MOTOGP 2012 Final Preseason IRTA test, Jerez. 3/23-3/25

[clutchslip]

Well, I see some boys stepped it up in the last few minutes. Only thing odd in the top riders is Crutch ahead of Dovi. I don't think that will last, come race time.

I can hardly wait to watch Stoner, again. He is one of the best and most entertaining riders that I was ever seen at the top of pro-motorcycle racing.

 

[jacksprat]

I can hardly wait to watch Stoner, again. He is one of the best and most entertaining riders that I was ever seen at the top of pro-motorcycle racing.

From how things are looking, you'll see him for about 20 seconds every 7-10 minutes when they decided to stop following the chasing pack. Seriously disappointed that nobody is anywhere near his race pace, even when it was chattering in Sepang.-

 

[Spec-ECU]

Actually, the Casey Stoner Show is usually the last 20 minutes of every Qualifying sessions.

 

[kevin 714]

is anyone REALLY surprised tho? there was this meme that the 1000s were going to make things more competitive, when nothing could be further from the truth. if anything, more power and ragged tires only makes it BETTER for casey. the top riders are the top riders regardless of bike size, and dani, casey, jorge, and the occasional ben are still gong to rule this season. and it will be a two man title fight between jorge and casey. i thought rossi would be more in the mix, but the ducati really does just seem to be his krypotnite. I dont think at his age, he can afford another lost season like last year. I dont know what has to give, and I just dont know if they can design a winning bike anymore...and I dont know if rossi will come back from this...

the one thing IM glad about all this, is hopefully the stupid modget theory is finally to rest

 

[clutchslip]

the one thing IM glad about all this, is hopefully the stupid modget theory is finally to rest

It was almost buried with the House, but a few tried to dig it up, this year.

Don't give up on the Duc, yet. Val was only .25 off Spies. A tenth here, a tenth there, and pretty soon, Val is racing Ben for a trophy. That is very doable at this point, imho.

 

[Kurosaki]

Last season he raced much better than he tested or qualified so let's hope he can do that again.

 

[DaveT319]

This is sad to see:

6 CRT bikes were slower than Corti's best time in the Moto2 test

Should really just make them a "separate" class like they do in BSB because they are not going to be competative with the factory and satellite rides.

 

[kevin 714]

It was almost buried with the House, but a few tried to dig it up, this year.

Don't give up on the Duc, yet. Val was only .25 off Spies. A tenth here, a tenth there, and pretty soon, Val is racing Ben for a trophy. That is very doable at this point, imho.

I not given up, just that if they dont find something SOON. its all testing still, and ill give it that they are actually TESTING a lot more than the others, but they need to zero in soon.

 

[Kurosaki]

We'll have to wait to see if the 2nd round of parts/updates after 3rd or 4th race are significant.

 

[kevin 714]

Final

Pos Rider Team Bike Time Diff Prev.
1 Casey Stoner Repsol Honda Honda 1:38.780
2 Jorge Lorenzo Factory Yamaha Yamaha 1:38.953 0.173 0.173
3 Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda Honda 1:39.157 0.377 0.204
4 Ben Spies Factory Yamaha Yamaha 1:39.495 0.715 0.338
5 Cal Crutchlow Monster Tech 3 Yamaha 1:39.585 0.805 0.090
6 Valentino Rossi Ducati Factory Ducati 1:39.733 0.953 0.148
7 Andrea Dovizioso Monster Tech 3 Yamaha 1:39.868 1.088 0.135
8 Nicky Hayden Ducati Factory Ducati 1:39.919 1.139 0.051
9 Alvaro Bautista San Carlo Gresini Honda 1:40.017 1.237 0.098
10 Stefan Bradl LCR Honda Honda 1:40.098 1.318 0.081
11 Hector Barbera Pramac Ducati 1:40.287 1.507 0.189
12 Karel Abraham Cardion AB Ducati 1:40.579 1.799 0.292
13 Randy de Puniet Power Electronics Aspar Aprilia ART 1:40.601 1.821 0.022
14 Aleix Espargaro Power Electronics Aspar Aprilia ART 1:41.645 2.865 1.044
15 Danilo Petrucci IODA Racing IODA Aprilia 1:41.926 3.146 0.281
16 Franco Battaini Ducati Test Team Ducati 1:42.057 3.277 0.131
17 Colin Edwards NGM Mobile Forward Suter BMW 1:42.073 3.293 0.016
18 Mattia Pasini Speed Master Aprilia ART 1:42.184 3.404 0.111
19 Michele Pirro San Carlo Gresini FTR Honda 1:42.212 3.432 0.028
20 James Ellison PBM UK Aprilia ART 1:42.437 3.657 0.225
21 Ivan Silva Avintia Racing FTR Kawasaki 1:42.446 3.666 0.009
22 Yonny Hernandez Avintia Racing FTR Kawasaki 1:42.906 4.126 0.460

 

[kevin 714]

god to see rossi on the same second at least. casey, jorge,and dani at the top of course. the rest are pretty far away. standard stuff.

