Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
MotoGP Results:
1. Valentino Rossi, Honda, 24 laps, 44:36.633
2. Sete Gibernau, Honda, -3.109 seconds
3. Makoto Tamada, Honda, -7.298 seconds
4. Max Biaggi, Honda, – 9.235 seconds
5. Nicky Hayden, Honda, -11.165 seconds
6. Loris Capirossi, Ducati, -14.826 seconds
7. Tohru Ukawa, Honda, -17.361 seconds
8. Shinya Nakano, Yamaha, -21.239 seconds
9. Carlos Checa, Yamaha, -21.522 seconds
10. Troy Bayliss, Ducati, -22.971 seconds
11. Marco Melandri, Yamaha, -32.910 seconds
12. Alex Barros, Yamaha, -40.136 seconds
13. Colin Edwards, Aprilia, -54.099 seconds
14. Noriyuki Haga, Aprilia, -57.234 seconds
15. Ryuichi Kiyonari, Honda, -57.678 seconds
16. Jeremy McWilliams, Proton, -66.069 seconds
17. Kenny Roberts, Suzuki, -69.444 seconds
18. Andrew Pitt, Kawasaki, -82.461 seconds
19. David De Gea, Harris WCM, -1 lap
20. Garry McCoy, Kawasaki, -10 laps, DNF, retired
21. Nobuatsu Aoki, Proton, -13 laps, DNF, retired
21. Chris Burns, Harris WCM, -16 laps, DNF, retired
22. Olivier Jacque, Yamaha, -17 laps, DNF, retired
DNS. John Hopkins, Suzuki
More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki:
Roberts 17th on sole Suzuki in Rio
Jacarepagua, Brazil – Saturday, September 19, 2003: Team Suzuki rider Kenny Roberts Jr. finished 17th in today’s Rio GP, his hopes of claiming World Championship points for a top 15 finish thwarted in a hot sunny race that saw almost all the starters make it to the finish.
Team-mate John Hopkins did not ride, after suffering painful injuries including a badly sprained left thumb in a heavy crash in yesterday’s final qualifying session.
Roberts had qualified 19th, started from the fifth row of the grid, and finished the first lap in 20th position, in a race run in blazing sunshine at the 4.933km circuit outside Rio de Janeiro.
The 2000 World Champion lapped consistently, picking up a couple of places but unable to make a real impression. The factory and race team are still struggling to unleash the obvious potential of the Suzuki GSV-R GP racer, and Roberts’s best hope of points was to be sure of a finish, at a bumpy and slippery circuit where this is not always easy to achieve.
The race was won by defending champion Valentino Rossi, who added to his significant championship points lead with a third successive victory.
The next round is the Pacific GP at Motegi in Japan, in two weeks time – the first of three successive flyaway races that take the GP racers on to Malaysia and Australia before the season finale in Spain.
Kenny Roberts – 17th position
I’m pretty disappointed not to get into the points, but we knew we needed some help to do that. Once again almost everybody seemed to finish the race, so it’s pretty difficult for us to make up the places. I had to push pretty hard just to do 1:53 laps, with the risk of falling down pretty high. We’re really struggling at the moment.
Garry Taylor – Team Manager
Kenny really says it all. Everyone is working really hard to make our situation better, but in the end, with all the good intentions in the world, it’s only points that count.
More, from a press release issued by Yamaha Racing:
MotoGP : Rio race proves tough on Yamaha
The Rio Grand Prix, held today, September 20, has proven to be one of the most difficult rounds of the 2003 MotoGP World Championship for Yamaha, with the YZR-M1 contingent struggling to finish with a solid top ten result. Despite all efforts made little could be done to overcome the difficulties encountered on the slick and bumpy Nelson Piquet circuit during qualifying, leaving Shinya Nakano (d’Antin Yamaha Team) and Carlos Checa (Fortuna Yamaha Team) to finish eighth and ninth respectively.
