2011 MotoGP Season testing kicks off...

[Go4Long]

http://www.motogp.com/en/TestResults/MotoGP+Sepang+Test+2011

It's early yet, but every Honda except the test rider and Tony Elias being inside the top 10, and Stoner taking fast time of the day seems to lead to a promising outlook for honda for the season.

Keep in mind Rossi, Pedrosa, Crutchlow, and a few others are all still recovering from various surgeries during the off season, so there's bound to be some shaking up of that order in time for the start of the season.

[civic_stylez]

Im really excited for this season, so weird to see Stoner on an RC.

Die hard Repsol fan!

[japan_us]

Stoner looks deadly on the Honda. As long as he doesn't out-ride it, he's probably their best shot.

Honda looks very good this year, with Dingo, Dani, Dovi and Sic on factory rides, and Aoyama (last 250 champ) and Elias (current Moto2 champ) on decent satellite machinery.

Hopefully Aoyama improves on last year. And I have no doubt that Elias will be consistently in the top 10, and will be one of the top 3 satellite riders. He has too much experience, both on the RC and in GP, and was 7th in 2009 - the 2nd best sat rider behind Edwards, who has been riding the M1 FOREVER.

[Go4Long]

Originally posted by civic_stylez
Im really excited for this season, so weird to see Stoner on an RC.

Die hard Repsol fan!

not really all that weird...he rode an RC before he rode the Duc...he just sucked when he did it, he spent a lot of time collecting bikes from gravel traps.

honestly I'm not sure how elias is going to do in this crowd. Despite the oppurtunity to move back up to the big show, I think he should have stayed in Moto2 for another season and defended...

[japan_us]

^ It's a better field than last year, that's for sure, but Elias is arguably better as well. Only time will tell, but I'm psyched for the season to start, especially since I'm going to three of the rounds. :D

[bigboom]

Originally posted by Go4Long


not really all that weird...he rode an RC before he rode the Duc...he just sucked when he did it, he spent a lot of time collecting bikes from gravel traps.



He did his share of that on the duc too :)

[civic_stylez]

Still anxious to see how Crutchlow is going to do... he pushed hard in WSBK to make it to GP.. just surprised haga never made the jump. It worked well for Spies!!

[xxviet]

i wished valentino rossi stayed with yamaha

[Go4Long]

Valentino did AMAZING things for the M1, but Lorenzo is the future, and Yamaha only had room in its garage for one superstar. And in his defense, Ducati basically handed him a blank check to join their camp, and considering he helped take the M1 from virtually unrideable to the best package in MotoGP, I'm curious to see if he can do the same for the desmo.

[kevie88]

Stoner is going to win more than a few races this season, my predictions for the championship are:


1: Stoner
2: Lorenzo
3: Rossi
4: Spies

Pedrosa will crash mid season and break like a cheap watch (again)

Rossi will come on strong in the latter half of the season but it will be tough at the beginning.

Lorenzo will duke it out with stoner quite regularly

Spies will be a solid top-fiver and win a race or two

Suzuki will suck extreme balls all season, it will get worse as the season goes on. Bautista won't suck but will be held back by the Suz

The unknowns are guys like simmoncelli, he could be a factor in a few races..

We'll see!! Im really looking forward to this season

[kevie88]

Originally posted by civic_stylez
Still anxious to see how Crutchlow is going to do... he pushed hard in WSBK to make it to GP.. just surprised haga never made the jump. It worked well for Spies!!

Haga spent a few years in gp on some nasty machines like the aprillia cube. Ducati recognized his skills in superbike and kept him there.

Crutchlow will be hobbling around on crutches pretty fast lol.. I don't think he's gonna make the grade..

[Go4Long]

I dunno he's got that great riding style, I think it could work for him, I think his season will be a lot like spies last year...slow start as he has trouble getting used to just how much more front end grip the M1 has than the WSBK machines.

I definitely think stoner will be back on top this year. He's got the talent. Tough call on him VS lorenzo though.

I predict Simmoncelli will have 4 podiums, with one on the top step.

[civic_stylez]

Originally posted by kevie88
Stoner is going to win more than a few races this season, my predictions for the championship are:


1: Stoner
2: Lorenzo
3: Rossi
4: Spies

Pedrosa will crash mid season and break like a cheap watch (again)

Rossi will come on strong in the latter half of the season but it will be tough at the beginning.

Lorenzo will duke it out with stoner quite regularly

Spies will be a solid top-fiver and win a race or two

Suzuki will suck extreme balls all season, it will get worse as the season goes on. Bautista won't suck but will be held back by the Suz

The unknowns are guys like simmoncelli, he could be a factor in a few races..

We'll see!! Im really looking forward to this season

I see Pedrosa higher on the list. He has been with the team for a while and has finally got used to that ohlins suspension since honda dumped showa last year. He grinds stong and i pick him for the first win in Qatar.

