[RRWANTR]

WTF...KR Jr at the top!! 2nd practice


1Kenny Roberts Jnr.Team RobertsKR211V1:56.905
2Casey StonerHonda LCRHonda RC211V1:56.911
3Marco MelandriFortuna HondaHonda RC211V1:57.010
4Colin EdwardsCamel Yamaha TeamYamaha YZR-M11:57.024
5Loris CapirossiDucati Marlboro TeamDucati Desmosedici GP-61:57.031
6Valentino RossiCamel Yamaha TeamYamaha YZR-M11:57.141
7Dani PedrosaRepsol Honda TeamHonda RC211V1:57.360
8Toni EliasFortuna HondaHonda RC211V1:57.392
9Nicky HaydenRepsol Honda TeamHonda RC211V1:57.452
10Sete GibernauDucati Marlboro TeamDucati Desmosedici GP-61:57.569
11Carlos ChecaTech 3 YamahaYamaha YZR-M11:57.992
12Chris VermeulenTeam SuzukiSuzuki GSV-R1:58.783
13Shinya NakanoKawasaki Racing TeamKawasaki Ninja ZX-RR1:58.786
14John HopkinsTeam SuzukiSuzuki GSV-R1:58.

[RRWANTR]

1st round times..
http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2006/Apr/060406a.htm

[Linus]

Free Practice Yes-but who will win?

I'm still giving it to Rossi-

[CBRVFR]

Is the Roberts team using their own chassis with the RCV engine, or the whole bike?

If they manage to beat Honda with their own homegrown chassis, I will laugh my ass off, have it surgically re-attached, and do it again.

[Gecko5]

This could be an interesting race, especially if Roberts and Stoner can keep up the pace.

Roberts time is also faster than the 2005 pole position. But, there should be more rubber on the race lines this year. I think the times will continue to drop with extra rubber down and biggest thing the temperatures are much cooler this year.

[BDA116]

Originally Posted by CBRVFR

Is the Roberts team using their own chassis with the RCV engine, or the whole bike?

If they manage to beat Honda with their own homegrown chassis, I will laugh my ass off, have it surgically re-attached, and do it again.

Yes, their own chassis. Also of interesting note - the AmHon factory team is using a KR swingarm on the 1000RR superbike.
That said, the practice times are cool, but he won't be finishing there in the race.
All that matters to me is that KRJR keeps wiping his ass with Hopkins and his Suzuki.

[nedro]

I do believe this will be the best MotoGP season ever. Especially since this is the last year for the big guns (1000cc). Will there be room for Rossi on the podium with all of the new players?

[Crash]

I have to admit, I thought that this year was going to be a very boring year. A lot of players dropping out, rookies running amuck, teams going the way of the Titanic.

But I have to agree with you nedro... this year has been very interesting and fun to watch. Not even the second race into it, and this season has been more fun to watch than anything NASCRAP can do.

I still think Stoner is going to get rookie of the year in an upset over Dani. It's great to see the time sheets have some variability, just like the mid 80's to early 90's!!!!

[SJ96F3]

The only thing that made the previous years boring was the fact that Rossi ran away. He crashed out in the first turn of the first race... so it's a little early to say it won't be boring. IF he crashes out of every race then yeah it'll be exciting. I believe however... that Rossi will be Rossi and dominate like always.

Put Rossi on a "less" dominant bike and throw in the fact Hayden seemed to be figuring things out at the end of last season, throw in a stud 250 champion in Pedrosa and a really consistent Capirossi on a fast Duck, and I do think it will be better than previous... but the same Rossi result when the dust settles.

[ccwilli3]

KR... Wow. Finally back to turning some heads as they did in the days of their KR3 2 stroke. Props to KRJR too for proving he hasn't lost it and that yep, it was suzuki that was letting his years down, not him...

[Purpdust]

I was impressed, First of all with Stoner WOW and then PR2 KRJR Takes it by 0.006 secs, I can't wait for QP Tomorrow

I am so Happy I renewed my motogp.com this year.

Stoner over Pedrosa?...... puhhlease!

[Getsome]

Rossi, Hayden, Pedrosa... my picks for the podium....

[ND4SPD]

I hope Rossi gets "dethroned" again. No, I don't mean crash...I just hope someone else takes the win.

[Jungleboy]

AWSOME! made my day to get home and see stoner on pole, hope he can pull off a race win Regardless it looks like it will be a great season with a handfull of strong contenders (Capirossi, Stoner, Pedrosa and Elias) that are'nt mentally damaged to take it up to Rossi

[Crash]

Originally Posted by SPEED

Stoner over Pedrosa?...... puhhlease!

I'm just sayin'....

Now that Stoner is on Pole.... whatcha got

[CBRVFR]

This is really interesting: Wonder if Rossi is going to try to stuff Elias in the first corner again. He is just a backmarker now..

The top 11 guys are within a second a lap.

Full MotoGP qualifying times from the Qatar Grand Prix at Losail, round two of the 2006 world championship.


