Mugello circuit awarded IRTA Best Grand Prix of 2011

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Almost 85,000 MotoGP™, fans were gathered at the Mugello Circuit on the 3rd of July last year to witness the Gran Premio d'Italia TIM, which saw then reigning World Champion, Jorge Lorenzo, take his second victory of the season after battling with his eventual successor as title holder, Casey Stoner.

Once again, the Italian venue provided a thrilling spectacle in all three World Championship classes and, despite the weekend being marred by intermittent rain, riders were able to fully enjoy the improved grip levels thanks to the recently laid new tarmac. Off-track, teams and staff were able to work in excellent conditions in a paddock upgraded to MotoGP standards over the past few years.

Proud of the recognition given to the Mugello Circuit, track CEO Paolo Poli declared: "I consider this award recognition of Italian excellence around the world. This is proof that Italy is able to answer – with the strength of tradition and innovation – to global challenges defining this difficult historical period. The Italian Grand Prix will remain the most important event of our sporting calendar in years to come. In addition, we will continue our positive relationship with Dorna and IRTA, whose professionalism has allowed motorcycle racing to be more successful and popular than ever."

IRTA President Herve Poncharal noted: "The best Grand Prix is voted by the teams, and the teams talk to the riders, mechanics and press officers. So it’s not only the track, it’s everything, how everybody feels about the Grand Prix and how everybody feels at home there. So I’m personally very happy that they’ve won it for the fifth time. I’m delighted to think we’re going to go back there quite soon and this is well-deserved."

Last year, Dorna Sports S.L and the Mugello circuit reached agreement on a new five-year deal, meaning the Italian Grand Prix will continue to be held at the Tuscan circuit until at least 2016. In 2012, the Tuscan circuit will host the 9th round of the MotoGP World Championship on the 15th of July.

source: MotoGP Official

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Mugello MotoGP: the party never ends

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The MotoGP race at Mugello is certainly the Italian Grand Prix motorcycling excellence. The circuit is one of the most loved by the pilots, not just Italians. The number of San Donato, Poggio Secco, Casanova-Savelli, Arrabbiata 1 and 2, Scarborough, palace, Correntaio, Biondetti 1 and 2 and Bucine are not only "curves" of the Tuscan track, but gathering places and celebration taking place during all weekend. The video "The Party Never Stops" (the party never stops) made by Alpinestars is the proof.

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Dovizioso quickest in rain affected FP2

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Only three riders in the MotoGP field crossed the finish line in the first 30 minutes of the 40 minute FP2 on Friday, which was marred by a light rain that was not enough to warrant rain tires, and yet too slippery to push for fast laps on slicks.

Toni Elías (LCR Honda) was one of the few riders to complete more than a few laps, setting a time of 1’51’.937 on lap 10 of 10 to put him second in the timings. Valentino Rossi (Ducati Team) set his fastest time on lap 6 of 6, a 1’52.550 that ranked him third. Álvaro Bautista (Rizla Suzuki) entered late in the session, completing four laps the last of which was 1.947s behind the Italian to place him in fourth.

Randy De Puniet was the first rider on the track and completed 13 laps, setting his quickest time of 1’55.279 on his last lap to put him fifth fastest of the session.

Four riders who did not join the session at all were Marco Simoncelli (San Carlo Honda Gresini Team), Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha Factory Racing) and Repsol Honda riders Dani Pedrosa and Casey Stoner.

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Simoncelli shines in Italian FP1

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The Italian from Cattolica opened the race weekend at Mugello with a fastest time of 1’48.987, putting his San Carlo Honda Gresini Team bike 0.040s in front of Casey Stoner, who had and early run off, and 0.101s ahead of Andrea Dovizioso. The fastest Yamaha in the session was Yamaha Factory Racing's Jorege Lorenzo, who set a fourth quickest time of 1’49.251, just slightly more than a tenth of a second ahead of team mate Ben Spies.

Colin Edwards posted the sixth fastest of the session on his Monster Yamaha Tech 3 bike, followed by Dani Pedrosa, who returns to racing after a 3 round absence due to a fractured a collarbone sustained at Le Mans. The Repsol Honda rider won the race here last year, leading every lap from pole position.

