60http://www.redbullusgrandprix.com/The Red Bull MotoGP Weekly Dispatch brings you the latest news and notes each race week from the MotoGP World Championship. Host Chris Jonnum, editor of Road Racer X, is joined each week by MotoGP stars Nicky Hayden and John Hopkins, plus special guests, as he gets behind the scenes of the world's most exciting motorsport. The Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix, the only American stop on the 17-race MotoGP calendar, comes to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca July 21-23.en-usRed Bull North AmericaWeekly on-site interviews with MotoGP ridersHosted by Chris Jonnum, Featured Interviews from Nicky Hayden and John Hopkinsmotogp, red bull, motorcycle, racing, u.s. grand prix, motorcycle racing, premier, moto gpIt all comes down to this – the final round of the 2006 MotoGP season in Valencia, Spain. Valentino Rossi leads Nicky Hayden by eight points and just needs to finish ahead of the American to win his sixth consecutive world championship, and the final championship of the 990cc era before the 800cc engines are ushered in. Hayden’s teammate, Dani Pedrosa, has pledged to do what he can to atone for his error in Portugal that took both riders out of the race and put a major dent in Hayden’s championship hopes. A sold-out crowd of 135,000 will witness a final-round showdown for the title for the first time in 14 years. The race will be broadcast on Speed TV this Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. PT. For Hayden to win the MotoGP world championship, the following scenarios must happen: If Hayden finishes 1st (25 points); Rossi must finish 3rd or below (16 points) Hayden 2nd (20 points); Rossi 5th or below (11 points) Hayden 3rd (16 points); Rossi 9th or below (7 points) Hayden 4th (13 points); Rossi 12th or below (4 points) Hayden 5th (11 points); Rossi 14th or below (2 points) Hayden 6th (10 points); Rossi 15th or below (1 point) Hayden 7th (9 points); Rossi 16th or below (0 points)Chris JonnumIt all comes down to this – the final round of the 2006 MotoGP season in Valencia, Spain. Valentino Rossi leads Nicky Hayden by eight points and just needs to finish ahead of the American to win his sixth consecutive world championship, and the final championship of the 990cc era before the 800cc engines are ushered in. Hayden’s teammate, Dani Pedrosa, has pledged to do what he can to atone for his error in Portugal that took both riders out of the race and put a major dent in Hayden’s championship hopes. A sold-out crowd of 135,000 will witness a final-round showdown for the title for the first time in 14 years. The race will be broadcast on Speed TV this Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. PT. For Hayden to win the MotoGP world championship, the following scenarios must happen: If Hayden finishes 1st (25 points); Rossi must finish 3rd or below (16 points) Hayden 2nd (20 points); Rossi 5th or below (11 points) Hayden 3rd (16 points); Rossi 9th or below (7 points) Hayden 4th (13 points); Rossi 12th or below (4 points) Hayden 5th (11 points); Rossi 14th or below (2 points) Hayden 6th (10 points); Rossi 15th or below (1 point) Hayden 7th (9 points); Rossi 16th or below (0 points)http://www.redbullusgrandprix.com/MediaFiles/ZWCKHRK._.round17.m4aThu, 26 Oct 2006 19:00:00 GMT0:38:35The penultimate race of the 2007 MotoGP season takes place this weekend on the windy seaside circuit in Estoril, Portugal. American Nicky Hayden has a slim, 12-point lead over Italian Valentino Rossi. While Hayden has had struggles with his bike all season, most glaringly since the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix, Rossi appears to have his set-up locked in, and has podiumed in the last four races, winning one. While most of the talk is of Rossi being poised to overtake the Kentucky Kid, it is all very possible for Hayden to win the title in Estoril if he wins the race and Rossi finishes fifth or worse, in addition to a couple of other more complex scenarios. While Loris Capirossi, Marco Melandri and Dani Pedrosa are still mathematically in the title hunt, conventional wisdom, and Rossi himself, says that the championship will come down to the last lap in the last race in Valencia, on Oct 29. Tune into Speed TV this Sunday, Oct. 15 at 12:30 p.m. ET / 9:30 p.m. PT.Chris JonnumThe penultimate race of the 2007 MotoGP season takes place this weekend on the windy seaside circuit in Estoril, Portugal. American Nicky Hayden has a slim, 12-point lead over Italian Valentino Rossi. While Hayden has had struggles with his bike all season, most glaringly since the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix, Rossi appears to have his set-up locked in, and has podiumed in the last four races, winning