MotoGP 2012

2012 Gran Premi Aperol de Catalunya Qualifying Result

2012-06-03T12:07:00.000+08:00

Casey Stoner (Repsol Honda Team) secured pole position for Gran Premi Aperol de Catalunya in dominant fashion ahead of Yamaha Factory's Jorge Lorenzo and Tech 3's Cal Crutchlow. Lorenzo’s teammate Ben Spies will start from fourth, in front of Stoner’s teammate Dani Pedrosa and Cruthlow's teammate Andrea Dovizioso.

Ducati Team’s Nicky Hayden is in seventh, in front of LCR Honda MotoGP’s Stefan Bradl and Valentino Rossi. San Carlo Honda Gresini’s Álvaro Bautista completes the top ten.

Pos.	Rider	Team	Time
1.	Casey Stoner	Repsol Honda Team	1'41.295
2.	Jorge Lorenzo	Yamaha Factory Racing	1'41.441
3.	Cal Crutchlow	Monster Yamaha Tech 3	1'41.548
4.	Ben Spies	Yamaha Factory Racing	1'41.552
5.	Dani Pedrosa	Repsol Honda Team	1'41.656
6.	Andrea Dovizioso	Monster Yamaha Tech3	1'41.687
7.	Nicky Hayden	Ducati Team	1'42.029
8.	Stefan Bradl	LCR Honda MotoGP	1'42.065
9.	Valentino Rossi	Ducati Team	1'42.175
10.	Alvaro Bautista	San Carlo Honda Gresini	1'42.356
11.	Hector Barbera	Pramac Racing Team	1'42.375
12.	Karel Abraham	Cardion AB Motoracing	1'43.266
13.	Randy De Puniet	Power Electronics Aspar	1'43.500
14.	Chris Vermeleun	NGM Forward Racing	1'44.024
15.	Aleix Espargaro	Power Electronics Aspar	1'44.041
16.	Michele Pirro	San Carlo Honda Gresini	1'44.356
17.	James Ellison	Paul Bird Motorsport	1'44.763
18.	Mattia Pasini	Speed Master	1'44.764
19.	Yonny Hernandez	Avintia Blusens	1'44.833
28.	Danilo Petrucci	Came IodaRacing	1'45.730
21.	Ivan Silva	Avintia Blusens	1'45.962

2012 Monster Energy Grand Prix de France MotoGP Race Result

2012-05-20T21:21:00.001+08:00

Jorge Lorenzo has won French MotoGP at Le Mans. The Spaniard was joined on the podium by Valentino Rossi (Ducati Team) and Casey Stoner (Repsol Honda Team), who battled hard for the second position. Rossi passed Stoner at the chicane on the very last lap to claim his best ever finish as a Ducati rider.

Both Monster Yamaha tech 3 riders Andrea Dovizioso and Cal Crutchlow fell in separate incidents, but both remounted to finish seventh and eighth. Their mistakes allowed Stoner's teammate Dani Pedrosa into fourth, ahead of rookie Stefan Bradl (LCR Honda MotoGP) and Ducati's Nicky Hayden.

Pos.	Rider	Team	Time
1.	Jorge Lorenzo	Yamaha Factory Racing	49'39.743
2.	Valentino Rossi	Ducati Team	49'49.648
3.	Casey Stoner	Repsol Honda Team	49'51.041
4.	Dani Pedrosa	Repsol Honda Team	50'09.104
5.	Stefan Bradl	LCR Honda MotoGP	50'12.220
6.	Nicky Hayden	Ducati Team	50'12.585
7.	Andrea Dovizioso	Monster Yamaha Tech3	50'39.502
8.	Cal Crutchlow	Monster Yamaha Tech 3	50'44.895
9.	Hector Barbera	Pramac Racing Team	50'47.589
10.	Alvaro Bautista	San Carlo Honda Gresini	50'52.936
11.	James Ellison	Paul Bird Motorsport	51'06.406
12.	Mattia Pasini	Speed Master	51'07.376
13.	Aleix Espargaro	Power Electronics Aspar	1 lap
14.	Michele Pirro	San Carlo Honda Gresini	1 lap
15.	Yonny Hernandez	Avintia Blusens	1 lap
16.	Ben Spies	Yamaha Factory Racing	1 lap
17.	Chris Vermeleun	NGM Forward Racing	2 lap
18.	Ivan Silva	Avintia Blusens	2 lap
DNF	Danilo Petrucci	Came IodaRacing	4 lap
DNF	Randy De Puniet	Power Electronics Aspar	6 lap
DNF	Karel Abraham	Cardion AB Motoracing	17 lap

Fastest Lap:
Valentino Rossi (Ducati Team) - Lap 21

2012 Monster Energy Grand Prix de France MotoGP Qualifying Result

2012-05-20T08:55:00.000+08:00

Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team) has taken his first pole position of the season ahead of his teammate Casey Stoner at French MotoGP at Le Mans. Andrea Dovizioso (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) achieved his best grid position of the season so far in third.

Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha Factory Racing) heads the second row in fourth after being held up in traffic on his final hot lap, followed by Dovizioso’s teammate Cal Crutchlow and Lorenzo’s teammate Ben Spies.

after lapping consistently quick ahead of San Carlo Honda Gresini’s Álvaro Bautista. Bautista, Ducati's Valentino Rossi was able to claim his best qualifying of the season with seventh place. Bautista himself crashed out in the last minute of qualifying on his hot lap.

French rider Randy de Puniet (Power Electronics Aspar) finished top CRT in 12th.

