Yamaha Race Report ~ Sunday Silverstone MotoGP 6/20/10

Jorge Lorenzo ran away with the British Grand Prix at Silverstone this afternoon, storming home to win by 6.743 seconds to take his first UK win in the Premier Class. The Fiat Yamaha Team's sole representative in the absence of the injured Valentino Rossi, Lorenzo led from the first lap to come home ahead of Andrea Dovizioso and Tech 3 Yamaha rider Ben Spies, who took his maiden podium in MotoGP.
The Mallorcan got a strong start from pole position and led out of turn one but it was not all plain sailing as he became embroiled in a feisty first-lap battle with Dani Pedrosa. The pair traded the lead several times but it was Lorenzo who eventually led over the line and he was unchallenged from there on in, gradually extending his lead lap-by-lap and leaving his rivals trailing in the wake of his blue and white M1. With two laps remaining the gap to Dovizioso stood at more than eight seconds but Lorenzo slowed down on the final two laps to ensure he came home safely, which he duly did to the delight of the 70,000 British fans who are quickly adopting the spirited Spaniard as one of their own.
His third win of the season and another 25-point haul extends Lorenzo's lead to 37 points over Dovizioso in second, with Pedrosa now third. The absent Rossi falls to fourth in the championship but Lorenzo's consistency ensures that the Fiat Yamaha Team still leads the Teams' standings and Yamaha the Manufacturers'. The MotoGP paddock now faces a quick turnaround in order to get to Assen in time for next weekend's Dutch TT, which is as always a Saturday race.

Jorge Lorenzo - 1st, 41'34.083

"This was an important day for me and an important win, because I felt so strong and I enjoyed riding my Yamaha so much. I had a different feeling today; I felt that it was going to be a good race. It was quite hard to be fast at the start and the first lap with Dani was difficult, but once I got past him I felt very relaxed and comfortable. I thought he would follow me for a bit longer but he didn't and then I was on my own, so I just had to focus on myself; I didn't even know who was behind me! I never dreamt of taking three wins from five races but here we are and I am feeling very strong mentally at this moment. I want to thank my team, Yamaha and Bridgestone for this victory. The Beatles celebration was something fun for the fans, I love their music and I thought it was nice to make homage to them, since we're in England!"
Jorge Lorenzo

Wilco Zeelenberg - Team Manager Jorge Lorenzo

"This was a great performance by Jorge. The start was a little bit interesting, with us on the hard Bridgestone and some of the others on the softer one, but Jorge rode so well, kept his head and brought it home safely. Our bike is working very well and it was great to see Spies taking a podium on the Yamaha too, well done to him. It is impressive to have a 37-point gap at this stage but now we have four more races in very close succession so we can't relax. Well done to Jorge and to everyone for today."
Spies storms to maiden Silverstone podium
Ben Spies stormed to a stunning debut MotoGP podium for the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team this afternoon after a thrilling battle at the spectacular Silverstone circuit.Competing in only his ninth MotoGP race, Spies was locked in an early battle with fellow rookie Marco Simoncelli for sixth place before he became embroiled in an epic fight for second place.

Spies passed Dani Pedrosa on lap nine and then launched a brilliant pursuit of the group in front dicing for second that included Andrea Dovizioso, Randy de Puniet and fellow American Nicky Hayden. The Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider stalked the trio befo re he began a breathtaking late attack, firstly overtaking de Puniet for fourth place on lap 17. That clinical pass left Spies hounding Hayden's Ducati and the 25-year-old timed his crucial attack to perfection, the Texan ignoring the discomfort of a small fracture in his left ankle that he aggravated in a big qualifying crash yesterday.
Spies produced a daring overtake on Hayden at the fast Abbey Corner on the final lap and then defended supremely under immense pressure to claim third and his first premier class rostrum. The result moved Spies into seventh place in the overall world championship standings with 36-points and helped the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team close the gap on fourth place in the all-important Team World Championship classification.

Texan team-mate Colin Edwards rode a determined 20-lap race after a difficult w eekend where he never found the optimum setting with his YZR-M1 machine. He also encountered a repeat of the arm pump issue that hindered him at the last round in Mugello, but he was satisfied having rode to a creditable ninth position to maintain his record of scoring points in every race so far in 2010.
Ben Spies

Ben Spies - 3rd +7.097 sec.

