MotoGP Testing

[Gismo]

It's started already, the MotoGP test in Sepang see's Rossi 2nd fastest on day 1

Be interesting to see Crutchlow on the Ducati and also the new "open" regulations that allow non factory bikes to have 24 litre of fuel versus the factory boys with 20 :biker:

[mini mad andy]

Heard a rumour that the Ducati's are not going to be competing as factory bikes this year so that they can run in the open class. Not sure if it is true and even less sure how they could manage compete as privateers :confused:.

[Gismo]

Heard a rumour that the Ducati's are not going to be competing as factory bikes this year so that they can run in the open class. Not sure if it is true and even less sure how they could manage compete as privateers :confused:.This actually favours Ducati while they create a "real" factory bike for 2015 based on Crutchlow and Dov's feedback during the reshaping.
This way they can run with 24 litres of fuel, but, of course, they have to run with the ecu and same maps as all the other open class bikes

[mini mad andy]

That is going to be a problem for them developing a bike using differant engine managment, the way the power is delivered affects the chassis geometry and set up and you have to presume it is the chassis development that they are wanting to sort out.

[Gismo]

kinda agree, but their bike is so far off the pace they gotta try something

[mini mad andy]

Anyway I hope it works out for them as I would like to see Cal Crutchlow geting some good results.

[Big Gordy]

Think they're talking about running in the 24 litre class purely so they have more engines to play with during the year as currently once you start the season in the 20 litre class that's it for the whole seasons 6 engines....no tweeking allowed.

- - - Updated - - -




Team
Fastest lap
Lead. Gap
Prev. Gap
Laps
Last lap


1

MARQUEZ, Marc
Repsol Honda Team
1:59.533


10 / 40



2

ROSSI, Valentino
Yamaha Factory Racing
1:59.727
0.194
0.194
11 / 55



3

LORENZO, Jorge
Yamaha Factory Racing
1:59.866
0.333
0.139
2 / 65



4

ESPARGARO, Aleix
NGM Mobile Forward Racing
1:59.998
0.465
0.132
7 / 43



5

BRADL, Stefan
LCR Honda MotoGP
2:00.112
0.579
0.114
11 / 38



6

PEDROSA, Dani
Repsol Honda Team
2:00.223
0.690
0.111
29 / 55



7

DOVIZIOSO, Andrea
Ducati Team
2:00.370
0.837
0.147
10 / 40



8

ESPARGARO, Pol
Monster Yamaha Tech 3
2:00.655
1.122
0.285
8 / 65



9

IANNONE, Andrea
Pramac Racing
2:00.725
1.192
0.070
13 / 57



10

BAUTISTA, Alvaro
GO&FUN Honda Gresini
2:00.788
1.255
0.063
3 / 63



11

SMITH, Bradley
Monster Yamaha Tech 3
2:00.896
1.363
0.108
10 / 65



12

CRUTCHLOW, Cal
Ducati Team
2:01.057
1.524
0.161
58 / 58



13

HAYDEN, Nicky
Drive M7 Aspar
2:01.514
1.981
0.457
21 / 59



14

EDWARDS, Colin
NGM Mobile Forward Racing
2:01.731
2.198
0.217
41 / 47



15

PIRRO, Michele
Ducati Test Team
2:01.782
2.249
0.051
12 / 67



16

AOYAMA, Hiroshi
Drive M7 Aspar
2:02.383
2.850
0.601
61 / 66



17

DE PUNIET, Randy
Suzuki Test Team
2:02.486
2.953
0.103
17 / 67



18

HERNANDEZ, Yonny
Energy T.I. Pramac Racing
2:02.556
3.023
0.070
31 / 65



19

AKIYOSHI, Kosuke
HRC Test Team
2:02.619
3.086
0.063
3 / 58



20

NAKASUGA, Katsuyuki
Yamaha Factory Test Team
2:02.788
3.255
0.169
13 / 38



21

REDDING, Scott
GO&FUN Honda Gresini
2:02.833
3.300
0.045
42 / 60



22

LAVERTY, Michael
Paul Bird Motorsport
2:03.187
3.654
0.354
12 / 41



23

BARBERA, Hector
Avintia Racing
2:03.204
3.671
0.017
49 / 54



24

PARKES, Broc
Paul Bird Motorport
2:03.402
3.869
0.198
40 / 43



25

DI MEGLIO, Mike
Avintia Racing
2:04.516
4.983
1.114
28 / 58



26

AOKI, Nobuatsu
Suzuki Test Team
2:05.686
6.153
1.170
10 / 12



27

ABRAHAM, Karel
Cardion AB Motoracing
2:05.974
6.441
0.288
6 / 12

[EcosseGP]

Thought Redding might have been a bit further up the list but he's still got time to improve ;)

[zimbo]

:thumbs up: glad to see #46 back where he belongs at the top end of the sheet :dance: now that he has sorted out the braking issues he was having last year, I think everybody better watch out :hand:

[Big Gordy]

I dunno Ali....he's good, but don't think he has the craving like Marc and Jorge have to win plus he's not a youngster anymore.
Can't help but think Cals made a HUGE mistake going to Ducati but I do hope he gets the thing to work for him. As long as he beats Dovi it will be a good result for him I think.
Recon wee Braders is going to have a good year and watch out fir Hayden,Redding and Aleix Espargaro mixing it with the GOATS

[Gismo]

Can't help but think Cals made a HUGE mistake going to Ducati but I do hope he gets the thing to work for him. As long as he beats Dovi it will be a good result for himAgreed, he admitted it's mostly money

[Big Gordy]

He just seemed deperate to be a 'WORK' rider at all costs to me. I lknow its only been the first test but the second string Yamaha's are looking good.....can't say the same about the second string Honda's so far tho :yawn:

[mini mad andy]

He was in an awkward position as Tech 3 had said that Pol Espargaro would be riding for them and Bradly Smith had a years contract to run. Cal Crutchlow was the only one without a contract for this year. Yamaha appeared to want to keep him but did not want to run a fifth bike. Not sure if there were any private Hondas available but as you say I think he wanted a factory bike. Maybe he should have tried to get on the Suzuki, who are making a welcome return, this will be a development year for them but looks like it will be for Ducati as well.

[Big Gordy]

Do you think we'll see Hopper back on a Suzuki in GP's..??

[EcosseGP]

I've got to say that if Rossi struggled with the Ducati I can't see Crutchlow fairing any better (no disrespect to Cal).

[mini mad andy]

It would be good to see Hopper back but not sure it will happen in saying that there are no Americans on factory bikes so if he did it would get Suzuki a lot of American intrest which is where they sell most of their bikes.

Rossi struggled with the Ducati but thats not to say Crutchlow will not manage to adapt, remember it was not that long ago Stoner won the championship on it, time will tell and they do now have VW / Audi financing them.

[Big Gordy]

I've just read stoner bio and he wasn't very impressed with Ducati after the year he won the championship. Ducati didn't come out well in it after his lactose illness. Its a good read.