FIM Moto2 World Championship Valencia, Spain November 7, 2010 Race Results (all using Honda engines and Dunlop tires): 1. Karel ABRAHAM, Czech Republic (FTR), 27 laps, 43:49.499 2. Andrea IANNONE, Italy (FTR), -0.522 second 3. Julian SIMON, Spain (SUTER), -0.583 second 4. Thomas LUTHI, Switzerland (MORIWAKI), -0.760 second 5. Scott REDDING, Great Britain (SUTER), -4.205 seconds 6. Alex DE ANGELIS, San Marino (MOTOBI), -5.385 7. Simone CORSI, Italy (MOTOBI), -11.399 8. Sergio GADEA, Spain (PONS KALEX), -21.420 9. Dominique AEGERTER, Switzerland (SUTER), -22.439 10. Gabor TALMACSI, Hungary (FTR), -22.912 11. Jules CLUZEL, France (SUTER), -23.511 12. Kenny NOYES, USA (PROMOHARRIS), -25.169 13. Alex DEBON, Spain (FTR), -30.571 14. Yonny HERNANDEZ, Colombia (BQR-MOTO2), -31.077 15. Xavier SIMEON, Belgium (MORIWAKI), -31.276 16. Javier FORES, Spain (AJR), -33.381 17. Alex BALDOLINI, Italy (I.C.P.), -33.548 18. Yuki TAKAHASHI, Japan (TECH 3), -37.556 19. Claudio CORTI, Italy (SUTER), -38.602 20. Michael RANSEDER, Austria (SUTER), -38.763 21. Hector FAUBEL, Spain (SUTER), -39.540 22. Ratthapark WILAIROT, Thailand (BIMOTA), -39.835 23. Roman RAMOS, Spain (MIR RACING), -39.849 24. Raffaele DE ROSA, Italy (TECH 3), -40.519 25. Roberto ROLFO, Italy (SUTER), -42.803 26. Mike DI MEGLIO, France (SUTER), -44.234 27. Anthony WEST, Australia (MZ-RE HONDA), -61.722 28. Joan OLIVE, Spain (PROMOHARRIS), -62.031 29. Vladimir IVANOV, Ukraine (MORIWAKI), -69.526 30. Toni ELIAS, Spain (MORIWAKI), -85.529 31. Yannick GUERRA, Spain (MORIWAKI), -1 lap 32. Mashel AL NAIMI, Qatar (BQR-MOTO2), -1 lap 33. Hiromichi KUNIKAWA, Japan (BIMOTA), -1 lap 34. Axel PONS, Spain (PONS KALEX), -1 lap, DNF, crash 35. Robertino PIETRI, Venezuela (SUTER), -5 laps, DNF, retired 36. Fonsi NIETO, Spain (MORIWAKI), -9 laps, DNF, crash 37. Ferruccio LAMBORGHINI, Italy (MORIWAKI), -10 laps, DNF, retired 38. Stefan BRADL, Germany (SUTER), -16 laps, DNF, crash 39. Kenan SOFUOGLU, Turkey (SUTER), -18 laps, DNF, crash 40. Carmelo MORALES, Spain (SUTER), -20 laps, DNF, retired 41. Valentin DEBISE, France (ADV), -23 laps, DNF, crash 42. Ricard CARDUS, Spain (BIMOTA), DNS World Championship Point Standing (after 17 of 17 races): 1. Elias, 271 points 2. Simon, 201 3. Iannone, 199 4. Luthi, 156 5. Corsi, 138 6. Talmacsi, 109 7. Cluzel, 106 8. Redding, 102 9. Bradl, 97 10. Abraham, 96 11. De Angelis, 95 12. Takahashi, 86 13. Shoya Tomizawa, 82 14. Rolfo, 75 15. Aegerter, 74 16. Debon, 73 17. Gadea, 67 18. Nieto, 45 19. Baldolini, 38 20. Di Meglio, 34 21. Hernandez, 32 22. Wilairot, 30 23. West, 26 24. Noyes, 22 25. Corti, 20 29. Sofuoglu, 11 32. TIE, Jason DiSalvo/Pons, 7 39. TIE, Pietri/Yusuke Teshima, 1 More, from a press release issued by Honda: HONDA CELEBRATE BRILLIANT FIRST YEAR OF MOTO2 Today’s Valencia Grand Prix marks the end of the inaugural Honda-powered Moto2 World Championship, a new philosophy in Grand Prix racing that promotes low costs and equality to give riders a fair chance of performing at the front of MotoGP’s intermediate category. All Moto2 riders are equipped with identical Honda CBR600RR engines, Dunlop tyres, ECUs and slipper clutches to ensure that riders have the best chance to display their talent on the racetrack. Honda is proud of its role as engine supplier to this brave new World Championship. The specially prepared CBR600RR engines have proved fast and reliable throughout the 17-round series which has featured some of the most thrilling racing ever seen in Grands Prix, with unpredictable results and ultra-close finishes. Qualifying has also been ultra-close, with the fastest 20 riders on today’s grid covered by just 0.999 seconds. At Le Mans the Moto2 grid was the closest in history, with the top 27 riders covered by just 0.969 seconds! Moto2’s first World Champion Toni Elias (Gresini Racing Moto2) was one of the most experienced riders in the championship’s inaugural year and he used that experience to dominate much of the season. The class also made several new stars whose riding talent lifted them to the top step of the podium. During the course of the 17 races there were an impressive nine different winners (Elias; Karel Abraham, Stefan Bradl, Jules Cluzel, Alex De Angelis, Andrea Iannone, Roberto Rolfo, Yuki