Pos.	Rider	Team	Time
1.	Dani Pedrosa	Repsol Honda Team	1'33.638
2.	Casey Stoner	Repsol Honda Team	1'33.941
3.	Andrea Dovizioso	Monster Yamaha Tech3	1'33.976
4.	Jorge Lorenzo	Yamaha Factory Racing	1'34.104
5.	Cal Crutchlow	Monster Yamaha Tech 3	1'34.178
6.	Ben Spies	Yamaha Factory Racing	1'34.669
7.	Valentino Rossi	Ducati Team	1'34.907
8.	Alvaro Bautista	San Carlo Honda Gresini	1'34.922
9.	Hector Barbera	Pramac Racing Team	1'34.950
10.	Karel Abraham	Cardion AB Motoracing	1'35.250
11.	Nicky Hayden	Ducati Team	1'35.291
12.	Randy De Puniet	Power Electronics Aspar	1'35.694
13.	Stefan Bradl	LCR Honda MotoGP	1'35.862
14.	Michele Pirro	San Carlo Honda Gresini	1'36.646
15.	Yonny Hernandez	Avintia Blusens	1'37.202
16.	James Ellison	Paul Bird Motorsport	1'37.666
17.	Aleix Espargaro	Power Electronics Aspar	1'37.760
18.	Danilo Petrucci	Came IodaRacing	1'37.767
19.	Ivan Silva	Avintia Blusens	1'38.198
20.	Mattia Pasini	Speed Master	1'38.511
21.	Chris Vermeleun	NGM Forward Racing	1'38.658

Casey Stoner to retire from MotoGP

2012-05-18T11:50:00.000+08:00

MotoGP™ World Champion Casey Stoner has made the shock announcement that he will retire from MotoGP at the end of the 2012 season.

The Repsol Honda rider, who vehemently denied retirement rumours at the previous Estoril round, made the announcement during the pre-event press conference for French Grand Prix at Le Mans.

Stoner said:

“After a long time thinking, a lot of time talking with my family and my wife, this has been coming for a couple of years now but at the end of this 2012 season I will be not racing in the 2013 Championship. I will be finishing my career at the end of this season in MotoGP, and go forward in different things in my life.

After so many years of doing this sport which I love, and which myself and my family made so many sacrifices for, after so many years of trying to get to where we have gotten to at this point, this sport has changed a lot and it has changed to the point where I am not enjoying it. I don't have the passion for it and so at this time it's better if I retire now.

There are a lot of things that have disappointed me, and also a lot of things I have loved about this sport, but unfortunately the balance has gone in the wrong direction. And so, basically, we won't be continuing any more. It would be nice if I could say I would stay one more year, but then where does it stop? So we decided to finish everything as we are now.”

Stoner, who won the 2007 MotoGP with Ducati and the 2011 MotoGP with Honda, currently leads the 2012 standings by a single point ahead of Jorge Lorenzo. He became a father for the first time just before the start of this season.

Chris Vermeulen Replaces Edwards for Le Mans

2012-05-09T21:10:00.000+08:00

Forward Racing has announced that former Suzuki MotoGP star Chris Vermeulen will replace Colin Edwards in the French MotoGP at Le Mans.

Vermeulen, 29, has seven MotoGP podiums to his credit and a best finish of sixth in the world championship (2007). The Australian took his and the GSV-R's only MotoGP win in the wet at Le Mans in 2007. Vermeulen then returned to World Superbikes with Kawasaki for 2010, but has spent much of the last two years sidelined by injury and was without a ride for 2012.

Edwards, who broke his left collarbone during a crash in Estoril qualifying last weekend, plans to return to MotoGP action at the Catalunya round.

Chris Vermeulen said:

“First of all I would like to wish Colin a speedy recovery. I am grateful to have the opportunity to race back in MotoGP with the NGM Mobile Forward Racing team. I am looking forward to my first time on the bike being at Le Mans, a circuit that holds great memories for me including a Victory in 2007. I am excited to be racing at the top level of motorcycling again and look forward to working with the team.”

Marco Curioni – Managing Director said:

“In this unfortunate situation that sees Colin Edwards unable to race until the Catalunya GP, we take the opportunity to involve Chris Vermeulen in the team for the Le Mans GP. Several members of the team have previously worked with him and I believe that Chris will immediately find a good feeling with the team. Vermeulen is an expert rider in MotoGP with experience working with the electronics and the correct use of the tires, which are two areas in which we are currently working. Chris has previously won at Le Mans and knows the track well. I would like to wish Chris good luck and send all my best wishes for a quick recovery to Colin, who is on his way back home.”

Shane Byrne Will Replace James Ellison?

2012-05-09T10:32:00.003+08:00

PBM UK's owner Paul Bird revealed that Shane "Shakey" Byrne could take james Ellison's place at Le Mans and therefore make his first MotoGP appearance since 2005. Although he also suggested that the substitution would only be temporary, in order to get a second opinion on the teams CRT Aprilia machine.

Ellison has been struggling with massive chatter and is one of only two riders yet to score a point. Byrne currently rides Kawasaki machinery for Paul Bird's PBM British Superbike team, and took his first win of the 2012 BSB season at Oulton Park on Monday. He previously raced in MotoGP on the Aprilia "Cube" in 2004, and with Proton-KR Honda the following season, but never completed a full season due to injuries or team issues. His best ever finish was 10th place.

Paul Bird said:

"It's something I have been milling over for a couple of meetings. James seems to be lacking a bit of confidence and is complaining about massive chatter with the bike. Obviously Shakey has ridden at Le Mans a couple of times and maybe we will let him have a run out on the bike and rest James for a meeting.

That way we can have another view of what the bike is like, to see if we do have a severe chatter problem, but, you known, Casey Stoner has severe chatter problems and still wins the race, so we will have a look...

I've asked James if he wants to run at Le Mans but I think we would get another view of what the bike is like. It's our first [MotoGP] season so maybe it's time for a management decision."

