Simoncelli Was Killed Due To An Injury On The Chest, Neck And Head

Marco Simoncelli was eventually declared dead after an accident involving himself in the Sepang circuit. Earlier, though his condition is reported to have been aware of the critical. Injuries in the head, neck and chest finally killed him.

Description of the medical team said when outlining the causes of death of Marco Simoncelli. Medical Director Dr. Michele Macchiagodena mentions, Simoncelli was killed due to injuries in the head, neck, and chest.

"I am very sad to be here to tell you about the death of Marco Simoncelli because of severe accident caused by another driver, there is a trauma to the head, neck and chest," said Macchiagodena in a press conference at the Sepang circuit, the week (11/10/2011).

"When our team until he was unconscious. When the ambulance arrived, he immediately given CPR and also get other standard treatments. The CPR continued to be provided for 45 minutes because it could help her. Unfortunately it can't help him. He died at 16.56 (local time, red), "he said.

A press conference that lasted six minutes and was also attended by Javier Alonso (Dorna Events Managing Director), Franco Uncini (Safety Delegates), Claude Danis (Safety Commission President), and Paul Butler (Race Director).

Malaysia MotoGP race itself must eventually cancelled linked to an accident on the second lap involving Marco Simoncelli and Colin Edwards.

As reported earlier, Sunday (23/10/2011), the crash occurred when motor skidded sideways when central Simoncelli cornering.

Bad luck for Simoncelli, he collapses in the middle of the path. The effects, he was hit by Colin Edwards who was behind it. Red flag was hoisted and the race was halted.

Valentino Rossi also was hit by the outbreak of a collision of the two drivers. However, Rossi who had slipped out of the track, it looks just fine

Until this news was revealed, Simoncelli, who helmnya until detached due to collision, still getting treatment from a medical team.

Honda Gresini Rider was previously rumored to Eurosport in a State of conscious, but his condition is critical enough to finally was reported killed. Meanwhile, Edwards suffered a dislocated shoulder.

Pedrosa Accident Vs Marco Simoncelli Overtaking Manoeuvre on Le Mans

Pedrosa accident, the actions of rogue Simoncelli on the circuit of Le Mans (France), quoted from motoGP.com The San Carlo Honda Gresini rider gives his reaction to a move on Dani Pedrosa during the Monster Energy Grand Prix de France, which resulted in a ride through penalty for the Italian.

Sunday�s Monster Energy Grand Prix de France at Le Mans produced a thrilling race, but also included an incident which added controversy to proceedings at Round 4 of the 2011 MotoGP World Championship.

An overtaking manoeuvre from Marco Simoncelli on Dani Pedrosa at the Chemin aux boeufs corner resulted in a crash for the Repsol Honda rider, and he was later diagnosed with a broken right collarbone. Simoncelli was penalised for the incident with a ride through penalty, and ended the race in fifth position.

�Pedrosa tried to overtake me on the straight,� explained the Italian. �When we were braking I did it normally, like in the other laps, but I was faster than him so I tried to overtake him round the outside and when I was a little bit in front of him I started to take the corner. I tried to leave him space to make his own corner.�

�I saw in the video that his bike was hopping a little bit and he lost the line, he touched me, when I saw he couldn�t make the corner I picked the bike up but it was too late. He touched me on the back and he crashed.�

�I am so sorry about his crash and about his injury, especially. For me I haven�t done anything incorrect, so for me this is a race �action� (incident).�

Simoncelli concluded: �For me the punishment from Race Direction was because of all the controversy of the last few days, and from Estoril. For me if the same thing happened without me they would penalise nobody. This is my point of view.�

The rider�s Team Manager, Fausto Gresini, commented: �We can only accept the punishment and Race Direction have only done their job. We are very sorry about the incident. Marco tried to have his race but unfortunately contact happens and we are very sorry about what happened.�

�Of course all riders want to get their results without harming other riders. Now it�s time to stop with all the controversy so that the season can continue and the show can improve.�

Gresini added: �Marco is still confused and very sorry about what happened. It�s a racing incident, there is contact that results in nothing and there are occasions when it produces unsavoury consequences. Marco is an athlete and is very sad about what has happened to Dani.�

Repsol Honda Team - Le Mans Free Practice Sessions - 2011 MotoGP

2011 MotoGP : After their strong performances in Portugal, the Repsol Honda Team (trio) maintained momentum and rhythm in the first free practice sessions of the Grand Prix of France at Le Mans. The team returned to work with a similar set up used two weeks ago in Estoril, a comparable track layout wise, and after the first two sessions the riders are confident in improving their pace and performance looking for good qualifying results.

