Nico Terol to miss British Grand Prix

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The Mapfre Aspar rider will take time out to recover from physical issues that have dogged him all season.

Mapfre Aspar rider Nico Terol ended last season in good form, with three victories and a podium, despite some physical problems arising from premature muscle fatigue. This year Terol started out strongly during winter testing but once the season started the muscle fatigue returned and with eleven races already gone in the championship he has been advised by doctors to take a break from racing so that he can be properly examined again and treated. 

The decision to follow the doctors' advice means that Terol will definitely miss the next round of the season, the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Since he started with these symptoms Terol has been in the hands of Dr. Ángel Charte, head of the Internal Medicine team at the Instituto Universitario Dexeus and also part of the rapid response medical team at the MotoGP events. The rider has already undergone a host of examinations and over the next few days he will be subjected to an exhaustive run of tests to try and detect the cause of his muscle fatigue. 

The decision to take this break in the middle of the season has been taken jointly by the Mapfre Aspar Team and Nico Terol. Terol has the full support of the team during the time he needs to make a full recuperation. 

Jorge Martínez ‘Aspar’: “It has been hard to take this decision alongside Nico and those closest to him but we have to accept that at the moment he is not 100% fit and the best thing for him is to recover. As a rider myself it hurts me to see my riders, and people that I have affection for, suffering with physical problems. Even though he is going through a tough period Nico is a fighter and he will work hard to recover as soon as possible. He has the full backing of everybody at the MAPFRE Aspar Team, and we just want to wish him well with his recovery.”

Nico Terol: “After eleven tough races because of my health I am going to take some time off to analyse every detail and find the origin of this physical problem so that we can tackle it. I had a few episodes last season but they were only occasional and I was able to recover, even winning some races. The doctors think that with some quiet time away from racing we can find the root of the problem. I have spoken with Jorge and I want to thank him for his understanding at this time. I'm sad for my team, my sponsors and my supporters and I'm also upset because we had high expectations for this season. After winning races last year we thought we would be very competitive this time around.”

source: MotoGP Official

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Luthi seals top spot in qualifying

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After leading all three practice sessions Thomas Lüthi booked pole position on the Moto2™ grid for Sunday's Commercialbank Grand Prix of Qatar, just ahead of Marc Márquez and Andrea Iannone.

