Proving what all intelligent followers of the sport have known for many years, namely that Casey Stoner is probably the fastest of the current crop, Stoner went to the top of the boards at Valencia in only his second day back on the Honda after 4 years away. In stark comparison, Rossi struggled on the Ducati, finishing the day in 15th place, 1.7 seconds behind Stoner. This is leading many to speculate that, in the case if the Ducati, it IS all about the bike.
1 | Casey Stoner | HRC | Honda | 1:32.066 |
2 | Jorge Lorenzo | Fiat Yamaha | Yamaha | 1:32.179 |
3 | Ben Spies | Fiat Yamaha | Yamaha | 1:32.322 |
4 | Marco Simoncelli | San Carlo Honda Gresini | Honda | 1:32.497 |
5 | Dani Pedrosa | Repsol Honda | Honda | 1:32.497 |
6 | Nicky Hayden | Ducati Marlboro | Ducati | 1:32.583 |
7 | Alvaro Bautista | Rizla Suzuki | Suzuki | 1:32.738 |
8 | Randy De Puniet | Pramac | Ducati | 1:32.836 |
9 | Andrea Dovizioso | Repsol Honda | Honda | 1:32.912 |
10 | Hiroshi Aoyama | San Carlo Gresini | Honda | 1:33.105 |
11 | Hector Barbera | Paginas Amarillas Aspar | Ducati | 1:33.168 |
12 | Colin Edwards II | Tech 3 Yamaha | Yamaha | 1:33.325 |
13 | Cal Crutchlow | Tech 3 Yamaha | Yamaha | 1:33.483 |
14 | Loris Capirossi | Pramac | Ducati | 1:33.740 |
15 | Valentino Rossi | Ducati Marlboro | Ducati | 1:33.761 |
16 | L. Abraham | Ducati | 1:33.793 | |
17 | Toni Elias | LCR Honda | Honda | 1:34.800 |
Everyone has acknowledged that nobody has been able to take the Ducati by the scruff of the neck and shake it like Casey could. Perhaps now the sceptics can shut up for a while and admit that Casey is a true superstar.
table courtesy superbikeplanet.com
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Vince says
You would do well to remember that Rossi is there to decide which engine to go with for next year. He doesn’t need to ride at 100% to make this assessment. At worst he would be quicker than Hayden if he did. When the time comes to go quick he will go quick.
Phil Hall says
I absolutely agree. That’s why I said to take testing times with a grain of salt. My point was that, while Rossi is taking his time and, while people watching the test remarked that, at 180cm, he looked very uncomfortable on the bike, Stoner is fast, straight out of the box. 4 years away from Honda and having never ridden the 800. You’d have to agree that that is pretty impressive.
Vince says
Yes it is impressive but have you noticed that 5 of the top ten are Hondas?
Phil Hall says
Actually, I hadn’t. Thanks for pointing that out. So Casey may have jumped ship at just the right time, just like he did last time!