From a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

ROBERTS RETURNS FOR FINAL MOTOGP

Kenny Roberts Jr. will rejoin team-mate John Hopkins at this Sunday’s Valencia GP, the final round of the 2004 MotoGP calendar, determined that recent injuries will not prevent him from taking part in a pivotal race for the factory Suzuki MotoGP team.

The 2000 World Champion was the worst hurt of six fallers in a first-corner tangle at the Japanese GP at Motegi on September 19, suffering a dislocated left elbow among other injuries, and missing the next three races as he underwent remedial treatment at home in the USA.

His target was to return to Valencia – and the 31-year-old American aims to attain that goal – to take part in what is a special event for the team.

The race at the twisty circuit outside Valencia is not only the end of a tense and dramatic championship year; it will give three newly-crowned 2004 champions a chance to parade their triumph in front of a mass of fans.

It is not only the climax of a fruitful year of development for Suzuki’s fast-improving GSV-R 990cc MotoGP prototype: It also marks a significant change-over for the factory’s racing team. The Valencia GP is the last race after almost three Grand Prix decades for retiring team manager Garry Taylor, and an introduction to the team for fellow Englishman Paul Denning, who will take over Taylor’s role in 2005.

Taylor is the longest-serving team manager – and has served the Suzuki team for 29 years. His experience runs from the era of the legendary double-champion Barry Sheene through two more World Championships, with Kevin Schwantz and Kenny Roberts Jr.

His record of of 378 GPs is more than half – 60 per cent of all races in the 500 and MotoGP class – and includes 57 GP wins, 154 podium finishes and 56 pole positions.

The Valencia GP will be his last and he is approaching the milestone feeling “surprisingly relaxed about it.” Taylor will be handing over a tight-knit and very experienced team with a fine back catalogue and a recent log of continually-improving results.

“Of course I want to see Suzuki succeed in the future and I’m sure Paul will achieve that – he’s the right man in the right job at the right time,” said Taylor. “I shan’t miss the racing, because I’ll be able to see that on TV. But I shall miss some great people in the paddock, and especially the Suzuki team members, who have given me such loyal support over the years.”

The retiring team manager added: “This is a very exciting time for Suzuki, for the MotoGP team, and for Suzuki people all over the world.”

Denning is moving into GP racing after serial success – including the prestigious 2004 British Superbike Championship – with the Crescent Suzuki team.

“I’m very much looking forward to my first weekend with the MotoGP team to get my own viewpoint on the strong and less strong points,” said Denning.

“Valencia will be like a crash course – on where the team is at, and how to move it forward. I’ll be looking to Garry Taylor for help, with his years of experience with the team; and looking for ways to continue the strong development of this year to make the Suzuki GSV-R regularly competitive in 2005,” he said.

The 220-plus horsepower 990cc V4 GSV-R has made significant progress during 2004 to become a regular challenger for front row qualifying positions and strong top ten results. Valencia closes a highly promising season for the factory squad and opens the doors to future efforts to regain the winning positions.

KENNY ROBERTS – AN IMPORTANT RACE:

“My elbow has been recovering steadily and I’m coming to Valencia with the hope and belief that I will be able to ride. Garry Taylor’s last race is the end of an era for Suzuki and we’re already working on starting a new one. I want to be there.”

JOHN HOPKINS – A GOING-AWAY PRESENT FOR GARRY:

“I’ve spent plenty of time testing at Valencia, though never on Bridgestone tyres. It’s the kind of track I like – lots of hard braking; and I hope the weather stays dry. It’s Garry’ s last race and I’m definitely aiming to put it on the box for him as a going away present.”

ABOUT THIS TRACK:

Named in honour of the late former World Champion Ricardo Tormo, the track at Valencia was first used in 1999 and typifies the new-millennium style of stadium circuit with vast grandstands and natural hillside terraces offering spectators a view of almost the entire 2.489-mile length from a number of vantage points. This is because the full lap has been crammed into a very compact area, looping back and forth and then back again in front of the avid Spanish fans – more than 100,000 fans are expected to pack the circuit. For riders, the layout of many corners means a lot of hard braking, but only a few overtaking opportunities, but careful design has given the track a fast straight and some challenging faster corners as well. The lap starts with an epic left-hander and closes with a series of medium-speed corners taken at high lean angles, but with the rider both braking and accelerating while at maximum lean. It is a stimulating riding challenge.

ABOUT THIS RACE:

The European season started in Spain at Jerez, and closes at Valencia; the third GP on Spanish soil (Catalunya is the other), and the fourth on the Iberian peninsula, which adds in the Portuguese round at Estoril. This year, for the third time, the Valencia race closes the season. With all the championships already decided and the pantalooned Valencia fireworks brigade in full force, a party atmosphere is guaranteed.

