Stoner Czechs out at Brno, Simoncelli podium

MotoGP title leader Casey Stoner cruised to a dominant victory in Sunday's Czech Republic Grand Prix, which saw Dani Pedrosa crash from the lead, Marco Simoncelli claim a first ever podium and Jorge Lorenzo fade to fourth. 

Unlike his rivals, world champion Lorenzo chose the soften option front tyre - which helped the Yamaha rider take the lead ahead of Repsol Honda riders Pedrosa, Andrea Dovizioso and Stoner on the opening lap. 

But by lap three Lorenzo was starting to have front-end moments, which allowed both Pedrosa and Stoner back past. Moments later poel-sitter Pedrosa lowsided out of the lead, handing the advantage to Stoner. 

The Australian then rode steadily into the distance, building an advantage of over eight-seconds on his way to his sixth win of the year - extending his title lead over Lorenzo from 20 to32 points. 

Despite a stubborn resistance, world champion Lorenzo was caught and passed by Italians Dovizioso and Simoncelli, with Dovizioso gaining breathing room over his compatriot in the closing stages. 

Former 250cc world champion Simoncelli, who has crashed in five races this year and been penalised in another, finally claimed his debut MotoGP rostrum after withstanding late-race pressure from Lorenzo. 

Ben Spies - struggling with a pinched nerve in his neck this weekend - brought the second factory M1 home in fifth, 1.6sec from Lorenzo. 

Valentino Rossi lost places from his best Ducati qualifying of sixth, but - aided by Pedrosa's exit - recovered the ground lost and crossed the line 2.4sec from Yamaha replacement Spies and 12.6sec from victory. 

Suzuki's Alvaro Bautista - the only rider other than Lorenzo to choose the soft front - pressured Rossi for much of the race, before lowsiding from seventh place with six laps to go. 

That allowed Rossi's team-mate Nicky Hayden to inherit the position, having spent much of the race just ahead of fellow American Colin Edwards. 

Edwards' Monster Yamaha Tech 3 team-mate Cal Crutchlow joined Pedrosa and Bautista on the DNF list, as did fellow rookie Karel Abraham. 

Abraham, whose father and team manager owns the Brno team, was unable to finish his home race after an off-track moment was followed by an engine failure. 

Bautista's wild-card team-mate John Hopkins was forced to withdraw from the event after fracturing fingers in his right hand during Saturday morning practice. 

A test session will be held at the circuit on Monday, which will feature next year's 1000cc bikes from Honda and Yamaha. 

Czech Republic Grand Prix: 

1. Stoner 

2. Dovizioso 

3. Simoncelli 

4. Lorenzo 

5. Spies 

6. Rossi 

7. Hayden 

8. Edwards 

9. Aoyama 

10. Barbera 

11. Elias 

12. de Puniet 

13. Capirossi 

source: crash.net

Second row start for Simoncelli, Top ten for Aoyama

Simoncelli was somewhat disappointed at the end of qualifying practice today, with a second row start certainly not reflecting the potential he had shown in free practice yesterday. The team will analyse the data tonight but it looks as though they will have to take a step backwards with the set-up, having lost an hour of dry time this morning in the wet final free practice. Hiroshi Aoyama was satisfied, however, the Japanese rider improving his confidence and pace to take another step forward into the top ten.

Marco Simoncelli: 

“I am a little disappointed because we have gone slower than yesterday and not made the improvements we hoped for. Obviously the conditions didn't help because with the rain this morning the track surface was not in the best shape. Other riders have clearly struggled with it too but it seemed to particularly affect us. Now we need to look at why that was and try to put things right for tomorrow.”

Hiroshi Aoyama: 

”After the rain this morning we worked well this afternoon to find a decent set up. I am satisfied because tenth place is a good position for us at the moment, especially because the gap to the riders at the front is smaller. We will try and make a few small changes in the morning that give us a little more pace in some sections. Overall I am happy and hopeful of a good race for me and the team, who have worked so hard.”

