MotoGP 2009 - Round Three

MotoGP 2009 - Round Three - Jerez - Preview

The MotoGP paddock reconvenes in southern Spain for the third round of the 2009 World Championship, the Gran Premio bwin.com de España, just a week on from their second outing of the year. The first European round, and one of the most well-attended events on the calendar, the riders have points to win and points to prove at the Circuito de Jerez.

Like last year, Spanish fans have a local leader of the overall classification to cheer on when May 3rd comes around, in the form of Jorge Lorenzo. Courtesy of a perfect podium record from the opening two races, the Fiat Yamaha rider arrives with a one point advantage over teammate Valentino Rossi and a victory already on the board from the previous round in Japan. Lorenzo took pole and placed third on his home debut at Jerez last year, and won twice at the track during his time in the 250cc class. As if further motivation was needed, the Spaniard also turns twenty-two the day after the race.

Second in the standings, reigning World Champion Rossi has won five times in the premier class in Andalucia and enjoys a level of popularity with the Spanish fans that rivals any of their local favourites. The Italian has never gone more than three races into a season without picking up a victory, and with two gone already his hunger for glory will be reaching breaking point. In previous years Rossi’s celebrations after winning in Jerez have been legendary, but will the 30 year-old provide another memorable moment this Sunday?

Just three points down on series leader Lorenzo, Ducati Marlboro’s Casey Stoner has not had the best of times at Jerez on race weekends. He has yet to place on the podium in seven visits to the track in various classes, but will draw positives from an amazing performance at the recent Official Test held at the track. The Australian was untouchable in a timed session to win a BMW sports car, stating his case for a challenge to those more successful at the circuit in previous years than himself.

After taking fifth at both Qatar and Japan, Andrea Dovizioso is currently fourth in the table, chasing his opening podium of 2009. Such an honour has already gone to Repsol Honda teammate Dani Pedrosa, who is just a single point off ‘Dovi’s total of twenty-two after claiming third in Japan.

Alongside Lorenzo and Pedrosa, Toni Elías and the returning Sete Gibernau contest their home race this weekend. Gibernau has not ridden at the track in a truly competitive environment since 2006, when he took second on the grid onboard the 990cc Ducati Desmosedici in his first race with the bike.

The 250cc class has traditionally been one of the strongest categories for Spanish riders, and the 2009 lineup sees a home rider at the head of the classification for the Gran Premio bwin.com de España. Álvaro Bautista holds the advantage in the quarter-litre category after victory in Japan, and now heads to the track at which he took his first podium in the series back in 2007.

Bautista last won a race in Jerez en route to the 125cc title in 2006, but came close last year in an epic showdown with Marco Simoncelli. Both riders crashed out after an engine failure for Mapfre Aspar man Bautista, something for which the Spaniard will be keen to make amends this time around.

A Spanish resident, Hiroshi Aoyama follows a home Grand Prix at Motegi with another ‘local’ race. Scot Racing’s Japanese star took second place to Bautista last Sunday, and will look to do what the Spaniard managed –spoiling the home celebrations- as he aims to overcome a deficit of a single point in the standings.

Also in with a chance of leaving Jerez at the head of the leaderboard, Héctor Barberá is a further three points down in the title chase. Another home participant, the Pepe World rider followed up his Qatar win with a problematic race in Japan, but had a strong testing outing at this week’s Grand Prix location last month.
Reigning World Champion Simoncelli is yet to claim his first points of the year, but joins the likes of Gabor Talmacsi, Mattia Pasini and Mike di Meglio as expected aspirants for glory.

With two (or one-and-a-half, depending on viewpoint) victories to his name in the 125cc class from as many races, Andrea Iannone is the early leader of the category in 2009. Just twenty-four laps into the season –four of which constituted a curtailed Qatar opener- the Italian has already eked out a 7.5 point advantage over any other rider in the class. He has, however, never won a race in Europe, a statistic that he will be eager to change this weekend at Jerez.

