motogp.com · MotoGP Test, Jerez Day 1 of the last round of pre-season testing, at Jerez, ends with Hayden 6th and Rossi 9th. VR is 1.8 seconds off the pace (usual suspects), behind satellite Hondas and Yamahas, and only a whisker ahead of the rookie Bradl. He's less than one-tenth ahead of de Puniet on a CRT for heaven's sake. If this is progress I'd hate to see setbacks. For all the fanfare around last week's launch, and the claim that the new bike gives VR more front-end feel, responds far better to adjustment etc, it's hard to see any grounds to think this season is going to much better than the last. Dispiriting beyond words.
Patience, patience boys :wink: it's the first day of the test ! He'll get there, Ducati still have some way to go to catch the Honda's but they'll get there...
What would it take for you to be worried?! It's the first day, yes, but of the third and last test. At the end of the first test (Sepang 1) they were half a second back. At the end of the second test (Sepang 2) they were a second back and openly dejected. Now they're nearly two seconds back and marginally in front of the top CRT. There are only two more days before the season starts.
Ducati have bent over backwards to give Rossi the bike He wants! I have always backed VR and a long time fan, But I'm slowly growing tired of His post test press release reports. Perhaps the front end problem is all in His head after loosing all confidence last year. I hope so tbh, and that the confidence returns over the next 2 days. But I'll not hold my breath! A year of Stoner dominance again will have the turn it off and watch something more interesting effect!
What would it take for you to be worried?! Ducati pulling the plug on moto gp ! I still believe Rossi and Ducati will come good, maybe I'm just an eternal optimist :wink: but they'll get the bike working. Don't forget they've a hell of a steep learning curve to go through with this new frame, Honda and Yamaha have been using them for years, it's all new to them. I too don't want to see another season like last years and neither do Ducati but 'dismiss Rossi at your peril', you don't loose that sort of talent...
Looking a the real picture about Today's times after reading tweets from motogp experts. Yamaha are the strongest and fastest on worn tyres with Pedders up amongst it with the fastest Honda on worn tyres. Stoner set the fastest time on the soft other available rear tyre, He struggled on the hard tyre and dislikes it But the soft will not last the race at Jerez. This year will be all about tyres loosing grip unlike last years tyre which was all about getting heat into them to work. Jeeez I really wish Super Sic was still with us :-(
Oh...I have the optimism too Ian...and I would love to see nothing more than Rossi, wiping the smirk off that little jumped us Aussie....
I have a lot of practice at being an optimist mate, I'm a Leeds fan ! :frown: I actually like Stoner, I think he got a raw deal at Ducati in the end, but there's no doubting his talent. His scraps with Rossi in 08 and 09 are some of the best races I've seen in years, but like everyone else I want to see more of it this year...
Hmmm, according to this article the soft tyres can do race distance and he was ominously getting quicker... Here's the quote: I can't believe what I've seen you type mate, about getting sick of Vale moaning about the front end?! Are you ok? I agree though. Vale and Ducati are struggling. Even Nicky was closer to the front when Casey was there. In my opinion, Ducati royally f*&^(%^d up their management of Casey and didn't really know what a talent they had. Now they're seeing it every session. Casey's doing a Mick Doohan now, dominating almost every session and clearing off for the win. I liked his response when asked by a reporter whether he thought his clearing off at the front and dominating races was ruining the spectacle of racing: A racer's racer I like Vale's new SuperSic rep helmet.
Just to add...... motogp will be no more in europe as of next year! just like the never on tele doohan years (Fact) sad day for the sport i love! unless your a aussie :wink: Marlboro's millions will be plastered all over a F1 car next year along with the rest of high profile sponsors.
But they did start showing highlights on bbc2 when biaggi started mixing it with doohan and everyone in europe became a max fan
It's all a shame though for aussies when in the history and record books they don't have a racer up with the greats like AGO, Hailwood, and Rossi :wink:
Happy days A new Ducati forum and a new season of Motogp banter Oh by the way, Morning chaps.... I've missed ya
Hahaha, doom mongerer! MotoGP will always survive in some form or another, they'll all be CRTs soon... Get em in while you can Steve :wink: What will you say if Casey goes on to win another 4 titles in a row?
