Sean Ryde (Kyle’s Dad) also explained how the whole community near their Nottinghamshire town rallies around Kyle and participates in regular events to keep raising money for his racing career to continue.

In 2010, Kyle Ryde started racing in the 125cc British Superbike Championship.

At Knockhill earlier this year, he joined the likes of Casey Stoner, Leon Haslam and Chaz Davies, becoming the youngest rider ever to win a British 125cc Championship road race.

Kyle Ryde is also competing all around the world this year in the MotoGP Red Bull Rookies Championship.

Being in 2 different championships means that Kyle often races in the Redbull Rookies on the Saturday then flies back to the UK to join a British 125GP round, without a chance to participe in the Qualifying session and having to start at the back of the grid. It is a demanding schedule for a teenager!

I interviewed Kyle at Brands Hatch before he got another brilliant victory, placing him just 11 points behind the current British 125GP championship leader.

Kyle Ryde is a British talent to watch out!

Photos: Ben Henderson for MotoRaceReports. Click on each picture for bigger size.

Kyle on track at Brands Hatch

Hello Kyle! First, please introduce yourself and tell us how long have you been racing?

I just turned 14 two weeks ago. I’ve been racing since I was 5 so for 9 years now.

So you are competing in the British 125GP Championship as well as the Redbull Rookies Cup. You must have a very busy time schedule!

Yes. It’s not very often we have a weekend off. Most weekends it’s all about flying, qualifying, racing.

I still go to school. If I miss a couple of days, I have to catch up by going after school.
It was hard at the start. I didn’t like it. But it gets easier.
I’m used to it now and it is a lot better.

Kyle while his bike is getting prepped

And what are your plans for next year?

Next year, I hope to be riding Ryan’s bike again because you have to be a certain age to ride a bigger bike and the 125 is only the one I can ride next year. So hopefully I can ride Ryan’s bike again because I really like it.

It’s very hard for riders to make it as it is an expensive sport. I see your whole family is here with you.
How do you all manage?

We have a lot of small sponsors who help.
My Mum created Team 77 for people who would like to help me a little bit.
You donate £77 for the year. We’ve got it on the back of our van and on my website too.
We have some very good people supporting us.
We’ve raised about £1000 this year so far.

To help Kyle and read about the Team 77, please visit: http://www.kyleryderacing.co.uk/team-77

Sean Ryde, Kyle's dad and mentor

Who is your favourite rider?

My favourite rider at top level is Dani Pedrosa.
His style is very good and the way he rides that bike, considering how small he is…
I think he is better than all the rest of them!

And have you met Dani?

Yes, I have because he is sponsored by Redbull, just like me.
So we’ve been out for dinner a couple of times with the team which is nice.

Kyle before the race

Do you have any tips for young people of your age who would like to get into motorcycle racing?

When I started, all I used to do was take my mini-moto out in fields, just to get used to it.
Then attend small club meetings on very small tracks. Just ride and get a good feel for it.

But if you are my age, around 14, and you’ve never been on a bike, the main option is probably to go on an Aprilia 125 and go from there. It is harder when you start later.

You can read more about Kyle Ryde at: http://www.kyleryderacing.co.uk/

Kyle and his dad off to join the grid

Kyle with his trophy, winner at Brands Hatch

First of all congrats on the start of this season, you won the first two races and you are leading the standings in WSS at the moment. How do you feel about this?

LS: Thanks a lot, I’m extremely happy about this I can tell you. We had a very limited time for testing in the pre-season (Editor’s Note – Due to the switch from Triumph to Yamaha) and the bike was still set for Cal Crutchlow. I had to change the riding position a lot since I’m bigger than him and still the bike is very small for me but it has a great potential indeed.

Your team dominated the first three rounds of the season, as your teammate Chaz Davies won the last race in Assen. What are your goals for this season?

LS: The team is fantastic and we all are working very well together. To be honest, my main goal was the title from the very beginning. I usually start to improve a lot during mid season, so to get such a start is positive sign.

Your decision to quit WSBK to go in WSS at the beginning could have been seen as a risky one, but now is repaying you well. Can you tell us more about the deal?

LS: Sure, I think that many riders from the WSBK could step back into WSS if they want to. Maybe you don’t see this happening very often but I was confident it was a good choice for me. In fact, the proposal at the beginning was to ride a Triumph for 3 years with a future project of WSBK.

Let’s talk about your machine, the Yamaha R6. It looks like the bike remained the winning beast we saw in 2009, right?

LS: Exactly, the R6 is fantastic and probably the best bike out there. The problem for me is that I cannot really fit into it, I’m too big for it. We made all the changes we could with foot pegs and handle bars but it still not so comfortable. For this reason I suffer a bit in the corners exit but the engine is so good I can have some more power on the straight. Plus, the electronic part is very advanced with the ride by wire and other cool stuff to play with.

What do you think are the main differences with a WSBK machine, other than less engine power?

LS: The Supersport machine is a bit lighter then a WSBK one but the main change is on the brakes. Here in WSS we use almost production brakes so you must go pretty hard on them to let the bike get a good braking point. We have reached very high pressure values here, while WSBK machines are a lot easier to brake in terms of strength used on the lever.