1 Thomas LUTHI Interwetten-Paddock 2'00.187

2 Marc MARQUEZ Team CatalunyaCaixa Repsol 2'00.259 0.072 / 0.072

3 Andrea IANNONE Speed Master 2'00.296 0.109 / 0.037

4 Pol ESPARGARO Pons 40 HP Tuenti 2'00.597 0.410 / 0.301

5 Mike DI MEGLIO S/Master Speed Up 2'00.625 0.438 / 0.028

6 Max NEUKIRCHNER Kiefer Racing 2'00.658 0.471 / 0.033

7 Esteve RABAT Pons 40 HP Tuenti 2'00.793 0.606 / 0.135

8 Claudio CORTI Italtrans Racing Team 2'00.874 0.687 / 0.081

9 Takaaki NAKAGAMI Italtrans Racing Team 2'00.898 0.711 / 0.024

10 Simone CORSI Came IodaRacing Project 2'00.986 0.799 / 0.088

11 Julian SIMON Blusens Avintia 2'00.992 0.805 / 0.006

12 Bradley SMITH Tech 3 Racing 2'01.015 0.828 / 0.023

13 Scott REDDING Marc VDS Racing Team 2'01.031 0.844 / 0.016

14 Mika KALLIO Marc VDS Racing Team 2'01.111 0.924 / 0.080

15 Alex DE ANGELIS NGM Mobile Forward Racing 2'01.181 0.994 / 0.070

16 Dominique AEGERTER Technomag-CIP 2'01.374 1.187 / 0.193

17 Toni ELIAS Mapfre Aspar Team 2'01.618 1.431 / 0.244

18 Xavier SIMEON Tech 3 Racing 2'01.718 1.531 / 0.100

19 Johann ZARCO JIR Moto2 2'01.910 1.723 / 0.192

20 Roberto ROLFO Technomag-CIP 2'02.018 1.831 / 0.108

21 Randy KRUMMENACHER GP Team Switzerland 2'02.097 1.910 / 0.079

22 Angel RODRIGUEZ Desguaces La Torre SAG 2'02.142 1.955 / 0.045

23 Ricard CARDUS Arguiñano Racing Team 2'02.500 2.313 / 0.358

24 Axel PONS Pons 40 HP Tuenti 2'02.535 2.348 / 0.035

25 Yuki TAKAHASHI NGM Mobile Forward Racing 2'02.637 2.450 / 0.102

26 Nicolas TEROL Mapfre Aspar Team 2'02.811 2.624 / 0.174

27 Gino REA Federal Oil Gresini Moto2 2'02.934 2.747 / 0.123

28 Ratthapark WILAIROT Thai Honda Gresini Moto2 2'03.031 2.844 / 0.097

29 Anthony WEST QMMF Racing Team 2'03.621 3.434 / 0.590

30 Alexander LUNDH Cresto Guide MZ Racing 2'04.130 3.943 / 0.509

31 Marco COLANDREA SAG Team 2'04.424 4.237 / 0.294

32 Elena ROSELL QMMF Racing Team 2'05.183 4.996 / 0.759

33 Nasser Hasan AL MALKI QMMF Racing Team 2'05.591 5.404 / 0.408

source: MotoGP Official

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Luthi makes it a clean sweep in practice

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Thomas Lüthi, fastest in both of Thursday's Moto2 sessions, was quickest in the third and final practice on Friday ahead of Pol Espargaró, Esteve Rabat and Scott Redding.

Thomas Lüthi's (Interwetten Paddock) strong form at the Commercialbank Grand Prix of Qatar rolled on in FP3 on Friday, as the Swiss rider topped the final session before Saturday's qualifying with the fastest lap of the weekend so far. Lüthi's time of 2'00.479 meant he completed a clean sweep in all three Moto2 practice sessions, after topping the first and second runs the previous day.

Pons 40 HP Tuenti team-mates Pol Espargaró and Esteve Rabat were also in the mood for setting fast times, as the former clocked in at just 0.040s off Lüthi. Espargaró was the only other rider under 2'01” in the session, with Rabat in third posting a best effort of 2'01.118.

Scott Redding (Marc VDS Racing Team) was fourth in the order in 2'01.230, with Italians Claudio Corti (Italtrans), Simone Corsi (Came IodaRacing Project) and Andrea Iannone (Speed Master) closely grouped from fifth to seventh.

Bradley Smith (Tech 3 Racing) took a step forward and was the last rider within one second of Lüthi's scorching lap, and Marc Márquez (Team CatalunyaCaixa Repsol) and Alex de Angelis (NGM Mobile Forward Racing) completed the top 10.

Ratthapark Wilairot (Thai Honda Gresini Moto2) escaped unharmed from a crash early in the session and went on to time in at 14th fastest, just behind Julián Simón (Blusens Avintia).

The Moto2 riders will be back on track at 6.55pm local time on Saturday for qualifying.

source: MotoGP Official

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Luthi confirms pace in second practice

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After topping the first Moto2 practice session at the Commercialbank Grand Prix of Qatar on Thursday, Thomas Lüthi (Interwetten Paddock) was again the quickest in FP2 as the Swiss rider led the timesheet with a best effort of 2'00.767.

Lüthi led a top three which included Claudio Corti (Italtrans Racing Team) and Pol Espargaró (Pons 40 HP Tuenti), with the Italian also getting under 2'01” in a best time of 2'00.918. Espargaró and team-mate Esteve Rabat, who was fourth fastest, were the last riders to lap within 0.5s of Lüthi.

Marc VDS Racing Team riders Scott Redding and Mika Kallio were separated by just 0.024s in fifth and sixth positions respectively, with 2011 Championship runner-up Marc Márquez (Team CatalunyaCaixa Repsol) seventh.

Mike di Meglio (S/Master Speed Up), Takaaki Nakagami (Italtrans Racing Team) and former Moto2 World Champion Toni Elías (Mapfre Aspar Team) completed the top 10 with Japanese rider Nakagami just under a second off Lüthi.

