Sepang MotoGP: Brave Bradley Smith claims second

Bradley Smith rode through the pain barrier to claim a deserved second place in Sepang that secured the British teenager the runner-up slot in the world 125GP championship.
Riding with two broken bones in his right foot after a massive qualifying crash, the 18-year-old was locked in a terrific race long duel with Aspar Aprilia team-mate and newly crowned world champion Julian Simon.
But just as in Phillip Island a week earlier, Smith was to lose out in a thrilling last lap, Simon holding off a fierce challenge from the Oxfordshire rider at the final corner.
Smith’s second though assured him of the runner-up berth in the championship and he’s now scored five consecutive podium finishes.   
The former Repsol Honda rider though was again undone by a brilliant last lap performance from Simon, who held his nerve under intense pressure to deny Smith a third win of 2009.
Smith said: “I think that I had the best pace of the weekend in the race. I had a moment where I passed Julian and was trying to break free, but I made a mistake that cost me a few metres. I am happy because myself and Julian both had a good battle, just like in Australia.
"Last week I lost because he rode perfectly, but this time it was a bit more my fault as I made an error on the last turn. Luckily my foot injury didn't affect things too much, although yesterday the crash made the break that I picked up in Estoril bigger.
"I took painkillers that helped me take the discomfort for more or less the entire time, and I hope that I can have another fight with my teammate next time out in the final race of the year -this time with me winning!
"We took the runner-up spot today, and it is a great achievement for the team to take first and second in the championship."

Toseland: “Ben and Colin deserve the ride”

Despite the obvious disappointment of losing his Tech 3 Yamaha MotoGP ride, James Toseland has given his backing to Ben Spies and Colin Edwards for next years championship.

Toseland accepts that his ride in the Tech 3 Yamaha squad was untenable given team-mate Colin Edwards’ stunning pace during 2009 and Ben Spies’ unprecedented rookie WSB campaign.

Toseland said: “At the end of the day Ben does deserve a crack at MotoGP, it’s just unfortunate that there is only one satellite Yamaha team in the series. He had to replace either myself or Colin and it has obviously been me. With the way Colin has ridden this year he deserves to keep his ride because he’s ridden great, but I don’t think it’s the ideal situation having two Americans in the team for commercial reasons.”

“Now I’ve got three races left in MotoGP and I’m only 12 points off seventh and there’s good possibility of a strong finish even in a tough season like this. If I can achieve that then I can walk out of here with my head held high.”

Sepang MotoGP: Valentino Rossi expects tough 2010

Valentino Rossi barely gave himself time to let his seventh MotoGP world title success sink in when his thoughts turned to mounting a successful defence in 2010.
The Italian, who clinched the ’09 crown with third in a rain-hit Sepang race in Malaysia, admitted that he expects an even tougher challenge next season.
But the 30-year-old, who is will be riding for his 15th season in world championship racing next year, said he will be ready for the threat posed by Fiat Yamaha team-mate Jorge Lorenzo, resurgent factory Ducati star Casey Stoner and Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa.   
“I think next year will be very, very hard. We're all on the same bikes and I think it will be between me, Lorenzo, Stoner and Pedrosa again. On Tuesday in Valencia we will try the new bike and I am looking forward to working on the new M1, but I have the greatest rival in my team so it won't be easy," said Rossi.
Rossi though reckons he will be as motivated as ever to try and retain his title and send his world championship tally into double figures.
"I still feel just as motivated as ever. I still have a great passion to ride better and better, to be on my bike and to win. I enjoy always trying to improve and to work with my team to do this.
"I am 30 but I still feel great emotion and great satisfaction from success. My passion for motorcycles is what keeps me enjoying every race and helps me to keep pushing even though I am the eldest of these first top guys.
"I have to train harder and work harder to stay focused now, but I still enjoy the challenge as much as ever. In the past the situation was the opposite and I was a lot younger than my rivals and it was also easier," said Rossi, who kicked off a historic weekend for Yamaha which saw the Japanese factory complete the triple crown of MotoGP, World Superbike and World Supersport championships.

