Nakamoto: Yamaha is stronger

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At the conclusion of the second Sepang MotoGP test session, Honda was once again atop the timesheets with both of their factory riders. That said, the manufacturer from Tokyo has seen their advantage slowly erode, especially with regard to their main rivals Yamaha, to the extent that HRC vice president Shuhei Nakamoto feels they no longer have the best bike on the grid.

"The M1 is very fast and represents a significant obstacle for us - the manager said - we aren't at the same level. The Honda is very powerful, but the Yamaha has great handling. As a package, they have the best bike at the moment."

Perhaps this is because of the chattering that Casey Stoner has lamented since the first Sepang test: "We have some other small issues to resolve, but chattering remains our main problem. It isn't so much a problem on the brakes as it is mid-corner. The frequency of the vibration changes significantly, depending on the shape and speed of the corner."

Since Honda didn't really have this problem last year, the culprit could be either the increase in minimum weight (from 153 to 157 Kg), the new Bridgestone tires, or some combination of both. "The rules change to raise the minimum weight has penalized us, also because it cost us more money in development, but I think it's mostly the tires that are causing the chatter. Bridgestone is working hard, and they have provided some new compounds at the test, but unfortunately the tire that gives us less chattering is the one with inferior performance."

Also causing concern was the race simulation carried out by Jorge Lorenzo, where the Spaniard lapped consistently under the 2'02 barrier. "Unfortunately we couldn't do any long runs because we lost the entire second day of testing, and we had many things left to try. We weren't sure exactly what happened with the engine, and the safety of our riders is the top priority. But on day 3 we didn't have to change anything, not even in terms of power output. We didn't change the mapping or any of the engine control software."

source: GP One

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Nakamoto: Safety the most important thing

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On Thursday lunchtime at Sepang, HRC executive vice president Shuhei Nakamoto gave a few more details regarding the engine problem suffered by Dani Pedrosa at the end of day one of this week's test. 

The problem, which saw Pedrosa shut down his RC213V's engine after a red warning light appeared along the back straight, resulted in all four Honda riders missing out on day two while further checks were carried out in Japan.

“On day one Dani's engine had a problem. We sent this engine back to Japan and it arrived yesterday morning, but we needed time to do the custom clearance so it arrived at HRC at lunchtime,” explained Nakamoto.

“We stopped testing because we didn't know exactly what had happened inside the engine and if an engine blows up it is dangerous for the riders. Safety is the most important thing for us.

“Now we understood what happened. The engine has no problem at all. We could have started again yesterday afternoon, but it rained.”

Nakamoto emphasised that Honda did not need to reduce the performance of its new 1000cc V4 engines or make any significant changes in order to continue testing.

“After the checks we have not had to modify the engines or change the performance,” he stated. “We only changed a little the engine management system data.”

As of 2pm, Honda's reigning world champion Casey Stoner is fastest, with team-mate Pedrosa third. The top Yamaha of Jorge Lorenzo separates the Repsol riders.

source: crash.net

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HRC: 1000cc only unleashed in 5th and 6th gears

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HRC executive vice president Shuhei Nakamoto believes the biggest difference with the new 1000cc MotoGP bikes will only be felt in fifth and sixth gears.

“Even with the 800cc we had to reduce the power up to fourth gear,” he said. “So compared with the 800, with the 1000cc we have more power in fifth and sixth gear.

“Straight-line speed is a bit faster, but time gained is only in fifth and sixth gear acceleration. And because top speed is higher you must brake sooner. 

“Cornering performance depends on chassis and tyres, which are not so different to 800cc, although the weight has increased. Of course, I expect the lap time to be better than the 800, but not a big difference.”

During the opening test of 2012, at Sepang, Honda's reigning world champion Casey Stoner dipped slightly under his best 800cc lap time from last year's winter tests. Further lap time improvements are expected in the second test later this month.

No official top speeds were recorded at Sepang, but the Hondas were said to be fastest through unofficial speed traps set up by some teams.

Yamaha's 2010 world champion Jorge Lorenzo has expressed concerns about the increase in top speeds with 1000cc bikes, but seven-time MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi thinks the risk is minimal.

“At the fast tracks the top speed will be quite impressive, but I don't think it will be more dangerous,” said the Ducati rider.

