Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Spaniard Sete Gibernau increased his MotoGP Championship point lead with a win Sunday in the French Grand Prix at Le Mans. It was Gibernau’s second win of the 2004 season, the seventh of his career and his second consecutive win at Le Mans.

Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha’s Carlos Checa took the holeshot and led the first 11 laps over Gibernau, but one small mistake, running wide at the exit of a right-hander, gave Gibernau the only opportunity he needed. Gibernau drove past Checa and held on to win by a small but stable margin.

Late in the race, Checa came under pressure from Camel Honda’s Max Biaggi, who grew stronger through the race, passing Checa’s teammate Valentino Rossi for third on lap 13.

Pressure from Rossi, a few mistakes and lapped riders in the final corner of the race inhibited Biaggi from taking second place from Checa.

Rossi rode hard, swapped position with Biaggi several times (nearly making contact with his rival more than once) but made mistakes of his own that prevented him from doing better than fourth.

Gibernau’s Telefonica Movistar Honda teammate Colin Edwards finished fifth after passing Checa’s young teammate Marco Melandri in the fast first part of the track late in the race.

American Kenny Lee Roberts finished eighth on his factory Suzuki GSV-R.

Respol Honda’s Nicky Hayden ran off the track once during the race and struggled to finish 11th.

Kurtis Roberts scored his first-ever MotoGP points with 15th, one lap down, on the Proton Team KR V5.

D’Antin Ducati’s Neil Hodgson crashed on the first lap, taking out Suzuki’s John Hopkins and Yamaha’s Norick Abe, according to Abe.

According to an incident report issued by MotoGP, Hopkins suffered a fractured left thumb, and Hodgson broke two ribs, in the crash.

Gibernau’s win extends his MotoGP World Championship point lead to 10 over Biaggi.

MotoGP Race Results:

1. Sete GIBERNAU, Honda, 28 laps, 44:22.750
2. Carlos CHECA, Yamaha, -1.671 seconds
3. Max BIAGGI, Honda, -1.908 seconds
4. Valentino ROSSI, Yamaha, -4.272 seconds
5. Colin EDWARDS, Honda, -15.755 seconds
6. Marco MELANDRI, Yamaha, -18.225 seconds
7. Alex BARROS, Honda, -27.656 seconds
8. Troy BAYLISS, Ducati, -31.530 seconds
9. Makoto TAMADA, Honda, -33.164 seconds
10. Loris CAPIROSSI, Ducati, -39.512 seconds
11. Nicky HAYDEN, Honda, -47.625 seconds
12. Kenny ROBERTS, Suzuki, -72.140 seconds
13. Jeremy McWILLIAMS, Aprilia, -83.391 seconds
14. Ruben XAUS, Ducati, -1 lap, crash
15. Kurtis ROBERTS, Proton, -1 lap
16. Michel FABRIZIO, Harris WCM, -1 lap
17. Nobuatsu AOKI, Proton, -1 lap
18. Shinya NAKANO, Kawasaki, -12 laps, DNF
19. Chris BURNS, Harris wCM, -14 laps, DNF
20. Alex HOFMANN, Kawasaki, -23 laps, DNF
21. Norick ABE, Yamaha, -28 laps, DNF, crash
22. John HOPKINS, Suzuki, -28 laps, DNF, crash
23. Neil HODGSON, Ducati, -28 laps, DNF, crash

Note: Hodgson crashed on the first lap, knocking down Hopkins and Abe.

MotoGP World Championship Point Standings (after 3 of 16 races):

1. GIBERNAU, 66 points
2. BIAGGI, 56 points
3. ROSSI, 51 points
4. BARROS, 38 points
5. CHECA, 36 points
6. EDWARDS, 29 points
7. HAYDEN, 27 points
8. CAPIROSSI, 20 points
9. TIE, MELANDRI/TAMADA, 15 points
11. TIE, Kenny ROBERTS/ABE, 12 points
13. NAKANO, 11 points
14. BAYLISS, 10 points
15. FABRIZIO, 6 points
16. HOPKINS, 4 points
17. TIE, McWILLIAMS/HOFMANN, 3 points
19. TIE, XAUS/AOKI, 2 points
21. TIE, Kurtis ROBERTS/Shane Byrne 1 point

From a press release issued by Foggy Petronas Racing:

Vermeulen disqualified from second Monza race

Chris Vermeulen’s disqualification from the second race at Monza left Foggy PETRONAS Racing riders Troy Corser in fifth place and Chris Walker seventh.

The Ten Kate Honda rider was stripped of his second place when a random post-race FIM inspection of tilt-switches, a safety measure designed to cut the engine when the bike is on its side, found that Vermeulen’s switch was not working.

And that provided an added bonus for PETRONAS, who retained their second position in the manufacturer’s standings as a result.

Revised race two results, Superbike World Championship round 4, Monza, Italy: 1 Laconi (Ducati Fila); 2 Toseland (Ducati Fila) +18.281; 3 McCoy (Xerox Ducati) +19.403; 4 Haslam (Renegade Ducati) +34.611; 5 Corser (Foggy PETRONAS Racing) +40.665; 6 Borciani (DFX) +41.256; 7 Walker (Foggy PETRONAS Racing) +42.485; 8 Martin (DFX) +48.936; 9 Sanchini (Kawasaki Bertocchi) +49.012); 10 Clementi (Kawasaki Bertocchi) +51.042; 11 Bontempi (Zongshen) +1:02.321; 12 Pedercini (Team Pedercini) +1:09.516; 13 Velini (UnionBike) +1:09.573; 14 Saiger (Life Haus) +1:20.873

Manufacturer standings (after 4 of 11 rounds): 1 Ducati 200; 2 PETRONAS 90; 3 Honda 83; 4 Kawasaki 48; 5 Suzuki 47; 6 Yamaha 22

Rider standings: 1 Laconi 120; 2 Toseland 113; 3 Chili 97; 4 McCoy 87; 5 Vermeulen 83; 6 Haga 69; 7 Walker 69; 8 Borciani 68; 9 Corser 66; 10 Haslam 64



More, from a press release issued by Ten Kate Honda:

Muggeridge and Parkes Go First and Second

Karl Muggeridge (Ten Kate HondaCBR600RR) overcame a poor start to blast his way to the race win at Monza, his second successive victory in the Supersport category. His team-mate Broc Parkes (Ten Kate HondaCBR600RR) rode strongly from his second row start to take third place, during an incident packed 16-lap Supersport race which featured revised results. Second place originally went to Yamaha rider Fabien Foret, with championship leader Jurgen van den Goorbergh (Yamaha) fourth. After Foret and Suzuki rider Vittorio Iannuzzo were disqualified, Parkes was promoted to second.

Muggeridge, aware of having clutch glitches in previous starts at Monza, had a poor launch off the line and had to fight his way through from11th on lap one, hitting the front on lap four; Parkes was seventh after the first circuit, but equipped with their rapid Ten Kate tuned Honda 600s, each rider was able to pull through the pack.

For Muggeridge the win was hard taken, even if his margin of victory of 5.760 seconds was an impressive gap over his pursuers. It now leaves him second in the championship. “I’m happy with that. I had the worst start in motorcycle history. I lust flaked it off the line. The last couple of times I had clutch problems so this time I wasn’t going there at all. I wasn’t too concerned as long as I could get through the first chicane cleanly. We had a pretty good pace and that would help me work my way through. It was an excellent result for our championship.”

