Valencia testing news/pics?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Anders GUZZI @ Oct 28 2008, 09:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Any news on the weather today?

Wet according to the weather sites and GPOne. As they are now very restricted on wet tyres nobody has gone out yet (as of 14:30) and are instead checking stuff in the pitboxes.
According to my limited Italian Nicky is getting on and off the bike for fittings (?)



I also take it that he can't wear Ducati gear until Jan 1st

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (gsfan @ Oct 28 2008, 08:13 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>This guy thought carbon fiber was pretty useful. I just stare in awe...



As much adoration the Britten bike gets...it's one of the ugliest bikes i've ever seen... Color suits YOU though






No lap times up yet??

Posted at the same time

They got lucky with the weather yesterday I guess.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mylexicon @ Oct 28 2008, 03:31 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Has anybody noticed that the NEW control tire is yielding times nearly identical to yesterday's race pace.

I'm glad they slowed things down with this new rule. It makes you wonder when it was actually implemented.

Considering setup time and conditions I'd say they are quite a bit slower.
The usuall trend is lower lap times in test sessions after a race. In this case it should be a real difference due to the wether this weekend. Lot's of more rubber aid the grip and they hardly had one session to set up the bike before the race. With the race tires they should easily been lapping at q-times high to mid 31's if the tires were up to the task. The only other thing to excuse the slow times they show must be that they are on new bikes, but I suspect the top 3 are allready have bikes with settings just as good or better than on Sunday.

This quote from Nicky after testing yesterday doesnt sound to promising.Is he being really cautious and hedging his bets or was he simply being the perfect new teammate and blowing smoke up Casey's ....Of course he was 6 seconds off the pace the first time he came in

The American was using a special `Stars & Stripes´ livery for his first outing on the new bike, but the engine inside was the same typical beast that has proved so difficult to tame for even some of the best riders in the series. Hayden found out firsthand the power needed to manage the machine, upping his respect for 2007 MotoGP World Champion and new teammate Casey Stoner yet further.

`When I got in the first time I told my brother (Tommy) that I´m not sure what they pay Casey, but it´s not enough! They need to double it because the bike is a bit of an animal!´ continued the `Kentucky Kid´. `I really want it to work. I want it to work so bad that it´s scary, and we´re up for it.´

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (gsfan @ Oct 28 2008, 02:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>This guy thought carbon fiber was pretty useful. I just stare in awe...


Me too!I remember when that came and i was hoping Moto Guzzi would follow,but nooo..
by now i'm glad they stuck to the more retro aproach.Anyway,that guy was tallanted to say the least!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Sally @ Oct 28 2008, 02:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Wet according to the weather sites and GPOne. As they are now very restricted on wet tyres nobody has gone out yet (as of 14:30) and are instead checking stuff in the pitboxes.
According to my limited Italian Nicky is getting on and off the bike for fittings (?)



I also take it that he can't wear Ducati gear until Jan 1st
Thanks!
So all they can do is put on their favorite stickers

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (xx CURVE xx @ Oct 28 2008, 08:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>As much adoration the Britten bike gets...it's one of the ugliest bikes i've ever seen... Color suits YOU though






No lap times up yet??

To think a guy basically built that in his garage is pretty wild.I see it all the time at the Barber Muesem and it is wild some of the engineering that went into it.Im with you on the color scheme,he must have had been feeling his fem side that day.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (povol @ Oct 28 2008, 02:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>This quote from Nicky after testing yesterday doesnt sound to promising.Is he being really cautious and hedging his bets or was he simply being the perfect new teammate and blowing smoke up Casey's ....Of course he was 6 seconds off the pace the first time he came in

The American was using a special `Stars & Stripes´ livery for his first outing on the new bike, but the engine inside was the same typical beast that has proved so difficult to tame for even some of the best riders in the series. Hayden found out firsthand the power needed to manage the machine, upping his respect for 2007 MotoGP World Champion and new teammate Casey Stoner yet further.

`When I got in the first time I told my brother (Tommy) that I´m not sure what they pay Casey, but it´s not enough! They need to double it because the bike is a bit of an animal!´ continued the `Kentucky Kid´. `I really want it to work. I want it to work so bad that it´s scary, and we´re up for it.´
Hopefully that was the run he did on the 08,the 09 is supposed to be more smooth.
He seemed happy when the day was done anyway and the best laptime suggests he is fairly comfortable.He also made comments saying that he did laps without changing too much and it wasn't too bad.So i think he'll do fine.

