Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

(Hon): 17. Randy De Puniet (Apr); 1B. Luca Boscoscuro (Apr); 19. Luis Costa (Yam); 20. Katjll Poensgen (Hen); 21. Javier Diaz (Hon); 22. Michllel Noboru Ueda crashes spectacularly in the 125cc race. Goreio (Apr). Time: 44 min., 38.464 sec. Distance: 67.41 miles Average speed: 90.60 mph Margin of victory: 16.993 sec. Fastest lap: Daijiro Katoh, lap 17, 1:42.285 250 WORLD C·SHIP POINTS STANDINGS (After 11 of 16 Rounds): 1. D8ijiro Ketoh (222/7 wins); 2. Tetsuyo Horodo (178/2); 3. Morco Melondri (169/1); 4. Roberto Rolfo (128); 5. Fonsi Nieto (98); 6. Emilo Alzomoro (84); 7. Jeremy McWillioms (79/1); 8. Roberto LocoteU; (77); 9. Nooki Motsudo (70); 10. Alex Debon (51); 11. Fronco Bottoini (49); 12. Alex Hoffmonn (47). 500cc QUAUFYING: 1. Mox Bioggi (1:40.076); 2. Loris C8pirossi (1 :40.258); 3. V8lentino Rossi (1:40.324); 4. Tohru Ukowo (1:40.531); 5. Jurgen Carlos Checa (Yam); 5. M8X Biaggi (Yam): 6. Kenny Roberts Jr. (Suz); 7. Jurgen van den Goorbergh (Pro); 8. Olivier Jacque (Y8m); 9. Shinya Nakano (Yam); 10. Jose Luis C8rsoso (Yam); 11. Haruchika Aoki (Hon); 12. Anthony West (Hon); 13. Johon SUgefelt (Sob); 14. Brendon Clorke (Hon); 15. Borry Veneman (Hon). Time: 47 min., 25.357'sec. Distance: 72.59 miles Average speed: 91.85 Margin of victory: 1.756 sec. Fastest lap: loris Capiross!, 18P 4, 1:40.683 500cc WORLD C'SHIP POINTS STANDING (After vlln den Goorbergh ('J :40.540); 6. Alex B8rros 11 of 16 rounds): I. Valentino Rossi (220{1 wins); 2. (1:40.670); 7. Sete Gibemou (1:40.713); 8. Corlos Checo (1:40.752); 9. Gorry McCoy (1:40.894); 10. Mox Bioggi (177/3); 3. Loris Copirossi (147); 4. (TIE) Alex Borros/Shinyo Nokono (107); 6. Norick Albe (100); 7. Alex Criville (91); 8. Corlos Checo (89); 9. Kenny Roberts Jr. (72); 10. Sete Gibemou (68); 11. Tohru Ukowo (64); 12. Gorry McCoy (58); Norick Abe (1:40.901); 11. Kenny Roberts Jr. (1:40.969); 12. Alex Criville (1:41.037); 13. Noriyukl Hogo (1:41.139); 14. Shinyo Nokono (1:41.520); 15. Olivier Jacque (1:41.586); 16. Jose Luis Cardoso (1:41.887); 17. Horuchiko Aokl (1:42.130); 18. Anthony West (1:43.173); 19. Leon H8s18m 13. Jurgen van den Goorbergh (52); 14. Noriyukl Hogo (44); 15. Olivier Jocque (38). (1:43.645); 20. Johon Stigefelt (1:43.715); 21. Borry Veneman (1 :44.446); 22. Brendan CI8rke ( I :45.593). SOOcc GRAND PRIX: 1. V81entino Rossi (Hon); 2. Loris Copirossi (Hon); 3. Gorry McCoy (Vom); 4. Upcoming rounds: Round 12 - Valencia, Spain, September 23 Round 13 - Motegi, Japan, October 7 BRIEFLY••• Valentino Rossi plans to test the four-stroke V-five Honda again before the end of the season, before he makes a decision about what he will ride next year. ·1 have tried the four-stroke one time only, for eight laps at Suzuka in poor conditions," he said. ·Honda want me to race the four-stroke next year, but I want to have the choice. It's necessary for me to try it one more time before the end of the season, so I can get a better feeling for the bike and some better idea of its potential." He did not expect to switch between one type and the other during the season, however. After his first test on the bike, Rossi's main comment was to criticize the small size of the machine. "I was not able to get behind the fairing," he said. Has Alex eriville been dumped by Honda7 The picture was far from clear at Estori!. after the story broke at Bmo two weeks before that HRC had told him they would no longer require his services next season. Criville later told his mechanics they would not be together next year, but now the outcome is far from certain, and the former World Champion's future probably hinges on whether sponsors Repsol agree on terms with HRC for next year, and also whether HRC manage to beat the planned franchise system that would limit them to just two riders. Asked about his plans, Criville was cagey. "I haven't decided yet. We're thinking about next year, but at the moment I am concentrating on this race and the next one. But I need to have more talks with Honda, and make a decision before we go to Japan." But the Spanish rider revealed he does have options with other teams and other manufacturers. He is still massively popular in Spain, and one option is thought to be with former rider Luis d'Antin's Antena 3 Yamaha team. Five of this year's private teams have been guaranteed entries in the new (and still unnamed) two-stroke/four-stroke ex-500cc class that starts next year, alongside five factory teams. A statement from Doma named the teams, and added that their place is guaranteed until the expiration of the current contract at the end of the 