Casey Stoner topped the time sheets in both free practice sessions, with Dani Pedrosa the third fastest rider of the day and Andrea Dovizioso sixth.

Stoner's fastest lap time of 1'33.782 in his first outing with the RC212V in Le Mans was just a fraction off Valentino Rossi's pole position last season (1'33.408) and almost half a second quicker than the existing Circuit Lap Record of 1'34.215 set by Rossi in 2008.

Stoner kept a similar set up to Portugal and focused on improving traction in the rear of his machine. Pedrosa, after missing the majority of the post race test in Portugal due to his physical condition, took his time this afternoon to try the new Ohlins front fork and also both hard and soft tyres to compare.

Dovizioso spent the sessions trying to improve stability under braking and working on set up for tomorrow's qualifying session.

CASEY STONER � 1st - 1'33.782
FP1 - 1:34.133, 20 laps, 84 km.
FP2 - 1:33.782, 20 laps, 84 km.
"The track has quite good grip and we have a better feeling than in the past few years in this track and we are very happy, we went out this morning and didn't change so much from Portugal as the tracks are pretty similar for us, we felt good immediately and then changed a few things and tried something we haven't tested before on the Honda which seemed to give us more traction in the rear without affecting anything else.

"The weather is fantastic here and I hope it stays this way! We're happy to be where we are and we'll continue to work tomorrow morning to ensure we have the best set up for qualifying. Every session we do we're trying to modify something to improve the bike, I don't know if this is good enough to get pole at the moment as people are able to pull out a very good lap on the soft tyre, today we are fast but I'm sure tomorrow the others will also be fast, at this moment we feel comfortable with the settings with just a few more adjustments to make tomorrow, hopefully we can stay ahead of the rest".

DANI PEDROSA � 3rd - 1'34.431
FP1 - 1:34.431, 22 laps, 92 km.
FP2 - 1:34.478, 23 laps, 96 km.
"In the morning it was difficult with the cold conditions to find some grip and then in the afternoon the grip got better but we couldn't improve as much as we expected. Anyway we have some ideas and I hope to make a step forward tomorrow. We need to work on the front and rear suspension to get a better feeling, the bike was moving a lot this afternoon entering and at the exit of the corners. We have to keep the momentum and bounce back again because we are doing well, the bike is going very strong and we have to keep focused and work hard".

ANDREA DOVIZIOSO � 6th - 1'34.705
FP1 - 1:34.808, 22 laps, 92 km.
FP2 - 1:34.705, 21 laps, 88 km.
�This morning we started well and we continued working on the set up of the bike in the afternoon. We tried a different setting on the other bike to improve the stability under braking but we didn�t get the results we expected. Tomorrow we will continue to fine tune the set up and the electronics.

"I feel I have margin to improve so I�m not too worried, I have always had good results on this track and the feeling with the machine is good. I�m not happy of the nine tenths gap from Casey, he is very fast, but apart from him we are closer to the first riders. We need to keep on working and improve the race pace."

MARC MARQUEZ - Moto2
FP1 - 1'39.764, 23 laps, 96 km.
FP2 - 1'39.236, 21 laps, 88 km.
"We are happy with the work we did today, as each time we took the track we improved our times. In the first Free Session, it was a bit difficult because we arrive to a circuit hat is new for me, although I know it from 125cc, but the lines and the references are different. We have to go slowly to avoid any mistakes.

"I crashed due to an oil spill on track. I did not see the flag, or maybe they had not time to show it, but it was nothing serious. In the second Practice Session, we followed the same line, improving with each step. It is clear that we need to improve a bit in some aspects, but we will be again near the fastest in no time and that is always positive."

Source: http://www.f1sa.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=29021:motogp-2011-france-repsol-honda-le-mans-friday-practice-report&catid=27:motogp&Itemid=128

New MotoGP Tire For Le Mans Debut

The 2011 MotoGP Championship heads to France this weekend for the French Grand Prix at Le Mans, which will occur May 15. At the Le Mans (French) GP, Bridgestone, the sole tire supplier in MotoGP, will introduce a new asymmetric rear slick tire. Bridgestone says the soft option rear is Bridgestone's first soft asymmetric offering, and features soft compound rubber in the right shoulder with extra soft compound in the left side. The MotoGP tire was initially schedule to make its debut at the Japanese Grand Prix, which was postponed due to the March 11 Earthquake. Bridgestone says the MotoGP tires provide better initial grip and warm-up performance and will provide better performance in the cold conditions that can be expected in France. The nature of the Le Mans circuit is also slippery which demands softer compound rubber to generate good grip.