The highest official MotoGP top speed is 349.3km/h (217.1mph) by Dani Pedrosa during practice for the 2009 Italian Grand Prix at Mugello. Pedrosa was riding an 800cc RC212V.

The highest top speed of the previous 990cc bikes was 343.3km/h (213.6mph) by Honda's Makoto Tamada, during qualifying at China's Shanghai circuit in 2006.

source: crash.net

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HRC boss talks CRT MotoGP

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HRC executive vice president Shuhei Nakamoto is ready to discuss how to close the performance gap between the new CRT bikes and established manufacturer prototypes - but made clear Honda is 'not interested' in an all-CRT MotoGP championship. 

CRTs, Claiming Rule Teams, are a new initiative to boost MotoGP grid numbers, to coincide with the move from 800 to 1000cc engines. Essentially privateer constructors, the nine CRT entries will be using modified Superbike engines in a racing chassis. 

They are able to benefit from fuel capacity and engine-change concessions relative to the twelve bikes built by Honda, Yamaha and Ducati - but cannot 'represent' any manufacturer and must sell their engines, if requested, for 20,000 euros. 

The problem at present is that whenever CRTs have shared the track with the 'full' prototypes, they have languished significantly off the pace, prompting fears of a two-tier championship. 

The best CRT was 4.1sec from the top at Valencia last November and 6.5sec adrift during Tuesday's opening day at Sepang in Malaysia. 

Times from a private CRT test with the Aprilia (ART) bike at Valencia this week look more promising (see separate story), but the question remains - how fast should a CRT be? 

On the eve of this week's Sepang MotoGP test Nakamoto made an interesting comparison between the previous 800cc bikes and a Superbike, around the Suzuka circuit in Japan. 

“The CRT concept is ok, but at Valencia the lap time difference was too much. So we have to think how to make the gap closer,” said Nakamoto, whose Repsol Honda team won the 2011 MotoGP title with Casey Stoner. 

“In Honda's experience, a Superbike machine with HRC test rider Kousuke Akiyoshi set a lap time at Suzuka only one-second different to the time with an 800cc prototype. 

“But at Valencia the difference was much bigger. We must think about this area. I don't think this difference is only the machine. It is very difficult to find a good rider for a CRT machine. I would like to discuss this area as well.”

As well as making CRTs more competitive, Dorna boss Carmelo Ezpeleta is also keen to cut the cost of a 'customer' MotoGP bike to around 1 million euros for 2013.

Negotiations with the manufacturers are on-going for both these issues. Nakamoto made clear that Honda is willing to compromise, but would not be interested if all MotoGP bikes had to race under CRT-type rules.

“The economic situation is very bad for everyone. Technically and from a sporting point of view [the manufacturers] will make some suggestions to Carmelo regarding CRT and the future of MotoGP,” he said.

“If only CRT, we at Honda are not interested,” Nakamoto declared.

May has been targeted as the deadline for an agreement on the 2013 rules.

source: Crash.net

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Honda is not interested in CRT

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Honda today unveiled the official team in Sepang Honda HRC reporters unveiling the new Honda RC213V that will be entrusted to the World Champion Casey Stoner , and Spaniard Dani Pedrosa . What better time to announce to the world the CRT NO to the new category in line with what is said of the vertices of the Borgo Panigale to the presentation of the Ducati.

The warning to Carmelo Ezpeleta, Dorna and the FIM comes from Shuhei Nakamoto HRC Executive Vice President (via Sportmediaset ): "If the CRT will be the future of MotoGP, Honda will have no interest in this category." . It remains now to see what Yamaha will in fact be enough even if the choice of Honda and Ducati to close shop and puppets ...

source: motoblog.it

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picture: Repsol Honda Launch RC213V

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Repsol Honda Team launch RC213V

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Repsol Honda introduces the RC213V

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Repsol Honda officially presented the bike with which Casey Stoner will aim to defend his MotoGP title, during a Monday evening media call at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Kuala Lumpur. 

The event began with a video summarising Honda's 2011 Triple Crown triumph, after which a moment of silence was held in memory of Marco Simoncelli. Yesterday, the Repsol Honda Team visited the spot on the Sepang track where Simoncelli lost his life last October, laying a wreath of flowers and holding a minute's silence. 

With respects paid to Marco, attention turned to 2012, with Stoner and team-mate Dani Pedrosa pulling the covers off their new RC213Vs, designed for the new 1000cc era. The classic Repsol colours continue, meaning the main visual difference was the #1 on the front of Stoner's machine. 

