MotoGP Reconvenes In Brno

MotoGP Reconvenes In Brno

© 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Categories:

From a press release issued by Dorna Sports:

MotoGP riders reconvene in Czech Republic

The MotoGP World Championship paddock was reunited in the Czech Republic today after a four week summer break since the last round in Great Britain. The riders looked relaxed and refreshed as they prepared for the first of seven races in two months, which will bring the curtain down on what has already been a stellar 2004 season.

After nine close races, which have produced four different winners, the fast and flowing Brno circuit promises more of the same – with memories still fresh of the last year’s race, when Valentino Rossi beat Sete Gibernau by just 0.042 seconds. Rossi returned from his holidays in Ibiza and at home in London already focused on a repeat performance, aware that he will have to be on top form for the remainder of the season if he wants to retain the title of MotoGP World Champion, which he has held for the past three seasons.

“I made a beautiful race in Brno last year,” said Rossi, who currently leads the standings by 22 points from Gibernau and Max Biaggi. “It’s not necessarily my favourite circuit and I really don’t know how the M1 will go here as it’s so diverse; high speed but still with many turns, up and downhill sections and adverse cambers. Although I’m leading the championship it’s not by enough points to feel safe yet, every point from now on is crucial if we are to think about being in a position to win the championship.”

Troy Bayliss also took a starring role in the race last year, leading for the opening laps before finishing third, less than a second behind Rossi. It is a result the Australian would love to repeat, and he admits to feeling confident after recent progress made by Ducati. “I honestly think we’re moving in the right direction now and things are coming together,” commented Bayliss, who was one of several riders to hone their competitive edge at a local shooting range today. “I am not one for looking into the past but I enjoyed this racetrack last year and another performance like that one would be nice.”

Colin Edwards enjoyed his best performance in MotoGP with second place at Donington Park before the break and admitted that he was more than ready to return to action despite a meningitis scare just days before returning to Europe from his Texas home. “I was taken ill for a couple of days and we weren’t sure what it was,” commented the American, who was cleared to ride by the MotoGP doctors this afternoon.

“There was a worry that it might be meningitis but it turned out to be a viral infection and I’m okay. Now I’m just looking forward to getting back on the racetrack – we’ve finally sorted out our problems with the bike and now I can show people the real Colin Edwards for the rest of the season.”

Marco Melandri was also given the green light after an examination on the broken hand he suffered at Donington Park, whilst 250cc rider Roberto Rolfo also paid a visit to the Clinica Mobile for a check-up on the dislocated shoulder he sustained in a rare crash at the same track.

Rolfo is one of four factory Honda riders looking to prevent Aprilia from claiming their 100th victory in the quarter-litre class this weekend, although the favourite to do so is undoubtedly rookie sensation Dani Pedrosa. The young Spaniard has finished in the top two at eight of the opening nine rounds this season and leads the championship by 34 points from Randy De Puniet. However, the Frenchman has not thrown in the towel yet and is confident of repeating his victory at this circuit from one year ago. “The race here last season was one of the best of my career and obviously if I could repeat that on Sunday I will be happy,” commented De Puniet. “Dani has a strong lead but there are seven races left in which I will be giving my maximum and anything could happen.”

Pedrosa’s 125cc heir at Honda, Andrea Dovizioso, also leads the championship but faces extra competition this weekend after his clear victory at Donington Park. Casey Stoner returns with renewed determination after a two-race absence and is joined at KTM by young Austrian wildcard Michael Ranseder, who makes his Grand Prix debut just across the border from his and the team’s home country. With Aprilia, Derbi, Gilera and Malaguti also represented, the number of manufacturers in the minor class will boosted to seven this weekend with the return of Yamaha, who compete with Japanese wildcard rider Tomoyoshi Koyama.



More, from a press release issued by Fuchs Kawasaki:

MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2004
GAULOISES CZECH REPUBLIC GRAND PRIX
AUTODROM BRNO 19TH AUGUST 2004
EVENT PREVIEW

FUCHS KAWASAKI TEAM READY TO RACE AT BRNO

Refreshed and motivated after a three week summer holiday, Fuchs Kawasaki riders, Shinya Nakano and Alex Hofmann, are eagerly awaiting a return to track action in the Czech Republic Grand Prix at Brno this weekend.

