Estoril Qualifying

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (krusty @ Apr 11 2008, 12:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Yeah ... Stoner and Rossi fastest ... how VERY obscure that is!

Nakano thrid, sound realistic?? I'm not suggesting these two at the top will not be there when it counts, because they almost certainly will. Their positions relative to each other and the other riders however are very likely to change and it is still impossible to predict in what manner.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (#36 Fan @ Apr 11 2008, 01:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Just when I thought it was impossible to highside these electronically regulated bikes.

Or maybe Rossi doesn't use enough traction control?

A highside is allways possible but as we have seen nowdays it may just as often be into or mid corner as at the exit and they tend to be milder as it's often not on max power. Damp or wet conditions also make it much harder both to have the TC adjusted but also slipper clutch.

Looks like stoner strugle in this session. 7th as the last lap is running. Those in front:
1. Pedrosa
2. Rossi
3. Edwards
4. Hayden
5. Lornezo
6. Dovizioso

Rossi seemed to enjoy that last stint. Started around 39.5, slowly picking up pace until he was on top about a second faster than his pervious best. Then Pedrosa came and dumped him one position but thats not a big deal.

Looks like the michelins came to the for in the dry except for Rossi.
Although Stoner put in his 2 quickest laps of the session on his last 2.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Son of Doohan @ Apr 11 2008, 03:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Looks like the michelins came to the for in the dry except for Rossi.
Although Stoner put in his 2 quickest laps of the session on his last 2.
No surprice there really. Michelin has improved since last year and are right there at the top, but it looks like they are in deep .... if it rains on Sunday.

Stoner did improve some but still strugle at the last half of the track and he loose most of it in the last section. The tight S is a bit too obvious passing spot, leaving just enough time to work up a small gap to avoid a DUcati rocket pass on the straight.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Babelfish @ Apr 11 2008, 02:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Rossi seemed to enjoy that last stint. Started around 39.5, slowly picking up pace until he was on top about a second faster than his pervious best. Then Pedrosa came and dumped him one position but thats not a big deal.

I think Dani and Rossi are oviously the top two guys. Dani looked a little stronger but in the race I expect Rossi to win. There were no surprises in the session really except Stoner losing the front again, on an outlap too!!!

Marco's nightmare looks like it will continue, i feel sorry for him.

FP1 Cold and damp = mostly Bridgestones at the top, Hayden 1st Michelin runner, 1.82 seconds back from Stoner

FP2 Warmer and dry = mostly Michelins at the top, Rossi 1st B-stone runner, 0.40 seconds back from Pedrochio.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (yamaka46 @ Apr 11 2008, 04:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>FP1 Cold and damp = mostly Bridgestones at the top, Hayden 1st Michelin runner, 1.82 seconds back from Stoner

FP2 Warmer and dry = mostly Michelins at the top, Rossi 1st B-stone runner, 0.40 seconds back from Pedrochio.
Ehmm, .0.40 seconds I think.
I think it was about .2 sec difference between 1. and 4th, then .1 - .2 gap for next few ->stoner.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Babelfish @ Apr 11 2008, 02:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Ehmm, .0.40 seconds I think.
I think it was about .2 sec difference between 1. and 4th, then .1 - .2 gap for next few ->stoner.
Sorry, you've lost me there. I said Rossi was only 0.4 behind Pedrochio. What did I miss?

Stoner was the next best B-Stone runner in 7th, 0.655 behind Rossi

FP2 in full :

1. Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda Team (M) 1min 38.507 secs
2. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team (B) 1min 38.547 secs
3. Colin Edwards USA Yamaha Tech 3 (M) 1min 38.632 secs
4. Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda Team (M) 1min 38.688 secs
5. Jorge Lorenzo SPA Fiat Yamaha Team (M) 1min 38.868 secs
6. Andrea Dovizioso ITA JiR Scot Team (M) 1min 39.171 secs
7. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 1min 39.202 secs
8. Shinya Nakano JPN San Carlo Honda Gresini (B) 1min 39.309 secs
9. Randy de Puniet FRA LCR Honda MotoGP (M) 1min 39.332 secs
10. John Hopkins USA Kawasaki Racing Team (B) 1min 39.474 secs
11. Loris Capirossi ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 1min 39.591 secs
12. Chris Vermeulen AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 1min 39.946 secs
13. James Toseland GBR Yamaha Tech 3 (M) 1min 40.055 secs
14. Alex de Angelis RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini (B) 1min 41.033 secs
15. Marco Melandri ITA Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 1min 41.112 secs
16. Anthony West AUS Kawasaki Racing Team (B) 1min 41.572 secs
17. Sylvain Guintoli FRA Alice Team (B) 1min 41.875 secs
18. Toni Elias SPA Alice Team (B) 1min 43.262 secs

i like ham

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Babelfish @ Apr 11 2008, 09:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Ehmm, .0.40 seconds I think.
I think it was about .2 sec difference between 1. and 4th, then .1 - .2 gap for next few ->stoner.
Then I think Rossi will take his first victory here.
BTW,what's wrong with Stoner? Even I'm not his fan, it is very bizarre to watch him not in top 3(or top 5). Or maybe Vales's 2nd (Bridgestone 1st) in practice is rely more on his skill??

