MotoGP Round 5: Mugello

[Corny]

Italy is MotoGP land. I'm already looking forward to the most dangerous lap of the whole motogp calendar: the outlap in Mugello, haha!

Valentino has won the past 7 editions in a row, but has been outperformed in 2 of this year's 4 motogp races, a thing that has never happened him before. He will be on fire

Casey Stoner has had 3 bad GPs in a row now, but is only 1 point behind, I think he's the great winner of the first 4 GPs, 'cause Motegi, Le Mans and Jerez have never been his/Ducati tracks. Mugello will suit the ducati probably more, so Casey on the GP9 is my favourite for this GP

The 2 Spanish topriders have done a great job so far this season. Especially Pedrosa, seeing the expectations and his condition. Last year Mugello was where it turned around for Lorenzo, I hope for him that will not be the case this year

I don't care who wins it, just want to see a last-lap-fight.. That hasn't been the case since Barcelona 2007 :( :( Roll on Mugello :)

[TheFamousEccles]

What he said! Again, a weekend where too much bike racing is never enough.

[The Phantom]

Results of the MotoGP FP1 session at Mugello - Lorenzo under race lap record (1'50.003, set by Stoner in 2008):

1 Jorge LORENZO 1'49.870
2 Valentino ROSSI 1'50.065
3 Casey STONER 1'50.144
4 Dani PEDROSA 1'50.808
5 Colin EDWARDS 1'50.891
6 Alex DE ANGELIS 1'50.898
7 Loris CAPIROSSI 1'51.007
8 Randy DE PUNIET 1'51.030
9 Andrea DOVI 1'51.206
10 Marco MELANDRI 1'51.359
11 James TOSELAND 1'51.401
12 Toni ELIAS 1'51.823
13 Chris VERMEULEN 1'51.994
14 Niccolo CANEPA 1'52.319
15 Nicky HAYDEN 1'52.403
16 Yuki TAKAHASHI 1'52.607
17 Mika KALLIO 1'52.619

My money is on Stoner for the win but these guys are not going to make it easy!

[NinjaMaster]

It was an intriguing session with very little covering the top 4 riders the whole time. Rossi has to be favourite given his record at Mugello but Stoner will hit top form at some stage after being slightly off the boil recently and Pedrosa is getting stronger all the time as he improves physically. Lorenzo continues to get faster and faster and is now a 100% genuine title contender. However I think he will make a couple of mistakes that will cost him. I also expect his relationship with Vale to get frosty as the season progresses, especially if Jorge knocks him off this weekend. The great one doesn't enjoy it when someone is as fast as himself.

Hopefully this is the belter we've all been waiting for. A few nice, dry weekends and I think we should see some great close racing. :up:

[NinjaMaster]

Final MotoGP qualifying.

Pos. Num. Rider Nation Team Motorcycle Lap time Km/h Gap
1 99 Jorge LORENZO SPA Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha 1'48.987 338.983
2 27 Casey STONER AUS Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati 1'49.008 336.868 0.021
3 65 Loris CAPIROSSI ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 1'49.121 331.491 0.134
4 46 Valentino ROSSI ITA Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha 1'49.148 336.763 0.161
5 14 Randy DE PUNIET FRA LCR Honda MotoGP Honda 1'49.499 327.371 0.512
6 5 Colin EDWARDS USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 1'49.547 337.500 0.560
7 4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA Repsol Honda Team Honda 1'49.648 332.001 0.661
8 3 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 1'50.073 334.779 1.086
9 24 Toni ELIAS SPA San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 1'50.078 338.134 1.091
10 72 Yuki TAKAHASHI JPN Scot Racing Team MotoGP Honda 1'50.305 332.205 1.318
11 7 Chris VERMEULEN AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 1'50.405 321.237 1.418
12 15 Alex DE ANGELIS RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 1'50.448 336.553 1.461
13 88 Niccolo CANEPA ITA Pramac Racing Ducati 1'50.528 339.836 1.541
14 52 James TOSELAND GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 1'50.537 327.570 1.550
15 33 Marco MELANDRI ITA Hayate Racing Team Kawasaki 1'50.710 339.409 1.723
16 69 Nicky HAYDEN USA Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati 1'50.924 333.539 1.937
17 36 Mika KALLIO FIN Pramac Racing Ducati 1'51.008 341.988 2.021

Top 7 are real toight. I maintain the belief that this is going to be a cracking race.

