Alex Asigno

There were no easy points to be had today for the Yamaha Sterilgarda team as a hot track surface and rapidly disappearing grip tested the skills of both riders. Despite being mobbed by riders in the first corner of race two, Cal Crutchlow fought back with an inspired push, coming from ninth all the way up to take third from Michel Fabrizio by lap 19. He held for a further three laps but was passed back with two laps to go, taking fourth at the line. Race one had seen Crutchlow lose the front early on as he pushed on to catch the leaders, forcing retirement from the race. Race two also saw Crutchlow make the new lap record as he worked his way through the pack, scoring an impressive 1'36.546. Team mate James Toseland also experienced a tough race day at the Misano circuit. Starting from a less than perfect 13th on the grid on the hard to overtake track, Toseland fought to pass several riders, taking tenth at the line. Race two saw him losing the front end going into a corner on the tenth lap and forcing early retirement. Crutchlow leaves Misano in tenth place in the championship standings on 120 points, just ten behind Leon Camier in ninth. Team mate Toseland sits in seventh on 138 points, just 23 points adrift of Checa in fifth as they head to Brno in two weeks time. Cal Crutchlow Cal Crutchlow, Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team (DNF, 4th) "I had an ok start in race two, but got beaten up a bit in the first corner on the first lap and basically had to recover from then on. I was disappointed to lose out to Fabrizio at the end, I just lost a bit of drive out of the corner and he managed to get back under me. To come here and do the race pace we did at these grip levels was incredible, hopefully we can make some improvements at this week's Imola test and be even better. Race one was a stupid mistake, I had a full tank of fuel and just pushed the front a bit too hard trying to catch the front runners and lost the front, but I think I redeemed myself in race two." James Toseland James Toseland, Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team, (10th, DNF) "What can you say, another tough weekend. I've got the pace when the tyre grip is good but just find it difficult when losing the grip on the bike to keep with the other bikes coming off the corners. We need to work hard on this area as it's so important. We'll meet about it tonight, if we can improve that it'll be a big help. The time I'm losing on the corners to the others means I have to keep catching up on the brakes which means pushing the front, which is why I crashed in the second. Brno is a little bit faster and flowing so if we can keep the revs high we shouldn't have too many problems." Massimo Meregalli, Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team Manager "After the test last week we were expecting better results. By Friday we realised this weekend was going to be tougher than we thought. Cal did a good job in the second race, although unfortunately he crashed in the first. He didn't have the best start in the second and he was pushing really hard to catch the front pack. Unfortunately this meant he destroyed his rear tyre which meant at the end the rear grip was suffering but he pushed to the line for fourth. James had a difficult weekend, for sure starting from the fourth row is always hard. He did what he could and unfortunately he didn't finish the second race due to a crash. Fortunately he is not hurt. Tuesday and Wednesday we will go to Imola to test and hopefully we can fix some of the issues we have." Circuit Length: 4060 Weather: Hot and Sunny Lap Record: 1'37.135 (Noriyuki Haga, 01/01/2009) Fastest Lap Ever: 1'35.001 (Troy Corser, 27/06/2010) Last Years Winner: Jonathan Rea 2010 WSB San Marino - Misano 27/06/2010 Race 1 - 24 Laps Pos. Rider Manu. Nat. Total Time 1 Max Biaggi Aprilia ITA 38'59.319 2 Carlos Checa Ducati ESP 0'00.387 3 Troy Corser BMW AUS 0'00.822 4 Michel Fabrizio Ducati ITA 0'04.911 5 Sylvain Guintoli Suzuki FRA 0'05.916 6 Leon Camier Aprilia GBR 0'08.658 7 Noriyuki Haga Ducati JPN 0'11.872 8 Leon Haslam Suzuki GBR 0'11.907 9 Shane Byrne Ducati GBR 0'16.490 10 James Toseland Yamaha GBR 0'18.458 11 Luca Scassa Ducati ITA 0'18.646 12 Lorenzo Lanzi Ducati ITA 0'19.315 13 Jonathan Rea Honda GBR 0'25.405 14 Max Neukirchner Honda GER 0'31.671 15 Tom Sykes Kawasaki GBR 0'39.658 Race 2 - 24 Laps Pos. Rider Manu. Nat. Total Time 1 Max Biaggi Aprilia ITA 38'58.149 2 Leon Haslam Suzuki GBR 0'04.095 3 Michel Fabrizio Ducati ITA 0'04.631 4 Cal Crutchlow Yamaha GBR 0'05.014 5 Carlos Checa Ducati ESP 0'06.256 6 Sylvain Guintoli Suzuki FRA 0'07.677 7 Shane Byrne Ducati GBR 0'10.144 8 Luca Scassa Ducati ITA 0'10.942 9 Noriyuki Haga Ducati JPN 0'13.640 10 Troy Corser BMW AUS 0'16.279 11 Leon Camier Aprilia GBR 0'17.799 12 Jonathan Rea Honda GBR 0'22.793 13 Lorenzo Lanzi Ducati ITA 0'24.131 14 Max Neukirchner Honda GER 0'28.212 15 Chris Vermeulen Kawasaki AUS 0'36.551 Best Lap Rider Manu. Nat. Total Time Carlos Checa Ducati ESP 1'36.670 Rider Standings 27/06/2010 Pos. Rider Manu. Nat. Points 1. Max Biaggi Aprilia ITA 307 2. Leon Haslam Suzuki GBR 270 3. Carlos Checa Ducati ESP 172 4. Jonathan Rea Honda GBR 158 5. Noriyuki Haga Ducati JPN 151 6. Troy Corser BMW AUS 149 7. James Toseland Yamaha GBR 138 8. Michel Fabrizio Ducati ITA 131 9. Leon Camier Aprilia GBR 130 10. Cal Crutchlow Yamaha GBR 120 11. Sylvain Guintoli Suzuki FRA 116 12. Shane Byrne Ducati GBR 97 13. Jakub Smrz Ducati CZE 61 14. Luca Scassa Ducati ITA 53 15. Ruben Xaus BMW ESP 53 Manufacturer Standings 27/06/2010 Pos. Manufacturer Points 1. Aprilia 313 2. Suzuki 283 3. Ducati 250 4. Yamaha 177 5. Honda 169 6. BMW 152 7. Kawasaki 47 Click here to view the news

Fiat Yamaha Team rider Valentino Rossi sent the following message today from his home in Italy. The reigning World-Champion is currently convalescing after breaking his leg at the Italian MotoGP round three week's ago. "Three weeks have passed since the accident and two since I was discharged from hospital, and I am very happy about how my recuperation is progressing. I am feeling a lot better and I'm starting to live a semi-normal life again, although for a completely ‘normal' life I will have to wait until I'm back on my bike! I am walking with crutches and since a few days I've been able to put my foot to the floor. Honestly, I didn't expect to feel this good just a few weeks after the incident, and I mean both physically and in my ‘spirit.' "The rehabilitation is continuing as usual, both sitting in the hyperbaric chamber and with some exercises in the gym. Unfortunately my shoulder is still giving me some pain but I am working on the muscles to reduce the pain a bit. If the rehabilitation proceeds without trouble and if everything continues in this way, then my objective is to return at the Czech Grand Prix in Brno. "I have started to leave the house and my good friends haven't left me on my own for even a minute, although I'm not used to spending so much time in Tavullia! I miss my bike, my team and the paddock a lot and this ‘new' sensation is pushing me to get better as quickly as possible. "I'll speak to you, but more importantly see you, soon. Ciao, Valentino Rossi." Click here to view the news

It's the breakdown we all dread but it's as inevitable as the rain that always follows hours of cleaning and polishing! Thankfully, these days we don't see so many of those front wheel, high speed blow outs of yesteryear but anything that inflates is liable to be punctured and the problem of sudden deflation is still with us. Tubed tyres are straightforward. As long as the tyre itself is not badly damaged it can usually be repaired and all you do then is replace the tube (do not repair a tube - it is never worth it!). Remember repairing the tyre is just as important as replacing the tube. Imagine the water and muck that can be forced through the hole and start acting between the tube and the tyre itself and you'll get part of the reason. When repairing tubeless tyres there are certain requirements. Most experts will always use a 'mushroom' repair to completely fill the hole and very few are happy to simply apply a patch to the inside. The reason they will give you comes from the danger of a patch getting 'lifted' by water forced through the unfilled hole on the body of the tyre. NB Some punctures simply cannot be repaired. Side wall punctures and those where structural damage to the tyre has occurred are two examples. Radial Tyres It may seem a bit excessive but if you get a puncture in a radial the advice will almost always be to 'write off' the tyre. Radial tyres are built with a continuous belt around them below the rubber. If the belt is damaged the tyre could distort under extreme use (as you get with a modern Superbike) and the puncture could re-develop with disastrous consequences. Chris and Peter will simply refuse to repair a tyre if there is the slightest danger of this occurring. Foreign Objects If you find a nail or screw sticking out of your tyre the advice is: leave it there! Take off the wheel and get down to the tyre shop (or call a mobile fitter). You never know, the tyre may be capable of being saved. Puncture Proofing There are substances on the market that you put into your tyres and just forget about punctures altogether. Some of these products are wonderful, some are not. The best thing to do is get expert advice before adding anything that can effect your tyres in any way at all. Click here to view the news

