Team Aspar :: News About The 125cc and 250cc MotoGP Aspar Aprilia Squads and their riders; Bautista, di Meglio, Talmacsi, Gadea and Smith

Bancaja Aspar rider Gabor Talmacsi took the opportunity to test next season's machine and rode Alvaro Bautista's 250cc Aprilia RSA around the Valencian circuit on Monday.
A second day of testing was scheduled for Tuesday but the Aspar team and Talmacsi decided to wrap up their work due to rain on the Spanish east coast.

Gabor Talmacsi, 1'38.472:
"I am very proud to have run with the 250cc bike. It was a great feeling, like winning a race! When I opened the throttle it really felt like a dream coming true. I did a few laps and then went back into the box to make some changes, as we were mainly working on the set-up of the bike.
I spoke to Jorge (Martinez Aspar) and he just said to me go out there and enjoy it. Don't worry about anything. We are still a long way from finding our perfect set-up but I'm not too concerned as this session was simply an opportunity to get a sample of the bike. I'm already really comfortable on the brakes, I think I just need to focus on corner speed and acceleration. I'm really happy about this opportunity and I know that I will make the most of it. Anyway the real work will start at the Jerez tests at the end of November."

As we previously reported, Hector Faubel and Sergio Gadea have both been released from Team Aspar. It has now been confirmed that Hector Faubel will join the Thai Honda team next season and get an official 2007 Honda. Mike Di Meglio will take his seat on the Aprilia RSW in the official Aspar Team next season while teammate Alvaro Bautista will again ride the Aprilia RSA.
Reports about Alex Debon possibly joining the ranks of Team Aspar could not be confirmed, so the 250cc structure will most likely look like this:

Mapfre Aspar Team:

Alvaro Bautista
Mike Di Meglio

MOL Aspar Team:

Gabor Talmacsi

Álvaro Bautista celebrated his 100th GP with a podium finish in Valencia.
Congratulations and all the best from the teamaspar.net crew.

3rd Álvaro Bautista
"It has been a difficult race because I couldn't brake hard and the front end was bouncing a lot. I went wide on a few occasions, and didn't have any other choice but to try and hold on to as high a position as possible. At the end of the race Kallio fell and we had a little bit of luck to get on the podium, which we haven't had on a few occasions this year! Third place is not what I wanted, but neither did I expect to get it after the problems of the weekend. The year hasn't gone as we had planned, and the slow start was what really hit us hard. We continued to work hard, and we have ended the season with some incredible performances. It was a tough year, but next season we have to continue with the confidence that we have shown at the end of 2008."

6th Héctor Faubel
"I had a good start, but didn't have any confidence when the tank was full at the start, at the halfway point I was getting a much better feeling from the bike, and was able to pass a lot of riders. I'm happy with the result and the times that I had, and there was a great battle between myself and Debon until he crashed. Then I fought with Aoyama. On the last lap I tried to stick to him to try and pass, but the back of my bike stepped out, and I nearly fell. It was a little scare, and I lost eight tenths because of that. Then I didn't have time to catch him again. We are ending the season with a good result, which is what I wanted for the fans, and for that reason I am satisfied."

Gábor Talmacsi (DNF)
"I think that today a win would have been easier than in other races, but my gear change lever broke right at the start of the race. For a moment I thought that I would have to stop, because I couldn't change or control the bike, but I decided to continue. In this circuit there are some hard braking points where you need sensitivity in the engine, and I wasn't able to do this. A few laps later I fell on the back straight when trying to drop down to second gear. I tried my best to have a good race for the fans, and make my exit from the 125cc category in style, but it wasn't possible."

Sergio Gadea (DNF)
"The truth is that I am happy with how the weekend went. I just think that at the start of the race we had bad luck. Bradl fell right in front of me, and I wasn't able to swerve out of his way with him so close. It's a pity, because I know that the front group would not have left me behind, and that I could have fought for the win. We had a good setting and our aim was to win. Everyone was very fast at the start, but I knew that if I stick in front on the opening laps then I'd have a chance. I was hoping to make the most of any opportunity, but now I just have to look to the upcoming year and hope that our luck changes."

Adrián Martín (DNF)
"The feeling in the race was very good, and I took off thinking that I could pass a number of riders. I was moving up places and my motivation was going up, but when I got to the group in front of me I overtook Savadori and then the bike turned me over, throwing me up in the air. It was on the long corner, which you have to take at full gas, but it was an unexpected crash."

Mapfre Aspar rider Alvaro Bautista was the only rider for Team Aspar who was able to clinch a podium position in the final round of the 250cc season in Valencia.
Bautista started a bit slow from 6th position on the grid, but quickly caught up and went with the front group. Unfortunately he then encountered a severe shattering problem with the front fork and went off the track a couple of times which relegated him back to 6th position and made him lose a lot of time to the leader. He still managed to get back into 4th spot, but lost about 5 seconds to the leader already. He rode a lonely race in 4th position and looked to be off the podium until Mika Kallio crashed out of 2nd position while battling with Simoncelli for the win. This saw Alvaro moving up into third position and on the podium. Even though a bit lucky in the end, this was a well deserved reward for a difficult race with a not perfect machine. It was also Alvaro's 10th consecutive podium.
Teammate Hector Faubel finished his home race in a strong 6th place after battling with a group of riders through the whole race.

