Round fourteen of the MotoGP World Championship will be run at the Aragon circuit in Aragon, Spain, which is an autonomous community in Northeastern Spain which is considered a nationality of the country.
This is a 3.3. mile track and has two configurations that are the same length, but, there's one for cars and one for motorcycles. Five races remain in the season. Dani Pedrosa has to be perfect if he wants to beat Jorge Lorenzo. This is the Grand Prix of Aragon. This is the third MotoGP race in Spain in 2012. The weather is dry for the race, but, in practice, it rained. It was dry in qualifying. On the pole will be Jorge Lorenzo. Nicky Hayden and Valentino Rossi both ditched their bikes in qualifying, but will start with no issues. Cal Crutchlow had pole up until the last seconds. Johnny Rea is still riding Casey Stoner's bike.
The bikes set off on their warmup lap. This track has been around since 2009. Casey Stoner has won races here. There is a corner that is similar to "The Corkscrew" at Laguna Seca. 23 laps are scheduled. At the start, Jorge Lorenzo gets the lead into turn one as Ben Spies passes Cal Crutchlow with Stefan Bradl behind. All the bikes are safely through the first few corners. Ben Spies got a really good start. Nicky Hayden passes Valentino Rossi (his Ducati team mate). This could be Johnny Rea's final race on the Repsol bike as Casey Stoner could be back for the next round.
It's Lorenzo and Pedrosa 1-2. Valentino Rossi passes Johnny Rea. Someone made a mistake. Hayden passes Rea. Practice was a lottery in a way. Valnetino Rossi is not necessarily in a podium spot. Andrea Dovizioso runs sixth. Pedrosa settles into a rhythm while Cal Crutchlow pressures Ben Spies. Rossi has to pass many of the CRT bikes. This race will be a telling story of the championship and what that outcome may be. But, Nicky Hayden has crashed! He was sixteenth. He's out of it. Ben Spies is 1.8 seconds behind Dani Pedrosa.
Hayden slid, tried to bail out, and actually went OVER the barrier when the bike impacted it! But, he'll be OK. Pedrosa is right on top of Lorenzo at this point. It's going to be a battle between these two. Stefan Bradl passes Cal Crutchlow. Both he and Spies run laps in the 1:49 range. David Salom is another retirement in this race. He's also run in World Superbike. Three laps in, Lorenzo seems to be finding his pace. Bradl continues hounding Spies. Stefan Bradl still wants a podium, but he hasn't had a good record at Aragon (at least not during his Moto 2 career last year). But, Bradl ditches the bike here, too! Ugh!
He lost the front end in the third turn.
It's still Lorenzo vs. Pedrosa into turns eleven and twelve. News is still being sought about Nicky Hayden after his fall. The two Tech 3 Yamaha's were not at the FIM sanctioned test session at Aragon a few weeks ago. Nicky Hayden has been taken to the medical center for a checkup. Pedrosa passes Lorenzo. He'll just sit there and then, pounce. He's strong down the back straightaway. Sixteen laps left to run. Lorenzo is now running times in the 1:50 range. Stefan Bradl's crash was caused by carrying too much speed, and that's why he crashed. It's only his second DNF and his first since Assen at the Dutch TT.
Valentino Rossi is passing riders, having gotten by Hector Barbera. He's behind Karel Abraham and Randy de Puniet. de Puniet leads CRT. Alvaro Bautista runs sixth, five seconds behind Andrea Dovizioso. Bautista, and the two Tech 3 Yamaha bikes, were not at the test recently. The gap is up to 1.3 seconds. Lorenzo almost fell! Fortunately, he's still got an opportunity, to possibly pass Pedrosa. Pedrosa extends his lead. He's got a 2 second plus, gap. Ben Spies runs third. Andrea Dovizioso makes a pass. Dani Pedrosa needs to take as many risks as possible. Spies leads Dovizioso and Crutchlow. So, it's factory Yamaha vs. two Tech 3 bikes.
Bautista still runs sixth with Johnny Rea closing in. Randy de Puniet runs ahead of Alexei Espargaro in CRT. Pedrosa is really running consistently, performing much like Jorge Lorenzo would, opening a big gap over the rest of the field. Eleven laps remain. Dovizioso wants by Spies. Nicky Hayden will be fine after that fall. He's conscious and has full mobility. He'll be fine. Hayden, Salom, and Bradl are the bikes out of the race. The Tech 3 bikes still scrap. The hardest thing about riding in MotoGP is not making mistakes. But, at the top level of Grand Prix motorcycle racing, mistakes will REALLY affect a rider.
Dovizioso has passed Spies. Crutchlow is also going to have a say in this. He tries Spies, but can't quite get into the corner without sitting up. The bikes run through the Aragon corkscrew, which is a diving turn, but isn't anywhere near as steep as the one at Laguna Seca here in the U.S. It was Dani Pedrosa's 27th birthday yesterday. He still leads. Nicky Hayden is indeed OK as mentioned earlier. Pedrosa has a five second lead to try and claw his way back into championship contention. Will Casey Stoner be back next round? He might. Johnny Rea has done very well filling in for him.
If the result remains, there will be a 33 point margin between Pedrosa and Lorenzo in the world championship points. Karel Abraham is running well with Randy de Puniet and Alexei Espargaro behind. Hector Barbera, James Ellison, Colin Edwards, Matteo Passini, and Danilo Petrucci follow. Crutchow has gotten by Spies. Monster Tech 3 Yamaha will battle for the final step on the podium. Alavaro Bautista is now sixth. Rossi clipped Johnny Rea at the beginning of the race. He's made it to eighth, but is still languishing.
Four laps to go. Dani Pedrosa seems to be on his way to another victory. He says that he doesn't think about the championship when racing. He just enjoys himself when riding the bike. Cal Crutchlow is still third. He has one podium this year which came in the Czech Grand Prix at Brno. Dovizioso and Crutchlow take different lines. These bikes fly. Before crashing, Bradl ran 212 miles an hour! 212 MPH on a motorcycle! Holy smokes! A lap and a half to go now. Crutchlow tries to pass. But Dovizioso sweeps around him. Time is running out. It's the last lap.
Who gets third spot? Crutchlow is doing everything to get by Dovizioso. Where will he have a go? Colin Edwards runs wide to get out of the leaders' way. On the brakes, Crutchlow can't get by Dovizioso! What a battle! They cross over, passing each other again as they block each other! Dovizioso beats Crutchlow. Ben Spies is fifth. But, Dani Pedrosa wins it!
#26 Dani Pedrosa ESP Honda
The next MotoGP race is the Japanese Grand Prix at the Motegi circuit, taking place in two weeks.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Isle of Man TT website link
Here's a link to the official website for the Isle of Man TT. Tourist Trophy racing has already been covered on this blog quite a bit. But, here's the official website with ALL the information fans will ever need. Check it out.
http://www.iomtt.com/
http://www.iomtt.com/
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
FIM World Endurance Championship round 4: 8 Hours of Oschersleben (Germany)
The penultimate round of the FIM World Endurance Championship brings the teams and riders to Germany and the nearly 2.3 mile layout of the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben, for what will be the final eight hour race of the 2012 campaign. Suzuki Endurance Racing Team is at the top of the points table. But, as we've seen in other races, they are still vulnerable. They haven't run a race (even if they've won it) without some kind of problem setting in. There are still two rounds to go in the championship including this one. So, anything and everything can still happen.
There are about four teams mathematically capable of winning the title. SERT, BMW Motorrad France, Honda TT Legends, and YART might be the four. But, Yamaha GMT 94 could also have a chance. This is the first time a race has been run for the FIM World Endurance Championship at Oschersleben in two years. SERT is on pole with Vincent Philippe, Anthony Delhalle and Yukio Kagayama on the riding team. In qualifying, four teams were within a second of each other on the time sheets. There are three classes for this race. Endurance World Championship, Super Stock, and Open.
At the start, SERT takes the race lead. Vincent Philippe gets a good getaway, inheriting the lead. But, two laps in, there's a wreck already. The star crossed MCP Starteam 67 Suzuki GSXR1000 in Super Stock, crashes. Sharing that bike is the duo of Claude Lucas and Jonathan Hardt. Lucas is the one to ditch the bike. This incident brings out the safety car. In the opening stanza, it's SERT vs. YART. Vincent Philippe holds off a determined Katsuyuki Nakasuga. Fortunately, after the incident, the #67 bike gets repaired, and the Lucas/Hardt team are back at it, able to continue. They are, however, relegated to last place in the field.
Team manager Patrice Meynle points out that there was a fire after the crash. The battle is on between BMW Motorrad France and Honda TT Legends with Cameron Donald, Jason O'Halloran, and John McGuinness sharing their CBR1000RR once more. Honda TT Legends runs fourth overall, a lap behind the leaders from SERT. The top three now is Suzuki, BMW, Yamaha as Yamaha GMT 94 make their way to the front, running third overall. Yamaha GMT 94 pits.
They have drafted in Gwen Giabbani as a third rider to partner with David Checa and Kenny Foray. Another wreck occurs in the second hour. It's Team Bolliger Kawasaki and the #8 bike with riders Horst Saiger, Roman Stamm, and Jerome Tangre. Anthony West was also caught up in this melee on the #95 Qatar Endurance Racing Team Suzuki GSXR1000 he shares with Nina Prinz and Nasser Al Malki, in the Superstock division. This wreck brings out the safety car for the first time.
Both Bolliger and QERT have their bikes in the garage for repairs. QERT team coordinator Pere Llorens says the two riders touched each other, just trying to go into a corner. The safety car is withdrawn and the race is back under green flag conditions. The battle continues between SERT and YART with Philippe and Nakasuga still on board the bikes for their respective teams. Nakasuga sharing with Steve Martin and Igor Jerman. But, there's more trouble for YART. Just like at Suzuka, seemingly without warning, Nakasuga throws it away, falling off the motorcycle!
The trouble is that Katsuyuki Nakasuga pushes too hard in his quest to go fast and keep up the pace, and then, makes a major mistake in the process. YART plummets down the order to sixteenth in the overall. Fortunately, Nakasuga is able to continue in the race. One has to wonder what team mates Steve Martin and Igor Jerman, think. This promotes Honda TT Legends who are preparing for a pit stop. SERT, also makes a scheduled stop. SERT continues in the lead while Honda TT Legends has a slightly slower stop. BMW Motorrad France is now up to second with their trio of riders including Damien Cudlin, Erwan Nigon, and Sebastien Gimbert.
The #99 bike comes to pit lane after inheriting that spot. Tires and riders are changed, and fuel is put in the motorcycle. It looks like YART is coming back out on track, bringing the bike out of the garage, refueling, and changing riders. The 3D Endurance Moto Center bike #24 is running well in the Super Stock division, with the trio of Valentin Debise, Remy Echard, and Gregory di Carlo, aboard their Kawasaki ZX10R. They're closely followed in class by the #50 Team Motors Events AMT Assurances Suzuki GSXR1000 of riders Baptiste Guittet, Michael Savary, and Guillaume Dietrich.
Also in the pits, in the Endurance World Championship class is bike #55 for the two rider squad representing Union/Lilja Racing. Their BMW S1000RR is being ridden by the duo of Tom North and Andres Lilja. Here are the overall standings after the two hour mark.
1. EWC #1 Suzuki Endurance Racing Team Suzuki GSXR1000
Philippe/Delhalle/Kagayama
2. EWC #99 BMW Motorrad France Thevent BMW S1000RR
Gimbert/Cudlin/Nigon
3. EWC #94 Yamaha France GMT 94 Yamaha R1
Checa/Foray/Giabbani
4. EWC #77 Honda TT Legends Honda CBR1000RR
Donald/McGuinness/O'Halloran
5. SST #24 3D Endurance Moto Center Kawasaki ZX10R
Debise/Echard/Di Carlo
6. SST #50 Team Motors Events AMT Assurances Suzuki GSXR1000
Guittet/Savary/Dietrich
7. SST #110 AM Moto Racing Competition Suzuki GSXR1000
Loiseau/Masson/Maitre
8. EWC #4 Yamalube Folch Endurance Yamaha R1
Ribalta/Tizon
9. SST #31 Motoracing Parts Endurance/Penz 13 BMW S1000RR
Wildisen/Seidel/Stibilj
10. EWC #2 Team R2CL Suzuki GSXR1000
Chevaux/Buisson/Prulhiere
3D Endurance seems to have worked out some earlier issues as the #95 QERT bike makes a scheduled pit stop. Nina Prinz is off the bike and either Anthony West or Nasser Al Malki, will get on. The Superstock teams and riders really mix it up with the Endurance World Cup riders. 3D Endurance Moto Center is now fifth overall of course, right behind the four leading bikes in the EWC division. They are performing according to plan right now.
Team manager for 3D Endurance Moto Center, Herve Moineau acknowledges there is a long way to go, and his team will need to be careful throughout. Another Superstock team pits. This time it is the #9 DGSport Herock, Belgian Yamaha R1 shared by Didier van Keymeulen, Alex Cudlin, and Gianluca Vizziello who were at the last Euro round of the series at Magny Cours for the Bol D'or. They also ran in Qatar. Not sure if they were entered at the Suzuka 8 Hours.
Three hours are now in the books. So, the race is near it's halfway point. Bolliger Kawasaki are trying to recover spots after crashing earlier. Horst Saiger is booking it on track before he makes his pit stop. They hope to move into the top 15 overall, as either Roman Stamm or Jerome Tangre takes over. Not sure which other rider it is on the bike now. YART also makes a pit stop. They seem to be back in the race, but in contention to win it. They are 18th in the overall, after Nakasuga's crash. Honda TT Legends remains in the top four. But, another rider is down for the count.
This is the #13 Penz 13 BMW in Superstock shared by Pedro Vallcaneras, Michal Filla, and Gregory Fastre. Vallcaneras has to drag the bike back to it's garage to be repaired. SERT continues to lead, but, BMW Motorrad France is still hot on their heels. Rico Penzkofe, Penz 13 team manager, explains that they may lose position, but have been doing their best to stay in contention in class. Yamalube Folch Endurance pits. They are running two riders instead of three. Roberto Martinez isn't on the bike. It's just Daniel Ribalta and Arturo Tizon. This team is progressing through the field, hoping to earn their best result of the season.
Honda TT Legends makes another pit stop. They are well known for their pit work, and the Donald/McGuinness/O'Halloran bike is running up to par. Yamalube Folch Endurance exits the pits after slight problems for either Tizon or Ribalta in getting the bike restarted. BMW Motorrad France consolidates their second position in the overall. It remains to be seen if they'll catch SERT. BMW Motorrad France team manager Michael Bartholemy says that a second place is feasible and that pit stops will be consistent. No word on whether they can catch SERT.
Yamaha GMT 94 also pits. Team boss Christophe Guyot is optimistic. SERT comes in for a scheduled pit stop. BMW Motorrad France does likewise. SERT has been unbeatable up to this point in the race. The AM Moto bike of Loiseau, Masson, and Maitre, continues to lead in Super Stock. At the halfway mark, here are the standings (four hours are complete).
1. EWC #1 Suzuki Endurance Racing Team Suzuki GSXR1000
Philippe/Delhalle/Kagayama
2. EWC #99 BMW Motorrad France Thevent BMW S1000RR
Gimbert/Cudlin/Nigon
3. EWC #94 Yamaha France GMT 94 Yamaha R1
Checa/Foray/Giabbani
4. EWC #77 Honda TT Legends Honda CBR1000RR
Donald/McGuinness/O'Halloran
5. SST #24 3D Endurance Moto Center Kawasaki ZX10R
Debise/Echard/Di Carlo
6. SST #50 Team Motors Events AMT Assurances Suzuki GSXR1000
Guittet/Savary/Dietrich
7. SST #95 Qatar Endurance Racing Team (QERT) Suzuki GSXR1000
Al Malki/West/Prinz
8. SST #110 AM Moto Racing Competition Suzuki GSXR1000
Loiseau/Masson/Maitre
9. EWC #4 Yamalube Folch Endurance Yamaha R1
Ribalta/Tizon
10. SST #9 DG Sport Yamaha R1
van Keymeulen/Cudlin/Vizziello
The race is now into it's second half. The battle will be down to SERT and Yamaha GMT 94 who are separated by a single lap. BMW Motorrad France may have fallen a ways down the order. Dominique Meilland (SERT team manager) says that an additional fuel stop may be needed before the end of the race. SERT does just as they plan, and executes another perfect pit stop. Honda TT Legends are by no means out of this contest yet, either.
Folch Endurance maintains their ninth position in the overall, but have had a fraught event once again, having pit stop issues for the most part. The bike is brought in and dumped, in the pits, after hitting the crewman with the pit board sign! Ouch! Team manager Josep Folch explains that the problems started with a loose front brake. The bike fell, coming into the garage to get that problem fixed. Eventually, Ribalta and Tizon are back at it, salvaging what they can in terms of a finish.
Honda TT Legends is promoted when one of their competitors has problems. That is the #14 Maco Racing Team Yamaha R1 from Slovakia, with riders Gregory Junod, Gregg Black, and Lucas de Carolis. However, after halfway, the team retires with engine failure and a broken drive chain as explained by team manager, Bach Jakub. BMW Motorrad France is seemingly coming back into contention now. They stop in the pits once more. They still run in second overall. AM Moto Racing makes a mistake, forgetting to refuel their bike on a stop, forcing their rider to walk the bike back to the pits, eventually to the garage.
Mechanic Stephan Barbot, explains a pretty self explanatory situation. Forget to pit, run out of gas. Eventually, the #110 bike does get back on the raceway. Motors Event and 3D Endurance Moto still battle for honors in Super Stock. QERT makes a pit stop, but will not contend for the Superstock class win. Bolliger and QERT, had that earlier collision. Well, Bolliger is back at it, and they are moving back through the running order. Same goes for YART. They are coming back into contention, setting fast laps. All YART can hope for is to win the season finale at Le Mans to make their 2012 season sweeter than it has been.
DG Sport Herock pits their Yamaha. All seems pretty calm in this race, but, not for long. There's a two bike incident. It is a contretemps between R2CL and Penz 13 Kraftwerk Herpigny Racing. Not sure who was riding each bike at the time, but both riders seem to be limping just a bit. They're OK, but sore. The ambulance and medical team arrives to check them over and take the riders to either the medical center or the hospital if need be. RC2L's Suzuki is a total write off. This necessitates the second safety car deployment of the event.