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Asymmetric rear slicks are required to provide good durability and stability through the nine right-handed MotoGP corners at Le Mans while not sacrificing warm-up performance in the left side of the tires, which is only used five times each lap.

Bridgestone says Le Mans can be called a stop-and-go MotoGP circuit, which is to say that rather than being a flowing lap it is punctuated by a succession of heavy braking points followed by hard acceleration.

Heavy braking places emphasis on the center section of the front tires, while the hard acceleration out of corners means good edge grip is important. Having said that, with its smooth tarmac and low temperature Le Mans is the least severe circuit of the 2011 MotoGP year for tires which is why the soft and medium front and rear slicks have been selected by Bridgestone.

The weather in the region is unpredictable and whilst last year was dry, in recent years the race has been interrupted by rain so Bridgestone have selected the soft wets for the fourth time this year in MotoGP.

Hiroshi Yamada (Manager, Bridgestone Motorsport Department) says: "The French GP is always popular with fans and is a large and important race for Bridgestone and our local sales companies too. I'm also pleased that we have developed a new tyre over the winter that we are using for the first time at Le Mans. It shows that we are not resting on our laurels and still working hard and constantly developing our MotoGP tires, listening closely to the riders in an effort to provide them the best possible tyres in terms both of performance and of course safety."

Hirohide Hamashima (Assistant to Director, Motorsport Tire Development Division) says: "Le Mans is a slippery and smooth circuit, and run early in the year when the track temperature is low, so softer compound tires are required to generate grip and this is why we will use our new soft asymmetric rear tire in France. We developed the extra soft compound at the end of last year and used it in Portugal and Valencia, but over the winter we have incorporated it into a soft compound asymmetric tire which is totally new. It is designed to work when the conditions are colder to warm-up faster and provide riders with better feeling in the first stages of use.

"The circuit has quite a stop-and-go nature, although the last part of the lap is high speed. Lateral loads placed on the tyres are relatively low but good stability under braking is crucial, especially into turns three and nine which come at the end of the two straights. The circuit has an asymmetric layout that uses the right shoulders harder, hence our choice of asymmetric rear slicks."

Bridgestone slick compounds available: Front: Soft, Medium. Rear (asymmetric): Soft, Medium

Lorenzo Leads Into Le Mans Circuit (France)

Three rounds into the 2011 season and the MotoGP World Championship has already delivered a wealth of thrilling on-track action, as well as a dose of intense competitive rivalry off it, which has added spice to what is already shaping up to be a fantastic title battle. The fourth round of the 2011 MotoGP World Championship, the Monster Energy Grand Prix de France, takes place this weekend with Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa closely matched at the head of the early Championship standings.

The drama will continue this weekend at Le Mans where reigning World Champion Jorge Lorenzo heads into the Monster Energy Grand Prix de France holding a slender four-point advantage over Dani Pedrosa at the top of the standings, after three rounds. Yamaha Factory Racing rider Lorenzo is preparing for his 150th GP start this weekend, which would make him the youngest rider ever to reach the milestone (taking the record off Pedrosa), and he won last year�s race at Le Mans. Lorenzo knows that his Repsol Honda rival is feeling fit and sharp after taking his first win of 2011 at the previous round in Portugal however, and the pair are both now level on 36 career GP wins each.

Casey Stoner stands 20 points adrift of his Repsol Honda teammate after three races and will bid to take what would only be his second ever podium finish at Le Mans across all classes this weekend. The Australian is closely trailed by Valentino Rossi, who has won at Le Mans three times in the premier class (seven podium finishes in total), and the Italian will be pushing for his first Ducati podium at a circuit at which the factory has never before won a MotoGP race.

Rossi�s Ducati teammate, Nicky Hayden, and Repsol Honda�s Andrea Dovizioso are level on points and finished fourth and third respectively in last year�s Le Mans race, and Hiroshi Aoyama has enjoyed a good start to the season with the San Carlo Honda Gresini team, something he will aim to maintain in France.

