Lorenzo delivers front row at Brno

The reigning World Champion was one of the fastest riders for the duration of the session, benefiting from improvements to his set up with a more stable YZR-M1 allowing him to pressure the competition at the top. Lorenzo led the session for a brief time and at the end of the session had missed pole by just 0.113 seconds.

Ben Spies put in a superhuman effort to secure fourth and a second row start for tomorrow’s race despite suffering a numb arm from a trapped nerve which hampered his ability to brake and turn the bike. The Texan had been running as high as second, just 0.061 from first in the last 15 minutes but was unable to hold on to his front row start at the end. He will continue to work with Clinica Mobile this evening for more physio in advance of tomorrow’s race.

Whilst qualifying was dry, the riders endured a wet final free practice in the morning, giving them an opportunity to find a good wet set up should tomorrow’s race bring rain. Lorenzo dominated the session with his revised set up, finishing in second just 0.005 seconds from the front. Spies took it easy for the morning, saving his strength for the qualifying practice and finishing the final free session in tenth, 0.768 from first.

Jorge Lorenzo: 

“Yesterday things weren’t like we expected, but we made some changes and improved braking to make the bike more stable. The lap time improved from that and we got a lot closer to Dani today and finished in front of Casey. The pace in the last laps was quite good, so we’re happy. Big thanks to my team who worked hard to improve the bike. Tomorrow we aim for the podium, or if possible, to win the race.”

Ben Spies: 

“Today, honestly, went a lot better than expected - we’re at least in a good starting position for tomorrow. I’m not 100% confident about the race and what we can do, but we’ve shown we’ve got the speed and the bike is good enough for top five. We’ll do the best we can, I’m not going to make any promises but I know I’ve got at least half a good race in me. If we get some good rest tonight then hopefully we’ll get lucky and catch a break and be good for it. We’re optimistic, the bike is working well and the speed is there, I just hope I can be there too. I need to say a big thank you to all the guys at Clinica Mobile who are working hard this weekend to keep me in the game.”

Yamaha Factory Racing press release

Yamaha Factory Racing get back to business in Brno

World Champion Lorenzo and his crew were focused on improving the stopping ability and turning ability going into corners over the two sessions. He finished the morning session in fourth, 1.259 seconds from first and improved in the afternoon, remaining fourth but reducing the gap to first to 0.720 seconds.

Spies performance echoed his fellow Factory Yamaha team mate, finishing the morning session in sixth 1.575 seconds from first and improving in the afternoon. He retained sixth position but reduced the gap to first to 1.177 seconds. The Texan rider’s performance was hampered by numbness in his left arm caused by a trapped nerve in his neck which is being treated by Clinica Mobile after each session.

Jorge Lorenzo: 

“Today’s sessions have not been exactly as we expected. We are struggling a bit on braking and we lose too much time over the lap. Tomorrow we will work hard to improve the bike in the morning to be ready for qualifying because at this moment we are pretty far from the front.”

Ben Spies: 

“It was an ok day for us, I’m actually pretty happy with the results. I’ve got a little bit of a pinched nerve in my neck and I’m struggling a little bit on the bike but I’m still giving it 100%. Lap times aren’t too bad I’m just not able to put too many laps together in a row. We’re going to do a lot of physio over the next couple of days to get it where it’s comfortable for the race and I’m pretty optimistic about how we can turn things around for Sunday.”

Yamaha Factory Racing press release

Lorenzo and Spies ready for Czech weekend

Jorge Lorenzo returns from a mid-season holiday fresh and ready to renew his title defence, as the reigning World Champion steels himself for the Cardion ab Grand Prix Ceské republiky which takes place this weekend. Lorenzo took a first premier class victory at the track last season having won three times there in the lower classes, and will now aim to close the 20-point gap to current leader Casey Stoner.

On the other side of the Yamaha garage Ben Spies has also taken some time out to relax in the short break since Laguna Seca. The American finished fourth at Brno last year in his MotoGP debut at the circuit, a venue at which he has previously won a superbike race at and where he will this weekend look to build on a recent strong run of form.

