After his big crash in qualifying at Circuit of the Americas, Karel Abraham will give racing a shot this weekend at Jerez. Here's the story.
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/Abraham+to+try+and+compete+at+Jerez
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Monday, April 29, 2013
MOTOGP: Spanish Heroes Take Fight Home
This weekend will mark a hometown battle between Repsol Honda team mates Dani Pedrosa and the sensational Marc Marquez who won last time out at Circuit of the Americas. The MotoGP stars will run at the Jerez circuit in Spain this coming Sunday. Look for race reports from all three divisions, right here.
http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/motogp-marquez-lorenzo-pedrosa-take-fight-home/
http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/motogp-marquez-lorenzo-pedrosa-take-fight-home/
Sunday, April 28, 2013
World Superbike round 3: Assen
Tom Sykes for Kawasaki, and Eugene Laverty for Aprilia, were the winners in round three of the 2013 FIM World Superbike Championship at the Assen TT circuit in Assen, Holland this weekend. Here are the winners from each race.
World Superbike race 1: #66 Tom Sykes GBR. Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki ZX10R
World Superbike race 2: #58 Eugene Laverty IRL. Aprilia Racing Team Aprilia RSV4 Factory
World Supersport race: #11 Sam Lowes GBR. Yaknich Motorsport Yamaha YZF R6
Superstock 1000 race: #47 Eddi La Marra ITA. Barni Racing Team Ducati 1199 Panigale R
Superstock 600 race: #52 Gauthier Duwelz BEL MTM-MVR Racing Team Yamaha YZF R6
The next round of the World Superbike championship, and it's support series, will be in Italy, at the legendary Autodromo Nazionale di Monza in Monza, Italy. It takes place in two weeks, on Mother's Day weekend.
World Superbike race 1: #66 Tom Sykes GBR. Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki ZX10R
World Superbike race 2: #58 Eugene Laverty IRL. Aprilia Racing Team Aprilia RSV4 Factory
World Supersport race: #11 Sam Lowes GBR. Yaknich Motorsport Yamaha YZF R6
Superstock 1000 race: #47 Eddi La Marra ITA. Barni Racing Team Ducati 1199 Panigale R
Superstock 600 race: #52 Gauthier Duwelz BEL MTM-MVR Racing Team Yamaha YZF R6
The next round of the World Superbike championship, and it's support series, will be in Italy, at the legendary Autodromo Nazionale di Monza in Monza, Italy. It takes place in two weeks, on Mother's Day weekend.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Espargaro still striving to beat prototypes
Aleix Espargaro is doing his very best to beat the prototype bikes with his CRT machine in each and every MotoGP race. He was successful, last time out at Circuit of the Americas. Here's the full story on Espargaro.
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/Espargaro+still+striving+to+beat+prototypes
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/Espargaro+still+striving+to+beat+prototypes
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
WSBK: Guintoli Leads Into Assen
Here is a preview of the FIM World Superbike race coming up this weekend at the legendary Assen circuit in Holland. A brief summary of the action will be featured on this blog, when the results of each race for Superbikes, Supersport, and the two Super Stock classes, can be found.
http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/wsbk-guintoli-leads-into-assen/P1
http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/wsbk-guintoli-leads-into-assen/P1
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Moto 3 U.S.A. (Circuit of the Americas)
It's time for Moto 3 at Circuit of the Americas. These are the young guns. The future stars that we'll see in MotoGP sooner or later. Moto 3 is the first step on the ladder. These are single cylinder bikes with 250cc displacement, producing 50 horsepower or so. Luis Salom has been very quick. Maverick Vinales is also on the front row. But, Alex Rins has scored his second pole position. Jack Miller and Alex Marquez are going to be in this fight. These bikes have a combined weight of 325 pounds.
This is going to be a good one. We are ready for the race. The bikes are on track. This is a moment in history for Circuit of the Americas as Alex Rins, is on pole as mentioned. The racing line is on the right side of the grid. This track is really wide. Moto 3 bikes carry a lot of speed, and the paint on track has sand in it, and that's why these guys can carry so much speed over the curbs. 18 laps scheduled. Valentino Rossi is watching this race. We're ready to race.
At the start, going uphill, it's Alex Rins being pushed by Luis Salom already. How will these guys get through the esses? One corner flows into the next one. Through the fast kink and into the braking zone at turn eleven. The back straight is nearly a mile long. These guys are now single file, drafting, ready to hit the brakes through the speed trap. Maverick Vinales, Alex Rins, and Luis Salom are all at the top of the order right now. All KTM's at the front. Niklas Ajo makes a pass as Rins runs a 2:17.3. Arthur Sissis is also coming, in seventh.
A couple riders have crashed. Alessandro Tonucci picks up his bike and continues. Florian Alt also went down. Both of them will keep racing. These guys come from Red Bull Rookies Cup, and also, 125cc bikes. Everyone wants to show what they can do. Rins runs a 2:16.9 as he's got a half a second lead. Zulfami Khairuddin is running well. Arthur Sissis runs seventh as Florian Alt heads to pit lane. It's Rins, Vinales, and Salom. Florian Alt is out of the race.
The lean angle through the corners will wear the tires down. Rins, Vinales, and Salom are 1-2-3. Isaac Vinales (Maverick's brother), is also running down the order. The esses on this track are critical. You've got to keep up a rhythm as a rider. Keep momentum up. Matteo Ferrari runs back in 27th. Brad Binder is also starting to move up. The top three is starting to gap Jonas Folger at the moment. Fourteen laps remaining. This is a very physically and mentally taxing track. But, these younger riders on smaller bikes, seem to be doing very well.
As a rider, you have to get down behind the fairing, making yourself very aerodynamic. Salom is sizing up Vinales and Rins, asking, "are these dudes sandbagging? Can I get around them? Are they really as fast as they can be?" Jonas Folger is a second adrift from the leaders. Danny Webb is up to thirteenth behind Romano Fenati and Miguel Oliviera. Jakub Kornfeil is eighth at the moment going through the turn ten kink. 12 laps completed. Toni Finsterbusch falls. He loses the front end. Alex Rins is in command as Luis Salom might be falling behind just a shade.
Eight laps done. Ten remain. So the next lap, it'll be halfway. The fastest bike is 145 miles an hour, compared to 211 miles an hour for MotoGP. That's a 65-66 mile an hour difference. Jack Miller passes Jakub Kornfeil. The bikes wind through turn 15. Turn 19 is another good passing zone. Right now, these guys are running to a pace as Luis Salom has fallen back. It's not hard to overwork a tire because you as a rider are on edge in terms of the adhesion on this track.
Make a move into turn 12. But, wait. This race is right at halfway now. Alain Techer of France falls off his bike. There's a bunch of runoff on this track. Techer fell in turn 11 after the esses. Rins is gapping Vinales. Vinales will have to make a move earlier than he anticipates. Four Spanish riders, lead it. We are now under a red flag. How did this happen? Dutchman Jasper Iwema has crashed. Race control determined that five laps will decide this race, after the riders pitted for tires and fuel. Iwema is being examined, and he's in good shape.
The grid reforms and everyone has new tires. It's a whole new race now. It's a five lap sprint on the restart. Luis Salom has the hole shot. He's gained everything he needs as they go through the esses in turns three, four, and five. Jonas Folger is going to push like crazy as Alex Rins goes wide to avoid a wiggling Maverick Vinales. He's going to have to catch up. Luis Salom is going to extend his race lead it seems. Get a good drive off of turn 20 to get down the front straight.
Jasper Iwema will have a CT scan, but his muscles are fine. He'll be back to race again. Niklas Ajo is fifth being passed by Maverick Vinales. Alex Rins looks down the inside as Alex Marquez has an issue, stopping, and starting the bike again. Four laps left. Tony Finsterbusch will be OK after his early crash. A lot of these corners in the middle of the track, are stop and go. Rins is pushing up the inside. Salom has good drive. Will he go for it? Yes. They're side by side! Who gets it? Vinales runs fast lap at 2:16.8. Folger is fourth. Ajo is fifth. Miller is sixth. Binder, Kornfeeil and others are in contention.
It's game over for Alex Marquez. He comes to pit lane. Salom has a draft and he's made a pass. But, Alex Rins is not giving up. Rins points to Salom saying, "follow me. Don't make a stupid move and crash." The two frontrunners are making hay while the sun shines with two laps left. This has been a whale of a race! They're back through turns ten and elevn. Vinales is coming. They're flip flopping positions. It's a three way fight for the win. Vinales follows Rins and Salom. One lap remains now. Salom has to pass, now. He can't wait. He pushes it down the inside and makes it work. But, Vinales is challenging. He runs wide.
Watch Rins. He can't let this race end like Qatar did last time out. It's got to be a last minute move in turn 12 for Rins. Maverick Vinales is still there. Here we go. Maverick Vinales tries slipstreaming. Here he comes! Through turn fifteen, the double apex corner. Turn 19 is risky. Rins has to cover the inside. Salom is up the inside and there's Rins and Vinales! Rins wins it! Salom had it all and lost it all in one fell swoop!
#42 Alex Rins ESP KTM
The next race for Moto 3 will be in Spain at the Jerez circuit, coming up in two weeks.
This is going to be a good one. We are ready for the race. The bikes are on track. This is a moment in history for Circuit of the Americas as Alex Rins, is on pole as mentioned. The racing line is on the right side of the grid. This track is really wide. Moto 3 bikes carry a lot of speed, and the paint on track has sand in it, and that's why these guys can carry so much speed over the curbs. 18 laps scheduled. Valentino Rossi is watching this race. We're ready to race.
At the start, going uphill, it's Alex Rins being pushed by Luis Salom already. How will these guys get through the esses? One corner flows into the next one. Through the fast kink and into the braking zone at turn eleven. The back straight is nearly a mile long. These guys are now single file, drafting, ready to hit the brakes through the speed trap. Maverick Vinales, Alex Rins, and Luis Salom are all at the top of the order right now. All KTM's at the front. Niklas Ajo makes a pass as Rins runs a 2:17.3. Arthur Sissis is also coming, in seventh.
A couple riders have crashed. Alessandro Tonucci picks up his bike and continues. Florian Alt also went down. Both of them will keep racing. These guys come from Red Bull Rookies Cup, and also, 125cc bikes. Everyone wants to show what they can do. Rins runs a 2:16.9 as he's got a half a second lead. Zulfami Khairuddin is running well. Arthur Sissis runs seventh as Florian Alt heads to pit lane. It's Rins, Vinales, and Salom. Florian Alt is out of the race.
The lean angle through the corners will wear the tires down. Rins, Vinales, and Salom are 1-2-3. Isaac Vinales (Maverick's brother), is also running down the order. The esses on this track are critical. You've got to keep up a rhythm as a rider. Keep momentum up. Matteo Ferrari runs back in 27th. Brad Binder is also starting to move up. The top three is starting to gap Jonas Folger at the moment. Fourteen laps remaining. This is a very physically and mentally taxing track. But, these younger riders on smaller bikes, seem to be doing very well.
As a rider, you have to get down behind the fairing, making yourself very aerodynamic. Salom is sizing up Vinales and Rins, asking, "are these dudes sandbagging? Can I get around them? Are they really as fast as they can be?" Jonas Folger is a second adrift from the leaders. Danny Webb is up to thirteenth behind Romano Fenati and Miguel Oliviera. Jakub Kornfeil is eighth at the moment going through the turn ten kink. 12 laps completed. Toni Finsterbusch falls. He loses the front end. Alex Rins is in command as Luis Salom might be falling behind just a shade.
Eight laps done. Ten remain. So the next lap, it'll be halfway. The fastest bike is 145 miles an hour, compared to 211 miles an hour for MotoGP. That's a 65-66 mile an hour difference. Jack Miller passes Jakub Kornfeil. The bikes wind through turn 15. Turn 19 is another good passing zone. Right now, these guys are running to a pace as Luis Salom has fallen back. It's not hard to overwork a tire because you as a rider are on edge in terms of the adhesion on this track.