2006 season. The favored few are: Antena 3 Yamaha d'Antin; Gauloises Yamaha Tech 3; Proton Team KR: Red Bull Yamaha WCM; West Honda Pons. In addition, Shell Advance Honda have been given a one-year deal - leaving V-four runners Sabre out in the cold, along with the V-twin teams Arie Molenaar Racing (Haru Aoki) and Dee Cee Jeans (Anthony West and Barry Veneman). Since all the above are expected to enter two-rider teams, and all 26 places on the grid are understood to have been filled, this leaves 14 places for factory teams from Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, Aprilia and Petronas-Sauber. Unless there are other factories still to come (still a closely guarded secret - but MZ is one possibility), this means at least two of these factories plan to run two two-rider teams. Honda has already indicated that they expect to run separate two-stroke and four-stroke teams. There will also be space for one wild-card entry - making a slot for Ducati, should they be ready to enter their proposed V-twin next season. Kenny Roberts .Jr_ has denied that he pulled out of the Czech Republic GP two weeks ago even though there was no problem with the machine. There was a problem, said the son of a legend in a written statement, "but I don't want to discuss it." Privately, he said that there were two difficulties, at least one of them probably caused by severe vibration from the pre-Big Bang 1aO-degree crankshaft. "I lost all feel for the bike and the tires: he said. The different engine braking of the motor also affected the way brakes performed as the race wore on, and after seven laps he was in serious trouble, his lap times getting slower and slower. ·If you want to make it bad for a rider, you take away the feel, or the brakes. When both are gone, then there's a serious safety issue. I possibly could have finished the race, and possibly in the top 10. But I could just as easily have fallen down, and then I might not be here in perfect health for this race," he said. In his written statement. he said: "It is true that I did not explain the situation to my team, which I regret. The reason was pure frustration. Bmo was the peak of frustration that has been building up all season. My actions were a cry for help - everything else I have done so far has not had any results. Since then I have received a letter from senior management at Suzuki, asking me to be patient. and promising me that next year Suzuki will have the most competitive bike on the track - two-stroke or four-stroke. It's all behind me now, and I want to go forward, with the hope of winning the World Championship with Suzuki again next season ... The Suzuki factory· s response to Roberts and second rider Sete Gibemau took the form of a personal letter from Mr. Sadayuki Inobe, promising that help was on the way. Gibemau, who had outqualified Roberts, took the unusual step of making the letter public, in a statement saying: ·On other occasions, promises of this sort have not been made public, and they have not come to reality, but Sete is confident that now the problems will be resolved. The 500cc-c1ass rider's own spirit has been renewed." The statement quoted the letter in full: ·Gentlemen - Further to my memorandum attached to Mr. Lombardia [head of Telefonica MoviStar sponsorshipJ, I have instructed my Racing Department that 2002 GP machines shall be more competitive than Honda or Yamaha two- or fourstroke GP machines. I tell you this to give you heart, after a very difficult season. Suzuki Factory has heard your request and reacted to the situation. Please be patient for the rest of the season. Help is coming." Roberts switched back to the MBig Bang M go-degree firing order engine at Estoril. following his disastrous outing on the 1aO-degree "Screamer" at Bmo, when he pulled into the pits midrace. But teammate Sete Gibemau stuck with the 1aO-degree motor and was faster than the champion all through practice. Norick Abe had a lucky escape from a spectacular crash on the first day of practice at Estoril after his Antena Yamaha low-sided on the way into one of the fastest comers on the track, a right-hand kink on the back straight. The bike painted a big black line as it went down, sending Abe tumbling terrifyingly head over heels at more than 150 mph. it was a virtual replay of the crash that left his former team manager Wayne Rainey with a broken back in 1993 - but mercifully Abe suffered nothing worse than a comprehensive battering, a sprained ankle, and two fractured fingers. Sources close to the team said that telemetry showed he had run into the comer more than g mph faster than on