The Ongetta Team I.S.P.A rider has an immediate rival in his quest for the world title in the smallest cylinder class, in the form of Julián Simón. Bancaja Aspar’s local rider was the fastest man in testing at the Spanish circuit, and has twice finished runner-up to Iannone this season. After double disappointment, Simón is one of the favourites for victory on Sunday.

Spanish fans have another rider shining bright in the 125cc class in the opening stages of the season, namely Derbi teenager Pol Espargaró. He finished on the podium last time out in Japan, and came closest to a home rostrum at the scene of this weekend’s race with fourth place in 2007.

The new breed of German talent have made their mark in the category over the past two races, with Sandro Cortese, Stefan Bradl and rookie Jonas Folger looking to spoil the party in Jerez for the home riders. Just off them in the standings, fast tester at the Spanish track Bradley Smith has his sights set on a first Grand Prix victory.

The Gran Premio bwin.com de España takes place on Sunday, May 3rd, with practice sessions kicking off on the preceding Friday.

-- Ducati Preview

DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM MAKE EURO RETURN FOR GRAND PRIX OF SPAIN
After two weather-hit races in the Middle and Far East of Asia, the Ducati Marlboro Team returns to the ‘old continent’ this weekend, hoping for better conditions at one of the most traditional dates on the calendar, the Grand Prix of Spain at Jerez de la Frontera.

Casey Stoner has made his best ever start to a MotoGP season thanks to victory in Qatar and fourth place in Japan, leaving him third in the early championship standings that see the top three riders separated by just three points.

Nicky Hayden has had a less fortunate start to the season, with Yuki Takahashi knocking him off track at Motegi on the opening lap and forcing him to retire form the race. However, the American is confident that he made progress with the team and the GP9 in Japan and can’t wait to get back on track in Spain.

LIVIO SUPPO, MotoGP Project Director
“We arrive at Jerez after two opening races in which Casey has been able to show his talent and maturity whilst Nicky has been really unlucky. It will be a tough weekend for everybody because after just a four-day break since the race in Japan the guys will be back on track on the other side of the world. Hopefully the weather will be nice to us for the first time this year so that we can make the most of each practice session in consistent conditions.”

CASEY STONER, Ducati Marlboro Team (3rd in championship on 38 points)
“I’ve never really done well at Jerez but in the winter test we worked well and set some quick times so we’ll try to use that as the base for a positive weekend. You need good handling at this track and a bike that allows you to get into the corner quickly and then onto the gas straight away, as well as having good stability. I think we’ve taken a step forward in this area with the GP9 and as long as we don’t get bad weather or some other kind of setback then we should find a good set-up for Jerez. Some of our better tracks are coming up later in the season but if we stay focused and keep working as we are doing then we can still put some decent results on the board. The start of the season has been better for us this year than it was last year so we have to try and keep our standards up.”

NICKY HAYDEN, Ducati Marlboro Team (15th in the championship on 4 points)
“I can’t deny that it’s been a tough start to the season, especially in Japan, but we have to move on and look ahead. Now we go to Jerez and even though we didn’t have a great test there in March, things are different now. At Motegi I felt as though the communication within the team had improved, the work we’re doing together as a group is becoming more smooth, so I’m looking forward to starting again at Jerez with a clear and positive mind. I don’t even want to think about the possibility of it raining again there! At the moment it looks like the forecast is good but it seems as though somebody upstairs likes seeing MotoGP riders in the wet! Joking aside, it would be nice to have a ‘normal’ weekend so that we can work properly on the bike. I want my season to finally get going!”

THE TRACK
Built in 1986, Jerez hosted its first Grand Prix the following year and has stayed on the World Championship calendar ever since. It is a race that the majority of riders look forward too thanks to the special atmosphere created by the Spanish fans and the characteristics of the circuit layout, which reward good riding. Many of the 13 corners flow into each other, requiring a precise and smooth racing line and a well-balanced machine set-up. Jerez is an ‘old-style’ track, with a lot of second, third and fourth-gear corners that put rider skill to the test. Several of the turns lend themselves to overtaking, in particular the hard-braking turns one and six - the Dry Sack – and the final hairpin that leads onto the start-finish straight and gives the riders one last opportunity to pass before the chequered flag. More than outright horsepower, in general this circuit rewards a machine that handles well and is stable under braking.

