The 2011 MotoGP season will come to an end in Valencia this weeked with the final round at the Valencia circuit coming up.
It will be two weeks after the tragic death of Marco Simoncelli in Malaysia and the thoughts of the MotoGP community will remain with the family and friends of Marco Simoncelli. His team San Carlo Gresini has confirmed that they will be present at Valencia. Hiroshi Ayoama will ride in MotoGP with the teams Moto2-riders Michele Pirro and Yuki Takahashi riding in the final Moto2-race of the season.
"The decision to take part was not an easy one," team manager Fausto Gresini commented in a press release. "We have made this choice as it is what Marco would have wanted. Going out on track at Valencia is definetly the best way to honour him by doing what he most loved to do."
In Moto2 the championship is still open but with Stefan Bradl a big favourite to take the title. The German Viessman Kiefer Racing rider only has to finish in 13th place or better to secure the title. His closest competitor, Team Catalunya Caixa Repsol rider Marc Márquez is 23 points behind.
The MotoGP championship is sewn up by Casey Stoner already and second place is also secured by Jorge Lorenzo even if he doesn't take part in the final round. He is still recovering from the surgery to his finger after the crash at Philip Island. He is yet to be confirmed for this round.
Behind them the battel for third place is still wide open with only three points seperating Repsol Honda riders Andrea Dovizioso and Dani Pedrosa.
Yamaha has also confirmed that Colin Edwards will be absent this weekend as he recovers from injuries sustained in the crash in Malaysia. He will be replaced by reigning American Superbikechampion Josh Hayes.
Öhlins technicians will be present as usual for the final race of the season.