Yamaha Sterilgarda rider Cal Crutchlow has said he is "speaking closely" with MotoGP teams, including his Italian employers, about a move to the top flight next season.
His first World Superbike Championship race wins at Silverstone - and pole position - have put him fifth in the standings, a rise of five places.
"I am an honest guy. I won’t say I’m not talking to a couple of the MotoGP teams because then I’d be lying," he told Crash.
"I’m speaking closely with Yamaha to go there next year. They know what I can do on the bike, they have the data every week.
"They see what happens with the bike in World Superbike racing and I won a World Superpsort title for them too, the first one in quite a few years.
"The Supersport guys were struggling for a few years, so when I came in and did well for them throughout the whole championship, they were happy and moved me up to the Superbike team, so the natural progression is to move me up again.
"They are aware of what’s happening with this bike and aware that I shouldn’t be where I am in the championship, so if I continue doing what I’m doing, then maybe there is a possibility of me being there."
He has struggled at times over race distance this season on the 2009 championship-winning R1, something he puts down to a lack of updates on the bike rather than his outright pace.
He has taken five pole positions from 10 attempts in 2010.
"Where I am in the championship doesn’t reflect that (my pace) at all," he added. "Luckily for me, most people in this paddock know that and Yamaha also know that.
"I have no problem doing the fast pace and laps, but they (Yamaha) can see how difficult it is - they can see it on the data. They aren’t stupid.
"We’ve had no updates with the bike, other than 12 extra horsepower, but that just made things worse. Yamaha coming to the table with nothing new all year is disappointing but everyone is battling the economy because development costs are horrendous.
"The only teams that have test teams are Aprilia and BMW and they are the ones making big strides every weekend. You can’t have a development or test team organised within two days. You need people out in Japan riding the bike, but it costs millions and it is not the economy for Yamaha to be able to do it.
"So we have to do it at a race circuit instead. But we will keep plugging away and all I can do is my best. I am trying my hardest and I think it shows."
The Coventry rider has been earmarked for a potential Tech 3 Yamaha spot - particularly if Yamaha WSB predecessor Ben Spies is signed up for the factory squad.
Valentino Rossi is expected to move to Ducati with Spies joining MotoGP standings leader Jorge Lorenzo in the main line-up.
Crash.Net / Eurosport
First, they announced that they're finishing up a "radical new motorcycle" (cruiser?), and today they dangled carrot in the form of a bike with "class-leading performance" that will be unveiled at the Red Bull US Grand Prix at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
The reveal will occur on Ducati Island on July 24th at 1:00 PM, and it's safe to say they won't be unveiling their alleged cruiser... that is, unless Ducati enjoys being pelted by airborne tomatoes from rabid race fans.
I won't be making it up to Monterey this year, but I'll let y'all know about the new bike as soon as info becomes available.
Ultimate MotorCycling (UMC) and Pole Position Travel are teaming up with a very special offer around this year's Laguna Seca MotoGP race.
We've got one very special hospitality package available: the Ultimate MotorCycling Pole Position Club. Located right next to the start finish line, this special package includes breakfast and lunch plus beverages on Saturday & Sunday, paddock pass, closed circuit TV in hospitality, and a three day general admission ticket.
The Ultimate MotorCycling Pole Position Club also includes a pass to a Friday night party with Mark Neale, Director of Faster!, a selection of Ultimate Motorcycling swag, and access to Pole Position guides.
Normally this hospitality package would go for over $700 per person, but through this special promotion, you'll get TWO Ultimate Motorcycling Pole Position Club tickets for only $595. That's right, a $1400 package for two, for less than the price of one.
Only one of these special 2 for 1 packages is available, so if you're interested, email usa@polepositiontravel.com right away.
There are a limited amount of other packages available for Laguna from Pole Position Travel, and Ultmate MotorCycling readers can enjoy a 5% discount off any booking between the Laguna and Indy MotoGP races by using the code UMX10 when ordering online.
Check out Pole Position Travel's website at http://www.polepositiontravel.com/
American MotoGP riders Nicky Hayden from Owensboro, KY (Ducati GP10), Ben Spies from Longview, Texas (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) and Colin Edwards from Houston TX (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) will compete in the Sachsenring MotoGP race.
