| Author | Message | ||
     Fresnobuell |
It was only a snoozer if you weren't paying attention to Lorenzo during the whole race. He got a bad start, but he was tearing through the ranks in the second half of the race like a man possessed. You mean like the TV cameras and commentary crew? Yeah he had a great run, but it's one guy. I really cant believe anyone could call that race good. It sucked. Sorry.} | ||
| Simond |
Good post about Pedrosa. I'm not a particular fan but he seems like a good guy and his ability to handle these bikes has to be admired. Puig on the other hand........... I remember Haga punting Neil Hodgson off the track a few years ago but he has remained a very popular rider in the UK. All American riders (Kocinski excepted!) have been well supported in the UK. Colin Edwards in particular - probably as a result of that fabulous SBK year against Troy Bayliss. What kind of commentary do you get in the US for MotoGP races? Do you have domestic commentators or do you get a UK feed? | ||
| Jaimec |
We get the UK feed. On the domestic rounds (Laguna Seca and Indianapolis) we get American commentators and the overall impression I get is the the Euros make better announcers. | ||
| Simond |
There are two UK commentaries. The BBC one by Steve Parish and Charlie Cox and the Eurosport one by Julian Ryder and Toby Moody (Randy Mamola used to do the track side stuff for them). The BBC show MotoGP live on free to view channels but most people in the UK that have cable/satellite watch the delayed coverage on Eurosport for the better commentary. | ||
| Jdugger |
I just like hearing them say "on the Du-cot-tay!" | ||
| Simond |
Weird, Dick Van Dyke does Motogp commentary?  | ||
| Jaimec |
No, but Steve Martin does. | ||
| Blake |
I'd rather have silence (just the sounds from the engines) than the commentator for MotoGP on Speedvision. Steve Martin is good, but the other guy's voice grates the nerves, and compulsion to call the race long before the end is irritating. I no like. I do actually mute the race much of the time. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
I thought Steve Martin was the color guy for WSBK? | ||
| Jaimec |
You might be right. I thought about that after I posted... | ||
| Trojan |
There was an interesting article recently by Neil Spalding (MotoGP technical guru and owner/inventor of Sigma slipper clutches) regarding the perceived advantage that pedrosa enjoys due to his relative lack of size. Neil's conclusions, backed up by lots of scientific doo dah, is that he really only has an advantage when it comes to acceleration off the line from the start. This is of course backed up by Pedrosa's record of lightning starts into the first corner every week. He goes on to say that once they are at full racing speed his lack of size is actually a disadvantage in lots of areas such as weight distribution and being able to muscle the bike around when required. he does provide some aerodynamic advantages to designers when building bikes in that they don't have to have such large fairings etc, but the final count is that the only real advantage is at the start. Other 'larger' riders (Valentino Rossi, Marco Simincelli, Ben Spies and Leon Camier to name but 4) have got around the problems of bikes being designed for midgets by having larger bodywork ddesigned for them by the manufacturer, and with the exception of Simoncelli it seems to work very well. Pedrosa may be disliked in the US because of what he did to Hayden a few years ago, but he is seen as a real threat by Rossi, Stoner and co so must certauinly have talent and should not be written off to lightly. Until they decide to get rid of the traction control etc the 250 riding style will give the biggest advantage to those that still use it, and so until then Pedrosa will be a threat. Hopefully by the time they get to race day at le Mans next week normal service will be resumed and Rossi will once again take his rightful place at the front of the pack  meanwhile I'll look forward to another great Moto2 race | ||
| Spatten1 |
He goes on to say that once they are at full racing speed his lack of size is actually a disadvantage in lots of areas such as weight distribution and being able to muscle the bike around when required. The 250 riding style Pedrosa, and everyone else in the 800cc traction control era, must use does not take much muscle compared to any other era when the rear wheel was spinning. I don't believe it is a coincidence that the small guys are doing so well with these 800cc traction control bikes. I believe that we will see strength come back in to play if Rossi wins his campaign against traction control and displacement is increased. | ||
| Jaimec |
BTW, I don't deny his talent. I just don't like him. I get great pleasure out of seeing him beaten. I REALLY enjoyed seeing Lorenzo steal victory from him in the last lap in Jerez. | ||
| Trojan |
I believe that we will see strength come back in to play if Rossi wins his campaign against traction control and displacement is increased. I think you will be disappointed unfortunately. None of the manufacturers want to get rid of electronic rider aids and like it or not traction control is here to stay. When they change back to 1000cc bikes there will not be a return to the old fire breathing 990 GP bikes, just slightly heavier versions of what we have now with a bit more mid range grunt. Tyre technology has also moved on since the 990 days and side grip is the most important aspect now, which entails high corner speeds and therefore a 250 riding style. All those waiting for a return to sideways sliding tyre smoking GP racers of yesteryear will be sadly disappointed with the new bikes in 2011. Ironically the only bikes that will probably be a handful to ride and look anywhere near spectacular will be the slowest bikes on the grid under the proposed new 'claiming' rules for 2011, as these will be the least likely to afford to develop sophisticated traction control/engine management systems. If you want to see an example of the 2011 GP bikes, take a look at the newest 1000cc Superbikes such as the Aprilia RSV4. This is a tiny bike (smaller than a Yamaha M1 GP bike) and is already dripping with electronic rider aids in superbike trim that would make it competitive in the new GP era for 2011. You don't see these sideways in WSB or Max Biaggi having to struggle to keep it pointing forwards every corner do you? He was the neatest and least spectactular rider in the field at Monza this weekend, and this is exactly what we have to look forward to next year in GP racing. | ||