one. While most of the talk is of Rossi being poised to overtake the Kentucky Kid, it is all very possible for Hayden to win the title in Estoril if he wins the race and Rossi finishes fifth or worse, in addition to a couple of other more complex scenarios. While Loris Capirossi, Marco Melandri and Dani Pedrosa are still mathematically in the title hunt, conventional wisdom, and Rossi himself, says that the championship will come down to the last lap in the last race in Valencia, on Oct 29. Tune into Speed TV this Sunday, Oct. 15 at 12:30 p.m. ET / 9:30 p.m. PT.http://www.redbullusgrandprix.com/MediaFiles/QOL4FHW._.Round16C.m4aThu, 12 Oct 2006 19:00:00 GMT0:17:58Motegi, Japan is the site of the final race of three straight race weekends on the MotoGP calendar. Nicky Hayden is hanging on to the championship lead over reigning world champion Valentino Rossi by 21 points, and Dani Pedrosa and last week’s Australia GP winner Marco Melandri are 32 points adrift. Japan has not been too kind to either Hayden or Rossi, the latter last winning there in 2001 aboard a 500cc. Last year, Hayden finished seventh, and Rossi crashed into his countryman Melandri, knocking them both out of the race. After the historic bike-swap rain race in Australia last weekend, there are reports of Japan also being a wet race, as the tail-end of a typhoon is expected to pass through the area. Hayden, racing at Honda’s home track, should be buoyed by his re-signing with Honda for another two years on the factory team. After a three-week break, the season winds down at Estoril, Portugal and Valencia, Spain. The race will be broadcast on Speed TV at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT.Chris JonnumMotegi, Japan is the site of the final race of three straight race weekends on the MotoGP calendar. Nicky Hayden is hanging on to the championship lead over reigning world champion Valentino Rossi by 21 points, and Dani Pedrosa and last week’s Australia GP winner Marco Melandri are 32 points adrift. Japan has not been too kind to either Hayden or Rossi, the latter last winning there in 2001 aboard a 500cc. Last year, Hayden finished seventh, and Rossi crashed into his countryman Melandri, knocking them both out of the race. After the historic bike-swap rain race in Australia last weekend, there are reports of Japan also being a wet race, as the tail-end of a typhoon is expected to pass through the area. Hayden, racing at Honda’s home track, should be buoyed by his re-signing with Honda for another two years on the factory team. After a three-week break, the season winds down at Estoril, Portugal and Valencia, Spain. The race will be broadcast on Speed TV at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT.http://www.redbullusgrandprix.com/MediaFiles/QAK6MNE._.Round15c.m4aFri, 22 Sep 2006 19:00:00 GMT0:34:06The second of three-straight race weekends, the Australian GP at Phillip Island moves the MotoGP series one race closer to the end. After enjoying a relatively comfortable lead, Nicky Hayden’s stay at the top is being threatened by both Valentino Rossi, who, just 26 points back, is making a late run at the title, and Hayden’s rookie teammate, Dani Pedrosa, who is 22 points behind. Pedrosa rode a heroic race in Malaysia with a big gash in his knee and finished third behind Rossi and Loris Capirossi. Hayden finished a lonely fourth. Phillip Island has been owned by Rossi, who has won the past five GP’s there, but Hayden likes the high-speed seaside circuit as well. Tune into Speed TV this Sunday at 1pm PT / 4pm ET.Chris JonnumThe second of three-straight race weekends, the Australian GP at Phillip Island moves the MotoGP series one race closer to the end. After enjoying a relatively comfortable lead, Nicky Hayden’s stay at the top is being threatened by both Valentino Rossi, who, just 26 points back, is making a late run at the title, and Hayden’s rookie teammate, Dani Pedrosa, who is 22 points behind. Pedrosa rode a heroic race in Malaysia with a big gash in his knee and finished third behind Rossi and Loris Capirossi. Hayden finished a lonely fourth. Phillip Island has been owned by Rossi, who has won the past five GP’s there, but Hayden likes the high-speed seaside circuit as well. Tune into Speed TV this Sunday at 1pm PT / 4pm ET.http://www.redbullusgrandprix.com/MediaFiles/J63RJ42._.Round14b.m4aFri, 15 Sep 2006 19:00:00 GMT0:20:06The MotoGP season enters its critical stage, with five races left to determine the 2006 world champion. The Malaysia GP in Sepang marks the first of three back-to-back races (Australia and Japan follow), and with 125 points up for grabs, Nicky Hayden’s 25-point lead over his rookie teammate Dani Pedrosa is tenuous, and with Valentino Rossi lurking 38 points back, the