Karel Abraham interrupts the test due to injury

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Karel Abraham, who completed only 3 laps during the first day of the second official MotoGP test at Sepang in Malaysia, withdrew from the test after back injuries from a crash at Jerez in Spain last week didn’t allowed him to continue. Abraham’s bike was used by Ducati test rider Franco Battaini, who finished in thirteenth position, 3,802s behind the fastest rider Casey Stoner. 

Karel Abraham:

„It’s a shame because we lost a lot of time that we could spend by working on the bike. But it doesn’t make any sense to continue with such a pain and the chance that the injury would heal during the next two days is quite small. Now I’m heading back to the Czech Republic. The crash at Jerez was unlucky. There was an oil spill on the track and the bike slipped on it. The crash was very hard, the bike even caught fire. Most of the problems causes me the scapula. I have undervent some tests in a hospital in Brno after I returned from Jerez and there is a possibility that it’s fractured. There are three weeks before the final pre-season test and I know that I have to be fit as soon as possible and continue in the training. We lost a lot of time and now we have only a few days before the first race in Qatar to minimize the gap between us and the other riders.“

Martin Havlíček:

„It’s a big shame for us, but we are staying at Sepang and we will try to get as much data as possible. Thanks to the cooperation with Ducati Team, we could use the experiences of Franco Battaini, who spent the morning on Karel’s bike and then switched to Nicky Hayden’s bike while Nicky decided to skip the afternoon practice due to his injuries. Tomorrow we would like to continue in the same mode, but it depends on Nicky. But Franco, who uses the same set-up of the bike as Karel, is very experienced and has very good feeling for the bike. Gathered data and informations from him are very usefull. Now we are not focusing on the lap times, our goal is to get as much data as possible.“

source: Cardion Ducati AB Press Release

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Abraham finishes 2,6 s behind the leader despite improvement

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Karel Abraham finished the first on-track MotoGP action of the year in twelfth position. The Czech motorcycle rider ended the final day of the official MotoGP Test at Sepang in Malaysia by setting his fastest lap time of 2:02,218. Compared to his yesterday’s maximum, Karel Abraham improved his time by 380 thousandths, but finished 2,611 seconds behind the leader. The fastest rider Casey Stoner set the fastest lap of the day with 1:59,607 on his second lap and finished almost six tenths ahead of second Jorge Lorenzo. 

Karel Abraham

„Today’s test didn’t go very well. We made some improvements in the morning, but then we had the same problems as always. The bike slided a lot and I wasn’t able to accelerate from the corner enough. We figured out something right before the end and my feeling on the bike was much more better. We were able to post fast and stable lap times, but then the rain came and it was over. It looks like an optimistic end, but I’m not sure if the bike will work just as well as today during the next test. Sometimes in the past we thought we have a good set-up that didn’t work next time.“

Martin Havlíček, mechanic of Cardion AB Motoracing team

„Although we set our best lap time of the day during the morning session, we produced our best result right before the end when we made some changes on the set-up of the bike and Karel completed a few fast laps in a row. That’s a good news for us, but we’re still quite disappointed with today’s result. We compared our lap times from every part of the track and we know that we could post lap time around 2:01,500, but unfortunately we weren’t able to put these fastest parts together into a single lap. Gap between us and the fastest rider is bigger than yesterday, but it’s the same for every rider. We must admit that Casey Stoner produces phenomenal lap times.

This test was tough start of the season for us. We suffered from the fact that we weren’t able to get into the rhythm more quickly and that‘s why we have lost a lot of time and energy. Karel, who completed almost 150 laps during the last three days, was quite tired in the end and that’s why we couldn’t push to the limit in the last moments of the test. It’s a shame, because now we have to wait for three weeks before we find out if we found the right way.“

source: Cardion AB Press Release

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Karel Abraham improves his time and finishes 1,7 s behind the leader

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With the 1,703 s gap between him and the fastest rider Casey Stoner, Karel Abraham finished the second day of the official MotoGP Test at Sepang in Malaysia in twelfth position. Compared to his yesterday’s maximum, the Czech motorcycle rider improved his best lap time by 1,2 seconds and minimized the gap between him and the fastest rider by 0,421 seconds. Karel Abraham completed 66 laps, approximately 366 kilometres. 

