-
Adults Only Website 18+
If you are under 18 you are not permitted to submit personal information to us or use this website. If discovered you will be banned.
We will ban and report anyone posting illegal content.
We will ban any forum user who breaks our terms.
Freedom of speech should be wide open as long as it doesn't incite violence.
We have a 15 year old thriving community here with 400,000+ members and hundreds of people online at any given moment, we encourage you to join!, there are 1000's of topics to discuss. Please be aware before registering and read our terms of service and privacy policy.
By dismissing this notice and proceeding, you agree to the above.
2016 Jerez Thursday Round Up: Jorge Lorenzo, Yamaha, and Ducati Speak at Last
Submitted by David Emmett on Fri, 2016-04-22 01:09
It has been three years in the making. Ducati have been chasing Jorge Lorenzo for a very long time, almost since the moment Gigi Dall'Igna took over as head of Ducati Corse. Dall'Igna came to Ducati with a master plan. "Ducati had a plan when we started with Gigi at the end of 2013, which was to develop a competitive bike and - once the bike was competitive - to attract one of the top riders," Ducati MotoGP boss Paolo Ciabatti told a specially convened press conference on Thursday.
The candidates who qualified as "top riders" (for the linguists, this is the English phrase the Italians use where English speakers would use the term Alien) are few and far between. Ciabatti made it perfectly clear what he meant. "With all due to respect to all the other riders, including the two Andreas, there are a few riders who have been showing their potential. They are able to win championships. Obviously if you look at history in the last six years three times Lorenzo, twice Marquez and once Stoner. So obviously to be sure to be in a position to fight for a world title we needed to aim for one of the two riders which are Lorenzo and Marquez."
Picking an alien
One interesting detail: before talking to Lorenzo, Ducati had first asked Casey Stoner if he would like to make a full-time return to racing. "No," Stoner replied(link is external). "I am fine like this." He is happy as a test rider. That opened the door for Lorenzo.
But not for Marc Márquez. Though Ducati talked to Márquez, it was clear that the Spaniard was closely aligned with Repsol Honda, and tempting him away from HRC would be a lengthy and difficult task. That left Jorge Lorenzo as Ducati's main priority.
Talking to GPOne, in one of their GPOneCar videos(link is external), Paolo Ciabatti revealed some of the details of how the deal came about. Ducati Corse boss Gigi Dall'Igna had kept in contact with Jorge Lorenzo, having spent a lot of time with him when the Spaniard was in 125s and 250s, riding Derbis and Aprilias. They had been speaking for some time, but a couple of weeks before Qatar, Ducati had started to believe it would be possible to secure Lorenzo's services.
Yamaha's decision to offer both Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo new contracts before the Qatar race – ironically, a move made at the behest of Lorenzo, who had said publicly that he wanted his future sorted before the season opener – forced Lorenzo's hand. When Rossi signed, all attention shifted to Lorenzo. Ducati made Lorenzo an offer, and an agreement reached during the two American rounds. Sources told MotoMatters.com that agreement had been reached before the race in Argentina. Ciabatti told GPOne that the contract was signed between Argentina and Austin.
Why oh why?
Why did Lorenzo go? "I think there were probably three factors that helped him make that decision," Lin Jarvis told the pre-event press conference in a refreshingly frank performance. "He probably got an extremely good proposal, probably better than ours. I think the Ducati is currently a very competitive bike, so it's less daunting to make a change. In addition to that, probably to be the number one in the future team was probably something that was attractive," Jarvis said. Number one status was not something Yamaha was able to offer. With two "top dogs", the only option Yamaha had was to treat both riders perfectly equally.
Valentino Rossi explained it best, when he spoke to a packed Yamaha press conference. "For me, the very good thing about Yamaha management and all the guys that decide for the team is that they are able to manage two top riders, especially because they keep us always at the same level," Rossi said. When Lorenzo had joined Yamaha in 2008, he was treated exactly the same as Rossi, despite the fact that Rossi had already won two titles for the Japanese factory and had been with them since 2004. But the same held true when Rossi returned to Yamaha in 2013. "When I came back in 2013, also if Lorenzo was the world champion, Yamaha put me in exactly the same level. So always in Yamaha in all these seasons, it was 50/50. This is the key to making the team work, so I don't think it's for this reason. "
The Malaysian thing
Though Yamaha tried to treat both Rossi and Lorenzo equally, the unfortunate events at Sepang took their toll, and played a role in Lorenzo's decision. In the press conference, Jarvis acknowledged that Sepang had had a major influence on the atmosphere in the team. "It definitely influenced the end of the last championship and it certainly influenced the mood inside the garage," the Yamaha boss said. "Prior to Sepang, we'd had Jorge and Vale back together for three and a half seasons at that stage, and honestly, the relationship had been going very well. Of course, they always competitors, but the team coexisted very well and we interacted very freely with each other. After Sepang that changed. This is an absolute fact."
