MotoGP today (Spoiler Alert!!!!)

[Spunky99]

I heard the news and just cried. I've always preferred Valentino for his smooth style and Marco was this brash and arrogant young upstart with so much talent. He reminded me of myself except the talent part of which I have none.

I had started my bike and was going to wait to finish putting on all the plastics and details and not ride it but something inside me told me to finish. I had it all together around 5:30 PM and as I let out the clutch the bike stalled, my left foot got stuck on the peg and over I went. LOL.....
The frame sliders I installed worked like a charm and nothing else touched. Most people would have taken that as a bad omen but I felt it was Marco just busting my chops so I picked it up, restarted and took off. The bike feels like I have a +2 or a +3 front sprocket on a FX6R so taking off is a little different and that's why I stalled.

I hit the freeway and cruised all over town getting used to the feel of the new bike as it is totally different than the FZ6R. The whole time I kept it cool and didn't speed and rode with Marco's spirit on my shoulder just enjoying the cool moist wind blowing by. From the ashes rises a Phoenix today and I dedicate my bike to the spirit of Marco. May he never be forgotten.
Let him rest in peace but his spirit can ride with me any day.

 

[Fizzer6R]

Spies bounces back for front row start in Valencia

VALENCIANA MotoGP Qualifying

Cheste, Saturday, November 05, 2011
Pos. Num. Rider Nation Team Bike Km/h Time Gap 1st/Prev.
1 27 Casey STONER AUS Repsol Honda Team Honda 309.9 1'31.861
2 26 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 309.4 1'32.875 1.014 / 1.014
3 11 Ben SPIES USA Yamaha Factory Racing Yamaha 303.0 1'33.057 1.196 / 0.182
4 14 Randy DE PUNIET FRA Pramac Racing Team Ducati 305.1 1'33.118 1.257 / 0.061
5 19 Alvaro BAUTISTA SPA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 305.6 1'33.443 1.582 / 0.325
6 46 Valentino ROSSI ITA Ducati Team Ducati 303.7 1'33.478 1.617 / 0.035
7 69 Nicky HAYDEN USA Ducati Team Ducati 304.2 1'33.656 1.795 / 0.178
8 4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA Repsol Honda Team Honda 306.8 1'33.824 1.963 / 0.168
9 8 Hector BARBERA SPA Mapfre Aspar Team MotoGP Ducati 307.8 1'34.186 2.325 / 0.362
10 17 Karel ABRAHAM CZE Cardion AB Motoracing Ducati 306.6 1'34.265 2.404 / 0.079
11 35 Cal CRUTCHLOW GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 303.1 1'34.329 2.468 / 0.064
12 65 Loris CAPIROSSI ITA Pramac Racing Team Ducati 303.3 1'34.671 2.810 / 0.342
13 24 Toni ELIAS SPA LCR Honda MotoGP Honda 313.2 1'34.680 2.819 / 0.009
14 7 Hiroshi AOYAMA JPN San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 305.7 1'34.838 2.977 / 0.158
15 89 Katsuyuki NAKASUGA JPN Yamaha Factory Racing Yamaha 299.9 1'35.999 4.138 / 1.161
16 41 Josh HAYES USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 296.1 1'36.042 4.181 / 0.043

 

[JonKerr]

Where's Josh Hayes?

 

[Fizzer6R]

Where's Josh Hayes?

sorry about that, I usually copy the top 10 or so, he's 16th. edited above to show em all

 

[JonKerr]

I figured that. I knew there were more than the 12 riders and can't really expect Josh to do more than that. It is pretty sad though to see a list of only 16 riders in the premier motorcycle racing class. I would love to see a full field of ten teams with 20 riders out there. Hopefully the new rules next year will even things up a little bit and bring more teams in.

 

[Heineken]

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We are going out in great numbers ( I hope ) tomorrow and gave Marco 58 seconds of noise at 10:30 local time...

 

[JonKerr]

Don't think I'm going to be out riding since we actually have some crappy weather going on here right now so I will make sure I head out to the garage @10:30 and make some noise.

 

[Fizzer6R]

Valencia pay tribute to Marco Simoncelli

On Sunday morning riders from all three categories of the World Championship were invited to depart from Pit Lane as a group, and completed a lap of the track in honour of Simoncelli. The procession was led by former World Champion Kevin Schwantz riding at the head of the group on board Simoncelli’s San Carlo Honda Gresini RC212V bike.

motogp.com · Valencia pay tribute to Marco Simoncelli

 

[JonKerr]

What a huge swing of emotions in that race. The tributes to Sic that got me all choked up, the elation at Ben taking the lead and charging to win the last race of the season and the 800cc era, the massive let down when Stoner went by on the last straight to snatch it from him, to the sadness you could see in Capirossi's eyes as he crossed the line to finish his career with Sic's number on the bike, to the awesome finish for Josh Hayes in 7th in his first MotoGP race.

