2012 MotoGP

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Feb 9, 2011
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The season kicks of in a few days in Qatar at the Losail International Circuit :thumbsu:

2012 MotoGP Calendar:

8th April Qatar Losail
29th April Spain Jerez
6th May Portugal Estoril
20th May France Le Mans
3rd June Catalunya Catalunya
17th June Great Britain Silverstone
30th June Netherlands Assen
8th July Germany Sachsenring
15th July Italy Mugello
29th July United States Laguna Seca
19th August Indianapolis Indianapolis
26th August Czech Republic Brno
16th September San Marino Misano
30th September Aragon Motorland
14th October Japan Motegi
21th October Malaysia Sepang
28th October Australia Phillip Island
11th November Valencia Ricardo Tormo

Subject To Change
 
GP Commission approve new rules changes
Friday, 16 December 2011

The Grand Prix Commission approved various rules changes with effect from the 2012 season. The Grand Prix Commission, composed of Messrs. Carmelo Ezpeleta (Dorna, Chairman), Ignacio Verneda (FIM Executive Director, Sport), Herve Poncharal (IRTA) and Takanao Tsubouchi (MSMA) in the presence of Javier Alonso (Dorna), Mike Trimby (IRTA) and Paul Butler (Secretary of the meeting), in a meeting held on 14 December in Madrid, decided the following:

Sporting Regulations

A revised wording of the testing regulation was approved. This incorporated the various decisions made earlier in 2011 concerning this matter.

Additionally it was decided that contracted riders in the MotoGP class may also test machines using the allocation of 240 tyres available to each manufacturer's team. Previously such testing was restricted to test riders only. In the interest of fair competition it was also agreed that other MotoGP class riders could exclusively test their team machines with a limit of 120 tyres per rider.

It was agreed that riders who did not qualify for the race based on their time in the qualifying practice can qualify if they achieve a time at least equal to 107% of the fastest rider in the warm up. This is an addition to the previous regulation which only considered free practice sessions.

Under the regulation concerning MotoGP class riders starting the race from pit lane due to an engine durability sanction, it was agreed that in future they will start ten seconds after the green light is shown at the pit lane exit.

Riders in all classes may now use a starter engine on the grid. For all classes tyre warmers may now remain in place until the display of the one minute board. Generators must still be removed at the three minute board.

Technical Regulations

With effect from 2012, for all classes, it will be compulsory to display a red rear light in rain conditions.

The minimum weight limits for 1000cc machines in the MotoGP class will be increased from the current 153 kilos.
- Effective from 2012: 157 kilos
- Effective from 2013: 160 kilos

The permitted wheel sizes for the Moto3 class were confirmed as:
Front 2.50" x 17" only
Rear 3.50" x 17" only

Several detail changes to regulations, submitted by the Technical Director were all approved.

A list of MotoGP class entries for 2012 was considered by the Commission. The list contained nine entries plus one reserve entry using CRT machinery of various types. Participation of all CRT entries was approved by the Commission on the understanding that the granting of CRT Status was subject to review by the Grand Prix Commission at any time.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2011/GP+Commission+approve+new+rules+changes
 
I'm really excited about the new season of MotoGP. I really believe it will be the most competitive season quite some time. Casey Stoner has seemingly continued on his merry way in pre-season testing, leading every session he took part in. But that doesn't tell the whole story with Jorge Lorenzo once again proving to be his bigget opposition posting some ridiculously fast and consistent times. Anyways, following is my rider preview for the season ahead.

1. Casey Stoner (Repsol Honda) -
"Casey on a Honda could be a very scary situation. The Honda's working quite well now. When Casey's on, there's been nobody on a Ducati that can touch him. Those are just facts. So it's going to be scary to see what he does on a Honda. Again, it's one of those things that could go really bad for everybody. We'll have to see." - Ben Spies, Oct 8, 2010
As it turned out, these were prophetic words by Speez. Casey joined the greats in 2011, dominating the championship and winning his second title with ease in his first season with Honda. Along the way he also moved to 10th on the all-time winners list for all classes and top 5 for the top class. For 2012 he still appears the man to beat, constantly topping test sessions despite not being completely with his new 1000cc Honda. It would be brave to bet against him.

26. Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda) - Pedrosa enters 2012 with possibly his best shot at the MotoGP crown since moving up to the top class in 2006. He has been consistently fast, though just behind Lorenzo and Stoner, but most importantly he has come through healthy and happy with the bike. I think Dani has the most raw speed of any rider in the paddock when he's happy with the bike but there are still a number of questions marks over the Spaniard, namely how will his diminutive frame can handle the larger 1000cc bike, can he learn to ride to strong results when the bike isn't quite right and can he get through a season uninjured? If he can answer these questions in the positive then he'll go close to his first title win in the blue riband class.

19. Alvaro Bautista (Gresini Honda) - It's a bit hard to get a genuine gauge on how good Alvaro really is. Struggling for the past two seasons with some relatively impressive performances on a below par Suzuki, this year represents his best opportunity to prove himself on a satellite Honda with the very professional Gresini outfit. He's taken some time to get used to his new mount but I'd expect him to keep improving though he does have a bit of a topsy turvy history and I think this trait will continue this year.

6. Stefan Bradl (LCR Honda) - The son of former 250cc rider Helmut Bradl, at just 22 years old Stefan enters his first season of MotoGP as the reigning Moto2 champ. He has been methodical, professional and impressive in stepping up to the 1000cc class and I'd expect him to be consistent in and around 6th-10th placings which would be quite an achievement for the rookie.

99. Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha Factory) - Lorenzo put up quite a fight to retain his crown last year but was ultimately outgunned by a rampant Casey Stoner and his fire breathing Honda. For 2012, Lorenzo and Yamaha have been quite the busy duo with the 1000cc M1 looking to be at least on par with the Honda. Lorenzo's strength lies in his ability to reel off lap times with robotic-like consistency. An example of this was his race simulation at the Sepang test where he reeled off 20 consecutive laps with less than a 4 tenths of a second variance. It's this consistency and his smooth riding style on the new softer Bridgestone tires that may well be the trump to winning this year.

11. Ben Spies (Yamaha Factory) - The Ben has been relishing riding the new bigger MotoGP bikes with the extra power and physical nature of the bike suiting his larger stature. However, 2012 looms as a significant year for Ben with a few riders keen to stake a claim for his factory ride. He won a race in 2011 and I'd expect him to win two or three this season but I don't think he quite has the outright speed to win enough races to be a title contender. Yet.

4. Andrea Dovizioso (Monster Yamaha Tech3) - Dovi, the invisible man of MotoGP, has a point to prove in 2012. Aggrieved from being dumped from the factory Honda squad at the end of 2011, he's out to show that he deserves to be a factory rider and will have a target drawn on Ben Spies back. His bike will be competitive and I'd expect a handful of podiums from him.

35. Cal Crutchlow (Monster Yamaha Tech3) - crossing over from World Superbike, Cal showed glimpses of promise in 2011 but they were too easy to miss in amongst a lot of mistakes and crashes. This pre-season, the change to the larger 1000cc bikes appears to have agreed with Cal who has been consistently fast. The challenge for him is to turn that speed into results, especially as Bradley Smith will be joining the Tech3 MotoGP team in 2013, Cal is fighting to prove he deserves to remain in the class.

46. Valentino Rossi (Ducati Team) - 2011 saw the Italian dreamteam paring of Rossi on the Ducati. However it quickly became a nightmare when he was instantly 2 seconds a lap off the pace from the first test that he rode the bike. Whilst it improved somewhat during the season, only one podium for the year is the first significant chink in the Italians armour. After a less than stellar pre-season again, many are starting to question the great Rossi's current skills as a rider and in development. At 33 his best is behind him but it would be folly to dismiss him altogether. He should podium more than he did last year but any wins are unlikely.

