DANI PEDROSA, REPSOL HONDA
Race Position: DNF Championship Position: 5th
“IT WAS A SHAME. I LOST THE FRONT AND CRASHED!”
Under similar circumstances to the last race at Laguna Seca, Casey Stoner managed to turn a difficult weekend into a win without opposition in a race that he led from the third lap, when Dani Pedrosa, after taking the lead, lost the front and crashed out of the race, luckily without injury. With the absence of Pedrosa, who had been the fastest man throughout the weekend and qualified in pole position, Stoner had no rival and set a steady pace to cross the finish line 6.5 seconds ahead of his teammate Andrea Dovizioso. Marco Simoncelli claimed the final podium position, his first in MotoGP.
“It was a shame. I lost the front and I crashed, that was it! I was not even pushing so hard, I just took the lead and, well I may have tilted the bike too much, maybe the tyre was not warm enough, still I don’t know. The problem is that I’ve wasted an important race that we had prepared for very well. I have to thank the team for the bike they gave me this weekend, it worked really well, and I will tell them I’m sorry for the mistake. It hurts because we were well prepared and finally the race was quite slow compared to the pace we did in practice sessions, but we cannot do anything, just think towards the next one and try to get back on top.”
CAL CRUTCHLOW, MONSTER YAMAHA TECH 3
Race Position: DNF Championship Position: 15th
“ANOTHER CRASH IS THE LAST THING I NEEDED…”
Brno ended in unhappy circumstances for Cal Crutchlow; the 25-year-old was optimistic he could battle for a top 10 result, but his race was ended prematurely by a front-end crash at the first corner on lap seven after he’d just passed Hector Barbera for 10th. Crutchlow was able to walk away uninjured but was frustrated that his hard work throughout the weekend went unrewarded.
“Nobody is more disappointed than me with what happened because another crash is the last thing I needed. I am currently having a difficult run of races but all I can do is get my head down, work hard with my crew and try and put things right in the future. At the moment I am struggling with grip in the front-end and we seem to have been going round in circles a little bit to find a solution. Today I was off-brake and accelerating at the first corner when I lost the front. The last person who wants to crash is me, but I can only do my best. I am sorry to my Team and Yamaha but I am sure they realise that I am trying as hard as I can to get a good result. We’ve got a test tomorrow and that is important because we can work on the bike without the time constraints of practice. I still believe in myself and I am determined to get a good result in Indianapolis.”
COLIN EDWARDS, MONSTER YAMAHA TECH 3
Race Position: 8th Championship Position: 9th
“IT WAS NOT AN EASY RACE.”
Colin Edwards started and finished the Czech Republic MotoGP in eighth position, once again finishing the leading non-factory rider. The 37-year-old rode a determined race throughout the 22-lap encounter, which took place under cloudy but warm skies in front of a massive crowd of 155,400 at the Brno circuit. He spent almost the entire race in close pursuit of fellow American Nicky Hayden’s factory Ducati machine; despite launching numerous attempts to up his pace and get within striking distance of the 2006 World Champion, Edwards was frustrated in his attempt to seize a hard-fought seventh position.
“I said yesterday that if I finished in the same position that I started that I would be pretty happy. I guess I am pretty happy but it was not an easy race. In the warm-up I had zero traction, so we made a small geometry change for the race and it was definitely better. I had more grip but the lap time was the same. All I kept seeing on my lap timer on the dashboard was 58.5, 58.5. It must have been like that for about 14 laps in a row and at one point I thought it had broken. I just couldn’t go much faster and it seems we are lacking traction compared to the others. I was spinning the rear tyre a lot and right now our bike feels a little bit unforgiving. I was right on the back of Nicky for pretty much the whole race but I couldn’t do anything with him. Our lap times just didn’t deviate at all, so I couldn’t get close enough to him. It wasn’t like he had more grip than me, but because we were doing the same pace I didn’t get close enough to attack him."
NICKY HAYDEN, MARLBORO DUCATI
Race Position: 7th Championship Position: 7th
“IT’S BEEN A REALLY TOUGH WEEKEND.”
Nicky Hayden finished up at Brno in seventh position, behind his team mate Valentino Rossi in sixth, but much closer to the leaders than at any other time this season. The American, however, was looking forward more to the following day’s test sessions, where he could focus on new parts for this year’s Ducati GP11 with, obviously an eye on next year’s 1000cc GP12 machine.
“It’s been a really tough weekend right from when we got the bikes out of the crates from Laguna, but we chipped away at it. The guys have worked extremely hard, and we got better and better. We even made a change after the morning warm-up that actually helped a bit, although I didn’t really understand it the first few laps, and the group was already gone. I held on and got seventh, which isn’t fantastic. Still, the gap to the front is the closest it’s been this season, which is positive. The bike was really good in a few places, but I was slow in change of direction and couldn’t get the bike to finish the corner and was spinning the tyre a lot. We also need to understand why I had the slowest top speed. It would’ve been nice to hang onto that front group a bit longer, but Colin pushed me all the way to the end. The work’s far from over, because we’ve got a big day testing. Valentino tried some new parts on the front that they seem real happy about, so hopefully I can try those.”
Hiroshi Aoyama steered his San Carlo Honda Gresini to 9th place, and lies 10th in the Championship. Karel Abraham unfortunately crashed his Cardion AB Motoracing Ducati out of his home race; he remains 12th overall in the standings.
Round 12 of MotoGP is at Indianapolis, Sunday August 28th.
For more information on Arai helmets please visit www.whyarai.co.uk
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
ARAI AT GEORGE WHITE MEGA FACTORY OUTLET OPENING IN BOLTON
Discount motorcycle clothing giant to launch massive new clothing super-store on Saturday 13th August with huge launch party with stars and mad one-day only deals.
George White will be opening the doors of their latest superstore - their first in the north of England - with a huge splash this summer.
Known for amazing deals and an equally amazing range of top name motorcycle brands at stunning low prices George White will offer the first 500 people to spend over £10 at the Bolton store a fabulous goodie-bag worth £50, absolutely FREE!
Visitors will be able to buy boots, gloves, Goretex jackets and full race suits from low, low prices!
As with all George White events, the day will rammed with wall-to-wall stars and entertainment - all absolutely Free!