Update:
The Paul Bird Motorsport Team (PBM UK) wishes to clarify that James will continue to race the CRT-specification Aprilia ART starting with the French Grand Prix at Le Mans on May 20th.

Colin Edwards Undergoes Successful Operation

2012-05-09T10:17:00.000+08:00

NGM Mobile Forward Racing ride Colin Edwards underwent surgery to help heal his broken left collarbone, on Monday, at the Insitituto Universitario DEXEUS in Barcelona. The Texan broke his collarbone into five pieces when fellow CRT rider Randy de Puniet fell and collected the Texan in qualifying at Estoril on Saturday. It marked the fourth time Edwards has fractured his left collarbone.

Dr. Javier Mir, who had previously treated Edwards for the injuries he sustained during a free practice session at the Catalunya Grand Prix last season, again performed the surgery, which lasted approximately two hours. A titanium plate with ten screws was inserted to help the injury heal.

Javier Mir, M.D. said:

"The MotoGP rider Colin Edwards was operated for a fracture on his left clavicle, the bone was broken in five pieces and required the insertion of a titanium plate with ten screws. The surgery performed was successful and he will be able to begin rehabilitation/physical therapy within a week. He will remain in the Instituto Universitario DEXEUS in Barcelona for now."

While Colin Edwards said:

"Doctor Mir and his team have done a great job. They were the ones that took care of me the last time. The surgery was really quick. I’m feeling great, still a little dizzy from the anaesthesia but feeling all right. They put a block on the side of my neck so it’s feeling a little numb. I’m here watching TV and tweeting. Just want to let everyone know I’m ok!"

Forward Racing has announced that Colin Edwards will miss the forthcoming French MotoGP at Le Mans from May 18-20.

2012 Grande Premio De Portugal Circuito Estoril Race Result

2012-05-06T21:58:00.000+08:00

Casey Stoner (Repsol Honda Team) has claimed his first premier-class win at the Estoril circuit in Portugal on Sunday.

The Australian has now taken MotoGP wins at all 18 rounds on the present calendar. Stoner took the checker flag in front of Yamaha Factory's Jorge Lorenzo and his Repsol teammate Dani Pedrosa.

Behind the podium places, Andrea Dovizioso was finishing in front of his teammate for the first time this season. Álvaro Bautista (San Carlo Honda Gresini) held sixth position, while Valentino Rossi claimed his best finish of the season in seventh. After a difficult star, Lorenzo's team-mate Ben Spies finis in eighth - his best result of the year, in front of LCR’s rookie Stefan Brad.

Power Electronics Aspar’s Aleix Espargaro took top CRT spot in twelfth, in front of his teammate Randy de Puniet.

Pos.	Rider	Team	Time
1.	Casey Stoner	Repsol Honda Team	45'37.513
2.	Jorge Lorenzo	Yamaha Factory Racing	45'38.934
3.	Dani Pedrosa	Repsol Honda Team	45'41.134
4.	Andrea Dovizioso	Monster Yamaha Tech3	45'51.359
5.	Cal Crutchlow	Monster Yamaha Tech 3	45'54.203
6.	Alvaro Bautista	San Carlo Honda Gresini	45'59.397
7.	Valentino Rossi	Ducati Team	46'38.059
8.	Ben Spies	Yamaha Factory Racing	46'04.310
9.	Stefan Bradl	LCR Honda MotoGP	46'13.380
10.	Hector Barbera	Pramac Racing Team	46'30.876
11.	Nicky Hayden	Ducati Team	46'40.143
12.	Aleix Espargaro	Power Electronics Aspar	46'58.249
13.	Randy De Puniet	Power Electronics Aspar	47'00.996
14.	Michele Pirro	San Carlo Honda Gresini	47'15.418
15.	Danilo Petrucci	Came IodaRacing	1 lap
DNF	Karel Abraham	Cardion AB Motoracing	5 laps
DNF	James Ellison	Paul Bird Motorsport	10 laps
DNF	Yonny Hernandez	Avintia Blusens	12 laps
DNF	Mattia Pasini	Speed Master	17 laps
DNF	Ivan Silva	Avintia Blusens	17 laps
DNS	Colin Edwards	NGM Forward Racing	-

Fastest Lap:
Jorge Lorenzo - 1'36.909

Colin Edwards Breaks Collarbone

2012-05-06T13:49:00.000+08:00

Collin Edwards (NGM Forward Racing) has broken his left collarbone in a crash during qualifying for the Portuguese MotoGP round at Estoril. The American was knocked off his bike in the latter part of qualifying practice, after Randy de Puniet lost the front of his Power Electronics Aprilia machine, which slid along the track and hit Edwards’ Suter BMW bike. Edwards fell heavily on his shoulder, and injuring his collarbone. While De Puniet is believed to have escaped injury.

He is now on his way to Barcelona to undergo surgery to fix the collarbone by Dr Mir, the same surgeon who operated on him after he broke his collarbone in a serious crash in Barcelona in 2011. Alex de Angelis with be replacing him on the Suter/BMW during Monday’s post race official test.

2012 Grande Premio De Portugal Circuito Estoril Qualifying Result

2012-05-05T22:37:00.000+08:00

Casey Stoner (Repsol Honda Team) got his first pole position for the Grande Prémio de Portugal Circuito Estoril, ahead of his teammate Dani Pedrosa.

Cal Cruthlow (Monster Tech 3 Yamaha) completed the front row, while two Yamaha Factory riders Jorge Lorenzo in fourth and fifth.

The session was interrupted by a short red-flag period after an accident involving Randy de Puniet and Colin Edwards.

