MotoGP news

Pole-sitter Stoner in fearless mood

Ducati MotoGP Team rider Casey Stoner completed a hat-trick of pole positions at Brno today, the remarkably fast and consistent Australian having dominated both days of practice for the third event running. Team-mate Loris Capirossi also showed well today, running fifth fastest in free practice and taking seventh in qualifying. 

"It went really well again today," said Stoner. "We had a little problem with the rear brake at the start of this afternoon's session, so we missed maybe 20 minutes. Once we had that fixed we were quite fast on race tyres that had had a few laps on them, so everything seems to be working quite well. Pole position is just a nice add-on, it's been another successful weekend, we've been quickest in every session bar one and things just seem to be going quite well for us at the moment. We definitely improved today, we didn't seem to find any problem getting the bike turned out of the corners today. Yesterday we had both bikes set up different, so we were testing between one and the other, now we have them set up the same; we decided which way to go and we've stuck with that. The bike seems to be working well, of course it's not perfect, but for race conditions I think we're looking pretty good. I'm still going for as many wins as it's possible to get before the end of the season. It's not easy to win races, so we're just going to see what happens and fight all the way."

Capirossi commented, "I'm really satisfied with my bike because I think we made a big step forward in tuning its electronic engine control systems. My rhythm is good. I don't think that all the guys who were fast on qualifying tyres will be as fast in tomorrow's race. But it's also true that apart from Casey, who has a very good pace, there'll probably be a bunch of riders who can run a competitive pace like mine. Our race tyres are good but I won't make my final choice until warm-up. This afternoon I did two good laps with my first two qualifiers but I made a mistake with my third - I took a risk in one corner and almost lost control, so I couldn't better my time. Anyway, I'm happy and I think that we can fight for a podium finish."

more news

• 30 Aug.
  • Stoner still fastest on Saturday morning
• 29 Aug.
  • Stoner confident despite aggrevating injury
  • Positive start for Rossi
  • Improvement for Lorenzo
  • Stoner fastest on Friday
  • Stoner sets morning pace
• 26 Aug.
  • Stoner determined to bounce back
  • Gresini riders aim high for Misano
• 22 Aug.
  • Repsol Honda back to full strength
• 20 Aug.
  • Melandri confirms Kawasaki move
• 19 Aug.
  • Nakano wraps up positive test for Gresini
  • Stoner ends test with threatening pace
  • Rossi confident for final rounds after test
• 18 Aug.
  • Good test ends strong weekend for Rossi
  • Ducati top test with Stoner
• 17 Aug.
  • Dismal end to disappointing weekend for Pedrosa
  • Stoner rues costly mistake
  • Encouraging results for Gresini
  • Rossi celebrates crucial victory
  • Rossi storms to win as Stoner crashes
  • Stoner still ahead in warm-up
• 16 Aug.
  • Photos: Saturday in Brno
  • Pedrosa struggles in qualifying
  • Rossi hoping for dry race
  • Stoner storms to sixth straight pole
  • Stoner fastest on Saturday morning
• 15 Aug.
  • Stoner fastest despite stomach pain
  • Rossi in confident mood
  • Gresini upbeat after first day
  • Photos: Friday in Brno
  • Stoner bites back in second practice
  • Rossi leads Stoner in first practice
• 12 Aug.
  • Stoner ready to resume battle
  • Gresini riders hopeful for Brno
  • Injured Hayden won't race at Brno
• 11 Aug.
  • Hayden uncertain for Brno
• 08 Aug.
  • Capirossi to equal Barros' record
• 25 Jul.
  • FIM announces provisional 2009 calendar
• 23 Jul.
  • Metatarsal fractures confirmed for Lorenzo
• 21 Jul.
  • Rossi savours sweet taste of victory

Homepage