for BMW are still out in front. Chaz Davies has run in America before. Leon Camier is also at the sharp end. Checa dominates. But, Biaggi needs to get around Johnny Rea. Jake Holden dumps his bike. Not sure he'll re-enter this race. He'll prep for race two coming up a little later on. Seven laps remain. Checa goes through Clubhouse and then, into the corners known as Windup and Release. Biaggi moves inside Rea and makes it stick.
Laverty and Smrz battle for fifth place. Just five laps remain in the first race. Jake Holden runs slowly while Biaggi and Rey keep battling. With the horsepower these bikes produce, that means the tires shred easily. The tire wears down, but it won't come apart. Shane Turpin goes a lap down. He might score a point which would be a big deal. He's eighteenth. But, if he gets to sixteenth, he can score a point. Just three laps or so left to run in the first race. The Ducati is better through the longer corners compared to the BMW. The Ducati is an older bike. They are building a new bike that has less low end torque and revs higher than most of them do.
Just two laps left. Johnny Rea is gaining on Max Biaggi. We saw how competitive Rea was at the previous round in England at Donington Park. It's the last lap of race one. Checa dives into The Attitudes one last time. Rea wants to pass Biaggi. Checa wins it in the first race! Melandri takes second and Biaggi holds on for third over Rea.
#7 Carlos Checa ESP Ducati 1098R
Race two is coming up shortly. Will have the highlights when it happens. Coming up is AMA Superbike.
On the pole it's Jakub Smrz. Three wildcard riders are in the race including AMA star Jake Holden, Shane Turpin (a local Utah rider), and John Hopkins returns. Hopkins was injured for a while. Race one is on deck. Race two highlights will follow in another post. The bikes roll off on their warmup lap. Jakub Smrz has not had a pole in World Superbike since 2008 at the Misano track in Italy. Sometimes, the winner of the first race at Miller Motorsports Park will win the second race if they play their cards right.
At the start, Tom Sykes on the Kawasaki takes the race lead. This race will be 21 laps. Carlos Checa is second. Jakub Smrz falls to fifth spot. Marco Melandri is third with Johnny Rea fourth on the Honda #65. The bikes swing down through a section of track called The Attitudes. There is a straightaway that's almost a mile long. Chaz Davies got a good jump. Marco Melandri passes Checa and Max Biagi is also right there. The BMW is quicker than the Ducati is. Tom Sykes has taken the lead. Sykes has had four poles but has one victory in those wild races back at Monza. Johnny Rea passes Carlos Checa.
Checa dips inside Rea. Eugene Laverty is moving up. Laverty is team mate to Max Biaggi on the Aprilia. Eugene Laverty went wide and Chaz Davies was held back from making a pass. This track has many corners that are fast, wide sweepers and riders need to be careful how much power they apply. Biaggi passes Checa and Max Biaggi overcooked a corner. But also, Melandri passes Sykes. Checa moves past Sykes. These guys are very aggressive. Sykes is third and now fourth as Biaggi slides by. His Kawasaki's tires are fading. Eugene Laverty also wants by Sykes.
Johnny Rea battles Checa. Checa will not let Rea get by. All this racing in the pack helps Melandri extend his lead. It's now a battle between Checa and Melandri. The American riders (Holden, Turpin and Hopkins), are well behind. Turpin said that the turning and cornering skills or setting up the bike is what the pros have an advantage in. A rider is down in the Attitudes. Niccolo Canepa was the rider who fell down. Seven laps are complete in this first race. Checa continues to dominate. He's won on a Honda and a Ducati. Can he win on a BMW?
John Hopkins crashes his Suzuki on the entry to the Attitudes. These guys just have one bike. They'll have to fix them in the break between races. Jakub Smrz has faded from pole back to seventh. Johnny Rea is up to third as Max Biaggi is still battling Checa. Checa is quite a bit slower than some of the other bikes as the race is at halfway (race one at least). The Aprilia is a very rigid bike, but, tracks that are a bit bumpy, won't help that. Eugene Laverty, Jakub Smrz, Chaz Davies, Leon Haslam, and others, run back in the pack. Lorenzo Zanetti ditches his bike.
Meanwhile, Jake Holden has moved to 20th with Shane Turpin right behind. Checa and Melandri for BMW are still out in front. Chaz Davies has run in America before. Leon Camier is also at the sharp end. Checa dominates. But, Biaggi needs to get around Johnny Rea. Jake Holden dumps his bike. Not sure he'll re-enter this race. He'll prep for race two coming up a little later on. Seven laps remain. Checa goes through Clubhouse and then, into the corners known as Windup and Release. Biaggi moves inside Rea and makes it stick.
Laverty and Smrz battle for fifth place. Just five laps remain in the first race. Jake Holden runs slowly while Biaggi and Rey keep battling. With the horsepower these bikes produce, that means the tires shred easily. The tire wears down, but it won't come apart. Shane Turpin goes a lap down. He might score a point which would be a big deal. He's eighteenth. But, if he gets to sixteenth, he can score a point. Just three laps or so left to run in the first race. The Ducati is better through the longer corners compared to the BMW. The Ducati is an older bike. They are building a new bike that has less low end torque and revs higher than most of them do.
Just two laps left. Johnny Rea is gaining on Max Biaggi. We saw how competitive Rea was at the previous round in England at Donington Park. It's the last lap of race one. Checa dives into The Attitudes one last time. Rea wants to pass Biaggi. Checa wins it in the first race! Melandri takes second and Biaggi holds on for third over Rea.
#7 Carlos Checa ESP Ducati 1098R
Race two is coming up shortly. Will have the highlights when it happens. Coming up is AMA Superbike.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Moto 3: France
In the Moto 3 race for the French Grand Prix at Le Mans (on the Bugatti circuit of course), it was Frenchman Louis Rossi taking the win on his Racing Team Germany FTR Honda. Spaniard Alberto Moncayo was second. Rounding out the podium was fellow Spanish rider Alex Rins. Quite a few riders ended up being unclassified and there must have been a lot of attrition in this particular event. Notable retirements included a huge list. Alexis Masbou, Romano Fenati, Danny Kent, Danny Webb, Simon Grotzkyj, Jack Miller, both of the Vinales brothers (Maverick and Isaac), Jakub Kornfeil, Luis Salom, Hector Faubel, Miguel Oliveira, and, Zhulfahmi Khairuddin. So, a lot of attrition in the Moto 3 class at Le Mans.
Overall winner: #96 Louis Rossi FRA FTR Honda
The next round of the championship is in two weeks. Another Spanish round of the championship at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain.
Overall winner: #96 Louis Rossi FRA FTR Honda
The next round of the championship is in two weeks. Another Spanish round of the championship at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain.
Moto 2: France
Here are highlights of the Moto 2 race from Le Mans and the Bugatti circuit.