That did not mean that Jarvis felt he had any choice in the way he handled the situation. "Would I change the way I handled or Yamaha managed the situation? No. We believe that the way we managed a very difficult situation was the very best that we could do under those circumstances." Ultimately, though, whether Jarvis or Yamaha believed they handled the situation correctly is not important. What matters is how Lorenzo felt they handled the situation. It is hard to escape the conclusion that the aftermath of Sepang was a factor in his decision. Whether Lorenzo is justified in feeling wronged is a different question, of course.
I am legend
Having observed Jorge Lorenzo over many years, and having covered MotoGP professionally since his second year in MotoGP, it seems to me that one Lorenzo's prime motivations is a desire for recognition. He wants his achievements to be acknowledged and respected. That, more than anything, is what may have affected his decision to leave Yamaha. Whether Yamaha showed enough appreciation for his title is a matter for interpretation. But what is certain is that Lorenzo feels that a certain section of the fans, and a certain section of the media, have denigrated his third world title. That championship was the hardest of his career, and he feels he deserves respect for the way he secured it.
To me, the situation was best summed up by Paolo Ciabatti. "Ducati is a special company," he said. "We are quite small in size but we are very much focused on performance and racing and passion. All the people at Ducati, including the workers on the production line, share the same passion. I think that this feeling of passion all surrounding what Ducati does will be one of the factors that Jorge will appreciate very much. Obviously the Ducati fans are really cheering for the brand more than the riders in principle, but the riders that were able to achieve exceptional results for Ducati then they become also heroes for our customers, who are fans. So if I can say, among all the riders the heroes for the Ducati fans are Fogarty, Bayliss and Stoner. So I think that the opportunity for a rider like Jorge to become a hero or a symbol for a company like Ducati is maybe also one of the reasons that made him think that it was the right time to make a change in his career."
Ducatisti are passionate people indeed. The brand really is bigger than the riders. When Valentino Rossi joined Ducati, there was a very strong core of Ducati fans who vehemently opposed his coming to the factory. They feared that Rossi would eclipse the brand, that he was bigger than Ducati. If Rossi had been successful at Ducati, Rossi would have taken the credit. When he proved to be unsuccessful, it was Ducati who were given the blame. Rightly so, as it turned out.
That would be very different for Lorenzo if he succeeds at Ducati. Yes, Lorenzo would be hailed as a hero by the fans, both MotoGP fans and Ducatisti alike. But he would be hailed as a hero together with Ducati, not given the glory, while ignoring the bike which got him there. If Lorenzo wins on the Ducati – and that is still an if, and not a when – then he will be another Fogarty, another Bayliss, another Stoner. That status is precisely the recognition he craves.
Out of the shadow
It is also not a status he can achieve at Yamaha. As long as Valentino Rossi is at Yamaha, Rossi will always be the main draw. Rightly so: Rossi has had a massive global impact, and played a huge role in making the sport as big as it is today. His record is second only to Giacomo Agostini, and it was achieved against much stiffer competition. At Yamaha, Lorenzo is very much Valentino Rossi's teammate, even when Lorenzo is world champion.
At Yamaha, he is also just one of a long chain of champions. Giacomo Agostini, Kenny Roberts, Eddie Lawson, Wayne Rainey, Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo. All names to conjure with, but none of which make Lorenzo unique. Riding a factory Yamaha is a major advantage in pursuit of a title: seven of the last twelve MotoGP titles have been won on by a rider on an M1.
Winning on a Ducati is very different: 2010 was the last time a Ducati won a race, and 2007 since a rider other than Casey Stoner won on the Ducati. Should Lorenzo win a race on the Ducati, he would receive massive acclaim. Win a title, and he would enter the realm of legend.
Submitted by David Emmett on Fri, 2016-04-22 01:09
It has been three years in the making. Ducati have been chasing Jorge Lorenzo for a very long time, almost since the moment Gigi Dall'Igna took over as head of Ducati Corse. Dall'Igna came to Ducati with a master plan. "Ducati had a plan when we started with Gigi at the end of 2013, which was to develop a competitive bike and - once the bike was competitive - to attract one of the top riders," Ducati MotoGP boss Paolo Ciabatti told a specially convened press conference on Thursday.