Make a move into turn 12. But, wait. This race is right at halfway now. Alain Techer of France falls off his bike. There's a bunch of runoff on this track. Techer fell in turn 11 after the esses. Rins is gapping Vinales. Vinales will have to make a move earlier than he anticipates. Four Spanish riders, lead it. We are now under a red flag. How did this happen? Dutchman Jasper Iwema has crashed. Race control determined that five laps will decide this race, after the riders pitted for tires and fuel. Iwema is being examined, and he's in good shape.
The grid reforms and everyone has new tires. It's a whole new race now. It's a five lap sprint on the restart. Luis Salom has the hole shot. He's gained everything he needs as they go through the esses in turns three, four, and five. Jonas Folger is going to push like crazy as Alex Rins goes wide to avoid a wiggling Maverick Vinales. He's going to have to catch up. Luis Salom is going to extend his race lead it seems. Get a good drive off of turn 20 to get down the front straight.
Jasper Iwema will have a CT scan, but his muscles are fine. He'll be back to race again. Niklas Ajo is fifth being passed by Maverick Vinales. Alex Rins looks down the inside as Alex Marquez has an issue, stopping, and starting the bike again. Four laps left. Tony Finsterbusch will be OK after his early crash. A lot of these corners in the middle of the track, are stop and go. Rins is pushing up the inside. Salom has good drive. Will he go for it? Yes. They're side by side! Who gets it? Vinales runs fast lap at 2:16.8. Folger is fourth. Ajo is fifth. Miller is sixth. Binder, Kornfeeil and others are in contention.
It's game over for Alex Marquez. He comes to pit lane. Salom has a draft and he's made a pass. But, Alex Rins is not giving up. Rins points to Salom saying, "follow me. Don't make a stupid move and crash." The two frontrunners are making hay while the sun shines with two laps left. This has been a whale of a race! They're back through turns ten and elevn. Vinales is coming. They're flip flopping positions. It's a three way fight for the win. Vinales follows Rins and Salom. One lap remains now. Salom has to pass, now. He can't wait. He pushes it down the inside and makes it work. But, Vinales is challenging. He runs wide.
Watch Rins. He can't let this race end like Qatar did last time out. It's got to be a last minute move in turn 12 for Rins. Maverick Vinales is still there. Here we go. Maverick Vinales tries slipstreaming. Here he comes! Through turn fifteen, the double apex corner. Turn 19 is risky. Rins has to cover the inside. Salom is up the inside and there's Rins and Vinales! Rins wins it! Salom had it all and lost it all in one fell swoop!
#42 Alex Rins ESP KTM
The next race for Moto 3 will be in Spain at the Jerez circuit, coming up in two weeks.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Moto 2: U.S.A. (Circuit of the Americas)
After a wicked MotoGP race, here are the highlights of Moto 2 at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.
As we know, Moto 2 bikes are smaller and lighter, with 600cc motors. This race will be scheduled for 19 laps, and is going to be a good one to be sure.
Scott Redding has pole for this race. Pol Espargaro is seventh. Scott Redding has pole, and is the first British rider to have pole in the second tier class since Jeremy McWilliams in 1999. What will the tires do? Dunlop provides tires for the Moto 2 championship. The field rolls off on their formation lap. There will be about 30 bikes on this grid. This will be a good one. There was no tire testing for the Dunlop tires on this course. 19 laps scheduled for a distance of 65 miles.
At the start, Scott Redding comes back after getting shuffled at the start. So far so good on the wide, uphill turn one. Redding leads and Taki Nakagaami gets second. Nico Terol, Dominik Aegerter and others run single file down the order. These 600cc machines will be going 167 miles an hour down the straights. Dominik Aegerter is pushing hard, and Redding wants to have control of this race. Aegerter makes a move as the bikes and riders settle down.
This is a real physical race course as spoken about in the MotoGP race in the last feature. Three bikes won't go into the first turn. You can block pass as Nakagami goes to the lead over Redding. Sandro Cortese languishes in 20th spot. Aegerter is running well, as Redding is trying to pass for the lead. Redding and Aegerter are battling. Redding says, "no, no, sunshine. Let me in." Nico Terol tries to pass and can't quite do it. Swing the bike back to the left to set up for the triple apex turn 18. Mika Kallio is coming. Carry momentum. Don't accelerate too hard. Cortese will be penalized for a jumped start as Redding runs a 2:13.007.
Pol Espargaro is moving up. Cortese serves his penalty. Nico Terol is still second, wanting to pass Scott Redding. These guys are doing a lot with lean angle, too, as Terol tries. But, calm down. This is good stuff. Any of the top six are on par to have a shot here. Espargaro tries passing Aegerter. But, he can't quite do it. Mika Kallio is up to third. Pol Espargaro falls in turn six. He's hurt, possibly. Let's hope he'll be OK. Terol, Redding, and others, are battling. Anthony West is running well. He's coming. Right now, Kallio is third, behind Redding, followed by Aegerter.
Mika Kallio has 180 or so races in the FIM championship. He's very experienced. Kallio takes second from Redding who may be overriding the bike. Nico Terol pulls out, catching Redding off guard. Dominik Aegerter is still going for it. Simone Corsi is up there, too. These bikes have a minimum weight requirement. Aerodynamics is big with these bikes, as all the motors are the same. They're all 600cc bikes. Kallio wants to go for it. Pol Espargaro is limping. But he should be fine. Dominik Aegerter slides the bike all over.
He'll need to be careful. Thirteen laps to go. Taki Nakagaami is out. He learned from the great Kenny Roberts, about how to race. Nakagaami almost falls off. The rear tire might be at fault. It's an abused tire that the Dunlop technicians will need to look at. It's how you set the bike up, and how you ride it. Kallio and Aegerter run laps in teh 2:12 range as Simone Corsi falls. Anthony West is up to fifth place. The gap is
1.8 seconds. Nicolas Terol, the Spaniard, leads it.
Nicolas Terol has a 2.4 second lead. Dominik Aegerter still slides the bike. Taki Nakagaami had a tranmission issue. But, Tito Rabat is running quick. Can he get to a podium? He's got no one else around him, with clear race track. Terol runs a 2:12.8. Aegerter tries to pass Redding. Kallio breaks away from these two. Toni Elias is 16th and has had a fraught season so far. Randy Krumenacher from Switzerland has crashed, low siding the bike. The more body you use, the less lean angle you carry.
Do your moves to ride the motorcycle more precisely if the tires go off. Aegerter passes Redding, and Dominik Aegerter is going to try Mika Kallio next. Turns nine and ten are very tricky corners. This is quite a performance from Mika Kallio. But, Nicolas Terol is going for it. Esteve Rabat remains fifth. The gap is 2.9 seconds. Aegerter is 8/10ths quicker than the leader. He's coming for Mika Kallio. Dominik Aegerter could get a podium. He is under pressure from Tito Rabat. Seven laps left now.
Will Aegerter last without running his tires ragged? The long duration corners have really stressed the tires. Scott Redding will still need to search for his first Moto 2 win. The gap is closing now between Kallio and Aegerter. Nico Terol has his bike set up well. He's been in the zone. Friday testing was wiped out because it was too cold. Mika Kallio goes wide, but holds on well. These guys have to use throttle control and their bodies. They don't have the traction control and the bells and whistles of a MotoGP machine. Aegerter still wants by Redding.
Rabat cuts the gap down and Aegerter has held his line over Redding. Now, Esteve (Tito) Rabat, is going to have more chances. He's run a 2:12.4. Esteve Rabat is right on it now. Mika Kallio is still pushing. Nico Terol has a decent gap, coming to the finish of this race. Three laps remain. Nico Terol has a 2.7 second lead. He's checked out. Dominik Aegerter sweeps by Mika Kallio. Esteve Rabat is also coming. Mika Kallio is also trying hard. Kallio lost his braking spot, allowing Rabat to pass. The clutches on the Moto 2 bikes are adjustable.
Kallio can't keep the wheels in line. Mika Kallio is going for it. He's run MotoGP before, so he knows these 600cc bikes will be a piece of cake. Rabat is up to third, sliding past Aegerter. There is a corner on this track where a car or bike is prone to sliding. That was seen in the F1 Grand Prix last fall. Less than two laps remaining. Rabat is behind Kallio. It seems Terol is going to win. Kallio goes sideways. Nico Terol will very likely win his first Moto 2 race here at COTA. Kallio under pressure and Rabat gets second. Kallio is still going for it. Who will get the advantage?
In turn 12, Kallio might be able to do it. He does. No. Wait. Yes, he does. Rabat gets loose and Aegerter is touched by Kallio! Rabat wants by Kallio. No dice. Kallio gets second. But, Nico Terol wins his first Moto 2 race!
#18 Nico Terol ESP Suter Alcoy
The next Moto 2 race will be the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez, coming up in three weeks or so, the first weekend in May.
As we know, Moto 2 bikes are smaller and lighter, with 600cc motors. This race will be scheduled for 19 laps, and is going to be a good one to be sure.
Scott Redding has pole for this race. Pol Espargaro is seventh. Scott Redding has pole, and is the first British rider to have pole in the second tier class since Jeremy McWilliams in 1999. What will the tires do? Dunlop provides tires for the Moto 2 championship. The field rolls off on their formation lap. There will be about 30 bikes on this grid. This will be a good one. There was no tire testing for the Dunlop tires on this course. 19 laps scheduled for a distance of 65 miles.
At the start, Scott Redding comes back after getting shuffled at the start. So far so good on the wide, uphill turn one. Redding leads and Taki Nakagaami gets second. Nico Terol, Dominik Aegerter and others run single file down the order. These 600cc machines will be going 167 miles an hour down the straights. Dominik Aegerter is pushing hard, and Redding wants to have control of this race. Aegerter makes a move as the bikes and riders settle down.
This is a real physical race course as spoken about in the MotoGP race in the last feature. Three bikes won't go into the first turn. You can block pass as Nakagami goes to the lead over Redding. Sandro Cortese languishes in 20th spot. Aegerter is running well, as Redding is trying to pass for the lead. Redding and Aegerter are battling. Redding says, "no, no, sunshine. Let me in." Nico Terol tries to pass and can't quite do it. Swing the bike back to the left to set up for the triple apex turn 18. Mika Kallio is coming. Carry momentum. Don't accelerate too hard. Cortese will be penalized for a jumped start as Redding runs a 2:13.007.
Pol Espargaro is moving up. Cortese serves his penalty. Nico Terol is still second, wanting to pass Scott Redding. These guys are doing a lot with lean angle, too, as Terol tries. But, calm down. This is good stuff. Any of the top six are on par to have a shot here. Espargaro tries passing Aegerter. But, he can't quite do it. Mika Kallio is up to third. Pol Espargaro falls in turn six. He's hurt, possibly. Let's hope he'll be OK. Terol, Redding, and others, are battling. Anthony West is running well. He's coming. Right now, Kallio is third, behind Redding, followed by Aegerter.
Mika Kallio has 180 or so races in the FIM championship. He's very experienced. Kallio takes second from Redding who may be overriding the bike. Nico Terol pulls out, catching Redding off guard. Dominik Aegerter is still going for it. Simone Corsi is up there, too. These bikes have a minimum weight requirement. Aerodynamics is big with these bikes, as all the motors are the same. They're all 600cc bikes. Kallio wants to go for it. Pol Espargaro is limping. But he should be fine. Dominik Aegerter slides the bike all over.
He'll need to be careful. Thirteen laps to go. Taki Nakagaami is out. He learned from the great Kenny Roberts, about how to race. Nakagaami almost falls off. The rear tire might be at fault. It's an abused tire that the Dunlop technicians will need to look at. It's how you set the bike up, and how you ride it. Kallio and Aegerter run laps in teh 2:12 range as Simone Corsi falls. Anthony West is up to fifth place. The gap is
1.8 seconds. Nicolas Terol, the Spaniard, leads it.