After qualifying sixth on the grid for today’s 24-lap race Nakano was looking forward to a good result in Rio, on a circuit he likes very much. But a poor start and a lack of rear traction saw the Japanese rider remain ninth until an opportunity presented itself on the penultimate lap. The likeable Japanese pounced on the chance, provided by Ducati rider Troy Bayliss, to claim eighth place ahead of Checa – only 0.283 seconds adrift at the finish line. The Spaniard was another rider to take advantage the situation, with the Australia finishing the Brazilian Grand Prix in tenth place.
Checa was hopeful of a good start but, in the end, was unable to make any inroad on the opening few laps of today’s main event. This left Valentino Rossi (Honda), Sete Gibernau (Honda) and Makoto Tamada (Honda) to claim the final podium placings unchallenged by any Yamaha – the trio finishing in that order.
For Checa’s Fortuna Yamaha Team-mate, Marco Melandri, race day did offer some progress when the 21-year-old Italian produced a reasonable start to eventually finish the Brazilian Grand Prix 11th – a five place improvement over his final qualifying result.
D’Antin Yamaha Team
Shinya Nakano 8th: “Not such a great day, even if I am the fastest Yamaha. The race started off OK as I was able to match the pace of the lead group. But as the race wore on I started to have some rear traction problems and started to lose ground. I still kept trying my best, however, and that’s why I was able to eventually take Bayliss. Physically I’m virtually perfect now, which is exactly what I was hoping for with Motegi just around the corner.”
Fortuna Yamaha Team
Carlos Checa 9th: “Obviously we didn’t do as well as we had hoped this weekend, but we did make gradual improvements during the three days. My main problem this weekend was balance and the set-up of the chassis. I stuck behind the Ducati of Bayliss and at the end I increased my pace and was able to pass him, but I still need to be able to do more regarding turning the bike, and that’s one of my main problems. I really want to improve this handling issue as soon as I can. I’m going back to Europe now for a bit of relaxation before I head to Japan for the next round.”
Marco Melandri 11th: “I started the race quite badly and after a few laps I lost grip on the rear. It’s strange because normally that happens when I on the power, but this time it happened in the middle of the corners. The feeling of the bike was much better than yesterday in general. After seven or eight laps I lost grip on the front, and then on the last five or six laps I was taking too many risks and I lost my confidence. By the end I had lost a lot of time and my lap times were slow.”
Gauloises Yamaha Team
Alex Barros 12th: “I’m really disappointed as this circuit wasn’t too hard on my shoulder and I had hoped to ride well in front of my home fans. Even though I qualified badly I thought I’d to be able to fight for fifth or sixth place, but right from the start I struggled for grip and couldn’t post fast enough lap times to stay in the hunt. Throughout the weekend, as the track evolved, we have struggled with tyre choice, and I think today’s increased temperature only made things worse.”
Olivier Jacque DNF: “The ankle I twisted yesterday in qualifying caused me a lot of problems this morning, during the warm-up, and I couldn’t decide whether to race or not. In the end I went to see Dr Costa, who put a support around my foot and gave me some anti-inflammatory medication. However once the race was underway I quickly realised it was too dangerous to continue as I couldn’t change down properly and kept running wide in the corners.”
More, from a press release issued by Pramac Honda:
After waiting patiently for a full eleven races, Tamada, Pramac and Bridgestone make their first podium of the season.
Makoto Tamada a splendid third at Rio. A welcome reward for the entire team that picked up the MotoGP gauntlet with a rookie rider in the premier class and with the technical challenge of the colossal Japanese tyre manufacturer Bridgestone making a most extraordinary commitment to the MotoGP 2003 project.
Makoto got off to a good start and did all he could to maintain a fast rhythm from the beginning. On the 4th and 5th laps he was the fastest in the field and at the end of the race the second fastest rider of all. The Bridgestone technicians and the team had the whole array of compounds to choose from – and they chose the best. Materials that were thoroughly tested in mid-August and never cease to be perfected at each world championship race.
