http://www.cyclenews.com/articles/road-racing/2009/06/11/hayden-to-try-different-ducati

Cool!   

That is hands-down the best explanation I've heard yet about why the Duc is so difficult to ride and why Nicky's comfort with getting the bike sideways doesn't translate into speed on the Duc. 

Nicky is looking much better!  Hopefully they've got something here.  A little boost of confidence would be nice.  He was really sliding the bike this morning and looking a lot more comfortable while tossing in some good times.  6th place fp1.   

seems to have made a difference

I look forward to seeing improvement!

I hope this new bike/setup works for him.   

If he can reward the trust Ducati is showing (by coming up with an entirely different bike for him rather than just telling him to be aggressive) it could mean the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship for both of them.

I liked the end where he explains how he's on throttle quicker and more aggressive than Casey.  Stats like those have got to be part of the reason Duc finally agreed to drastically modify the setup and bike for him.  They couldn't argue just be more aggressive like Casey because the numbers showed he was already doing that.  Great explanation really all the way around.

Go kick some ass Nicky!

GO, NICKY GO!!!!

[moto]

Yay! Now he may get in some 7th and 8th place finishes! 

Free Practice Spoiler ---

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2009/Hayden+Friday+Barcelona+breakthrough

Maybe it is the rider weight delta between him and CS that affects the bike more?

mitt

Quote from: mitt on June 12, 2009, 04:41:30 PM
Maybe it is the rider weight delta between him and CS that affects the bike more?

mitt

That's what I thought, then did some checking.

Yamaha and Ducati websites say:

Rossi - 67 kg
Lorenzo - 55 kg

Hayden - 68 kg
Stoner - 58 kg

I'm sure the weight difference doesn't help, but it hasn't seemed to have been a problem for Yamaha.

*Reads the weights, and mumbles about "tiny make the beast with two backsin' moto-jockeys..." *

Eh, I'd really like to see Hayden get things going his way. I had high hopes for his season, and so far it's been pretty lousy.

Quote from: Speeddog on June 12, 2009, 06:28:50 PM
That's what I thought, then did some checking.

Yamaha and Ducati websites say:

Rossi - 67 kg
Lorenzo - 55 kg

Hayden - 68 kg
Stoner - 58 kg

I'm sure the weight difference doesn't help, but it hasn't seemed to have been a problem for Yamaha.

but.... do Rossi and Jorge have the same bike, or has Yami set them up different based on weight?

It goes to show just how complicated the rider-machine relationship is and how the culmination of countless factors can add up to either a big gain or a big loss. I get a whole new appreciation for what it takes to win in any championship when I see a technical breakdown like this.

Quote from: superjohn on June 13, 2009, 08:45:12 AM
It goes to show just how complicated the rider-machine relationship is and how the culmination of countless factors can add up to either a big gain or a big loss. I get a whole new appreciation for what it takes to win in any championship when I see a technical breakdown like this.

+1
Another factor is, of course, the reduced practice and testing time. Nicky requires more of both than some ohter riders to do well.