Topic: I guess the Ducati isn't so easy to ride fast afterall

[riverfever]

Yeah I'm keeping tabs on it in between parent/teacher conferences. I think he could do amazing things this season.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Others were faster in Free Practice 2, but still not as fast as Maverick in FP1.  https://www.superbikeplanet.com/2017-motogp-qatar-grand-prix-free-practice-2/

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Vinales fastest in FP3, although his FP1 time was still faster.  Check out the cool, slow-motion slides.
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2017/03/24/vinales-leads-the-charge-to-qualifying-at-losail/221877?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Traffic&utm_content=QatarGPD2Report_en

[simon#42]

well it finished much closer than everyone thought , some very good rides . was very impressed with aleix espargaro on the aprilia
6th place and right on the back of the works honda's is a great result

[GV1390]

Great race. The doctor is never "too old" to be competitive for the podium.

[simon#42]

he will be pleased with that , looks like being another great season

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

That was a hell of a battle between Dovi and Maverick.

[riverfever]

Imagine my frustration when the Direct tv recording stopped with about 10 to go. And I was so careful to avoid this place and all social media until I could sit down and watch things. 

Super pumped about Vinales.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Imagine my frustration when the Direct tv recording stopped with about 10 to go. And I was so careful to avoid this place and all social media until I could sit down and watch things. 

Super pumped about Vinales.

Mine also cut out.  I was out riding so I had to catch the replay at night.

And, yes, that kid can ride.  He's probably giving all of the Aliens something to think about at night.

[J-Rod10]

I always record the show after the race as well. 40 minute delay cut it off early.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I'll admit I was pleased JLo finished P11.  Soon he will be complaining about how Maverick rides.  In comparison, Dovi rode and amazing race to P2 on the same equipment.

[GV1390]

Crybaby Lorenzo wishes he could be called "JLo". I hope he continues to lose with Ducati. Vale had to go through that stage back in 2011-2012. Lorenzo only took the plunge with Ducati because they've improved tremendously since those days.

[J-Rod10]

Crybaby Lorenzo wishes he could be called "JLo". I hope he continues to lose with Ducati. Vale had to go through that stage back in 2011-2012. Lorenzo only took the plunge with Ducati because they've improved tremendously since those days.

Vale played Lorenzo quite well. Dropping comments to the press like "It takes balls to win titles on two bikes, he'll be back here next year."

[GV1390]

Crybaby Lorenzo wishes he could be called "JLo". I hope he continues to lose with Ducati. Vale had to go through that stage back in 2011-2012. Lorenzo only took the plunge with Ducati because they've improved tremendously since those days.

Vale played Lorenzo quite well. Dropping comments to the press like "It takes balls to win titles on two bikes, he'll be back here next year."

Yup! He's the master with mind games - always has been.

[bwaller]

These guys have to deal with so many issues. That humidity must have been hell to deal with. The track had a sheen to it from certain angles. Touch the paint...gone, off a narrow line...gone. Then it rained 15 minutes after it ended, bit of luck.

It may be easy to lay the hate on Lorenzo, but they all have their quirks. Dovi has been in a Ducati seat a long time, not so for his partner. He will improve with time, it's a different beast from where he came.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

These guys have to deal with so many issues. That humidity must have been hell to deal with. The track had a sheen to it from certain angles. Touch the paint...gone, off a narrow line...gone. Then it rained 15 minutes after it ended, bit of luck.

It may be easy to lay the hate on Lorenzo, but they all have their quirks. Dovi has been in a Ducati seat a long time, not so for his partner. He will improve with time, it's a different beast from where he came.

Whether you like him or not, you have to respect his talent.  When he's ON, he's like a Swiss watch hammering out lap after perfect lap.  Dovi has lots of seat time and development credit for improving the Ducati from a dingy with a cigarette boat engine and without a rudder.

[simon#42]

the internet experts do tend to hate him , although most of them have never been to a gp let alone raced .
i dont think the big problem is the ducati at the moment . its the new front tyre , he would not have won on the yamaha last week
he will though as will mark , valentino , dovi etc  oh and zarco who does not seem understand that your not supposed to win on a satellite bike at all.

[GV1390]

have never been to a gp let alone raced.

Going to GP races is an absolute blast. I was fortunate to meet the Doctor himself one of the years I've gone:



Zarco will do well once he gets some MotoGP experience under his belt. Kid has talent. Most of the riders were in fact critiquing/complaining about the front tire during the press/post conferences.

[simon#42]

zarco has won the moto2 championship for the last 2 years he has plenty of gp experience he just needs time on a motogp bike .

if you love the american gp's you should try one of the european races , they have 4 times the spectators and 10 times the atmosphere .

[GV1390]

Agreed on the larger bike.

Went to Indy the last two years before they took it off the schedule. Currently planning a possible trip to Vale's home track in September - Misano. I heard it's a riot to attend. Forum member IrishCBRacer has attended many MotoGP races.....he knows the owner of the LCR team so he meets Cal every year.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

It appears that everyone was at a disadvantage with the weather limiting track time and providing dangerous conditions with the humidity and dew (when it wasn't raining).  The track conditions were far from good.  Dorna told Losail to repave the track.  There is no drainage system because it only rains about 8 days per year.

HRC screwed the pooch by selecting the softer front (Marquez said he destroyed it in 4 laps).  If HRC had not insisted that its riders use the softer tire, maybe we would have seen more from Marquez, Pedrosa and Crutchlow (I should say maybe we would have seen better from Crutchlow).

Zarco was on a tear last year in Moto2.  He'll likely shine at Tech 3 and move up the chain to a factory.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

"[Maverick" was a hammer.  I knew it was not an easy task to try and beat him.  Honestly I didn’t have the pace to fight with him, none of us had it on Sunday"  - Dovi
https://www.superbikeplanet.com/ducati-qatar-mixed-feelings/

NOTE: Lorenzo's approx. 25 million Euro salary.  What do you think Ducati pays Dovi?

[simon#42]

Agreed on the larger bike.

Went to Indy the last two years before they took it off the schedule. Currently planning a possible trip to Vale's home track in September - Misano. I heard it's a riot to attend. Forum member IrishCBRacer has attended many MotoGP races.....he knows the owner of the LCR team so he meets Cal every year.

good choice that is a great gp especially as you are a rossi fan , i would also suggest you think about jerez and mugello for the future
i have been to indy and its great but i think you will like misano more !

[bwaller]

http://amcn.com.au/editorial/14353/

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

http://amcn.com.au/editorial/14353/

One can hope!