Makoto did all he could to be aggressive on the brakes, one of his greatest skills, but he was also able to make use of a more aggressive RC211V. The technicians had worked long and hard on the electronics of the engine in an attempt to find the best compromise between good rideability and ideal acceleration. Right from the first day of tests, work was carried out to make sure Makoto had a good feeling for the bike, but also to obtain the right set-up to be able to complete with the sharp end of the pack.
The excellence of the tyres is unquestionable, and indeed in the last five laps, when the tyres had worn out the most, Tamada was the fastest on the circuit. The tyres that were used were based on the ones taken to the first GP in Jerez, and they have now become extremely competitive. The front Bridgestone in particular gave the tough Japanese rider the chance to “scare” more than one rival on braking. Montegi is now on its way, and it is the “home” race for the rider and Bridgestone. Today’s result in this special moment of the championship for the Pramac Honda Team means there is plenty of hope for a repeat performance of today’s success.
Tamada rode the race with a hard front and a medium-hard rear tyre.
Makoto Tamada: 3rd – 44:43.931
“A great race, I started off well and immediately tried to achieve a fast pace. I knew our potential and I just had to get up front to make the most of it. I delayed slowing down as long as possible and then worked really hard on the brakes. I put all my heart and all my determination into it. It’ s certainly true that in terms of quality and tyre performance we’re getting better and better, but we certainly mustn’t sit back. We’ve got to carry on like this. I feel highly motivated and happy. Thank you Bridgestone! Thank you team!”
More, from a press release issued by Camel Pramac Pons:
The Camel Pramac Pons team just misses out on a podium finish in Rio
Max Biaggi was not able to repeat the podium finish in Estoril two weeks ago and the Camel Pramac Pons team missed out on a top three finish in the twelfth race of the season, the Rio Grand Prix, taking place this afternoon at the Nelson Piquet Circuit in Jacarepaguá. Biaggi made a good start and stayed with the leaders for the first third of the race, but he then lost contact with Rossi and Gibernau. After being passed by Tamada on lap twelve, Max then fought off the challenge of Nicky Hayden to finish fourth. Tohru Ukawa, meanwhile, finished seventh after making up two places after the start.
4th Max Biaggi
“At the end of the race my tyres were completely destroyed, although I know they were the same as the ones my rivals were using. The bike was sliding excessively on the exit of the corners but did not have enough speed so it was destroying the tyres. The engine is not smooth. A fourth place finish cannot be satisfactory for a rider like myself. Perhaps we have a set-up problem, but if we cannot solve it perhaps we should ask for help from Honda as Gibernau also said”.
7th Tohru Ukawa
“Today I did not make too bad a start, but I was lacking top-end speed to stay with the pace of the leaders at the beginning of the race. Also on the exit of the corners the bike was sliding a lot and this prevented me from staying with them and in the end I lost contact. I was able to finish seventh because my times were consistent, whereas my opponents were irregular. Now I am looking forward to the race in Motegi which is my home race and I hope to be up with the leaders”.
Sito Pons:
“The race results in Rio are clearly below our expectations and we cannot be satisfied. We could not stay with the pace of the leaders, but we will be back with a strong challenge in two weeks at Motegi and we will be looking to return to the podium”.
More, from a press release issued by Alice Aprilia:
Together for the finishing line
After the 250 constructor world title achieved by Aprilia both RS Cubes of Alice Aprilia Racing Team finished the race in the score zone. Although the chattering problems their from some races, Nori and Colin did all the best obtaining important points for the standing. In the constructor standing Aprilia is now fourth, behind Honda, Ducati and Yamaha and ahead of Proton KR, Suzuki and Kawasaki.
Colin Edwards: “The first corner was frightful: I was in the middle of a sandwich made by one Yamaha and one Kawasaki but I was able to stay up. I lost to much time because off this inconvenience but I was able to recover many positions as well”.
Noriyuki Haga: “The chattering is haunting me all the time and I made a bad start as well. I thought only to finish the race”.
