MotoGP.

[thingy]

This year (at least the first 5 races) seems like it'll be rather interesting. They've done the first group test at Sepang (as opposed to private tests all at seperate tracks) so times can finally be compared. Top 4 are all Hondas as you'd expect, followed by Rossi in 5th on his Yamaha (that's about where Yamaha used to sit last year). The surprises are that the Ducati's are down a bit with Caparossi and Bayliss in 8th and 9th (Caparossi was usually around 4th). Another surprise is how well Edwards is doing, he's gone from hovering around 10th to being the second fastest on both days. Also damned good to see Nicky Hayden pull out that fastest lap of 2:01.94 on the third day to be top of the table - best of luck to him in the season, I can't wait to see him facing off against Rossi this year (Biaggi can fnark off).

There's still a few months to go, with the championship kicking off on April 18 in Africa - lets see what development and surprises Rossi can bring to the Yamaha team and whether Ducati can bring out some last minute surprises to get up where they should be, closer to the top of the lineup and possibly get a fight-out for placings in the top 3 between Hayden, Rossi & Caparossi.

Times from Day3 Sepang from McNews (http://www.mcnews.com.au/MotorcycleRacing2004/Motogp/Test_Feb/Feb12_Sepang_Times.htm).
MotoGP entry list from McNews (http://www.mcnews.com.au/MotorcycleRacing2004/Motogp/Entry.htm).
Motorbike Racing Calander 2004 from McNews (http://www.mcnews.com.au/MotorcycleRacing2004/Calendar_2004_B.pdf) (incl. MotoGP, WSBK, WSS, All Aust races, and much more)).
McNews (http://www.mcnews.com.au/) - The best Australian site for all your MotorCycle News and reviews.

[Drakin]

Holy shit we have a sports forum...


WTF!!??

[thingy]

First day of testing at Philip Island is complete, and the results are about the same as the Sepang tests. Ducati in 8th-10th, Honda on top, Rossi's Yamaha in 3rd. The things that surprise me are Edwards on the very top, with Hayden only in 5th. He'll come through to take top again, I hope.

Edwards couldn't get ANYWHERE last year, it's a real surprise to see him going so well. I'd love to see a proper interview, find out if it's simply the bike or not, and if not, what changes he's made to himself to bring this all about.

Edwards (Honda) 1m31.06
Gibernau (Honda) 1m31.37
Rossi (Yamaha) 1m31.40
Biaggi (Honda) 1m31.40
Hayden (Honda) 1m31.50
Barros (Honda) 1m31.75
Tamada (Honda) 1m31.85
Capirossi (Ducati) 1m32.16
Bayliss (Ducati) 1m32.45
Hodgson (Ducati) 1m33.23

Linky (http://www.mcnews.com.au/MotorcycleRacing2004/Motogp/Test_Feb_PI/Day1_Times.htm).

[sagit]

Originally posted by Drakin
Holy shit we have a sports forum...


WTF!!??


thingy begged for it...and promised to ho hisself more for zgeek.

[Lord_Phat]

Originally posted by thingy
First day of testing at Philip Island is complete, and the results are about the same as the Sepang tests. Ducati in 8th-10th, Honda on top, Rossi's Yamaha in 3rd. The things that surprise me are Edwards on the very top, with Hayden only in 5th. He'll come through to take top again, I hope.

Edwards couldn't get ANYWHERE last year, it's a real surprise to see him going so well. I'd love to see a proper interview, find out if it's simply the bike or not, and if not, what changes he's made to himself to bring this all about.

*snip*

edwards didn't get anywhere because he was being assraped on teh cube :banana:

he was a awesome rider for honda on teh sbks, so it's no big surprise he feels at home on one, and is riding it better than the rest...

i am so happy to see rossi equal with biaggi on a lesser machine... hopefully max won't sook all season long about rossi only beating him due to "new parts" and such bullshit :rolleyes:

looks like it is going to be a great year in teh gp neways :D

[thingy]

Edwards being ass raped by the cube? Elaborate?

He is a good rider, yes - he did significantly better on his Honda in the WSBK than his teammates (compared to Corser with his teammates) which shows his skill, but the WSBK bike is very different to the MotoGP one.

As for Biaggi whinging about Rossi going well on the Yamaha, going by what the riders are saying, it's still the same stories coming out of Rossi's mouth as to what Yamaha are doing, it'll just be that Rossi's feedback will be better and more insightfull to the problems if anything in my opinion.

