| Author | Message | ||
     Rocketman |
The best ride Edwards has had all year surely must be his wife. The Yam's a dog in comparison. Rocket | ||
| Vagelis46 |
"The Yam's a dog in comparison. " If this was true, why Rossi signed with Yamaha till 2008? | ||
| 12r |
Money ? Or maybe he really does 'like a fight'. Kudos to Rossi if that was the real reason. But logically, Honda would never have him back and Ducati said they didn't want a rider that would overshadow the bikes. I guess that leaves Suzuki, Kawasaki and the satellite teams, in which case he didn't have much choice. | ||
| Jaimec |
Rossi didn't want Ducati as he felt their philosophy was too similar to Hondas. He didn't like Honda because everyone (INCLUDING Honda) gave the impression that ANYONE could win riding their bikes. He felt Honda took him for granted. Yamaha treats him like the superstar he is. THAT'S the difference. Also, he and Burgess have a lot more input into the development of the bike. Honda was "development by committee." | ||
| Vagelis46 |
Narcal_Blast, that was very a interesting post, saying many things about Stoner's ability and mostly about Loris character. I hope Loris&Ducati find a solution (Big-bang engine?) to his problem so that he can return to his usual great performance. This way he might help Stoder & Ducati for the title. They might have to spend a lot of money, but if Loris could help Stoner&Ducati get the title, it would worth it. I read that Aprilia is planning to enter MotoGP, and this remind me of their RS3 MotoGP bike, which was supposed to be the most powerful GP bike ever. It made so much power that it was difficult to ride and it could not lap fast. Edwards and Haga tried to ride it but they were pretty slow, despite the very powerful engine. So I wonder this : What could a rider with Stoner's style&abilities do with a bike like the RS3? Could he be that faster than Edwards&Haga as he is than Capirossi at the moment? Remembering Edward& Haga struggle on the RS3, and watching Capirossi struggle with the GP7 while Stoner absolutely flying, makes me wonder...... Sometimes it just takes the right rider to make a dissapointing bike into a race winning machine. Maybe if the RS3 was succesfull, Aprilia would not be sold to Piaggio. | ||
| Blake |
If some want to pretend that Edwards is a lapper/backmarker, that's unfair on account of he's not. If the situation had been reversed as it has been in races past, I'm sure the Rossi hyper-fans would be making excuses for Rossi not performing well, "his tires went out", "his bike quit on him", "he got crashed by so-and-so", "Yamaha isn't a competitive machine"... blah, blah, blah. The fact is that even in head to head contests, Edwards has finished ahead of Rossi, Laguna Seca in 2005 for instance. I know, y'all'll have another yet excuse for Rossi. I'm getting tired of all the excuses and I'm sure Rossi would not countenance such a posture on his behalf. So don't be slaggin' my fellow Texan, fellow/former CMRA racer and Oak Hill lap record setter Colin Edwards. On account if you do, I'll be obliged to open up a big ol' can o' Texas whoop-ass.  | ||
| Trojan |
The fact is that even in head to head contests, Edwards has finished ahead of Rossi, Laguna Seca in 2005 for instance. And the other occasion was? Just because he is from the same neck of the woods as you does not give him the same ability as Rossi, who is acknowledged to be the greatest natural talent of this curent generation and a good bet as the best ever. That isn't just my opinion though, but that of most commentators, riders and everyone else involved in the sport. Nobody is saying that Colin isn't a great rider, after all he is a World chamipon in his own right, but he is not in the same league as Rossi, period. | ||
| Jaimec |
Well last year he challenged Nicky for the win until he stupidly threw it away at the end. He and Hayden were FAAAR ahead of the field (and that includes Rossi). I like Colin too. He's fast in qualifying (remember, he qualified ahead of Rossi in this last round) but for some reason when it comes to race time, he's missing "something." At 33 years, he doesn't have much time left to find it, either. Not everyone can race into their forties like McWilliams... | ||
| Norcal_blast |
