2007 FIM MotoGP World Championship Catalunya, Spain June 9, 2007 Free Practice Three Results: 1. Casey STONER (Ducati), Bridgestone, 1:42.562 2. Randy DE PUNIET (Kawasaki), Bridgestone, 1:43.045 3. John HOPKINS (Suzuki), Bridgestone, 1:43.105 4. Valentino ROSSI (Yamaha), Michelin, 1:43.212 5. Dani PEDROSA (Honda), Michelin, 1:43.257 6. Chris VERMEULEN (Suzuki), Bridgestone, 1:43.377 7. Loris CAPIROSSI (Ducati), Bridgestone, 1:43.649 8. Toni ELIAS (Honda), Bridgestone, 1:43.675 9. Colin EDWARDS (Yamaha), Michelin, 1:43.780 10. Nicky HAYDEN (Honda), Michelin, 1:43.806 11. Alex BARROS (Ducati), Bridgestone, 1:43.986 12. Marco MELANDRI (Honda), Bridgestone, 1:43.995 13. Carlos CHECA (Honda), Michelin, 1:43.998 14. Sylvain GUINTOLI (Yamaha), Dunlop, 1:44.181 15. Makoto TAMADA (Yamaha), Dunlop, 1:44.268 16. Alex HOFMANN (Ducati), Bridgestone, 1:44.287 17. Kenny Lee ROBERTS (KR-Honda), Michelin, 1:44.511 18. Shinya NAKANO (Honda), Michelin, 1:44.646 19. Olivier JACQUE (Kawasaki), Bridgestone, 1:44.923, crash 20. Kurtis ROBERTS (KR-Honda), Michelin, 1:45.304 Combined Free Practice Results: 1. Stoner, 1:42.562 2. De Puniet, 1:43.045 3. Pedrosa, 1:43.099 4. Hopkins, 1:43.105 5. Rossi, 1:43.212 6. Vermeulen, 1:43.377 7. Elias, 1:43.551 8. Capirossi, 1:43.631 9. Edwards, 1:43.768 10. Hayden, 1:43.806 11. Melandri, 1:43.811 12. Barros, 1:43.857 13. Checa, 1:43.866 14. Nakano, 1:44.003 15. Guintoli, 1:44.181 16. Tamada, 1:44.268 17. Hofmann, 1:44.287 18. Jacque, 1:44.466 19. Kenny Lee Roberts, 1:44.511 20. Kurtis Roberts, 1:45.304

Editorial Note: This press release was originally posted May 3, 2007. CBS Sports to broadcast three race package of MotoGP races As MotoGP continues its growth across the world, three races will be broadcast on network television across the United States this summer after an agreement was reached between CBS Sports and MotoGP’s commercial rights-holder, Dorna Sports. This agreement represents the most extensive free-to-air television package that MotoGP races have ever enjoyed in the US, and is a further indication of the growing popularity of the sport across the nation. CBS Sports will broadcast races from the heart of the MotoGP season. Coverage starts with the hugely attended Grand Prix from Barcelona on June 10 (1:30-2:30 p.m., ET), and is closely followed by MotoGP’s most traditional race from the TT Circuit in Assen, Netherlands on June 30 (2:00-3:00 p.m., ET), with the third race coming from the Sachsenring, Germany on July 15 (1:00-2:00 p.m., ET). The race telecasts will include not only the thrilling race coverage but will also include exciting features, news and interviews as well as the sophisticated information and graphics package that helps race fans follow the exciting action. Additionally, the race coverage will include production elements that are unique to MotoGP and highlight the exhilarating and daring nature of the sport and its competitors. Chief among these elements will be the incredible on-board cameras that show the race from the point of view of the riders themselves. Fans seeing these heroes making turns at high speeds and just inches off the ground will be amazed at the skill and accuracy that these riders posses. “With the growth of this emerging sport, we are more than pleased to be bringing our viewers all the high-speed excitement of MotoGP,” said Rob Correa, Sr. Vice President, Programming, CBS Sports. “We are proud to be associated with CBS Sports, a real home for American sports, and it just shows how far MotoGP has come in the last few years,” said Manel Arroyo, Managing Director, Dorna Sports. “The growth of the sport in the United States is one of Dorna’s key goals, and this deal will help us showcase the thrills and excitement of MotoGP to a mainstream audience right across the country.” MotoGP is the world’s premier motorcycle championship, featuring the best racers on the planet riding multi-million dollar, prototype machines that can reach speeds in excess of 200mph. MotoGP takes its glamorous circus to all corners of the globe. The machines produce more than 200 horsepower and weigh in at just 325lb (148kg), demanding the ultimate in riding skill. MotoGP received a big boost in the US with the performances from the Nicky Hayden, the ‘Kentucky Kid’. Hayden, who won his first MotoGP event at the 2005 Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix in Laguna Seca, California, took his crowning glory in 2006 when he won two races on his way to becoming the new MotoGP World Champion. Currently MotoGP TV broadcasts reach 207 countries, with 184 of those in live or same day delayed format. An average of 142 million spectators see the live/SDD broadcasts, with a total average audience per GP of 311 million viewers. In 2006, an estimated 5.2 billion people around the world tuned into MotoGP races. Helping to make the deal possible between the two parties was Van Wagner Sports Group who serves as the U.S. free-to-air television agent for MotoGP. In addition to negotiating the television agreement between CBS Sports and MotoGP, Van Wagner will handle the advertising sales for the telecasts as well as coordinating production aspects. The program itself will be produced by Dorna using CBS Sports talent, as well as expert analysis being brought by America’s former World Champion and MotoGP Legend Kevin Schwantz. MotoGP returned to network television in the United States last season with the network telecast special of the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix from Laguna Seca, an agreement negotiated by Van Wagner Sports Group and produced by Dorna.