Cal Crutchlow’s WSB move sets back Gresini Moto2 project

Italian race boss Fausto Gresini reckons Cal Crutchlow’s decision to partner James Toseland in Yamaha’s factory World Superbike team has set his Moto2 rider search back by two months.
Crutchlow held lengthy talks about a Moto2 switch with Gresini’s squad, with the 23-year-old tempted by the prospect of a guaranteed Honda MotoGP switch in 2011 if successful next year.
Crutchlow though was under contract to Yamaha for 2010 and will ride a factory R1 with Toseland.
His decision to turn down Gresini has meant former 125GP world champion Gresini has had to go back to the drawing board in his rider search.
He told MCN: "We were working for a long time to sign Cal but finally he will stay with Yamaha in WSB. Cal was a very interesting option for Moto2 and I respect his decision, but it has delayed our plans by two months because we were waiting for him and that is the reason I’m disappointed."

Sepang MotoGP: Valentino Rossi reflects on 9th world title

Valentino Rossi has been reflecting on his ninth world championship triumph and seventh in MotoGP after a dramatic rain-hit race in Malaysia. 
Third place was enough to clinch the title for the 30-year-old Italian with one race remaining, Rossi going into the final round in Valencia next month with an unassailable 41-point lead over Fiat Yamaha team-mate Jorge Lorenzo. 
The champagne had barely dried before Rossi was able to assess the scale of his latest achievement, his ninth world title equalling the number won by British legend Mike Hailwood and Carlo Ubbiali. 
"Nine world championships is a great achievement, I'm so happy! I would need one hour to thank everyone! Starting with everyone at Yamaha - Furusawa-san, Lin Jarvis, Davide Brivio and all my guys, especially Jeremy Burgess. I couldn't have done it without Jeremy and he is like my motorcycle father!
"I also have to thank my family and friends - Stefania, Graziano, Uccio, Albi...so many! All the team, Yamaha and Bridgestone; together we've done a great, great job and it's always a huge enjoyment to ride and work with these people.
"In order to stay at this level through a whole season you have to be calm and have the right people around you and this is what I have. We've stayed concentrated and focused even in the bad moments, so we can congratulate ourselves with this ninth title," said Rossi, who has now won four world titles with Yamaha.
Starting from pole position for the seventh time in 2009, Rossi’s hopes of claiming the world title with a victory were dashed by a torrential downpour just 30 minutes before the start of the 21-lap race.
With a 35-minute delay, Rossi actually led going into the first corner before he slipped down to eighth by the exit of turn two!
Rossi was only tenth at the end of the first lap, but typically he produced an overtaking masterclass and fought his way through superbly before hitting third on lap 15 when Andrea Dovizioso succumbed to intense pressure.
The weather had ruined Rossi’s hopes of an epic duel with eventual winner Casey Stoner, Lorenzo and Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa and he said: “Today without the rain it could have been a brilliant race, with the four top riders fighting together, but the rain changed it, all our work was thrown away and we had to start with a bike we didn't know so well.
"I made a good start but I made a mistake in braking, it felt like I was braking for one year and I went wide! Of course I wanted to win but after the first corner it was difficult with Casey so strong so I went for the podium.
"I really enjoyed the race and I think it was great to watch. After Dovizioso unfortunately crashed I tried to go with Dani but then he started to push and I already had the podium, so I decided to take it a bit easier. I was happy to risk a little for the podium, but it wasn't sensible to keep taking risks for second when the championship was safe.”
Looking back on his 14th season in world championship racing. Rossi said it had been a tough title defence, not least because of the increasing threat posed by team-mate Lorenzo.
Both have pushed each other into key mistakes and Rossi said: “It's been a great season, for sure one of the hardest at times. It's been harder than last year, when we won after two difficult years, but we've had some troubles this year at times and I have had a very hard rival in my team-mate Lorenzo.
"He has pushed me to new levels and I think it's been a great duel to the end. There have been some bad moments, like Portugal when we weren't at 100 per cent, but we have worked well. Lorenzo has done a great job to put this pressure on us so I have to say well done to him.
"This season we've had a mono-tyre rule but we have still improved the lap record in many laps and this shows that we've all been on the limit all season. This is why we've all made mist akes; this is to be expected when you have four riders fighting together.”
Not surprisingly, Rossi hailed his brilliant last lap overtake on Lorenzo in a memorable Catalunya race as the highlight of his ’09 campaign, which started with two seconds places in Qatar and Japan.
“The best moment of the season for me, the best emotion, was the last pass in the last corner at Barcelona. This was the most exciting moment of the championship for me, one of the best for many years I think!
"The worst moment was probably the stupid error and crash in Indianapolis, but this led to the perfect win in Misano in front of all the fans so in the end it was okay! Every championship is special for different reasons, it's unforgettable every time and this day is no different. I'm world champion once again and now I want to go and party!"