[Corny]

Hmmm Lorenzo is really constant, didn't expect him on the front at this circuit

We'll see. For now Lorenzo's my favourite in front of Rossi and Stoner. But we will have to wait for the warm up, just like the Jerez GP

[jonny hurlock]

did anyone seen today at qualifying with Raffaele de Rosa save in 250cc, omg!, wow!

[Rod Richardson]

125 QUALIFYING
Bradley SMITH (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Bradley+Smith) GBR Bancaja Aspar Team Aprilia ……………..1'58.134
Scott REDDING (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Scott+Redding) GBR Blusens Aprilia Aprilia…………………… ...1'58.431
Julian SIMON (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Julian+Simon) SPA Bancaja Aspar Team Aprilia………………. 1'58.575
Sergio GADEA (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Sergio+Gadea) SPA Bancaja Aspar Team Aprilia……………….1'58.621
Marc MARQUEZ (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Marc+Marquez) SPA Red Bull KTM Moto Sport KTM…………1'58.947
Andrea IANNONE (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Andrea+Iannone) ITA Ongetta Team I.S.P.A. Aprilia.……. 1'59.121
Johann ZARCO (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Johann+Zarco) FRA WTR San Marino Team Aprilia…………. 1'59.178
Pol ESPARGARO (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Pol+Espargaro) SPA Derbi Racing Team Derbi …………..…..1'59.186
Sandro CORTESE (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Sandro+Cortese) GER Ajo Interwetten Derbi……………….….1'59.358
Danny WEBB (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Danny+Webb) GBR Degraaf Grand Prix Aprilia………………..… 1'59.478
Simone CORSI (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Simone+Corsi) ITA Jack & Jones Team Aprilia………………… 1'59.589
Nicolas TEROL (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Nicolas+Terol) SPA Jack & Jones Team Aprilia……………….. 1'59.600
Randy KRUMMENACHER (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Randy+Krummenacher) SWI Degraaf Grand Prix Aprilia…….1'59.726
Esteve RABAT (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Esteve+Rabat) SPA Blusens Aprilia Aprilia……………………..… 1'59.974
Efren VAZQUEZ (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Efren+Vazquez) SPA Derbi Racing Team Derbi……………….. 2'00.032
Lorenzo ZANETTI (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Lorenzo+Zanetti) ITA Ongetta Team I.S.P.A. Aprilia…….. 2'00.113
Joan OLIVE (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Joan+Olive) SPA Derbi Racing Team Derbi……………………... 2'00.118
Dominique AEGERTER (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Dominique+Aegerter) SWI Ajo Interwetten Derbi…………….2'00.149
Stefan BRADL (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Stefan+Bradl) GER Viessmann Kiefer Racing Aprilia………….2'00.335
Lorenzo SAVADORI (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Lorenzo+Savadori) ITA Fontana Racing Aprilia………………. 2'00.384
Riccardo MORETTI (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Riccardo+MORETTI) ITA Elligi Racing Aprilia……………………...2'00.392
Takaaki NAKAGAMI (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Takaaki+Nakagami) JPN Ongetta Team I.S.P.A. Aprilia…… 2'00.445
Jonas FOLGER (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Jonas+Folger) GER Ongetta Team I.S.P.A. Aprilia……….…..2'00.672
Luigi MORCIANO (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Luigi+MORCIANO) ITA Junior GP Racing Dream Aprilia………..2'01.206
Lukas SEMBERA (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Lukas+Sembera) CZE Matteoni Racing Aprilia……………….…..2'01.406
Davide STIRPE (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Davide+STIRPE) ITA CRP Racing Honda…………………………... 2'01.425
Alessandro TONUCCI (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Alessandro+Tonucci) ITA Junior GP Racing Dream Aprilia…2'01.814
Tomoyoshi KOYAMA (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Tomoyoshi+Koyama) JPN Loncin Racing Loncin………………..2'02.353
Gennaro SABATINO (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Gennaro+Sabatino) ITA Junior GP Racing Dream Aprilia….2'02.821
Jasper IWEMA (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Jasper+Iwema) NED Racing Team Germany Honda ………….2'03.135
Alexis MASBOU (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Alexis+Masbou) FRA Loncin Racing Loncin……………………...2'04.577
Luca VITALI (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Luca+Vitali) ITA CBC Corse Aprilia……………………………….…2'05.793