San Carlo Honda Gresini press release.

Simoncelli sets front row pace on Friday

The Italian is satisfied with his performance and confident that he and the team know how to improve the handling of his RC212V still further. Hiroshi Aoyama rode the Czech circuit for the first time on a MotoGP bike, and although his position is not the best, his feeling is good and everything is in place for improved performance tomorrow.

Marco Simoncelli: 

“I’m happy with the two sessions today because we have come back from the holidays immediately on the pace. Pedrosa's speed is impressive, but right now the priority for me is to improve my confidence with the bike and not think about him. We are working on my position on the bike and the general set-up and I’m sure we can have a great weekend. We need to improve on corner entry to give me more confidence on the brakes and try to create a bike that allows me to hold my line through the corner. Overall, I’m feeling confident and with this small adjustment we can only improve.”

Hiroshi Aoyama: 

“I am happy to be back on track here at Brno after the summer break. I found a good feeling on the bike, even though this is the first time I have ridden it at this circuit. The team is working well and I’m sure we can improve our position tomorrow. My confidence with the bike is good and I think we should easily move up the order with more time on track.”

San Carlo Honda Gresini press release.

Pedrosa off to a flying start at Brno

The MotoGP bikes hit the track for the first practice session of round 11, with grey clouds overhead and cool temperatures welcoming the field into the second half of the season. Pedrosa took his Repsol Honda on a flying lap of 1.56’328, substantially faster than the rest of the field and the only rider under the 1.57” mark.

Fresh off the back of a victory at Laguna Seca Stoner, Casey Stoner (Repsol Honda) was second in the field, though his lap of 1'57.294 was nearly a second behind the Spaniard. Marco Simoncelli (San Carlo Honda Gresini Team), who topped the timesheets briefly with 30 minutes to go, was 1.080s behind Pedrosa and third fastest of the session. The Italian ended the session with a crash in turn 13 but was unhurt.

Last year’s race winner Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha Factory Racing) posted his best time of 1'57.587, two tenths behind Simoncelli to put him fourth in the standings. Repsol Honda rider Andrea Dovizioso was fifth quickest as he took his factory RC212V around in a best time of 1'57.776. That placed the Italian 0.127s ahead of Ben Spies (Racing), who was sixth on his Yamaha Factory YZR-M1.

Wild card John Hopkins who is returning for a second race aboard the Rizla Suzuki set an impressive seventh fastest time, followed by the other Rizla Suzuki of Álvaro Bautista. Monster Yamaha Tech 3’s Cal Crutchlow and Colin Edwards werninth and tenth, respectively, with Valentino Rossi (Ducati Team) three tenths outside the top ten times.

MotoGP rookie Karel Abraham (Cardion ab Motoracing) debuting as the first Czech rider to compete in the premier class at his a Grand Prix since 1989, was sixteenth in the standings.

source: MotoGP Official Website

Gresini: Interesting negotiations at Brno

San Carlo Honda Gresini team principal, Fausto Gresini, is expecting a busy time on and off-track this weekend at Brno.

The first race after the summer break, the Czech Republic round marks the traditional start of the 'silly season' - and there are also the 2012 1000cc rules to refine.

"The Czech Republic Grand Prix is bound to be an interesting one for the future of MotoGP with a lot of negotiations ongoing, but our goal is to carry forward the Simoncelli project with the same professionalism as always," said Gresini.

Marco Simoncelli has proven to be a match for anyone over one lap this season, qualifying on the front row at six of the ten events (including two poles).

Although Simoncelli's race day performances have been marred by a series of mistakes, he remains in high demand for 2012 and recent rumours have linked him to a possible factory Ducati ride.

The Italian's first choice is sure to be retaining factory HRC status at Gresini, but with present Repsol rider Andrea Dovizioso likely to want a similar level of factory support next year much will depend on how many RC213Vs Honda is willing to run.

