Early Season Thoughts

Sounds about right.
I think that the podium wont change 3 of the riders for most of the season (Rossi and Pedrosa) with others being regulars and one or two making surprise appearances.

In Pre-season I thought this season would be Rossi vs Dani. Now after two races I still believe those 2 will fight for the championship.

The other 2 riders that COULD enter this fight IMO are Casey Stoner and Toni Elías.

Casey has shown impressive speed and good consistency. Elías has shown great speed too don't know if he'll get the consistency.


The rest of challengers I think I have already written off.

Hayden has already lost a big chunk of points, and although you can rely on him to finish races and score points, he doesn't seem to improve his pace at all since pre-season. He'll sort it out but time is running out fast.

Melandri is doing even worse, we knew from previous seasons this guy has the speed, we needed to know if he had gained the consistency, and 2 races into the season we can already say he hasn't and therefore I don't think he will be in the championship fight (Should win a couple of races though).

Capirossi seems to be totally off the pace of his teammate, I don't know if he's getting old, he's thinking about his baby or what but like Hayden he's got a couple of race to get his act together or say goodbye to his championship hopes.

Hopkins and Suzuki were impressive in pre season, now the Suzuki doesn't seem that fast and neither does Hopkins.

I think Valentino will be the champion at the end of the season but Pedrosa will be his major threat.

At the tracks that suit the Ducati e.g. Shanghai and Motegi, Stoner and hopefully Capirossi will challenge for victories.

Nicky will improve i think but will not be a consistant podium finisher. He will most likely win at Laguna Seca, but that could be it.

I expect Melandri will improve and take a couple of wins, remember he is the only rider ever to win at Turkey in Moto GP class!

Elias and Hopkins have been impressive so far although both have made one mistake which has cost them a high scoring points finish (Elias went off track at Qatar and Hopkins fell at Jerez). It would be great to see Hopper win a race although i cant see it happening - he hasnt had a podium yet but that will change this season i think.

Edwards will hopefully break his win duck, he always goes pretty well at Assen and should have won last year so that could be his best chance although he should do pretty well at Laguna.

Although i am a supporter of Valentino i dont want to see him winning every race by a big margin as although i would like the result, we all love Moto GP for the excitement of the racing.

GO VALENTINO!!!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (teomolca @ Mar 26 2007, 07:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>In Pre-season I thought this season would be Rossi vs Dani. Now after two races I still believe those 2 will fight for the championship.

The other 2 riders that COULD enter this fight IMO are Casey Stoner and Toni Elías.

Casey has shown impressive speed and good consistency. Elías has shown great speed too don't know if he'll get the consistency.
The rest of challengers I think I have already written off.

Hayden has already lost a big chunk of points, and although you can rely on him to finish races and score points, he doesn't seem to improve his pace at all since pre-season. He'll sort it out but time is running out fast.

Melandri is doing even worse, we knew from previous seasons this guy has the speed, we needed to know if he had gained the consistency, and 2 races into the season we can already say he hasn't and therefore I don't think he will be in the championship fight (Should win a couple of races though).

Capirossi seems to be totally off the pace of his teammate, I don't know if he's getting old, he's thinking about his baby or what but like Hayden he's got a couple of race to get his act together or say goodbye to his championship hopes.

Hopkins and Suzuki were impressive in pre season, now the Suzuki doesn't seem that fast and neither does Hopkins.
I have to agree with every word Teo. It seems Danni and Casey in particular have taken to the new format machinery way ahead of their respective team mates.

Maybe,.... just maybe,..... Valentino is on 'fire', and anybody who goes with him is riding out of his skin! I still haven't seen the full race this weekend, I just caught the last 10 minutes of the highlights, maybe the last 5 laps....or was it 6!

Hokey smokes. Two races in and everyone's pretty much writing off the season. I mean, I hope Valentino wins too, but isn't it a bit early to be using words like 'stale'?

Dont see why anyone considers Elias a threat. Maybe that victory at Portugal still fresh in the mind. He has zero consistency, he wasn't doing well in qatar before he made that mistake. He was behind Hayden, Barros and Nakano in 11th which is standard for him.

Rossi and Pedrosa are the two who you can pretty much bet on for the season. They have proven in this class and lower classes they know how to handle pressure and finish consistently in the top 3.