Following the Brno race weekend Yamaha Factory Racing will remain at the circuit for a one-day 1000cc test in preparation for the 2012 Championship.

Jorge Lorenzo:

"After the long break we are going to Brno completely recharged and ready to fight and try to reduce the gap to Casey. This is a track I like and where I won last year. I hope we can start the second half of the season on the podium. After the race we will be testing the 1000cc bike for one day. I am really looking forward to discovering the new Yamaha."

Ben Spies:

“It’s been really cool to hang out at home with my friends and family in Texas and take a break from the racing. I’m looking forward to getting back on the bike now, especially at Brno which is a track I really enjoy. It was good to me in superbike and we showed a lot of potential there last year, I nearly had pole position and think I could have challenged for a podium if I hadn’t suffered a frond end grip issue early in the race.”

Wilco Zeelenberg, Team Manager:

“We’ve had a nice short break for both riders and team which after ten rounds was necessary. We feel very positive for the rest of the season after the last three rounds; we are very competitive and Jorge is riding well and the bike is better than the first period. Brno is a very smooth track which Jorge likes a lot so we go there to challenge and try to close the 20 point gap to the lead. With eight races remaining anything is possible.”

Massimo Meregalli, Team Director:

“We are all looking to Brno in good form having had a relaxing break. The team is refreshed and feels very motivated as we have had good results in Brno previously for both Jorge and Ben; the track definitely suits the Yamaha YZR-M1. Our package and performance has continued to get stronger over the season so we are looking to the last eight races determined to deliver on our potential.”

Spies closing on Rossi in fight for fifth

Ben Spies resumes the second-half of the 2011 MotoGP World Championship with just ten points to make up on Valentino Rossi in the fight for fifth in the overall standings.

Though Rossi has beaten Spies in a straight race just once this season, the American's three DNFs – compared to Rossi's perfect scoring record -, means the Ducati rider currently has the edge.

Nonetheless, four consecutive good results, including his maiden MotoGP win at Assen, means Spies has closed the gap to Rossi heading to Brno, where he will look to overhaul his rival by repeating the form that took him to second on the grid twelve months ago.

“It's been really cool to hang out at home with my friends and family in Texas and take a break from the racing. I'm looking forward to getting back on the bike now, especially at Brno which is a track I really enjoy. 

“It was good to me in Superbike and we showed a lot of potential there last year, I nearly had pole position and think I could have challenged for a podium if I hadn't suffered a front end grip issue early in the race

source: crash

Ben Spies satisfied with 2011 progress

Ben Spies has declared himself satisfied with the progress he’s making in the second year of his MotoGP career.

Spies was Rookie of the Year in 2010 and made an immediate impact for the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team, claiming two podium finishes at Silverstone and Indianapolis.

Spies gained promotion to Yamaha’s factory squad when Valentino Rossi moved to Ducati and in the opening 10 races of the 2011 campaign he’s managed a breakthrough victory in Assen. And the former World Superbike champion was also on the podium in Catalunya.

Assessing his 2011 season so far, the Texan said: “The goal this year was to win a race and if we can win another one it would be great and then more. But that goal after last season when you’ve been on the podium and finished second, the goal is to win a race and we’ve done that.

"We had a rough start at the beginning but the last few weekends we’ve been consistent and always in the top five and on the podium and fourth.

"I’m happy with the way the last few runs have been going and it’s been good. We’ve got to bridge a little bit more to the front but so does a lot of people besides the front couple of guys, so I’m happy with it.”

Spies is currently sixth in the overall world championship rankings just 10-points adrift of factory Ducati rider Valentino Rossi in fifth ahead of the next race in Brno, Czech Republic on August 14.

source: MCN

Ben Spies book: Taking it to the Next Level

For all you MotoGP fans out there, Ben Spies is launching his book “Taking it to the Next Level” at the upcoming Indianapolis US GP this August.