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (xx CURVE xx @ Apr 11 2008, 02:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>i like ham
Do all ......s like ham?

Looking good for rossi, not so for stoner unless it is wet particularly in view of the performance of the other ducatis.

Still slower than last year.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (#46 @ Apr 12 2008, 12:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Then I think Rossi will take his first victory here.
BTW,what's wrong with Stoner? Even I'm not his fan, it is very bizarre to watch him not in top 3(or top 5). Or maybe Vales's 2nd (Bridgestone 1st) in practice is rely more on his skill??
Well, if you watch qualifying.... it's obvious the ducati is an absolute ..... to ride. As per usual look at the session times. Only one person is in touch with the bike, and I think even he is struggling at the moment.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (yamaka46 @ Apr 11 2008, 09:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Do all ......s like ham?

if by ham you mean Perosa.....yes.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Son of Doohan @ Apr 11 2008, 09:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Well, if you watch qualifying.... it's obvious the ducati is an absolute ..... to ride. As per usual look at the session times. Only one person is in touch with the bike, and I think even he is struggling at the moment.
If it is wet then I expect another classic battle between Rossi and Stoner. Michelin is improved but I think still not so good in the wet.
If it is dry, I expect "Rossi vs Stoner vs Pedrosa". Just like last year,another tight in the end.
Where's another Ducati's??? Oh Marco, I'm sorry for you.

Rossi (316,648 km/h) was faster then Pedrosa (312,914 km/h) in the straight (yamaha vs honda).
Do Pedrosa's spring valve will become another handicap next Sunday?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (yamaka46 @ Apr 11 2008, 09:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Sorry, you've lost me there. I said Rossi was only 0.4 behind Pedrochio. What did I miss?

Stoner was the next best B-Stone runner in 7th, 0.655 behind Rossi

FP2 in full :

1. Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda Team (M) 1min 38.507 secs
2. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team ( 1min 38.547 secs
3. Colin Edwards USA Yamaha Tech 3 (M) 1min 38.632 secs
4. Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda Team (M) 1min 38.688 secs
5. Jorge Lorenzo SPA Fiat Yamaha Team (M) 1min 38.868 secs
6. Andrea Dovizioso ITA JiR Scot Team (M) 1min 39.171 secs
7. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team ( 1min 39.202 secs
8. Shinya Nakano JPN San Carlo Honda Gresini ( 1min 39.309 secs
9. Randy de Puniet FRA LCR Honda MotoGP (M) 1min 39.332 secs
10. John Hopkins USA Kawasaki Racing Team ( 1min 39.474 secs
11. Loris Capirossi ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP ( 1min 39.591 secs
12. Chris Vermeulen AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP ( 1min 39.946 secs
13. James Toseland GBR Yamaha Tech 3 (M) 1min 40.055 secs
14. Alex de Angelis RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini ( 1min 41.033 secs
15. Marco Melandri ITA Ducati Marlboro Team ( 1min 41.112 secs
16. Anthony West AUS Kawasaki Racing Team ( 1min 41.572 secs
17. Sylvain Guintoli FRA Alice Team ( 1min 41.875 secs
18. Toni Elias SPA Alice Team ( 1min 43.262 secs
I think you just missed "0"

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (#46 @ Apr 11 2008, 02:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>If it is wet then I expect another classic battle between Rossi and Stoner. Michelin is improved but I think still not so good in the wet.
If it is dry, I expect "Rossi vs Stoner vs Pedrosa". Just like last year,another tight in the end.
Where's another Ducati's??? Oh Marco, I'm sorry for you.
I would like to share your confidence that stoner will be competitive with rossi and pedrosa (?and hayden and lorenzo) in the dry. I for some reason wasn't able to watch FP2 although I have bought the dorna package; I can only hope stoner's early misadventure was the reason for him being off the pace although it in itself is worrying. He did seem to be improving right at the end.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (yamaka46 @ Apr 11 2008, 03:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Sorry, you've lost me there. I said Rossi was only 0.4 behind Pedrochio. What did I miss?
Rossi was 0.04 behind Pedrosa, not 0.4.