Kawasaki Moto GP - Catalunya
Fri Jun 08, 2007 8:30 am
Circuit: Catalunya
Date: 07/06/2007
KAWASAKI PAY THEIR RESPECTS AT CATALUNYA
The Kawasaki Racing Team head for northern Spain this week, hoping to further their MotoGP offensive at the Gran Premi de Catalunya in Montmelo, near Barcelona.
After a few difficult rounds, which have seen both their riders injured and a disappointing lack of championship points, the aim is to get back on form at a track hugely popular with racers and spectators alike.
Both Randy de Puniet and Olivier Jacque have won races here in the past and they’re optimistic they can turn their recent run of bad luck in to something more positive on their ever-evolving Ninja ZX-RR machines. With the recent arrival of new engines revealing increased horsepower, combined with the impressive performance from their Bridgestone rubber in the season so far, the prospects look good for the two Frenchmen.
After 250cc wins at Catalunya in 2003 and 2004, de Puniet will be looking to better his luck here over last year, when he was forced off the track after unwittingly becoming entangled in a pile-up involving Sete Gibernau, Loris Capirossi and Marco Melandri, then crashing out again after a restart. Although fully recovered from the shoulder injury he sustained at Le Mans, de Puniet was left with an injured left knee after his Mugello crash less than one week ago. While the injury is not causing the 26-year-old Frenchman any pain, accumulation of fluid around the joint means that he arrived in Catalunya with a knee the size of a football! De Puniet will visit the Clinica Mobile to have the excess fluid drained from the knee ahead of the first free practice session on Friday.
The Kawasaki pilot's goal this weekend is clear; he must finish the race and, if possible, improve on his career best eighth place finishes in Istanbul and China.
Jacque, meanwhile, reached the top of the podium here, also in the 250cc world championship, in 2000 and, as he regains strength in his left arm, which was badly injured in Shanghai, he will be hoping for a fine performance on his MotoGP machine. Against the odds, Olivier succeeded in completing a hard race at Mugello last weekend and he’s feeling positive he can improve on his current four championship points.
As a mark of respect for Jan de Groot, Kawasaki's Grand Prix motocross team manager who passed away on Monday, Kawasaki Racing Team riders, de Puniet and Jacque, will run black numbers on their Ninja ZX-RR MotoGP Machines at this weekend's Gran Premi de Catalunya.
Kawasaki MotoGP Pilot #14
"I have really good memories of Montmeló. I won there twice in 250cc, achieving my first victory in a Grand Prix there in 2003, then winning again in 2004, and I’ve always enjoyed riding the circuit. I like the entire track but especially the last section: the Stadium curve and the last two corners in particular because they are fast and thrilling to ride. Everybody remembers last year’s first corner massacre and, even though I was among the riders who crashed, I came out of it well as I was able to restart the race on my second bike. I got as far as ninth position but, as I pushed to overtake Tamada, I crashed again. Our main problem there last year was the lack of top speed but that is not an issue with the 800cc Ninja ZX-RR. Not only is Catalunya one of my favourite tracks but also I’m really looking forward to getting there and making up for my crashes in the last two races. My shoulder isn’t giving me problems any more and the knee I hurt in Mugello will be alright in a couple of days. I’ll be fully fit by the time I jump on the bike and I’m sure we will run a good race there. That’s what I’ll be working for: to give my crew and the whole team a good reason to be proud of me."
Kawasaki MotoGP Pilot #19
"It was good to assess my physical condition by going the full distance during a dry race at Mugello and the only thing I suffered from was lack of strength. I will keep working on that in preparation for the GP in Barcelona and, even though I don’t have much time, I’m sure I’ll feel a huge difference. Montmeló is less physically demanding than Mugello because it is a fast and fluid track, without too much hard-braking, and there’s plenty of time to rest in between the technical parts. In theory, it is also well suited to the Ninja ZX-RR: the most important thing here is to have a powerful bike with good top speed, and the new engine Kawasaki introduced in Italy proved to be a definite step forward. And having a good-handling bike is important for La Caixa and the Stadium curves. How the tyres perform is going to be the biggest issue. Last year, Bridgestone struggled a bit in Montmeló but, looking at the Japanese tyres’ performance so far this year, I’m confident about this weekend’s race."
Kawasaki Competition Manager
"Our target for both riders this weekend is quite clear; they must stay on the bike, avoid crashing and finish the race. Between them Randy and Olivier have only managed six finishes out of a possible twelve so far this season; as a factory team, this is not the position we expected to be in at this point in the season. Now our riders need to focus on staying upright and giving their current injuries a chance to heal; only then can we start thinking about achieving the results we know our new Ninja ZX-RR is capable of. Both riders will ride with black numbers this weekend in memory of Jan de Groot, who sadly passed away earlier this week. Jan was a well known and well respected figure in the Motocross Grand Prix paddock and his presence will be sorely missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him or working with him. We would like to offer our sincere condolences to Jan's family and friends at this difficult time."
Date: 07/06/2007
KAWASAKI PAY THEIR RESPECTS AT CATALUNYA
The Kawasaki Racing Team head for northern Spain this week, hoping to further their MotoGP offensive at the Gran Premi de Catalunya in Montmelo, near Barcelona.
After a few difficult rounds, which have seen both their riders injured and a disappointing lack of championship points, the aim is to get back on form at a track hugely popular with racers and spectators alike.
Both Randy de Puniet and Olivier Jacque have won races here in the past and they’re optimistic they can turn their recent run of bad luck in to something more positive on their ever-evolving Ninja ZX-RR machines. With the recent arrival of new engines revealing increased horsepower, combined with the impressive performance from their Bridgestone rubber in the season so far, the prospects look good for the two Frenchmen.
After 250cc wins at Catalunya in 2003 and 2004, de Puniet will be looking to better his luck here over last year, when he was forced off the track after unwittingly becoming entangled in a pile-up involving Sete Gibernau, Loris Capirossi and Marco Melandri, then crashing out again after a restart. Although fully recovered from the shoulder injury he sustained at Le Mans, de Puniet was left with an injured left knee after his Mugello crash less than one week ago. While the injury is not causing the 26-year-old Frenchman any pain, accumulation of fluid around the joint means that he arrived in Catalunya with a knee the size of a football! De Puniet will visit the Clinica Mobile to have the excess fluid drained from the knee ahead of the first free practice session on Friday.