Either way, Simoncelli's bargaining power would be massively increased if he can finally claim a debut MotoGP podium.

"After a wonderful holiday in some fantastic American parks I go to Brno looking for the best possible result," said Marco. "We have to focus on the second half of the season and try to score some positive results. 

"The circuit suits my riding style even though I didn't go so well there last year in MotoGP. I have won there before in the 250 class and I have also been on pole and on the podium in 125. Overall it is a track I like and I hope to do well. "

Team-mate Hiroshi Aoyama, also out of contract at the end of the year, will be making his first Brno MotoGP start after being injured last year.

"The result at Laguna Seca [tenth] wasn't particularly pleasing but I still wasn't in good physical shape so now after this break I hope I am in better shape and form at Brno," said Aoyama. "I need to rediscover my confidence in myself and in the bike. 

"It will be my first MotoGP appearance at Brno because I was injured here last year so it will be a new experience but I like the track and I was on the podium here in the 250cc class in 2006, as well as finishing fourth in 2009. I have the motivation to do well this weekend."

source: crash.net

Simoncelli recharged after break, Aoyama motivated

Simoncelli put his Californian nightmare behind him and is determined to finally achieve the results he has been threatening to pick up all season. Simoncelli could not wish for a better circuit to restart at – he won the race here in his last season in the 250cc class. For Hiroshi Aoyama, the race also comes on the back of a much-needed break, as the Japanese continues his recovery from injuries picked up at Assen in June. His goal is to rediscover the promising form he showed in the early stages of the season as the championship enters the late summer at Brno.

The Masaryk Circuit, named after the country's first president Tomas Masaryk, was opened in 1987 and made its first appearance on the Grand Prix calendar in 1993. It was built just a short distance from the old road circuit, which regularly pulled in crowds of over 200,000 to watch the likes of the legendary Phil Read, Mike Hailwood and Giacomo Agostini, who won seven times at Brno, battle it out.

Marco Simoncelli: 

“Obviously, I would have preferred to go on holiday on the back of a different kind of result, but that's the way it was and we just have to learn our lessons and move on from what happened at Laguna Seca. After a wonderful holiday in some fantastic American parks, I’ll go to Brno looking for the best possible result. We have to focus on the second half of the season and try to score some positive results. The circuit suits my riding style, even though I didn't go so well there last year in MotoGP. I have won there before in the 250 class and I’ve also been on pole and on the podium in 125. Overall it’s a track I like and I hope to do well.”

Hiroshi Aoyama: 

“The result at Laguna Seca wasn't particularly pleasing but I still wasn't in good physical shape, so now after this break I hope I am in better shape at Brno. I need to rediscover my confidence in myself and the bike. It will be my first MotoGP appearance at Brno because I was injured here last year, so it will be a new experience, but I like the track and I was on the podium here in the 250cc class in 2006, as well as finishing fourth in 2009. I have the motivation to do well this weekend.”

Team San Carlo Honda Gresini press release

Marco Simoncelli wants Honda offer in Brno

Marco Simoncelli has told Honda he wants a new contract offer by the next race in Brno as speculation mounts that Ducati is preparing to launch an audacious raid for the Italian.

Simoncelli has no intention of quitting Honda, but he's yet to be offered a new deal by the Japanese factory heading into the summer break.

Honda is still finalising its budget for 2012 and rumours have emerged that the delay in offering Simoncelli a fresh deal has alerted Ducati management.

Ducati is reportedly willing to test Simoncelli's loyalty to HRC by tabling a bid for the Italian, even though close pal Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden are already under contract for next season.

Simoncelli's management consultant Carlo Pernat told MCN: "Now we are waiting for the offer from Honda. We asked for an offer in Brno. For sure Ducati is not staying calm and they are interested in Marco. Marco wants to stay with Honda, but if Ducati can arrive with an offer, he would have to think about it. The first choice is Honda and I'm sure that he will stay with them."

Ducati boss Alessandro Cicognani though brushed off suggestions that a formal approach had been made to Simoncelli.