The swiftest Ducati of the field was that of Nicky Hayden, who posted a time of 1’50.203, while team mate Valentino Rossi suffered a mechanical problem. The Italian pulled off the track and was assisted by track marshals who pushed his Ducati Team to the pits, leaving him 13th in the timings.

Hiroshi Aoyama (San Carlo Honda Gresini) and Álvaro Bautista (Rizla Suzuki) completed the top ten times of the session.

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Simoncelli to make up lost ground at Mugello

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Marco Simoncelli left Holland on Saturday with a bitter taste in his mouth and the knowledge that a mistake had cost him dearly. It was possibly his first real error of the season and it involuntarily involved Jorge Lorenzo. The correct strategy would have been to wait, and not doing so led to another potentially exciting race going up in tyre smoke. Another forgettable race, which started with confusion on the grid over which setting to opt for – wet or dry – unsettled Marco. The team also accepts its own responsibility and the experience will be a valuable one for everybody involved. However, their home race at Mugello is immediately on the horizon and it promises to be another tense one as the team and “Super Sic” look to make up ground in the championship. The key will be to remain calm because the potential is there and now is the time to back it up with a result. Mugello provides a stunning amphitheater and only the most determined performers will come out with a result. Hiroshi Aoyama returns to the fold this week after a positive experience at Assen on the factory RC212V with the Repsol Honda Team.

Marco Simoncelli:

“My first reaction when I came into the box after the race, as well as bitterness and disappointment, was that I had been a fool because I could have waited. I made a mistake and it cost me dearly as well as involuntarily taking Lorenzo down too. I was sorry for him but more than that I am was for myself because I had thrown away a big opportunity. It was probably my biggest mistake of the season, I have reflected a lot on it and it will help me to grow. Now I just want to look ahead to Mugello with calmness and motivation. Everybody is expecting big things from me and I have to repay that faith with a positive result that will put recent history firmly behind us. I am fast, I have found a perfect feeling with the bike and I am extremely determined to prove it in a race. There will be a lot of fans packed around the hills of Mugello and I don't want to, and cannot afford to, disappoint them. I love the track, it is one of my favourites and I won my first race here in 2008 in 250 before finishing second to Pasini in a great battle in 2009. I can't wait to get back on track!”

Hiroshi Aoyama:

“I tried to enjoy the opportunity to ride the Repsol Honda factory RC212V as best I could but unfortunately with the mixed weather conditions Assen wasn't the ideal place to be riding such a demanding bike. I am happy to have had the chance though and now I look forward to returning to my team and picking up from where we left off before this brief but constructive interruption.”

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Spies eager to hit Mugello track

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The back to back races offer an opportunity for the riders to pick up quickly where they left off in The Netherlands where they celebrated the first of the year’s 50th Anniversary of Grand Prix racing events. The Tuscan circuit is just two hours drive from the team’s headquarters near Milan and is an honorary home race for the team.

Lorenzo has a strong record at Mugello, winning in the 250cc class and claiming two premier class second place finishes in 2009 and 2010 with the Yamaha Factory Team. Spies performed well on his first visit to the Italian track last year, taking seventh after an intense battle which saw him ride as high as fourth at times.

Mugello can lay claim to being one of the fastest circuits in the world. The main straight is over a kilometre long and witnesses speeds of over 320km/hr by the GP riders before dropping into the downhill right hand corner at the end. Combine this with varied camber and gradient changes, high speed chicanes and an extra wide track and the thousands of passionate fans who flock to the surrounding hillsides are guaranteed some intense racing action.

Ben Spies: “These few days off seem to have taken forever, when you finish a race like Assen you just want to get straight back in and try to do it again. My first GP victory still hasn’t sunk in properly; it was pretty special for me to be able to do it at such a legendary circuit and at this unique time in Yamaha’s history. The red and white livery definitely bought me luck! I’m looking forward to Mugello, the track has apparently got a new surface with lots of grip so it should be pretty good for the bike and pretty exciting for the fans.”

