Race Results MotoGP Sepang, Malaysia September 10, 2006 1. Valentino Rossi (Yam YZR-M1), Michelin, 21 laps 2. Loris Capirossi (Duc GP06), Bridgestone, -0.849 second 3. Dani Pedrosa (Hon RC211V), Michelin, -3.863 seconds 4. Nicky Hayden (Hon RC211V), Michelin, -5.780 5. Sete Gibernau (Duc GP06), Bridgestone, -9.301 6. John Hopkins (Suz GSV-R), Bridgestone, -11.081 7. Kenny Roberts (KR211V), Michelin, -11.838 8. Casey Stoner (Hon RC211V), Michelin, -12.267 9. Marco Melandri (Hon RC211V), Michelin, -15.019 10. Colin Edwards (Yam YZR-M1), Michelin, -19.909 11. Chris Vermeulen (Suz GSV-R), Bridgestone, -24.371 12. Carlos Checa (Yam YZR-M1), Dunlop, -30.884 13. Rande de Puniet (Kaw ZX-RR), Bridgestone, -36.335 14. Makoto Tamada (Hon RC211V), Michelin, -48.777 15. Alex Hofmann (Duc GP05), Dunlop, -59.081 16. James Ellison (Yam YZR-M1), Dunlop, -65.787 17. Jose Luis Cardoso (Duc GP05), Dunlop, -97.862 18. Toni Elias (Hon RC211V), Michelin, -10 laps, DNF, Crash 19. Shinya Nakano (Kaw ZX-RR), Bridgestone, -21 laps, DNF, Crash MotoGP Point Standings 1. Hayden, 214 points 2. Pedrosa, 192 3. Rossi, 188 4. Capirossi, 171 5. Melandri, 168 6. Stoner, 109 7. Roberts, 101 8. Edwards, 96 9. Hopkins, 93 10. Nakano, 75 Race Results 250cc Grand Prix Sepang, Malaysia September 10, 2006 1. Jorge Lorenzo (Aprilia) 2. Andrea Dovizioso (Honda), -5.428 seconds 3. Alex de Angelis (Aprilia), -10.225 4. Yuki Takahashi (Honda), -25.669 5. Roberto Locatelli (Aprilia), -31.152 6. Shuhei Aoyama (Honda), -39.936 7. Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia), -50.672 8. Marco Simoncelli (Gilera), -66.107 9. Aleix Espargaro (Honda), -66.556 10. Jules Cluzel (Aprilia), -77.868 Race Results 125cc Grand Prix Sepang, Malaysia September 10, 2006 1. Alvaro Bautista (Aprilia) 2. Mika Kallio (KTM), -3.577 seconds 3. Hector Faubel (Aprilia), -9.904 4. Julian Simon (KTM), -9.974 5. Joan Olive (Aprilia), -11.551 6. Sergio Gadea (Aprilia), -11.588 7. Mattia Pasini (Aprilia), -13.157 8. Gabor Talmacsi (Honda), -13.198 9. Lukas Pesek (Derbi), -13.934 10. Nicolas Terol (Derbi), -15.004 More, from a press release issued by Dorna Sports: ROSSI WINS EPIC DUEL WITH CAPIROSSI IN MALAYSIA Valentino Rossi took victory in the Marlboro Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix after a heart-stopping final few laps at the Sepang circuit saw him and compatriot Loris Capirossi switch positions numerous times before the reigning World Champion eventually ran out the winner. It was an engrossing encounter of epic proportions, which marked another glorious chapter in a stunning MotoGP season so far. The race began with a surprise in the form of Dani Pedrosa, who had been rumoured to be a possible non-starter for the event with several stitches in a deep gash on his knee. However the Spaniard gritted his teeth to take up his fifth place on the grid, and got straight into the race as he blasted into the first corner in first position. Pedrosa was closely followed by Capirossi and Rossi however, and soon the Italian duo had made their way past the rookie. As Pedrosa braved the pain to hang on behind the leaders, behind him his team-mate and championship leader Nicky Hayden struggled to stick with the front three. At the front Rossi and Capirossi both made attempts to escape, but the pace of the pair was almost identical and there was nothing to choose as the race came down to its denouement. The Ducati led the Yamaha as the dogfight entered the final lap, and a six-tenths cushion as he crossed the line bode well for Capirossi. Rossi had other ideas meanwhile, and put in a storming last lap to pass Capirossi in the tight uphill left-hander before pulling out another eight tenths to take the win. Capirossi brought his Ducati home in second, with Pedrosa just a further three seconds behind in third. Nicky Hayden held off mid-race challenges from Sete Gibernau and Casey Stoner to take 13 points in fourth, whilst Gibernau himself was fifth on his return from injury. In the final laps Stoner was overtaken by both John Hopkins and Kenny Roberts Jr. to finish eighth, whilst Marco Melandri and Colin Edwards rounded out the top ten. 250cc Grand Prix Jorge Lorenzo extended his lead over Andrea Dovizioso in the 250cc World Championship to 12 points with victory in Malaysia, although his Italian rival kept up the pressure with a second place. Neither rider was first out of the blocks, with Roberto Locatelli taking the holeshot and controlling the race in the early stages before going off-track. Lorenzo’s team-mate and Malaysian poleman Hector Barbera saw his chances literally go up in flames on lap 2, when a highside from the Spaniard sent sparks along the track. Another contender, Hiroshi Aoyama, pulled up soon after with a mechanical problem. Alex de Angelis stepped into contention, but his involvement only served to increase the gap between Lorenzo and Dovizioso as he put himself in the middle of the championship frontrunners. He eventually finished third, ahead of Yuki Takahashi, Roberto Locatelli and Shuhei Aoyama. Sylvain Guintoli, Marco Simoncelli, Aleix Espargaro and Jules Cluzel completed the top ten. 125cc Grand Prix Alvaro Bautista took win number six of the season today in a shortened 125cc Marlboro Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix, keeping alive the possibility of him raising the 125cc world title in Australia next weekend. Creating a gap on both occasions between himself and second placed Mika Kallio, he extended his lead in the championship to 74 points over the KTM rider. The race was cut to a 12 lap affair after a restart, caused when Mattia Pasini highsided on lap 2 and the unfortunate Andrea Iannone smashed into his prone bike in the middle of the track. Hector Faubel came in third after a back and forth battle with Julian Simon. On the home straight some aggressive riding from the Master MVA Aspar rider took him past his countryman and he crossed the chequered flag first. Joan Olive took fifth, ahead of Sergio Gadea and Pasini, who dropped down the order late on. Gabor Talmacsi and Derbi Racing’s Lukas Pesek and Nico Terol completed the top ten. 1st place – Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) “I pray every week for a race like this, first is great but second would have been nearly as good in a race like that. It’s been one of my favourite races of my career. Myself and Loris are old style riders, very aggressive, however we are always very fair with each other. I played my cards well and, although I won this time, it could easily be Loris next time.” 2nd – Loris Capirossi (Ducati) “When you have a battle like that, to lose is no disgrace. The race was really hard but, as Valentino said, we always race very fairly against each other. I knew he would be faster at the end than me, so I was just hoping for a mistake and pushing him all the way. The championship is still open, we will see, but for now I tried to do my best in this race and we will do so in the next races.” 