Updated Post: Rossi Beats Capirossi, Biaggi To Win Czech Grand Prix

Updated Post: Rossi Beats Capirossi, Biaggi To Win Czech Grand Prix

© 2005, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

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MotoGP Race Results: 1. Valentino ROSSI, Yamaha, 22 laps, 43:56.539 2. Loris CAPIROSSI, Ducati, -1.837 seconds 3. Max BIAGGI, Honda, -3.444 seconds 4. Alex BARROS, Honda, -4.148 seconds 5. Nicky HAYDEN, Honda, -4.363 seconds 6. Marco MELANDRI, Honda, -11.150 seconds 7. Colin EDWARDS, Yamaha, -13.532 seconds 8. Carlos CHECA, Ducati, -19.331 seconds 9. Troy BAYLISS, Honda, -27.125 seconds 10. Makoto TAMADA, Honda, -27.248 seconds 11. Kenny ROBERTS, Suzuki, -27.684 seconds 12. Shinya NAKANO, Kawasaki, -27.803 seconds 13. John HOPKINS, Suzuki, -28.278 seconds 14. Toni ELIAS, Yamaha, -28.571 seconds 15. Alex HOFMANN, Kawasaki, -29.768 seconds 16. Nobuatsu AOKI, Suzuki, -41.778 seconds 17. Roberto ROLFO, Ducati, -57.800 seconds 18. Ruben XAUS, Yamaha, -68.082 seconds 19. James ELLISON, Blata, -102.169 seconds 20. Franco BATTAINI, Blata, -114.784 seconds 21. Sete GIBERNAU, Honda, -1 lap, DNF, mechanical 22. Jeremy McWILLIAMS, Proton, -15 laps, DNF, mechanical MotoGP World Championship Point Standings (after 11 of 16 races): 1. ROSSI, 261 points 2. BIAGGI, 129 points 3. MELANDRI, 126 points 4. EDWARDS, 123 points 5. GIBERNAU, 115 points 6. BARROS, 114 points 7. HAYDEN, 112 points 8. CAPIROSSI, 92 points 9. NAKANO, 69 points 10. Carlos CHECA, 59 points 11. BAYLISS, 54 points 12. TAMADA, 48 points 13. ROBERTS, 41 points 14. XAUS, 36 points 15. HOPKINS, 35 points 16. ELIAS, 31 points 17. Olivier JACQUE, 25 points 18. HOFMANN, 22 points 19. ROLFO, 15 points 20. Jurgen vd GOORBERGH, 12 points 21. TIE, ELLISON/David CHECA, 4 points 23. TIE, BATTAINI/Shane BYRNE/Tohru UKAWA, 1 point More, from a press release issued by Kawasaki Racing: NAKANO AND HOFMANN BOTH FINISH IN THE POINTS AT BRNO A maximum racing effort by Kawasaki riders Shinya Nakano and Alex Hofmann delivered World Championship points, but little in the way of satisfaction, in today’s Czech Grand Prix at Brno. Nakano finished in twelfth place with a strong surge at the finish, making up three positions over the final three laps. Hofmann finished fifteenth and was exhausted after a stirring performance in the 22-lap race, watched by 78,000 spectators in warm, humid and overcast conditions. This race was never going to be an easy assignment for the Kawasaki riders, with the Brno circuit traditionally not friendly territory for the Ninja ZX-RR. After making a stunning start from fourteenth on the grid, Hofmann carved his way to tenth place on lap one, passing the Hondas of Max Biaggi and Troy Bayliss in the process. After holding Biaggi at bay for three laps Hofmann could only watch as the Italian pulled away to eventually finish third and on the podium. The German young gun was consigned to a race long battle against the Suzukis of John Hopkins and Kenny Roberts, Bayliss and Nakano. After holding 12th place for 12 superb laps, Hofmann eventually finished in a brave fifteenth place. Nakano finished the race strongly after a poor start and being trapped in early traffic. He conceded six seconds in the opening two laps and dropped to sixteenth before a determined charge over the final laps. The Kawasaki team will stay on at Brno on Monday and Tuesday to test new engine parts in advance of the next race, the Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi. Shinya Nakano: #56 – Twelfth “My start was not good and I got trapped with some of the Honda riders, there was no room to overtake or push any faster; I lost a lot of time. After five laps I found a very good pace, some 1’59s laps, and I was able to pass Bayliss and battle in the group with the Suzukis and Alex. I tried to push and escape from this group but it was not possible, although I really wanted to finish ahead of Kenny Roberts. But I struggled with rear drive traction off the turns; this was a very hard race, it seems our bike does like Brno very much.” Alex Hofmann: #66 – Fifteenth “That was my best ever first lap and I was right in amongst all the action and I was even able to stay ahead of Biaggi. Then for a long time I was behind the Suzukis and I really thought I had a chance of beating them and keeping Bayliss behind me. But over the final laps I struggled with rear grip and there was nothing I could do, not even go one tenth faster, when the others attacked, especially on the straights. Perhaps the other riders in the group did not go 100% at the beginning of the race.” Harald Eckl: Team Manager “This was the result I expected today. We could see from Loris Capirossi’s second place the Bridgestone tyres were competitive at Brno. The main thing now is that we are looking forward to the test here tomorrow, when we will have a new engine specification to evaluate. The opening three laps by Alex were brilliant, he took every opportunity to overtake other riders. Unfortunately Shinya’s start was not good, and when you lose time it is difficult to make up.” MOTOGP RACE RESULT 1. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Gauloises Yamaha Team 43’56.539; 2. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati Marlboro Team +1.837; 3. Max Biaggi (ITA) Repsol Honda +3.444; 4. Alex Barros (BRA) Camel Honda +4.148; 5. Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda +4.363; 6. Marco Melandri (ITA) Movistar Honda MotoGP +11.150; 7. Colin Edwards (USA) Gauloises Yamaha Team +13.532; 8. Carlos Checa (SPA) Ducati Marlboro Team +19.331; 9. Troy Bayliss (AUS) Camel Honda +27.125; 10. Makoto Tamada (JPN) Konica Minolta Honda +27.248; 11. Kenny Roberts (USA) Team Suzuki MotoGP +27.684; 12. Shinya Nakano (JPN) Kawasaki Racing Team +27.803; 15. Alex Hofmann (GER) Kawasaki Racing Team +29.768 More, from a press release issued by Dorna Communications: Rossi one step away from the title after Brno victory Valentino Rossi edged ever closer to the 2005 MotoGP World Championship title after taking his ninth victory from eleven rounds in the Gauloises Grand Prix Ceske republiky today. The Italian overcame another brave resistance from Sete Gibernau that lasted just short of the 22-lap distance at Brno, the Spaniard suffering from a technical problem just three corners from the finish line and losing any slim hopes he had of reacting to a pass from Rossi at the end of the penultimate lap. For Rossi the victory represented a record-breaking achievement as he became the first rider in the history of the series to win nine races for five consecutive seasons. “That was one of the hardest races of the season,” reflected Rossi. “After the warm-up I saw Sete’s time and I wasn’t very confident that I could beat him. There were a lot of fast riders out there but Gibernau was my hardest opponent so I tried to push him and put the pressure on. Sincerely it was a great fight with a lot of overtaking and in the middle of the race I decided to try and go but Sete came back. At the end I did three or four good laps, made the pass on Sete and then did a perfect final lap. Unfortunately Sete had a problem, which was bad luck for him because he should have been on the podium. Anyway this is a good win for me and now I just need one more for the title but it is not over yet.” Loris Capirossi benefited from Gibernau’s misfortune as he collected his second podium of the season on the Ducati after a sterling second half to the race that saw the Italian mount an electric charge from sixth place. Capirossi’s performance was marginally overshadowed by that of his compatriot Max Biaggi, who completed an all-Italian podium in third place after starting from tenth on the grid. It was a doubly satisfying recovery for Biaggi as he moved up to second in the championship for the first time this season, edging out Marco Melandri after the youngster dropped down the order in the second half of the race. Melandri had made an excellent start, lapping in third place for the opening three laps behind Rossi and Gibernau before becoming involved in an entertaining