Belgian ace Weynand in line for TT debut Twenty eight year old Belgian road racer Michael Weynand is the latest top European rider signed up to make his debut at the Isle of Man TT Races this June. Weynand is a rider of considerable ability, who has gained vast experience in the highly competitive European Superstock Championship over the past few years, as well as taking part in selected World Endurance Championship (WEC) events with considerable distinction. This year he will again take part in the WEC riding as team mate to former World Superbike Champion Stefan Mertens. Michael is also one of the leading competitors on the European Pure Road Racing scene, taking victories at Oostend and finishing on the podium twice at Mettet during 2004. Last year he also finished a fine fifth place in a one off ride in the Masters of Endurance Championship at Magny Cours. Speaking about the prospect of riding in the world famous TT Races, Michael commented: “For a long time it has been an ambition for me to take part in the Isle of Man TT Races, but I never really knew how to go about doing it, and I was never in a situation with my other commitments which would allow it. I enjoy the road races in Belgium at places like Mettet and I have been very successful there, so hopefully I will be able to transfer some of that form to the TT. I realise that it is going to be a totally different type of event, but I am looking forward to the challenge of learning the circuit and I can’t wait for June.” TT Team and Rider Liaison Officer Paul Phillips added: “Michael is another guy who was very keen to take part in the TT, and who has therefore been very easy to deal with. He is an extremely talented rider who at twenty eight could become a top TT rider in the years to come. His achievements in European Superstock where he was regularly battling at the front of the field, and in World Endurance are proof of that and that added to his excellent results in the road races across Europe make him an ideal candidate for the Isle of Man TT Races.” David Cretney MHK, Minister for the Department of Tourism and Leisure and Chairman of the TT Co-ordinating Committee said: “It is great news to be adding another top continental rider to the list of entries received by the Manx Motor Cycle Club for this years TT Races. I think that some people thought that the changes to the TT on an organisational level would see the number of foreign competitors taking part in the event, start to dwindle. But that hasn’t been the case, and what we have actually seen happen, is an increase top quality riders from the continent and beyond, entering the TT for 2005.”

World’s elite converges on Jerez as MotoGP prepares to lift the curtain The fastest motorcycle racers on the planet were reunited on an afternoon of anticipation and expectation at the Spanish circuit of Jerez today, the eve of the 2005 MotoGP World Championship. The opening round of the season gets underway on Friday morning, with the first free practice session for Sunday’s Gran Premio Marlboro de España signalling an eagerly-awaited return to competitive action for the teams and riders after a long winter of testing and development. Twenty MotoGP riders lined up for the traditional preseason photograph in bright sunshine and strong winds with one objective in mind: dethroning the man in the middle of the picture, reigning World Champion Valentino Rossi. The Yamaha rider has now won the premier-class title for the past four years and has taken victory at Jerez on no fewer than five occasions in all categories, a record he is keen to defend in what he expects to be his most difficult season yet. “Last year we caused a surprise but this year it will be harder because everybody knows what to expect,” admitted Rossi, who became the first man since Eddie Lawson in 1989 to win consecutive titles for different manufacturers after switching from Honda to Yamaha last year. “Honda have worked very hard in the winter and they have a lot of strong riders but this sport is not about one factory against another every rider is alone. The winner at the end will be the person who stays consistent and arrives on the podium the most.” After months of preseason testing the fun-loving Italian added that he is looking forward to getting back to doing what he does best and promised plenty of entertainment for the season to come. “It’s been a long winter and sometimes it’s hard to stay motivated but in the race I will be giving 100%. Everybody is ready the riders are in good shape and the bikes are set up. This year will be another great show.” Despite Rossi’s ebullience there is no shortage of confidence throughout the remainder of the grid that this could be the year his dominance comes to an end. Sete Gibernau has run the World Champion closer than any other rider over the past two seasons and says he is better prepared than ever to challenge for the title. “My only aim is to raise my level of riding to a point where I don’t have to depend on anybody else, and I think my level is higher now than it has ever been,” said Gibernau, who took victory in a wet race at this circuit last season. “Valentino is obviously the man to beat because he has won the championship for the past few seasons by being the best. It’s up to us now to raise our level, stay focused and do the best job we can at every race.” Unlike past seasons the whole grid arrived at the opening Grand Prix reporting a clean bill of health, with Alex Barros claiming full strength after two years of injury troubles, John Hopkins recovering swiftly from operations to remove metal plates from his legs and Max Biaggi having made miraculous progress from a broken ankle he sustained in November. Even