Description:
Melandri heads to Kawasaki -finally-.. Michelin: Disaster goes on..... Rossi vs Stoner.. Orbituary to Craig Jones..
Contents:
Melandri heads to Kawasaki -finally-
 Wednesday, 20 August 2008
As has been reported widely here and there, and you guys have known that when Bartholemy said they wanted Melandri on their bike, everybody was amazed and they weren't sure if Melandri would land on the Kwaka, because he has a great relationship with Fausto Gresini, owner of Honda Gresini.
But he chose Kawasaki rather than back to Honda, Melandri's decision is clear, he wants to stay on the factory bike in order to reach the podium which he hungers so much.
Anthony West for sure will be dropped and he must seek the best for his future. West once said that money plays the biggest role in this game and he must step aside because he brings no sponsor and money. He may have took the 5th position in Brno, but it doesn't change anything for his future, but the performance he made at least brings more attention for his future. Interesting quoted from motograndprix:
Return with Fausto would have been a good option, a team that has always helped me, this year we talked a lot, but I always had special attention reserved for Kawasaki. "I have to follow instinct and instinct tells me that this team will be the right one for me."
In the other hand about Ben Spies, I heard his manager, Doug Gonda, is talking to Ducati (Alice) and Honda Gresini, Superbike is also being considered but MotoGP is his concern. If any of these teams take him, then one of the rider will be dumped. Alice Ducati for sure has stated, after completely take offer to Pramac Group from D'Antin, will change the entire pilots, Kallio and Simmoncelli are the best bet. Toni Elias will join Aspar team if they really gets up to the premier class.
Michelin: Disaster goes on...
 Tuesday 19 August 2008
As I predicted that Michelin will suffer in Brno came true. The low and moderate temperature really gave Michelin enough trouble (same thing in Laguna Seca) and Bridgestone on the other hand handed the greatest victory in their competition against Michelin in MotoGP.
Unlike the previous series, where Honda (HRC) keep silent even Michelin were so bad, finally, they lost their patience in Brno, Dani Pedrosa lost his temper and blasted Michelin for not giving him a tire to race, the tire was to ride a bike not race, this race is the MOST embarassing in his entire life.. :) Kazuhiko Yamano, HRC Racing Director, was totally dreadful. Michelin is in danger. Jean Philippe Webber, Michelin, admitted the situation was no different to Laguna Seca. Honda was furious because they fund 40% of Michelin RnD, but the result was shit.
In my point of view, HRC and its riders started to doubt Michelin ability to give them good tires, no wonder Honda gave Nakano 2008 spec bike (Dani Pedrosa's spec), I believe they want to see how the bike behave on the Bridgestone-shod. The result was amazing, Sinya Nakano was faster 2.2 second compared to Dani Pedrosa :), he was constantly the third fastest lap during the race. If the qualification was dry and started from a better grid, I bet he would have climbed the parc-ferme.
Sinya was very fast, even with no data available to his team because this is the first time he rode the 2008 spec, he told journos that the 'secret' is only his tires and he admitted that... If Michelin does no better in Misano, Get ready to see all motoGP bikes on the Bridgestones next year.
Rossi vs Stoner
 15 August 2008
After a 'long long' holiday :) We finally head to Brno, where we expect another best fight among (I can't say between because Pedrosa will return to race) the best racers, Rossi versus Stoner and Pedrosa. Actually, I can't expect a lot from Pedrosa this time because I doubt he is 100% fit after the heavy crash in the Sachenring.
Rossi meanwhile has stated recently that he would love to fight like Lagune Seca for the rest of the season, he seems has found his rhythm again after that fight, he enjoys more in racing after his famous race against Gibby and Biaggi. Stoner on the other hand is stubborn opponent who doesn't give up easily. He is tougher than Gibby and Biaggi, he rides full of confident on his Duke, a hard to break, and his electronics really advanced that Rossi feels his Yamaha must update his software in order to be able to catch the distance, epsecially on the straight line.
Stoner yesterday said that he feels this season is short and he really enjoys it and he also said that Rossi must have felt this season is very long for him and his Fiat Yamaha. :) in straight words: My bike is better than Rossi, and I will beat Rossi because Rossi and his team is suck :). I like that, I just can't wait if Yamaha is really making a progress. I would love to see them fight again, and only the best man and the best strategy on the track will win. The machine is important, but the most important is how you can handle your enemy. Rossi has done that many times, I hope Stoner won't moan if he lose the battle and vice versa...
Orbituary to Craig Jones
 Tuesday, 5 August 2008
I was devastated when watching Supersport 600 cc class in Brands Hatch on the August 3, 2008. I was definitely flatten to see unmoving body after a crash, yes he is Craig Jones, a brilliant rider from Britain.
He was very fast and was fighting with Jonathan Rea, a good fellow of him, but the destiny has spoken already, he lost his rear and lost control of his Parkalgar Honda through the fast Clark Curve towards the end of lap seven of the restarted race.
