LORENZO AND ROSSI REUNITED IN GERMANY The Fiat Yamaha Team is reunited at the Sachsenring this weekend, when runaway championship-leader Jorge Lorenzo will be joined by Valentino Rossi after the latter’s six-week absence. Rossi’s recovery from his broken leg in Mugello has gone so well that the reigning World Champion is hoping to return to action earlier than expected, although he will have to receive full approval from the Chief Medical Officer at the circuit tomorrow before he can confirm if he will ride. Wataru Yoshikawa will once again be present and will ride the second M1 if Rossi is unable to. The undulating wooded hills of the Sachsenring brought about another neck-and-neck Fiat Yamaha battle last year, with Lorenzo missing out by the skin of his teeth to his team-mate. This year however Lorenzo comes to the German track as the man-of-the-moment, having won three races on the bounce and an incredible five in total from seven rounds this season. The 23-year-old Mallorcan has only one Sachsenring podium to his name. but he will be planning to add another this weekend as he looks to extend a championship lead that already stands at 52 points. Rossi has missed four races over his injury and currently sits seventh in the championship standings. The 31-year-old has been recovering at home in Italy and has undergone an intensive rehabilitation programme, which has resulted in him being back on a bike earlier than expected. The nine-time champion has produced some masterful displays at the Sachsenring over the years, including a superb race in 2006 when he won from tenth position and he has a total of five wins at the track. The evergreen Italian has had two successful tests on a Yamaha R1 in the last week and has been given the all-clear by his doctors, he just has to await the decision of the event Chief Medi cal Officer tomorrow before he can be sure of riding. Wataru Yoshikawa stood in for Rossi at the last round in Catalunya and the Japanese test rider will be present in Germany this weekend and ready to ride if needed. “Though only one month has passed since Mugello, Valentino is back and I am amazed at the marvellous recovery he has made.” Said the 41-year-old. “I respect his decision to try to ride, and it seems from the R1 test he did that he is still very fast! I am ready to ride if I need to, but it will be good if Valentino is back in his rightful place. I have learnt a lot riding the M1 in a racing environment and I think it will be useful in my future development work.” Jorge Lorenzo “A NICE CHALLENGE” “Sachsenring is a track that I like, but I’ve never won there. It’s the same for Laguna so I’m excited about these two nice challenges before the holidays! Sachsenring is quite a difficult track, with a lot of ups and downs, and it’s also one of the shortest tracks in MotoGP. We don’t know about the weather, it can be very hot there but it would be better than rain. I’m happy Valentino is back, welcome to him!” Valentino Rossi “LOOKING FORWARD TO BEING BACK” “I’m really excited that my doctors think I can ride this weekend. Tomorrow I will see the medical officer and then we will have the final decision. I felt good on the R1 but I know my M1 at the track is a different thing and it will be hard for me, but I miss my bike and my team and I want to try. I am really looking forward to seeing everyone and being back in the paddock; I was tired of being at home! Wataru will be there as well so if there is a problem he will ride my bike again.” Wilco Zeelenberg “WE CAN AFFORD TO BE CAREFUL” “Sachsenring is an interesting track and it’s not one that I know, but it seems Yamaha has a good record there. Jorge has never won, in fact he only has one podium, and I don’t think it’s one of his favourites but he is in great form so we have to feel confident of a good weekend. We have won three in a row and I don’t think we can win every time so as usual our target will be to get onto the podium. We have a 52-point lead in the standings so we can afford to be careful and not to take too many risks.” Davide Brivio “HAPPY TO HAVE HIM BACK” “Valentino has made big effort to be ready to race in Sachsenring this weekend. He really wanted to be back riding his M1 as soon as he could and so he’s worked hard to make his recovery as quick as possible. We expect him to take a couple of races to be up to speed and competitive at the top after his injury, but it’s very nice to see him back with us.” More, from a press release issued by Marc VDS Racing: NEXT STOP SACHSENRING FOR MARC VDS The Marc VDS Racing Team head for the Sachsenring circuit in Germany this week, where they are looking for two strong performances from Scott Redding and Hector Faubel, both of whom were forced to retire from the race last time out in Catalunya. After the four ultra-fast circuits of Mugello, Silverstone, Assen and Catalunya, the Sachsenring track will present a different challenge for the Moto2 riders this weekend. The shortest track on the calendar, the twisty and technical 3.671km Sachsenring circuit features ten left-hand corners and only four rights, all linked by short straights. Probably the most spectacular corner on the whole circuit is the downhill, right-hand turn eight, which will be taken at 200 km/h in fifth gear on a Moto2 bike and has been likened to dropping off the edge of the world. However, it’s turn one that could well prove critical in Sunday’s Moto2 race, as the field of 40 riders negotiate the tight, slow, downhill right-hander for the first time on the opening lap. After both being involved in the first corner crash in Catalunya, Redding and Faubel are both well aware of the dangers posed by such a large field jostling for position on the opening lap around the tight and twisty Sachsenring circuit, where qualifying on the front three rows of the grid will be critical if the expected chaos at turn one is to be avoided. The Marc VDS Racing Team head for