New from British Superbike seems to indicate that the 1000cc formula favors Ducatis, which have been dominant. This is a press release from Monstermob Ducati:

MONSTERMOB DUCATI BRITISH SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM

Round 5 – 2002 MCN British Superbike and Round 6 National Supersport Championship – Snetterton, Norfolk June 2/3rd

HISLOP’S LEAD PINNED BACK

MonsterMob Ducati rider Steve Hislop emerged from a disastrous weekend at Snetterton with his championship lead still in tact but substantially reduced after a second and a fourth place finish at the Norfolk circuit in races nine and ten of the 2002 MCN British Superbike Championship.

The Isle of Man based Scot struggled all weekend with machine set up which was compounded by having to use a new profile Dunlop tyre which didn’t suit his riding style, and to top it all, main championship rival Sean Emmett won both races to reduce the gap at the top to just 17 points.

“We’ve been chasing our tails so much this weekend, we’ve met ourselves coming backwards. It simply wasn’t my bike this weekend and no matter what we did, the problems didn’t get any better. I’m glad I kept my championship lead but I can’t wait to get away from here as I hate the place” fumed Hislop afterwards.

It may have been a different story had both races not been red-flagged early on whilst Hizzy was comfortably in command but he trailed home a distant fourth in the opening leg before bravely hanging onto second in race two despite a concerted last lap challenge from Michael Rutter and Steve Plater.

Team pride was salvaged by Supersport rider Stuart Easton winning his fifth consecutive race in the Supersport class to extend his lead to 47 points at the head of the table, but for once the 17 year old from Hawick didn’t have it all his own way.

Starting from his fourth successive pole position, young ‘Ratty’ had to fend off a concerted challenge from Irishman Michael Laverty but just as Laverty was poised to strike, out came the red flags as conditions deteriorated due to a rain shower:

“I felt I had it under control and was just keeping an eye on my pit board. I must admit though, I was a little surprised to see Michael giving me such a hard time and he was really riding well” said Easton who blotted his copybook by drowning the pit lane commentator (who happened to be his team’s press officer………) in champagne on the rostrum.

As a result, colleagues within the media are requested to keep all publicity relating to Easton to an absolute minimum until such time as an apology (or financial compensation) is forthcoming………

Race Results

Superbike Race 1
1. Sean Emmett (Ducati)
2. John Reynolds (Suzuki)
3. Steve Plater (Yamaha)
4. Steve Hislop (MonsterMob Ducati)
5. Paul Brown (Ducati)
6. Simon Crafar (Yamaha)

Superbike Race 2
1. Emmett
2. Hislop
3. Michael Rutter (Ducati)
4. Plater
5. Shane Byrne (Ducati)
6. Brown

Championship Positions after five rounds:
1. Hislop 189
2. Emmett 172
3. Rutter 130.5
4. Plater 117
5. Reynolds 105.5
6. Brown 104.5

Supersport
1. Stuart Easton (MonsterMob Ducati)
2. Michael Laverty (Honda)
3. Scott Smart (Honda)
4. Jeremy Goodall (Suzuki)
5. Chris Bishop (Honda)
6. Ben Wilson (Honda)

Championship Positions after six rounds
1. Easton 125
2. Smart 78
3. Pete Jennings (Kawasaki) 63
4. Goodall 58
5. Tom Tunstall (Suzuki) 51
6. Jim Moodie (Yamaha) 45

This just in:

I’ve heard a lot of negative comments about the privateer (Daryl Woodward) who hit Aaron Yates in the Sunday SuperSport race at PPIR.

From what I saw on Speed Channel, it sure looked like Yates was taking an outside line around Woodward, and started to close on the apex. Then lost the rear, losing drive, resulting in no where for Woodward to go.

In my opinion (as an ex-mid-pack amateur road racer), that was just a racing incident, and there should be no blame placed. As a matter of fact, I think that Woodward really got the short end of the stick, and some bad publicity on top of it.

Just wanted to voice my opinion.

Thanks,

Ryan Stefani


(Editor’s note: We confirmed with Yates that he lost the front, nearly fell off the bike, lost momentum, then got hit by the other rider, who, as Stefani points out, had limited options at that point.)