Karel Abraham

„We’ve done a lot of work today. We completed 39 laps before 1:00 PM, but it was the only solution because we wanted to get as much data as possible.  I’m little bit disappointed that we completed only one successful run – during which I set my best lap time from Wednesday. The bike isn’t perfect yet, it doesn’t work optimally . We need to find the right set-up between the chassis and electronics because one thing affects the other one more than we expected.  I believe that we will improve tomorrow, despite the fact that I’m quite tired because I completed two times more laps than some other riders. I already have some blisters on my hands, so it’s gonna be uncomfortable.“

Martin Havlíček, mechanic of Cardion AB Motoracing team

„During the afternoon we achieved our goal for today – to improve our lap time and finish under 2 minutes and 3 seconds. I believe that we could be even faster. The conditions at the track were great, in the morning we used our both machines, then we took the best parts from each bike and installed it to the one which Karel used during the afternoon.“

„For sure, our lap times can be even better, the bike has still some reserves. We will be satisfied if we improve our time by eight tenths. But now we are fighting for every tenth and it also depends on Karel, who must set his lap times on his own. Although Barbera used slip stream behind Valentino Rossi and improved his own time, but it was an exception.“

„Yesterday we worked on the bike until 11:00 PM and today’s test showed us that it was the right decision. We have a good top speeds, we are faster by 15 km/h comparing to the last year’s 800cc bike. Our plan for tomorrow isn’t to complete as much laps as today, but I believe that the time under 2 minutes and 2 seconds isn’t  unrealistic.“

source: Cardion AB press release

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video: Cardion AB Bike Launch

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Cardion AB bike launch. Must see.



source: youtube

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Karel Abraham’s 2012 Ducati livery unveiled

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This is what the Ducati Desmosedici GP12 that Karel Abraham will ride in the 2012 MotoGP world championship will look like when the new season kicks off in Qatar on April 8.

Abraham’s Cardion AB Motoracing squad staged its team launch in Prague last Friday ahead of the Czech Republic rider beginning his preparations for the new 1000cc era in Sepang next week.

The first three-day test of the pre-season campaign runs between January 31 and February 2.

source: MCN

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GP12 Technical Data of Cardion AB Motoracing

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Bike made in Borgo Panigale factory in Bologna has a new 1000 ccm engine with power around 250 HP, which corresponds to a new rules in the MotoGP class for 2012 season.

The name is derived from atypical engine valve system, so-called desmodromic (valves are opened and closed by camshaft). Sedici is "sixteen" in Italian and indicates the number of valves in the engine.

source: motomatters.com

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Karel Abraham Press Release: GP12 Is 999cc, Has 250HP And Top Speed Of 360 km/h

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Czech motorcycle rider Karel Abraham will ride with more powerful and faster bike in his second season in the MotoGP class. The new Ducati Desmosedici GP12 is powered by four-stroke 1000 ccm engine with four cylinders and power of 250HP, which allows maximum speed of 360 km per hour.

Comparing to the last year's model, the new bike has completely modified concept. For example, carbon chassis is replaced by deltabox aluminium frame. "At first glance it may appear that the bike is similar to the last year's model, but under the fairing is a series of significant changes," says crew chief of Cardion AB Motoracing Marco Grana, who spent two weeks in Bologna with his colleagues from the Czech team.

Also the external part of the bike is slightly modified, but the design is still based on a combination of blue and white colors. "In 2012 we decided to return to the blue color a little bit, but I think that our bike will be still well recognizable," continues Karel Abraham. Atypical wings, which he used on the fairing of his bike in 2011 to increase the pressure on the front wheel, will disappear this year.

Most of the components on the new bike are from the same manufacturer as last year. Suspension of Abraham's bike is provided by Öhlins while the brakes are from Brembo. All teams from the premier class use Bridgestone tyres. "I tried the new bike during the post-season test in Valencia, but the first real test will be held at Sepang in Malaysia at the end of January. We need to be well prepared for the first test because we want to try a lot of things. We also must work on the set-up of the bike because the 2012 MotoGP season kicks off in Qatar on April 8th," added Karel Abraham.

According to the provisional entry list for the 2012 MotoGP World Championship, the Cardion AB Motoracing rider will compete against eleven bikes from Ducati, Honda and Yamaha. Other nine positions on the grid will be filled by CRT teams using bikes based on serial machines. Between many rookies are also Abraham's old friends from the Moto2 class, for example reigning Moto2 world champion Stefan Bradl. "Thanks to the increased number of riders, the MotoGP will be more attractive for spectators and for us. It's great that I will ride against my old rivals and friends, but I'm concetrating on my goal – be on the front positions as much as possible, regardless the factory machines or a CRT bikes."

source: motomatters.com

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Abraham satisfied with Test outcome

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The Cardion AB Motoracing rider put in two solid days of work at the Official MotoGP Test at Valencia and is now looking forward to a deserved winter break.

