MotoGP superstar Valentino Rossi has just signed a two-year contract with Ducati for next season, bringing an end to his successful run at Yamaha.

31-year old Rossi will part company with the Fiat Yamaha team by the end of the current season, bringing a hugely successful seven-season association with the team to a close.

Rossi has won four MotoGP world titles with the Japanese manufacturer since joining from Honda in 2004.

“Now the moment has come to look for new challenges; my work here at Yamaha is finished. Unfortunately even the most beautiful love stories finish, but they leave a lot of wonderful memories,” said Rossi.

Honda’s RC211V gave Repsol Honda rider Valentino Rossi a distinct edge over the competition, an edge he used to win the 2002 MotoGP world championship. There was one particular advantage, though, he used to devastating effect: The ability to open the throttle earlier when exiting a corner. That advantage is directly attributable to Honda’s new Unit Pro-Link rear suspension, as used on the RC211V–and now on the CBR600RR.

The first generation of Honda’s Pro-Link rear suspension (which made its production debut on the 1981 CR250R) was unique because of its lower link pivot. That characteristic allowed the linkage design to create the desired degree of manually produced progressive spring rate. Unit Pro-Link takes the same concept to the next level.

Conventional rear suspensions attach the top eye of the shock unit to an upper rear frame cross-member. Unit Pro-Link, though, attaches the top eye to the top of the braced swingarm structure itself. Below the shock is a joined pair of arms at roughly right angles to each other, pivoting on a shaft attached to the bottom of the swingarm. One of these arms connects to the bottom shock eye, while the other is joined to the bottom of the frame by a pair of tension links.

As the rear wheel rises in passing over a bump, the pull of the tension links rotates the arms, compressing the shock from the bottom. The fact that the top of the shock moves upward with the swingarm is compensated for by increasing the rate at which the bellcrank compresses it from the bottom. Depending on the geometry of the linkage, the bottom of the shock moves more, and more rapidly, than the top of the shock. Compared to the shock used on the F4i, the RR’s shock has increased damper volume, and no hose connecting to the piggyback reservoir. The heavily braced swingarm features a press-forged right-side arm and a box-section extrusion left-side arm, both welded to a cast crossmember/pivot.

The Unit Pro-Link design provides a wealth of benefits. To begin with, the shock is contained entirely within the swingarm, and the shock is positioned lower than in a conventional design. Both contribute to mass centralization, in part by giving the centrally mounted fuel tank room to extend downward to the engine crankcases.

More importantly, with the top eye mounted to the top of the swingarm, shock absorber loads don’t get fed into the frame, so engineers were free to tune the frame to the best stiffness for superior handling. A new construction technique–Hollow Fine Die-Casting–also aided engineers in tuning the frame. Compared to the F4i, the CBR600RR’s frame features greater torsional stiffness at the steering head, decreased lateral stiffness via thinner rear frame rails, and vertical stiffness uncompromised by a beefy structure for the top shock mount. All together, those qualities reduce wheelspin when exiting corners, which allows the rider to start accelerating earlier. The result: Earlier throttle application translates into quicker corner exits, and the additional speed can be carried all the way down the next straight.

It’s a benefit that made the difference in the RC211V’s winning the MotoGP championship in its first year. It’s also an entirely new, groundbreaking technology that had been confined to the race track–until now, and the CBR600RR.

Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd is delighted to announce that it has signed a new two-year agreement with Valentino Rossi. The seven-time world champion will continue to race with the Yamaha Factory Racing Team for the 2009 and 2010 MotoGP World Championships.

The 29-year-old Italian joined Yamaha in 2004 and since then he has won two world championships, 32 races and taken 20 pole positions for the Japanese factory. He is currently leading the 2008 rider championship, having taken three wins and a further five podiums in the first ten races this year. Rossi will continue to race alongside Spanish youngster Jorge Lorenzo in 2009.

Rossi and Masao Furusawa, Executive Officer, Engineering Operations of Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd, signed the contract today at the Laguna Seca circuit and made the public announcement at Yamaha US’s traditional Laguna Seca party at the Monterey Bay Aquarium this evening.

Yamaha Motor Racing Managing Director Lin Jarvis commented, “We are obviously delighted to have secured Valentino for a further two years. I think this news will be very welcome for MotoGP fans and for Yamaha fans around the world. Valentino is an icon in this sport and he is on top form right now as he challenges to win his eighth world championship and his third title together with Yamaha. This signing confirms Yamaha’s four-rider line-up for 2009 so now we can concentrate our full efforts on bike development and team organization to make sure that we are in the best possible shape for next year.”

“In the meantime we have many races to go this season and I hope that Valentino can win in Laguna Seca for the first time this Sunday to extend his championship lead before the well-deserved summer break – Forza Vale!”

Valentino Rossi added, “After so many years spent in racing, fortunately with so many victories, I needed a special motivation to take the decision to sign for two more years. The best place to find this motivation is Yamaha, since I have a great relationship with Yamaha’s directors, which comes from a mutual trust and loyalty. In our team there is a special atmosphere and with this new deal I can continue to work with my crew, where I am part of the project and part of the development of my M1. I had other opportunities but due to Yamaha’s efforts to give me the best bike in the best environment, I have decided to stay with Yamaha for two more years. This contract means that Yamaha is the manufacturer I will have spent most of my career with. This means more than a thousand words”

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Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd is delighted to announce that it has signed a new one-year deal with current Tech 3 Yamaha team rider Colin Edwards. Edwards will continue to race with the Tech 3 Team alongside Briton James Toseland in 2009.

The Texan has agreed the new one-year contract for the 2009 MotoGP World Championship after enjoying the best spell of his premier class career with Herve Poncharal’s Tech 3 Yamaha squad. The 34-year-old has already scored two podium finishes, four top five finishes and one pole position in 2008. He has been on the front row a further four times and is currently challenging for a top four position in the overall world championship standings.

Next year will be Edwards’ fifth season with Yamaha in MotoGP, during which time he has been one of the most consistent performers in the championship, scoring points in all but ten of his 94 MotoGP races. Eight out of ten of Edwards’ MotoGP career podium finishes have been with Yamaha.

Lin Jarvis, Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Racing commented “We are very happy to have been able to secure Colin as a Yamaha rider for 2009. We have been working to improve the quality of the total Yamaha package in the MotoGP class and in 2008 we have achieved the best combined results to date for many years. This comes down to the fact that in the Yamaha Factory Team and the Tech 3 Yamaha Team we currently have two excellent squads, with first-class technical partners, a great bike and four top class riders. Colin’s contribution to the improvement of results in the Tech 3 Team has been very important for the team and for the overall factory results. Colin has also played a very important role in the pre-season bike development for 2008 and we are very happy to have retained his skills and experience for the 2009 campaign. I hope Colin can celebrate this new contract this weekend with a top result here in front of his home fans at Laguna Seca!”

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Close correlation of products between the track and the street is a source of pride for Yamaha. Not only do the Aerox and JogRR scooters contain cutting-edge technology, but now the bikes themselves even physically resemble their distant racing ‘cousins’. Four replicas from the glamorous and exciting spheres of MotoGP and World Superbike now fill a prestigious place in Yamaha’s Scooter catalogue.