The candidates who qualified as "top riders" (for the linguists, this is the English phrase the Italians use where English speakers would use the term Alien) are few and far between. Ciabatti made it perfectly clear what he meant. "With all due to respect to all the other riders, including the two Andreas, there are a few riders who have been showing their potential. They are able to win championships. Obviously if you look at history in the last six years three times Lorenzo, twice Marquez and once Stoner. So obviously to be sure to be in a position to fight for a world title we needed to aim for one of the two riders which are Lorenzo and Marquez."
Picking an alien
One interesting detail: before talking to Lorenzo, Ducati had first asked Casey Stoner if he would like to make a full-time return to racing. "No," Stoner replied(link is external). "I am fine like this." He is happy as a test rider. That opened the door for Lorenzo.
But not for Marc Márquez. Though Ducati talked to Márquez, it was clear that the Spaniard was closely aligned with Repsol Honda, and tempting him away from HRC would be a lengthy and difficult task. That left Jorge Lorenzo as Ducati's main priority.
Talking to GPOne, in one of their GPOneCar videos(link is external), Paolo Ciabatti revealed some of the details of how the deal came about. Ducati Corse boss Gigi Dall'Igna had kept in contact with Jorge Lorenzo, having spent a lot of time with him when the Spaniard was in 125s and 250s, riding Derbis and Aprilias. They had been speaking for some time, but a couple of weeks before Qatar, Ducati had started to believe it would be possible to secure Lorenzo's services.
Yamaha's decision to offer both Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo new contracts before the Qatar race – ironically, a move made at the behest of Lorenzo, who had said publicly that he wanted his future sorted before the season opener – forced Lorenzo's hand. When Rossi signed, all attention shifted to Lorenzo. Ducati made Lorenzo an offer, and an agreement reached during the two American rounds. Sources told MotoMatters.com that agreement had been reached before the race in Argentina. Ciabatti told GPOne that the contract was signed between Argentina and Austin.
Why oh why?
Why did Lorenzo go? "I think there were probably three factors that helped him make that decision," Lin Jarvis told the pre-event press conference in a refreshingly frank performance. "He probably got an extremely good proposal, probably better than ours. I think the Ducati is currently a very competitive bike, so it's less daunting to make a change. In addition to that, probably to be the number one in the future team was probably something that was attractive," Jarvis said. Number one status was not something Yamaha was able to offer. With two "top dogs", the only option Yamaha had was to treat both riders perfectly equally.
Valentino Rossi explained it best, when he spoke to a packed Yamaha press conference. "For me, the very good thing about Yamaha management and all the guys that decide for the team is that they are able to manage two top riders, especially because they keep us always at the same level," Rossi said. When Lorenzo had joined Yamaha in 2008, he was treated exactly the same as Rossi, despite the fact that Rossi had already won two titles for the Japanese factory and had been with them since 2004. But the same held true when Rossi returned to Yamaha in 2013. "When I came back in 2013, also if Lorenzo was the world champion, Yamaha put me in exactly the same level. So always in Yamaha in all these seasons, it was 50/50. This is the key to making the team work, so I don't think it's for this reason. "
The Malaysian thing
Though Yamaha tried to treat both Rossi and Lorenzo equally, the unfortunate events at Sepang took their toll, and played a role in Lorenzo's decision. In the press conference, Jarvis acknowledged that Sepang had had a major influence on the atmosphere in the team. "It definitely influenced the end of the last championship and it certainly influenced the mood inside the garage," the Yamaha boss said. "Prior to Sepang, we'd had Jorge and Vale back together for three and a half seasons at that stage, and honestly, the relationship had been going very well. Of course, they always competitors, but the team coexisted very well and we interacted very freely with each other. After Sepang that changed. This is an absolute fact."
That did not mean that Jarvis felt he had any choice in the way he handled the situation. "Would I change the way I handled or Yamaha managed the situation? No. We believe that the way we managed a very difficult situation was the very best that we could do under those circumstances." Ultimately, though, whether Jarvis or Yamaha believed they handled the situation correctly is not important. What matters is how Lorenzo felt they handled the situation. It is hard to escape the conclusion that the aftermath of Sepang was a factor in his decision. Whether Lorenzo is justified in feeling wronged is a different question, of course.
I am legend
Having observed Jorge Lorenzo over many years, and having covered MotoGP professionally since his second year in MotoGP, it seems to me that one Lorenzo's prime motivations is a desire for recognition. He wants his achievements to be acknowledged and respected. That, more than anything, is what may have affected his decision to leave Yamaha. Whether Yamaha showed enough appreciation for his title is a matter for interpretation. But what is certain is that Lorenzo feels that a certain section of the fans, and a certain section of the media, have denigrated his third world title. That championship was the hardest of his career, and he feels he deserves respect for the way he secured it.
