MotoGP is the premier motorcycle racing world championship; an
18-race series visiting 14 countries, four continents and with
pan-global television coverage. Seven nationalities of the
world’s most skilled riders line a grid armed with cutting-edge
motorcycle technology with prototype machinery fielded by four
manufacturers: Ducati, Yamaha, Honda and Suzuki.
Reigning MotoGP™ World Champion Casey Stoner confirmed on
Thursday that he would retire from the sport at the end of the
2012 season.
The Repsol Honda rider addressed the media at the start of the
official pre-event press conference for the Monster Energy Grand
Prix de France, making a short statement in which he outlined the
reasons behind his decision.
Speaking about Valentino Rossi’s seventh place at last weekend’s
Grande Prémio de Portugal Circuito Estoril, he said: “I think the
result yesterday is based mainly on the small steps taken between
one practice session and the next, keeping the same basic bike
set-up and just trying to solve the small problems that you have
practice by practice. Of course the result is better than before,
but it is not at the level we are expecting, so we know we have
to close the gap.”
Following an enthralling race weekend at the inaugural European
round in Jerez, the MotoGP™ World Championship heads across the
border to contest the Gran Prémio de Portugal Circuito Estoril.
MotoGP™ championship leader Jorge Lorenzo was joined by reigning
World Champion Casey Stoner, Nicky Hayden, Cal Crutchlow and CRT
rider Randy de Puniet at the press conference marking the second
MotoGP round at the Gran Premio bwin de España in Jerez.
Factory Yamaha’s Jorge Lorenzo, who has enjoyed significant
success at the Spanish track over the years, taking the last two
wins here in the premier class, is confident ahead of Sunday’s
race and is looking to extend his lead at the top of the
standings.
After a dazzling start to the 2012 season under the floodlights
of Qatar, the MotoGP paddock returns to Europe for the Gran
Premio bwin de España at the Jerez circuit. Yamaha Factory Racing
arrive in confident mood following an inspired start to the
Championship from rider Jorge Lorenzo. The Mallorcan claimed an
historic victory for the first ever 1000cc MotoGP race, also his
first at Qatar in the premier class. The Andalucian circuit is a
favourite for Lorenzo with two successive 250cc wins in 2006 and
2007 and two premier class victories in 2010 and
2011.
SportsFanExpress has partnered with Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca to
provide MotoGP racing fans a transportation solution during the
Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix on Sunday, July 29.
Attack Performance, manufacturer of precision racing
components, has been granted “wild-card” entries for both North
American rounds of the 2012 MotoGP World Championship, the
Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, July
27-29, and the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix at Indianapolis
Motor Speedway, August 17-19.
This Sunday sees the long awaited and hugely anticipated season
opening race of the 2012 MotoGP™ Championship at the Losail
circuit in Qatar. Yamaha Factory Racing riders Jorge Lorenzo and
Ben Spies will line up on the grid under the spectacular
floodlights alongside their rivals for the first true test of the
1000cc era. A strong winter testing period with very competitive
times means both riders arrive in Qatar confident in the
abilities of their all-new 1000cc YZR-M1 as they set their sights
on the podium.
Riders for Health, the official charity of MotoGP, and Mazda
Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California, have announced that
50 VIP guests will spend the day meeting MotoGP stars, touring
the MotoGP paddock, and discovering the stunning Carmel
Valley. Day of Stars is held on Thursday, July 26, before
the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. And,
as well as getting your race weekend off to the best possible
start, you will be raising money for Riders for Health.
Once an underground phenomenon, freestyle riders now merit center
stage. Three of their stars will perform at the Freestyle Street
Extreme in the Yamaha Marketplace during the Red Bull U.S. Grand
Prix featuring the MotoGP World Championship July 27-29.
The Jerez circuit was the setting for the official presentation
of the 2012 YZR-M1 on Thursday, as the Yamaha Factory Racing team
unveiled its livery for the forthcoming campaign.
On the eve of the final pre-season MotoGP™ Test at the track,
Jorge Lorenzo and Ben Spies were in attendance to show off their
2012 machines to the press which had assembled in the Yamaha team
box, and both riders expressed their delight at the new-look M1.
The Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix featuring the MotoGP World
Championship returns to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca for its eighth
consecutive year with a new sponsor, Law Tigers, offering free
helmet and leather check tents for visiting fans. Staffed and
secured, the tents will be prominently located at key motorcycle
parking lots.
Elena Myers claims second career AMA victory, first female winner
at Daytona.
Elena Myers, who rode Suzuki’s GSV-R bike on the eve of last
year’s Indianapolis Grand Prix, took another small step towards
her dream of becoming the first female MotoGP rider by making
history at Daytona.
“Any girl in MotoGP would be good, but I hope I’m the first,”
said Myers after the Indianapolis appearance. “That’s my goal,
and I’m trying hard every day to get there.”
The Strider Adventure Zone will return to family friendly Mazda
Raceway Laguna Seca during the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix on July
27 to 29. For budding young cyclists who love having fun with a
competitive edge, Strider Adventure Zone will host the Strider
Cup race on Sunday, July 29.
Strider makes no-pedal bikes that help toddlers learn balance and
coordination before pedaling, which develops confidence and bike
handling skills. Children from 18 months to five years of age
will have a chance to experience riding at the Strider Adventure
Zone.
Yamaha Factory Racing riders Jorge Lorenzo and Ben Spies were the
star guests this afternoon for the ‘First Ever’ International
MotoXpo Show in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia). The MotoGP riders
arrived in Malaysia early for the second of the two Sepang tests
to attend the event as guests of Hong Leong Yamaha Motor.
The Yamaha Factory Racing Team completed the first test of the
2012 season at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia.
Riders Jorge Lorenzo and Ben Spies spent the three track days
working to develop the base set up of the 1000cc YZR-M1 ahead of
the second Sepang test in one month’s time.
