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2011 MotoGP World Championship Series final round, GP GENERALI DE LA COMUNITAT VALENCIANA / Race report

The final round of MotoGP came to Valencia, and 5 MD600 riders competed in Moto2 class at the Ricardo Tormo circuit.

The sky was covered with clouds from the beginning. The first free practice session started in wet and later changed to dry where the second FP session was in rain.  It was difficult for riders and teams. By FP3 on following day, two Gresini Racing Moto2 riders were in single digit position among others, Yuki Takahashi on 5th and Michele Pirro on 7th.

Finally the qualifying practice started in dry but the condition didn’t last long.  It started drizzling after only few laps.  Gresini riders were quick and managed to put themselves on 1st and 2nd of the time sheet in that short period of time.  It was Pirro’s first pole position and Takahashi’s 6th front row in the season.

And other MD600 riders in QP: Alex Baldolini (Desguaces La Torre G22) 18th, Mashel Al Naimi (QMMF Racing Team) 37th, and replacing injured Cardus, Nasser Hasan Al Malki (QMMF Racing Team) was 38th.

The race started in 16 degree air, 11 degree ground condition.  It started drizzling as the riders were preparing to start.  Takahashi grabbed the hole shot from the second in the grid, and went into turn1.  He was passed and completing the opening lap in 2nd.  Behind him, his teammate Pirro was in 6th, Baldolini in 22nd, Al Naimi in 35th ad Al Malki 38th.

Takahashi passed then the race leader at home straight on next lap, took lead once again.  Pirro was moving up one by one, came to 3rd on lap2 and got 2nd on lap3, 2 Gresini MORIWAKI bikes were leading the race.

Takahashi started stretching the gap to Pirro, and dominating the race but crashed out at lap6.  The continuous drizzling could have influenced, however, he ended his race with a big highside.

Then, Pirro came to the top.  Around 2 seconds margin, he led the race. The gap to the runner up increased in the latter part of the race and Pirro won the race with 6.150sec lead.  The first victory for MD600 in 2011 season.

Other MD600 riders: Baldolini rode well, stayed in 15th in large part of the latter half but finished in 19th.  And Al Naimi in 27th and Al Malki in 29th, completed the race.

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Michele PIRRO’ comment:

Firstly, I’m very happy for the win. This is spiritual race.

It was very difficult because condition of the track wasn’t easy, wet and a little bit of dry, wet and a little bit of dry, but I was concentrating.  And I checked with Marco, following me, and Marco stay on my bike with me.  Maybe this week was very good for me, but only because of Marco stayed with me and on the bike.  Thank you very much for my team and my family, and every one supported us.

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MD600 Qualifying Practice result:

-- POLE POSITION

　TEAM　/　Gresini Racing Moto2

　RIDER /　No.51 Michele PIRRO

  TIME　/  1'37.067

-- 2nd

　TEAM　/　Gresini Racing Moto2

　RIDER /　No.72 Yuki TAKAHASHI

  TIME　/  1'37.076

--18th

　TEAM　/　Desguaces La Torre G22

　RIDER /　No.25 Alex BALDOLINI

  TIME　/  1'39.293

--37th

  TEAM　/　QMMF Racing Team

  RIDER /　No.95　Mashel AL NAIMI

  TIME　/  1'42.627

--38th

  TEAM　/　QMMF Racing Team

  RIDER /　No.96　Nasser Hasan AL MALKI

  TIME　/  1'43.709

---

MD600 Race result:

