MotoGP Blog

The lights went on at about 17:45 around the 5.4km Losail circuit in Qatar. Reactions from the riders were mixed, not about the lighting but about the temperatures which dropped to 15C.

Rossi: “The visibility is quite good so there is no danger for us. Maybe it would be better to move the night race to a period when it is a little warmer, because at the moment it is very cold here!”

Loris Capirossi: “…it’s not like daylight but I am very impressed.”

Jorge Lorenzo: “…at the beginning it feels strange but after few laps things become quite normal and your eyes get used to the new light. The strangest feeling I had was that I felt…lonely!
Read the rest of this entry »

Viewers of the World Superbike round held recently at Losair, Qatar, can’t have failed to notice the hundreds of floodlights erected around the track in preparation for MotoGP holding the first ever floodlit Grand Prix (two or four wheeled).

Only a select few riders have tested under floodlights - the first test in 2004 was rejected by the guinea pigs. This solution has been given rider approval after being tested over just three corners of the track. Tomorrow, 28th February 2008, sees the first floodlit test Read the rest of this entry »

A project to build a track at Volokolamsk, 80 kilometres west of Moscow has been reported in Autosport, designed by Hermann Tilke (does anyone know how to draw a chicane?) and backed by “Russian and foreign investors”. Although built to F1 standards and under the consultative gaze of Ecclestone the project head, Hans Geist, is insisting F1 is not the target.

MotoGP and DTM are events the track is being readied to attract, although it would be difficult to see how another race could be slotted into the packed MotoGP calendar. The trouble is, if it is an F1-spec track, it is not likely to be MotoGP-friendly. Read the rest of this entry »

In an idea borrowed from the excellent F1Fanatic blog, we ask “What are you most looking forward to in MotoGP 2008?” Here’s mine, what is on your list?

Lorenzo vs Rossi
Will the tyres make a massive difference? Can Lorenzo cut it at the top level, or will he have his cockyness knocked out of him? When will the Rossi mind-games start, or will Lorenzo even be enough of a challenger for Rossi to bother?

Stoner vs Rossi
Similar tyres, and what looks like machinery that is closer this season in terms of performance. Will we finally get a good, race-long Stoner/Rossi duel? Will Stoner revert to type and start crashing again? Or will he clear off into the distance at every opportunity like 2007?

Qatar
Not only the first night race ever, but the season opener, and guaranteed to be dry (I hope). This should see a lot of questions answered about how the teams have really done over the off-season. The lighting solution looks remarkable and the whole thing will be a great advertisement for the sport. Expect plenty of non-sport news coverage.

Lorenzo vs Dovizioso
Two rookies battling it out. As in the 250cc class Lorenzo has arguably the better bike, but more talent. We forsee a season-long battle as Lorenzo struggles to adapt his style while Dovizioso is a natural on the Honda.

Honda resurgent
More power, less electronic interference, Hayden with some luck, Pedrosa with some confidence will see Honda battling with Ducati and Yamaha on a regular basis. A three-way fight will add great excitement to the race weekend.

Indianapolis
A new track means all honours will be even when the red lights go out. Who can adapt to the circuit most quickly? Will this second American round mean MotoGP takes off in the USA finally? Can I get a ticket please?

A stable set of rules.
The tyre and displacement rule changes meant last year was a transition season. This year, with a stable set of rules and more tyres available to all should mean better racing, better entertainment and more excitement all round. Bring it on!

At the Jerez Round Zero meet, talks were held between manufacturers about future changes to the technical regulations. Yamaha and Honda put forward a proposal to cap engine revs to 19,000 rpm so as to limit the costs involved in engine development.

Autosport are reporting the reaction of Ducati to the proposals. Ducati Technical Director Fillipo Prezioso: “We (may as well) say that Italian bikes ridden by Australian riders are barred from taking part in MotoGP!”.

Hilarious. At first reading, it does smack of sour grapes on the part of Yamaha and Honda, especially Honda who are struggling with development of their pneumatic-valved engine at the moment. However, they do have a point: as engine revs rise, more and more exotic materials must be used to reduce the reciprocating weight of the engine, and electronic valve actuation becomes an area for serious development. Costs spiral out of control, resulting in one dominant team that can afford the research bill or a “haves” and “have nots” situation where a couple of manufacturers run away with a technology victory time and time again.

While Ducati’s reaction is right in the short term, longer term the sport needs to address how to keep the competition alive and allow development within a reasonable budget. Next question: what is a reasonable budget?

In the long, dark days of winter, how have the teams been tackling the chase to match and exceed Ducati power, and what have Ducati been up to in order to maintain their technological superiority?

Repsol Honda
The bike is still tiny, but concessions made to aerodynamics for Hayden will remain in place in 2008. The big question is whether the pneumatic-valved engine will be ready in time. At the moment Honda are continuing to develop the pneumatic engine off the bike and test chassis and geometry changes with the old (but further developed) engine in place - working on the whole package. The pneumatic valves will appear part way through the season once the benefit is demonstrable and the reliability is assured. Read the rest of this entry »

Outside of the contenders and the rookies there are a few riders who are certainly not there just to make up the numbers. Riders that, on a good day, could challenge for the podium or a win and who are often on the cusp of greatness, their moment not having yet come. The Notables.

Chris Vermeulen
The Aussie needs to make a mark this year. Suzuki have worked hard to develop the bike and Vermeulen has been there every step of the way. This year he will be striving for consistency from the bike and himself to regularly see him up in the top five on the grid and at the line. Read the rest of this entry »

2008 sees four new riders on the grid, three coming from 250cc success and one from Superbike. The nature of the 800cc bikes is alleged to be similar to a big 250cc, so how the riders from different backgrounds adapt will be an interesting side-show to the main event.

Jorge Lorenzo
The youngest rider in the field, and not short of self-confidence, Lorenzo starts the season with the best ride of all the rookies: a factory ride for one of the top three manufacturers. Read the rest of this entry »

As the new season looms ahead, MotoGPBlog presents a look ahead to the riders competing and assess what we might see from them between now and November. We’ll look at the contenders for race wins and perhaps for the title, the rookies and finally any other notables in the field.

Dani Pedrosa
Pedrosa will look to capitalise on his strong end to the 2007 season, during which the Honda seemed to gain power and agility and be challenging again for the lead. Pedrosa has previously been out-psyched by Rossi, catastrophically took out his team mate in 2006 to almost prevent him winning the championship, and has never seemed to enjoy his riding. Read the rest of this entry »

Kawasaki must be wondering what they have to do to catch a break. Ant West, not known for his ability to set up a bike, had an off-season wrist operation which has left him able to ride but not at peak fitness. Development of the bike has therefore been completely thrust on to John Hopkins, with some very able help from Olivier Jacque.

After a couple of successful days in Sepang, the trip to Australia was an upbeat affair until Hopper fell off and tore a muscle in his shoulder so severely he is in doubt for the Jerez test later this month. This has to have set the team back considerably in their pre-season preparations, despite the best efforts of Jacque and West. If they have a strong showing in Qatar, it’ll be a testament to the team and will maybe prove me wrong about the skills of Ant West.