Valencia Grand Prix Valencia, Spain 27, 28, 29 October 2006 One of the most exciting seasons in the history of the MotoGP World Championship reaches an intense climax next weekend as Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden (Honda) go head-to-head for the title in a final-round shootout at Valencia. The amphitheatre-style surroundings of the Ricardo Tormo circuit on the outskirts of the Spanish city provide the perfect stage for the ultimate instalment of a 17-round epic that began on the Iberian peninsular in less than perfect fashion for Camel Yamaha rider Rossi nine months ago. Since being knocked from his bike in the first corner of the first race at Jerez, the Italian has been through virtually every emotion known to a motorcycle racer. A dramatically unpredictable season of twists and turns has seen Rossi visit the gravel traps, the hospital and the top step of the podium in almost equal measures, with technical problems also robbing him of vital points in the first half of the season. However, since finding himself a massive 51 points behind Hayden after round eleven at Laguna Seca, the five-time World Champion has shown his true colours with a string of five consecutive podium finishes. His latest, second place in the Grand Prix of Portugal at Estoril, coupled with a crash for Hayden, finally lifted him above the American to the top of the standings for the first time this season and opened up an eight-point gap between the pair with one round to go. It means that for the first time in fourteen seasons the destiny of the MotoGP World Championship will be decided in the final round, with the drama set to unfold in front of a sell-out crowd in excess of 120,000 people in the firecracker atmosphere of Cheste. Colin Edwards will once again be looking to play the role of good team-mate after his star performance at Estoril just over a week ago. The Texan was back to his best form in Portugal, qualifying second on the grid and providing a crucial helping hand to Rossi in the early stages of the race only to narrowly miss out on his second rostrum of the season as he took fourth place at the line. This weekend Edwards’ clear objective is to go at least one position better and make sure he is celebrating alongside Rossi on Sunday evening. VALENTINO ROSSI: MY ONE CHANCE Valentino Rossi travels to Spain this week knowing that he cannot afford to let this incredible opportunity slip after admitting that a fifth title defence was effectively out of his hands just five rounds ago. Hayden’s well-publicised misfortune in Portugal has perhaps overshadowed the fact that it is Rossi’s own form a run of nine top-three finishes from the last eleven races that has propelled him to the top of the standings and fulfilled his target of arriving at the final round with a sixth consecutive premier-class title in sight. “Things went very well for us in Estoril – we’ve achieved our goal of coming here still fighting for the championship and for this I have to thank everyone in the team so much,” says Rossi. “Each person has worked at 100% to bring us back to this position and now we’re all very excited about this final race. Of course it’s not going to be like other times, when I have won the championship with some races to spare and less pressure. Now I only have one chance. It’s a big pressure for everyone but it’s great for the show. “Valencia isn’t one of my best tracks and we also know that Hayden is really strong there, so it’s definitely not going to be easy. On the other hand we know that the M1 works quite well there and in the race last year it was very good in the second half of the race especially. If we can start from the front then I think we can try for the win, but whatever happens it’s going to be a really exciting race. Hopefully Colin and I can be at the front together like in Estoril and we’ll just see what we can do!” COLIN EDWARDS: A TEAM PLAYER Colin Edwards says his number one aim this weekend is to help out his great friend and team-mate Valentino Rossi in his quest to win the title. The best way to do that, of course, is for the Texan to keep his excellent form going and continue with the recent progress the pair have made with the set-up of their YZR-M1 machines. Edwards’ attitude is a reflection of a tight team ethic at Camel Yamaha and it is something he hopes will pay dividends when the chequered flag greets the 2006 MotoGP World Champion on Sunday. “I’m pretty excited about the last race of the season, it’s going to be pretty close I reckon,” says Edwards. “Estoril worked out well for the team and I was able to help Valentino out, which was the number one aim. Obviously I was disappointed not to be on the podium but my bike worked great and I think that