To me, the situation was best summed up by Paolo Ciabatti. "Ducati is a special company," he said. "We are quite small in size but we are very much focused on performance and racing and passion. All the people at Ducati, including the workers on the production line, share the same passion. I think that this feeling of passion all surrounding what Ducati does will be one of the factors that Jorge will appreciate very much. Obviously the Ducati fans are really cheering for the brand more than the riders in principle, but the riders that were able to achieve exceptional results for Ducati then they become also heroes for our customers, who are fans. So if I can say, among all the riders the heroes for the Ducati fans are Fogarty, Bayliss and Stoner. So I think that the opportunity for a rider like Jorge to become a hero or a symbol for a company like Ducati is maybe also one of the reasons that made him think that it was the right time to make a change in his career."
Ducatisti are passionate people indeed. The brand really is bigger than the riders. When Valentino Rossi joined Ducati, there was a very strong core of Ducati fans who vehemently opposed his coming to the factory. They feared that Rossi would eclipse the brand, that he was bigger than Ducati. If Rossi had been successful at Ducati, Rossi would have taken the credit. When he proved to be unsuccessful, it was Ducati who were given the blame. Rightly so, as it turned out.
That would be very different for Lorenzo if he succeeds at Ducati. Yes, Lorenzo would be hailed as a hero by the fans, both MotoGP fans and Ducatisti alike. But he would be hailed as a hero together with Ducati, not given the glory, while ignoring the bike which got him there. If Lorenzo wins on the Ducati – and that is still an if, and not a when – then he will be another Fogarty, another Bayliss, another Stoner. That status is precisely the recognition he craves.
Out of the shadow
It is also not a status he can achieve at Yamaha. As long as Valentino Rossi is at Yamaha, Rossi will always be the main draw. Rightly so: Rossi has had a massive global impact, and played a huge role in making the sport as big as it is today. His record is second only to Giacomo Agostini, and it was achieved against much stiffer competition. At Yamaha, Lorenzo is very much Valentino Rossi's teammate, even when Lorenzo is world champion.
At Yamaha, he is also just one of a long chain of champions. Giacomo Agostini, Kenny Roberts, Eddie Lawson, Wayne Rainey, Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo. All names to conjure with, but none of which make Lorenzo unique. Riding a factory Yamaha is a major advantage in pursuit of a title: seven of the last twelve MotoGP titles have been won on by a rider on an M1.
Winning on a Ducati is very different: 2010 was the last time a Ducati won a race, and 2007 since a rider other than Casey Stoner won on the Ducati. Should Lorenzo win a race on the Ducati, he would receive massive acclaim. Win a title, and he would enter the realm of legend.
The power of organization
Can he win? Gigi Dall'Igna believes he can. Dall'Igna believes he has built a racing motorcycle capable of winning a MotoGP race. Or rather, he believes he has assembled a team around him which has helped create a motorcycle capable of winning. When told Lorenzo called him a genius, Dall'Igna rejected that label. "For sure I don’t think I’m a genius," he said. "I’m convinced that I’m able to help all the people that work with me to give the best from his job. Probably I’m surrounded by genius because I’m convinced all the Ducati people have a very, very high level. So I think that the job that we did in the last two, three years is not only me, but because we are a real group that works together, with a target to achieve, and this is the main reason why we are able to evolve the bike in the right direction."
This is indeed Dall'Igna's strength. When he became boss of Ducati Corse, Dall'Igna worked first on improving communication, rotating engineers between internal departments, test team and race team. He got the engine department talking to the chassis department, who talked to the electronics guys. Together, they built a bike that is obviously competitive. Whether the decisive engineering breakthroughs actually came from the brain of Dall'Igna or not, we may never know. But we can be certain that Dall'Igna made it possible for those engineering breakthroughs to happen.
Looking ahead
How was Lorenzo's move viewed? Overwhelmingly positively, almost unanimously so. Cal Crutchlow summed the general feeling up perfectly. "At the end of the day, I think its fantastic for the sport. I think it’s good for the fans, I think it’s good for MotoGP. It’s good for people to see something different. Maybe he’ll run away with the championship, maybe he’ll finish 10th I have no idea. And that's the good thing about it."
