Friday’s 125cc Grand Prix Qualifying Results: 1. Mika KALLIO, KTM, 1:59.288 2. Mattia PASINI, Aprilia, 1:59.776 3. Hector FAUBEL, Aprilia, 1:59.837 4. Fabrizio LAI, Honda, 2:00.178 5. Lukas PESEK, Derbi, 2:00.203 6. Marco SIMONCELLI, Aprilia, 2:00.232 7. Gabor TALMACSI, KTM, 2:00.254 8. Thomas LUTHI, Honda, 2:00.324 9. Michele CONTI, Honda, 2:00.831 10. Mike DI MEGLIO, Honda, 2:00.890

Friday Morning MotoGP Practice Times: 1. Valentino ROSSI, Yamaha, 1:50.778 2. Max BIAGGI, Honda, 1:50.823 3. Sete GIBERNAU, Honda, 1:51.064 4. Nicky HAYDEN, Honda, 1:51.158 5. Marco MELANDRI, Honda, 1:51.234 6. Colin EDWARDS, Yamaha, 1:51.320 7. Carlos CHECA, Ducati, 1:51.488 8. Shinya NAKANO, Kawasaki, 1:51.494 9. Loris CAPIROSSI, Ducati, 1:51.537 10. Alex BARROS, Honda, 1:51.573 11. John HOPKINS, Suzuki, 1:52.190 12. Kenny ROBERTS, Suzuki, 1:52.288 13. Troy BAYLISS, Honda, 1:52.345 14. Alex HOFMANN, Kawasaki, 1:52.357 15. Makoto TAMADA, Honda, 1:52.489 16. Ruben XAUS, Yamaha, 1:53.330 17. David CHECA, Yamaha, 1:53.961 18. Shane BYRNE, KTM Proton KR, 1:54.673 19. Roberto ROLFO, Ducati, 1:54.859 20. Franco BATTAINI, Blata WCM, 1:55.774 21. James ELLISON, Blata WCM, 1:58.094

The last time Kevin Schwantz rode in an AMA road race was in 1988, when he won the Daytona 200 for Suzuki. The last time he raced at Road America was 1987, when Yoshimura Suzuki’s Ben Spies was three years old. His last race on a 600cc machine, a Yamaha FJ600, was in 1985 at the CCS Race of Champions in Daytona. That long absence from AMA road racing will end this weekend in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, when the 1993 500cc Grand Prix World Champion will race Chris “Opie” Caylor’s Team EMGO Taiwan Suzuki GSX-R600 Formula Xtreme racebike. During a recent bicycle ride, Schwantz asked Caylor, an instructor at the Kevin Schwantz Suzuki School at Road Atlanta, what he planned to do, considering his wife was overdue to give birth to their first child and the Road America event was nearing. Caylor felt he would just have to miss the race, according to Schwantz. “I told him I could ride his bike for him, so he could stay home with his wife during the birth. Or, I said I could stay home and help his wife while he went and raced. But I told him, I didn’t think his wife would like that idea very much,” joked Schwantz, who added Caylor thought he was joking when he made the offer. Schwantz followed that conversation up with another telephone call to Caylor, to display his seriousness, and the deal was done. Caylor would stay home and support his wife as doctors induced labor (scheduled for Friday, June 3), and Schwantz would race Caylor’s bike at Road America. “The main thing is getting Opie and his sponsors some exposure,” said Schwantz, during promoter practice Thursday at Road America. “I’m just planning on going out, getting up to speed and having fun. Wherever I end up is wherever I end up, as long as I have fun doing it.” While Caylor races on Dunlops, Schwantz will ride on Michelins at Road America. He will also wear number 44 because 34 is taken and because, “I retired with the number 34 10 years ago, so I thought my number should go up. Luckily, it’s not my age,” said the 40-year-old. Schwantz lapped in the 2:24-range Thursday, which would’ve put him on the third row of last year’s FX grid at Road America. Miguel Duhamel’s 2004-race-winning pace was 2:18-2:19. “I think it’s great,” said current AMA Formula Xtreme Championship leader Jake Zemke, when asked what he thought of Schwantz joining the field. “I’m gonna go hunt him down in practice, for sure. Maybe I can learn something. I raced with him in a couple of supermotos in the last couple of years, and he definitely knows how to gas it up.”

