2006 all over again?

If Stoner continues, we may see 2006 again where Hayden had a 50 point lead whittled away until the final race.

If Stoner goes on a rampage and Rossi stays on the box, they'll be pretty close in points by the end of the season.

Final race to decide it again?

Might be nice.

Definately could be a good finish to a boring season.,..........

All for it as long as Pedrosa doesn't wreck anyone especially Stoner or Hayden. Huh what if he did wreck the championship leader? Flogging anyone?

45 points, 10 races left. Rossi could win even if Stoner wins all of the remaining races (which he's capable of doing if he's on a roll. Rossi's capable of doing it too)
Last year Stoner went 2 5 1 1 1 6 1 1 2 in the remaining races that aren't new on the calendar. Ducati had a least 2nd in all of the races. Didn't he pick bum tires in Germany (Loris took 2nd and he was 5th from pole) or something? Motegi was obviously a confused rainy mess(6th, Loris won. A ducati/Loris track previously as well).

So Stoner, Bridgestone, and/or Ducati have gone well at all of the remaining tracks, with the exception of Indy where there is no data. So has Rossi, of course. Maybe it's just my dislike of Dani, but I don't see him as the threat this season except for Hayden-like circumstances. If there's a fight to the finish I think it comes from Casey going on a run like last season, and with the way Rossi's going I think it will probably take a DNF or similar to tighten things up enough for the race to really get interesting.

Pedro doing what he did to nicky but to rossi or stoner. ha. could be desperation to win that could make him come unstuck with a few people if that was to happen.

It's very likely Pedrosa will be the surprise winner as well. Rossi could very well DNF a race or two and thus bring the points closer. Whatever way you look at it I hope the season will be a closer one then last year come the end of the season. The unfortunate part is its just a points battle between races and not a battle at each race, thus leading to boring races at the front. The TV coverage should just start following the 4th - 10th place riders after lap 3-4, it's the only place where much action is happening.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mattsteg @ Jun 24 2008, 12:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>45 points, 10 races left. Rossi could win even if Stoner wins all of the remaining races (which he's capable of doing if he's on a roll. Rossi's capable of doing it too)
Last year Stoner went 2 5 1 1 1 6 1 1 2 in the remaining races that aren't new on the calendar. Ducati had a least 2nd in all of the races. Didn't he pick bum tires in Germany (Loris took 2nd and he was 5th from pole) or something? Motegi was obviously a confused rainy mess(6th, Loris won. A ducati/Loris track previously as well).

So Stoner, Bridgestone, and/or Ducati have gone well at all of the remaining tracks, with the exception of Indy where there is no data. So has Rossi, of course. Maybe it's just my dislike of Dani, but I don't see him as the threat this season except for Hayden-like circumstances. If there's a fight to the finish I think it comes from Casey going on a run like last season, and with the way Rossi's going I think it will probably take a DNF or similar to tighten things up enough for the race to really get interesting.

If Stoner wins the rest of the races,he wins the title even if Rossi finishes 2nd in the remaing races.Yes,Stoner is capable but that is highly unlikely.As you stated,it will more than likely take a DNF for Stoner to get back in it.As far as this being like 06,the big difference is the leader [Hayden wasnt supposed to be there]Rossi is used to this posisition and i doubt he will be given test parts in the heat of a title run.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (povol @ Jun 24 2008, 11:01 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>If Stoner wins the rest of the races,he wins the title even if Rossi finishes 2nd in the remaing races.You're right. I think I added an extra 10 points onto rossi's score somewhere.<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (povol @ Jun 24 2008, 11:01 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Yes,Stoner is capable but that is highly unlikely.As you stated,it will more than likely take a DNF for Stoner to get back in it.As far as this being like 06,the big difference is the leader [Hayden wasnt supposed to be there]Rossi is used to this posisition and i doubt he will be given test parts in the heat of a title run.That's very true, and with Rossi on stones there aren't going to be any races where Stoner gets an extra boost over him, unlike last year where there were some situations where it appeared that being on Michelin was a significant handicap. If tires do end up making a difference in some races it could potentially boost Pedrosa or push him back completely. Any michelin advantage would play against stoner as well as there would be less points available to take off of rossi.

In any case, it's amusing that we're talking about the guy 45 points down mounting a charge and discounting the rider 11 points down with 2 race wins and only one non-podium finish (4th) this season.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mattsteg @ Jun 24 2008, 05:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>In any case, it's amusing that we're talking about the guy 45 points down mounting a charge and discounting the rider 11 points down with 2 race wins and only one non-podium finish (4th) this season.