"This is the Honda RC213V. That's 21-3, not 2-1-3. It stands for 21st century and 3rd [generation of] machine," said HRC Executive Vice President Shuhei Nakamoto. "The engine and chassis is different from last year, due to the regulation change. 

"Engine wise the bore is 81mm, but I don't know the stroke. Sorry!" he smiled. Revealing both the bore and stroke would indicate if Honda has chosen to use the full 1000cc available. 

Either way, Honda has the highest of hopes for the new bike. 

“We finished the 800cc era winning the triple crown and we will fight to win this again in 2012. We fully trust in our riders Casey Stoner and Dani Pedrosa to deliver this big challenge and we will give them all our technical and human support," said Nakamoto. 

“The RC213V is an evolution of the last version of the RC212V based on the same concept. The machines we have brought here to Sepang are basically the same machines we tested in Valencia back in November with only a few differences. 

“In fact, Casey and Dani will have one machine the same as Valencia, and the other one with a slightly different chassis, based on their own requests. 

"This is the first time back to Sepang since we lost Marco Simoncelli last October, on Sunday we visited the scene of his accident and laid some flowers and said a final 'Ciao' to him. I believe by starting this season strong will be a fitting tribute to Marco". 

Father-to-be-Stoner returns to action and recharged after a relaxing winter break

"The off season has been really good, we got to go back home and spend some time with family and friends in Australia over Christmas which was great. Then we came back to Switzerland to get everything in order for the baby's arrival, Adriana's due in just a few weeks and so we've been preparing, as best possible!” he said. 

“After such a strong season in 2011, we remain focused and don't expect to be in top form immediately. I am sure Honda have done a fantastic job with the new 1000cc machine over the winter break and I'm really looking forward to getting back on the bike and seeing what we can do, hoping to start strong again. 

“We know there will be a lot of serious competition out there, Ducati have been putting a lot of effort in as have Yamaha so it will be interesting to get out on track and see what everyone's got. 

"However, it's early days and I think we'll have to wait until the race in Qatar before we really know our competitors true pace and the package they have for 2012, but we're ready for it". 

Stoner added that adapting the chassis to the latest Bridgestone tyres, which had caused some chatter problems at Valencia in November, will be his main priority at this week's Sepang test. 

Team-mate Pedrosa, who has rebuilt his upper body strength after operations on both collarbones during the 2011 season, is also focussed on harmonising tyres and bike. 

"It's nice to be back with the team for the first Sepang test,” said the Spaniard. “I'm really excited to get on the bike again after the test we did in Valencia in November. Sepang is a good track for testing and we have still many things to discover out about the new bike. 

“It's been a long time since we were last riding and at the first test it's always important to get the feeling back, the first sensations. We will have three long days here to work with the team and HRC and it's necessary to be very focused in order to get good information to move forward for the second test. I guess the main target in this test will be to know the bike and the new Bridgestone tyres.” 

Testing at Sepang starts on Tuesday morning. All twelve manufacturer bikes, plus several of the new CRTs will be present. 

source: crash.net

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Marco Simoncelli: MotoGP team statements

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Ducati

Ducati, its team and its riders are deeply affected by the tragedy that struck the MotoGP world today, and they gather around the family, friends and team of Marco Simoncelli, who lost his life in a terrible accident during the Malaysian Grand Prix.

We will always remember Marco for his smile, his enthusiasm, his big heart and for the incredible emotions he allowed us to experience in recent years. He was one of us.

HRC

Today we are very sad to announce that HRC rider Marco Simoncelli has lost his life in a racing accident at the Sepang circuit. The 24 year old Italian was involved in an accident on lap two of the Malaysian GP. The race was instantly red flagged, and later cancelled. Medical staff were on the scene immediately and he was taken to the circuit medical centre. Unfortunately Marco's injuries were too severe and at 16h56 local time he was declared dead.

Our thoughts are with his family at this tragic time. 

The test scheduled for tomorrow with Dani Pedrosa and Casey Stoner on the 2012 prototypes at the Sepang Circuit has been cancelled.

