Re: The 2009 Season

tammerz · by tammerz on Fri Dec 05, 2008 2:30 am

Suzuki still waiting on Rizla decision for 2009
By Matthew Birt

MotoGP

04 December 2008 11:17

Suzuki’s factory MotoGP team is still awaiting a decision on whether Rizla will remain as its title sponsor in next year’s MotoGP world championship.

The Japanese factory has yet to finalise its sponsorship plans for 2009, with discussions still on-going with Rizla over a potential new deal.

Rizla ended its seven-year relationship with Suzuki’s British superbike squad earlier this year, and has yet to confirm it plans to renew with the MotoGP squad, which runs Chris Vermeulen and Loris Capirossi.

The global credit crunch though is also starting to have an impact on the MotoGP paddock.

Asked whether Rizla would remain on the GSV-R in 2009, team manager Paul Denning said: “I don’t know yet. We are in negotiation, it’s not a stalemate, but because it is still under negotiation there is still a chance we may not reach agreement. I expect to know before the end of this year.”

tammerz · by tammerz on Thu Dec 11, 2008 1:02 am

Dorna announces DEWALT as a new sponsor
Wednesday, 10 December 2008

The world´s leading manufacturer of professional power tools and accessories, DEWALT, has joined the MotoGP World Championship as the MotoGP Power Tool Supplier for the 2009 and 2010 seasons.

Thanks to a new agreement with Dorna Sports, DEWALT power tools will be used in the MotoGP paddock by Dorna's operational staff working at the circuits as of next season.

Established over 80 years ago, DEWALT´S reputation of designing, engineering and building tough industrial power tools and accessories, and delivering high performance to the professional tradesman, has earned the company market leadership in its native North America. With their commitment to providing jobsite solutions that continue to revolutionise the working methods employed by the construction industry, DEWALT is now the fastest growing supplier of professional power tools in the world and has remained so over the past five years.

The new partnership with Dorna Sports will allow DEWALT to exploit the global marketing opportunities afforded by MotoGP and further enhance their brand position across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

DEWALT will also be present in the public areas at most European Grands Prix to allow end users the opportunity to try products and truly understand their outstanding performance and productivity benefits.

DEWALT´s Pete Morris, Vice President - Professional, Europe, Middle East & Africa, commented, `We are excited to announce our new partnership with Dorna and MotoGP. It is important for our brand to be associated with a high energy growth sport, with strong access to our target demographic and end users. This strategy is key to our DEWALT formula, as it promotes close end user engagement at the track and beyond.´

Dorna Sports´ Managing Director Pau Serracanta stated, `We are delighted to welcome DEWALT into the MotoGP World Championship paddock as our Power Tool Supplier. The company have strong links to motorsports and the quality of their products will be recognised by MotoGP´s ever increasing fanbase.´

tammerz · by tammerz on Thu Dec 11, 2008 1:04 am

MotoGP faces at Bologna Motorshow
Tuesday, 09 December 2008

Andrea Dovizioso leads the World Championship representation at prestigious event.

One of the biggest events of its kind in Italy, the Bologna Motorshow began this past weekend with a host of MotoGP World Championship figures in attendance. Premier class rider Andrea Dovizioso was joined by 250cc titlist Marco Simoncelli, Mattia Pasini and Graziano Rossi –father of Valentino- to kick off the show on Sunday behind the wheel of a Ford Mustang GT, part of the `Toyo Superbikers Drifting´ section of the Bologna event.

The riders and ex-riders performed controlled skids and even took the Mustang onto two wheels to wow the crowd, with the agenda also including the Red Bull Nascar Show and Innovation Cube.

Further fun is to be had at the Bologna Motorshow until its close on December 14th.

tammerz · by tammerz on Thu Dec 11, 2008 1:15 am

Honda considering 2009 MotoGP cuts
By Matthew Birt

MotoGP

09 December 2008 10:06

Honda has refused to confirm it will maintain its current level of involvement in MotoGP next season after the Japanese factory’s shock move to quit Formula One.

