motorcycle Gp news update 2011: Rossi and Hayden enjoying the show

Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden have been the centre of attention at Madonna di Campiglio on Tuesday, the second day of the week-long Ducati event. Watch the attached motogp.com video for an overview of proceedings at the Italian ski resort so far.

Day 1 at the Wrooom MotoGP Press Ski Meeting

The wait was finally over for fans and media alike on Tuesday as Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden both spoke about the forthcoming 2011 season at the Wrooom event at Madonna di Campiglio.
Having arrived at the Italian venue on Monday evening to a frenzied media welcome, the Ducati MotoGP riders met Scuderia Ferrari drivers Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa as they posed for photographs in front of the waiting press.
On Tuesday morning the Ducati pair held individual press conferences as they fielded questions from the media, and following that motogp.com interviewed both Rossi and Hayden as each discussed the Desmosedici, the forthcoming season and the prospect of working alongside one another in 2011.
In the attached motogp.com video you can view a résumé of events so far at the 21st edition of the Wrooom event, as well as viewing photos of Rossi and Hayden in their 2011 colours in the Latest Photos section of the motogp.com site. On Wednesday the new Desmosedici GP11 will also be presented by Ducati.

motorcycle Gp news update 2011: Rossi and Hayden enjoying the show

Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden have been the centre of attention at Madonna di Campiglio on Tuesday, the second day of the week-long Ducati event. Watch the attached motogp.com video for an overview of proceedings at the Italian ski resort so far.

Day 1 at the Wrooom MotoGP Press Ski Meeting

The wait was finally over for fans and media alike on Tuesday as Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden both spoke about the forthcoming 2011 season at the Wrooom event at Madonna di Campiglio.

Having arrived at the Italian venue on Monday evening to a frenzied media welcome, the Ducati MotoGP riders met Scuderia Ferrari drivers Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa as they posed for photographs in front of the waiting press.

On Tuesday morning the Ducati pair held individual press conferences as they fielded questions from the media, and following that motogp.com interviewed both Rossi and Hayden as each discussed the Desmosedici, the forthcoming season and the prospect of working alongside one another in 2011.

In the attached motogp.com video you can view a résumé of events so far at the 21st edition of the Wrooom event, as well as viewing photos of Rossi and Hayden in their 2011 colours in the Latest Photos section of the motogp.com site. On Wednesday the new Desmosedici GP11 will also be presented by Ducati.

Rossi eager for action but prepared for “calm” recovery

The Italian gave his first reaction following his shoulder operation on Sunday, underlining his determination to be ready for the Sepang Test in February.

Valentino Rossi is fully aware of the road to recovery that awaits him following surgery on his shoulder on Sunday, and despite acknowledging that he needs to be “calm and patient” in his rehabilitation the 31 year-old is eager to try out his repaired shoulder.
In the aftermath of his operation in Italy on Sunday Doctor Alessandro Castagna, one of the specialists who operated on Rossi, said he expected the nine-time World Champion to fit in time for the MotoGP Test at Sepang which takes place at the start of February next year, provided there were no complications to the Italian’s recovery.
Rossi appears to have taken stock of the advice and is anticipating a careful approach, and gave his post-operation reaction to the crew of Italian broadcaster Mediaset’s humorous show ‘Striscia la Notizia’.
“I’m pretty bad and it’s very painful, but that’s normal in the days that follow an operation. I’m finding it difficult to sleep,” said Rossi. “The operation went well. Everything is how it should be. My arm is immobilised, and the shoulder is expected to recover 100%. Now it’s just a question of time, I have to be calm, patient, and to wait.”
With his focus on the Sepang Test, which should be his second on the Desmosedici, Rossi continued: “The shoulder was much worse than we suspected and the operation lasted twice as long as was planned. The tendons which we thought were a little bit affected were in fact completely damaged. Now I have a shoulder which is like new, and I’m eager to try it out. I hope to be fit for February 1st, the first Test of 2011, and ride the Ducati.”

Rossi eager for action but prepared for “calm” recovery

The Italian gave his first reaction following his shoulder operation on Sunday, underlining his determination to be ready for the Sepang Test in February.

Valentino Rossi is fully aware of the road to recovery that awaits him following surgery on his shoulder on Sunday, and despite acknowledging that he needs to be “calm and patient” in his rehabilitation the 31 year-old is eager to try out his repaired shoulder.

