Yamaha prepare for final MotoGP battle

The MotoGP paddock returns to Spain this weekend for the final Grand Prix of the year, the Gran Premio Generali de la Comunitat Valenciana.

With just 13 points separating defending champion Jorge Lorenzo and current leader Marc Marquez, the scene is set for a dramatic race on Sunday.

Marquez vs Lorenzo! The Final

In Valencia this weekend at the Gran Premio Generali de la Comunitat Valenciana, MotoGP™ fans the world over will enjoy a final-race title decider for the first time in seven years, as Repsol Honda Team’s Marc Marquez looks to hold off the charge from Yamaha Factory Racing’s reigning World Champion Jorge Lorenzo.

The last time such a showdown occurred was in 2006 when Honda’s Nicky Hayden claimed the ultimate honour as Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi made a rare mistake. Seven years on, more drama is certain as Marc Marquez and Jorge Lorenzo go head-to-head at the climax of what has been a riveting season. Marquez heads to Valencia with a championship-leading advantage of 13 points, meaning a single fourth place would guarantee the title no matter what Lorenzo is capable of.

Fascinating video on electronics and Valentino Rossi's bike.

This video gives us a basic introduction into the highly complex world of electronics in MotoGP. For once this highly secretive world has been exposed and we can see Valentino Rossi and his electronic engineer Kazutoshi Saki explain what exactly the ECU does and how important it is in MotoGP.

This is the frontline of MotoGP today, the mechanicals between the various manufacturers is on a level playing field, if you want to win, you have to have a superior electronics package. Watch the interesting video below:

MotoGP: Motegi back up plan

Following bad weather disruption to the World Championship schedule at Motegi on Friday, which saw all practice sessions of the day cancelled, Race Direction has developed a series of contingency plans in order to ensure that all three classes are able to compete at the AirAsia Grand Prix of Japan.

On Friday, all practice sessions were called off as heavy cloud cover at Twin Ring Motegi meant the medical helicopters could not be operated. On the grounds of safety, the helicopters must be operable in order to cater for any medical emergencies that could arise. This was explained in a press conference on Friday afternoon.

MotoGP: Will Marquez take the title at Japan GP?

In the final round of the triple-header at the AirAsia Grand Prix of Japan in Motegi, Repsol Honda Team’s Marc Marquez will get another shot at taking the title if he beats Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jorge Lorenzo by more than seven points. Marquez, who in the previous round was disqualified due to a team error regarding the then-compulsory mid-way bike swap, will be looking to make amends at Honda’s home track. And with the stop-and-go nature of the Motegi circuit, both he and his teammate Dani Pedrosa will be two of the favourites for victory. Yet Lorenzo will be buoyed by the fact that the championship is once again in his reach, and will no doubt be a force to be reckoned with after his convincing victory in Phillip Island last time out. The Yamaha man knows that nothing but a win will do, making the race with the Repsol Hondas yet another exciting prospect. His teammate Valentino Rossi will be looking to make further strides towards the three at the front, and once again challenge for a podium. Monster Yamaha Tech3’s Cal Crutchlow, who only narrowly missed out on the podium in Australia to Rossi, will hope to overhaul the Italian this time out, whilst also keeping GO&FUN Honda Gresini’s Alvaro Bautista at bay. Bautista was a podium-sitter in Motegi last year after an entertaining battle with Crutchlow, and will be an outside favourite for yet more success at the track. LCR Honda MotoGP’s Stefan Bradl, who fractured his right ankle in Malaysia and was unable to race in Australia, will be assessed by track doctors before the race weekend to check if he is fit enough to take part in FP1. Tech3’s Bradley Smith will aim to make further strides towards the front after an impressive outing in Phillip Island, whilst Ducati Team riders Nicky Hayden and Andrea Dovizioso will look to squeeze the most out of their Desmosedicis. In the CRT class it will be Avintia Blusens’ Hiroshi Aoyama who will aim to put on a show for his home fans on his FTR-Kawasaki. He has been showing some good form recently, and will hope to make it into the top-CRT spot that so far has eluded him. He will however face the stiff challenge from the Power Electronics Aspar riders in the form of Aleix Espargaro and Randy de Puniet, as well as NGM Mobile Forward Racing’s Colin Edwards. There will be one wildcard taking part on a Yamaha M1 in the shape of Katsuyuki Nakasuga with the Yamaha YSP Racing Team. Due to many riders suffering braking issues in last year’s race due to the hard-braking nature of the track, the technical rules for this weekend have been altered to allow the use of 340mm carbon brake discs – a 20mm increase from the regulation size. Some of the teams, including Ducati, have already carried out tests with the bigger brakes in the Misano test this year.