Nicolas Terol has a 2.4 second lead. Dominik Aegerter still slides the bike. Taki Nakagaami had a tranmission issue. But, Tito Rabat is running quick. Can he get to a podium? He's got no one else around him, with clear race track. Terol runs a 2:12.8. Aegerter tries to pass Redding. Kallio breaks away from these two. Toni Elias is 16th and has had a fraught season so far. Randy Krumenacher from Switzerland has crashed, low siding the bike. The more body you use, the less lean angle you carry.
Do your moves to ride the motorcycle more precisely if the tires go off. Aegerter passes Redding, and Dominik Aegerter is going to try Mika Kallio next. Turns nine and ten are very tricky corners. This is quite a performance from Mika Kallio. But, Nicolas Terol is going for it. Esteve Rabat remains fifth. The gap is 2.9 seconds. Aegerter is 8/10ths quicker than the leader. He's coming for Mika Kallio. Dominik Aegerter could get a podium. He is under pressure from Tito Rabat. Seven laps left now.
Will Aegerter last without running his tires ragged? The long duration corners have really stressed the tires. Scott Redding will still need to search for his first Moto 2 win. The gap is closing now between Kallio and Aegerter. Nico Terol has his bike set up well. He's been in the zone. Friday testing was wiped out because it was too cold. Mika Kallio goes wide, but holds on well. These guys have to use throttle control and their bodies. They don't have the traction control and the bells and whistles of a MotoGP machine. Aegerter still wants by Redding.
Rabat cuts the gap down and Aegerter has held his line over Redding. Now, Esteve (Tito) Rabat, is going to have more chances. He's run a 2:12.4. Esteve Rabat is right on it now. Mika Kallio is still pushing. Nico Terol has a decent gap, coming to the finish of this race. Three laps remain. Nico Terol has a 2.7 second lead. He's checked out. Dominik Aegerter sweeps by Mika Kallio. Esteve Rabat is also coming. Mika Kallio is also trying hard. Kallio lost his braking spot, allowing Rabat to pass. The clutches on the Moto 2 bikes are adjustable.
Kallio can't keep the wheels in line. Mika Kallio is going for it. He's run MotoGP before, so he knows these 600cc bikes will be a piece of cake. Rabat is up to third, sliding past Aegerter. There is a corner on this track where a car or bike is prone to sliding. That was seen in the F1 Grand Prix last fall. Less than two laps remaining. Rabat is behind Kallio. It seems Terol is going to win. Kallio goes sideways. Nico Terol will very likely win his first Moto 2 race here at COTA. Kallio under pressure and Rabat gets second. Kallio is still going for it. Who will get the advantage?
In turn 12, Kallio might be able to do it. He does. No. Wait. Yes, he does. Rabat gets loose and Aegerter is touched by Kallio! Rabat wants by Kallio. No dice. Kallio gets second. But, Nico Terol wins his first Moto 2 race!
#18 Nico Terol ESP Suter Alcoy
The next Moto 2 race will be the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez, coming up in three weeks or so, the first weekend in May.
Sunday, April 21, 2013
MotoGP round 2: U.S.A., Austin, Texas (Circuit of the Americas)
The MotoGP Grand Prix of the Americas, starts now. As we know, these bikes are fast, loud, and incredible. This is the Formula One of motorcycle racing. This is also one of the finest race tracks in the world. It will be a special race. We are ready for a good one!
This is a bittersweet moment, after the explosion at the factory in West, Texas. Now, of course, these bikes are specially built. They run 200 miles an hour, easily. There is very little data at COTA for these riders. Every rider has really enjoyed the track. Stefan Bradl says it's difficult, yet fantastic. Jorge Lorenzo is amazed at it's side. Andrea Dovizioso also likes it, and is ready for this race.
Ben Spies wants to be an ambassador for the series as it comes to the track. Colin Edwards is a native Texan and teaches people how to ride motorcycles. Nicky Hayden starts his 169th MotoGP event, after starting his MotoGP career back in 2006. Hayden just wants to have a clean race. Colin Edwards has run in motorcycle racing for two decades. He teaches people how to ride motorcycles. SPEED did a feature on this. He's a road racer, but teaches people how to ride bikes on dirt. Bradley Smith is a guest of the school, learning how to ride a dirt bike. AMA rider James Rispoli also was a part of this. The MotoGP bikes are headed to the grid. We are drawing closer to an incredible race.
The race will start in fifteen minutes. Ben Spies is not just a motorcycle racer, but also a cyclist. Ben Spies and Scott Russell will show off the track on bicycles. Braking uphill into a steep corner like turn one at COTA is pretty trick. The right hander is very important bfore another couple left handers onto the back straight. Get the line correct out of the right and into the next series of corners. It's all about momentum on these bikes. The balance has to be there for the three corner jaunt on the back of the track.
Then, there's a slow corner that drops down. It sneaks up on you. It should be an amazing event. We are ready for pre race ceremonies. The horns have sounded, and the grid has been cleared before the start of the race. It is now, moments away.
Marc Marquez starts from pole. Blake Young will be the nominated wildcard rider. Michael Barnes was supposed to be the second one. But, he can't make the call. This race will be 21 laps, 71 miles. Jorge Lorenzo might be a darkhorse in this race. The first corner will be the matchmaker.
At the start, Marquez gets a good job and so does Dani Pedrosa. Lorenzo loses spots as Stefan Bradl goes to second through the esses. Valentino Rossi is balked by Nicky Hayden. Ben Spies tries to gain places in his home race. Stefan Bradl and Marc Marquez battle as Marquez is now second behind team mate Dani Pedrosa. They run 211 miles an hour on the straight as Jorge Lorenzo, Cal Crutchlow, and Valentino Rossi all follow. Lorenzo passes Bradl, and Bradl gets a chance to get by. Here comes Crutchlow, after Lorenzo went wide.
Rossi is coming. Crutchlow and Bradl seem to be pulling away. Yamaha didn't do as well in the test. But, it looks like they're coming back. Alvaro Bautista wants by Valentino Rossi, but can't quite get there. Dani Pedrosa wants to hold off Marc Marquez. Marquez schooled him Qatar. He wants to teach Marquez a lesson. This is cutthroat racing. Cal Crutchlow and Stefan Bradl want factory rides. Lorenzo runs a 2:04.4. as Andrea Dovizioso, Andrea Ianonne, and Ben Spies are down the order.
Pedrosa and Marquez are almost equal at 211 miles an hour. That's quick! The Honda accelerates quickly off the corners. Lorenzo runs a 2:04.486. Marquez is performing real well. 2:04.3 for Pedrosa. 2:04.2 for Marquez. Lorenzo runs wide and recovers in turn two. Cal Crutchlow still challenges Stefan Bradl in the esses. Marquez is coming, and fast. Rossi is all over Alvaro Bautista and Cal Crutchlow makes a mistake, but still goes after Rossi. The bikes are still on full fuel tanks.
Andrea Dovizioso is the highest placed Ducati in eighth. Colin Edwards is trying to move up, in his home race. Sixteen laps remain with Honda's in the lead. Dani Pedrosa and Marc Marquez both want to win as there's 1.8 seconds between the two. Lorenzo, Bradl, Bautista, Crutchlow, and Rossi, follow. Marc Marquez knows he doesn't want to show a hand too early here. Go high and wide into the first turn. Cal Crutchlow gets in hot, but still is in hot pursuit of Stefan Bradl.
Crutchlow will show what he can do. Jorge Lorenzo is still third. Tires could play a factor. Marquez is running the option hard compound Bridgestone while Pedrosa is on the soft tire. Fifteen laps left. Marquez literally has his elbow down. In the 1970s with Jarno Saaronen and Kenny Roberts, they dragged their knees. But now, there is more change in riding techniques. Pol Espargaro holds eleventh. Ben Spies is thirteenth, languishing. Bradley Smith is in front of him.
At these speeds, 200+ miles an hour, everything is in slow motion. Don't get excited. Be calm, even though you're flying on a speeding, thunderously loud, high performance motorcycle. Be consistent. No mistakes. Hit the marks. Coming up the hill, it's still Pedrosa and Marquez 1-2. Jorge Lorenzo is third, as Crutchlow continues hassling Bradl. Crutchlow sweeps by in turn six. Let it come to you. Don't push too hard. The lean angles are 60 degrees! Wow! You have to be carrying momentum, not accelerating too hard to overheat the tires.
Getting too aggressive wears the tires. But, get into a rhythm. They have traction control on the bikes. Jorge Lorenzo is three seconds behind. Pedrosa and Marquez still lead. The fans are on their feet on the hillsides. Cal Crutchlow has passed Stefan Bradl. Nicky Hayden is ninth. He's the best American as Ben Spies, Colin Edwards, and Blake Young, all struggle. Pedrosa and Marquez still battle as they gap Jorge Lorenzo with ten laps left. Crutchlow has the fastest bike. Can Crutchlow make a run? That'll be a major deal.
Can Crutchlow reel in the factory bike? Crutchlow has the same motor as Jorge Lorenzo. Tech 3 had a garage fire. But, they're back. Colin Edwards, the hometown hero, is out. He was not running well. Something went wrong with the bike. At the sharp end, Marquez bides his time, trying to set up Pedrosa. Marquez goes low and slides by Pedrosa with no warning. Will Marquez break away? What will you do, Dani? Push, push, push. These guys are running 212 miles an hour! Dani Pedrosa knows what he's doing, and knows what Marquez can do. Pedrosa has been a champion, and so has Marquez.
These next laps are critical. Marquez wants to gap Pedrosa. That's just how it is. Timing is huge. Don't jump across the bike too fast or you'll unbalance yourself on the bike. The lap times are in the 2:04 bracket. 2:04.3 for Pedrosa. Marquez is doing some things like last year's Honda rider, and champion, Casey Stoner. Marquez is good at standing up the bike. Lukas Pesek crashes. He runs into the back of the #9 bike of Danilo Petrucci as Dani Pedrosa almost does the same thing to Marquez!
Marquez stabilizes himself with his leg going into the corner. Crutchlow is pushing Lorenzo. But it's the battle of the Repsol Honda's for victory here. This will be a classic! The finish cometh. Team manager Livio Suppo, can barely watch. Marquez leans over less than Pedrosa, so he can save his tires, and get better acceleration. Ben Spies is running well. The gap increases between Marquez and Pedrosa. Lorenzo might be carching up, with five laps left. Cal Crutchlow could pass Jorge Lorenzo. But, he won't take things sitting down, even though he'll have to probably accept the result.
There is no gap between the leaders. Marquez runs a 2:05 flat at 2:05.067 and Pedrosa is in the 2:04.9 range. Marquez slides the bike. But that's part of how he rides. He's working the rear tire. He trusts the traction control. Some of the great riders of the past, wouldn't do that. Casey Stoner used traction control a lot. Marquez tries to get off lean angle, and roll through the corner. He pulls his arm in. Don't try this at home, amateur motorcycle riders. Three laps left.
Hiroshi Aoyama and Michael Laverty battle for 17th place. Valentino Rossi will finish sixth. He's still going for it. The Honda's have been dominant today. Marquez is going to go for it. Pedrosa is running out of tires. Yonny Hernandez has been doing well. He's learning road racing, after getting his start in motocross. Marquez is steamrolling Pedrosa right now. He's got a mountain to climb as Andrea Dovizioso is hounding Alvaro Bautista. Will Marquez win this? Freddie Spencer is the youngest MotoGP winner. But, Marquez could break it.
Marc Marquez is THE rider in MotoGP now. Hold it together. Just keep going. Don't let your mind phase you. His family is here. Marquez is going to get this. Livio Suppo finds another superstar. Marc Marquez is going to win this race. He's going to make history, breaking Freddie Spencer's record! Marquez wins in MotoGP! He's #1 in the first MotoGP race at COTA!