The Japanese rider�s teammate Marco Simoncelli�s current points haul belies the Italian�s form so far this season. After placing fifth in Qatar he has crashed out of the last two races; at Jerez whilst leading and at Estoril after displaying a pace throughout the weekend which had indicated that an elusive first premier class podium was more than attainable.

British rookie Cal Crutchlow�s debut season continued on an upward curve in Portugal and the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider will make his racing debut at Le Mans. Teammate Colin Edwards has twice stood on the podium at the track and the pair will be confident of following up an impressive previous round in Portugal at their team�s home GP.

H�ctor Barber� (Mapfre Aspar) crashed out of a premier class race for the first time in his career in Portugal and will be determined to make amends in France, as will rookie Karel Abraham (Cardion AB Motoracing), and Toni El�as (LCR Honda) has twice won at Le Mans (once in 250s and last year in Moto2).

Ben Spies� (Yamaha Factory Racing) season has not started as the American would have expected after two crashes in the last two races, and his target will be a points-scoring finish at a circuit at which he did not finish last year�s race.

Pramac Racing duo Loris Capirossi and Randy de Puniet will try to follow up their Portugal results with another encouraging step forward, whilst �lvaro Bautista has had further time to recover following his incredible comeback from injury at Estoril.

Bradl On Form As Moto2 Hits France

The German leads the early Championship standings as the class heads to Le Mans for the Monster Energy Grand Prix de France this weekend.

The Moto2 show arrives at Le Mans this weekend for the Monster Energy Grand Prix de France, with German rider Stefan Bradl (Viessmann Kiefer Racing) the form man in the category.

Bradl has started each of the opening three rounds of the 2011 season from pole position and has taken two victories (Qatar and in the previous round at Estoril), and currently leads the Championship standings by 13 points ahead of Andrea Iannone.

The Italian surrendered the Championship lead to Bradl in Portugal when he slid out of the group fighting for victory in the race with three laps to go, and will aim to recover lost ground at Le Mans. It is a circuit at which Iannone has a best-ever finish of fourth, which came in last year�s Moto2 race.

Simone Corsi (Ioda Racing Project) has had a consistent start to the season and scored a podium result at Le Mans last year in the Moto2 race, and Thomas L�thi (Interwetten Paddock Moto2) returns to the scene of his last-ever GP victory (in the 125s in 2006) determined to take his first Moto2 win having crashed out of the Portugal race when in the leading group.

Juli�n Sim�n took his first podium of the year in Portugal and was second in last year�s Moto2 race at Le Mans, and the Mapfre Aspar rider is also seeking a maiden Moto2 win, whilst Yuki Takahashi also stood on the rostrum for the first time this year at Estoril and goes back to the site where he won his first ever GP race in 2006 in the 250 class.

Bradley Smith (Tech 3) and Scott Redding (Marc VDS Racing) experienced difficult races in Portugal and will be eager to put the third round behind them with strong results in France. The latter of the two is still in search of his first Championship points of the season, as is reigning 125 World Champion Marc M�rquez (Team CatalunyaCaixa Repsol). Italian rider Claudio Corti (Italtrans) will undergo a medical check on Thursday to asses his fitness after suffering a shoulder injury in Portugal.

Two wildcard riders will also participate this weekend, with Australian Alex Cudlin riding a Moriwaki for the QMMF Racing Team and South African Steven Odendaal on a Suter and riding under the MS Racing banner.

125 Pack Continues Chase Of Terol

Three wins from the opening three races of the 2011 season have given the Spaniard a substantial early Championship lead going into Round 4 at Le Mans, with Sandro Cortese leading the chasing pack.

Nico Terol remains the man to beat in the 125 category, having opened up a 25-point lead at the top of the Championship standings after just three rounds of the 2011 season. The Bankia Aspar rider has won the first three races of the campaign � the first rider to do so since Masao Azuma in 1999 � and at Le Mans will line up for his 100th GP start, all of which have come in the 125 class.

With the Spaniard in such strong form a chasing pack has formed in his wake, with German duo Sandro Cortese (Intact Racing Team Germany) and Jonas Folger (Red Bull Ajo Motorsport) and Frenchman Johann Zarco (Avant-AirAsia-Ajo) a trio of riders battling one another as they prepare for the Monster Energy Grand Prix de France.

Cortese leads the threesome whilst Folger and Zarco are level on points, and the French rider will be eager for a strong home result after stepping onto the podium for the past two consecutive races. His competitors are also in rostrum-finishing shape after the opening three races of 2011.