3rd – Dani Pedrosa (Honda) “I want to thank the medical team, who have taken care of me throughout the last two days. They made it easier to ride in what was a very hard race. I only decided to race halfway through the 250s. I only have five days to rest now, so we will see what condition I am in when we get to Australia.” More, from a press release issued by Marlboro Ducati: RED-HOT CAPIROSSI SCORES SIXTH PODIUM Ducati Marlboro Team rider Loris Capirossi scored a thrilling second-place finish in today’s searing-hot Marlboro Malaysian Grand Prix after a spectacular duel with World Champion Valentino Rossi. Team-mate Sete Gibernau completed a great day for the team, finishing fifth in his first race for seven weeks. Capirossi’s stunning ride was his sixth top-three finish of the year and moved him to fourth in the title chase, 43 points behind leader Nicky Hayden. Starting from the front row of the grid after two days of hard work, the Italian was third after the first lap, moved into the lead on lap three and then settled into an enthralling contest with Rossi, the pair swapping places time and again, the lead changing for the last time on the last lap. Capirossi ended the race 0.849 seconds down on Rossi, having established a new lap record on lap ten. Gibernau hadn’t raced since undergoing further surgery in late July to the left collarbone he broke in June. He came back in fine style, qualifying sixth and finishing just nine seconds behind the race winner. LORIS CAPIROSSI, finished 2nd, 4th overall (171 points) “The whole weekend has been great for us. At the start I overtook a few guys, took the lead and tried to go away but realised I couldn’t. When Valentino overtook me the first time, then Dani, it was because I’d opened the gas too early and lost some grip. But I wasn’t worried because I knew my rhythm was good. The battle with Valentino was great, we overtook each other many times but always in a correct manner. It was easy to win or lose this race, no one could say who was going to win before the last corner, but I think a battle like this is so good for the sport. My problem wasn’t the last corner, it was the one before where I had a bit too much spin on the exit. Now I am ready for the last four races, I know the bike and tyres are good and I know I am strong enough to fight with Valentino. But I’m not thinking about the championship, I will just do my best and then we will count the points. I am really looking forward to Phillip Island, though yesterday it was only eight degrees there…” SETE GIBERNAU, finished 5th, 11th overall (69 points) “That was a perfect return. Once again I’d like to thank everyone for an outstanding job, without them I could never have done what I did today. The team, the guys back home and Bridgestone gave me a great bike and great support, making my life as easy as it could be coming back from an injury. I wasn’t as aggressive as I should’ve been during the first laps, just because I’ve been back home for two months, but I think we needed to do a race like this to come back. I’m very pleased because I regained a good feeling with the bike and I was up there with the guys who are fighting for the championship, that’s what we needed. I was a bit worried about the injury, I was thinking ‘oh man, what’s going to happen?’ but it reacted well. I think the bone is pretty good shape, so all credit to my physical trainer Dani Sune and to the doctors back home. The only thing I don’t have right now is full strength. Now I’m looking forward to Phillip Island.” LIVIO SUPPO, Ducati MotoGP project manager “That was a great race! We must be happy because Loris rode brilliantly and Sete made a fantastic comeback, finishing very close to the leaders. The bike worked very well here, the tyres too, so thanks to Bridgestone, and also to Shell Advance whose input is especially vital in the extreme conditions we experience here.” Temperatures: Ambient: 33 degrees C. Track: 49 degrees C More, from a press release issued by Kawasaki Racing: DE PUNIET SHOWS DETERMINATION AT SEPANG Kawasaki’s Randy de Puniet recovered brilliantly to bring his Ninja ZX-RR home in 13th place in today’s 21-lap Malaysian Grand Prix, after an off-track excursion on the opening lap saw the Frenchman rejoin the race dead last. Both Kawasaki riders got away cleanly at the start, with de Puniet reaching the first turn in tenth place, and Nakano one place further back in eleventh. Keen to close the gap on the leading group of riders, Nakano tried a pass up the inside of his teammate going into turn nine, but was caught out when riders in front braked earlier than expected, leaving him with nowhere to go. Nakano drifted wide, where he collided with his teammate, forcing them both into the gravel trap. The collision caused Nakano to crash out of the race, but de Puniet was able to keep his Ninja ZX-RR upright as he ran deep through the gravel, before rejoining the race in a distant last place. Undeterred, the Frenchman got his head down and was quickly back on the pace, as he worked to close the gap on the rest of the pack. Lapping consistently throughout the race, de Puniet managed to fight his way up through the field, to eventually cross the line in a creditable 13th place. Although disappointed not to have finished higher up the order in today’s race, de Puniet was happy with the consistency of his lap times, which he felt would have resulted in a top ten finish if he hadn’t been forced off the track so early on in the proceedings. Both Kawasaki riders now head for Phillip Island keen to put today’s disappointment well and truly behind them, with a strong showing in next weekend’s Australian Grand Prix. Randy de Puniet: 13th “My start was definitely an improvement over previous races, and I got a good run through the first turn to take tenth place. But then Shinya tried to go up the inside of me on the opening lap, and we collided as he picked the bike up to avoid the riders braking in front of him. I managed to ride through the gravel, but everyone had disappeared into the distance by the time I rejoined the race. From that point on there was little else I could do but put my head down and go for it. I am happy with my performance today, and I’m confident that, without the forced trip through the gravel on the opening lap, I was on for a top ten finish this