MotoGP 2006

[fresco]

Lo siento tio pero yo sigo sin entender muy bien el tema. El número 46 lo ha llevado Rossi desde que empezo a correr seriamente ... no veo relación con Gauloises  :blink:

Otra cosa es que los japos de yamaha iban a dar saltos de alegría con un UNO bien grande en su moto ganadora

[JapLance]

Siguiendo esa línea, 46 podría significar Repsol, o Nastro Azzurro, que lo llevó bien grande en el carenado mucho más tiempo, y en cualquier caso no es asi. El 46 es Rossi, y no cualquiera de los productos, pasados, presentes o futuros, que lleve publicitados en su moto.

Sé que es salirse un poco (bastante) del hilo, pero siempre he pensado que el tema éste de la publicidad es una gilipollez como un piano de grande, un chollo que se tienen montado algunos ejecutivos para poder ganarse la vida. La puedo entender para el lanzamiento de un producto nuevo, pero que marcas solidamente establecidas y mundialmente conocidas se gasten esos pastones... es de  :.

Por poner un ejemplo, he disfrutado mucho con Pedrosa y Sete estos tres últimos años, pero mi teléfono tiene una línea que es de otra empresa, y nunca me he planteado cambiarme porque "Dani es Azul". Lo mismo entiendo aplicado al tabaco, al alcohol etc. Para lo único que me sirven es para poder hacer texturas molonas para los videojuegos :mellow:. Estoy seguro que le sacan más rendimiento a su inversión los pequeños sponsors de equipos de 250cc y 125cc (como era por ejemplo NastroAzzurro con Rossi. ¿Quién c*ño conocía esa cerveza fuera de Italia?) que los grandes dispendios de MotoGP.

[Mike Hierros]

Siguiendo esa línea, 46 podría significar Repsol, o Nastro Azzurro, que lo llevó bien grande en el carenado mucho más tiempo, y en cualquier caso no es asi. El 46 es Rossi, y no cualquiera de los productos, pasados, presentes o futuros, que lleve publicitados en su moto.

Sé que es salirse un poco (bastante) del hilo, pero siempre he pensado que el tema éste de la publicidad es una gilipollez como un piano de grande, un chollo que se tienen montado algunos ejecutivos para poder ganarse la vida. La puedo entender para el lanzamiento de un producto nuevo, pero que marcas solidamente establecidas y mundialmente conocidas se gasten esos pastones... es de  :.

Por poner un ejemplo, he disfrutado mucho con Pedrosa y Sete estos tres últimos años, pero mi teléfono tiene una línea que es de otra empresa, y nunca me he planteado cambiarme porque "Dani es Azul". Lo mismo entiendo aplicado al tabaco, al alcohol etc. Para lo único que me sirven es para poder hacer texturas molonas para los videojuegos :mellow:. Estoy seguro que le sacan más rendimiento a su inversión los pequeños sponsors de equipos de 250cc y 125cc (como era por ejemplo NastroAzzurro con Rossi. ¿Quién c*ño conocía esa cerveza fuera de Italia?) que los grandes dispendios de MotoGP.

[snapback]49478[/snapback]

Pues totalmente de acuerdo, me he tirado muchos años metido en el "fregao" y he llevado de sponsor a Ducados, Fortuna, Malrboro, Domeq, Mobil, Castrol, etc y siempre me ha parecido una bobada, (por no poner algo mas fuerte), el que empresas tan conocidas se dejaran esas grandes cantidades de dinero en promocionar su nombre, la influencia que puede tener que alguien que le gusten las carreras cambie de marca de tabaco o le eche otro aceite a su coche, debe ser minima. Otra cosa es cuando una empresa de indole nacional quiere extender su influencia fuera de sus fronteras o darse a conocer.

Pero bueno, parece mas una maniobra de "blanqueo" y de prestigio de "yo tambien hago eso", que una necesidad de publicidad directa, como me decia un dia el Srto Ezpeleta, " si al GP llega un piloto por primera vez, con un sponsor principal multimillonario, pero que, por ejemplo, vende jamones, tiene menos oportunidades de que le demos una plaza , a que venga con una marca de "prestigio", como las que habitualmente se ven aqui"  B)

[Alexgp]

Hola Chiachio.