we’re in good shape to do it all again at Valencia. “I’ve raced at Valencia for years so I know it really well and I know I am quite fast there. Like in Estoril, the aim is going to be to get on the front row alongside Valentino and then just to help him out in the race as much as possible. Of course this time out I want to be on the podium too, a Yamaha one-two would be the perfect end to the season!” DAVIDE BRIVIO: THE FINAL PUSH For Camel Yamaha Team Director Davide Brivio the Grand Prix of Portugal epitomised the togetherness and spirit shown by his riders and staff since bouncing back from the brink of failure midway through the season. With just one round remaining the Italian is asking for one final, definitive push before a well-earned break and the start of the new 800cc era in 2007. “Since the summer break we have just taken the races one-by-one, working our hardest and keeping our focus, and the results have been excellent,” reflects Brivio. “Our objective from Brno onwards was to keep fighting until the end of the season and try to get to the last round with a mathematical chance of winning the title. After Portugal that mathematical chance is a lot stronger than we expected but it is not over yet and, as we all know from our experience this season, anything can still happen. “It looks like being another dramatic weekend but from our point of view the objective is just the same as it has been for the last five or six races to keep our heads down, work hard and stay focused on the job of giving our riders the best possible package for Sunday. If we can do that then I’m sure Valentino and Colin will do their part too, and hopefully we can celebrate together on Sunday.” TECHNICALLY SPEAKING: VALENCIA ACCORDING TO JEREMY BURGESS With its unique stadium-style surroundings the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia is a spectacular, if somewhat cramped facility characterised by a never-ending burst of tight corners, connected by short straights. The long penultimate looping left-hander and the fast entry to turn one contrast violently with the otherwise geometric flip-flop chicanes and slow-speed corners of the infield. “Valencia isn’t one of Valentino’s favourite tracks because it is so tight and twisty, but we won there in 2004 and finished third last year after starting well down the grid, so we know the M1 works well,” says Jeremy Burgess, Chief Engineer to Valentino Rossi. “One of the big lessons we have learnt this season is that if you want to win in this class nowadays then you really have to start from the front so we will again be using the free practice sessions to make sure we have the right bike settings for both qualifying and the race. “Technically there is not much to say about Valencia other than the obvious fact that it has a lot of low gear usage and very little throttle with the back straight and the start-finish straight being the only two high speed sections. The last long left is different to any other corner in the world and it can be crucial to the outcome of the race so for that reason it requires special attention when setting the bike up to make sure you have the speed coming towards the line. The rest is slow and anti-clockwise there’s not much else to say about it really!” VALENTINO ROSSI: INFORMATION Age: 27 Lives: London, UK Bike: Yamaha YZR-M1 GP victories: 84 (57 x MotoGP/500cc, 14 x 250cc, 12 x 125cc) First GP victory: Czech Republic, 1996 (125cc) First GP: Malaysia, 1996 (125cc) GP starts: 172 (113 x MotoGP/500cc, 30 x 250cc, 30 x 125cc) Pole positions: 44 World Championships 7 Grand Prix (1 x 125cc, 1 x 250cc, 1 x 500cc, 4 x MotoGP) COLIN EDWARDS: INFORMATION Age: 32 Lives: Conroe, Texas Bike: Yamaha YZR-M1 First GP: Japan, 2003 (MotoGP) GP starts: 65 x MotoGP World Championships – 2 World Superbike Valencia Lap Record: Marco Melandri (Honda) 2004, 1’33.043 Valencia Best Lap: Sete Gibernau (Honda) 2005, 1’31.874 2005 Valencia Grand Prix Results: 1. Marco Melandri (ITA) Honda, 46’58.152 2. Nicky Hayden (USA) Honda, +0.097 3. VALENTINO ROSSI (ITA) Yamaha +2.959 8. COLIN EDWARDS (USA) Yamaha, +25.678