This race will be 26 laps in length. On the pole is Marc Marques on bike #93. The Moto 3 race was a wild one. That will be highlighted here on Tuesday. So, fans will have to wait. But, highlights will be here. For now, Moto 2 is at the ready for a start. This race is 22 laps.
Marc Marques gets a good start as Pol Espargaro and Tom Luthi try to get by. Espargaro and Scott Redding are the top two. Mika Kalio also has a decent start. Alex de Angelis and Toni Elias are also up there. Yuka Takahashi has crashed. Be careful in the wet. Pol Espargaro is starting to move into a lead over Scott Redding and the others in the top five. Bradley Smith is up to sixth now, too. Smith was looking for a wet race. Gino Rea is up there, too. Rea is another British rider. These guys are like, "forget the rain. We're going for it, no holds barred!" Bradley Smith moves into fifth passing Rea.
Smith passes. Randy Krummenacher is done for the day. Game over. He was in that crunch with Takahashi. Johann Zarco is racing well in the wet. Rea is coming up on Kallio as Redding passes Luthi, too. Luthi almost wrecked. Simone Corsi crashed out. He is in the garage. Pol Espargaro is opening a lead but it doesn't make any differece in the rain. Alex de Angelis fell down, slid across the track and thank heavens he didn't get hit! That was a wickedly horrible wreck. Thre bikes had to go wide to avoid literally hitting him as he slid across the pavement! Ouch! Smith and Redding are still at it. Espargaro still leads.
Stefan Bradl won a race at Silverstone in Moto 2 last year in awful, rainy conditions. Four riders in the back of the top ten have all set fast lap times. Claudio Corti is also in this. I made a mistake. Corti is the rider I was trying to refer to, not Simone Corsi. Still working on who all the riders are. Marques passes Kalio. Luthi almost fell down! He spread his legs wide, sitting on the bike to maintain control. Gino Rea crashed after being highsided. He was hit by another bike. Johann Zarco was in the wreck with Gino Rea. Andrea Ianonni and others are starting to go faster. Scott Redding passes Pol Espargaro.
Brad Smith had a moment going through La Chapelle and hitting the escape road. Corti gets around Marques with Andrea Ianonni up to sixth. Marc Marques fell down and his bike went on and hit the wall. That was a weird one. He slid off the bike and it rolled into the mud. Well, more like slid. Marques can get back on, but, he'll be way down. Luthi is extending his lead. But the race isn't over by any means. Johann Zarco passes for second place going around Corti. He actually passed Redding. Corti runs fast lap at 1:54.1. By the way, never found out fast lap time for MotoGP. Sorry about that.
Zarco now steals fast lap. Luthi laps backmarkers. Zarco and Corti continue hanging on to podium places. Marques seems to either be coming back out or going into the garage. The bike is wheeled in. Richard Cardin has his bike on fire or something. He fell down and the friction between the bike and the pavement caused a load of sparks. Just eight laps to go as Zarco and Luthi run through Garage Vert. Mike di Meglio crashes. It's his second wreck of the day. He slid off. He has won the French GP before on a 125cc bike in 2008. Luthi continues to lead. He's won twice at Le Mans.
Takaaki Nakagami also crashed out. Toni Elias is struggling in the wet in 14th place. Mika Kallio was passed by Anthony West. Luthi and Zarco are separated by less than a second. Anthony West is sixth, having passed Julian Simon. Spaniard Elena Rosell crashes. Just five laps to go as rain gets heavier on the back end of the circuit. Claudio Corti sets a new fast lap at 1:53.855. Corti is chasing down Zarco. Zarco is 1.2 seconds behind Luthi, but, he's crashed! This is a turning point. Zarco violently slides off the bike! He's OK, though.
Luthi is doing very well in the wet. Kallio, Espargaro, Simon and Smith battle for fifth through eighth. Only three laps to go. Andrea Ianonni disappeared but has come back. He may have slid through the alley, missing a corner. Corti is second with Anthony West way up in the order after starting last. Ianonni could have crashed again! Bradley Smith passes Julian Simon for eighth. Mika Kallio passes West. Smith nearly runs into Espargaro. With a lap and a half to run, Andrea Ianonni looks for a way around his competitor. Five bikes battles for fifth. One lap left on this 2.6 mile track at the Bugatti circuit at Le Mans. Scott Redding will get his first podium of 2012 for Marc VDS. Adam West tries passing Pol Espargaro, but no.
West is falling back. Luthi is going to win his second win. It's his third career win at Le Mans! Bradley Smith crashes in the last turn. Julian Simon pushes his bike across the line. It looks like the Isle of Man TT when riders run out of fuel.
#12 Thomas Luthi CHE Suter
Next race: Barcelona, Spain (Circuit de Catalunya)
This race will be 26 laps in length. On the pole is Marc Marques on bike #93. The Moto 3 race was a wild one. That will be highlighted here on Tuesday. So, fans will have to wait. But, highlights will be here. For now, Moto 2 is at the ready for a start. This race is 22 laps.
Marc Marques gets a good start as Pol Espargaro and Tom Luthi try to get by. Espargaro and Scott Redding are the top two. Mika Kalio also has a decent start. Alex de Angelis and Toni Elias are also up there. Yuka Takahashi has crashed. Be careful in the wet. Pol Espargaro is starting to move into a lead over Scott Redding and the others in the top five. Bradley Smith is up to sixth now, too. Smith was looking for a wet race. Gino Rea is up there, too. Rea is another British rider. These guys are like, "forget the rain. We're going for it, no holds barred!" Bradley Smith moves into fifth passing Rea.
Smith passes. Randy Krummenacher is done for the day. Game over. He was in that crunch with Takahashi. Johann Zarco is racing well in the wet. Rea is coming up on Kallio as Redding passes Luthi, too. Luthi almost wrecked. Simone Corsi crashed out. He is in the garage. Pol Espargaro is opening a lead but it doesn't make any differece in the rain. Alex de Angelis fell down, slid across the track and thank heavens he didn't get hit! That was a wickedly horrible wreck. Thre bikes had to go wide to avoid literally hitting him as he slid across the pavement! Ouch! Smith and Redding are still at it. Espargaro still leads.
Stefan Bradl won a race at Silverstone in Moto 2 last year in awful, rainy conditions. Four riders in the back of the top ten have all set fast lap times. Claudio Corti is also in this. I made a mistake. Corti is the rider I was trying to refer to, not Simone Corsi. Still working on who all the riders are. Marques passes Kalio. Luthi almost fell down! He spread his legs wide, sitting on the bike to maintain control. Gino Rea crashed after being highsided. He was hit by another bike. Johann Zarco was in the wreck with Gino Rea. Andrea Ianonni and others are starting to go faster. Scott Redding passes Pol Espargaro.