Rider for Penz 13, Michal Sembera, and R2CL team manager Raphael Chausse, explain each team's view of the incident. Six hours down. Two remaining. The standings are:
1. EWC #1 Suzuki Endurance Racing Team Suzuki GSXR1000
Philippe/Delhalle/Kagayama
2. EWC #99 BMW Motorrad France Thevent BMW S1000RR
Gimbert/Cudlin/Nigon
3. EWC #94 Yamaha France GMT 94 Yamaha R1
Checa/Foray/Giabbani
4. EWC #77 Honda TT Legends Honda CBR1000RR
Donald/McGuinness/O'Halloran
5. SST #24 3D Endurance Moto Center Kawasaki ZX10R
Debise/Echard/Di Carlo
6. SST #50 Team Motors Events AMT Assurances Suzuki GSXR1000
Guittet/Savary/Dietrich
7. SST #95 Qatar Endurance Racing Team (QERT) Suzuki GSXR1000
Al Malki/West/Prinz
8. EWC #4 Yamalube Folch Endurance Yamaha R1
Ribalta/Tizon
9. SST #9 DG Sport Yamaha R1 van Keymeulen/Cudlin/Vizziello
10. EWC #2 Team R2CL Suzuki GSXR1000
Chevaux/Buisson/Prulhiere
On the restart, the field is bunched up. Dusk is upon the riders and teams at Oschersleben as the race will finish in the darkness. SERT continues to dominate. BMW Motorrad France has put up a valiant effort once more, but can't catch the trio of Philippe, Delhalle, and Kagayama. Yamaha GMT 94 makes a scheduled pit stop and they remain on the same lap as the #99 BMW. David Checa, Kenny Foray, and Gwen Giabbani may finish on the last step of the podium. The sun sets, and night falls at Oschersleben.
SERT will undoubtedly win this race. Can Honda TT Legends finish on the podium? Team manager Neil Tuxworth says that the team hopes to finish fourth or higher and they can conserve the spot where they are currently. DG Sport and team principal Olivier Aerts are also satisfied with their position, as they seemed to have moved up considerably. Fast forward to just a half hour remaining. Team Motors Event continues in the lead of the Superstock class. In the darkness, Yamaha GMT 94 is 41 seconds behind BMW Motorrad France. The #99 bike pits.
SERT wins! They complete 313 laps in total. for a total of 720 miles. So, the winners in each class at the 8 Hours of Oschersleben are:
Overall/EWC: #1 Philippe/Delhalle/Kagayama Suzuki GSXR1000
SST: #50 Guittet/Savary/Dietrich Suzuki GSXR1000
Suzuki dominates both classes. SERT is delighted with this win after crashing out at Suzuka last time out. There is just one more endurance race to run this season. It's the motorcycle version of the 24 Hours of Le Mans at the Bugatti Circuit. Stay tuned for the season finale of the FIM Endurance World Championship when it becomes available.
There are about four teams mathematically capable of winning the title. SERT, BMW Motorrad France, Honda TT Legends, and YART might be the four. But, Yamaha GMT 94 could also have a chance. This is the first time a race has been run for the FIM World Endurance Championship at Oschersleben in two years. SERT is on pole with Vincent Philippe, Anthony Delhalle and Yukio Kagayama on the riding team. In qualifying, four teams were within a second of each other on the time sheets. There are three classes for this race. Endurance World Championship, Super Stock, and Open.
At the start, SERT takes the race lead. Vincent Philippe gets a good getaway, inheriting the lead. But, two laps in, there's a wreck already. The star crossed MCP Starteam 67 Suzuki GSXR1000 in Super Stock, crashes. Sharing that bike is the duo of Claude Lucas and Jonathan Hardt. Lucas is the one to ditch the bike. This incident brings out the safety car. In the opening stanza, it's SERT vs. YART. Vincent Philippe holds off a determined Katsuyuki Nakasuga. Fortunately, after the incident, the #67 bike gets repaired, and the Lucas/Hardt team are back at it, able to continue. They are, however, relegated to last place in the field.
Team manager Patrice Meynle points out that there was a fire after the crash. The battle is on between BMW Motorrad France and Honda TT Legends with Cameron Donald, Jason O'Halloran, and John McGuinness sharing their CBR1000RR once more. Honda TT Legends runs fourth overall, a lap behind the leaders from SERT. The top three now is Suzuki, BMW, Yamaha as Yamaha GMT 94 make their way to the front, running third overall. Yamaha GMT 94 pits.
They have drafted in Gwen Giabbani as a third rider to partner with David Checa and Kenny Foray. Another wreck occurs in the second hour. It's Team Bolliger Kawasaki and the #8 bike with riders Horst Saiger, Roman Stamm, and Jerome Tangre. Anthony West was also caught up in this melee on the #95 Qatar Endurance Racing Team Suzuki GSXR1000 he shares with Nina Prinz and Nasser Al Malki, in the Superstock division. This wreck brings out the safety car for the first time.
Both Bolliger and QERT have their bikes in the garage for repairs. QERT team coordinator Pere Llorens says the two riders touched each other, just trying to go into a corner. The safety car is withdrawn and the race is back under green flag conditions. The battle continues between SERT and YART with Philippe and Nakasuga still on board the bikes for their respective teams. Nakasuga sharing with Steve Martin and Igor Jerman. But, there's more trouble for YART. Just like at Suzuka, seemingly without warning, Nakasuga throws it away, falling off the motorcycle!
The trouble is that Katsuyuki Nakasuga pushes too hard in his quest to go fast and keep up the pace, and then, makes a major mistake in the process. YART plummets down the order to sixteenth in the overall. Fortunately, Nakasuga is able to continue in the race. One has to wonder what team mates Steve Martin and Igor Jerman, think. This promotes Honda TT Legends who are preparing for a pit stop. SERT, also makes a scheduled stop. SERT continues in the lead while Honda TT Legends has a slightly slower stop. BMW Motorrad France is now up to second with their trio of riders including Damien Cudlin, Erwan Nigon, and Sebastien Gimbert.
The #99 bike comes to pit lane after inheriting that spot. Tires and riders are changed, and fuel is put in the motorcycle. It looks like YART is coming back out on track, bringing the bike out of the garage, refueling, and changing riders. The 3D Endurance Moto Center bike #24 is running well in the Super Stock division, with the trio of Valentin Debise, Remy Echard, and Gregory di Carlo, aboard their Kawasaki ZX10R. They're closely followed in class by the #50 Team Motors Events AMT Assurances Suzuki GSXR1000 of riders Baptiste Guittet, Michael Savary, and Guillaume Dietrich.
Also in the pits, in the Endurance World Championship class is bike #55 for the two rider squad representing Union/Lilja Racing. Their BMW S1000RR is being ridden by the duo of Tom North and Andres Lilja. Here are the overall standings after the two hour mark.
1. EWC #1 Suzuki Endurance Racing Team Suzuki GSXR1000
Philippe/Delhalle/Kagayama
2. EWC #99 BMW Motorrad France Thevent BMW S1000RR
Gimbert/Cudlin/Nigon
3. EWC #94 Yamaha France GMT 94 Yamaha R1
Checa/Foray/Giabbani
4. EWC #77 Honda TT Legends Honda CBR1000RR
Donald/McGuinness/O'Halloran
5. SST #24 3D Endurance Moto Center Kawasaki ZX10R
Debise/Echard/Di Carlo
6. SST #50 Team Motors Events AMT Assurances Suzuki GSXR1000
Guittet/Savary/Dietrich
7. SST #110 AM Moto Racing Competition Suzuki GSXR1000
Loiseau/Masson/Maitre
8. EWC #4 Yamalube Folch Endurance Yamaha R1
Ribalta/Tizon
9. SST #31 Motoracing Parts Endurance/Penz 13 BMW S1000RR
Wildisen/Seidel/Stibilj
10. EWC #2 Team R2CL Suzuki GSXR1000
Chevaux/Buisson/Prulhiere
3D Endurance seems to have worked out some earlier issues as the #95 QERT bike makes a scheduled pit stop. Nina Prinz is off the bike and either Anthony West or Nasser Al Malki, will get on. The Superstock teams and riders really mix it up with the Endurance World Cup riders. 3D Endurance Moto Center is now fifth overall of course, right behind the four leading bikes in the EWC division. They are performing according to plan right now.
Team manager for 3D Endurance Moto Center, Herve Moineau acknowledges there is a long way to go, and his team will need to be careful throughout. Another Superstock team pits. This time it is the #9 DGSport Herock, Belgian Yamaha R1 shared by Didier van Keymeulen, Alex Cudlin, and Gianluca Vizziello who were at the last Euro round of the series at Magny Cours for the Bol D'or. They also ran in Qatar. Not sure if they were entered at the Suzuka 8 Hours.
Three hours are now in the books. So, the race is near it's halfway point. Bolliger Kawasaki are trying to recover spots after crashing earlier. Horst Saiger is booking it on track before he makes his pit stop. They hope to move into the top 15 overall, as either Roman Stamm or Jerome Tangre takes over. Not sure which other rider it is on the bike now. YART also makes a pit stop. They seem to be back in the race, but in contention to win it. They are 18th in the overall, after Nakasuga's crash. Honda TT Legends remains in the top four. But, another rider is down for the count.
This is the #13 Penz 13 BMW in Superstock shared by Pedro Vallcaneras, Michal Filla, and Gregory Fastre. Vallcaneras has to drag the bike back to it's garage to be repaired. SERT continues to lead, but, BMW Motorrad France is still hot on their heels. Rico Penzkofe, Penz 13 team manager, explains that they may lose position, but have been doing their best to stay in contention in class. Yamalube Folch Endurance pits. They are running two riders instead of three. Roberto Martinez isn't on the bike. It's just Daniel Ribalta and Arturo Tizon. This team is progressing through the field, hoping to earn their best result of the season.
Honda TT Legends makes another pit stop. They are well known for their pit work, and the Donald/McGuinness/O'Halloran bike is running up to par. Yamalube Folch Endurance exits the pits after slight problems for either Tizon or Ribalta in getting the bike restarted. BMW Motorrad France consolidates their second position in the overall. It remains to be seen if they'll catch SERT. BMW Motorrad France team manager Michael Bartholemy says that a second place is feasible and that pit stops will be consistent. No word on whether they can catch SERT.
Yamaha GMT 94 also pits. Team boss Christophe Guyot is optimistic. SERT comes in for a scheduled pit stop. BMW Motorrad France does likewise. SERT has been unbeatable up to this point in the race. The AM Moto bike of Loiseau, Masson, and Maitre, continues to lead in Super Stock. At the halfway mark, here are the standings (four hours are complete).
1. EWC #1 Suzuki Endurance Racing Team Suzuki GSXR1000
Philippe/Delhalle/Kagayama
2. EWC #99 BMW Motorrad France Thevent BMW S1000RR
Gimbert/Cudlin/Nigon
3. EWC #94 Yamaha France GMT 94 Yamaha R1
Checa/Foray/Giabbani
4. EWC #77 Honda TT Legends Honda CBR1000RR
Donald/McGuinness/O'Halloran
5. SST #24 3D Endurance Moto Center Kawasaki ZX10R
Debise/Echard/Di Carlo
6. SST #50 Team Motors Events AMT Assurances Suzuki GSXR1000
Guittet/Savary/Dietrich
7. SST #95 Qatar Endurance Racing Team (QERT) Suzuki GSXR1000
Al Malki/West/Prinz
8. SST #110 AM Moto Racing Competition Suzuki GSXR1000
Loiseau/Masson/Maitre
9. EWC #4 Yamalube Folch Endurance Yamaha R1
Ribalta/Tizon
10. SST #9 DG Sport Yamaha R1
van Keymeulen/Cudlin/Vizziello
The race is now into it's second half. The battle will be down to SERT and Yamaha GMT 94 who are separated by a single lap. BMW Motorrad France may have fallen a ways down the order. Dominique Meilland (SERT team manager) says that an additional fuel stop may be needed before the end of the race. SERT does just as they plan, and executes another perfect pit stop. Honda TT Legends are by no means out of this contest yet, either.
Folch Endurance maintains their ninth position in the overall, but have had a fraught event once again, having pit stop issues for the most part. The bike is brought in and dumped, in the pits, after hitting the crewman with the pit board sign! Ouch! Team manager Josep Folch explains that the problems started with a loose front brake. The bike fell, coming into the garage to get that problem fixed. Eventually, Ribalta and Tizon are back at it, salvaging what they can in terms of a finish.
Honda TT Legends is promoted when one of their competitors has problems. That is the #14 Maco Racing Team Yamaha R1 from Slovakia, with riders Gregory Junod, Gregg Black, and Lucas de Carolis. However, after halfway, the team retires with engine failure and a broken drive chain as explained by team manager, Bach Jakub. BMW Motorrad France is seemingly coming back into contention now. They stop in the pits once more. They still run in second overall. AM Moto Racing makes a mistake, forgetting to refuel their bike on a stop, forcing their rider to walk the bike back to the pits, eventually to the garage.
Mechanic Stephan Barbot, explains a pretty self explanatory situation. Forget to pit, run out of gas. Eventually, the #110 bike does get back on the raceway. Motors Event and 3D Endurance Moto still battle for honors in Super Stock. QERT makes a pit stop, but will not contend for the Superstock class win. Bolliger and QERT, had that earlier collision. Well, Bolliger is back at it, and they are moving back through the running order. Same goes for YART. They are coming back into contention, setting fast laps. All YART can hope for is to win the season finale at Le Mans to make their 2012 season sweeter than it has been.
DG Sport Herock pits their Yamaha. All seems pretty calm in this race, but, not for long. There's a two bike incident. It is a contretemps between R2CL and Penz 13 Kraftwerk Herpigny Racing. Not sure who was riding each bike at the time, but both riders seem to be limping just a bit. They're OK, but sore. The ambulance and medical team arrives to check them over and take the riders to either the medical center or the hospital if need be. RC2L's Suzuki is a total write off. This necessitates the second safety car deployment of the event.
Rider for Penz 13, Michal Sembera, and R2CL team manager Raphael Chausse, explain each team's view of the incident. Six hours down. Two remaining. The standings are:
1. EWC #1 Suzuki Endurance Racing Team Suzuki GSXR1000
Philippe/Delhalle/Kagayama
2. EWC #99 BMW Motorrad France Thevent BMW S1000RR
Gimbert/Cudlin/Nigon
3. EWC #94 Yamaha France GMT 94 Yamaha R1
Checa/Foray/Giabbani
4. EWC #77 Honda TT Legends Honda CBR1000RR
Donald/McGuinness/O'Halloran
5. SST #24 3D Endurance Moto Center Kawasaki ZX10R
Debise/Echard/Di Carlo
6. SST #50 Team Motors Events AMT Assurances Suzuki GSXR1000
Guittet/Savary/Dietrich
7. SST #95 Qatar Endurance Racing Team (QERT) Suzuki GSXR1000
Al Malki/West/Prinz
8. EWC #4 Yamalube Folch Endurance Yamaha R1
Ribalta/Tizon
9. SST #9 DG Sport Yamaha R1 van Keymeulen/Cudlin/Vizziello
10. EWC #2 Team R2CL Suzuki GSXR1000
Chevaux/Buisson/Prulhiere
On the restart, the field is bunched up. Dusk is upon the riders and teams at Oschersleben as the race will finish in the darkness. SERT continues to dominate. BMW Motorrad France has put up a valiant effort once more, but can't catch the trio of Philippe, Delhalle, and Kagayama. Yamaha GMT 94 makes a scheduled pit stop and they remain on the same lap as the #99 BMW. David Checa, Kenny Foray, and Gwen Giabbani may finish on the last step of the podium. The sun sets, and night falls at Oschersleben.
SERT will undoubtedly win this race. Can Honda TT Legends finish on the podium? Team manager Neil Tuxworth says that the team hopes to finish fourth or higher and they can conserve the spot where they are currently. DG Sport and team principal Olivier Aerts are also satisfied with their position, as they seemed to have moved up considerably. Fast forward to just a half hour remaining. Team Motors Event continues in the lead of the Superstock class. In the darkness, Yamaha GMT 94 is 41 seconds behind BMW Motorrad France. The #99 bike pits.
SERT wins! They complete 313 laps in total. for a total of 720 miles. So, the winners in each class at the 8 Hours of Oschersleben are:
Overall/EWC: #1 Philippe/Delhalle/Kagayama Suzuki GSXR1000
SST: #50 Guittet/Savary/Dietrich Suzuki GSXR1000
Suzuki dominates both classes. SERT is delighted with this win after crashing out at Suzuka last time out. There is just one more endurance race to run this season. It's the motorcycle version of the 24 Hours of Le Mans at the Bugatti Circuit. Stay tuned for the season finale of the FIM Endurance World Championship when it becomes available.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
FIM World Superbike round 13: Portugal
Here are the highlights of the penultimate round of the 2012 FIM World Superbike Championship. This is Portugal, and the Portimao circuit.
This circuit at Portimao is on the southern coast of Portugal. The warmup was in the rain. It hadn't rained in this area of Portugal in a year. This track will be wet. Just four races remain. Two here at Portimao, and two in France. The championship is between at least three riders. Tom Sykes, Marco Melandri, or Max Biaggi. There doesn't seem to be any rain. But, the two riders who have won in the wet have been Sylvain Guintoli and Loris Baz. The manufacturers cup is also at stake, between Aprilia and BMW. Next year, BMW will not have a factory bike, but will have privateer efforts by one team.
The track is wet and we'll see what happens. 100 points are at stake in the last two races. Tom Sykes is on pole for race one. David Salom and Johnny Rea are running in two series at the end of the season. Rea is running in MotoGP now, too, of course.
At the start, Checa gets a good start. But Marco Melandri gets the lead. Eugene Laverty is flying and so is Carlos Checa. Checa leads over Laverty. Laverty wants the lead of this 23 lap race. Max Biaggi and Chaz Davies are up there. Everyone has wet rear tires except for Leon Haslam who is on the intermediate tire. Johnny Rea slides. Now, three riders go down. Chaz Davies, Marco Melandri and Davide Giugliano. Melandri slams into Biaggi, and then, people just start running over each other! Melandri has crashed for three races in a row! Ugh!
Laverty and Rea run 1-2. The Irish have the advantage. Eugene Laverty leads. Max Biaggi is now fourth with Tom Sykes fifth. Where's Leon Haslam? There's no sign of him. Eugene Laverty still has a slight lead. Melandri, Davies, and Giugliano are all out. Max Biaggi passes Carlos Checa. He's quickest, running a 1:56 flat. Sylvain Guintoli and Brett McCormick both pass Tom Sykes. Sykes needs to take advantage of Melandri's retirement. Six laps completed of 22 scheduled. Eugene Laverty won't win unless something happens to Biaggi. Johnny Rea passes Laverty for second.
Brett McCormick is doing very well on his return to being a fit rider. Leon Camier and Norino Brignola run eighth and ninth. But Brignola's down. He's out of this race. Can Johnny Rea get on point with Biaggi? He can give it everything. Max Biaggi needs consistency as Carlos Checa passes Laverty. Laverty drops into the 1:57s. But, there's a red flag. There's oil down from Norino Brignola's BMW. OK. The race track has dried out, and there's going to be a restart. Laverty and Biaggi are on the front row along with Rea and Checa.
