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DurangoKid · 02-27-2003, 12:25 PM

As talented as our Darling Nicky is, I hope that he has thick skin. The European Press is going to be all over the little guy if he continues to struggle as he has in the pre-season. I can't imagine that Valentino is going to be so generous during the racing season.

dichotomy · 02-27-2003, 12:42 PM

I want to see Nicky do well and am glad Rossi saw fit to provide a tow. The euro press will trash him now that, "Rossi taught him how to ride ... " but that's to be expected. No worries cause when the season starts, Nicky can follow anyone he wants around the track. I just hope he'll learn how to let them follow him before too long.

rsheidler · 02-27-2003, 01:27 PM

While Honda are off to Australia playing with themselves, the other teams (other than Suzuki -- and the Proton and WCM teams, who do not have their bikes running yet) were in the second day of a two-day official test at Estoril in Portugal.

Day one was basically a wash-out, with only a few laps on slicks, for those teams lucky enough to be ready when the rain momentarily cleared. Slow-speed crashes in the rain sent Melandri, as well as the only female racer in gp at the time -- Katja Poensgen (in 250gp) to the hospital. Melandri apparently suffered an A-C separation (collarbone to shoulder), but is expected to be ready for the next test in about 2 weeks.

Day two was better, but overnight rain had left deep puddles that did not dry until about 1:00 PM.

In spite of limited test time and cold track conditions, Alex Barros (Yamaha) managed to get under the lap record set by Carlos Checa last year. Not bad, especially considering that this was on race tires.

Checa (Yamaha) and Capirossi (Ducati) were close behind, at times that would have put them on the second row. If you assume that qualifying tires are good for 0.5 second, these guys were at front row times for last year.

Colin Edwards (Aprilia) and Troy Bayliss (Ducati) were in 4th and 6th spots respectively. Considering that they had never seen the track before and had less than 1/2 day total dry practice, this is a great showing.

Kawasakis bring up the rear (with Pitt fastest), as has been the pattern, but it seems that they may have narrowed the gap from the rest of the field -- Pitt was 2 seconds slower than Barros (and the same as the fastest 250). Still a long ways to go.

Honda seem to be avoiding the possibility of direct comparison of their test times to those of other teams. However, the recent Phillip Island times are right there with what both Capirossi and Bayliss did with the Ducatis in December, in much worse weather conditions and with last year's tires.

It seems that there may be reasonable parity among Honda, Yamaha, Ducati and Aprilia this year, with a number of riders also having the potential to run up front. This looks like it could be the most competitive field in memory.

Our first real comparison with all bikes on the track at the same time, and with official timing, will be at the Barcelona IRTA tests in mid-March. All the teams are expected to be there, and the fastest time wins a new BMW car, so I assume nobody will be sandbagging!

Can't wait. Meanwhile, we do get the first WSB round this weekend. I pick Ducati for the win -- this is about as much a gamble as picking BMW to take the Daytona Boxer Cup.

Bring on the racing!

Cheers

Bob

SeanAlexander · 02-27-2003, 01:47 PM

Excellent post and interpretation Bob. Keep it up bucko and I'll be in the unemployement line, before the MotoGP bikes turn a wheel in anger.

jaycar · 02-27-2003, 01:50 PM

Yeah, he might get trashed some along the way, but that kid has been touched by God when it comes to riding a motorcycle.

runner00 · 02-27-2003, 03:42 PM

Wow this is going to be so good. It's going to be very entertaining seeing Nicky progress. I certainly wouldn't be surprised if he turns out to be the best in the world. A little improvement each time will get him there. Go Nicky ! I think the kid has a gift

and some smarts to boot. Plus don't you get the feeling that God enjoys watching him race as much as we do. It's just one of those beautiful things.

NoKneeDown · 02-28-2003, 02:46 AM

I second Sean's post. I don't know how you get all your info, but you don't disappoint. That said, Ducati?? I'll call my bookie and we can work something out. While I agree that this year's field is going to be a lot more competitive than last year, I don't know if I'd go with the Duck. Also, I grew a little worried about Barros' chances when I saw on "another" motorcycle site pics of the M1 and they are trying out a twin-shock setup in the rear. I know they didn't grab the shocks off a Sportster, but doesn't this seem like a last ditch effort to work out the bike. I mean, I know there's still time and everybody's still working things out, but to try something as unconventional as that seems a bit desperate. Maybe I'm way off here...does anybody else successfully use this setup??

Tim_White · 02-28-2003, 02:58 AM

Nicky is a gamer. As his laps behind Rossi demonstrate, he does best when riding with others. Even when at the top of the game in AMA Superbike, he was never the greatest qualifier. But him in a race with the rest of the pack and he rises to the challenge. He'll do well in MotoGP.

cyclesteve · 02-28-2003, 03:47 AM

I am too young to have gotten to see "King" Kenny Roberts race. I feel lucky to be at the 2nd coming. I have gotten to follow Nicky's career and even had the privlidge of seening him race in person. He is special and will be world Champ, it is his destiny.

cyclesteve · 02-28-2003, 03:47 AM

I am too young to have gotten to see "King" Kenny Roberts race. I feel lucky to be at the 2nd coming. I have gotten to follow Nicky's career and even had the privlidge of seeing him race in person. He is special and will be world Champ, it is his destiny.

02-27-2003, 12:25 PM	#1
DurangoKid Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 85	Thick Skin As talented as our Darling Nicky is, I hope that he has thick skin. The European Press is going to be all over the little guy if he continues to struggle as he has in the pre-season. I can't imagine that Valentino is going to be so generous during the racing season.