He said: "No, not at all. We have our riders signed for next year with Nicky and Valentino and we will stick to this."

source: MCN

Laguna Seca letdown for Simoncelli

Unfortunately the Italian rider lost front grip in turn eight at the Californian circuit and paid a heavy price. The Team San Carlo Honda Gresini rider is disappointed not to continue his run of points finishes and heads for his summer holidays with a bitter taste in his mouth. His team-mate Hiroshi Aoyama crossed the line in tenth place - not an outstanding result but an important one as the Japanese rider continues to recover confidence with his bike.

Marco Simoncelli:

“I am really disappointed. I don't know whether I would have caught Pedrosa if I'd stayed in the race, it's impossible to say, but I could have definitely had a battle with Dovizioso and Spies so it's a real shame. We had worked so well and managed to improve from session to session but I realised early in the race that the front was giving me more trouble than it had in practice. It closed in turn seven on the first lap, which is a strange place for it to go, and then again two laps later in turn eight. All we can do right now is dust ourselves down and head to Brno looking to do our best again.”

Hiroshi Aoyama:

“Starting from 14th place is never easy so I had to make a few passes before I could get into my true rhythm. I am partly satisfied to have finished tenth but it was a tough race because I am still not physically fit. My intention was to make it to the end and I am happy I did that because this was my first race here at Laguna. Now we have a short break and I hope I can come back stronger in the next race at Brno, ready to fight for a good result.”

Team San Carlo Honda Gresini press release

Second row start for fifth fastest Simoncelli at Laguna Seca

The Team San Carlo Honda Gresini rider is still hoping to make further improvements in tomorrow's warm-up before taking the podium challenge to the front row trio of Jorge Lorenzo, Casey Stoner and Dani Pedrosa. Hiroshi Aoyama also made improvements as his confidence with t he Honda RC121V showed signs of returning.

Marco Simoncelli:

Overall it has been a positive day. We took our biggest step this morning and then built on that this afternoon, although we still have work to do to close the gap to the top three. Lorenzo is maybe in the best shape at the moment ahead of Stoner and Pedrosa but if we can find a couple of tenths in my race pace we can challenge for the podium. I had more confidence in the front today and held my line better through the corners, as well as improving acceleration out of the final turn. We could still find more time there though.”

Hiroshi Aoyama:

”I have improved my lap times from session to session and also found more confidence with the bike and track. I am quite satisfied with my lap time considering that this is only my second ever day here at Laguna. Tomorrow we will try to take another step and make up positions in the race. Tyre choice will be important, the race will be long but if we can stay consistent we can make up positions.”

Team San Carlo Honda Gresini press release

Simoncelli looking for a better feeling at Laguna

The Italian is not a long way from the day's pacesetters but he is still short of his optimum pace and after a long meeting with his team this afternoon he will head out on track tomorrow with renewed determination and confidence to find it. His team-mate Hiroshi Aoyama has again struggled to find the promising form he showed in the early stages of the season.

Marco Simoncelli:
"I am struggling a little here at Laguna to get on the pace like I have done at other circuits. We are not far off but so far I haven't established a good feeling with the bike. I probably also need to find a faster way round the track, which is not an easy one and not one I know so well. I am quite fast in the second and third sectors, which includes the 'Corkscrew', but I am losing time in the first and fourth, so we have to improve my acceleration out of the last turn and try to find more confidence in those two sectors.”

Hiroshi Aoyama:
"It has been a difficult day, especially this morning. The afternoon was slightly better and we were able to work on tyre choice for the race. I hope we can improve tomorrow and secure a good position on the grid.”

Team San Carlo Honda Gresini press release

Consistency the key for Simoncelli

Marco Simoncelli believes he needs to get some race consistency if he is to secure the long-awaited MotoGP podium that continues to elude him.

Though controversial at times, Simoncelli has enjoyed a strong season on the factory-specification Gresini Honda, particularly in practice and qualifying, but hasn't replicated that form over the course of a race distance.

