From press releases:

START YOUR ENGINES FOR WORLD DUCATI WEEK 2002.

World Ducati Week 2002 is off and running. The track, exhibitions, shows, Ducati Clubs, celebrities from the sports and entertainment world, dancing, great food and all things Ducati is what’s in store for the thousands of Ducatisti convening in Misano, Cattolica and Bologna. And if that wasn’t enough, fans will have a chance to get a close-up look of the new Ducati GP bike, witness the start of the Trans-Siberian attempt and the Motogiro di Italia, and take part in the drawing for a flaming red 998R!

Bologna, June 14, 2002: Today marks the start of the third edition of the huge international rally WDW2002, which will span an entire week this time. The first three days (June 14-16) will be held at the Santa Monica raceway. Activities will continue all week to keep Ducati fans busy, while they await the SBK race on June 23rd (June 17-20), at the Parco del Mare Le Navi in Cattolica that has been transformed for this occasion into the central meeting point for the thousands of Ducatisti assembling from all corners of the earth..

Misano Adriatico, Bologna and Cattolica will be the centers of the events scheduled including the participation of celebrities from the world of sports and entertainment, Ducati clubs, dealers, importers and the simply curious who want to discover the world of Ducati.
Ducati Village, located in the paddock of the Santa Monica raceway, is where for three days participants will find everything related to the legendary motorcycle manufacturer from Borgo Panigale.

Countless activities are planned for the weekend: exhibitions of stuntmen, contests on motorcycles, seminars, a Sotheby’s auction, drawings for prizes, laps around the track, weddings and fashion shows. But other new important events are on the schedule as well. All WDW2002 participants can admire the Ducati GP bike first hand, be present for the departure of Edi Orioli for his Trans-Siberian attempt and the start of the Motogiro di Italia. Be sure to take part in other activities like the parade organized in honor of Engineer Taglioni and get a specially priced ticket for the concert by musician Carlos Santana at the Heineken Jamin’ Festival. To top things off, one of the incredibly lucky registered participants will be picked to win a fantastic 998R.

Starting June 14 and continuing over the following week, Ducatisti can visit the Parco del Mare Le Navi in Cattolica where they’ll be able to join in the fun at the WDW2002 Beach Infostrada Championship, try out personal watercrafts and windsurfers, challenge each other in soap soccer, sign up for four different motorcycling tours organized by Curve & Tornanti and the Regione Emilia Romagna, or simply relax on the beach while they wait for the SBK race on June 23 in Misano Adriatico. The daytime program for this third edition is complemented by WDW2002 by Night, which includes four after-dinner parties for Ducatisti in the coolest spots on the Italian Riviera.

WDW2002 will also provide the opportunity to meet the Ducati Superbike and Supersport riders. All three Factory Team riders will be on hand — Troy Bayliss, Ben Bostrom and Ruben Xaus – in addition to Chili, Parkes, Bontempi, Hogdson, Toseland and Martin. Participants will have a chance to meet, chat and photograph them, not to mention ask questions to satisfy their curiosity about the world of racing. Also present will be the many past champions of Ducati including the charismatic and always entertaining Giancarlo Fallappa.

Guided tours to Museo Ducati and the factory will be offered for the entire duration of the World Ducati Week 2002 (except Sunday).


“Ducati Around The World”: the Trans-Siberian

The “Ducati Around The World” project continues, with the Sport Touring family of motorcycles taking the leading role. Saturday 15 June, during World Ducati Week 2002, Edi Orioli will set off for his 14,000 kilometer trek to Vladivostok Russia aboard a specially equipped ST4S.

Bologna, 14 June 2002: Saturday 15 June, during the World Ducati Week 2002, Edi Orioli will set off for Vladivostok on a specially equipped ST4S, with a good 14,000 kilometers separating him from his destination.

The Trans-Siberian is part of “Ducati Around The World”, initiated in 2001, a project with the goal of promoting the Sport Touring family. Every year the adventure takes place in a new and exciting location.

The capabilities of the Sport Touring family of motorcycles are best realized during long tours, and this is particularly true of the latest arrival, the ST4S, which combines comfort and reliability to a distinctly sporting spirit.

“Ducati Around The World” was initiated last year with a journey in the USA. Denver, Santa Fe, and Las Vegas were all included as 11 motorcyclist’s astride ST4S’s made the 3000 kilometer journey last October. It was a dream tour through the Rocky Mountains, the Grand Canyon and finally to Las Vegas and the Ducati Revs America event.

For 2002 “Ducati Around The World” sets a decidedly more challenging test, the Trans-Siberian. To face this challenge Ducati chose Edi Orioli, the four time winner of the Paris-Dakar, twice of which he won on a Ducati. Edi accepted the challenge of taking an ST4S over one of the most famous and difficult roads in the world with great enthusiasm. The eternal fascination of Red Square, the unending landscapes of Siberia and the nomads of Mongolia are all part of a legendary journey on a bike designed for such challenges. For this event Edi’s ST is fitted with satellite navigation and a Ducati Performance comfort kit (taller fairing for improved rider protection and higher more comfortable handlebars.)

