MotoGP fans have one more reason to be cheerful with the news that Liam ‘MotoLiam’ Schubert has joined OTT (onthethrottle.com) to present a brand new MotoGP web show, an interactive webcast if you like, that actively encourages viewer participation in discussing the latest news, races and stories from the MotoGP world. The show is called All Things Moto(GP) and can be viewed HERE and starts on Monday, March 1st at 6PM Pacific standard time.

Despite us all being waist deep in the digital age, MotoGP seems to be still dipping its toe in the interactive waters with much content being firmly locked behind subscription walls. This can be frustrating when content owners could be driving far more page views and new fans to the sport with a well managed web strategy. We understand that content can be expensive, and we aren’t asking for all races to be 100% free, but key highlights such as the battle between Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi at Catalunya in 2009 currently only merits a 50 second video clip on YouTube from the offical MotoGP channel that cannot be embedded on any other sites or blogs. So much for distribution and allegedly promoting a worldwide sport.

So a decent show, with a quality presenter (i.e. Liam) is a very welcome addition to the internet and a huge bonus for race fans.

The show will follow the entire MotoGP season and will take the form of a live webcast and will include a studio audience as well as instant feedback and questions from OTT viewers around the world, simply by logging on and registering at: www.OnTheThrottle.tv

For those unable to join in on the action in realtime, the shows will be available for viewing simply by clicking on the OTT Live header, http://www.onthethrottle.com/content/view/533/64/

For those of you who may not be aware of Liam Schubert, let me tell you that he is a fascinating pundit for MotoGP and will be well worth tuning in to. MotoLiam used to work in the MotoGP paddock, most recently as part of the engineering team for Pramac Ducati and his frank analysis and technical insights pull no punches. More info below:

Press Release:
OnTheThrottle.tv welcomes the addition of Liam “MotoLiam” Shubert to their team and is proud to present a brand new MotoGP show which will begin airing tomorrow afternoon (Monday, March 1st) at 6PM Pacific standard time. Viewers are encouraged to log in to: http://www.onthethrottle.com/content/view/533/64/ where they will be able to actively participate in each show, interacting and asking questions in real time via a chat room while watching the live webcast. Questions will also be taken via FaceBook and Twitter, UN OnTheThrottleTV.

Liam brings with him several years of working experience within the MotoGP paddock, having been a race mechanic and logistics/spare parts engineer, as well as having direct racing experience working with teams in WSBK, WSS, and the World Endurance Championships. Not only will the All Things Moto(GP) show feature race commentary and an in depth technical analysis of the ever evolving MotoGP bikes, but first person knowledge of the riders, racetracks, team structures and personalities within this fast paced world! Viewers can also expect to learn more about the lifestyle and countries traveled, as required by a World Championship motorcycle race series, and unique and informative segments about the technologies that make these MotoGP bikes so special, such as carbon brake systems, carbon fiber construction and processes, tire and chassis technologies, and historical matters that helped steer the direction of bike development.

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Repsol Honda have issued a question and answer session with Dani Pedrosa – the Q&A took place after the second MotoGP test of 2010 in Sepang. Pedrosa has had the luxury of starting this season without any physical challanges to overcome, whereas his last few seasons has seen his training, physical fitness, and testing time limited due to injuries. As the lead development rider for HRC it seems that the only issue Pedrosa needs to get to grips with now is how to get more from the Honda. The once dominant force has seen its edge blunted by Ducati and Yamaha over the last few years and rider discontent with the bike reached such a stage in the 2009 season that Pedrosa was considering other options for 2010, before eventually signing a 1 year extension to his current Honda contract. Pedrosa was openly critical of the need for better technical development within the team last year.

2010 could well be the last season that we see Pedrosa at HRC, but at the same time HRC need to develop their bike to such an extent that it seems like an attractive option for other leading riders that will be looking for new contracts for 2011. Jorge Lorenzo anyone?

In this interview Pedrosa gives his thoughts on testing so far, the new Ohlins suspension, and how the team will look to improve their progress in the two remaing test days left that are coming up in March at Qatar.

