Changing weather conditions played their rules to deliver a crazy race in Misano this afternoon; Stefan Bradl crossed the line in 16th position to miss a points scoring finish.

The majority of the MotoGP riders had a visit to their box twice today as the race was started in dry condition before it started to drizzle with some minutes later the rain got heavier and some busy action started in pit lane for changing to the bike prepared for rain setup. However, it just was a short rain shower and the track dried out quickly. So the riders came in for a second time to continue the race during the second part with slick tyres again.

Bradl, who went off the line from P19, lost a lot of time in wet conditions as he wasn’t able to find a feeling the the bike and condition. Though he started to recover position after his second visit to his box whereas his feeling with the dry setting was decidedly positive.

#6 Stefan BRADL (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini, Aprilia) – 16th, World Championship position 20th (11 points):

“I should have made the second bike change one lap sooner, but in these situations it’s always difficult to take the right decision. Obviously the track seemed suitable for slick tyres already, but I still saw some drops on my top faring, so I decided to come in one lap later. In any case I had lost too much time after the first bike change because I didn’t find a proper feeling with the wet bike and in the first few laps on a wet track it was very difficult to ride with the bike sliding around so much. The positive thing is that in the last part of the race with slick tyres I had a good feeling and I was able to record fast lap time immediately, recovering some positions.”

Race Classification MotoGP™ Gran Premio di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini:
1 Marc MARQUEZ / SPA / Repsol Honda Team / Honda / 48´23.819
2 Bradley SMITH / GBR / Monster Yamaha Tech 3 / Yamaha / +7.288
3 Scott REDDING / GBR / Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS / Honda / +18.793
16 Stefan BRADL / GER / Aprilia Racing Team Gresini / Aprilia / +58.828

MotoGP™ World Standing:
1 Valentino ROSSI / ITA / Movistar Yamaha MotoGP / Yamaha / 247
2 Jorge LORENZO / SPA / Movistar Yamaha MotoGP / Yamaha / 224
3 Marc MARQUEZ / SPA / Repsol Honda Team / Honda / 184
20 Stefan BRADL / GER / Aprilia Racing Team Gresini / Aprilia / 11

Next race: MotorLand Aragon / Spain, September 27th

Stefan Bradl was on a hot Quali lap till he low sided this afternoon; the 25 year Aprilia rider will start from row six tomorrow at the Misano Circuit.

Thanks to good conditions with fine late summe weather around Italian’s holiday region close to Rimini, Bradl and his crew were able to work on further fine-tuning for the team’s Aprilia RS-GP prototype. During FP4 as a last opportunity in order to prepare for the most important qualifying session, Bradl and his crew achieved significant progress for he is able to set faster lap times now.

#6 Stefan BRADL (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini, Aprilia), Grid position 19th – 1´34.333 (3/6):

“During FP4 we found some good solutions that improved the bike’s performance and they helped me to be faster today, although it’s obviously that we are struggling a bit more here than on other tracks. I was really hard in qualifying, giving 100 percent or maybe even a bit more… so I lost the front and low sided without any serious consequences. It was a shame not to be able to complete this lap, because I could have improved my time quite a bit. Anyway, the most important thing is that we were able to improve the setup today. The bike is more stable in breaking as well the handling is better now, which also is help for me to hold my lines during the fast corners.”

Qualifying Classification:
1 Jorge LORENZO / SPA / Movistar Yamaha MotoGP / Yamaha / 1´32.146
2 Marc MARQUEZ / SPA / Repsol Honda Team / Honda / 1´32.252 +0.106
3 Valentino ROSSI / ITA / Movistar Yamaha MotoGP / Yamaha / 1´32.358 +0.212
19 Stefan BRADL / GER / Aprilia Racing Team Gresini / Aprilia / 1´34.333 +2.187 (Q1)

Stefan Bradl was able to test the new frame for the first time this afternoon and he was thrilled from the very first beginning to work with.

It was a busy Friday for the 25 year MotoGP rider and at the same time a positive one too. It was the first time for him to test the new frame which is Alvaro Bautista, his team mate in Aprilia Racing Team Gresini, is using it since some races. Even though the day started with a so-so FP1 in the morning, Bradl got grips to the new tool in the afternoon, accompanied by fine late summer weather.

#6 Stefan BRADL (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini, Aprilia), FP1: 24th – 1´35.992 (10/18) / FP2: 21st – 1´35.026 (16/20):

“During the second free practice session this afternoon I tested the new frame for the very first time and I immediately found out some benefits going into turns. The bike is more precise in corner entry, although there isn’t much difference in performance in turning compared to the frame I’ve been using now that is definitely positive. With this frame the bike also needs to be ridden differently because it performs differently, especially in braking, so I still wasn’t able to take full advantage of it today. I’ll need to adapt my riding style a bit, after which we’ll be able to improve further. Today we also made some changes to the electronics, moving in the right direction too, so we’ll carefully analyse the data in order to set faster lap times tomorrow.”