Available from September 1st, it describes the rise of this 3 times AMA Superbike and 1 time WSBK champion to the pinnacle of motorcycle racing, MotoGP.

The book is written by Larry Lawrence and forwarded by Elbowz’ mentor and biggest fan, Kevin Schwantz who wrote:

“Going back to the American glory years when Wayne Rainey, Eddie Lawson and I dominated Grand Prix Racing, we were fierce competitors, and each of us was always a threat to win. More than anyone else I’ve seen since that era, Ben really has that same type of ability to ride around problems and race at the highest level, even when the setup isn’t perfect. I know he has the work ethic, and physically and mentally he’s as tough as you need to be. Ben’s in the right place, he’s with a good team, and I think we’ll continue to see great things from him”

This is definitely another must read book for any hardcore racing fan who wants to add to his book collection.

Spies home podium hopes end after '500 feet'

Ben Spies' hopes of a home US MotoGP podium effectively ended within the first 500 feet of Sunday's Laguna Seca race, when he dropped from fourth to seventh.

The Factory Yamaha rider blamed the decline on a lack of power, and it meant Spies spent the first two laps stuck behind Valentino Rossi.

“I got a really good start but going uphill to the steep part of the track basically we didn't have enough power," explained Spies. "I got stuck behind Valentino, I tried to get around as quick as I could but he's really good on the brakes so it was pretty tough but I did the best I could."

By the time Spies got past the Italian, the riders ahead had already pulled a gap. 

Spies was promoted to fifth when Marco Simoncelli crashed, then closed a gap of over five seconds to take fourth from Andrea Dovizioso with just three laps to go.

"Once we got around Rossi it was quite a big gap to Dovizioso, but I just kept my head down and kept going," said the Texan. "I'm happy we were able to track him down and get fourth. It was a really good race for us it just got spoilt in the first 500 feet. 

"I would have liked to have been on the podium as I think we had a package to fight with Dani, I guess that's racing and I gave it 100% as always," added the Assen winner.

Dovizioso also felt he could have done better.

“I'm disappointed because today we had the speed to fight for a good result, in fact I lapped two tenths behind the fastest lap, but I couldn't be consistent," said the Repsol Honda rider. 

"I lost the battle with Spies and this is the first time I've lost a battle this year."

Lorenzo lands second at Laguna

Lorenzo made a strong start from pole and led the GP field for an impressive 26 lap run before conceding to Stoner as the effects of yesterday’s massive crash took its toll on his energy levels.

Fellow Yamaha Factory Racing rider Ben Spies had a less than perfect start from the grid, initially dropping to seventh behind Valentino Rossi on the first laps of the race. Rossi was eventually dispatched by the Texan on lap three, freeing him to focus on Dovizioso ahead. Spies put in an incredible ride to close a gap of over five seconds and take fourth with just three laps to go.

The weekend’s results leave Lorenzo heading into the short holiday break trailing Championship leader Stoner by 20 points. Team mate Spies will arrive at Brno still in sixth place in the standings but now just 12 points behind Dani Pedrosa in fourth.

Jorge Lorenzo: 

“Well first of all I’m lucky to be in the second position, after the crash yesterday I thought it wasn’t possible to race for a little while. After qualifying I hoped I might be able to fight till the end for victory but sometimes expectations are not reality. Casey was faster today, I couldn’t match his pace at the end. My physical condition is not so perfect which makes us a bit slow as well. Second is ok, we are only 20 points behind Casey and we’ll try again next time.”

Ben Spies: 

“I got a really good start but going uphill to the steep part of the track basically we didn’t have enough power. I got stuck behind Valentino, I tried to get around as quick as I could but he’s really good on the brakes so it was pretty tough but I did the best I could. Once we got around him it was quite a big gap to Dovizioso but I just kept my head down and kept going. I’m happy we were able to track him down and get fourth. It was a really good race for us it just got spoilt in the first five hundred feet. I would have liked to have been on the podium as I think we had a package to fight with Dani, I guess that’s racing and I gave it 100% as always.”

