MotoGP 2012

[EavesFan09]

I know it is old news but there doesn't seem to be a thread for 2012 news and rumours. Ducati, Kawasaki. Cardion AB are all unchanged. Dovizioso moves to Moster Yamaha to patner Cal Crutchlow whilst Colin Edwards moves to new team Forward Racing. Pedrosa and Stoner are the two confirmed for Repsol Honda. Ayama will move from MotoGP to WSBK and about six new teams will enter including Marc VDS Racing.

[Allyc85]

Yep Kawasaki are definitely unchanged and not in Moto GP :p ;)

[EavesFan09]

Meant to say Yamaha.

[Ranger]

Have no idea what Suzuki will do, likewise for Gresini especially given the tragic events of last weekend.

If anyone has good blogs for MotoGP gossip/insider info that would be much appreciated.

[jens]

Have no idea what Suzuki will do, likewise for Gresini especially given the tragic events of last weekend.

If anyone has good blogs for MotoGP gossip/insider info that would be much appreciated.

Sometimes I read this:
MotoMatters.com | Kropotkin Thinks | ... that racing is the right thing to do (http://motomatters.com/)

[jonny hurlock]

Suzuki staying for 2012, possibly one bike team, 800cc bike for the start of the season switching over 1000cc in the middle of the season:

Suzuki poised to confirm 2012 MotoGP deal - | Motorcycle Sport | MotoGP News | MotoGP Results | MCN (http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sport/sportresults/MotoGP/2011/November/nov0411-suzuki-poised-confirm-2012-motogp-deal/)

[jens]

So the tragedy has given Bautista an opportunity of his life to show his worth next year - on Gresini Honda 1000cc. It will be his turn to be the dark horse among factory teams. Strangely it looks like Bautista is quite a similar rider to what Simoncelli was. He has shown lots of speed on Suzuki with his battles for Top6 placings, but also has had lots of crashes... Hopefully he will become more consistent.

I'm also wondering, what could this mean to Honda's long-term plans with Marquez if they already have two Spaniards on their high-performance bikes.

[patnicholls]

The current best guess at the 2012 lineup is here:

2012 MotoGP Rider List - Latest Update After Valencia | MotoMatters.com | Kropotkin Thinks (http://www.motomatters.com/analysis/2011/11/09/2012_motogp_rider_list_latest_update_aft.html)

The only one I'd add is Federico Sandi who has been testing a CRT Grillini Gapam-BMW (no, I have no idea either) at Valencia alongside the others.

Plenty still to be determined.

[EavesFan09]

So what is the definite advantage to the CRT? According to motogp.com non-works Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha and Ducati bikes be given more engines (12 instead of 6 for the works teams) and 3ltrs more of fuel in the tank (24ltrs instead of 21ltrs for works teams).

I think the best advantage is that, presumably, since the Independent bikes will be giving away 200cc to the works teams who will be mostly taking up the 1000cc engine, the Indie teams like Pramac and Mapfre will have durability over the works bikes.

[jonny hurlock]

Do you guys think that Suzuki will stay or go in 2012? there should have been answer by now.

[Rod Richardson]

My guess is that Suzuki will be involved based on the fact that Bautista was doing so well toward the end of the season and the recent testing of the prototype at Valencia with DePuniet on board per the following news item.
De Puniet impresses at Valencia test

http://photos.motogp.com/2011/11/08/depuniet_preview_169.jpg (http://www.motogp.com/en/photos/2011/Randy+de+Puniet+Valencia+Test)
Tuesday, 8 November 2011
Rizla Suzuki gave an impromptu test to French MotoGP racer Randy de Puniet and he wasted no time impressing the team onboard the GSV-R




