Repsol-honda The New Champ!

[Elvis_Pil]

In a dramatic fashion, Nicky Hayden today became the new world champion, finishing in third place on his LCR Honda, helped by Valentino Rossi's thirteenth place -- due to a fall in the fourth lap of the "Gran Premio de la Comunitat Valenciana". This was the season finale of the FIM Road Racing World Championship (MotoGP), and took place on the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia, Spain.

The race was won by Troy Bayliss on a Marlboro Ducati, followed by Loris Capirossi, completing a 1-2 finish for the Italian squad. It was the maiden MotoGP victory for the Australian, who was racing in Valencia as a replacement for the injured Sete Gibernau.

When it seemed that Rossi had a fairly easy task to retain his world champion condition, the Italian's problems began with the start itself, as he dropped from the pole position to seventh place on the opening lap, while Hayden jumped from fifth to third.

In his need to recover places, Rossi lost his Yamaha during the fourth lap, taking him to the floor. The seven-time world champion was able to pick up the bike and continue on the race, but 20th in the classification.

Quickly, the pitboard showed Hayden the good news: "Rossi P20". From that point on, the American, who was fighting with Bayliss for the lead, started to regulate the situation on board his Honda RC211V.

Hayden held the third place until the chequered flag fell, as the Kentucky Kid crossed the finish line after what surely were the longest laps of his life riding a bike.

The American ended the season with 252 points, five more than Rossi, who finished with 247. Capirossi's second place today secured him top third in the standings with 229. (motorsport.com)

1. 12 T.BAYLISS DUCATI 0'00"000 NaN 2. 65 L.CAPIROSSI DUCATI 0'01"319 + 0'01"319 3. 69 N.HAYDEN HONDA 0'09"230 + 0'09"230 4. 26 D.PEDROSA HONDA 0'12"065 + 0'12"065 5. 33 M.MELANDRI HONDA 0'16"306 + 0'16"306 6. 24 T.ELIAS HONDA 0'17"390 + 0'17"390 7. 56 S.NAKANO KAWASAKI 0'19"329 + 0'19"329 8. 10 K.ROBERTS Jr KR HONDA 0'23"174 + 0'23"174 9. 5 C.EDWARDS YAMAHA 0'26"072 + 0'26"072 10. 7 C.CHECA YAMAHA 0'28"194 + 0'28"194 11. 21 J.HOPKINS SUZUKI 0'29"364 + 0'29"364 12. 6 M.TAMADA HONDA 0'29"707 + 0'29"707 13. 46 V.ROSSI YAMAHA 0'38"546 + 0'38"546 14. 77 J.ELLISON YAMAHA 1'20"013 + 1'20"013 15. 8 G.McCOY ILMOR STR 7 lap(s)

[sharkster]

how the tables have turned... pilawoos did you happen to catch the portugese GP? elias won by a whisker... have to say rossi is very supportive of those 'one hit wonders' from down the grid...

[Elvis_Pil]

Full Results:

[Elvis_Pil]

how the tables have turned... pilawoos did you happen to catch the portugese GP? elias won by a whisker... have to say rossi is very supportive of those 'one hit wonders' from down the grid...

No Machan not had a chance to follow the season with no TV Been reading and catching clips on the net. Hopefully these one hit wonders will be good for next year. Honda will be very strong- they're planning on a whole new bike for 2007.

Team Repsol Honda is & has been a legend- like Team Rothmans Honda of the early 90's

[Velocity]

sha if the valantino rossi didnt fall off, this could have been a hell of a race, basically bikes being pushed over the limit.

Well done Honda !!!!

[KLM]

Kris, is Honda replacing the RC211V? This was the last race of the 990cc era and the rules are calling for 800cc 4-strokes next year but a whole new bike? Wow.

Big up to the Kentucky Kid. I've followed his career since his AMA days and he will be a great champion, like Valentino. Next season will be great, now that the Ducatis are competitive.

[Elvis_Pil]

Kris, is Honda replacing the RC211V? This was the last race of the 990cc era and the rules are calling for 800cc 4-strokes next year but a whole new bike? Wow.

Yep its with the reduction from 990 to 800cc rule- apparently honda may opt for the 4 cylinder machine which they already have tested this year to reduce the cc's. The 990's are V5's and the 800's V4's maybe?

[Pericles]

Yep its with the reduction from 990 to 800cc rule- apparently honda may opt for the 4 cylinder machine which they already have tested this year to reduce the cc's. The 990's are V5's and the 800's V4's maybe?

V5? The mind boggles. I profess total ignorance on the subject of bike engines. How does this work? Overlapped cylinders along the V?

[Elvis_Pil]

V5? The mind boggles. I profess total ignorance on the subject of bike engines. How does this work? Overlapped cylinders along the V?

3 in the front 2 in the back.. I think in bike terms its limited to Honda only. No idea of the technical stuff.

A pic for you:

[sharkster]

the RC211V will be replaced by the 800cc V4 RC212V (unofficial name)... not to worry... cornering speeds would be very similar to the 990cc... pedrosa was publicly testing the bike recently...

[Elvis_Pil]

the RC211V will be replaced by the 800cc V4 RC212V (unofficial name)... not to worry... cornering speeds would be very similar to the 990cc... pedrosa was publicly testing the bike recently...

With ECU traction control. Damn!

[KLM]

ITBs on a bike! How awesome is that?

[Elvis_Pil]

ITBs on a bike! How awesome is that?

Dude Honda freaks have been ripping them off old bikes for ages to make ITB for their cars! Some even have the same sensors. Lots of these units are available on ebay