Yamaha's Rossi Fastest In Day One of Sepang MotoGP Test

[1down5up]

Yamaha's Rossi Fastest In Day One of Sepang MotoGP Test
Thursday, February 04, 2010

Test Times
1. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Fiat Yamaha Team 2:01.411
2. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati Marlboro Team 2:01.902
3. Colin Edwards (USA) Monster Yamaha Tech 3 2:01.932
4. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 2:02.102
5. Jorge Lorenzo (SPA) Fiat Yamaha Team 2:02.165
6. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) Repsol Honda Team 2:02.630
7. Nicky Hayden (USA) Ducati Marlboro Team 2:02.792
8. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Repsol Honda Team 2:02.866
9. Mika Kallio (FIN) Pramac Green Team 2:02.987
10. Hector Barbera (SPA) Aspar Team 2:03.030
11. Aleix Espargaro (SPA) Pramac Green Team 2:03.133
12. Ben Spies (USA) Monster Yamaha Tech 3 2:03.142
13. Randy de Puniet (FRA) LCR Honda MotoGP 2:03.456
14. Alvaro Bautista (SPA) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 2:03.558
15. Marco Simoncelli (ITA) San Carlo Honda Gresini 2:03.609
16. Marco Melandri (ITA) San Carlo Honda Gresini 2:03.609
17. Hiroshi Aoyama (JAP) Interwetten-Honda MotoGP 2:03.651

Sepang: Record Lap
C. Stoner (Ducati) 2007, 2'02.108
Sepang: Best Lap
V. Rossi (Yamaha) 2009, 2'00.518
Today the full complement of MotoGP riders roared back into action for the first time in 2010 at Sepang, after a first day exclusively available to test riders, who performed ?shakedown' sessions on their machines yesterday. It was a positive start for the two Ducati Marlboro Team riders, who were 2nd and 7th fastest respectively.

Stoner, who expressed his satisfaction with the new engine, was quickly on the pace and then focused on the set-up of his bike trying to solve a problem of chatter. Hayden, who was also testing a new fairing today, set a good pace but struggled with the same problem as his team-mate. The pair are now looking forward to working more on the base settings of the GP10 and are confident of improving it tomorrow.
Weather-wise it was a demanding day for all of the riders, with ambient temperatures reaching (104 degrees) and the thermometer hitting (140 degrees) on the track. Around fifteen minutes before the scheduled end of the test, a light rain shower brought it to an early conclusion. The track will be open again tomorrow from 9am to 5pm for the second and final day of the test.

Casey Stoner 2nd fastest 2'01.902 (42 laps)

"This first day was a bit difficult to understand: we started off with a setting that was quite good and that allowed us to make reasonably good lap times. We thought we would improve as the day went on but we had a few problems with chatter. We tried a lot of different combinations trying to make the bike feel a little bit better but we couldn't really get an improvement. To be honest it was difficult to work out why because the track conditions were particularly difficult — it was so hot that it was actually hard to understand if you were make an improvement on the bike or not. In any case I'm really happy with the new engine, I think that with the other one we would have struggled more. Now the bike in general feel very good, very balanced and I'm happy with it. Hopefully the weather will be a little cooler tomorrow so that we can understand better if the changes we try are the right ones".

full yamaha press conference after first day testing
http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2010/Feb/100204z.htm

Colin Edwards 3rd 2.01.932 - 48 laps

"After I blew off a few cobwebs this morning I've got to say t he bike worked really great and I've got to say a big thanks to Yamaha. They have impressed me because we knew it was a big challenge to achieve a high level of performance while also getting more durability out of the engine for the new rules. And they have done that and I'm really happy, so I'm already excited about the new season. The engine seems much better off the bottom. Last year I'd open the throttle and nothing really happened, but this year there's a response when you push. I never even touched the bike today, I just got on it and rode it and it felt really natural and I could do what I wanted with the bike. It accelerated how I wanted, I could hold a line how I wanted and I was riding round talking to myself inside my helmet saying ?how much fun is this?' When the bike does what you ask, it's pretty easy. It was a great way to start what hopefully is going to be another successful year with Herve Poncharal and the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team."

