Interested in MotoGP?

**BarryG** · 17th November 2008, 07:23

I'll chime in on Ben's behalf here. He sure looks like real deal, and going at it with Mladin over the last few years has made him a pretty complete racer. His early times on the old and new R1 (in Portugal) seem to show that he can jump onto something new and be competitive, as did his rides on the Suzuki GP bike.
I'm sure his mother has had a lot of influence on his behalf, but that somewhat tempered over time and guys like his manager Doug Gonda, and probably input from Kevin Schwantz, have lead to decisions for his future being based on reality and practicality as much as 'a mother knows best'.
Perhaps he is being groomed by Yamaha toward MotoGP, and a one year contract lends a bit of credence to this, but that's an ideal situation for someone new to the World scene.
I think America has someone who can rise to the top, like Hayden, rather than a Hopkins or (to some extent) Edwards, who have glimped the pinnacle but underachieved - I think Ben can get there.
Cheers
Barry
His only 'problem' might be his size - guys like the Pedrobot are going to more in demand than blokes who are real sized

**Cleve** · 17th November 2008, 14:13

Originally Posted by BarryG

His only 'problem' might be his size - guys like the Pedrobot are going to more in demand than blokes who are real sized

Not according to what people are saying about the consequences of 1 tyre rule. Pedrosa will be at a disadvantage they reckon as the tyre will be built for an average size/weight rider...

**BarryG** · 17th November 2008, 14:41

That tyre rule will throw a few 'unintended consequences' out there, for sure. Poor wee Dani, he gets what he wants and then it's given to everyone else, so throwing all his toys out of the permbulator gets him no advantage in the end. Justice.
I dunno, this manipulation in the name of better 'racing' is a hiding to nowhere - there's always been some sort of domination, whether rider (Ago, Doohan, Rossi) or bike (MV, Honda) and changing the rules to try to equalise it all ends up a bit of a blind alley, really.
There's a valid comparison to be made between GP and WSB, and GP ends up looking a bit lost at the moment. Bit like F1, altho' most racing on four wheels is pretty shite these days, so that's unfair.

Cheers
Barry

**Cajun** · 27th November 2008, 08:14

The Jerez and Phillip Island tests mark the last MotoGP track action of 2008, with the winter test ban starting on December 1. The first test of 2009 takes place at Sepang from February 5-7.

1. Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda Team 1min 39.525 sec
2. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team 1min 40.135 sec
3. Jorge Lorenzo SPA Fiat Yamaha Team 1min 41.163 sec
4. Colin Edwards USA Tech 3 Yamaha 1min 41.390 sec
5. Alex de Angelis RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini 1min 41.468 sec
6. James Toseland GBR Tech 3 Yamaha 1min 41.539 sec
7. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Repsol Honda Team 1min 41.655 sec
8. Toni Elias SPA San Carlo Honda Gresini 1min 41.679 sec
9. Niccolo Canepa ITA Alice Team 1min 42.074 sec
10. Nicky Hayden USA Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 1min 42.098 sec
11. Mika Kallio FIN Alice Team 1min 42.837 sec
12. Sete Gibernau SPA Onde 2000 Ducati (B) 1min 42.943 sec
13. Vittoriano Guareschi ITA Ducati Test Rider 1min 43.642 sec
14. Yuki Takahashi JPN Team Scot 1min 44.360 sec

2008 Spanish Grand Prix - 30/03/2008:
Pole position: Jorge Lorenzo SPA Fiat Yamaha (M) 1min 38.189sec

Fastest race laps by manufacturer:
Honda: Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda (M) 1min 40.116sec
Yamaha: Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha (B) 1min 40.192sec
Suzuki: Loris Capirossi ITA Rizla Suzuki (B) 1min 40.402sec
Kawasaki: John Hopkins USA Kawasaki Racing (B) 1min 41.336sec
Ducati: Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro (B) 1min 41.386sec

**Cleve** · 27th November 2008, 15:27

Originally Posted by Cajun

The Jerez and Phillip Island tests mark the last MotoGP track action of 2008, with the winter test ban starting on December 1. The first test of 2009 takes place at Sepang from February 5-7.

1. Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda Team 1min 39.525 sec
2. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team 1min 40.135 sec
3. Jorge Lorenzo SPA Fiat Yamaha Team 1min 41.163 sec
4. Colin Edwards USA Tech 3 Yamaha 1min 41.390 sec
5. Alex de Angelis RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini 1min 41.468 sec
6. James Toseland GBR Tech 3 Yamaha 1min 41.539 sec
7. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Repsol Honda Team 1min 41.655 sec
8. Toni Elias SPA San Carlo Honda Gresini 1min 41.679 sec
9. Niccolo Canepa ITA Alice Team 1min 42.074 sec
10. Nicky Hayden USA Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 1min 42.098 sec
11. Mika Kallio FIN Alice Team 1min 42.837 sec
12. Sete Gibernau SPA Onde 2000 Ducati (B) 1min 42.943 sec
13. Vittoriano Guareschi ITA Ducati Test Rider 1min 43.642 sec
14. Yuki Takahashi JPN Team Scot 1min 44.360 sec

2008 Spanish Grand Prix - 30/03/2008:
Pole position: Jorge Lorenzo SPA Fiat Yamaha (M) 1min 38.189sec

Fastest race laps by manufacturer:
Honda: Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda (M) 1min 40.116sec
Yamaha: Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha (B) 1min 40.192sec
Suzuki: Loris Capirossi ITA Rizla Suzuki (B) 1min 40.402sec
Kawasaki: John Hopkins USA Kawasaki Racing (B) 1min 41.336sec
Ducati: Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro (B) 1min 41.386sec

Those times shouldn't count anymore as there are no longer qualifying tyres.

**denill** · 31st December 2008, 06:01

No Kawasaki in 2009 ?

**roogazza** · 31st December 2008, 07:42

Cheers Bill, was just reading that 5 mins ago.
They really can't afford to lose any from an already small grid.

Happy New year, ready for the headache ? Gaz.

**denill** · 31st December 2008, 08:54

Giday Gaz.

Yeah, I know they weren't up to much, but we are eternal optimists here and lived in hope that the maker of some marvelous hi performnce bikes would come good.

Best wishes Gaz and to the other KBers on here

Cheers
Bill

**Wingnut** · 31st December 2008, 10:09

Originally Posted by denill

No Kawasaki in 2009 ?

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!! As I said in the other thread regarding this, it isn't good for the sport at all regardless of what some opinions of the GP Kawa is.

**BarryG** · 31st December 2008, 16:21

Poor old Marco, he must be so pissed about now! Hopkins may not be all that bothered, his head didn't seem to be in it a lot of last season, as the Kawa didn't progress at all, and tossed him down the road too many times.
GP cannot afford to lose these teams, the grid is small enough as it is. WSB looks on a good bet as the days go by, don't it?
All the best to y'all in godzone for '09.

Cheers
Barry

**denill** · 5th January 2009, 07:26

Is MotoGP Sustainable ?

Here is a MotoGP team and a big energy drink sponsor. They have 2009 contracts with riders, test riders, crew and others in place, meaning they are committed to paying these people and firms, probably whether they race or not. That known, they now have decided that they would rather pay all of those contracted fixed costs and not race, rather than paying those costs and going racing.

**Cajun** · 9th January 2009, 07:26

2009 current line up

Repsol Honda - Dani Pedrosa
Repsol Honda - Andrea Dovizioso

San Carlo Honda Gresini - Toni Elias
San Carlo Honda Gresini - Alex de Angelis

LCR Honda - Randy de Puniet

Scot Racing Honda - Yuki Takahashani

Rizla Suzuki - Loris Cappirossi
Rizla Suzuki - Christopher Vermulean

Ducati Marlboro - Casey Stoner
Ducati Marlboro - Nicky Hayden

Alice Ducati - Mika Kallio
Alice Ducati - Niccolo Canepa

Onde 2000 Ducati - Sete Gibernau

Fiat Yamaha - Valentino Rossi
Fiat Yamaha - Jorge Lorenzo

Tech 3 Yamaha - Colin Edwards
Tech 3 Yamaha - James Toseland

**denill** · 9th January 2009, 07:58

Originally Posted by Cajun

2009 current line up

Repsol Honda - Dani Pedrosa
Repsol Honda - Andrea Dovizioso

San Carlo Honda Gresini - Toni Elias
San Carlo Honda Gresini - Alex de Angelis

LCR Honda - Randy de Puniet

Scot Racing Honda - Yuki Takahashani

Rizla Suzuki - Loris Cappirossi
Rizla Suzuki - Christopher Vermulean

Ducati Marlboro - Casey Stoner
Ducati Marlboro - Nicky Hayden

Alice Ducati - Mika Kallio
Alice Ducati - Niccolo Canepa

Onde 2000 Ducati - Sete Gibernau

Fiat Yamaha - Valentino Rossi
Fiat Yamaha - Jorge Lorenzo

Tech 3 Yamaha - Colin Edwards
Tech 3 Yamaha - James Toseland

Pretty dismal reading........... Just 4 makes of bikes