Estoril Race **Spoiler**

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Keshav @ Sep 17 2007, 03:35 PM) [snapback]91136[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Stoner clearly said that the issue was his clutch and all the false neutrals. I was impressed. Despite that, once he adjusted, he left Hayden in the dust and was closing in on Pedrosa and Rossi. Another five laps and he would have had second place. The boy can ride. Watch him tie it up next week.

I think I read somewhere that Rossis and Pedrosas last lap were 1:37.7. I think Stoner did 1.38s most of the race. The reason he closed at the end was because Rossi and Pedrosa was losing time battling with each other.

Maybe someone can confirm those times.

Btw, does anybody have fastest lap times for all riders on the grid?

Most of you know I am not a Rossi fan.

Having said that. I must admit, Rossi’s post race interview comments regarding the tragic death of Mr. McRae produce a warming up toward Rossi. Keep in mind, Rossi has had a run of poor performances and some bad luck to boot, so I expected him to relish in this fantastic win; however, He gained much respect from me to have the presence of mind to first pay respects to this loss in motorsports.

So I genuinely admit that I was very happy for Rossi.

Pedrosa is easily the rider I dislike the most, but I was impressed with his willingness to mix it up with Rossi. He has improved a few weaknesses this year: wet race performance, willingness to battle for position, and late braking. It obvious that Repsol continues to bank all their hopes in him as evidenced that they told him on his pit board that Hayden had set the fastest lap.

Considering that Stoner was the top Bridgestone among a Michelin sandwich, it further solidifies in my mind that it is the rider (Casey), and not his package, that has made all the difference this season. If Stoner wins the championship, he is overwhelmingly deserving of it.

Hayden didn’t get a great start and spent his tires trying to make up for it. He obviously had the pace, setting the fastest lap, but it was disappointing for me to see him not able to make it a four way battle. His battles with Melandri showed much determination. Considering what the season has been like, and his status on the team, Id’ say his performance was fair.

Other notes about the race:
What happened to the Suzukis? Can somebody explain why they were running so well in the last couple of races and dropped off the map this race?

Kawasaki was a major disappointment. If last year was any indication of what happens the following year, then I fully expect Depuniet to be the champ in 08. (it could happen, just look at 07)

I couldn’t help but notice how many engine/tire failures occurred in the race. This made me think about the reliability of Stoner’s bike all year. Wow, not only has their rider been flawless, but also their mechanics have been fantastic.

It’s easy to forget that Toni Elias is still healing from the femur fracture based on how he battles for position. Even though it was further back of the pack, he shows that he is a determined and talented rider.

Lastly, God has abandoned Team Roberts.


Side note: Has anybody noticed how toned down some members have been this post-race thread? Humble Pie goes best with a warm glass of modesty.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(drumfu @ Sep 17 2007, 05:31 PM) [snapback]91158[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
it was a good race, but for the wrong reasons. i think making a claim that yamaha/honda/michelin are back is jumping the gun way too early. if stoner had not had a problem with the machinery, we'd have different results... casey taking the win with rossi and pedrosa in tow.

if the bike is 100% at motegi, it's gonna be a another <strike>yawnfest</strike> slaughter.

Maybe, maybe not. Pedrosa and Rossi hung with Stoner just fine the first 4-5 laps when he didn't have the clutch problem. He wasn't able to break away like he has done the last couple of races. Rossi did a 1:37.5. Could Stoner have gone even faster than that? Maybe, maybe not. Who knows?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Fred00 @ Sep 17 2007, 07:34 PM) [snapback]91165[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Maybe, maybe not. Pedrosa and Rossi hung with Stoner just fine the first 4-5 laps when he didn't have the clutch problem. He wasn't able to break away like he has done the last couple of races. Rossi did a 1:37.5. Could Stoner have gone even faster than that? Maybe, maybe not. Who knows?

At the end of the day it was a superb race.If bikes or riders have problems thats all part and parcel of the game.Have to admit though, that in thirty years of seeing some great riders Rossi is something else.Since he joined yamaha no other rider has managed to win on a yamaha.His father was a very good rider but his son is a genius.Stoner has had some unfair things said about him.He can do no more than what he is doing.Which is a fantastic job.Could see how good he was in the mro superteens series in England a few years ago.He will be a worthy champion if he takes the title but only time will tell if he or anyone else in the future will be as close to Rossi and what he has achieved in this sport.Everything about the man says class.How he celebrates a win and how he takes defeat says everything about him.He is a true champion not only in this sport but across sport in general.We as fans will only realise what we had when he finally stops racing.All riders at the top level are true giants but his stats speak for themselves.Roll on Motegi and lets hope for another great race regardless who wins.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(roger-m @ Sep 16 2007, 04:13 PM) [snapback]90933[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
agree with all that except the highlighted bit.

not a good day for the aussies.
stoner only caught up briefly because of the front battle.
ant west is crap
dunno what happened to cv.

im berry berry appy


I have just spent 3 days in cardiff-very nice town. You really have problems sporting-wise with the media in the uk roger; I will never again say that motogp doesn't get big coverage in australia. You seem to have a sporting mono-culture. Both the general and sporting news are completely obssessed with football/ soccer, and not even international soccer; the scottish second division gets more coverage than formula 1 on sky sportsnews, let alone motogp.