It is mandatory that your tyres conform to the following rules: Tyres must be kept in good condition without bulges, splits or breaks. Pressure must be maintaining to recommended levels. There must be 1mm of tread depth throughout a continuous band measuring at least three quarters of the breadth of the tread around the entire circumference OR if the grooves of the original tread pattern did not extend beyond three quarters of the breadth of the tread any groove, which showed in the original tread pattern must have a depth of at least 1mm. AND The base of any groove, which showed on the original tread pattern, must be clearly visible. What You Should Be On The Look-Out For Foreign objects sticking out of the tyre (esp. bits of glass or flint in the grooves of the tread). Cracks in the side walls - very important if the bike has been laid up for a while. Tread depth (see above) Pressures - these need to be checked while the tyres are cold at least every fortnight using a good quality tyre pressure gauge. N.B. the gauges found in most petrol stations are notoriously unreliable. Uneven wear in the tyre - especially any 'flattening out' in the middle, which leaves a ridge. More About Pressures This is the first thing you should check if the bike starts handling badly. Even a couple of pounds difference in the pressure can make a huge difference and tyre wear becomes ruinous. The effect of over or under inflation can be shown thus: Also, if you go to a different make from the one originally fitted you may find the pressures have to be different as well. For example the Honda Gold Wing runs on the following pressures for the makes indicated; Make Front Rear Michelin 33 psi 41 psi Bridgestone 36 psi 42 psi Avon 33 psi 36 psi Find out what you should be running on when you get the tyre fitted. Finally Tyres can easily absorb oil and grease from the road. Modern tyres are very durable but their life is not indefinite. The best advice all the experts give is: use them, look after them and change them regularly. Click here to view the news

Fitting new tyres Basically, there is little difference between fitting a motorcycle tyre and fitting any other sort. The real skill comes in knowing what to look for and knowing how to accomplish the tyre change without later endangering the rider or damaging the bike. Most riders should know how to take out a wheel but there are still many who don't. There is a potential for enormous damage to be caused if this is done badly. Modern wheels can be delicate and very expensive things; they can have coatings on them that can be damaged, torque settings can be critical and great care must be taken with the brake mechanism. If there isn't a mobile fitter or a mechanic who can get out to you, you really need to know how to get the wheel out and put it back properly. It would pay to find out how to do this and, if your bike has only got a side stand, you may also be wise to invest in a paddock stand for your garage. One-wheeled bikes don't tend to last too long on side stands! Magnesium and alloy wheels can be a problem when removing tyres. They can bend and distort if not handled carefully. The experts use the proper equipment to ensure no damage is caused. When fitting a tyre (especially tubeless) it is important to ensure the bead line is visible around the whole of the circumference. It may be necessary to put a bit of pressure into the tyre to do this (usually you hear a pop when the bead locates) then adjust it back down. However it is critical that the pressure is not excessive or the tyre could explode. You should use a 'cage' when blowing up tyres if at all possible. While the wheel is out This is the time to have a look at the bits you can't always get at. For example the rim should be inspected for damage or rough edges, wheel bearings can be checked for play and spokes can be cleaned and checked for tightness. Balancing tyres Modern tyres are fairly well balanced right from the start (when properly fitted) but it is still advisable to have the front wheel balanced to get rid of any lingering vibration. These days this can be done at the same time the tyre is fitted. There was a time when it was no good balancing a wheel until the tyre had suffered a bit or wear! Properly equipped motorcycle tyre fitters will have access to a balancing machine and it really is advisable to spend the extra couple of quid getting them to use it. Running in new tyres This is really important. The number of riders who have crashed on new tyres is legion. Tyres need to be 'run in' before they should be expected to cope with hard riding or braking. The first 50 to 100 miles is critical. Ride smooth and slow for this period and your tyres will perform at their peak for the rest of their lives. Information kindly supplied by ATS Euromaster Click here to view the news

Unless you are always going to replace your tyres with exactly the same make and type that were fitted by the manufacturer when the bike was new, you are going to need to know (or ask a man who does) a bit about the huge choice of tyres on sale and what specs mean when the time comes to buy the baby new shoes. The days when all you needed to know was the size and how much they cost have long gone. Modern tyres come in so many varieties with so many differing performance values even the experts have a job keeping up with it all. Some rules are fairly general. For example Spoked wheels (with notable exceptions like some new BMWs) can only take tubed tyres. Radial tyres (again there are one or two exceptions) can rarely be fitted with a tube Front tyres go on the front, rear on the rear ONLY. The speed rating of the tyre must match the capability of the bike i.e. Top Speed of Bike Tyre Rating Up to 93 mph (150 kph) PUp to 112 mph (180 kph) SUp to 130 mph (210 kph) HUp to 149 mph (240 kph) VUp to 150 mph (250 kph) V250 Over 156 mph (250 kph) Z and ZR Then you have to watch how radials, bias belted and crossply tyres are mixed. It's better to avoid mixtures if you can, but the following is law. LegalIllegalCrossply front, crossply rear Radial front, crossply rear Radial front, radial rear Bias belt front, crossply rear Bias belt front, bias belt rear Radial front, bias belt rear Crossply front, radial rear Bias belt front, radial rear Of course it doesn't stop there! Bikes come in all shapes and sizes. Some rims won't take some makes or tyres and some swinging arms are too close to permit some tyres to be fitted. You'll need to know what can go on your bike - and what is going to happen once that lovely new radial comes under load! Then there is the difference with the compounds to be considered. Mixing hard (long wearing) and soft (maximum grip) tyres on the same bike can be okay but equally can be disastrous if they are not compatible or on the wrong wheels. As if all this wasn't enough, some tyres are not warranted for road use at all. Then different parts of the world need different tyres dependant on the climate and road conditions. Ask any Gold Wing rider who bought those 'good value' American tyres a while back and 6,000 miles later found they had worn out! Wings are normally good for up to 15,000 miles but British roads are not the same as their counterparts in the States. Information kindly supplied by ATS Euromaster Click here to view the news

We take them for granted but have you ever thought how much we rely on our tyres? Have you considered the performance we require from them every single time we ride? To see what I mean, try this exercise. Hold both hands out in front of you with palms uppermost. Have a good look at them. You are now looking at roughly the area of your tyres in touch with the road whenever you ride your bike! In other words, that's the amount of rubber between you and eternity as you do the normal things bikers do. Like winding past that big lorry in the pouring rain, tucking in tight, and keeping the power on in a right hander or, possibly, stopping on a tanner when that Scandinavian looking car has decided, at the last second, to turn right across your path in front of you. Remember, the brakes stop the wheels but it's your tyres that stop the bike! Now give a thought to the forces you are putting through those two bits of rubber. Think of the heat generated as the speed rises and of the flexing needed to cope with the handling ability of a modern Superbike. You are now beginning to realise why the development and technology that has gone into those pieces of rubber has had to be very special. To borrow an expression, tyres are too small a word for them! The truth is, bike tyres have developed so much in recent years that they can now usually out-perform even the best of riders on the greatest of machines and in the worst of weathers! They won't often let you down. They will nearly always perform well for you. But they can only do so if you give them a fighting chance. Making sure you have the right tyres for the bike and having them professionally fitted, correctly balanced and properly maintained is every bit as important in your overall strategy as buying the right clothing and getting the best training. ATS' Peter Wanstall and Chris Gregory. are specialist motorcycle tyre technicians who have helped the police on many occasions to reconstruct accidents where tyres have been at fault. The information you will find on this website has been produced with input from their vast amount of experience and knowledge. Information kindly supplied by ATS Euromaster Click here to view the news

