From Repsol Honda:

New Victory for Rossi
7/15/2002 – Cinzano British Grand Prix

NEW VICTORY FOR ROSSI, THE SEVENTH, AND PODIUM FOR NIETO, ELÍAS AND PEDROSA

Valentino Rossi’s new victory in the MotoGP class, the seventh of this season, and the absence of his team-mate Tohru Ukawa, are the main facts to highlight of this British Grand Prix. Despite not having scored in this round of the Championship, the Japanese rider of the Repsol Honda Team, who expects to be back on his bike in Germany next weekend, is still second in the overall classification. But his team-mate and current leader of the World Championship, Valentino Rossi, has already an advantage of 87 points. Rossi made a good start and kept himself very close to Carlos Checa, who was leading the race, until the Spaniard crashed at the corner of the main straight only eleven laps before the end of the race. From that moment on, Rossi only had to administer the advantage he already had over Max Biaggi to finish first.

Fonsi Nieto was very close to a victory in the 250cc but he lost it during the last lap by only seven tenths of a second. Melandri and Nieto left the rest of the pack quickly behind, always led by the surprising Sebastián Porto. With fifteen laps to go Porto’s Yamaha broke down and both Aprilia riders were left alone, ready to fight for the victory. In the last lap, Fonsi overtook Melandri and it seemed to be clear that he would be the winner, but two corners before the end, the Italian made good use of a possibility to overtake the Repsol rider. In the back, Toni Elias was able to show his quality once again, after a terrible start. Fourteenth after the first lap, due to a problem at the start, Elias began to overtake his rivals one by one until almost reaching the leading group. In an impressive last lap, he was able to reach and overtake Battaini, taking the chequered flag in third position.

The race of the 125cc was again one of the most exiting of the day, with four riders fighting for victory: Vincent, Poggiali, Cecchinello and Pedrosa. Cecchinello was the first to discard himself from the final fight, crashing out without physical consequences, with three laps to go. In the last lap, the Frenchman Vincent was able to open a small gap, which allowed him to take the victory, while Pedrosa, always on the watch for his rival Poggiali, managed to cross the finish line on second position. His team-mate Olivé lapped the whole race among the second group of riders and finished sixth.

Valentino Rossi, 1st:

“This weekend started very badly. I had a bad crash. I’m lucky not to have got hurt bad. I hit my head hard and have had a headache all weekend – not too much problem with the hand though. Today I ride well. I made a good start. I follow Checa. I was faster than him in the fast parts but slower than him in the slow parts. Then Carlos lost the front where I did on Friday. The last 10 laps were very difficult. I’m alone. It is necessary to keep my concentration. It is a good result for the championship. I look forward to the break after Sachsenring when we need to recharge our batteries.”

Tohru Ukawa, DNS:

“I watched the race from my motor home here at Donington Park and I am very pleased for Valentino, he had a great race. I am still very sore from the crash on Friday but feeling better all the time. I can make no statement about whether I’ll be racing at Sachsenring yet. The medical team will be watching my progress over the next few days and together with my Honda race team we’ll make a decision about the next GP over the next few days. Of course I want to race but I need to be fit. I still hold a good second place in the championship with 8 rounds to go. A lot can happen”



More, from Yamaha:

The Marlboro Yamaha Team was on the way to a best ever result, with Carlos Checa looking set to give the YZR-M1 its debut race win at the British MotoGP, held at Donington Park on July 14, before its any hope slipped away on the 18th lap. The Spaniard was leading defending MotoGP World Champ Valentino Rossi (Honda) from the outset, and was visibly faster in the crucial second half of the 4023m circuit when the front of his Yamaha folded over the bumps in the final hairpin. Checa was just one of many victims Goddards claimed over the three-day programme, including Rossi on Friday practice – the very crash that left the Italian nursing a fractured left thumb.

In a valiant attempt to salvage points Checa rejoined the race in 11th place before he was forced to retire one lap later. This left Rossi to take a comfortable win, his 46th from 100 starts, from a determined Max Biaggi (Marlboro Yamaha Team), who proved to be the only remaining challenger.

Alex Barros (Honda) put in a strong performance to complete the podium as the first two-stroke mounted contender. He was followed by Norick Abe (Antena 3 Yamaha d’Antin), his never-say-die attitude promoting him nine places above his qualifying performance. Then came fifth-placed Olivier Jacque (Gauloises Yamaha Tech 3).

