Catalan MotoGP - Dani Pedrossa?

Question

After reading on the Motogp web site that Dani wil make a decision on thursday about the new engine (P.A.V)

and reminding myself of the fantastic finish we had here last year. Stoner,Rossi and Pedrossa covered by .390 of a second. With the way Rossi is riding the Yamaha at the moment. Can he afford not to go with the new bike.

Or ..... is there a fuel consumption problem there too. if it revs 1000 rpm faster, it uses more fuel, and he already is losing out under braking. (Honda's Idea that GP was going smaller riders smaller bikes, going wrong by the minute) I still think he has no choice. after Tady finished almost a minute behind Rossi, (only 8.5 behind Nicky) I think he needs to upgrade his bike. his weight might make the difference.

as a footnote there were 5 different manufactors in the first 5 last year. Im sure honda want this one really bad. Rossi is going to take stopping. he has the tyres and the engine. and likes to stick it to honda.

What do you think ?

Answer 1

I think its a tough call weather to introduce it at Spain or not.

On one hand, Okada showed it was competitive and reliable at Italy and Honda could do with just an extra little something....

Saying that Okada hardly pushed himself ( well at 41 maybe he did)! So if he didn't, is it reliable or economical enough or, if Okada did then is it a large enough advantage over the conventional engine to risk over the possibility of loosing/ gaining in the championship race.

I agree it should be given to Haden first, as a further race test.

Answer 2

Hey there proc...

I dont think  Dani will ride the new bike until it is 100 percent as honda have too much to lose if it fails, or have thery too much to lose if they dont use it, with the doctor coming back to life. As for this weekends race i fancy Dani and Lorenzo with Rossi amongst them, I dont think we will see much of Casey unless Ducati have finally sorted out the fuel misdemeanours, but as for the racing bring it on, lets hope for another fab weekends racing

Answer 3

Hey Proc ;)

Well, I'm really bad with engines. I've got no clue about most of the stuff you mentioned (being faster, loosing fuel, etc). But I do get the feeling that without the new engine Pedrosa and Honda cannot win.

If I got it right (that's what the eurosport guys said) they are the only team who hasn't switched to the new engine? And I was thinking, if they are doing so good now, what will happen when they put the new engine? Do you remember last year when Rossi was trying the new Yamaha gadgets? Ending up with no podium or not finishing at all? I'm not so sure always putting something new on a bike in the middle of the season is a good idea....

anyway, not that I understand anything from bikes ;) just what I have observed ;)

Answer 4

Hello!

I think that Dani should go with the new engine, he needs it badly, especially on home soil! Would that stop a very thirsty for wins Rossi ? Personally  don't think so, but if Dani that not change the engine, he would have not only a physical disadvantage but a physiological one also knowing he rides a slower bike. let wait and see. Let the best win!

Answer 5

Hi proc

I'm gonna go with Dani on this one. Rossi is certainly on fire at the moment, but I can't help feeling that its Pedrosa's to lose this year. He's so good on what is basically a hotch potch machine (this years chassis with an engine that is half this years and half last years....ie new block old head)

When they sort their air valves out, and they will! I think it might be an almost unbeatable combination....Dani and Honda.

Wether he uses the air valves or spring, Dani's gonna have the home advantage at Montmelo, which must be worth a few tenths a lap to anyone (just ask Vale......seven times in a row at Mugello!)

Apparently Dani and Nicky will both get the choice of what engine they're gonna use to race. I don't think we can go too much on Tadi's result. Good though he was/is, he's been out of racing for too long, and is probably a little limp wristed compared to todays young thrusters. (I don't mean he's a F**********r, I just mean that he doesn't wring it's neck like he used to)

The air valve engine will be faster........no question, and even though it has a 1000 rpm higher ceiling, it is far more fuel efficient due to having less moving parts, no stiff springs to force open and overall less friction. There remains a question mark over it's useability and power delivery. But as I said before, I'm sure Honda will have it sorted soon.

Anyway, I reckon Dani will win this next race (spring or air valve), and he's my favorite for the championship if Honda sort their air valve motor out.

Of course I'm probably wrong and Vale will win everything else this season..............but if that happened won't people say that it's as boring and predictable as last year!?.......Probably not, because it's the "Doctor". Am I being cynical now?

Answer 6

Your right, he needs to do something quick sharp.

As for the new PAV lump, I heard that Nicky was going to get it first. May be if it breaks there top boy will not be affected.

As for its top speed, nothing to wright home about.

Last year was a belter, Im sure this year will not dissapoint. Rossi is on a mission to prove all the haters wrong, and who knows what he will / can do.

As for the MPG, you would like to think that the Big H have that taken care of, but each rider is different. Mybe Dani has a heavy wrist compared to old man Taddy.

Time will tell, I'll be honest, my money is on Vale............. again. All is right with him at the moment. Just think how good he will be when he gets to Assen or Donny !! WOW.