Ducati Monster Forum

Let the season begin.

Midway through FP1 Andrea Dovizioso is up to fourth with a 1'56.000 on the GP15.

Go, go, go!!!!!

Would be nice to see Ducati competitive in MotoGP again.

Pos.   Num.   Rider   Nation   Team   Bike   Km/h   Time   Gap 1st/Prev.
1   93   Marc MARQUEZ   SPA   Repsol Honda Team   Honda   343.7   1'55.281   
2   26   Dani PEDROSA   SPA   Repsol Honda Team   Honda   347.3   1'55.357   0.076 / 0.076
3   41   Aleix ESPARGARO   SPA   Team SUZUKI ECSTAR   Suzuki   328.8   1'55.685   0.404 / 0.328
4   99   Jorge LORENZO   SPA   Movistar Yamaha MotoGP   Yamaha   338.4   1'55.698   0.417 / 0.013
5   35   Cal CRUTCHLOW   GBR   CWM LCR Honda   Honda   340.2   1'55.818   0.537 / 0.120
6   9   Danilo PETRUCCI   ITA   Pramac Racing   Ducati   341.2   1'55.939   0.658 / 0.121
7   4   Andrea DOVIZIOSO   ITA   Ducati Team   Ducati   345.0   1'55.980   0.699 / 0.041
8   68   Yonny HERNANDEZ   COL   Pramac Racing   Ducati   343.5   1'56.139   0.858 / 0.159
9   46   Valentino ROSSI   ITA   Movistar Yamaha MotoGP   Yamaha   338.4   1'56.162   0.881 / 0.023
10   29   Andrea IANNONE   ITA   Ducati Team   Ducati   344.4   1'56.315   1.034 / 0.153
11   44   Pol ESPARGARO   SPA   Monster Yamaha Tech 3   Yamaha   344.6   1'56.361   1.080 / 0.046
12   45   Scott REDDING   GBR   Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS   Honda   338.1   1'56.374   1.093 / 0.013
13   38   Bradley SMITH   GBR   Monster Yamaha Tech 3   Yamaha   343.7   1'56.428   1.147 / 0.054
14   6   Stefan BRADL   GER   Athinà Forward Racing   Yamaha Forward   336.2   1'56.577   1.296 / 0.149
15   17   Karel ABRAHAM   CZE   AB Motoracing   Honda   334.1   1'56.651   1.370 / 0.074
16   15   Alex DE ANGELIS   RSM   Octo IodaRacing Team   ART   326.7   1'56.768   1.487 / 0.117
17   25   Maverick VIÑALES   SPA   Team SUZUKI ECSTAR   Suzuki   330.6   1'56.922   1.641 / 0.154
18   8   Hector BARBERA   SPA   Avintia Racing   Ducati   340.1   1'56.957   1.676 / 0.035
19   43   Jack MILLER   AUS   CWM LCR Honda   Honda   338.4   1'56.983   1.702 / 0.026
20   76   Loris BAZ   FRA   Athinà Forward Racing   Yamaha Forward   332.9   1'57.031   1.750 / 0.048
21   69   Nicky HAYDEN   USA   Aspar MotoGP Team   Honda   331.4   1'57.052   1.771 / 0.021
22   19   Alvaro BAUTISTA   SPA   Aprilia Racing Team Gresini   Aprilia   331.8   1'57.130   1.849 / 0.078
23   50   Eugene LAVERTY   IRL   Aspar MotoGP Team   Honda   336.3   1'57.224   1.943 / 0.094
24   63   Mike DI MEGLIO   FRA   Avintia Racing   Ducati   338.4   1'57.612   2.331 / 0.388
25   33   Marco MELANDRI   ITA   Aprilia Racing Team Gresini   Aprilia   333.6   1'59.579   4.298 / 1.967

Seeing Cal top 5 is weird. Weirder yet to see Petrucci and Yonny in the top 10. Could the GP14.2 be the best satellite bike out there?

Are the GP15's just hanging back and working on setup? Feel like the Honda's went out to prove a point......Vale was hanging back in 9th  [coffee]

Go Suzuki. [thumbsup]

I'm pretty sure Aleix posted that time on the soft tire. Not sure what the Ducs were working on. The Pramac boys seemed to be pretty comfortable on the 14.2!

https://motomatters.com/results/2015/03/26/2015_qatar_motogp_fp1_result_marquez_edg.html

Without the soft tire, the Suk and 14.2s would not be in the top 10. it would have been 5th, 6th and 7th for Dovi, Vale and Crazy Joe.

I am afraid this year will be almost a photocopy of last year.
The M1 not yet there, improving, and by the time it does, MM is already done for the season.
Hope the Ducatis can fight better during race, WRT last year.

The Ducs should do well in the really fast circuits. For the rest, they should be fighting it out with Pedrosa for 4th.

With roughly 30 minutes left in the FP2:

1   93   M. MARQUEZ   1:54.828
2   26   D. PEDROSA   +0.447
3   4   A. DOVIZIOSO   +0.538
4   99   J. LORENZO   +0.781
5   29   A. IANNONE   +0.867
6   8   H. BARBERA   +1.010
7   41   A. ESPARGARO   +1.019
8   46   V. ROSSI   +1.133
9   35   C. CRUTCHLOW   +1.149
10   44   P. ESPARGARO   +1.176

New announcer is driving me crazy trying too hard to announce the Spanish names.

No predictions yet?

1. MM
2. Rossi
3. JLo
4. Pedro
5. Dovi

Cal and Crazy Joe will be in the hunt, but they'll both wad it at some point.

