Australian Grand Prix 
Phillip Island, Australia
Sunday 16th October 2005

YAMAHA CLINCHES CONSTRUCTORS' CROWN WITH ROSSI'S 11TH WIN

Yamaha completed a clean sweep for 2005 today as the Constructors' World
Championship was added to the Riders' and Teams' titles thanks to Valentino
Rossi's eleventh win of the season at Phillip Island. The Gauloises Yamaha Team
rider held off a strong challenge from Nicky Hayden (Honda) to continue his
undefeated run at this circuit, which stretches back to 2001.

Rossi started well from second on the grid and chased pole setter Hayden over
the opening two laps before taking the lead and making several attempts to
escape. However the American hung on and was presented with the opportunity to
retake the lead when Rossi dropped the pace at the halfway stage. After studying
Hayden for three laps, Rossi regained control on lap nineteen and managed to
open out a one-second cushion as Hayden became embroiled in a scrap with Marco
Melandri (Honda). Hayden eventually got the better of the Italian but Rossi was
able to control his lead until the end of the race, winning by 1.007 seconds.

Colin Edwards remains in the hunt for second in the riders' championship after a
battling sixth place finish today. The Texan had struggled all weekend to match
the excellent pace he found here during pre-season testing and was unable to
hang on to the front group after starting from fifth on the grid. Edwards now
lies in fourth place overall, eight points behind Hayden and Melandri, who are
tied for second with two rounds remaining.

 VALENTINO ROSSI (1st - 41'08.542)

"It has been an amazing season and today we have won the constructors' title for
Yamaha in the year of their 50th Anniversary, so I am very happy.
Congratulations to everybody. Eleven wins in the year matches my own record and
to do it at Phillip Island is very special for me. I have won a lot of important
races here, especially the 2001 500cc title and the title last year for Yamaha
and it is a magic track for me - I love it. Today was tough, I had a great rival
in Nicky Hayden and it was a great race. I got to the front after two laps and
had a good rhythm so I pushed two or three times to escape. Every time Nicky
came with me so I let him pass me just to see how it was. Then some more riders
arrived so I tried again and this time I managed to get a one second advantage,
which was like gold! I managed to hold it until the last lap and to celebrate
the win in front of this great crowd is always a magnificent pleasure. Thank you
to them and to everybody else who has made this season so special."

COLIN EDWARDS (6th - +33.200)

"That wasn't great. We've been chasing our tail a little bit all weekend with
the set-up and unfortunately we ran out of time and ideas. In the winter
everything seemed okay here but this time we've been playing catch-up. In the
end we went towards Valentino's setting, which was obviously working well for
him, but for me it was just spinning up too much, even with the front wheel off
the ground, which isn't normal. I want to thank the whole team for their hard
work and congratulate Yamaha for the constructors' title. It's just a shame it
didn't work out for me today."

JEREMY BURGESS - VALENTINO ROSSI'S CREW CHIEF

"It's been a good weekend for us, starting off with some fast and consistent
times on Friday and Saturday and then staying in good shape as the other riders
got better in the build-up to the race. Valentino controlled the race today and
gave another example of why he is World Champion - he rides with his head as
much as his wrist. It was nice for the Australian guys in the team to win their
home race but more than that we are delighted for Yamaha to win the
constructors' title. It was our only remaining target for the season so now we
can look forward to the last two rounds and see what comes up."

RESULTS

 1. VALENTINO ROSSI (ITA) Gauloises Yamaha Team  41'08.542
 2. Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda Team            +1.007
 3. Carlos Checa (SPA) Ducati Marlboro Team         +4.215
 4. Marco Melandri (ITA) Movistar Honda MotoGP      +4.232
 5. Sete Gibernau (SPA) Movistar Honda MotoGP      +14.088
 6. COLIN EDWARDS (USA) Gauloises Yamaha Team      +33.200
 7. Shinya Nakano (JPN) Kawasaki Racing Team       +45.055
 8. Makoto Tamada (JPN) Konica Minolta Honda       +45.103
 9. Toni Elias (SPA) Fortuna Yamaha Team           +45.104
10. John Hopkins (USA) Team Suzuki MotoGP          +50.260

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

 1. VALENTINO ROSSI (ITA)  331
 2. Nicky Hayden (USA)     170
 3. Marco Melandri (ITA)   170
 4. COLIN EDWARDS (USA)    162
 5. Max Biaggi (ITA)       159
 6. Loris Capirossi (ITA)  148
 7. Sete Gibernau (SPA)    137
 8. Alex Barros (BRA)      129
 9. Carlos Checa (SPA)     114
10.Shinya Nakano (JPN)      87