2008 Pre-season Testing Thread

[osg]

Thread obviously for the tests over the off season.......

First up Valencia, with most if not all of the new riders debuting on their new equipment..... Loris impressive early, but riding the '07 GSVR with V on the '08.

Stoner same old same old.


Pos Rider Team Time Laps
1. Casey Stoner Ducati Marlboro 1:32.348 26
2. Nicky Hayden Repsol Honda 1:33.176 26
3. Chris Vermeulen Rizla Suzuki 1:33.186 49
4. Loris Capirossi Rizla Suzuki 1:33.266 34
5. Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda 1:33.387 35
6. Toni Elias Pramac d'Antin 1:33.508 42
7. Randy de Puniet Honda LCR 1:33.563 59
8. Shinya Nakano Honda Gresini 1:33.901 46
9. John Hopkins Kawasaki 1:34.277 43
10. Jorge Lorenzo Fiat Yamaha 1:34.330 50
11. Sylvain Guintoli Pramac d'Antin 1:34.367 45
12. Marco Melandri Ducati Marlboro 1:34.433 44
13. Alex de Angelis Honda Gresini 1:34.471 47
14. Andrea Dovizioso JiR Team Scot 1:34.760 48
15. Nobu Aoki Rizla Suzuki 1:35.564 48
16. Olivier Jacque Kawasaki 1:35.727 50
17. Vittoriano Guareschi Ducati Marlboro 1:36.115 29

[jonny hurlock]

is it me or just lorenzo looks like a strom trooper in all that white, or look like the stig's biker cousin.

[osg]

is it me or just lorenzo looks like a strom trooper in all that white, or look like the stig's biker cousin.

so true johnny..... so true

[tha_jackal]

I wonder why Westy wasn't testing :confused: You'd think, after his race, that he needs as much time around Valencia as possible...

Odd, gp.com reports that he had a day off, seems strange to me..

[jim mcglinchey]

I'm very surprised at how quickly the reshuffling was made and we see everyone on their new machines. What with contractual obligations and stuff I wasnt expecting to see this until next year.

[Corny]

seen the new Honda? man, that bike is sooo ugly!

[leopard]

You mean waay ugly than Assen Yamaha Fiat?

[osg]

You mean waay ugly than Assen Yamaha Fiat?

i say yes........ it's got an weird looking angle on the front fairing behind the front wheel. bizarre. have a look at it.......... :eek:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v433/oosrg/Motorsport/396536.jpg

[leopard]

HRC will not change the color far from traditional Repsol color.

[Corny]

http://www.gpone.com/DB/Foto_2007_11/20070611danihonda_G.jpg

http://www.gpone.com/DB/Foto_2007_11/20070611newhonda_G.jpg

[jim mcglinchey]

other than those funny looking cans and the routeing and angle of that top one, its a beaut!

[fatman]

I don't understand the fairing, its so tiny on the sides. I would be sure this isn't the final look for the bike.

[The Phantom]

I think the Honda looks like a dog... all that air between the front wheel and the fairing, looks like a 1986 VFR750:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v433/oosrg/Motorsport/396536.jpghttp://www.tipcar.net/img/82-1.jpg

The swingarm looks wrong (too fat), the exhaust looks amaetur-ish, the whole bike simply has no cohesion. As for the minimalist fairing, that seems to have been the trend with Honda race bikes - the RC212V looks like it's stripped for maintenance when it's on the grid.

I'm not surprised that it's so poorly styled actually - just look at the new CBR1000RR. Which, I'll admit, looks better in the metal than in photos, but still nowhere near the good looks of the GSX-R and R1.

