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From early indications for the Sepang Moto1 "2012". Everything ok? Almost all ... according to the final comments.
Leave a comment February 3, 2012 MotoGP World Championship - Moto2 - Moto3 Leave a comment
From the three days of testing on Sepang (Malaysia), which opened the 2012 season, have arrived in different directions, and an incontrovertible verdict: with 1000cc engines will be wiped out most of the records of each track. The provision of Casey Stoner also certifies in spite of some chronic problems and thought that led him to Switzerland, next to his wife close to birth of first child. The world champion clocked a time of six hundredths faster than the record registered last February with the 800, but other older pilots improved their performance. Both work for the Ducati team that brought the new bike on the track for two riders and test Battaini. Verified in practice the possible problems that CRT can highlight, with American Colin Edwards with his Suter-BMW five seconds slower than Stoner, but for all the others in the group (Silva, Pietri and Torres), the gap is was much much heavier. Essentially, the tests confirmed that at present the strongest poker is still made by Honda duo Stoner / Pedrosa and Lorenzo from Yamaha / Spies, with two former major championship class favorites. The Ducati duo Rossi / Hayden back, with the first of a second behind the leader, but a gap recoverable heavy, sensible to the pilot and staff.
At the end of test pilots have issued to witness satisfaction and hopes for the new season, though with different reasons.
Sepang test, the end times
1 Casey Stoner Honda 1:59.607 - 2:00.198 2 Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha +0591 - 3 +0649 Dani Pedrosa 2:00.256 - 4 Ben Spies Yamaha 2:00.495 +0888 - Valentino Ducati 2:00.824 5 +1217 - 6 Hector Barbera Ducati 2:00.929 +1322 - 7 Cal Crutchlow Yamaha 2:01.108 +1501 - 8 Andrea Dovizioso Yamaha 2:01.257 3 +1650 - Honda 2:01.384 9 Alvaro Bautista +1777 - 10 Nicky Hayden Ducati 2:01.729 +2122 - 11 Stefan Bradl Honda 2:01.894 +2287 - 12 Karel Abraham Ducati 2:02.218 +2611 - Katsuyuki Nakasuga Yamaha 2:02.334 13 +2727 - 14 Franco Battaini Ducati 2:03.033 +3426 - (then the CRTs) 15 Colin Edwards BMW Suter-2: 04722 +5115 - 16 Ivan Silva +8618 2:08.225 - 2:09.640 17 Robertino Pietri +10,033 - +10,577 2:10.184 18 Jordi Torres
And the CRT? The bike should be lagging behind the proposals for the future starting at 5 ".115 to rise. Responses sportingly implacable, but hardly acceptable for the hazard. We talk about safety and these bikes could really become an issue of high concern in this 2012!
In summary, the comments of the players most expected:
Valentino Rossi pleased with the feedback-at Sepang, with the new Ducati GP12 with perimeter frame bikes have realized that God believes you can go fast and above all he found the feeling with the front that was missing since the Yamaha. The official Honda and Yamaha have appeared still significantly higher, but the Ducati on the first test is a good starting point. You will be working to improve the bike under acceleration to make a decisive approach to leadership positions.
Casey Stoner's best time and the new record in Sepang, has certainly not surprised, he used only two of the three days available, and jumped immediately fast. He says he does not feel physically fit and have the thought turned to his wife Adriana wanting to witness the birth of his daughter, Content of the bike and think that further improved by eliminating the chattering adopting some changes to the setting of the shock.
Dani Pedrosa: At the end we got the third fastest time, with the team has worked mainly on the brakes and electronics. A three days very tiring but very interesting tests for engine, chassis and tires, the most comprehensive tests done on this bike so far. Purchases were interesting data that will be analyzed in view of the second test of the season. Among other things to fix, there is still chattering, difficult to solve, but Honda is working hard. In any case, I found this bike more physically demanding, you feel more power in acceleration, braking and greater speed in even the most weight.
Jorge Lorenzo: Satisfied that the tests have concluded that his Yamaha won the second time. He improved his record on the track at Sepang. He had a chance to try many innovations made to his bike, have produced some important improvements. He knows that it will further improve, in particular the electronics that is not yet perfect, the bike has much potential and there is optimism.
Ben Spies: The fourth time, Sepang has met the Texan's Yamaha, a good three days, fortunately there were no consequences for the fall, with the motion of the tester, which caused him to close in early tests. He still had a good feeling and good harvest guidelines. It confirms eager to return for the next round of testing to see what's coming up again.
Nicky Hayden: It had to foreclose the tests, after attempting to drive with a very tight bandage the sore left shoulder, the one made. Not having the strength to push hard, along with the team, he preferred to give in advance. But it will be riding at Jerez before returning to Sepang later this month. To him the microphone. While not running under optimal conditions has proven good feeling with new Ducati motorcycles made in a much reduced time to have unbelievable. Good front and works well but with more horses to manage, but we must find ways to improve rear traction
Andrea Dovizioso. Fresh from breaking his collarbone had to bleed the teeth, because he did not miss the opportunity to become familiar with the M1, a totally new bike for him. Eventually though we tried was satisfied. For his physical condition and thanked all who helped in the recovery in Italy making its presence can in Sepang. Despite the physical conditions were satisfied with the growth of confidence considering that the bike has to change driving style. Remains eager to try again when it is almost the best of the forces.
Colin Edwards: It 'was clearly the best of CRT, but the gap was huge, even against other three drivers on track for the same category. Uncertainties and concerns are accentuated by the inclusion of these bikes on the grid of Moto1, differences compared to prototype MotoGP is relevant, then we have to test for differences between the same CRT and, finally, the diversity of experiences and quality of pilots . A huge leap in the dark! The Texan who has vast experience in Superbike and MotoGP is able to make reasonable considerations, Suter BMW driving the CRT, the potential of these hybrid bikes. A medium that has allowed to achieve good performance good, but he thinks he can better control the chattering and improve other components. I thought that after three days it can be faster than a couple of seconds. The work is all starting to do electronics. Consider an adventure as it prepares to face the season riding a CRT.