championship is not yet a lock for the 25-year-old American. Loris Capirossi was dominant on his Ducati at Brno, and returns to Sepang as the defending race champion. Injuries derailed the little Italian’s chances for the championship, but he is strong for Sepang and Motegi, setting him up for a strong finish for the season. If things weren’t up in the air enough this season, Pedrosa has hurt his leg in a crash during Friday’s second free practice and is questionable to race on Sunday. Tune in to SPEED TV to catch the race Sunday, September 10th 2PM PT / 5PM ET.Chris JonnumThe MotoGP season enters its critical stage, with five races left to determine the 2006 world champion. The Malaysia GP in Sepang marks the first of three back-to-back races (Australia and Japan follow), and with 125 points up for grabs, Nicky Hayden’s 25-point lead over his rookie teammate Dani Pedrosa is tenuous, and with Valentino Rossi lurking 38 points back, the championship is not yet a lock for the 25-year-old American. Loris Capirossi was dominant on his Ducati at Brno, and returns to Sepang as the defending race champion. Injuries derailed the little Italian’s chances for the championship, but he is strong for Sepang and Motegi, setting him up for a strong finish for the season. If things weren’t up in the air enough this season, Pedrosa has hurt his leg in a crash during Friday’s second free practice and is questionable to race on Sunday. Tune in to SPEED TV to catch the race Sunday, September 10th 2PM PT / 5PM ET.http://www.redbullusgrandprix.com/MediaFiles/Y2OE8CO._.Round13d.m4aFri, 8 Sep 2006 19:00:00 GMT0:16:33After the traditional MotoGP summer break, the final six races of the season's 17 are upon us. Nicky Hayden, fresh off his second Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix victory, heads to Brno for the Czech Grand Prix with a 34-point lead over his teammate, MotoGP rookie (and two-time 250 GP world champion) Dani Pedrosa. Five-time world champion Valentino Rossi lurks in fourth place, 51 points adrift of the Kentucky Kid. At Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Hayden took his second win of the season with a stunning charge from sixth on the grid to third after the first turn. He methodically stalked Kenny Roberts, Jr. and pole sitter Chris Vermuelen, passing KRJR on lap 9 and then Vermuelen on lap 17. Once clear, Hayden continued to rip off fast laps until the end. Pedrosa finished a comfortable second, and Marco Melandri, third in the championship, rounded out the podium. Meanwhile, Rossi suffered yet another race setback this year when his tires began to deteriorate, forcing him to slow down, and then his engine overheated. Rossi tried to salvage a couple points by limping home, but he was forced to pull off the track by the officials who feared he was dropping oil on the racing surface. Tune in to Speed TV this Sunday at 11 a.m. ET and 8 a.m. Pacific to catch the Czech Grand Prix.Chris JonnumAfter the traditional MotoGP summer break, the final six races of the season's 17 are upon us. Nicky Hayden, fresh off his second Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix victory, heads to Brno for the Czech Grand Prix with a 34-point lead over his teammate, MotoGP rookie (and two-time 250 GP world champion) Dani Pedrosa. Five-time world champion Valentino Rossi lurks in fourth place, 51 points adrift of the Kentucky Kid. At Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Hayden took his second win of the season with a stunning charge from sixth on the grid to third after the first turn. He methodically stalked Kenny Roberts, Jr. and pole sitter Chris Vermuelen, passing KRJR on lap 9 and then Vermuelen on lap 17. Once clear, Hayden continued to rip off fast laps until the end. Pedrosa finished a comfortable second, and Marco Melandri, third in the championship, rounded out the podium. Meanwhile, Rossi suffered yet another race setback this year when his tires began to deteriorate, forcing him to slow down, and then his engine overheated. Rossi tried to salvage a couple points by limping home, but he was forced to pull off the track by the officials who feared he was dropping oil on the racing surface. Tune in to Speed TV this Sunday at 11 a.m. ET and 8 a.m. Pacific to catch the Czech Grand Prix.http://www.redbullusgrandprix.com/MediaFiles/8SOJH7J._.Round12C.m4aFri, 18 Aug 2006 19:00:00 GMT0:19:36MotoGP returns to the USA this weekend at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, with the 2006 Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix. Defending race champion and series leader Nicky Hayden heads into his home Grand Prix with a 26-point advantage over five-time world champion Valentino Rossi and faces a tough challenge from not