It also blows MotoGP's Silly Season wide open. Despite the fact that we are just three races into the 2016 season, all the talk is of next year, and who will be going where. There are far, far more questions than answers at the moment, and although it is tempting to start slotting riders into empty seats, like a gigantic form of musical chairs, at the moment, we know very little beyond some wild speculation.
Every rider I asked about their future told me they had multiple options, most of which were good. Most managers I have spoken to recently have told me they are considering multiple riders. So as tempting as it is to say Maverick Viñales to Yamaha, Andrea Iannone to Suzuki, Pol Espargaro to Marc VDS, Dani Pedrosa to KTM, it is nothing more than speculation.
Pick a card, any card
Lin Jarvis may have acknowledged Yamaha's interest in Viñales, but Davide Brivio today told me that their first priority was keeping Viñales at Suzuki. The argument for Viñales remaining is remarkably similar to that for Lorenzo going to Ducati: Yamaha may be Viñales' best chance of a MotoGP title, but if he were to achieve the same at Suzuki, he would join an elite list of names. Barry Sheene, Kevin Schwantz, Kenny Roberts Jr, Maverick Viñales. That is quite the list.
But it is far from settled, and fevered negotiations will continue for at least the next month, and probably longer. The time frame for making a decision is roughly the next three to four races. After Barcelona, Ducati will likely be in a position to decide which of the two Andreas will stay (Dovizioso appears to be the current favorite, but do not write Iannone off), Yamaha will be closer to signing a replacement for Lorenzo, Suzuki will have a better idea of whether they will be able to hang on to Viñales, and who they will place alongside him. Between then and now, be prepared to hear a lot of wild speculation, and inaccurate guesswork.
But first, Jerez. An intense and mighty track, and worthy of more attention than this piece has granted it. Back in Europe, racing feels a lot more real, somehow. It all starts on Friday. That will prove a necessary and entertaining distraction.
Can he win? Gigi Dall'Igna believes he can. Dall'Igna believes he has built a racing motorcycle capable of winning a MotoGP race. Or rather, he believes he has assembled a team around him which has helped create a motorcycle capable of winning. When told Lorenzo called him a genius, Dall'Igna rejected that label. "For sure I don’t think I’m a genius," he said. "I’m convinced that I’m able to help all the people that work with me to give the best from his job. Probably I’m surrounded by genius because I’m convinced all the Ducati people have a very, very high level. So I think that the job that we did in the last two, three years is not only me, but because we are a real group that works together, with a target to achieve, and this is the main reason why we are able to evolve the bike in the right direction."
This is indeed Dall'Igna's strength. When he became boss of Ducati Corse, Dall'Igna worked first on improving communication, rotating engineers between internal departments, test team and race team. He got the engine department talking to the chassis department, who talked to the electronics guys. Together, they built a bike that is obviously competitive. Whether the decisive engineering breakthroughs actually came from the brain of Dall'Igna or not, we may never know. But we can be certain that Dall'Igna made it possible for those engineering breakthroughs to happen.
Looking ahead
How was Lorenzo's move viewed? Overwhelmingly positively, almost unanimously so. Cal Crutchlow summed the general feeling up perfectly. "At the end of the day, I think its fantastic for the sport. I think it’s good for the fans, I think it’s good for MotoGP. It’s good for people to see something different. Maybe he’ll run away with the championship, maybe he’ll finish 10th I have no idea. And that's the good thing about it."
It also blows MotoGP's Silly Season wide open. Despite the fact that we are just three races into the 2016 season, all the talk is of next year, and who will be going where. There are far, far more questions than answers at the moment, and although it is tempting to start slotting riders into empty seats, like a gigantic form of musical chairs, at the moment, we know very little beyond some wild speculation.
Every rider I asked about their future told me they had multiple options, most of which were good. Most managers I have spoken to recently have told me they are considering multiple riders. So as tempting as it is to say Maverick Viñales to Yamaha, Andrea Iannone to Suzuki, Pol Espargaro to Marc VDS, Dani Pedrosa to KTM, it is nothing more than speculation.
Pick a card, any card
Lin Jarvis may have acknowledged Yamaha's interest in Viñales, but Davide Brivio today told me that their first priority was keeping Viñales at Suzuki. The argument for Viñales remaining is remarkably similar to that for Lorenzo going to Ducati: Yamaha may be Viñales' best chance of a MotoGP title, but if he were to achieve the same at Suzuki, he would join an elite list of names. Barry Sheene, Kevin Schwantz, Kenny Roberts Jr, Maverick Viñales. That is quite the list.
