Repsol Honda’s Nicky Hayden came away from the first day of MotoGP practice at the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca with the fastest practice time, a 1:24.228 on his Michelin-equipped RC211V. Camel Honda’s Troy Bayliss, who was fastest in the split and extended morning practice session, was second-fastest Friday afternoon with a 1:24.451 on his RC211V. Bayliss walked away from a crash in turn five 39 minutes into the one-hour afternoon practice. Hayden’s teammate Max Biaggi, who has raced at Laguna Seca in the past, jumped up in the standings late with a third-fastest time of 1:24.542 in spite of suffering a mechanical problem with one of his factory RC211Vs during the session. Marco Melandri, who had crashed after 18 laps of practice Friday morning, returned to action Friday afternoon and posted the eighth-quickest lap. Blata WCM’s Franco Battaini crashed Friday afternoon and was seen limping away from the scene. MotoGP riders will return to the track for another 60 minutes of practice at 10:00 a.m. local time Saturday. Friday Afternoon MotoGP Practice Times: 1. Nicky Hayden, Honda, 1:24.228 2. Troy Bayliss, Honda, 1:24.451 3. Max Biaggi, Honda, 1:24.542 4. Alex Barros, Honda, 1:24.564 5. John Hopkins, Suzuki, 1:24.679 6. Colin Edwards, Yamaha, 1:24.696 7. Sete Gibernau, Honda, 1:24.802 8. Marco Melandri, Honda, 1:24.938 9. Carlos Checa, Ducati, 1:25.042 10. Valentino Rossi, Yamaha, 1:25.098 11. Shinya Nakano, Kawasaki, 1:25.309 12. Kenny Lee Roberts, Suzuki, 1:25.352 13. Makoto Tamada, Honda, 1:25.457 14. Toni Elias, Yamaha, 1:25.574 15. Alex Hofmann, Kawasaki, 1:25.882 16. Loris Capirossi, Ducati, 1:26.150 17. Ruben Xaus, Yamaha, 1:26.441, crash 18. Roberto Rolfo, Ducati, 1:27.060 19. James Ellison, Blata, 1:27.904 20. Shane Byrne, Proton, 1:28.117 21. Franco Battaini, Blata, 1:30.282 Friday’s Combined MotoGP Practice Times: 1. HAYDEN, 1:24.228 2. BAYLISS, 1:24.451 3. BIAGGI, 1:24.542 4. BARROS, 1:24.564 5. HOPKINS, 1:24.679 6. EDWARDS, 1:24.696 7. GIBERNAU, 1:24.802 8. MELANDRI, 1:24.938 9. ROSSI, 1:25.098 10. CHECA, 1:25.042 11. ROBERTS, 1:25.352 12. NAKANO, 1:25.309 13. TAMADA, 1:25.457 14. ELIAS, 1:25.574 15. HOFMANN, 1:25.882 16. CAPIROSSI, 1:26.150 17. XAUS, 1:26.441 18. ROLFO, 1:27.060 19. BYRNE, 1:28.117 20. ELLISON, 1:27.904 21. BATTAINI, 1:30.207 More, from a press release issued by Telefonica Movistar Honda: U.S. GRAND PRIX – MOTOGP FREE PRACTICE The MotoGP World Championship returned to the legendary Laguna Seca circuit today, eleven years on from its last visit back in 1994. The riders had three hours of free practice on the first day as the team worked as hard as possible to gather data at a track that is completely different to anything in Europe. Sete Gibernau took things calmly from the start and, little by little, increased both his pace and his feeling for the bike. Marco Melandri crashed during the morning in the ‘Corkscrew’ corner, the most famous and difficult section of the Laguna Seca layout. The Italian rider, who was already lapping amongst the top five riders on his first visit to the track, opened the throttle too early from the exit of the first double ‘S’ bend and lost the rear wheel of his Honda. With only 20 minutes remaining to the morning break he was taken to the Clinica Mobile, where doctors confirmed he had not broken any bones. Marco suffered a heavy blow to his right knee and wrist, which underwent surgery last December, but was back on track in the afternoon. SETE GIBERNAU: “My first impression of Laguna Seca is that it is completely different to anything we have in Europe. The objective today was simply to complete as many laps as possible in order to gather data and get references for what is a tricky circuit. The extra hour was important to adjust the gearbox, tyres and suspension for this circuit. We worked in two different directions and by the end I felt much better. We knew we were coming to a difficult circuit and it really is, but we have to be positive because we’re working in the right direction.” MARCO MELANDRI: “I felt good on the bike this morning and wanted to push a little more before the time was up but it was a mistake. I lost the rear, the bike spat me off and then dragged me down the hill through the Corkscrew. I got stuck between the rear wheel and the tail and bashed my wrist, knee and head. I was lucky because I could have really hurt myself. I couldn’t ride much today but I hope to get a decent night’s rest and make up for it tomorrow.” More, from a press release issued by Kawasaki Racing Team: KAWASAKI RIDERS BACK TO SCHOOL IN THE USA MotoGP returned to America after an eleven-year absence today, with Kawasaki riders Shinya Nakano and Alex Hofmann on track for three hours of free practice. And they needed every minute of track time during day one of preparations for Sunday’s 32-lap USGP at Laguna Seca. Both Nakano and Hofmann are newcomers to the hillside circuit near Monterey, with its 11-turns and compact, rollercoaster layout. Track knowledge is critical at this demanding track, a track that is completely different in character to traditional European Grand Prix circuits. Both Kawasaki