Alex        ¡¡¡¡NO ME LO PUEDO CREERR¡¡¡¡ ALEX COMETIENDO UN ERROR¡¡¡¡


Menos mal, ya estaba yo pensando que no eras de este planeta :D ..... el perfeccionista de Alexgp, siempre atento a todo los comentarios, y corrigiendo los errores de los demás.... :D  :D

No te preocupes, un gatillazo lo tiene cualquiera, será algo pasajero.... :D  :D


FELIZ NAVIDAD

[snapback]49458[/snapback]

 :  :  :

 :P  :P

[Rasmien]

Pues totalmente de acuerdo, me he tirado muchos años metido en el "fregao" y he llevado de sponsor a Ducados, Fortuna, Malrboro, ===>>> Domecq <<<===, Mobil, Castrol, etc

Tú no eres joven... Realmente te has tirado muchos años...

[engorro]

Esto aparece hoy en Marca. Preguntas a Dani Pedrosa.


Tiene fama de tímido e introvertido y la verdad es que le cuesta soltarse. También es muy reflexivo y, con 20 años, sabe que le queda mucha carrera por delante. Se imagina un futuro lleno de tranquilidad, aunque haciendo motocross de vez en cuando. Su mayor pesadilla es caerse de la moto, pero ya no le pasa. Ahora, con tres títulos mundiales, duerme a pierna suelta. Londres le sorprende, aunque su lugar favorito para vivir o irse de vacaciones todavía está por llegar. Tiempo tiene.

¿Sus amigos le piden autógrafos?
Algunos sí, pero amigos, amigos, no.

¿Se imagina la vida sin motos?
Puedo pensar en ello, pero es difícil de imaginar.

¿Cuál su segundo deporte favorito?
Para practicarlo otro de motos, como el motocross. Para verlo, el ciclismo.

¿Se siente distinto a otros chavales de 20 años?
Me siento más privilegiado.

¿Se arrepiente de algo en su vida?
No sé... Quizás me arrepiento de haberme precipitado al tomar alguna decisión en mi vida.

¿Cuál?
No sabría decirte pero algunas...

¿Su mejor virtud como persona?
No sé si es la mejor, pero me siento una persona humilde y honrada y eso es muy importante.

¿Y su mayor defecto?
Estoy pensando cuál es el peor... Creo que esto deberías preguntarle a Alberto Puig o Raúl Jara, que me sufren de cerca. No sé, quizás que digo muchas palabrotas.

¿Qué valora más en una persona?
Valoro la sinceridad, la honradez, la humildad...

¿Y qué detesta?
Todo lo contrario.

Cuando viaja, ¿a quién echa más de menos?
A los que me quieren.

¿Y qué echa más de menos?
Comer bien...

¿Su madre aún le regaña?
Claro, por supuesto. En la familia no soy nada especial por correr en moto. Y está bien que me regañe. Todavía no soy el rey de la casa.

¿Qué no falta nunca en su maleta?
Ropa de recambio y el neceser.

¿En qué lugar se perdería?
En uno en el que supiera cómo salir de él.

¿Y de vacaciones?
Pues no lo sé, porque no conozco ninguno demasiado bonito, porque como nunca he ido de vacaciones de p... madre...

¿Por qué ama las motos?
Por la satisfacción que me dan y por la disciplina que me ha dado este deporte.

¿Por qué perdería la cabeza?
¿Te refieres a volverme loco y olvidarlo todo?

Sí.
Hombre, yo creo que esto sólo me podría pasar por una mujer, pero creo que no lo haría, al menos mientras esté metido en el mundo de las motos. Sólo tengo 20 años.

¿Y por qué mujer la perdería?
Te diría por qué perdería la cabeza, pero no por quién. Cuando deje de correr en moto lo averiguaré.

¿Tiene novia?
Sí.

¿Qué es la fama?
La fama es la ilusión de los aficionados por alguien a quien aman por lo que hace, por lo que es, por lo que demuestra.