Are you training in a different way now?

LS: Absolutely, the goal now is to work on lower body weight and agility. The diet is also pretty different from the one in WSBK, where you need good amounts of energy to face the double race schedule.

So, What do you think about the WSS series and who are your most aggressive riders to battle with this season?

LS: For me Sam Lowes, Chaz Davies, Broc Parkes and Fabien Foret showed that they have the potential to stay up front. But also some younger rider like Gino Rea or Florian Marino could go very fast. The races in WSS are always packed and fun, I think the level of the bikes is more homogeneous.

Your relationship with the fans is great, you like stay in contact with them using social networking also. Are you trying to organize something special for them in the near future?

LS: Yes, fans are the ones that really motivate you. We are going to have a stand with some of our gadgets in Monza; this should be nice.

We are going to have two consecutive rounds in Italy now: Monza and Misano. How do you feel about this challenge?

LS: Riding in my own country is always special, I’m really looking forward to some great results there. My goal is get some good advantage in the standings after those rounds.

What is your favourite track and why?

LS: Laguna Seca is the place I love to ride in, it’s very difficult for me to get out of the track when I’m there! Everybody talks about the corkscrew of course but I think that the best parts of the circuit are Curve #7 (Editor’s Note – just before the corkscrew) and the Rainey Curve (Editor’s Note – just after the corkscrew). About the tracks that we race during the season, I think Imola is the best one. Great atmosphere and great track but we need to be very careful on race start there.

What are your goals for the future?

LS: I’d say that the best place for me could be riding with this team in WSBK. I’d like only to change the bike with a WSBK one next season but I’d love to stay with this team that is giving me a lot.

OK Luca, thanks for your time is your turn now to thank or greet someone if you want to!

LS: Thank you, it was my pleasure. I’d like to spend some nice words for our Team Manager Giuliano Rovelli, he is really putting in a great effort to give us the best package possible and I really appreciate that. I want also to thank all my team, because they are doing a superb job each Sunday!

The wonderful Phillip Island track hosted the first round of the World Superbike championship for 2011, a season that can be easily one of the best in the history of the series. Lots of talented riders, as well as the most experienced ones, mixed together with super fast machines that are getting closer and closer to the prototypes missiles. At least five riders are title contenders and even more riders will fight to get a chance for a podium finish this season.

One of them is Eugene Laverty, who has already shown his great potential during the opening round of the series getting a superb fourth place in race one and gathering points for a ninth place in the championship.

Congrats for everything, especially for the epic battles in WSS. So let’s start from here, you were second in the championship for two years in a row but finished with  8 great wins in 2010. How much experience did you get from the Suspersport class, both from a technical and mental perspective?

Eugene Laverty: The Supersport experience was really good, I had the chance to stay on the same team for those years and that gave me a solid base to battle for the championships on both seasons. The package was great, so I had everything on my side to fight for the championship.

We really enjoyed your attitude, always fighting until the last corner as in Imola 2010 with Kenan Sofuoglu.

Eugene Laverty: Exactly, you can race for points but if you do not fight until that last corner you will not win those races. I had a great time battling with Kenan, he is a true fighter and watch out for his races this year because you can be sure that if there is a tight finish with him, he is the one that going to come out on top.

Let’s continue with the first race in WSBK, what a start in race one and what a last lap!

Eugene Laverty: The first race in WSBK was just perfect, suffered a bit of arm pump during the race but I was really looking forward for that result so in the end I pushed more and got that result. Unfortunately, on race two I had a gear selection problem that forced me to go off track a couple of times but the speed was there and I could have done another fourth I believe.

So your feelings are great with the bike; the R1 is mean machine and a world champion machine. What are your impressions of the bike?

Eugene Laverty: I am sure it is one of the strongest bikes out there, a lot of potential there and the feeling was there from the beginning. We did a lot of tests but actually I am still working on getting the same feeling with the 2011 machine, as I did with the 2010 model.

What do you think are the strengths of the R1?

Eugene Laverty: The strengths of the new model, compared with the old one, is the consistency over race distance. But in general, could be the electronic package, the strong front end, and the torque of the engine is pretty impressive as well.

What about the team and your teammate Marco Melandri?

Eugene Laverty: Yeah, the team is great and Marco is a really nice guy and has a lot of experience. Good thing is that we are going on the same direction with the bike development, so that is really important for the team. I think we can both fight for podiums this season but we do have some great riders to battle with like Max Biaggi, Jonathan Rea, Carlos Checa and Leon Haslam. In general, Yamaha has a really good package this year.

You had to quit your #50; you had a #05 at the first test and then decided to change to #58. What’s behind this number or is it just a camouflage for your #50?

Eugene Laverty: Yeah, at first I tried with the #05 which was just a reverse of my number but it was not allowed, so I figure out that the #58 was the closest one to my number 50 so in the end I chose this one.

So there are no connections with Marco Simoncelli there?

Eugene Laverty: Ah no, actually my hair is a bit smaller than his…that’s how you can tell the difference between us!

Any kind of ritual around your bike?

Eugene Laverty: Not really, I would say more routine stuff.