Carlos Checa, who missed the final official test of the preseason here at Jerez just over a week ago with a shoulder problem, remarked that he “should be 100 per cent fit for the race.” Dani Pedrosa is no stranger to miraculous recoveries having himself bounced back from two broken ankles just over one year ago to clinch the 250cc title in his first season. The Spanish youngster is predicting a tougher challenge this time around but is confident of getting off to the right start in front of a passionate home crowd expected to top last season’s stunning total of 125,000 after recent improvements to the spectator facilities on the outskirts of the circuit. “We’ve had a really good preseason, something I didn’t have last year, and we have taken a step forward in every aspect,” commented Pedrosa, who made a brief dash to Portugal for two days of tests at Estoril last week. “I’m starting the season defending the number 1 plate and I’m very motivated and excited about that. I know it will be a difficult season and I will be under the spotlight but I’m ready. Everybody is looking forward to the start of the season and if the atmosphere is usually impressive at Jerez, it should be unbelievable for the first race!” Local hopes in the 125cc class rest largely with the experienced Pablo Nieto, who has returned to Derbi in an all-Spanish line-up alongside rookie Nico Terol and is already one of the favourites for the title. “I’m on the verge of going crazy wanting the World Championship to start!” commented Nieto, the highest ranked rider in the class. “It’s been pretty tense over the past few weeks but I think I speak for all the riders when I say we just want to get on the bike tomorrow and start giving it some gas!”

Mat Mladin Motorsports Optimistic after Superbike Test at California Speedway FONTANA, Calif. (April 7, 2005) – Following a two-day test at California Speedway in Fontana, Calif., on April 5-6, five-time AMA Superbike Champion Mat Mladin and his newly formed Mat Mladin Motorsports Suzuki team are enthusiastic about the 2005 AMA Superbike season. Mladin went into the test after winning the series-opening round of AMA Superbike at Daytona International Speedway last month, and he finished the Fontana test with the fastest lap time of 1:24.4. Meanwhile, Mat Mladin Motorsports’ Superbike rider Marty Craggill posted an impressive 1:26.94 lap time. Mat Mladin, Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000 Even though Mladin was attending the Fontana test in the capacity of a racer and team owner, his priority is winning the AMA Superbike Championship with his Yoshimura Suzuki crew. “The test went well,” said Mladin afterward. “We had a bunch of stuff to get through and we got through a lot on the first day. On Wednesday, we messed around and tried some different set-ups and suspension settings. It definitely went well.” Throughout the two-day test, Mladin dipped into the 1:24 range numerous times on his Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000. More importantly, his fastest lap – 1.24.4 – was better than his qualifying time of 1.24.7 from last year’s AMA Superbike race at Fontana. “I’ve have loved the new GSX-R1000 ever since I first through a leg over it,” Mladin said. “Now we’ve been working on getting the bike set up to an area where I feel comfortable. We found some settings we liked when we tested at Barber a few weeks ago that made it feel good. Now, we’ve found some settings that make it feel even better than when we tested here at Fontana two months ago. That’s why we’re here — to make the motorcycle feel better.” Marty Craggill, Mat Mladin Motorsports Suzuki GSX-R1000 Although Craggill raced the AMA Superbike race at the series-opening round at Daytona last month, this test at Fontana was his first opportunity to spend some quality time with his new Mat Mladin Motorsports Suzuki GSX-R1000. “We started to really figure out what’s going on with the bike,” said Craggill after the test. “I haven’t spent a lot of time on the GSX-R1000, so I wanted to work on improving my riding. We also did a fair bit of work on the suspension. My lap times were pretty good – I did a 1.26.94 — and I really think the bike is coming along well. I’m happy we did the test because we learned a lot.” Not only was Craggill able to work on bike set-up, he also was able to better familiarize himself with the Fontana track and increase his confidence about the upcoming Southern California race. “We did 140 laps over the two days,” he explained. “I don’t want to make a prediction about where I’m going to finish, but I think I’ll be competitive and try to be top privateer.” Craggill gave a lot of credit to his success at the test to his friend and team owner, Mladin. “Mat worked with me quite a bit,” he said. “We talked about riding the track, set-up and just riding the bike — what he’s thinking while he’s riding the bike and explaining to me what he’s actually doing out there, which helps a lot.” Added Mladin about his new team and rider: “I was over there working with Marty a fair bit. Besides Daytona and a little bit at Infineon Raceway, he hasn’t had much time on the bike. It was important for him to put in the laps, which he did. It was important for him to find a base set-up to feel comfortable on the Suzuki, which he did. Marty and his mechanics are getting to know each other now, which is very important. There are only two of them and they busted butt for the two days to get through as much stuff as possible. Marty and his guys did a great job.” The next event for Yoshimura Suzuki’s Mladin and Mat Mladin Motorsports’ Craggill is the AMA Superbike race at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Ala., April 22-24, 2005.