Karel Abraham’s debut season in the premier class of the MotoGP World Championship came to a conclusion at the Official Test at Valencia on Wednesday, where the Cardion AB Motoracing rider finished the second day seventh fastest with a best time of 1’33.433.

Searching for a suitable set-up on the new Ducati Desmosedici GP12, the 21 year-old completed 72 laps and was 1.626s off fastest rider Dani Pedrosa.

Karel Abraham:

“During the first few laps we solved most of the problems we had and then we tried many things and focused on the set-up of the motorcycle. I’m quite satisfied with the result of the Test, but I think I could have set an even better lap time. I spent most of the time on track in the morning and then I was quite tired in the afternoon, but I’m happy with the way I ended my first season in the premier class and now I’m looking forward to winter break.”

source: motogp official

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Abraham wraps up rookie season

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Karel Abraham and Cal Crutchlow put on a superb final-race battle for the 2011 Rookie of the Year title at Valencia on Sunday, the Czech rider eventually coming off second best after pushing on the final lap and running off track.

Rounding off an impressive debut season in the premier class with an eighth place finished at Valencia, Abraham and Crutchlow scrapped for positions throughout the race until the last lap when the Czech rider ran off after touching his competitor’s rear wheel.

“The race was perfect. It was a good battle between me and Cal. I think everybody enjoyed it,” said the Cardion ab Motoracing rider. “I had hoped that Dani (Pedrosa) would slow Cal a little bit and I would make up some of the gap.”

Commenting on the moment when he ran off, Abraham added: “I knew that he (Crutchlow) would try to overtake me in that corner, but I was too fast and touched his rear tyre. What can I say… I’m so sorry because it was a very good race. Plus, it could have been my best result of the year and I could have taken the award for the best rookie. It’s a shame, but things like this happen. This season has been quite unlucky for us, but I believe that we will have more luck next season.”

Abraham will now start preparations for the 2012 campaign at the Test on Tuesday, when he will ride the Desmosedici GP12.

“I’m looking forward to testing it. With every change of category or motorcycle I have made progress and I’m hoping that this time it will be the same,” he concluded.

source: motogp official

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Abraham sure of Japanese GP return

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Karel Abraham is confident he will be fit enough to race in the Japanese Grand Prix after being hospitalised by a crash at Motorland Aragon.

The Czech rider crashed around the second bend of the opening lap, Abraham getting tangled up with his Cardion AB Ducati as they came down and getting struck in the head.

Necessitating a hospital visit, Abraham was later cleared as having a mild concussion and no broken bones, ensuring he should be ready to race at Motegi in two weeks' time.

“Despite the fact that the start is usually one of my biggest weaknesses, this time I started quite well and stayed in the middle of the field,” said Abraham, who had qualified a fine eighth. “Honestly, I cannot tell you what happened before the crash, it all happened too fast.”

“Fortunately, I have nothing broken, only a slight concussion. I'm glad I didn't suffer any serious injury, but I'm disappointed with the way I ended this race weekend. I produced one of my best performances in the qualifying session and made a promising start to the race, but then I crashed. I want to leave behind this race and focus on the upcoming Grand Prix.”

source: crash

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Painful end to Aragón race for Abraham

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Karel Abraham’s heavy opening-lap crash at Aragón on Sunday resulted in a light head concussion for the MotoGP rookie, but fortunately the Czech rider escaped serious injury.

Going into Turn 1 on the first lap Abraham landed heavily when he was thrown from his Cardion ab Motoracing Ducati machine, and was later taken to hospital as a precautionary measure.

After undergoing a series of medical checks it was confirmed that the 21 year-old had escaped serious injury, and he was kept in hospital close to the Aragón MotorLand circuit overnight for observation.

Abraham is due to leave hospital this evening (Monday).

source: MotoGP official website

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Abraham taken for checks after bike hits helmet

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MotoGP rookie Karel Abraham was taken to hospital for checks after a nasty accident on the first lap of Sunday's Aragon Grand Prix (see below for further pictures).

The Cardion AB Ducati rider, eighth and the top non-factory bike rider in qualifying, fell after contact with another competitor and was then struck on the helmet by the rear wheel of his Desmosedici.

Conscious but complaining of a headache, the 21-year-old was taken to hospital, where he passed a series of medical checks. 