In the aftermath of his operation in Italy on Sunday Doctor Alessandro Castagna, one of the specialists who operated on Rossi, said he expected the nine-time World Champion to fit in time for the MotoGP Test at Sepang which takes place at the start of February next year, provided there were no complications to the Italian’s recovery.


Rossi appears to have taken stock of the advice and is anticipating a careful approach, and gave his post-operation reaction to the crew of Italian broadcaster Mediaset’s humorous show ‘Striscia la Notizia’.

“I’m pretty bad and it’s very painful, but that’s normal in the days that follow an operation. I’m finding it difficult to sleep,” said Rossi. “The operation went well. Everything is how it should be. My arm is immobilised, and the shoulder is expected to recover 100%. Now it’s just a question of time, I have to be calm, patient, and to wait.”

With his focus on the Sepang Test, which should be his second on the Desmosedici, Rossi continued: “The shoulder was much worse than we suspected and the operation lasted twice as long as was planned. The tendons which we thought were a little bit affected were in fact completely damaged. Now I have a shoulder which is like new, and I’m eager to try it out. I hope to be fit for February 1st, the first Test of 2011, and ride the Ducati.”

Valencia Ducati Test Moto GP 2011

Here’s what entire Italy has been waiting for, for quite some time now: God on the Duke. Valentino Rossi, in his final goodbye to Yamaha just hit the Spanish MotoGP circuit at Valencia on the 2011 Ducati Desmosedici MotoGP GP11 bike. After doing a bunch of laps on the experimental big bang Ducati Desmosedici GP11, the Doctor shifted to the Ducati Screamer, on which he completed the rest of the 56 laps. With race chief Jeremy Burgess watching on, the Italian motorcycle god seemed to be reveling on the Ducati. Now if only Fiat chips in as principal sponsor and completes the Italian triplet of Rossi-Ducati-Fiat. For now, you have a video to watch and a tidy bunch of pics

Valentino Rossi Has Operation Again

Valentino Rossi will doing surgery today at the Cervesi di Cattolica hospital with Doctor Alex Castagna from the Milan Humanitas Institute and shoulder specialist Dr Giuseppe Porcellini. The focus of the arthroscopic procedure on Rossi, who suffered cartilage and joint damage to his shoulder in a motocross training accident back in April, was on the supraspinatus tendon and glenoid ligament.

"The condition of the shoulder was really critical: Valentino really had to be tough to keep racing with that kind of injury,” said the surgeons. “The intervention went well, without any complications. For rehabilitation, you'd usually need 90 days for that kind of injury but we'll do our best in order to meet the requirements of the rider."

The surgery lasted for two hours from 11.30am to 1.30pm and the surgeons were assisted by Doctors Fabrizio Campi and Paolo Paladini. Rossi will now remain in hospital overnight before beginning his rehabilitation in the coming days

90 days of rehabilitaion means Valentino Rossi will start on bike again on February 2011. But we're all know that Valentino Rossi is a rider with strong willing to ride. This mentallity condition will make rehabilitation going faster.

Valentino Rossi Dainese

This is the design for Valentino Rossi's Dainese. Valentino Rossi will wearing this design at Valencia test today. Majority color on yellow and black. Sun and moon logo on the right hand side, Italian flag on the left hand side. On the right foot, there's sun logo, and moon's on the left. As usual, "The Doctor" on the back.

Source: Dainese's Facebook and MotoGP Official Website

Ducati Desmosedici 46 Valentino Rossi

This is a new fresh appearance of Valentino Rossi's Ducati Desmosedici bike. This bike will used at Valencia MotoGP test today.



Source: twowheelsblog
also thanks to Alex Briggs

Here's some picture shot from our streaming page of Valentino Rossi activities at Ducati's garage

Valentino Rossi, Furusawa and Jarvis look back on seven years of success

The final race of the 2010 season at Valencia brought to a close a success-filled partnership between the Italian rider and Japanese factory. The 31 year-old, Masao Furusawa and Lin Jarvis all gave their reactions to the end of an era following the race.