[osg]

Day 2 Valencia Times:

Pos Rider Team Time Laps
1. Stoner Ducati Marlboro 1:32.095 55
2. Hayden Repsol Honda 1:32.434 92
3. de Puniet Honda LCR 1:32.625 83
4. Pedrosa Repsol Honda 1:32.718 88
5. Vermeulen Rizla Suzuki 1:32.979 88
6. Hopkins Kawasaki 1:33.058 59
7. Capirossi Rizla Suzuki 1:33.163 64
8. Elias Pramac d´Antin 1:33.294 74
9. Nakano Honda Gresini 1:33.465 92
10. Guintoli Pramac d´Antin 1:33.571 80
11. Lorenzo Fiat Yamaha 1:33.588 69
12. West Kawasaki 1:33.695 99
13. Melandri Ducati Marlboro 1:33.835 87
14. Dovizioso JiR Team Scot 1:33.991 82
15. de Angelis Honda Gresini 1:34.060 84
16. Aoki Rizla Suzuki 1:35.043 61
17. Guareschi Ducati Marlboro 1:35.840 59

[axxexs]

Mika Kallio did 1.34:898 on his KTM 250 today.

[leopard]

The swingarm looks wrong (too fat), the exhaust looks amaetur-ish, the whole bike simply has no cohesion. As for the minimalist fairing, that seems to have been the trend with Honda race bikes - the RC212V looks like it's stripped for maintenance when it's on the grid.

I'm not surprised that it's so poorly styled actually - just look at the new CBR1000RR. Which, I'll admit, looks better in the metal than in photos, but still nowhere near the good looks of the GSX-R and R1.

This is my first knowing bike have two separated exhaust system.

I think this is not official color they would run the whole year, it doesn't seem enough the orange rims to describe repsol color but most likely they will put more orange on the fairing. This is more about pre-season livery like the case Yamaha get used to run such black livery.

You are right that CBR Fireblade are great, I like the red-black one.

[CaptainRaiden]

I think this is not official color they would run the whole year, it doesn't seem enough the orange rims to describe repsol color but most likely they will put more orange on the fairing. This is more about pre-season livery like the case Yamaha get used to run such black livery.

I think it's fairly obvious that HRC is not gonna run this livery. Their sponsors would kill them if they do. It's a usual matte black winter testing livery which almost all teams use during this period.

What people are talking about in this thread is the somewhat retarded look of the side fairing and the overall design. The bike just doesn't seem to have the perfect harmony.

Also, has anybody else noticed that the bike is bigger than the 2007 RC212V, but still looks pretty small for Hayden? Maybe HRC have had to design this one keeping both of their riders in mind, after all the criticism they faced last year? Hayden is the faster one so far in testing. :)

[leopard]

I think it's fairly obvious that HRC is not gonna run this livery. Their sponsors would kill them if they do. It's a usual matte black winter testing livery which almost all teams use during this period.
thanks ;)



Also, has anybody else noticed that the bike is bigger than the 2007 RC212V, but still looks pretty small for Hayden? Maybe HRC have had to design this one keeping both of their riders in mind, after all the criticism they faced last year? Hayden is the faster one so far in testing. :)
I'am afraid you are hallucinated by pictures Hayden retired from race at Philip Island? :)

[Ranger]

Is Stoner riding with the #1 plate next year? It'd be a bit of a shame if he did I think.

[osg]

Is Stoner riding with the #1 plate next year? It'd be a bit of a shame if he did I think.

wasn't wearing the #1 plate at the tests.........

[leopard]

Is Stoner riding with the #1 plate next year? It'd be a bit of a shame if he did I think.

We understand your pessimism, it's natural ;)

[Ranger]

wasn't wearing the #1 plate at the tests.........

Not at the tests, no. But the 2007 Champions' photo has the #1 on the Ducati, as does a few more photos.

http://www.autosport.com/gallery/photo.php/id/90178
http://www.autosport.com/gallery/picture_free.php/dir/mx2007val1/image/d_501_WORLD_CHAMPIONS-2

Just would be a shame if he raced with the less personable #1 instead of good old #27.

Interesting to note that no one in the last 10 years has won more than 1 race in their career after wearing the #1 plate. Doohan won nothing in '99 (different circumstances... but still) and onwards, Criville won 1 race in 2000 and nothing onwards, and Nicky hasn't won anything since his stint in the #1.

