Yamaha Prepares for Phillip Island

[totalmotorcycle]

#Yamaha Prepares for #PhillipIsland


After Jorge Lorenzo’s victory in Motegi, Movistar Yamaha MotoGP immediately moves on to the next stage on the MotoGP calendar, the Australian Grand Prix at the beautiful Phillip Island circuit.

Valentino Rossi looks forward to defending his second place in the championship from his teammate Jorge Lorenzo and Honda rival Dani Pedrosa. The Doctor’s experience will certainly come in handy during this weekend’s battle. Rossi is one of the most successful riders at the Phillip Island circuit. Starting in 2001 he had a very impressive five year winning streak, followed by four more consecutive podium finishes. In the premier class the nine-time World Champion has won at the Australian track from 2001 until 2005, claimed second place in 2008 and 2009 and scored five third places in 2000, 2006, 2007, 2010, and 2013.

After a strong victory at Motegi, teammate Lorenzo is also prepared to take on his competition. Phillip Island is the Spaniard’s favourite circuit. He scored two second places in the premier class in 2010 and 2012 before claiming victory last year under bizarre circumstances. Following safety concerns the race was reduced to 19 laps and included a mandatory bike change at the ten-lap mark. This year none of such measurements are expected to be necessary and Lorenzo is ready to have some fun while fighting for second place in the championship.

Lorenzo holds the record for the fastest lap at the Phillip Island circuit since last year, when he clocked a 1'27.899 around the 4.448 meter track.

Phillip Island was constructed in 1956 and has hosted motorcycle Grand Prix until an extensive renovation took place in 1968. The Australian circuit made a comeback in 1989 and has been a favourite on the MotoGP calendar for both riders and fans ever since, thanks to its fast and fluid corners and the stunning ocean scenery.



Valentino Rossi

Championship: 2nd / 230 points

“We have a second place contest between me, Jorge and Pedrosa and I’m worried because Jorge is so fast. We have to give the maximum. I love Phillip Island and Sepang but three races in a row is always very difficult and a good start is very important. The podium of Japan was another positive result, especially because I have done well throughout the race and was very close to Marquez and Jorge. We held a very high pace and my bike was working very well. I really like the Australian GP and I want to ride a good race here, partly because most of my team is Australian. I want to get back on the podium and try to win again. We are working well, I like the circuit, and the Yamaha is going strong, so I think we can do it. I’m in a good shape, so it will be a fun battle."






Jorge Lorenzo

Championship: 4th / 227 points

“It was a great feeling to win in Motegi once again. Winning two races in a row after a very disappointing start of the season was unbelievable, not only for me but also for all the guys from Yamaha who worked really hard. Now I look forward to racing in Phillip Island, another amazing place to ride. Australia is always special and the layout is always perfect for having fun. To me the joy of riding there with the M1 is difficult to explain but I love the long and fast corners, especially the last one before going towards the straight to the finish. Hopefully we can have another great weekend and fight for the victory once again, which is so important regarding the second place in the championship.”




Massimo Meregalli - Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Team Director
“After the victory in Motegi we immediately go to Phillip Island. We are in a good shape for Vale and Jorge to fight for second place in the championship. Both our riders really like this track so we look forward to getting started on Friday. We will work hard this weekend, because this track’s fast and sweeping corners make it important to have a good balance with the bike. Fortunately this circuit’s layout suits our bike well. We are right next to the seaside and it can get very windy at certain places on the track, but we are optimistic that we can book some good results.”


Espargaro and Smith ready to fight down under
Monster Yamaha Tech3 team riders Pol Espargaro and Bradley Smith head straight to Phillip Island for the second consecutive flyaway race at the Tissot Australian Grand Prix this weekend. Having challenged the stop and go Twin Ring Motegi circuit on Sunday, the riders now look towards round 16 of the MotoGP World Championship fully prepared as they both aim to fight for another top six battle.

