MotoGP Brno: Rossi denies 2012 switch to Honda - BSN

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MotoGP Brno: Rossi denies 2012 switch to Honda - BSN

By David Miller
Image by Ducati Corse

Marlboro Ducati's Valentino Rossi has flatly denied he is planning a shock return to Honda for next year's MotoGP season and confirmed he has a contract with Ducati that he will honour.

Rumours have abounded about a move back to HRC, not helped by Marco Melandri being a tinker and joking in an interview that The Doctor had been in touch with Fausto Gresini about a ride for next year with the San Carlo squad.

“I read especially about something from my new manager that is the superbike rider Marco Melandri that know very well my decision for next year. It is better you speak with him," joked Rossi in the pre-event press conference.

"I will race for Ducati next year but this is not in doubt. I have already a contract signed, so the situation is 100 per cent fixed and for sure I will race with Ducati."

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MotoGP Brno: Rossi to continue test work on GP11.1

@JakartaForumJakartaForum MotoGP Brno: Rossi to continue test work on GP11.1

By MotoGP desk
Image by Ducati Corse

Marlboro Ducati's Valentino Rossi will continue to try and fix the GP11.1 during the test day following this weekend's Brno MotoGP round when his rivals will be concentrating on their 1000cc bikes for the 2012 season.

Rossi is still only able to run mid-pack pace even after making a host of changes to the 800cc bike including tinkering with the ride height and making the rake and trail looks like something not too far removed from a Dennis Hopper film. Last time out at Laguna Seca, he finished a full 30 seconds behind winner Casey Stoner.

"After Laguna Seca the team had the chance to rest for a few days, even though the work at Ducati never stopped. The Test Team tried some electronics updates at Mugello, and we’ll use them in the post-race test at Brno to continue improving the setup and reduce the gap to the lead group. Filippo [Preziosi] will be on hand Monday, and we’ll continue the development work on the GP11.1 with both Valentino and Nicky," said team manager Vito Guareschi.

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Ducati: No 1000cc test at Brno

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Ducati: No 1000cc test at Brno

Ducati's 2012 MotoGP prototype will avoid a head-to-head comparison with rival 1000cc machines from Honda and Yamaha, after the factory announced that this year's 800cc bike will be used at Monday's official post-race test at Brno.

Ducati has already used five of the eight days of 1000cc testing allowed with MotoGP riders this year - compared with two days for Honda and none for Yamaha.

All the previous factory 1000cc tests have been held in private, but that will change on Monday in the Czech Republic with Honda and Yamaha both confirming that their factory MotoGP riders will try 2012 bikes.

However Ducati has decided that both Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden will 'dedicate that day to working on the 800'.

“The Test Team tried some electronics updates at Mugello, and we'll use them in the post-race test at Brno to continue improving the setup and reduce the gap to the lead group," said team manager Vittoriano Guareschi.

"Filippo [Preziosi] will be on hand Monday, and we'll continue the development work on the GP11.1 with both Valentino and Nicky.”

While Rossi will continue to ride the GP11.1 throughout the grand prix weekend, team-mate Hayden - who completed his first laps on the modified bike during Friday practice at the previous US GP - revealed that he is likely to use the original GP11.

"Obviously the test on Monday will be really important for us. I'll probably just ride the GP11 on the race weekend and then test the new bike on Monday," said the American.

Rossi and Hayden will start round eleven (of 18) holding fifth and seventh in the world championship, with one podium apiece so far this season.

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Pedrosa grateful for two-week break

Pedrosa grateful for two-week break - Racer

Dani Pedrosa says he is grateful for the two-week break between the US GP and this weekend's Czech MotoGP event, following the Spaniard's injury-strewn start to the season.

Pedrosa was still recovering from his broken collarbone and its complications during the Laguna Seca weekend, and faded to a distant third in the race behind team-mate Casey Stoner and world champion Jorge Lorenzo.

But he says that the summer break has energized him and that he is now ready to be competitive through until the end of the season.

"These two and a half weeks have flown by for me, but I really enjoyed this break," he said. "The truth is that I needed it, first of all to rest after the last few races that were physically hard for me but also to disconnect a little and to train, to get back my physical strength and be fit again. My holidays have been a combination of all.

"When I got back from Laguna I spent some days doing nothing just to relax the whole area of the neck, arms and back. After this I've been combining physical training with relaxation exercises to avoid over stressing the area.

"Now I'm looking forward to competing again and enjoying the races until the end of the season. The bike is working very well this year so I hope we can get good results and win races in this second half of the championship."

Pedrosa, like many riders, holds Brno as one of his favourite stops on the calendar and added that there was extra motivation for looking forward to this year's visit.

"Brno is a track I like, I've won there in 125 and 250, and I've had some podiums also in MotoGP so to fight for the victory is a challenge for me and I'm very motivated," he said. "I'm also looking forward to the test at Brno with the 1000cc bike. I missed the first one in Jerez due to the injury and I'm excited to see to see how the new bike works."


This article originally appeared in Autosport.com

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Nicky Hayden happy with new Indianapolis surface

Nicky Hayden happy with new Indianapolis surface

While most if the MotoGP riders have had their feet up, resting their aches and pains from the first half of the season, Nicky Hayden has been back on track in his Dainese leathers.

The 2006 world champion was selected to be the first rider to test the new track surface at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

All riders will race there for the US Grand Prix on August 28th, but Hayden was given a sneak preview of the new course surface and the added grip it now offers.

Hayden revealed that the treacherous bumps in turn six - the site of many crashes last year - have now been smoothed, making the circuit safer overall.

"I think it'll make for better racing because there will be more places to pass. Just a more enjoyable, more fun track, so I know all the riders love Indy anyway and it's only going to make it better," he added.

Hayden currently sits seventh in the world championship, 14 points behind teammate Valentino Rossi.

Posted by Marcus Blackburn

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Ride With The Stars At Snetterton Courtesy Of Bennetts!

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Ride With The Stars At Snetterton Courtesy Of Bennetts! - londonbikers.com

What if you were given the chance to ride on the brand new Snetterton ‘300’ circuit alongside MotoGP star Cal Crutchlow , Moto2’s Scott Redding and double World Superbike Champion James Toseland? Would it just be a dream?

Bennetts, the UK’s No. 1 bike insurance specialist, is offering 80 competition winners a complimentary place at the incredible ‘Ultimate Track Day’ at the recently revamped Snetterton circuit in Norfolk on 27th September 2011 with the first 5 randomly drawn entries will be upgraded to enjoy a host of extra perks and privileges and one lucky winner will also get a pillion ride with James Toseland.

Crutchlow, Redding and Toseland are all sponsored by Bennetts and will be available all day offering tips and advice both on and off track. The competition is open to all bikers and registration is easy; once you ‘like’ the Bennetts official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/bennettsbike , enter your email address and wait until the closing date of 22nd August to see if you are one of the lucky 80.

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