FIM MotoGP World Championship Istanbul, Turkey April 30 Race Results: 1. Marco MELANDRI, Honda, Michelin, 22 laps, 41:54.065 2. Casey STONER, Honda, Michelin, -0.200 second 3. Nicky HAYDEN, Honda, Michelin, -5.458 seconds 4. Valentino ROSSI, Yamaha, Michelin, -6.209 seconds 5. Toni ELIAS, Honda, Michelin, -6.587 seconds 6. Loris CAPIROSSI, Ducati, Bridgestone, -16.682 seconds 7. Chris VERMEULEN, Suzuki, Bridgestone, -16.777 seconds 8. Shinya NAKANO, Kawasaki, Bridgestone, -21.537 seconds 9. Colin EDWARDS, Yamaha, Michelin, -22.847 seconds 10. Makoto TAMADA, Honda, Michelin, -30.483 seconds 11. Sete GIBERNAU, Ducati, Bridgestone, -30.543 seconds 12. Randy DE PUNIET, Kawasaki, Bridgestone, -34.284 seconds 13. Kenny Lee ROBERTS, Roberts/Honda, Michelin, -45.112 seconds 14. Dani PEDROSA, Honda, Michelin, -53.525 seconds, crash 15. Carlos CHECA, Yamaha, Dunlop, -59.855 seconds 16. Alex HOFMANN, Ducati, Dunlop, -61.241 seconds 17. John HOPKINS, Suzuki, Bridgestone, -98.628 seconds, pitted 18. James ELLISON, Yamaha, Dunlop, -1 lap, pitted 19. Jose Luis CARDOSO, Ducati, Dunlop, -7 laps, DNF, mechanical MotoGP World Championship Point Standings (after 3 of 17 races): 1. HAYDEN, 52 points 2. CAPIROSSI, 51 points 3. MELANDRI, 45 points 4. STONER, 41 points 5. ROSSI, 40 points 6. TIE, PEDROSA/ELIAS, 32 points 8. NAKANO, 22 points 9. EDWARDS, 19 points 10. GIBERNAU, 18 points 11. ROBERTS, 17 points 12. TAMADA, 14 points 13. VERMEULEN, 13 points 14. CHECA, 8 points 15. HOPKINS, 7 points 16. DE PUNIET, 4 points 17. ELLISON, 3 points 18. HOFMANN, 2 points More, from a press release issued by Kawasaki Racing: MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2006 KAWASAKI RACING TEAM PRESS OFFICE 30 APRIL 2006 NAKANO EIGHTH AS DE PUNIET FINISHES IN THE POINTS Shinya Nakano took a hard fought eighth place in today’s Grand Prix of Turkey aboard his Ninja ZX-RR, while his Kawasaki teammate, Randy de Puniet, crossed the line in 12th place, to claim his first MotoGP race finish. Nakano was forced to fight for position from the off, battling hard with teammate de Puniet and Honda’s Makoto Tamada after a good start from the third row of the grid. Nakano eventually fought his way through to the front of the trio, leaving de Puniet to continue the battle with Tamada, but by that time the group in front had managed to pull out an insurmountable gap on the Kawasaki rider. Undeterred, Nakano focused on lapping consistently aboard his Bridgestone shod Ninja ZX-RR, for which he was rewarded towards the end of the 22-lap race when the high attrition rate at the front saw riders either crashing out, or slowing due to tyre problems. Running in tenth position with two laps to go, Nakano managed to catch and pass Yamaha’s Colin Edwards on the penultimate lap to take ninth place, before being elevated to eighth when Dani Pedrosa crashed out of third place with just over one lap to go. Nakano held the position to the line, after Edwards was unable to mount a challenge on the final lap. Randy de Puniet tried to stay with his teammate when he came past a third of the way into the race, but lost touch with Nakano after being forced into a mistake at the end of the straight as he tried to pass a slowing John Hopkins. Knowing that Hopkins would slow them both through the chicane, de Puniet attempted a pass on the entry to turn 12, but lost valuable time when he ran wide on the brakes. Recovering well, de Puniet was quickly back up to speed and lapped consistently throughtout the remainder of the race, to finish in a commendable 12th place, and collect his first MotoGP world championship points. Shinya Nakano: 8th “I got into a battle right from the start with Makoto Tamada and Randy, which I think slowed us all down, allowing the leading group to get away from us. I think our tyre choice for today’s race was correct, as I was able to keep my lap times consistent throughout the race, and I still had the grip left at the end to push and catch Colin Edwards. I could see I was catching him, but we were equally matched on tyre performance and top speed, so putting in a pass was not so easy. In the end I got him on the brakes going into Turn 10, with a lap and a half to go, to steal one more position. I’m not so happy to only finish eighth today, but if I’m honest, after the problems we had in dry practice here on Friday, it was better than I was expecting.” Randy de Puniet: 12th “From the start the lead group were away too fast for me to stay with them, so I concentrated on riding as consistently as possible to keep the same lap time each lap. When Shinya came past me on lap eight I tried to stick on his tail, but then I was forced into a mistake trying to pass Hopkins at the end of the straight. It looked like he had a problem and was slowing, so I braked deep into the corner in a bid to pass him on the entry. I overshot slightly and that caused me to lose contact with Shinya. I have to admit, while I would have obviously preferred to finish higher than 12th today, I’m happy to have finished my first MotoGP race, as well as picking up my first world championship points this season.” MOTOGP RACE RESULT 1. Marco Melandri (ITA) Fortuna Honda 41’54.065; 2. Casey Stoner (AUS) LCR Honda +0.200; 3. Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda Team +5.458; 4. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Camel Yamaha Team +6.209; 5. Toni Elias (SPA) Fortuna Honda +6.587; 6. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati Marlboro Team +16.682; 7. Chris Vermeulen (AUS) Team Suzuki MotoGP +16.777; 8. Shinya Nakano (JPN) Kawasaki Racing Team +21.537; 9. Colin Edwards (USA) Camel Yamaha Team +22.847; 10. Makoto Tamada (JPN) JIR Konica Minolta Honda +30.483; 11. Sete Gibernau (SPA) Ducati Marlboro Team +30.543; 12. Randy de Puniet (FRA) Kawasaki Racing Team +34.284 More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse: Turkish Grand Prix, Istanbul Park Race Day, Sunday April 30 2006 DIFFICULT DAY FOR DUCATI MEN Ducati Team riders Loris Capirossi and Sete Gibernau endured a challenging race at Istanbul Park this afternoon, finishing sixth and 11th. The result was much less than the team had expected after some promising performances in practice and qualifying. Gibernau had particularly high hopes after placing third in yesterday’s wet qualifier and leading this morning’s dry warm-up. And he looked in superb form in the early stages of the race, leading from the first turn until the end of lap 11, when tyre concerns began to push him down the order. Capirossi, who went