Riders from the World and British Championships will be present to meet fans and answer questions fired at them by Eurosport's Jack Burnicle. Castrol Honda's Jonathan Rea will be present alongside eight-time TT winning legend Ian Hutchinson. Alex and Sam Lowes will also make an appearance and talk about their mad-busy 2011 season as well as BSB and BSS stars; Steve Brogan (Jentin Racing Honda), Tommy Hill (Swan Yamaha), Gary Mason (Colchester Kawasaki), Billy McConnell (Oxford Tag Triumph) and Steve Plater (Padgetts Honda)
World Factory Gas Gas trials rider, Michael Brown will be performing five gravity-defying shows during the day and there will also be a Formula 1 driving simulator on hand during the day that will test the professional riders four-wheel skills against the clock.
Arai’s Race Service will be on hand all day to fit and service helmets and offer technical advice.
During the day, the famous George White no-reserve auction will be back with a morning and afternoon session with eye-watering bargains and one very lucky customer will win a bike of their dreams for a year - in the free to enter prize drawer.
Add in the MCN girls, the Hornee jeans girls, and the famous George White Balloon its obvious that the George White Mega factory outlet opening on Saturday 13th August at 156 Bradshawgate, Bolton BL2 1BA will the THE place to be.
George White will be opening the doors of their latest superstore - their first in the north of England - with a huge splash this summer.
Known for amazing deals and an equally amazing range of top name motorcycle brands at stunning low prices George White will offer the first 500 people to spend over £10 at the Bolton store a fabulous goodie-bag worth £50, absolutely FREE!
Visitors will be able to buy boots, gloves, Goretex jackets and full race suits from low, low prices!
As with all George White events, the day will rammed with wall-to-wall stars and entertainment - all absolutely Free!
Riders from the World and British Championships will be present to meet fans and answer questions fired at them by Eurosport's Jack Burnicle. Castrol Honda's Jonathan Rea will be present alongside eight-time TT winning legend Ian Hutchinson. Alex and Sam Lowes will also make an appearance and talk about their mad-busy 2011 season as well as BSB and BSS stars; Steve Brogan (Jentin Racing Honda), Tommy Hill (Swan Yamaha), Gary Mason (Colchester Kawasaki), Billy McConnell (Oxford Tag Triumph) and Steve Plater (Padgetts Honda)
World Factory Gas Gas trials rider, Michael Brown will be performing five gravity-defying shows during the day and there will also be a Formula 1 driving simulator on hand during the day that will test the professional riders four-wheel skills against the clock.
Arai’s Race Service will be on hand all day to fit and service helmets and offer technical advice.
During the day, the famous George White no-reserve auction will be back with a morning and afternoon session with eye-watering bargains and one very lucky customer will win a bike of their dreams for a year - in the free to enter prize drawer.
Add in the MCN girls, the Hornee jeans girls, and the famous George White Balloon its obvious that the George White Mega factory outlet opening on Saturday 13th August at 156 Bradshawgate, Bolton BL2 1BA will the THE place to be.
WSBK ROUND 9, SILVERSTONE, SUNDAY JULY 31
Arai’s Hopkins bags Superpole, Haslam tantalisingly close to a podium
LEON HASLAM, BMW MOTORRAD MOTORSPORT
Race One: 4th Race Two: 8th Championship Position: 5th
“I WAS REALLY PUSHING FOR THE PODIUM”
Silverstone played host to a dramatic World Superbike round, with Leon Haslam coming close to clinching a rostrum finish in front of his home crowd, wearing a special one-off paintjob on his Arai RX-7 GP helmet in support of his chosen charity, SPARKS (Sports Aiding medical Research for Kids). Leon makes a contribution to the charity that is directly linked to his racing performance, and gives SPARKS £10 for every World Championship point he scores in 2011.
Race one started promisingly for Haslam, who made a good start from 9th on the grid to join the leading group in 6th in the early laps. As the laps tumbled, seven riders fell victim to the tricky Silverstone circuit, but Haslam crossed the line in 4th position after fighting hard with pole sitter John Hopkins and Marco Melandri. Top honours went to championship leader Carlos Checa. Race two saw a difficult opening lap for Haslam and he dropped back to 10th; but he continued to push and, at half race distance, managed to take seventh position from Fabrizio. However, with a four second gap to the leaders to contend with and a charging Guintoli chasing him down, Leon still faced a battle to the end, eventually being forced to settle for 8th position. But it was to be the same three from race one who took to the podium with Checa doing the double, followed by Laverty and Melandri.
“In race one I was really happy with the start, I was able to get myself into the position I wanted to be in and run with the leaders. I was really pushing for the podium and battled to keep with Melandri but I was really struggling to pass him and remain in front. I was happy to be running close to the front and the lap times were OK, I just couldn’t quite get on the podium. In race two I was having a few issues with the bike and was forced to adapt my riding style to try and ride around it. I got to the point where I was able to run consistent lap times but by then the leaders had gone. Now we have the summer break so I am just looking forward to spending some time at home and preparing in the gym for the next races.”
JONATHAN REA, CASTROL HONDA
Race One: DNS Race Two: DNS Championship Position: 12th
Castrol Honda rider Jonathan Rea remained on the sidelines for his home round of the WSBK championship at Silverstone as his right arm, broken at Misano during morning warm up on race day, June 12 continues to heal.
Samsung Crescent Racing's John Hopkins raced to fifth and seventh places as a ‘Wild-Card’ entry at Silverstone. Following his victory in Superpole – where he set a new lap record – the British Superbike Championship contender started both races from pole, going in full of fight and dicing for the lead in the early stages of race one. But with a riding style that dictates use of the rear brake, disaster struck mid-way through for Hopkins when he suffered a rear brake issue, effectively ending hopes of a podium finish – but he still finished the race in an impressive fifth place. In race two, Hopkins was at the sharp-end of the action, battling hard with WSBK title contenders Marco Melandri, Max Biaggi and Eugene Laverty. He thoroughly enjoyed his day’s racing:
LEON HASLAM, BMW MOTORRAD MOTORSPORT
Race One: 4th Race Two: 8th Championship Position: 5th
“I WAS REALLY PUSHING FOR THE PODIUM”
Silverstone played host to a dramatic World Superbike round, with Leon Haslam coming close to clinching a rostrum finish in front of his home crowd, wearing a special one-off paintjob on his Arai RX-7 GP helmet in support of his chosen charity, SPARKS (Sports Aiding medical Research for Kids). Leon makes a contribution to the charity that is directly linked to his racing performance, and gives SPARKS £10 for every World Championship point he scores in 2011.