riders say they are still to unravel the secrets of the infamous Corkscrew section and the fast-flowing, downhill curves that follow. Sixth gear is not required at all, and the full throttle potential of the 990cc Ninja ZX-RR is only briefly explored. At 255 kph the track has the lowest top speed on the MotoGP calendar with the Ninja ZX-RR using fifth gear just once per lap, along the pit straight on the approach to turn one. An 85 kph first gear is used three times: at turns two and eleven, plus turn eight, which is the breathtaking downhill entry to the infamous Corkscrew. Today track conditions were dusty with a lack of grip in the opening morning practice session of two hours. Grip levels improved slightly in the afternoon as Kawasaki technicians worked through a busy programme of chassis, suspension, gearbox and tyre combinations. There is still a lot of work to be done with a further selection of Bridgestone rear tyres to be evaluated, in parallel with engine management tuning and suspension, to help control wheelspin. Shinya Nakano: #56 – Twelfth – 1’25.309 “It’s exciting to be here for the USGP, but my first laps of the circuit this morning were a big surprise, especially the Corkscrew and the steep downhill section that follows. However I still have some learning to do through this section. I followed a couple of American riders and they have a better understanding of the track from turns 8 to 11. It has been difficult to find rear grip, the track surface is different from Europe, but if we can find a chassis and tyre set-up I think the ZX-RR could suit this track with our strong acceleration. On safety, I would like to see some more protection on the walls that are close to the track, but otherwise I’m enjoying riding here.” Alex Hofmann: #66 – Fifteenth – 1’25.882 “In Europe we have never seen a track like this, so it is a little bit shocking when you first ride a MotoGP bike here. The walls are close and there is not the run-off areas we are used to at some corners. But I’m enjoying the layout, it is physical and demanding, although quite bumpy. I could do with more rear grip, but overall this track has the potential to suit the ZX-RR. And I still haven’t found my rhythm on the bike, the Corkscrew and I and not good friends at the moment and I’ve got a lot of thinking to do about the direction to take with set-up and learning he track.” Ichiro Yoda: Technical Director “We are in search of traction and will continue our work with Bridgestone tomorrow with another three rear tyres to evaluate. This track surface is new to us, so we mainly have to look at rear spring and shock set-up, weight transfer and engine tuning, to control wheelspin. And both Shinya and Alex are still learning to fully understand the special nature of this circuit, it is quite slow overall, we barely need fifth gear; fourth is okay.” More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse: CAPIROSSI SICK, CHECA TENTH AT LAGUNA Ducati Team Carlos Checa placed tenth quickest in today’s opening two practices sessions at Laguna Seca. Team-mate Loris Capirossi ended the day receiving medical attention for a bad attack of gastroenteritis after he’d been 12th in this morning’s two-hour session, designed to allow riders to familiarise themselves with this notoriously difficult racetrack. “Loris was very unlucky today, because he missed most of this afternoon’s session,” said Ducati MotoGP project manager Livio Suppo. “Hopefully he will feel better tomorrow and be able to ride 100 per cent. Carlos is growing step by step, gradually adjusting his bike for the track. This circuit isn’t so easy, but today’s experience will help us improve tomorrow.” CHECA WORKING FOR A COMPROMISE Carlos Checa ended the day tenth quickest, eight tenths off ‘pole position’ and just a fraction behind reigning World Champion Valentino Rossi. “We’ve changed the balance of the bike, just adjusting small things,” he said. “We’ve had some front-end push and we’re trying to make the rear more stable. But it’s very difficult to find a good compromise at this track, it’s so uphill and downhill that you’ll never get the bike to be perfect. We also changed the gearbox after this morning, because, of course, it wasn’t right for our very first session here. We’ve also tried a lot of Bridgestone tyres. Everything is going okay and getting better, even though we’re not in the right position so far. The track doesn’t seem dangerous, just quite difficult at a few points.” CAPIROSSI SUFFERS GASTROENTERITIS Loris Capirossi only rode a few laps of this afternoon’s practice session before retiring to the Clinica Mobile, where he received treatment for a bad attack of gastroenteritis, with nausea, headache and fever. The Italian fell sick between today’s two sessions but did his best to ride his Ducati Desmosedici in the second session. Clinica doctors aren’t sure whether the sickness was caused by cold or bad food. After this morning’s session Capirossi said: “In general the whole package is working okay here. This track is really nice but it’s not very suitable for MotoGP bikes, there are too many dangerous areas.” More, from a press release issued