afternoon. Yes, it’s disappointing, but that’s racing I guess.” Shinya Nakano: DNF “Starting from 12th on the grid I knew I would have to push hard to make up places on the first lap, before the leaders managed to pull away. I set Randy up for a pass on the inside going into turn nine, but then the riders in front of me braked earlier than I was expecting, and I had nowhere to go but to the outside. Unfortunately, that’s exactly where Randy was and I collided with him and put us both in the gravel trap. I’m sorry for Randy and I’m glad he managed to stay upright and continue, but I’m also sorry for the team that I crashed out so early, because they’ve worked so hard all weekend. All I can do is put this behind me, and start focussing on next weekend’s race in Australia.” Harald Eckl: Team Principal “Normally Shinya would expect to start this race from the first or second row, but the cancellation of qualifying, and the fact that he was forced to start from 12th place, meant that he was under pressure to make up places right from the start today. Unfortunately, he pushed just a bit too hard on the opening lap and managed to push his teammate off the track, before crashing out of the race. Obviously it’s disappointing, but these things happen in racing. Randy was quick to bounce back and rode a great race to finish 13th. Without the problem at the start I’m confident he’d have finished well inside the top ten. He’s been unlucky on a number of occasions this season, but when his luck holds out I think he will surprise a few people.” More, from a press release issued by Bridgestone: CAPIROSSI SCORES BRIDGESTONE’S 20TH MOTOGP PODIUM IN SEPANG SIZZLER Malaysian Grand Prix – Race Sepang, Sunday 10 September 2006 Ducati’s Loris Capirossi today scored the twentieth podium of Bridgestone’s short five-year MotoGP history after an epic battle with eventual race winner Valentino Rossi in this afternoon’s thrilling Malaysian Grand Prix. It was a fight to the finish for the duo with Capirossi forced to accept runner-up position after Rossi negotiated his way through for the win on the last of the race’s 21 exhilarating laps. The 20 championship points earned for a well-fought second place in Sepang elevates Loris back up to fourth in the drivers’ classification. He set the quickest lap of the race with a time of 2:02.127, 0.205s quicker than that of race-winner Rossi and 0.866s under the previous circuit record set in last year’s race, underlining the competitiveness of the Bridgestone tyres around the Sepang circuit. Bridgestone’s performance was further proven by a strong drive from Capirossi’s team-mate Sete Gibernau who completed the race in fifth position and set the third best lap of the afternoon. Suzuki’s John Hopkins also drove a strong race from eighth on the grid to claim sixth place by the chequered flag, just 11s from the winner, and add another ten points to bolster his strong ninth place in the riders’ championship. His team-mate Chris Vermeulen also did well to claim 11th position after a difficult weekend. Both Kawasaki riders Shinya Nakano and Randy de Puniet endured a tough first lap with Nakano forced to retire and De Puniet left to make his way back through the field. His Bridgestone-shod Ninja ZX-RR performed consistently over the remainder of the race to help the Frenchman reduce the early deficit to claim 13th place. Bridgestone’s range of tyres have proven more than a match for the rigours of the Sepang track with each of the tyre manufacturer’s three teams regularly among the front-runners in free practice. Bridgestone now hopes to continue its renaissance into the forthcoming Australian and Japanese GPs. Loris Capirossi Ducati Corse 2nd Place: “The whole weekend has been great for us. Valentino and I enjoyed a good battle today with a lot of fair overtaking. It was easy to win or lose this race, but I think a battle like this is so good for the sport. Now I am ready for the last four races. I know the bike and tyres are good and I know I am strong enough to fight with Valentino. But I am not thinking about the championship. I will just do my best and then count the points. In the meantime, thanks to the team and to Bridgestone, they are all working very well.” In attendance today, Akira Nishimura – Bridgestone Corporation – General Manager Motorcycle Racing: “That was truly an exciting race! I would like to convey my appreciation to each of our teams for another strong weekend. Loris’s battle with Valentino was a joy to watch; he and the Ducati Corse team did a great job, but you win some and lose some! In those circumstances, second place feels almost like a victory. This result represents a landmark for Bridgestone by becoming the 20th individual podium result since our first MotoGP podium back in Brazil 2003 with Makoto Tamada. We now look forward to more good results in the coming races.” Junichi Kawajiri – Bridgestone Motorsport – Manager Motorcycle Race Tire Development: “Our tyres have performed very well this weekend, but it has not been an easy race for anyone after yesterday’s rainstorm. In the end, as Loris says, we should not be disappointed to miss out on the win after such an exciting battle. It is great to see Bridgestone tyres in the thick of such action and is a true testament to the competitiveness of our tyres around this circuit. John and Suzuki also showed a good performance this weekend, taking a strong sixth place today. Kawasaki, too, had a competitive package, with Randy making his way from the back of the field to 13th. We will look back on this weekend with memories of a job well done.” Bridgestone Race Results Pos. Rider Motorcycle Race Time Gap Front Tyres Rear Tyres P2 Loris Capirossi Ducati 43m08.678s +0.849 Slick Medium Slick Medium P5 Sete Gibernau Ducati 43m17.130s +9.301s Slick Hard Slick Medium P6 John Hopkins Suzuki 43m18.910s +11.081s Slick Hard Slick Medium P11 Chris Vermeulen Suzuki 43m32.200s +24.371s Slick Hard Slick Medium P13 Randy de Puniet Kawasaki 43m44.164s +36.335s Slick Medium Slick Medium DNF Shinya Nakano Kawasaki No Time +21 laps Slick Medium Slick Soft Weather: Hot and dry with some cloud Air 33°C, Track 49°C, Humidity 23% More, from a press release issued by Fortuna Honda: DIFFICULT RACE FOR THE FORTUNA HONDA RIDERS Marco Melandri is ninth whilst Toni Elias falls when riding a fine race The Grand Prix of Malaysia, the thirteenth round of the season, proved a difficult race for FORTUNA HONDA riders Marco Melandri and Toni Elias. The Spaniard made a magnificent start and quickly climbed up into fifth place having set off from 14th on the grid. Over the first few laps Elias lapped with the lead group, but when they dropped the pace a little he decided to push harder and fell as he chased Stoner and Roberts. Team-mate Marco Melandri also endured a difficult weekend and, as he had during qualifying, struggled to find the ‘feeling’ with his bike that would have allowed him to demonstrate his true potential. Problems with the front end slowed his progress and forced him to settle for ninth and some important championship points. The Malaysian GP was won by Valentino Rossi in front of Loris Capirossi and Dani Pedrosa. The Italian rider of the Fortuna Honda team now sits fifth in the standings with 168 points, some 46 behind the leader Nicky Hayden. His team mate Toni Elias is 14th with 64 points. MARCO MELANDRI (9th): “It was a very difficult weekend – we didn’t manage to solve the problems with the front end at all. I tried to give my best in the race, but I did not feel comfortable on the bike and so I did not risk too much and decided to just claim some points that could prove important in the championship. I am disappointed as I don’t like battling for ninth place, but I hope I will be able to do better in Australia.” TONI ELIAS ( DNF ): “I made a good start, my best of the season, and quickly found a good rhythm. I lapped with the lead group and felt comfortable, but when I tried to push harder as we were entering the first corner on lap 16, I braked a bit too late and lost the front end. It’s a shame because we fell when we were riding a good race and I feel sorry for the team.” More, from a press release issued by Camel Yamaha: ROSSI CONTINUES COMEBACK WITH MAGNIFICENT MALAYSIAN VICTORY Camel Yamaha Team rider Valentino Rossi moved another step closer to the summit of the MotoGP World Championship today thanks to a breathtaking victory in the Malaysian Grand Prix. After starting from pole position the Italian was part of an entertaining battle for positions over the first half of the race before breaking clear alongside compatriot Loris Capirossi (Ducati). Just as they have done on so many occasions in the past, the pair became embroiled in a cat and mouse chase that had the 43,182 spectators on their feet until the very last lap. With half a lap of the Sepang circuit remaining Rossi dived past Capirossi for the final time, opening out a crucial advantage within the next two corners and denying his rival the opportunity to make a last-gasp pass in the final hairpin. Dani Pedrosa (Honda) clinched the final podium position in third place despite riding with an injured knee. Rossi’s victory moves him up to third in the championship, four points behind the Spaniard and 26 adrift of series leader Nicky Hayden (Honda), who finished fourth. Colin Edwards managed a top ten finish despite struggling all weekend to find the appropriate set-up for his YZR-M1 machine at this track. The Texan was up against it as he started out from eleventh on the grid after yesterday’s decision to base the qualifying positions on aggregate free practice times and he struggled to make an impression after losing touch with the leading pack. The series now moves on to Australia for the second of three races in as many weekends before returning to Europe for a tantalizing double header in Portugal and Spain. VALENTINO ROSSI (1st; 43’07.829) “That was another legendary battle between myself and Loris very hard but also very fair. At Brno he escaped but today I was able to hang on to him. When both our bikes are working well it is always spectacular because his performs better in some sections and mine in others so it makes for a beautiful fight. I enjoy racing with him so much because there is a lot of respect between us and a great trust he is probably the hardest rival I have ever had but also one of my best friends in the paddock. At one point I thought I’d got away but then he appeared again and I knew it was going to be a battle to the end. He tried to break free but I stayed with him and I think we passed each other about ten times in the last few laps, it was amazing. I want to say a huge ‘thank you’ to everybody at Yamaha because they virtually cancelled their summer holidays to get this bike working at the maximum again and I was able to push at 100% today. I also need to say another big ‘thank you’ to Michelin, who have worked really hard to help us to get back to this level of competitiveness. For the two Honda riders to finish third and fourth is not ideal but all I can do is keep winning races so that is what I will try to do.” COLIN EDWARDS (10th; +19.909) “We’ve had the same problems since Mugello I don’t have enough rear grip and I can’t push the bike as hard as I need to. This weekend we turned it upside down but still couldn’t find that little bit of grip we need. We’ve been following Valentino a little with the setting and today I had virtually the same as him. I don’t know how he does it, but somehow he does and today I couldn’t. It’s always tough starting from so far down the grid and I tried to make up the ground but from mid-race I was basically riding on my own, trying to cut down the gap to Melandri but without much success. Luckily we have another race in seven days at a place I love so hopefully we can move onwards and upwards in Australia.” DAVIDE BRIVIO CAMEL YAMAHA TEAM DIRECTOR “What an incredible day! Another great race from Valentino and from our part all I can say is that we really enjoyed the show but we’re enjoying the 25 points even more! Valentino never gives up and his performance today was typical of him, I think that says it all. All our staff, from Japan to Italy and here in the paddock, have been working incredibly hard and this is their reward. Colin had a difficult weekend he improved this morning but it wasn’t enough. We’re pleased that we have another race in seven days’ time at a circuit both our riders like so all we can do is keep our heads down, stay focused and do our best to hold on to this championship in the four rounds that remain.” More, from a press release issued by Honda Racing: PEDROSA SQUEEZES HAYDEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP LEAD In another enthralling encounter as a vintage World Championship season reaches boiling point, the Malaysian Grand Prix, played out in front of 43,000 hardcore fans, provided yet another high octane duel won by Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) from the reliably combative Loris Capirossi (Ducati), with red-hot rookie Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda RC211V) third. After the monsoon-aborted qualifying session, this 21-lap dice got underway in a 33-degree heat haze with the track at a steamy 49-degrees. With just four rounds to