In just his third MotoGP race, LCR Honda rider Casey Stoner finished a brilliant second to a claim a podium place in today's Turkish Grand Prix. After a breathtaking battle against fellow Honda rider Marco Melandri over the final five laps Stoner finished just 0.2s behind the Italian rider. Stoner started from seventh on the grid and was always racing in the lead group against early leader Chris Vermeulen and then Sete Gibernau, Nicky Hayden, Dani Pedrosa and Melandri.
Stoner took the lead on lap 18 of 22 and looked set to record an historic victory until Melandri made his move under brakes on the entry to final, triple-corner complex before the finish line. Stoner's first podium comes just three weeks after he stunned his MotoGP rivals with pole position at the Qatar Grand Prix. Stoner is fourth in the points with 41, just 11 behind championship leader Nicky Hayden.
CASEY:
"That was more like a 125 race and this result is a great feeling because I have proved to myself and everyone else that I can race up front in MotoGP. I feel as if l have answered some of my critics today. I was expecting Marco to try and pass at the end of the straight because I wasn't that confident at that point, I had crashed there a couple times over the weekend. I knew I could be on the podium and I didn't want to risk the 20 points. My crew chief Ramon and the team did a great job, we work very well together and I have been getting amazing support from Honda and Michelin."
LUCIO:
"It's a wonderful day for Casey and the team because this is only our third race in MotoGP and the potential Casey showed today is even more than anyone would have expected. He finished second but for us it is like a win and on the final lap Marco Melandri was very hard and took the victory -- but Casey was fantastic today."
Stoner says...
CASEY AT MUGELLO
ITALIAN MOTO GP MUGELLO
Honda LCR rider Casey Stoner made a dramatic exit from the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello when he crashed out of third place on lap nine of the 23 lap race. Stoner received massage treatment for a sore neck at the medical centre but was otherwise unhurt. After an impressive charge from ninth on the grid into third behind race leader Valentino Rossi, Stoner crashed his Honda RC211V at uphill turn three when he lost the front-end. Stoner was racing strongly on the front-running pace, closing on Rossi and Ducati rider Sete Gibernau when he made his early exit. The 20-year old Australian had moved into third position after a tense three lap battle against fellow Honda rider Marco Melandri, who eventually finished sixth. The race was by Rossi who is now level with Stoner on 65 points, in sixth place, in the world championship. Stoner and the Honda LCR team will not participate in tomorrow’s MotoGP test day at Mugello.
Casey:
"I feel a little average, my neck is quite sore but I’ve had it checked out at the medical centre and there is no problem. Unfortunately I made a small mistake, I lost the front and then I got it pulled back, but then the bike got nervous and the front-end went again on a bump. I was frustrated by Melandri holding me up, he was very hard on the brakes but overall I’m happy -- there are lot of positives because I was very competitive with the top Italian riders on their home track and running a fast pace up front ."
Lucio:
"Unfortunately crashes can happen in a very hard race like this. Initially I was worried because the crash happened at fast rate but Casey is OK. For the race Casey had very good set-up and again today he showed that he is very fast and strong, able to run at the front with the very best riders in MotoGP. We have decided that Casey will not test at Mugello on Monday to allow him to time to rest."
Honda LCR rider Casey Stoner made a dramatic exit from the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello when he crashed out of third place on lap nine of the 23 lap race. Stoner received massage treatment for a sore neck at the medical centre but was otherwise unhurt. After an impressive charge from ninth on the grid into third behind race leader Valentino Rossi, Stoner crashed his Honda RC211V at uphill turn three when he lost the front-end. Stoner was racing strongly on the front-running pace, closing on Rossi and Ducati rider Sete Gibernau when he made his early exit. The 20-year old Australian had moved into third position after a tense three lap battle against fellow Honda rider Marco Melandri, who eventually finished sixth. The race was by Rossi who is now level with Stoner on 65 points, in sixth place, in the world championship. Stoner and the Honda LCR team will not participate in tomorrow’s MotoGP test day at Mugello.