Suzuki gave de Puniet the opportunity to test the 800cc prototype bike at Valencia today to get another rider’s feedback on the machine and the Frenchman responded by recording the fourth quickest time of the day. De Puniet only took a few laps to make himself comfortable aboard the Suzuki GSV-R and continued to improve on his lap-times as the day progressed. His best time of 1'33.544 was recorded on his 35th lap as he ended the day completing 55 circulations of the 4,005m Valencia circuit.
Randy de Puniet
“I am very happy with the job I have done today and would like to thank Rizla Suzuki for giving me this opportunity. One hour before I rode the bike I didn’t know I was going to be on it, so I had to modify old leathers to remove the wrong brands! I had a good day and am very happy with the lap-time and position. The staff are very professional and it has been nice to have this day and to work with them. I was very impressed with the bike and I felt comfortable immediately and enjoyed it a lot. I would like to ride it next year, I’m not the boss, but I hope I did a good job for everybody! I think the bike has good potential and also the feeling with everybody in the team was good and this is the most important thing for me – to feel at home. I would like to say thank-you to my manager for pushing so hard to get me this opportunity, to Pramac for allowing me to take it and to Sahara san, Paul, Tom and the GSV-R for such a good day!”
Paul Denning – Team Manager
“We took this opportunity today to test with Randy because the bike has changed quite a lot over the year, and with John’s bad luck in Brno and Malaysia we didn’t get the chance to get the further feedback from a rider other than Álvaro. With that in mind it was an opportunity to properly test the 2012 Bridgestone tyres and receive detailed comments on the Rizla Suzuki GSV-R from another perspective. Frankly speaking we didn’t expect the result, but we are really pleased to see that Randy enjoyed the bike so much, was able to get a good feeling immediately and was very fast and consistent, as well as giving excellent technical feedback. I would like to say thank-you to him - I was very impressed with what he did today.”

[EavesFan09]

I assume then that any issues with VW's purchase of shares in Suzuki has been ironed out for Bautista to have signed and for the Pramac rider to test the bike.

I am no legal eagle but from what I gather Googling the issue, whilst VW want's to create a small car market in India (where Suzuki is strong) and Suzuki want's access to hybrid technologies. But VW seem to be denying Suzuki (a firm they have a 20% stake in) that access and Mr Suzuki appears to have ordered VW to give back the 20% stake if they are intent on denying them access to hybrid technologies and the like. Just my interpretation.

[NinjaMaster]

So what is the definite advantage to the CRT? According to motogp.com non-works Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha and Ducati bikes be given more engines (12 instead of 6 for the works teams) and 3ltrs more of fuel in the tank (24ltrs instead of 21ltrs for works teams).

I think the best advantage is that, presumably, since the Independent bikes will be giving away 200cc to the works teams who will be mostly taking up the 1000cc engine, the Indie teams like Pramac and Mapfre will have durability over the works bikes.

All the bikes (Suzuki aside) will be 1000's. As you say, the CRTs great hope is in good horsepower from extra engines (higher level of tune) and extra fuel. Their biggest disadvantage will be in electronics, especially the ones running inline multi 'screamer' engines that the MotoGP prototypes have discarded years ago as being too hard to deal with. It'sa hard to see the CRT bikes being points competitive unless amazing progress is made in the off season.



Do you guys think that Suzuki will stay or go in 2012? there should have been answer by now.

Suzuki had a deadline from Dorna to commit by Friday. Friday has passed and no commitment announced. If Suzuki really do pull out (which my expectation is leaning towards), I'd expect to see RdP land in WSB on a Kwak.

[jens]

It'sa hard to see the CRT bikes being points competitive unless amazing progress is made in the off season.


Well, considering that there are probably going to be only 12 1000cc bikes plus maybe one 800cc Suzuki as well, a couple of points are guaranteed for CRT-bikes. :p :

[MrMetro]

News about Suzuki: Suzuki pulls out of MotoGP? | MotoGP News | Nov 2011 | Crash.Net (http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/174907/1/suzuki_pulls_out_of_motogp.html)

[NinjaMaster]

Well, considering that there are probably going to be only 12 1000cc bikes plus maybe one 800cc Suzuki as well, a couple of points are guaranteed for CRT-bikes. :p :

Of course! Didn't think about that part so much, did I? :)

[EavesFan09]

News about Suzuki: Suzuki pulls out of MotoGP? | MotoGP News | Nov 2011 | Crash.Net (http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/174907/1/suzuki_pulls_out_of_motogp.html)

Sad news.

Regaring RdP, there is also new teams in MotoGP like BQR, Paddock GP Racing and Marc VDS. I would like to see Randy ride for one of those.