only The Doctor, but fellow Americans John Hopkins, Colin Edwards and a rejuvenated Kenny Roberts, Jr. After a stop in Hollywood for pre-race media and fan activities, including a VIP screening of The Doctor, The Tornado and The Kentucky Kid at Paramount Pictures, it is now time to get down to business before the traditional MotoGP summer break. The Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix will be broadcast live this Sunday on Speed TV at 5 pm ET / 2 pm PT, and will air again on ABC on Sunday, July 30 at 1 pm ET / 3 pm PT.Chris JonnumMotoGP returns to the USA this weekend at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, with the 2006 Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix. Defending race champion and series leader Nicky Hayden heads into his home Grand Prix with a 26-point advantage over five-time world champion Valentino Rossi and faces a tough challenge from not only The Doctor, but fellow Americans John Hopkins, Colin Edwards and a rejuvenated Kenny Roberts, Jr. After a stop in Hollywood for pre-race media and fan activities, including a VIP screening of The Doctor, The Tornado and The Kentucky Kid at Paramount Pictures, it is now time to get down to business before the traditional MotoGP summer break. The Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix will be broadcast live this Sunday on Speed TV at 5 pm ET / 2 pm PT, and will air again on ABC on Sunday, July 30 at 1 pm ET / 3 pm PT.http://www.redbullusgrandprix.com/MediaFiles/6D3ELV3._.Round11a.m4aFri, 21 Jul 2006 19:00:00 GMT0:22:31MotoGP returns from a weeklong break after the British GP and gets back to work at the Sachsenring in Germany. American Nicky Hayden continues to lead the championship over rookie teammate Dani Pedrosa, who won at Donington Park for his second win of the season. Last year, Hayden captured pole at the Sachsenring and led from the start of the race until it was red flagged when John Hopkins high-sided. Valentino Rossi went on to win the race, with Hayden finishing third. Catch the action on Speed TV this Sunday at 4 pm ET.Chris JonnumMotoGP returns from a weeklong break after the British GP and gets back to work at the Sachsenring in Germany. American Nicky Hayden continues to lead the championship over rookie teammate Dani Pedrosa, who won at Donington Park for his second win of the season. Last year, Hayden captured pole at the Sachsenring and led from the start of the race until it was red flagged when John Hopkins high-sided. Valentino Rossi went on to win the race, with Hayden finishing third. Catch the action on Speed TV this Sunday at 4 pm ET.http://www.redbullusgrandprix.com/MediaFiles/VG7R4VM._.Round10a.m4aFri, 14 Jul 2006 19:00:00 GMT0:25:44The MotoGP World Championship is in the UK this weekend, at Donington, for the last of three straight races before giving the series a week off. Nicky Hayden heads into the weekend after a dramatic last-corner win at Assen with a stout 42-point advantage over rookie teammate Dani Pedrosa, with world champion Valentino Rossi back 46 points. John Hopkins got one monkey off his back with his first career pole position last week, and now has his sights set on a maiden podium in his "other" home race, as both of his parents were born in England and Hopper has a residence there. Loris Capirossi and Marco Melandri are making swift recoveries from their Catalunya injuries, as is Rossi from his fractured wrist suffered at Assen. Toni Elias will sit Donington out due to a broken shoulder he sustained at Assen. Tune in to Speed TV at 11:30 a.m. ET to catch all the action.Chris JonnumThe MotoGP World Championship is in the UK this weekend, at Donington, for the last of three straight races before giving the series a week off. Nicky Hayden heads into the weekend after a dramatic last-corner win at Assen with a stout 42-point advantage over rookie teammate Dani Pedrosa, with world champion Valentino Rossi back 46 points. John Hopkins got one monkey off his back with his first career pole position last week, and now has his sights set on a maiden podium in his "other" home race, as both of his parents were born in England and Hopper has a residence there. Loris Capirossi and Marco Melandri are making swift recoveries from their Catalunya injuries, as is Rossi from his fractured wrist suffered at Assen. Toni Elias will sit Donington out due to a broken shoulder he sustained at Assen. Tune in to Speed TV at 11:30 a.m. ET to catch all the action.http://www.redbullusgrandprix.com/MediaFiles/TXAGDA7._.Round9b.m4aThu, 29 Jun 2006 19:00:00 GMT0:19:46The Assen TT, the second of two Saturday races on the MotoGP calendar, is the middle of three straight race weekends. Last week in Catalunya, Nicky Hayden finished second to Valentino