Spanish MotoGP rookie completes a further three-day test aboard the GSV-R in Portugal, alongside official Suzuki test rider Nobuatsu Aoki.

Álvaro Bautista’s graduation from 250cc to the premier class continued this week, with the Spanish rider undertaking his second test on the factory Suzuki prototype.

Having experienced his first action on the 800cc machine during the Valencia test earlier in the month, Bautista travelled to Portugal with Aoki to get some valuable track time at the Estoril circuit as the Rizla Suzuki team collected more feedback ahead of the start of the 2010 season.

Bautista completed more than 200 laps over the three days and experienced a range of weather conditions, which included rain, overcast skies and sun, all accompanied by cool temperatures. The Spaniard tested some new specification engine components on the GSV-R, as well as aerodynamic parts and Akrapovic exhaust systems.

Aoki continued with the test programme started by Loris Capirossi in Valencia, further assessing new parts ahead of the winter break.

“Suzuki is very pleased to have been able to complete this test for two reasons - firstly to give Álvaro essential additional seat-time on the GSV-R and secondly to give Nobu the chance to do some important testing on a GP track outside of Japan,” explained Suzuki team manager Paul Denning. “Nobody in Suzuki or in the team is under any illusions regarding the amount of additional performance needed out of the GSV-R for 2010 and whilst the test items have not been night-and-day differences, they will certainly help the overall package be a lot stronger when we get the new bike at Sepang in February.”

Bautista, who by the end of the test was lapping consistently around the 1’38.5 mark, pleased Denning with his display.

“Álvaro has been very impressive over the three days and has completed 212 laps with absolutely no errors,” said Denning. “His pace at the end of the test is very respectable, especially considering that there were only two bikes out there on track. With cooler conditions and no rubber being laid down the conditions were not as good as they were at the race weekend last month. He has gelled really well with the whole team and is taking a very calm approach.”

The team are now looking to the next scheduled test in Malaysia in February, as Denning added, “It is now a long time until Loris and Álvaro get to test again. We really wish Loris could have been here in Estoril, but we are grateful to have had this opportunity to point us in the right direction as Suzuki strives to become competitive in 2010.”

Julián Simón and Mike Di Meglio will continue their associations with the Valencian team in the new Moto2 category.

Current 125cc World Champion Julián Simón and 2008 title holder Mike Di Meglio will both ride in the inaugural Moto2 season for the Mapfre Aspar team in 2010.

Making the graduation to 4-stroke Aprilia machines, the pair will benefit from the Italian-based manufacturer’s and their Aspar team’s transfer of experience from the 250cc class to the new Moto2 category.

Both riders are confident in their ability to adapt to the challenge, with Simón having signed a two-year deal with the aim of achieving a MotoGP ride on Aspar’s Ducati machine, which will start to compete in next year’s premier class. Di Meglio’s strong debut season in the 250cc class has been rewarded with a further one-year deal, with an extension option should the Frenchman impress in Moto2.

“I’m keen to see the Aprilia Moto2 machine out on the track,” said Jorge Martinez Aspar. “I think it’s undoubtedly a great project for us. For several years the Aspar team has chosen to compete in the 125cc and 250cc World Championship classes. Now there will be a change in category, but the objective remains the same.”

“With Mike and Julián we have made a winning bet,” Aspar continued. “Mike was World Champion one year ago, and this season has had some great races in 250cc, so to continue with him is a good starting point. Julián is the current 125cc World Champion and is a rider I think will bring us much happiness in Moto2.”

Italian rider delighted with the success of his motocross event, organised for the benefit of young leukaemia sufferers. Watch the free video on motogp.com now.

Valentino Rossi was extremely pleased with the outcome of the motocross event he organised in Cavallara on Sunday, as more than 10,000 attendees helped make the day a great success.

The event, titled ‘motocross dei Campioni, 30 anni dopo’, was won by Andrea Dovizioso, with other Italian riders such as Marco Melandri, Loris Capirossi, Marco Simoncelli and Mattia Pasini, as well as 125cc World Champion Julián Simón and former 500cc title holder Kevin Schwantz also participating.

Arranged by the 2009 MotoGP World Champion to raise funds for a children’s hospital based in Pesaro which helps leukaemia sufferers, Rossi was overjoyed with the turnout in numbers.

“This was important because it was a charity event for children. We are thrilled by the response, and it is exciting to see all these people here in Cavallara. It’s also nice to compete with the other riders!” explained Rossi. “I thank all the riders who wanted to come. I think it was a good show and we’ve been fortunate this year because it didn’t rain, so we’ve all thoroughly enjoyed it.”

Revealing his plans for the rest of the month, Rossi added, “I will still race. Later this month I’ll participate in the Monza Rally, in a Ford, and the week after I’ll be at the Bologna Motorshow, also with a Ford. After that, I’ll have a holiday, and I’ll go skiing!”

Italian manufacturer explains in a statement that the D-Air Airbag used by the Mallorcan rider demonstrated its reliability in a competitive situation.

The activation of the D-Air worn by Jorge Lorenzo on the fourth lap of the Gran Premio Generali de la Comunitat Valenciana, due to the Spaniard’s sudden near high-side, provided manufacturers Dainese with valuable technical feedback.