How do you prepare yourself for a race, as we are approaching Donington Park?

Eugene Laverty: Well, I just try to get back to my ordinary day between races as much as I can. Of course, Donington is going be a different experience since I raced there with lots of different bikes and I do really enjoy the track. It will be my first time on Superbike machine, so I guess with all that power I will need to shut off the gas a little bit!

I read on your website that your favourite track is Portimao, right? Why and is it possible to give any advice to track day riders?

Eugene Laverty: I like Portimao because it’s so much fun to ride and you learn new things every time you get out on that track. You can do your line and take off good tenths on your timing, so it is not just speed. Plus, it is a very physical track that really suits my style of riding.

In the Bio of your website, there is strange thing saying you dislike vacuum cleaners…

Eugene Laverty: Yeah, actually not anymore! It was just because when I used to live with my family, my sister was really into vacuuming the place so if you live it with that kind of intensity I must tell you that it begins to bother.

What are your goals for the season?

Eugene Laverty: I think that five or six guys can regularly fight for the podium, so I think a top 6 finish in the end could be a great result. I will try my best to get even a better one but I think a top three could be very hard.

You have a great attitude toward your fans: you are a great Twitter user, you have your blog and also an iphone app? How are they going and what’s next?

Eugene Laverty: Yeah, the app is going very well and I think other riders will follow like Jorge Lorenzo, all the ones that are involved in social networks and stuff like that. As a next step, I see having the app in multiple platforms like Android and BlackBerry.

You started your career in GPs, what is your opinion on MotoGP at the moment?

Eugene Laverty: I think this season is going to be great. Last year Lorenzo made an excellent job, some other riders had some problems but in the end the season was pretty plain. This year looks even more competitive, the Hondas and Yamahas are very fast and we will see what Valentino Rossi can do on the
Ducati as well.

Well, thanks a lot for your time and good luck for the season!

Eugene Laverty: Thanks, see you on the track.

Jorge and his team are also aware of the translation being done.

You can read Jorge’s original blog HERE

Nothing is impossible

Jorge Lorenzo - Qatar podium - Photo: Yamaha Factory Racing

It is my first blog of the season (and you can read it every Monday on my Facebook page “Jorge Lorenzo Official Fan Page”). The truth is that I wasn’t expected to do this one in such a good mood.

The pre-season has been complicated, but in the end, all the hard work has been worth it, it has served to reap the rewards.

It was just one race but it was very important to Yamaha and to me to prove that nothing is impossible.

During the Free Practice sessions, I went from strength to strength, noticing that we were getting closer to our rivals each time.

During Qualifying and Warm-up, I ended up convincing myself that I could do it.
The team kept me calm, told me to ride the way I knew how and that little by little, I will be feeling better.
“You take our word,” one of my mechanics said after the warm-up.
So I gritted my teeth.

At the start, I managed to get in 3rd place behind Stoner and Pedrosa, in a way that allowed me to pass on the outside of curve.

It helped me not wasting time with the Hondas and trying to get ahead, yet they soon overtook me and I went back to 3rd position without letting anyone else stick by me.

I tried to catch my rhythm, which prevented losing more than 2 seconds with the riders at the front and I waited for the opportunity.

Suddenly, I caught up with Pedrosa.

The truth is that in the end, I felt good and Casey did not seem impossible to catch, but with 3 laps to go, I had a scare that almost did cost me the race and go home with zero points.

This is why yesterday’s second place was glorious, it’s almost better than many victories.

The wild celebration was a special feeling and a reminder that last year, we celebrated 16 victories and 9 triumphs.

I want to thank my team who has been very patient with me at a time when there have been nerves, doubts.

I want to thank my Fan Club, the fans have never given up and I saw their show of support at all times.

And finally, I dedicate the victory to the people of Japan, with whom I feel very connected and I know that they are having a bad time.

They will overcome it all, because, as I said at the beginning, nothing is impossible.

A hug to everyone.
Back after Jerez, the most magical track in the world.

Now it is time to rest a little at home, 10 days in Qatar can make you miss your land.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=nb6bcNdjWhs

Sylvian Guintoli is entering his second year of World Superbike, switching from the factory team to the private Effernbert Liberty team.  He will be campaigning the former factory Ducati bikes with Jacob Smrz.  He had a difficult year last year but as he showed before his accident in the British SBK Championship, he has the pace to run at the front.  We were able to chat with Sylvian at the World Superbike opener at Phillip Island.

A front row grid position, a great way to start the season.

Sylvian Guintoli: Yeah, definitely, definitely.  Especially for the first year of the team – the first race, first full run and I think we can do really well in the races.  Definitely they have put together a great team and a great bike.  It seems I am getting up to speed quickly.

Last year you did really well at Phillip Island, is this a circuit that you particularly enjoy?

Sylvian Guintoli: Yeah I like the track but last year was more, I struggled more in the practice and it didn’t feel as natural.  This year I get on there and I was quick straight away, which was good.  Last year I did a great second race but I really had to ‘pull my finger out’, you know what I mean?  I think tomorrow for me it will be better, so fingers crossed.

Your 2010 season started and ended well but you seemed to go through a mid season slump, can you tell us more about your 2010 season?