Finishing sixth in the German Grand Prix after struggling with tyre wear, Simoncelli declared the result as positive, but is determined to fare better at Laguna Seca for the United States Grand Prix.

“Fourth place at Sachsenring would have been a different story but I am still satisfied with my performance there and I take a lot of motivation with me to America. It was important for me to keep my form up even though it was disappointed I couldn't stick the pace for the full thirty laps. Unfortunately I had problems with the degradation of the left side of the rear tyre and I couldn't push as hard at the end of the race as I could for the first half. 

“It's a shame but at least I get the chance to make up for it at Laguna, a unique circuit that I really like. The track itself fascinates me, the Corkscrew is thrilling and the enthusiasm of the fans gives you an extra boost. Together with the team we will be working to be more consistent over race distance, which will be an important part of closing the gap to the leaders.”

Simoncelli's sentiments are echoed by Gresini team manager Fausto Gresini, who feels the highly-rated Italian is on the verge of producing the results that 'show his true talent'.

“Sixth place for Marco at Sachsenring was perhaps a little below our expectations after the potential he showed in practice but it was still a very important result. He remains on top form and up until the point in the race where he started to struggle with tyre wear there was every chance of him finishing fourth. 

“Marco continues to show that he has the potential for top results and alongside the team I am sure we can work out how to turn that into consistency over race distance. At Laguna Seca, a circuit he really loves, he will be able to show his true talent.”

source: crash

Simoncelli hoping to conquer America

Rear tire troubles at the German round cost Simoncelli the chance to fight to the line for fourth place, but another strong showing throughout the race was an important achievement. “Super Sic” is ready to fight with the leading riders in MotoGP once again and his target for this weekend is to find the consistency over race distance that will allow him to challenge for the result he is clearly capable of. Laguna Seca is one of his favorite circuits and the ideal place for him to confirm his huge potential.

While Simoncelli looks to conquer America his team-mate Hiroshi Aoyama is preparing to race there for the first time, having missed out last year through injury. The Japanese rider is not in top physical condition this year either as he is still struggling from the effects of a crash at Assen last month, which has also affected his confidence with the bike in recent races. His target in America is to rediscover his feeling with his machine and recover positions as soon as possible.

Marco Simoncelli: 

“Fourth place at Sachsenring would have been a different story but I am still satisfied with my performance there and I take a lot of motivation with me to America. It was important for me to keep my form up even though it was disappointed I couldn't stick the pace for the full thirty laps. Unfortunately I had problems with the degradation of the left side of the rear tyre and I couldn't push as hard at the end of the race as I could for the first half. It's a shame but at least I get the chance to make up for it at Laguna, a unique circuit that I really like. The track itself fascinates me, the Corkscrew is thrilling and the enthusiasm of the fans gives you an extra boost. Together with the team we will be working to be more consistent over race distance, which will be an important part of closing the gap to the leaders.”

Hiroshi Aoyama: 

“I was still struggling a lot at Sachsenring with my injuries from Assen and even though I tried my best to come away with a positive result, it was very difficult for me to get a feeling for the bike. I am sorry to the team for that, and I hope to be able to make it up to them in the next race at Laguna Seca. This will be my first time at this circuit so it won't be an easy weekend for me, but I will be pushing hard to get on the pace as soon as possible.”

San Carlo Honda Gresini 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

Sixth for Simoncelli at Sachsenring

The Italian showed his pace in the middle part of the race, though struggled with tyre wear over the final ten laps. “Super Sic” still put up a brave battle for fourth place with Andrea Dovizioso, only to lose out in the final corner when he was also passed by Ben Spies. Nevertheless, Marco has shown once again that he is prepared to battle with the best in the class. Hiroshi Aoyama has endured a tough weekend with physical problems and now he is simply hoping to be in better shape for next weekend at Laguna Seca.