Takahashi and Shoya Tomizawa, who tragically lost his life at September’s San Marino GP). Five different chassis constructors won races (Moriwaki, Suter, Tech 3, Motobi and FTR/Speed Up), with Suter taking the constructors’ crown. “Moto2 racing is very, very competitive and fantastic for the fans,” says Honda Racing Corporation Vice President Shuhei Nakamoto. “We are very happy that Honda has been able to help this new kind of GP category. Toni Elias did a very good job. For much of the season he was at the front, concentrating so hard and thinking how to win in this new category. The reason for the close racing is that the performance of all machines is very close the engines are exactly the same, so the competition is on the chassis side. Moto2 is also a team competition, because the engineers and mechanics must work very hard to set up the chassis around the rider. And because the machines don’t feature any kind of traction control system, Moto2 is very good for rider training. Even though we have hi-tech electronics in MotoGP, traction control isn’t magic, the rider still has to ride the bike. We are very happy that the engines have performed so well, with an excellent reliability record. Also, it is good to see so many chassis manufacturers involved in Moto2.” Mike Trimby, General Secretary of the teams’ association IRTA, is also enthusiastic about the new category which replaced the 250cc class that had been in existence since 1949. “Moto2 is a huge success,” says Trimby. “We are delighted that the teams have taken to it so well. The attraction to the teams is that they can sell this class to a sponsor because they have the chance to make a name for themselves. In Moto2 any team that works well gets a chance of making the podium or getting a pole once in a while. That means they’ve got something to sell to sponsors, whereas in 250s they had nothing to sell, unless they were a big team that could afford factory bikes.” This year’s Moto2 series was heavily over-subscribed by teams anxious to take part in the new class. For the 2011 season there have been 60 requests for the 40 places on the grid. More, from a press release issued by Interwetten Moriwaki Moto2 Team: Lüthi finishes the season 2010 as Fourth The season closing race on the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia, Spain was a success for Tom Lüthi and the Interwetten Moriwaki Moto2 Team. After a good start Lüthi was able to catch up position by position and finished the race just behind the podium in 4th position. With the strong performance shown this weekend the season 2010, which was full of ups and downs finished also with the 4th position in the standings for the 24 year old Swiss. Lüthi was able to protect his 4th place against other riders, such as Andrea Iannone, who also had a glance on the position. The old season just finished for Lüthi and the new season will already start tomorrow, when he will test the Suter chassis for the first time on this circuit. Tom Lüthi, 4 – 43’50.259: “It was a good race, I could fight in the top group again. It was not really easy for me as I had some problems in some parts of the track. I lost the front a couple of times and slipped with the rear, but I still was able to fight with the group. The podium was not far away and I could see it already, but at the end it was not enough.” Alfred Wilecke, Chief mechanic: “The whole weekend was not bad, especially this morning in the warm up Tom did a big step forward, which he confirmed during this race. Unfortunately it was not enough for the podium, but I am very happy that he was so near. We can be satisfied with the 4th place in the championship.” Terrell Thien, Team Manager: “Everything was possible today for Tom and he rode a strong race. Unfortunately the podium slipped out of his hands at the end, but I am very happy with the 4th place and of course I am happy that he could hold his 4th place in the standings.” Daniel M. Epp, Rider Management: “It was a race without mistakes from Tom. He had a clever start, which paid off at the end. Tom was able to secure the 4th place in the championship. We are looking forward to the Moto2 season 2011, when we will change from Moriwaki to Suter and built on a strong