British rider Bradley Smith (Tech 3 Racing) ended the session 15th, whilst Gino Rea (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2) closed in 27th after having a crash towards the end of the session. Belgian rider Xavier Simeon (Tech 3 Racing) also had a tumble towards the end of the practice.

source: MotoGP Official

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Luthi leads opening Moto2 session

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The 2012 Moto2™ season kicked off with Thomas Lüthi (Interwetten Paddock) fastest in the first practice session of the Commercialbank Grand Prix of Qatar on Thursday, as the Swiss rider put his Suter top of the timesheet in FP1 with a time of 2'01.284.

Pons 40 HP Tuenti team-mates Esteve Rabat and Pol Espargaró both recorded top-three lap times with efforts of 2'01.686 and 2'01.925 respectively as they placed their Kalex machines in second and third position, with last year's Championship runner-up Marc Márquez (Team Catalunyacaixa Repsol) fourth and timing in at 2'02.068.

Italian riders Simone Corsi (Came Iodaracing Project) and Andrea Iannone (Speed Master) were the final two within a full second of Lüthi's marker, with Mika Kallio (Marc VDS Racing Team), Scott Redding (Marc VDS Racing Team), Mike di Meglio (S/Master Speed Up) and Takaaki Nakagami (Italtrans Racing Team) completing the top ten.

British rider Bradley Smith (Tech 3 Racing) was 11th in the order at 1.343s from the top, with 2010 Moto2 World Champion Toni Elías (Mapfre Aspar Team) in 19th as he began his reintroduction to the category. Third Brit on the grid rookie Gino Rea (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2) was 23rd in his first practice session.

There was a crash at the end of the session for Marco Colandrea (SAG Team), who walked away from his fall.

The Moto2 riders return to the track later on Thursday for a second practice session.

source: MotoGP Official

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Elias, Terol sweet on Losail experience

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Mapfre Aspar's Toni Elias feels confident about his chances in Qatar as he begins his quest to win back the Moto2 crown he captured in 2010.

Elias hopes to make more progress with his set-up at the Losail circuit but regardless is optimistic of pushing for a strong result this weekend.

“I really like Losail. The fact we are racing at night and with a film of sand on the track always makes for difficult racing but I still like it a lot,” he said.

“We still need to take a step forward with the set-up but even so we go to Qatar feeling happy and confident about our chances. We are looking forward to the start of the season and the whole team will be working hard from the first session to find something extra. 

“Losail is a pretty fast circuit with some flowing corners and not a lot of grip, due to the humidity and sand.”

His team-mate, Nico Terol – the last ever 125cc world champion – has shown encouraging signs of making a swift transition to four-stroke machines and could spring a few surprises in 2012.

Terol, who has won twice at Losail, said: “I have always had a good feel for the Losail circuit. It has a bit of everything - some fast and slow sections - and racing at night makes it extra special. I always enjoy riding there and I am looking forward to seeing how things go for me in my first race in this category. 

“We have a lot of work to do but I am sure that if we keep working like we have done up to now we can have a good Grand Prix. 

“Racing on Sunday night without a warm-up session could throw up some unexpected surprises so we have to stay focused throughout the whole weekend and keep our rhythm up. I am looking forward to the start of the season.”

source: crash.net

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Anthony West in for QMMF team

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Australian rider Anthony West has been signed up for the QMMF Moto2™ Racing Team to contest the 2012 World Championship.

In a late line-up change for the 2012 World Championship, Anthony West has been signed up to ride a Moriwaki for the QMMF Racing Team in Moto2™.

The 30-year-old, who has ridden in the intermediate category for the past two seasons in the MZ Racing set-up, will use his vast World Championship experience alongside Spanish rider Elena Rosell in the Qatari Federation team.

"It’s great to be back in Grand Prix racing, with a team that operates on such a highly professional level and with the support of Moriwaki, one of the most experienced and highly regarded manufacturers," said West in a press release from the team, which also confirmed he will replace fellow Australian Damian Cudlin.

