The Dr. sees a doctor - Assen TT MotoGP

[supermotoC]

The first free practice session at the 'new' Assen circuit has ended with Kawasaki's Shinya Nakano setting the fastest time after a rain-hit 90-minute exploratory run, but the real drama came when Valentino Rossi crashed heavily early on.

The Doctor fell from his YZR-M1 machine at high-speed approaching the final chicane and had to be stretchered off to the medical center.

Early reports from track-side indicated that Camel Yamaha's Rossi had broken his wrist and sustained injuries to his chest and ankle. He attended a Dutch hospital for further examinations, and as yet there is no official word on his condition and his further participation in this weekend's race meeting.

Nakano's time of 1:39.619 is some 19 seconds faster than Rossi's 2005 pole-lap, following major reconstruction of the North loop, which reduced the overall length of the lap from 3.7-miles to 2.8-miles.

Super Shinya was followed home by Suzuki's John Hopkins and LCR Honda's Casey Stoner, the trio split by 0.412 seconds.

The session started dry, but the clouds had gathered during the first 45 minutes, and soon after, the heaven's opened and the riders returned to pit-lane, in the hope that the wet weather would abate. Sadly, the rain continued to fall and the session was effectively finished.

Injured riders Marco Melandri (20 laps) and Loris Capirossi (14 laps) showed why motorcycle racers are a hardy bunch, Melandri only cleared to ride in Holland yesterday following the accident at the start of the Catalan GP.

The weather forecast for the rest of the day is mixed, so fingers crossed that the second free practice hour remains dry. That session is due to begin at 2pm, local time at the Circuit Van Drenthe.


stolen from superbikeplanet.com

[DJ Down Under]

I always thought Rossi could win with one arm tied behind his back...I guess now we'll see.....:icon_mrgreen:

btw...it's not that bad....you gave me a scare there..Rossi deserves to win this championship..IMO.

DJ


Rossi to race despite fracture
From correspondents in Assen, the Netherlands
June 22, 2006

MOTOGP champion Valentino Rossi expects to race in the Dutch Grand Prix this weekend despite breaking a bone in his right hand in a free practice crash at Assen today.



"He's definitely planning to race," a Yamaha team spokeswoman said.

The Italian "high-sided" his bike halfway through the opening session and was taken to hospital for further checks.

Rossi fractured a small bone in his right hand and dislocated another in his ankle, but he was otherwise unhurt and could decide to return for the second afternoon practice session, the team spokeswoman said.

The Dutch race follows the crash-strewn Catalan Grand Prix in Barcelona last weekend, when six riders fall at the first corner.

Ducati rider Sete Gibernau is absent from Assen after undergoing surgery for a fractured collarbone, but Italians Loris Capirossi and Marco Melandri have recovered and took part in practice today.

Rossi has won the past two races in the series, after a troubled start to the year, to stand third in the championship standings, 29 points adrift of Honda's American leader Nicky Hayden and nine behind Ducati's Capirossi.

The Yamaha rider has a great record at Assen, even though the circuit has been substantially reconfigured since last season.


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Rossi has won in the Netherlands for the past two years and started on pole in 2005.

Japan's Shinya Nakano was quickest in the first session for Kawasaki, lapping in 1min 39.619sec, ahead of Suzuki's American John Hopkins and Australian rookie Casey Stoner on a Honda.

Melandri was seventh quickest, Hayden 12th and Capirossi 14th.

Rossi, who completed six laps before the fall, was 16th fastest of the 19 riders on track.

[supermotoC]

...you gave me a scare there..Rossi deserves to win this championship..IMO.

Sorry - gave a little start when I read that he's been "injured".

He at least deserves to have a fighting chance to win the championship (again). This is the exciting (albeit underlying) part of MotoGP this season. NEXT year will be a free-for-all, as the 800cc motor change will make it a virtual toss-up. No, not a toss-off. I think he'll win this year, but Nicky will fight hard, and maybe even win a race this year. If Casey could hold it together for 20-23 laps...... Laguna Seca will be very interesting this year. I expect EVERYONE going to post LOADS of pictures, especially paddock & pit pics (you know who you are...).

