Simoncelli: “Another important step up”

Simoncelli: “Another important step up”

Review the Iveco Australian Grand Prix!

Wednesday, 20 October 2010

motogp.com provides you with a full review of Round 16 with easy one-click access to the best of the video action.

The Iveco Australian Grand Prix rounded off an intense run of three back-to-back races in the flyaway series on the 2010 MotoGP calendar, and the Round 16 weekend kicked off with the usual pre-event activities that included the traditional visit to the Maru Wildlife Park, whilst another group of riders tried their hands at Australian Rules Football. British 125cc rider Danny Webb was also on hand to give motogp.com a guided lap of the stunning Phillip Island track.

When Friday came the weather was not on form and affected the day one schedule, with the opening sessions in all three categories pushed back due to wet conditions. When the action did get underway it was newly-crowned 2010 World Champion Jorge Lorenzo who topped the opening MotoGP practice, in which Dani Pedrosa made his return to action after missing the two previous races with a broken collarbone. However, the pain proved too much for the recovering Repsol Honda rider and after riding in FP2 â€" which was led by Casey Stoner â€" and qualifying, Pedrosa then opted to not take part in the race. Ducati rider Stoner secured pole position as he hinted at what was to come on Sunday, but for Loris Capirossi the weekend was ended early with a crash which resulted in a groin injury.

The weather remained cold on race day morning and the MotoGP riders wrapped up warm for a parade lap prior to the start of the 125cc race, in which Red Bull Ajo Motorsport rider Marc Márquez took his ninth win of the season, equalling Jorge Martínez’s 1988 record as the Spanish rider with the most 125cc wins in a single season and also delivering Derbi their first Constructors Title in 22 years.

Next up was the Moto2 race in which Alex de Angelis took his first win in the category, his second GP victory of his career having last won in the 250cc class at Valencia in 2006, and a result which he dedicated to the memory of Shoya Tomizawa.

With Stoner in pole position for the premier class race the signs were ominous for his rivals given his previous dominant form on his home track, and when the race got underway the Australian led into turn one and did not look back as he took victory by almost nine seconds ahead of Lorenzo, making it four seasons in a row that he has won at Phillip Island.

If the manner of Stoner’s win appeared comfortable the battle for the final podium position was edge-of-the-seat, with Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden fighting all the way to the final lap when an overtake from the Italian secured him third position. The results of Rossi and Lorenzo handed Fiat Yamaha the Team Title for 2010, and fifth position in the race for Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider Ben Spies confirmed him as the 2010 Rookie of the Year.

Despite the cold weather the Paddock Girls were ever present at Phillip Island, and the OnBoard cameras captured all the action from the bikes to provide a fantastic perspective.

You can experience the best of the video action and reaction by clicking on the links.

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