Isle of Man TT June 8, 2007 Senior TT Race Results: 1. John McGuinness (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:46:44.23, 127.255 mph, Silver 2. Guy Martin (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:47:16.96, 126.608 mph, Silver 3. Ian Hutchinson (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:48:04.60, 125.677 mph, Silver 4. Ian Lougher (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:49:08.12, 124.458 mph, Silver 5. Adrian Archibald (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:49:21.61, 124.202 mph, Silver 6. Conor Cummins (Yam YZF-R1), 1:49:47.86, 123.708 mph, Silver 7. Steve Plater (Yam YZF-R1), 1:50:21.67, 123.076 mph, Silver 8. Michael Rutter (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:50:42.22, 122.695 mph, Silver 9. Ian Armstrong (Yam YZF-R1), 1:51:56.08, 121.346 mph, Silver 10. James McBride (Yam YZF-R1), 1:51:59.14, 121.290 mph, Silver 17. Mark Miller (Apr RSV1000), 1:54:25.46, 118.705 mph, Bronze DNF: Jimmy Moore (Hon CBR1000RR), 118.268 mph, -5 laps More, from a press release issued by Hydrex Honda: Martin finishes TT Senior race in second place. Hydrex Honda and Guy Martin completed their successful run at the Centenary TT races by finishing in second place during the PokerStars Senior race. It was a tough race for Martin as his chain was jumping on the sprocket during the last few laps of the race and he was relieved to get over the line while still maintaining a podium finish. “I just cannot believe I got it home. I’ve got to say massive, massive thanks to the lads. They worked on the bikes until 2am as we had a last minute problem with the head gasket. I can’t thank them enough and it paid off as we got on the podium but I can’t believe we got it on the podium,” said Martin, “Last three laps we had the chain jumping on the sprocket which was no ones fault just one of those things. The TT is a hard race, it is six laps of 37.73miles it is just mega hard on a bike and you get little problems like this on the bike I was pleased to get it home.” He was disappointed not to take the win but was very philosophical about it all, “I think before we come to the TT it is all written out. I’m a great believer in what goes around comes around and I think John, he is the man when it comes to the TT. I’m only 24 and I’ve got a lot to learn and it is not my time and I think you’ve just got to be patient. If you try and rush these things you go out there like a bull in a China shop trying to make up a tenth here and there. You’ve got to realise when it is your time and make the most of it, it is just not yet.” Martin has only been competing at the TT for four years now and has time on his side when it comes to pulling in that elusive win, “I’m getting there slowly every year, this is my fourth year at the TT and I think this puts us in good stead for next year. Last year I came away thinking do I want to race motorbikes, I was sick to the back teeth with problems. This year the whole team is really into it and have enjoyed the whole thing just the crowds and everything made me really appreciate the TT. I know now what I want to do and it’s the TT, I want to win TTs. Got to stick at it, you don’t get anything without trying and I’m going to be here next year trying. He now plans to return to work and get his life back to normal, “I’m back to work, so as soon as I can get a ferry I’m off home. I’m doing Ballaugh down hill mountain bike race tomorrow and then get a boat home, might have Monday off work and then back to it on Tuesday. Keeps your feet on the ground, over here you get people asking for your autograph and you feel like a superstar, but I’ll soon be brought back down to earth when I put my overalls on and go back to work,” he finished. Pokerstars Senior TT Race Result: 1. John McGuinness HM Plant Honda 2. Guy Martin Hydrex Honda 3. Ian Hutchinson HM Plant Honda 4. Ian Lougher Stobart Honda 5. Adrian Archibald Relentless Suzuki 6. Conor Cummins Millsport Yamaha 7. Steve Plater Optoma Yamaha 8. Michael Rutter MSS Discovery Kawasaki 9. Ian Armstrong Canteen Smithy Yamaha 10. James McBride JV Racing Yamaha More, from a press release issued by Steve Plater’s publicist: SEVENTH PLACE FOR PLATER IN SENIOR TT Steve Plater rode to his best result of the week when he secured a fantastic seventh place in the six-lap Senior TT on Friday. He has been declared best newcomer at the Centenary Isle of Man races and also put in the fastest lap by a newcomer at the TT. Steve who lives in Woodhall Spa, near Lincoln has gone from strength to strength this week and after finishing his other three races in 15th, 10th and eighth places was over the moon with seventh in his final outing. This result brings his silverware total to a maximum four out of four plus the honour of being best newcomer at the TT races. He also has provisionally won the fastest lap by a newcomer award with 125.808mph on the final lap of the race but this has yet to be confirmed. As the race got underway Steve was on it from the start and had slotted into ninth place at Ramsey and up to eighth by the time they reached the Bungalow. He remained in eighth position all the way through to lap five when he reeled in Michael Rutter on time to secure seventh place. He looked really impressive at Ramsey and had the lines off to a tee, taking the same smooth route around the hairpin on each of the six laps to hold seventh place to the chequered flag after a gruelling one hour, one minute and 22 seconds in the saddle. “That was a good race,” said Steve. “I put in some good times and got faster with each lap. I have had a really good TT and my lap times from the first practise night to the final race had improved dramatically so I am happy with that. “But its not all down to me, I have a fantastic team behind me and they all have vast experience at the TT and that has helped me tremendously. I have to thank everyone at the Optoma Loans Yamaha team and team principal Alistair Flanagan for giving me the opportunity to ride at the TT this year. To pick up four silver replicas at my first attempt is amazing.” The Senior TT brings racing to a close but there is no respite for Steve who travels straight to France where he will be testing at Magny Cours next week with the World Endurance Team Kawasaki France before heading over to Mondello Park in Ireland for the sixth round of the 2007 Bennetts British Superbike championship on June 17. More, from a press release issued by Team Optoma Loans Yamaha: SEVENTH PLACE FOR PLATER IN SENIOR TT Steve Plater rode to his best result of the week for Team Optoma Loans Yamaha when he secured a fantastic seventh place in the six-lap Senior TT on Friday. He has been declared best newcomer at the Centenary Isle of Man races and also put in the fastest lap by a newcomer at the TT. Steve who lives in Woodhall Spa, near Lincoln has gone from strength to strength this week and after finishing his other three races in 15th, 10th and eighth places was over the moon with seventh in his final outing. This result brings his silverware total to a maximum four out of four plus the honour of being best newcomer at the TT races. He also has provisionally won the fastest lap by a newcomer award with 125.808mph on the final lap of the race but this has yet to be confirmed. As the race got underway Steve was on it from the start and had slotted into ninth place at Ramsey and up to eighth by the time they reached the Bungalow. He remained in eighth position all the way through to lap five when he reeled in Michael Rutter on time to secure seventh place. He looked really impressive at Ramsey and had the lines off to a tee, taking the same smooth route around the hairpin on each of the six laps to hold seventh place to the chequered flag after a gruelling one