In addition to Edi Orioli, the expedition team includes five support staff and a Russian guide, following in two vans. They will set off from the Santa Monica (Misano Adriatico) race track, the venue for the World Ducati Week2002, on 15 June.

The adventure will be followed real-time by ducati.com. When you visit ducati.com you can receive daily updates for each leg of the journey, browse the photos of the daily events and “chat” with members of the expedition.

EDI ORIOLI

Edi Orioli climbed onto his first motorcycle, a Gori 50cc, in the eighth grade.In 1979 at age 17, he won his first Italian Enduro title, and in 1981 he won his first world championship. The first opportunity to race in Africa surfaced in 1986 when Massimo Ormeni sponsored him for the Paris to Dakar, which Orioli finished in sixth place overall.

Orioli was crowned King of the Olympus of African rallies, and became the greatest Italian champion of all time by winning the great desert challenge four times:1988, ’90, ’94 and ’96.

In 1990 Edi took his motorcycle to the first victory for an Italian motorcycle in the Paris to Dakar, and then repeated the victory in ’94 with the win of the standard-production class.

Both winning motorcycles had something in common, a Ducati engine. Edi has chosen once again the Ducati engine to face his longest Touring Rally, the Bologna-Moscow-Vladivostok, along the route of the legendary Trans-Siberian railway. This new challenge follows the three memorable experiences of the Desert Challenge, the motorcycle expeditions that Edi organized and completed in: the Ténéré in Nigeria, the Atacama in Chile, and the Gobi Desert, in Mongolia.

THE JOURNEY
The route follows the longest railway in the world, the Trans-Siberian. Departing from the Bolognese roots of Ducati, it will conclude the city of Vladivostock;, a destination very far from ordinary. Vladivostock, like many other cities along the route, owes its development to the legendary trans-siberian railway 14,000 km, in three weeks.

A test requiring mechanical perfection and masterful riding. A whole continent to be crossed – the biggest continent on the planet. Different cultures and traditions, some hostile. A mixture of riding, diplomacy and adventure.

DATEPLACEKILOMETRESSTATE
14/6Bologna, 0, ITALY
15/6Bologna Misano Udine, 510, ITALY
16/6Udine Vienna Brno Katovice, 850,POLAND
17/6Katovice Varsavia Brest Kobrin,550, BIELORUSSIA
18/6Kobrin Smolensk, 630, RUSSIA
18/6Smolensk Mosca,400, RUSSIA
20/6Mosca
21/6Mosca Rajazan Penza, 630, RUSSIA
22/6Penza Samara, 430, RUSSIA
23/6Samara Ufa, 471, RUSSIA
24/6Ufa Celjabinsk,460, RUSSIA
25/6Celjabinsk Confine Kazakistan, 480, KAZAKISTAN
26/6Confine Kazakistan Omsk, 330, RUSSIA
27/6Omsk Novosibirsk, 700, RUSSIA
28/6Novosibirsk Kemerovo, 540, RUSSIA
29/6Kamerovo Krasnojarsk, 520, RUSSIA
30/6Krasnojarsk Tulum, 670,RUSSIA
01/7Tulum Irkutsk, 391, RUSSIA
02/7Irkutsk Ulan-Ude, 450, RUSSIA
04/7Ulan-Ude Cita, 670, RUSSIA
06/7Cita Habarovsk, 2000, RUSSIA
06/7Habarovsk Vladivostok, 780, RUSSIA
08/7RETURN TO ITALY

THE STAGES

THE BIKE
The ST4S was designed for the Sport Touring customer who is performance-oriented, but who also wants his bike to offer comfort and functionality for long journeys and touring holidays.

The ST4s is equipped with our best racing-derived components and offers all-day riding comfort.. Start with the awesome Superbike 996 cc Desmo 4 valve liquid cooled, fuel injected engine and six speed transmission.

Add the latest Showa fully adjustable upside-down forks, an incredible Ohlins remote reservoir rear shock and a new aluminium rear swingarm.
Edi Orioli’s ST4S is fitted with satellite navigation and a Ducati Performance comfort kit which includes a taller fairing for improved rider protection and higher, more comfortable handlebars. It remains very similar to the production motorcycle.

THE TEAM

Alessandro Beltrame -cameraman
Alessandro Beltrame, 33, has a scientific background with information technology. and electronic skills. He is the owner of AGB video production company. Combining work and play, he enjoys mountain climbing, rock and ice scrambling, trekking, mountain biking, scuba-diving and downhill skiing.

He is an expert in post-production analog and digital systems as well as the Internet. Lately, he has been testing new technology for WEB video use and high-speed transmission.

In this project he is the director of photography and the cameraman. He has completed closed-to one hundred productions for International clients (National Geographic) and italian television (RAI and Mediaset). Among his achievements include documentaries in Europe, Australia, USA, Mexico, Chile, Mongolia, Brazil, the Amazon and Africa.
Orazio Truglio – photographer
Born in Milan in 1960, Orazio began work in 1980 as a photographer for a well-known Milan publisher that’s specialized in fashion magazines. He worked on features, fashion shows and still-life compositions of accessories.
In 1986 he left the publishing house and opened his own studio, which he named Variego. His activities diversified into integrated communications where he worked with some of the biggest Milan communications and advertising agencies to produce publicity work for the print and poster media.