GP DATA:

Ricardo Tormo Circuit, Valencia.
Circuit Length: 2.489 miles – 4.005 km.
Lap Record: 1:33.317 – 96.006 mph / 154.506km/h. V Rossi (Honda), 2003.
2003 Race Winner: Rossi.
2003 Race Average: 47:13.078 – 94.868 mph / 155.907 km/h.
2003 Fastest Race Lap: See lap record.
2003 Pole Position: Rossi 1:32.478.
2003 KENNY ROBERTS: 11th, qualified 18th (Suzuki).
2003 JOHN HOPKINS: 13th, qualified 17th (Suzuki).

From a press release issued by Yamaha Racing:

Yamaha enters 2005 Superbike World Championship

Yamaha Motor Europe’s officially-supported Yamaha Motor Italia squad will switch from the Supersport World Championship and enter a two-rider team in the 2005 Superbike World Championship.

Yamaha’s Italian distributor has been one of the most active teams in the history of the Superbike World Championship. Between the inauguration of the series in 1988 and 1994, Yamaha Motor Italia, under its former name of Belgarda, financed and managed its own superbike programme – taking several race wins and regularly finishing in the top five in the series championship. In 1995, when Yamaha decided to make an official entry into the championship it was only natural that the factory team was based at the Yamaha Motor Italia workshops.

Yamaha withdrew from the series at the end of the 2000 season, after Noriyuki Haga finished second in the championship, to concentrate on development for the YZR-M1 MotoGP project and exploring new four-stroke technologies also for the benefit of future production models. Between 2001 and 2004 Yamaha Motor Europe focused its attention to supporting the YZF-R6 entry in the Supersport World Championship.

Yamaha will confirm the rider line-up for its 2005 world superbike campaign at a later date.

Laurens Klein Koerkamp (Yamaha Motor Racing – European Racing Operations manager):

“Yamaha Motor Europe felt the time was right to return to world superbike. Our MotoGP programme is now firmly on track and since we last competed the regulations have been changed to allow four-cylinder 1000cc sportsbikes to enter the championship. The R1 is Europe’s best selling supersport bike and has already proven its competitiveness in 2004, winning the Endurance World Championship and claiming the top four positions in the European Superstock Championship. We are sure that our return to world superbikes will further reinforce the R1’s sporting image.

“Next year is Yamaha’s 50th anniversary. Racing is part of our corporate DNA. In 2004 we enjoyed possibly our greatest ever season with Valentino Rossi winning the MotoGP world championship and Stefan Everts enjoying his fourth straight motocross world title with Yamaha. I am pleased that we will mark our anniversary by challenging for all the major world championships.”

Claudio Consonni (Yamaha Motor Italia Racing General Manager):

“Racing is part of our company’s spirit and an important marketing tool for Yamaha Motor Italia. We have been involved in world supersport for many years and have never hidden our desire to return to a series we have been involved with from the first days of the championship. The team, headed by former superbike and supersport rider Massimo Meregalli, has an experienced group of engineers, many of whom previously worked with the factory superbike team. They have already started work building the bikes and we are all really looking forward to our new challenge.”

Yamaha Motor Germany will manage Yamaha’s sole official entry in the Supersport World Championship with Australians Kevin Curtain and Broc Parkes riding the 2005 model YZF-R6.

From a press release issued by Honda Racing Information:

Grand Prix of Community of Valencia, October 29, 30, 31 2004

RIDERS REV UP FOR FULL-ON END OF SEASON FINALE

All three World Championship titles have now been wrapped up, with the 125cc and 250cc crowns belonging to Honda men Andrea Dovizioso (Team Scot Honda RS125R) and Dani Pedrosa (Telefonica MoviStar Junior Team RS250RW). The MotoGP title fell to Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) after the season-long challenge of Sete Gibernau (Telefonica MoviStar Honda RC211V) ended in typically determined fashion at Phillip Island two weeks ago.

With some contracts yet to be finalised every rider now wants to finish the season strongly and remind manufacturers and teams of their potential for the year to come. The Grand Prix of the Community of Valencia thus assumes far more significance than that of a mere end of season parade.

Two manufacturers titles are still in the balance too. Honda has won the major MotoGP title, the 250cc manufacturers award hangs on a knife-edge with Honda ahead of Aprilia by just a solitary point. Aprilia has a points advantage of 23 in the 125cc manufacturers title – but even that significant lead is under threat if in-form World Champion Dovi can win and the Derbis and KTMs can deprive Aprilia of the necessary points to wrap it up.

With a heavy winter test schedule to come riders need to carry confidence into the looming weeks of hard work, and into next year – the old adage that you’re only as good as your last race always holds true.

The 4.005km Ricardo Tormo track was designed almost as an amphitheatre, so that the huge, 150,000 plus, crowds can track the progress of riders almost all the way round a full lap. With 14 turns packed into this tight space, and only a short 876m straight, it’s ideal for spectators – but hard work for riders.

There is no time to rest here. With loads of turns in quick succession and only the short chute on which to ‘relax’, the ‘Cheste’ track is punishing. Despite a slow average lap time at around a 150km/h average speed, the second slowest on the calendar next to Estoril, the bikes are on the edge of their tyres for long periods – precisely where riders need to apply maximum concentration.