Fiat Yamaha Press Conference

The last race of the 2010 campaign was also Valentino Rossi’s final in the colours of the Fiat Yamaha team after seven years, 46 race victories and four World Championship titles. Following third place in the GP Generali de la Comunitat Valenciana – his 84th podium with Yamaha – the Italian and Yamaha’s Masao Furusawa and Lin Jarvis looked back on an incredible time together.
In the attached video you can watch a special press conference with the trio, whilst the second video sees Rossi review his evolution and development with the Japanese factory throughout their time together.
Valentino Rossi:
"This is a very emotional day but I'm very happy as well because I don't have any regrets and there have been no bad moments or thoughts throughout these seven seasons together with Yamaha. From the beginning it was something great and we worked very well together. Like in life, in sport the results are crucial but just as important is the enjoyment and we had this at Yamaha. We had a great fusion in my team - the Australians, the Italians, the Japanese, the English and many more...a lot of people all together having fun. If in 2004 somebody had told me that I would win four world championships with Yamaha and 46 Grand Prix I would have signed in blood! I am happy. I have to thank first of all Masao Furusawa because we went through some difficult moments but we were able to improve the bike and make it the best machine, then I just have to say a big thank you to everybody who helped me in these seven seasons, and wish everyone good luck."
Masao Furusawa, Yamaha Engineering Operations Executive Officer:
"I would like to thank Valentino very much, I started in MotoGP in 2003 and it was a terrible year, it was almost like I was in hell! I really wanted to make the YZR-M1 a better bike but the more investigated it, the more I realised I needed something else, more than the bike. So we found Valentino Rossi. First of all I didn't believe Valentino would come to Yamaha because the bike wasn't great but somehow it worked. After South Africa in 2004 I felt like I was in heaven, it was a very exciting and memorable year. In 2004 Valentino was the only one who could win on the YZR-M1 so he contributed a lot to developing the bike. This year not only Valentino but also three other riders were fast so it's clear that our YZR-M1 is a pretty good bike. This is mainly because of Valentino's contributions over the years so I really appreciate that an d I want to wish him all the best in the future."
Lin Jarvis, Managing Director, Yamaha Motor Racing:
"In 2003 when we had our worst year ever in GP racing and finally we said that whatever we were going to do, without Valentino Rossi on the seat it wasn't going to work! That was the point where we decided that we needed him. There were some exciting and secretive negotiations with Valentino and it was a very important decision but, with the backing of Masao Furusawa and the President of Yamaha Motor Company, we made it happen. It was ‘do or die'. With a huge commitment from Yamaha, the engineers and everybody in the team we made it work. We are very, very grateful because Valentino's arrival really turned things around for Yamaha and we came back to victorious ways. We are incredibly thankful and grateful to him for that. We've had so many exciting and enjoyable moments with him and with the crew that he brought with him, who are great guys. Today we will be saying goodbye to a great number of people including Davide Brivio, Jerry Burgess and the whole crew. We've had a super time, it's been a really excellent team and we will miss them tomorrow, it will be a strange day."

Video: Valentino Rossi Kissing His M1 Bike (Bye Bye Baby)

See the seconds: 40
Valentino Rossi just say goodbye to his soulmate YZR-M1. Valentino Rossi move to Ducati for MotoGP 2011 next season. Bye By Baby

Riders Quote Valencian GP

This weekend race will be held at Valencia, Spain. All of MotoGP riders looks very confidence and want to close this season with a happy ending.

Aleix Espargaro

"The fall on the first lap of last Sunday's race was not what I was aiming. I was aiming to achieve a good result on Estoril's track and the results of Friday and Saturday free practice sessions had give me high hopes for the race. Sunday we'll return to Spain for the fourth time this year. In the other three Grands Prix on the Ibernian land of this year, I have conquered a fifteenth position in Jerez, a good tenth position in Aragon and a withdraw on Barcelona's track, a race in which I had done a very good weekend. I hope to greatly improve the position conquer in Aragon and conclude in the best way my first MotoGP season. This track has a different flavor for me, I made my debut here in the 2004 while I was riding a 125cc. "

Alvaro Bautista

"I was very surprised at last week's result because after how well we had been performing it was a bit of a shock, but I know we can put that behind us and challenge the top-six group. I have experience of riding the GSV-R at Valencia after last season's test, so I will have some reference points and I think the circuit will suit the bike well. It is amazing having another 'home' race and I will have many fans there to celebrate the end of the season, I will certainly be trying my hardest to give them, and the whole team, a good result to remember and take forward into the winter."