Germany and round eight of the Moto2 World Championship off the back of a successful two-day test at Aragon; a track that makes similar demands on both bike and rider as Sachsenring. Scott Redding #45 “Catalunya was a disappointment, but we had a very positive test at Aragon after the race and I’m confident we can bounce back this weekend at Sachsenring. I like the Sachsenring circuit; it’s very different to the last four tracks we’ve raced at in that it’s tight, technical and very demanding. It’s right followed by left followed by right, with only a short straight on which to recover, and the up and down nature of the circuit means you tend to push a little bit harder than you would on the flat. Qualifying on the first three rows will be critical though, as turn one has the potential to be a complete nightmare at the start of the race. If we can’t get through the first turn at Catalunya without a big crash, then there’s not much hope at Sachsenring, where the first corner is much tighter and narrower. We’ll try a slightly different approach to qualifying this weekend, which we hope will result in a better grid position for the race.” Hector Faubel #55 “Catalunya was a big disappointment. We made some big steps forward with the bike in practice and qualifying, only to be taken out at the first turn when Alex Debon crashed. The test at Aragon the following week was a positive one, which was some consolation, but now we must focus on finishing the race in Germany. It will be difficult at Sachsenring, as the track is very tight and twisty and we’ll have 40 riders all battling for track position in qualifying and the race. It will be important to start the race from near the front of the grid, and that needs to be our first priority this weekend.” Michael Bartholemy: Team Manager “Catalunya was a disaster, but the Aragon test immediately after was very positive. Qualifying is going to be more important than ever at Sachsenring, given the nature of the track and the difficulty in overtaking, so this is something that we need to focus on during the two free practice sessions. If we can get both riders onto the first three rows of the grid then we have a good chance in the race. Any further back than that and the opening laps in particular are going to be very difficult indeed. I just hope we don’t get anyone trying to win the race at the first corner this weekend and taking out half the field, as happened at Catalunya. I’ll be happy if we head into the summer break with two top ten finishes at Sachsenring.” More, from a press release issued by Pramac Racing Team: TWO CONSECUTIVE GRAND PRIX FOR THE PRAMAC RACING TEAM BEFORE HALF SEASON SUMMER BREAK With the Grand Prix de Catalunya ended the first triptych of consecutive races on the 2010’s calendar. Now, after a week in which all were able to have a little of relax time, is the time to go back to race in Germany at the Sachsenring track located just a few kilometers away from the Czech Republic border. The Pramac Racing Team has left Cataluña with some regret for a race that could be able to turn the season of the team. The Green Team has still gained four World Championship points which are a meager spoils for the Team that had aimed to get both bikes in the top ten. Sachsenring race will be then the immediately opportunity to recover this result. On this path, the Pramac Racing Team has good memories when in 2004 Barros has conquest the second position. The best result of the following years was a sixth place in 2008 with Guintoli on a wet track. Last year, Mika had a great start, he had comeback some riders going from the tenth to the eighth position in two laps, an d then unfortunately due some technical problems he had to settle for the fourteenth position. The hope is that the rider can get a good result on this track in which he was protagonist in the past with a victory in 2005 riding a 125cc and a second position in 2007 riding a 250cc. Paolo Campinoti – Team Principal Pramac Racing Team “Although up to this point of the season we haven’t had great results, I am happy on how our young Aleix is riding. Him, with his technical staff, is working very well and I am sure that soon the results will be seen on the track. We don’t have to forget that he is the youngest rider of the top category and he still has many kilometers in front of him to improve. Sachsenring’s track is Mika’s preferred track, he has in the past good results, he had won the race in 2005 with 125 and he had finished the race in second position in 2007 riding a 250cc. I hope that he can be fast since Friday’s free practice and that he can give a good result to his team. We are always near him and I’m sure that on this track he will repeat the good performance that he had this year at Jerez.” Aleix Espargarò – Pramac Racing rider “We have to stop thinking about Cataluña’s Grand Prix! These things happen and it’s now time to look ahead. On Sachsenring’s track I had race so far only four times, two in 250cc and two in 125cc, gaining a ninth position as best placement during my rookie season in 2005. These days I had the opportunity to study very closely the track that has a very fast part and another very slow and very driven part. I’ll have to work to be able to get a good position on the starting grid that can allow me to maintain a low gap from the best riders in the first laps.” Mika Kallio – Pramac Racing “The last Grand Prix in Barcelona helped me to understand that I have finally found the perfect condition and that I can now apply myself to totally improve the feeling with my bike. There could be no better track to try to find the feeling and to get immediately good results. Sachsenring circuit is by far my favorite track; I have won here in 2005 riding a 125cc after starting the race from the pole position. In 2007 I also had the pole position, but then I finished the race in the second place. It ‘s a wonderful track, shame that