previous laps. Earlier, Proton Team KR rider Jurgen van den Goorbergh escaped injUry in his first crash since the start of the season. His best bike was destroyed, but he was not hurt. New Australian rider Brendan Clarke was another to fall, emerging battered and bruised after· getting in too hot" on the Shell Advance Honda V-twin 500. Formula One supreme Bemie Ecclestone and his former-model wife, Siavica, became the latest victims of prankster Randy Mamola when they accepted a ride on the Marlboro Yamaha two-seater 500cc GP machine. But the 13-time GP winner made it easy on both of them - especially Siavica, with a notably slow two iaps, before Bernie took his tum and Mamola opened the throttle a bit wider. "Super, super, super. Randy even got it up on the back wheel." said Ecclestone straight after the ride, adding: "Everybody should do it at least once. It is a great way to experience what bike racing is all about. although I think Randy was probably only at quarter-throttle. I can't imagine doing that for a one-hour race. The lean angle is amazing; I'm not sure how they stay on. I started my career on motorcycles, but I'm glad I didn't finish it on them.· Mamola, who ran at speeds up to 155 mph, admitted he had been relatively gentle on his celebrity passengers. Ecclestone, one of the richest men in the world, started his own motorsport career racing a Matchless at Brands Hatch in England in the Fifties before switching to four wheels, going on to take over Fl racing and build it into a vast money-making empire. ·When Bernie was on the back, I realized that was the most expensive piece of cargo I've ever had on the bike. I didn't want to make a mistake, but I'm glad for the chance to show him what bike racing is really all about.· Mamola said. Aprilia had a novel approach to the potential of high winds at Estoril - a problem in last year's race, and at test sessions in the past. They had a set of fairings ready with holes cut in the side. The 500cc class has never been closer, but the 250cc class is in the doldrums, with a handful of fast men and the field made up by also-rans. This has created serious traffic problems during qualifying, and almost all the fast men had some comment to make on ·the tourists" - starting with pole man Tetsuya Harada, who said: "There are too many riders waiting for someone faster, crawling along and creating dangers for the ones -who are flat out. They have to stop that and learn how to ride by themselves if they want to mature as riders.· Teammate Marco Melandri related how he had been fastest on the first three sections, then lost it all in the last section to spoil his hot lap in the final session. "There is one rider who waits for me, and when I start to push squeezes in front and risks making both of us crash.· Jeremy McWilliams actually did fall, after taking a wide line to avoid a slower rider and running onto the dirty part of the track. It's unfair to poke fun at foreigners writing bad English, but nonetheless it's sometimes irresistible - especially at times like this, when Aprilia made the following comment about Italian rider Franco Battaini's practice problems. "The Brescian rider is not happy with his typical senseriouty," read their statement. Mind you, who would be? The TSR racing team broke its long-standing association with Honda to fit a Yamaha engine to their 250cc-c1ass entry, ridden by back-field Englishman Stuart Edwards. TSR ITechnical Sports Racing), now with a base in England, has been associated with Honda from the start, but emphaSized that they are independent manufacturers of components, mainly racing chassis for Hondas. The switch came after comparative dyno tests showed the Yamaha motor to be much better than the Akitted Honda and HRC was unable to offer any assistance, said a team member. American .John Hopkins took another step toward a GP career with a third test on the Red Bull Yamaha at Estori!. scheduled for the day after the GP. The AMA Formula Xtreme racer tested the GP machine earlier this year at Bmo, and last year also. ·He's a young talent that we are keeping our eye on," said team manager Peter Clifford. Anthony Gobert back to Suzuki? This was the rumor at Estori!' But it is not to rejoin the GP team from which the Australian bad boy was sacked in 1997 after failing a drug test. Instead, he is expected to join the satellite Suzuki Superbike team, run by Francis Batta, next year. There has been no official announcement. however, with Gobert still under contract to Yamaha in the USA. cue I • n • _ s SEPTEMBER 19,2001 13

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