techno Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 2.5 hours on friday night FIAT Yamaha Pair Plan Impressive Opening Night in Qatar Losail International Circuit The all-new Fiat Yamaha pairing of Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo begin their assault on the 2008 MotoGP World Championship firmly in the spotlight this weekend as the new season gets underway beneath the floodlights of the Losail International Circuit in Doha, Qatar. The 60th season of the world's oldest motorsport series kicks off with an historic night race, the first in Grand Prix history, and Rossi and Lorenzo will be amongst no fewer than eleven past and present FIM World Champions looking to claim motorcycling's biggest prize. For Rossi the new campaign represents a second opportunity to reclaim the crown he held for five consecutive seasons until 2006, with the Italian having undergone an intense winter programme of physical training and MotoGP testing. As well as working on improvements with the engine of his Yamaha YZR-M1, Rossi has also been adapting to a change of tyre manufacturer and he is hoping to reap the fruit of his hard work in the dark desert landscape of Doha, where he has already celebrated victory on two previous occasions. A repeat on Sunday night would be a good omen for the 29-year-old, who has won the opening race on each of the five occasions he has won the title. A top three finish would make him the first rider ever to reach 100 premier-class podiums. At just 20 years of age Lorenzo will be the youngest rider on the grid in Qatar, although he is unlikely to be fazed. The 250cc World Champion has been on pole position for the quarter-litre race there for the past three years and has taken victory for the last two - a clean sweep he had already managed as a precocious teenager in the 125cc class in 2004. The Mallorcan will also be buoyed by some impressive winter form on his new 800cc Yamaha, culminating with the fastest overall lap time at the final preseason test at Losail just a few days ago. That crucial two-night session also provided the circuit organizers with the opportunity to try out their incredible lighting system with the full complement of MotoGP riders on track. With 3,600 light fixtures using 250, 1500 and 2500-watt bulbs, the system needs 13 megawatt generators to produce the required 5.4 million watts of power - creating enough light to cover an area equivalent to 70 football pitches. The bulbs are fixed on 1000 poles with mounting heights from 3-36 metres, all linked together by almost 500 kilometres of wire and supported by 300,000 kilos of concrete. Valentino Rossi - "Relaxed and Ready""Firstly speaking about the night race, after the last test I am quite relaxed about this. I think they have done an excellent job with the lights and it's really true that you can ride just the same as you can by day. The biggest problem is of course the temperature, because it's very cold by night and this makes our work, especially with the tyres, much harder. Generally I'm very happy and excited that we have finally reached the first race. It's been a long time since Valencia and I am definitely ready to start a new challenge. Yamaha have worked very hard over the winter and our new bike is very good; of course there are some things still to work on and we did have some issues to contend with at the last test, but I am confident that we are in good shape overall. I am very happy with my tyres as well and now I just want to get started. We have a big task ahead of us but I know that my team and everyone at Yamaha are up to the job." Jorge Lorenzo - "A New Challenge""I was very excited before the last test to see what it was like racing at night, and to start with it was quite strange, as I expected! After a short time however I was used to it and really there is hardly any difference from the day. I did find that riding at night makes you feel strangely 'alone' with your bike and therefore you have to be extra alert and concentrated. I think the one thing that might be difficult in the race is the shadows, and not becoming confused by other riders' ones, but I think it's going to be fun. In Qatar I was very happy with the work we did and this was the perfect way to end a long winter of testing. Compared to how I was when I first rode the M1 in Valencia, I think I have really improved a lot. It's been hard work and of course I still have a lot to learn, but I think we're starting the season in as good a shape as I hoped. I am new to this and I don't know what to expect from the first race, but I just hope to do my best and then I will be happy." Davide Brivio - "Let's Get Started!""As far as the light is concerned, after one hour testing things seemed to be normal. We got used to the new conditions very quickly and everything worked well so we are not expecting problems for the race. As Valentino said, the biggest problem for us is the temperature but this is the same for everyone so we just have to do our best in the circumstances. Our pre-season in general has gone very well; Valentino was very fast in Sepang and Jerez and he has improved as expected each test as we become more used to working with the tyres and as we have improved the settings for the new bike. We had some unexpected problems in Qatar and therefore we will have to make the most of the four hours of practice to fix those, but we have some ideas and I am confident we will be ready. The practice is finally over and everyone is looking forward now to getting started." Daniele Romagnoli - "An Exciting Debut""Jorge adapted very quickly to the different conditions and he rode very well in Qatar. To finish the test fastest has given him a lot of confidence and I think he's in the best possible shape to start the season. He has worked very hard over this winter and has improved a huge amount from when he first started. At times it's been hard for him as expected but he has always worked at 100% so well done to him. In Qatar he was very consistent and his race simulation was also good, so there is no question that he is ready to compete in his first ever MotoGP race. All of us in the team are really excited about finally seeing him race on his Yamaha debut." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 Oh yes...cant wait...8pm the free practice is on, get the feck involved...Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
