Somewhere Valentino's smiling...

Poor Jorge just does not learn...

Valentino Rossi: Back to the Future with Yamaha

Back to the future for the Doctor after his disastrous time at Ducati.  Promises of Audi endurance seats could not keep the seven time champion in Borgo Panigale,  Valentino will ride a Yamaha for 2013-14.

Rossi won four world championship on a Yamaha YRZ M1 and frankly,  as cool as it was to see an Italian champion on an Italian bike, watching him struggle was not much fun and probably bad for the sport's popularity.

Crotch Rocket Madness: Fastest 'Ring Lap Ever.

7 minutes and 10 seconds BTG, Andy Carlile, Yamaha YZF-R1.
Go read the whole story behind this on Dale's great BTG Blog.

Thank your lucky Alpinestars

Seriously, Jorge Lorenzo is the best commercial ever for Alpinestars gear: That and then pole the next day? That's just unreal.


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Valentino Rossi will ride for Ducati, writes love letter to his Yamaha

The worst kept secret of the MotoGP season has been made official today: The Doctor will ride a red Ducati for the next two seasons. In parting Valentino hand wrote a "love letter" to his Yamaha M1 and the team.

"It's hard to explain in a few words what my relationship with Yamaha has been for the past seven years. Many things have changed since that far away 2004 but especially her, my M1. At the time she was forlorn mid field MotoGP, derided by most riders and experts. Now, after having helped her grow and improve you can see her there, smiling in her stall, sought after and admired, treated like the belle of the ball...."

You could say it might be a parting note to Jorge Lorenzo too, enjoy the bike I made for you buddy, see you next year!end of post

Ironman 2: Rossi tests at Brno

Valentino Rossi was back in the saddle of a Yamaha Superbike again, this time at the Brno circuit in the Czech Republic . it was the second test in just a few days for Valentino who, despite doctors prognosis of a three month recovery following his compound leg fracture just over one month ago, wants to be back on a MotoGP this coming week end in Germany.

Rossi, in the interview, says pain sets in after six or seven laps. He did forty eight. A medical visit tomorrow will asses his condition further but either way, that a nine time world champion would try so hard pretty much says it all.


(Gazzetta dello Sport video)

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Ironman!

WLF!

Nine-time MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi steers his Yamaha YZF-R1 during a practice at the Misano circuit, in Misano, Italy, Wednesday, July 7, 2010. Rossi has made a remarkable return to action just over a month since breaking his leg in a crash. The Italian rider tested a Yamaha YZF-R1 bike at a private testing session at the Misano circuit on Wednesday. Rossi broke his right leg on June 5 during practice for the Italian Grand Prix. Following the accident he underwent surgery for two-and-a-half hours to repair a displaced and exposed fracture of his right tibia. (AP Photo/Albano Venturelli)

photo Ap

Valentino Rossi severely injured in Mugello crash.

Valentino Rossi's season is compromised after a bad fall in practice at Mugello today. Valentino was already riding with an injury to his shoulder but had managed to set the fastest time yesterday, ahead of championship leader and FIAT-Yamaha team mate Jorge Lorenzo. Towards the end of today's second practice, a nasty highside resulted in a compound, displaced fracture of his right tibia and fibula. Airlifted to Florence, he will be operated tonight, the prognosis is three months minimum.

Gazzetta Dello Sport reports Rossi was on his fist lap on hard tires and had slowed to let another rider pass, as he got on back on it, he lost the rear and was thrown. A rare mistake from Valentino who is under pressure from Lorenzo and a nasty end to a week end which had started with police arresting a deranged Ducati fan for making death threats towards Rossi. I guess even his new mohawk could not protect him. Get well soon Doctor, WLF!
UPDATE
UPDATE: Out of the operating room after a two hour procedure Dr. Costa called the operation "a complete success" and free of complications. He was not willing to give a timeframe for recovery however. "I have seen a lot of injuries and I probably could give you a prognosis but for the first time in my career, I would rather not. All I care about is that he will be treated correctly" Interesting comment.



More at MotoGP.com
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MotoGP @ 1500 frames per second.

Since everyone enjoyed F1 in super slow motion so much here are some MotoGP bikes, it's quite short but still very sweet. This is from the German GP at the Sachsenring where Valentino Rossi pulled off yet another amazing ride for his 101st win.

Don't miss a chance to see this race, like many MotoGP races this season, the entire thing was practically a highlight reel. I'm asking the question more and more, why bother watching car racing? In the broadcast the mentioned the lean angles are over 50 degrees...






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Can I have 4 laps of your time, Mr Mosley?

...and you too Mr. Ecclestone. Signor Di Montezemolo, Herr Haug, you might take a look as well for future reference. I would like you to pay particular attention to the roar of the crowds and urge you to compare it to the last race Formula 1 had in that cradle of motorsport that is Turkey. Consider it a clue.

Does not get much better than this fight amount the two Yamaha team riders on Sunday in Catalunya. I won't spoil it in case you missed it.






And here is the rest of it.

The Doctor and the T.T.

The Tourist Trophy is taking place this week and Valentino Rossi made an appearance on the Isle of Man with Giacomo Agostini to take in the scene, wave at the crowds and, probably, sell a few Yamahas.

A 34 mile lap makes the Nürburgring seem like a go kart track. That there are people willing to ride at speed on a track where the guard rails are made of trees, rocks and cattle wire is something I will never understand but will always be in awe of.

And here is the rest of it.

Let's ride Laguna Seca

onboard a Yamaha R6 ridden by Ricky Corey in the 2008 AMA 600 Super Sport final. The video, of the complete race is courtesy of Bullet DVR







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Superbike SeasonStarts at Phillip Island

The 2009 Superbike season started at Philip Island today. SBK's are a bit like the two wheel equivalent of tin top racing, production based bikes. There is some debate there as to exactly how you define "production based" but generally these are much closer to what you might go out and buy at your friendly motorcycle dealer than MotoGP prototypes.

Ducati, Aprilia, Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, Kawasaki and, this year for the first time in decades, BMW who entered their new S 1000 RR with Troy Corser and Ruben Xaus riding. Corser did well in the first race after a disaster in qualifying, in the very first race he started 17 and finished 8th. In race 2 Xaus had the highest top speed at 312 km/h. Nice to see BMW really come out of their super conservative road bike reputation.

The first win went to Haga on a Ducati in race 1 and Ben Spies the Yamaha R1 in race 2.

You can find the race after the jump (use "sbk")






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