The Kawasaki pilot's goal this weekend is clear; he must finish the race and, if possible, improve on his career best eighth place finishes in Istanbul and China.
Jacque, meanwhile, reached the top of the podium here, also in the 250cc world championship, in 2000 and, as he regains strength in his left arm, which was badly injured in Shanghai, he will be hoping for a fine performance on his MotoGP machine. Against the odds, Olivier succeeded in completing a hard race at Mugello last weekend and he’s feeling positive he can improve on his current four championship points.
As a mark of respect for Jan de Groot, Kawasaki's Grand Prix motocross team manager who passed away on Monday, Kawasaki Racing Team riders, de Puniet and Jacque, will run black numbers on their Ninja ZX-RR MotoGP Machines at this weekend's Gran Premi de Catalunya.
Kawasaki MotoGP Pilot #14
"I have really good memories of Montmeló. I won there twice in 250cc, achieving my first victory in a Grand Prix there in 2003, then winning again in 2004, and I’ve always enjoyed riding the circuit. I like the entire track but especially the last section: the Stadium curve and the last two corners in particular because they are fast and thrilling to ride. Everybody remembers last year’s first corner massacre and, even though I was among the riders who crashed, I came out of it well as I was able to restart the race on my second bike. I got as far as ninth position but, as I pushed to overtake Tamada, I crashed again. Our main problem there last year was the lack of top speed but that is not an issue with the 800cc Ninja ZX-RR. Not only is Catalunya one of my favourite tracks but also I’m really looking forward to getting there and making up for my crashes in the last two races. My shoulder isn’t giving me problems any more and the knee I hurt in Mugello will be alright in a couple of days. I’ll be fully fit by the time I jump on the bike and I’m sure we will run a good race there. That’s what I’ll be working for: to give my crew and the whole team a good reason to be proud of me."
Kawasaki MotoGP Pilot #19
"It was good to assess my physical condition by going the full distance during a dry race at Mugello and the only thing I suffered from was lack of strength. I will keep working on that in preparation for the GP in Barcelona and, even though I don’t have much time, I’m sure I’ll feel a huge difference. Montmeló is less physically demanding than Mugello because it is a fast and fluid track, without too much hard-braking, and there’s plenty of time to rest in between the technical parts. In theory, it is also well suited to the Ninja ZX-RR: the most important thing here is to have a powerful bike with good top speed, and the new engine Kawasaki introduced in Italy proved to be a definite step forward. And having a good-handling bike is important for La Caixa and the Stadium curves. How the tyres perform is going to be the biggest issue. Last year, Bridgestone struggled a bit in Montmeló but, looking at the Japanese tyres’ performance so far this year, I’m confident about this weekend’s race."
Kawasaki Competition Manager
"Our target for both riders this weekend is quite clear; they must stay on the bike, avoid crashing and finish the race. Between them Randy and Olivier have only managed six finishes out of a possible twelve so far this season; as a factory team, this is not the position we expected to be in at this point in the season. Now our riders need to focus on staying upright and giving their current injuries a chance to heal; only then can we start thinking about achieving the results we know our new Ninja ZX-RR is capable of. Both riders will ride with black numbers this weekend in memory of Jan de Groot, who sadly passed away earlier this week. Jan was a well known and well respected figure in the Motocross Grand Prix paddock and his presence will be sorely missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him or working with him. We would like to offer our sincere condolences to Jan's family and friends at this difficult time."
Sat Jun 09, 2007 10:04 am
Circuit: Catalunya
Date: 08/06/2007
SWOLLEN JOINTS AND SUNSHINE AS KAWASAKI HIT CATALUNYA
A hot, Spanish sun shone on Kawasaki today as the Gran Premi Cinzano de Catalunya got off to a promising start for the team. Both Randy de Puniet and Olivier Jacque put in plenty of fast laps around the 4.727km track, near Barcelona and, by the end of practice, only 1.5 seconds separated the top 16 riders.
Randy, sporting a football-sized knee which swelled up after his crash at Mugello last weekend, notched up a total of 48 laps on his 800cc Ninja ZX-RR over the two practice sessions. On a mission to prove himself after disappointing results in France and Italy, the 26-year-old came 13th in the field, on combined times, with an overall best of 1’44.141.
He showed particular strength in T3, being the third fastest rider through that sector, behind Vermeulen and Hopkins and just ahead of Rossi. Topping out at an eye-watering 315.974 km/h, de Puniet’s practice time puts him just ahead of current world champion, Nicky Hayden, on the timesheet.
Randy’s fellow countryman and teammate, Olivier Jacque, managed 15th place after the combined sessions with a best time of 1’44.466, just 1.367 seconds off the pace set by leading man, Dani Pedrosa. The arm he damaged in Shanghai is improving all the time and the former 250cc world champion is feeling more optimistic than at last weekend’s Italian MotoGP at which, despite struggling with pain, he succeeded in finishing.
With the circuit at Montmelo, near Barcelona, being notoriously bumpy, Kawasaki’s racers and pit crews will be making careful choices of their Bridgestone tyres and further concentrating on a good suspension set up to get the most from the improved ZX-RR machines.
With the third and final practice session tomorrow morning, and qualifying in the afternoon, the Kawasaki Racing Team will be pushing to further their position in the championship, with Randy hoping for a qualifying spot higher than the 10th position he achieved on the grid last year. And with so little time separating the leading riders, the chances are high both men can show what they, and their bikes, can do.
13th - 48 Laps - Best Lap 1'44.141
“After the crash at Mugello, I thought my knee would be fine by now but, unfortunately, it got worse and I suffered an internal haemorrhage. The joint doubled in size and, even though it’s a little better now, Spidi has had to make me a new leather suit with a knee joint 10cm wider than usual! It wasn’t painful until I got on the bike but I’m sure as soon as the swelling goes down, so will the pain. I just need to rest a little now. This morning the track conditions weren’t perfect, and we suffered a lack of rear grip, but we improved it after experimenting with both front and rear race tyres in the afternoon. There isn’t a big time gap with respect to the guys at the front and I’m sure we can still improve tomorrow.”
