Posts tagged testing
The 125cc Championship Contenders Preview
Apr 8th
With one day before official free practice begins for the 2010 125cc world championship begins, the only two-stroke category remaining in the championship looks set to be a stunning battle between top runners. Unlike last year, when Julito Simon went into the season the main title favorite, after showing dominating form in winter testing, this year there are four legitimate contenders to take home the 2010 world championship. For each grand prix, minus Laguna Seca where only the MotoGP class races, the 125cc category should provide an intense and exciting opening to the day, before the Moto2 and MotoGP classes More >
Notes from Qatar
Mar 22nd
The 17 riders competing in the 2010 MotoGP World Championship
The two day Qatar test is done and dusted and for the first time in the 2010 offseason, Valentino Rossi was not the quickest rider in attendance. His quickest time around the Losail International Circuit on night one was eclipsed by the Ducati Marlboro of Casey Stoner. The Australian improved his time enough from the first night to beat Rossi, who had been quickest in five straight sessions of testing this year.
1. Casey Stoner-AUS-Ducati Marlboro-1:55.353: It is known throughout the paddock that Stoner loves the Qatar circuit, dominating the race three More >
125cc testing notes
Mar 10th
Red Bull Ajo Derbi's Marc Marquez, quickest over the three day test in Jerez
The past couple days have seen us reflect on another 125cc test in Spain. Once again, there was not a lot to report on as the weather played havoc to all three days, like it did in Valencia and to a host of private testing throughout the winter. The 125cc class looks like it is shaping up to be one of the most competitive seasons in years, with four riders all trying to fill three podium spots the entire season while vying for the title. Three feisty More >
Julito Simon quickest in day two of Moto2 testing
Mar 3rd
Official IRTA Moto2 testing resumed today in Valencia, Spain with 37 riders in attendance. They were greeted with the best weather the Iberian Peninsula has had to offer this off season and were able to get a good amount of dry weather running on their new prototype 600cc chassis’ and 140bhp spec-Honda CRB600RR motors. As with the 125cc test held today in Cheste, the riders completed most of their laps in the morning session and also mimicking the 125’s, the quickest time of the day was set in the morning, by a Spaniard. Continuing his amazing preseason form, Mapfre Aspar’s More >
Marc Marquez leads day two of 125cc testing
Mar 2nd
The Red Bull Ajo Derbi 125RSA of Marc Marquez
The second of three days of official 125cc ended today in Cheste. Testing has been very hit or miss this offseason in Spain, but luckily today the weather held off so the teams and riders could get some productive work in. There were two sessions held today and with track conditions being a little warmer in the morning, most riders completed more mileage in the first session. Marc Marquez was able to set the fastest time of the day around 10am, in what would be his only session of the day. The More >
Valencia Moto2 testing begins with Elias fastest of 37 riders
Mar 2nd
Moto2 teams had their first official IRTA test today in Valencia. This was also the first time that the twenty four teams in the intermediate category had the chance to install and test the spec-Honda CBR600RR motor that will be mandatory for the 2010 season. The engines, delivered only last night to the teams, are reportedly down on power to what HRC and Dorna were expecting. This is all due to reliability problems that Honda has experienced in private testing. Interestingly, the teams are not permitted to put more than 466 miles on the motor during this test, meaning maybe More >
Pol Espargaro dominates first day of 125cc testing
Mar 1st
The 125cc riders joined the Moto2 paddock for their official test today in Valencia. On a blustery Spanish day, Pol Espargaro led the way as he circulated the Ricardo Tormo Circuit over one second faster than his nearest rival, Marc Marquez. This is an immense gap in the 125 class and is quicker than Julian Simon’s pole time from last season. The Bainet Derbi rider put in the most laps of the day, 69, as he led a field of 25 riders taking part in the test. Interestingly, ‘Polyccio’s’ time was quicker than seven of the 600cc Moto2 machines that More >
The Valentino Rossi show continues
Feb 25th
All the premier class riders appeared on track today in Malaysia, with the exception of the injured Jorge Lorenzo. With the FIAT Yamaha rider forced to sit out this test and maybe the next in Qatar, it was up to his teammate to develop the new M1. Valentino Rossi did just that, completing 47 laps on his way to the fastest time of the day, a 2:01.068. This is only a couple tenths of a second outside his best time from the Sepang test earlier in the month. The Italian was happy with his session, claiming the Yamaha works well More >
