MotoGP Round 11: Czech Republic

It's a two-for-one sale on MotoGP race reports.  First up, highlights of round eleven from Brno in the Czech Republic, which yours truly missed blogging because of being in Pennsylvania for a music festival, when it happened.  Then, next up, will be highlights of round twelve, (the current round of the championship), from the Silverstone circuit in Silverstone, England.

Marc Marquez has an 89 point lead over Dani Pedrosa.  We're ready for a start.  Some have soft front tires, and others, soft rear tires.  Ducati is on the front row for the first time since 2006.  Go!  Andrea Dovizioso and Andrea Ianonne battle as Dani Pedrosa passes Marc Maruqez.  Andrea Ianonne leads.  Jorge Lorenzo around the outside.  They plunge downhill to turn five.  Marc Marquez runs wide.  What has happened to Marquez?  Valentino Rossi and Aleix Espargaro are coming, too.

Into turn ten, the Kevin Schwantz corner.  Marquez is sixth.  But Jorge Lorenzo wants Dani Pedrosa and Pedrosa wants by Dovizioso.  There's battles all over this race track!  Ducati vs. Honda.  Andrea Dovizioso takes the lead from Andrea Ianonne.  Bradley Smith sinks from fourth to ninth as Lorenzo leads on lap two of 24 schedule.  Marc Marquez runs wide.  Cal Crutchlow is out of the race.  Game over.  Back downhill to the Kevin  Schwantz corner again.

Dani Pedrosa goes inside Dovizioso.  Everyone is pushing, and pushing hard, as Cal Crutchlow rejoins the race.  Marquez chases Rossi coming back into turn one.  Lorenzo is pulling away and there's a huge battle.  Pedrosa is second ahead of Ianonne while Lorenzo whistles off into the distance.  Marc Marquez has lots of work to do if he is going to keep his winning streak alive.  They race to turnh three and Marc Marquez nabs third from Andrea Ianonne.  Ianonne tries to pass but runs wide.

Marquez is trying, but Ianonne says, "no way!"  Marquez and Ianonne touch!  This is heavy racing.  These two blokes battled this way in Moto 2.  Watch out.  Marquez now runs third.  Seventeen laps to go.  Dani Pedrosa is holding steady in second.  Jorge Lorenzo continues to lead through the left hand kink.  Pedrosa takes it up the inside and takes the race lead over Jorge Lorenzo.  Lorenzo tries, but no.  Game over for Yonny Hernandez.

Rossi is trying to stay with Marc Marquez.  These opening laps have been remarkable!  Can the Ducati's stay with the Yamaha and the Honda's?  Rossi sets his personal best lap.  Pedrosa is quickest of the top three.  138,000 people are at Brno to watch this race.  Oh no!  Michael Laverty crashes.  He's out.  Pol Espargaro is also out.  He's wrecked his bike after being in a battle with his brother Aleix Espargaro, and his team mate, Bradley Smith.

Pedrosa leads at halfway.  Stefan Bradl is pushing hard.  He wants by Ianonne and Dovizioso.  He's trying to reel in the Ducati's.  Karel Abraham passes Leon Camier.  He's only in his second MotoGP event.  Rossi is closiong on Marquez.  This could very well be the first defeat for Marc Marquez.  That's sad, because he won't be able to beat Giacomo Agostini's record.  He will be tied with Agostini, for now.  Marc Marquez has also not finished off the podium in MotoGP.

Marquez is just going to have to accept this.  Rossi is in his face.  He's attacking at every single opportunity.  Here comes Rossi.  He can't get by.  Now, Rossi comes through in turn six.  He's pushing.  But, something is missing from Marquez's race.  Nine laps now remain as they race through turn twelve.  Marquez closes on Rossi again.  Marquez wants rain.  But it doesn't look like it's going to come at all.  Nine laps remain.  Marquez is behind Pedrosa, definitely.  Pedrosa won here, two years ago.

Marquez continues to push.  But, Dani Pedrosa has 1.7 seconds in hand over Jorge Lorenzo.  In 2012, Pedrosa won six of the last eight races, if you recall.  Pedrosa and Lorenzo are separated by 1.6 seconds while Rossi defends from Marquez.  Something is not right with Marquez.  He was on pole.  Pedrosa and Lorenzo were looking good after warmup.  The Ducati team mates pass each other.  Pedrosa, if he wins, will get 26 career wins, matching his race number on his motorcycle. 

Andrea Dovizioso passes Andrea Ianonne.  We've got six laps left.  Make that five.  The big news is that Marc Marquez won't rewrite history.  That's kind of an odd thing to think about.  The gap is now 1.3 seconds.  Quick time is being volleyed around between Pedrosa and Lorenzo.  Back through Kevin Schwantz corner.  Jorge Lorenzo of course, has signed a new two-year contract with Yamaha.  The gap is now 1.3 seconds.  Four laps left in Brno.  Another tenth gone.  But, Pedorsa is going to keep this lead.  The lap times are in the 1:56 range.

Leon Camier has passed Karel Abraham for the last points paying place.  Camier used to race in FIM World Superbike.  Dovizioso and Ianonne battle.  These two will be factory Ducati team mates, next year.  Three laps remain now.  Make that two.  1.1 seconds, the gap.  Dani Pedrosa last won at Sepang in Malaysia, last year.  Marc Marquez languishes in fourth.  Ianonne and Dovizioso still scrap for fifth.  Marquez is 3.3 seconds behind Valentino Rossi.

