MotoGP Qatar this weekend!

[wfooshee]

Finaly!!!!!! MotoGP action returns to the track to start 2013.

The Doctor back at Yamaha, Spies on a twin (but is his shoulder OK?)

And of course, under the lights!!!!!

 

[steveoreno]

Will Ducati ever field a competitive bike? Will Hayden be on the podium? Will the CRT's get closer to the "big Boys"?

 

[NMRoadRunner]

It holds a little more intrest with Val going back to Yamaha, that and the fact that I'm going to see the second round live and in person in Austin. Plans are set, hotel reserved, tickets and bike parking passes in hand. The only thing left is an oil change this weekend and a little streching run to loosen up. About a 10 hour run we figger, heading down on thursday, then 3 days of motogp, beer, and BBQ, pretty stoked!

 

[steveoreno]

They are going to have some AMA races on MotoGP weekend at Indy this year, seems like they are trying to do some different things to draw a better crowd, I wish they would improve the track. I did a lap of the F1/MotoGP course on my bike last year and it definitely could stand some improvement.

 

[NMRoadRunner]

Val is third fastest after the 2nd pratice session. It's the new kid on a Honda, then 3 Yamahas, and another Honda. Gonna be a good start for Yamaha. I didn't think they would be this fast at the start of this season, but knew the hondas were working well from the pratice sessions this off-season.

 

[flienlow]

That new Kid is Marc Marquez. I believe he will be the next Marc Marquez. ( and no, I didnt mean Valentino Rossi.) He is an exceptional talent. Twice in his young Career he has started from the back of the pack and won the race. You simply dont do that in MotoGP,even at the Moto3 level. I predict he will win the title this year.

 

[20valves]

Great race. Remember the term "Yamahammer" when we were kids? It's coming around again.

 

[20valves]

Spies on a twin

Nope, Duc GP bike is a v4.

 

[Abercrombie FJR]

Dang, missed the first part of the race. Tuned in to see Rossi coming from fifth to second, with some spectacular passes taking place. Where was he earlier in the race?

 

[20valves]

Rossi qualified 7th but got a great start and then just plugged away clocking one great lap after another. Lorenzo is so fast and appeared mistake free, just an amazing performance.

 

[russperry]

Lorenzo just blew away the field. Rossi's run was fun to watch but I think the year is gonna end up being a bore to watch, like watching AMA racing where the only question is how many guys will end up on the lead lap with Josh Hayes.

Hopefully Honda can improve to give Yamaha some competition or else Pedrosa and Marques are be simply competing for the last spot in the podium.

 

[20valves]

Hopefully Honda can improve to give Yamaha some competition or else Pedrosa and Marques are be simply competing for the last spot in the podium.

I don't see it this way at all. True enough, the title will go to Honda or Yamaha but they're the only factories involved at the moment. However, the Honda is more than competitive and is superior at certain tracks. There are 5 riders who could win a GP this year including Crutchlow who is riding very well. 4 are world champions either in 250/Moto2 or MotoGP. 3 have won numerous MotoGP races.

I suppose it could be "follow Lorenzo" all year but I don't think so.

 

[NMRoadRunner]

What would have happened if Val hadn't lost so much on the 2nd lap pass where he went waaaaay wide and lost all that ground? He may have been able to keep Lorenzo in his sights. He was running 1:55s late in the race when everyone else was running 1:56s. his fastest lap was lap 17 I think. Damn! on hot crappy rubber. Really? Looking forwad to Austin. But the Hondas tested very well there, could be a different race altogether

 

[oldmantwo]

COTA will favor the Hondas. I understand that Yamaha has made some improvement since the private test in March at COTA. However, some of the sharp turns will favor the RC213V. Yamaha is working on the seamless gear train, that should help also.

Plumb Creek Inn still has rooms in Lockhart 18mi from the track. Should be one hell of a MotoGP at COTA.

Lap : Lorenzo - Rossi - Marquez

Lap 1 : 2'01.783 - 2'02.752 - 2'03.306

Lap 2 : 1'55.569 - 1'57.209 - 1'56.054

Lap 3 : 1'55.684 - 1'56.382 - 1'55.445

Lap 4 : 1'55.644 - 1'56.315 - 1'55.807

Lap 5 : 1'55.820 - 1'56.691 - 1'56.180

Lap 6 : 1'55.947 - 1'56.802 - 1'56.401

Lap 7 : 1'55.900 - 1'56.974 - 1'56.198

Lap 8 : 1'55.856 - 1'56.396 - 1'56.253

Lap 9 : 1'56.051 - 1'56.408 - 1'56.035

Lap 10: 1'55.893 - 1'56.469 - 1'56.584

Lap 11: 1'56.171 - 1'56.173 - 1'56.545

Lap 12: 1'56.196 - 1'55.921 - 1'56.416

Lap 13: 1'56.102 - 1'56.326 - 1'56.398

Lap 14: 1'56.062 - 1'55.912 - 1'56.695

Lap 15: 1'56.444 - 1'55.986 - 1'56.493

Lap 16: 1'56.333 - 1'55.756 - 1'56.362

Lap 17: 1'56.284 - 1'56.144 - 1'56.527

Lap 18: 1'56.076 - 1'56.168 - 1'56.765

Lap 19: 1'56.173 - 1'56.531 - 1'56.770

Lap 20: 1'56.331 - 1'56.252 - 1'56.336

Lap 21: 1'56.289 - 1'56.328 - 1'56.414

Lap 22: 1'57.194 - 1'55.897 - 1'56.019

Sub 1m 56s laps shown in bold

Fastest lap of each rider underlined

Riders listed chose the same front and rear tyre options.

 

[wfooshee]

Spies on a twin

Nope, Duc GP bike is a v4.

Yeah, inside joke that didn't work in a public forum. My understanding of the motor is that it's essentially two of their twins built side by side, and that it fires like a twin, i.e. two cylinders fire together, then the other two. Lets them get the revs they need without having to learn to do anything else. Like build a 4-cylinder motor.

 

[NMRoadRunner]

Well I was close on the stats, I do stand corrected. But Val was running pretty good at the end. He did run out of fuel on the cool down lap. It sets up some intrigue for the next race for sure. Can't wait to head down to watch it. See you in Austin boyz. Any good concerts scheduled in the area during the race that you know of, maybe a little REK perhaps?