Shuhei Nakamoto - HRC Executive Vice President: "I just don't know what to say, words escape me. Marco was a very nice guy and a very talented rider. Sometimes I was a little harsh with him, for example after his first MotoGP podium in Brno when I told him: "Lucky podium!" and he was so angry... but I wanted to motivate him as I knew he was able to do even more. I was thinking that when he won his first race we would have been able to celebrate together... Now I just want to say thank you to Marco, for what you gave me and pass my sincere condolences to his family and this very sad time".

Suzuki

Today’s Malaysian Grand Prix was cancelled after Marco Simoncelli succumbed to fatal injuries he received during the second lap of today’s  race.

All at Rizla Suzuki are deeply affected by today’s tragic events and send their deepest condolences to Marco’s family and friends during this time of great loss.

R.I.P Marco Simoncelli, 20 January 1987 – 23 October 2011 – A true competitor.

Yamaha

Yamaha wish to convey the deepest heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the family, friends and colleagues of Marco Simoncelli following the tragic accident today at the Grand Prix of Malaysia. Marco was a worthy competitor and rising star of MotoGP who will be deeply missed by all.

source: visordown

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Race at Suzuka, says Honda boss

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RADIATION concerns still has a select group of MotoGP riders yet to commit to the Japanese GP, but according to Honda MotoGP team principal Shuhei Nakamoto the race could be saved by switching the event from Motegi to Suzuka.

After the tsunami and earthquake devastated the country in March, the date of Japanese GP was postponed from April and moved to October 2nd. However concerns have risen throughout the MotoGP contingent over the risk of radiation levels at the circuit from a leak at the Fukushima nuclear plant 100 miles away.

Vocal in their fears about riding at Motegi were the likes of Casey Stoner, Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi, all of whom insisted they would not travel to Japan. An independent review has been since been conducted declaring the circuit safe and race officials have confirmed that the race will continue as planned.

Stoner has admitted that he is likely to compete after revealing his concerns grew from the announcement of his wife's pregnancy. Along with this an email from Dorna to IRTA which was then relayed onto the teams has demanded that the everyone must honour their contracts regarding the race, leading to reports that the factory Yamaha team will race alongside the various teams who have already committed - including Tech 3 Yamaha and Aspar.

However the attendance of Rossi still remains uncertain, as the Italian believes that the riders should stay united as reported by GPone - they have more influence if they "stick together".

Nakamoto thinks that switching to Suzuka would be an ideal solution, as the circuit - which held the Japanese round from 1987 to 2003 - is over 400 miles away from the danger zone and would help keep the event running this year, even if the race is in six weeks time.

Speaking to Motosprint, Nakamoto said: "I say that we could race this year at Suzuka and then go back to Motegi from next year.

"Besides, I like Suzuka better: the circuit is nicer and more technical. The international federation has taken away the homologation of the Suzuka track, so it would need some dispensation, and that would need to be done quickly.

"For sure three years ago the Suzuka track has undergone important renovation works to the circuit, the run-off areas, and the service roads around the track.

"The paddock has remained a bit outdated, but for just once it wouldn't bother anyone. And the Suzuka Eight Hours, held regularly, demonstrates that bikes, too, can race there."

A major problem facing this plan is the removal of Suzuka's certification by the FIM following the death of Daijiro Kato in 2003. This was something that Nakamoto further elaborated on, as his desire for MotoGP to race at Suzuka again comes from a personal preference over the fast and technical circuit compared to the stop-and-go nature of Motegi. The former circuit would need to achieve approval from the FIM with issue regarding the run-off at turn 11 - changes that would be difficult to implement.

source: visordown

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Nakamoto on the importance of fuel consumption

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When Repsol landed in the official Honda HRC team back in 1995, one of the main objectives of the Spanish energy company and its Japanese partner was the joint development of their own fuel and lubricant that would offer new characteristics compared with what was being used at the time.

With an intense joint effort the Repsol and HRC engineers developed the fuel of the current 4-stroke bikes and the success soon came. The introduction in 2012 of the 1000cc engines is a new challenge for the researchers at the Repsol Technology Centre and for the HRC engineers. To speak about the importance of research, development and innovation in top level racing there is nobody better than Shuhei Nakamoto, Honda HRC vice-president and spearhead of the Repsol Honda Team in the Motorcycling World Championship.

“Thanks to the fuel that our partner Repsol supplies to us, consumption has been reduced; our engines use a little less and that is due to the fuel. We work very closely with our partners, in fact, we have a test MotoGP engine at the Repsol Technology Centre of the company in Mostoles. For some time our engineers have been travelling to Madrid regularly to collaborate with them and their Spanish counterparts do the same, visiting our headquarters in Saitama”, explains Nakamoto.