Jorge Lorenzo: “We are going to Mugello with no time to rest and think about what happened last Saturday. The team did a great job and I believe now the bike can be better, we can make a step forward. We have to be positive after all! Mugello is a track I like so much, maybe one of the most beautiful in the world, and is my favourite along with Phillip Island. This track is full of chicanes and this year there is new asphalt! I've never won in MotoGP, but we will try this year and give a show to all our fans. Also I hope the weather changes after the previous races - summer has arrived."

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Repsol Honda Team heads full force to Mugello

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With his second position at Assen, Casey Stoner has extended his lead in the Championship to 28 points over Jorge Lorenzo, while Andrea Dovizioso, third in Holland, confirms his third position in the overall standings and has reduced his gap to Lorenzo to only 9 points.

After two surgeries to fix the broken right collarbone suffered in the Grand Prix of France and having missed three consecutive races, Dani Pedrosa returns very motivated at the Mugello circuit, the scene where he celebrated his first of four victories last season. Dani will be hoping to return to his fine form he was in before the injury, with three podiums and one win in the first three races. His team mates have remained in a very good shape during his absence, with 3 consecutive wins and a second place for Stoner, and 3 podiums for Dovizioso.

Located in the beautiful region of Tuscany, the Mugello circuit is a favourite among all the riders and a must see event for all fans. It's one of the fastest tracks in the world, with 15 corners and a top speed of 350km/h achievable down the long start/finish straight. This year with new asphalt, the action on track will extend to Monday for another day of testing for all the MotoGP Teams. The Repsol Honda Team will continue development of its 800cc machine.

Casey Stoner:
"I'm really looking forward to Mugello especially after a difficult weekend in Assen where I was extremely happy to have finished second in a very difficult race. Last year we didn't get the best result but I've always enjoyed this circuit and I think this year we can expect to be quite competitive. From what I've heard, the new surface is a lot smoother and a lot faster which will make Mugello an even better circuit from what it already was! I've been excited about coming here to try it out! I'm hoping to have a good race and score important points for the Championship, but we need to keep our heads down and continue working hard."

Andrea Dovizioso:
"I'm very curious to go to Mugello and ride there with the new asphalt. Those who tested there said that it's unbelievably smooth. Mugello is one of the most technical, demanding and beautiful tracks in the MotoGP calendar, so I'm sure that without the bumps it will become one of the best circuits in the world. I'm happy to race in the Italian GP at this particular moment of the season: we are third in the Championship and we arrive after two successive podium finishes. We are competitive and determined to get another good result at my home GP. We have been consistent in dry and wet conditions and the team is working really well so I'm confident. Last year i was on the podium and the feeling up there is amazing, not comparable with another podium finish so I really want to repeat it. I hope there will be many spectators and that we can put on a good show! Mugello is always a special event, I enjoy every minute of it, starting with the journey to reach the Tuscan track via il Muraglione pass, a historical route for bikers!"

Dani Pedrosa:
"After missing three races, I'm happy to be back in Mugello. During this period I've been very focused on my recovery and after the second operation I have improved a lot. I'm really looking forward to riding the bike, getting into the groove again and to be as competitive as I was before the injury. It's been difficult being out of competition, but that was the situation and I couldn't do more. I have been in contact with my team during this time and I know they also look forward to getting back to normal. Together we will work to regain the highest level and fight to win races again. Mugello is a difficult circuit, very technical and demanding, and I know it will not be easy for us, but last year we scored our first win of the season there and we would like to get a good result."

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Rossi Need An Operation To Speed Up The Healing Process

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MotoGP 2010 was not belong to Valentino Rossi. This Italian rider injured 2 times at this year. Valentino Rossi is to have an operation on the shoulder he injured earlier this year in a motocross accident. The second accident was crash at Mugello in June. This crash was impacted to his tibia and fibula

After six-week four races rest, Rossi can race again. But the impact of the accident was very deep. Rossi's shoulder damaged in April is continued give him problems. Valentino Rossi now is decided to have an operation to speed up the healing process.

