Yamaha Mundur, Ducati Maju, Hasilnya Beda

ITGP – Seri Mugello jelas menjadi race terketat diantara delapan seri yang sudah berlangsung sepanjang musim 2011 ini. Di seri inilah untuk pertama kalinya posisi 5 besar baru bisa ketahuan di lap terakhir. Selain itu, Grand Prix Italia juga kembali membuka beberapa fakta.

Pertama, tentu kembali kompetitifnya performa Yamaha. Dua rider Yamaha Factory Racing secara bergiliran memenangkan balapan. Ben Spies di Assen dan Jorge Lorenzo di Mugello. Keberhasilan Lorenzo menaklukkan dua rider Repsol HOnda, Casey Stoner dan Andrea Dovizioso serta suksesnya Spies mengatasi perlawanan Marco Simoncelli juga menunjukkan YZR-M1 sudah bisa mengimbangi kekuatan Honda RC212V. Dan semua itu tak lepas dari keputusan Yamaha kembali memakai chassis 2010.

Bertolak belakang dengan Yamaha, team Ducati justru mengambil langkah sebaliknya. Mereka memasang mesin 800cc pada chassis (dan komponen-komponen lainnya) yang dipersiapkan untuk musim depan. Setelah dua seri dipakai, apa boleh buat, hasilnya belumlah bisa dikatakan memuaskan.

Hasil yang dicapai Valentino Rossi di Mugello kali ini bahkan seolah-olah memberi pembenaran terhadap FIM. Lha apa hubungannya dengan FIM?

Begini. Menjelang seri Assen, Ducati mengumumkan bahwa Rossi akan balapan dengan GP12 yang bermesin 800cc (dinamai GP11.1). Sejak pengumuman itu, gelombang kritik mengarah kepada federasi balap motor dunia (FIM). Banyak media menganggap FIM telah teledor membuat regulasi sehingga dengan mudah dimanfaatkan oleh pihak Ducati.

Lalu apa hubungannya degan GP Mugello?

Rossi adalah raja circuit Mugello. Dia sudah memenangkan balapan di sana sebanyak 7 kali berturut-turut (2002-2008). The Doctor juga sudah sempat menguji GP12 di circuit yang sama sebanyak dua kali. Dan menurutnya, motor itu jauh lebih baik dari GP11.

Tetapi ketika GP12 dipasangkan dengan mesin 800cc ternyata hasilnya tidaklah terlalu istimewa, setidaknya setelah berjalan dua seri. Dengan kata lain, keputusan FIM memberi kesempatan rider resmi menguji motor untuk 2012 tidak serta merta bisa dimanfaatkan oleh pabrikan sebagai ajang pengembangan pacuan mereka untuk musim 2011 yang sedang berjalan.

Singkatnya, mesin 800cc dengan 1000cc memiliki karakteristik yang berbeda. Meskipun keduanya dipasang pada wadah yang sama, belum tentu akan menghasilkan output yang sama juga.

Selain soal keputusan Yamaha dan Ducati tersebut, hal menarik lainnya dari GP Italia tentu adalah sepak terjang Andrea Dovizioso. Keputusannya untuk menyalip sang team-mate Casey Stoner telah menyelamatkan Honda dari tudingan praktek team order. Walaupun bukan tidak mungkin hal itu akan memberi Dovi masalah kedepan karena bagaimanapun tindakannya justru menolong Lorenzo mendekati poin Stoner di kelasemen.

Tentu saja kita tidak berharap hal itu terjadi. Sayangnya Dovi tidak berhasil meraih kemenangan di kampung halamannya. Karena jika itu terjadi tentu saja dia justru malah menjadi pahlawan buat Stoner. Tetapi musim masih tersisa lebih dari setengah, dengan unggul 19 poin, Stoner masih punya kans besar untuk kembali jadi juara dunia MotoGP. Dari sudut pandang penonton, jarak poin yang tak terlalu lebar antar rider tentu membuat seri demi seri MotoGP kian menarik untuk dinanti.