Here's looking forward to next season and a whole new formula, all new bikes, new teams coming into the premiere class, and hopefully a more exciting season than this year.

 

[b_who]

damn casey stoner :rant: Hate that little prick
Just took the win from Ben Spies away.

 

[Heineken]

damn casey stoner :rant: Hate that little prick
Just took the win from Ben Spies away.

Well, if you watch the race really close, Stoner had the win in the bag since....first lap. Mind games... that's all that was.

 

[JonKerr]

Well, if you watch the race really close, Stoner had the win in the bag since....first lap. Mind games... that's all that was.

I don't think it was mind games. I think it was Stoner struggling with being in the lead and not knowing the grip like he said for the last race he won in the mist. So Ben was able to real him in fast. Coming off the last turn he just pulled it harder than Ben. It's been suggested all year that the Hondas are not only multiple HP up on everyone else, but that their TC system is much more efficient which would help him to pull the throttle harder.

 

[Fizzer6R]

Honda's Pedrosa Fastest In Second & Final Liter MotoGP Test Day at Valencia

yeah I know it's very early; dare I say despite the bike changes, next year looks to be about the same as this year was:

Pos. Rider Team Bike Time
1 Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda Honda RC212V 1:31.807
2 Casey Stoner Repsol Honda Honda RC212V 1:31.968
3 Ben Spies Yamaha Factory Racing Yamaha M1 1:32.338
4 Cal Crutchlow Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha M1 1:32.550
5 Andrea Dovizioso Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha M1 1:33.256
6 Valentino Rossi Ducati Marlboro Ducati GP11 1:33.332
7 Karel Abraham Cardion AB MotoRacing Ducati GP11 1:33.433
8 Hector Barbera Pramac Racing Ducati GP11 1:33.648
9 Alvaro Bautista San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda RC212V 1:33.814
10 Stefan Bradl LCR Honda Honda RC212V 1:34.142
11 Kousuke Akiyoshi Repsol Honda Honda RC212V 1:34.546
12 Franco Battaini Ducati Marlboro Ducati GP11 1:34.840
13 Carmelo Morales TeamLaglisse CRT 1:35.911
14 Ivan Silva BRQ CRT 1:36.695
15 Yonny Hernandez BRQ CRT 1:37.279
16 Federico Sandi Grilini CRT 1:38.680

from Yamaha:

Yamaha Completes First Day of Valencia Test

Yamaha Factory Racing rider Ben Spies completed the first of two days of testing this afternoon of the 1000cc YZR-M1 at Valencia. The first day of testing focused on two different engine specifications, tomorrow's test will focus on two differing frame and geometry settings. Spies ended the day third fastest with a best time of 1'33.226 after completing 73 laps.

Ben Spies
Position : 3rd
Time: 1'33.226
Laps: 73

"We weren't too worried about lap times today, we made a lot of small changes to the bike including geometry changes, electronics etc to make the bike as comfortable as possible. Tomorrow we'll try a different chassis spec so we can choose which one to go forward in. We confirmed which direction to go with in power delivery today which is good. This is testing so we never got close to the limit with the bike; it's about riding at 90% consistently to test the motorcycle. When we get the full package next year in Sepang we'll go closer to the limit. I can't complain about the engine power though, we don't need any more. It's a shame my team mate Jorge is not here today, I know that whatever you give him he can go fast on it! I'm looking forward to getting his feedback as well when we test together in Sepang."

 

[Fizzer6R]

Suzuki Motor Corporation suspends GP racing

can't say it's a surprise, just sucks

Suzuki Motor Corporation has decided to suspend temporarily its participation in FIM Road Racing Grand Prix MotoGP from 2012.

This suspension is to cope with tough circumstances mainly caused by the prolonged recession in developed countries, a historical depreciation of Japanese Yen and repeated natural disasters.

Having an eye to returning to MotoGP in 2014, Suzuki will now focus on developing a competitive new racing machine for that class.

Suzuki will continue motocross racing activity and support of road racing activities using mass-produced motorcycles, by obtaining FIM homologation and co-operation with the supplier of its development racing kit parts.