15th – 46 Laps – Best Lap 1’44.466
“Today I felt, physically, much better than in Mugello. I have almost all the arm’s strength back which allows me to be more precise when I’m riding. Now I can set the bike up to race rather than trying to compensate for any handicap. This morning, we struggled with rear grip and I couldn’t keep up speed in the long and fast curves. We adjusted the balance of the bike and, with better track conditions as well, it improved a lot in the afternoon. We also tried a couple of front and rear race tyres and are already pretty sure about the choice we’ll make for Sunday. Maybe my position doesn’t reflect it but we’re on a good course.”
Kawasaki Technical Manager
“After Randy’s crash at Mugello, his knee is still unbelievably swollen but he tried really hard today to set the bike up well. Also, Olivier is still not 100%, although his forearm injury is getting better every day. At the moment, we are in 13th and 15th positions but the lap times are really close across the board, with the first 16 riders all within 1.5 seconds of each other. We need to improve the set up of the bikes and have already pinpointed a couple of areas to work on, mainly for the high-speed section. The third and last corners are really important and tomorrow we’ll keep working on adjusting the balance to make the Ninja ZX-RR more effective there. And the tyre durability is really important in Montmeló as well. We aren’t aiming for any particular positions for our riders but we do expect them to go step by step and do their best, as they always do.”
1. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Repsol Honda Team 1'43.099; 2. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Yamaha Factory Racing +0.214; 3. John Hopkins (USA) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP +0.290; 4. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati Marlboro Team +0.444; 5. Toni Elias (SPA) Honda Gresini +0.452; 6. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati Marlboro Team +0.532; 7. Chris Vermeulen (AUS) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP +0.614; 8. Colin Edwards (USA) Yamaha Factory Racing +0.669; 9. Marco Melandri (ITA) Honda Gresini +0.712; 10. Alex Barros (BRA) Pramac d'Antin Ducati +0.758; 13. Randy De Puniet (FRA) Kawasaki Racing Team +1.042; 15. Olivier Jacque (FRA) Kawasaki Racing Team +1.367
Date: 08/06/2007
SWOLLEN JOINTS AND SUNSHINE AS KAWASAKI HIT CATALUNYA
A hot, Spanish sun shone on Kawasaki today as the Gran Premi Cinzano de Catalunya got off to a promising start for the team. Both Randy de Puniet and Olivier Jacque put in plenty of fast laps around the 4.727km track, near Barcelona and, by the end of practice, only 1.5 seconds separated the top 16 riders.
Randy, sporting a football-sized knee which swelled up after his crash at Mugello last weekend, notched up a total of 48 laps on his 800cc Ninja ZX-RR over the two practice sessions. On a mission to prove himself after disappointing results in France and Italy, the 26-year-old came 13th in the field, on combined times, with an overall best of 1’44.141.
He showed particular strength in T3, being the third fastest rider through that sector, behind Vermeulen and Hopkins and just ahead of Rossi. Topping out at an eye-watering 315.974 km/h, de Puniet’s practice time puts him just ahead of current world champion, Nicky Hayden, on the timesheet.
Randy’s fellow countryman and teammate, Olivier Jacque, managed 15th place after the combined sessions with a best time of 1’44.466, just 1.367 seconds off the pace set by leading man, Dani Pedrosa. The arm he damaged in Shanghai is improving all the time and the former 250cc world champion is feeling more optimistic than at last weekend’s Italian MotoGP at which, despite struggling with pain, he succeeded in finishing.
With the circuit at Montmelo, near Barcelona, being notoriously bumpy, Kawasaki’s racers and pit crews will be making careful choices of their Bridgestone tyres and further concentrating on a good suspension set up to get the most from the improved ZX-RR machines.
With the third and final practice session tomorrow morning, and qualifying in the afternoon, the Kawasaki Racing Team will be pushing to further their position in the championship, with Randy hoping for a qualifying spot higher than the 10th position he achieved on the grid last year. And with so little time separating the leading riders, the chances are high both men can show what they, and their bikes, can do.
13th - 48 Laps - Best Lap 1'44.141
“After the crash at Mugello, I thought my knee would be fine by now but, unfortunately, it got worse and I suffered an internal haemorrhage. The joint doubled in size and, even though it’s a little better now, Spidi has had to make me a new leather suit with a knee joint 10cm wider than usual! It wasn’t painful until I got on the bike but I’m sure as soon as the swelling goes down, so will the pain. I just need to rest a little now. This morning the track conditions weren’t perfect, and we suffered a lack of rear grip, but we improved it after experimenting with both front and rear race tyres in the afternoon. There isn’t a big time gap with respect to the guys at the front and I’m sure we can still improve tomorrow.”
15th – 46 Laps – Best Lap 1’44.466
“Today I felt, physically, much better than in Mugello. I have almost all the arm’s strength back which allows me to be more precise when I’m riding. Now I can set the bike up to race rather than trying to compensate for any handicap. This morning, we struggled with rear grip and I couldn’t keep up speed in the long and fast curves. We adjusted the balance of the bike and, with better track conditions as well, it improved a lot in the afternoon. We also tried a couple of front and rear race tyres and are already pretty sure about the choice we’ll make for Sunday. Maybe my position doesn’t reflect it but we’re on a good course.”
Kawasaki Technical Manager
“After Randy’s crash at Mugello, his knee is still unbelievably swollen but he tried really hard today to set the bike up well. Also, Olivier is still not 100%, although his forearm injury is getting better every day. At the moment, we are in 13th and 15th positions but the lap times are really close across the board, with the first 16 riders all within 1.5 seconds of each other. We need to improve the set up of the bikes and have already pinpointed a couple of areas to work on, mainly for the high-speed section. The third and last corners are really important and tomorrow we’ll keep working on adjusting the balance to make the Ninja ZX-RR more effective there. And the tyre durability is really important in Montmeló as well. We aren’t aiming for any particular positions for our riders but we do expect them to go step by step and do their best, as they always do.”
1. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Repsol Honda Team 1'43.099; 2. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Yamaha Factory Racing +0.214; 3. John Hopkins (USA) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP +0.290; 4. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati Marlboro Team +0.444; 5. Toni Elias (SPA) Honda Gresini +0.452; 6. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati Marlboro Team +0.532; 7. Chris Vermeulen (AUS) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP +0.614; 8. Colin Edwards (USA) Yamaha Factory Racing +0.669; 9. Marco Melandri (ITA) Honda Gresini +0.712; 10. Alex Barros (BRA) Pramac d'Antin Ducati +0.758; 13. Randy De Puniet (FRA) Kawasaki Racing Team +1.042; 15. Olivier Jacque (FRA) Kawasaki Racing Team +1.367
Pedrosa
Sat Jun 09, 2007 11:40 am
If Pedrosa is ever to shine it's here.... 
Sat Jun 09, 2007 8:52 pm
whoa, randy may have found summat...
1. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 1min 42.562 secs
2. Randy de Puniet FRA Kawasaki Racing Team (B) 1min 43.045 secs
3. John Hopkins USA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 1min 43.105 secs
4. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team (M) 1min 43.212 secs
5. Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda Team (M) 1min 43.257 secs
6. Chris Vermeulen AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 1min 43.377 secs
7. Loris Capirossi ITA Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 1min 43.649 secs
8. Toni Elias SPA Gresini Honda (B) 1min 43.675 secs
9. Colin Edwards USA Fiat Yamaha Team (M) 1min 43.780 secs
10. Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda Team (M) 1min 43.806 secs
11. Alex Barros BRA Pramac d'Antin MotoGP (B) 1min 43.986 secs
12. Marco Melandri ITA Gresini Honda (B) 1min 43.995 secs
13. Carlos Checa SPA Honda LCR (M) 1min 43.998 secs
14. Sylvain Guintoli FRA Dunlop Tech 3 Yamaha (D) 1min 44.181 secs
15. Makoto Tamada JPN Dunlop Tech 3 Yamaha (D) 1min 44.268 secs
16. Alex Hofmann GER Pramac d'Antin MotoGP (B) 1min 44.287 secs
17. Kenny Roberts USA Team Roberts (M) 1min 44.511 secs
18. Shinya Nakano JPN Konica Minolta Honda (M) 1min 44.646 secs
19. Olivier Jacque FRA Kawasaki Racing Team (B) 1min 44.923 secs
20. Kurtis Roberts USA Team Roberts (M) 1min 45.304 secs
1. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 1min 42.562 secs
2. Randy de Puniet FRA Kawasaki Racing Team (B) 1min 43.045 secs
3. John Hopkins USA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 1min 43.105 secs
4. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team (M) 1min 43.212 secs
5. Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda Team (M) 1min 43.257 secs
6. Chris Vermeulen AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 1min 43.377 secs
7. Loris Capirossi ITA Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 1min 43.649 secs
8. Toni Elias SPA Gresini Honda (B) 1min 43.675 secs
9. Colin Edwards USA Fiat Yamaha Team (M) 1min 43.780 secs
10. Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda Team (M) 1min 43.806 secs
11. Alex Barros BRA Pramac d'Antin MotoGP (B) 1min 43.986 secs
12. Marco Melandri ITA Gresini Honda (B) 1min 43.995 secs
13. Carlos Checa SPA Honda LCR (M) 1min 43.998 secs
14. Sylvain Guintoli FRA Dunlop Tech 3 Yamaha (D) 1min 44.181 secs
15. Makoto Tamada JPN Dunlop Tech 3 Yamaha (D) 1min 44.268 secs
16. Alex Hofmann GER Pramac d'Antin MotoGP (B) 1min 44.287 secs
17. Kenny Roberts USA Team Roberts (M) 1min 44.511 secs
18. Shinya Nakano JPN Konica Minolta Honda (M) 1min 44.646 secs
19. Olivier Jacque FRA Kawasaki Racing Team (B) 1min 44.923 secs
20. Kurtis Roberts USA Team Roberts (M) 1min 45.304 secs
Sat Jun 09, 2007 9:56 pm
hmmpf - he'll crash before the 10th lap.
ty
PS. I won't mind being proven wrong.
ty
PS. I won't mind being proven wrong.
Sat Jun 09, 2007 10:19 pm
OJ crashed out of the morning session - won't be racing...
Sun Jun 10, 2007 11:22 am
Circuit: Catalunya
Date: 09/06/2007
HIGHS AND LOWS FOR KAWASAKI IN BARCELONA
Kawasaki Racing Team rider, Randy de Puniet, will start tomorrow’s MotoGP race in Catalunya, the seventh of the season, from the first row of the grid. However, in a case of mixed fortunes for the squad, his teammate, Olivier Jacque, was unable to qualify due to a crash in practice.
De Puniet started the day by putting in a heroic performance during this morning’s third free practice session, riding as if his massively swollen left knee, caused by a crash last week at Mugello, was nothing more than a minor hindrance. Cutting his previous best time around the circuit by more than a second, Randy completed the preparatory laps, coming second only to current world championship leader, Casey Stoner, on combined times.
However, the Frenchman, riding the 800cc Ninja ZX-RR, went on to raise yet more eyebrows in an astonishing show of bravery during the afternoon’s qualifying session. De Puniet shot to the top of the timesheet, with a time of 1’41.901. So impressive was his lap, he remained on provisional pole for a considerable period of the frantic session. Indeed, it took seven times world champion, Valentino Rossi, breaking the circuit record of 1’41.855, to knock the Kawasaki pilot into second place, where he remained despite the best efforts of his fellow racers to dislodge him. Even then, the Italian’s advantage over Randy remained at just 0.061 seconds.
His second position spot makes Randy the top Bridgestone rider on the grid, reflecting the team’s ongoing, and unquestionably positive, working partnership with the tyre manufacturer. It is also Randy’s best ever starting position in MotoGP: quite something, taking into account he’s riding in some pain and with considerable discomfort.