-- HRC Preview

The MotoGP World Championship returns to its traditional heartland this week for the first race on European tarmac, exactly a week after last Sunday’s Japanese GP, round two of the 2009 series. The Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez is one of the most popular events on the MotoGP calendar, regularly attracting a weekend crowd of more than 200,000 fans who create a carnival atmosphere in Jerez and surrounding towns.

This weekend local hopes will be particularly high, with last year’s Jerez winner Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda RC212V) scoring a remarkable third-place result in Japan, despite lingering problems from recent knee and wrist injuries. The Spanish hero still won’t be 100 per cent fit for the first of MotoGP’s three races in Spain, but his speed and determination at Motegi suggests that he can’t be counted out of another great result.

New team-mate Andrea Dovizioso (Repsol Honda RC212V) also rode well at Motegi, taking a strong fifth place just nine seconds behind the winner. The result was especially impressive considering that riders went into the race after just one dry practice session, an extra challenge for riders like Dovizioso have switched teams and tyre brands for 2009. The Italian’s second consecutive fifth-place result puts himself fourth in the current points standings.

Both Repsol Honda men are looking forward to returning to more familiar territory at Jerez. Pedrosa has enjoyed some amazing successes at the challenging track in the heart of Andalusia. He won the 2005 Jerez 250 GP and has scored podium finishes in each of his visits on a MotoGP bike – second in 2006 and 2007 and a dominant victory in 2008. Dovizioso also goes well there, having scored podium finishes in the 2006 and 2007 Jerez 250 GPs. Last year he was eighth on his Jerez MotoGP debut.

Pedrosa won’t be the only home hero on a Honda at Jerez. Toni Elias (San Carlo Gresini Honda RC212V) also enjoys massive support in Spain and will be doing everything in his power to get closer to the front after difficult rides at the opening GPs in Qatar and Japan. Former MotoGP winner Elias believes that his team are now working in the right direction to find a set-up that works for his radical riding style and he is therefore excited and optimistic about Jerez.

Team-mate Alex De Angelis (San Carlo Gresini Honda RC212V) will be working hard to rediscover the pace he had in Qatar, where he finished sixth, but lacked in Japan, where he finished 13th. Like Elias, his main goal is to create a set-up which puts more heat into the rear tyre.

Randy de Puniet (LCR Honda RC212V) is looking forward to building on the steady progress he’s made since the start of the season. Like Dovizioso, de Puniet is one of a minority of riders who have switched tyre brands this year following the instigation of the single-tyre regulation with Japanese brand Bridgestone. With limited preseason testing and limited practice time (both testing and practice having been reduced in an effort to cut costs in the current global financial climate), de Puniet needs time to find the ideal match between his RC212V and its Bridgestone tyres.

Yuki Takahashi (Scot Honda RC212V) is another man who needs time. The Japanese former 250 hotshot is one of three rookies in this year’s MotoGP series and is still learning to get the best out of his RCV. His apprenticeship wasn’t helped by an unlucky first-lap crash at Motegi, but the Japanese is more confident for Jerez, where he tested during the winter.

Jerez was the second purpose-built Spanish racetrack to host the country’s world round, after Madrid venue Jarama. Early Spanish GPs were held on a complex street circuit within Montjuich Park in Barcelona, before Jarama took over in the late 1960s. Jerez hosted its first GP in 1987 and this year is the venue’s 21st GP event.

Honda won its very first GP victory on April 23 1961 at the Spanish GP at Montjuich (where Australian Tom Phillis won the 125 race on a Honda RC144 twin) and has enjoyed excellent successes at recent Spanish GPs at Jerez, with 16 wins in the premier class, five victories in the 250 class and eight successes in 125s.