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Superbike Practice Lap Times:

1. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 0:54.770
2. Nicky Hayden, Honda RC51, 0:54.796
3. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R750, 0:54.981
4. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki GSX-R750, 0:55.071
5. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 0:55.221
6. Doug Chandler, Ducati 998RS, 0:55.314
7. Miguel Duhamel, Honda RC51, 0:55.462
8. Pascal Picotte, Ducati 998RS, 0:55.507
9. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 0:57.106
10. Jason DiSalvo, Suzuki GSX-R750, 0:57.191
11. Brian Parriott, Suzuki GSX-R750, 0:57.288
12. Marco Martinez, Suzuki GSX-R750, 0:57.680
13. Ricky Orlando, Suzuki GSX-R750, 0:57.963
14. Alan Schmidt, Suzuki GSX-R750, 0:57.996
15. Ty Howard, Suzuki GSX-R750, 0:58.013
16. Rich Conicelli, Suzuki GSX-R750, 0:58.104
17. Shane Clarke, Suzuki GSX-R750, 0:58.242
18. Brian Livengood, Suzuki GSX-R750, 0:58.250
19. Colin Gilbert, suzuki GSX-R750, 0:58.369


Supersport Practice Lap Times:

1. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki, 0:56.474
2. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, 0:56.667
3. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki, 0:56.723
4. Jake Zemke, Honda, 0:56.914
5. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda, 0:56.972
6. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha, 0:57.291
7. Tom Kipp, Suzuki, 0:57.300
8. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki, 0:57.418
9. Ben Spies, Suzuki, 0:57.430
10. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki, 0:57.496
11. Mike Hale, Honda, 0:57.942
12. Jimmy Filice, Kawasaki, 0:58.176
13. Andrew Nelson, Honda, 0:58.227
14. Ty Howard, Suzuki, 0:58.748
15. Tyler Wadsworth, Yamaha, 0:59.114
16. Shane Turpin, Suzuki, 0:59.414
17. Elton Curry, Yamaha, 0:59.726
18. Mark Ledesma, Honda, 0:59.752
19. Matt Zurbuchen, Suzuki, 0:59.929
20. Chris Siglin, Suzuki, 1:00.062


Pro Thunder Practice Lap Times:

1. Kirk McCarthy, Ducati, 0:57.332
2. Shawn Higbee, Buell, 0:57.782
3. Mike Ciccotto, Buell, 0:57.999
4. Tripp Nobles, Buell, 0:58.408
5. Dave Estok, Buell, 0:58.860
6. Tom Montano, Ducati, 0:59.188
7. Heath Small, Ducati, 0:59.859
8. Carlos Macias, Ducati, 1:00.326
9. Shane Turpin, Ducati, 1:00.522
10. Clark Freatman, Ducati, 1:01.321

250cc Grand Prix Practice Lap Times:


1. Jason DiSalvo, Honda, 0:56.601
2. Rich Oliver, Yamaha, 0:56.685
3. Chuck Sorensen, Aprilia, 0:56.747
4. Simon Turner, Yamaha, 0:57.014
5. Perry Melneciuc, Yamaha, 0:57.417
6. Colin Jensen, Aprilia, 0:58.606
7. Ed Sorbo, Yamaha, 0:59.228
8. John France, Honda, 0:59.800
9. Frank Aragaki, Yamaha, 1:00.380
10. John Williams, Yamaha, 1:00.440

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Mugello MotoGP Race Results:

1. Valentino Rossi, Honda RC211V, 23 laps, 43:40.837
2. Max Biaggi, Yamaha YZR-M1, -2.404 seconds
3. Tohru Ukawa, Honda RC211V, -11.289 seconds
4. Carlos Checa, Yamaha YZR-M1, -11.408 seconds
5. Alex Barros, Honda NSR500, -15.371 seconds
6. Loris Capirossi, Honda NSR500, -20.010 seconds
7. Norick Abe, Yamaha YZR500, -26.447 seconds
8. Regis Laconi, Aprilia RS3, -30.333 seconds
9. Olivier Jacque, Yamaha YZR500, -37.715 seconds
10. Tetsuya Harada, Honda NSR500, -30.759 seconds
11. Shinya Nakano, Yamaha YZR500, -34.162 seconds
12. John Hopkins, Yamaha YZR500, -37.715 seconds
13. Jean Michel Bayle, Yamaha YZR500, -77.803 seconds
14. Jurgen vd Goorbergh, Honda NSR500, -79.800 seconds
15. Jeremy McWilliams, Proton KR3, -5 laps, DNF, mechanical
16. Sete Gibernau, Suzuki GSV-R, -9 laps, DNF, mechanical
17. Nobuatsu Aoki, Proton KR3, -14 laps, DNF, mechanical
18. Daijiro Kato, Honda NSR500, -14 laps, DNF, crash
19. Kenny Roberts, Suzuki GSV-R, -15 laps, DNF, crash
20. Pere Riba, Yamaha YZR500, -22 laps, DNF, crash


