| Author | Message | ||
     Simond |
I think we can confidently say he'll be on a quicker bike in 2014 than he has been this year. the only question is where it will fit in with the FTR/Yamaha, Aprilia and 2014 Ducati. I see Cal got a rude awakening yesterday with his first Ducati front end crash. | ||
| Jaimec |
Here's hoping Rossi can keep the three Spaniards "honest" in 2014: http://www.cycleworld.com/2013/11/13/will-nine-tim e-world-champion-valentino-rossi-be-competitive-in -the-2014-motogp-race-season/ | ||
| Trojan |
I see Cal got a rude awakening yesterday with his first Ducati front end crash. Looking at what was said, it appears that they basically told him 'go faster until you crash, then we will know the limit!' I think he is just looking forward to the new bike as there is nothing useful to test on the current configuration other than getting used to the engine and gearbox. At least he is still within a couple of tenths from Dovi in testing. I think he would have been extremely upset if he was a lot slower even on his first test. Apparently neither the FTR/Yamaha or Honda customer teams are entirely happy with electronics, and it appears that Stober actually only ever did 5 laps on the customer bike at Motegi, so Hondas talk of it being only .3 slower than the factory bike seem to be just 'sales talk'. I wonder if they have a money back clause, as the ART Aprilia doesn't actually look too bad now (with the right rider!)? It will be interesting to see what Rossis new crew chief can bring to the party now too. he is allegedly a bit of a data and electronics wizard, so maybe that is the area where they thought he may be better than Jerry Burgess, who was an old school engineer rather than a modern electroncs geek. Why do we have to wait until next year for the season to start! I'm impatient now! (Message edited by trojan on November 13, 2013) | ||
| Jaimec |
The stock, Dorna-approved software seems to be an issue with ALL of the teams testing so far. Here's hoping they can get it to work by Qatar. | ||
| Bads1 |
Why do we have to wait for next season to start?? Love It Matt I feel the same. | ||
| Simond |
Impressive times from Bradley Smith now he has some of the 2013 parts - second fastest and only 0.3s behind Marquez. It should be an interesting battle between the Tech 3 riders next year. | ||
| Rocket_in_uk |
It will be interesting to see what Rossis new crew chief can bring to the party now too. he is allegedly a bit of a data and electronics wizard, so maybe that is the area where they thought he may be better than Jerry Burgess, who was an old school engineer rather than a modern electroncs geek. Ho hum. Wonder if I can get a job on Rossi's team. Rocket said Something doesn't add up and I'd like to bet it's down to the electronics, which in some way must be hindering Rossi's bike when compared to Lorenzo's. Their fuel maps must be way different - and why? Rocket in England | ||
| Rocket_in_uk |
Given Marquez was faster in testing than Pedrosa's fastest race lap, the lap record also (1.31.628), and Marquez being just a few hundredth's off his best lap time (1.30.237) with 1.30.287, Smith's time on the Tech3 Yamaha is incredible. Where did Smith get a 1.30.589 from? That's over a second inside Pedrosa's lap record set on Sunday. Matt, how can this be. What is going on? Rocket in England | ||
| Svh |
Did you catch the end of season interview with Marquez when he was asked about next seasons challenges. He mentioned Lorenzo and Pedrosa in that order. No mention of Rossi being a challenger. I thought it was interesting and I realize it will probably be food for our favorite bridge under dweller. | ||
| Trojan |
Their fuel maps must be way different - and why? Not fuel maps exactly, but things like engine braking, anti wheelie etc. I'm sure there are small differences in programming that can make a big difference on track to a good rider. However Rossi biggest problem is still trying to make his style suit Lorenzos bike. That's over a second inside Pedrosa's lap record set on Sunday. Matt, how can this be. What is going on? bradley Smith has been racing what is effectivley a 'parts bin' bike all year with bits of 2011 and 2012 M1 in it. Yesterday was the first chance he had of getting on a 2013 spec bike (albeit with a tech 3 motor in it, so no seamless gearbox yet), and he has definitely gelled with the new tank/seat etc better than Cal did. However, look into it a bit further and you'll also see that his best times were set with a very low fuel load and very soft tyre combination at the end of the test, unlike Marquez who set his times on race tyres. The problem with testing is that we never know the specs of the bikes being tested or what the riders instructions are for the test. We won't know any true indications until the first race next year, but it does look good for Bradley so far  | ||
| Rocket_in_uk |
