Assen Race Talk

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (gui22a @ Jun 30 2007, 10:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>The bike reached its maximum - since Catalunya. There are no more room to improve. This is the problem.

Are you saying that the GP7 has no more room to improve? What makes you think that? Rossi has looked to be back on form and ready to dominate twice already (Jerez and Mugello) yet failed to follow up both times. Nothing about this year's Assen TT suggests that it is over.

Credit to Casey though. He rode an almost faultless race yet again but he was outclassed at the end of the day.

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That must mean that Casey has outclassed Rossi when he has come out in front. Or was it the bike, tyres etc

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Mr. Shupe @ Jul 1 2007, 01:20 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Are you saying that the GP7 has no more room to improve? What makes you think that?

I lost the link to show you, but Stoner said the bike have no more weakness.

Also, Ducati told us about GP8 and said that there will be minor improvements from GP7.

There is no way the gp7 has reached the end of its development life after 9 races, how thick do you think Ducati are? As for Casey's "perfect" setup, he would say its perfect if it takes him to a race win, but yesterday the setting clearly wasn't perfect because someone went faster than him. Rossi may hhave found a wave of form but we have learned in the last year or so that these are not infinite, and like mr. shupe said you should never give up hope.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (captain clutch @ Jul 1 2007, 04:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Really? The only one, i thought Hayden won last year.

Last year was a very different Story because the two riders fought with a very different hand of cards. Rossi was the fastest man out there but he was inconsistent, Hayden was running consistently but was not the outright fastest. Each man spent all of last year trying to achieve the quality that the other rider had in order to win the title.

This season Stoner and Rossi are very similar on speed and consistency and overall strength, its a very different battle and one which Rossi will find harder to lose. Its also one which will be very hard for Stoner to beat Vale in this way but thats why its so epic.

Looked like the Rossi of old. Stoner kept it real though.

Well done to Nicky, my rider of the race this week and was nice to see both Honda's battling it out.

Depuniet had a nasty crash again and had to feel for CV on that one. Westy rode a great race as did both the Pramac boys!

Edwards I would have thought would have placed higher than 6th to be honest and nice to see Hopper being consistent.

Good race.

Great race. Rossi was awesome. When he is on he is just awesome to watch. Casey did really well and showed once again that he is the real deal with the maturity and mental capacity to go head to head with Rossi.

Comments about the Ducati being at its development maximum is a little silly. We are 9 races into the 800cc era. There is 10 years development to go in these bikes.

Remember also that Rossi is near the end of his career (by choice and I am certainly not suggesting he is an old man or needs to retire) and has 7 WC's so his riding development is at its peak (Quite a peak!). Where as Casey is only just starting his career and has a lot of potential to keep developing his riding ability.

So what I mean by this is just because Rossi has his form back and the Yami seems to have improved does not mean that Rossi will run away from here. If Casey is as good as I think he is then he will get faster and faster and so will the Duke because he will learn to get more and more from it just as Rossi has done during his career.

Once again let me say how awesome Rossi was last night. He and Casey are certainly both putting in performances that could be described as super human!

How can anyone write off Stoner after 1 race? Its just ridiculous!! Great race by Rossi but one race doesnt make a season. I expect its gonna be harder for Stoner because the M1 and michelins have improved but they had too. The duc is still a great bike, the bridgestones are fantastic and Stoner is riding brilliantly. Some of the Rossi fans here seem to be getting carried away....

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (gui22a @ Jul 1 2007, 06:05 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>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.
I really think you should just wait and see what's gonna happen. So Rossi was great yesterday, that doesn't mean it's over from now on. I think it's silly to think that. I still think Casey is the man with the biggest chances to win the title atm. For sure Rossi + Yamaha + michelin improved, but what did you expect?? It's normal really, how else will they challenge for the title??

Stoner did a great job yesterday, he lost out, BUT he showed us once again that he has matured a lot!! No stupid mistakes and no ''cracking under pressure''. Valentino was just fantastic yesterday, that's basically it.
I don't think Rossi will ''dominate'' from now on. I expect to see Casey to win a few more races, same goes for Vale.

Stoner still has a 21 point gap. He still has a very good bike, he's obviously getting better and better, so it wouldn't surprise me if he would win the title, but..I am happy to see Vale is fighting back

What a great sight to see Hayden on the podium, hopefully this shall continue through out the season.

<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.
wow, it's true what they say,"your only as good as your last race"
the fight is not over yet,thats see what they all come up with after the summer break.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Son of Doohan @ Jul 1 2007, 09:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>How can anyone write off Stoner after 1 race? Its just ridiculous!! Great race by Rossi but one race doesnt make a season. I expect its gonna be harder for Stoner because the M1 and michelins have improved but they had too. The duc is still a great bike, the bridgestones are fantastic and Stoner is riding brilliantly. Some of the Rossi fans here seem to be getting carried away....

Pot kettle black.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Valentino Is God @ Jun 30 2007, 03:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>A great race and an amazing performance by The Doctor.

Does anyone know why Capirossi retired? i know he was running 15th but was this due to a problem or what coz he dropped to the back of the field very quickly.
just read in Ducati reports he had a problem with his front tyre early on in the race then retired with possible clutch slip

I.M.O

Rossi - Legend, proved that he can fight against the Ducati - didnt have an easy race wasnt looking good at the beginning really happy for him he deserved it.

Stoner - Rode well as people have said he will improve over time and so just because he didnt beat vale today doesnt mean he wont in the future and he has in the past showing he can do it.

However, regarding the fuel issue. Is it not fair to say just as people are quick to dismiss michelins tyre problems this is the same. Whether the ducati was running out of fuel or not yamaha got it right and lasted whereas ducati and honda obviously were close to the limit. Theres no point saying if stoner had more fuel he wouldve done better in the last few laps because thats like saying if rossi's tyre's didnt wear out he wouldve been able to maintain his positions on the last few laps such as at donnington where he slipped down. Yamaha obviously have the fuel sorted a little better than honda + ducati and vale benefited from his teams work.

Hayden - as much as ive said he should retire i take it back. I am perhaps still a little bitter due to last season and with it being a works bike you wouldve thought he couldve somehow done more with it this year. However! I am pleased to see he is competitive and deserving his podium finishes.

Pedrosa - Bit hit or miss really again a good finish however, you would have thought with his weight advantage he wouldve been able to possibly get past hayden or at least be closer to him than he was.

Hopkins - Disappointing - good starts cant seem to always sustain them.

Vermeulen - He wouldve been on for a good finish although it is true he was dropping back.

Capirossi - Something seems to have changed with him. Maybe its because hes just had his family but he just doesnt seem to have the determination he had last year. I wouldnt right him off but i dont think there will be many races now when he will shine. It is understandable why he is so demotivated with the ducati seat.

Elias - Much as i dont like him seeing him clearly in pain made me realise no matter what they do in races or have done in the past its never nice to see someone hurt so i hope he gets well soon .



<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 love rossi and will support him in any sport always but i think that is a daft view to take. He's had amazing races before this season like at mugello but he hasnt won every race since then and some may say that race was like on saturday same standard.

Also, dont you remember last season for Vale? doesnt that show you that you can never be sure how luck will deal your hand?

Two things which remain the same :

1. the bridgestone are in a better position than michelin, they have been acting this way for years rather than flying there tyres in overnight. This weekend they picked a good tyre which is more so important for michelin maybe then bridgestone...they havent always and might not in the future.

2. Also, just because vale had stoner in this race doesnt mean he will when we go back to the long straights as the ducati is known for its power.

If you make statements like that prepare to <u>maybe eat your words</u> as i have had to do with hayden after saying he should retire!!!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Rossifumi78 @ Jun 30 2007, 11:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>THAT IS SO LAME BY A CASEY'S FAN.COME ON MATE BOTH OF THEM RODE WELL,WHAT A SUPERB DOGFIGHT TILL THE END.
CHEER UP
Yea both riders rode a fantastic race ,it was just that Rossi had the fastest bike and the best tyres. right!!!!!!!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (pepik128 @ Jul 1 2007, 11:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Yea both riders rode a fantastic race ,it was just that Rossi had the fastest bike and the best tyres. right!!!!!!!
Exactly, you're 100% right about that!!!!

Ahh, what a race. Being there, watching it all play out, Stoner geting away, rossi's bad start, then the race, rossi passing one after the other, disbelief when rossi took 1 - 0.5sec a lap. Watching edwards passing on the inside before strubben, watching Rossi build speed to take the lead into the chicane and then speeding off. But also, the SOUND, the action behind the leaders, the atmosphere. Everything. Memories for a looong time

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Babelfish @ Jul 1 2007, 10:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Ahh, what a race. Being there, watching it all play out, Stoner geting away, rossi's bad start, then the race, rossi passing one after the other, disbelief when rossi took 1 - 0.5sec a lap. Watching edwards passing on the inside before strubben, watching Rossi build speed to take the lead into the chicane and then speeding off. But also, the SOUND, the action behind the leaders, the atmosphere. Everything. Memories for a looong time
i bet it was awsome,i really wish i had gone to see that .
cracking pic btw my new desktop it's spot on if you choice the tile option

Thank you all for calling me stupid.

So, I have just changed my mind. I hope Ducati being the champ, once I am a supporter.

I'll keep my optimism at sky high.

Let's see what happens.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (roger-m @ Jul 2 2007, 12:09 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>i bet it was awsome,i really wish i had gone to see that .
cracking pic btw my new desktop it's spot on if you choice the tile option

It sure was awsome. I've got plenty more pics. Took most of them in FP2 from outside the chicane. I'll get some posted later but now it's off to the shower and som sleep. 740km today through four contries takes it's toll.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (pepik128 @ Jul 1 2007, 10:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Yea both riders rode a fantastic race ,it was just that Rossi had the fastest bike and the best tyres. right!!!!!!!


I reckon you have to say that this was retro Valentino,.....what a performance.

To me he simply seemed 'happier' all weekend. I know it's a bit of a daft thing to say, but I wonder now if Vale has been having 'life' problems distracting him and affecting his approach, because he hasn't ridden like this for some time. Sports psychology, strange thing!

I'm probably totally wrong!

Nicky Hayden.........it's about time Honda gave him a machine that suits. Really good to see the most stylish rider on the grid back on form.