The final pre-season test at Jerez, dubbed Round Zero, turned out to be a damb squib as the riders splashed around in damp conditions.
The dummy qualifying session, which theoretically spices up the test, was dull, dull, dull. In tricky conditions, Stoner went out at the start and set the BMW-winning time after a mere handful of laps. Valentino Rossi was 2nd, well over a second slower than the reigning World Champion, with Nicky Hayden continuing his decent run of testing with 3rd.
John Hopkins didn't ride, still suffering from a dislocated crotch he sustained in the Phillip Island test. Neither did Dani Pedrosa, who hurt his hand throwing his toys out of the pram a couple of weeks ago.
The progress shown by some in the dry conditions yesterday was wiped out as riders struggled to find a tyre or a setup for the drying track, and didn't want to fall off and hurt themselves. People such as de Puniet and Toseland had been highly impressive on slick tyres, but were mediocre on the horrible soggy surface.
If you didn't see footage of "Round Zero", don't worry. You didn't miss anything.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
MotoGP: Jerez Round Zero Snoozefest
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2 comments:
Jimmy, I'm sensing a touch of anti-Pedrosa feeling running through your recent posts. Anything you want to tell us? *8^)
Well, when he broke his hand and then made some bitchy comments about Hayden's inability to develop a bike, I just thought it was incredibly childish. Especially since Hayden won the title on a unique bike, and if he didn't develop it, who else did?
Dani's a great rider, but he doesn't exactly have Hopper-esque charisma!
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