Marco Melandri will not contend in the restarted race one or, perhaps even in race two. He's been taken to the hospital. Now, the track is dry and we'll see if there's any more rain. The conditions are totally different. Everyone has the same Pirelli tires. The bikes might get sideways, so the riders will need to hold on. At the restart, Biaggi and Sykes are up at the sharp end, with Johnny Rea second. Sykes pushes Laverty out of the way, a la the Nurburgring last time out. If Sykes wants to be champion, he needs to beat Biaggi. Brett McCormick and Loris Baz got good starts.
Eugene Laverty goes for it but can't quite get by Rea. It's Biaggi, Rea, and Sykes. Sykes wants by Biaggi. These two are going to go for it and gap everyone else. The Kawasaki might have a better chance and not wreck tires like it's done through this season. Brett McCormick recovers and moves into seventh, past Lorenzo Zanetti. McCormick passes someone else, too. But, Leon Haslam gets a ride through penalty for jumping the start. He hasn't had good luck this season at all.
Sykes is going to go by Biaggi. Well, maybe not this time. If the race were to end now, Sykes would move into second in the standings. Brett McCormick runs fastest lap of the race. Not sure of the time he's set. Two laps complete out of 16 that will now be run. Johnny Rea is coming, as Sykes hits P1. McCormick battles Sylvain Guintoli. Leon Haslam is out of the race. He'll be back for race two. Guintoli passes Rea. He's coming, and so is McCormick. Johnny Rea runs wide allowing McCormick to pass. Tom Sykes continues to lead by a second.
Carlos Checa now passes McCormick. Guintoli is right up on Biaggi. Biaggi runs wide and Guintoli gets second. Tom Sykes remains in the lead. Checa and McCormick are going to have a chance. Michele Fabrizio runs wide. Leon Camier is languishing in thirteenth. Sykes needs to fly to gap Biaggi. Brett McCormick is just 2.7 seconds off the lead. Sykes and Guintoli both run 1:59.9 second laps as Biaggi runs 2/10ths slower at 2:01. Biaggi could be in trouble. Guintoli is good in the wet, and he'll need to go for it. He doesn't have a contract for next year.
The Ducati will have an advantage for it's tires over the Kawasaki as it begins to mist out on the track. It's drizzling. Carlos Checa wants by Biaggi. McCormick and Checa want to pass Biaggi. Next year, Ducati will have a new, faster bike. Can Biaggi hold off Checa. Johnny Rea ran wide and Checa makes the pass on Biaggi. Brett McCormick passes Max Biaggi. McCormick is losing speed compared to Biaggi. Checa is catching Guintoli by half a second. Race one is half over. Sykes' bike is beginning to twitch. The rear tire is going away.
McCormick still has troubles with Biaggi. Tom Sykes has to book it, now. Guintoli runs wide and lets Checa pass for second. Checa might be able to catch Tom Sykes. Sykes runs a 1:58.5 and is half a second slower as Checa runs a 1:58 flat. Biaggi runs a 1:59.2 and McCormick is slower at a 1:59.5. Brett McCormick will at least get a top five. Loris Baz battles Michele Fabrizio. Fabrizio passes Baz. Portimao is a very difficult track for a rider to get a hold of.
Checa is going after Sykes now. Carlos Checa wanted a ride at Kawasaki but didn't get it. This is a battle royal! Checa runs a 1:57.1. Sykes is 8/10ths behind. Checa wants this. Tom Sykes needs to hold off Checa for at least half a lap. The Kawasaki is a faster bike. This is a cat and mouse contest. Loris Baz passes Michele Fabrizio and a battle goes on between Leon Camier and John Hopkins. At the sharp end, Checa gets better power out of the corners because of the low end torque. But, the Kawasaki has the advantage on the straight.
The Ducati can really stay in a lower rev range because it's a V Twin whereas the Kawasaki is a four cylinder. This is the ride of Tom Sykes' career. Checa wants a win. He doesn't have a chance at the title. Tom Sykes is going to win this race. Just one lap left. Can Checa pass? Sylvain Guintoli sets another quick lap. If Checa has any chance, he'll make a desperation move. Sykes has to stay in it. Hit the accelerator hard. Checa has better mid corner speed. There's a kilometer left. It's too late for Checa though. Sykes really knows how to maneuver the bike.
Tom Sykes wins it!
#66 Tom Sykes GBR Kawasaki ZX-10R
Race two is on deck. This championship could be similar to 1993, the last time that Kawasaki won a World Superbike championship with Scott Russell beating Carl Fogarty.
For race two, there will be better weather. It will be dry, but a lot cooler. Sykes and Biaggi will battle for the title. Tom Sykes is on pole. Melandri will not start race two apparently. Lorenzo Zanetti just has three Superbike races left before moving down to Supersport next year.
At the start, Tom Sykes gets a clean start and Laverty takes the lead. Sykes comes back, or tries to. Max Biaggi is well placed. Chaz Davies also had a good start. This is another 22 lap race. Davide Giugliano has a wobble as Laverty is flying. Brett McCormick is eleventh ahead of Hiroshi Aoyama on the Honda. The rear tires are soft compound for this race. It's dry, but the track is much cooler. It's a real gamble on tires. Chaz Davies is now second and Max Biaggi comes up behind Tom Sykes. The soft tires are stickier and softer, but less durable.
The designations of compounds are SC0, SC1 and SC2. Lorenzo Lanzi has come up to thirteenth. Eugene Laverty is going well. Tom Sykes has a problem. Smoke comes out of the Kawasaki. He's got a top end issues. He's broken a ring which means oil is coming out. Now, he's out after getting a mechanical black flag! Sykes is out of contention for the title now! So, after winning race one, it's definitely gone pear shaped for Kawasaki. So, no repeat of 1993, at least not after this race.
Eugene Laverty is ahead. He doesn't have to slow down. He's not in contention for the title. Chaz Davies runs fast lap at 1:44.9. Biaggi, Rea, Guintoli, Camier, Baz, McCormick, and Badovini are in the top nine or ten spots. Davide Giugliano is being hounded by Lorenzo Lanzi. Guintoli battles Leon Camier. They both run at 1:45 flat. Max Biaggi provisionally would have a 30.5 point lead going into the last race. Chaz Davies crashes! He's out of it. Davies just laid the bike down.
Eugene Laverty wants another win. He's won before, but not on an Aprilia. Sylvain Guintoli is fourth, passing Leon Camier. Carlos Checa recovers to tenth place. Laverty is leading now by 3.8 seconds! Laverty was thirteenth in race one, a bad result. Johnny Rea battles Max Biaggi. Rea has to get past Biaggi earlier in the lap. The Aprilia has the speed advantage over the Honda. But, Rea gets him! Honda overtakes Aprilia in a straight line! Say what?! Davide Giugliano retires his Ducati. Rea has passed Biaggi fair and square. The two bikes are just a kilometer apart in speed.
Leon Camier is up to fourth on his Suzuki GSXR1000. Laverty runs a 1:45.5 as does Biaggi, but Rea has a 1:45.1. He's four tenths quicker. Leon Haslam has pitted. BMW has really sunk these last two races. They're throwing the championships away. Ugh! Aprilia are going to be the creme de la creme of the series at least for now. Johnny Rea, and Leon Haslam will ride for Honda next year and have a new bike planned for 2014. It'll be a four cylinder. The Fireblade bike is long in the tooth, but it still works.
Carlos Checa passes Loris Baz. He's running in the 1:45.3 range. This race is nearly half over. Biaggi runs a 1:45 flat. Camier, a 1:44.7. Laverty and Rea both run 1:45.1. Ayrton Badovini runs wide letting Checa by. Leon Camier is taking time out of the margin between he and Biaggi. Marco Melandri is still being checked. He's got a bruised right kidney after that wreck in race one. Race two is half over as mentioned. Checa is sixth, passing Ayrton Badovini.
Biaggi runs a 1:44.9. It's his quickest lap of the race. Carlos Checa is moving up with Ayrton Badovini still holding on. Laverty's gap on Rea is shrinking just a bit. Eugene Laverty still leads. He'd open leads up when he was running Supersport as well, a few years back. Leon Camier is going pretty well. There's about eight laps to go. Laverty and Rea both run 1:44.9 with eight laps left. Will Rea stay with Honda? Likely. He's got that sweetened deal, riding Casey Stoner's bike in MotoGP for the time being, too.
Max Biaggi has to finish this race to stay in the championship hunt. Rea, Biaggi, and Camier are catching Laverty by 6/10ths. Camier runs his personal best at 1:44.6. Camier could get a podium. Johnny Rea is gapping Max Biaggi, slightly. The gap is now 2.7 seconds between the top two or three. Camier is reeling in Biaggi, staying with him. Can Camier get by Biaggi? It looks easier on TV than it is. Six laps to go. Johnny Rea opens a gap on Biaggi. Laverty leads. Biaggi must keep Camier at bay.
Carlos Checa is sixth with Ayrton Badovini and Loris Baz following. Laverty still runs 1:45 laps. Rea runs a 1:45 flat. Camier is coming closer to Max Biaggi. Leon Camier really wants Biaggi to yield. Camier has a bit more corner speed while Biaggi slows him down. Did Camier scare Biaggi? He very well could have. Three laps left now. Can Camier catch Biaggi? Camier is not done with Biaggi, while Laverty is checking out. Camier slides past Bioaggi, but no. Go, man, go! Biaggi runs wide! Biaggi gets back by. One more shot for Camier, for the podium!
Johnny Rea is closing, too. Leon Camier runs wide and is out of contention. Now, It's still a battle between Rea and Laverty. Rea is going to have to push like there's no tomorrow. One lap to go. Will Laverty and Aprilia win? He's going to get his first WSBK victory more than likely. Leon Camier gives up. There's got to be a mechanical issue with the Suzuki GSXR1000. Rea is on Laverty. Down the hill, Eugene Laverty wins it! Biaggi gets third. Two Aprilia's on the podium!
#58 Eugene Laverty IRL Aprilia RSV4 Factory
Just one more race in the 2012 FIM World Superbike Championship. It will be in France at the Magny Cours circuit in less than two weeks. Stay tuned for an exciting conclusion for SBK 2012!
This circuit at Portimao is on the southern coast of Portugal. The warmup was in the rain. It hadn't rained in this area of Portugal in a year. This track will be wet. Just four races remain. Two here at Portimao, and two in France. The championship is between at least three riders. Tom Sykes, Marco Melandri, or Max Biaggi. There doesn't seem to be any rain. But, the two riders who have won in the wet have been Sylvain Guintoli and Loris Baz. The manufacturers cup is also at stake, between Aprilia and BMW. Next year, BMW will not have a factory bike, but will have privateer efforts by one team.
The track is wet and we'll see what happens. 100 points are at stake in the last two races. Tom Sykes is on pole for race one. David Salom and Johnny Rea are running in two series at the end of the season. Rea is running in MotoGP now, too, of course.
At the start, Checa gets a good start. But Marco Melandri gets the lead. Eugene Laverty is flying and so is Carlos Checa. Checa leads over Laverty. Laverty wants the lead of this 23 lap race. Max Biaggi and Chaz Davies are up there. Everyone has wet rear tires except for Leon Haslam who is on the intermediate tire. Johnny Rea slides. Now, three riders go down. Chaz Davies, Marco Melandri and Davide Giugliano. Melandri slams into Biaggi, and then, people just start running over each other! Melandri has crashed for three races in a row! Ugh!
Laverty and Rea run 1-2. The Irish have the advantage. Eugene Laverty leads. Max Biaggi is now fourth with Tom Sykes fifth. Where's Leon Haslam? There's no sign of him. Eugene Laverty still has a slight lead. Melandri, Davies, and Giugliano are all out. Max Biaggi passes Carlos Checa. He's quickest, running a 1:56 flat. Sylvain Guintoli and Brett McCormick both pass Tom Sykes. Sykes needs to take advantage of Melandri's retirement. Six laps completed of 22 scheduled. Eugene Laverty won't win unless something happens to Biaggi. Johnny Rea passes Laverty for second.
Brett McCormick is doing very well on his return to being a fit rider. Leon Camier and Norino Brignola run eighth and ninth. But Brignola's down. He's out of this race. Can Johnny Rea get on point with Biaggi? He can give it everything. Max Biaggi needs consistency as Carlos Checa passes Laverty. Laverty drops into the 1:57s. But, there's a red flag. There's oil down from Norino Brignola's BMW. OK. The race track has dried out, and there's going to be a restart. Laverty and Biaggi are on the front row along with Rea and Checa.
Marco Melandri will not contend in the restarted race one or, perhaps even in race two. He's been taken to the hospital. Now, the track is dry and we'll see if there's any more rain. The conditions are totally different. Everyone has the same Pirelli tires. The bikes might get sideways, so the riders will need to hold on. At the restart, Biaggi and Sykes are up at the sharp end, with Johnny Rea second. Sykes pushes Laverty out of the way, a la the Nurburgring last time out. If Sykes wants to be champion, he needs to beat Biaggi. Brett McCormick and Loris Baz got good starts.
Eugene Laverty goes for it but can't quite get by Rea. It's Biaggi, Rea, and Sykes. Sykes wants by Biaggi. These two are going to go for it and gap everyone else. The Kawasaki might have a better chance and not wreck tires like it's done through this season. Brett McCormick recovers and moves into seventh, past Lorenzo Zanetti. McCormick passes someone else, too. But, Leon Haslam gets a ride through penalty for jumping the start. He hasn't had good luck this season at all.
Sykes is going to go by Biaggi. Well, maybe not this time. If the race were to end now, Sykes would move into second in the standings. Brett McCormick runs fastest lap of the race. Not sure of the time he's set. Two laps complete out of 16 that will now be run. Johnny Rea is coming, as Sykes hits P1. McCormick battles Sylvain Guintoli. Leon Haslam is out of the race. He'll be back for race two. Guintoli passes Rea. He's coming, and so is McCormick. Johnny Rea runs wide allowing McCormick to pass. Tom Sykes continues to lead by a second.
Carlos Checa now passes McCormick. Guintoli is right up on Biaggi. Biaggi runs wide and Guintoli gets second. Tom Sykes remains in the lead. Checa and McCormick are going to have a chance. Michele Fabrizio runs wide. Leon Camier is languishing in thirteenth. Sykes needs to fly to gap Biaggi. Brett McCormick is just 2.7 seconds off the lead. Sykes and Guintoli both run 1:59.9 second laps as Biaggi runs 2/10ths slower at 2:01. Biaggi could be in trouble. Guintoli is good in the wet, and he'll need to go for it. He doesn't have a contract for next year.
The Ducati will have an advantage for it's tires over the Kawasaki as it begins to mist out on the track. It's drizzling. Carlos Checa wants by Biaggi. McCormick and Checa want to pass Biaggi. Next year, Ducati will have a new, faster bike. Can Biaggi hold off Checa. Johnny Rea ran wide and Checa makes the pass on Biaggi. Brett McCormick passes Max Biaggi. McCormick is losing speed compared to Biaggi. Checa is catching Guintoli by half a second. Race one is half over. Sykes' bike is beginning to twitch. The rear tire is going away.
McCormick still has troubles with Biaggi. Tom Sykes has to book it, now. Guintoli runs wide and lets Checa pass for second. Checa might be able to catch Tom Sykes. Sykes runs a 1:58.5 and is half a second slower as Checa runs a 1:58 flat. Biaggi runs a 1:59.2 and McCormick is slower at a 1:59.5. Brett McCormick will at least get a top five. Loris Baz battles Michele Fabrizio. Fabrizio passes Baz. Portimao is a very difficult track for a rider to get a hold of.
Checa is going after Sykes now. Carlos Checa wanted a ride at Kawasaki but didn't get it. This is a battle royal! Checa runs a 1:57.1. Sykes is 8/10ths behind. Checa wants this. Tom Sykes needs to hold off Checa for at least half a lap. The Kawasaki is a faster bike. This is a cat and mouse contest. Loris Baz passes Michele Fabrizio and a battle goes on between Leon Camier and John Hopkins. At the sharp end, Checa gets better power out of the corners because of the low end torque. But, the Kawasaki has the advantage on the straight.
The Ducati can really stay in a lower rev range because it's a V Twin whereas the Kawasaki is a four cylinder. This is the ride of Tom Sykes' career. Checa wants a win. He doesn't have a chance at the title. Tom Sykes is going to win this race. Just one lap left. Can Checa pass? Sylvain Guintoli sets another quick lap. If Checa has any chance, he'll make a desperation move. Sykes has to stay in it. Hit the accelerator hard. Checa has better mid corner speed. There's a kilometer left. It's too late for Checa though. Sykes really knows how to maneuver the bike.
Tom Sykes wins it!
#66 Tom Sykes GBR Kawasaki ZX-10R
Race two is on deck. This championship could be similar to 1993, the last time that Kawasaki won a World Superbike championship with Scott Russell beating Carl Fogarty.
For race two, there will be better weather. It will be dry, but a lot cooler. Sykes and Biaggi will battle for the title. Tom Sykes is on pole. Melandri will not start race two apparently. Lorenzo Zanetti just has three Superbike races left before moving down to Supersport next year.
At the start, Tom Sykes gets a clean start and Laverty takes the lead. Sykes comes back, or tries to. Max Biaggi is well placed. Chaz Davies also had a good start. This is another 22 lap race. Davide Giugliano has a wobble as Laverty is flying. Brett McCormick is eleventh ahead of Hiroshi Aoyama on the Honda. The rear tires are soft compound for this race. It's dry, but the track is much cooler. It's a real gamble on tires. Chaz Davies is now second and Max Biaggi comes up behind Tom Sykes. The soft tires are stickier and softer, but less durable.
The designations of compounds are SC0, SC1 and SC2. Lorenzo Lanzi has come up to thirteenth. Eugene Laverty is going well. Tom Sykes has a problem. Smoke comes out of the Kawasaki. He's got a top end issues. He's broken a ring which means oil is coming out. Now, he's out after getting a mechanical black flag! Sykes is out of contention for the title now! So, after winning race one, it's definitely gone pear shaped for Kawasaki. So, no repeat of 1993, at least not after this race.
Eugene Laverty is ahead. He doesn't have to slow down. He's not in contention for the title. Chaz Davies runs fast lap at 1:44.9. Biaggi, Rea, Guintoli, Camier, Baz, McCormick, and Badovini are in the top nine or ten spots. Davide Giugliano is being hounded by Lorenzo Lanzi. Guintoli battles Leon Camier. They both run at 1:45 flat. Max Biaggi provisionally would have a 30.5 point lead going into the last race. Chaz Davies crashes! He's out of it. Davies just laid the bike down.
Eugene Laverty wants another win. He's won before, but not on an Aprilia. Sylvain Guintoli is fourth, passing Leon Camier. Carlos Checa recovers to tenth place. Laverty is leading now by 3.8 seconds! Laverty was thirteenth in race one, a bad result. Johnny Rea battles Max Biaggi. Rea has to get past Biaggi earlier in the lap. The Aprilia has the speed advantage over the Honda. But, Rea gets him! Honda overtakes Aprilia in a straight line! Say what?! Davide Giugliano retires his Ducati. Rea has passed Biaggi fair and square. The two bikes are just a kilometer apart in speed.
