1. Anthony West AUS Kawasaki Racing Team (B) 1’54.274
2. Chris Vermeulen AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 1’55.032
3. Alex de Angelis RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini (B) 1’55.067
4. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team (B) 1’55.425
5. Ben Spies USA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 1’55.869
6. Andrea Dovizioso ITA JiR Team Scot MotoGP (M) 1’56.225
7. Jorge Lorenzo SPA Fiat Yamaha Team (M) 1’56.313
8. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 1’56.458 Click here to read more
Nicky Hayden, in front of his compatriots again, hopes to put in a good race after recovering from his injured right heel
The legendary track of Indianapolis in the USA, makes its first ever appearance in the World Motorcycling Championship calendar this weekend. A legendary circuit because of its oval shape, one which normally witnesses spectacular Nascar races, will this weekend be converted into the setting for the 2008 season`s 13th race.
After this race in the USA the teams and riders will go to Japan in just a few weeks – Motegi, then Australia – Philip Island and Malaysia – Sepang – to bring the season to a climax in Valencia at the end of October.
Indianapolis will be a big challenge for the riders in the three categories, above all because of the peculiar characteristics of the American track, and because all the teams know absolutely nothing about it. It is located inside an oval, there are a couple of narrow, very slow curves that the riders will have to take special care on this weekend Click here to read more
2006 MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden today began the build-up to the first-ever Indianapolis MotoGP event by riding a vintage Indian motorcycle around the legendary Brick Yard racetrack, which now features a new layout for motorcycles.
The Repsol Honda rider, one of seven Americans to have worn motorcycling’s biggest crown, got fully into the part, wearing authentic vintage helmet and leathers. The Indian machine, which took part in the first Indy bike race in 1909, certainly impressed the Kentucky Kid.
“When the bike first fired up I wondered what I’d got myself into!” said Hayden, one of those riders who has a lot of respect for racing history. “Then when I was doing about 40mph down the straight it felt like a hundred. I really enjoyed the ride though, especially my old school helmet, that was my favourite part.
“It is a real honour to be the first rider to lap the new Indy track and I can’t wait to get out there on a MotoGP bike in September. I expect most of my hometown of Owensboro, Kentucky, to be there. They may have to close the town down that day.” Click here to read more
2006 MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden will visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the first time Monday, April 7 as he prepares for the inaugural Red Bull Indianapolis GP on Sunday, Sept. 14.
Hayden will ride a restored Indian motorcycle, which competed Aug. 14, 1909 in the first motorized race at IMS, around the new infield road course at 10:30 a.m. It will be the first lap by a motorcycle around the new 16-turn, 2.620-mile circuit that also incorporates part of the famed IMS oval.
After the historic first lap on the Indian, Hayden will ride a Honda production bike around the course, be available for photos on the famous Yard of Bricks and speak with the media in the Economaki Trackside Conference Room.
Hayden, a native of Owensboro, Ky., is one of three American riders competing this season in MotoGP. He races for the Repsol Honda Team.
Source: media advisory issued by Indianapolis Motor Speedway
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