1. Casey Stoner AUS Honda LCR 1min 55.683 secs
2. Loris Capirossi ITA Ducati Marlboro Team 1min 55.721 secs
3. Toni Elias SPA Fortuna Honda 1min 55.735 secs
4. Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda Team 1min 55.793 secs
5. Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda Team 1min 56.008 secs
6. Valentino Rossi ITA Camel Yamaha Team 1min 56.076 secs
7. Sete Gibernau SPA Ducati Marlboro Team 1min 56.177 secs
8. Colin Edwards USA Camel Yamaha Team 1min 56.230 secs
9. Shinya Nakano JPN Kawasaki Racing Team 1min 56.237 secs
10. Kenny Roberts USA Team Roberts 1min 56.272 secs
11. Chris Vermulen AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1min 56.356 secs
12. Marco Melandri ITA Fortuna Honda 1min 56.822 secs
13. John Hopkins USA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1min 56.981 secs
14. Carlos Checa SPA Tech 3 Yamaha 1min 57.299 secs
15. Randy de Puniet FRA Kawasaki Racing Team 1min 57.822 secs
16. Makoto Tamada JPN Konica Minolta Honda 1min 57.891 secs
17. James Ellison GBR Tech 3 Yamaha 1min 58.674 secs
18. Alex Hofmann GER Pramac d'Antin MotoGP 1min 59.591 secs
19. Jose Luis Cardoso SPA Pramac d'Antin MotoGP 1min 59.733 secs


2006 Qatar Grand Prix:
Fastest practice time: Casey Stoner AUS Honda LCR 1min 56.329secs


2005 Qatar Grand Prix - 1/10/2005:
Pole Position: Loris Capirossi ITA Ducati Marlboro Team 1min 56.917secs
Fastest lap: Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda Team 1min 57.903secs

[smoothrideronli]

Holy crap...one and half seconds in one year. Last years pole time would be good enough for twelth.

Originally Posted by Crash

I'm just sayin'....

Now that Stoner is on Pole.... whatcha got

It'll most likely be a mixture of Pedrosa, Hayden, Capi, & Rossi.......then maybe Stoner somewhere after that in the end ......Maybe Gib if he doesn't DNF

EDIT: Fixed Nicky's name

[smoothrideronli]

Capi...Pedrosa and Hayden on the podium again...not necessarily in that order...

[SJ96F3]

Rossi, he's bound to be on a mission after Jerez. I think the race for second should look like the race we saw at Jerez... Capirossi, Hayden, and Pedrosa.

[tnarinen]

What a start for a season, the new guys are really making an impact in the series. Teammate vs teammate comparison is starting to look quite interesting too: Elias kicking Melandri's butt, Vermeulen faster than Hopper and there will surely be some competition tomorrow on who is THE faster Repsol guy.

And BTW, Tamada who? I see this guy taking over Ukawa's retirement job on HRC test slouch next year. A shame actually, a competitive Japanese on a Honda ride would be good for the series, methinks.

[Linus]

I do want to see the battle for the rest of the group. Don't click if you want to see the race on your own

http://www.motogp.com/en/motogp/moto...&news_id=16462

[ND4SPD]

Here comes Nicky
1 25 46 Valentino ROSSI ITA Camel Yamaha Team YAMAHA 43'22.229 163.742

2

20 69 Nicky HAYDEN USA Repsol Honda Team HONDA 43'23.129 163.686 0.900

3

16 65 Loris CAPIROSSI ITA Ducati Marlboro Team DUCATI 43'23.723 163.648 1.494

4

13 15 Sete GIBERNAU SPA Ducati Marlboro Team DUCATI 43'26.867 163.451 4.638

5

11 27 Casey STONER AUS Honda LCR HONDA 43'29.804 163.267 7.575

6

10 26 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team HONDA 43'33.049 163.064 10.820

7

9 33 Marco MELANDRI ITA Fortuna Honda HONDA 43'34.013 163.004 11.784

8

8 24 Toni ELIAS SPA Fortuna Honda HONDA 43'41.710 162.525 19.481

9

7 5 Colin EDWARDS USA Camel Yamaha Team YAMAHA 43'45.149 162.313 22.920

10

6 10 Kenny ROBERTS JR USA Team Roberts KR211V 43'56.515 161.613 34.286

11

5 56 Shinya NAKANO JPN Kawasaki Racing Team KAWASAKI 43'57.545 161.550 35.316

12

4 7 Carlos CHECA SPA Tech 3 Yamaha YAMAHA 44'11.474 160.701 49.245

13

3 77 James ELLISON GBR Tech 3 Yamaha YAMAHA 44'23.698 159.964 1'01.469

14

2 6 Makoto TAMADA JPN Konica Minolta Honda HONDA 44'33.007 159.406 1'10.778

15

1 66 Alex HOFMANN GER Pramac d'Antín MotoGP DUCATI 44'44.280 158.737 1'22.051

16

30 Jose Luis CARDOSO SPA Pramac d'Antín MotoGP DUCATI 44'56.047 158.044 1'33.818

[clutchslip]

So this was another goodie. The competition is great.
And Hayden is really trying to win the championship.
Go Ducs. Go Roberts.
And Valentino stop suckering everyone with "my bike sucks". B.S.

To those who don't know racing or don't seem to pay attention, here is what I said the last race.

Originally Posted by clutchslip

Look out, boys, here come the Ducs: While one Duc went out, they were 1,2 on the grid. 4 banger beats 5 banger. Amazing.

I also predict Roberts is going to be a force to contend with. Roberts chassis is their "older" set-up. Two races from now, I bet the field is saying, "oh sh!t, here comes King and Prince Kenny, AGAIN."

Originally Posted by clutchslip

If Pedrosa doesn't do well here, where is he going to do well?
Advantages:
A. Home track.
B. Hayden's his team mate. He would let Hayden pass too at Laguna Seca. Common courtesy. "You go chase the Duc, it's your turf."
...
No slam on Pedrosa, but gees, it's not like he is an underdog.

Originally Posted by clutchslip

Did you guys see the pass? Pedrosa did not have to MAKE a pass because Hayden let him go. Yes, Pedrosa was faster, but he should be at his home track, as I stated.

Hayden did not let Rossi make a pass this race, and Rossi didn't let Hayden pass back. See the difference, this time?