Rossi: A signature for charity

To raise money for the Telethon Foundation
Thanks to the generosity of Ducati Motor Holding, a 'specific »Ducati Monster 696 auctioned yesterday (2/10/2011) on the website« eBay ».

What is special about this bike? But what else from the signing of Valentino Rossi at the Tank. The Italian Ducati rider signed this during testing at Sepang and the aim is to auction the bike to raise money for the Foundation Telethon, which conducts research on diseases due to genetic causes.

Those who want to "hit" on a motorcycle, you can visit and make your bid.


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QATAR

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Ajo explains ambitious 2011 project

The Finn’s 125cc team structure will have five riders competing in two groups in the 2011 World Championship, with a view to the introduction of the new Moto3 category in 2012.

Aki Ajo’s project for the final season of the 125cc category is an enterprising one. The Finn is fielding five riders under his team structure for the 2011 campaign with Efrén Vázquez, Johann Zarco (both riding under the Ajo Motorsport banner) and Zulfahmi Khairuddin (AirAsia-SIC-Ajo) forming one branch and Red Bull MotoGP Academy graduates Jonas Folger and Danny Kent (Red Bull Ajo Motorsport) a second ‘group’.
“We needed a new challenge. We were World Champions last year with Marc Márquez and also in 2008 (with Mike di Meglio), and while we know it’s hard to repeat that we feel we are ready for this next test,” Ajo told motogp.com. “Especially with the Moto3 class coming in 2012 I think it’s even better we have two teams. Maybe in the future we’ll have a factory team and a junior team, so what we’re building now with two teams is a little bit like an investment for the future.”
Vázquez, Zarco and Folger will campaign Derbi RSA machines this year, with Zulfahmi and rookie Kent on RSW bikes. Speaking about expectations for the season, Ajo continued: “In our three-rider team Efrén Vázquez and Johann Zarco are both quite experienced, and Efrén has already been on the podium a few times. I feel Johann is ready to be there in the future.”
“I think Efrén, as the most experienced, his target is to push really hard and see if he has a chance to fight for the title. Our third rider, Zulfahmi, I have met many times during the winter and he is a very hungry young sportsman but with less experience, so for him I think it is the next step – to join our group so that he can learn and improve even more.”
“In the Red Bull team it’s a new project with the aim of building the futures of these young riders, who have been in the Red Bull programme in the past. I think Jonas and Danny are very talented riders, everyone has seen this. I think Jonas is looking for podiums, and Danny had some very good races on the Lambretta at the end of last season so he’ll look to increase his experience.”
Plans are already afoot for the arrival of the new Moto3 class, as mentioned earlier by Ajo, with early negotiations with a number of potential partners in progress.
“We are talking with many companies at the moment and we really want to be ready early and in time for Moto3, so we are working on that side. During the summer we will finalise our plans for 2012,” he concluded.


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Iannone happy with his start to 2011

The Italian was satisfied with how the private Test went at Montmeló earlier this week, and is now prepared to kick on at the three-day meeting in Valencia.

Iannone on making the switch to Suter
Andrea Iannone’s preparations for the start of the 2011 Moto2 World Championship began in earnest at the Catalunya Circuit earlier this week, where the Italian was one of the riders present for the private Test which took place on Monday and Tuesday.
Working with his new Speed Master team and getting to grips with the Suter machine he will ride this season, Iannone enjoyed his two days and was fastest across both as he set himself up for the first major Test of the pre-season which starts at Valencia today (Thursday).
“We went pretty fast on Monday and we didn’t do so bad on day two either,” Iannone told motogp.com. “I’m very satisfied with how things are going with the team and the way in which we are all working.”
The 21 year-old established a good base with which to build on at Valencia, as he explained: “At Montmeló we’ve found the right direction so that we can continue developing the bike, and at the Valencia Test we must follow this through to be fully prepared for the start of the World Championship.”
Iannone finished the inaugural Moto2 World Championship ion 2010 in third place, having won three races and finished on the podium on a total of eight occasions.
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The presentation of the Pramac Racing

Done in Genoa, the cruise «MSC Fantasia»
A novel way chosen by the people of the Pramac Racing to formally present their team for the 2011 MotoGP. The event was held at the luxurious cruise ship «MSC Fantasia», the largest ship of that class held by European shipping company.

