By Paul Kelly
indianapolismotorspeedway.com
Thursday, September 3, 2009
EVENT: Grand Prix of San Marino
WHERE: Misano World Circuit, Misano Adriatico, Italy. Circuit is 2.626 miles (4.226 km), with 15 turns. Race is 28 laps.
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 6. It is the 13th of 17 events this season.
2008 RACE WINNER: Valentino Rossi, by 3.163 seconds over Jorge Lorenzo
2008 POLE WINNER: Casey Stoner, 1 minutes, 33.378 seconds
U.S. TV: MotoGP: 2-3 p.m. (ET), Sunday, Sept. 6, SPEED. 250cc: 1-2 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 6, SPEED.
THE AMERICANS: U.S. riders Colin Edwards (Houston, Monster Yamaha Tech 3) and Nicky Hayden (Owensboro, Ky., Ducati Team) will compete in this race. Edwards is fifth and Hayden is 12th in the MotoGP standings after 12 races this season.
•Colin Edwards: "It should be a good weekend. I like this track. I had 10 laps of torture last year, the first few laps. Cold tire. Once it came good, we were doing good lap times. I'm looking forward to a good race here."
•Nicky Hayden: "The little time we've had since Indy has flown by, and even though I would have liked to have a bit more time to reflect on last weekend, Misano is right on us and that is what we have to focus on. Last year I rode in practice but wasn't able to take part in the race because of my foot injury, but I like the circuit. There are a couple of fast right-handers at the end of the lap, in particular, that are a lot of fun. At Mugello, I realized how special it is to race for Ducati in Italy, so hopefully I can give all the Ducatisti even more reason to party. I know it won't be easy, and I can't get overconfident even though everything went so well at Indy. I've learned that this bike can quickly put you back in your place if you get cocky, so once again I'll just be putting my head down and giving it my maximum."
THEY SAID IT: "I hope we can be as good as last year or even better, even though I know how hard it will be the best at Valentino's 'house.' I hope everyone there gets to see a big battle." - Fiat Yamaha Team rider Jorge Lorenzo, winner of the 2009 Red Bull Indianapolis GP, talking about racing against teammate Valentino Rossi at Rossi's home track, Misano
FAST FACTS: American MotoGP star Nicky Hayden will sign a one-year contract extension with the Ducati Team for the 2010 season, Ducati officials announced Sept. 3. Ducati will keep its lineup of 2006 MotoGP World Champion Hayden and 2007 World Champion Casey Stoner intact for the 2010 season … Stoner will not compete at this event due to illness but is expected to return at the next event, the Grand Prix of Portugal on Oct. 2-4. Stoner has been plagued by severe fatigue since early June. Pramac Racing Team rider Mika Kallio will replace Stoner, while former 250cc competitor Aleix Espargaro is taking Kallio's place at Pramac … Red Bull Indianapolis GP winner Jorge Lorenzo will aim for consecutive victories for the first time in his MotoGP career, which started in 2008 … American Colin Edwards recorded his 20th consecutive points-scoring finish in MotoGP by placing fifth Aug. 30 in the Red Bull Indianapolis GP … Misano is one of just three current circuits where 2009 Red Bull Indianapolis GP pole winner Dani Pedrosa has not recorded a podium finish. The others are Indianapolis and Phillip Island … Alex de Angelis became the first rider from San Marino to finish on the podium in the premier class with his second-place finish Aug. 30 in the Red Bull Indianapolis GP at Indianapolis … The pole jinx for Spanish riders continued at Indianapolis, as Spaniards Dani Pedrosa and Julian Simon didn't win from the pole in MotoGP and 125cc, respectively. Spanish riders have taken 19 of 34 pole positions across the three classes this year, with just one victory from pole - Simon at the German Grand Prix … American Cameron Beaubier will continue his first season in the 125cc class at this event. Beaubier, 16, from Roseville, Calif., is tied for 26th in the World Championship standings this season for the Red Bull KTM 125 factory team.
***
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