His first work with motorcycles was in 1991.
For about ten years he has been commissioned to shoot major motor events including both Formula 1 and the Superbike championship. He produces photographic services for some of the most famous and successful teams.

His photographic work can be seen regularly in print advertising campaigns and posters. He met Edi Orioli at the Gobi-Mongolia 2001 Desert Challenge, where he was working as the expedition photographer.

He lives and works in Milan.

Mauro Sant – mechanic

Mauro Sant was born in Udine on July 29th 1968. His love for motorcycles began during his adolescence, and as soon as he was old enough to hold a liscence he launched himself into the world of off-road Enduro biking.

He raced in the Veneto Regional Championship with success and made numerous other appearances on the podium. In 1989, he won the Young Italy Championship and the “Sei Giorni” competition in France. In Czechoslovakia he won the silver medal and took the bronze in Italy.

Carlo Peano – Doctor

Carlo Peano, sports doctor, 42 years old, specializes in orthopedics and traumatology, lives in Reano, near Udine.

An endurance sport enthusiast, he also undertakes journeys to the most desolate places on the continent.

Both as a participant and as a doctor, he has been on various alpine expeditions ranging from the Himalayas to Karakorum and the Andes. He has made 6 climbs of over 6000 metres and many other high-altitude treks.

He has crossed the Sahara as well as the Chilean and Asian deserts (Atacama and Gobi respectively). He has crossed swathes of the polar regions on foot and on skis (Svalbard and Baffin territories) and has scuba-dived and kayaked in various parts of the world.

His hobbies include motorcycling and silent flying (parapending and gliders).

WORLD DUCATI WEEK 2002 TO HOST DUCATI PERFORMANCE FASHION SHOW

Ducati has announced that it will host a fashion show to launch an exclusive line of clothing inspired by the fun and emotion of World Ducati Week 2002, the Company’s huge, biennial motorcycle rally for enthusiasts.

To be know as the “WDW collection”, this selection of products embraces the excitement which characterizes the thousands of motorcyclists who gather together in Misano Adriatico to celebrate the historic, championship-winning Italian motorcycle brand. T-shirt branded with logos from the Ducati’s rich 75 year history, caps, handy backpacks, pouches, k-ways, mobile holders, sweatshirts and key holders are just a taste of this unmissable motorcyclist kit.

World Ducati Week will take place at the Misano racetrack, near the beach, with additional events at the aqua-park, Le Navi in Cattolica. And to capture the spirit of the seaside, Ducati Performance, Ducati’s accessories and apparel arm, has designed a line of beachwear including seaside accessories, a bath towel, shorts, sunglasses and flip-flops.

Three fashion shows will present the collections in addition to Ducati Performance’s full 2002 Collection – the first to be designed entirely by Aldo Drudi. His famous designs uniquely combine safety, high-tech components and unmistakeable Ducati style.

Ducatisti – Ducati enthusiasts – are increasingly interested in branded accessories and apparel which make a clear statement of which motorcycle tribe they belong to. In this case it is clear. They are all part of the ever-growing World of Ducati.

DUCATI.COM AT THE WDW2002
The Ducati website at World Ducati Week 2002.

Ducati.com is organizing the first major creative competition in Ducati’s history for World Ducati Week 2002. Dedicated to customized bikes based on production Ducatis: the special@WDW2002 contest is open to Ducati “customization-junkies” everywhere.

At the Ducati.com stand at the Santa Monica racetrack in Misano Adriatico, a full- fledged photo-set will be dedicated to shooting all customized models participating the first DucatiSpecialContest2002.

Numerous important sector journalists and magazines will cover the contest. All bikes entered will be photographed and the unique sound of their engines recorded.

Entries for the Special@WDW2002 can only be submitted online by filling in the form provided at www.wdw2002.com. The three most beautiful and original customized bikes will be awarded a trophy by Ducati.

In the wake of the success of DucatiPeople2002, Ducati’s advertising campaign featuring real Ducati riders from all over the world, casting will begin for DucatiPeople2003 after the end of WDW2002. Once again the campaign will be dedicated to Ducati riders and enthusiasts worldwide. A special “pre-casting” photo-shoot is being organized especially for Ducati owners at WDW.

All the thrills of the world’s biggest Ducati motorcycling rally can also be felt simply by visiting www.wdw2002.com, which can also be reached from Ducat.com. Visitors will find photo-galleries, services, track-side articles, digital videos, images from the WDW Beach, professional stunts, live music, and the unforgettable “WDW Nights”.

And for fans of extreme touring, WDW presents two not-to-be-missed opportunities: the start of the Bologna-Vladivostock supertour with Edi Orioli aboard a Ducati ST4s and the launch of the legendary Motogiro d’Italia. Two incredible challenges you can follow every step of the way on www.ducati.com.

With more than 600,000 visitors and 9 million pages viewed per month, as well as 55,000 registered users, www.ducati.com is Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A’s most important single channel of communication and among the most visited official motorcycling websites in the world. With 6100 pages, more than 2000 articles, and over 8000 photos it stands out as one of the most complete and wide ranging sites in the sector for information, technical data, pictures, and services. The online sale of special series like the MH900e, 996R, Monster S4 Fogarty, and 998S Bayliss have also made Ducati.com one of the major successes of Italian e-business and world online motorcycling.

