Yooperbikemike's 2013 MotoGP Thread

I was actually thinking 1sec down (and .5sec to the 1st non-alien, Rossi) for Dovi is pretty good and better than they probably expected. And Dovi isn't known for putting down a single, extra quick lap. It's still going to be a tough year for Ducati.

Rossi managed 12 laps of 60 in the 2:01s.

But he was pitting every few laps it appears from the time sheet, presumably trying different set-ups, and often would pull a 2:01 after a couple of laps and then head back in.

All were mid-high 2:01s except for his final two outings, when he got down to 2:01.3, and then out again for consecutively 2:01.1 and 2:01.0.


Lorenzo in his race simulation put in 16 laps consecutively in the 2:01s, and four of those were low 2:01s, along with half a dozen others through the day.

Hard to know what to conclude but Rossi was quoted thus on crash.net:

"Now this is the reality. The first three guys are very fast - Lorenzo and Pedrosa, but also Marquez - and it looks like we need to improve a bit."

The video interview with Bernard Gobmeir (ducati boss) following the 3rd session seemed refreshingly void of hypotheticals and to me at least a more practical, methodical and, open-minded approach to getting the bike faster appears evident.

Dovi appeared fairly upbeat in his interview as well.

Po. Name TeamGap First
1PEDROSA D.Repsol Honda Team2:00.562
2MARQUEZ M.Repsol Honda Team+0.081
3LORENZO J.Yamaha Factory Racing Team+0.430
4ROSSI V.Yamaha Factory Racing Team+0.500
5BAUTISTA A.GO&FUN Honda Gresini+0.516
6CRUTCHLOW C.Monster Yamaha Tech 3+0.532
7BRADL S.LCR Honda MotoGP+0.747
8DOVIZIOSO A.Ducati Team+1.088
9HAYDEN N.Ducati Team+1.508
10SMITH B.Monster Yamaha Tech 3+1.752
11IANNONE A.Energy T.I. Pramac Racing Team+2.004
12PIRRO M.Ducati Test Team+2.211
13DE PUNIET R.Power Electronics Aspar+2.301

It is going to be a blast watching Marquez beat up on some way more experienced racers this year. Good to see Rossi back up there too.

Rosie's not far behind Jorgay.

Sepang, however, is one of his very strong tracks.

Marky Mark amazes me. Knew he's very good, but right there at the sharp end straight away?!?

He's good and he's on a very good bike too.

Rossi is 0,070 behind JLO... last years WC... Not so bad IMO.

After moving away from the racing team of Ducati, Filippo Preziosi has made ​​the decision to leave the company for health reasons. For 19 years in Borgo Panigale, Preziosi was appointed Director of Research & Development at the end of 2012, and would hold the new position after conclusion of the period of rest that had requested. At present, the role remains vacant.
Here is the full notice of the press release:
"The engineer Filippo Preziosi, Ducati Motor Holding announced it would discontinue its relationship with the company. Motivation is linked to health reasons related to his particular physical condition. Respecting the will of Eng. Preziosi, while with the disappointment of losing a strategic figure and great skill, Ducati took note of the decision and accepted the resignation, confirming esteem and gratitude to forty-five Italian coach, thanking him for the significant and professional support offered in the nineteen years in business , twelve in Ducati Corse ".


Read more: http://www.gpone.com/201302289531/CLAMOROSO-Preziosi-via-da-Ducati.html # ixzz2MDaelF7B

:eek1 Wow.

In English:

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/N...ebruary/feb2813-preziosi-resigns-from-ducati/

The term alien refers to race winners, not WC winners. At the time Melandri coined the term, Rossi was winning races, along with Pedrosa, Lorenzo and Stoner.

It's looking probable Rossi will win again, but it's still hypothetical.

It'd be great to have 4 aliens again.

Pedro is not an alien?? Check out any race from the later part of 2012. Lorenzo only barely beat him..guess he's not an alien either..

Pedrosa makes E.T. look like the boy next door.

This is shaping up to be an interesting year. Rossi is right on top of Lorenzo, Pedrosa is looking fast and consistent, and Marquez, wow, he really does look like he might be up there in the top group when race day comes. I'm really hoping that the Ducati's can find something, and that Spies can move back towards the front. But, over the past 3-4 years I've gone from thinking Spies is a future world champion to thinking he's reached his peak and is fading away.

Edit: and I'm looking forward to seeing this play out in real time at the Austin MotoGP!

Racing Reporter Henny Ray Abrams Found Dead In New York City Apartment

Geez. Only 57. RIP and thanks for all the news.

That is very sad news. RIP.

I think Marquez will shake things up this year. Even if he doesn't win, he'll be exciting to watch.

Jep, you read it right. Pedro is not an alien. Lorenzo however is.

Pedro has been on the factory honda now for a WHILE and no title, Nicky, Stoner and soon possibly MM have got a title on the honda... it can't be the bike that sucks...

How do you think MM will make Pedrosa look ?

I think Pedrosa will be wanting to "phone home" soon...

Thank you for re-defining the word Alien. We have all been using it and including Pedrosa in the term since its beginning. We all had no idea we were wrong.

But why has it taken you so long (3 sesons or more) to let us know