fundament for the second season in Moto2, where we want to attack the Top 3, which were so near this year.” More, from a press release issued by Tech 3: Tough conclusion to 2010 for Tech3 Racing The Tech3 Racing Team ended the inaugural Moto2 World Championship campaign in disappointing fashion this afternoon after Yuki Takahashi and Raffaele de Rosa were unable to score points in the final race at Valencia. Japanese rider Takahashi signed off the season in 18th position, a result that unfortunately saw him slip outside of the top ten in the final World Championship standings. Takahashi was unable to find a confident setting with the front-end of his Tech 3 Racing machine and despite a determined ride he was unfortunately able to mount a challenge for the point-scoring positions. Italian de Rosa also had a frustrating end to the 2010 campaign. He was unable to celebrate his 100th Grand Prix appearance with a top 15 result as he too found it a difficult challenge to find a comfortable front-end set-up. He finished the 27-lap race in 24th position. The Tech3 Racing Team will begin plans for the 2011 Moto2 campaign tomorrow (Monday) in Valencia with Bradley Smith and Mike di Meglio joining the French squad for the opening winter test session. Tech 3 MotoGP rider Colin Edwards will also test the bike tomorrow, the American keen to offer some of his vast experience to help the Tech 3 Racing Team commence development on next year’s machine. Yuki Takahashi 18th- 86 points “That was a very tough race and not the way I wanted to finish the season or my great experience with the Tech3 Racing Team. I had a bad start and unfortunately the only way I was able to m ake up some places was because a few riders crashed out. I just couldn’t be aggressive on the front and each time I tried to push I kept running wide. Unfortunately I dropped out of the top ten in the rankings too and that is a shame, but I’ve had a fantastic experience with Tech3 Racing and my victory in Catalunya was a historic moment for the Team. I’m happy to have played a part in that special moment and I wish Herve Poncharal and the crew all the best for the future.” Raffaele de Rosa 24th 15 points “That was a very difficult race and I didn’t expect to finish the season in this way. I had big hopes for the race and was feeling positive that I could be in the top 15 but unfortunately I couldn’t find a good feeling with the front, especially going into the corners. I want to thank my crew at Tech 3 Racing because they have worked really hard all season and given me tremendous support throughout. We never gave up even in the difficult moments and I am sure the team can build on the information gained this season to have a successful 2011.” Herve Poncharal Team Manager “We had hoped to have a much stronger finish to the season than we did and it is disappointing not to score points in the final race. I can’t fault the effort and determination of Yuki and Raffaele but that was a very disappointing way to end our story with them. Now we look forward to tomorrow when we begin testing for 2011 with Bradley Smith and Mike di Meglio. Bradley arrives at Tech 3 Racing full of confidence after a fantastic win in the 125 race and I want to pass on my congratulations to him. His performance today only gives me more confidence that Bradley will be a great asset to the Tech 3 Racing project. I am sure with Bradley and Mike together that we can h ave a competitive 2011.” More, from a press release issued by Marc VDS Racing Team: REDDING FIFTH AS FAUBEL RIDES THROUGH THE PAIN BARRIER Scott Redding took a hard fought fifth place in today’s final Moto2 Grand Prix of the 2010 season at Valencia, following a race-long battle at the front of the field. Hector Faubel was disappointed with 21st place at his home race, after struggling with injuries sustained in a practice crash yesterday. Redding, making his 50th Grand Prix appearance, got a good start from the front row of the grid and was soon involved in a cut and thrust battle with Kenan Sofuoglu, Stefan Bradl, Andrea Iannone and reigning Moto2 World Champion, Toni Elias, at the front of the race. The 17-year-old British youngster looked all set to challenge for his first win of the season, until a technical