Race one started promisingly for Haslam, who made a good start from 9th on the grid to join the leading group in 6th in the early laps. As the laps tumbled, seven riders fell victim to the tricky Silverstone circuit, but Haslam crossed the line in 4th position after fighting hard with pole sitter John Hopkins and Marco Melandri. Top honours went to championship leader Carlos Checa. Race two saw a difficult opening lap for Haslam and he dropped back to 10th; but he continued to push and, at half race distance, managed to take seventh position from Fabrizio. However, with a four second gap to the leaders to contend with and a charging Guintoli chasing him down, Leon still faced a battle to the end, eventually being forced to settle for 8th position. But it was to be the same three from race one who took to the podium with Checa doing the double, followed by Laverty and Melandri.
“In race one I was really happy with the start, I was able to get myself into the position I wanted to be in and run with the leaders. I was really pushing for the podium and battled to keep with Melandri but I was really struggling to pass him and remain in front. I was happy to be running close to the front and the lap times were OK, I just couldn’t quite get on the podium. In race two I was having a few issues with the bike and was forced to adapt my riding style to try and ride around it. I got to the point where I was able to run consistent lap times but by then the leaders had gone. Now we have the summer break so I am just looking forward to spending some time at home and preparing in the gym for the next races.”
JONATHAN REA, CASTROL HONDA
Race One: DNS Race Two: DNS Championship Position: 12th
Castrol Honda rider Jonathan Rea remained on the sidelines for his home round of the WSBK championship at Silverstone as his right arm, broken at Misano during morning warm up on race day, June 12 continues to heal.
Samsung Crescent Racing's John Hopkins raced to fifth and seventh places as a ‘Wild-Card’ entry at Silverstone. Following his victory in Superpole – where he set a new lap record – the British Superbike Championship contender started both races from pole, going in full of fight and dicing for the lead in the early stages of race one. But with a riding style that dictates use of the rear brake, disaster struck mid-way through for Hopkins when he suffered a rear brake issue, effectively ending hopes of a podium finish – but he still finished the race in an impressive fifth place. In race two, Hopkins was at the sharp-end of the action, battling hard with WSBK title contenders Marco Melandri, Max Biaggi and Eugene Laverty. He thoroughly enjoyed his day’s racing:
“Boy that was a lot of fun. The first race was a bit of a disappointment with the rear brake pad issues, but I managed to alter my corner-entry and keep my focus to bag that fifth place. Race two felt better, but to keep with those factory bikes you really need to make up time on the brakes and on the gas out of the turns. I knew that would kill my tyre, so it was no surprise in the closing stages of race two when we started losing the times. Overall, I’m really pumped about this weekend. I’ve bagged my first-ever World SBK pole position, mixed it at the sharp-end and enjoyed the racing immensely. A huge thanks to the whole team.”
Noriyuki Haga and his PATA Aprilia crashed out of race one and DNF’d in race two he remains 9th in the championship. Jakub Smrz and his Effenbert Liberty Racing Ducati didn’t make the end of race one, but finished 11th in the second outing, moving him back one place to 13th overall in the title chase.
Kawasaki Motocard.com rider Broc Parkes found the World Supersport competition tough in the early laps, with top names like Robin Harms, Sam Lowes and Gino Rea crashing or running off the circuit. The race settled into a pattern of Parkes vying for a top six finish which he achieved and after the race he was pragmatic, if a little unhappy with the performance:
“We struggled in the race big time and didn’t have the pace all weekend. It was damage limitation really, a matter of seeing what I could do in the race. For some reason our set-up is not working the way we want it. I could do the same consistent lap time but to have the pace to get to the front I could not pass people. Sixth was not so good for our championship push but we came out of here with some points and we have to improve and go into the last part of the season and see what we can do…”
The next Word Superbike championship round is at Nurburgring, on September 4.
The next Word Superbike championship round is at Nurburgring, on September 4.
For more information on Arai helmets please visit www.whyarai.co.uk
Join us on Facebook! www.facebook.com/whyaraipage
Monday, July 25, 2011
MOTOGP ROUND 10, LAGUNA SECA, SUNDAY JULY 24
Arai riders race hard in California, Pedrosa makes podium again
DANI PEDROSA, REPSOL HONDA
Race Position: 3rd Championship Position: 4th
“I WAS VERY TIRED, ALMOST FINISHED…”
Dani Pedrosa started from third on the grid, and settled into second place in the early stages. His team mate Casey Stoner passed him, as Dani soon started suffering from fatigue and fitness problems; Stoner then chased down Jorge Lorenzo for nine laps and wasted no time in passing him around the outside of turn one on lap twenty seven. After being passed by Stoner, Pedrosa retained third position comfortably. He knew his fitness would be tested at a track that demands a huge physical effort, but has now moved above Valentino Rossi in the Championship standings to 4th position with 110 points.
“I’m very happy with another podium, the second after my come back from injury. I could have predicted this result before coming to Laguna because I knew it would be physically very tough for me and it has been great to keep up with the pace of Casey and Jorge in these past two races. Today, by the middle of the race, I was very tired, almost finished, I couldn’t get my left arm strong enough and here at this track you don’t rest for a moment, so I had to drop. It’s been quite difficult to set up the bike this weekend, I had a lack of grip generally, but the team worked very well. Now we have some holidays and it will be good for me to have some days off to rest and relax my muscles and be back training to arrive fully fit in Brno.”
CAL CRUTCHLOW, MONSTER YAMAHA TECH 3
Race Position: DNF Championship Position: 15th
“ALL OF US ARE PUSHING ON THE LIMIT”
Cal Crutchlow’s debut at the spectacular Laguna Seca circuit was unfortunately a short experience, his hopes of a return to the top 10 ended by an early crash. Starting from the front of the fourth row, Crutchlow was shadowing tenth placed Alvaro Bautista when he lost the front-end of his bike at Turn 2. The 25-year-old was unhurt in the fourth lap incident but it was a disappointing conclusion to a weekend that had promised much from the 2009 World Supersport champion, after he’d brilliantly got to grips with the 3.610km track.