Pos. Rider Nation Team Total time
1 M. SIMONCELLI ITA Metis Gilera 43'29.003
2 Y. TAKAHASHI JPN JiR Team Scot 250 + 5.164
3 A. BAUTISTA SPA Mapfre Aspar Team + 8.648
4 R. LOCATELLI ITA Metis Gilera + 15.605
5 H. AOYAMA JPN Red Bull KTM 250 + 20.991
6 H. FAUBEL SPA Mapfre Aspar Team + 22.212
7 A. ESPARGARO SPA Lotus Aprilia + 23.199
8 R. WILAIROT THA Thai Honda PTT SAG + 23.321
9 M. PASINI ITA Polaris World + 37.424
10 T. LUTHI SWI Emmi - Caffe Latte + 38.887
11 M. KALLIO FIN Red Bull KTM 250 + 44.065
12 A. BALDOLINI ITA Matteoni Racing + 1'10.999
13 I. TOTH HUN Team Toth Aprilia + 1'31.950
14 D. ARCAS SPA Blusens Aprilia + 1'39.110
15 S. GROTZKYJ ITA Campetella Racing + 1'41.209
16 M. HERNANDEZ SPA Blusens Aprilia 1 Lap
17 K. ABRAHAM CZE Cardion AB Motoracing 1 Lap
18 F. SANDI ITA Zongshen AOS Racing 1 Lap
19 D. PRADITA INA Yamaha Pertamina Indonesia 1 Lap

Not classified
A. GYORFI HUN Team Toth Aprilia 3 Lap
A. DEBON SPA Lotus Aprilia 6 Lap
J. SIMON SPA Repsol KTM 250cc 8 Lap
F. LAI ITA Campetella Racing 15 Lap
L. PESEK CZE Auto Kelly - CP 16 Lap
T. WIRSING GER Racing Team Germany 16 Lap

The final round of the 125cc championship in Valencia proved to be a black day for the Aspar Team as all of the three riders crashed out of the race.
Sergio gadea was the first of the Bancaja Aspar riders to crash when he couldn't avoid the motorcycle of Stefan Bradl who highsided right in front of him when Gadea was en route to a podium finish.
Gabor Talmacsi crashed next, as well sitting in a top position at the time.
Replacement rider Adrian Martin made progress and rode in the Top 25 before he crashed as well.

Pos. Rider Nation Team Total time
1 S. CORSI ITA Jack & Jones WRB 40'45.715
2 N. TEROL SPA Jack & Jones WRB + 0.106
3 M. DI MEGLIO FRA Ajo Motorsport + 0.223
4 B. SMITH GBR Polaris World + 0.776
5 S. CORTESE GER Emmi - Caffe Latte + 1.333
6 A. IANNONE ITA I.C. Team + 21.578
7 T. KOYAMA JPN Red Bull KTM 125 + 29.387
8 S. REDDING GBR Blusens Aprilia Junior + 29.419
9 P. NIETO SPA Onde 2000 KTM + 38.059
10 E. RABAT SPA Repsol KTM 125cc + 38.481
11 L. ZANETTI ITA ISPA KTM Aran + 38.941
12 E. VAZQUEZ SPA Blusens Aprilia Junior + 48.466
13 L. SAVADORI ITA I.C. Team + 48.802
14 A. MASBOU FRA Loncin Racing + 50.340
15 E. JEREZ SPA ISPA KTM Aran + 50.575
16 T. NAKAGAMI JPN I.C. Team + 52.220
17 R. KRUMMENACHER SWI Red Bull KTM 125 + 55.047
18 J. FOLGER GER Red Bull KTM 125 + 55.139
19 J. CLUZEL FRA Loncin Racing + 55.546
20 M. RAVAIOLI ITA Matteoni Racing + 1'00.289
21 R. MURESAN ROU Grizzly Gas Kiefer Racing + 1'10.142
22 B. CHESAUX SWI WTR San Marino Team + 1'26.165
23 L. ROSSI FRA FFM Honda GP 125 + 1'26.407
24 D. SAEZ SPA Gaviota Prosolia Racing + 1'41.720
25 C. TRABALON SPA Alpo Atletico de Madrid 1 Lap

Not classified
P. TUTUSAUS SPA Alpo Atletico de Madrid 1 Lap
S. BONSEY USA Degraaf Grand Prix 9 Lap
J. OLIVE SPA Belson Derbi 10 Lap
A. MARTIN SPA Bancaja Aspar Team 13 Lap
R. DE ROSA ITA Onde 2000 KTM 16 Lap
G. TALMACSI HUN Bancaja Aspar Team 18 Lap
D. WEBB GBR Degraaf Grand Prix 18 Lap
R. LASSER GER Grizzly Gas Kiefer Racing 18 Lap
D. AEGERTER SWI Ajo Motorsport 21 Lap
S. GADEA SPA Bancaja Aspar Team 22 Lap
S. BRADL GER Grizzly Gas Kiefer Racing 22 Lap

Not finished 1st lap
H. VAN DEN BERG NED Degraaf Grand Prix
R. CARDUS SPA Andalucia Derbi

Not starting
P. ESPARGARO SPA Belson Derbi

Disqualified
J. MIRALLES SPA Bancaja Mir CEV

According to various Spanish news reports, Jorge Martinez has released current Aspar riders Sergio Gadea and Hector Faubel from the team and they will not ride in the Aspar colours next season.
Both riders were in talks with other teams to get another ride for next year, but in the end both wanted to stay with the Aspar Team. But team owner Martinez did not want that anymore.