Rossi is due to switch from Yamaha to Ducati at the end of the year but told Sky Italia: “The shoulder is still giving me problems and therefore at the end of season I shall have an operation.” Following surgery, Rossi’s shoulder could require an extended period of physiotherapy before he could race again.

Here the pictures of Rossi's crash at Mugello 2010

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Paddock Girls Mugello 2010

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MotoGP World Standing Mugello 2010

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Pos.	Rider	Bike	Nation	Points
1	Jorge LORENZO	Yamaha	SPA	90
2	Dani PEDROSA	Honda	SPA	65
3	Valentino ROSSI	Yamaha	ITA	61
4	Andrea DOVIZIOSO	Honda	ITA	58
5	Nicky HAYDEN	Ducati	USA	39
6	Randy DE PUNIET	Honda	FRA	36
7	Marco MELANDRI	Honda	ITA	32
8	Casey STONER	Ducati	AUS	24
9	Marco SIMONCELLI	Honda	ITA	23
10	Ben SPIES	Yamaha	USA	20
11	Hector BARBERA	Ducati	SPA	19
12	Colin EDWARDS	Yamaha	USA	19
13	Hiroshi AOYAMA	Honda	JPN	18
14	Aleix ESPARGARO	Ducati	SPA	16
15	Loris CAPIROSSI	Suzuki	ITA	13
16	Mika KALLIO	Ducati	FIN	12
17	Alvaro BAUTISTA	Suzuki	SPA	8

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GRAN PREMIO D'ITALIA TIM MotoGP Race Classification 2010

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Pos.	Points	Num.	Rider	Nation	Team	Bike	Km/h	Time/Gap
1	25	26	Dani PEDROSA	SPA	Repsol Honda Team	Honda	170.4	42'28.066
2	20	99	Jorge LORENZO	SPA	Fiat Yamaha Team	Yamaha	170.2	4.014
3	16	4	Andrea DOVIZIOSO	ITA	Repsol Honda Team	Honda	170	6.196
4	13	27	Casey STONER	AUS	Ducati Marlboro Team	Ducati	168.7	25.703
5	11	33	Marco MELANDRI	ITA	San Carlo Honda Gresini	Honda	168.7	25.735
6	10	14	Randy DE PUNIET	FRA	LCR Honda MotoGP	Honda	168.7	25.965
7	9	11	Ben SPIES	USA	Monster Yamaha Tech 3	Yamaha	168.5	28.806
8	8	41	Aleix ESPARGARO	SPA	Pramac Racing Team	Ducati	167.8	40.172
9	7	58	Marco SIMONCELLI	ITA	San Carlo Honda Gresini	Honda	167.7	41.394
10	6	65	Loris CAPIROSSI	ITA	Rizla Suzuki MotoGP	Suzuki	167.7	42.107
11	5	7	Hiroshi AOYAMA	JPN	Interwetten Honda MotoGP	Honda	167.6	43.095
12	4	40	Hector BARBERA	SPA	Paginas Amarillas Aspar	Ducati	167.6	43.363
13	3	5	Colin EDWARDS	USA	Monster Yamaha Tech 3	Yamaha	165.6	+1'14.393
14	2	19	Alvaro BAUTISTA	SPA	Rizla Suzuki MotoGP	Suzuki	165	+1'24.389
Not Classified
		36	Mika KALLIO	FIN	Pramac Racing Team	Ducati	166.7	15 Laps
		69	Nicky HAYDEN	USA	Ducati Marlboro Team	Ducati	167.4	18 Laps
			Pole Lap:		Dani PEDROSA	1'48.819	173.5 Km/h
			Fastest Lap:	Lap: 5	Dani PEDROSA	1'49.531	172.4 Km/h
			Circuit Record Lap:	2010	Dani PEDROSA	1'49.531	172.4 Km/h
			Best Lap:	2008	Valentino ROSSI	1'48.130	174.6 Km/h

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GRAN PREMIO D'ITALIA TIM MotoGP Warm Up Classification 2010