I think the rumors of the M1's demise are being greatly exaggerated, as they were last season. Take away MM, and the M1 riders are just as likely to win as the HRC riders.

I'm also rooting for Pedrobot this season. Poor bastard deserves a championship. A little injury luck, and he could get one.

1. MM
2. Vale
3. Dovi
4. JLo
5. Pedro

I'll second this possibility. 

I think you guys are blinded by your red glasses.  ;D I'd be shocked if any Duc rider can beat 2 of the 4 aliens over race distance. I've been wrong before though...I'd love to see them up there fighting.  [thumbsup]

I learned the hard way with my March Madness bracket. If any one of these riders wakes up with an extra bit of mojo and confidence, anyone can win. Would like to see things go to the wire this weekend.

+1

I don't think the Ducs can consistently beat any of the Aliens. They might be able to steal a win here and there, but I think Lorenzo will be back this year annoying MM throughout the season. MM will eventually win it and Vale will be a close 3rd (he always has issues with the newer tracks). The Turd will have his hands full with Dovi. Crazy Joe and Cal will be fighting all year long. The rest will be up and down.

1. MM
2. Vale
3. Pedro
4. Lorenzo
5. Cal

Honda

Pos.   Num.   Rider   Nation   Team   Bike   Km/h   Time   Gap 1st/Prev.
1   93   Marc MARQUEZ   SPA   Repsol Honda Team   Honda   344.7   1'54.828   
2   26   Dani PEDROSA   SPA   Repsol Honda Team   Honda   346.8   1'55.275   0.447 / 0.447
3   4   Andrea DOVIZIOSO   ITA   Ducati Team   Ducati   344.7   1'55.366   0.538 / 0.091
4   35   Cal CRUTCHLOW   GBR   CWM LCR Honda   Honda   342.3   1'55.397   0.569 / 0.031
5   29   Andrea IANNONE   ITA   Ducati Team   Ducati   344.1   1'55.404   0.576 / 0.007
6   99   Jorge LORENZO   SPA   Movistar Yamaha MotoGP   Yamaha   342.6   1'55.609   0.781 / 0.205
7   46   Valentino ROSSI   ITA   Movistar Yamaha MotoGP   Yamaha   337.1   1'55.618   0.790 / 0.009
8   63   Mike DI MEGLIO   FRA   Avintia Racing   Ducati   343.5   1'55.707   0.879 / 0.089
9   38   Bradley SMITH   GBR   Monster Yamaha Tech 3   Yamaha   343.6   1'55.741   0.913 / 0.034
10   8   Hector BARBERA   SPA   Avintia Racing   Ducati   341.9   1'55.838   1.010 / 0.097
11   41   Aleix ESPARGARO   SPA   Team SUZUKI ECSTAR   Suzuki   330.0   1'55.847   1.019 / 0.009
12   68   Yonny HERNANDEZ   COL   Pramac Racing   Ducati   345.7   1'55.970   1.142 / 0.123
13   44   Pol ESPARGARO   SPA   Monster Yamaha Tech 3   Yamaha   344.6   1'56.004   1.176 / 0.034
14   25   Maverick VIÑALES   SPA   Team SUZUKI ECSTAR   Suzuki   333.1   1'56.036   1.208 / 0.032
15   69   Nicky HAYDEN   USA   Aspar MotoGP Team   Honda   335.0   1'56.086   1.258 / 0.050
16   45   Scott REDDING   GBR   EG 0,0 Marc VDS   Honda   340.9   1'56.133   1.305 / 0.047
17   17   Karel ABRAHAM   CZE   AB Motoracing   Honda   335.6   1'56.178   1.350 / 0.045
18   6   Stefan BRADL   GER   Athinà Forward Racing   Yamaha Forward   338.4   1'56.181   1.353 / 0.003
19   50   Eugene LAVERTY   IRL   Aspar MotoGP Team   Honda   333.7   1'56.333   1.505 / 0.152
20   43   Jack MILLER   AUS   CWM LCR Honda   Honda   336.6   1'56.578   1.750 / 0.245
21   9   Danilo PETRUCCI   ITA   Pramac Racing   Ducati   342.6   1'56.657   1.829 / 0.079
22   76   Loris BAZ   FRA   Athinà Forward Racing   Yamaha Forward   331.8   1'56.966   2.138 / 0.309
23   15   Alex DE ANGELIS   RSM   Octo IodaRacing Team   ART   327.7   1'57.509   2.681 / 0.543
24   19   Alvaro BAUTISTA   SPA   Aprilia Racing Team Gresini   Aprilia   335.4   1'57.868   3.040 / 0.359
25   33   Marco MELANDRI   ITA   Aprilia Racing Team Gresini   Aprilia   334.6   1'58.542   3.714 / 0.674

With less than 30 minutes on FP3 --

1   29   A. IANNONE   1:54.992 (must be rolling the soft rear)
2   26   D. PEDROSA   +0.032
3   93   M. MARQUEZ   +0.561
4   4   A. DOVIZIOSO   +0.603
5   63   M. DI MEGLIO   +0.874
6   46   V. ROSSI   +0.947
7   99   J. LORENZO   +1.065
8   9   D. PETRUCCI   +1.166
9   44   P. ESPARGARO   +1.189
10   41   A. ESPARGARO   +1.203

Does anyone know what the USA TV schedule for this race is? I do not see it listed on fox sports 1, who carried it last year