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., (Oct. 22, 2006) — Daytona 200 By Honda all-time mileage leader Rick Shaw is hanging up his leathers. After competing in Saturday’s 8 Hours At Daytona SunTrust MOTO-ST Series, Shaw announced that the inaugural motorcycle endurance race would be his final event of his career. “This is my last official motorcycle race,” Shaw said. “That’s after 35 years of professional riding, about 40 years total racing. I think I’ve had enough laps to satisfy my jones.” Shaw will leave the sport of motorcycle racing as the all-time mileage leader in the Daytona 200 By Honda, the prestigious motorcycle event held in March that kicks off the AMA season. “I have it now,” Shaw said of the record. “Ricky Orlando’s still looking good, but he’s probably four or five years behind me. John Ashmead is three or four years behind me. Who knows? If they start getting close, and if I can pick up the pace again, I just might come out just to keep the record, but I’m really going to have to want it pretty bad.” Shaw competed in his first Daytona 200 By Honda in 1981 and has amassed 3,728.33 miles. “I appreciate having the record,” Shaw said. “It’s been a thrill and an honor to be able to race here against all of the people. If you think about all the champions who have raced here in the Daytona 200 the past 25 years, I’ve had the honor to race with some of the best in the world and the best that motorcycles has seen in a truly golden era of superbike and Formula One racing.” Shaw, who has recently moved to nearby Port Orange from the Miami area, rode with his nephew Brian in the 8 Hours At Daytona and finished 10th overall. He says his future plans will include participating riding schools and maybe managing a SunTrust MOTO-ST Series team. “I might manage a team, maybe, sit back and watch. We’ll see what happens,” Shaw said. “I really like instructing. I’ve been doing a lot of instructing for the Team Hammer School, the Penguin School and the Track Day School. I really enjoy teaching the kids how to ride. I’m still good enough where I can stay out in front of some of them, and I think that’s probably my future, to be able to impart some of the skill and knowledge that I’ve accumulated over the years and help these kids come along.” Sunday’s Fall Cycle Scene activities concluded with CCS Sprint races and the ASRA Finals. Motorcycles will return to Daytona International Speedway in March for Daytona 200 Week By Honda on March 2-10. Tickets and more information are available online at http://www.racetickets.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.

Valencia finale awaits Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Rizla Suzuki MotoGP racers John Hopkins and Chris Vermeulen will be aiming to end the season on a high at the final round of 2006 at Valencia in Spain. Hopkins will be looking to add to his current points tally with a high scoring finish. The Anglo-American star is currently the most consistent points scorer in the MotoGP Championship, having scored points in the last 14 consecutive races. He is still searching for that elusive first podium finish and will be going all out to get that on race-day. Vermeulen will be visiting a circuit that he knows well from WSB racing and MotoGP testing, and will be hoping to secure the points he needs to make him only the second Suzuki rider in history to score over 100 points in a season on a 990cc MotoGP bike a feat first achieved by Hopkins earlier this year. Valencia has now become the traditional venue for the final race of the season. The 4km long circuit is the is the only stadium track on the calendar and the huge crowds that visit the race can see almost all the action from any point around the arena. The final race looks like producing a breathtaking finish to the 2006 World Championship with both Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden capable of lifting the trophy. Whatever happens it will certainly be greeted by a huge firework display at the end of the race, lit by the winner of the 30-lap event. Rizla Suzuki MotoGP will take to the track on Friday for two free practice sessions, followed by another on Saturday morning. Both riders will be battling to secure the best starting position for Sunday’s race during the hour-long qualifying session on Saturday afternoon. The 17th and final round of the season gets underway at 14.00hrs local time (13.00hrs GMT) on Sunday 29th October. John Hopkins: “Valencia is the race everyone wants to go to. It’s the grand finale of the season and people from all walks of life will be there for the last race of the year. It’s the only track that is held in a stadium environment and that gives it an even more special feeling. The Spanish fans there are great if not a bit crazy – and I’d certainly love to be the one lighting the fireworks at the end.” Chris Vermeulen: “A race track I know well, we have been here racing and testing a lot in Superbike and it was also the first place I tested for Suzuki. My favourite turn is the long left hander leading into the last turn, sometimes the bike slides here a lot and feels like my old dirt tracking days. I want to finish the season on a real high and will be going all out to achieve that. Also being another race in Spain, where the crowds are just amazing, will certainly add to the drama that I am sure will unfold.”

