Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

World Championship Road Race Series BRIEFLY• •• Is the PetronasSauber engine destined for Proton Team Roberts. as a consequence of the Malaysian connection? Kenny Roberts has consistently denied the possibility, but the speculation just won't go away, especially since the Proton KR3 gained Petronas stickers for this race and for the Brazilian GP. °The only significance is that they are our new lubricants sponsor," said team manager Chuck Aksland. Youlchi Ui (41) won his fifth race of the rear. but stili trails Manuel Pogglall by 23 points In the 125cc standings with one race remaining on the scheduleo to go he started to show his familiar aggression, and was still close enough to make the rostrum. Instead it all went wrong, and every hard move into a corner would see him lose at least as many places as he (2:06.755); 10. Norick Abe (2:06.877); 11. Alex Criville (2:06.984); 12. Tohru Okawa (2:07.055): 13. Carlos Checa (2:07.751); 14. Noriyuki Haga (2:07.796); 15. Haruchika Aoki (2:08.894); 16. Jose gained. By the last lap, they'd all stretched out a bit - and he was almost at the back. Luis Cardoso (2:08.936); 17. Kurtis Roberts (2:09.221); 18. Anthony West (2:09.383); 19. Barry Veneman (2:11.695); 20. Leon Haslam (2:11.932); 21. Johan Stigefelt (2:11.998); 22. Brendan Clarke (2:12.903). 125cc GRAND PRIX: 1. Youlchi UI (Oer); 2. Manuel Poggiali (Gil); 3. Lucio Cecchlneilo (Apr); 4. Deniel Pedrosa (Hon); 5. Gino Borsoi (Apr); 6. Toni Teammate Pedrosa was fourth, from Borsoi; then Elias ahead of Vincent and the down-on-power Azuma. Mirko Giansanti was ninth, at the head of a big pack almost 30 Elias (Hon); 7. Arneud Vincent (Hon); 8. MllSllO Azuma (Hon); 9. Mirko Gianslinti (Hon); 10. Mlix sec- onds adrift, leading Sabbastani, Sabba"ni (Apr); 11. Noboru Ueda (Han); 12. Joan Ueda, Olive, Perugini, de Angelis and Olive (Hon); 13. Stephl!lino Perugini (ItI); 14. Alex De Angelis (Hon); 15. Jaroslllv Hules (Hon); 16. Simone Hules, with Sanna out of the points Sanna (Apr): 17. Angel Rodriguez (Apr); 18. Raul Jara (Apr); 19. Gaspare Cartiero (Apr); 20. Gabor after dropping off the back of the Telmacsi (Hon); 21. Jamo Muller (Hon); 22. Wlllillm De Angelis (Hon); 23. Adrilln Areujo (Hon). Time: 43 min, 21.269 sees. Distance: 65.35 miles group. Pablo and Angel Nieto crashed Average speed: 90.44 out, as did (among a few others) Margin of victory: 2.078 sees. Fastest lap: 2:14.961,lap 7, Youichi UI Steve Jenkner. 250cc GRAND PRIX: 1. Oaljiro Katoh (Han); 2. Poggiali is now safe from Elias, 230 Tetsuyll Harllda (Apr); 3. Fonsi Nieto (Apr); 4. Roberto lQs:lItelli (Apr); 5. Jeremy McWillillms (Apr): 6. Franco Battllini (Apr); 7. Naoki Mlltsudo (Yem); 8. Alex Hofmann (Apr); 9. Sylvain Guintol! (Apr); 10. Roberto Rollo (Apr); II. Marco Melandri (Apr): 12. 204 - but Ui moved into second 207. Cecchinello took over fourth, with 156 points to Azuma on 133. CIII points to on Randy De Puniet (Apr); 13. Luca Boscoscuro (Apr); 14. Alex Oebon (Apr); 15. David Checa (Han); 16. Ma..,... &__ Prb s..-.,Ma..,m David Tomas (Hon); 17. Riccardo Chillrello (Apr); 18. Jay Vincent (Yllm); 19. Jeronimo Vidal (Apr); 20. David De Gea (Yam); 21. Diego Guigovaz (Apr); 22. Luis Costa (Yam); 23. Shaun Geronimi (YlIm). TIme: 43 min, 22.487 sees. Distance: 68.79 miles ........: IIct8IIer 21, 2UDI 125<:c QaAUFYlNG: I. Toni Elias (2:15.358); 2. Youichi Ui (2:15.516); 3. Lucio Cecchinello Average speed: 95.15 Margin of ¥k:tory: 14.893 secs. (2:15.615): 4. Daniel Pedtosa (2:15.683); 5. Gino Borsai (2:15.981); 6. Angel Nieto Jr. (2:16.054); 7. Fastest lap: 2:08.920, lap 2, Deijiro Ketoh 500cc GRAND PRIX: 1. Valentino Rossi (Han); Mex Sabbatani (2:16.]64); 8. Manuel Poggie-Ii (2:16.165); 9. Simone Sanna (2:16.533); 10. Masao Azuma (2:16.558); 11. Amaud Vincent (2:16.706); 12. Jaroslav Hules (2:16.759); 13. Noboru Ueda (2:16.793); 14. Joan Olive (2:17.113); 15. Alex De Angelis (2:17.213); 16. Mirko Glansanti (2:17.228); 17. Jakub Smrz (2:17.360); 18. Pablo Nieto (2:17.519); 19. Gabor Talmacsl (2:17.537); 20. Jarno Muller (2: 17.541); 21. Glanlulgl Scalvlnl (2:17.576); 22. Gaspare Camero (2:17.583); 23. 2. Loris Capirossi (Han); 3. Garry McCoy (Yam); 4. Shinya Nakano (Yam); 5. Tohru Ukawa (Han); 6. Alex CriviUe (Han); 7. AJex Barros (Han); 8. Sete Glbemau (Suz); 9. Noriyuki Haga (Yam); 10. Carlos Checa (Yam); 11. Jose Luis Cardoso (Yam); 12. Anthony West (Han); 13. Norick Abe (Yam); 14. Brendlln Cilirke (Han); Leon Hlisiam (Han). Time: 44 min, 46.652 sees. Distance: 72.23 miles Angel Rodriguez (2:17.928); 24. Eric: Beteille (2;17.983); 25. Alessandro Brannelli (2:18.008); 26. Reul Jara (2:18.195); 27. Stefano Perugini (2:1B.216); 28. Steve Jenkner (2:18.262); 29. Average speed: 96.79 JlIargin of victory: 3.551 secs. F.stest lap: 2;06.618. lap 13, Valentino Rossi 125 World C'SHIP POINTS STANDINGS (Alter 15 of 16 rounds): l. Manuel Poggiali (230/3 wins); 2. Youichi Ui (207/5); 3. Toni Elias (204/2); 4. Lucio Cecchinelio (156/1); 5. Masao Azuma (133/2); 6. Gino Borsoi (130); 7. Simone Sanna (105/1); 8. Daniel Pedrosa (100); 9. Steve Jenkner (94); 10. Noboru Ueda (91/1). 250 World C'SHIP POINTS STANDINGS (After 15 WiLlio.m De Angelis (2:18.844); 30. Adrian Arllujo (2:18.907). 250cc QUALIFYING; 1. Oaljlro Katoh ~2:08.151); 2. Fonsi Nieto (2:09.024); 3. Emilio A1zamora (2:09.358); 4. Roberto Rollo (2:09.531); 5. Randy De Punlet (2:09.697); 6. Tetsuya Harada (2:09.699); 7. Roberto Locatelli (2:09.813); 8. Marco Melandri (2:09.872); 9. Jeremy McWilliams (2:09.901); 10. Sharel Yuzy (2:10.348); 11. Alex Holmann (2:10.413); 12. Naoki Matsuda (2:10.634); of 16 rounds): 1. DlIljiro Katoh (297/10 wins·); 2. Tetsuya Harada (263/3); 3. Marco Meland,i (174/1); 4. Roberto Rollo (169); 5. Fonsi Nieto fI54); 6. 13. Franco Battaini (2:10.719); 14. Sylvllin Guintoll (2:11.053); 15. Luca Boscoscuro (2:11.290); 16. Riccardo Chiarello (2:11.294); 17. Alex Oebon (2: 11.552): I B. David Checa (2: 11.700): 19. Lorenzo Lanzi (2:11.709); 20. Sebastian Porto (2:11.793); 21. David De Gea (2:12.108); 22. Jay Vincent (2:12.629); 23. David Toma. (2:12.688); 24. Jeremy McWilliams (130/1); 7. Emilio Alzllmore (127); 8. Roberto Locatelli (118); 9. Naoki Matsuda (105); 10. Franco BaUaini (69). 500 World C'SHlP POINTS STANDINGS (After 15 of 16 rounds): 1. VlIlentino Rossi (300/10 wins·); 2. Max Biag9i (203{3); 3. loris Capirossi (199); 4. Alex Barros (169/1); 5. Shinya Nakano (148); 6. Norlck Abe (127); 7. Carlos Checa (117); 8. Sete Gibemau (115/1); 9. Alex Crlville (111); 10. Tohru Ukawa (107); 11. Kenny Roberts Jr. (97): 12. Garry McCoy (82). Jeronimo Vidal (2:13.445); 25. Diego Gulgovaz (2:13.673); 26. Luis Cost. (2:14.418); 27. Katia Poensgen (2: 14.568); 28. Sheun Geronimi (2: 16.089). 500<:c QQALlFYING: I. Loris Cepirossi (2:05.637); 2. Valentino Rossi (2,05.712): 3. Max Blaggi (2:05.842); 4. Garry McCoy (2:05.961); 5. Alex Berros (2:06.465); 6. ShinYli Nekllno Upcoming Rounds: Round 16: Jacarepagua, Brazil, November, 4 (2:06.489); 7. Olivier Jacque (2:06.686); 8. Sete Gibernllu (2:06.736); 9. Kenny Roberts Jr. 10 OCTOBER 31, 2001 • cue • • n .. __ ,. Petrones-Sauber answered rumors that their new three-cylinder four-stroke was not only hard to start, but also required a crew of six or seven. with an extra demonstration after the end of practice. "It takes three people - one man operating the rear-wheel rollers, another monitoring the electronic functions, and the rider to operate the throttle," said PSE's Paul Fricker. °The way we have the injection set at the moment. it won't fuel up until it reaches 1000 rpm - but this is just a test engine. also limited to 13.000 rpm,o he said. A second engine, free to rev to 15,000 rpm, was to be used in tests next week, with the eventual target being 16,000. As is usual with four-stroke racing engines. the water is preheated, which warms the block and hence also the oil - old-timers might recall similar practices back in the days of the Manx Norton (air-cooledJ, when the oil was pre-warmed before starting. Alex Barros and Loris Capirossi will stay where they are for next year. after sponsors West and the Honda Pons team agreed sponsorship terms, according to an announcement at Sepang. Barros has signed to stay with the team for two years, but it is understood that Capirossi has signed just a one-year deal - he is expected to join Ducati's new four-stroke GP effort in 2003. This ends speculation that Barros was set to move to Aprilia to ride their new GP four-stroke next year. and leaves two tempting seats open at the Italian factory, who are "99percent sure - to have a four-stroke to race next year. though they have not yet announced any details of engine configuration. It Is thought that they are deciding between a V-twin and an in-line triple design. Tough Italian teenager Marco Melandri was back at Sepang, after pulling out of the Australian GP the weekend before. stiil suffering from broken bones in his hand incurred when he was run over by Daijiro Katoh's Honda at Motegi. Melandri, winner of the German GP. qualified eighth. on the second row of the grid. Red Bull Yamaha to Dunlop? This seems highly possible. as the fiefdom of Michelin in the premier class comes under double threat for next season. Already. 