Present were o Paolo Campinoti, owner of the Pramac Racing, o Claudio Domenicali, Ducati's Production Manager and Technical Director of Competition, of course Loris Capirossi and Randy de Puniet and Federico Maccotta, Regional Director of the shipping company «MSC Crociere».

During the presentation Paolo Campinoti said:
"For us," MotoGP "means adrenaline, passion and fun! For ten years now we are part of this "world". We're still young (as a group) and we want to gradually improve in terms of results and our partners. For the new racing season, protoklasatous drivers chose to celebrate the best this decade, our participation in the institution.
We know it's difficult to compete with the factory teams and so our goal this year is to be the first satellite (groups). The next time that motorcycles will again 1000 cc engine, the data will be new for everyone and we will see what objectives we will. If the new data will make us take part in Moto2, will be something interesting for us. "

The Claudio Domenicali said inter alia:
"Our relationship with the Pramac Racing is a very good start. We feel comfortable with Paolo Campinoti and his team and hope to continue our partnership for years. The Pramac Racing is actually a satellite team, but all these years doing everything we can to have better support from us. He is a member of our family, some of our best engineers working in the Pramac Racing and will continue to do so.
Return to engines of 1,000 cc will be an interesting adventure for us and we will do everything possible so that Ducati, including those of the Pramac Racing, is among the best bikes. "

The Loris Capirossi said:
"I drove for five years for his Ducati before and after three years is like returning to my family. My participation in the Games with the Pramac Racing makes sure that we can make good results. In a few days we will go back to Sepang for testing and will be better.
Certainly we need to improve some things motorcycle, but we have made progress. For example, hard braking and when they move into the corner, but the fact that we reduce our times to the track means that we are on track. The existence of Randy in the group makes things easier. It is an ideal team mate and work flawlessly. I do not feel that he has finished my story in MotoGP »stressed meaningful Capirossi.

O Randy de Puniet said:
"I'm happy for the new" adventure "which begins with the Ducati, I became" Italian "again. I enjoy driving the motorcycle, though sometimes a bit difficult for me to check, especially in turns. Last year I had some good results, although it hurt. The important thing is that my leg did not bother me during the test and could not drive fast.
My goal is to do better this year and the work we've done so far with my engineers shows that I can make it. In a few days we will meet again in Sepang and I am sure will improve my performance, "concluded de Puniet.

Finally, Federico Maccotta said the selection of people Pramac make the official presentation of the «MSC Fantasia»:
"The intention to present the team and the new jewel in the Ducati board is a good opportunity to remember the value of team effort. The "MSC Fantasia" has a crew of 1,400 people to work together as a team to serve the 4,000 passengers. Wish you good luck in Loris, to Randy and all the members of the Pramac Racing. »


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MotoGP helmets

Terol and Cortese top opening day at Valencia

The 2010 125cc World Championship runner-up was joint fastest of the category with his German rival on the first of three days Testing at the circuit.