"We haven’t had the chance to go through the pre-season preparations together, so we can’t expect miracles at the team’s home Grand Prix of Qatar next week. But I’m really excited about this opportunity and I’ll push to the maximum to get the best possible result!"

source: MotoGP Official

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Moto2 spectacle in prospect under Losail floodlights

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The fiercely competitive Moto2™ class kicks off its third year as the intermediate category of the World Championship, with a 33-rider field set to make 2012 another hugely entertaining and closely-fought contest.

"No less than 17 of those competing in the Championship this year are Grand Prix winners, with 2011 title winner Stefan Bradl having stepped up to the premier class."

Any number of riders can lay claim to being well equipped for the demands of a season-long challenge for the Moto2™ title, with many having vast World Championship experience, and all will be confident of challenging for victory as they bid to get their respective 2012 seasons off to the best possible start.

Race winners in the category include Thomas Lüthi (Interwetten Paddock), Alex de Angelis (NGM Mobile Forward Racing), Andrea Iannone (Speed Master), Yuki Takahashi (NGM Mobile Forward Racing), Roberto Rolfo (Technomag-CIP) and Marc Márquez (CatalunyaCaixa Repsol), all of whom will be rejoined by 2010 Moto2™ World Champion Toni Elías, who returns to the class riding for the Mapfre Aspar team. Márquez's recovery from his crash at Sepang last October, which ruled him out for the final two rounds of the season and much of the pre-season, has been impressive and he was amongst the fastest at the final Test at Jerez two weeks prior to the GP.

Added to that list of proven race winners are a number of Moto2™ podium finishers who will be hungry for a first win in the class. Simone Corsi (Came Iodaracing Project), Mika Kallio and Marc VDS Racing team-mate Scott Redding, Bradley Smith (Tech 3 Racing), Pol Espargaró (Pons 40 HP Tuenti), Julián Simón (Blusens Avintia) and Dominique Aegerter (Technomag-CIP) have all stepped onto the rostrum on one or more occasion over the past two seasons, and will all be pushing to take the next step. Claudio Corti's (Italtrans) pre-season form has also hinted that the Italian could be ready to feature regularly towards the front.

A selection of new riders fresh into the category will also be added to the mix, as last-ever 125cc World Champion Nico Terol (Mapfre Aspar) again locks horns with Johann Zarco (JiR Moto2). Making his World Championship debut will be Gino Rea, as the British rider competes for the Federal Oil Gresini Moto2 team in 2012, and Japanese rider Takaaki Nakagami (Italtrans) returns to the World Championship.

History will also be made as Elena Rosell becomes the first female rider to compete in Moto2™, riding for the QMMF team, on which she will be joined by Australian rider Anthony West. The set-up will also field a wildcard rider for this round, Nasser Al Malki.

The first Moto2™ practice session gets underway at 6.55pm local time on Thursday, with the race scheduled for 8.20pm local time on Sunday.

source: MotoGP Official

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Scott Redding expected to win in 2012

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Scott Redding’s Marc VDS Racing Moto2 squad believe the British teenager must win races in 2012 to put himself in the shop window for a possible switch to MotoGP next year.

The Gloucestershire rider has impressed during winter testing on the new Kalex chassis and he heads to the opening race in Qatar next week hotly-tipped to mount a title challenge this season.

The 19-year-old is looking to bounce back from a 2011 campaifn that fell well below expectations. Redding didn’t score a single podium last year as he struggled with the Suter chassis and now Marc VDS Racing boss Michael Bartholemy said he expects a big improvement in results.

He told MCN: “For sure we have to make one or two wins at least. Last year we didn’t even make one podium, so this season we need to get a lot of podiums and we need to win some races.

"This is clear because we are in the third year together and we can’t say we are working with a young guy who needs to gain some experience. We all know in this class it is hard to win races and we all know we have some disadvantage with Scott’s height and weight.

"But we have to live with it and it is time now for him to show he is ready to make the next step to go to MotoGP, even if he has to leave us. I think the next three or four months are going to be a big platform for Scott to sell himself for the future.”

Redding and his squad have worked a lot in winter testing on improving the set-up of the Kalex frame over race distance to give him more chance of becoming a regular podium finisher.

Redding is one of the tallest and heaviest riders in the Grand Prix paddock and has struggled in the past with excessive tyre wear in the final stages of races.