Choosing Motorbike Insurance Motorcycle insurance is compulsory on all public roads because without it the biker will be liable for bodily injury and property damage. Although it’s possible to get cheap motorbike insurance by simply getting Third Party Motorcycle coverage, there are many more options to choose from for better coverage. Types Of Motorcycle Insurance Comprehensive motorcycle insurance, this costs more but offers the most coverage. In the event of an accident, it not only covers both the motorcyclist and their motorcycle but it also covers other people injured by the collision and any damage to their property. Third Party Fire and Theft Motorcycle Insurance is for both fire and theft coverage. In the event of an accident, it also covers you for personal injury, as well as other people who may be injured and their property. However, it does not cover your motorcycle. Third Party Motorcycle Insurance offers basic coverage, excluding fire and theft. Motorbike Insurance Quotes It’s always a great idea to get insurance before you ride your motorbike. Although a motorcycle dealer may offer you a quote, usually these policies are not as good as those you can get from finding an insurance agency on your own because dealerships rarely work with the best insurance companies. In shopping for the best motorcycle insurance, begin by asking your current car and home insurance agent if they also offer motorcycle insurance. Besides asking your current insurer, you can look for motorcycle insurance online, a motorcycle magazine, or the phone book. Incidentally, if you have a Yamaha, do an online search for “Yamaha motorbike insurance” for some great price quotes. Top 5 Questions to Ask an Insurance Provider When seeking an insurance provider, what are some pertinent questions to ask? Here is a quick list of the top five questions you may want to ask your provider to get the best coverage at the lowest premiums. 1. What is the difference between the various types of insurance policies? Your goal is to get a very clear understanding on what is covered and what is not covered under each type of insurance. If you have an older bike, possibly a vintage model, check into the benefits of classic motorcycle insurance. 2. If I get comprehensive insurance, is it enough, or can I get something that is more thorough, covering all possibilities? 3. How do I make claims? 4. What happens to my premiums if I have an accident and need to make a claim? 5. Can I get a package deal by combining my motorcycle insurance with my other insurances and how much will my discount be? Click here to view the news

Essentials of Motorcycle Breakdown Cover When your motorcycle breaks down, especially if you are in a remote location, you are not alone if you have excellent motorcycle breakdown cover. First, and perhaps most important, is roadside rescue. Waiting out in the elements after a breakdown, especially in unfamiliar territory, is very unpleasant, to say the least. Most policies for motorcycle breakdown guarantee only a 40 minute wait for a rescue, and most bikes can be fixed roadside. Most classic motorcycle breakdown coverage plans will send a mechanic to you, if you are only a mile or less from home, and fix your bike on the spot. If that cannot be managed, then your bike will be taken to the nearest garage. Motorcycle breakdown cover on a bike that cannot be fixed roadside will ensure that you are not stranded, and that you, your bike, and passengers are taken to a local garage service to repair your bike. The best motorcycle breakdown cover will take you and your party on to your destination or back home, or else put you all up in a hotel. The best motorcycle breakdown cover will insure other drivers on your bike, not just you. This gives you peace of mind when someone else rides your bike. If you yourself drive many different bikes, perhaps it is a good idea to cover yourself as well. If you become injured in a motorcycle accident, some breakdown covers for motorcycles in the UK will even pay to have a driver return your bike to your home. If you are stranded, motorbike breakdown cover can also contribute a fair amount to pay for vehicle hire until your bike is repaired. Key cover can even replace your house keys in the event that they are lost or stolen. Â European Breakdown Cover For European breakdown cover you can add to your home policy a special single trip cover, with roadside assistance, return home guarantee, and English speaking operators to help you with any breakdown you may experience while on the continent, and your cover begins on the day of the trip, from home, to the ferry across and back home again. You could also buy European coverage that will cover multiple trips to Europe. European cover is available for both car and motorbike breakdown, and most are available 24 hours every day, and can deliver replacement parts, trip continuation, replacement vehicle, and even bed and breakfast expenses. If necessary, the return of your entire party to home in the UK can be covered. Be aware that some policies do not cover a motorcycle of more than a certain size engine. If you have a bike with a larger engine, you would do well to search around for a policy that has no limitation or upper limit on engine size. Click here to view the news

Choosing the Right Motorbike Finance Whether you are trying to purchase your first bike, add to your current collection, or purchase a bike for the best graduation present for your son or daughter, actually getting the bike involves choosing the right motorbike finance options for you and your budget. Bikes can be a bit pricey, so getting motorbike loans that will help you purchase the bike without breaking the bank and causing you to end up filing bankruptcy is very important. You want a guaranteed motorbike finance that you will understand and that will not cause you several penalties. The first thing you want to do is evaluate your credit rating and figure out what exactly you are scoring these days. You should be fairly aware of your credit score, but with so many influencing factors, your score is always subject to change without your notice. Having an excellent credit score will assist in landing 0% finance deals on motorbikes that will save you hundreds while giving you smaller monthly payment. If you have not so good credit and you still want to buy a motorbike on finance, there are various bad credit loans out there for you, but try improving your credit a bit first. Make sure that when searching for finance deals on motorbikes, you are not afraid to ask a lot of questions. There are no stupid questions other than the ones not asked so ask what you want to know. Chances are if you don’t ask, the lenders will not tell you so ask as many questions needed to give you the best understanding of what you are in for. Several questions would include: • How will this loan affect my credit score and rating? • Will the interest change during my loan term? • Will there be a pay in full request before the end of the term? • What will be the monthly payment? Asking these questions should not be a nuisance on the lender and if they begin to act frustrated, you may want to find another lender, after all they are just giving you the information you need to know about getting the finance for a motorbike. Loans for motorbikes are dependent on, yes, motorbikes. This means you need to make sure you are shopping for the right bike. Getting a brand new bike will obviously call for a higher loan, but this can be done through your credit union or bank very easily if you have good standing. There are many online lenders that specialize in used motorbike finance and will assist in getting the right used motorbike loans. When shopping for loans, remember not to murder your credit score with too many inquiries. Click here to view the news

