235 replies to this topic

[Doorn]

2017 Sepang MotoGP Test Monday Round Up: The Flying Fisherman, And Lorenzo Learning To Brake Again

[Doorn]

2017 Sepang MotoGP Test Tuesday Final Times - Iannone Fastest On Dry Afternoon

[Doorn]

2017 Sepang MotoGP Wednesday Final Times: Viñales Edges Marquez In Tight Field

2017 Sepang MotoGP Test Press Releases

[Doorn]

 

 

 

[Doorn]

Marc Marquez has ended the first day of the Phillip Island MotoGP test on top of the timesheets. The Repsol Honda rider was quick from the start of the day, taking over as fastest in the middle of the day, and holding his advantage until the end. 

 

Valentino Rossi ended the day in second, the Movistar Yamaha rider putting in a late charge along with several other rider, which paid off with a spot behind Marquez, just under two tenths slower than the reigning world champion. Andrea Iannone was third fastest on the 2017 Suzuki GSX-RR, holding off the second Movistar Yamaha of Maverick Viñales. Viñales, who has topped four of the five previous days of testing, was forced to settle for fourth.

 

Danilo Petrucci was the first Ducati home in sixth, the Pramac rider over three quarter of a second off the pace of Marquez, but faster than Dani Pedrosa, who had briefly led the timesheets early in the day. Factory Ducati rider Andrea Dovizioso took eighth spot, while Marc VDS' Jack Miller was the last rider to get within a second of Marquez at the Australian's home track. Jonas Folger rounded out the top ten, ahead of Jorge Lorenzo on the second Ducati.

 

Pos No Rider Bike Time Diff Prev

1 93 Marc Marquez Honda RC213V 1:29.497

2 46 Valentino Rossi Yamaha M1 1:29.683 0.186 0.186

3 29 Andrea Iannone Suzuki GSX-RR 1:29.926 0.429 0.243

4 25 Maverick Viñales Yamaha M1 1:29.989 0.492 0.063

5 35 Cal Crutchlow Honda RC213V 1:30.065 0.568 0.076

6 9 Danilo Petrucci Ducati GP17 1:30.262 0.765 0.197

7 26 Dani Pedrosa Honda RC213V 1:30.281 0.784 0.019

8 4 Andrea Dovizioso Ducati GP17 1:30.410 0.913 0.129

9 43 Jack Miller Honda RC213V 1:30.426 0.929 0.016

10 94 Jonas Folger Yamaha M1 1:30.578 1.081 0.152

11 99 Jorge Lorenzo Ducati GP17 1:30.631 1.134 0.053

12 19 Alvaro Bautista Ducati GP16 1:30.770 1.273 0.139

13 8 Hector Barbera Ducati GP16 1:30.771 1.274 0.001

14 41 Aleix Espargaro Aprilia RS-GP 1:30.802 1.305 0.031

15 5 Johann Zarco Yamaha M1 1:30.867 1.370 0.065

16 17 Karel Abraham Ducati GP15 1:31.179 1.682 0.312

17 44 Pol Espargaro KTM RC16 1:31.200 1.703 0.021

18 76 Loris Baz Ducati GP15 1:31.249 1.752 0.049

19 42 Alex Rins Suzuki GSX-RR 1:31.432 1.935 0.183

20 45 Scott Redding Ducati GP16 1:31.755 2.258 0.323

21 22 Sam Lowes Aprilia RS-GP 1:32.307 2.810 0.552

22 38 Bradley Smith KTM RC16 1:32.690 3.193 0.383

[Doorn]

Maverick Viñales has returned to the top of the timesheets on Thursday, stepping up the pace on his Movistar Yamaha to end the second day of test at Phillip Island as the fastest man. Viñales' pace was relentless, topping the timesheets early in the day with a run of three laps of 1'28, then adding two more 1'28s at the end of the day.

 

Nobody else could get close. Marc Marquez was the fastest of those who tried, ending just under half a second slower than Viñales, and never going faster than 1'29.309. Once again, however, the Repsol Honda rider's work ethic and race pace was fearsome, cranking out a grand total of 107 laps (over 20% more than his rivals), and a grand total of 44 laps in the 1'29s.

 

That the Honda RC213V is working well was demonstrated by Cal Crutchlow, the LCR Honda rider ending the day in 3rd, just behind Marquez, and ahead of a brace of Ducatis. Once again, Alvaro Bautista impressed on the Pull&Bear Aspar Ducati GP16, less than a tenth off the time of Crutchow, and under a tenth ahead of the first factory Ducati of Andrea Dovizioso. 

 

Aleix Espargaro put in a quick lap early in the day on the Aprilia RS-GP, to take an impressive sixth place. Towards the end of the day, Aprilia debuted their aerodynamic fairing, a solution with two large loops at each side of the nose (link is external). They were joined by Suzuki, whose own aerodynamic fairing more closely resembled the solution used by Yamaha (link is external).