skirmish with Nicky Hayden. The young Honda pair paid for their early endeavours as the experienced trio of Capirossi, Biaggi and then Alex Barros came past. Gibernau’s retirement effectively promoted Colin Edwards to seventh place after another disappointing race for the American, who finished ahead of Carlos Checa, Troy Bayliss and Makoto Tamada. Kenny Roberts recovered from a bout of illness last night to clinch eleventh place ahead of his team-mate John Hopkins, with Toni Elías and Alex Hofmann completing the points. Dani Pedrosa extended his advantage at the top of the 250cc World Championship to 59 points after clinching his sixth victory of the season with an impeccable performance. Pedrosa hung at the back of the front group for much of the race as Hiroshi Aoyama and Jorge Lorenzo battled for the lead, making his move at the halfway stage and gradually edging to the front. A brief battle with Lorenzo ensued as Aoyama lost several places but Pedrosa stepped up the pace on the final two laps to leave his fellow Spaniard trailing. Casey Stoner fought off Alex de Angelis to complete the podium and distance himself in second place in the championship from Andrea Dovizioso, who was sixth. Thomas Lüthi took his second victory of the season to extend his points advantage at the top of the 125cc World Championship to nine over Mika Kallio. Lüthi made his break from a combative lead group with just two laps remaining, Mattia Pasini then crashing out as he led the chase behind the Swiss youngster. Marco Simoncelli consequently moved up to second place but he lost out to Kallio after a crafty move from the Finnish rider in the final corner. More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse: Czech Grand Prix, Brno Race Day, Sunday August 28 2005 DUCATI MARLBORO MAN CAPIROSSI GRABS SECOND Ducati Marlboro Team rider Loris Capirossi stormed to a brilliant second-place finish at Brno this afternoon, his best result of the year so far. The hard-charging Italian was electrifying in the final stages of the race, closing on leaders Valentino Rossi and Sete Gibernau to cross the line just 1.8 seconds behind winner Rossi after Gibernau hit problems on the final lap. Team-mate Carlos Checa had a less fruitful day, coming home eighth after choosing a different rear tyre. “That was an unbelievable race!” grinned a delighted Livio Suppo, Ducati MotoGP project manager. “Our thanks go to Loris, who rode brilliantly, to Bridgestone, who’ve done such a great job over the last few weeks, to Ducati, where all the guys have been working so hard and to our Technical partners as Shell Advance, for their great support. Maybe we were lucky to get second instead of third today, but we’ve already had our own share of bad luck this season, so maybe we deserved some good luck today! It was a shame that Carlos couldn’t fulfil the promise he showed yesterday. Bridgestone made a big step forward here, now we go to Motegi, hoping the new evolution tyres work similarly well at other tracks.” CAPIROSSI: FRONT-ROW START & PODIUM FINISH! Loris Capirossi had high hopes for today’s race after qualifying third fastest for his first front-row start since May’s Chinese GP. And the Ducati Marlboro Team man didn’t disappoint, even though he didn’t make the greatest of starts. Seventh after one lap, Capirossi kept his head, never losing touch with the leaders and moving resolutely forward during the closing stages. Fifth with six laps to go, he dispensed with Nicky Hayden and Alex Barros to move into third place with three laps remaining, then benefited from Gibernau’s misfortune. “I was angry with my start because normally I’m a very fast starter on the Ducati,” said Capirossi. “But I knew I was strong – I’d had a very good rhythm all weekend because we focused only on our race set-up. Despite the bad start I stayed cool, I just tried to pass the guys one by one. Towards the end of the race my tyres were good and I was faster than the leaders but I didn’t have time to attack them. Anyway, I’m so happy with this podium, even though, to tell the truth, I was lucky to get second and I’m sorry for Sete. My thanks to all the people at Bridgestone and also to everyone at Ducati.” CHECA EIGHTH AFTER A BRILLIANT START Carlos Checa regretted his tyre choice from the early stages of today’s Czech Grand Prix. The Ducati Marlboro Team chose a different rear Bridgestone from that used by his team-mate. The tyre worked well during endurance runs yesterday but not enough in the race. After an impressive start, the Spaniard began to fade from one-quarter distance, eventually crossing the line in eighth spot. “I was able to push hard during the first few laps but then I felt the tyre performance start to go down,” said a disappointed Checa, who rode the fifth fastest lap of the race on lap three, just 0,110 seconds off the best. “I don’t think we chose the best tyre for the day, it looks like Loris made the better choice. The same tyre worked well yesterday, then we tried a used version of the same tyre this morning, and though the performance went down a little, it still seemed like the right choice. We expected it to work better in the race.” More, from a press release issued by Gauloises Yamaha: Czech Republic Grand Prix Brno, Czech Republic Sunday 28th August 2005 ROSSI EDGES TOWARDS TITLE WITH BRILLIANT BRNO VICTORY Gauloises Yamaha Team rider Valentino Rossi became the first rider in the history of the MotoGP World Championship to score nine wins for five consecutive seasons, as he clinched victory in the eleventh round of the 2005 campaign at Brno today. Rossi’s record-breaking ride featured an intense battle with Sete Gibernau (Honda) that again came down to a dramatic finale, with Rossi making his definitive pass at the end of the penultimate lap. Gibernau tried to fight back but as Rossi edged clear through the final series of sweeping corners, the Spaniard’s slim hope of a victorious response disappeared completely as he suffered a technical problem and was forced to retire. Whilst Loris Capirossi (Ducati) and Max Biaggi (Honda) made the most of Gibernau’s misfortune to complete the podium, Rossi’s Gauloises Yamaha team-mate Colin Edwards was promoted one place to seventh after a tough race that again saw the American struggle to find sufficient rear grip for his Yamaha YZR-M1 machine. Despite his disappointment, Edwards remains in the thick of the battle for second place in the championship, trailing Biaggi by six points with six rounds still remaining. Rossi, meanwhile, can seal the championship title in the next round at Motegi by finishing in the top two. VALENTINO ROSSI (1st; 43’56.539) “That was one of the hardest races of the season. After the warm-up I saw Sete’s time and I wasn’t sure that I could beat him in the race. I had confidence in the bike but I knew I was a bit slower than him. I spoke with Jeremy Burgess to ask for some modifications to be made to the bike in order to make a better compromise for the whole race and, like always, he and the rest of the team worked at 100% to improve the situation. There were a lot of fast riders out there but Gibernau was my hardest opponent so I tried to push him and put the pressure on from the start. It was a great fight with a lot of overtaking. In the middle of the race I decided to try to go and make a gap, but Sete came back. At the end I did three or four good laps, made the pass on Sete and then did a perfect final lap. Unfortunately Sete had a problem, which was bad luck for him because he deserved to be on the podium. Anyway this is a good win for me and now I just need one more for the title, but it is not over yet.” COLIN EDWARDS (7th; + 13.532) “I started alright but after five laps we were in trouble. We changed the setting of the bike a little after the warm-up but the track was much warmer than we expected for the race and we loaded up the front a bit too much. It was a repeat of the race at Mugello the bike was spinning and I couldn’t get any edge grip on the rear. I pushed on the pegs, stood up, leaned back”¦everything I could think of to make