Combined Practice Times FP1/FP2:
1 Jorge LORENZO / SPA / Movistar Yamaha MotoGP / Yamaha / 1´32.871 (FP2)
2 Marc MARQUEZ / SPA / Repsol Honda Team / Honda /1´32.924 +0.053 (FP2)
3 Danny PEDROSA / SPA / Repsol Honda Team / Honda / 1´33.258 +0.387 (FP2)
21 Stefan BRADL / GER / Aprilia Racing Team Gresini / Aprilia / 1´35.026 + 2.165 (FP2)

Stefan Bradl delivered a super strong qualifying this afternoon as he powered the Aprilia RS-GP to P14 for tomorrow’s grid which is the best qualifying result thus far for the still young Italian MotoGP project.

After some intense work on race pace during FP3 and FP4, Bradl took best benefit of the soft tyres to put in a great best effort in 2´02.657 to qualify for a brilliant fifth row start.

#6 Stefan BRADL (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini, Aprilia), Grid position 14th – 2´02.657 (7/7):

“I’m very pleased with my performance during today’s qualifying. I managed it well to put in two very nice flying laps, both with the softer option of rear slick. In any case, our bike is performing very well with new tyres so it was a bit to expect to do well this afternoon. But our priority is to improve our race pace now. We tried a few different changes to the bike today, but during FP4 I would have preferred to set a consistently faster pace. We’ll try to use tomorrow morning’s Warm up session to improve further in order to be more effective in the race.”

Qualifying Classification:
1 Marc MARQUEZ / SPA / Repsol Honda Team / Honda / 2´00.234
2 Jorge LORENZO / SPA / Movistar Yamaha MotoGP / Yamaha / 2´00.522 +0.288
3 Dani PEDROSA / SPA / Respol Honda Team / Honda / 2´00.716 +0.482
14 Stefan BRADL / GER / Aprilia Racing Team Gresini / Aprilia / 2´02.657 +2.423 (Q1)

Aprilia has brought new developments for Stefan Bradl’s MotoGP prototype RS-GP to England, which he tested already during Friday’s free practice sessions.

The main focus was on a new swing-arm for the team’s Aprilia RS-GP. The experienced MotoGP rider also realized soon benefits of the new parts soon, so Bradl would like to use them for remaining weekend.

#6 Stefan BRADL (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini, Aprilia), FP1: 18. – 2´05.956 (9/16) / FP2: 20. – 2´04.416 (15/16):

“During both session we tried a new swing-arm that obviously seems to provide some advantages. But in order to take full benefit of it, first we need to solve the problems we endured today coming out of the corners. We need to make the bike a bit less twitchy. However, I would like to continue working with the new swing-arm and if we’re able to eliminate these issues, I think we’ll be able to make some more valuable improvements.”

Combined Practice Times FP1/FP2:
1 Jorge LORENZO / SPA / Movistar Yamaha MotoGP / Yamaha / 2´02.338 (FP2)
2 Marc MARQUEZ / SPA / Repsol Honda Team / Honda / 2´02.371 +0.033 (FP2)
3 Bradley SMITH / GBR / Monster Yamaha Tech 3 / Yamaha / 2´02.531 +0.193 (FP2)
20 Stefan BRADL / GER / Aprilia Racing Team Gresini / Aprilia / 2´04.416 + 2.078 (FP2)

Stefan Bradl collected his first championship points aboard the Aprilia RS-GP last time out on track in the Czech Republic. Of course he would like to build on this strong performance at the British Grand Prix this weekend.

To start the Brno race in 14th position on the grid and to finish it in the same position is a huge motivation not only for Bradl himself as well for the entire team who is developing the still young project. Beyond that Bradl was able to rest his recently operated right wrist in order to improve his condition. So due to these facts he is focussed to make the next step at the demanding and iconic Silverstone Circuit in Great Britain.