New additions for the team next year are said to be current replacement rider Adrian Martin in the 125cc class and Alex Debon in the 250cc class. Talks with experienced rider Debon seem to have developed quite far already and he is said to get an official Aprilia RSA bike next season when he rides in the Aspar livery.
Other news however report that 125cc world champion Mike Di Meglio has already signed a contract with Aspar to ride in the 250cc team next season. Since Aspar will support a Hungarian team with Gabor Talmacsi as well, it is not clear yet whether Di Meglio will join Álvaro Bautista in the official team and Debon will be with the Hungarian sponsored team or vice versa.

If the reports prove to be true, the full structure for the 2009 squad would look like this:

125cc:

Bradley Smith
Julian Simon
Adrian Martin

250cc Aspar Team:

Álvaro Bautista
Mike Di Meglio / Alex Debon

250cc MOL Aspar Team:

Gabor Talmacsi
Mike Di Meglio / Alex Debon

6th Álvaro Bautista: 1.36.419 (22 laps)
"The truth is that today was pretty much our first session in the dry but I had a problem with my first bike and had to take the second one. At the end of the session I ran into a bit of traffic and wasn't able to get a good lap together. I'm not too pleased with sixth place but I'm confident we can improve the engine and set-up of my number one bike. This is our home race and we can't let Simoncelli win here. I'll be going out tomorrow to beat him and win the race. It's an important one and the tactic is to win it whatever way we can. I'll be doing my part with that. The KTMs are also going really well at this track and I think it will be a group race. It is difficult to escape here so we'll try and run with the front group and I'm sure it will be a scrap."

9th Héctor Faubel: 1.36.635 (21 laps)
"My pace is good here and the general feeling is that we've had a positive session. It was a shame we had a second row start nicked off us right at the end but we have some small room for improvement and we'll work on that in the warm-up. I tried to lap alone towards the end because I've learned this year that getting a tow isn't much use in this class. I know this track really well and I'm really motivated for the race, although we have to be a little cautious about the race."

1st Gábor Talmacsi: 1.41.451 (16 laps)
"I love the feeling I've got with my first bike and I'm so happy to be on pole position - not just for me but for the team because this is their home race. It is my final race in 125cc race so that's another reason to be happy that I'm signing off on top form. I wasn't sure this would be possible because I didn't feel too comfortable in the wet and my wrist still isn't 100% but little by little I built up my confidence and then pushed hard at the end. Second place in the championship is still not guaranteed and Corsi is close, but I think tomorrow will be exciting and anything could happen. The bike is working perfectly so I'm hoping for a dry race and a win, which I haven't managed at this circuit."

2nd Sergio Gadea: 1.41.641 (15 laps)
"It's a shame because I really wanted pole but I'm happy for Gábor. We've got a really good set-up here. Yesterday we didn't want to take any risks because we knew we could be fast in the dry and we are. I picked my pace up immediately after the red flag and on the last lap I was pushing hard, although the bike didn't feel 100%. Hopefully the race will be dry - I know Gábor is very strong but I'll push to try and escape. During the warm-up we'll do some more work on the set-up but we're almost ready."

24th Adrián Martín: 1.44.193 (17 laps)
"It was difficult to get into a rhythm today - firstly because the morning session was wet and then there was a red flag in the afternoon. We had some set-up problems and I didn't feel totally comfortable on the brakes. I also made a couple of mistakes mid-corner that cost me some time. I know this track well and I think we have a chance of putting together a good race and challenging for the points like we did last time."

With improved conditions compared to yesterday, all 250cc riders were able to go faster around the Valencian circuit in the second qualifying.
Mapfre Aspar rider Alvaro Bautista and Hector Faubel were also able to improve their positions on the grid with race starts from the 6th and 9th position respectively.
Both riders are eager to show a good performance for their home crowd in the last race of the season tomorrow.

Pos. Rider Nation Team Lap time
1 M. SIMONCELLI ITA Metis Gilera 1'35.408
2 A. DEBON SPA Lotus Aprilia + 0.010
3 J. SIMON SPA Repsol KTM 250cc + 0.556
4 M. KALLIO FIN Red Bull KTM 250 + 0.786
5 H. AOYAMA JPN Red Bull KTM 250 + 0.859
6 A. BAUTISTA SPA Mapfre Aspar Team + 1.011
7 R. WILAIROT THA Thai Honda PTT SAG + 1.160
8 R. LOCATELLI ITA Metis Gilera + 1.165
9 H. FAUBEL SPA Mapfre Aspar Team + 1.227
10 Y. TAKAHASHI JPN JiR Team Scot 250 + 1.246
11 T. LUTHI SWI Emmi - Caffe Latte + 1.424
12 A. ESPARGARO SPA Lotus Aprilia + 1.433
13 L. PESEK CZE Auto Kelly - CP + 1.484
14 M. PASINI ITA Polaris World + 1.639
15 F. LAI ITA Campetella Racing + 1.992
16 A. BALDOLINI ITA Matteoni Racing + 2.047
17 S. GROTZKYJ ITA Campetella Racing + 2.395
18 I. TOTH HUN Team Toth Aprilia + 2.837
19 F. SANDI ITA Zongshen AOS Racing + 3.184
20 K. ABRAHAM CZE Cardion AB Motoracing + 3.233
21 M. HERNANDEZ SPA Blusens Aprilia + 3.466
22 D. ARCAS SPA Blusens Aprilia + 3.774
23 D. PRADITA INA Yamaha Pertamina Indonesia + 5.185
24 A. GYORFI HUN Team Toth Aprilia + 5.667
25 T. WIRSING GER Racing Team Germany + 6.566

The second day at the team's home and sponsor track in Valencia was a raving success for Team Aspar with Bancaja Aspar riders Gabor Talmacsi and Sergio Gadea on first and second position on the grid.
With improving conditions compared to yesterday all 125cc riders were able to go considerably faster and improve their laptimes.
A nasty crash of Spanish home rider Pol Espargaro halfway through the qualifying caused the session to be red-flagged, but it could resume quickly afterwards. We'd like to send the best wishes to Pol and hope that he recovers quickly.
Aspar replacement rider Adrian Martin will start the race from 24th position tomorrow.