Gigi Dall’Igna (Project Leader): “I expected a race like this. The chattering is still our main problem so the bike is not so competitive how it could be. We need to find a solution quickly and we will keep on working on this”.
More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:
Ducati Marlboro men sixth and tenth in tough Rio GP
Ducati Marlboro Team riders Loris Capirossi and Troy Bayliss completed this afternoon’s Rio GP in sixth and tenth positions, a result that didn’t fully live up to the squad’s pre-race expectations. The duo had qualified second and fifth yesterday and had high hopes of giving their crew a fourth-consecutive podium finish. Nonetheless, today was a good news day for the team, with Bayliss’ wife Kim giving birth to their third child, a baby boy named Oliver.
“We expected better than that,” said Ducati Marlboro Team technical director Corrado Cecchinelli. “The only people who beat us here were Honda, except this time there were too many of them in front of us! Now we need to sit down and have a chat with our riders to see what happened. This is our first time here, but I don’t want to make excuses, maybe we made the wrong tyre choice. We should learn a lot from today, and anyway, what I really want to do is congratulate Troy and Kim on the birth of their third child.”
Capirossi finishes sixth to stay fourth in champinship
Loris Capirossi qualified just three tenths off pole position yesterday, but the Ducati Marlboro Team man was unable to reproduce that kind of performance over full-race distance. He started well, running third in the early stages before slipping back to sixth. The result was good enough to preserve Capirossi’s fourth place in the World Championship standings.
“We had some minor worries with the engine-braking system in warm-up, the bike was a little difficult to control into the turns, and we couldn’t resolve the problem for the race,” explained Capirossi. “We had changed the engine yesterday, but that was just a normal maintenance procedure. Anyway this is a learning year for us, and when you have problems like this, for sure you learn for the future.”
Bayliss takes tenth, while wife kim delivers third baby
Ducati Marlboro Team rider Troy Bayliss rode to a dogged tenth-place finish, unaware that wife Kim had given birth to their third child in Monaco earlier in the day. The Aussie, who had high expectations for today’s race after qualifying just a fraction of a second off the front row, rode as hard as ever but slipped to tenth at the flag.
“I tried ringing Kim this morning to see how she was going but couldn’t get through, I guess she must’ve already been in hospital!” said Bayliss, delighted with the birth but less happy with his worst finish in a while. “The bike wasn’t as great as it usually is. We made a few tiny changes after morning warm-up and maybe we made it a little worse. I rode it 100 per cent, then 110 per cent, but I never went any faster; you live and learn. I couldn’t believe it when I spoke to Kim after the race, it’s great news, at least something good happened today!” Kim Bayliss gave birth in Monaco at 2am this morning. Baby Oliver is the couple’s third child after Mitchell (7) and Abbey (5).
More, from a press release issued by Fortuna Yamaha:
Fortuna Yamaha riders endure gruelling Rio Grand Prix
Today’s Rio Grand Prix proved to be one of the most difficult rounds of the 2003 MotoGP World Championship for the Fortuna Yamaha team, with both factory Yamaha riders Carlos Checa and Marco Melandri struggling to finish with a top ten result. Despite all efforts made little could be done to overcome the difficulties faced by Checa and Melandri on the slick and bumpy Nelson Piquet circuit during yesterday’s qualifying, and the pair finished tenth and 11th respectively.
Starting from tenth on the grid for today’s 24-lap race, Checa was hopeful of a good start but in the end was unable to make an inroad on the opening few laps. Valentino Rossi (Honda), Sete Gibernau (Honda) and Makoto Tamada (Honda) claimed the final podium placings, finishing in that order. As the race progressed, tenth-placed Checa remained focused and determined. The approach paid dividends, as Checa pounced on Troy Bayliss (Ducati) when the opportunity presented itself on the penultimate lap. The Fortuna Yamaha Spaniard secured ninth place, just 0.283 seconds behind Shinya Nakano (d’ Antin Yamaha Team).