go after this critical encounter, the stakes were high, and it was inevitable that the lap record set by Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda RC211V) last year would tumble. The American’s 2m 02.993s time was bested by Capirossi as early as the fourth lap, the Italian setting a 2.02.376s time as Rossi, overhauled the holeshotter Pedrosa on lap one to make the early running from the Spaniard with Capirossi third, Hayden fourth and Casey Stoner (LCR Honda RC211V) in fifth. Toni Elias (Fortuna Honda RC211V) made a lightning start from 14th on the grid to hold seventh place on the opening lap. And on the next tour of this demanding 5.548km track, the genial Spaniard was up to fifth. Capirossi meanwhile was working on Rossi, and by lap three he stole underneath him at the final turn to lead. The Italian made some headway until his compatriot Rossi retook the lead and the Ducati man was then passed by the injured Pedrosa for second. Dani was carrying a broken toe and a badly cut right knee, but these injuries did nothing to dampen his desire, although they may have sapped his stamina. By mid-race distance Rossi held a 0.755 second advantage over Capirossi who had by then relegated Dani to third. The mercurial Elias had slipped to ninth before falling and ending his race, while Hayden was holding fourth place ahead of Gibernau. Rossi and Capirossi would then steal away from their pursuers to dispute the victory among themselves. By lap 16 the leading duo had pulled out nearly two seconds on Dani who held a 1.4 second advantage over his team-mate Hayden. In the closing laps the dice for the lead was as furious as anything seen on the sweeping curves of Sepang. On the penultimate lap Capirossi grabbed the lead into turn one until Rossi snatched it back moments later to set up a gripping finale. Capirossi engaged in the final lap with a 0.6 second lead over Rossi. The pair almost clashing fairings on the high-speed back section as Rossi seized the lead again. At the final turn on the final lap on the back chute Rossi ran wide offering Capirossi a chance to pounce, but the hard-charger also ran wide allowing the Yamaha man to clinch the win and revitalise his World Championship aspirations. Dani completed the podium postions with Hayden just behind in fourth place. As the points tally now stands Hayden still tops the table with 214 points to Dani’s 192, with Rossi on 188, Capirossi on 171 and Melandri with 168. Honda heads the Constructors’ Championship with 276 to Yamaha’s 226 with Ducati lying third on 180 points. Dani said, “In the end I got the result that’s the important thing. Also I was lucky that the qualifying practice was cancelled to start from fifth on the grid was really, really important for me today. I have to say thank you to all the guys in the Clinica Mobile because they worked very hard for me and made me believe I could race. They took so much care of me it was a very special job. Thank you to everybody and I will not forget this day.” His team-mate Nicky said, “I felt like I rode my hardest and for that I’m proud, but at this level sometimes that isn’t good enough. I’ve got no excuses the bike, the set-up and the tyres were pretty good, yet we couldn’t quite go at their speed. It didn’t feel great just being off the back that little bit. We’ll keep fighting though there are four races to go and some tracks I really like coming up. We’re still in it, and we’ll keep working hard.” Kenny Roberts (Roberts KR211V), who finished seventh, said, “I got a bad start just didn’t get off the line well, and that put me in a bad place for the entire race. I was overshooting a lot of these slow corners trying to be aggressive. It took me a while to smooth out and by the time I did, I was where I was at.” Stoner, eighth at the flag, said, “I think I had a chance at the podium, especially when I was right on Hayden’s butt early in the race. Then Nicky braked early into the final corner and I nearly hit him, he pulled a gap, and five laps later I was worn out. I was really struggling into the corners under braking, I had to use my upper body too much. The problem started when I jinked my back as the bike wobbled under the brakes, up until then I was gaining on the guys in front.” Marco Melandri (Fortuna Honda RC211V), ninth, said, “It was a very difficult weekend we didn’t manage to solve the problems with the front-end at all. I tried to give my best in the race, but I did not feel comfortable on the bike and so I did not risk too much and decided to just claim some points that could prove important in the Championship. I am disappointed as I don’t like battling for ninth place, but I hope I will be able to do better in Australia.” Makoto Tamada (Konica Minolta Honda RC211V), who managed 14th place, said, “The tyre choice was not good and the front was finished after three laps. That made it a really hard race for me. I like Phillip Island and I must finish well there and try to find good rhythm for Motegi.” “I made a good start, my best of the season, and quickly found a good rhythm,” said Elias, who fell on lap ten, and failed to finish the race. “I lapped with the lead group and felt comfortable, but when I tried to push harder as we were entering the first corner on lap 16, I braked a bit too late and lost the front end. It’s a shame because we fell when we were riding a good race and I feel sorry for the team.” The 250cc race was won by Jorge Lorenzo (Aprilia), who stretched his World Championship lead over his only realistic challenger Andrea Dovizioso (Humangest Racing Honda RS250RW), who finished second. Alex de Angelis (Aprilia) was third. Lorenzo was in charge from the lights and as early as lap two the Spaniard had established a 1.933 second lead over the Honda man who used all his skills to hound the Aprilia rider passing his rival on several occasions rider but one small mistake was enough to give Lorenzo an advantage he held to the flag. Lorenzo has now won seven races in 12 outings this season. He now holds a 12-point lead over Dovi with four races remaining. Yuki Takahashi (Humangest Racing Honda RS250RW), returning from injury, finished fourth and in the Constructors’ Championship Honda has 229 points to Aprilia’s 271. Dovi said, “I lost only five points, but I should have earned some instead; I still believe in the World Championship title, but if I want to win races I have to go away from the beginning. Today I tried everything to keep the lead. I even tried to set the rhythm, but when I had a bit of an advantage I made a small mistake and Lorenzo could catch me up again.” Takahashi said, “This has been a very tough race for me, I