Pos.	Rider	Team	Time
1.	Casey Stoner	Repsol Honda Team	1'37.188
2.	Dani Pedrosa	Repsol Honda Team	1'37.201
3.	Cal Crutchlow	Monster Yamaha Tech 3	1'37.289
4.	Jorge Lorenzo	Yamaha Factory Racing	1'37.466
5.	Ben Spies	Yamaha Factory Racing	1'37.723
6.	Alvaro Bautista	San Carlo Honda Gresini	1'37.917
7.	Andrea Dovizioso	Monster Yamaha Tech3	1'37.943
8.	Hector Barbera	Pramac Racing Team	1'38.006
9.	Valentino Rossi	Ducati Team	1'38.059
10.	Nicky Hayden	Ducati Team	1'38.253
11.	Stefan Bradl	LCR Honda MotoGP	1'38.265
12.	Aleix Espargaro	Power Electronics Aspar	1'39.353
13.	Karel Abraham	Cardion AB Motoracing	1'39.398
14.	Randy De Puniet	Power Electronics Aspar	1'39.586
15.	Yonny Hernandez	Avintia Blusens	1'40.029
16.	Michele Pirro	San Carlo Honda Gresini	1'40.225
17.	Mattia Pasini	Speed Master	1'40.387
18.	Colin Edwards	NGM Forward Racing	1'40.964
19.	James Ellison	Paul Bird Motorsport	1'41.394
20.	Danilo Petrucci	Came IodaRacing	1'41.486
21.	Ivan Silva	Avintia Blusens	1'41.490

2012 Gran Premio bwin de España Race Result

2012-04-29T21:35:00.000+08:00

Reigning World Champion Casey Stoner (Repsol Honda Team) took his first ever premier-class victory at the Gran Premio bwin de España, after an epic battle with championship rival Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha Factory Racing). The Australian made a great start from fifth on the grid to take the lead by the end of lap two, but was not able to pull away though and Lorenzo closed in as both riders struggled with tyre wear.

As both riders struggled with tyre wear, Stoner's team-mate Dani Pedrosa and Cal Crutchlow (Monster Tech 3 Yamaha) were slowly catching up with the race leaders Stoner and Lorenzo and finish in 3rd dan 4th.

Pos.	Rider	Team	Time
1.	Casey Stoner	Repsol Honda Team	45'33.897
2.	Jorge Lorenzo	Yamaha Factory Racing	45'34.844
3.	Dani Pedrosa	Repsol Honda Team	45'35.960
4.	Cal Crutchlow	Monster Yamaha Tech 3	45'36.362
5.	Andrea Dovizioso	Monster Yamaha Tech3	45'51.997
6.	Alvaro Bautista	San Carlo Honda Gresini	45'55.292
7.	Stefan Bradl	LCR Honda MotoGP	46'02.534
8.	Nicky Hayden	Ducati Team	46'02.766
9.	Valentino Rossi	Ducati Team	46'08.749
10.	Hector Barbera	Pramac Racing Team	46'09.000
11.	Ben Spies	Yamaha Factory Racing	46'11.938
12.	Aleix Espargaro	Power Electronics Aspar	46'46.625
13.	Danilo Petrucci	Came IodaRacing	46'52.566
14.	Mattia Pasini	Speed Master	47.03.039
15.	Ivan Silva	Avintia Blusens	47'06.375
16.	Colin Edwards	NGM Forward Racing	47'14.474
17.	Karel Abraham	Cardion AB Motoracing	47'49.303
DNF	Randy De Puniet	Power Electronics Aspar	2 laps
DNF	James Ellison	Paul Bird Motorsport	3 laps
DNF	Michele Pirro	San Carlo Honda Gresini	9 laps
DNS	Yonny Hernandez	Avintia Blusens	-

Fastest Lap: Cal Cruthlow (Lap 14) - 1'40.019

2012 Gran Premio bwin de España Qualifying Result

2012-04-28T23:29:00.000+08:00

Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha Factory Racing) took pole position in front of his home crowd after a thrilling qualifying session. finished just 0.135sec ahead of his compatriot Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team). Nicky Hayden (Ducati Team) completed the front row, with Cal Crutchlow (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) at fourth.

Reigning double world champion Casey Stoner (Repsol Honda Team), who almost came off his bike at turn one, had to settle for fifth on the grid, in front of Lorenzo's team-mate Ben Spies.

Valentino Rossi endured anther shocking qualifying session, will start a miserable 13th.

Pos.	Rider	Team	Time
1.	Jorge Lorenzo	Yamaha Factory Racing	1'39.532
2.	Dani Pedrosa	Repsol Honda Team	1'39.667
3.	Nicky Hayden	Ducati Team	1'40.563
4.	Cal Crutchlow	Monster Yamaha Tech 3	1'40.570
5.	Casey Stoner	Repsol Honda Team	1'540.577
6.	Ben Spies	Yamaha Factory Racing	1'41.090
7.	Andrea Dovizioso	Monster Yamaha Tech3	1'41.180
8.	Alvaro Bautista	San Carlo Honda Gresini	1'41.447
9.	Stefan Bradl	LCR Honda MotoGP	1'41.550
10.	Randy De Puniet	Power Electronics Aspar	1'41.700
11.	Hector Barbera	Pramac Racing Team	1'41.724
12.	Karel Abraham	Cardion AB Motoracing	1'41.871
13.	Valentino Rossi	Ducati Team	1'42.961
14.	Aleix Espargaro	Power Electronics Aspar	1'43.135
15.	Michele Pirro	San Carlo Honda Gresini	1'43.363
16.	Mattia Pasini	Speed Master	1'44.308
17.	Yonny Hernandez	Avintia Blusens	1'44.467
18.	Danilo Petrucci	Came IodaRacing	1'44.645
19.	Ivan Silva	Avintia Blusens	1'44.717
20.	James Ellison	Paul Bird Motorsport	1'45.724
21.	Colin Edwards	NGM Forward Racing	1'46.200