69. Nicky Hayden (Ducati Team) - the 800cc class was a difficult period for Nicky whose physical size and superbike backgound wasn't suited to the smaller bikes. Back on a 1000cc machine though he seems happier and more confident with the all-new Ducati Desmosedici. Whilst they won't be the wheelspinning, powersliding monsters of old, the extra power should definitely suit the Kentucky native. Some podium finishes are not out of the question and he'll be ambitions to beat Valentino who he was more competitive against last year than most expected.

8. Hector Barbera (Pramac Racing) - This Hector Barbera is not the Hector Barbera of old, the reckless, uber-aggressive Hector Barbera who earned a fearsome reputation through the 125cc and 250cc classes. No, this is a more measured and consistent Hector Barbera, becoming famous for strong qualifying performances and getting up the nose of his competitors for gaining a 'tow' to achieve these results. However, with his more mature racing, he has also lost some of the racing flare, that brilliant speed that he could sometimes possess. He'll likely score a number of top 10 finishes this year but to keep his seat in MotoGP, the old Hector may just need to re-emerge from time-to-time to prove some of that brilliance is still in there.

17. Karel Abraham (Cardion AB) - Karel had an impressive rookie season last year, proving worthy of a MotoGP ride and not just an embarassment riding around at the back because of Daddy's money. The challenge for him this year is to improve on last years performance but with such a talented field, this is easier said than done. I think he'll find 2012 a difficult sophomore season fighting off the quicker CRTs and scraping in a few top 10s.

CRTs
Now you'll have to forgive me as I'm too tired to do a full roundup of the rest of the riders so I'll give an overview of how I think the CRT bikies and their riders will fare.

Of all the CRT machines available, the Aprilia (superbike...) Racing machines are the bike to have with Randy DePuniet the one to watch. He was right up with the tail end of the satellite bikes and with some further development, he could well score a number of top 10 finishes or even a little higher in exceptional circumstances. Behind him the majority of the CRT bikes are very close and should provide some very good racing. His teammate Aleix Espargaro and fellow Aprilia riders, Brit, James Ellison, journeyman Mattia Pasini and talented young Itaian Danilo Petrucci against the likes of the experienced Colin Edwards on his BMW powered Suter and Team Gresini's Michele Pirro and their Ten Kate tuned FTR should provide exciting action at the lower half of the field. The Avintia Blusens boys of Ivan Silva and the spectacular Yonny Hernandez will likely bring up the tail until they get their FTR Kawasaki's sorted out.

So overall, I really believe that this year should provide some very entertaining racing throughout the field with the factory Hondas and Yamahas battling it out at the front, the faactory Ducatis and satellite Hondas and Yamahas just in behind and then the privateer Ducatis and CRT further down the order.
It's hard to see Stoner getting beaten over the course of a year but who knows what effect the new softer Bridgestones with their lesser longevitiy will have. The competition from Lorenzo and Pedrosa will be fierce and then there's Rossi and Ducati who won't rest until they are back compeitive again. Roll on 2012! :thumbsu:
 

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MotoGP Free Practice Nr. 1 Classification 2012


Thursday, April 05, 2012

1 1 Casey STONER AUS Repsol Honda Team Honda 334.5 1'56.474

2 99 Jorge LORENZO SPA Yamaha Factory Racing Yamaha 329.9 1'56.648 0.174 / 0.174

3 69 Nicky HAYDEN USA Ducati Team Ducati 334.2 1'56.924 0.450 / 0.276

4 11 Ben SPIES USA Yamaha Factory Racing Yamaha 326.7 1'56.982 0.508 / 0.058

5 26 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 332.9 1'57.130 0.656 / 0.148

6 35 Cal CRUTCHLOW GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 329.2 1'57.395 0.921 / 0.265

7 19 Alvaro BAUTISTA SPA San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 336.8 1'57.512 1.038 / 0.117

8 4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 330.0 1'57.547 1.073 / 0.035