"I didn't expect to get my first podium so quickly, especially after yesterday which wasn't the best for me. I got a decent start but once I got by Dani and Simoncelli I just tried to stay on the back of the group battling for the podium. Once I realised I could stay in contention I just tried to save the rear tyre as much as I could and it all worked out. The last few laps I pushed as hard as I could and made some good passes and it is great for Yamaha and the Monster Tech 3 Team. I'm also pretty happy about it too and this is good for my confidence. That last lap was difficult to pass Nicky but I got a really good drive onto the back straight and tried to pass him at Stowe Corner but he came back by. On the next straight I managed to get by him and then had to ride quite defensively on the last part of the lap. I was on the edge but I had to go for the podium and it worked out. It will be hard to duplicate this but right now I'll let it sink in and make the most of it. But on this day I can say I was the third best rider in the world and it is a good feeling."
Colin Edwards

Colin Edwards - 9th +27.954 sec.

"I don't want to be finishing in ninth at all but honestly I'm reasonably happy with the way I rode and it was a lot better than I expected after what has been a tough weekend. I'm still a fair way behind the top group but I had so many problems this weekend that even a top ten was looking lik e a difficult result to achieve. I didn't leave anything out there and I went better than I did in qualifying but it was still not easy. The bike isn't agile enough and having to muscle it around gave me a small arm pump problem, but not as bad as Mugello. If I could get the bike to go where I want it to go I could save lots of time, but we've got some ideas for the future. It was a bit of a lonely race but I rode as hard as I could for as long as I could. I want to congratulate Ben though because he did an awesome job and I've got nothing but admiration for him. He showed today what a great rider he is and it is great for the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team to be back on the podium."

Herve Poncharal - Team Manager

"We knew Ben really liked this circuit and we thought he could do a good race. But he rode an incredible race because he didn't get a fantastic start but he was v ery aggressive in the first two laps and got himself into contention. He never let that group in front of him go away and we know his strength is on worn tyres, so we expected him to hang in until the end. He was quickest on track at one stage but I was worried a little bit because Casey was catching quite quickly. But he kept his cool and made some good passes and the best was on the last lap to beat Nicky.
It his first podium in MotoGP and certainly not his last because he is such a bright talent for the future. I'd like to say thanks to Yamaha and to Bridgestone and also to the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team because since the start of the season it has been a little bit up and down. But we've never stopped trying hard and today we got a big reward. Colin rode a steady race and as always he never stopped trying to improve his situation and we know better results will come for him soon. Now we look forward to Assen that both Colin and Ben like a lot and we are confident of anot her competitive weekend."

Circuit Length: 3619
Temp: 17
Crowd: 70000
Weather: Dry
Lap Record: 1'56.459 (Chris Vermeulen, 01/01/2003)
Fastest Lap Ever: 1'56.096 (Jurgen van den Goorbergh, 01/01/2003)


2010 MotoGP Great Britain - Silverstone 6/20/2010

Race 1 - 20 Laps
Pos.RiderManu.Nat.Total Time

1Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha ESP41'34.083
2Andrea Dovizioso Honda ITA0'06.743
3Ben SpiesYamaha USA 0'07.097
4Nicky Hayden Ducati USA0'07.314
5Casey Stoner Ducati AUS0'07.494
6Randy De Puniet Honda FRA0'09.055
7Marco Simoncelli Honda ITA0'14.425
8Daniel Pedrosa Honda ESP0'15.313
9Colin Edwards Yamaha USA0'27.954
10Aleix Espargaro Ducati ESP0'42.394
11Hector Barbera Ducati ESP0'43.365
12Alvaro Bautista Suzuki ESP0'43.408
13Mika Kallio Ducati FIN0'43.580

