26 - Dani Pedrosa Fan Site

Dani Pedrosa will race using Bridgestone tyres and pneumatic engine for the first time at Indy. After a positive test with Bridgestone tyres earlier on Misano, Dani determined to win at least once in the remaining five grand prix. However he knew it wouldn’t be easy to debut with new engine and tyres.

“Indianapolis will be a very important weekend for us, but it’s hard to say much about the track because we know so little about it,” said Pedrosa. “My first test with Bridgestone went well. After leaving Misano we have worked with the data in order to make the best possible start at Indy.
“We only have four hours of practice on a completely new circuit, with new tyres and a new machine, so we will have to work very hard to make sure we get the best out of the package on race day.”I have heard that the track isn’t very grippy and it seems like there are quite a few tight and slow corners, so handling of the machine will be important. Anyway, we will do our best as always. And it will be good to ride in front of the American fans after I had to pull out of the Laguna GP due to the injuries I got in Germany,” he added.

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After criticizing Michelin’s performances, Dani Pedrosa decided to switch to Bridgestone tyre. Although mid-season switch of tyres is a very rare thing to happen in MotoGP, Pedrosa’s frustration with the tyre seemed to have reached its climax. Pedrosa however thanked Michelin and Honda for their understanding and for agreeing to his personal demands. He added, “I am very conscious of the fact that I have made some excessively negative comments about Michelin tyres, even though Michelin helped me make an exceptional start to the season.” His teammate Nicky Hayden will continue to use Michelin tyres. Read more here

After the switch, Pedrosa did a test at Misano and was the fastest man from all six riders participated in the test. (more…)

1. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Fiat Yamaha Team (B) 44min 41.884 secs
2. Jorge Lorenzo (SPA) Fiat Yamaha Team (M) 44min 45.047 secs
3. Toni Elias (SPA) Alice Team (B) 44min 53.589 secs
4. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Repsol Honda Team (M) 44min 59.354 secs
5. Chris Vermeulen (AUS) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 45min 5.293 secs
6. James Toseland (GBR) Tech 3 Yamaha (M) 45min 8.092 secs
7. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 45min 8.708 secs
8. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) JiR Team Scot MotoGP (M) 45min 9.475 secs
9. Marco Melandri (ITA) Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 45min 15.053 secs
10. Colin Edwards (USA) Tech 3 Yamaha (M) 45min 18.413 secs
11. Sylvain Guintoli (FRA) Alice Team (B) 45min 23.965 secs
12. Shinya Nakano (JPN) San Carlo Honda Gresini (B) 45min 25.692 secs
13. Anthony West (AUS) Kawasaki Racing Team (B) 45min 36.758 secs
14. John Hopkins (USA) Kawasaki Racing Team (B) 45min 37.038 secs

DNF:
Randy de Puniet
Casey Stoner
Alex de Angelis

DNS :

Nicky Hayden

Source : crash.net

Dani Pedrosa will start from 6th position at Misano Grand Prix this Sunday. Casey Stoner took the pole position, followed by world championship leader, Valentino Rossi. Rossi’s teammate Jorge Lorenzo will start from third.

1. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 1min 33.378 secs
2. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team (B) 1min 33.888 secs
3. Jorge Lorenzo SPA Fiat Yamaha Team (M) 1min 33.964 secs
4. Randy de Puniet FRA LCR Honda MotoGP (M) 1min 34.236 secs
5. Toni Elias SPA Alice Team (B) 1min 34.322 secs
6. Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda Team (M) 1min 34.398 secs
7. Chris Vermeulen AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 1min 34.461 secs
8. Shinya Nakano JPN San Carlo Honda Gresini (B) 1min 34.494 secs
9. James Toseland GBR Tech 3 Yamaha (M) 1min 34.652 secs
10. Colin Edwards USA Tech 3 Yamaha (M) 1min 34.795 secs
11. Loris Capirossi ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 1min 34.926 secs
12. Sylvain Guintoli FRA Alice Team (B) 1min 34.961 secs
13. Alex de Angelis RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini (B) 1min 35.153 secs
14. Andrea Dovizioso ITA JiR Team Scot MotoGP (M) 1min 35.381 secs
15. Marco Melandri ITA Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 1min 35.418 secs
16. Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda Team (M) 1min 35.584 secs
17. John Hopkins USA Kawasaki Racing Team (B) 1min 35.980 secs
18. Anthony West AUS Kawasaki Racing Team (B) 1min 37.047 secs

Patrick Isaaco has been working alongside the likes of Mick Doohan, Wayne Gardner and Alex Criville. Isaaco is now Dani Pedrosa’s Michelin technician at Repsol Honda, responsible for making sure the 2008 MotoGP title contender has the best tyres possible at each and every grand prix.

Q : To begin with, could you explain the main features of tyre construction?

Patrick Isaaco :

I won’t go into great detail, but basically a tyre is made up of a carcass - the internal structure of the tyre - and the external rubber part, that is to say the tread and walls that make contact with the floor. All of these parts can vary their rigidity depending on the desired level of traction or grip. Whatever happens, research never stops so that all parts are improved and modified.

Riders are always asking for more, so we constantly work on developing tyres. And the dimensions can also be changed, although once the season has started they do not usually vary too much. Tests can be made, but in general during a single season everything stays the same; and this year all riders are using 16 inch tyres at the front and 16.5” on the rear.

Q: Last year was tough for Michelin. From your point of view how is the 2008 season working out?

Patrick Isaaco :

Competition racing is very demanding and there is never anything that is perfect. As I said there is always work to be done and improvements to be made. This year is also being very difficult since the championship is very tight and it is not easy to create any big differences. That is why we are constantly seeking new solutions. If you look at the championship the battle is very tough between Stoner, Rossi, Dani Pedrosa, and even Jorge Lorenzo, who is still there. All the riders can do a good job, and we have to carry on working. Nothing is ever decided before the start.

Q: What do you think about the current tyre regulations, which limit the number of tyres that can be used and make tyre selection on a Thursday crucial for the outcome of the race…

Patrick Isaaco :

It’s not easy and the truth is that the regulations have made our job a little more complicated, but at the same time it is true that we have more tyres this year than last. Back then everybody criticised them because they were new regulations and it was not easy. Now everybody has got used to them and the work is done keeping them in mind. This is how the rules are and we have to respect them. So far this year things have not gone too badly, although the truth is that the work needs a better level of anticipation and a good co-ordination between the team, the rider and Michelin so that the right decision can be made on the Thursday before a race

More :
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Source : crash.net

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