#93 Marc Marquez ESP Honda
The next MotoGP race will be in Spain, at the Jerez track, coming up in two weeks.
This is a bittersweet moment, after the explosion at the factory in West, Texas. Now, of course, these bikes are specially built. They run 200 miles an hour, easily. There is very little data at COTA for these riders. Every rider has really enjoyed the track. Stefan Bradl says it's difficult, yet fantastic. Jorge Lorenzo is amazed at it's side. Andrea Dovizioso also likes it, and is ready for this race.
Ben Spies wants to be an ambassador for the series as it comes to the track. Colin Edwards is a native Texan and teaches people how to ride motorcycles. Nicky Hayden starts his 169th MotoGP event, after starting his MotoGP career back in 2006. Hayden just wants to have a clean race. Colin Edwards has run in motorcycle racing for two decades. He teaches people how to ride motorcycles. SPEED did a feature on this. He's a road racer, but teaches people how to ride bikes on dirt. Bradley Smith is a guest of the school, learning how to ride a dirt bike. AMA rider James Rispoli also was a part of this. The MotoGP bikes are headed to the grid. We are drawing closer to an incredible race.
The race will start in fifteen minutes. Ben Spies is not just a motorcycle racer, but also a cyclist. Ben Spies and Scott Russell will show off the track on bicycles. Braking uphill into a steep corner like turn one at COTA is pretty trick. The right hander is very important bfore another couple left handers onto the back straight. Get the line correct out of the right and into the next series of corners. It's all about momentum on these bikes. The balance has to be there for the three corner jaunt on the back of the track.
Then, there's a slow corner that drops down. It sneaks up on you. It should be an amazing event. We are ready for pre race ceremonies. The horns have sounded, and the grid has been cleared before the start of the race. It is now, moments away.
Marc Marquez starts from pole. Blake Young will be the nominated wildcard rider. Michael Barnes was supposed to be the second one. But, he can't make the call. This race will be 21 laps, 71 miles. Jorge Lorenzo might be a darkhorse in this race. The first corner will be the matchmaker.
At the start, Marquez gets a good job and so does Dani Pedrosa. Lorenzo loses spots as Stefan Bradl goes to second through the esses. Valentino Rossi is balked by Nicky Hayden. Ben Spies tries to gain places in his home race. Stefan Bradl and Marc Marquez battle as Marquez is now second behind team mate Dani Pedrosa. They run 211 miles an hour on the straight as Jorge Lorenzo, Cal Crutchlow, and Valentino Rossi all follow. Lorenzo passes Bradl, and Bradl gets a chance to get by. Here comes Crutchlow, after Lorenzo went wide.
Rossi is coming. Crutchlow and Bradl seem to be pulling away. Yamaha didn't do as well in the test. But, it looks like they're coming back. Alvaro Bautista wants by Valentino Rossi, but can't quite get there. Dani Pedrosa wants to hold off Marc Marquez. Marquez schooled him Qatar. He wants to teach Marquez a lesson. This is cutthroat racing. Cal Crutchlow and Stefan Bradl want factory rides. Lorenzo runs a 2:04.4. as Andrea Dovizioso, Andrea Ianonne, and Ben Spies are down the order.
Pedrosa and Marquez are almost equal at 211 miles an hour. That's quick! The Honda accelerates quickly off the corners. Lorenzo runs a 2:04.486. Marquez is performing real well. 2:04.3 for Pedrosa. 2:04.2 for Marquez. Lorenzo runs wide and recovers in turn two. Cal Crutchlow still challenges Stefan Bradl in the esses. Marquez is coming, and fast. Rossi is all over Alvaro Bautista and Cal Crutchlow makes a mistake, but still goes after Rossi. The bikes are still on full fuel tanks.
Andrea Dovizioso is the highest placed Ducati in eighth. Colin Edwards is trying to move up, in his home race. Sixteen laps remain with Honda's in the lead. Dani Pedrosa and Marc Marquez both want to win as there's 1.8 seconds between the two. Lorenzo, Bradl, Bautista, Crutchlow, and Rossi, follow. Marc Marquez knows he doesn't want to show a hand too early here. Go high and wide into the first turn. Cal Crutchlow gets in hot, but still is in hot pursuit of Stefan Bradl.
Crutchlow will show what he can do. Jorge Lorenzo is still third. Tires could play a factor. Marquez is running the option hard compound Bridgestone while Pedrosa is on the soft tire. Fifteen laps left. Marquez literally has his elbow down. In the 1970s with Jarno Saaronen and Kenny Roberts, they dragged their knees. But now, there is more change in riding techniques. Pol Espargaro holds eleventh. Ben Spies is thirteenth, languishing. Bradley Smith is in front of him.
At these speeds, 200+ miles an hour, everything is in slow motion. Don't get excited. Be calm, even though you're flying on a speeding, thunderously loud, high performance motorcycle. Be consistent. No mistakes. Hit the marks. Coming up the hill, it's still Pedrosa and Marquez 1-2. Jorge Lorenzo is third, as Crutchlow continues hassling Bradl. Crutchlow sweeps by in turn six. Let it come to you. Don't push too hard. The lean angles are 60 degrees! Wow! You have to be carrying momentum, not accelerating too hard to overheat the tires.
Getting too aggressive wears the tires. But, get into a rhythm. They have traction control on the bikes. Jorge Lorenzo is three seconds behind. Pedrosa and Marquez still lead. The fans are on their feet on the hillsides. Cal Crutchlow has passed Stefan Bradl. Nicky Hayden is ninth. He's the best American as Ben Spies, Colin Edwards, and Blake Young, all struggle. Pedrosa and Marquez still battle as they gap Jorge Lorenzo with ten laps left. Crutchlow has the fastest bike. Can Crutchlow make a run? That'll be a major deal.
Can Crutchlow reel in the factory bike? Crutchlow has the same motor as Jorge Lorenzo. Tech 3 had a garage fire. But, they're back. Colin Edwards, the hometown hero, is out. He was not running well. Something went wrong with the bike. At the sharp end, Marquez bides his time, trying to set up Pedrosa. Marquez goes low and slides by Pedrosa with no warning. Will Marquez break away? What will you do, Dani? Push, push, push. These guys are running 212 miles an hour! Dani Pedrosa knows what he's doing, and knows what Marquez can do. Pedrosa has been a champion, and so has Marquez.
These next laps are critical. Marquez wants to gap Pedrosa. That's just how it is. Timing is huge. Don't jump across the bike too fast or you'll unbalance yourself on the bike. The lap times are in the 2:04 bracket. 2:04.3 for Pedrosa. Marquez is doing some things like last year's Honda rider, and champion, Casey Stoner. Marquez is good at standing up the bike. Lukas Pesek crashes. He runs into the back of the #9 bike of Danilo Petrucci as Dani Pedrosa almost does the same thing to Marquez!
Marquez stabilizes himself with his leg going into the corner. Crutchlow is pushing Lorenzo. But it's the battle of the Repsol Honda's for victory here. This will be a classic! The finish cometh. Team manager Livio Suppo, can barely watch. Marquez leans over less than Pedrosa, so he can save his tires, and get better acceleration. Ben Spies is running well. The gap increases between Marquez and Pedrosa. Lorenzo might be carching up, with five laps left. Cal Crutchlow could pass Jorge Lorenzo. But, he won't take things sitting down, even though he'll have to probably accept the result.
There is no gap between the leaders. Marquez runs a 2:05 flat at 2:05.067 and Pedrosa is in the 2:04.9 range. Marquez slides the bike. But that's part of how he rides. He's working the rear tire. He trusts the traction control. Some of the great riders of the past, wouldn't do that. Casey Stoner used traction control a lot. Marquez tries to get off lean angle, and roll through the corner. He pulls his arm in. Don't try this at home, amateur motorcycle riders. Three laps left.
Hiroshi Aoyama and Michael Laverty battle for 17th place. Valentino Rossi will finish sixth. He's still going for it. The Honda's have been dominant today. Marquez is going to go for it. Pedrosa is running out of tires. Yonny Hernandez has been doing well. He's learning road racing, after getting his start in motocross. Marquez is steamrolling Pedrosa right now. He's got a mountain to climb as Andrea Dovizioso is hounding Alvaro Bautista. Will Marquez win this? Freddie Spencer is the youngest MotoGP winner. But, Marquez could break it.
Marc Marquez is THE rider in MotoGP now. Hold it together. Just keep going. Don't let your mind phase you. His family is here. Marquez is going to get this. Livio Suppo finds another superstar. Marc Marquez is going to win this race. He's going to make history, breaking Freddie Spencer's record! Marquez wins in MotoGP! He's #1 in the first MotoGP race at COTA!
#93 Marc Marquez ESP Honda
The next MotoGP race will be in Spain, at the Jerez track, coming up in two weeks.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Marquez all smiles over new qualifying record
Marc Marquez gets pole for MotoGP at Circuit of the Americas tomorrow. Can't wait for the race! Race report, coming your way, tomorrow, after the checkers. Stay tuned, fans.
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/Marquez+all+smiles+over+new+qualifying+record
More about Marquez's pole and the qualifying session in general.
http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/motogp-marquez-makes-his-mark-with-first-pole/
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/Marquez+all+smiles+over+new+qualifying+record
More about Marquez's pole and the qualifying session in general.
http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/motogp-marquez-makes-his-mark-with-first-pole/
Friday, April 19, 2013
MotoGP COTA news
FYI. Once again, everyone, please go to this link to the MotoGP website for all news related to Grand Prix of the Americas.
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/MotoGP
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/MotoGP
Marquez in control at Circuit of the Americas
Marc Marquez leads MotoGP practice, again. Here's the news.
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/motogp+austin+marquez+fp2
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/motogp+austin+marquez+fp2
Bol D'Or
The opening round of the FIM World Endurance Championship for motorcycles is this weekend. It is the Bol D'or at the Magny Cours track in France. Here's the information on the race.
This is from the ACO Facebook page.
Opening of the World Championship of Endurance at Magny Cours and pole position of SRC Kawasaki. The winning team of the last three editions of the 24 hours is installed at the head of all sessions of the Bol d'Or.
This is from the ACO Facebook page.
Opening of the World Championship of Endurance at Magny Cours and pole position of SRC Kawasaki. The winning team of the last three editions of the 24 hours is installed at the head of all sessions of the Bol d'Or.
Thursday, April 18, 2013
A lap of Circuit of the Americas, aboard a bike
Here's what it looks like at Circuit of the America's in Austin, Texas, from a rider's perspective. THIS is cool!
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
The 2013 Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas
This preview video speaks for itself. Austin, Texas... here comes MotoGP! Woohoo!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMR1FjYaWkQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMR1FjYaWkQ
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
MOTOGP: Austin Primed For MotoGP Debut
Here is a story from SPEED.com about this weekend's MotoGP World Championship inaugural race at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. There are previews for MotoGP, Moto 2, and Moto 3. Check it out at this link.
http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/motogp-austin-primed-for-motogp-debut/P1
http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/motogp-austin-primed-for-motogp-debut/P1
Monday, April 15, 2013
World Superbike round 2: Aragon
Chaz Davies on his BMW S1000RR swept both races in round two for FIM World Superbike at Motorland Aragon in Aragon, Spain last weekend. Here are all the results from each race that took place
World Superbike race 1: #19 Chaz Davies GBR BMW Motorrrad Goldbet SBK BMW S1000RR
World Superbike race 2: #19 Chaz Davies GBR BMW Motorrad Goldbet SBK BMW S1000RR
World Supersport race: #99 Fabien Foret FRA Mahi Racing Team India Kawasaki ZX-6-R
Superstock 1000 race: #1 Sylvain Barrier FRA BMW Motorrad Goldbet BMW S1000RR
HP4
Superstock 600 race: #52 Gauthier Duwelz BEL MTM Racing Team Yamaha YZF R6
The next race for the World Superbikes is in two weeks, at the legendary motorcycle racing circuit, Assen, and Assen, Holland. Stay tuned for a report covering all the winners.
