Rossi to test the Ducati at Valencia

[Spidey]

JUST FOR GIGGLES...of the old guard here and the keepers of the archival wisdom...

when Rossi finally tested the M1 in 2003 for the 2004 season....what kind of times did he put on THAT machine then and how did he go about testing and so forth with it in comparo to the last 2 days?!?!?!

Bikes were different then and the rider mattered a lot more.  Riders could make up for deficiencies in the machines.  Nowadays, you have to a settled, competitive machine, a well developed electronics package and a mistake-free rider to win the championship. 

2012 is a brand new bike for everyone (again, for many).  that year may be an even bigger crapshoot.

and i don't know what i think yet about 2011.  rossi is still injured and this is only testing.. testing a bike he's never been on.  it's also the first 48 hours for jb, as well.  at least casey generally knows what to expect from a 'honda'.

i DO think it's rather interesting that The Ben is only .3 back...

Rossi just has too many challenges for 2011, not enough time, and too many worthy adversaries.  I'll root for him, but I'm just not sure he can pull it off.  In 2012, the playing field is much more equal, which will let the GOAT be the GOAT.  I'm more optimistic about that year than next year.  OTOH (and I know this comment is gonna make you happy), it'll be Year 3 for The Ben and that's when they say that GP riders start to come into their own.

[zooom]

  rossi came to the preseason test at Catalunya and won the BMW.

was that when he took Micheal Jordan around the track in that car doing a hot lap?!?!?

[zenjim]

I know we're just in the feeling out stage here, but I'm feeling pretty good about my investment in "Ben Spies 2011 MotoGP Champ" T-shirts.

And Casey surprised me. The Duc just seems to be so hard even for him to handle that him on the Honda could be a dangerous combination.

Don't see the GOAT pulling it off next year. Though I, as all Italians must, will be pulling for him.

More importantly, will it be a yellow 46 on the red Duc? That is so not a good look.

[gm2]

And Casey surprised me. The Duc just seems to be so hard even for him to handle that him on the Honda could be a dangerous combination.

it certainly was in 2006

(before the alleged sabotage..)

[Speeddog]

As usual, good info from DE:
http://motomatters.com/news/2010/11/10/motogp_valencia_day_2_notes.html

[Turf]

More importantly, will it be a yellow 46 on the red Duc? That is so not a good look.

Silence, best look ever

and hopefully it'll be moving to fast so you'll only get to see it parked at the podium

[Veloce-Fino]

So what's the deal with the all black leathers.

I read something about Rossi wearing them because of an existing agreement with Yamaha?

[derby]

So what's the deal with the all black leathers.

I read something about Rossi wearing them because of an existing agreement with Yamaha?

you surely don't expect him to wear his white and blue fiat yamaha leathers while he's riding the duc, do ya?

[Veloce-Fino]

you surely don't expect him to wear his white and blue fiat yamaha leathers while he's riding the duc, do ya?

Haha.... no

I was just wondering if he was restricted to black or something. I'll see if I cant find the article.

[Jester]

Haha.... no

I was just wondering if he was restricted to black or something. I'll see if I cant find the article.

No, but Ducati agreed to run a carbon bike without the red out of respect for the Fiat Yamaha testing release.  I assume Rossi wore black since it matched the unpainted carbon scheme.  There isn't much to read into it.

[Turf]

No, but Ducati agreed to run a carbon bike without the red out of respect for the Fiat Yamaha testing release.  I assume Rossi wore black since it matched the unpainted carbon scheme.  There isn't much to read into it.

yea, pretty much happens the same way every year

[DRKWNG]

As usual, good info from DE:
http://motomatters.com/news/2010/11/10/motogp_valencia_day_2_notes.html

Good read.  I'm really looking forward to seeing what changes Vale and JB can bring about with that bike.

[MadDuck]

well it sure sounds like the same issue...

i'd love to hear how it's different. probably because it's rossi telling them. 

You could bet lots of dollars 0R euros on that.  Ducati certainly is. They are more motivated by racing and race results than any other manufacturer.  They will want The Italian to win a world championship(s) on their bike so badly that they'll work like they've never worked before to make it happen. National pride, company pride and all that. The front feel is pretty much the same issue except now they'll be out to solve it rather than ride around it.

[gm2]

Haha.... no

I was just wondering if he was restricted to black or something. I'll see if I cant find the article.

he was restricted to not-ducati.  same as stoner was restricted to not-honda.  they're both on loan until jan 1.

[OT]

Rossi's probably playing head-games again....

If they're all using the same tires, why are the Duc's not heating up as fast as the others' -- can't they redirect the exhaust over the tire to help?  Maybe that's what the fins are for....