History of the USA Grand Prix Although in recent years there has not been a GP held in the USA, there have been a total of eight Grand Prix events held in the country previously and some facts and figures from the premier-class races at these events are given below: The first two GP events held in the United States in 1964 and 1965 took place at the Daytona circuit, both of which were won by Mike Hailwood. After a twenty-two year break the Grand Prix circus returned to the USA in 1988 at Laguna Seca and ran through to 1994 with the exception of 1992. Of the six premier-class races held at Laguna Seca the only rider from outside of the US who has won is Luca Cadalora. Yamaha riders have taken five victories at Laguna; Eddie Lawson in 1988, Wayne Rainey in 1989, 1990 & 1991 and Luca Cadalora in 1994. The only other successful manufacturer was Cagiva in 1993 with John Kocinski. Honda have never had a victory in the premier-class at Laguna Seca; their best results being second place with Wayne Gardner in 1988 and Mick Doohan in both 1990 and 1991. Suzuki has had riders finish on the podium on three occasions at Laguna; Kevin Schwantz in 1989 & 1991 and Alex Barros in 1993. Of the 18 podium positions available from the six premier-class GP races held at Laguna exactly 50% of them have been taken by riders from the US. At least one rider from the USA has finished on the podium in each of the previous premier-class GP’s at Laguna Seca. Yamaha and the USA have had three pole positions at Laguna Seca with Wayne Rainey in 1988, 1989 and 1991. Australia and Honda have also had three pole positions with Wayne Gardner in 1990 and Mick Doohan in 1993 and 1994. MotoGP facts & figures Following his victory at Assen Valentino Rossi has now finished on the podium at the last ten races. This is the longest run by a Yamaha rider since Wayne Rainey had fifteen successive podium finishes in the 1989 and 1990 seasons, this being a record for a Yamaha rider. Marco Melandri’s second place finish at Assen is his best result since joining the MotoGP class at the start of 2003. Max Biaggi finished on the podium in the 250cc race at Laguna Seca back in 1994 on his way to winning his first world title riding an Aprilia. At the Dutch TT Sete Gibernau finished behind two other Honda riders for the first time since the Malaysian GP last year. Alex Barros is the only rider still competing in Grand Prix racing who has competed in a premier-class GP previously at Laguna Seca. He rode the Cagiva at Laguna in 1990 and 1991 and a Suzuki in both 1993 and 1994. His best result at the circuit was in 1993 when he finished second behind John Kocinski. This was Barros’ first podium appearance riding the Suzuki and it was just two weeks later that he scored his first ever GP win at the FIM Grand Prix at Jarama in Spain. Colin Edwards has been the second Yamaha rider home in each of the seven MotoGP races of 2005. Edwards’ single victory from fourteen races in the World Superbike championship at Laguna Seca came in his final appearance in 2002.