2009 Motogp Season

[kralster]

I started one of these last year but didn't really update it regulary enough for it to be any good.

I'm hoping to change this year, and will provide weekly updates of any important news. And each race weekend I will add practise, qualifying and race resorts.

I'm thinking I'll focus on the MotoGP and not bother about the 250's or 125's even though the racing is much more interesting.

Alright so at the moment the first of this years pre season testing has started in Sepang. This is first time everyone has been on the bike for quite a while. Most teams are testing new bikes, yamaha

have a new engine which is supposed to give them more acceleration, Ducati are on the carbon fibre framed GP9, suzuki have bought a whole new package out.

Also this year they have gone for a single tyre supplier rule, this means people who are used to michelins live dovi, edwards, lorenzo, hayden, etc, etc have to get their heads around a totally new tyre.

One thing interesting this year is that each rider is allocated only 20 tyres for a whole race weekend which consist's of 12 rears and 8 fronts of different compounds.

Day 1 times.

1. Loris Capirossi ITA Suzuki MotoGP2mins 01.869secs

2. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team 2mins 02.038secs

3. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team 2mins 02.324secs

4. Chris Vermeulen AUS Suzuki MotoGP 2mins 02.803secs

5. Toni Elias ITA San Carlo Gresini Honda 2mins 02.886secs

6. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Repsol Honda 2mins 03.088secs

7. Colin Edwards USA Tech 3 Yamaha 2mins 03.254secs

8. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda 2mins 03.312secs

9. Sete Gibernau ESP Onde 2000 Ducati 2mins 03.750secs

10. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Fiat Yamaha Team 2mins 03.894secs

11. Nicky Hayden USA Ducati Marlboro Team2mins 04.002secs

12. Alex de Angelis SMR San Carlo Gresini Honda 2mins 04.396secs

13. Mika Kallio FIN Pramac Ducati 2mins 04.405secs

14. James Toseland GBR Tech 3 Yamaha 2mins 04.502secs

15. Randy de Puniet ITA LCR Honda MotoGP 2mins 04.882secs

16. Toshihiko Fujiwara JPN Yamaha Test Rider 2mins 05.024secs

17. Yuki Takahashi JPN Scot Honda 2mins 05.098secs

18. Wataru Yoshikawa JPN Yamaha Test Rider 2mins 05.140secs

19. Niccolo Canepa ITA Pramac Ducati 2mins 05.270secs

Day 2 times.

1. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team 2min 1.483 sec

2. Loris Capirossi ITA Team Suzuki 2min 1.555 sec

3. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team 2min 1.626 sec

4. Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda Team 2min 1.860 sec

5. Chris Vermeulen AUS Team Suzuki 2min 2.086 sec

6. Toni Elias SPA San Carlo Honda Gresini 2min 2.232 sec

7. Colin Edwards USA Tech 3 Yamaha 2min 2.241 sec

8. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Repsol Honda Team 2min 2.434 sec

9. Nicky Hayden USA Ducati Marlboro Team 2min 3.034 sec

10. Jorge Lorenzo SPA Fiat Yamaha Team 2min 3.056 sec

11. Sete Gibernau SPA Onde 2000 Ducati 2min 3.308 sec

12. Alex de Angelis RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini 2min 3.518 sec

13. Mika Kallio FIN Pramac Racing 2min 3.774 sec

14. Niccolo Canepa ITA Pramac Racing 2min 4.021 sec

15. 'Bike #T' JPN Yamaha Test Rider 2min 4.312 sec

16. Yuki Takahashi JPN Team Scot 2min 4.332 sec

17. Randy de Puniet FRA LCR Honda MotoGP 2min 4.507 sec

18. 'Bike #O' JPN Yamaha Test Rider 2min 4.536 sec

19. James Toseland GBR Tech 3 Yamaha 2min 4.597 sec

While holding the fastes lap of the test Stoner has said that he is unable to complete more than a handful of laps at a time due to the surgery he had on his wrist about 2 months ago.