Bartholemy added: “We have concentrated much more this winter on working for race distance. We have perhaps looked too much at a fast outright lap and that is important because qualifying on the first three rows in Moto2 is crucial.

"But we have also worked a lot on the bike over race distance to make sure he is fast and competitive throughout. Every test we have made a race simulation to see how much time we can gain compared to the race from the year before and not worrying about small tenths to get pole position and all these other things. 

"Scott is a rider who puts more demand on the tyres and the bike because of his weight, so we need to find a pace that is strong over race distance while being fast and consistent throughout.”

source: MCN

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Bradley Smith training with one eye on MotoGP in 2013

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Bradley Smith might not have even started the 2012 Moto2 world championship but the British rider is already honing his training regime to be ready for a switch to a more powerful 1000cc MotoGP bike next year.

The 21-year-old will move to MotoGP with the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 squad having signed a three-year contract with the French squad last September.

The Oxfordshire rider has already started working during the winter on building up his strength for this year’s Moto2 class, but he has one eye too on a switch to a Yamaha YZR-M1 machine in 2013.

Smith has changed his training schedule in the winter to build up muscle mass and he told MCN: “I’ve worked a lot over the winter on my fitness. Strength in change of direction and strength in the braking is where I need to improve. 

"I still need to keep light so I need to build strength in a different way. The training programme completely changed and I suppose it will only be when I go the full race distance that we will see if it actually pays off.

"I went back to motocross and a lot more gym and strength work than I have been doing but not really weights as such. I’m now working with three different trainers and that’s a lot but it is something I felt necessary with MotoGP coming.

"Although I feel a Moto2 bike is difficult it has nothing on a MotoGP bike. I’ve gained five kilos of muscle and lost two kilos in fat with hopefully another two left, so I should be down to a very similar weight but with a different tone.

"In Moto2 with the same tyres, engine and electronics a lot of it comes down to the rider and your ability to muscle the bike around and how strong you are at the end of the race. So we will find out next week if it has paid off.”

source: MCN

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Scott Redding picks out 2012 Moto2 title rivals

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Scott Redding believes four riders, including Spanish sensation Marc Marquez, stand between him and capturing the 2012 Moto2 world championship.

The Marc VDS Racing rider has impressed during pre-season testing and he heads to the first race in Qatar next week as one of the pre-season favourites.

But the Gloucestershire rider believes Marquez heads a list of four big names that pose the biggest threat to his title ambitions.

Marquez made a startling return to action at the recent Jerez test in Spain to lap inside the top six after a five-month lay-off with a right eye problem he suffered in Sepang last October.

And Redding told MCN: “Obviously Marquez is going to be strong. He is a good rider and it is good that he came back. He has got something special about him and he keeps getting up and battling.

"He gets results so what he is putting in he is getting back. He is still fast and for sure he is going to be running at the front. I know I can run with him though and I know that I am as fast as him and I think it will be good to battle with him at the front.”

Redding’s other hot tips include Thomas Luthi, Pol Espargaro and Andrea Iannone.

He added: “Luthi and Espargaro will definitely be there or thereabouts. Never count out Iannone too. He might be struggling in testing but come race day he is capable of something completely different.”

Redding was seventh quickest at the final pre-season test in Jerez last week and prior to that he’d never been outside of the top two in three previous tests at Jerez and Valencia.

Redding is aware that he needs to raise his game having failed to score a single podium finish in 2011, but he’s much happier and confident after a switch to the Kalex frame from Suter.

He said: “I’ve been with the team for three years and it has taken a while and we have always been there or thereabouts but always been towards the end of the season and it needs to be at the beginning.

"All the pre-season has gone really well and my training has been good and I feel happier in myself and more confident in what we can do. The only thing left is down to me.

"We’ve been fast in testing so we have proved that I do get on with the bike and there is no reason why we can’t be up there.”

source: MCN

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Aspar shows off full 2012 project

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The Mapfre Convention Centre in Madrid was the setting for a special presentation by the Aspar Team on Wednesday, as owner Jorge ‘Aspar’ Martinez discussed his 2012 project.

The Spanish team, which unveiled its MotoGP™ line-up last week in Valencia, showed off a video presentation detailing its project across all three World Championship classes, including Moto2™ and Moto3™.