¿Siente envidia de alguien?
Sí, pero no diré de quién.

¿Le gusta la soledad?
En algunos momentos, sí. Necesito coger, echar a andar y perderme.

¿En qué momentos?
Tanto en momentos difíciles como en momentos buenos. En la gloria y en el desastre.

Un deportista favorito.
¿Qué me guste mucho ahora o que me haya gustado?

Da igual.
Tengo muchos. Lance Armstrong, Ayrton Senna, Michael Jordan, Mick Doohan, Wayne Rainey.

¿Alguna vez ha pedido un autógrafo?
No por vergüenza a Lance Armstrong, Mick Doohan y Wayne Rainey, porque pensarán: “¿Qué hace este tío pidiendo un autógrafo?”. Pero bueno, a mí me hubiera gustado.

Y un personaje de la historia que le llame la atención.
¿Malo o bueno?

El que quiera.
Hombre, lo de Hitler fue un desastre.

¿Le interesa la política?
No todavía. Presto atención, pero no la hago mucho caso.

¿El último libro que ha leído?
Me lo guardo para mí. Te diré cual fue el penúltimo. El segundo de Lance Armstrong. El último es demasiado bueno... (risas).

¿A qué dedica el tiempo libre?
A disfrutarlo como tiempo libre porque cuando estás en los grandes premios porque estás concentrado. Cuando estás fuera estás siempre entrenando: bici, gimnasio, rueda de prensa, fotos... Entonces, cuando tienes tiempo libre lo dedicas como tal.

¿Cine o discoteca?
Cine.

¿Qué música escucha con frecuencia?
Música de los 80 y los 90. Pero no sé decirte cómo se llama el estilo que me gusta. Me gustan las canciones con ritmo pero suaves.

¿Algún grupo en particular?
De los 80, Dire Straits y alguno más. Pero yo selecciono canciones buenas.

Un ejemplo.
Ya te dejare el i-Pod y lo miras.

¿Es supersticioso?
Un poco.

¿Qué manías tiene?
Una de ellas es no contarlas (risas).

El número 26 (el de su debut) o el 1.
El 1 no queda nada mal, la verdad.

¿Cómo le gustaría que le recordaran?
Como uno de los grandes, pero eso es faena mía.

¿Cuál es el último sueño que ha tenido?
¿Durmiendo?

Sí.
Déjame pensar... La verdad es que no me acuerdo, tío.

¿Y pesadillas?
Que me caigo de la moto. Antes me pasaba a menudo, pero últimamente no me ocurre. Me quedo dormido en el sofá y ¡pam!, me pego un susto de muerte.

¿Cuál es su refugio particular?
Londres. Es muy curioso.

¿Se imagina a Dani Pedrosa cuando deje el mundo de las motos?
Un poco. Si todo va bien me lo imagino.

¿Y cómo sería?
Feliz. Sintiéndome satisfecho por hacer lo que tenía que hacer.

Explíquese.
Tranquilo, en mi casa y con mi moto de campo al lado, puesta en el caballete.

¿Y fuera de las motos?
No. No de momento. Tengo 20 años, igual se me ocurre algo.

¿Alguna vez ha sentido lástima por los pilotos a los que gana?
No.

[NitroNori 41]

Un ejemplo.
Ya te dejare el i-Pod y lo miras.

Esto me ha matao  :

[James]

Parece que, definitivamente, Sito se queda sin Stoner.

Aunque sigue sin aparecer el nombre del sponsor del equipo LCR.

Os pego la noticia de motogp.com

El equipo de Lucio Cecchinello ha hecho público un comunicado para ratificar el acuerdo alcanzado con Casey Stoner para la próxima temporada. La escuadra del expiloto italiano dará el salto a MotoGP de la mano del joven australiano, subcampeón del Mundo de 250cc la pasada campaña.

Stoner se ha comprometido con el equipo LCR para 2006 con una opción para la temporada siguiente. Cecchinello ha mostrado su entusiasmo ante esta nueva etapa como mánager de una escuadra en la categoría reina y por contar de nuevo con Stoner.