Leon Camier is up to fourth on his Suzuki GSXR1000. Laverty runs a 1:45.5 as does Biaggi, but Rea has a 1:45.1. He's four tenths quicker. Leon Haslam has pitted. BMW has really sunk these last two races. They're throwing the championships away. Ugh! Aprilia are going to be the creme de la creme of the series at least for now. Johnny Rea, and Leon Haslam will ride for Honda next year and have a new bike planned for 2014. It'll be a four cylinder. The Fireblade bike is long in the tooth, but it still works.
Carlos Checa passes Loris Baz. He's running in the 1:45.3 range. This race is nearly half over. Biaggi runs a 1:45 flat. Camier, a 1:44.7. Laverty and Rea both run 1:45.1. Ayrton Badovini runs wide letting Checa by. Leon Camier is taking time out of the margin between he and Biaggi. Marco Melandri is still being checked. He's got a bruised right kidney after that wreck in race one. Race two is half over as mentioned. Checa is sixth, passing Ayrton Badovini.
Biaggi runs a 1:44.9. It's his quickest lap of the race. Carlos Checa is moving up with Ayrton Badovini still holding on. Laverty's gap on Rea is shrinking just a bit. Eugene Laverty still leads. He'd open leads up when he was running Supersport as well, a few years back. Leon Camier is going pretty well. There's about eight laps to go. Laverty and Rea both run 1:44.9 with eight laps left. Will Rea stay with Honda? Likely. He's got that sweetened deal, riding Casey Stoner's bike in MotoGP for the time being, too.
Max Biaggi has to finish this race to stay in the championship hunt. Rea, Biaggi, and Camier are catching Laverty by 6/10ths. Camier runs his personal best at 1:44.6. Camier could get a podium. Johnny Rea is gapping Max Biaggi, slightly. The gap is now 2.7 seconds between the top two or three. Camier is reeling in Biaggi, staying with him. Can Camier get by Biaggi? It looks easier on TV than it is. Six laps to go. Johnny Rea opens a gap on Biaggi. Laverty leads. Biaggi must keep Camier at bay.
Carlos Checa is sixth with Ayrton Badovini and Loris Baz following. Laverty still runs 1:45 laps. Rea runs a 1:45 flat. Camier is coming closer to Max Biaggi. Leon Camier really wants Biaggi to yield. Camier has a bit more corner speed while Biaggi slows him down. Did Camier scare Biaggi? He very well could have. Three laps left now. Can Camier catch Biaggi? Camier is not done with Biaggi, while Laverty is checking out. Camier slides past Bioaggi, but no. Go, man, go! Biaggi runs wide! Biaggi gets back by. One more shot for Camier, for the podium!
Johnny Rea is closing, too. Leon Camier runs wide and is out of contention. Now, It's still a battle between Rea and Laverty. Rea is going to have to push like there's no tomorrow. One lap to go. Will Laverty and Aprilia win? He's going to get his first WSBK victory more than likely. Leon Camier gives up. There's got to be a mechanical issue with the Suzuki GSXR1000. Rea is on Laverty. Down the hill, Eugene Laverty wins it! Biaggi gets third. Two Aprilia's on the podium!
#58 Eugene Laverty IRL Aprilia RSV4 Factory
Just one more race in the 2012 FIM World Superbike Championship. It will be in France at the Magny Cours circuit in less than two weeks. Stay tuned for an exciting conclusion for SBK 2012!
Monday, September 24, 2012
AMA Pro Racing Round 10: Triumph Big Kahuna Miami Presented by Dunlop Tire & LeoVince
Round ten of the AMA Pro Racing season is the Big Kahuna Miami presented by Dunlop Tire & LeoVince at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Florida. This post will highlight the Sunday action as well as looking at the Saturday events.
Daytona Sportbike is up first for their second race. Winning race one, Cameron Beaubier.
#6 Cameron Beaubier Yamaha YZF R6
At the start of race two, it's a battle between Martin Cardenas, Cameron Beaubier, and Dane Westby. There has been a weather delay but it looks like the track is dry now. There were lightning strikes and thunderstorms earlier. There was no rain while the lightning was going on. The bikes are lining up for the start of the race. It's beginning to rain. It's a Florida sun shower. The rear tires are full wet tires provided by Dunlop. At the start, Jake Gagne gets the lead over Dane Westby.
Westby is ahead by five bike lengths now. He's sliding the bike sideways. Dane Westby is a former endurance racer. He knows these conditions with the wet weather. Jake Gagne tries going with him back into the infield and off the oval track. Martin Cardenas is third with J.D. Beach fourth. This race has started well and there's no standing water at all. It's just damp. This is a 23 lap race. J.D. Beach has to clean his visor off because of the water.
Jake Gagne and J.D. Beach are both going well. There's no traction control on the 600cc bikes. Jake Zemke is not out there. He didn't want to risk riding in the wet. Cory West is also in the pits. His bike is having issues. Tommy Aquino is also out, watching the race with his helmet on, and umbrella in hand. Turn seven is the scary corner for these riders and some will say, "I can't race in these conditions." Martin Cardenas needs 63+ points to earn the 2012 Daytona Sport Bike crown.
Tommy Aquino actually is now back on the track. Cory West is worried about the conditions and will be out there, but circulating slowly. Jason DiSalvo is doing the same on his Triumph. The top twenty will get points. But, the championship battle is between Cardenas and Westby. Jake Gagne is trying to go for it on his Yamaha YZF R6. Jason DiSalvo is still running at the lower end of the field. DiSalvo passes Tommy Aquino.
He's running 1:42 laps while the race leaders run in the 1:34 bracket. Westby is really using his body to control the motorcycle. Cameron Beaubier ran a 1:24.6 pole time. But in the race, with the rain, the bikes are eight to ten seconds slower. Martin Cardenas is followed by Cameron Beaubier. These two have won most of the races in Daytona Sport Bike this year. These riders are using full wet tires, and dragging their knees on the pavement.
Huntley Nash has had a bad weekend as his crew was not there at the track for a while. David Gaviria on bike #175 is right behind. Eight laps have been run of 23 scheduled. So, the halfway mark is approaching. Bike #52 of Daytona 200 winner Joey Pascarella is running well. Dane Westby leads over Jake Gagne. In the race yesterday, it was dry. Gagne had trouble with his lap timer, also hitting the kill switch on the bike and stalling. He fell back and is fortunately, doing better in race two.
Gagne continues to hound Westby. Dane Westby still leads Jake Gagne. These two are five and a half seconds ahead of their competition. In these conditions, relax. Feel out the bike. Be smooth and don't upset the bike. Yesterday, Westby closed up on the leaders, but couldn't do anything. Gagne passes Westby for the lead. Can Jake Gagne pull out a gap? The race is at halfway. Unless you get a position marked on a pit board or if you look back, you're thinking your rival is right on top of you at all times.
Jake Gagne has experience riding in the rain, riding in the Red Bull Rookies Cup on a 125cc bike. J.D. Beach and Joey Pascarella run together. Beach has also run in Europe in a feeder series for MotoGP. J.D. Beach had mechanical problems in race one yesterday (Saturday). J.D. Beach and Joey Pascarella are both having good races. Jake Gagne has gapped Dane Westby by 3.2 seconds. Gagne is not in contention for a championship while Westby is. Ten laps remain in this race.
Cameron Beaubier breaks the 1:31 barrier with a 1:31.9. He's the quickest on the road. Cameron Beaubier ran MotoGP 125cc bikes in 2009 which is now Moto 3 of course. Martin Cardenas needs a 63 point gap over Dane Westby to win the championship title. Cardenas needs to hold on and he can win the championship for Daytona Sport Bike. David Gaviria passes Huntley Nash. Gaviria is a Colombian racer. Eight laps remain in this race with Gagne still leading. Jake Gagne continues to lead by six seconds on his Red Bull, Road Race Factory Yamaha.
Barrett Long and Niccolas Ferrieria battle. Now, Dane Westby is under pressure from Cameron Beaubier. Beaubier set fast lap at 1:31.9. He's going for it. Dane Westby runs wide. If you make a mistake, you have to keep composed and not worry. Can Beaubier pass Westby? Five laps to go. Jake Gagne remains out front, negotiating lapped traffic. Shane Narbonne is thirteenth and has been lapped. Jake Gagne is acknowledging his buddies on the track. He's really going well and some Superbike racers might ask him questions between the races.
Dane Westby holds second. J.D. Beach tries passing Barrett Long. Austin Dehaven is eighth. Jake Gagne is the rainmeister as Cameron Beaubier drops back from Dane Westby. Jason DiSalvo gets lapped by the third place bike of Cameron Beaubier. Westby goes around Tommy Aquino. It's the final lap of the Daytona Sport Bike race. Gagne's best finish has been fifth four times. But, after qualifying third, Jake Gagne will win his first pro race in Daytona Sport Bike!
#132 Jake Gagne Yamaha YZF R6
Martin Cardenas wins his second Daytona Sport Bike championship, finishing fourth!
Champion: #36 Martin Cardenas Suzuki GSXR600
Huntley Nash and Austin Dehaven have good finishes and so does Barrett Long. There were no crashes or incidents in this race. Amazing! Tommy Hayden did not compete in this race. He's healing from injuries. Also, this happens to be the first wet race of the entire 2012 AMA season.
Coming up, it's the race for the Superbikes.
In yesterday's race, Josh Hayes fell off his bike! Roger Hayden won the Saturday race with Danny Eslick beating Blake Young. Roger Hayden was the early leader as Hayes crashed and fortunately continued. Roger Hayden battled Blake Young as Geoff May and Danny Eslick battled. Eslick on his EBR battled with Blake Young, and Roger Hayden got his first Superbike win in five years.
#54 Roger Hayden Suzuki GSXR1000
With Hayes finishing twelfth, it's now a two man race between Hayes and Young. Josh Hayes has to lead the points by 63 or more. He must finish 13th or better if Blake Young leads the most laps or wins the race. The riders will go on a sighting lap, and see if it's going to be a wet or dry race. The sun is coming out and this track is starting to dry out. Stay on the dry line. Passing might be difficult. There's a lot of grip in the track once the tires get warmed up.
Blake Young, Danny Eslick, and Aaron Yates may choose to not start this race. It's likely they won't because of safety issues. At the start, Ben Bostrom, Josh Herrin and Roger Hayden are all battling. The Jordan Suzuki's are 1-2 now. Can EBR win for the first time? Danny Eslick and Geoff May are up there. Chris Fillmore slides Josh Herrin wide. His KTM is running well. Geoff May takes the lead and it's EBR and KTM 1-2.
Chris Fillmore wants by Geoff May. It's an Austrian bike vs. an American bike and Fillmore takes the lead! This race will be 23 laps. Chris Fillmore has Supermoto experience. The crowd is going crazy! Tire choices will be critical. If they've gone with rain tires, it won't work. They'll need drys. Geoff May tries passing Fillmore, but no. Fillmore might have gone with a rain tire. A rain front, and an intermediate rear. The bikes transition from the oval to the road course. Josh Hayes and Steve Rapp battle.
Geoff May takes the lead from Fillmore. Fillmore is now third and he's losing traction. He'll have to back down. Roger Hayden is now third, sliding. Can EBR win a race? Ben Bostrom is also coming to the front. The 1190 RS is running great. But Chris Fillmore is losing ground on the KTM. Ben Bostrom is on the podium now. Geoff May continues to lead to start lap six. Chris Fillmore is sinking like a stone with Josh Herrin and Steve Rapp battling. Blake Young is not in this race. Josh Hayes is now a three-time Superbike champion!
Steve Rapp and Larry Pegram are going well and have passed the KTM of Fillmore. It's Kawasaki, BMW, and KTM. Josh Hayes is the only rider on intermediate tires on both ends of the bike. Geoff May continues to lead. Danny Eslick and Aaron Yates did not start this race either, as documented. Josh Herrin passes Josh Hayes. It's the Josh and Josh show. Larry Pegram and the BMW are up to sixth. Jordan Burgess pits for new tires. He switches to intermediates. Maybe Dunlop has come up with a decent front tire for intermediates. Geoff May resets fast lap again at 1:28.5. Josh Hayes is 7/10ths slower at 1:29.2. Those intermediate tires are set up for 600cc bikes.
Geoff May is still leading. Can he hold on? Geoff May is running the rain front tire. He loses the front end. It washes out. His tire is going away. Now, at halfway, Josh Hayes is fastest. He's running in the 1:28 bracket. Ben Bostrom runs the 1:28s too. Bostrom has caught Roger Hayden. Bostrom has a 1:28.2 but Geoff May is 1.2 seconds slower at 1:29.4. Ben Bostrom slides on the inside, by Roger Hayden. Can Ben Bostrom reel in Geoff May? Larry Pegram ditches his BMW S1000RR. He's still running, and maybe can salvage a finish.
Now, Josh Hayes is coming. He's gambling on the front tire. Geoff May wiggles. He's got no chance of holding the lead with the tires going away. There's ten laps left and Ben Bostrom is the new leader for Michael Jordan Motorsports. Yes, the team is owned by the basketball legend. May is being reeled in by Josh Hayes now. Can Michael Jordan Motorsports get two consecutive wins? The sponsorships and rider lineups are being discussed. Josh Hayes runs a 1:26.5, bearing down on Bostrom. Steve Rapp and Josh Herrin battle.
Rapp goes from last, all the way to fifth. Roger Hayden pits and his front tire is gone. Josh Hayes has reeled in Ben Bostrom and is gapping Bostrom now. Now, will Bostrom be able to reel in Hayes? Eight laps remain. Hayes and Bostrom run 1-2. Geoff May, Steve Rapp, and Josh Herrin round out the top five. The front tires are fading for everyone. Steve Rapp sweeps by Geoff May. Rapp has a lot of work to do if he wants to reel in Bostrom. Someone loses a helmet visor and it becomes debris on the track.
Six laps remain now. Larry Pegram has smoke eminating from his BMW. Josh Hayes signals to him that he's got a problem. Robertino Pietri runs ahead of Larry Pegram. Will the champ win another race? We'll see. Josh Hayes retains the lead. Hayes' fastest lap is 1:26.487. Robertino Pietri is chasing Taylor Knapp. Knapp has not had the best of races this weekend, but finished second in New Jersey a few races ago. Steve Rapp will pass Ben Bostrom for second. Steve Rapp just has himself and one other crew member this weekend. It's amazing that he'll finish so well. Rapp sets fast lap at a 1:26 flat! The time is 1:26.018. It's the white flag lap.
Josh Hayes is going to win this race. Earlier race leaders Chris Fillmore and Geoff May will still finish well. Chris Ulrich is now eighth. Robertino Pietri wants to lap Ulrich who is his team owner and team mate! But, Josh Hayes is the winner of this race.
#1 Josh Hayes Yamaha R1
Josh Hayes is also a three-time AMA Superbike champion! He's won three in a row now.
#1 Josh Hayes Yamaha R1
In Pro Supersport, James Rispoli set sail in the race running with Stefano Mesa. But, Rispoli won it.
#1 James Rispoli Suzuki GSXR600
In race two, Dustin Dominguez was a DNF. Jake Lewis led for a long while and then, Rispoli got the lead. However, the race was called short after ten laps because of lightning and thunder.
#1 James Rispoli Suzuki GSXR600
In XR1200, Tyler O'Hara was on pole. But Michael Barnes made the move for the win.
#34 Michael Barnes Harley Davidson
There is only one race remaining on the 2012 AMA Pro Racing schedule. It's in New Orleans, Louisiana at NOLA Motorsports Park. The race will be sponsored by the same companies that sponsored this race at Homestead. It's the Triumph Big Kahuna New Orleans presented by Dunlop Tires and LeoVince. That race will be run in two weeks.
Daytona Sportbike is up first for their second race. Winning race one, Cameron Beaubier.
#6 Cameron Beaubier Yamaha YZF R6
At the start of race two, it's a battle between Martin Cardenas, Cameron Beaubier, and Dane Westby. There has been a weather delay but it looks like the track is dry now. There were lightning strikes and thunderstorms earlier. There was no rain while the lightning was going on. The bikes are lining up for the start of the race. It's beginning to rain. It's a Florida sun shower. The rear tires are full wet tires provided by Dunlop. At the start, Jake Gagne gets the lead over Dane Westby.
Westby is ahead by five bike lengths now. He's sliding the bike sideways. Dane Westby is a former endurance racer. He knows these conditions with the wet weather. Jake Gagne tries going with him back into the infield and off the oval track. Martin Cardenas is third with J.D. Beach fourth. This race has started well and there's no standing water at all. It's just damp. This is a 23 lap race. J.D. Beach has to clean his visor off because of the water.
Jake Gagne and J.D. Beach are both going well. There's no traction control on the 600cc bikes. Jake Zemke is not out there. He didn't want to risk riding in the wet. Cory West is also in the pits. His bike is having issues. Tommy Aquino is also out, watching the race with his helmet on, and umbrella in hand. Turn seven is the scary corner for these riders and some will say, "I can't race in these conditions." Martin Cardenas needs 63+ points to earn the 2012 Daytona Sport Bike crown.
Tommy Aquino actually is now back on the track. Cory West is worried about the conditions and will be out there, but circulating slowly. Jason DiSalvo is doing the same on his Triumph. The top twenty will get points. But, the championship battle is between Cardenas and Westby. Jake Gagne is trying to go for it on his Yamaha YZF R6. Jason DiSalvo is still running at the lower end of the field. DiSalvo passes Tommy Aquino.
He's running 1:42 laps while the race leaders run in the 1:34 bracket. Westby is really using his body to control the motorcycle. Cameron Beaubier ran a 1:24.6 pole time. But in the race, with the rain, the bikes are eight to ten seconds slower. Martin Cardenas is followed by Cameron Beaubier. These two have won most of the races in Daytona Sport Bike this year. These riders are using full wet tires, and dragging their knees on the pavement.
Huntley Nash has had a bad weekend as his crew was not there at the track for a while. David Gaviria on bike #175 is right behind. Eight laps have been run of 23 scheduled. So, the halfway mark is approaching. Bike #52 of Daytona 200 winner Joey Pascarella is running well. Dane Westby leads over Jake Gagne. In the race yesterday, it was dry. Gagne had trouble with his lap timer, also hitting the kill switch on the bike and stalling. He fell back and is fortunately, doing better in race two.
Gagne continues to hound Westby. Dane Westby still leads Jake Gagne. These two are five and a half seconds ahead of their competition. In these conditions, relax. Feel out the bike. Be smooth and don't upset the bike. Yesterday, Westby closed up on the leaders, but couldn't do anything. Gagne passes Westby for the lead. Can Jake Gagne pull out a gap? The race is at halfway. Unless you get a position marked on a pit board or if you look back, you're thinking your rival is right on top of you at all times.
