Home | Articles | Forums | News | Plunder | About

MOTOGP '08 SITREP

by Mark Bracks

What a difference a year makes!

This time last year I was heading to Donington after my "home GP" at Montmelo, Catalunya; the Stones were live in Barcelona, Westy had scored his first GP ride on the Kwaka and everything seemed rosy -- for both of us -- but to tell the truth, I don't know what is harder now, watching or listening!

I thought it's been awhile since I added anything to BIKE ME! so as the folk in the paddock are heading to Donington I thought "Why not?" Only difference is that I'm not pounding the beat of pitlane but watching from too far away. Shit happens but, better to be a hasbeen than a neverbeen...

Lois Capirossi prepares to bite the finger off another of his victims

One thing will remain unchanged and that is Donington at this time of year. Rain is a certainty and with rain affecting the last two events they know what they are in for. Also Donington is notorious for low grip levels with many claiming it is the fuel residue from aircraft landing and departing the nearby Midlands airport. Last year Rossi quipped it was grease from a leaking chip van that was on the circuit at a rock concert the week before!

Donington is also the place from which we used to head out in a big group to sample England's national dish: the curry!

With a bit of dampness guaranteed there will be some skating on the thin ice of a wet track. This time last year England was in flood. I hope it flogs down all week, so we can see Westy and CV up there showing how well they can ride. Westy flew to Japan after Catalunya for a two day test to find a cure for his rear grip problems but lost one day due to rain.

More on him later. Now a quick review from my eyes.

2008 has had a few surprises with one of them to me being how quickly the field is stringing out after the opening few laps -- or is that the view from so far away?

It also proves the point that what happens in testing doesn't necessarily convert to the season proper. From the testing it seemed that Stoner was well in control but as has happened many times, when they try to improve the package sometimes they take a backward step.

Also, you write-off Rossi at your own risk. No matter the challenge he beats it to a pulp but realistically for all that was written last year he has never really been that far off the pace. He got his wish with Bridgestone and Yamaha extracted the digit quicker than the rest to build a reliable, fast and good handling pneumatic-valve weapon; so it didn't take long for the stars to realign again and everyone in Rossi's FIAT Yamaha team to be happy little vegemites. As Jerry Burgess said last year; "with the 800s you need three things to be working perfectly: tyres, bike and rider." Last year Vale was the sole ingredient, now the other two ingredients are there.

He kept his record at Catalunya of never being off the podium since '97. The way he crossed the line and his reaction you would be forgiven for thinking he won the race in beating Stoner home for the runner-up slot.

A week before at Mugello he was again unstoppable as he took victory number nine and his seventh in a row at the tremendous Tuscan circuit. How good was his helmet? Only he could get away with it. I cacked myself every time I saw it and loved his explanation for his expression saying that was the look on his face when he was flat out in six gear along the Mugello straight! He's still got it and thankfully he has signed with Yamaha for another two years as when he leaves there will be an unfillable void.

At Catalunya he owns Turn One while in Mugello it is the fantastic blind downhill right-hander of Casanova. His moves at those spots are mind boggling

(Here's a bit of trivia for you: who was on the podium alongside Rossi when he won his first Italian Grand Prix?)

Three wins on the trot and a second in his last four starts gives him a seven point lead over Pedrosa going into Donington. It's looking ominous, as it was there in 2000 he scored his first premier class victory and he is the most successful rider at the Pommy track. He's going for victory number seven, not having won there since 2005. Last year was the first time he hadn't stepped onto the podium. Bet against him if you will. Also I wager he doesn't crash 20 seconds after leaving the pit box like he did last year!

His teammate Jorge Lorenzo hasn't been too much of a surprise being in one of the premier teams although to put it on pole in his first premier class race was impressive. It also shows how much "easier" the new generation MotoGP machine is to ride but a dose of extra confidence and a de-tune of the electronics has seen "Chup-a-chup" auditioning to become an astronaut.

