Sepang Test Results

The first official MotoGP test of 2010 concluded in Malaysia on Friday, with Fiat Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi the fastest of the premier class riders across both days.

Cardion ab Grand Prix Ceske republiky – Thursday 13 August

The Thursday press conference at the Cardion ab Grand Prix Ceske republiky saw Valentino Rossi, Andrea Dovizioso, Loris Capirossi, Mika Kallio and Gabor Talmacsi preview the weekend’s return to action after the summer break and Monday’s important Brno test.

Indeed, with new regulations restricting the MotoGP riders to five engines for the remaining seven rounds of the season coming into play as of this weekend, bike updates were a running theme in the official media briefing.

MotoGP

He has been under the weather in recent weeks, but Casey Stoner proved to be on top of conditions at the Sachsenring on Friday afternoon. A damp track following rainfall in the 125cc Free Practice session gave the riders plenty to think about in their first run for the Alice Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland, but in the end it was the Ducati Marlboro man who proved most at ease.

Nicky Hayden had a short day at the office on Sunday and it was not the short hours that he would have liked at Motegi. ‘The Kentucky Kid’ lasted barely a lap before his day was over, courtesy of some rookie exuberance from home rider Yuki Takahashi.

Looking forward to the second round of the season in the pre-event press conference at Motegi on Thursday the 2007 World Champion Casey Stoner spoke of the track’s unknown quantities as he previewed the weekend’s action.                                                                                                                                       

A victory in Qatar and confidence in the setup of the Ducati Desmosedici GP9 have made for a happy Casey Stoner heading to round two in Motegi, but the former MotoGP World Champion has reiterated that he is taking nothing for granted.                                                                   

After his horror crash in qualifying on Saturday at the Commercialbank Grand Prix of Qatar Nicky Hayden did well to come home twelfth on his Ducati race debut.

Nicky Hayden produced an impressive display in his first race for Ducati Marlboro coming from 16th on the grid at the Losail International Circuit in Monday’s re-scheduled MotoGP contest to finish in the points in 12th place, despite his back and chest injuries.

Following his high-speed crash in qualifying…

In stark contrast to his pole-setting new team-mate Casey Stoner in Qatar, Nicky Hayden is suffering a nightmare weekend at the Losail International Circuit and may not be able to race on Sunday after a heavy crash in qualifying.

Trying to improve on his 16th place on the grid at the end of Saturday night’s 45-minute qualifying practice at the floodlit desert circuit the 2006 World Champion suffered a spectacular highside that has left him battered, bruised and doubtful for his Ducati Marlboro debut.

Australian avoiding overconfidence whilst teammate Hayden prepares for 100th race.

Casey Stoner and his Ducati Marlboro colleagues return to the scene of some of their most successful races this weekend, beginning their quest for a second MotoGP world title at the track at which they have won the past two editions of the Commercialbank Grand Prix of Qatar.

Ducati Marlboro newboy Nicky Hayden encountered problems on Sunday afternoon in Jerez and referred to his eleventh placed finish in the BMW M Award as something of a disaster.

Outside the top ten in the first ‘competitive’ session with his new team on Sunday at the Official MotoGP Test, Nicky Hayden left Jerez trailing his triumphant team-mate Casey Stoner by a significant 1.755s margin – as the Australian took the honours in the BMW M Award.

The bookmakers have Valentino Rossi down as a favorite to win his seventh premier class title.

Following two preseason tests thus far in 2009 and ahead of next week’s MotoGP Official Test at Jerez, the bookmakers have marked the reigning MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi out as the clear title favourite.