250cc World Champion Daijiro Katoh is to stick with his preferred Dunlops when he moves up to the top class next season: while Aprilia is expected also to choose Dunlops for their four-stroke effort. The latest link puts the Red Bull Yamaha team on Dunlops as well - ironically, however. without Nori Haga in the tei'm. Haga has had a horrible time this year trying to adapt to Michelins, currently the only suppliers to the 500 class. but at the last time of asking he was expected to leave the team. with American John Hopkins joining alongside Garry McCoy. "We're thinking about making the switch." said team manager Peter Clifford. Bridgestone are also to come into the 500cc class next year. They will suppiy tires to Jurgen van den Goorbergh. riding a V-four Honda in the new Erv Kanemoto team - Kanemoto spent 2001 testing for the Japanese tire company. Malaysia's tropical heat and damp mornings played the usual havoc at Sepang, with no less than 24 crashes dUring the two days of practice. Victims on Friday included Toni Elias in the 125 class, Tetsuya Harada in the 250s, and Kurtis Roberts in the 500cc class, but things got worse on Saturday, with 125 failers Including points leader Manuel Poggiali and race winner Masao Azuma. the 250 class claiming Sebastian Porto, Emilio Alzamora and Randy de Puniet. as well as back-marker Stuart Edwards. and the 500s Max Biaggi. Alex Barros. Leon Haslam and Jurgen van den Goorbergh. All escaped injury except Proton rider Jurgen van den Goorbergh. who was concussed enough to be helicoptered to hospital in Kuala Lumpur for observation. After a CAT scan. he was discharged, but he didn't start the race. OAt first Jurgen recognized me. but he didn't know where he was or where he had crashed for a while," said his brother Patrick. The other cost of the heat was to engine power - a problem for all. though more acutely felt in the 125 and 250 classes. Masao Azuma had a consequent prediction for the I 25cc class. "The 125 winner will be the one who is in front from the start, because he will get the best cooling. Everyone in his draft will run hotter, and have less power," he said. In the 500cc class. even the V-fours were feeling the heat, but the Proton triple and the V-twin Hondas were affected more seriously. -The longer you go. the slower it gets,O said Proton KR3 rider Jurgen van den Goorbergh on the first day of practice; while top V-twin rider Anthony West was also complaining. °It's really hard to get it carbureting right, and the engine feels pretty gutless," he said. Fears of problems in Moslem Malaysia had come to nothing by the end of the second day of practice. A demonstration by Moslems outside the American Embassy the previous week had sparked fears that a big intemational event like the GP might be a target for further protest or action ... but the atmosphere at Sepang could hardly have been friendlier or peaceable. Front-row qualifier Garry McCoy's Red Bull Yamaha team was planning a popular jape for the pre-race grid TV show - a special sign addressed to Eurosport TV commentator Toby Moody. Moody and popular colleague Julian Ryder are covering the three flyaway events from the Paris studios, but Moody was inadvertently rumbled at the Motegi round. after talking knowledgably about the atmosphere and conditions In Japan. when they cut to pit-lane commentator Randy Mamola. He opened with the line: "Hullo Toby. What's the weather like in Paris?" This was widely reported, and the unwelcome attention did not go down well. By Saturday night in Malaysia, McCoy's pit crew already had a sign prepared for McCoy to hold up dUring the pre-race grid film· ing, carrying the follOWing message: "Calling Paris. Hi Toby. Wish you were here."

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