“Every year we set ourselves bigger challenges,” said Martinez, “and year after year we achieve our goals. Last year we were once again 125cc World Champions, we don’t want to stop growing and the base of our team is excellent. In Moto3 we have a challenge, to be the best again, and in Moto2 we have two World Champions who’ll fight for the highest possible targets. In MotoGP we have a big challenge in front of us, to be the best in the new (CRT) concept within the premier class.”

Experienced rider Hector Faubel, who will ride in Moto3, stated that his sole aim this year will be to fight for the title, whilst Alberto Moncayo was highly satisfied with how his pre-season had gone.

Returning to the Moto2 category, in which he won the title in 2010, Toni Elias said he aims to be able to fight for a victory at the season-opening race in Qatar in just over a week, while 2011 125cc Champion and 2012 Moto2 rookie Nico Terol said he had made very good progression throughout the pre-season in his adaptation to the class.

source: MotoGP Official

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Pedrosa believes that along with Marquez would form a dream team at Honda

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Dani Pedrosa would not see a dim form in the medium term with Marc Marquez on the Repsol Honda team, has assured this morning at breakfast sports Europa Press, calling the potential partner as a 'dream team'.

"The truth is that having a computer that we were Marc and I together would be something never seen the truth on my part would be good even motivate me even more because when push myself," he assured when asked about Pedrosa , who along with Marquez, Maverick Viñales and the young Mary Herrera attended the breakfast.

Throughout the act Pedrosa has recognized that is not yet retired from competition, but has admitted that at times has thought about it but have not said "no response for what I do when I retire, and if has not yet such a response should be thinking about it does not touch. At the moment there is nothing excites me more than ride bikes and just hope that when the response able to recognize the moment. "

At one point in his speech Dani has also been questioned about the situation of Valentino Rossi, sixth in the last test in Jerez, and has secured the respect he would not never in doubt 'Il Dottore', "has for many years, winning and is difficult to be always at the top and keep pushing the same, but Rossi is Rossi. "

Also assessed as positive the change in MotoGP to 1,000 cc motorcycle is a motorcycle as "more fun", while acknowledging that what he refers to "still do not feel comfortable with some aspects of the new bike."

Next to him have been Marc Marquez, world champion 125 cc in 2010 and runner-up Moto2 in 2011, who starred in Jerez his first full training with the rest of the field after the eye injury he suffered in Malaysia and which said to be "one hundred percent recovered."

As to Pedrosa, he was also asked about their path, in the future in MotoGP, and the pilot of Cervera said in no hurry and that "the jump you give when you look prepared for this, but the truth is that I currently do not pose ".

source: Motocuatro

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video: CX Repsol Introduce Marc Marquez and Team

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Today at 11:30 am is being presented CX-Repsol team of Marc Marquez in a place so emblematic of Barcelona such as the building "La Pedrera" by Antonio Gaudi.

Marc faces now recovered from his poor eyesight to a thrilling season which will strive to achieve what he missed in his hands last year, the Moto2 World Championship.

We are witnessing the presentation and as always motocuatro.com readers will be the first to have all statements and information in this presentation.

source: Motocuatro and Youtube

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picture: Avintia Racing Presentation

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picture of Avintia Racing Presentation 

source: motoblog.it

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Kallio satisfied with Jerez work

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Mika Kallio is confident he has arrived at a solid set-up on his Marc VDS Kalex Moto2 machine ahead of next month's season opening round of the championship in Qatar. 

Kallio posted the fourth fastest time overall during the three-day Jerez test in Spain and his best lap of 1m 42.301s was just 0.318s adrift of the top time set by fellow Kalex rider Claudio Corti. 

The Finn completed a full race simulation on the third and final day on Wednesday, when he managed his quickest time on the fourth lap. 

“It's been a good three days of testing here in Jerez. The plan was to get a little bit closer to the front and we achieved that today with fourth position and less than half a second off the fastest time, so I'm satisfied with that,” he said. 

“During the race simulation the bike felt good for all 23 laps and my times were both fast and consistent, which means we go to Qatar in a good position. 