Andrea Dovizioso

"I'm very happy that we were back on the podium in Estoril. It means we are competitive and that we can go to Valencia with the target of fighting for fourth position in the World Championship. Valencia is quite a slow and twisty track which makes it a technical and challenging circuit which isn't easy to ride. It's not one of my favourite circuits on the calendar but that's really not important - because we are determined to have a very good race on Sunday and finish off the year as strongly as possible. The Valencia weekend is a special event, not only because it is the final round of the season but also because on Tuesday and Wednesday after the Grand Prix there are two important days of testing in preparation for the 2011 season. I'm really looking forward to getting the maximum out of these two days of testing before we head into the long winter break."

Carlos Checa

"The rain during Estoril's Grand Prix have certainly not helped me. I needed to run as much as possible on the track and the weather conditions that I have found have not allowed me to do that. The feeling that I was able to develop with the bike during the weekend have not allowed me to find the right riding position on the dry track. The forearm pain after a few laps did not allow me to give to the bike the right braking and the best way to entre in the turns. My results on Valencia's track are not exciting, but I have taken some satisfaction in my long career, arriving twice in the fourth position in the 2001 and in the 2005. Even if I do not feel any pressure, I'll try to do my best to give a good result to the Pramac Racing Team which have offered me this fantastic opportunity."

Casey Stoner

"After the awful weather we had to put up with in Portugal I hope that Valencia is a bit better and we get chance to work well and get a good set-up for my final race on the Ducati. I have always liked the circuit and I had my first ever win here in 125cc. It is a tight but flowing circuit and even though there are a lot of second and third gear corners they are banked and you can let the bike run, keeping some good speed up. This also helps you to find a gearbox setting quite quickly because apart from the straight, obviously, you only really need two gears. In the past we have always been able to find a good set-up so I we are confident. I really want to have a good race this weekend."

Dani Pedrosa

"In a couple of days I will get back on the bike again at Valencia and I really hope to feel better than I did on Sunday in Estoril. The last medical checks I had this week have shown that the nerves are not affected and this is positive, even though I'm feeling the same symptoms of numbness. I went to Clinica Dexeus to have an electromyography scan in my left arm from the neck to the hand. It showed that the nerves are OK, so I will continue having physiotherapy and I hope that gradually the lack of feeling passes. Despite the circumstances, I'm going to Valencia in a good mood because this is a track I love and the atmosphere there is always special. Last year we had a great race, so I want to get a good result regardless of my physical condition. We have a new sponsor this weekend from Honda in Indonesia. When I visited Indonesia this year I was really amazed by how many people follow MotoGP there. They are very passionate and knowledgeable about the championship, so it's good that this new sponsor on the Repsol Honda machine can create a link with this country."

Hector Barbera

"After the result in Portugal I am feeling happier and more confident. I feel comfortable with the bike at the moment and I hope we can do a good job in practice to find the right set-up for the race. Cheste is my home circuit and I can go fast there without hardly thinking about it so I hope that remains the case this weekend. It is a goal of mine to be fast at Valencia on the Ducati and the target for the weekend is to score my best result of the weekend, finish 2010 well and be part of a really cool race for all the fans. We have got a lot of data from the test we did here at the end of last year and I am sure it will help us."

Hiroshi Aoyama

"Sometimes I have a good feeling with Valencia and sometimes I don't. I hope that this time the feeling will be good. Last year I achieved the 250cc world title there and I have some nice memories on that, but you cannot compare this. I hope that the coming race will be better than the one in Estoril, where I could have finished in the Top 10, but made a mistake and had to be satisfied with 12th at the end. It is a pity that the team cannot continue. I had a really good time with them and I want to thank the team for all they did for me."

Jorge Lorenzo

"I've never won here in Valencia," said Lorenzo, during this afternoon's pre-event press conference. "It's not my obsession to get a victory here this weekend, but we are sure going to try. It's the last race of the season, so we'll make the last push, as we are very motivated to have a good race."