The two fast turns at either end of main straight are hard on rubber too, so set-up means making the most of available grip and having a machine that turns easily without too much physical effort from the pilot. Progressive acceleration out of the turns is vital too.

Last year in the MotoGP class Rossi won on an RC211V with Gibernau second and Loris Capirossi (Ducati) third. In 2002 Barros won – again on the all-conquering RC211V, with Rossi second and Biaggi third. Sete won in 2001 and the Spanish star, who has now finished World Championship runner-up for the second successive season, is aiming for a repeat of that win this weekend.

“I would obviously like to be arriving in Valencia with the title still up for grabs – let’s not kid ourselves,” said Sete. “But even though Valentino has won, the season is not over for me. I will go for it at Cheste, we will give our very best as we have done in every Grand Prix this season. Racing at Valencia is always special because it is the last race of the season and it is always packed out. As a Spanish rider it’s fantastic to compete here because you can hear the fans pushing you on – the atmosphere is incredible.”

His team-mate Colin Edwards (Telefonica MoviStar Honda RC211V) said, “I’m just going to go for it in Valencia. It’s the last race of the season and you’ve got to give it everything. Also, I want to say goodbye to the team in the best possible way. I want to say thanks to Fausto Gresini and the rest of the team for the help they have given me this season. It is a fantastic team – very professional and well organised. All the boys have this massive passion for bikes, and for racing, and that is something not all of the teams have.”

For Alex Barros (Repsol Honda RC211V), this is the end of a season that promised much, “I still have a great belief in my ability and I go to every race believing I can win,” said the Brazilian. “I well remember the last race of the season two years ago when we had a fantastic battle with Valentino and won the race. I still have the same feeing and the same hunger to go out and win. We have been trying to do this all season but without success. I like the layout of the track at Valencia and it is great to race in front of such a huge crowd – a real festival atmosphere.”

Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda RC211V) is another rider who needs a big result here too, “I can’t really believe that the last race of the season is here,” said the young American. “I just don’t know where this year has gone, it’s clicked by so fast. It really doesn’t seem that long ago we were all at Valencia last year. I have real good and bad memories about the weekend – good as it was the first front row start I took in MotoGP but bad as I crashed in the race pretty early on which ended any hope I had of getting some good points. This year hasn’t really gone to plan. A racer always wants to go better every year and this year has been real tough.”

Max Biaggi (Camel Honda RC211V) is another rider who’s season seemed plagued by misfortune, but the Roman contender is as ready as ever, “Ricardo Tormo is not among my favourite tracks,” he said. “It’s too slow and twisty. Next year they should be making it faster and this is good because even if the track doesn’t excite me, the atmosphere certainly does, with a brilliant crowd who can follow you over the whole lap. Racing in Spain is always special because of the passion among the fans here. The last races over the intercontinental trip weren’t brilliant and now I want to get a top result.”

Makoto Tamada (Camel Honda RC211V), riding on Bridgestone tyres, is equally set for glory in this final 2004 round, “I really like the fast circuits, with the long bends and quick changes of direction,” he said. “But Valencia is quite different to all of that. I don’t particularly dislike it, perhaps because in the winter tests I went quite well. The last two races haven’t gone as I expected, so I really want to prove myself now. Both the Malaysian and the Australian GPs saw me having to recover positions on the early laps. You have to qualify well and make a good start here. I’m hoping for both!”

Dani Pedrosa comes to Valencia as the youngest ever 250cc World Champion, the youngest rider to have achieved back-to-back World titles, and the first rider since Carlo Ubbiali in 1960 to win the 125cc and then 250cc World Championships in consecutive years. Some achievement for a 19-year-old.

He makes this homecoming under happier circumstances than last year too. Last year he broke both ankles at Phillip Island having wrapped up the 125cc title at Sepang a week before. He was paraded around the Cheste track in an open top car. This year he races – and that means a great deal to this intense competitor.

“I know that Valencia will be a very special race for us,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to getting there because last season I missed out through injury. To go back as World Champion is fantastic but I don’t want to relax just yet. I was really happy in Australia because we won the title, something unthinkable at the start of the season, but the one thing I wasn’t too satisfied with was fourth place. So, in Valencia we have to really concentrate, do well in the practice sessions, and try and get the best possible result in the race to cap off a dream season.”

Dani’s team-mate Hiroshi Aoyama (Telefonica MoviStar Junior Team RS250RW) is equally focussed, “We’re back in Spain and I am pleased about that,” he said. “The atmosphere is really impressive and I’m sure that the people will be excited about welcoming Dani home. I’m happy with our season – I’ve learnt a lot from the team over the course of the season and I want to end it well. I’d love to be back on the podium.”

Tony Elias (Fortuna Honda RS250RW) said, “It’s the last race of the World Championship and I want to end my season with a good result. The last race was a bad one for us and we have to forget that. The bike was really good at the pre-season test at Valencia but we have made many changes since then. If we find a good base set up in the first free practice we have to build on that for the race.”