FP3 final


Pos.   Num.   Rider   Nation   Team   Bike   Km/h   Time   Gap 1st/Prev.
1   93   Marc MARQUEZ   SPA   Repsol Honda Team   Honda   345.0   1'54.822   
2   35   Cal CRUTCHLOW   GBR   CWM LCR Honda   Honda   339.7   1'54.918   0.096 / 0.096
3   29   Andrea IANNONE   ITA   Ducati Team   Ducati   345.0   1'54.992   0.170 / 0.074
4   41   Aleix ESPARGARO   SPA   Team SUZUKI ECSTAR   Suzuki   331.1   1'54.994   0.172 / 0.002
5   26   Dani PEDROSA   SPA   Repsol Honda Team   Honda   345.4   1'55.024   0.202 / 0.030
6   4   Andrea DOVIZIOSO   ITA   Ducati Team   Ducati   344.1   1'55.044   0.222 / 0.020
7   68   Yonny HERNANDEZ   COL   Pramac Racing   Ducati   344.2   1'55.102   0.280 / 0.058
8   99   Jorge LORENZO   SPA   Movistar Yamaha MotoGP   Yamaha   335.2   1'55.108   0.286 / 0.006
9   46   Valentino ROSSI   ITA   Movistar Yamaha MotoGP   Yamaha   336.8   1'55.192   0.370 / 0.084
10   44   Pol ESPARGARO   SPA   Monster Yamaha Tech 3   Yamaha   340.2   1'55.328   0.506 / 0.136
11   8   Hector BARBERA   SPA   Avintia Racing   Ducati   342.9   1'55.396   0.574 / 0.068
12   45   Scott REDDING   GBR   EG 0,0 Marc VDS   Honda   341.6   1'55.447   0.625 / 0.051
13   25   Maverick VIÑALES   SPA   Team SUZUKI ECSTAR   Suzuki   333.1   1'55.676   0.854 / 0.229
14   6   Stefan BRADL   GER   Athinà Forward Racing   Yamaha Forward   335.5   1'55.694   0.872 / 0.018
15   9   Danilo PETRUCCI   ITA   Pramac Racing   Ducati   341.6   1'55.777   0.955 / 0.083
16   69   Nicky HAYDEN   USA   Aspar MotoGP Team   Honda   330.8   1'55.789   0.967 / 0.012
17   63   Mike DI MEGLIO   FRA   Avintia Racing   Ducati   341.3   1'55.866   1.044 / 0.077
18   38   Bradley SMITH   GBR   Monster Yamaha Tech 3   Yamaha   339.9   1'55.905   1.083 / 0.039
19   50   Eugene LAVERTY   IRL   Aspar MotoGP Team   Honda   331.6   1'55.913   1.091 / 0.008
20   17   Karel ABRAHAM   CZE   AB Motoracing   Honda   332.3   1'56.080   1.258 / 0.167
21   43   Jack MILLER   AUS   CWM LCR Honda   Honda   331.1   1'56.162   1.340 / 0.082
22   76   Loris BAZ   FRA   Athinà Forward Racing   Yamaha Forward   332.3   1'57.072   2.250 / 0.910
23   19   Alvaro BAUTISTA   SPA   Aprilia Racing Team Gresini   Aprilia   329.8   1'57.107   2.285 / 0.035
24   15   Alex DE ANGELIS   RSM   Octo IodaRacing Team   ART   323.5   1'57.509   2.687 / 0.402
25   33   Marco MELANDRI   ITA   Aprilia Racing Team Gresini

I don't see the Yamaha's doing it this race. They haven't had the pace. They may come up with something overnight. I wonder if they're still getting the electronics and the seamless downshift working together?

Discount any results on a soft because it won't last the race...Espargaro and Hernandez

Look for Hondas and maybe a stray Duc.

That soft tire is a real problem for the factories. Some big names were almost caught out of Q2 because of the soft tire wonders like Yonny and Aleix.

I wish they could get ahead of MM and cause some real trouble

Schedule here


http://www.tvracer.com/ (http://www.tvracer.com/)

I'd say a lot of injury luck.  Competition is tougher than last year w the 3 other aliens still active and the Ducs much improved.

But I'd like to see him win one except that Rossi is still racing, since I like rooting for fading stars chasing one last moment on top (Kobe, Jimmy Connors in that last US Open, etc).

Pedro stays healthy, and MM misses a couple due to injury and he's in the hunt. The 'bot can beat Rossi and JLo.  [coffee]

Damn fox sports 2 that stupid Comcast does not carry, I hope that is not going to be standard for the season

I just hope that the conditions that made the ducs fast in the test are repeated tonight and tomorrow night.

I don't believe they have even used the soft tire.

look at how much that helped Suzuki with a 14 kph difference

They haven't yet...

bet we see it today in Quali.

Actually, Dovi used the soft for the first time yesterday - which kind of blows my mind that they hadn't really built up any data on how one of the key weapons in their qualifying arsenal, at least for the early season. I guess they are concentrating their limited testing time on the bike in race configuration rather than qualifying trim.

Dovi said:

“I didn't make a perfect lap with the soft tyre because it was the first time that I tried that tyre and there is the possibility to go faster,” said Dovizioso, whose time left him 0.222s behind Marc Marquez.

From the story on Crash.net http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/216970/1/dovizioso-confident-of-saturday-improvement.html (http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/216970/1/dovizioso-confident-of-saturday-improvement.html)

I missed that.

FP 4

Pos. Num. Rider Nation Team Bike Km/h Time Gap 1st/Prev.