Test Resmi Motor Bermesin 1000cc Sepi

ITGP – Awalnya test resmi Mugello usai race direncanakan menjadi test resmi pertama motor 1000cc dari pabrikan peserta MotoGP serta team baru yang sudah memastikan ikut bergabung. Nyatanya, dalam test resmi tersebut hanya Marc VDS Racing Team yang menguji motor bermesin 1000cc.

Yamaha yang sebelumnya sudah mengkonfirmasi akan menunjukkan ke publik untuk pertama kalinya motor 1000cc mereka di Mugello, memutuskan mengundur jadwal test hingga usai GP Brno. Sedangkan Ducati memilih melakukan uji coba sendiri sebelum Grand Prix Italia berlangsung. Keduanya lantas melewatkan sesi test resmi kali ini.

Sementara Honda lebih memilih fokus melakukan uji beberapa komponen untuk motor 800cc mereka. Sebelumnya Casey Stoner sudah sempat mencoba Honda 1000cc di circuit Jerez selama dua hari, sedangkan Dani Pedrosa belum sempat mencobanya karena saat private test itu berlangsung ia masih cedera.

HRC kemudian memastikan test Mugello adalah test terakhir dengan mesin 800cc. Uji coba-uji coba berikutnya akan menggunakan motor prototype untuk musim 2012 mendatang.

Bagaimanapun juga terlihat seperti ada kesengajaan para pabrikan untuk tidak menunjukkan prototype 1000cc mereka pada official test Mugello.

Video : Valentino Rossi greeted fans at Mugello 2011

Valentino Rossi is the King of Mugello, which stood at seven consecutive titles from 2002 to 2008.

But since a move to Ducati this season, Rossi has not shown compelling performances. Obtaining best only the third podium.

In the race at Mugello last week, The Doctor could only finish in sixth place after starting the race from the 12th position.

However, at the end of the race Rossi on the podium to deliver a speech to the fans in Mugello.

Here's the video ..!

Mugello Extend on MotoGP Until 2016

Mugello circuit will continue to host MotoGP until at least the next five years. The reason, they have signed a contract extension with Dorna, the MotoGP rights holders.

3.259 km long circuit's Ferrari has been the organizer of the race since 1991. In fact, the first time the circuit into the world of motor racing championship in 1976.

Dorna boss, Carmelo Ezpeleta, said he was happy and proud of the circuit. Moreover, in those years they made ​​some major changes, which of course for the success of the Italian GP.

"This is a great facility, which will remain a place in the MotoGP World Championship calendar until at least 2016," said Ezpeleta.

"The organization of this race is very professional and a number of changes that we found this year is no problem, and actually raising the bar even higher.

"Podium audience on the line start / finish, as well as the asphalt that gets rave reviews from riders in three classes, as well as the environment in Mugello, making a very special race. Luckily, this place continues to be a mainstay in MotoGP."

Fantastic Lorenze Surpass Two Honda at Mugello

Jorge Lorenzo look fantastic on the Mugello Circuit, Italy, Sunday (03/07/2011). In the eighth series of MotoGP 2011, the Yamaha rider is bulldoze Repsol Honda duo, Andrea Dovizioso and Casey Stoner, who had to settle for finishing behind him. Meanwhile, Lorenzo's teammate, Ben Spies, Marco Simoncelli shifting from fourth position just before touching the finish line.

With this result, Lorenzo managed to reply to his disappointment at the Dutch Grand Prix last week, and he could cut the distance to Stoner in the standings. Now, the 2010 world champion collected a total of 133 points or behind 19 points from Stoner, who is still firmly on top.

The results are also shown quite encouraging host hero, Valentino Rossi, who gush Ducati Desmosedici GP11.1. "The Doctor", who won seven consecutive seasons from 2002-2008, managed to finish at Mugello in the sixth, despite starting from the 12th position. The success of this little get a warm welcome from about 83,000 fanatical supporters who witnessed it directly from the circuit.

The race story

When the five red lights mark the race began, Stoner immediately skyrocketed. Lorenzo is the start of the fifth was immediately thrust into the second position, ahead of teammate Spies. The Yamaha duo outperformed teammate Stoner, Dovizioso.

Just one lap left, the Ducati rider Nicky Hayden has left the tracks. Luckily, teammate Rossi is not falling and the only "slip" in the gravel so they can return to the track to continue the race. Meanwhile, Stoner has recorded the fastest lap so away from the pursuit of Lorenzo and winning more than one second.