it stick! The positive side is that we still got some points and we’ve got a two-day test coming up where we can work on some of these problems and hopefully find the solution we need. We haven’t tested since Le Mans so it will be nice to have a chance to rack up plenty of hours on the track without the pressure of a Grand Prix, as we get ready for a tough finish to the season.” DAVIDE BRIVIO GAULOISES YAMAHA TEAM DIRECTOR “I have to congratulate and thank the whole team, particularly Valentino’s engineers because they followed his requests to modify the bike precisely and gave him the package he needed to take victory today. He made the bike work and put on a great show for the fans with Sete Gibernau, who deserved to be on the podium. Valentino has a good advantage in the championship now and we will go to Motegi looking for the same result. Unfortunately Colin couldn’t do any better than seventh place today but the fight for second place is still very close and he is still in contention having collected nine points today. We will look for some solutions with him during the test and look forward to going to Japan in three weeks’ time.” RESULTS 1. VALENTINO ROSSI (ITA) Gauloises Yamaha Team 43’56.539 2. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati Marlboro Team +1.837 3. Max Biaggi (ITA) Repsol Honda Team +3.444 4. Alex Barros (BRA) Camel Honda +4.148 5. Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda Team +4.363 6. Marco Melandri (ITA) Movistar Honda MotoGP +11.150 7. COLIN EDWARDS (USA) Gauloises Yamaha Team +13.532 8. Carlos Checa (SPA) Ducati Marlboro Team +19.331 9. Troy Bayliss (AUS) Camel Honda +27.125 10. Makoto Tamada (JPN) Konica Minolta Honda +27.248 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS 1. VALENTINO ROSSI (ITA) 261 2. Max Biaggi (ITA) 129 3. Marco Melandri (ITA) 126 4. COLIN EDWARDS (USA) 123 5. Sete Gibernau (SPA) 115 6. Alex Barros (BRA) 114 7. Nicky Hayden (USA) 112 8. Loris Capirossi (ITA) 92 9. Shinya Nakano (JAP) 69 10. Carlos Checa (SPA) 59 More, from a press release issued by Bridgestone: Brno August 28th, 2005 Czech Grand Prix Second place for Loris Capirossi season’s best for Bridgestone and Ducati Loris Capirossi stormed to a fantastic second place in today’s Czech Grand Prix aboard his Bridgestone-fitted Ducati Desmosedici, raking in a long-deserved reward for the relentless efforts in the development of both his MotoGP machine and the Japanese racing tyres. The Italian hero had started with a bang into the weekend, clocking fastest in the first free practice session on Friday, before confirming the re-gained strength of his Ducati Marlboro Team in the qualifying session on Saturday, when he put a string of 16 ultra-fast consecutive laps together, and finally pushed his four-cylinder machine to third place on the starting grid. Newly developed rear tyres with increased durability made all the difference, and the expectations mounted for the race on Sunday. However, there was a lot of work ahead of Capirossi, when he dropped back at the start and finished the first lap down in seventh position. But with another strong and steady performance, the 32-year-old moved up through the ranks, overtaking his team-mate Carlos Checa, then Honda riders Alex Barros, Marco Melandri, and Max Biaggi. Third on the penultimate lap, Capirossi eventually took advantage when Spaniard Sete Gibernau dropped out with a fuel management system failure on his factory Honda. Capirossi’s team-mate Carlos Checa, who had qualified in seventh position, finished a strong but lonely ride in eighth position. After dropping out from final practice with fatigue, Suzuki star Kenny Roberts showed a quick recovery and rode the fastest Suzuki to 11th place, ahead of Kawasaki rider Shinya Nakano in 12th, John Hopkins in 13th, Alex Hofmann in 15th and Suzuki test rider Nobu Aoki in 16th place. Loris Capirossi Ducati Marlboro Team 2nd position “I wasn’t too happy with my start, because normally I’m first or second off the line, and today I was down in sixth or seventh position. But I wasn’t worried either, because we were fast in qualifying, and we had also done long practice runs on race tyres and fine-tuned our race set-up, so I knew that I was able to go fast and consistent again. Even though I couldn’t catch the others on the straights because my bike wasn’t quite as quick as usual, I gained position by position. Third would have been my place today, but I was lucky in the end to get second when Sete dropped out. Now I have a lot of confidence for the remaining part of the season, because both the bike and the tyres are getting better and better. The Bridgestone guys did an amazing job for this race, the tyres were really competitive!” Yutaka Yamaguchi Director MotoGP Tyre Development Bridgestone Motorsport “Today’s second place finish confirmed the positive step that we have taken in our MotoGP tyre development program. Our staff did an excellent job over the summer break and we are now quite confident for the races to come. Congratulations to Loris Capirossi and the Ducati Marlboro Team for a job well done, as we have all worked tirelessly together in our partnership. We now look forward to our home GP at Motegi where we aim to achieve even better results.” Bridgestone Results: 2. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati, 43.58,376, 8. Carlos Checa (SPA) Ducati, 44.15,870, 11. Kenny Roberts (USA) Suzuki, 44.24,223, 12. Shinya Nakano (JPN) Kawasaki, 44.24,342, 13. John Hopkins (USA) Suzuki, 44.24,817, 15. Alex Hofmann (GER) Kawasaki, 44.26,307, 16. Nobuatsu Aoki (JPN) Suzuki, 44.38,317 Temperature Track Air Weather Afternoon 23 C 20 C Dry More, from a press release issued by Camel Honda: RACE REPORT – CZECH REPUBLIC GRAND PRIX – 28/08/05 BRNO ALEX BRUSHES PODIUM WITH ENTHRALLINGLY DETERMINED RIDE Having put heart, courage and great determination into a fine ride at the Czech Republic’s Brno circuit, Alex Barros took his yellow RC211V Camel Honda within a whisker of the podium today. Starting from the third row, the Brazilian made a superb fightback, and fans witnessed several overtaking manoeuvres which saw him force his way up into third place, determined to get involved in the battle for first place. His aggressive racing put his tyres under severe stress, and by the end of the race, grip was hard to come by, halting his forward progress. Gibernau’s retirement on the last lap, suddenly slowing in the final corners before pulling up, prevented him making a final push for third place and the podium. Ninth through the chequered flag, Troy Bayliss, who started from a tricky thirteenth spot on the grid, worked hard to make up ground. Tomorrow, on the same track, the Australian will be able to use an entire day’s testing to try and find some solutions which will help him to be more competitive. Sito Pons Camel Honda “Alex had an exciting race after an indifferent start. He pushed so hard from the first lap onwards in an already fast and combative race, and picked up positions until he caught up with the race leaders. He was just tenths off first place, but the effort put through the tyres to get into that position stopped his progress. He showed however, that as well as being in fine form he is as determined as ever, because closing down a gap whilst picking off your rivals, shows that he was quicker than the leaders for long parts of the race. Troy wasn’t able to get a great start and he had to mount a comeback too. He took a top ten finish, a decent result.” Alex Barros Camel Honda 4th “I would like to say I’m happy to have done a great race, because it was a real battle and very enjoyable, but I’m still not satisfied. As at Sachsenring, I had to attack hard in the first part of the race and then both the front and rear tyres didn’t allow me to fight at the end. Then not only did I make it up alongside Sete and Valentino, but I couldn’t even finish third. In all honesty the story’s a bit different, because on the last lap I would have been able to challenge for the podium, Sete stopped right in front of me, and I had to close the throttle