As well as being less personable to a rider, the obvious conclusion is that #1 plate is cursed! :D

[JETFX...]

Well no one had one from pole position either during 07 until..... one certain
young jedi. Records are made to be broken, I doubt Casey will be phased by others in the past carrying the curse of the black jelly bean ;)

I think Mick won the odd race or 10 carrying #1. Creville and Hayden hmmm wont even bother in trying to compare them... different league altogether.

A shame??? Na far from it, Casey is sure to make #1 the new #27 and it will be right at home on the front of a red Ducati in 08 and well beyond :s mokin:

[osg]

Not at the tests, no. But the 2007 Champions' photo has the #1 on the Ducati, as does a few more photos.

http://www.autosport.com/gallery/photo.php/id/90178
http://www.autosport.com/gallery/picture_free.php/dir/mx2007val1/image/d_501_WORLD_CHAMPIONS-2

Just would be a shame if he raced with the less personable #1 instead of good old #27.

Interesting to note that no one in the last 10 years has won more than 1 race in their career after wearing the #1 plate. Doohan won nothing in '99 (different circumstances... but still) and onwards, Criville won 1 race in 2000 and nothing onwards, and Nicky hasn't won anything since his stint in the #1.

As well as being less personable to a rider, the obvious conclusion is that #1 plate is cursed! :D

I've always thought that Mallen........... it does seem moreso cursed in the top class, rather than the lower classes.

[burger]

is it me or just lorenzo looks like a strom trooper in all that white, or look like the stig's biker cousin.

The stig's biker cousin is called the Baron, lives in Nurburg and works for PB magazine ;)

[jim mcglinchey]

RDP fastest Honda, Dani and Hayseed wont like that.

[T-D]

i think that it shoud be required that the champ wear number one plate on the front fairing. the rider should be allowed to place the personal number elsewhere on the bike, but the number one should be on the bike up front ad center.

[Corny]

http://www.autosport.com/gallery/photo.php/id/90178
http://www.autosport.com/gallery/picture_free.php/dir/mx2007val1/image/d_501_WORLD_CHAMPIONS-2

Who thought Casey would be in the middle of that picture one year ago.. Amazing (even though I'm not a fan of Casey)

[NinjaMaster]

I think that the testing times mean very little at the moment, more just familiarisation for the new riders and testing a few new parts for remaining riders. Once we get closer to the season we will get a better idea of where everyone fits.
On running the number 1 plate, I don't understand why a champion wouldn't do it. Stoner can run no. 27 any year but the number 1 is what differentiates him from the rest of the pack. Come on Casey, show the world who is champ and run the 1 plate next year. :up:

[osg]

http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/397990.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:Motoring_Picture%28%27/picture.asp?tid=&id=157174&pid=1%27%29;)
Sepang MotoGP test times - Thursday.

Thursday, 15th November 2007

Preparations for the 2008 MotoGP season continued with the start of a three-day test session at Sepang in Malaysia...



1. Randy de Puniet FRA Honda LCR 2min 3.033 secs
2. Chris Vermeulen AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 2min 3.357 secs
3. Colin Edwards USA Yamaha Tech 3 2min 3.406 secs
4. Andrea Dovizioso ITA JiR Team Scot 2min 3.607 secs
5. Loris Capirossi ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 2min 3.748 secs
6. Anthony West AUS Kawasaki Racing Team 2min 4.068 secs
7. Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda Team 2min 4.164 secs
8. John Hopkins USA Kawasaki Racing Team 2min 4.316 secs
9. Jorge Lorenzo SPA Fiat Yamaha Team 2min 4.433 secs
10. James Toseland GBR Yamaha Tech 3 2min 5.438 secs

[T-D]

looking at west's times from sepang compared to those at valencia, it's clear that valencia is just one of those tracks that he simply cannot figure out.

depunter has impressed so far. early days, of course, but still notable.

