MotoGP 2010

MarkyPancake · 10-11-2009, 5:28 PM

The 2009 season is over and we are now into the 2010 testing phase, so I thought a new thread was needed for the new season and new riders.

Some test times from Valencia:

http://www.gpone.com/DB/Foto_2009_11...lenciah6_G.jpg

http://www.gpone.com/DB/Foto_2009_11...MPIORE15_G.jpg

Spies is looking good, up there with the big dogs.

The Moto2 bikes have been posting some quick times too.

**alexs2** · 10-11-2009, 5:35 PM

Spies does look like the real deal.....outqualifies,then outraces poor old Toseland,having never seen the bike before.

Axel Foley · 11-11-2009, 8:01 PM

Yep, looks like toesland was crying when he rolled back into his garage after the race.

O well he should go well in wsb.

FZR400RRSP · 12-11-2009, 3:14 PM

Good god, some going by Spies....
All things being equal, of course.
Could be the others were using full race tyres, he was using qualifiers.
I'd like to see how many laps he did at that pace, or if it was a one-off.

MarkyPancake · 12-11-2009, 4:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FZR400RRSP

Good god, some going by Spies....
All things being equal, of course.
Could be the others were using full race tyres, he was using qualifiers.

They don't use qualifiers any more.

He said he went out on a half race distance worn tyres and was posting times quicker than his race pace.

Axel Foley · 12-11-2009, 11:07 PM

Nothing to get excited about, this is just testing and these guys get to do x amount of laps.

We'll see if his able to go that quick when the racing starts.

**alexs2** · 13-11-2009, 8:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Axel Foley

Nothing to get excited about, this is just testing and these guys get to do x amount of laps.

We'll see if his able to go that quick when the racing starts.

I think he already demonstrated that pretty well at the last race in Valencia.

FZR400RRSP · 13-11-2009, 9:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjpartyboy

They don't use qualifiers any more.

You're right that they don't use qualifiers in the old sense of the word, that being tyres that would only last one flying lap.
But they still often use softer options than they would in a race scenario.
One can often see them throwing the white-sidewall soft options on towards the end of qualifying.

Miss Chief · 13-11-2009, 12:28 PM

There's two tyre choices, soft and hard and they have a limited amount of both.

MarkyPancake · 13-11-2009, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FZR400RRSP

they still often use softer options than they would in a race scenario.
One can often see them throwing the white-sidewall soft options on towards the end of qualifying.

Correct, but they're not qualifiers and are soft race tyres.

I'm looking forward to next season because testing doesn't really tell the story of how the race season is going to play out.

Axel Foley · 13-11-2009, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexs2

I think he already demonstrated that pretty well at the last race in Valencia.

I didnt see him running with 'the aliens' in valencia

**alexs2** · 15-11-2009, 4:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Axel Foley

I didnt see him running with 'the aliens' in valencia

You asked if he'd be "able to go quick when the racing starts"....

The general consensus so far(and I don't mean from the likes of me!) is that he already has.

As for running with the aliens....you'd have to see what he can do on factory spec machinery,as opposed to what he's on now,as however close it may be,it isn't quite the same spec as Rossi and Lorenzo have.

FZR400RRSP · 15-11-2009, 4:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjpartyboy

Correct, but they're not qualifiers and are soft race tyres.

But, as I said, they are often used as qualifiers.
One can see them throwing the soft options on towards the end of qualifying.

tnoy66 · 16-11-2009, 4:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Axel Foley

I didnt see him running with 'the aliens' in valencia

That was never in the plan, he was using the practise, quallifying and the race as a test session for himself to try and get used to the bike and tyres.

The fact that he was able to improve in every session shows that he is adaptable and a very quick learner.

On the Monday/Tuesday of official testing he was riding the bike that Toseland has struggled with all year. 5th fastest Monday and beat Edwards by nearly 0.5 secs. He then finished 4th fastest on Tuesday.