`Estoy muy contento por que Casey hará su debut en MotoGP con nosotros. Es como un tercer proyecto con él- Stoner debutó en 125cc y 250cc con el equipo LCR - y me siento muy orgulloso de ello. Hay mucho trabajo que hacer por parte de todos´.

`Casey ha demostrado que es un auténtico profesional y me siento con mucha confianza con respecto a su futuro. Gracias al apoyo de Honda y su implicación los resultados llegarán muy pronto´.

Stoner se pondrá a las órdenes de Lucio Cecchinello a finales del próximo mes de enero, cuando se reanude la actividad de pre-temporada con el Test de Sepang. El australiano ya se subió a la Honda de MotoGP durante los entrenamientos de Valencia y Malasia del pasado mes de noviembre, en los que participó circunstancialmente con la escuadra de Sito Pons.

`Estoy encantado de hacer el debut en MotoGP con el equipo de Lucio. Es como mi segundo hogar. 2006 será mi quinta temporada en el Campeonato del Mundo y el cuarto con el equipo LCR y creo que conseguiremos buenos resultados como hicimos en las anteriores temporadas. Ya he probado la RC211V oficial en Valencia y Malasia el pasado mes de noviembre y tuvo un gran feeling de inmediato. Estoy con muchas ganar de reiniciar los test´.

salU2  :scooter

pd.Creo que no quedarian mal unas palabrillas de "agradecimiento" al Honda Pons por dejarle llevar la RCV en Cheste y Sepang, no????

[engorro]

Entrevista a Hayden.

Es en inglés, pero como en esta fechas no hay mucho movimiento, intentaremos aprender idiomas.


 
Nick Hayden had a stand out 2005 season. He talks about it here on Soup.
American GP star Nick Hayden called the Soup office yesterday and while I had him on the telephone I ran some questions by him for an update interview. The interview actually became fairly in-depth. Hayden, 24, sounded off on Max Biaggi, the front end chatter that plagues most of the current MotoGP bikes, new riders going fast in MGP and his rival Valentino Rossi. Here's the transcript (thanks Susan).

Q What's the difference between the old RC211V and the new RC211V?

A I never rode the new bike. I only really saw it when they brought it to Brno, so we hadn't actually seen the new bike since, and I didn't get a chance to ride it there. Only Max and Sete rode it. Nobody raced the new bike. The only time the new bike was around was at the test after Brno, where the on that tuesday Max and Sete rode it, and that's the only time we've seen the new bike.

The engine is different, a little bit smaller and stuff like that, but still the same basic RC211 engine. And then the chassis has some different stuff—stronger in some places, softer in others, to try to make it better in the slow corners and things like that.
At Sepang we tested a chassis that is similar to what the new bike's actual chassis is. It has some good points. We're definitely trying to get it better on the brakes, and more stable, and the stuff they came up with really—it was nice on the brakes, and definitely improved in some areas, but it's kind of one of those things. It's like a compromise. You make it better in one area, then it's going to hurt the other area.

The chassis I tested at Sepang was the chassis that both Gibernau and Biaggi used late in the year. Max used it more than Sete. He used it maybe three or four of the last six, seven races - something like that.  
American Nick Hayden was in attack mode as the 2005 season wore down. The USGP winner ran at the front in nearly every race.
image by mi nolta

Q If there's a short list of things to be improved on the bike that you're riding, what would they be? Better in slow corners, more stable, and what else?

A Definitely get it more stable on the brakes, and get rid of some chatter and hopping. The thing is, the bike is really good now, so it's hard to—it's not like they're going to just make big improvements overnight. I think also they're looking to increase the top speed again. Some of the bikes have closed up and gotten a lot closer to the Honda in terms of speed. Definitely for race situations, even though that top speed might not actually help so much just in outright lap time, it's definitely nice, in the race, at some of those tracks, to be able to make passes. Another thing we'd like to see is an improvement in the way the bike turns; try and get the bike to turn a bit better in all corners. Fast corners, slow corners - the sooner you can get it turned, the better you are. So a lot of little things to try to make some improvements.