MotoGP World Championship Point Standings:

1. Rossi, 120 points
2. Ukawa, 77 points
3. Capirossi, 55 points
4. Abe, 52 points
5. Biaggi, 43 points
6. Checa, 40 points
7. Barros, 40 points
8. Kato, 39 points
9. Aoki, 28 points
10. Laconi, 26 points
11. Jacque, 22 points
12. Harada, 21 points
13. Akira Ryo, 20 points
14. Roberts, 19 points
15. Hopkins, 18 points
16. Nakano, 16 points
17. Shinichi Itoh, 13 points
18. v.d. Goorbergh, 12 points
19. Gibernau, 11 points
20. Garry McCoy, 7 points
21. McWilliams, 6 points
22. Bayle, 5 points
23. Riba, 3 points


More, from a Red Bull Yamaha press release:

ITALIAN GRAND PRIX – MUGELLO

SUNDAY 2ND JUNE – RACE DAY

John Hopkins 12th Place
World Championship Classification 15th with 18 points
“I didn’t get the start I wanted and I got squeezed out early on. I was riding behind Jean-Michel and could not get around him for what seemed to be a long time. I ended up passing JMB and vd Goorbergh under brakes going into Turn 1, which is where I passed McWilliams later in the race. It was close racing with McWilliams we bumped off each other all through turn 1 and into the apex on 2.

“These are the hottest conditions I have raced in all year and I feel happy that I have scored points again for my team and myself. I saw a few of the guys go off during the race and the track invasion at the end was unbelievable. I saw Abe get taken off his bike by a fan and Nakano who was in front of me locked it up big time to avoid hitting another person. I was maybe an inch away from hitting someone on the front straight myself. Its good that the fans love racing and support the Grand Prix but it is really dangerous out there at the end.”

Colin Davies (Race Engineer – John Hopkins)
“John was running times in the second half of the race that could of put him up into sixth or seventh position. We are very pleased with the progress he is making this his first season. Last night the mechanics did a good job in getting John’s bike ready for the race and I thank them for all their effort.”

Jean-Michel Bayle – 13th place, scoring 3 points
“I got a good start and went okay in the beginning of the race but my left forearm began to hurt and it slowed me down through the chicanes. The softer tyre performed better than I thought it would throughout the race and we are making good progress with Dunlop.

“I knew to expect the crowd invasion so it was no surprise for me. This week I will test the Red Bull Yamaha at Assen and I will concentrate on the tyres and the set-up for that race. Also I have to learn my way around a few new corners in Assen.”

Christophe Bourguignon (Race Engineer – Jean- Michel Bayle) “We are pleased with the weekend, we again learnt a lot about the tyres and each weekend we are making steady progress. Today we rode with a soft medium front and back tyre. Jean-Michel rode with pain in his left forearm and this caused him some concern toward the end of the race. JMB slid on the front tyre a few times and he paced himself toward the finish.”

Peter Clifford – Team Manager
“A good ride for John again today, finishing in 12th place. For the second half of the race he was running similar lap times as the riders in the Top 6. I really appreciate the effort that Jean-Michel Bayle has put in today in taking a risk to try a softer tyre which might not have gone the full distance, but it has been worthwhile.”


More, from a Marlboro Yamaha press release:

MARLBORO YAMAHA M1’s BEST RESULT YET

Marlboro Yamaha Team riders Max Biaggi and Carlos Checa rode to second- and fourth-place finishes at red-hot Mugello this afternoon, the team’s best result of the new MotoGP era. Biaggi led the race for six laps and Checa missed the podium by just 0.119 seconds, proving that Yamaha’s latest improvements for the M1 are working very well. Biaggi and Checa had new chassis and seat/tank units here, allowing them both to qualify in the top three for the second race in a row.

“We’ve taken another step forward,” said YZR-M1 project leader Ichiro Yoda. “We got third in France and now we’re able to fight with both Honda four-strokes. Watching the race on TV, it looked like the difference between us and Honda is acceleration, so our next step will be to work at improving engine performance. Also, Carlos’ bike didn’t seem quite as fast as it should’ve been today, so we’re checking his machine. Like Max, he rode a great race, especially since he didn’t have so much time to set up his number-one bike. Next week we test at Valencia, where we’ll work to get the best out of the new chassis and hopefully get an even better result at the next races.”

