British MotoGP star James Toseland returns to one of his favourite circuits looking for a change of fortune and some Californian sunshine at the weekend. The 27 year old Yorkshireman last raced at Laguna Seca in 2004 when he was involved in a tremendous battle for the lead with another MotoGP star Australian Chris Vermeulen in the World Superbike Championship.
It’s been a tough last three races for Toseland who finished 11th in the German rain after a wrong tyre choice but he still lies ninth in his debut MotoGP season riding the Tech 3 Yamaha. A good result on Sunday in the 32 lap race to consolidate or even improve that position is his aim before enjoying the long awaited summer break.
James Toseland “I’m really looking forward to racing at Laguna because it is one of my favourite tracks. I last raced there in 2004 and had a great scrap with Chris Vermeulen. It will be very interesting on a MotoGP bike and I aim to enjoy it. It should be a great weekend with Yamaha also planning some special events. Despite the result there were plenty of positives to take out of the German weekend but certainly not the weather and surely at last we are going to see some sunshine in California.”
Stoner Lives The American DreamCasey Stoner is looking for some Californian sunshine and a repeat of last year’s win to fight off his bout of flu at the Red Bull U.S Grand Prix at Laguna Seca on Sunday.
The 22 year old Australian World Champion certainly did nothing to fight off the flu with a superb victory in the pouring rain at the German Grand Prix at the Sachsenring last Sunday. It was his third consecutive victory on the Marlboro Ducati and he arrives at the demanding 2.243 miles Mazda Raceway at Laguna Seca on the Californian Monterey Peninsula brimming with confidence as he closes on Championship leaders Valentino Rossi and the injured Dani Pedrosa.
Stoner, who dominated the race at Laguna last year, is just 20 points behind Championship leader Rossi and only four behind Pedrosa who may be forced to miss round 11 of the MotoGP Championship after his crash while leading in Germany.
The Spaniard who was leading the Championship, crashed his Repsol Honda while comfortably leading the race and suffered a suspected broken index finger and ankle injury. He flew back to Barcelona on Monday for a further medical examination but could be forced to miss the race and also lose his second place in the World Championship.
Seven times World Champion Rossi knows it will be tough to fight off Stoner in the 32 lap race round iconic Laguna Seca track. His second place in Germany riding the Fiat Yamaha was enough for him to re-take the lead in the Championship but he’s never really gelled with the Californian circuit. His best result was three years ago when he finished in third place and it was a distant fourth place last year that really decided him to change tyre manufacturers.
American riders and the 2006 World Champion Nicky Hayden will be a threat to Rossi and Stoner urged on by the patriotic crowd. Hayden has already won twice in 2005/06 but is having a tough time on the Repsol Honda which was emphasised by his 13th place in Germany when he had to pit to change a rear tyre.
Former World Superbike Champion Colin Edwards could be the biggest threat on the Tech 3 Yamaha despite a crash in the German rain. Up till then he had finished in the top five in the previous five races and he held onto fifth place in the Championship.
Two more Americans make wild card entries. AMA Champion Ben Spies will join Chris Vermeulen and Loris Capirossi on a trio of Rizla Suzukis for his second MotoGP ride. Anglo/American Jamie Hacking replaces the injured John Hopkins at for his MotoGP debut with Kawasaki .
For the MotoGP rookies it will be their first racing visit to Laguna and the infamous Corkscrew bend. Double 250 cc World Champion Jorge Lorenzo was a spectator last year and will be looking to get back on track after his crash in Germany. Italian Andrea Dovizioso wants to finish the first part his excellent MotoGP debut season with points to consolidate or even improve on his sixth place in the Championship while Alex De Angelis will be encouraged by his fourth place in Germany.
There are no 125 or 250 cc World Championship races at Laguna and the MotoGP clash is the last before the summer break. Its outcome will have massive bearing on who enjoys that rest on the beach the most.
EVENT TIME SCHEDULEFriday 18th July10.00 – 11.00: MotoGP Practice
13.55 – 14.55: MotoGP Practice
Saturday 19th July10.00 – 11.00: MotoGP Practice
13.55 – 14.55: MotoGP Qualifying
Sunday 20th July09.40 – 10.05 MotoGP Warm Up
14.00: MotoGP RACE (32 laps)
Time Zone: GMT – 7 hours
TELEVISION TIMESPractice, qualifying and the races will be shown at the following times on British television:
BBCSunday July 20thBBC Two and BBC Sport Website 21.40 – 23.00 Race
EUROSPORTFriday July 18th: 21.45 – 23.00 MotoGP Practice
Saturday July 19th: 21.45 – 23.00 MotoGP Qualifying
Sunday July 20th: 21.45 – 23.00 MotoGP Race