“Obviously we didn’t do as well as we had hoped this weekend but we did make gradual improvements during the three days,” said Checa, who today made his 120th start in the premier motorcycle class. “My main problem all weekend was balance and the set-up of the chassis. I stuck behind the Ducati of Bayliss and at the end I increased my pace and was able to pass him. But I still need to be able to do more regarding turning the bike, and that’s one of my main problems. I really want to improve this handling issue as soon as I can. I’m going back to Europe now for a bit of relaxation before I head to Japan for the next round.”
For Checa’s Fortuna Yamaha team-mate Melandri, race day did offer some progress and the 21-year-old Italian produced a reasonable race to eventually finish the Rio Grand Prix 11th – a five place improvement over his final qualifying result.
“I’m reasonably happy about today, considering,” said Melandri, who has had a frustrating weekend. “I started the race quite badly and after a few laps I lost grip on the rear. It’s strange because normally that happens when I’m on the power, but this time it happened in the middle of the corners. The feeling of the bike was much better than yesterday in general. After seven or eight laps I lost grip on the front, and then on the last five or six laps I was taking too many risks and I lost my confidence. By the end I had lost a lot of time and my lap times were slow.”
“It’s been a really difficult weekend because of the lack of grip that our bikes have suffered at this track,” said Davide Brivio, director of the Fortuna Yamaha Team. “We were in more trouble here than a lot of others, and we tried everything to change the settings and to make the riders more comfortable. At the beginning of the race both Checa and Melandri were able to keep up similar lap times to the lead riders, but in the second half of the race we suffered. Carlos did very well to keep going and to overtake Bayliss. Both our riders did the best that they could.”
More, from a press release issued by Honda Racing Press Information:
Rossi win gives Honda 15th manufacturers’ title
Valentino Rossi (Repsol Honda RC211V) swept all before him at one of his favourite racetracks and scored his sixth race win of the 2003 season. It was enough to ensure that Honda would become champion manufacturer for the 15th time, with four races still to go.
Rossi’s ability to lap Rio faster than his peers was perfectly demonstrated when he passed early race leader Sete Gibernau (Telefonica Movistar Honda RC211V) on lap nine. He broke the lap record on two consecutive laps, and left Rio with the new best of 1:50.453 to add to his winner’s trophy.
Once past Gibernau only a mistake looked like costing him the race and he won with room to spare in the final analysis, securing a straight six race wins at Rio, four in the premier class.
“That was a very, very good race,” said Rossi “In the past I have made good races here, especially in the big bikes – it’s fun for me and the track is medium fast with long corners, very good for my style. Our set-up was right and the suspension was particularly good. We have had troubles in this area in the past. Now we have a consistent team working in this area and it shows. Today the bike was perfect.”
A wonderful day for Honda put Gibernau second and five Hondas placed in the top five. Every single one of Honda’s seven entries in MotoGP took a points score of some kind.
Aside from Rossi’s excellence Makoto Tamada (Pramac Honda RC211V) was in position to be voted man of the meeting, taking his first MotoGP podium in his rookie season, after a ride through from seventh to third on his Bridgestone tyres.
The only possible cloud on Rossi’s scorching raceday horizon was the fact that Gibernau was a safe and confident second, making a perfect recovery from a final qualifying crash. Second in the championship, Gibernau lost only five points to Rossi overall.
The Spaniard was aware that things could have been a whole lot worse, after his bad luck in qualifying.
“I felt really bad this morning so thanks to the staff at the Clinica Mobile for helping me to race,” said Gibernau. “Valentino had a little more than us today so I rode my own race.”
Tamada, rode the race of his life into third, and set some of his fastest laps in the closing sector of the race.
“A great race,” said an understandably delighted Tamada. “I knew our potential so I just had to get up to the front to make the most of it. I delayed slowing sown for as long as possible and then worked really hard on the brakes. I put all my heart and all my determination into it. Thank you Bridgestone and thank you team!”