Loris Capirossi

"I hope we can go well at Valencia because it has been a very hard season for us and we need to end the year in a more positive way. The circuit is quite good for our bike and it seems to suit the dynamics of the GSV-R well. I know it will be difficult and I'm still not 100% fit, but I firmly believe I can go well in Valencia. It is the last race and after all that has happened this year it would be good to give my crew something to smile about -- I will certainly be giving everything I've got to make that happen."

Marco Melandri

"In Portugal I had yet another disappointing day and I can't even begin to explain the reasons why we have yet to work things out. We have been trying in vain and I am so bitterly disappointed about it. Valencia is our last chance to salvage something from a season to forget and I will try my hardest. I like the track and I won here in 250 and MotoGP but the chances of us doing anything this weekend are very small and that upsets me.

Marco Simoncelli

"I am still feeling satisfied but also slightly annoyed with how close I came to the podium at Estoril. I was happy with my performance because we kept a consistenyl fast pace from start to finish and I was able to battle with riders who have got the better of me in recent weeks. We have improved so much lately and the performance at Estoril has made me even more convinced we can be regularly fighting at the front. I can't wait to get started at Valencia and put the disappointment of last year behind me as quickly as possible. I love the track and I am desperate to finish on the podium there after missing out by such a small margin in Portugal. The way we are finishing the season is a great sign for next year. We still have a big job to do but the work we have done so far is paying off and I am happy for Honda and the team, who have given me so much support."

Nicky Hayden

"Time has flown past since Portugal. I went to Italy do some wind tunnel tests at Ducati and then we were back on the road to Spain. It has done me good to have a couple of days rest though because the crash on Friday left me with a knock on my back and it has been a bit painful. I'm okay now though and I can't wait to get back out at Valencia, a circuit I love and a place that will always be special to me because I won the title here. Also the fact it's the last race of the season, with so many people there packing out the grandstands... it just gives the whole event that little bit extra. I have been on the podium here twice in the past so we'll try and do it again this Sunday."

Valentino Rossi

"The points gap to second is quite big and Dani is always fast here," declared Rossi. "Anyway, a good target is also to resist and keep the third position from Casey, who is also fast here in Valencia. Last weekend we worked well in Portugal and had a good first half of the race, for this Sunday we will try and prepare the second half."

MotoGP 2010 Final Result Analysis

Here we come. Next Sunday will be the last race for 2010 MotoGP season. World Champion and Rookie of the Year has been found. Now MotoGP is looking for the runner up and 3rd leaderboard place.

Dani Pedrosa and Valentino Rossi will fight for 2nd place. Pedrosa with 236 point will be a runner up if he finish at least on the 9th position, even Valentino Rossi get 25 points at Valencia. Also the reverse. Valentino Rossi will achieve the runner up position if he can finish first and Pedrosa only finished at 10th or less. Or, the point gap between both of them are not more than 7 points.

Battle for 3rd position came from Valentino Rossi, Casey Stoner, and Andrea Dovizioso. Rossi with 217 points had the biggest chance to win the 3rd position. Rossi only need 14 points the seal the 3rd place championship. It means, Casey Stoner must not podium if Rossi want to seal the 3rd place. Dovizioso had the smallest change for this place. Dovizioso can be the 3rd MotoGP champion if he finish first at Valencia, while Valentino Rossi finish not more than 14th place, and Casey Stoner not finish more than 4th position.

So let see next Sunday race. Who will win and lose.

Goodbye Brivio

After nine years with Yamaha and Valentino Rossi, Davide Brivio finally leaving Yamaha and will replaced with Massimo "Maio" Meregalli, Yamaha World Superbike team manager who will work together with Wilco Zeelenberg 'to form an experienced and unified management team for 2011 and beyond'.

Brivio, who most recently held the position of team manager for Valentino Rossi's side of the Yamaha garage, will leave his position following the Valencia season finale – although there has been no news on where he will now go.

Brivio is going to turn manager like Carlo Pernat, but has confirmed that he hasn’t made any deals with Valentino Rossi (Brivio brought Rossi to Yamaha) to follow him to Ducati in the near future, but hopes to still collaborate with his former rider and his company VR/46.

2010 season finale in Valencia

The 18th and final round of the 2010 MotoGP World Championship this weekend will see the runner-up spot decided, with the following Official Test offering an immediate taste of what is to come in 2011.