Jerez has always been popular with riders, placing a great emphasis on riding technique, while also presenting a real challenge for engineers and technicians. Jerez features a great variety of corners, from high-speed sweepers to dead-slow hairpins, with many of the corners leading into one another, demanding precise lines and exact machine settings. Getting the best out of the tyres is probably the greatest challenge of all at Jerez, since the many flowing corners require riders to spend a lot of the time on the edge of the tyres. The circuit layout has remained the same since 1996.

Dovizioso and Pedrosa are currently the top-placed Honda riders in the 2009 MotoGP World Championship, holding fourth and fifth places on 22 and 21 points. The series is led by Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha) on 41 points, with Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) and Casey Stoner
(Ducati) a close second and third on 40 and 38 points.

MotoGP rider quotes

Repsol Honda’s Andrea Dovizioso said: “After the race in Japan we arrive in Jerez with more confidence. At Motegi we proved that we can fight hard for the whole race and run at the frontrunners’ pace. I was happy about the race result in Japan because we succeeded in closing the gap to first place, but we still have to work to improve the machine package. In Japan we couldn’t actually do any development work on the bike because of the bad weather conditions which affected most of the sessions. So there’s still a lot of things we need to test including some new parts. Obviously we’ll have to see what we can get done at Jerez , while also working on the set-up for the race. The Jerez circuit is not one of my favourite tracks, but I will still give it my all this weekend. The atmosphere here is always incredible – there are so many spectators and they have a great passion for bikes, so it’s always a great experience to race in front of them. The Spanish GP is also the home GP for Repsol so I’ll be doing my best to get a good result for them too.”

Repsol Honda’s Dani Pedrosa said: “It was great to get such an encouraging result in Japan right before we go to Jerez because now we have some momentum which we must try to maintain. Still, despite getting on the podium at Motegi, which I was really pleased with, we mustn’t kid ourselves that we are fully competitive just yet. We struggled quite a lot in the practice sessions at Motegi and we’re under no illusions that we have to keep working hard to bring our package up to its full potential. Still, I’m really looking forward to Jerez and it’s always a very special experience for me to race there. The fans are so passionate and give me and all the Spanish riders great support. I like the Jerez track and have had some great moments there. Having got that result in Motegi, and now that my physical condition is improving, I hope I can give the fans and the team something to celebrate this weekend.”

San Carlo Gresini Honda’s Alex De Angelis said: “After Motegi it would be silly to try and predict what could happen at Jerez but we definitely won’t struggle as much as we did in Japan. We really need to work hard on finding some traction because this is the only area we are missing - other than that my feeling with the bike is great. We didn’t have a great preseason test at Jerez but hopefully it can be a similar situation to Qatar, where we had a poor test but the higher temperature and extra base setting data helped us to improve the situation for the race. After two very strange races in Qatar and Japan it will be nice to head back to Europe, where hopefully things will be a little more back to normal!”

LCR Honda’s Randy de Puniet said: “I like the Jerez track because it is very technical and the Spanish fans are really warm. After the last races I am really hoping for some good weather conditions so that we can develop our base set-up in the dry. Honestly, I could get a better result in Japan, but we missed some track time in the dry, and that’s why I want to concentrate on our machine setting during practice at Jerez. We have already been to Jerez for winter testing but bad weather did not give us the chance to adjust the bike package as we planned.”

San Carlo Gresini Honda’s Toni Elias said: “We improved at Motegi but not as much as I would have liked and we’re not in the ideal situation going into my home Grand Prix at Jerez. However, the important thing is that I believe we are on the right path and by continuing to work hard in the way we are doing, along with a bit of help from Honda, we should be there soon. I’ve had some great races at Jerez in the past, the crowd there definitely give the Spanish riders a big lift and with the data we have from preseason testing there is no reason not to go into this Grand Prix feeling excited and optimistic.”