The first day of the Valencia Test on Thursday ended with Nico Terol and Sandro Cortese sharing top spot on the unofficial timesheet, as both registered a best lap of 1’41.0. The Bancaja Aspar rider on an Aprilia, who finished last season’s Championship in the runner-up position, and the Racing Team Germany man on his Honda were just over four-tenths of a second off Marc Márquez’s 2010 pole lap on a sunny and relatively warm (14ºC ambient temperature) day at the Ricardo Tormo circuit.
If there was little surprise at the presence of the experienced duo at the top of the order, the fact that rookie Maverick Viñales (1’41.2) was just 0.2s off their marker in third place was an interesting and exciting development. The Spanish youngster, who in 2010 took the 125cc Spanish National title and scored a second place at the circuit on his way to the crown, was over half a second quicker than his PÊV-Blusens-SMX Paris Hilton team-mate Sergio Gadea (1’41.8) who is making the switch to the category from the Moto2 class.
Registering an identical time to that of Gadea was another rookie, Portuguese rookie Miguel Oliveira. The Andalucia Cajasol rider, who finished runner-up to Viñales in the Spanish Championship last year, was the final man under the 1’42” barrier.
Making it six Aprilias inside the top seven were Héctor Faubel (Bancaja Aspar) and 2010 Rookie of the Year Alberto Moncayo (Andalucia Cajasol), with Frenchman Johann Zarco of the Ajo Motorsport team the highest placing Derbi machine in eighth. His team-mate Efrén Vázquez completed the top ten, with British talent Danny Kent (Red Bull Ajo Motorsport) ninth and with a best time of 1’42.7. Kent’s team-mate Jonas Folger was just outside the top ten in 11th spot.
Full 125cc unofficial times from Thursday at Valencia:
Cortese, Sandro (Racing Team Germany, HONDA), 1.41.0
Terol, Nico (Bancaja Aspar, APRILIA), 1.41.0
Viñales, Maverick (PEV-Blusens-SMX Paris Hilton, APRILIA), 1.41.2
Gadea, Sergio (PEV-Blusens-SMX Paris Hilton, APRILIA), 1.41.8
Oliveira, Miguel (Andalucia Cajasol, APRILIA), 1.41.8
Faubel, Héctor (Bancaja Aspar, APRILIA), 1.42.0
Moncayo, Alberto (Andalucia Cajasol, APRILIA), 1.42.3
Zarco, Johan (Ajo Motorsport, DERBI), 1.42.5
Kent, Danny (Red Bull Ajo Motorsport, DERBI), 1.42.7
Vázquez, Efrén (Ajo Motorsport, DERBI), 1.43.0
Folger, Jonas (Red Bull Ajo Motorsport, DERBI), 1.43.1
Hiroki, Ono (Caretta Technology Race Dept., KTM), 1.44.0
MacKenzie, Taylor (Worldwide Race, APRILIA), 1.44.8
Schrotter, Marcel (Mahindra Racing, MAHINDRA), 1.44.8
Grotzkyj, Simone (Worldwide Race, APRILIA), 1.45.0
Webb, Danny (Mahindra Racing, MAHINDRA), 1.45.6
Kartheininger, Daniel (Caretta Technology Race Dept., KTM), 1.46.0
Pedone, Giulian (Worldwide Race, APRILIA), 1.46.5h


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Valencia hosts first major Moto2/125cc Test of 2011

The World Championship circuit is the venue at which the majority of the teams and riders in the two categories will start a three-day Test today (Thursday).

The Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia will be a hive of activity for the next three days as the first major Moto2 and 125cc Test of the 2011 pre-season kicks off today (Thursday) and concludes on Saturday.
Running with unofficial engines – Moto2 supplier Honda will deliver them to the teams for the final Test of the pre-season at Jerez, which takes place from March 4th-6th – the three days will provide those present with the first real opportunity to get back into the flow and on a busy track, with plenty of new teams and bikes to be initiated.
The pre-season favourites in each category will all be present, with 2010 Moto2 runner-up Julián Simón (Mapfre Aspar), last season’s third-placed Championship rider Andrea Iannone (Speed Master Team) – who was on track at the private Test at Montmeló earlier this season – along with Alex de Angelis (JiR Moto2) and Yuki Takahashi (Gresini Racing) all on track. Young British talent Scott Redding, who enjoyed a rousing second half to his 2010 campaign, and new Marc VDS team-mate Mika Kallio who steps down from MotoGP will both be out on their Suter machines, with another man making the switch from the premier class Aleix Espargaró (Pons Racing) joining his brother Pol (HP Tuenti Speed Up) who graduates from the 125cc class.
2010 125cc World Champion Marc Márquez was another attendee at the private Test in Barcelona and the Catalunya Caixa Repsol rider will continue his adaptation to the 600cc four-stroke bikes in Valencia, joining other 2011 title hopefuls such as Ioda Racing pair Simone Corsi and Mattia Pasini and Frenchman Jules Cluzel (Forward Racing).
Absent from the meeting will be Technomag CIP rider Kenan Sofuoglu, the Turkish rider making his full debut this season but who has returned home for family reasons, whilst QMMF Racing duo Ricky Cardús and Mashel Al Naimi will also not ride in this first Test.
In the 125cc class the early preparations will begin for an attempt at the final title before the introduction of the Moto3 class in 2012. Last season’s World Championship runner-up Nico Terol, his Bancaja Aspar team-mate Héctor Faubel, PEV-Blusens-SMX Paris Hilton rider Sergio Gadea, Ajo Motorsport’s Efrén Vázquez and Racing Team Germany rider Sandro Cortese are amongst the more experienced of the field who will be present.