9 8 Hector BARBERA SPA Pramac Racing Team Ducati 337.2 1'57.912 1.438 / 0.365

10 46 Valentino ROSSI ITA Ducati Team Ducati 334.3 1'57.914 1.440 / 0.002

11 17 Karel ABRAHAM CZE Cardion AB Motoracing Ducati 336.1 1'57.939 1.465 / 0.025

12 6 Stefan BRADL GER LCR Honda MotoGP Honda 330.9 1'58.934 2.460 / 0.995

13 14 Randy DE PUNIET FRA Power Electronics Aspar ART 314.0 1'59.985 3.511 / 1.051

14 5 Colin EDWARDS USA NGM Mobile Forward Racing Suter 315.1 2'00.044 3.570 / 0.059

15 51 Michele PIRRO ITA San Carlo Honda Gresini FTR 309.5 2'00.322 3.848 / 0.278

16 41 Aleix ESPARGARO SPA Power Electronics Aspar ART 311.8 2'00.720 4.246 / 0.398

17 22 Ivan SILVA SPA Avintia Blusens BQR-FTR 304.7 2'01.138 4.664 / 0.418

18 54 Mattia PASINI ITA Speed Master ART 307.6 2'01.261 4.787 / 0.123

19 68 Yonny HERNANDEZ COL Avintia Blusens BQR-FTR 303.7 2'01.276 4.802 / 0.015

20 9 Danilo PETRUCCI ITA Came IodaRacing Project Ioda 288.5 2'01.352 4.878 / 0.076

21 77 James ELLISON GBR Paul Bird Motorsport ART 302.4 2'03.421 6.947 / 2.069

http://www.motogp.com/en/Results+Statistics/2012/QAT/MotoGP/FP1
 
MotoGP Free Practice Nr. 2 Classification 2012

Friday, April 06, 2012

1 1 Casey STONER AUS Repsol Honda Team Honda 332.6 1'55.960

2 99 Jorge LORENZO SPA Yamaha Factory Racing Yamaha 328.8 1'56.174 0.214 / 0.214

3 4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 332.2 1'56.648 0.688 / 0.474

4 11 Ben SPIES USA Yamaha Factory Racing Yamaha 328.2 1'56.671 0.711 / 0.023

5 8 Hector BARBERA SPA Pramac Racing Team Ducati 339.0 1'56.678 0.718 / 0.007

6 26 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 331.6 1'56.697 0.737 / 0.019

7 69 Nicky HAYDEN USA Ducati Team Ducati 336.9 1'56.782 0.822 / 0.085

8 35 Cal CRUTCHLOW GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 330.5 1'56.814 0.854 / 0.032

9 6 Stefan BRADL GER LCR Honda MotoGP Honda 332.4 1'57.197 1.237 / 0.383

10 46 Valentino ROSSI ITA Ducati Team Ducati 337.0 1'57.274 1.314 / 0.077

11 17 Karel ABRAHAM CZE Cardion AB Motoracing Ducati 334.0 1'57.523 1.563 / 0.249

12 19 Alvaro BAUTISTA SPA San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 334.1 1'57.668 1.708 / 0.145

13 5 Colin EDWARDS USA NGM Mobile Forward Racing Suter 317.1 1'58.801 2.841 / 1.133

14 14 Randy DE PUNIET FRA Power Electronics Aspar ART 310.9 1'58.945 2.985 / 0.144

15 68 Yonny HERNANDEZ COL Avintia Blusens BQR-FTR 307.5 1'59.698 3.738 / 0.753

16 41 Aleix ESPARGARO SPA Power Electronics Aspar ART 313.9 1'59.997 4.037 / 0.299

17 51 Michele PIRRO ITA San Carlo Honda Gresini FTR 309.9 2'00.231 4.271 / 0.234

18 54 Mattia PASINI ITA Speed Master ART 314.4 2'00.373 4.413 / 0.142

19 9 Danilo PETRUCCI ITA Came IodaRacing Project Ioda 292.4 2'00.404 4.444 / 0.031