Stoner led the race followed by Lorenzo and Andrea Dovizioso. In the back, Valentino Rossi, who started from 12th position to 10th position pushed in just a few laps.

Simoncelli, who are less good at start, gradually began to lunge forward. Entering the third lap, the spiky Italian Spies can shift from fourth and he began to threaten Dovizioso. Similarly Rossi, who managed to climb two strips to the order of 10.

Rossi made an aggressive movement which later rose to ninth position after overtaking Cal Crutchlow, rose to eight over after Colin Edwards and eventually rose again to number seven with bulldoze Hector Barbera.

In front, Stoner began to develop a distance. Tight battle occurred in the second position when on lap eight when Lorenzo Lorenzo Dovizioso after a little wide.

Four laps went by, there was no drama happening on the Mugello track. However, Dovizioso had made camp Yamaha panic because almost passed Lorenzo, who was too slow braking, when the straight track. Meanwhile, on the front, Stoner continues to make the distance with Lorenzo and was superior to 1.8 seconds. This condition makes the competition for champions to be less exciting because there is Stoner's no opponent. Nevertheless, Lorenzo-Dovizioso competition continues to heat up and the peak occurred on the seventh lap, the Italian rider Lorenzo managed to overtake.

The most exciting fight actually occurred on the back competing for the sixth position. Rossi, Hector Barbera, Colin Edwards, Dani Pedrosa, and Alvaro Bautista involved tight battle that occurred an overtaking action. On lap 10, Rossi made it through Barbera to be in the sixth. The Rossi supporters who packed a direct circuit standing ovation, to celebrate the small successes of their local hero, who indeed throughout the 2011 season was very difficult. However, it is difficult for Rossi to improve his position because he was far behind the group in front of him.

Back to the front, Lorenzo was again in second when it managed to pass Dovizioso on lap 11. However, the fight is only happening between two drivers is because Stoner was too far ahead, while Simoncelli little way behind and gets a serious threat from Spies. Sure enough, on lap 14, the position of Spies Simoncelli coup.

On lap 15, Ben Spies to overtake Marco Simoncelli for occupying the fourth position. In front, Stoner still leads followed by Lorenzo and Dovizioso.

Lorenzo fantastic

Lorenzo hard effort, which take his bike to the maximum, began to uncover the hope to fight for the championship. Because, on lap 16, he could cut the gap which was originally almost 2 seconds, down to just 0.3 seconds. Fantastic! Just one lap later, Lorenzo managed to overtake Stoner when cornering to the left. The Spaniard was taken directly from the inside and is at the forefront.

Entering the 18th lap, Lorenzo managed to make the gap more than 0.6 seconds. A very favorable conditions for the former double world champion 250 cc class, to cut the difference in points with Stoner in the standings. He also continues to leave his Australian rivals the original. Meanwhile, in the fourth, Simoncelli again improve his position after overtaking Spies.

On lap 23 which is the last lap, when Lorenzo was comfortable in the forefront, actually happened tight battle between fellow Honda rider, Stoner and Dovizioso. Although they are in a team, Dovizioso did not want to be embarrassed in their own home so that he continues to push the bike to overtake Stoner. Apparently his hard work succeeded so he's entitled to number two on the podium.

Meanwhile, in the fourth, Simoncelli had to swallow the disappointment when it will reach the finish line. The reason, Spies, who scored the first victory in the arena of MotoGP win the Dutch Grand Prix, managed to pass before the flag-raising finish. As for Rossi remained in sixth place after beating Barbera, Pedrosa, Edwards and Hayden, who in succession behind him.

After the race at Mugello, the rider has a chance to rest for one week. On 17 July, they will fight on the ninth series at Sachsenring Circuit, Germany.