John Hopkins’ (Red Bull Yamaha WCM) hopes of a top five performance, at a circuit that typically suits Dunlops, was beyond reach after nearly crashing at the Melbourne hairpin on the opening lap – relegating him from eighth to 13th. The flamboyant American did, however, recover to finish eighth. Meanwhile, Pere Riba was absent after breaking his left tibia and fibula in Saturday practice and looks set to be out of action for at least six weeks.

Marlboro Yamaha Team

Max Biaggi 2nd: “I’m pretty satisfied because I tried 100 per cent, as usual. I got a pretty good start from the second row, kept the door closed for the first few laps and then worked at staying concentrated because the pace was very fast. I could stay with Carlos and Rossi, although my bike was lacking a little agility through the fast section. All things considered, it wasn’t so bad because I’d been sick for a week before I came here. I’ve been on antibiotics, which always leave you a little low on energy.”

Carlos Checa DNF: “I was feeling very comfortable, no problem, the bike was going well and getting better as the fuel load went down. I didn’t feel like I was on the limit. We’d chosen the softest front available and it was sliding a little through the lefts. I was very concentrated, I wasn’t thinking about winning, just about being smooth and consistent. Unfortunately I held on to the front brake a little more than usual at that bumpy corner and that’s when I lost it.”

YZR-M1 project leader Ichiro Yoda: “Carlos tried very hard, he was pushing very hard. That’s why he crashed, because he wanted to win. I like his motivation; I really appreciate what he was doing out there today. Next time… Many riders crash at the left-hand corners here, because there aren’t so many, the left side of Carlos’ front tyre looked new after his race.

“Max also rode a good race. His last two GPs haven’t been so easy but he seemed more confident here, and I think we improved the handling of his machine for this track. We’ve also had positive feedback on the new crankshaft. Now we go to Germany and we’ll keep working hard to keep improving.”


Antena 3 Yamaha d’Antin

Norick Abe 4th: “That was a much better result, don’t you think? The irony is I didn’t get a very good start at all, but I was able to make up so many places quite easily on the brakes. The bike was perfect. Mind you, even if I had of made a good start I don’t think I could have finished any higher than I did, so I’m happy.”

Pere Riba DNS

Gauloises Yamaha Tech 3

Olivier Jacque 5th: “Strange thing was the bike improved during the race, most likely due to the lessening fuel load, and the fact that I had a number of guys to dice with, which distracted me from worrying about the problem. Mainly it was the same thing we’ve been struggling with over the past two days; the bike just didn’t want to change direction like I wanted it to. The front didn’t feel secure and I nearly lost it around ten times in that race, but I rode really hard and finished off ahead of Gibernau.”

Shinya Nakano 10th: “Well the start could have been better, and then the first few laps weren’t too good, but once I got going I started to make up a fair few places. I did get stuck behind a couple of four-strokes for a while, but the rest of the race was trouble free.”

Red Bull Yamaha WCM

John Hopkins 8th: “I’d just made the pass on Aoki into the chicane and then the next thing I know the race is over. I’d gotten so into the race that I didn’t know I was on the last lap. Good thing I made the move when I did. I was feeling really good on the bike, especially on the brakes, although I did make a few mistakes into Melbourne Hairpin. The most costly mistake was made on the first lap, when I lost a ton of places.

Garry McCoy 12th: “It feels so good to finally finish a race, and at the same time, being able to compete with some other riders rather than circulating on my own. Regis was a challenge for a while, and he gave me a hard time once I got past, but after that the only issue became tyre endurance. I just wanted to get to the end so I concentrated on keeping it smooth and clean.”


More, from Red Bull Yamaha WCM:

BRITISH GP – DONINGTON PARK

Race Day – Sunday July 14th 2002

HOPKINS 8TH IN HIS 8TH GP WHILE McCOY COMES BACK STRONG

Red Bull Yamaha Riders, Garry McCoy and John Hopkins both had solid performances at Donington Park today, finishing in the points and moving the Red Bull Team one place further forward into 6th position in the Team World Title chase. In front of a 60,000 strong crowd, McCoy ended his run of bad luck at Donington and finished in 12th place moving up 6 places from his grid position. McCoy seems fit and strong and eagerly wants to get to Germany to get some more time on the bike.

