Dani Pedrosa and Casey Stoner answer questions about the upcoming season, new fatherhood and blogging.
How was the first test in Sepang for you both? Obviously Casey you weren’t able to ride on the opening day.
DP: “The test went well. We were able to try out a lot of things considering that it was the first time back for us. Obviously the bike is more powerful and takes more out of you physically, so to be tired at the end of the third day is fairly normal.”
CS: “After the winter break and a long time off the bike, we were preparing in order to be ready for day one of testing. Unfortunately I had a problem with my back and we missed that opening day. We had our schedule planned out for the three days, but we were able to pack it all into two in the end. I was a little bit disappointed, but then I felt really good when I was able to get back riding and experience the feeling of being on track again. Everything went pretty well and I hope that we can improve.”
Do you note the difference between the 800cc and the 1000cc bikes? Do you need to change your style much?
DP: “Definitely. The 1000cc is a tougher ride. I have had to strengthen my shoulders after the injuries that I suffered last season. I have tried to get a good foundation physically in order to withstand more of a load. I have been able to see the demands of the bike in this test and have my references regarding what I need to improve upon.”
CS: “We haven’t changed much in terms of riding style; with the 800cc we already had an abundance of power, so we had to learn to manage that in many ways. I think that the 1000cc has a lot more acceleration —which makes things more fun— but I don’t have to change my style too much for that. The feeling is very similar to with the 800cc bikes and it seems as if everyone is adapting well.”
The weight of the bike has gone up from 153kg to 157kg. Do these 4kg change things?
DP: “Yes, you can feel the weight increase –above all under braking and when you are changing direction. This is the least positive aspect of the change in cylinder capacity, but we will be working to adapt to it.”
CS: “Yes, and it is rather frustrating. We already had the bike developed and then they decided to change the regulations, so we had to add 4kg to the weight of our bike. This is a disadvantage for us, because the bike was already developed with a specific weight in mind, and now we have to add more. This affects the bike. It isn’t something that you notice much in your general riding, but unfortunately you do feel it quite a bit mid-corner. We have to try to adapt a little more and overcome this, but it is disappointing that the decision was made so late on.”
What differences have you found between this year’s 1000cc and the bikes (990cc) of your debut year in MotoGP back in 2006?
DP: “The main difference is that this season’s bikes allow you to brake later and corner more quickly. However, if we compare times then they are fairly similar.”
Casey Have you made any changes in your winter training with the new bike in mind?
CS: “No, because I think that the physical demands will be very similar. It will be a little more difficult, but we were already training with the aim of being as fit as possible for any bike. It wasn’t specific training for the 800cc before. In my opinion, I can’t improve my fitness much more before the start of the season.”
Casey, you’re starting your personal blog this year, are you aware of how many people support you and will read your blog? Dani you’ve been writing one for four years now. What does the initiative mean to you?
DP: “It’s a chance to keep my fans up to date with everything that is happening around me. It is difficult for them to get firsthand information –especially between races- so this blog is where I get to explain things to them.”
CS: “It is something that will let the fans learn more about what goes on behind the scenes and what I think about various subjects. It isn’t something that I would have done before, but thanks to Repsol I am going to give it a go this year and see how it works out. I think that it will be something interesting for the fans to read.
Last year’s Moto2 class was very tight. Do you think that Marc Márquez will be a title challenger again in 2012?
DP: “I think that Marc has shown that he is a great rider and that he has a lot of talent, so I am sure that he will be fighting for the title. From what he showed last year he is going to be the favourite for the title, although there are other riders who will be looking for the win.”
The Moto3 category begins this year and we will see riders like Miguel Oliveira and Álex Rins —CEV champion in 2011— making their debuts. What are your opinions about these new talents?
DP: “Moto3 is a completely unknown class and we will not understand how the bikes will perform until the season is underway. Likewise with who will be the favourites or who will step up after the inicial stage of the season. Both riders need to learn the tracks, although Oliveira knows a few of them already. The experience that you pick up when you start out in the World Championship is very important –even more so in a class like Moto3 which is more open.”
With these more powerful, heavier bikes, you still have the same fuel capacity permitted. Do you follow the collaboration between Honda engineers and Repsol to provide Dani and yourself with the best fuel posible?
CS: “Of course, when you have more power there is a critical aspect involved: Obtaining the same performance with less fuel consumption. We have the same fuel tank capacity as with the 800cc bikes, only with a lot more power available, so it is going to be rather difficult to ensure that we can finish each race. That is why it is crucial that Honda and Repsol work together to find the best solution.”
The old rider saying is that you lose a tenth of a second per lap when you become a father. Do you agree with that?
CS: “They also say that you slow down when you get married, but in my first year of marriage I won the title and when I found out that we were having a baby I won it a second time. I don’t think that it is the case.”
If one of your children were to say to you in the future “Dad, I want to be a rider!” how would you respond?
CS: “(Laughing) We would definitely teach them from a young age, but the decision to be a rider or not will be completely down to them.”