Suzuki Motor Corporation press release

 

[JonKerr]

Kind of had a feeling that's where they were headed. Their bike wasn't that far off pace. They were a solid mid pack team with only one rider. I really feel like after next season we'll probably see some more involvement from not only other small manufacturers but also the big guys again in 2013 and 2014. I think they're going to be able to save a ton of money with the new rules about being able to use production based engines. And in all honesty, they need to get the formula closer to that of Moto2. Look at some of the epic Moto2 races we've seen since it's inception. I can count on one hand the number of races that I would consider epic in the premiere class in the last 3 years.

 

[Heineken]

Kind of had a feeling that's where they were headed. Their bike wasn't that far off pace. They were a solid mid pack team with only one rider. I really feel like after next season we'll probably see some more involvement from not only other small manufacturers but also the big guys again in 2013 and 2014. I think they're going to be able to save a ton of money with the new rules about being able to use production based engines. And in all honesty, they need to get the formula closer to that of Moto2. Look at some of the epic Moto2 races we've seen since it's inception. I can count on one hand the number of races that I would consider epic in the premiere class in the last 3 years.

Yes, the moto2 formula in motoGP will fulfill Hondas dream: HondaGP...
In moto2 it's all about the riders.... They are hungry.... In motoGP you have too many prima-donnas today..

 

[b_who]

GP12 is off to a bad start for Nicky Hayden

http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/rac...s-shoulder-ribs-training-accident/#more-27173

Depending on how he heals he might make it for the winter testing.

 

[Fizzer6R]

MotoGP Test, Jerez

the more things change, the more they stay the same:

Session 3 as of 18:00 - 25/03/12
PDF Analysis
Pos Rider Team Fastest lap Prev. Gap Lead. Gap Laps
1 Casey STONER Repsol Honda Team 1:38.780 - - 61
2 Jorge LORENZO Yamaha Factory Racing 1:38.953 +0.173 +0.173 84
3 Dani PEDROSA Repsol Honda Team 1:39.157 +0.204 +0.377 73
4 Ben SPIES Yamaha Factory Racing 1:39.495 +0.338 +0.715 61
5 Cal CRUTCHLOW Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1:39.585 +0.090 +0.805 83
6 Valentino ROSSI Ducati Team 1:39.733 +0.148 +0.953 90
7 Andrea DOVIZIOSO Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1:39.860 +0.127 +1.080 72
8 Nicky HAYDEN Ducati Team 1:39.919 +0.059 +1.139 91
9 Alvaro BAUTISTA San Carlo Honda Gresini 1:40.017 +0.098 +1.237 86
10 Stefan BRADL LCR Honda 1:40.098 +0.081 +1.318 85
11 Hector BARBERA Pramac Racing Team 1:40.287 +0.189 +1.507 91
12 Karel ABRAHAM Cardion AB Motoracing 1:40.579 +0.292 +1.799 88
13 Randy DE PUNIET Power Electronics Aspar 1:40.601 +0.022 +1.821 71
14 Aleix ESPARGARO Power Electronics Aspar 1:41.645 +1.044 +2.865 69
15 Danilo PETRUCCI Came Iodaracing Project 1:41.926 +0.281 +3.146 87
16 Franco BATTAINI Ducati Team 1:42.057 +0.131 +3.277 85
17 Colin EDWARDS NGM Mobile Forward Racing 1:42.073 +0.016 +3.293 58
18 Mattia PASINI Speed Master 1:42.184 +0.111 +3.404 59
19 Michele PIRRO San Carlo Honda Gresini 1:42.212 +0.028 +3.432 52
20 James ELLISON Paul Bird Motorsport 1:42.437 +0.225 +3.657 83
21 Ivan SILVA Avintia Racing MotoGP 1:42.446 +0.009 +3.666 84
22 Yonny HERNANDEZ Avintia Racing MotoGP 1:42.906 +0.460 +4.126 59

 

[FastFreddy]

There was a funny cartoon in an Australian bike mag of Edwards on the phone to a journo when asked,
"how are you going to beat them this year ?".

You see his engineer fitting a 50 cal M2 to the front of the bike and he says "we're working on it"

 

[FastFreddy]

Road Racer Folklore :
Apparently Edwards is the last of the guys that gets his crew to drag him down pit straight by his legs whenever he gets new leathers. It's an old tradition.

He's definitely the funniest guy on the grid, he tweeted Stoner and Spies last practise "Will you guys slow the fuck down, I'm trying to do some business here" (raising sponsors for the CRT bike)

Edwards on painkillers :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=cdqTMPwjqR8