hour, one minute and 22 seconds in the saddle. STEVE PLATER That was a good race. I put in some good times and got faster with each lap. I have had a really good TT and my lap times from the first practise night to the final race had improved dramatically so I am happy with that. But its not all down to me, I have a fantastic team behind me and they all have vast experience at the TT and that has helped me tremendously. I have to thank everyone at the Optoma Loans Yamaha team and team principal Alistair Flanagan for giving me the opportunity to ride at the TT this year. To pick up four silver replicas at my first attempt is amazing. ALISTAIR FLANAGAN Steve has done extremely well and tackled the TT course with enthusiasm and professionalism. His times have improved throughout the fortnight and the last lap of the Senior TT was his best ever. The pit crew have all worked well to get Steve out on a well-prepared bike each time and the re-fuelling stops have all gone to plan. We have come away from the 2007 TT races with three top ten results and a 15th from the four races and can now move on to the next race at Mondello next weekend.” It is a quick turn around for the team who have just a few days to prepare the Yamaha R1 for short circuit racing at Mondello Park where Steve will be racing in the sixth round of the 2007 Bennetts British Superbike championship on June 17. More, from a press release issued by Honda: Isle of Man Centenary TT Festival. Senior TT June 8, 2007. Weather: Sunny. Temperature: 22 degrees. Crowd: 50,000. John McGuinness and Honda Fireblade complete magic double with Senior TT victory John McGuinness provided a scorching climax to the Isle of Man Centenary TT Festival as he won the prestigious Senior race at record breaking pace for Honda as the Japanese marque repeated their 1-2-3 finish of the opening Superbike race. Riding the HM Plant liveried Honda Fireblade McGuinness was 30 plus seconds ahead of Hydrex Honda rider Guy Martin at the finish with Ian Hutchinson third for HM Plant Honda. Lancastrian McGuinness had ridden brilliantly around the 37.73 mile Mountain Course, setting a furious pace from the off as he blasted his HM Plant Honda into the opening lap, increasing his own outright record in the process, although there was better to come from him with an astonishing second lap at an average speed of 130.354mph. Making that all the more incredible was that McGuinness had to ease off somewhat, as he slowed down to pit, and take on fuel and have a rear wheel change. He was running rampant, rejoining the action and increasing his lead, mile by mile, as he shrugged aside the challenge of Guy Martin with Ian Hutchinson running a, by now, distant third. McGuinness confirmed his mastery of the Mountain, opening up his advantage mile by mile on his high-speed dash around the Island, to take the victory by 32.73 seconds from Martin who had been slowed a little in the final third by the drive chain jumping on the sprocket. “Absolutely unbelievable. To beat the 130mph mark is just fantastic. It’s just amazing. The bike was perfect throughout and I gave it everything all of the way. I was trying really hard, and I had a great team around me, and they delivered the goods with the pit-stops,” enthused McGuinness who had won, and elevated the outright record a century from the pioneering first Senior race victory taken by Charlie Collier at a more leisurely 38.22mph. “People say to me, you’ve got the best bike, but you have still got to ride it and get the best out of it. I really enjoyed the race and I am so proud to have won this special race. It’s been great. The Superbike race win meant a lot, this one even more,” add the race winner. “When I was an apprentice bricklayer I never thought that I would be racing here, let alone being here to win 13 races. It is just an incredible feeling – the job’s a good one.” McGuinness however is considering his future in the event. “I might just hang up my leathers – I’ve got the same feeling that I had last year after winning these two races. What else do I have to prove? “I’ve been coming here eleven times but enjoy riding the course. We’ll just have to see but I am thinking about not coming back – I’ve ridden my heart out all week, finishing in the top three in all races.” He had capped a remarkable week, in which he had also taken second placings in both the Supersport and Superstock events. Martin, a distant second, vowed for better things next year, as he finished well clear of Hutchinson, aboard the second HM Plant Honda and Stobart Honda rider Ian Lougher. Martin said: “I learned a lot from the first race this week and I was able to hold my own. On the fourth lap the chain was jumping the sprocket a little and I thought it would be better when I changed wheels at the end of the lap. Unfortunately the chain had stretched too much. After that I concentrated on getting my braking points and gear changes correct. Anyway its been a good week and I have to thank my team for that. I’m probably not ready to win a TT yet. I have a great respect for John McGuinness and for my team.” Ian Hutchinson completed a successful TT with another fine podium place in the Senior race. He said: “I’m pleased to have finished on the podium in every race. I’ve struggled a bit with the Superbike I’d like to thank Honda and the team for giving me the opportunity to race some special bikes and it’s great we achieved another Honda 1-2-3. I am very pleased to have been part of this Centenary TT festival.” Adrian Archibald finished fifth giving the Relentless Suzuki team some reward, as their other rider Bruce Anstey had pitted after the first lap complaining of handling problems. Local rider Conor Cummins, riding Yamaha, took sixth place, ahead of top newcomer Steve Plater. Michael Rutter, Ian Armstrong and James McBride completed the top ten. The race was marred by an incident on the final lap at Joeys, on the Mountain section in which a rider and two other people received fatal injuries. The race organisers will not provide any other details until all next of kin have been informed. NB: Official results to follow Editorial update: The rider killed in the Senior TT incident was Marc Ramsbotham, 34. The two other people killed were spectators, according to a BBC report. Two other race officials were also injured in the crash and taken to Noble’s Hospital. An investigation into the incident has been launched. More, from a press release issued by No joy for Finnegan during Senior TT. Martin Finnegan and his Alpha Boilers Honda team didn’t get the result they had hoped for from the TT Centenary Senior race as Finnegan suffered an engine problem just ten miles into the race. “We had an engine failure ten miles out and we were only 1.8secs down when the engine went so that was not so good,” lamented Finnegan. He stopped at Ballig Bridge and had to get back to the paddock which was fun and games, “I had to cross under the bridge and through the river to get back across at Ballig Bridge. I got back up and some of the guys came and picked me up so I got back and had a chat with the guys,” he explained. Now that the racing is over Finnegan is determined to relax, “I’m now having my first beer of the fortnight; we are going to relax and have a night out which is something we haven’t had as it has been so busy. I’ll have a rest tonight.” Although the results have not been what Finnegan had wanted he has enjoyed the TT as an event, “It has been really good and well organised, they have put a lot of effort in and it has been good racing. I’ve enjoyed it,” he concluded. With the TT over Finnegan will now concentrate on some other road races, “I’m back home for the Skerries and then Klaffim, Christian and I will do the Southern 100 in a couple of weeks,” he said.