DUCATI CORSE PRESS INFORMATION
Bologna (Italy)
Monday 10 June 2002

FIRST PUBLIC APPEARANCE FOR DUCATI DESMOSEDICI AT WDW

Two weeks after being officially unveiled to the world’s press at the Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello on May 30, the Desmosedici, Ducati’s new prototype for the FIM MotoGP championship, will go on display for the general public at Misano Adriatico’s Santamonica circuit on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 June.

Misano Adriatico is the scene for World Ducati Week, Europe’s largest one-make motorcycle rally, which attracts ‘Ducatisti’ from all over the world to a week of festivities involving the Italian manufacturer. WDW2002 takes place from June 14-20, the week leading up to the San Marino Round of the World Superbike Championship, scheduled for the same circuit from June 21-23.

WDW participants will be the first to get a look at the final version of the Ducati Desmosedici, a 989cc four-stroke, “double-twin” machine, with a unique twin-firing order (called “twinpulse”).

The Ducati Desmosedici is a brand-new prototype and will be on display in the red livery of Team Ducati Infostrada, which, in the hands of reigning champion Troy Bayliss from Australia, is currently leading the 2002 FIM World Superbike Championship.

The new bike will undergo nine months of development and testing before making its debut at the first round of the 2003 World Championship in Suzuka (Japan).

Ducati has a long-term vision of being able to challenge for top honours in MotoGP, exploiting to the full its experience with four-stroke production-based motorbikes in the World Superbike Championship, in which it has won 9 Riders’ and 10 Constructors’ titles in the last 14 years.

“Competition has always been the main vehicle of promotion for Ducati” declared Ducati Motor Holding President Federico Minoli “and the new Desmosedici represents the icon of our philosophy: the construction of technologically advanced bikes, representing Italian genius and style in circuits throughout the world.”

The new bike has been designed by a team led by Ducati Corse Managing Director Claudio Domenicali, together with Technical Director Filippo Preziosi.

“The Desmosedici project is clearly the largest commitment ever faced by Ducati in motorcycle racing” declared Domenicali, “but we believe we have built a competitive motorcycle and track tests will get underway soon.”

“The Ducati tradition of desmodromic valve system, tubular trestle frame, L-shaped engine layout, unmistakeable design, together with its experience in Superbike and years of collaboration with international partners, have made it possible to realize this dream” added Ducati Corse Technical Director Filippo Preziosi.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Morning 125cc GP Practice Times:

1. Manuel Poggiali, Gilera, 1:52.691
2. Andrea Dovizioso, Honda, 1:52.833
3. Daniel Pedrosa, Honda, 1:53.000
4. Arnaud Vincent, Aprilia, 1:53.316
5. Steve Jenkner, Aprilia, 1:53.345
6. Simone Sanna, Aprilia, 1:53.360
7. Masao Azuma, Honda, 1:53.458
8. Pablo Nieto, Aprilia, 1:53.519
9. Mirko Giansanti, Honda, 1:53.578
10. Alex De Angelis, Aprilia, 1:53.655

From a press release:

Eric and Ben, Naked

June 14, 2002 – Wildomar, CA. Fans of Eric and Ben Bostrom who have always wanted to see them naked, this news is for you. Recognizing the fact that more and more women are becoming fans of motocross and road racing, Launi DiMaggio began a project that addressed the interests of these women.

A Southern California entrepreneur and business owner, Launi got together with some of her ‘big name’ friends to make a semi-nude calendar for the ladies, with some of the biggest names in the business each given a particular month. Eric and Ben received May (May 7th is Ben’s birthday). The other months were awarded as follows: January (David Pingree), February (Trevor Vines), March (Stephane Roncada), April (Ryan Hughes), June (Phil Lawrence), July (Carey Hart), August (Nathan Ramsey), September (Ernesto Fonseca), October (Michael Brandes), November (Jeremy McGrath), and December (Jeff Emig).

Launi spoke about the SUPERSTARS of MOTO calendar-project. “I decided to do this because these boys are HOT!! I saw many nice calendars with these guys but they always had clothes (gear) on. OFF with it!! Let us girls see what you look like with all that stuff off. This was my first time making a calendar. It wasn’t easy and took a lot of time and hard work. My next one will be even better. But I do thank these boys for their cooperation. They all did this as a favor to me. They are all good friends and that’s why they gave in.”

When she’s not putting naked calendars together for the ladies, she’s responsible for Eric and Ben’s unique hair styles, as she runs HAIRY SITUATION SALON in Wildomar, California. “I have been styling Ben and Eric’s hair for about two years now. I met Ben in my salon when Mark Peters (famed moto-track builder) brought him in for a haircut. The next time Ben came in to get his hair done, he gave me a whole new doo, as well. Yes, Ben cut and colored my hair. Believe it or not, I had so many compliments on it!”

