Valencia testing news/pics?

Rain day on and off all day long...
Translated note... from the Italian newspapers.

MotoGP - Valencia Test Day 2 - Seven drivers on the track, Hayden fastest
28-10-2008

The second and final day of post-GP test at Valencia was marked by weather conditions, with intermittent rain and subsequent wet track all day. Early pilots have waited but then saw that the conditions have not improved in many have decided not to run, among these is that Casey Stoner Valentino Rossi. At 15.30 hours on the track was used by 7 pilots, this despite the cold and wet runway. Hanno girato con la Ducati Nicky Hayden, Niccolò canepa e Mika Kallio, con la Honda Andrea Dovizioso e Toni Elias, con la Kawasaki Marco Melandri e con la Suzuki Loris Capirossi. They shot with the Ducati Nicky Hayden, Niccolò Canepa and Mika Kallio, with Andrea Dovizioso Honda and Toni Elias, with Marco Melandri Kawasaki and the Suzuki Loris Capirossi.

. The fastest on the track at the end of the day was Nicky Hayden, Kentucki Kid has stopped the stopwatch on the time of 1'48 "287 (20 rounds for him) riding the Ducati Desmosedici GP9, behind him with Andrea Dovizioso of Honda Team Repsol official (1'48 "296 - 18 laps), Marco Melandri with Kawasaki (1'48 .786 - 26 laps), Niccolò Canepa with the Alice Ducati Team (1'49 .917 - 25 laps), his fellow teammates Mika Kallio (1'50 .275 - 26 laps), with Toni Elias Honda Gresini Team (1'54 .057 - 16 laps) and Suzuki Loris Capirossi (1'57 .322 - 7 laps).
Next test on 26 and 27 November in Jerez de la Frontera,Spain

MotoGP Test Day 2 - Tuesday October 28 - Times

1. Nicky Hayden, Ducati Marlboro Team -1´48.287 Nicky Hayden, Ducati Marlboro Team -1'48 .287
2. Andrea Dovizioso, Repsol Honda - 1´48.296 Andrea Dovizioso, Repsol Honda - 1'48 .296
3. Marco Melandri, Kawasaki Racing Team - 1´48.786 Marco Melandri, Kawasaki Racing Team - 1'48 .786
4. Niccolo Canepa, Alice Team - 1´49.917 Niccolo Canepa, Alice Team - 1'49 .917
5. Mika Kallio, Alice Team - 1´50.275 Mika Kallio, Alice Team - 1'50 .275
6. Toni Elias, Team San Carlo - 1´54.057 Toni Elias, Team San Carlo - 1'54 .057
7. Loris Capirossi, Rizla Suzuki MotoGP - 1´57.322 Loris Capirossi, Rizla Suzuki MotoGP - 1'57 .322

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Arrabbiata1 @ Oct 28 2008, 02:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>No, it makes you wonder when this was actually implemented.

Shoehorning again Lex. The track temperature during the race was almost double that during practise, a lot of riders were caught out with set up - (although the lap record fell), the same mistakes weren't going to be made again during testing. Isn't it reasonable to suppose that Bridgestone have gone in to the new rule at the standard that they went out - and are able to provide/furnish the paddock with a very usable tyre, albeit with broader parameters due to the decrease in selection available to the rider. Riders have thus selected a control compound not dissimilar to that which was used by Stoner Pedrosa and Rossi during Sunday's race The point is that forthwith there is an freeze on future development in order to slow the lap times down - where currently there is no reason why they shouldn't work as well as they did on raceday.

I know that everyone is probably on the spec tires used by Pedrosa, Stoner, and Rossi and by a few others. That's the point. According to all accounts given at the end of last year, the tires were out of control. Cornering speeds were growing exponentially and DORNA needed it to stop.

What changed for 2008? NOTHING, allegedly. So how in God's name could the current tires be within spec regulations after just a few hours (which is what the similarities in times appear to suggest). I know this isn't the beginning of next year, so there could be major changes, but if you recall what was reported at Motegi this year, the control tire proposal was laid on the table at the end of last season. I doubt it was drastically rewritten, DORNA knew what they wanted at the end of last season.

Are we really supposed to believe that the feasibility of this program has been determined in just a few weeks time. Think about how badly the new tire rules wrecked Michelins competitiveness. Are DORNA really going to take a gamble on new tire rules when the last set of major tire changes effectively ended a major companies participation?

When would they be interested in making such changes? Only if they were convinced such changes were feasible. How many major tire test have we had since Motegi? Contrast the relative lack of testing with Ducati's high profile tests at the beginning of the season. Everyone was convinced at the time that Ducati were trying to find a mid-season replacement for Melandri. Unfortunately for the press, all of Ducati's first picks were already contracted to ride other machines. Gibby was an after-thought until he went fast.