by Team D’Antin Pramac: Roberto Rolfo (18th 1:27.060): “I like this track very much, it gives you a lot of emotions. The hardest part isn’t the ‘Corkscrew,’ as I thought, but the fast part coming next, until the arrival. I’m happy because we did a good job today; unfortunately I already didn’t feel really good this morning, and during the second practice session, after the first quarter, I wasn’t able to ride as I wanted to anymore. Actually, I fell a little bit sick and giddy, maybe for something I ate this morning.” Andre Laugier D’Antin Pramac Team Technical Chief: “Of course we still have a lot of work to do, but the situation is quite positive considering the fact we had absolutely no experience on this track.” More, from a press release issued by Camel Honda: Troy and Alex instantly quick at Laguna Seca The two Camel Honda team riders Troy Bayliss and Alex Barros confirmed their positive start to the first day of practice in Laguna Seca with the second and fourth fastest combined times respectively. Nonetheless Bayliss had a minor slide off the track halfway through the second free practice session, but continued to ride at an extraordinary pace. The Australian was always amongst the first two positions but in the double morning session and also in the afternoon, demonstrating his capabilities on the difficult and challenging Californian track. Alex Barros, seventh in the morning, made constant progress and eventually improved his lap time by half a second and took fourth place at the end of the first day. Troy Bayliss Camel Honda 1’24.547 2nd fastest Alex Barros Camel Honda 1’24.564 4th fastest More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki: Hopkins fifth but more to come from Red Bull Suzuki Red Bull Suzuki racers Kenny Roberts Jr and John Hopkins are convinced they can improve on their positions after the first day’s practice for the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix. Hopkins (P5, 1’24.679, 65 laps) and Roberts Jr (P11, 1’25.265, 61 laps) both had an exhausting day at the Laguna Seca Raceway in California. The usual one hour morning practice session was increased to two hours to give all riders the chance to familiarise themselves with the spectacular circuit – it has been 11 years since the last MotoGP race on the Monterey Peninsular. The morning practice was split into two periods of an hour each. Both Red Bull Suzuki racers were quickly on the pace with Hopkins topping the leader-board no fewer than nine times in the first period. Today’s practice sessions were held under clear Californian skies and bright sunshine. Track surface temperatures reached 46 degrees centigrade and a strong wing caused a lot of dust from the surrounding run-off areas to blow onto the racing line and reducing adhesion. The fastest time of the day was set by Nicky Hayden on a Honda. Red Bull Suzuki will have another hour long practice session on Saturday morning followed by qualifying in the afternoon. The Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix will begin at 14.00hrs local time (23.00hrs CET) on Sunday 10th July. John Hopkins “I’m really excited to be racing at home and to show all my fans and American motorcycle enthusiasts what MotoGP is all about. I’ve got a lot of supporters out there and right now I want to do the best for them. “The sessions have been going great. We haven’t been outside of the top five all day and we were in first place for a lot of the morning session. That was alright, but we are really working towards getting better. I would like to think I had an advantage from riding here before so after the first session we were already working on what we were going to use for the race, rather than learning the track. “I’m looking forward to tomorrow and trying some more Bridgestone race tyres to get the right compound for Sunday. I’m going for that top five or better – that’s it. I’m working hard and I’m motivated.” Kenny Roberts Jr “It’s great to be back at Laguna to see the American fans. There’s been a lot of interest already and it’s only going to get bigger as the weekend goes on – this is what America needs as far as MotoGP goes. I have a lot of family and friends here and I am very happy to be racing back here. “We still have to make some improvements to the bike. We don’t have enough grip to run with the front guys and everything contributes to that. The engine seemed to be working a little better but we will have to wait and see what happens tomorrow – but I’ll be going for it.” Paul Denning – Team Manager “It’s been a real busy day today for Red Bull Suzuki. With an extra hours practice and various delays it has seemed non-stop. All the team has worked really hard throughout the sessions. We’ve got through a fair bit of work but neither of the guys is totally happy with their Suzuki GSV-R which is a good sign, as they are both going quite well. We are still searching for more grip and will be working with Bridgestone this evening to find a solution. “From what I have seen Laguna Seca is a fantastic and exciting place to stage a MotoGP. The fans are very knowledgeable and are extremely supportive of Red Bull Suzuki, especially