MotoGP report. Randy de Puniet on track again despite right arm injury : -  

After yesterday’s GP of San Marino and Riviera di Rimini which saw Rossi on the top of the podium followed by Lorenzo and Elias, some of the MotoGP teams and riders had an additional day of on track work at the Italian circuit before the next Indianapolis GP on the 14 of September.

The 800cc riders have enjoyed good conditions with blue skies and ambient temperature of 31° and a track temperature of 46°C.

After his yesterday’s unlucky race, the LCR Honda MotoGP rider Randy de Puniet made significant improvements chasing a good set up for his Michelin shod Honda RC212V completing a marathon 50 laps.

The... // F1SA

Auto Racing Daily (Enlarge photo)

Repsol Honda RC212V rider Dani Pedrosa battled for a podium result at red-hot Misano this afternoon, the Spaniard eventually finishing fourth to bolster his third place in the World Championship. Team-mate Nicky Hayden did not race to prevent further aggravating his right foot injury.

Pedrosa rode a strong race in 35 degree heat, announcing that he is on the way back to full fitness following the left hand and wrist injuries he suffered in last... // Auto Racing Daily

San Marino GP: Honda MotoGP Race Recap

In stifling heat on the Adriatic coast of Italy Casey Stoner (Ducati) threw away his last fading hopes of winning the MotoGP title again when he crashed while leading on lap eight of this 28-lap race. Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) won from his team-mate Jorge Lorenzo with Toni Elias (Ducati) third.

Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda RC212V) finished a gallant fourth after leaving the line in superb style to lie second into turn one behind Stoner. But the Spanish star could not maintain the pace of the eventual podium men, and despite a gutsy bid for third in the closing stages, he finished 17 seconds behind the winner.

His team-mate Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda RC212V) did not ride today after struggling throughout qualifying with the injury to his right foot. He... // PaddockTalk

MotoGP report. Randy de Puniet crashes out on the first lap of Misano Grand Prix : -  

Under sunny skies the Grand Prix of San Marino and Riviera di Rimini was run at a very hot pace today but LCR Honda MotoGP Team rider Randy de Puniet did not finish the race crashing out on lap one.

After yesterday’s good qualifying when de Puniet got the 4th quickest time of the day aboard the Michelin shod Honda RC212V, the 27-year-old made a good start from the second row and was fifth when he went out in the gravel.

Luckily  Randy escaped unhurt from the accident suffering just a small injury on his right arm.

The French racer and his crew will be back on track tomorrow... // F1SA

MotoGP report. Repsol Honda's Pedrosa fourth at Misano : -  

Repsol Honda RC212V rider Dani Pedrosa battled for a podium result at red hot Misano this afternoon, the Spaniard eventually finishing fourth to bolster his third place in the World Championship. Team-mate Nicky Hayden did not race to prevent further aggravating his right foot injury.

Pedrosa rode a strong race in 35 degree heat, announcing that he is on the way back to full fitness following the left hand and wrist injuries he suffered in last month’s German GP. He completed the first lap in second place, slipped to fifth, then fought back in the mid-stages to challenge for third place. It was his best result since he finished a brilliant second in June’s Dutch MotoGP round.

Hayden decided not to race after sitting out... // F1SA

San Marino GP: Honda Gresini MotoGP Race Recap - Unlucky Affair For De Angelis, Nakano

The Gran Premio di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini took place at Misano today and it proved to be an unlucky affair for both Team San Carlo Honda Gresini riders, who had high hopes for the team’s home event.

Alex De Angelis got a good start but collided with another rider on the second lap and then crashed trying to recover lost ground – fortunately escaping any serious injury.

Shinya Nakano also struggled in a tough race, coming home well below the positions that would meet the team’s expectations.

Shinya Nakano (12th): “It was a really difficult race for us today. Despite making a decent start and getting a couple of good laps under my belt, I started to feel a... // PaddockTalk

San Marino GP: JiR Team Scot Honda MotoGP Race Recap - Aggressive Race

Andrea Dovizioso ended today’s Grand Prix of San Marino and Riviera di Rimini in eighth position, after riding an aggressive race while avoiding any incidents despite coming from 14th on the grid. Dovi was able to reach as high as fifth place at one stage in the race thanks to an excellent start. Dovizioso used the most out of his JiR Team Scot Honda RC212V and moved up steadily lap after lap until he was able to fight with Capirossi and Toseland for sixth. The eighth position capped two days of intense work for the team, although the team’s position in the championship remains unchanged with the Romagna rider in fifth position overall.

