2001 Grand Prix 500 - Round 13

Garry McCoy fell during warm-up this morning after struggling all weekend with tyres. The Australian complaining that Michelin do not make soft enough compounds for him and during qualifying only managed to be 13th fastest.

"I'm a little angry about the tyre situation, I've got no real chance in the race, the compounds available here are just too hard for me and I just cannot get any rear grip," McCoy said.

"The disappointing part is that I got the 16.5-inch Michelin tyre back winning races and now the development seems to head in the direction of suiting all the other riders."

McCoy is sustained some ankle damage this morning but nonetheless takes his place on the grid for the race.

Loris Capirossi qualified on pole by nearly half a second and had this to say after qualifying, Pole-sitter Capirossi had this to say - "We've been working hard all week after a bad time in Valencia and the bike has been working really well. The race will be difficult because the track is a lot more slippery than last year but hopefully we will see a good race."

Biaggi got a great start, Roberts also off the line very well and hits the front through turn one, Biaggi gets him back in turn two, Rossi 3rd. Hold that Rossi takes Roberts for 2nd at turn three. Gibernau in 4th and right with them but had a big moment which allowed Barros and Capirossi through for 4th and 5th respectively, relegating Gibernau to 6th. McCoy struggling back in 17th position as they start lap two. Capirossi was the fastest man on lap two but has some work to do in order to catch Biaggi and Rossi out in front who are stretching away a little.

Biaggi fastest man on lap three but still only a couple of bike lengths in front of Rossi.

Biaggi, Rossi, Roberts, Barros, Capirossi, Gibernau, Abe is the race order on lap four. Barros through on Roberts for 3rd, a lap later Capirossi also got through on Roberts relegating the American to 5th.

BIAGGI DOWN - Rossi can take it easy now, if he wins this race the 2001 championship will almost certainly be his. Biaggi once again was the victim of a front end lose. This was shaping to be an excellent race but unfortunately we now may be in for a bit of a procession.

Haga down and out a lap later. After the demise of Biaggi Barros now finds himself in 2nd spot, two seconds behind race leader Rossi. Abe starting to challenge Roberts for 4th.

Jurgen Van Den Goorbergh retires out of the race after some trouble with the Proton KR machine. It has been reported by Cycle News that Kurtis Roberts (younger brother to Kenny jnr.) will ride the Proton KR in Malaysia. Other reports have Van Den Goorbergh on a Bridgestone Kanemoto Honda for 2002.

Lap 11 of 25 - Rossi, Barros, Capirossi, Roberts, Abe, Gibernau, Ukawa, Nakano, Checa, Kagayama, Jacque, Criville, McCoy, Cardoso, and Anthony West make up the top fifteen. Alex Barros closed a little on Rossi, the gap down to 1.4 seconds but Rossi responded by pulling out another couple of tenths on the next lap to stretch the gap back out to 1.7 seconds.

10 laps to run and Rossi still stretching his lead over Barros, the gap now over 2 seconds. Capirossi a few seconds further behind in 3rd but being chased down by Norick Abe.

Rossi, Barros, Capirossi, Abe, Roberts, Gibernau, Ukawa, Nakano, Checa, Kagayama is the top ten now. McCoy falling back through the field, it appears he has some sort of problem with his Red-Bull Yamaha.

8 laps to run and the serious on track action is happening in the battle for 5th with Gibernau, Ukawa, Roberts and Nakano fighting for position. A lap previously Roberts had been at the lead of that group but with 7 laps to go finds himself at the tail of the pack in 8th.

At the front: Rossi has 2 seconds over Barros, who in turn has 5 seconds over Capirossi. Abe a little further behind in 4th. The aforementioned fight for 5th is happening some 17 seconds behind race leader Valentino Rossi.

Anthony West is the first of the V-Twins in 14th position. But not only that, he is also ahead of 4 cylinder machinery such as Leon Haslam's Shell Advance Honda.

In the closing couple of laps now and Rossi has nearly 3 seconds on Barros. Capirossi 3rd and Abe 4th. That battle for 5th is currently favoring Ukawa from Nakano, Gibernau and Roberts. The American starting to come under attack from Carlos Checa on the final lap.

Rossi celebrates the win with a great mono across the line.