Brad Smith had a moment going through La Chapelle and hitting the escape road. Corti gets around Marques with Andrea Ianonni up to sixth. Marc Marques fell down and his bike went on and hit the wall. That was a weird one. He slid off the bike and it rolled into the mud. Well, more like slid. Marques can get back on, but, he'll be way down. Luthi is extending his lead. But the race isn't over by any means. Johann Zarco passes for second place going around Corti. He actually passed Redding. Corti runs fast lap at 1:54.1. By the way, never found out fast lap time for MotoGP. Sorry about that.
Zarco now steals fast lap. Luthi laps backmarkers. Zarco and Corti continue hanging on to podium places. Marques seems to either be coming back out or going into the garage. The bike is wheeled in. Richard Cardin has his bike on fire or something. He fell down and the friction between the bike and the pavement caused a load of sparks. Just eight laps to go as Zarco and Luthi run through Garage Vert. Mike di Meglio crashes. It's his second wreck of the day. He slid off. He has won the French GP before on a 125cc bike in 2008. Luthi continues to lead. He's won twice at Le Mans.
Takaaki Nakagami also crashed out. Toni Elias is struggling in the wet in 14th place. Mika Kallio was passed by Anthony West. Luthi and Zarco are separated by less than a second. Anthony West is sixth, having passed Julian Simon. Spaniard Elena Rosell crashes. Just five laps to go as rain gets heavier on the back end of the circuit. Claudio Corti sets a new fast lap at 1:53.855. Corti is chasing down Zarco. Zarco is 1.2 seconds behind Luthi, but, he's crashed! This is a turning point. Zarco violently slides off the bike! He's OK, though.
Luthi is doing very well in the wet. Kallio, Espargaro, Simon and Smith battle for fifth through eighth. Only three laps to go. Andrea Ianonni disappeared but has come back. He may have slid through the alley, missing a corner. Corti is second with Anthony West way up in the order after starting last. Ianonni could have crashed again! Bradley Smith passes Julian Simon for eighth. Mika Kallio passes West. Smith nearly runs into Espargaro. With a lap and a half to run, Andrea Ianonni looks for a way around his competitor. Five bikes battles for fifth. One lap left on this 2.6 mile track at the Bugatti circuit at Le Mans. Scott Redding will get his first podium of 2012 for Marc VDS. Adam West tries passing Pol Espargaro, but no.
West is falling back. Luthi is going to win his second win. It's his third career win at Le Mans! Bradley Smith crashes in the last turn. Julian Simon pushes his bike across the line. It looks like the Isle of Man TT when riders run out of fuel.
#12 Thomas Luthi CHE Suter
Next race: Barcelona, Spain (Circuit de Catalunya)
Saturday, June 9, 2012
FIM World Superbike Round 5: Donington Park
Here are the highlights of round five of the FIM World
Superbike Championship from Donington Park in Leicestershire, England. Two races will be run as always.
This is the 25th anniversary of the World Superbike
Championship which began in 1988. Tom
Sykes has pole position. The
championship is wide open, much like Formula One has been. This should be a dry race even though it's
cloudy. There are dark clouds. However, no rain should fall. It is very windy at Donington which will
affect the handling of the bikes. The
hot temperatures will affect bikes and riders, too. Pirelli has three compound options for the
tires.
The bikes are on their warmup lap. Max Biaggi has just a two point lead in the
championship, as the bikes set off on their warmup lap. The green flag is up. At the start, Tom Sykes and Marco Melandri
get a good start. Melandri passes Sykes
going through Redgate and into the Craner Curves. Into McLeans, the bikes are really moving
around. Bikes are on cold tires into
Coppice. Into the esses, Melandri is
opening a lead as Johnny Rea passes going into Goddards Eugene Laverty passes Michele Fabrizio as
Leon Haslam takes the lead. This is a 22
lap race. Carlos Checa has to dig back
through the field. Leon Haslam's dad Ron
(a former Superbike racer) has a motorcycle racing school at Donington.
There is a big bump in the braking zone for the last corner
at Goddard's. Davide Giugliano in tenth
sets fastest lap so far. Eugene Laverty
has Checa breathing down his rear tire.
Biaggi on the inside of another bike.
Johnny Ray, maybe. He's also real
close. Biaggi ran wide as there's
nothing between the top three right now.
They're right together. Carlos
Checa and Davide Giugliano are catching up to Laverty, so, the Ducati's are
real quick. Tom Sykes continues battling
Eugene Laverty into the Melbourne hairpin.
Haslam runs wide and Tom Sykes retakes the lead. Sykes' best lap is a 1:29.2.
Sylvain Guintoli is sixth now with Laverty and Checa
following. Checa passes Laverty even
though he's running a shade slower lap time.
Giugliano sweeps past Laverty.
Leon Camier will be Giugliano's next victim. Max Biaggi runs an equal pace to Sykes. This is a long race (23 laps). The tire degradation is going to be key. Sykes wiggles and holds on. Max Biaggi goes
even quicker at 1:28.9. Checa is moving
up, fast. Three Ducati's battle each
other. Like the AMA, there is also a Super
Sport class in FIM competition. Haven't
covered that. But, go to the SBK website
to find out more.
Sykes, Melandri and others are now running their fast
laps. Guintoli holds off Checa through
Redgate. Badovini, Canepa, Smrz and
others are languishing. How did Jakub
Smrz sink so far? Hmmm. Sykes and Haslam continue their scrap. It's Kawasaki vs. BMW. Eight laps are now complete. The Kawasaki's are improving, making the
position where the rider sits, and the fly-by-wire throttle, better. Sykes MUST open a gap over Haslam. But Biaggi and others are coming. The Melbourne corner is a haunting one. Former Superbike champs Noriyuki Haga and
Troy Bayliss both had trouble there during their careers.
Marco Melandri is catching up on his BMW. There used to be a Dunlop tires bridge in one
of the corners at Donington, but it's gone now.
Sykes continues to lead. Johnny
Rea is still languishing in fifth. Max
Biaggi is carving through the field, but Eugene Laverty doesn't want to give
up. Biaggi's third with Melandri is his
next target. Haslam slides down the
inside of Sykes, into the lead! Marco
Melandri gets around Biaggi. But, Biaggi
can get him back at Redgate. Well, not
now, as they go through the sweepers in Craner Curves and through the Old
Hairpin.
Into Coppice, Melandri wants by Sykes. The race is at halfway as Melandri
bobbles. The top three are running
identical lap times. Can Johnny Rea and
Carlos Checa catch up? Melandri slides
down inside Sykes. He can just nip
inside someone at the last second. It's
a BMW 1-2. Marco Melandri had his first
WSBK win at Donington, on a Yamaha. Back
into the esses, it's still a close battle between the top four. Haslam passes into Redgate. The two BMW's scrap. The Kawasaki and the Aprilia are still there. Checa and Rea are also close by. Melandri passes Haslam into Redgate. Leon Haslam will attack ASAP. Where does he make his move?
It's a four way race to the finish. Sykes wants by Biaggi and nearly gets
it. But no way. They're side-by-side. Jeez!
Johnny Rey dispenses with Checa.
This is a very close race.