Hayden is tied for fourth in the MotoGP World Championship standings, with Spies eighth and Edwards tied for 10th. Kenny Noyes (Borrego Springs, Calif., Jack&Jones by Antonio Banderas) will compete in the Moto2 race. Noyes is 17th in the Moto2 World Championship standings.
The Sachsenring is the sixth track out of the first eight races that Spies has had to learn from scratch and the reigning World Superbike champion spent most of the session learning the tight and twisty layout using a hard compound Bridgestone rear tyre.
But once he switched to the softer option he is likely to select for Sunday's 30-lap race as track temperature hit a sizzling 55 degrees, he was immediately able to surge up the leaderboard and catapult himself into contention for a top five.
Just five minutes remained when Spies clocked his best time and it was only a late attack from fellow American Nicky Hayden that denied the 25-year-old a stunning top three position.
Colin Edwards started round eight of the 2010 MotoGP world championship opting to run a radically different set-up on his YZR-M1 machine.
The experienced Texan's new dire ction saw his crew move more weight to the rear of his bike, while Edwards also modified his own style to change his body position to help turning performance.
Edwards was immediately able to ride at a comfortable and consistently fast pace with the revised setting and found himself in third place at one stage in a closely fought session.
Edwards declared himself satisfied with the outcome of the changes and he's confident with more time to fine-tune the new set-up that he has the potential to be much higher up the timesheets during tomorrow's qualifying session.
Nicky Hayden battled hard to overcome the intense heat and tortuously tight layout of the Sachsenring circuit today, setting the second and third fastest times in the opening free practice for the German Grand Prix.
Hayden, meanwhile, put the best aspects of the base set-up of his two machines together for a final run that saw him improve by 0.8 seconds and charge up to third place.
Nicky Hayden (after practice July 16) says: "All in all, not a bad first day for us. It was really important to get as much information as we could today, to try all the tires and a couple of different setups because it looks like there's a good chance of rain tomorrow. We started out struggling quite a bit - right in the beginning it wasn't too good, but I switched bikes and immediately got a better feeling."
"There are a couple of parts on the track where I am quite fast but a few sections where I'm losing a lot, and every tenth counts around here. I mean, a lot of tracks you look for tenths, but around here literally half-a-tenth can make a big difference. But it's a cool track; I like it. That fast corner out the back is a lot of fun."
Ben Spies (after practice July 16) says: "I'm really happy to be so high up after the first session, and I think I figured out this track pretty quickly. It is good to start the weekend in the top five, and that gives us a platform to build on. This circuit is pretty tight and twisty and there are a lot of left-hand corners, but I like it because there is quite a lot of elevation that makes it fun. It felt like being out on a dirt track bike, and I see Nicky is right up there, too. It's a positive start, and that's all I can ask for."
Colin Edwards (after practice July 16) says: "The nature of this track means the times are always close, and I'm not even a second off the best time, but I'm down in 13th. I'm only around three-tenths behind Ben, but he's nine places further up than me. I've completely changed the setting of the bike here, and that's meant putting way more weight on the rear than I've ever done."
"My riding style is typically all over the front end but with the results not being what I've wanted or expected so far this season, it was time to change something. So I've just got to trust the front and work on the rear. I'm putting more of my body weight on the rear and with the setting of the bike. We've shifted a lot of weight back on the rear, and it works really good so far and it feels easier to make the lap time."
Quote of the Event: "Immediately after the crash, the doctors said it could be five months before I was fit to return. Maybe five months to play football, but I just need to ride the bike." - Fiat Yamaha Team rider Valentino Rossi, talking about his return to racing just six weeks after suffering a compound fracture of his lower right leg
MotoGP PREVIEW: GRAND PRIX OF GERMANY
EVENT: Grand Prix of Germany
WHERE: Sachsenring Circuit, Hohenstein-Ernstthal, Germany. Circuit is 2.281 miles (3.671 km), with 13 turns. Race is 30 laps.
WHEN: Sunday, July 18. It is the eighth of 18 events this season.