Spaniards Efr�n V�zquez (Avant-AirAsia-Ajo) and Sergio Gadea (Blusens by Paris Hilton Racing Team) know that they will need to produce strong results in France to maintain contact with those ahead of them, even this early in the season, whilst Gadea�s rookie teammate Maverick Vi�ales will have taken great encouragement from his display in Portugal where he was denied a first podium in only his third GP by just two-thousandths of a second.

Other rookies in the shape of Danny Kent (Red Bull Ajo Motorsport) and Miguel Oliveira (Team Andaluc�a Banca C�vica) continue to impress, whilst British rider Taylor Mackenzie (Phonica Racing) will hope to be fit to ride after a crash in QP at Estoril ruled him out of the race with a shoulder injury.

Three wildcard riders will supplement the field at Le Mans with French youngsters Kevin Szalai (Maxiscoot MVT Racing) and Kevin Thobois (Team RMS) and Swiss rider Patrick Meile (Albatros Racing) riding.

Note: The MotoGP round from Le Mans, France will air LIVE on SPEED on Sunday, May 15 at 8:00am ET.

Hertz And MotoGP For Another Year's Extension

MotoGP rights holder "Dorna Sports", have extended their contract for another year with the rental company, Hertz. The original contract was done in 2010 and with a further extension now, Hertz will be seen providing Dorna with a range of services throughout the 2011 campaign. Managing Director of Dorna Sports, Pau Serracanta, said, �We are very happy to be working together with Hertz for a second year. It also demonstrates that we are working with a clear vision of the future in which the alliance between Dorna and Hertz can last for many years.�

The partnership between the two companies developed well during the 2010 season. The premier class organizers will avail services from Hertz rental cars and also use the company�s offerings from the Hertz Equipment rental company, Hertz Energy Services. HES, provides portable power units and temperature control solutions for sports events, concerts, festivals and industries. Hertz Energy Services will provide vital services, as generators for power supplies to the MotoGP Paddock, which includes climate control equipments and units to the VIP Village.

Hertz holds a name internationally, in providing services for the events on a wide global scale. The company will facilitate each event of the FIM�s World Championship, to run un-interrupted for the occasion. For Hertz, this is the best platform to show their reliable services, which they can provide for an international event.

Vice President Marketing of Hertz Europe, Olivier Lecoq, while speaking on the occasion, said, �We have extended this agreement with Dorna for a further year as MotoGP provides a platform which is helping us to be one of the best known brands, and the understanding between the two parties has been very positive.�

The VP Marketing added that extending a partnership with Dorna, which is a strong name in the motorcycle racing world, means that Hertz is looking forward to further joining hands with firm, for a long period of time. The dreadful economic crisis has complicated financial stakes around the world and a partnership with Dorna, is surely a positive step for Hertz.

The next MotoGP event on the year�s calendar is the Grand Prix of France, to be held at the Le Mans circuit, on May 15. The race will be an opportunity for everyone, to avail the benefits of Hertz�s services.

The World Championship will see its� fourth round of the season in the extended partnership. As the third round of the season was pure drama, when Dani Pedrosa passed the defending world champion, Jorge Lorenzo in the last and fourth lap of the race, more can be expected in the upcoming clash on the world famous circuit, in France.

Alvaro Bautista Rider Of Rizla Suzuki makes his comeback at Estoril

Alvaro Bautista was able to complete a run of 17 laps, His Spanish rider of Rizla Suzuki, made a brave effort to participate in Monday's official MotoGP test on Sunday at the bwin Grande Premio de Portugal. Alvaro's was racing for the first time after incurring a fractured femur during a test session before the session opening round in Qatar. in his painful and exhausting condition. He lacked full strength, which hindered him from a longer run. Nevertheless, after all he had faced, Bautista was able to set a decent lap time of 1: 38.850 seconds during his final lap of the day. His best lap time was a whole second faster than his Sunday�s race best lap time. It was even three-tenths better than his Saturday�s qualifying lap time.

The improved pace was a result of the newly designed chassis dropped in the Suzuki GSV-R. This is the same chassis that was put to test in Japan which gave good results and was even better on the race track. The Spaniard�s short lap run was enough to determine the progressive advantage provided by the new chassis and the rider is fully convinced that the team should use this chassis in the fourth round of the 2011 MotoGP season at Le Mans Circuit on May 15.

After the Bautista went on break, the test rider for the Rizla Suzuki team, Nobuatsu Aoki, continued the testing and went on to check the new electronic settings with different strategies. Aoki also tested the improvements of the new chassis and reassured Bautista�s feedback on the Suzuki GSV-R.