[Chrissy]

Originally posted by Lord_Phat


i am so happy to see rossi equal with biaggi on a lesser machine... hopefully max won't sook all season long about rossi only beating him due to "new parts" and such bullshit :rolleyes:



Aw, but that's what makes it so much fun :D

It wouldn't seem like a proper GP without a bit of bitching and moaning from Biaggi.

[thingy]

I just like how Biaggi is hovering around his same positioning, maybe a spot or two higher, and the n00b Hayden is still whipping his arse, just as far ahead as always.

Though, this is only initial testing still - just wait until mid-April for the first race for us to really see what's going on.

[Lord_Phat]

Originally posted by thingy
Edwards being ass raped by the cube? Elaborate?

He is a good rider, yes - he did significantly better on his Honda in the WSBK than his teammates (compared to Corser with his teammates) which shows his skill, but the WSBK bike is very different to the MotoGP one.

As for Biaggi whinging about Rossi going well on the Yamaha, going by what the riders are saying, it's still the same stories coming out of Rossi's mouth as to what Yamaha are doing, it'll just be that Rossi's feedback will be better and more insightfull to the problems if anything in my opinion.

the aprilia cube was a horrific bike to ride... i cannot remember whom described it as being raped by a octopus, or similar.. i think it was teh test rider... in short, it was a woeful bike, not as bad as teh kwaka, but certainly not a bike capable of putting in decent times :)

admittedly, the wsbk is a different ballgame, but edwards showed that he was a class act on litre bikes, which is where motogp is at these days... there is less difference between a litre twin and a litre four than between a litre twin and a 500 two stroke... which is why a change between the two classes should be relatively simple... *points to bayliss*

rossi is one of those awesome riders who is not only a great rider, but can develop a bike... biaggi is just a whinger :D

[Lord_Phat]

Originally posted by Chrissy
Aw, but that's what makes it so much fun :D

It wouldn't seem like a proper GP without a bit of bitching and moaning from Biaggi.

he so needs to borrow monica selesesessesess stalker :banana:

ruben xaus crashed in testing at teh island today in testing...

in other news, the sky is blue, water is wet, and edeity sucks :D

[thingy]

Anyone catch the race last night? It's good to see Rossi sticking it to all those whingers who were blaming the Yamaha last year - goes to prove how much better a rider Rossi is over that whinger and asshole Biaggi.

I'm surprised Biaggi got the fastest lap on the last lap though, Rossi seemed further away from him at the end than he was at the start. Talk about an amasing lap though - even if it was just Rossi out there and no other riders it STILL would have been amasing to watch!

Caparossi making 3 places to get into the points was good. I wonder what was so differnet for his bike to be able to do that at race time (and Bayliss to make 7 spots from 21st to 14th)?

Bit dissapointed Hayden wasn't up there in the first group though.

Results (http://www.mcnews.com.au/MotorcycleRacing2004/Motogp/rnd1_welkom/race.htm).

[ratbag]

Originally posted by thingy
Anyone catch the race last night?...
Yeah, the race was great. It was good to see a fight at the front.

Personally I think that the Honda is still a better bike, and it will probably come out on top on tracks that have longer straights – that is if Yamaha doesn’t get more power in the mean time. If I remember correctly Biaggi had nearly 20k/ph speed advantage on the very long (NOT) 450m straight. (Rossi ~240 vs Biaggi ~260).

And what about that wonderful blocking pass from Rossi near the end – not only can he ride well, he is a good tactician!

I’m glad I stayed up to watch it.

[thingy]

Yeah, but remember they were saying the same things about the 500's being definite winners with the 4-strokes having a huge challenge ahead for the same shorter tracks - and look what happened there.

It's only going to get harder for Rossi from here due to majority of tracks having longer straights and higher average speeds - lets hope Yamaha are up for it.

[ratbag]

I think you misunderstood me – my view point is similar to yours – i.e. that Honda is a better bike, and Rossi will have to work hard, unless Yamaha picks up its game.

[EDIT]

Either way, it should be an interesting season.

[thingy]

No, I just get distracted easily. Uhh, what I was saying was remember how they were saying that last year ... you never know, Yamaha could be unbeatable this year, especially under Rossi.

[starfuxor]

/me bows in deference to Rossi's riding.

I think you guys are right in saying that Honda's got the best package overall, but it'd be interesting to see what would happen if Ducati could get their bike to handle. All indications are that it's got the edge on the Honda in a straight line, but Capirossi and Bayliss spend the rest of their time trying not to lunch their rear tyres.

Missed the race last night :grr: but from the writeup on MCNews sounds like the Yam's got a few teething problems in that area too.

Still, should make for a very watchable season.