What do the riders do when not racing?

So I know they have the official tests in MotoGP during pre-season and throughout the year, but I have been curious how much riding of the GP bikes are the riders allowed to do? I'm sure during most of their off time they are doing the usual training (cycling, weights,etc), but do they get to ride the MotoGP bikes or is that not allowed by the rules? For instance, during these next few weeks when there are no races, can say the Ducati riders go to where Guareschi does the testing and ride? If they are not allowed to ride the official GP bikes, are they allowed to ride any other bikes?

Just something I have been curious about as it seems logical that they should be practicing constantly on their machines to get better, but perhaps this isn't the way it's done.

I'm not sure but I know Nicky has said that he has been spending a lot of time with the test rider instead of going home. I know when the season starts he stops riding the dirt bikes and I wonder if they have all kinds of weird clauses in their contracts like other athletes. I hope some one can give some answers.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Bootsakah @ Jul 30 2009, 11:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>If they are not allowed to ride the official GP bikes, are they allowed to ride any other bikes?
I've heard a lot of them aren't supposed to ride on the road for insurance reasons. A lot of BSB riders say they ride MX bikes to stay fit, so maybe the GP boys do something similar.

I'm pretty sure Mika Kallio also does a bit of ice racing in his spare time, and I know Chris Walker races old twin-shock MX bikes when he's not on BSB duty.

Riders are not permitted to ride the GP bikes or even ride GP circuits during the season. Apparently, wind tunnel testing is allowed, but even this was a surprise to me. However, that doesn't mean it won't happen. The only real danger to rule violation is that other teams can spy on riders and report them to DORNA.

Nicky being at Mugello watching Vitto test is quite legal. He will probably sneak on the bike too. This will all be kept hush.

The only riding these guys do in between rounds is MX and Motard. Like Clark said, riding circuits on the calendar is not allowed and tests that aren't official MotoGP tests are not permitted during the season.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Austin @ Jul 31 2009, 01:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>The only riding these guys do in between rounds is MX and Motard. Like Clark said, riding circuits on the calendar is not allowed and tests that aren't official MotoGP tests are not permitted during the season.


I may well be wrong, and the rule may have been changed but in the past they have gotten around this rule by riding non MotoGP bikes (ie. R1, CBR, Other race bikes etc).



Most of the guys though would tend to do a little bit of work (ie. attend and assist at tests) that allows them to keep the rapport with the team (don't forget that the tester is part of that team). Then they will relax and possibly holiday, maybe chill heavily away from the sport before resumung training. Of course some will undergo levels of medical procedures for issues and so on.

Some may return to their native countries to mix with mates and fans, some may follow other race series and turn up to help out, basically most relax as it is a low stress holiday before really getting back into it the last week.






Garry

And some go to "IBIZA..!!"

It seems strange to me that they only ride at races and a few official tests. In most sports a person would be practicing all the time to hone their craft/ability. For instance, weight lifters don't lift weights only in competition.

Way back in the day (when they were young and still racing) Roberts, Lawson, Spencer and many others - played a lot of golf. Roberts said it is like a meditation and keeps the mind sharp but relaxed. Tho back then, racers didn't do all the heavy-duty physical training - it wasn't really a concept back then.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Keshav @ Jul 31 2009, 10:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Way back in the day (when they were young and still racing) Roberts, Lawson, Spencer and many others - played a lot of golf. Roberts said it is like a meditation and keeps the mind sharp but relaxed. Tho back then, racers didn't do all the heavy-duty physical training - it wasn't really a concept back then.

WHAT? They do? Just messing with you keshav.
I would think that anyone not looking for a ride next year would go to their happy place to get their mind right. Maybe golf, but if they play like me thats just going to screw them up mentally. I would think they(most) would all take the first week totally off just to relax. Maybe lifting or cycling in week two and three. But if they want to ride bikes they better fire up the xbox or ps3.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Gaz @ Jul 30 2009, 10:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I may well be wrong, and the rule may have been changed but in the past they have gotten around this rule by riding non MotoGP bikes (ie. R1, CBR, Other race bikes etc).
I haven't heard of any riders doing that these days but I could be wrong.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (clarkjw @ Jul 30 2009, 04:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Riders are not permitted to ride the GP bikes or even ride GP circuits during the season. Apparently, wind tunnel testing is allowed, but even this was a surprise to me. However, that doesn't mean it won't happen. The only real danger to rule violation is that other teams can spy on riders and report them to DORNA.

Nicky being at Mugello watching Vitto test is quite legal. He will probably sneak on the bike too. This will all be kept hush.
This seems a much better idea then going to XG again, eh Clark. Haha.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Austin @ Jul 31 2009, 04:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I haven't heard of any riders doing that these days but I could be wrong.
Gabor T tested a modified CBR at [Jerez] before joining Scott

Come on guys! We all know what we'd be doing. BROLLY GIRLS. Come on, we would! Banging a few and sipping a beer or ten (20?) on a yacht in the deep Mediterranean maybe yelling to the first mate to "GD keep her into the sun!" and "WTF happened to the ice in the Corona pail!" and"Holy .... barbeed chicken is a bit tough eh?, REDO it!" ......' 'elp these days!...swimmin' in the salty with the harem...ya gotta relax, oops excuse me honey, oh ya there you go...ooooooooo a little to the left. You could be dead next race.

Oh now it's just all pedal bikes and factory promo? God no, not if it was me...and of course if I was a mite younger. And then there's the wife...

Sunday evenings would be pure debauchery for me if I were a racer.
Paddock girls hanging out with nothing to do...leftover champaigne bottles...vacant hotel rooms...nothing to do Monday morning!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (clarkjw @ Jul 31 2009, 02:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Sunday evenings would be pure debauchery for me if I were a racer.
Paddock girls hanging out with nothing to do...leftover champaigne bottles...vacant hotel rooms...nothing to do Monday morning!
X10

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