into the race leading the World Championship, also had every reason to expect another fine result after qualifying fourth and placing third in morning warm-up. He battled hard throughout, ending the first lap in seventh, then slipping to eighth before fighting back to sixth on the final lap. Capirossi goes into round four in China in two weeks holding second overall, just one point behind Nicky Hayden. The race, run in cool but dry conditions was won by Italian Marco Melandri LORIS CAPIROSSI, finished 6th, 2nd in World Championship “I can’t say I’m happy with sixth, that’s not where we should be. This weekend we were pretty good in the wet but we didn’t have enough time to prepare for a dry race, so it didn’t go as we had expected. Anyway, we are just one point off the World Championship lead and we scored some useful points for what is a very long and difficult championship. We did well to take home what we could, plus we were also the first Bridgestone team at the finish. We knew this track might be difficult, so we came here with many tyres but we preferred not to risk new tyres for the race, choosing what we thought would be best. Now we go to China, which will be another difficult track, so we will keep working like crazy. We started the season in the best way and now we have to maintain that focus and keep doing our best.” SETE GIBERNAU, finished 11th, 10th in World Championship “There’s not much to say really apart from that we had a rear-tyre problem. I couldn’t do anything about it. The bike was working okay and I was feeling comfortable in the lead, but from lap four I started to feel some vibration from the rear. I was thinking about coming into the pits to change the tyre but I decided to keep going. It’s a pity, I was feeling confident.” LIVIO SUPPO, Ducati MotoGP project manager “That wasn’t a great day for us. For sure, we got much less than we expected after practice and morning warm-up. We certainly suffered from having no dry track time yesterday because we couldn’t do any long runs with race tyres, but that was the same for everyone, of course. We knew that we had to keep our feet on the ground after our great results at Jerez and Qatar and we knew this would be a difficult track for us. We must keep our positive attitude, and at least it was great to see Sete lead for ten laps and Loris fight like a lion to gain the 6th position. We know Bridgestone is working hard, as well as all our technical sponsors, first among them Shell Advance. With their support better days will come soon”. Temperatures: Ambient: 16 degrees C. Track: 21 degrees C More, from a press release issued by Dorna Sports: Melandri on top in Turkish MotoGP thriller Grand Prix of Turkey – Sunday 30th April 2006 Marco Melandri was the last-gasp winner of a fantastic Grand Prix of Turkey at the Istanbul Park Circuit, snatching victory from Casey Stoner in the dying moments of the race as the top three made up the third youngest podium of all time in the MotoGP class. The lead changed hands numerous times during the second half of the race, with the Italian repeating his success from last season at the same track. Melandri’s victory came in dramatic circumstances, when it had looked as if it would be a straight battle between Stoner and Dani Pedrosa in a repeat of last year’s 250cc race. However, Pedrosa crashed on the start of the last lap in a heartbreaking moment for the rookie Spaniard. Meanwhile, Stoner was close to becoming the joint youngest winner of a MotoGP race, but the Honda LCR rider had to make do with his first podium in the premier class. In what is only his third race in the class, the 20 year-old Australian was unable to hold off Melandri’s hard pass with three tight corners remaining, and the Italian ran out the winner in the drag to the line. Nicky Hayden, who had been run wide by Melandri when he looked to be shaping up to make an overtaking manoeuvre, continued his run of seven consecutive podium finishes. The third place also put him at the top of the tree in the overall classification, a momentous occasion for the American. Valentino Rossi was largely anonymous at the start of the race, dropping to 14th after running wide. However the reigning World Champion picked his way through the field diligently to come close to taking third from Hayden’s grasp, bringing Toni Elias along for the ride as the pair took fourth and fifth. Loris Capirossi was off the podium for the first time this season in sixth, ahead of pole-man Chris Vermeulen. The Australian did superbly to hold off the field on the first lap, and pushed his Suzuki to the full in order to avoid dropping down the order, eventually clinching a morale-boosting seventh place. Shinya Nakano, Colin Edwards and Makoto Tamada completed the top ten, on a day which was dry apart from a few light drops of rain during the MotoGP race itself. 38,123 spectators had flocked to the Istanbul Park Circuit, and none of them will have left disappointed, with all three races of the highest quality at one of the most exciting circuits on the MotoGP calendar. 250cc Grand Prix Hiroshi Aoyama took KTM’s first ever victory in the 250cc class after one of the most breathtaking final laps of all time. The KTM rider was overtaken by both Alex de Angelis and Hector Barbera on either side, and had the spectacular sight of both riders colliding. De Angelis made a miraculous save as he pulled the bike from the brink before going off onto the grass and slowing on the run-off area. Barbera fared better from the manoeuvre, keeping his bike going to take second place. Andrea Dovizioso, who had exchanged the lead on a number of occasions with Barbera, De Angelis and Aoyama, completed the podium places, and now leads the championship by two points. After a first corner melee knocked pre-race championship leader and favourite Jorge Lorenzo out of the race on the first corner, there was a guaranteed new winner for the 2006 season. Roberto Locatelli once again made a dramatic comeback through the field, and would eventually finish the race in fourth, Yuki Takahashi and Sylvain Guintoli completed the top six. 125cc Grand Pirx The Master MVA Aspar Team took all three podium places at the 125cc Grand Prix of Turkey at Istanbul Park. Hector Faubel headed the charge with a superb dive past his team-mate Alvaro Bautista in the closing stages to take his first win of his career. Bautista had led for most of the race, occasionally exchanging positions with Mika Kallio before the Finn’s KTM broke down on lap 16. Sergio Gadea completed