The 2009 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 61st F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship season. Valentino Rossi won his sixth MotoGP title, seventh in the top class and ninth title in total after getting the better of team-mate Jorge Lorenzo in a season-long battle. In the final 250cc championship (it was replaced by the Moto2 class in 2010), Hiroshi Aoyama became the third Japanese rider to win that title, after Tetsuya Harada and Daijiro Kato. In the 125cc class, Julián Simón won the title after taking seven victories during the season.
Preseason
Cost-cutting measures
As announced during 2008, MotoGP class switched to a single-tyre manufacturer. The move was made to try to improve safety by reducing cornering speeds, and in a marginal way for cost reasons; the winner was decided by bid.[1] Michelin, one of the two tyre suppliers in 2008, decided not to bid for the supply,[2] effectively declaring Bridgestone the winner, which was confirmed on 18 October 2008.[3] Bridgestone will be the sole tyre supplier from 2009 to 2011. Only race spec tyres will be provided to the teams, eliminating qualifying tyres, in use until 2008.
Other cost-cutting manoeuvers were made during the winter prior to the season, to try to contain the rising costs of the sport, especially during a period of economic downturn. FIM was especially concerned, fearing that defections among private and factory teams could leave the grid with 14 bikes only.[4]
After negotiations between FIM, Dorna and MSMA (the manufacturers' association), new measures were adopted. The Friday morning free practice session was eliminated, limiting the Friday practice time to a single 45-minute session (later brought to a 1-hour session from the French GP onwards[5]); a limit of 5 engines was imposed for the last 7 races, with a 10 point penalty for each additional engine used;[6] ceramic composite materials for brakes were banned; electronic assistance was reduced with the ban of electronic controlled suspensions and launch control systems; Monday tests will be cancelled except for Catalunya and Brno, where only test riders will be allowed to take part.[7]
Kawasaki withdrawal and return
With a somewhat unexpected announcement, Kawasaki made public its intention to withdraw from MotoGP immediately on 9 January 2009, citing the global economic downturn as the main cause of the decision.[8] Initial negotiations between Dorna and Kawasaki aimed to run the two bikes with the private Aspar team,[9] but after further talks, on 26 February 2009 Kawasaki announced its decision to remain in the category, running a single bike team with Marco Melandri, effectively leaving John Hopkins without a contract.[10] The team ran under the Hayate Racing banner, as announced on 1 March 2009.[11]
Grands Prix
The 2009 revised race schedule was released on 24 October 2008.[12] A Hungarian round was originally scheduled for 20 September 2009[13] but the organizers asked Dorna to postpone the event to 2010 due to delays in the construction of the Balatonring circuit.[14]
Due to adverse weather conditions, the Qatar MotoGP race was postponed until 13 April.[15]
- ‡ = Night Race
Standings
Scoring system
Points are awarded to the top fifteen finishers. Rider has to finish the race to earn points.
Position |
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
5th |
6th |
7th |
8th |
9th |
10th |
11th |
12th |
13th |
14th |
15th |
Points |
25 |
20 |
16 |
13 |
11 |
10 |
9 |
8 |
7 |
6 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
Riders' standings
- Riders marked with light blue background are eligible for Rookie of the Year awards.
- Rounds marked with light blue background were under wet race conditions.
MotoGP
|
Colour | Result |
Gold | Winner |
Silver | 2nd place |
Bronze | 3rd place |
Green | Points finish |
Blue | Non-points finish |
Non-classified finish (NC) |
Purple | Retired (Ret) |
Red | Did not qualify (DNQ) |
Did not pre-qualify (DNPQ) |
Black | Disqualified (DSQ) |
White | Did not start (DNS) |
Withdrew (WD) |
Race cancelled (C) |
Blank |
Did not participate (DNP) |
Excluded (EX) |
Bold – Pole
Italics – Fastest Lap |
250cc
|
Colour | Result |
Gold | Winner |
Silver | 2nd place |
Bronze | 3rd place |
Green | Points finish |
Blue | Non-points finish |
Non-classified finish (NC) |
Purple | Retired (Ret) |
Red | Did not qualify (DNQ) |
Did not pre-qualify (DNPQ) |
Black | Disqualified (DSQ) |
White | Did not start (DNS) |
Withdrew (WD) |
Race cancelled (C) |
Blank |
Did not participate (DNP) |
Excluded (EX) |
Bold – Pole
Italics – Fastest Lap |
250cc wildcard and replacement riders results
125cc
|
Colour | Result |
Gold | Winner |
Silver | 2nd place |
Bronze | 3rd place |
Green | Points finish |
Blue | Non-points finish |
Non-classified finish (NC) |
Purple | Retired (Ret) |
Red | Did not qualify (DNQ) |
Did not pre-qualify (DNPQ) |
Black | Disqualified (DSQ) |
White | Did not start (DNS) |
Withdrew (WD) |
Race cancelled (C) |
Blank |
Did not participate (DNP) |
Excluded (EX) |
Bold – Pole
Italics – Fastest Lap |
† Half-points awarded in Qatar, as the riders did not complete the sufficient distance for full points.