Sylvian Guintoli: From about race two to about race six was shit.

Was there a particular reason for that?

Sylvian Guintoli: It was a bit of  a fluke here.  Phillip Island is a track I like and we had been here for winter testing.  Leon also gave me a bit of help in qualifying – he let me draft him in qualifying so that helped.  I this event, it was great but it was not really what I could do.  It was better than what I should have been able to do at that moment.  From then on it was expected that I would be at the front and I was pushing and pushing but I couldn’t do it.  From mid season, I spent a lot of time with different people talking about the race – that helped me a lot.  From that point on – from the middle of the season on I improved my qualifying and racing.  I started to understand the Championship a lot better which takes time.  It is difficult to arrive an nail it.  There are many experienced riders on great bikes.  Learning really.  The down in the middle of the season, it was more like a fluke at the start and then.  Now I am happy.  I know the tracks, I understand the tyres, I understand the Championship.  I feel more comfortable.  I am happy now, the Ducati, fuck me, it is brilliant – I like it!

You mentioned that you got on better with the Ducati straight away, does that give you confidence for the rest of the season?

Sylvian Guintoli: Yeah I think so, I think I will be better this season.  For that reason and as a superbike rider I am a lot better than I was this time last year – so yes, it should be better.

Riding the Ducati – a different bike in a lot of ways from the Suzuki of last year – have you been able to translate that experience and has the MotoGP experience given you a better appreciation of the Ducati 1198?

Sylvian Guintoli: Well riding anything here, riding a pocket bike here will help you understand things.  MotoGP was a great experience and I learnt a lot there.  Superbike too – the fastest bikes and riders are here.  Carlos’ time for pole position would have been good enough for the first or second row in MotoGP in qualifying last year.

You can’t dispute the quality of the field in World Superbikes – you look at the manufacturer support and the records of the guys riding here.

Sylvian Guintoli: You see there are four different bikes on the front here, so everyone has a chance.

With the factory Ducati team pulling out, do you think that will hurt your team as the season wears on with no development etc?

Sylvian Guintoli: Well, in way Althea is the factory team with the 2011 bikes.  Our bikes are also the factory bikes from last year, so factory or no factory it is not all there is – you know what I mean?  We have the technicians, and you get the spare parts, whether they are factory or not may not matter.  We have the factory bikes from last year and I don’t know if we will get new parts but the bikes are good.  I don’t know if the bikes will get better or not but we have started the year with a good bike.  We started the year with Suzuki with a good bike and by the end of the year you are not riding a donkey – you know what I mean?  If it is good start with, it will remain good.

Thanks Sylvian, good luck with the race and the season.

Sylvian Guintoli: Thanks.

He beat out other bigger names for the ride, something that hasn’t escaped him when we caught up with him.

“I am so grateful to the team for this opportunity, there were big names that they could have put on the bike like Yukio Kagayama, John Hopkins – so many good riders and they chose me for the Aussie round,” Waters said.

Last time Yoshimura fielded a wildcard rider was at Monza in 2010 when Daisaku Sakai crashed heavily three times.

Yoshimura were scheduled to race four times in 2010 but abandoned that effort after the disastrous Monza weekend.

This weekend, however should provide more encouragement for the team.
The immaculately prepared GSR-R1000 was last raced in the Suzuka 8 Hour and Waters competed in the Australian Superbike Championship for Suzuki.

While both the national series bikes and world bikes are both high performance machines, the World SBK machines have that something extra.

“The bikes are quite different, a lot different actually. It hasn’t been easy but the bike has been fantastic.”

Indeed, Waters adapted well making Q2 in Superpole, beating out many fancied rivals.

“It was pretty cool, I just wanted to make it to Superpole.  Once I made it, I had an aim to make qualifying two and made I achieved that.  A huge thank you to the team has to go out for that!”

Qualifying is one thing but the race is another, and with a field as competitive as this Water’s is understandable cautious.

“I don’t know what these guys are like in the race – they are the best in the world.  I will try my hardest, which has been my attitude all weekend.  Whatever happens, happens so I will try my hardest and see how we go.”

Waters has worked hard to reach this stage.  2010 was a difficult year after suffering serious injury after a race in America where he was placed into an induced coma but through hard work and the efforts of his manager, Phil Tate, he returned to the form that won him the 2009 Australian Superbike Championship and the form that won him 24 national dirt track titles in the earlier stages of his career.

Waters, who will be competing full time in Australian in 2011, will be starting 14th for race 1 after setting a time of 1:32.196 in the Q2 Superpole.

Josh getting it done during Superpole

Obviously, if you disagree on any of this, or have any opinions at all, please share them in the comments. These are the unfathomably unofficial complete and utter asspulls of one writer, so please, tell us how wrong I am.

Max Biaggi comes home as World Champion, Magny-Cours, 2010. Photo Credit: Jared Earle/MotoRaceReports

Great race finishing second in the Moto2 with the Marc VDS team, can you take us through the race?

Scott Redding: The race was really good for me.  It started off great and we were leading.  There was no pressure, I was really focused this weekend.  I had a great race with Andrea [Iannone] and Alex [de Angelis].It was a fantastic race – for me it was a great race to end up second.  I am happy with that.  When Iannone was coming at me, I was able to put in some quick laps and get this result.