When he crashed down, Andrew Pitt, 3rd place on the race has no nowhere to go and clipped him. I was extremely sad, because I knew he doesn't move at all, I hope he was just unconscious and will be well soon, just like Axel Nieto in 250cc class. Miracle happened to Axel, but not to Craig.
His head was seriously injured. He was transferred to the Royal London hospital but later died from his injuries, with his family by his side. Oh God, it's really great sadness for whole racing world. My deepest sympathy are with Craig's family.
What is Honda HRC (Honda Racing Corporation) look like?
 Tuesday, 29 July 2008
Ever wonder how HRC looks like? I was so curious and always try to find some information about this one, and after a long search and asking the guys who involve in racing world, finally I got some breakthrough...
The picture you see here is the headquarter, yes it may look small doesn't seem very fabulous, but the tools and equipments inside is worthed millions of dollars. The building itself is located in Tokyo (Asaka Center).
HRC staffs are only around 50 people and they work along with MSD (Motor Sport Development) which is around 70 people only. They are just small part of people from around 2000 staffs or Honda R&D. HRC and MSD is nonetheless unparalleled, with off road and track racing machines sharing space on the various shop floors, plus cyberspace time on the computer aided design screens.
HRC owns design, bench testing, development and assembly departments. It is the heart of ideas and designs of Honda, where the ideas are generated through 3D Visual system, great software is then used to produce the final design parameters, for all components on the machines.
In the assembly department, the machines are prepared and assembled meticulously, part by part and in the end the engine is brought to life and tested on the dyno.
Red Bull team will be on MotoGP in 2009
 Sunday, 27 July 2008
As quoted on Sport Magazine (Spain) that next season there will be a 'new' team, Red Bull-Ducati.The multinational energy drinks has reached an agreement with the owner of Pramac-Ducati, Paolo Campinoti, and with the Italian factory to become the main sponsor of the team, buy a part of it and manage it, a task that until earlier this day was in charge of Spanish Luis D'Antin, who stifled by debt and due to disagreements with Campinoti, submitted the resignation efectively after Assen GP.
For its new team in MotoGP, Red Bull has chosen the young pilot Mika Kallio, who for years was sponsored by the manufacturer of beverages and, this season, has led the world 250cc with the Austrian team and still sponsored by the Red Bull.
Kallio will be one of the members of the new structure, which counted with a second pilot to be determined.
Nakano Gets the new RC212V in Brno
 Sunday, 27 july 2008
Yes, it may been several days ago that every where on the net published about this, but why him? Why not Andrea Dovizioso?
I have sent some emails to my friends who involve around the paddock, and they seem agree that probably Honda is getting tired of Michelin's bad result lately (until Laguna Seca.) It was a disaster for a company like Michelin, made wrong predictions and lack of grip cost the podium for the American's hero, Nicky Hayden and all Michelin riders.
Do you know why Pedrosa chose to go home instead of racing in Laguna Seca? despite his injury, and even the track really demand a strong physic to run, but Pedrosa told Marca Spain that when he tested the tires, he knew he was in another danger, and he better go home rather than end up in the hospital... wise choice.. as Lorenzo fell down hard because his rear tire lost its grip.
Honda(HRC) probably wants input from Nakano over Bridgestone on their current bike... and if it works that good that then they could move to Bridgestone next year, who knows. :) Sachenring proved Michelin was terribly bad in the rain. Well, then why not Dovizioso? Everyone knows that he maybe end up in factory rider next year, as Carlo Pernat spoke to gpone.com that 99% Hayden will likely on the Ducati next year and Honda will take Andrea Dovizioso for the vacant seat. I just can't wait Nakano's performance in Brno.
Ride it like you have been chased by a ghost
 Tuesday 21 July 2008
Sorry for late posting guys, I had problems here with my works, I promise it won't happen again next time... :)
OK let's talk about race in Laguna Seca... It was amazing, WHAT A RACE!!! it has been a while I don't see such kind of race and it was a thriller to see the dog fight between two best riders nowadays. It was proved in the end that only a smart, patience, and has an endless ammos will win the battle. Stoner was great, he was absolutely fast and you can't deny that, he was even faster than the leader, Rossi, for 0.02 second, and he was always faster 1 second than Chris Vermeulen who was fighting very hard to reach Parc Ferme in the 3rd place.
But Stoner couldn't pass Rossi, he tried very hard several times and you can see that his bike was going wider (side by side with Rossi) when he reached the turn but couldn't fast enough to overtake Rossi because Rossi closed the door tight. Rossi could do that because the circuit is tight and short one, if it were like Shanghai, the story would be much different. Stoner was frustrated and he pushed so hard early out of the turn and brake later than Rossi, but Rossi even brake longer than he expected. He did pass Rossi several times but Rossi fought back at all cost. His frustration really burnt out his head until he went wide but still on the track and finally in turn 11 with 8 laps to go, he went into the gravel and crashing at low speed because he lost his front (FYI, the sand was quite deep in that section) and crashed at low speed. He is done and Rossi won the fierce battle and the race.