The Marlboro Yamaha Team tests in Spain next Thursday and Friday.

BIAGGI LEADS ITALIAN GP, FINISHES CLOSE SECOND
Watched by 65,000 mad-keen fans, Marlboro Yamaha Team rider Max Biaggi led six laps of today’s Italian GP, eventually finishing the race in second, just 2.4 seconds behind arch-rival Valentino Rossi (Honda), his best-ever four-stroke MotoGP result. The pair were together for much of the 23 laps, hounding each other around the sun-baked, high-speed Mugello circuit, until Rossi upped the pace in the final stages.

“Second isn’t first but I’m totally satisfied because I did my best today and because we weren’t so far away from winning,” said Biaggi, who started the race from second on the grid, his best-ever M1 qualifying performance. “I’d like to thank Yamaha for recovering so well after the first few races. We got a new chassis that works a little better than the last one, so now we can start making some more improvements. This morning we tried a different geometry set-up in warm-up but went back to the older, safer set-up for the race. I started well, but when Rossi was behind me, I felt like he was just waiting.”

Biaggi also set the second fastest lap of the race, behind third-finisher Tohru Ukawa (Honda) and his M1 was the second fastest bike at Mugello, clocking 322.8kmh (200.6mph).

CHECA MISSES PODIUM BY A FRACTION
Carlos Checa rode an utterly determined race to fourth place this afternoon, crossing the line just a few metres behind Tohru Ukawa. But the Marlboro Yamaha Team man’s result could’ve been better if his bike hadn’t lost a touch of speed which made it difficult for him to better his Japanese rival, who was riding the fastest machine in the race. Quickest in qualifying on Friday, luckless Checa’s problems began yesterday when his number-one bike, running the impressive new chassis, suffered a glitch during final qualifying.

“We had some problems in practice which lost us valuable time in preparing for the race,” said Checa. “I got away well and managed to pass Max and Ukawa a few times but in the end I couldn’t stay with them. I tried hard to find a way back past Ukawa on the final lap but just couldn’t do it. After the flag at the end of the start-finish straight there were a lot of people already on the track which was very dangerous as we were still doing over 300kmh; for sure the organisers must work on this problem. Now we go testing at Valencia, where we will work at finding the best settings for the new chassis and resolving the problems we had here.”

ROSSI MAKES IT AN ALL-ITALIAN DAY
MotoGP leader Valentino Rossi won his first premier-class Italian GP today, following winning performances from compatriots Manuel Poggiali (125) and Marco Melandri (250). Rossi bounced back from a tumble in warm-up to score his fourth victory of the year. “I made a mistake this morning, which put me under some pressure, so I tried to ride the bike more sweetly for the race,” he said. “I pushed from the start but couldn’t break away, so I waited, tried again and it was okay. It’s a good emotion to win at home.”

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

This report on the further MotoGP adventures of John “Hopper” Hopkins just in, from Desiree Crossman:

The crowd was completely out of control. As soon
as Rossi passed the checkered flag, they ran on the track while riders were still crossing the finish line. Rossi was getting swarmed by hundreds maybe thousands of people, he couldn’t ride his cool-down lap because they were coming from all over the place. Rossi ran over John’s leg trying to get away and apparently they yanked Norick Abe off his bike and started grabbing his
gear.

John actually hit a fan while trying to get away. The last riders to pass the finish line were another minute behind the rest of the pack due to the fans running out on the race track. We had to close the garage doors as soon as possible because there were people everywhere.



More Mugello And IOM news, from a Suzuki press release:

Team Suzuki News Service

SUZUKI WINS TT AND SMASHES LAP RECORD

Race Result, Isle of Man Formula One TT, Saturday, June 1st:

SUZUKI’S David Jefferies won the Formula One TT and smashed the lap record in the process.

The Yorkshireman, riding a GSX-R1000 for the Tas team, took his seventh and fastest TT victory in style. It was also the Suzuki GSX-R1000’s competitive debut at the world famous Isle of Man TT races. Jefferies won the 226.38 mile race comfortably. He recorded a fastest lap of 17minutes 52.2seconds around the 37.73-mile long Mountain course for an average speed of 126.68mph. That adds nearly a full 1mph to the lap record that Jefferies previously owned at 125.69mph and 18minutes 00.6seconds.

It looks as though he might add to his tally of TT wins through the week as well. During practice, he set a new fastest lap of 124.68mph on his production GSX-R1000, shaving half-a-minute from the existing lap record, to be favourite for that race. The current lap record is 121.32mph.

