2012 Sepang 2 MotoGP Test

[gm2]

day 1: rain, usual suspects, and apparently nicky is feeling better:
http://www.motomatters.com/results/2012/02/28/2012_sepang_2_motogp_test_day_1_times_st.html

day 1 press releases and an on-board lap with stoner:
http://www.motomatters.com/press_release/2012/02/28/2012_sepang_2_motogp_test_day_1_press_re.html

[Speeddog]

Curious as to why Stoner went all the way up through the gears at the end of pit lane going out, then again when coming in. 

[duccarlos]

Rossi not happy with the productivity of today's testing:

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97719

Good to see Nicki getting better.

[duccarlos]

http://www.twowheelsblog.com/post/9245/nicky-hayden-faster-than-valentino-rossi-on-first-day-of-testing-at-sepang2

[gm2]

ok, so The Ben was fastest today!

..only it was raining.  and there were no Repsol bikes on the track.

but still.

[Jester]

Hayden and Rossi at the back of the pack.  Hector in front by .3-.4  Ducati might be keeping a happy face for the media, but they have to be ripping their hair out behind the scenes.  The upside is they aren't so far from everyone not named Repsol Honda, but it has to be discouraging that their old bike is pulling better hot laps in the hands of a less talented racer.

[fastwin]

Kinda cosmic... that was your 1198 post!

More Sepang test news:

http://www.cyclenews.com/articles/road-racing/2012/03/01/stoner-fastest-in-sepang-motogp-test/

[duccarlos]

The Ducs going backward... AGAIN!!!! 

[Triple J]

Curious as to why Stoner went all the way up through the gears at the end of pit lane going out, then again when coming in. 

Data marker so the engineers know when the test was starting and then stopping?

[Speeddog]

Data marker so the engineers know when the test was starting and then stopping?

Interesting thought.

The DA system has GPs, so I'm pretty sure they know where and when everything happens in the data stream.

I'm thinking it's one of Stoner's habits, like dragging his boots on the way out.

[gm2]

heading out, it may just be a superstition thing: make sure the bike is.. working.

coming back in, weird little habit?

[gm2]

test be ovah.  stoner.

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2012/Mar/120301a.htm

http://www.motomatters.com/results/2012/03/01/2012_sepang_2_motogp_test_day_3_times_ho.html

[gm2]

oh, and rossi is pissed:  http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2012/Mar/120301broman.htm

[Speeddog]

Haven't we heard this song before?

<Ducati makes new kit for VR>
<Post race/test; VR soundbite> "This new kit is the bomb!" 
<After the very next race/test; VR soundbite> "This kit is shyt!" 

Rossi finished day 1 ~0.3sec quicker than Barbera, finished day 3 ~0.3sec behind.

Granted, Hector & crew are fine-tuning the same package they had in the last test, and VR & crew are trying new parts/code, but.....

Looks like another *long* season in the red garage.

[gm2]

Looks like another *long* season in the red garage.

in which case, also for sure the *last*