Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

Ducati popped a surprise on the Grand Prix paddock, unveiling a pair of Desmosedici MotoGP bikes with two completely different firing orders - one a normal four-cylinder and the other a paired twin. The differences were immediately apparent when. test rider Vittorio Guareschi joined former World Superbike Champion Troy Bayliss for a few hot laps of the Valencia circuit. Bayliss said the two tests he'd done so far, at Mugello and Valencia, had been shakedown tests in advance of this week's first proper test at Valencia. "We'll see what the bike can really do: Bayliss said. His initial impression is that the twin-pulse engine feels more like a Ducati and is nicer to ride, but the conventional four-cylinder feels faster. He doesn't know if it's faster, but it feels faster. They'll decide after the tests which one they're going to use. "I prefer the twin-cylinder," test rider Guareschi said. "I prefer the sound. One is like a [Ducati] Superbike, one is like a four-cylinder." Ducati Corse president Claudio Domenicalli said the team hadn't tested enough to know which machine would emerge. "We are just beginning the proper tests," he said. "During the winter we'll make proper test. Now we have a working bike. Now we have to understand the combinations of engine, swingarm, chassis, firing order." The engines are exactly the same, with only the changing of the camshaft and the mapping to change the firing order. The team has spent the early tests working on reliabmty, which is assured, Domenicalli said, though there is a difference between the two. "Let's say the twin pulse is more stressed. It is easier to solve the reliability problem on the conventional firing order. We look to perforrmmce now," he said. There's plenty of it. Domenicalli said the horsepower target for the engine was 220 and they are above that. It wouldn't be detuned to make it more controllable, he said. "I think our philosophy is to maximize the horsepower out of the engine. You manage the rideabiUty with the proper mapping of the engine." The bike is just .over three pounds above the MotoGP weight limit, but easily attained. The intake scoops on the fairing were aluminum and will be changed to lighter carbon fiber. There are details to work out on the machine, though the use of exotic materials in the engine isn't one of them. "We didn't use any titanium in the engine. We wanted a performance bike with a close eye to cost. On the race bike, we don't need it. We're on the [weight) limit without needing to spend too much." As to when each would be ridden, DomenicalJi said it was up to rider preference and might change from track to track. No times were released from the Valencia test, but Domenicalli said that Bayliss was already faster than his Superbike times. Nohles (1:41.888); 31. Choz Dovies (1;42.408); 32. Ruben C.",I.n (1:42.632); 33. 1m... Toth (1:42.691); 34. Dorio Giuseppetti (1 :42.758); 35. Thomos Luthi (I :42.861); 36. Christi.n Piston' (I :44.581); 37. winner in a duel with Safilo Oxydo Race LCR's David Checa. This was Locatelli's last race on a 250. The Italian moves back to the was no walkover," Melandri said. "I That put Elias in second until his used up a lot of front tire during the Aprilia went on one cylinder on the first part of the race, when my tank 19th lap, "and 1 ended up with a KTM's World Championship effort in was full, but if I'd had to up the ante 125cc bike," Elias said. He fell all the 2003. towards the end, I'd still have been way to 10th. Vincent Brllillllrd (t :45.878), 38. Chris Peris The next three were covered by .16 of a second, with Franco Battaini able to do it." The Fortuna Honda Gresini team Second was a fight among a filled the void, teammates Roberto revolving