SUZUKI RIDERS STAY ON TO TEST

MotoGP, Race Result, Mugello – Sunday, June 2, 2002:

TEAM Telefónica MoviStar Suzuki riders Kenny Roberts Jr and Sete Gibernau both retired from today’s Italian GP with no more points to add to their championship scores. Both riders will be staying on at the Italian track to test the GSV-R as part of its on-going development programme.

The race was watched by 65,000 passionate Italian fans basking in 30-degree heat and blazing sunshine. It was won by defending champion Valentino Rossi, from fellow-Italian rival Max Biaggi, with Japanese rider Tohru Ukawa third.

Team Telefónica MoviStar Suzuki will stay on at Mugello tomorrow for further tyre and machine tests – part of the continuing programme to bring the brilliant new GSV-R 990cc V4 MotoGP machine to its full potential. The Suzuki is still at an early stage of development, having been brought to the track a full year earlier than originally planned, in response to the promise showed in early tests before the season.

KENNY ROBERTS Jr.
“I started good, but I was having to push really hard and I fell because I locked the front. The same bike won today that has won the last five races, with a consistent performance all race long. It’s a good indication of the areas we need to work on. I’m determined to do that; I believe the team and the factory are equally determined, and we need to keep working until we do.”

SETE GIBERNAU
“I got a great start, but then I ran onto the grass. Luckily I didn’t fall, and I got back on the track to try again.”

GARRY TAYLOR – Team Manager
“Both riders made a great start – especially Sete, considering his poor grid position. We have to give them full marks for their efforts. At this early stage of the GSV-R’s development, they both have to ride extra hard. In these circumstances, we must expect days like today. Luckily neither was hurt, and we have more tests tomorrow to continue with our high-intensity programme. The Michelin tyres did everything we expected of them today.”

From a press release:

MotoGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2002
ITALIAN GRAND PRIX, MUGELLO
Race Day, Sunday June 2 2002

ROSSI ROMPS TO MAJESTIC HOME WIN
Valentino Rossi (Repsol Honda Team RCV211V) took his fourth win of the 2002 season after 23 tough laps of his home circuit of Mugello. The reigning World Champion exercised faultless tactics throughout and was virtually unchallenged at the end, slowing as he pulled a celebratory wheelie over the line to take a margin of victory of 2.404 seconds from his great Italian rival Max Biaggi (Yamaha). Rossi’s team-mate Tohru Ukawa (Repsol Honda RC211V) finished third.

Taking the holeshot from his fifth consecutive pole position, Rossi pulled out an immediate lead but could not shake off the attentions of the closing Yamaha pairing of Carlos Checa and Biaggi. Rossi’s fellow Italian passed on lap seven and held him at bay until 11 laps remained. A determined Rossi re-asserted his authority over proceedings and soon made a gap that grew inexorably each lap, until he was over three seconds ahead in the closing stages.

Despite his eventual dominance Rossi was unconvinced that he could score an easy win, especially as he fell in warm-up and opted for a slightly softer compound rear tyre than most. “Earlier today I did not think it would turn out this way because I made a mistake and lost the front,” said Rossi of his dramatic morning crash. “I think that was my first ever career crash in warm-up, so I realised that I had to ride more sweetly than yesterday. I knew it would not be possible to do the whole race at 100% but it means a lot for me to win in front of my home fans. It’s very emotional to win again at Mugello, because I haven’t done it since 1999.”

Rossi’s win improved his table-topping position, with the Italian rider leading by 43 points from Ukawa. “My lead is better but it is a long championship and we have to concentrate for all the season,” stated Rossi post-race.

In a piece of pre-arranged theatre during the slow-down lap, two of Rossi’s friends, dressed as local policemen, stopped him in front of his massed rank of fan-club members and issued him with a speeding ticket for travelling at nearly 200 mph.

With Biaggi second, the final podium spot went to Ukawa who battled past Checa, their race-long squabble settled on the penultimate blast down the long finish straight. “There is something special about this track that I don’t like, because I usually crash or have some other bad luck,” said a relieved Ukawa, whose RCV became the fastest-ever MotoGP bike, clocking 324.5kmh in final qualifying. “It all came down the last two laps in this race and luckily we have a slight speed advantage over the Yamahas here. I got third, so that makes me happy. I am still second in the championship but there is a big gap to Valentino.”

A fighting fifth place for Alex Barros (West Honda Pons NSR500) came at the expense of his team-mate Loris Capirossi, who had held a lonely fifth on the first few laps but was overhauled after his soft compound rear tyre had given of its best.