Parkes, who jumped to fifth in the championship thanks to his latest race result, stated, “It was awesome to get on the podium. After the disappointment of Misano I trained a lot to make sure I could run with all the boys. My bike was pretty fast and that helped. Now we go to Oschersleben, which is one of my favorite circuits.”

For Team Boss Gerrit Ten Kate the result was almost perfect. “I am very happy with this result, getting both riders on the podium. The times were a bit slower than last year but that may be due to the temperature on the track. I think Broc just wanted to finish the race at the end and not try any crazy things. For Karl it was even better because he is only eight points behind in the championship now.”

World Supersport Championship
Round Four – Monza, Italy
14 – 16 May 2004
1. K. Muggeridge, AUS, Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR
2. B. Parkes, AUS, Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR, 8.354
3. J. Vd Gorbergh, NED, Yamaha YZF R6, 13.223
4. S. Charpentier, FRA, CBR600RR, 22.382
5. C. Kellner, GER, Yamaha YZF R6, 35.638
6. M. Neukirchner, GER, Honda CBR600RR, 35.686
7. G. Bussei, ITA, Ducati 749 R, 36.195
8. V. Guareschi, ITA, Ducati 749 R, 36.444
9. M. Lagrive, FRA, Suzuki GSXR 600R, 37.082
10. J. Hanson, SWE, Kobutex Honda CBR600RR, 43.110


Vermeulen Second Then Excluded at Monza

Chris Vermeulen (Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR) was originally credited with fourth and second place finishes in each of the 18-lap Monza Superbike races, held at the classic and high-speed circuit of Monza in Northern Italy. With the air temperatures approaching 30°C, and track temperatures nearly 50°C Vermeulen changed his tyre options for race two and thought he had secured his third podium of what is his and the CBR’s rookie SBK season. He was later excluded from the second race when his machine was found to have a non-functioning automatic cut-out switch, designed to stop the engine in the event of a crash.

In race one Vermeulen rode hard from the start, having duel with eventual race winner Regis Laconi (Ducati), retiree Noriyuki Haga (Ducati), then second place man James Toseland (Ducati) and ultimately third placed Garry McCoy. Vermeulen was to finish fourth, experiencing some clutch slip problems to add to his tyre choice concerns.

In race two a harder compound tyre helped Vermeulen to flee the chasing pack and take a well-earned second place, with only the factory Ducati of Laconi ahead. He was disappointed to be excluded but was philosophical. “I’m happy with changes we made between the races, going for the harder tyre choices and it’s weird that we have been excluded for something that we would be happiest of all to see working, because we can restart a fallen bike with the starter button. I’m looking forward now anyway, not back.”

Team Manager Ronald Ten Kate, described a hot afternoon’s work. “I respect the rule and the team respects the rule, and right now we do not know why the cut-out didn’t work. The ironic thing is that we are the only people with a starter motor still on the bike – so there is no need for us to sabotage the cut-out! We can pick up the bike and restart it on the button. The switch on the second bike is functioning well so we will find out back at the workshops what happened with the race bike.”

World Superbike Championship
Round Four – Monza, Italy
14 – 16 May 2004

Race Results 1
1. R. Laconi, FRA, Ducati 999 F04
2. J. Toseland, GBR, Ducati 999 Fo4, 9.800
3. G. Mccoy, AUS, Ducati 999 RS, 11.891
4. C. Vermeulen, AUS, Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR, 34.055
5. L. Haslam, GBR, Ducati 999 RS, 38.021

Race Results 2
1. R. Laconi, FRA, Ducati 999 F04
2. J. Toseland, GBR, Ducati 999 Fo4, 18.281
3. G. Mccoy, AUS, Ducati 999 RS, 19.403
4. L. Haslam, GBR, Ducati 999 RS, 34.611
5. T. Corser, AUS, Petronas FP1 40.665

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

George Barber is apparently seeking government help to come up with the 7-figure sanctioning fee required for a MotoGP race at Barber Motorsports Park.

According to a report in the Sunday edition of The Birmingham News, Barber is looking for financial aide from city, county and state government.

The newspaper quoted George Barber as saying “We think we can land it. When you see what this would be to Birmingham, we can’t miss this opportunity.”

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Slightly fewer spectators attended the 2004 AMA Superbike event at Barber Motorsports Park, compared to the inaugural event in September of 2003.

Last year, the AMA event drew 8000 fans on Friday, 17,000 on Saturday and 23,000 on Sunday for a three-day total of 48,000.

In 2004, the AMA event drew 7000 fans on Friday, 19,000 on Saturday and 21,000 on Sunday for a three-day total of 47,000 fans.

Rain was forecast well in advance of the 2004 event at Barber, but little rain actually fell during the three-day event and all the races were run on a dry track.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Yamaha’s Damon Buckmaster will not start this afternoon’s Supersport race at Barber Motorsports Park, according to his crew.

Buckmaster injured his left ankle, left wrist, right elbow and right shoulder when he crashed in Sunday morning Supersport practice. He started the Superstock race and ran with the lead group early on, before fading to a pained ninth place, about 37 seconds behind winner Jamie Hacking.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

250cc Grand Prix Results:

1. Daniel PEDROSA, Honda, 26 laps, 43:03.338
2. Randy DE PUNIET, Aprilia, -7.711 seconds
3. Toni ELIAS, Honda, -19.233 seconds
4. Hiroshi AOYAMA, Honda, -20.427 seconds
5. Alex DE ANGELIS, Aprilia, -21.175 seconds
6. Anthony WEST, Aprilia, -24.269 seconds
7. Fonsi NIETO, Aprilia, -38.537 seconds
8. Franco BATTAINI, Aprilia, -39.827 seconds
9. Alex DEBON, Honda, -42.589 seconds
10. Joan OLIVE, Aprilia, -47.541 seconds
11. Jakub SMRZ, Honda, -47.874 seconds
12. Chaz DAVIES, Aprilia, -51.623 seconds
13. Hector FAUBEL, Aprilia, -51.813 seconds
14. Naoki MATSUDO, Yamaha, -58.880 seconds
15. Alex BALDOLINI, Aprilia, -63.261 seconds
16. Dirk HEIDOLF, Aprilia, -65.370 seconds
17. Hugo MARCHAND, Aprilia, -65.906 seconds
18. Erwan NIGON, Yamaha, -68.323 seconds
19. Christian GEMMEL, Honda, -79.342 seconds
20. Gregory LEFORT, Aprilia, -81.036 seconds

23. Sebastian PORTO, Aprilia, -9 laps, DNF, crash
24. Arnaud VINCENT, Aprilia, -15 laps, DNF, crash
25. Sylvain GUINTOLI, Aprilia, -16 laps, DNF, mechanical

27. Johan STIGEFELT, Aprilia, -20 laps, DNF, mechanical
28. Roberto ROLFO, Honda, -22 laps, DNF, crash
29. Manuel POGGIALI, Aprilia, -25 laps, DNF, crash


More, from a press release issued by Aprilia Racing:

Alex storms to fifth place in France

Le Mans, 16.5.04



Aprilia Racing rider Alex de Angelis carved his way through the field to claim a brilliant fifth place in today’s 26-lap French 250 GP at the Le Mans track.



Having qualified in 10th position on the third row, the San Marino rider was quickly into his stride at the 4.18km Bugatti circuit and after just four laps he’d already gained four positions, moving into a battle with the second group that featured Toni Elias and Hiroshi Aoyama.