Does it strike you as odd that DORNA officials were out in force at the early rounds measuring cornering entry g's when the bike is using the front tire? Does it strike you as odd that we now refer to Bridgestone's front tire (singular)? Does it strike you as odd that all of Valentino's offset data to move weight bias to the rear of the bike was passed along to Colin? Do you find it odd that Bridgestone were testing a wide variety of tires during the race at LeMans---all of them were rear tires? Do you find it odd that the manufacturers made strict tire recommendation at the beginning of the year, but by the time Laguna rolled around Edwards was talking about his tire list, Nicky changed his tire choice on the grid at PI?

According to the general press reports the control tire was adopted in just a few weeks--almost decided on a whim. Control tires are not implemented that way. Especially, if they bring the revolutionary changes required by Dorna.

The difficulties in implementing and testing control tire specifications would be negotiated for many months behind closed doors. That all happened.................in 2007.

How else are they going to test at every track if the testing isn't performed by the rider's during race weekends? How else are they going to find out whether or not it produces close racing unless you give it a whirl on race day? Would you run race day tests at the beginning of the season, or at the end when the championship is on the line?

So can you back up what appear to be complete wild leaps of imagination? Can you provide any quotes, links, interviews? Because it's so thin I can't even believe you believe it.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (kp4e @ Oct 28 2008, 01:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Rain day on and off all day long...
Translated note... from the Italian newspapers.

MotoGP - Valencia Test Day 2 - Seven drivers on the track, Hayden fastest
28-10-2008

The second and final day of post-GP test at Valencia was marked by weather conditions, with intermittent rain and subsequent wet track all day. Early pilots have waited but then saw that the conditions have not improved in many have decided not to run, among these is that Casey Stoner Valentino Rossi. At 15.30 hours on the track was used by 7 pilots, this despite the cold and wet runway. Hanno girato con la Ducati Nicky Hayden, Niccolò canepa e Mika Kallio, con la Honda Andrea Dovizioso e Toni Elias, con la Kawasaki Marco Melandri e con la Suzuki Loris Capirossi. They shot with the Ducati Nicky Hayden, Niccolò Canepa and Mika Kallio, with Andrea Dovizioso Honda and Toni Elias, with Marco Melandri Kawasaki and the Suzuki Loris Capirossi.

. The fastest on the track at the end of the day was Nicky Hayden, Kentucki Kid has stopped the stopwatch on the time of 1'48 "287 (20 rounds for him) riding the Ducati Desmosedici GP9, behind him with Andrea Dovizioso of Honda Team Repsol official (1'48 "296 - 18 laps), Marco Melandri with Kawasaki (1'48 .786 - 26 laps), Niccolò Canepa with the Alice Ducati Team (1'49 .917 - 25 laps), his fellow teammates Mika Kallio (1'50 .275 - 26 laps), with Toni Elias Honda Gresini Team (1'54 .057 - 16 laps) and Suzuki Loris Capirossi (1'57 .322 - 7 laps).
Next test on 26 and 27 November in Jerez de la Frontera,Spain

MotoGP Test Day 2 - Tuesday October 28 - Times

1. Nicky Hayden, Ducati Marlboro Team -1´48.287 Nicky Hayden, Ducati Marlboro Team -1'48 .287
2. Andrea Dovizioso, Repsol Honda - 1´48.296 Andrea Dovizioso, Repsol Honda - 1'48 .296
3. Marco Melandri, Kawasaki Racing Team - 1´48.786 Marco Melandri, Kawasaki Racing Team - 1'48 .786
4. Niccolo Canepa, Alice Team - 1´49.917 Niccolo Canepa, Alice Team - 1'49 .917
5. Mika Kallio, Alice Team - 1´50.275 Mika Kallio, Alice Team - 1'50 .275
6. Toni Elias, Team San Carlo - 1´54.057 Toni Elias, Team San Carlo - 1'54 .057
7. Loris Capirossi, Rizla Suzuki MotoGP - 1´57.322 Loris Capirossi, Rizla Suzuki MotoGP - 1'57 .322

There is one thing you can never say bad about Nicky.You can discount his title,you can question his ability,but you can never say he didnt just totally transform from a terrible wet weather rider to one of the best on the grid.Im almost as proud of him for that as anything he has done in GP.