Marco Simoncelli: 

“It's a shame because fourth place would have felt completely different. 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.”

Hiroshi Aoyama: 

“It wasn't an easy race, especially the first half, but I tried to finish it in the best possible way. Unfortunately my physical condition has been a problem all weekend and I have not found it easy. I have tried to get more confident with the bike from session to session but it has been hard. I am sorry for the team and I hope to be in better shape for the next race at Laguna Seca.”

San Carlo Honda Gresini press release.

Simoncelli linked to third Ducati

Sponsor supposedly prepared to front cash for a third factory Ducati for Marco Simoncelli

RUMOURS are surfacing that Ducati's sponsor Phillip Morris is prepared to stump up a serious amount of cash to get Marco Simoncelli onto a third factory Desmosedici next season.

Simoncelli has been on Ducati's radar for some time, as the Italian manufacturer approached the hairy-Italian for 2009, with the 250 champion opting for another year in the quarter-litre championship to defend his crown. Then Ducati boss Livio Suppo optioned Marco again for 2010, however the hairy-one made his MotoGP debut with Gresini Honda.

Making Ducati and Phillip Morris' approach for Simoncelli plausible is the news that HRC will only supply two Repsol Honda riders with factory RCVs - expected to be Casey Stoner and Dani Pedrosa, with Andrea Dovizioso dropped to make way for a two-rider official team, perhaps stepping down to the Gresini or LCR squad.

Simoncelli's personal manager Carlo Pernat is supposedly in talks with Ducati. However, should Fausto Gresini wish to retain Simoncelli on factory equipment he would have to front the money, an expense difficult to consider with his rider's up-and-down performance.

source: visordown

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

Simoncelli on second row for Sachsenring

“Super Sic” was edged off the front row by just 0.010 seconds and as such is confident that he can run with the leaders in Sunday’s race. The Italian emerged relatively unscathed from a high speed crash this morning, when he suffered a blow to his right elbow. Hiroshi Aoyama is looking to tomorrow's warm-up as he continues to search for more confidence and feeling with his bike.

Marco Simoncelli: 

“I am little bit disappointed today because we managed to solve our problems this morning but then took a step backwards in the afternoon. In any case, I am confident because our race pace is up there with the top three and I think I can have a good race. The main problem today was that I lost my confidence with the front so I was struggling under braking and in the corners.”

Hiroshi Aoyama: 

”We tried to improve the set-up of the bike but we didn't make any major progress, especially in the final stages of qualifying. Tomorrow we will try and find some solutions that will give us more pace in the race and allow us to make up some positions. Obviously, I am still struggling from the Assen injuries so with this being a long race here at Sachsenring I hope it's not too painful.”

San Carlo Honda Gresini press release.

Simoncelli roars into Sachsenring

The Team San Carlo Honda Gresini rider was on the pace at a circuit that he loves from the opening stages of the morning session, when track temperatures were particularly cool and claimed several crash victims. 'Super Sic' is happy with his performance today, although not completely satisfied with grip levels through the numerous left-hand corners. That will be the main focus of his and the team's work tomorrow. Hiroshi Aoyama is still searching for confidence and full fitness following his crash at Assen last month and the Japanese will be looking for more grip tomorrow as well.

Marco Simoncelli:

“Everything is going well, although I am not totally happy because we have some rear traction problems on the left side that we are struggling to resolve. It seems everybody is in the same boat, but we will be working mainly on this area tomorrow to try and improve the situation. Our other main goal is to get a clear idea about tyre choice for Sunday's race. Thirty laps is a lot here, especially because there is barely a single straight for you to relax on.”

Hiroshi Aoyama: 

“I had never ridden a MotoGP bike at Sachsenring before but I quite like the track. Unfortunately, I am still in quite a lot of pain from the Assen crash, but little by little I am gaining confidence. Grip levels are not high, so we will have to try and work in this area as much as possible to make up ground and positions tomorrow.”