Max Biaggi (Camel Pramac Pons Honda RC211V) had to settle for fourth place after experiencing some difficulties. Harried by Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda RC211V) for a time, he pushed at just the right moment to protect his strong points score.
“I was a little slow today I just couldn’t accelerate and I had too much wheelspin,” said Biaggi. “I don’t understand but I think I have a problem with the engine management system.”
Loris Capirossi (Ducati) was overhauled by an ever-improving Nicky Hayden who took fifth place, for a fistful of Honda success on raceday.
“I guess I should be happier with fifth,” he stated. “I got an awesome start and I was right up there. The bike felt good but it was difficult to hold on when Valentino really pulled the field. I picked up a little vibration about five laps from the end and things didn’t feel right at all. I guess I’m a little disappointed with the result. I’ve had fifth before and I really didn’t think a podium today was unrealistic.”
Tohru Ukawa (Camel Pramac Pons Honda RC2111V) was disappointed with his race at Rio, experiencing similar sensations to his team-mate Biaggi.
“We had a little bit less top speed and there was a lot of spinning from the rear from the start, which did not help,” said Ukawa. “I could only go at a certain speed but my laps were consistent. Towards the end, as other rider’s tyres started to spin, I could move forward to seventh as they dropped back. I tried my best, as always. I look forward to Motegi and my home race.”
Ryuichi Kiyonari (Team Telefonica Movistar Honda RC211V) secured 15th place and one championship point, but it could have been more according to his own affirmation.
“It was a shame because I had a really bad start to the race,” explained Kiyonari. “I made a big mistake which made me lose a lot of time, but then really gave it everything I had and was able to get in the points.”
Rossi’s win, his third in succession, has put him 51 points ahead of Gibernau, with Biaggi third. The standings after Rio are, Rossi 262, Gibernau 211, Biaggi 174, Capirossi 123, Troy Bayliss (Ducati) 112.
Honda Team’s quotes:
MotoGP:
Valentino Rossi, Repsol Honda: 1st: “That was good today. A very, very good race. In the past I make good races here, especially with the big bikes; the 500 and the MotoGP. It is fun for me. The track is medium, fast with long corners. This track is very good for my style. We had a very good rhythm this weekend and we make a very good set up. The suspension was especially good as we have had troubles in the past but now we have a consistent team working on this area of the bike and it shows. Today the bike was perfect.”
Sete Gibernau, Telefonica MoviStar Honda, 2nd: “Taking into account that this weekend was not at all easy, I am very satisfied with the result. We had a few problems with the bike yesterday and I crashed when I was trying to set a fast lap, so I think second place is the most we could have hoped for. I would like to give a big thanks to the team and to Honda because we tried a few things with the settings this morning that helped us to go a bit faster. I would also like to thank Dr. Costa and his team for helping me recover physically, because I felt pretty bad last night. On this occasion I wasn’t able to fight with Valentino, but the important thing is we were very competitive once again and we have extended our advantage over Max in the championship.”
Makoto Tamada, Pramac Honda Team : 3rd:”A great race, I started off well and immediately tried to achieve a fast pace. I knew our potential and I just had to get up front to make the most of it. I delayed slowing down as long as possible and then worked really hard on the brakes. I put all my heart and all my determination into it. It’s certainly true that in terms of quality and tyre performance we’re getting better and better, but we certainly mustn’t sit back. We’ve got to carry on like this. I feel highly motivated and happy. Thank you Bridgestone! Thank you team!”
Max Biaggi (4th): “I was a little slow today. I just couldn’t accelerate and I had too much wheel spin. I don’t understand but I think I had a problem with the engine management system.”
Nicky Hayden, Repsol Honda Team: 5th: ” I guess I should be happier with fifth. I got an awesome start and was right up there. The bike felt good but it was difficult to hold on when Valentino really pulled the field. At about lap 10/11 I really picked it up again and got right up to the back of Max’s tyre. I picked up a little vibration about five laps from the end and things didn’t feel right at all. I guess I’m a little disappointed with the final result. I’ve had a fifth before and I really didn’t think a podium today was unrealistic.”