The Italian company has revealed that the system worked correctly and did not affect Lorenzo’s driving, after reviewing the data provided by the telemetry on board. Dainese concluded that, “Analysis of the lap times for that section of the track indicated a delay of at least six to seven tenths of a second, mainly due to the loss of equilibrium and opening of the Airbag, which then deflated on course, resetting itself within approximately 20 seconds.”

For technicians of the company, this supports the safety of the system and indicates that the inflation of the D-Air has no detrimental effect on the capacity of the rider to control the bike and continue in the race, provided of course that the cause of the sharp change in direction does not result in a fall.

Lorenzo’s moment on lap four was sharp and quick, and by sensing the danger the Airbag activated to allow inflation before any possible impact. Logically, a delayed inflation would not be effective in the case of a fall, and in this instance Lorenzo’s ability to regain control of his YZR-M1 avoided a crash.

Although Lorenzo noted that he lost valuable seconds in his pursuit of Valentino Rossi in the race, he has already made clear that he wishes to continue using the Dainese D-Air, in both training and competition.

Dorna Sports have confirmed a new contract with Nelonen Media, part of the Finnish Media Group, Sanoma Entertainment, for the TV broadcasting rights of MotoGP in Finland for the 2010-2012 seasons.

Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta and Nelonen Media Head of Sports Jorma Paakkari signed the new agreement at the final round of the 2009 MotoGP World Championship, the Gran Premio Generali de la Comunitat Valenciana.

Nelonen Media have been broadcasting MotoGP over the past seven years on their Nelonen channel and the extension of this agreement with Dorna expands their broadcast commitments, including a combination of pay-TV and free-to-air exposure for the World Championship across Nelonen Media’s sports channels.

Nelonen Media’s pay sport channel will show 125cc, Moto2 and MotoGP practice sessions and races live, whilst MotoGP races will also be aired later the same day on Nelonen Media’s free to air sport network. This network will also broadcast a brand new magazine programme devoted to the series and runs the weekly.

MotoGP will be a key property for Nelonen Media Sports and an integral part of their ongoing strategy for future years. This will see extensive promotion of the MotoGP World Championship across all their networks.

Dorna Sports’ Managing Director Manel Arroyo commented, “We are very satisfied to have signed this agreement with Sanoma Entertainment and Nelonen Media which will guarantee even greater coverage of the Championship for MotoGP fans in Finland, for the next three years. There has been a great passion for the sport in the country for many years and with Mika Kallio, who originates from Finland, showing great potential and being crowned the 2009 MotoGP Rookie of the Year, viewers in his home nation have plenty to look forward to in the coming seasons.”

Jorma Paakkari, Head of Sports divison in Nelonen Media: “Three year extension to MotoGP gives us a solid foundation to build our sports channels in the future. Even after seven years of showing MotoGP we are still very enthused with the prospect of growing with one of the world’s most exciting sports”.

Nelonen Media is part of Sanoma Entertainment, which represents six television channels, two radio stations and Welho, Finland’s largest cable TV company. Furthermore, the associated Sanoma News group is the leading newspaper publisher in Finland.

Italian rider signs a deal with Scot Racing Team to compete in the new Moto2 category in its first ever season next year.

Scot Racing Team has announced that Niccolò Canepa will ride in the Moto2 class in 2010 for the Republic of San Marino squad, after an agreement was signed with the Italian.

The 21 year-old will ride the prototype designed by the Scot Racing Team, who make the transition to the new class having triumphed with Hiroshi Aoyama in the final 250cc season this year.

“I'm absolutely delighted with the agreement we have signed,” said Canepa, who has just completed his rookie season in MotoGP on a satellite Ducati. “I'm also really happy at the opportunity of playing a creative role in a working group that has displayed great potential and results – this season and in the past. A new class and a new bike: it will be a tough job, but with a rewarding outcome. The target is to do well.”

Team owner Cirano Mularoni added, “We are delighted to have Niccolò with us. We asked him to join Scot Racing Team because he’s fast, competitive and, although still very young, already a very experienced rider. He competed in MotoGP this year, and in the same class he was a test rider the previous season. In our opinion, he’s the right man for a brand new class and a team like ours. We have designed our own bike and we are going to develop it day by day, race by race. We are convinced we can do a great job together.”

The FIM have announced that the provisional date of the 2010 Czech Republic Grand Prix has been moved to August 15th.The FIM have today announced an amendment to the provisional calendar for the 2010 MotoGP World Championship, with the Czech Republic Grand Prix to be held a week earlier than originally scheduled.


Date Grand Prix (Circuit)

April 11th* Qatar (Losail)
April 25th Japan (Motegi)
May 2nd Spain (Jerez)
May 23rd France (Le Mans)
June 6th Italy (Mugello)
June 20th Great Britain (Silverstone)
June 26th** Netherlands (Assen)
July 4th Catalunya (Catalunya)
July 18th Germany (Sachsenring)
July 25th*** United States (Laguna Seca)
August 15th Czech Republic (Brno)
August 29th Indianapolis (Indianapolis)
September 5th San Marino & Riviera di Rimini (Misano)
September 19th Hungary (Balatonring)
October 10th Malaysia (Sepang)
October 17th Australia (Phillip Island)
October 31st Portugal (Estoril)
November 7th Valencia (Ricardo Tormo Valencia)

Reserve Circuit: Motorland Aragon Circuit

* Evening race
** Saturday race
*** Only MotoGP class