Michael Jordan Motorsports Suzuki’s Jason Pridmore was taken to a local hospital after crashing during promoter practice Thursday at Road America, in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. Pridmore fell in an odd place, on the uphill straight between turns five and six, when the front brakes of his Superstock GSX-R1000 locked up suddenly during a practice session just after lunch time. According to MJM Suzuki Team General Manager Kenny Abbott, the former World Endurance Champion and AMA Formula Xtreme Champion suffered abrasions to his left elbow and an injury to his right foot. As a precaution, Pridmore was taken to a local hospital to have the abrasion in his elbow cleaned thoroughly, as any sort of infection could have severe implications in his current state. Neither the extent of Pridmore’s foot injury nor the cause of his crash was known to Abbott at post time. Thursday was Pridmore’s first attempt at re-joining the AMA series since suffering a ruptured spleen (which required emergency life-saving surgery) in a crash at Barber Motorsports in April.

Road America is making changes and planning more changes that could result in FIM homologation and World Superbike events coming to the fast, four-mile-long Wisconsin road course. On Friday, June 3, Road America will open a new pedestrian bridge, “Suzuki Bridge.” The 130-foot-long, nine-foot-wide bridge will connect the Briggs & Stratton Motorplex and Carousel campground with a new spectator area located at track level, on rider’s left near the new “Bend” section, turn 11. During the off-season, however, Road America President and General Manager George Bruggenthies hopes to make changes to the Billy Mitchell bridge area, turn 13, to increase safety and hopefully earn the track FIM homologation, opening the door for FIM events, like World Superbike. “We have engineers here right now doing surveys,” Bruggenthies told Roadracingworld.com Thursday. “We are currently in the cost analysis phase trying to decide whether we should put a tunnel under turn 14 or extend the Billy Mitchell bridge by 90 to 110 feet to (rider’s) right (removing a dangerous bridge abutment). We’re trying to create some run-off room. The bridge extension is my preference, because I think the blind turn under the bridge is a signature turn of the track. Plus, you never know what other problems you are going to cause by adding a tunnel.” The track currently has several pedestrian and vehicle bridges and at least one tunnel. “No decision has been made on the final solution,” continued Bruggenthies, “but our Board of Directors is dedicated to the plan (improving run-off at turn 13). We think Road America is a world-class facility, and we want to stay competitive in the industry. We just celebrated our 50th anniversary, and I want this track to still be here in another 50 years.” While Bruggenthies wouldn’t say so on the record, it is believed that Road America is currently seeking to host a World Superbike event, and if an agreement with FIM and FGSport Group, rights holder of World Superbike, is reached, Road America will re-surface its entire four-mile length in one, single repaving.

AMA PRO RACING ON TV THIS WEEK (June 2-June 9, 2005) (All times Eastern) AMA Motocross Championship presented by FMF, Hangtown Classic, Sacramento, Calif., (125cc) Thursday, June 2, 5 p.m. (OLN) AMA Motocross Championship presented by FMF, High Point Raceway, Mt. Morris, Penn., (250cc) Saturday, June 4, 4 p.m. (OLN) AMA Pro Honda Oils Supersport presented by Shoei, Road America, Elkhart Lake, Wisc., Sunday, June 5, 2 p.m. (SPEED Channel) AMA Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited (Race 1), Road America, Elkhart Lake, Wisc., Sunday, June 5, 3 p.m. (SPEED Channel) AMA Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited (Race 2), Road America, Elkhart Lake, Wisc., Sunday, June 5, 5 p.m. (SPEED Channel) AMA Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited (Race 1), Road America, Elkhart Lake, Wisc., Tuesday, June 7, 12 p.m. (SPEED Channel) AMA Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited (Race 2), Road America, Elkhart Lake, Wisc., Tuesday, June 7, 1 p.m. (SPEED Channel) AMA Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Series/Repsol Lubricants Superstock Series, Road America, Elkhart Lake, Wisc., Tuesday, June 7, 2 p.m. (SPEED Channel) AMA Motocross Championship presented by FMF, High Point Raceway, Mt. Morris, Penn., (125cc) Saturday, June 9, 5 p.m. (OLN) AMA Pro Honda Oils Supersport presented by Shoei, Road America, Elkhart Lake, Wisc., Sunday, June 9, 4 a.m. (SPEED Channel) All times subject to change. Check local listing