“Shortly after that I started with Eric’s hair. Then Mr. Elders (Mark Elders, Ben’s L&M Ducati mechanic) and Rachel. They even brought in Ruben Xaus to my chair for a cut and color when he came to town. I love the fact that all these boys let me play with their hair. I have a fun job and I’m very fortunate to have met Eric and Ben. We have become very close and special friends. And Eric is how I got to meet Lawdog. He’s next to come to my chair, next time he’s in town!”

Eric is equally excited about the project. “It was fun to do it. I’ve been friends with Launi for a good while and recognized that this was a good idea. It was cool to be a part of the whole thing, with all of those other riders. It’s just a shame that it didn’t quite get done soon enough to get the exposure it needed. But it was a good idea and I’d do it again.”

You see, there is one catch to this project. The calendar is a 2001 calendar and is only good as a souvenir piece now. But if there is enough interest, Launi might put together another calendar. Tell her how you feel by emailing
[email protected] or visiting www.Bokasmo.com.

“I need to thank Todd Hicks at FOX, Alex at www.Bokasmo.com, 2Xtreme, Tommy Desoto for the photos, the crew at www.RacerXill.com, RedBull for keeping me awake, and all of the boys in the calendar.”

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday 250cc GP Qualifying Results:

1. Randy De Puniet, Aprilia, 1:48.359
2. Marco Melandri, Aprilia, 1:48.490
3. Roberto Rolfo, Honda, 1:48.521
4. Sebastian Porto, Yamaha, 1:48.633
5. Fonsi Nieto, Aprilia, 1:48.696
6. Toni Elias, Aprilia, 1:48.723
7. Casey Stoner, Aprilia, 1:48.809
8. Alex Debon, Aprilia, 1:48.850
9. Roberto Locatelli, Aprilia, 1:48.883
10. Emilio Alzamora, Honda, 1:48.932
11. Haruchika Aoki, Honda, 1:49.013
12. Naoki Matsudo, Yamaha, 1:49.105
13. Franco Battaini, Aprilia, 1:49.232
14. Shahrol Yuzy, Yamaha, 1:49.403
15. David Checa, Aprilia, 1:49.479

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Morning MotoGP Practice Times:

1. Valentino Rossi, Honda RC211V, 1:45.693
2. Loris Capirossi, Honda NSR500, 1:46.062
3. Tohru Ukawa, Honda RC211V, 1:46.175
4. Kenny Roberts, Suzuki GSV-R, 1:46.341
5. Alex Barros, Honda NSR500, 1:46.358
6. Carlos Checa, Yamaha YZR-M1, 1:46.530
7. Daijiro Kato, Honda NSR500, 1:46.674
8. Norick Abe, Yamaha YZR500, 1:46.727
9. Regis Laconi, Aprilia RS3, 1:46.946
10. Max Biaggi, Yamaha YZR-M1, 1:47.032
11. Olivier Jacque, Yamaha YZR500, 1:47.117
12. Shinya Nakano, Yamaha YZR500, 1:47.326
13. John Hopkins, Yamaha YZR500, 1:47.383
14. Sete Gibernau, Suzuki GSV-R, 1:47.386
15. Nobuatsu Aoki, Proton KR3, 1:47.647
16. Akira Ryo, Suzuki GSV-R, 1:47.662
17. Jeremy McWilliams, Proton KR3, 1:48.070
18. Tetsuya Harada, Honda NSR500, 1:48.278
19. Pere Riba, Yamaha YZR500, 1:48.639
20. Jurgen vd Goorbergh, Honda NSR500, 1:48.761
21. Alex Hofmann, Yamaha YZR500, 1:50.782

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday MotoGP Qualifying Results:

1. Loris Capirossi, Honda NSR500, 1:45.451
2. Sete Gibernau, Suzuki GSV-R, 1:45.532
3. Tohru Ukawa, Honda RC211V, 1:45.619
4. Carlos Checa, Yamaha YZR-M1, 1:45.787
5. Valentino Rossi, Honda RC211V, 1:45.842
6. Kenny Roberts, Suzuki GSV-R, 1:45.923
7. Max Biaggi, Yamaha YZR-M1, 1:45.948
8. John Hopkins, Yamaha YZR-500, 1:45.967
9. Regis Laconi, Aprilia RS3, 1:46.057
10. Alex Barros, Honda NSR500, 1:46.187
11. Daijiro Kato, Honda NSR500, 1:46.245
12. Norick Abe, Yamaha YZR500, 1:46.264
13. Shinya Nakano, Yamaha YZR500, 1:46.328
14. Jeremy McWilliams, Proton KR3, 1:46.506
15. Nobuatsu Aoki, Proton KR3, 1:46.806
16. Jurgen vd Goorbergh, Honda NSR500, 1:46.810
17. Olivier Jacque, Yamaha YZR500, 1:46.839
18. Pere Riba, Yamaha YZR500, 1:47.571
19. Akira Ryo, Suzuki GSV-R, 1:47.931
20. Tetsuya Harada, Honda NSR500, 1:48.405
21. Alex Hofmann, Yamaha YZR500, 1:49.063

From Telefonica MoviStar Suzuki:

Team Telefónica MoviStar Suzuki rider Sete Gibernau was a stunning second fastest in today’s first timed practice for Sunday’s Catalunyan GP, with team-mate Kenny Roberts less than four tenths slower, on the second row of the provisional starting grid.