CEO and chairman Takeo Fukui dropped a bombshell last week when he announced Honda would withdraw from F1 because of the impact of the global economic crisis.

And as a result, HRC has confirmed its level of involvement in MotoGP in 2009 is “under consideration.”

HRC currently provides nearly a third of the grid for MotoGP, with the Japanese factory planning to field six of the 19 bikes in 2009.

When asked by MCN if HRC would retain that level of participation, a factory spokesman in Japan said: “We are under consideration, and cannot answer. More than we imagined, the economic crisis has had an influence on what we do.

Therefore, there is an implication for MotoGP as well. The situation is serious.”

tammerz · by tammerz on Thu Dec 11, 2008 11:39 pm

MotoGP boss gets Honda assurance
By Matthew Birt

MotoGP

11 December 2008 14:30

Honda has told MotoGP bosses that it does intend to compete in MotoGP next season with six bikes, despite the global economic crisis forcing the Japanese factory to quit Formula One.

Although no official confirmation has yet come from HRC, Takanao Tsubouchi of the Motorcycle Sport Manufacturers Association (MSMA) relayed Honda’s intention at a meeting of the Grand Prix Commission in Barcelona yesterday.

Dorna boss Carmelo Ezpeleta attended the meeting, which saw the final rules agreed for the new 600cc class that will replace the current 250 two-stroke world championship in 2011.

International Race Teams Association president Herve Poncharal attended the meeting and he said: “Of course the F1 Honda news was a shock for everyone involved in motorsport, so this question of their participation was raised.

"He (Tsubouchi) is not a Honda spokesman but he represents all the manufacturers and Honda is one of the manufacturers and he told us that there were no worries about Honda’s involvement. I’ve spoken with Fausto Gresini and Lucio Cecchinello and nobody seems in any doubt that the six bikes they are planning to do will all be on the grid.”

tammerz · by tammerz on Mon Dec 15, 2008 11:34 pm

Suzuki’s MotoGP future safe
By Matthew Birt

MotoGP

15 December 2008 13:10

Suzuki’s factory MotoGP squad will remain largely unaffected by the current global economic crisis, MCN can reveal.

The Japanese factory has announced it is to quit the world rally championship after just one campaign in 2009 because of the financial slowdown.

The news comes hot on the heels of Honda’s decision to quit Formula One and last week HRC also withdrew its factory team out of the American superbike championship, leaving British rider Neil Hodgson out in the cold.

The British-based factory MotoGP squad though, which runs Aussie Chris Vermeulen and Italian veteran Loris Capirossi, will proceed as normal.

Suzuki team boss Paul Denning told MCN: “At this time we have got no indication that there is any change to our programme for next year.

"Of course there is concern regarding the overall economic position and that has a knock on effect with regard to sponsorship revenues but there is no indication yet that we will be doing anything different other than trying to control costs as best we can and get the best possible results we can within a sensible budget.

"We have always looked at controlling costs very carefully, and fingers crossed that has put us in a reasonable position for difficult times coming up.”

Denning also confirmed that Suzuki is still in negotiation with title sponsor Rizla over an extended deal.

tammerz · by tammerz on Tue Dec 16, 2008 12:21 pm

MotoGP 2009 provisional entry list released
Tuesday, 16 December 2008

The FIM have published the provisional entry list for the premier class of the 2009 MotoGP World Championship.