World Superbike race 1: #19 Chaz Davies GBR BMW Motorrrad Goldbet SBK BMW S1000RR
World Superbike race 2: #19 Chaz Davies GBR BMW Motorrad Goldbet SBK BMW S1000RR
World Supersport race: #99 Fabien Foret FRA Mahi Racing Team India Kawasaki ZX-6-R
Superstock 1000 race: #1 Sylvain Barrier FRA BMW Motorrad Goldbet BMW S1000RR
HP4
Superstock 600 race: #52 Gauthier Duwelz BEL MTM Racing Team Yamaha YZF R6
The next race for the World Superbikes is in two weeks, at the legendary motorcycle racing circuit, Assen, and Assen, Holland. Stay tuned for a report covering all the winners.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Ducati news about their recent success on the racetrack
Two stories about Ducati's success so far, through the first round of the MotoGP world championship. Will they build a momentum streak? Only time will tell as the races unfold throughout 2013.
"Ducati Team Result Was As Good As Could Be Expected"
http://www.ducati.net/2013/04/ducati-team-result-was-as-good-as-could-be-expected/
"Andrea Dovizioso Surprised at Ducati Speed"
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sport/sportresults/MotoGP/2013/April/apr0613-dovi-surprised-at-ducati-speed/
"Ducati Team Result Was As Good As Could Be Expected"
http://www.ducati.net/2013/04/ducati-team-result-was-as-good-as-could-be-expected/
"Andrea Dovizioso Surprised at Ducati Speed"
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sport/sportresults/MotoGP/2013/April/apr0613-dovi-surprised-at-ducati-speed/
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
MotoGP: Early Returns
Here is some prediction and analysis on what MIGHT happen in MotoGP now that the opening race is in the books. But, alas, it's just predictions.
http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/motogp-early-returns/
http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/motogp-early-returns/
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Moto 3: Qatar
Here are the highlights of the Moto 3 race from the Losail International Circuit in Doha, Qatar.
On pole, for the first race of this new, 2013 Moto 3 season is This race has been around since 2004. People wouldn't come to see it at first. But now, that's all changed. We've seen MotoGP and Moto 2. Now, it's time for Moto 3. This class is open now, because of Sandro Cortese moving up to Moto 2. 18 laps scheduled. Everyone is very excited to start the season.
Luis Salom has pole for this race. We are ready to go. Maverick Vinales is second. He won this race last year of course. Many riders in this class last year, are back to give it another shot in 2013. Eric Granado's bike is having issues. He'll have to start from pit lane. He has moved down from Moto 2 to Moto 3, and is only 17 years old. On at least one side of the track, traction will be at a premium. So, the riders will have to be aware of the conditions.
At the start, it's Jonas Folger getting a good jump, but Luis Salom leads. Here comes Alex Rins. He's second. Folger drops to fourth place. Maverick Vinales and Arthur Sissis are up there, too. Sissis is up to fifth from tenth. Alex Marquez is also in this. Miguel Oliveira wants by Arthur Sissis. Alan Techer fell back at the start of the race being on the dirty side of the road. Alex Rins takes over the lead and Efren Vazquez is moving up.
Last year, of course, Maverick Vinales checked out. Who will be the leader this year? Don't take too many risks. Search for grip. Oh. Somebody falls. Who is it? It could be Niccolo Antonelli. It is. He's out of the race. Alex Rins, Maverick Vinales, and Jonas Folger are at the sharp end right now. There's still a long way to go. Three of the bikes are KTM factory machines, while another, is a Kalex chassis with a KTM engine. Brad Binder moves up. But Romano Fenati is nowhere near where he was in this race last year. He's languishing in 19th.
Maverick Vinales wants to pull away. Luis Salom nearly left the door open for him. But, not quite. Alex Marquez runs fast lap. But, he's a bit further behind everyone else. Niklas Ajo and Jakub Kornfeil round out the top ten. Alex Marquez is ahead of Miguel Oliveira, Alex Rins, and Arthur Sissis. You don't want to be leading out of turn sixteen. Alan Techer has crashed. His race is run. Sissis passes Oliviera for sixth place.
The weather has been iffy for most of the weekend, and it's affected the Moto 3 class more than Moto 2 or MotoGP. Vinales runs a 2:07.8 and Rins runs a 2:07.1. The conditions are getting better. Jonas Folger looks to be passing Maverick Vinales who might be nursing an injury from a testing crash. Rins and Salom are up there. Salom runs a 2:06.8. Miguel Oliveira and Arthur Sissis are battling as Zulhfammi Khairuddin is also moving up, with twelve laps to go. Jakub Kornfeil is under pressure. Jonas Folger passes Vinales. The gap is dropping berween Vinales and Folger.
Alex Marquez is still there. Five laps into thee race. Luis Salom is testing Alex Rins. Folger runs fast lap at 2:06.658. Salom slides past Rins. Pablo Nieto (team manager for Maverick Vinales), says Vinales is riding hurt, in his fingers. But, he seems to be holding his own out on the track right now. Vinales has been taking pain relievers for his sore hands. Sissis and Oliviera are still batting. Danny Webb is by himself in thirteenth. Jack Miller is passed by Alexis Masbou. Luis Salom is being shadowed by Alex Rins. Oliviera passes Sissis for sixth.
Every bike, except for Oliviera, is a KTM. Everyone in this group, except for Alex Rins, has won a Grand Prix. Be prepared to go into the last corner not in the lead, and still give it everything you've got. Alex Marquez is reeling in Jonas Folger, who ran really well in the latter part of last season. The top speed of a Moto 3 bike is 230 kilometers an hour (about 144 miles an hour). Nine laps remain now. Jonas Folger is the quickest rider in the top five at 2:07.176. Jack Miller, Jasper Iwema, Ana Carasco, and others, battle. Carasco is a Moto 3 rookie, and she is team mate to Maverick Vinales.
She ran Spanish Moto 3 last year. Jakub Kornfeil runs wide. Five riders are in contention to win this. Alex Marquez moves by Maverick Vinales for third. Marquez is matching the pace of the leaders. Right now, all five of these riders could win this race. Arthur Sissis is now seventh. Brad Binder and Danny Webb are battling. So is Efren Vazquez. Danny Kent might also be in this scrap. Vazquez wants by Niklas Ajo. Jonas Folger is losing ground to Maverick Vinales, on lap 12. Alex Rins still leads.
The harder compound Dunlop tire might wear out quicker than the softer compound, for strategy purposes. Zulfammi Khairuddin is being hounded by Arthur Sissis. Alex Marquez is now second. He is Marc Marquez's younger brother. Arthur Sissis makes a pass and Zulhfammi Khairuddin is also pushing hard. Jonas Folger tries sticking to Maverick Vinales like glue. Will he get there? Alex Marquez blocks Luis Salom. Last year, Alex Marquez was a wildcard rider. This year, he's full time in Moto 3.
Alex Rins continues to lead. But, Salon and Marquez are battling. It seems Salom has passed the two blue and orange bikes. Folger and Vinales are back in this battle another time. Five laps remain. Miguel Oliviera needs to keep an eye on Zulfahmmi Khairuddin as this race nears it's conclusion. Alex Marquez runs through on the inside, passing team mate Alex Rins. Luis Salom and Maverick Vinales are in this thing now, too. It's every rider for himself. Plans have been tossed out the window. The Spanish riders have come to the fore in this event.
Alex Rins continues to lead. Could he win? Luis Salom won two races last year. Maverick Vinales won five. Alex Marquez is pushing and the Khairuddin and Oliviera battle is simmering. Marquez has passed Alex Rins. Alex Marquez is still in the lead here. He's the brother of Marc Marquez who is now in MotoGP. Rins is reeling Marquez in. Two laps remain as their four wide! Who gets it? Vinales! Rins pushes wide. Marquez leads over Vinales, Rins, Salom, and Folger.
Here comes Rins. A lap and a half to go. This is a wild race. We're still in this scrap, ladies and gentleman. Here comes Rins. Marquez is pushing. Rins is back in the lead. Salom is third. Vinales is still in there. These four are within five hundredths of a second! Who is going to win? Is this how the final lap will go? Here comes Salom! Vinales and Rins drop back. Vinales wants a good spot to slingshot on the last lap. Luis Salom is trying to move ahead. It could be enough to get there. But, the other four riders will have something to say.
Folger is dropping back slightly. Half a lap to go. Go, now! Who does it? Rins won't let Marquez by. Luis Salom opens a gap. He's going to win. Vinales is still leading rins. Jonas Folger is not done yet. However, as they come down the straight, it's Luis Salom. Rins gets secon! Wow! What a race. Niklas Ajo beats Efren Vazquez for tenth. Romano Fenati finishes a lowly fifteenth.
#39 Luis Salom ESP KTM
The next Moto 3 race is in the U.S. It is the first of at least two races they'll have in the States, along with MotoGP and Moto 2, at the new Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, coming up in less than two weeks.
On pole, for the first race of this new, 2013 Moto 3 season is This race has been around since 2004. People wouldn't come to see it at first. But now, that's all changed. We've seen MotoGP and Moto 2. Now, it's time for Moto 3. This class is open now, because of Sandro Cortese moving up to Moto 2. 18 laps scheduled. Everyone is very excited to start the season.
Luis Salom has pole for this race. We are ready to go. Maverick Vinales is second. He won this race last year of course. Many riders in this class last year, are back to give it another shot in 2013. Eric Granado's bike is having issues. He'll have to start from pit lane. He has moved down from Moto 2 to Moto 3, and is only 17 years old. On at least one side of the track, traction will be at a premium. So, the riders will have to be aware of the conditions.
At the start, it's Jonas Folger getting a good jump, but Luis Salom leads. Here comes Alex Rins. He's second. Folger drops to fourth place. Maverick Vinales and Arthur Sissis are up there, too. Sissis is up to fifth from tenth. Alex Marquez is also in this. Miguel Oliveira wants by Arthur Sissis. Alan Techer fell back at the start of the race being on the dirty side of the road. Alex Rins takes over the lead and Efren Vazquez is moving up.
Last year, of course, Maverick Vinales checked out. Who will be the leader this year? Don't take too many risks. Search for grip. Oh. Somebody falls. Who is it? It could be Niccolo Antonelli. It is. He's out of the race. Alex Rins, Maverick Vinales, and Jonas Folger are at the sharp end right now. There's still a long way to go. Three of the bikes are KTM factory machines, while another, is a Kalex chassis with a KTM engine. Brad Binder moves up. But Romano Fenati is nowhere near where he was in this race last year. He's languishing in 19th.
Maverick Vinales wants to pull away. Luis Salom nearly left the door open for him. But, not quite. Alex Marquez runs fast lap. But, he's a bit further behind everyone else. Niklas Ajo and Jakub Kornfeil round out the top ten. Alex Marquez is ahead of Miguel Oliveira, Alex Rins, and Arthur Sissis. You don't want to be leading out of turn sixteen. Alan Techer has crashed. His race is run. Sissis passes Oliviera for sixth place.
The weather has been iffy for most of the weekend, and it's affected the Moto 3 class more than Moto 2 or MotoGP. Vinales runs a 2:07.8 and Rins runs a 2:07.1. The conditions are getting better. Jonas Folger looks to be passing Maverick Vinales who might be nursing an injury from a testing crash. Rins and Salom are up there. Salom runs a 2:06.8. Miguel Oliveira and Arthur Sissis are battling as Zulhfammi Khairuddin is also moving up, with twelve laps to go. Jakub Kornfeil is under pressure. Jonas Folger passes Vinales. The gap is dropping berween Vinales and Folger.
Alex Marquez is still there. Five laps into thee race. Luis Salom is testing Alex Rins. Folger runs fast lap at 2:06.658. Salom slides past Rins. Pablo Nieto (team manager for Maverick Vinales), says Vinales is riding hurt, in his fingers. But, he seems to be holding his own out on the track right now. Vinales has been taking pain relievers for his sore hands. Sissis and Oliviera are still batting. Danny Webb is by himself in thirteenth. Jack Miller is passed by Alexis Masbou. Luis Salom is being shadowed by Alex Rins. Oliviera passes Sissis for sixth.
