2011 Mugello MotoGP FP3 Result: Lorenzo Smashes Pole Record

Submitted by David Emmett on

The sun is out in Tuscany and the threat of rain has disappeared, and now the MotoGP riders have set to work exploiting the grip of Mugello's new surface. It is fast: at the end of the session, Jorge Lorenzo had set a lap under the previous pole record set by Valentino Rossi in 2008, on the last of the super-soft qualifying tires. Lorenzo's lap sent a shockwave through the paddock; barely recovered from the previous fastest lap, a scorching lap by Marco Simoncelli already three tenths faster than Lorenzo's former fastest time, the Spaniard then obliterated Simoncelli's time by another third of a second. When the bikes roll out for qualifying practice this afternoon, times are likely to head into the mid 1'47s.

Casey Stoner was left holding the consolation prize in 3rd. The Australian had been close to Simoncelli and Lorenzo all session long, until the two former 250 rivals put on the afterburners for the final couple of laps. Ben Spies' 4th fastest time might almost be described as disappointing, nearly a second off the pace of his Yamaha teammate, despite being nearly half a second under the race lap record. Much more impressive is Colin Edwards, the Monster Tech 3 Yamaha rider taking 5th spot just a few thousandths behind the factory bike of his former teammate Spies, and ahead of the second Repsol Honda of Andrea Dovizioso.

Nicky Hayden is 7th fastest, despite a close encounter with a hare which decided to run across the track directly in front of his Desmosedici GP11, while Hayden's Ducati teammate Valentino Rossi finally got some uninterrupted time on the GP11.1 bike to end the session in 8th, the only minor blot on the horizon being the sight of his bike being pushed back to the pits again at the end of the session, raising more fears about electrical problems. Randy de Puniet rounds out a trio of Ducatis, the Pramac rider taking 9th place, ahead of Alvaro Bautista on the Rizla Suzuki in 10th

Results:

Pos No. Rider Bike Time Diff Diff Previous
1 1 Jorge LORENZO YAMAHA 1'48.080    
2 58 Marco SIMONCELLI HONDA 1'48.411 0.331 0.331
3 27 Casey STONER HONDA 1'48.734 0.654 0.323
4 11 Ben SPIES YAMAHA 1'49.072 0.992 0.338
5 5 Colin EDWARDS YAMAHA 1'49.078 0.998 0.006
6 4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO HONDA 1'49.132 1.052 0.054
7 69 Nicky HAYDEN DUCATI 1'49.756 1.676 0.624
8 46 Valentino ROSSI DUCATI 1'49.889 1.809 0.133
9 14 Randy DE PUNIET DUCATI 1'49.985 1.905 0.096
10 19 Alvaro BAUTISTA SUZUKI 1'49.994 1.914 0.009
11 35 Cal CRUTCHLOW YAMAHA 1'50.002 1.922 0.008
12 26 Dani PEDROSA HONDA 1'50.296 2.216 0.294
13 7 Hiroshi AOYAMA HONDA 1'50.440 2.360 0.144
14 17 Karel ABRAHAM DUCATI 1'50.859 2.779 0.419
15 24 Toni ELIAS HONDA 1'51.043 2.963 0.184
16 8 Hector BARBERA DUCATI 1'51.145 3.065 0.102

 

2011
MotoGP
Mugello, Italy
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Comments

Hugelean replied on

If the entire track has been resurfaced and is therefore completely different to ride(less camber etc) is it consider a new track record??.
Pretty strong from Lorenzo but it is cooler in the morning and Stoner and I think Sim are on the stiffer chassis, could be all change this arvo. Nice to see Dani back.. And Colin should consider breaking the other shoulder... Seems to have been rejuvenated which is good to see.
Does anyone know what the italian is for 'flogging a dead horse'..

Muscatpete replied on

Back in my youth I had a bevel drive 900SS Ducati - beautiful thing it was too until I turned on the headlight and it would stop. I had the front carbie vibrate off and dangle in the wind once too. I couldn't work out why it had gone on to one cylinder!!

All that was forgotten though when I was push starting the thing on a frosty winter morning because the kickstart lever had broken. It had the Imola endurance racing (very tall) first gear so it was a pleasure to do that every morning for 6 weeks until the new bit arrived.

Maybe there is a bit of that DNA still left in the factory?

Nologicone replied on
Site Supporter

Even on my 97' 748, parts vibrate loose and get lost in the tracks....had minor electrical issues too. It's part of the Ducati experience I guess.

rholcomb replied on
Site Supporter

Looking at the analysis file published by motogp.com, it looks like both Lorenzo and Simo went out late with soft ties to set a lap. The rest of the grid seemed to run out the session on the tires they'd be racing on. Q should look different.

PIT BULL replied on

Muscatpete. Enjoyed that one. Ducatista I am. I just love the L-twin bikes and still do. Would you believe,the only bike that ever stood me up was GSXR750 Suzuki as a result of endless electrical problems.I couldn't get rid of it quick enough.
I still take a putt around the block on the Taglioni issue '74 750S now and again.
The valve spring version dubbed 'the yellow canary'. Great bike.
Back to Mugello GP 2011 and Ducati. The L-4 is one great configuration with the Desmo valve gear. Stoner proved the worth of Preziosi's brainchild.
The front end ? I always did find the understeer a huge problem. Fantastic and controllable on exit, but 'demonic' on entry.Back then we had 19" fronts,whilst the SS had 18's with a wider cross section and rim.Borrani alloy and spokes.
17's with better grip and wider contact patch have graced bikes for a couple of decades now. Many years back Valentino said something to the effect that 'top speed is no issue,but without the tires you are F...d'. Well he's got all he wished for and then some, circa 2011.
Hey !!! Enjoy qualifying.

Muscatpete replied on

Thanks Pit - mine was the first of the square case 900's to come into Australia circa 1975. It had the 40mm Dellorto carbs, Conti high set pipes and the Boriani wheels. I blistered fingers keping the cases and rims polished, and it always drew a crowd in traffic. Very frustrating trying to get parts for it back then though.

Years after I sold it I took the frame and engine numbers to a well respected Sydney based Ducati rebuilder and he verified the originality of the first batch into Aust. It would be worth a lot more now than then, but it kept me poor for too long and made way for another Italian V twin, a Moto Guzzi Le Mans 11, which was not as nice to ride, but way better to own.

Are Ducati's female by any chance?

Team Punkass replied on
Site Supporter

"Casey Stoner was left holding the consolation prize in 3rd. The Australian had been close to Simoncelli and Lorenzo all session long, until the two Hondas put on the afterburners for the final couple of laps"