Melandri takes the lead into Redgate.
How many times have we seen this in this race? Haslam slides through esses into the gravel
trap. He cut the corner. Melandri has the lead. Can Sykes chase him down now? Biaggi also went off the road. Haslam is hounding Sykes now, even after that
mistake. It's into the esses as the gap
increases to a second and a half for Melandri.
Checa and Ray are still in this thing.
Haslam tried to get by Sykes and almost crashed! Melandri is still leading. Johnny Rea has to get by Max Biaggi. Leon Haslam passes and then, Sykes goes back. I give up.
I can't say anything. This race
changes all over, in every corner! Into
Schwantz corner, there's still a battle.
It's the last lap. Melandri could
win and BMW could get a 1-2. Marco
Melandri and BMW are going to win at Donington Park! Phew!
What a race!
Race 1: #33 Marco Melandri ITA
BMW S1000RR
Race two is next.
Tom Sykes has pole for the second race. The formation lap is taking place, just
before the race starts. At the start,
Michele Fabrizio creeps foirward as Biagi takes the lead over Sykes. Carlos Checa crashes right on the first turn
at Redgate. He's out of it. Sykes swings around Max Biaggi. Carlos Checa runs into the back of Eugene
Laverty and Jakub Smrz also falls down.
Melandri is on top of Biaggi.
Sylvain Guintoli and Eugene Laverty follow as Laverty runs wide. The Biaggi/Sykes battle continues from race
one. Both got better starts this time.
Michele Fabrizio actually jumped the start. He's down in eleventh place. Marco Melandri is being hounded by Jonathan
Rea. Leon Camier runs right with Eugene
Laverty. Laverty tries passing Sylvain
Guintoli. Johnny Rea hits Melandri! Ugh!
Well, Rea was on the inside line.
Meanwhile, Chaz Davies and Ayrton Badovini battle as well. Sylvain Guintoli and Eugene Laverty are the
targets for Johnny Rea. Melandri wants
to pass Ray and be done with him. Into
Goddard's, not much happens. Sykes
dominates this race. But Biaggi is
setting the lap record at 1:28.9.
Melandri still on Rea through Craner Curves.
Johnny Rea shuts the door on Melnadri and then Melnadri gets
him back. Whoever wins race two will
lead the championship. Carlos Checa will
score zero points. Leon Haslam runs a
1:29.2. A wildcard rider ditches his
bike, but, gets back up and races on.
Sykes runs a 1:29.3. It's going
to be ANOTHER four way race. Not sure
which tires are being used. Pirelli,
please let us know. New rider Lawrence
Baaz is running well. Leon Haslam wants
to pass Max Biaggi.
Johnny Rea hangs on in fifth spot. Biaggi really closes up on Sykes through a
long right hander. Melnadri makes up
time into Melbourne corner. Tom Sykes
runs a 1:29.7. Rea is quickest at
1:29.4. All riders are using the semi
soft Pirelli tire. Haslam tries passing
Biaggi, but can't quite do it. However,
no, Marco Melandri drives around Rey coming out of nowhere! The race is half over. Johnny Rea passes Melandri back. Eugene Laverty drops his bike and is
out. Laverty's crash was HUGE! But, he'll be OK.
Kawasaki has not really been as consistent in WSBK
competition since 1993 when American Scott Russell rode for them. Marco Melandri wants by Biaggi. Biaggi slams the door. The race is half over. Tom Sykes can now pull out a gap. Biaggi looks at Sykes. Now, Melandri wants to move. This is some battle! Melandri successfully passes Biaggi. He'll get the lead soon, maybe. Max Biaggi is trying to hold it into the
Schwantz corner. Leon Haslam tries a
move and can't quite stick it.
Into Goddard's, it's five bikes going for a win. Maxime Berger retires from the race with
mechanical issues. Less than nine laps
left. Leon Haslam and Johnny Rea
pass. Sykes leads both of the
BMW's. Cover the top five with a
blanket. There's nothing in it. Biaggi tries to pass but then gets dropped
off by Johnny Rea. Rea slides way wide
and loses places out of Goddard's.
Twenty-five years ago, the racing in Superbike was very different,
obviously. Leon Haslam passes Marco
Melandri and looks to pass Sykes, too.
Seven laps left. Leon
Haslam gets the lead with Melandri following.
Sykes is demoted to third having to deal with Biaggi. Sykes is struggling. Max Biaggi gets third. Johnny Rea is back into contention running a
1:29.7. Four laps to go. Marco Melandri passes at Redgate. But, he needs to close the door instead of
leaving a spot for Haslam. Marco
Melandri takes over the lead, but Haslam and Biaggi are still at it. Haslam now leads. Biaggi gets second. Rea is fourth. Four laps to go. Sykes is fading.
Biaggi looks inside Haslam.
Melandri passes Rea again. Now,
Biaggi is really pushing through Redgate.
Haslam can outbrake Biaggi. Rea
is third as the bikes plunge into Coppice.
Rea passes Biaggi. Rea slides
wide and holds second. Two laps
left. Marco Melandri runs wide. Rea runs fastest lap. Through Craner Curves again. Johnny Rea runs wide. Wind up the motor, put on full power into the
straight. Max Biaggi gets second,
passing Rea. Marco Melandri is not done
either. He's third. This is the last lap. This is the race of Haslam's life. It's anyone's really.
Marco Melandri passes for second. Haslam opens a gap. Melandri passes, runs wide and then passes
again going wide taking the BMWs out!
Johnny Rea wins!
Race 2: #65 Johnny Rea
GBR Honda CBR 1000 RR
BMW team management will be livid with that wreck between
Melandri and Haslam.
Next race: U.S.A. (Miller Motorsports Park, Tooele, Utah)
FIM World Superbike round 4: Monza
The Autodromo Nazionale di Monza is the scene for the fourth round of the FIM World Superbike Championship. There has been a change. Due to inclement weather conditions there will be but one race taking place. Race one at Monza is cancelled. Race two is scheduled to be run, however. Here then, is the synopsis of the second race. There's a delay to make sure the track will stay dry. Clouds still hang over the track. Because of the canceled first race, only 25 points are on offer.
There was some racing in race one. Tom Sykes took the lead. Marco Melandri had a heavy wreck in Parabolica. Sylvain Guintoli took the lead and he and Tom Sykes battled each other. The rain came early. Max Biagi's bike stalled and he got help from Carlos Checa. There was a discussion about what would happen and then, the rain poured down.
For race two, it will be 17 laps with two pace laps. Most of the bikes are on slick tires. Hopes are the track will dry out. Guintoli has pole. There are wet spots offline. Riders cannot afford to run over them, risking dumping the motorcycle. The section of track known as the Lesmos will be tricky. Again, the Parabolica will also be a corner of question because of dampness. The bikes and riders take a second warmup lap, anticipating the race start.