It has been difficult this weekend with the rain and wind but dry in the race today, how much did that affect your race?

Scott Redding: We have been quite lucky.  When we have gone out it has been dry, except for this morning and a little in qualifying.  At those points, I didn’t even bother going out.  I just hoped it was going to be wet or dry.  What we did this weekend seemed to work, which was good.

You moved to the Moto2 Championship this year after competing in the 125cc Championship, how have you found the transition between the classes?

Scott Redding: There is quite a bit different – with the four stroke, more power, different tyres, and different chassis.  All in all we have clicked with it and we are making good progress.  At the end of the day it is only a motorcycle – you have to learn how to change it.  When you get on a MotoGP bike, it is a completely different kettle of fish.

You’re happy with your 2010 progress?

Scott Redding: Yeah. The beginning of the season was hard for us but we have come on.  After Indianapolis, we were really strong, and we sorted it out.  Today we got on the podium for the second time this year and we are really happy with that.

What’s your favorite bike you have ridden so far?

Scott Redding: For me it would be the Suter that I am riding this year.  I rode the FTR at the beginning of the year and it didn’t really have a feeling.  I haven’t really rode many bikes.  For me this is the bike at the moment

Your favourite track?

Scott Redding: Probably Qatar.  And this track here [Phillip Island] even though it was really windy.  I try to like all the tracks or you have defeated yourself before you have even got there.

Your best race?

Scott Redding: Today was my best race.  We were so strong from the beginning of the weekend and now we are second on the podium.

Finally, what do you do to relax?

Scott Redding: Normally I am out training.  When I go home, I will train and chill – you know what a normal person does.

Scott Redding is happy. (Photo Credit: Sam Tickell/MotoRaceReports)

Pole-sitter Marc Marquez at Phillip Island (Photo Credit: Sam Tickell/MotoRaceReports)

Thanks Marc for joining us, the weather this weekend has been quite awful with the rain and the wind, how difficult has it been to handle that on a 125cc machine?

Marc Márquez: Sure, it is difficult because in the rain you can just put the rain tyres on but with the wind.  It is so fast and on the 125 you can feel it more.  On some parts of the circuit it is hard to keep the line and stay on the bike.

You have won pole position today, how important is that?

Marc Márquez: Pole position is always important, but the most important part is the race.  People will remember who won the World Championship, not who won more pole positions.  We have stay concentrated for the race.  Pole position is important at the level we are at but tomorrow we will see.

You have had a great championship to date, currently leading the Championship, how do you prepare for the final rounds of 2010?

Marc Márquez: The season is always difficult as all the riders will push a lot.  I have to not think about the Championship and I want to think about the race tomorrow.  We will see but tomorrow we will make another step towards the Championship.

This year you have ridden the Derbi instead of the KTM which you rode for the last two years, what are the differences between the bikes?

Marc Márquez: The KTM compared to the Aprillia or Derbi is much different.  The KTM  was down on power but this year the engine is much better.  The chassis is also more stable in the first part of the corner.

Looking to 2011, do you have any plans you can tell us about at the moment?

Marc Márquez: No nothing yet.  The future is important and I have to think about my position but at the moment I just want to think about the races and to win this Championship.  It is difficult to take a decision now.

A couple quick questions to finish.  First – your favorite bike you have ridden?

Marc Márquez: My favourite bike is the Derbi now.

Your favourite track?

Marc Márquez: My favourite track is here Phillip Island.  I like it a lot.  I also like Montemelo and Jerez.  I generally like the faster tracks.

Your best race?

Marc Márquez: My best race – I like a lot – in Silverstone in 2010.  I had a great fight with Pol Esparargo.  Very nice race.

Finally, what do you do to relax?

Marc Márquez: I like to be with friends.  Bicycle too.  You know the normal life of a teenager!

Marc Márquez - not exactly your normal teenager (Photo Credit: Sam Tickell/MotoRaceReports)

Photo Credit: Sam Tickell/MotoRaceReports

Sam Tickell is on duty for MotoRaceReports for the 16th round of the 2010 MotoGP season at Phillip Island. He had a chance to spend time with Moto2 rider Thomas Luthi, who has 5 podium finishes so far and is currently 4th in the Moto2 championship points standings.

Hi Tom, thanks for joining us at MotoRaceReports.  The weather this weekend is dreadful, how do you come to terms with this?

Thomas Luthi: We just have to go out and ride but it is not that easy.  First of all we have to go out and find a rain set up.  Rain is ok but it the rain is also cold, it makes it difficult.  You don’t have a lot of grip but we have to out and try.  It looks like the weather will remain like this over the weekend so it will be important to get a good feeling and a good rhythm for the race.

If it does become sunny for the race, how will that affect you, and the Moto2 field?

Thomas Luthi: We can just go back to the basic setup that we have but we have never ridden this at Phillip Island.  We don’t know, actually – if every session, the practice and qualifying are wet but the race is dry, it be a lot of fun actually.  Everyone will be the same – go back to a basic setup and hope it works.