In the 125cc race Dovi has now cast off the pressure of World title aspiration having already secured his first World Championship. This is a race he wants to win for the sake of finishing his season in style and battling to achieve a World Manufacturers’ title for Honda – against the odds.

He said, “The Valencia circuit has never been easy for me. I find slow tracks difficult. I prefer long fast corners at circuits like Phillip Island, Barcelona and Assen. Still I’m going to Valencia with the intention of winning the race. I’m in very good form and the bike is really strong now so it would be a good way to end my 125cc career if I could take back-to-back wins. I’d be the first rider to do it for two years.”

More, from a press release issued by d’Antin Ducati:

A FESTIVAL FINISH IN VALENCIA

The World Championships come to a close this weekend at the Valencia circuit, the very same track where the d´Antin MotoGP riders got their first opportunity to test their Ducati Desmosedici virtually one year ago.

It’s a circuit that Xaus and Hodgson know well, and both the Spaniard and the Briton are determined to close the year on a high. The charismatic Spanish rider already has the Rookie of the Year trophy tucked under his belt, after a year in which he didn’t just stand out amongst the new-boys, but he also took a podium finish and is currently in tenth position in the championship.

Things have been slightly more complicated for Neil, but the British rider is not throwing in the towel and hopes to get the kind of result in Valencia that he has worked so hard for all year.

RUBEN XAUS : “It’s a tough circuit for MotoGP because the bikes have so much power and at Cheste the kind of bends you come across and the relatively short straight sections mean you lose grip and the front tyre comes off the ground very easily indeed. You’re always sliding around and it is quite difficult to overtake, so the races are generally in a group. The most important thing of all is that it is a home race for me, and you can feel the crowd supporting you and giving you a boost; that’s very important because I’d love to finish in tenth place in the championship. It’s the last race of the year, and it’s time to forget about everything and just go out on a high.”

NEIL HODGSON : “It seems like just yesterday that I tested the Desmosedici in Valencia! It’s honestly been a tough year, but we mustn’t lose our spirit. I know this track well, although to be fair it’s always been hard for me because it’s as twisty on the Superbike as it is on the MotoGP bike, but at least we have some basic references and we will try and get everything going right. It’s the last race of the year and the atmosphere created by the Spanish public is incredible, so I’m confident of having a good race and finishing the season with at least some satisfaction.”

From a press release issued by FIM:

October 27

FIM 100 Years Photo Contest

Sponsor: Canon

The Selection Committee for the FIM Photo Contest met during the Congress in Paris. The winners of the Photo Contest are the following :

– Professional category
1st: Tim Keeton (Great Britain) Canon EOS – 1D Mark II
2nd: Mike Patrick (Great Britain) Canon EF28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM
3rd: Mirco Lazzari (Italy) Canon EF70-300mm f/4.5-5-6 DO IS USM

– Amateur category
1st: Serge Beaufils (France) Canon EOS 300D
2nd: Vandandorj Battulga (Mongolia) Canon PowerShot S1 IS
3rd: Vincent Rivalle (France) Canon Digital IXUS IIs

The Selection Committee was composed of:
Francesco Zerbi (Italy) – FIM President
Jean-Pierre Mougin (France) – FIM Vice-President
Phil Read (Great Britain) – Road Racing Grand Prix World Champion.
Ole Olsen (Denmark)- Speedway World Champion.
Akito Mizutani (Japan) – President of the Japanese Journalists and Photographers’ Association.
Takanao Tsubouchi (Japan) – Journalist, photographer.
Christian Lacombe (France) – Journalist, photographer.
Marc Pétrier (Switzerland) – FIM Press Officer

– The Prize-Giving to the winner of each category of the contest will be held on the occasion of the Grand Prix World Champions Awards Ceremony in Valencia on October 31.

See the selected photos on the FIM Internet site: http://www.fim.ch

From a press release:

PIRELLI ENDS ’04 SEASON WITH AMA DRAG-RACING RECORD AND 15 F-USA AND WERA GNF CHAMPIONSHIPS

(Rome, GA) For Pirelli, the season’s ending has been one for the books, literally. Among the numerous championships captured by Pirelli road racing tires during the 2004 season was one that had nothing to do with road racing, but which probably says a lot about Pirelli tires’ functionality. Factory Kawasaki-backed Ryan Schnitz set a new AMA/ProStar drag-racing record for the 1000cc SuperSport class on Pirelli’s DOT Supercorsas. Schnitz’s 2004 Muzzy Kawasaki ZX-10 became the first SuperSport bike to make an official 8-second pass for the quarter mile at the Memphis Motorsports Park early this month. The new record time is a 8.90 seconds – on a Pirelli’s 180/55ZR17 SC2 Supercorsa rear and 110/70ZR17 front. Along with his new record, Schnitz also captured the 2004 class championship. “I was one of first guys to use road racing tires for Supersport drag racing, ” Schnitz said in a phone interview from his home in Decatur, Indiana. “I’ve been using Supercorsas for about four or five years now. Most guys use either specific drag racing tires or other types. But with the Supercorsas in Supersport, you get good grip, but yet the tires still retain the same shape without tire growth, so we can get the horsepower to the track.”