MotoGP World Championship 2012

2012-04-11T15:52:00.004+08:00

After Gran Premio bwin de España

Pos.	Rider	Team	Point(s)
1.	Jorge Lorenzo	Yamaha Factory Racing	90
2.	Casey Stoner	Repsol Honda Team	82
3.	Dani Pedrosa	Repsol Honda Team	65
4.	Cal Crutchlow	Monster Yamaha Tech 3	45
5.	Andrea Dovizioso	Monster Yamaha Tech3	44
6.	Valentino Rossi	Ducati Team	42
7.	Stefan Bradl	LCR Honda MotoGP	35
8.	Alvaro Bautista	San Carlo Honda Gresini	29
8.	Nicky Hayden	Ducati Team	33
9.	Hector Barbera	Pramac Racing Team	35
11.	Ben Spies	Yamaha Factory Racing	18
12.	Aleix Espargaro	Power Electronics Aspar	12
13.	Mattia Pasini	Speed Master	6
14.	Randy De Puniet	Power Electronics Aspar	6
15.	James Ellison	Paul Bird Motorsport	0
16.	Colin Edwards	NGM Forward Racing	4
17.	Danilo Petrucci	Came IodaRacing	4
18.	Michele Pirro	San Carlo Honda Gresini	4
19.	Yonny Hernandez	Avintia Blusens	3
20.	Ivan Silva	Avintia Blusens	1
21.	Karel Abraham	Cardion AB Motoracing	0
22.	Chris Vermeleun	NGM Forward Racing	0

2012 Commercialbank Grand Prix of Qatar Race Result

2012-04-09T09:48:00.001+08:00

Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha Factory Racing) took his first victory at the Losail International Circuit, Qatar. Lorenzo held the lead until the third lap before Casey Stoner (Repsol Honda Team) passed him on the start/finish straight. But the Australian began to suffer from severe arm pump, and finally after four laps to go, Lorenzo passed Stoner followed by stoner's team-mate Dani Pedrosa.

After excellent duel between Monster Yamaha Tech 3 team-mates Cal Crutchlow and Andrea Dovizioso, Crutchlow finish in fourth, in front of his team-mate. Nicky Hayden (Ducati Team) was the highest placing Desmosedici, beating Álvaro Bautista (San Carlo Honda Gresini) to sixth, while 2011 Moto2 World Champion Stefan Bradl (LCR Honda) finished in eighth place.

The honour of the highest placing CRT went to Colin Edwards (NGM Mobile Forward Racing Team), who held off the challenge of Randy de Puniet (Power Electronics Aspar) to 12th place, with Yonny Hernández (Avintia Racing MotoGP) and Aleix Espargaró (Power Electronics Aspar) taking the last points on offer.

Pos.	Rider	Team	Time
1.	Jorge Lorenzo	Yamaha Factory Racing	42'44.214
2.	Dani Pedrosa	Repsol Honda Team	42'45.066
3.	Casey Stoner	Repsol Honda Team	42'47.122
4.	Cal Crutchlow	Monster Yamaha Tech 3	43'01.328
5.	Andrea Dovizioso	Monster Yamaha Tech3	43'01.634
6.	Nicky Hayden	Ducati Team	43'12.627
7.	Alvaro Bautista	San Carlo Honda Gresini	43'12.660
8.	Stefan Bradl	LCR Honda MotoGP	43'13.678
9.	Hector Barbera	Pramac Racing Team	43'15.598
10.	Valentino Rossi	Ducati Team	43'17.879
11.	Ben Spies	Yamaha Factory Racing	43'41.121
12.	Colin Edwards	NGM Forward Racing	43'42.302
13.	Randy De Puniet	Power Electronics Aspar	43'54.864
14.	Yonny Hernandez	Avintia Blusens	44.00.157
15.	Aleix Espargaro	Power Electronics Aspar	44.10.947
16.	Ivan Silva	Avintia Blusens	27.541
17.	Mattia Pasini	Speed Master	44.31.633
18.	James Ellison	Paul Bird Motorsport	44.36.096
DNF	Michele Pirro	San Carlo Honda Gresini	7 laps
DNF	Danilo Petrucci	Came IodaRacing	7 laps
DNF.	Karel Abraham	Cardion AB Motoracing	15 laps

Fastest Lap: Casey Stoner (Lap 4) - 1'55.541

2012 CommercialBank Grand Prix of Qatar Qualifying Result

2012-04-08T11:56:00.002+08:00

Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha Factory Racing) qualified in top spot for the Commercialbank Grand Prix of Qatar, 0.221 seconds clear of second place rider Casey Stoner (Repsol Honda Team) - who was once again plagued with chatter issues on his RC213V. Cal Crutchlow (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) qualified third, his first front-row start in premier class, with his team-mate Andrea Dovizioso starting from sixth place.

Ben Spies (Yamaha Factory Racing) set the fourth-fastest time before a crash five minutes from the end of the session. Nicky Hayden (Ducati Team) was the highest placing Desmosedici in fifth, while his team-mate Valentino Rossi encountered set-up problems and qualified twelfth.

Colin Edwards (NGM Mobile Forward Racing Team) became the fastest CRT machine rider in 13th.