“I lost the front at the second corner and it was a similar problem to what we’ve been experiencing in recent races. It was fine this morning in cooler conditions but as soon as the track temperature goes up, I have a few problems. Strangely it was only at that corner. It is a shame because I think we had a good pace. Bautista wasn’t getting away from me and he quickly got up to Valentino and Nicky, so I think I could have gone with him and been in that battle. I’m disappointed I didn't finish the race and it is not good for the Championship but I wasn’t the only one to crash today and it shows all of us are pushing on the limit. We have still learned quite a bit this weekend and the bike certainly felt better than it did in the last few races. Now we go to some tracks that I know and I’m looking forward to it because it has been a tough run and I need to recover the form I was showing in the beginning of the season.”
COLIN EDWARDS, MONSTER YAMAHA TECH 3
Race Position: 8th Championship Position: 8th
“HONESTLY I’M REALLY DISAPPOINTED”
Colin Edwards seized eighth from Hector Barbera exiting the famous Corkscrew section on lap 14, but was already six seconds adrift of the battle for sixth place involving Ducati duo Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden. He was able to run identical lap times as Rossi and double Laguna Seca MotoGP winner Hayden in the middle phase of the race, but was unable to reduce the gap and he opted not to take any unnecessary risks to ensure he collected eight valuable points. The result, which was the 37-year-old’s seventh top ten finish of the campaign, moves him up one place in the overall rankings to consolidate his position as the leading non-factory rider in 2011.
“Honestly I’m really disappointed because I came here for my home race and I expected bigger and better things. I struggled all weekend with the set-up and we made a wrong turn somewhere in the last couple of races that have knocked us out of stride a little bit. This morning we just put in the same setting I ran in last year’s race and that wasn’t great, but at least I felt more comfortable with it than what I’d been running all weekend. It wasn’t the best setting but at least I felt comfortable to a point where I could push for some decent lap times. I just lacked front and rear grip. I’ve never ridden so hard in my life but I was a second off the pace and when Cal went down in front of me, there was no way I could go with Bautista. I just had to be smooth because if I pushed I just ended up going slower. I still moved up in the Championship and got some good points, so now I’m just looking forward to a couple of weeks relaxing to get ready for the final part of the season.”
NICKY HAYDEN, MARLBORO DUCATI
Race Position: 7th Championship Position: 7th
“I’M NOT GOING TO JUMP UP AND DOWN CELEBRATING 7TH PLACE!”
Nicky Hayden finished his home round in 7th behind his team mate Valentino Rossi. He had good pace and rhythm but ultimately wasn’t fast enough to stay with the leading riders.
“I’ve won this race before, so I’m not going to jump up and down celebrating seventh place. We knew it was going to be tough, and crashing in qualifying didn’t help. I got a decent start, but I didn’t get to go with that second group like I had hoped. It was kind of like the Sachsenring: a good battle with Valentino, but thirty seconds behind the front. Vale was no faster than me, but he’s a racer: he doesn’t make mistakes and give you anything. A couple of times I thought I might be able to go up the inside, but I’m not just going to close my eyes and knock us both down trying for sixth place. We’ll take two weeks off, regroup and go to Brno.”
Hiroshi Aoyama rode his San Carlo Honda Gresini to 10th place, and moves to 9th in the Championship. Karel Abraham bought his Cardion AB Motoracing Ducati home in 11th; he remains 12th overall in the standings.
Round 11 of MotoGP is at Brno, Sunday August 14. (With Hopper!)
For more information on Arai Helmets please visit www.whyarai.co.uk
DANI PEDROSA, REPSOL HONDA
Race Position: 3rd Championship Position: 4th
“I WAS VERY TIRED, ALMOST FINISHED…”
Dani Pedrosa started from third on the grid, and settled into second place in the early stages. His team mate Casey Stoner passed him, as Dani soon started suffering from fatigue and fitness problems; Stoner then chased down Jorge Lorenzo for nine laps and wasted no time in passing him around the outside of turn one on lap twenty seven. After being passed by Stoner, Pedrosa retained third position comfortably. He knew his fitness would be tested at a track that demands a huge physical effort, but has now moved above Valentino Rossi in the Championship standings to 4th position with 110 points.
“I’m very happy with another podium, the second after my come back from injury. I could have predicted this result before coming to Laguna because I knew it would be physically very tough for me and it has been great to keep up with the pace of Casey and Jorge in these past two races. Today, by the middle of the race, I was very tired, almost finished, I couldn’t get my left arm strong enough and here at this track you don’t rest for a moment, so I had to drop. It’s been quite difficult to set up the bike this weekend, I had a lack of grip generally, but the team worked very well. Now we have some holidays and it will be good for me to have some days off to rest and relax my muscles and be back training to arrive fully fit in Brno.”
CAL CRUTCHLOW, MONSTER YAMAHA TECH 3
Race Position: DNF Championship Position: 15th
“ALL OF US ARE PUSHING ON THE LIMIT”
Cal Crutchlow’s debut at the spectacular Laguna Seca circuit was unfortunately a short experience, his hopes of a return to the top 10 ended by an early crash. Starting from the front of the fourth row, Crutchlow was shadowing tenth placed Alvaro Bautista when he lost the front-end of his bike at Turn 2. The 25-year-old was unhurt in the fourth lap incident but it was a disappointing conclusion to a weekend that had promised much from the 2009 World Supersport champion, after he’d brilliantly got to grips with the 3.610km track.
“I lost the front at the second corner and it was a similar problem to what we’ve been experiencing in recent races. It was fine this morning in cooler conditions but as soon as the track temperature goes up, I have a few problems. Strangely it was only at that corner. It is a shame because I think we had a good pace. Bautista wasn’t getting away from me and he quickly got up to Valentino and Nicky, so I think I could have gone with him and been in that battle. I’m disappointed I didn't finish the race and it is not good for the Championship but I wasn’t the only one to crash today and it shows all of us are pushing on the limit. We have still learned quite a bit this weekend and the bike certainly felt better than it did in the last few races. Now we go to some tracks that I know and I’m looking forward to it because it has been a tough run and I need to recover the form I was showing in the beginning of the season.”
COLIN EDWARDS, MONSTER YAMAHA TECH 3
Race Position: 8th Championship Position: 8th
“HONESTLY I’M REALLY DISAPPOINTED”
Colin Edwards seized eighth from Hector Barbera exiting the famous Corkscrew section on lap 14, but was already six seconds adrift of the battle for sixth place involving Ducati duo Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden. He was able to run identical lap times as Rossi and double Laguna Seca MotoGP winner Hayden in the middle phase of the race, but was unable to reduce the gap and he opted not to take any unnecessary risks to ensure he collected eight valuable points. The result, which was the 37-year-old’s seventh top ten finish of the campaign, moves him up one place in the overall rankings to consolidate his position as the leading non-factory rider in 2011.