Sepang MotoGP: Stoner wins race, Rossi claims title

Ducati Marlboro rider Casey Stoner took the win in a wet Sepang MotoGP battle, but third was enough to secure this year's world title for Valentino Rossi and the Fiat Yamaha team. 
Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa took second. Fellow Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo finished 4th despite starting from the back after failing to join the starting grid on time. 
Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider James Toseland finished in 15th place.
1 Casey STONER AUS Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati 47'24.834 147.435 
2 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 47'39.500 146.679 14.666
3 Valentino ROSSI ITA Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha 47'44.219 146.437 19.385
4 Jorge LORENZO SPA Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha 47'50.684 146.107 25.850
5 Nicky HAYDEN USA Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati 48'03.539 145.456 38.705
6 Chris VERMEULEN AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 48'05.895 145.337 41.061
7 Toni ELIAS SPA San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 48'13.389 144.961 48.555
8 Marco MELANDRI ITA Hayate Racing Team Kawasaki 48'20.391 144.611 55.557
9 Loris CAPIROSSI ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 48'25.137 144.374 1'00.303
10 Mika KALLIO FIN Pramac Racing Ducati 48'25.274 144.368 1'00.440
11 Aleix ESPARGARO SPA Pramac Racing Ducati 48'26.489 144.307 1'01.655
12 Alex DE ANGELIS RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 48'26.681 144.298 1'01.847
13 Colin EDWARDS USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 48'35.612 143.856 1'10.778
14 Gabor TALMACSI HUN Scot Racing Team MotoGP Honda 48'40.685 143.606 1'15.851
15 James TOSELAND GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 49'15.506 141.914 1'50.672
Not classified
  Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA Repsol Honda Team Honda 31'59.321  7 Lap
  Randy DE PUNIET FRA LCR Honda MotoGP Honda 2'28.718  20 Lap

Sepang MotoGP: James Toseland humbled in downpour

James Toseland had an instantly forgettable Malaysian MotoGP race, the British rider enduring a nightmare in the treacherously wet conditions to finish last.
Woefully off the pace in the dry all weekend, the 28-year-old couldn’t find any confidence in the wet conditions either after the 21-lap race was delayed for over half-an-hour following a tropical storm. 
Starting from the back row of the grid, the double World Superbike champion was outclassed as he rode around in a distant last place for the entire race.
By the end, Toseland was a massive 34 seconds behind Scot Honda rider Gabor Talmacsi and he finished nearly two minutes behind eventual winner Casey Stoner on the factory Ducati.
It was a sobering experience for Toseland who had hoped to bow out of MotoGP in style.
And now he has just one race left in Valencia where he will face Ben Spies, the man who has taken his seat in the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 squad for 2010.
Toseland said: “I wasn't too sorry when I saw the rain to be honest because it had been a tough weekend in the dry. We went with the base wet setting but I had the same problem in the rain that I did in the dry.
"I just didn't have any grip on the rear and in the wet the problem was on corner entry to the apex. So my corner speed was just way too slow to make a decent lap time. I am not out there just riding around at the back.
"I was doing my absolute best and trying my hardest but it was impossible for me to go any faster with the feeling I had. It has been a tough weekend but I'll look to bounce back and finish strongly in Valencia.”