�lvaro Bautista, �My leg was really sore today - as I expected - but it was good enough to do four laps at a time and I really wanted to understand this new chassis, so I have to forget the pain and do some work, this is the life of a racer!�

Bautista was pleased with his effort to get on the track, which was a great step forward for the team and rider. He also expressed the improvement in his GSV-R that now it is more agile in the corners, which will help in faster corner exits and early acceleration. The lap�s time was decreased very easily, while tailing on the end of Jorge Lorenzo on Monday�s early test session.

The time was comparable to Lorenzo's but when the riders approached a slow chicane at the end of the track, Lorenzo galloped forwarded and disappeared. Bautista was not able to move the bike in the double bend as fast as it was required, because it was still painful for him to do so.

The position he scored in the race was not acceptional but other achievements were beneficial. Bautista is confident about coming back stronger at the Le Mans Grand Prix.

Source: http://blogs.bettor.com/Alvaro-Bautista-of-Rizla-Suzuki-makes-his-comeback-at-Estoril-MotoGP-Update-a66578

MotoGP Next Session Le Mans Circuit (france)

Dani Pedrosa returned after the victory with his team (Repsol Honda) in the circuit Estoril (Spain) yesterday session, the riders have had to get ready again, face the ferocity Le Mans Circuit (France), who is the fastest rider this time? we are waiting for their heat race on 15 May 2011.

Some spectacular verbal sparring off the track, the emergence of a new talent to challenge the established stars and the tantalising prospect of a fully fit Valentino Rossi. All this and the next race, in a week�s time, will be at Le Mans in France.

Casey Stoner has been integral to almost everything that�s been great about MotoGP so far this year. The straight-talking, fast-riding Australian won first time out on his new Honda at the season-opener in Qatar, and has looked frighteningly fast throughout every race weekend since � and, unlike last season on the Ducati, without looking like he�s on the brink of an accident. The sweeter-handling chassis of the Honda, combined with a new gearbox which takes the shunt out of every change, is being well used.

Stoner was at the centre of a breathtaking second round at Jerez, even though for much of the race he stood in the gravel trap making rude gestures to Rossi, who had just knocked him off.

It was the sort of bash and tumble that crops up in every form of bike racing and, frankly, Stoner should have been the one receiving all the sympathy. But upon receiving a face-to-face apology from Rossi (strictly speaking it was helmet to face as Valentino admitted he feared for his safety�), Stoner replied with a grin that �your ambition outweighed your talent�. Now that may be outrageously disrespectful, or entirely justified and true � but the simple fact is that every golden era has thrived on such rivalries and the sport is the healthier for it.

Suspecting that the spotlight isn�t shining as brightly on him as a reigning world champion might expect, Jorge Lorenzo also joined in the verbals, sparring with Marco Simoncelli in the press conference prior to the last race at Estoril. Lorenzo had berated the sprawling Italian�s aggressive riding, and Simoncelli called Lorenzo to order. Like a highly trained mafia lawyer he stared icily at Lorenzo and pulled him up on a technicality.

Simoncelli didn�t dispute the fact he was a dangerous rider � he just thought Lorenzo had used an incorrect example. Lorenzo threatened that if he rode like that again, �there will be a problem�. Simoncelli shrugged his response: �� and I will be arrested?� The assembled journalists laughed heartily, Lorenzo was peeved, and another grudge match was born.

Even better, Simoncelli has the speed to back up the swagger. It really looks like he�s learned how to make his factory Honda work, and save for an occasional failure to get the best from his fickle Bridgestone tyres, he�s now a genuine front-runner. After the Estoril race there was a supplementary test day, and rather impressively Marco finished it on top. There might just be a race win in him this year.

Then there�s Rossi. Make no mistake, the Stoner incident will have fired him up no end. The weakened shoulder, which has let him down in heavy braking areas and extended right-hand cornering, is almost healed. The first new parts he and his wizard-like crew chief Jerry Burgess have ordered for the Ducati have arrived and seem to be working � principally the problems have been a throttle that can�t be manipulated delicately at low revs and a recalcitrant front end that shies away from corners.

With a seventh and two fifth places so far, you can put your money on a podium for Rossi at Le Mans � then brace for the big show until the season�s end. He�s back.