When he can get fit again he soon be at the front. He will shut the pain out this weekend as it's going to be hard with a lot of weight on his hands through Craner Curves and the final "carpark" section, not to mention weighting his battered legs. The doctors in Barcelona enforced over a week off without any training as well so there could be some muscle wastage after the trauma his body and his brain has undergone.

He will be wearing a special silk glove on his right hand under his kit but like most of them when they throw a leg over the bike they leave the pain brain in the toolbox -- and after a little help from everyone's favourite vet, Dr Costa, he won't feel a thing!

That raises a question: after a severe dose of concussion would pain killers for his ankle and hand be a wise option?

All the new kids on the block have impressed one way or another showing everyone a thing or two but I would love to see Andrea Dovizioso on the same kit as Lorenzo. His performances on a one-year-old bike have certainly cemented his name on the list of a full factory weapon for 2009. Dovi is a great rider and a good bloke.

It's been a different story with some of the more regular experienced runners and the bikes they ride as there should be a few more in the mix for some closer battles up the front.

Honda has had a definite struggle trying to get the package right relying on the old valve system but it's not surprising to see Dani Pedrosa being the first Honda home in all the races this year. Maybe they might have to give him a weight penalty! The ride at home in Barcelona was amazing as he disappeared but proves that victory is still possible without pneumatic or desmodromic valves.

In his first flying lap he broke Hayden's 2006 lap record (on a 990) by nearly half a second. He proceeded to set a new benchmark in the next couple of laps to snuff out the rest.

Repsol must be tickled pink and no doubt Dani's ever happy smiling face will be bursting out of even more billboards and TV's screens across the Spanish landscape as he endorses more products.

That side of the garage may be smiling more after this weekend as he walked away with the race in '06 and it is clear that whatever he is requesting from Honda and Michelin he is getting in his quest to beat Valentino. It will be interesting to see how he scrubs up after his post-race practice highside at Catalunya but he's "una fuerte poco hombre con mucho grande cajones le hija de puta!"*

For his teammate Nicky Hayden the torture of last year is continuing as no matter what he does on qualifying tyres during the long length of a race he can't get the bike to steer or perform to his liking. At Barca he got his first front row start of the year with the top six all under Rossi's pole record from last year. It must be hard to take, trying everything to cure his woes to get the best out of his ill-fitting machine and being comprehensively beaten by last year's bike as has happened a few times this year. He was frustrated at the performance of the '07 model so you can guess how he feels about this latest incantation!

The dimensions of the engine were all new for 2008 with a revised bore and stroke but it wasn't producing the desired top end power for the revs output and not much in the way of mid range torque either. It didn't have the desired power. I won't quote what was told to me at the Phillip Island in the early February test but it wasn't very supportive of the latest direction. It seems that something has improved but it's definitely not on Nicky's side of the garage.

Donington hasn't been a happy hunting ground for the Kentucky Kid. Last year he crashed at the tricky Coppice Corner in the wet and in 06 he struggled all weekend after Honda brought him a new bike to test during the weekend. His best result is fourth in 2004. My guess is that he won't be with Honda next year and could be riding a red bike!

As for the red bikes, as was the case last year, Stoner is the only one that can ride the Ducati to anywhere near its potential but this year he is struggling heaps with an unruly beast that is harder to tame than lasts year's steed. The season's not over but it will be mighty hard to retain the title.

It was only natural that Sete would be at Catalunya -- he lives just down the road and one of his best mates is a race engineer with Ducati.

Poor old Melandri. It's not as if he can't ride but he has never liked the bike since the first time he rode it and it's not getting any better for him. He was so disheartened in Sunday's warm up at Montmelo that he pulled in with nearly five minutes to go, dejected and distressed. He is a shattered man, the poor bugger.

To add a bit of unwanted pressure, Gibernau has been invited back to the fold to strut his stuff in the test team which sees the Eyeties head down the carbon fibre chassis path with the '09 version. Sete and number one test pilot Vittoriano Guareschi are now evaluating both versions.