Ben Spies 12th 2.03.142 - 55 laps

"I tried as hard as I could for the first day but I've got a little bit of jetlag and I wasn't at 100 per cent. Despite that though the new bike is really good. I got behind a couple of people and the engine performance was really good and that is a real positive. I'm still working on my mid-corner speed and trusting the Bridgestone tyres and today was still a good day even if I'd like to have been a bit further up the timesheets. My times aren't far off on a track that these guys know like the back of their hand, so I know there is plenty more to come from me. My guy's asked me what I need to work on for tomorrow and right now it's just me. There's a good half-a-second just in myself. I've got a lot to learn and it takes time. I've already been getting a lot of help and advice from Colin about the track and that is great for me and for the Monster Yam aha Tech 3 Team that we are working together like that."

[Mrs Mozz]

but only by a fraction of a second!!!
GO CASEY :clap: :dancesmiley:

[Mr.Ed]

Good to see CE up there and enjoying it!! I don't think Fiat Yamaha Team will allow that kind of competition during the year though...

[racegodr1]

Awesome!!!

[SLAC]

no travel left in them forks...

[_chado77]

honda look to be struggling again

[Captain]

Interview with Rossi


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0swj26JONQ&feature=player_embedded#at=28

[laidback]

Admire him or not you have to admit that he is a great racer, not only on the bike but off it as well.

I always have a chuckle at those that are not fastest
"upbeat"
"significant progress"
"Work to do"
"satisfied"
"Positive assessment"

They must be pushing hard to bridge the gap to Rossi before the season starts.

Lets hope that the season ahead is one where we see lots of great racing.

[RIPPERTON]

hes only got 2 more titles to win before he becomes the worlds best rider

[ottospunkmeister]

hes only got 2 more titles to win before he becomes the worlds best rider

ok I'll take the bait - which 2 would those be?

[Birdman45]

Gooooooooooooooooooooooooo colin

[Daz07]

Good to see Edwards up there, he sounds happy with the yamaha :cool:

[Naked Twin]

Testing is just chest beating. Suzuki is too far up the grid for me to pay too much attention to the times

Nick

[Captain]

How good does this look? (sorry 'bout the lingo :lmao:)
Bring it on :ayyy:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QP8-G8lU2N8&feature=player_embedded

[SIX36]

Awesome!!!

What a pussy on the brakes :stirthepot:

[Dunno]

Suzuki is too far up the grid for me to pay too much attention to the times

Nick

Logical reason would be they dressed a GSXR in Rizzla clothing cos the GSVR is heap of shite. Just ask CV.

[RIPPERTON]

2 more world titles
Stefan Everts has 10 Motocross world titles which makes him the best rider in the history of the sport

[Dunno]

2 more world titles
Stefan Everts has 10 Motocross world titles which makes him the best rider in the history of the sport

But Ago won 15 :thinking:

8 in 500s the others were in 350 I think? 15 World Championships to his name though.

[Jake]

Has McCoy been out on the bike yet?

[1down5up]

But Ago won 15 :thinking:

8 in 500s the others were in 350 I think? 15 World Championships to his name though.

it was easy for him he had a bike (the mv ) that was 50 kmh faster than any other bike on the grid ( barry sheens words ) he was a very good rider sure but also he had two gp`s to ride in on race day (2 classes ) so it was easyer for him to get so menny championships and race wins ( 150 +wins ) with the modern bikes of today there is no way you could do 2 classes they are too hard to set up

[Dunno]

it was easy for him he had a bike (the mv ) that was 50 kmh faster than any other bike on the grid ( barry sheens words ) he was a very good rider sure but also he had two gp`s to ride in on race day (2 classes ) so it was easyer for him to get so menny championships and race wins ( 150 +wins ) with the modern bikes of today there is no way you could do 2 classes they are too hard to set up
Totally agree with ya mate :ayyy:
I was just pointing it out to Rip that Ago has 15 titles. Everets is good but he isn't the best ever. Ago won a heap of titles cos nothing could get near the MV but proved himself in the end by going to Yamaha. The timing was perfect as they had done all the R&D work on the 2 stroke & Ago surprised everyone by leaving MV to ride a Jap bike.
As for the 2 classes. That would be awesome just for someone to try it. No better time than now with the Moto2 class in effect a mini version of the 800 GP bikes. Spencer was the last to do it in 1985 & if any rider could repeat that sort of success in 2 classes they would achieve a god like status :notworthy:

[Captain]

No 26?

http://static.blogo.it/motoblog/motogp-sepang-2010-test-febbraio-day-2/big_4dani_pedrosa_04.jpg

[Bigdog]

Pedrosas original number

[Captain]

Rossi still kicking arse at Sepang, and some pics:

Valentino Rossi once again led testing on the first day of official testing in Sepang, resuming where he left off three weeks ago. The Italian’s led both the morning and afternoon sessions topping the chart with a 2.01.068, which was slightly higher than his best time in the previous test.

Casey Stoner was second, just 0.151 from Rossi and testing different swingarms including a new and updated carbon fiber swingarm. Andrea Dovizioso had a positive day with his third place. His best lap was 2.01.063 which was a big improvement from his previous test where he finished in a lowly th place and a best lap of 2.02.272.

Loris Capirossi , fourth and just 0.056 from Dovizioso with his new GSV-R engine, continued testing numerous new parts that Suzuki brought from Japan.

The Texas Two, Ben Spies and Colin Edwards were 5th and 6th respectively and separated by a mere 0.054s. and the last riders to finish inside the 2.02 mark.

Dani Pedrosa with the other Honda RC212V was seventh with a best lap of 2.02.036, but suffered a crash earlier in the day at turn 9. Mikka Kallio was first Ducati satellite rider to get into the top ten with his 8th position and the last rider to finish within one second from Rossi. Rookie Alvaro Bautista was 9th, he too suffered a crash, but his lap time was a massive improvement from three weeks ago.

Closing the top ten was Marco Melandri followed by Nicky Hayden in 11th, still nursing his arm after his recent surgery.

Hiroshi Aoyama (Interwetten Honda MotoGP) was 12th followed by Aleix Espargaro and Randy DePuniet, Hector Barbera. Marco Simoncelli was last rider on the charts and the only one who did not improve his lap times from the previous test.

Jorge Lorenzo was absent from these tests after being injured in motocross training accident two weeks ago.

Tomorrow (Friday) will be the final day of testing in Sepang.

Sepang 2 Day 1 Test Times:

01- Valentino Rossi 2′01.068 (47 laps)
02- Casey Stoner + 0.151 (33 laps)
03- Andrea Dovizioso + 0.563 (52 laps)
04- Loris Capirossi + 0.619 (52 laps)
05- Ben Spies + 0.775 (42 laps)
06- Colin Edwards + 0.829 (35 laps)
07- Dani Pedrosa + 0.968 (47 laps)
08- Mika Kallio + 0.970 (76 laps)
09- Alvaro Bautista + 1.010 (34 laps)
10- Marco Melandri + 1.018 (52 laps)
11- Nicky Hayden + 1.153 (61 laps)
12- Hiroshi Aoyama + 1.351 (57 laps)
13- Aleix Espargaro + 1.379 (35 laps)
14- Hector Barbera + 1.417 (62 laps)
15- Randy De Puniet + 1.467 (76 laps)
16- Marco Simoncelli + 2.186 (53 laps)
17- Wataru Yoshikawa - Yamaha Test Team + 3.613 (51 laps)
18- Norihiko Fujiwara - Yamaha Test Team + 3.899 (43 laps)


http://static.blogo.it/motoblog/motogp-2010-test-sepang-25-26-feb-day-1/big_6capirossi_bautista_01.jpg

http://static.blogo.it/motoblog/motogp-2010-test-sepang-25-26-feb-day-1/big_4dovizioso_pedrosa_09.jpg

http://static.blogo.it/motoblog/motogp-2010-test-sepang-25-26-feb-day-1/big_5dovizioso_pedrosa_11.jpg

http://static.blogo.it/motoblog/motogp-2010-test-sepang-25-26-feb-day-1/big_8capirossi_bautista_06.jpg

[nutsa]

Thats Bautista with number 19 isnt it? seems to of taken to the gp bike quite well! Lets hope suzuki pull there finger out for the proper season and dont just want to be winter champions!

