Simoncelli tests 1000cc Honda

Simoncelli tests 1000cc Honda

A week after signing a new contract with HRC, Marco Simoncelli got his first taste of the 1,000cc Honda that he will ride next season during a test in Motegi.
Simoncelli, who will have full factory support next season with the Gresini team, put the new RC213V through its paces in Japan following Sunday's Grand Prix.

The Italian was able to maintain a consistent times pace over the 50 laps, recording times comparable to those set on this year's 800cc RC212V.

"The big day finally arrived and I was able to test the bike I will be riding in Team San Carlo Honda Gresini colours next year," said Simoncelli. "It was a fantastic experience to get out on the RC213V and I would like thank HRC for the opportunity.

"I completed 50 laps and quickly felt confident with the new bike, setting similar lap times to the RC212V. At the end of the day I gave my feedback and suggestions, which I hope will be important to development of the bike from here."

The Gresini rider now heads to the Philippines for a short break before the next round of the MotoGP World Championship at Phillip Island in Australia.
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Marco Simoncelli (Honda) tested the 2012 1000 MotoGP bike at Motegi

Marco Simoncelli (Honda) tested the 2012 1000 MotoGP bike at Motegi - Superbike Magazine

Marco Simoncelli (Gresini Honda) recently re-signed with the Honda Racing Corporation to ride with Fausto Gresini's team in MotoGP and, as a reward for his loyalty and ability to generate publicity, he was given a few laps to test the new 1,000cc Honda RC213V after the MotoGP race at Motegi (in which he finished fourth) where the bouffant haired crash machine managed 50 laps without launching himself or his bike into the scenery.

"Finally I managed to get a test ride on the bike I'll be riding next year – and in Gresini colours," said Simoncelli, "I want to thank Honda for giving me the chance to ride it, it was a fantastic experience. I did a total of 50 laps and it after I got a feel for the bike and some confidence, I managed to get down to the same times I was running on the 800cc bike in the race. It was good fun to ride – it wheelies in fifth and sixth gear! And, of course, after the riding I was able to give the Honda technicians my feedback."

Since HRC decided to bump Andrea Dovizioso from its roster for 2012, Simoncelli will now have additional pressure on his broad shoulders and the needle that exists between him and Dovi – who he has effectively replaced at HRC – will be a joy to watch as the season winds to a close.

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MotoGP Film FASTEST Set for US Premiere In Las Vegas On October 14

MotoGP Film FASTEST Set for US Premiere In Las Vegas On October 14

MALIBU,Calif. (Oct. 3, 2011) – The critically acclaimed Moto GP documentary FASTEST is set for its United States premiere with a private and exclusive screening on Friday, October 14 at The Deuce Lounge inside the Aria resort and Casino at City Center in Las Vegas. Filmmaker Mark Neale followed the MotoGP circuit during the 2010 and 2011 seasons and searched the DORNA MotoGP archives, creating a true cinematic experience that captured the excitement, thrills and human drama as the world's best drag their knees at nearly 200 mph.

"'FASTEST' - the greatest feeling, the greatest risk. This is the essence of MotoGP and of the movie. The ecstasy and the terror of life at the very highest level of motorcycle racing." -Mark Neale

MotoGP is the worldwide pinnacle of motorcycle racing, and FASTEST takes you to its heart, capturing the behind-the-scenes personalities that make the sport one of the most popular on the planet. With 105 wins to his credit, Italian Valentino Rossi is chasing history, looking to become the winningest rider in the sport as he's faced with the challenge of coming back from a career-threatening injury. However, standing in his way is a group of talented young riders, led by his teammate and rival Jorge Lorenzo, looking to take the crown from "The Doctor."

The documentary follows some of the most successful riders in recent years, including Rossi, Lorenzo, Marco Simoncelli, Casey Stoner, Ben Spies, Alvaro Bautista, Randy De Puniet, Dani Pedrosa, Nicky Hayden and Colin Edwards, as they chase the MotoGP World Championship. FASTEST captures some of the most amazing moments in the sport's recent history as it shows both the incredible highs when it all goes right, and the terrible lows when everything goes wrong.

FASTEST debuted internationally on September 20, to an audience of 1,300 in London, and has received rave reviews, contributing to its global success with both fans and industry professionals alike.

"Good films about motorcycles are few in number, fewer still about motorcycle racing but Fastest is, at least in my book, equal to On Any Sunday." – David Miller, bikesportnews.com

Neale, a UK native, has won multiple awards throughout his illustrious career for his work on such films as FASTER and The Doctor, The Tornado and the Kentucky Kid. He paired with award-winning producer Paul Taublieb to create FASTEST, as his background in motorsports and action sports made him a natural for the project. Taublieb consulted on the creation of the ESPN X Games, and now produces all that event's moto-x competitions, in addition to NASCAR and the TORC racing series. He recently wrapped production with Spyglass Entertainment on a feature film project.