Rossi in a crash-filled race that saw Sete Gibernau, Marco Melandri and Loris Capirossi taken to the hospital with injuries. All are not serious, but are still in doubt for Assen. With the runner-up finish, Hayden broke his tie with Capirossi and now leads the championship alone again, 20 points up on the Ducati rider and 29 up on a surging Rossi, who won his second straight race after his Mugello triumph. John Hopkins arrives in Holland upbeat after his second fourth-place finish of the season in Catalunya, a career-best, and 2000 World Champion Kenny Roberts, Jr., is also on the upswing after a third-place finish last week on his Honda-powered hybrid KR211V. Tune in to Speed TV’s race broadcast this Sunday at 6:00 p.m. ET.Chris JonnumThe Assen TT, the second of two Saturday races on the MotoGP calendar, is the middle of three straight race weekends. Last week in Catalunya, Nicky Hayden finished second to Valentino Rossi in a crash-filled race that saw Sete Gibernau, Marco Melandri and Loris Capirossi taken to the hospital with injuries. All are not serious, but are still in doubt for Assen. With the runner-up finish, Hayden broke his tie with Capirossi and now leads the championship alone again, 20 points up on the Ducati rider and 29 up on a surging Rossi, who won his second straight race after his Mugello triumph. John Hopkins arrives in Holland upbeat after his second fourth-place finish of the season in Catalunya, a career-best, and 2000 World Champion Kenny Roberts, Jr., is also on the upswing after a third-place finish last week on his Honda-powered hybrid KR211V. Tune in to Speed TV’s race broadcast this Sunday at 6:00 p.m. ET.http://www.redbullusgrandprix.com/MediaFiles/9MD92DC._.Round8c.m4aThu, 22 Jun 2006 19:00:00 GMT0:24:24The MotoGP World Championship gears up for three races in three weekends, starting with the Grand Prix de Catalunya, taking place just outside of Barcelona. American Nicky Hayden and Italian Loris Capirossi are tied for the points lead at 99 apiece, followed by two-time 2006 winner Marco Melandri of Italy and Spanish rookie Dani Pedrosa, who is returning to his home circuit amidst high hopes for his second victory of the season from his hometown supporters. Five-time defending world champion Valentino Rossi, who captured his home grand prix in Italy two weeks ago, chipped away at his 43-point deficit, and now stands 34 points adrift of Hayden and Capirossi, who finished third and second to Rossi, respectively, in an epic race that had the podium separated by less than one second. Tune into Speed TV this Sunday at 3 pm ET to catch all the action.Chris JonnumThe MotoGP World Championship gears up for three races in three weekends, starting with the Grand Prix de Catalunya, taking place just outside of Barcelona. American Nicky Hayden and Italian Loris Capirossi are tied for the points lead at 99 apiece, followed by two-time 2006 winner Marco Melandri of Italy and Spanish rookie Dani Pedrosa, who is returning to his home circuit amidst high hopes for his second victory of the season from his hometown supporters. Five-time defending world champion Valentino Rossi, who captured his home grand prix in Italy two weeks ago, chipped away at his 43-point deficit, and now stands 34 points adrift of Hayden and Capirossi, who finished third and second to Rossi, respectively, in an epic race that had the podium separated by less than one second. Tune into Speed TV this Sunday at 3 pm ET to catch all the action.http://www.redbullusgrandprix.com/MediaFiles/RPG9AU5._.Round7i.m4aThu, 15 Jun 2006 19:00:00 GMT0:22:35Coming into what is usually considered the most dramatic and exciting stops of the season, Valentino Rossi is hoping to have his luck change for the better. Rossi will be fighting to take a bite out of a 43 point margin that exists between himself and points leader Nicky Hayden in front of the home crowds of Mugello, Italy. Early practice results indicate Rossi is hungry to do just that! Horrible luck has prevented Rossi from scoring a single point in the last two races, while Nicky consistently widens the gap, despite a mild flu affecting him in France, where he finished off the podium for the first time since late last season. It's anyone's game at this point as we head into the Italian GP, this Sunday. Be sure to tune into SPEED TV this Sunday at 5PM ET/ 2PM PT to catch Round Six of the 2006 MotoGP World Championship.Chris JonnumComing into what is usually considered the most dramatic and exciting stops of the season, Valentino Rossi is hoping to have his luck change for the better. Rossi will be fighting to take a bite out of a 43 point margin that exists between himself and points leader Nicky Hayden in front of the home crowds of Mugello, Italy. Early