Could you sum up the two days of testing?
“We mainly focused on the new chassis and Ohlins suspension again, after the tests we did at the beginning of the month here in Malaysia. To be honest, the sensations on this machine are still new for me because as well as starting to work with Ohlins after so much time with Showa (both Honda and I), the chassis has changed and the electronics have evolved. What we’re looking for now is a good combination of everything and we still haven’t found it, we haven’t made the progress we expected. So we need to reflect on it, see what we need and advance in the forthcoming test in Qatar.”

You haven’t finished where you expected. Are you worried because there are only two test days left before the World Championship starts?
“I’m not worried, but it’s true that we only have two days left to test and perhaps that won’t be enough time for us. However, that’s what there is and we have to work with that, so we’ll try and be as ready as possible for the first race. Honda is making a huge effort and I’m also making a maximum effort, so the results have to be noticeable soon.”

What is the problem at the moment?
“It’s difficult to explain because I have conflicting sensations. On the positive side, we have managed to get better control of the machine coming out of the turns and it’s a bit smoother.”

Do you think that Honda could do anything, like bringing new material?
“I don’t know what the plan will be because obviously, first of all we have to analyse and check what we need and what we have to do. Then, we’ll take the necessary measures.”

What would be the priority that you need to resolve?
“At the moment we have problems with the chassis and suspension. The combination hasn’t worked well and it isn’t truly matched.”

After being able to train well over the winter, without the problems of previous years; how do you feel physically?
“In the first test we did, I didn’t feel completely fit and after riding those two days, we prepared a more specific training plan concentrating on the points where I felt a little weak, for example, when braking. We did more arm exercises and in this second test I felt better. There are still aspects that can be improved and we have a month to go before the first race, during which time we can do it well.”

Have you improved in braking, which was one of the biggest problems last year?
“Not enough yet to be able to say that we can forget about it.”

And the electronics?
“I think we’ve advanced there, although we still haven’t managed to adjust the machine’s chassis, so we can’t really get the most out of them. As soon as we find the direction to take with the chassis and the suspension, we’ll be able to benefit more from the new electronics, which I think is positive.”

The next test is in Qatar, at night, conditions that are very different to those that you are going to find in the rest of the season.
“Yes, it will be a test that focuses more on the first race, but we’ll have to get the most out of it for our machine.”

The change in your garage with Alberto Puig as the team manager; do you think that it will affect you in any way? Have you noticed any differences?
“At the moment, it’s the same as before. Things are running smoothly but if we have any problems, I hope that they can be corrected more quickly, as he is a person who says things very clearly.”

The Repsol Honda Team presentation will be held on 13 March, an event that you missed last year. Will it be a special day for you?
“Of course, I’m really looking forward to going, because as you said, last year, I couldn’t see anything or enjoy it with the fans and this year, I’ll be there to enjoy it with all of them.”

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Respol Honda have released an extended interview with Andrea Dovizioso, who recently became a father. The interview was conducted after the second MotoGP Sepang test of 2010; a test that saw the Yamaha motorcycles as the machinery to beat, with Ducati a close second.

Andrea Dovizioso faces an interesting 2010, he is expected to live to up Honda’s high expectations and deliver stronger reults on the track, but he also faces the fact that Honda have slipped behind some of the other factories in recent years in terms of performance and need a strong development plan. A fine line to walk.

Here Dovi talks about fatherhood, testing in 2010, Ohlins suspension, and working with HRC.

First of all, congratulations on becoming a father… how do you live at 300 KM/H knowing that little Sara is waiting for you at home?
“It is something about that I thought when I heard the news, but I’m young and very focused on what I want to achieve, so I didn’t think that it was going to change me, and that’s how it’s been. I’m very focused on my work and it’s not a problem. To be honest, it’s an experience that can only go well for me.”

It is harder for you to spend more time away from home now?
“We’ve just started the championship, so not yet, but maybe later on. She was born in mid-December, so I’ve been training for two and a half months, but also spending time with my daughter and her mother.”

Let’s talk about bikes. You had a good start to the year here a few weeks ago, and over the last two days you have confirmed that you are moving in the right direction… Are you satisfied with the work that Honda has done over the winter?
“I’m very happy because they have worked really hard and it was important for the factory to understand the modifications that had to be made and above all, because it’s been confirmed that this work has been well-done. It’s also true that we can’t stop at what has been done and that we must improve more, because we aren’t fast enough, but I’m happy.”

