MotoGP 2005 - Round 12

Troy Bayliss will not take part in the Grand Prix of Japan at Motegi after injuring his wrist (Monday 12th September) whilst training on his motocross bike in Australia. Only a series of closer examinations will confirm the length of recovery time required by the Australian although he will definitely be forced to miss the next race. It is a real shame for Troy that he is not able to compete at a circuit that holds extra significance for the team. In fact, Sito Pons’ team have taken three successive victories at Motegi over the past three seasons. Alex Barros, who will aim to repeat the feat this coming Sunday, began the winning sequence in 2002, taking control of the Honda RC211V for the first time and taking to the podium with team-mate Capirossi, who finished third. In 2003 Camel Honda celebrated pole position and a subsequent victory with Max Biaggi in the team colours, whilst last year saw a repeat performance from Japan’s own Makoto Tamada, with another pole and victory combination, and who completed the rout by setting a new track record.

Sito Pons – Camel Honda
“I am very sorry that Troy is being forced to miss a race where, as far as I am concerned, he could have had a very satisfactory weekend. Motegi is the track that our Camel Honda team has always known how to make the most of, and where we have more wins than anywhere else. We have won every year for the last three, with three different riders which shows how the whole team’s work has proved crucial. The first win came with Alex, in 2002, the first time he rode the RC211V. Now he returns to the track with our team once again, and we will give everything, as ever, because he could repeat the victory and continue the winning sequence, whilst we hope that Troy can recover and return to the track as soon as possible.”

Alex Barros #4:
“I like Motegi, it’s a track where I can look back at some great races, and not just the win in 2002, when I rode this Honda four-stroke for the first time, but also the podium from the year before. Last year’s race was also good for me, because after the first corner incident where lots of riders crashed out, I was in last place, at the back of the group. The whole race was a fightback for me, and finally I came fourth, just a couple of seconds off the podium, just behind Nakano. We will try to make the most of the team’s experience on this track, so we can have another great race.”

Troy Bayliss #12:
“There is not much I can say other than that I am very, very disappointed to be forced out of this race. I was really looking forward to racing at Motegi after the tests we completed at Brno and I was training on my own to try and be as best prepared as I could. Now we will have to find out what treatment I need but my objective is to get fit as soon as possible.”

After the confirmation that Troy Bayliss will not be able to compete at Motegi after fracturing his wrist whilst motocross training in his native Australia, the Camel Honda team have decided to recruit Honda test rider Tohru Ukawa as team-mate to Brazilian rider Alex Barros for the event. There will therefore be two yellow RC211V machines on track at the Grand Prix of Japan, whilst the whole team remain hopeful that Troy Bayliss can make a quick recovery and be back in action as soon as possible. It is a return to the yellow colours of Camel for Tohru Ukawa, with the experienced Japanese rider having raced for the team during the 2003 season alongside Max Biaggi.

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