 

[sidewazzz]

is anyone really surprised tho? There was this meme that the 1000s were going to make things more competitive, when nothing could be further from the truth. If anything, more power and ragged tires only makes it better for casey. The top riders are the top riders regardless of bike size, and dani, casey, jorge, and the occasional ben are still gong to rule this season. And it will be a two man title fight between jorge and casey. I thought rossi would be more in the mix, but the ducati really does just seem to be his krypotnite. I dont think at his age, he can afford another lost season like last year. I dont know what has to give, and i just dont know if they can design a winning bike anymore...and i dont know if rossi will come back from this...

The one thing im glad about all this, is hopefully the stupid modget theory is finally to rest

practice

But on top of that Spies is doing much better on the bigger bike. Rossi and Hayden are doing better so.....

 

[jacksprat]

and it will be a two man title fight between jorge and casey.

the one thing IM glad about all this, is hopefully the stupid modget theory is finally to rest

Jerez is Jorge's Phillip Island, and he just got his race pace beaten by .613. This is the same thing that happened last year, only to a greater degree now. The only way this is a Jorge and Stoner title fight is if that chattering gets much worse or Stoner gets hurt.

 

[clutchslip]

practice

But on top of that Spies is doing much better on the bigger bike. Rossi and Hayden are doing better so.....

How do you figure Ben is doing better? He is right where he stood, most of last year. Anyway, I think he will be fine. But, it does look like the "Three Amigos" are likely to take most of the podiums, again. It is STILL early, though.

 

[kevin 714]

Jerez is Jorge's Phillip Island, and he just got his race pace beaten by .613. This is the same thing that happened last year, only to a greater degree now. The only way this is a Jorge and Stoner title fight is if that chattering gets much worse or Stoner gets hurt.

Oh i think stoner is going to win the title, been saying that for some time now. probably with like 7 wins and always on the podium. jorge will get wins this year, and more than last I bet.

and yes, an inury could change the entire season, which is essentially whats happened for 3 years now...with only 3-4 guys capable of winning and being on the podium, one goes out, and its over.

 

[jacksprat]

probably with like 7 wins and always on the podium.

I'm betting 12.


James Ellison, RDP and Stoner all saying they had chattering today. Ellison and RDP said it prevented them from improving. Strange.

Great pic of Jorge.

 

[kevin 714]

I'm betting 12.

is 12 breaking the record for wins, I cant remember. I'd bet against that only because thats the record, but double digit wins wont surprise me at all. the change to 1000 plays right into stoners hands more than anyone else. that being said, I think honda made a huge HUGE push for a title last year, whereas yamaha seemed to be more focused on this year. I think the bike diffrence wont be as huge, and jorge will be there more. but stoner still wins the title no prob.

it all depends on the tires, and it looks again like there really wont be the change that was discussed. Like JO, Im no fan of Bstones philosophy of no change in tire performace throughout the race. we will see.

theres only two guys capable of fighting for the title, and its gong to stay that way for a long time I think. its the casey/jorge era...

 

[jacksprat]

Doohan had 12 in 15 races.


Rossi.

"Sepang 2 we took wrong path Went back to Sepang 1 and improved front feeling

Rossi on understeer "Maybe it is something in the DNA of this bike."

Rossi said front-end feeling is better but understeer remains

 

[clutchslip]

I'm betting 12.


James Ellison, RDP and Stoner all saying they had chattering today. Ellison and RDP said it prevented them from improving. Strange.

Great pic of Jorge.

Stoner could have had twelve, last year. One - the take-down from Val. Two - race called because of losing the Sicman.

-------

Nice unburnt gas flame in that photo. With fuel limits, I wonder, if we will see that during the actual races.

 

[jacksprat]

^^^He probably would have had 13 if not for tire wear at Mugello. 12 is if he has another dream season.