The 123rd Congress of the FIM ended today with the last session of the General Assembly, in the presence of delegates from 63 countries. The General Assembly unanimously confirmed the appointments of the Members of the International Judicial Panel. Mrs. Andrea Coleman made a presentation on the current situation and latest achievements of the Riders for Health programme “Bringing Health to Rural Africa”. – The following amendments to the Sporting Code were accepted by the General Assembly: Meetings covering several territories: when a FIM World Championship, FIM Prize or international meeting crosses the territory of two or more FMNs, the FMNR must obtain the prior written approval of all FMNs concerned if it concerns a stopping place for classification (outside a liaison stage)”¦ The minimum age of riders should not be lower than 12 years for any event run under the aegis of the FIM. – The FIM Environmental Award was awarded to the Auto-Moto Club du Sanetsch (Switzerland), organiser of the Snowcross World Championship round in Veysonnaz. The prize will be awarded during the gala evening of the Sport & Environment Conference of the UNEP in Lausanne at the end of November. – The signature by the FIM of the “Panathlon Declaration on Ethics in Youth Sport”, proposed by the General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF), was approved by the General Assembly. – The General Assembly unanimously approved the awarding of Honorariat for the following persons: FIM President Francesco Zerbi, CCP President Renzo Giannini, CTR President Ignacio Verneda, CCI President Inge Blank, CCR Vice-President and former Sidecar World Champion Max Deubel, and Commission Members Arnost Zemen (CMS), John Thomson (CCR) and Laurent Podevyn (CTI). – The title of Member of Honour was awarded to Mr Michel de Thomasson, FIVA President. – The main decisions and modifications for the 2007 season (except where otherwise indicated) are the following: Road Racing The calendars of the Endurance and Sidecar World Championships will be published later; negotiations with the promoters are still in progress. – Endurance: the limit for the maximum age finishes at the end of the year in which the rider reaches the age of 55 (subject to a medical certificate as from the age of 50) The starting grid will be drawn up including the number of teams qualified for the race on the basis of the average of the best times recorded for one lap by all the riders (reserve rider not included) of the team during one of the qualifying sessions The background colours of the number plates will be as follows: black for Superbike, blue for Superproduction, red for Superstock and green for open class. – An International Rally Championship, based on the French “Mototour” formula, will be held during the 2007 season. The sporting concept is that of a Road Rally. In the programme are included linking sectors, regularity courses and special stages on closed roads and on circuits. It is a mass competition, accessible and favourable to the image of motorcycling sport as a whole: all motorcycles must be road-homologated; on open roads the traffic rules will be enforced. – The introduction of a Women’s Superstock FIM Cup will be studied for the 2008 season. Motocross/SuperMoto – Junior Motocross World Championship: the capacity limit in the rules will be 85cc. Two motorcycles may be used Sidecar Motocross World Championship: the replacement of a passenger before the end of the verifications prior to the meeting can still be authorised. – Amendments to the MX1/MX2 Motocross World Championships rules and SuperMoto World Championship will be published after the Motocross Grand Prix Commission meeting next month. – The Freestyle Motocross World Championship promoter IFMXF made a presentation on the first season of this World Championship, considered as very positive. Trial – Participants: FIM licence holder: rider, passenger, Trial assistant (instead of mechanic: change in the Sporting Code and all Trial regulations) FIM Junior Trial World Cup: maximum age will be 23 (instead of 21). – Indoor Trial, entries: b) wild-card riders:”¦ each one of these two riders will be chosen as invited rider to take part in all the rounds. c) The organizer will propose to the CTR an invited rider, chosen in the list of six riders proposed by the CTR – In case of « force majeure », the referee can, by his own initiative or following a request of the Clerk of the Course, modify the number of sections. Enduro & Cross-Country Rallies – Enduro rules: Time limit: a rider who arrives at a time check more than 15 minutes after his original arrival time on each time check is automatically classified as retired The Team Enduro World Cup is cancelled Inscription and participation: the total number of participants in each event is 150 (E1, E2, E3, EJ); the following are admitted to participate in the Enduro World Championship, in order of priority: all the riders who scored points in the World Championship