Pos. Rider Nation Team Lap time
1 G. TALMACSI HUN Bancaja Aspar Team 1'41.451
2 S. GADEA SPA Bancaja Aspar Team + 0.190
3 S. CORSI ITA Jack & Jones WRB + 0.500
4 N. TEROL SPA Jack & Jones WRB + 0.598
5 B. SMITH GBR Polaris World + 0.644
6 S. BONSEY USA Degraaf Grand Prix + 0.648
7 M. DI MEGLIO FRA Ajo Motorsport + 0.712
8 A. IANNONE ITA I.C. Team + 0.786
9 D. AEGERTER SWI Ajo Motorsport + 1.052
10 S. BRADL GER Grizzly Gas Kiefer Racing + 1.138
11 S. CORTESE GER Emmi - Caffe Latte + 1.185
12 E. RABAT SPA Repsol KTM 125cc + 1.203
13 D. WEBB GBR Degraaf Grand Prix + 1.457
14 J. OLIVE SPA Belson Derbi + 1.518
15 T. KOYAMA JPN Red Bull KTM 125 + 1.566
16 L. ZANETTI ITA ISPA KTM Aran + 1.586
17 S. REDDING GBR Blusens Aprilia Junior + 1.682
18 P. NIETO SPA Onde 2000 KTM + 1.907
19 R. DE ROSA ITA Onde 2000 KTM + 2.048
20 T. NAKAGAMI JPN I.C. Team + 2.255
21 R. KRUMMENACHER SWI Red Bull KTM 125 + 2.392
22 E. VAZQUEZ SPA Blusens Aprilia Junior + 2.567
23 A. MASBOU FRA Loncin Racing + 2.610
24 A. MARTIN SPA Bancaja Aspar Team + 2.742
25 J. CLUZEL FRA Loncin Racing + 2.781
26 L. SAVADORI ITA I.C. Team + 2.882
27 E. JEREZ SPA ISPA KTM Aran + 2.954
28 R. CARDUS SPA Andalucia Derbi + 3.079
29 J. MIRALLES SPA Bancaja Mir CEV + 3.334
30 P. ESPARGARO SPA Belson Derbi + 3.503
31 M. RAVAIOLI ITA Matteoni Racing + 3.681
32 R. LASSER GER Grizzly Gas Kiefer Racing + 3.780
33 D. SAEZ SPA Gaviota Prosolia Racing + 3.839
34 R. MURESAN ROU Grizzly Gas Kiefer Racing + 3.929
35 L. ROSSI FRA FFM Honda GP 125 + 4.044
36 P. TUTUSAUS SPA Alpo Atletico de Madrid + 4.323
37 J. FOLGER GER Red Bull KTM 125 + 4.525
38 H. VAN DEN BERG NED Degraaf Grand Prix + 4.647
39 B. CHESAUX SWI WTR San Marino Team + 5.298
40 C. TRABALON SPA Alpo Atletico de Madrid + 6.855

9th Álvaro Bautista: 1’51.117 (21 laps)
“Today has been a very calm day, because the track wasn’t really suitable for riding and we opted against taking risks. The sessions were rather crash-heavy for other riders. On our part we were looking for slow and steady progress in order to pick up confidence. The feeling that we had was good, and we were in control of the bike all the time, which is important. With the title decided we don’t need to take chances, and instead we focused on trying some rear tyres –with the softer one decided for if it rains. There are lots of left handers on this circuit, and that’s where the rubber usually gets worn out, so the selection will be crucial.”

14th Héctor Faubel: 1.52.343 (19 laps)
“This morning we went very well. In the afternoon with a little less water on track we had some engine difficulties, although we solved them by the end of the session. At the start it was pretty bad, but when we found the way around it I felt progressively more comfortable. Water is something that has followed us throughout the championship, so I’m not worried about the chance of a wet race. We’ll be ready for that. If it doesn’t rain then I hope to equal my time from the winter test here, and if we do that then we will be up at the top. I think that I can do well here, because I know the track so well.”

11th Gábor Talmacsi: 2.01.327 (12 laps)
“Honestly, I didn’t have much feeling with the Aprilia in the wet today. I didn’t feel the limit of the bike at any time so didn’t want to risk it. Obviously, if it was the race or final qualifying then I’d have pushed more but our objective today was to get some laps in and get a feeling for the track. We even went out with the second bike, just to make sure the number one machine is okay for tomorrow and Sunday. I feel calm because the weather will improve tomorrow and we’ll run at the front. I love this track and I can adapt quickly to it.”

15th Adrián Martín: 2.02.212 (13 laps)
“It was a useful session and I felt comfortable. I’m happy with the result even though I had a few scary moments, but that’s normal in the wet. This circuit doesn’t have much grip when it rains and you have to build up your confidence. I tried to do that with every lap, improving my lap times as I went on. Hopefully I can continue to do that in every session, whatever the conditions.”