Both riders enjoyed the benefit of not only the latest generation of Michelin tyres, which they are using for the first time, but also a series of engine upgrades – part of the continual programme of development to the new Suzuki GSV-R, youngest of the three new-generation Japanese 990cc MotoGP four-strokes.

The power-up engine improvements include a new Mk3 crankcase, with reduced internal friction, and revised engine control mapping for the ECU. But engine designer Kunio Arase, at the track along with fellow factory engineers and factory rider Akira Ryo, was anxious to stress this is just another interim stage. Development is constant, and the factory is determined to continue the rapid rate of improvement already achieved in the bike’s first five races. Ryo, second in Japan and a wild card entry for this GP, placed 19th today, his first ride on the GSV-R on Michelin tyres. He uses Dunlops racing the bike at home in Japan.

Held in blazing sunshine at the 4.727km circuit outside Barcelona, the first session was very close. Gibernau was just eight hundredths slower than provision pole qualifier Loris Capirossi, and the first 13 riders were within one second of Capirossi’s time.

SETE GIBERNAU – Second Position, 1:45.532

“I had one or two small problems this morning, so I’m happy with the time this afternoon. You have to remember that it was only one lap, and Loris (Capirossi) helped me a lot, because I was following right behind him. The whole GSV-R package is becoming much better. The Michelins are part of the package, and we have to thank them for the new tyres. I’m hoping to have no problems tomorrow, and to pick up my pace to do strings of fast laps.”

KENNY ROBERTS Jr. – Sixth Position, 1:45.923

“I think my level is probably the closest we’ve been to the other bikes all year, especially in terms of race settings. I’m pretty comfortable, and able to do consistent laps. My time came on the fifth or sixth lap, and using race tyres. It wasn’t just one lap, tucked in, balls out and hope you survive the lap, which is what I’ve had to do a couple of times this year. The new tyres are a big jump – the biggest jump since 1999, when I changed to Michelins for the first time. The new engine also seems to be an improvement. There are a couple of kilometres more top speed and it’s a little stronger mid-range.”

KUNIO ARASE: Engine Designer

“This is the third generation of crankcase, designed to reduce further the mechanical losses. The exact way we do it is a secret; the result is a little more horsepower through the rev range. This is the first race for the new crankcases, but they have undergone extensive reliability testing in Japan. The other difference here is a refinement to the engine management mapping, which improves the performance in back-shifting by reducing engine braking. We are continuing work in that area, but the main priority at the moment is increased engine power. This engine is improved, but I don’t believe by enough. I can’t say when we will have more power, but it will be during this season.”

WARREN WILLING: Technical Advisor

“The new crankcases and mapping are another small step, and the bike is more consistent now in engine braking. The 2002 tyres are definitely more consistent, with better steering characteristics. We’re playing catch-up to an extent with getting the bike settings right for the tyres, but not with choice – like all the Michelin teams we had a choice of two this morning, and having established which variation we prefer we then got another choice in that direction. On average, the bigger footprint of the rear tyre allows softer compounds. It’s a definite improvement.”

RYO SETTLES IN

Japanese Superbike Champion Akira Ryo made a steady start to his three-stop MotoGP campaign in Catalunya, taking 18th place in the first qualifying session before Sunday’s race. Ryo’s time of 1.47.931 was just 2.468 slower than the provisional pole position time of 1.45.451 set by Italian rider Loris Capirossi,and he is confident that he can improve even further as he settles in to his first ever race outside of Japan.

Suzuki gained three ‘wild-card’ MotoGP entries for Ryo, starting with this weekend’s race in Catalunya, then moving on to the next round at Assen in the Netherlands and finally Donington Park in the UK.

Ryo gave the new GSV-R four-stroke race machine a sensational second place debut at the first round of the new MotoGP series back in April, when he took a home wildcard entry at Suzuka, leading for most of the race before losing out to World Champion Valantino Rossi in the closing laps.

Ryo’s three-race MotoGP campaign is designed to accelerate the on-going development programme of the new Suzuki GSV-R machine alongside the official factory MotoGP Telefonica Movistar Suzuki team riders, Kenny Roberts and Sete Gibernau. Ryo’s machine is identical to the other two Suzuki pilot’s bikes, but he is racing in the factory’s official blue and white livery.

Commenting on his first qualifying session, Ryo said, “All the testing and racing I have done so far on the GSV-R has been on Dunlop tyres and so I am still getting used to the different feel of the Michelin’s that we are racing on here. We have played with a number of different settings today and I think that we have made some progress. Tomorrow, if the weather holds, we will make more progress I am certain.”

More, from Yamaha:

Checa set for a front row start

Round: 6 – Catalunya MotoGP
Circuit: Catalunya
Date: 14 June 2002
Temp: 32°C
Weather: Sunny

Sweltering heat greeted the 21-bike contingent for the opening qualifying session of the Catalan MotoGP, held June 14. Carlos Checa (Marlboro Yamaha Team) set the early benchmark for his home event before finishing the day with the fourth fastest time. The Spaniard held provisional pole position until a five-way bullfight began between Loris Capirossi (Honda, 1’45.451), Sete Gibernau (Suzuki, 1’45.532), Tohru Ukawa (Honda, 1’45.619), Checa (1’45.787) and Valentino Rossi (Honda, 1’45.842) – the quintet finishing in that order with only 0.391 seconds separating them.

