Valentino Rossi completed the greatest comeback since Lazarus last night, qualifying 5th in the German Grand Prix at the Sachsenring, less than a second behind the pole man, Jorge Lorenzo. Qualifying was halted half-way through the session when Lorenzo’s motor let go, coating the track with oil and causing the bike to burst into flames. Both RdP and Spies were both caught out on the oil, RdP being taken to the track medical centre, but he will race tonight. Disappointment for the Americans with Edwards in 12th, Spies 13th and Hayden 15th.
1 | Jorge Lorenzo | Fiat Yamaha | Yamaha | 1:21.817 |
2 | Casey Stoner | Ducati Marlboro | Ducati | 1:21.841 |
3 | Dani Pedrosa | Repsol Honda | Honda | 1:21.948 |
4 | Andrea Dovizioso | Repsol Honda | Honda | 1:22.263 |
5 | Valentino Rossi | Fiat Yamaha | Yamaha | 1:22.395 |
6 | Hector Barbera | Paginas Amarillas Aspar | Ducati | 1:22.454 |
7 | Randy De Puniet | LCR Honda | Honda | 1:22.610 |
8 | Marco Simoncelli | San Carlo Honda Gresini | Honda | 1:22.624 |
9 | Aleix Espargaro | Pramac Racing | Ducati | 1:22.910 |
10 | Marco Melandri | San Carlo Honda Gresini | Honda | 1:22.917 |
11 | Mika Kallio | Pramac Racing | Ducati | 1:22.961 |
12 | Colin Edwards II | Tech 3 Yamaha | Yamaha | 1:23.026 |
13 | Ben Spies | Tech 3 Yamaha | Yamaha | 1:23.028 |
14 | Loris Capirossi | Rizla Suzuki | Suzuki | 1:23.040 |
15 | Nicky Hayden | Ducati Marlboro | Ducati | 1:23.090 |
16 | Alvaro Bautista | Rizla Suzuki | Suzuki | 1:23.193 |
17 | Alex De Angelies | Interwetten Honda MotoGP | Honda | 1:23.515 |
Australia’s Damian Cudlin had a rough qualifying sessiom, learning just how hard it can be to get a clear lap when there are 42 bikes on the track. Damian will start out of #22 but, provided he avoids the customary first-corner carnage, he should work his way closer to the front. Not bad for a rider who has never ridden in the class before, has had one test and has been hired without having to bring any money to the team as a proviso.
School holidays finish today so it’s hopefully back to work tomorrow. I feel heaps better and the knee is improving by the day. Should be up to some serious riding very soon.
I’m on the lookout for a new flip-front helmet. The Nitro that I bought to replace the Symax scuffed up in the accident is very small, which is odd since I’ve had a Medium one before and it was OK. Guess it’s a bit like clothes where the sizing is all over the place. Will visit a few shops this week and do some trying-on (of helmets).
I’m also hoping to get into my local Honda dealer this week and get a test ride on the VFR1200F. Hell for Leather mazagine recently published a track test of the VFR that was most unflattering. It does seem at odds with what previous tests have reported, and, maybe they got a bad one. Anyway, I did think it was funny that the Americans have christened the new bike “Shamu” after the Sea World killer whale of the 60’s. Hardly flattering, but, usually, nicknames like that do tend to stick. Nearly all the VFR’s have nicknames. From 1986-1994 (even though there were several changes in the design) they are called “Originals” The 4th generation model (1994-1997) is called the “Testarossa” after the Ferrari with the grilles and the NACA duts; the 5th Gen is called the “Klingon” due to its supposed resemblance to the Star Trek character and the 6th Gen is called the “Origami” because of its sharp-edged design. It’s looking like the 7th Gen is going to be “Shamu”
Of course, VFR afficianados who have bought them seem to love them and those who can’t afford $26100 to put one on the road continue to point out all the reasons why it isn’t really a VFR at all (I fall into this camp). When that price could potentially buy you a new S/T bike (A Sprint, perhaps), a dirt/play bike AND a cheap “trackie” it seems hard to justify. The true believers still hold out hope that, post-GFC, Honda will release a more VFR’ish model later this year, but I think they are doomed to disappointment. The true VFR’s have left the building, never to return. Anyway, I’m hoping for a test ride and I’ll give you my impressions when I do.
Oh, and on the subject of Rossi, the man himself has confirmed that there will not be any announcements from him regarding his future until after the Brno round of the World Championship. (13-15 August)
sanoptic says
I actually took a new Honda CB1100 out for a test ride last friday as i ‘Was’ interested in maybe getting one.
Didn’t really like it much,for an 1100cc bike it seems rather gutless & the streeing a bit strange.
Also the bike is a bit small with a narrow seat but i did like the high handlebars.For me at least a modern ‘retro’ is not to be.
Yeah hope you have a good ride on the 1200,it really is an aquired taste in the looks department.
Phil Hall says
Mmm, that is interesting. I’d have thought with an 1100cc engine, it’d pull like a train. Oh well, hopefully I can report on the VFR soon.
sanoptic says
I’m so used to my grunty 900 Triumph that the CB1100 needed lots more revs to get going than i am used to.
It was only a 15 minute ride so it was by no means a conclusive test.
But 1st impressions do matter if your thinking about buying a new bike i guess.
Phil Hall says
Well, I rang my local shop today and they don’t have a demo bike any more. Someone from Sydney came down and bought it. How rude. Trevor did say that, when a new demo comes in, he’ll call me and he took my number. Watch this space.