Ducati Sporting Club UK > Sport > Race > MotoGP - Catalunya Ducati Press Release + Update

[sye73]

reference the point that Randy Mamola bought up... I understand that the lauch control type electronics will doubtless make a rider enter a corner faster, but has the effect of LC become largely irrelevant by the time the first corner arrives ? i.e. is the rider not in full control of the throttle after the 'launch' phase has been completed, and therefore able to dictate his entry speed ?

What is the situation for a team who losses a rider thru injury? Are they able to pick and choose whoever they think is approprite ( obviously depending on the intended parties contractual obligations etc. )

[antonye]

From what I understand, the launch control is automatically switched off once the rider changes gear* so it would indeed be off by the time they reach the first corner.

As for injuries, they can replace a rider at any time (through injury or otherwise) and riders can also maintain any existing points they may already have. Although it is uncommon for riders to switch teams mid season, it does happen.


* it gets turned by the rider on via a control button, and switches off automatically once second gear is selected

[sye73]

yeah, that's what I thought.... So does this not undermine the argument to 'blame' TC ??

Oh OK, so if a rider has 50 points in the c'ship for example and then gets injured, the replacement rider will create his own points for as long as he takes the ride.The 1st choice rider will then resume his c'ship on the same points as of his last race

[Dave G]

I think what he was pointing out was that in the past the riders were immediately spread out more than now as they all had different abilities/techniques for getting off the line,whereas these days launch systems will get them all to a certain point all bunched together,the main difference in separating distances was off the line from a standstill rather than two hundred yards down the track through a couple of gears.
Its not something that had really occurred to me until RM mentioned it,and he kinda knows what he's talking about (unlike me ).
A couple of races ago I remember them discussing these thing,pointing out Rossi's current launch technique of opening his throttle 100% and just dumping the clutch, and Mamola laughing at how high in the air he would have been if he'd done anything remotely like that in his racing days.

[antonye]

Originally Posted by Dave G

I think what he was pointing out was that in the past the riders were immediately spread out more than now as they all had different abilities/techniques for getting off the line,whereas these days launch systems will get them all to a certain point all bunched together

If that was the case, surely they would all arrive at the corner in the positions they started on the grid, all evenly spaced out rather than bunched together?

[Dave G]

It wasn't me who stated this,it was Randy Mamola, maybe he's pointing out that new technology has evened the field more than in his day which has brought new problems to light.

[phillc]

And the answer is..................*drum roll*

Alex Hofmann!

Here's the Pramac D'Antin Press Release - http://kapitalmoto.co.uk/node/78

[misterpink]

more importantly for Ducati though is that a new riders points will get added to the teams points toward the manufacturer and team standings.....i think?

[Iconic944ss]

Monday Jun 19 2006
Update on Riders Condition

CAPIROSSI RETURNS HOME TO PREPARE FOR ASSEN - GIBERNAU TO UNDERGO COLLARBONE OPERATION TOMORROW, WILL MISS DUTCH TT

The latest updates on the condition of Loris Capirossi and Sete Gibernau following yesterday's horrific first corner crash at the Circuit de Catalunya have brought a sigh of relief to the MotoGP world. Luckily the consequences are not as serious as first thought, but they will have a partial effect on the Ducati Marlboro Team's participation in the Dutch TT race on Saturday.

Capirossi will take part in the next round of the MotoGP World Championship, while Gibernau will still be recovering following an operation to his collarbone.
Loris left Catalunya General Hospital in Barcelona today after remaining overnight for observation and has returned to Monte Carlo. Medical checks confirmed that the Italian rider can take part in the next round of the championship.

Sete Gibernau's condition is more complicated. The Spanish rider today underwent a further brain scan to rule out any possible complications for the operation to fix the minor fracture to his left collarbone, scheduled for late tomorrow morning. Surgeons will replace a plate inserted following an earlier accident with a larger plate. Only after this operation will it be possible to confirm when Gibernau can race again, but he will certainly miss the next round in the Netherlands.

[andyb]

gregorio and leon are available this weekend!...................