Race distance will be 17 laps. Riders will need to be very cautious. Riders are putting their hands up. It's a no go. Some riders don't want to start. What's happening? Tom Sykes wants to race. They're going to delay the race! Riders are stunned as they talk to the officials. This is really odd. This is an old circuit with little runoff room. The mechanics are getting to the bikes. Marco Melandri has an issue with his bike. The crowd is disgruntled. Be patient. All the mechanics from all the teams are out on the grid. The race director is speaking to the riders.
Jakub Smrz, Leon Haslam and others are all NOT ready to race. Putting a hand up indicates, stop! Don't start the race. There's a debate. A division of thought on who wants to race and who doesn't. Make up your minds, guys. The one minute board is up. The riders will make their decision. It's dry on one side and wet on the other side of the track. The riders do another warm up lap. The crowd cheers seeing the warmup lap. Sylvain Guintoli (the only man wanting to race) has stalled! He has to rest the computer. There are other bikes that have issues. The conditions are improving. But what's going to happen. Michele Fabrizio is the other bike stalled. Guintoli and Fabrizio are out!
Race two finally starts! Tom Sykes will lead and Max Biaggi also gets a good start. Carlos Checa slots into second. The race will be 16 laps. Sykes is ahead into Curva de la Roggio. Marco Melandri passes Max Biaggi. Into the Ascari chicane, Sykes is pulling out his lead. Be very careful braking. Biaggi passes Melandri. Giuliano runs wide. Eugene Laverty follows behind Davide Giugliano. Eugene Laverty wants to pass Marco Melandri in Ascari. Johnny Ray passes Eugene Laverty and Carlos Checa. Max Biagi and Marco Melandri were passed instantly by Biagi. Leon Haslam is also in this. Jakub Smrz is in the middle of a nine bike chain.
Tom Sykes is checking out. Jakub Smrz is losing some ground. But Tom Sykes is setting down fast laps. Eugene Laverty is a second slower. Leon Haslam passes Max Biaggi. Only three laps have been run. Marco Melandri makes a move past Biaggi. Or maybe it was Leon Haslam. Eugene Laverty is indeed making his Aprilia work. Chaz Davis is behind Jakub Smrz. Leon Haslam wants by Eugene Laverty. Johnny Rea is also coming fast. He's sixth. Tom Sykes though, has this field covered. He wanted to race. Johnny Rea continues to battle with Biaggi.
Sykes remains the quickest bike on track as Biaggi and Ray battle into the Lesmos. Eugene Laverty runs quickly out of Ascari. Leon Haslam twitches and almost falls off the bike. Tom Sykes has a 7.6 second lead. His quick lap is a 1:44.8. Six laps are complete. Two laps to halfway. Tom Sykes has basically broken the lap record. It's Sykes followed by Haslam and Checa is third, barely. Water is on the track once more. It could be another rain shower. Marco Melandri continues chasing Checa. The race is over now. Riders threw two hands up telling the officials that the rain is too severe. Red flag. Game over. Tom Sykes wins at the halfway mark of this race.
#66 Tom Sykes GBR Kawasaki ZX10R
Sykes is not happy about this race coming to a premature end. His team at Kawasaki don't seem to mind. Tom Sykes gets the points. It's his first race win of the year and the second of his Super Bike career. Leon Haslam for BMW is second. Half points will be awarded for the race. That seems fair. Sykes, Haslam and Laverty are the top three. Two Brits and an Irishman. Sykes also earns fastest lap. Biagi still leads the series championship with half points.
Next race: Donington Park, England, next weekend.
There was some racing in race one. Tom Sykes took the lead. Marco Melandri had a heavy wreck in Parabolica. Sylvain Guintoli took the lead and he and Tom Sykes battled each other. The rain came early. Max Biagi's bike stalled and he got help from Carlos Checa. There was a discussion about what would happen and then, the rain poured down.
For race two, it will be 17 laps with two pace laps. Most of the bikes are on slick tires. Hopes are the track will dry out. Guintoli has pole. There are wet spots offline. Riders cannot afford to run over them, risking dumping the motorcycle. The section of track known as the Lesmos will be tricky. Again, the Parabolica will also be a corner of question because of dampness. The bikes and riders take a second warmup lap, anticipating the race start.
Race distance will be 17 laps. Riders will need to be very cautious. Riders are putting their hands up. It's a no go. Some riders don't want to start. What's happening? Tom Sykes wants to race. They're going to delay the race! Riders are stunned as they talk to the officials. This is really odd. This is an old circuit with little runoff room. The mechanics are getting to the bikes. Marco Melandri has an issue with his bike. The crowd is disgruntled. Be patient. All the mechanics from all the teams are out on the grid. The race director is speaking to the riders.
Jakub Smrz, Leon Haslam and others are all NOT ready to race. Putting a hand up indicates, stop! Don't start the race. There's a debate. A division of thought on who wants to race and who doesn't. Make up your minds, guys. The one minute board is up. The riders will make their decision. It's dry on one side and wet on the other side of the track. The riders do another warm up lap. The crowd cheers seeing the warmup lap. Sylvain Guintoli (the only man wanting to race) has stalled! He has to rest the computer. There are other bikes that have issues. The conditions are improving. But what's going to happen. Michele Fabrizio is the other bike stalled. Guintoli and Fabrizio are out!
Race two finally starts! Tom Sykes will lead and Max Biaggi also gets a good start. Carlos Checa slots into second. The race will be 16 laps. Sykes is ahead into Curva de la Roggio. Marco Melandri passes Max Biaggi. Into the Ascari chicane, Sykes is pulling out his lead. Be very careful braking. Biaggi passes Melandri. Giuliano runs wide. Eugene Laverty follows behind Davide Giugliano. Eugene Laverty wants to pass Marco Melandri in Ascari. Johnny Ray passes Eugene Laverty and Carlos Checa. Max Biagi and Marco Melandri were passed instantly by Biagi. Leon Haslam is also in this. Jakub Smrz is in the middle of a nine bike chain.
Tom Sykes is checking out. Jakub Smrz is losing some ground. But Tom Sykes is setting down fast laps. Eugene Laverty is a second slower. Leon Haslam passes Max Biaggi. Only three laps have been run. Marco Melandri makes a move past Biaggi. Or maybe it was Leon Haslam. Eugene Laverty is indeed making his Aprilia work. Chaz Davis is behind Jakub Smrz. Leon Haslam wants by Eugene Laverty. Johnny Rea is also coming fast. He's sixth. Tom Sykes though, has this field covered. He wanted to race. Johnny Rea continues to battle with Biaggi.
Sykes remains the quickest bike on track as Biaggi and Ray battle into the Lesmos. Eugene Laverty runs quickly out of Ascari. Leon Haslam twitches and almost falls off the bike. Tom Sykes has a 7.6 second lead. His quick lap is a 1:44.8. Six laps are complete. Two laps to halfway. Tom Sykes has basically broken the lap record. It's Sykes followed by Haslam and Checa is third, barely. Water is on the track once more. It could be another rain shower. Marco Melandri continues chasing Checa. The race is over now. Riders threw two hands up telling the officials that the rain is too severe. Red flag. Game over. Tom Sykes wins at the halfway mark of this race.