[1down5up]

capirossi in 4 th thats gotta be a good thing and stoner has closed the gap to rossi to 0.15 hayden still back in 11th 1.0 off his team mate that better than last year when he was 2 sec + back from him the new big bang motor must be a lot easyer to ride with... dovi is going well too for a first timer ...edwards and spies only 0.050 appart ...........looks like the new seasion is going to be good to watch HURRY UP AND BRING IT ON ( the start to the racing )

[Captain]

Rossi has just set a new track record for Sepang: 2:00:271 :clap::clap::clap:

[Bigdog]

Both Stoner and Hayden were not very far behind him. Looks like the Ducs are sorted a bit better now, Go Stoner!

[ottospunkmeister]

Rossi has just set a new track record for Sepang: 2:00:271 :clap::clap::clap:

On an 800 too :ayyy: Still the master but only just - should be a cracker season.

[1down5up]

what amazed me the most was hayden in 3rd that is a huge improvement over any thing he has done on the ducati so far ... and spies in 5th and edwards 4th the yamaha is flying might be the bike to be on this year ........... stoner is only 0.3 off rossi ...........any word on gazza mccoy and the dorna test did the bike pass was it fast enough been only a 3 pot motor
Practice times:
1 Valentino. Rossi, Fiat Yamaha: 2m 00.271s
2 Casey Stoner, Marlboro Ducati: 2m 00.512s
3 Nicky Hayden, Marlboro Ducati: 2m 00.703s
4 Colin Edwards, Yamaha Tech3: 2m 00.988s.
5. Ben Spies, Yamaha Tech3: 2m 01.014s
6 Loris Capirossi, Rizla Suzuki: 2m 01.320s.
7 Andrea Dovizioso, Repsol Honda: 2m 01.439s
8 Dani Pedrosa, Repsol Honda: 2m 01.478s.
9 Hiro Aoyama, Interwetten Honda: 2m 01.692s.
10 Alvaro Bautista, Rizla Suzuki: 2m 01.732s.
11 Randy de Puniet, LRC Honda: 2m 01.980s.
12. Marco Melandri, San Carlo Honda Gresini: 2m 02.078s
13 Hector Barbera, Aspar MotoGP Team: 2m 02.080s
14. Mikka Kallio, Pramac Ducati: 2m 02.082s.
15 Aleix Espargaro, Pramac Ducati: 2m 02.367s.
16. Marco Simoncelli, San Carlo Honda Gresini: 2m 03.689s (2 laps).

ROSSI SMASHES POLE RECORD ON FINAL DAY OF SEPANG TEST

Fiat Yamaha rider Valentino Rossi signed off the second pre-season test of the year on top once again in Malaysia today, meaning he has been fastest at all four days of testing so far this year. The Italian smashed his own pole record by almost three tenths of a second, proving that he and the new YZR-M1 are on track for the season's start in a month's time.

Rossi spent the final day of the test trying electronic packages, a new tyre for Bridgestone and just double-checking all the work done so far. He also had time to do a few laps on the Japanese test team's bike, providing them with important feedback for the future development of the M1. The 31-year-old set his best lap of 2'00.271 on his 12th of 39 laps, with Casey Stoner second once again in a time of 2'00.512. It was a good day for Yamaha, with Tech 3 riders Colin Edwards and Ben Spies fourth and fifth respectively.

The next and final pre-season test comes at Qatar on 18th and 19th March, by which time Rossi's injured team-mate Jorge Lorenzo hopes to have made a full recovery and to be back in action.