Melandri has speed, but if he doesn't find it in the next 2 rounds he could be out of it. He's already giving up 26pts to Rossi. There is a very real possibility of being 40+ pts down after 4 rounds same goes for Hayden. Once you're in that position I think mistakes from the championship leaders are your only hope. If you win its great, but you know who'll be standing right next to you on the podium! Realistically how many wins would anyone expect between Melandri and Hayden this season? 2-3?

Capirossi has been such a disappointment, he is 41 pts down already! He will need to win and very soon to have any hope. Unfortunately it looks as though he'll be 50pts down after Turkey. I really hope he proves me wrong, but he's riding like ..... and the baby excuse is just crap. They can pay me to think about other things and ride like crap, I guarantee I'll do a great job. Stoner has proven the bike works, so Capirossi is simply crap right now, baby or not he knows hes riding badly.

Its a guessing game at the moment but being 25+ pts down for championship contenders is nothing but bad

Look, Tony, Casey and Dani are best bets to make the top 5 at the seasons end with Marcos being able. Hayden will finish races and maybe win Laguna again but I would'nt bet on him making more than 3 podiums all year. He is consistant but not a charger like the new kids and Rossi. Hey, at least he can fall back on WSB like Max.

Anyone who watched Qatar knows that on the tracks with straights over 1000 meters the Ducs will have a strong advantage. Fortunately for Yamaha there's only 4 more of those tracks left.

Rossi will win more races than anyone again this season ... I think 8 and will not finish out of the top 5 in the other 10. Once he's comfortable with his points lead he will "race" with the top 3 and impart his will in the later stages of the race and make it exciting for the fans. The Portugal race last year was a classic example ..... PURE EXCITEMENT even if he didn't win it. I fully expect to see a few races like that this year and can't wait.

SS

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ssiperko @ Mar 27 2007, 04:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Look, Tony, Casey and Dani are best bets to make the top 5 at the seasons end with Marcos being able. Hayden will finish races and maybe win Laguna again but I would'nt bet on him making more than 3 podiums all year. He is consistant but not a charger like the new kids and Rossi. Hey, at least he can fall back on WSB like Max.
I think it is early to rule out others for the final podium. If Elias continue his fine run last race he might be there, but I have just as high or higher expectations in Edwards. I don't think this was a one off. If Yamaha can get a little closer to Ducati, but more important, to Honda, I think he will be up there fighting for for podiums in many races this year. Another that might rice is Capirossi, and I expect Hopper to be fighting for podiums as well. If Rossi and Pedrosa can continue without accidents they will pull awyay from the rest, but Rossi will pull hardest, so to speak. The stament he made at Quatar was almost like a Gibernau curse. "you may have a stronger engine, but NOW WAY you can stay in front of me"
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <div class='quotemain'>Anyone who watched Qatar knows that on the tracks with straights over 1000 meters the Ducs will have a strong advantage. Fortunately for Yamaha there's only 4 more of those tracks left.
But the yamaha and the Honda will get stronger. If a small factory in Italy can do it, they can do it. Ducati may continue to have a top speed advantage both due to power and airodynamics but it will not be as huge as we saw at quatar. The duc's might be able to pull away in China and Barcelona but Mugello will be interesting. My guess is that there will be a close fight on all those 4 tracks as well.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <div class='quotemain'>Rossi will win more races than anyone again this season ... I think 8 and will not finish out of the top 5 in the other 10. Once he's comfortable with his points lead he will "race" with the top 3 and impart his will in the later stages of the race and make it exciting for the fans. The Portugal race last year was a classic example ..... PURE EXCITEMENT even if he didn't win it. I fully expect to see a few races like that this year and can't wait.

I'm affraid youre right. What I really would have wanted was a true challenger that give Rossi a real fight in more than a couple of races. A last year Mugello version of Capirossi that really challenge him. What a bunch of spectacular races we would have seen.

it will be Rossi killing'm on the breaks all year long...

kinda like this.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Yamahamer-AL @ Mar 27 2007, 07:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>it will be Rossi killing'm on the breaks all year long...

kinda like this.