But it isn’t all smiles down at the Kawasaki pit garage. Number 19 rider, Olivier Jacque, who was only just recovering from a fall in Shanghai last month, crashed again in free practice. The 33-year-old Frenchman highsided on turn five of the circuit, a slow hairpin corner, and was put into a neck brace before being carried off on a stretcher. After a check up at the paddock’s Clinica Mobile, Jacque was taken to a nearby hospital in Barcelona for further evaluation. As a result, he was unable to qualify for tomorrow’s race.
It’s a hugely frustrating situation for both rider and team as the former 250cc world champion has struggled to find his form during the season so far.
Sweltering weather and a huge crowd are expected at the popular Catalan circuit for the 25-lap race tomorrow. Whether or not Randy will be able to maintain his pace for the 188.2 km distance remains to be seen but the team are delighted to see the ZX-RR up there on the first row, where it belongs.
2nd - 18 Laps - Best Lap 1'41.901
“It is a great feeling to be on the front row! Yesterday we struggled a little bit, but my crew did a great job in the evening and this morning, which paid off already this morning with second position in the third free practice. We worked on the suspension set up and the chassis as well as making some adjustments in the mapping and we solved yesterday’s problem with the rear grip. This morning I tried as well a harder rear tyre option and, even though its performance dropped after a few laps, I am confident to use it for the race. My knee was really painful and we decided to delay my qualifying practice start for about 15 minutes. I went out first with the race tyre option to confirm it and then I tried the first qualifying tyre. I did a great effort with it and pushed as much as I could. I knew that physically I wouldn’t have many chances to get the most of the three sets, as it was. I am exhausted right now because in qualifying you need to give it all in just one lap. My main problem is to have to stop and go and not when I am riding. Tomorrow’s race is going to be hard but I am sure that after a couple of laps, when I will get the rhythm, everything is going to be fine."
Kawasaki Technical Manager
“Yesterday we said that we were just expecting our riders to do their best and, honestly, we were not expecting this result. But Randy is a professional rider and today he definitely proved it. He showed a really good performance and concentration today getting his very first front row start in MotoGP. But this means even more considering his physical condition. He made a huge effort and did an amazing flying lap. It was a pity to lose the pole position by only 0.061 seconds, but considering our expectations, we are delighted. As well as his qualifying position, we are also satisfied with today’s practice performance as we improved a lot the set up of the bike compared with yesterday. The balance and engine management are much better now and the bike is more effective in the high-speed corners, helping out too with the race tyre’s consistency. We already know that the race is going to be difficult for Randy, though it would be good to see him in the group making a consistent race."
Kawasaki Competition Manager
"It's certainly been an up and down few weeks for us. We had a bad weekend in Mugello last week, and the prospects for this weekend weren't, if I'm honest, looking much better. We could see Randy was suffering with his injured knee, despite the fact that he's not complained once about what must be causing him some pain on the bike. But then he goes and puts in a fantastic lap this afternoon to take his first front row start in MotoGP, missing out on pole by the narrowest of margins. Watching him ride that lap, and knowing his condition, was an emotional experience. A front row start is great for Randy's confidence ahead of what promises to be a hard race for him. But, it's also good for the team; as this is the first front row start since the team was brought in house in November. Unfortunately, Olivier crashed this morning and took a big knock on the head, which required a trip to the circuit medical centre, where medical staff sent him to hospital in Barcelona for x-rays. We are now awaiting the results and should have more news shortly."
1. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Yamaha Factory Racing 1'41.840; 2. Randy De Puniet (FRA) Kawasaki Racing Team +0.061; 3. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Repsol Honda Team +0.162; 4. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati Marlboro Team +0.277; 5. John Hopkins (USA) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP +0.393; 6. Colin Edwards (USA) Yamaha Factory Racing +0.443; 7. Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda Team +0.682; 8. Toni Elias (SPA) Honda Gresini +0.767; 9. Marco Melandri (ITA) Honda Gresini +0.783; 10. Alex Hofmann (GER) Pramac d'Antin Ducati +1.020
Date: 09/06/2007
HIGHS AND LOWS FOR KAWASAKI IN BARCELONA
Kawasaki Racing Team rider, Randy de Puniet, will start tomorrow’s MotoGP race in Catalunya, the seventh of the season, from the first row of the grid. However, in a case of mixed fortunes for the squad, his teammate, Olivier Jacque, was unable to qualify due to a crash in practice.
De Puniet started the day by putting in a heroic performance during this morning’s third free practice session, riding as if his massively swollen left knee, caused by a crash last week at Mugello, was nothing more than a minor hindrance. Cutting his previous best time around the circuit by more than a second, Randy completed the preparatory laps, coming second only to current world championship leader, Casey Stoner, on combined times.
However, the Frenchman, riding the 800cc Ninja ZX-RR, went on to raise yet more eyebrows in an astonishing show of bravery during the afternoon’s qualifying session. De Puniet shot to the top of the timesheet, with a time of 1’41.901. So impressive was his lap, he remained on provisional pole for a considerable period of the frantic session. Indeed, it took seven times world champion, Valentino Rossi, breaking the circuit record of 1’41.855, to knock the Kawasaki pilot into second place, where he remained despite the best efforts of his fellow racers to dislodge him. Even then, the Italian’s advantage over Randy remained at just 0.061 seconds.
His second position spot makes Randy the top Bridgestone rider on the grid, reflecting the team’s ongoing, and unquestionably positive, working partnership with the tyre manufacturer. It is also Randy’s best ever starting position in MotoGP: quite something, taking into account he’s riding in some pain and with considerable discomfort.
But it isn’t all smiles down at the Kawasaki pit garage. Number 19 rider, Olivier Jacque, who was only just recovering from a fall in Shanghai last month, crashed again in free practice. The 33-year-old Frenchman highsided on turn five of the circuit, a slow hairpin corner, and was put into a neck brace before being carried off on a stretcher. After a check up at the paddock’s Clinica Mobile, Jacque was taken to a nearby hospital in Barcelona for further evaluation. As a result, he was unable to qualify for tomorrow’s race.