problem caused him to lose touch with the battle for the race lead. The Marc VDS rider fought his way back up to the leaders in the closing stages of the race, but didn’t quite have the pace to mount a challenge for the final podium position and was forced to settle for fifth at the chequered flag. Hector Faubel was hoping for a good result in his last ride for the Marc VDS Racing Team and in front of his fans, family and friends who’d made the short journey from Faubel’s home town of Lliria to show their support. Unfortunately, after making a good start and moving up through the order during the early stages of the race, the 27-year-old Spaniard started to struggle with pain from the shoulder and ribs that he injured in a practice crash yesterday. Despite the pain, Faubel pushed on to finish the race in 21st position, but was bitterly disappointed not to end the season with a better result. Scott Redding #45: Race Position 5th – Championship Position 8th “The racing out there was really tight, especially at the beginning when we were swapping places at every turn. It was good fun battling with Sofuoglu, Iannone, Elias and Bradl, but then I started to have problems with the quickshifter and lost my rhythm a bit after missing a couple of gears. Apart from that it was a good race, at the end of a great year and for that I have to thank Marc van der Straten and everyone in the Marc VDS Racing Team, who’ve supported me so well this season.” Hector Faubel #55: Race Position 21st – Championship Position 26th “I got a good start today and managed to pass quite a few riders in the opening laps, but about 10 laps into the race I just wasn’t able to push any more. I had painkilling injections this morning, but they obviously started to wear off because the shoulder and ribs I damaged in yesterday’s crash started to give me a lot of pain. We finished the race, which is not so bad, but I really wanted a good result today at my track and in front of my family and friends. This year I’ve had some reasonable results, but also a lot of bad luck. I’m certainly looking forward to a better season in 2011.” Michael Bartholemy: Team Manager “Scott showed just how far he’s come this season by battling at the front with vastly more experienced rivals in the final race of the year. He lost contact with the leaders when he had a problem with the bike, but showed great determination to work his way back up to the front. Today’s fifth place also lifts Scott to eighth in the championship standings. With current or former World Champions filling four of the seven places above him, I think we can be quite proud of what we’ve achieved together in our first season. I am sorry for Hector, as I know he wanted a good result today in his final race for the team and at his home track and in front of his home crowd. He came into the team at the last minute, with no pre-season testing behind him, and that cost him dear. I would like to thank him for all his hard work this season and I’m sorry that he wasn’t justly rewarded with the results for his efforts.” More, from a press release issued by JiR Moto2 Team: The Moto2 World Championship came to its end in Valencia, where an engaging race saw JiR’s Alex De Angelis immediately close with the leaders before having to settle for 6th place: a good result that ends the positive part of the season he ran with JiR. This final result marks the good relationship that he built with the team and the good feeling he found with the MotoBI. For him this means also the 11th place in the world championship, which is a good result considering the very few races he had run with the MotoBI. Alex De Angelis – 6th place “If we consider how practice went I was expecting to fight for the podium again, but today I had to race more with the head than with the throttle being careful to arrive at the flag with a positive result. I had a not bad start but during the first laps I had some trouble in being competitive on the brakes, other riders saw this and took advantage. However I managed to stay close to the leaders, even if for doing this I had to take my tyres to their limits and at the end the machine slid too much. At that point I preferred to arrive at the end without a crash and I just