Jerez - Round Zero

[maxu05]

I thought I would kick off the season with the Jerez testing thread. I hope you are all as excited as I am to follow the action this weekend. Sure, it may not be racing, but I feel that it will be very competitive come Sunday. It looks as though Dani may struggle a bit with his injury, and reports suggest that he is not sure if he will be able to manage the bike at this stage. Fingers crossed that he can at least manage to put in a fast lap on Sunday. I think a lot of the focus is on Casey and Valentino, being tipped as the favourites by many as the new owners of the BMW. The thing is though, some of the other riders could be in with a shot. Randy has shown that he can put in some very quick laps, providing he keeps it upright, Shinya is feeling more comfortable now that he is back on Bridgestones, and is no slouch when it comes to putting in a quick one, (think back to 2006). Nicky has surprised with his pace of late, and also, Colin has been on the pace as well. The rookies could upset the apple cart though, as they are all adjusting to Motogp at a fast rate, and mixing it with the regular suspects. I hope that motogp.com has the live timing system in place, I will be watching it for sure.

[Mach24]

Another one with qualifying speed on a bike that does well over one single flyer is Hopper. Anyone got an update on his physical condition?

I think Dani will be good in a flyer, its probably the longer duration stuff that will really test him.

You would have to lean toward Stoner and Ducati at the moment, but something tells me this result may not be indicative of the championship ahead.

[maxu05]

I have the same feeling, that a rider other than Casey, Dani or Vale is going to come out swinging, and really surprise everyone.

[maxu05]

I am hoping that Motogp.com have the live timing for the qualifying tomorrow.

[osg]

Can't wait....... Round Zero means Round 1 is nearly here.... what a cracker this season will be.

My $ are on either Stoner, Rossi, Hayden or the darkhorse De Puniet for the BMW...

[Roby44]

I have the same feeling, that a rider other than Casey, Dani or Vale is going to come out swinging, and really surprise everyone.

Dovi for sure!!! :D


Can't wait....... Round Zero means Round 1 is nearly here.... what a cracker this season will be.

My $ are on either Stoner, Rossi, Hayden or the darkhorse De Puniet for the BMW...

De Puniet and then maybe he'll get his gear off!! :) :) :)

[maxu05]

Dovi for sure!!! :D
De Puniet and then maybe he'll get his gear off!! :) :) :)

You naughty girl, you should be spanked on the botty with a wet bus ticket :D

[maxu05]

I have just visited motogp.com, and they will have live timing for the 40 minute qualifying for the BMW award. So if you want to keep up with what is going on, get over there tomorrow and see how they are going. I will be there, as well as logging in over here. I have a signature bet, so, I will have my fingers crossed that my picks come through. Live timing is free, if you didn't know.

[Mach24]

Another one with qualifying speed on a bike that does well over one single flyer is Hopper. Anyone got an update on his physical condition?

John Hopkins has confirmed he will ride during this weekend’s IRTA test session at the Jerez circuit in Spain.

Factory team boss Michael Bartholemy said the American will be able to take some part in the three-day test, though he confirmed that the former Suzuki rider is still well short of 100 per cent fitness.

Hopkins has been recuperating in America after he suffered a torn abductor muscle connecting his left hip and groin in a spectacular 100mph high-side crash on the second day of testing in Phillip Island, Australia.

“I am sure he will ride, but it might be just for one day, or three half-days. We need to see what is best for him.

“We told him if he didn’t feel ready then he could not come to continue his recovery at home, but he wanted to come,” said Bartholemy.

John Hopkins had made considerable progress since his crash last month in the rain in Australia, but the team doubt whether he will even be fully recovered in time for the season’s first race in Qatar on March 9, 2008.

“John has made a lot of progress and last weekend but I doubt he will be fully recovered in time for the first race,” added Bartholemy.

Hopkins has just arrived in the Jerez paddock this afternoon (Friday), in time for the team’s official 2008 launch tonight.


http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sport/sportresults/mcn/2008/february/11-17/feb1508motogpjereztestjohnhopkinstobravepain/?id=98610

[JETFX...]