Pos.	Rider	Team	Time
1.	Jorge Lorenzo	Yamaha Factory Racing	1'54.634
2.	Casey Stoner	Repsol Honda Team	1'54.855
3.	Cal Crutchlow	Monster Yamaha Tech 3	1'55.022
4.	Ben Spies	Yamaha Factory Racing	1'55.512
5.	Nicky Hayden	Ducati Team	1'55.637
6.	Andrea Dovizioso	Monster Yamaha Tech3	1'55.858
7.	Dani Pedrosa	Repsol Honda Team	1'55.905
8.	Hector Barbera	Pramac Racing Team	1'55.983
9.	Stefan Bradl	LCR Honda MotoGP	1'56.063
10.	Karel Abraham	Cardion AB Motoracing	1'56.198
11.	Alvaro Bautista	San Carlo Honda Gresini	1'56.521
12.	Valentino Rossi	Ducati Team	1'56.813
13.	Colin Edwards	NGM Forward Racing	1'57.644
14.	Randy De Puniet	Power Electronics Aspar	1'58.266
15.	Aleix Espargaro	Power Electronics Aspar	1'58.520
16.	Yonny Hernandez	Avintia Blusens	1'58.795
17.	Michele Pirro	San Carlo Honda Gresini	1'59.085
18.	Mattia Pasini	Speed Master	1'59.195
19.	Danilo Petrucci	Came IodaRacing	1'59.664
20.	Ivan Silva	Avintia Blusens	2'00.493
21.	James Ellison	Paul Bird Motorsport	2'00.757

Rossi and Hayden Undergo Successful operation

2012-02-10T20:32:00.000+08:00

Valentino Rossi underwent a small operation on 6 February 2012 at Cattolica’s Cervesi hospital, to remove a rod that was inserted in his right tibia - following his practice crash at the 2010 Mugello GP. At the same day in Fremont, California, Nicky Hayden underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on the left shoulder that he had injured in late December.

Both Ducati Team riders should be able to take part for the second test in Malaysia, February 28-March 1.

2012 MotoGP Sepang Test

2012-02-03T15:38:00.000+08:00

Day 3

Pos.	Rider	Team	Time
1.	Casey Stoner	Repsol Honda Team	1'59.107
2.	Jorge Lorenzo	Yamaha Factory Racing	2'00.198
3.	Dani Pedrosa	Repsol Honda Team	2'00.256
4.	Ben Spies	Yamaha Factory Racing	2'00.495
5.	Valentino Rossi	Ducati Team	2'00.824
6.	Hector Barbera	Pramac Racing Team	2'00.929
7.	Cal Crutchlow	Monster Yamaha Tech 3	2'01.108
8.	Andrea Dovizioso	Monster Yamaha Tech 3	2'01.257
9.	Alvaro Bautista	San Carlo Honda Gresini	2'01.384
10.	Nicky Hayden	Ducati Team	2'01.729
11.	Stefan Bradl	LCR Honda MotoGP	2'01.894
12.	Karel Abraham	Cardion AB Motoracing	2'02.218
13.	Katsuyuki Nakasuga	Yamaha Factory Racing	2'02.334
14.	Franco Battaini	Ducati Team	2'03.033
15.	Collin Edwards	NGM Mobile Forward Racing	2:04.722
16.	Ivan Silva	Avintia Racing	2:08.225
17.	Robertino Pietri	Avintia Racing	2:09.640
18.	Jordi Torres	Avintia Racing	2:10.184

Day 2

Pos.	Rider	Team	Time
1.	Casey Stoner	Repsol Honda Team	2:00.895
2.	Ben Spies	Yamaha Factory Racing	2:01.052
3.	Jorge Lorenzo	Yamaha Factory Racing	2:01.068
4.	Dani Pedrosa	Repsol Honda Team	2:01.508
5.	Cal Crutchlow	Monster Yamaha Tech 3	2:01.565
6.	Hector Barbera	Pramac Racing Team	2:01.788
7.	Valentino Rossi	Ducati Team	2:01.886
8.	Alvaro Bautista	San Carlo Honda Gresini	2:01.933
9.	Andrea Dovizioso	Monster Yamaha Tech 3	2:02.160
10.	Nicky Hayden	Ducati Team	2:02.354
11.	Stefan Bradl	LCR Honda MotoGP	2:02.414
12.	Karel Abraham	Cardion AB Motoracing	2:02.598
13.	Katsuyuki Nakasuga	Yamaha Factory Racing	2:02.941
14.	Franco Battaini	Ducati Team	2:04.311
15.	Collin Edwards	NGM Mobile Forward Racing	2:05.603
16.	Ivan Silva	Avintia Racing	2:10.297
18.	Jordi Torres	Avintia Racing	2:11.893
17.	Robertino Pietri	Avintia Racing	2:12.546

Day 1

Pos.	Rider	Team	Time
1.	Jorge Lorenzo	Yamaha Factory Racing	2:01.657
2.	Dani Pedrosa	Repsol Honda Team	2:02.003
3.	Cal Crutchlow	Monster Yamaha Tech 3	2:02.221
4.	Ben Spies	Yamaha Factory Racing	2:02.234
5.	Valentino Rossi	Ducati Team	2:02.392
6.	Andrea Dovizioso	Monster Yamaha Tech 3	2:02.751
7.	Hector Barbera	Pramac Racing Team	2:02.773
8.	Katsuyuki Nakasuga	Yamaha Factory Racing	2:02.829
9.	Alvaro Bautista	San Carlo Honda Gresini	2:02.869
10.	Nicky Hayden	Ducati Team	2:03.151
11.	Stefan Bradl	LCR Honda MotoGP	2:03.668
12.	Karel Abraham	Cardion AB Motoracing	2:03.781
13.	Franco Battaini	Ducati Team	2:04.986
14.	Casey Stoner	Avintia Racing	2:07.163
15.	Collin Edwards	NGM Mobile Forward Racing	2:08.240
18.	Jordi Torres	Avintia Racing	2:10.671
16.	Ivan Silva	Avintia Racing	2:11.267