the first ever all-Spanish podium in 125, ahead of Simone Corsi, Joan Olive and Gabor Talmacsi. There were also top ten finishes for Lukas Pesek, Lorenzo Zanetti, Tomoyoshi Koyama and Angel Rodriguez. Rider Quotes: MotoGP 1st, Marco Melandri (Honda) : “I had problems in the first part of the race, and couldn’t push during the first part of corners. When I pushed a bit more I was able to pass Casey. Coming after that exciting 250cc race, which had everyone excited, I’m glad that we could have such a spectacular MotoGP race. I need to thank my mechanics and Michelin, I’m so happy to be here and it’s thanks to them that I have earned the win. Casey was strong and it was very difficult.” MotoGP 2nd, Casey Stoner (Honda) : “I was as close as I could have got to the win I think. I want to thank my team so much for this, we worked hard in the test after Jerez and things really started to come together. In the press conference this week Valentino said that maybe I didn’t have the experience with worn tyres, but I had to correct him and say that in Qatar I had the flu. I’m happy to be on the podium, even though I couldn’t quite break that youngest rider record.” MotoGP 3rd, Nicky Hayden (Honda) : “To be leading the championship is something to be proud of, but like I said in Qatar it would be nice to get a win on this long run of podium finishes. Before the race the tyre warmer melted to the disc, and I think this caused some problems later on. I was pushing and pushing, but at the end of day I just couldn’t get it done. Man it was exciting. All in all I think it was a pretty good weekend, we’ll run with it and put the heat on them next time.” 250cc 1st, Hiroshi Aoyama (KTM) : “It was somewhat dangerous what happened on the final lap. I was pushing all time, and the bike performed well to help me on my way. Dovi opened the door, I went inside, and I was able to avoid the two coming round from the left and right. I’m so happy for this result, both on my own behalf and for KTM.” 250cc 2nd, Hector Barbera (Aprilia) : “The team did a good job, we’ve not had a lot of luck in the past few races. I touched De Angelis at the end of the race, but this is racing, everyone’s pushing and accidents happen. My dream is reality, and I’m really happy.” 250cc 3rd, Andrea Dovizioso (Honda) : “It was very dangerous, and it seems to be the same riders involved in incidents like this all the time, De Angelis and Barbera. I think that at the speeds we were going, it is too risky to make such manoeuvres. For me third position is good for the championship, in a race which was like a 125cc Grand Prix.” 125cc 1st, Hector Faubel (Aprilia) : “The race has been very difficult but satisfying. I couldn’t use engine to full potential and I had a little problem with my front tyre, but I managed to overcome it for victory. I made move on my final lap to take my first Grand Prix win, I’m absolutely delighted.” 125cc 2nd, Alvaro Bautista (Aprilia) : “It was hard to enter the corners with my rear tyre, I had a battle with Kallio and when I saw him break down I could breathe a sigh of relief. I tried to make space between me and Hector, but in the end I couldn’t open the gas enough in the final corner and he overtook me. It’s another 20 points though, which can only be a positive for the championship.” 125cc 3rd, Sergio Gadea (Aprilia) : “It was one of the most difficult races of my career. I started in 16th but got off well. I saw Pasini and Kallio falling but I was at the back of the group. I went all out but I wasn’t expecting a podium place. It has been a great day for me to finish third.” More, from a press release issued by Bridgestone: Istanbul April 30th, 2006 Turkish Grand Prix Capirossi continues title challenge on tough day for Bridgestone Bridgestone rider Loris Capirossi kept himself among the early front-runners in the MotoGP world championship with a battling ride to sixth place in today’s Grand Prix of Turkey at the Istanbul Park. Capirossi surrendered his world championship lead but a gritty ride in a tough 22-lap race leaves him trailing series leader Nicky Hayden by a solitary point with three races of the season completed. Battling fading rear grip in the second half of the race, the 33-year-old Italian completed his 100th point-scoring finish in the premier class when he claimed sixth place from impressive Bridgestone rider Chris Vermeulen on the final lap. Today’s race, run under grey and gloomy skies, started in brilliant fashion for Bridgestone with Capirossi’s Ducati team-mate Sete Gibernau leading a thrilling race for the opening 10 laps. For the first three laps Bridgestone occupied the first three places with Suzuki team-mates John Hopkins and Vermeulen also in early contention. All three were to drop down the field though in the latter stages of the race, Gibernau eventually claiming 11th. Although results in today’s race didn’t reach the dizzy heights of the opening two rounds where Capirossi claimed a victory in Jerez and a third place in Qatar, Bridgestone still claimed a second pole position in three races thanks to a stunning display of wet riding from Australian Vermeulen on board his Suzuki GSV-R. In a faultless display of controlled aggression in treacherous conditions, Vermeulen claimed pole in only his third race for Bridgestone. And he showed his growing confidence by scoring seventh in today’s race to register his best MotoGP result. Saturday’s performance in rain conditions has given Bridgestone engineers confidence that wet tyre performance has drastically improved from 2005, with six out of the top eight grid places in the wet going to Bridgestone riders. Loris Capirossi Ducati Corse Team 6th position “Today was a difficult day for us but we understood the position from Friday because we didn’t have enough time to test all of the tyres to understand what would happen during the race. In the rain conditions we found a good setting and a good tyre capable of doing a lot of laps so Bridgestone has improved the wet tyres. But today it was dry. I had a difference choice of rear tyre from Sete but neither was enough for us to be really competitive for the whole of the race. It’s not too bad anyway because I still managed to score some good points and I’m the first Bridgestone rider for the third successive race. We want to be better than that though and for sure we have to work a lot for the next race in China. We know Shanghai is not the best track for us also.” Hiroshi Yamada – Motorcycle Racing Manager Bridgestone Motorsport “Today was not a good