controlled my position. At the end I consider it a good result, because arriving 6th when we have problems means that we achieved a high level of competitiveness.” It was a good race also for Simone Corsi, who ends in 7th just behind his team mate, after one of his remarkable recoveries from the 20th place on grid. The Roman ends up in 5th place in the world championship, thus celebrating a positive season, marked also by some great leaps and bounds he made together with machine and team. Simone Corsi – 7th place “I’m happy on how the race has gone because we improved the situation we had after practice, I tried to be immediately aggressive and I found the right pace to recover positions until arriving behind De Angelis. My lap times were fast, but not enough to fill the gap I had with the front riders who were riding very, very fast. Unfortunately in the last races I wasted some points and so I end my championship in 5th, which is a good result because we did a great job in development of the bike and I’ve grown on my own. I must be thankful to JiR and TSR, and all other partners, for the high level of professionalism they contributed to myself and the team.” JiR Team ends up his debut season in Moto2 World Championship celebrating the high level of performance reached by the two MotoBI’s that took 4th place in the Manufacturers’ World Championship. The attention moves now to the 2011 season, with the JiR team being thankful to all sponsors and partners that gave the opportunity to build up a highly competitive project, making JiR one of the most important teams in the category. More, from a press release issued by Jack & Jones by Antonio Banderas: Hard Work Rewarded As Kenny Noyes Finishes 2010 In The Points Kenny Noyes saw a year of hard work rewarded at Valencia, as the Jack&Jones By Antonio Banderas rider scored precious World Championship points in the final Moto2 race of the season. The American fought a long, hard race with Jules Cluzel, Gabor Talmacsi and Sergio Gadea, the battle finally taking its toll on the tires, leaving Kenny unable to launch a final attack, and forced to settle for 12th. Kenny’s result at Valencia was a fitting reward after a year that has seen some fantastic highs, but also several difficult lows. The high point of the year was definitely Kenny’s pole position at Le Mans, while the low point was a cold and stormy Phillip Island, with every emotion in between thrown in along the way. In his rookie season on Grand Prix tracks, the vast majority of which he was forced to learn on Friday practice, Kenny still managed to finish 24th overall in the hypercompetitive Moto2 championship. The last race of the year leaves Kenny little time to rest, as the American starts his 2011 season on Monday morning, 10am. Kenny and his Jack&Jones By Antonio Banderas team will get their first chance to test the Suter chassis they have decided to switch to, taking on a fresh challenge heading into a new season and a new year. Kenny Noyes is already chomping at the bit for the 2011 season to get underway. Kenny Noyes 12th, fastest lap 1’37.379 Kenny said: “That was a good, good final race on the Promoharris. I’m so happy to finish in the points; it’s been a year with some really high points and some really tough times also, so to finish the year fighting with Cluzel, Talmacsi and Gadea was good.” “We did a good percentage of the laps in 1’37s, with a 1’37.3 as our fastest time, so I’m real happy with that. At the end of the race we lost a bit of rear grip; everybody was sliding around, but we were sliding around a little more, so I wasn’t able to attack at the end. I think it was one of my best races as far as just being able to hang in there, and know the places on the track where I was getting pulled, know the places where I was better, and be able to stay in the mix.” “I’m really looking forward to tomorrow. We’ve got the Suter in our garage already, and I’ll be able to get a chance to go out there and get a feel for what it’s like. I don’t think it’s gonna solve all my problems, but I know the bike has a lot of potential. Now we’re in the rhythm of the GPs, and we’ve got the track knowledge from this year, so next year we should be much closer to the front everywhere.”