How have you found the transition between the old 250cc class and the new-for-2010 Moto2 class?

Thomas Luthi: The 250cc was a lot of fun, much like the Moto2 but they are two different stories.  The 250cc was more aggressive – more of a race package.  It was lighter, quicker turn in.  The Moto2 has more power but also more weight – so it is heavier, slower in the corners.  It is a lot of fun with the four stroke – you can slide a lot going into the corners – so both have their good sides, and it was a good step to go from the 2 stroke to the 4 stroke.

How does it compare from the step to 125cc to 250cc?

Thomas Luthi: Yeah, completely different.  The 125 to 250, we stayed on the 2 stroke but had much more power – so it was a big step.  So you can see the step from 250 to Moto2 was a different story.

Moving onto your 125cc days, can you take us through the fight in your 2005 Championship year?

Thomas Luthi: That was a long time ago!  It was a tough season though.  We had a big fight with Mika Kallio on the KTM.  It was a good season, we had some big fights and good races.  I won here in Phillip Island – the rest though is history.  I am looking forward.  I have a lot of targets and a lot of goals in the future that I want to concentrate on.

This year you have had a great season on the Interwetten Moriwaki Moto2 machine.

Thomas Luthi: It was a good season – but as a rider it has been up and down. I have five podiums, but also some weak races.  These ups and downs I don’t like so much.  Overall it was a good season, currently I am fourth and about 30 points off second – so that is still possible.  It will be hard, very tough to get that.  There are still three races to go and anything is possible.  Looking forward to get some consistency and end the season well.

Looking forward to 2011, what can you tell us about your plans?

Thomas Luthi: It looks like it will be the same story.  In Moto2 with the same team at this point.

A couple quick questions to finish.  First – your favorite bike you have ridden?

Thomas Luthi: {pauses}.  It was quite special actually.  After I won the 125cc Championship with Honda, they gave me a ride on the 990cc machine, MotoGP bike which was quite impressive.

Your favourite track?

Thomas Luthi: Many of them!  I try to like any track.

Your best race?

Thomas Luthi: I am thinking of this season.  Not 2005.  I think one of my best was Silverstone.  I could have won that race but I had a small mistake on the last lap.

Finally, what do you do to relax?

Thomas Luthi: During the season you have to relax after each race and then prepare again.  I think being with my girlfriend and family and things like that.

Thanks Tom, good luck this weekend.

Thomas Luthi: Thank- you.

Max Biaggi, 451 Points

Max Biaggi, Aprilia

Max was due a championship. He started off with an average result but then picked up his pace and ended the season with ten wins. Top marks.

Leon Haslam, 376 Points

Leon Haslam, Suzuki

At the beginning of the year, Haslam was the only rider to really look like he could beat Biaggi. Suzuki had other plans and decided not to spend money and to lose both the championship and Leon Haslam; enjoy your BMW in 2011. Better luck next time.

Carlos Checa, 297 Points

Carlos Checa, Ducati

With four DNFs to his three wins, Checa’s lack of reliable machinery ruined his chances of a title. If you’re wondering why Xerox Ducati have pulled out of the championship, look no further than Carlos Checa. This fast on a second-hand bike? Needs a proper bike.

Jonathan Rea, 292 Points

Jonathan Rea, Honda

Injury cost Rea third place in the championship and very nearly lost him fourth. A terrible end to what was shaping up to be an excellent year for Rea. Luckily, Ten Kate Honda have given him a ride for 2011. Must try harder.

Cal Crutchlow, 284 Points

Cal Crutchlow, Yamaha

Six pole positions and three wins in his rookie year. It’s a shame for the series that he’s off to MotoGP. Passing grade; move on up.

Noriyuki Haga, 258 Points

Noriyuki Haga, Ducati

In his worst year in over a decade, after another of his incredible bridesmaid seasons, It’s obvious Haga was just off. Terrible commitment, failing grade.

Sylvain Guintoli, 197 Points

Sylvain Guintoli, Suzuki

The highest finisher not to have a podium finish in 2010. Guinters obviously suffered from Suzuki’s lack of financial commitment but when your team mate can get wins on the same bike you know you need to reconsider. Must try harder.

Michel Fabrizio, 195 Points

Michel Fabrizio, Ducati

One win, a handful of podiums and an awful lot of dummy spitting. For a confident man, he sure made a lot of excuses. When people beat you using your bike from last year, you know you have let your team down. Doesn’t always bring his A game; fail.

James Toseland, 187 Points

James Toseland, Yamaha

Could this be the year Toseland comes back and takes his third championship on a third different bike? No, it wasn’t. At least beat your team mate? No, not that, either. Best change teams again.

Shane Byrne, 169 Points

Shane Byrne, Ducati

Looking very good in pre-season testing, Shakey was mid-pack all year, hardly ever beating his team mate. A forgettable series of rides from one usually so memorable. Needs to stop hiding in the shadows.

Troy Corser, 165 Points

Troy Corser, BMW

Once again, the two-time world champion shows he’s a safe development rider that can put in the occasional podium appearance on what’s still a very new bike. Only Biaggi’s winning the title on an equally new two-year old bike stops us heaping praise on Corser. Well done, now let someone fast have a go.

