Oz Racers around the World - March 2007

 

MotoGP - Qatar

Casey Stoner has defeated former five-times world champion Valentino Rossi to take his first ever MotoGP victory, on his Ducati debut and in the first ever 800cc race, at the season-opening Qatar GP. Stoner blasted past pole-sitter Rossi along the main straight at the end of the first lap and the pair battled continuously from then on. The Australian's Ducati enjoyed a clear top-speed advantage, but Rossi repeatedly reeled the #27 back in through the twisty sections and the pair exchanged the lead frequently during the 22 laps. However, the combination of Desmosedici horsepower and a perfect mistake-free ride from Stoner - who set the fastest race lap on the last lap - carried the former 125 and 250GP race winner safely to his first MotoGP victory, at the start of his second premier-class season.

Rossi later admitted that the top-speed advantage enjoyed by Stoner (and Dani Pedrosa) was 'a bit too much' for him, but that he'd tried his best to win and had hoped to upset Stoner's rhythm when he passed him in the closing stages - to no avail. Nevertheless, as the Italian pointed out, it is a much better start to the season than the disaster of one year ago at Jerez.

 

MotoGP - Jerez

Valentino Rossi's longest losing streak since 2000 has been broken by an uncompromising victory over home hero Dani Pedrosa in Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez, in front of 138,000 fans.  Former five-times world champion Rossi had gone five races without a victory, including a surprise loss to Casey Stoner in the Qatar season-opener, marking his longest run without a win since his first ever premier-class victory at Donington in 2000.

Pedrosa had slipped steadily back from The Doctor in the closing stages, while Rossi's team-mate Colin Edwards spent almost the entire race in third position - a position the Texan eventually confirmed by 2.7secs over Toni Elias. World champion Nicky Hayden got a much needed strong start to jump from 11th  to 4th  by the end of lap one, but the Repsol rider was never able to trouble Edwards and spent much of the race with Rizla Suzuki's John Hopkins breathing down his neck.

Elias had passed Hayden soon after Hopkins, but Edwards remained out of his reach and he was instead left to defend fourth from fellow Bridgestone rider Stoner, whose Ducati crossed the line just half a second behind the Gresini Honda. Elias' team-mate Marco Melandri, Hopkins' team-mate Chris Vermeulen and Konica Minolta Honda's Shinya Nakano completed the top ten while Loris Capirossi finished his 250th  grand prix a forgettable 12th. Rossi will now take a nine-point lead over Pedrosa and Stoner into round three, the Turkish Grand Prix at Istanbul, on April 22.



World Superbikes – 2nd  Round, Phillip Island. Race 1

Xerox Ducati's reigning World Superbike Champion, Troy Bayliss, took a superb race one win at round two of the Corona Extra Superbike World Championship at Phillip Island. Britain's James Toseland lead for the bulk of the race but lost out on the last four laps as his tyres gave up the ghost. Third place went to Max Biaggi on the singular Alstare Corona Extra Suzuki, following a big battle with Yamaha's Noriyuki Haga. Off the line it looked like Bayliss had the hole shot, but Biaggi muscled his way through from the second row of the grid. However his lead was short lived as Toseland swooped round the outside to snatch it from him. The front three started to gap the chasing pack with Toseland leading from Corser and Bayliss in third. Lap seven saw Bayliss make his move taking Corser for second place. Corser didn't have an answer to this move and from this point on he started to drop back slightly due to tyre wear. Bayliss waited until lap seventeen before he tried to take the lead. He made a move at MG corner but Toseland took it back in quite a rough manner – some fairing bashing went on! Meanwhile the battle for third was hotting up with Biaggi catching Corser who was sliding around and out of his seat trying to hold onto his Yamaha.

Josh Brookes had an impressive run on the Alto Evolution Honda finishing in twelfth place. His team-mate Karl Muggeridge didn't race due to crashing during second free practice; he knocked himself cold and dislocated his ankle. Steve Martin on the DFX Treme Honda finished his home round in tenth place.

 

World Superbikes – 2nd  Round, Phillip Island. Race 2

James Toseland fended off tough competition from Troy Bayliss to secure his first win at Phillip Island and secure his championship lead at the second round of the Superbike World Championship. The Hannspree Honda rider crossed the line just 0.24secs clear of the Xerox Ducati rider. The third step of the podium was occupied by Yamaha Italia's Noriyuki Haga.

As in race one, it was Max Biaggi who got away first but he was beaten up into turn one and dropped back to fifth place. The man who came out on top was Troy Corser, with Toseland and Bayliss chasing. Three laps later Toseland made his move and took the lead at the Southern Loop.

A further two laps on Bayliss passed Corser for second place leaving Corser to fight it out with his team-mate Haga. The action really kicked in on lap eleven with Haga moving up to third place and Bayliss briefly taking the lead. Bayliss then looked round and handed the lead back to Toseland. The race for third place was now on with Biaggi up to third pushing the Yamahas back down the field. Haga took up his podium position on lap eighteen leaving Biaggi in fourth place. Corser put on a late but impressive charge, taking Biaggi for fourth place, only he ran wide into the dirt and lost out on what he had gained. Haga continued to fight with Biaggi to the line but got the better of him.

