The success of the Ducati this season is certainly odd. I can't fathom that it's simply the result of a weight change to the bike. Last season Ducati's SBK effort seemed to be without direction. Haga and Fabrizio never appeared to particularly get along and the team was without leadership. Additionally, Haga seemed to be beaten, I'm not so sure he had the effort in him last year and all of these factors came together to scuttle the team.
Checca seems to be in a very different place. He's alone on the team, with factory support and a fair amount of experience on the machine. He's also exuding the confidence of someone who believe's he's got what it takes. Haga had very little of that last year. Checca is getting every ounce from the machine and thus far has failed to make a mistake on track. We'll see if that continues.
On the other side of this is Biaggi? What's his problem so far? We know the bike is solid yet he's done almost nothing to help himself. I think Marco will be there all season long and will challenge for the title. I like the way season is coming together.
Jumkie,
As for why there's little action here? Simply, no boppers. Most bop's can hardly name the entire grid in MotoGP and will certainly be unfamiliar with SBK.
With no interest in moto-racing that does not include Rossi, they're absent from these threads. Additionally, you had the sudden American interest created by Speez in 09 and without him, his fanboy's are also absent. That leaves us!
Checca seems to be in a very different place. He's alone on the team, with factory support and a fair amount of experience on the machine. He's also exuding the confidence of someone who believe's he's got what it takes. Haga had very little of that last year. Checca is getting every ounce from the machine and thus far has failed to make a mistake on track. We'll see if that continues.
On the other side of this is Biaggi? What's his problem so far? We know the bike is solid yet he's done almost nothing to help himself. I think Marco will be there all season long and will challenge for the title. I like the way season is coming together.
Jumkie,
As for why there's little action here? Simply, no boppers. Most bop's can hardly name the entire grid in MotoGP and will certainly be unfamiliar with SBK.
Joined Feb 2007
11K Posts | 2K+
Tennessee
The success of the Ducati this season is certainly odd. I can't fathom that it's simply the result of a weight change to the bike. Last season Ducati's SBK effort seemed to be without direction. Haga and Fabrizio never appeared to particularly get along and the team was without leadership. Additionally, Haga seemed to be beaten, I'm not so sure he had the effort in him last year and all of these factors came together to scuttle the team.
Checca seems to be in a very different place. He's alone on the team, with factory support and a fair amount of experience on the machine. He's also exuding the confidence of someone who believe's he's got what it takes. Haga had very little of that last year. Checca is getting every ounce from the machine and thus far has failed to make a mistake on track. We'll see if that continues.
On the other side of this is Biaggi? What's his problem so far? We know the bike is solid yet he's done almost nothing to help himself. I think Marco will be there all season long and will challenge for the title. I like the way season is coming together.
Jumkie,
As for why there's little action here? Simply, no boppers. Most bop's can hardly name the entire grid in MotoGP and will certainly be unfamiliar with SBK.With no interest in moto-racing that does not include Rossi, they're absent from these threads. Additionally, you had the sudden American interest created by Speez in 09 and without him, his fanboy's are also absent. That leaves us!
They were lighter at the end of last year than they are now, which tells me that simply shaving weight without having time to balance the bike meant nothing.
The Spies factor was obviously real, not only to the American fan. The kid came in and captured everyones imagination with what to me, was the most dominant season ever put together.Team errors and Fabrizio kept that season from becoming a laugher. As it turned out, it was one of the most exciting seasons in bike racing memory. I have always followed Superbike and GP equally, but i must admit, im not setting alarm clocks to get up at 5.00am to follow a race on live timing like i did when Spies was there. Now im content to wait for the same day delayed telecast on Speed
For those of use who like a good conspiracy, here is something to think about. In the history of WSBK, Ducati has never lost, or have not been allowed to lose the Superbike title for 3 years in a row.
This post is PURE FLAME!