Jake Gagne has experience riding in the rain, riding in the Red Bull Rookies Cup on a 125cc bike. J.D. Beach and Joey Pascarella run together. Beach has also run in Europe in a feeder series for MotoGP. J.D. Beach had mechanical problems in race one yesterday (Saturday). J.D. Beach and Joey Pascarella are both having good races. Jake Gagne has gapped Dane Westby by 3.2 seconds. Gagne is not in contention for a championship while Westby is. Ten laps remain in this race.
Cameron Beaubier breaks the 1:31 barrier with a 1:31.9. He's the quickest on the road. Cameron Beaubier ran MotoGP 125cc bikes in 2009 which is now Moto 3 of course. Martin Cardenas needs a 63 point gap over Dane Westby to win the championship title. Cardenas needs to hold on and he can win the championship for Daytona Sport Bike. David Gaviria passes Huntley Nash. Gaviria is a Colombian racer. Eight laps remain in this race with Gagne still leading. Jake Gagne continues to lead by six seconds on his Red Bull, Road Race Factory Yamaha.
Barrett Long and Niccolas Ferrieria battle. Now, Dane Westby is under pressure from Cameron Beaubier. Beaubier set fast lap at 1:31.9. He's going for it. Dane Westby runs wide. If you make a mistake, you have to keep composed and not worry. Can Beaubier pass Westby? Five laps to go. Jake Gagne remains out front, negotiating lapped traffic. Shane Narbonne is thirteenth and has been lapped. Jake Gagne is acknowledging his buddies on the track. He's really going well and some Superbike racers might ask him questions between the races.
Dane Westby holds second. J.D. Beach tries passing Barrett Long. Austin Dehaven is eighth. Jake Gagne is the rainmeister as Cameron Beaubier drops back from Dane Westby. Jason DiSalvo gets lapped by the third place bike of Cameron Beaubier. Westby goes around Tommy Aquino. It's the final lap of the Daytona Sport Bike race. Gagne's best finish has been fifth four times. But, after qualifying third, Jake Gagne will win his first pro race in Daytona Sport Bike!
#132 Jake Gagne Yamaha YZF R6
Martin Cardenas wins his second Daytona Sport Bike championship, finishing fourth!
Champion: #36 Martin Cardenas Suzuki GSXR600
Huntley Nash and Austin Dehaven have good finishes and so does Barrett Long. There were no crashes or incidents in this race. Amazing! Tommy Hayden did not compete in this race. He's healing from injuries. Also, this happens to be the first wet race of the entire 2012 AMA season.
Coming up, it's the race for the Superbikes.
In yesterday's race, Josh Hayes fell off his bike! Roger Hayden won the Saturday race with Danny Eslick beating Blake Young. Roger Hayden was the early leader as Hayes crashed and fortunately continued. Roger Hayden battled Blake Young as Geoff May and Danny Eslick battled. Eslick on his EBR battled with Blake Young, and Roger Hayden got his first Superbike win in five years.
#54 Roger Hayden Suzuki GSXR1000
With Hayes finishing twelfth, it's now a two man race between Hayes and Young. Josh Hayes has to lead the points by 63 or more. He must finish 13th or better if Blake Young leads the most laps or wins the race. The riders will go on a sighting lap, and see if it's going to be a wet or dry race. The sun is coming out and this track is starting to dry out. Stay on the dry line. Passing might be difficult. There's a lot of grip in the track once the tires get warmed up.
Blake Young, Danny Eslick, and Aaron Yates may choose to not start this race. It's likely they won't because of safety issues. At the start, Ben Bostrom, Josh Herrin and Roger Hayden are all battling. The Jordan Suzuki's are 1-2 now. Can EBR win for the first time? Danny Eslick and Geoff May are up there. Chris Fillmore slides Josh Herrin wide. His KTM is running well. Geoff May takes the lead and it's EBR and KTM 1-2.
Chris Fillmore wants by Geoff May. It's an Austrian bike vs. an American bike and Fillmore takes the lead! This race will be 23 laps. Chris Fillmore has Supermoto experience. The crowd is going crazy! Tire choices will be critical. If they've gone with rain tires, it won't work. They'll need drys. Geoff May tries passing Fillmore, but no. Fillmore might have gone with a rain tire. A rain front, and an intermediate rear. The bikes transition from the oval to the road course. Josh Hayes and Steve Rapp battle.
Geoff May takes the lead from Fillmore. Fillmore is now third and he's losing traction. He'll have to back down. Roger Hayden is now third, sliding. Can EBR win a race? Ben Bostrom is also coming to the front. The 1190 RS is running great. But Chris Fillmore is losing ground on the KTM. Ben Bostrom is on the podium now. Geoff May continues to lead to start lap six. Chris Fillmore is sinking like a stone with Josh Herrin and Steve Rapp battling. Blake Young is not in this race. Josh Hayes is now a three-time Superbike champion!
Steve Rapp and Larry Pegram are going well and have passed the KTM of Fillmore. It's Kawasaki, BMW, and KTM. Josh Hayes is the only rider on intermediate tires on both ends of the bike. Geoff May continues to lead. Danny Eslick and Aaron Yates did not start this race either, as documented. Josh Herrin passes Josh Hayes. It's the Josh and Josh show. Larry Pegram and the BMW are up to sixth. Jordan Burgess pits for new tires. He switches to intermediates. Maybe Dunlop has come up with a decent front tire for intermediates. Geoff May resets fast lap again at 1:28.5. Josh Hayes is 7/10ths slower at 1:29.2. Those intermediate tires are set up for 600cc bikes.
Geoff May is still leading. Can he hold on? Geoff May is running the rain front tire. He loses the front end. It washes out. His tire is going away. Now, at halfway, Josh Hayes is fastest. He's running in the 1:28 bracket. Ben Bostrom runs the 1:28s too. Bostrom has caught Roger Hayden. Bostrom has a 1:28.2 but Geoff May is 1.2 seconds slower at 1:29.4. Ben Bostrom slides on the inside, by Roger Hayden. Can Ben Bostrom reel in Geoff May? Larry Pegram ditches his BMW S1000RR. He's still running, and maybe can salvage a finish.
Now, Josh Hayes is coming. He's gambling on the front tire. Geoff May wiggles. He's got no chance of holding the lead with the tires going away. There's ten laps left and Ben Bostrom is the new leader for Michael Jordan Motorsports. Yes, the team is owned by the basketball legend. May is being reeled in by Josh Hayes now. Can Michael Jordan Motorsports get two consecutive wins? The sponsorships and rider lineups are being discussed. Josh Hayes runs a 1:26.5, bearing down on Bostrom. Steve Rapp and Josh Herrin battle.
Rapp goes from last, all the way to fifth. Roger Hayden pits and his front tire is gone. Josh Hayes has reeled in Ben Bostrom and is gapping Bostrom now. Now, will Bostrom be able to reel in Hayes? Eight laps remain. Hayes and Bostrom run 1-2. Geoff May, Steve Rapp, and Josh Herrin round out the top five. The front tires are fading for everyone. Steve Rapp sweeps by Geoff May. Rapp has a lot of work to do if he wants to reel in Bostrom. Someone loses a helmet visor and it becomes debris on the track.
Six laps remain now. Larry Pegram has smoke eminating from his BMW. Josh Hayes signals to him that he's got a problem. Robertino Pietri runs ahead of Larry Pegram. Will the champ win another race? We'll see. Josh Hayes retains the lead. Hayes' fastest lap is 1:26.487. Robertino Pietri is chasing Taylor Knapp. Knapp has not had the best of races this weekend, but finished second in New Jersey a few races ago. Steve Rapp will pass Ben Bostrom for second. Steve Rapp just has himself and one other crew member this weekend. It's amazing that he'll finish so well. Rapp sets fast lap at a 1:26 flat! The time is 1:26.018. It's the white flag lap.
Josh Hayes is going to win this race. Earlier race leaders Chris Fillmore and Geoff May will still finish well. Chris Ulrich is now eighth. Robertino Pietri wants to lap Ulrich who is his team owner and team mate! But, Josh Hayes is the winner of this race.
#1 Josh Hayes Yamaha R1
Josh Hayes is also a three-time AMA Superbike champion! He's won three in a row now.
#1 Josh Hayes Yamaha R1
In Pro Supersport, James Rispoli set sail in the race running with Stefano Mesa. But, Rispoli won it.
#1 James Rispoli Suzuki GSXR600
In race two, Dustin Dominguez was a DNF. Jake Lewis led for a long while and then, Rispoli got the lead. However, the race was called short after ten laps because of lightning and thunder.
#1 James Rispoli Suzuki GSXR600
In XR1200, Tyler O'Hara was on pole. But Michael Barnes made the move for the win.
#34 Michael Barnes Harley Davidson
There is only one race remaining on the 2012 AMA Pro Racing schedule. It's in New Orleans, Louisiana at NOLA Motorsports Park. The race will be sponsored by the same companies that sponsored this race at Homestead. It's the Triumph Big Kahuna New Orleans presented by Dunlop Tires and LeoVince. That race will be run in two weeks.
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Bike Road Racing Series: Ulster Grand Prix
There is another race for the Bike Road Racing Series, fans. Never fear, the Ulster Grand Prix is here! This is round four of the championship.
This race has been around for 90 years, first run in 1922. Between 1949 and 1971, it was an event within the World Championship for motorcycles (the FIM). In the 1970s and '80s, it became a part of the World Championship with what was known as the TT Formula One series. The track to be raced on in Northern Ireland is called the Dundrod circuit. This is the fastest road racing track in the world with a sustained average speed of over 130 miles an hour. Here are the names of all the corners and checkpoints on the circuit. They include (from the start/finish line), The Flying Kilo (for kilometer), Leathemstown, Deers Leap, Ireland's corner, Wheelers Corner, Lindsay Hairpin, The Quarries, and finally, Dawson's Bend.
This track is slightly shorter at almost seven and a half miles. It's between the distances of Cookstown, the North West 200, and of course, the previous round on the Isle of Man. Some of the top riders expected to do well in this race are William Dunlop, Michael Dunlop, Jamie Hamilton, Bruce Anstey, Gary Johnson, Conor Cummins, Guy Martin, and Ryan Farquhar. These names should all be familiar by now for those who follow this blog and read the posts on Bike Road Racing.
The first race of the weekend is the Lisburn City Council Super Stock race.
At the start, both Guy Martin and Bruce Anstey get the jump on the rest of the field. As Michael Dunlop is seemingly going backwards, Ian Lougher is charging to the front. Lee Johnston also gets a good start. The second wave of bikes starts. Dean Harrison loses two places going through The Flying Kilo. Ian Lougher pulls out of the draft, trying to get by Guy Martin. Lougher takes over the race lead. Cummins runs ahead of Michael Dunlop as the pictures switch between the various bikes with on board cameras. Bruce Anstey runs behind Conor Cummins in third place as the field is packed tightly together.
The bikes run through the back part of this track in the dry, warm weather that has graced the day for this event/. The bikes fly through Ireland's corner. A corner on this very course has been named for Ian Lougher. People have said Lougher should retire. But, not with the performance he's putting up in this race so far. This track has many sweeping, wide corners on it, and the riders really enjoy that aspect of the circuit. After Wheeler's corner, there's another hair raising bend. It might have been unnamed in the corner's list above. Will have to figure out the name. But, it's impressive.
Anstey had to stand up coming out of the Lindsay hairpin which means Martin and Lougher are able to close up. It's been a while since Ian Lougher has led an international motorcycle road race. Lougher leads, 6/10ths quicker than Guy Martin in second. Lee Johnston is staying with the leaders on his Ducati. Anstey is really going for it. Guy Martin passes Ian Lougher for the lead of the race. Lougher really wants to pass Martin. He's tempted. But he knows the road isn't wide enough to make a pass at these speeds. Michael Dunlop loses the fairing on his bike and just throws it away. So, there's debris on course, causing a local yellow flag in one of the corners.
Martin, Lougher and Anstey continue to scrap for the top three. Michael Dunlop is closing. Dunlop wants to have a go into what is basically, a one line corner. Dunlop successfully passes Bruce Anstey. This race is not quite half over. Ian Lougher continues his charge. Lougher is going after Guy Martin, but, he doesn't know that Michael Dunlop is right alongside of him! This could get ugly, quick. No. Actually, Lougher moves over and takes the line back. Conor Cummins and Lee Johnston are in their own battle for fifth spot while the lead scrap is now boiling.
Lee Johnston wiggles through the Lindsay hairpin. Dunlop passes Lougher but will have to wait to try on Martin. Dunlop flies past Guy Martin on The Flying Kilo. William Dunlop is out of this event. There are six races scheduled. But, a rider can only participate in five of those six. Guy Martin is forced to yield to Ian Lougher. Lougher will come first to the top at Deers Leap. The question now is, can Michael Dunlop break free from everyone else? Bruce Anstey hasn't raced for a while. It seems that the riders are going a bit easier through the Lindsay hairpin now than at the start of the race.
Lougher has to stay right with Michael Dunlop as the bikes approach Leathemstown. The Johnston/Cummins battle over fifth still rages, too. Lougher is taking straight lines into the corner while Dunlop weaves and uses more road. Lougher is determined to pass Dunlop. Ian Lougher has the most wins at this track besides the late, great, Joey Dunlop. One lap remains in this first race. Dunlop leads Lougher by 1.6 seconds. Lougher has to make up one second and pass Michael Dunlop. The saying in racing goes, catching is one thing, passing is another.
Cummins continues to chase Johnston. The battle is on for second through to fourth into Wheeler's. Anstey tries passing Martin in the hairpin. Martin says, "uh, uh" and shuts the door. Michael Dunlop wins the first race of the day.
#9 Michael Dunlop Kawasaki
Next on the program is race one for the AER Lingus UGP Supersport division.
Before this race even starts, Gary Johnson runs into issues with his bike. He was to have started on the front row. But, bike #70 has mechanical woes. At the start of this one, it's Bruce Anstey away first and William Dunlop also flies off the line. The bikes are still stacked up, riding onboard with Adrian Archibald into The Flying Kilo. Lee Johnston is in contention with Michael Dunlop also in fifth. The second wave prepares to get the green light. Paul Owen on bike #98 leads that group.
The bikes snake their way into Leathemstown for the first time in this race. Dunlop leads over Anstey. Johnston is already up to fourth on lap one as these riders put the 600cc Supersport machines through their paces. Conor Cummins is now up to third place. Guy Martin got a really bad start in this race as there's another battle ensuing. Anstey is right with William Dunlop through the hairpin. Ollie Lindstrom has been battling Adrian Archibald and Lindstrom makes a successful pass. At the start of lap two, Anstey is positioning himself for a run down The Kilo.
Anstey was slightly behind Dunlop through Dawson's. But he recovers quickly. William Dunlop undoubtedly has the fastest bike of anyone in the 600 Supersport division. Dunlop and Anstey are checking out on the rest of this field. The bikes really come close together in a section called Jordan's Cross. Anstey really needs to let Dunlop know he's there by the time they get to Lindsay hairpin. Lee Johnston still holds third. But, it's a war between Dunlop and Anstey. Anstey is still not close enough into Rock Bends. But now, on the straight bit of road, Anstey might have a shot at Dumlop.
Adrian Archibald was off on the grass and fortunately recovered. Archibald either missed a gear, hit neutral, or pulled on the clutch. Meanwhile, will Anstey have enough speed to draft by Dunlop on the uphill? No. That move won't work. Guy Martin closes on the two way battle between Lee Johnston and Conor Cummins. But Johnston has other plans. He wants by Cummins. Johnston makes the pass. Michael Pearson is thrown from his bike. This is a huge high side. With this crash, the race is red flagged.
This race is over. William Dunlop wins it. The first of two 600 Supersport races is in the books.
#6 William Dunlop Honda
Up next, it's the first race for the Superbikes presented by McKinstry Skip Hire. Guy Martin has not beaten Michael Dunlop in this class since the season opener at Cookstown.
At the start of this one, Guy Martin takes the lead over Ryan Farquhar. Michael Dunlop is slicing his way through this field like a hot knife through butter, trying to get to Guy Martin. Another single file conga line of bikes as this race starts. Bruce Anstey runs behind Michael Dunlop with Gary Johnson also close by. Ryan Farquhar challenges Guy Martin as John Burrows threads his way through the pack on his Suzuki. Johnson looks to pass Ryan Farquhar and does it.
Farquhar is back on his Superbike after running a Superstock motorcycle last time out at the Isle of Man. Anstey battles Dunlop. Dunlop is now in a podium spot, in third. John Burrows is off pace in this race while Guy Martin continues on his merry way in the lead. Gary Johnson, though, is right on Martin's rear tire. Gary Johnson actually passes Guy Martin for the lead of this motorcycle race. Bruce Anstey also makes a pass on Ryan Farquhar. Johnson is gapping Martin now. At the end of lap one, Anstey passes Farquhar.
More importantly, it's that lead battle still simmering between Martin and Johnson. Martin fends off Johnson's challenge, keeping the lead. William Dunlop, meanwhile, is out of this race, slowing his bike down. Michael Dunlop, meanwhile is within striking distance of Gary Johnson. Dunlop is struggling, but he says that he's more comfortable on the bigger Superbike (1000ccs) as opposed to the Supersport (600ccs). Dunlop moves past Johnson into second spot now. Bruce Anstey trails Conor Cummins further down the field.
The riders make their way through the sequence of corners at Cochran's Town, Quarterlands, and Irelands. Dunlop is right on Martin once again. It's harder for a rider to steer a bike with the movement of their seat compared to the smaller displacement ones. On The Kilo, once again, Michael Dunlop slides by Guy Martin. This is what Dunlop wanted. Can he open a gap? Martin tries coming back at Dunlop through Deer's Leap. Gary Johnson and Bruce Anstey seemed to have lost touch with the top two. Martin passes Dunlop. No. Dunlop comes back through the slipstream.
The two bikes touch, fortunately, no one falls down! Dunlop comes back. Into Wheelers, Martin is having none of it. He slides back past Dunlop another time! Dunlop pushes too hard! He ditches the bike under braking! With Dunlop's demise, this opens the door for Conor Cummins and Bruce Anstey who are in a battle of their own. Michael Dunlop remounts his bike and continues. He was injured before this race and has other races to compete in. So, he could have hurt himself more than he anticipated.
But, Guy Martin isn't worried. He wins it!
#7 Guy Martin Suzuki
Now, onto the second half of the day of racing.
Coming up, it's the Maxwell Freight Services Supertwins race.
The road is dry. Jamie Hamilton has pole. Ryan Farquhar and Jamie Hamilton are 1-2 at the start. Hamilton is flying already, sailing past Ryan Farquhar. Now, there's a race within a race here. The Wash 'N' Dash 250cc race will be run at the very same time as the Supertwins. Kevin Stroger and Davy Morgan are leading this field. The top two 250cc riders touch! Whoa! There aren't that many 250cc bikes on the grid. But, it's going to be a competitive race for this class.
