MotoGP Race Results

2006 MotoGP Spain
Catalunya Circuit
June 18, 2006

Text and Photos Courtesy MotoGP, Kawasaki, Yamaha Racing, Team Suzuki and World Superbike.  Edited by webBikeWorld.

Crash Plagued Race Gives Rossi Victory
Yamaha - Camel Yamaha Team rider Valentino Rossi emerged from a crash-strewn race at Catalunya with 25 more points to boost his world title defense, thanks to his third Grand Prix victory of the season at Catalunya today.

One of the most dramatic races in recent history began to unfold from the first corner, when Sete Gibernau (Ducati) collided with his team-mate Loris Capirossi under braking and both riders went tumbling into the gravel at high speed, taking Marco Melandri (Honda) with them.  All three riders were injured and unable to join the restarted race after the red flags were subsequently raised, although John Hopkins (Suzuki), Randy de Puniet (Kawasaki) and Dani Pedrosa (Honda) did make it back to the grid after also running off track during the first corner melee.

Casey Stoner (Honda) repeated the excellent start he got at the first race start, taking the hole-shot and then leading over the first eight laps before eventually folding under constant pressure from Rossi and sliding into the gravel.  With extremely high temperatures and low grip levels several other riders also crashed out, leaving Nicky Hayden (Honda) as the only man capable of chasing the Italian.  With less than a second separating the pair for most of the race, Rossi turned on the style with typical flair in the closing stages and had opened out a 4.509 second advantage over the American when he took the checkered flag.

With no fewer than eight riders failing to make it to the end of the race it was a credit to Rossi's team-mate Colin Edwards that he arrived home in fifth place, collecting some valuable championship points and more crucial data with the new version of the YZR-M1 chassis that was available to him on both bikes for the first time this season.  The American's compatriots Hayden and Kenny Roberts (Team KR) completed the podium.

Valentino Rossi: (1st; 41'31.237) "The start of the race was hard for everybody because we were all very worried about the riders who crashed - especially Marco Melandri because we could see his accident was a bad one.  Just before the start Doctor Costa told me that Marco was more or less ok and I was very relieved.  Even then it was tough to concentrate on re-starting the race.  I made a mistake at the start and Stoner came past me, but my bike was working so well that I was able to push from the beginning and when the fuel came down it was even better."

"I knew that some of the other riders were having trouble with their tyres but my team have done a great job with Michelin this weekend and I had lots of grip to the end.  Hayden pushed very hard but I kept my pace up and was able to extend the advantage over him.  The M1 has been so much fun to ride all weekend and I want to say a big thank you to the whole team for getting it to this stage.  To win at two of my favorite tracks like Mugello and Catalunya is a big , big satisfaction for me."

Qualifying - Rossi on Pole
Yamaha - Camel Yamaha Team rider Valentino Rossi will line up in pole position for the first time in almost a year when the MotoGP World Championship riders take their place on the grid for the seventh round of the season at Catalunya tomorrow.

The Italian has been in excellent form all weekend and after continuing yesterday's job to set his YZR-M1 up for the 25-lap race, he was able to concentrate fully on a burst of quick laps at the end of this afternoon's qualifying session.  His fastest lap registered a new pole record of 1'41.855 and put him at the front of the MotoGP grid for the first time since the 2005 British Grand Prix last July.

Colin Edwards also followed up positive work on his two machines yesterday with further progress in the morning free practice, when he set the fourth fastest time on race tyres.  However, slight changes to the setting of his bike and the extra grip offered by a softer rear tire had a detrimental effect as he pushed for a quick lap time at the end of the qualifying session, the American eventually dropping to twelfth place on the grid as a host of riders posted one-off flying laps, despite not matching the consistency demonstrated by Edwards. 

Rossi will be joined on the front row by two of Edwards' compatriots, John Hopkins (Suzuki) and Kenny Roberts (Honda KR).

Valentino Rossi:  (1st - 1'41.855; 26 laps) "I am really, really happy - it is a big satisfaction to be back on pole after such a long time. The bike has been working really well all weekend and I have to say a big 'thank you' to everybody at Yamaha and all my engineers because they have worked so hard to build this new chassis and then make it work so well in such a short space of time."

"I said yesterday that we have been able to work in a normal way and this meant that today I was able to focus on finding a good setting for the qualifying tire and putting some fast laps in at the end.  It is the first time I have had this pleasure in a long time and to do it at this track is amazing because it is so much fun to ride here.  There are some tough riders out there but I have a special feeling in front of these fans. They always treat me so well and I want to put on a good show for them tomorrow."