[tha_jackal]

Hopefully Westy will have Valencia and the Kwaka sorted properly by next year..

[Mach24]

I love the spin on things in the story below. Facts are JT was some 3 seconds slower than the fastest man at Sepang during the test. He was slowest of the regular riders and beaten by one of the Yamaha test riders in finishing 11th overall.

Now I don't have a problem with JT and he might even end up doing so-so in the Championship but this kind of propaganda does not help him.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
MotoGP Sepang test: James Toseland buoyed by impressive MotoGP debut
By Matthew Birt
MotoGP
17 November 2007 15:18


James Toseland ended his first MotoGP test in Sepang today in positive and confident mood as he lapped within 1.5s of world champion Casey Stoner’s fastest Malaysian GP time.

The double World Superbike champion ended a gruelling three-day test session with a best time of 2.03.550, which was just 1.2s slower than Valentino Rossi’s fastest Yamaha time in last month’s Sepang GP.

[patnicholls]

This is true about oft-silly journalism in places.

Of course, we're only in November and JT is taking his first steps on a MotoGP bike - the times are completely irrelevent at this stage as all the guys are getting used to their new teams, bikes and tyres and playing around with settings. Now isn't a time to worry for the riders - that comes at IRTA test time next year.

That said, it's nice to see that LCR Honda (with Randy) and particularly Scot Honda (with Dovi) are well in the mix so far, unlike those teams' disappointing 2007 showings.

[maxu05]

I agree with Pat, many riders are just getting used to the bikes (many of which are still 07 bikes), so it's of no reference for the form of the riders for 08. Many of the riders are more interested in testing for development, rather than trying to break lap records, though many are trying setups that they wouldn't have dared try during the championship, so, I think the lap times do not truely show the pecking order, so to speak.

[chunder27]

Mach, give the guy a break he is riding all new stuff on tryes he doesnt know, bikes he doesnt know etc!!

He hasnt done bad really

[Mach24]

Mach, give the guy a break he is riding all new stuff on tryes he doesnt know, bikes he doesnt know etc!!

He hasnt done bad really

Chund, my point is not to slag JT but to point out the media spin and thus the pressure placed on JT when the 'fans' who see/read nothing more than the main stream media expect JT to win first time out.

I am a little disappointed with his results, but he can record the slowest times all pre season but if he wins round 1 all is forgotten.

Oh, welcome to the forum.

[fatman]

Mach, give the guy a break he is riding all new stuff on tryes he doesnt know, bikes he doesnt know etc!!

He hasnt done bad really

He's working hard and thats all any one can ask.
However come the first race he needs to at least beat Colin. James biggest downfall could be that Colin is his team mate and might just teach James everything he knows. ;)

[mx311]

Chund, my point is not to slag JT but to point out the media spin and thus the pressure placed on JT when the 'fans' who see/read nothing more than the main stream media expect JT to win first time out.
That's the biggest problem, he's already getting unrealistic press from the Brits, meanwhile Jorge, Dovi and AdA are able to quietly go about their jobs of learning MotoGP (well that's not really true but not many here read the Spanish or Italian press). ;) The thing that alot of people don't seem to understand is that JT is last in the queue at Yamaha, Rossi, Lorenzo and Edwards are all going to get more help than JT and because of that I don't expect James to be higher that 12th on the time sheets (unless the Yamaha turns out to be a stunner).

Now, pre-season testing is underway for the 125 and 250 classes too, they're at Jerez.