Rizla Suzuki’s John Reynolds and Scott Smart are in confident mood for this weekend’s second-round British Superbike Championship race at Thruxton near the team’s headquarters. Both are confident with the performance of their GSX-R1000 race bikes and are looking forward to the extra support from local fans. British Superbike Champion Reynolds was hailed as a hero after scoring two ninth place finishes at Brands Hatch with his right leg still broken in five places. Since then, the 39-year-old Nottingham rider has been spending time with his doctor and resting as much as possible to prepare himself for racing again. Smart is looking forward to Thruxton with relish. The 28-year-old York-based rider is sure the sheer horsepower of the GSX-R1000K5 will make it a difficult bike to beat at Thruxton – the fastest closed circuit on the BSB calendar with an average lap speed of 112mph. Thruxton in Hampshire is just a 45-minute drive from Rizla Suzuki’s headquarters in Verwood, Dorset and thanks to a tradition of producing exceptionally close racing; it is one of the most popular events of the year. John Reynolds: “I feel stronger with every passing day and hope the fast open nature of Thruxton will allow me to be more competitive than the tight turns at Brands Hatch. On a tight track you are leaning the bike as much as possible to maintain corner speed and my special Alpinestars boot and cast were limiting how far I could lean, meaning I wasn’t cornering as fast as I would normally. “At a higher-speed circuit like Thruxton, you are more upright and driving through the corners. The more upright the better for me as my boot and cast are thick and are limiting ground clearance. “I have been with my doctor and he says my leg continues to heal, which is good news. Thanks to all the fans for their words of support since the opening round. That makes a big difference to me. ” Scott Smart: “Thruxton is a track that will suit the Rizla Suzuki with its very powerful engine. I have the best bike and team in the paddock and this weekend I mean to back that statement up by getting good results. “At Brands Hatch, I proved that the GSX-R1000 was capable of fast lap times. Now the opening-round nerves are gone, we can concentrate on putting in fast laps every lap and fighting at the front where we belong. Thruxton is the home circuit for the Rizla Suzuki team and I am sure the extra fans in the crowd will give JR and me a real boost.”

