Moto-GP Testing Sepang

[carelesschucca]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/105466

Just had a look at the results from the last day of testing at Sepang, dunno if there's anything really that surprising with the results but it is nice to see the times the Brits have been posting.

I also dunno whether to feel sorry for Dovi or just laugh at his stupidity at signing for Ducati... I wonder if they'll soon be asking for bigger engines like they do in every other class they race in

The engine isn't really the problem and I'll be big enough to say now that I don't think their problems are that bad.

I think people just saw Valentino struggling and assumed he'd lost it. Then seen him back on the M1 and realised "actually that bike must have been really bad" and thought Ducati have another pig on their hands.

But what I think is that Ducati WILL learn from the lessons past and Audi WILL make sure that they get progress. I think what's happenned is they've gone back to basics a bit so they look to be way behind.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Nicky in top 7 come start of the season. But I also think top 7 will be a very tight affair and a lot closer come season start than people think.

[carelesschucca]

The engine comment was Mr being flippant about the WSB rules. Sad thing is I'm not judging this solely on Vales performances, I'm judging it on the fact that only Casey has ever been close to winning consistently on the red bike since the moved to 800's. (i know they're back to big engines)

Ducati are famously stubborn. Troy Bayliss was the prime example, rode their GP bike for years and struggled because they wouldn't let him set it up how he wanted... He went back to WSB and won it, then got to play on a GP bike at valencia with his WSB squad set the bike up how he wanted, and led for more laps in on race than the world champion did in the whole.season.

Ok, I'm with you. I read an article saying that Casey's bike was better than the 800's as the setup problems were (at that time) masked by the stonking engine which said to be a beast. It stands to reason that without the HP advantage from the bigger capacity, the handling deficiencies will show up more. However, I don't know much about the details of those bikes to conclude whether this was true or not.

Suppose I'm a little new to the whole bike game and history so only heard second hand about Ducati's WSB shenanigans and Honda's alleged pre-madonna antics in GP's. Surely as Ducati is now a reflection of Audi they'll have to be more responsible for their results?

[flymo]

Although not exhaustive, this article goes into some very sensible analysis of possible reasons why Rossi ( and many other riders ) struggled so badly on this bike. http://www.motomatters.com/analysis/...mosedici_.html

I do not believe that Stoner is some super hero who could just jump back on that bike and win against the competition from Honda and Yamaha at the moment. There is very little to be compared between the spec of Ducati on the tyres he was using, against the Ducati of the previous two years on controlled tyres.

The only way to compare rider against rider is over a long period of time on a variety of machinery. Both riders are up there at the top of that leaderboard with little to separate them. But one thing is for sure, Rossi's results were impressive right up the end of the last Yamaha season he was with them, shocking for two years on the Ducati, and he now seems instantly back on the pace.

Ducati have been 2 seconds or more off the pace on works bikes with almost all their riders. That to me sounds like a pig of a bike.

Originally Posted by flymo

Although not exhaustive, this article goes into some very sensible analysis of possible reasons why Rossi ( and many other riders ) struggled so badly on this bike. http://www.motomatters.com/analysis/...mosedici_.html

I do not believe that Stoner is some super hero who could just jump back on that bike and win against the competition from Honda and Yamaha at the moment. There is very little to be compared between the spec of Ducati on the tyres he was using, against the Ducati of the previous two years on controlled tyres.

The only way to compare rider against rider is over a long period of time on a variety of machinery. Both riders are up there at the top of that leaderboard with little to separate them. But one thing is for sure, Rossi's results were impressive right up the end of the last Yamaha season he was with them, shocking for two years on the Ducati, and he now seems instantly back on the pace.

Ducati have been 2 seconds or more off the pace on works bikes with almost all their riders. That to me sounds like a pig of a bike.

Bloody hell, that's one hell of a read. I won't thank you cause you've kept me in work. But a lot of information to consider ... much more in fact than they ever mentioned on the MotoGP program.

It will be interesting to know what specs have changed for this year, although I've not heard anything about a change in engine layout.

Dovi has a plan. It called rain.

But very happy #46 is on the ball. Very happy

[carelesschucca]

I think that plan failed for the Italian that ran away from Ducati... LOL!!!

I have been thinking about Stubborn teams and I always heard rumours that Chris Walker wasn't allowed to set up his Honda in Moto-GP the way he wanted and couldn't ride it. But got the chance to take it to a track in the uk and set it up how he liked and rode way quicker. But was told to return the bike to its 'proper' settings... These things have always confused me, why make a rider ride a bike that doesn't work for them?

Dunno how much truth there is in that rumour though... These things have always confused me, why make a rider ride a bike that doesn't work for them?

[STRAMASHER]

Originally Posted by carelesschucca

I think that plan failed for the Italian that ran away from Ducati... LOL!!!

I have been thinking about Stubborn teams and I always heard rumours that Chris Walker wasn't allowed to set up his Honda in Moto-GP the way he wanted and couldn't ride it. But got the chance to take it to a track in the uk and set it up how he liked and rode way quicker. But was told to return the bike to its 'proper' settings... These things have always confused me, why make a rider ride a bike that doesn't work for them?

Dunno how much truth there is in that rumour though... These things have always confused me, why make a rider ride a bike that doesn't work for them?

I remember that. Shell sponsered. So you think it would have been a team with some decent cash behind it.

Nope. I remember him saying that he was not allowed to even change the clipons and pegs!!

Sorry Senor Walker, wrong passport.

It is definitely the frame of the Ducati,(which is minimalistic to say the least and way too rigid as it uses the engine as a main stress member that is the root of all problems. They need to bite the bullet and go with frame set ups like Yamaha and Honda. The Yamaha is reported to be THE best in the chassis department,their development centreing on that aspect of the bike and lagging slightly on engine power. The best package overall is the HRC.

This season really should be something to behold with at least 4 genuine title contenders.(I hope for a little spaniard riding a Honda to finally come through,naturally)