R1-engined CRT bike for Edwards?

HINTS from Colin Edwards have the current Tech 3 rider in with a move to one of the new Claiming Rule Teams in 2012 instead of World Superbikes.

The Texan was in talks with a move back to the World Superbike championship, perhaps joining the factory BMW team.

But the production-based series is looking less tempting for the former champion, as he recently referred to WSB as a 'ghost-town' in an interview with GPWeek - regarding Yamaha's decision to pull out of the series and the fate of Aprilia questionable.

Reports coming away from Indy have Edwards linked to a Claiming Rule Team; in particular Forward Racing - the Moto2 team given one of the grid slots for 2012 - and their proposed choice of the BMW-engined Suter chassis.

However, developments now see a continuation of the American's relationship with Yamaha and the YZF-R1 engine used in a prototype CRT chassis, calling the powerplant his 'weapon of choice' and further speculation suggests that the frame could be built by Tech 3 and Guy Coulon - the creator of the Mistral that Bradley Smith rides in Moto2.

Discussing these new machines with Asphalt & Rubber, Edwards acknowledged that the alternative 1000s will be at a disadvantage at certain circuits, mainly places ilke Mugello and Catalunya where speed rules, but noted tracks like Laguna, Sachsenring and Assen as possibilites where the gap to the factory bikes will be closer, he said: "We’re already clipping so much power it’s just ridiculous, and we’re only on 800s. So, there’ll be tracks where, is it going to compete for a win? Maybe not. But I think there’ll be tracks where it’s going to surprise some people."

source: visordown

[Pictures] Podium Indianapolis MotoGP 2011

Lorenzo's title hopes on the ropes

Looking to recover from a bad race in Brno, Jorge Lorenzo instead found himself on the back foot relative to MotoGP title leader Casey Stoner throughout the Indianapolis weekend.

Yamaha's reigning world champion never really found a set-up for the resurfaced track and struggled with front-tyre wear from as early as lap four of the race.

Third behind Stoner and his Honda team-mate Dani Pedrosa for the first 16 laps, Lorenzo was caught and passed by team-mate Ben Spies, before just holding off third Repsol rider Andrea Dovizioso in the closing stages.

With Stoner winning his seventh race of the year, Lorenzo has now dropped 44 points behind the Australian with six rounds to go.

“It's a shame; I thought I could reduce my gap with Casey at Indy but since the first practice I have had many problems with the asphalt and the front tyre. I've tried everything with my team to fix it, but we couldn't," confirmed Lorenzo.

"After four or five laps the front tyre was destroyed. I saw the other three front riders and their tyres were perfect. I don't know if it was because of the track and I'm not the only one complaining.

"Now the Championship is much more complicated, but hope is the last thing you can lose. Next weekend we ride again at Misano, I looking forward to forgetting this result."

source: crash.net

Dovizioso: Second in the points is possible

Andrea Dovizioso is setting his sights on second in the 2011 MotoGP World Championship - despite being beaten by Jorge Lorenzo in Sunday's Indianapolis Grand Prix.

Yamaha's Lorenzo currently holds second in the championship and is now 25 points in front of Repsol Honda rider Dovizioso - yet to sign for 2012 - after finishing less than one-second in front of the Italian on Sunday.

Dovizioso made contact with Ben Spies early in the race, but improved his pace in the closing stages to hunt down Lorenzo.

“We had a bad start, Nicky [Hayden] blocked me and then Ben [Spies] and I touched in turn four and I lost valuable time and positions. From that moment I tried to remain focused and lap by lap I found the pace that allowed me to recover positions," said Dovizioso.

"This track wasn't the best for us. The consumption of the tyre was worse during the race. I had to find a new way to ride the bike. I had to change my style in the last half of the race and in the last 10 laps, I was one of the fastest."

Doviziosio's team-mate Casey Stoner now leads Lorenzo by 44 points in the championship - and Dovi believes a Repsol title one-two is possible with six rounds to go.

"I think [second in points] is possible. I think that we are in a position to fight. I am really confident. We will push on finishing second in the championship," he said.

source: crash.net

Gearbox woes taunt Rossi at Indy

Just 14th on the Indianapolis grid after a crash in qualifying, Ducati's Valentino Rossi then suffered gearbox problems in the race.

The neutrals sent Rossi wide on numerous occasions and he had dropped to last place on lap 9 of 28.

Initially considering pulling out, Rossi not only went the distance - but had climbed back up the order to tenth at the chequered flag.

“Unfortunately, after some laps, I started having problems with the gear box," said Rossi. "When I shifted down, I remained in neutral. So I made two or three mistakes for this reason on the first corner. And I wanted to stop, seriously.

"But I try to not give up before I arrive at the end. I remained in neutral another two or three times and tried to take some points, but it was very, very sad.

"We know that we have to work hard. Ducati is doing that, and my team and I are as well, because we must try to not let up and to get the bike ready while we wait for technical updates.”

Rossi has now dropped from fourth to sixth in the world championship standings heading into his second home round of the season at Misano this coming weekend.

Team-mate Nicky Hayden made a pit stop on his way to 14th at Indy, having suffered major front tyre problems after chasing the softer option.

source: crash.net

Paddock Girls MotoGP Indianapolis 2011

Márquez masters the Brickyard

Second place starter Simone Corsi led the outset of the race, but it was Team CatalunyaCaixa Repsol rider Márquez who took the control of the Moto2 race, making his pass on Italian Ioda Racing Project rider on lap eight and riding unchallenged thereafter. The Moto2 rookie now stands just 28 points in the Championship behind his German rival Stefan Bradl (Viessmann Kiefer Racing).

Esteve Rabat (Blusens-STX) and Pol Espargaró (HP Tuenti Speed Up) both claimed their first podiums in the Moto2 class following a half race chase for second, with 20 year old Espargaró riding across the finish in front of his fellow countryman in second position.

Bradley Smith (Tech 3 Racing) took fourth position, with fellow Brit Scott Redding (Marc VDS Racing) behind him in fifth after making his way from 11th on the grid into sixth in the first four laps, then briefly leading in front of Smith on lap 14 of the race.

Stefan Bradl (Viessmann Kiefer Racing) skillfully made his way through the field after starting from the 22nd position to take sixth, holding onto his Championship lead. Julián Simón (Mapfre Aspar) followed in seventh, with Mattia Pasini (Ioda Racing Project), Mika Kallio (Marc VDS Racing) and Aleix Espargaró (Pons HP 40) completing the top ten finishers.

The hot track temperatures proved detrimental to some, with tires deteriorating and slowing riders like Corsi, who ended the race in fourteenth, and fellow front row starter Andrea Iannone (Speed Master), who had maintained second until beginning to drop back with 12 laps to go, ending the race in eleventh.

American rider Kenny Noyes (Avintia-STX) had an early crash and was unable to rejoin the race, while fellow countrymen JD Beach (Aeroport de Castello) finished 29th and wildcard Jake Gagne (GPTech) finished in 31st.