It’s a hugely frustrating situation for both rider and team as the former 250cc world champion has struggled to find his form during the season so far.
Sweltering weather and a huge crowd are expected at the popular Catalan circuit for the 25-lap race tomorrow. Whether or not Randy will be able to maintain his pace for the 188.2 km distance remains to be seen but the team are delighted to see the ZX-RR up there on the first row, where it belongs.
2nd - 18 Laps - Best Lap 1'41.901
“It is a great feeling to be on the front row! Yesterday we struggled a little bit, but my crew did a great job in the evening and this morning, which paid off already this morning with second position in the third free practice. We worked on the suspension set up and the chassis as well as making some adjustments in the mapping and we solved yesterday’s problem with the rear grip. This morning I tried as well a harder rear tyre option and, even though its performance dropped after a few laps, I am confident to use it for the race. My knee was really painful and we decided to delay my qualifying practice start for about 15 minutes. I went out first with the race tyre option to confirm it and then I tried the first qualifying tyre. I did a great effort with it and pushed as much as I could. I knew that physically I wouldn’t have many chances to get the most of the three sets, as it was. I am exhausted right now because in qualifying you need to give it all in just one lap. My main problem is to have to stop and go and not when I am riding. Tomorrow’s race is going to be hard but I am sure that after a couple of laps, when I will get the rhythm, everything is going to be fine."
Kawasaki Technical Manager
“Yesterday we said that we were just expecting our riders to do their best and, honestly, we were not expecting this result. But Randy is a professional rider and today he definitely proved it. He showed a really good performance and concentration today getting his very first front row start in MotoGP. But this means even more considering his physical condition. He made a huge effort and did an amazing flying lap. It was a pity to lose the pole position by only 0.061 seconds, but considering our expectations, we are delighted. As well as his qualifying position, we are also satisfied with today’s practice performance as we improved a lot the set up of the bike compared with yesterday. The balance and engine management are much better now and the bike is more effective in the high-speed corners, helping out too with the race tyre’s consistency. We already know that the race is going to be difficult for Randy, though it would be good to see him in the group making a consistent race."
Kawasaki Competition Manager
"It's certainly been an up and down few weeks for us. We had a bad weekend in Mugello last week, and the prospects for this weekend weren't, if I'm honest, looking much better. We could see Randy was suffering with his injured knee, despite the fact that he's not complained once about what must be causing him some pain on the bike. But then he goes and puts in a fantastic lap this afternoon to take his first front row start in MotoGP, missing out on pole by the narrowest of margins. Watching him ride that lap, and knowing his condition, was an emotional experience. A front row start is great for Randy's confidence ahead of what promises to be a hard race for him. But, it's also good for the team; as this is the first front row start since the team was brought in house in November. Unfortunately, Olivier crashed this morning and took a big knock on the head, which required a trip to the circuit medical centre, where medical staff sent him to hospital in Barcelona for x-rays. We are now awaiting the results and should have more news shortly."
1. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Yamaha Factory Racing 1'41.840; 2. Randy De Puniet (FRA) Kawasaki Racing Team +0.061; 3. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Repsol Honda Team +0.162; 4. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati Marlboro Team +0.277; 5. John Hopkins (USA) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP +0.393; 6. Colin Edwards (USA) Yamaha Factory Racing +0.443; 7. Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda Team +0.682; 8. Toni Elias (SPA) Honda Gresini +0.767; 9. Marco Melandri (ITA) Honda Gresini +0.783; 10. Alex Hofmann (GER) Pramac d'Antin Ducati +1.020
Sun Jun 10, 2007 5:59 pm
hmmm can randy put it on the steps?? would like to see it...and id like to see casey in front of Vale too!!
Sun Jun 10, 2007 6:12 pm
Neka79 wrote:hmmm can randy put it on the steps?? would like to see it...and id like to see casey in front of Vale too!!
Randy is a good chance of putting it on the steps...of the hospital!!!
He is riding injured again so I would reckon he is likely to fade if he finishes, but would be rapt if he can get a top 5.
Rossi rates Catalunya as in his top 2 tracks (Mugello being the other one) so he is gonna be mighty hard to beat. Dani has to start winning from here if he is gonna figure in the title chase and the other Spanish always go nuts when in front of their home crowd. Hopefully Stoner can stay out of trouble and pinch some points from Vale.
Mon Jun 11, 2007 9:23 am
Circuit: Catalunya
Date: 10/06/2007
ELATED KAWASAKI CELEBRATE DE PUNIET’S RIDE AGAINST THE ODDS
Against all probability, Kawasaki Racing Team rider, Randy de Puniet, finished this afternoon’s MotoGP from Catalunya in fifth position: his best ever result in the premier class.
Despite riding with an agonising knee injury, sustained last week at Mugello, and a shoulder strapped up after an earlier tumble in Le Mans, the 26-year-old Frenchman maintained a monumental pace, keeping many of the series’ usual front runners at bay.
After starting from his first ever front row position on a MotoGP grid, he reached the first corner in fifth but lost out to Toni Elias soon after. A few laps in, despite the Spanish Honda Gresini rider trying to correct an error and briefly running in to de Puniet, hitting his handlebar and, ironically, his injured left knee, Randy kept his cool and, re-passing Elias, regained fifth position, which he maintained for the rest of the gruelling 25-lap race.
In front of a crowd of 112,600 fans, Randy amazed everyone by not once giving in to the painful and debilitating swelling in his leg. Furthermore, incredible heat, an aching collarbone and significant problems trying to breathe steadily, similarly failed to detract him from his task. Lap time after lap time proved he was both concentrated and consistent over the full race distance.
As he crossed the line, an exhausted but elated Randy celebrated his fantastic achievement with a mammoth wheelie of almost Biaggi-like proportions. It marks the end of a weekend which has seen the Ninja ZX-RR pilot making consistently fast runs around the circuit at Montmelo, near Barcelona, putting him second only to world championship leader, Casey Stoner, on the free practice combined timesheets and second, again, to seven times world champion, Valentino Rossi, on the grid. Bearing in mind these two riders claimed first and second positions after today’s hard-fought race, it bodes well for the future of both Kawasaki’s bike and rider who had, throughout the weekend, proved the ones for them to beat.
