MotoGP: FINAL ROUND OF 2009 THIS WEEKEND

The all-caps title means I'm screaming. I'm screaming about the Valencia, Spain round of MotoGP because I'm excited! Not only is Ducati's Casey Stoner already the pacesetter in the opening practice rounds, but Texan Ben Spies is going to be riding as wildcard this race before he leaves WSBK to join MotoGP next year!

If you haven't watched any MotoGP this year, there's no better race than the final round in Spain to start and get hooked!

MotoGP: Stoner owns the weekend

If you haven't seen this weekend's MotoGP race, you owe it to yourself to try and watch it! Not only did Malboro Ducati's Casey Stoner comeback from his sickness and win it all, he did it in style! I don't think I've seen a race this year where someone was sliding the bike through the corners like that and still turned in hot times lap after lap! Exciting racing for sure!

You can catch the highlights and if you're a member, the full race on MotoGP.com

Official highlights are also available on MotoGPs YouTube channel.

Action highlights

Stoner Interview after race.

Carl Cox interview at the race (for you house heads!)

Moto2: The new-new.

This really isn't Ducati or KTM or MV Agusta-related, but if you're a fan of road-racing you may be interested in this..

FIM, the governing body of MotoGP is replacing the 250cc class with an all-new approach called Moto2. The bikes are all Dunlop-equipped, Honda-engined 600cc 150HP machines which should prove to make for exciting racing. With teams on the same tires and engines, it could really be NASCAR on two wheels... But with right-hand turns!

Keep your eyes peeled for Moto2 in 2010!

MotoGP: Indianapolis on Deck!

The 12th stage of the premier international motorcycle racing theatre known as MotoGP is happening this weekend at Indianapolis for it's second time in as many years. Nicky Hayden, home-favorite, former world-champion and Ducati pilot will be wearing a special one-off Make-A-Wish Foundation helmet which will be auctioned off afterwards to benefit.. Well, Make-A-Wish.

Let's hope he doesn't use the helmet before they auction it off!

Mika Kallio, Hayden's temporary team-mate will be at Indy in his first U.S. race with Casey Stoner still recuperating in the wings. Ducati says that they believe Stoner's recovery will have him back in the saddle by the time the Estoril stage arrives.

Personally, I kinda enjoy having the untested Kallio on the field as it brings a level of excitement and mystery (not to mention anxiousness!).

Make sure you wear your Ducati GP Red this weekend, and if you're like us and can't make it to the MotoGP extravaganza, you can buy your Ducati shirts here at Letko and support from home :)

MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo... For Ducati?

It's arguable that Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo is the best of the next-gen riders in the premier class of motorcycle road racing. In fact, if not for the best of the current-gen riders still winning races (Valentino, obviously) Lorenzo would currently be first in the points standings.

Apparently, Malboro and Phillip Morris have noticed this as well and have made Lorenzo a 13 Million pound bumper deal to join the Ducati team if Stoner doesn't regain his fitness. The two-year deal was optioned out this week during the testing in Brno. The 22-year old Spaniard apparently acknowledged the Ducati option, but did not say whether or not he was seriously considering it, despite his issues with Yamaha.

You can read more here.

Road Racing: Weekend Results

Lots of road racing this weekend with the MotoGP in Brno and an AMA weekend at the Virginia International Raceway.

AMA:

Foremost Ducati rider Larry Pegram had a decent weekend following the last race double-header win in Topeka. He finished fourth behind Bostrom, Hayden and Hayes.

Results:

1. Josh Hayes (Yamaha)
2. Tommy Hayden (Suzuki)
3. Ben Bostrom (Yamaha)
4. Larry Pegram (Ducati)
5. Aaron Yates (Suzuki)
6. Taylor Knapp (Suzuki)
7. Blake Young (Suzuki)
8. Neil Hodgson (Honda)
9. Mat Mladin (Suzuki)
10. Jake Holden (Honda)

MotoGP:

With Casey Stoner out for three races it was up to Nicky Hayden and Stoner replacement Mika Kallio to make up for his absence and hopefully gain some manufacturer's points for Ducati. While the race was really a battle between Yamaha riders Rossi and Lorenzo, Hayden did have an impressive finish after fighting with Edwards for sixth. This week at Brno, the manufacturers are getting rare testing session time which is a bit unfortunate for the Malboro Ducati team as Stoner is on sick leave.

More info is available here and here.