As for the job for which they’re intended, Pirelli slicks and DOT Supercorsa race tires also racked up an impressive number of road racing championships at the recent F-USA/CCS and WERA GNF finals. 16 of them, to be exact. Geoff May, the Hot Bodies/Prieto Racing/Arai/Teknic/Dennis The Plumber-sponsored privateer who stunned the AMA Superbike class with his fifth-place championship ranking on Pirelli slicks, set a new lap record during the F-USA/CCS weekend at the Homestead-Miami Speedway this past weekend with a lap of 1:24.373 on 16.5″ Pirelli slicks. He also took the CCS Unlimited GP race victory.

Pirelli tires and Buell also won both the F-USA Thunderbike race and championship, thanks to the talents of Dave Estok and his Harding H-D/Buell XB9R, who won the Homestead-Miami race, and his Harding’s teammate Bryan Bemisderfer, who captured the class championship on his own XB9R.

At the WERA GNF at Road Atlanta the previous weekend, Pirelli riders and tires captured 11 National Challenge championships. Giovanni Rojas and his Joe Rocket/Arai/Vortex/VP Yamaha R-6, won 600cc Superbike Expert, with Pirelli riders taking six of the top-10 positions. Brandon Parrish, also on an R-6, led five Pirelli racers across the line in the 600 Superbike Novice final, following that up with wins in both 600 Superstock Novice and in the inaugural Pirelli Diablo Corsa Challenge (covered in depth below), and a second in 750 Superstock Novice. We’re presuming Mr. Parrish didn’t need a plane for his flight home to Louisville, KY. He is sponsored by TAG/Crosley/ Finish Line Motorsports/VP/Pirelli/Vesrah/Vortex/Pit Bull.

Taylor Knapp led a Pirelli sweep down to fourth place in winning the 750 Superbike Expert class on his Ray C’s/Wintex/Vesrah/Pit Bull/Barker’s Bars, Pirelli/Pirelli Trackside R-6. In 750 Superstock Expert, Vesrah Suzuki’s Tray Batey took the first of his two GNF championships, the second coming in HWT Superstock Expert, while Ross Ryals, on a Pirelli/Pit Bull/Vesrah/VP/Collegiate Bookstores/Adams MS SV-650 led a Pirelli one-two finish in HWT Superstock Novice.

Geoff May, who seems to be everywhere, won the GNF Formula 1 championship on his Pirelli/Ti-Force/Arai/Teknic/VP/Vortex/HotBodies/SBS/Ohlins/GMD/Palmetto Motorsports/Dennis The Plumber-sponsored GSX-R1000. Again, six of the top ten riders were Pirelli mounted. Daniel Parkerson won Formula 2 Novice on his Action Motorsports Suzuki/RRR Cycles/Glass Surgeon/Pirelli SV-650. And in LWT Superstock, it was a wave of Pirelli-shod Suzuki SV-650s: David Yaakov (CAD Cycles/CAD Racing/Suzuki/Vanson/Pit Bull/Sharkskinz/Vortex/EBC/Silkolene/Vesrah/VP) captured the Expert, leading a Pirelli sweep down to fourth place, and eight of the top 10 finishers. Ross Ryals again led a Pirelli one-two in the Novice championship, and again, as in the HWT Novice final, Tim Birdsong, on his Sloans/Pirelli/Pit Bull/Vesrah/LP/Hot Bodies SV was second.

The GNF also saw the inaugural running of the Pirelli Diablo Corsa Challenge. A unique series created by Pirelli’s North American Country Manager, Mark Wilhelm, the Challenge was open to 2004 WERA novice racers, and rewarded the top five Pirelli Diablo Corsa Challenge finishers at the GNF with Pirelli racing contracts for 2005, as well as contracts from each of the participating companies: Arai Helmets, Motul Oil, Pit Bull Motorcycle Stands, Vesrah brakes, and Hot Bodies bodywork.

The main objective of the Challenge, according to Wilhelm, was to give novice racers a special opportunity to get “the credit they deserve, and to let us demonstrate just how good a tire the Diablo Corsa is in helping a novice rider build the confidence needed to break into the higher skill levels of racing without going broke.” The idea for Pirelli’s Diablo Corsa Challenge grew from the “street” radial’s unique blend of construction, features, and benefits which seem tailor-made for racers on a budget in entry to mid-level classes: DOT rubber with better durability than race tires, which saves tire money; very fast, even warm-up over a wide ambient temperature range, which can save tire-warmer money; and a tread pattern and compounding that work in the rain, which can eliminate the need for rain tires.