- Italian GP Results

1. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha ESP Factory Racing 41m 50.089s

2. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Repsol Honda 41m 51.086s

3. Casey Stoner AUS Honda Repsol 41m 51.232s

4. Ben Spies USA Yamaha Factory Racing 41m 59.069s

5. Marco Simoncelli ITA San Carlo Honda Gresini 41m 59.165s

6. Valentino Rossi ITA Ducati Marlboro 42m 16.539s

7. Hector Barbera ESP Mapfre Aspar 42m 18.834s

8. Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda ESP 42m 22.132s

9. Colin Edwards USA Tech 3 Yamaha Monster 42m 23.510s

10. Nicky Hayden USA Ducati Marlboro 42m 24.813s

11. Hiroshi Aoyama JPN San Carlo Honda Gresini 42m 27.448s

12. Karel Abraham CZE Cardion AB Motoracing 42m 34.053s

13. Alvaro Bautista ESP Rizla Suzuki 42m 37.743s

14. Randy de Puniet FRA Pramac Racing 42m 38.929s

15. Toni Elias Honda ESP LCR 43m 5.288s

DNF:

Cal Crutchlow GBR Tech 3 Yamaha Monster

- Standings

1. Casey Stoner 152

2. Jorge Lorenzo 133

3. Andrea Dovizioso 119

4. Valentino Rossi 91

5. Nicky Hayden 77

6. Ben Spies 74

7. Dani Pedrosa 69

8. Hiroshi Aoyama 56

9. Colin Edwards 53

10. Marco Simoncelli 50

11. Hector Barbera 44

12. Karel Abraham 37

13. Toni Elias 35

14. Cal Crutchlow 32

15. Alvaro Bautista 30

16. Loris Capirossi 22

17. Randy de Puniet 12

18. Johns Hopkins 6

19. Kousuke Akiyoshi 3

Usai Balapan, Dovi Terharu

ITGP – Andrea Dovizioso menjalani balapan yang fantastis di Mugello. Bukan cuma lantaran untuk pertama kalinya di musim 2011 ini ia berhasil mengalahkan rekan satu timnya, Casey Stoner tetapi juga karena sensasi luar biasa yang dirasakannya di depan publik Italia. Bahkan sampai-sampai Dovi mengaku menangis usai balapan.

“Saya hampir malu mengakuinya, tapi saya menangis setelah balapan. Melihat semua orang bersorak untuk saya dan mendesak saya tampil hebat, dan itu tidak pernah terjadi pada saya sebelumnya. Hanya pada lap terakhir saya menyadari adalah mungkin untuk mengalahkan Stoner.. “, ungkap Dovizioso seperti dikutip oleh GPone.

Namun apa boleh buat, Dovi juga tak bisa menyembunyikan kekecewaannya karena tidak berhasil menjadi juara, padahal ia sangat dekat dengan Jorge Lorenzo yang akhirnya sukses meraih kemenangan keduanya di musim 2011 ini.

“Kurang dari satu detik di belakang Jorge, benar-benar race yang intens. Track ini menawarkan grip yang bagus tapi kami bertiga benar-benar pada limit dari (kemampuan) ban”, lanjut Dovizioso.

Dovi bisa dibilang kebalikan dari Marco Simoncelli. Tak terlalu menonjol dalam sesi latihan dan kualifikasi tetapi selalu bisa tampil kuat saat balapan.

“Pendekatan saya untuk sesi latihan berbeda dari rider lain. Mungkin saya tidak menunjukkan banyak hal, tapi saya tahu saya cepat di sini.”

Saat ini rider bernomor 4 itu berada di urutan ketiga dalam kelasemen, hanya 14 poin di belakang Lorenzo dan 33 poin dari Stoner. Berarti peluang untuk meraih title juara dunia masih terbuka baginya.

“Kejuaraan masih terbuka, saya merasa benar-benar baik, dan saya belum pernah begitu konsisten dan cepat pada saat ini di musim ini. Kelihatannya seperti Yamaha yang sedikit lebih rendah daripada Honda, tapi saya tahu itu tidak terjadi. RC212V memiliki lebih banyak power, namun M1 lebih halus dan lebih baik saat melalui tikungan.”

Sayangnya, Dovi mengaku hingga saat ini belum ada kepastian mengenai kelangsungan nasibnya di team Repsol Honda untuk musim depan.

“Saya sudah mulai berbicara dengan orang-orang dari Honda, tetapi tidak belum ada yang definitif. Tergantung pada anggaran yang tersedia dan keputusan akhir yang mereka buat..”