In the World Championship, working at the top level and managing significant budgets, consumption is not supposed to be an important factor, but one of the technical rules that regulates a MotoGP bike's construction is the limitation of the fuel tank's capacity to 21 litres. That means that for Sunday's race the premier class bikes have a limited quantity available to complete the required number of laps. Taking into account that those bikes have great power and need to keep their competitive level during the whole race, to achieve a lower consumption was undoubtedly a great challenge for the Repsol and HRC engineers.

“There are two notable aspects when it comes to fuel. The first one is that good fuel must offer a significant improvement to the engine's set-up and its response, making the power curve more usable. The second important point is consumption and its reduction, which allows good fuel, always keeping the same performance level. This becomes even more difficult when at the time of developing a fuel you need to take into account the current FIM regulations, as before it was easier to find points for improvement, especially in the power department, but now the FIM applies many restrictions to fuel development”, states Nakamoto.

“And another of the challenges for racing fuel and lubricant is to keep the engine in perfect conditions during the maximum possible number of kilometres, thus increasing its lifespan”, adds the head of the Repsol Honda Team.

“The combustion process is the result of mixing fuel and air. A basic concept is that you can have the same performance and power with more air and less fuel. This way fuel is saved and the weight of the bike is reduced. Due to the evolution made by our HRC personnel together with the Repsol engineers, we achieved a fuel that, despite offering the same performance as fuels from other brands, allows us to reduce consumption and, at the moment – with the 21 litre limitation – is a particularly valuable feature. We can say that with the fuel developed jointly with Repsol we achieved a better proportion between fuel and air”.

Added to the technical requirements are concerns for the environment. “The rule of having a tank of a 21-litre maximum capacity is a great challenge. We had to adapt ourselves to the environment and starting with the experience we have in MotoGP, we can apply that knowledge afterwards to other engines of daily use for the road. Both Honda HRC and Repsol are concerned about the environment, so our work is aimed at reducing consumption and emissions, but always keeping the highest performance level in such a technically demanding competition as the MotoGP World Championship”.

With that in mind the knowledge exchanged between Honda HRC and Repsol is constant. The MotoGP experience is transferred to the Honda factories and the Repsol service stations. “Both in Honda HRC and in Repsol we are very conscious of the importance of environmental care, so we use technical solutions in racing that we know that when applied to production engines can offer more performance while respecting the environment. Japanese environmental and emissions regulations are very strict, so we have a lot of experience in that field in production engines. In fact, I am able to confirm that the development of the 1000cc bike engine we will use the next season has some aspects of the technology of production engines that Honda equips in specific models of its production bikes”.

Continuing with the consumption concept, Nakamoto adds: “While last year the development of the fuel jointly with the Repsol engineers was focused in achieving the performance of the 1000cc engine we are developing, this year our engineers and Repsol's centred their job in consumption and in reducing it to the minimum possible quantity. The new 2010 regulations offers us a great challenge: same fuel capacity (21 litres) for higher displacement and power with the 1000cc engine. Thus the key will not be to achieve a higher horsepower, but to reduce the consumption for a higher performance. It is a great technological challenge for the Honda HRC and Repsol engineers”.

”These new rules are an incentive to keep working for the environment. This leading fuel technology that is being developed by Repsol will be available, sooner or later, in their service stations, thus benefiting the final costumer and, above all, the environment”, concludes Nakamoto.

Press release courtesy of Repsol Media Service

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2011: Honda’s best 800cc season

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The last year of the 800cc machines has seen prolific success for the Japanese manufacturer, beginning with the opening race in Qatar, where Casey Stoner’s pole position was the first for Honda at the Losail circuit since the Australian was on pole there on his non-factory Honda machine in 2006. With Pedrosa starting second on the grid, it was the first time Honda riders were the top two qualifiers in the MotoGP class since Sete Gibernau was on pole and Marco Melandri was second at the Valencia GP in 2005.

Stoner’s subsequent win at Qatar was the first in an opening race win for Honda since Valentino Rossi at Suzuka in 2003, and was the first Honda victory at the circuit since Sete Gibernau in 2004 aboard the 990cc RC211V.