1 29 Andrea IANNONE ITA Ducati Team Ducati 343.4 1'55.088 
2 4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA Ducati Team Ducati 341.2 1'55.267 0.179 / 0.179
3 93 Marc MARQUEZ SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 345.6 1'55.357 0.269 / 0.090
4 99 Jorge LORENZO SPA Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Yamaha 335.1 1'55.763 0.675 / 0.406
5 46 Valentino ROSSI ITA Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Yamaha 337.3 1'55.828 0.740 / 0.065
6 44 Pol ESPARGARO SPA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 341.7 1'55.850 0.762 / 0.022
7 38 Bradley SMITH GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 340.6 1'55.900 0.812 / 0.050
8 35 Cal CRUTCHLOW GBR CWM LCR Honda Honda 340.3 1'55.931 0.843 / 0.031
9 41 Aleix ESPARGARO SPA Team SUZUKI ECSTAR Suzuki 332.2 1'55.963 0.875 / 0.032
10 69 Nicky HAYDEN USA Aspar MotoGP Team Honda 331.1 1'55.967 0.879 / 0.004
11 68 Yonny HERNANDEZ COL Pramac Racing Ducati 343.7 1'56.057 0.969 / 0.090
12 26 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 344.7 1'56.062 0.974 / 0.005
13 9 Danilo PETRUCCI ITA Pramac Racing Ducati 340.3 1'56.097 1.009 / 0.035
14 25 Maverick VIÑALES SPA Team SUZUKI ECSTAR Suzuki 333.1 1'56.291 1.203 / 0.194
15 8 Hector BARBERA SPA Avintia Racing Ducati 340.0 1'56.327 1.239 / 0.036
16 45 Scott REDDING GBR EG 0,0 Marc VDS Honda 336.7 1'56.367 1.279 / 0.040
17 43 Jack MILLER AUS CWM LCR Honda Honda 334.0 1'56.470 1.382 / 0.103
18 6 Stefan BRADL GER Athinà Forward Racing Yamaha Forward 334.0 1'56.533 1.445 / 0.063
19 17 Karel ABRAHAM CZE AB Motoracing Honda 332.2 1'56.711 1.623 / 0.178
20 63 Mike DI MEGLIO FRA Avintia Racing Ducati 338.9 1'56.855 1.767 / 0.144
21 50 Eugene LAVERTY IRL Aspar MotoGP Team Honda 332.1 1'56.873 1.785 / 0.018
22 76 Loris BAZ FRA Athinà Forward Racing Yamaha Forward 330.5 1'57.346 2.258 / 0.473
23 15 Alex DE ANGELIS RSM Octo IodaRacing Team ART 322.3 1'57.641 2.553 / 0.295
24 19 Alvaro BAUTISTA SPA Aprilia Racing Team Gresini Aprilia 326.9 1'57.865 2.777 / 0.224
25 33 Marco MELANDRI ITA Aprilia Racing Team Gresini Aprilia 330.8 1'58.986 3.898 / 1.121

Q 1

1 9 Danilo PETRUCCI ITA Pramac Racing Ducati 336.3 1'55.094 
2 38 Bradley SMITH GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 339.0 1'55.235 0.141 / 0.141
3 25 Maverick VIÑALES SPA Team SUZUKI ECSTAR Suzuki 332.8 1'55.246 0.152 / 0.011
4 45 Scott REDDING GBR EG 0,0 Marc VDS Honda 333.6 1'55.428 0.334 / 0.182
5 8 Hector BARBERA SPA Avintia Racing Ducati 341.1 1'55.604 0.510 / 0.176
6 63 Mike DI MEGLIO FRA Avintia Racing Ducati 340.1 1'55.729 0.635 / 0.125
7 69 Nicky HAYDEN USA Aspar MotoGP Team Honda 330.2 1'55.756 0.662 / 0.027
8 6 Stefan BRADL GER Athinà Forward Racing Yamaha Forward 332.0 1'55.791 0.697 / 0.035
9 50 Eugene LAVERTY IRL Aspar MotoGP Team Honda 330.9 1'55.848 0.754 / 0.057
10 17 Karel ABRAHAM CZE AB Motoracing Honda 329.3 1'55.892 0.798 / 0.044
11 19 Alvaro BAUTISTA SPA Aprilia Racing Team Gresini Aprilia 324.8 1'56.187 1.093 / 0.295
12 43 Jack MILLER AUS CWM LCR Honda Honda 336.1 1'56.287 1.193 / 0.100
13 76 Loris BAZ FRA Athinà Forward Racing Yamaha Forward 328.5 1'56.454 1.360 / 0.167
14 15 Alex DE ANGELIS RSM Octo IodaRacing Team ART 325.5 1'56.793 1.699 / 0.339
15 33 Marco MELANDRI ITA Aprilia Racing Team Gresini Aprilia 332.6 1'57.934 2.840 / 1.141

Q 2


1 4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA Ducati Team Ducati 337.3 1'54.113 
2 26 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 340.1 1'54.330 0.217 / 0.217
3 93 Marc MARQUEZ SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 339.9 1'54.437 0.324 / 0.107
4 29 Andrea IANNONE ITA Ducati Team Ducati 339.0 1'54.521 0.408 / 0.084
5 68 Yonny HERNANDEZ COL Pramac Racing Ducati 346.4 1'54.675 0.562 / 0.154
6 99 Jorge LORENZO SPA Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Yamaha 332.0 1'54.711 0.598 / 0.036
7 38 Bradley SMITH GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 337.2 1'54.732 0.619 / 0.021
8 46 Valentino ROSSI ITA Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Yamaha 333.4 1'54.851 0.738 / 0.119
9 9 Danilo PETRUCCI ITA Pramac Racing Ducati 342.7 1'54.876 0.763 / 0.025
10 44 Pol ESPARGARO SPA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 335.4 1'55.004 0.891 / 0.128
11 41 Aleix ESPARGARO SPA Team SUZUKI ECSTAR Suzuki 327.4 1'55.035 0.922 / 0.031
12 35 Cal CRUTCHLOW GBR CWM LCR Honda Honda 335.2 1'55.123 1.010 / 0.088

This year it might be real!  [evil]

Yamaha taking a beating

So long as Pedro doesn't jump out front off the line and MM gets held up by somebody, we might have a decent race tomorrow.