Hiroshi Aoyama and other riders languish.  Cal Crutchlow has also retired, and new MotoGP racer Alex de Angelis, is also not having the best of races here at Brno.  It's the last lap for Dani Pedrosa before his first win of 2014 and first since Malaysia last year.  Dovizioso will have to make a move on Ianonne soon.  Dovizioso takes Ianonne at turn three.  What will he doe?  Ianonne comes back on Dovizioso.  He's ahead.  He wants to put the Pramac Ducati ahead of the factory bike.

Jorge Lorenzo is closing up on Dani Pedrosa.  But, two corners to go.  No time for Lorenzo.  It's the last corner, and Dani Pedrosa wins it!  He has beaten his dominant team mate, Marc Marquez, fair and square, while Marquez can only muster fourth.  It's his first finish off the podium.  So, he won't be too happy.  But, Dani Pedrosa will.  The good news for Repsol Honda, is, they're still unbeaten.

#26 Dani Pedrosa     ESP.    Honda

Next up, it's Silverstone, and the British Grand Prix.  Now, that race is taking place today, (August 31st).  So, yours truly will blog the race, but, publish it, tomorrow, (September 1st).  Stay tuned to find out what happens. 

MotoGP news headed into Silverstone

Lots of stories to keep an eye on as we head into this weekend's MotoGP action at the Silverstone circuit in Silverstone, England.

The biggest news, former 500cc Grand Prix racer Jeremy McWilliams returns, to race Moto 2 as a wild card rider at Silverstone this weekend.  Plus, more news.

McWilliams prepares for special Grand Prix appearance
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/McWilliams+prepares+for+special+Grand+Prix+appearance

***

Dakota Mammola: 'No pressure on me from team'
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/Dakota+Mamola+No+pressure+on+me+from+team

Camier: 'There's nothing better than racing in front of home fans'
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/Camier+Theres+nothing+better+than+racing+in+front+of+home+fans

Crutchlow on 'character building' year so far
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/Crutchlow+on+character+building+year+so+far

Ducati team wrap up two-day test at Misano
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/Ducati+Team+wrap+up+twoday+test+at+Misano

Redding excited to race at Silverstone again
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/Redding+excited+to+race+at+Silverstone+again

Smith: 'This season has taught me to be patient'
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/Smith+This+season+has+taught+me+to+be+patient

Marquez brings London to a standstill on Millennium Bridge
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/Marquez+brings+London+to+a+standstill+on+Millennium+Bridge

Marquez and rivals all set for Silverstone showdown
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/Marquez+and+rivals+all+set+for+Silverstone+showdown

Marquez on top again in Friday practice
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/MotoGP+FP2+Silverstone+Marquez

The history of Grand Prix racing at Silverstone

All you need to know about the rich history of motorcycle Grand Prix racing at Silverstone.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/The+history+of+Grand+Prix+racing+at+Silverstone

Rossi and Lorenzo prepare for UK action

Factory Yamaha team mates Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi, are confident, going into this weekend's MotoGP British Grand Prix at the Silverstone circuit in Silverstone, England.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/Movistar+Yamaha+Prepare+for+Action+in+Silverstone

Yamaha, New Jersey Motorsports Park announce renewed partnership

A little late with this particular story, as it was published over a week ago.  But, Yamaha, has renewed their partnership to sponsor New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville, New Jersey.

http://www.amaproracing.com/rr/news/index.cfm?cid=61083

Dakota Mamola to replace Nico Terol at Silverstone

Breaking news from Moto 2.  American-Belgian rider Dakota Mamola, the son of World Grand Prix motorcycle racer Randy Mamola, will make his debut in the series, replacing Nico Terol for Mapfre Aspar Team Moto 2.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/dakota+mamola+debuts+in+moto2

Silverstone poised for Battle of Britain

A preview of this weekend's MotoGP Hertz British Grand Prix at the Silverstone Circuit.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/Silverstone%20MotoGP%20preview

World Superbike: Bimota Out, Aprilia New RSV4 No Factory Team, Race Cancellations

Lots of news from FIM World Superbike.  But, unfortunately, fans will be disappointed by what is going on currently.

http://www.sportrider.com/sportbike-news/world-superbike-bimota-out-aprilia-to-field-private-team-race-cancellations?src=SOC&dom=fb

Edwards to open bidding at Silverstone Day of Champions

This Thursday, (August 28th), retiring MotoGP and motorcycle racing legend Colin Edwards, will open bidding at Day of Champions at Silverstone in England, to raise money for MotoGP's charity, Riders for Health.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/Silverstone+Day+of+Champions

Beaubier, Hayes stand alone in Cortech Performance Edge Award battle

Soon, the 2014 AMA Superbike season will come to a close, and an award will be presented to the rider who earns the most fastest laps during the season.  The competition for that award, looks to be between two riders.  Monster Energy Graves Yamaha team mates Josh Hayes, and Cameron Beaubier.

http://amaproracing.com/rr/news/index.cfm?cid=61097

Jorge Lorenzo not surprised by lack of Honda interest

Jorge Lorenzo says that he is in no way surprised that Honda would overlook him as a possible team mate to their world champion rider, Marc Marquez, for next year, in 2015.