techno Posted March 6, 2008 Author Share Posted March 6, 2008 So is anyone brave enough to suggest anyone other than stoner for the win? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 6, 2008 Share Posted March 6, 2008 Yeah me, i think rossi will take the win, outside chance of one of the hondas....Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
techno Posted March 6, 2008 Author Share Posted March 6, 2008 Rossi umm been struggling a little but can never count him out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 6, 2008 Share Posted March 6, 2008 Thats what i mean, i dont know if weve even seen anyones true pace over the winter, really lookin forward to tommorrow though.Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
techno Posted March 6, 2008 Author Share Posted March 6, 2008 Oh yes beers and 2.5 hours of practice!!!"ave it!!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 6, 2008 Share Posted March 6, 2008 Oh yes beers and 2.5 hours of practice!!!"ave it!!" change beers to brews....doesnt sound the same but im there nonetheless Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evs7 Posted March 6, 2008 Share Posted March 6, 2008 Did Melandri sign a two year deal with Ducati? I wonder if he can't get to grips with the GP08 whether he has a get out clause.I reckon you can't look out of the top 3 Stoner, Rossi and Pedrosa for the win, but new contenders Dovi, Lorenzo, Toseland and de Puniet will be up there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DutchMick Posted March 6, 2008 Share Posted March 6, 2008 Whatever happens I just want close racing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 6, 2008 Share Posted March 6, 2008 Whatever happens I just want close racing Yeah ill second that, the start of the superbikes has been immense so i want the same here...Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorbandit Posted March 6, 2008 Share Posted March 6, 2008 Gentlemen this unique race also throws up different problems for rides and tyres so mark my words if ya not suprised at the result on sunday, me got sneaking idea that it could all go wrong for bridgestone, now wont that be a kicker for rossi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest David Posted March 6, 2008 Share Posted March 6, 2008 It looks like the bridgestone runners were struggling in the cooler temps. Looks like michelin have got the qualifiers sorted anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest akey Posted March 6, 2008 Share Posted March 6, 2008 Nah think bridgestone have as good a chance as any tyre, michelin have come a long way over winter but not sure if either will have the same advantage that bridgestone seemed to have with the ducati last year.Rossi never count him out, even with an awful season last year he was still up there, so with a better package you can bet he will be fighting.JT seems to be getting better and better so good news there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 6, 2008 Share Posted March 6, 2008 Just read that Haydens using the 2007 Honda....all isnt well in the HRC camp....mmmmMatt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rennie Posted March 6, 2008 Share Posted March 6, 2008 looking forward to it! can some one confirm Fri 2000 eurosport? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
techno Posted March 7, 2008 Author Share Posted March 7, 2008 looking forward to it! can some one confirm Fri 2000 eurosport? Yes!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rennie Posted March 7, 2008 Share Posted March 7, 2008 thanks techno! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 7, 2008 Share Posted March 7, 2008 I cant feckin wait...how sad am i ! come on !Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest David Posted March 7, 2008 Share Posted March 7, 2008 Not as sad as me, going to watch the season review at 2pm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evs7 Posted March 7, 2008 Share Posted March 7, 2008 Oh dear oh dear HRC. whats going on here then?I think it's kinda funny. everyone thought that the satelitte Honda's would struggle this year as they are only Valencia's 2007 bike, yet Dovi, de Puniet and the rest have been showing Pedrosa and Hayden the way.I don't think it's all Hayden's fault though, Pedrosa has been fairly outspoken about Hayden's development skills. But to be honest Pedrosa you've been on the bike and you've got a f***in tongue in your head. If the bike isn't working then tell them whats wrong with it instead of sitting at the back of the garage and pointing fingers.I hope in a way that if JT can't win on Sunday that Jorge does as it will add some spice. It will annoy the hell out of Pedrosa and it will give Rossi more motivation which as a Rossi fan I would like to see.Can't wait till 8pm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 7, 2008 Share Posted March 7, 2008 Have you read Rossi's book Evs, he says that the HRC engineers really dont like being told whats what, he left for yamaha for a more rider orientated development. Hayden put alot of laps in in testing so the lad is trying for sure.Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evs7 Posted March 7, 2008 Share Posted March 7, 2008 yeah... gotta love that book. Sneaking around the paddock on scooters trying to sign a deal with Ducati or Yamaha. sounds like playground stuff.You can sit on my bike but don't let your team see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evs7 Posted March 7, 2008 Share Posted March 7, 2008 yeah... gotta love that book. Sneaking around the paddock on scooters trying to sign a deal with Ducati or Yamaha. sounds like playground stuff.You can sit on my bike but don't let your team see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 7, 2008 Share Posted March 7, 2008 LOL it was a fantastic book, im gonna start it again infact lol.Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.