Did you ask HRC for a lot of changes after the first test in Sepang?
“Yes many things, because there wasn’t enough time in the first test to check everything. They have made changes, even my position on the machine, which seems trivial, but it can change the performance a lot. With these changes we are heading in the direction that we think is the right direction. Problems arise, but that’s normal and we are trying to resolve them.”

Have you received all that material?
“Yes, and I’m very happy with the work they’ve done, although there is still more to do.”

What lies ahead for the Qatar test?
“I don’t know yet, because we have to talk to the team. The Qatar Circuit is very special and therefore, what happens there will not be very indicative, but we want to do better than here. We will do the tests and see our potential because we have had two tests in Sepang on a track that I like and we’ll need to see our level there.”

What level of evolution do you think the new machine has reached?
“Everything depends on the Bridgestone tyres because it is an extremely important aspect. If you don’t build a machine that makes the most of them, you can ride however you want but you won’t win. So, the work on is focused on that.”

Are you happy with the new Ohlins suspension?
“Yes, I felt comfortable straight away, although the machine is different to last year’s. We don’t have any serious problems and these tests have confirmed the solutions, because the solutions we had found for certain problems have fixed them.”

What are the strong points of the Honda RC212V 2010 and what needs improving?
“It’s easier to ride than last year’s machine, which is the most important. It is more balanced and a little easier to control, but that is still its weakest point because it’s not easy enough. The 800cc MotoGP machines need to be easy to ride to the limit, not like the 990cc, which were so powerful and heavy that you skidded and that was normal. These machines need you to be very accurate and must be easy to control in order to maintain the pace.”

“The machine is fast, but it’s not easy to clock up good times and that’s a big problem for today’s MotoGP machines. As well as being a little faster, that’s where Valentino’s [Rossi] advantage is, because they don’t seem to have to make such an effort to get good times and they can maintain them more easily. It’s important to become more consistent and then we’ll focus on that little bit of extra speed we need.”

Have any of the rookies surprised you in these tests?
“Here; not really. In Valencia, Spies surprised me, but I haven’t seen him much here.”

This season there will be five Italians in MotoGP, with Simoncelli joining a Honda satellite team; it is something that affects you in any way?
“No, it’s nice. Last year, there were five of us and it’s nice that there are so many Italians, especially riders that I’ve known since I rode in mini-motos.”

Will you be ready in time for the first race of the season; the team, the machine and you?
“We’ll have to do the Qatar test to know for sure. I can’t say that it’s ready to win but we will be ready earlier and better than last year. Many things change during the season because everything is different in the races. We’re much better prepared than a year ago and I’m very happy about that. It’s not enough to be able to say that I’m going to play for the World Championship, but it’s what we are working for.”

How did the new machine perform in the race simulation you held today?
“I did 16 or 17 laps and it wasn’t perfect, because the conditions were very extreme. For the rider, it’s important to do a simulation because they are very tough conditions and secondly, the performance of the machine changes a lot and many different problems arise.”

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The second day of testing in Sepang saw MotoGP rookie Alvaro Bautista make a huge leap forward in his MotoGP education as he took 2.5s off his best time from the previous test as he continues to get to grips with the Suzuki GSV-R. Capirossi also had a positive test finishing in 6th position overall on day 2.

Suzuki started strongly in testing for the 2009 MotoGP season but failed to maintain their momentum and tailed off pretty quickly when the races started – something that the team will not be wanting to see a repeat of.

Rizla Suzuki Press Release and Rider Interviews:

Rizla Suzuki MotoGP has completed the penultimate test of the 2010 MotoGP pre-season schedule with some encouraging results from Sepang in Malaysia.

New signing Alvaro Bautista (2’01.732, 59 laps) made huge steps during the latest two day test at the 5,548m Sepang International circuit. Suzuki’s new Spanish star shaved over two-and-a-half seconds from his fastest time from the previous test and is still certain there is more to come as he continues his acquaintance with the Suzuki GSV-R. Unfortunately his progress was hampered by a small low-slide crash on day one – from which he escaped unhurt – and a very large slide later in the same day which, although there was no crash, forced him to receive treatment to a torn muscle in his left arm. This restricted his performance on the second day and meant he was unable to get as much time on the bike as he wanted.

Loris Capirossi (2,01.320, 102 laps) showed his intent on day one of the two-day test by recording a time of 2’01.687 – nearly half-of-a-second better than his best time at Sepang earlier this month. He improved further still on that time during day two, delivering a quickest time of 2’01.321 to give him sixth place overall at the end of testing. Capirossi used the test to evaluate the 2010 ‘long-life’ engine specification for the Suzuki GSV-R and was pleased with the preliminary results. He also completed a near-full race simulation in the later part of the day which resulted in interesting feedback and data.

Bautista and Capirossi recorded their best times on the harder compound rear tyres that will be the ones used in a race situation rather than the softer compound that will be most likely favoured as a qualifying tyre. Both riders also conducted a series of tests on new chassis components and various other performance strategies. The team was ably assisted by Test Rider Nobuatsu Aoki, who completed a thorough and comprehensive shake-down test on Wednesday to prepare the bikes for Bautista and Capirossi. The results of this – and the previous – test In Malaysia will now be analysed back at Suzuki’s HQ in Hamamatsu to prepare the GSV-R for the final pre-season test at Doha in Qatar next month.

Rizla Suzuki will next be in action at the Qatar test in mid-March, this will be last chance Bautista, Capirossi and the engineers get the chance to improve the Suzuki GSV-R at a racetrack before the season kicks off with the first race of the season – also in Qatar – on Sunday 11th April.

Alvaro Bautista:

“I am very happy with this test and it shows that we have improved a big amount since the last test here. It was a bit of a strange day today because I did improve my time, but after nearly crashing yesterday I was in a lot of pain and it made it very difficult to ride, so I was not able to do too many laps. It has been a good test though and I am happy with the direction we are going in. I still need to get some parts of the bike improved and I am sure we will make more steps in Qatar. I feel very happy with most things at the moment, the team is very good and we are all working together very well and I am finally starting to ride the bike how I want to!”

Loris Capirossi:

“Overall the test has been not too bad and I think we are in a reasonable situation at the moment. I used the new engine and it does seem to have some improvement in performance from the one we used at the end of last season. I tried some new traction control strategies and they seem to be a bit better, but we really need to understand how the bike is going to perform in colder conditions, so the test in Qatar will be very important. Two days of testing at a time is not enough to try and get everything done and make the changes we need, but it is the same for everyone so we have to try and do our best. I have asked Suzuki if they can make some improvements for the chassis in time for Qatar and they say that they will be able to, so that is positive and it will help us understand how much we have improved since last year.”

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Colin Edwards – Position: 4th Time: 2′00.988 Laps: 35
“It felt really hot out there today and I don’t think anybody was going to do a lot of laps in those conditions. I did 35 laps and all of them were productive and I’m leaving this test really happy. I worked on the electronics and a bit of suspension work today and I was happy with the new Bridgestone rear tyre. We did full race distance on it in the middle of the day when it was really hot and I was still doing 2.02s on the last lap. So it really keeps a good level of grip for a long time. I feel ready to race right now. We’ve got the bike sorted out and the last test in Qatar should be another positive test to set us up nicely for the first race. We’re ready to go because Yamaha has done a fantastic job. Everything they have done has improved the bike and that’s a great achievement. I want to thank my guys at Monster Yamaha Tech 3 again for all their hard work and congratulate Ben too. This is a tough track to learn but he’s doing a great job and he is impressing a lot of people. We’re working really closely together and that is going to be great to help the team have another great year.”

Ben Spies – Position: 5th Time: 2′01.014 Laps: 44
“It has been a positive test for me again because I have been able to improve my lap time by quite a bit. I’m 0.8s quicker than yesterday so that is a good step in the right direction. I did a race simulation and all my laps were in the 2.01s. I’ve always felt good at the end of races and I think that is what my strong point has been in the past. In Valencia when I raced the Yamaha for the first time I came on strong at the end. When the tyres go off I feel a little bit better. I didn’t quite get to improve on my overall position but I’m convinced I had the speed to get into the high 2s, but I was only able to use one of the softer Bridgestone tyres. But all in all it has been a positive day and the gap to the front has become smaller again.”

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