Jorge Lorenzo Jorge Lorenzo put in another textbook performance at Assen today, leaving his rivals trailing as he led from the front to win the 80th Dutch TT and take his fourth victory of the season. In doing so he becomes only the seventh rider in history to have won in three or more classes at the historic racetrack, with 125cc, 250cc and MotoGP wins to his name. Meanwhile Tech 3 Yamaha rider Ben Spies ensured that there were still two Yamahas in the top four, despite the absence of Valentino Rossi, with another brilliant performance to back up his maiden podium last week. Mallorcan Lorenzo had looked the man to beat all weekend after topping both practice and qualifying and he got a great start from pole position and quickly pulled out a second's gap, but by lap five Dani Pedrosa and Casey Stoner were looming large behind him and for a few laps it looked as if a tense three-way battle was in the offing. However Lorenzo's choice of the harder Bridgestone tyre soon began to pay off and, with a lighter fuel load by mid-race distance, he was able to step things up a notch and gave himself an unassailable lead, crossing the line 2.935 seconds ahead of Pedrosa, with Stoner third and Spies fourth. The Fiat Yamaha man's second win on the bounce sees him extend his championship lead to an impressive 47 points from Pedrosa, while Rossi remains fourth in the standings. The next round comes in just a week's time at Barcelona in Spain, when Wataru Yoshikawa will join the Fiat Yamaha Team to fill in until Rossi is back on board his M1. Jorge Lorenzo Jorge Lorenzo - 1st, Time: 41'18.629 "This race was a bit more difficult than Silverstone because Dani was so fast with the softer tyre early on in the race and I had to really keep my concentration to stay in front of him at that point. I was confident that my harder Bridgestone tyre would help me later on and this was the case, so we made the right choice. It wasn't easy though and at the end I was sliding quite a lot, in fact I made a mistake at the chicane and nearly crashed so I was quite glad to finish! I am really happy that I have won here in all three classes because it's such a historic place and the football I had in Parc Ferme was to celebrate this 'hat-trick.' Thanks to all my Yamaha guys and also to Bridgestone for this win, we have a big lead in the championship so we can afford to stay calm and relaxed. Now we go to my home in Barcelona and I am excited about another chance to race in front of the Spanish fans." Wilco Zeelenberg - Team Manager Jorge Lorenzo "We knew before the start that Pedrosa and Stoner had chosen the softer tyre so we expected them to be fast at the beginning and in fact we were quite pleasantly surprised that Jorge was able to make a gap so early on. Then they came back to him but he is mentally very strong at the moment and he just kept his head and did very well to stay in front, because they were pushing him hard for a while. Once the laps went on and our fuel load was reduced, Jorge was able to use the harder tyre to his advantage and he succeeded brilliantly, we had no doubts about him. Well done to him and to all the team for this second win in a row on this special TT Anniversary" Ben Spies scores a brilliant fourth at Sun-kissed Assen Ben Spies produced another outstanding ride today in the 80th running of the historic Dutch TT, the Texan thrilling a crowd of nearly 100,000 fans with a stunning fourth place. Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team rider Spies made a blistering start from fourth on the grid to take up the tough challenge of fighting with dominant MotoGP world championship leader Jorge Lorenzo in the early stages. Opting to use the softer compound Bridgestone rear tyre, Spies kept Dani Pedrosa and Casey Stoner at bay with a hard charge in the opening laps before he slipped down to fourth on lap four. Unable to match the pace of the leading trio despite pushing his YZR-M1 machine to the limit, Spies became locked in a close dice with Andrea Dovizioso. The Italian looked at ease in fourth spot before Spies mounted a brilliant attack on lap 15 from fifth position. He started the lap over 0.7s adrift of Dovizioso but slashed the deficit to 0.103s at the end of lap 15. Spies then produced a brilliantly executed overtake on Dovizioso at the final chicane on lap 16 and was able to use his superior speed to pull out a comfortable gap over the Repsol Honda rider. But Dovizioso wasn't finished and inspired by Randy de Puniet's attack, both began to hunt down Spies as the battle for fourth intensified. Spies responded with a masterful performance in the final four laps, the 25-year-old holding his nerve with some brilliantly aggressive riding to prevent de Puniet and Dovizioso from getting close to denying him fourth place. Spies took fourth by nearly two seconds at the conclusion of the 26-lap race to continue the excellent form he displayed when storming to a maiden podium at Silverstone last weekend. It is the second successive race that he has finished leading non-factory rider and he moved firmly into the battle for a top four championship placing. Fellow American Colin Edwards extended his impressive record of scoring points in all six races so far this season with a solid ride to eighth place. Edwards continued to adapt to a new front-end geometry set-up he first tried this weekend and gained crucial information that he hopes will help him close the gap to the leading group in future races. The 21-points collected by Spies and Edwards today moved the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 squad into fourth place in the Team World Championship standings, the French squad once again the leading independent squad in the series. Ben Spies Ben Spies - 4th, Time: +13.265 "I got a good start and was happy with that. I ran the soft rear tyre because it made the front load better for turning and the track temperature was hotter than all weekend. But it didn't work as well I'd hoped in the first ten laps and then when Dani and Casey came by I knew I was holding them up. But I was sticking with my game plan. I tried as hard as I could and 12 laps in Andrea passed me. But then his tyres dropped down to where I was with mine and I reeled him back in. The podium battle had gone away and then over the last three laps I heard Andrea and Randy putting the pressure on. I put my head down hard and managed to open a gap. I was sliding a lot but I managed to stretch away and I could cruise the last lap. I wanted at least fourth place today and I'm happy but I didn't have the pace for the podium like in Silverstone. I'm happy with the result and we go to Catalunya next week not knowing the track and I think we will be a little bit on the back foot again. But I'll do the same as the past two weeks and push as hard as I can." Colin Edwards Colin Edwards - 8th, Time: +28.991 "I can't be disappointed or upset with eighth place and wonder why I didn't get a better result when I rode my heart out. There was nothing else I could have done today but I know what we can improve. We've been experimenting with some different front-end settings and we've made it better, but I just lose a bit of time when I release the brakes and can't turn the bike how I want. And losing that little bit everywhere adds up by the end of the lap and makes it difficult. I know I rode harder than last year when I finished fourth, but I'm eighth. I guess that proves that those guys at the front are running an unbelievable pace. I was behind Nicky for a long time but I could never get close enough to put a pass on him. Looking at Ben it can be better and once again, I can't praise him enough. He's riding really good and I have to congratulate him because at the last two races he's been really impressive." Herve Poncharal - Monster Yamaha Tech3 Team Manager "I can't say enough good things about Ben. He made an incredible start and he almost took the lead. We knew Casey and Dani would push hard and in the first few laps I don't think Ben had a great feeling with the bike. But he dug deep and continued to push and I have to give him enormous credit for that. Dovizioso and de Puniet were pushing really hard at the end but Ben's strength is his pace on used tyres and he demonstrated this again. Being greedy we'd have liked to be on the podium again but fourth showed he is the best of the rest of the moment. His confidence is really high and he's proving a massive asset for the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team. Colin had a strong race and after Silverstone he found a direction with the bike, which we hope will work in the future. He was pushing hard and never gave up and the points he scored have helped us move back into fourth place in the Team Championship. That is very important for us. I said that in 2010 the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team had its strongest line-up ever in MotoGP and I think today again we proved that." Circuit Length: 4555 Temp: 23 Crowd: 100000 Weather: Sunny Lap Record: 1'36.411 (John Hopkins, 01/01/2006) Fastest Lap Ever: 1'34.515 (Jorge Lorenzo, 26/06/2010) Last Years Winner: Valentino Rossi 2010 MotoGP Netherlands - Assen 26/06/2010 Race 1 - 26 Laps Pos. Rider Manu. Nat. Total Time 1 Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha ESP 41'18.629 2 Daniel Pedrosa Honda ESP 0'02.935 3 Casey Stoner Ducati AUS 0'07.022 4 Ben Spies Yamaha USA 0'13.265 5 Andrea Dovizioso Honda ITA 0'15.323 6 Randy De Puniet Honda FRA 0'15.772 7 Nicky Hayden Ducati USA 0'25.867 8 Colin Edwards Yamaha USA 0'28.991 9 Marco Simoncelli Honda ITA 0'35.658 10 Aleix Espargaro Ducati ESP 0'35.837 11 Mika Kallio Ducati FIN 0'56.769 12 Hector Barbera Ducati ESP 0'56.890 13 Loris Capirossi Suzuki ITA 1'00.615 14 Alvaro Bautista Suzuki ESP 1'08.074 15 Kousuke Akiyoshi Honda JPN -1Laps  Rider Standings 26/06/2010 Pos. Rider Manu. Nat. Points 1. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha ESP 140 2. Daniel Pedrosa Honda ESP 93 3. Andrea Dovizioso Honda ITA 89 4. Nicky Hayden Ducati USA 61 5. Valentino Rossi Yamaha ITA 61 6. Randy De Puniet Honda FRA 56 7. Casey Stoner Ducati AUS 51 8. Ben Spies Yamaha USA 49 9. Marco Simoncelli Honda ITA 39 10. Colin Edwards Yamaha USA 34 11. Marco Melandri Honda ITA 32 12. Aleix Espargaro Ducati ESP 28 13. Hector Barbera Ducati ESP 28 14. Mika Kallio Ducati FIN 20 15. Hiroshi Aoyama Honda JPN 18  Manufacturer Standings 26/06/2010 Pos. Manufacturer Points 1. Yamaha 145 2. Honda 117 3. Ducati 81 4. Suzuki 26 Click here to view the news

Giacomo Agostini The Fiat Yamaha Team, the Yamaha Classic Racing Team and multiple-World Champion Giacomo Agostini joined together for a very special celebration at Assen this evening, ahead of the 80th edition of the historic Dutch TT. Giacomo Agostini, Shigeto Kitagawa, President of Yamaha Motor Racing and Ferry Brouwer, owner of the Yamaha Classic Racing Team presented the celebrated 1975 YZR500 OW23, on which Agostini won his last ever world title in 1975 and also the Dutch TT in 1974. In addition Yamaha unveiled a surprise ‘Agostini' 2010 YZR-M1 in Fiat Yamaha Team colours, with the Italian's famous Number One stickers. Yamaha legend Agostini will ride a display lap of Assen on both motorcycles tomorrow at 13.10 to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the TT. Shigeto Kitagawa Shigeto Kitagawa, President of Yamaha Motor Racing, said: "I am very pleased to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the Dutch TT with Yamaha's first and latest premier class championship-winning bikes. It is going to be a great pleasure to see both machines ridden by the great and legendary champion Giacomo Agostini." Giacomo Agostini added: "It's a double pleasure and honour for to be here at Assen on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Dutch TT. First of all, I was honoured to be invited by the TT for this important occasion and secondly I am very excited to celebrate this event riding for Yamaha, to whom I gave a first world title in the 500cc series. I have a beautiful memory of this TT race and of these fans. I remember that when I used to ride here, many years ago, there were 160,000 fans all around the track. Unbelievable! Tomorrow I will have the chance to ride the "past" and the "present;" the first and the latest world champion bikes. My OW23 was like a bicycle with 120bhp, but used to get power at 6000rpm...whilst the M1 has 240bhp! When you ride the M1 for the first time, it seems that it's very easy: engine, gear, brakes, it seems that it does everything itself, but then when you open the throttle you discover its power and you realize how difficult it is to control such a force!" Ferry Brouwer (left behind 'Ago') Ferry Brouwer, Team owner of Yamaha Classic Racing Team, concluded: "This is going to be a very special moment during the 80th Dutch TT. Yamaha's past and present has joined forces to bring about a fantastic spectacle for the public here on Saturday. We sincerely hope that the fans will enjoy watching these bikes being ridden by Giacomo as much as we have enjoyed preparing everything for this moment." Click here to view the news

