Sepang test, day 1

[gm2]

Where's Jorge?

who cares?  ... i mean, mx accident.  =)

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/81539

[MadDuck]

Like him or not, without him, last year's season would have been that much less interesting to watch. When there were duels between him and Rossi it seemed like those were the few high points to the racing.

[Speeddog]

Final times from Friday 

Pos.    Rider             Bike          Time    Diff    Diff previous  Fast lap    Total
1    Valentino Rossi    Yamaha    2'00.271    0.000               12     39
2    Casey Stoner      Ducati      2'00.512    0.241    0.241    13    33
3    Nicky Hayden      Ducati      2'00.703    0.432    0.191    20    42
4    Colin Edwards     Yamaha    2'00.988    0.717    0.285    18    35
5    Ben Spies           Yamaha    2'01.014    0.743    0.026    11    44
6    Loris Capirossi      Suzuki     2'01.320    1.049    0.306    6    50
7    Andrea Dovizioso    Honda    2'01.439    1.168    0.119    13    46
8    Dani Pedrosa        Honda      2'01.478    1.207    0.039    56    57
9    Hiroshi Aoyama    Honda      2'01.692    1.421    0.214    47    50
10    Alvaro Bautista    Suzuki    2'01.732    1.461    0.040    17    25
11    Randy De Puniet    Honda    2'01.980    1.709    0.248    4    58
12    Marco Melandri    Honda      2'02.078    1.807    0.098    3    60
13    Hector Barbera    Ducati      2'02.080    1.809    0.002    45    52
14    Mika Kallio            Ducati    2'02.082    1.811    0.002    65    66
15    Yamaha Test T    Yamaha    2'02.287    2.016    0.205    17    18
16    Aleix Espargaro    Ducati      2'02.367    2.096    0.080    49    49
17    Marco Simoncelli    Honda     2'03.689    3.418    1.322    2    2
18    Yamaha Test O    Yamaha    2'04.500    4.229    0.811    11    43

[Triple J]

Hayden! 

[swampduc]

Hayden! 

+1. and is Suzuki (gasp) becoming relevant?

[Spidey]

Hayden!?!  Ho-leeee shit.  That's the closest he's been to Casey since 2006. 

Man, that's just awesome.  I'm a fan of every rider in the top 5 (actually, the top 7).

[Speeddog]

I scoured the text from interviews with Hayden, and listened to the interview here:
http://www.motomatters.com/news/2010/02/26/motogp_sepang_test_audio_interviews_with.html

He didn't really *say* what they found that let him pick up the pace.

Reading between the lines, it sounds like when they get the setup close enough to right, then he can push hard.
Perhaps the Duc is just very much a razor's edge setup, off a little bit and you're make the beast with two backsed.

[Jester]

Casey is lauding this years Duc as a more complete bike and a bit easier to ride.  I think that plays into Hayden's hands more than Stoner as far as overall improvement.

Two thoughts:

I'm really surprised how far off the pace Simoncelli has been, and Pedro isn't getting along with Ohlins atm.

[gm2]

Perhaps the Duc is just very much a razor's edge setup, off a little bit and you're make the beast with two backsed.

even with the improved big bang characteristics i think that one is beyond a shadow of a doubt.  you need be WFO or it just no worky.

[mitt]

Go Nicky


mitt

[gm2]

Go Nicky


mitt

new speed = need elbow sliders

[cshadow2]

i looked up the qualifying times for the last race at sepang the pole was 2'00.518 (Rossi)and 2nd was 2'01.078 (Lorenzo) so that would put both ducs on the front row and Lorenzo in the third row behind Spies. I think this is going to be a whole diffrent season if it keeps up it might be as exciting as SBK.