Le Mans is not one of Alex’s favourite tracks, but he showed once again how quickly he has adapted to the more powerful RSW250 after moving from the world 125 championship. He stayed with Elias and Aoyama throughout the rest of the race, and on lap 13 he moved into fifth place when passing Elias. Although he slipped back to sixth on lap 17, Alex continued to push hard and almost claimed fourth on the last lap.



He passed Aoyama but the Japanese rider struck back with just a few corners remaining, and although Alex tried one last effort, he eventually finished fifth to maintain his record of finishing in the top six in his first three world 250 championship races.



“Le Mans is not one of my better tracks but this has been result of the season so far which is very positive. At the end it was the best I could do. All weekend we worked very hard to get the bike set-up to suit my style and to get a good feeling. This result at a place like Le Mans which I don’t like very much has given me a lot of belief for the future, “said de Angelis, who is now looking forward to his home race at Mugello, a circuit where he tested the RSW during the winter. He added: “I really like Mugello and it should be good because it is a track where I have tested the bike before. I really want to do well for the Italian fans.”

From a press release issued by Fuchs Kawasaki:

MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2004
GRAND PRIX DE FRANCE – LE MANS
16TH MAY 2004 – MOTOGP RACE RESULT

DISAPPOINTMENT FOR FUCHS KAWASAKI AT LE MANS

The Fuchs Kawasaki Racing Team suffered cruelly at the hands of Lady Luck at Le Mans this afternoon, with Alex Hofmann and Shinya Nakano both forced to retire from the French Grand Prix as a result of mechanical problems.

Alex Hofmann’s race lasted just five laps before a sudden loss of power and a sliding rear end alerted the Fuchs Kawasaki rider to a problem with his Ninja ZX-RR. A glance down at the oil on his boot was enough to let the 23-year-old German rider know his race was run, and he immediately pulled off the track to avoid dropping oil on the racing line.

After a bad start, Shinya Nakano had worked his way through the field to 11th place when a fractured oil line deposited a film of oil over the rear tyre of his Ninja ZX-RR and, like his teammate before him, the 26-year-old Japanese rider was forced to retire from the race and start the long walk back to the paddock.

Although obviously disappointed with the bad luck that befell both his riders today, team boss Harald Eckl is confident the run of form that saw Nakano qualify twice on the second row of the grid, and claim the Fuchs Kawasaki Racing Team’s first top ten finish of the year at Jerez, would return for the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello in two week’s time.

Alex Hofmann: Retired (lap 6)
“This is definitely one weekend I want to forget. My crew worked really hard to rebuild both bikes overnight and after setting my fastest lap of the weekend in morning warm up hopes were high for this afternoon’s race. I didn’t get such a good start, but I’d settled into a rhythm and started working my way up the field when the rear started sliding around and the engine suddenly lost power, leaving me with no other option but to retire. I’m so frustrated, not just for myself but also for my crew. The boys have worked real hard this weekend and they didn’t deserve to be repaid with a mechanical failure in the race. Hopefully we can put this weekend behind us and concentrate on preparing for the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello in two week’s time.”

Shinya Nakano: Retired (lap 16)
“It just wasn’t our day today. I had a few problems with the clutch and struggled to get the bike off the line at the start, which dropped me back down the field. I managed to work my way back through the pack in the early stages of the race, and by the halfway point I was convinced that there was a realistic chance of a top ten finish. I knew I had a problem when the rear tyre started sliding badly, but it was only when my foot kept slipping off the footpeg that I realised there was oil on my boot. I didn’t want to risk a crash, nor cause anyone else problems, so I pulled off the track. It’s disappointing, but this is a new bike and we’re competing at the very highest level, so the odd problem is to be expected. On a positive note, the bike matched up well against the opposition when I was coming through the field, so we’re definitely moving in the right direction in terms of development.”

Harald Eckl: Team Manager
“Without a doubt this has been a very disappointing weekend for us, and I just hope that we’ve had a whole season’s worth of bad luck in one go and that the rest of the year will be easier. It looks like we’re going to be very busy in the two weeks before the Italian Grand Prix, but I’m confident that we’ll come back stronger than ever at Mugello.”


More, from a press release issued by Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha:

CHECA RETURNS TO PODIUM AFTER BRILLIANT FIGHT IN LE MANS

Carlos Checa took second in the French Grand Prix today after a close-fought race in Le Mans. His Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha team-mate Valentino Rossi was unable to overcome the set-up problems he battled with all weekend but still finished a strong fourth.

Checa had a good start from second place on the grid, immediately taking the lead, with Rossi in third. Pole-sitter Sete Gibernau (Honda) gradually closed the gap from behind his fellow Spaniard and overtook Checa on lap eleven, increasing his lead throughout the fight to take his second successive Grand Prix win. Max Biaggi (Honda) overtook Rossi on the next lap and began to gain on Checa who rode a hard race to fend him off, eventually crossing the line just three tenths of a second ahead. Rossi closed the gap between him and Biaggi considerably in the closing stages with some brave moves, passing him momentarily on lap 25 but unable to stay ahead. After three races Rossi holds on to third place in the World Championship standings while Checa moves up to fifth.

CARLOS CHECA (2nd)

“I am so happy to be on the podium once more; it has been a long time. We knew that this year we had a chance to do well; we made some big improvements to the bike over the winter and I have started the year with a good feeling. Even in Jerez I felt good, although the weather changed everything on race day. I need to keep going like this; this result will help me, the team and Yamaha. It gives me confidence and the season has only just started so I aim to continue improving – I hope that next I can fight to win a race. My start was very good and I tried to keep the gap but I couldn’t get away from Sete. When he passed me I tried to stay with him but he was faster. Near the end I had to pass some people at the back and I don’t think they had seen the blue flags – it was quite scary with Max so close behind me! Valentino had some problems during the weekend and wasn’t able to ride to his full potential, but he has made a big difference pre-season and I am sure that at the next race he will be there. Now I am really looking forward to Mugello.”

VALENTINO ROSSI (4th)

“That was a really difficult race. The bike just didn’t feel right all weekend, especially with the braking. I had a different feeling at the start of the warm-up lap with the new electronic system and the bike stopped. When everything goes well with this bike then it is very easy to ride, but here set-up difficulties have made it more tricky. We’ve spent two days trying to fix the problems but unfortunately it has not been possible for this race; we need some more time to work it out. We have organised a one-day test tomorrow so I hope that we will be able to fix the problem then. Carlos was very strong today and he has more experience than me with this bike. We are not too far behind and Mugello is going to be a brilliant fight.”

ANTONIO JIMENEZ – CARLOS CHECA’S CREW CHIEF

“What can I say? I am so happy because our expectation was to be on the podium and it worked. We were leading for many laps but second is still a good result. It is great to start the early part of the season like this. The tracks we go to next, Mugello and Barcelona, are very good circuits for Carlos and he is feeling very positive. We need more races like this and our target now is victory.”


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

Mixed fortunes for Xaus and Hodgson
[16.05.2004]

There were differing fortunes for the D’Antin MotoGP riders in the Grand Prix of France. On the one hand, Ruben Xaus managed to finish his first race of the season and claim his first points by finishing 14th, whilst by contrast his team-mate, Neil Hodgson, fell on the first lap – fracturing two ribs.


RUBEN XAUS also fell during the race but managed to get back on and finish: “I have been racing for many years but I learnt a lot today by finishing the race after a weekend in which the conditions have been good, allowing us to do some important work. I got away well but I tried to take it calmly and even more so when I saw Neil fall. Today I rode the Desmosedici with new tyres and a full tank and it took me a while to adapt. I was twelfth when I fell, but I got back on the bike and returned to the race even though I think I was lapped after three more laps. I saw that my lap times weren’t too bad and about halfway through the race I began to feel comfortable on the bike and I was able to finish. I am happy with that, but most of all about what I have learnt. However, there is still a lot more to learn.”