If you want to listen to Stoner's words after the tests, go here

http://www.gpone.com/news/News.asp?NNews=3001

The page is in Italian, but if you click on the very small speaker icon in the upper right corner of the page, you get the original audio of the entire interview

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (J4rn0 @ Oct 29 2008, 08:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>If you want to listen to Stoner's words after the tests, go here

http://www.gpone.com/news/News.asp?NNews=3001

The page is in Italian, but if you click on the very small speaker icon in the upper right corner of the page, you get the original audio of the entire interview


Thanks J4rn0
Enjoyed the interview.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (J4rn0 @ Oct 28 2008, 03:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>If you want to listen to Stoner's words after the tests, go here

http://www.gpone.com/news/News.asp?NNews=3001

The page is in Italian, but if you click on the very small speaker icon in the upper right corner of the page, you get the original audio of the entire interview

I'm not trying to score any brownie points with the "CS Fan Club" but Stoner is a class act. I'd have to wonder if Casey played any part in getting Nicky on the team.

Thanks J4rnO for the link. I can't help to wonder if your one of the journalist asking the questions? Grazie mille!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (J4rn0 @ Oct 28 2008, 10:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>If you want to listen to Stoner's words after the tests, go here

http://www.gpone.com/news/News.asp?NNews=3001

The page is in Italian, but if you click on the very small speaker icon in the upper right corner of the page, you get the original audio of the entire interview

Thanks J4rno for the link. Casey had some good things to say about the new bike, the supposed "new" tires, and his new teammate. Interesting to hear him say they developed a tire for a "control tire" and it going better then his old tires.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Traverser @ Oct 28 2008, 11:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I'm not trying to score any brownie points with the "CS Fan Club" but Stoner is a class act. I'd have to wonder if Casey played any part in getting Nicky on the team.

Stop wondering. Casey has stated that Ducati asked for his input when finding a new rider, as they had a list and he said he wanted Nicky as preferred team mate. Nicky confirmed that as well.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Traverser @ Oct 28 2008, 11:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I'm not trying to score any brownie points with the "CS Fan Club" but Stoner is a class act. I'd have to wonder if Casey played any part in getting Nicky on the team.

Now that the season is over and the pressure is off to defend the title I'm seeing a new Casey as well. I think he learned a lot this season, he definitely seems to have matured. As others have mentioned having a cool cat like Hayden in his garage is going to be a bonus as well.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (kp4e @ Oct 28 2008, 02:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Rain day on and off all day long...
Translated note... from the Italian newspapers.

MotoGP - Valencia Test Day 2 - Seven drivers on the track, Hayden fastest
28-10-2008

The second and final day of post-GP test at Valencia was marked by weather conditions, with intermittent rain and subsequent wet track all day. Early pilots have waited but then saw that the conditions have not improved in many have decided not to run, among these is that Casey Stoner Valentino Rossi. At 15.30 hours on the track was used by 7 pilots, this despite the cold and wet runway. Hanno girato con la Ducati Nicky Hayden, Niccolò canepa e Mika Kallio, con la Honda Andrea Dovizioso e Toni Elias, con la Kawasaki Marco Melandri e con la Suzuki Loris Capirossi. They shot with the Ducati Nicky Hayden, Niccolò Canepa and Mika Kallio, with Andrea Dovizioso Honda and Toni Elias, with Marco Melandri Kawasaki and the Suzuki Loris Capirossi.

. The fastest on the track at the end of the day was Nicky Hayden, Kentucki Kid has stopped the stopwatch on the time of 1'48 "287 (20 rounds for him) riding the Ducati Desmosedici GP9, behind him with Andrea Dovizioso of Honda Team Repsol official (1'48 "296 - 18 laps), Marco Melandri with Kawasaki (1'48 .786 - 26 laps), Niccolò Canepa with the Alice Ducati Team (1'49 .917 - 25 laps), his fellow teammates Mika Kallio (1'50 .275 - 26 laps), with Toni Elias Honda Gresini Team (1'54 .057 - 16 laps) and Suzuki Loris Capirossi (1'57 .322 - 7 laps).
Next test on 26 and 27 November in Jerez de la Frontera,Spain

MotoGP Test Day 2 - Tuesday October 28 - Times

1. Nicky Hayden, Ducati Marlboro Team -1´48.287 Nicky Hayden, Ducati Marlboro Team -1'48 .287
2. Andrea Dovizioso, Repsol Honda - 1´48.296 Andrea Dovizioso, Repsol Honda - 1'48 .296
3. Marco Melandri, Kawasaki Racing Team - 1´48.786 Marco Melandri, Kawasaki Racing Team - 1'48 .786
4. Niccolo Canepa, Alice Team - 1´49.917 Niccolo Canepa, Alice Team - 1'49 .917
5. Mika Kallio, Alice Team - 1´50.275 Mika Kallio, Alice Team - 1'50 .275
6. Toni Elias, Team San Carlo - 1´54.057 Toni Elias, Team San Carlo - 1'54 .057
7. Loris Capirossi, Rizla Suzuki MotoGP - 1´57.322 Loris Capirossi, Rizla Suzuki MotoGP - 1'57 .322

