The first of three days of testing at the Sepang circuit saw Casey Stoner lap quicker than any of his competitors aboard his new Honda . . . 4/10ths of a second quicker than champion Jorge Lorenzo on his factory Yamaha. Indeed, Honda and Yamaha came out swinging by taking the five quickest laps of the session. After Lorenzo, Dani Pedrosa (Honda), Marco Simoncelli (Honda) and Ben Spies (Yamaha) rounded out the top five spots. Valentino Rossi continues to have trouble with his shoulder. He completed a relatively small number of laps today, and finished in 12th position on the timesheets.
Yah….and last year Rossi was first at Sepang by three-tenths, Stoner second and Nicky Hayden third.
How’d that work out?
Stoner has to stay on his bike, which last year was apparently the bike’s fault. Last time he rode a Honda, he had trouble staying on as well.
Day 2 of testing now complete. Mini man Pedrosa now leads. 2. Stoner 3. Spies. Oh yes, American Ben Spies, the fastest Yamaha. Go Ben!! Just don’t let Pedrosa torpedo you in a corner.
Go Ben! I bought his HJC race replica helmet. Maybe I’ll try to get him to sign it! He’s going to kick some ass this year!!
Just make sure you have it with you at all times. At last years Laguna Seca GP I ran into Rossi in the pits, he was going from trailer to track and my AGV VR celebr8 helmet was securely locked in my FJR’s saddlebag in the parking lot(dirt field). All I could think was what a putz I was.
I was at Laguna Seca last year, and will be at Qatar, Laguna Seca (I live in San Francisco), and possibly Silverstone. I’ll bring it with me to all the races and keep it in a backpack. Good idea!
Four-tenths of a second? May as well be four minutes. Unless he injures himself, Stoner looks to be the run-away champ.
WOW!
Why should we even have to race this season then?
Seriously, a lot can happen in six months time.
Don’t be so quick to disregard the rest of the field.
And not even a mention of Hayden. Ah well. I’ll cheer him on when I’m in Qatar on the 20th of March. 🙂
Let’s hope Rossi can develop that bike. It seems like it was holding Stoner back. The rest of the field has their work cut out for them. Lorenzo might have the same problem that Stoner had trying to keep their streak rolling.
I was never very fond of the look of Honda’s GP bikes from Mick Doohan forward. But that thar bike under Casey looks hot.
indeed, the lads looking good… very good.
looking at that bike….I’ve got something going on in my pants….looks like six more weeks of winter…hmmmm