MotoGP News
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<B>Crash.net`s Valencian GP blog: Sunday.</B>
Sunday pm - Rossi Justifies Bridgestone Move in Amazing Open-Air Conference
Hopkins leaves with podium present.
Starting from seventh on the grid, the Anglo-American made a strong start and was up to fourth by the first corner. He then passed Nicky Hayden to move in to third place on lap four, behind Casey Stoner and Dani Pedrosa.
Pedrosa: This is fantastic!
Despite leading for 25 of the 30 laps and crossing the line 5.447secs ahead of world champion Casey Stoner, Pedrosa was kept under pressure by the Australian for all but the closing laps, when Stoner finally settled for second.
Official: Rossi to Bridgestone.
Rossi has been with Michelin ever since his 2000 premier-class debut and won the 500cc/MotoGP title five times with the French manufacturer from 2001-2005. However, chatter problems during 2006 and especially the dominance of Bridgestone in 2007 has seen the relationship rapidly cool.
Yamaha apologises to Rossi.
Rossi, riding with three broken bones in his right hand after a huge qualifying accident, braved the pain to try and secure the single point he needed to prevent Dani Pedrosa stealing second from him at the Valencian season finale.
Konica Minolta leaves MotoGP.
"The last three seasons have proven to be a real turning point for my company: together with our title sponsor Konica Minolta we have shared some very profitable activities and I would like to say I am proud to have created the Konica Minolta Honda Team," said Montiron.
Tech 3 confirms Dunlop split.
Earlier this morning, Crash.net columnist Mike Nicks revealed that Dunlop will quit the premier-class due to Tech 3's expected switch to Michelin and a lack of interest from other teams - despite current Tech 3 riders Sylvain Guintoli and Makoto Tamada qualifying fifth and sixth for this a
Warm-up times - Valencia.
Rossi completed eight laps with his injured right hand, but Chaz Davies (injured) and Carlos Checa (sick) didn't appear on track.
PICTURE: The remains of Rossi`s Yamaha.
The Italian sustained three fractures to his right hand after being thrown over the front of his M1, which then barrel-rolled to a halt, but he still hopes to ride in Sunday's season finale.
Stoner: Adriana has already scored it!
The Ducati Marlboro rider will start Sunday's season-ending grand prix from second on the grid after former 250GP rival Dani Pedrosa outpaced the Australian by just 0.086 seconds.
Ducati Corse invades Valencia.
The trip is a thank you for their sterling work, which has helped the Italian factory win the 2007 riders', constructors' and teams' MotoGP World Championships.
2008 tyre rules announced.
A shock single-brand proposal was put forward by Dorna during September's Japanese Grand Prix 'due to some factories being unable to acquire the tyres that they want for 2008' - but was then withdrawn on October 24.
<B>Rossi: I knew it was broken.</B>
Rossi's injuries were sustained when he was thrown off his bucking Fiat Yamaha on the exit of turn one, just ten minutes into the session.
<B>Pedrosa pole after dramatic session</B>.
Rossi fell from his Fiat Yamaha just nine-minutes into the hour when he lost control after running wide on the exit of turn one.
<B>Rossi accident update</B>.
Following his huge qualifying accident, Valentino Rossi has been diagnosed with three fractures in his right hand, but 'will attempt to ride' in Sunday's season-ending Valencian Grand Prix...
<B>Rossi hurt in huge qualifying fall.</B>
The former five times MotoGP world champion, looking to conclude a disappointing season with a fifth win at the 18th and final round, was thrown from his Fiat Yamaha after it began bucking viciously when he ran wide on the exit of turn one.
125: Talmacsi pole for title showdown.
Championship rival and Aspar Aprilia team-mate Hector Faubel had taken the Friday pole, but his advantage was overturned by the Hungarian with 12 minutes of the final qualifying session to go.
Chaz `hurting pretty bad`.
The Briton was taken to hospital in Valencia for a precautionary scan, but plans to be back on track on Saturday.
Is your name here?
As previously reported, to be part of Team KR's unique 'thank-you' fans simply had to register their name, or the name of a friend or family member, on the team's website before October 29th.
Pramac d`Antin becomes `Alice Team`.
Alice (pronounced A-leech-ay) is a division of Telecom Italia and a primary service provider of ADSL internet technology. The Alice Team will run Bridgestone-shod Desmosedici GP8s next season, ridden by new signings Toni Elias and Sylvain Guintoli.
Stoner`s strike rate rises.
Having now taken 10 victories from his 33 MotoGP starts, Casey Stoner has reached a win rate good enough for fifth in the 'modern era' of grand prix racing (since 1975) - and above triple world champion Wayne Rainey.
Edwards set for Factory farewell.
Amongst Edwards' highlights during three seasons with the factory team were the 2005 teams' and constructors' titles and a new MotoGP record of 17 point-scoring finishes. The Texan has also taken six M1 podiums, and came within one corner of a debut victory at Assen 2006.
Hopkins: It`ll be emotional.
The Anglo-American first rode a GSV-R back in 2003, but is 'going green' next season, after signing for Kawasaki.
Honda ends Biaggi hopes?
On the eve of the Malaysian Grand Prix weekend it was confirmed that Biaggi had both left Suzuki's factory World Superbike team, where he finished an excellent third during his debut 2007 season, and begun preliminary talks with Honda Gresini.