too. However that’s the way it went, we need to think about the next objective, Motegi, and try to make the most of tomorrow’s test to improve our staying power, because in everything else both the Michelins and the bike are perfect.” Troy Bayliss Camel Honda 9th “Things pretty much went as I expected today. I honestly don’t know what I have to do to go as fast as the front group, because I’m not saving myself, both in practice and the race I’m giving my all, just as my team do too. It felt like I didn’t have grip on the front and so staying ahead of Tamada, who I had a good duel with, was a slight piece of satisfaction. Ninth is better than in the last two races, but we’re not here for that.” More, from a press release issued by Telefonica Honda: SETE SEES VICTORY HOPES VANISH The Spaniard dominates the race until the final lap, when he is forced to retire. Marco Melandri finishes 6th. CZECH REPUBLIC GP – MOTOGP RACE Victory at the Czech Republic Grand Prix once again slipped through Sete Gibernau’s fingers on the final lap of a race which he fought for at a frenetic pace with Valentino Rossi. Starting from pole position, Gibernau took the lead and was in with a great chance until the end, when a problem with the electronic fuel control system forced him to retire just three corners from the end. It wasn’t a good day for his team-mate Marco Melandri either. The Italian was unable to stay in touch with the lead group after a good start and he ended the race in sixth place. Marco also lost second place in the championship at Brno and he now lies third behind Valentino Rossi and Max Biaggi, with Sete dropping two places to fifth. The Movistar Honda team will remain at Brno for two days of tests before heading off for the ‘flyaway’ races outside Europe. SETE GIBERNAU (retired): “Another negative day after a weekend in which we have done a great job during qualifying. This morning we had a good rhythm in the warm up with some low 1’58s, a pace I knew would allow me to fight for the win. In the race I wasn’t able to set the same pace and that was the main problem. In the first three laps I first noticed the problem that eventaully prevented me from finishing the race, which topped it off. I’m really disappointed because once again I gave it everything I had and it’s a shame to end the race in this way.” MARCO MELANDRI (6th): “This morning we made a few changes to the bike and I set a good pace that gave me confidence for the race. I got a good start and forced my way into the lead group but over the first few laps I started to lose traction. I pushed my rhythm to try and stay near the front but I really punished the front tyre. From there on I just tried to finish the race. The two days of tests will be really important ahead of Motegi”. CLASSIFICATION 1. V. Rossi (Ita/Yam) 43’56″539 2. L. Capirossi (Ita/Duc) + 1″837 3. M. Biaggi (Ita/Hon) + 3″444 4. A. Barros (Bra/Hon) + 4″148 5. N. Hayden (USA/Hon) + 4″363 6. M. Melandri (Ita/Hon) + 11″150 MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 1. Valentino Rossi 261 points 2. Max Biaggi 129 points 3. Marco Melandri 126 points 4. Colin Edwards 123 points 5. Sete Gibernau 115 points 6. Alex Barros 114 points More, from a press release issued by Honda Racing: Grand Prix of the Czech Republic Sunday 28 August, 2005 GIBERNAU AND ROSSI DO BATTLE IN BRNO THRILLER Luckless Sete Gibernau (Team Movistar Honda RC211V) endured a frustrating afternoon when he suffered a fuel management system problem on the final lap while challenging eventual race winner Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) for the lead. Loris Capirossi (Ducati) finished second while Max Biaggi (Repsol Honda RC211V) was third. The race got under way under cooler conditions than have been usual this weekend, with a track temperature of 23 degrees and an ambient of 20 degrees. Pole-sitter Gibernau led from the lights into turn one with Rossi and early front-runner Marco Melandri (Team Movistar Honda RC211V) right up with him. Rossi grabbed the lead and headed the pack across the line for lap two with Gibernau tucked in behind him, Melandri holding onto them with Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda RC211V) in close pursuit of the trio, and Capirossi getting on terms in fifth. Gibernau recorded an early fastest lap of the race as he worked on staying close to Rossi and the leading pair had soon pulled out a noticeable gap on their pursuers by the start of the third lap. They would remain locked together at the front for the rest of the race barring the final lap. Behind the lead duo, the action was gripping as first Melandri then Hayden tried to get on terms with the leaders. Then by mid-race it was Alex Barros (Camel Honda RC211V) who had powered his way to third with Hayden fourth and Capirossi fifth. Max, who had seemingly ruled himself out the results here with a desultory qualifying performance, was on a charge; the set-up problems he had encountered on qualifying rubber lessened in their effects by less grippy Michelin race tyres he chose. He had started from the fourth row of the grid. As the closing laps drew on, it became clear that Barros did not have the pace to get near the Gibernau/Rossi battle, but Capirossi did and the diminutive Italian gave it everything to try to spoil the party at the front. But, while Gibernau tried to stretch Rossi, Capirossi’s efforts proved in vain. Gibernau led the closing laps until the final turn on the penultimate lap when Rossi seized his chance to rob the Spaniard of victory. While Rossi led across the line for the final time Max had ambushed Hayden and Barros for fourth place. But as Gibernau stalked Rossi down the dips of the first section of this 5.403km track, the vast crowd was ready for a repeat of the scintillating last lap duels between these two gladiators that have set the season alight. It was not to be – Gibernau slowed with just as he was ready to set about Rossi. Capirossi inherited second place as he passed the stricken Gibernau while Rossi learned of his fierce rival’s plight only after he had returned to the parc fermé post race. Max was delighted to take a third podium finish so far in what has proved a troubled season. Sete said, “Another negative day after a weekend in which we have done a great job during qualifying. This morning we had a good rhythm in the warm up with some low 1m 58s, a pace I knew would allow me to fight for the win. In the race I wasn’t able to set the same pace and that was the main problem. Then a fuel problem prevented me from finishing the race, which topped it off. I’m really disappointed because once again I gave it everything I had and it’s a shame to end the race in this way.” Max said, “That is an amazing result and one that makes me very happy for both myself and for all my team. It has been a very hard weekend and I knew that the race would be difficult from the fourth row. We made the best possible result from our position and I hope this is the start of the more positive part of the season for me. For sure it has not been easy so far. We test here for the next two days and I am very much looking forward to the next races with renewed confidence.” Alex was disappointed with fourth and said, “On the last lap I would have been able to challenge for the podium, Sete stopped right in front of me, and I had to close the throttle too. However that’s the way it went, we need to think about the next objective, Motegi, and try to make the most of tomorrow’s test to improve our staying power, because in everything else both the Michelins and the bike are perfect.” Nicky, in fifth, said, “The pace was so fast up front but that’s what you get with the best riders in the world. They dropped the hammer at the start and just went. I tried my hardest to make my boys proud but it didn’t happen this weekend. It was all good experience and I’m happy to be testing here tomorrow because we’re going to have to be in good shape for the rest of the season.” Marco said of his sixth place, “This morning we made a few changes to the bike and I set a good pace that gave