"Conditions will be very different in Qatar, but the work we've done during testing means we're pretty sure even now how we need to set-up the bike for the first race. 

“Remaining calm is the key to the first race; we know we have the pace to challenge the front runners, so we just need to continue with the approach that's worked so well for us during testing.” 

Michael Bartholemy, team manager, added: “Mika's methodical approach to testing certainly paid off today, with his fastest lap of the test coming during his race simulation this afternoon. 

"He will be quick in Qatar, a track that he has done well at in the past, and I'm confident he'll get his second season in Moto2 off to a strong start.” 

Kallio's team-mate, Scott Redding, struggled with illness and machine issues but the young British rider ended the test just 0.3s slower than Kallio's best lap. 

“Scott struggled a little with illness and an engine problem during these three days at Jerez, but he proved during the previous tests this year that he has the pace to run at the front, so he will head to Qatar with his confidence intact,” added Bartholemy. 

“After such a long break I think we're all looking forward to the first race, where I hope we'll make a strong start to the season.” 

The opening round of the Moto2 World Championship will be held at Qatar over the weekend of April 7-8. 

source: crash.net

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Avintia Racing presents three-category 2012 line-up

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The Spanish team held an event in Jerez in which its rider line-up for the MotoGP™, Moto2™ and Moto3™ classes was officially unveiled.

Following the conclusion of the Moto2™ and Moto3™ Test at the Jerez circuit on Wednesday – and prior to the commencement of the MotoGP™ Test on Thursday at the same track – Avintia Racing showed off its ambitious 2012 project, presenting the riders and machines which will compete across all three World Championship categories.

As well as MotoGP™ riders Iván Silva and Yonny Hernández, Moto2™ entry Julián Simón and Moto3™ rider Maverick Viñales, a number of team and sponsor representatives were also present.

Raúl Romero, Avintia Racing co-owner and MotoGP™ Team Manager, was delighted to be able to unveil an exciting line-up for 2012, and said: “We've grown into a new team which now has all the experience of BQR and the managerial vision which Avintia will bring. Along with the support of Blusens and our other supporters, we've been able to put together a project that would otherwise never have been possible. I'm thrilled to be able to present the Avintia Racing team here today, and to be able to say that we'll be competing in all three classes. In Moto2™ and Moto3™ we can finish in the podium positions regularly, and to be in MotoGP™ is a dream come true.”

Talking about the CRT project, he added: “Our technical team and mechanics have developed a bike which we expect will be very competitive amongst the CRT entries, and with which we will work hard to show that Avintia Racing is in MotoGP™ to stay. We have great confidence in the whole team and of course in our riders. Iván Silva is an experienced rider and Yonny comes up from Moto2™ with a lot of motivation to learn. I genuinely believe we will be able to enjoy a great season.”

Ricard Jové (Team Manager for the Moto2™ and Moto3™ projects) commented on the prospects of Simón and Viñales, and added: “We have great bikes, a strong technical team and of course fantastic riders. It's super to have Julián Simón in our Moto2™ team, he's a World Champion and is eager to repeat that achievement. In Moto3™ we have the hugely talented Maverick Viñales, who will undoubtedly be one of the favourites in the category. I do however want to stress that we need to remain calm and patient.”

The riders themselves were clearly more than ready to start the season. Hernández spoke about his “dream” move up to the MotoGP™ category, and said the pre-season had gone well, whilst Silva said that he hoped to exploit his previous experience of riding similarly powerful machinery.

Simón said he felt “strong” and that he is “sure we will have a great year”, whilst Viñales commented on his satisfaction at having the same team around him as he did in his rookie year in 2011.

source: MotoGP Official

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pictures: Repsol Riders Jerez Test 2012

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picture of Marc Marquez, Miguel Oliviera, Maverick Vinales, and Alex Rins on action shot

source: plusmoto

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Gino Rea delighted with set-up progress in Jerez

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Gino Rea declared himself delighted with progress made with the set-up of the Gresini Moriwaki Moto2 machine he will campaign in 2012 at the end of a three-day test at the Jerez circuit in Spain.

The former World Supersport winner ended in 23rd position overall with a best time of 1.43.486 that left him less than a second away from the top six.