[Dallara]

I hate crashes...

You just never know when one will sneak up on you and put you on the pavement - no matter how good you are, world champion or not. Crashes are completely unpredictable. Sometimes they just happen, no matter what protective gear you're wearing, how hard you are trying not to crash, or how careful you are. Crashes are like instanteous meat manglers.

They scare me worse than cagers, lightning... or even deer.

Something should be done about crashes, and right away. Far too many motorcyclists are injured or killed by crashes every year. Sometimes you can walk away from them, or at least do so relatively uninjured. Other times... well...

Terrible. Just terrible. Glad Rossi is relatively unhurt, and I hope he can race despite being injured.

:037: :037: :037: :037: :037: :037: :037: :037: :037: :037: :037: :037: :037: :037: :037: :037: :037: :037: :037: :037: :037: :037: :037: :037: :037: :037: :037: :037: :037: :037: :037: :037: :037: :037: :037: :037: :037: :037: :037: :037: :037: :037: :037: :037: :037:

Allan (Dallara - NAABSCD)

[supermotoC]

what, back so soon?


Rossi to race despite break
Thursday, 22 June 2006 12:58




Valentino Rossi has begun to win regularly again
MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi expects to race in Saturday's Dutch Grand Prix despite breaking a bone in his hand in a free practice crash at Assen.

"He's definitely planning to race," said a Yamaha team spokeswoman today.

The 27-year-old Italian 'high-sided' his bike about halfway through the opening session and was taken to hospital for further checks.

The team said Rossi had fractured a small bone in his right hand and dislocated another in his ankle but was otherwise unhurt and could decide to return for the second afternoon practice session.

The Dutch race on Saturday follows a crash-strewn Catalan Grand Prix in Barcelona last weekend in which six riders fall at the first corner.

Ducati's Spaniard Sete Gibernau is absent from Assen after requiring surgery for a fractured collarbone but Italians Loris Capirossi and Marco Melandri have recovered and took part in Thursday's practice.

Rossi has won the last two races after a troubled start to the year and is now third in the championship standings, 29 points adrift of Honda's American leader Nicky Hayden and nine behind Ducati's Capirossi.

The Yamaha rider has a great record at Assen, even though the circuit has been substantially reconfigured since last season. Rossi has won in the Netherlands for the past two years and started on pole there in 2005.

The championship is now in a crucial phase, with a spate of races close together, and the Italian spoke on Wednesday of the need to stay out of trouble.

"It is very important to keep healthy and concentrate at such a crucial moment in the championship," he told a news conference.

Japan's Shinya Nakano was quickest in the first session for Kawasaki, lapping in one minute 39.619 seconds, ahead of Suzuki's American John Hopkins and Australian rookie Casey Stoner on a Honda.

Melandri was seventh quickest, Hayden 12th, Capirossi 14th and Rossi, who completed six laps before the fall, 16th of the 19 riders on track.

Jeez, Doc, you've got cold hands!!
http://www.metricbikes.com/news/rossicrash2.JPG

[DJ Down Under]

Interesting grid....Hopper's on pole..and then...
Nakano,Edwards,Hayden,Pedrosa,Vermeulen,Melandri,C hecca,Hofman,Roberts,De Puniet,Stoner,Tamada,Ellison,Caperossi,Cardosa,Syl via,Rossi,

Yes Rossi last...he must be hurting bad.

DJ

[supermotoC]