Rossi also last week feel onto a glass coffee table cutting his arm and leg, also making it difficult for him to ride.

Capirossi has shown outstanding pace and has said the improvements to the bike are incredible. I won't be holding my breathe though as Suzuki have in the past shown good pace in pre season testing

and then come Qatar not even be in the top 10.

[kralster]

Day 3 (final day) times.

1. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team 2min 1.043 sec

2. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team 2min 1.137 sec

3. Loris Capirossi ITA Team Suzuki 2min 1.262 sec

4. Colin Edwards USA Tech 3 Yamaha 2min 1.413 sec

5. Toni Elias SPA San Carlo Honda Gresini 2min 1.560 sec

6. Chris Vermeulen AUS Team Suzuki 2min 1.666 sec

7. Jorge Lorenzo SPA Fiat Yamaha Team 2min 1.907 sec

8. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Repsol Honda Team 2min 1.955 sec

9. Mika Kallio FIN Pramac Racing 2min 2.386 sec

10. Nicky Hayden USA Ducati Marlboro Team 2min 2.497 sec

11. Alex de Angelis RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini 2min 2.523 sec

12. Sete Gibernau SPA Onde 2000 Ducati 2min 2.727 sec

13. Randy de Puniet FRA LCR Honda MotoGP 2min 3.418 sec

14. Yuki Takahashi JPN Team Scot 2min 3.474 sec

15. Niccolo Canepa ITA Pramac Racing 2min 3.901 sec

16. James Toseland GBR Tech 3 Yamaha 2min 3.953 sec

17. 'Bike #T' JPN Yamaha Test Rider 2min 4.328 sec

18. 'Bike #0' JPN Yamaha Test Rider 2min 4.614 sec

[kralster]

The next test for motoGP season 2009 has finished in Qatar.

Here are the final nights test times.

1. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team 1min 55.744 sec

2. Jorge Lorenzo SPA Fiat Yamaha Team 1min 56.733 sec

3. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team 1min 56.972 sec

4. Chris Vermeulen AUS Team Suzuki 1min 57.224 sec

5. Nicky Hayden USA Ducati Marlboro Team 1min 57.225 sec

6. Loris Capirossi ITA Team Suzuki 1min 57.253 sec

7. Randy de Puniet FRA LCR Honda MotoGP 1min 57.401 sec

8. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Repsol Honda Team 1min 57.449 sec

9. Colin Edwards USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1min 57.515 sec

10. Alex de Angelis RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini 1min 57.591 sec

11. Toni Elias SPA San Carlo Honda Gresini 1min 57.804 sec

12. Mika Kallio FIN Pramac Racing 1min 57.938 sec

13. Niccolo Canepa ITA Pramac Racing 1min 57.946 sec

14. Yuki Takahashi JPN Team Scot 1min 58.412 sec

15. James Toseland GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1min 58.786 sec

16. Marco Melandri ITA Hayate Racing Team 1min 58.851 sec

Stoner has absolutely smashed everyone this test. And says that his wrist is improving which is great for his title challenge this year.

It's great to see his teammate hayden 5th on the timesheet and he is surely working out to ride the ducati.

Once again the suzuki' have made a good showing but I won't beleive they have found form until i see results on race day.

Other recent news is kawasaki' decision to run a one bike with Melandri. This team is not a full factory backed team so it will be interesting to see

if kawasaki even bother to develop the bike during the year.

Pedrosa suffered a highside during the test which has opened up a wound on his knee that he sustained at phillip island round last year. He has also fractured his left forearm and will

be struggling to be fit and ready for the opening round of the season.

[kralster]

Here are the times for the final testing before season 2009.

It should be an awesome year and kicks off next weekend in Qatar.

1. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team 1min 39.804 sec

2. Jorge Lorenzo SPA Fiat Yamaha Team 1min 40.187 sec

3. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team 1min 40.252 sec

4. Loris Capirossi ITA Team Suzuki 1min 40.330 sec

5. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Repsol Honda Team 1min 40.806 sec

6. Chris Vermeulen AUS Team Suzuki 1min 40.970 sec

7. Nicky Hayden USA Ducati Marlboro Team 1min 41.060 sec

8. Marco Melandri ITA Hayate Racing Team 1min 41.207 sec

9. Sete Gibernau SPA Grupo Francisco Hernando 1min 41.243 sec

10. Colin Edwards USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1min 41.513 sec

11. James Toseland GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1min 41.516 sec

12. Toni Elias SPA San Carlo Honda Gresini 1min 41.594 sec

13. Mika Kallio FIN Pramac Racing 1min 41.600 sec

14. Randy de Puniet FRA LCR Honda MotoGP 1min 41.637 sec

15. Alex de Angelis RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini 1min 41.640 sec

16. Vittoriano Guareschi ITA Ducati Test Rider 1min 41.711 sec

17. Kosuke Akiyoshi JPN Repsol Honda Team 1min 42.058 sec

18. Niccolo Canepa ITA Pramac Racing 1min 42.376 sec

19. Yuki Takahashi JPN Team Scot 1min 42.564 sec

[kralster]

This weekend marks the beginning of the 2009 MotoGP season which kicks of in Qatar.

Stoner as usual is fast but Rossi is right there with him.

A strong showing from Edwards is not unusual but come race day he will fade.

Hayden on Friday practice was a disapointing 13th fastest but had a few clutch and electronic issues.

Vermulen after a very strong practice season is lamenting down in 14th position some 2.3 seconds of Stoner.

Here are the friday free practice times.

1. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team 1min 57.053 sec

2. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team 1min 57.439 sec

3. Colin Edwards USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1min 57.835 sec

4. Jorge Lorenzo SPA Fiat Yamaha Team 1min 58.272 sec

5. Alex de Angelis RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini 1min 58.452 sec

6. Loris Capirossi ITA Team Suzuki 1min 58.468 sec

7. Mika Kallio FIN Pramac Racing 1min 58.499 sec

8. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Repsol Honda Team 1min 58.506 sec

9. Marco Melandri ITA Hayate Racing Team 1min 58.757 sec

10. Randy de Puniet FRA LCR Honda MotoGP 1min 58.771 sec

11. James Toseland GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1min 58.850 sec

12. Toni Elias SPA San Carlo Honda Gresini 1min 59.094 sec

13. Nicky Hayden USA Ducati Marlboro Team 1min 59.158 sec

14. Chris Vermeulen AUS Team Suzuki 1min 59.348 sec

15. Yuki Takahashi JPN Team Scot 1min 59.437 sec

16. Sete Gibernau SPA Grupo Francisco Hernando 2min 0.595 sec

17. Niccolo Canepa ITA Pramac Racing 2min 0.597 sec

18. Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda Team 2min 1.435 sec

P.S

If anyone else would like to contribute please fill free too. As i'm getting a little lonely.

[kralster]

Qualifying results for the season opener.

1. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team 1min 55.286 sec

2. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team 1min 55.759 sec

3. Jorge Lorenzo SPA Fiat Yamaha Team 1min 55.783 sec

4. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Repsol Honda Team 1min 55.977 sec

5. Loris Capirossi ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1min 56.149 sec

6. Colin Edwards USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1min 56.194 sec

7. Randy de Puniet FRA LCR Honda MotoGP 1min 56.358 sec

8. Chris Vermeulen AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1min 56.493 sec

9. Alex de Angelis RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini 1min 56.790 sec

10. Mika Kallio FIN Pramac Racing 1min 56.852 sec

11. Marco Melandri ITA Hayate Racing Team 1min 56.962 sec

12. Toni Elias SPA San Carlo Honda Gresini 1min 57.225 sec

13. James Toseland GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1min 57.510 sec

14. Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda Team 1min 57.729 sec

15. Sete Gibernau SPA Grupo Francisco Hernando 1min 57.899 sec

16. Nicky Hayden USA Ducati Marlboro Team 1min 58.215 sec

17. Yuki Takahashi JPN Scot Racing Team MotoGP 1min 58.784 sec

18. Niccolo Canepa ITA Pramac Racing 1min 58.999 sec

Hayden had a massive highside at the end of the session while trying to better his position on the grid. He has been taken to hospital and is unlikely to take part in tomorrow mornings race.