“Honestly I’m really disappointed because I came here for my home race and I expected bigger and better things. I struggled all weekend with the set-up and we made a wrong turn somewhere in the last couple of races that have knocked us out of stride a little bit. This morning we just put in the same setting I ran in last year’s race and that wasn’t great, but at least I felt more comfortable with it than what I’d been running all weekend. It wasn’t the best setting but at least I felt comfortable to a point where I could push for some decent lap times. I just lacked front and rear grip. I’ve never ridden so hard in my life but I was a second off the pace and when Cal went down in front of me, there was no way I could go with Bautista. I just had to be smooth because if I pushed I just ended up going slower. I still moved up in the Championship and got some good points, so now I’m just looking forward to a couple of weeks relaxing to get ready for the final part of the season.”
NICKY HAYDEN, MARLBORO DUCATI
Race Position: 7th Championship Position: 7th
“I’M NOT GOING TO JUMP UP AND DOWN CELEBRATING 7TH PLACE!”
Nicky Hayden finished his home round in 7th behind his team mate Valentino Rossi. He had good pace and rhythm but ultimately wasn’t fast enough to stay with the leading riders.
“I’ve won this race before, so I’m not going to jump up and down celebrating seventh place. We knew it was going to be tough, and crashing in qualifying didn’t help. I got a decent start, but I didn’t get to go with that second group like I had hoped. It was kind of like the Sachsenring: a good battle with Valentino, but thirty seconds behind the front. Vale was no faster than me, but he’s a racer: he doesn’t make mistakes and give you anything. A couple of times I thought I might be able to go up the inside, but I’m not just going to close my eyes and knock us both down trying for sixth place. We’ll take two weeks off, regroup and go to Brno.”
Hiroshi Aoyama rode his San Carlo Honda Gresini to 10th place, and moves to 9th in the Championship. Karel Abraham bought his Cardion AB Motoracing Ducati home in 11th; he remains 12th overall in the standings.
Round 11 of MotoGP is at Brno, Sunday August 14. (With Hopper!)
For more information on Arai Helmets please visit www.whyarai.co.uk
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
MOTOGP ROUND 9, SACHSENRING, SUNDAY JULY 17
Arai rider Dani Pedrosa is number one in Germany!
DANI PEDROSA, REPSOL HONDA
Race Position: 1st Championship Position: 5th
“IT’S AN INCREDIBLE FEELING TO BE BACK AND WIN!”
101,309 spectators at Sachsenring, in Germany, witnessed an incredible battle for the MotoGP victory between Dani Pedrosa, Casey Stoner and Jorge Lorenzo, with Pedrosa finally clinching the win. It was a great race for Dani who returned to the top step of the podium at only his second race after having missed three races due to an injury to the right shoulder. The Repsol Honda rider today sealed his second win of the 2011 season and his fifth Grand Prix victory at the Sachsenring circuit (three wins in MotoGP class, and two in 250cc). On lap twenty, Dani also broke his own Circuit Record Lap record at the Sachsenring with a 1'21.846s.
“It’s an incredible feeling to be back and win a race so early; I didn’t expect it, but this circuit has been always very good for me and I made it happen. I was already surprised yesterday with second position in qualifying and to finish the weekend in this way is amazing, a huge relief for me after a very hard time with injuries. Here I suffered less than in Mugello because of the layout, but in the race today I had a strange feeling, something I’ve never had before. At the beginning of the race I wasn’t feeling great on the bike, I was fourth but I didn’t get nervous or worried because I’m still not mathematically out of the Championship battle, but I know it’s almost impossible. So, I just let the laps pass and in the middle of the race, with less fuel in the tank and when the tyres started sliding, I decided to step it up a little and it worked perfectly. I’m very happy with this victory; I’ve been suffering a lot even though this racetrack is not physically demanding, because I’m still weak.”
CAL CRUTCHLOW, MONSTER YAMAHA TECH 3
Race Position: 14th Championship Position: 15th
“I DIDN’T GIVE UP.”
Cal Crutchlow rode with typical aggression and he produced a fantastic ride under intense pressure to keep Randy de Puniet, Hector Barbera and fellow MotoGP rookie Karel Abraham at bay in 11th position. Battling a lack of front-end feel that Crutchlow had worked tirelessly to improve over the course of the weekend, the British rider was unable to keep his line entering Turn 3 on lap 26 and he dropped back to 14th place. The 25-year-old quickly got back into his rhythm, but despite launching a concerted effort to reclaim the lost places, he finished less than 0.5s away from 11th.
“Obviously I can’t be happy to have finished 14th because I believe I should be fighting inside the top ten. But taking the positives out of a difficult race, I was able to fight for the whole race with riders that are a lot more experienced than me, and who have much more knowledge of this track. But I didn’t give up and pushed as hard as I could right to the end and nearly recovered a couple of places. I just didn’t have enough grip from the front or the rear and it was difficult. I didn’t feel I could push any harder and it strange because we made a lot of big changes to the bike this weekend without ever really finding an improvement. We’ve learned a few things that will help in the future and now I’m looking forward to getting to Laguna Seca where I'll be aiming to get back inside the top ten.”
COLIN EDWARDS, MONSTER YAMAHA TECH 3
Race Position: 10th Championship Position: 9th
“USUALLY IT’S A DISASTER HERE SO I’M ACTUALLY HAPPY....”
Edwards delivered a determined ride throughout the 30-lap encounter, the American shrugging off the lingering affects of a nasty sore throat to finish in a hard fought 10th place after a captivating four-rider battle for seventh that included Alvaro Bautista, Valentino Rossi and compatriot Nicky Hayden, who are all riding full factory machinery. But with four laps remaining, he had to abandon his pursuit of the trio in front when he encountered a rear grip problem in the left-hand corners. Edwards though was still satisfied having set a personal best race time at the Sachsenring, which has traditionally been a bogey track for the 37-year-old.