Pos. Rider Team Bike Time
1 John Hopkins Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki GSV-R 1:36.411
2 Shinya Nakano Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR 1:36.424
3 Colin Edwards Camel Yamaha Team Yamaha YZR-M1 1:36.755
4 Nicky Hayden Repsol Honda Team Honda RC211V 1:36.758
5 Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda Team Honda RC211V 1:36.993
6 Chris Vermeulen Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki GSV-R 1:37.077
7 Marco Melandri Fortuna Honda Honda RC211V 1:37.332
8 Carlos Checa Tech 3 Yamaha Yamaha YZR-M1 1:37.378
9 Alex Hofmann Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati Desmosedici GP-6 1:37.399
10 Kenny Roberts Jnr. Team Roberts KR211V 1:37.528
11 Randy De Puniet Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR 1:37.556
12 Casey Stoner Honda LCR Honda RC211V 1:37.660
13 Makoto Tamada Konica Minolta Honda Honda RC211V 1:37.676
14 James Ellison Tech 3 Yamaha Yamaha YZR-M1 1:38.055
15 Loris Capirossi Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati Desmosedici GP-6 1:38.060
16 Jose Luis Cardoso Team D'Antin Pramac Ducati Desmosedici GP-6 1:39.406
17 Ivan Silva Team D'Antin Pramac Ducati Desmosedici GP-6 1:39.496
18 Valentino Rossi Camel Yamaha Team Yamaha YZR-M1 1:40.298
John Hopkins has taken his first premier class pole after demoting Shinya Nakano and Colin Edwards with just seconds of the qualifying hour remaining.

Yamaha's Edwards had led most of the session, before Nakano stole the limelight with a stunning lap on the Ninja ZX-RR inside the final few minutes.

Former WSBK champ Edwards could not reply, leaving Hopper to steal the limelight for Rizla Suzuki.

Nick Hayden leads row two from Repsol Honda team-mate Dani Pedrosa, and Hopkins' partner in crime, Chris Vermeulen completes the top six.

Valentino Rossi is clearly suffering, running only 13 laps and finished the hour in last place, 18th. His participation in the Dutch TT is now in doubt.

Melandri and Capirossi both struggled, Ducati man Capirex finished in 15th place, although Melandri pulled a miracle lap from somewhere to at least start on row three.

Hopkins on pole then for tomorrow's 26-lap race around the 'cathedral'.

Press releases to follow.

Relevant Times:
(FP= free practice)

2006 FP-1: Shinya Nakano - Kawasaki Racing - 1:39.619

2006 FP-2: Colin Edwards - Camel Yamaha - 1:38.144

2006 FP-3: Colin Edwards - Camel Yamaha - 1:37.215




I reckon this race is what MotoGP will be like when Rossi finally goes to F1.
I wouldn't put it past Valentino to be sandbagging everyone, though.

[geechie]

I'd like to see the GP kid get a good result.

It could happen.

No, really.

G

[Road Dog]

Yes - It's time for Nicky to make some bacon in the points race.

[DJ Down Under]

"Tomorrow we will see how I am and, depending on what happens in the warm-up, we will decide whether I will ride or not. Anyway it's going to be very difficult. We tried to move the brake lever a little bit down and we're now looking at the possibility of making a bigger brake lever to see if this is better for me", Rossi concluded.

I can see Rossi starting last a working his way up to finish in the top ten to get some much needed points..no matter how much it hurts.

DJ

[arkline]

Just for reference -- Dutch Grand Prix, SpeedTV, Sunday 25th of June, 3:00PM Pacific time - later by one hour for each time zone going East. Gonna be worth watching. Please, no spoilers. Just lots of enthusiasm.

[Bones]

I hope Rossi did not fracture the scaphoid bone in the injured hand. It is often considered a "small" fracture, and it is. BUT, that bone intrinsically has poor blood supply, often will not heal on its own and leaves the person with chronic pain and a lot of weakness. Most MC racers who have that bone fractured face surgery, but recovery is no walk in the park and many still do not get strength back and are left with pain for a long time. Many have ended their career after a scaphoid fracture. I really, really hope it is not that.

I am a real Nicky fan and have really enjoyed seeing him mature into a real solid MotoGP rider. But I would hate to see him win only because Rossi isn't there.

We'll see what the reports show.

Jeff

[DJ Down Under]

Hey Bones...it's in his pissing bone..whatever that is.

DJ


Reigning World Champion, Valentino Rossi, suffered a hairline fracture to the pisiform bone on his right hand

also


"I'm okay and I would like everyone to relax about it, even if it's been quite hard for me to ride! I have a little fracture on my left foot and also a small fracture on my right wrist, so when I give gas and brake it's really hard. I don't have much power or feeling. Plus I got a big bruise on my thorax and I couldn't breathe well for a long time. I had all the examinations necessary to check if everything was okay and with some painkillers I was able to ride this afternoon.