250cc
1 - Hiroshi Aoyama (Red Bull KTM) - 1’44”330
2 - Mika Kallio (Red Bull KTM) - 1’44”702
3 - Hector Barbera (Team Toth Aprilia) - 1’44”711
4 - Alvaro Bautista (Aspar Aprilia) - 1’44”796
5 - Hector Faubel (Aspar Aprilia) - 1’45”013
6 - Thomas Luthi (Cafe Latte Aprilia) - 1’45”183
7 - Mattia Pasini (Polaris World Aprilia) - 1’45”230
8 - Karel Abraham (Aprilia) - 1’45”313
9 - Roberto Locatelli (Metis Gilera) - 1’45”852
10 - Julian Simon (Repsol KTM) - 1’46”022
11 - Lukas Pesek (Cafe Latte Aprilia) - 1’46”352
12 - Imre Toth (Team Toth Aprilia) - 1’46”817
13 - Manuel Poggiali (Campetella Aprilia) - 1'47"150
14 - Federico Sandi (WRB Fontana Aprilia) - 1'49"088
15 - Alex Baldolini (WRB Fontana Aprilia) - 1'53"612

125cc
1 - Gabor Talmacsi (Aspar Aprilia) - 1’47”907
2 - Sergio Gadea (Aspar Aprilia) - 1’48”453
3 – Simone Corsi (Skilled Aprilia) - 1’48”656
4 – Bradley Smith (Polaris World Aprilia) - 1’48”730
5 – Mike Di Meglio (Ajo Derbi) - 1’49”159
6 – Esteve Rabat (Repsol KTM) - 1’49”303
7 – Sandro Cortese (Cafe Latte Aprilia) - 1’49”633
8 – Pablo Nieto (KTM) - 1’50”408

[tha_jackal]

Can't believe Nieto has blagged another ride.. Bloody politics **** me..

[tha_jackal]

Also, Karel Abraham must have got himself a new, decent steed too, much more respectable times than what he's been posting all this year..

[patnicholls]

With JT, it will be tough for him. When I do the League I basically have to predict the entire championship order to do the prices, so I was having a go the other day at writing down the order for the main class. So far I haven't got a clue as to how it'll actuallly look (every permutation I try, I look at it and think '....... can't possibly be that low') but JT is going to be very hard-pushed to be in the top ten, definitely.

----------------------------

And yes, fair play to Karel Abraham for that showing - I had him filed as 'only there because of money' until some time last year when he started beating Eugene Laverty every week, and now I'm fully admitting to being wrong :)

[edlalu]

Yamaha has three test bikes, two test riders, Toseland, Lorenzo, and Edward at the current test. Where is Rossi?

[Corny]

Yamaha has three test bikes, two test riders, Toseland, Lorenzo, and Edward at the current test. Where is Rossi?

What about a broken hand?

[maxu05]

What about a broken hand?

I think he is using the left hand now :laugh:

[edlalu]

He rode with the injury in the final round. And seeing his desire to have a competative ride, I would think he might get feed back from the current tests. Sure he may want to rest the hand and come back to test there once cleared by Dr Costa. And he is the only one putting a leg over a Yamaha M1 with Bridgestones so any feedback would be subjective to pure mechanics, but....

....I thought someone might have spotted him in some disco in Ibiza.......

[jim mcglinchey]

Jerez. Vales on the pace with his new tyres, I see. JT is getting to grips with the Yam but Marco is taking his time getting up to speed.

Why is pre-season and all of the expectation often more exciting than the actual racing?

[NinjaMaster]

West is extremely disappointing, beaten by a Superstock 1000 rider. Hopkins not that quick either on the first day.

[tha_jackal]

There's no shame in being outpaced by Tady Okada :rolleyes: Hmm, it's day one, only way is up from here..

[ArmchairBikeFan]

Well, it's testing not qualifying. The engineers couldn't give a monkey's about the overall times unless that's what they're going for. If they're trying to work on the power delivery they won't waste time endlessly tweaking suspension settings and so on. I'm not reading too much into these early times. On the last day a few people will go for an ultimate lap time and it'll be more interesting.

[edlalu]

Did MotoGP.com really mean to call Rossi "debutant" or did something get lost in the translation?