practice results indicate Rossi is hungry to do just that! Horrible luck has prevented Rossi from scoring a single point in the last two races, while Nicky consistently widens the gap, despite a mild flu affecting him in France, where he finished off the podium for the first time since late last season. It's anyone's game at this point as we head into the Italian GP, this Sunday. Be sure to tune into SPEED TV this Sunday at 5PM ET/ 2PM PT to catch Round Six of the 2006 MotoGP World Championship.http://www.redbullusgrandprix.com/MediaFiles/GKBGZN3._.Round6e.m4aFri, 2 Jun 2006 19:00:00 GMT0:24:44The MotoGP World Championship racked up a lot of air miles in the past week, flying from Shanghai, China to Le Mans, France, for the French Grand Prix. American Nicky Hayden continues to lead the championship, as he increased his lead over Loris Capirossi to 13 points with a runner-up finish to rookie teammate Dani Pedrosa. The 20-year-old Spaniard has been a force to be reckoned with. In just four races, he lies just 15 points adrift of Hayden. Although dealing with developing a version of the Honda RC211V he is not completely comfortable with, Hayden has put on a brave face and has racked up four consecutive podium finishes this season, and eight straight dating to 2005. Five-time defending world champion Valentino Rossi has been plagued by bad luck so far this season (crash in Jerez and bad tire in China), but does have a win to his credit. He is expected to receive an updated version of the Yamaha M1 in Le Mans, and hopes that the terrible chatter issue will subside. Last year, Pedrosa took the win in Le Mans in the 250 class on his way to winning his second-straight 250 world championship and Hayden, who started strong, faded to sixth behind winner Rossi. The famed Bugatti circuit is not the favorite of many riders, but its rich history still inspires them. Tune into Speed TV this Sunday at 12 noon ET to catch Round Five of the 2006 MotoGP World Championship.Chris JonnumThe MotoGP World Championship racked up a lot of air miles in the past week, flying from Shanghai, China to Le Mans, France, for the French Grand Prix. American Nicky Hayden continues to lead the championship, as he increased his lead over Loris Capirossi to 13 points with a runner-up finish to rookie teammate Dani Pedrosa. The 20-year-old Spaniard has been a force to be reckoned with. In just four races, he lies just 15 points adrift of Hayden. Although dealing with developing a version of the Honda RC211V he is not completely comfortable with, Hayden has put on a brave face and has racked up four consecutive podium finishes this season, and eight straight dating to 2005. Five-time defending world champion Valentino Rossi has been plagued by bad luck so far this season (crash in Jerez and bad tire in China), but does have a win to his credit. He is expected to receive an updated version of the Yamaha M1 in Le Mans, and hopes that the terrible chatter issue will subside. Last year, Pedrosa took the win in Le Mans in the 250 class on his way to winning his second-straight 250 world championship and Hayden, who started strong, faded to sixth behind winner Rossi. The famed Bugatti circuit is not the favorite of many riders, but its rich history still inspires them. Tune into Speed TV this Sunday at 12 noon ET to catch Round Five of the 2006 MotoGP World Championship.http://www.redbullusgrandprix.com/MediaFiles/GI8RFKQ._.Round5a.m4aFri, 19 May 2006 19:00:00 GMT0:20:10MotoGP returns to China's Shanghai International circuit for the second time this weekend. Last year, in the inaugural race at the high-speed, 3.38-mile road course, Valentino Rossi captured the win in a massive downpour. Kawasaki replacement rider Olivier Jacque took a very surprising second-place and Marco Melandri rounded out the podium. This year, there is a new pecking order in the MotoGP point standings, with American Nicky Hayden, the winner of the 2005 Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix, atop the championship by one point over Loris Capirossi, followed by Marco Melandri, who took a thrilling win in Turkey two weeks ago and Australian rookie Casey Stoner. Five-time defending champion Rossi is fifth after three races. The race will be broadcast on Speed TV this Sunday at 6 p.m. ET.Chris JonnumMotoGP returns to China's Shanghai International circuit for the second time this weekend. Last year, in the inaugural race at the high-speed, 3.38-mile road course, Valentino Rossi captured the win in a massive downpour. Kawasaki replacement rider Olivier Jacque took a very surprising second-place and Marco Melandri rounded out the podium. This year, there is a new pecking order in the MotoGP point standings, with American Nicky Hayden, the