Scot Racing Team Honda’s Yuki Takahashi said: “I like Jerez. Here we tested during last winter. This means that we already have a few data, and it helps a lot as this is my first year in the class. In the last two GPs we understood several things about the bike – especially in Motegi, a track that I know well. The main point, in Spain, will be to avoid the wheeling, which can come out in a track with short segments like this.”

-- Yamaha Preview

The MotoGP circus has its first European port of call this weekend, at Jerez de la Frontera in Southern Spain. After the rain-interrupted first two races, springtime in Andalucia will hopefully bring calmer weather for the riders and the capacity crowd of passionate Spanish fans. The Fiat Yamaha Team is riding high after a one-two from Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi in Japan last weekend and the pair will be targeting more glory this week as they look to continue their stunning start to the season.

Rossi has a huge Spanish following and an impressive six victories in all classes to his name at Jerez, two of which have come with Yamaha in 2005 and 2006. The 30-year old finished runner-up there last year, his opening podium of the season and his first on Bridgestone tyres. After two second places on the bounce this year he will be out to claim his first win and wrest the championship lead from his team-mate, who he currently trails by just one point.

After a brilliant second MotoGP win last Sunday at Motegi, Lorenzo comes to his home Grand Prix brimming with confidence and leading the championship. Last year he took his second pole position and went on to finish third and he will be hoping to make the most of his home advantage this weekend and take a first MotoGP win on Spanish soil. The Mallorcan, who turns 22 on Monday, made history at Jerez back in 2002 as the youngest rider ever to qualify for Grand Prix and he took victory there in 2006 and 2007 on the way to his two 250cc titles.

Jerez is a Mecca for Spanish motorcycle racing and always draws one of the biggest crowds of the season, with more than 120,000 filling the natural amphitheatre and creating a unique carnival atmosphere. The track itself challenges the riders to pick the most effective racing line, with few hard braking points and little opportunity to fully open the throttle. The 4.423km layout features regular and quick changes in direction, meaning that the rider requires a responsive overall set-up and good grip at maximum lean angles.

Valentino Rossi - "A step up"
"We've made a good start to the season with two podiums which shows we are consistent, but now we need to make the step up. Motegi was a good race but we had one or two problems, which we need to fix. We have a lot of data from Jerez because we tested there twice in the winter so I hope that this will help us to find a good setting straight away. I also hope that the weather is good because we've had two difficult races for this and I have had enough of the rain now! As a rule we are very strong at the track and it is always great fun riding there. I love Jerez, it's always a brilliant atmosphere and the fans make a big, big party for three days; I hope I can be part of the party this time! The championship is becoming very interesting now so let's hope for an exciting race this weekend."

Jorge Lorenzo - "A special circuit"
"My motivation is high because I am arriving as the World Championship leader in my own home. I can't ask for more! I had a very good feeling in Japan, and I enjoyed riding the bike in every corner. I have to be careful however because I am still learning all the time how to ride with the new Bridgestone tyres. I think that Jerez is maybe one of the most special circuits in the world, to be a MotoGP rider there is like a dream, all the people surrounding you… The last test in Jerez was very good. I was always in the three first positions so I hope to be fast from the start this weekend. I would like another podium, like last year in Jerez and like the first two races in 2009. I am confident!"

Davide Brivio - "Try and win as soon as possible"
"It's nice to be back in Europe after two races away, and to be starting the European stretch with two good results behind us. Jerez is the start of an important period of racing and it's key that we continue the same form and consistency. Our first target still remains to be on the podium every time, but of course we want to try to win a race as soon as possible!"

Daniele Romagnoli - "Extra motivation"
"The next race will be very exciting! Last weekend's win has given Jorge extra motivation and confidence; we know that the podium is possible now every time for us and at Jerez we know that he will give the maximum once again. We need to keep our feet on the ground and keep the concentration level high because our rivals are very strong. We have a good base setting and it seems to be working very well at different tracks and now we just need to continue working in the same way. It will be a great show in Jerez."

-- Suzuki Preview

Rizla Suzuki MotoGP has made the long trip back to Europe from Japan for the latest round of the 2009 World Championship, as the MotoGP circus heads to Jerez in Spain for the third round of the 2009 MotoGP World Championship.