Colin Edwards:  (12th - 1'42.655; 26 laps) "I don't seem to be getting any kind of luck in qualifying lately.  We haven't had so much time yet with the new chassis and unfortunately when I put the softer tire on it kept folding the front end, so I couldn't push harder for a time and get the place on the grid that my pace would otherwise reflect.  Also we made a couple of changes to the setting - nothing major, just a millimeter here or there - but it seemed to add to the extra force on the front so we perhaps would have been better sticking to what we found in the morning.  Tomorrow we'll have to go backwards a little bit with the setting and no doubt we can go forwards a lot during the race!"

Kawasaki - Second Row for Shinya Nakano
Kawasaki's Shinya Nakano put in a strong performance aboard his Ninja ZX-RR during this afternoon's qualifying session in Spain, to secure fifth position on the grid for tomorrow's Grand Prix of Catalunya.

The 28-year-old Kawasaki rider struggled yesterday with a lack of stability under braking, leaving him down in 13th place on the timesheet, but bounced back strongly today after changes made to his Ninja ZX-RR overnight.

Nakano was first to stake his claim for pole position this afternoon, grabbing the top spot just minutes into the qualifying session. The Kawasaki rider remained in the top five for the next 30 minutes, before once again stealing provisional pole with another flying lap on race tyres.

At the end of the qualifying session Nakano posted the fifth fastest time to secure a place on the second row for tomorrow's race, and the Kawasaki rider is confident that his performance today on race tyres means that a good result is a distinct possibility in tomorrow's 25-lap Grand Prix of Catalunya.

Nakano's Kawasaki teammate, Randy de Puniet, also ran top five on race tyres for much of this afternoon's hour-long qualifying session, but was forced to settle for tenth position, and the fourth row, on tomorrow's grid after suffering with brake problems on his final flying lap.

Although disappointed not to be starting closer to the front of the grid, the 25-year-old Frenchman remains confident that a good result in the race is possible, especially if the conditions experienced during qualifying today continue into tomorrow.

Shinya Nakano: 5th - 1'42.216  "Conditions were hard this afternoon.  The temperature is a lot higher than yesterday, which meant there was less grip, but the bike was working well.  We made some changes to the suspension settings today, to find a better balance with the bike, and we also made some changes to the gear ratios to better suit this circuit and to take advantage of the additional revs we have available from the engine."

"Only small changes, but they have had a positive effect, with the result that we were running top five on race tyres for much of the qualifying session, with very consistent lap times. This, more than our final qualifying position, is a good indication of our potential for tomorrow's race. Anyway, fifth position on the grid is not so bad and, after the two sessions today, I'm more confident going into the race tomorrow."

Randy de Puniet: 10th - 1'42.620 "I'm a little disappointed with my final qualifying position; I had some brake problems as I came round to start my final flying lap and this meant that I wasn't able to make use of my last qualifying tire.  It's a shame, as I am confident I could have improved my grid position by at least one row."

"On a more positive note, we made some small changes to the bike that have definitely made it easier to ride; today I could open the throttle earlier without the rear spinning up straight away.  This afternoon, on race tyres I did two good runs on the bike to go top five on the timesheet, so we know that, if the conditions for tomorrow's race are similar, we will be competitive.  So, overall, I'm happy with the progress we've made today and I'm looking forward to the race tomorrow."

Race Preview
Kawasaki Optimistic Ahead of Grand Prix of Catalunya - This weekend's Grand Prix of Catalunya marks the start of a busy period for the Kawasaki Racing Team, with three races in as many weekends, starting in Spain and finishing in Great Britain, with the Dutch TT at Assen in between.

Shinya Nakano and Randy de Puniet both arrive in Barcelona determined to get this run of three important races off to the best start possible, with a strong performance in Sunday's Grand Prix of Catalunya.

After the disappointment of both riders finishing outside the top ten at Mugello, Kawasaki engineers have been working overtime to ensure that both Nakano and de Puniet have a competitive package in the Ninja ZX-RR for the 4.727 km Circuit de Catalunya.

Both Kawasaki riders will test a new exhaust system on their Ninja ZX-RR MotoGP machines this weekend, which has been designed to improve drivability out of the corners; critical around the 13 turns at Catalunya, the majority of which are right-handers.

This predominance of right-hand corners is also important in terms of tire selection, and the Kawasaki Racing Team will again be working closely with Bridgestone this weekend to ensure that, come race day, Nakano and de Puniet have a tire that will provide consistent performance throughout the 25-lap Grand Prix of Catalunya.