Q We're two years into this chatter situation, aren't we?

A The chatter has definitely gotten better, but I think, now, the tires have changed so far that I think everybody has the chatter now. I think Yamaha ... I think everybody has chatter. If the rider can ride around it ... I think that's one thing that has hurt Max so much lately. For him, that's his biggest problem—chatter. The tires are just getting so good now, they've got so much grip on the edge, that I think chatter's just a problem that you're going to have to deal with, just like anything. I don't think you're just going to be able to adjust chatter out. My opinion, anyway.

Q It's just going to be a constant problem?

A Yeah, it's just going to be like trail brakes, or something else. You're going to have to learn to deal with it. Everybody I know has it, it does not matter what kind of bike. There's only so much adjustments and things you can do to fix it. Like trail braking—it's just going to have to be part of your game, to learn to ride with it.

Q You were teamed with Max Biaggi for a year. What was it like?

 
Max is not on Nick's Xmas card list. And it got off to a rough start.
image by tim huntington
A I hardly ever spoke to the guy. I probably didn't say ten words to the guy the whole year. In the past we'd had a few problems, and this year at Jerez at the test we got into a pretty nice little argument and almost came to blows. From there on out, I never really had any problems with him.

It didn't work for him. Everybody thought, oh, he's on the factory Honda, back with Erv, this was going to be his year. Max—when he's on, he is so fast—some races this year he was by far the fastest guy on Michelins. I've got respect for his game, because even though his results look so bad this year, there were times this year when he was still really fast. But, the guy's just ... it's a amazing that he's got all that Camel money behind him, and he's a good rider, five-time world champ or whatever in 250, but nobody wants him.

On being teamed with Max Biaggi: "I hardly ever spoke to the guy. I probably didn't say ten words to the guy the whole year. In the past we'd had a few problems, and this year at Jerez at the test we got into a pretty nice little argument and almost came to blows."
I think that's a lesson for any kid coming up, even for me. You can't be a ... you've got to be able to work with your team, and you can't throw everybody under the bus. It's just sad that the dude's got all this money and talent and all these credentials, but nobody will take him because nobody wants to work with him. I will say he was hard on a lot of people. A lot of guys definitely didn't like working with him around the team. Honestly, I hope he gets a ride in MotoGP. He's one of those guys that ... I definitely hate when I see him in front of me, I love to beat him just like I love to beat everybody else, but it would make the series a little bit duller without a few Max stories, a few weekends ... choking somebody or just whatever. The guy brings a bit of entertainment, good or bad.

Q You brought up Kanemoto. A lot of people would like to see you working with Kanemoto. Is there any idea what his role is going to be in the team, or if he's going to have one?

 
Quick, get the squirt guns out! Here comes Biaggi!
image by mi nolta
A He wasn't at the Malaysia test. I don't know if he's going to be back with HRC next year, to be honest. This year he mostly worked with Max, and I would say 98% of the time he was on Max's side. I did think at the beginning of the year, I was really looking forward to working with Erv. The idea, as a kid you grow up and (Gary) Nixon was always in my ear, all these people you'd see and hear about guys working with Erv, and how great it was. I got to talk to him a bit, and definitely the guy's got a lot of knowledge, and when I did get the chance to talk to him, I did like bouncing a few things off him. But he pretty well had his hands full over there on Max's side (of the garage), and that's where he stayed. It took up so much of his time, he never got a chance to really work with me at all. But hopefully maybe some of his ideas and stuff will help HRC make things better in the future.

Q At this recent test several new to MotoGP riders went pretty fast. What does that say to you? Is a 250 rider a natural now on a MotoGP bike, where before it was a Superbike style that was required? Or do you even need a 250 style to go fast on a MotoGP bike? As I wrote in my e-mail to you, there's a huge amount of very confusing data you could come away from that test with. What do you think?

A It is definitely interesting. I don't think it's necessarily a Superbike style or just 250 style that you need. I think it's a compromise. The bike has definitely gotten easier to ride now than it was a few years ago in terms of power delivery, and also the electronics now have made it, I think, where it's easier for a 250 guy to come in than probably it would've been a couple of years ago for a 250 rider to come in, for sure.