Yamaha Factory Racing press release

Spies home pole challenge ends in the gravel

Ben Spies was the only rider, other than Factory Yamaha team-mate Jorge Lorenzo, to hold pole position during Saturday's qualifying session for his home US MotoGP.

But Spies will start only fourth on the grid after a crash in the closing stages left him unable to respond to Lorenzo, and defenceless against the factory Hondas of Casey Stoner and Dani Pedrosa.

“It wasn't a bad qualifying session, we tried a couple of things and the race set up is not so bad. We got in qualifying mode and got some pretty good laps in.

"I made a mistake and locked the front up on the brakes going in to turn three trying super hard to get on the front row. The Yamaha boss said to me last night that he wanted me on the front row so I was doing everything I could.

"Joking aside I was trying everything and just made a small mistake. I banged my hand up quite a bit but it will be fine and ready for the race tomorrow. I think we'll find a couple of things with the bike in the morning and hopefully it'll be a good day.”

The last time Spies raced in red-and-white he took his first MotoGP win, at Assen.

source: crash

Lorenzo lands pole, Spies challenges from second row

The high side crash at the end of the morning’s practice left some wondering if the Yamaha Factory rider would make it through the whole qualifying session. Fears proved to be unfounded as the Mallorcan took to the track like a man possessed, breaking under the 1.22 mark on his first flying lap. A string of consistent laps saw him keep the top spot for the entire session barring a challenge by his team mate Ben Spies. Lorenzo reclaimed pole and to keep it until the end of the session, breaking the lap record in the process.

Spies spent the early part of the session refining his set up, then having settled into a consistent pace put in a blistering lap to take provisional pole position from his team mate with a 1’21.578. Lorenzo was quick to take first position back but Spies was still threatening to secure a front row start until a mistake on the brakes in turn three ended his qualifying session. As a result he will start from the second row of the grid tomorrow in fourth position, just 0.376 seconds from pole.

Jorge Lorenzo:

“This pole position was unexpected for us after this morning, but thankfully I feel more pain walking than I do riding the bike. Of course I’m not in perfect condition on the bike and for sure I have to put more pressure on my arms and will get more tired. I think I was very lucky this morning that I had no big injuries. I think this pole position is for us an impressive result.”

Ben Spies:

“It wasn’t a bad qualifying session, we tried a couple of things and the race set up is not so bad. We got in qualifying mode and got some pretty good laps in. I made a mistake and locked the front up on the brakes going in to turn three trying super hard to get on the front row. The Yamaha boss said to me last night that he wanted me on the front row so I was doing everything I could. Joking aside I was trying everything and just made a small mistake. I banged my hand up quite a bit but it will be fine and ready for the race tomorrow. I think we’ll find a couple of things with the bike in the morning and hopefully it’ll be a good day.”

Yamaha Factory Racing press release

Video Download: MotoGP Laguna Seca Day 1 Highlight

MotoGP Laguna Seca Day 1
includes:

• Highlight FP 1 MotoGP Laguna Seca
• Highlight FP 2 MotoGP Laguna Seca
• FP 2 Interview Nicky Hayden
• FP 2 Interview Jorge Lorenzo
• FP 2 Interview Dani Pedrosa
• FP 2 Interview Valentino Rossi
• FP 2 Interview Ben Spies
• Action Clip Pedrosa Crash FP1

File name: Laguna-Day1.zip
File size:65.64 MB

Home hope Spies hoping ‘anniversary’ luck strikes again

Ben Spies is superstitiously hoping Yamaha's special 50th anniversary livery will be lucky for him once again as he targets another strong result on home soil at Laguna Seca.

Yamaha will run the 'retro' red and white liveried M1 for Spies and Jorge Lorenzo during the United States Grand Prix, a month on from its first outing during the Assen TT.

With Spies winning his maiden MotoGP race on that occasion, he wants the colours to benefit him again at Laguna Seca, where he is striving to challenge for victory in front of his home fans.

