MotoGP testing is under way for 2006

[gav]

Love this time of the year, man check some of these times from Valencia!!

1. Nicky Hayden, Honda - 1'34.4 / 53 laps
2. Marco Melandri, Honda - 1'34.7 / 8
3. John Hopkins, Suzuki - 1'34.9
4. Casey Stoner, Honda - 1'35.0 / 69
5. Carlos Checa, Honda - 1'35.1 / 33
6. Sete Gibernau, Ducati - 1'35.2 / 32
7. Daniel Pedrosa, Honda - 1'35.5 / 62
8. Toni Elías, Honda - 1'35.7 / 34
9. James Ellison, Ducati - 1'35.7 / 74
10. Roberto Rolfo, Ducati - 1'35.7 / 55
11. Nobuatsu Aoki, Suzuki - 1'35.8 / 41
12. Olivier Jacque, Kawasaki - 1'35.9 / 32
13. Chris Vermeulen, Suzuki - 1'36.3
14. Randy De Puniet, Kawasaki - 1'36.5 / 58
15. Loris Capirossi, Ducati - 1'36.8 / 17
16. Andrea Dovizioso, Honda - 1'39.5 / 27
17. Thomas Luthi, Honda - 1'44.2 / 27

Casey Stoner 4th fastest, first time out on a MotoGP bike!!!!

[Ghost Lemur]

Bit scewed considering those who are missing. But well down never the less.

I heard Casey was just having a test as opposed to having been given a ride for next year. Have you heard anything else Gav.

Still can't believe Ducati got rid of "Chuck it" Checa in favour of "Drop it" Gibernau. It's the one desision in all the musical chair that I really don't understand. They've got an experienced rider who's achieving results in the form of Caparossi. To complement him are increase Ducati's future potential they should have picked up a young rider. Hopkins would be a hell of a lot more competitive on a Ducati than that Slowzuki. Or maybe one of the 250 riders. Anyone but Gibermau.

[Suney]

I heard Checa and Stoner were going to ride for camel honda for 2006

[gav]

Yip, thats what I've heard. AS for Ducati signing Gibernau, They have signed the one rider who the last three seasons has been able to run with Rossi, this year has been abit of a shocker but he's still shown the pace as his winning the BMW car for fastest qualifier for the year shows. Probably more of a suprise Gibernau choosing Ducati, rather than Ducati choosing him....
But with the chance to develop the bike and tyres for himself, he could be a real threat!

[riffer]

Hopkins would be a hell of a lot more competitive on a Ducati than that Slowzuki.

One thing about Hoppy I've never got is that he performs so well in the testing and qualifying, but never really does well in the race.

But he's gotten steadily better and so does the Suzuki. I'm hoping to see some more competitive racing between him, Hayden and Melandri next year.

[Korea]

Gibernau really had a bit of a shocker this year didn't he?
Last year, he was the only rider who could threaten Rossi, but this year he's had 'mare after 'mare. Couple of times it was the bike but no excuses for all the times he ran it wide.
I'm thankful for Melandri and Hayden coming up through the ranks ~ hopefully there will be some real close action in MotoGP next year. It'll beat the sh*t out of guessing who'll come second to Rossi...