--1st

　TEAM　/　Gresini Racing Moto2

　RIDER /　No.51 Michele PIRRO

--19th

　TEAM　/　Desguaces La Torre G22

　RIDER /　No.25 Alex BALDOLINI

--27th

  TEAM　/　QMMF Racing Team

  RIDER /　No.95　Mashel AL NAIMI

--29th

  TEAM　/　QMMF Racing Team

  RIDER /　No.96　Nasser Hasan AL MALKI

Not Classified

　TEAM　/　Gresini Racing Moto2

　RIDER /　No.72 Yuki TAKAHASHI

------------------------------------

World Championship Classification

----

CONSTRUCTOR CHAMPIONSHIP

MORIWAKI MD600 RANKING  / 6th / 138point

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RIDER POINT RANKING

--  9th /　 No.51 Michele PIRRO  / 84point

-- 11th /　 No.72 Yuki TAKAHASHI   / 77point

-- 31st /　 No.88 Ricard CARDUS  /  2point

---

Congratulations to Michele Pirro!!!

And thank you to Marco Simoncelli!!!

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MotoGP official website

http://www.motogp.com

http://www.motogp.com/en/Moto2

Result

http://www.motogp.com/en/Results+Statistics

Press Release from GRESINI RACING - 6th November, 2011

PIRRO TAKES THE WIN WITH A HELPING HAND FROM 

 

Sometimes in life things happen that cannot be explained and that was the case today as Michele Pirro stormed to his first ever Grand Prix win at Valencia. An emotional victory dedicated to “Sic” and without doubt thanks in great part to the legendary rider that left us two weeks ago. It was a small grain of consolation to Fausto Gresini after two incredibly tough weeks. Yuki Takahashi crashed out of the lead in difficult conditions, ruining the chance for Team Gresini Moto2 to celebrate what would have been an amazing one-two.

Michele Pirro (1st) 
“After setting pole yesterday I just had to do well today. The conditions were really difficult for the race but I tried to stay focused and then Marco did the rest from on high. He was with me throughout the race and on every lap I was asking him not to leave me alone. It was a long 27 laps and being out there riding alone isn't easy. This victory is dedicated to his family, who are suffering more than anybody right now, to his girlfriend and also to the guys in the team. It hasn't been an easy year for us but a victory at the end of it is a nice tonic. We had a tough time after Malaysia but we managed to convince Fausto to come to Valencia and I am sure it was the right choice because it is what Marco wuld have wanted. Racing was his life and this was the best way to honour him and remember him.”

Yuki Takahashi (DNF)
“I really wanted to have a nice race today but it all went out of the window with a crash. Up to that point I was feeling relaxed and riding well but I got caught out by the track surface. It's a shame because we could have finished with a fantastic team result.”

Fausto Gresini
“This is an incredible feeling. Unfortunately for us it is the second time it has happened: firstly when Sete Gibernau won the race following the death of Kato and today it was Michele Pirro who won for us. It is difficult to comment on such a special race. My heart was beating so fast, I need to calm down. It has been a very difficult fortnight and to go from such deep sorrow to this... it hits you hard.”

Press Release from QMMF Racing Team - 6th November, 2011

QMMF Racing Team riders Al Naimi and Al Malki
survive tricky conditions to finish 27th and 29th

QMMF Racing Team riders Mashel Al Naimi and Nasser Hasan Al Malki finished 27th and 29th in today’s final Moto2 race of the season and achieved the best possible results in extremely difficult conditions. Even though the race was declared “dry” and everybody started on slicks, the Moto2 field was soon challenged with intermittent rain drizzles that made the Ricardo Tormo circuit damp and slippery, but that were never strong enough to justify a race interruption. A smooth riding style was the key to safely finishing the event, especially when the rain got harder for the last six of the 27 laps. Al Naimi and Al Malki, who are both from Qatar and thus used to hot and dry conditions, managed their task beautifully. Even though points were out of reach, they finished the season on a high note and are now determined to come back stronger next year.