2007 FIM MotoGP World Championship Catalunya, Spain June 8, 2007 Free Practice Two Best Trap Speeds: Casey Stoner (Ducati), 200.0 mph Alex Barros (Ducati), 198.2 mph Loris Capirossi (Ducati), 198.0 mph Nicky Hayden (Honda), 197.1 mph Dani Pedrosa (Honda), 197.0 mph Alex Hofmann (Ducati), 197.0 mph Randy De Puniet (Kawasaki), 196.4 mph Olivier Jacque (Kawasaki), 196.3 mph Marco Melandri (Honda), 195.0 mph John Hopkins (Suzuki), 193.9 mph Valentino Rossi (Yamaha), 193.3 mph Chris Vermeulen (Suzuki), 192.6 mph Sylvain Guintoli (Yamaha), 192.6 mph Shinya Nakano (Honda), 192.6 mph Toni Elias (Honda), 192.2 mph Colin Edwards (Yamaha), 192.1 mph Kenny Lee Roberts (KR-Honda), 191.3 mph Makoto Tamada (Yamaha), 190.9 mph Carlos Checa (Honda), 190.8 mph Kurtis Roberts (KR-Honda), 189.3 mph

2007 FIM 250cc GP World Championship Catalunya, Spain June 8, 2007 Provisional Qualifying Results: 1. Jorge LORENZO (Aprilia), 1:45.913 2. Hector BARBERA (Aprilia), 1:46.013 3. Andrea DOVIZIOSO (Honda), 1:46.201 4. Alvaro BAUTISTA (Aprilia), 1:46.436 5. Alex DE ANGELIS (Aprilia), 1:46.448 6. Mika KALLIO (KTM), 1:46.629 7. Shuhei AOYAMA (Honda), 1:47.057 8. Thomas LUTHI (Aprilia), 1:47.227 9. Marco SIMONCELLI (Gilera), 1:47.339 10. Hiroshi AOYAMA (KTM), 1:47.508

2007 FIM MotoGP World Championship Catalunya, Spain June 8, 2007 Free Practice Two Results: 1. Valentino ROSSI (Yamaha), Michelin, 1:43.313 2. John HOPKINS (Suzuki), Bridgestone, 1:43.389 3. Dani PEDROSA (Honda), Michelin, 1:43.391 4. Toni ELIAS (Honda), Bridgestone, 1:43.592 5. Casey STONER (Ducati), Bridgestone, 1:43.683 6. Chris VERMEULEN (Suzuki), Bridgestone, 1:43.713 7. Marco MELANDRI (Honda), Bridgestone, 1:43.811 8. Alex BARROS (Ducati), Bridgestone, 1:43.857 9. Colin EDWARDS (Yamaha), Michelin, 1:43.865 10. Shinya NAKANO (Honda), Michelin, 1:44.003 11. Randy DE PUNIET (Kawasaki), Bridgestone, 1:44.141 12. Nicky HAYDEN (Honda), Michelin, 1:44.267 13. Carlos CHECA (Honda), Michelin, 1:44.303 14. Loris CAPIROSSI (Ducati), Bridgestone, 1:44.426 15. Olivier JACQUE (Kawasaki), Bridgestone, 1:44.466 16. Sylvain GUINTOLI (Yamaha), Dunlop, 1:44.665 17. Makoto TAMADA (Yamaha), Dunlop, 1:44.743 18. Alex HOFMANN (Ducati), Bridgestone, 1:44.880 19. Kenny Lee ROBERTS (KR-Honda), Michelin, 1:45.284 20. Kurtis ROBERTS (KR-Honda), Michelin, 1:46.153 Combined Practice Results: 1. PEDROSA, 1:43.099 2. ROSSI, 1:43.313 3. HOPKINS, 1:43.389 4. STONER, 1:43.543 5. ELIAS, 1:43.551 6. CAPIROSSI, 1:43.631 7. VERMEULEN, 1:43.713 8. EDWARDS, 1:43.768 9. MELANDRI, 1:43.811 10. BARROS, 1:43.857 11. CHECA, 1:43.866 12. NAKANO, 1:44.003 13. DE PUNIET, 1:44.141 14. HAYDEN, 1:44.267 15. JACQUE, 1:44.466 16. HOFMANN, 1:44.528 17. GUINTOLI, 1:44.665 18. TAMADA, 1:44.743 19. Kenny Lee ROBERTS, 1:45.284 20. Kurtis ROBERTS, 1:45.871 More, from a press release issued by Konica Minolta Honda: KONICA MINOLTA Honda makes steady start at Catalunya Less than a week after their home Grand Prix of Mugello, the KONICA MINOLTA Honda Team has already begun practice for this weekend’s Catalan GP at the Montmeló circuit. Shinya Nakano made steady progress today as he and the KONICA MINOLTA Honda Team aimed to improve the set-up of their Honda RC212V MotoGP machine around the 2.9mile circuit. After the Mugello weekend, which was hit by changeable weather, it seems that this weekend’s outlook is a much drier and sunnier one, giving Nakano much-needed dry set-up time on his 800cc MotoGP bike. Gianluca Montiron Team Manager KONICA MINOLTA Honda “We made some improvements today to the machine to try and help reduce the chatter that Shinya has been experiencing from the front-end of the Honda machine. Tomorrow will be very important as we will be making some big changes to our number two bike to see if we can find a different solution to make the bike better for Shinya so he can get a good rhythm with the machine and make some fast, consecutive laps. The weather conditions are looking to be much better than both Le Mans and Mugello, so that means we want to take advantage of all the dry time we can to make these radical changes and evaluate them. We want to eliminate the chatter from the front-end of the bike and get the machine turning as Shinya would like, but I think we will also see Shinya making some changes to his riding style to accommodate the new 800cc machine, as many other riders have had to do. We will be working at our maximum to ensure we catch-up with the top group of riders.” Shinya Nakano Rider, KONICA MINOLTA Honda (53 laps 1′ 44.003″ ) “Today we started with our Mugello settings but both during this morning and the early part of the afternoon session we actually had more chattering than before, so it was not so easy to do a good lap time. Later on we tried some different settings including some changes to the front of the bike and we found we had less chattering from the front-end, which was a big improvement. We still have some work to do, as I still want the bike to turn quicker and to get a good lap time I have to push quite hard. We will try some different geometry settings for tomorrow as Giulio, the Team engineer, has some ideas we can try. It looks like we should have plenty of dry time as it’s very hot weather here compared to Mugello, perhaps a bit too hot for me!” Giulio Bernardelle Technical Director, KONICA MINOLTA Honda “Today basically we worked to reduce chatter problem that we had in the race at Mugello. The situation was better today, mainly in the afternoon. The issue we now need to look at is that for Shinya it’s not possible to make quick, consecutive laps. He can do it for just a few laps only, as if he’s doing a timed attack at the end of qualifying, so we need to make some changes tomorrow to help him make 20 fast consecutive laps. Shinya still says he wants the bike to turn quicker, so again we will look at this. Our situation with tyres is quite clear at the moment with the weather being as it is, so we will try to test some different settings to try and improve the bike still further for Shinya.” More, from a press release issued by Bridgestone: Bridgestone begins Catalan challenge in sweltering Spanish heat Round 07 – Catalunya – Free Practice Circuit de Catalunya, Montmeló, Spain Friday 8 June 2007 Five days since the last race of this MotoGP championship drew to a close