Nevertheless, Abraham will remain under observation in hospital.

source: crash

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Karel Abraham to start from fourth row

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While the other riders changed tires in the last moments of the Gran Premio Aperol di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini qualifying session, Abraham continued on his worn tires to post a time of 1‘34.727. The Czech rider found a satisfactory tire combination that allowed him to finish just 0.135 seconds behind Hector Barbera - who was ninth and also the fastest rider in the field aboard a Ducati.

Karel Abraham: 

“I’m satisfied with the result of the qualifying practice. Of course, it could be even better, but I am glad that the gap between me and the riders in front of me isn’t too big. We used a combination of the hard rear tire and soft front from the first free practice and it works well. We will make some adjustments on the set-up of the motorcycle tomorrow and then we’ll see.”

Cardion AB Motoracing press release.

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Abraham affected by technical problems

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“We tried the engine which we used during the Czech Republic GP, which I did not finished due to a broken radiator,“ the twenty one year old Czech rider said. “The engine stopped due to a oil cooler which was also damaged from the previous crash."

Although Karel Abraham set a best time of 1’43.528 and improved his lap time from the first free practice by 3.115 seconds, he finished seventeenth with a 2.804 second gap to the fastest rider Casey Stoner. “We need to make a lot of changes, especially on the set-up of the motorcycle. Then we will see," continued Abraham. "The new surface is very slippery but I believe that the grip on a new asphalt will improve over time."

The Czech rider has only one previous race start at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, in the 250cc class in 2009 where he finished 10th. In 2010 he went out in FP1 of the Moto2 class, but realised that he had not fully recovered from a concussion suffered in a crash two weeks earlier at Brno and withdrew from the race.

Cardion AB Motoracing press release

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Abraham to run special livery in home race

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Karel Abraham will ride in a special livery on Sunday, during his MotoGP race debut in front of his home Czech fans at Brno.

Abraham arrives at round ten holding twelfth in the championship, out of the 17 full time riders, with four top ten finishes and a best result of seventh (twice). 

The Cardion AB Ducati rider is also twelve points ahead of former World Supersport champion Cal Crutchlow in the rookie of the year contest.

"I have to admit that if somebody predicted these results when the season started I wouldn't believe them. But now I know I can do even better," said Abraham.

Looking ahead to this weekend, Abraham - winner of last year's Valencia Moto2 race - doesn't expect any material home advantage.

"Despite the fact that Brno is my home circuit I have no possibility to practice here during the season," confirmed Abraham, whose father and team manager owns the track. 

"I know from the first half of the season that all circuits are completely different on a MotoGP bike. It's gonna be interesting to see if the situation will be the same this weekend.

"Brno suits my style, although it's very difficult to find the right set-up of the bike here," he continued. "It has a lot of fast corners, not chicanes. Some riders have a problem in Brno due to big elevation, but I like it."

The 21-year-old revealed that getting up to speed sooner in the races is his next goal. 

"The start of the race and the first two or three laps are still my biggest weakness, but I believe that when I solve this problem I will be able to fight for top ten finishes in every race," he said.

Abraham Jr. will spend Friday and Saturday in normal colours before running a special white livery for Sunday.

"We think that the start of a Czech rider in the premier-class on his home circuit is an exceptional event to which we want to draw attention," said Karel Abraham Sr.

Abraham will be the first Czech rider to compete in the premier-class at his home GP since Pavol Dekanek finished 28th in the 500cc race back in 1989.

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Karel Abraham finishes eleventh despite technical problem

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Despite not getting the start he wanted, Karel Abraham moved forward to tenth place from his fifth row start to pursue Hector Barbera, whose lead was just 1.405s ahead of the Czech rider on lap 30 of 32. Unfortunately, technical problems occurred making it difficult for Abraham to pass Barbera in the last moments of the race.

“Something in the rear suspension broke near the end of the race when I was getting close enough to overtake Hector Barbera,” explained Abraham. “Basically I was sitting on my rear wheel, so the last two laps were really slow and I had to concentrate on not crashing because the bike was moving all over the place. Then on the last lap I couldn’t hold off Aoyama and he overtook me.” The 27 year old crossed the line 0.282 seconds behind Hiroshi Aoyama to finish in eleventh place. “I finished the race, though I'm not real satisfied with my result,” he said, “but I’m looking forward to the next race which is the home Grand Prix for me and for my team.”

Abraham and his team will head to the Czech Republic for the Cardion AB Grand Prix České republiky on the weekend of August 12th to 14th at the Brno Circuit. “I hope lots of fans will go to the Brno Circuit to support me,” Abraham concluded.

source: motogp official website

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