Mashel Al Naimi – 27th
"This was a very strange race, because the weather changed not only once but two or three times! I started well and passed many riders, but then I lost grip and they came back on me. I started to push again, but had many slides, especially when the track got a little bit dryer. I once again passed some of the others, but it started to rain again and I almost highsided several times. It was the last race of the season and I wanted to push for a good result, but it was very strange. I want to say thanks to my sponsor QMMF for giving me the chance to ride in this category, and I am sorry that I wasn't able to deliver them the results we hoped for this year. I came here to learn, but I didn't improve in comparison to the other riders that made a big step from the first to the second year of the Moto2 class in terms of bike set-up and riding. I want to come back stronger and I hope I will be able to show that I am able to get good results!"

Nasser Hasan Al Malki – 29th
“I am happy because I finished the race without accidents or crashes. The weather looked good at the beginning, but when I started to push after two laps with warmer tyres, it rained again. It was the first time for me to race in such conditions and it was very difficult. I don't have a lot of experience with this kind of weather and also not with this bike. I will definitely not forget this day! My plan for next year is to train a lot and to improve as a rider. I completed only my fifth year as a motorcycle racer and I want to be well prepared for future challenges, maybe in the Spanish Moto2 championship, but with a little luck maybe also in Grand Prix racing!”

Press Release from GRESINI RACING - 5th November, 2011

GP of COMUNITAT VALENCIANA - Qualifying - 05/11/2011

DIVINE INTERVENTION: PIRRO AND TAKAHASHI HEAD THE GRID AT VALENCIA
Something special helped push Michele Pirro to his first ever Moto2 pole position today, closely followed by his team-mate Yuki Takahashi in second place. All eyes turned to the sky in the Team Gresini Moto2 pit, where the magic of “Super Sic” was keenly felt. It was a moment of joy following two weeks of sorrow for the team, who are hoping for something more to celebrate tomorrow at the end of a difficu lt season.

Michele Pirro (1st 1’37” 067)

“The photo of Marco and the number 58 on my bike certainly helped today. I am sure he was pushing us on from up there and I want to dedicate this pole position to him and to his family, who are suffering so much. It is also a pole position for the team and everybody who has endured twelve difficult days. We were close to pole at Sepang but this one is much more special and I hope to do well again tomorrow.”

Yuki Takahashi (2nd 1’ 37” 076)

“The conditions were very difficult today because we only had a few laps on track. As a team we made the decision to push hard for a lap time early on and that resulted in a magnificent result with the front two positions on the grid. I am happy for the whole team and for Moriwaki and I am sure that we owe all this to Marco, who was with us today. I hope we can do it again in the race tomorrow.”

Fausto Gresini
“Obviously this is a great result for the team and for sure in some way Marco gave us a push today. He would have said: "Diobò, you guys have been slow all season and now I have to help you!” Joking aside the emotion is very strong here and it certainly gave our riders extra motivation today.”

Press Release from QMMF Racing Team - 5th November, 2011

Al Naimi 37th, Al Malki 38th: Early rain spoils qualifying for QMMF Racing Team

QMMF Racing Team riders Mashel Al Naimi and Nasser Hasan Al Malki, who had finished the first day of qualifying for the season-ending Grand Prix of Valencia on a high note, were not able to repeat their strong performances when it counted in qualifying for the race on Sunday. The riders of the Moto2 category had only time for three flying laps before rain set in and made it impossible to further improve the lap times. Al Naimi set his fastest time on his second lap to qualify in 37th position, Al Malki clocked his best time on his third lap to qualify in 38th place.
“This final qualifying session of the season was very strange in terms of weather conditions”, said team coordinator Luis Solano. “We don’t expect a top result of Nasser who is here to replace Ricky Cardús. We just want him to have some more laps and to gain more experience with these Moto2 bikes, so his starting position doesn’t really matter too much. Mashel surprised us yesterday with eleventh position in free practice, but due to the conditions today, he wasn't able to repeat that performance. So far, it was a strange weekend for everybody!”