NEIL HODGSON leaves empty handed once again and faces a race against time to recover for the next race after suffering two broken ribs. “It was two corners from the end of the lap and I felt the front end start to slide. I went down in instalments and Hopkins and Abe came with me. I think one of the bikes hit me and broke my two ribs, as well as cutting my arm, which needed a couple of stitches. It is painful but I’m okay and I’ll just try and relax over the next couple of weeks to get fit for Mugello.”

Team Manager LUIS D´ANTIN commented: “Rubén crashed today but returned to the track and demonstrated with his lap times that he could have been fighting in the top ten. Neil will need a bit of time to recover but luckily it’s not such a bad injury. We’re having a tough time at the start of this season and it’s frustrating because in the team we know the potential our riders have and we want them to be able to show it.”


More, from a press release issued by Camel Honda Racing Information:

Max Biaggi on the podium in France after a spectacular race

Another precious podium for Max Biaggi, who took third place at the French Grand Prix this afternoon after a stunning race which saw the four-time World Champion set the fastest lap of the race on the penultimate lap. After losing a couple of positions in the opening exchanges of the race, Max set a strong rhythm and recovered to challenge for victory. A tough battle with Rossi, spectacular as always, made him lose ground on the front two. A last attempt from Max to wrest second from Checa, on the last lap, was prevented hoever by lapped riders getting in his way. However, three podiums in three races and second in the overall standings are the signs of a superb start to the season for Max and his yellow RC211V. Makoto Tamada finished ninth which he is certain to build on in Mugello, a race he is bound to go particularly well in.

Sito Pons – Camel Honda (Team Principal)
“In the first few laps of the race Max took a bit of time to get into the perfect race rhythm, and then in the middle part he had to work hard to make up the gap. Max made an exciting burst up the field, and has shown strength, talent and determination. The great battle with Rossi meant he lost time on the two front riders, so he helped them a bit. Max kept trying to the end, making some exceptional times in the process, but this is good, an important podium. Our best races are still to come, and it’s only the start of the championship.”

Max Biaggi – Camel Honda (Michelin Tyres) – 3rd – 44’24.658
“It was a good race, hard fought and difficult. In the first few laps I lost a few seconds on my rivals because I made a different tyre choice to them. Taking a medium rear rather than a softer one. It wasn’t an error though because it was adapted to the compromises we made in the set-up to reduce the chatter problem. I had to open the throttle carefully trying to get the most power without getting a wheelie out of the front. I got into a good rhythm and closed up on Checa, even trying to pass him a few times, right until the end, when a group of lapped riders got between me and Carlos and I couldn’t do anything to take second place. I’m satisfied nonetheless with my race, and we’ll try for the win again in Mugello.”

Gianluca Montiron – Camel Honda – (Makoto Tamada Team Manager)
“After the team had put in some good work during tests we certainly hoped to get a better result here, because we were conscious of having got a good balance on our RC211V. Ninth place in the end, we can’t be satisfied with this. This is just the second dry race and the results in terms of times aren’t that different from when we went at Welkom, as regards the distance by the end of the race. It’s clear that there is still a way to go before reaching a competitive level. We also need to work hard together with Bridgestone to get tyres which perform more consistently around the various circuits, and which will then get Makoto in the best position to show what he is capable of, as he did towards the end of last year.”

Makoto Tamada – Camel Honda (Bridgestone tyres) – 9th – 44’55.914
“I still have to improve my starts because I lose ground straight away. Even so I am happy with the set-up of the bike that we found after Jerez and again here today. The track temperature was higher today than the rest of the weekend and I wasn’t able to get as good a grip as the other riders all the way to the end. I know we are making improvements and I can’t wait to get to Mugello.”


More, from a press release issused by Proton Team KR:

Kurtis Roberts takes first points at Le Mans

Nobuatsu Aoki: 17th
Kurtis Roberts: 15th

Proton Team KR rider Kurtis Roberts took his first MotoGP finish in today’s French GP, and claimed his first World Championship point in his rookie season, after prevailing in a race-long battle with fellow rookie Michel Fabrizio.

Team-mate Nobuatsu Aoki also finished the race after starting from pit lane – but out of the points in 17th place. He had been closing on Kurtis and Fabrizio, but his chance of repeating his scoring finish at the Spanish GP two weeks ago was spoiled when he had to slow when the leaders came past in the closing stages, engaged in a fierce battle of their own.

This was the first race for the latest version of the England-built 990cc V5 motor – a reworked machine with a longer stroke than the original. Kurtis raced this engine, which also has the revised firing order, also making its track debut; Aoki raced with the new firing order but the original shorter-stroke.

It was Kurtis’s first finish of the season, after suffering a dislocated shoulder in pre-season tests. He withdrew from the first race in South Africa, and retired from the Spanish GP.

Aoki’s race was a triumph over adversity. On the out lap before the grid formation, he had trouble, and pitted to change to his spare machine. That also gave trouble, so he pitted again, switched back to his now-repaired first bike, and started the race at the back of the field from pit lane.

The race was won by Spanish Honda rider Sete Gibernau, his second win in succession. Compatriot Carlos Checa (Yamaha) was second, and Honda-mounted Max Biaggi a close third. The race was run in hot sunny conditions, and watched by more than 75,500 fans. The next round is the Italian GP at Mugello, in three weeks.

Nobuatsu Aoki
On the out lap, my clutch was slipping, so I came in to get the other bike – but on the warm-up lap that wasn’t working so well, so I came back into the pits to change again, and start from pit lane. The first ten laps were really hard – the rear tyre that worked well yesterday had no grip today. I was struggling with my lap time a second slower than I expected. The situation improved a little after ten laps, but then it was too late. Towards the end I was closing on Kurtis and I thought I could make it. Then the top four guys came up, and I slowed to let them past, and my chance was gone. But we finished, and we hope for better luck next time.

Kurtis Roberts
Finally I got a race done. My arm’s a bit sore now . it’s the first time it’s done that many laps. Our problem now is we can’t push the bike because we don’t have the grip. You can ride it to 70 percent, but if you do any more you go slower, because it starts sliding all over the place, right from the start of the race. But we finished one, and got a little bit of experience. Now we need to make the bike work better with the grip level we have right now.

Kenny Roberts – Team Principal
The new bore and stroke finished the race, so that was interesting. Now we have a couple of weeks to get the performance levels up, and we need better tyres. By the time we’re ready maybe Dunlop will have better stuff, and we’ll carry on working our way up. The tyres have improved already, but we’re starting from a low level, and it’s going to take a while. It’s going to take us a while with the engine too, but we made a pretty big step here with the new configuration. I think that will help us.


More, from a press release issued by MS Aprilia:

Jeremy McWilliams scored his first MotoGP world championship points of the season in today’s 28-lap French GP at the famous Le Mans circuit.

The MS Aprilia Racing rider produced a typically battling display on his RS Cube to finish in 13th position, even though he was penalised for jumping the start. McWilliams had fought his way up to 14th position by lap 17 after starting 18th on the grid before he lost two places with the jump start penalty. Under new MotoGP rules, riders now have to complete a run through the pitlane rather than a 10-second stop/go penalty.