Dorna Releases 2012 MotoGP Claiming Rule

FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix Decision of the Grand Prix Commission

The Grand Prix Commission, composed of Messrs. Carmelo Ezpeleta (Dorna, Chairman), Ignacio Verneda (FIM Executive Director, Sport), Herve� Poncharal (IRTA) and Takanao Tsubouchi (MSMA), in the presence of Javier Alonso (Dorna) and M. Paul Butler (Secretary of the meeting), in a meeting held on 30 April in Estoril (Portugal), unanimously decided the following (Changes in bold):

Immediate Application
1) Art. 1.15.1.1. MotoGP Class
Sporting Regulations
b) Practice during the day following the Portuguese Grand Prix (Estoril). Practice during the day following the Italian Grand Prix (Mugello) or the Czech Grand Prix (Brno). Practice during 2 days immediately following the last Grand Prix (Valencia).
a) Any activity authorized by the Race Direction.

2) Art. 1.18 10
3 Minutes Before the Start of the Warm Up Lap - Display of 3 Minute Board on the grid.
Generators must be disconnected from tyre warmers and removed from the grid as quickly as possible.
In the 125cc and Moto2 classes, tyre warmers must be removed from machines on the grid.
At this point all persons other than two mechanics per rider in the125cc, and Moto2 classes, and three mechanics per rider in MotoGP, the person holding the umbrella for the rider, the TV crew of the host broadcaster and essential officials, must leave the grid.
The MotoGP riders must put their helmets on.
No person (except essential officials) is allowed to go onto the grid at this point.

1) 1MinuteBeforetheStartoftheWarmUpLap-Displayofthe1Minute Board on the grid.

Tyre warmers must be removed from MotoGP machines on the grid.
At this point, all team personnel except the mechanic(s) will leave the grid. The mechanic(s) will as quickly as possible assist the rider to start the machine and will then vacate the grid.

3) The Grand Commission has accepted the proposal of the MSMA for testing opportunities for machines eligible under the 2012 Regulations.

Machines Eligible under 2012 Regulations- "1000cc Machines".
During the 2011 season teams may test for a total 8 rider/days with their contracted riders. This will apply retrospectively for the 2011 season.

Application 2012 MotoGP Class Technical Regulations 2.2 Classes

2.2.1 The following classes will be accommodated, which will be designated by engine parameters:
MotoGP: Up to 1000cc - maximum four cylinders, maximum cylinder bore 81mm.

Four stroke motorcycles participating in the MotoGP class must be prototypes. Those that are not entered by a member of MSMA must be approved for participation by the Grand Prix Commission, and teams using such motorcycles may ask the Grand Prix Commission (hereinafter GPC) for the "Claiming Rule Team" (hereinafter CRT) status by December 31st of the year before the season they intend to race.

The GPC will reply to any CRT status requests within one month of receiving the official request. Approval of CRT status is subject to unanimity among all the members of the GPC, and CRT status is given only for one year at a time. The CRT status is approved by unanimous decision of the GPC in order to ensure fair competition, and based on the same consideration it can be withdrawn at any time by a majority decision of the GPC members. In case of CRT status withdrawal the GPC will inform the team at least one race in advance of CRT status being withdrawn.

The CRT status affects the requirements of engine durability (Article 2.3.7 FIM Grand Prix Regulations) and fuel tank capacity (Article 2.6.5). CRT's are subject to the Claiming Rule (Article 2.2.2) and must not represent any MSMA manufacturer, as defined solely by a GPC majority decision.

2.2.2 Claiming Rule: MSMA manufacturers have the right to purchase the engine of a motorcycle entered by a CRT immediately after a race, for a fixed price of:

20,000? (twenty thousands Euros) including gearbox/transmission, or 15,000? (fifteen thousands Euros) without gearbox/transmission.

A maximum of four engine claims can be made against one CRT in any one racing season. An MSMA manufacturer may not claim more than one engine per year from the same CRT (i.e. a different claimant for every claimed engine of the same CRT).

To lodge a claim under the Claiming Rule, an MSMA manufacturer must inform Race Direction in writing after the start of the race. In the case of more than one claim lodged against the same team, the claim lodged first will be recognised, and other claims dismissed. Provided that the relevant CRT has not already been subjected to the Claiming Rule four times that season, Race Direction will request the Technical Director to securely identify the used engine immediately after the race. The CRT must make that engine available at Technical Control within two hours after the identification, to be handed over to the successful claimant by the Technical Director. Race Direction will inform IRTA of the successful claim, and IRTA will ensure payment and receipt of the claiming fees between the two involved Teams.