cast of characters. At the Rolfo and Emilio Alzamora running as start, it was Toni Elias and Fonsi a tandem for the final 10-plus laps. Nieto, though neither would figure in Alzamora made a strong run on the the finish. Nieto crashed on the final lap, taking over second briefly, eighth lap while in second, going down with his winner-take-all philos- but Rolfo struck back and hung on, ophy intact. by .22 of a second. beating his teammate across the line "I only wanted to win, but I went so "I enjoyed the battle for second hard that I crashed," the Spaniard said. place with Emilio," Rolfo said. "He passed me at the big corner, and then 1 repassed him again at the next cor- Shinya Nakano (56) was the second of the Yamaha four-strokes to cross the flnlsh line. Sete Gibemau (15) and Kenny Roberts Jr. (10) give chase. ner." Campatella Racing's Randy De Puniet was alone in fourth, in front of Motoracing's Roberto Locatelli, the (I :46.223). 125cc CiP: 1. Daniel Pedrosa (Han); 2. Arnaud Vincent (Apr); 3. Pablo Nieto (Apr); 4. Alex De Angelis (Apr); 5. Steve Jenkner (Apr); 6. Hector Barbera (Apr); 7. Manuel Pogglall (Gil); 8. Lucio Cecchinello (Apr); 9. Joan Olive (Han); 10. Gino Borsai (Apr); 11. Max Sobb.tinl (Hon); 12. And.... Ballerin..i (Han); 13. Stefano Blanco (Apr); 14. Simone Sanna (Apr); 15. Gabor Talmacsi (Hon); 16. Mike Kallio (Hon); J7. Andrea Dovizioso (Hon); 18. Masao Azuma (Han); 19. Mirko Giansanti (Han); 20. Michel Fabrizio (Gil); 21. Klaus Nohles (Han); 22. Jorge Lorenzo (Der); 23. Alvaro Bautista (Apr); 24. 125cc class as the lead rider in beating Naoki Matsuda and Alex Debon. eN Thoma. Luthi (Apr); 25. 1m... Toth (Apr); 26. Ruben C.t.l.n (Apr); 27. D.rto Gluseppetti (Han); 28. Choz Valencia 6rand Pri. Valencia, Spain Results: NDvember 3, ZOOZ [Round 16 of 161 125cc QUALIFYING: Davies (Apr); 29. VIncent Bralllard (Han). Time: 42 min., 13.044 sec. Distance: 25 laps, 62.22 miles. Average speed: 88.424 mph. Margin of victory: 0.100 sec. 1. Daniel Pedrosll (I :39.426); 2. M.nuel Poggi.1I (I :39.547); 3. P.blo Nieto (I :39.590); 4. Am.ud Vincent 11;39.600); 5. I 25cc WORLD C'SHIP POINTS STANDINGS (After 16 of 16 rounds): 1. Arnaud Vincent (273/5 wins); 2. Alex De Angelis (1:38.819); 6. Hector Barbera Monuel Pog9i.1i (254/4); 3. D.niel Pedro•• (243/3); (1:39.916); 7. Steve Jenkner (1:40.000); 8. Gino 4. Lucio Cecchinello (180/3); 5. Steve Jenkner Borsa! (I :40.058); 9. Andrea Ballerini (1 :40.190); 10. Mika Kallio (1 :40.322); 11. Gllbor Talmacsi Sabbatllni (I :40.506); 14. Andrea Dovizloso (168); 6. P.blo Nieto (145); 7. Simone Sonn. (106); 8. M•••o Azum. (101/1); 9. Alex De Angeli. (87); 10. Gino Borsai (82); II. Mika K.llio (78); 12. Joon Olive (76); 13. Youichi Ui (65); 14. Hector Barbero (1:40.565); 15. Simone S.nn. (1:40.602); 16. (50); IS. (TIE) Mlrko Giansanti/AndreB Davlzioso Youlchi Ui (I :40.611); 17. Mlrko Gillinsanti (42); 17. Stefano Perugini (28); 18. Andre. Ballertru (26); 19. Stet.no Bianco (24); 20. Shuhei (I ;40.337); 12. Joan Olive (I :40.421); 13. M.x (1 ;40.676); 18. Lucio CecehineJlo (I :40.989); 19. Mllsao Azuma (1:41.136); 20. Stefllno Blllnco Aoyama/Jorge Lorenzo (21). 250cc QUALIFYING: (1:41.138); 21. Nobby Ued. (1:41.412); 22. Juli.n Simon (1:41.416); 23. Motti. Angeloni (1:41.441); (1:41.511); 26. Jorge Lorenzo (1:41.566); 27. (1036.593); 7. Roberto Rollo (1:36.635); 8. Toni Eli•• (1:36.769); 9. Fronco Battoinl (1:36.827); 10. Cosey (1 :41.746); 29. Alex Baldolini (141.789); 30. KI.us I • n Marco Melandri Sebastian Porto (1:36.415); 4. Emilio Alzamora (1:36.459); 5. Alex Debon (1:36.552); 6. Fonsi Nieto Stefano Perugini (1 :41.720); 28. Alvaro Bautista cue 1 (1:35.885); 2. R.ndy De Pun,et (1:35.979); 3. 24. Marco Simoncelli (I :41.460); 25. flUchel Fllbrizio e _ s NOVEMBER 13, 2002 11

• Cover