250 Qualifying
19 Alvaro BAUTISTA (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Alvaro+Bautista) SPA Mapfre Aspar Team Aprilia…………. 1'52.804
58 Marco SIMONCELLI (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Marco+Simoncelli) ITA Metis Gilera Gilera …………………....1'52.818
40 Hector BARBERA (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Hector+Barbera) SPA Pepe World Team Aprilia ………….....1'52.842
4 Hiroshi AOYAMA (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Hiroshi+Aoyama) JPN Scot Racing Team 250cc Honda………1'53.050
6 Alex DEBON (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Alex+Debon) SPA Aeropuerto-Castello-Blusens Aprilia ………1'53.573
12 Thomas LUTHI (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Thomas+Luthi) SWI Emmi - Caffe Latte Aprilia ……………….1'53.702
14 Ratthapark WILAIROT (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Ratthapark+Wilairot) THA Thai Honda PTT SAG Honda .1'53.811
75 Mattia PASINI (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Mattia+Pasini) ITA Team Toth Aprilia Aprilia …………………..1'53.875
35 Raffaele DE ROSA (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Raffaele+de+Rosa) ITA Scot Racing Team 250cc Honda …1'53.941
15 Roberto LOCATELLI (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Roberto+Locatelli) ITA Metis Gilera Gilera …………………...1'53.988
17 Karel ABRAHAM (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Karel+Abraham) CZE Cardion AB Motoracing Aprilia …......1'54.052
16 Jules CLUZEL (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Jules+Cluzel) FRA Matteoni Racing Aprilia …………………....1'54.211
55 Hector FAUBEL (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Hector+Faubel) SPA Valencia CF - Honda SAG Honda ……1'54.351
63 Mike DI MEGLIO (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Mike+Di+Meglio) FRA Mapfre Aspar Team 250cc Aprilia ….1'54.363
52 Lukas PESEK (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Lukas+Pesek) CZE Auto Kelly - CP Aprilia ……………………....1'54.375
48 Shoya TOMIZAWA (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Shouya+Tomizawa) JPN CIP Moto - GP250 Honda …………..1'54.992
25 Alex BALDOLINI (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Alex+Baldolini) ITA WTR San Marino Team Aprilia ………...1'55.635
10 Imre TOTH (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Imre+Toth) HUN Team Toth Aprilia Aprilia ……………………...1'56.201
7 Axel PONS (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Axel+Pons) SPA Pepe World Team Aprilia ……………………......1'57.574
53 Valentin DEBISE (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Valentin+Debise) FRA CIP Moto - GP250 Honda ………….....1'57.699
56 Vladimir LEONOV (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Vladimir+Leonov) RUS Viessmann Kiefer Racing Aprilia……..1'58.464
11 Balazs NEMETH (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Balazs+Nemeth) HUN Balatonring Team Aprilia…………… ....1'59.132
37 Daniel ARCAS (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Daniel+Arcas) SPA Milar - Juegos Lucky Aprilia ……………...1'59.513
8 Bastien CHESAUX (http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Bastien+Chesaux) SWI Racing Team Germany Honda….. ….1'59.617

[jonny hurlock]

did anyone seen today at qualifying with Raffaele de Rosa save in 250cc, omg!, wow!

watch this !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7ep1osg6vQ

[TheFamousEccles]

^^That's up there with Aussie Col's elbow save last year! Well done that lad.

[Rod Richardson]

I bet his backside was puckering like a goldfishes mouth :hot:

[NinjaMaster]

That's as good a crash save as I've ever seen.

Can't wait for MotoGP to come to my home state of Victoria. It might actually break our drought given that rain is forecast for the race yet again. Boo. :down:

[NinjaMaster]

Well done Bradley Smith, very well thought out and executed ride. Nico Terol, grrrr, where was that form at the start of the season? Simon did what he had to.
So disappointing for Sandro Cortese and Scott Redding to crash on the final corner, fortunately they still finished. More disappointing was for Danny Webb to crash out of a strong ride when good finishes are so vital for his teams survival. Also terrible luck to Iannone to have what looked like a chain problem whilst pushing at the pointy end of his home GP.

[jonny hurlock]

nice one Bradley,

bad news motogp on bbc has change channel to the red button from bbc 2, why Andrew Murray, tennis,french open, hopes he doesn't wins it disgraceful!