After intensive dynamometer testing in Japan, Kawasaki engineers have also increased the upper rev limit of the Ninja ZX-RR for this weekend. As well as offering more flexibility on both gearbox ratios and gear selection, the additional revs should make it easier for Nakano and de Puniet to pass out of the slipstream along the 1.047 meter main straight at Catalunya.

Having won twice in the 250cc World Championship class at the Circuit de Catalunya in the past, Randy de Puniet arrives in Barcelona fully fit and determined to improve upon his previous best result in the MotoGP class this weekend, at a track he rates as one of his favorites.

The Circuit de Catalunya is also a favorite of de Puniet's Kawasaki teammate, Shinya Nakano, and the 28-year-old Japanese rider is confident that, if he and his crew can find a good set-up in practice and qualifying, then a good result on Sunday is a distinct possibility.

Shinya Nakano: #56:  "Like Mugello, the Circuit de Catalunya is a fast circuit, but unlike Mugello there is no secret to going fast here. We need to find a good set-up during practice and qualifying, and we also need to test the new exhaust system that Kawasaki engineers have brought to this race in a bid to improve the drivability of the bike out of the turns. Theoretically the increased rev limit should also make passing out of the slipstream on the main straight easier, but we will only see how much easier once practice gets underway on Friday. I think if everything comes together as we expect during practice and qualifying then we can be competitive here in Sunday's race."

Randy de Puniet: #17:  "We had a good test here at Catalunya during the build up to the start of the season, so I know how to ride the Ninja ZX-RR at this circuit. I have won here on the 250cc machine twice, and I like this track a lot, so I think this could be a good weekend for us. I arrive for this race fully fit, and I think I'm now starting to realize the full potential of the Ninja ZX-RR on track, so hopefully I'll be able to put in a strong performance in the race on Sunday and leave Spain with my best result of the season so far in the MotoGP class. Anyway, that's my aim for the weekend ahead."

Circuit de Catalunya.  Image courtesy Yamaha Racing

Yamaha: Camel Yamaha Team Aims for Continued Revival at Catalunya

This Sunday, the Circuit de Catalunya hosts the MotoGP World Championship for the fifteenth successive season since opening to coincide with the Olympic Games in 1992 and sees the Camel Yamaha Team looking to strike gold for the second consecutive race.

Following on from Valentino Rossi's epic victory at his home Grand Prix in Italy less than two weeks ago, and backed up by encouraging data from a subsequent day of testing at the Mugello circuit, confidence could not be higher for a repeat result as the team look to close down the points gap to joint series leaders Loris Capirossi (Ducati) and Nicky Hayden (Honda).

Rossi travels to Barcelona, one of his favorite cities in the world, having reached several milestones thanks to his 55th career MotoGP victory at Mugello.  As well as taking him above Mick Doohan to second place in the all-time winners list behind Giacomo Agostini, it was also his 22nd success with Yamaha - the same number achieved by Kenny Roberts and bettered only by Wayne Rainey and Eddie Lawson - and it made Rossi the second highest points-scorer of all time behind Doohan.  He will join the Australian as one of only two riders ever to pass 2000 career points if he finishes first or second at Catalunya.

Rossi's team-mate Colin Edwards has also been making his mark in the history books despite not yet hitting his best form this season.  Despite running into the gravel early in the race at Mugello, the Texan managed to fight his way back to finish in twelfth place to extend his run of successive points scoring finishes to 27.  Only Mick Doohan, Wayne Gardner, Eddie Lawson and Valentino Rossi himself have ever put together a longer run.  Edwards' target this weekend is to celebrate number 28 on the podium.

Virtually 57 years to the day since the first ever World Championship Grand Prix at the Isle of Man TT in 1949, this weekend's event will provide the latest chapter in one of the most exciting and unpredictable eras in the history of the sport.  After six rounds there are just 34 points covering the top six riders.

Valentino Rossi: Lucky Seven? 
Catalunya is one of Valentino Rossi's most successful events, being one of three circuits where he has already stood on the top step of the podium on seven occasions - the others being Donington and Phillip Island.  For the past two seasons he has taken victory for Yamaha and he is hopeful of repeating that feat as he aims to reduce a 34-point deficit to the championship summit.

"Barcelona is always a great race for me and I've won there the last two years with Yamaha, so hopefully we can do it again," says Rossi.  "Last year Gibernau set a fast pace and I tried 100% to follow him.  Then I set the fastest lap three laps from the end, which at a track like Catalunya is amazing.  Hopefully we can get this level of performance out of the bike and tires again. Also I get a really good reception in Spain and it is always a pleasure to ride there.