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Pos.	Num.	Rider	Nation	Team	Bike	Km/h	Time	Gap 1st/Prev.
1	26	Dani PEDROSA	SPA	Repsol Honda Team	Honda	326.7	1'49.750
2	99	Jorge LORENZO	SPA	Fiat Yamaha Team	Yamaha	337.1	1'50.056	0.306 / 0.306
3	27	Casey STONER	AUS	Ducati Marlboro Team	Ducati	337.4	1'50.126	0.376 / 0.070
4	4	Andrea DOVIZIOSO	ITA	Repsol Honda Team	Honda	322.7	1'50.273	0.523 / 0.147
5	65	Loris CAPIROSSI	ITA	Rizla Suzuki MotoGP	Suzuki	324.5	1'50.312	0.562 / 0.039
6	5	Colin EDWARDS	USA	Monster Yamaha Tech 3	Yamaha	330.6	1'50.348	0.598 / 0.036
7	14	Randy DE PUNIET	FRA	LCR Honda MotoGP	Honda	333.1	1'50.380	0.630 / 0.032
8	11	Ben SPIES	USA	Monster Yamaha Tech 3	Yamaha	324.3	1'50.453	0.703 / 0.073
9	69	Nicky HAYDEN	USA	Ducati Marlboro Team	Ducati	341.6	1'50.461	0.711 / 0.008
10	7	Hiroshi AOYAMA	JPN	Interwetten Honda MotoGP	Honda	323.1	1'50.585	0.835 / 0.124
11	41	Aleix ESPARGARO	SPA	Pramac Racing Team	Ducati	337.8	1'50.700	0.950 / 0.115
12	33	Marco MELANDRI	ITA	San Carlo Honda Gresini	Honda	326.1	1'50.734	0.984 / 0.034
13	58	Marco SIMONCELLI	ITA	San Carlo Honda Gresini	Honda	324.1	1'50.985	1.235 / 0.251
14	36	Mika KALLIO	FIN	Pramac Racing Team	Ducati	332.9	1'52.197	2.447 / 1.212
15	19	Alvaro BAUTISTA	SPA	Rizla Suzuki MotoGP	Suzuki	319.9	1'52.469	2.719 / 0.272
16	40	Hector BARBERA	SPA	Paginas Amarillas Aspar	Ducati	345.7	1'52.549	2.799 / 0.080
		Fastest Lap:	Lap: 10	Dani PEDROSA	1'49.750	172.0 Km/h
		Circuit Record Lap:	2008	Casey STONER	1'50.003	171.6 Km/h
		Best Lap:	2008	Valentino ROSSI	1'48.130	174.6 Km/h

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GRAN PREMIO D'ITALIA TIM MotoGP Qualifying Practice Classification 2010

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Pos.	Num.	Rider	Nation	Team	Bike	Km/h	Time	Gap 1st/Prev.
1	26	Dani PEDROSA	SPA	Repsol Honda Team	Honda	329.3	1'48.819
2	99	Jorge LORENZO	SPA	Fiat Yamaha Team	Yamaha	324.8	1'48.996	0.177 / 0.177
3	27	Casey STONER	AUS	Ducati Marlboro Team	Ducati	339.3	1'49.432	0.613 / 0.436
4	69	Nicky HAYDEN	USA	Ducati Marlboro Team	Ducati	336.4	1'49.546	0.727 / 0.114
5	5	Colin EDWARDS	USA	Monster Yamaha Tech 3	Yamaha	323.9	1'49.683	0.864 / 0.137
6	14	Randy DE PUNIET	FRA	LCR Honda MotoGP	Honda	323.9	1'49.737	0.918 / 0.054
7	11	Ben SPIES	USA	Monster Yamaha Tech 3	Yamaha	320.4	1'49.861	1.042 / 0.124
8	4	Andrea DOVIZIOSO	ITA	Repsol Honda Team	Honda	327.3	1'50.065	1.246 / 0.204
9	41	Aleix ESPARGARO	SPA	Pramac Racing Team	Ducati	335.2	1'50.168	1.349 / 0.103
10	7	Hiroshi AOYAMA	JPN	Interwetten Honda MotoGP	Honda	330.4	1'50.224	1.405 / 0.056
11	58	Marco SIMONCELLI	ITA	San Carlo Honda Gresini	Honda	327.1	1'50.434	1.615 / 0.210
12	65	Loris CAPIROSSI	ITA	Rizla Suzuki MotoGP	Suzuki	322.8	1'50.479	1.660 / 0.045
13	40	Hector BARBERA	SPA	Paginas Amarillas Aspar	Ducati	341.2	1'50.561	1.742 / 0.082
14	33	Marco MELANDRI	ITA	San Carlo Honda Gresini	Honda	328.9	1'50.664	1.845 / 0.103
15	36	Mika KALLIO	FIN	Pramac Racing Team	Ducati	338.5	1'50.970	2.151 / 0.306
16	19	Alvaro BAUTISTA	SPA	Rizla Suzuki MotoGP	Suzuki	324.7	1'53.243	4.424 / 2.273
	46	Valentino ROSSI	ITA	Fiat Yamaha Team	Yamaha
		Fastest Lap:	Lap: 23	Dani PEDROSA	1'48.819	173.5 Km/h
		Circuit Record Lap:	2008	Casey STONER	1'50.003	171.6 Km/h
		Best Lap:	2008	Valentino ROSSI	1'48.130	174.6 Km/h