19th Sergio Gadea: 2.02.869 (12 laps)
“We put some new forks on today and they worked quite well – the problem is we don’t have the bike set up yet and on top of that it rained. We spent the whole day working on the front-end set-up and I couldn’t push at any point, because when I did the bike moved around so much. I would have been silly to risk a crash. In theory the weather should be much better tomorrow and even though it will be difficult I’ll be doing all I can to set pole. I know I can be fast here and I’m not at all worried about the result today.”

Pos. Rider Nation Team Lap time
1 A. DEBON SPA Lotus Aprilia 1'50.001
2 H. AOYAMA JPN Red Bull KTM 250 + 0.396
3 M. KALLIO FIN Red Bull KTM 250 + 0.401
4 M. SIMONCELLI ITA Metis Gilera + 0.504
5 M. PASINI ITA Polaris World + 0.546
6 J. SIMON SPA Repsol KTM 250cc + 0.580
7 I. TOTH HUN Team Toth Aprilia + 0.929
8 L. PESEK CZE Auto Kelly - CP + 1.011
9 A. BAUTISTA SPA Mapfre Aspar Team + 1.116
10 F. LAI ITA Campetella Racing + 1.856
11 T. LUTHI SWI Emmi - Caffe Latte + 1.940
12 Y. TAKAHASHI JPN JiR Team Scot 250 + 1.957
13 S. GROTZKYJ ITA Campetella Racing + 2.253
14 H. FAUBEL SPA Mapfre Aspar Team + 2.342
15 K. ABRAHAM CZE Cardion AB Motoracing + 2.622
16 R. WILAIROT THA Thai Honda PTT SAG + 2.657
17 R. LOCATELLI ITA Metis Gilera + 2.943
18 A. ESPARGARO SPA Lotus Aprilia + 2.947
19 A. BALDOLINI ITA Matteoni Racing + 2.950
20 T. WIRSING GER Racing Team Germany + 3.390
21 F. SANDI ITA Zongshen AOS Racing + 4.231
22 M. HERNANDEZ SPA Blusens Aprilia + 4.939
23 A. GYORFI HUN Team Toth Aprilia + 5.160

Out of limit time
D. PRADITA INA Yamaha Pertamina Indonesia
D. ARCAS SPA Blusens Aprilia

After a full wet and rainy first practice this morning, the first qualifying for the 125cc saw no rain, but a still very wet track.

Pos. Rider Nation Team Lap time
1 S. CORSI ITA Jack & Jones WRB 1'59.809
2 L. ZANETTI ITA ISPA KTM Aran + 0.150
3 S. BONSEY USA Degraaf Grand Prix + 0.191
4 D. AEGERTER SWI Ajo Motorsport + 0.196
5 D. WEBB GBR Degraaf Grand Prix + 0.618
6 N. TEROL SPA Jack & Jones WRB + 0.783
7 H. VAN DEN BERG NED Degraaf Grand Prix + 0.981
8 J. OLIVE SPA Belson Derbi + 1.228
9 R. DE ROSA ITA Onde 2000 KTM + 1.413
10 R. LASSER GER Grizzly Gas Kiefer Racing + 1.435
11 G. TALMACSI HUN Bancaja Aspar Team + 1.518
12 S. CORTESE GER Emmi - Caffe Latte + 1.723
13 T. KOYAMA JPN Red Bull KTM 125 + 2.094
14 R. KRUMMENACHER SWI Red Bull KTM 125 + 2.305
15 A. MARTIN SPA Bancaja Aspar Team + 2.403
16 R. CARDUS SPA Andalucia Derbi + 2.469
17 P. NIETO SPA Onde 2000 KTM + 2.937
18 S. REDDING GBR Blusens Aprilia Junior + 2.987
19 S. GADEA SPA Bancaja Aspar Team + 3.060
20 E. RABAT SPA Repsol KTM 125cc + 3.388
21 P. ESPARGARO SPA Belson Derbi + 3.406
22 S. BRADL GER Grizzly Gas Kiefer Racing + 3.484
23 B. SMITH GBR Polaris World + 3.957
24 B. CHESAUX SWI WTR San Marino Team + 4.150
25 M. DI MEGLIO FRA Ajo Motorsport + 4.240
26 A. IANNONE ITA I.C. Team + 4.401
27 A. MASBOU FRA Loncin Racing + 4.561
28 J. FOLGER GER Red Bull KTM 125 + 4.649
29 L. SAVADORI ITA I.C. Team + 4.652
30 D. SAEZ SPA Gaviota Prosolia Racing + 5.166
31 J. MIRALLES SPA Bancaja Mir CEV + 5.868
32 L. ROSSI FRA FFM Honda GP 125 + 6.050
33 M. RAVAIOLI ITA Matteoni Racing + 6.634
34 J. CLUZEL FRA Loncin Racing + 6.805
35 E. JEREZ SPA ISPA KTM Aran + 7.042
36 T. NAKAGAMI JPN I.C. Team + 7.507
37 R. MURESAN ROU Grizzly Gas Kiefer Racing + 8.241

Not classified
E. VAZQUEZ SPA Blusens Aprilia Junior Lap

Out of limit time
P. TUTUSAUS SPA Alpo Atletico de Madrid
C. TRABALON SPA Alpo Atletico de Madrid

Jorge Martinez and all the Team Aspar riders took part in the big anniversary celebration of the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Cheste on Thursday.

At a celebratory dinner on Thursday evening, ahead of the Gran Premio Parts Europe de la Comunitat Valenciana, dignitaries including Valencian president Francisco Camps and Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta gathered to mark the tenth anniversary of the Ricardo Tormo circuit.