The Ricardo Tormo Circuit hosts the Gran Premio Generali de la Comunitat Valenciana this weekend for the 12th year running, and what has since 2002 been the traditional season-ending round. The 18th instalment of the 2010 MotoGP campaign will see runner-up to already-crowned Champion Jorge Lorenzo decided, with Dani Pedrosa and Valentino Rossi the candidates still able to take the honour.

Despite having wrapped up the title with three rounds to spare Lorenzo is still hungry for victories, as proven with his eighth of the season last time out at Estoril. The Fiat Yamaha rider is also on course to set a new record for the highest number of points scored in a single season in the MotoGP class as well as equal a number of other milestones, with the added incentive that Valencia is just one of three circuits on the current calendar at which he has not won in any class. He did finish on the podium last year however and will now aim to go one better.

The man with the most success at the venue is Pedrosa, last year’s race winner and with five victories in total across the premier (twice), 250cc (twice) and 125cc classes. The Repsol Honda rider currently has the best chance of finishing second in the Championship, holding a 19-point advantage over third-placed Rossi, but he is still recovering from his collarbone injury having only made his return to racing in Portugal having sat out three races.

Rossi has winning form at Valencia from 2003 and 2004, but is yet to taste victory on an 800cc machine there. The Italian, along with Lorenzo, will be aiming to deliver Yamaha their first win in the format, and came close last year in finishing second.

Rossi satisfied with the podium and now aiming for the final win

The Fiat Yamaha rider finished second in the bwin Grande Premio de Portugal and is now determined to win his final race with the team at Valencia next weekend.

Valentino Rossi’s ninth podium result of the season in the bwin Grande Premio de Portugal on Sunday gave the Italian great satisfaction, after a step into the unknown in terms of track conditions at Estoril.

After spending the weekend practicing in wet conditions the race was a dry affair, and the switch between set-ups did not hold the 31 year-old back from pushing hard as he finished second behind team-mate Jorge Lorenzo having challenged the Spaniard.

"Like I said yesterday, a wet warm up and a dry race is a difficult one! I am happy about this weekend, we worked really well on the bike on the wet and this morning I was the fastest in the warm up, if it had been a wet race I could have been very competitive,” said Rossi.

“For the dry we started blind so I had to try to take some risks at the beginning because the setting was okay, but it was not enough because when Jorge got into his rhythm he was faster than me, I had no way to fight with him. I tried to stay with him but he was too fast.”

With Casey Stoner crashing out Rossi now sits third in the Championship, 19 points behind Dani Pedrosa with the final round in Valencia next weekend.

Lorenzo 1st, Rossi 2nd, and Dovizioso 3rd

Jorge Lorenzo get his hattrick at Estoril this year after wins on 2008, 2009, and this 2010 race. After taking Rossi, Lorenzo was unbeatable and finish first. The main drama came for 3rd position while Andrea Dovizioso just can get his podium on the last second after taking Marco Simoncelli. 

The world standing now was placed Valentino Rossi on the 3rd position, replace Casey Stoner. Rossi just 19 points behind Dani Pedrosa on the 2nd position. Dani Pedrosa only finish at 8th place. Pedorosa's points now are 236. It means, last race at Valencia will be looking for runner up between Pedrosa and Rossi, after Caset Stoner crashed in this race, and missed the points.

Battle for 3rd place is more interest to see, Andrea Dovizioso, Marco Simoncelli, and Nicky Hayden were involved. Nicky Hayden who's started on the 2nd position only finish at 6th place behind Marco Simoncelli at 5th. Dovizioso just taking Simoncelli off in last second and only 0.056 seconds lead. Yes right, what a race for 3rd place battle.

Congratulation to all rider

Gear Up Estoril

MotoGP this weekend will be held at Estoril, Portugal. Although championship was over yet, but MotoGP still looking for the runner up for this season. Dani Pedrosa now on 2nd position with 228 points. He leads only 23 points from last GP winner Casey Stoner.Valentino Rossi still on 4th place with 197 points, or 31 points behind the current runner up Dani Pedrosa. Those 3 riders will hunt for MotoGP runner up this season.

Last 2 years at Estoril, Jorge Lorenzo was won. And now he's looking for his hat-trick to be King of Estoril, like Casey Stoner did at Phillip Island circuit. All of top riders are have an interest for this weekend race. Hope this weekend race still attractive like before. Plus Carlos Cecha appearance to replace Mika Kallio on Pramac Ducati, this race will me more interest.