Randy’s previous best finishes were two eighth places, gained earlier this year in Turkey and China. Today’s fifth gained him a further 11 championship points to add to his existing 19, moving him up to 13th on the leaderboard.
After a crash in yesterday’s third free practice session, Randy’s Kawasaki stable mate, Olivier Jacque, was unable to qualify for today’s race. After tests, the 33-year-old Frenchman remains in hospital in Barcelona, under orders to rest after injuring his neck. However, he did not, thankfully, receive any serious injuries after his highside at the circuit’s turn five hairpin. His absence from the Gran Premio Cinzano de Catalunya is an undoubted blow to the Kawasaki team, who are keeping a close eye on his progress.
It is two weeks until the next race of the season: the Nickel and Dime British Grand Prix at Donington Park. Traditionally another hugely popular and well-attended round, the team look forward to further improving on their results and showing off the ever-advancing Ninja bikes in front of another loud and passionate crowd.
5th Position
"Even though now it is difficult for me to breath, I am really happy about what I did today. Not only because I got the best MotoGP result of my career so far, but because I did it regardless of my physical condition. I already knew it was going to be hard and the knee, the shoulder and the heat didn’t make it easy. I did a regular start and I lost a couple of positions and one more when Elias passed me after a fright in La Caixa turn. I was sixth after the first lap but I was certain my bike was much better than his. I don’t know what happened but a few laps later he touched my knee and my handlebar and, even though it didn’t take much to overtook him that made me lose contact with the front guys. I kept pushing and rode a good rhythm but they were definitely faster. We did a good job this weekend and my Ninja ZX-RR and my Bridgestone tyres worked so well today. I was completely focussed on my lap time, my braking points… At the end, Capirossi was coming closer but I managed to maintain a distance and got this fifth position that has a really good taste. I would like to thank everybody, the team, Kawasaki, Bridgestone, for helping me make this race a success. I hope that we can now build on this result."
Kawasaki Competition Manager
"I think the only word that can be used to describe Randy's performance today is: impressive. Despite carrying injuries, his pace has been extraordinary all weekend, where he's virtually made second place on the timesheet his own throughout practice and qualifying. The pain is etched on his face every time he takes his helmet off, but he managed to stay consistent throughout the race today, and he wasn't fazed at all by the collision with Elias in the opening laps. Towards the end I thought Capirossi and Vermeulen might catch Randy, but he realised they were closing and kept his rhythm to maintain the gap to the line. In the end, he achieved a career best finish in MotoGP and gave Kawasaki our best result of the team's new era. Randy's result goes someway to compensating for the fact that Olivier was unable to race today after his crash on Saturday. After some disappointments, this weekend couldn't have turned out better for us, and I hope Catalunya will prove to be the turning point in a season that seems to have been plagued by bad luck up until now."
1. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati Marlboro Team 43'16.907; 2. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Yamaha Factory Racing +0.069; 3. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Repsol Honda Team +0.390; 4. John Hopkins (USA) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP +7.814; 5. Randy De Puniet (FRA) Kawasaki Racing Team +17.853; 6. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati Marlboro Team +19.409; 7. Chris Vermeulen (AUS) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP +19.495; 8. Alex Barros (BRA) Pramac d'Antin Ducati +24.862; 9. Marco Melandri (ITA) Honda Gresini +24.963; 10. Colin Edwards (USA) Yamaha Factory Racing +35.348; DNS. Olivier Jacque (FRA) Kawasaki Racing Team
Date: 10/06/2007
ELATED KAWASAKI CELEBRATE DE PUNIET’S RIDE AGAINST THE ODDS
Against all probability, Kawasaki Racing Team rider, Randy de Puniet, finished this afternoon’s MotoGP from Catalunya in fifth position: his best ever result in the premier class.
Despite riding with an agonising knee injury, sustained last week at Mugello, and a shoulder strapped up after an earlier tumble in Le Mans, the 26-year-old Frenchman maintained a monumental pace, keeping many of the series’ usual front runners at bay.
After starting from his first ever front row position on a MotoGP grid, he reached the first corner in fifth but lost out to Toni Elias soon after. A few laps in, despite the Spanish Honda Gresini rider trying to correct an error and briefly running in to de Puniet, hitting his handlebar and, ironically, his injured left knee, Randy kept his cool and, re-passing Elias, regained fifth position, which he maintained for the rest of the gruelling 25-lap race.
In front of a crowd of 112,600 fans, Randy amazed everyone by not once giving in to the painful and debilitating swelling in his leg. Furthermore, incredible heat, an aching collarbone and significant problems trying to breathe steadily, similarly failed to detract him from his task. Lap time after lap time proved he was both concentrated and consistent over the full race distance.
As he crossed the line, an exhausted but elated Randy celebrated his fantastic achievement with a mammoth wheelie of almost Biaggi-like proportions. It marks the end of a weekend which has seen the Ninja ZX-RR pilot making consistently fast runs around the circuit at Montmelo, near Barcelona, putting him second only to world championship leader, Casey Stoner, on the free practice combined timesheets and second, again, to seven times world champion, Valentino Rossi, on the grid. Bearing in mind these two riders claimed first and second positions after today’s hard-fought race, it bodes well for the future of both Kawasaki’s bike and rider who had, throughout the weekend, proved the ones for them to beat.
Randy’s previous best finishes were two eighth places, gained earlier this year in Turkey and China. Today’s fifth gained him a further 11 championship points to add to his existing 19, moving him up to 13th on the leaderboard.
After a crash in yesterday’s third free practice session, Randy’s Kawasaki stable mate, Olivier Jacque, was unable to qualify for today’s race. After tests, the 33-year-old Frenchman remains in hospital in Barcelona, under orders to rest after injuring his neck. However, he did not, thankfully, receive any serious injuries after his highside at the circuit’s turn five hairpin. His absence from the Gran Premio Cinzano de Catalunya is an undoubted blow to the Kawasaki team, who are keeping a close eye on his progress.