HONDA RACING INFORMATION Spanish Grand Prix of Spain, Jerez. 8,9,10 April 2005. SEASON OPENER PROMISES FRANTIC ALL-OUT ACTION Jerez, usually the first European race on the MotoGP calendar, is now the curtain raiser for this truly global 17-race series. After months of testing, some of it here in Jerez, the true measure of the early-season pecking order will only be established here in southern Andalucia on Sunday. And what an opening race it should be. Jerez regularly packs in crowds of more than 150,000 for MotoGP races and as the sport’s popularity skyrockets, this natural amphitheatre will resound to the shriek of 990cc four-stroke MotoGP machines, the baying crowd, and of course ear-shattering Spanish fireworks. Intensive pre-season testing has shown no single rider to be dominant at more than one track at any given time. But for what it’s worth Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda RC211V) has been the fastest man around this demanding 4.423km track so far this year. The track is a challenge in two main areas, rider rhythm is vital and front tyre grip at a premium. Laid out among natural contours, Jerez was built in 1986 and hosted its first Grand Prix the following year. It has never been off the Grand Prix calendar since – a measure of the quality of racing it provides. Jerez makes demands in all areas of machine set-up with short, medium and long straights, uphill and downhill braking areas, and two second gear hairpins. But the biggest test is whether a rider can make a series of consistent, flowing laps in race conditions when the ideal lines through turns may be occupied by rivals. Bikes have to be stable to cope with bumps on the entries to key turns. Under hard braking, the undulations into turn one at the end of the start-finish straight can pose problems and another tight right-hander at the end of the back straight is a challenge too – especially as these are recognised ‘passing places’. Jerez also boasts one of the most spectacular run-ins to the finish line – two 100mph right turns, with rear wheels spinning-up, and then desperate braking into the final tight left – where many a race has been won and lost, often amid fierce controversy. Hayden goes into this race with the advantage of knowing he was fastest in testing. And although ‘testing is testing and racing is racing’ the session was held only two weeks ago. Conditions, which can often reduce lap times markedly here, are likely to be closer to prevailing race conditions than they have been in previous pre-season tests here. Nicky cannot wait to get his third season in MotoGP underway and the engaging American knows he must do better than the third row qualifying performance and seventh place finish he put up last season. Hayden needs a strong start in 2005. “I’m glad testing is over and it’s now time for the real thing,” he said. “It was satisfying to be in such good shape here over the last test weekend of the year – and at the track we’ll be racing at for the opening Grand Prix. I know we don’t get any points for testing but it was good to give my team something to smile about. I feel we’ve got a competitive package. We’ve all worked real hard to understand the bike and each other. With only one qualifying session we need to be in good shape.” His teammate Max Biaggi (Repsol Honda RC211V) struggled in testing here recently, but has the pedigree to put himself in contention come race day. The Roman ace finished third in the 2004 World Championship and this season with the Repsol Honda Team represents a great chance for title glory. Injured at the beginning of pre-season testing Biaggi is now fully fit. He finished second here last year. “The injury to my left ankle put my career at risk, but I recovered in time for this challenge,” he said. “An HRC factory ride means two things at the same time: great value and huge responsibility. We’ve got to put ourselves back on top of the world, but to achieve that we cannot take anything for granted 17-races are tough and competitors are sharpening their blades. But Honda and me, together, can make it.” For Sete Gibernau (Team MoviStar Honda RC211V) this race is pivotal in many ways. It’s a ‘home’ race for the Spanish 2004 World Championship runner-up, and he needs to get his challenge underway with a strong performance just like in 2004 when he won here. “Jerez has always been an incredible place,” he said. “This year it will be even more incredible as it is the first race of a challenging and amazing Championship season. During the winter testing we all worked together, focusing in one direction and I am very pleased with the results we have made. There is more work to be done but the single lap times and race pace has been very satisfying and has confirmed that we have a very strong base to work with.” His new running-mate Marco Melandri (Team MoviStar Honda RC211V) looks equally at home with this experienced crew and the Italian has surprised a few rivals with his speed on the mighty Honda RC211V. Melandri was second fastest here in testing after a torrid season in 2004 on a Yamaha. “The work in Jerez has been very important as I have been able to better my race pace,” he said. “Every day I did about 90 laps and on the third day I dedicated myself to a race simulation. I have been able to try the bike in wet conditions and I have had very positive feedback. Now I feel as though I