Assen Race Talk

Rossi did a great job today!
Hopefully there will be many more victories for VR this season

Just wanted to say I really enjoyed Rossi's ''fighting spirit''. Was great to see him fight his way back to the front. Definitely his best race of the season, like he said so himself.

Also have to say, eventhough Casey didn't win, he still did a pretty good job imo. Rossi was just too good today, simple as that!!

I'm definitely happy to see Nicky on the podium
Great to see him back in the top 3. Hopefully he will continue this way. Was a bit disappointed by Dani's performance tbh, expected him to be on the podium, but like I said, great to see Hayden finish in the top 3!!

Still Stoner is the favourite for the title imo, he leads with 21 points. Hopefully Vale can reduce the gap in the next few races.

.... me, reading through much this thread is like being in a school playground, thankfully not all of it.



<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (frosty58 @ Jun 30 2007, 03:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>well another master class by rossi. very impressive. so fast.... to the very end! the tire war heats up! great job by stoner he did his pace & got the best result he could considering rossis blazing speed. anybody who thinks that it's all the bike, consider like yamaha with rossi, where would ducati be without the stone man? the kid just won't crack under the rossi pressure. he just keeps on impressing. finally.... honda came thru for nick! he looked like the old nicky slidin the bike around gettin somethin done! i think that honda still have some work to do to catch up to the duc & yam. but they seem to be gettin there.... little late tho pedrosas 4th.... better than 5th. i thougt he'd be 3rd today... he must of burnt out a circuit. hopper 5th. i thought he'd be 4th. maybe now that he's engaged to that little hottie of his & when he gets hitched, hell morph up to ... kicker on track like stoner after his walk down the isle. edwards back to usual after last seasons race here & his podium at donny, i thought he'd have a bit more than he showed. such a shame... vermullen seriously needs to get faster in the dry. well the rest were way way back but it was a good fight for what was it? 7th? between west, hoffman, melandri & barros. who came out on top, if u want to call it that. the rest well were the rest....... until sachsenring in 2 weeks! Ahh......frosty a breath of fresh air in a sea of utter .........

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (vale4607 @ Jun 30 2007, 04:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Pretty good race. Rossi was strong in the dry so his win wasn't much of a surprise. Its Rossi's standard level when everything works. He showed eveyone how its done, great stuff.

Very cool ride from Casey. Got himself into a good position and did all he could. Kept it upright, brought it home and keeps a nice buffer in the championship. If Rossi's winning, Casey needs to be right behind him and vice versa.

Good on Nicky, looking stronger, beat his team mate and is finally the fastest Honda. Hopefully they can keep it going at the Sachsenring.

I thought Westy did well for his first race in the dry, beat out Melandri and did what his team mate failed to do, finish.

I'm not sure why people think either Stoner or Rossi is a shoe in for the title. It's seems to be a 2 horse race, but anything could happen. Stoner fell off in the warm up, he could have injured himself, championship over, same with Rossi at Donington. Looked what happened to Elias! I hope that both these guys are able to fight right to the end of the season, no injuries, no bike explosions, just good hard racing and whoever comes out on top deserves the title.

Stoner proved he is competitive everywhere, Rossi needs to back up this win in Germany, I'm all for a close championship fight!!!!

All Blacks lost, team nz lost the yachting, so depressed Another true sports fan. I know there are more of you but this post stands out Vale.

As does this one...<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mjpartyboy @ Jun 30 2007, 02:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Good podium: Previous champion, current champion and current championship leader.

That's better Rossi!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (xx CURVE xx @ Jun 30 2007, 05:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>LOOK CLOSE AND YOU WILL SEE THE RATH OF GOD....................................Posted by some kid aged 5


I posted first of all without reading through the thread, see above. I've been gigging all day and just got home in time to see the repeat on Eurosport. I got all buzzed up about how good a race it was and how great motoGP is this year, so I come on here, put up my first post innocently, with the best of intentions and genuinely enthused, having just watched another truly great race this year. Then I get round to reading through the posts and most of you guys have got all tribal. WTF, I don't get it at all. What a heap of crap.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (skidmark @ Jun 30 2007, 10:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>.... me, reading through much this thread is like being in a school playground, thankfully not all of it.
Ahh......frosty a breath of fresh air in a sea of utter .........

Another true sports fan. I know there are more of you but this post stands out Vale.

As does this one...
Posted by some kid aged 5
I posted first of all without reading through the thread, see above. I've been gigging all day and just got home in time to see the repeat on Eurosport. I got all buzzed up about how good a race it was and how great motoGP is this year, so I come on here, put up my first post innocently, with the best of intentions and genuinely enthused, having just watched another truly great race this year. Then I get round to reading through the posts and most of you guys have got all tribal. WTF, I don't get it at all. What a heap of crap.
well have a few drinks skid then read through it again.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (roger-m @ Jun 30 2007, 10:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>well have a few drinks skid then read through it again. .... Rog do you not think I had 3 or 4 large JD's during the race? and man they were ...... great. I'm going to have some more now!

Amazing race today. I'm obviously over the moon with Rossi's performance, I could hardly watch towards then end, I was pacing up and down the room and everything! The last four laps of the race seemed to go on forever!
Credit to Casey though. He rode an almost faultless race yet again but he was outclassed at the end of the day.
Really great to see Nicky on the podium again! He's such a nice chap.
Dan

Damn, i have just felt a bad feeling...

Stoner said Ducati was in its limits, it was all the bike could offer. No problems at all, that was the best of Ducati, Bridgestone and Stoner.

And Rossi had a much better pace??

Rossi found himself in the M1, it seems Duke wont be able to follow it from today on.

There are no more juice from Stoner+Bridgestone shod Ducati.

ouch! i think the dream is gone...

as a matter of fact, for sure the dream have gone...

one more title for Rossi, what a newness! this is so exciting. yes really.

Man that was a great race! It felt so good to see Nicky doing so well. His aggressive pass on one of the Suzukis entering turn 1 really showed that he was on a mission. I can't wait until Laguna!

Rossi was great today; he picked up where he left off at Mugello. Now, will he keep on winning?

It bothers me when people accuse the Stoner fans of bandwagoning. How many of you Rossi fans would still have been fans if he hadn't been such a sensational success? Wait for Stoner to fall on hard times, then you will see who was riding the bandwagon.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Mr. Shupe @ Jun 30 2007, 07:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Now, will he keep on winning?

For sure and with ease. His competitor found his bound.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (gui22a @ Jul 1 2007, 09:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>For sure and with ease. His competitor found his bound.
that ridiculous. Rossi had everything perfect today, he was on fire, but whos to say it will be like that every weekend? some tracks might suit the bridgestones better, some the michelins and i think with these two guys thats more or less the variable which decides since they are on the limit with bike and rider as it is.

Anything can happen in MotoGP, and it usually does (i kno stolen from murray walker and switched from f1 to motogp but its still true).

As a racing fan, if your arnt rubbing your hands together in glee right about now your crazy, because this upcoming battle is gonna be epic.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Ospi @ Jun 30 2007, 09:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>that ridiculous. Rossi had everything perfect today, he was on fire, but whos to say it will be like that every weekend? some tracks might suit the bridgestones better, some the michelins and i think with these two guys thats more or less the variable which decides since they are on the limit with bike and rider as it is.

Anything can happen in MotoGP, and it usually does (i kno stolen from murray walker and switched from f1 to motogp but its still true).

As a racing fan, if your arnt rubbing your hands together in glee right about now your crazy, because this upcoming battle is gonna be epic.

It's over for Stoner and Ducati. I really never think Rossi would find out his pace so quick.

What they can do now? There are nothing to do, Stoner reached the highest level possible with Ducati but looks like Rossi can go much more.

Fantastic ride from Rossi coming from 11th to 1st and every bit just as fantastic for Nicky to come from 13th to 3rd. What a relief to see the reigning champ finally get it together. I saw a fair bit of sliding there...he looked like he was enjoying himself Undoubtedly Stoner rode superbly. Not many out there who can keep their cool so well with the mighty VR heating his nose on their tailpipes. I was wondering whether the fall in the morning would crack his composure but it seems not to have. Well done to him!
Of course I'm biased so I'm happy to see Vale on top form and on the top step of the podium. However, bias or not I think those last few laps were absolutely flawless. Great race!!! Not for Melandri sadly , and not for Vermy who was taken out by the overenthusiastic froggy

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Bikergirl @ Jul 1 2007, 01:42 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Fantastic ride from Rossi coming from 11th to 1st and every bit just as fantastic for Nicky to come from 13th to 3rd. What a relief to see the reigning champ finally get it together. I saw a fair bit of sliding there...he looked like he was enjoying himself Undoubtedly Stoner rode superbly. Not many out there who can keep their cool so well with the mighty VR heating his nose on their tailpipes. I was wondering whether the fall in the morning would crack his composure but it seems not to have. Well done to him!
Of course I'm biased so I'm happy to see Vale on top form and on the top step of the podium. However, bias or not I think those last few laps were absolutely flawless. Great race!!! Not for Melandri sadly , and not for Vermy who was taken out by the overenthusiastic froggy


Very good point.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (gui22a @ Jul 1 2007, 01:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>It's over for Stoner and Ducati. I really never think Rossi would find out his pace so quick.

What they can do now? There are nothing to do, Stoner reached the highest level possible with Ducati but looks like Rossi can go much more.

i think your getting ahead of yourself here, today we really saw Rossi in his element but don't forget that is one race of 9 we have had and that its a track that Rossi really should have won at considering how it suits his bike and riding. Things can change very quickly and things will change from race to race, Stoner may not have it as easily as some may suggest but Rossi wont get anything for free either. Today Rossi was definitely the best but that doesn't mean it will be the case at every other race, this is motogp at its best and i'm loving it.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Jun 30 2007, 09:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>i think your getting ahead of yourself here, today we really saw Rossi in his element but don't forget that is one race of 9 we have had and that its a track that Rossi really should have won at considering how it suits his bike and riding. Things can change very quickly and things will change from race to race, Stoner may not have it as easily as some may suggest but Rossi wont get anything for free either. Today Rossi was definitely the best but that doesn't mean it will be the case at every other race, this is motogp at its best and i'm loving it.


Assen suited GP7, Bridgestone and Stoner too.

Just after the race i thought Casey had some problem with the bike, but, unfortunately the bike was perfect, the man was perfect and the tyre was in its maximum. So, what happens?

Rossi had problems with your team, bikes and stuff, but he found himself. Whatever Stoner does, he can go faster now.

It kept evident today. Casey had the pace in all 3 FP's. Casey was doing another perfect race. I think there are no more juice from this team man. We saw today that Rossi can go faster. It is not only cause the track. In dry conditions, Michelin is as good as Bridgestone. From now on there are a lot of twisty track, i doubt M1 doesnt suit it.

what else can happen? Rain?

fantastic race, looks like Michelin have got the tyres sorted (prays)

Now Rossi can break Stoners confidence like he did to many in the past (Sete, Max)

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (gui22a @ Jun 30 2007, 06:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>It's over for Stoner and Ducati. I really never think Rossi would find out his pace so quick.

What they can do now? There are nothing to do, Stoner reached the highest level possible with Ducati but looks like Rossi can go much more.

There is little reason for you to give up man. Cheer up. Being a Hayden fan, if last year taught me anything it was to never lose hope.

Rossi dominated in Jerez. before that casey had just won one race, and at a track with a long front strait. The Doctor bowled 'em over in another cheesy victory stunt; many expected him to do so for the rest of the season.

But Rossi didn't dominate. Casey racked up wins in Shanghai and Turkey. He also netted a better result than Rossi at Le Mans. Casey was looking good again.

Going into Mugello, most expected another Stoner and Ducati romp; Mugello's high-speed nature should have suited the Ducati well. Yet Rossi managed to win one of his home GPs handily, once again putting Stoner's #1 position in doubt.

At Catalunya, Rossi closed the gap on Stoner, eventually passing him for the lead. Now, usually when someone catches and passes a competitor as easily as Vale did Stoner that day, the rider or driver goes on to win. Valentino had just demonstrated his superiority over Stoner...or so it seemed. Stoner fought back, passing The Doctor on the strait and holding him off through the turns and braking zones. It was Stoner's best ride to date.

Then Stoner put in a great ride to win in the rain at Donnington, one of Rossi's favorite tracks and the scene of his legendary rain ride in 2005.

Okay, I know you don't need a highlight of the entire first half of the season. That's not why I am writing this long-... post. I'm trying to show you that one Rossi victory doesn't mean that Casey's title hopes are dashed. Rossi dominated at Jerez; Stoner answered with 2 victories and a podium at Le Mans. Rossi blew 'em away at Mugello; Stoner came back by out-dueling Vale at Catalunya and handily winning at Donnington.

Casey is still looking good for the title. Rossi is going to win a few races along the way no matter what. He's simply too good to stay off the top of the box.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CSCVAW @ Jul 1 2007, 01:09 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Well it was appropriate to that comment...btw; I don’t always lose my cool this way but it just rubbed me the wrong way...when you get someone who doesn’t post and then has the hide to be so critical in such an insulting, degrading manner and also wait like a cat to jump on a comment which he was out of context with anyway, with a ridiculous remark!!! Just grow up krazy, but then again “krazy” might just be appropriate to you!!!....
We appreciate you're apology(?) mate.
I still edited those comments out.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (vale4607 @ Jul 1 2007, 01:20 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>All Blacks lost ... so depressed
i hear you brother!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (an4rew @ Jul 1 2007, 11:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Now Rossi can break Stoners confidence like he did to many in the past (Sete, Max)
Are you kidding? Stoner is the only one that has been able to stick it back to him in recent times.... i don't think he's cracking under pressure one bit

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (K.J. @ Jul 1 2007, 12:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Are you kidding? Stoner is the only one that has been able to stick it back to him in recent times.... i don't think he's cracking under pressure one bit


Really? The only one, i thought Hayden won last year.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Mr. Shupe @ Jun 30 2007, 11:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>There is little reason for you to give up man. Cheer up. Being a Hayden fan, if last year taught me anything it was to never lose hope.

Rossi dominated in Jerez. before that casey had just won one race, and at a track with a long front strait. The Doctor bowled 'em over in another cheesy victory stunt; many expected him to do so for the rest of the season.

But Rossi didn't dominate. Casey racked up wins in Shanghai and Turkey. He also netted a better result than Rossi at Le Mans. Casey was looking good again.

Going into Mugello, most expected another Stoner and Ducati romp; Mugello's high-speed nature should have suited the Ducati well. Yet Rossi managed to win one of his home GPs handily, once again putting Stoner's #1 position in doubt.

At Catalunya, Rossi closed the gap on Stoner, eventually passing him for the lead. Now, usually when someone catches and passes a competitor as easily as Vale did Stoner that day, the rider or driver goes on to win. Valentino had just demonstrated his superiority over Stoner...or so it seemed. Stoner fought back, passing The Doctor on the strait and holding him off through the turns and braking zones. It was Stoner's best ride to date.

Then Stoner put in a great ride to win in the rain at Donnington, one of Rossi's favorite tracks and the scene of his legendary rain ride in 2005.

Okay, I know you don't need a highlight of the entire first half of the season. That's not why I am writing this long-... post. I'm trying to show you that one Rossi victory doesn't mean that Casey's title hopes are dashed. Rossi dominated at Jerez; Stoner answered with 2 victories and a podium at Le Mans. Rossi blew 'em away at Mugello; Stoner came back by out-dueling Vale at Catalunya and handily winning at Donnington.

Casey is still looking good for the title. Rossi is going to win a few races along the way no matter what. He's simply too good to stay off the top of the box.

Good post.

But, I just cannot see any more tricks to do. The bike reached its maximum - since Catalunya. There are no more room to improve. This is the problem.

In the beginning of championship, Ducati and Stoner (and Rossi) had much parts to improve. As the championship step up, this room to improve tend to decrease and now this room is over, the bike is in its finest form and Stoner's setup it in its maximum every race. But, Rossi was strugling in that meantime. Now Rossi have reached a new level with M1 and today we see that this level is one above Ducati's.

Things won't change too much from now. Maybe rain could affect Rossi but apart from Europe rain is not much usual out there.

Race is race but I already watched this movie many times. And I am sure the dream is over.

Stoner tell us that he is "happy" with the results, but we can see clearly he is worried a lot and disappointed. Also, he comes reapeating this since Catalunya:

"(...)no matter what happens for the rest of the season we're going to be very happy(..)"

Also, Stoner denies the long-term contract with Ducati. Maybe he already felt lack of winning competitiveness.