[Go4Long]

I would lay 5:1 against Pedrosa winning Qatar all day every day and twice on sunday. Stoner's gonna make Qatar his bitch.

[japan_us]

Originally posted by kevie88

...
Crutchlow will be hobbling around on crutches pretty fast lol.. I don't think he's gonna make the grade..

Agreed. He's no Ben Spies, and his entry into GP was a rush job to get a Brit back in the series. He does have the advantage of riding on arguably the best satellite package, and having Edwards to learn the ropes from. Still, I'll be surprised if he finishes top 10 more often than not.

As for Sic, I think he's in a great position. He was riding really well at the end of last season, and will have a factory ride without the pressure of wearing the Repsol colors.

Dani's always a bridesmaid, never a bride - no reason that should change this year.

[xxviet]

Originally posted by kevie88
Stoner is going to win more than a few races this season, my predictions for the championship are:


1: Stoner
2: Lorenzo
3: Rossi
4: Spies

Pedrosa will crash mid season and break like a cheap watch (again)

Rossi will come on strong in the latter half of the season but it will be tough at the beginning.

Lorenzo will duke it out with stoner quite regularly

Spies will be a solid top-fiver and win a race or two

Suzuki will suck extreme balls all season, it will get worse as the season goes on. Bautista won't suck but will be held back by the Suz

The unknowns are guys like simmoncelli, he could be a factor in a few races..

We'll see!! Im really looking forward to this season

i think this prediction is pretty good. i loved it when rossi and lorenzo duked it out!! i was on the edge of my seat definitely all amazing riders. :thumbsup:

[Go4Long]

day 2's results are up, pedrosa on top, I still say stoner's got Qatar's number...

[Go4Long]

So the fastest rider of the three day test was...drum roll please...Simoncelli? :confused:

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2011/day+3+sepang+final+report

[kevie88]

Haha yeah, I didn't see that coming!

[japan_us]

Good for him, but I still doubt he takes a win this year - maybe in the rain (i.e.; crapshoot). Everyone has a hot lap every now and then. He spent the rest of the day running up mid-pack numbers. Awesome ride nonetheless.

Aoyama and Bautista has been quietly impressive.

[Go4Long]

yup...generally the first test doesn't give that good of an indication...it's a lot of shaking out bugs and trying of different components to see which one is closer to working...the next test here in a couple more weeks is a closer indicator, and then I believe they take a couple months back off before Qatar then test the week before Qatar with what is usually pretty damn close to the season's final bike...

But regardless, to see Simoncelli pulling the fastest time of the 3 days out of it is impressive, and could make for an interesting season for sure. Even though Simoncelli is on a works bike, people don't generally view it as one, and to have something that is viewed as a "privateer" bike that's a legitimate contender could be very interesting.

[civic_stylez]

I love the testing times. It stirs up everyones predictions for the year. I always pick an top contender team and an underdog. If capriossi can stay on the bike this year, pramac has a good underdog shot with RDP.

My Qatar call is still pedrosa though.

Go REPSOL!!:D

[desto2para]

Originally posted by civic_stylez
I love the testing times. It stirs up everyones predictions for the year. I always pick an top contender team and an underdog. If capriossi can stay on the bike this year, pramac has a good underdog shot with RDP.

My Qatar call is still pedrosa though.

Go REPSOL!!:D


i dunno stoner looks pretty fierce with repsol

[Go4Long]

Second round of testing started today...top of the time sheets for day 1 once again goes to stoner, with three hondas inside the top 5...


1. Stoner 2’00.987
2. Pedrosa 2'01.360
3. Lorenzo 2'01.468
4. Edwards 2'01.668? (it didn't actually give me a time)
5. Dovizioso 2'01.747
6. Spies 2'01.808

good to see edwards so high on the time sheet

[japan_us]

^ Even crazier is that Dingo's time wasn't just a hot lap - he went under 2:02 17 times!

Good to see Rossi improving on the Duc, but this looks like Stoner's year.

[Go4Long]

gonna be such a good season...I just wish there were more bikes...kawi needs to come back, suzuki needs another bike...need MOAR motoGP...but Moto2 is so much cheaper to run and gets almost the same amount of viewers.

[japan_us]

GP needs more bikes and manufacturers for sure. It'll be interesting to see how the 2012 changes pan out. On one hand, the cost saving methods should allow for more teams. But there's too much variety in the bikes, from 1000cc factory, to 800cc factory, to CRTs. This leads me to believe that eventually one package will stand out as being the most successful, and if it happens to be the most expensive route, then we're back to smaller grids.

I'm a huge fan of prototype racing, but Moto2 was by far my favorite series from last year. If the upcoming GP rule changes result in a 22-24 bike grid, spread across 5 or 6 brands, with increased competitiveness, then I won't care one bit if there are some production based components laced in there.