The top six Diablo Corsa Challenge racers in each region were invited to the GNF Diablo Challenge Final. They even received funds from the sponsors to contribute toward their travel costs to the GNF. And when all was said and done, the five racers who won all of those 2005 sponsorships were: 1: Brandon Parrish; 2: Troy Meikle; 3: Trevor Fortner; 4: Calvin Barnett; and
5: Dean Black.

The WERA National Endurance Championships saw longtime Pirelli team, Vesrah Suzuki take its third straight overall championship by winning Road Atlanta’s Round #10 season finale. They were followed home by Pirelli’s Team Velocity Racing in second place, Eagle Race Team in fourth, and B&S Endurance in fifth, giving Pirelli four of the top five positions. The wins cemented Vesrah’s championships for both Overall and Heavyweight Superbike. Team Velocity wound up second Overall, also winning the Heavyweight Superstock class championship.

From a press release issued by Team Telefonica Movistar Honda:

VALENCIA, ANOTHER GOAL TO BE REACHED

GP VALENCIA – PREVIEW

The 2004 season concludes with the Valencia GP, a championship year full of breathtaking moments where the riders of the Team Telefonica MoviStar Honda have been unquestionable protagonists.
Sete Gibernau, after a season which saw him leading the championship for the first part of the season and fighting for the title until the Australian GP (the 15th of the season), reconfirms himself as runner up in the Championship for the second year in a row, title which confirms both his value as a rider and that of his team together with Honda and Michelin.

The Team Telefonica MoviStar Honda concludes this season at Valencia with still one goal to reach: winning first place in the Teams Classification. Only one point separates the “azul” team from the leader. A prestigious goal which would complete an extraordinary season for Gresini Racing and would confirm the value of Fausto Gresini’s package: a well organized structure which is aided by the! support of Honda and Michelin, a professional technical staff passionate about racing, very important sponsors like Telefonica MoviStar and Castrol who believe in him and his riders.

The title isn’t far as both Sete and Colin are determined to give their best on the Spanish circuit. Sete Gibernau wants to give a superb show to his fans and all the spectators who followed applauded and rallied him on for 16 challenging races. Colin Edwards is very upbeat and wants to salute his team with a fantastic result in order to repay the mechanics and staff of their fabulous work throughout the year. For him it will be a race to remember as it will be his last time on the RC211V with the colours of the Team Telefonica MoviStar Honda: the relationship between the Texan and Gresini Racing in fact ends with this GP.

The final verdict will take place right on here, on this track during the Valencia GP race, a technical and tormented track, born with a huge stadium wh! ere spectators – conveniently sat on the steps – have complete visibility of the entire event. The Spanish effect added to the fact that Valencia is the last round of the Season, makes it so that this race finishes with a huge party in which a huge numbers of spectators participate.

SETE GIBERNAU, A BIG THANK YOU TO HIS PUBLIC

Valencia is an extra special track for Sete Gibernau. It is in fact here that the Spaniard won his first race in the 500cc class.

The Ricardo Tormo is a small track and complicated for the MotoGP bikes, but the very apparent festive atmosphere is incredible. Valencia is a GP that gives incredible emotions, year after year.

Once again Sete Gibernau is ready for the last challenge of the year, intentioned to give the very best to his public.
“Valencia has always been a special event for me as it is the last race of the season, and it is also a wonderful opportunity to give a great result to my Spanish fan! s.

The track is slow and tormented, not very suited for MotoGP bikes. However it is always capable of thrilling the 150.000 spectators who crowd the grand stands.

My favourite part of the track is the last corner.

The track is tight, and this doesn’t allow for much overtaking, however a good point to overtake is the entrance in the second corner.

The secret to a good lap? On this track it is important to have a good setting, a good rhythm and it is especially important do not commit any mistakes.
For a Spanish rider it is incredible to race here as you can hear the crowd cheering around you, it is an incredible support.”

COLIN EDWARDS, “VALENCIA, DO OR DIE”
At the end of a season in which Colin Edwards distinguished himself for being consistent on the pace, but missing of aggressiveness and incisiveness, two traits which the twice world champion is known for.

The Texan of the Team Telefonica MoviStar H! onda is ready to open the throttle in Valencia, the last round of the 2004 MotoGP Championship.

Now that he has a good feeling with the bike, he has to get ready to say goodbye to the team which accompanied him for the entire season.

Edwards comments the Valencia race like this: “Do or die, I am going to Valencia and opening the throttle.”

Colin Edwards, known for being consistent, has every intention breaking his riding rule, that of riding in a regular way in order to get points every race, and he promises to put on quite a show.

The goal of his final race is to reconquer his fourth position in the championship that has been momentarily lost because of the accident he was caught up in Japan and because of his eleventh place in Sepang, his worse placing of the season. 6 points separate the Texan with Alex Barros who is in fourth place coming into this race.

From a press release issued by The Wegman Benifit Fund.

The Wegman Benefit Fund is auctioning a California Superbike “Bring Your Own Bike” School on their web site at www.wegmanfund.org.