They came in and went fast, and I think - obviously, I don't like a kid coming in and being faster than me, I've got to be honest with you, but I'm looking forward to the challenge. It's going to make the series even better; there'll be some good racing. Definitely a lot of new young blood in. We'll see. One test is one test—the races is what really will tell the story.

Q And as you've stated many times, you're not the world's greatest tester.

A Lap times set at tests, right now, definitely don't tell the story. Melandri would probably be the fastest guy there, consistently. But it's a test, my outright lap times weren't that great, but I spent most of the test using tires that we used there from the race, and was only testing chassis and things. It wasn't until the very end of the last day that I tried some of the newer tires, and immediately did my best times of the weekend, even though the track probably wasn't the best on the last day there. these new riders being fast, it's definitely going to let a lot of people make headlines. Definitely Casey (Stoner) and Dani (Pedrosa), they've got a lot of talent, they're really good riders, so it'll be fun.

Q Before you left this year, you told me that you wanted to be faster on the side of the tire. How do you think you did?

 
It's full steam ahead for Hayden in 2006.
image by mi nolta
A I think more than that. I just started the year strong, definitely—I came out really ready to go, and then the first race of the year, to crash out running third really put me in a hole. And then we had two rain races. I make no excuses there, I was just horrible those two wet races. It just definitely put me in a hole. And then Laguna, winning was a big boost, and then from there, I felt like I was riding better, and also started working a lot better with the team. This year was a new position for my crew chief, and also one of my HRC engineers was new to work with this year, and my suspension guy ... and I just started working a lot better with those guys, and getting the bike closer to me as the season went on. At the end of the year I was getting close. But looking back now, I just still need to get that last little bit, not just to be better, but to be there at the end, and find a way to win.

I'm definitely not happy about Phillip Island and Valencia, two races that I could've won. But, shoulda, woulda, ifs and buts. If ifs and buts were candy and nuts, every day would be Christmas. I definitely feel frustrated now that the season's over when I was so close at the end of the year. I wish we were still racing. I wanted to win again away from Laguna really bad, and it didn't happen. But it's the off-season, and there's definitely some stuff we've got to work on, and get faster consistently during the weekend, so come the race I'm not trying to make up a lot of time, so I'm a lot more ready to go.

Q One of those races, you said you were re-living the last lap for a week afterward. Which one was that?

A Valencia.

Q Can you talk me through that last lap, and how it happened?

A Marco was really fast all weekend, and in the race, the pace was quite fast, but I felt pretty good running it. At the end, I just ... it's so hard to pass at Valencia, but I think there comes a time late in the race where you don't wait and look for a hole, you've got to just make the hole and find a way to win. That's what Valentino does so much. I feel like throughout my career, I've been able to, late in the races, when it comes down to making it happen and winning the race, that's what winners do. I was disappointed that I at least didn't go for it a bit more. But you can always look back now and say "I shoulda did this, I shoulda done that."

Q Do you think you could've pushed your way to a win, or pushed yourself up a couple of spots?

A Just went more for the win, being the last race of the year. But I did that the two years before and crashed out both times.

 
I'm good enough, and I'm fast enough, and gosh darn it, people like me.
image by mi nolta
Q Was that was in your head?

A Not that that was huge, but that's how sometimes the last race of the year goes. You always think you let it all hang out and make it happen. But still, I'm happy to see a lot of improvement there at the end of the year. We've definitely got something that if we can take another step forward this off-season, that if we can find a little bit more, we'll be looking all right.

Q One of the things I just find amazing is that the lap times are falling like snow. Top speeds are way up, but the amount of crashing in MotoGP seems very low.

A Well, the lap times, I think, is so much down to the tires. Now, with these bikes, with the power they've got, the tires make such a big difference. Even just the tire that you like, or when they bring something new, they keep amazing me how they put so much effort into making their tires. Also in the rain. In Malaysia we tested intermediate stuff, and those guys - I think that's where the biggest part of the lap times comes. But the crashing is hard for me to say. You definitely don't see the highsides, like people talk about in the 500 days. As far as the power, the power is quite smooth on these bikes, it's putting it down nice, but still, so you just ride harder. So I don't really know why the crashes are down; it doesn't seem like that's the case to me. I see plenty of guys putting them on the ground during the weekend, some guys having a couple. But I guess the numbers don't lie.