Dovizioso has found some pace on the repsol honda bike.

[Michele]

Thanks Karly

Anyone hazard a guess as to what time the main race will be on? Need to set an alarm.

[kralster]

It will be on ONE HD at 6:30 AM tomorrow morning South Australian time. So that would be like 7:00 in the eastern states.

[wrxkilla]

http://www.onehd.com.au/ shows QLD as 9am! sucks hard!

I want all the races live!

[kralster]

Sadly was a bit of a boring race, but stoner has dominated here the past two races and also during winter testing so the outcome was not too suprising.

Well done to de Angelis beating his teammate who is on a factory honda.

Next race is at Motegi in Japan hopefully it will be a bit closer.

1. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team 42min 53.984 sec

2. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team 43min 1.755 sec

3. Jorge Lorenzo SPA Fiat Yamaha Team 43min 10.228 sec

4. Colin Edwards USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 43min 18.394 sec

5. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Repsol Honda Team 43min 21.247 sec

6. Alex de Angelis RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini 43min 23.867 sec

7. Chris Vermeulen AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 43min 27.611 sec

8. Mika Kallio FIN Pramac Racing 43min 28.739 sec

9. Toni Elias SPA San Carlo Honda Gresini 43min 33.465 sec

10. Randy de Puniet FRA LCR Honda MotoGP 43min 36.268 sec

11. Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda Team 43min 42.510 sec

12. Nicky Hayden USA Ducati Marlboro Team 43min 42.867 sec

13. Sete Gibernau SPA Grupo Francisco Hernando 43min 46.199 sec

14. Marco Melandri ITA Hayate Racing Team 43min 50.363 sec

15. Yuki Takahashi JPN Scot Racing Team MotoGP 43min 54.270 sec

16. James Toseland GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 44min 8.962 sec

17. Niccolo Canepa ITA Pramac Racing 44min 9.012 sec

[baff21]

Just stumbled across this thread nice idea.

As far as live races on ONEHD goes, i think they will be live, the rained out Qatar race was delayed due to the Golf Masters being on, the re-scheduled race was shown live in QLD.

Yes it was a boring race sadly, however stoner is always strong at Qatar, and for the first time in 3 years i think people have realised its not just the Ducatis speed that wins it for him in Qatar, as the facory Honda bikes had the highest speed for the meeting.

Motegi should be a better race, hopefully Hayden's injuries sustained in his Qatar crash will have healed a bit, and we will be able to see if he is competative in race format on the Ducati. The same goes with Pedrosa.

Has any one heard news of any action being taken against De' Angelis after his run in with Pedrosa?

What are peoples thoughts on the new Moto2 class? I think it will open the sport up a lot more to racers from other formats, specicly the WSB the Moto2 class should give them a basis to learn the different tracks in the GP championship without the hightened pressure of having to perform well in the pinnicle class. I also think this will lead to talent being sourced from countries other than spain and italy where racers grow up on 125 and 250cc Gp bikes. And lead to people such as Ben Spies (wsb) and andrew pitt, moving towards wanting to ride in the Moto2 and eventualy MotoGP class rather than heading to World supers, this will be a good thing for one series and bad for the other, and may lead to an amalgumation of the two series.

Well thats my 2 cents on the GP's.

[kralster]

MotoGP heads to Motegi for the Japanese round of the 2009 season.

Rossi has just edged out stoner for first place on the friday qualifying times. Hayden once again is doing nothing and is well down the field.

Good to see Vermulen up in 4th but as usual I predict an average race from the Suzuki.

