| Author | Message | ||
     Gaesati |
If Lorenzo maintains his form Marques may discover someone else who is as equally prepared to push back against his youthful aggression as Rossi is. | ||
| Jaimec |
The way things are going, Lorenzo will check out at the front and the fight will be for the remaining two podium positions... | ||
| Gaesati |
A lot of contenders for 2nd and 3rd: Rossi, Dovi, M&M, Crutchlow with Iannone, Smith, Espargaro major and minor snapping at their heels. What a field! | ||
| Pwnzor |
This is going to be one hell of a race. I hope Lorenzo doesn't choke. | ||
| Crusty |
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| Jaimec |
Maybe not the most exciting race, but I LOVE it when he's "on" like that. He just makes it look effortless as he pounds out lap after perfect lap like some kind of machine. Even if he wasn't suffering a broken finger, I doubt Marquez would've had much response to that. I was hoping Rossi would reel him in towards the end for a replay of Argentina, but he wisely decided to just take the points. With Dovi having a bad day, he significantly increased his lead in the championship. 200 career podiums. Absolutely AMAZING!! | ||
| Pwnzor |
I, for one, do not find it boring when a rider breaks out in front and stays there. It allows me to watch him practice his craft in it's purest form. Lorenzo was literally carving up the track like a Christmas ham. Nice to see a real artisan back on top of his game. Do I think he'll hold up like that for the rest of the season? Probably not. Marquez having to basically ride with one hand had him hurting by the end of the ride, but he held Rossi at bay. The next race will be interesting. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Boy, that race sucked. So we get a good race every OTHER race? Pretty amazing JLO can look so ordinary for 3 races and then just run away from the field like that. Marquez did well with a busted finger. Rossi was smart and accepted his fate, extending his championship lead in the process. But what a snooze-fest... | ||
| Fresnobuell |
why it's easy to like the Dr.  | ||
| Jaimec |
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| Jaimec |
I see they don't call him "Maniac Joe" for nothing! We got hints of that last year but now that he's on a competitive bike I can't wait to see the sparks fly AGAIN. I think that battle with Marquez even temporarily made him forget the pain in his dislocated shoulder. | ||
| Pwnzor |
True that Jaime! That battle for 4th place was hard fought, too bad Marquez couldn't get it together until it was too late. The new swingarm had the Hondas a little loose in the caboose methinks. | ||
| Jaimec |
Wasn't he the ONLY "Factory Honda" rider who didn't crash? He did look like he was on the ragged edge of control... but then he ALWAYS looks that way. | ||
| Pwnzor |
He had a pretty good tank slapper right in the midst of that battle for 4th place, I thought for sure he was about to go down. He was definitely more loose than usual with that rear wheel. | ||
| Jaimec |
I found this an "Interesting Read:" http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/motogp/summary-sun day-french-gp-2015/ My thoughts: It isn't JUST Ducati and Honda. When Lorenzo was completely dominant, Yamaha ended up building a bike that suited him PERFECTLY. The only problem? NO ONE rides like Lorenzo. Although he was unbeatable on the bike they built for him, everyone else struggled with it. The only way to ride it was with Lorenzo's super smooth, high-cornering speed technique. It completely befuddled Ben Spies, Colin Edwards, and Cal Crutchlow. Since Rossi came back to the team, they seem to be using both of their inputs equally and the result is a bike that everyone (except maybe poor Pol Espargaro) can ride well. Maybe Honda should start listening to Dani more than Marc? | ||
| Gaesati |
We all know that Lorenzo needs to qualify well, Start well and be in the lead by the day of the first lap. If he can do that, all other things being equal, he will win. Only Marques and Rossi seem to have the style that enables them to chase him with a chance of winning. | ||
| Jaimec |
He may not be the most exciting racer to watch, but I enjoy the "purity" of his riding technique. No dangling legs, no wasted movement... just a smooth, seemingly effortless "flow" from one corner to the next. When he's in his zone, it's almost robotic. Rossi and Marquez are more "exciting" to watch, but there's something "Zen" about watching Lorenzo do the business. | ||
| Pwnzor |
Maybe Honda should start listening to Dani more than Marc? Ummmm.... no. Results are what is needed, not "almost". | ||
| Jaimec |
Building a bike that just one person can ride doesn't lead to successful "Team" and "Constructor" championships... just the World title. Honda (like all manufacturers) wants it ALL. | ||
| Pwnzor |
Perhaps then the secondary rider can step up his game to help the team and learn to ride the bike with a superior setup. | ||
| Figorvonbuellingham |
I'll put credit where its due. Lorenzo is amazing. His riding matches his personality for sure. If he could lighten up a bit and show some emotion he'd be much more popular. I guess he's better then that whiney Pedrosa....lol. | ||
| Jaimec |
Are you kidding? Lorenzo wears his heart on his sleeve. He gets into a lot of trouble here BECAUSE he often acts before he thinks. Pedrosa is far more reserved. I think both Lorenzo and Pedrosa are basically very "serious" personalities, though Lorenzo TRIES to act playful for the fans. But in the end, it is just that... an act. Marquez is genuinely a "playful" character so it seems more natural when he goofs around. | ||
| Jaimec |
The stars may be aligning this weekend for Ducati's first "Dry Weather Win" since the "Stoner Era." Dovi has set the fastest times in both of today's practices. | ||
| Gaesati |
Rossi may surprise them all again! | ||
| Jaimec |
Rossi qualified 8th. And we all know what happened the last two times he qualified 8th. Marquez never made it into QP2! Haven't heard what his issues are, but he is obviously having problems. The Ducatis obviously have the speed, the real question is whether or not they can last race distance at the pace you KNOW Lorenzo is going to set tomorrow. | ||
| Pwnzor |
A masterful performance by Lorenzo, and a real let down for Marquez. He came on so strong, and while he probably wasn't going to catch Jorge, that contest for 2nd, 3rd and 4th places was really intense. | ||
| Jaimec |
I felt bad for Dovizioso. He was looking very strong until it all came apart for him. Sorry the Doctor wasn't able to challenge his team mate either. He didn't have the best day, but he certainly had a better day than Marquez! | ||
| Davegess |
Jorge has been simply a master over the last few weeks. Not as obviously impressive as Marc getting all crossed up and such but simply so fast no one can tough him. Rossi did well, third place points will come in handy. He could still win this whole thing/. | ||
| Jaimec |
Getting back to an earlier post, it DOES appear as though Ducati has an additional two liters of fuel over Honda/Yamaha. They started the season with a 24 liter allowance, but their performance in Qatar saw that reduced to 22 liters. Honda/Yamaha are limited to just 20. I believe both Suzuki and Aprilia (and all of the "Open Bikes") are allowed 24 liters. The announcers made a point of this when Iannone effortlessly blew past Marquez on Mugello's long front straight. That was an impressive display of power! | ||
| Pwnzor |
Yeah, when you can dump fuel through the motor like flushing a toilet, it's amazing how much faster you can go. Take that extra fuel away, they'll come up a lap or two short of finishing. The Ducati bikes certainly are impressive this year though... |