Numerous MotoGP riders were also in attendance, in addition to the likes of Circuit Director Julio Garcia and prominent local figure Jorge Martinez Aspar to sample some local paella and enjoy some Valencian fireworks.

The riders also came face to face with larger than life size `ninots´ - models of themselves – created by a local artist, in the traditional Valencian style.

(*Above: Bati's 2005 Honda by Ixo - currently the only proper diecast available)

I wonder if I can ask any of you reading this to spare a few minutes to write an email to Minichamps (a German company called Pauls Model Art) to petition them to produce Alvaro's Aspar Aprilia 125cc Championship Winning bike from 2006. And possibly more too?

This is the email address: info@minichamps.de

I have written to them asking if they would consider making Alvaro's 2006 Championship-winning Aprilia 125. My reasoning to them is that he is not only already hugely popular in Spain, but also gaining popularity quickly around the world and that he is without doubt going to be one of the sport's superstars, and that it would make sense to pick up on that and to start producing models of his rides.
I also asked them to consider doing his 2007 Aprilia 250, and perhaps more importantly this years Aprilia 250 - as vice champion.

Anyway - please drop them a line, as much in your own words as possible as it doesn't want to appear to be some automated spamming!
But I'd certainly appreciate you helping me push them on this, and if you can encourage any friends to mail them too, that would be excellent.
There's more about all this here... if you want to find out all about it.

Cheers,
gb

Congratulations Bati & Talma!

1st Álvaro Bautista
“The race has been very hard because of the heat. I started a little badly, but quickly I caught up with the front group. I think that we had a great weekend, as we were at the front for the entire time in practice. We tried to slow the race pace down to let some other riders come into play in the World Championship picture, but in the end we were just three at the head of the race. When we saw that there were no other riders near, the decision was made to at least try and win the race. The season didn’t start as we would have liked, and we were always on the back foot after some early problems, but second place is not so bad in the championship. However, it wasn’t our goal when we started the year, and we will have to give our all in Valencia to cheer up the home fans.”

Héctor Faubel (DNF)
“Once again I had a crash that I don’t understand. It was in the second section of the track, on the fifth corner. I was fast off the line and my front went out. We keep having this problem on the weekends, where the practices go well and in the race something happens to us. It’s a pity because we couldn’t take a good result home. Now we have to turn the page and look to Cheste. It is a circuit that I love, and I won last year in 125cc. I will be at home and trying to have fun enjoying the atmosphere.”

1st Gábor Talmacsi
"It has been a fantastic weekend and I am glad to repeat the result from last year. I made a good start and tried to maintain a fast pace to get away from the beginning. I felt Iannone around me and trying to put pressure on me in the braking points, but he wasn't able to get close enough to me. The bike was working to perfection, and for that reason I just had to make sure that I didn't lose concentration. I love this circuit and am proud to have won here again, and now we will go to Valencia which is another favourite of mine. I love the fans and atmosphere there. I always feel good when we race in Valencia."

12th Sergio Gadea
"This morning in the warmup we did well, and we finished third. It seemed as if the setting on the Aprilia was ready for the race, but later I tried to push for the front when the lights went out and didn't feel at all confident. Then I lost positions, which was a shame because we started from fifth, had done a good job and at the crucial moment we weren't able to get the result that we wanted. Fortunately the next race is at home, and I hope for better there."

15th Adrián Martín
"It has been a very hard race. I started with a good pace, and when I saw that I could get faster and faster I upped the pace. I stuck to a rhythm in the 17's, although I had a little scare when the front end went out on me. I kept my concentration and tried to finish as high up as possible. With four laps to go I really felt the tiredness and heat, but the desire to pick up points spurred me on. I am very happy with this result in only my fourth race, and more than anything it delights me to have gone well all weekend. The team did a great job."

In even hotter conditions that the 125cc race, Mapfre Aspar rider Alvaro Bautista rode to a dominant victory at the Malaysian Gran Prix in Sepang.
Starting badly from second position on the grid he quickly worked his way up the order and arrived at the lead group with Aoyama, Simon, Kallio and Simoncelli. However, soon after that the KTM machines of Kallio and Simon had to retire due to mechanical problems which left a trio at the front fighting for victory. Alvaro's only option to keep Simoncelli from winning the championship was to win the race at Sepang and hope for other riders to go faster than Simoncelli. But with Julian Simon ultimately retiring with mechanical problems and the second group being over 7 seconds behind Simoncelli, it was enough for him to bring home third place, partly riding more than 2 seconds slower than Alvaro Bautista.
Realizing that there were no other riders fast enough to catch up with the lead group and therefore steal points from Simoncelli, Alvaro went on to at least ensure another victory at the Malaysian track, even breaking the four-year-old lap record from Dani Pedrosa in the penultimate round with degrading rubber. However, this victory was not enough to keep Simoncelli from mathematically winning the championship.
Alvaro will now look forward to close the season with another win at his home track in Valencia and to make up for this season's bad luck next year.