Casey:
"I feel a little average, my neck is quite sore but I’ve had it checked out at the medical centre and there is no problem. Unfortunately I made a small mistake, I lost the front and then I got it pulled back, but then the bike got nervous and the front-end went again on a bump. I was frustrated by Melandri holding me up, he was very hard on the brakes but overall I’m happy -- there are lot of positives because I was very competitive with the top Italian riders on their home track and running a fast pace up front ."
Lucio:
"Unfortunately crashes can happen in a very hard race like this. Initially I was worried because the crash happened at fast rate but Casey is OK. For the race Casey had very good set-up and again today he showed that he is very fast and strong, able to run at the front with the very best riders in MotoGP. We have decided that Casey will not test at Mugello on Monday to allow him to time to rest."
STONER @ SACHSENRING
Riding an updated Honda chassis for the first time today, Australian rookie Casey Stoner finished eighth fastest in free practice at the Sachsenring. The new chassis specification was supplied to the Honda LCR team by HRC and Stoner’s initial response is very positive. The mid-season upgrade for Stoner comes after series of impressive performances in his rookie season aboard a Honda RC211V.
Stoner has finished top six in every race he has finished this season, including second place in Turkey and pole position at Qatar. Today the LCR squad concentrated on finding the best set-up direction for the chassis, always a difficult task at race weekend with limited track time. After small crash in the morning session Stoner set his fastest time (1’23.889) this afternoon, using the new chassis; just 0.1s outside the current track record. Conditions were cool and overcast for both of today’s free practice sessions.
Casey: “The new chassis feels more nimble, I can change direction quicker, and get off the corners better. Unfortunately we don’t have a base set-up so it is taking a lot of time to find the right direction. And the morning session was a setback because I crashed the new bike and we lost some track time. In afternoon we had some problems with the traction control and rear grip and I just need more time to adapt and find the right set-up, but I’m not too far off the pace and just easing into it. With some more traction I should be able improve my times”.
Lucio:
“We have been supplied one updated chassis by HRC and Casey’s initial reaction is positive but the team still needs time to find the optimum set-up -- the spare bike is the standard RCV. Unfortunately Casey had small crash this morning because it was the first day without the perfect set-up”.
Stoner has finished top six in every race he has finished this season, including second place in Turkey and pole position at Qatar. Today the LCR squad concentrated on finding the best set-up direction for the chassis, always a difficult task at race weekend with limited track time. After small crash in the morning session Stoner set his fastest time (1’23.889) this afternoon, using the new chassis; just 0.1s outside the current track record. Conditions were cool and overcast for both of today’s free practice sessions.
Casey: “The new chassis feels more nimble, I can change direction quicker, and get off the corners better. Unfortunately we don’t have a base set-up so it is taking a lot of time to find the right direction. And the morning session was a setback because I crashed the new bike and we lost some track time. In afternoon we had some problems with the traction control and rear grip and I just need more time to adapt and find the right set-up, but I’m not too far off the pace and just easing into it. With some more traction I should be able improve my times”.
Lucio:
“We have been supplied one updated chassis by HRC and Casey’s initial reaction is positive but the team still needs time to find the optimum set-up -- the spare bike is the standard RCV. Unfortunately Casey had small crash this morning because it was the first day without the perfect set-up”.
SEPANG
Honda LCR rider Casey Stoner was fifth fastest overall in today’s free practice despite suffering leg cramps at a hot and humid Sepang Circuit. Stoner was quickly on the pace with a comfortable set-up in the morning session, posting the second fastest time of 2’02.847, just behind last year’s race winner Loris Capirossi. Stoner’s time did not improve in the afternoon, when track temperatures rose to 46 degrees. Following successful tests at Brno last month, the LCR team are using a new front fork system supplied by HRC and Showa, although more work needs to be done to find the ideal setting.
Casey:
“I had a good feeling with the bike in the morning session but everything we tried in the afternoon did not work, I wasn't getting a lot feedback from the bike. Plus I was having a problems with leg cramp, mostly in the long left-hand corners and I also had some cramp in my left arm. This track at Sepang seems to be my demon track -- I had my shoulder problem here earlier this year in testing, plus leg cramps at the end of last season -- and now it happens again. This is the only track that does it to me, I don’t know what I am doing wrong. In the morning session I wasn’t too far off the pace but in the afternoon I only used worn tyres and could not do the same times – it’s a little frustrating but hopefully it will improve tomorrow.”