World Championship Standings MotoGP™ 1- Marc Marquez SPA Honda 298 2- Jorge Lorenzo SPA Yamaha 280 3- Dani Pedrosa SPA Honda 264 4- Valentino Rossi ITA Yamaha 214 5- Cal Crutchlow GBR Yamaha 179

MotoGP Phillip Island, take a deep breath

Today saw an action packed Phillip Island main race, in fact action packed is an understatement of note. We begin with the revised race format from race direction, largely thanks to Bridgestone, who were unable to guarantee their rear tyre post 10 laps. This is probably due to Phillip Island having recently been resurfaced.

MotoGP report day 1, Phillip Island

It was reigning MotoGP™ World Champion Jorge Lorenzo who locked out both Friday practice sessions at Phillip Island ahead of the Tissot Australian Grand Prix. The Yamaha Factory Racing rider led Marc Marquez and Alvaro Bautista, while championship leader Marquez escaped an afternoon crash at Lukey Heights.

Lap records were expected to tumble at Phillip Island this year, with a new surface having been laid since the 2012 race. Enjoying the bright conditions, Yamaha Factory Racing’s Lorenzo duly posted a 1’28.961, with Repsol Honda Team’s Marquez second while GO&FUN Honda Gresini’s Bautista went third overall but second in the afternoon session. This dropped Marquez’s teammate Dani Pedrosa to fourth position, having stopped his bike on the exit of the Southern Loop towards the end of the second period, as his rear engine-mounting bolt had come loose. Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi - off the podium at Phillip Island on only three occasions since he debuted in the World Championship - completed the top five.

Marquez was fortunate to avoid injury during second practice, as the 20-year-old – who could become World Champion this weekend – crashed at the top of Lukey Heights. Having escaped any injury, the Spaniard was back out on-track less than 20 minutes later. The same could not be said for LCR Honda MotoGP’s Stefan Bradl; having fractured an ankle at Sepang last Saturday, the German was allowed to take part in opening practice but finished almost four seconds off the pace and was later declared unfit. He hopes to return in Japan next weekend.

Monster Yamaha Tech3 occupied positions six and seven on the timesheets, with Cal Crutchlow half a second quicker than Bradley Smith as the latter made his first premier class appearance at Phillip Island. The top ten was rounded out by leading CRT runner Randy de Puniet for Power Electronics Aspar plus Ducati Team duo Nicky Hayden and Andrea Dovizioso, with the 2006 World Champion having now been confirmed as joining Aspar for the next two MotoGP™ campaigns.

Ignite Pramac Racing’s Yonny Hernandez suffered a fall in the morning, while Avintia Blusens’ Hector Barbera was last to encounter a slip-up as he crashed on the exit of Lukey Heights barely five minutes before the day’s MotoGP™ action came to a close. Australians Bryan Staring and Damian Cudlin ended proceedings in 21st and 24th places on their CRT bikes, run by Gresini and PBM respectively.

The majority of riders were using the softer option front and rear tyres for both of the day’s sessions, however Bridgestone has since stated that due to the abrasive nature of the new tarmac, riders should race with the harder compound. This does not rule out using the softer rear for qualifying tomorrow. Both front options remain open throughout.

Source: MotoGP

Will Marquez make history this weekend at Phillip Island MotoGP?

The Tissot Australian Grand Prix got underway today with the regular pre-race conference, where this weekend’s possible title contender, Repsol Honda Team’s Marc Marquez, was joined by his main rival, Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jorge Lorenzo, Repsol teammate Dani Pedrosa, Monster Yamaha Tech3’s Cal Crutchlow, Tuenti HP 40’s Pol Espargaro and Caretta Technology – RTG’s Jack Miller.

Aragon MotoGP, Marquez dominant

Marc Marquez has increased his possibilities of becoming a rookie MotoGP™ World Champion by claiming his sixth victory of 2013 in the Gran Premio Iveco de Aragon. Current title holder Jorge Lorenzo was overtaken by the newcomer en route to second place, as Dani Pedrosa crashed out of the race on the sixth lap.