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sport/sportresults/MotoGP/2014/August/Jorge-Lorenzo-not-surprised-by-lack-of-Honda-interest

Marc Marquez denies MotoGP and Moto2 race plan in Valencia

The possibility that Marc Marquez would ride in both the MotoGP main event, and in the Moto 2 race, at the MotoGP season finale at Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain, is nothing more than a rumor, and will not take place.  Marquez, will obviously only focus on MotoGP.

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/mcn/sport/sportresults/motogp/2014/august/Marc-Marquez-denies-MotoGP-and-Moto2-race-plan-in-Valencia

Asymmetric front slicks available for Australia and Valencia

Bridgestone tested these tires after the race at Brno, and will make asymmetric front slick tires available to the MotoGP teams for the final two races of the 2014 season in Australia at Philip Island, and in Valencia, Spain, for the season finale in Valencia, Spain, at Circuit Ricardo Tormo.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/Asymmetric+front+slicks+available+for+Australia+and+Valencia

Hayden pushing for Misano return

Nicky Hayden is still healing from his wrist injury.  But, he hopes to return to action at the MotoGP round in Italy, at Misano Adriatico in less than a month.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/Hayden+pushing+for+Misano+return

Rossi: 'You must always think about the future'

Valentino Rossi knows he's not as young as he used to be.  But that won't stop him from continuing to be a fierce competitor.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/Rossi+You+must+always+think+about+the+future

Moto 2 & Moto 3: Czech Republic

In the Moto 2 race at Brno in the Czech Republic, it was Tito Rabat and Marc VDS Racing winning the class.  Nine of the top ten bikes that finished, were Kalex chassis'.  Also on the podium were Rabat's Marc VDS team mate Mika Kallio, and, Sandro Cortese.

#53 Esteve Rabat     ESP      Kalex

Thomas Luthi, Dominik Aegerter, Maverick Vinales, Julian Simon, Franco Morbidelli, Johann Zarco, and Marcel Schrotter, completed the top ten.  31 bikes were classified.  Among the unclassified finishers, were Luis Salom, Czech wildcard rider Miroslav Popov, Sam Lowes, and Tetsuta Nagashima, while Lorenzo Baldassarri didn't even complete a lap in the race.

The Moto 3 race at Brno was won by Frenchman Alexis Masbou, who has been competitive all year, but finally came through with a victory.

#10 Alexis Masbou     FRA     Honda

Enea Bastianinni and Danny Kent finished on the podium.  Bastianinni, it seems, is getting closer and closer to his first Moto 3 victory.  Riders completing the top ten places included Alex Marquez, Jack Miller, Brad Binder, Miguel Oliviera, Efren Vazquez, Alex Rins, and Isaac Vinales.  29 bikes, in the huge field, finished.  Unclassified riders who didn't finish included Luca Grunwald, Ana Carrasco, Gabriel Rodrigo, John McPhee, and Jorge Navarro.

The next races for Moto 2 and Moto 3 will be the British Grand Prix at the Silverstone circuit, coming up in less than two weeks, in a mere eleven days time.

MotoGP round 11: Czech Republic (abbreviated highlights)

Last Sunday, MotoGP raced the 11th round of the 2014 world championship at the Brno circuit in the Czech Republic.  But, surprise, surprise!  Marc Marquez's winning streak, comes to an end!  His Repsol Honda team mate, and fellow Spaniard, Dani Pedrosa, beat him!  Marquez could only muster fourth, behind Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi on the factory Yamaha's. 

#26 Dani Pedrosa      ESP.       Honda

Two Ducati's finished fifth and sixth.  Andrea Ianonne on a privateer bike, ahead of the factory machine of Andrea Dovizioso.  His team mate Cal Crutchlow, was an unclassified finisher in the race, along with Danilo Petrucci, Pol Espargaro, Michael Laverty, and Yonny Hernandez.  Round twelve of the championship, comes at the British Grand Prix at the Silverstone circuit, in Silverstone, England, in less than two weeks.

Video: Take a ride on Jeremy Toye's 2015 Kawasaki ZX-10R 30th Anniversary model as he makes his daunting run up Pikes Peak

Watch Isle of Man TT and Irish motorcycle road racing veteran Jeremy Toye, (who has also run the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix a number of times), race up Pikes Peak on his new, 2015 30th anniversary model Kawasaki ZX-10R.

http://www.sportrider.com/sportbike-news/video-best-pikes-peak-motorcycle-video/?src=SOC&dom=fb

Quick dash back to Europe for round 11 at Brno

FYI.  Yours truly will be out of town this weekend at a music festival.  So, sadly, there will be no full race report for this weekend's MotoGP event at Brno in the Czech Republic.  What you can look for, when I get back, is abbreviated coverage on the MotoGP, Moto 2, and Moto 3 events there, culled from the race results.  In the meantime, here is a preview of the action.  If you so desire, catch the races on TV on Fox Sports 1 and Fox Sports 2.  Check your local listings.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/Brno%20MotoGP%20Preview

Is Marc Marquez still unstoppable?  We'll find out.