[Ranger]

Gresini Racing to run Honda-engined FTR to CRT rules in 2012 - MotoGP news - AUTOSPORT.com (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96293)

The Italian squad, which signed Alvaro Bautista to race a fully-blown Honda RC213V MotoGP machine, will now also run an FTR chassis, powered by a Honda CBR 1000 engine.

[AndyRAC]

News about Suzuki: Suzuki pulls out of MotoGP? | MotoGP News | Nov 2011 | Crash.Net (http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/174907/1/suzuki_pulls_out_of_motogp.html)

Sad, and a shame, but like Kawasaki, weren't really committed - running a one bike team is no good to anybody. Is CRT the answer??? I wonder which direction MotoGP is going.....it used to be a Prototype class, now it's not sure what it is.

[Corny]

So guys, I have booked my hotel and fly tickets for Mugello 2012 :D So that will mean I should visit the Assen and Mugello GP's this year, as Germany comes too close after Assen

It will be my third MotoGP place, let's hope it's as good as people say it is.

Where are you guys going?

[patnicholls]

I think I'm going to finally make my first trip to Silverstone after having gone to Donington for many years. Also contemplating Barcelona as the UK has two public holidays on the Monday and Tuesday after it (in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee) so there's time to visit the city (already been but good to go again) as well as the race. Not booked either of those yet.

What I have booked is...World Superbikes at Monza.

[NinjaMaster]

I'm green with envy. :bonce:

[jonny hurlock]

West needs some money or he won't drive this season period.

Anthony West priced out of MotoGP | MotoGP News | Jan 2012 | Crash.Net (http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/176273/1/anthony_west_priced_out_of_motogp.html)

[NinjaMaster]

So we're getting ever closer to the beginning of the 2012 season and after two tests things are looking alot like the 2011 season. Stoner and Lorenzo are still the class of the field with Pedrosa and Spies close behind and the new 1,000cc Ducatis are, well, performing much like the 800cc Ducatis. Here are the results of the first day of final testing at Jerez:

Pos Rider Team Fastest lap Prev. Gap Lead. Gap Laps
1 Casey STONER Repsol Honda Team 1:39.146 - - 54
2 Jorge LORENZO Yamaha Factory Racing 1:39.419 +0.273 +0.273 76
3 Dani PEDROSA Repsol Honda Team 1:39.579 +0.160 +0.433 60
4 Ben SPIES Yamaha Factory Racing 1:39.984 +0.405 +0.838 71
5 Cal CRUTCHLOW Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1:40.130 +0.146 +0.984 74
6 Nicky HAYDEN Ducati Team 1:40.512 +0.382 +1.366 77
7 Alvaro BAUTISTA San Carlo Honda Gresini 1:40.545 +0.033 +1.399 56
8 Andrea DOVIZIOSO Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1:40.665 +0.120 +1.519 46
9 Valentino ROSSI Ducati Team 1:40.920 +0.255 +1.774 64
10 Stefan BRADL LCR Honda 1:40.983 +0.063 +1.837 64
11 Randy DE PUNIET Power Electronics Aspar 1:41.015 +0.032 +1.869 39
12 Hector BARBERA Pramac Racing Team 1:41.388 +0.373 +2.242 72
13 Karel ABRAHAM Cardion AB Motoracing 1:41.603 +0.215 +2.457 71
14 Aleix ESPARGARO Power Electronics Aspar 1:42.293 +0.690 +3.147 59
15 Franco BATTAINI Ducati Team 1:42.403 +0.110 +3.257 72
16 Colin EDWARDS NGM Mobile Forward Racing 1:42.462 +0.059 +3.316 56
17 Michele PIRRO San Carlo Honda Gresini 1:42.655 +0.193 +3.509 49
18 Danilo PETRUCCI Came Iodaracing Project 1:42.750 +0.095 +3.604 39
19 Mattia PASINI Speed Master 1:43.006 +0.256 +3.860 59
20 Yonny HERNANDEZ Avintia Racing MotoGP 1:43.437 +0.431 +4.291 49
21 James ELLISON Paul Bird Motorsport 1:43.477 +0.040 +4.331 61
22 Ivan SILVA Avintia Racing MotoGP 1:44.025 +0.548 +4.879 60

Lorenzo led most of the day before Stoner pipped him at the end. Ducati will want to find that magic bullet mighty quick because Rossi 1.8 seconds behind is embarassing for them.