Round four in France saw Stoner victorious again, giving the manufacturer the first premier class win at the Le Mans circuit since Marco Melandri in 2006. Stoner then won Catalunya, and together with Pedrosa’s round three triumph in Estoril, Honda had three successive victories for the first time in the 800cc era of MotoGP.

Silverstone saw Stoner again on top, making him the first Honda rider to win three successive MotoGP races since Valentino Rossi in 2003 on the 990cc machine.

Round 11 at Brno saw Honda riders fill all three podium places – an event that had not happened in a MotoGP race since the USGP at Laguna Seca in 2006. Stoner’s victory in Brno was the first for a Honda rider at the Czech GP since 2004 with Sete Gibernau.

Honda are now just 15 points below the maximum possible score in the constructors championship after the first eleven races of the year and have already matched the total number of wins they achieved in 2006, the final season of the 990cc era of MotoGP.

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Honda wants decision on 2012 works riders for Indianapolis Grand Prix

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Honda racing boss Shuhei Nakamoto says a decision on the future of Marco Simoncelli and Andrea Dovizioso is set to be made by the next race in Indianapolis.

Nakamoto had said last month that Honda was set to reduce its budget for next year, meaning the Japanese manufacturer is likely to have just two works bikes in 2012.

He said only Dani Pedrosa and Casey Stoner were likely to get works rides.

Honda currently has three works bikes with his official team, but gives the same equipment to Gresini's Simoncelli.

Nakamoto said he is not entirely happy with the performance of the Italian riders, but insisted Honda will do all it can do retain them, with a decision expected in two weeks' time.

"I'm not happy about them," Nakamoto was quoted as saying by Gazzetta dello Sport. "Marco goes well in qualifying, but then he's had some problems in the races. Andrea has improved, he's third in the championship, but he's not at the top yet. We want to win and at the moment they aren't winning.

"But we want to hold on to them and we'll try to, even though these are difficult times. For sure, as a racing department, there will be a decrease to our budget, which will be defined in September.

"But we can't wait that long: we need to find an agreement by Indianapolis. We'll talk to Simoncelli and Dovizioso and we'll try to keep them. We have no preference, because they both have positive and negative sides."

Nakamoto said Gresini would have to pay to have another works bike from next season, and he suggested a German rider, believed to be Moto2 championship leader Stefan Bradl, will also get a ride with Honda next year.

"We can give Gresini a second bike, but he needs to pay for it. By contract we need to field two bikes, but we'd like to build four, in fact they'll almost certainly be five. The fifth will be ridden by a German-speaking rider. If someone asks we could build up to six bikes."

source: autosport

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Honda refusing to get complacent, wary of Lorenzo

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HRC principal Shuhei Nakamoto insists his team cannot afford to get complacent in the fight for the 2011 MotoGP World Championship, despite winning seven of the opening ten races this season.

Heading into the second-half of the year, Casey Stoner currently leads the standings with five wins, but his advantage is being pegged back at 20 points to Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo, who has matched his rival for consistency, even if he has won just two races in comparison.

Indeed, though Honda is already enjoying its most successful MotoGP season since 2006 (when it won eight races over an entire year), Nakamoto remains wary of the threat coming from Lorenzo, labelling him as a 'tough competitor'.

“Honda has won seven out of ten races so far. Considering we only won four in the whole of the last season, you'd think we have it in the bag. But Lorenzo is a very tough competitor. He's not going to give up, and I think we will continue to see a pattern of wins and losses for the rest of the season. 

“A single slip could upset the whole championship battle. We're going to be treating every race with the utmost seriousness, concentrating on avoiding any mistakes that could cost us points.”

Looking ahead to the remainder of the season, though Nakamoto is delighted with Honda's upturn in form this season, one that sees it occupy first, third and fourth in the standings, he is particularly eager to see an all-Honda podium before the year is out.

“We are facing some pretty strong competition so I can't say it [all-Honda podium] will be easy to pull it off. On the other hand, it's a dream we've been chasing for some time and we'll be going all out in the remaining races, to try and realise that dream as soon as we can, and also of course to take the Championship. I hope you all will keep following our progress and helping us with your support.”

Despite its success, Honda is tipped to return to a two-man factory Repsol team made up of Stoner and Dani Pedrosa in 2012, with Andrea Dovizioso switching to LCR Honda and Marco Simoncelli remaining at Gresini Honda.

source: crash.net

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