me confidence for the race. I got a good start and forced my way into the lead group but over the first few laps I started to lose traction. I pushed my rhythm to try and stay near the front but I really punished the front tyre. From there on I just tried to finish the race. The two days of tests will be really important ahead of Motegi”. Troy Bayliss (Camel Honda RC211V) said, “Things pretty much went as I expected today. I honestly don’t know what I have to do to go as fast as the front group, because I’m not saving myself, both in practice and the race I’m giving my all, just as my team do too. It felt like I didn’t have grip on the front and so staying ahead of Tamada, who I had a good duel with, was a slight piece of satisfaction. Ninth is better than in the last two races, but we’re not here for that.” Makoto Tamada (Konica Minolta Honda RC211V) “We tried a new race setting today, but we had more negative sides than the positive ones, and this didn’t allow me to result sufficiently fast. I have many problems in breaking. The bike didn’t seem really stable. The rear tyre allowed me to be really constant during the all 22 laps, but I still don’t find the maximum confidence to push it more. I hope to find a good confidence in Motegi because I want to try anyhow to remain with the fastest. I really care about that race.” The World Championship situation with six races remaining now looks like this: Rossi 261, Biaggi 129, Melandri 126, Colin Edwards (Yamaha) 123, Gibernau 115. Dani Pedrosa (Team Movistar Honda RS250RW) won the 250cc race in comprehensive style beating great rival Jorge Lorenzo (Fortuna Honda RS250RW) across the line by 1.303 seconds after 20 laps. Consistent Casey Stoner (Aprilia) was third. Hiroshi Aoyama (Team Movistar Honda RS250RW) was the early leader of a six-rider group that showed they had early pace way too hot for the rest of the grid. Andrea Dovizioso (Scot Racing Team Honda RS250RW) was one of the six with Alex de Angelis (Aprilia) the other. Lorenzo was not afraid to head the pack at any stage and by the closing stages of the race it was him and Dani fighting at the front until a backmarker slowed Lorenzo allowing Dani to steal an advantage that he mercilessly worked from 0.245 seconds to the eventual margin of more than a second in the two final laps. Stoner had to fight to keep de Angelis at bay for third while Aoyama couldn’t show the speed he had in the early part of the race and had to be content with fifth place. Dovi came home sixth. “That was a difficult race,” said Dani. “It was cooler than on Friday and Saturday and the spots of rain we had made things hard too. But having got into a good rhythm I knew I could go it alone. The team worked really hard this weekend so thanks to them and to all my people.” Lorenzo said, “We have to be happy with this, Dani’s bike was a bit faster and he was a bit stronger. But every race we get closer to a win and this gives us more motivation to go faster and faster until we achieve a win.” The World Championship points table shows Dani at the top of the pile on 206 points followed by Stoner with 147 points. Dovi lies third with 134 points with six rounds to go. Thomas Luthi (Elit Grand Prix Honda RS125R) won the 125cc race from title rival Mika Kallio (KTM) with an imperious display of riding in the closing laps of what looked like it might be a close encounter. Luthi’s winning margin of 3.312 seconds proved otherwise. Marco Simoncelli (Aprilia) was third. This was Luthi’s second win of the season and it improves his series points lead over Kallio but not by much. Of more importance was the manner of the win, Luthi leading from the lights and then putting in a series of destructively fast laps in the closing stages to ride clear of his pursuers. Much like Pedrosa. The young Swiss kept his head together even when light rain threatened to either cause a race stoppage or catch a rider out in terms of assessing available grip. World title contender Mattia Pasini (Aprilia) succumbed to a crash on the penultimate lap that has dented his Championship ambitions. “That was hard,” said Luthi. “Even before the rain my rear tyre felt like it was almost finished, I was sliding so much towards the end of the race. We thought it would be stopped, but then I just tried to be careful, found myself with a gap, which I could see on one of the big TV trackside TV monitors, and then just kept it going to the finish.” Fabrizio Lai (Kopron Racing World Honda RS125RW) finished sixth while his team-mate Mike Di Meglio (Kopron Racing World Honda RS125R) managed seventh place. “I made a good start and the bike was very fast,” said Lai. “But the rear tyre wore out too fast. I took big risks in the fast turns to try and match the pace of the front group but the rain unsettled me a bit when the race wasn’t stopped. Then I had to take more risks to recover all the places again.” HONDA TEAM RIDERS QUOTES: MotoGP: Max Baggi, Repsol Honda: 3rd: “That is an amazing result and one that makes me very happy for both myself and for all my team. It has been a very hard weekend and I knew that the race would be difficult from the fourth row. The start was not so bad but I was touched in turn one when it was all very close and had a very big slide in fourth gear. I composed myself and tried to get the tyres to warm up especially the left side where we had troubles all weekend. After a few laps I could see that I can make progress little by little – and it was possible to move up the field. I start to believe I could move forward and I did. We made the best possible result from our position and I hope this is the started of the more positive part of the season for me. For sure it has not been easy so far. We test here for the next two days and I am very much looking forward to the next races with renewed confidence.” Alex Barros, Camel Honda: 4th: “I would like to say I’m happy to have done a great race, because it was a real battle and very enjoyable, but I’m still not satisfied. As at Sachsenring, I had to attack hard in the first part of the race and then both the front and rear tyres didn’t allow me to fight at the end. Then not only did I make it up alongside Sete and Valentino, but I couldn’t even finish third. In all honesty the story’s a bit different, because on the last lap I would have been able to challenge for the podium, Sete stopped right in front of me, and I had to close the throttle too. However that’s the way it went, we need to think about the next objective, Motegi, and try to make the most of tomorrow’s test to improve our staying power, because in everything else both the Michelins and the bike are perfect.” Nicky Hayden, Repsol Honda: 5th: “That was really a tough race. I got a good start and was right in there early on. Me and Melandri went back and forth a few times. I just didn’t want to let the leaders get away. I found myself running into some of the corners a little too hot and got a little ragged at times. The pace was so fast up front but that’s what you get with the best riders in the world. They dropped the hammer at the start and just went. I tried my hardest to make my boys proud but it didn’t happen this weekend. It was all good experience and I’m happy to be testing here tomorrow because we’re going to have to be in good shape for the rest of the season.” Marco Melandri, MoviStar Honda: 6th: “This morning we made a few changes to the bike and I set a good pace that gave me confidence for the race. I got a good start and forced my way into the lead group but over the first few laps I started to lose traction. I pushed my rhythm to try and stay near the front but I really punished the front tyre. From there on I just tried to finish the race. The two days of tests will be really important ahead of Motegi.” Troy Bayliss, Camel Honda: 9th:”Things pretty much went as I expected today. I honestly don’t know what I have to do to go as fast as the front group, because I’m not saving myself, both in practice and the race I’m giving my all, just as my team do too. It felt like I didn’t have grip on the front and