The liquid-cooled 50cc two-stroke-powered AeroxR boasts two official colour schemes; one of the Fiat Yamaha team, who are enjoying tremendous success in this year’s MotoGP championship and are the only squad to-date in which both riders (Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo) have sampled victory, and another of Yamaha’s team in World Superbike who, with the irrepressible and electric Noriyuki Haga onboard, provides some of the most-eye-catching and breathtaking action in the series.

Both Aerox Race Replicas have telescopic forks hold grippy 12” front wheels, flanked by disc brakes, while the rear end of the chassis benefits from a piggy-back remote reservoir shock. The Aerox Team Yamaha WSB Race Replica in particular houses a wealth of impressive features underneath the distinctive livery and lines; totally befitting this high performing and sporty model.

The Japanese Sultan of Slide would feel content seeing the sharp red and black transplanted from his race machine carrying that identifiable ‘41’. The sleek seat, black wheels, white touches to upper fairing and seat and carbon-fibre effect applied to the dash, equally convey the impression that the AeroxR takes its appearance direct from the track.

An alternative shade is provided by the model dedicated to the MotoGP team and the recognisable ‘clothing’ of the Fiat Yamaha crew, the Aerox Team Yamaha Race Replica. The logos – including partners and sponsors like Brembo and Wudy – and blue and white tones have made the transgression directly from the YZR-M1 causing this specific AeroxR stand-out instantly.

Also available in a Fiat Yamaha Team ‘outfit’ is the JogRR Team Yamaha Race replica.

Aside from the styling dedicated to one of the youngest and most sensational new riders in the series this year (he is now officially the ‘best starting’ MotoGP rookie in the history of the sport with more points after five races than his idol Max Biaggi, who held the previous honour) the JogRR is also 50cc liquid cooled – pumping out a third more power than the equivalent air cooled unit – and boasts a precisely calibrated hydraulic single rear shock, adding to performance while a tight, short-wheelbase and viable chassis dynamics combine with highly responsive braking for a safe and secure ride.

Spacious and practical while still keeping a strong sporting identity, the JogRR retains a double place of stature within the MotoGP world. As well as carrying the ‘48’ (incidentally a number that Lorenzo adopted from his manager who used to compete with the same digits) the JogRR is also proud to carry the mantle of official MotoGP scooter.

The JogRR MotoGP not only has a special dedicated design of black and white, with official logos and circuit layouts, but is also the model that is used and relied upon by paddock staff at venues across Europe. From the bustling ambience of Jerez to the tight confines of Donington Park, the heat of Misano and the majesty of Mugello, the JogRR plays a valuable and varied role in the vast MotoGP logistical machine.

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Fiat Yamaha riders Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo travel to the legendary Le Mans circuit this weekend looking to continue their trailblazing start to the 2008 MotoGP World Championship after dominating the headlines over the opening four rounds. The pair have three pole positions, seven podiums and two wins to their credit so far – securing leadership of the Teams’ and Constructors’ World Championships and delighting their army of fans around the world.

The last round in Shanghai was their most impressive yet, with Rossi reaping the fruit of a blossoming relationship with Bridgestone tyres to take a dominant first victory of the season and Lorenzo producing a heroic charge to fourth place on his Michelin-shod YZR-M1 despite fracturing both of his ankles during free practice.

The Spaniard, who lies second in the championship, faces another huge test of his mental and physical resistance this weekend after being confined to a wheelchair ever since his return home from China. The damage to his ankles will take months to fully heal but Lorenzo has no more time to put his feet up, with seven races coming thick and fast over the next ten weeks as the season enters its busiest phase. The 21-year-old at least has fond memories of Le Mans, having taken victory there from pole position last season.

Rossi has had five podium finishes in the premier-class at Le Mans, including two victories. The Italian’s success in China was his 89th in all classes of Grand Prix racing, taking him to within just one of Angel Nieto, who lies second in the all-time winners’ list behind Giacomo Agostini.

Le Mans is one of the least technical circuits on the calendar, with the main complication being the first turn – one of the fastest in MotoGP – which is followed by the first of a number of tight chicanes. The rest of the track is made up of short straights and hairpins, calling not just for balance and control under hard and repeated braking, but a neat and swift transfer from full braking to full acceleration on the exit of the corners.

Valentino Rossi;
“Last year Le Mans was incredibly disappointing for us – we were hoping for a good result in the dry but the rain came and things didn’t go as planned. This year however we’re going there on a real high after the fantastic result in China and I am confident that we can have a good weekend. China was a very important boost for everyone and a great result for all the hard work that everyone has put in so far this season to get us to this point, and now we have to make the most of this moment and keep pushing like this. Yamaha usually goes very well at Le Mans and, although it’s obviously the first time we’ve been there with Bridgestone, I am confident that we will be strong there. We are nine points from the top of the championship but our rivals are very motivated too so there is no let-up and we must go for the maximum points again. This is the start of the busiest phase of the championship and it’s always hard work but also great fun. Let’s hope we can get this run of races off to the best possible start in France

DAVIDE BRIVIO – Team Manager
“Le Mans is the start to a very busy period for the championship but on the evidence of the race in China we are ready! Shanghai was a very important race for us because it showed how much progress we have made since Qatar. The engineers did a great job, Valentino was incredible and that has given us all a big boost in confidence and motivation. With seven races over the next ten weeks this is the core of the championship so the timing of Valentino’s first win of the season couldn’t have been better. Four different winners from the first four races is fantastic so now let’s see who can be the first to repeat. We all feel positive it can be us and we can’t wait to fight for it. In 2006 we almost won at Le Mans but for a technical problem and last year we were denied by the rain so we feel we have unfinished business there and we look forward to fighting again.”

JORGE LORENZO
“I was lucky in China! If I’d have landed differently it could have ruled me out until the middle of the season and certainly prevented me from enjoying myself as much as I am in this early part of the season. In China I realised the risks in this sport; as riders we have to take a lot of risks and that Sunday in Shanghai, with my emotions and my feelings, I knew I had to go through it and take risks again because my team were depending on me in the box. I won’t be at 100% for Le Mans but my mental condition should make me strong at one of my favourite circuits and I am really looking forward to the race just the same. I know my team will help me all that they can and hopefully I will be in good enough shape to challenge strongly, as I have at the first four races. China was unfortunate but now I have to move on!”

DANIELLE ROMAGNOLI – Team manager
“Obviously Jorge is a little more injured than we first realised in China and the broken astragalus in his right ankle is a problem but we’re hopeful he can be fit enough to fight again in France. At the moment there is not much we can do but wait for the most recent updates from Doctor Mir and see how he feels when he gets on the bike on Friday. As far as learning the track with this bike is concerned we have seen in the previous two races that this is not an issue for Jorge, particularly at Shanghai, where he effectively only had only one free practice session. Le Mans is traditionally a ‘friendly’ track for Yamaha, who have had a lot of good results there in the past. We’re at the start of an intense period of GP activity and the next few months will be interesting. For us the most important thing is to stay concentrated.”