Despite losing crucial time, McWilliams fought his way back into the top 15 and eventually brought his RS Cube him to score three world championship points. “I am very happy with that because I really needed to score some points. It was a bit of a drama with the penalty flag. It is too close to the exit of the last corner and I just didn’t see it. I then saw my team telling me to pit so I thought there was a problem with the bike and slowed right down. I was looking down but couldn’t see anything so I though I’d just carry on. It wasn’t until I pulled into the pitlane and saw the team waving me through that I realised what had happened and there was actually no problem with the bike, “said the British rider.

With Aprilia’s home race fast approaching at the Mugello circuit in Italy, today’s result was a huge confidence boost for McWilliams. And the MS Aprilia team will be back to full strength in Mugello, with Shane Byrne due to return after he missed the Le Mans race while still suffering from a broken right hand. Shakey is returning to England tomorrow (and maybe next week to Italy with Clinica Mobile’s doctors) for treatment that will see him back to 100 per cent fitness for Mugello.


More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

Ducati Marlboro men make top ten at Le Mans

Ducati Marlboro Team riders Loris Capirossi and Troy Bayliss finished this afternoon’s sun-soaked French Grand Prix at Le Mans in eighth and tenth positions. The pair rode dogged races in the heat, securing valuable World Championship points and gaining crucial data that will help them continue the process of developing the Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici GP4.

“We are still not that close to the leaders, but also not so far,” said Ducati Marlboro Team director Livio Suppo. “We obviously have a lot of work ahead of us. We also have plenty of ideas about improving our 2004 machine, and we stay here to test the bike tomorrow alongside two 2003 models which we have had built up. This comparison test is important for us, and it should help us to better understand our 2004 bike, which should speed up development. My thanks to the riders, the team, the factory, our sponsors and our technical partners Michelin and Shell Advance for helping us to move forward.”

Bayliss improves to eight
Troy Bayliss produced a typically gritty performance at Le Mans today, coming through from a fourth-row start to finish eighth. The Australian ran tenth for the first few laps, then started making steady forward progress as he got comfortable aboard his Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici GP4, setting his fastest lap at two-thirds distance.

“I got going by mid-distance and the bike felt as good as it had all weekend on race tyres,” he said. “It took me a while to find the limit, then once I’d found it, I started forcing it in places I probably shouldn’t have! But I felt okay pushing hard. Tomorrow’s test is pretty important for us. It should be interesting to understand a few things. Ducati only cares about lap times, and they’ll support us to improve our performances.”

Capirossi rides dogged race to tenth
Loris Capirossi finished tenth today to put himself eighth in the World Championship points standings. Starting from ninth on the grid, the Ducati Marlboro Team man ran strongly early on, holding sixth spot at the end of the first lap, but he couldn’t maintain that pace as the race wore on. Nevertheless he did finish the weekend with the highest top speed, his GP4 clocking 308.6kmh during today’s race.

“Undoubtedly this isn’t the best result ever,” said the Italian after another determined ride. “Things weren’t perfect, so I just tried to finish and get as many points as possible, just like I did at the first two races. We have an important test here tomorrow. As everyone knows we will test our 2003 machine alongside this year’s bike. The new machine has good points and it has bad points, the idea of the test is to help us understand in what areas we can best improve this year’s bike.”


More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

HOPKINS SKITTLED AS ROBERTS SCORES
Team Suzuki Press Office, Le Mans, France – May 16, 2004:

Team Suzuki MotoGP rider Kenny Roberts Jr. finished in the points for a second successive race at today’s French GP, going one better than his qualifying position to claim 12th in a torrid race, run in bright sunshine in front of a fervent crowd of 75,500 at the Bugatti circuit at Le Mans.

Team-mate John Hopkins had a day to forget. The American rider, who turns 21 next Saturday, was skittled in a three-bike pile-up before he’d even finished the first of 28 laps of the 4.180km circuit. The innocent victim of another rider’s mistake. Hopkins fractured his left thumb in the crash, a repeat of his Le Mans jinx.

Roberts’s race started well, finishing the first lap in eighth, which he held for the first three laps. Then he was overwhelmed, short of the engine response and grip he needed to maintain his position. The 2000 World Champion continued to lap steadily, keeping out of trouble to secure another finish in the points.

Both Suzuki riders had tested a modified engine two weeks before the race, with promising results. The modifications are not yet race ready, however, and the machines they raced in today’s third race of the year were the same as at the start of the season.

Today’s race brought a second successive victory to championship points leader Sete Gibernau.

The next race, the Italian GP at Mugello, is in three weeks time, boosting Hopkins’s hopes that he can be fit to race there.

KENNY ROBERTS Jr – 12th Position:
“Like I said in practice, the team and the engineers and everybody here did the best job that we could with what we’ve got at the moment. We could really use the new parts and some more grip. “

JOHN HOPKINS – Did Not Finish – Crash:
“I got a good start and it was the first race in a while that I gained positions on the first lap instead of losing them. I was right behind Neil Hodgson and Norick Abe going into the left-hander before the last double rights – on the outside of them. My plan was to go up the inside into the next corners. Then Hodgson high-sided and knocked Abe down, and there was nowhere for me to go except right over the two bikes. I did a barrel roll. It sucks. I got a fine this morning for stopping on the track in practice, and broke my thumb in the afternoon. Now it’s a waiting game to see if I’ll be fit for the next race.”

GARRY TAYLOR – Team Manager:
“Kenny gave it his best, as always. Everything he says is right and we know the factory is working flat out on improvements, which is all we can ask. Both he and John made good starts so it was especially unfortunate to see John on the ground through no fault of his own. Dr Costa immediately put his thumb in a cast. Luckily there is a bit of a break before Mugello and we’ll discuss a plan of action with Dean Miller to be ready for the next race.”


More, from a press release issued by John Hopkins’ publicist:

HOPKINS FRACTURES THUMB IN LE MANS CRASH

LE MANS, France (May 16, 2004) – John Hopkins’ luck at the French Motorcycle Grand Prix went from bad to worse on Sunday. The Suzuki GP rider was caught up in a chain reaction accident that began on the first lap with a crash by Ducati’s Neil Hodgson. Hopkins, along with Norick Abe, could not avoid the fallen Hodgson and all three riders fell. The accident resulted in a fractured left thumb for Hopkins.

“I got a good start and had moved up into the top 10,” Hopkins said. “Two corners from the end of the lap I lined up a little bit on the outside of the turn to set up for another pass and Hodgson high-sided, then Abe nailed him and all I saw was a pile of bikes and bodies with no place to go.”

After the accident Hopkins was checked by medical personnel and it was confirmed that his thumb was broken.

“It’s not going to cause me to miss any races, hopefully,” Hopkins said. “I’m sure it’s going to be painful, but I plan on racing at Mugello in three weeks.”

Hopkins drops to 16th in the world standings. The next round is the Italian Grand Prix on June 6.


More, from a press release issued by Honda Racing:

French Grand Prix at Le Mans

Raceday, Sunday May 16, 2004

GIBERNAU SIGNALS TITLE INTENT WITH RESOUNDING WIN

The day belonged to Sete Gibernau (Telefonica Movistar Honda RC211V) who, despite a raging fever, rampaged to a dominant win over a resurgent Carlos Checa (Yamaha) with Max Biaggi (Camel Honda RC211V) third in front of a packed Le Mans crowd of 75,000 sun-drenched race fans.

Checa made the holeshot and slung his machine into the Dunlop chicane at the end of the main straight inches in front of Sete Gibernau, with Max in close pursuit. Valentino Rossi was right up with them and as the pack gradually stretched itself out there was still incident to come on the opening lap.