But it is far from settled, and fevered negotiations will continue for at least the next month, and probably longer. The time frame for making a decision is roughly the next three to four races. After Barcelona, Ducati will likely be in a position to decide which of the two Andreas will stay (Dovizioso appears to be the current favorite, but do not write Iannone off), Yamaha will be closer to signing a replacement for Lorenzo, Suzuki will have a better idea of whether they will be able to hang on to Viñales, and who they will place alongside him. Between then and now, be prepared to hear a lot of wild speculation, and inaccurate guesswork.
But first, Jerez. An intense and mighty track, and worthy of more attention than this piece has granted it. Back in Europe, racing feels a lot more real, somehow. It all starts on Friday. That will prove a necessary and entertaining distraction.
ESABATM
Meme DMaster Of Disaster
That airbag vest was shit hot. That was a hell of a wreck to just walk away. The soft ground also had alot to do with that as well.
Spied: Rossi’s next phase of MotoGP bike development spotted in Jerez. And Lorenzo hasn’t got this on his bike!
by MoreBikes · 25/04/2016
A keen-eyed snapper for website GPOne.com caught this new bit of kit on Valentino Rossi’s factory Yamaha at Jerez. It’s a sensor that’s been fitted to the clutch on the nine-times world champion’s bike.
The arm, and data-logging equipment that goes with it, was only fitted to Rossi’s bike and wasn’t seen on Lorenzo’s machine. Given that Lorenzo has announced that he is moving to Ducati next year there’s a (slim) chance that any development around Jorge has now stopped – although in racing terms this doesn’t make much sense because Yamaha still wants both its riders right now to be contesting the title – if that actually is the case then this is an indicator of the next wave of bike development with Yamaha because it’s only appeared on Rossi’s bike. And Rossi is staying put with Yamaha.
So let’s assume that this something for the development of the bike. If there’s something unique to Rossi’s clutch operation then what could the purpose of watching how Valentino works a clutch actually be? Rossi does come from the era of two-strokes and no rider aids like launch control so through the sheer factor of needing to be able to get a 500cc off the line (and then play the clutch like a fine instrument throughout the race) he does have given him extraordinary clutch control.
But what exactly could Yamaha actually learn with this data about Rossi’s clutch style? Is this in fact the first steps in negating the use of a clutch altogether in MotoGP? Is this a data-gathering exercise so that the next-generation of systems can have Rossi’s clutch ability electronically replicated for the upcoming ranks of riders about to enter the premier class?
What do you think?
by MoreBikes · 25/04/2016
A keen-eyed snapper for website GPOne.com caught this new bit of kit on Valentino Rossi’s factory Yamaha at Jerez. It’s a sensor that’s been fitted to the clutch on the nine-times world champion’s bike.
The arm, and data-logging equipment that goes with it, was only fitted to Rossi’s bike and wasn’t seen on Lorenzo’s machine. Given that Lorenzo has announced that he is moving to Ducati next year there’s a (slim) chance that any development around Jorge has now stopped – although in racing terms this doesn’t make much sense because Yamaha still wants both its riders right now to be contesting the title – if that actually is the case then this is an indicator of the next wave of bike development with Yamaha because it’s only appeared on Rossi’s bike. And Rossi is staying put with Yamaha.
So let’s assume that this something for the development of the bike. If there’s something unique to Rossi’s clutch operation then what could the purpose of watching how Valentino works a clutch actually be? Rossi does come from the era of two-strokes and no rider aids like launch control so through the sheer factor of needing to be able to get a 500cc off the line (and then play the clutch like a fine instrument throughout the race) he does have given him extraordinary clutch control.
But what exactly could Yamaha actually learn with this data about Rossi’s clutch style? Is this in fact the first steps in negating the use of a clutch altogether in MotoGP? Is this a data-gathering exercise so that the next-generation of systems can have Rossi’s clutch ability electronically replicated for the upcoming ranks of riders about to enter the premier class?
What do you think?
I, I, I, think you miss why that guy crashed in the first place. He missed the turn in point for the corner by like 30 bloody feet BEFORE HE grabs ONE BRAKE ! Then he ( after the prang ) says when he applied the front brake it stood him up in the corner and pushed him wide ? The doepy bugger only pulled the 'one' brake on cause he was running off the road in the first place ? Did you notice he dont slow down a whole lot until he actually hits the embankment ? And his bike does not change line at all ? And also the bike hits on the same line from the exact time the guy 'understands' he's in trouble, you can also see from the vid he dont touch the back brake at all ? If he had of and used the front brakes shifted his weight to the wreFt with back brake and tried to ride it out ? I doubt very much his POOFTA scarf would have gone off.
