Chapter 2

[Randy]

 

[El Toro]

Nice of Ducati to dress up the fairing for him. I know they're being as secretive as possible about what's behind the fairing.

I'm thinking that the carbon fiber approach to the frame is probably to try to tame the frame flex that is so obvious under power. If they get this worked out, just think how much more they might transfer to the rear wheel..... oh, wait, the wheel is already spinning.... nevermind.... :crazy:

 

[MotorToad]

I hope they read all of Yamaha's old notes from the 500 era when they built the stiffest frame they could make. The bike was horrid!

 

[Randy]

I hope they read all of Yamaha's old notes from the 500 era when they built the stiffest frame they could make. The bike was horrid!

It's way to early to tell from just the first day of testing, but, perhaps they did read them as Stoner was quickest as of 2:00 PM on the new GP9.

 

[Auburn]

Chapter 2 that's classic :yahoo:

 

[El Toro]

I hope they read all of Yamaha's old notes from the 500 era when they built the stiffest frame they could make. The bike was horrid!

In those days the frame flex was the equivalent of poor man's traction control.

 

[Randy]

His comments on day one of testing

 

[tstaff]

His comments on day one of testing

They don't pay Casey enough! :lol:

The Duc must make some power.

 

[Randy]

Nicky fastest on 2nd (wet) day of test session

FWIW, many of the other hot shoes didn't run, but, he gathered valuable wet weather data that he can use for his own use and for the teams use. And, if next year is like this year, that data will be extremely valuable. I read in another article that when he came in from the last wet session, and he was, by the way, the last rider to leave the track today, he came back to applause from both Ducati garages. Must be a very welcome change from what he had to deal with from the the moody midget and his camp.

He has a very big load on his shoulders right now. Stoner will be stepping away to have surgery and Nicky will be left with carrying the brunt of the testing duty for the GP9 (they also have other test riders).

 

[painman]

Thanks for that info Randy. Nicky is a straight shooter and he deserves way more than he got at Honda. Seems like he will be a better fit over at Ducati. I hope they let him do his thing and IMO that will unleash what the Kentucky Kid is really made of and what we have seen in him in the past. Ride on Nicky! Let the games begin!! PM. <>< :yahoo:

 

[squeezer]

+1 on painman's comments. I don't read the racing mags or sites with any regularity, so I really appreciate the updates and links.

He looks pretty happy again, doesn't he? I hope it goes well next year.

 

[El Toro]

Nicky has always had a very strong work ethic. At any testing opportunity he was always out there putting on more laps than anyone else.

This has really been a hallmark characteristic for him.

Well, Loris couldn't ride the bike, and neither could Marco. I hope Nicky can figure it out. I thought his comment that "Casey can ride the bike, so I have to learn to ride it too" or something to that effect, reminded me of Suppo's comments after Quattar last spring. Suppo was referring to Melandri's ride, and he said something to the effect "The bike is a World Champion bike. Casey proved it again today. Marco needs to figure out how to ride it."

As we know, Marco never did figure out how to ride it. In fact, I got the impression over the last 10 or 12 races that Marco was just phoning it in.... or showing up for work, and then hiding out in the stock room whenever the boss came around. So Marco's gone.

Nicky's happy. Ironically, so is Dovizioso. Probably the only guy with no reason to be happy is PUig's little man. He's got the weight of the world on his shoulders, and maybe that's what's limiting his stature.

 

[MotorToad]

Nicky fastest on 2nd (wet) day of test sessionFWIW, many of the other hot shoes didn't run, but, he gathered valuable wet weather data that he can use for his own use and for the teams use. And, if next year is like this year, that data will be extremely valuable.

I've never understood not testing in the wet. Are wet races worth less points? Is traction control suddenly easier with less traction? You'd think it. I've always liked watching "rainmeisters" who can take their lesser equipment *cough*suzuki*cough* to the front, but I've never understood not trying to become a rainmeister yourself.

I read in another article that when he came in from the last wet session, and he was, by the way, the last rider to leave the track today, he came back to applause from both Ducati garages. Must be a very welcome change from what he had to deal with from the the moody midget and his camp.

I'm sure it's a welcome change for him, but you know it's probably more welcome to the crew! Could you imagine being in the same garage with Stoner's mechanics when your great claim to race fame that weekend is that you beat one of the Kawasakis? :yahoo:

 

[squeezer]

(snip) Probably the only guy with no reason to be happy is PUig's little man. He's got the weight of the world on his shoulders, and maybe that's what's limiting his stature.

I wonder how the little puig will react if Honda decides that Dovizioso is their number 1? Actually, it would be interesting to see how the big puig would react too. Maybe Repsol won't allow that to happen, but it would be interesting. Pedrosa's never seemed like one who handles things well if it's not all his way.

By the way, does anyone know why Repsol Honda used that white color scheme for Valencia? I missed it if the commentators explained it.

 

[Randy]

(snip) Probably the only guy with no reason to be happy is PUig's little man. He's got the weight of the world on his shoulders, and maybe that's what's limiting his stature.

I wonder how the little puig will react if Honda decides that Dovizioso is their number 1? Actually, it would be interesting to see how the big puig would react too. Maybe Repsol won't allow that to happen, but it would be interesting. Pedrosa's never seemed like one who handles things well if it's not all his way.

By the way, does anyone know why Repsol Honda used that white color scheme for Valencia? I missed it if the commentators explained it.

Until Dovi can prove himself, he won't be Repsol's #1.

The Repsol paint scheme was a celebration of Repsol's 40 years in motorsports. It was similar to what they used on rally cars in the late 60s.