It's only testing and Hayden has always been a contender in the rain - but it is encouraging to see him a notch faster than Dovi on the bucking-bronco Ducati with less than 30 laps under his belt.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Sally @ Oct 28 2008, 04:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Stop wondering. Casey has stated that Ducati asked for his input when finding a new rider, as they had a list and he said he wanted Nicky as preferred team mate. Nicky confirmed that as well.
I've never read anything official.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Bootsakah @ Oct 29 2008, 09:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Thanks J4rno for the link. Casey had some good things to say about the new bike, the supposed "new" tires, and his new teammate. Interesting to hear him say they developed a tire for a "control tire" and it going better then his old tires.

Makes me wonder about the develoment of the frame and the tyre, was this anticipated?

2009 might be everyone playing catchup (again).

The interesting thing that Casey said is that the new frame is much less dependant on electronics and can be ridden naturally. Control ECU anyone?

I think the Duc is ready.


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Traverser @ Oct 29 2008, 09:23 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'> I've never read anything official.

It was in Aus MC News. Don't ask for a reference but in one of Casey's interviews he said it. I have a pile of magazines in NO order and searching is miserable, suffice to say it was said.

Do a google, it made Autosport, MotoGP.com, Superbikeplanet, GPOne and that is just the ones I visit the most.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Andy Roo @ Oct 28 2008, 11:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Makes me wonder about the develoment of the frame and the tyre, was this anticipated?

2009 might be everyone playing catchup (again).

The interesting thing that Casey said is that the new frame is much less dependant on electronics and can be ridden naturally. Control ECU anyone?

I think the Duc is ready.

Was Stoner running the new frame the whole time? Pretty impressive if so, a huge change like that and still turning the fastest times. Also he did mention in the interview most of the changes to the power came from engine updates. Ducati continue to impress with that desmo technology.

Now, all Hayden has to do is keep on with his usual practice of stealing setup information from his teammate and he will do fine. Oh Puig, you are a sad excuse for a man.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Bootsakah @ Oct 29 2008, 09:51 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Was Stoner running the new frame the whole time? Pretty impressive if so, a huge change like that and still turning the fastest times. Also he did mention in the interview most of the changes to the power came from engine updates. Ducati continue to impress with that desmo technology.

Now, all Hayden has to do is keep on with his usual practice of stealing setup information from his teammate and he will do fine. Oh Puig, you are a sad excuse for a man.

Yamaha have said they will never run a screamer engine ever again due to lack of "feel", Ducati have persisted and it seems to be paying dividends. Desmo does make it work it seems.

Casey and Nicki are running the new frame all the time (Day 1 & 2 - Casey didn't ride day 2 however). The other guys are (were) running it on day 2 but run the GP8 on day 1.

Suppio has said that Ducati is running open setup, that is everyone has access to everyone elses information. One cannot steal what is offered freely.

Nicki is in the right place

.... Puig

It was documented that Casey was closley consulted when Ducati weere looking for his new team mate.

I can also back this up as the very first time i met casey I was asking him about what the other riders are like and does he get along.... he said Hayden was a great guy and they rode the scotter around a few times together, and that Nikki loves the ladies.

Case and Hayden were on the scotter and there was some chick who was jogging through the paddock and Nikki just pulls in front of her and says (casey doing his best hayden) "Dang gurl, yall don needa run".

So they have somewhat of a jovial relationship over the last few seasons so id imagine they would be a good fit.

Also thanks for the audio link, it was very good, Casey sounds pretty relaxed about it all. And also interesting to hear that although there is heaps of cf chassis talk the new engine seems to be an even bigger change!

Don't see many change to the Yamaha externally, new tail?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (is200 @ Oct 29 2008, 10:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>that Nikki loves the ladies.
Casey has always had his parents there and then his wife. Could he be influenced by Nicky.

Could this be a distraction for Casey? Could this be a concern for Adriana, Queen of Phillip Island?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (GeePee @ Oct 28 2008, 07:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Casey has always had his parents there and then his wife. Could he be influenced by Nicky.

Could this be a distraction for Casey? Could this be a concern for Adriana, Queen of Phillip Island?

Even though Nicky likes the ladies,he is single and considering the STRONG sense of family he has,i personally dont think he would let Casey wander.I may be giving him more credit than he deserves but he always seems to go in the right direction when it comes to right and wrong.Good upbringing