| Author | Message | ||
     Smoke |
one thing(besides talent) that rossi has is a good sense of humor. that helmet is too funny. congratulations Vale!! tim | ||
| Jaimec |
I may have to eat my words regarding his switch from Michelin to Bridgestone. On the other hand, it took him three races to "come to grips" with his new tire supplier when he might've been winning races from the very beginning... Damned shame about Lorenzo. At least he didn't injure himself further. Superbike Planet had an interesting observation: Why in HELL did Repsol run a THIRD rider with the pneumatic valve engine when they could've just as well given it to Nicky to try out?? | ||
| Trojan |
I may have to eat my words regarding his switch from Michelin to Bridgestone. On the other hand, it took him three races to "come to grips" with his new tire supplier when he might've been winning races from the very beginning... Yamaha designed their bike around the Michelin tyre, so had a huge amount of work to do in order to make it competitive with the Bridgestone tyres. I think it is remarkable that they made it into a winning combination so quickly, especially when you see the other Bridgestone riders struggling so far this season. As for Nicky running the new engine. He couldn't have done any worse could he, and certainly had nothing to lose by running the new motor? They may just as well have let him run it for the experience anyway. Okada isn't up to race speed on a GP bike any more and I cannot think why they gave him the bike to ride instead of Nicky, who's season is pretty much over by now and who's chances of fighting for the 08 title have long gone. Brilliant ride by De Angelis to 4th place on pretty much last year's Honda. Another few laps and he would have caught Pedrosa I think. I wondered how long it would take him to break into the top 5, and had been surprised at his apparent poor form so far this year. | ||
| Jaimec |
The Michelin/Bridgestone switch could PROBABLY only have been done as quickly as it was by the combination of Valentino Rossi and Jeremy Burgess. | ||
| 12r |
And I forgot to mention, Rossi was sporting his best helmet design yet! Every time the camera shot showed him in a head on shot I had a laughing fit! Top class, and you just can't imagine any other top MotoGP rider doing anything like it That helmet is a class act. Expect a tidal wave of replicas very shortly  | ||
| Clarkjw |
Nicky didn't run the new pnumatic valve engine, but he probably will next race. Bikes are designed from the tire up? | ||
| Trojan |
Bikes are designed from the tire up? In MotoGP they are very much designed around the tyre performance, then you have to factor in the 'individual' compounds that each of the top riders now gets from the various manufacturers, which can vary by around 10-15% from the 'stock' compound. Rossi is the only rider whose 'personal' tyre is as much as 25% different to the stock soft/medium/hard carcass. He is the only rider capable of using the 'extreme' hard tyre to its full potential apparently. It has also taken Bridgestone a while to react to a rider with as much input as Rossi has, and to develop a tyre to suit just what he wants. | ||
| Jaimec |
I remember an interview last year where Colin Edwards said Michelin losing Rossi wasn't such a bad thing, in fact it was a GOOD thing for the rest of the Michelin riders. Rossi used such a "different" tire from everybody else that now Michelin can concentrate on everyone else and not just one "superstar." Edwards even remarked that he couldn't ride competitively with Rossi's preferred tires. That MIGHT have something to do with Michelin's resurgence this year. On the other hand, since Bridgestone essentially makes the same tires for all of their riders, Rossi now had a harder time adapting to what they gave him than he would've with Michelin. This is all just speculation, of course. Take it for what it's worth (which ain't much). | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
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| Vagelis46 |
Now that Rossi had 3 wins in a row, there are not many complains about the motoGP being boring. There are 12 races left and anything can happen. I hope we have a couple of wet races soon. It would help Stoner close the gap from the leaders. I am glad that Stoner got a good result in Muggelo this year. I am sure that he will push Rossi in the next races. I hope Hayden has already made up his mind to leave Honda for next year. I would like to see him on a Ducati. I think his style will suit the Ducati. Also the people at Ducati might have realised that the only rider except Stoner that could make their bike go fast is Nicky. | ||
| Trojan |
On the other hand, since Bridgestone essentially makes the same tires for all of their riders, Oh no they don't....that comment I made above about Rossi's tyre being as much as 25% different from everyone else was originally made by on of the Bridgestone tyre guys  As for Ducati signing Nicky Hayden..I don't think that is even a remote possibility. Ducati are locked into contracts for 2009 with both Stoner & Melandri, and have already told Ben Spies that the best they could offer him would be the D'Antin team! After the season that Hayden is having, and his lack of a win since 2006, I would be surprised to see him in any of the top MotoGP teams next year. Nothing against Nicky, but it is results that count, and his stock is on a downward trend so far this year. It wouldn't surprise me to see him on a Kawasaki next year in place of West, although it may be a problem for Kawasaki with 2 US riders (Colin Edwards came up against the same barrier recently). Maybe we'll see him move back to the AMA for Honda in 09 when DuHamel retires. One thing is pretty much certain. Nicky Hayden will not be a Repsol Honda rider in 09. | ||
| Jaimec |
I think Nicky would prefer to ride a "REAL Superbike," and I understand WSBK is looking to sign more American riders... | ||
| Vagelis46 |
A D'Antin Ducati would not be that bad for Hayden. | ||
| Trojan |
Latest news is thaqt Rossi has signed a 2 year extension to his Yamaha deal The news was accompanied by the sounds of Honda technicians throwing themselves on their swords. | ||
