PREVIEW / GRAND PRIX OF QATAR
LOSAIL, A STEP INTO THE DESERT
The World Championship circus is now well underway. After
the opening round of the 2006 season at the Jerez de la Frontera
circuit in Spain, the bikes, parts and equipment have been
boxed up and transported to Qatar, where the second race of
the campaign will take place on the 8th April.
MARCO MELANDRI:
“I am really confident about the next GP. The day of
testing after the race in Jerez was important to understand
the direction we need to go in. I am focused and motivated.
The track is complete and challenging. I’ve got good
memories of Losail – the race last year was a real turning
point in my season.”
TONI ELIAS:
“I’m arriving feeling very motivated. The Spanish
GP gave me a real injection of confidence – not just
because fourth place was my best result so far in MotoGP but
also because I have overcome a mental limitation. Now I know
I am in the right shape to battle with the front guys. Qatar
will be a different kettle of fish because the track conditions
don’t allow for errors. We didn’t test here in
the winter so we’ll only have four hours available to
find the best possible set-up.”
THE TRACK
Located 10km outside the capital city of Doha, the Losail
International Circuit is surrounded by desert landscape. Built
in record time, the track was met by the immediate approval
of the riders not only for the excellent safety features (the
run off areas are more than adequate in an area where space
is not an issue) but also for the challenge it proposes. The
track has only one true straight, measuring 1068m (the second
longest on the World Championship calendar) followed by a
series of varied corners which are all linked together and
give the riders little chance to rest in the searing heat.
A distinctive feature of the track is the sequence of three
fast right corners. Another characteristic is how difficult
it is to overtake – not because there aren’t enough
suitable points but because of the danger of running off the
racing line, due to the conditions of the track.
The main unknown factor this year will be the level of grip,
which will depend on the temperature and the amount of sand
that has been left on the track surface by the wind.
Qatar 2005 : The GP of Qatar 2005 represented
a real turnaround in fortunes for Marco Melandri, who had
come through a period of tough races following his injury
at Motegi. He started from the second row but Marco soon became
the protagonist of an intense head to head with the World
Champion, Valentino Rossi. The battle went down to the final
lap and saw Marco finish in second place, moving up to third
in the championship, just two points behind Max Biaggi.
MotoGP World Championship
1. Loris Capirossi (Ita/Ducati) 25 points
2. Dani Pedrosa (Sp/Honda) 20 points
3. Nicky Hayden (Usa/Honda) 16 points
4. Toni Elias (Sp/Honda) 13 points
5. Marco Melandri (Ita/Honda) 11 points
FOCUS: MOTOGP TYRES
At the maximum level of competition the role played by the
tyres is always crucial. The mechanics and rider work closely
alongside the Michelin technicians on the development and
selection of tyres to be used in the race. The search for
the right setting can only be won if the correct tyre choice
has been made, allowing the maximum potential of a MotoGP
bike to be enjoyed.
Key stats:
800 – the number of Michelin tyres used by each rider
over the course of a season; around 20 rear tyres and 8 fronts
at each race weekend.
1000 – the number of tyres brought by Michelin to each
European race.
5kg – the weight of a front tyre.
7kg – the weight of a rear tyre.
60° - the maximum lean angle possible on a dry track.
45° - the maximum lean angle possible on a wet track.
100cm2 - the total contact patch area for the front and rear
tyres: equivalent to a pair of credit cards.
5km – average durability distance for a qualifying
tyre.
100km - average durability distance for a race tyre.
150 – number of components used to create a tyre.
350km/h – the top speed reached by a MotoGP bike
THE TRACK
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Circuit name: Losail International Circuit
Opened: 2004
Latest modification: 2004
Length: 5,400m
Width: 12m
Pole position: Left
Right corners: 10
Left corners: 6
Longest straight: 1068m
RECORDS
Circuit record: 2004 Edwards (Honda) 1’59”293
Pole position: 2005 Capirossi (Ducati) 1’56”917
Race 2005: 1st Rossi (Yamaha) 2nd Melandri (Honda) 3rd Hayden
(Honda)
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