Schedule for MotoGP Estoril (all in local time):

Friday 29 October 2010

FP1: 10.05

FP2: 14.05

Saturday 30 October 2010

FP3: 10.05

QP: 14.05

Sunday 31 October 2010

WUP: 09.30

Race: 13.00

Riders Items Being Auctioned

The E-bay auction for the rider paraphernalia donated during the Dedikato 2010 event, is set to be resumed.  The first auction was suspended immediately following the San Marino Grand Prix, out of respect for the memory of Shoya Tomizawa and his family's mourning.  All proceeds from the auction will go to the Foundation for Cystic Fibrosis Research, founded by Matteo Marzotto.

The auction will begin again on October 29th, on eve of the Portuguese Grand Prix, and conclude on November 8th, following the Valencia GP.

Numerous objects will be available for bidding including: a Shoei helmet autographed by all of the Shoei riders, a pair of Valentino Rossi's race boots, pairs of gloves from Marco Simoncelli and Toni Elias, a set of leathers worn by Marco Melandri, and more boots from Nicky Hayden and Dani Pedrosa.

There will also be some stranger items available, such as a pair of autographed gym socks worn by Marco Simoncelli, which he took off and donated "live" during the Dedikato event.

Anyone interested can find further information on the website www.dedikato.com or directly on E-bay.

One item which will not be available is the special edition helmet, designed by artist "ONE", featuring the likeness of Dajiro Kato and signed by all of the riders present at the 2010 Dedikato event.  The Mayor of Misano, Stefano Giannini, and the President of Misano events, Luigi Bellettini, decided to present the helmet to the family of Shoya Tomizawa in a private event held after the Grand Prix.

Aussie Burgess follows Rossi again

Valentino Rossi and Ducati have poached the legendary Australian crew chief Jeremy Burgess from Yamaha in a bid to win a MotoGP title with a third manufacturer.

Rossi and Burgess are the most successful pairing in the MotoGP with seven world championships together over the past 11 seasons.

The Italian, who finished third behind winner Casey Stoner in the Australian Grand Prix last weekend, has insisted Ducati hire Adelaide-based Burgess to supervise his race program in search of an eighth world crown in 2011.

Rossi has never raced in MotoGP without kingmaker Burgess whose credits include world championships with Aussie greats Wayne Gardner and Mick Doohan.

"Jerry stays with me until I retire," Rossi said when asked about the prospect of racing without his trusted wingman.

Burgess left Honda to join Rossi at Yamaha in 2004 and will now work to reinvigorate Ducati, who have not won a title since 2007 with Casey Stoner.

"I've spoken to Ducati and I think it is all going to work out fairly well," Burgess said of his impending switch to Italy's famous red team.

Rossi Got A Permission To Test Ducati

Valentino Rossi will ride for Ducati on the next two years. But after Phillip Island race, Yamaha's Masao Furusawa still didn't want to give Rossi a permission to test the Ducati. Today after Australian Grand Prix, Furusawa finally give Rossi permission to test Ducati.

Valentino Rossi gave a signal to the media that he has been given permission by Masao Furusawa to test with Ducati next month in Valencia.

“Furusawa called me and told me it was a way of saying thanks for what I have done for Yamaha,” Rossi told Italia 1. “I think it’s a nice gesture and it shows that Yamaha has valued the things done over these years.”

Upon hearing the news MotoGP Project Manager for Ducati Alessandro Cicognani told motogp.com in an interview: “I haven’t heard what Rossi or Yamaha have said exactly, but I was told about this so I am really happy. I think in a way it’s like a present from Yamaha to Valentino after what he has done for them.”

“We can be happy with this and I would like to thank, in a way, Yamaha. I have good relations with Lin Jarvis and I take this chance to thank him because he has always been fair and open to discussion. It’s not easy and it’s great. So we will work now and finish the season, and then start again for 2011 just after the Valencia race.”

Cicognani continued: “I think for everybody that this test is important because, due to the testing restrictions, I think it’s fair that every rider has the chance to test the bike he is going to ride the following year. So for everybody it would be important. He will test the 2011 bike for sure, and we will see. We are working on it!”