[CaptainRaiden]

What a CRACKING 250cc race!!! Well done to Pasini, he held on from a charging Simoncelli.

The incident between Simoncelli and Bautista, who was to blame? I think it was Bautista's fault, because he could see Simoncelli's front tyre, and yet closed into him, ruining both of their races.

[AndyRAC]

nice one Bradley,

bad news motogp on bbc has change channel to the red button from bbc 2, why Andrew Murray, tennis,french open, hopes he doesn't wins it disgraceful!

I'm afraid that this just proves how much they think of MotoGP! :mad:

In my view there is absolutely no excuse for this. They wouldn't do it for F1, so don't do it for MotoGP!!

[AndyRAC]

I'm afraid that this just proves how much they think of MotoGP! :mad:

In my view there is absolutely no excuse for this. They wouldn't do it for F1, so don't do it for MotoGP!!

Well something has happened as it's now moved back to BBC2.

[jonny hurlock]

good news back on bbc2

[The Phantom]

The incident between Simoncelli and Bautista, who was to blame?

I think it's a tough call - Simoncelli apologised in the post race interview, I was thinking his move wasn't actually that bad, but given the position/s involved it takes on a more serious dimension. However, it seems to me to simply be a racing incident.

I'll be surprised if there is a penalty (and I was also surprised to hear the Australian commentary team debating the potential penalty).

[The Phantom]

The MotoGP race wasn't too bad! The flag-to-flag format turned on a ball-tearer, with 5 different manufacturer in the top five early on, and five riders fighting for the podium in the last few laps!

[AndyRAC]

I think it's a tough call - Simoncelli apologised in the post race interview, I was thinking his move wasn't actually that bad, but given the position/s involved it takes on a more serious dimension. However, it seems to me to simply be a racing incident.

I'll be surprised if there is a penalty (and I was also surprised to hear the Australian commentary team debating the potential penalty).

Simoncelli obviously has a problem at Mugello - remember last year and taking Barbera out on the last lap. At least he admitted he was wrong this year.

[MrJan]

Wowww!!!! What a great motoGP race, Mugello rarely fails to produce and that was some great stuff all the way through. The best bit that was, until half way through the last lap, you weren't quite sure who was going to win. Superb racing from all involved and there were almost some fairytales rolled out.

Good showing from JT who took a big risk and almost accumulated big time, still a 7th is better than he has been doing so he should be chuffed. Lorezno made the best of a bad bunch, off the bike in the formation lap, shocking start and then a real battle to get up through the field. Top riding from Casey to take the win, although any one of about 6 or 7 riders deserved something out of that race :up:

[ShiftingGears]

Easily one of the top 3 800cc races.

[tha_jackal]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7ep1osg6vQ


hooooooooooooly sheeiiiiite :eek:

[leopard]

Regarding Marco and Alvaro clash debate, I think it was purely race incident. Asking apologies wouldn't mean that he was one to blame for the accident. The story might be different if Marco hit backside of Alvaro. Being fined I think a bit excessive punishment. Alvaro might have calculated the risk of riding such defensive.

If he'd have braked, he would have crashed down on Alvaro, not only send them off the track, both of them might not be able to continue the race. Marco already took the inside line, it is not easy riding when it rains as difficult open the brake at the track becomes slippery when wet...

[NinjaMaster]

Finally, the quality race I've been expecting (though without the good weather). All the top 5 MotoGP men were amazing in those conditions, Toseland made a good gamble and Edwards fought from nowhere to gleefully beat his teammate again. Marco was sensational in the wet, sadly not the dry pace though.
Was super disappointing to see Pedrosa crash, especially after the bravery shown in riding significantly injured. Thankfully he didn't get further injured but by the sounds of the injuries to his leg he'll be lucky to ride at Catalunya at all, let alone near the pointy end.

The 250 race was a beaut and seeing Pasini able to hold off a rampant Simoncelli on the last lap was fantastic. With regards to the Marco-Alvaro 'incident', like Leopardsleeping, I think it was just a racing incident, though definately a mistake by Marco, but no malice. just one of those things and fortunately they both stayed upright. Was also stoked to see Luthi come 4th and I reckon he's having a very underrated season and hopefully he keeps getting stronger and can see a few podiums.

On to Catalunya, hopefully for some dry racing.