“That was a difficult race because it was one of those where you can see a few places up for grabs in front of you but you can’t do anything to try move forward. I was with Valentino, Nicky and Alvaro for pretty much the whole race but it didn’t matter what I did or tried, I couldn’t get close enough to try and pass them. One tenth round this track feels like a million because it is so short but it felt like I was on a bungee rope the whole time. Each time we started going through the series of lefts from Turn 4 onwards, they just seem to have more traction than me. They’d pull a few bike lengths on me but then I’d gain it all back in the hard braking for Turn 12 at the bottom of the hill and hard braking for the last corner. With a few laps to go I was in Turn 2, off throttle and the rear came round. From that point on I had less grip and a bit of vibration and I couldn’t stay with them and I was making more mistakes trying to keep their pace. I’ve never gone great at this track and I’ve gone faster than I’ve ever run. Usually it’s a disaster here, so I’m actually happy...”
NICKY HAYDEN, MARLBORO DUCATI
Race Position: 8th Championship Position: 7th
“WE HAD BETTER HOPES FOR TODAY!”
Nicky Hayden won the duel with his teammate Valentino Rossi for 8th place at the chequered flag, although he had hoped to be closer to the front after a good showing in practice, where he also qualified in 8th.
“I tried to go with that group in front of me off the start, but about the second or third lap I had a pretty big moment over the bumps in Turn 1 and they took off. From there I had a big battle with Bautista and Vale. It was fun, with a lot of overtaking, but battling for seventh place, 27 seconds back is hard for me to take at a track that I love and where I’ve been on the podium several times. I got to seventh toward the end and did my best lap, but they came with me. Bautista got me on my last lap, at the bottom of the hill. I re-passed him in the last corner, but he squared it up and nipped me to the line. It’s easy to say now, but I wish I raced the soft tyre. Thanks to the team and everybody that worked hard, but we had better hopes for today, going into Laguna.”
Hiroshi Aoyama, on his San Carlo Honda Gresini rode to 15th place, and lies 10th in the Championship while Czech rider Karel Abraham rode his Cardion AB Motoracing Ducati well to 12th; he remains 12th overall in the standings.
Round 8 of MotoGP is at Laguna Seca, Sunday July 25.
DANI PEDROSA, REPSOL HONDA
Race Position: 1st Championship Position: 5th
“IT’S AN INCREDIBLE FEELING TO BE BACK AND WIN!”
101,309 spectators at Sachsenring, in Germany, witnessed an incredible battle for the MotoGP victory between Dani Pedrosa, Casey Stoner and Jorge Lorenzo, with Pedrosa finally clinching the win. It was a great race for Dani who returned to the top step of the podium at only his second race after having missed three races due to an injury to the right shoulder. The Repsol Honda rider today sealed his second win of the 2011 season and his fifth Grand Prix victory at the Sachsenring circuit (three wins in MotoGP class, and two in 250cc). On lap twenty, Dani also broke his own Circuit Record Lap record at the Sachsenring with a 1'21.846s.
“It’s an incredible feeling to be back and win a race so early; I didn’t expect it, but this circuit has been always very good for me and I made it happen. I was already surprised yesterday with second position in qualifying and to finish the weekend in this way is amazing, a huge relief for me after a very hard time with injuries. Here I suffered less than in Mugello because of the layout, but in the race today I had a strange feeling, something I’ve never had before. At the beginning of the race I wasn’t feeling great on the bike, I was fourth but I didn’t get nervous or worried because I’m still not mathematically out of the Championship battle, but I know it’s almost impossible. So, I just let the laps pass and in the middle of the race, with less fuel in the tank and when the tyres started sliding, I decided to step it up a little and it worked perfectly. I’m very happy with this victory; I’ve been suffering a lot even though this racetrack is not physically demanding, because I’m still weak.”
CAL CRUTCHLOW, MONSTER YAMAHA TECH 3
Race Position: 14th Championship Position: 15th
“I DIDN’T GIVE UP.”
Cal Crutchlow rode with typical aggression and he produced a fantastic ride under intense pressure to keep Randy de Puniet, Hector Barbera and fellow MotoGP rookie Karel Abraham at bay in 11th position. Battling a lack of front-end feel that Crutchlow had worked tirelessly to improve over the course of the weekend, the British rider was unable to keep his line entering Turn 3 on lap 26 and he dropped back to 14th place. The 25-year-old quickly got back into his rhythm, but despite launching a concerted effort to reclaim the lost places, he finished less than 0.5s away from 11th.
“Obviously I can’t be happy to have finished 14th because I believe I should be fighting inside the top ten. But taking the positives out of a difficult race, I was able to fight for the whole race with riders that are a lot more experienced than me, and who have much more knowledge of this track. But I didn’t give up and pushed as hard as I could right to the end and nearly recovered a couple of places. I just didn’t have enough grip from the front or the rear and it was difficult. I didn’t feel I could push any harder and it strange because we made a lot of big changes to the bike this weekend without ever really finding an improvement. We’ve learned a few things that will help in the future and now I’m looking forward to getting to Laguna Seca where I'll be aiming to get back inside the top ten.”
COLIN EDWARDS, MONSTER YAMAHA TECH 3
Race Position: 10th Championship Position: 9th
“USUALLY IT’S A DISASTER HERE SO I’M ACTUALLY HAPPY....”
Edwards delivered a determined ride throughout the 30-lap encounter, the American shrugging off the lingering affects of a nasty sore throat to finish in a hard fought 10th place after a captivating four-rider battle for seventh that included Alvaro Bautista, Valentino Rossi and compatriot Nicky Hayden, who are all riding full factory machinery. But with four laps remaining, he had to abandon his pursuit of the trio in front when he encountered a rear grip problem in the left-hand corners. Edwards though was still satisfied having set a personal best race time at the Sachsenring, which has traditionally been a bogey track for the 37-year-old.
“That was a difficult race because it was one of those where you can see a few places up for grabs in front of you but you can’t do anything to try move forward. I was with Valentino, Nicky and Alvaro for pretty much the whole race but it didn’t matter what I did or tried, I couldn’t get close enough to try and pass them. One tenth round this track feels like a million because it is so short but it felt like I was on a bungee rope the whole time. Each time we started going through the series of lefts from Turn 4 onwards, they just seem to have more traction than me. They’d pull a few bike lengths on me but then I’d gain it all back in the hard braking for Turn 12 at the bottom of the hill and hard braking for the last corner. With a few laps to go I was in Turn 2, off throttle and the rear came round. From that point on I had less grip and a bit of vibration and I couldn’t stay with them and I was making more mistakes trying to keep their pace. I’ve never gone great at this track and I’ve gone faster than I’ve ever run. Usually it’s a disaster here, so I’m actually happy...”