| Vagelis46 |
What year do you people live in ??? What do you want to watch ?? A 1984 Bol'd'or race , with ill handling bikes having 200hp, no chassis and supermarket trolley tires ?? MotoGP is very spectacular as it is now. Do you remember the last race in Jerez ?? It wasn't that bad, was it ?? Is Pedrosa too tiny ?? Who cares ?? Do you consider Hayden normal size ?? Have you seen any of these people in real life ?? No one of these racers are close to be categorized as normal. They are tiny little men with zero muscle. Rossi weights less than 65kg, and he is about 1.80m , how normal is that ?? It just happens that Pedrosa is the smallest of these tiny people. I also think that he is too weak for motoGP , but it is his choise. He could try building some muscle, so it is up to him | ||
| Jaimec |
Zero muscle? Au contraire. Zero FAT, yes, but all the weight they carry is DEFINITELY muscle mass. Just not "body builder" muscle, more like an endurance athlete (which is exactly what they are). | ||
| Spatten1 |
All those waiting for a return to sideways sliding tyre smoking GP racers of yesteryear will be sadly disappointed with the new bikes in 2011. While I hope you are wrong, I know you are probably right. With traction control now on production bikes, it will be impossible to go backwards. | ||
| Gaesati |
I wonder if Max will go to motogpo next year with the rsv4? Will ducati bring out a production desmosedici to make them competitive again in wsbk? Will Nicky Hayden come fourth again in the next race? | ||
| Trojan |
I wonder if Max will go to motogpo next year with the rsv4? Will ducati bring out a production desmosedici to make them competitive again in wsbk? Will Nicky Hayden come fourth again in the next race? 1. No (but someone else may use that engine in GP) 2. No (too expensive to make enough of them) 3. Doubtful but I'd like to see him in front of Stoner again | ||
| Redbuelljunkie |
Just saw this on a Triumph forum... http://www.twowheelsblog.com/post/4354/bombshell-c asey-stoner-signs-with-honda If this is true, one of my least favorite riders will be on my least favorite manufacturer. The number one spot at the top of my "root against" list will now say "Stoner-Honda". Interesting, if true... (Message edited by redbuelljunkie on May 11, 2010) | ||
| Trojan |
The same news also appears here: http://www.motomatters.com/news/2010/05/11/the_mad ness_begins_italian_press_reporti.html It is in the Italian press, so that means it must be true | ||
| Jaimec |
Silly Season sure started early this year! I guess Honda has cleared the wreckage out of their garages from the LAST time Stoner rode for them... | ||
| Blake |
>>> a bit more mid range grunt I think 20 to 25% is more than "a bit more". Pedro's low weight is an advantage whenever accelerating from relatively low speed, not just at the start. By relatively low speed I mean something less than 100 MPH give or take. Acceleration (a) equals net driving force (F) divided by total mass (m), in mathematical terms... So you can see that for lesser mass (m) and equal net driving force (F), acceleration (a) will be greater. His small stature is also a major advantage when aerodynamics come into play. I agree that little Pedro is disadvantaged but only for tight technical tracks where quick changes of direction at elevated speeds require a lot of muscle. Low speed turning requires much less effort, and flowing tracks require much less effort. He's competitive for podium, not for championship. He'll likely not win a championship in MotoGP. | ||
| Crusty |
He'll likely not win a championship in MotoGP. I hope you're right. | ||
| Simond |
He'll likely not win a championship in MotoGP. You may be right but surely complaining about his size is much like complaining about tall basketball players, big football players etc ......... | ||
| Fast1075 |
If Pedrosa does not work out in GP...he is the PERFECT weight for NHRA ProStock Bike...dang he is lighter than I was at racing weight...I was at 119 lb....now I'm old and fat at 131 lb....or as they say in Spain....I have a Happy Belly | ||
| Blake |
Simond, "You may be right but surely complaining about his size is much like complaining about tall basketball players, big football players etc" Who is "complaining"? That said, in horse racing total weight borne by the horses must meet a specified minimum. In Formula 1 racing, total weight including rider must exceed a specified minimum. Pedrosa is one heck of a motorcycle racer. He's just not very endearing. Lorenzo I like. | ||
| Jaimec |
Pedro seems to have all the personality of a wet sack of laundry. Anyone see Dennis Noyes' evaluation of our early "Silly Season?" http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/motogp-noye s-notebook-if-stoner-really-goes-to-honda/ | ||
| Blake |
Interesting comment right at the end.
I agree. | ||
| Trojan |
in spite of some intentionally misleading talk by Honda and Yamaha, I believe everyone will build 1000cc bikes even with the 21 liter fuel limit Both Yamaha and Honda have publicly stated that they will run their existing 800cc bikes into 2012, but you can bet they are working away frantically already to make sure they have a 1000cc motor ready early in case they turn out to be more competitive. The problem with the proposed new rules is that they mean nothing to spectators. Different fuel capacities and engine sizes don't mean a thing unless you have close racing, and the Moto2 series has shown that close racing is much more likely if you keep everyone on similar spec bikes, not widely different ones  I would much prefer to see a blanket ruling right across the board to make it easier for everyone rather than giving the factories dispensation to continue with the 800 bikes (Which WILL still be faster than the new 1000cc bikes over a lap). Unless there are some Moto2 style rules imposed on MotoGP there will always be a massive divide between the factory teams and the 'also rans' in privateer efforts. As an interesting aside, and relating to all the clamour in the Italian press regarding Stoner allegedly signing for Honda: All of the top riders who are out of contract in 2011 are being mentioned as being 'in the frame' to ride for Ducati next year except it seems Nicky Hayden, of whom there has been no mention at all so far? (Message edited by trojan on May 13, 2010) |