“It's always exciting to race in front of the home crowd and it's going to be a big event for Yamaha with the 50th anniversary colours being run again,” he said. “They were lucky for me at Assen and hopefully they can bring me more luck in front of my friends and family.

“I've had some pretty good results in my AMA days at Laguna and I love riding the circuit. It's going to be a serious race weekend but it's also going to be a lot of fun so I'm looking forward to seeing a lot of old faces at the track.”

Yamaha prepare to celebrate 50th anniversary of Grand Prix racing at Laguna Seca

The event will be a special one for Yamaha Factory Racing; the team will again wear the special red and white YZR-M1 WGP50th Anniversary Edition livery as seen at the Assen TT where Ben Spies stormed to his first ever GP victory.

Last year saw Jorge Lorenzo triumph from a pole position start to take his first Laguna Seca MotoGP race win, his sixth victory and fifth pole of his 2010 season dominance. Team mate Spies is a three time AMA race winner at Laguna and scored an impressive sixth place finish in his MotoGP rookie visit last year. Having won last time out in the red and white colours confidence is high for more success on home ground for the local hero.

Situated amongst the hills just a couple of hours from San Francisco, the Laguna Seca circuit claims jaw dropping elevation changes and possibly the most famous corner in the racing world, the infamous ‘corkscrew’. Weather can be unpredictable with cold misty mornings followed by dry hot days providing exciting racing for the American fans.

Jorge Lorenzo: 

"We are very strong at the moment with a great result at both Mugello and Sachsenring, we will try to continue to reduce our gap to Casey. I have had great moments in Laguna; above all last year when I won, but also in 2009 when I got pole position even with a big crash and at the end got a podium. Laguna is amazing; for the American style and atmosphere, but above all because of the corkscrew. I think maybe it is the best corner in the Championship, the place everybody wants to meet! I am looking forward to being back on my M1 there, riding to fight for the title!"

Ben Spies: 

“It’s always exciting to race in front of the home crowd and It’s going to be a big event for Yamaha with the 50th anniversary colours being run again. They were lucky for me at Assen and hopefully they can bring me more luck in front of my friends and family. I’ve had some pretty good results in my AMA days at Laguna and I love riding the circuit. It’s going to be a serious race weekend but it’s also going to be a lot of fun so I’m looking forward to seeing a lot of old faces at the track.”

Yamaha Factory Racing press release

Dovi wins fierce Simoncelli, Spies battle

As so often this year, Andrea Dovizioso found himself battling countryman and fellow factory Honda rider Marco Simoncelli for much of Sunday's German MotoGP.

And they were later joined by Factory Yamaha rider Ben Spies, creating an entertaining three-way duel that went down to the final turn.

The fight was narrowly won by Dovizioso.

“It was a good battle with Simoncelli and Spies for fourth position and I'm happy we won this battle!" said Dovi. "We were consistently fast during the whole weekend and even though today we were struggling, we finished fourth."

Just 0.2sec behind Dovizioso was Spies, who capitalised on an error by Simoncelli at the final turn.

“We caught up to [Dovizioso and Simoncelli] with three laps to go and then all hell broke loose!" said Spies. "Simoncelli started trying to find a way past Dovizioso and every time I tried to look to go past, one of them was on one side of the track and the other on the other side. 

"It was fair play, they were racing each other but it kind of messed up my game plan! Simoncelli ran wide at the end so I got him again in the last corner. I wish we could have got Dovizioso because we had the pace, we just ran out of laps.”

Simoncelli's last-gasp attempt to outbrake Dovizioso saw the Gresini rider run wide and open the door for Spies. The #58 took the chequered flag 0.2sec from the Texan.

"It's a shame because fourth place would have felt completely different," said Simoncelli. "I was faster than Dovizioso for the first half of the race and maybe I took too long to pass him, losing contact with the leaders in the process. 

"We passed each other a few times and then the tyre wear was so bad on the left side I was really struggling and it was hard to control the bike. 