Sepang MotoGP: Dani Pedrosa thrilled to end rain jinx

Dani Pedrosa made a major breakthrough in a rain-lashed Malaysian MotoGP as the Spaniard celebrated his first ever wet weather premier class podium.
Wet weather riding has been a real weakness for the triple world champion, but he rode a confident and assured race to claim second in front of Valentino Rossi’s Fiat Yamaha. 
First into the opening corner, Pedrosa quickly succumbed to the blistering early pace set by Aussie Casey Stoner.
But he was easily able to stretch away from the chasing pack and a podium was virtually assured when Repsol Honda team-mate Andrea Dovizioso tumbled out of third place on lap 15. 
That left Pedrosa to fend off Rossi, which he duly did with a series of fast laps in the closing stages, to score his fourth successive rostrum finish.
Ecstatic at finally ending his dismal rain record, the 23-year-old said: “I’m very happy because it’s my first podium in the wet. Always it’s been one of my weakest points, so I always try to improve and work hard and try to be better and go over my limits in the wet. 
"It’s never been easy to me so I just kept trying and trying and finally I’ve got a podium. After all this hard work I’m very happy, and also I want to thank all the people that helped in this process to come to this podium.”
Pedrosa said he was worried about how quickly Rossi had chased him down, but he was satisfied to have responded well and clung on for a hard earned second spot.
“In the middle of the race I had Dovizioso just behind and he was putting some pressure on me. But I was quite focused and I was riding well, so I just kept my concentration and finally he crashed.
"Then Valentino was coming quite faster than me, but in the last laps I kept my rhythm and finally I took the second place.”
Pedross then passed on his congratulations to Rossi after the Italian’s recovery from 10th to third ensured he lifted his ninth career world title and seventh in MotoGP.
“I want to congratulate Valentino for the championship because to win nine times is amazing," added Pedrosa.

Aspar Aprilia rider Julian Simon won the Phillip Island 125GP race ahead of team-mate Bradley Smith and with it the 125GP championship.
Simon didn't have it all his own way during the race, and had to leave it to the last lap to pass Brit Bradley Smith and win the championship.
Had Smith finished the race ahead of Simon the championship would not have been wrapped up.
Third place went to Derbi rider Sandro Cortese, rode an excellent race to finish third, after he was 17th at the end of the first lap.
1. Simon (Aprilia)
2. Smith (Aprilia) +0.313sec
3. Cortese (Derbi) +2.057sec
4. Espargaro (Derbi) +2.161sec
5. Corsi (Aprilia) +2.330sec
6. Terol (Aprilia) +3.239sec
7. Vazquez (Derbi) +3.290sec
8. Iannone (Aprilia) +12.820sec
9. Marquez (KTM) +22.355sec
10. Gadea (Aprilia) +22.602sec