125cc wildcard and replacement riders results
Rider |
Results |
Yuuichi Yanagisawa |
24th in Japan |
Hiroomi Iwata |
27th in Japan |
Satoru Kamada |
28th in Japan |
Yuki Oogane |
29th in Japan |
Yuma Yahagi |
Ret in Japan |
Alberto Moncayo |
22nd in Spain, 19th in Catalunya, 18th in Portugal, 19th in Valencia |
Borja Maestro |
26th in Spain |
Jordi Dalmau |
27th in Spain, 25th in Catalunya, 18th in Portugal |
Eduard López |
28th in Spain |
Ornella Ongaro |
DNQ in France |
Sturla Fagerhaug |
Ret in France, 22nd in Catalunya, 19th in Portugal, Ret in Valencia |
Steven Le Coquen |
Ret in France |
Cyril Carrillo |
Ret in France |
Luigi Morciano |
17th in Italy, 22nd in Czech Republic, 19th in San Marino |
Davide Stirpe |
21st in Italy |
Gennaro Sabatino |
24th in Italy |
Alessandro Tonucci |
26th in Italy, 23rd in Czech Republic, 29th in San Marino |
Johnny Rosell |
23rd in Catalunya, 20th in Portugal |
Roy Pouw |
DNQ in Netherlands |
Michael van der Mark |
18th in Netherlands |
Karel Pešek |
22nd in Netherlands, Ret in Great Britain, 27th in Czech Republic |
Pepijn Bijsterbosch |
24th in Netherlands |
Toni Finsterbusch |
21st in Germany |
|
|
Manufacturers' standings
MotoGP manufacturers standings
† Following Loris Capirossi's engine change, Suzuki was given a ten point penalty in the constructors' championship at the Australian Grand Prix because of the new for 2009 MotoGP engine change limit rule which restricts each rider to five engines for the final seven rounds.
250cc manufacturers standings
125cc manufacturers standings
† Half-points awarded in Qatar, as the riders did not complete the sufficient distance for full points.
Participants
All entries taken from the official MotoGP site.[16]
MotoGP participants
|
Key |
Regular Rider |
Wildcard Rider |
Replacement Rider |
|
^All entries use Bridgestone tires.
Note 1: Mika Kallio replaced Casey Stoner in Czech GP, Indianapolis GP and San Marino GP.
Note 2: Michel Fabrizio replaced Mika Kallio in Czech GP.
Note 3: Aleix Espargaró replaced Mika Kallio in Indianapolis GP and San Marino GP. He also replaced Niccolò Canepa in Malaysian GP and Valencian GP.