However, look into it a bit further and you'll also see that his best times were set with a very low fuel load and very soft tyre combination at the end of the test, unlike Marquez who set his times on race tyres. Which is why I asked you Matt, lol. Thanks for clarifying. Still a very impressive showing from Smith. Maybe after all the glitz and glam surrounding Crutchlow and Redding, maybe Smith is our best hope yet after all! See Jamie, this is a Brit thing, lol. But I'll still be for Rossi until he decides to call it a day. Rocket in England Rocket in England | ||
| Rocket_in_uk |
Not fuel maps exactly, but things like engine braking, anti wheelie etc. I'm sure there are small differences in programming that can make a big difference on track to a good rider. This is what I was getting at recently and was hoping to chat about back then until I spat my dummy out with Jamie over the smooth throttle hand of Mr Lorenzo. Never mind. My apologies Jamie. My words were a little harsh Rocket in England | ||
| Trojan |
I don't think the map differences used will make much difference to overall fuel consumption, just in small areas relating to different riding styles. It certainly wouldn't account for the fact that Rossi ran out of fuel on the slow down lap at Motegi yet Lorenzo managed two victory laps with fuel to spare t the same track. Lorenzo will still use less fuel than Rossi/Crutchlow because of his style and lesser size/weight. Riders will always use less fuel while leading a race, setting his own pace and riding smoothly, than when dicing with other riders which inevitably produces more harsh braking/acceleration and riding lines that are less than ideal (and hence uses more fuel) when trying to overtake or defend. | ||
| Jaimec |
Right now, the most important question for 2014 is "Can Gigi walk on water, or will Crutchlow become homicidal?" | ||
| Trojan |
"Can Gigi walk on water, or will Crutchlow become homicidal?" I think it has already been mentioned that Gigi is concentrating first on the organisational probems, then on the technical. if that is true then I wouldn't expect to see a huge improvement at Sepang even with the 'new' bike. Cal says that he expects things to get better in the second third of next year and probably not before, so it could be a long season for them next year .....again. At least Cal can count his money though  And it will be interesting to see how long he stays dimplmatic in press interviews! | ||
| Jaimec |
It's too bad Nicky is always so polite and politically correct. I'd LOVE to hear what he REALLY thinks after his contract expires. Oh, and how come Cal can talk to the press about the Ducati, but Nicky isn't allowed to talk to the press about the RCV1000R?? | ||
| Bads1 |
Josh Herrin “It was an all-round fun day today on the Moto2 bike with my new team. “I have come to grips with the track now and I have been getting more comfortable with the bike all day. We are within about 1.5 seconds of the pole time here this year and for some reason some of the guys out there have different motors to the ones we race with, so it is tough to really compare lap times. “I am always trying to push for better times and today was no exception, but this is the first day on the bike, with the team and at the track, so in reality I am out of my comfort zone. “To be honest, I was expecting this to be similar to bikes I have ridden before but it was completely different, so it has taken today to get used to the bike and now I can work on the setup and hopefully tomorrow will be even better.” | ||
| Bads1 |
Rossi interview with BBC 3 days ago. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJI8XL2fd9o | ||
| Jaimec |
WTF? I thought everyone used the SAME engines in Moto2?? | ||
| Bads1 |
Thought the same. Was waiting for someone to catch that.... ding ding ding ding Jaime is the winner. Scratched my head on that as well | ||
| Trojan |
WTF? I thought everyone used the SAME engines in Moto2?? Race engines for Moto2 are only allocated and issued to teams for the season once it actually starts (i.e. first official session of new season). Until then teams can use any engine they like so long as it is a Honda CBr600 based item. That means some use a stock motor, some use a Supersport motor and some will use a Moto2 spec motor when testint. This is why testing times from Moto 2 are pretty meaningless other than to give an indication of rider potential, especially as the teams never tell what spec their motor actually is (unless they are very slow of course). | ||
| Trojan |