"I tried everything I could on the last lap but it wasn't enough and Spies also came through. It is a shame but this was still a good race for us because we were close to the front and if we can just find another couple of tenths in race trim we'll be fighting for wins.”

Simoncelli, who has crashed in four races this year and been penalised in another, has taken a best finish of fifth so far this season.

source: crash.net

Lorenzo and Spies save it for the last lap in Sachsenring Thriller

Mugello race winner Lorenzo spent the entire 30 lap race distance embroiled in a battle at the front with Championship leader Casey Stoner and fellow Honda rider Dani Pedrosa. Having retained second off the grid, the Yamaha Factory rider passed Stoner with 17 laps to go. As the laps counted down Lorenzo conceded first to Pedrosa then second to Stoner before coming back with a stunning pass on the last corner of the last lap to steal second place back at the line.

Spies dropped one place to sixth off the start line, the Texan battling with a lack of grip that prevented him from closing down the front group early on. A consistent pace for the majority of the race saw a lonely ride holding position until his patience paid off as Marco Simoncelli and Andrea Dovizioso were gradually reeled in. The fighting of the two in front made it difficult to make a pass on the twisty track. Spies held off until the last corner on the last lap to pass Simoncelli for fifth, echoing his team mate’s pass on Stoner just seconds earlier at the same spot.

Denying Stoner second place means Lorenzo has taken a step to close the Championship lead down, trailing by just 15 points with a total of 153 as they head to Laguna Seca. Team mate Spies holds onto sixth position, now just 13 points behind Valentino Rossi in fourth.

Jorge Lorenzo: 

“I’m very happy! It has been a fantastic race today. From the middle of the race I got very tired in my left hand so I didn’t know where I could find the strength to push and keep pushing to the end. Then Casey stopped the bike a lot two corners from the end so I took advantage of it, opened the throttle full stand in the last corner I went for it. It was a miracle pass! This race is very important so we are very proud and happy with the result. I have to thank my Yamaha crew who worked very hard to give me a fast bike all weekend, they have been fantastic.”

Ben Spies: 

“Unfortunately I got to the front group a little too late but I tried as hard as I could. I just lacked some rear grip in the beginning, I tried to be consistent and hope they came back to me because I couldn’t run the pace they were running in the beginning. Lap time wise it was probably the most consistent I’ve ever done in a race. We caught up to them with three laps to go and then all hell broke loose. Simoncelli started trying to find a way past Dovizioso and every time I tried to look to go past one of them was on one side of the track and the other on the other side. It was fair play, they were racing each other but it kind of messed up my game plan! Simoncelli ran wide at the end so I got him again in the last corner. I wish we could have got Dovizioso because we had the pace, we just ran out of laps.”

Yamaha Factory Racing press release

Six riders have pace for Sachsenring win

Repsol Honda riders Casey Stoner and Dani Pedrosa may have qualified first and second on the grid for Sunday's German Grand prix, but with six riders within half-a-second of pole they are taking nothing for granted. 

For points' leader Stoner, his sixth pole of the season marked a perfect recovery from a confidence-denting crash in Friday morning practice, for which he credited major set-up progress. 

"After the crash on Friday my confidence was dented a little and we struggled to get enough data, so we've been playing catch up," said Stoner, who holds a 19 point lead over third-on-the grid Jorge Lorenzo. 

"This afternoon we kept trying different directions on both bikes and every step we made on each bike, we took big steps forward so we're pretty happy with the set up we have now. 

"The lap times are very close here so it will be a tough race and hard to take any real advantage. However, I'm very happy and positive we can still slightly improve tomorrow morning so thanks to all my team for a great job". 

Pedrosa also had good reason to feel satisfied, having claimed his first front row start since suffering a broken collarbone at Le Mans in May. 

The Spaniard returned to racing in Mugello two weeks ago, after missing the three previous races. 

"It's great to be on the front row again, to be honest I didn't expect it," said Pedrosa. "But we've done a good job and it's important to start in front here because the first corner is very tight and it's better to avoid being immersed in the group at the start." 