It is and I'm all in.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2015/03/28/the-night-undoubtedly-belongs-to-ducati/172787 (http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2015/03/28/the-night-undoubtedly-belongs-to-ducati/172787)

Good showing by Ducati, but don't get too excited. They were using the soft tire in Quali.  ;)

Lets see how they do over a full race distance.  [thumbsup]

True...

but they were there in all the practice sessions.

It should be fun.

Both Honda's take each other out and it's all Yamaha and Ducati fight.

I'm choosing new race results

1. MM
2. Dovi
3. Crazy Joe
4. Pedro
5. Crusty

No Yamaha in sight

For me, and even bigger shock than seeing Dovizioso & Iannone run the GP15 into pole & 4th position (which had to be an lifetime moment for Gigi & the whole Corsa garage) was to see Hernandez is on the GP14.2 and Petrucci on the GP14.1 in the top ten. Wait, what? Sure, they were on the soft tire, but that just doesn't make sense.

Turns out, Emmet says it's due to a bit of race craftiness by Marquez, who gave both riders a draft & thereby slotted Hernandez at least into the grid ahead of the Yamahas. Then, when the 14.2 does it's trademark mid-race fade, it's likely to hold up Lorenzo & Rossi.

Nicely done, MM!  [clap]

https://motomatters.com/analysis/2015/03/29/2015_qatar_motogp_saturday_round_up_of_d.html (https://motomatters.com/analysis/2015/03/29/2015_qatar_motogp_saturday_round_up_of_d.html) 

Warm up:

1   93   Marc MARQUEZ   SPA   Repsol Honda Team   Honda   344.9   1'55.819   
2   46   Valentino ROSSI   ITA   Movistar Yamaha MotoGP   Yamaha   338.4   1'55.843   0.024 / 0.024
3   4   Andrea DOVIZIOSO   ITA   Ducati Team   Ducati   344.1   1'55.924   0.105 / 0.081
4   29   Andrea IANNONE   ITA   Ducati Team   Ducati   343.1   1'55.958   0.139 / 0.034
5   99   Jorge LORENZO   SPA   Movistar Yamaha MotoGP   Yamaha   338.4   1'55.967   0.148 / 0.009
6   26   Dani PEDROSA   SPA   Repsol Honda Team   Honda   343.9   1'56.020   0.201 / 0.053
7   44   Pol ESPARGARO   SPA   Monster Yamaha Tech 3   Yamaha   339.7   1'56.153   0.334 / 0.133
8   41   Aleix ESPARGARO   SPA   Team SUZUKI ECSTAR   Suzuki   329.4   1'56.188   0.369 / 0.035
9   38   Bradley SMITH   GBR   Monster Yamaha Tech 3   Yamaha   343.9   1'56.204   0.385 / 0.016
10   68   Yonny HERNANDEZ   COL   Pramac Racing   Ducati   342.3   1'56.361   0.542 / 0.157
11   35   Cal CRUTCHLOW   GBR   CWM LCR Honda   Honda   340.8   1'56.385   0.566 / 0.024

Moto 3 race was ridiculous. They should put the big boys on the moto 3 bikes and let the dog fight begin.  Entire race is like the start of a supercross race!!

Moto3 was the shit.

I love seeing 15 bikes in a group with every single one of them having a shot at the podium.

Holy shit, what a make the beast with two backsing race.  [clap] [bow_down]

It's gonna be good season. [clap]

+11ty billion

Awesome start to the season

Today I had a Moto Orgasm  [laugh]
Before Ferrari coming back to win a GP after three and half centuries. Then MotoGP season starts with VR46 first, followed by Ducati with two Italian racers.
For the absolute perfect Sunday, it was only missing getting laid with Scarlett Johansson!
But the Sunday here is not over yet ... call me Scarlett!  ;D

 [laugh]

Live in hope. [laugh]

That Rossi guy is really good.  I'm glad he made the jump from the lower classes.  It's always good to get fresh blood into MotoGP. 

Like I said  ;D


Anyway...what a race! The Ducati definitely looks the business. Very nice!! Dovi also looks very strong. Who would have thought there would be 2 Ducs and a Yamaha on the podium...and not a Honda in sight!

They might not be done, but they still need to find 20 kph.

Great race by all and racecraft by Rossi.

I think if Dovi had tucked in behind Rossi instead of dogfighting for those 3 or 4 laps he would have had the edge grip left to beat him.

 [clap] Bravo! Those Ducati's were smoking the yamaha's on the straights but it was the technique and wit of Rossi that held them off.  The Ducs were on super softs I think and they were saying once they start winning a few races they're going to have change a few things to level out.  What a season opener, I love it.