250cc participants
Team |
Constructor |
Motorcycle |
No |
Rider |
Rounds |
Metis Gilera |
Gilera |
Gilera RSA 250 |
15 |
Roberto Locatelli |
1-7, 9-17 |
58 |
Marco Simoncelli |
1-7, 9-17 |
Mapfre Aspar Team |
Aprilia |
Aprilia RSA 250 |
19 |
Álvaro Bautista |
1-7, 9-17 |
Aprilia RSW 250 LE |
63 |
Mike Di Meglio[33] |
1-5 |
Aprilia RSA 250[34] |
6-7, 9-17 |
Pepe World Team |
Aprilia |
Aprilia RSW 250 LE |
7 |
Axel Pons |
1-7, 9-17 |
Aprilia RSA 250 |
40 |
Héctor Barberá[35] |
1-7, 9-17 |
Balatonring Team |
Aprilia |
Aprilia RSA 250 |
28 |
Gábor Talmácsi |
1-3 |
47 |
Ángel Rodríguez |
4 |
Aprilia RSW 250 LE |
11 |
Balázs Németh |
5-6, 10-17 |
41 |
Aleix Espargaró |
7, 9 |
Emmi–Caffè Latte |
Aprilia |
Aprilia RSA 250 |
12 |
Thomas Lüthi |
1-7, 9-17 |
Aeropuerto-Castello-Blusens |
Aprilia |
Aprilia RSA 250 |
6 |
Alex Debón |
1-7, 9-17 |
Auto Kelly – CP |
Aprilia |
Aprilia RSW 250 LE |
52 |
Lukáš Pešek[36] |
1-7, 9-17 |
Cardion AB Motoracing |
Aprilia |
Aprilia RSA 250 |
17 |
Karel Abraham |
1-7, 9-17 |
Team Toth Aprilia |
Aprilia |
Aprilia RSW 250 LE |
10 |
Imre Tóth |
1-2 |
Aprilia RSA 250[37] |
3-7, 9-13 |
Aprilia RSV 250 kit |
14-17 |
Aprilia RSA 250 |
75 |
Mattia Pasini |
1-7, 9-13 |
Scot Racing Team 250cc |
Honda |
Honda RS250RW |
4 |
Hiroshi Aoyama |
1-7, 9-17 |
35 |
Raffaele De Rosa |
1-7, 9-17 |
Thai PTT Honda SAG |
Honda |
Honda RS250RW |
14 |
Ratthapark Wilairot |
1-7, 9-17 |
Valencia CF Honda SAG |
Honda |
Honda RS250RW |
55 |
Héctor Faubel |
1-7, 9-17 |
WTR San Marino Team |
Aprilia |
Aprilia RSW 250 LE |
25 |
Alex Baldolini |
1-7, 9-17 |
Racing Team Germany |
Honda |
Honda RS250R |
8 |
Bastien Chesaux |
1-7, 9-13 |
73 |
Shuhei Aoyama |
14-17 |
Milar – Juegos Lucky |
Aprilia |
Aprilia RSV 250 kit |
77 |
Aitor Rodríguez |
1-4 |
51 |
Stevie Bonsey |
6 |
80 |
7 |
37 |
Daniel Arcas |
5 |
76 |
Iván Maestro |
3 |
CIP MotoGP250 |
Honda |
Honda RS250R |
48 |
Shoya Tomizawa |
1-7, 9-11, 13-17 |
53 |
Valentin Debise |
3-7, 9-17 |
Matteoni Racing |
Aprilia |
Aprilia RSW 250 LE |
8 |
Bastien Chesaux |
14-17 |
16 |
Jules Cluzel |
1-7, 9-17 |
77 |
Aitor Rodríguez |
10-11, 13 |
88 |
Christopher Moretti |
14 |
Viessmann Kiefer Racing |
Aprilia |
Aprilia RSW 250 LE |
56 |
Vladimir Leonov |
1-7, 9, 11-17 |
95 |
Ralf Waldmann |
10 |
Paddock GP Racing Team |
Aprilia |
Aprilia RSA 250 |
75 |
Mattia Pasini |
15-17 |
Team Globalgest |
Aprilia |
Aprilia RSA 250 |
75 |
Mattia Pasini |
14 |
Harc-Pro |
Honda |
Honda RS250R |
73 |
Shuhei Aoyama |
2 |
Bardral Racing with SJ-R |
Yamaha |
Yamaha TZ 250 |
59 |
Kazuki Watanabe |
2 |
C&L Racing |
Honda |
Honda RS250R |
54 |
Toby Markham |
3-7 |
Aprilia |
Aprilia RSW 250 LE |
11, 13 |
Yamaha Road Racing Team |
Yamaha |
Yamaha TZ 250 |
65 |
Marcel Becker |
9 |
Nordgren Racing |
Honda |
Honda RS250R |
66 |
Joakim Stensmö |
9 |
Promotion Scandinavia AB |
Aprilia |
Aprilia RSW 250 LE |
67 |
Robin Halen |
9-10 |
Sabresport Grand Prix |
Aprilia |
Aprilia RSW 250 LE |
64 |
