The words surrounding the race are brave. "Xth Battle" "Battle" "Recapture" and so on. The race is an undeniable battle. If it becomes the world's highest peak MotoGP, its level is ultimately high. Each manufacturer tries the chic of technology that they can possess, challenges this fight with each "weapon" in hand.
Text：Go Takahashi Photo：Honda/YAMAHA/SUZUKI/DUCATI/APRILIA/REDBULL/YOUNG MACHINE
Aoki Noritsuki (Aobiki · Nobuetsu): From '93 to '44 he entered the world Grand Prix. In 1997, it was ranked 3rd in the highest peak 500cc class and won the new award. Currently he is involved in the development of Suzuki's MotoGP machine GSX-RR. Training mania.
It was the theme of the 2018 season ... ...
1. Common Software
Necessity of engine control including traction control, ECU (engine control unit). Having standardized hardware since '14, software has been standardized since '16.
2. Fit for tires
MotoGP has been making one tire since '09. It was 16.5 inches for Bridgestone until '15, and 17 inches for Michelin from '16. Adaptation to this tire holds the key.
3. Rider's Tikara
MotoGP is a revitalized sport. Generation alternation is progressing steadily. Especially the activity of "4 Stokids" who grew up with 4 stomachines is remarkable. The step-up from Moto 2 is also adaptable quickly.
Trend of 2018 series ranking
Ultra high level, read quiet fight
The ECU is common to the engine, the tire is one make. That's the current MotoGP machine.
Four stroke engines have been used for GP machines Since '02, electronic control has become an important key to machine performance. It's because the engine power has grown.
The power that exists can not be handled in the state of prime. How to control intense engine braking. How to convey power efficiently to the road surface at the start of the corner.
The key to solving the problem is electronic control. Besides controlling the basic characteristics of the engine, electronic control, such as traction control, engine brake control, wheel control, launch control, etc., has advanced somewhat and the development cost soared.
In order to suppress this, as much as possible to maintain an equal condition, the ECU was standardized.
The same is true for tires. In the era when multiple makers participated in the competition, development competition pursuing high grip and life intensified. Each factory team asked for a special tire to match their machine.
Again, in addition to reducing development costs, the tires also became one makeup to suppress high speed due to excessive grip competition.
Engine and tire. In developing the racing machine, the two most important elements are shared. To be honest, there are many technical topics in the GP 500 when I was fighting active, I think that the originality and individuality of each manufacturer was strong. The difference was also great.
Well, is not it interesting now that Moto GP? Is the level low? Of course, the answer is no. The battle of the difference is enough to see it, and the technique of the rider has dramatically improved. Riding is extremely precise and strategic.
Machines also fight about the same regulation for the three seasons, its accuracy is terrible. I will try to draw out a limited tire grip as a single drop. Even if it is 1 ps, I try to use power effectively. A machine precisely assembled without waste of size is a kind of art piece.
The more tight the regulation is bound, the higher the accuracy in every sense. At the site of machine development, a super high-level, still quiet battle is still spreading.
DUCATI DESMOSEDICI GP18
# 04 ANDREA DOVIZIOSO (Andrea Dovizioso)
# 99 JORGE LORENZO (Jorge Lorenzo)
Ducati's Andrea Dovizioso was the threat to Honda's Marquez in both seasons '17 -' 18. Desmosedici finished with a powerful tag with director Jezi Daelyly has the strongest call in recent years.
Strongest package with innovative technology and reliable skill
Ducati started participating in '03, when Moto GP became equipped with all four-stroke engine. '16 years of winning the season up to the season is '07, a genius of the universe, Casey Stoner only cited 10 wins a year.
Ducati's taste is to act positively on ingenious technologies. However, too much uniqueity gets hurt, sometimes getting out greatly.
In '09 we adopted a carbon frame and used it until the middle of 11 years, but eventually I could not keep a good result. Ducati has been using a conservative aluminum twin spar frame since '12.
Andrea Dovizioso was appointed at the end of '12. Dovizioso, which is well-established in the development capabilities of machines, steadily increased the performance of Desmosedici. Furthermore, at the end of '13, Giji d 'Arriya joins as general director. Ducati was trying to change suddenly.
A major change happened in '15. Desmosedici GP 15, which was told as "like a Japanese motorcycler," certainly had a close relationship with the previous Ducati, compact and steady. Desmosedici, a characteristic that was hard to bend as a feature, became a machine that pleased that Dovizioso "rejoiced even if you do not try hard".
Still, Jiji does not relax the development hand at all. In GP 16, we adopted the winglet which had been attached aiming at suppressing Wheelie in GP 10 at once in a larger size and adopted it.