Leon Camier, 164 Points

Leon Camier, Aprilia

A great rookie performance cut short by injury. The 2009 British Superbike champion (by a considerable margin) was getting into the swing of it but crashed out during qualifying several races from the end, cutting his year short by six races. Come back soon.

Jakub Smrz, 110 Points

Jakub Smrz, Aprilia

Starting the season with Ducati, ending it with Aprilia, the man who qualifies better than he races did well on his new bike, but he needs to remember races are won on Sundays, not Saturdays. Keep trying!

Tom Sykes, 106 Points

Tom Sykes, Kawasaki

The worst bike to be on in 2010 was the Kawasaki. Let’s be honest, it stank. Yet, towards the end of the year, Sykes make it look like a mid-pack bike instead of the speed-bump it was. After taking his end-of-life bike to the British Superbikes race at Brands Hatch and winning twice, his confidence was back and he made the bike look almost like a real bike, sticking it on a wet pole position and holding his own for a while. Apparently, the 2011 green bikes are fast and Tom has been told he’s the number one man at Kawasaki. Keep the faith, get to it next year.

Ruben Xaus, 96 Points

Ruben Xaus, BMW

Xaus likes crashing fast bikes. That’s the only explanation I can come up with as to why he still races in World Championships. Look to your team mate, see what he does with the same bike.

Lorenzo Lanzi, 88 Points

Lorenzo Lanzi, Ducati

Do you remember when Lanzi used to win races? He beat Bayliss and Corser once in 2008 when Checa took Neukirchner out, gifting Lanzi a surprising win. Before that, he won a few in 2005. This year, he got a second. Fluke? Time will tell.

Luca Scassa, 85 Points

Luca Scassa, Ducati

Of all the guys never to have a podium, of all the also-rans, Scassa is one to watch. Not for his racing, which his highest finish of seventh will confirm isn’t the best, but for his elbow-down exuberance that he exhibits whenever he gets a chance. Class clown.

Max Neukirchner, 54 Points

Max Neukirchner, Honda

You don’t take a bike like the Ten Kate Honda, continuously finish outside the points and keep your job. Max was great until his 2009 injury. Maybe he’s lost it. Needs to do some soul seeking.

Roger Lee Hayden, 10 Points

Roger Lee Hayden, Kawasaki

Poor kid gets a Kawasaki ride. That’s not going to help a career. Unlucky or slow? Difficult to tell.

Chris Vermeulen, 10 Points

No picture because former runner-up Vermeulen was injured most of the season. That unfortunately sums up his entire year.

Credits: Words and Pictures by Jared Earle / Moto Race Reports. Click on a photo to get to the bigger version.

Shoya Tomizawa: 1990 - 2010

Official Statement on MotoGP.com

Tribute video on MotoGP.com (free to view)

Click image to read transcript of Race Direction press conference

“The entire Interwetten Honda MotoGP Team and Hiroshi Aoyama are deeply sorry about the loss of Shoya Tomizawa, who succumbed to his injuries after a crash during the Moto2 race of the Grand Prix in Misano today.”

Gabor Talmacsi – “The incident that involved Tomizawa left me speechless, this is a sad day for the paddock.”

Andrea Iannone – “Shoya’s death is a terrible event, he will always be in my heart.”

Jorge Lorenzo – “As for Shoya, it’s a huge pity because he was a good guy and a strong rider. I am so sad and I just want to say how sorry I am for his family and his friends. When this happens nothing else matters.”

Valentino Rossi – “But when something so sad like this happens everything else goes to zero and the result doesn’t matter. I’m so sorry for Shoya because he was a strong rider but above all he was very ‘sympatico.’ He was very funny, always smiling and he always had nice things to say to everyone. He was also very young with a great career ahead of him so we are all very sad.”

Herve Poncheral – “But today means nothing after the news of Shoya Tomizawa. He was an extremely exciting character and a great hope for the future and he was already somebody who was part of our world. Everybody loved him and we all feel devastated by what happened. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”

Ben Spies – “I want to express my  sadness at the passing of Shoya Tomizawa. My thoughts are with his  family and friends. It’s another sad loss for our sport.”

Colin Edwards – “The race doesn’t count  for much though when you hear the news about Tomizawa. My thoughts go  out to his family and friends at this difficult time.”

Julian Simon – “Like the rest of the riders I am shaken and sad about his passing”

Héctor Barberá: – “… I am speechless. I was told about it as soon as I got off the bike, and it is very difficult to take something like that in. Today’s result doesn’t really matter anymore. Shoya was a great rider who always gave his all on the bike. He was also a great person who was always smiling and with whom I got on well. I want to send my thoughts to his family and friends.”

Michael Bartholemy (Team Manager) – “We were deeply saddened by the news that Shoya Tomizawa succumbed to the injuries sustained in a crash during today’s Moto2 race. He was a respected rival and will be sorely missed in the paddock. Like everyone in the Marc VDS Racing Team, my thoughts are with his    family and friends at this time.”

Kenny Noyes – “Right now our thoughts and prayers go out to Tomizawa’s friends and family. On the track he was a real fierce competitor, a real fast guy, but round the paddock he was really nice, always joking and friendly.”