Gianluca Montiron - Director JiR Team Scot

"We have completed our... // PaddockTalk

MotoGP report. Unlucky home race for Team San Carlo Honda Gresini, Nakano twelfth and de Angelis out after two laps : -  

The Gran Premio di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini took place at Misano today and it proved to be an unlucky affair for both Team San Carlo Honda Gresini riders, who had high hopes for the team’s home event.

Alex De Angelis got a good start but collided with another rider on the second lap and then crashed trying to recover lost ground – fortunately escaping any serious injury.

Shinya Nakano also struggled in a tough race, coming home well below the positions that would meet the team’s expectations.

“It was a really difficult race for us today. Despite making a decent start and getting a couple of good laps under my belt, I started to feel a... // F1SA

San Marino GP: Honda MotoGP Qualifying Recap

Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda RC212V) was edged onto row two here today as Casey Stoner (Ducati) notched his seventh pole in a row ahead of Valentino Rossi, second fastest qualifier, and Jorge Lorenzo (both Yamaha) third quickest.

Stoner began the hour-long final qualifying session on top with a time of 1m 34.763s and finished the stint with a best time of 1m 33.378s – just over half a second quicker than Rossi’s best of 1m 33.888. Dani, sixth fastest, is just over one second shy of the pole time as he gets back up to speed while fully recovering from his German Grand Prix injuries.

Randy de Puniet (LCR Honda RC212V) looked strong throughout the hour and when the Frenchman grabbed provisional pole with 23 minutes left to run it was... // PaddockTalk

MotoGP report. Randy de Puniet shines at Misano GP qualifying : -  

Qualifying for the Grand Prix of San Marino and Riviera di Rimini was run in sunny conditions today with ambience temperature of 31°C and the LCR Honda MotoGP racer Randy De Puniet made solid progress ending the day 4th behind the front row riders Stoner, Rossi and Lorenzo.

After some set-up changes to his Michelin shod Honda RC212V in this morning free session, the 27-year-old set consistent and fast lap times throughout the 60 minute session and qualified as the fastest Honda.

The Frenchman set a 1’34.236 quickest time on lap 25 of 26 less than ten tenths off the fastest lap of the day and will start from the second row for tomorrow’s 28 lap race that gets underway at 14:00.

“Today was a... // F1SA

MotoGP report. Nakano eighth and de Angelis thirteenth in San Marino grid shoot-out : -  

Qualifying practice for the San Marino GP saw Shinya Nakano and Alex De Angelis secure eighth and thirteenth place starts respectively for the thirteenth round of the MotoGP season at Misano tomorrow.

“Even though qualifying wasn’t perfect, today was definitely a better day than yesterday. After the changes the team made to the rear of the bike it felt much easier to ride through the corners, more stable, and this prevented me from running wide like yesterday. I had fun and it was positive that I managed to improve my performance on a qualifying tyre. Tomorrow we start from eighth on the grid and even though that is not bad, I would have preferred to be on the second row. My objective is to... // F1SA

MotoGP report. Repsol Honda's Pedrosa on second row : -  

Repsol Honda RC212V rider Dani Pedrosa recorded sixth fastest time at Misano this afternoon to put himself on the second row of the grid for tomorrow’s San Marino Grand Prix, the 13th event of the 2008 MotoGP World Championship. Team-mate Nicky Hayden, coming back from injury, was 16th fastest in the sweltering conditions, which had track temperature nudging 50 degrees.

Pedrosa was satisfied with his performance, because it suggests he is getting back up to speed following the injuries he suffered in July’s German GP and the difficult weekend he had at Brno a fortnight a go. The Spaniard spent much of today fine tuning his RCV’s suspension, including a revised Showa front fork which improves braking stability.

Hayden, who... // F1SA

San Marino GP: JiR Team Scot Honda MotoGP Qualifying Recap - Dovizioso Aggressive

The Grand Prix of San Marino and Riviera di Rimini tomorrow will provide Andrea Dovizioso with an opportunity yet again to show his aggressive nature. The difficulties of developing a good balance with his Honda RC212V today means that the Italian will start tomorrow’s race from the fifth row. The JiR Team Scot rider will be aiming for a start in front of his fans that has to be perfect and allows no room for error to recover valuable positions almost immediately, so as not to lose contact with the leading group. Despite his grid slot, Andrea is confident that he can conclude tomorrow’s race with a good result.