one for us. This track was one of the worst for us last season but we expected better results. Clearly the tyres did not work so well, especially in the second half of the race. We now have to analyse the data to understand the reason why we had some problems. We missed a day of dry track time on Saturday and that didn’t given us much time to choose the correct tyre for the race. The rain yesterday meant we didn’t do many distance runs on the tyres on Friday, and while it was fantastic that Chris gave us another pole position, the race result shows we still have to develop and improve. The first two races were very positive but now we have to look to Shanghai to get back on track. We are certainly not going to give up.” Bridgestone Results: 6 Loris Capirossi (ITA), Ducati 42.10.747, 7. Chris Vermeulen (AUS) Suzukii, 42.10.842, 9,Shinya Nakano (JPN) Kawasaki, 42.15.602, 11, Sete Gibernau (SPA) 42.24.608, 12 Randy de Puniet, 42.28.349, 17, John Hopkins (USA) Suzuki, 43.32.693 Temperature Track, Air, Weather Afternoon 21 C, 16 C, Cloudy More, from a press release issued by Fortuna Honda: SPECTACULAR VICTORY FOR MELANDRI AT ISTANBUL Toni Elías takes fifth in his 100th GP appearance FORTUNA HONDA’s Italian rider Marco Melandri took victory in the Grand Prix of Turkey for the second successive season today. After a race-long battle with a host of fellow Honda riders, Melandri emerged victorious to seal the top step on the podium – just as he had done in last year’s race, his maiden MotoGP win. Marco, who started from fourteenth on the grid, rode intelligently throughout the race and after maintaining his pace until the final lap he was able to make the most of his outstanding talent to grasp the trophy every MotoGP rider wants to get his hands on. His team-mate Toni Elías, who started from twelfth place on the grid, produced a spectacular fightback of his own, chasing reigning World Champion Valentino Rossi all the way to fifth place. The Spaniard, making his 100th Grand Prix appearance today, once again showed his enormous potential on the Honda RC211V. The Spaniard scored the new record of the track during the 21st lap with an incredible 1’52″877. After a tough second day of practice, which included a wet qualifying session, both riders were able to emerge from a difficult situation in magnificent fashion. Tomorrow Marco Melandri will stay on at the Turkish track for a day of tests ahead of the next round of the season, which takes place in China in two weeks’ time. MARCO MELANDRI 1st in the race, 3rd in the championship on 45 points : “That was an incredible race! I really enjoyed myself but it wasn’t easy – it was never going to be starting from fourteenth place at a circuit like this. I got a good start and that allowed me to manage the race better. The first few laps were tough but I tried to go with the front group and then had two really nice battles with Pedrosa and Stoner, two really young but strong riders. They added a really spectacular aspect to the race. At the end I decided it was time to attack Stoner and I think I made my experience count, which along with the performance of the Michelin tyres was enough for the victory. I’m so happy – to win for the second time at a circuit like Istanbul is incredible. I want to say thanks to Fortuna, Michelin and Honda and I dedicate this win to them. I’m happy but we have to keep working really hard to celebrate more success together!” TONI ELIAS 5th in race, 7th in the championship on 32 points: “I didn’t get a good start but bit by bit my rhythm improved progressively and as the laps went by and the fuel tank got lighter I got more comfortable with the bike. Together with Valentino we cut through the pack and that helped me to finish fifth. On the final lap I tried to pass him but it was impossible. I’m satisfied with the way the race turned out but I’m still not quick enough over the first few laps so I have to work on this. I want to congratulate my team-mate Marco for his great performance today.” MOTOGP RACE 1. M.Melandri (Ita/Honda) 2. Casey Stoner (Aus/Honda) 3. N.Hayden (Usa/Honda) New Circuit Record circuito 2006 Toni Elias 1’52″877. More, from a press release issued by Camel Yamaha: ROSSI RECOVERY FOILED IN TURKISH THRILLER Camel Yamaha Team rider Valentino Rossi made up valuable points in the MotoGP World Championship title chase after charging from eleventh place on the grid to take fourth overall in today’s Turkish Grand Prix. Despite making a quick start from his lowly grid position, the Italian made a mistake on lap two and dropped as far back as twelfth. However crucial changes made to the setup of his YZR-M1 before the race then allowed him to pass no fewer than seven riders, as he lapped at the same pace as the leading group over the course of the race. By the time he had made his way through the pack it was too late for the Italian to challenge for the podium but a crash for Dani Pedrosa (Honda) on the final lap boosted his final position to fourth. Today’s result makes Rossi the highest point-scorer of all time in the Grand Prix World Championship, overtaking Max Biaggi. Rossi’s Camel Yamaha team-mate Colin Edwards made a decent start and remained in touch with the leaders for the opening laps but was unable to make any further progress and ended the race in ninth the same position he had started from on the grid. At the front Marco Melandri (Honda) repeated his win from last season but was pushed all the way by Casey Stoner (Honda), who led the race until three corners from the end, when Melandri made his definitive pass. Nicky Hayden (Honda) was left to snap up the final podium position after Pedrosa’s misfortune, the Spanish youngster tumbling out at turn one on the final lap when attacking Melandri and Stoner. VALENTINO ROSSI (4th; + 6.209) “I got a good start off the line but I had been thinking about the first corner incident at Jerez and what had happened to Lorenzo in the 250 race, so I decided to go to the inside and it cost me four or five places. I made the positions back by the end of the first lap but I made a mistake under braking on lap two and lost three seconds and the chance for a podium today. We have had so many problems this weekend but we solved some of them in time for the race with some big modifications after the warm-up this morning and then the bike was okay, especially in the second half of the race when I really enjoyed riding it. It will be interesting to see how much more progress we can make in the test tomorrow because it is a long championship