Hopkins, who is vying for the Rookie of the Year Title against Kato and Riba had another stunning race today, after putting in a very frustrating opening lap. Hopper had a great start but the first lap cost him 4 places and he had a determined and focussed race to finish in 8th place. “Hoppers” result today confirms his position as 10th on the World Championship table and sees him leap ahead of his fellow American and former 2000 World Champion, Kenny Roberts, whilst being only one point behind former 250 Champion, Olivier Jacque.

John Hopkins – 8th place – scoring 8 points today
World Championship Classification – 10th with 41 points

“I got off the line really well but then during the first few corners I made some mistakes and lost some places. I clawed my way back up through the pack and diced it up with Kato, Gibernau, Jacque and Roberts. All in all I’m happy with my result and I’m in the points again but I’m disappointed that I couldn’t have got a better result considering the great tyres we had. The Dunlops were excellent, really great.

I was so focused during the race I didn’t even know it was the last lap, I was so surprised to see the chequered flag and I’m glad that I passed Aoki when I did. I found during the race I was strongest going into the brakes in the chicane, this is where I ended up passing Aoki on the last lap.

I was with my family at lunch today just before the race and its great having their support this weekend. Some of them have never been to a motorcycle race before so I hope they have really enjoyed themselves. I’ve got a Top 8 result so I think they should be happy with that.”

Garry McCoy – 12th place – scoring 4 points today
World Championship Classification – 20th with 11 points

“It feels good to finish a race and to be mixing it up with a few guys during the race. That’s certainly much better than riding alone. In the end of the race it got a bit slippery and I just concentrated on finishing the race. My leg and ankle feel fine and I have to take it a little bit at a time and have a better go at Germany.”

Colin Davies (Race Engineer – John Hopkins)
“I’m pleased with the result today to again finish in the Top 8 but the result could have been a lot better if John would of had a better first lap. I know John can run with those who finished further up the field but still I am very pleased with the result in this his eighth Grand Prix.”

Christophe Bourguignon (Race Engineer -Garry McCoy)

“Its good to have Garry back and everyone appreciates seeing him back and sliding again. It¹s a good step forward for us today and Garry was doing decent lap times from Lap one all the way to the last lap.”

Peter Clifford – Team Manager

“It’s the first time that John has really raced against World Champions and its great to see he has no problems with running their pace and dicing with them. Certainly the first lap was frustrating for him but that¹s just a lack of experience. Garry started to slide the bike around like we know he can and I’m sure we’ll see more of the old Gaz at Sachsenring.”


More, from Telefonica Movistar Suzuki:

GIBERNAU FINISHES SIXTH AT BRITISH GP

Donington Park, England– Race Result, Sunday, July 14, 2002:

TEAM TELEFONICA MOVISTAR SUZUKI rider Sete Gibernau showed all his fighting spirit in today’s British GP, overcoming a bad starting position to battle his way through the field, finally finishing sixth after a race-long battle.

Gibernau had qualified 17th after a difficult two days, starting from the fifth row of the grid. He finished the first lap already up in 13th, and fought his way through a fierce mid-field battle. With four laps to go he was at the head of the group, in fifth place – but in the last laps he lost the place to Olivier Jacque, finishing three tenths of a second behind the French rider.

Team-mate Kenny Roberts had a contrasting experience, starting well and running a close fourth, then dropping back throughout the race. He finished 14th, in the points.

Factory rider Akira Ryo, riding as a wild card entry, finished one place ahead of Roberts in 13th, on his first visit to the 2.5-mile Donington Park circuit.

The race was run in perfect sunny conditions in front of a record race-day crowd of 60,000, who watched defending champion Valentino Rossi claim his seventh win of the eight-race-old season.

Suzuki’s commitment to the four-stroke MotoGP project was confirmed by the presence of senior factory personnel, checking on progress of the GSV-R racing machine, which was brought out a full year earlier than originally planned. Director of Marketing Katsumi Takata and General Manager for Planning Masami Haga were both at the track, and their positive input was a reassurance to a team engaged in the difficult but rewarding task of racing the new machine at the same time as developing it from the prototype.

SETE GIBERNAU – Sixth Position

“That was a very hard race. I was working much too hard to enjoy it – just concentrating all the way. My hands are calloused from fighting the bike. We hadn’t really solved the problems we had in qualifying, but I kept on pushing and the bike ran consistently the whole way. The team and the factory appreciate that we are having difficulties, and we’re all working hard to solve them and push the bike forward. It was good to see Mr Takata and Mr Haga from the factory, and I think I proved to them that we’re doing our best and working as hard as possible.”