Rider Standings 6/20/2010


Pos.RiderManu.Nat.Points

1.Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha ESP115
2.Andrea Dovizioso Honda ITA78
3.Daniel Pedrosa Honda ESP73
4.Valentino Rossi Yamaha ITA61
5.Nicky Hayden Ducati USA52
6.Randy De Puniet Honda FRA46
7.Ben Spies Yamaha USA36
8.Casey Stoner Ducati AUS35
9.Marco Simoncelli Honda ITA32
10.Marco Melandri Honda ITA32
11.Colin Edwards Yamaha USA26
12.Hector Barbera Ducati ESP24
13.Aleix Espargaro Ducati ESP22
14.Hiroshi Aoyama Honda JPN18
15.Mika Kallio Ducati FIN15

Manufacturer Standings 6/20/2010


Pos.ManufacturerPoints

1.Yamaha120
2.Honda97
3.Ducati65
4.Suzuki23

Track side from Red Bull MotoGP Laguna Seca 2009

This past weekend the Red Bull MotoGP took place for three fun filled days at Laguna Seca Race way, in beautiful Seaside California. I was fortunate enough to be a part of the NMP medic team thanks to my dear friend, Jeannine, who is trained as an EMT ( emergency medical technician) but is currently in the midst of becoming an RN.

Our job as a NMP, is to patiently wait on specifically designated turns on the track in preparation for any and all mishaps, accidents or malfunctions that might occur while the motorcycles are on the track. If one or several were to occur, our main focus is getting the rider off the track, if he is up and mobile. If they are injured, we then ask a series of questions to the rider to try and access how bad the injury is and then take the appropriate steps until the ambulance arrives, which stands by on the premises.

Friday, July 3, was to be my first day out on the Laguna Seca track. All turn workers, NMP's and "so called" medics were to convene at 6:30 AM to pick up our fashionable orange track vests, walkie talkies and for the NMP's, a blue shirt that made us stand out from the rest of the team. We were mandated to all wear white, as to be unassuming.


My first assigned turn was turn 3 or T3, I met up with 2 turn workers from my first track side experience a few months prior at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma CA. Barb, a flag worker who had the most infectious laugh and her skills as a flag worker were nothing less than impressive. Guy, who is a chef in a Napa bed & breakfast during the week and very experienced track side worker on the weekend, with over 20 years under his belt working trackside. I loved listening to his fervid analogies of the who, what, why and where's in motorcycle racing.

I will be working two more AFM race events at Infineon, and look forward to seeing Guy and Barb and all my other new found track side friends in the near furture!

The first day at T3 ended up being penurious in our expectations of what Jeannine and I had anticipated for our three day track experience with professional racers. After sitting around for 13 hours with little to no action, let alone an actual race, we were left tired, disappointed and dreading the next two days to come.

One of the requirements for the day was doing track inspections. We were required to stand at attention on the side of the track at arms length making sure that the turn workers and 2 different groups of medics were obviously separated apart. We would stand there and wait and watch while the BMW "safety car" would go round and round the track giving a thumbs up if we had properly set out the medic bag, back board and two bales of hay covered in a form fitted tarp, along with being in our designated positions. If not, they would stop after passing, back up and with lights flashing, just for a more daunting effect, linger, for what seemed like forever, then take off again. This would go on for a half an hour or so or until we received the "stand down" signal. This ritual was required to be performed 1 to 2 times every day.

Compared to working the AFM races, I was amazed at how few races there were. AFM in one day can have upwards of 12 races, where MotoGP had a total of 4 races in 3 days. Whatever!!

The highlight of day one, was going into the "hot Pits." this is where the racer's bikes would be along with some of the racers. After getting a much needed break from manning our T3 position, Paul, a internal physician from Atwater, an avid track rider and our fearless NMP leader for the day, suggested we go into to the restricted "hot Pit" area and see the race bikes. Jeannine and I were apprehensive about the idea being we didn't have the proper tickets to enter. But, we followed him in like puppy dogs as he walked through like he owned the place.


With our uniforms and medical fanny packs strapped on, nobody questioned us as we passed through numerous check points. I guess we looked official and in search of a medical emergency, which of course, to us, would equate scoring Valentino Rossi's autograph!