How could Rossi do that? it is a simple thing to do, according to Mat Mladin (AMA Superbike rider) Rossi knew his bike slower than Stoner and he knew Stoner gained advantage of more power owns by his Ducati, so he put his bike always in front of Stoner and held him tight behind, in such short circuit, more power and speed is not really an advantage. He stayed right on the racing line and made Stoner over-ride the Ducati to get by him, and Stoner will find no way to get through.
Stoner was furious of his defeat, he moaned, but in the end maybe he will regret of what he has said to the media and Rossi himself. It was a race and only the one who has the smartest strategy to win.
Another point in Laguna Seca were Hayden was slower than Dovizioso :( Bad for him and the fans and the poor performance of Michelin's riders, Michelin admitted the mistake and promised to bounce back in Brno. But Let's see what will happen.
Congratulation to Rossi and his fans... I know you are full of smile now... :D
The note before Laguna Seca
 Wednesday, 17 July 2008
So Pedrosa flew to Spain after the crash in Sachenring to scan of his injuries. The investigations showed a fracture of the left index finger - the tendons are damaged. They feared a breakdown of his ankle, fortunately it has emerged as only a strong sprain. He insisted to fly to California after his doctors allowed him to do so. He will try to ride the bike first in Free Practice, if he does feel OK, he will race, otherwise he will be off to follow the fellow John Hopkins. He said "We know it will not be easy and will not know the exact situation until I go up on Friday morning at the motorcycle". Good luck Mate... :)
 Here is the protagonist,Valentino Rossi, he joked that he is willing to go to Japan to lend his hand to Yamaha :) Maybe he is THAT serious... Stoner is suddenly becoming the biggest threaten now, his bike is fast and very reliable. Given the great leap forward taken by Ducati, the Italian claiming already to the improvements that could give its engineers with a surplus of power to his M1 in the return of holiday in Brno.
Hayden in the other hand seems not convincing about his home land advantage, is it a starting of bemoaning to his moving to the Pneumatic Valve? I hope not, he is able to win if he has no problem with the electronics.. well whatever you call, but his luck seems still far away... Hope in Laguna Seca, his favorite circuit and in front of his crowd, he can make a new light to himself and his fans.
Dani Pedrosa could miss Laguna Seca
 Monday, 14 July 2008
It was a beautiful on board camera on the straight line in Sachenring when suddenly Pedrosa fell down. It was a massive fall that his bike 'jumped' over the fence, he was hurt I could see that. dr. Claudio Costa already stated that he could miss US Grand Prix if the hand injury he sustained in Germany requires surgery.
Another thing was quite interesting that only Andrea Dovizioso was from Michelin riders who finished in top 5, 40 seconds adrift of winner Casey Stoner.
Rossi indeed has done a great race, he started from 7th grid and fight hard to reclaim 2nd position until the end of the race. He assured that he must start from a front row to stop Stoner winning again as Stoner really does have an advantage over his bike and his tires combination. Stoner rode brilliantly and Rossi just lost more time when Elias held his way.
 Melandri? I just couldn't say any more, he crashed! and that's it. His manager stated they hope to stay in Ducati until 2009, but I don't see that long, there are no result of Macio's marriage to Ducati and split as soon as possible is the best answer for both of them, his fortunes really contradictory with the man who is in Suzuki now, Loris Capirossi. It is 110% that he will renew his contract. Karma for Macio? oh, no way... it's just racing... :)
Luis D’Antin stepped down and Loris gets the green light
 11 July 2008
I was little bit surprised about the resignation of Luis D’Antin from Pramac Ducati (he has run the team for 5 years), this team even tough not doing very well this year, there was no such rumors about this split. All going well and it seems they are just working hard to improve the bike... :), to my further shock, the he already stepped down after Assen GP.
It was said that The Ducati was not happy with the operation of his team Satellite and Luis D'Antin did little thing to improve them. The results are so poor that this year they are becoming backmarkers. For your info, there isn't any official statement from the team. The team is run by Pramac boss Paola Campinoti now. Campinoti co-owned the team with D’Antin, who was running Ducati’s satellite squad for the fifth season.
Loris Capirossi will return to action this weekend, when Alice Motorrad Grand Prix of Germany, despite not being fully recovered from his latest physical mishap. The Italian has been able to turn the page of the hand injury that occurred during his fall during a race in Catalunya - and that prevented him from aligned on the grid Donington-but not yet at 100% of his latest setback, the deep court as was done in the forearm during training at Assen.
The approval of doctors and his desire to return to compete have decided to give him a green light return to the German test, his spirit is as high as his will. I like his fighting spirit.
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