Mashel Al Naimi – 37th in 1.42,627
"This morning, I didn't feel good on the bike. We had changed to a harder suspension set-up on the rear and thought this would help me to go faster, but it made the bike worse. So we went back to the softer spring. When I went out in qualifying with the softer set-up and the soft rear tyre, the bike felt much better again. But before I was able to push, it started to rain and there was nothing I could do to improve my grid position. The good thing is that I felt comfortable on the bike again, quite like I did yesterday. Rainy conditions seem to be better for me on this track. But even though, I hope for a dry race tomorrow!"

Nasser Hasan Al Malki – 38th in 1.43,709
“It was not very nice today because of the rain, and since the track was not completely wet, either, it didn’t make sense to just do laps without learning much. For tomorrow, I hope it keeps raining, because I didn't have much dry track time at all. I have quite a good feeling with the bike in the wet, but not in dry conditions!”

Press Release from GRESINI RACING - 4th November, 2011

GP of COMUNITAT VALENCIANA - Free Practice - 04/11/2011

TEAM GRESINI MOTO2 RIDE IN HONOUR OF 
“Race your life” was the message on the side of Team Gresini Moto2 bikes of Michele Pirro and Yuki Takahashi, a tribute to the late, great Marco Simoncelli, who left an indelible mark on motorcycle racing. Both Team Gresini Moto2 riders are eager to end their seasons at Valencia with a performance to honour 'Super Sic' and with Pirro eighth fastest today with Takahashi in thirteenth the potential is there for both riders to have a good race.

Michele Pirro (8th 1’52” 905) 

“The uncertain track conditions and rain today did not make life easy but overall I must say I am pretty happy. We need to take another step forward with our pace but I think we can manage that with just a couple of small changes. We have a few things to sort but I am confident.”

Yuki Takahashi (13th 1’ 53” 447)

“ I am satisfied with my feeling with the bike and confident we can look forward to a good race on Sunday. We have improved with every change we made today so I think we are on the right track to a positive result.”

Fausto Gresini
“The Moto2 team's tribute to 'Super Sic' was something we had to do and the “Race your life” graphic is very nice. I hope that we can add to it with some good results that pay tribute to Marco. Both Pirro and Takahashi are pushing hard and I am sure they will give their best on Sunday.”

Press Release from QMMF Racing Team - 4th November, 2011

Al Naimi celebrates 11th and his best practice so far - Al Malki steps in for Cardús and learns quickly

QMMF Racing Team rider Mashel Al Naimi stormed to eleventh position in this morning’s first free practice session for the Grand Prix of Valencia and celebrated his best practice result in this season so far. Even though the 28-year-old from Doha, Qatar, is used to better weather than the cool temperatures and the rain drizzles at the Ricardo Tormo track, Al Naimi quickly found the right feeling for his Moriwaki prototype and earned a round of applause when he returned to the garage after the session.
Whereas some patches of the track had already dried up when Al-Naimi put in his fastest lap, the rain didn’t stop during the afternoon session, which gave the teams a better opportunity to search for the proper rain set-up if the bad weather persists until Sunday. For the combined free practice times of day one however, the slower afternoon lap times were meaningless and Al Naimi remained in eleventh place.
Since Ricky Cardús broke his left wrist in Malaysia and was unable to compete at his season-ending home Grand Prix, Nasser Hasan Al Malki joined Al Naimi for the third time this year. The 27-year-old, who is also from Doha and who rode for QMMF Racing Team at the Grands Prix of Qatar and Silverstone, is a novice on the four-kilometre-track at Valencia but learns quickly and holds 33rd place so far.
“Mishal gave us a very positive surprise today. We knew all along that he can be faster and now he proves that in only the last race of the season, in very difficult conditions. There is not a lot of grip on this track in the wet, but he was riding very smoothly and eased into eleventh position. I hope he can sign out of this season with a remarkable result”, said team coordinator Luis Solano. “Unfortunately, Ricky isn’t able to compete after his crash in Malaysia. Since we are at the end of the season, the doctors recommended to let the fractured left radius heal in a natural way and to avoid surgery. Ricky will come here on Sunday to be with his team and his sponsors and to watch the last race of the season live!"