both riders. I know that Kenny and John are determined to put on a good display for all their fans and family and I am confident that neither of them will disappoint.” More, from a press release issued by Dorna Communications: Hayden on top as MotoGP returns to Laguna Seca The MotoGP World Championship returned to the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca for the first time in over a decade today as the first free practice sessions signalled the start of the Red Bull US Grand Prix in front of a bumper crowd. With tickets for tomorrow’s qualifying practice and Sunday’s race already sold out, today provided a unique chance for thousands of fans to see the world’s premier motorcycles and riders perform at the legendary venue. Local enthusiasts were certainly not disappointed as home favourite Nicky Hayden set the fastest time of the day in the hour-long afternoon session after conceding superiority to compatriot John Hopkins in a split morning practice totalling one hour and 50 minutes. Hayden’s time of 1’24.228 was enough to drop Troy Bayliss to second place by 0.223 seconds after the Australian had dominated for much of the session, with Max Biaggi and Alex Barros completing an all-Honda top four. “It’s nice to be fastest here at home a real good feeling,” said Hayden. “The weekend has started out great. The bike is working well and we have made a pretty good guess with the settings. Laguna is about how I remember it although I haven’t been here for three years. It does seem a little smaller on a MotoGP bike though; I seem to remember the straight being really long but it feels pretty short now! I’m really enjoying myself here with my brothers and my friends, so hopefully the weekend can continue like this.” Hopkins built on his scorching early pace with an improved lap time in the afternoon but eventually dropped to fifth on the combined time sheets, with fellow American Colin Edwards also on the pace with the sixth quickest time. Sete Gibernau was the fastest of the ten riders in the current MotoGP field to have no previous race experience of Laguna Seca, lapping just 0.574 seconds slower than Hayden in seventh place overall. However, it was a tough first day for the Spaniard’s team-mate Marco Melandri, who suffered a spectacular crash in the notorious ‘Corkscrew’ section and was lucky to escape with only bruising to his ankle and wrist. The Italian’s fall came at the end of the morning’s first outing and, even though he missed the next 50 minutes of available track time as he underwent checks in the Clinica Mobile, he bounced back in the afternoon to set the eighth fastest time. Melandri’s brave efforts eclipsed a disappointing first day for his compatriot Valentino Rossi, whom he trails in the championship by 63 points. Rossi, who has won six out of seven races so far this season, clocked the ninth fastest time on his first visit to the track riding in the black and yellow colours of Yamaha USA, also sported by his factory team-mate Edwards. Whilst Ducati rider Carlos Checa completed the top ten, his team-mate Loris Capirossi ended the day 16th fastest after suffering a bout of nausea, headache and fever after just a few laps of this afternoon’s practice. The Italian was treated in the Clinica Mobile for gastroenteritis, although doctors are not sure whether the sickness was caused by cold or bad food. MotoGP’s medical clinic also gave brief checks to Ruben Xaus and Franco Battaini, who both escaped unhurt after crashing. More, from a press release issued by Gauloises Yamaha: EDWARDS AND ROSSI GET TO GRIPS WITH LAGUNA SECA Yamaha Factory Racing riders Valentino Rossi and Colin Edwards began their preparations for the eighth round of the MotoGP World Championship in front of a bumper crowd today as the series returned to Laguna Seca after an exile of more than a decade. It was a day of contrasting experiences for the Yamaha pair, with the reigning World Champion paying his first visit to the legendary Californian circuit whilst his American team-mate made an exciting homecoming to a track he grew up on in the national AMA series. Whilst Rossi tentatively found his bearings at the rollercoaster track, Edwards benefited from his previous knowledge of its intricate layout to immediately begin set-up work in this morning’s first free practice, which was split into two extended sessions of 55 minutes. The Texan lapped consistently amongst the fastest riders as he ran through a series of suspension and tyre tests, clocking the sixth quickest time of the day in the afternoon’s hour-long second free practice. Rossi, one of ten riders in the MotoGP class to have no previous race experience at Laguna Seca, set his best time in the morning and lies ninth fastest on the combined time sheets. Nicky Hayden (Honda) clocked the fastest time of the day with a lap of 1’24.228 after overturning Troy Bayliss (Honda) in the afternoon session. COLIN EDWARDS (6th; 1’24.696 55 laps) “It’s great to be back here at Laguna Seca and the support I’ve had even today has been awesome. With this being my home Grand Prix and having Valentino as my team-mate, the backing for the whole team