#66 Tom Sykes GBR Kawasaki ZX10R
Sykes is not happy about this race coming to a premature end. His team at Kawasaki don't seem to mind. Tom Sykes gets the points. It's his first race win of the year and the second of his Super Bike career. Leon Haslam for BMW is second. Half points will be awarded for the race. That seems fair. Sykes, Haslam and Laverty are the top three. Two Brits and an Irishman. Sykes also earns fastest lap. Biagi still leads the series championship with half points.
Next race: Donington Park, England, next weekend.
MotoGP round 4: France
Round four of the MotoGP World Championship is at Le Mans, France, but not on the same track as the 24 hour race. It is on what is known as the Bugatti Circuit and not the full Circuit de la Sarthe.
Casey Stoner will likely retire at the end of the season. This will be some race. This is the 55th French GP at Le Mans and the 800th grand prix motorcycle race. The big deal this weekend is that Casey Stoner is going to retire from MotoGP season. He is only 26 years old. But, he feels that he doesn't have the passion to race anymore. It's a very brave decision. Who will be there next year? Valentino Rossi may return but, who knows. Rossi will not retire, even though there were claims in the press that he would. Could Rossi return to Honda? Good question.
In qualifying, it rained. Dani Pedrosa scored pole position. Chris Vermuellen from Australia is filling in for the injured Colin Edwards. Edwards will be back at the next race. The Bugatti circuit runs within the Circuit de la Sarthe circuit for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. 28 laps are scheduled for this race.
At the start, Randy de Puniet fell off the bike right at the start as the bikes head through the first few corners with Casey Stoner leading. Valentino Rossi is fourth now with Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso also right in there. Jorge Lorenzo fights Pedrosa. Randy de Puniet may be able to get a spare bike. Lorenzo is ahead. Andrea Dovizioso and others batle. Ben Spies languishes in 18th place. Stefan Bradl is seventh now. But, Ivan Silva crashes. Stoner wants by Pedrosa. Valentino Rossi is up there and so are the Yamaha's ridden by Cal Crutchlow and Andrea Dovizioso.
The conditions are getting worse it seems. Jorge Lorenzo is gapping the field it seems and at least has a margin over Stoner at this point. Valentino Rossi has won the Le Mans Grand Prix three times. Valentino Rossi passes Dani Pedrosa. Stefan Bradl had a crash in qualifying. There are many downhill braking zones at the Bugatti circuit as the bikes race through the Museum corner. Museum is one of the main corners on the Bugatti track. Looking at the replay of the start, Ben Spies had a big problem and Randy de Puniet slid off.
Spies is recovering, closing in on other competitors in the middle of the field. Ben Spies has lost more track position as he has the bike snap out from under him. He fortunately stayed on it. Rossi wants to get by Lorenzo. He's steadily chipping the gap away. Lorenzo is dominating. He's basically disappeared over Stoner, Rossi and Dovizioso. Cal Crutchlow, Andrea Dovizioso, Valentino Rossi, and Casey Stoner all battle for second. Ben Spies will drop to last in the field. Stoner sets fast lap at 1:46.322. Nicky Hayden, Alvaro Bautista and Hector Barbera round out the top ten.
Valentino Rossi is coming back in the first two sectors. Lorenzo has a four second gap over Casey Stoner coming into the last few corners, starting another lap. Meanwhile, Hector Barbera runs wide. Cal Crutchlow passes his team mate for fourth place going back into Museum. Valentino Rossi was passed by both Crutchlow and Dovizioso as Crutchlow got through in the Dunlop curve and through Chapel corner (Virage de la Chapelle). Jorge Lorenzo has matched Casey Stoner for quick laps. Dani Pedrosa and Stefan Bradl scrap for sixth spot. The race is just half over.
James Ellison is running thirteenth, getting more competitive with every race. Rossi tries passing Crutchlow and is successful. Dovizioso is in a podium spot. Rossi's Ducati has more power than the Yamaha going into the S curve. Rossi passes Dovizioso. Lorenzo has new fast lap at 1:45 flat. Stoner is something like 9/10 slower. Michael Schumacher is in attendance at this race. Cool! Seven laps remain. Rossi takes over third. Cal Crutchlow slid off his bike. He got back on but has lost spots. Rossi is third. Can Valentino Rossi get back on the podium?
The gap has shrunk between Stoner and Rossi. Rossi sets fast lap another time. It's going to be a battle for second spot as it looks like Lorenzo is riding off into the distance. Rossi is a half second quicker than Stoner. Jorge Lorenzo has been in control of this event since it began. James Ellison is in eleventh place still. He's remained there for most of the race. Valentino Rossi attacks Casey Stoner. He's booking it now. Just four laps remain in the race. Michele Pirro and Andrea Dovizioso have both crashed. Dovizioso was fourth. But, Rossi is right on top of Stoner. He passes him in the chicane. He's second now. Stoner passes into La Chapelle. The bikes go through Museum and Garage Vert (green garage corner).
The second place scrap is the one to watch. Just two laps to go now. Can Rossi close into the chicane? Not quite. He's lurking. The two of them are taking the same line. Jorge Lorenzo will win this as he's got nine seconds in hand. Through Museum, Stoner is just barely ahead. Back through Garage Vert, who will win this battle? Randy de Puniet is credited with fast lap. Elias Espargaro is a backmarker. Rossi tries to run past Stoner but just can't make it work. Rossi on the striaght still can't quite make it. Rossi slides by Stoner and then, he's able to block. Into La Chapelle, through Museum, and then Garage Vert, there's a half a lap left.
Rossi has passed Stoner. Casey Stoner will need to settle for third. Valentino Rossi still has the desire to race. But, Jorge Lorrenzo wins his third French Grand Prix at Le Mans!
#99 Jorge Lorenzo ESP Yamaha
The next race is a return to Spain for MotoGP to the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona. The race is in two weeks or so.
Casey Stoner will likely retire at the end of the season. This will be some race. This is the 55th French GP at Le Mans and the 800th grand prix motorcycle race. The big deal this weekend is that Casey Stoner is going to retire from MotoGP season. He is only 26 years old. But, he feels that he doesn't have the passion to race anymore. It's a very brave decision. Who will be there next year? Valentino Rossi may return but, who knows. Rossi will not retire, even though there were claims in the press that he would. Could Rossi return to Honda? Good question.
In qualifying, it rained. Dani Pedrosa scored pole position. Chris Vermuellen from Australia is filling in for the injured Colin Edwards. Edwards will be back at the next race. The Bugatti circuit runs within the Circuit de la Sarthe circuit for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. 28 laps are scheduled for this race.