of the previous year, the 5 best riders of each class from the Continental Championships of the previous year who did not score any points in the WC of that year, the riders who scored points in the World Championship of the current year; riders can be added to the list up to a maximum of 150 The numbers will be allocated to the first 15 riders of each class who scored points in the World Championship of the previous year. The number will correspond to the final position of the rider – – Any offence to the provision of the marking of parts is considered as a statement of fact. – Indoor Enduro FIM Cup: this Cup will be introduced as from November 2007 (two weeks after the ISDE), and will be run until March 2008 (the last event must be held no later than two weeks before the first Enduro World Championship event). – Cross-Country Rallies: Entries to Cross-Country Rallies events (World Championship, FIM Prize, International event) will be accepted for riders who are in possession of a licence delivered by the National Federations according to specific criteria of the riders’ aptitude (see Medical) In rallies with long sections, in a desert environment, with the risk of slow riding, a satellite system will be required for each rider, in addition to the compulsory security system. At sunset, if riders are still riding in the special stage, a permanent watch must be organized at the check-point; the medical cars equipped to carry an injured person will be placed every 100 km The speed limit cannot be superior to 60 km/h in the dangerous areas indicated in the road-book Starting order: the first ten riders will start with 2 minutes interval By derogation, the organizer can give the possibility to continue the race for the riders suffering mechanical failure. The rules must be defined in the Supplementary Regulations. In the World Championship events, these riders will be excluded from the event classification and must start the sections after the riders who are in the race The loss of a time card will result in a penalty of 5 minutes – The non-respect of the entry, exit and direction of traffic in control zones will result”¦3rd infraction and more: 3 hours The beacon will be of a civil aviation homologated type. Track Racing – Speedway: Tactical substitute rider: “¦however, each rider may be used as a substitute once only Additional protective devices (homologation): performance tests must be carried out in a laboratory by the applicant. The laboratory must have obtained the ISO 17025 certification. The applicant must provide an official document attesting that the laboratory fulfils this request as well as a recent document certifying the calibration of the instruments Light signals:”¦they must be preferably assembled in a vertical tower and be visible from any part of the stadium; in addition to these lamps, there must be a minimum of three red, flashing lamps, positioned not more than 4 metres from the track and easily visible by the riders”¦ – Referee’s box:”¦possibility to switch off the green light without releasing the tapes. – Track Racing Sidecar Gold Trophy 1000cc (amendments to the rules). – Team World Long Track Championship: will be introduced as from 2007. Women in Motorcycling The aims of the Commission were discussed at length, based on the creation of equal opportunities and treatment for all women involved in all aspects of activities related to motorcycling. A work schedule was established for the relations with the main sectors of activities: sporting (Road Racing, Motocross, Trial, Enduro/Cross-Country Rallies, Track Racing) and non-sporting (Medical, training, PR/media, leisure motorcycling/touring, marketing). Technical – Motocross: the first step in the noise level reduction (94 dB/A measured at fixed rpm) in Motocross and SuperMoto will be enforced in 2008. The second step will be decided in 2007 for application as from 2010. – Enduro: as from 2008 the noise level limit will be 94 dB/A measured at an average piston speed of 13 m/s. For the homologation of Cross-Country Rallies motorcycles, the FIM will request from the manufacturers the list of all models to be used in the discipline with technical data, in order to simplify the technical controls. Medical – In addition to the medical examination, an applicant for any licence in Cross-Country Rallies (World Championship, FIM Prize, international events) must undergo and pass successfully an echocardiogram once in his lifetime prior to the issuing of the licence. An exercise tolerance electrocardiogram must be conducted and successfully passed with this echocardiogram and is then required every three years. FIM Dates – Next year’s Conference Meetings will be held in Geneva on February 15-18, 2007. – The extraordinary Management Council meeting will take place in Geneva on June 16-17, 2007. – The 2007 Biennial Session will take place in Geneva from 19 to 22 October. – The 2008 Congress will be held in Durban, South Africa, from 19 to 25 October.