Ducati rider Neil Hodgson lost the back end of his machine with Norick Abe (Yamaha) and John Hopkins (Suzuki) close by – too close to take any avoiding action and prevent the three of them sliding into the gravel trap. Hopkins broke a thumb, Hodgson two ribs, while Abe was unhurt.

While the unlucky trio left the track for treatment, Checa set about installing himself as race leader and Gibernau was happy to keep him in sight as the 28-lap contest settled into a rhythm. As Max Biaggi had predicted, that rhythm was nowhere near as quick as the qualifying laps might have suggested. Indeed it was Biaggi who eventually recorded the fastest lap at 1m 33.425s on his penultimate lap.

Rossi dived inside Max to take third at the final turn on lap one and within another two laps it was clear that Checa, Gibernau, Rossi and Biaggi would be the riders involved in the scrap for podium places. But Gibernau was not prepared to wait until the end to make his move and the Spaniard edged past his countryman Checa at the right hand Garage Vert turn on lap 11 when the Yamaha man ran wide.

Meantime Max was unprepared to let the leading duo run clear and he made his way past Rossi two laps later to mount a challenge to the top two. Rossi knew if he could hang onto Max he could get a tow towards the front with him. But a mistake on lap 16 looked to have made his task too hard. He would eventually finish three and half seconds adrift of Max in fourth – but not without a final effort to get on terms.

The last three laps were frantic as backmarkers entered the equation but Gibernau’s comfortable 2.2 second cushion over Checa was never threatened. Rossi however would bite back at Max on lap 26, but it was just the spur Max needed to set that fastest lap and take the sting out of Rossi’s frantic final attack.

“I have to thank Honda for their efforts,” said Gibernau. “They helped us understand some of the problems we’d been having at the first two Grands Prix which has got us going in the right direction. I had a fever and it was a very hard race. Carlos rode well but I passed him at half-distance and was able to open up a gap.”

Max was philosophical about his third place. “That was tough,” he said. “I had many duels with Rossi and I ran a soft tyre which turned out to be the best way to handle the whole race. I had a good duel with Checa too – but the win was beyond me today.”

Colin Edwards (Telefonica Movistar Honda RC211V) endured front-end problems but still managed a fifth-placed finish. “The problem is temperature,” he said. “When it gets hotter the front end is not so good. We’re going to Michelin’s test facility to try and work out a solution. Apart from that everything feels good.”

Alex Barros (Repsol Honda RC211V) finished seventh. “The lights seemed to be on for a long time and when they eventually turned off, my clutch was going and I lost a few places. Then I nearly got caught in the crash on the first lap and had to concentrate and work my way up the field. I’m obviously not pleased with the result but I’m happy to have climbed from 13th to seventh.”

Makoto Tamada (Camel Honda RC211V) riding on Bridgestone tyres was eighth. “I’ve got to improve my starts and get right on the pace in the first few laps. Today the temperature was higher and we lost a bit of grip compared to yesterday. I just couldn’t run at the pace required to catch the others.”

An 11th place finish was not what Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda RC211V) wanted. “I’m real disappointed. The weekend started out so good then we found it really difficult to go forward. Everything we tried with the bike and myself didn’t seem to work. We stayed pretty much the same all weekend and everyone else got faster. I guess we’ve got to look forward and learn from here.”

Gibernau heads the points table as the next race at Mugello looms in three weeks time. He has 66 points to Biaggi’s 56 with Rossi on 51.

Danny Pedrosa (Telefonica Movistar Junior Team RS250RW) underlined his class in the 250 race with a comprehensive start to finish victory over local hopeful Randy de Puniet (Aprilia). Tony Elias (Fortuna Honda RS250RW) was a distant third.

Pedrosa took the holeshot from pole position and was never headed throughout the 26-lap race. The young Spaniard looked smooth and unruffled as he set about destroying the ambitions of his pursuers. By mid-race he held a five second advantage over de Puniet, who in turn led Sebastian Porto by seven seconds.

But Porto fell on lap 18 and could not rejoin the race. Other notable fallers included Roberto Rolfo (Fortuna Honda RS250RW) who went down at the first chicane on lap one, only to remount and then retire. Reigning World Champion Manuel Poggiali (Aprilia) fell on the second lap at turn two.

Hiroshi Aoyama (Telefonica Movistar Junior Team RS250RW) had inherited third place when Porto fell, but the persistent Elias got past him for third in the closing laps and the Japanese rookie had to settle for fourth after fighting of a challenge from Alex de Angelis (Aprilia). Pedrosa’s winning margin was 7.7 seconds. This is now his second win in three races in the 250cc class.

“That was a great race,” said Pedrosa. “But it difficult and long and I got into a good rhytm with a bike that was fast and constant in its behaviour. I have to thank the team for providing me with that. I’m lucky to be on the podium again after only three races.”

Elias knew he’d been lucky to get third. “Porto

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

125cc Grand Prix Results:

1. Andrea DOVIZIOSO, Honda, 24 laps, 41:26.747
2. Roberto LOCATELLI, Aprilia, -0.594 second
3. Jorge LORENZO, Derbi, -6.680 seconds
4. Mirko GIANSANTI, Aprilia, -9.662 seconds
5. Hector BARBERA, Aprilia, -10.178 seconds
6. Mika KALLIO, KTM, -20.698 seconds
7. Pablo NIETO, Aprilia, -20.967 seconds
8. Casey STONER, KTM, -21.158 seconds
9. Alvaro BAUTISTA, Aprilia, -21.645 seconds
10. Steve JENKNER, Aprilia, -23.080 seconds
11. Gino BORSOI, Aprilia, -26.699 seconds
12. Mattia PASINI, Aprilia, -29.332 seconds
13. Julian SIMON, Honda, -33.187 seconds
14. Lukas PESEK, Honda, -37.002 seconds
15. Simone CORSI, Honda, -40.239 seconds


More, from a press release issued by KTM:

The 125cc race in Le Mans has been a sunny one. KTM riders passed each other many times, showing to the TV a really interesting duel between team-mates. Mika Kallio finished 6th while Casey Stoner finished 8th. The Italian Andrea Dovizioso is the winner.

Kallio – I’m satisfied: I had a good start, the bike was better than yesterday after few changes we still did this morning during the warm up and I always kept my lap time. I think that the old Mika is back and I enjoyed to fight with my team mate.

Stoner – It was just too painful…The bike wasn’t perfect this time but the main problem it was my shoulder. I’m happy I took some points for the Championship and that we have now two weeks before the Grand Prix in Mugello to recover.