| Jaimec |
ROFLMAO!! | ||
| Jaimec |
Matt, I haven't seen any stories online regarding Rossi re-signing with Yamaha (and I've checked all of the usual sites). Where did you see this? | ||
| Clarkjw |
Trojan also thinks bikes are designed around tires first, then FIM and riders. I wouldn't put too much faith in what he says. | ||
| Bads1 |
Hell I hope Nicky does come back to AMA if GP options are not there. I find that highly unlikely though. I'm quite sure if racers like Edwards have been able to stay with even lesser results Nicky will have a seat. | ||
| Jaimec |
Clark, Matt has shown great insight into racing at the different levels over the years I've been corresponding with him. I won't take one misquote of what he said as an overall judgement against him. Bads: Although Colin hasn't gotten the race results during the season, he is still widely regarded as the second best development rider in the paddock (Rossi is generally considered the best). One of the reasons attributed to Yamaha's success so far this year is the development work Colin put in during the off-season developing the bike, since Rossi was injured for most of that time. | ||
| Jimidan |
Nicky has the potential to be a MotoGP champ again if he gets on the right bike. He will have a ride for many years to come...then he can come back to America and ride 600 superbikes. | ||
| Bads1 |
Although Colin hasn't gotten the race results during the season, he is still widely regarded as the second best development rider in the paddock Is that opinion or fact. Nicky has been developing the Honda am I correct. And he must be doing a ok job of that or he wouldn't be for Honda this year again.Comparing the two is like comparing Apples to Apples. We'll see what happens to him. I hope he stays. If not I'd love to be able to see him in the AMA with his brothers. | ||
| Jaimec |
Bads: That is actually a fact. It's been noted for quite a few years, actually. Some links I found on a quick Google search: http://www.teamtech3.fr/index.php?option=com_conte nt&task=view&id=56 http://blogger.xs4all.nl/daisy/archive/2008/05/09/ 388199.aspx http://www.motorsport.com/magazine/feature.asp?C=B lueFlag&D=2005-01-12 http://www.2wf.com/content/view/1090/2/ http://www.motorsport.com/magazine/feature.asp?C=B lueFlag&D=2005-01-15 That's enough for now... | ||
| Trojan |
Trojan also thinks bikes are designed around tires first, then FIM and riders. I'm afraid you are not to well versed in current MotoGP technology if you think otherwise I'm afraid. The bikes are not designed from the ground up to suit a particular tyre of course, but they need to be adapted quite substantially to suit a particular tyre that is for sure. Rossi's crew chief jeremy Burgess has said exactly the same thing in numerous interviews, and I don't hear you calling him wrong  If you followed the development of Rossi's Yamaha this year and the various permutations of chassis setup then you would see just how much they have had to change the bike to suit the Bridgestone tyre, and just how different Rossi's bike is compared to Lorenzo's setup. Burgess & crew started to find the ideal setup after they basically copied the chassis setup of the Ducati, and from there on in it has been minor adjustments to get to the point they are at right now. I haven't seen any stories online regarding Rossi re-signing with Yamaha (and I've checked all of the usual sites). Where did you see this? A reliable source told me, and he has never been wrong before on MotoGP matters If Rossi hasn't signed already then it is certainly imminent. Here is another srong MotoGP paddock rumour.....Edwards will definitely move from Yamaha at the end of this year. At present he is paid directly by Yamaha Japan, but for 2009 his wages tab will have to picked up by the Tech 3 team. Without a major sponsor it is extremely unlikely that they can afford to keep him, so I would expect to see Colin on the move again, possibly to Kawasaki MotoGP (unlikely given that Hopkins is already signed, and they wouldn't want two US riders), Suzuki (again unlikely as I can't see Suzuki ditching the current lineup) or to WSB to lead the factory Ducati team when Bayliss retires. As for who would replace Edwards at Tech 3? Ben Spies has been approached apparently, but his wage demands will surely be a stumbling block as he has already said he won't take a pay cut from his high AMA earnings. Other names already in the frame for Edwards ride are Dovizioso (although my money is on him replacing Hayden at Honda), and Bautista from 250GP. It could all change of course if Tech 3 attract a sponsor with deep pockets. Seems the silly season has started early this year | ||
| Jaimec |
I would like to see Edwards stay with Tech3 myself. His development work over the post season has already proven itself this year with the success of ALL of the Yamaha bikes so far have enjoyed. I think his best shot of standing at the top of the podium at least ONCE will be on a YZF-M1. | ||
| Xgecko |
I had heard that this was to be Colin's last year traveling and that he wanted to come home and race AMA for Yamaha (sorta retire)...that was before the 600cc Superbike thing. | ||
| Trojan |
I had heard that this was to be Colin's last year traveling and that he wanted to come home and race AMA for Yamaha (sorta retire)...that was before the 600cc Superbike thing. Chances of Edwards returning to the AMA next year are now stated as less than 1% by Herve Poncheral (Tech 3 boss). Colin has been pretty vocal in his opposition to the new AMA structure so I don't think he'll be returning for his swansong year just yet. | ||
| Jaimec |
Just read the first practice reports from Catalunya. Looks like Casey is learning the same lesson Nicky learned last year: Repeating ain't easy at this level. Which makes a certain Italian's accomplishments that much more impressive when you think about it... | ||
| Blublak |
Yes, Agostini was a wonder on two wheels.. wasn't he..  | ||
| Jaimec |
CRAP!! And his year started off so well, too! http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2008/Lorenzo+OUT+of+ Catalunya+race+after+practice+crash This sucks... | ||
| Fresnobuell |
JOrge is turning into a crasher it seems |