in Mugello, preparations today got underway at the Circuit de Catalunya in Spain for this weekend’s Catalan GP. Bridgestone’s five teams undertook the usual Friday workload of bike set-up and initial tyre evaluation with seven riders on Bridgestone tyres ending the day in the top ten of the combined practice sessions. Suzuki’s John Hopkins, who took his joint best result of the season at Catalunya last season, laid down his intentions by setting his fastest lap on his final run of the afternoon to claim the third best time of the day overall just fractionally behind Dani Pedrosa and Valentino Rossi. Behind Hopkins on the combined timings were championship leader Casey Stoner, local hero Toni Elias for Honda Gresini and Ducati’s Loris Capirossi all three of whom posted their quickest times in the morning practice hour. French GP winner Chris Vermeulen set an encouraging seventh best time of the day while Marco Melandri and Alex Barros rounded out the top ten for Honda Gresini and Pramac d’Antin respectively, Brazilian Barros fresh from his podium scoring charge in Mugello last weekend. Weather conditions were exceptionally hot in this afternoon’s practice session with the ambient temperature reaching 33°C and track temperature a further ten degrees higher. Tyre Talk with Junichi Kawajiri Bridgestone Motorsport Manager, Motorcycle Race Tyre Development Did Bridgestone enjoy a positive first day in Catalunya? “We had a trouble-free first day and worked mainly on checking the compound direction for this demanding circuit in very hot conditions this afternoon. I believe we have found a good direction, but there is important work to carry out tomorrow, specifically with long run tests on our tyres. Tyre longevity and consistency will be very important this weekend and this is the area where we must focus our attention.” What specific challenges do tyre manufacturers face at the Circuit de Catalunya? “The proportion of the lap for which the riders are on the right-hand side of the tyre causes a lot of heat in the tyre and produces one of the highest temperatures of the season. This is a really important factor to consider, especially with the high track temperatures also. For this reason, we have produced a range of hard compound tyres for our riders this weekend. Some of our riders were able to carry out a mid-long run this afternoon, but considering the importance of tyre durability, we will conduct some race length runs tomorrow morning.” Bridgestone Combined Free Practice Session Results Pos Rider Team Session 1 (pos) Session 2 (pos) Gap P3 John Hopkins Suzuki 1m43.605s (4) 1m43.389s (2) +0.290s P4 Casey Stoner Ducati 1m43.543s (2) 1m43.683s (5) +0.444s P5 Toni Elias Honda Gresini 1m43.551s (3) 1m43.592s (4) +0.452s P6 Loris Capirossi Ducati 1m43.631s (5) 1m44.426s (14) +0.532s P7 Chris Vermeulen Suzuki 1m44.037s (11) 1m43.713s (6) +0.614s P9 Marco Melandri Honda Gresini 1m43.816s (8) 1m43.811s (7) +0.712s P10 Alex Barros Pramac d’Antin 1m44.011s (10) 1m43.857s (8) +0.758s P13 Randy de Puniet Kawasaki 1m44.436s (12) 1m44.141s (11) +1.042s P15 Olivier Jacque Kawasaki 1m44.742s (15) 1m44.466s (15) +1.367s P16 Alex Hofmann Pramac d’Antin 1m44.528s (13) 1m44.880s (18) +1.429s Weather: Dry track – Air 21°C, Track 27°C, Humidity 32% (Session 1) Dry track Air 33°C, Track 43°C, Humidity 12% (Session 2) More, from a press release issued by Dorna Communications: Pedrosa turns the heat up on first day at Catalunya Gran Premi Cinzano de Catalunya – Friday 7th June Report Day 1 Dani Pedrosa takes early advantage motogp High temperatures and almost perfect riding conditions gave the Gran Premi Cinzano de Catalunya an ideal start, with the riders taking to the track for the first time this weekend to get to grips with the Spanish circuit. An early morning lap by Dani Pedrosa at his home track saw the Spanish rider topping the timesheets at the end of day one, clocking a time of 1’43.099 on his Honda RC212V. Two crashes last year for the Spaniard meant that he was not in contention for the victory in Barcelona, and Pedrosa once again hit the ground in the afternoon session as he looked to improve on his time. Valentino Rossi, riding at one of his favourite tracks, was the afternoon’s quickest rider, but unable to beat the marker laid down by young pretender Pedrosa. ‘The Doctor’ was just over two tenths of a second slower than the 21 year old, with today’s times over a second off previous 990cc pace. Rossi’s 2006 pole record looks to be safe for the time being, although this will mean little to the Italian as he works for pole position number four of 2007. Under three tenths of a second slower than Pedrosa’s time, John Hopkins was third fastest onboard the Suzuki GSV-R800. Hopkins was caught up in the first corner multiple crash last year, and has the potential to go well at Catalunya following on from a fine opening third of the season. He headed World Championship leader Casey Stoner, local rider Toni Elias and Ducati veteran Loris Capirossi in a top six consisting of only two riders who improved on their morning times. Chris Vermeulen, Colin Edwards, Marco Melandri and Carlos Checa completed the top ten on day one, with qualifying tomorrow sure to throw up a few surprises at one of the most exciting tracks on the MotoGP calendar. 250cc Answering back in the best possible style after his controversial Mugello collision with Alvaro Bautista, 250cc World Champion Jorge Lorenzo took provisional pole for Sunday’s race at his home track with a 1’45.913 lap of the Circuit de Catalunya. The hot lap was faster than the previous pole record, set by Dani Pedrosa in 2005, and was just a tenth of a second faster than that of Lorenzo’s arch rival and former team-mate Hector Barbera. Last year’s 250cc race winner Andrea Dovizioso took a provisional front row alongside 125cc victor Bautista. As at Mugello one week ago, the Aspar team riders were almost inseparable, with Alex de Angelis just behind the 2006 125cc World Champion and ahead of Mika Kallio, Shuhei Aoyama and Thomas Luthi. Amongst the riders to crash today, the remaining two riders in the top ten had a coming together towards the end of the session with Marco Simoncelli and Hiroshi Aoyama colliding. The Barcelona-based Japanese rider ran off into the gravel and suffered no injury in the incident. 