Pos. Rider Nation Team Total time
1 A. BAUTISTA SPA Mapfre Aspar Team 42'56.428
2 H. AOYAMA JPN Red Bull KTM 250 + 2.586
3 M. SIMONCELLI ITA Metis Gilera + 8.343
4 Y. TAKAHASHI JPN JiR Team Scot 250 + 11.032
5 A. ESPARGARO SPA Lotus Aprilia + 13.846
6 A. DEBON SPA Lotus Aprilia + 14.274
7 R. LOCATELLI ITA Metis Gilera + 15.101
8 R. WILAIROT THA Thai Honda PTT SAG + 16.987
9 T. LUTHI SWI Emmi - Caffe Latte + 25.356
10 L. PESEK CZE Auto Kelly - CP + 26.846
11 F. LAI ITA Campetella Racing + 49.907
12 K. ABRAHAM CZE Cardion AB Motoracing + 50.088
13 A. BALDOLINI ITA Matteoni Racing + 1'05.816
14 S. GROTZKYJ ITA Campetella Racing + 1'15.544
15 I. TOTH HUN Team Toth Aprilia + 1'19.905
16 M. HERNANDEZ SPA Blusens Aprilia + 1'35.890
17 D. ARCAS SPA Blusens Aprilia + 2'00.717
18 D. PRADITA INA Yamaha Pertamina Indonesia + 2'28.842

Not classified
M. PASINI ITA Polaris World 5 Lap
J. SIMON SPA Repsol KTM 250cc 9 Lap
M. KALLIO FIN Red Bull KTM 250 15 Lap
H. FAUBEL SPA Mapfre Aspar Team 16 Lap

Bancaja Aspar rider Gabor Talmacsi rode a brilliant race in Sepang today and claimed a dominant win in extremely hot conditions.
Fellow teammates Sergio Gadea and Adrian Martin finished in 12th and 15th place respectively with replacement rider Martin claiming his first world championship point.

Pos. Rider Nation Team Total time

1 G. TALMACSI HUN Bancaja Aspar Team 43'00.716
2 B. SMITH GBR Polaris World + 3.416
3 S. CORSI ITA Jack & Jones WRB + 6.896
4 S. CORTESE GER Emmi - Caffe Latte + 6.925
5 M. DI MEGLIO FRA Ajo Motorsport + 7.115
6 P. ESPARGARO SPA Belson Derbi + 15.122
7 J. OLIVE SPA Belson Derbi + 21.805
8 D. AEGERTER SWI Ajo Motorsport + 21.869
9 N. TEROL SPA Jack & Jones WRB + 21.958
10 A. IANNONE ITA I.C. Team + 23.615
11 T. KOYAMA JPN Red Bull KTM 125 + 23.651
12 S. GADEA SPA Bancaja Aspar Team + 35.224
13 L. ZANETTI ITA ISPA KTM Aran + 40.502
14 P. NIETO SPA Onde 2000 KTM + 51.404
15 A. MARTIN SPA Bancaja Aspar Team + 55.726
16 J. CLUZEL FRA Loncin Racing + 56.537
17 J. FOLGER GER Red Bull MotoGP Academy + 1'07.140
18 M. RAVAIOLI ITA Matteoni Racing + 1'07.573
19 R. KRUMMENACHER SWI Red Bull KTM 125 + 1'07.741
20 R. LASSER GER Grizzly Gas Kiefer Racing + 1'08.849
21 B. CHESAUX SWI WTR San Marino Team + 1'46.609
22 R. MURESAN ROU Grizzly Gas Kiefer Racing 1 Lap

Not classified
E. RABAT SPA Repsol KTM 125cc 2 Lap
S. BONSEY USA Degraaf Grand Prix 7 Lap
S. BRADL GER Grizzly Gas Kiefer Racing 8 Lap
S. REDDING GBR Blusens Aprilia Junior 8 Lap
H. VAN DEN BERG NED Degraaf Grand Prix 8 Lap
R. DE ROSA ITA Onde 2000 KTM 11 Lap
D. WEBB GBR Degraaf Grand Prix 11 Lap
E. JEREZ SPA ISPA KTM Aran 11 Lap
A. MASBOU FRA Loncin Racing 13 Lap
T. NAKAGAMI JPN I.C. Team 16 Lap

Not starting
E. VAZQUEZ SPA Blusens Aprilia Junior

2nd Álvaro Bautista: 2.07.073 (17 laps)
“The track conditions were different to yesterday. There was more humidity in the air and you could tell. We put a new engine in but didn’t get much chance to set it up and this afternoon it was quite running at 100%. We lost a bit in the gear ratio setting and that’s why I struggled to put my pace together but in the corners the suspension and chassis feels good, which is important for the race tomorrow. We’ll work a bit more on the engine in the warm-up tomorrow and try to have a good race. It is going to be a test of endurance tomorrow because of the heat but I’m going out to win as usual. Lets see if the KTMs can stay with us and make it a group battle.”

10th Héctor Faubel: 2.08.009 (13 laps)
“The rain was a real hindrance to us this morning because we were hoping to try a new engine we’d fitted yesterday. We had to make a few stops this afternoon to refine the setting and we lost a lot of time. We also made a couple of changes to the chassis that didn’t really work so we’ll go back to the setting we had yesterday. It is a shame that our run of second row starts has ended but I think we can still do well from the third row. We’ll try to run up front tomorrow but the lead guys have a good pace and it will be tough to keep up.”

2nd Gábor Talmacsi: 2.15.206 (8 laps)
“This morning went really well. I felt comfortable on the bike and I think we made a big step up with the race pace and lap time. We were ready to make a change to the gear ratio for qualifying but the rain prevented that. We’ve got some similar problems to the ones we had in Australia in the wet. I don’t have a good feeling with the wet front tyre but we’ll try to improve that tomorrow in case it’s wet. We’re ready for a dry race and my objective is to win it. I think we’ve been fast today and yesterday and we’ve got the pace to run at the front from the start.”