Bartol – After what happen in the weekend I’m very happy with the today result! Casey did his best with the injured shoulder and Mika was fighting like he used to do last year. I’m confident for Mugello.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Monza World Superbike Race Two Results:

1. Regis Laconi, Ducati 999F04, 18 laps, 32:48.901
2. Chris Vermeulen, Honda CBR1000RR, 33:01.293
3. James Toseland, Ducati 999F04, 33:07.182
4. Garry McCoy, Ducati 999RS, 33:08.304
5. Leon Haslam, Ducati 999RS, 33:23.512
6. Troy Corser, Foggy Petronas FP1, 33:29.566
7. Marco Borciani, Ducati 999RS, 33:30.157
8. Chris Walker, Foggy Petronas FP1, 33:31.386
9. Steve Martin, Ducati 999RS, 33:37.837
10. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 33:37.913
11. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 33:39.943
12. Piergiorgio Bontempi, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 33:51.222
13. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati 998RS, 33:58.417
14. Alessio Velini, Yamaha YZF-R1, 33:58.474
15. Horst Saiger, Yamaha YZF-R1, 34:09.774

18. Noriyuki Haga, Ducati 999RS, -12 laps, DNF
19. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, -13 laps, DNF

22. Sergio Fuertes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -18 laps, DNF

Fastest Lap of Race: Laconi, 1:48.773

World Superbike Championship Point Standings:

1. Laconi, 120 points
2. Toseland, 113 points
3. Vermeulen, 103 points
4. Chili, 97 points
5. McCoy, 84 points
6. Haga, 69 points
7. Walker, 68 points
8. Borciani, 67 points
9. Corser, 65 points
10. Haslam, 62 points
11. Martin, 61 points
12. Sanchini, 38 points
13. Clementi, 28 points
14. Nannelli, 26 points
15. Bontempi, 24 points
16. Fuertes, 22 points
17. Pedercini, 14 points
18. Saiger, 12 points
19. Alessio Velini, 10 points
20. Warwick Nowland, 8 points


More, from a press release issued by Foggy Petronas Racing:

Foggy describes Monza bonanza as `best yet’ for FPR

Carl Fogarty described his team’s four top ten finishes in the fourth round of the Superbike World Championship at Monza, Italy, as their greatest achievement to date.

Troy Corser capped an encouraging day with sixth place in the second race of the day, two ahead of team-mate Chris Walker. In the day’s opening action, Chris was again eighth, beating Troy by just one place.

Four-times World Superbike champion Foggy, himself four times a winner at Monza, said: “In some ways that could be described as our best round yet. In the other rounds, when we have made the podium, we were relying on the performance of the riders and also the conditions. This time, while the riders rode well again, the bike performed better than I thought it would. I honestly thought we would be struggling to make the top ten today. So it is absolutely fantastic to have four top ten finishes. I would say that this is the first big step forward we have had for more than a year and it has been a very promising start for the new PETRONAS engine development team.”

Entering the two races at the monstrously fast circuit of Monza on the back of two podium finishes in the first three rounds, Foggy PETRONAS Racing were relying on a new stage of development to cope with the stresses placed on the engine by the three long straights.

And, having only managed to finish one of the four races, in 13th place, on their first visit to the historic Italian circuit last season, the initial twin aims of increased reliability and consistency from the engines, were both comfortably achieved.

While the demands of Monza took their toll on other bikes – both races saw ten riders failing to finish – Chris and Troy were able to capitalise on the handling of the FP1 through the corners in order to stay with their respective packs during each race, as well as taking part in the frequent drafting manoeuvres so typical of the fastest track on the calendar.

Troy said: “I think the bike was as good as it was going to be here. The engine for the second race seemed better off the bottom and I had changed gearing to the same as Chris had used as I had been on the limiter all the way down the straight in the first race. I also tried to find new braking points as I had looked at the telemetry from the first race and Chris was braking later. I had been braking as late as possible so I think that might have been down to the clutch, as the bike was definitely more stable on the brakes in the second race and so my average top speeds were a lot higher. I didn’t make it too easy for myself off the start and got bottled up at the first corner. When Borciani was in front of me he was just pulling away enough that I couldn’t out-brake him, but he was actually holding me up going in on the brakes. I needed a run out of the last chicane to be on his exhaust through Parabolica so that I could out-drag him through start-finish. We have had minimal problem s this weekend and the engines were definitely more consistent, with better mapping too. So we now have a better base to move forward from, as this was always going to be our toughest round.”

Chris said: “If someone had told me I would finish the weekend with two eighth places I would have been very happy. The bike has run really well all weekend, so respect to the new engine development team. I got a good start but was maybe a little too cautious because of the first corner and it is the wrong side of the grid to be on. I managed to get past a few but at one stage I lost the tow when I came out of my seat coming out of Ascari and it was difficult to catch Borciani from there. I was happy with the first race but probably wouldn’t have had to work so hard – I was on the edge all the time – if I had not suffered a slipped clutch at the start.”


More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

LACONI (DUCATI FILA) DOMINATES MONZA WORLD SUPERBIKE ROUND WITH DOUBLE WIN – TWO SECOND PLACES FOR TOSELAND – DUCATI FILA RIDERS HEAD THE POINTS
TABLE

Monza (Italy), Sunday 16 May 2004: Regis Laconi (Ducati Fila) dominated the fourth round of the World Superbike Championship at the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, taking two clear wins aboard his Ducati 999 F04. The first double win of the 28 year-old Frenchman’s career powers him into the lead of the championship with 120 points.

Team-mate James Toseland, who is just three points behind in the table, took home two podiums: the British rider first had to hold off a determined Vermeulen (Honda) in the first race, in which he finished second, and then McCoy (NCR Ducati) in race 2, where he finished third. With the disqualification of the Honda rider after race 2, Toseland’s third became another runner-up slot.

“It’s been a fantastic weekend in Monza, which is a very important race for Ducati” declared Laconi. “I’m so happy for them and for me because I take the lead of the championship. Thanks for my team, they did a great job to make me go so fast today so this win is for them. Once again I didn’t make such a good start, but the bike was perfect, we chose the same tyre as race 1 and although I didn’t brake as aggressively as I did in the first race, everything turned out fine.”

“McCoy was riding hard in that second race but luckily we had a good set-up at the front and we were able to brake a bit deeper than him and that’s what made all the difference for me really” declared Toseland. “He had more grip on the right-handers and me on the left, but it was an even and fair battle and a fantastic race. Well done to Chris and also to Regis, he’s been awesome this weekend. The championship is now looking good, Regis and I are first and second. It has been fantastic racing around here, I was just a bit disappointed in having a few problems early in the weekend, but we managed to get it all together for the races.”


More, from a press release issued by Troy Corser’s publicist:

2004 World Superbike Championship
Round 4, Monza (Italy), Sunday 16th May
Circuit: 5.793kms
Weather: dry, sunny 26° C.
Crowd: 86.000 (3-days figure)

TROY TAKES A FIGHTING FIFTH IN RACE TWO
Troy took a hard fought for fifth in the second race at Monza today and was happy to leave the Italian circuit on a positive note. In the first race, his gearing was a bit off and had to battle it out with Fuertes (Suzuki), Borciani (Ducati) and team mate Walker, before finally ending up ninth. He changed gearing for the second race and was able to contest sixth position without any trouble. Although he crossed the line sixth, he was bumped up to fifth after the disqualification of second placed Vermeulen (Honda). Frenchman Regis Laconi (Ducati) dominated both 18-lappers and took his first ever double victory. In race one, His team mate Toseland took runner-up spot, with McCoy (Ducati) third. Vermeulen took runner-up spot in race two, with Toseland third, but a technical infraction caused him to be excluded from the results and allowed McCoy to inherit third.

TROY
I was much happier in the second race then the first. I think we had the wrong gearing in race one and once we looked the telemetry from my bike and Chris’s, we changed mine and it worked a lot better. I was on the limiter down the start straight in the first race, so I knew something had to be changed. In race two, I think the bike was as good as it was going to be here. The engine seemed stronger in race two right from the start, but I didn’t make my own life easy because my start wasn’t so good and I got bottled up going into the first corner. But the bike felt better and more stable on the brakes, so I was able to ride it harder. Borciani held me up for while and I knew I had to get a good run out of Ascari and be right on his exhaust pipes going into the Parabolica, so that I could out-drag him on the run to the chequered flag. We’ve had minimal problems this weekend and the engines have been more consistent, and with better mapping, so now we have a better base to move forward from. This was always going to be our toughest race, so to come out with a fifth, makes me happy.


