Tyre tech, electronics hurt overtaking in MotoGP, but development vital for streetbikes

According to a report on Crash.net, Valentino ‘The Doctor’ Rossi believes that the evolution of tyre technology is one reason why MotoGP racing in the 800cc age is not as exciting or spectacular as it was in the 990cc era.

According to Rossi, tyre technology has raised cornering speeds and reduced braking distances. ‘I think that this is mostly to do with the evolution of the tyres. Now we're very fast in the corners and so there is less time to try to overtake,’ says Rossi.

"I want that seventh MotoGP world title...!!'

‘I think that there will be a better show because everyone will have the same tyre. During the last few laps of the race, the bike will move around a bit more and so you will have to go a little bit slower. This will probably produce closer battles. We hope so!’ says Rossi, speaking about how racing might be in the 2009 MotoGP season.

After tyres, the other thing which may be hurting MotoGP, according to Rossi, is the excessive use of electronics. ‘The huge evolution in electronics has levelled the performance of the riders and therefore this has also led to fewer battles,’ he says.

Rossi’s team manager, Davide Brivio agrees that electronics may have made the racing less spectacular, but he also says that electronics may be vital for the development of newer streetbikes ‘Valentino has ‘suffered’ as a result of the changes that have arisen since technology has progressed, more electronics are used and rider aids have been introduced. However, these aids are very useful for safety reasons and research, especially with regard to production bikes,’ says Brivio.

‘Valentino has expressed the desire to reduce the rider aids in order to allow the rider's talent and ability to be properly appreciated. This is justifiable from the rider's point of view. From a sporting and sentimental point of view also, I'd like to see less aids and the riders relying exclusively on their talent,’ says Brivio.

‘Thinking about our customers, however, who will ride the bikes on the street, research and aid development are the right things to do. It would be great to be able to find a compromise for the situation, but in any case I believe the races will still be very spectacular, more so than ever next year with many riders fighting for victory. Ultimately it is always the best that are leading,’ he concludes.

MotoGP Vittoriano Guareschi is impressed with the 2009 Ducati GP9 racebike

Kawasaki have left MotoGP (or have they?) and Suzuki are rumoured to be considering the possibility of either leaving MotoGP or drastically scaling down their investment in the sport. But one company that’s certainly steaming ahead is Ducati. The Italians are ready with their 2009 MotoGP bike – the GP9 – with which the big news seems to be its all-new carbonfibre chassis.

Vittoriano Guareschi says the Ducati GP9 is more predictable and easier to ride than the GP8. Finally, Ducati may have built a machine which riders other than Stoner can win races on!
Story via Motoblog

2009 will be the first year when Ducati abandon their traditional steel tube trellis type chassis and move to a carbonfibre unit. And Apart from the new chassis, other changes on the GP9 include a new airbox and revised fuel injection mapping for a flatter power curve and improved rideability. With an estimated 230 horsepower from its 799cc, liquid-cooled, 90-degree, DOHC, 16-valve V4, the Ducati GP9 is a formidable machine that can hit a top speed of about 330km/h.

The bike is fitted with a six-speed cassette-type gearbox and dry multi-plate slipper clutch. The engine is fed by an indirect Magneti Marelli electronic fuel injection system, with four throttle bodies and injectors above butterfly valves. The exhaust is a custom-built unit from Termignoni and fully-adjustable Öhlins suspension components are used at both ends.

Riding on 16.5-inch wheels shod with Bridgestone rubber, the GP9 is stopped by Brembo brakes – twin 320mm carbon front discs with four-piston callipers and single stainless steel rear disc with two-piston callipers. The bike weighs 148 kilos.

Vittoriano Guareschi, who’s been instrumental in developing Ducati’s MotoGP bikes from 2002 onwards, has also tested the GP extensively. ‘When they told me about the switch from the earlier steel tube trellis frame to carbonfibre, I was surprised. But now I’m impressed. The GP9 is the first racebike ever to have a chassis made entirely of carbonfibre,’ says Guareschi.

‘The carbon frame is definitely a step forward – the bike is now a little more predictable and is more intuitive to ride. It will be easier for more riders to take the GP9 to the limit,’ says Guareschi. ‘And the new bike has more torque and is more rideable, without losing any of its top-end power,’ he adds.

Hmmm… so does this mean the Stoner-Hayden duo will be challenging Rossi and Pedrosa for the 2009 MotoGP world championship? Stranger things have happened