so staying ahead of Tamada, who I had a good duel with, was a slight piece of satisfaction. Ninth is better than in the last two races, but we’re not here for that.” Makoto Tamada, Konica Minolta Honda: 10th: “We tried a new race setting today, but we had more negative sides than the positive ones, and this didn’t allow me to result sufficiently fast. I have many problems in breaking. The bike didn’t seem really stable. Compare to yesterday the grip of the bike was lightly better, but the problem in riding the turns it hasn’t been solved and this has slowed me down. The rear tyre allowed me to be really constant during the all 22 laps, but I still don’t find the maximum confidence to push it more. I hope to find a good confidence in Motegi because I want to try anyhow to remain with the fastest. I really care about that race.” Sete Gibernau, MoviStar Honda: dnf fuel starvation: “Another negative day after a weekend in which we have done a great job during qualifying. This morning we had a good rhythm in the warm up with some low 1’58s, a pace I knew would allow me to fight for the win. In the race I wasn’t able to set the same pace and that was the main problem. In the first three laps I first noticed the problem that eventually prevented me from finishing the race, which topped it off. I’m really disappointed because once again I gave it everything I had and it’s a shame to end the race in this way.” 250cc: Dani Pedrosa, MoviStar Honda: 1st: “We’ve won another great race in difficult conditions. This morning I had a flashback to last season, when I finished third because of the confusion caused by the rain, and I was worried because the track conditions were nothing like qualifying. It was drizzling throughout the race but the temperature dropped a lot and the tyres wore out a lot quicker than I expected, especially the rear. I took things calmly at the start even though I saw that they were getting away a little because it wasn’t the right time to risk anything. In the end I was able to push, keep my pace up even though it was sliding around and set the fastest lap at the end, which is a sign of how well the team have worked.” Jorge Lorenzo, Fortuna Honda: 2nd: “I have to be happy with the result. I wanted to win, of course, but it was not to be today. Pedrosa was very strong and I could not follow him when he passed me. Of course the last lap was frustrating and I was a bit annoyed, but I am not looking for excuses and it would have been very hard to get past him anyway. I’m sure that at the next race I can go even fastest than I did here. That is what keeps me going and looking for that first victory which could arrive at the next race.” Hiroshi Aoyama, MoviStar Honda: 5th: “At the start I saw that nobody wanted to risk because of the rain so I thought that if nobody wants to try and go then I will. I took the lead a few times but the tyres went off very quickly because of my pace early in the race. They were destroyed by the end of the race but I did what I could. Tomorrow we’ll stay here to test and we’ll try and improve the bike so that we head to Motegi with a winning attitude and ready to give it everything. I would really like to win my home race.” Andrea Dovizioso, Scot Honda: 6th: “My fault: I used an helmet for dry conditions but it rained and the screen misted up. I couldn’t see very well and I did not feel safe. After Pedrosa overtook me I opened the screen and it was better but it wasn’t possible to recover the gap from him. All the riders were in the same critical conditions but I know, I have to improve in various aspects”. Jakub Smrz, Molenaar Honda: 11th: “I am pleased with my race and 11th place I really needed that result. The bike was perfect today. I got 11th because West made a mistake at the last chicane that allowed me to get passed him. West is very good on the brakes and at the chicane he moved his line to block me but left his braking way too late and ran wide. “ Alex Debon, Wurth Honda BQR: 13th: “We need new material with what we have it is not possible to go faster today. I raced as hard as I could until the front tyre went off. After that every time I pushed hard the front end turned in I would have crashed if I tried any harder. I’m disappointed because I know I could have taken a better result.” Radomil Rous, Wurth Honda BQR: 14th.: “I had some problems getting off the start but I was good over the first three laps and got up to 18th I think. Then I just raced to catch the riders I front and passed a few. The engine as not as good today as in qualifying but I am happy. Two points is two points won.” Yuki Takahashi, Scot Honda: dnf crash: “I started well and I recovered some positions but at the seventh corner I lost the front and I crashed out. Now my right arm hurts. I’m disappointed I expected to make a good race.” Hector Barbera, Fortuna Honda: dnf crash: “I was very motivated because I had made a good start and had managed to climb from ninth to fifth place. I knew I wasn’t going to be right at the front today and that relaxed me for the start which helped me get away well and I was looking to just enjoy the race. But going into a corner Takahashi fell and took out my front wheel which meant I could not avoid crashing. It’s a shame because luck seems to be going against me at the moment. I am having a difficult time and am not achieving any of the objectives I have set myself. I worked very hard during the holidays and now we have another twelve days before the next race and I will have to work with the same intensity. Dirk Heidolf, Kiefer Castrol Honda: dnf crash.: “About 9-10 laps from the finish I started to have gear shifting problems I had to roll the throttle to change gear. That cost me a few meters with every gear change. I ended up fighting with Debon for 13th place and it was hard work with my gearbox problem I was pushing too hard. Then at the last corner we almost touched and I ran off the track. I am very disappointed with my race.” 125cc: Thomas Luthi, Elit Honda: 1st: “I am very, very happy with my win today. I got a good start and was first into the first corner then Lai went passed me. My plan had been to get ahead and go away but I when I passed Lai it was too late and the group caught us. Then I tried again to run away from them and but it was only when the rain started to fall that I managed to do it. The rain caused a little confusion the downhill right hand corner was very wet and I went through one gear lower than normal. Then at the final left right both wheels were drifting across the track I was hanging on knee on the road praying I would stay on. I took the most risks and won the race.” Fabrizio Lai, Kopron Racing World Honda: 6th: “I made a good start and the bike was very fast but the rear tyre wore out too quickly: in the fast corners I took too many risks and I preferred to slow down. I tried to keep the same pace as the front group but on a couple of occasion I nearly crash out. With three laps to go it began to rain but the race has not been interrupted. I decided to take some risks on the wet track and recover positions from 11th, because to finish in that position or not arrive at the finish is quite the same. Mike, Talmacsi and I were very fast and the risks we took have been rewarded. I don’t know if the race had to be interrupt”¦ I don’t want to polemize but now I’m happy!”