The Ducs and Hondas were running the same rubber.
Rossi was the only rider in the money to use a hard front. Even You'reghey was running the same choice as Dovi.

I think the GOAT pulled one over on the kids. ;D

The old fox!  ;D
What is he, 36, 37?
I was nearly his age when I started racing. [laugh]

Great race! Rossi wasn't going to be denied.  Amazing how he spent so many laps in 4th, 3rd and 2nd watching/learning the Duc's capabilities, and then put Dovi away...as close as it looked, it wasn't a contest at the end.

Watching the Duc fly past on the straights reminds me of Stoner in, when was it, '08?  Over the rest of the season, Yamaha and Honda clawed back that speed.  Besides, as Ducati continues to podium they will lose their "factory" rules advantage.

 >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:(

Thank you for the F1 spoiler alert.

I meant to school him on that. My bad

He's 49 years old still riding like that! Wow.

MM royally make the beast with two backsed that first corner. He did an excellent job riding through the field. Did they ever figure out how he supposedly took out Bautista?

Rossi, what can you say? He is the GOAT.

The Ducs were there, but I agree that Dovi should have just kept Vale within striking distance and really only passed him at the end. Excellent race craft. The Duc will definitely win at least a race this year.

Lorenzo's riding style simply does not work during the latter part of races. I would have thought that it would save enough grip for the end, but nope.

The Turd is done. He will win a race or 2 and steal points from the front guys, but he has no pace in the race to keep up.

The rest of the field are just spectators.

Marquez took out some brake sensors on Bautista's bike so only one side was working.

The Turd pretty much announced he won't race until he gets his arm pumped fixed, so he may very well be done... http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/217087/1/pedrosa-i-cannot-continue-racing-this-way.html (http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/217087/1/pedrosa-i-cannot-continue-racing-this-way.html)

You'reghey is blaming a helmet issue... http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/217094/1/helmet-issue-cost-lorenzo-chance-of-victory.html (http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/217094/1/helmet-issue-cost-lorenzo-chance-of-victory.html...if) if he keeps getting beaten by Iannone he better come up with a better excuse.

Sorry about that.

MM is just showing off now. How difficult is it to blow off someone's sensor and to do it twice? Anyway, the Turd is out for the championship this year.

Jorghey has always been a strong starter. He needs to build a big lead within the first 10 laps. Granted, the Yamaha wasn't on pace at all this weekend. The fact that they were able to get 1st and 4th was surprising to say the least.

Truth to be told, Losail has been a track favorable to the M1 more than the HRC.
Last year on this track MM won at the last lap on VR, but in other tracks he just took off.
So I would wait 2..3 GPs before coming out with statements about a more level season this year.
For sure, Ducatis are much faster than last year on race day.

The Yamahas sucked all weekend and the Hondas dominated up to the point when the Ducs put on the soft tires. If it wasn't for MM screwing up turn 1, he would have been up there. HRC still has the strongest all around bike out there plain and simple. The next 2 tracks are new, where Vale usually struggles. MM will want to get back the points he lost. He will be very happy if he can put the Ducs between himself and the Yamahas, specially now that he knows that the Turd will not be doing it.

I don't buy the statements that the Yamaha isn't as good of a bike. Down on top speed a bit maybe, but otherwise just as capable as the Honda.

Qatar top 10 - 4 Yamahas, 3 Hondas, and 3 Ducatis.

Look at the season results last year. Remove MM and his string of 1st places, and Yamaha dominated. Even with him, there are more Yamahas in the top 10 (3 Hondas, 5 Yamahas, 2 Ducs).

I don't know how they continually convince people they're the underdog, but the results don't back it up.

I don't underestimate Yamaha. I did say that they sucked the whole weekend. If anything I'm saying not to put too much stock on the Ducs. They have obviously improved, but they still need to prove themselves to be consistent the rest of the year.

Now, the bombshell that I will drop is I'm completely convinced that if one of the Aliens was riding the Duc, they would have won. If only Rossi was riding it last night...

Main thing both VR and JLo are complaining about, is breaking and bad tire deterioration (WRT HRC). This since last year.
You add that, to lower top speed, and it does not take much to make the 200..300ms per lap.
IMO power balance between HRC and M1 remained the same as last year, but now the Ducs are likely to be in the middle of the action in many (if not all) GPs.

...and for all of their complaining, they came in 1st and 4th this weekend, ahead of both Hondas. There were also more Yamahas in the top 10 at the end of last season than Hondas.

Riders complain about their bikes...it's what they do, regardless. Something can always be improved. I just think all of the talk that the Honda is a better bike is BS. Different, sure, but the results don't show that the Honda is better overall. MM is just making it look better (like Stoner did with the Duc in 2007).

If Rossi was riding it chasing Dovi...

the tire would have been gone by lap 18. :-*

And he would still have still passed him. I like Dovi, but he ain't no Alien.

And this is not a fair comparison either. The satellite/open Yamahas are much closer to the M1 compared to the satellite/open Hondas. If anything Honda has provided subpar equipment, except for 1 factory like bike that is now ridden by Crutchlow. The Turd with his crappy arms was still able to manage top 10, even with MM describing his bike as the "bull". The Yamahas seem to be a lot less physically demanding, which is probably their biggest advantage when taking into consideration a 22+ lap race and the reason they are almost always out qualified. Rossi is the master of maintaining a high race pace since he probably has some energy in reserve.

Dovi passed Vale several times...just not at the right time. ;D

These guys are all aliens. They have good days, and bad days. Some have the bike to do the job, and others don't...and that changes track to track and race to race.