2012 MotoGP Riders

2012-01-14T16:12:00.001+08:00

MotoGP Riders

1 Casey Stoner Australia Repsol Honda Team	4 Andrea Dovizioso Italy Yamaha Tech 3	5 Colin Edwards USA Forward Racing*
6 Stefan Bradl Germany LCR Honda MotoGP	8 Hector Barbera Spain Pramac Racing Team	9 Danilo Petrucci Italy Ioda Racing Project*
11 Ben Spies USA Yamaha Factory Racing	14 Randy De Puniet France Aspar Team MotoGP*	17 Karel Abraham Czeska Cardion AB Motoracing
19 Alvaro Bautista Spain San Carlo Honda Gresini	20 Aleix Espargaro Spain Aspar Team MotoGP*	22 Ivan Silva Spain BQR-FTR*
26 Dani Pedrosa Spain Repsol Honda Team	35 Cal Crutchlow GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3	46 Valentino Rossi Italy Ducati Team
51 Michele Pirro Italy San Carlo Honda Gresini*	54 Mattia Pasini Italy Speed Master*	68 Yonny Hernandez Colombia BQR-FTR*
69 Nicky Hayden USA Ducati Team	77 James Elisson Germany Paul Bird Racing*	99 Jorge Lorenzo Spain Yamaha Factory Racing

*CRT

2012 MotoGP Schedule

2012-01-06T15:21:00.000+08:00

8 April, Qatar* - Doha/Losail
29 April, Spain - Jerez de la Frontera
6 May, Portugal (STC) - Estoril
20 May, France - Le Mans
3 June, Catalunya - Catalunya
17 June, Great Britain - Silverstone
30 June, Netherlands** - Assen
8 July, Germany (STC) - Sachsenring
15 July, Italy - Mugello
29 July, United States*** - Laguna Seca
19 August, Indianapolis - Indianapolis
26 August, Czech Rep. - Brno
16 September, San Marino & Riviera di Rimini - Misano
30 September, Aragon - Motorland
14 October, Japan - Motegi
21 October, Malaysia - Sepang
28 October, Australia - Phillip Island
11 November, Valencia - Ricardo Tormo – Valencia

* Evening Race
** Saturday Race
*** Only MotoGP class

Michele Pirro to Ride Honda Gresini CRT Bike

2011-12-06T14:22:00.000+08:00

Michele Pirro - winner of the final Moto2 race at Valencia - has been chosen ride the San Carlo Honda Gresini second bike. Continuing their partnership from Moto2 into MotoGP, 25 year old Pirro will ride the CRT bike with a FTR chassis and a Honda CBR1000R engine. The Italian is joining Álvaro Bautista, who will ride a Honda RC213V.

Team Gresini will also expand their line-up to cover all three of the MotoGP classes, with a Moto3 entry joining the existing MotoGP and Moto2.

Team chief Fausto Gresini said:

"We have decided that it feels right for a new project such as CRT to give Michele Pirro the opportunity to show his talent. He demonstrated in the closing stages of the 2011 Moto2 World Championship that he has the technical ability to improve further as a rider and we believe that he can be one of the leading CRT riders.

His fantastic and truly unforgettable win at Valencia was emotional for all of us and it convinced us that he is worthy of this chance. We are also obviously an Italian team so it is also important to us to carry this new project forward with an Italian rider in Michele."

Michele Pirro said:

"I’m happy to have made this decision and proud to join the San Carlo Honda Gresini team in this interesting new adventure. It wasn’t an easy decision to make because of the fact that initially I had wanted to try to improve on the 2011 results I had in Moto2, but the growing confidence that Fausto Gresini had for me at the end of the season left me with no doubt about the choice to take. I feel honored to continue to be a part of this fantastic group and to work together with them on this ambitious project that represents the future of MotoGP. I hope to return the confidence they have in me with results and technical contributions to this exciting team."

Aspar Sign Randy De Puniet for 2012

2011-11-28T14:37:00.000+08:00

Team Aspar has confirmed it will expand to two riders in the MotoGP World Championship next season with the signing of Randy de Puniet and Aleix Espargaro to piloting the Aprilia powered CRT machines. Two years after making its category debut with a single Ducati for Spaniard Hector Barbera, the Aspar Team has joined the list of teams to compete the 2012 season with CRT (Claiming Rules Team) bikes.

De Puniet had the opportunity to complete two days of testing with the Aspar Team, with the bike based loosely on the Aprilia RSV-4 superbike. Though the team does not confirm its chassis for 2012, they has decided to rely on Noale house as a supplier of engines.

RDP commented:

"I am very happy to return to the Aspar Team, having already raced with them in 2005 during my 250cc career. I have very fond memories of that time and now we are taking on a new challenge together in the shape of CRT. I know that this is a very competitive team and they will be fighting to have the best material available. We have already tested and gathered a lot of good feedback. CRT is the future of MotoGP and even though we have a lot of work ahead of us it will be enjoyable.

The objective for next season will be to adapt as soon as possible to this new prototype and gradually close the gap to the factory bikes. Testing at Jerez was very productive, we had good weather and managed to gather a lot of good data. The lap times were interesting even though we are obviously a long way off the motorcycle we will start the season with so I am very pleased with how everything is coming together."

While Alex Espagaro said:

"First of all I am very excited to join the Aspar Team and especially to be returning to MotoGP, which is a huge source of motivation for me. In 2010 I had a pretty positive season and I would have liked to continue for another year. I think that with my height and weight I should be more suited to the category and I am sure we'll have a good year and get some great results for the Aspar Team.

CRT is a totally new concept and we will have a lot of work to do at the start but I have joined the Aspar Team because they comes with certain guarantees and I know they won't take this challenge lightly. They are very professional and I am sure they will develop a great motorcycle. I am delighted to be involved with this new project."

Meanwhile team manager Jorge 'Aspar' Martinez said:

"We are really happy because we find ourselves with a brand new challenge ahead of us and we have full faith that CRT is the future of MotoGP, which is why we are amongst the first to join this initiative. As a team we continue to grow and after having a single rider for our first two seasons in MotoGP we will now have two in Randy de Puniet and Aleix Espargaró.