More, from a press release issued by FGSport:

LACONI DOUBLES AT MONZA

First Among Equals: Regis Laconi (Ducati Fila 999F04) added to his 2004 race wins score in perfect fashion at Monza, taking two front running wins on his Ducati Fila machine. He was untouchable and in each race he won by a margin that underlined why he is the only rider to have secured more than one win so far this year. His total now stands at four and he leads the World Championship by three points from Toseland, with a total of 120. In a day of much regulatory discussion, Chris Vermeulen (Ten Kate Honda) was excluded from second place after his engine cut-out switch, devised to kill the engine in the event of a fall, did not function when tested.

Race 1: With Pierfrancesco Chili (PSG-1 Ducati 998) experiencing an engine failure from his first choice machine, pulling out on the warm-up lap and swapping to his 999 machine in pitlane, the way was open for Chris Vermeulen to take an early advantage. He could not make his early speed stick for the entire race, as he dropped back to finish fourth. Regis Laconi ran away to a clear win, by 9.8 seconds over the hard charging James Toseland, his own team-mate. The Fila Ducati 1-2 was followed on by a third place for Aussie privateer Garry McCoy, on the first Xerox Scuderia Caracchi 999RS. Aussie Chris Vermeulen was fourth, in a race that was to deliver his only points scoring finish of the day.

Race 2: After Vermeulen was excluded from race two, having had a clear race in the vacuum of the disappearing Laconi (some 12 seconds ahead), James Toseland was promoted to second and Garry McCoy bagged himself a pair of third places – making each podium finish a carbon copy of the other. In fourth, Leon Haslam belatedly had his best ever SBK result, earning 13 additional points.

Chili Calamity: The beaten but unbowed figure of Pierfrancesco Chili left Monza with no race finishes to his name, the championship leader before Monza having two mechanical failures in race one and a crash in race two. A Monza crowd up 14,000 from last year – to a total of 86,000 – was behind Chili’s attack from the start, on a day when Superbike racing offered a feel good factor off the scale at the revamped Monza.

Petronas Perseverance: Despite a lack of power in comparison to the big twins and fours in SBK, the recently re-engineered Petronas machines of Chris Walker and Troy Corser battled around what will maybe be their worst circuit if the year. Each scored strong top ten finishes; Corser was ninth and fifth, with Walker eighth and seventh. Walker was especially combative, running all over the back tyre of Marco Borciani’s DFX Ducati in race one, with Borciani seventh and eighth.

Supersport Race: Karl Muggeridge (Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR) once more bulldozed the Supersport competition, winning from Fabien Foret (Yamaha Italia) – another rider who was later excluded for a technical infringement – again a non-functioning engine cut-out switch. Muggeridge’s team-mate Broc Parkes was thus promoted to second and championship leader Jurgen van den Goorbergh to third. Sebastien Charpentier (Klaffi Honda) took fourth despite a time penalty for a jump-start. In the championship van den Goorbergh leads with 73, Muggeridge is second with 62. Retiree Kevin Curtain (Yamaha) is third, some way back with 47.


More, from a press release issued by Troy Corser’s publicist:

TROY TAKES A FIGHTING FIFTH IN RACE TWO

Troy took a hard fought for fifth in the second race at Monza today and was happy to leave the Italian circuit on a positive note. In the first race, his gearing was a bit off and had to battle it out with Fuertes (Suzuki), Borciani (Ducati) and team mate Walker, before finally ending up ninth. He changed gearing for the second race and was able to contest sixth position without any trouble. Although he crossed the line sixth, he was bumped up to fifth after the disqualification of second placed Vermeulen (Honda). Frenchman Regis Laconi (Ducati) dominated both 18-lappers and took his first ever double victory. In race one, His team mate Toseland took runner-up spot, with McCoy (Ducati) third. Vermeulen took runner-up spot in race two, with Toseland third, but a technical infraction caused him to be excluded from the results and allowed McCoy to inherit third.

TROY
I was much happier in the second race then the first. I think we had the wrong gearing in race one and once we looked the telemetry from my bike and Chris’s, we changed mine and it worked a lot better. I was on the limiter down the start straight in the first race, so I knew something had to be changed. In race two, I think the bike was as good as it was going to be here. The engine seemed stronger in race two right from the start, but I didn’t make my own life easy because my start wasn’t so good and I got bottled up going into the first corner. But the bike felt better and more stable on the brakes, so I was able to ride it harder. Borciani held me up for while and I knew I had to get a good run out of Ascari and be right on his exhaust pipes going into the Parabolica, so that I could out-drag him on the run to the chequered flag. We’ve had minimal problems this weekend and the engines have been more consistent, and with better mapping, so now we have a better base to move forward from. This was always going to be our toughest race, so to come out with a fifth, makes me happy.


More, from a press release issued by Xerox Ducati Nortel Networks/Scuderia Caracchi:

Garry McCoy in Monza twice onto the podium

Garry McCoy earned the podium in both the races here in Monza, for the fourth round of World Superbike, and leaves the Italian circuit in fourth position of the pointstanding. Actually the race-2 result put McCoy in fourth position under the chequered flag, after a close fight with Toseland that send to the seventh heaven the 86.000 spectators present in Monza, but late in the check area, during the inspection by Technical Stewards, the bike of the second arrived, Vermeulen, was excluded from the classification for infraction against the FIM Technical Rules.

“I’m happy to ride my 999RS Xerox Ducati Nortel Networks twice onto the rostrum here in Monza, in Italy.” – said a smiling Garry McCoy at the end of the race – “I’m Australian, but all the team has made by Italian people and I’m sure that everybody has a special attention for this race. This couple of third places are the award for the work made by all the team, first Marco Mozzone together with all the guys, everybody made his best in all the week end. In the final part of race-1 I overtook Toseland for the second position, the a small stone entered the fuel injection area, disturbing the throttle movement. By chance it didn’t enter the engine and stopped early to disturb. In the race-2 the bike had some bumping in the rear, but nothing very bad. I believe that the fight with Toseland has been very nice for the public as well it has been for us. In the final lap I tried to pass at the first chicane, but we had different ways to manage that corner and I arrived very close to James when I started release the brakes and he was still braking, so I must brake once more and I’ve lost the correct line, allowing to James to get a decisive advantage.”

Very black day for Miguel Praia, out of the race for technical problems in the early stages in bot the legs, and the young Portuguese rider was actually with his hearth under the shoes at the end of the day.

Giancarlo De Matteis recorded a very good 12th position in race-1, earning 4 points for World Championship, the in race-2 a crash without any consequence at Parabolica corner put him out of the race: “The result of race-1, earned at my debut on the 999, has been beatyful, it’s a pity that a mistake in race-2 didn’t allow me to repeat a good result, as I was able to do.”

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Sunday Morning’s Provisional AMA Superbike Practice Times:

1. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:26.136
2. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:26.515
3. Ben Bostrom, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:26.557
4. Miguel Duhamel, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:26.670
5. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:26.864
6. Josh Hayes, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:27.707
7. Eric Bostrom, Ducati 999F04, 1:28.125
8. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.507
9. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.890
10. Eric Wood, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.205
11. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.380
12. Larry Pegram, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:29.744
13. Lee Acree, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.229
14. Opie Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.362
15. Jeremy Toye, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:30.401