2011 beckons - Yeehaa!

[denill]

The morning after the conclusion of the 2010 grand prix season, motorcycles were back on track at Valencia as the Moto2 riders took part in a day of testing at the Spanish circuit.

The test saw new riders make their debut in the class - such as 2010 MotoGP riders Mika Kallio (Marc VDS) and Aleix Espargaro (Pons Kalex), former World Superbike winner Max Neukirchner (MZ), plus 125cc stars Pol Espargaro (Tuenti) and Bradley Smith (Tech 3) - while some of those confirmed as switching teams also got the chance to try their revised machinery.

Unsurprisingly, it was a familiar Moto2 name that led the way with 2010 title runner-up Julian Simon fastest for Aspar Suter. The Spaniard's time of 1min 36.7sec was matched by Moto2 winner Stefan Bradl, who was riding a Pons Kalex rather than Suter chassis.

Marc VDS rider Scott Redding put an early version of the 2011 Suter into third place, two tenths from the top, with new team-mate Kallio recording a 1min 39.9sec after his first 77 Moto2 laps.

Among the rest, new Gresini riders Yuki Takahashi and Michele Pirro set a best of 1min 37.0sec and 1min 37.6sec respectively, with the new Tech 3 line-up of Mike di Meglio and Bradley Smith recorded at 1min 38.3sec and 1min 38.7sec.

Tech 3 had a special test rider on hand today in the form of its MotoGP star Colin Edwards. Edwards, who worked mainly on spring rates, set a 1min 38.7sec.

A two-day MotoGP test at Valencia, when Valentino Rossi will make his Ducati debut and Casey Stoner his first appearance on a factory Honda, starts tomorrow (Tuesday).

[codgyoleracer]

And so it starts all over again........ Oh dear never mind ;-)

My pick for 2011:
Lorenzo 1st
Rossi 2nd
Pedrosa 3rd

[gixerracer]

And so it starts all over again........ Oh dear never mind ;-)

My pick for 2011:
Lorenzo 1st
Rossi 2nd
Pedrosa 3rd

pretty hard to argue with them top three but not sure in that order

[Devil]

My picks:
1: Rossi
2: Rossi
3: Rossi.

...now i'll put my fingers in my ears and go "LA LA LA LA LA LA! NOT LISTENING!"

[Peter Smith]

Stoner all the way. shame he's an Aussie, but hell he can rider fast.

[denill]

And so it starts all over again........ Oh dear never mind ;-)
My pick for 2011:
Lorenzo 1st
Rossi 2nd
Pedrosa 3rd

What? No Stoner Glen?

My pick:
Lorenzo
Stoner
Rossi
Pedrosa
(Now that's put the kiss of death on that ever happening!)

But boy, am I going to enjoy Simo and Spies getting amongst them.

[denill]

Repsol signs up for three-rider Honda squad. Repsol has not only re-signed as title sponsor of the factory Honda MotoGP team for the next two seasons, but will also sponsor an enlarged line-up of three riders in 2011. Casey Stoner, Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso

That's especially good news for Andrea Dovizioso, who will now keep his place.

[denill]

The Tech 3 Team is delighted to announce that Bradley Smith and Mike di Meglio will lead the French squad's second campaign in the ultra-competitive Moto2 world championship in 2011.

British rider Smith joins Tech 3 Racing having established himself as one of the brightest young talents in Grand Prix racing since he first burst onto the scene in 2006. He finished runner-up in the last year's 125cc world championship with two stunning victories in Jerez and Mugello. And he's guaranteed to finish fourth in 2010 after another impressive season that has seen him notch four podiums and three pole positions. The 19-year-old joins Hervé Poncharal's squad highly motivated and ready for the exciting challenge ahead having become the second British rider welcomed into the Tech 3 Racing fold following the signing of Cal Crutchlow for its MotoGP effort. Smith will begin his preparations for the 2011 season immediately after the final round in Valencia next weekend, making his debut on Monday, November 8.

Tech 3 Racing is also thrilled with the signing of former 125cc world champion di Meglio, with the Frenchman excited at the prospect of developing and racing a machine designed and built entirely in France. The 22-year-old is already used to the cut and thrust of Moto2 competition having raced for the Aspar squad in the inaugural campaign. He is currently 20th in the rankings after today's penultimate round in Portugal having scored a best of sixth in the recent Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island.

[AllanB]

I'd like to see Rossi win for 2011 but that will depend on how quickly he comes to grips with Ducati and or vice versa.


I'd also like to watch it all on Sky but I don't have it and cannot justify the cost for the Moto and Superbikes. Kids, rego and all that shit plus I'm pig-headed and still f-ed off it went from Prime.

[gav]

Looking good so far!

[denill]

http://www.racers-republic.com/motog...teams-circuits

MotoGP contracts - Riders, Teams & Circuits:

Unofficial MotoGP contracts list. Updated following Andrea Dovizioso and Repsol deals…

[denill]

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2010/Nov/101109a.htm

Valencia Test Day One:

Results
1 Jorge Lorenzo 1'32.012
2 Casey Stoner 1'32.775
3 Ben Spies 1'32.878
4 Dani Pedrosa 1'32.912
5 Marco Simoncelli 1'32.919
6 Andrea Dovizioso 1'33.190
7 Colin Edwards 1'33.513
8 Alvaro Bautista 1'33.558
9 Nicky Hayden 1'33.716
10 Valentino Rossi 1'33.882
11 Randy De Puniet 1'33.914
12 Hiroshi Aoyama 1'33.953
13 Hector Barbera 1'34.110
14 Cal Crutchlow 1'34.314
15 Loris Capirossi 1'34.631
16 Toni Elias 1'35.058
17 Karel Abraham 1'35.076

[roogazza]

Wonder how long the wings last before Burgess takes a hacksaw to them ?

[denill]

What a racer looks like: And click for more pics from Valencia.

[codgyoleracer]

[QUOTE=denill;1129904147]What? No Stoner Glen?

Its a tough call, but against Stoner is new bike and team & IMO he can still over-ride the thing which is very much to his credit but also his downfall.

I would love to place some dark horses in there Spies, Haybale , Simoncelli & Dovi.
But Lorenzo will be tough with more off season development and on the best bike in the paddock at the mo. Rossi (with repaired shoulder) will be very dangerous, but new bike new team is a big call , even though he has done it before in 2004 - (but not agianst the likes of Lorenzo).
Pedrosa is on the list just due to his stinkin fast untouchable speed this season especially when he has a good start & a clear track + his much improved race-craft.

Its gonna be great viewing!