Totally agree its gonna be Rossi Rossi Rossi

What are my early season thoughts you ask? Mostly suicidal.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Racejumkie @ Mar 29 2007, 05:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>What are my early season thoughts you ask? Mostly suicidal.

Hope springs eternal

oh and by the way..wicked pic Yama!

Think it's way too early in the season to have season thoughts based on facts rather than conjecture. Even early ones.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Yamahamer-AL @ Mar 27 2007, 12:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>it will be Rossi killing'm on the breaks all year long...

kinda like this.


.... Al!!!

Look at’em fingers on that break! Front tyre has to be screaming for mercy! Great pic!

On another matter, some tracks do have long straights, but not all as open wide turns through the rest of them… meaning that Losail not only does have a long straight but (repeating myself I think) very open turns. I don’t think Motegi is similar to Losail, maybe wrong, who knows!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (VHMP01 @ Mar 29 2007, 04:09 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>.... Al!!!

Look at’em fingers on that break! Front tyre has to be screaming for mercy! Great pic!

On another matter, some tracks do have long straights, but not all as open wide turns through the rest of them… meaning that Losail not only does have a long straight but (repeating myself I think) very open turns. I don’t think Motegi is similar to Losail, maybe wrong, who knows!


Rossi use quite unconventional techniques in his riding. One of them is that he use four or five fingers instead of one or two on the front brake. The second that he shift gear the street fasion way: first down, the rest up.

Great pic indeed!!

Eventhough it's still early in the season, I also think Rossi and Pedrosa are the main title contenders. I'm sure Casey will challenge for victories, especially on tracks with a long straight, but I'm not sure if he will remain consistent throughout the season. You can tell Valentino is really determined.
I think losing out on last year's title made him even more hungry. I don't think it's gonna be a walk in the park, but I do think Valentino will come out on top in the end.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Babelfish @ Mar 29 2007, 03:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Rossi use quite unconventional techniques in his riding. One of them is that he use four or five fingers instead of one or two on the front brake. The second that he shift gear the street fasion way: first down, the rest up.

Truly? Does Rossi shifts first down, the rest up as on street bikes? I definitely did not know that one! Have never shifted a competition bike myself, but I hear it is to avoid messing gear shifts or something like that, can you explain the reasons for it being first up, the rest down mate?

And the breaking in the picture, must be bringing it down from 240 to 40 K’s my guess!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (VHMP01 @ Mar 29 2007, 07:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Truly? Does Rossi shifts first down, the rest up as on street bikes? I definitely did not know that one! Have never shifted a competition bike myself, but I hear it is to avoid messing gear shifts or something like that, can you explain the reasons for it being first up, the rest down mate?

And the breaking in the picture, must be bringing it down from 240 to 40 K’s my guess!


Quite obvious when you are on the track.
1. shfting down are allmost allways done before you enter the turn. So it really doesn't matter wich way you shift.
2.In Righthanders you will find it much easier to step on it rather than try to sneak your foot in between the shift pedal an the ground.
3. In lefthanders small riders and riders with extreme lean out style will find it much easier to reach the top of the pedall rather than streching for the underside. Just a tap and your into next gear.
4. Finally, a tap on top is easier and faster in the beginning, for that all important quick shifts and short-shifts on technical tracks where there's a lot work all the way. Timing the up-shifting is more important than down and tapping down for each gear is just easier.

To years after my last race I just switched my pedal back to race-shift as my bike are no longer used as licence training bike.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Babelfish @ Mar 29 2007, 05:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Quite obvious when you are on the track.
1. shfting down are allmost allways done before you enter the turn. So it really doesn't matter wich way you shift.
2.In Righthanders you will find it much easier to step on it rather than try to sneak your foot in between the shift pedal an the ground.
3. In lefthanders small riders and riders with extreme lean out style will find it much easier to reach the top of the pedall rather than streching for the underside. Just a tap and your into next gear.
4. Finally, a tap on top is easier and faster in the beginning, for that all important quick shifts and short-shifts on technical tracks where there's a lot work all the way. Timing the up-shifting is more important than down and tapping down for each gear is just easier.

To years after my last race I just switched my pedal back to race-shift as my bike are no longer used as licence training bike.

Cool, thanks... (guess I only get to the track days on a street bike!)