Yamaha Factory Racing’s Lorenzo grabbed the lead at the start, as the Repsol Honda Team riders immediately went to battle at the second corner. The critical moment of the afternoon, and perhaps of the 2013 World Championship, would come on Lap 6. As both Hondas closed in on Lorenzo for the lead, Marquez ran third but appeared to out-brake himself at Turn 12. Moments later, Pedrosa dramatically highsided out of the race and it was later confirmed that the two teammates had made contact, which had caused a rear wheel speed sensor on Pedrosa’s bike to fail, leaving him without traction control. After the race it was confirmed that Race Direction would be reviewing the incident between the Repsol Honda teammates.

That moment allowed Lorenzo to extend his lead to 1.7 seconds, although he was caught by Marquez and overhauled at the same corner eight laps later. The championship lead now increases to 39 points with 100 left on offer. Lorenzo’s teammate Valentino Rossi finished on the podium for the first time since Laguna Seca, fending off GO&FUN Honda Gresini’s Alvaro Bautista, LCR Honda MotoGP’s Stefan Bradl and Monster Yamaha Tech3’s Cal Crutchlow in a highly entertaining four-rider contest. Crutchlow was vocal about a lack of top speed, which he hopes to fix before the next race.

Tech3’s Bradley Smith, Ducati Team duo Andrea Dovizioso and Nicky Hayden and Energy T.I. Pramac Racing’s Andrea Iannone completed the top ten, while Power Electronics Aspar’s Aleix Espargaro was once again the leading CRT runner in 11th spot. In 17th place, Italian Luca Scassa ended his debut with Cardion AB Motoracing ahead of two other CRT machines, covering for Karel Abraham who has been ruled out of action for the rest of the campaign.

A total of five riders failed to finish. Pedrosa retired for the first time this year, while PBM’s Michael Laverty and Came IodaRacing Project’s Danilo Petrucci were put out of action on the opening lap in an incident also involving the aforementioned Scassa. On his return to MotoGP™, Australia’s Damian Cudlin suffered gearbox problems while Avintia Blusens’ Hector Barbera pulled into the pits, having already changed bikes after having to start from pit-lane with bike number two after a camshaft sensor failure on bike one.

MotoGP™ Race Classification 1- Marc Marquez SPA Honda 42:03.459 2- Jorge Lorenzo SPA Yamaha +1.356 3- Valentino Rossi ITA Yamaha +12.927

1st CRT 11- Aleix Espargaro SPA ART +58.001

Source: MotoGP 

MotoGP Lean Angle

Ask the uninitiated about the first thing that amazes them about MotoGP™, and quite often it's not always the speed - even though the riders are topping 350km/h or 217mph.

More often than not it's the incredible lean angles the riders reach as they hang off the side of their bikes to get them through the corners as fast as possible.

With the vast improvement in tyre technology from Bridgestone over recent years, which has often focussed on improving the 'edge grip' of the rubber on the shoulder of the tyres, riders are now getting their machines cranked over to 64º from vertical - a stunning feat when you compare it to the cornering abilities of other motorcycles.

On the eve of the Gran Premio Iveco de Aragon, reigning World Champion Jorge Lorenzo's Yamaha YZR-M1 was on display on the MotorLand Aragon main straight with a special stand to reproduce the maximum leaning angle reached in MotoGP™.

During the live coverage of this week's Grand Prix, two brand new graphics will be introduced in the International Program Feed to highlight both how the riders make the most of the edge grip to reach maximum lean angle and to directly compare riding styles of two riders.

Source: MotoGP

2013 Misano MotoGP wrap up

Jorge Lorenzo was able to storm off to a dominant victory at the Misano MotoGP this past weekend. Both the factory Yamaha's looked more competitive with the introduction of their seamless gearbox. Valentino Rossi finished in fourth place but was able to stay closer to the lead pack than in previous races. This bodes well for the closing stages of the season. 

Although Marc qualified on pole, he didn't manage the best of starts and dropped back to 3rd spot. Later on in turn 8 an unforced error saw Valentino slip past and relegate Marquez to fourth spot all the while Dani was in second hanging on to the coat tails of Lorenzo. 

Marc then managed to pass Valentino to regain third spot and then Dani Pedrosa to claim second, however Lorenzo was a bridge too far. 