and the most important thing right now is not where we are in the standings or the points difference to the leader the priority is to get the bike working as we know it can. This is a tough series and when you have problems you don’t lose one or two places, you lose ten. It looks like there was a great battle at the front it’s a shame I wasn’t involved! Looking at the championship right now I would say the top seven all have a chance to win the title but there is a long way to go yet.” COLIN EDWARDS (9th; + 22.847) “We didn’t get it done at all this weekend and we need to sit down and work out why. It was always going to be a tough race today but I just didn’t have the feeling or confidence with the bike to go out and battle with the guys we should be running with, which is the front group. We’ve got a test tomorrow and I’m keen to get out there and get as many laps in as possible. It’s hard to overcome problems like the ones we’re experiencing now because you don’t get enough time during a Grand Prix weekend, so we’ll get as much data together as we can before China. We simply have to come up with something for there because this situation can’t go on for any longer.” DAVIDE BRIVIO CAMEL YAMAHA TEAM DIRECTOR “Looking at Valentino’s race pace he could have easily been on the podium today, or even won the race, which is a big plus point for us considering the problems we have had. On lap three he was seven seconds down but he finished closer to the winner than that, despite having to fight past so many riders. Even so this has not been a satisfactory weekend for us and we know we still have a lot of work to do, starting in tomorrow’s test. We have two very positive riders and this mood runs all the way through the team, so we will be working very hard tomorrow. The changes we made to Valentino’s bike today are encouraging but now we have to further this development. It was a tough Grand Prix but we have come out of it with many positives.” More, from a press release issued by Honda Racing Information: HONDA MEN MONOPOLISE PODIUM IN MOTOGP THRILLER This will be remembered as the race when the 2006 rookies showed the grid precisely why they’re riding in MotoGP. Marco Melandri (Fortuna Honda RC211V) won the race from Casey Stoner (LCR Honda RC211V) with Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda RC211V) third. But Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda RC211V), who fell on the last lap, was another sensation in a compelling race. After yesterday’s rain, the clouds threatened but failed to deliver another deluge and the 22-lap MotoGP contest got underway in dry conditions. Poleman Chris Vermeulen (Suzuki) got the holeshot into turn one followed by Sete Gibernau (Ducati) and early front man John Hopkins (Suzuki). But behind this early lead trio lay the eventual bosses of this race: Hayden in fourth, then Stoner and Melandri. Dani, who started from row six after a fruitless qualifying effort had already fought his way his way to 13th by the end of lap one. Melandri, who endured a fifth row start after an equally troubled qualifying performance had shot up to sixth via a lightning-quick launch. Gibernau had assumed the lead by the end of lap one with Hopkins and Vermeulen in second and third followed by Stoner, Melandri and Hayden. Dani was still scything though the field and by lap three he lay ninth. He then set an early fastest lap of 1m 53.884s on the next circuit of the 5.430km track. As Vermeulen dropped off the pace Stoner, Hayden and Melandri matched it, then bettered it to put the chase on the lead duo of Gibernau and Hopkins. As the early pressure began to tell, the group of nine riders who had been covered by just three seconds in the early laps began to drift further apart. Gibernau still held the initiative at the front, but Stoner’s pressure on Hopkins began to tell and by lap eight, the order was Gibernau, Stoner, Melandri, then Pedrosa, who had now slotted in another fastest lap of 1m 53.305s. By lap ten Dani was third. Exactly on mid-race distance the pattern was set as Gibernau faded and Melandri led the pack into turn one on lap 11. Pedrosa lay second, Hayden third and Stoner fourth. Then Dani turned the screw and stole the lead from Melandri at the final turn complex at the end of lap 11. Four Honda riders now controlled the race from the front and with eventual fourth-place finisher Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) sitting in fifth, more than six seconds adrift of the leaders, it was clear that, barring a mass crash, the podium places would be disputed among the fast foursome. With three laps to go Stoner held a 0.6 second advantage over Melandri, with Pedrosa in close attendance and Hayden losing touch by a second and a half as the finale loomed. Melandri had tasted his first ever MotoGP win here last year and there was a feeling his experience might count on the last lap. Sure enough mistakes were made. Dani lost the front on the entry to turn one and crashed out to remount and finish 14th. It was a sad end to a glorious ride. Stoner now had only Melandri to deal with, but ‘Macio’ is a tough customer with two years’ experience in the class. He made it tell with a rugged out-braking manoeuvre into the final complex and Stoner could do nothing to resist. Melandri said, “I thought that would be a good race and I was right. But from row five I had no idea I’d be involved at the front. I got a really good start and the bike was great in these conditions on the day. But Casey is hard to beat and now it’s going to get harder and harder, he rode amazingly well today.” Stoner seemed happy with second, even though he so narrowly missed out on matching the record of Freddie Spencer as the youngest ever winner of a premier class race at 20 years and 196 days old. He said, “I didn’t know how big the group was, and when I realized there was only a few of us, I ran the race knowing I’d have to close on people at some stage. It was great riding with all those others and seeing how much they all move about. You’ve got to be a bit careful with these bikes because they don’t stop as fast as a 250 either.” Nicky was sanguine about his third place. “I had a front brake problem on the startline when the tyre warmer melted onto one of the brake discs. The brakes were never right and I was missing apexes everywhere. I couldn’t get into a rhythm so I’m a bit disappointed overall. But I suppose leading the World Championship by a point is a consolation.” Dani said, “Until the last lap I think the race was