De Angelis replaces Edwards at NGM Forward Racing

Colin Edwards won't completely retire.  He'll be a test rider, and a wildcard rider for NGM Forward Racing.  But, Alex De Angelis will become the team's new rider, effective immediately.  Edwards is a two-time FIM World Superbike Champion in 2000 and 2002.  Also, Edwards won an AMA championship, back in 1992.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/Edwards+retirement+from+racing+competition

That's a Rapp: Steve Rapp wins AMA Pro Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson Series Race 2 at Indianapolis

Steve Rapp emerged the winner of the second AMA Pro Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, getting a victory he had been looking for, at "The Brickyard" for a long time.  Race one winner, Jeremy McWilliams, finished fifth, in this race.

http://www.amaproracing.com/rr/news/index.cfm?cid=60977

The Harley Davidson series, along with all other AMA championships, moves on to the season finale coming up in a month or so, at New Jersey Motorsports Park, to close out the racing season.

Another Brick(yard) on the wall: 50-Year-Old Jeremy McWilliams wins tight AMA Pro Vance & Hines Harley Davidson Series race at Indy

50 year old Grand Prix motorcycle racing veteran, Jeremy McWilliams emerged the winner in race one for the AMA Pro Vance & Hines Harley Davidson Series at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Saturday.

http://www.amaproracing.com/rr/news/index.cfm?cid=60974

The link to the race report for race two, is coming up.

MotoGP round 10: U.S.A. (Indianapolis)

This will be the final race on American soil for Colin Edwards before he retires from motorcycle racing.  We're getting set for this 27 lap contest.  Colin Edwards has announced his retirement after racing motorcycles for 23 years.  He won thre AMA championship for 250cc bikes in 1992.  He won two FIM World Superbike championships before moving to MotoGP.  Edwards is also a golfer.  Edwards knew that he wanted to retre.  He played some basketball, too during this week at Indianapolis.  He's also signed autographs for his fans.  Fans and fellow riders will miss him.  Though his career as a pro will end.  But, he'll continue riding a motorcycle for sure.

He's going to go out and give it everything he has.  He'll run a limited schedule in MotoGP for the rest of the year.  He can train young riders, too.  We'll miss him, but he'll do well.  We're prepping for this race.  Marc Marquez is on pole, hoping to tie the record for most wins in a season, with ten.  Can anyone stop Marc Marquez?  Nine straight wins in nine races.  Can he win ten?  The grid is being cleared.  We're ready for round ten of the MotoGP World Championship.

This is the seventh Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix at Indy.  260 horsepower, 1000cc machines.  The fastest motorcycles in the world.  It's the right tire choice, having the right setup on this new track, and, who wants it the most?  Marc Marquez has been there, and has won nine races.  Here we go!  It's as hot as it's been all day with no wind and low humidity.  Hot track.  Lets go!  They're away.  Marquez did not get a goiod start and Valentino Rossi leads as we see Andrea Dovizioso file into second spot.  Dani Pedrosa tries to move in on Marquez.  Jorge Lorenzo is back there.  Andrea Ianonne is up there, too.  Ianonne and Dovizioso will be the all Italian factory lineup for Ducati.

If anyone beats Marquez it will be worldwide news.  If Rossi wins, it will be earth shattering.  Marquez has disposed of Pedrosa.  Wayne Rainey and Bob Starr watch Rossi's progress.  Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa battle as Andrea Ianonne is passed by Marquez.  Pol Espargaro closes on Dani Pedrosa.  Rossi has a tenth over Dovizioso.  Marquez is playing it smart.  He's settling into a pace.  Dovizioso wants to pass Rossi, but no.  Don't force the issue yet.  Andrea Dovizioso is planning a move.  But, Marc Marquez is going for it now.

Jorge Lorenzo is up there.  They fly through turns 15 and 16.  Jorge Lorenzo has new confidence, and is fitter.  He wants to focus on the present and on this race.  Lorenzo of course, signed a new two-year deal with the Yamaha factory.  Rossi did the same before Lorenzo did.  Andrea Dovizioso will be back with Ducati next year and he wants around Rossi.  But, Valentino Rossi beats him to the corner at 215 miles an hour.  Marc Marquez is losing time out of the corners.

Over 60 degrees of lean angle when these guys go into the corners.  Dovizioso isn't going to bother The Doctor.  Dovizioso has the run.  Dovizioso goes to the lead.  Rossi gets around and now Dovizioso is coming.  Marquez goes to the lead after some contact!  Wow!  He passes Lorenzo!  Can he catch Marc Marquez?  He will fight.  Lorenzo slides right into Dovizioso and Rossi goes right back to the lad!  That's a power move.  These blokes smell blood, and it's a feeding frenzy in the MotoGP shark tank.

What a race this is, chaps.  What a race!  Rossi is fired up.  Dovizioso is running real well.  But, Cal Crutchlow is 11th.  He's going to a different team next year, as announced here on 2 Wheelin'.  20 laps to go yet.  Seven are complete.  Marc Marquez sees Jorge Lorenzo and Andrea Dovizioso are in it.  Andrea Ianonne and Dani Pedrosa are also in this.  These bikes are very different from the old 500cc bikes that were lightning fast and would hurt you, quick.  We've seen that, with the video posted on this blog a while back.