 

Jonas Folger continued to impress, the Monster Tech 3 Yamaha rider seventh on Thursday at Phillip Island, over a tenth ahead of Valentino Rossi. The Yamaha veteran celebrated his 38th birthday with an eighth best time, over eight tenths slower than his teammate.. Alex Rins had a very strong day on the Suzuki, finishing in ninth and well ahead of his teammate, while Jack Miller rounded out the top ten on the Marc VDS Honda.

 

Pos No Rider Bike Time Diff Prev

1 25 Maverick Viñales Yamaha M1 1:28.847

2 93 Marc Marquez Honda RC213V 1:29.309 0.462 0.462

3 35 Cal Crutchlow Honda RC213V 1:29.325 0.478 0.016

4 19 Alvaro Bautista Ducati GP16 1:29.411 0.564 0.086

5 4 Andrea Dovizioso Ducati GP17 1:29.483 0.636 0.072

6 41 Aleix Espargaro Aprilia RS-GP 1:29.501 0.654 0.018

7 94 Jonas Folger Yamaha M1 1:29.664 0.817 0.163

8 46 Valentino Rossi Yamaha M1 1:29.674 0.827 0.010

9 42 Alex Rins Suzuki GSX-RR 1:29.802 0.955 0.128

10 43 Jack Miller Honda RC213V 1:29.838 0.991 0.036

11 5 Johann Zarco Yamaha M1 1:29.880 1.033 0.042

12 29 Andrea Iannone Suzuki GSX-RR 1:29.947 1.100 0.067

13 17 Karel Abraham Ducati GP15 1:30.142 1.295 0.195

14 9 Danilo Petrucci Ducati GP17 1:30.150 1.303 0.008

15 99 Jorge Lorenzo Ducati GP17 1:30.197 1.350 0.047

16 26 Dani Pedrosa Honda RC213V 1:30.245 1.398 0.048

17 8 Hector Barbera Ducati GP16 1:30.352 1.505 0.107

18 45 Scott Redding Ducati GP16 1:30.435 1.588 0.083

19 44 Pol Espargaro KTM RC16 1:30.645 1.798 0.210

20 76 Loris Baz Ducati GP15 1:30.852 2.005 0.207

21 22 Sam Lowes Aprilia RS-GP 1:30.895 2.048 0.043

22 38 Bradley Smith KTM RC16 1:31.704 2.857 0.809

[Doorn]

Maverick Viñales has ended the third preseason MotoGP test of 2017 at the top of the timesheets. The Movistar Yamaha rider started the day with a succession of quick laps which would not be beaten, before getting down to the long grind of development work, turning a total of 101 laps.

 

Marc Marquez leaves Phillip Island as second fastest, the Repsol Honda rider the only other man to get into the 1'28s. Marquez' program was almost as punishing as Viñales, turning 96 laps in addition to the 107 he ran on Thursday. He is joined by his teammate Dani Pedrosa at the top of the timesheets, the Spanish veteran recovered slightly from his throat infection and strong enough to post the third best time.

 

Jonas Folger rounded out a very strong test in Australia with the fourth fastest time, and ended as second Yamaha. The Monster Tech 3 Yamaha rider was just a few thousandths slower than Pedrosa, and just a few hundreds quicker than Cal Crutchlow, the LCR Honda rider finishing in fifth.

 

Alex Rins ended a good test at Phillip Island in sixth place, half a second behind Viñales. The Suzuki rider made astonishing progress over the course of three days, improving his time by over 2.3 seconds from Wednesday to Friday. He was not the most improved rider: that honor fell to Bradley Smith on the KTM, who improved his best lap by 2.7 seconds between Wednesday and Friday. A full list of improvement over the three days appears under Friday's results.

 

Andrea Dovizioso was the fastest Ducati, the Italian ending the day seven tenths off the pace of Viñales. And much to the relief of Ducati, Jorge Lorenzo made a big improvement to move up to eighth spot, under a tenth off the pace of his teammate. Jack Miller was ninth quickest on the Marc VDS Honda, while Aleix Espargaro rounded out the top ten on the Aprilia. Valentino Rossi ended the test just outside the top ten, over nine tenths slower than his teammate.