Don't confuse folks with facts, they just want to pregnant dog and complain.  :D

I agree on the Open bikes, but the satellite M1 isn't any closer to Factory than the satellite RCV. The two satellite Yamahas last season (Tech 3 - P. Esparago and B. Smith) both finished higher than the two satellite Hondas (LCR - S. Bradl & Gresini - A. Bautista). Remove the one Open Yamaha last season from the top 10, and the Yamahas still outnumber the Hondas.

On top of that, Honda came in 1st and 4th, Yamaha 2nd and 3rd with their so-called inferior bikes. Also, each of the factory Yamaha riders had more wins than the factory Honda rider not named Marquez!

I don't think either bike is inherently better, they're just different. Either one is just as likely to win a race. They may get out-qualified, but that just means the Honda is more suited to setting a single fast lap...not that it is an inherently better package.

Anyway...time will tell. This has the potential to be a fantastic season. 5 or 6 bikes (depending on the 'bot) that are capable of winning is awesome!  [thumbsup] [thumbsup]

Only 1 Satellite RCV was factory spec, Bradl's, and that bike was wasted on him. Bautista was running Showa and Nissin parts. I'm convinced that Bautista on the LCR would have had better results. You can closer compare the Forward Racing Yamaha to the Gresini, which does make the better point since I believe Aleix was probably more consistent than Bautista.


Don't disagree, but I don't think that highly of the Turd.


Like I mentioned, the Yamaha being easier to ride is probably a better package for race day compared to the more physical Honda. The big advantage that everyone did mention was the seamless gearbox. As the engineers figure out the Yamaha gearbox, you will see these "disadvantages" disappear.


I think that we will see again 4 guys really capable of winning. MM, the Yamahas and Dovi. Iannone still needs more time in the saddle to really develop. He shows some glimpses and 1 year on the factory bike will just get him there that much quicker. I can't wait for the current lot of guys to retire and give the Moto2 guys from the past few years a chance to move up. Leave MM, Rossi and Crazy Joe. Open up the rest of the factory seats to the young guys.

The Human Condition.

 :D

There are only 4-5 contenders out there, so debates about bike manufacturers are somewhat moot.

Gotta respect the Duc's 356 km/hr (221 mph) on the front-straight.  Seems, with that extra power, cornering/handling becomes a little bit less crucial as the rider can offset less-than-perfect technique or a missed racing line with some added power coming out of a turn....

Austin may be a perfect track for the Duc, no?

And, even Rossi can take some credit for that bike, as his walking away from Ducati is probably a big reason they finally did something about it.

Power has never been the Duc's weakness.

Using it has.

Who are these 4 or 5 contenders of which you speak? ;D

^ how may times did Dovi blow the first turn after the straight? The guy was gunning it and either forgot to brake or the brakes are not working

There has been "management changes" at Ducati, which are more likely the reason of turning into the right direction.
Until you remove the old management and engineering layers which are attached to the old design, you are going to have troubles switching to a new one.
Even if on paper they agree on the change of direction, they will try to put sticks in your wheels, to prove that their old design is better than the new one.
Experienced that myself many times. Serving them the boot is the only way to move forward  ;D

Question: when was the last premier class race with two ducs on the podium?

He was trying to go in as deep as he could, brakes worked fine, he was just pushing it to the limit. In other words he was racing his make the beast with two backsing ass off.  ;)

AFAICT, 2010, Aragon. 1st Stoner - 3rd Hayden.

Thanks.   [thumbsup]





Agreed.  And ass-off racing is the best to watch!  ;D

But I think after the 3rd or 4th time he could have at least tried to cut off the throttle 0.1% earlier and still been in front enough to hold the pass while also making the turn.  But then again, I still ride in Group C on track days, so I have zero relatable knowledge to back up this opinion.

Easier said than done when two guys are trying to out-brake each other. It's very easy to out-brake yourself instead!  ;D The fact that they tried lap after lap is a testament to their skill. I've down it a few times from ~160mph, and it is intense (and we weren't braking anywhere at the level that they were...Dovi's rear wheel was coming off the ground every lap there at the end)...I can only image doing to from 200+ mph!  [bow_down]

Watched the race last night.  One of the best races I've seen in a very long time! 

It was good seeing Dovi and Crazy Joe up front.

Rossi is still the man.

Marques is still an animal.  Has anyone ever run from 25th to 5th place in a race before?  (Other than him?)

Another question: who fill in for Pedro?
would love to see Stoner for 2 races.

Won't be Stoner.

Bayliss?  8)

Aoyama is the current test rider?
I assume he will get the gig.

That would be interesting, but he hung 'em up for good so he says.

That would be the logical choice.

Will it be only two races? Doesn't Pedro need to go under surgery?

From what I understood Dani's only possibility is a very invasive surgery that only one guy in the world does. Sounded like a season long recovery to me with no guarantee of success.

That guy make some genius career choices.

Honda: "So, when do you think you can operate on Dani?"
Doc: "Ah, maybe when I get back my vacation in Tahita but before I go on my vacation to the Maldives I can fit him in."
Honda: "And how much will this cost."
Doc: "I dunno, how deep are your pockets?  I'm definitely going to need at least two Repsol spec bikes, so start working on securing those.  My accountant will send you an itemized bill once we determine your net worth."

I'm biased, but I'd like to see them let Hayden fill in for him, and put the test rider on Hayden's bike.  8) Probably won't happen, but...

That would be fun!

...but Nicky is contracted to Aspar I think and not Honda or HRC.