2009 RACE WINNER: Valentino Rossi, by .099 of a second over Jorge Lorenzo
2009 POLE WINNER: Jorge Lorenzo, 1 minute, 32.520 seconds
U.S. TV: 8-9 a.m. (ET), Sunday, July 18, SPEED (live). Moto2: 1-2 p.m. (ET), Tuesday, July 20, SPEED. 125cc: Noon-1 p.m. (ET), Tuesday, July 20, SPEED.
Harley-Davidson Motor Company is pleased to announce that it has joined the list of exhibitors at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the 2010 MotoGP Red Bull Indianapolis GP August 27-29.
Harley-Davidson activities and events at the Speedway will include:
• New 2011 Harley-Davidson motorcycles display
• New technology and customization displays from H-D’s Genuine Parts & Accessories and MotorClothes departments
• XR1200 Racing Dyno Experience
In addition to these events free to all race ticket holders, members of the Harley Owners Group will have the opportunity to purchase a special event ticket package
including a choice of reserved grandstand seating in Southwest Vista or Stand H. These three-day tickets – normally priced at $100 – will be available exclusively to H.O.G. members for $85. Additionally, each participating H.O.G. member will also receive:
• An official Red Bull Indianapolis GP Event Program
• An Indianapolis Motor Speedway Centennial Era Cinch Bag
• A 10-percent discount coupon valid at participating IMS Retail locations
• Backstretch parking for personal motorcycle
• A parade lap on personal motorcycle around the GP course (Aug 27, 8-10 a.m.; or Aug 30, 8-9 a.m.)
• H.O.G. ticket packages may be purchased by calling 1-866-221-8775
Motorcycle racing fans also won’t want to miss the Indy Mile round of the AMA Pro K&N Filters Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com. This race will be held Saturday evening, August 28, at the nearby Indiana State Fairgrounds. Experience the thrill of AMA Flat Track racing when stars like Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle factory rider Kenny Coolbeth and others take on the historic Indy Mile circuit.
Full Saturday free practice times from the German MotoGP, round eight of the 2010 world championship.
Reigning seven time MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi is making his return to MotoGP action this weekend, after missing the last four races due to a broken right leg.
Alex de Angelis also returns to MotoGP, in place of the injured Hiroshi Aoyama at Interwetten Honda.
The track was damp at the start of the session, then dried. Marco Simoncelli escaped injury in a fast lowside fall.
1. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Fiat Yamaha Team 1m 22.253s
2. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team 1m 22.393s
3. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team 1m 22.686s
4. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda Team 1m 22.753s
5. Randy de Puniet FRA LCR Honda MotoGP 1m 22.859s
6. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Repsol Honda Team 1m 22.988s
7. Ben Spies USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1m 23.062s
8. Nicky Hayden USA Ducati Marlboro Team 1m 23.202s
9. Hector Barbera ESP Paginas Amarillas Aspar 1m 23.262s
10. Marco Simoncelli ITA San Carlo Honda Gresini 1m 23.392s
11. Colin Edwards USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1m 23.395s
12. Mika Kallio FIN Pramac Racing 1m 23.674s
13. Alvaro Bautista ESP Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1m 23.703s
14. Aleix Espargaro ESP Pramac Racing 1m 23.709s
15. Marco Melandri ITA San Carlo Honda Gresini 1m 23.751s
16. Alex de Angelis RSM Interwetten Honda MotoGP 1m 23.839s
17. Loris Capirossi ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1m 23.844s
Fastest Friday time:
Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda 1m 22.521s
2009 German Grand Prix - 19/07/2009:
Pole position:
Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha 1m 32.520s (wet)
Fastest race lap:
Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda 1m 22.126s
Riders generally come back because they're worried about their job and money - neither of these applies to Valentino Rossi, but he's still back from his broken leg quicker than anyone could have expected.
He's broken all the records on the track, so now he wants the record for the quickest comeback. I think he wants to prove to everyone that he really is superhuman by being back in the saddle for Sunday's German MotoGP at Sachsenring.
I'm surprised he's back, but I'm very pleased.
He's clearly sat at home getting bored and won't have enjoyed watching other people riding his bike slowly.
Yamaha will be very glad to have him back for the press coverage they're been missing, but he won't want to come back, fall off and damage the injury again.
