2012 bwin Grand Prix of Czech Republic
ROUND TWELVE 2012 MotoGP™ WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY AUGUST 26
CRUTCHLOW SEEKS CHANGE OF FORTUNE IN BRNO
Isle of Man-based Midlander Cal Crutchlow chases a change of fortune at the magnificent Brno circuit when he rides in the bwin Grand Prix of Czech Republic on Sunday. Crutchlow crashed out of the Indianapolis Grand Prix on Sunday and also fell twice from the Monster Energy Tech 3 Yamaha in practice and qualifying.
Despite the misfortune he still holds fifth place in the championship while Cumbrian James Ellison picked up another precious point when he finished 15th on his 50th Grand Prix appearance riding the Paul Bird Motorsport ART machine.
Scott Redding was the only British success at Indianapolis after finishing sixth in the Moto2™ race. The Gloucestershire teenager is fifth in the championship riding the Marc VDS machine. Two places behind him is 21 year old Bradley Smith who failed to score points this year after finishing 16th at Indianapolis with Londoner Gino Rea three places behind him.
Wiltshire teenager Danny Kent led the Moto3™ race from the front row of the grid at Indianapolis but eventually dropped to 12th. He‘s had some brilliant qualifying performances this year but just one podium finish. Danny Webb is doubtful for Brno after fracturing his right arm when he crashed the Mahindra in qualifying on Saturday.
Cal Crutchlow:
“Of course it was a disappointing weekend at Indianapolis with the three crashes but at least I was not hurt in any of them. The big positive is I was 1.2s faster than last year and at this level it is not a bad run to go 10 races in a row inside the top 10. I’ve got a chance to put things right in Brno next weekend and I will be doing my best to be challenging for a top result again.”
PEDROSA CLOSES IN FOR BRNO BATTLE
Indianapolis winner Dani Pedrosa is just 18 points behind championship leader Jorge Lorenzo as their battle continues at the bwin Grand Prix of Czech Republic at the ancient Brno circuit on Sunday.
It was just Pedrosa’s second win of the season but the Repsol Honda rider has finished off the podium on only one occasion in the 11 races this season. Lorenzo has just one win in the last five races but has won five grands prix and only been out of the top two on one occasion.
It promises to be another close fight in the 22 lap race round the 3.357 miles circuit. Lorenzo won the MotoGP™ race a couple of years ago while Pedrosa’s only success has come in the 125 cc class although he did start from pole last season.
Pedros’a team-mate World Champion Casey Stoner has won twice including last year but he arrives in the Czech Republic suffering with torn ankle ligaments and chipped bones in his right ankle following his spectacular crash during qualifying at Indianapolis. He completed an unbelievable race to finish fourth in America but now trails Lorenzo in the championship by 39 points.
Andrea Dovizioso is having a great season and took his fifth podium finish of the season at Indianapolis riding the Monster Tech 3 Yamaha. He holds a comfortable fourth place in the championship especially after his team-mate Cal Crutchlow crashed in Indianapolis but still retained fifth place in the title chase.
Honda satellite riders Stefan Bradl and Alvaro Bautista are separated by just two points in their battle for sixth. Bradl won his first grand prix in the 125 cc race at Brno in 2008 with Bautista successful two years earlier on route to the world title.
Valentino Rossi has won five MotoGP races at Brno and 16 years ago won his very first grand prix in the 125 cc race. His Ducati team-mate Nicky Hayden hopes to be fit to ride after missing his home race at Indianapolis following a qualifying crash in which he broke some bones in his hand. Ben Spies will be looking for a change of fortune after his Yamaha engine blew apart while he was challenging Pedrosa for the lead at Indianapolis.
Aleix Espargaro leads the CRT battle from his Power Electronics Aspar team-mate Randy De Puniet who is a previous 250 cc Brno winner as is Tony Elias who continues to replace the injured Hector Barbera on the Pramac Ducati.
Nineteen year old Marc Marquez continued his quest for the Moto2 World Championship before moving to MotoGP with a comprehensive Indianapolis victory. It was the Spanish teenager’s fifth win of the season and leads his great rival Pol Espargaro by an impressive 39 points. Last year’s Brno winner Andrea Iannone had a disappointing Indianapolis and dropped to third place with former 125 cc winner Tom Luthi fourth.
German Sandro Cortese arrives at Brno brimming with confidence. He leads the Moto3 Championship by 29 points and won the 125 cc race at Brno last year. His great rival Spanish teenager Maverick Vinales crashed on the last lap at Indianapolis while Spaniard Luis Salom won his first grand prix.
BRNO FACTS AND FIGURES
The 3.357 mile circuit is situated on a wooded hillside high above the City of Brno. It replaced the old road circuit that ran round the town and staged the Czechoslovakian Grand Prix between 1965 and 1982. The undulating purpose built circuit which held its first grand prix in 1987 is a great favourite with the riders and attracts big crowds.
Circuit Length: 5.403kms
Width: 15 m
Pole Position: Left
Longest Straight: 636m
Left Corners: Six
Right Corners: Eight
Pole Position Record:
Valentino Rossi/Yamaha
1.56.145 (2009)
Lap Record:
Jorge Lorenzo/Yamaha
1’56.670 (2009)
TELEVISION TIMES
BBC/BRITISH EUROSPORT 2
Friday 24 August
1210 – 1500 British Eurosport 2 – Live Practice Moto3, MotoGP, Moto2
Saturday 25 August
1155 – 1500 BBC Red Button & British Eurosport 2 – Live Qualifying Moto3, MotoGP, Moto2
Sunday 26 August
0955 – 1205 BBC Red Button – Live Moto3 and Moto2 races
0945 –1200 British Eurosport – Live Moto3 and Moto2 races
1230 — 1400 BBC2 and HD Live MotoGP race
CONTACTS
Nick will be available at the circuit from Thursday lunchtime until Sunday night. Please note Nick will not be available to answer the phone during qualifying or the races.
Email nick@nick-harris.co.uk
Mobile 07785 224 596
Crutchlow is looking for a change of fortune in Brno