Dani Pedrosa - Photo Copyright: © Repsol

After the fall: Rise and think about Brno

Hello all. When you read this, I will be on a plane. I am off to visit Indonesia, a place we have already raced at, and soon we will have to come back, take a brief break and immediately start preparing for Brno.

As you’ll understand, we are really looking forward to reaching Brno because after yesterday’s crash, we want to return to racing and be able to reach the joy of a podium we couldn’t get at Laguna Seca.

About the crash, all I can say to you is that when you push to the maximum, throwing as much as you can to try to win, this can happen. It was not the time to be conservative about it. On Saturday we needed 3 or 4 tenth per lap and from Saturday to Sunday, the team could only make small improvements to the bike. I also had to contribute with my own small improvements.

To fight for the World championship, we clearly knew it was necessary to win many races to reduce the points to the leader. Lorenzo does not get off the steps of the podium, he is being very regular and for that reason, it was the time to take risks and push to the maximum. When taking risks, you can end up on the ground.

I went over a bump (which happened in previous laps) but this time, I crashed out.
We cannot complain. There is no choice but to focus on trying to do my best at the next GP.
We sincerely hope that it won’t stop us fighting back for victory.

We have a good momentum; we must remember that when I fell yesterday, I was leading the race and we have to stay with that idea.

By the way, I want you to know that it is an honour to reach such a distant country like the United States and see the flags of support with my number …
You are unbeatable. Thank you very much.

A hug to you all.
Dani

From now on, I will be publishing the best bits from Jorge Lorenzo’s blog. This one was published on the 29th of June (after Assen).

You can read the original blog HERE

Jorge Lorenzo - Valencia 2009

Trying to be a robot

One more Tourist
Hello from Schiphol airport in Amsterdam, a city that I have finally managed to visit before the GP.
Monday and Tuesday, I dedicated my time to visiting Amsterdam.
I stayed in the hotel at night time to rest but during the day, I hanged out in the city, followed by our photographer from the Getty agency.
I have recently signed a contract with Getty and it is useful for getting photos that can be used for future interviews…

…I must take the time to enjoy life outside racing and the trip helped me disconnect between Silverstone and Assen.

At the circuit
Relaxation finished when we arrived at the circuit on Wednesday.
It always makes you feel tense as it is a very tight schedule and you become more and more nervous.
Every time I arrive in Assen, I remember my beginnings because it is where I got my second world victory and where I was able to shine a little for the first time in an international race.
It was in 2001, in the European championship and I finished fifth. Since that day, Assen has always enchanted me.

By the grass
The 2004 victory in the 125cc class was after a good fight with a group of riders now in MotoGP. Out of the 5 riders who were at the front, only one, Locatelli, is not in MotoGP today.
Barberá, Dovizioso and Stoner made it.
Pedrosa used to be in the 250cc.
That day, I led the race almost all the way but I took the last corner too fast and ended up on the grass.
The bikes wobbled several times and I managed to save it from crashing but 3 or 4 riders passed ahead of me.
For me, the race was already lost but in a few laps, I overtook Stoner and Dovizioso then Locatelli. I don’t know if it exactly happened like that but it is as I remember it.
When all the races ended, I went back on track with my dad on a scooter and we saw the clear mark my tyres had left on the grass. My father took a photo of the mark.

In 250cc
In 250cc, Many people remember I won 2 races in the years of my two titles (2006 – 2007) but I personally remember more from the 2005 race.
I had broken my collarbone in Montmeló 10 days before and although it seemed impossible that I would recover in such a short time, I miraculously did.
I took pole but I was clever in the race: I led almost the whole race. However, I entered the chicane on the penultimate lap, Porto and Pedrosa overtook me.
I gave a great fight with a broken collarbone but they stole the victory from me.

Saturday
The other day in Assen, there were moments when the race looked like 2005 and I was mainly worried I couldn’t keep the pace of 34 that we had in practice sessions.
I thought about another kind of race, like Mugello or Jerez, where I was slower in the race. I knew that while nobody overtook me, I still had to try to be faster than the others.
And this is how the laps went by.
Seeing on the pitboard that I suddenly took three 10th, I said to myself that it was the moment, now or never, and I pushed very hard.

“Lorenzo’s Land”
For the celebration, I got my `Lorenzo’s Land’ flag back.
It had been a while since I last used it.
I planted it and pretended I was a robot.
I try to be a robot and not have negative thoughts whilst on the bike and not commit errors but we are all human with feelings.

The signed football was to celebrate the hat trick: winning in 3 categories in Assen like the great ones.
I played “pass the ball” with some journalists in pit lane but people didn’t see that bit. I then threw the football into the grandstand…

Montmeló
With no time to rest, we will go away to Montmeló.
Like all Spanish races, it is a special one because there are more members of my `Fan Club’ than anywhere else.
I think they will all be meeting in Grandstand G and the more, the merrier!
If you would like more info, please contact info@lorenzofanclub.com.
As for me, I promise a show on track. If I win, I will do a celebration in front of that Grandstand. I have not yet thought about what I’d do but we will do something…