Valentino Rossi


Position: 1st Time: 2'00.271 Laps: 39

"I'm really happy to have beaten my pole record, it's a good feeling to be this fast in testing. I did this with an old tyre but we also got the chance to try a very good new tyre from Bridgestone today, which I hope we will use from the first race. Our bike is in great shape; we need to do a bit more work on the electronics but in general everything is better, especially the rear grip and the engine. Yamaha have been very clever to develop this new bike whilst keeping the best parts of the old one, I'm very happy about it. It was good to get the chance to try the Japanese test bike, hopefully the feedback I gave them will help us in the future. Now we go to Qatar and then we will see our level because it is not one of mine or Yamaha's best tracks! But we're in great shape and this is very important at this stage of the season. I'm really looking forward to it."

*****************

Colin Edwards 4th 2.00.988 - 35 laps

"It felt really hot out there today and I don't think anybody was going to do a lot of laps in those conditions. I did 35 laps and all of them were productive and I'm leaving this test really happy. I worked on the electronics and a bit of suspension work today and I was happy with the new Bridgestone rear tyre. We did full race distance on it in the middle of the day when it was really hot and I was still doing 2.02s on the last lap. So it really keeps a good level of grip for a long time. I feel ready to race right now. We've got the bike sorted out and the last test in Qatar should be another positive test to set us up nicely for the first race. We're ready to go because Yamaha has done a fantastic job. Everything they have done has improved the bike and that's a great achievement. I want to thank my guys at Monster Yamaha Tech 3 again for all their hard work and congratulate Ben too. This is a tough track to learn but he's doing a great job and he is impressing a lot of people. We're working really closely together and that is going to be great to help the team have another great year."

Ben Spies 5th 2.01.014 - 44 laps

"It has been a positive test for me again because I have been able to improve my lap time by quite a bit. I'm 0.8s quicker than yesterday so that is a good step in the right direction. I did a race simulation and all my laps were in the 2.01s. I've always felt good at the end of races and I think that is what my strong point has been in the past. In Valencia when I raced the Yamaha for the first time I came on strong at the end. When the tyres go off I feel a little bit better. I didn't quite get to improve on my overall position but I'm convinced I had the speed to get into the high 2s, but I was only able to use one of the softer Bridgestone tyres. But all in all it has been a positive day and the gap to the front has become smaller again."

STRONG FINISH TO SEPANG TEST BY DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM



The Ducati Marlboro Team completed the second and final day of testing at Sepang, Malaysia, today with both riders extremely satisfied with the performance of their Desmosedici GP10 machines. Casey Stoner and Nicky Hayden were both in highly competitive form today, clocking the second and third fastest times of the session respectively.

Like the rest of the riders the pair used the first three hours of the session, from 10am to 1pm, followed by a further two hours from 4pm to 6pm to do the majority of their set-up work. Slightly cooler temperatures at that time of the day compared to the intense early afternoon heat provided the most suitable conditions.

Casey Stoner (Ducati Marlboro Team) 2nd fastest, 2'00.512 (33 laps)
"When we first went out this morning the track conditions were a huge improvement on yesterday thanks to the slightly cooler temperatures, which meant the track was less slippery. That allowed us to get the best out of the bike and we were able to set some fast times. We started out with the same setting we finished with yesterday, which I already liked, and we changed just a couple of things and were able to immediately set a strong pace. It is just a shame that the red flag came out right after we put the new medium tyre on. I missed out on a few laps because of that but it wasn't a big deal. We are really satisfied with the package we have now and the progress we have made so far. If you ask me I'd say we are starting off from a stronger base than last year so now we'll just have to wait and see if we can get straight on the pace in Qatar."

Nicky Hayden (Ducati Marlboro Team) 3rd fastest, 2'00.703 (42 laps)
"I am obviously really happy because the changes we made yesterday afternoon that enabled me to go a couple of tenths faster despite the heat have proved to work even better today with the track in improved condition. After making small steps for the last few test sessions today we have finally taken a big leap forward and I was able to ride fast. The arm wasn't too bad but it still isn't as strong as before, which I can feel more than anything in the hard braking, and it was hard work today. Anyway, I am recovering well and now we move on from Sepang feeling really happy."

Sepang Circuit Record: Casey Stoner (Ducati - 2007) 2'02.108
Best Pole: Valentino Rossi (Yamaha - 2009), 2'00.518

if you want to read what the other riders have to say about the last day testing
http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2010/Feb/100226b.htm