5th Sergio Gadea: 2.15.684 (10 laps)
“We tried to improve the set-up this morning, made a change and it seemed to work. On the final lap I hit neutral going into the chicane and I was fully leaned over, so I went down. It was nothing really but we missed the chance to set a good lap time. I’m happy with the afternoon session because we ended up third fastest and if it wasn’t for the rain we’d have improved a lot. If it’s a dry race I’m sure it will be as close http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.bold.gifas usual and we’ll have to take a few chances. It’s good that we’re starting from fifth so I don’t have as much ground to make up as I have done recently but it will also be important not to make any mistakes if I want to run with the lead group.”

27th Adrián Martín: 2.18.655 (10 laps)
“I really like this track in the wet. I got faster and faster the more confident I got. It’s a shame qualifying wasn’t dry because we also did a great job this morning and I think I could have moved up into the top twenty. Anyway, I’m going to go out and try to pass as many riders as possible.”

With a drying circuit the 250cc riders had a difficult time in the final qualifying in Sepang to improve their laptimes and only a few riders did, changing the grid positions only slightly. Mapfre Aspar rider Alvaro Bautista came close to improve his laptimes from the Friday session on several occasions, but with a setting that was slightly inferior to the one he had yesterday, he didn't quite manage to go faster. Nontheless he keeps his second position on the grid whereas teammate Hector Faubel was relegated to 10th position.

Full results QP2:

Pos. Rider Nation Team Lap time
1 M. SIMONCELLI ITA Metis Gilera 2'07.109
2 A. BAUTISTA SPA Mapfre Aspar Team + 0.335
3 H. AOYAMA JPN Red Bull KTM 250 + 0.426
4 J. SIMON SPA Repsol KTM 250cc + 0.559
5 Y. TAKAHASHI JPN JiR Team Scot 250 + 0.657
6 A. DEBON SPA Lotus Aprilia + 0.859
7 M. PASINI ITA Polaris World + 1.277
8 M. KALLIO FIN Red Bull KTM 250 + 1.653
9 A. ESPARGARO SPA Lotus Aprilia + 1.692
10 T. LUTHI SWI Emmi - Caffe Latte + 1.815
11 L. PESEK CZE Auto Kelly - CP + 1.882
12 H. FAUBEL SPA Mapfre Aspar Team + 1.908
13 F. LAI ITA Campetella Racing + 1.946
14 R. WILAIROT THA Thai Honda PTT SAG + 1.981
15 R. LOCATELLI ITA Metis Gilera + 2.637
16 K. ABRAHAM CZE Cardion AB Motoracing + 2.951
17 A. BALDOLINI ITA Matteoni Racing + 3.153
18 I. TOTH HUN Team Toth Aprilia + 3.233
19 S. GROTZKYJ ITA Campetella Racing + 3.381
20 D. PRADITA INA Yamaha Pertamina Indonesia + 4.328
21 M. HERNANDEZ SPA Blusens Aprilia + 4.556
22 D. ARCAS SPA Blusens Aprilia + 7.071

With a wet track in the final qualifying, no rider in the 125cc class was able to improve his laptime from yesterday. Therefore the grid positions will stay the same as yesterday with Bancaja Aspar rider Gabor Talmacsi on the second position and teammate Sergio Gadea heading the second row.

Pos Rider Bike Time

1. Andrea Iannone Aprilia 2:14.676
2. Gabor Talmacsi Aprilia 2:15.206 + 0.530
3. Daniel Webb Aprilia 2:15.365 + 0.689
4. Pol Espargaro Derbi 2:15.676 + 1.000
5. Sergio Gadea Aprilia 2:15.684 + 1.008
6. Joan Olive Derbi 2:15.860 + 1.184
7. Tomoyoshi Koyama KTM 2:15.922 + 1.246
8. Simone Corsi Aprilia 2:16.001 + 1.325
9. Mike di Meglio Derbi 2:16.030 + 1.354
10. Stefan Bradl Aprilia 2:16.263 + 1.587
11. Scott Redding Aprilia 2:16.272 + 1.596
12. Nicolas Terol Aprilia 2:16.314 + 1.638
13. Bradley Smith Aprilia 2:16.397 + 1.721
14. Alexis Masbou Loncin 2:16.517 + 1.841
15. Steve Bonsey Aprilia 2:16.557 + 1.881
16. Efren Vazquez Aprilia 2:16.586 + 1.910
17. Pablo Nieto KTM 2:16.678 + 2.002
18. Sandro Cortese Aprilia 2:16.731 + 2.055
19. Raffaele De Rosa KTM 2:16.849 + 2.173
20. Lorenzo Zanetti KTM 2:17.272 + 2.596
21. Takaaki Nakagami Aprilia 2:17.418 + 2.742
22. D. Aegerter Derbi 2:17.622 + 2.946
23. Jules Cluzel Loncin 2:18.296 + 3.620
24. Marco Ravaioli Aprilia 2:18.303 + 3.627
25. Esteve Rabat KTM 2:18.334 + 3.658
26. Cyril Carrillo Honda 2:18.413 + 3.737
27. Adrian Martin Aprilia 2:18.655 + 3.979
28. Robin Lässer Aprilia 2:19.002 + 4.326
29. Jonas Folger KTM 2:19.576 + 4.900
30. H. van den Berg Aprilia 2:19.612 + 4.936
31. Robert Muresan Aprilia 2:19.688 + 5.012
32. R. Krummenacher KTM 2:19.735 + 5.059
33. Enrique Jerez KTM 2:19.963 + 5.287
34. Bastien Chesaux Aprilia 2:20.115 + 5.439

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Friday, October 24, 2008

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Monday, October 20, 2008

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Friday, October 17, 2008

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