Aspar would want something in return that HRC/Honda might not want to give.

Not going to happen for the reasons DP pointed out. Aspar will not give up their rider and if I was HRC I would give the ride to someone within the organization as a thank you.

Johnny Rae would be a good candidate if he hadn't defected to Kwak.

Well, it won't be Guintoli (sp?).

I doubt it...he already had his tour in GP without much success.

And he's no Johnny Rea, specially after his reaction when he heard he was running the Honda this year.

I'm not sure he actually said anything.

You have any links?

Wasn't Guintoli the one that said that he had to talk to his manager when he was told he was moving to Honda?

I think that was internet humor/rumor.

I can't find any quote actually attributed to him.

Anyway, Rea was the golden child. Without him, it would only be logical to give the ride to Aoyama.

He wasn't that golden...they gave his ride to Miller.

Ya, ya...why do you have to crush my hope!  ;D

How about Crutchlow? Aoyama would be fine if they want to see their factory bike hanging out in the middle of the field. At least Cal would have a shot at the pointy end...or seriously wadding it! Give Aoyama Cal's bike!

LCR and Gresini have contracts for equipment. Giving up their riders to the Factory would be counter productive. This is another reason why Rea got to ride. It's easier for HRC to reach out across to WSBK instead of pulling someone from the satellite teams.

great great great race.

i had a starbucks bet on who would be first and i gladly lost.  I presumed it would be once again MM.

So glad Rossi, Dovi and Ianoni got it.

I fear MM will come back with a vengeance.  I didn't like the way he looked at the Rossi celebration at the podium.  He is unfamiliar watching it from his pit.   ;D

Last year VR and MM battled at the last turn at Losail, but then MM took off on other tracks.
Waiting for the next MotoGP ....  [Dolph]

I really hope Jack Miller also does well this year along with Scott Redding.  But my #1 hope is VRossi.

Rossi historically does not do well on new tracks, so I don't see him at the front in Austin or Argentina. I can see MM fighting it out with the Ducs in Austin.

Austin isn't really new anymore though. That track does seem to favor the Hondas.

Indianapolis?

The hurricane helped him with that one.

¿Que? It's brand new for the Ducati. How new are the other tracks?

This is the 3rd season they've all raced on it, including Rossi. It isn't new anymore to him (what I was commenting on).

Every track is new to the Ducati this year, except for maybe a couple they tested on. My comment about it being a Honda track is based on the last 2 years, and compared to the Yamaha. Maybe the GP15 will show that it's a Duc track...no one really knows what tracks will favor the new Duc.

Gotcha  [thumbsup] I wouldn't say all of them though. (?)

Ya, not all. But even the rookies that came up through Moto2/3 have raced it...just not on a big bike (as with all the tracks).

Word  [thumbsup]

Newer tracks. Anyway, with that huge straight, it's definitely not a Yamaha or Suzuki track. Last year Ducs owned the speedtrap.

...and with the performance of the Duc at Qatar, there's no reason to think it will be much different this year.

That's definitely the hope. I think this will be the first "Ducati" track of the year. MM could spoil it for them if he's very motivated.

When is he not 'very motivated'?

I think all of the factory guys are motivated this year, and they all have pretty decent bikes.

Decent enough so there will be racing instead of parades. ;)

At least until Honda and Yamaha start developing some goodies for mid year.

Ducati still has the best opportunity for mid-season changes.

Their engines aren't frozen, and it seems Gigi has free reign.

Aprilia didn't get to where they were in SBK by accident.

It's gonna be a good season.

Let go of the hate. :-*

Going to be a great season.  MM still on another planet but if he makes poor starts like last year he will not simply blow by at will.
Look forward to the rest of the season.

Not sure about that Needles...

25th to 5th?

5th to first?

Depends on how bad the start is eh?

The first 20 are always the easiest to pass.  ;D

Undoubtedly... [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh]

They actually are. At least 2/3 of them are nothing more than grid fillers, and all but a couple of the rest are on inferior equipment. Given the talent and equipment, what he did was pretty cool, but not all that impressive IMO. Getting a podium would have been impressive.

That said, he's still the man to beat for sure.

The Duc has destroyed all hope. I will not be convinced until they are consistently fighting for 1st.

+1

We need to see it perform at the European tracks. Qatar has been a Duc favorite. I'm optimistic though! Dovi sure looks revitalized as well, even over his HRC days.

Bah, I'm not going to be impressed until he passes those twenty on the first two turns of the race, like that kid did a couple of years ago in Moto2. What was his name again?

Márquez off the line in Valencia -- A bird's eye view (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3k6llrYTfTw#)

MM's parents never told him it's ok to be last as long as you do your best and have fun  ;)

I count 12 passes by the time he hit the apex of turn 1.  Since that is a straightaway, I chock that up to 97% superior bike and 3% aggressive riding.

The level of machinery in moto2 is pretty even.

I chock that up to not using the brakes and going for it.

+1. At most give 5% to his bike since he was on a very good team. The rest is due to more throttle and less brakes! THAT was an impressive race!


 [laugh]

I still recall him having some trouble passing Crazy Joe last season. I reckon those last 5 places will be tougher.
Going to very entertaining to watch.  [thumbsup]

 :-*

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=70501.msg1303200#msg1303200 (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=70501.msg1303200#msg1303200)

...but Marc did a better job.

Surely you agree.   :-*

Bastard  [bang]

But...but...he did. ;D

I am no longer gonna engage in conversation with the likes of you.  :D