VALENTINO ROSSI INFO
Age: 29
Lives: Tavullia, Italy
Bike: Yamaha
GP victories: 89 (62 x MotoGP/500cc, 14 x 250cc, 12 x 125cc)
First GP victory: Czech Republic, 1996 (125cc)
First GP: Malaysia, 1996 (125cc)
GP starts: 196 (135 x MotoGP/500cc, 30 x 250cc, 30 x 125cc)
Pole positions: 49
World Championships: 7 Grand Prix (1 x 125cc, 1 x 250cc, 1 x 500cc, 4 x MotoGP)

JORGE LORENZO INFO
Age: 21
Lives: London, UK
Bike: Yamaha
GP victories: 22 (1 x MotoGP, 17 x 250cc, 4 x 125cc)
First GP victory: Brazil, 2003 (125cc)
First GP: Jerez, Spain, 2002 (125cc)
GP starts: 98 (4 x MotoGP, 48 x 250cc, 46 x 125cc)
Pole positions: 29 (3 x MotoGP, 23 x 250cc, 3 x 125cc)
World Championships: 2 x 250cc

Le Mans: Record Lap
V. Rossi (Yamaha) 2006, 1’35.087

Le Mans: Best Lap
C. Edwards (Yamaha) 2007, 1’33.616

Grand Prix Le Mans 2007 results
1. C.Vermeulen (Suzuki) 50’58.713
2. M.Melandri (Honda) +12.599
3. C.Stoner (Ducati) +27.347
6. V. Rossi (ITA) Yamaha +53.563

Jorge Lorenzo Le Mans 2007 result
1. Jorge Lorenzo (SPA) Aprilia 43’12.237 (250cc)

After his hard fought third in yesterday’s Portuguese Grand Prix, Fiat Yamaha Team rider Valentino Rossi was back out on track today for a one-day test at Estoril. The team are anxious to take every chance to continue the crucial development process between the Yamaha M1 and the Bridgestone tyres and today’s test was focused on just this.

Rossi tested a wide range of new rubber compounds with an eye to the next race in China, at which Bridgestone has a strong record, and the 29-year was very pleased with the day’s results. He tested new front and rear tyres as well as some qualifying tyres, and improved set-up and feeling in all areas. After 90 laps his best time of the day, 1’36.707, put him second behind Dani Pedrosa and he also bettered his fastest lap from yesterday on race tyres.

Jorge Lorenzo, Valentino’s team-mate and the impressive winner of yesterday’s Grand Prix, did not test today as he flew to Barcelona to have an operation on his right arm after suffering pain due to Compartmental Syndrome in the last three races. The procedure is a common one amongst MotoGP riders and Lorenzo and his team of specialists decided to go ahead with it today as he will now have nearly three weeks of recovery time before the next race. Together with his surgeon, Dr Xavier Mir, Lorenzo will hold a press conference at 1500 hours tomorrow and further information will be available immediately afterwards.

DAVIDE BRIVIO – Team Manager
“Today was all about tyres, set-up and our ongoing task of improving the Yamaha-Bridgestone package. We tried new front and rear race tyres and also some new qualifying tyres, and we found some good solutions to take with us to China. We were able to improve rear grip and durability especially and these are two key areas for us. Valentino worked very hard today and completed 90 laps, and he deserves to be happy with a job well done. Of course we are always working on the general setting and we hope that we’re going to be arriving in China now with an even better bike than we had this weekend. Thank you to everyone for another long weekend of hard work and now there’s some time to relax before we make the trip to China.”

TEST TIMES
1. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Repsol Honda 1’36.455
2. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Fiat Yamaha Team 1’36.707
3. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) JiR Team Scot MotoGP 1’36.791
4. Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda 1’36.928
5. Colin Edwards (USA) Tech 3 Yamaha 1’37.145
6. Randy De Puniet (FRA) LCR Honda MotoGP 1’37.146
7. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati Marlboro 1’37.330
8. Chris Vermeulen (AUS) Rizla Suzuki 1’37.617
9. Shinya Nakano (JPN) San Carlo Honda Gresini 1’37.725
10. James Toseland (GBR) Tech 3 Yamaha 1’37.767
11. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1’37.781
12. Alex De Angelis (RSM) San Carlo Honda Gresini 1’37.782
13. John Hopkins (USA) Kawasaki Racing 1’38.023
14. Toni Elias (SPA) Alice Team 1’38.695
15. Anthony West (AUS) Kawasaki Racing 1’39.065
16. Sylvain Guintoli (FRA) Alice Team 1’39.223
17. Marco Melandri (ITA) Ducati Marlboro 1’39.725

Estoril: Lap Record
J. Lorenzo (Yamaha) 2008, 1’37.404

Estoril: Best Lap
J. Lorenzo (Yamaha) 2008, 1’35.715

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Loris Capirossi raced his Rizla Suzuki GSV-R to a brilliant fifth place at today’s Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez.

Starting from 10th on the grid, Capirossi got a great start and was up to seventh at the end of lap one. He picked up another couple of places on lap three before settling into a strong and consistent race pace. Suzuki’s new Italian star came under pressure during the latter part of the race and was relegated back to seventh, but he used all his experience to fight back on the last lap and overtake James Toseland and Andrea Dovizioso on the final corner, a result that gives Suzuki its best finish from a MotoGP race at Jerez since the introduction of the four-stroke regulations.

Chris Vermeulen had an equally eventful race as he tried to make up from starting 12th on the grid. He battled his way through the field to seventh and was catching the riders in front of him, but as grip became a problem he was caught by Toseland, who put in a very strong pass on Vermeulen resulting in the Australian’s leather suit being ripped on the upper arm! Vermeulen tried to fight back put had to settle for 10th place and score his first points of the 2008 season.

Today’s race was held in sunny conditions with the air temperature reaching a pleasant 19ºC and was watched by over 131,000 fans at trackside. The colourful and partisan crowd were treated to a victory by Spain’s Dani Pedrosa on his factory Honda.

Rizla Suzuki MotoGP will now remain at Jerez for a further two days of testing before moving on to the third round of the MotoGP World Championship at Estoril in Portugal on Sunday 13th April.

LORIS CAPIROSSI
“First of all I really want to say thank-you and well done to the whole team because they have all made a great effort for me and everybody stayed focused. We didn’t start the season in the best place and now we have come back a little bit, but we must continue to work in that way. Fifth position is not the best for us because our target is different, but at the moment it is not too bad. I had to fight to get through and I started really aggressive because I knew the Bridgestone tyres would work well at the beginning and I tried to stay with top guys, but as the tyre started to wear I had to defend my position. In the last couple of laps I fought with Toseland and Dovizioso, but I beat both of them in the last corner. That was for sure nice for me!”