NICKY HAYDEN, MARLBORO DUCATI
Race Position: 8th Championship Position: 7th
“WE HAD BETTER HOPES FOR TODAY!”
Nicky Hayden won the duel with his teammate Valentino Rossi for 8th place at the chequered flag, although he had hoped to be closer to the front after a good showing in practice, where he also qualified in 8th.
“I tried to go with that group in front of me off the start, but about the second or third lap I had a pretty big moment over the bumps in Turn 1 and they took off. From there I had a big battle with Bautista and Vale. It was fun, with a lot of overtaking, but battling for seventh place, 27 seconds back is hard for me to take at a track that I love and where I’ve been on the podium several times. I got to seventh toward the end and did my best lap, but they came with me. Bautista got me on my last lap, at the bottom of the hill. I re-passed him in the last corner, but he squared it up and nipped me to the line. It’s easy to say now, but I wish I raced the soft tyre. Thanks to the team and everybody that worked hard, but we had better hopes for today, going into Laguna.”
Hiroshi Aoyama, on his San Carlo Honda Gresini rode to 15th place, and lies 10th in the Championship while Czech rider Karel Abraham rode his Cardion AB Motoracing Ducati well to 12th; he remains 12th overall in the standings.
Round 8 of MotoGP is at Laguna Seca, Sunday July 25.
For more information on Arai please visit www.whyarai.co.uk
Friday, July 15, 2011
LEON HASLAM TO WEAR SPECIAL ARAI AT SILVERSTONE FOR SPARKS
The children’s charity close to BMW World Superbike racer’s heart…
World Superbike racer Leon Haslam is once again supporting children’s charity SPARKS (Sports Aiding medical Research for KidS) and during 2011 is making a contribution to the charity that is directly linked to his racing performance; the BMW factory rider gives SPARKS £10 for every World Championship point he scores in 2011.
On Sunday 31st July, at his home WSBK round at Silverstone, Leon will be wearing a one-off Arai RX-7 GP to promote the charity. The stunning design features a blue base with yellow stars – the colours and theme of SPARKS itself – and wrapping around the lower portion is an infant’s hand reaching out and holding an adult’s finger. A large yellow star on the back has a young eye peering out, watching out for the chasing pack…
Haslam is happy to be involved with the charity, and is very pleased with his one-off Arai: “I first played golf in a SPARKS event in 2003 and it’s a great organisation. The work they do through medical research really has made a difference for thousands of children and families and continues to do so. I scored 376 points in 2010 but I’d rather score what Max Biaggi scored with 451, win the Championship and hand over a bigger cheque to SPARKS! I love the unique paintwork on my Arai RX-7 GP for Silverstone, too. Of course it looks superb, but at the same time underlines the mission of help and support that SPARKS gives to kids beautifully.”
Recently, combining one of Leon’s passions – golf – with a desire to further aid SPARKS, the Leon Haslam Classic was held at Wellingborough Golf Club, Northants, and raised £8,700 for the charity. More than 120 golfers took part in the celebrity-packed day at the 18th century Harrowden Hall home of Wellingborough Golf Club.
SPARKS
SPARKS has existed since 1960 and has a simple mission; to help all babies be born healthy and stay healthy. The charity contributes to this by funding high quality medical research into childhood diseases and has donated more than £15m since 1991 to tackle a wide range of conditions diagnosed in babies and young children. The charity is supported by many sporting celebrities including England rugby coach Martin Johnson CBE, Olympian Sir Steve Redgrave, golfer and Ryder Cup Captain Colin Montgomerie OBE and 1966 England football legend Sir Geoff Hurst MBE. For more information on SPARKS visit www.sparks.org.uk
For further details on the Arai range call 2724UK on 01782 569800, or visit www.whyarai.co.uk
World Superbike racer Leon Haslam is once again supporting children’s charity SPARKS (Sports Aiding medical Research for KidS) and during 2011 is making a contribution to the charity that is directly linked to his racing performance; the BMW factory rider gives SPARKS £10 for every World Championship point he scores in 2011.
Haslam is happy to be involved with the charity, and is very pleased with his one-off Arai: “I first played golf in a SPARKS event in 2003 and it’s a great organisation. The work they do through medical research really has made a difference for thousands of children and families and continues to do so. I scored 376 points in 2010 but I’d rather score what Max Biaggi scored with 451, win the Championship and hand over a bigger cheque to SPARKS! I love the unique paintwork on my Arai RX-7 GP for Silverstone, too. Of course it looks superb, but at the same time underlines the mission of help and support that SPARKS gives to kids beautifully.”
Recently, combining one of Leon’s passions – golf – with a desire to further aid SPARKS, the Leon Haslam Classic was held at Wellingborough Golf Club, Northants, and raised £8,700 for the charity. More than 120 golfers took part in the celebrity-packed day at the 18th century Harrowden Hall home of Wellingborough Golf Club.
SPARKS
SPARKS has existed since 1960 and has a simple mission; to help all babies be born healthy and stay healthy. The charity contributes to this by funding high quality medical research into childhood diseases and has donated more than £15m since 1991 to tackle a wide range of conditions diagnosed in babies and young children. The charity is supported by many sporting celebrities including England rugby coach Martin Johnson CBE, Olympian Sir Steve Redgrave, golfer and Ryder Cup Captain Colin Montgomerie OBE and 1966 England football legend Sir Geoff Hurst MBE. For more information on SPARKS visit www.sparks.org.uk
For further details on the Arai range call 2724UK on 01782 569800, or visit www.whyarai.co.uk
Monday, July 11, 2011
WSBK ROUND 8, BRNO, SUNDAY JULY 10
Highs and lows in Czechoslovakia for Arai riders, but Haslam makes progress!
LEON HASLAM, BMW MOTORRAD MOTORSPORT
Race One: 8th Race Two: 7th Championship Position: 5th
“I’M PRETTY HAPPY WITH THE PROGRESS…”
In race one at Brno Leon Haslam made a good start from 13th on the grid and was circulating in the top ten, before slipping back into a five-way battle with Joan Lascorz, Leon Camier, Tom Sykes and Jakub Smrz. Momentarily finding himself back down in 11th place, a late charge from Haslam saw him claw his way back into the top ten on the penultimate laps, and eventually fight his way up to eighth by the finish line.
