French MotoGP, Le Mans - Qualifying

1. Casey Stoner AUS Repsol Honda Team 1m 33.153s
2. Marco Simoncelli ITA San Carlo Honda Gresini 1m 33.212s
3. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Repsol Honda Team 1m 33.621s
4. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda Team 1m 33.683s
5. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Yamaha Factory Racing 1m 33.706s
6. Cal Crutchlow GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1m 33.804s
7. Colin Edwards USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1m 34.063s
8. Ben Spies USA Yamaha Factory Racing 1m 34.206s
9. Valentino Rossi ITA Ducati Marlboro Team 1m 34.206s
10. Nicky Hayden USA Ducati Marlboro Team 1m 34.277s
11. Randy de Puniet FRA Pramac Racing Team 1m 34.351s
12. Alvaro Bautista ESP Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1m 34.513s
13. Hiroshi Aoyama JPN San Carlo Honda Gresini 1m 34.612s
14. Hector Barbera ESP Mapfre Aspar Team 1m 34.650s
15. Loris Capirossi ITA Pramac Racing Team 1m 34.866s
16. Karel Abraham CZE Cardion AB Motoracing 1m 35.100s
17. Toni Elias ESP LCR Honda MotoGP 1m 35.433s


Fastest practice time:
Casey Stoner AUS Repsol Honda 1m 33.782s (FP2)

16 new teams registered interest in MotoGP 2012

Strong interest in 2012 MotoGP World Championship.

The FIM has revealed that 16 new teams registered an interest in joining the MotoGP World Championship for the 2012 season.

“IRTA has received submissions from 16 teams not currently participating in the MotoGP class,” read an FIM statement.

“After reviewing the initial applications with Dorna it has been decided to provide further information to 14 [of the 16] teams containing 21 riders. Those teams will now be provided with a prospectus containing full details of the terms and conditions of participation.

“Teams who wish to proceed with their applications will then have until Saturday 14 May to submit comprehensive details of their plans for participation. These applications will be reviewed at Le Mans and teams will be notified of an acceptance, a rejection or pending status.

“Accepted teams will then have until Friday 3 June, the first day of the Catalunya Grand Prix, to lodge a security deposit with IRTA. A final list of accepted teams will then be published.”

MotoGP will enter a new era for 2012 when engine capacity will increase from 800cc to 1000cc - albeit with limits on cylinder bore to restrict revs - while a new category of Claiming Rule Teams will also be introduced.

These privateer teams will benefit from fuel-tank capacity and engine-change concessions relative to teams using full factory-built prototypes.

Unless the likes of BMW or Aprilia are planning a MotoGP entry - any new manufacturers are also entitled to more engine changes than present factory-bike teams - it is assumed that the 16 interested teams were pitching for a CRT place.

Applications were not required from existing teams already participating in the MotoGP class.

The MotoGP grid currently stands at 17 full time riders. A figure of 22-24 is thought to be the target for 2012.

MotoGP Portugal - Race results

izla Suzuki's Alvaro Bautista was returning to action this weekend after breaking his left femur during practice for round one in Qatar on March 18…

CLICK HERE for pictures from the grand prix...

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1. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda Team 45m 51.483s
2. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Yamaha Factory Racing 45m 54.534s
3. Casey Stoner AUS Repsol Honda Team 45m 59.141s
4. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Repsol Honda Team 46m 8.013s
5. Valentino Rossi ITA Ducati Marlboro Team 46m 8.038s
6. Colin Edwards USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 46m 24.058s
7. Hiroshi Aoyama JPN San Carlo Honda Gresini 46m 30.232s
8. Cal Crutchlow GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 46m 32.395s
9. Nicky Hayden USA Ducati Marlboro Team 46m 46.370s
10. Randy de Puniet FRA Pramac Racing Team 46m 51.180s
11. Toni Elias ESP LCR Honda MotoGP 46m 51.857s
12. Loris Capirossi ITA Pramac Racing Team 46m 53.276s
13. Alvaro Bautista ESP Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 47m 15.853s

DNF:
Ben Spies USA Yamaha Factory Racing
Karel Abraham CZE Cardion AB Motoracing
Hector Barbera ESP Mapfre Aspar Team
Marco Simoncelli ITA San Carlo Honda Gresini