Wataru Yoshikawa Yamaha Motor Racing is pleased to announce that Wataru Yoshikawa, their experienced Japanese test rider, will join the Fiat Yamaha Team from the Barcelona round of the MotoGP World Championship. The two-time Japanese Superbike Champion will ride in the place of the injured Valentino Rossi, with Rossi's team and the YZR-M1, until the Italian is back to full fitness following his broken leg. It is expected that Yoshikawa will be with the Fiat Yamaha Team for at least three races, after which more should be known about Rossi's expected return date. Lin Jarvis, Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Racing Srl, said "we have considered many different scenarios and candidate riders to fill the temporary vacant seat in the Fiat Yamaha Team. We had always planned to use a rider from within the Yamaha Motor and Tech 3 family but for each rider we considered who is in active competition, their move to the Fiat Yamaha Team would have created another problem for their own racing program or for the teams in which they are engaged. Finally, after a great deal of consideration, we have selected Wataru Yoshikawa, our Japanese YZR-M1 Test rider, to join us as our substitute rider. We provisionally plan for three races (Catalunya, Sachsenring and Laguna Seca) but we will adjust the plan accordingly when we know more about Valentino's expected date of return. "The benefit of Wataru's presence in our team will be threefold. Firstly he brings with him a wealth of experience riding the YZR-M1. Secondly his presence allows us to fulfill our contractual obligations and to join the team's quest to accumulate points for the Team Championship. Thirdly he will gain valuable first hand MotoGP race experience in three challenging circuits which will surely be very useful to assist him and Yamaha with the future development of the YMR-M1. "We look forward to welcoming Wataru into our team while we wait for Valentino's return to full fitness." Wataru Yoshikawa added "I'm happy to have this chance to stand-in for Valentino while he is recovering and to compete in MotoGP again for the first time since 2002, when I raced at Motegi. Looking at the Fiat Yamaha Team results with the 2010 YZR-M1, I can see that the winter developments were correct and now I am looking forward to having the chance to gather some ‘real racing' data, which will be very helpful for the future development of the M1." Wataru Yoshikawa Racing Biography Nationality: Japanese Born: 26th September 1968, Tokyo Wataru Yoshikawa won the Japanese Superbike Championship for Yamaha in 1994 and 1999. Between 1992 and 2002 he made many wild-card appearances in the World Superbike Championship for Yamaha and in 1996 completed a full season, finishing 9th. He raced as a wild card once in MotoGP in 2002, finishing 12th. Since then he has been heavily involved as a test rider for the Yamaha MotoGP programme, giving him an in-depth knowledge of the YZR-M1. Click here to view the news