125cc A 1’51.119 lap was enough to put Lukas Pesek on provisional pole for Sunday’s 125cc race at the Circuit de Catalunya. The Czech rider, who relinquished his lead of the category last week after failing to finish the Italian race, was just over five hundredths of a second ahead of the morning’s fastest rider, Mattia Pasini. Today was a welcome chance for the riders to go round on a completely dry track, after their drenched Italian sojourn to Mugello. Behind Pesek and Pasini, Italian rider Raffaele de Rosa showed no ill-effects of his crash just 5 days ago to clock the third quickest time of the afternoon session. Home team Bancaja Aspar had their three 125cc riders rounding off the top six, headed by their only non-Spaniard Gabor Talmacsi. The Hungarian, championship leader Hector Faubel and Le Mans race winner Sergio Gadea were separated by little more than a tenth of a second as they look to pick up race pace for Sunday. British rider Bradley Smith, who knows the circuit well due to his experience in the Spanish championship, last year’s race and numerous preseason tests, had a late push in the session to take a provisional seventh, ahead of Sandro Cortese and home duo Nico Terol and Pablo Nieto. Cortese crashed in the closing moments, and Pasini also took a light tumble. More, from a press release issued by Rizla Suzuki: Rizla Suzuki MotoGP on the pace in Catalunya Rizla Suzuki MotoGP racers John Hopkins and Chris Vermeulen recorded the third and seventh fastest times respectively in today’s free practice sessions for the Catalan Grand Prix near Barcelona this weekend. Both riders were on the pace early on with Hopkins (1’43.389, 55 laps) heading the leaderboard for a large amount of the morning session, before finishing in fourth place overall. He was also the busiest rider of the day completing a total of 55 laps of the 4.7km circuit. Hopkins was able to start testing the best combination of Bridgestone race tyres right from the start today, as the set-up of his GSV-R was dialled in close to perfection for the Montmelo circuit right from the beginning. Vermeulen (1’43.713, 53 laps) produced a very solid and impressive run during the afternoon session. He completed nine laps, which was one of the consistently fastest runs of the day, as his times improved and he moved up the classification. He also used his time on track to the full to test the Bridgestone race tyres in readiness for Sunday’s race. Today’s practice was held in very warm and sunny conditions with track surface temperatures reaching 54°C this afternoon. Today’s best time was set by local hero Dani Pedrosa on his works Honda. Rizla Suzuki MotoGP has one more practice session tomorrow morning, followed by an hour of qualifying in the afternoon. Sunday’s 25-lap race gets underway at 14.00hrs local time (12.00hrs GMT). John Hopkins: “It felt really good here today straight from the start. This is a track I really enjoy and have a lot of fun riding around here. As with every race so far this year the Suzuki and the Bridgestone tyres are working very well and Stuart has done a great job to set the bike up from the start, so I am fortunate enough to go out and be able to work on getting the right tyres for the race. We have made a couple of minor setting changes, but not much so we have been able to spend as much time on the track as possible. We’ve got a couple of things to try tomorrow and I’m sure we can improve on our times a bit and make sure we are in the best condition possible to get a good result on Sunday.” Chris Vermeulen: “It is great to come back here, as this is a track I enjoy and I had a good result here last year. All day we have made progress with the bike, the tyres and the settings. The bike feels really comfortable and I did quite a long run this afternoon and set my best time with a front tyre that had done more than race distance and the grip still felt good! We have a couple of areas to improve on, but the guys are working hard on those and I’m sure come tomorrow we’ll go even faster!” Paul Denning Team Manager: “It has been a great day’s work today by the riders and their crews. The track was very hot this afternoon which possibly reduced the grip for everyone, but we managed to get in a lot of fast laps despite the conditions. It’s nice to be at yet another race-track where the GSV-R appears to be immediately competitive. It makes everyone’s job a lot easier when you are looking for tenths of a second rather than bigger gaps. “Some of our competitors are really flying and we know it’s not easy in this arena, but as ever we’ll be in the fight and looking for the best results over the weekend!” More, from a press release issued by Marlboro Ducati: DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM RIDERS ON THE PACE Ducati Marlboro Team riders Casey Stoner and Loris Capirossi completed day one of the Catalan Grand Prix very much on the pace, with fourth and sixth fastest times at the challenging Catalunya circuit. In hot, sunny conditions the pair were just 0.4 and 0.5 seconds off the quickest times and can look forward to another day of good weather – in vivid contrast to last weekend’s rain-lashed Italian GP practice sessions – in which to get the best out of the Desmosedici GP7 and its ever-improving Bridgestone tyres for Sunday’s race. CASEY STONER, 4th fastest, 1m 43.543s “It’s a similar situation to what we were in at Mugello – we are fast enough but we’ve not got that little bit extra at the moment. This morning we weren’t too bad but this afternoon we seemed to have gone in the wrong direction. We tested a lot of things – different front tyres, different rear tyres, different chassis set-ups, links and so on – and basically I think we made it a little too confusing, so we need to go back to what we had and then go off in a different direction. Same as every weekend we’re looking for more traction and more turning in the long corners. We still need to improve the bike but the tyres aren’t so bad and we’ve not been through the whole range yet, we’ve still got a couple more rears to try tomorrow.” LORIS CAPIROSSI, 6th fastest, 1m 43.631s “This afternoon didn’t go as well as this morning because the tyres that were available for the second session weren’t as good as those we used in