Vagelis46: Maybe with the current improved traction control an engine like the Aprilia Cube would be manageable but back then it was one crazy bike, randomly throwing riders off in massive highsides... Haga, Edwards and Jeremy McWilliams all had multiple very scary crashes. | ||
| Rocketman |
Hey Blake, I like Edwards. I just don't think he's ever found his form as a front runner in Moto GP. He is without doubt the best 'second' in Moto GP though, when he can keep up. Rocket | ||
| Blake |
I agree Sean. Matt, Edwards finished ahead of Rossi twice in 2005 and five times last year. | ||
| Trojan |
Edwards finished ahead of Rossi twice in 2005 and five times last year. Of those 5 times, how many were due to outriding Rossi? And how many were due to Rossi suffering mechanical/tyre failure or, like Assen & Donnington, riding whilst injured? I'm not knocking Colin, but he is simply not in the same class as Valentino. If he was then the tally of world championships that they hold would be more evenly shared between them don't you think? I honestly think that this is the last season that we will see Colin in MotoGP, certainly in a top team, and that will be a shame. He is one of the great characters in the paddock and always ready to speak to Suzi Perry on the grid. He was extremely lucky to keep his place in the Yamaha team for 2007, and that was only due to Yamaha failing to sign Stoner. Next year I would expect Yamaha to sign a young gun in order to groom him before Rossi retires in 2009. Jorge Lorenzo is top of their shopping list at present I beleive. | ||
| Jaimec |
I'm figuring Ben Spies might be making the jump to MotoGP. With Hopkins' contract expiring at the end of the year, will Suzuki look for a Vermulen/Spies team in 2008? Of course, with Spies in MotoGP, there'll be NO ONE to challenge Mladin next year either. Ben keeps Mat "honest." | ||
| 12r |
Col is determined to find out why he is uncompetitive in MotoGP:  | ||
| Trojan |
I'm figuring Ben Spies might be making the jump to MotoGP. With Hopkins' contract expiring at the end of the year, will Suzuki look for a Vermulen/Spies team in 2008? Of course, with Spies in MotoGP, there'll be NO ONE to challenge Mladin next year either. Ben keeps Mat "honest." I thought Spies had signed a multi year deal with Suzuki US to keep him in AMA for the rest of his career? He would be paid more in AMA than MotoGP and that seems to be his motivation. | ||
| Blake |
Matt, Who said Edwards was as good as Rossi?  My objection was your portrayal of Edwards skill as being akin to that of a thrice lapped backmarker. Is it fair to on one hand offer up all manner of excuses for Rossi in similar circumstances, then on the other hold up the same type of scenario to slag Edwards? I love it when I can predict the future...
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| Vagelis46 |
It is Muggelo time. Stoner's Ducati is looking very strong after FP1 and FP2. I watched Live Timing for both FP and I have the feeling that the fast lap of Pedrosa in FP1 was with Q tires. Why? Because he was about 1 sec off the pace, then suddenly did the fastest lap, and then slowed down again. Is HRC so desperate, they are looking for psycological boost, by leading the timetables? At qualifying tommorow, it will get clear. Anyway, I think for the race DRY 1.Stoner 2.Rossi 3.Hopkins WET 1.Vermulen 2.Stoner 3.Rossi | ||
| Heads |
MotoGP Qualifying (WET/DAMP/WET/DAMP) - (Qualifying session was wet, then a dry line appeared halfway through before rain started falling again before drying again slightly in the final minutes) Stoner 2m00.35 Vermeulen 2m01.38 Rossi 2m01.69 Jacque 2m01.70 Capirossi 2m01.79 Melandri 2m02.00 De Puniet 2m02.44 Pedrosa 2m02.77 Hopkins 2m02.93 Barros 2m03.02 Hofmann 2m03.92 Nakano 2m04.18 Hayden 2m04.35 Checa 2m04.97 Elias 2m05.59 Edwards 2m06.25 Guintoli 2m06.42 Roberts Jr 2m06.66 Roberts Ku 2m07.57 Tamada 2m09.08 (NQ) | ||
| Trojan |
Yet again, just 2 Michelin riders in the top 10 (Rossi & Pedrosa). The French tyre manufacturer must be praying for better weather for the race. If it doesn't rain then there will be a shake up for the top places in the first 10 laps I would think, with the likes of Olivier Jacque & De Puniet geting bumped back down the order again. Good to see the Kawasakis up there in qualifying though  | ||
| Vagelis46 |
I just watced the morning warm up. The most interesting points were : 1. Pedrosa lapping the fastest. 2. There was a Stoner-Rossi battle and Stoner passed Rossi at the corners. 3. Barros passed Rossi 2 times down the straight. Vale was not happy at the pits I think it will be a great race wet or dry. | ||