He seemed to home/hone in on the right the embankment and you tend to hit the things you look at. Fact.
I posted the vid to show the idiots crash not to highlight the vest. I honestly dont think the vest did fuck all for him he was going really bloody slow. If he was doing another 60/70 kms . . ... . who knows ?
The .. . . . honset POV from me is dONT ride . . . .
ITcomesback to what yo should know dont ride faster than you can on a road you know and respect a road you dont know.
ESABATM
Meme DMaster Of Disaster
I re-watched that video and it is as you described. Way to fast for me. I see what you mean as a weight shift does a bunch to change your line.
fair call bud just never ride past your comfort zone. You good people.
Doohan talks MotoGP™ rivalries
MotoGP™ Legend and five time 500cc World Champion, Mick Doohan voiced his opinion on the current state of the MotoGP™ World Championship and who he expects to be fighting it out in the years to come while at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Berlin. The Australian, who is no stranger to battling for world titles with fierce rivals, feels that Marc Marquez and Jorge Lorenzo are only just at the beginning of their story: “Marquez and Lorenzo are both seriously at the top of their game. Talent-wise, they are both similar. Lorenzo is more calculated in the way he competes. Marquez is more seat-of-the-pants; both equally quick. It comes down to the way the machine is working for them; the confidence they get back from the motorcycle and what they can extract from that to put them in a winning position.”
During his time at the top of the motorcycle racing world Doohan was almost untouchable, only finishing off the podium on four occasions throughout his five title winning years, but even then it was never easy for him nor will it be for either Spaniard: “No matter which era you’re in, even if someone is dominating like Marquez has, there is usually someone there to push him. Marquez is young, Lorenzo too and there’s no doubt those two will be the rivals for the next three or four years.”
It’s still very early in the championship, but Doohan, a former Repsol Honda rider himself, feels that the crashes of Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi are important: “Already Lorenzo hasn’t finished one of the races; Rossi hasn’t finished one of the races. It may be that they play into Marquez’s hands and he ends up having a dominant year.” Both Marquez and Lorenzo still have a couple more premier class titles to win before they match Doohan’s five and if their rivalry is as intense as the Australian believes, it will certainly be a while before anyone other than Rossi matches his five consecutive championships.
MotoGP™ Legend and five time 500cc World Champion, Mick Doohan voiced his opinion on the current state of the MotoGP™ World Championship and who he expects to be fighting it out in the years to come while at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Berlin. The Australian, who is no stranger to battling for world titles with fierce rivals, feels that Marc Marquez and Jorge Lorenzo are only just at the beginning of their story: “Marquez and Lorenzo are both seriously at the top of their game. Talent-wise, they are both similar. Lorenzo is more calculated in the way he competes. Marquez is more seat-of-the-pants; both equally quick. It comes down to the way the machine is working for them; the confidence they get back from the motorcycle and what they can extract from that to put them in a winning position.”
During his time at the top of the motorcycle racing world Doohan was almost untouchable, only finishing off the podium on four occasions throughout his five title winning years, but even then it was never easy for him nor will it be for either Spaniard: “No matter which era you’re in, even if someone is dominating like Marquez has, there is usually someone there to push him. Marquez is young, Lorenzo too and there’s no doubt those two will be the rivals for the next three or four years.”
It’s still very early in the championship, but Doohan, a former Repsol Honda rider himself, feels that the crashes of Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi are important: “Already Lorenzo hasn’t finished one of the races; Rossi hasn’t finished one of the races. It may be that they play into Marquez’s hands and he ends up having a dominant year.” Both Marquez and Lorenzo still have a couple more premier class titles to win before they match Doohan’s five and if their rivalry is as intense as the Australian believes, it will certainly be a while before anyone other than Rossi matches his five consecutive championships.
should be a great race 1 if they can keep Davies in sight
WSBK »
WSBK Imola, Italy: Superpole qualifying results (2)
30 April 2016
Full Superpole 2 qualifying results from the fifth round of the 2016 World Superbike Championship at Imola, Italy.
image: http://www.connectignite.com/inimage/images/logo-ci-text2.png
WSBK Imola, Italy: Superpole qualifying results (2)
Full Superpole 2 qualifying results from the fifth round of the 2016 World Superbike Championship at Imola, Italy.