Arriving at the 18 mini garage stalls where the mechanics were fervidly working on the motorcycles. Hoards of fans stammered to get a glimpse of the bikes and if they were lucky, one or all of the 18 riders, themselves. We dove right in and managed to capture some great shots of the bikes and one with me and Loris Capirossi. Yeah! Paul was happy when got his picture taken with the umbrella girls, one of which he recognized from BARF (Bay Area Riders Forum).
One thing that was surprising to me, is how short in stature and small the racers are, it was very reminiscent of horse jockeys. Not what I would expect, but made sense.

As the weekend would progress on, it was fun to see the turn working crew collect autographs from the racers on their track Jerseys. Jordan, one of the NMP's who I worked with on T8 on Sunday, had his hat covered in autographs and by time I saw him on Sunday, they had migrated to his orange track jersey!

Day 2 Saturday, was a much, much better day, Jeannine and I were put on T2, a wide but tight left turn, with a clear view of T3 where we were dying of boredom the day before only to watch Casey Stoner high side from our position at T2. Figures! He managed to recuperate, with a dislocated shoulder and hip injury, and went on to race the next day and came in 4Th place.

For the most part T2 was fairly quiet with a couple low siders, but nothing exciting or serious. Still, working the track was growing on us and we were enjoying it immensely.

Day 3, Sunday, was to be race day, a whopping 3 races, 2 AMA and 1 MotoGP! It was decided by the higher powers that be (Ann), that Jeannine and I were to be split up. What??? My mentor, my confidant, my rock!! Help!!

I was assigned T8-A, the "corkscrew." As I took the draggin' wagon up to the top, where the track crested, I was blown away by how tight and steep the 2 short S-shaped turns were. As I disembarked off the truck, I could tell I was going to have the best seat in the house, okay, so I didn't have a seat, per se, but I would have gladly given mine up for the view I had!


As I talked with my new group of turn workers for the day, they had informed me that there had been little to no action on this part of the track all weekend and they didn't expect much today. I didn't care, and was actually kind of hoping that would be the case, since this was my second official race participation and I didn't want the pressure of having to rise to the occasion with the little experience I had!

When the MotoGP race began, it took awhile until they came around the tight left turn in preparation for the "corkscrew" turn, and when they did, it was the most amazing vision and sound I have ever heard in my life. The decimal difference between the AMA and the MotoGP bikes were undeniable. Even with earplugs in, which was a must with the MotoGP bikes, hearing the roar of the 800 4 stroke 240 hp engines. A purpose-built pure breed prototype racing bike with a sound that is like music to one's ear, if you are a true fan of the sport.


Witnessing these world class professional riders take the first couple corkscrew turns at the beginning of the race was jaw dropping incredible. I stood there with my hand over my mouth in awe of the artistic bravura flowing in a unison serpentine dance, banking from right to left in the S formation of the track, at an unbelievable speed. They were coming down so fast, my eyes could not keep up. As the race would progress on, and the riders would put more distance between themselves, I could always tell when Valentino Rossi was coming because of the helicopter that would consistently follow his every turn.

Dani Pedrosa, went on to take the winners podium for the Repsol Honda team. It was not to be for Valentino on this epic day.


The AMA Daytona Sport bike race was to bring the most excitement of the day. At lap 10, three riders, Jason Di Salvo, Chris Filmore and Ricky Parker went down in a domino effect in the corkscrew, which immediately brought the red flag.

As we stood there watching in shock and disbelief, we kicked into gear and ran out to try and contain some semblance of order by attempting to get all three riders and bikes off the track as quickly as possible without causing more collisions with a clear and present danger of getting hit while trying to do so. Thankfully nobody was hurt, just the bikes!



Ben Bostrom ended up taking the winners podium, with a last minute dive to the first position.

I was so impressed by the quick and responsive actions that all the track workers took in the all the chaos. They should be commended for doing such a great job. I couldn't help but notice while doing my 3 day stint at Laguna Seca Raceway, the lack of appropriate recognition that they deserve, sitting track side all day, getting very little pay and risking their lives for the riders safety. I think this should be addressed. In a BIG way!

My three day experience as a NMP medic at Laguna Seca participating in the MotoGP races was one of those ineffable moments in life that no one will ever understand unless you experience it yourself.
I loved meeting new friends, seeing current friends and seeing the intensity of the race track, up close and personally. I will treasure my gift and look forward to next year.

Cindi
NMP medic and proud of it!!