20 22 Ivan SILVA SPA Avintia Blusens BQR-FTR 305.9 2'00.787 4.827 / 0.383

21 77 James ELLISON GBR Paul Bird Motorsport ART 303.1 2'02.112 6.152 / 1.325


http://www.motogp.com/en/Results+Statistics/2012/QAT/MotoGP/FP2
 
MotoGP Free Practice Nr. 3 Classification 2012

Friday, April 06, 2012

1 99 Jorge LORENZO SPA Yamaha Factory Racing Yamaha 329.7 1'55.302

2 35 Cal CRUTCHLOW GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 329.6 1'55.456 0.154 / 0.154

3 1 Casey STONER AUS Repsol Honda Team Honda 336.3 1'55.674 0.372 / 0.218

4 4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 333.4 1'55.905 0.603 /
0.231

5 26 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 334.9 1'56.114 0.812 / 0.209

6 8 Hector BARBERA SPA Pramac Racing Team Ducati 338.3 1'56.163 0.861 / 0.049

7 69 Nicky HAYDEN USA Ducati Team Ducati 338.8 1'56.402 1.100 / 0.239

8 46 Valentino ROSSI ITA Ducati Team Ducati 337.4 1'56.535 1.233 / 0.133

9 6 Stefan BRADL GER LCR Honda MotoGP Honda 335.1 1'56.751 1.449 / 0.216

10 19 Alvaro BAUTISTA SPA San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 334.0 1'56.771 1.469 / 0.020

11 11 Ben SPIES USA Yamaha Factory Racing Yamaha 327.0 1'57.030 1.728 / 0.259

12 17 Karel ABRAHAM CZE Cardion AB Motoracing Ducati 335.8 1'57.223 1.921 / 0.193

13 14 Randy DE PUNIET FRA Power Electronics Aspar ART 312.3 1'58.261 2.959 / 1.038

14 5 Colin EDWARDS USA NGM Mobile Forward Racing Suter 316.8 1'58.310 3.008 / 0.049

15 51 Michele PIRRO ITA San Carlo Honda Gresini FTR 313.5 1'58.800 3.498 / 0.490

16 68 Yonny HERNANDEZ COL Avintia Blusens BQR-FTR 306.6 1'59.087 3.785 / 0.287

17 41 Aleix ESPARGARO SPA Power Electronics Aspar ART 313.1 1'59.169 3.867 / 0.082

18 9 Danilo PETRUCCI ITA Came IodaRacing Project Ioda 292.2 1'59.517 4.215 / 0.348

19 22 Ivan SILVA SPA Avintia Blusens BQR-FTR 311.4 2'00.035 4.733 / 0.518

20 54 Mattia PASINI ITA Speed Master ART 314.5 2'00.226 4.924 / 0.191

21 77 James ELLISON GBR Paul Bird Motorsport ART 312.2 2'00.563 5.261 / 0.337

http://www.motogp.com/en/Results+Statistics/2012/QAT/MotoGP/FP3
 
Good news everyone!

The Qatar race is only going to be broadcast on Ten, and not One.

Yay, I love watching sport that was HD downgraded to SD :rolleyes:
 
Good news everyone!

The Qatar race is only going to be broadcast on Ten, and not One.

Yay, I love watching sport that was HD downgraded to SD :rolleyes:
The Masters is on. Final round at the same time as the Moto GP race. Should and is taking priority.
 
keep your eyes on Arthur Sissis. a good young Aussie kid who started in the Moto3 this year. qualified 9th. he is a really likeable kid who will do well the next few years
 
Final Qualifying positions:

MotoGP
Pos No. Rider Bike Time Diff Diff Previous
1 99 Jorge LORENZO YAMAHA 1'54.634
2 1 Casey STONER HONDA 1'54.855 0.221 0.221
3 35 Cal CRUTCHLOW YAMAHA 1'55.022 0.388 0.167
4 11 Ben SPIES YAMAHA 1'55.512 0.878 0.490
5 69 Nicky HAYDEN DUCATI 1'55.637 1.003 0.125
6 4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO YAMAHA 1'55.858 1.224 0.221
7 26 Dani PEDROSA HONDA 1'55.905 1.271 0.047
8 8 Hector BARBERA DUCATI 1'55.983 1.349 0.078
9 6 Stefan BRADL HONDA 1'56.063 1.429 0.080
10 17 Karel ABRAHAM DUCATI 1'56.198 1.564 0.135
11 19 Alvaro BAUTISTA HONDA 1'56.521 1.887 0.323
12 46 Valentino ROSSI DUCATI 1'56.813 2.179 0.292
13 5 Colin EDWARDS SUTER 1'57.644 3.010 0.831
14 14 Randy DE PUNIET ART 1'58.266 3.632 0.622
15 41 Aleix ESPARGARO ART 1'58.520 3.886 0.254
16 68 Yonny HERNANDEZ BQR-FTR 1'58.795 4.161 0.275
17 51 Michele PIRRO FTR 1'59.085 4.451 0.290
18 54 Mattia PASINI ART 1'59.195 4.561 0.110
19 9 Danilo PETRUCCI IODA 1'59.664 5.030 0.469
20 22 Ivan SILVA BQR-FTR 2'00.493 5.859 0.829
21 77 James ELLISON ART 2'00.757 6.123 0.264


Was nice to come home from camping to see this result, variety up the front (Lorenzo and Stoner aside) and Rossi still struggling (sorry, I just don't like the guy). Seems the Hondas are having significant chattering issues still and HRC boss, Shuhei Nakamoto, was right in saying that the Yamaha is the best bike. Still, on hard tires I still Casey 'the racer' will come out and win the race in a tianic battle to the end with a serious Yamaha battle for the final podium spot behind them. I'm really happy for Cal and Dovi to be so competitive on their satellite bikes, hats off to Yamaha for the new M1 they have supplied. Also, I hope Nicky's qualifying pace can be replicated in the race, he had a torrid time of things on the 800cc bikes, hopefully the new 1000s suit him better. Well, better be off to bed soon, it'll be an early mornin!

Oddspot - Ben Spies had a weird crash whereby he got dragged by his Yamaha around a corner, not because he hung on trying to save it but because he got caught on the 'protective' brake guard on his handlebar. :rolleyes:
 

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Stoner is a freak.

He is a full 1 second faster than the next Honda rider, a world champion and one of the highest rated riders for speed out there.
 
Stoner doesnt get anywhere near the recognition he deserves.
He is an immense talent an his performance on the pos ducati should of been enough to silence any critics.

If he showed abit more personality an flair he would probably get alot more attention an praise from media etc.

How crap is one hd getting showing basketball including finals at 10:30pm sometimes 12:30am now cant watch the motogp on it due to golf.
Now i understand some like to watch golf but im pretty sure theres more interest in motogp than golf.
 
The Masters is on. Final round at the same time as the Moto GP race. Should and is taking priority.
With the nearest Aussie about 12 shots off the pace. Who cares? We have a reigning world champion in the Moto GP, surely that takes priority?
 
The Masters would get some juicy dollars from the rich pricks and fat dicks.

It is THE tournament and rates higher than any other. There are many GPs. Not many Masters.

Just be glad to be watching both.

Can't understand why the MotoGP isn't on fox? :confused:
 
One grabbed exclusive rights for it like they did NBL an then they dont bother showing it properly.

However just realised race isnt on until 2:30am perth time so umm yeahnot so worried about what they show it on now.
 
How did Lorenzo get pole, on a track Stoner pwns? Is this genuine speed? A one-off flyer that paid off, that Stoner will correct in the race? :confused:

The Yamaha is really fast at the moment.

The top 6 consists of 4 Yamahas, Nicky and Casey.

The next best Honda (Pedro) is over a second slower.

I think Lorenzo should win.
 
Get home from work just as the race begins. Hope I can stay awake through the whole race. Looking forward to it. Bring on the season!
 

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