The skies are darkening.  Will rain beckon at "The Brickyard"?  Nicky Hayden is not racing, but still has wrist trouble.  He's in the booth with Ralph Shaheen and Scott Russell on play-by-play.  Now, watch.  Three wide between the Yamaha's and Marquez's Honda!  He's sneaking away.  Just when you think someone will get on him, Marquez flies.  We've got a lot of time left.  Marquez has no weak spot, according to Hayden.  He rides right on the ragged edge.  Lorenzo almost loses the front end.

Marquez stays closer to the bike, and keeps his body at a certain angle.  His lean angle isn't much more.  Stefan Bradl is off the road.  Bradl and Aleix Espargaro got together.  Aleix's bike's tail is all torn up.  Bradley Smith will move up.  This track was resurfaced, and new pavement is sharper.  But, the tires seem to be running well.  Everyone is on the same tires, except Dovizioso, with a softer tire compound, as he's on an Open class Ducati.

Nicky Hayden says he'll find out when he'll be back on the bike.  He'll be back when he's ready.  Next week in the Czech Republic, there won't be an American starting the race.  Get kids going younger and with real competition, just like how it's done in Spain and Italy.  Look at the CEV Championship.  Now, Lorenzo is chasing Rossi.  The gap is growing.  He makes the move on Rossi.  As we slide through turns 14 and 15, we'll see where everyone is behind Marquez, working lap 12.  The Bridgestone tires are softer than they used to be, and less stiff.

Oh boy.  Andrea Ianonne is stopped, along the wall.  Has the #29 bike had a mechanical issue?  Has he had an injury?  Marquez leads.  He's run fast lap at 1:33 flat.  This is Jorge Lorenzo's seventh race at Indy.  He won in 2009.  Scott Redding and Cal Crutchlow, battle.  Hayden says he'll be back next year.  He's going to be off the bike for a little while.  Hayden's dad wrote a book about his family, because his mom, dad, sister's, and brother's, have all raced motorcycles.

Marc Marquez has a two second lead.  The skies are darkening at Indy.  Will there be a chance that the spare bikes with the wet tires need to be available to the riders?  Seven laps left in the race.  Marquez leads.  Can he win his tenth straight race?  Colin Edwards is 13th.  He will at least score points in this event.  Right now, there is a power outage at Indianapolis, restricting access to the Fox Sports 1 broadcast.  Hang in there, folks.  The race is still going on.

OK.  We are back to live action on the last lap, folks.  It looks like Marc Marquez is going to indeed win in America, here at Indianapolis.  Marquez has won it!  It's ten out of ten for #93!

#93 Marc Marquez     ESP.     Honda

The next MotoGP race is next weekend at Brno in the Czech Republic.  Yours truly, will be away at a music festival.  So, no race updates on the weekend.  But, rest assured, race updates from Brno will come from all three classes in abbreviated format.  You can also check out all the race results on www.motogp.com.  So, a great race here at Indy, and another win for Marc Marquez as he will now take the checkered flag and do a victory lap around the speedway while the rest of the riders are also on a cool down lap.

This has been another great MotoGP event at Indianapolis and lots of fun to watrch.  

Moto 2 U.S.A. (Indianapolis)

It's time for Moto 2.  140 horsepower machines, using common, Honda 600cc engines, and Dunlop tires.  Watch out for Moto 2 points leader Tito Rabat.  Dominik Aegerter and Maverick Vinales, as well as Mika Kallio, will be ones to watch.  This is going to be a hot one.  25 laps scheduled.  This is going to be pure adrenaline, folks.  Josh Herrin is the only American in Moto 2.  He wants to get points for the second half of the season.  Can Herrin have a good race today?

Mika Kallio is on pole with Esteve "Tito" Rabat second and Dominik Aegerter on the outside.  34 bikes are going to start this race.  Here we go!  It looks like Mika Kallio will take the lad early.  He had a perfect launch on the start of this race.  They fly through turn five.  These bikes are a lot faster.  It's cutthroat.  Mika Kallio really wants to gap everyone.  Maverick Vinales makes a move inside of Johann Zarco.  Kallio has a good lead.  6/10ths of a second.  It's almost an eternity in Moto 2.  Kallio wants to go for it.  Takaaki Nakagami in this one early.

Dominik Aegerter is pushing.  He's going to be struggling a little bit on cold tires.  Aegerter has to push, push, push.  Simone Corsi and Maverick Vinales are also in this battle going into turns 15 and 16.  Everyone wants the draft.  The gap is almost two seconds between first and second spot.  Saimone Corsi takes third away.  Aegerter moves, and Maverick Vinales is just a spectator right now.  Vinales looks inside Corsi.  It's early yet.  This race is going to really heat up.

There was a red flag.  Azlan Shah, Mattia Passini, and one other rider, crashed.  This race has been shortened to 16 laps.  The riders will get a new opportunity.  Go!  An exact replay of the first one as we've got three more riders going down.  Julian Simon is down.  Not sure who else.  Josh Herrin is involved and so is Tom Luthi.  Herrin is having a really bad season after winning the AMA Superbike championship last year.  Mika Kallio has a good setup on his motorcycle and is gaining ground in his lead.