good. I got a good start and recovered a lot of positions at the beginning. Then I got into a very good rhythm and I was able to overtake riders and catch the leaders, which was the main plan before the race. Near the end it was difficult because I lost some time and there was a little gap to the leaders so I was not completely with them. Then I crashed as I was entering the first turn. I’m sorry for my team because they were really good for the whole weekend.” Toni Elias (Fortuna Honda RC211V), in fifth, said, “I didn’t get a good start but bit-by-bit my rhythm improved and as the laps went by and the fuel tank got lighter I got more comfortable with the bike. Together with Valentino we cut through the pack and that helped me to finish fifth. On the final lap I tried to pass him but it was impossible. I’m satisfied with the way the race turned out but I’m still not quick enough over the first few laps so I have to work on this. I want to congratulate my team-mate Marco for his great performance today.” Makoto Tamada (Konica Minolta Honda RC211V), in tenth, said, “After a good start I risked crashing at the first corner and for this reason I lost some positions. I did not have very good grip with the rear tyre so I was never been able to run at a particularly quick pace. Although I did manage to overtake Gibernau quite near the end, in the last series of corners preceding the straight. In comparison to Qatar, the positive note is that the feeling with my RC211V seems to be about to return to a good level.” Kenny Roberts (Roberts KR211V), 13th, said, “I had to struggle out there today I just didn’t have the reserves. I was running low 1m 56s lap times and it was only at the end that I started running consistent laps in 1m 55s. In fact I set my fastest lap time with two laps to go. We just don’t have the corner entry speed we need. We don’t have grip, it’s as simple as that. We have the same engine and tyres that won the race so we have work to do.” The points table now shows Hayden on 52 points, Loris Capirossi (Ducati) on 51, Melandri with 45, Stoner on 41, Rossi with 40 and Dani and Tony Elias tied on 32 each. Former Honda man Hiro Aoyama (KTM) won a pulsating 250cc race from Hector Barbera (Aprilia) in second with Andrea Dovizioso (Humangest Racing Honda RS250RW) third after a race-long six-rider battle for supremacy. This was truly a vintage quarter-litre encounter. Series points leader Jorge Lorenzo (Aprilia), two times winner so far this season, was taken out in a turn one crash on the opening lap. He was hit by Shuhei Aoyama (Repsol Honda RS250RW) in a multi-bike melée and took no further part in the race. After the turn one chaos, the intensity never faded. Dovi, Barbera, Hiro Aoyama, veteran Roberto Locatelli (Aprilia), Yuki Takahashi (Humangest Racing Honda RS250RW) and Alex de Angelis (Aprilia) rode in and out of each other’s wheel tracks for an entire race with the rest of the field in limbo. Sometimes they clashed, sometimes they out-braked themselves trying to shake off the attentions of each other, but inexorably, they prepared to fight each other on the final lap. As they exited the fearsome turn 11 on the final lap, four riders were fighting for the same stretch of tarmac and contact was made. De Angelis clashed with Barbera and his machine left the track, he stayed on and eventually halted on the tarmac run-off at the bottom of the hill all from 160mph. Meanwhile Dovi, Barbera and Aoyama slugged it out into the complex with Aoyama emerging on top as they took the flag. Dovi is still searching for that elusive first win in the 250cc class, as is De Angelis but what a race. Dovi said, “I’m happy to be the leader of the Championship, but I’m not satisfied with today’s third place. I’m quite constant in terms of results and I know I can stay in front, but I want to win and at the moment we are not quite doing it.” His team-mate Takahashi said, “I started well and I tried to stay with the front group, but my lap times weren’t good enough. At the middle stage of the race, the rear tyre started to lose grip and it was difficult for me to overtake. I made a small mistake during the last lap and I lost time, increasing the gap with my rivals. I can do better next race.” The overall World Championship table shows Dovizioso in the lead with 52 points, Lorenzo on 50 and Hiro Aoyama with 46. Hector Faubel won the 125cc race from Alvaro Bautista with Sergio Gadea (all Aprilia) in third. Gabor Talmacsi (Humangest Honda RS125R) was running as high as fifth in the early stages before he faded to finish sixth. He said, “Unfortunately, we haven’t sorted out the suspension problems we’ve been having since the first race. The rear suspension doesn’t work well along with the tyre and so after few laps the bike starts to lose grip. This happened today. I started well but then I had to slow down. Anyway, we are not so far from the top riders and 10 seconds is not a big gap. I’m happy to be the first Honda rider.” Reigning World Champion Thomas Luthi (Elit Grand Prix Honda RS125R) finished 12th and said, “I got a good start and could hold my position in the group easily. But when the tyres started to go I was having a lot of slides particularly in the four left hand corners. I just could not run a good corner speed. On the last lap I out-braked the riders in the group I was with but at the last corner I had a slide and was too low in the corner and they got me before the line.” Bautista currently lead the World Championship points table with 70 points to Faubel’s 45. HONDA TEAM QUOTES: MotoGP: Marco Melandri, Fortuna Honda: 1st : “That was a fun race! I really enjoyed myself but it wasn’t easy it was never going to be starting from fourteenth place at a circuit like this. I got a good start and that allowed me to manage the race better. The first few laps were tough but I tried to go with the front group and then had two really nice battles with Pedrosa and Stoner, two really young but strong riders. They added a really spectacular aspect to the race. At the end I decided it was time to attack Stoner and I think I made my experience count, which along with the performance of the Michelin tyres was enough for the victory. I’m so happy to win for the second time at a circuit like Istanbul is incredible. I want to say thanks to Fortuna, Michelin and Honda and I dedicate this win to them. I’m happy but we have to keep working really hard to celebrate more success together!” Casey Stoner, LCR Honda: 2nd: “That was more like a125 race and this result is a