"I am looking forward to this weekend because now I think we have finally arrived where we should be with the bike.  It worked really well at the Mugello test and now I think we've really shown that we can fight at the front again and win.  From a technical point of view, since the new chassis has been available we've been able to ride like in the past.  Now we're very fast but it's still hard to win races!  This championship is very balanced between Ducati and Honda and Yamaha and the other riders are at a great level so it was very important for us to win at Mugello. Now we have an eleven race championship and we have to be on the podium at every round."

Colin Edwards: Double Chassis Bonus
After a week's break with his family on the beaches near Barcelona, Colin Edwards tackles the seventh round of the campaign in refreshed and determined mood following an indifferent run of early season results.  The American has been hindered by a series of unfortunate incidents in recent races but the news that two units of the updated YZR-M1 chassis, which he tested with positive results at Mugello, will be at his disposal from the opening practice of the Spanish round has given him a vital boost.

"I've been run into the gravel for the last two rounds but we've come out of them both in the points so I have to use that as springboard to better things over the next few races," admits Edwards.  "There is no use lamenting about what could have been - I have never done that and I won't start now.
The positive thing to come out of Mugello was the performance of the new chassis and I'm really looking forward to adapting the setting even more at Barcelona.  It's another fast circuit so hopefully the bike adapts quickly and we can be on the pace from the start."

Like Rossi, Edwards has positive memories of the Catalunya circuit thanks to his performance there in the official pre-season tests, when he drove home in a new car as a prize for setting the fastest time.  "That seems a long time ago now but it's true that we went well there with an early version of this year's bike.  We've made progress since then but the conditions will be very different so we'll have to wait and see."

Toni Elias. Photo courtesy MotoGP. Copyright © 2002 Dorna Sports, S.L.  All rights reserved.

The fun starts in Barcelona, a home race for Toni Elias, who lives just thirty kilometers away from Montmelò in the town of Manresa.

“Racing in front of your home crowd is an incredible feeling and this time it is even more so because it can help you get over your difficulties,” commented the Spaniard.  “We had hoped to be arriving at this event with better results behind us but unfortunately we are still suffering from problems that have dogged us for the last three races". 

"The days of tests at Mugello was useful to try and understand the bike more and find some kind of direction to work in.  Within the team we have studied a few alternative solutions which I am sure will have good results in Barcelona.  I’m feeling confident and motivated.  I want to get back to enjoying myself and give my fans something to celebrate.  Barcelona is a demanding track, an F1 circuit, but I’m ready to give my maximum and take a good result home with me.”

Marco Melandri arrives in Catalunya as the third placed rider in the overall classification, and a good showing could allow him to top the table.  “I can’t wait to get back on track after the excellent results we had at the Mugello test.  Over the race weekend we had worked hard to find better traction and on Monday we concentrated on speed through the corners and the results were positive". 

"I’m feeling very confident about going to Barcelona – the track is similar to Mugello and with the good base setting we found there I should be able to do well in Spain.  I like the track and I’ve had a lot of satisfaction there in the past. I know the podium well at Montmelò because I have already been there twice in MotoGP over the past two years. I have missed the taste of champagne and I want to sample it again.”

Technically speaking: Catalunya According to Nicolas Goubert
The Circuit de Catalunya offers a main straight capable of encouraging speeds exceeding 335kmh, and is completed by a sequence of long radius, medium/high speed sweepers and two tight left-hand hairpins.  The combination of long radius corners riddled with a variety of cambers makes it demanding on chassis balance and means front-end feel is a key concern for every rider.  These characteristics also mean that tire life is a key topic in many pit box discussions between riders, crew chiefs and tire technicians.

"Catalunya can be very demanding on the front because there are a lot of downhill corner entries," explains Nicolas Goubert, Michelin's chief of motorcycle competition.  "For the rain we've got only one specification, one profile with different programs depending on the conditions we have. For the slicks it is much more interesting because we have two different profiles.

One has a smaller width, which means that the tire is lighter and it's easier to tilt the bike from one side to the other.  We have also started to work with a bigger size but the Yamaha riders prefer the small one.  The reason is because they want to keep the character of having durability for the bike.  For them it is an advantage and it is suited to their needs on their bike."

"We are quite confident with both types of tire from last year because we had very good results at Catalunya.  It was the first time ever that the surface was new, the lap time was really good and Valentino set a new lap record at the very end of the race with a time that would have put him tenth on the grid.  It was the first time ever that this happened so we are very happy with that and we just hope that our Yamaha riders will be as fast or faster this year."

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