 

Pos No Rider Bike Time Diff Prev

1 25 Maverick Viñales Yamaha M1 1:28.549

2 93 Marc Marquez Honda RC213V 1:28.843 0.294 0.294

3 26 Dani Pedrosa Honda RC213V 1:29.033 0.484 0.190

4 94 Jonas Folger Yamaha M1 1:29.042 0.493 0.009

5 35 Cal Crutchlow Honda RC213V 1:29.101 0.552 0.059

6 42 Alex Rins Suzuki GSX-RR 1:29.103 0.554 0.002

7 4 Andrea Dovizioso Ducati GP17 1:29.248 0.699 0.145

8 99 Jorge Lorenzo Ducati GP17 1:29.342 0.793 0.094

9 43 Jack Miller Honda RC213V 1:29.358 0.809 0.016

10 41 Aleix Espargaro Aprilia RS-GP 1:29.361 0.812 0.003

11 46 Valentino Rossi Yamaha M1 1:29.470 0.921 0.109

12 29 Andrea Iannone Suzuki GSX-RR 1:29.547 0.998 0.077

13 9 Danilo Petrucci Ducati GP17 1:29.615 1.066 0.068

14 5 Johann Zarco Yamaha M1 1:29.670 1.121 0.055

15 8 Hector Barbera Ducati GP16 1:29.792 1.243 0.122

16 44 Pol Espargaro KTM RC16 1:29.857 1.308 0.065

17 76 Loris Baz Ducati GP15 1:29.977 1.428 0.120

18 38 Bradley Smith KTM RC16 1:29.978 1.429 0.001

19 19 Alvaro Bautista Ducati GP16 1:29.984 1.435 0.006

20 45 Scott Redding Ducati GP16 1:30.005 1.456 0.021

21 22 Sam Lowes Aprilia RS-GP 1:30.200 1.651 0.195

22 17 Karel Abraham Ducati GP15 1:30.452 1.903 0.252

 

imes over three days, sorted by most improved rider from slowest day to fastest day:

 

No Rider Bike Wednesday Thursday Friday Improvement Fastest Lap

38 Bradley Smith KTM RC16 1:32.690 1:31.704 1:29.978 2.712 1:29.978

42 Alex Rins Suzuki GSX-RR 1:31.432 1:29.802 1:29.103 2.329 1:29.103

22 Sam Lowes Aprilia RS-GP 1:32.307 1:30.895 1:30.200 2.107 1:30.200

45 Scott Redding Ducati GP16 1:31.755 1:30.435 1:30.005 1.750 1:30.005

94 Jonas Folger Yamaha M1 1:30.578 1:29.664 1:29.042 1.536 1:29.042

41 Aleix Espargaro Aprilia RS-GP 1:30.802 1:29.501 1:29.361 1.441 1:29.361

25 Maverick Viñales Yamaha M1 1:29.989 1:28.847 1:28.549 1.440 1:28.549

19 Alvaro Bautista Ducati GP16 1:30.770 1:29.411 1:29.984 1.359 1:29.411

44 Pol Espargaro KTM RC16 1:31.200 1:30.645 1:29.857 1.343 1:29.857

99 Jorge Lorenzo Ducati GP17 1:30.631 1:30.197 1:29.342 1.289 1:29.342

76 Loris Baz Ducati GP15 1:31.249 1:30.852 1:29.977 1.272 1:29.977

26 Dani Pedrosa Honda RC213V 1:30.281 1:30.245 1:29.033 1.248 1:29.033

5 Johann Zarco Yamaha M1 1:30.867 1:29.880 1:29.670 1.197 1:29.670

4 Andrea Dovizioso Ducati GP17 1:30.410 1:29.483 1:29.248 1.162 1:29.248

43 Jack Miller Honda RC213V 1:30.426 1:29.838 1:29.358 1.068 1:29.358

17 Karel Abraham Ducati GP15 1:31.179 1:30.142 1:30.452 1.037 1:30.142

8 Hector Barbera Ducati GP16 1:30.771 1:30.352 1:29.792 0.979 1:29.792

35 Cal Crutchlow Honda RC213V 1:30.065 1:29.325 1:29.101 0.964 1:29.101

93 Marc Marquez Honda RC213V 1:29.497 1:29.309 1:28.843 0.654 1:28.843

9 Danilo Petrucci Ducati GP17 1:30.262 1:30.150 1:29.615 0.647 1:29.615

29 Andrea Iannone Suzuki GSX-RR 1:29.926 1:29.947 1:29.547 0.400 1:29.547

46 Valentino Rossi Yamaha M1 1:29.683 1:29.674 1:29.470 0.213 1:29.470

 

[Doorn]

KTM unveils livery for 2017 MotoGP entry

 

 

 

KTM has formally unveiled its 2017 MotoGP bike and team during a presentation at its factory in Munderfing, ahead of its full-time debut in the premier class.

 

The Red Bull-associated operation has joined MotoGP as a manufacturer this season, following a one-off wildcard appearance at last year's Valencia finale with Mika Kallio.

 

KTM has recruited Pol Espargaró and Bradley Smith from Tech 3, with both riders getting to grips with the manufacturer's RC16 during pre-season testing in Malaysia and Australia.

