What's wrong with the GP11?

[Speeddog]

I honestly don't see how these guys stay sharp, as little as they ride.

If I were in Stoner's shoes, capable of hitting the setup as quick as he does, I wouldn't give anyone else a millimeter.
Let alone give Rossi a millemeter, he'll end up with an inch!

More testing should help Nicky a bunch, he seems to thrive on seat time.

[duccarlos]

You truly can't blame Stoner.

A) The factory will ask him to spend more time testing than with his family. He has proved that he needs less practice/testing to be batshit fast.

B) More testing is only going to be an advantage to Yamaha and Ducati. Yamaha has had the benefit of Rossi/Burgess developing that bike for 6 years? On a completely new bike they'll also need as much seat time with all their riders as possible. They also lost Edwards, who from all accounts was very good at development. Of course this is also another way of Carmelo's saying "make the beast with two backs you" to Honda.

[gm2]

considering where carmelo's head is, the testing un-ban is primarily intended to help the CRT teams.  and ducati, since rossi = The Show.

oh, and the testing limits never meant less money was spent.  so like the 800s, stupid idea.

[thought]

If I were in Stoner's shoes, capable of hitting the setup as quick as he does, I wouldn't give anyone else a millimeter.

i wonder if stoner got so good at hitting his setup fast because he learned how to ride around so many problems on the duc.  so it's not so much that the set up is perfect every time, it's that he's just so used to getting around bigger issue that any smaller issues wont affect him that much.

new slogan for ducati?  training next years champions?  haha

[gm2]

i wonder if stoner got so good at hitting his setup fast because he learned how to ride around so many problems on the duc.  so it's not so much that the set up is perfect every time, it's that he's just so used to getting around bigger issue that any smaller issues wont affect him that much.

yup.  his unique riding style means he doesn't need to nail the setup as much as most.  besides, the honda is uber sorted.  and they had stoner-honda data to create a baseline from.  part of the reason why he was up to speed in 2 minutes last year.

i recently read an article that said, "On a simple level, Stoner is a throttle man and Rossi and braking man."  very true.  rossi needs the front to be working; stoner is happy when the rear is over there.  ancient history by now, but why the GP7 was so misleading for everyone else.  what did mamola call it?  a rocket barely under control by electronics.

[Triple J]

I think Stoner got to where he is now (quick set-up, riding around problems) because of how he grew up racing, doing many many short races in a single day. That format places a premium on being fast very quickly. It's for sure a benefit now, but I don't think he learned the skill at Ducati.

For full disclosure, this isn't my idea, I just agree with it. It's explained in the book "Ring of Fire"...a very interesting read for GP fans. 

[OT]

Anyone besides me wondering what nameless, asymptomatic syndrome/disease Stoner will be contracting in '12 when Honda starts leaning on him for more non-racing activities, such as  public appearances?  

[Raux]

Anyone besides me wondering what nameless, asymptomatic syndrome/disease Stoner will be contracting in '12 when Honda starts leaning on him for more non-racing activities, such as  public appearances?  

lactose intolerance is no joke

everything is made with it.
and if severe presents itself like food poisoning

[zooom]

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2011/Dec/111206b.htm

"I don't see any (young) riders in Italy that can be compared with Marco," Gresini said. "There is a hole in this next generation. Let's hope that Valentino Rossi can be competitive on the Ducati, because it's important for motorcycling."

[EvilSteve]

http://cyclenews.coverleaf.com/cyclenews/20111213#pg56

Rossi talking about the GP11.

[gm2]

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2012/Jan/120104a.htm

[OT]

Hmmm....seems Carlos hasn't been reading the threads over here during the past season, or has he?

[Raux]

IF I were Pirelli or Michelin, I would jump all over the chance to put a set of tires on a GP11 and see how they do!
Then if it screams around the track, go to Dorna and offer up a little competition to Dunlop for the "good of the series"

[IdZer0]

"Can't wait to hear Casey Stoner's take on this."

I'd like to hear what Casey thinks about all this too.

I think it's all PR to save their ass and trying to influence Dorna/Bridgestone to change the tires to better suit the D16. When does the Bridgestone contract with Dorna end; 2013 ?

[zooom]

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2012/Jan/12010565flexin.htm

seems Carlos isn't the only 1 pointing the finger at em...