San Carlo Honda Gresini Team press release

Simoncelli sustains lead in FP2

Following a cold and windy morning free practice that yielded 5 big crashes in the first half of the session, the MotoGP field entered the second practice on Friday on a substantially warmer track and slightly calmer winds. Simoncelli rode his San Carlo Honda Gresini bike to the top of the timings with a lap of 1’22.225, over half a second faster than his FP1 time, and 0.095s in front of defending World Champion Lorenzo (Yamaha Factory Racing) who mounted his own attempt to lead the field with fast lap of 1'22.320, an improvement of 0.726s over his FP1 time, though it was quickly outpaced by the Italian.

Dani Pedrosa demonstrated his climb back to full fitness is near completion with a third fastest time of 1'22.432, over a second faster than his time set in the morning session. The 25 year old from Sabadell was just in front of his two team mates, 0.110s ahead of Casey Stoner, and 0.222s quicker than Andrea Dovizioso.

The first Ducati Team rider of the session was Nicky Hayden, who posted a time of 1'22.882 to put him in sixth place, in front of fellow countryman Ben Spies (Yamaha Factory Racing) whose time of 1'22.894 was the last under the 1’23” mark.

Pramac Racing’s Randy de Puniet posted the eighth fastest time of the day with a 1'23.037, followed by Álvaro Bautista (Rizla Suzuki) and Karel Abraham (Cardion AB Motoracing) completing the top ten.

Ducati team’s Valentino Rossi entered the garages with electrical problems toward the end of the session, though the Italian was able rejoin the session to post the 12th fastest time, just behind the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 YZR-M1 of Colin Edwards.

Héctor Barberá (Mapfre Aspar) crashed out at the end of the session but fortunately was unhurt. The 24 year old Spaniard was 13th in the session and 11th fastest for the day. He was followed by Cal Crutchlow (Monster Yamaha Tech 3), who suffered a crash in turn 11 but was able to reenter the track to post a time of 1'23.760.

Sylvain Guintoli stepped in for Loris Capirossi on the Pramac Racing team for the remainder of the weekend as Capirossi is still suffering from chest and shoulder pain following his crash in Assen.

Simoncelli tops chaotic first practice

The MotoGP riders hit the track for the first practice of the weekend under cool (track 16ºC) conditions with wind that seemed to have been a factor in the five crashes, four of them in the fast turn 11 at the top of the hill, that marked the first half of FP1.

Simoncelli dominated much of the session despite the difficult conditions, setting a fastest lap time of 1'22.823, a second behind the lap record held by Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda). 0.181s behind the Italian was Stoner, who was the first rider in the field to crash, but returned unfazed to put in a time of 1'23.004.

Lorenzo, who completed 24 laps, the most of the field, was third in the timings, following the Australian by 0.042s, and ahead of Ducati rider Hayden by 0.159s. Repsol Honda’s Andrea Dovizioso followed in fifth, with Karel Abraham (Cardion AB Motoracing) riding strong to set a sixth fastest time of 1'23.416.

Héctor Barberá (Mapfre Aspar) built on the good form he showed in Mugello, placing seventh with a time of 1'23.433, beating out Randy De Puniet (Pramac Racing), Ben Spies (Yamaha Factory Racing) and Colin Edwards (Monster Yamaha Tech 3).

Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda), who had started session with good pace before crashing in turn 11, managed eleventh after reentering the session, ahead of Álvaro Bautista (Rizla Suzuki) in 12th with a time of 1'23.989. Cal Crutchlow (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) had an early runoff in turn 8, finishing in 13th position with a time of 1'24.162.

Valentino Rossi fell victim to the same corner 11, tumbling in the gravel, though walking away from the crash. The Italian was taken to the Medical Center to be checked out and was found to have no serious injuries, though the lost track time placed him 14th in the standings, while Toni Elías (LCR Honda) only completed a total of seven laps after crashing twice, first in turn 11 and then in turn 1, to place sixteenth.

source: MotoGP Official Website