Hamilton passes for the lead coming to Deer's Leap. Now, there's a sign at Deer's Leap that says, ten percent. Not sure what that means, though. It can't be ten percent throttle. These guys are flying through Cochranstown. Adrian Archibald has Ryan Kneen all over him, further down the pack. Russ Malford is also in this pack with Archibald and Kneen. Paul Robinson and Davy Morgan are scrapping for the 250cc lead. Seamus Elliott is also up there. Kneen and Archibald are being follow closely by Ivan Linton. This is a very close race for both classes being combined.
Mountford, Linton and Archibald are all right together. Seamus Elliott leads the 250s. Jamie Hamilton is second with a four way battle for third led by Russ Mountford. Archibald passes Mountford. Farquhar leads as the bikes approach Leathemstown. Robinson and Morgan still dice for 250cc honors. Intriguing to follow two races in one. Kneen and Mountford pass Adrian Archibald. Ivan Linton is up at the sharp end, too. Kneen leads Osborne. Mountford flies by Archibald. Ivan Linton gets by Adrian Archibald.
Mountford, Linton, and Kneen are nose to tail. The combined Supertwins and 250cc race is on it's last lap. Who will win? It's the last lap of the event. Kneen, Mountford, Linton, and Archibald are fighting for the win here. Paul Owen slows on his 250cc bike. Ivan Linton comes from back to front. These riders are taking every chance, sliding precariously between one another! Wow! The battle for third continues to rage. This is good stuff!
Linton is passed by Archibald. Meanwhile, Ryan Farquhar is checking out. Farquhar has won 199 of these tourist trophy races across the classes! Wow! This will be win number 200! Ivan Linton has passed Adrian Archibald for good. Linton's luck isn't turning in the right direction, though. He's fallen behind once again. Mountford has flown by Archibald in the hairpin. But, this race is over. Ryan Farquhar wins it, with Jamie Hamilton second.
Red flags are displayed right before the end of the race. Davey Morgan gets top honors in the 250cc class and the fans salute him since he's a local rider.
#77 Ryan Farquhar Kawasaki
This is win number 199 for Farquhar at one of these Tourist Trophy events. He's knocking on the door for number 200. In the 250cc class (as their demise could be coming), it's Davy Morgan, winning.
#7 Davy Morgan Honda
Up next, it's race two for the Super Sport class.
Gary Johnson gets the hole shot on the Padgett's Honda. Dan Kneen is also coming as the bikes fan out six or seven abreast down the straightaway! Holy smokes! Conor Cummins and Bruce Anstey both start this race well. Gary Johnson passes Dan Kneen. Rider Dan Cooper is now leading the race. He's an unknown name, but might not be that way for long. Anstey and Lee Johnston are up in this fight, too. This 600cc race is exciting right from the green light!
Gary Johnson and Conor Cummins battle for fourth. Gary Johnson takes over the lead from Dan Cooper. Johnson gets the lead, going around Bruce Anstey. They are team mates in this division. Johnson's bike is smoking every now and again. Not sure why. It's essentially a brand new motorcycle. Anstey is flying and William Dunlop might have a say in this. Anstey takes over the lead and then, immediately, it's seized by William Dunlop. Uh oh. There's a red flag, just as this race was heating up. There's nothing serious going on. The race will restart.
The race will now be only five laps. Everybody wants the lead. Lee Johnston, Gary Johnson, Ian Lougher, and a whole bunch more. Michael Dunlop is up there. Guy Martin is coming to the fore. Gary Johnson passes for fourth spot. Dunlop, Anstey and Cummins, are 1-2-3, headed for Deers Leap. They come back through Cochranestown. Anstey is going very well on a 600cc machine as he's also got experience on Superbikes, and 1000cc Super Stock motorcycles. Lee Johnston is about to be eaten up by Michael Dunlop.
It's the final lap of this second 600 Super Sport race. Oh. It looks like Dunlop will pass, and bring Bruce Anstey with him. They both zoomed around a lapped bike. Bruce Anstey closes up on William Dunlop. These two are going at it in Jordan's Cross. Wow! Anstey slides around Dunlop into a u curve. This will be nail biter. Anstey and Dunlop side-by-side! Anstey takes the lead up to Dawson's and there aren't other passing opportunities before the finish line. Does Anstey have the 600 Supersport race in the bag? Despite running wide, yes. Anstey wins it!
#5 Bruce Anstey Honda
Coming up, it's the last race of the day and of the weekend. Race two for Superbikes. The race will be six laps. At the start, Guy Martin gets the lead after Ryan Farquhar was presumed to have gotten an awesome start! Michael Dunlop is flying as John Burrows is in the middle of the pack, his usual spot, carving through the field. Ian Lougher is up in the order at the beginning, too. Gary Johnson follows Guy Martin into Leathemstown for the first time,
Johnson is right up on Michael Dunlop's rear tire. No one has done double race wins this weekend. In this second Superbike race, that could all change. William Dunlop chases Ryan Farquhar into Cochranestown. Ian Lougher passes Lee Johnston on the Ducati. John Burrows is riding an older bike that used to belong to Bruce Anstey. But, he isn't happy with how it's performing. William Dunlop flies past Ryan Farquhar. Michael Dunlop is still going well despite the fact he's hurt. He's had trouble walking, but not when he gets on the motorcycle. Guy Martin holds the race lead.
William Dunlop is slowing down. Something is wrong with his Wilson Craig Honda. This is Dunlop's second retirement of the day. Gary Johnson looks to pass Guy Martin. He almost pulls it off. Ian Lougher passes Bruce Anstey. He's backing down slightly figuring one win in these races will be enough for the weekend. Nothing has changed among the top two. Anstey and Conor Cummins are still there. But, this will boil down to a two bike race. Ryan Farquhar is running behind Conor Cummins. Working lap three of six. Halfway home. Coming through Deer's Leap, the scrap between Lougher and Anstey continues.
Michael Dunlop is going for it, officially. He tries mightily to pass Gary Johnson! Can he do it? No. Not this time. Bruce Anstey is fading on the uphill. He's falling into Dunlop's clutches. Yes. Dunlop zooms past Anstey. Anstey is having to deal with that pesky Lougher fellow again. Now, this has become a three way fight to the finish of the Ulster Grand Prix. There's a gap between Martin and Dunlop of 4/10ths of a second. Dunlop has Martin in his sites. Bruce Anstey may have to concede to Ian Lougher. But, it's the lead battle that's crucial.
Anstey loses a spot. He must have missed a shift. But, big news! Michael Dunlop passes Guy Martin for the lead, coming to the finish! Dean Harrison on bike #15 is now challenging Ian Lougher, having passed Anstey. Michael Dunlop has this one in the bag. Guy Martin will really have to push if he wants victory today. Guy Martin isn't finished, coming to the Flying Kilo. No matter who wins this race, there will not be a repeat winner like in all the earlier races. Dean Harrison passes Bruce Anstey. Michael Dunlop makes an error at Jordan's Cross, allowing Guy Martin to pass.
Dunlop tries to come back, but no. Martin leads. Dunlop passes again. Wow! This will be hammer and tongs racing to the finish. They still battle through Wheelers, coming to Tornograph and into the Lindsay hairpin. Dean Harrison drives around Ian Lougher again. Bruce Anstey is still in this, sans brakes! Phew! It's the last lap. Any more suspense? We'll find out. Guy Martin will not be dispensed with through The Flying Kilo. No dice. Dunlop keeps the lead. The riders enter Cochranestown one last time. Gary Johnson and Conor Cummins scrap for third.
There's lapped traffic in the way for the leaders, coming to the finish! No problem. Guy Martin pounces through Jordan's Cross. Will he make it stick? Guy Martin leads Dunlop into Wheelers. What will Dunlop do in the hairpin? He's got one more chance to make a move. They're wheel to wheel! Dunlop goes inside of Martin! Dunlop opens a lead. It's over for Guy Martin. Michael Dunlop wins it!
#9 Michael Dunlop Honda
The Ulster Grand Prix is in the books. There might be more Bike Road Racing. Stay tuned.
This race has been around for 90 years, first run in 1922. Between 1949 and 1971, it was an event within the World Championship for motorcycles (the FIM). In the 1970s and '80s, it became a part of the World Championship with what was known as the TT Formula One series. The track to be raced on in Northern Ireland is called the Dundrod circuit. This is the fastest road racing track in the world with a sustained average speed of over 130 miles an hour. Here are the names of all the corners and checkpoints on the circuit. They include (from the start/finish line), The Flying Kilo (for kilometer), Leathemstown, Deers Leap, Ireland's corner, Wheelers Corner, Lindsay Hairpin, The Quarries, and finally, Dawson's Bend.
This track is slightly shorter at almost seven and a half miles. It's between the distances of Cookstown, the North West 200, and of course, the previous round on the Isle of Man. Some of the top riders expected to do well in this race are William Dunlop, Michael Dunlop, Jamie Hamilton, Bruce Anstey, Gary Johnson, Conor Cummins, Guy Martin, and Ryan Farquhar. These names should all be familiar by now for those who follow this blog and read the posts on Bike Road Racing.
The first race of the weekend is the Lisburn City Council Super Stock race.
At the start, both Guy Martin and Bruce Anstey get the jump on the rest of the field. As Michael Dunlop is seemingly going backwards, Ian Lougher is charging to the front. Lee Johnston also gets a good start. The second wave of bikes starts. Dean Harrison loses two places going through The Flying Kilo. Ian Lougher pulls out of the draft, trying to get by Guy Martin. Lougher takes over the race lead. Cummins runs ahead of Michael Dunlop as the pictures switch between the various bikes with on board cameras. Bruce Anstey runs behind Conor Cummins in third place as the field is packed tightly together.
The bikes run through the back part of this track in the dry, warm weather that has graced the day for this event/. The bikes fly through Ireland's corner. A corner on this very course has been named for Ian Lougher. People have said Lougher should retire. But, not with the performance he's putting up in this race so far. This track has many sweeping, wide corners on it, and the riders really enjoy that aspect of the circuit. After Wheeler's corner, there's another hair raising bend. It might have been unnamed in the corner's list above. Will have to figure out the name. But, it's impressive.
Anstey had to stand up coming out of the Lindsay hairpin which means Martin and Lougher are able to close up. It's been a while since Ian Lougher has led an international motorcycle road race. Lougher leads, 6/10ths quicker than Guy Martin in second. Lee Johnston is staying with the leaders on his Ducati. Anstey is really going for it. Guy Martin passes Ian Lougher for the lead of the race. Lougher really wants to pass Martin. He's tempted. But he knows the road isn't wide enough to make a pass at these speeds. Michael Dunlop loses the fairing on his bike and just throws it away. So, there's debris on course, causing a local yellow flag in one of the corners.
Martin, Lougher and Anstey continue to scrap for the top three. Michael Dunlop is closing. Dunlop wants to have a go into what is basically, a one line corner. Dunlop successfully passes Bruce Anstey. This race is not quite half over. Ian Lougher continues his charge. Lougher is going after Guy Martin, but, he doesn't know that Michael Dunlop is right alongside of him! This could get ugly, quick. No. Actually, Lougher moves over and takes the line back. Conor Cummins and Lee Johnston are in their own battle for fifth spot while the lead scrap is now boiling.
Lee Johnston wiggles through the Lindsay hairpin. Dunlop passes Lougher but will have to wait to try on Martin. Dunlop flies past Guy Martin on The Flying Kilo. William Dunlop is out of this event. There are six races scheduled. But, a rider can only participate in five of those six. Guy Martin is forced to yield to Ian Lougher. Lougher will come first to the top at Deers Leap. The question now is, can Michael Dunlop break free from everyone else? Bruce Anstey hasn't raced for a while. It seems that the riders are going a bit easier through the Lindsay hairpin now than at the start of the race.
Lougher has to stay right with Michael Dunlop as the bikes approach Leathemstown. The Johnston/Cummins battle over fifth still rages, too. Lougher is taking straight lines into the corner while Dunlop weaves and uses more road. Lougher is determined to pass Dunlop. Ian Lougher has the most wins at this track besides the late, great, Joey Dunlop. One lap remains in this first race. Dunlop leads Lougher by 1.6 seconds. Lougher has to make up one second and pass Michael Dunlop. The saying in racing goes, catching is one thing, passing is another.
Cummins continues to chase Johnston. The battle is on for second through to fourth into Wheeler's. Anstey tries passing Martin in the hairpin. Martin says, "uh, uh" and shuts the door. Michael Dunlop wins the first race of the day.
#9 Michael Dunlop Kawasaki
Next on the program is race one for the AER Lingus UGP Supersport division.
Before this race even starts, Gary Johnson runs into issues with his bike. He was to have started on the front row. But, bike #70 has mechanical woes. At the start of this one, it's Bruce Anstey away first and William Dunlop also flies off the line. The bikes are still stacked up, riding onboard with Adrian Archibald into The Flying Kilo. Lee Johnston is in contention with Michael Dunlop also in fifth. The second wave prepares to get the green light. Paul Owen on bike #98 leads that group.
The bikes snake their way into Leathemstown for the first time in this race. Dunlop leads over Anstey. Johnston is already up to fourth on lap one as these riders put the 600cc Supersport machines through their paces. Conor Cummins is now up to third place. Guy Martin got a really bad start in this race as there's another battle ensuing. Anstey is right with William Dunlop through the hairpin. Ollie Lindstrom has been battling Adrian Archibald and Lindstrom makes a successful pass. At the start of lap two, Anstey is positioning himself for a run down The Kilo.
Anstey was slightly behind Dunlop through Dawson's. But he recovers quickly. William Dunlop undoubtedly has the fastest bike of anyone in the 600 Supersport division. Dunlop and Anstey are checking out on the rest of this field. The bikes really come close together in a section called Jordan's Cross. Anstey really needs to let Dunlop know he's there by the time they get to Lindsay hairpin. Lee Johnston still holds third. But, it's a war between Dunlop and Anstey. Anstey is still not close enough into Rock Bends. But now, on the straight bit of road, Anstey might have a shot at Dumlop.
Adrian Archibald was off on the grass and fortunately recovered. Archibald either missed a gear, hit neutral, or pulled on the clutch. Meanwhile, will Anstey have enough speed to draft by Dunlop on the uphill? No. That move won't work. Guy Martin closes on the two way battle between Lee Johnston and Conor Cummins. But Johnston has other plans. He wants by Cummins. Johnston makes the pass. Michael Pearson is thrown from his bike. This is a huge high side. With this crash, the race is red flagged.
This race is over. William Dunlop wins it. The first of two 600 Supersport races is in the books.
#6 William Dunlop Honda
Up next, it's the first race for the Superbikes presented by McKinstry Skip Hire. Guy Martin has not beaten Michael Dunlop in this class since the season opener at Cookstown.
At the start of this one, Guy Martin takes the lead over Ryan Farquhar. Michael Dunlop is slicing his way through this field like a hot knife through butter, trying to get to Guy Martin. Another single file conga line of bikes as this race starts. Bruce Anstey runs behind Michael Dunlop with Gary Johnson also close by. Ryan Farquhar challenges Guy Martin as John Burrows threads his way through the pack on his Suzuki. Johnson looks to pass Ryan Farquhar and does it.
Farquhar is back on his Superbike after running a Superstock motorcycle last time out at the Isle of Man. Anstey battles Dunlop. Dunlop is now in a podium spot, in third. John Burrows is off pace in this race while Guy Martin continues on his merry way in the lead. Gary Johnson, though, is right on Martin's rear tire. Gary Johnson actually passes Guy Martin for the lead of this motorcycle race. Bruce Anstey also makes a pass on Ryan Farquhar. Johnson is gapping Martin now. At the end of lap one, Anstey passes Farquhar.
More importantly, it's that lead battle still simmering between Martin and Johnson. Martin fends off Johnson's challenge, keeping the lead. William Dunlop, meanwhile, is out of this race, slowing his bike down. Michael Dunlop, meanwhile is within striking distance of Gary Johnson. Dunlop is struggling, but he says that he's more comfortable on the bigger Superbike (1000ccs) as opposed to the Supersport (600ccs). Dunlop moves past Johnson into second spot now. Bruce Anstey trails Conor Cummins further down the field.
The riders make their way through the sequence of corners at Cochran's Town, Quarterlands, and Irelands. Dunlop is right on Martin once again. It's harder for a rider to steer a bike with the movement of their seat compared to the smaller displacement ones. On The Kilo, once again, Michael Dunlop slides by Guy Martin. This is what Dunlop wanted. Can he open a gap? Martin tries coming back at Dunlop through Deer's Leap. Gary Johnson and Bruce Anstey seemed to have lost touch with the top two. Martin passes Dunlop. No. Dunlop comes back through the slipstream.
The two bikes touch, fortunately, no one falls down! Dunlop comes back. Into Wheelers, Martin is having none of it. He slides back past Dunlop another time! Dunlop pushes too hard! He ditches the bike under braking! With Dunlop's demise, this opens the door for Conor Cummins and Bruce Anstey who are in a battle of their own. Michael Dunlop remounts his bike and continues. He was injured before this race and has other races to compete in. So, he could have hurt himself more than he anticipated.
But, Guy Martin isn't worried. He wins it!
#7 Guy Martin Suzuki
Now, onto the second half of the day of racing.
Coming up, it's the Maxwell Freight Services Supertwins race.
The road is dry. Jamie Hamilton has pole. Ryan Farquhar and Jamie Hamilton are 1-2 at the start. Hamilton is flying already, sailing past Ryan Farquhar. Now, there's a race within a race here. The Wash 'N' Dash 250cc race will be run at the very same time as the Supertwins. Kevin Stroger and Davy Morgan are leading this field. The top two 250cc riders touch! Whoa! There aren't that many 250cc bikes on the grid. But, it's going to be a competitive race for this class.
Hamilton passes for the lead coming to Deer's Leap. Now, there's a sign at Deer's Leap that says, ten percent. Not sure what that means, though. It can't be ten percent throttle. These guys are flying through Cochranstown. Adrian Archibald has Ryan Kneen all over him, further down the pack. Russ Malford is also in this pack with Archibald and Kneen. Paul Robinson and Davy Morgan are scrapping for the 250cc lead. Seamus Elliott is also up there. Kneen and Archibald are being follow closely by Ivan Linton. This is a very close race for both classes being combined.
Mountford, Linton and Archibald are all right together. Seamus Elliott leads the 250s. Jamie Hamilton is second with a four way battle for third led by Russ Mountford. Archibald passes Mountford. Farquhar leads as the bikes approach Leathemstown. Robinson and Morgan still dice for 250cc honors. Intriguing to follow two races in one. Kneen and Mountford pass Adrian Archibald. Ivan Linton is up at the sharp end, too. Kneen leads Osborne. Mountford flies by Archibald. Ivan Linton gets by Adrian Archibald.
Mountford, Linton, and Kneen are nose to tail. The combined Supertwins and 250cc race is on it's last lap. Who will win? It's the last lap of the event. Kneen, Mountford, Linton, and Archibald are fighting for the win here. Paul Owen slows on his 250cc bike. Ivan Linton comes from back to front. These riders are taking every chance, sliding precariously between one another! Wow! The battle for third continues to rage. This is good stuff!