Hour Six Overall Race Running Order: 1. San Jose BMW (BMW R 1200 S), SST, 170 laps 2. Team M4 EMGO Suzuki (Suz SV1000), SST, 169 laps 3. Team Zyvax (Suz SV1000), SST, 166 laps 4. Vallely Racing 32 (Suz SV1000), SST, 166 laps 5. BMW Cycles Daytona (BMW R 1200 S), SST, 165 laps 6. JC Racing (Apr Tuono 1000), SST, 164 laps 7. Pair-A-Nines (Kaw EX650), ST, 162 laps 8. Blue Ridge Performance (Kaw EX650), ST, 161 laps 9. Team Hurtbyaccident.com 16 (Suz SV650), ST, 161 laps 10. Shaw Racing (Suz SV1000), SST, 160 laps 11. Go Big Racing (Suz SV650), ST, 160 laps 12. Vallely Racing 33 (Suz SV1000), SST, 159 laps 13. Team Hurtbyaccident.com 69 (Suz SV650), ST, 159 laps 14. Ducatitoronto.com (Duc PS1000 LE), GST, 156 laps 15. Alliance Motorsports Racing (Kaw EX650), ST, 155 laps 17. Team Daffy Duc (Duc PS1000 LE), GST, 153 laps 25. James Gang Racing (Buell XB12R), GST, 135 laps

Hour Four Overall Race Running Order: 1. BMW Cycles Daytona (BMW R 1200 S), SST, 115 laps 2. San Jose BMW (BMW R 1200 S), SST, 114 laps 3. Belson Brumos Motorrad (Duc 749S), SST, 114 laps 4. Team M4 EMGO Suzuki (Suz SV1000), SST, 113 laps 5. Vallely Racing 32 (Suz SV1000), SST, 113 laps 6. Team Zyvax (Suz SV1000), SST, 112 laps 7. Vallely Racing 33 (Suz SV1000), SST, 112 laps 8. JC Racing (Apr Tuono 1000), SST, 109 laps 9. Pair-A-Nines (Kaw EX650), ST, 108 laps 10. Team Hurtbyaccident.com 16 (Suz SV650), ST, 108 laps 11. Blue Ridge Performance (Kaw EX650), ST, 108 laps 12. Shaw Racing (Suz SV1000), SST, 108 laps 13. Team Hurtbyaccident.com 69 (Suz SV650), ST, 107 laps 14. Go Big Racing (Suz SV650), ST, 107 laps 15. Ducatitoronto.com (Duc PS1000 LE), GST, 106 laps 19. Team Daffy Duc (Duc PS1000 LE), GST, 104 laps 20. James Gang Racing (Buell XB-12R), GST, 103 laps

Hour Three Overall Race Running Order: 1. San Jose BMW (BMW R 1200 S), SST, 86 laps 2. BMW Cycles Daytona (BMW R 1200 S), SST, 86 laps 3. Belson Brumos Motorrad (Duc 749S), SST, 85 laps 4. JC Racing (Apr Tuono 1000), SST, 85 laps 5. Vallely Racing 32 (Suz SV1000), SST, 84 laps 6. Team Zyvax (Suz SV1000), SST, 84 laps 7. Team M4 EMGO Suzuki (Suz SV1000), SST, 84 laps 8. Vallely Racing 33 (Suz SV1000), SST, 83 laps 9. Shaw Racing (Suz SV1000), SST, 82 laps 10. Team Motorrad (BMW R 1200 S), SST, 81 laps 11. Pair-A-Nines (Kaw EX650), ST, 81 laps 12. Speedwerks Racing (Suz SV650), ST, 81 laps 13. Blue Ridge Performance (Kaw EX650), ST, 81 laps 14. Team Hurtbyaccident.com 16 (Suz SV650), ST, 81 laps 15. Team Hurtbyaccident.com 69 (Suz SV650), ST, 81 laps 18. Ducatitoronto.com (Duc PS1000 LE), GST, 79 laps 21. James Gang Racing (Buell XB-12R), GST, 78 laps 22. Team Daffy Duc (Duc PS1000 LE), GST, 78 laps