MotoGP fever rising at Mugello Eager anticipation surrounding the Gran Premio Alice d’Italia rose hand in hand with the temperatures today as warm sunshine greeted the MotoGP World Championship paddock to Mugello. With the team trucks, tents and pit garages resplendent beneath the clear blue skies, some of the most famous sporting personalities in the land came face to face ahead of what promises to be one of the most intriguing contests of the season. Valentino Rossi has won his home Grand Prix for the past three seasons and, after an electric start to his latest MotoGP title defence, is eager to repeat the incredible scenes of his victory celebrations here last year. “I was unlucky in my first two seasons with the 500 here but since then I have won some great races especially last season,” commented Rossi, who took victory one year ago by just three tenths of a second from Sete Gibernau. “I have a lot of good memories from here but seeing the crowd underneath the podium last year is one of the best of my career. I have never seen so many people at a MotoGP podium before. Hopefully we will see the same thing on Sunday. The weather today is fantastic, like summer is here for real, and I hope it stays that way all weekend.” Whilst Gibernau will again be hoping to be Rossi’s main challenger this weekend as he continues his recovery from a disappointing start to the season, three Italian riders with past successes at this track will also be gunning for home glory. Marco Melandri, in particular, has his sights set on the top step of the podium. “This is a special race for all of us but I will try to put the pressure onto Valentino and concentrate on my job,” commented Melandri, who lies second in the championship just four races into his first season with Honda and has had four previous podiums here in the 125cc and 250cc classes. “I competed in my first ever race at this circuit in the Italian Championship so it is the track I know best and I will be looking for my best ever result in MotoGP.” Loris Capirossi also knows this track better than most, having become the first Italian ever to win here five seasons ago and having racked up the kilometres during hours of winter testing with Ducati. “The Ducati factory is only 60 kilometres from here so the test team have done a lot of work at this track and the setting of the bike should already be good for tomorrow morning,” said Capirossi, who has now fully recovered from a cracked bone in his ankle. “I feel 100%, the bike improved in a recent test at Le Mans and I’m ready.” The other rider in search of home glory this weekend is Max Biaggi, who has also made the most of an extra week between races to rest and recover. “I had a big crash in the warm-up in Le Mans and rode through the pain in the race but I was unable to test afterwards,” explained Biaggi, who has taken three wins here in the 250cc class. “Luckily we had the extra week off and I’m feeling okay now. I have a lot of fans here and I hope they will be celebrating with me on Sunday.” Meanwhile, Kawasaki rider Alex Hofmann was back in the paddock after a seven-week absence since breaking his wrist in a pre-event accident at the second round in Portugal. Hofmann will test the injury in tomorrow’s first free practice but his replacement for the past two rounds, Olivier Jacque, is on standby. “I’ve done everything possible to make sure I’m fit for this race, but racing a MotoGP bike at a track like Mugello is physically demanding, and I’ll only really find out if all the preparation has been successful when I take to the track on Friday morning. I’m fairly confident that everything will be fine, and I’m definitely looking forward to racing the bike again after such a long lay off,” said the German. 250cc World Champion Dani Pedrosa is predicting a tough weekend as he faces up to the challenge of Honda colleague Andrea Dovizioso, in the hunt for his first quarter-litre victory on home soil, and a fleet of Aprilia riders defending a strong record at a traditionally favourable circuit for the Italian factory. “It’s going to be a hard race and Dovizioso won’t be the only rider out there with plenty of motivation I’m sure Sebastián Porto, Randy De Puniet and Casey Stoner will all be at the front too,” commented Pedrosa. “At Mugello it’s difficult to get away because there is a long straight where the Aprilias could have an advantage, and a lot of fast corners. I don’t know why but I’ve always found it difficult here.” Local representation in the 125cc class is as plentiful as always, with Mattia Pasini returning from injury to join Marco Simoncelli as the main contenders for home glory. Both riders are looking for their second win of the season as they chase early series leader Mika Kallio, whilst plenty of watchful eyes will also be on the traditionally strong wildcard list as a host of youngsters look to follow in the footsteps of the current crop of Italian MotoGP stars.