Luke Mossey |
10 |
Dennis Trollope Racing |
Yamaha |
Yamaha TZ 250 |
68 |
Alex Kenchington |
10 |
Longevity Racing |
Yamaha |
Yamaha TZ 250 |
29 |
Barrett Long |
12 |
Rat Racing |
Yamaha |
Yamaha TZ 250 |
30 |
Adam Roberts |
12 |
Bigman Racing |
Honda |
Honda RS250R |
33 |
William Dunlop |
17 |
|
Key |
Regular Rider |
Wildcard Rider |
Replacement Rider |
|
125cc participants
Team |
Constructor |
Motorcycle |
No |
Rider |
Rounds |
Jack&Jones Team |
Aprilia |
Aprilia RSA 125 |
18 |
Nicolás Terol[40] |
1-7, 9-17 |
24 |
Simone Corsi[40] |
1-6 |
39 |
Luis Salom |
7, 9-17 |
Ajo Interwetten |
Derbi |
Derbi RSA 125 |
77 |
Dominique Aegerter |
1-7, 9-17 |
11 |
Sandro Cortese |
1-7, 9-17 |
Bancaja Aspar Team |
Aprilia |
Aprilia RSA 125 |
33 |
Sergio Gadea[41] |
1-7, 9-17 |
38 |
Bradley Smith[42] |
1-7, 9-17 |
60 |
Julián Simón[42] |
1-7, 9-17 |
Viessman Kiefer Racing |
Aprilia |
Aprilia RSA 125 |
17 |
Stefan Bradl |
1-7, 9-17 |
Derbi Racing Team |
Derbi |
Derbi RSA 125 |
44 |
Pol Espargaró |
1-7, 9-17 |
6 |
Joan Olivé |
1-7, 9-17 |
7 |
Efrén Vázquez |
1-7, 9-17 |
Ongetta Team I.S.P.A. |
Aprilia |
Aprilia RSA 125 |
8 |
Lorenzo Zanetti |
1-7, 9-17 |
29 |
Andrea Iannone |
1-7, 9-17 |
Aprilia RS 125 |
73 |
Takaaki Nakagami |
1-7, 9-17 |
94 |
Jonas Folger |
1-7, 9-17 |
Blusens Aprilia |
Aprilia |
Aprilia RSA 125 |
12 |
Esteve Rabat[43] |
1-7, 9-17 |
45 |
Scott Redding[44] |
1-7, 9-17 |
Aprilia RS 125 |
43 |
Johnny Rosell |
6, 14 |
Degraaf Grand Prix |
Aprilia |
Aprilia RSA 125 |
35 |
Randy Krummenacher[45] |
1-7, 9-17 |
99 |
Danny Webb[45] |
1-7, 9-17 |
Honda |
Honda RS125R |
47 |
Blake Leigh-Smith |
16 |
Red Bull KTM Motorsport |
KTM |
KTM FRR 125 |
16 |
Cameron Beaubier[46] |
1-7, 9-11, 13-17 |
93 |
Marc Márquez[46] |
1-7, 9-17 |
50 |
Sturla Fagerhaug |
4, 6, 14, 17 |
Haojue Team |
Haojue |
Haojue 125 |
66 |
Matthew Hoyle |
1-4 |
88 |
Michael Ranseder[47] |
1-4 |
Loncin Racing |
Loncin |
Loncin |
5 |
Alexis Masbou |
1-7, 9-12 |
71 |
Tomoyoshi Koyama |
1-7, 9-17 |
21 |
Jakub Kornfeil |
13-17 |
CBC Corse |
Aprilia |
Aprilia RS 125 |
10 |
Luca Vitali |
1-7, 9-17 |
87 |
Luca Marconi |
1-7, 9-17 |
88 |
Michael Ranseder |
9-17 |
WTR San Marino Team |
Aprilia |
Aprilia RS 125 |
14 |
Johann Zarco |
1-7, 9-17 |
Fontana Racing |
Aprilia |
Aprilia RS 125 |
32 |
Lorenzo Savadori |
1-7, 9-13 |
Aprilia RSA 125 |
24 |
Simone Corsi |
7, 9-17 |
Racing Team Germany |
Honda |
Honda RS125R |
53 |
Jasper Iwema |
1-7, 9-11, 13-17 |
Matteoni Racing |
Aprilia |
Aprilia RS 125 |
19 |
Quentin Jacquet |
14-17 |
69 |
Lukáš Šembera |
1-7, 9-12 |
Dydo Miu Racing |
Honda |
Honda RS125R |
55 |
Hiroomi Iwata |
2 |
Okegawajuku & Endurance |
Honda |
Honda RS125R |
56 |
Yuma Yahagi |
2 |
57 |
Yuki Oogane |
2 |
18 Grage Racing |
Honda |
Honda RS125R |
58 |
Yuuichi Yanagisawa |
2 |
Endurance & Osl |
Honda |
Honda RS125R |
59 |
Satoru Kamada |
2 |
SAG-Castrol |
Honda |
Honda RS125R |
31 |
Jordi Dalmau |
3, 6, 14 |
39 |
Luis Salom |
3, 6 |
95 |
Joan Perelló |