2.3.7 Engine Durability

In the MotoGP class the number of engines available for use by each rider is limited to 6 engines per permanent contracted rider for all the scheduled races of the season.

The following exceptions will apply: Permanent contracted riders entered by an MSMA member participating in MotoGP for the first time since 2007; limited to 9 engines for all the scheduled races of its first season.

Permanent contracted riders entered by a CRT; limited to 12 engines for all the scheduled races of the season. If a CRT loses an engine due to Art. 2.2.2 Claiming Rule, an additional engine will be allowed in the affected rider's allocation.

The number of engines available for use by each rider using a machine entered by a CRT can be changed during the season by a majority decision of the GPC, with the aim of ensuring fair competition. The number of engines allowed after that point will be determined by the GPC, based on half the number of engines remaining in the CRT's allocation, numbers rounded up. (eg. 9 engines remaining /2 = 4.5, rounded up = 5 engines allowed)

Should a rider be replaced for any reason

2.5.1 The following are the minimum weights permitted:
MotoGP up to 800cc capacity motorcycle 150kg 801cc to 1'000cc capacity motorcycle 153kg

2.6.5 The fuel tank capacity limit in the MotoGP class is:

maximum 21 litres, for motorcycles that have not been entered by CRT's,

maximum 24 litres, for motorcycles that have been entered by CRT's. The maximum fuel tank capacity for motorcycles entered by CRT's can be changed during the season by a majority decision of the GPC, with the aim of ensuring fair competition. In defining fuel tank capacity.

source: http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2011/May/110504fim.htm

Valentino Rossi Meets The Media As A Ducati Rider

MotoGP superstar Valentino Rossi was officially presented as a Ducati rider on Tuesday at the Wrooom Press Ski Meeting in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy.

Rossi meets the media as a Ducati rider Casey stoner

Now free from his Yamaha contract, Rossi was able to wear full Ducati Marlboro colours and talk publically about the 2011 Ducati Desmosedici, with which he will try to become the first rider in history to win premier-class titles for three different manufacturers.

"The Ducati is a real prototype, very different from the Japanese motorcycles that I know, " said Rossi, speaking at a press conference.

"It has to be ridden in a completely different way, but I'm sure we will be able to make it work".

The seven time MotoGP champion was just 15th
fastest on his Ducati debut, in plain black, during
testing at Valencia in November - after which he
underwent surgery on the shoulder injury he had
carried since falling from a motocross bike in April.

Rossi warned that he is unlikely to regain full strength in the shoulder until this April.

"The shoulder is not as good as I had hoped, we need more time", he said. "I need five or six months recovery [after the operation] to be 100%, so around April or May is the most likely time".

"That means Rossi won �t be able to make the most of the three pre-season tests, starting at Sepang on February 1" , "in Malaysia I will be at about 70%" - and will not be at full strength for his Ducati race debut at Qatar on March 20.

Rossi won the 500cc/MotoGP title in 2001 (Honda),
2002 (Honda), 2003 (Honda), 2004 (Yamaha), 2005
(Yamaha), 2008 (Yamaha) and 2009 (Yamaha). His 2010 title hopes ended when he broke his leg
during practice for round four, in Italy, whilst trailing
team-mate and eventual champion Jorge Lorenzo in the points.

After missing four races, Rossi returned to take one final Yamaha victory and finished third in the championship. Ducati has won the MotoGP title once, with Casey Stoner in 2007. Stoner has taken all but one of Ducati�s 24 race wins since the start of the 800cc era in 2007.

2011 Moto-GP Schedule

2011 Moto-GP Schedule

* March 20: Qatar (Losail)

* April 3: Spain (Jerez)

* April 24: Japan (Motegi)

* May 1: Portugal (Estoril)

* May 15: France (Le Mans)

* June 5: Catalunya (Barcelona)

* June 12: Britain (Silverstone)

* June 25: Holland (Assen)

* July 3: Italy (Mugello)

* July 17: Germany (Sachsenring)

* July 24: United States (Laguna Seca)

* Agust 14: Czech Republic (Brno)

* Agust 28: Indianapolis (Indianapolis)

* September 4: San Marino (Misano)

* September 18: Aragon (Alcaniz)

* October 16: Australia (Phillip Island)

* October 23: Malaysia (Sepang)

* November 6: Valencia. (Ricardo Tormo Valencia)