Judging by the amount of time he's spent on the bike so far I can see him running with the aliens next year, even on the podium by mid-season

FZR400RRSP · 16-11-2009, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tnoy66

Judging by the amount of time he's spent on the bike so far I can see him running with the aliens next year, even on the podium by mid-season

Many people have jumped on the MotoGP bikes, thought "this is easy enough" and ended up being caught out though.
Look at Lorenzo's spate of horrendous crashes after looking like he was doing fine.
I'm not saying Spies won't do well, I'm just saying many a good rider has ended up being bitten by MotoGP bikes and it can affect their confidence.

tnoy66 · 16-11-2009, 2:14 PM

Yes Lorenzo had some big crashes, but he was on Michellins and having to over ride them to try and compete with Rossi and Stoner on the Bridgestones. Now everyone's on the same tyre, he's been able to run at the front more competetively. He's had his crashes again this year as he's been finding the limit of the tyre, but they've generally been softer crashes, if they can be called soft at those speeds

There seems (thankfully) to have been less highsides this year, maybe thats been down to the tyres they've had all year

Just can't wait for next season to begin

FZR400RRSP · 16-11-2009, 2:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tnoy66

There seems (thankfully) to have been less highsides this year, maybe thats been down to the tyres they've had all year

Stoner may disagree (see warm-up lap of last race)

The lack of highsides is probably more down to better knowledge and application of traction control.

FZR400RRSP · 16-11-2009, 2:27 PM

With regard to tyres, I read a really interesting article a few weeks back, where the journo asked Pirelli why they hadn't bothered trying to get the MotoGP contract.
Pirelli's man stated it's because MotoGP tyres have no relevance to road tyres whatsoever.
He stated the most common pressure to run MotoGP tyres at is 9psi (

) and MotoGP tyres can actually run perfectly well with 0psi. (double

)
He stated Bridgestone will be learning nothing of relevance to road tyres from MotoGP and are doing it purely for the 'kudos' of being the title supplier.
Which is something Pirelli are not willing to do.

webby7 · 21-11-2009, 12:48 AM

Rossi is mind blowingly good, but I see Stoner as his main challenge next year.

But with 4 top riders it should be a great year!

**alexs2** · 21-11-2009, 7:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by webby7

Rossi is mind blowingly good, but I see Stoner as his main challenge next year.

But with 4 top riders it should be a great year!

Probably best not to forget who was in second place this year.

Quite likely,a fully fit Stoner on a good Ducati will have a very good crack at the title,as the last few races this year indicated.

Rossi will have his hands full enough with Lornezo next year.

FZR400RRSP · 08-12-2009, 2:10 PM

Looks like a switch to 1000cc is definitely on the cards for 2012.

Miss Chief · 08-12-2009, 10:50 PM

Good! They should ban traction control while they're at it.

MarkyPancake · 10-12-2009, 11:47 AM

SuperBikePlanet.com's interview with Graziano Rossi:

Soup :: SuperBikePlanet.com Interview: Graziano Rossi :: 12-08-2009

FZR400RRSP · 14-12-2009, 3:00 PM

Still looking like only 17 runners in MotoGP next year.
Many of the bikes putting out less power and torque than WSB bikes too.

John Hopkins rumoured to be making a comeback on some no-hope bike.

MarkyPancake · 14-12-2009, 4:48 PM

It looks like they're talking about going to 1000cc machines in 2011 with specs to try and encourage more teams to the grid.

**alexs2** · 14-12-2009, 9:17 PM

The switch back to 1000c engines has already been ratified by Dorna and the FIM.
It will occur in 2012.

MotoGP changes for 2012 | The Official MotoGP Website

MarkyPancake · 14-12-2009, 10:24 PM

Back to real bikes.

FZR400RRSP · 15-12-2009, 11:08 AM

Just in the process of deciding which race we're going to attend in 2010.
Looking like Czecho again.
Best value for money (no horrible Euro rate of exchange), and Prague's a fantastic city.

Monty Burns · 27-12-2009, 7:09 PM

2010: Rossi/Lorezno/Stoner - can't decide. Too close to call but put Rossi/Stoner above Lorenzo I think.
2011: Rossi fed up with supporting Lorenzo, moves to Ducati and comes in first again.

graemet · 11-01-2010, 2:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FZR400RRSP

With regard to tyres, I read a really interesting article a few weeks back, where the journo asked Pirelli why they hadn't bothered trying to get the MotoGP contract.
Pirelli's man stated it's because MotoGP tyres have no relevance to road tyres whatsoever.
He stated the most common pressure to run MotoGP tyres at is 9psi (

) and MotoGP tyres can actually run perfectly well with 0psi. (double

)
He stated Bridgestone will be learning nothing of relevance to road tyres from MotoGP and are doing it purely for the 'kudos' of being the title supplier.
Which is something Pirelli are not willing to do.

Where did you see this article?

It sounds pretty interesting, I wouldn't mind having a read of it.