Qatar 1st qualifying

Ruben Xaus on provisional pole! Wow!

There was a big difference between the FP1 times and QP1 times 2'07 down
to 2'01. I think we'll see 1'59s tomorrow. Apart from the heat, I think
they need some sand sweepers.

 

Yes it's interesting to see how the guys progress on a new track. Xaus and
Edwards immediately fast all the day. The 4th (Checa) is already at 1.4 sec
and Val at 2 sec.
But no rain expected tomorrow in Qatar!!!
PS. WCM and Youichi Ui what a farce?

 

Absolutly. The fast will be fast at the next QP. Rossi didn't even use
qualification tires on QP1, but also were off 3 times!
Also, the grip will get better and more consistent as they get more laps on
the track as well.

 

Since speed TV isn't showing this I watched the race off the MotoGP website.

Surprises galore on the new circuit. Courtesy of a blatant riding mistake by
Rossi -who along with Biaggi started off the last row, penalized-, Gibernau
scores a win that infuses life into the championship. Cutting it down to 14
points behind Rossi. Advantage still Rossi, but we'll have to see. Biaggi
came in 6th, and it now too far off to be a factor anyway. Rossi ran wide
following Edwards.

In the post race interview, Gibernau gave effusive thank-yous to his team
and to Edwards, who had a terrible start but mounted an amazing come-back to
come in within 1s of Gibernau and clinch second. No doubt with a better
start Edrwads would have clinched this one, and hey, perhaps if it wasn't
Gibernau ahead of him he would have pushed harder. As Edwards said in a good
post fight interview, he tried to "keep Sete honest". Amazing display by
Edwards.

Third was a surprise player: Ruben Xaus on a satellite Ducati. Amazing
result. Gibernau got the top point score, but to me Edwards and Xaus stole
the show.

Barros and Hayden came in behind Xaus on their HRC rides. Honda can't be
happy with their declared top riders being far off the pace on a circuit
that put everybody on equal ground.

Others who didn't finish included Checa (after an early lead, he had to
leave the race with 3 laps to go when in 3rd), Melandri (who was hangng out
with Xaus), Capirossi, Bayliss, Nakano and Hodgson.

....pablo

 

For as long as it lasted, Rossi started the show. As Edwards said: Hell,
Rossi started last and was in front of me into the first corner . He
climbed quickly to 7.th then picked his way into forth as nakano smoked the
track before he flew out.
Anyway it's good for the championship so it's not all bad, even for a Rossi
fan

And the only reason they came together was Biaggis run off at teh last lap.
Add to that a few technical DNFs (3 or 4 i think) in front of them. Probably
the new exhaust that is the problem.

Looks like Xaus were lucky with his engine looking at all the Duc. dnf's.

/MBE