I'm already feeling jaded by the current season and we are only up to round 2. It's just getting extremely boring honestly.

Superbikes are on this weekend as well, if you only can watch one or the other i'd stick with superbikes.

Friday free practice times...

1. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team 1min 48.545 sec

2. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team 1min 48.601 sec

3. Jorge Lorenzo SPA Fiat Yamaha Team 1min 48.965 sec

4. Chris Vermeulen AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1min 49.382 sec

5. Colin Edwards USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1min 49.965 sec

6. Loris Capirossi ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1min 49.980 sec

7. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Repsol Honda Team 1min 50.030 sec

8. Marco Melandri ITA Hayate Racing Team 1min 50.123 sec

9. Toni Elias SPA San Carlo Honda Gresini 1min 50.209 sec

10. James Toseland GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1min 50.342 sec

11. Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda Team 1min 50.391 sec

12. Nicky Hayden USA Ducati Marlboro Team 1min 50.393 sec

13. Yuki Takahashi JPN Scot Racing Team MotoGP 1min 50.404 sec

14. Sete Gibernau SPA Grupo Francisco Hernando 1min 50.538 sec

15. Alex de Angelis RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini 1min 50.601 sec

16. Randy de Puniet FRA LCR Honda MotoGP 1min 50.669 sec

17. Mika Kallio FIN Pramac Racing 1min 51.643 sec

18. Niccolo Canepa ITA Pramac Racing 1min 51.929 sec

[baff21]

Qualifying was today canceled due to rain at motegi. Meaning the grid was decided by fridays free practice, as this was the only dry practice session. Hopefully the rain will hold off and we will get to see a dry race.

[kralster]

ahh i was a bit late sorry everyone, work is flat out (still doing some work as i type)

once again a bit of a boring race, was fantastic to see lorenzo chase down rossi and take the win. The championship is certainly interesting as there are probably 4 guys who could claim it, stoner, rossi, perdrosa, and lorenzo.

Pedrosa got a blistering start from 11 on the grid and was up to about 4th by the first corner, weighing about 40 kilos certainly helps there. Stoner was very slow at the start and when rolling into the pit garage indicated a chatter problem, which was later revealed to be an issue under brakes, it took him a while to be able to ride fast without the confidence and it was good to see him get it home and take some points instead of sliding it down the road.

Once again a dreadful performance by suzuki, if i were vermulen i'd tell them to get stuffed at the end of this season. He has stuck by them with their ever constant promises of a better bike and each time they are left behind. The problem for vermulen is it would be hard for him to get another factory ride or even good satilite ride nowadays.

Sad to see hayden get smashed from behind at the 5th corner by takahashi but these things happen, and hayden being the nice guy in motogp they seem to happen to him.

This week we are off to spain for a twisty circuit, should be good fun.

[kralster]

Ahhh i've been slack sorry, started a new job so haven't been on top of this.

The past two rounds have been pretty awesome

OK so rossi won in spain for round 3, lorenzo faded very early as the track was much warmer than the practice days so his setup was not quite right.

1 25 46 Valentino ROSSI ITA Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha 45'18.557 158.141

2 20 3 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 45'21.257 157.984 2.700

3 16 27 Casey STONER AUS Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati 45'29.064 157.532 10.507

4 13 14 Randy DE PUNIET FRA LCR Honda MotoGP Honda 45'50.450 156.307 31.893

5 11 33 Marco MELANDRI ITA Hayate Racing Team Kawasaki 45'51.685 156.237 33.128

6 10 65 Loris CAPIROSSI ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 45'52.685 156.180 34.128

7 9 5 Colin EDWARDS USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 45'52.978 156.163 34.421

8 8 4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA Repsol Honda Team Honda 45'53.182 156.152 34.625

9 7 24 Toni ELIAS SPA San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 46'01.246 155.696 42.689

10 6 7 Chris VERMEULEN AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 46'03.740 155.555 45.183

11 5 59 Sete GIBERNAU SPA Grupo Francisco Hernando Ducati 46'06.749 155.386 48.192