I also think SBK 09 was epic. It was drama every single weekend! I have no idea how this season will turn but I imagine that by round 6 we'll see the top 3 or 4 tighten.
For those of use who like a good conspiracy, here is something to think about. In the history of WSBK, Ducati has never lost, or have not been allowed to lose the Superbike title for 3 years in a row.
it was said earlier not enough boppers her for those antics.
but i'm loving the way the season is shaping up and also the way checa appeers to be playing with peoples minds in qaulifying bugger all from him for 2 days think he may of been in top spot maybe twice over the whole weekend them BAM last lap of superpole 3 he pulls a rabbit out oif his ... . can't wait for the races tomorrow .
but gutted haslem does not look like getting his first wim on the beemer yet and it looks more like it would be corser at assen going off some shows of greet speed today .
looking great bring it on
Agreed. I don't have any concrete information, but as most sports go, we aren't being told everything that is going on behind the scenes.
I wouldn't surprise me to learn the Ducati have had the air-restrictor removed altogether. If you read the rulebook, it even says that the air-restrictor would be eventually removed at some point. If the air-restrictor is indeed gone, I'd be happy b/c it was a dumb rule in the first place. The most important part of motorcycle racing is getting the power to the ground which more or less translates into keeping the front wheel on the deck. The 4-cylinder bikes are 1000cc with between 58mm-50mm of stroke. The Ducati is 1200cc with almost 69mm stroke.
What's the big advantage in 1200cc? It's not the 750cc days when the long stroke 1000cc Ducatis had a noticeable power advantage over the short-stroke 750s. If the Ducati has any advantage, it's the same as what the 999R offered--the balanced L-twin and the nature of twin cylinder power delivery. The prodigious torque of the bike is likely a problem to be solved, not a significant advantage. Why do you think BMW run 80mm even though a much more modest bore number would have sufficed? They wanted less stroke, more valve surface area, and an engine that could rev more quickly than anything else in the field. Predictably, they spend all of their time playing with electronics to get the bike under control.
On it's best day the 1198R is only going to make about 215hp. There is nothing stopping the Japanese manufacturers from running long stroke 1000s in order to tame the nature of 4-cylinder power. In fact, Suzuki are already doing it.
To be fair, Spies made some big mistakes on his own. Valencia Race 1 was a terrible mistake. Spies' ambition caused him to override the bike during a race weekend when Haga was not going to be caught. Assen Race 2 was a similarly troubling error.
It wasn't so much a dominating season as much as it was a story about an undeniable force. Spies broke the pole record on a relatively undeveloped bike, and he overcame effectively 6 DNFs to win the WSBK title in 2009.
1. Punted by Biaggi at PI Race 1
2. Crash at Valencia Race 1
3. Assen crash during Race 2
4. Ran out of fuel at Monza Race 1
5. Mechanical failure at Kyalami
6. Wrecked by Fabrizio at Brno
Imo, it was more like Greek mythology with the racing gods conspiring against the hero just to see what he was made of.
Joined Feb 2007
11K Posts | 2K+
Tennessee
4 of 6 non scoring events were not of his making. Out of those 4, I think he wins 3. Figure the points and its a run away. Im glad it came down to the last weekend, but just imagine how unjust that season would have felt if he had lost the title. It was a special season for Spies, but could have been put on a pedestal without debate
weatherforecast is getting worse by the minute.. first it said 20 degrees, now its down to 15 degrees, cloudy and chance of rain. this being holland, there will be rain no doubt about it
bah bah
After WSBK Round 2, I remember myself saying "Why on earth did the Ducati pull their factory team again???". Checa is doing a superb job this year. He did fairly well last year, just goes to show how much his confidence has grown on the bike. Deffinently looking forward to watching him this year.
I like Haslam, of all the "underdogs", I like him the most. Now before everyone goes ballistic about naming him an 'underdog", I say that in terms of him getting on a new bike that hasn't been fully sorted. I totally agree that he is one of the top end riders of the series. I just don't think the BMW is set yet. I kind of look at it like the Aprilia of 2 years ago. Just about to break the horizon of greatness, but still just a touch short.