The provisional entry list for MotoGP in 2009 has been released by the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) as follows:

3. DANI PEDROSA, REPSOL HONDA TEAM
4. ANDREA DOVIZIOSO, REPSOL HONDA TEAM
5. COLIN EDWARDS, TECH 3 YAMAHA
7. CHRIS VERMEULEN, RIZLA SUZUKI MOTOGP
14. RANDY DE PUNIET, LCR HONDA MOTOGP
15. ALEX DE ANGELIS, SAN CARLO HONDA GRESINI
21. JOHN HOPKINS, KAWASAKI RACING TEAM
24. TONI ELIAS, SAN CARLO HONDA GRESINI
27. CASEY STONER, DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM
33. MARCO MELANDRI, KAWASAKI RACING TEAM
36. MIKA KALLIO, PRAMAC RACING
46. VALENTINO ROSSI, FIAT YAMAHA TEAM
52. JAMES TOSELAND, TECH 3 YAMAHA
59. SETE GIBERNAU, GRUPO FRANCISCO HERNANDO
65. LORIS CAPIROSSI, RIZLA SUZUKI MOTOGP
69. NICKY HAYDEN, DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM
72. YUKI TAKAHASHI, SCOT RACING TEAM MOTOGP
88. NICCOLO CANEPA, PRAMAC RACING
99. JORGE LORENZO, FIAT YAMAHA TEAM

tammerz · by tammerz on Tue Dec 16, 2008 12:24 pm

250cc provisional entry list for 2009
Tuesday, 16 December 2008

The entry list of riders for the 250cc class in 2009 has been provisionally published today (Monday 15th December) by the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme.

2009 250cc class FIM provisional rider entry list:

4. HIROSHI AOYAMA, SCOT RACING TEAM 250cc
7. AXEL PONS, PEPE WORLD PONS WRB
8. BASTIEN CHESAUX, RACING TEAM GERMANY
9. TONI WIRSING, RACING TEAM GERMANY
10. IMRE TOTH, TEAM TOTH APRILIA
12. THOMAS LUTHI, EMMI - CAFFE LATTE
14. RATTHAPARK WILAIROT, THAI HONDA PTT SAG
15. ROBERTO LOCATELLI, METIS GILERA
16. JULES CLUZEL, MATTEONI RACING
17. KAREL ABRAHAM, CARDION AB MOTORACING
19. ALVARO BAUTISTA, MAPFRE ASPAR TEAM
21. HECTOR BARBERA, PEPE WORLD PONS WRB
25. ALEX BALDOLINI, WTR SAN MARINO TEAM
28. GABOR TALMACSI, BALATON RACING TEAM 250cc
35. RAFFAELE DE ROSA, SCOT RACING TEAM 250cc
41. ALEIX ESPARGARO, CAMPETELLA RACING
48. SHOYA TOMIZAWA, TEAM CIP
51. STEVIE BONSEY, APRILIA MADRID
52. LUKAS PESEK, AUTO KELLY - CP
58. MARCO SIMONCELLI, METIS GILERA
63. MIKE DI MEGLIO, MAPFRE ASPAR TEAM 250cc
75. MATTIA PASINI, TEAM TOTH APRILIA

tammerz · by tammerz on Tue Dec 16, 2008 12:27 pm

125cc provisional entry list for 2009
Tuesday, 16 December 2008

The provisional entry list of riders for next year´s 125cc World Championship has been published by the FIM.

2009 125cc class FIM provisional rider entry list:

5. ALEXIS MASBOU, LONCIN RACING
7. DOMINIQUE AEGERTER, AJO INTERWETTEN
8. LORENZO ZANETTI, WWC
11. SANDRO CORTESE, AJO INTERWETTEN
12. ESTEVE RABAT, BLUSENS APRILIA
16. CAMERON BEAUBIER, RED BULL KTM 125
17. STEFAN BRADL, KIEFER RACING
18. NICOLAS TEROL, JACK & JONES PONS WRB
24. SIMONE CORSI, JACK & JONES PONS WRB
27. STEFANO BIANCO, CBC CORSE
29. ANDREA IANNONE, WWC
30. PERE TUTUSAUS, MATTEONI RACING
32. LORENZO SAVADORI,FONTANA RACING
33. SERGIO GADEA, BANCAJA ASPAR TEAM 125cc
34. RANDY KRUMMENACHER, DEGRAAF GRAND PRIX
38. BRADLEY SMITH, BANCAJA ASPAR TEAM 125cc
44. POL ESPARGARO, BELSON DERBI
45. SCOTT REDDING, BLUSENS APRILIA
60. JULIAN SIMON, BANCAJA ASPAR TEAM 125cc
66. MATTHEW HOYLE, MAXTRA TEAM
71. TOMOYOSHI KOYAMA, LONCIN RACING
72. MARCO RAVAIOLI, CBC CORSE
73. TAKAAKI NAKAGAMI, WWC
81. JASPER IWEMA, KIEFER RACING
88. MICHAEL RANSEDER, MAXTRA TEAM
93. MARC MARQUEZ, RED BULL KTM 125
94. JONAS FOLGER, WWC
99. DANNY WEBB, DEGRAAF GRAND PRIX
TBC. xx, BELSON DERBI