Cirano Mularoni - Team Manager JiR Team Scot

“Despite the result of... // PaddockTalk

MotoGP report. Nakano and de Angelis focus on set-up demands of Misano : -  

The first day of free practice for the San Marino Grand Prix took place today, with Team San Carlo Honda Gresini hoping for a positive showing in what is a particularly special event for them.

For De Angelis this is his first ever home race in the MotoGP class, the San Marino rider spending today looking to find the right set-up for his Honda RC212V machine at this circuit.

It was also a day of research for Nakano, who continues to develop the new Honda, adapting it to his riding style and the demands of this track.

“This was my first day on a MotoGP bike at Misano so my pace this morning was pretty fast. Before working on the set-up I just tried to get my bearings around this track on this bike... // F1SA

MotoGP report. Positive opening day at Misano for de Puniet : -  

In a hot and crowded opening day of San Marino and Riviera di Rimini Grand Prix, LCR Honda MotoGP racer Randy de Puniet set the fourth fastest time at the 4.226 km track.

Both free practices were held in sunny conditions with an air temperature of 32°C, and the premier class riders had to battle hard against the hot conditions.

The Frenchman aboard the Michelin shod Honda RC212V got the 12th position in this morning first free session trying to find the base set-up on these conditions and testing different tyres.

The LCR crew made some adjustments together with Michelin and Öhlins and the 27-year-old completed 27 laps clocking his fastest lap time... // F1SA

San Marino GP: JiR Team Scot Honda MotoGP Practice Recap - Room For Improvement

The Grand Prix of San Marino and Riviera di Rimini began in the best weather conditions possible today. Conditions which are expected to remain throughout the weekend. Andrea Dovizioso riding his JiR Team Scot Honda, concluded the first day of free practice in thirteenth place, collecting as much information to reduce the instability he found in the fast corners at the Misano circuit. The Romagna rider is confident that there will be room for improvement to better prepare for the race and is satisfied with the newfound competitiveness of his Michelin tyres.

Cirano Mularoni - Team Manager JiR Team Scot

"Despite our position in the standings, the first day of free practice gave us lot of information that we... // PaddockTalk

MotoGP preview. Randy and Lucio enjoyed the crossbow experience at Misano pre-event : -

The LCR Honda MotoGP Team returned to Misano on the Adriatic Coast for the Grand Prix of San Marino and the Rimini Riviera this Sunday.

The 4.226 km circuit hosts the 13th round of the season which is one of the most crowed race of the calendar thanks to the several Italian 800cc riders and thanks to the well know seaside resort on the famous Riviera Adriatica.

Riding the Michelin shod Honda RC212V Randy de Puniet is eager to perform at Misano after the bad experience of last race in Brno when the 27-year-old struggled for front feel throughout the whole week end.

Randy and his Tem Manager Lucio Cecchinello enjoyed the crossbow experience today at San Marino’s “Cava dei Balestrieri” and the... // F1SA

San Marino GP: Honda MotoGP Race Preview

Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda RC212V), chastened by what was a disastrous Grand Prix in Brno two weeks ago, is ready to take the fight to his title rivals once more. It looks as if Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) is out of sight in the World Championship points table with 237 points to Ducati rider Casey Stoner’s 187 and Dani’s 172.

But with six rounds and 150 points remaining nothing can be taken for granted.

The horrendous Czech Republic race, which seriously derailed Dani’s title hopes, has now been consigned to the history books and with Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda RC212V) now rejoining the Repsol Team after being sidelined with a foot injury, Honda’s main men are back at full strength for the final clashes of the year.

This... // PaddockTalk

Team San Carlo Honda Gresini take on one of the most important events of the season this weekend, the San Marino Grand Prix, which takes place at the Misano Adriatico circuit.

The squad led by Fausto Gresini will go into battle just a few kilometres from the team's headquarters in San Clemente di Rimini.

It is also an event of special importance for Alex De Angelis, the only San Marino native on the MotoGP grid. After his stunning fourth place in the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello earlier in the season, a placing he repeated at Sachsenring, Alex will again look to be amongst the leaders in front of his home fans.

The prospects are also good for Shinya Nakano , who himself took fourth in the recent Czech Republic Grand Prix riding the new Honda RC212V. The Japanese rider was able to... // Yahoo! Eurosport

londonbikers.com (Enlarge photo)

Team San Carlo Honda Gresini take on one of the most important events of the season this weekend, the San Marino Grand Prix, which takes place at the Misano Adriatico circuit. The squad led by Fausto Gresini will go into battle just a few kilometres from the team’s headquarters in San Clemente di Rimini.