Australia MotoGP: Casey Stoner storms to home pole

Casey Stoner stormed to his first pole position since the opening round of the season to delight a large home crowd at Phillip Island this afternoon.
Just two minutes of an exciting qualifying session remained when the Aussie posted a best lap of 1.30.386 to move in front of Valentino Rossi by just 0.005s.
But the 24-year-old was able to lap marginally faster on his last flying lap, the 2007 world champion powering his factory Ducati GP9 to a lap of 1.30.341.
That time secured the 24-year-old his first pole position since the opening race in Qatar, with Rossi ending up 0.050s adrift in second.
Looking back to his brilliant best after a recent three-race sabbatical, Stoner romped to his ninth front row start of the campaign to give his hopes of notching a third straight victory in Phillip Island a massive boost. Rossi secured second spot with a best lap of 1.30.391 that the Italian posted with six minutes remaining.
That had put him 0.075s clear of Stoner but the reigning world champion, who will start tomorrow’s 27-lap race with an 18-point lead over rival Jorge Lorenzo, was unable to respond in the final moments to Stoner’s impressive burst of speed.
Dani Pedrosa completed the front row with the Spaniard producing gutsy performance. He claimed third spot in the closing moments with a best lap of 1.31.070, despite a high-speed crash entering the Southern Loop just before the halfway stage.
Pedrosa, who crashed out of last year’s race on the first lap at the same corner, walked away unhurt and bounced back in superb fashion to bump Lorenzo back onto the second row at the end of the hour-long session.
Pedrosa’s late attack cost Estoril winner Lorenzo his 100 per cent front row qualifying record as the Spaniard’s tough weekend continued.
A lowly sixth yesterday with illness and rear grip issues, the title contender missed out on third by just 0.001s when it looked like he’d done enough for a 15th straight front row.
Three Yamaha YZR-M1s will start in the top five with Texan Colin Edwards in fifth spot. He logged a best time of 1.31.096 to finish just 0.026s away from securing his first front row start of the season.
With Andrea Dovizioso though struggling down in 10th place, Edwards’ hopes of securing fifth place overall in the world championship could get a major boost in tomorrow’s race. British rider James Toseland will start from 12th position after he clocked a quickest lap of 1.31.722.
The 28-year-old had to settle for a fourth row slot despite only finishing 0.7s away from Pedrosa in third.

Australia MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo fourth and frustrated

Jorge Lorenzo couldn’t hide his frustration in Phillip Island today after he surrendered his 100 per cent front row qualifying record in 2009.
For the first time in 15 races this season, the 22-year-old will start from off the front row after he was denied by a late attack from fellow Spaniard Dani Pedrosa this afternoon.
Lorenzo, who was a lowly sixth yesterday, will start the 27-lap race from fourth having been pipped to a top three slot by Pedrosa by just one-thousandth-of-a-second.
Trailing Rossi by 18-points going into tomorrow’s crucial clash in Australia, Lorenzo admitted he was still struggling with a stomach bug and a lack of rear grip.
The Fiat Yamaha rider, who has won four times this season, said: “I'm feeling a little bit better than yesterday but the problem is I don't feel like eating.
"I will have to eat something because if not then in the race I will be not be in very good condition.”
Lorenzo will also use an intravenous drip in the circuit’s medical centre to take on vitamins as he also talked about the technical issues with his factory Yamaha.
"The rear grip is the main problem, always spinning and I don't have grip to be able to go faster. It's a shame not be on the front row at every race but this is not very important.
"But to have been the first one in the history to have done this would have been something special.”

Australia MotoGP: Dani Pedrosa bounces back for front row

Dani Pedrosa admitted he was lucky to escape injury after he bounced back from a heavy qualifying crash to claim a place on the front of the grid for tomorrow’s Australian MotoGP clash.
Hopes of the Repsol Honda rider claiming a top three spot seemed remote when he suffered a heavy tumble at the Southern Loop shortly before the halfway stage of the session.
The triple world champion lost the front-end of his factory RC212V and was sent careering through the gravel trap at high speed.
The Spaniard though returned to the track and pulled off a brilliant recovery, his best lap of 1.31.070 ending Jorge Lorenzo’s 100 per cent front row qualifying record in 2009.
Speaking later in the Phillip Island paddock, the 23-year-old said: “I just touched the front brake and lost control. It was boom and I was down. I don’t know what happened but I was lucky to not be injured.
"I just tried to take the second bike and finish the session and in the first section I was not so strong after the crash.
"So after what happened I am pleased to be on the front row. I think we have to improve our pace to have a chance of fighting at the front, but we will see what happens.”
Pedrosa’s crash today came at the same corner where he crashed out of the 2008 Australian MotoGP race on the opening lap.