Temperatures were even higher for race two but Leon made another good start up into the top ten from his fourth row grid position. Fighting all the way, Haslam also passed Sylvain Guintoli and then moved past Tom Sykes on lap 9 to move into seventh. An on-going battle with a rejuvenated Lascorz held Haslam up as he fought for track position with the Spaniard, swapping places and battling all the way throughout the final lap – and just beating him to the chequered flag.
It was an inspiring result for Leon, having started way down on the fourth row of the grid, and these results move him back into the top five in the championship standings. The races were won by Marco Melandri and Max Biaggi, with each rider finishing second in the race he didn’t win, and series leader Carlos Checa taking two thirds.
“In the first race I had a good start but on new, grippy tyres I was struggling a little bit with my pace, so some of the riders got past. But when the grip levels went away, I maintained my pace – and they couldn’t – so I caught up again! That was a good battle and I passed three guys during the final laps, which was exciting.
In race two I was held up a little bit so Ayrton, who was in sixth, could pull a gap on me. Then I was involved in a really good battle with Lascorz in the closing stages. It was two pretty hard races to finish in eighth and seventh – and this is not where we want to finish, but we understand what the issue is and know what direction to take now. So all in all, I am pretty happy with the progress we made and I hope that we can make the difference at my next home race at Silverstone.”
JONATHAN REA, CASTROL HONDA
Race One: DNS Race Two: DNS Championship Position: 10th
Castrol Honda rider Jonathan Rea sat out the Brno round of the WSBK championship, taking time to heal his right arm which was broken at Misano during morning warm up on race day, June 12.
Noriyuki Haga and his PATA Aprilia finished race one in 12th and race two in 10th; he lies 9th in the championship. Jakub Smrz and his Effenbert Liberty Racing Ducati got to the chequered flag in race one 11th, but DNF’d in the second outing, moving him back one place to 12th overall in the title chase.
Despite falling for the second time in succession while in the leading mix for the podium places, Kawasaki Motocard.com rider Broc Parkes remains second in the World Supersport championship. With series leader Chaz Davies unable to add to his race win total in the Czech Republic, Parkes still has five rounds to make up the points deficit of 36 to the British rider. The race at Brno was stopped three laps early by a red flag, after a technical problem with another machine and a few crashes – including a small trackside fire – brought proceedings to a halt. Broc was understandably disappointed;
“I lost the front end again. I have been struggling with feel from the front in the past two races and I do not know exactly why. I had no warnings in the corners and just fell by losing the front. I am very disappointed this time, more than at the last race. We had the pace last time but I just did not have the race pace at this round. It is not good to crash in the first few laps. But we are still second overall and have a lot of races left to run.”
The next World Superbike championship round is at Silverstone, on July 31.
For more information on Arai Helmets please visit www.whyarai.co.uk
For more information on the World Superbike Rounds please visit www.worldsbk.com
LEON HASLAM, BMW MOTORRAD MOTORSPORT
Race One: 8th Race Two: 7th Championship Position: 5th
“I’M PRETTY HAPPY WITH THE PROGRESS…”
In race one at Brno Leon Haslam made a good start from 13th on the grid and was circulating in the top ten, before slipping back into a five-way battle with Joan Lascorz, Leon Camier, Tom Sykes and Jakub Smrz. Momentarily finding himself back down in 11th place, a late charge from Haslam saw him claw his way back into the top ten on the penultimate laps, and eventually fight his way up to eighth by the finish line.
Temperatures were even higher for race two but Leon made another good start up into the top ten from his fourth row grid position. Fighting all the way, Haslam also passed Sylvain Guintoli and then moved past Tom Sykes on lap 9 to move into seventh. An on-going battle with a rejuvenated Lascorz held Haslam up as he fought for track position with the Spaniard, swapping places and battling all the way throughout the final lap – and just beating him to the chequered flag.
It was an inspiring result for Leon, having started way down on the fourth row of the grid, and these results move him back into the top five in the championship standings. The races were won by Marco Melandri and Max Biaggi, with each rider finishing second in the race he didn’t win, and series leader Carlos Checa taking two thirds.
“In the first race I had a good start but on new, grippy tyres I was struggling a little bit with my pace, so some of the riders got past. But when the grip levels went away, I maintained my pace – and they couldn’t – so I caught up again! That was a good battle and I passed three guys during the final laps, which was exciting.
In race two I was held up a little bit so Ayrton, who was in sixth, could pull a gap on me. Then I was involved in a really good battle with Lascorz in the closing stages. It was two pretty hard races to finish in eighth and seventh – and this is not where we want to finish, but we understand what the issue is and know what direction to take now. So all in all, I am pretty happy with the progress we made and I hope that we can make the difference at my next home race at Silverstone.”
JONATHAN REA, CASTROL HONDA
Race One: DNS Race Two: DNS Championship Position: 10th
Castrol Honda rider Jonathan Rea sat out the Brno round of the WSBK championship, taking time to heal his right arm which was broken at Misano during morning warm up on race day, June 12.
Noriyuki Haga and his PATA Aprilia finished race one in 12th and race two in 10th; he lies 9th in the championship. Jakub Smrz and his Effenbert Liberty Racing Ducati got to the chequered flag in race one 11th, but DNF’d in the second outing, moving him back one place to 12th overall in the title chase.
Despite falling for the second time in succession while in the leading mix for the podium places, Kawasaki Motocard.com rider Broc Parkes remains second in the World Supersport championship. With series leader Chaz Davies unable to add to his race win total in the Czech Republic, Parkes still has five rounds to make up the points deficit of 36 to the British rider. The race at Brno was stopped three laps early by a red flag, after a technical problem with another machine and a few crashes – including a small trackside fire – brought proceedings to a halt. Broc was understandably disappointed;
“I lost the front end again. I have been struggling with feel from the front in the past two races and I do not know exactly why. I had no warnings in the corners and just fell by losing the front. I am very disappointed this time, more than at the last race. We had the pace last time but I just did not have the race pace at this round. It is not good to crash in the first few laps. But we are still second overall and have a lot of races left to run.”
The next World Superbike championship round is at Silverstone, on July 31.
For more information on Arai Helmets please visit www.whyarai.co.uk
For more information on the World Superbike Rounds please visit www.worldsbk.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