The race is the tenth round of the MotoGP World Championship, and the first of seven GPs to complete the second half of a season that will conclude at Valencia in October.

Nakano took time off to go home to Japan to visit family and friends, while team-mate Hofmann relaxed mainly at his home in Switzerland. Both riders kept up their fitness programs with motocross riding, although Hofmann also spent a lot of time cycling in the mountains near his home.

But while Nakano and Hofmann were on vacation, there was no rest for Kawasaki engineers and Japanese test rider Akira Yanagawa.

The latest development parts for the in-line four cylinder Ninja ZX-RR engine came on stream in August, with Yanagawa completing a series of important test sessions in Japan.

Positive results from an engine specification featuring revised crankshaft mass and cylinder heads has the Kawasaki squad facing the second half of the season with renewed confidence. With the Kawasaki MotoGP project still in an evolution stage, the primary focus is on improved rideability and mid-range acceleration, although the latest engine specification has also meant a small increase in RPM and top end power.

While the ZX-RR went through its paces in Japan, Kawasaki’s tyre partner Bridgestone was also hard at work. Hot weather Bridgestone test sessions at Brno, in conjunction with the Suzuki test team, have produced valuable data in advance of the Czech GP, which is a notoriously hot and fast mid-summer race. Both Kawasaki and Suzuki share a technical partnership with Bridgestone and testing by both factories returns mutual benefits.

Brno is a legendary stop on the World Championship calendar, with the city successfully making the transition from hosting races on a famous public road course to a modern and extremely challenging 5.4 km permanent circuit.

Going into the Czech GP, Nakano is 13th on the championship table with 37 points, and still aiming for his pre-season goal of a top ten finish in his first season with Kawasaki. German young gun Hofmann is on 24 points in 17th place.

Shinya Nakano: #56
“I had a very good holiday in Japan, but I’m ready to go back racing after three weeks away from the track. During the break I just relaxed with my family and did some motocross riding and training to keep up my fitness. I want better results over the second part of the season and, hopefully, the work done by the Kawasaki engineers will enable us to capitalise on the potential of the ZX-RR. I know Yanagawa-san did a lot of testing, so I’m looking forward to riding the bike at Brno where you need a strong motor. I’m just happy to be getting back on the bike.”

Alex Hofmann: #66
“I did a lot of training in the holidays, mainly cycling in the mountains, as the second part of the season is very busy – with four races outside Europe – which cuts into training time. This will be my first time at Brno on the latest ZX-RR and I think it will suit the fast flowing sections of this track, although the uphill part and the long straight are always a test of engine performance. It’s one of my favourite circuits, with a really great atmosphere and usually a lot of fans from Germany. I had some bad luck in the first part of the season, but that is behind me now. My aim is to be in the points at every GP and finish the season strongly.”

Harald Eckl: Team Manager
“There is no time to rest in MotoGP, as our hard working Kawasaki engineers in Japan demonstrated during the short break between Donington Park and Brno. But I’m sure all our rival factory teams were doing the same, so I expect this first race back will be just as tough as all the others. The next stage of our engine development program has produced a little more top end power, with more RPM, but it has also focussed on improving mid-range engine response. Akira Yanagawa tested motors with revised crankshaft mass and cylinder heads and Brno now provides the opportunity to measure the performance in race conditions. Alex and Shinya are rested, motivated and ready to race; and I’m confident that the work done by Bridgestone at Brno will also prove to be a step forward.”


Latest Posts

WorldSBK: Bulega Undergoes “Arm Pump” Surgery In Italy

Nicolò Bulega underwent surgery for compartment syndrome Nicolò Bulega underwent...

How To Identify Real Vanson Leathers

Vanson has been producing jackets, riding/racing suits, and other...

Kato Named New President Of Yoshimura Japan

Editorial Note: Yohei Kato is the grandson of Yoshimura...

Suzuki Hayabusa Anniversary Celebration Scheduled April 27 In Concord, NC

SUZUKI HAYABUSA ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION COMING TO CONCORD, NC “Hayabusa Homecoming”...

Oxley Bom Podcast: Hanging With Jorge

Roadracing World MotoGP Editor and Isle of Man TT winner...