Lucio:
“For this race we are trying the new front fork system which provided Casey with a small improvement at the Brno tests. I’m very happy for the support from HRC and Showa but we are still assessing what is the right direction for this set-up for Casey -- it seems to be delicate and reactive, a small change does not always provide a better feeling from the bike.”
Casey:
“I had a good feeling with the bike in the morning session but everything we tried in the afternoon did not work, I wasn't getting a lot feedback from the bike. Plus I was having a problems with leg cramp, mostly in the long left-hand corners and I also had some cramp in my left arm. This track at Sepang seems to be my demon track -- I had my shoulder problem here earlier this year in testing, plus leg cramps at the end of last season -- and now it happens again. This is the only track that does it to me, I don’t know what I am doing wrong. In the morning session I wasn’t too far off the pace but in the afternoon I only used worn tyres and could not do the same times – it’s a little frustrating but hopefully it will improve tomorrow.”
Lucio:
“For this race we are trying the new front fork system which provided Casey with a small improvement at the Brno tests. I’m very happy for the support from HRC and Showa but we are still assessing what is the right direction for this set-up for Casey -- it seems to be delicate and reactive, a small change does not always provide a better feeling from the bike.”
NO POINTS FOR STONER AND LCR TEAM IN JAPAN
Honda LCR rider Casey Stoner failed to finish today’s Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi. The young Australian rider crashed out of eighth place, unhurt, on lap thirteen of the 24 lap race, after being third fastest in the morning warm-up session. After a fast start Stoner charged from 11th on the grid to be fifth on lap one, before passing Sete Gibernau to be fourth, just behind the leaders -- Loris Capirossi, Marco Melandri and Valentino Rossi. On lap ten Stoner lost ground when he ran wide and three laps later he crashed, complaining of front-end handling problems. The race, in sunny conditions, was won by Capirossi.
Casey:
“For two laps from the start the bike felt OK, and I was up to fourth place after passing Gibernau. Unfortunately in the morning warm-up the team decided to put an extra turn of pre-load on the front and it was fine with full load of fuel. But as the fuel went down I had no feeling on the front, and the rear was lifting under brakes and I was running wide. I’m disappointed, because since free practice 3, we had the perfect set-up and we didn’t need to change anything. I wasn’t happy with the race, I should have been able to run low 1’47s, and I really have no explanation for the crash, I don’t know what I did wrong.”
Lucio:
“In the morning warm-up Casey was third fastest behind the two Ducatis with a very good pace. In this session he tested with 0.5 mm more pre-load in the front and afterwards he decided to keep this setting for the race, but it seems with less fuel the bike was not comfortable. Everyone is sad, after the warm-up this should have been a good result.”
Casey:
“For two laps from the start the bike felt OK, and I was up to fourth place after passing Gibernau. Unfortunately in the morning warm-up the team decided to put an extra turn of pre-load on the front and it was fine with full load of fuel. But as the fuel went down I had no feeling on the front, and the rear was lifting under brakes and I was running wide. I’m disappointed, because since free practice 3, we had the perfect set-up and we didn’t need to change anything. I wasn’t happy with the race, I should have been able to run low 1’47s, and I really have no explanation for the crash, I don’t know what I did wrong.”
Lucio:
“In the morning warm-up Casey was third fastest behind the two Ducatis with a very good pace. In this session he tested with 0.5 mm more pre-load in the front and afterwards he decided to keep this setting for the race, but it seems with less fuel the bike was not comfortable. Everyone is sad, after the warm-up this should have been a good result.”
Portugal
In sunny and warm autumn weather, Honda LCR rider Casey Stoner set a sizzling pace in today’s free practice in advance of Sunday’s Portuguese Grand Prix. Riding a Honda RC211V, Stoner posted the fastest time of the day to finish ahead of world championship leader and factory rider Nicky Hayden. Stoner’s best time -- 1’38.218 -- came during an impressive nine lap endurance run in the afternoon session.