He's got 1.2 seconds over everybody else.  Tito Rabat is trying to run him down.  Dominik Aegerter won at the Sachsenring in Germany last time out.  Maverick Vinales wants a sweep of the American races.  Dominik Aegerter gets passed by Maverick Vinales.  Josh Herrin rejoins the race.  Simone Corsi runs fast lap in the 1:37 range.  The gap is closing between Rabat and Kallio.  Josh Herrin and his bike are in the pits.  Herrom was forced off the road and had to ditch the bike, trying to avoid Tom Luthi.

The gap is less than a second right now.  Rabat is trying to reel in his team mate.  Tito Rabat won here last year.  Xavier Simeon has crashed and he can't believe it.  He dumps it in turn two, with a low side wreck, pushing the front end.  Work continues on Josh Herrin's motorcycle.  Mika Kallio is picking up time as Simone Corsi makes an inside move.  Now, Dominik Aegerter passes Simone Corsi back.  Josh Herrin is back on track.  But, Franco Morbidelli is down and so is Luis Salom.

Turn two, is calamity corner on the Indianapolis road course.  Kallio continues to lead as we watch Sandro Cortese in sixth.  There are classic motorcycles all over Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  Fox Sport's Bob Varsha talked to Carmelo Espeleta, CEO of DORNA, which runs MotoGP.  Espeleta says it's better to have two races in the U.S. vs. three.  There's a plan to have American riders in the world championship.  Mika Kallio dominates Moto 2 with four laps to go.  Maverick Vinales passes Tito Rabat.  Indianapolis wants MotoGP back.  Expect announcements on that soon.

The paddock has been going crazy the last few days, because there will be an announcement on American road racing, and getting more American riders into MotoGP.  We need to have these guys get into MotoGP.  Now, for second, we see Rabat and Aegerter battling.  Hold the handlebars gently, and have a loose grip.  Use your legs and your mdiswection to control the bike.  Dominik Aegerter chases Maverick Vinales.  Maverick Vinales could have his eighth top five finish in ten races. 

The fastest riders in the world have the slowest moving hands.  Two laps to go now.  Kallio wants his third straight podium, something he hasn't done since 2008.  He won Jerez.  He won Le Mans.  Now, he wants Indianapolis.  He spent time in MotoGP and ran here at Indy on a MotoGP bike.  One lap to go.  We watch a battle between Maverick Vinales and Dominik Aegerter.  Tito Rabat is struggling, and is looking for something, fi the two blokes in front, make a mistake.

Watch turns eight and nine.  No worries for Mika Kallio.  Vinales protects the line and backs into the corner beautifully.  Aegerter does the same.  Marc Marquez is still riding a MotoGP bike like a Moto 2 bike.  But Mika Kallio, has a win at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway!  He's won Jerez.  He's won Le Mans.  He's won Indy!

#36 Mika Kallio     FIN.     Kalex Valkeakoski

The next race for Moto 2 is next weekend at Brno in the Czech Republic.

Moto 3: U.S.A. (Indianapolis)

It's time to go racing at "The Brickyard"... Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  Moto 3 is the first race of the day.  It will be immediately followed by Moto 2, and MotoGP.  So, prepare for a triple whammy of motorcycle racing action here, on 2 Wheelin'.

This should be a great set of races.  Fox Sports hosts Bob Varsha, Ralph Sheheen, and Scott Russell will call the action on Fox Sports.  Wayne Gardner, Mick Doohan, and Casey Stoner, have all been championship winners in MotoGP, from Australia.  Jack Miller, could be the next world champion.   We've also got Alex Marquez and Romano Fenati in contenion.  This is the seventh MotoGP race at Indy.  But the track is reconfigured and repaved.  The bikes will run counterclockwise, the same as the Indycars in the Indy 500.  There's a new section that flows a lot better than it used to.

Give yourself a good shot through these corners, and be patient, waiting for the bike to turn.  Turns 15 and 16 onto the front straight have been opened up.  We're ready to race in Moto 3.  Watch Ana Carasco on the pink motorcycle.  In qualifying, Zulhfammi Khairuddin had a wreck.  Romano Fenatti is fourth with Efren Vazquez second.  Jack Miller gets his sixth pole in ten races, looking for win number five.  Alex Rins starts sixth.  Zulhfammi Khairuddin is there.  Isaac Vinales has work to do.  Let's race.

Watch the lights.  23 laps scheduled.  60 miles.  Go!  We're underway at Indy.  Tipping into turn one, everyone looks clean.  Watrch out in the middle of the pack.  One rider down already.  Who is it?  This is on the section that has been changed.  Efren Vazquez is second.  John McPhee went down on his #17 Honda, as the field races down Hulman Straightaway.  Miller earned his sixth pole of 2014.  Here's the open section onto the front straight.  Alex Marquez goes to second.

He drafts by on the straight starting another lap.  Romano Fenati is fourth.  In ninth is the new rider for Marc VDS, Jorge Navarro.  Miguel Oliviera is 12th.  If you break momentum in this class, everyone will pass you.  Efren Vazquez passes and here comes Fenati.  Three wide.  Roll through turn five flat out and here comes Alex Marquez.  Jack Miller will increase his lead with these blokes battling each other.  Momentum forces a rider to pass another competitor. 