Barros was bullish about his chances of staying on terms with the four-strokes, if he can find an absolutely perfect race set-up “We made a good tyre choice and I knew we could complete a good race,” said the Brazilian. “We still have room for improvement and if I can solve the problems I have when entering a corner, where the bike does not turn, we can be right up at the front alongside the four-strokes. I made a great start but I got held up behind Kenny Roberts (Suzuki) and it took me a long time to pass him. The time I lost is the gap that separated me from Ukawa and Checa in the end.”

Capirossi himself was rueful of his finishing position and his choice of soft rear rubber. “That was a very difficult race, especially as I chose a soft rear tyre,” explained the 2000 season Mugello race winner. “After four laps I started to lose grip and I couldn’t do anything about it. When Barros joined me I thought about following him but I could not maintain his pace and so I decided that the best thing was to finish the race.”

Tetsuya Harada (Pramac Racing Honda NSR500) took a top-ten finish and just missed out on a higher placing by 0.331 seconds, much to his surprise. “Overall our race was not so bad,” said the former 250 World Champion. “I got caught by Olivier Jacque (Yamaha) on the last lap but I didn’t realize he was so close behind because of the signal on my lap board. The real distance back to him was less than the board said and he passed me right at the end. I am not so unhappy, however, because every weekend we are getting better.”

Jurgen van den Goorbergh (Kanemoto Racing Honda NSR500) took 14th place and two championship points as others fell by the wayside. Track temperatures of 42°C exacerbated a problem he experienced midway through the race. “Basically I overheated the rear tyre in the first few laps and it started slipping, but I carried on to see if I could score some points. I didn’t want to stop and pull in anyway because now we can see the effect on the tyre of these high temperatures.”

Daijiro Kato (Fortuna Honda Gresini NSR500) fell from his machine on lap ten of the race, while lying 11th, attempting to push into the top ten from an unaccustomedly lowly qualifying position of 16th. “Luckily there was no damage,” he said. “I didn’t have a great start because the bike reared up but I got into a good rhythm and made up a lot of places before the front went away. Definitely not a good weekend.”

Robby Rolfo (Fortuna Honda Gresini NSR250) took a battling eighth place in a somewhat strung-out 250 GP. Having started a lowly 14th after some troubles with his set-up in qualifying, Rolfo was as good as his pre-race word and attacked the Mugello circuit from the off. “That was a difficult race but I am happy with the way I started and the way I raced,” he said. “It’s a pity we only found a solution for our set up problems today or else my starting position and the race itself would have been very different.”

Team-mate Emilio Alzamora (Fortuna Honda Gresini NSR250) had the reverse fortune, finishing 11th, but scoring some valuable points. “I didn’t start well and I had difficulty getting into a fast rhythm,” said the Spaniard, a former World Champion for Honda in the 125 class. “I had a good bike but it would have been better to have this bike from Friday. Luckily we will now test to be sure I have the best set-up for my home race in Barcelona.”

Haruchika Aoki (Arie Molenaar Racing Honda RS250R/W) was the top non-factory Honda rider, finishing just behind Alzamora in 12th. Jason Vincent (By Queroseno Racing Honda RS250R/W) scored a point for 15th place, with his fellow Briton and team-mate Leon Haslam 18th and last rider classified. Local Aprilia rider, Marco Melandri, won the race.

Sixteen-year old Daniel Pedrosa (Telefonica Movistar Jr Team Honda RS125R) missed out on a podium finish by only 0.060 seconds after 20-laps of stunning 125GP action. Up to sixteen riders were involved in the fight for the lead but only a handful challenged for the podium places on the final lap.

Too far behind eventual winner Manuel Poggiali (Gilera) to make any challenge, Pedrosa was slipstreaming Pablo Nieto (Aprilia) but lost his podium place after the sudden appearance of Yuichi Ui (Derbi), pulling out from his draft on the run to the flag. “All weekend we’ve been battling and we knew it wouldn’t be easy,” said Pedrosa who sits fourth in the championship, 20 points behind leader Poggiali. “The last lap was especially hard and I lost third position in the last few yards. I was able to use Nieto’s slipstream but even that wasn’t enough and Ui passed us both.”

Andrea Ballerini (FCC-TSR RS125R) was the next Honda rider home, in 10th place, but only 2.255 seconds from the winner. Masao Azuma (Liégeois Competition Honda RS125R) finished 13th, after being as high as third.