I am pleased to welcome Randy back to the team; he was already with us back in 2005 and we have good memories. Aleix was also with us in 2009 although it was only for two races. We are sure that this will be a successful project with the riders we have but also with the engine supplier, which will be Aprilia.

We always wanted to stick with them for this project because of the fabulous relationship we have with them and their pedigree in the smaller classes. Our objective this season is to be the best CRT team and to prepare for another step forward in 2013."

Suzuki Suspends GP Racing

2011-11-20T11:10:00.000+08:00

Suzuki Motor Corporation has officially confirmed that it will withdraw from the FIM Road Racing Grand Prix MotoGP from 2012. This suspension is to cope with tough circumstances mainly caused by the prolonged recession in developed countries, a historical depreciation of Japanese Yen and repeated natural disasters.

Having an eye to returning to MotoGP in 2014, Suzuki will now focus on developing a competitive new racing machine for that class. Suzuki will continue motocross racing activity and support of road racing activities using mass-produced motorcycles, by obtaining FIM homologation and co-operation with the supplier of its development racing kit parts.

The statement, titled 'Temporary Suspension Of MotoGP Racing', was released on Friday morning.

Suzuki cut back to just one bike for Alvaro Bautista this season. Bautista has signed for Honda Gresini. Rizla Suzuki MotoGP team manager Paul Denning has already announced that his Crescent Racing team will move from BSB to WSBK next season.

LCR Honda Sign Stefan Bradl for 2012

2011-11-20T10:56:00.000+08:00

The 2011 Moto2 World Champion Stefan Bradl has been signed up by Lucio Cecchinello’s team - LCR Honda - to ride in the premier class. The 21-year-old German, who recently tested an 800cc Honda for LCR at Valencia immediately after the final round of the 2011 season, has signed a two-year deal with the team.Bradl will now make the step up to the premier class in 2012, riding a RC213V for the team.

Lucio Cecchinello said of the deal:

"Next year will be very important for MotoGP. Starting from next April the Championship will be rich with new technical rules and participants. Together with Honda we have considered several riders, and Stefan was one of our candidates. After the Test in Valencia we were very impressed by his potential and his determination. Stefan is young and fast and he just clinched the Moto2 World Title so we believe we can grow together within the Team in the next two years. He already knew the technical staff and today I am happy to give him our warmest welcome in the LCR Team!"

Bradl commented:

"This is simply fantastic, like a dream come true! When I tested the RC212V in Valencia I realised that LCR Team is very professional and well organised so I am sure they will do their best to support me. Making my debut in the premier class aboard the RC213V is great and I cannot wait to get back on track."

Bradl - son of former GP racer Helmut Bradl - took four wins and eleven podiums on his way to winning the Moto2 title, using a Kalex chassis run by Viessmann Kiefer Racing. He will be the first German MotoGP rider since Alex Hofmann in 2007.

Nicky Hayden Undergoes Wrist Surgery

2011-11-16T11:34:00.000+08:00

Ducati Team rider Nicky Hayden has successfully undergone surgery on his injured wrist, sustained during the Valencia Grand Prix. The American was one of four riders to fall at the opening bend in Valencia, the other riders are Valentino Rossi, Alvaro bautista and Randy De Puniet. Hayden eventually being diagnosed with a non-displaced fracture of the scaphoid and radial styloid.

During the operation, which was carried out at the Fremont Sports Therapy and Surgery Centre in Fremont, California, USA, Dr. Arthur Ting placed a small screw in Hayden’s fractured scaphoid. The radial styloid, which is also fractured, was not treated.

Shortly after the operation, hayden said:

"Everything went pretty smoothly. The scaphoid is a slow-healing bone, so you don’t want to wait, only to find out in January that it’s not healing correctly. I’m happy to get it fixed right so that I’ll be ready to go when I need to be."

After wearing a brace and using a bone stimulator for four weeks, Hayden will have his wrist X-rayed again to assess its status. Hayden, who was forced to skip the post-season Valencia test, is confident of being at full fitness before his return to the track for the official testing for the 2012 MotoGP season begins at Sepang on January 31st.

San Carlo Honda Gresini Joins with FTR for 2012

2011-11-16T11:24:00.000+08:00

Team San Carlo Honda Gresini has announced it will enter a second bike in the 2012 MotoGP World Championship under the new CRT (Claiming Rules Team) regulations after join forces with British bikes manufacturers FTR Moto. The new FTR MGP12 will be equipped with a Honda CBR1000RR engine and will begin testing soon with a rider soon to be announced.

Gresini Team recently confirmed Alvaro Bautista would ride its Honda RC213V in place of the late Marco Simoncelli for 2012.

Fausto Gresini said:

"It is a source of great satisfaction that we have reached an agreement with FTR Moto to take part in the new MotoGP series, CRT. The battle between the Claiming Rule Teams will be an exciting one and we are entering it with great enthusiasm. Our willingness to take part was always based on the condition that we had the right technical partner and with FTR Moto and a Honda CBR 1000R engine we believe we can build a competitive bike for this new category. It is a new adventure that appeals to our racing spirit and it could prove to be the future of MotoGP. We will work our hardest and I am sure we will have great results together."

Steve Bones (CEO – FTR moto) said:

"We are absolutely delighted to start up a partnership with Team San Carlo Honda Gresini and to join them on a new adventure in MotoGP. Team Gresini have shown over the years that they are technically competent, as their numerous successes prove, and we are sure that will continue alongside FTR on this new adventure. The growing interest in the new MotoGP-CRT category is exciting for all of us and we can't wait to get on track as soon as possible to start developing the bike and breaking new technical boundaries."