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Bautista expects pre-season work to pay off

The Rizla Suzuki rider believes that the hard work he and his team are putting into their pre-season will benefit them when the season starts.

Bautista reviews Suzuki progress
Álvaro Bautista is taking his Rizla Suzuki testing responsibilities in his stride and the Spanish rider concluded the Sepang Test satisfied with the work completed.
Illness lay Bautista low for the third and final day of the first official Test of 2011 last week, but the first two days were highly productive for the man who will carry the Rizla Suzuki challenge in MotoGP this season.
“I’m very happy because I’ve improved my best lap time from last year, so it’s a good sign for us,” said Bautista, whose 2’01.687 placed him 10th overall on the timesheet at the Malaysian circuit, scene of one his two fifth-placed finishes in his debut campaign last year.
Working through a Test workload that included trying out different GSV-R frames, electronics, and a range of other modifications, Bautista highlighted the benefits that he expects to be able to take advantage of when the start of the season arrives.
“I think being the only rider is positive on the whole, because Suzuki is working only for me and they are making the bike to my requests. Now it’s very hard for me but I think that when the races start it will be easier and I think I’ll have more support,” he said.
“In Valencia (last November) I tested many things and here I re-tested the same parts, but Suzuki is always a very fast bike here. Here I cannot feel the big difference like I felt in Valencia so this means that in hot conditions our bike is competitive, as always. In cold conditions I think we are improving. It’s very important to have a competitive bike not only in hot tracks, but we need it to be competitive in cold tracks too so the work Suzuki are doing is of great importance.”
This week Rizla Suzuki Team Manager Paul Denning confirmed that John Hopkins would attend the Qatar Test in March as a back-up rider, a role he will also fill during the season for the team.
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R. de Puniet: «I want to do better this year"

The Frenchman shows impatient for 2011
O Randy de Puniet was delighted at yesterday's official presentation of his new team (Pramac Racing).
The Frenchman, who surprised last year with its performance until he broke his leg at the German Grand Prix, said he wants to do better this year. Having made clear that he has fully recovered, said:

"I'm happy for the new" adventure "which begins with the Ducati, I became" Italian "again. I enjoy driving the motorcycle, though sometimes a bit difficult for me to check, especially in turns. Last year I had some good results, although it hurt. The important thing is that my leg did not bother me during the test and could not drive fast.
My goal is to do better this year and the work we've done so far with my engineers shows that I can make it. In a few days we will meet again in Sepang and I am sure will improve my performance, "concluded de Puniethttp


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MotoGP: Ο Molenaar Racing Team που αποσύρθηκαν από την 125 από τον κ.

Not found the necessary sponsors
As announced, the Danish team Molenaar Racing Team, which participates in the category of 125 cc will be withdrawn from this year's World Championships because of lack of donors.

The team Arie Molenaar participate in the institution since 1994 and has won two world titles. The budget for participation in the Championship in 2011 was between one and two million. However, strains of group failed to collect the amount, which, as it became known, was less than 350,000 euros.

The Luis Salom and Jasper Iwema, riders of the team, and they tried to find sponsors but did not succeed. In particular, J. Iwema tried to raise money through donations via sms and through sponsorships from small companies. Although the response from friends of both riders and the team was great, could not be obtained the required amount.

However, despite the fact that Molenaar Racing Team will participate in this year's World Championships, the L. Salom, J. Iwema will be able to find any of the other groups

The Molenaar Racing Team withdrawn from the 125 by Mr.

Not found the necessary sponsors
As announced, the Danish team Molenaar Racing Team, which participates in the category of 125 cc will be withdrawn from this year's World Championships because of lack of donors.

The team Arie Molenaar participate in the institution since 1994 and has won two world titles. The budget for participation in the Championship in 2011 was between one and two million. However, strains of group failed to collect the amount, which, as it became known, was less than 350,000 euros.

The Luis Salom and Jasper Iwema, riders of the team, and they tried to find sponsors but did not succeed. In particular, J. Iwema tried to raise money through donations via sms and through sponsorships from small companies. Although the response from friends of both the riders and the team was great, it was not possible to concentrate the required amount.

However, despite the fact that Molenaar Racing Team will participate in this year's World Championships, the L. Salom, J. Iwema will be able to find any of the other groups