the first session. With the new tyre rules we don’t always have enough of the better tyres to use in all sessions, so we had to use another tyre, that’s why we weren’t so fast this afternoon. Anyway, at least we know that we already have a good tyre for this track, and we still have one more to try tomorrow. I am using the standard spec engine here. Mostly we have been working mostly on the chassis, with promising results. I’m not so happy with my lap times or my position but I think we can look forward to improving tomorrow.” More, from a press release issued by Fiat Yamaha: ROSSI SECOND AFTER SCORCHING OPENING DAY IN SPAIN Fiat Yamaha Team rider Valentino Rossi rounded off the first day of the Grand Prix of Catalunya in positive fashion today, setting the second fastest time of the day on his penultimate lap as temperatures climbed into the thirties at Montmelo. Fresh from a spectacular victory at his home-race in Italy last Sunday, Rossi and his team arrived here on a high and wasted no time in getting down to business this morning as they seek their first back-to-back set of victories since their Mugello-Barcelona double last year. Team-mate Colin Edwards finished the day slightly further down the order in eighth, one of many riders who did not better their time from the morning session. After a difficult weekend in Mugello however, when he failed to find a comfortable bike set-up all weekend, the Texan is feeling much more positive about this race. The team still have some work to do tomorrow but Edwards is confident of further improvements and a return to the strong qualifying form he has shown at most races so far this season. Rossi’s lap of 1’43.313 was good enough to top the time sheets in this afternoon’s second free practice session but the overall number one spot today went to Dani Pedrosa, who set a lap of 1’43.099 in this morning’s cooler session. With twelve riders inside a second today tomorrow’s hour-long qualifying session looks like being a close one when the action kicks off at 1345 local time. Valentino Rossi Position: 2nd Time: 1’43.313 Laps: 53 “We’ve made a good start to the weekend and my bike is already going very well. This morning was okay but then this afternoon especially we made a lot of steps forward with the tyres and with the setting. We’ve got a few different options for our tyre choice and we seem to have good grip in the long corners, which is very important at this track. Now tomorrow we will continue with our work and make a final decision about tyres. I found a strong rhythm straight away today and this afternoon I put in a consistent run of laps – almost a half-race distance – and things are already feeling good for Sunday. We still have some improvements to make with the setting and hopefully with a few modifications we’ll be going even better tomorrow. However it’s a long race and if it’s as hot as this then it’s going to be a battle of physical strength for everyone!” Colin Edwards Position: 8th Time: 1’43.768 Laps: 50 “My position doesn’t really show it but actually we’re not in bad shape today, considering where we were this time a week ago in Italy! We’re missing a bit of traction but we’ve got some ideas to work on overnight and tomorrow which will hopefully help us in this department. Our forte is entry and corner speed so we’ll work on honing those for this track and hopefully that will give us an advantage. As for tyres, nothing’s really jumping out at us today but we’ve got three or four that feel okay so with some more laps we should be in a better position to make a decision for Sunday. Anyway I’m feeling a lot happier here than I was in Mugello and with any luck we can be back in fine form for qualifying tomorrow.” Davide Brivio Fiat Yamaha Team Director “We’ve made a very good start with Valentino and it seems he’s in good shape already. Luckily the weather is better here and so we were able to do a good day’s testing and get some helpful information regarding tyres. Tomorrow we will look to fine-tune the setting and make our final tyre choice, but we’re already at a good level. Colin is a bit further back but the times are very close and we have some good ideas about what’s needed tomorrow to bring him even closer to the top.” More, from a press releass issued by Kawasaki Racing Team: SWOLLEN JOINTS AND SUNSHINE AS KAWASAKI HIT CATALUNYA A hot, Spanish sun shone on Kawasaki today as the Gran Premi Cinzano de Catalunya got off to a promising start for the team. Both Randy de Puniet and Olivier Jacque put in plenty of fast laps around the 4.727km track, near Barcelona and, by the end of practice, only 1.5 seconds separated the top 16 riders. Randy, sporting a football-sized knee which swelled up after his crash at Mugello last weekend, notched up a total of 48 laps on his 800cc Ninja ZX-RR over the two practice sessions. On a mission to prove himself after disappointing results in France and Italy, the 26-year-old came 13th in the field, on combined times, with an overall best of 1’44.141. He showed particular strength in T3, being the third fastest rider through that sector, behind Vermeulen and Hopkins and just ahead of Rossi. Topping out at an eye-watering 315.974 km/h, de Puniet’s practice time puts him just ahead of current world champion, Nicky Hayden, on the timesheet. Randy’s fellow countryman and teammate, Olivier Jacque, managed 15th place after the combined sessions with a best time of 1’44.466, just 1.367 seconds off the pace set by leading man, Dani Pedrosa. The arm he damaged in Shanghai is improving all the time and the former 250cc world champion is feeling more optimistic than at last weekend’s Italian MotoGP at which, despite struggling with pain, he succeeded in finishing. With the circuit at Montmelo, near Barcelona, being notoriously bumpy, Kawasaki’s racers and pit crews will be making careful choices of their Bridgestone tyres and further concentrating on a good suspension set up to get the most from the improved ZX-RR machines. With the third and final practice session tomorrow morning, and qualifying in the afternoon, the Kawasaki Racing Team will be pushing to further their position in the championship, with Randy hoping for a qualifying spot higher than the 10th position he achieved on the grid last year. And with so little