think one of the most difficult of my career. After five laps, I started feeling pain in my left arm, and then, after a while, I had to lean it on the fuel tank on the straights. The situation kept getting worse and eventually I started shaking from the effort I was making. Luckily I had a good gap from the other riders who were behind me and this let me finish fourth.” Shuhei Aoyama (Repsol Honda RS250RW) finished sixth and said, “I made a very bad start and then everything became complicated. At the beginning of the race I had trouble overtaking the riders in front of me and once I had managed to pass them, the front group had already opened a gap. For some laps I tried to catch up with them but then I decided to stay in the second group. It’s been a really difficult weekend.” Series points leader Alvaro Bautista (Aprilia) won the 125cc race from his nearest World Championship challenger Mika Kallio (KTM) with Hector Faubel (Aprilia) third. The race was stopped and restarted after a second lap crash at the final turn. But Bautista, who led the first lap from the start, also dominated the resumed 12-lap affair too. Bautista was unstoppable and won comfortably from Kallio who had to fight tooth and nail with Faubel for second. Bautista now has 255 points to Kallio’s 181, with Mattia Pasini lying third with 156 points. Aprilia head the Constructors’ Championship with 278 points to KTM’s 186, with Honda holding third on 132 points. Gabor Talmacsi (Humangest Honda RS125R) was the highest placed Honda finisher in eighth, while Fabrizio Lai (Seedorf Racing Honda RS125R) was 11th. Reigning World Champion Thomas Luthi (Elit Grand Prix Honda RS125R) finished in 13th place. Luthi said, “In the first start I was not so bad but on the first lap I already knew I could not pass faster bikes out of the slipstream. I was going to have to fight with them on the brakes. At the second start it was the same problem and I knew I had no chance. I knew I was able to pass the fastest guys in the corners but I would lose almost one-second down the straights.” Honda GP rider quotes: MotoGP: Dani Pedrosa, Repsol Honda: 3rd. “The result is very good. The big decision today was whether or not I would race, and until the last moment I was still in doubt about it. We chose to race and they gave me one injection to take away the pain. Although I felt the stitches pressing under my leathers, the pain on my knee was gone. In the race my left foot hurt, and so did my left knee but in the right knee I felt no pain. I got a good start but I was expecting the leaders to pull away and I also expecting the lap times to be a little faster than they were. At the end I was very tired my bike had just the basic set-up because I lost time in practice so I was riding on the limit in the race. In the end I got the result that’s the important thing. Also I was lucky that the qualifying practice was cancelled to start from fifth on the grid was really, really important for me today. I have to say thank you to all the guys in the Clinica Mobile because they worked very hard for me and made me believe I could race. They took so much care of me it was a very special job. Also to my team because they helped me to race. Thank you to everybody and I will not forget this day.” Nicky Hayden, Repsol Honda: 4th. “It was quite a frustrating day because we didn’t have enough speed today. We got a little bit behind on Friday and yesterday’s qualifying session was washed out which didn’t help, but the bottom line is the guys in front of me were faster today. I felt like I rode my hardest and for that I’m proud, but at this level sometimes that isn’t good enough. I’ve got no excuses the bike, the set-up and the tyres were pretty good, yet we couldn’t quite go at their speed. It didn’t feel great just being off the back that little bit. We’ll keep fighting though there’s four races to go and some tracks I really like coming up. We’re still in it, and we’ll keep working hard.” Kenny Roberts Jnr, KR Honda: 7th. “I got a bad start just didn’t get off the line well, and that put me in a bad place for the entire race. I was overshooting a lot of these slow corners trying to be aggressive. It took me a while to smooth out and by the time I did, I was where I was at.I just tried to stay smooth. When John (Hopkins) got past and went after Casey (Stoner), I was able to catch Casey too. I passed him, and I wanted to make a run at John, but I needed another couple of laps. Kenny Roberts Senior team owner. “I wasn’t really confident going into it, so I think that was probably the best we could have hoped for. In practice, again we are doing the one or two laps that put us up there, but I think he is disguising at that point some of the weaknesses we’ve got. He was having trouble all weekend getting off the slower corners without spinning, and it just magnifies it in the race, especially after a bad start. When he gets ahead, he’s okay because it slows them down on the corner exit too. We really didn’t have enough time with the new chassis to work that out.” Casey Stoner, LCR Honda: 8th. “I’m not feeling the best, I had a lot of pain in my back from halfway through the race. I couldn’t move my bum across the seat to change direction — the team did their job today, I could not have asked for more, and I just did not deliver on my side. I think I had a chance at the podium, especially when I was right on Hayden’s butt early in the race. Then Nicky braked early into the final corner and I nearly hit him, he pulled a gap, and five laps later I was worn out. I was really struggling into the corners under brakes, I had to use my upper body too much. The problem started when I jinked my back as the bike wobbled under brakes, up until then I was gaining on the guys in front.” Marco Melandri, Fortuna Honda: 9th.”It was a very difficult weekend we didn’t manage to solve the problems with the front end at all. I tried to give my best in the race, but I did not feel comfortable on the bike and so I did not risk too much and decided to just claim some points that could prove important in the championship. I am disappointed as I don’t like battling for ninth place, but I hope I will be able to do better in Australia.” Makoto Tamada, Konica Minolta Honda: 14th. “The tyre choice was not good and the front was finished after three laps. That made it a really hard race for me. I like Phillip Island and I must finish well there and try to find good rhythm for Motegi.” Toni Elias, Fortuna Honda: dnf crash. “I made a good start, my best of the season, and quickly found a good rhythm. I lapped with the lead group and felt comfortable, but when I tried to