Following modifications to the Estoril circuit, Stoner’s time stands as a new, unofficial lap record with times from 2005 no longer valid. Refreshed by a two week break in Australia, Stoner is taking a “no pressure” approach to the final two races of the season, here at Estoril and in two weeks at the Valencia Grand Prix.
Casey:
“I’ve taken some of the pressure off myself this weekend, and just concentrating on doing my job and not expecting anything special, and so far things are coming easier than in recent races - I haven’t been happy with those performances. Both the team and I are being very careful with the information on set-up -- we made a mistake in Japan -- and so far everything is going very well. The track was very dirty and slick today, although the new surface has taken away a lot of the bumps that were problem here. So the track is nicer to ride, but the grip is down. ”
Lucio:
“Today’s performance by both Casey and the team provides a very good starting point for the next two days. The important point was that we worked very hard with both bikes, to quickly find a good set-up, although there are some small things to improve. Casey was very positive today, and very constant with his lap times -- and Michelin did a very good job with tyres.”
Following modifications to the Estoril circuit, Stoner’s time stands as a new, unofficial lap record with times from 2005 no longer valid. Refreshed by a two week break in Australia, Stoner is taking a “no pressure” approach to the final two races of the season, here at Estoril and in two weeks at the Valencia Grand Prix.
Casey:
“I’ve taken some of the pressure off myself this weekend, and just concentrating on doing my job and not expecting anything special, and so far things are coming easier than in recent races - I haven’t been happy with those performances. Both the team and I are being very careful with the information on set-up -- we made a mistake in Japan -- and so far everything is going very well. The track was very dirty and slick today, although the new surface has taken away a lot of the bumps that were problem here. So the track is nicer to ride, but the grip is down. ”
Lucio:
“Today’s performance by both Casey and the team provides a very good starting point for the next two days. The important point was that we worked very hard with both bikes, to quickly find a good set-up, although there are some small things to improve. Casey was very positive today, and very constant with his lap times -- and Michelin did a very good job with tyres.”
Casey& Valencia
The rookie MotoGP season of Casey Stoner and the Honda LCR team reaches its conclusion at the Valencia Grand Prix this Sunday, ending the 17 race championship campaign. The race will be a milestone for both Stoner and LCR team boss Lucio Cecchinello, who took a bold gamble to make a late entry into MotoGP with a Honda RC211V this year. After many seasons of collaboration -- in 125cc, 250cc and MotoGP -- this race will be the final appearance of Stoner with the LCR squad. For 2007, Cecchinello has signed Carlos Checa to ride the new 800cc Honda in MotoGP and LCR will again enter the 250cc championship, with a Honda for Eugene Laverty, the young Irish rider.
After his rookie year, which started strongly with a pole position in Qatar and second place in Turkey, Stoner will move to another team next season. Since the last race at Estoril, Stoner has celebrated his 21st birthday, sharing time off with his cousin in Europe before his final appearance aboard a Honda RC211V. The Valencia GP also makes the end of the glorious era of 990cc, four-stroke racing in MotoGP. From 2007 onwards, MotoGP rules call for a maximum engine capacity of 800ccs.
CASEY : “I’ve had a long and good relationship with Lucio, there is only one year I haven’t been with him since I came into grand prix racing. We came up through the ranks together and he helped me a lot in the beginning, and this year we had an opportunity to get into MotoGP. I like the LCR team and it is kind of difficult to be leaving. We have done a good job this year and even though we’ve made some mistakes, I hoping to finish the season with a decent result at Valencia, a track where I have always been competitive.”
I cant wait to see him on the Red Duc
After his rookie year, which started strongly with a pole position in Qatar and second place in Turkey, Stoner will move to another team next season. Since the last race at Estoril, Stoner has celebrated his 21st birthday, sharing time off with his cousin in Europe before his final appearance aboard a Honda RC211V. The Valencia GP also makes the end of the glorious era of 990cc, four-stroke racing in MotoGP. From 2007 onwards, MotoGP rules call for a maximum engine capacity of 800ccs.
CASEY : “I’ve had a long and good relationship with Lucio, there is only one year I haven’t been with him since I came into grand prix racing. We came up through the ranks together and he helped me a lot in the beginning, and this year we had an opportunity to get into MotoGP. I like the LCR team and it is kind of difficult to be leaving. We have done a good job this year and even though we’ve made some mistakes, I hoping to finish the season with a decent result at Valencia, a track where I have always been competitive.”