To do that would be catastrophic, so he's likely to be tentative and take few risks. I'd be very surprised if he goes out there and rides competitively in the races.
He'll get huge headlines if he gets a half-decent result this weekend, but over the years he has pretty much surpassed expectation in everything else he's done - he does everything differently to everyone else, and gets away with it.
He could be top 10, maybe top seven, but being cautious and not fully fit, any more than that would be impossible.
This weekend's circuit, Sachsenring, is one of the best tracks to come back at as it's predominantly left-hand turns, so it's easiest for a broken right leg.
I'd be concerned if I was his doctor or anyone involved with him, because if he has a little whoopsie, he could be out for the year - and he'll want to be fit for next season, when it now looks more likely than ever that he'll be at Ducati, following Casey Stoner's decision to leave for Honda.
The move itself wasn't a shock, but I was quite surprised it happened as early as it did.
I'm speaking to Casey at the weekend so it'll be interesting to hear what's gone on.
He's incredibly fast and has out-performed his team-mates on the troublesome Ducati tenfold, so if he can do the same on a Honda everyone will be happy.
There's never been anyone else who could ride a Ducati like that, but who's to say he's not been riding round the problems so far, and will do even better on a Honda?
When he came back from his illness last year, he was incredibly strong considering he'd had a big lay-off, and that's what made me think this was going to be his year.
But his rhythm has been broken since his crash in the opening race at Qatar, and he seems to have lost his confidence with Ducati - and once that happens, you're never the same.
I'm pretty sure Rossi will replace him. Maybe, when Stoner hinted he might go, Ducati didn't react as strongly as they would have done if they hadn't already had someone else lined up to replace him - otherwise, I'm sure they would have kicked and screamed to hold on to Stoner.
He will still push hard to win races, maybe not as hard as if he'd re-signed for Ducati as he doesn't want to injure himself trying to fight a bike he's not comfortable on, so there will be a bit less pressure.
But this year's world title chances have gone, and there's nothing he can do about that. From a self-satisfaction point of view, he'll want to win races but he won't push at 101%.
The reason his title chances are over is simple - championship leader Jorge Lorenzo.
He's the complete package of a rider, with the complete package of a bike underneath him.
His Yamaha works really well, and at Sachsenring, speed doesn't come into it so being the best bike overall, it should do really well.
He's fit and well and has no problems. Don't discount Dani Pedrosa, who did very well last time at Barcelona after such a bad first corner. Lorenzo won't have it easy, but has got to be favourite for the race and the title. He's got a great bike and is riding at his best level.
So, you're sitting out Laguna MotoGP this year. Your pals are going, but your wife has a long list of tasks for you that involve manual labor.
Your buddies will be eating fried alligator meat and slurping PBRs in the dry lake sunbed, but a room-temperature O'Doul's and a microwaved veggie burger is on the cards for you. Uggg.
Soup is worried about you. On July 23-25th, you should be in Monterey with Nicky, Ben, Casey, George, and (maybe?) Vale, not looking at window treatments in Dullsville. So we're doing something about it.
Soup is teaming up with Pole Position Travel to give one of the faithful (and a guest) a weekend at the 2010 Laguna MotoGP they'll never forget. One lucky Grand Prize winner will receive two (2) Pole Position Club hospitality passes, good for Saturday and Sunday, worth a whopping $1190! This hospitality unit is right on the finish line, and includes a paddock pass, buffet breakfast, lunch and beverages both days. There's closed circuit TV in the hospitality suite so you can watch the bikes circulate the entire track. The winner will also receive 2 passes to a Friday night party.
Pole Position Travel (http://www.polepositiontravel.com) are MotoGP travel specialists authorized by Dorna, and offer travel packages to MotoGP races all over the world. A full schedule of available packages for Laguna can be viewed at http://www.polepositiontravel.com/lagunaseca/2010/ - there are only a few hospitality packages left for Monterey, so call (800) 501-0302 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (800) 501-0302 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or email usa@polepositiontravel.com to inquire about Laguna or any other MotoGP event.
To enter the contest, answer the following question:
Which rider won the 2009 Laguna Seca MotoGP race?