| Heads |
rossi blitz them,very good race. | ||
| Jaimec |
Damn. Now I know who wins. Oh well, at least it looks like it'll be an exciting race to watch. :-\ | ||
| Vagelis46 |
I saw the race and it was really good. I expected Stoner to do better. But I liked the way he handled the situation at the pits after the race, showing how he likes the bike and respect for the team. GO DUCATI!! Well done to Rossi. Back to his high standards. So suddenly Michelin is not that bad after all? Michelin 1-2! What did Rossi say about his tires now? Because so far he was saying that Bridgestones were better this year, and he was not happy for Michelin. Capirossi's move to pass Stoner was really stupid. He held his teammate back instead of giving his support, by holding the others back. Capirossi pushed too hard and then he wasted his tires. Once again it was obvious that he is slower than Stoner, even in his home race. So why did he overtook Stoner? Racers can be really stupidly selfish! My respect for Capirossi is dropping. Barros? Well done to the veteran, but I wished he was 4th and Casey had a few more point for the championship. At least there are no Ducati team orders in motoGP at the moment. | ||
| Rocketman |
According to Steve Parish's British race commentary, track temp's were much higher during the race than they were in dry qualifying. The Michelin's favour the high temp's. The previous dry races so far this season have seen unusually cooler than normal track temp's. Thus the Michelin's had not worked so well. Stoner rode well, but the sideways nodding of his head when he got of the Ducati in Parc Ferme, and his shrugging of his shoulders when he sat down in the garage and stirred directly into the camera looked to me like he was saying, I tried my hardest. What more could I do? Today's race has won Rossi the title. Those thinking they might have a chance at the title must be thinking, what have they got to do to stop him. Stoner might not even win another race all season, given the way Rossi kicked Stoner's confidence today, and not just on the track. Rocket | ||
| Jaimec |
Michelin may've had a 1-2 finish, but I suspect that's more a testimonial to Rossi and Pedrosa than it is to the tires. The next seven places are ALL Bridgestone till you get to Nicky Hayden who finished in 10th... | ||
| Jimidan |
Today's race has won Rossi the title. Those thinking they might have a chance at the title must be thinking, what have they got to do to stop him. Stoner might not even win another race all season, given the way Rossi kicked Stoner's confidence today, and not just on the track. That would be true if the rest of the races were held in Italy...fortunately, they are not.} | ||
| Heads |
michelin have not been beat at this track since 1991,and rossi since 2001. if there was a race rossi was going to win it was here. stoner showed he is much more mature than previous year by setteling for 4th and not chasing the win,and normaly pushing to hard and crashing. | ||
| Rocketman |
The next seven places are ALL Bridgestone till you get to Nicky Hayden who finished in 10th... Who finished behind Hayden on Michelin's? Edwards, Nakano and KR Jr. Besides these three, Rossi and Pedrosa, EVERYONE else is on Bridgestone's. So how does that make your comment work given Hayden is the poorest performing World Champion ever. Edwards is lack lustre this season so far, and Nakano is, well Nakano. A token Japanese entry / rider? That would be true if the rest of the races were held in Italy... if there was a race rossi was going to win it was here. One could argue, if ever a season start presented itself an opportunity to break Rossi's domination of this circuit, Ducati (An ITALIAN company) and Stoner and Bridgestone had such an opportunity. Rocket | ||
| Vagelis46 |
Maybe Stoner should have pushed for 3rd. I hope he does not follow Hayden's last year tactic, going for points, not risking crashing but not really fighting for the win. 3 extra points are very valuable for the title. I still think that Stoner, could give Ducati the title. He will win at Bridgestone tracks like Japan and Malaisia. But anyway, Ducati is very pleased with Stoner. Domenicalli himself, said how well he did. | ||
| 12r |
GO!!!!!!! Alex ! What a guy - 36 and still getting on the podium |