#6 Stefan BRADL (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini, Aprilia) – World Championship position 19 (11 points):

“The two weeks break after Brno was a welcome occasion to give my wrist a rest but also to continue physical therapies in order to strengthen it further. So I hope that I won’t have to mention this problems any more. But I can’t wait to get back on track now. The results we achieved in Brno really motivated the entire team and beyond that I like the track layout in Silverstone a lot. Although we’ll need to work hard to do well in these many fast direction changes there. Our priority for the upcoming race weekend continue the same by improving our consistency in terms of performance over race distance.“

MotoGP™ Time Schedule for the British GP (GMT+2):
Friday, 28 August: 10:55 – 11:40 FP1
Friday, 28 August: 15:05 – 15:50 FP2
Saturday, 29 August: 10:55 – 11:40 FP3
Saturday, 29 August: 14:30 – 15:00 FP4
Saturday, 29 August: 15:10 – 15:25 QP1
Saturday, 29 August: 15:35 – 15:50 QP2
Sunday, 30 August: 10:30 – 10:50 Warm Up
Sunday, 30 August: 14:00 Race (20 laps – 118 km)

Facts Silverstone Circuit:
First time venue of the British Grand Prix: 2010
Length: 5.900 meters
Width: 17 meters
Longest straight: 770 meters
Left: 8
Right: 10
Best MotoGP™ Pole-Position: 2´00.691 (2013)
MotoGP™ Lap record: 2´01.941 (2013)
Stefan Bradl‘s results 2014: Grid position 9 / 7th

Stefan Bradl rounded up his second weekend in Aprilia Racing Team Gresini with a nice 14th position and two championship points.

The 25 year German rider rode an impeccable race after a good start which was undermined by usual first corner battles. Bradl was pleased with his result after the chequered flag. Riding an outstanding race at the demanding Brno circuit, Bradl had to give up one position to his team mate Alvaro Bautista during the final stages due to pain from his still injured right wrist.

#6 Stefan BRADL (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini, Aprilia) – 14th, World Championship position 19 (11 points):

“I think we can be very happy with our result today. I had set the goal of being faster during the race than I was in Indianapolis and I was successful in this respect, plus it was fun to battle with Alvaro. I was able to stay in front of him quite a few laps and then towards the end he managed to pass me with a clean move so he earned the spot ahead of me. My team and crew is working well and I hope we’ll be able to continue like this to improve our race performance further. During qualifying practice I’m already able to get the most out of the bike for a few flying laps, but our priority is still to improve race performance. We took a step forward today even if the bike’s handling became more difficult to ride it in the second half of the race. During the last laps I also felt pain in my injured wrist, but despite everything we managed to bring home a really nice result.”

Race Result Grand Prix Ceske republiky:
1 Jorge LORENZO / SPA / Movistar Yamaha MotoGP / Yamaha / 42´53.042
2 Marc MARQUEZ / SPA / Repsol Honda Team / Honda / +4.462
3 Valentino ROSSI / ITA / Movistar Yamaha MotoGP / Yamaha / +10.397
14 Stefan BRADL / GER / Aprilia Racing Team Gresini / Aprilia / +54.624

MotoGP™ World Standing 2015:
1 Jorge LORENZO / SPA / Movistar Yamaha MotoGP / Yamaha / 211
2 Valentino ROSSI / ITA / Movistar Yamaha MotoGP / Yamaha / 211
3 Marc MARQUEZ / SPA / Repsol Honda Team / Honda / 159
19 Stefan BRADL / GER / Aprilia Racing Team Gresini / Aprilia / 11

Stefan Bradl qualified for 16th position in his second effort for Aprilia Racing Team Gresini at the Brno Circuit today.

Bradl and his crew we working mainly on a proper setup for tomorrow’s race but the 25 year young Bavarian rider proved also in qualifying pace his strengthens. Aboard the team‘s Aprilia RS-GP Bradl lap time was less than one second off the pace for a four row start.

#6 Stefan BRADL (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini, Aprilia), Grid position 16th – 1´57.133 (2/7):

“I’m pleased with today’s outcome after qualifying practice. During my first outing I got a good lap time immediately. However, I’d like to get below the 1´57 barrier actually but in any case we got close to it. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to improve further in my second flying lap because I started feeling some vibrations with the second soft tyre. Anyway, I’d like to thank the team for their hard work done this weekend thus far. The bike seems easier to ride in my qualifying runs now but we still need to improve our race pace which remains our top priority. Hopefully I’ll be able to battle for a better position tomorrow than the one I finished in Indianapolis last Sunday.”

Qualifying classification:
1 Jorge LORENZO / SPA / Movistar Yamaha MotoGP / Yamaha / 1´54.989
2 Marc MARQUEZ / SPA / Repsol Honda Team / Honda / 1´55.063 +0.182
3 Valentino ROSSI / ITA / Movistar Yamaha MotoGP / Yamaha / 1´55.353 +0.364
16 Stefan BRADL / GER / Aprilia Racing Team Gresini / Aprilia / 1´57.133 +2.144 (Q1)