[NinjaMaster]

Well, it's testing not qualifying. The engineers couldn't give a monkey's about the overall times unless that's what they're going for. If they're trying to work on the power delivery they won't waste time endlessly tweaking suspension settings and so on. I'm not reading too much into these early times. On the last day a few people will go for an ultimate lap time and it'll be more interesting.
I agree with that and I think that's why the likes of Hopkins is a bit up and down but the likes of West and Melandri would still be disappointed with their lack of pace thus far, regardless of it's meaninglessness. They are competitive but would also be mindful that a championship can't be won now but it could be lost if the get injured.

[ChrisS]

Stoner highsided and injured his left shoulder, looks like he is out for the rest of the test. he will have to wait until near the end of January next year

http://www.crash.net/motorsport/motogp/news/157681-0/stoners_year_ends_with_injury.html

[osg]

Times from the final day......... Honda looking ominous.....

Pos Rider Bike Time
1. Dani Pedrosa Honda (M) 1:38.562
2. Nicky Hayden Honda (M) 1:38.848
3. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha (M) 1:39.464
4. Andrea Dovizioso Honda (M) 1:39.747
5. Shinya Nakano Honda (B) 1:40.121
6. Colin Edwards Yamaha (M) 1:40.184
7. Alex de Angelis Honda (B) 1:40.185
8. James Toseland Yamaha (M) 1:40.213
9. Randy de Puniet Honda (M) 1:40.398
10. John Hopkins Kawasaki (B) 1:40.984
11. Valentino Rossi Yamaha (B) 1:41.538
12. Marco Melandri Ducati (B) 1:41.619
13. Taddy Okada Honda (M) 1:41.715
14. Niccolo Canepa Ducati (B) 1:41.793
15. Anthony West Kawasaki (B) 1:42.343
16. Vittoriano Guareschi Ducati (B) 1:42.850
17. Shinichi Ito Ducati (B) 1:43.001

[JETFX...]

Ominous? I doubt it, way to early to say... based on that theory HorHay is on the money for the pointy end.

[NinjaMaster]

Honda will be competitive next year, no doubt. They are never down for long. However, this test really doesn't prove anything as all the teams are running different agendas. I think Honda would have been very keen to really show some very fast lap times to send a message to the critics for next year whereas Kawasaki (according to their website) really couldn't give a stuff about laptimes and purely experimented with every setup combination they could think of. As has been mentioned, we won't get a real clear picture til racing starts next year.

[Roby44]

Times from the final day......... Honda looking ominous.....

Pos Rider Bike Time
1. Dani Pedrosa Honda (M) 1:38.562
2. Nicky Hayden Honda (M) 1:38.848
3. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha (M) 1:39.464
4. Andrea Dovizioso Honda (M) 1:39.747
5. Shinya Nakano Honda (B) 1:40.121
6. Colin Edwards Yamaha (M) 1:40.184
7. Alex de Angelis Honda (B) 1:40.185
8. James Toseland Yamaha (M) 1:40.213
9. Randy de Puniet Honda (M) 1:40.398
10. John Hopkins Kawasaki (B) 1:40.984
11. Valentino Rossi Yamaha (B) 1:41.538
12. Marco Melandri Ducati (B) 1:41.619
13. Taddy Okada Honda (M) 1:41.715
14. Niccolo Canepa Ducati (B) 1:41.793
15. Anthony West Kawasaki (B) 1:42.343
16. Vittoriano Guareschi Ducati (B) 1:42.850
17. Shinichi Ito Ducati (B) 1:43.001

That fellow at postion #4 is doing good!! ;) ;) ;)

Just keep an eye on him nextyear!!

[Roby44]

Did MotoGP.com really mean to call Rossi "debutant" or did something get lost in the translation?

Maybe they meant "debutant" on 'stones :confused:

[NinjaMaster]

I figure they mean it is his debutant end of season test after missing the first couple.

[Ranger]

Melandri didn't get into the top 10 on any of the test days at Jerez. He better work out something or he's in for a pounding next year.

[tha_jackal]

All in good time im sure..