Max Biaggi’s (Marlboro Yamaha Team, 1’45.948) best put him seventh fastest – 0.497 seconds off pole, and only 0.025 seconds behind sixth-placed Kenny Roberts (Suzuki, 1’45.923). The YZR-M1 mounted Italian was closely followed by the ever-improving John Hopkins; the young American posting a 1’45.967 aboard the Red Bull Yamaha WCM YZR500 to be eighth fastest.

Norick Abe (Antena 3 Yamaha d’Antin, 1’46.264) completed day one in 12th, just ahead of Shinya Nakano (Gauloises Yamaha Tech 3, 1’46.328), while the most recent Red Bull Yamaha rider replacement, Alex Hofmann, completed the lineup in 21st with a 1’49.063.

Marlboro Yamaha Team

Carlos Checa 4th, 1’45.787:
“We’re very focused for this weekend, but so far we’re quite far from where we want to be. We had a few settings problems this morning and, although we worked hard to improve things this afternoon, we’ll need to make a few more changes for tomorrow. The heat means that everyone’s lap times aren’t fantastic, and while I wasn’t using a soft tyre at the end of the session, I was trying my maximum on my best lap. Tomorrow I’ll need the bike to keep rolling more easily through the corners, and I’ll also need better feeling on the corner exits. But compared to before, we’re okay. This was never a good track for us with the 500, but this bike already feels better here. Now we’re working to make sure it’s even better at the end of the weekend.”

Max Biaggi 7th, 1’45.948:
“We had a few little problems this afternoon, which held me back a bit. The power didn’t seem to be consistent, sometimes I would lose power out of a corner, other times it would be fine. But I’m not too worried; it’s always better to have your problems in practice rather than in the race! All being well, we should have more time to work on settings tomorrow. We started this morning with a base setting we came up with at Valencia, then we made a small change for this afternoon and now we need to further adapt the bike to this track, mostly working on the front-end. There’s more to do but I feel we should be okay here for race day.”

Red Bull Yamaha WCM

John Hopkins 8th, 1’45.967:
“I think half a second is the closest to pole position that I’ve been so far this year. I’m really happy with my performance throughout that whole session, but I know I can still improve as I made a few small mistakes, even on my best lap. We also think we can modify the set-up to improve the feedback too, which should help.

Hopkins closes in on the leaders
“The grip levels weren’t great, I think it’s a combination of the high temperatures and the circuit beginning still a little dirty. I focused on finding a race set-up rather than just a fast lap. I only put on a softer rear in the last few minutes and I couldn’t have timed it better. I got out just behind Capirossi and Gibernau when they put in their fast laps and it was great to see what they can do.”

Alex Hofmann 21st, 1’49.063:
“I’m just trying to get to know the bike at the moment. I focused on learning how the bike will respond with each chassis modification, this way I have a better understanding of its limitations, and mine. Feel is the main thing I’m looking for, and we’ve got some ideas to help improve things in that area, and then we’ll look at improving the grip.”

Antena 3 Yamaha d’Antin

Norick Abe 12th, 1’46.264:
“It is so hot out there today! These are very difficult conditions to be riding in, not only for the rider but the bike too. When it is this hot the bikes tend to lose power, and the tyres lose grip. I did try a softer tyre in the last few minutes, and it help to better my time, but it wasn’t enough to make much of a difference to my position. We have some things we’d like to try with the front set-up, so that the bike turns in better, and then we’d like to look at improving the drive off the turns.”

Pere Riba 18th, 1’47.571:
“I’m quite happy with that, even if I am still only 18th. The time is not that much better than what I did during the test earlier in the year, partly because of the high temperatures, but I’m feeling much more comfortable now at this speed. I can feel what the bike is doing where before I was just guessing. The test we recently had in Valencia really helped out in this regard, as track time is just what I’ve been needing all along.”

Gauloises Yamaha Tech 3

Shinya Nakano 13th, 1’46.328:
“We concentrated on one bike this afternoon, using a chassis geometry based on what we ran here last year. It seems to have been a good choice through the medium and high-speed sections of the circuit, but I’m lacking some feel from the front in the last stage. Tomorrow we’ll try a few things that should improve the front-end feel. I hope that will be the case, for my fan club at least, which has come all the way from Japan to watch me race this weekend.”

Olivier Jacque 21st, 1’49.063:
“I just can’t seem to get the feedback I need from the front of the bike, which is crucial around here for a fast time. Combine the lack of feel with the limited grip we have in these conditions and I just don’t have the confidence to push hard. The crash I had didn’t help either. It was only my second lap on a new set of tyres and I wasn’t even pushing hard. We’ll have a good think about it tonight and hopefully come out fighting tomorrow.”

