November 2003 Race News from around the World c/o mcnews

 

 

MotoGP 2003 - Round 16 - Valencia - 125 Race, November 2nd, 2003

They got the last lap board, Stoner, Barbera, Jenkner running nose to tail; this is who it was going to be between.  Barbera got through on Stoner but ran a little wide which allowed Stoner back through.  Stoner in front but then Barbera made a huge move around the outside but again ran wide which gave Stoner the win, Barbera's desperate move allowed Jenkner to slip past him for the second spot on the podium.  Stoner was also awarded the 125cc rookie of the year award.  He will move to KTM in 2004.

 

MotoGP 2003 - Round 16 - Valencia - 250 Race, November 2nd, 2003

Poggiali was holding down third place, 8 seconds behind the leaders.  West retired to the pits with some mechanical dramas.  Randy De Puniet held on for the win.  Poggiali came home third and with that was crowned the 2003 250cc World Champion and also 250cc Rookie of The Year.

 

MotoGP 2003 - Round 16 - Valencia - Race Report, November 2nd, 2003

Rossi went on to take the win by a safe margin over Gibernau as the Spanish crowd let the firecrackers fly.  Capirossi came home with third place with a clear margin over Max Biaggi.  Nicky Hayden was awarded the Rookie of The Year award for his fifth overall in the championship, just edging out Troy Bayliss for the award.

 

An end to a great season and it seems as though we are set for some big changes next year with Rossi looking set to be on Yamaha machinery.  Edwards is likely to join Gibernau at Telefonica Honda.  Barros is likely to join Hayden in the Repsol squad. Shane Byrne has been confirmed as moving to Aprilia while other riders talking to Aprilia are mooted to include Nakano, Garry McCoy. Troy Corser's name has even been linked to the Aprilia squad.  Neil Hodgson will join the fray on the new D'Antin managed Ducati team and could be joined by Xaus.  Kurtis Roberts is also expected to arrive in GP next year with either his dad's Proton squad. A maybe not well founded rumour also suggests Kurtis has also been talking to Ducati.

 

Telefonica Movistar confirm Edwards signing, November 2nd, 2003

Team Telefónica MoviStar Honda and Colin Edwards have reached an agreement for the American rider to join the Team Gresini Racing squad next season. The arrival of Edwards strengthens the team’s potential for 2004, making it one of the top prospects in MotoGP.

 

Rossi and HRC officially confirm move, November 2nd, 2003

In a packed pressroom at Valencia after the final race of the 2003 season it was officially announced that World Champion, Valentino Rossi and Honda were not renewing any contract for the 2004 season.

 

World Superbike 2004 – Calendar, November 6th, 2003

  • February 29 - Valencia, Spain (World Supersport also)
  • March 28 - Phillip Island, Australia (World Supersport also)
  • April 18 - Misano, San Marino (World Supersport also)
  • May 16 - Monza, Italy (World Supersport also)
  • May 30 - Oschersleben, Germany (World Supersport also)
  • June 13 - Silverstone, UK (World Supersport also)
  • July 4 - Mont Tremblant (TBC), Canada (Possibly World Supersport at this round)
  • July 11 - Laguna Seca, USA (No World Supersport at this round)
  • August 1 - Brands Hatch, UK (World Supersport also)
  • September 5 - Assen, Netherlands (World Supersport also)
  • September 26 - Imola, Italy (World Supersport also)
  • October 3 - Magny Cours, France (World Supersport also)

 

Yamaha announce safety recall, November 7th, 2003

Yamaha have announced a recall of the following motorcycles for an important modification.  This issue affects YZ125 and YZ 250 models from 1996 through to and including 2001. The 2001 YZ250WR and also 1997 and 1998 WR250 motorcycles. The recall has been prompted by the possibility of a loose or bent inner wire of the throttle cable derailing off the rotor (cable pulley) in the throttle housing on the handlebar causing the throttle to stick. This could result in an accident / crash and personal injury or death. Yamaha will replace the rotor with one of a new design that is shaped differently to prevent cable derailing and pinching. Owners of the affected models will not charged for this modification. Please call your authorised Yamaha dealer and make a service appointment to have this procedure performed or alternatively contact Yamaha Motor Australia on (02) 9757 0010 for further information.  Yamaha requests that you avoid riding your YZ or WR motorcycle until this modification is performed.

 

Yamaha finally confirms the Rossi contract is done, November 10th, 2003

Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. has concluded an agreement with 2003 World Champion Valentino Rossi to head its MotoGP line-up in 2004 and 2005. Rossi will join Yamaha’s wholly-owned factory racing team from 1st January and will begin the 2004 championship on board the Yamaha YZR-M1 in South Africa on 18th  April.

 

Compiled by Peter Weyermayr