winner of the 2005 Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix, atop the championship by one point over Loris Capirossi, followed by Marco Melandri, who took a thrilling win in Turkey two weeks ago and Australian rookie Casey Stoner. Five-time defending champion Rossi is fifth after three races. The race will be broadcast on Speed TV this Sunday at 6 p.m. ET.http://www.redbullusgrandprix.com/MediaFiles/H6Z6CZH._.Round4b.m4aFri, 12 May 2006 19:00:00 GMT0:23:54MotoGP returns to action in Turkey after a three-week layoff. Valentino Rossi returned to form in Qatar with his 54th MotoGP victory, tying him with Mick Doohan for second-most in series history. Rossi and Nicky Hayden battled over the second half of the race, trading the top two positions several times before "The Doctor" took the lead for good and crossed the line 0.9 seconds ahead of Hayden, who claimed his sixth consecutive podium. Loris Capirossi followed his season-opening win with the third and final spot on the podium and the Italian remains the series leader. Australia's Casey Stoner claimed a surprise pole position in just his second MotoGP race and finished a very respectable fifth, behind Sete Gibernau. Gibernau's countryman,Dani Pedrosa, edged 2005 series runner-up Marco Melandri for sixth and continued to show superstar-in-the-making form. The 2005 Turkish Grand Prix, the inaugural MotoGP race at the circuit, saw Marco Melandri win his maiden MotoGP race, followed by Rossi and Hayden. The 2006 Turkish Grand Prix will air on SPEED TV at 4:00 p.m. ET.Chris JonnumMotoGP returns to action in Turkey after a three-week layoff. Valentino Rossi returned to form in Qatar with his 54th MotoGP victory, tying him with Mick Doohan for second-most in series history. Rossi and Nicky Hayden battled over the second half of the race, trading the top two positions several times before "The Doctor" took the lead for good and crossed the line 0.9 seconds ahead of Hayden, who claimed his sixth consecutive podium. Loris Capirossi followed his season-opening win with the third and final spot on the podium and the Italian remains the series leader. Australia's Casey Stoner claimed a surprise pole position in just his second MotoGP race and finished a very respectable fifth, behind Sete Gibernau. Gibernau's countryman,Dani Pedrosa, edged 2005 series runner-up Marco Melandri for sixth and continued to show superstar-in-the-making form. The 2005 Turkish Grand Prix, the inaugural MotoGP race at the circuit, saw Marco Melandri win his maiden MotoGP race, followed by Rossi and Hayden. The 2006 Turkish Grand Prix will air on SPEED TV at 4:00 p.m. ET.http://www.redbullusgrandprix.com/MediaFiles/GBUMDAS._.FinalR3e.m4aThu, 27 Apr 2006 19:00:00 GMT0:13:56The GP of Qatar, one of 2 sat races on the MotoGP calendar, brings with it much anticipation and many storylines. Ducati's Loris Capriossi looks to capitalize on his victory in the season opener in Jerez. While five-time defending champion, Valentino Rossi, hopes that his experience in Jerez (first lap first turn crash and 14th-place finish) was just an aberration. MotoGP class rookie and Red Bull rider Casey Stoner of Australia has claimed pole in his second career premier class race. Repsol Honda teammates and fellow Red Bull riders Daniel Pedrosa and Nicky Hayden, fresh off 2nd and 3rd place finishes, respectively, in Jerez, are on target to continue their success in Qatar. Kenny Roberts Jr., topped the time charts after the first day of practice and has been tabbed by many as a potential dark horse for a victory in Qatar. Be sure to check your local listings and tune-in to SPEED TV this weekend to catch all the action.Chris JonnumThe GP of Qatar, one of 2 sat races on the MotoGP calendar, brings with it much anticipation and many storylines. Ducati's Loris Capriossi looks to capitalize on his victory in the season opener in Jerez. While five-time defending champion, Valentino Rossi, hopes that his experience in Jerez (first lap first turn crash and 14th-place finish) was just an aberration. MotoGP class rookie and Red Bull rider Casey Stoner of Australia has claimed pole in his second career premier class race. Repsol Honda teammates and fellow Red Bull riders Daniel Pedrosa and Nicky Hayden, fresh off 2nd and 3rd place finishes, respectively, in Jerez, are on target to continue their success in Qatar. Kenny Roberts Jr., topped the time charts after the first day of practice and has been tabbed by many as a potential dark horse for a victory in Qatar. Be sure to check your local listings and tune-in to SPEED TV this weekend to catch all the action.http://www.redbullusgrandprix.com/MediaFiles/PDEHK1H._.MotoGPEP2Qatar.m4aThu, 6 Apr 2006 19:00:00 GMT0:14:00The 2006 MotoGP season gets