Rossi Wins Again In British Grand Prix, Hopkins 8th, Roberts 14th

Rossi Wins Again In British Grand Prix, Hopkins 8th, Roberts 14th

© 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Categories:

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

MotoGP Race Results From Donington Park:

1. Valentino Rossi, Honda RC211V, 30 laps, 46:32.888
2. Max Biaggi, Yamaha YZR-M1, -2.371 seconds
3. Alex Barros, Honda NSR500, -5.533 seconds
4. Norick Abe, Yamaha YZR500, -22.036 seconds
5. Olivier Jacque, Yamaha YZR500, -28.087 seconds
6. Sete Gibernau, Suzuki GSV-R, -28.400 seconds
7. Daijiro Kato, Honda NSR500, -28.947 seconds
8. John Hopkins, Yamaha YZR500, -31.497 seconds
9. Nobuatsu Aoki, Proton KR3, -31.947 seconds
10. Shinya Nakano, Yamaha YZR500, -41.454 seconds
11. Tetsuya Harada, Honda NSR500, -49.458 seconds
12. Garry McCoy, Yamaha YZR500, -53.709 seconds
13. Akira Ryo, Suzuki GSV-R, -54.480 seconds
14. Kenny Roberts, Suzuki GSV-R, -54.594 seconds
15. Jurgen vd Goorbergh, Honda NSR500, -54.866 seconds
16. Regis Laconi, Aprilia RS3, -55.525 seconds
17. Alex Hofmann, Honda NSR500, -65.901 seconds
18. Carlos Checa, Yamaha YZR-M1, -11 laps, DNF, crash
19. Jeremy McWilliams, Proton KR3, -24 laps, DNF, mechanical


MotoGP Point Standings:

1. Rossi, 195 points
2. Ukawa, 108 points
3. Biaggi, 89 points
4. Barros, 87 points
5. Checa, 72 points
6. Abe, 72 points
7. Capirossi, 65 points
8. Kato, 60 points
9. Jacque, 42 points
10. Hopkins, 41 points
11. Roberts, 40 points
12. Aoki, 35 points
13. Harada, 32 points
14. Nakano, 30 points
15. Ryo, 29 points


More, from a press release issued by Marlboro Yamaha:

BRITISH GP, DONINGTON PARK
Race Day, Sunday July 14 2002

MARLBORO YAMAHA DUO STAR IN BRITISH GP
Marlboro Yamaha Team YZR-M1 rider Max Biaggi rode to a determined second-place finish in today’s sun-blessed British GP after team-mate Carlos Checa tumbled out of the lead, leaving Valentino Rossi (Honda) to win his seventh victory of the year.

Biaggi started from the second row of the grid after two tumbles during practice and immediately joined Checa and Rossi out front. The Italian, recovering from a fever that laid him low last week, stayed a close third until Checa’s exit.

“Carlos tried very hard, he was pushing very hard,” said YZR-M1 project leader Ichiro Yoda. “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.”

Today’s crowd figure of 60,000 was three times that of Donington ’99, proving that MotoGP is rapidly gaining popularity in Britain after a period of low interest in the late nineties.

BIAGGI’S DETERMINED RUN TO SECOND
Max Biaggi scored his first podium finish in three races at Donington to move into third place in the 2002 MotoGP World Championship. This was yet another display of great determination from the four-time 250 World Champion who had suffered from a 39-degree fever last week. Fifth in qualifying, Biaggi made a superb getaway, slotting into third at turn one and staying third until race leader Carlos Checa fell. He ended the race just 2.371 seconds down on winner Valentino Rossi.

“I’m pretty satisfied because I tried 100 per cent, as usual,” said the Marlboro Yamaha Team star. “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.”

CHECA LEADS THE WAY BEFORE FALL
Carlos Checa gave it his all in his 100th premier-class race at Donington today, running a stunning pace in his quest for the YZR-M1’s first MotoGP win. But the Marlboro Yamaha Team rider was cruelly robbed of his victory chance when he lost the front at Goddards, a treacherous off-camber hairpin that had already caught out race rivals Valentino Rossi and Max Biaggi during practice. Checa had been riding a brilliant race, leading from the green light all the way to the end of the 18th lap, when he slid off without injury. He bravely restarted but his bike was too badly damaged to allow him to continue.

“I was feeling very comfortable, no problem, the bike was going well and getting better as the fuel load went down,” said the bitterly disappointed Spaniard. “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 corner and that’s when I lost it.”

RAMPANT ROSSI TAKES 46TH WIN
World Championship leader Valentino Rossi scored his 46th victory at Donington today, an important success for the Italian who was contesting his 100th GP and always runs number 46. After his win, the three-time World Champion paid tribute to Carlos Checa’s speed. “The pace was incredible, after a few laps I looked behind me and only Biaggi was there,” he said. “Checa was very, very fast and pushing very hard. I was a little faster through the fast part, a little slower through the slow part, so I don’t know what would’ve happened at the end if he hadn’t crashed.”


More, from a press release issued by Red Bull Yamaha:

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. Hopper’s 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.”

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...