time separating the leading riders, the chances are high both men can show what they, and their bikes, can do. Randy De Puniet 13th – 48 Laps – Best Lap 1’44.141 “After the crash at Mugello, I thought my knee would be fine by now but, unfortunately, it got worse and I suffered an internal haemorrhage. The joint doubled in size and, even though it’s a little better now, Spidi has had to make me a new leather suit with a knee joint 10cm wider than usual! It wasn’t painful until I got on the bike but I’m sure as soon as the swelling goes down, so will the pain. I just need to rest a little now. This morning the track conditions weren’t perfect, and we suffered a lack of rear grip, but we improved it after experimenting with both front and rear race tyres in the afternoon. There isn’t a big time gap with respect to the guys at the front and I’m sure we can still improve tomorrow.” Olivier Jacque 15th 46 Laps Best Lap 1’44.466 “Today I felt, physically, much better than in Mugello. I have almost all the arm’s strength back which allows me to be more precise when I’m riding. Now I can set the bike up to race rather than trying to compensate for any handicap. This morning, we struggled with rear grip and I couldn’t keep up speed in the long and fast curves. We adjusted the balance of the bike and, with better track conditions as well, it improved a lot in the afternoon. We also tried a couple of front and rear race tyres and are already pretty sure about the choice we’ll make for Sunday. Maybe my position doesn’t reflect it but we’re on a good course.” Naoya Kaneko Kawasaki Technical Manager “After Randy’s crash at Mugello, his knee is still unbelievably swollen but he tried really hard today to set the bike up well. Also, Olivier is still not 100%, although his forearm injury is getting better every day. At the moment, we are in 13th and 15th positions but the lap times are really close across the board, with the first 16 riders all within 1.5 seconds of each other. We need to improve the set up of the bikes and have already pinpointed a couple of areas to work on, mainly for the high-speed section. The third and last corners are really important and tomorrow we’ll keep working on adjusting the balance to make the Ninja ZX-RR more effective there. And the tyre durability is really important in Montmeló as well. We aren’t aiming for any particular positions for our riders but we do expect them to go step by step and do their best, as they always do.”

2007 FIM 125cc GP World Championship Catalunya, Spain June 8, 2007 Provisional Qualifying Results: 1. Lukas PESEK (Derbi), 1:51.119 2. Mattia PASINI (Aprilia), 1:51.170 3. Raffaele DE ROSA (Aprilia), 1:51.315 4. Gabor TALMACSI (Aprilia), 1:51.380 5. Hector FAUBEL (Aprilia), 1:51.395 6. Sergio GADEA (Aprilia), 1:51.493 7. Bradley SMITH (Honda), 1:51.970 8. Sandro CORTESE (Aprilia), 1:52.031 9. Nicolas TEROL (Derbi), 1:52.135 10. Pablo NIETO (Aprilia), 1:52.233 31. Steve BONSEY (KTM), 1:54.756

Red Bull Motogp Rookies Cup Round added to the calendar The Red Bull Motogp Rookies Cup, held during some events of the 2007 Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix, will count one more event, on September 9 on the Hungaroring (circuit subject to homologation). This competition is run according to the Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix Sporting Regulations (age of riders: from 13 to 16 years) and Technical Regulations (for the 125cc class). Dates Circuit March 25 Jerez de la Frontera * June 3 Mugello * June 24 Donington Park June 30 Assen July 15 Sachsenring August 19 Brno September 9 Hungaroring November 4 Ricardo Tormo Valencia *: already run

While in East Central Wisconsin for Round 5 of the AMA Superbike Series event at Road America, Team Owner Kevin Hanson and Riders Scotty Ryan and Bobby Fong took the opportunity to visit elementary schools in the surrounding communities of Chilton, New Holstein and Elkhart Lake to speak to K-8th grade students about the importance of wearing a helmet and bicycle safety. The presentations were extremely well received by over 1,100 students, teachers and school administration that were in attendance. Carlos Kreibich, Assistant Principal for the Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah Middle School commented “Your presentation was wonderful. I was impressed with how it held the student’s attention and the message was so appropriate with summer coming up. The students talked about wearing helmets and their ABC checks later. I have even begun to wear a helmet! Keep making a difference in young people’s lives. You are a very positive person!” Sue Reineking, Second grade teacher at Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah Middle School stated “The second graders loved seeing you and the motorcycle. The presentation was enthusiastic and worth while. The children knew the pre-ride points the next morning. Bringing in a race suit, crashed helmets, bullet proof vest and bicycle was a good idea.” Chilton Elementary School Principal Rich Apple found the presentation very applicable. “The kids were very enthused and I think the message really sunk in. Mr. Hanson and the team are welcome back at any time!” A good number of students came out to the track at Road America during the race weekend and made it a point to stop by the Safety First Suzuki race transporter. One group even hand-delivered a package of thank you notes from the students. Kevin Hanson, Police Officer and Team Owner of Safety First Suzuki has made it his mission to educate children nationwide the importance of wearing a helmet and proper safety gear to prevent the numerous tragedies and injuries that he witnessed as a patrol officer. As a result, he has committed to 100 ‘Safety First” presentations nationwide and is well on his way of personally reaching over 25,000 children this year. Safety First Racing was formed in 2004 by police officer/racer, Kevin Hanson, based out of Chicago, IL. For 2007, Safety First Suzuki will be competing in the AMA Superbike series in the Supersport and Formula Xtreme classes. Checkout www.SAFETYFIRSTRACING.com to see the Safety First Suzuki line of apparel and casual wear. Kevin Hanson continues to educate elementary school aged children nationwide about the importance of helmet usage.