Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

Aaron Wraps Up Ninth Trials w: th two rounds still remaining on the schedule, Geoff Aaron wrapped up an unprecedented ninth AMA National Trials title with a win on and ended the day tied for the win with Florin. Aaron's card sported more cleans than did Florin's, giving the second day of competition at rounds "It feels great." Aaron said of his nine and 10 of the AMNNATC National Trials Championship Series held in Highgate, Vermont, july 30-31. On Saturday, the 33-year-old ERE/Gas Gas-rider turned in a SUb-par (for him) performance on the first lap of the three-lap event and spent the remainder of the day making amends, eventually settling for a third-place behind finish Gas Gas USA:s Chris Florin and RYP/Sherco-mounted Bruce Ie Riche of South Africa. On Sunday, Aaron remained focused on the technical and slippery sections ninth title. ""m super excited to win another one. There are a couple of him the win and the title. Rossi and Yamaha Again w a: g " z .. r "' ~ ~ r guys who are really pushing me, like Bruce ~e Riche] and Chris [Florin], so I feel good to accumulate as many wins as I can and keep this thing going. It's been a huge part of my life for the last several years, and it feels good to Q. One day after winning their eighth MotoGP of the season together in the German round at Sachsenring on july 3 I, Valentino Rossi-and Yamaha announced that the Italian World Champion had signed another contract with the company that will see him line up again in 2006 on a factory Yamaha. Rossi won the 2004 MotoGP World Championship with Yamaha and is currently competing in his second season with the japanese manufacturer's factory team. The 26-year-old leads the 2005 MotoGP World Championship by 120 points, following his eighth win on July 3 I. achieve another championship." "Since we announced the signing of Shan Moore Valentino Rossi at the end of 2003 we had an astonishing first year with him and are now GeoH Aaron clinched his ninth AMA National Trials title' in Vermont. enjoying great success again in 2005," Yamaha Motor Racing's managing director Lin jarvis said. "This year is the 50th anniversary for Yamaha and is therefore a very special year for us. We hope our MotoGP efforts will culminate in a second World title for Valentino Honda's New Stuff To Biaggi, Gibernau Yamaha engine for much of the season. Gibernau vacillated between new chassis Honda Racing Corporation is planning for the argument is clear that the same could be and old last year, often trying both on the the future with a rider who may not have a said for Biaggi and Gibernau. same weekend. In addition to being denied the new future with the team, Max Biaggi, the Roman "He must focus on that machine," who's been linked to nearly every team in Tanaka said of Hayden. Tanaka also wouldn't say if the machine would be ready for the Czech GP at Brno at the end of August. the GP paddock other than his current one, is expected to get an updated RC21 IV - as is Sete Gibernau. Not gening the new bike is Repsol Honda's Nicky Hayden. "I don't need to know nothing about it," Hayden said at the German Grand Prix this past weekend. "They don't tell me nothing. They just... Max [Biaggi] and Sete [Gibernau], that's what they tell me. They thought they were going to have it sooner than this. I don't think I'm going to be getting it." Makoto Tanaka, HRC Repsol Honda team manager, didn't specifically rule out Hayden getting the bike but hinted that it was unlikely. "We cannot make such a number of engines," Tanaka said. "It's impossible. We must say which rider. Now we can't say which rider on the new machines." Tanaka said that the decision would be made according to results, adding that Hayden's results were up and down, though "We try hard to make a new one," he said. If they miss Brno, the following race is in Motegi, japan. "It's very convenient for us in japan," he said. "Easy to make everything." There is considerable time pressure to produce the bike, and it's already being track tested by Tohru Ukawa and others. "Yamaha is very strong," he said, adding that it would appear "as soon as possible." The power isn't a problem, he said, it was handling they were after. Some parts of the machine will be visibly different, he said. The push will certainly give Honda a head start on the 2006 season, the last for the 990s. But having a new bike in the middle of the season isn't necessarily a benefit. Many teams, including Rossi's Gauloises Yamaha squad, stick to the tried and true. Rossi and crew chief jeremy Burgess resisted a new Loretta Lynn's MX To TV MX Sports and Racer Productions, along with Gear Media and Marketing Inc. (GMMI), have announced that the 2005 Air Nautiques AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships and the ATVA Dirt Days ATV National Championship from Lorena Lynn's Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee, will air on the Outdoor Life Network. "We're so excited to bring the excite- ment of the AMA Amateur Nationals and the ATVA Motocross Nationals to television sets around the country," MX sports director Tim Cotter said. "Everyone who has heard about the vaunted Loretta Lynn's Ranch experience will see why we call these 8 machine of the future, Hayden didn't benefit from a new chassis in Germany. "I didn't get any of the other new stuff this weekend," he said, adding, "My bike's totally good." Who did have them' Both Gibernau and Biaggi had the new frames from Friday on. But when they were questioned, they demurred. "No, ask them," Biaggi said. When told that HRC boss Tanaka had said there were new parts, Biaggi said, "Well, speak to him [Tanaka] and confirm to him, him again." Gibernau denied having a new chassis in the front-row press conference. Hayden's response was that "[Sete] needs to go to church more often." It seems increasingly likely that the allnew RC21 IV is likely to hit the track during a two-day test following the Czech GP. Specuiation has been raised that 250cc World Champion Dani Pedrosa may ride the current version of the RC21 IV at the test. guests. Major stars attending this year vacations. And they'll also get a look at some of the finest racing talent from today and tomorrow." Ranch activities include Travis Pastrana crushing cars in his 199 monster truck, the The Air Nautiques AMA Amateur Red Bull Freestyle Motocross Show, and Vanilla Ice performing on Monday and riding with McGrath on Tuesday. The telecast for National Motocross Championships takes place the week of August 1-6 and will air two weeks later on August 20. Davey Coombs, Jason Weigandt and Rodney Tomblin will host the show. The show will contain extensive racing highlights, featuring future professional stars such as jason Lawrence, Ryan Villopoto and Nicco lzzi, according to MX Sports. The show will also highlight evening activities and speciai AUGUST 10, 2005 • CYCLE NEWS - Valentino Rossi because is not my job. You can speak to include Jeremy McGrath, Ricky Carmichael, Travis Pastrana, Chad Reed, Ryan Hughes, Vanilla Ice, Lorena Lynn and many more. events the world's greatest motocross "It just made sense to stay with Yamaha for another year." the Amateur championships will air just before the Washougal round of the AMA National Motocross Championships. The weeklong Air Nautiques AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships will be divided into two shows, one for Amateur racing and another the following week for youth racing on minicycles. with Yamaha. We are obviously very happy to have Valentino with us for another year and to keep him with MotoGP in 2006. The partnership with Valentino is the key point that will now allow us to proceed with our total MotoGP strategy for 2006." "I am so happy to be able to announce the continuation of my relationship with Yamaha," Rossi said. "Last year was magic, to win my first race with Yamaha, and then to win the championship. I have a fantastic relationship with this factory and my team crew, who have worked so hard to make the M I as competitive as it is now, and it just made sense to stay with Yamaha for another year."

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