KENNY ROBERTS – 14th Position

“I really had a bad afternoon. The team and the factory know what areas we need to improve and that’s what we need to concentrate on doing. As for my own physical problem, I have been suffering with arm pump. I need to go home and get that fixed.”

GARRY TAYLOR – Team Manager

“Sete really rode a fantastic race – he fought his way through from the back. There was really nothing more that he could give. Both riders had a tough weekend, with crashes during qualifying.”


More, from Suzuki on Ryo’s race:

RYO MAKES IT THREE SUZUKIS IN THE POINTS

MotoGP, Round Eight, Race Result, Donington Park, Great Britain, July 14th.

AKIRA RYO’S 13th place finish at Donington Park today made it three Suzukis in the points at the British Grand Prix, with Telefonica MoviStar Suzuki riders Sete Gibernau and Kenny Roberts Jr finishing sixth and 14th respectively.

Ryo saved his best performance of the weekend for the race, eclipsing his own qualifying position of 14th and battling up as high as 8th in the opening stages.

Getting a storming start from the grid, the 34-year-old Japanese rider was ninth into the first corner and by the end of the first lap he had made it up to eighth.

In front of a 61,000 strong British crowd, Ryo slipped back into the middle of the pack, in contention and fighting for 12th place with six other riders for much of the race.

It was Ryo’s first visit to the tricky 4.023km Donington Park venue and he proved he has what it takes to compete in GPs, finishing just behind GP veteran and multiple race winner Garry McCoy and ahead of Jurgen VD Goorbergh.

Ryo said: “We have reached a stage in the development of the GSV-R that is very important. We must never lose sight of the fact that I am riding to improve the motorcycle – that is the point of my involvement.

“Right now we are in a position that we can see improvements everytime we go out on the bike. Only small step improvements, but these will continue to add up.

“Today I felt the bike, tyres and chassis were all good. In qualifying it was very competitive, but in the race I was able only to finish 13th – which as a racer is disappointing. I was able to run with some experienced GP riders and winners but was unable to increase my pace to overtake. I think part of the reason was my lack of circuit knowledge. But overall, we are making progress with the development of the GSV-R and that is what it is all about.”

Ryo, the All-Japan Superbike Champion, is riding the latest version of the GSV-R Suzuki, similar to the machines of Team Telefonica MoviStar Suzuki riders Kenny Roberts Jr. and Sete Gibernau. It is only his third race on Michelin tyres this year.

The GSV-R made its racing debut at the first round of the 2002 season, a full year earlier than expected. Ryo, riding as a wild-card entry at the first round of the Championship at Suzuka in April, finished runner-up in the bike’s first race, despite atrocious weather conditions. He has been called in as a Team Suzuki wild card rider for three races mid-season to speed up the GSV-R’s development progress. He rode at Catalunya in Spain, finishing 11th and at the Dutch TT at Assen in Holland, finishing a credible 15th.

The race win went to Honda’s Valentino Rossi.




More, from MS Aprilia Racing Press Information

2002 MotoGP World Championship

Round 8 – Donington Park (Great Britain) 12/13/14 July 2002

MotoGP – Sunday

Régis Laconi lacks grip at Donington and ends the eighth round of the Championship in sixteenth place.

In the race too, Régis Laconi and the RS Cube suffered the same lack of grip which has bedevilled the last few days in England and complicated preparation work for today’s contest. Problems in delivering power to the ground and lack of grip thwarted Régis’s attempts to gain ground after he moved up the field from 16th to 13th place in the early part of the race. Then Régis doggedly took the Cube under the finishing flag but without managing to show off his real skills.

# 55 Régis Laconi – (MS APRILIA RACING) – 16th – 47’28.413

“In today’s race, I again had the same lack of grip I’ve had over the past few days. Despite all the work we did, we didn’t manage to improve things. We were hoping that today’s higher ground temperature of 38 degrees would make better adherence more likely. But that wasn’t the case: I had no grip when I was braking or accelerating, but I didn’t have any on the corners either, when the bike was leaning. I could feel the bike sliding and had to keep getting it back right, even on the wide uphill curve. I gave it all I’d got, as I always do, but it was impossible to do any better. To make a mark on a race like today’s, I needed to keep up a pace of 1 minute 33, whereas I only managed to make 1’34, even when I was moving up the field and got to 13th place. It’s a pity – let’s hope for a more positive weekend on the Sachsenring.”