McPhee got sandwiched and went down.  The gap is growing again between Miller and Fenati.  Romano Fenati passes for second.  This is a wide track.  But the preferred passing zone is down the front straight.  Gabriel Ramos crashes.  Game over.  Jack Miller is going to be chased and Miller is the rider everyone wants to catch.  Efren Vazquez had his first front row start since Le Mans in May at the French GP.  Four wide and a lead change with Romano Fenati takes the lead and Miller drops to third.  Alex Marquez is second.

Alex Marquez and Alex Rins are running at the front, coming to the front.  Matteo Ferrari got tossed off his Mahindra bike.  Niklas Ajo and Francesco Bagnaia also wrecked.  Alex Marquez leads.  Alex Rins has come up into the lead pack.  There's still a huge, five wide battle here.  Stay safe in this chaos.  Miller dives inside, sitting in fourth.  Miller wants to make sure he can get back to the front.  Jorge Navarro is off and on.  It's his fourth Moto 3 start.  But, Jack Miller is going to lose a place, but gain it back.  Miller has a good run going.

Lets hope we see Jack Miller on a big bike soon.  He loves to win and he'll be a great MotoGP rider.  Alexis Masbou and others are trying to catch the lead pack.  Miguel Oliveira is also there.  It's a ten bike race.  Jakub Kornfeil is also there, on his KTM.  There are four Honda's and three KTM's.  Romano Fenati still leads.  Efren Vazquez and Jack Miller are both pushing.  Another rider is in pit lane with problems.  Francesco Bagnaia has had to finish his race early.  These blokes are trading paint already.

Miller passes down the inside.  Miller senses where the passing zones are.  Riders will test the run on the final corner, and use the draft as long as possible.  How far back in the train can I be, to get to a win?  Romano Fenati is pushing hard.  Bagnaia and Fenati are on a team run by Valentino Rossi.  Lean into turn thirteen and then, pick up the throttle through the last three turns.  Watch the draft.  Fenati still leads.  Alex Marquez and Alex Rins are testing the low line.

Eight laps remain in Moto 3.  Ana Carasco has moved from 33rd to 27th.  The order is changing with every corner.  Alexis Masbou is ahead.  But, there's just five laps left.  The lead has changed again.  Alex Marquez, Alexis Masbou, and eight other riders, have a chance to win this thing.  It's Honda vs. KTM.  Masbou took the lead running deep into turn one.  Don't show your hand just yet.  Save a tenth or two.  Masbou knows the draft will happen and they're five wide!  Wow!  Efren Vazquez slingshots into turn one.  Every single rider is auditiopning for a Moto 2 ride or a MotoGP ride.

For a fleeting moment, we were six wide on the yard of bricks!  Romano Fenati is pushing, anhd he wants to win to gain points.  Three laps to go.  To the front goes Efren Vazquez.  Miller goes inside.  It's tight in turns two through four.  Miguel Oliviera is pushing his Mahindra to the front.  Alex Rins moves up to second place.  These bikes are very small in size, and they can go three deep in the corners.  We're going to see argy bargy in the last few laps here.  Two to go.

Play it cool now.  But, not on the last lap.  Alex Rins is second.  He won from pole here at Indy a year ago.  We've got one lap to go this time.  Jack Miller is holding fourth by the skin of his teeth.  Here we go.  Fenati wants to break away.  Vazquez goes inside.  Miller inside.  Wow!  Rins falls back.  Fenati and Vazquez have gapped everyone.  Miller ran too hard into the corner.  You can't make those kinds of mistakes on the last lap.  It's Vazquez inside, looking for Fenati.  Can't do it.  Miller is coming.

Miller and Masbou could be in the pound seats for a good finish.  Here they come!  Vazquez wins his first Moto 3 race of 2014!

#7 Efren Vazquez     ESP     Honda Barakaldo

Moto 3's next race is next weekend at the Brno circuit in the Czech Republic.  Up next, today, it's Moto 2.  That too, should be a good race.  Stay tuned.  

MotoGP stories headed into Indianapolis

Some of the stories being followed before tomorrow's MotoGP action at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which will be covered, right here, on 2 Wheelin'.  Check it out.

Riders arrive at updated Indianapolis track for round ten
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/Riders+arrive+at+updated+Indianapolis+track+for+round+ten

Vinales considering MotoGP move with Suzuki
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/Vinales+on+Suzuki+and+MotoGP+future

Hayden and Crutchlow comment on Miller talent
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/Hayden+and+Crutchlow+comment+on+Miller+talent

Edwards on last U.S. race and the future of Americans in MotoGP
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/Edwards+on+last+US+race+and+the+future+of+Americans+in+MotoGP

Marquez shines on first day around new IMS layout
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/MotoGP+FP2+Indianapolis+Marquez

Final Friday session topped by Aegerter
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/Moto2+FP2+Indianapolis+Aegerter

Lorenzo secures third in opening day at Brickyard
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/2014+FRI+Indy+Yamaha+Reaction

Riders give positive reaction to IMS modifications
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/Riders+give+positive+reactions+to+IMS+modifications

stories going into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Harley Davidson XR1200 race

The AMA Harley Davidson XR1200 class will be the support race for MotoGP and their three classes at Indianapolis Motor Speedway this weekend.  Here are some stories to keep an eye on in the XR1200 field.