[civic_stylez]

Didnt WSBK start last weekend??

[Go4Long]

their testing did yes, this is the second part of the testing for this year for MotoGP, first part was at the begining of the month.

here's the WSBK article

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2011/Feb/110221f.htm

third goes to the man with the coolest name EVAR...Jakub Smrz

[Go4Long]

Day two is wrapped up. Hondas 1, 2, 3. I'll update with times later but:



1 Stoner C. Repsol Honda Team2:00.171
2 Pedrosa D. Repsol Honda Team+0.058
3 Dovizioso A. Repsol Honda Team+0.360
4 Spies B. Yamaha Factory Racing+0.653
5 Lorenzo J. Yamaha Factory Racing +0.760
6 Simoncelli M. San Carlo Honda Gresini +0.862
7 Aoyama H. San Carlo Honda Gresini +1.268
8 Edwards C. Monster Yamaha Tech3 +1.567

[civic_stylez]

Wow impressive for the San Carlo boys as well!!! I cant wait to see how the season goes.

[Go4Long]

it's all over but the crying now:


1 Casey Stoner Repsol Honda Team 1:59.665 - - 37
2 Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda Team 1:59.803 +0.138 +0.138 38
3 Marco Simoncelli San Carlo Honda Gresini 2:00.163 +0.360 +0.498 46
4 Andrea Dovizioso Repsol Honda Team 2:00.541 +0.378 +0.876 45
5 Ben Spies Yamaha Factory Racing 2:00.678 +0.137 +1.013 32
6 Colin Edwards Monster Yamaha Tech 3 2:00.966 +0.288 +1.301 29
7 Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha Factory Racing 2:01.003 +0.037 +1.338 48
8 Alvaro Bautista Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 2:01.194 +0.191 +1.529 34
9 Hiroshi Aoyama San Carlo Honda Gresini 2:01.328 +0.134 +1.663 48
10 Hector Barbera Mapfre Aspar Team 2:01.346 +0.018 +1.681 21
11 Valentino Rossi Ducati Marlboro Team 2:01.469 +0.123 +1.804 59
12 Nicky Hayden Ducati Marlboro Team 2:01.469 - +1.804 71
13 Loris Capirossi Pramac Racing Team 2:01.493 +0.024 +1.828 39
14 Cal Crutchlow Monster Yamaha Tech 3 2:02.034 +0.541 +2.369 50
15 Randy De Puniet Pramac Racing Team 2:02.155 +0.121 +2.490 42
16 Toni Elias LCR Honda MotoGP 2:02.410 +0.255 +2.745 57
17 T1 Yamaha Test Team 2:02.457 +0.047 +2.792 40
18 Karel Abraham Cardion AB Motoracing 2:02.506 +0.049 +2.841 55
19 T2 Yamaha Test Team 2:03.016 +0.510 +3.351 13

Lorenzo is bitching about the Yamaha's lack of power, the Duc has lots of power apparently, but is having troubles with chatter and mid corner stability...the only people not blaming it on the bike are the honda riders.

[japan_us]

To be fair, the Yammy is definitely down on power. The Honda is just an absolute beast this year. If Dovi has in fact figured out their rear wheel hop issues, it's lights out. Last year's Honda had enough power, and went through the least amount of engines. There was room to squeeze even more juice out of it for this year.

[Go4Long]

Oh yes, it was down on power last year, it's almost like they came with the same engine and thought they would still be able to keep up...but honda really has the whole package going for them this year.

[Go4Long]

the Qatar test just kicked off...I'm watching the live timing, wishing it was televised :P

An hour and a half in:


# 1 Stoner C. Repsol Honda Team 1:56.780
# 2 Lorenzo J. Yamaha Factory Racing +0.318
# 3 Simoncelli M. San Carlo Honda Gresini +0.671
# 4 Aoyama H. San Carlo Honda Gresini +0.844
# 5 Spies B. Yamaha Factory Racing +0.867
# 6 Pedrosa D. Repsol Honda Team +0.879
# 7 Dovizioso A. Repsol Honda Team +0.887
# 8 Rossi V. Ducati Marlboro Team +1.115
# 9 Puniet R. Pramac Racing Team +1.455
# 10 Edwards C. Monster Yamaha Tech 3 +1.468

[kevie88]

Where the hell did Aoyama come from? I wonder if that was a one-off fluke lap or the Honda is just that good?

[civic_stylez]

Holy did anybody see the spain race???!!! UNREAL!!!!

[kevie88]

Madness!!

[civic_stylez]

Originally posted by kevie88
Madness!!

Im sure stoner and rossi will be best of friends after that nice little exchange... marco sim = highside retard... pedrosa got so lucky that everyone in front of him bailed. Glad i have the race on pvr though.. going to watch this one a few times over!