Q Laguna Seca: there were a lot of catcalls this year from the European riders. What do you think we're going to hear about the track next year from the European riders? What's the general mood over there regarding Laguna in 2006?

 
Nick will always have fond memories of Laguna
image by tim huntington
A I definitely heard that they're going to make changes, and a lot of riders say it's got to be changed. Obviously, I'm going to say I thought it was pretty good, to me. That's what I know, that's what I grew up on, that's the kind of track, and sure, I felt totally comfortable there. It was my people, my country, just the kind of track I grew up on, what I know.

There's a few spots that are, I think, need some improvement, but I think a lot of the European riders just had it in their head before they even got to Laguna that the track wasn't up to the level. I'm all for them making more runoff, making it safer, doing what we need to do. But there's other tracks around the world that have just as bad stuff. Mugello, at the bottom of the hill - there's not a corner at Laguna nearly as bad as that track. And also the bumpiness. I think Laguna's less bumpy than Germany, less bumpy than a lot of tracks we go to. So I'm all for making the track safer and making it better, but I think it got a bit of a bad rap. Laguna did a lot of work and definitely made it a lot better. The last part of the track, down through Rainey Curve, I thought they did a great job on all that.

Q You think the criticism of the track was blown out of proportion?

A Yeah, I think they blew it up a bit. I don't think it was as bad as some people thought. Also, going up to the Corkscrew there, I think some riders thought that hill needed shaved down, because (they say) it's too steep, and the bike was bottoming out; but to me, there's an art to getting over that hill so it doesn't seem so steep and doesn't wheelie so bad. It's just a racetrack. I thought it wasn't as bad as some people made it out to be, but at the same time, it was a full house, the track was sold out, the fans showed up, so I think it's only right Laguna keeps working to make it better for the future.

Q What are you going to do this off-season? Any big plans?

 
Nick's offseason will be very much focused on next season
image by tim huntington
A Not really. I'm in Florida right now with my brothers. It's where the trainer we've been working with lives. No real off-season. I want to be World Champ, so it's not like I'm going to go on a big two-month holiday or something. After the last race I chilled out a bit, definitely, did some stuff around home, but I'm quite busy, really. Even though it's the off-season and no testing, they keep us pretty busy with sponsor things and doing whatever. Talking to you. Stuff like that. I love what I do.

Q Some are suggesting that this might be Rossi's last year in MotoGP, which means 2006 may be the last time somebody'll have a chance to beat him heads up on a MotoGP bike. How often do you think about that, or about beating Rossi?

A It would be nice, before he leaves, for somebody to really beat him. Yeah. I know, right now, he's definitely got a step on everybody as far as week in and week out. With only one more year, I'm going to have to make a big improvement, fast, and do a lot if I want to beat him. The idea of beating him before he went off would be just awesome. People say he's the best of our time and all that, so definitely ... I don't like him having the championship sewed up five races early. That ain't cool at all. Hopefully next year it's not so easy on him.

Q Do you ever sit and mull what that guy's strength is, and where, really, it's based?

A You definitely see a guy winning those races, you've got to try to watch him and see what he does, what he's doing. He's just the package. It doesn't rain or shine, it doesn't matter the track, it's an attitude - he brings his A game every week. He doesn't have off weekends. And if he does, it's third or something. Over a season, 17 races, that's what makes him so strong. He just finds a way to win a lot of those races. Hats off to him.

[PeTeR]

Interesante entrevista, este chico me cae bien y le deseo lo mejor para el futuro.

Hay una cosa que no he entendido, hablando sobre el chattering que siguen padeciendo todos, en mayor o menor medida, debido a los neumaticos, dice esto sobre "trail braking" expresion que nunca habia oido. A que se refiere?

Q It's just going to be a constant problem?