At the start, Randy de Puniet fell off the bike right at the start as the bikes head through the first few corners with Casey Stoner leading. Valentino Rossi is fourth now with Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso also right in there. Jorge Lorenzo fights Pedrosa. Randy de Puniet may be able to get a spare bike. Lorenzo is ahead. Andrea Dovizioso and others batle. Ben Spies languishes in 18th place. Stefan Bradl is seventh now. But, Ivan Silva crashes. Stoner wants by Pedrosa. Valentino Rossi is up there and so are the Yamaha's ridden by Cal Crutchlow and Andrea Dovizioso.
The conditions are getting worse it seems. Jorge Lorenzo is gapping the field it seems and at least has a margin over Stoner at this point. Valentino Rossi has won the Le Mans Grand Prix three times. Valentino Rossi passes Dani Pedrosa. Stefan Bradl had a crash in qualifying. There are many downhill braking zones at the Bugatti circuit as the bikes race through the Museum corner. Museum is one of the main corners on the Bugatti track. Looking at the replay of the start, Ben Spies had a big problem and Randy de Puniet slid off.
Spies is recovering, closing in on other competitors in the middle of the field. Ben Spies has lost more track position as he has the bike snap out from under him. He fortunately stayed on it. Rossi wants to get by Lorenzo. He's steadily chipping the gap away. Lorenzo is dominating. He's basically disappeared over Stoner, Rossi and Dovizioso. Cal Crutchlow, Andrea Dovizioso, Valentino Rossi, and Casey Stoner all battle for second. Ben Spies will drop to last in the field. Stoner sets fast lap at 1:46.322. Nicky Hayden, Alvaro Bautista and Hector Barbera round out the top ten.
Valentino Rossi is coming back in the first two sectors. Lorenzo has a four second gap over Casey Stoner coming into the last few corners, starting another lap. Meanwhile, Hector Barbera runs wide. Cal Crutchlow passes his team mate for fourth place going back into Museum. Valentino Rossi was passed by both Crutchlow and Dovizioso as Crutchlow got through in the Dunlop curve and through Chapel corner (Virage de la Chapelle). Jorge Lorenzo has matched Casey Stoner for quick laps. Dani Pedrosa and Stefan Bradl scrap for sixth spot. The race is just half over.
James Ellison is running thirteenth, getting more competitive with every race. Rossi tries passing Crutchlow and is successful. Dovizioso is in a podium spot. Rossi's Ducati has more power than the Yamaha going into the S curve. Rossi passes Dovizioso. Lorenzo has new fast lap at 1:45 flat. Stoner is something like 9/10 slower. Michael Schumacher is in attendance at this race. Cool! Seven laps remain. Rossi takes over third. Cal Crutchlow slid off his bike. He got back on but has lost spots. Rossi is third. Can Valentino Rossi get back on the podium?
The gap has shrunk between Stoner and Rossi. Rossi sets fast lap another time. It's going to be a battle for second spot as it looks like Lorenzo is riding off into the distance. Rossi is a half second quicker than Stoner. Jorge Lorenzo has been in control of this event since it began. James Ellison is in eleventh place still. He's remained there for most of the race. Valentino Rossi attacks Casey Stoner. He's booking it now. Just four laps remain in the race. Michele Pirro and Andrea Dovizioso have both crashed. Dovizioso was fourth. But, Rossi is right on top of Stoner. He passes him in the chicane. He's second now. Stoner passes into La Chapelle. The bikes go through Museum and Garage Vert (green garage corner).
The second place scrap is the one to watch. Just two laps to go now. Can Rossi close into the chicane? Not quite. He's lurking. The two of them are taking the same line. Jorge Lorenzo will win this as he's got nine seconds in hand. Through Museum, Stoner is just barely ahead. Back through Garage Vert, who will win this battle? Randy de Puniet is credited with fast lap. Elias Espargaro is a backmarker. Rossi tries to run past Stoner but just can't make it work. Rossi on the striaght still can't quite make it. Rossi slides by Stoner and then, he's able to block. Into La Chapelle, through Museum, and then Garage Vert, there's a half a lap left.
Rossi has passed Stoner. Casey Stoner will need to settle for third. Valentino Rossi still has the desire to race. But, Jorge Lorrenzo wins his third French Grand Prix at Le Mans!
#99 Jorge Lorenzo ESP Yamaha
The next race is a return to Spain for MotoGP to the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona. The race is in two weeks or so.
Friday, June 8, 2012
housekeeping
Still doing some housekeeping, lining up where blog entries are going in the queue. Will see how everything pans out. Stay tuned.
Moto 3: Portugal
Here are the highlights of the Moto 3 race from Portugal.
Romano Fenati leads the world championship, with momentum coming off his win in Spain. Sandro Cortesi has pole position. Fenati has a ten point lead. The bikes are on their warmup laps. These riders will hopefully be MotoGP stars in the future.
This race will be 23 laps. At the start, Sandro Cortesi leads with Maverick Vinales in second. Cortesi is a German even though his name is Italian. Vinales battles Cortesi and passes him. Miguel Oliviera is into the top three. Zulfhami Khairuddin is fourth. Further down the order is Hector Faubel. Oliviera passes Vinales. Luis Salom tried to pass but couldn't. Romano Fenati is closing on lap two. This race is 24 laps. Sandro Cortesi wants another win. Luis Salom is coming up. Miguel Oliviera and Cortese battle, but, Oliviera has an issue. He shuts the motor down briefly in the Parabolica.
He's got the bike running again, though. Fenati is still moving up. Efrin Vasquez is another notable rider at the sharp end. Ditto for Hector Barbera. Oliviera seems to be out of the race. Maverick Vinales goes to the inside of Cortese. But, Oliviera's race is run. He pulls his bike into pit lane. Game over. Fenati blows by Faubel. Luis Salom passes Maverick Vinales. Cortese fends off Vinales. Khairuddin is up to fifth place, moving in on Danny Kent. Vinales passes Cortese. There are four riders up at the sharp end who could win this thing. But, it's long from over.
Arthur Sissis has cracked the top ten. So, the Aussie rider is going well. Vinales let Cortese by for some reason coming onto the next lap (lap seven). Luis Salom wants by Cortese, too. Zulhfami Khairuddin is having a good race. Maverick Vinales is leading, trying to break away from Cortese and the rest of the pack. Some of these guys have had experience in the old 125cc class. Luis Salom is waiting for an opportunity to pass by Vinales. This is quite the competitive motorcycle race.
Khairuddin is closing on Salom. He could become the first Malaysian rider to finish on a MotoGP podium. The race is coming up on halfway. Danny Kent and Niccolo Antonelli pass Efren Vazquez of Spain. Vinales and Cortese are the two battling for a win more than likely. The race is half over. Cortese pulls very closes to Vinales. Salom is falling back slightly. Khairuddin is third, but, he can't quite get close enough to the top two yet. Alex Rins, Brad Binder, Arthur Sissis and Alexis Masbou all battle for the back part of the top ten. Rins passes Binder for ninth. Louis Rossi is also in this group.