Linton is passed by Archibald. Meanwhile, Ryan Farquhar is checking out. Farquhar has won 199 of these tourist trophy races across the classes! Wow! This will be win number 200! Ivan Linton has passed Adrian Archibald for good. Linton's luck isn't turning in the right direction, though. He's fallen behind once again. Mountford has flown by Archibald in the hairpin. But, this race is over. Ryan Farquhar wins it, with Jamie Hamilton second.
Red flags are displayed right before the end of the race. Davey Morgan gets top honors in the 250cc class and the fans salute him since he's a local rider.
#77 Ryan Farquhar Kawasaki
This is win number 199 for Farquhar at one of these Tourist Trophy events. He's knocking on the door for number 200. In the 250cc class (as their demise could be coming), it's Davy Morgan, winning.
#7 Davy Morgan Honda
Up next, it's race two for the Super Sport class.
Gary Johnson gets the hole shot on the Padgett's Honda. Dan Kneen is also coming as the bikes fan out six or seven abreast down the straightaway! Holy smokes! Conor Cummins and Bruce Anstey both start this race well. Gary Johnson passes Dan Kneen. Rider Dan Cooper is now leading the race. He's an unknown name, but might not be that way for long. Anstey and Lee Johnston are up in this fight, too. This 600cc race is exciting right from the green light!
Gary Johnson and Conor Cummins battle for fourth. Gary Johnson takes over the lead from Dan Cooper. Johnson gets the lead, going around Bruce Anstey. They are team mates in this division. Johnson's bike is smoking every now and again. Not sure why. It's essentially a brand new motorcycle. Anstey is flying and William Dunlop might have a say in this. Anstey takes over the lead and then, immediately, it's seized by William Dunlop. Uh oh. There's a red flag, just as this race was heating up. There's nothing serious going on. The race will restart.
The race will now be only five laps. Everybody wants the lead. Lee Johnston, Gary Johnson, Ian Lougher, and a whole bunch more. Michael Dunlop is up there. Guy Martin is coming to the fore. Gary Johnson passes for fourth spot. Dunlop, Anstey and Cummins, are 1-2-3, headed for Deers Leap. They come back through Cochranestown. Anstey is going very well on a 600cc machine as he's also got experience on Superbikes, and 1000cc Super Stock motorcycles. Lee Johnston is about to be eaten up by Michael Dunlop.
It's the final lap of this second 600 Super Sport race. Oh. It looks like Dunlop will pass, and bring Bruce Anstey with him. They both zoomed around a lapped bike. Bruce Anstey closes up on William Dunlop. These two are going at it in Jordan's Cross. Wow! Anstey slides around Dunlop into a u curve. This will be nail biter. Anstey and Dunlop side-by-side! Anstey takes the lead up to Dawson's and there aren't other passing opportunities before the finish line. Does Anstey have the 600 Supersport race in the bag? Despite running wide, yes. Anstey wins it!
#5 Bruce Anstey Honda
Coming up, it's the last race of the day and of the weekend. Race two for Superbikes. The race will be six laps. At the start, Guy Martin gets the lead after Ryan Farquhar was presumed to have gotten an awesome start! Michael Dunlop is flying as John Burrows is in the middle of the pack, his usual spot, carving through the field. Ian Lougher is up in the order at the beginning, too. Gary Johnson follows Guy Martin into Leathemstown for the first time,
Johnson is right up on Michael Dunlop's rear tire. No one has done double race wins this weekend. In this second Superbike race, that could all change. William Dunlop chases Ryan Farquhar into Cochranestown. Ian Lougher passes Lee Johnston on the Ducati. John Burrows is riding an older bike that used to belong to Bruce Anstey. But, he isn't happy with how it's performing. William Dunlop flies past Ryan Farquhar. Michael Dunlop is still going well despite the fact he's hurt. He's had trouble walking, but not when he gets on the motorcycle. Guy Martin holds the race lead.
William Dunlop is slowing down. Something is wrong with his Wilson Craig Honda. This is Dunlop's second retirement of the day. Gary Johnson looks to pass Guy Martin. He almost pulls it off. Ian Lougher passes Bruce Anstey. He's backing down slightly figuring one win in these races will be enough for the weekend. Nothing has changed among the top two. Anstey and Conor Cummins are still there. But, this will boil down to a two bike race. Ryan Farquhar is running behind Conor Cummins. Working lap three of six. Halfway home. Coming through Deer's Leap, the scrap between Lougher and Anstey continues.
Michael Dunlop is going for it, officially. He tries mightily to pass Gary Johnson! Can he do it? No. Not this time. Bruce Anstey is fading on the uphill. He's falling into Dunlop's clutches. Yes. Dunlop zooms past Anstey. Anstey is having to deal with that pesky Lougher fellow again. Now, this has become a three way fight to the finish of the Ulster Grand Prix. There's a gap between Martin and Dunlop of 4/10ths of a second. Dunlop has Martin in his sites. Bruce Anstey may have to concede to Ian Lougher. But, it's the lead battle that's crucial.
Anstey loses a spot. He must have missed a shift. But, big news! Michael Dunlop passes Guy Martin for the lead, coming to the finish! Dean Harrison on bike #15 is now challenging Ian Lougher, having passed Anstey. Michael Dunlop has this one in the bag. Guy Martin will really have to push if he wants victory today. Guy Martin isn't finished, coming to the Flying Kilo. No matter who wins this race, there will not be a repeat winner like in all the earlier races. Dean Harrison passes Bruce Anstey. Michael Dunlop makes an error at Jordan's Cross, allowing Guy Martin to pass.
Dunlop tries to come back, but no. Martin leads. Dunlop passes again. Wow! This will be hammer and tongs racing to the finish. They still battle through Wheelers, coming to Tornograph and into the Lindsay hairpin. Dean Harrison drives around Ian Lougher again. Bruce Anstey is still in this, sans brakes! Phew! It's the last lap. Any more suspense? We'll find out. Guy Martin will not be dispensed with through The Flying Kilo. No dice. Dunlop keeps the lead. The riders enter Cochranestown one last time. Gary Johnson and Conor Cummins scrap for third.
There's lapped traffic in the way for the leaders, coming to the finish! No problem. Guy Martin pounces through Jordan's Cross. Will he make it stick? Guy Martin leads Dunlop into Wheelers. What will Dunlop do in the hairpin? He's got one more chance to make a move. They're wheel to wheel! Dunlop goes inside of Martin! Dunlop opens a lead. It's over for Guy Martin. Michael Dunlop wins it!
#9 Michael Dunlop Honda
The Ulster Grand Prix is in the books. There might be more Bike Road Racing. Stay tuned.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
old school Grand Prix motorcycle racing: 1988 U.S. Grand Prix at Laguna Seca Part 1
Check this out. This is what World Grand Prix motorcycle racing used to be like with 125cc, 250cc and 500cc competition, long before the days of MotoGP. Highlighted in four parts, will be the 1988 U.S. Grand Prix at Laguna Seca which (as a track), had just been redone and brought up to spec, nearly 25 years ago. This race will be shown in four parts (four consecutive blog entries), just to give readers a taste of what Grand Prix motorcycle racing used to be like before the modern MotoGP era. There will be more of these historic motorcycle races in the future to check out on this blog.
Here's Part 1
Here's Part 1
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Moto 2: San Marino
Here are the highlights of Moto 2 from Misano.
On the pole for round twelve of the series is Marc Marquez, a predictable scenario. Randy Krummenacher will not start this race. He crashed in the morning warmup, breaking some bones in his foot.
At the start of this 26 lap race, Marc Marquez gets a good statt with Andrea Ianonne, Scott Redding and Taki Nakagami all making their moves early, as is Pol Espargaro. Andrea Ianonne is also right on it. Ianonne has a special paint scheme. Bradley Smith is tenth behind Julian Simon. Scott Redding wants to pass. Johann Zarco is now twelfth and Claudio Corti who was up in the order, has fallen back slightly. Ditto for Nakagami passing Espargaro. Mika Kallio and Esteve Rabat are also running competitively. Takaaki Nakagami is getting into a rhythm with Rabat closing on Redding.
Andrea Ianonne is leading right now. There's a group of four riders battling while Ianonne sets fast lap. Gino Rea retires from the race, after nearly coming up far enough to get into the points. Wait... there's a red flag. One wonders why, but, the race is stopped by the FIM marshals. Only three laps have been completed. The race distance will be shortened and the grid will be reset. Gino Rea has stalled his bike, somehow. There might be oil on the track from Gino Rea's bike. It is! He has a comprehensive engine meltdown with smoke pouring out of the bike. But, the red flag is not out for that mosquito killer.
The race will be restarted and nine laps has been taken off the race distance, to fourteen laps with Ianonne on pole for the restart. The bikes are reset on the grid for the restart. Who gets the jump this time? Well, first, there will be a warmup lap. On the restart, Scott Redding gets a good start, but, Pol Espargaro is making a move. Ianonne leads as Esteve Rabat is third with Espargaro coming up fourth. Dominique Aegerter is running well, too as Mika Kallio passes. Rabat and Espargaro are team mates. The bikes run through Curvone with Andrea Ianonne leading.
Johann Zarco is tenth with Bradley Smith in eleventh. Rabat's bike wobbles, but he holds on. Marc Marques slides, but he holds on! Phew! Ianonne runs fast lap. Not sure what the time is. Mika Kallio also gets a bit loose. But, Ianonne is opening a lead in a big way. Tom Luthi tries to pass Marques. Scott Redding passes his team mate. Ianonne resets fast lap at 1:38.816. Johann Zarco goes after Scott Redding now. Ianonne is dominating this race, running a best lap of 1:38.8 as mentioned. Luthi and Kallio battle still. Can Ianonne win two races in Italy? He won Mugello. Can he win at Misano?
Espargaro has to be sure Rabat won't go after him. Rabat and Espargaro are team mates. Marc Marques runs a 1:38.4, a new lap record for this race. Marquez passes Rabat. Ten laps left. Kallio is having a good race. Espargaro needs to close the gap on Ianonne. Ianonne brings the lap record down again to 1:38.493. Scott Redding passes Johann Zarco, but Zarco gets him back. Redding and Zarco are hounded by Dominik Aegerter and Bradley Smith. Espargaro is 3/10ths quicker than Ianonne. Tito Rabat might be able to help Marc Marques. Xavier Simeon crashes out of the race after having a fraught weekend.
Rabat sets a personal best lap. Simeon crashed at the Tramanto corner (turn ten). Ianonne works to maintain a one second gap over Espargaro. This race is half over as Mika Kallio passes Rabat. Yuki Takahashi and Simone Corsi both crash out. Marc Marques' lap times are improving. Kallio is still trying to pass Tito Rabat and won't get the podium in this race. Scott Redding runs seventh. Pol Espargaro tries to reel in Andrea Ianonne. These two have a history, with a crash that happened three years ago in a 125cc race.
Redding, Zarco, and Aegerter set their personal best lap times. Espargaro passes Ianonne and Ianonne passes into Curvone. Ianonne passes for third. Just thtree laps remain with Espargaro ahead of Marquez. Scott Redding passes Tom Luthi for sixth. Marquez wants this win even though, if he finishes second, he'll lose but five points. Marquez has six wins and Espargaro, just two. Marquez wiggles the bike but holds on. Coming through Tramanto, Espargaro slides. Will he still have enough to hold off Marquez? Bradley Smith passes Tom Luthi, who seems to be fading in the closing laps.
This is the last lap. Marquez runs fastest lap. Can Marquez pass Espargaro in Quercia? Yes. Espargaro gave him room. But, Espargarp comes back in Tramanto, but no. Into Curvone, he slides past and these guys are see-sawing all over the place. This is it! Who wins? Marc Marquez! Marquez wins his seventh Moto 2 race and has a huge lead in the championship. Motorcycle fans know he will be a MotoGP rider next year.
#93 Marc Marquez ESP Suter
The next Moto 2 race will be at the Motorland Aragon in Spain, in twelve days time.
On the pole for round twelve of the series is Marc Marquez, a predictable scenario. Randy Krummenacher will not start this race. He crashed in the morning warmup, breaking some bones in his foot.
At the start of this 26 lap race, Marc Marquez gets a good statt with Andrea Ianonne, Scott Redding and Taki Nakagami all making their moves early, as is Pol Espargaro. Andrea Ianonne is also right on it. Ianonne has a special paint scheme. Bradley Smith is tenth behind Julian Simon. Scott Redding wants to pass. Johann Zarco is now twelfth and Claudio Corti who was up in the order, has fallen back slightly. Ditto for Nakagami passing Espargaro. Mika Kallio and Esteve Rabat are also running competitively. Takaaki Nakagami is getting into a rhythm with Rabat closing on Redding.
Andrea Ianonne is leading right now. There's a group of four riders battling while Ianonne sets fast lap. Gino Rea retires from the race, after nearly coming up far enough to get into the points. Wait... there's a red flag. One wonders why, but, the race is stopped by the FIM marshals. Only three laps have been completed. The race distance will be shortened and the grid will be reset. Gino Rea has stalled his bike, somehow. There might be oil on the track from Gino Rea's bike. It is! He has a comprehensive engine meltdown with smoke pouring out of the bike. But, the red flag is not out for that mosquito killer.
The race will be restarted and nine laps has been taken off the race distance, to fourteen laps with Ianonne on pole for the restart. The bikes are reset on the grid for the restart. Who gets the jump this time? Well, first, there will be a warmup lap. On the restart, Scott Redding gets a good start, but, Pol Espargaro is making a move. Ianonne leads as Esteve Rabat is third with Espargaro coming up fourth. Dominique Aegerter is running well, too as Mika Kallio passes. Rabat and Espargaro are team mates. The bikes run through Curvone with Andrea Ianonne leading.
Johann Zarco is tenth with Bradley Smith in eleventh. Rabat's bike wobbles, but he holds on. Marc Marques slides, but he holds on! Phew! Ianonne runs fast lap. Not sure what the time is. Mika Kallio also gets a bit loose. But, Ianonne is opening a lead in a big way. Tom Luthi tries to pass Marques. Scott Redding passes his team mate. Ianonne resets fast lap at 1:38.816. Johann Zarco goes after Scott Redding now. Ianonne is dominating this race, running a best lap of 1:38.8 as mentioned. Luthi and Kallio battle still. Can Ianonne win two races in Italy? He won Mugello. Can he win at Misano?
Espargaro has to be sure Rabat won't go after him. Rabat and Espargaro are team mates. Marc Marques runs a 1:38.4, a new lap record for this race. Marquez passes Rabat. Ten laps left. Kallio is having a good race. Espargaro needs to close the gap on Ianonne. Ianonne brings the lap record down again to 1:38.493. Scott Redding passes Johann Zarco, but Zarco gets him back. Redding and Zarco are hounded by Dominik Aegerter and Bradley Smith. Espargaro is 3/10ths quicker than Ianonne. Tito Rabat might be able to help Marc Marques. Xavier Simeon crashes out of the race after having a fraught weekend.
Rabat sets a personal best lap. Simeon crashed at the Tramanto corner (turn ten). Ianonne works to maintain a one second gap over Espargaro. This race is half over as Mika Kallio passes Rabat. Yuki Takahashi and Simone Corsi both crash out. Marc Marques' lap times are improving. Kallio is still trying to pass Tito Rabat and won't get the podium in this race. Scott Redding runs seventh. Pol Espargaro tries to reel in Andrea Ianonne. These two have a history, with a crash that happened three years ago in a 125cc race.
Redding, Zarco, and Aegerter set their personal best lap times. Espargaro passes Ianonne and Ianonne passes into Curvone. Ianonne passes for third. Just thtree laps remain with Espargaro ahead of Marquez. Scott Redding passes Tom Luthi for sixth. Marquez wants this win even though, if he finishes second, he'll lose but five points. Marquez has six wins and Espargaro, just two. Marquez wiggles the bike but holds on. Coming through Tramanto, Espargaro slides. Will he still have enough to hold off Marquez? Bradley Smith passes Tom Luthi, who seems to be fading in the closing laps.
This is the last lap. Marquez runs fastest lap. Can Marquez pass Espargaro in Quercia? Yes. Espargaro gave him room. But, Espargarp comes back in Tramanto, but no. Into Curvone, he slides past and these guys are see-sawing all over the place. This is it! Who wins? Marc Marquez! Marquez wins his seventh Moto 2 race and has a huge lead in the championship. Motorcycle fans know he will be a MotoGP rider next year.
#93 Marc Marquez ESP Suter
The next Moto 2 race will be at the Motorland Aragon in Spain, in twelve days time.
Moto 3: San Marino
Here are the highlights of the Moto 3 race from Misano in San Marino.
This is round twelve for Moto 3. It's a battle between Sandro Cortese and Maverick Vinales on the Adriatic coast of Italy. Cortese has a 32 point lead in the championship. Cortese is starting next to Romano Fenati and Niccolo Antonelli. Alex Rins (fifth in the series standings) is farther back on the grid than expected. Adrian Martin will not start this race.
This race will be 23 laps. At the start, Romano Fenati got bogged down with Arthur Sissis getting a great start. Sandro Cortese gets the lead. There has been at least one crash. Not sure who went down. Jonas Folger, Danny Kent, Arthur Sissis and others are up there. But, Maverick Vinales sank like a stone down to 17th place. Luis Salom passes Kent and Sissis. Jonas Folger and Romano Fenati are already competitive. Maverick Vinales has gained two places, right behind Efren Vazquez. Arthur Sissis is up to fifth. But, Jasper Iwema is out as are four other riders.
Brad Binder also passed Maverick Vinales right at the start. Danny Webb was one rider crashing. Sissis battles Niccolo Antonelli. Romano Fenati wants to lead while Luis Salom slides by Jonas Folger. Antonelli sets fast lap early. But, not sure of the time. Jack Miller has crashed out. Alex Marques has gone down. He is getting a start in the international Moto 3 class after running in the Spanish championship for a while. Sandro Cortese has passed Romano Fenati for the lead.
Ricardo Antonelli and Arthur Sissis are both running at a good pace, trying to catch the leaders. Vinales is ahead of Efren Vazquez who runs fast lap at 1:44.275. There is a huge battle through Quercia and some of the other corners on the track, including the fastest corner at Curvone. Miguel Oliveira passes Arthur Sissis. Niccolo Antonelli passes Jonas Folger and he cannot make a move to come back. Maverick Vinales is stretching a gap as Sissis wiggles a bit and gets passed by Alex Rins who is coming from 17th on the grid. Sandro Cortese ran wide into Quercia.
Miguel Oliveira comes into fourth and Vinales is just biding his time. Fenati still leads. There are still fifteen laps left to run. Romano Fenati will have to be careful as Alex Rins is starting to pass other riders. Sandro Cortese passes Luis Salom for second spot. Alex Rins has passed Niccolo Antonelli and Oliviera wants to pass Luis Salom into Quercia. Salom tries to pass, but, Oliviera has third. Oliviera and Rins have very similar liveries, leathers, and numbers. So, it's hard to tell who is who. Cortese and Fenati break away from the field. Rins has passed Miguel Oliviera. Niccolo Antonelli runs behind Maverick Vinales. This race is now half over.