Loris Capirossi and Chris Vermeulen travel to the 4,423m long Spanish circuit in high hopes following a promising performance at the Andalucían track in last month's final pre-season test. Capirossi recorded the third fastest lap during a timed 45-minute official practice session, Vermeulen also put in a good display by riding his Suzuki GSV-R to fifth position in what was the first competitive action of 2009.

Following the first two rounds of the year which have been plagued by heavy rain that has caused cancellations to proceedings at both events, the whole MotoGP field will be hoping for better weather on Spain's southern coast.

Jerez is the traditional first race on the European leg of the calendar and a huge crowd is expected to witness the event. The frenetic pace of the fans at trackside certainly makes this one of the must-see races in MotoGP.

Rizla Suzuki takes to the track at Jerez on Friday afternoon for the first of two 45-minute free practice sessions. The second is on Saturday morning, followed by 45-minutes of qualifying in the afternoon. Sunday's 27-lap race gets underway at 14.00hrs local time (12.00hrs GMT).

Loris Capirossi:
"I have been very disappointed with the first two races because the weather has meant we haven't been able to get the work done that we have wanted to on the bike, so it is good to go to a track where we have done some testing at already this year. We are going there with a good base setting and that should make the bike work pretty well straight out of the box. I am aiming for a high position this week, not just for me, but for all my crew and everyone at Suzuki because they really deserve it!"

Chris Vermeulen:
"I'm really looking forward to this weekend in Jerez, it's a great circuit and has an iconic feel to it - I've certainly watched many of my heroes race around there! We had a very good pre-season test there and I am looking forward to getting back on track and making the most of what we discovered there last month, in terms of set-up and tyre performance - especially as the track had just been re-surfaced. I hope that I can qualify on at least the front two rows and then I'll be able to challenge at the front right from the start and try to get on the podium!"

-- Bridgestone Preview

Tyre compounds available: Front: Medium, Hard. Rear: Soft, Medium

After two overseas grands prix to start the season in Qatar and Japan, MotoGP turns to Europe and to the Jerez circuit. The third race of the season also brings a different tyre strategy for Bridgestone. Having selected soft and medium compound slicks for both front and rear for the past two races, the nature of the Spanish circuit means a harder front tyre is needed.

The rear slick choices are again soft and medium compound, as seen in the previous two races, but the front Bridgestone is a step harder with medium and hard compounds available. These are the same front and rear options as were selected for the last pre-season test at the circuit at the end of March, so every rider (except the then-recovering Dani Pedrosa) has experience of Bridgestone’s new 2009 rubber at the circuit.

Both grands prix this season, in Qatar and in Japan, have been affected by rain, and the pre-season test in Jerez was also partly wet. Whilst riders have now got much more experience on Bridgestone’s wet weather tyres, they’ll be hoping for a dry weekend.

Last year’s race saw Fiat Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi as the highest-placed Bridgestone-shod rider, finishing in second place. It was one of only three races in which a Bridgestone rider did not take victory as Repsol Honda’s Dani Pedrosa scored a home victory, his first of two wins last year.

Hiroshi Yamada - Bridgestone Motorsport – Manager Motorcycle Sport Unit

“We have seen some very rare and challenging conditions in both race weekends so far this season, with Qatar’s race delayed until Monday and torrential rain in Motegi cancelling qualifying. I am looking forward to returning to Europe this weekend where hopefully the weather will be much better. We saw a good race in Japan which I am pleased about, and I am sure this can continue in Spain.”

Tohru Ubukata – Bridgestone Motorsport – Manager Motorcycle Race Tyre Development
“The Jerez circuit has been totally resurfaced since last year’s race so this will make a difference to tyre performance, though we have experience from the pre-season test at the end of March. It was previously quite bumpy and now it is flatter which is less demanding for the tyre’s construction in absorbing the bumps, but the surface is more abrasive which is why we have decided to select a harder compound front Bridgestone to increase durability.”

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