17 |
TCR Competicion |
Aprilia |
Aprilia RS 125 |
40 |
Eduard López |
3 |
Hune Racing Team-TMM |
Aprilia |
Aprilia RS 125 |
41 |
Borja Maestro |
3 |
76 |
Iván Maestro |
17 |
Andalucia Aprilia |
Aprilia |
Aprilia RS 125 |
42 |
Alberto Moncayo |
3, 6, 14, 17 |
TJP-TVX Racing |
Honda |
Honda RS125R |
36 |
Cyril Carrillo |
4 |
Equipe de France |
Honda |
Honda RS125R |
48 |
Grégory Di Carlo |
4 |
Xtrem Racing Team |
Honda |
Honda RS125R |
49 |
Ornella Ongaro |
4 |
Villiers Team Competition |
Honda |
Honda RS125R |
52 |
Steven Le Coquen |
4 |
Elligi Racing |
Aprilia |
Aprilia RS 125 |
51 |
Riccardo Moretti |
5, 13 |
Junior GP Racing Dream |
Aprilia |
Aprilia RS 125 |
61 |
Luigi Morciano |
5, 11, 13 |
62 |
Alessandro Tonucci |
5, 11, 13 |
63 |
Gennaro Sabatino |
5 |
32 |
Lorenzo Savadori |
17 |
CRP Racing |
Honda |
Honda RS125R |
64 |
Davide Stirpe |
5 |
Dutch Racing Team |
Honda |
Honda RS125R |
82 |
Michael van der Mark |
7 |
Racing Team Bijsterbosch |
Honda |
Honda RS125R |
83 |
Pepijn Bijsterbosch |
7 |
Team Holland |
Aprilia |
Aprilia RS 125 |
84 |
Roy Pouw |
7 |
LHF-Project Racing |
Honda |
Honda RS125R |
85 |
Marvin Fritz |
7 |
Pesek Team |
Derbi |
Derbi RS 125 |
86 |
Karel Pešek |
7, 10, 11 |
Freudenberg Racing |
Honda |
Honda RS125R |
76 |
Toni Finsterbusch |
9 |
79 |
Daniel Kartheininger |
9 |
Toni-Mang Racing |
Honda |
Honda RS125R |
78 |
Marcel Schrötter |
9, 11 |
RBS Honda |
Honda |
Honda RS125R |
80 |
Damien Raemy |
9 |
Ajo Motorsport |
Honda |
Honda RS125R |
81 |
Eeki Kuparinen |
9 |
KRP/Bradley Smith Racing |
Honda |
Honda RS125R |
89 |
James Lodge |
10 |
90 |
Timothy Hastings |
10 |
91 |
Martin Glossop |
10 |
92 |
Paul Jordan |
10 |
Moto FGR |
Honda |
Honda RS125R |
67 |
Ladislav Chmelik |
11 |
Team Migomoto |
Honda |
Honda RS125R |
68 |
Ivan Višak |
11 |
Veloce Racing |
Aprilia |
Aprilia RS 125 |
74 |
Ben Young |
12 |
75 |
Miles Thornton |
12 |
Grillini Bridgestone Racing |
Aprilia |
Aprilia RS 125 |
65 |
Gabriele Ferro |
13 |
JJ Racing |
Aprilia |
Aprilia RS 125 |
70 |
Jakub Jantulík |
13-14 |
Mavin Industries |
Honda |
Honda RS125R |
30 |
Dylan Mavin |
15 |
Champions Race Days |
Honda |
Honda RS125R |
54 |
Andrew Lawson |
15 |
RSW Racing |
Aprilia |
Aprilia RS 125 |
96 |
Nicky Diles |
15 |
Gross Racing |
Yamaha |
Yamaha TZ 125 |
97 |
Brad Gross |
15 |
Racetrix/Angelo's Aluminium |
Honda |
Honda RS125R |
98 |
Levi Day |
15 |
Air Asia Team Malaysia |
Yamaha |
Yamaha TZ 125 |
23 |
Muhammad Zulfahmi |
16 |
Aprilia |
Aprilia RS 125 |
28 |
Elly Ilias |
16 |
|
Key |
Regular Rider |
Wildcard Rider |
Replacement Rider |
|
References
|
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| Unrestricted era | | |
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| Transitional era | |
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| Safety-conscious era | |
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| MotoGP era | |
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