Joan Olive (Telefonica Movistar Jr Team Honda RS125R) was involved in a first-lap, three-rider crash that also claimed Mirko Giansanti (Scot Racing Honda RS125R.) Both were unhurt.

The 2002 GP season continues at Catalunya, in Spain, on June 16.

HONDA TEAM QUOTES

MotoGP:

Valentino Rossi, Repsol Honda, 1st: “I started this morning in not the best way with a crash in the warm up. My first ever in Sunday morning warm up. The crash was good in a way, it made me realise I had to ride the bike a little more sweet. I have had a problem with traction over the weekend and we fitted a slightly softer tyre compared to Tohru and the Yamahas. I tried to get away at the beginning but could not make a break. I go hard again half way through and the tyre is OK. I am happy to win at last in Mugello with MotoGP. The championship is very long and we need to stay concentrated. The other teams are getting closer.”

Tohru Ukawa, Repsol Honda: 3rd: “That was a very tough race for me. Mugello is not my favourite track and I have never gone very well in the past. We struggled in qualifying and after this mornings warm up we made a set-up change that we hoped would be in the right direction. However it was not. Luckily we have a slight speed advantage over the Yamahas here and I think third for me at Mugello is good and good for the championship.”

Alex Barros, West Honda Pons, 5th: “Firstly I would like to thank my team for the excellent work they have done over the weekend which has given me a fighting chance in the race. We made a good tyre choice and I knew I could complete a good race. We still have room for improvement and if we can solve the problems I am having when entering a corner, where the bike does not turn, then we can be right up at the front alongside the 4-strokes. I made a great start, but I got held up behind Roberts and it took me a long time to pass him, and this time is the gap which separated me in the end from Ukawa and Checa.”

Loris Capirossi, West Honda Pons, 6th: “This was a very difficult race, especially because I chose a softer rear tyre, and after four laps it started to lose grip and I could not do anything about it. When Barros joined me I thought about following his wheel, but I could not maintain his pace and so I decided that the best thing was to finish the race because if I had pushed any harder I would have ended up sliding off.”

Sito Pons: “I am very satisfied with the work of the whole team, including the technical staff, mechanics and the two riders. I sincerely believe that we could not have done any better today. For us it is like we have finished first and second as it is clear that the Honda and Yamaha four-strokes are on another level. Anyway this race is good preparation for the next race in Barcelona where I am sure that we will be competing with the four-strokes for a podium finish. All the team, and especially our riders, are very motivated and looking forward to the second race in Spain.”

Tetsuya Harada, Pramac Honda Team: 10th: “In the last lap Jacque passed me, because I was given a wider gap sign from the pits so I kind of relaxed. Anyway it was a very tough race because I was fighting with Laconi, I could pass him on corners, but on the straight his bike was so much faster than mine and he would pass me back, but then slowed me down on the driven parts of the track.”

Jurgen van den Goorbergh, Kanemoto Honda,14th: “After the morning warm-up we decided to run a harder rear tyre. We knew it was not as grippy as the one we used in qualifying but we felt it would have the endurance we needed in the increased temperatures of today. I had a good feeling with the bike in the beginning of the race but after five-six laps the temperature in the tyre came up and became too hot, then the bike started to move around under me.

“We did not take a step forward this week but we learned a lot and gave Bridgestone a lot of information about the kind of conditions we saw today. We now go to Brno for a two day test annd I believe we will be able to give more information to Bridgestone to help with the development of the tyres we need to find that vital extra half to one second we need.”

Team owner – manager Erv Kanemoto was in philosophical mood at the end off the race. He said. “Basically the choice of rear tyre we made was too hard and it built up temperature. On reflection maybe it would have been better to what we had in qualifying but we were worried about endurance with the sudden rise in temperature. We stood still in some ways this weekend “

250cc:

Roberto Rolfo, Fortuna Honda Gresini, 8th: “A difficult race for me but I’m happy about the way I started and also with my racing. It’s a pity that it was only today that we found the best solution for our set-up, if I had a bike so perfect from the start of practice I would have started at the front and the race would have been different.”

Emilio Alzamora, Fortuna Honda Gresini, 11th: “I didn’t start well and I had difficulty to find a fast rhythm. I had a good bike, but would have been better to have this bike from Friday. Luckily we will now test to be sure I have the best set-up for my home race in Barcelona.”

Fausto Gresini: “I’m not satisfied with the result: the problem was starting from too far back on the grid. Now our objective is to help Roberto and Emilio to qualify in better positions and improve their results. I’m sorry for our fans, we hope to give more satisfaction in the future.”

