August 22, 2006 - 2007 Prototype Testing at Brno
Yesterday and today were reserved for testing the 2007 season
prototpye bikes for MotoGP at Brno. There is a good overall feeling about the bikes after yesterday's track time.
MotoGP.com has some good video clips of the action. Rossi and Capirossi spoke their minds about the new bullets
developed for Yamaha and Ducati. Valentino left it as they were "more agile" than the bikes they are
used to hauling around the circuit. Loris had a little more depth to his description, comparing his new ride to
the 250cc's (HA!!!) and stating the obvious difference in overall power. He did, however, say that the engine made
a great sound.
Loris was the fastest rider around the course at Brno in Sunday's race. the preliminary times posted from the testing
session Monday showed a best lap time of over 2 seconds slower on the new machine.... as was the case for most
of the other riders that participated. Granted, they are a completely new feel, and the teams are still working
diligently on set up.
My initial reaction after watching the footage was, OMG... look how small they are!!! They are indeed smaller frames,
and carry around a higher pitched whine as opposed to the throaty growl of the liter bikes. Rossi looked like he
was all legs on the Yamaha!! His build is not typical of the MotoGP jockey, so the smaller bikes actually fit the
majority of the riders better than the bigger machines, which will surely lend to better handling and easier tossing.
I was re-reading my earlier post regarding the rumors circulating around the MotoGP paddock, and I feel the need
to re-assess one of my statements. Casey Stoner is being entertained by a couple of camps for the 2007 season.
I commented on his ass-on-fire riding style and poo-pooed the idea of Ducati offering him $3 million to join their
team..... attributing my point of view to the bigger, more agressive machine that he would be riding. This is not
so much the case now, after seeing the 2007 prototypes. I'm sure Honda will still prevail as the best bike on the
track, as they have been for quite some time now, but considering the step down in size, I feel that Stoner will
be able to handle any of the bikes he may be offered for next year's season. Furthermore, his riding style will
most likely compliment the smaller machines.... I bet he'll find his "flow" next year. It's very possible
that the overall structure of the rider's points standings will shift. The new machines will likely bring out some
hidden talents in the riders that typically find themselves at the back of the field. I can't wait to see the results!!
The unofficial times were posted from yesterday's testing. Rossi came out on top, followed by Hayden, Melandri,
Stoner, Nakano, de Puniet (Yay Randy!!!), Capirossi, Roberts, Jr., Checa and Tamada to complete the top ten. Not
all of the riders participated, but of those who did, the overall opinion of the new bikes was a good one, and
sure to get better as they are fine-tuned.
That'll do it for me today!!
Until next time......
Rubb'er Down :)
Kristen