German MX1-GP podium The 2010 Grand Prix of Germany, the eighth round of the FIM MX1-GP World Championship, has been a memorable one for Yamaha Monster Energy Motocross teams and the venerable YZ450FM as the motorcycle toasted its second victory in succession, this time in the hands of Ken De Dycker, and filled two positions in the top three with David Philippaerts defying the effects of a cold to place third overall. De Dycker was in imperious form across the rough and rutted hard-pack. The fast and undulating terrain of the Talkessel circuit at Teutschenthal, west of the city of Halle, was surrounded by 35,000 spectators who created a noisy and bustling atmosphere. The crowd braved cloudy and cool conditions to see the Belgian (celebrating his 26th birthday on race-day) seal his first double of the year and become just the second rider this season to go 1-1. De Dycker headed Philippaerts for a superb formation-finish for the innovative and rear-slanting fuel-injected engine YZ450FM in the first moto. The result said a lot for the performance of the machine to dominate rivals negotiating the speedy bumps of the course. De Dycker's charge to the front and last lap defence of the lead in the second moto from Tony Cairoli not only gave him his first spoils in Yamaha colours but also delivered the Yamaha Monster Energy Ricci MX Team their first triumph in the premier class. DP Philippaerts, who won two weeks ago at the Grand Prix of France, was 5th in the second race and physically drained after trying to recover from his illness during the week. His third step of the podium represented his second consecutive appearance in the top three and his fourth trophy of the season. The 25 year old Italian is 3rd in the world championship standings and 9 points behind Clement Desalle. De Dycker gained a lot of ground with his perfect 50 point haul and is fourth, 16 behind his brand-mate. There is little time to pause at this stage of the campaign with Grand Prix events in Latvia and Sweden occurring in the next two weekends. De Dycker style Ken De Dycker, Yamaha Monster Energy Ricci MX Team, 1st: "I always expect to do well and hope for a good result and it came here because of hard work after the Grand Prix of France when we tested a lot and now we seem to be going in the right direction. This was the best birthday present I could give myself! Both motos had some good racing and Tony came close to me at the end of the second one. I was feeling tired at that moment and wanted the race to be over when I jumped past and saw '3 minutes' on the clock! I knew I would have to dig deep. He couldn't get near enough and it was exciting. The track was not easy but I tried to stay relaxed and saw a few places where I could overtake; my goal then was to get close enough to be able to attack in those places. I hope this is the point that my season will turn around and although the next GPs won't be easy I can now feel more confident and want to be strong until the end of the season." David Philippaerts, Yamaha Monster Energy MX Team, 3rd: "In the first moto I had a good feeling with the bike and the track but I have not slept well for the last four days because of a cold and really felt tired in the second race. It was hard to pass out there with really only one fast line, the rest of the track was so bumpy, and I lost time and energy stuck behind Nagl. To finish on the podium after feeling sick is very positive. Now I will go to Belgium and recover fully before doing some training in the build-up to Latvia." Circuit Length: 1780 Crowd: 35,000 Weather: Cloudy Last Years Winner: Antonio Cairoli 2010 GP of Germany 20/06/2010 Race 1 - 18 Laps Pos. Rider Manu. Nat. Total Time 1 Ken De Dycker Yamaha BEL 40'39.611 2 David Philippaerts Yamaha ITA 0'09.467 3 Clement Desalle Suzuki BEL 0'20.240 4 Xavier Boog Kawasaki FRA 0'22.112 5 Maximilian Nagl KTM GER 0'23.556 6 Antonio Cairoli KTM ITA 0'24.725 7 Steve Ramon Suzuki BEL 0'29.662 8 Evgeny Bobryshev Honda RUS 0'32.723 9 Kevin Strijbos Suzuki BEL 0'35.193 10 Tanel Leok Honda EST 0'35.686 11 Davide Guarneri Honda ITA 0'53.082 12 Anthony Boissière TM FRA 0'59.410 13 Gareth Swanepoel Honda RSA 1'08.442 14 Joshua Coppins Aprilia NZL 1'15.537 15 Jimmy Albertson Honda USA 1'32.178 Race 2 - 18 Laps Pos. Rider Manu. Nat. Total Time 1 Ken De Dycker Yamaha BEL 40'07.513 2 Antonio Cairoli KTM ITA 0'00.252 3 Clement Desalle Suzuki BEL 0'13.132 4 Xavier Boog Kawasaki FRA 0'27.811 5 David Philippaerts Yamaha ITA 0'34.169 6 Davide Guarneri Honda ITA 0'38.707 7 Maximilian Nagl KTM GER 0'41.813 8 Evgeny Bobryshev Honda RUS 0'46.007 9 Steve Ramon Suzuki BEL 0'48.659 10 Gareth Swanepoel Honda RSA 0'50.042 11 Rui Goncalves KTM POR 0'50.753 12 Tanel Leok Honda EST 1'18.656 13 Jimmy Albertson Honda USA 1'37.408 14 Dean Ferris Honda AUS 1'47.263 15 Matthias Walkner KTM AUT 1'47.876 17 Tom Soderstrom Yamaha SWE 2'07.313 Rider Standings 20/06/2010 Pos. Rider Manu. Nat. Points 1. Antonio Cairoli KTM ITA 341 2. Clement Desalle Suzuki BEL 276 3. David Philippaerts Yamaha ITA 267 4. Ken De Dycker Yamaha BEL 251 5. Maximilian Nagl KTM GER 248 6. Steve Ramon Suzuki BEL 237 7. Xavier Boog Kawasaki FRA 217 8. Tanel Leok Honda EST 182 9. Davide Guarneri Honda ITA 165 10. Evgeny Bobryshev Honda RUS 149 11. Kevin Strijbos Suzuki BEL 121 12. Anthony Boissière TM FRA 116 13. Joshua Coppins Aprilia NZL 113 14. Gareth Swanepoel Honda RSA 111 15. Sébastien Pourcel Kawasaki FRA 92 20. Manuel Monni Yamaha ITA 46 26. Tom Soderstrom Yamaha SWE 23 27. Kyle Chisholm Yamaha USA 20 28. Alvaro Lozano Yamaha ESP 14 29. Grant Langston Yamaha RSA 12 31. Matteo Bonini Yamaha ITA 11 Manufacturer Standings 20/06/2010 Pos. Manufacturer Points 1. KTM 370 2. Suzuki 326 3. Yamaha 320 4. Honda 249 5. Kawasaki 244 6. Aprilia 116 7. TM 116 8. CCM 11 9. Husqvarna 4 RACE REPORT 20/06/2010 Third podium in a row for Osborne after German GP Osborne again in top three The 2010 YZ250F again showed its agility across another fast, demanding and rut-strewn track and gained its third podium in succession at Teutschenthal for the Grand Prix of Germany as Bike it Cosworth Yamaha's Zach Osborne lifted his third trophy on the spin with 3rd place overall. The vibrant American scored 4th and 3rd positions in a cloudy and chilly eighth round of fifteen in the MX2-GP series watched by 35,000 spectators. The 20 year old was the highest ranked YZ250F runner on a difficult terrain that was not simple for overtaking. Osborne started a first blustery moto trying to find optimum grip on the German soil and building up his race speed to 4th. A stronger second outing saw the American running alone in 3rd with an effective pace. His achievement matches other notable results in USA and France and brings Osborne up to 5th in the championship. In 7th overall was 2009 European Champion Christophe Charlier for Yamaha Monster Energy Gariboldi who put aside discomfort and apprehension from a sprained left thumb sustained on Saturday to go 12-6 and really shine at the front of the pack for the first time in 2010 during the second sprint. Paulin in Germany Yamaha Monster Energy MX Team's Gautier Paulin was 9th. After taking his time to find an effective rhythm in the first moto (scoring 7th) the Frenchman slipped off the factory machine on the first lap of the second race and rode in decisive fashion to rise from the rear of the field to 11th. Charlier's team-mate Harri Kullas was 11th overall and continues to take positive points-scores in his first GP season, only posting one '0' on his season-tally so far. Yamaha Monster Energy Ricci MX Team's Alessandro Lupino was 17th and Loic Larrieu 19th in the final GP classification. The 2010 Women's World Championship entered its fifth round at Teutschenthal and Chiara Fontanesi won her second moto from two events. The teenage Italian grasped the second race on her agile YZ250F by the narrowest of margins from overall winner Larissa Papenmeier. Her 5th position from Saturday combined with another set of 25 points meant a second podium on the trot with the runner-up step. Fontanesi now holds 4th in the standings with the penultimate meeting occurring at the Grand Prix of Czech Republic in August. Chiara Fontanesi Zach Osborne, Bike it Cosworth Yamaha, 3rd: "I think I have come to a peak in my fitness and my riding abilities are where they should be. I am happy with the way things are going with the team and the bike and I am enjoying the races. I was struggling to come through in the first moto and got lucky when Ken Roczen had to throw away his goggles. I did not quite gel with the track this weekend but overall it was a good GP and to have another podium." Christophe Charlier, Yamaha Monster Energy Gariboldi, 7th: "I strained my left thumb on the start-finish jump during free practice and I was worried about what I could do. My good starts helped and I was around the top five. I overtook Herlings but could not go with the speed of Frossard. I had a small crash but to finish 6th was very good and not something I would have expected after Saturday. I feel confident for the next races now." Gautier Paulin, Yamaha Monster Energy MX Team, 9th: "I felt great on the bike this weekend. In the first moto I had a good start but made some mistakes before finding a fast rhythm in the last part of the race. I crashed in the fifth corner of the second moto because I hit a softer part of the track and the front wheel dug-in and I lost balance. It was a shame because my start was pretty good. I was really far behind and it was difficult to pass on this track so I had a similar style of race to the first and built-up my speed. I made my best times towards the end and I know I must work on being aggressive in the first ten minutes to stay at the front of the pack and get some good results." Chiara Fontanesi, 2nd: "After the last GP when I made the podium I took a lot of confidence that I could be among the top three riders and brought that into this weekend. In the first moto it was really hard to make up ground but the second was perfect with a great start. I hope I can continue this speed and form." Circuit Length: 1780 Crowd: 35,000 Weather: Cloudy Last Years Winner: Marvin Musquin 2010 GP of Germany 20/06/2010 Race 1 - 18 Laps Pos. Rider Manu. Nat. Total Time 1 Marvin Musquin KTM FRA 40'44.108 2 Jeremy Van Horebeek Kawasaki BEL 0'04.645 3 Steven Frossard Kawasaki FRA 0'12.812 4 Zach Osborne Yamaha USA 0'31.456 5 Ken Roczen Suzuki GER 0'35.632 6 Arnaud Tonus Suzuki CHE 0'41.892 7 Gautier Paulin Yamaha FRA 0'43.478 8 Joel Roelants KTM BEL 0'44.200 9 Shaun Simpson KTM GBR 1'03.398 10 Jake Nicholls KTM GBR 1'03.791 11 Khounsith Vongsana KTM FRA 1'18.591 12 Christophe Charlier Yamaha FRA 1'22.488 13 Martin Michek TM CZE 1'26.607 14 Harri Kullas Yamaha FIN 1'32.090 15 Valentin Teillet KTM FRA 1'41.988 17 Alessandro Lupino Yamaha ITA 2'04.714 18 Loic Larrieu Yamaha FRA 2'15.526 Race 2 - 18 Laps Pos. Rider Manu. Nat. Total Time 1 Ken Roczen Suzuki GER 40'06.652 2 Marvin Musquin KTM FRA 0'26.568 3 Zach Osborne Yamaha USA 0'36.614 4 Steven Frossard Kawasaki FRA 0'47.311 5 Arnaud Tonus Suzuki CHE 1'00.947 6 Christophe Charlier Yamaha FRA 1'06.656 7 Jeremy Van Horebeek Kawasaki BEL 1'16.155 8 Jeffrey Herlings KTM NED 1'18.283 9 Shaun Simpson KTM GBR 1'20.736 10 Michael Lieb Kawasaki USA 1'21.304 11 Gautier Paulin Yamaha FRA 1'22.025 12 Khounsith Vongsana KTM FRA 1'33.732 13 Harri Kullas Yamaha FIN 1'38.501 14 Alessandro Lupino Yamaha ITA 2'00.290 15 Valentin Teillet KTM FRA 2'02.427 18 Loic Larrieu Yamaha FRA -1Laps 19 Mel Pocock Yamaha GBR -1Laps Rider Standings 20/06/2010 Pos. Rider Manu. Nat. Points 1. Marvin Musquin KTM FRA 365 2. Ken Roczen Suzuki GER 288 3. Steven Frossard Kawasaki FRA 268 4. Jeffrey Herlings KTM NED 241 5. Zach Osborne Yamaha USA 233 6. Shaun Simpson KTM GBR 225 7. Arnaud Tonus Suzuki CHE 214 8. Jeremy Van Horebeek Kawasaki BEL 209 9. Joel Roelants KTM BEL 183 10. Harri Kullas Yamaha FIN 158 11. Jake Nicholls KTM GBR 158 12. Christophe Charlier Yamaha FRA 130 13. Dennis Verbruggen KTM BEL 127 14. Alessandro Lupino Yamaha ITA 111 15. Gautier Paulin Yamaha FRA 100 20. Mel Pocock Yamaha GBR 36 22. Loic Larrieu Yamaha FRA 25 27. Travis Baker Yamaha USA 15 31. Max Anstie Yamaha GBR 9 33. Ceriel Klein Kromhof Yamaha NED 9 34. Vince Friese Yamaha USA 8 38. Rudi Moroni Yamaha ITA 5 42. Glenn Coldenhoff Yamaha NED 2 44. Ed Allingham Yamaha GBR 2 Manufacturer Standings 20/06/2010 Pos. Manufacturer Points 1. KTM 392 2. Suzuki 305 3. Yamaha 277 4. Kawasaki 276 5. Honda 65 6. TM 18 Click here to view the news