 

Espargaró finished the second three-day test 1.3s adrift of pacesetter Maverick Viñales, with Smith a tenth behind his team-mate, as KTM made gradual improvements.

 

KTM has one more group pre-season test at Qatar's Losail Circuit, before the opening race of the year takes place at the same venue in late March.

Edited by Doorn, 20 February 2017 - 17:30.

[Doorn]

 

The Aprilia-backed Gresini team has unveiled a revised livery for the 2017 MotoGP season, incorporating the Italian colours on its RS.GP machine.

 

Aprilia returned to MotoGP in association with Gresini at the start of 2015 and last year finished seventh in the standings, via regular top 10 finishes.

 

For 2017, Aprilia has recruited an all-new line up, signing Aleix Espargaró from Suzuki and handing Moto2 front-runner Sam Lowes his debut in the premier class.

 

"For us, 2017 begins with a different situation compared with last year," said Team Manager Romano Albesiano.

"We already know that we have a bike, the RS-GP, which has reached a good competitive level.

 

"The evolutions that we studied and applied in view of the new season concern every aspect of the bike, from its weight, which has been optimised, to overall balance, not to mention engine performance and the electronics package."

 

"The racing department put in a lot of effort during the winter break.

 

"Everyone understands the importance of the challenge we are facing and our front fairing is just the most visible example of Aprilia's dedication to innovation.

 

"During the tests we stayed in a group of very competitive bikes and riders, where just a few tenths of a second can make a big difference.

 

"Our goal, after showing that we can consistently battle for the top 10, is to improve further."

[Doorn]

MotoGP World Champion Marc Márquez dislocated his shoulder in a crash during Repsol Honda's private test at the Circuito de Jerez on Saturday.

 

Honda explained in a statement that Márquez suffered a brief dislocation, though checks at the track's medical centre "showed no further damage".

 

"I crashed in the afternoon and dislocated my shoulder, but luckily it was nothing serious," said Márquez.

 

"Now I'll have some rest back at home and get ready for the next test in Qatar."

 

Despite the crash, Márquez completed most of his testing programme.

 

"It was a productive day, as we were able to do many laps and to work on our bike well; we did most of the work we had planned, which is good," he added.

 

Márquez and team-mate Dani Pedrosa took part in the test, which was reduced from the scheduled two days due to poor weather conditions on Friday.

 

Honda organised extra running after the pre-season tests at Sepang and Phillip Island, where Márquez made several complaints regarding the team's electronics package.

 

Despite featuring towards the top of the timesheets, he has repeatedly urged Honda to improve the link between its electronics and bike.

 

Pedrosa reckons Honda made good progress during the test.

 

"We worked really hard [and] we're satisfied with what we've done here; now we must keep focused and try and continue in the same way in Qatar," he said.

 

Qatar's Losail circuit hosts the final pre-season test from March 10-12.

 

[salelesa]

Pozdrav svima i na ovom topicu, ko ce docekati novu sezonu..uf

 

inace.. #forzavale

 

p.s. jos ne mogu da se oporavim od otimanja jubilarne titule doktoru pre 2 sezone!

Nadam se da ce ove godine kosmicka pravda biti zadovoljena.

[romantik]

Da je do kosmicke pravde "Vale" ne bi uzeo titulu u prvoj sezoni Moto GP masina, vec bi ona otisla Barosu ili Katu, al pravde nigde nema, pa ni u kosmosu. No zato je tu Markez, malo da oduzi i za staru gardu

[salelesa]

Baros?? Kato?? ..zajedno imaju mozda 2 ipo titule

Vale je ikona moto gp-a, a Markez bi mogao da pokupi mal'ko Dany gospodstva da bi dosao na te "visine"

no hard feelings ☺

vidimo se u Kataru ☺

[romantik]

Ne pratis dovoljno dugo, ti momci su tek tokom sezone dobili istu masinu kao Vale, a startovali na starim 500-cima.

Ja Doktora nisam simpatisao od prvog dana, ali te sezone mi se posebno smucio. Ono sto je posle uradio prelaskom na Jamahu je za svaki respekt, i donekle je ispeglalo gorak utisak, ali uprkos tome uvek mi bude drago oko srca kad vidim kako tone u plasmanu.

Edited by romantik, 07 March 2017 - 22:35.

[Doorn]

Doktor jeste doktor, ali je i papak svoje vrste. Pobjegao je onomad iz Yamahe zato sto nije htjeo da oba vozaca imaju isti tretman. Ne slazem se ni sa pricom da mu je prije dvije godine titula oteta. Toliko o njemu kao covjeku, a da je vrhunski vozac to stoji. Ako ga ove godine i Vinales odere onda bolje da se sam pokupi i ode. Zivjece on dobro i od prodaje kacketa. Bolje i to nego da se gura medju mlade sokolove.