Australia, next stopover for Dani Pedrosa and Nicky Hayden on the 2006 transoceanic trip.
Nicky Hayden wants to keep the leadership with a competitive race in Phillip Island. Dani Pedrosa is trying to recover as fast as possible to stay in the fight for the title
The end of the 2006 season is getting closer by leaps and bounds. After the exciting and hectic weekend at the Malaysian Grand Prix, where the heavy crash of Dani Pedrosa on Friday and the intense rainfall on Saturday at the Sepang track where the biggest news of the weekend, the next exciting race weekend is just about to start in Australia. In Sepang, the rain on Saturday gave way to sunshine on Sunday and Pedrosas crash ended-up in a brilliant and superb third place, despite the rider’s doubt about whether to race or not.
Thanks to Pedrosas epic performance, the young Repsol rider keeps the second position in the overall standings and the option to fight for the title until the last Grand Prix of the season. To do so, Dani will however have to take the overall leadership away from team mate Nicky Hayden. The North American rider of the Repsol Honda Team is leading the standings with an advantage of 22 points over Dani Pedrosa Dani shortened Haydens advantage by three points in Sepang-, and 25 points over the third place man, the current world champion from Italy Valentino Rossi. Pedrosa and Rossi who recovered 12 points of Haydens advantage in Sepang-, are the two direct rivals of the North American rider in the fight for the title. None of the 250cc Repsol riders had a good day at Sepang last weekend. Martín Cárdenas, despite making a good start, crashed in the second lap and that was the end of his hopes for a good race after finishing eighth during practice.
Team mate Shuhei Aoyama, seventh in the practice session, finished in an average sixth position despite the many crashed and retired riders in the front of the pack. In the minor class, Bradley Smith who had to miss out the race in Malaysia will be back into action at the demanding Australian track of Phillip Island. Smith, who was injured during the practice sessions of the Czech Grand Prix will back on his bike this weekend, almost recovered of the radius fracture in his left arm.
Rider´s comments:
Nicky Hayden:
‘Phillip Island is one of my favourite tracks for sure. I love the layout, the atmosphere and the racing there so Im looking forward to having a strong weekend. Every day and every session needs to be fast and consistent so well be looking to come out strong on Friday morning and have some fun here. My boys are working really hard and Ive got a strong team behind me so well give it all weve got for these final four races. Last year I was on pole position and I was second in the race so Ive had some good result at this track and I definitely need one this weekend! ‘
Dani Pedrosa:
‘Malaysia was a strange weekend because I was actually very close to deciding not to race at all, yet in the end the result was very good considering my physical condition. But I have received some injuries and of course this doesnt help me with the next two races being so close together. It would be nice if I can improve my physical condition before Phillip Island because the race in Malaysia was quite difficult and I was very tired at the end. We only have four days off which is not a lot for the body to recover, nevertheless I will be working to keep the flexibility in both legs and resting as much as possible. I tested at Phillip Island during the winter so I have some experience of a MotoGP bike on the track, though its not one of my favourite circuits. Lets see how the weather is like there I think it will be cold.’
Shuhei Aoyama:
‘Ive never been to Australia before so I dont know the racetrack. This time I havent even been able to make some laps with the Playstation; Ive only watched the videos of the races from previous years, so thats all I know. But Ill try to do my best as always and learn the track quickly to get ready for the race.’
Martín Cárdenas:
‘I raced in Australia last year and I think that its a very fast circuit. It has a lot of linked corners and there arent many hard breaking points, I actually found it difficult. I hope that things work out better for me there. The practices had been good in Sepang and I made a good start as well, but then came the crash. I really hope to make it better in Australia.’
Bradley Smith:
‘Im happy to be back into action because it wasnt funny watching the races of the Malaysian Grand Prix on TV. Im not 100% recovered yet because they took off the plaster only a few days ago, but fortunately the wrist was free and Ive been able to keep on moving it, so the recovery will be much better. Lets say that I am, according to what the doctors said, at 80%, but Ill put the rest because Im really looking forward to coming back. The only references I have of Phillip Island are the images on TV and the games I played with the Playstation.’
The venue of the GP:
Philip Island circuitThe Road Racing World Championship returned to one of the most traditional enclaves of motorsport in 1997. The history of the Phillip Island Circuit dates back to the 20s, when the first car races where held there on non-asphalted public roads. The first motorcycle race took place in 1931 although it was in 1956, when the first permanent track was built, on the initiative of six local businessmen. The circuit fell into disrepair in the late 70s and early 80s until it was rehabilitated and modernised in 1985, giving the track its current 4448 m in length with 7 left-hand and 5 right-hand corners. Located in a picturesque scenery, 130 km south-east of Melbourne and only a couple of metres from the waters of the Bass Straight, Phillip Island has been venue of memorable battles. Two Australian Grand Prix were held there in 1989 and 1990, before becoming a regular venue of the World Championship in 1997, after the announcement in 1995. Its long straight – 900 m provides for exciting slipstream overtakings. The inhabitants of this remote Australian town, a calm summer and tourist resort along the year, share the friendly atmosphere during the Australian Grand Prix week with motorsport and speed lovers.
Official website: http://www.phillipislandcircuit.com.au