great feeling because I have proved to myself and everyone else that I can race up front in MotoGP. I feel have answered some of my critics today. I was expecting Marco to try and pass at the end of the straight because wasn’t that confident at that point, I had crashed there a couple times over the weekend. I knew I could be on the podium and I didn’t want to risk the 20 points. My crew chief Ramon and the team did a great job, we work very well together and I have been getting amazing support from Honda and Michelin.” Nicky Hayden, Repsol Honda: 3rd: “It was a wild race. Everyone was riding super-aggressive and fighting for position but nobody was doing any bone-head stuff. So I enjoyed the race. I had a bit of a problem on the starting line when one of the tyre warmers melted to the front disc and I thought about coming into the pits on the warm up lap. The brakes actually came in pretty good, but all through the race I felt a bit sloppy on the brakes it didn’t feel perfect. Although the other guys were riding real fast and breaking really deep, so perhaps that’s what it was it! At the end I just didn’t get it done, I make no excuses. The Repsol Honda team really did a good job and the Michelins worked very well today. I’m really happy to keep the podium streak alive and leading the world championship is something to be proud of – it’s a good accomplishment for me – but it’s only three races in so I’m not going to jump up and down just yet. I’ve gotta keep working hard and stay focused and really I’ve gotta win races if I’m going threaten for the title.” Toni Elias, Fortuna Honda: 5th: “I didn’t get a good start but bit by bit my rhythm improved progressively and as the laps went by and the fuel tank got lighter I got more comfortable with the bike. Together with Valentino we cut through the pack and that helped me to finish fifth. On the final lap I tried to pass him but it was impossible. I’m satisfied with the way the race turned out but I’m still not quick enough over the first few laps so I have to work on this. I want to congratulate my team-mate Marco for his great performance today.” Makoto Tamada, Konica Minolta Honda: 10th: “After a good start I risked to crash with other riders at the first corner and for this reason I lost some positions. Apart from this inconvenient, I found myself in a group of riders who have been able to recuperate positions. I, instead, was not having a sufficient grip with the rear tyre, for this I have never been able to turn with a particularly quick pace. I overtook Gibernau quite at the end, in the last series of corners preceding the straight. In comparison to Qatar, the positive note is that the feeling with my RC211V seems to be about to return to a good level”. Kenny Roberts Jnr, KR Honda: 13th. “I had to struggle out there today I just didn’t have the reserve. I was running low 1m 56s lap times and it was only at the end that I started running consistent laps in 1m 55s. In fact I set my fastest lap time with two laps to go. We just don’t have the corner entry speed we need. We don’t have grip, it’s as simple as that. We have the same engine and tyres that won the race so we have work to do. As ever we are trying to develop at the race track so the bike is different every time I ride it. The problem is a combination of sliding while braking into the corner, the weather changes and my inexperience with the bike and me having to ride it better” Dani Pedrosa, Repsol Honda: 14th: “Until the last lap I think the race was good. I got a good start and recovered a lot of positions at the beginning. Then I got into a very good rhythm and I was able to overtake riders and catch the leaders, which was the main plan before the race. Near the end it was difficult because I lost some time and there was a little gap to the leaders so I was not completely with them. Then I crashed as I was entering the first corner – maybe I had a little movement at the back of the bike – and the I lost the front end. Fortunately I was able to pick the bike up and finish in 14th place, so at least I got two points. I’m sorry for my team because they were really good for the whole weekend and maybe I was not fully concentrating on the job because two mistakes and two crashes this is a lot for me.” 250cc: Andrea Dovizioso, Humangest Honda: 3rd: “I’m happy to be the leader of the Championship, but I’m not satisfied with today’s third place. At the beginning, I thought I could go away, but I didn’t feel at 100% on the bike and I didn’t have the same feeling I had during practice. Maybe the track was slower today. I lead the first two laps but then I’ve been overtaken. It’s hard to choose the right strategy when you have less horses-power. Also, I used a tyre that I tested only this morning in the warm up and at the end it was sliding a bit. Anyway, I’m happy to lead the World Championship and I like the circuit of Shanghai, in China, where next GP takes place. I’m quite constant in terms of results and I know I can stay in front, but I want to win and at the moment we are not in the conditions to do it. The collision between De Angelis and Barbera has been unbelievable. I saw De Angelis’ bike in front of me sideways, I closed my eyes and braked hoping that nothing happened. Luckily, then, the bike went on the right side, but this is not the way to ride. It is not possible to do that kind of change of directions at that speeds”. Yuki Takahashi, Humangest Honda: 5th: “I started well and I tried to stay with the front group, but my lap times weren’t good enough. At the middle stage of the race, the rear tyre started to loose grip and it was difficult for me to overtake. I made a small mistake during the last lap and I lost time, increasing the gap with my rivals. I tried to recover but I finished only fifth. I’m confident, though, I can do better next race”. Sebastian Porto, Repsol Honda:10th. “Well, it’s been really bad. The truth is that I lost the race right after at the start, in the first corner, when I saw that my team mate was running wide and in order to avoid him I had to go a bit straight, loosing all chances to fight for being in the leading group. Then I made my race, I made up as much as I could, but the leading group had already escaped. I’ve been riding all alone the whole race, but at least I managed to score. There’s still a lot to improve, the bike still doesn’t work the way I want, but I’m not worried, there are a lot of races left and we have to work.” Martin Cardenas, Wurth Honda BQR: 13th. “I got a good start from