Agreed, Pedrosa is the contender that Rossi has to worry about, he has been very consistent all year (how Hayden won his championship). The problem here is, aside from the Pedrosa fans, there aren't a lot of people excited for him to win a championship. 1 or 2 Rossi DNF's and the title race changes quickly, who knows what will happen. Title wise the fight is looking good, race by race though unfortunately they haven't been full of much excitement.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Bootsakah @ Jun 24 2008, 01:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Agreed, Pedrosa is the contender that Rossi has to worry about, he has been very consistent all year (how Hayden won his championship). The problem here is, aside from the Pedrosa fans, there aren't a lot of people excited for him to win a championship. 1 or 2 Rossi DNF's and the title race changes quickly, who knows what will happen. Title wise the fight is looking good, race by race though unfortunately they haven't been full of much excitement.
I think that the perception a lot of people have is that Pedrosa is the third best rider between those three and if Stoner and Rossi stay on-form he'll be collecting mostly thirds. Well, that and the reputation for either running away from everyone or coming in just aft of the leader(s), close but comfortably behind.

well that and people don't like him.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mattsteg @ Jun 24 2008, 05:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>45 points, 10 races left. Rossi could win even if Stoner wins all of the remaining races (which he's capable of doing if he's on a roll. Rossi's capable of doing it too)
Last year Stoner went 2 5 1 1 1 6 1 1 2 in the remaining races that aren't new on the calendar. Ducati had a least 2nd in all of the races. Didn't he pick bum tires in Germany (Loris took 2nd and he was 5th from pole) or something? Motegi was obviously a confused rainy mess(6th, Loris won. A ducati/Loris track previously as well).

So Stoner, Bridgestone, and/or Ducati have gone well at all of the remaining tracks, with the exception of Indy where there is no data. So has Rossi, of course. Maybe it's just my dislike of Dani, but I don't see him as the threat this season except for Hayden-like circumstances. If there's a fight to the finish I think it comes from Casey going on a run like last season, and with the way Rossi's going I think it will probably take a DNF or similar to tighten things up enough for the race to really get interesting.
I agree 100%.
A thought,If Stoner put preassure on Rossi with a couple of wins and Rossi/fiat Yam. tries something not tested enough to go faster and he also gets a DNF like Stoner it would be a chance for Stoner.I doubt it though,Yamaha is under too much preassure to deliver a perfect bike for Rossi after the last season,so i guess Stoner needs Rossi to crash or something.It will be fun to see what happens at the rest of the season anyway.

I can't see Rossi not winning more races... no one is exactly dominating this year.
Pedrosa and Stoner will win races too.

Rossi seems to have Pedrosa's number and Stoner is quite far off... theres no pressure.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (an4rew @ Jun 25 2008, 01:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I can't see Rossi not winning more races... no one is exactly dominating this year.
Pedrosa and Stoner will win races too.

Rossi seems to have Pedrosa's number and Stoner is quite far off... theres no pressure.


i agree

i think rossi will win more races but we also have to consider that rossi is still on his first year on the stones and starting from scratch every race, whatever track they go to they have no data to compare (bike with tyre) so every race is a gamble, but even with this obstacle think they are doing dam well.

with this in mind it only takes a wrong tyre selection or changing weather to ruin your race it makes it harder if your bike hasnt been tested previously in these conditions you got nothing to revert to, i believe thats what happend this weekend, with no data for rossi and co to compare and with the constant changing weather i think is why they couldnt get settled.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (jazkat @ Jun 25 2008, 05:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>i believe thats what happend this weekend, with no data for rossi and co to compare and with the constant changing weather i think is why they couldnt get settled.
I tend to agree with this. Rossi had limited opportunities to work on a dry set-up and hence they were unable to pull any rabbits out of hats; it has taken up until the warm-up to get things right at some previous races. He actually seemed to be making very good progress on his wet set-up.

Still I think stoner/ducati have improved relative to the others as well. I take roger's point this might be related to unusual gearing etc required at donington, but personally obviously hope it represents a sustained improvement

I actually wouldn't be surprised if rossi had a whole season without mechanical problems as stoner did last year unless developments by ducati or others force them to push things on the yamaha. He is not renowned for rider errors either.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (michaelm @ Jun 25 2008, 06:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I tend to agree with this. Rossi had limited opportunities to work on a dry set-up and hence they were unable to pull any rabbits out of hats; it has taken up until the warm-up to get things right at some previous races. He actually seemed to be making very good progress on his wet set-up.

Still I think stoner/ducati have improved relative to the others as well. I take roger's point this might be related to unusual gearing etc required at donington, but personally obviously hope it represents a sustained improvement

I actually wouldn't be surprised if rossi had a whole season without mechanical problems as stoner did last year unless developments by ducati or others force them to push things on the yamaha. He is not renowned for rider errors either.

i agree with roger fully about the gearing, i noticed in the race top speeds for rossi and stoner were even so i think this was to give stoner better out of corner acceleration in replacement for the top speed because it wasnt needed, but i also believe there is more to it also, i noticed ducati have improved the electronics the bike was very stable coming out of the corners and no wriggling or pumping.
i know ive posted already but i believe stoner is using the electronics system from the gp9, there is a few reason's... he tested at catalunya and tested the gp9 with the gp8 settings and he was instantly faster and got a better feel, when coming to donny ducati had no problem in setting up for stoner and they have been having problems at the last few tracks, they were fast straight away donny on his first outing the ducati was solid it looked like a totally different bike, stoner also said they have a new electronics system in an interview a few days later, the problems they were having was alot more than a 2-day test could fix if... i beleive because he had such a good feel with the gp9's system that ducati decided to go with that instead of struggling every weekend.
ducati have raised there game and honda and yamaha better find themselves doing the same, parts are over due and now is not the time to be falling behind..........again