125cc:

Dani Pedrosa, Telefonica MoviStar Honda, 4th: “All weekend we’ve been battling, and we knew the race wouldn’t be easy. The last lap was especially hard, and I lost third position in the last yards. I was able to use Pablo Nieto’s slipstream but even then that was not enough, and then Ui passed us both. In the end the tyres were badly worn. I gave my maximum but it wasn’t enough. The next race is Montmelo, and we will keep on working hard. Of course I dream of a good result there, because we are racing at home.”

Andrea Ballerini, FCC Honda, 10th: “Very happy. I got a good start and was running well at the back of the group. The bike was running well, especially the tyres, and I was confident. The big problem I had came when Bianco crashed in front of me. The front end of his bike hit mine and damaged the rear mudguard, which then dragged on the tyre for the rest of the race. I had no chance to finish higher than 10th. “

Andrea Dovizioso, Scott Racing Honda, 12th: “I didn’t get a good start but I caught a few riders in the first few laps but got up to 12th at the finish. The bike ran really well. The only problem I had was with front end chatter on the downhill sections.”

Masao Azuma, Tribe by Breil Honda, 13th: “I tried my best in the race, I got from 19th on he grid to be with the lead group. The bike was running really well and I could pass the Aprilia’s on the straight. But halfway through the race my tyres went off and I had to ride very hard. I could make up some time on the brakes but it was not enough.”

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

250cc GP Race Results:

1. Marco Melandri, Aprilia, 21 laps, 40:42.759
2. Roberto Locatelli, Aprilia, -0.258 second
3. Fonsi Nieto, Aprilia, -0.720 second
4. Toni Elias, Aprilia, -1.464 seconds
5. Randy De Puniet, Aprilia, -1.718 seconds
6. Franco Battaini, Aprilia, -8.606 seconds
7. Sebastian Porto, Yamaha, -11.864 seconds
8. Roberto Rolfo, Honda,-17.248 seconds
9. Shahrol Yuzy, Yamaha, -28.481 seconds
10. David Checa, Aprilia, -28.490 seconds
11. Emilio Alzamora, Honda, -32.113 seconds
12. Haruchika Aoki, Honda, -34.770 seconds
13. Vincent Philippe, Aprilia, -51.837 seconds
14. Naoki Matsudo, Yamaha, -51.912 seconds
15. Jay Vincent, Honda, -52.393 seconds
16. Hector Faubel, Aprilia, -57.112 seconds
17. Raul Jara, Aprilia, -57.198 seconds
18. Leon Haslam, Honda, -57.737 seconds
19. Alex Debon, Aprilia, -1 lap, DNF, mechanical
20. Dirk Heidolf, Aprilia, -3 laps, DNF, crash
21. Jarno Janssen, Honda, -19 laps, DNF, mechanical
22. Hugo Marchand, Aprilia, -19 laps, DNF, mechanical
23. Taro Sekiguchi, Yamaha, -20 laps, DNF, crash


More, from an Aprilia press release:

Marco “Spiderman” Melandri wins Italian Grand Prix.

Six Aprilia 250s make top six places.


Spiderman wins at Mugello: Macio victorious for the second time this season, with his third win in the 250 class. An all-Aprilia podium at Mugello, just like in 1998 and 2001.

Marco Melandri, once again in Spiderman guise, got off to a good start and rode a good, effective race and total concentration ensured he got the better of his opponents. He appeared to be keeping things under control throughout the race, and upped the pace every time he took the lead. But that was not all: by using every centimetre of the track, he was able to adopt more effective trajectories. Today’s win is a good indication of the determination of the Ravenna-born Spiderman. And it puts him back in the running for the world title. Macio moves up to second place, just 15 points behind Nieto.


Marco Melandri # 3 (MS APRILIA RACING) – 1st – 40:42.759


“I made a good start and then rode my race: the battle for the lead showed me I could go faster and, towards the end, I could see that my mid-curve speed was good so I could come out faster than the others. I realised it was time to up the pace and go for victory. This win comes at the end of an important week which has restored all the good feeling I needed with my group to make top spot on the podium. I was really pleased to hear the words of President Beggio before I got onto my bike for the start of the race: he told me just to relax, to take it easy and enjoy myself – all I had to do was ride my race. He made me feel really calm. And that’s what I did: I just rode my own race. A victory for Aprilia, and for all those who work to make it competitive. I represent them on the track, so it’s a victory for all of them, and for me as well.”


Marco Melandri

10 Wins (3 – 250) (7 – 125)