NEXT MOTOGP HEADS DOWN UNDER
13 September 2006 - Moto GP

GMC Australian Grand Prix preview

With barely enough time to catch their breath after an awe-inspiring race in Malaysia, the MotoGP world tour moves south for the GMC Australian Grand Prix, the second of three races on the flyaway leg of the season. Some riders will be looking to carry their form over from Sepang to Phillip Island, whilst for others it will be the chance to improve on their result in Malaysia.

One of the riders wanting to do the latter is World Championship leader Nicky Hayden. The Repsol Honda rider took fourth place in the Marlboro Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix, and saw his lead at the top of the overall standings reduced to 22 points over title rival and team-mate Dani Pedrosa, and 26 over reigning World Champion Valentino Rossi.

Pedrosa, suffering from a knee injury after an accident in practice for the Malaysian race, was a doubtful participant last weekend but, after taking the late decision to ride, defied the odds to take third. Taken immediately to the Clinica Mobile after ascending the podium, the rookie title contender has little time to recover after a hard Grand Prix.

Valentino Rossi, victorious in the last round, is gathering momentum in his quest for a sixth premier class title. With the opportunity to leave the final race of the triple flyaway at the top of the classification, and two tracks where he has experienced success before coming up, the tide seems to finally be turning in Rossi’s favour after lots of bad luck this year. With his two main rivals either off-form or walking wounded, can the Italian star close the gap yet further?

Loris Capirossi lies in fourth overall, having battled with Rossi in Malaysia. The Australian public will be eager to see a repeat of one of the numerous battles between the Ducati rider and Rossi which have provided some of the season’s most exciting moments so far.

Marco Melandri could overtake his two compatriots in the standings at Phillip Island, and after failing to get on the podium in Malaysia he will be eager to pick up points in the next round. He is under little pressure from the chasing pack in the World Standings, 59 points ahead of Casey Stoner in sixth. LCR Honda’s Australian rookie heads to his home circuit for the first time as a MotoGP rider, and there is sure to be a huge turnout to support the local hero at the GMC Australian Grand Prix who will be keen to make up for disappointment last year when he crashed out of the lead in the 250cc race.

A trio of American riders trail Stoner in the overall classification, with Kenny Roberts Jr, Colin Edwards and John Hopkins separated by just 12 points. Shinya Nakano completes the top ten as the riders head to Phillip Island expecting chilly conditions and bracing coastal gusts.

In 250cc, Jorge Lorenzo comes off a run of four victories in five races and holds a 12-point advantage over Andrea Dovizioso. With both consistent podium finishers, the title race could take many twists and turns over the next two weeks, with the Phillip Island race perhaps giving a better idea of who will take this year’s quarter litre crown.

Alex de Angelis and Yuki Takahashi are separated by a single point in their battle for third place, whilst Roberto Locatelli and Hiroshi Aoyama round off the top six places.

Alvaro Bautista arrives in Australia knowing that he only has to finish ahead of Mika Kallio to take his first 125cc world title. The Spaniard won his sixth race of the season in Malaysia, and Kallio’s second place couldn’t stop the gap between them extending. With an advantage of 74 points separating the two, the crowd at Phillip Island could well see a new champion crowned in their homeland.

Kallio did manage to increase the points margin between himself and Mattia Pasini in Sepang, and is now 25 points ahead in what is surely a battle for his second consecutive runner-up spot in the championship. The first six also includes Sergio Gadea, Hector Faubel and Lukas Pesek.

Circuit information

Phillip Island, the self-styled home of Australian motorsport, is steeped in motor racing tradition, with the first car races having been held there on public roads in the 1920s. The first motorcycle races took place in 1931 and a permanent track was built in 1956. The circuit fell into disrepair during the late 70s and early 80s until it was bought in 1985 and given a AUS $5m facelift.

MotoGP returned in 1989 and 1990 before becoming a regular fixture once more from 1997 onwards. The Phillip Island circuit is blessed with breathtaking scenery and beautiful ocean views and, as one of the fastest, most fluid, tracks on the calendar, it continues to provide some of the most spectacular racing in the MotoGP season.

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