Marc Marquez still leads the championship by 34 points with five races remaining. Dani and Lorenzo are tied for second spot whilst it is still mathematically possible for Valentino Rossi and Cal Crutchlow to win the championship, however this seems impossible barring serious injury for both Marc and Lorenzo.

The final few races may heat up as Yamaha come to terms with their seamless transmission and perhaps Marquez gets tired of crashing in Free practice and warm up sessions.  As for now, we wait and see. 

MotoGP™ Race Classification 1- Jorge Lorenzo SPA Yamaha 44:05.522 2- Marc Marquez SPA Honda +3.379 3- Dani Pedrosa SPA Honda +7.368 1st CRT 12- Colin Edwards USA FTR Kawasaki +1:03.154

MotoGP: Yamaha introduce seamless gearbox

In a press conference held this afternoon, Lorenzo said that they would be using their seamless gearbox at the Misano MotoGP. 

Although some have speculated that Yamaha might use the seamless gearbox, it has now been confirmed. The Repsol Honda's have had their own seamless gearbox for some time now and some riders say that it gives a noticeable advantage on race day. 

This should mean that the Yamaha's can now be slightly more competitive and take the championship battle right to the door of the Repsol Honda team, who up until the last race, seemed to be streaking ahead. 

Marquez still leads the championship and his health is improving as his shoulder injury heals.  

Valentino Rossi had the following to say about this weekends race: “We will try the new gearbox from tomorrow and we are so happy. For sure it is important, it is very good for the rider and a big help. Misano is a track on which you use the gearbox a lot, so we hope that will be a good advantage when fighting with the Hondas.”

Lin Jarvis, Managing Director of Yamaha Factory Racing said the following about the seamless gearbox: “The transmission was brought in now] with the pressure from these two! But if it’s ready for Monday, it’s ready for now. We have a deficit to Honda and need to do everything we can to challenge them over these next six races.”

Rumors have also been circulating about whether or not Casey Stoner will make a return to MotoGP as he is currently testing with the Repsol Honda team. Suppo said: “Of course, when you speak about Casey everybody is interested in knowing if he will be back one day, but there is nothing more to it at the moment. He is enjoying it [testing] and for sure for any manufacturer something like this is a dream for testing. We are very, very lucky. For sure, he loves riding the bike because you can’t replicate that. So he is happy to go there testing, no media attention or anything. I think he loved the competition but he just wanted to be in his kind of isolated world, and that is the case with the tests.”

MotoGP: San Marino GP

The 15th of September 2013 will see the MotoGP paddock move to Misano to continue the championship battle. Officially named Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, Yamaha and Jorge Lorenzo are feeling confident after the last race where he finished ahead of Marc Marquez on the Repsol Honda. 

Valentino Rossi is also excited to be back at his home GP on a Yamaha where he has experienced 2 premier class MotoGP victories.  

We expect a good battle to be had between the Yamaha and Honda teams respectively. Can Lorenzo hold off a charging Marquez? Will Dani try to pass Marquez? And can Valentino get up to the front runners. We would also like to see the satellite teams provide some good racing as they usually do. What I personally don't want to see is Marc or Jorge storm off into the lead and win the race. 

Circuit information: 

Circuit	Misano
Location	Misano Adriatico, San Marino
Length (m)	4226
Width (m)	14
Turns	16
Turns righ	10
Turns left	6
Pole position	left

Record Lap Time 1'33.906 Rider J.Lorenzo Bike Yamaha Year 2011

Best Lap Time 1'33.138 Rider C.Stoner Bike Honda Year 2011

2012 Results 1st J.Lorenzo (Yamaha): 42'49.836 2nd V.Rossi (Ducati): +4.398 3rd A.Bautista (Honda): +6.055

Valentino Rossi: 

“Misano is next and it is my home Grand Prix and an important weekend. I like the track, I always go fast there, especially with the Yamaha and last year also I was able to do a very good race. In the past I was always on the podium with Yamaha. We will arrive very strong and we will try to do our best.”

Jorge Lorenzo:

“I feel strong again like I was at Montmeló and Mugello before the crash. The performance at Silverstone was really good, the only weak point there was the top speed compared to our rivals, but at last we achieved a great victory against Marc. I thought it was pretty difficult to beat him when he overtook me but finally I could get the win and it was fantastic. Misano is a track I enjoy a lot and also the Yamaha is comfortable there. My next goal is to fight for the victory once more and think race by race, improving our pace step by step.”