The school was donated by Keith Code and is available at any track the school is held at through 2005. Bids will be accepted through 12/31/04.

All proceeds will go to the Wegman Fund to assist seriously injured motorcycle road racers. This is an opportunity to get a super deal for a great on track experience with your own bike with the California Superbike School.

Watch the Wegman web site for more auctions in the future and check out our merchant page for great Wegman Fund apparel or make a donation on line.

The Wegman Fund is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization.

From a press release issued by Dorna Sports:

Curtain to fall on dramatic season at Gran Premio Marlboro de la Comunitat Valencia

The 2004 MotoGP World Championship comes to a close this weekend with the final round of an unforgettable season at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia. Whilst Valentino Rossi has already been crowned World Champion for the fourth successive time, there is plenty to look forward to for a local crowd who have already snapped up but a handful of the available tickets. Extra temporary grandstands to cope with the extraordinary demand should guarantee a race day crowd in excess of 120,000 fans and the MotoGP riders will need no more motivation to sign off from the season in style.

It is a big weekend for home favourites in the premier class, with Sete Gibernau looking to make up for the disappointment of losing out on the title to Rossi in Australia last week with a fifth victory of the season at the scene of his debut success back in 2001. Meanwhile, it promises to be an emotional affair for Carlos Checa, who makes his 95th and final appearance for Yamaha after the announcement that he will be replaced by Gibernau’s current Honda team-mate Colin Edwards next season.

Gibernau is not the only rider looking to repeat past glory at Valencia this weekend, with several others also calling on a strong record at the Spanish circuit. Alex Barros has twice finished on the podium, including his last win in 2002, whilst Rossi himself ended a comparatively poor run last season with his first ever victory there in any class.

Troy Bayliss scored five podium finishes at Valencia during his World Superbike career, including winning both races in 2002, and will be hoping for a similar result this weekend. The final round of the MotoGP season represents the Australian’s last appearance with Ducati after the decision by the Italian factory not to extend his contract beyond the end of the current campaign.

Garry McCoy took victory at Valencia riding the two-stroke Yamaha in 2000 and returns this weekend as a continued replacement for Shane Byrne at Aprilia. Byrne is recovering from an operation on his wrist after injuring himself in a practice crash at Brno in August and will be back in the MotoGP paddock this weekend as an eager spectator.

Kenny Roberts is also back in the fray after a three race absence and, unlike Byrne, is fit to make a return to competitive action for Suzuki. Roberts’ return could not have come at a better time for the team, who part company with Team Manager Garry Taylor this weekend after a relationship stretching over three decades and 390 Grands Prix.

Roberts’ younger brother Kurtis is also back in action after recovering from a fractured elbow and will ride the Proton Team KR V5 in what looks to be its final public appearance, with further tests planned for the team’s own chassis with a KTM V4 engine in the near future. Development will also be the key for Olivier Jacque, who makes his second appearance of the season as a wildcard aboard the Moriwaki MD211VF prototype.

One year ago Daniel Pedrosa celebrated the 125cc World Championship title with a lap of the Ricardo Tormo circuit in a convertible car after breaking both of his ankles in a practice crash at Phillip Island. However, the Spaniard arrives at his home circuit this weekend with a clean bill of health and the 250cc title under his arm after a sensational rookie season which saw him crowned World Champion in Australia just over a week ago. Pedrosa is sure to be one of the main attractions for the local support this weekend as he looks to end a perfect year with his seventh victory of the season but will come under pressure from equally patriotic compatriots such as Toni Elías and Fonsi Nieto as well as the form man in the category, Sebastián Porto.

In the 125cc class the World Championship is decided but the scrap for second place is very much on, with two home favourites looking to stake their claim at Valencia. Whilst Andrea Dovizioso clinched the title two races ago in Malaysia and has the chance to set the second highest points total ever in the class behind Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo and Hector Barberá trail Roberto Locatelli by three and five points respectively in the chase for the prestigious runner-up spot.


More, from a press release issued by Camel Honda:

Valencian GP – MotoGP

VALENCIA´S AMPHITHEATRE BRINGS CURTAIN DOWN ON
MOTOGP IN 2004

The Valencia circuit is just like a giant theatre, and on the main stage this coming Sunday, the spectacular players in the fantastic MotoGP show will perform their roles for the last time this 2004 season. The Camel Honda team will be there of course with its two riders, Max Biaggi and Makoto Tamada, and will be aiming to take home yet another trophy after a season which has seen them fighting for victories around the whole world. The “Ricardo Tormo” circuit is well-known for its peculiar configuration, which allows the crowds in the stands to see practically the entire circuit, within the confines of what is effectively a giant amphitheatre. The resultant effect is stunning and it is because of this, and in general not the tight and twisty circuit which isn’t a favourite of the riders in the elite MotoGP class, the GP of the Valencian Community is becoming one of the classic events on the MotoGP calendar.