He was actually poised to post a best time of 1.43.1 in the final session under clear blue skies in Jerez when he crashed unhurt at the final corner after clipping the back wheel of another rider in the braking zone.

That time would have elevated him to the fringes of the top 15, but he was satisfied with progress made in setting up the new 2012 Moriwaki chassis and Showa suspension.

Rea and Gresini Racing team-mate Ratthapark Wilairot are the only two in the 33-strong Moto2 field to be running Showa suspension and he told MCN: “This week has been positive in many ways and it was a lot better than the last test at Jerez.

"We are still trying to develop the chassis with the new Showa suspension and there is still a lot of development work to be done.

"We are quite a way behind because everybody has been fine-tuning their set-up since the start of the year while we are still trying to make big steps. But the progress we have made has been good. We have improved in every area, particularly with the steering and rear grip.

"At the last test I had a big problem with steering and pumping and chatter problems but this test we have got rid of that. We still need to work on rear grip but we are not far off.”

Explaining what happened in the final corner crash, which activated his Dainese airbag system, he said: “I was on a good lap and braked in my normal place and went to the outside and the other rider came across and I clipped their back wheel.

"If I had got round that corner it would have been a 43.1, and that would have been my best lap of the test. That would have put me close to the top 15 again and I’d have been happy with that.”

source: MCN

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Advantage Corti as testing concludes

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Claudio Corti leads the third and final Moto2 pre-season test, at Jerez, which finishes with 14 riders within one-second of the top. 

Claudio Corti will go into the new Moto2 season having been fastest in two of the three pre-season tests. 

The Italtrans rider, fifth at the opening 2012 test at Valencia, had been joint fastest at last month's first Jerez test, but made the top spot his own on days two and three of this week's return visit. 

The performance marked a dramatic turnaround in form for Corti, who has been just 25th in the standings during the previous two seasons of the 600cc grand prix class, but is clearly much more comfortable after switching from a Suter to Kalex chassis. 

Corti, who took a podium finish in the first year of Moto2, set a best lap time of 1m 41.983s on the final afternoon of testing, allowing him to edge out Thomas Luthi by just 0.004s. 

Interwetten Suter rider Luthi, who celebrated his first Moto2 win at Sepang last year, had been fastest on the first day of testing and was the only other rider to break the 1m 42s mark. 

The official Jerez Moto2 best lap is a 1m 42.706s by last year's champion Stefan Bradl and this week's lap times - while using the official Honda engines - signalled that Moto2 will take another clear step forward in performance this year. 

But if the Jerez test is anything to go by the racing will also be incredibly competitive, with 14 riders lapping within one-second of Corti on combined lap times. 

Pons' Pol Espargaro and Marc VDS rider Mika Kallio made it three Kalex riders in the top four. 2011 runner-up Marc Marquez shrugged off his five-month layoff due to double vision to end the test in fifth place and 0.447s from the top on his Repsol Suter. 

The top Speed Up rider was multi Moto2 winner Andrea Iannone in sixth, with Avintia's Julian Simon leading the FTR challenge in ninth (+0.697s). Between them were Jerez I pace setter Scott Redding (Marc VDS), one of the few to lap slower on Wednesday, and returning former champion Toni Elias (Aspar Suter). 

The top ten - which featured four different chassis designs - was completed by new Forward Racing (Suter) signing Alex de Angelis (+0.758s) with Corti's team-mate and Moto2 rookie Takaaki Nakagami a creditable eleventh out of the 33 riders. 

Pons rider Esteve Rabat, Speed Up's Mike di Meglio and Tech 3's Bradley Smith were the remaining riders within one-second of the top. 

The top MotoBI was former 125cc title contender Johan Zarco in 16th (+1.084s) while the best Moriwaki was Gresini's Moto2 rookie Gino Rea in 23rd. The AJR of Ricky Cardus clocked the 29th best lap time (+2.377s) with MZ-RE Honda's Alexander Lundh 32nd (3.013s). Lundh was ahead of only QMMF's lady racer Elena Rosell (+4.488s). 

Moto2's third season of racing will begin under the floodlights in Qatar on the evening of April 8. 

source: crash.net

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