Every bike, except for Oliviera, is a KTM. Everyone in this group, except for Alex Rins, has won a Grand Prix. Be prepared to go into the last corner not in the lead, and still give it everything you've got. Alex Marquez is reeling in Jonas Folger, who ran really well in the latter part of last season. The top speed of a Moto 3 bike is 230 kilometers an hour (about 144 miles an hour). Nine laps remain now. Jonas Folger is the quickest rider in the top five at 2:07.176. Jack Miller, Jasper Iwema, Ana Carasco, and others, battle. Carasco is a Moto 3 rookie, and she is team mate to Maverick Vinales.
She ran Spanish Moto 3 last year. Jakub Kornfeil runs wide. Five riders are in contention to win this. Alex Marquez moves by Maverick Vinales for third. Marquez is matching the pace of the leaders. Right now, all five of these riders could win this race. Arthur Sissis is now seventh. Brad Binder and Danny Webb are battling. So is Efren Vazquez. Danny Kent might also be in this scrap. Vazquez wants by Niklas Ajo. Jonas Folger is losing ground to Maverick Vinales, on lap 12. Alex Rins still leads.
The harder compound Dunlop tire might wear out quicker than the softer compound, for strategy purposes. Zulfammi Khairuddin is being hounded by Arthur Sissis. Alex Marquez is now second. He is Marc Marquez's younger brother. Arthur Sissis makes a pass and Zulhfammi Khairuddin is also pushing hard. Jonas Folger tries sticking to Maverick Vinales like glue. Will he get there? Alex Marquez blocks Luis Salom. Last year, Alex Marquez was a wildcard rider. This year, he's full time in Moto 3.
Alex Rins continues to lead. But, Salon and Marquez are battling. It seems Salom has passed the two blue and orange bikes. Folger and Vinales are back in this battle another time. Five laps remain. Miguel Oliviera needs to keep an eye on Zulfahmmi Khairuddin as this race nears it's conclusion. Alex Marquez runs through on the inside, passing team mate Alex Rins. Luis Salom and Maverick Vinales are in this thing now, too. It's every rider for himself. Plans have been tossed out the window. The Spanish riders have come to the fore in this event.
Alex Rins continues to lead. Could he win? Luis Salom won two races last year. Maverick Vinales won five. Alex Marquez is pushing and the Khairuddin and Oliviera battle is simmering. Marquez has passed Alex Rins. Alex Marquez is still in the lead here. He's the brother of Marc Marquez who is now in MotoGP. Rins is reeling Marquez in. Two laps remain as their four wide! Who gets it? Vinales! Rins pushes wide. Marquez leads over Vinales, Rins, Salom, and Folger.
Here comes Rins. A lap and a half to go. This is a wild race. We're still in this scrap, ladies and gentleman. Here comes Rins. Marquez is pushing. Rins is back in the lead. Salom is third. Vinales is still in there. These four are within five hundredths of a second! Who is going to win? Is this how the final lap will go? Here comes Salom! Vinales and Rins drop back. Vinales wants a good spot to slingshot on the last lap. Luis Salom is trying to move ahead. It could be enough to get there. But, the other four riders will have something to say.
Folger is dropping back slightly. Half a lap to go. Go, now! Who does it? Rins won't let Marquez by. Luis Salom opens a gap. He's going to win. Vinales is still leading rins. Jonas Folger is not done yet. However, as they come down the straight, it's Luis Salom. Rins gets secon! Wow! What a race. Niklas Ajo beats Efren Vazquez for tenth. Romano Fenati finishes a lowly fifteenth.
#39 Luis Salom ESP KTM
The next Moto 3 race is in the U.S. It is the first of at least two races they'll have in the States, along with MotoGP and Moto 2, at the new Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, coming up in less than two weeks.
Monday, April 8, 2013
Moto 2: Qatar
It's the opening round of the Moto 2 championship for 2013, at the Losail circuit in Doha, Qatar.
The bikes are on their warmup lap, at this cool circuit in the desert. 20 laps are scheduled. Pol Espargaro has pole position. He is the favorite for this race. Most of the names are here from last year. Sandro Cortese moves up to Moto 2 after winning the Moto 3 championship last year. The track was very dirty. Louis Rossi and Danny Kent also move up to Moto 2 from Moto 3. Kyle Smith makes his debut. Tom Luthi is hurt, and is replaced by Sergio Gadea. Mike Di Meglio is going to have to start from the back of the gird, as the bikes set off on their warmup lap. We are ready for the start.
However, Di Meglio is going to start from the pits, no matter what. Here we go.
At the start, Scott Redding goes well, but Sandro Cortese is not running well. Taaki Nakagami, Scott Redding, Mika Kallio, Tito Rabat, they're all moving up. Dominik Aegerter is up there and Mika Kallio almost crashes. Tito Rabat is going past Kallio. Nico Terol moves up, and Julian Simon is dropping down the order, after being on the dirty line. Scott Redding is right on top of Pol Espargaro. Takaki Nakagaami is going for it, pulling away.
Dominik Aegerter might be holding up the race. Rathpark Villarot is going to serve a penalty for jumping the start. Simone Corsi moves up with Julian Simon. Pol Espargaro shadows Nakagami. Scott Redding is going to have to conserve his tires. Scott Redding is much smoother in his riding style already as the 2013 season starts. A rider makes himself into what they'll become. Tito Rabat is moving up, too. He had a good race in Japan last year. Ratthpark Willairot is going to have to serve a penalty. It's official, according to the pit board.
Pol Espargaro settles in behind Nakagami. The top riders run in the 2:01.5 to 2:01.8 lap time range. Simone Corsi seems to be running well. Nakagami is opening the gap. Tito Rabat passes Dominik Aegerter and looks to reel in Scott Redding. Axel Pons crashes. He'll have to be removed from the track. He ditches the bike in a low side shunt. Pons is team mate to Tito Rabat, and Pol Espargaro. Pons should be OK. Meanwhile, Rabat is 2.5 seconds ahead of Redding. Aegerter, Corsi, and Simon are coming. Louis Rossi and Simone Corsi are having issues. Ditto for Danny Kent. These guys come from Moto 3.
Anthony West is languishing. Villairot needs to be brought in for his penalty. He doesn't know he has to come in, though. If he doesn't come in, he'll be disqualified, as Nakagami runs a 2:01 flat. Nakagami is pulling away, but Redding is coming. Five laps complete. A replay is shown of Louis Rossi's fall. Scott Redding needs a win in Moto 2. He wants to be in MotoGP. But, he can't get there yet. Simone Corsi is moving up. Marcel Schrotter is eighth, behind Julian Simon.
Mika Kallio will get stronger. 5.2 seconds exist between Corsi in fourth, and Espargaro in third spot. Takaaki Nakagami still leads. Julian Simon replaces Toni Elias as Nakagami's team mate. He's run with a team that has had names like Casey Stoner, Dani Pedrosa, and others. Anthony West is out of the race. Anthony West ditches his bike. Maybe he can get going. But, he might be out. He is sponsored by the nation of Qatar. Again, Louis Rossi is a retirement from this race.
Redding is 6/10ths quicker than Scott Redding. Redding is right on top of Nakagami, taking the race lead. Twelve laps left. Pol Espargaro has to reel in Redding. Actually, he'll need to get through Nakagami first. Nakagami drops down another tenth of a second. Anthony West is out of the race. Nakagami runs wide. Perhaps, he expects Espargaro to pass, and yes, he does. Espargaro is now second. Is Nakagami going to fight? Matteo Pasini retires. Pasini was in MotoGP last year.
Pasini collected Steven Odendaal. The race is half over. Passini won in 250cc competition five years ago. Ooh. Mike DiMeglio took Passini out of this one. Whack. Ouch! This race isn't over by any means. Tito Rabat might get stronger, and so will Mika Kallio. Rabat passes Dominik Aegerter. Julian Simon leads Marcel Schrotter. Espargaro runs a 2:01 flat. Nakagaami is losing ground. Danny Kent battles Sandro Cortese. These two were team mates in Moto 3 last year.
Nakagaami can just keep a podium in sight. Nine laps to go. Make that eight. There's a half a second between Scott Redding, and Pol Espargaro. The lap times are very consistent, one lap after another, much like a MotoGP race. Dominik Aegerter closes on Simone Corsi. There may be a yellow flag here. Riders will be "summoned". What does this mean? Hmmm. Espargaro sets fast lap. Redding is still setting 2:01s. Redding has argued with crew chief Pete Benson. Benson was Nicky Hayden's crew chief, in MotoGP in 2006.
This is a huge opportunity for Scott Redding. But, Pol Espargaro is also a hard charger. He could have won the Moto 2 title last year, if not for Marc Marquez. Pol Espargaro wants by Scott Redding. Espargaro took him buy surprise. Uh oh. Someone gets his bike right in Redding's face! Was that Espargaro? Yikes! This is getting crazy with five laps left. Redding wants Moto 2 victory. Espargaro won four races last year. Here comes Espargaro. Espargaro takes the lead. Now, Redding needs to push. He wonders if he can win. What will he do?
Pol Espargaro and Scott Redding continue their battles. Espargaro will not crack under pressure. It's a duel to the finish. Both slide in the last corner. Espargaro has better drive on the straight. He can't get a tow off Espargaro's bike. Sito Pons (a double FIM Grand Prix champion), looks on, watching his rider (Espargaro). Scott Redding cannot pass. He'll have to block pass, and force Espargaro to make a mistake. Redding will have to push. Can he win? It's going to go down to the wire.
Lining up for the triple right curves, Mika Kallio is going well as Tito Rabat falls behind. Now, Redding is trying Espargaro with a lap and a half left. He cannot get by. It's going to be pretty close, fans. But, Redding just doesn't have a chance to get into the slipstream. It's the last lap of the race now. Redding pushes on the brakes. It's now or never. Redding is reeling him in but not quite. Redding tries hard on the inside and can't get there. He has to make time. He hangs in there. But, it's not going to be enough. Pol Espargaro is going to do it.
Espargaro wins!
#40 Pol Espargaro ESP Kalex Granolers
The next Moto 2 race is in two weeks at the Circuit of the Americas, in Austin, Texas, U.S.A.
The bikes are on their warmup lap, at this cool circuit in the desert. 20 laps are scheduled. Pol Espargaro has pole position. He is the favorite for this race. Most of the names are here from last year. Sandro Cortese moves up to Moto 2 after winning the Moto 3 championship last year. The track was very dirty. Louis Rossi and Danny Kent also move up to Moto 2 from Moto 3. Kyle Smith makes his debut. Tom Luthi is hurt, and is replaced by Sergio Gadea. Mike Di Meglio is going to have to start from the back of the gird, as the bikes set off on their warmup lap. We are ready for the start.
However, Di Meglio is going to start from the pits, no matter what. Here we go.
At the start, Scott Redding goes well, but Sandro Cortese is not running well. Taaki Nakagami, Scott Redding, Mika Kallio, Tito Rabat, they're all moving up. Dominik Aegerter is up there and Mika Kallio almost crashes. Tito Rabat is going past Kallio. Nico Terol moves up, and Julian Simon is dropping down the order, after being on the dirty line. Scott Redding is right on top of Pol Espargaro. Takaki Nakagaami is going for it, pulling away.
Dominik Aegerter might be holding up the race. Rathpark Villarot is going to serve a penalty for jumping the start. Simone Corsi moves up with Julian Simon. Pol Espargaro shadows Nakagami. Scott Redding is going to have to conserve his tires. Scott Redding is much smoother in his riding style already as the 2013 season starts. A rider makes himself into what they'll become. Tito Rabat is moving up, too. He had a good race in Japan last year. Ratthpark Willairot is going to have to serve a penalty. It's official, according to the pit board.