underway in the south of Spain, specifically, Jerez, home to the highest-attended race on the calendar, as more than 237,000 fans are expected on-site. Jerez was the site of perhaps the most controversial incidents of the entire 2005 season, and possible last few years. World Champion Valentino Rossi and his arch-rival, Spanish hero Sete Gibernau, battled the entire race, trading the lead several times on the final lap. Gibernau had a very slight advantage going into the final corner, but Rossi pulled a move few would dare try, and dove to the inside of the Spaniard. Both riders collided, with Gibernau getting the worst of it, running off into the gravel as Rossi sped off and took the checkered flag for the first of 11 wins on his way to a fifth consecutive World Championship. Gibernau was able to recover and finish second. American Nicky Hayden was in third place all alone for the majority of the race, but having lost touch with Rossi and Gibernau, and holding a comfortable lead over Marco Melandri, lost concentration just long enough to fall with seven laps remaining. The new season holds much promise for the entire paddock, as season debuts generally bring out the most collective optimism of the year. Rossi, in perhaps his final season racing on two wheels, can win an unprecedented sixth consecutive title. Hayden, third in series last year, will look to continue his form from the second half of last year, in which he had three straight podiums to end the year. As the Honda team leader, he is charged with developing the 2006 version of the RC211V, which has had growing pains in pre-season testing, and immediate success is uncertain. Marco Melandri, who placed second in the championship, has also had a tough pre-season, but has proven to be a top contender, as will Texas' own Colin Edwards, John Hopkins and a slew of others who have Rossi firmly in their sights. The biggest story of the race, at least in the cozy confines of Spain, is focused on the smallest rider in the series - two-time 250cc World Champion Dani Pedrosa, Hayden's new teammate. He steps up to compete with the big boys in the premier class and all eyes will be on the diminutive Spaniard. Joining Pedrosa on the grid this year are class rookies Chris Vermeulen, Randy DePuniet, Casey Stoner and Jose Cardoso.Chris JonnumThe 2006 MotoGP season gets underway in the south of Spain, specifically, Jerez, home to the highest-attended race on the calendar, as more than 237,000 fans are expected on-site. Jerez was the site of perhaps the most controversial incidents of the entire 2005 season, and possible last few years. World Champion Valentino Rossi and his arch-rival, Spanish hero Sete Gibernau, battled the entire race, trading the lead several times on the final lap. Gibernau had a very slight advantage going into the final corner, but Rossi pulled a move few would dare try, and dove to the inside of the Spaniard. Both riders collided, with Gibernau getting the worst of it, running off into the gravel as Rossi sped off and took the checkered flag for the first of 11 wins on his way to a fifth consecutive World Championship. Gibernau was able to recover and finish second. American Nicky Hayden was in third place all alone for the majority of the race, but having lost touch with Rossi and Gibernau, and holding a comfortable lead over Marco Melandri, lost concentration just long enough to fall with seven laps remaining. The new season holds much promise for the entire paddock, as season debuts generally bring out the most collective optimism of the year. Rossi, in perhaps his final season racing on two wheels, can win an unprecedented sixth consecutive title. Hayden, third in series last year, will look to continue his form from the second half of last year, in which he had three straight podiums to end the year. As the Honda team leader, he is charged with developing the 2006 version of the RC211V, which has had growing pains in pre-season testing, and immediate success is uncertain. Marco Melandri, who placed second in the championship, has also had a tough pre-season, but has proven to be a top contender, as will Texas' own Colin Edwards, John Hopkins and a slew of others who have Rossi firmly in their sights. The biggest story of the race, at least in the cozy confines of Spain, is focused on the smallest rider in the series - two-time 250cc World Champion Dani Pedrosa, Hayden's new teammate. He steps up to compete with the big boys in the premier class and all eyes will be on the diminutive Spaniard. Joining Pedrosa on the grid this year are class rookies Chris Vermeulen, Randy DePuniet, Casey Stoner and Jose Cardoso.http://www.redbullusgrandprix.com/MediaFiles/1V26D2U._.MotoGP_WU_1a.m4aWed, 22 Mar 2006 19:00:00 GMT0:13:42