So first action of the year, it's all a bit shook up! Allegedly Jorge wants to test the Open Yamaha, he's not happy, Yamaha management have refused.
Look's like Redding's bike will be seen alot when they get lapped or if Abraham falls off in front of him.
Jorge is just really unhappy with the way the bike rides on the new B-stone rear tyre. Saying that, I very much doubt he'll be outside the top three come Sunday afternoon
Best result in there is Pol Espergaro, 5th, top speed of 215mph and on a collarbone he broke 18/19 days ago ..... the young guns will really be mixing it this year, and they have seen MM come in and bloody some noses ..... they will be looking for blood .....
Asparagus A for a podium, he was a class apart last year in the 2nd division. Wonder if the factory teams are starting to regret agreeing to open class rules? I think the fuel allowance is the most important bit, bet it comes down when the open bikes start interfering with the factory boys.
Looks like we are in for some good racing. The magneti marreli ecu appears to enjoy an extra 4 litres! I can see sparks flying and dummies being spat out.
For me it just seems a bit arse about face. The factory bikes are supposed to be the pinnacle of development etc but they are allowed less fuel less engines and less engine development. The open seems to basically be able to do whatever they want and have better tyres too. Doesn't make sense to me....
Certainly looks interesting. Dovi with the second fastest time in FP2. DP and MM looking in not too bad shape. Lets hope Cal, VR and Jorge can make some big steps forward in FP3.
mmmm....and all for £15 a month....happy old BT.....bastards....,,,I'm just sorry I won't be following Cal or my other heroes this year....
I know, Jorge did look well pissed today that's for sure! Isn't this as simple as the tyres? This is a dirty track, that much is obvious from just watching them get off line and spray sand everywhere. So, pure and simple, the softer the tyre the better it grips? If you gave Jorge a soft rear (from Espargaros bike) he would be back at the front. But they aren't allowed to use them. Come race day, both the open and factory will have to use the medium tyre, so then the playing field is level again. But the Hondas all seem to be running better than the Yamahas..... presumably as the riding style of the Yamaha is more huge corner lean/speed and the Honda is more point and shoot..... But Jorge looked like being multiple world champ until this pesky Marquez chap turned up and then they changed the tyres against his style this year....
They're saying that the softer tyre won't last the race pace, so the medium tyre should come good over race distance. I think this makes it much more interesting, the open class teams get more exposure for their sponsors, the factory bikes have to work hard to qualify and the race won't be 93, 99 and 26 disappearing off in to the distance from the get go. I think making them start from the middle of the pack is one way to make races more fun to watch. Great to see Ducati up at the front, also a shame to see Lorenzo throwing a hissy fit because he can't go fast enough. Very professional...
Keep your online commentary coming in lads , I've just checked out ITV4 and they aren't showing highlights until 9pm Monday frikken night . That would mean avoiding papers , news and other herberts letting me know what the result is so , I 'll log in here to get updates on practise and qualifying them go into lock down till Monday night.