FASTEST will premiere at a private and exclusive screening at The Deuce Lounge inside the Aria resort and Casino at City Center in Las Vegas on Friday, October 14. Press, media, Monster Energy athletes, and other industry insiders will be among those invited to the private event. The premiere will not be open to the public. Tastemaker screenings, available to the public, will take place on specific dates following the premiere event. These dates will be announced shortly.

The documentary is currently in limited theatrical release in areas outside of the United States. The DVD will be available in the United States in 2011. The release date will be announced shortly along with other distribution updates that should thrill MotoGP and FASTEST fans worldwide.

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Jump-start penalties for Dovizioso, Simoncelli, Crutchlow

Jump-start penalties for Dovizioso, Simoncelli, Crutchlow

"I cannot believe it. I have never had a false start in my career and it happened today, in a race where I felt that I could fight for the win!" – Andrea Dovizioso.

A jump-start chain reaction resulted in costly ride-through penalties for Andrea Dovizioso, Marco Simoncelli and Cal Crutchlow in Sunday's Japanese MotoGP.

Dovizioso, starting from the outside of the front row, was first to move - with Simoncelli, directly behind him on row two, then reacting. That in turn caused Crutchlow, also on the right side of the grid, in twelfth, to move early!

The penalty hurt Dovizioso the most, the Italian having just taken the race lead - after team-mate Casey Stoner ran off track - when he was informed of his 'expected' ride-through.

"I cannot believe it," said the Repsol Honda rider. "I have never had a false start in my career and it happened today, in a race where I felt that I could fight for the win! I don't know why the bike moved a little before the green light but I realised it immediately and expected the ride through."

An 'angry' Simoncelli was left 'kicking himself' for his early start.

"I made a stupid mistake on the start line. The red light was slow to go out and out of the corner of my eye I saw Dovizioso move and let the clutch out just a tiny bit but enough to be given a ride-through penalty," he said. "You can't afford to make this kind of error. I am angry with myself and kicking myself especially after the race I put together following the penalty."

Simoncelli had been running fifth at the time of the ride-through, which all three riders served at the end of lap 6 (of 24).

Dovizioso rejoined in tenth, with Simoncelli eleventh. The pair then moved up through the order together, helped by accidents and incidents ahead, before spending the closing stages in a bar-to-bar brawl for fourth.

San Carlo Honda Gresini rider Simoncelli overtook Dovizioso with two laps remaining and held his fellow Italian off by just 0.141sec at the line.

"Today could have been a great day for us, the podium was there for the taking and maybe even more than that," sighed Simoncelli. "I had great fun on the last few laps with Dovizioso though - yet another battle between us - and I am happy to have beaten him. It was great!"
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Gresini: Interesting negotiations at Brno

@JakartaForumJakartaForum Gresini: Interesting negotiations at Brno

"The Czech Republic Grand Prix is bound to be an interesting one for the future of MotoGP with a lot of negotiations ongoing" - Fausto Gresini.

San Carlo Honda Gresini team principal, Fausto Gresini, is expecting a busy time on and off-track this weekend at Brno.

The first race after the summer break, the Czech Republic round marks the traditional start of the 'silly season' - and there are also the 2012 1000cc rules to refine.

"The Czech Republic Grand Prix is bound to be an interesting one for the future of MotoGP with a lot of negotiations ongoing, but our goal is to carry forward the Simoncelli project with the same professionalism as always," said Gresini.

Marco Simoncelli has proven to be a match for anyone over one lap this season, qualifying on the front row at six of the ten events (including two poles).

Although Simoncelli's race day performances have been marred by a series of mistakes, he remains in high demand for 2012 and recent rumours have linked him to a possible factory Ducati ride.

The Italian's first choice is sure to be retaining factory HRC status at Gresini, but with present Repsol rider Andrea Dovizioso likely to want a similar level of factory support next year much will depend on how many RC213Vs Honda is willing to run.

Either way, Simoncelli's bargaining power would be massively increased if he can finally claim a debut MotoGP podium.

"After a wonderful holiday in some fantastic American parks I go to Brno looking for the best possible result," said Marco. "We have to focus on the second half of the season and try to score some positive results.

"The circuit suits my riding style even though I didn't go so well there last year in MotoGP. I have won there before in the 250 class and I have also been on pole and on the podium in 125. Overall it is a track I like and I hope to do well. "

Team-mate Hiroshi Aoyama, also out of contract at the end of the year, will be making his first Brno MotoGP start after being injured last year.

"The result at Laguna Seca [tenth] wasn't particularly pleasing but I still wasn't in good physical shape so now after this break I hope I am in better shape and form at Brno," said Aoyama. "I need to rediscover my confidence in myself and in the bike.

"It will be my first MotoGP appearance at Brno because I was injured here last year so it will be a new experience but I like the track and I was on the podium here in the 250cc class in 2006, as well as finishing fourth in 2009. I have the motivation to do well this weekend."

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