push harder as we were entering the first corner on lap 16, I braked a bit too late and lost the front end. It’s a shame because we fell when we were riding a good race and I feel sorry for the team. 250cc: Andrea Dovizioso, Humangest Honda: 2nd. “Today I was at the same level with Lorenzo, because I had a good pace. Then, though, De Angelis slowed me down, so I lost few important meters and it was impossible for me to stay close to Lorenzo. I knew this could have happened and Aprilia riders would try to do it. De Angelis did nothing wrong, he did what he was supposed to do, but that overtaking has been decisive for the race. I lost only five points, but I should have earned some instead; I still believe in the World Championship title, but if I want to win races I have to go away from the beginning. Today I tried everything to keep the leader, I knew it was the right strategy to avoid that somebody put himself in between me and Lorenzo. I even tried to set the rhythm but when I had a bit of an advantage I made a small mistake and Lorenzo could catch me up again”. Yuki Takahashi, Humangest Honda: 4th. “This has been a very tough race for me, I think one of the most difficult of my career. After five laps, I started feeling pain in my left arm and, then, after a while, I had to lean it on the fuel tank on the straights. The situation kept getting worst and eventually I started shaking from the effort I was making; luckily I had a good gap from the other riders who was behind me and this let me finishing fourth”. Shuhei Aoyama, Repsol Honda: 6th. “I made a very bad start and then everything became complicated. At the beginning of the race I had trouble overtaking the riders in front of me and once I had managed to pass them, the front group had already opened a gap. For some laps I tried to catch up with them but then I decided to stay in the second group. It’s been a really difficult weekend. We would have needed more time to get everything ready.” Aleix Espargaro, Wurth Honda BQR: 9th. “I’m happy with that race because we have a very good chassis and I was faster in the corners than the people I was racing with. But on the long straights here I was losing time I had problems staying in the slipstream of the factory bikes. Its not the best conditions for us on tracks with long straights. Arnaud Vincent, Molenaar Honda: 11th. “The lap times were not fast and many riders crashed but I just rode a good constant speed and the tyres performed well. We didn’t do so many laps in practice so the chassis set up was not perfect. The engine was better in the warm than the race but I am happy enough with the way I rode today.” Martin Cardenas, Repsol Honda: dnf crash. “I’m very disappointed because it’s been a bad race due to the crash. I made a good start and some riders passed me during the first lap because I wasn’t pushing too hard. In the second lap, in a downward corner I lost the front end and that was the end of the race. Fortunately I’m physically OK.” Arturo Tizon, Wurth Honda BQR: dnf crash. “I’m happy with my race even if I did crash. I was holding a safe 11th place right behind Aleix (Espargaro) but on lap but at the end of the straight West out-braked both of us then crashed right in front of us. I had to run wide to miss him. Then I tried to hard and was wide on one corner got on the gas a little too hard and the ear end went away from me and I had a big slide and high-sided off the bike. I hurt my hand but nothing is broken so I should be fit for Australia. “ Fabrizio Perren, Stop and Go Racing: dnf crash. “I am disappointed with myself for the crash because that would have been my best ever GP result. I was running 11th and catching Cluzel but with a couple of laps to go the front end turned in and I crashed.” 125cc: Gabor Talmacsi, Humangest Honda: 8th. “This has been one of the more tough and incredible race in my career. Two starts put you under pressure and it is difficult both physically and psychologically. Anyway, I did my best, the bike worked well and the team made an excellent job. Despite the Aprilia superiority in the straights, I was able to stay in the top group fighting for the third place. In the last few laps, though, I lost a bit of space as we all riders in the group made some small mistakes, but still I’m the first Honda rider at the chequered flag”. Fabrizio Lai, Seedorf Racing World: 11th. “I had some engine problems durino the restart of the race. I tried to maintain the contact with the leaders of the race but my Honda has less power than Aprilia. Then Koyama, on Malaguti, slowed me down. I lost the leading group and I tried to maintain the 11th position, that pursue me by now!”. Tito Rabat, Wurth Honda BQR: 12th. “I am very happy with my race because yesterday the conditions didn’t help us and I had to start from 26th on the grid. Today we had a very good warm up and I went into the race feeling confident. My start was very good and I got in behind Luthi and passed him. I caught Lai and passed him but late in the race I got a littlebit tired and Lai repassed me. I stayed behind him because I preferred not to crash and finish the race. My bike was really good today and I have to thank my team for all their work.This is the happiest day of my racing life.” Thomas Luthi, Elit Honda: 13th. “In the first start I was not so bad but on the first lap I already knew I could not pass fast bikes out of the slipstream I was going to have to fight with them on the brakes. The second start it was the same problem I knew I had no chance. I knew I was able to pass the fast guys in the corners but I would lose almost one-second down the straights. Then, two or three times the bike would not rev coming off a slow corner and I don’t know why. When Koyama crashed in front of me I had to brake and my race was as good as over. Not a great weekend for the team.” Sandro Cortese, Elit Honda: 17th. “In the first start of the race I was not so bad but on the second lap I lost the front end and crashed. I got a perfect start the second time and was in ninth 10th place but I was pushed wide at one corner and almost high sided and that cost me a few places. Then later on the same lap Di Meglio crashed right in front of me and I had to go onto the grass to miss him. That left me in 22nd place at the end of the lap – race finished!” Michele Pirro, Humangest Honda: 24th. “I’m happy to have finished my first race with the Honda of the Humangest Racing Team. Still I don’t have the best feeling on the bike but it’s positive that I’ve been improving since Friday. At the beginning of the race I wasn’t going too bad, but then I started to struggled and I slow down a