1. Chaz Davies GBR Aruba.it Racing Ducati 1199R 1m 45.598s
2. Davide Giugliano ITA Aruba.it Racing Ducati 1199R 1m 46.055s
3. Jonathan Rea GBR Kawasaki Racing ZX-10R 1m 46.328s
4. Tom Sykes GBR Kawasaki Racing ZX-10R 1m 46.331s
5. Lorenzo Savadori ITA IodaRacing Aprilia RSV4 1m 46.531s
6. Jordi Torres ESP Althea BMW S1000RR 1m 46.867s
7. Leon Camier GBR MV Agusta RC F4 RR 1m 46.911s
8. Markus Reiterberger GER Althea BMW S1000RR 1m 46.952s
9. Nicky Hayden USA Honda Racing CBR1000RR 1m 47.429s
10. Matteo Baiocco ITA VFT Ducati 1199R 1m 47.471s
11. Michael van der Mark NED Honda Racing CBR1000RR 1m 47.563s
12. Sylvain Guintoli FRA PATA Crescent Yamaha R1 1m 48.677s
Grid positions determined by SP1
13. Xavi Fores ESP Barni Ducati 1199R 1m 47.811s
14. Alex Lowes GBR PATA Crescent Yamaha R1 1m 48.001s
15. Josh Brookes AUS Milwaukee BMW S1000RR 1m 48.046s
16. Karel Abraham CZE Milwaukee BMW S1000RR 1m 49.167s
17. Alex de Angelis RSM IodaRacing Aprilia RSV4 1m 49.321s
18. Dominic Schmitter SUI Grillini Kawasaki ZX-10R 1m 49.857s
19. Peter Sebesteyen HUN Team Toth Yamaha R1 1m 49.916s
20. Pawel Szkopek POL Team Toth Yamaha R1 1m 51.020s
21. Josh Hook AUS Grillini Kawasaki ZX-10R 1m 51.827s
22. Saeed al Sulaiti QAT Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R 1m 52.108s
Ruled out by injury
Lucas Mahias FRA Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R
Roman Ramos ESP GO Eleven Kawasaki ZX-10R
Read more at Imola - Superpole qualifying results (2) | WSBK Results
WSBK »
WSBK Imola, Italy: Superpole qualifying results (2)
30 April 2016
Full Superpole 2 qualifying results from the fifth round of the 2016 World Superbike Championship at Imola, Italy.
image: http://www.connectignite.com/inimage/images/logo-ci-text2.png
WSBK Imola, Italy: Superpole qualifying results (2)
Full Superpole 2 qualifying results from the fifth round of the 2016 World Superbike Championship at Imola, Italy.
1. Chaz Davies GBR Aruba.it Racing Ducati 1199R 1m 45.598s
2. Davide Giugliano ITA Aruba.it Racing Ducati 1199R 1m 46.055s
3. Jonathan Rea GBR Kawasaki Racing ZX-10R 1m 46.328s
4. Tom Sykes GBR Kawasaki Racing ZX-10R 1m 46.331s
5. Lorenzo Savadori ITA IodaRacing Aprilia RSV4 1m 46.531s
6. Jordi Torres ESP Althea BMW S1000RR 1m 46.867s
7. Leon Camier GBR MV Agusta RC F4 RR 1m 46.911s
8. Markus Reiterberger GER Althea BMW S1000RR 1m 46.952s
9. Nicky Hayden USA Honda Racing CBR1000RR 1m 47.429s
10. Matteo Baiocco ITA VFT Ducati 1199R 1m 47.471s
11. Michael van der Mark NED Honda Racing CBR1000RR 1m 47.563s
12. Sylvain Guintoli FRA PATA Crescent Yamaha R1 1m 48.677s
Grid positions determined by SP1
13. Xavi Fores ESP Barni Ducati 1199R 1m 47.811s
14. Alex Lowes GBR PATA Crescent Yamaha R1 1m 48.001s
15. Josh Brookes AUS Milwaukee BMW S1000RR 1m 48.046s
16. Karel Abraham CZE Milwaukee BMW S1000RR 1m 49.167s
17. Alex de Angelis RSM IodaRacing Aprilia RSV4 1m 49.321s
18. Dominic Schmitter SUI Grillini Kawasaki ZX-10R 1m 49.857s
19. Peter Sebesteyen HUN Team Toth Yamaha R1 1m 49.916s
20. Pawel Szkopek POL Team Toth Yamaha R1 1m 51.020s
21. Josh Hook AUS Grillini Kawasaki ZX-10R 1m 51.827s
22. Saeed al Sulaiti QAT Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R 1m 52.108s
Ruled out by injury
Lucas Mahias FRA Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R
Roman Ramos ESP GO Eleven Kawasaki ZX-10R
Read more at Imola - Superpole qualifying results (2) | WSBK Results
Similar threads