in recent years I have failed to give my best here. Last year, unfortunately I had some problems during the race, I started from the tenth position and in just two laps I managed to take the eighth position. I had a great pace that would allow me to get some other position, but after a few laps some technical problems slowed me. I absolutely have to gain a better placement to dedicate to my team who have always worked hard and always supported me d uring these difficult races.” More, from a press release issued by Indianapolis Motor Speedway: AMAZING ROSSI EYES SPEEDY RETURN TO MotoGP JULY 18 IN GERMANY INDIANAPOLIS, Wednesday, July 14, 2010 After just one more quick medical check, Valentino Rossi should be back home this weekend skimming inches above the asphalt at nearly 200 mph on his Fiat Yamaha Team MotoGP motorcycle. Seven-time MotoGP World Champion Rossi announced July 14 that he intends to cap an amazing comeback from a compound fracture of his lower right leg June 5 in the Italian Grand Prix by competing July 18 in the German Grand Prix at Sachsenring. Rossi must pass one more medical scan July 15 to be cleared to ride. “I’m really excited that my doctors think I can ride this weekend,” Rossi said. “Tomorrow I will see the medical officer and then we will have the final decision.” SPEED will televise the German Grand Prix at 8 a.m. (ET) Sunday, July 18 in the United States. The race return of “The Doctor” will come just 43 days after he suffered the serious fracture in a vicious, high-side crash. It also means that Rossi will ignite MotoGP fans by racing in the Red Bull Indianapolis GP on Aug. 27-29 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He won the inaugural MotoGP event at Indy in 2008. Rossi has tested twice on a Yamaha World Superbike machine during his incredible recovery. He lapped quicker than both this year’s Superbike World Championship pole time and race fastest lap during testing July 12 at Brno, Czech Republic. “I felt good on the R1 but I know my M1 at the track is a different thing and it will be hard for me, but I miss my bike and my team and I want to try,” Rossi said. “I am really looking forward to seeing everyone and being back in the paddock; I was tired of being at home!” Rossi’s Fiat Yamaha teammate, 2009 Red Bull Indianapolis GP winner Jorge Lorenzo, has won three of the four races during Rossi’s absence and leads the World Championship by 52 points over Dani Pedrosa. Rossi has slipped from second to seventh in the standings. There are three American riders in the top 10 of the MotoGP point standings: 2006 World Champion Nicky Hayden is tied for fourth, rookie Ben Spies is eighth, and Colin Edwards is tied for 10th. IMS tickets: Tickets for the 2010 Red Bull Indianapolis GP are on sale now. A new structure offers additional value and flexibility to fans attending the annual MotoGP event. Among the highlights of the new ticket structure are lower prices and single-day reserved and general admission tickets for Race Day, Sunday, Aug. 29. Fans can order tickets online at www.imstix.com, call the IMS ticket office at (317) 492-6700, or (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area or visit the ticket office at the IMS Administration Building at the corner of Georgetown Road and 16th Street. Online orders can be made at any time. Hours for phone orders and the ticket office are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Monday-Friday. General admission tickets provide access to the grounds and to the viewing mounds along the infield section of the circuit, which provide excellent angles to see the greatest riders in the world. Tickets for groups of 20 or more also are on sale. Contact the IMS Group Sales Department at (866) 221-8775 for more information. More, from a press release issued by JiR Moto2 Team: With many races one after another during the last month, the JiR Moto2 Team has had time to take stock and is now ready for the German race with a renewed enthusiasm. Aragon’s tests let riders to see the new track but, most of all, to experiment with new set-up solutions, thanks to the presence on the Spanish track of the TSR’s development rider Yusuke Teshima. In order to continue the MotoBI’s develoment, the Team decided to confirm the Japanese rider on the second bike for next two GPs in Germany and the Czech Republic. The Sachsenring circuit, where Sunday’s eighth GP of the season will take place, is the slowest of the Championship, very technical, with tight turns. It will be important to have a bike which can turn quickly and with good torque coming out of the corners. Simone Corsi: “I was expecting to do a little better in the last three races but we brought forward the machine’s development as well, so we worked hard and I’m confident for the rest of the season. Yusuke’s presence gave us the opportunity to experiment with different technical solutions that will also be tested at Sachsenring, to see if we’ll have the same benefits we registered at Aragon. The circuit is technical and tight, I need to gain a good place on the grid and fight immediately; I’ll be concentrating from the very beginning, to keep up with the competition, which we have seen already this year is very strong.” Yusuke Teshima: “I’m very happy with the opportunity the Team is giving me to run two more races. My dream is to become a regular race rider and this is a chance to show my capabilities and learn from other riders. In Spain, both in the race and in tests, I experienced more from the machine with a set-up which is different to what I’m used to running in Japan. During the two-days test in Aragon I brought on the development of the bike a little and I hope that Simone will take advantage of these improvements. We’re moved forward by little steps because the bike, in its current state, is already a good compromise, we just need to sharpen what we have and adapt to each single circuit’s specific needs.”