CHRIS VERMEULEN
“It was another tough race at Jerez, for the second year in a row! I qualified a fair way back and gave myself a lot of work to do. I didn’t get a good start but I had a couple of really strong laps and got past a few guys. I felt quite strong, the bike was working well and my pace was good early on. By about lap eight I got through to seventh and I was catching fifth and sixth – they were right there in front of me – and things felt really good. Towards the end of the race my rear tyre grip really dropped off and I now think that perhaps we chose a too soft compound and it really suffered in the last few laps. I really struggled and the bike wouldn’t turn or get enough grip to lean it over far enough. We will learn from that and go with a harder compound next time. I’d like to thank all my guys for their hard work this weekend. We are finally on the scoreboard with some points and I’m already looking forward to Estoril.”

PAUL DENNING – Team Manager:
“It is no secret that we had a tough pre-season and first event in Qatar, but today’s result – a fifth for Loris and both bikes inside the top 10 – gives us hope that we can come back to a seriously competitive level. Loris justified today all the reasons why we wanted to bring him to Suzuki. He has helped us a lot with the bike and the future development of the GSV-R. Most importantly it is clear that his aggression level, his will to win and to get the best result possible under any circumstances is the same as it was when he was 18 years old!”

“Chris admits that he made an incorrect gamble on the rear tyre choice, but we do thank Bridgestone for the flexibility on allowing him to make that choice, because it may have worked out better for him. From 12th on the grid he had to try something to get to the front group, but unfortunately it didn’t work out.”

“The crew and both riders are now looking forward to the next two days here in Jerez and to take the good base that we now have, and work on the details to give the riders an increasingly competitive package for Estoril and the races beyond!”

GRAN PREMIO BWIN.COM DE ESPANA RACE CLASSIFICATION
1. Dani Pedrosa (Honda) 45’35.121: 2. Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) +2.883: 3. Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha) +4.339: 4. Nicky Hayden (Honda) +10.142: 5. LORIS CAPIROSSI (RIZLA SUZUKI MOTOGP) +27.542: 10. CHRIS VERMEULEN (RIZLA SUZUKI MOTOGP) +35.091:

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CLASSIFICATION
1. Pedrosa 41: Lorenzo 36: 3. Rossi 31: 4. Casey Stoner (Ducati) 30: 5. Andrea Dovizioso (Honda) 21: 8. LORIS CAPIROSSI (RIZLA SUZUKI MOTOGP) 18: 14. CHRIS VERMEULEN (RIZLA SUZUKI MOTOGP) 6:

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Tickets are now on sale for the Mugello Grandstand. This year the Ducati Grandstand Tour will take in 9 international MotoGP races.

Following the success of the Ducati Grandstand at Italian rounds last year, Ducati has decided to use the same formula at other MotoGP rounds around the world.
It will now be possible to follow your heroes trackside at the Italian circuits of Mugello and Misano, but also at the European rounds of Le Mans, Sachsenring and Valencia, as well as at the international events at Laguna Seca and Indianapolis (U.S.A.), Phillip Island (Australia) and Motegi (Japan).

On 1st June 2008, the Ducati MotoGP Team will take to the track, more revved up than ever and ready to take part in the first of two Italian MotoGP world championship rounds, at Mugello, one of the hallowed grounds of international motorcycling.

Last year, more than 3000 Ducati fans were lucky enough to witness the qualifying practice and races from one of the most spectacular sections of the Tuscan track: the Correntaio curve. This spot has now earned a special place in the hearts of the Ducatisti and is famous for its action-packed racing.

This year, Ducati is once more offering its fans the chance to experience the excitement of live Mugello MotoGP, surrounded by fellow fanatics. Ticket holders will be able to join in with the official fan club members, who in previous years have ‘painted’ Mugello red with their unstoppable passion for the Borgo Panigale machines.
Entertainment in the Ducati grandstand will be arranged as usual by the Desmodromiclub of Rome.

As well as making it possible to watch your heroes race around from one of its most strategic points, the famous “Correntaio” curve. The ticket will also entitle you to a ‘goodie bag’ full of exclusive gifts. And so that you don’t miss any of the action, a 33m2 giant screen will be positioned next to the grandstand. Last but not least, there is the convenience of a reserved parking space for your bike and a free cloakroom service to store your gear.

Tickets are valid for the qualifying sessions, held on 30th and 31st May 2008, and for the race on Sunday 1st June. In addition to access to the Ducati grandstand, in which you can choose your own seat, tickets act as a pass to most viewing areas around the racetrack. The ‘Pedonale Provinciale’ pedestrian entrance to the racetrack (located next to the Palagio entrance) is recommended for access to the grandstand.

The big difference this year is that it is possible to book tickets well in advance, at a special price. Through the official Ducati Store network, if purchased between 19th March and 15th April, tickets cost just 190 Euros, while from 16th April until stocks last, the price is 220 Euros and the tickets are available exclusively via the website www.ducati.com.

Further information and all the latest news is available on http://www.ducati.com/news/08/news004/news004.jhtml as well as the national Ducati websites of the participating countries.

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Rizla Suzuki MotoGP is on its way to Jerez in Spain for the first European Grand Prix of the 2008 MotoGP World Championship, looking to put the tough opening round in Qatar firmly behind it.

Loris Capirossi fought to a well-earned eighth place at Losail earlier this month, whilst team-mate Chris Vermeulen was forced to pit and finished just outside the points. The two Rizla Suzuki racers will be planning to try to emulate Capirossi’s performance at the Spanish GP in 2006, where the experienced Italian won the race after starting from pole position.

Jerez is the first of three rounds held in Spain during the championship, but the only one that carries the name “Spanish Grand Prix”. The huge, passionate crowd at trackside makes this race one of the events of the year and is regarded by many as the ‘real’ start to the season. Nearly a quarter-of-a-million fans crammed around the 4.4km circuit over the event’s three days last year, making the Jerez GP one of the highest attended of the season, and a similar – if not larger – crowd can be expected this year. The Jerez track is one of the best spectator circuits on the calendar due to its numerous grandstands providing near perfect viewing facilities over its undulating layout, so fans get the chance to see the riders go through a series of hard-braking corners, endless camber changes and high-speed straights.

Rizla Suzuki MotoGP takes to the track on Friday 28th March for two hour-long practice sessions, followed by another practice the following morning. The all-important qualifying session takes place on Saturday afternoon to decide grid positions for Sunday’s 27-lap race that gets underway at 14.00hrs local time (12.00hrs GMT).

Loris Capirossi:
“Qatar wasn’t the best result for us, but we did learn some good lessons for the forthcoming races. The Jerez test earlier in the year wasn’t the best conditions so we don’t have a lot of direction from the data we collected then. We need to be fighting for top positions and podiums – I have complete faith in Suzuki and the whole project that those results and performances will come soon. The season is just beginning and I hope we can step up to a good level at Jerez next weekend!”

Chris Vermeulen:
“We need to get out there and start work straight away, after the disappointment of Qatar we are playing catch-up a bit! I enjoy the Jerez circuit and we made some important developments towards the end of the test there last month, so we need to continue from where we left off. Jerez with its huge crowd and amazing atmosphere feels like the real start of the season and I will certainly be going for it!”

