MotoGP

[rcrob]

Wow, there is a lot of speculation for the season based on one race. It was clear from qualifying that Brigestone had a superior Q tire. It would have been interesting how the race would have played out if Sete's bike hadn't have broken down. By the way what's with bashing the guy over a mechanical failure, how about blaming the mechanics or the factory. Anyway, Loris was able to get away early which I'm sure helped him preserve his tires for the end. It will be interesting to see how the Ducati and the 'stones fare at other circuits.Historically the Brigestone tires are good at three or four of the circuits and can't last at the others. I'll wait to see a few more races before I claim that any brigestone shod bike is really strong this season.

I'm not ready to proclaim Pedrosa or Elias the heirs apperent yet. Remember the last person to win his first time out in the premeir class? Biaggi. There are a lot of unanswered questions especially in regards to his strength, particularly the tighter circuits. The test after the race was interesting (in regards to times) where the fastest rider was Hayden 9/10's of a second faster than Loris. I think that Hayden will be the most consistent throughout the season, but will be beat from time to time by Elias, Pedrosa and Melandri.

I am curious to see what the Yamaha does at the next track. I don't know if the chatter was specific to Jerez or an inherent flaw in the bike.

Here are the test times:

Pos. Rider Team Bike Time
1 Nicky Hayden Repsol Honda Team Honda RC211V 1:39.908
2 Sete Gibernau Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati Desmosedici GP-6 1:40.504
3 Loris Capirossi Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati Desmosedici GP-6 1:40.799
4 Casey Stoner Honda LCR Honda RC211V 1:40.824
5 Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda Team Honda RC211V 1:40.845
6 Carlos Checa Tech 3 Yamaha Yamaha YZR-M1 1:40.932
7 Valentino Rossi Camel Yamaha Team Yamaha YZR-M1 1:40.969
8 John Hopkins Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki GSV-R 1:41.089
9 Shinya Nakano Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR 1:41.178
10 Toni Elias Fortuna Honda Honda RC211V 1:41.194
11 Makoto Tamada Konica Minolta Honda Honda RC211V 1:41.234
12 Marco Melandri Fortuna Honda Honda RC211V 1:41.396
13 Colin Edwards Camel Yamaha Team Yamaha YZR-M1 1:41.442
14 Chris Vermeulen Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki GSV-R 1:41.554
15 Kenny Roberts Jnr. Team Roberts KR211V 1:41.855
16 James Ellison Tech 3 Yamaha Yamaha YZR-M1 1:42.924

[SouthsideDuc]

I'm not ready to proclaim Pedrosa or Elias the heirs apperent yet. Remember the last person to win his first time out in the premeir class? Biaggi. There are a lot of unanswered questions especially in regards to his strength, particularly the tighter circuits. The test after the race was interesting (in regards to times) where the fastest rider was Hayden 9/10's of a second faster than Loris. I think that Hayden will be the most consistent throughout the season, but will be beat from time to time by Elias, Pedrosa and Melandri.

Hayden has his hands full with the '06 bike. It must kill him to watch Pedrosa sail on the '05 while he is still wrestling to get the '06 sorted. Of course, this is his job as the lead rider on the team and why he makes the big $$$. Bike development is a skill which takes time to develop. Hopefully, Hayden will get this worked out and we'll see him fighting for wins soon.

Tony

[kingsnake1650]

Hayden will do well this season. The Honda is a strong bike, perhaps more power than the Ducati. Nothing against Malandri or Pedrosa but Hayden will end up with more point by the end of the season. Pedrosa is the dark horse though. I think it will be interesting to see ho he handles the power of the big bike on the tighter tracks.
Valentino will get his issues worked out too. You have to be a master at setting a bike up as well as riding it to win GP championships. With out the little spill at the start Rossi would have been a podium contender at very least. Which lead to Colin Edwards..... What is the deal with him??? I really want to see him hit a hot streak. He has the ability to be a contender in the championship with his consistency. I was shocked that he wasnt farther up in the pack.
Capirossi. I think he will be the lead guy for Ducati this year by FAR. It seems like the last half of last years season Loris got the bike tuned in the way he needs it to ride the way he rides. So long as it looks like He is fighting to bike all the way around the track he will be a contender.
Yea I know it was a mechanical problem that put Gibernau out of the race. I just dont like his attitude, So I dont car what kinda bike he is on Im not a fan of Sete.
One other thing I saw sunday.... it looked like Kawasaki's GP offering has made alot of progress since last year, but where is Suzuki??

[Chuckracer]

"Wow, there is a lot of speculation for the season based on one race."

No kiddin! It was ONE RACE!! Gonna be a good season if this is any indication.