Although there are four factory Honda riders in the top six, Pedrosa is particularly wary of Yamaha riders Lorenzo (third) and Ben Spies (fifth). 

"I think we will need to pay attention to Yamaha at the end of the race because the riding is smoother and they can save the tyres better," he explained. 

"As for my condition, right now the races are physically hard for me, but it's also true that with more left hand corners in this circuit I don't suffer as in Mugello and I can concentrate on my riding. 

"More than pain, I feel weak from lack of training, but we will give our maximum hoping to get a good result". 

Third Repsol Honda rider Andrea Dovizioso starts sixth, but qualified only two tenths behind Pedrosa. 

“I'm confident for tomorrow as we have good pace but it will be a hard race as there are five or six of us very close to each other," said Dovizioso. "Starting from the second row it will be important to have a good start and keep a constant rhythm without stressing the tyres too much as they get very hot here. 

"In the first laps the right side of the tyre is difficult to get temperature into whilst the left side is stressed a lot so managing the tyres will be a crucial point for the race. We will work on the set up to fine tune the settings and I'm positive to fight for a good result tomorrow". 

Marco Simoncelli, who rides a factory RCV for the Gresini team, qualified in fourth place.

source: crash.net

Lorenzo lands on front row for German Grand Prix

The Yamaha Factory Racing rider was the fastest man on track in the morning’s final free practice, setting an impressive 1’22.112 to top the time sheets. The afternoon qualifying heat saw him again quick onto the pace, again fastest man on track mid way through the session. Unfortunately, he was not able to take any great advantage from the softer tyre compounds available and had dropped out of the top four until the last moments. As the final minutes ticked down, he broke under the 1’22 mark to beat Marco Simoncelli for the final spot on the front row by just 0.010 seconds.

Ben Spies was on much better form than the day before, a good night’s sleep had shaken off most of his head cold and the Texan was keen to attack the track. The crew made some major set up changes midway through both the morning practice and afternoon qualifying to help deliver an optimum bike package for the twisty Sachsenring circuit. Clear improvements were evident, with Spies climbing from seventh in the morning with a 1’22.772 to fifth on the grid in qualifying with 1’22.056, just 0.375 from pole.

Jorge Lorenzo: 

“It’s been a strong weekend so far. I’ve never felt great on this track, but this weekend I’m riding fast and feeling comfortable. It was a pity at the end of qualifying that the soft tyre didn’t improve anything much. In the end, I couldn’t make pole position but I think third position on the front row is a good place to start tomorrow for the race; I got it by just 0.010! Casey is very strong but I hope to be ready to fight for the victory with him. I think the fans will see a great race as there are a lot of riders who can fight for the win.”

Ben Spies: 

“Today was definitely better. I’m still not 100% but I’m feeling a lot more clear headed on the bike. We were able to make the bike a bit better and I was able to ride better today to get into the top five. I made a mistake on my last lap, totally my fault, two corners to go I lost the rear, then saved it but then lost the front as well which cost me a tenth. It might have made us a little closer to the front, but we’re still in the middle of the second row so we can put a good race together tomorrow.”

Yamaha Factory Racing press release

Strong Start for Lorenzo in Germany

Lorenzo picked up speed quickly in the morning session, rising to second midway and holding in the top three for the duration of the heat. As the track temperatures rose for the afternoon session so did the Mallorcan’s speed; only being denied the top spot at the end of the second practice by a gap of 0.095 seconds.

Team mate Spies was still looking for the best set up for the Sachsenring track by the end of the afternoon session. The American was fighting off a head cold and struggled to find a perfect pace in either the morning or afternoon practices. He made an improvement of over half a second from the morning but will be looking for a bigger step in the third practice session tomorrow morning.

Jorge Lorenzo:

"I am pretty satisfied because I have improved my lap times today. I am almost faster than last year and I look forward to making another step tomorrow. We have made some changes and I feel much better on my M1; faster and more competitive! The slow corners are tough, but in the faster ones I take some tenths, especially T3 and T4. I hope tomorrow the temperature can be even hotter and we can fight for the first row."