Hmmm head says its Casey's for the taking.... but I 'REALLY' would like to see Horhay pull this one off! just to ruffle some feathers :D

[osg]

I have just visited motogp.com, and they will have live timing for the 40 minute qualifying for the BMW award. So if you want to keep up with what is going on, get over there tomorrow and see how they are going. I will be there, as well as logging in over here. I have a signature bet, so, I will have my fingers crossed that my picks come through. Live timing is free, if you didn't know.

Live timing for the entire weekend...... Vale currently on top, followed by Stoner, Hayden and De Puniet. I am looking like nostradamous right now :dozey: :s mokin:

[Roby44]

Live timing just went pear shaped on motogp.com!!

Rossi was 1 and KC 2

that was after Tosser did a 1.38!! but then that got wiped off the screen..

I've lost the connection now so I don't know whats going on... :confused:

Westy was in 8 and Randy 4

[Roby44]

You naughty girl, you should be spanked on the botty with a wet bus ticket :D


Is Randy available for the spanking then.. :p :)

[Roby44]

Vale 1'40.712 (21)
Toseland 1'40.909 (23)
Edwards 1'41.244 (17)
Stoner 1'41.247 (11)

And Jorge is 9th: 1'42.338 (20)

[Corny]

Toseland is fast:O

[maxu05]

This is going to be interesting. I could not see the live timing. Where are you seeing the timing ? I checked out motogp.com, and they had no icon for it ?

[maxu05]

Is Randy available for the spanking then.. :p :)

If Randy is available, I am sure he would be happy to comply :D

[Corny]

It seems that Vale is very fast on the new Bridgestones..

But I'm afraid he will have to look to Casey's arse in Qatar's GP again..

[Mach24]

1. Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda Team (M) 1min 39.200 secs
2. Randy de Puniet FRA LCR Honda MotoGP (M) 1min 39.444 secs
3. Jorge Lorenzo SPA Fiat Yamaha Team (M) 1min 39.528 secs
4. Colin Edwards USA Yamaha Tech 3 (M) 1min 39.629 secs
5. James Toseland GBR Yamaha Tech 3 (M) 1min 39.678 secs
6. Alex de Angelis RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini (B) 1min 40.165 secs
7. Shinya Nakano JPN San Carlo Honda Gresini (B) 1min 40.192 secs
8. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team (B) 1min 40.641 secs
9. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 1min 40.651 secs
10. Andrea Dovizioso ITA JiR Scot Team (M) 1min 40.767 secs
11. Loris Capirossi ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 1min 40.843 secs
12. Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda Team (M) 1min 41.352 secs
13. Marco Melandri ITA Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 1min 41.392 secs
14. Toni Elias SPA Alice Team (B) 1min 41.703 secs
15. Chris Vermeulen AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 1min 41.763 secs
16. Anthony West AUS Kawasaki Racing Team (B) 1min 41.821 secs
17. John Hopkins USA Kawasaki Racing Team (B) 1min 41.901 secs
18. Olivier Jacque FRA Kawasaki Test Rider (B) 1min 42.557 secs
19. Nicola Canepa ITA Ducati Test Rider (B) 1min 42.652 secs
20. Sylvain Guintoli FRA Alice Team (B) 1min 42.698 secs
21. Vittoriano Guareschi ITA Ducati Test Rider (B) 1min 43.435 secs

Michelin fill top 5 positions!

[osg]

1. Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda Team (M) 1min 39.200 secs
2. Randy de Puniet FRA LCR Honda MotoGP (M) 1min 39.444 secs
3. Jorge Lorenzo SPA Fiat Yamaha Team (M) 1min 39.528 secs
4. Colin Edwards USA Yamaha Tech 3 (M) 1min 39.629 secs
5. James Toseland GBR Yamaha Tech 3 (M) 1min 39.678 secs
6. Alex de Angelis RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini (B) 1min 40.165 secs
7. Shinya Nakano JPN San Carlo Honda Gresini (B) 1min 40.192 secs
8. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team (B) 1min 40.641 secs
9. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 1min 40.651 secs
10. Andrea Dovizioso ITA JiR Scot Team (M) 1min 40.767 secs
11. Loris Capirossi ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 1min 40.843 secs
12. Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda Team (M) 1min 41.352 secs
13. Marco Melandri ITA Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 1min 41.392 secs
14. Toni Elias SPA Alice Team (B) 1min 41.703 secs
15. Chris Vermeulen AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 1min 41.763 secs
16. Anthony West AUS Kawasaki Racing Team (B) 1min 41.821 secs
17. John Hopkins USA Kawasaki Racing Team (B) 1min 41.901 secs
18. Olivier Jacque FRA Kawasaki Test Rider (B) 1min 42.557 secs
19. Nicola Canepa ITA Ducati Test Rider (B) 1min 42.652 secs
20. Sylvain Guintoli FRA Alice Team (B) 1min 42.698 secs
21. Vittoriano Guareschi ITA Ducati Test Rider (B) 1min 43.435 secs

Michelin fill top 5 positions!

Hmmmm...... Vale and Casey a long way off the pace. But today is BMW day, so all the cards are on the table, no secrets.....

[The Phantom]

Yep top five all Michelin, but the top 7 times were all set using qualifiers - Rossi's time was on a race tyre and you can bet your bike that Stoner's was too. And that looks good to me - 10/100ths between Stoner and Rossi :)

When I see RdP's pace on the LCR customer Honda I can't help but think of Stoner's second-round pole in 2006... perhaps he is another very fast guy who needs the right bike/team, just like Stoner.

[Pantah Jack]

I have just visited motogp.com, and they will have live timing for the 40 minute qualifying for the BMW award. So if you want to keep up with what is going on, get over there tomorrow and see how they are going. I will be there, as well as logging in over here. I have a signature bet, so, I will have my fingers crossed that my picks come through. Live timing is free, if you didn't know.

My connection was coming in and out off motogp.com
Try constantly reloading or have several windows open at once and bounce from one to the other.

My withdrawal symptoms are slowly disappearing now that my motogp mediaction is kicking in. Whay dont these lazy buggers race all year ;) :)

[Roby44]

My connection was coming in and out off motogp.com
Try constantly reloading or have several windows open at once and bounce from one to the other.

My withdrawal symptoms are slowly disappearing now that my motogp mediaction is kicking in. Whay dont these lazy buggers race all year ;) :)


The connection dropping in and out was really annoying wasn't it?? :mad:

I'm sure the guys would love to race every weekend!! :)

[maxu05]

I think Randy could be in with a shot for Beemer. As long as he keeps it off the deck, he could be a real contender.

[maxu05]

Just looking at the times that the riders are posting. Nicky is at the front so far, and Randy not too far behind, however, I would imagine that the best is yet to come. I think it will be a real battle between Rossi, Casey and Randy at this stage. I think that Edwards will poke his nose in it as well, but I think it will be on for young and old between the first three that I mentioned. I think that Dani and Hoppa are too sore to pose any threat, they will be just circulating to make sure they are able to qualify for the BMW award at the end of the year IMO. I will be watching the live timing tonight for sure.

[Roby44]

Let's hope that live timing works better tonightthan it did last night..

[maxu05]

Is anyone watching the live timing now ? I am watching it. There are 2 hours left of free practice at the moment. Vermeulen is flying right now, but, there are only 8 riders on track right now. I think it will get busy in an hours time.

[maxu05]

Rossi has just come out. First sighting lap, just getting the feel of it. This is going to be a battle for sure.

[maxu05]

Stoner has just gone fastest with a 156:594. The gloves are off it seems.

[maxu05]

Stoner 155:231

[maxu05]

Vermeulen 154:542

[maxu05]

Randy 153:985

[maxu05]

Randy again 153:850

[maxu05]

Stoner 153:095

[maxu05]

OK, no more updates, I think I will wait, there is a long way to go yet. I do get excited :D

[maxu05]

No sign of Dani or Hoppa yet.