バイカーブードゥー

MotoGP superstar Valentino Rossi has just signed a two-year contract with Ducati for next season, bringing an end to his successful run at Yamaha.

31-year old Rossi will part company with the Fiat Yamaha team by the end of the current season, bringing a hugely successful seven-season association with the team to a close.

Rossi has won four MotoGP world titles with the Japanese manufacturer since joining from Honda in 2004.

“Now the moment has come to look for new challenges; my work here at Yamaha is finished. Unfortunately even the most beautiful love stories finish, but they leave a lot of wonderful memories,” said Rossi.

Honda’s RC211V gave Repsol Honda rider Valentino Rossi a distinct edge over the competition, an edge he used to win the 2002 MotoGP world championship. There was one particular advantage, though, he used to devastating effect: The ability to open the throttle earlier when exiting a corner. That advantage is directly attributable to Honda’s new Unit Pro-Link rear suspension, as used on the RC211V–and now on the CBR600RR.

The first generation of Honda’s Pro-Link rear suspension (which made its production debut on the 1981 CR250R) was unique because of its lower link pivot. That characteristic allowed the linkage design to create the desired degree of manually produced progressive spring rate. Unit Pro-Link takes the same concept to the next level.

Conventional rear suspensions attach the top eye of the shock unit to an upper rear frame cross-member. Unit Pro-Link, though, attaches the top eye to the top of the braced swingarm structure itself. Below the shock is a joined pair of arms at roughly right angles to each other, pivoting on a shaft attached to the bottom of the swingarm. One of these arms connects to the bottom shock eye, while the other is joined to the bottom of the frame by a pair of tension links.

As the rear wheel rises in passing over a bump, the pull of the tension links rotates the arms, compressing the shock from the bottom. The fact that the top of the shock moves upward with the swingarm is compensated for by increasing the rate at which the bellcrank compresses it from the bottom. Depending on the geometry of the linkage, the bottom of the shock moves more, and more rapidly, than the top of the shock. Compared to the shock used on the F4i, the RR’s shock has increased damper volume, and no hose connecting to the piggyback reservoir. The heavily braced swingarm features a press-forged right-side arm and a box-section extrusion left-side arm, both welded to a cast crossmember/pivot.

The Unit Pro-Link design provides a wealth of benefits. To begin with, the shock is contained entirely within the swingarm, and the shock is positioned lower than in a conventional design. Both contribute to mass centralization, in part by giving the centrally mounted fuel tank room to extend downward to the engine crankcases.

More importantly, with the top eye mounted to the top of the swingarm, shock absorber loads don’t get fed into the frame, so engineers were free to tune the frame to the best stiffness for superior handling. A new construction technique–Hollow Fine Die-Casting–also aided engineers in tuning the frame. Compared to the F4i, the CBR600RR’s frame features greater torsional stiffness at the steering head, decreased lateral stiffness via thinner rear frame rails, and vertical stiffness uncompromised by a beefy structure for the top shock mount. All together, those qualities reduce wheelspin when exiting corners, which allows the rider to start accelerating earlier. The result: Earlier throttle application translates into quicker corner exits, and the additional speed can be carried all the way down the next straight.

It’s a benefit that made the difference in the RC211V’s winning the MotoGP championship in its first year. It’s also an entirely new, groundbreaking technology that had been confined to the race track–until now, and the CBR600RR.

Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd is delighted to announce that it has signed a new two-year agreement with Valentino Rossi. The seven-time world champion will continue to race with the Yamaha Factory Racing Team for the 2009 and 2010 MotoGP World Championships.

The 29-year-old Italian joined Yamaha in 2004 and since then he has won two world championships, 32 races and taken 20 pole positions for the Japanese factory. He is currently leading the 2008 rider championship, having taken three wins and a further five podiums in the first ten races this year. Rossi will continue to race alongside Spanish youngster Jorge Lorenzo in 2009.

Rossi and Masao Furusawa, Executive Officer, Engineering Operations of Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd, signed the contract today at the Laguna Seca circuit and made the public announcement at Yamaha US’s traditional Laguna Seca party at the Monterey Bay Aquarium this evening.

Yamaha Motor Racing Managing Director Lin Jarvis commented, “We are obviously delighted to have secured Valentino for a further two years. I think this news will be very welcome for MotoGP fans and for Yamaha fans around the world. Valentino is an icon in this sport and he is on top form right now as he challenges to win his eighth world championship and his third title together with Yamaha. This signing confirms Yamaha’s four-rider line-up for 2009 so now we can concentrate our full efforts on bike development and team organization to make sure that we are in the best possible shape for next year.”

“In the meantime we have many races to go this season and I hope that Valentino can win in Laguna Seca for the first time this Sunday to extend his championship lead before the well-deserved summer break – Forza Vale!”

Valentino Rossi added, “After so many years spent in racing, fortunately with so many victories, I needed a special motivation to take the decision to sign for two more years. The best place to find this motivation is Yamaha, since I have a great relationship with Yamaha’s directors, which comes from a mutual trust and loyalty. In our team there is a special atmosphere and with this new deal I can continue to work with my crew, where I am part of the project and part of the development of my M1. I had other opportunities but due to Yamaha’s efforts to give me the best bike in the best environment, I have decided to stay with Yamaha for two more years. This contract means that Yamaha is the manufacturer I will have spent most of my career with. This means more than a thousand words”

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Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd is delighted to announce that it has signed a new one-year deal with current Tech 3 Yamaha team rider Colin Edwards. Edwards will continue to race with the Tech 3 Team alongside Briton James Toseland in 2009.

The Texan has agreed the new one-year contract for the 2009 MotoGP World Championship after enjoying the best spell of his premier class career with Herve Poncharal’s Tech 3 Yamaha squad. The 34-year-old has already scored two podium finishes, four top five finishes and one pole position in 2008. He has been on the front row a further four times and is currently challenging for a top four position in the overall world championship standings.

Next year will be Edwards’ fifth season with Yamaha in MotoGP, during which time he has been one of the most consistent performers in the championship, scoring points in all but ten of his 94 MotoGP races. Eight out of ten of Edwards’ MotoGP career podium finishes have been with Yamaha.

Lin Jarvis, Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Racing commented “We are very happy to have been able to secure Colin as a Yamaha rider for 2009. We have been working to improve the quality of the total Yamaha package in the MotoGP class and in 2008 we have achieved the best combined results to date for many years. This comes down to the fact that in the Yamaha Factory Team and the Tech 3 Yamaha Team we currently have two excellent squads, with first-class technical partners, a great bike and four top class riders. Colin’s contribution to the improvement of results in the Tech 3 Team has been very important for the team and for the overall factory results. Colin has also played a very important role in the pre-season bike development for 2008 and we are very happy to have retained his skills and experience for the 2009 campaign. I hope Colin can celebrate this new contract this weekend with a top result here in front of his home fans at Laguna Seca!”

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Close correlation of products between the track and the street is a source of pride for Yamaha. Not only do the Aerox and JogRR scooters contain cutting-edge technology, but now the bikes themselves even physically resemble their distant racing ‘cousins’. Four replicas from the glamorous and exciting spheres of MotoGP and World Superbike now fill a prestigious place in Yamaha’s Scooter catalogue.