Pol Espargaro settles in behind Nakagami. The top riders run in the 2:01.5 to 2:01.8 lap time range. Simone Corsi seems to be running well. Nakagami is opening the gap. Tito Rabat passes Dominik Aegerter and looks to reel in Scott Redding. Axel Pons crashes. He'll have to be removed from the track. He ditches the bike in a low side shunt. Pons is team mate to Tito Rabat, and Pol Espargaro. Pons should be OK. Meanwhile, Rabat is 2.5 seconds ahead of Redding. Aegerter, Corsi, and Simon are coming. Louis Rossi and Simone Corsi are having issues. Ditto for Danny Kent. These guys come from Moto 3.
Anthony West is languishing. Villairot needs to be brought in for his penalty. He doesn't know he has to come in, though. If he doesn't come in, he'll be disqualified, as Nakagami runs a 2:01 flat. Nakagami is pulling away, but Redding is coming. Five laps complete. A replay is shown of Louis Rossi's fall. Scott Redding needs a win in Moto 2. He wants to be in MotoGP. But, he can't get there yet. Simone Corsi is moving up. Marcel Schrotter is eighth, behind Julian Simon.
Mika Kallio will get stronger. 5.2 seconds exist between Corsi in fourth, and Espargaro in third spot. Takaaki Nakagami still leads. Julian Simon replaces Toni Elias as Nakagami's team mate. He's run with a team that has had names like Casey Stoner, Dani Pedrosa, and others. Anthony West is out of the race. Anthony West ditches his bike. Maybe he can get going. But, he might be out. He is sponsored by the nation of Qatar. Again, Louis Rossi is a retirement from this race.
Redding is 6/10ths quicker than Scott Redding. Redding is right on top of Nakagami, taking the race lead. Twelve laps left. Pol Espargaro has to reel in Redding. Actually, he'll need to get through Nakagami first. Nakagami drops down another tenth of a second. Anthony West is out of the race. Nakagami runs wide. Perhaps, he expects Espargaro to pass, and yes, he does. Espargaro is now second. Is Nakagami going to fight? Matteo Pasini retires. Pasini was in MotoGP last year.
Pasini collected Steven Odendaal. The race is half over. Passini won in 250cc competition five years ago. Ooh. Mike DiMeglio took Passini out of this one. Whack. Ouch! This race isn't over by any means. Tito Rabat might get stronger, and so will Mika Kallio. Rabat passes Dominik Aegerter. Julian Simon leads Marcel Schrotter. Espargaro runs a 2:01 flat. Nakagaami is losing ground. Danny Kent battles Sandro Cortese. These two were team mates in Moto 3 last year.
Nakagaami can just keep a podium in sight. Nine laps to go. Make that eight. There's a half a second between Scott Redding, and Pol Espargaro. The lap times are very consistent, one lap after another, much like a MotoGP race. Dominik Aegerter closes on Simone Corsi. There may be a yellow flag here. Riders will be "summoned". What does this mean? Hmmm. Espargaro sets fast lap. Redding is still setting 2:01s. Redding has argued with crew chief Pete Benson. Benson was Nicky Hayden's crew chief, in MotoGP in 2006.
This is a huge opportunity for Scott Redding. But, Pol Espargaro is also a hard charger. He could have won the Moto 2 title last year, if not for Marc Marquez. Pol Espargaro wants by Scott Redding. Espargaro took him buy surprise. Uh oh. Someone gets his bike right in Redding's face! Was that Espargaro? Yikes! This is getting crazy with five laps left. Redding wants Moto 2 victory. Espargaro won four races last year. Here comes Espargaro. Espargaro takes the lead. Now, Redding needs to push. He wonders if he can win. What will he do?
Pol Espargaro and Scott Redding continue their battles. Espargaro will not crack under pressure. It's a duel to the finish. Both slide in the last corner. Espargaro has better drive on the straight. He can't get a tow off Espargaro's bike. Sito Pons (a double FIM Grand Prix champion), looks on, watching his rider (Espargaro). Scott Redding cannot pass. He'll have to block pass, and force Espargaro to make a mistake. Redding will have to push. Can he win? It's going to go down to the wire.
Lining up for the triple right curves, Mika Kallio is going well as Tito Rabat falls behind. Now, Redding is trying Espargaro with a lap and a half left. He cannot get by. It's going to be pretty close, fans. But, Redding just doesn't have a chance to get into the slipstream. It's the last lap of the race now. Redding pushes on the brakes. It's now or never. Redding is reeling him in but not quite. Redding tries hard on the inside and can't get there. He has to make time. He hangs in there. But, it's not going to be enough. Pol Espargaro is going to do it.
Espargaro wins!
#40 Pol Espargaro ESP Kalex Granolers
The next Moto 2 race is in two weeks at the Circuit of the Americas, in Austin, Texas, U.S.A.
Sunday, April 7, 2013
MotoGP Round 1: Qatar
MotoGP 2013 is finally here. It is round on in Qatar, at the Losail International Circuit in Doha, Qatar.
This is the closest, most prestigious motorcycle racing in the world. The Grand Prix of Qatar is the only night race on the entire MotoGP calendar.
This will be a great field. Here are the key players. Eighteen races will be run this year. Marc Marquez, reigning Moto 2 champion, will battle with Dani Pedrosa and Jorge Lorenzo. Valentino Rossi is back on a factory Yamaha. He is on pace. Andrea Dovizioso is now racing for Ducati. Nicky Hayden is still at Ducati. But, Ben Spies is also on a customer Ducati. Colin Edwards is on an FTR bike this year.
There is a new knockout qualifying system, too. They have a fifteen minute pole session, for four flying laps. Here are the highlights. It's a two session system. The top twelve push for the top places. Jorge Lorenzo was fast. Cal Crutchlow did well and Dani Pedrosa is also on the front row. Andrea Dovizioso runs his first race for Ducati. Marc Marquez almost colided with Dani Pedrosa. Nicky Hayden is eleventh and Ben Spies is thirteenth. Colin Edwards qualifies ninetheenth. Aleix Espargaro is top CRT. Lukas Pesek is a new rider. New rider Mike Laverty will also have a struggle on his hands.
Marc Marquez, Andrea Ianonne, Hiroshi Aoyama, Bradley Smith, Lukas Pesek, Bryan Staring, Michael Laverty and Claudio Corti, are the new riders in the series. The bikes set off on their warmup lap. This track hosted the first night race for MotoGP.
Here we go. At the start, Andrea Dovizioso gets a great start. However, Dani Pedrosa is second. Cal Crutchlow drops down. Jorge Lorenzo has the lead. Stefan Bradl and Marc Marquez are clawing their way through. Marquez passes Alvaro Bautista. Andrea Dovizioso has a great start for Ducati. Valentino Rossi has an epic start, passing Cal Crutchlow. He's going for it, wanting to pass his old Ducati bike. Rossi and Dovizioso are going to go at it all year.
Cal Crutchlow and Stefan Bradl want a piece of this. Lorenzo leads Pedrosa. Rossi runs wide! Yikes! He's too excited. He'll have to take his time for now. The nine-time champion is still trying to find his feet back on the Yamaha as Cal Crutchlow passes Andrea Dovizioso. Karel Abraham is out of this race, ditching his bike. Lorenzo moves ahead of Pedrosa. Cal Crutchlow is pushing Pedrosa, while Marquez and Dovizioso scrap, too.
Here comes Marquez. This guy is fast! Lorenzo runs a 1:55.5, Crutchlow a 1:55.8. These two are just under the 1:56 barrier. Cal Crutchlow wants by Dani Pedrosa. Lorenzo is covering this race so far as four laps are now completed. Stefan Bradl passes Andrea Dovizioso. He's doing well for Ducati, but finding his feet. Pedrosa wiggles, and here comes Cal Crutchlow. Marquez sweeps around Cal Crutchlow. The Moto 2 champ is third, running a 1:55.4 for fast lap.
Can Crutchlow fight Marquez? Marquez sets another fast lap at 1:55.4. Valentino Rossi is now sixth. Jorge Lorenzo opens the lead gap while this battle between Pedrosa, Marquez and Crutchlow, is still simmering. Marquez is right behind Pedrosa. He wants it. But, he can't get the place. Lorenzo stretches his lead. Cal Crutchlow is pushing Marc Marquez. Alvaro Bautista pressures Andrea Dovizioso. Nicky Hayden is ninth with Andrea Ianonne, tenth. Rossi is right on top of Stefan Bradl. Rossi has won at Qatar, three times. Right now, Crutchlow is right on top of Marquez.
Lorenzo is leading, running a 1:55.9. He's very quick. The gap between Lorenzo and Pedrosa is 2.7 seconds. Bradl is being pushed by Rossi. Valentino Rossi sticks fifth spot. Seven laps are complete. Lorenzo is in the zone. He's going for it, knocking down the quick laps. Cal Crutchlow is close to Marc Marquez. Marquez is going quicker now. Lorenzo, though, is checking out. Andrea Ianonne is still tenth. Ben Spies is trying his best on the Ducati. He had a shoulder operation after injury last year.
Randy de Puniet wants by Aleix Espargaro (those two are team mates). Stefan Bradl might be out of the race. Where is Bradl? He's crashed. He's out of this race. Bradley Smith and Bryan Staring, have also taken falls. Valentino Rossi is settled in fifth. Marquez is right up on Pedrosa at this point. Marquez and Pedrosa are going to be rivals this year. It's not true that if riders are team mates, they'll be best of friends.
Pedrosa, Marquez, and Crutchlow, continue their three way scrap. Eleven laps left. Valentino Rossi is 4/10ths quicker than Marquez, Pedrosa, and Crutchlow. Marquez is trying. He's coming close. Cal Crutchlow is coming, too. He wants to get by Marquez. Rossi almost three seconds behind Cal Crutchlow. This race is half over. There are ten laps to go. Can Marquez pass Pedrosa? No. Rossi runs 1:55.9, his personal best lap. Nicky Hayden is coming quickly, too. Andrea Ianonne and Aleix Espargaro run ninth and tenth.
Hector Barbera is thirteenth, moving up from 22nd. He is on an FTR Kawasaki CRT bike. Colin Edwards, on another CRT bike, is right behind. Hiroshi Aoyama is also down the order. Marc Marquez can't get by Dani Pedrosa. Marquez still tries Pedrosa. This is the fastest of the three classes. They're heavier, and much more powerful than Moto 2 and Moto 3. Danilo Petrucci retires from the race. Lorenzo looks to be on his way to victory here.
Seven laps remain. Valentino Rossi is going to go for it. He wants to get into this. He, Jorge Lorenzo, former rider Sete Gibernau, they could all pass their competition really well. Marc Marquez wants by Dani Pedrosa. But, Marquez can't take too many risks on his debut. But, he slides past Pedrosa and he's now second! Can he win his first ever race? Will Marquez get to Lorenzo? Rossi runs another best lap. Pedrosa will be sickened if he's beaten by his new team mate. Lorenzo's going to win this thing. But, watch for Marc Marquez.
Marquez is pulling ahead of Pedrosa. Can Cal Crutchlow go for it? Pedrosa is in trouble. Valentino Rossi is also going to take his chances. Valentino Rossi passes Cal Crutchlow who runs off the road. Rossi is catching the Repsol Honda's! What will he do? Valentino Rossi is right behind Pedrosa. Rossi wants the place. Pedrosa slams the door in his face. Rossi slides past Pedrosa! He's trying to catch Marc Marquez. Will Rossi teach Marquez a lesson? Rossi is reeling in Marquez. Marquez isn't giving up at all. Rossi has got second. Marquez wants it, but Rossi says, "no, no, sunshine". "The doctor" is back in the house.