Sito Pons – Camel Honda (Team Principal)
“The Valencian GP is a home race for our team, and to finish off with a victory would be fantastic for us. The 2004 World Championship has been hard fought and great to watch, it’s been a brilliant show for the spectators and that’s positive for our sport, in which Camel Honda is one of the main protagonists. We have won races with both riders and have made many appearances on the podium. The Valencia track is different, very tight and not particularly quick, but our team already won there in 2002 with Alex Barros and this year we’ve got good results on many different kinds of circuits, like Rio and Sachsenring for example. We have every chance of repeating this, and that’s our objective for this final race of 2004.”


Max Biaggi #3: (Michelin Tyres)
“Ricardo Tormo is not among my favourite tracks for the circuit itself at least; it’s too slow and twisty. Next year they should be making it faster and this is good because even if the track doesn’t excite me, the atmosphere certainly does with a brilliant crowd who follow you over the whole lap. Racing in Spain is always special because of the passion amongst the fans there. The last races over the intercontinental trip weren’t brilliant and now I want to get a top result. The track isn’t difficult from a technical point of view and in the tests in December 2003 we went quite well. We hope to find that kind of form again and fight for the win in this race.”

Giulio Bernardelle – Camel Honda (Makoto Tamada’s Technical Director)
“We’re happy to be finishing the season in Valencia because it’s a good track for us. In the December tests last year, Makoto got some good results back and the tyres worked particularly well. Since then they have improved even further, so we are very confident from that point of view, and also because the weather conditions shouldn’t be too extreme. We have enough data for a good base set-up, so you could say that everything is in order to fulfil our objectives: closing off the 2004 season with the kind of result that has already pleased us so much this year.”

Makoto Tamada #6: (Bridgestone Tyres)
“I really like the fast circuits, with the long bends and quick changes of direction, but Valencia is quite different to all of that. Although, I don’t particularly dislike it, perhaps because in the winter tests I went quite well, I felt comfortable there. The last two races haven’t gone as I expected, so I really want to prove myself now. Both the Malaysian and the Australian GPs saw me having to recover positions on the early laps. Given that it’s even more important to be up with the front group early on in Valencia, with the track being so tight, you have to qualify well and then make a good start. I’m hoping for both!”

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing.

Carmichael earns AMA Pro Racing SPEED Channel Athlete of the Year nomination


PICKERINGTON, Ohio (Oct. 26, 2004) — Ricky Carmichael has received a nomination for the 2004 AMA Pro Racing SPEED Channel Athlete of the Year Award. Carmichael, who in September completed an amazing second perfect season in the AMA 250 Motocross Championship, is a two-time winner of AMA Pro Racing’s most prestigious award. He could join Scott Parker as the only three-time winner of the award should he win it on Nov. 14 at Paris Las Vegas during the 30th Annual AMA Pro Racing Awards Banquet.

Carmichael made a return to racing in May of this year after going through major knee surgery during the off-season. No one was sure how strong the 24-year-old Floridian would be in his comeback as not only would he be returning from an injury that ended many riders’ careers, but he would also be riding a four-stroke motorcycle for the first time in his career. Carmichael proved better than ever and supremely adaptable to the new bike by dominating the season opening Hangtown Classic.

After winning the first round Carmichael never looked back. He duplicated his remarkable 2002 feat of going the entire Motocross season without a defeat – a perfect 24 for 24 moto wins in the 12-event championship.

“I’ll never forget the 2004 season,” Carmichael said. “I wanted to prove not only to everybody else, but also myself that I could come back even stronger than I was before the knee injury. I think this year’s undefeated season was maybe even more satisfying than in 2002 because the competition was so strong with Kevin [Windham] and Chad [Reed] both on the top of their game.”

The year was also special to Carmichael since it marked the final season of his three-year association with Honda. “I really want to dedicate this perfect season to all the crew at Honda. We had a great relationship and set a lot of records together,” he said on the podium after winning the season finale in San Bernardino in May. Carmichael wore the No. 1 instead of his traditional No. 4 on his Honda at Glen Helen as a tribute to the team.

Carmichael is without a doubt one of the best motocross racers in the history of the sport. He owns just about every record in AMA Motocross. Carmichael is the all-time wins leader in combined AMA Motocross and Supercross victories with 108 wins. He also leads the AMA 250 motocross category with 49-career wins so far — over 20 wins more than second-ranked Bob Hannah. Carmichael owns a record 11 AMA National Championships.

Carmichael previously won the AMA Pro Racing SPEED Channel Athlete of Year in 2001 and 2002. This is his fifth nomination for the award.

The 2004 AMA Pro Racing SPEED Channel Athlete of the Year will be announced at the 30th annual AMA Pro Racing Awards Banquet to be held at the Paris Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, on Sunday, Nov. 14. Contact Cyndi Freeze-Cain at (614) 856-1900, ext. 1232 for more information on the banquet.



More, from Mat Mladin himself:

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

Ricky had a perfect outdoor season, 24 moto wins from 24 starts. My season doesn’t compare. Don’t like to bust my own bubble but it’s a fact.

Mat Mladin