It is two weeks until the next race of the season: the Nickel and Dime British Grand Prix at Donington Park. Traditionally another hugely popular and well-attended round, the team look forward to further improving on their results and showing off the ever-advancing Ninja bikes in front of another loud and passionate crowd.
5th Position
"Even though now it is difficult for me to breath, I am really happy about what I did today. Not only because I got the best MotoGP result of my career so far, but because I did it regardless of my physical condition. I already knew it was going to be hard and the knee, the shoulder and the heat didn’t make it easy. I did a regular start and I lost a couple of positions and one more when Elias passed me after a fright in La Caixa turn. I was sixth after the first lap but I was certain my bike was much better than his. I don’t know what happened but a few laps later he touched my knee and my handlebar and, even though it didn’t take much to overtook him that made me lose contact with the front guys. I kept pushing and rode a good rhythm but they were definitely faster. We did a good job this weekend and my Ninja ZX-RR and my Bridgestone tyres worked so well today. I was completely focussed on my lap time, my braking points… At the end, Capirossi was coming closer but I managed to maintain a distance and got this fifth position that has a really good taste. I would like to thank everybody, the team, Kawasaki, Bridgestone, for helping me make this race a success. I hope that we can now build on this result."
Kawasaki Competition Manager
"I think the only word that can be used to describe Randy's performance today is: impressive. Despite carrying injuries, his pace has been extraordinary all weekend, where he's virtually made second place on the timesheet his own throughout practice and qualifying. The pain is etched on his face every time he takes his helmet off, but he managed to stay consistent throughout the race today, and he wasn't fazed at all by the collision with Elias in the opening laps. Towards the end I thought Capirossi and Vermeulen might catch Randy, but he realised they were closing and kept his rhythm to maintain the gap to the line. In the end, he achieved a career best finish in MotoGP and gave Kawasaki our best result of the team's new era. Randy's result goes someway to compensating for the fact that Olivier was unable to race today after his crash on Saturday. After some disappointments, this weekend couldn't have turned out better for us, and I hope Catalunya will prove to be the turning point in a season that seems to have been plagued by bad luck up until now."
1. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati Marlboro Team 43'16.907; 2. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Yamaha Factory Racing +0.069; 3. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Repsol Honda Team +0.390; 4. John Hopkins (USA) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP +7.814; 5. Randy De Puniet (FRA) Kawasaki Racing Team +17.853; 6. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati Marlboro Team +19.409; 7. Chris Vermeulen (AUS) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP +19.495; 8. Alex Barros (BRA) Pramac d'Antin Ducati +24.862; 9. Marco Melandri (ITA) Honda Gresini +24.963; 10. Colin Edwards (USA) Yamaha Factory Racing +35.348; DNS. Olivier Jacque (FRA) Kawasaki Racing Team
Mon Jun 11, 2007 2:01 pm
ty wrote:hmmpf - he'll crash before the 10th lap.
ty
PS. I won't mind being proven wrong.
Very glad to me wrong am I.
Mon Jun 11, 2007 4:10 pm
Zoidberg wrote:Neka79 wrote:hmmm can randy put it on the steps?? would like to see it...and id like to see casey in front of Vale too!!
Randy is a good chance of putting it on the steps...of the hospital!!!
He is riding injured again so I would reckon he is likely to fade if he finishes, but would be rapt if he can get a top 5.
Rossi rates Catalunya as in his top 2 tracks (Mugello being the other one) so he is gonna be mighty hard to beat. Dani has to start winning from here if he is gonna figure in the title chase and the other Spanish always go nuts when in front of their home crowd. Hopefully Stoner can stay out of trouble and pinch some points from Vale.
well mate...u must be happy??
Randy a top 5 (HE was happy- see his wheelie!!)
Vale got beaten on his top track....
By Casey who took 5 more points away from him, and proved he CAN ride...
wot a top race...go casey go casey go... (to the tune of "go frenzal go")
Mon Jun 11, 2007 8:48 pm
Neka79 wrote:Zoidberg wrote:Neka79 wrote:hmmm can randy put it on the steps?? would like to see it...and id like to see casey in front of Vale too!!
Randy is a good chance of putting it on the steps...of the hospital!!!
He is riding injured again so I would reckon he is likely to fade if he finishes, but would be rapt if he can get a top 5.
Rossi rates Catalunya as in his top 2 tracks (Mugello being the other one) so he is gonna be mighty hard to beat. Dani has to start winning from here if he is gonna figure in the title chase and the other Spanish always go nuts when in front of their home crowd. Hopefully Stoner can stay out of trouble and pinch some points from Vale.
well mate...u must be happy??
Randy a top 5 (HE was happy- see his wheelie!!)
Vale got beaten on his top track....
By Casey who took 5 more points away from him, and proved he CAN ride...
wot a top race...go casey go casey go... (to the tune of "go frenzal go")
Yeah mate, I am, well, rapt. RdP's ride was fantastic and hopefully this is a sign of things to come from he and Team Kwak.
The race was absolutely sensational. Stoner and Rossi were so evenly matched that Dani just missed that tiny edge to be able to do any more than have the best spactator seat in the world! The most impressive thing about Casey is how he keeps riding his own race regardless of the pressure and it is up to the other riders to find a way past because he just isn't making mistakes.
Jorge's post race "rock star" celebration was as funny as any I have seen. As much as I would love to see him on a green bike next year, I think it would be far more entertaining to see the fireworks fly with he and Vale trying to fit their ego's under one pit garage roof.
Also in Kawasaki MotoGP news, Ant West is to test their bike after the Catalan GP (today) in the absence of OJ. Be interesting to see if that leads anywhere.
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sport ... kawasaki-/
Mon Jun 11, 2007 11:38 pm
interesting... wouldnt be upset if Ant got a seat, as long as he didnt carry on like a pratt...
Wed Jun 13, 2007 1:35 pm
Great racing. cant wait till the next one in 2 weeks