Joined Jul 2015
812 Posts | 336+
Hurricane, WV
Joined Jul 2015
812 Posts | 336+
Hurricane, WV
Joined Oct 2006
25K Posts | 4K+
Your Mom's House
Days 1-2 were a wash, literally. So to me it would be tentatively impressive; but not really indication of much because we are talking about a fast lap, not sustainability. Especially if the conditions today are sketchy. It just may mean the other teams are concentrating on some particular component rather than outright single lap performance. Also, notice that yesterday Petrucci posted his chart topping lap time during a window of optimal weather conditions. Do you remember last year when Alesh Esparagus looked to top all the practices and qual, then mucked up at Watar? Or how about when there were two Suzukis on the front row mid season qual? How many podiums did Suzuki get in the dry Las season? If we see Viñalez top it today, I'll think, that's nice. Looks like they had a great lap. But I won't be going to Vegas to put money on a GP win. Let me put it this way, if Suzuki do top anything my first reaction is skepticism. Does that help? My $.02
Last edited:
Joined Jul 2015
812 Posts | 336+
Hurricane, WV
Yeah.. Pretty much the same. Holding very little solid information from the outcomes so far..
But, would not have predicted it Monday that after three days, (this day is not over) that one of the big 4 factory bikes have not been on top yet. (At the end of the day)
The bigger story might be the the gap between MV and the Esparpargo brother. That is a big difference..
And Barbera is riding his balls off..
But, would not have predicted it Monday that after three days, (this day is not over) that one of the big 4 factory bikes have not been on top yet. (At the end of the day)
The bigger story might be the the gap between MV and the Esparpargo brother. That is a big difference..
And Barbera is riding his balls off..
Joined Oct 2006
25K Posts | 4K+
Your Mom's House
Joined Jul 2015
812 Posts | 336+
Hurricane, WV
Joined Oct 2006
25K Posts | 4K+
Your Mom's House
In this case "old" may also mean sorted, at the peak of its development. Whereas the other Ducati riders are in the process of shaking out the "new" bike.
Joined Feb 2016
92 Posts | 42+
VA, USA
I agree with you, this is probably the best it's gonna be except some tiny improvements throughout the season, where the other bikes will continue to get faster. Still good to see him doing well, and good to see a small team doing well (Baz was quick too).
You can tell Miller wishes he had not missed the other tests, he is slow.
Joined May 2009
6K Posts | 4K+
Shovel's Club
Joined Feb 2016
92 Posts | 42+
VA, USA
Joined Feb 2007
11K Posts | 2K+
Tennessee
More impressive than the overall fastest lap was the number of fast laps and overall fastest average. Yea, I'm not ready to bet on them either since like you say, who knows the other teams agenda,but the improvement is visible. The riders are saying the engine is a huge improvement and the handling is still there. It's a start.
Joined Oct 2006
25K Posts | 4K+
Your Mom's House
It would be refreshing to see a Suzuki win again. The bike looks badass, the kid riding it (though I'm not a fan) is hungry and talented. They may just catch lighting in a bottle. They are still getting minor concessions, so they have every chance, at very least a few podiums.
Last edited:
Joined Oct 2006
25K Posts | 4K+
Your Mom's House
My question is this, Lorenzo stated he had a "strange feeling" on the bike. Should we be concerned? I swear my initial reaction was...this is a consequence of him saying how "easy" the lap times came at the Sepang test. I said it then, I cringed when he described it like that. But that's me, a cynic to the bone. In my defense, not entirely unwarranted in a series hell bent on appeasing Lorenzo's teammate.
Rossi’s impression: Phillip Island
'The Italian's first impressions were that the French rubber didn't offer the same feeling in corner entry while the balance between the front and rear tyre was different again. “We had a very good feeling from the beginning. We can go fast."'
'At the beginning of February riders had commented on how the batch of tyres Michelin brought to Sepang had similar properties to the Bridgestone predecessors, which were notable for their stellar front end grip.'
“Now also the slick has changed. In Sepang Michelin bring to us a different front tyre that gave us a lot more feeling compared to last year. Also we modify the bike and we improve the feeling. "
Contrast to Lorenzo:
Coming off an utterly dominant test in Sepang, Lorenzo struggled to find a setting that replicated the front end stability on which he thrives, causing him to comment, “it's not easy for me to be competitive”.
“We cannot keep the throttle very open because the front is very unstable in the corner. If we don't solve this we cannot arrive with the advantage that we had in Sepang."
So fortunes have definitely changed from Sepang to Phillip Island. Of course both riders mention not only a difference in the tires, but obviously the characteristics of the unique track and tarmac. So we will see. Its all fun and games to gloss over this stuff, easily dismissed, if at all noticed by the public. But you know what I'm thinking.
Last edited:
Joined Feb 2007
11K Posts | 2K+
Tennessee
The Dorna dilemma, make a tire that suits Rossi but in doing so helps the other faster rider Marquez, or make a tire that ..... Marquez but gives the other faster rider Lorenzo what he needs. Ahh longing for the good ole days when lack of competition made fixing a series easy.
Joined Oct 2008
6K Posts | 5K+
In Cider
Here's the top 50 laps from the 3 days for you Pov:
I knew what you were getting at before I even finished your post!
Petrucci has fractured his right hand, is doubtful for the Qatar tests..bugger.
Lorenzo still fourth overall, but agree the tyres may have been tweeked to suit others.
personally I think Marquez will do everything he can this year to beat Rossi in every race, that's his motivation. That might play into lorenzos hands.
We just need a bloke who can ride on any tire......stoner
personally I think Marquez will do everything he can this year to beat Rossi in every race, that's his motivation. That might play into lorenzos hands.
We just need a bloke who can ride on any tire......stoner
Joined Oct 2008
6K Posts | 5K+
In Cider
Crash are reporting that Rossi and Lorenzo have both decided to use the "2015" version of the new Yamaha M1. That is, the one that is mainly a 2015 bike but with some upgrades for 2016 and not the all out new bike with the fuel tank filler behind the seat.