Mashel Al Naimi – 11th in 1.45,073
"I am happy, because the bike feels good on this track. We worked in a good way and every time I tried to push harder, it was possible to improve my lap time. At the beginning, the bike wasn't stable enough, so I went back to the pit-box and we worked on this issue step by step and lap by lap. In the end, I achieved a good position in the time sheets, which felt great. It was wet in the second practice and I felt good again, which never happened before in the rain. Altogether, it was a good start into the weekend and I hope we can build on that tomorrow!"

Nasser Hasan Al Malki – 33rd in 1.51,571
“It is a pity for Ricky that he won’t be able to ride here and I hope he gets better soon. At the same time, it was a nice surprise to get another phone call and this chance to ride this bike for the third time this season. It was wet at Silverstone during my last Moto2 race, and now here at Valencia, it is wet again. During the second practice, I started to understand the bike on this track and in these conditions and we made progress. It is my first time on this circuit, and since everybody is working so hard trying to help me, I am determined to go faster tomorrow. The problem is that I don’t have a lot of experience since I rode 1000 cc bikes during most of my career and I only started to ride 600’s this year. From my side as a rider, there is plenty of room for improvement!”

Press Release from GRESINI RACING - 31st October, 2011

 

SAN CARLO HONDA GRESINI AND GRESINI MOTO2 WILL PARTICIPATE AT VALENCIA AS TRIBUTE TO "SUPER SIC"
Both teams run by Fausto Gresini will be represented on track this weekend. Hiroshi Aoyama rides in MotoGP, whilst Michele Pirro and Yuki Takahashi will compete in the final Moto2 race of 2011.

Fausto Gresini 
“The decision to participate was not an easy one, but we have made this choice as it is what Marco would have wanted. Going out on track at Valencia is definitely the best way to honour him by doing what he most loved to do: Ride and experience the world of MotoGP. This is why I believe that the best show of affection that we can make to Marco is by lining up our teams and riders for this race. ‘Super Sic’ will be present in the hearts of Hiroshi Aoyama, Michele Pirro and Yuki Takahashi, and I am sure that they will give him a most fitting tribute with their performances on Sunday.”

2011 MotoGP World Championship Series round17, SHELL ADVANCE MALAYSIAN MOTORCYCLE GP / Race report

MotoGP 2011 season is almost coming to the end.  It’s penultimate round was held in Malaysia past weekend, was the last round in Asia.
2 MD600s joined as wildcard entry from Petronas Malaysia, Mohamad Zamri Baba and Hafizh Syahrin, total of 6 MORIWAKI MD600s were at Sepang Circuit.
There were quite number of crashes from FP1 and Ricard Cardus of QMMF Racing team had a highside during FP2.  He broke his left wrist and had to be withdrawn from the event.
On Saturday, the Qualifying Practice started with 33 degree air and 52 degree ground condition.  Michele Pirro, Gresini Racing Moto2 timed 3rd fastest earlier in the session.  He crashed from his front end at 32min remaining, quickly returned to his pit for repair, went back to the track but he couldn’t shorten his lap.  2’08.823” that he marked on lap3 in the session became his fastest, and got 3rd in the grid, front-row start.
His teammate followed him, marked 2’8.856” at his last try, Yuki Takahashi starts the race from 4th position in the grid.
Zamri Baba and Syanrin, the wildcard entries finished the session in 20th and 32nd respectively.  And Mashel Al Naimi, QMMF Racing team was 34th.
It was another competitive result, having 12 riders in top 1second.