A Yeah, it's just going to be like trail brakes, or something else. You're going to have to learn to deal with it. Everybody I know has it, it does not matter what kind of bike. There's only so much adjustments and things you can do to fix it. Like trail braking—it's just going to have to be part of your game, to learn to ride with it.

Pit.

[Aby Chuela]

Hola,

Anthony WEST con Clifford a la WCM con motor KTM.

"Articulo (inglés) aquí!"

Saludos

[Guishermo 2t]

Noooooooooooooo, West otra vez con un hierro... ¿No encontrará este tío algún día una moto buena?

[wildcard]

Jooo!!!! Sito se queda sin patrocinador y deja el mundial.... aunque solo sea por este año. Si para el 2007 consigue montar otro equipo vuelve seguro, pero este año.... :(   Lo siento por Checa!!!  A ver que hace este chico ahora! Que... mala suerte! iba a decir otra cosa, pero para que me lo censuren!!! :P


Un saludo!

[Hopkins_21]

EL PILOTO PODRÍA QUEDARSE FUERA DE LA PARRILLA EN 2006

El Honda Pons no participará en el Mundial y deja a Checa sin equipo
El equipo Honda Pons ha anunciado su decisión de no participar en el Campeonato del Mundo de MotoGP en 2006, debido a "sus dificultades para asegurar el soporte financiero para el proyecto". Esta decisión confirma también que Carlos Checa, cuyo futuro estaba pendiente de la resolución del equipo Pons, tendrá muy difícil poder estar la próxima temporada en la salida de parrilla del Mundial de MotoGP.  

"Debido a diversas circunstancias acaecidas a finales de la temporada 2005 y tras la exitosa colaboración con Camel a lo largo de los últimos tres años, el equipo no ha llegado a un acuerdo de renovación con el que ha sido su patrocinador principal. Esto, junto a posteriores dificultades para asegurar el soporte financiero necesario para el proyecto de 2006, ha motivado que el equipo Honda Pons tome la decisión de no participar en el campeonato del Mundo de MotoGP 2006", añade en un comunicado el conjunto dirigido por el bicampeón mundial de 250 cc. Sito Pons.    

El equipo Pons ya había visto como al final de 2005 se torcían las cosas para ellos con la decisión del piloto Casey Stoner, que debía ser su segundo integrante y que había entrenado con ellos en Valencia y Sepang, decidía dar el salto a MotoGP, pero de la mano de Lucio Cecchinello.  Esta decisión privaba al conjunto de Pons de una de las dos motos oficiales Honda RC211 V previstas para 2006 y reservadas inicialmente para Checa y el propio Stoner.  


Un proyecto frustrado
"A pesar de todos nuestros esfuerzos para mantener el equipo en el proyecto de MotoGP 2006 con el continuado apoyo de HRC y de Honda España y, a pesar de haber participado en los entrenamientos de Valencia y Malasia como preparación para la próxima temporada, la posibilidad de continuar en el campeonato ha sido finalmente desestimada. Deseamos expresar nuestro sincero agradecimiento a HRC y Honda España por su cooperación y ayuda, así como a Carlos Checa y Casey Stoner por la confianza que han demostrado en nuestro equipo", señaló Sito Pons.  

El ex campeón del mundo subrayó que "la decisión de no participar en el campeonato durante la próxima temporada ha sido difícil, pero nuestra determinación y nuestro espíritu deportivo continúan inalterables y con la misma motivación que nos ha empujado a lo largo de 25 años de éxitos al más alto nivel".  Pons, que continuará en su cargo de presidente de la IRTA e implicado en la evolución del Mundial de MotoGP y en la renovación de los acuerdos con los organizadores del campeonato, Dorna Sports, añadió que "el equipo tiene la firme intención de regresar en el 2007 a la competición activa y ha puesto en marcha el trabajo necesario para llevar a cabo este nuevo proyecto".

MARCA

[Rasmien]

¿Y cuando sólo corran doce aceptarán que puede ser que haya crisis?

A ver, niños, ¿Qué prisa tenéis ahora para subir al RotoGP?