Jorge Lorenzo Jorge Lorenzo ran away with the British Grand Prix at Silverstone this afternoon, storming home to win by 6.743 seconds to take his first UK win in the Premier Class. The Fiat Yamaha Team's sole representative in the absence of the injured Valentino Rossi, Lorenzo led from the first lap to come home ahead of Andrea Dovizioso and Tech 3 Yamaha rider Ben Spies, who took his maiden podium in MotoGP. The Mallorcan got a strong start from pole position and led out of turn one but it was not all plain sailing as he became embroiled in a feisty first-lap battle with Dani Pedrosa. The pair traded the lead several times but it was Lorenzo who eventually led over the line and he was unchallenged from there on in, gradually extending his lead lap-by-lap and leaving his rivals trailing in the wake of his blue and white M1. With two laps remaining the gap to Dovizioso stood at more than eight seconds but Lorenzo slowed down on the final two laps to ensure he came home safely, which he duly did to the delight of the 70,000 British fans who are quickly adopting the spirited Spaniard as one of their own. His third win of the season and another 25-point haul extends Lorenzo's lead to 37 points over Dovizioso in second, with Pedrosa now third. The absent Rossi falls to fourth in the championship but Lorenzo's consistency ensures that the Fiat Yamaha Team still leads the Teams' standings and Yamaha the Manufacturers'. The MotoGP paddock now faces a quick turnaround in order to get to Assen in time for next weekend's Dutch TT, which is as always a Saturday race. Jorge Lorenzo - 1st, 41'34.083 "This was an important day for me and an important win, because I felt so strong and I enjoyed riding my Yamaha so much. I had a different feeling today; I felt that it was going to be a good race. It was quite hard to be fast at the start and the first lap with Dani was difficult, but once I got past him I felt very relaxed and comfortable. I thought he would follow me for a bit longer but he didn't and then I was on my own, so I just had to focus on myself; I didn't even know who was behind me! I never dreamt of taking three wins from five races but here we are and I am feeling very strong mentally at this moment. I want to thank my team, Yamaha and Bridgestone for this victory. The Beatles celebration was something fun for the fans, I love their music and I thought it was nice to make a homage to them, since we're in England!" Jorge Lorenzo Wilco Zeelenberg - Team Manager Jorge Lorenzo "This was a great performance by Jorge. The start was a little bit interesting, with us on the hard Bridgestone and some of the others on the softer one, but Jorge rode so well, kept his head and brought it home safely. Our bike is working very well and it was great to see Spies taking a podium on the Yamaha too, well done to him. It is impressive to have a 37-point gap at this stage but now we have four more races in very close succession so we can't relax. Well done to Jorge and to everyone for today." Spies storms to maiden Silverstone podium Ben Spies stormed to a stunning debut MotoGP podium for the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team this afternoon after a thrilling battle at the spectacular Silverstone circuit.Competing in only his ninth MotoGP race, Spies was locked in an early battle with fellow rookie Marco Simoncelli for sixth place before he became embroiled in an epic fight for second place. Spies passed Dani Pedrosa on lap nine and then launched a brilliant pursuit of the group in front dicing for second that included Andrea Dovizioso, Randy de Puniet and fellow American Nicky Hayden. The Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider stalked the trio befo re he began a breathtaking late attack, firstly overtaking de Puniet for fourth place on lap 17. That clinical pass left Spies hounding Hayden's Ducati and the 25-year-old timed his crucial attack to perfection, the Texan ignoring the discomfort of a small fracture in his left ankle that he aggravated in a big qualifying crash yesterday. Spies produced a daring overtake on Hayden at the fast Abbey Corner on the final lap and then defended supremely under immense pressure to claim third and his first premier class rostrum. The result moved Spies into seventh place in the overall world championship standings with 36-points and helped the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team close the gap on fourth place in the all-important Team World Championship classification. Texan team-mate Colin Edwards rode a determined 20-lap race after a difficult w eekend where he never found the optimum setting with his YZR-M1 machine. He also encountered a repeat of the arm pump issue that hindered him at the last round in Mugello, but he was satisfied having rode to a creditable ninth position to maintain his record of scoring points in every race so far in 2010. Ben Spies Ben Spies - 3rd +7.097 sec. "I didn't expect to get my first podium so quickly, especially after yesterday which wasn't the best for me. I got a decent start but once I got by Dani and Simoncelli I just tried to stay on the back of the group battling for the podium. Once I realised I could stay in contention I just tried to save the rear tyre as much as I could and it all worked out. The last few laps I pushed as hard as I could and made some good passes and it is great for Yamaha and the Monster Tech 3 Team. I'm also pretty happy about it too and this is good for my confidence. That last lap was difficult to pass Nicky but I got a really good drive onto the back straight and tried to pass him at Stowe Corner but he came back by. On the next straight I managed to get by him and then had to ride quite defensively on the last part of the lap. I was on the edge but I had to go for the podium and it worked out. It will be hard to duplicate this but right now I'll let it sink in and make the most of it. But on this day I can say I was the third best rider in the world and it is a good feeling." Colin Edwards Colin Edwards - 9th +27.954 sec. "I don't want to be finishing in ninth at all but honestly I'm reasonably happy with the way I rode and it was a lot better than I expected after what has been a tough weekend. I'm still a fair way behind the top group but I had so many problems this weekend that even a top ten was looking lik e a difficult result to achieve. I didn't leave anything out there and I went better than I did in qualifying but it was still not easy. The bike isn't agile enough and having to muscle it around gave me a small arm pump problem, but not as bad as Mugello. If I could get the bike to go where I want it to go I could save lots of time, but we've got some ideas for the future. It was a bit of a lonely race but I rode as hard as I could for as long as I could. I want to congratulate Ben though because he did an awesome job and I've got nothing but admiration for him. He showed today what a great rider he is and it is great for the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team to be back on the podium." Herve Poncharal - Team Manager "We knew Ben really liked this circuit and we thought he could do a good race. But he rode an incredible race because he didn't get a fantastic start but he was v ery aggressive in the first two laps and got himself into contention. He never let that group in front of him go away and we know his strength is on worn tyres, so we expected him to hang in until the end. He was quickest on track at one stage but I was worried a little bit because Casey was catching quite quickly. But he kept his cool and made some good passes and the best was on the last lap to beat Nicky. It his first podium in MotoGP and certainly not his last because he is such a bright talent for the future. I'd like to say thanks to Yamaha and to Bridgestone and also to the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team because since the start of the season it has been a little bit up and down. But we've never stopped trying hard and today we got a big reward. Colin rode a steady race and as always he never stopped trying to improve his situation and we know better results will come for him soon. Now we look forward to Assen that both Colin and Ben like a lot and we are confident of anot her competitive weekend." Circuit Length: 3619 Temp: 17 Crowd: 70000 Weather: Dry Lap Record: 1'56.459 (Chris Vermeulen, 01/01/2003) Fastest Lap Ever: 1'56.096 (Jurgen van den Goorbergh, 01/01/2003) 2010 MotoGP Great Britain - Silverstone 20/06/2010 Race 1 - 20 Laps Pos. Rider Manu. Nat. Total Time 1 Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha ESP 41'34.083 2 Andrea Dovizioso Honda ITA 0'06.743 3 Ben Spies Yamaha USA 0'07.097 4 Nicky Hayden Ducati USA 0'07.314 5 Casey Stoner Ducati AUS 0'07.494 6 Randy De Puniet Honda FRA 0'09.055 7 Marco Simoncelli Honda ITA 0'14.425 8 Daniel Pedrosa Honda ESP 0'15.313 9 Colin Edwards Yamaha USA 0'27.954 10 Aleix Espargaro Ducati ESP 0'42.394 11 Hector Barbera Ducati ESP 0'43.365 12 Alvaro Bautista Suzuki ESP 0'43.408 13 Mika Kallio Ducati FIN 0'43.580 Rider Standings 20/06/2010 Pos. Rider Manu. Nat. Points 1. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha ESP 115 2. Andrea Dovizioso Honda ITA 78 3. Daniel Pedrosa Honda ESP 73 4. Valentino Rossi Yamaha ITA 61 5. Nicky Hayden Ducati USA 52 6. Randy De Puniet Honda FRA 46 7. Ben Spies Yamaha USA 36 8. Casey Stoner Ducati AUS 35 9. Marco Simoncelli Honda ITA 32 10. Marco Melandri Honda ITA 32 11. Colin Edwards Yamaha USA 26 12. Hector Barbera Ducati ESP 24 13. Aleix Espargaro Ducati ESP 22 14. Hiroshi Aoyama Honda JPN 18 15. Mika Kallio Ducati FIN 15 Manufacturer Standings 20/06/2010 Pos. Manufacturer Points 1. Yamaha 120 2. Honda 97 3. Ducati 65 4. Suzuki 23 Click here to view the news

The Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team completed a two-day test this afternoon at the San Marino circuit ahead of next week’s eighth round of the World Championship in Misano. At the close of the test riders Cal Crutchlow and James Toseland were the fastest riders on the board. The team spent the two days testing some different linkages on the bikes along with various electronic settings and also a new radiator design to aid cooling. The first day started well with both riders posting competitive times, James Toseland in particular ending the morning session second fastest with a 1”36.7 and team mate Cal Crutchlow not far behind in fourth with a 1”36.8. The afternoon saw rainfall which disrupted the test and made the track conditions slower this morning. The day gave very hot temperatures for most of the session, but cooled towards the end allowing the riders to post their fastest times. Cal Crutchlow, Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team (1st, 1”36.2 90 laps) “It’s been a pretty good test for us, the weather’s been difficult, either really hot or wet which has been challenging. Still, we managed to get down to the fastest time here and I did that on a used tyre which should stand us in good stead for next week’s races. I’m looking forward to getting stuck into it again.” James Toseland, Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team (2nd, 1”36.3, 90 laps) “We tried a lot with the electronics, all in all it’s been a good test for Yamaha. I’m putting a lot of time into the bike to try and find some extra time in the second half of the race and be more consistent. Everyone is doing a great job but we’re busy trying to catch up with the Aprilia.” Massimo Meregalli, Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team Manager “I am satisfied as the riders made their best times with used tyres. If the race was tomorrow we are ready. I’m looking forward to the race weekend, it has been a very productive test and we are optimistic that we can build on this and produce some good results.” Click here to view the news

Giacomo Agostini On the 26th of June the legendary Assen circuit will witness the 80th edition of the famous TT race. To celebrate the event in style the Yamaha Classic Racing Team will be present and will be displaying iconic Yamaha race bikes from across the decades of the manufacturer’s racing history. The Team will be joined by living legend Giacomo Agostini who will ride the circuit on a classic Yamaha racer. Racing fans visiting the TT paddock area will be able to get up close and personal with historical GP machines raced to glory from 1964 to 1985 including: 125cc 1 cylinder, 350cc 3 cylinder, 750cc 4 cylinder and all two stroke machines. Added to the line up this year is the 1965 125cc V4 (RA31A) machine that delivered a 1, 2 world championship victory to riders Bill Ivy and Phil Read and the manufacturer’s title to Yamaha in 1965. Another new iconic bike present will be the 350cc twin (OW16) that Agostini raced to world championship victory with in 1974 in the 350cc class. Agostini rides again In homage to the Assen TT Agostini will ride his celebrated 1975 YZR500 OW23 racebike on the circuit. This is the original machine that he rode to his last ever world title victory in 1975 and has special significance as it was also the machine he rode to victory on at the Assen TT in that year. This rare and historically important racebike is being flown over by Yamaha from Japan for this occasion, and is a rare opportunity to see and hear it being ridden by Agostini on track as he did 35 years ago. For more information on Agostini’s victories with Yamaha and the build up to the 80th Assen TT please click the following link to enjoy the Yamaha video: “I am very happy to see that the interest for our classic racing activities is growing and growing,” said Yamaha Classic Racing Team Manager, Ferry Brouwer. “One thing that the public generally appreciates is that the historical machines as well as the racing legends can be approached quite easily, although depending a bit on the venue that we're at. I'm very proud that Giacomo Agostini is participating on the major events this year and we are very grateful that the Yamaha headquarters in Japan have given Ago the opportunity again to ride on his original and legendary machine that he steered to his final word title in 1975.” The Yamaha Classic Racing Team will return to Assen later this year for a second iconic event, the Centennial Classic TT on the 18th and 19th September. Agostini will again ride for the team at this event and will be joined by other iconic riders from the golden years of racing including: Rodney Gould (1970 250cc world champion with Yamaha), Dieter Braun (1973 250cc world champion with Yamaha), Chas Mortimer (1973 125cc vice champion with Yamaha), Bruno Kneubühler (1974 125cc vice champion with Yamaha) and Steve Baker (1977 500cc vice champion with Yamaha). The Yamaha Classic Racing Team calendar for 2010 includes the following dates: 26 June - Assen, Netherlands 24,25 July - Imatra, Finland 14,15 Aug - Schotten, Germany 22 Aug - Eext, Netherlands 18,19 Sept - Assen, Netherlands 2,3 Oct - Imola, Italy Click here to view the news

1. Vale, first question: how are you and are you still in pain? "The positive thing is that the worst is past and that the two operations went well, so everything is okay. Now I am expecting a difficult period, in which I have to be aware of the risk of infection and in which I must remain with the leg constantly elevated. Then there will come a second key period, when I will be able to start my rehabilitation and, with support on the leg, will be able to start to walk around with crutches." 2. Dr. Buzzi talked about a rehabilitation period of about five or six months, what do you think? "It's to be expected that Dr. Buzzi has been very cautious in his prognosis. I want to heal the injury; that is the only thing I'm interested in. If I miss four races or six races, it doesn't make any difference. The right time to return could be Brno, but it won't necessarily be like this." 3. Do you remember the accident? "I remember everything perfectly. I didn't hit my head, I didn't hit anything else. The airbag in my leathers worked very well and my helmet was just slightly scratched. I don't have a single bruise! The problem was that I landed on my leg, and it was stuck under my body. If I had landed on my back it would have been different. I had a new tyre and I'd done two laps, then I slowed down because I had Barbera behind me. When I came back onto the racing line Pedrosa arrived and I didn't want to cause a problem for him so I moved again but then when I reopened the gas, it happened suddenly and unexpectedly. Seven seconds were enough to make the tyre drop temperature dramatically. The error was mine." 4. Who would you like to thank? "First of all I want to thank Professor Buzzi of the CTO Careggi in Florence and all of his staff, because they were brilliant. Fortunately, doing it at Mugello meant I wasn't far from the Careggi and this was very lucky. I also want to thank everybody else at the Careggi and all the nurses because they treated me so well, then the staff at the Clinica Mobile and the marshals and officers at the Mugello circuit. Finally, a big hello and particular thanks to all the fans because never, not even for a second, have they let me forget their affection and support. The messages I saw on Sunday on television from the circuit were beautiful."? 5. At any time since the accident has there been a moment when you have said "stop racing motorcycles"? "Sincerely, I haven't felt any fear. I was a bit horrified when I saw the leg, yes...but the thing I dislike the most is to miss so many races! I will take all the time I need and be sure not to do anything stupid because I want to return quickly, but only if my condition allows it. I know I have a bike for next year and I don't need to rush my return to demonstrate anything. I could miss just four races but I still wouldn't come back to win the championship. It's better to be careful, finish the rehabilitation in the best way and come back to race for many more years. I've heard of many other sportsmen, a lot in fact, who have had the same problem as me. One example for everyone: Mark Webber called me and he has had an exposed fracture of the right leg. He told me to be very patient and that I would have some moments of discomfort, but that in the end recovery was guaranteed." 6. Now you have some time at home to rest and to think... "Yes, now I have a lot of time at home to rest, to recover and to think. Firstly, I want to use this time to improve some things. I want to improve my English, learn something new, read a lot. Basically, I want to improve and learn. This I will do for sure. If your question instead is referring to 2011, this incident will not influence my choices for next year in any way. Last Saturday hasn't changed anything. I just have one broken leg extra! The result of 2010, therefore, has never been relevant to my decisions for the future." 7. During your enforced rest, will you also be working on your injured shoulder? "Definitely, yes. This is one of the few positive things about this incident; finally I can work on the rehabilitation of the shoulder, in no hurry, without operations and without races. From tomorrow I will restart the exercises, lying on my bed, and I am certain that when I return the shoulder will be completely recovered. When I come back I will be in perfect shape, although it won't mean that I can win straight away. When you return after an enforced break you not only have to think about the body, but also the mind. I won't be able to come back and win immediately. Click here to view the news

At 1530 CET today Valentino Rossi was released from the Centro Traumatologico Ortopedico in Florence, Italy, where he has been recovering following surgery last Saturday to mend his broken right leg. He was taken by ambulance to a helicopter and is now being flown to a hospital in Cattolica, close to his home, where he will meet with doctors to discuss the next stage of his recovery. More information and details about his condition will be sent later today. Click here to view the news

Dr. Roberto Buzzi, head of Trauma at the CTO Careggi (Centro Traumatologico Ortopedico) in Florence, Italy, made the following statement about Valentino Rossi today: "Today Valentino underwent another small operation to close the wound, which is looking good. We closed it with 15 stitches and our overall medical judgement is positive. We used a short general anaesthetic and when he woke up he was in good shape. The healing process of the injury is going well and as expected in Valentino's condition." Rossi crashed on Saturday in practice for the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello, breaking his lower right leg. Click here to view the news