tammerz · by tammerz on Tue Dec 16, 2008 12:29 pm

Lucio Cecchinello: Honda won’t quit MotoGP
By Matthew Birt

MotoGP

16 December 2008 11:11

LCR Honda team boss Lucio Cecchinello has told MCN he is convinced that the Japanese factory will honour its commitment to supply six bikes in the 2009 MotoGP world championship.

Honda’s involvement in the premier class series next season was thrown into doubt when it made a shock decision to quit Formula One because of the global economic crisis.

A Honda spokesman confirmed to MCN earlier this week that the credit crunch would inevitably impact on Honda’s MotoGP effort, but independent team boss Cecchinello is adamant that all four Honda teams will be on the grid in 2009.

“I haven’t spoken with Honda at all, but I would like to say that Honda in Formula One is a completely different department to HRC,” Cecchinello said. “The history of Honda is producing motorcycles. They’ve made cars for many years, but Honda’s core business is motorcycles and I’m pretty sure they will never stop racing in MotoGP.

”I don’t think their Formula One decision will have any impact for MotoGP. HRC is a subsidiary of Honda, so maybe they will receive some kind of budget cut. But this is something that will happen for every motorcycle manufacturer with sales decreasing for everybody.”

Honda caused another major surprise last week when it confirmed its withdrawal from the American superbike series. The move to shutdown its factory operation has left British rider Neil Hodgson without a ride just days after he topped the timesheets at the recent Daytona test.

tammerz · by tammerz on Sat Dec 20, 2008 2:20 pm

MotoGP » Alice to sponsor 2009 Dutch TT.
Friday, 19th December 2008

Alice becomes title sponsor of 2009 Dutch TT.

Alice will become the title sponsor of next year's Dutch TT on June 27, Telecom Italia and Dorna Sports confirmed today.

The Italian telecommunications company will also continue its title sponsorship at Mugello (Italy) and Sachsenring (Germany) next season, and will again have a further branding presence at various other Grands Prix.

However, it is still not known if Alice will return as title sponsor of the Pramac Racing MotoGP team.

Next season's Alice TT Assen takes place from June 25-27, meaning that the race itself will be run on the last Saturday in June, in keeping with tradition.

The Dutch TT was previously sponsored by A-Style.

tammerz · by tammerz on Sat Dec 20, 2008 2:21 pm

does that mean no more of the doggie style Astyle icon?

tammerz · by tammerz on Sun Dec 21, 2008 2:03 pm

Cash injection not answer to improving Suzuki GSV-R
By Matthew Birt

MotoGP

18 December 2008 16:20

Factory boss Paul Denning doesn’t believe Suzuki has to increase its budget to compete with the likes of Yamaha, Ducati and Honda in the 2009 MotoGP world championship.

Chris Vermeulen and Loris Capirossi were only eighth and tenth respectively in the standings last season as the GSV-R had a disappointing second assault in the 800cc era.

Suzuki is already working on a radically revamped V4 for next season to bridge the gap to rivals like Yamaha and Ducati, but Denning denied that meant a fresh injection of funds, despite the global economic crisis.

Suzuki announced this week that it would withdraw from the World Rally Championship after just one season due to the financial slowdown. The move though has no impact on Suzuki’s MotoGP effort.