Tohru Ukawa (7th): “We had a little bit less top speed and there was a lot of spinning from the rear from the start, which did not help. I could only go at a certain speed but my laps were consistent. Towards the end, as other riders’ tyres started to slip, I could move forward to seventh as they dropped back. I tried my best, as always. I look forward to Motegi and my home race.”
Ryuichi Kiyonari, Telefonica MoviStar Honda, 15th: “It is a shame because I had a really bad start to the race. I made a big mistake which made me lose a lot of time, but then I gave everything I had and was able to get in the points”.
Fausto Gresini, Team Manager:
“It was never going to be an easy race today. I was a little worried about how Sete would be after his crash yesterday, but he was in great form and he had a good race. In the warm-up this morning the team made a few changes which have improved the performance of the bike. This second place strengthens our objective of taking second place in the championship although of course we will be working hard to win more races. I am also very happy with Kiyonari’s performance – he showed more confidence on the track and has cut back the gap to the guys in front of him. It is a shame he made a slight mistake at the start of the race, but passing people in MotoGP is not easy so he deserves my congratulations.”
More, from a press release issued by Harris WCM:
RIO GRAND PRIX 2003
HARRIS WCM
RACE DAY
David de Gea – 19th
“Today I am happy to have finished the race and to give my team feedback on the engine and the tyres. I only completed 2 laps in the warm-up as we had some problems with the clutch and so we tried a different setting for the race, but it again the clutch was slipping.
It was good to finish the race but I’d still like some more horsepower.”
Chris Burns DNF
“After warm-up this morning, there was some problems with gearbox, so the mechanics quickly stripped down the bike and put in a new gear box.
Immediately there were problems with the that and the mechanics couldn’t find neutral on pit lane when I was ready to head to the grid. I missed the start of the race and joined the race 2 laps into it.
The problems continued, the gears would not select properly, it all felt stiff and like the bike would lock up. So I pulled into the pits on the 16th lap.
It was another disastrous weekend for me, but I look forward to Japan and to finishing a GP.”
Peter Clifford – Team Manager
“Ultimately a frustrating weekend we did not take the steps forward from Portugal that we had hoped for, but all the things that cropped up here we can sort out and take two steps forward in Japan.”
More, from a press release issued by Team Kawasaki:
MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2003
ROUND 12 – CINZANO RIO GRAND PRIX
20TH SEPTEMBER 2003 – MOTOGP RACE RESULT
RIO HEAT WAVE HITS FUCHS KAWASAKI TEAM
After a promising two days of Garry McCoy’s competitive qualifying efforts there was little reward for the Fuchs Kawasaki Team in the blast furnace heat of today’s Rio Grand Prix.
A sweat soaked Andrew Pitt was the sole finisher for the team, with the Australian bringing his Ninja ZX-RR home in 18th place after a brave battle against fading front end grip over the second half of the race.
Fellow Australian Garry McCoy was bitterly disappointed when a holed radiator and overheating engine prevented him from capitalising on his brilliant qualifying effort. McCoy had started 13th, the best qualifying effort by a Kawasaki rider this season.
After being baulked and losing two places on the opening lap McCoy settled in 15th before the oppressive heat began to take the edge off rear tyre grip and then gave his motor no chance of survival when debris thrown up by another rider punched a hole in the radiator, forcing McCoy to retire after just 14 laps.
In his first race at the fast and bumpy Rio circuit, MotoGP rookie Pitt battled bravely in the heavy traffic of the opening laps from his sixth row starting position. However, Pitt choose a slightly softer front tyre compound than McCoy and the tropical temperatures forced him to fight reduced front end grip levels throughout the second half of the race. Pitt was exhausted after manhandling his ZX-RR to the finish of the 24 lap race.
Andrew Pitt 18th