has been incredible. As far as the bike is concerned, we’ve already got the rear end working probably better than anything I’ve ever ridden around this circuit and generally it feels great. The only thing I’m having a little trouble with is keeping the front on the ground and turning into the corners, so we have a few areas that we need to strengthen. I’m really happy with my pace and my lap time because I know there is a lot more to come from us tomorrow.” VALENTINO ROSSI (9th; 1’24.969 72 laps) “This is an ‘old style’ track and to be honest I think maybe our bike is a little too fast for it, so today I haven’t been able to push to the limit. It is hard to find the right set-up in these circumstances and at the moment we still have a lot work to do. We need more time on the track and more kilometres with the bike to find out where we can push harder, make up some time and be stronger. I am a little concerned about the safety of the track and today we will have a meeting with the other riders to discuss it. Anyway, I have enjoyed riding at Laguna Seca, especially the Corkscrew, because in the past I have only seen it on the television. The big crowds here show that MotoGP should be in America, but we also need to make sure it is safe.” DANIELE ROMAGNOLI COLIN EDWARDS’ CREW CHIEF “It has been quite a challenge for us to find a set-up for the bike at this track but thankfully we have the perfect rider to give us the feedback we need because there are not many people who know this circuit like Colin does. The first step for us this morning was to find the gearbox setting, which we were able to do quite quickly, and then start to work on the front and rear suspension. We have got the rear working quite well but we have some more work to do adjusting the front spring settings which should give Colin more confidence in the bike and push for a much better time tomorrow.” More, from a press release issued by Fortuna Yamaha: First day / ELIAS MAKES CONFIDENT RETURN, XAUS STILL SEARCHING FOR CRUCIAL EDGE First day of practice at the US Grand Prix. MotoGP returns to the United States 11 years after its last visit, at a circuit with the same track as before, but with significant modifications to run-off areas to improve safety, with standards now much higher thanks mainly to the riders’ input. Rubén Xaus and Toni Elías, teammates at Fortuna Yamaha MotoGP, have now both ridden the track, the former attempting to revive his fortunes here on a superbike, and the latter riding at a circuit he has dreamt about since a young age. The first of the two sessions was extended to two hours with a ten-minute break in the middle, so that the ‘rookies’ at the track could learn its difficult lines. TONI ELIAS Free 1: 16th, 1’27’263, +2.716 from pole Free 2: 14th, 1’25’574, +1.346 from pole Combined: 14th position Toni Elías’ position speaks for itself. Between the first and second session he improved his time by 1.370 seconds, and taking into account that he is returning from a long injury which he is still not fully recovered from, “I’m happy. the track is technical and complicated and my left wrist is still not at 100%, and is hurting. The track is mainly left handers and you can imagine the effort needed. We have done some good work, calmly and making small steps forward. In the near two months I have been absent, I obviously haven’t stopped my physical training, but I can feel the pain in braking and on the banking. The radius isn’t what hurts me, just the scaphoid. I am also happy because this track is legendary for me. i saw my childhood heroes ride here, and I always dreamt about emulating them. With respect to the bike’s set-up, we still need to improve, even if the progress from morning to afternoon was big. With regards to safety I have to say that in coming years, things need to be changed.” RUBEN XAUS Free 1: 15th, 1’26’392, +1.845 from pole Free 2: 17th, 1’26,441, +2.164 from pole Combined: 17th position The Barcelona rider set similar times in both sessions, losing some ground in the afternoon time sheets even though his general pace improved. “The first session was long so that several riders who hadn’t been to the track could get used to it. We have worked on set-up and at the same time I tried to remember my reference points, because I haven’t raced here since 2003 when I won one of the rounds of Superbikes. However with the Yamaha everything is different; i’m not at all comfortable. I’m looking, but can’t find the sensations I want to have on the bike and which will let me go faster. I’m going out in every session to find these sensations and also to enjoy myself, but I still don’t have it. I like the track and I know how to go quick; I’ll keep on trying.” Antonio Jiménez, Toni Elias’s Chief Mechanic “To be honest, after two months out it’s difficult to return. But we know that Toni is very brave and wants to give his best always. Although he is in pain, he is working hard to be as high up as possible. This is a complicated track, taking into account that he is coming back from injury. There is a lot of work ahead of us to get a stable bike which will allow Toni to keep a good rhythm up.”