Maybe after Sete's sister -- who was his manager -- outpriced him with Ducati at the Portuguese GP in '06, allowing Stoner in; he's had a good think, kissed and made up -- and lowered the fee a tad!

He has just had his first return ride on the Duke at Mugello where he clocked a time just three seconds off the lap record within 20 laps, the day cut short with rain and two more days to go. Not bad after being off a bike for so long. Marco would now be more nervous than an 18-year-old kid experiencing his first night in Goulburn Gaol -- especially as he was pencilled in for a two year deal. The only certainty is the uncertainty!

The big disappointment for me is Westy. In fact he has struggled since he signed his contract, and '08 was always going to be an uphill battle. He is working with a completely new team as his team from last year (led by legend Fiorenzo Fanali with Aussie Jason Cornish) have been moved across the garage to fettle for John Hopkins. Westy's crew chief is a Spaniard so there may be a few communication difficulties. "Fio" could understand Westy to set the bike up. Last year he was having trouble with chattering in the front. For '08 that has been cured but the power delivery is pretty severe causing him to spin up heaps on corner exit. Hopefully his trip to Japan to test has found a solution.

Besides being pretty sore, how would Hopkins be from being beaten up by his unwieldy Kwaka? It all went pear shaped at Phillip Island when he tore his abductor muscle and he hasn't been 100% fit since. After two DNF's, he was a very brave 10th at Catalunya after a practice crash caused a fractured vertebrae, so the fitness battle continues and he has to put up with things out of his control: a broken chain and then crashing at Mugello after a problem with his quick-shifter. He will be keen for a good result this weekend, especially since his mum Linda and new in-laws will be on hand. With wife Ashleigh's great family and Linda around I know they will lift him for a good performance.

Rizla Suzuki is closer but still just missing that little something. Looking past the results it's clear that the bikes are competitive in lap and section times, it seems they just need to find longer life in the Bridgestones to last the distance. Catalunya was a cruel blow for both of them as CV got nudged by De Angelis in turn three of the opening lap forcing him way backwards, to fight even harder to secure his seventh place; while at half way De Angelis "Liberaced" Capirossi big time breaking his hand in the process. That's twice in three years Capi-T-rex has been elbowed out of the race. Catalunya was the catalyst in 2006 after his teammate turned into a bowling ball tand Capirossi eventually lost the title by just 24 points. There were three races back to back after that and Loris was one very sore boy for some months.

The results and performances of the MotoGP field give an insight into how good the Yamaha engineers are. They certainly worked out the pneumatic-valve engine quickly enough. Suzuki started with it two seasons ago and is close. Kawasaki have the pneumatics worked out, it is other areas of the engine they need to work on. After Brno they may have something new. They have been trying a screamer engine with Olivier Jacque in Malaysia and Japan that revs to over 20,000 rpm, but first they have to get everything sorted. If they are having trouble now with wheelspin maybe the higher revs of the screamer won't be as savage in power delivery (not being as torquey) but then with the electronics who knows!

Honda is a ping pong ball bouncing between the two configurations. If Pedrosa keeps scoring on the old style donk, who knows which way they will go, but if it's working why risk it in a race? As for Nicky I can't see his season getting much better -- worse luck.

At the end of last year there were all sorts of stories about what was happening with Yamaha and Rossi. It was certainly the rocket Yamaha needed as all four riders have been on the pace from the opening session, giving the Yamaha factory its most successful season to date.

With that in mind it would be very remiss of me not to mention the Herve Poncharal-managed Tech 3 Team. Colin Edwards has been rejuvenated with the support of the team and gelled exceptionally well with his crew chief, Gary Reynders, from the opening test in Malaysia in November. It's been a long time coming but this is the Tornado's best ever season in MotoGP and hopefully the alignment of stars in Rossi's Yamaha garage can transfer next door to shine a light on Edwards for that oh-so-close GP victory.

James Toseland has also fitted in well but knowing the Tech 3 Team it is easy to feel at home there as the French team is always welcoming with a sort of family atmosphere in the box.

To me Toseland was always going to make it in MotoGP due to his character and determination. He hasn't disappointed. His autobiography is a good forthright and enlightening read and explains where his persona and determination come from.

I won't forget Toseland on the opening lap at Qatar in the night when he shoved his way through, elbowing anyone within reach as he let his intentions be known from the start. He is definitely not far away from a podium finish, so why not at home in front of his adoring fans? Donington will be mental for that reason alone. He'll also have his band "Crash" in attendance for the Day of Champions. I wonder if he'll do the National Anthem on piano. I can't see it -- it was done by the opposition at Brands last year.

(I can't forget to mention Bradley Smith in the 125's on his Polaris Aprilia but he does a better job at beating himself up than any street fighter could hope for! Also its humorous to listen to the comments.)

As for the other runners, Alex De Angelis is living up to his old nickname of "De Dangerous" as he comes to grips with the Honda. His (and Capirossi's) manager, Carlo Pernat, will be working hard to ensure he stays in the class while Randy De Puniet seems to be doing the same old things as well. Coming fifth at Catalunya last year riding the Kwaka all battered and bruised is a very long time ago.

As for the D'antin Ducati team, it appears to be situation normal and is another great example of what goes on behind closed doors in the paddock: a very interesting story. I'm sure they are struggling for parts off Ducati and the boss will be ensuring he spends as little money as possible on racing but will have one of the best hospitality units in the paddock! Tony Elias made a name for himself at Montmelo getting himself disqualified. You have to feel for him as he is also a local with his home town of Manressa just up the road, so he would have had thousands in attendance. With all those on-lookers why stop for a lil ol' black flag!

The tyre war has heated up for a bit of extra spice. From half way through last year Michelin were already at work and very determined to quieten the critics after a lacklustre year. With Rossi's defection it has only fired up the Froggies even more and Pedrosa is the pilot of choice to do it.

As much as I love MotoGP I can't help but think there are a few things missing. One is full grids and the other is consistently close racing between a number of players. I never agreed with the move to the 800s and my thoughts are even stronger now. As Capirossi said many times last year: "f$%^&* electronics!" He is still saying it along with a few more riders who are becoming more vocal about the influence of electrons in the mix.

Sure the lap times are lower and corner speeds are higher but I get the feeling that in some races it has been a bit processional. Stoner's qualifying lap was the fastest ever by a motorcycle around the Catalunya circuit but even at a second slower the 990's were the duck's guts. Give me the big bores please! The little bores are well, a bit boring -- don't pardon the pun!

Have a look at the Superbikes if you think differently: they have been a bit more exciting and it's not past the realms of illusion that Spain could have an SBK champ in Charlie Checa. The boy can still ride.

Finally, the most interesting thing from Catalunya was not on a racetrack but the bushfire that had to be hosed down by Dorna with news that the 250s might be given the flick, the scuttlebutt being that 600cc bikes will replace them. It was mooted a few years ago with the introduction of the four-strokes but it was given the flick when Flammini said they had the rights to the Supersports as they were production based machines. It appears now that there has been a slight change, and a window of exploitation has arisen where engines can be used but frames must be of a prototype. Could be a huge can of worms and they'd better be careful if they introduce 600cc machines, as they won't be much slower than the 800s.

The other word is that the 250s will turn in to 400cc four-strokes. That makes more sense being half the capacity of the MotoGP but there are certainly some interesting times ahead as there are all sorts of threats flying around at the moment within the two-stroke classes against the powers that be.

Anyway that's enough from me but in closing I would like to thank everyone that has offered their support and good wishes in the last few months. To say I wasn't affected by the petition and all the words of concern and encouragement when I chat to people is bull. Thanks heaps everyone. How do I get a copy of the petition and the bikeme.tv forum to retain for posterity?

* One tough little bloke with very big balls, the son of a bitch! (But in truth all the riders have big balls!)

 

Bikes

Riders

Rides

Projects

Gear

Unclassified

Reader's Bikes

News Archives