It is also an event of special importance for Alex De Angelis, the only San Marino native on the MotoGP grid. After his stunning fourth place in the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello earlier in the season, a placing he repeated at Sachsenring, Alex will again look to be amongst the leaders in front of his home fans.

The prospects are also good for Shinya Nakano, who himself took fourth in the recent Czech Republic Grand Prix riding the new Honda RC212V. The Japanese rider was able to get... // londonbikers.com

San Marino GP: Honda Gresini MotoGP Race Preview - Tackling Home Grand Prix

The history of World Championship racing at Misano is relatively short, with the first ever Grand Prix talking place here in 1980, when Kenny Roberts took victory in the 500cc event ahead of Italian pair Franco Uncini and Graziano Rossi, Valentino’s father. From 1982 to 1993 the Misano circuit hosted the series on a further eight occasions with the Grand Prix of Nations, Grand Prix of San Marino and the Grand Prix of Italy. After a long hiatus MotoGP returned to the Adriatic coast last year on a completely renovated circuit, with victory going to Ducati and Casey Stoner, whilst Team Gresini took fourth and seventh place finishes with Marco Melandri and Toni Elias. Fausto Gresini, now Team Manager, took a... // PaddockTalk

MotoGP preview. Team San Carlo Honda Gresini prepare to tackle home Grand Prix : -

Team San Carlo Honda Gresini take on one of the most important events of the season this weekend, the San Marino Grand Prix, which takes place at the Misano Adriatico circuit. The squad led by Fausto Gresini will go into battle just a few kilometres from the team’s headquarters in San Clemente di Rimini.

It is also an event of special importance for Alex De Angelis, the only San Marino native on the MotoGP grid. After his stunning fourth place in the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello earlier in the season, a placing he repeated at Sachsenring, Alex will again look to be amongst the leaders in front of his home fans.

The prospects are also good for Shinya Nakano, who himself took fourth in the recent Czech... // F1SA

The Repsol Honda Team will be back to full strength for the San Marino Grand Prix, with Nicky Hayden coming back from injury to rejoin team-mate Dani Pedrosa.

Hayden missed the recent Czech GP due to a foot injury sustained during an X Games Supermoto event in Los Angeles on August 1. Doctors told the 2006 MotoGP World Champion that a hasty return to racing might complicate the right-heel injury, advising him to delay his comeback until Misano.

Pedrosa and Hayden will race their usual RC212V machines at Italy's second MotoGP event of the year, the Spaniard using his valve-spring engine, while the American rides the pneumatic-valve machine he first raced at June's British GP. Pedrosa is hoping that the grip issues that consigned him to a 15th place finish at Brno will have been resolved... // Motorsport.com

The Repsol Honda Team will be back to full strength for the San Marino Grand Prix, with Nicky Hayden coming back from injury to rejoin team-mate Dani Pedrosa.

Hayden missed the recent Czech GP due to a foot injury sustained during an X Games Supermoto event in Los Angeles on August 1. Doctors told the 2006 MotoGP World Champion that a hasty return to racing might complicate the right-heel injury, advising him to delay his comeback until Misano.

I'm certainly excited to be getting back out there with the boys, because I hated missing Brno. I've been doing all the old voodoo' stuff they tell you to do: bone stimulators, lasers, ultrasound, all that stuff, I'm doing everything possible to get back , he said. I had hoped my progress would be quicker. I still need crutches at this stage,... // Yahoo! Eurosport

MotoGP preview. Repsol Honda back to full strength : -

The Repsol Honda Team will be back to full strength for the San Marino Grand Prix, with Nicky Hayden coming back from injury to rejoin team-mate Dani Pedrosa.

Hayden missed the recent Czech GP due to a foot injury sustained during an X Games Supermoto event in Los Angeles on August 1. Doctors told the 2006 MotoGP World Champion that a hasty return to racing might complicate the right heel injury, advising him to delay his comeback until Misano.

Pedrosa and Hayden will race their usual RC212V machines at Italy’s second MotoGP event of the year, the Spaniard using his valve spring engine, while the American rides the pneumatic valve machine he first raced at June’s British GP. Pedrosa is hoping that the grip issues that consigned... // F1SA