Denning told MCN: “For us it is not a question of budget to go quicker. It is a question of using the existing budget, making the right decisions and making sure the priorities are focused on. I don’t think Suzuki needs to spend more money. I think the budget it appropriate technically to get the job done. It’s a question of making the right decisions and not more expensive decisions.”

Suzuki has restructured its racing department ahead of next season, with Technical Manager Shinichi Sahara moving to the role of Group Leader for the MotoGP project.

Denning added: “Now there is a more clearly defined relationship between development and performance target and I think even the recent Phillip Island test showed us that every single new part we bolted on the bike was for a logical reason instead of a designers idea we thought might work.”

tammerz · by tammerz on Sun Dec 21, 2008 2:04 pm

Yamaha hoping to remain dominant in 2009
By Matthew Birt

MotoGP

18 December 2008 12:32

Top Yamaha boss Lin Jarvis is confident the 2009 YZR-M1 will remain the dominant brand in MotoGP next season.

The Japanese factory had a phenomenal return to form last season by collecting a clean sweep of the major premier class prizes.

Valentino Rossi took the individual glory with nine victories on his way to a sixth world title, while his Fiat Yamaha squad won the coveted team award with the help of impressive Spanish rookie Jorge Lorenzo.

Yamaha also won the manufacturers title to take the triple crown back from Bologna rivals Ducati.

And Jarvis told MCN: “As a brand this year Yamaha proved itself to be the reference brand. By not only having Valentino win and dominate, but we had the triple crown with the team and manufacturer awards too. Our bike was clearly good with Michelin and Bridgestone and a multitude of riders, so we hope we can achieve a similar level of success next season.”

Jarvis also said it was apparent that Ducati was adopting a similar strategy to the Japanese factory in 2009.

Ducati will field five GP9 machines next season and Jarvis added: “Ducati is adopting a similar strategy next year where they want to supply more equal bikes to all their five riders. That’s also to re-establish the credibility of the Ducati brand, which has suffered a little bit this year by having a bike that only Casey (Stoner) could ride.

"I think it didn’t do many favours to the Ducati brand this year and they want to recover next year with all five riders being in front. We are all in MotoGP to prove the same point.”

tammerz · by tammerz on Tue Jan 06, 2009 11:11 am

MotoGP calendar cut not answer to cost saving
By Matthew Birt

MotoGP

05 January 2009 13:54

MotoGP team bosses believe a reduction in the number of MotoGP races would have little or no impact on slashing costs.

With the global credit crunch forcing the likes of Honda, Yamaha and Ducati to consider cost-cutting measures after Kawasaki’s shock intent to quit with immediate effect, one option touted was cutting the world championship calendar down from its current 18-race format.

The expansion of the MotoGP calendar to 18 races has tested resources, but most agree that a reduction would be a detrimental move.

Tech 3 Yamaha team boss Herve Poncharal, who also acts as International Race Teams Association president, would prefer the season to be extended further. He said: “For me 18 races is not too much.

"I would prefer to have one more race than another two tests. When you go to test in Sepang, Qatar or Australia you don’t get paid. One hundred per cent of the cost is yours. When we race in Malaysia or Australia we are paid.”

Factory Ducati team boss Livio Suppo also said that the current format was crucial to help Dorna retain it level of financial investment in the teams, with the Spanish rights owners heavily subsidising some of the non-factory efforts.

“The Dorna contribution to the teams and manufacturers is growing and to do this they need to have revenue, and one way of doing that is to have more races. So this a compromise between how much Dorna contributes and how much we spend to go racing, “said Suppo.

Suzuki boss Paul Denning though believes the savings made by cutting at least three races would have a benefit.

“The most obvious way to reduce costs would be to reduce the quantity of races. I think a reduction to 15 races would see a reasonable cost saving for everybody involved and it would not negatively affect sponsorship revenues that a team can offer. If you are offering a global marketing proposition based across 15 races I don’t think it will make a significant difference to those revenues compared to 18 races, “Denning told MCN.