. Mike Di Meglio, Kopron Racing World Honda: 7th: : “During the last lap Fabrizio and I decided to take risks and try to recover as many positions as we could. It was a good decision but the yellow flags prevented us to make other overtaking moves. My bike was very fast but I had some cyclistic problems (too hard rear). It wasn’t possible to maintain the best line because when I pushed harder the bike slid back”. Alvaro Bautista, Seedorf RC3 Tiempo Holidays Honda: 12th: “It has been a difficult race. I started from a rear position, and in the opening laps I couldn’t overtake other riders. Honestly I don’t feel real comfortable in this track, and I have had some difficulties to ride well. At the end of the race I have prefered not to risk too much because it had began to rain and I was having problems with the rear tyre, and I thought it was better not repeating my Donington crash out. It’s a hard situation because the team and me are working really hard and with another aim. But we will continue fighting in very race to try to be in the top”. Aleix Espargaro, Seedorf RC3 Tiempo Holidays Honda: 13th: “We have scored some points, although I think this could have been a more beautiful race and that I could have finish in a better position. But looking back the weekend and all the engine problems we have had I think at the end we have been able to do a good race. The engine worked better than yesterday, but not in the best condition. I have had problems with the rear tyre from the second part of the race, and that’s why I began to lose some positions. Let’s see if we can do it better in the practice days as we did it in Germany because I think I can be soon near the top positions”. Sandro Cortese, Kiefer Boss Castrol Honda: 14th: “Not so bad I suppose. I got a good start and was in 10th place after one lap. I thought I could run with them and hold my position. I was in a group with Iannone, Bautista and Espargaro and it was tough. We were bumping and banging fairings on every lap. The bike was very good today, the engine very good. I ended up 14th and am a little disappointed with that.” Alexis Masbou, Ajo Motorsport Honda: dnf crash: “Lai passed me then suddenly slowed. I moved to miss him, I don’t understand why Lai slowed so much at that point. Then somebody hit me and I was off. I now know it was Koyama san. Pity because it as not really his fault.” Tomoyoshi Koyama, Ajo Motorsport Honda: dnf crash: “From my position I saw Lai pass Alexis then brake very hard. Alexis managed to miss him but I hit Lai and then I think Ranseder hit me and we crashed. Unfortunately my bike hit Alexis and brought him down. A real pity because we were in good positions and the bike was really good today. “ Toshihisa Kuzuhara, Angaia Racing Honda: dns: Kuzuhara crashed in practice sustaining a shoulder injury that prevented him from starting in the race. Raymond Schouten, Molenaar Honda: dnf technical problem: “We don’t know what the problem is yet but I think it has something to do with the shifter. Right from the start the engine was spluttering a little ad eventually stopped. It’s very frustrating because the bike was great in qualifying.” Results MotoGP Race Classification MotoGP : (22 laps = 118.866 km) Pos/ Rider / Nat / Team / Motorcycle / Time/ KM/H 1 / Valentino ROSSI / ITA / Gauloises Yamaha Team / YAMAHA / 43’56.539 / 162.302 2 / Loris CAPIROSSI / ITA / Ducati Marlboro Team / DUCATI / 43’58.376 / 162.189 3 / Max BIAGGI / ITA / Repsol Honda Team / HONDA / 43’59.983 / 162.091 4 / Alex BARROS / BRA / Camel Honda / HONDA / 44’00.687 / 162.047 5 / Nicky HAYDEN / USA / Repsol Honda Team / HONDA / 44’00.902 / 162.034 6 / Marco MELANDRI / ITA / Movistar Honda MotoGP / HONDA / 44’07.689 / 161.619 7 / Colin EDWARDS / USA / Gauloises Yamaha Team / YAMAHA / 44’10.071 / 161.474 8 / Carlos CHECA / SPA / Ducati Marlboro Team / DUCATI / 44’15.870 / 161.121 9 / Troy BAYLISS / AUS / Camel Honda / HONDA / 44’23.664 / 160.649 10 / Makoto TAMADA / JPN / Konica Minolta Honda / HONDA / 44’23.787 / 160.642 11 / Kenny ROBERTS / USA / Team Suzuki MotoGP / SUZUKI / 44’24.223 / 160.616 12 / Shinya NAKANO / JPN / Kawasaki Racing Team / KAWASAKI / 44’24.342 / 160.609 13 / John HOPKINS / USA / Team Suzuki MotoGP / SUZUKI / 44’24.817 / 160.580 14 / Toni ELIAS / SPA / Fortuna Yamaha Team / YAMAHA / 44’25.110 / 160.562 15 / Alex HOFMANN / GER / Kawasaki Racing Team / KAWASAKI / 44’26.307 / 160.490 Fastest Lap (Unofficial new record): Valentino ROSSI 1’58.787 163.745 Km/h Lap 6 Lap Record: Alex BARROS 1’59.302 163.038 Km/h2004 World Championship Positions: 1 ROSSI 261, 2 BIAGGI 129, 3 MELANDRI 126, 4 EDWARDS 123, 5 GIBERNAU 115, 6 BARROS 114, 7 HAYDEN 112, 8 CAPIROSSI 92, 9 NAKANO 69, 10 CHECA 59, 11 BAYLISS 54, 12 TAMADA 48, 13 ROBERTS 41, 14 XAUS 36, 15 HOPKINS 35. 250cc Race Classification 250cc: (20 laps = 108.06 km) Pos / Rider / Nat / Team / Motorcycle / Time / KM / H 1 / Daniel PEDROSA / SPA / Telefonica Movistar Honda 250 / HONDA / 41’24.944 / 156.549 2 / Jorge LORENZO / SPA / Fortuna Honda / HONDA / 41’26.247 / 156.467 3 / Casey STONER / AUS / Carrera Sunglasses – LCR / APRILIA / 41’29.197 / 156.281 4 / Alex DE ANGELIS / RSM / MS Aprilia Italia Corse / APRILIA / 41’30.270 / 156.214 5 / Hiroshi AOYAMA / JPN / Telefonica Movistar Honda 250 / HONDA / 41’33.336 / 156.022 6 / Andrea DOVIZIOSO / ITA / Team Scot / HONDA / 41’33.415 / 156.017 7 / Sebastian PORTO / ARG / Aprilia Aspar 250cc / APRILIA / 41’50.489 / 154.956 8 / Randy DE PUNIET / FRA / Aprilia Aspar 250cc / APRILIA / 41’57.103 / 154.549 9 / Roberto LOCATELLI / ITA / Carrera Sunglasses – LCR / APRILIA / 41’58.913 / 154.438 10 / Sylvain GUINTOLI / FRA / Equipe GP de France – Scrab / APRILIA / 42’00.488 / 154.341 11 / Jakub SMRZ / CZE / Arie Molenaar Racing / HONDA / 42’16.771 / 153.350 12 / Anthony WEST / AUS / Red Bull KTM GP250 / KTM / 42’16.993 / 153.337 13 / Alex DEBON / SPA / Wurth Honda BQR / HONDA / 42’23.158 / 152.965 14 / Randomil ROUS / CZE / Wurth Honda BQR / HONDA / 42’23.548 / 152.942 15 / Steve JENKNER / GER / Nocable.it Race / APRILIA / 42’23.855 / 152.923 Fastest Lap (Unofficial new record): Daniel PEDROSA 2’02.554 158.712 Km/h Lap 16 Lap Record: Daniel PEDROSA 2’03.332 157.710 Km/h 2004 World Championship Positions: 1 PEDROSA 206, 2 STONER 147, 3 DOVIZIOSO 134, 4 PORTO 105, 5 DE ANGELIS 100, 6 LORENZO 98, 7 AOYAMA 98, 8 DE PUNIET 97, 9 BARBERA 59, 10 CORSI 54, 11 GUINTOLI 49, 12 DEBON 39, 13 TAKAHASHI 38, 14 LOCATELLI 31, 15 WEST 30. 125cc: Race Classification 125cc (19 laps = 102.657 km) Pos / Rider / Nat / Team / Motorcycle / Time / KM / H 1 / Thomas LUTHI / SWI / Elit Grand Prix / HONDA / 41’32.409 / 148.276 2 / Mika KALLIO / FIN / Red Bull KTM GP125 / KTM / 41’35.621 / 148.085 3 / Marco SIMONCELLI / ITA / Nocable.it Race / APRILIA / 41’35.735 / 148.078 4 / Sergio GADEA / SPA / Master Aspar / APRILIA / 41’40.163 / 147.816 5 / Lorenzo ZANETTI / ITA / Skilled I.S.P.A. Racing Team / APRILIA / 41’46.862 / 147.421 6 / Fabrizio LAI / ITA / Kopron Racing World / HONDA / 41’57.565 / 146.794 7 / Mike DI MEGLIO / FRA / Kopron Racing World / HONDA / 41’57.656 / 146.789 8 / Manuel POGGIALI / RSM / Metis Racing Team / GILERA / 41’57.918 / 146.774 9 / Gabor TALMACSI / HUN / Red Bull KTM GP125 / KTM / 41’58.182 / 146.758 10 / Julian SIMON / SPA / Red Bull KTM GP125 / KTM / 41’58.475 / 146.741 11 / Andrea IANNONE / ITA / Abruzzo Racing Team / APRILIA / 42’01.386 / 146.572 12 / Alvaro BAUTISTA / SPA / Seedorf RC3 – Tiempo Holidays / HONDA / 42’02.769 / 146.491 13 / Aleix ESPARGARO / SPA / Seedorf RC3 – Tiempo Holidays / HONDA / 42’02.784 / 146.491 14 / Sandro CORTESE / GER / Kiefer-Bos-Castrol Honda / HONDA / 42’03.168 / 146.468 15 / Stefan BRADL / GER / Red Bull ADAC KTM Juniors / KTM / 42’06.135 / 146.296 Fastest Lap: Sergio GADEA 2’08.931 150.862 Km/h Lap 5 Lap Record: Lucio CECCHINELLO 2’07.836 152.154 Km/h 2003 World Championship Positions: 1 LUTHI 144, 2 KALLIO 136, 3 TALMACSI 120, 4 SIMONCELLI 117, 5 PASINI 100, 6 LAI 98, 7 SIMON 97, 8 POGGIALI 72, 9 DI MEGLIO 54, 10 KOYAMA 52, 11 FAUBEL 50, 12 GADEA 48, 13 NIETO 47, 14 OLIVE 45, 15 BAUTISTA 32. More, from a press release issued by Fortuna Yamaha: Almost 80,000 witnessed the Czech republic GP on Sunday at the circuit of Brno. The race was yet another demonstration by World Champion elect Valentino Rossi who is now just a step away from his seventh world crown. The FORTUNA YAMAHA riders had a difficult weekend at what is one of the most technical circuits of the championship. TONI ELIAS finished in fourteenth spot. After a difficult start in which he lost a few positions, he became involved in a battle with Nakano and Tamada that saw him having to fight hard to maintain his position. RUBEN XAUS suffered with the problems he has been struggling with all weekend and, although he got steadily better as the weekend progressed, he