From Moto GP website. Kawasaki quote

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <div class='quotemain'>`We still have to improve as the new front tyre is not working perfectly for us at the moment,´ he continued. `However, on braking points and corner entry I already feel better than last year, though we still have to improve the settings for corner speed. Anyway, we know what to do, the whole Kawasaki team is very motivated and I feel very at home right now.´

Melandri´s new crew chief Juan Martinez declared, `It´s always interesting when you start working with a new rider, and I think today has been a good start both for Marco and our crew. He´s been able to lap consistently throughout today and his comments after each session have allowed us to start working out what he needs to go fast on our bike, which is very different to the one on which he finished the race yesterday. Sure we have some points still to improve, but overall Marco´s first impression was good.´

`His riding style seems to be well suited to the characteristics of our Ninja ZX-RR, and this means that the comments he makes should make it easier for our engineers in Japan to identify the development direction of the bike for next year. Marco is a guy who, in the past, has been up there and fighting for race wins, so he understands what he needs to go fast, and this is exactly what we need to take the Ninja ZX-RR to the next level of development.´

This in a shortened manner is, Kawa have never had a desent development rider, also admitting they didnt have any enthusiasum last year. Now they got someone that can take the bike forward in develoment and be hopefully competative. Hopper not that good at development then???

Also bring on the screamer would sound the nuts racing around with the rest of the field.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (xx CURVE xx @ Oct 28 2008, 09:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>As much adoration the Britten bike gets...it's one of the ugliest bikes i've ever seen... Color suits YOU though

I prefer solid red to tell you the truth. From Texas, you'll probably interpret that the wrong way also. Soon, you'll know pink...very soon.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (gsfan @ Oct 28 2008, 09:13 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I prefer solid red to tell you the truth. From Texas, you'll probably interpret that the wrong way also. Soon, you'll know pink...very soon.

What does living in Texas have to do with the color??


I still stand by my statement...Thats a fugly bike...no matter whatcolor.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ninja10 @ Oct 28 2008, 10:09 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Hopper not that good at development then???

Nope. Too be a good developer you have to be consistently uninjured. Hopper has had major injuries that delayed development on both the GS and the Kawi. Not saying he can't ride. You can't miss several races in a row and keep your team progressing.


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ninja10 @ Oct 28 2008, 10:09 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Also bring on the screamer would sound the nuts racing around with the rest of the field.

Yamaha's chief engineer has released enough technical data comparing inline altered firing order engines vs. inline screamers to show this is a dead issue. Screamer = museum piece.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (xx CURVE xx @ Oct 28 2008, 10:20 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>What does living in Texas have to do with the color??


I still stand by my statement...Thats a fugly bike...no matter whatcolor.

It was a political suggestion. Pinko....Red... Obama...just funny to me I guess.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (gsfan @ Oct 28 2008, 09:22 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>It was a political suggestion. Pinko....Red... Obama...just funny to me I guess.

Yes...just funny to you for sure

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Austin @ Oct 28 2008, 06:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Again, the reason from Yamaha for Tech 3's absence is there is nothing new for them to test. My immediate thought was 'what about the control tire which is new to both riders and the team?' but apparently that's not reason enough. My guess is there isn't enough money without Michelin paying the bills for Poncheral to justify operating the team for a day just for a tire test.

Whatever Tech 3's excuse is, I still believe it was a big mistake to miss out on one of the biggest PR events of the year. Granted they are not having any rider changes, but the "first day of the new year" is always exciting for everyone involved or following the sport. Maybe they are busy changing their livery, no more Michelin colors.

Any updates for today? Did it rain all day?

I'd say it was raining.

1. Hayden (Ducati) 1.48.287 (giro 20 di 20)
2. Dovizioso (Honda) 1.48.296 (17 di 18)
3. Melandri (Kawasaki) 1.48.786 (23 di 26)
4. Canepa (Ducati) 1.49.917 (24 di 25)
5. Kallio (Ducati) 1.50.275 (25 di 26)
6. Elias (Honda) 1.54.057 (14 di 16)
7. Capirossi (Suzuki) 1.57.322 (6 di 7)

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Goatboy @ Oct 28 2008, 06:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I'd say it was raining.

1. Hayden (Ducati) 1.48.287 (giro 20 di 20)
2. Dovizioso (Honda) 1.48.296 (17 di 18)
3. Melandri (Kawasaki) 1.48.786 (23 di 26)
4. Canepa (Ducati) 1.49.917 (24 di 25)
5. Kallio (Ducati) 1.50.275 (25 di 26)
6. Elias (Honda) 1.54.057 (14 di 16)
7. Capirossi (Suzuki) 1.57.322 (6 di 7)

Thanks, man!

Good to see Melandri back towards the top. Surprised to see Hayden on top.