But overall, I've enjoyed each WSBK race this year. Though I love MotoGP, lately I've been much more excited to see a WSBK race weekend approach. The merry-go-round procession is starting to take the excitement out of GP, I truly miss the good ol 990 days...
I like Haslam, of all the "underdogs", I like him the most. Now before everyone goes ballistic about naming him an 'underdog", I say that in terms of him getting on a new bike that hasn't been fully sorted. I totally agree that he is one of the top end riders of the series. I just don't think the BMW is set yet. I kind of look at it like the Aprilia of 2 years ago. Just about to break the horizon of greatness, but still just a touch short.
But overall, I've enjoyed each WSBK race this year. Though I love MotoGP, lately I've been much more excited to see a WSBK race weekend approach. The merry-go-round procession is starting to take the excitement out of GP, I truly miss the good ol 990 days...
After WSBK Round 2, I remember myself saying "Why on earth did the Ducati pull their factory team again???". Checa is doing a superb job this year. He did fairly well last year, just goes to show how much his confidence has grown on the bike. Deffinently looking forward to watching him this year.
I like Haslam, of all the "underdogs", I like him the most. Now before everyone goes ballistic about naming him an 'underdog", I say that in terms of him getting on a new bike that hasn't been fully sorted. I totally agree that he is one of the top end riders of the series. I just don't think the BMW is set yet. I kind of look at it like the Aprilia of 2 years ago. Just about to break the horizon of greatness, but still just a touch short.
But overall, I've enjoyed each WSBK race this year. Though I love MotoGP, lately I've been much more excited to see a WSBK race weekend approach. The merry-go-round procession is starting to take the excitement out of GP, I truly miss the good ol 990 days...
i'm starting to feel the same about gp lets hope that 1000cc shakes it up a bit
1000cc won't do nothing, it's the electronics that kills racing... btw great win by Rea in race 1..
yes very good . they were talking about him going to moto gp with honda next year. can't see who they would get rid of for him as repsol will go back to 2 bikes can;t see dani stoner dovi or marco being left out in the cold between the 2 main teams. so will be intresting to see
Aprilia is a real rocket on the straight. When Biaggi was passing, from Checa's onboard it looked as if he was going double the speed!
How about the following scenario: Stoner and Pedrosa stay at Repsol, Rossi switches to superbike, Simoncelli replaces him at Ducati. Gresini with Aoyama and Rea and finally Dovizioso to Suzuki.
How about the following scenario: Stoner and Pedrosa stay at Repsol, Rossi switches to superbike, Simoncelli replaces him at Ducati. Gresini with Aoyama and Rea and finally Dovizioso to Suzuki.
jesus thats one cracked out senario
Kawasaki are a trouble outfit. Brand new bike costs as much as a Bimmer, but they can't even scare the podium.
Overall, I thought the racing was okay, but nothing spectacular. Nice to see Rea get something done for Castorl. I'm sure this isn't what they had in mind when they signed on with Honda again for 2011. Maybe it's a long term deal though. Changes are supposed to be around the bend.
Overall, I thought the racing was okay, but nothing spectacular. Nice to see Rea get something done for Castorl. I'm sure this isn't what they had in mind when they signed on with Honda again for 2011. Maybe it's a long term deal though. Changes are supposed to be around the bend.
Joined Apr 2008
7K Posts | 3K+
Out of Nowhere
True, but with the increase in torque we may see some alternative lines emerging again and it may possibly allow riders to brake deeper into a corner once more.
A first and a third for Rea isn't a bad result, despite the fact that this is Ten Kate's back yard.
Great move in Race 2 by Checa. I can't help feeling that Ernesto Marinelli would not have hung around, and indeed wouldn't even be there without substantial factory support from Bologna.