Sandro Cortese passes Romano Fenati and might not bother with passing him back just yet. Cortese can pull off a quick lap time without anyone knowing until it happens. Zulfahmmi Khairuddin, Hector Faubel, and Danny Kent are down the order, outside the top ten. Ditto for Alessandro Tonucci. Vinales might still be in contention. Arthur Sissis is right at the back of the group behind Antonellli. Vinales passed Efren Vazquez. Zulhfammi Khairuddin has languished in the eleventh position for most of the race. But it's going to be Vinales vs. Cortese for the win in this race, more than likely.
However, Fenati still has a lead into the tight corner at Curvone. There's going to be a scrap between six bikes here right now. Another lap completed. Seven are left with Fenati in P1. Cortese can handle finishing second, should Vinales finish behind him. Danny Kent runs his personal best lap, but he's only thirteenth. Cortese passes Rins for second. Fenati's gap increases to a half a second. Rins passes Cortese while Vinales passes Salom. So, Vinales is right behind Cortese. Alex Rins wants to help Cortese who is reeling in Fenati, too.
Danny Kent passes Hector Faubel and is working on Zuhlfammi Khairuddin. Cortese closes on Fenati through Tramanto corner. Vinales runs wide. Four laps to go, which is a long way on this track at Misano Adriatico. Rins is all over Cortese. They've been passing each other back and forth the last few laps. Fenati still leads. He's already won a race at Jerez, looking for his second win of 2012. Now, Cortese goes back by Fenati. Luis Salom also wants it and so does Rins. Fenati got swamped! Just two laps left to run in the Moto 3 race!
Rins wobbles trying to pass Maverick Vinales who blocks. Cortese runs best down the backstretch. Into Curvone, Salom closes on Cortese. Rins tries passing Vinales, but no dice. Luis Salom is right on top of Cortese now. Where will he move? Alex Rins and Romano Fenati battle. Vinales gets second! Can he pass Cortese into Quercia? Fenati passes. But Vinales tries to go through and can't make it. He has to get through turn 14 and pass Cortese. But, Cortese stretches his lead. Cortese will win his third race of 2012. He's got this one in the bag. Alex Rins passes Vinales!
#11 Sandro Cortese GER KTM Ochsenhausen
Just five races to go in the Moto 3 championship, The next one is at Motorland Aragon in Spain, in two weeks.
This is round twelve for Moto 3. It's a battle between Sandro Cortese and Maverick Vinales on the Adriatic coast of Italy. Cortese has a 32 point lead in the championship. Cortese is starting next to Romano Fenati and Niccolo Antonelli. Alex Rins (fifth in the series standings) is farther back on the grid than expected. Adrian Martin will not start this race.
This race will be 23 laps. At the start, Romano Fenati got bogged down with Arthur Sissis getting a great start. Sandro Cortese gets the lead. There has been at least one crash. Not sure who went down. Jonas Folger, Danny Kent, Arthur Sissis and others are up there. But, Maverick Vinales sank like a stone down to 17th place. Luis Salom passes Kent and Sissis. Jonas Folger and Romano Fenati are already competitive. Maverick Vinales has gained two places, right behind Efren Vazquez. Arthur Sissis is up to fifth. But, Jasper Iwema is out as are four other riders.
Brad Binder also passed Maverick Vinales right at the start. Danny Webb was one rider crashing. Sissis battles Niccolo Antonelli. Romano Fenati wants to lead while Luis Salom slides by Jonas Folger. Antonelli sets fast lap early. But, not sure of the time. Jack Miller has crashed out. Alex Marques has gone down. He is getting a start in the international Moto 3 class after running in the Spanish championship for a while. Sandro Cortese has passed Romano Fenati for the lead.
Ricardo Antonelli and Arthur Sissis are both running at a good pace, trying to catch the leaders. Vinales is ahead of Efren Vazquez who runs fast lap at 1:44.275. There is a huge battle through Quercia and some of the other corners on the track, including the fastest corner at Curvone. Miguel Oliveira passes Arthur Sissis. Niccolo Antonelli passes Jonas Folger and he cannot make a move to come back. Maverick Vinales is stretching a gap as Sissis wiggles a bit and gets passed by Alex Rins who is coming from 17th on the grid. Sandro Cortese ran wide into Quercia.
Miguel Oliveira comes into fourth and Vinales is just biding his time. Fenati still leads. There are still fifteen laps left to run. Romano Fenati will have to be careful as Alex Rins is starting to pass other riders. Sandro Cortese passes Luis Salom for second spot. Alex Rins has passed Niccolo Antonelli and Oliviera wants to pass Luis Salom into Quercia. Salom tries to pass, but, Oliviera has third. Oliviera and Rins have very similar liveries, leathers, and numbers. So, it's hard to tell who is who. Cortese and Fenati break away from the field. Rins has passed Miguel Oliviera. Niccolo Antonelli runs behind Maverick Vinales. This race is now half over.
Sandro Cortese passes Romano Fenati and might not bother with passing him back just yet. Cortese can pull off a quick lap time without anyone knowing until it happens. Zulfahmmi Khairuddin, Hector Faubel, and Danny Kent are down the order, outside the top ten. Ditto for Alessandro Tonucci. Vinales might still be in contention. Arthur Sissis is right at the back of the group behind Antonellli. Vinales passed Efren Vazquez. Zulhfammi Khairuddin has languished in the eleventh position for most of the race. But it's going to be Vinales vs. Cortese for the win in this race, more than likely.
However, Fenati still has a lead into the tight corner at Curvone. There's going to be a scrap between six bikes here right now. Another lap completed. Seven are left with Fenati in P1. Cortese can handle finishing second, should Vinales finish behind him. Danny Kent runs his personal best lap, but he's only thirteenth. Cortese passes Rins for second. Fenati's gap increases to a half a second. Rins passes Cortese while Vinales passes Salom. So, Vinales is right behind Cortese. Alex Rins wants to help Cortese who is reeling in Fenati, too.
Danny Kent passes Hector Faubel and is working on Zuhlfammi Khairuddin. Cortese closes on Fenati through Tramanto corner. Vinales runs wide. Four laps to go, which is a long way on this track at Misano Adriatico. Rins is all over Cortese. They've been passing each other back and forth the last few laps. Fenati still leads. He's already won a race at Jerez, looking for his second win of 2012. Now, Cortese goes back by Fenati. Luis Salom also wants it and so does Rins. Fenati got swamped! Just two laps left to run in the Moto 3 race!
Rins wobbles trying to pass Maverick Vinales who blocks. Cortese runs best down the backstretch. Into Curvone, Salom closes on Cortese. Rins tries passing Vinales, but no dice. Luis Salom is right on top of Cortese now. Where will he move? Alex Rins and Romano Fenati battle. Vinales gets second! Can he pass Cortese into Quercia? Fenati passes. But Vinales tries to go through and can't make it. He has to get through turn 14 and pass Cortese. But, Cortese stretches his lead. Cortese will win his third race of 2012. He's got this one in the bag. Alex Rins passes Vinales!
#11 Sandro Cortese GER KTM Ochsenhausen
Just five races to go in the Moto 3 championship, The next one is at Motorland Aragon in Spain, in two weeks.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
MotoGP round 13: San Marino
Round thirteen of the 2012 MotoGP World Championship is at the Misano Adriatico circuit in the Rimini province of Italy. In honor of Marco Simoncelli (who was killed in a crash there last year), the track has been renamed partially in his honor as the Autodromo di Marco Simoncelli. Dani Pedrosa is polesitter for the race. There's a half a dozen races left going into San Marino. Thirteen points separate both Dani Pedrosa and Jorge Lorenzo in the championship fight.
1993 World Champion Kevin Schwantz cycled with a team and the rest of the MotoGP paddock cycled to the track across a section of Europe. News of that tribute was posted on this blog. Also, Ben Spies will ride for Ducati next year (a satellite team). Colin Edwards will also return to Forward Racing for next year. Nicky Hayden is back on the bike this weekend after his hand was hurt in a crash at Indianapolis, two races ago. He watched the Brno round on TV but didn't find that to be too much fun and is glad to be back in the race. There was no free practice due to rain. In qualifying, Dani Pedrosa scored the pole with Jorge Lorenzo second. Cal Crutchlow is third with Stefan Bradl fourth.
Johnny Rea from World Superbike is now on Casey Stoner's bike. David Salom replaces Ivan Silva. The countdown is on to the start. The start has been aborted with Karel Abraham stalling his bike. So, there will be one more pace lap. The race will be 27 laps. Dani Pedrosa has been forced to start from the back and Karel Abraham will need to get on his spare bike. At the start, Jorge Lorenzo takes the lead with Valentino Rossi second. But, Pedrosa crashes! He's taken down by Hector Barbera! His race is over on lap one! Oh my! Barbera tried to slide around him and ran into him. Pedrosa is out of it.
Valentino Rossi is now second on the Ducati. Karel Abraham has also ditched his bike. Cal Crutchlow and Stefan Bradl are up there. Bradl wants a podium. Rossi also wants a result. Mattia Passini has also crashed. Meanwhile, Jorge Lorenzo is in cruise mode. After that crash, Pedrosa and Barbera are OK. It could have been that Pedrosa was injured. Three laps have been completed. Ben Speas is sixth and Johnny Rea runs ninth now, riding in place of Casey Stoner. Cal Crutchlow has crashed into Rio.
There's been some real madness in these first few laps. Crutchlow went down in the first corner. Lorenzo, Rossi, and Bradl are the top three. There will be someone new on the podium, taking their first podium finish of 2012. Rossi is still under pressure from Bradl. Pedrosa was the only rider to score points in all the races until today. Cal Crutchlow is OK after his crash. Nicky Hayden is seventh, Johnny Rea is eighth, ahead of Alexei Espargaro. Johnny Rea wobbled his bike a little bit but kept it upright. Lorenzo continues to lead.
With Pedrosa, the tire warmer got jammed in the fender, and then he couldn't get to the safety car, and that's why he started caboose on the field. Alexei Espargaro and Randy de Puniet battle in CRT. Rossi and Bradl continue to scrap. With Rossi, he wants a podium because it's his last race on a Ducati in Italy before going back to Yamaha next year. Johnny Rea is closing on Nicky Hayden. Hayden almost didn't start the race because of the pain in his hand and having to have medication injected into it.
Rossi and Bradl continue to scrap. Bradl was second in Moto 2 last year, and has 100 starts under his belt in the series. Fifteen laps to go. The gap grows between Johnny Rea and Nicky Hayden. Jorge Lorenzo has a 4.5 second lead over Valentino Rossi. He'll dominate this race. Bradl cannot get by Rossi. Now, next year, Rossi and Lorenzo will be team mates. Alvaro Bautista is also in sight of a podium behind Andrea Dovizioso. Ben Spies is two seconds behind Bautista. He's just looking for a finish. Lorenzo runs a best lap at 1:34.6.
Dani Pedrosa made a really good start before his crash when he got caught in that crash. He was running right behind Johnny Rea. Pedrosa made contact with Alexei Espargaro. The race is now half over. Lorenzo is looking for yet another victory. Valentino Rossi is gapping Stefan Bradl while Andrea Dovizioso is catching Alvaro Bautista as well. The two Tech 3 Yamaha's of Crutchlow and Dovizioso are not quite at their optimum performance levels. Randy de Puniet is top CRT rider in ninth spot. Ten laps remaining now as the battle rages between Bradl and Bautista.
Johnny Rea is catching Nicky Hayden by half a second a lap. It'll be the right hand side of the tires getting worn down slightly with the sun out and the warm temperatures. Bautista nearly passed Bradl. Not quite. Can Bautista pass in Quercia? Yes. Everything looks OK down the back straight and into Curvone. Ben Spies is chasing Andrea Dovizioso with eight laps left. On Friday, the track was wet and the weather was cold. No running could take place. On Saturday, there was qualifying. But, today, the race conditions are totally different.
Ben Spies was the fastest rider on track. He's 6/10ths of a second quicker than Lorenzo. He could get on the podium, possibly. The battle for third is closing up. Bradl and Dovizioso are being closed in on by Spies, and quick. Bautista is third. It's Bautista, Bradl, Dovizioso, and Spies. Alvaro Bautista (if he gets a good spot), he might be back in MotoGP next year. Jorge Lorenzo might just be en route to his sixth win of the season. He does a wheelie. But, it's not quite in celebration. At least, not yet. Alexei Espargaro has fallen off his bike. Just two and a half laps left.
Spies MUST take a chance at Dovizioso into Tramanto. That's turn ten. Spies is running a very different line than Dovizioso. Alvaro Bautista might hold on to a podium place. This is lap 25 of 27. Valentino Rossi will get on the podium and the fans of the nine-time champ will go berserk! Alvaro Bautista is backing his pace down on the last lap. There has been tribute paid to Marco Simoncelli and his team will get a podium in this race. Andrea Dovizioso, though, is right up behind Bautista. Lorenzo wins it for the second straight year! Rossi is second. Alvaro Bautista is third, getting his first ever MotoGP podium!
#99 Jorge Lorenzo ESP Yamaha
He's got even more points in the bag now. The next race in MotoGP is in Portugal at the Motorland Aragon, taking place in two weeks.
1993 World Champion Kevin Schwantz cycled with a team and the rest of the MotoGP paddock cycled to the track across a section of Europe. News of that tribute was posted on this blog. Also, Ben Spies will ride for Ducati next year (a satellite team). Colin Edwards will also return to Forward Racing for next year. Nicky Hayden is back on the bike this weekend after his hand was hurt in a crash at Indianapolis, two races ago. He watched the Brno round on TV but didn't find that to be too much fun and is glad to be back in the race. There was no free practice due to rain. In qualifying, Dani Pedrosa scored the pole with Jorge Lorenzo second. Cal Crutchlow is third with Stefan Bradl fourth.
Johnny Rea from World Superbike is now on Casey Stoner's bike. David Salom replaces Ivan Silva. The countdown is on to the start. The start has been aborted with Karel Abraham stalling his bike. So, there will be one more pace lap. The race will be 27 laps. Dani Pedrosa has been forced to start from the back and Karel Abraham will need to get on his spare bike. At the start, Jorge Lorenzo takes the lead with Valentino Rossi second. But, Pedrosa crashes! He's taken down by Hector Barbera! His race is over on lap one! Oh my! Barbera tried to slide around him and ran into him. Pedrosa is out of it.
Valentino Rossi is now second on the Ducati. Karel Abraham has also ditched his bike. Cal Crutchlow and Stefan Bradl are up there. Bradl wants a podium. Rossi also wants a result. Mattia Passini has also crashed. Meanwhile, Jorge Lorenzo is in cruise mode. After that crash, Pedrosa and Barbera are OK. It could have been that Pedrosa was injured. Three laps have been completed. Ben Speas is sixth and Johnny Rea runs ninth now, riding in place of Casey Stoner. Cal Crutchlow has crashed into Rio.
There's been some real madness in these first few laps. Crutchlow went down in the first corner. Lorenzo, Rossi, and Bradl are the top three. There will be someone new on the podium, taking their first podium finish of 2012. Rossi is still under pressure from Bradl. Pedrosa was the only rider to score points in all the races until today. Cal Crutchlow is OK after his crash. Nicky Hayden is seventh, Johnny Rea is eighth, ahead of Alexei Espargaro. Johnny Rea wobbled his bike a little bit but kept it upright. Lorenzo continues to lead.
With Pedrosa, the tire warmer got jammed in the fender, and then he couldn't get to the safety car, and that's why he started caboose on the field. Alexei Espargaro and Randy de Puniet battle in CRT. Rossi and Bradl continue to scrap. With Rossi, he wants a podium because it's his last race on a Ducati in Italy before going back to Yamaha next year. Johnny Rea is closing on Nicky Hayden. Hayden almost didn't start the race because of the pain in his hand and having to have medication injected into it.
Rossi and Bradl continue to scrap. Bradl was second in Moto 2 last year, and has 100 starts under his belt in the series. Fifteen laps to go. The gap grows between Johnny Rea and Nicky Hayden. Jorge Lorenzo has a 4.5 second lead over Valentino Rossi. He'll dominate this race. Bradl cannot get by Rossi. Now, next year, Rossi and Lorenzo will be team mates. Alvaro Bautista is also in sight of a podium behind Andrea Dovizioso. Ben Spies is two seconds behind Bautista. He's just looking for a finish. Lorenzo runs a best lap at 1:34.6.
Dani Pedrosa made a really good start before his crash when he got caught in that crash. He was running right behind Johnny Rea. Pedrosa made contact with Alexei Espargaro. The race is now half over. Lorenzo is looking for yet another victory. Valentino Rossi is gapping Stefan Bradl while Andrea Dovizioso is catching Alvaro Bautista as well. The two Tech 3 Yamaha's of Crutchlow and Dovizioso are not quite at their optimum performance levels. Randy de Puniet is top CRT rider in ninth spot. Ten laps remaining now as the battle rages between Bradl and Bautista.
Johnny Rea is catching Nicky Hayden by half a second a lap. It'll be the right hand side of the tires getting worn down slightly with the sun out and the warm temperatures. Bautista nearly passed Bradl. Not quite. Can Bautista pass in Quercia? Yes. Everything looks OK down the back straight and into Curvone. Ben Spies is chasing Andrea Dovizioso with eight laps left. On Friday, the track was wet and the weather was cold. No running could take place. On Saturday, there was qualifying. But, today, the race conditions are totally different.
Ben Spies was the fastest rider on track. He's 6/10ths of a second quicker than Lorenzo. He could get on the podium, possibly. The battle for third is closing up. Bradl and Dovizioso are being closed in on by Spies, and quick. Bautista is third. It's Bautista, Bradl, Dovizioso, and Spies. Alvaro Bautista (if he gets a good spot), he might be back in MotoGP next year. Jorge Lorenzo might just be en route to his sixth win of the season. He does a wheelie. But, it's not quite in celebration. At least, not yet. Alexei Espargaro has fallen off his bike. Just two and a half laps left.
Spies MUST take a chance at Dovizioso into Tramanto. That's turn ten. Spies is running a very different line than Dovizioso. Alvaro Bautista might hold on to a podium place. This is lap 25 of 27. Valentino Rossi will get on the podium and the fans of the nine-time champ will go berserk! Alvaro Bautista is backing his pace down on the last lap. There has been tribute paid to Marco Simoncelli and his team will get a podium in this race. Andrea Dovizioso, though, is right up behind Bautista. Lorenzo wins it for the second straight year! Rossi is second. Alvaro Bautista is third, getting his first ever MotoGP podium!
#99 Jorge Lorenzo ESP Yamaha
He's got even more points in the bag now. The next race in MotoGP is in Portugal at the Motorland Aragon, taking place in two weeks.
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