what we have learned at misano so far
30/08/07
News
From Edgar Jessop on the parabolica
Updated 02/09/07
This afternoon, Valentino Rossi will be running an evolution of the pneumatic-valve motor Yamaha tested after the Brno round. However, engineers do not yet know whether it will finish a 28-lap race because of fuel consumption worries.
The motor is said to have marginal speed improvements in the top two gears, presumably to stick with Stoner on straights, which is lovely - but only if there is fuel in the motor in the first place. Helluva gamble...
Team-mate Colin Edwards is to run an experimental front tyre which the teams also tested post-Brno. He says he needs to get some more contact on the front in left-handers, where he has virtually no grip.
Rossi has broken his silence on the tax evasion issue at Misano this afternoon, saying that he will take responsibility for any wrongdoing that proves to be his, erm, doing. He says he believes he has done nothing wrong and has acted within the law.
As Ducati stands on the brink of securing its first MotoGP title, team manager Livio Suppo says too much emphasis is being placed on the performance of Bridestone's tyres and not on Casey Stoner - the championship leader by a remarkable 60 points.
Speaking of which, if Stoner finishes ninth or higher at Misano he will have a greater number of points than Nicky Hayden scored lastyear when winning the world title. At the Czech GP he became the first rider to win back-to-back MotoGP races from pole since Loris Capirossi won in Japan and Malaysia in 2005.
Honda's Nicky Hayden has stated that tyre choice will be crucial at Misano this weekend as no-one has tested properly at the track. Let alone The Kentucky Kid, who has never even seen the place...
Confirmed at 4pm: Anthony West has secured a ride with Kawasaki for next season, beating off competition from Shinya Nakano (click here). Current number one rider Randy De Puniet has cleared off to the LCR Honda squad for 2008. Current LCR man Carlos Checa is hotly tipped for a Ten Kate ride in WSB, but we have it on good authority that seat has gone to Troy Corser.
Alex Barros is still unsure of whether he will be riding next season, but says it could be with the D'Antin Ducati mob, or on a third Kawasaki. He expects to know at the Portugese GP at Estoril.