bit”. Michele Conti, Seedorf Racing World: 21st. “If I am faster with a wrist and leg pains and a problem to the fork I will make myself beaten before each race! I found the right feeling during the race and I improved my performance”. Bradley Smith, Repsol Honda: Did not race due to injury sustained at Czech Republic GP. Mike Di Meglio, FFM Honda: dnf crash. Joey Litjens, Molenaar Honda: dnf flat rear tyre. More, from a press release issued by Pramac D’Antin: POINTS ONCE AGAIN FOR ALEX HOFMANN AT SEPANG ALEX HOFMANN finished 15th after a difficult race where he gave, as always, his maximum. The German rider once again finished with a points paying position. JOSE LUIS CARDOSO, after a hard and hot day, finished 17th with his DUCATI DESMOSEDICI GP06 “Sat”. Both PRAMAC D’ANTIN RIDERS suffered from a lack of grip that hindered their performance. The next race will be in Australia at the Phillip Island circuit in just one week, on the 17th of September. ALEX HOFMANN #66 (15th): “I did my best and gained important points. My start wasn’t the best, and I was stuck behind some slower riders that took valuable time to pass. Unfortunately, it wasn’t easy for me because during the early laps, even if the tires had been consistent, I wasn’t feeling confident enough to attack. The bike didn’t have the necessary traction for me to exploit the awesome power of my DUCATI. When I passed Ellison I was riding with about the same laptimes of Tamada, who was in front of me but far enough away that I was too late to catch and pass him”. JOSE LUIS CARDOSO #30 (17th): “I am not satisfied. I started well and tried to go with the group of riders in front of me, but I immediately realised that it just wasn’t possible. The bike was still sliding from our grip problems, and ultimately, we were unable to solve the traction issues before the end of the weekend. I completed the race because our team and supporters deserve our maximum commitment and determination to perform at our best.” PAOLO CAMPINOTI CEO PRAMAC GROUP: “I came to Malaysia to support our team. Our commitment is unfaltering this season and we want to end it as strongly as possible. I am confident in our 2007 project, and together with Luis d’Antin, we are working very hard to provide our team with good elements and a competitive package so we can begin to be a protagonist next season”. More, from a press release issued by Camel Yamaha: ROSSI CONTINUES COMEBACK WITH MAGNIFICENT MALAYSIAN VICTORY Camel Yamaha Team rider Valentino Rossi moved another step closer to the summit of the MotoGP World Championship today thanks to a breathtaking victory in the Malaysian Grand Prix. After starting from pole position the Italian was part of an entertaining battle for positions over the first half of the race before breaking clear alongside compatriot Loris Capirossi (Ducati). Just as they have done on so many occasions in the past, the pair became embroiled in a cat and mouse chase that had the 43,182 spectators on their feet until the very last lap. With half a lap of the Sepang circuit remaining Rossi dived past Capirossi for the final time, opening out a crucial advantage within the next two corners and denying his rival the opportunity to make a last-gasp pass in the final hairpin. Dani Pedrosa (Honda) clinched the final podium position in third place despite riding with an injured knee. Rossi’s victory moves him up to third in the championship, four points behind the Spaniard and 26 adrift of series leader Nicky Hayden (Honda), who finished fourth. Colin Edwards managed a top ten finish despite struggling all weekend to find the appropriate set-up for his YZR-M1 machine at this track. The Texan was up against it as he started out from eleventh on the grid after yesterday’s decision to base the qualifying positions on aggregate free practice times and he struggled to make an impression after losing touch with the leading pack. The series now moves on to Australia for the second of three races in as many weekends before returning to Europe for a tantalizing double header in Portugal and Spain. VALENTINO ROSSI (1st; 43’07.829) “That was another legendary battle between myself and Loris very hard but also very fair. At Brno he escaped but today I was able to hang on to him. When both our bikes are working well it is always spectacular because his performs better in some sections and mine in others so it makes for a beautiful fight. I enjoy racing with him so much because there is a lot of respect between us and a great trust he is probably the hardest rival I have ever had but also one of my best friends in the paddock. At one point I thought I’d got away but then he appeared again and I knew it was going to be a battle to the end. He tried to break free but I stayed with him and I think we passed each other about ten times in the last few laps, it was amazing. I want to say a huge ‘thank you’ to everybody at Yamaha because they virtually cancelled their summer holidays to get this bike working at the maximum again and I was able to push at 100% today. For the two Honda riders to finish third and fourth is not ideal but all I can do is keep winning races so that is what I will try to do.” COLIN EDWARDS (10th; +19.909) “We’ve had the same problems since Mugello I don’t have enough rear grip and I can’t push the bike as hard as I need to. This weekend we turned it upside down but still couldn’t find that little bit of grip we need. We’ve been following Valentino a little with the setting and today I had virtually the same as him. I don’t know how he does it, but somehow he does and today I couldn’t. It’s always tough starting from so far down the grid and I tried to make up the ground but from mid-race I was basically riding on my own, trying to cut down the gap to Melandri but without much success. Luckily we have another race in seven days at a place I love so hopefully we can move onwards and upwards in Australia.” DAVIDE BRIVIO CAMEL YAMAHA TEAM DIRECTOR “What an incredible day! Another great race from Valentino and from our part all I can say is that we really enjoyed the show but we’re enjoying the 25 points even more! Valentino never gives up and his performance today was typical of him, I think that says it all. All our staff, from Japan to Italy and here in the paddock, have been working incredibly hard and this is their reward. Colin had a difficult weekend he improved this morning but it wasn’t enough. We’re pleased that we have another race in seven days’ time at a circuit both our riders like so all we can do is keep our heads down, stay focused and do our best to hold on to this championship in the four rounds that remain.”