[maxu05]

There is something wrong with the live timing. If you look at the time still remaining, it does not count down properly. I watched it count down from 2:14:45, it then went down to 2:14:01, but, then when I was waiting for it to read 2:13:59, it went back up to 2:14:55 ? What is going on ? Am I trapped in a time continuem ? Is it groundhog day ?

[maxu05]

It's been quite a while now, and the time remaining for the test is still reading 2:14:32 and counting down ?

[maxu05]

Is it just me ? I am going crazy watching this aaaaaaaaaahahhahhhhhhhh ! :laugh:

[The Phantom]

Maxu05 thanks for the blow by blow run-down, I've been on an aircraft for the last few hours... obviously it's wet as predicted, and Vermeulen and Stoner up front is fairly predictable. Still, it's a pity everyone was not able to show their colours today.

[osg]

Well. Whilst Vale was impressive first time out on BS's in the wet conditions......... Casey is just not human. He can't be.

Everyone has had a chip at Stoner and the TC setup, but geez you still gotta set the bike up and go ride the thing fast........

Stunned.


1. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 1min 49.263 secs
2. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team (B) 1min 50.580 secs
3. Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda Team (M) 1min 50.785 secs
4. Anthony West AUS Kawasaki Racing Team (B) 1min 50.799 secs
5. Andrea Dovizioso ITA JiR Scot Team (M) 1min 51.312 secs
6. Shinya Nakano JPN San Carlo Honda Gresini (B) 1min 51.594 secs
7. Loris Capirossi ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 1min 51.894 secs
8. Randy de Puniet FRA LCR Honda MotoGP (M) 1min 51.979 secs
9. Sylvain Guintoli FRA Alice Team (B) 1min 52.058 secs
10. Marco Melandri ITA Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 1min 52.238 secs
11. Alex de Angelis RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini (B) 1min 52.463 secs
12. James Toseland GBR Yamaha Tech 3 (M) 1min 52.755 secs
13. Chris Vermeulen AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 1min 52.779 secs
14. Colin Edwards USA Yamaha Tech 3 (M) 1min 52.826 secs
15. Olivier Jacque FRA Kawasaki Test Rider (B) 1min 53.283 secs
16. Jorge Lorenzo SPA Fiat Yamaha Team (M) 1min 53.292 secs
17. Vittoriano Guareschi ITA Ducati Test Rider (B) 1min 54.694 secs
18. Nicola Canepa ITA Ducati Test Rider (B) 1min 57.453 secs
19. Toni Elias SPA Alice Team (B) 1min 57.698 secs

Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda Team (M) no time
John Hopkins USA Kawasaki Racing Team (B) no time

[Roby44]

Dovi did very well too. 3 rd yesterday!! Not too shabby for a rookie!! And he stayed on!! Unlike some I could mention!! ;)

[NinjaMaster]

I may have missed something but I never realised that Pedrosa was dropping his #24 and replacing it with #2. Did anyone else know this?

http://www.mcnews.com.au/MotorcycleRacing2008/MotoGP/Test_Feb_Jerez/Gallery_B/images/Pedrosa_08ITJ_0432_AN.jpg

[maxu05]

It was in crash.net, motogp.com etc,etc, a week or two ago. Where have you been hiding ? :D

[The Phantom]

I may have missed something but I never realised that Pedrosa was dropping his #24 and replacing it with #2. Did anyone else know this?

http://www.mcnews.com.au/MotorcycleRacing2008/MotoGP/Test_Feb_Jerez/Gallery_B/images/Pedrosa_08ITJ_0432_AN.jpg

I read about it a week or so ago - supposedly a psychological move against Rossi.

Great pic!

[Roby44]

http://www.crash.net/motorsport/motogp/news/159437-0/pedrosa_becomes_number_2.html

[Mach24]

Dani was #26

Elias is #24

[NinjaMaster]

It was in crash.net, motogp.com etc,etc, a week or two ago. Where have you been hiding ? :D
I haven't really been around the news sites lately and after the MotoGP list was released, I took it as a given that they were the numbers the riders would be running.

[NinjaMaster]

Dani was #26

Elias is #24
Oh yeah. Twas late when I posted. :s tareup: I guess I should know of all people! :laugh: