Casey Stoner Tests 2012 Honda Prototype

HRC test riders Kousuke Akiyoshi and Shinichi Ito have been testing this machine in April at Suzuka, Japan and it was planned for Repsol Honda Team riders Dani Pedrosa and Casey Stoner to both test in Jerez this week. However, after Pedrosa's accident in Le Mans it was not possible for him to take part and only Stoner has been involved.

Shinichi performed the shake down of the new machine early this morning at the Jerez track, before Casey began his testing schedule at 11am local time in perfect sunny conditions. He completed a total of 50 laps (221km) using the standard 800cc Bridgestone tyres of this season and also the new prototype tyres for 2012.

This early season test will give valuable feedback about the new prototype from the first stages of its development. HRC sent senior mechanics from the Repsol Honda Team to Jerez to work closely with the R&D engineers and Casey Stoner. The new machine is based on the concept of the present RC212V and the experience gained in the last stage of 800cc bikes. HRC started work on this new project in late 2009, when the new regulations for 2012 become official for the MotoGP class, stating a capacity of 1000cc, maximum bore of 81mm and maximum 4 cylinders.

A crucial point with the 1000cc engine will be fuel consumption, as again in 2012 bikes will keep the 21 litre tank as per the 800cc machines. To deal with this issue, Repsol recently sent experts to Japan to develop a specific fuel and lubricant for the new bike and engineers at the Repsol Technology Centre are focusing on a fuel which will not only offer optimum fuel efficiency but also deliver maximum performance.

Each manufacturer has eight days of testing during the season with contracted riders on the 2012 machine. After checking today's data and the weather forecast, HRC will decide whether or not to continue testing tomorrow with Stoner. HRC will then choose how to make the best use of the remaining days left to work on track with the new prototype, hoping Pedrosa recovers soon to also give his feedback on the new machine.

There is no further update on Dani Pedrosa's chosen direction for recovery, he is still evaluating the two options with his doctors, whether to have surgery or let the fracture heal naturally.

Casey Stoner

"Everything has gone very well, very positive. It's just nice to ride the 1000cc again, to feel the engine and the power. I had a lot of fun, I enjoyed the first day because everything we've tried seems to be working, so no complaints. The biggest disappointment is that Dani is not going be here to test as he is important to the development of this bike. I hope that soon HRC can get his input as well because we need as much data as possible, in order to be ready for next season. We didn't focus on anything special today, just tried to understand what the bike is doing, how it reacts on the brakes and things like that, also considering some the issues we have with the 800cc right now. The braking point seems to be stronger, stability in the front going into the corner seems to be very good, and of course we want to understand how the power delivery is, and it is very smooth so no problem . In general, we haven't changed too much from the set up we have on the 800cc right now and the feeling is very similar, so it's pretty good."

Shuhei Nakamoto, HRC Executive Vice-President

"I think we had a good day of testing, the machine worked well as we hoped, without any specific issues. Of course, it's just the first day so we will need to improve but we tested many things and everything was ok. Casey is happy with a more powerful engine, also drivability was ok and on the chassis side we need to keep progressing. Unfortunately, Dani is not here and it would be better to have both riders' feedback. Casey's comments are very similar to the ones we received from the test riders, and this is good. Hopefully we can get Dani's impressions soon to keep working on the development."

source: MotoGP Official Website

Valentino Rossi Ducati 1198 Silverstone

Valentino Rossi joined other great motorsports champions from the past and present in an inauguration ceremony for a new, ultramodern paddock structure at England’s Silverstone Circuit. The Silverstone Wing, as the British venue’s enormous new facility is called, comprises spacious garages, a media center, offices, and an auditorium, and it will host the seventh round of the MotoGP world championship on June 12.

Rossi, who missed the track’s 2010 round due to injury, used the occasion to turn some introductory laps with a World Superbike 1198 and, while that bike was in the garage for a check of its electronics, with a standard 1198 street bike, complete with license plate and mirrors. The Italian greatly enjoyed his track time—about thirty laps in all—as a way to get to know the circuit.

“I really had fun,” said Valentino Rossi before leaving for Italy. “After a few laps with the 1198 Superbike, we had a problem with the electronics and decided to use the 1198 street bike that Ducati’s UK affiliate rushed to us. I really liked riding that bike here. The track is nice—difficult and very technical. It makes you work hard because there are very fast sections where having the right trajectory is important, and others that are very narrow where you have to have good grip under acceleration. The first turn is completely blind, and you must hold a very precise line, and in general the entire first section is really great, definitely the part I like most. In short, I enjoyed it, especially because there were many drivers and riders who have great histories in motorsports, like John Surtees, who told me that he raced here in the ’50s. I wasn’t following racing then,” joked the Italian, “but he was great.”

source: MotoGP Official Website

Valentino Rossi New Carbon Chassis

Valentino Rossi maybe not fastest on Estoril official test this weekend. But Rossi got his first chance to evaluate a new carbon fibre chassis and new engine which featured a heavier crankshaft on GP11. Rossi's best time on that test was 1.37.410, a second slower than Marco Simoncelli. But Rossi decided to used the new part of GP11 on next race at France.

"We tried a different front part in the bike and it is better and my feeling with the bike improves a lot and I can make a better lap time. I have a lot more indication in my hand of what is happening with the front tyre and this is the most positive thing. Now I understand more what is going on with the front and this is very important."

"I will definitely use the new chassis at the next race in Le Mans. Unfortunately the distance to the top is still too big but when I tried the right tyres to go quicker, I was already quite tired with the shoulder. I’m not at the same level as Simoncelli but I think we are closer than the timesheets say. But I’m sure I could have gone a bit faster," said Rossi.

"It has been a positive test and now we can do some more work to improve even more. The new engine was not a big difference but the character was smoother in acceleration and we will now wait to see when we can use this engine in the next two or three races."

Dani Pedrosa: Thanks To Jorge For Putting My Level Up

Dani Pedrosa win Estoril grand prix last week after lead just 4 laps from Jorge Lorenzo. Pedrosa claimed that he still had a lot of pain during the race. Pedrosa tried to follow Lorenzo through the race. Lorenzo is very fast and Pedrosa just try to stick with him. This condition give more motivation to Pedrosa to keep on track. Perdosa also said that if he race alone, maybe the race will not so interesting.

"I had a lot of pain in the muscle and I was trying to rest sometimes the arm because it was cramping after 15 laps. I was behind Jorge and trying to be focused, but I was waiting for the numbness and the loss of power. But it didn't come and I was just so happy to see that the surgery was successful.

"It’s been six months with this problem and I could tell you at the end I didn't know what else to do. It is a big relief. I just was riding at my best because Jorge at this track is amazing. He is always very fast and I was trying to follow him and stick with him.

"I had some problems with the front grip and the rear grip, but I still could follow him and at the end I try to make the move and I was successful on it, so it is amazing to win. I didn't think I could win this race but by the middle of the race he stepped up the rhythm and I could stick with him, so this was good for me.

"It feels even greater because I fight with Jorge. Here he's amazingly fast and he put in 100 per cent effort and he made me use much more effort than normal. If I was racing alone, maybe the race would not be so interesting or so great, so thanks to him for putting my level up.”

Marco SImoncelli Claimed His Mistake

Marco Simoncelli did not finished on Estoril MotoGP last Sunday. Speaking about the accident, Simoncelli said that he felt sorry and also said that the accident was his mistake. Simoncelli start on 2nd position. Starting from first grid should be easy to him to lead the race. At the beginning, Simoncelli did a competitive race with Lorenzo and Pedrosa. Unfortunately, his bike was out of control and flew away.

"I do not know what to say, I'm sorry because I was very competitive and I could stay with Lorenzo and Pedrosa. Surely it was my mistake. I had to be more careful, but unfortunately the bike I started to curve and flew away. It's a real shame, but that was it. The important thing is to be fast in the future and eventually will turn for me ."

Simoncelli lose his point on last two race, with 2 similiar accident. Disaster Jerez race was a nightmare for Simoncelli while he was lead the race with some gap from Lorenzo. And last week at Estoril, Simoncelli made a same mistake, at the beginning of the race.

Rossi: I Think Dovizioso Played With Me A Little

Valentino Rossi finish 5th on Estoril last Sunday by a dramatic take over from Andrea Dovizioso on last second before finish line. But overall, he's happy with the race, and will ready 100% for LeMans and Catalunya

Valentino Rossi

“Apart from Dovizioso, today went well! I’m joking, but Dovizioso obviously rode a race that was strategically perfect. I think he played with me a little, knowing that on the straight, he could probably beat me to the line. He couldn’t pass me because I was strong on the brakes, so he had me do all the work for 28 laps, before making his attempt, and he got me by twenty-five thousandths of a second. Apart from that, the team and I are very happy, because it was a nice race and this, for the time being, is the best we can do. I started well, I made up several positions, and then I was very consistent, with decent lap times. I practically did the same lap from qualifying 28 times, so it’s a good result. My only disappointment is that fourth would have been my best finish with the Ducati Team. Anyway, another positive is that I’m physically well, as I’m missing just fifteen percent of my strength, but I think I’ll be at 100 percent between Le Mans and Catalunya. As for the bike, there’s certainly still work to do, but we’re working together with the Ducati technicians. They’re pleased with the data they have, and I’m seeing that what I get from the racing department works. It will take some time, but we’re going forward. Tomorrow we’ll have some new things to try, so let’s hope that it’s dry, and we’ll see how it goes. We don’t expect to solve everything in seven hours, just to continue down the path we’ve started on together.”

Nicky Hayden

“Starting from 13th, it was always going to be difficult for us, but the bike was good off the line and I got a good start. I made some early mistakes, but I was also recovering a few positions. I got into seventh, but I was having difficulty back-shifting. Already on the sighting lap, I knew it was an issue. On the grid, we talked about getting on the other bike, but we decided together, that it was better to stick with our bike and not start from the pitlane. It caused some difficulty, especially on corner entry, and some guys came past. Then Spies hit me pretty good and stood me up going into Turn 3, so I lost time to Hiroshi Aoyama and Cal Crutchlow. I’m really happy we have a test tomorrow. We’ve got some stuff to try, and hopefully we’ll get some good weather, because we lost some dry time this weekend with the rain. The bike was great in the wet—third Friday and fourth this morning—but we need to make it better in the dry.”

Lorenzo And Spies Speak About The Estoril Race

Jorge Lorenzo finished 2nd on Estoril, defeated by Dani Pedrosa. It means this is the first time for Lorenzo since his promotion to MotoGP class, that he didn't win on Estoril. About the race, Lorenzo told that Pedrosa too strong and consistent

Jorge Lorenzo

“I made a good start and which I was really happy. I then pushed to my maximum to try to open up the gap to Pedrosa. Unfortunately today was not the day for that, he was too strong and consistent and at the end, he was maybe fresher to push. Second is a good result, we have a lot of points from three races, so I think we are in a good way to keep fighting for the championship. I want to thank my team who worked really hard this weekend to make sure we were as competitive as we could be.”

Ben Spies

“I am bitterly disappointed with today. After a lot of hard work by the crew this weekend, we started the race with a very competitive set up and I was feeling good. When I noticed the tool hadn’t been removed, I tried to do it myself because it was right in there next to my brake lever. I managed to get it off but then this loose tube was flying around which was pretty scary. It really messed with my concentration, as I was worried about taking out another rider in one of the corners. Then I crashed. After the non finish at Jerez, this was really frustrating as it was completely out of my control. I will move on and come back strong for Le Mans.”

Repsol Honda Riders Commented About Estoril Race

This is what's Honda riders says about their performance on Estoril. Pedrosa took the champion, Stoner on 3rd, and Dovizioso make a fantastic take over of Valentino Rossi on last second before finish line.

Dani Pedrosa

"I'm very happy for today's win, but more than the win, I'm happy for my condition and it seems that my surgery was finally successful. I was trying to rest my arm at times as it was cramping with 15 laps to go. I was riding behind Lorenzo and waiting for the numbness to come together with the loss of power, but it didn't come! I'm just so happy to see that the surgery has worked, it's been around six months with this and it's a big relief. For the race, I was riding at my best, Lorenzo is amazing here, always riding so smooth and fast and I was trying to stay with him. In the end, I felt comfortable and tried to make a move and I was successful. I'm very happy to win here, it's my first win on this track and thanks to all the doctors, my physio and trainer because it's been hard work and finally we got a win.”

Casey Stoner

"We had a pretty good start to the race but Pedrosa moved across me and I had to hit the brakes and back off. After that, I was challenging Marco Simoncelli for 3rd position in the first turn and he cut me off which I'm not so happy about. Then in turn 4 he crashed and I lost the tow to Pedrosa and Lorenzo. I didn't really have a lot of confidence in the first laps with the rear tyre, it didn't seem to want to work so well, especially on the left side, I nearly crashed a few times so I slowed down a little. Then during the race at some point, I felt my back completely lock up on me and I couldn't move for three or four corners. I was struggling to do anything and had no breath. I thought I had to go back to the garage, but thankfully within half a lap it eased up a little, got better and we managed to finish, so I'm very happy to stay in 3rd place today.”

Andrea Dovizioso

“After a difficult weekend we had a good race, with the best lap at the end and a good strategy to overtake Valentino Rossi. I was riding at the limit during the whole race and Rossi was stronger in 2-3 points, so it was difficult to overtake him. I pushed hard to keep contact with the Ducati and at the very last lap, I tried to overtake him at turn 10, even though I knew that it’s a difficult corner to overtake. Then at the very long last corner, I tried to pass him on the inside, Rossi closed the door, so I tried to exit faster than him. I made it and I passed him on the straight with the tow. I’m happy with this result but we are still too far from the first rider. We need to be competitive from the first day if we want to fight with Pedrosa, Stoner and Lorenzo, so it’s good to have a test tomorrow where we can work on set up and electronic system.”

Paddock Girls MotoGP Estoril 2011