Here are the top 15 times from Moto2 testing yesterday. As said before, engine specs are unknown and can differ widely between teams from stock CBR600 to full on Moto2 or even Supersport spec, so take with a bit of a pinch of salt. 1 Tomas LUTHI Interwettern Paddock Suter 61 laps 1:42.662 2 Jordi TORRES Team Aspar Suter 78 laps 1:42.726 3 Mika KALLIO Marc VDS Kalex 69 laps 1:42.776 4 Takaai NAKAGAMI Idemitsu Honda Team Asia Honda 52 laps 1:42.959 5 Tito RABAT Marc VDS Kalex 101 laps 1:42.962 6 Nico TEROL Team Aspar Suter 81 laps 1:43.028 7 Sam LOWES Speed Up Speed Up 82 laps 1:43.628 8 Sandro CORTESSE Intact GP Kalex 49 laps 1:43.592 9 Azlam SHAH Idemitsu Honda Team Asia Honda 52 laps 1:43.667 10 Julian SIMON Italtrans Kalex 77 laps 1:43.795 11 Zavier SIMEON Gresini Racing Suter 71 laps 1:43.944 12 Johann ZARCO Caterham Moto Racing Suter 70 laps 1:44.158 13 Anthony WEST Speed Up Speed Up 69 laps 1:44.164 14 Franco MORBIDELLI Italtrans Kalex 83 laps 1:44.249 15 Luis ROSSI Maptaq Sag Zelos Team Kalex 65 laps 1:44.469 Things that can be deduced from them without knowing engines specs though are.....Zarco is probably on the same spec bike/engine as Josh Herrin (same team) so Josh has some catching up to do and needs to get used to a 600 and Moto2 chassis. Also Sam Lowes is going to be a force to be reckoned with next year To be in the top 7 on a bike he has never even sat on before yesterday is pretty good going but we expect no less from him. | ||
| Jaimec |
Josh used to ride Daytona Sportbike, which is really just a hotted-up 600cc class with a bunch of other random displacement/manufacturers approved through some occult process by AMA/DMG, so the engine isn't an issue. More likely the frames/tires/unfamiliar track are what is holding him back. | ||
| Trojan |
Just found Herrins time: 20 Josh Herrin Suter 1:44.877 2.215 off the front. I woould agree that strange track, new bike and new tyres will take some getting used to.....although Sam Lowes in the the same position really | ||
| Simond |
Zarco is pretty quick and has (I think) been on a Suter all year. A new team with a new rider on a proper race bike for the first time....... 0.72 off his teammate is not bad on day 1. | ||
| Jaimec |
I, for one, would LOVE to see Vale return to finishing regularly on the podium. It really is getting tedious hearing the Spanish National Anthem all day long when we're at Indianapolis. This past year we were hoping for at least a round of "God Save the Queen" during the Moto2 race, but we were denied even that. Haven't heard the "Star Spangled Banner" AFTER a race since 2005, and I don't know if I'll live long enough to ever hear it again. At least they play it BEFORE the races start, so we don't forget what it sounds like.  Update: I know Ben Spies won at Assen... but I wasn't there, and they don't show the playing of the National Anthem on the broadcasts we see here. Same goes for Nicky in 2006. I was at Laguna Seca in 2005, but watched on TV in 2006. (Message edited by jaimec on November 17, 2013) | ||
| Trojan |
Until somebody can re-align Dorna and stop them turning MotoGP into an extension of the Spanish CEV championship (which has just been given 'European' championship staust by DORNA supposedly!) then the best way to get into MotoGP is to race in the Spanish series. Even though there are more and more 'foreigners' racing in the CEV now it is still overwhelmingly Spanish in terms of riders, sponsors and teams. Do we wait for things to change on their own (which they won't) or do teams currently racing in AMA/BSB/IDM etc pack up their tools into the back of a van and move to spain to race in the only championship that will now matter to aspiring MotoGP competitors? Personally if I were running a team for a good young rider that has ambitions and talent enough to make it to Moto3/2 then I wouldn't waste time or money trying to climb pretty meaningless domestic championships any longer, and would put all my eggs in the DORNA basket to race in CEV. It seems that more AMA teams and riders are looking at this option and I think it won't be long before we see more young Brits making the move (although there has always been a significant minority of Brits racing in Spain - Bradley Smith, Scott redding, Danny Kent and Kev Coughlan all grew up racing in Spain rather than England). If you can't beat them, join them | ||
| Simond |
It will be interesting to see how the Lowes brothers adapt having grown up in the BSB paddock. Similarly talented twins; one attempting to get to MotoGP through Supersport and Moto2; the other going from domestic Superbike to WSB. .......if only they were triplets and we could put the third brother through the Spanish championships as a control . | ||
| Trojan |
Luckily I think both Lowes twins have the rare natural talent to get to the top regardless of route chosen. It is just a pity that coming through the British system has taken them until their 20's to get there rather than in their teens like Spanish kids would have. I remember racing at a meeting in 2003 with Auto 66 at a windy and bleak Elvington in North Yorkshire, where both twins were racing Aprilia 125's. They were swanning around the paddock in matching white leathers and kicking asses even then! if they had been Spanish they would have been in 125 GP the next year probably!q (Message edited by trojan on November 18, 2013) | ||
| Xb1125r |
Vale is done, he will be done after this season cause no factory team will take him. and hopefully he will not become so desperate to end up like collin edwards riding slow bikes and getting beat by guys half his age |