Ben Spies

“I didn’t get my best shot at the track today, I’ve got a head cold which has left me a little fuzzy and makes it kind of hard to give it 100% and be on top form. The changing temperature from the morning to the afternoon also meant the track conditions were pretty different to set up for. I’m aiming for lots of sleep tonight and I’ll be ready to come back stronger in the morning.”

Confidence high for Lorenzo and Spies

A superb victory at the Assen TT for Ben Spies followed by a flawless ride by Jorge Lorenzo to claim the chequered flag at Mugello has left the team and riders eager to get straight to business in Germany.

Sachsenring remains one of the few tracks on the GP calendar where Lorenzo has yet to win, taking second place on the podium in 2009 and again in 2010. Last year’s race had been looking like another victory for the Championship leader until a red flag changed the circumstances. The reigning World Champion will be looking to add the circuit to his list of vanquished tracks on Sunday.

Spies has unfinished business in Germany; the Texan was characteristically quick to learn the circuit on his first visit last year and had been on track for a strong grid position until an incident packed qualifying saw him relegated to 13th. Despite the setback the then MotoGP rookie put in a blistering performance and was at times one of the five fastest on track, eventually finishing in a hard fought eighth place.

Jorge Lorenzo:

"I feel very good after our victory in Mugello; an amazing victory that we needed for our confidence. We'll take more power from it for future races, especially for the next two in a row. Now it’s time for Germany; Sachsenring is a unique track which I've ridden since 2002 and still not won! I would like to do it, it's an interesting challenge in front my German fans. The team and I are ready to again try to reduce the gap to Casey, our aim is the podium, but we will try to push for the win."

Ben Spies:

“I’m really looking forward to the next two races. I got on pretty well at Sachsenring last year; the end result didn’t reflect how good we were. I think if qualifying had not been so incident filled we would have started closer to the front. We are in pretty good shape right now with the team, the bike is feeling really good, I’m feeling confident on it and the results are showing it. Of course afterwards we head to my home race in the US and I get to run the red and white colours again!”

Wilco Zeelenberg:

“I’m very much looking forward to the next two rounds after a great race in Mugello, coming back from a difficult period to win again. When we are able to deliver a great package like in Italy then Jorge is able to fight for victory. That is our target again in Sachsenring and Laguna. It is very important to make these next two rounds count before the holidays; we are only 19 points behind the lead with still half the season to go so anything can happen.”

Massimo Meregalli:

“We are going to Germany with some optimism, in the last few races we got good results and we would like to continue this. In the last three years Yamaha proved to have a good bike for the Sachsenring track and we have a good set up for both riders now. I don’t know the circuit myself, it will be my first visit with the team but I am confident that we can perform well after looking at our history there.”

Yamaha Factory Racing press release

Spies 'in good shape' for Sachsenring

Ben Spies has unfinished business at the Sachsenring, venue for this weekend's ninth round of the 2011 MotoGP World Championship.

The Texan was characteristically quick to learn the circuit on his first visit last year, but fell on oil dropped by Jorge Lorenzo in qualifying, leaving him 13th in the grid.

Spies recovered to eighth in the restarted race, but the Assen winner - now Lorenzo's Factory Yamaha team-mate - naturally has much higher expectations for this weekend, which is followed by the first of his home American rounds.

“I'm really looking forward to the next two races. I got on pretty well at Sachsenring last year; the end result didn't reflect how good we were. I think if qualifying had not been so incident filled we would have started closer to the front," he said. 

"We are in pretty good shape right now with the team, the bike is feeling really good, I'm feeling confident on it and the results are showing it. Of course afterwards we head to my home race in the US and I get to run the red and white colours again!”

“In the last three years Yamaha proved to have a good bike for the Sachsenring track and we have a good set up for both riders now," added team director Massimo Meregalli. "I don't know the circuit myself, it will be my first visit with the team but I am confident that we can perform well after looking at our history there.”