The liquid-cooled 50cc two-stroke-powered AeroxR boasts two official colour schemes; one of the Fiat Yamaha team, who are enjoying tremendous success in this year’s MotoGP championship and are the only squad to-date in which both riders (Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo) have sampled victory, and another of Yamaha’s team in World Superbike who, with the irrepressible and electric Noriyuki Haga onboard, provides some of the most-eye-catching and breathtaking action in the series.

Both Aerox Race Replicas have telescopic forks hold grippy 12” front wheels, flanked by disc brakes, while the rear end of the chassis benefits from a piggy-back remote reservoir shock. The Aerox Team Yamaha WSB Race Replica in particular houses a wealth of impressive features underneath the distinctive livery and lines; totally befitting this high performing and sporty model.

The Japanese Sultan of Slide would feel content seeing the sharp red and black transplanted from his race machine carrying that identifiable ‘41’. The sleek seat, black wheels, white touches to upper fairing and seat and carbon-fibre effect applied to the dash, equally convey the impression that the AeroxR takes its appearance direct from the track.

An alternative shade is provided by the model dedicated to the MotoGP team and the recognisable ‘clothing’ of the Fiat Yamaha crew, the Aerox Team Yamaha Race Replica. The logos – including partners and sponsors like Brembo and Wudy – and blue and white tones have made the transgression directly from the YZR-M1 causing this specific AeroxR stand-out instantly.

Also available in a Fiat Yamaha Team ‘outfit’ is the JogRR Team Yamaha Race replica.

Aside from the styling dedicated to one of the youngest and most sensational new riders in the series this year (he is now officially the ‘best starting’ MotoGP rookie in the history of the sport with more points after five races than his idol Max Biaggi, who held the previous honour) the JogRR is also 50cc liquid cooled – pumping out a third more power than the equivalent air cooled unit – and boasts a precisely calibrated hydraulic single rear shock, adding to performance while a tight, short-wheelbase and viable chassis dynamics combine with highly responsive braking for a safe and secure ride.

Spacious and practical while still keeping a strong sporting identity, the JogRR retains a double place of stature within the MotoGP world. As well as carrying the ‘48’ (incidentally a number that Lorenzo adopted from his manager who used to compete with the same digits) the JogRR is also proud to carry the mantle of official MotoGP scooter.

The JogRR MotoGP not only has a special dedicated design of black and white, with official logos and circuit layouts, but is also the model that is used and relied upon by paddock staff at venues across Europe. From the bustling ambience of Jerez to the tight confines of Donington Park, the heat of Misano and the majesty of Mugello, the JogRR plays a valuable and varied role in the vast MotoGP logistical machine.

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Fiat Yamaha riders Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo travel to the legendary Le Mans circuit this weekend looking to continue their trailblazing start to the 2008 MotoGP World Championship after dominating the headlines over the opening four rounds. The pair have three pole positions, seven podiums and two wins to their credit so far – securing leadership of the Teams’ and Constructors’ World Championships and delighting their army of fans around the world.

The last round in Shanghai was their most impressive yet, with Rossi reaping the fruit of a blossoming relationship with Bridgestone tyres to take a dominant first victory of the season and Lorenzo producing a heroic charge to fourth place on his Michelin-shod YZR-M1 despite fracturing both of his ankles during free practice.

The Spaniard, who lies second in the championship, faces another huge test of his mental and physical resistance this weekend after being confined to a wheelchair ever since his return home from China. The damage to his ankles will take months to fully heal but Lorenzo has no more time to put his feet up, with seven races coming thick and fast over the next ten weeks as the season enters its busiest phase. The 21-year-old at least has fond memories of Le Mans, having taken victory there from pole position last season.

Rossi has had five podium finishes in the premier-class at Le Mans, including two victories. The Italian’s success in China was his 89th in all classes of Grand Prix racing, taking him to within just one of Angel Nieto, who lies second in the all-time winners’ list behind Giacomo Agostini.

Le Mans is one of the least technical circuits on the calendar, with the main complication being the first turn – one of the fastest in MotoGP – which is followed by the first of a number of tight chicanes. The rest of the track is made up of short straights and hairpins, calling not just for balance and control under hard and repeated braking, but a neat and swift transfer from full braking to full acceleration on the exit of the corners.

Valentino Rossi;
“Last year Le Mans was incredibly disappointing for us – we were hoping for a good result in the dry but the rain came and things didn’t go as planned. This year however we’re going there on a real high after the fantastic result in China and I am confident that we can have a good weekend. China was a very important boost for everyone and a great result for all the hard work that everyone has put in so far this season to get us to this point, and now we have to make the most of this moment and keep pushing like this. Yamaha usually goes very well at Le Mans and, although it’s obviously the first time we’ve been there with Bridgestone, I am confident that we will be strong there. We are nine points from the top of the championship but our rivals are very motivated too so there is no let-up and we must go for the maximum points again. This is the start of the busiest phase of the championship and it’s always hard work but also great fun. Let’s hope we can get this run of races off to the best possible start in France

DAVIDE BRIVIO – Team Manager
“Le Mans is the start to a very busy period for the championship but on the evidence of the race in China we are ready! Shanghai was a very important race for us because it showed how much progress we have made since Qatar. The engineers did a great job, Valentino was incredible and that has given us all a big boost in confidence and motivation. With seven races over the next ten weeks this is the core of the championship so the timing of Valentino’s first win of the season couldn’t have been better. Four different winners from the first four races is fantastic so now let’s see who can be the first to repeat. We all feel positive it can be us and we can’t wait to fight for it. In 2006 we almost won at Le Mans but for a technical problem and last year we were denied by the rain so we feel we have unfinished business there and we look forward to fighting again.”

JORGE LORENZO
“I was lucky in China! If I’d have landed differently it could have ruled me out until the middle of the season and certainly prevented me from enjoying myself as much as I am in this early part of the season. In China I realised the risks in this sport; as riders we have to take a lot of risks and that Sunday in Shanghai, with my emotions and my feelings, I knew I had to go through it and take risks again because my team were depending on me in the box. I won’t be at 100% for Le Mans but my mental condition should make me strong at one of my favourite circuits and I am really looking forward to the race just the same. I know my team will help me all that they can and hopefully I will be in good enough shape to challenge strongly, as I have at the first four races. China was unfortunate but now I have to move on!”

DANIELLE ROMAGNOLI – Team manager
“Obviously Jorge is a little more injured than we first realised in China and the broken astragalus in his right ankle is a problem but we’re hopeful he can be fit enough to fight again in France. At the moment there is not much we can do but wait for the most recent updates from Doctor Mir and see how he feels when he gets on the bike on Friday. As far as learning the track with this bike is concerned we have seen in the previous two races that this is not an issue for Jorge, particularly at Shanghai, where he effectively only had only one free practice session. Le Mans is traditionally a ‘friendly’ track for Yamaha, who have had a lot of good results there in the past. We’re at the start of an intense period of GP activity and the next few months will be interesting. For us the most important thing is to stay concentrated.”