12 4 72 Yuki TAKAHASHI JPN Scot Racing Team MotoGP Honda 46'10.432 155.179 51.875

13 3 52 James TOSELAND GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 46'12.240 155.078 53.683

14 2 15 Alex DE ANGELIS RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 46'12.498 155.064 53.941

15 1 69 Nicky HAYDEN USA Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati 46'19.794 154.657 1'01.237

16 88 Niccolo CANEPA ITA Pramac Racing Ducati 46'29.453 154.121 1'10.896

Not classified

99 Jorge LORENZO SPA Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha 38'40.226 4 Lap

36 Mika KALLIO FIN Pramac Racing Ducati 20'38.937 15 Lap

[kralster]

Was a really interesting race in france, everyone changed bikes part way through the race, and people we stayed out longer seemed to be rewarded for it. Pretty awesome to see Lorenzo win again and for Melandri to get 2nd on the hayate is pretty damn fantastic.

1 25 99 Jorge LORENZO SPA Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha 47'52.678 146.848

2 20 33 Marco MELANDRI ITA Hayate Racing Team Kawasaki 48'10.388 145.948 17.710

3 16 3 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 48'12.571 145.838 19.893

4 13 4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA Repsol Honda Team Honda 48'13.133 145.810 20.455

5 11 27 Casey STONER AUS Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati 48'23.217 145.303 30.539

6 10 7 Chris VERMEULEN AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 48'30.140 144.957 37.462

7 9 5 Colin EDWARDS USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 48'32.869 144.822 40.191

8 8 65 Loris CAPIROSSI ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 48'38.099 144.562 45.421

9 7 52 James TOSELAND GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 48'42.985 144.320 50.307

10 6 24 Toni ELIAS SPA San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 48'45.896 144.177 53.218

11 5 15 Alex DE ANGELIS RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 48'46.228 144.161 53.550

12 4 69 Nicky HAYDEN USA Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati 48'49.325 144.008 56.647

13 3 72 Yuki TAKAHASHI JPN Scot Racing Team MotoGP Honda 48'49.366 144.006 56.688

14 2 14 Randy DE PUNIET FRA LCR Honda MotoGP Honda 49'03.977 143.291 1'11.299

15 1 88 Niccolo CANEPA ITA Pramac Racing Ducati 49'08.063 143.093 1'15.385

16 46 Valentino ROSSI ITA Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha 49'28.685 131.949 2 Lap

Not classified

36 Mika KALLIO FIN Pramac Racing Ducati 20'47.302 17 Lap

[kralster]

We are at Mugello for the MotoGP this weekend and it's cooking up to be a corker.

Lorenzo is on pole with stoner and capriossi just behind him. Starting on the second grid is rossi who has won here the past 7 years in a row.

Qualifying times...

1. Jorge Lorenzo SPA Fiat Yamaha Team 1min 48.987 sec

2. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team 1min 49.008 sec

3. Loris Capirossi ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1min 49.121 sec

4. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team 1min 49.148 sec

5. Randy de Puniet FRA LCR Honda MotoGP 1min 49.499 sec

6. Colin Edwards USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1min 49.547 sec

7. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Repsol Honda Team 1min 49.648 sec

8. Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda Team 1min 50.073 sec

9. Toni Elias SPA San Carlo Honda Gresini 1min 50.078 sec

10. Yuki Takahashi JPN Scot Racing Team MotoGP 1min 50.305 sec

11. Chris Vermeulen AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1min 50.405 sec

12. Alex de Angelis RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini 1min 50.448 sec

13. Niccolo Canepa ITA Pramac Racing 1min 50.528 sec

14. James Toseland GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1min 50.537 sec

15. Marco Melandri ITA Hayate Racing Team 1min 50.710 sec

16. Nicky Hayden USA Ducati Marlboro Team 1min 50.924 sec

17. Mika Kallio FIN Pramac Racing 1min 51.008 sec