my poor grid position and was with a fast group. But I had no practice time in dry conditions and I was not fast in a few corners. Because of that and it was difficult to find a good rhythm out there. With about nine laps to go they were slowly pulling away from me so I had to concentrate on holding my position.” Jordi Carchano, Stop and Go Racing: 17th. “The crash at the first corner didn’t help my race I, lost a lot of time, about 15 seconds so I raced alone for a long time. The bike was good and I would have been in a better position but for the first lap problem.” Shuhei Aoyama, Repsol Honda: dnf : “I’m really sorry for what happened and I want to apologise to Jorge Lorenzo for that. I knew that in order to get a good result I needed a good start, so I focussed on it. I actually made a good start but when I arrived at the first left-hand corner, I braked too late and I couldn’t avoid crashing with Lorenzo. It’s been my fault; I’m very sorry for Lorenzo and for my team, who have been working really hard this weekend to provide me with a competitive bike.” Bradley Smith: dnf: “My plan was going to the inside into the first corner but when Pesek’s bike slowed I had to go to outside which put me on the outside on the first corner and there’s a lot of hesitate and bumping and bouncing and once again I was left out but I kept it like flat out running outside and managed not to loose too many places which was ok and then I passed four on the first lap which was all right. From the first few laps I had really bad left hand side front grip. In the fast corners it was just chattering really bad.” Arturo Tizon, Wurth Honda BQR: dnf – crash. “I got a good start but was it by another rider in the first corner and crashed. I picked the bike up and rejoined the race but the bike was a mess. The fairing was broken, handlebar pushed forward and the tank breather came off. So that was my race over.” Arnaud Vincent, Molenaar Honda: dnf crash: “I got a good start to the race and I was running comfortably I could stay with Porto and West. But I crashed at the corner before the start finish. I picked the bike up again and tried but slid off again when the front end folded in on me. The positive side is that I know as a team we have improved so I am looking forward to the race in China.” 125cc: Gabor Talmacsi, Humangest Honda: 6th: “Unfortunately, we haven’t sorted out the problems with the suspension that we have been having since the first race. The rear suspension doesn’t work well along with the tyre and so after a few laps the bike starts to loose grip. This happened also today. I started well but then I had to slow down. Anyway, we are not so far from the top riders and 10 seconds is not a big gap. I’m happy to be the first Honda rider”. Thomas Luthi, Elit Honda: 12th. “I got a good start and could hold my position I the group easily. But when the tyres started to go I was having a lot of slides particularly in the four left hand corners I just could not run a good corner speed. On the last lap I out braked the riders in the group I was with but at the last corner I had a slide and was too low in the corner and they got me before the line.” Fabrizio Lai, Seedorf Racing World: 13th: . “I’m happy with the bike because we have made improvements with the engine and chassis. But I had problems holding off the riders in the group and they beat me to the line on the last lap. We need more power.” Sandro Cortese, Elit Honda: 16th. “I got a average start and was with Rodriguez and De Rosa. I could get the better of De Rosa in the corners but he would pass me down the straight and hold me up. It was frustrating because the group got away from us and I couldn’t do anything about it. I had a very good bike today, not one problem, so I am disappointed I didn’t do better.” Aleix Espargaro, Wurth Honda BQR: 21st. “I was 30th on the grid and then got a bad start. The bike was good but I didn’t ride well. I was not in the best condition for the race. I had to have a pain killing injection before the start because of pain from my cracked scaphoid. But when the pain came it affected my concentration, it was not maximum.. ” Michele Conti, Seedorf Racing World: 23rd: “I’m very happy with the improvement I have made in the time from first practice until the race. The bike was very fast today and I gained a lot of experience in that race.” Lorenzo Baroni, Humangest Honda: 28th: “I didn’t start well and this didn’t help me. Then I recovered the gap with the group in front of me, but the bike was moving about too much and so I couldn’t push harder. It’s important that I finished the race today as I need to make more experience”. Joey Litjens, Molenaar Honda: 34th. “Not so good. It was a long race and I just did not find my rhythm at the beginning. At Qatar I was I felt very good on the bike and – here I just couldn’t find a good feeling. I’m very disappointed. But on the other hand I was very close to group of riders just ahead me” Bradley Smith, Repsol Honda: dnf – crash. “My plan was going to the inside into the first corner but when Pesek’s bike slowed I had to go to outside which put me on the outside on the first corner and there’s a lot of hesitation and bumping and bouncing and once again I was left out but I kept it like flat out running outside and managed not to loose too many places which was ok and then I passed four on the first lap which was all right. From the first few laps I had really bad left hand side front grip. In the fast corners it was just chattering really bad.” Mike Di Meglio, FFM Honda: dnf crash: “I took a very good start but at the background of the circuit I made a little mistake and I lost some places. At the first lap I was 13th and I quickly came back on the group of S.Gadea and F.Lai in fighting for the 9th position. The chassis behaves well and it allows me to improve lap times; I was 1.2 seconds faster than in qualifying session. But the difficulty was that my bike didn’t accelerate as well as the one of the others riders with whom I was fighting and to compensate for this lack I had to break very late. So the front of the bike was very requested and unfortunately I crashed after 10 laps. Despite this crash we improved a lot during this weekend; yesterday I had the best time under the rain with a gap of 1.5 seconds with the second rider and despite e very few session on dry track, we could notice that we made a big step forward. The team members and myself, are very confident for the next event that will take place in China, 12-13 and 14th May.”