VALENTINO ROSSI INFO
Age: 29
Lives: Tavullia, Italy
Bike: Yamaha
GP victories: 89 (62 x MotoGP/500cc, 14 x 250cc, 12 x 125cc)
First GP victory: Czech Republic, 1996 (125cc)
First GP: Malaysia, 1996 (125cc)
GP starts: 196 (135 x MotoGP/500cc, 30 x 250cc, 30 x 125cc)
Pole positions: 49
World Championships: 7 Grand Prix (1 x 125cc, 1 x 250cc, 1 x 500cc, 4 x MotoGP)

JORGE LORENZO INFO
Age: 21
Lives: London, UK
Bike: Yamaha
GP victories: 22 (1 x MotoGP, 17 x 250cc, 4 x 125cc)
First GP victory: Brazil, 2003 (125cc)
First GP: Jerez, Spain, 2002 (125cc)
GP starts: 98 (4 x MotoGP, 48 x 250cc, 46 x 125cc)
Pole positions: 29 (3 x MotoGP, 23 x 250cc, 3 x 125cc)
World Championships: 2 x 250cc

Le Mans: Record Lap
V. Rossi (Yamaha) 2006, 1’35.087

Le Mans: Best Lap
C. Edwards (Yamaha) 2007, 1’33.616

Grand Prix Le Mans 2007 results
1. C.Vermeulen (Suzuki) 50’58.713
2. M.Melandri (Honda) +12.599
3. C.Stoner (Ducati) +27.347
6. V. Rossi (ITA) Yamaha +53.563

Jorge Lorenzo Le Mans 2007 result
1. Jorge Lorenzo (SPA) Aprilia 43’12.237 (250cc)

After his hard fought third in yesterday’s Portuguese Grand Prix, Fiat Yamaha Team rider Valentino Rossi was back out on track today for a one-day test at Estoril. The team are anxious to take every chance to continue the crucial development process between the Yamaha M1 and the Bridgestone tyres and today’s test was focused on just this.

Rossi tested a wide range of new rubber compounds with an eye to the next race in China, at which Bridgestone has a strong record, and the 29-year was very pleased with the day’s results. He tested new front and rear tyres as well as some qualifying tyres, and improved set-up and feeling in all areas. After 90 laps his best time of the day, 1’36.707, put him second behind Dani Pedrosa and he also bettered his fastest lap from yesterday on race tyres.

Jorge Lorenzo, Valentino’s team-mate and the impressive winner of yesterday’s Grand Prix, did not test today as he flew to Barcelona to have an operation on his right arm after suffering pain due to Compartmental Syndrome in the last three races. The procedure is a common one amongst MotoGP riders and Lorenzo and his team of specialists decided to go ahead with it today as he will now have nearly three weeks of recovery time before the next race. Together with his surgeon, Dr Xavier Mir, Lorenzo will hold a press conference at 1500 hours tomorrow and further information will be available immediately afterwards.

DAVIDE BRIVIO – Team Manager
“Today was all about tyres, set-up and our ongoing task of improving the Yamaha-Bridgestone package. We tried new front and rear race tyres and also some new qualifying tyres, and we found some good solutions to take with us to China. We were able to improve rear grip and durability especially and these are two key areas for us. Valentino worked very hard today and completed 90 laps, and he deserves to be happy with a job well done. Of course we are always working on the general setting and we hope that we’re going to be arriving in China now with an even better bike than we had this weekend. Thank you to everyone for another long weekend of hard work and now there’s some time to relax before we make the trip to China.”

TEST TIMES
1. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Repsol Honda 1’36.455
2. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Fiat Yamaha Team 1’36.707
3. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) JiR Team Scot MotoGP 1’36.791
4. Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda 1’36.928
5. Colin Edwards (USA) Tech 3 Yamaha 1’37.145
6. Randy De Puniet (FRA) LCR Honda MotoGP 1’37.146
7. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati Marlboro 1’37.330
8. Chris Vermeulen (AUS) Rizla Suzuki 1’37.617
9. Shinya Nakano (JPN) San Carlo Honda Gresini 1’37.725
10. James Toseland (GBR) Tech 3 Yamaha 1’37.767
11. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1’37.781
12. Alex De Angelis (RSM) San Carlo Honda Gresini 1’37.782
13. John Hopkins (USA) Kawasaki Racing 1’38.023
14. Toni Elias (SPA) Alice Team 1’38.695
15. Anthony West (AUS) Kawasaki Racing 1’39.065
16. Sylvain Guintoli (FRA) Alice Team 1’39.223
17. Marco Melandri (ITA) Ducati Marlboro 1’39.725

Estoril: Lap Record
J. Lorenzo (Yamaha) 2008, 1’37.404

Estoril: Best Lap
J. Lorenzo (Yamaha) 2008, 1’35.715

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Loris Capirossi raced his Rizla Suzuki GSV-R to a brilliant fifth place at today’s Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez.

Starting from 10th on the grid, Capirossi got a great start and was up to seventh at the end of lap one. He picked up another couple of places on lap three before settling into a strong and consistent race pace. Suzuki’s new Italian star came under pressure during the latter part of the race and was relegated back to seventh, but he used all his experience to fight back on the last lap and overtake James Toseland and Andrea Dovizioso on the final corner, a result that gives Suzuki its best finish from a MotoGP race at Jerez since the introduction of the four-stroke regulations.

Chris Vermeulen had an equally eventful race as he tried to make up from starting 12th on the grid. He battled his way through the field to seventh and was catching the riders in front of him, but as grip became a problem he was caught by Toseland, who put in a very strong pass on Vermeulen resulting in the Australian’s leather suit being ripped on the upper arm! Vermeulen tried to fight back put had to settle for 10th place and score his first points of the 2008 season.

Today’s race was held in sunny conditions with the air temperature reaching a pleasant 19ºC and was watched by over 131,000 fans at trackside. The colourful and partisan crowd were treated to a victory by Spain’s Dani Pedrosa on his factory Honda.

Rizla Suzuki MotoGP will now remain at Jerez for a further two days of testing before moving on to the third round of the MotoGP World Championship at Estoril in Portugal on Sunday 13th April.

LORIS CAPIROSSI
“First of all I really want to say thank-you and well done to the whole team because they have all made a great effort for me and everybody stayed focused. We didn’t start the season in the best place and now we have come back a little bit, but we must continue to work in that way. Fifth position is not the best for us because our target is different, but at the moment it is not too bad. I had to fight to get through and I started really aggressive because I knew the Bridgestone tyres would work well at the beginning and I tried to stay with top guys, but as the tyre started to wear I had to defend my position. In the last couple of laps I fought with Toseland and Dovizioso, but I beat both of them in the last corner. That was for sure nice for me!”

CHRIS VERMEULEN
“It was another tough race at Jerez, for the second year in a row! I qualified a fair way back and gave myself a lot of work to do. I didn’t get a good start but I had a couple of really strong laps and got past a few guys. I felt quite strong, the bike was working well and my pace was good early on. By about lap eight I got through to seventh and I was catching fifth and sixth – they were right there in front of me – and things felt really good. Towards the end of the race my rear tyre grip really dropped off and I now think that perhaps we chose a too soft compound and it really suffered in the last few laps. I really struggled and the bike wouldn’t turn or get enough grip to lean it over far enough. We will learn from that and go with a harder compound next time. I’d like to thank all my guys for their hard work this weekend. We are finally on the scoreboard with some points and I’m already looking forward to Estoril.”

PAUL DENNING – Team Manager:
“It is no secret that we had a tough pre-season and first event in Qatar, but today’s result – a fifth for Loris and both bikes inside the top 10 – gives us hope that we can come back to a seriously competitive level. Loris justified today all the reasons why we wanted to bring him to Suzuki. He has helped us a lot with the bike and the future development of the GSV-R. Most importantly it is clear that his aggression level, his will to win and to get the best result possible under any circumstances is the same as it was when he was 18 years old!”

“Chris admits that he made an incorrect gamble on the rear tyre choice, but we do thank Bridgestone for the flexibility on allowing him to make that choice, because it may have worked out better for him. From 12th on the grid he had to try something to get to the front group, but unfortunately it didn’t work out.”

“The crew and both riders are now looking forward to the next two days here in Jerez and to take the good base that we now have, and work on the details to give the riders an increasingly competitive package for Estoril and the races beyond!”

GRAN PREMIO BWIN.COM DE ESPANA RACE CLASSIFICATION
1. Dani Pedrosa (Honda) 45’35.121: 2. Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) +2.883: 3. Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha) +4.339: 4. Nicky Hayden (Honda) +10.142: 5. LORIS CAPIROSSI (RIZLA SUZUKI MOTOGP) +27.542: 10. CHRIS VERMEULEN (RIZLA SUZUKI MOTOGP) +35.091:

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CLASSIFICATION
1. Pedrosa 41: Lorenzo 36: 3. Rossi 31: 4. Casey Stoner (Ducati) 30: 5. Andrea Dovizioso (Honda) 21: 8. LORIS CAPIROSSI (RIZLA SUZUKI MOTOGP) 18: 14. CHRIS VERMEULEN (RIZLA SUZUKI MOTOGP) 6:

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Tickets are now on sale for the Mugello Grandstand. This year the Ducati Grandstand Tour will take in 9 international MotoGP races.

Following the success of the Ducati Grandstand at Italian rounds last year, Ducati has decided to use the same formula at other MotoGP rounds around the world.
It will now be possible to follow your heroes trackside at the Italian circuits of Mugello and Misano, but also at the European rounds of Le Mans, Sachsenring and Valencia, as well as at the international events at Laguna Seca and Indianapolis (U.S.A.), Phillip Island (Australia) and Motegi (Japan).

On 1st June 2008, the Ducati MotoGP Team will take to the track, more revved up than ever and ready to take part in the first of two Italian MotoGP world championship rounds, at Mugello, one of the hallowed grounds of international motorcycling.

Last year, more than 3000 Ducati fans were lucky enough to witness the qualifying practice and races from one of the most spectacular sections of the Tuscan track: the Correntaio curve. This spot has now earned a special place in the hearts of the Ducatisti and is famous for its action-packed racing.

This year, Ducati is once more offering its fans the chance to experience the excitement of live Mugello MotoGP, surrounded by fellow fanatics. Ticket holders will be able to join in with the official fan club members, who in previous years have ‘painted’ Mugello red with their unstoppable passion for the Borgo Panigale machines.
Entertainment in the Ducati grandstand will be arranged as usual by the Desmodromiclub of Rome.

As well as making it possible to watch your heroes race around from one of its most strategic points, the famous “Correntaio” curve. The ticket will also entitle you to a ‘goodie bag’ full of exclusive gifts. And so that you don’t miss any of the action, a 33m2 giant screen will be positioned next to the grandstand. Last but not least, there is the convenience of a reserved parking space for your bike and a free cloakroom service to store your gear.

Tickets are valid for the qualifying sessions, held on 30th and 31st May 2008, and for the race on Sunday 1st June. In addition to access to the Ducati grandstand, in which you can choose your own seat, tickets act as a pass to most viewing areas around the racetrack. The ‘Pedonale Provinciale’ pedestrian entrance to the racetrack (located next to the Palagio entrance) is recommended for access to the grandstand.

The big difference this year is that it is possible to book tickets well in advance, at a special price. Through the official Ducati Store network, if purchased between 19th March and 15th April, tickets cost just 190 Euros, while from 16th April until stocks last, the price is 220 Euros and the tickets are available exclusively via the website www.ducati.com.

Further information and all the latest news is available on http://www.ducati.com/news/08/news004/news004.jhtml as well as the national Ducati websites of the participating countries.

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Rizla Suzuki MotoGP is on its way to Jerez in Spain for the first European Grand Prix of the 2008 MotoGP World Championship, looking to put the tough opening round in Qatar firmly behind it.

Loris Capirossi fought to a well-earned eighth place at Losail earlier this month, whilst team-mate Chris Vermeulen was forced to pit and finished just outside the points. The two Rizla Suzuki racers will be planning to try to emulate Capirossi’s performance at the Spanish GP in 2006, where the experienced Italian won the race after starting from pole position.

Jerez is the first of three rounds held in Spain during the championship, but the only one that carries the name “Spanish Grand Prix”. The huge, passionate crowd at trackside makes this race one of the events of the year and is regarded by many as the ‘real’ start to the season. Nearly a quarter-of-a-million fans crammed around the 4.4km circuit over the event’s three days last year, making the Jerez GP one of the highest attended of the season, and a similar – if not larger – crowd can be expected this year. The Jerez track is one of the best spectator circuits on the calendar due to its numerous grandstands providing near perfect viewing facilities over its undulating layout, so fans get the chance to see the riders go through a series of hard-braking corners, endless camber changes and high-speed straights.

Rizla Suzuki MotoGP takes to the track on Friday 28th March for two hour-long practice sessions, followed by another practice the following morning. The all-important qualifying session takes place on Saturday afternoon to decide grid positions for Sunday’s 27-lap race that gets underway at 14.00hrs local time (12.00hrs GMT).

Loris Capirossi:
“Qatar wasn’t the best result for us, but we did learn some good lessons for the forthcoming races. The Jerez test earlier in the year wasn’t the best conditions so we don’t have a lot of direction from the data we collected then. We need to be fighting for top positions and podiums – I have complete faith in Suzuki and the whole project that those results and performances will come soon. The season is just beginning and I hope we can step up to a good level at Jerez next weekend!”

Chris Vermeulen:
“We need to get out there and start work straight away, after the disappointment of Qatar we are playing catch-up a bit! I enjoy the Jerez circuit and we made some important developments towards the end of the test there last month, so we need to continue from where we left off. Jerez with its huge crowd and amazing atmosphere feels like the real start of the season and I will certainly be going for it!”

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