finished outside the points with a disappointing finish of 18th. Both Elias and Xaus will stay in Brno for a few days following the race for some testing as the FORTUNA YAMAHA team hope to find some technical improvements for the last rounds of the World Championship. TONI ELIAS (24): Warm Up: 17th, 2.01.039 + 2.799 (9/9 laps) Race: 14th, + 28.571 Championship: 16th, 31 points. “When you get away well, and when you are winning, that is when you really enjoy a race, not when you are fighting to get in the points. But it seems we are slowly solving the problems we have although starting from so far down the grid does not leave you with any real options. The most positive thing was the consistent rhythm I found especially when the tyres were going and I still managed to match the times of Hayden for example. I had a couple of shocks that made the race more difficult. I am not happy with the result, but the important thing is to fight and to progress race by race and to try and challenge to be in the lead group of riders. These two days of testing will be very helpful for us.” RUBEN XAUS (11): Warm Up: 20th, 2.02.020 + 3.780 (8/10 laps) Race: 18th, + 1.08.082 Championship: 14th, 36 points. “After the difficult situation that I experienced during the days when I was supposed to be relaxing on holiday, I came to Brno with my moral affected. I just wanted to get through this race as quickly as possible. Now I have done so, I will keep on working hard and I hope the Ruben Xaus that everyone knows will now be back soon.” HERVE PONCHARAL, Team Manager FORTUNA YAMAHA: Team Championship: 8th, 71 points. “Although fourteenth is, obviously, not a great result, Toni rode his best race of the year. Although he had various problems at the start, he lapped very consistently and was in a very compact group. Ruben has had some difficulties over the last few days, I hope all that is behind him now and that he can show his enormous potential.” More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki: Race long battle between Roberts Jr and Hopkins for top 10 places Team SUZUKI MotoGP Racers Kenny Roberts Jr and John Hopkins fought a race long battle with four other riders at today’s Gauloises Grand Prix Ceske Republiky. Roberts Jr and Hopkins were involved in the tussle with the Hondas of Troy Bayliss and Makoto Tamada as well as Shinya Nakano and Alex Hofmann on the Bridgestone-shod Kawasakis. All six riders traded places in their quest for a top-10 finish throughout the race. The Suzuki pair of Roberts Jr and Hopkins finally finished the race in 11th and 13th places respectively. Roberts Jr had made an improvement in his health from the illness that caused him to miss most of yesterday’s qualifying session. He was able to take to the track for this morning’s warm-up and although he only managed seven laps he recorded the second quickest time. Team SUZUKI MotoGP Test Rider Nobuatsu Aoki narrowly missed out on the points, with a 16th place finish. The likeable Japanese racer was appearing in his first MotoGP of the season and acquitted himself well in front of 78,818 fans. He will now stay on at Brno for two further days of testing. Today’s race was held in dry but overcast conditions and was won by World Champion and run-away series leader Valentino Rossi on a Yamaha. Team SUZUKI MotoGP now has two test days at the Czech circuit on Monday and Tuesday before it heads off to its home Grand Prix at Motegi in Japan on Sunday 18th September. Kenny Roberts Jr: “It was a difficult race. I think everybody’s lap times were consistent from the front to where we were at, so it was difficult to make ground up. Basically everything on the bike stayed pretty consistent and we had a tight battle where we were. I tried to get past Bayliss and Tamada at the end. I was hoping they would make a mistake with each other to help me get past. I tried to out accelerate them all the time but it just wasn’t working. Basically it was a decent race, I still don’t have a lot of energy so I don’t know what the matter is. Hopefully it’s flu or something and I can get over it in the next couple of days.” John Hopkins: “Not satisfied at all. That’s the best way to state it. We’ve been pushing all weekend and unfortunately we are still suffering with a lack of acceleration and we are having to ride it on the edge. I couldn’t get away from the pack I was in and then later on I dropped down to 13th which is where I finished. It’s good to finish a race after what happened during the weekend in Germany, but I’m very disappointed because I like this track a lot. Unfortunately we didn’t get anywhere near where we wanted to be. It means we’ve got to work harder, not just me but Suzuki and Bridgestone and be strong at Motegi. I think if I can get through turn one there unlike the last two years – I can have a hell of a race!” Nobuatsu Aoki: “I had a pretty lonely race. Immediately after the start I had a small problem which made the top-end low. I thought I might have to pull-in or whatever, but I tried to manage it and then the engine became a little bit better. I really appreciate what my guys have done, they prepared a good chassis setting. I pushed harder from the middle of the race and I could make a closer gap to Kenny and John’s group. I thought I could catch them up but my back tyre was worn so I couldn’t. I was a little bit disappointed but I have enjoyed the weekend very much and will maybe see you all in Valencia at the last race.” Paul Denning Team Manager: “All things considered we’ve got to be very pleased with Kenny’s performance, one of his most competitive dry races of the season so far. He only completed five laps in yesterday’s qualification session and a short run in warm-up this morning. Without his illness and a better qualifying position there may well have been the opportunity to run a few places further up the field. “John’s race was – in terms of a result less than he expected and probably less than we expected. He battled hard for the whole race but seemed to use up his rear tyre a little bit quicker than Kenny and didn’t have so much left to fight with at the end. “We are staying on for some testing over the next couple of days and maybe we will be able to find a direction within the setting parts that we have here to take a step forward. “Nobu did a great consistent job, just outside the points on his return to MotoGP racing. As ever he is a great personality to have around the team and I’m sure he will continue his never-ending hard work over the next two days. By the end of Tuesday I’m think he will be sick of the sight of the Brno race circuit, having turned in so many laps! “We move onto Motegi next, we have some new engine parts in the same direction of development that has been happening in the last few races. We hope that those along with the good match between the Bridgestone new generation tyres and the Japanese circuit will help us get some better results. This weekend has confirmed that the direction we are taking in terms of engine development is correct, but we need a lot, lot more to be truly competitive and that’s where everyone’s intentions are lying at the moment.” Gauloises Grand Prix Ceske Republiky Race Classification: 1. Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) 43’56.539: 2. Loris Capirossi (Ducati) +1.837: 3. Max Biaggi (Honda) +3.444: 4. Alex Barros (Honda) +4.148: 5. Nicky Hayden (Honda) +4.363: 6. Marco Melandri (Honda) +11.150: 7. Colin Edwards (Yamaha) +13.532: 8. Carlos Checa (Ducati) +19.331: 9. Troy Bayliss (Honda) +27.125: 10. Makoto Tamada (Honda) +27.248: 11. KENNY ROBERTS JR (TEAM SUZUKI MOTOGP) 27.684: 13. JOHN HOPKINS (TEAM SUZUKI MOTOGP) +28.278: 16. NOBUATSU AOKI (TEAM SUZUKI MOTOGP) +41.778: World Championship Classification: 1. Rossi 261: 2. Biaggi 129: 3. Melandri 126: 4. Edwards 123: 5. Sete Gibernau (Honda) 115: 6. Barros 114: 7. Hayden 112: 8. Capirossi 92: 9. Shinya Nakano (Kawasaki) 69: 10. Checa 59: 13. KENNY ROBERTS JR (TEAM SUZUKI MOTOGP) 41: 15: JOHN HOPKINS (TEAM SUZUKI MOTOGP) 35:

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