I cant wait to see him on the Red Duc
In his final race with the Honda LCR team, Australian rider Casey Stoner failed to finish today’s Valencia Grand Prix. Stoner was running in a strong fifth place when he crashed at turn six, on lap 24. Stoner was unhurt, and hugely disappointed, to end his rookie season with LCR on a Honda RC211V by crashing out.
For most of the race Stoner had fought a close battle with fellow Honda riders Dani Pedrosa and Marco Melandri for fourth place with the trio swapping places many times. Stoner was fifth, just behind Pedrosa, when his race ended. The race was won by Troy Bayliss with Nicky Hayden claiming the world championship victory before a massive crowd of 129,000 spectators.
Casey:
“Today I really I wanted to get a nice result for myself and the LCR team. But it’s strange, I don’t know what is happening -- so many times recently we are fast in practices and have the perfect race set-up, the perfect tyre and then the bike feels nothing like it does in practice. Today it just wouldn’t turn like it did in practice. I’m really disappointed, after everything was so sweet at the start of the season. But I want give a big thanks to the whole LCR team who gave me this opportunity and stuck with me this year.”
Lucio:
“First of all I want to congratulate Honda and Nicky Hayden for winning the world championship, they deserve this victory. Casey finished eighth in the championship and our target was for the top 10, and with some good luck Casey could have been fifth. Overall it has been a positive season, despite some problems. Now I’m looking ahead to 2007 when we race with Carlos Checa and I pass my best wishes to Casey for his new career.”
Gee'sus I hope Casey improves on the Duke! and stay's on the bike.
For most of the race Stoner had fought a close battle with fellow Honda riders Dani Pedrosa and Marco Melandri for fourth place with the trio swapping places many times. Stoner was fifth, just behind Pedrosa, when his race ended. The race was won by Troy Bayliss with Nicky Hayden claiming the world championship victory before a massive crowd of 129,000 spectators.
Casey:
“Today I really I wanted to get a nice result for myself and the LCR team. But it’s strange, I don’t know what is happening -- so many times recently we are fast in practices and have the perfect race set-up, the perfect tyre and then the bike feels nothing like it does in practice. Today it just wouldn’t turn like it did in practice. I’m really disappointed, after everything was so sweet at the start of the season. But I want give a big thanks to the whole LCR team who gave me this opportunity and stuck with me this year.”
Lucio:
“First of all I want to congratulate Honda and Nicky Hayden for winning the world championship, they deserve this victory. Casey finished eighth in the championship and our target was for the top 10, and with some good luck Casey could have been fifth. Overall it has been a positive season, despite some problems. Now I’m looking ahead to 2007 when we race with Carlos Checa and I pass my best wishes to Casey for his new career.”
Gee'sus I hope Casey improves on the Duke!
and stay's on the bike.
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Nanna10r
- Team Ninja
- Posts: 4291
- Joined: Wed Jul 14, 2004 10:42 pm
- Bike: ZX10R
- State: Queensland
- Location: Brisbane Australia
I recon he Had a great year, Sure a couple more finishes would of been good. But for a Single Scoot Team with him doing his own testing & set up.aardvark wrote:He had a crew that was used to setting up 250's is my guess.kempy wrote:Yeah, seriously. What was with Stoner crashing all the time?
He had a blinder. Tamada a previous Motogp Race winner had a better package in 06 & did What ?. Bugger All.
Watch Casey next year When he can just modify Capirossi's set up & go Racing for the wins.
"Nan & Pop Racing"
Poppy Hops on .... CBR150 (Superlite) CBR954 "Blade"
Nanna Naps on .... MoriWAKI NSR85 (Motolite) ZX10R "Crim"
We may ride like Old Can'ts, But Phuk we look DOOG !!!!!!
Poppy Hops on .... CBR150 (Superlite) CBR954 "Blade"
Nanna Naps on .... MoriWAKI NSR85 (Motolite) ZX10R "Crim"
We may ride like Old Can'ts, But Phuk we look DOOG !!!!!!