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Chuffster · Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2005 12:11 pm Post subject: Moto GP

This weekend MOTO GP is at Phillip Island. Championship is already decided in that Valentino has done it but what of second place. The main battle will be between current 2nd placed Max Biaggi through to 5th placed Nicky Hayden. Currently only 9 points seperate these guys with 3 rounds left to run.

The Australian track is one of Rossis favourites, if not his complete favourite. He has four race wins in the class there and also won on a 250 in 1998 and 1999 there. Don't think anyone would be betting against him winning there again.

Lets hope for a good and entertaining race.

Chuffster · Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2005 10:16 am Post subject:

World champion Valentino Rossi scored his 11th MotoGP win of the season with his fifth successive victory in the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday.
The 26-year-old Italian, who wrapped up the title in Malaysia last month, finished 1.007 seconds ahead of pole sitter Nicky Hayden at Phillip Island.

Spain's Carlos Checa was third, just ahead of Italian Marco Melandri.

Rossi is one victory short of equalling Mick Doohan's 1997 record of 12 wins in one season with two races remaining.

Rossi, who began second on the grid, was involved in a tight tussle with American Hayden during the middle laps of the race before he regained the lead on the 18th of the 27 laps and won in 41 minutes 8.542 seconds.

His victory also snared the constructors' championship for Yamaha, who needed only one point more than Honda to make sure of the honour for the first time in five years.

"This track is magic. I've won a lot of times here, a lot of important races for my career," said Rossi.

"Today was tough and I had a great rival in Nicky who had a great race.

"I knew right from the start I had a great rhythm and I tried two or three times to push it, but it was impossible because Nicky was always coming with me."

Hayden, 24, moved into second in the championship on 170 points, 161 behind Rossi, with Melandri third, also on 170.

Italy's Max Biaggi, who had been second in the championship heading into the Australian race, crashed on the first lap and was unable to rejoin the pack.

Brazilian Alex Barros also failed to finish when he fell off his bike on the 23rd lap, sliding into the gravel pit and bouncing into the air before falling back heavily.

Race officials said both riders had avoided serious injury.

COURTESY OF BBC

Chuffster · Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2005 10:16 am Post subject:

Results of Moto GP

1. Valentino Rossi (Italy) Yamaha 41:08.542
2. Nicky Hayden (United States) Honda 41:09.549
3. Carlos Checa (Spain) Ducati 41:12.757
4. Marco Melandri (Italy) Honda 41:12.774
5. Sete Gibernau (Spain) Honda 41:22.630
6. Colin Edwards (United States) Yamaha 41:41.742
7. Shinya Nakano (Japan) Kawasaki 41:53.597
8. Makoto Tamada (Japan) Honda 41:53.645
9. Toni Elias (Spain) Yamaha 41:53.646
10. John Hopkins (United States) Suzuki 41:58.802

Chuffster · Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2005 10:19 am Post subject:

Championship standings after Australia

1. Valentino Rossi (Italy) Yamaha 331
2. Nicky Hayden (United States) Honda 170
3. Marco Melandri (Italy) Honda 170
4. Colin Edwards (United States) Yamaha 162
5. Max Biaggi (Italy) Honda 159
6. Loris Capirossi (Italy) Ducati 148
7. Sete Gibernau (Spain) Honda 137
8. Alex Barros (Brazil) Honda 129
9. Carlos Checa (Spain) Ducati 114
10. Shinya Nakano (Japan) Kawasaki 87

Now this really is getting interesting. Everything to play for in the minor positions with 2 rounds left. Would Love to see Capirossi get into the top 3 but its looking way doubtful now.