Just ten laps to go in the race now. Cortese runs fastest lap at 1:47.5. There are some good two-bike battles throughout the top five. Vinales remains the leader. Danny Kent and Romano Fenati battle as well into the Parabolica Interior. Louis Salom battle Zulhfami Khairuddin. Romano Fenati goes down in the gravel. He's had two crashes in this race and is out after winning in Jerez last time out. You win some, you lose some. Louis Rossi is also down. Could these incidents be related? Maybe.
Cortese is still trying to run down the lead. Khairuddin and Salom battle. Vinales is holding on well with just eight laps left. Cortese sets another fastest lap somewhere in the 1:47 range. His KTM is running well. Just six laps remain. There is a three way battle between Binder, Rins, Sissis and others. Alex Marques is also hanging on. Salom is dropping behind Khairuddin. Cortesi ran fast lap at 1:47.354 and passes Maverick Vinales. It's a two man race for the finish. Cortese is 3/10 up on Vinales. This is one of those "it's not over 'til it's over", deals. The two are messing with each other's minds.
Vinales won his first race in Moto 3 at Le Mans last year which is ironically, the next race on the schedule. Cortesi is now in the lead and wants to get away from Vinales. Four laps to go. Vinales is sizing up Cortese for the last lap. Khairuddin wants by Salom. Zuhlfami Khairuddin can't play anymore games. Binder and Rins scrap for seventh with Masbou and Faubel behind. Jakub Kornfeil has languished in 13th. Vinales sails by Cortese. Two laps to go. Salom hounds Khairuddin. Can Khairuddin become the first Malaysian on the podium? Just one lap left. This is for all the marbles. Salom passes Khairuddin. He tried to, anyway. Khairuddin has the advantage.
Vinales and Cortese still scrap. Vinales is ahead. Can Cortesi get by the Parabolica Interior? Cortese tries on the inside and tries forcing him wide. No. Cortese is still the leader. There's lapped bikes in the wya. Vinales doesn't get the run. The lapped riders arei right in the way. Sandro Cortese wins! Vinales almost could use a lapped bike as a pick. But, it didn't work.
#11 Sandro Cortese GER KTM
The next race is the French Grand Prix at the Bugatti Circuit at Le Mans in about two weeks.
Romano Fenati leads the world championship, with momentum coming off his win in Spain. Sandro Cortesi has pole position. Fenati has a ten point lead. The bikes are on their warmup laps. These riders will hopefully be MotoGP stars in the future.
This race will be 23 laps. At the start, Sandro Cortesi leads with Maverick Vinales in second. Cortesi is a German even though his name is Italian. Vinales battles Cortesi and passes him. Miguel Oliviera is into the top three. Zulfhami Khairuddin is fourth. Further down the order is Hector Faubel. Oliviera passes Vinales. Luis Salom tried to pass but couldn't. Romano Fenati is closing on lap two. This race is 24 laps. Sandro Cortesi wants another win. Luis Salom is coming up. Miguel Oliviera and Cortese battle, but, Oliviera has an issue. He shuts the motor down briefly in the Parabolica.
He's got the bike running again, though. Fenati is still moving up. Efrin Vasquez is another notable rider at the sharp end. Ditto for Hector Barbera. Oliviera seems to be out of the race. Maverick Vinales goes to the inside of Cortese. But, Oliviera's race is run. He pulls his bike into pit lane. Game over. Fenati blows by Faubel. Luis Salom passes Maverick Vinales. Cortese fends off Vinales. Khairuddin is up to fifth place, moving in on Danny Kent. Vinales passes Cortese. There are four riders up at the sharp end who could win this thing. But, it's long from over.
Arthur Sissis has cracked the top ten. So, the Aussie rider is going well. Vinales let Cortese by for some reason coming onto the next lap (lap seven). Luis Salom wants by Cortese, too. Zulhfami Khairuddin is having a good race. Maverick Vinales is leading, trying to break away from Cortese and the rest of the pack. Some of these guys have had experience in the old 125cc class. Luis Salom is waiting for an opportunity to pass by Vinales. This is quite the competitive motorcycle race.
Khairuddin is closing on Salom. He could become the first Malaysian rider to finish on a MotoGP podium. The race is coming up on halfway. Danny Kent and Niccolo Antonelli pass Efren Vazquez of Spain. Vinales and Cortese are the two battling for a win more than likely. The race is half over. Cortese pulls very closes to Vinales. Salom is falling back slightly. Khairuddin is third, but, he can't quite get close enough to the top two yet. Alex Rins, Brad Binder, Arthur Sissis and Alexis Masbou all battle for the back part of the top ten. Rins passes Binder for ninth. Louis Rossi is also in this group.
Just ten laps to go in the race now. Cortese runs fastest lap at 1:47.5. There are some good two-bike battles throughout the top five. Vinales remains the leader. Danny Kent and Romano Fenati battle as well into the Parabolica Interior. Louis Salom battle Zulhfami Khairuddin. Romano Fenati goes down in the gravel. He's had two crashes in this race and is out after winning in Jerez last time out. You win some, you lose some. Louis Rossi is also down. Could these incidents be related? Maybe.
Cortese is still trying to run down the lead. Khairuddin and Salom battle. Vinales is holding on well with just eight laps left. Cortese sets another fastest lap somewhere in the 1:47 range. His KTM is running well. Just six laps remain. There is a three way battle between Binder, Rins, Sissis and others. Alex Marques is also hanging on. Salom is dropping behind Khairuddin. Cortesi ran fast lap at 1:47.354 and passes Maverick Vinales. It's a two man race for the finish. Cortese is 3/10 up on Vinales. This is one of those "it's not over 'til it's over", deals. The two are messing with each other's minds.
Vinales won his first race in Moto 3 at Le Mans last year which is ironically, the next race on the schedule. Cortesi is now in the lead and wants to get away from Vinales. Four laps to go. Vinales is sizing up Cortese for the last lap. Khairuddin wants by Salom. Zuhlfami Khairuddin can't play anymore games. Binder and Rins scrap for seventh with Masbou and Faubel behind. Jakub Kornfeil has languished in 13th. Vinales sails by Cortese. Two laps to go. Salom hounds Khairuddin. Can Khairuddin become the first Malaysian on the podium? Just one lap left. This is for all the marbles. Salom passes Khairuddin. He tried to, anyway. Khairuddin has the advantage.
Vinales and Cortese still scrap. Vinales is ahead. Can Cortesi get by the Parabolica Interior? Cortese tries on the inside and tries forcing him wide. No. Cortese is still the leader. There's lapped bikes in the wya. Vinales doesn't get the run. The lapped riders arei right in the way. Sandro Cortese wins! Vinales almost could use a lapped bike as a pick. But, it didn't work.
#11 Sandro Cortese GER KTM
The next race is the French Grand Prix at the Bugatti Circuit at Le Mans in about two weeks.
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