Include your name, address, telephone number and also confirm your age, and send the answer to our email address. The Winner will be picked at random from all correct answers and announced next Tuesday, July 20th. Passes will be given by PPT to the winner and their guest in Monterey. Good luck!
Uncomfortable Legalese: One entry per person. Contest open to US residents only, must be 21 years of age or older. The winner is responsible for their own accommodations and transportation, and the prize cannot be transferred or sold to any other person/persons. Winner must provide ID to verify identity, and passes become void immediately if transferred. By entering this contest, you indemnify Hardscrabble Media and PolePosition Travel from any and all claims. Winner is solely responsible for any taxes, fees or costs associated with this prize package. Void where prohibited by law. Prize package provided by http://www.polepositiontravel.com
ENDS
Casey Stoner has spoken briefly about his decision to quit Ducati at the end of the season and move to Honda in 2011.
The 24-year-old, who has won 20 races for Ducati since the start of 2007, will ride a factory RC212V next year in what could be a three-rider factory HRC squad with Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso.
The Aussie was inevitably asked about his move at today’s pre-event press conference for the Sachsenring’s German MotoGP clash and he admitted the decision had been tough to reach.
Stoner won a historic first world title for Ducati back in 2007 but he admitted needing a new challenge in 2011.
He also said that while the decision to leave Ducati and move to Honda had been a tough one, he said it was a choice he reached earlier this season.
Rumours of Stoner’s switch to HRC started to surface as early as the second round of the season in Jerez when his father and manager Colin Stoner flew to Europe for talks with Honda and Ducati.
In today’s press conference he cleverly dodged naming Honda in his answers and he said: “It took a long time to make a decision and it definitely is an emotional one having had such a fantastic run with Ducati.
"I’ve had a lot of good times with them and I still believe we’ve got more to enjoy this year. But I’ve decided to have a new challenge and try new horizons and see what I can do next year with a different manufacturer.
"It is a manufacturer that a lot of people look up to and have done for a number of years. It is a manufacturer that when you’re a child you dream of riding for.
"I have to thank Ducati and this is another stepping stone in my career and we will see what we can make of it. I want to do well for the rest of the year but also need to see what the future holds.”
The announcement about Stoner’s departure came with 11 races of the current campaign still to run.
But the former LCR Honda rider denied his decision would have a detrimental impact on the factory Ducati team for the remainder of the season.
He added: “Nothing has changed between us, We made the decision quite early on in the year and now I’ve been focused on this year.
"I’ve had my own difficulties with losing a bit of confidence at the start of the year with the crashes and I’ve just trying to get back on track.
"The last three races I’ve been fast enough but still haven’t managed to pull it together.”
Nine-times world champion Valentino Rossi will take Stoner’s place with American Nicky Hayden closing in on a new deal to remain with Ducati for 2011.
MotoGP News
With the addition of Motorland Aragon to the 2010 MotoGP schedule, Spain now hosts four GP races, more than any other country. And its no surprise that Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa was there Tuesday, taking a few laps around the 3.3-mile circuit near Alcaniz in Spain.
Pedrosa wasn't able to run his RC212V on the track, but did get some laps in on a Honda motorcycle. After taking a few laps, Pedrosa met with he Minister of Industry Trade and Tourism of the Government of Aragon and vice president of Motorland, Arturo Aliaga, who was on site to attend a meeting with the board.
Motorland Aragon will host the 13th of 18 MotoGP rounds this September. The circuit now joins the other Spain circuits on the schedule: Jerez, Valencia and Barcelona. A deal was signed between MotoGP rights holder Dorna Sports and Motorland in March, and the circuit is now reserved for the next five years on the MotoGP schedule. Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta said after the agreement was signed with Motorland, the venue "shows that Spain is a country with the best circuits in the world."
Dani Pedrosa, 25, was born in Sabadell. He has taken three world titles: two in the 250cc class (2004, 2005) and one in the 125cc class (2003). Since joining the premier class in 2006, the Spaniard has achieved nine wins (the last this year in the Grand Prix held at Mugello), 16 second places and 17 third for a total of 42 podium in the last five years.
He currently currently sits in second place in this year's championship with 113 points, 52 behind the series leader, Fiat Yamaha rider and fellow countryman Jorge Lorenzo.