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GRAN PREMIO D'ITALIA TIM MotoGP Free Practice Nr. 2 Classification 2010

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Pos.	Num.	Rider	Nation	Team	Bike	Km/h	Time	Gap 1st/Prev.
1	99	Jorge LORENZO	SPA	Fiat Yamaha Team	Yamaha	333.4	1'49.282
2	4	Andrea DOVIZIOSO	ITA	Repsol Honda Team	Honda	327.6	1'49.620	0.338 / 0.338
3	26	Dani PEDROSA	SPA	Repsol Honda Team	Honda	338.3	1'49.701	0.419 / 0.081
4	46	Valentino ROSSI	ITA	Fiat Yamaha Team	Yamaha	321.3	1'49.923	0.641 / 0.222
5	14	Randy DE PUNIET	FRA	LCR Honda MotoGP	Honda	319.3	1'50.214	0.932 / 0.291
6	27	Casey STONER	AUS	Ducati Marlboro Team	Ducati	336.7	1'50.233	0.951 / 0.019
7	5	Colin EDWARDS	USA	Monster Yamaha Tech 3	Yamaha	332.9	1'50.357	1.075 / 0.124
8	11	Ben SPIES	USA	Monster Yamaha Tech 3	Yamaha	333.2	1'50.392	1.110 / 0.035
9	69	Nicky HAYDEN	USA	Ducati Marlboro Team	Ducati	337.5	1'50.426	1.144 / 0.034
10	65	Loris CAPIROSSI	ITA	Rizla Suzuki MotoGP	Suzuki	322.5	1'50.495	1.213 / 0.069
11	40	Hector BARBERA	SPA	Paginas Amarillas Aspar	Ducati	340.6	1'50.562	1.280 / 0.067
12	41	Aleix ESPARGARO	SPA	Pramac Racing Team	Ducati	335.4	1'50.764	1.482 / 0.202
13	33	Marco MELANDRI	ITA	San Carlo Honda Gresini	Honda	323.5	1'50.922	1.640 / 0.158
14	7	Hiroshi AOYAMA	JPN	Interwetten Honda MotoGP	Honda	322	1'51.160	1.878 / 0.238
15	58	Marco SIMONCELLI	ITA	San Carlo Honda Gresini	Honda	321.8	1'51.318	2.036 / 0.158
16	36	Mika KALLIO	FIN	Pramac Racing Team	Ducati	340.2	1'51.393	2.111 / 0.075
17	19	Alvaro BAUTISTA	SPA	Rizla Suzuki MotoGP	Suzuki	319.3	1'53.837	4.555 / 2.444
		Fastest Lap:	Lap: 26	Jorge LORENZO	1'49.282	172.8 Km/h
		Circuit Record Lap:	2008	Casey STONER	1'50.003	171.6 Km/h
		Best Lap:	2008	Valentino ROSSI	1'48.130	174.6 Km/h

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