The race started at 14:17 local time on Sunday with 34 degree air, 48 degree ground.
Takahashi moved up to 3rd after first 2 corners but Pirro dropped to 7th and both completed the opening lap in that said positions.  3 other MORIWAKI riders, Zamri Baba, Syahrin and Al Naimi completed the lap1 32, 33 and 34 respectively.  As the race moved on to lap2, Takahashi went out of track at turn1, losing his position.  He was running in 15th by the end of the second lap, moved to 11th at lap4 but crashed at following lap.  He managed to ride back to his pit and ended his race.
Pirro moved to 6th at lap4, joined the battle for 3 and finished the race in 7th, with 9 points.  Zamri Baba improved his position to 18th at one stage and finished the race in 20th.  His teammate Syahrin was 22nd and Al Naimi was 25th.

----------------------

MD600 Qualifying practice result:

-- 3rd
　TEAM　/　Gresini Racing Moto2
　RIDER /　No.51 Michele PIRRO
  TIME　/  2'08.823

-- 4th
　TEAM　/　Gresini Racing Moto2
　RIDER /　No.72 Yuki TAKAHASHI
  TIME　/  2'08.856

--20th
  TEAM　/　Petronas Malaysia
  RIDER /　No.87　Mohamad ZAMRI BABA
  TIME　/  2'09.798

--32nd
  TEAM　/　Petronas Malaysia
  RIDER /　No.86　Hafizh SYAHRIN
  TIME　/  2'11.332

--34th
  TEAM　/　QMMF Racing Team
  RIDER /　No.95　Mashel AL NAIMI
  TIME　/  2'11.388

---

MD600 Race result:

-- 7th
　TEAM　/　Gresini Racing Moto2
　RIDER /　No.51 Michele PIRRO

--20th
  TEAM　/　Petronas Malaysia
  RIDER /　No.87　Mohamad ZAMRI BABA

--22nd
  TEAM　/　Petronas Malaysia
  RIDER /　No.86　Hafizh SYAHRIN

--25th
  TEAM　/　QMMF Racing Team
  RIDER /　No.95　Mashel AL NAIMI

Not Classified

　TEAM　/　Gresini Racing Moto2
　RIDER /　No.72 Yuki TAKAHASHI

RETIRED

  TEAM　/　QMMF Racing Team
  RIDER /　No.88　Ricard CARDUS

------------------------------------

World Championship Classification

----
CONSTRUCTOR CHAMPIONSHIP

MORIWAKI MD600 RANKING  / 6th / 113point

---
RIDER POINT RANKING

-- 10th /　 No.72 Yuki TAKAHASHI  / 77point

-- 16th /　 No.51 Michele PIRRO  / 59point

-- 30th /　 No.88 Ricard CARDUS  /  2point

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MotoGP official website
http://www.motogp.com
http://www.motogp.com/en/Moto2

Result
http://www.motogp.com/en/Results+Statistics

Press Release from QMMF Racing Team - 23rd October, 2011

The thoughts of QMMF Racing Team and the Qatari Federation are with Marco Simoncelli and his family

Even though Mishal Al-Naimi crashed during today’s Grand Prix of Malaysia, the QMMF Racing Team rider left the Sepang track with confidence for the future, since he had started with a strong pace and stayed ahead of a group of other riders in the opening laps of the race.
Soon after Al-Naimi’s heroic finish despite a loose handlebar, all results became meaningless when Honda factory rider Marco Simoncelli lost his life in a tragic accident at the beginning of the MotoGP race. “We are deeply saddened with these terrible news, and the thoughts of us in the team and in the Motorcycle Federation of Qatar are with Marco Simoncelli, his family and friends”, said team coordinator Luis Solano.

Mashel Al-Naimi – 24th
“I had a good start and passed three to five riders. I felt very good on the bike, especially in the fast corners and I tried to push to stay with the group in front of me. Unfortunately I crashed in a slow corner when being hard on the brakes. But I picked the bike up again and continued riding as I wanted in order to confirm my good feeling. It was a pity that the handlebar was loose and slapped against the tank all the time. Then I saw the red flag and stopped. For me it was a good race - despite the crash - and I will now focus on getting a good result in Valencia!"