MotoGP Off-Season Thread

[number_6]

If they are going to be waving stars-and-stripes, and making good for the homies, I can hardly wait for a nice fat 20k word dissertation on how Ben on a Ducati satellite team came about. That should be interesting.

Is this close enough? 804 words.

http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/race/motogp/ben-spies-when-voodoo-strikes/

 

[clutchslip]

Is this close enough? 804 words.

Nah. Not enough politics. We need some mud-slinging at Lorenzo, or Dovizioso, or that other guy, what's his name? At least throw a few rocks at Yamaha, or it's just an anemic timeline.

 

[Zerox]

Rain again messed up the last day of Sepang, tho Marquez is still fastest at his final test til Feb 2013.

Looks like Crazy Joe was a second slower than Hayden at Jerez today.

 

[firstbuell]

Is this close enough? 804 words.

http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/race/motogp/ben-spies-when-voodoo-strikes/

well, that article was an OK beginning to Ben's tale of woe

on top of that, the "MotorSport" site's full of F1 yakking, & the occasional MotoGP article as well

thx!

 

[TheNibbler]

Has Stoner written a book yet?

 

[Zerox]

Has Stoner written a book yet?

Stoner is reading, not writing.

 

[clutchslip]

Marc says: "We are just taking it easy because of the weather. And I am getting use to the bike."

 

[stangmx13]

this pic from Oxley's page is sick and i think it would be better w/ Ben not in the shot

apparently Dovi did 2 laps today and then spent the rest of the day in a neck brace.

also, it seems that BQR is going to use Dorna's free MM system next year. prob a smart move for them.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/Jerez+Test+Day+1

oh, and Michael Laverty over James Ellison and his year of experience... Paul Bird.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/FIM+releases+provisional+2013+MotoGP+entry+list

 

[number_6]

Marc says: "We are just taking it easy because of the weather. And I am getting use to the bike."

Cruelly cropped from the pic is Bautista off to the left doing an impromptu evaluation of how the Showa boingers handle in the grass.

 

[rugbydawg13]

Cruelly cropped from the pic is Bautista off to the left doing an impromptu evaluation of how the Showa boingers handle in the grass.

lol

 

[rugbydawg13]

Is this close enough? 804 words.

http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/race/motogp/ben-spies-when-voodoo-strikes/

Funny how Jorge's bike was running just fine all year. Sounds like the same one-sided attention that Nicky received at Honda with Dani's team pretty much running the show and Nicky out the door.

 

[JO EBRMC]

also, it seems that BQR is going to use Dorna's free MM system next year. prob a smart move for them.

Definitely a smart move. This is where they've struggled. If any team was the target for the system it was BQR.

oh, and Michael Laverty over James Ellison and his year of experience... Paul Bird.

I really question Paul Birds entire operation. I'm really not sure they have the right leadership and don't appear entirely professional (even ignoring the drug bust business) .

In this case though, I might take Laverty over Ellison. Ellison has a lot of years but I don't know that he has the skill to offer much in terms of development.

 

[firstbuell]

Honey Badger yaks it up prior to 2012 UK GP:

http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/race/motogp/junes-podcast-with-cal-crutchlow/

1st 10 min are so-so, but it gets better.....

 

[jehanzeb]

If #93 is as consistent as Jorge, he is going to be world champ.
Speed comes easy to him so it's just a matter of getting used to the 1000's and then the inevitable Rossi showdown Can't wait.

 

[stangmx13]

so apparently 2 days of testing is good enough to put WSBK machines ahead of the slowest factory prototype. Nicky almost never puts in hot laps when hes working through a long testing schedule, but its still funny to see Laverty and Sykes ahead of him.

http://www.motomatters.com/results/2012/11/28/jerez_wsbk_and_ducati_motogp_test_day_3_.html

I really question Paul Birds entire operation. I'm really not sure they have the right leadership and don't appear entirely professional (even ignoring the drug bust business) .

In this case though, I might take Laverty over Ellison. Ellison has a lot of years but I don't know that he has the skill to offer much in terms of development.

when it comes to development, throwing away FP1 each and every weekend because your new rider doesnt know the track is absurd. Ellison had a few battles w/ Yonny this past season... ill have more support for my point here when Yonny wipes the floor w/ Laverty all year. if he doesnt, ill stop hating.

 

[Kurosaki]

Paul Bird is an idiot.

 

[Zerox]

so apparently 2 days of testing is good enough to put WSBK machines ahead of the slowest factory prototype. Nicky almost never puts in hot laps when hes working through a long testing schedule, but its still funny to see Laverty and Sykes ahead of him.

http://www.motomatters.com/results/2012/11/28/jerez_wsbk_and_ducati_motogp_test_day_3_.html

Looks like the CRT Aprilia bikes should quit farting around with homemade frames and instead duplicate the stock Aprilia streetbike frame.

 

[Raider]

hopefully Sykes and the Kawasaki don't embarrass Ducati too much

Pos No. Rider Bike Series Time Diff Previous
1 58 Eugene Laverty Aprilia WSBK 1:40.185
2 66 Tom Sykes Kawasaki WSBK 1:40.400 0.215 0.215
3 69 Nicky Hayden Ducati MotoGP 1:40.855 0.670 0.455

Well... I kinda mentioned this yesterday

 

[JO EBRMC]

when it comes to development, throwing away FP1 each and every weekend because your new rider doesnt know the track is absurd. Ellison had a few battles w/ Yonny this past season... ill have more support for my point here when Yonny wipes the floor w/ Laverty all year. if he doesnt, ill stop hating.

FP1 is a throwaway anyway. I think I'd rather trade the greater potential speed of Laverty for the known and slow quantity that is Ellison.

 

[stangmx13]

FP1 is a throwaway anyway

no way in hell is that true (assuming conditions are adequate and comparable to QP and/or the race). throwaway in terms of what? setup time, def not. assessing tires, nope. gearing, no. rider comfort (ie knowing the track), nope. comparing todays baseline to last years, prob not. the only occasion these riders & teams ever waste track time is during those stupid half-n-half weather conditions.