Five-time AMA Superbike champ Mat Mladin will be the in-studio guest on SPEED Channel’s 2 Wheel Tuesday, hosted by Greg White, on June 7 at 9 p.m. ET. Mladin will be answering viewer e-mails received over the last several weeks. SPEED Channel is the nation’s first and foremost cable network dedicated to motor sports and the passion for everything automotive. From racing to restoration, motorcycles to movies, SPEED Channel delivers quality programming from the track to the garage. Now available in nearly 69 million homes in North America, SPEED Channel is among the fastest growing sports cable networks in the country.

HOFMANN ALL SET FOR RACING RETURN AT MUGELLO Alex Hofmann will make his return to the Kawasaki Racing Team for this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix at Mugello, having now recovered from the injuries he sustained in a crash during a promotional event seven weeks ago. Hofmann, who celebrated his 25th birthday just a week ago, suffered a fractured ulna and scaphoid in his left wrist when he was highsided from his Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR in Estoril during a MotoGP parade. The factory Kawasaki rider underwent a rigorous fitness assessment on Wednesday evening at Mugello before being given the green light to race this weekend by Kawasaki’s MotoGP Project Leader, Kenichi Furuhashi, and Kawasaki Team Manager, Harald Eckl. But while a fitness assessment is a good indicator of a rider’s ability to race, it is difficult for medical clinicians to replicate the physical demands of racing a 250BHP MotoGP machine. Hofmann will only find out if he is truly fit to race when he takes to the track aboard his Ninja ZX-RR for the opening practice session on Friday morning. On standby, should Hofmann’s recently healed injuries cause him problems during Friday’s practice session, is Kawasaki super-sub, Olivier Jacque. The Frenchman will be at Mugello and also at Catalunya, where he will test for Kawasaki immediately after the Grand Prix of Catalunya. Fully fit and raring to go for this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix is Hofmann’s Kawasaki teammate, Shinya Nakano. The Japanese star is looking forward to again spearheading Kawasaki’s increasingly competitive MotoGP campaign at Mugello. Recent engine developments, including a drive-by-wire engine control system, have allowed Nakano to post impressive qualifying and race performances at the French GP. And following a productive engine and tyre test at Le Mans two weeks ago, Nakano is convinced the Ninja ZX-RR will put him in contention at Mugello, just a year after he walked away from a nightmare 300 kph crash on the super-fast main straight at the classic Italian circuit. Nakano has prepared for the Italian GP with a training camp in France, undertaking a series of mountain runs and outdoor exercises, including jet skiing, as a break from gym workouts. Alex Hofmann: #66 “I’ve spent seven weeks preparing for this weekend, working with my doctor and physiotherapist to ensure that I was ready to make my return to racing at Mugello. I’ve done everything possible to make sure I’m fit for this race, but racing a MotoGP bike at a track like Mugello is physically demanding, and I’ll only really find out if all the preparation has been successful when I take to the track on Friday morning. I’m fairly confident that everything will be fine, and I’m definitely looking forward to racing the bike again after such a long lay off.” Shinya Nakano: #56 “I’m feeling refreshed after the training camp in France, it is always good to try some different training methods. I’m very positive about our potential at Mugello, especially after the success of the Kawasaki test at Le Mans. Front end set-up and tyre choice are both critical at Mugello, there are many fast changes of direction, with heavy braking and downhill corner entries. After the Le Mans test I think both Kawasaki and Bridgestone have some excellent options in these areas. Mugello has some bad memories for me from last year, but I want to try and forget that with a good result on Sunday, which will show the true potential of the ZX-RR.” Harald Eckl: Team Manager “Alex will try the bike for the first time on Friday morning, and I hope that his injuries have healed sufficiently for him to make a good result in the opening practice session. Should he suffer any problems with his injuries when he rides the bike, then we always have the option to replace him with Olivier Jacque, who is on standby at Mugello for just such an eventuality.”