Jorge Lorenzo is on cruise control. He couldn't care less what those cats behind him are up to. Marc Marquez is going to finish well. Marquez goes outside into turn one. Marquez slides by on the outside. Marquez says "there you go, man. You know I'm here." Rossi says, "dude, I'm not done yet", passing back by. Two laps to go now. There could be a photo finish. Marc Marquez is mentored by former 125cc champion Emilio Alzamora. This is the last lap. Marquez goes inside and can't get by.
Through turns four and five, Marquez doesn't have enough. Dani Pedrosa is out of contention. Now, Rossi pulls away from Marquez, saying, "hey, man. You're going to have to get through me if you want to show you're worthy." Marquez is a scrapper. But it's Yamaha's day. Marquez isn't going to stop. Jorge Lorenzo wins it!
#99 Jorge Lorenzo ESP Yamaha
Who gets second? Rossi! What a great race!
The next race is in the United States. It's the first event for MotoGP at the new Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. That race is in two weeks.
This is the closest, most prestigious motorcycle racing in the world. The Grand Prix of Qatar is the only night race on the entire MotoGP calendar.
This will be a great field. Here are the key players. Eighteen races will be run this year. Marc Marquez, reigning Moto 2 champion, will battle with Dani Pedrosa and Jorge Lorenzo. Valentino Rossi is back on a factory Yamaha. He is on pace. Andrea Dovizioso is now racing for Ducati. Nicky Hayden is still at Ducati. But, Ben Spies is also on a customer Ducati. Colin Edwards is on an FTR bike this year.
There is a new knockout qualifying system, too. They have a fifteen minute pole session, for four flying laps. Here are the highlights. It's a two session system. The top twelve push for the top places. Jorge Lorenzo was fast. Cal Crutchlow did well and Dani Pedrosa is also on the front row. Andrea Dovizioso runs his first race for Ducati. Marc Marquez almost colided with Dani Pedrosa. Nicky Hayden is eleventh and Ben Spies is thirteenth. Colin Edwards qualifies ninetheenth. Aleix Espargaro is top CRT. Lukas Pesek is a new rider. New rider Mike Laverty will also have a struggle on his hands.
Marc Marquez, Andrea Ianonne, Hiroshi Aoyama, Bradley Smith, Lukas Pesek, Bryan Staring, Michael Laverty and Claudio Corti, are the new riders in the series. The bikes set off on their warmup lap. This track hosted the first night race for MotoGP.
Here we go. At the start, Andrea Dovizioso gets a great start. However, Dani Pedrosa is second. Cal Crutchlow drops down. Jorge Lorenzo has the lead. Stefan Bradl and Marc Marquez are clawing their way through. Marquez passes Alvaro Bautista. Andrea Dovizioso has a great start for Ducati. Valentino Rossi has an epic start, passing Cal Crutchlow. He's going for it, wanting to pass his old Ducati bike. Rossi and Dovizioso are going to go at it all year.
Cal Crutchlow and Stefan Bradl want a piece of this. Lorenzo leads Pedrosa. Rossi runs wide! Yikes! He's too excited. He'll have to take his time for now. The nine-time champion is still trying to find his feet back on the Yamaha as Cal Crutchlow passes Andrea Dovizioso. Karel Abraham is out of this race, ditching his bike. Lorenzo moves ahead of Pedrosa. Cal Crutchlow is pushing Pedrosa, while Marquez and Dovizioso scrap, too.
Here comes Marquez. This guy is fast! Lorenzo runs a 1:55.5, Crutchlow a 1:55.8. These two are just under the 1:56 barrier. Cal Crutchlow wants by Dani Pedrosa. Lorenzo is covering this race so far as four laps are now completed. Stefan Bradl passes Andrea Dovizioso. He's doing well for Ducati, but finding his feet. Pedrosa wiggles, and here comes Cal Crutchlow. Marquez sweeps around Cal Crutchlow. The Moto 2 champ is third, running a 1:55.4 for fast lap.
Can Crutchlow fight Marquez? Marquez sets another fast lap at 1:55.4. Valentino Rossi is now sixth. Jorge Lorenzo opens the lead gap while this battle between Pedrosa, Marquez and Crutchlow, is still simmering. Marquez is right behind Pedrosa. He wants it. But, he can't get the place. Lorenzo stretches his lead. Cal Crutchlow is pushing Marc Marquez. Alvaro Bautista pressures Andrea Dovizioso. Nicky Hayden is ninth with Andrea Ianonne, tenth. Rossi is right on top of Stefan Bradl. Rossi has won at Qatar, three times. Right now, Crutchlow is right on top of Marquez.
Lorenzo is leading, running a 1:55.9. He's very quick. The gap between Lorenzo and Pedrosa is 2.7 seconds. Bradl is being pushed by Rossi. Valentino Rossi sticks fifth spot. Seven laps are complete. Lorenzo is in the zone. He's going for it, knocking down the quick laps. Cal Crutchlow is close to Marc Marquez. Marquez is going quicker now. Lorenzo, though, is checking out. Andrea Ianonne is still tenth. Ben Spies is trying his best on the Ducati. He had a shoulder operation after injury last year.
Randy de Puniet wants by Aleix Espargaro (those two are team mates). Stefan Bradl might be out of the race. Where is Bradl? He's crashed. He's out of this race. Bradley Smith and Bryan Staring, have also taken falls. Valentino Rossi is settled in fifth. Marquez is right up on Pedrosa at this point. Marquez and Pedrosa are going to be rivals this year. It's not true that if riders are team mates, they'll be best of friends.
Pedrosa, Marquez, and Crutchlow, continue their three way scrap. Eleven laps left. Valentino Rossi is 4/10ths quicker than Marquez, Pedrosa, and Crutchlow. Marquez is trying. He's coming close. Cal Crutchlow is coming, too. He wants to get by Marquez. Rossi almost three seconds behind Cal Crutchlow. This race is half over. There are ten laps to go. Can Marquez pass Pedrosa? No. Rossi runs 1:55.9, his personal best lap. Nicky Hayden is coming quickly, too. Andrea Ianonne and Aleix Espargaro run ninth and tenth.
Hector Barbera is thirteenth, moving up from 22nd. He is on an FTR Kawasaki CRT bike. Colin Edwards, on another CRT bike, is right behind. Hiroshi Aoyama is also down the order. Marc Marquez can't get by Dani Pedrosa. Marquez still tries Pedrosa. This is the fastest of the three classes. They're heavier, and much more powerful than Moto 2 and Moto 3. Danilo Petrucci retires from the race. Lorenzo looks to be on his way to victory here.
Seven laps remain. Valentino Rossi is going to go for it. He wants to get into this. He, Jorge Lorenzo, former rider Sete Gibernau, they could all pass their competition really well. Marc Marquez wants by Dani Pedrosa. But, Marquez can't take too many risks on his debut. But, he slides past Pedrosa and he's now second! Can he win his first ever race? Will Marquez get to Lorenzo? Rossi runs another best lap. Pedrosa will be sickened if he's beaten by his new team mate. Lorenzo's going to win this thing. But, watch for Marc Marquez.
Marquez is pulling ahead of Pedrosa. Can Cal Crutchlow go for it? Pedrosa is in trouble. Valentino Rossi is also going to take his chances. Valentino Rossi passes Cal Crutchlow who runs off the road. Rossi is catching the Repsol Honda's! What will he do? Valentino Rossi is right behind Pedrosa. Rossi wants the place. Pedrosa slams the door in his face. Rossi slides past Pedrosa! He's trying to catch Marc Marquez. Will Rossi teach Marquez a lesson? Rossi is reeling in Marquez. Marquez isn't giving up at all. Rossi has got second. Marquez wants it, but Rossi says, "no, no, sunshine". "The doctor" is back in the house.
Jorge Lorenzo is on cruise control. He couldn't care less what those cats behind him are up to. Marc Marquez is going to finish well. Marquez goes outside into turn one. Marquez slides by on the outside. Marquez says "there you go, man. You know I'm here." Rossi says, "dude, I'm not done yet", passing back by. Two laps to go now. There could be a photo finish. Marc Marquez is mentored by former 125cc champion Emilio Alzamora. This is the last lap. Marquez goes inside and can't get by.
Through turns four and five, Marquez doesn't have enough. Dani Pedrosa is out of contention. Now, Rossi pulls away from Marquez, saying, "hey, man. You're going to have to get through me if you want to show you're worthy." Marquez is a scrapper. But it's Yamaha's day. Marquez isn't going to stop. Jorge Lorenzo wins it!
#99 Jorge Lorenzo ESP Yamaha
Who gets second? Rossi! What a great race!
The next race is in the United States. It's the first event for MotoGP at the new Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. That race is in two weeks.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Marquez Conquers Nerves To Finish Fourth
Marc Marquez is fourth overall in the first practice session in Qatar.
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/Mrquez+conquers+nerves+to+finish+fourth
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/Mrquez+conquers+nerves+to+finish+fourth
MotoGP 2013 Facts of the year
Here are some facts and figures, headed into the opening race for MotoGP 2013 in Qatar, this weekend.
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/MotoGP+2013+Facts+of+the+year
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/MotoGP+2013+Facts+of+the+year
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Yamaha Factory Racing prepares for Lorenzo-Rossi reuniting
Going into the opening MotoGP event in Qatar this weekend, yours truly almost forgot about the Lorenzo/Rossi Yamaha reunion! Silly me! Will be more on top of things next time.
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/Yamaha+Factory+Racing+targets+strong+start+as+Lorenzo+and+Rossi+reunite
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/Yamaha+Factory+Racing+targets+strong+start+as+Lorenzo+and+Rossi+reunite
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
AMA DSB: Ready For Prime Time
SPEED asks if Cameron Beaubier is ready to make the jump from Daytona Sportbike to Superbike. Will he be up to the challenge this year? Or, will he, and the fans, have to wait?
http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/ama-dsb-ready-for-prime-time/
http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/ama-dsb-ready-for-prime-time/
Repsol Honda Team all set for Losail
Repsol Honda and their riders Dani Pedrosa and Marc Marquez are ready to tackle the opening round of the 2013 MotoGP season at the Losail circuit in Qatar, a race that will be blogged here. Check out the article, and stay tuned.
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/Repsol+Honda+Team+all+set+for+Losail
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/Repsol+Honda+Team+all+set+for+Losail
Monday, April 1, 2013
motorcycle racing news briefing
More news from the two wheeled world, coming at you, now.
Fixi Crescent Suzuki needs to test their bike more in preparation for the rest of the 2013 World Superbike season, and have chosen the Aragon circuit in Aragon, Spain to conduct that testing through the season.
WSBK: More Testing For Crescent Suzuki
http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/wsbk-more-testing-for-crescent-suzuki/
After a long wait, MotoGP 2013 is set to kick off this weekend in Qatar. Here's a preview of the racing, which will happen under the lights.
MOTOGP: Season Kicks Off Under The Lights This Weekend
http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/motogp-season-kicks-off-under-the-lights-this-weekend/
Finally, Josh Herrin, has undergone surgery to help with an issue he has been dealing with in his arm, which was evident for him during the Superbike races at Daytona International Speedway two weeks ago.
AMA SBK: Herrin Undergoes Surgery
http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/ama-sbk-herrin-undergoes-surgery/
Fixi Crescent Suzuki needs to test their bike more in preparation for the rest of the 2013 World Superbike season, and have chosen the Aragon circuit in Aragon, Spain to conduct that testing through the season.
WSBK: More Testing For Crescent Suzuki
http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/wsbk-more-testing-for-crescent-suzuki/
After a long wait, MotoGP 2013 is set to kick off this weekend in Qatar. Here's a preview of the racing, which will happen under the lights.
MOTOGP: Season Kicks Off Under The Lights This Weekend
http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/motogp-season-kicks-off-under-the-lights-this-weekend/
Finally, Josh Herrin, has undergone surgery to help with an issue he has been dealing with in his arm, which was evident for him during the Superbike races at Daytona International Speedway two weeks ago.
AMA SBK: Herrin Undergoes Surgery
http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/ama-sbk-herrin-undergoes-surgery/
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