The Phillip Island circuit is located 140 kilometres from Melbourne and has a deep and thoroughly rich history in motorsport. The highly regarded 4448 metre track was constructed in 1956 and became a permanent fixture in the MotoGP calendar from 1997 onwards. It’s meandering and high speed nature consists of seven left corners and five right, with a longest straight of 900 metres. The spectacular track is a firm favourite for both riders and fans, which continually guarantees highly entertaining race action.

Pol Espargaro will be looking to ride the flowing curves of the Australian circuit to success this weekend having had a superb record in recent years by winning the Moto2 race twice in succession. The rookie will be aiming to utilise the speedy track with his Yamaha YZR-M1 to challenge as the leading satellite bike once again. Whilst, British star Bradley Smith, intends to undertake another hard fought plus successful battle in Australia and up his level from Motegi to confidently contest in the top six in the 27 lap sprint on Sunday.



Pol Espargaro

Championship: 7th / 116 points

“I am very much looking forward to the Tissot Australian Grand Prix as it really is one of my favourite events on the calendar and I am keen to see what I can do on the Yamaha YZR-M1 MotoGP bike. I’ve always enjoyed this track and have won twice here in back to back seasons, with last year having been my best race so far. With regards to the circuit itself, I liked it even more when it was bumpier before they resurfaced it, but it’s still fantastic and always fun to come down Lukey heights at full speed! Even though the wind and the conditions can be troublesome, it all adds to the experience of Phillip Island which is truly unique and unlike any other circuit we go to. I love everything about this GP: the track, the location, the scenery and Australia in general. All of that makes it a great event with a super fan base. It feels like a fifth home race for me so I really can’t wait to get going!”






Bradley Smith

Championship: 10th / 92 points

“There’s not much rest for us as we are now going to Phillip Island for the Australian Grand Prix. I am feeling optimistic for this upcoming race as I really enjoyed riding there last year aboard the Yamaha YZR-M1. However, we have to stay grounded and be a bit cautious of our hopes and expectations because the factory teams were testing there at the beginning of the year, so they will have the upper hand and more data than the rest of us. In general, the track suits the nature of the Yamaha, it’s fast and flowing with not so many hard braking points, therefore, I am sure we can have a strong run here. We have made some good steps forward recently with the bike as well as my riding style so it will be interesting to see the comparison to last year and the level of progression we have made. In addition, I am very happy to be racing three consecutive weekends as I won’t be at home just waiting for the next race to come. It means we, as riders, don’t go stale and remain sharp plus are totally ready for the action.”



NGM Forward Racing heads Down Under to Phillip Island
With the Japanese Grand Prix having been completed just a few days ago, the NGM Forward Racing Team is now in Australia, where they look forward to race at Phillip Island Circuit, site of Round 16 of the 2014 season.

Situated south of Melbourne, the popular track features a variety of mainly fast bends. Despite the unpredictable weather conditions, the event is popular with teams, riders and fans alike.

Sixth in the Championship and on top of the Open bike category, Aleix Espargaro looks forward to the Australian round at Phillip Island, one of his favorite track in the MotoGP calendar. Also team mate Alex De Angelis is optimist for the race on a track where he claimed two consecutive wins in Moto2 (2010 and 2011) and two second places in the 250cc class (2004 and 2006).



Aleix Espargaro

Championship: 6th / 117 points

“Phillip Island is one of the fastest track in the calendar. The changeable weather conditions and the cold temperatures make the work on the set up of the machine really difficult but I love the layout and it’s very fun to ride. I’ m confident that we can make a good race.”






Alex De Angelis

Championship: 22nd / 7 points

“Phillip Island is definitely my favorite track. I have very good memories and I claimed very important results in my careers such as pole position, podium finish and two victories in Moto2. The track has fast corners and I like the layout very much.”




2014 MotoGP Australia

Phillip Island 15/10/2014






Circuit Length:
4445
Lap Record:
1'28.108
(Marc Marquez, 1-1-2013)
Fastest Lap Ever:
1'27.899
(Jorge Lorenzo, 20-10-2013)
Last Years Winner:
Jorge Lorenzo