02-27-2003, 12:42 PM	#2
dichotomy Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 5	Re: Hayden within 0.2sec of Rossi @ PI I want to see Nicky do well and am glad Rossi saw fit to provide a tow. The euro press will trash him now that, "Rossi taught him how to ride ... " but that's to be expected. No worries cause when the season starts, Nicky can follow anyone he wants around the track. I just hope he'll learn how to let them follow him before too long.

02-27-2003, 01:27 PM	#3
rsheidler Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,459	Meanwhile in the Official IRTA Tests.... While Honda are off to Australia playing with themselves, the other teams (other than Suzuki -- and the Proton and WCM teams, who do not have their bikes running yet) were in the second day of a two-day official test at Estoril in Portugal. Day one was basically a wash-out, with only a few laps on slicks, for those teams lucky enough to be ready when the rain momentarily cleared. Slow-speed crashes in the rain sent Melandri, as well as the only female racer in gp at the time -- Katja Poensgen (in 250gp) to the hospital. Melandri apparently suffered an A-C separation (collarbone to shoulder), but is expected to be ready for the next test in about 2 weeks. Day two was better, but overnight rain had left deep puddles that did not dry until about 1:00 PM. In spite of limited test time and cold track conditions, Alex Barros (Yamaha) managed to get under the lap record set by Carlos Checa last year. Not bad, especially considering that this was on race tires. Checa (Yamaha) and Capirossi (Ducati) were close behind, at times that would have put them on the second row. If you assume that qualifying tires are good for 0.5 second, these guys were at front row times for last year. Colin Edwards (Aprilia) and Troy Bayliss (Ducati) were in 4th and 6th spots respectively. Considering that they had never seen the track before and had less than 1/2 day total dry practice, this is a great showing. Kawasakis bring up the rear (with Pitt fastest), as has been the pattern, but it seems that they may have narrowed the gap from the rest of the field -- Pitt was 2 seconds slower than Barros (and the same as the fastest 250). Still a long ways to go. Honda seem to be avoiding the possibility of direct comparison of their test times to those of other teams. However, the recent Phillip Island times are right there with what both Capirossi and Bayliss did with the Ducatis in December, in much worse weather conditions and with last year's tires. It seems that there may be reasonable parity among Honda, Yamaha, Ducati and Aprilia this year, with a number of riders also having the potential to run up front. This looks like it could be the most competitive field in memory. Our first real comparison with all bikes on the track at the same time, and with official timing, will be at the Barcelona IRTA tests in mid-March. All the teams are expected to be there, and the fastest time wins a new BMW car, so I assume nobody will be sandbagging! Can't wait. Meanwhile, we do get the first WSB round this weekend. I pick Ducati for the win -- this is about as much a gamble as picking BMW to take the Daytona Boxer Cup. Bring on the racing! Cheers Bob

02-27-2003, 01:47 PM	#4
SeanAlexander Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Newport Coast, CA Posts: 1,538	Re: Meanwhile in the Official IRTA Tests.... Excellent post and interpretation Bob. Keep it up bucko and I'll be in the unemployement line, before the MotoGP bikes turn a wheel in anger. __________________ I thought I'd found true happiness in my personal bath body bar.... Then I tried DOVE! with 1/4 moisturizing cream!!!

02-27-2003, 01:50 PM	#5
jaycar Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 15	Re: Hayden within 0.2sec of Rossi @ PI Yeah, he might get trashed some along the way, but that kid has been touched by God when it comes to riding a motorcycle. __________________ Jaycar

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02-27-2003, 03:42 PM	#6
runner00 Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 144	Re: Hayden within 0.2sec of Rossi @ PI Wow this is going to be so good. It's going to be very entertaining seeing Nicky progress. I certainly wouldn't be surprised if he turns out to be the best in the world. A little improvement each time will get him there. Go Nicky ! I think the kid has a gift and some smarts to boot. Plus don't you get the feeling that God enjoys watching him race as much as we do. It's just one of those beautiful things.

02-28-2003, 02:46 AM	#7
NoKneeDown Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 70	Re: Meanwhile in the Official IRTA Tests.... I second Sean's post. I don't know how you get all your info, but you don't disappoint. That said, Ducati?? I'll call my bookie and we can work something out. While I agree that this year's field is going to be a lot more competitive than last year, I don't know if I'd go with the Duck. Also, I grew a little worried about Barros' chances when I saw on "another" motorcycle site pics of the M1 and they are trying out a twin-shock setup in the rear. I know they didn't grab the shocks off a Sportster, but doesn't this seem like a last ditch effort to work out the bike. I mean, I know there's still time and everybody's still working things out, but to try something as unconventional as that seems a bit desperate. Maybe I'm way off here...does anybody else successfully use this setup??

02-28-2003, 02:58 AM	#8
Tim_White Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 23	Re: Hayden within 0.2sec of Rossi @ PI Nicky is a gamer. As his laps behind Rossi demonstrate, he does best when riding with others. Even when at the top of the game in AMA Superbike, he was never the greatest qualifier. But him in a race with the rest of the pack and he rises to the challenge. He'll do well in MotoGP.

02-28-2003, 03:47 AM	#9
cyclesteve Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 126	Re: Hayden within 0.2sec of Rossi @ PI I am too young to have gotten to see "King" Kenny Roberts race. I feel lucky to be at the 2nd coming. I have gotten to follow Nicky's career and even had the privlidge of seening him race in person. He is special and will be world Champ, it is his destiny.