Even more, from Red Bull Yamaha:

HOT LAP HOPKINS ON THE FASTEST 2 STROKE YAMAHA

John Hopkins the 19 year old American rookie has put in another exceptional performance in Friday’s qualifying session in Barcelona aboard the Red Bull Yamaha YZR 500. Finishing 8th in the scorching 34 degree temperature, Hopper is very pleased with his performance in this his sixth MotoGP event of his career.

Hopkins performance today, positions him as the fastest 2 stroke Yamaha in the session and sees him again in Fridays Top Ten list, a feat he accomplished for the first time at the Italian GP, 2 weeks ago.

Only a mere 0.125 seconds behind the reigning World Champion, Valentino Rossi (in 5th position), Hopper clocked the Fastest Top Speed for a 2 stroke Yamaha at 306.6km, ahead of his nearest 2 stroke Yamaha rival Shinya Nakano.

Newcomer to the team, German Alex Hofmann, made history today as the first German ever to ride a 500cc Yamaha 2 stroke. Hofmann improved on this mornings practice session by 1.719 seconds and with each lap, the young 22-year-old begins to understand the performance of the YZR 500.

This weekend, the Red Bull Yamaha riders line up as the 2 youngest riders on the MotoGP grid.


JOHN HOPKINS – 8th – 1’45.967

“I’m getting more comfortable on the bike now, I’m learning to understand it more at each race and I am working in really well with the team and my mechanics.

“I’m pretty happy with my performance today and I feel like I found my rhythm fast here. I had a full two dry days testing here in March and I know about the track straight up so I can concentrate on the bike from first thing Friday morning.

“We have a lot of work to do tonight, to select the tyres for the heat here; we will be working on the grip and our race set-up. I am focusing on the beginning of the race and the start so I can get stronger here. I want to be on the second row on Sunday and I will do all I can to achieve that.”


ALEX HOFMANN – 21st – 1’49.063

“I am feeling better on the bike with each lap and getting more comfortable on the 500 and I am making progress. We are fighting for grip on the rear in these hot conditions and I have been sliding a lot in this session and going sideways. So we have to make some changes for the set-up for tomorrow to improve this.”


Peter Clifford – Team Manager

“Just another step forward for John and its incredible to see how steady and sure his progress is. We have to thank Dunlop for the work they are putting in, which is helping with John’s progress.

“It’s only Alex’s second day riding with the Team and it was another professional and intelligent session as he gets use to the motorcycle.”

More, from Aprilia:

Laconi and RS Cube make third provisional row with ninth time in qualifying practice.

With 9th quickest time in the qualifying sessions today, Laconi has placed the RS Cube on the third provisional row for the start, just 6 tenths from the (again provisional) pole scored by Loris Capirossi. Régis’s time, 1’46.057, was clocked during the final sorties in this afternoon’s session after the rider mounted qualifying tyres. The minimal gap from today’s leader shows that yet another step forward has been made in developing the Cube, and that the tests at Mugello straight after the Italian GP made a yet another considerable improvement. The qualifying tyres gave some good results, and tomorrow’s work will concentrate on choosing the race tyres and testing them over a distance.


# 55 Regis Laconi – (MS APRILIA RACING) – 9th – 1’46.057

“We worked hard this morning with the bike in qualifying configuration. I tried a front tyre that gave a great sensation and let me break harder and take the corners faster. So I’m feeling quite relaxed and happy with the Cube in “qualifying mode”: now we’ve got to work on the best race configuration. The distance from today’s best time is really minimal: just 6 tenths. I think that says a lot about the bike’s potential. And that’s not all: in terms of speed, we made third fastest today, and we’ve only got two Honda four-strokes in front of us. We’ve sure go the power. Tomorrow, we’ll sort out the fine details to make sure we have a good race. The track’s full of potholes, which are annoying but I’ve got the secret for solving the problem: I’ll just go faster!”.


Second quickest time, first provisional row for Marco “Macio” Melandri in sweltering Catalunya

Blistering heat in the 250 practice sessions too. Tough work for Marco Melandri, but certainly not easy for the others either. Once the Ravenna-born rider was satisfied with the set-up of his Aprilia RSW 250, he turned his full attention to the choice of tyres for a race which is going to be truly gruelling due to the extreme weather conditions, with over 30 degrees in the shade and almost 44 on the tarmac.

A number of different tyre solutions were tried out and, in the end, the best choice turned out to be a slightly softer mix than had been used at the start of the session.



# 3 Marco Melandri – (MS APRILIA RACING) – 2nd – 1’48.490

“Taking into account the scorching heat, we started the session using really hard tyres, but then towards the end – just 10 minutes before time was up – we tried out some softer ones we’d used in other races. Things got better and I went off to see if I could get provisional pole. It’s a pity De Puniet managed to go faster – I very nearly made it. The slightly softer tyres seem much less easy to handle when you need to control the bike in a skid, while harder ones don’t have this problem. Now we’ll need to see if the choice we’ve made can last out an entire race. Tomorrow we’ll be doing all the various tests. If the heat keeps up like this on Sunday, it’s the tyres that are going to make the difference. Otherwise, I’m very pleased with the set-up of the bike and I’m fully confident things’ll go well in the race the day after tomorrow.”