Yamfan, I agree you except about the weight. As a few people mentioned, Vale is only about 1kg heavier than Jlo.
Yamfan, I agree you except about the weight. As a few people mentioned, Vale is only about 1kg heavier than Jlo.
Joined Jan 2016
801 Posts | 401+
Uk
I suspect it's a bit more than that, however I realise now I omitted to say that Rossi's height and body length could possibly mean he sits further back on the bike, thus putting more weight over the rear than Lorenzo. The old, longer levers exerting more force principle.
Rossi is indeed brilliant at setting up a motorcycle with his crew, but so is Lorenzo likewise. There has to be some reason for the tyre destruction seen on Lorenzo's bike and others, yet Rossi's wasn't anywhere near as bad.
All these guys are world class, Rossi's riding prowess alone didn't make this difference without contributing factors, despite what his adoring fans may believe.
Joined Oct 2006
25K Posts | 4K+
Your Mom's House
They did, and Rossi only adjusted his answer in the press conference after listening to Lorenzo when it became clear Jorge's spinning was more severe.
Content Warning: Look ....... (.)(.)
Joined Oct 2006
25K Posts | 4K+
Your Mom's House
When Lorenzo said this, the two riders to his sides in real time hadn't mentioned 'severe' tire spin. After his comments, where he explained he could only open the throttle 80% did Rossi go into 'spin' mode, and added, he had some spinning too, but conceded, not as bad as Lorenzo. Conveniently.
Joined Oct 2006
25K Posts | 4K+
Your Mom's House
Michelin have been seeking a winning tire construction, they just found it. Make no mistake, this was no coincidence. And for good measure, what better way to negate Ducati's power than to make a tire that spins. Rossi-Michelin PR already provided us the narrative: Ducati cause tires to fail because; 1. They have too much power, 2. Their riders are too big. Ducatis fault again, just like 2011-2012.
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It may have been convenient, but Rossi couldn't bs about that. Lorenzo has access to VR's data and could easily check to see if he was lying. To my knowledge JLo hasn't announced that Rossi lied about tire spin.
You're actually trying to float a conspiracy theory that Michelin is actually designing, purposely, a tire that produces extra spin, in order to negate the Ducati power advantage???
Come on man, if Rossi had won by 15 seconds you might have a leg to stand on with that argument. But a sub 3 second win margin doesn't exactly scream that Rossi was the only rider who could manage them.
He may have less access now, and that is if he ever had the same level of access
Whilst it is clear from JL's comments that VR has access to JL's data, I have not seen for a number of years any commentary anywhere that VR's data is available (I recall JB fighting tooth and nail at times to keep much of it private)
Joined Oct 2006
25K Posts | 4K+
Your Mom's House
SNS 2.16 -Season Nebulous Specials
Riders were all praising Michelin's rear tire grip. It was so good that it overwhelmed the front. We're all supposed to believe the tire manufacturer suddenly changed the rear grip for safety? Well the safety aspect didn’t get better, Redding reported signs of his rear tire delaminating.
Rossi is known for being able to ride on worn tires, that is, tires that behave this way suit him. Enter Jerez, everybody's tires feel like worn tires. The race was slower by over half a minute than last year, at Qatar the race was faster. The difference? Tire characteristics. It's not incredulous that Rossi won Jerez in such a stunning OUTLIER fashion to anybody? Nop, no it isn't.
Content Warning: Look ....... (.)(.)
Last year there was a different tire manufacturer, so hmmmm, perhaps that might be the cause of the race being over half a minute slower this year. The rear grip could also have been affected by the track conditions.
Joined Oct 2006
25K Posts | 4K+
Your Mom's House
Yes, of course. And certainly the track condition is a real culprit for the discrepancy. The Qatar race being faster was mentioned in the context we were aware that it was compared to Bridgestone. That is to say, it set something of a benchmark for this year's Michelin. A big part of that was decidedly the superior rear traction, something that went entirely MIA at Jerez, 'Europe.'
Joined Oct 2006
25K Posts | 4K+
Your Mom's House
didn't several riders complain at track conditions at Jerez? I thought they said it was supposed to be resurfaced?
Joined Feb 2007
11K Posts | 2K+
Tennessee
They are spinning up on the straights, that has nothing to do with throttle control. Any half ... tire should be able to handle full throttle in 4-6 gear going straight.
May well be wrong about DaniBoys post but the theory of throttle control being the difference has been espoused all over the internet as proof positibve that VR is back as he has the best throttle control of any rider (according to the experts of the yellow tinged variety)
I read DB's post as sarcasm actually (poosibly wrong, will let DB update)
Joined Jan 2016
801 Posts | 401+
Uk
Funnily enough, the experts on bt sports (hugely biased towards Rossi by the way) have always lauded Lorenzo's deft throttle control and delicate balance on the bike, saying his smooth style is elegance personified and the perfect example of how to ride a motorcycle.
Even Heuwen and Hodgson are in awe how Lorenzo is so fast, yet looks so slow and in control, even on a frantic qualifying lap.