The front grip which the one-make-up tire switched to Michelin and the rear grip was increased, felt relatively insufficient, and the common ECU attracted attention to the effect of supplementing the wheelie control whose control level fell down, and the aerodynamics boom .
In 17 years, Dovizios finally arrived at the ranking second in ranking with Honda's Marc Márquez at nearly the same time. Attention has gained attention to the technology including a mysterious salad box (the box at the back of the seat cowl), but as the engine power which is the original strength is kept intact, the body age that keeps it alive firmly progresses, and in recent years It was finished called the best machine in Moto GP of.
GP 18, which further pushes the balance, demonstrates its strength with courses of various layouts. Dovizioso sounded a no-point from the beginning of the season to the middle stage, finished second in the ranking after the previous year, but only Dovizioso could fight with Marquez. From the rival team also "It is this year's Ducati is the strongest machine" was praised.
Jorge Lorenzo, who moved from Yamaha in the year '17, is a rider who places importance on turning speed in the recent Moto GP. Although the balance was successful, the basic characteristic was not enough to adapt to Desmosedici with "straight line length", the first year could not beat victory.
But in the second season '18 'it finally won 3 GP in GP 18. Even if Lorenzo himself evolved the riding, it proved the depth of the pocket of GP 18 that is compatible with a wide range of running.
Ducati's challenging attitude and speedy development have not changed at all. After Dalyrya's participation, steadiness was added there, and the cohesion is increasing.
It is harder than I imagined to keep a good result with a super severe Moto GP. Still Ducati is around the throne with '19 seasons, centering on two of the experienced highs of Dovizioso and Gigi.
Aoshi Aoki's eyes [DUCATI]
Ducati had been spending the whole time worrying about other manufacturers who had a feeling of somewhat calming since the Common ECU was introduced. While regulation is severely tightened, we are doing various technical tries somehow, but it is quite secretive and almost does not appear on the table ....
It seems that a mass damper was contained in the box at the rear end of the seat cowl called a salad box. It seems that it aimed at the effect of calming the behavior of the rear which tends to be disturbed by the operation of the tracon.
Besides, although it is Ducati who is rumored that he was plotting a Nani around electric control, Lorenzo's victory also appeals to the merit of the feature. It showed nothing but gimmick's bottom power.
Lorenzo's view
I spent two seasons in Ducati, 'Lorenzo moved to Honda in '19. In Moto GP I will experience Yamaha, Ducati, and Honda. Lorenzo 's desmosedic rating is a long-awaited "deck long". Since it is a motorcycle body with not only a long but also a height, as a result the aspect ratio was well-balanced well. However, Lorenzo of turning speed emphasis type struggled to the last ... ....
Faster development speed
Although it is Ducati who pulls out technical skill, the development speed itself should not be defeated by Japanese manufacturers. However, Japanese manufacturers are very cautious. After having confirmed and approved a lot in the race division, if two of the riders are sure to have two sets, more spare is prepared, etc. It also takes time and cost. Dorikati who is nori who says "Do it for one, so do it for the time being," obviously makes a good turn.
SUZUKI GSX-RR
# 42 ALEX RINS / # 29 ANDREA IANNONE (Andrea Iannone)
Immediately in class A! 'Do you stand at the top of 19'
Suzuki's taste is to slowly mature the carpet over time. It has been fortunate that the regulation is settled in the fourth season as the parallel four-cylinder GSX-RR, and the development which the foot has arrived at Suzuki-like land has begun to play a success. Updated the motorcycle body from the 6th round Italian GP by crimping carbon to the main tube of the frame. This also worked well, and the riders went on to the podium five times in the last 6 races. The balance is good. If I can maintain this condition, '19 years seems to be quite involved in the victory.
KTM RC16
# 44 POL ESPARGARO (POL ESPARGARO) / # 38 BRADLEY SMITH (Bradley Smith)
If you review the frame you can get up a notch
V type 4 cylinder engine is a potential more than imagined. The only biggest challenge is steel pipe frame. In the final race of the rain, in the Valencia GP, Pol Espargaro went through and gained the third place finish. It suffices if wet road surface does not apply excessive load to the frame, but it is obviously insufficient in rigidity in dry condition. If we aim for rank order, the aluminum twin spars are better ... I am worried about Johan Zarco's going to the end.
APRILIA RS-GP
# 41 ALEIX ESPARGARO (Arsi Espargaro) / # 45 SCOTT REDDING (Scott Reading)
Engage manufacturer's prestige and focus on engine development
There should be some power as a manufacturer, but the engine does not come up one more. Apparently the pickup seems to be too good to handle. When I start spinning the wheel, it suddenly spins greatly with the warn. It is pleasant to have a sense of power in the part that is on board, but I want you to get power to get out of time.
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Original Source[ Young Machine ] (*Japanese)