Australia MotoGP: Bradley Smith’s 125GP title hopes finish

Bradley Smith saw his slim hopes of pulling off an unlikely 125GP world championship triumph ended in Australia.
The 18-year-old needed to finish in front of Aspar Aprilia team-mate Julian Simon for the title chase to continue into next weekend’s Malaysia GP at the Sepang circuit.
The Oxfordshire rider looked on course to keep his remote chances alive with a brilliant performance as he broke away with Simon from a frantic early fight.
But he succumbed to a bold braking move by Simon at MG Corner on the final lap to finish second, the Spaniard’s fifth win of 2009 securing him a maiden world title.
Smith said: “My plan was to beat Julian. I knew from the beginning that I had to be as far ahead as possible if I was to break free, and both he and myself had fantastic pace.
"He was faster in T2 and I was quicker in T1, and in the middle we were more or less equal. It was a good battle, although in the end I am a bit disappointed that the title has been decided.
"The mathematical chance spurs you on. The race was a lot of fun, and even though we have been fighting for the title the team have been great the entire weekend in their support of me.
"All that is left to do now is congratulate Julian.”
Simon was relieved to have wrapped up the title with two rounds to spare, his cause helped massively by Smith’s costly crashes in the Sachsenring and Donington Park earlier in the campaign.
He said: “What I most want to do now is be with my team and enjoy this moment of happiness.
"What I felt upon crossing the line was frankly unexplainable -it was beautiful. The first thing that came into my head was the gratitude that I have towards the team, because their hard work has been the key to this title. When I signed the contract last year it was like taking a step back, as if I had never been able to be a frontrunner and that I was dropping back down. This year I got the opportunity to show my experience and quality. I want to thank Jorge and Gino for giving me a chance, as both they and my manager were behind me all the way. I think that this was the most risk-free and intelligent race that I have had all season. I was patient this time around, having learnt from the error in Estoril. Here the race is dictated by slipstreaming, but I was able to avoid this when I broke free with Bradley. I saw my opening on the last lap and I knew that it would be difficult to win, but I was able to negate the draft and get the win."

Valentino Rossi’s stepfather commits suicide

Valentino Rossi was rocked by a personal tragedy on the eve of the Phillip Island MotoGP race, with news of the suicide of the Italian’s stepfather.
Mauro Tecchi, second husband of Rossi’s mother Stefania Palma, was found dead with gunshot wounds at his home in Pesaro on Friday. Tecchi was 52 and had been married to Palma for two years.
Rossi’s Fiat Yamaha team informed the reigning world champion of the news shortly before Saturday morning’s second free practice session.
Rossi said: “This is a terrible thing. I don't know what to say."

Australia MotoGP: Dani Pedrosa frustrated with Honda threat

Dani Pedrosa could not disguise his frustration after the Spaniard was easily beaten by Casey Stoner and Valentino Rossi in Phillip Island.
Leader on the first lap after a trademark fast start from third spot on the grid, the Repsol Honda rider quickly succumbed to Stoner and Rossi on lap two.
Powerless to prevent Stoner and Rossi easily pulling away from his factory RC212V, Pedrosa had a lonely ride to third place for only his second career rostrum at Phillip Island.
Pedrosa though lost third spot in the world championship to eventual winner Stoner and he said it was clear that Honda had work to do to close the gap to Ducati and Yamaha.
Pedrosa, who crashed heavily during Saturday’s qualifying session, said: “It is frustrating.
"In the last three races I’ve been on the podium, but always in the same way. I lose a lot of time in the race, so it is not what I really like. But I pushed myself to the maximum and that was it.
"They were much quicker and I couldn’t follow. After the crash yesterday, it is good to be on the podium, but of course it’s not what I like to do every race.”
Pedrosa at least found time to joke about failing to capitalise on his phenomenally fast starts.
He added: “Its a shame that they don’t give points for the holeshot.”
Stoner’s third win of 2009 moved the Aussie six-points clear of Pedrosa in the battle for third place in the championship with just two races remaining.
“Casey is doing a great job,“ said the 23-year-old.
“Since he came back he’s riding superb, so we will try to do our best in the next two races at two tracks that I really like, so I will push myself to maximum and we will try to fight with him.”