Malaysian rider Ramdan Rosli joins Kyle Wyman Racing XR1200 lineup for Indianapolis GP
http://www.amaproracing.com/rr/news/index.cfm?cid=60936

Wyman looking to regain championship contention at Indianapolis Harley-Davidson doubleheader
http://www.amaproracing.com/rr/news/index.cfm?cid=60958

Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson Series doubleheader rolls into Indianapolis Motor Speedway
http://www.amaproracing.com/rr/news/index.cfm?cid=60952

Yamaha MotoGP stories

Several stories coming out of the Yamaha factory press room.  Take a look.

Yamaha duo ready for return to action
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/Yamaha+duo+ready+for+return+to+action

Zeelenberg: 'Keeping Lorenzo with Yamaha is our priority'
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/Zeelenberg+Keeping+Lorenzo+with+Yamaha+is+our+priority

Yamaha and Lorenzo confirm new two-year agreement
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/Yamaha+and+Jorge+Lorenzo+confirm+new+twoyear+agreement

Tech 3 duo eager to kick start second half of season
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/Tech3+duo+eager+to+kick+start+second+half+of+season

NGM Forward Racing sign Bradl for 2015

It didn't take Stefan Bradl long to find a new ride in MotoGP for next season.  He has been signed up with NGM Forward Racing.  Here are the details.  More MotoGP news will come later, in another big update.  Stay tuned.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/NGM+Forward+Racing+sign+Bradl+for+2015

MotoGP 2015

From 2Wheeled Racing News and Views on Facebook, via Crash.net.  Here's a very tentative list of riders and what the MotoGP grid could look like for 2015.

MotoGP 2015

Repsol Honda (Factory class)
Marc Marquez (Confirmed)
Dani Pedrosa (Confirmed)

Movistar Yamaha (Factory class)
Valentino Rossi (Confirmed)
? (Currently Jorge Lorenzo, looks certain to re-sign - but for how long?)

Ducati Team (Factory class)
Andrea Dovizioso (Confirmed)
Andrea Iannone (Confirmed)

Suzuki (Factory class)
? (Aleix Espargaro?)
? (Maverick Vinales?)

Aprilia (Factory class)
? (If Aprilia brings official return forward to 2015 - Alvaro Bautista/Danilo Petrucci/Stefan Bradl/Eugene Laverty/Marco Melandri?)
?

Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (Factory class)
Pol Espargaro (Will stay unless Lorenzo leaves Yamaha)
? (Currently Bradley Smith but his Tech 3 future looks uncertain, any replacement would be 'a young rider from Moto2 or Moto3')

Pramac Ducati (Factory class)
? (Replacement needed for Andrea Iannone.)
? (Currently Yonny Hernandez, favourite to keep the ride for 2015)

LCR Honda (Factory class)
Cal Crutchlow (Confirmed)
? (LCR could expand to two riders next year, by adding an Open class bike)

Go & Fun Honda Gresini (Factory/Open class)
? (Currently Alvaro Bautista, but his RC213V is expected to go to Scott Redding)
? (Currently Scott Redding, Open bike available if he gets RC213V)

NGM Forward Racing (Open class)
? (Currently Aleix Espargaro - if he leaves a long list of riders will be interested in what is currently the top Open bike and sixth in world championship, including likes of Smith, Bradl, Dominique Aegerter and Simone Corsi)
?

(Currently Colin Edwards, who is to retire - as above, long list of possible replacements. However
Forward's expected 2015 switch from Yamaha to the FTR chassis being used by Edwards could cause some uncertainty)

Drive M7 Aspar (Open class)
Nicky Hayden (Confirmed)
? (Currently Hiroshi Aoyama)

Avintia Racing (Open class)
? (Currently Hector Barbera, team in talks with Ducati/Yamaha/Kawasaki)
? (Currently Mike di Meglio)
Cardion AB Motoracing (Open class)
Karel Abraham (Will be a seat at his father's team)

Paul Bird Motorsport (Open class)
? (Currently Michael Laverty, team/rider 2015 plans unclear)
? (Currently Broc Parkes, team/rider 2015 plans unclear)

Iodaracing (Open class)
? (Currently Danilo Petrucci, team/rider 2015 plans unclear, could become Factory Aprilia team)

via Crash.net

MotoGP returns to action at updated IMS

MotoGP is back in action this weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  Here's a race preview.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/Indianapolis+Grand+Prix+MotoGP+preview

Crutchlow to ride with CWM-LCR Honda in 2015

Cal Crutchlow moves to Honda, racing for the CWM-LCR Honda squad in 2015.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/Crutchlow+to+ride+with+CWMLCR+Honda+in+2015

Iannone to replace Crutchlow at Ducati Team for 2015

With the departure of Cal Crutchlow from Ducati, it has been announced that Italian Andrea Iannnone will be the #1 rider for the squad next year.  What does Crutchlow's future hold?  Stay tuned for another article, to find out.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/Iannone+replaces+Crutchlow+at+Ducati+Team+for+2015

Jorge Navarro to replace Livio Loi at Marc VDS

Spaniard Jorge Navarro is set to replace Belgian rider Livio Loi for the rest of the 2014 season on Marc VDS Racing's Moto 3 bike.  Here's the story.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/Jorge+Navarro+to+replace+Livio+Loi+at+Marc+VDS