am a more complete rider and I am ready for the 2005 challenge. I have finally found the desire to ride again.” Alex Barros (Camel Honda RC211V) is new to the Camel team this year, but no stranger to the demands of premier class racing – this is the Brazilian’s 15th consecutive year in the toughest motorcycle series in the world and he’s as ready to race as ever. “We have worked hard during winter, especially at Jerez,” he said. “On the last test day I did over a hundred laps, testing everything both on the bike and with the tyres. By the end we found a good set-up and I think we are ready for the race, which will be hard fought. There was hardly anything to choose between so many riders in the winter tests and this season will be very tough and extremely competitive.” Hard-charging Australian Troy Bayliss joins Barros in the Camel outfit this year and the former Ducati rider who has a reputation as a man who saves his best performances for races is itching to get his RC211V on track when it really counts. “Finally the tests have come to an end, and the World Championship begins,” he said. “During winter not everything was rosy for me, but despite a few difficulties, we have made a lot of progress. In Jerez I wasn’t as quick as in the December tests and frankly I still don’t know why, but the effort we put in has been enormous. This Sunday we’ll see if we are able to capitalise on the hard work we have done up to now. I simply can’t wait for the race to come around.” Makoto Tamada (Konica Minolta Honda RC211V) has twice topped the pre-season test times; at Sepang in Malaysia and Losail in Qatar. And the Japanese rider, who won twice in 2004, is ready for a full tilt at the title this year. “After the Jerez tests I feel very confident with the RC211V,” he said. “We tested everything we needed to test and I even ran a race simulation with consistently fast lap times. The only things I didn’t have time to test to my satisfaction were the Michelin qualifying tyres. I’m not entirely comfortable with them yet – but that will come. I’m really looking forward to this race.” Spanish superstar Dani Pedrosa (Team MoviStar Honda RS250RW) defends his 250cc World Championship title – and what better place to begin his attempt to retain it than here ‘at home’ in Jerez. The double World Champion elected to stay and defend his title while two of his rivals graduated to the MotoGP class (Tony Elias and Roberto Rolfo). But a clutch of hungry former 125cc arrivals, including reigning World 125cc Champion Andrea Dovizioso (Team Scot Honda RS250RW) could make life tough for him. “We’ve had a really good pre-season,” said Dani. “And that’s something I didn’t have last year, so we’ve moved forward in every way. I’m defending the number one plate and I’m very motivated by that. I know it will be a difficult season and I’ll be under the spotlight, but I’m ready. It’ll be strange to start the season at Jerez, but the atmosphere should be incredible.” His teammate Hiroshi Aoyama (Team MoviStar Honda RS250RW) embarks on his second year of World 250cc competition after a strong debut season and the Japanese could well figure strongly in the title chase. He was sixth overall in his debut season last year. “I had my best test of the pre-season at Jerez,” he said. “So I’m hoping things go well. I like the track and I’m highly motivated. Everything was new for me last season but now I’ve got the references I need from tracks that were new to me. It will be tough this year with a lot of riders who are experienced and determined, but I have confidence in myself and the team.” Dovizioso, as a newcomer to the class, albeit a 125cc World Champion debutant in the class, expects life to be tough. “I haven’t gone well at Jerez in the past,” he said. “But testing has taught me a lot about the Honda RS250RW and I’ll learn a lot about my rivals at this first European race of the season.” All Japan 250cc Champion Yuki Takahashi joins Dovizioso in the Kopron Scot 250 team for the 2005 season. Takahashi is the second rider to secure the prestigious Honda Racing Scholarship, awarded to the most promising young Japanese rider of the year. Takahashi will now lock horns with his great rival Hiroshi Aoyama again after a one-year break. Aoyama won the inaugural Honda scholarship in 2003, narrowly beating Takahashi in the All Japan 250 Championship that year. “Jerez will be my debut at a GP outside Japan. Everything in Europe is new for me but racing is racing. We have learned a lot about the new RS250RW during testing and I will do my best on Sunday for my new team.” Said Takahashi. Much can be expected from the hungry Fortuna Honda pairing of Jorge Lorenzo and Hector Barbera who have been flying in testing. Both will ride Honda RS250RWs and have adapted quickly to the demands of the 250cc machine after winning on 125s. With Dovizioso now riding in the 250cc class, the 125cc races are likely to feature any number of front runners, but Alvaro Bautista (Seedorf RC3 Racing Honda RS125RW), who finished sixth overall in 2004, is sure to figure on the leaderboard. “I didn’t have the best pre-season,” he said. “But I’m enjoying making up lost ground and of course anything can happen in the race. But I’ll just aim for Friday practice and then by Saturday I’ll have some idea of what I’ll be able to achieve in Jerez. I’ll be doing my best – and we’ll see what that is on Sunday.”