 

World Superbikes – 3rd  Round, Donington. Race 1

James Toseland took a dominant race one win at round three of the Superbike World Championship at Donington Park in the UK. He had been running in second place on his Honda behind Troy Bayliss who crashed out at Coppice. Bayliss has sustained damage to his little finger on his right hand and has been taken to hospital for further checks. He is out of race two but his team hopes he will be fit in two weeks time for round four at Valencia.

Toseland commented on Bayliss' crash, “I saw him go right in front of me. You don't high side at Coppice and not hurt, so I had a bit of a grimace for him.” He admitted that Bayliss was on a charge saying, “I was concentrating so hard to keep with him, he was running a really hot pace. So when he fell the gap was there and I just kept up the pace.” “I was lucky that Bayliss crashed but I'll take what I can.  Second place went to Yamaha Italia's Troy Corser who got off to a bad start from row two of the grid. The windy conditions continued through race day and it was the wind that had caused Corser's crash in Superpole, “Turn one was very gusty on some laps and the wind caught me a few times on the final corner and pushed me to the outside of the curbs,” he said, “I pushed hard at the beginning as I didn't get a great start. It is hard to make up ground here when we are all so close. I pushed hard and made some aggressive moves. James and Troy were pulling away but once Troy crashed James settled the pace. I settled for second as I didn't want to screw my tyre up. The final podium step went to Max Biaggi who, like Corser had to work his way through the field from a very poor start. “Good result, I didn't expect it but I had good pace on the bike and the machine felt ok,” said the Italian, “I am a little surprised; I am now looking to the second race. I will make no changes of race two just new tyres.”



World Superbikes – 3rd  Round, Donington. Race 2

Yamaha Italia's Noriyuki Haga took a last minute race win from Max Biaggi during race two. Biaggi had been leading for the final eight laps but he ran a touch wide on the final corner on the last lap, Haga wasn't going to miss an opportunity for a race win, so he shoved his Yamaha under Biaggi and out dragged him to the line.

Biaggi's team manger Francis Batta had predicted a race win for his rider and he was almost right. The Italian was pipped over the line by just 0.111secs. Third place went to Haga's team-mate Troy Corser giving Yamaha an impressive double podium on their new bike.

James Toseland was bitterly disappointed to suffer a mechanical failure whilst leading race two. “To say I'm disappointed is an understatement. That double win has eluded me once again.  Despite not finishing race two Toseland is still leading the championship by five points over Biaggi.

Speaking after the race Corser said, “I'm happy with two podiums, the R1 worked well and we have got up to speed. I'm having a great time with Yamaha and it is good to be back at Donington.”

 

 

WORLD SUPERSPORT – Round 3, Donington

The top ten in Supersport has a few unusual names appearing due to three of the normal frontrunners missing the qualifying session through injury. Both the SSP Yamaha riders Kevin Curtain and Broc Parkes crashed separately at Goddards Corner during free practice - and both sustained broken collarbones. They are now out for the remainder of the weekend.  Sebastien Charpentier also missed the session due to a smash in first free practice where he injured his collar bone and leg. The reigning champion is hoping to get back on track in time for second qualifying on Saturday.

Second fastest was Davide Giugliano on the Light Speed Kawasaki who topped the time sheets in free practice. In third is a more familiar name and that is Kenan Sofuoglu who is currently leading the championship. Should his team-mate Charpentier, be unable to race, he will be left to fly the flag for Hannspree Ten Kate Honda. Former GP rider, Arnaud Vincent just pipped British rider, Craig Jones to fourth place. Jones and his Reve Ekerold Honda team are now working with their new Hondas having run older machinery at the first two rounds. First Kawasaki home was Pere Riba on the Gil Motorsport machine. Having raced in the UK for a number of years, he is familiar with Donington Park and the difficult English weather.

 

 

AMA SUPERBIKE – Round 1, Daytona

Reigning AMA Superbike champ, Ben Spies, kicked off his title defense with a picture perfect performance this week at Daytona International Speedway. The Texan’s race actually got off to a rather average start, as he slipped from pole to as low as fifth for a fleeting moment on lap 2 of 15. However, he was merely biding his time, successfully avoiding the pitfalls that ensnared a number of his competitors during the treacherous race.

Yamaha USA’s Eric Bostrom got off to a blistering start, holding down the lead through the first two laps before giving way to six-time series king Mat Mladin. He continued to run a torrid pace, never running lower than third before being forced into the pits and out of the race due to tire and mechanical issues.

Mladin managed to run in first for just two laps before losing the front and crashing out of the lead in the infield. As the field powered by, he frantically remounted and set about climbing his way back up the ranks. That climb was made a bit easier by a dramatic opening lap that saw Jamie Hacking and Aaron Yates collide and tumble off track together in their respective team debuts. The incident also forced newcomer Tommy Hayden wide out into the grass and well down the order. Roger Hayden was the next to go, highsiding heavily out of fifth in Turn 1. Spies, inherited the lead following Mladin’s misfortune. American Honda’s Miguel DuHamel quickly moved past Bostrom as well and spent the remainder of the race keeping Spies honest despite never drawing close enough to apply any real pressure.

In the end Spies took the checkered flag with a 3.021-second margin of victory over the Canadian. The win was Spies’ first Superbike win at Daytona, “It’s nice showing up with the #1 plate, getting pole, most laps led, and the race win.”  Mladin encountered tire issues following his charge back and got as high as eighth.