Congratulations to rossi for what sounds like a good win, although I have no way of knowing this.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(michaelm @ Sep 17 2007, 08:55 PM) [snapback]91170[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
I have just spent 3 days in cardiff-very nice town. You really have problems sporting-wise with the media in the uk roger; I will never again say that motogp doesn't get big coverage in australia. You seem to have a sporting mono-culture. Both the general and sporting news are completely obssessed with football/ soccer, and not even international soccer; the scottish second division gets more coverage than formula 1 on sky sportsnews, let alone motogp.

Congratulations to rossi for what sounds like a good win, although I have no way of knowing this.

bloody football and tennis seem to rule our sports channel's as you have witnessed, but we do get motogp on 2 channels, british eurosport and bbc2 but if theres a tennis match or something else going on,motogp show will be cropped short
glad you had a good time in cardiff, thats about a 2 1/2 hour drive from me, if your into cricket, i live about a mile from the rose bowl.

What happened to Stoner on lap number 9? He clocked a 1'39"111

Anyways.. I remember getting flack from some asshats saying that Pedrosa on a similar bike/tire would pass CS just like back on the 250s and if Rossi got some better tires and more powa he'd also stick it to Stoner.. guess I was right.

Cracking race!

Rossi - Rode superbly, made his move on Dani at the right time

Pedrosa - you could see how hard he was pushing the Honda, great stuff

Stoner - hitting false neutrals is not much fun, to have a bike with no engine braking and still get on the podium, 1.4 seconds down on first, amazing

Excuses, excuses... Stoner's a whinger, if he's finishing on the podium, his bike's fine FFS...

One bad thing about the result is we wont get to read THE TOP TEN LIST by Rising Sun

good too see rossi humble in his win again ............ NOT!!!

cant wait to see him get smashed again in japan

Not happy hay pinky! I honestly dont think that stoner had anything wrong with his bike. Just got done because bikes and tyres are getting more even.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pinky @ Sep 17 2007, 07:50 PM) [snapback]91213[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
good too see rossi humble in his win again ............ NOT!!!

cant wait to see him get smashed again in japan

I guess Stoner doesn't walk on water like some might want to believe, eh.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(antfan @ Sep 18 2007, 11:19 AM) [snapback]91206[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Excuses, excuses... Stoner's a whinger, if he's finishing on the podium, his bike's fine FFS...


seems everyone has excuses FFS;

Anthony West: 12th Position
"I felt really, really good in the first few laps and the bike felt right: everything worked together and made me feel I could pass everyone in front of me. I kept making up places but all of a sudden I had problems with some sliding at the front. There were a number of times I felt uneasy, so I changed my riding style a bit to push the rear some more, but that wasn't very helpful and caused some spinning. I've struggled here all weekend but I'm looking forward to Motegi and I'm sure we can iron out these issues."

rossi needs to learn abit about humility. cant wait to see lorenzo move to motgp instead of racing the same dead beats for years on end. he'll have his stuffing beat out of him soon too

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Morgo @ Sep 18 2007, 01:41 PM) [snapback]91214[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Not happy hay pinky! I honestly dont think that stoner had anything wrong with his bike. Just got done because bikes and tyres are getting more even.


I was wondering why folk were saying that??

I was watching purely the live timing and for the first part of the race Stoner was popping out lap times in the 1'37"'s then all of a sudden 1'38".... ( 0.5 sec slower a lap ) and he lost places, nearly went back to Hayden, .... then he started to pick up again ..... so I'm believing Stoner on this one, as it did seem very odd.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BarryMachine @ Sep 18 2007, 03:48 PM) [snapback]91220[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
I was wondering why folk were saying that??

I was watching purely the live timing and for the first part of the race Stoner was popping out lap times in the 1'37"'s then all of a sudden 1'38".... ( 0.5 sec slower a lap ) and he lost places, nearly went back to Hayden, .... then he started to pick up again ..... so I'm believing Stoner on this one, as it did seem very odd.



man when stoner got off the bike he went straight to his team and explained his problem. as if he would make that .... up. the team has all the telemetry.

..... couch experts

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(antfan @ Sep 18 2007, 11:19 AM) [snapback]91206[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Excuses, excuses... Stoner's a whinger, if he's finishing on the podium, his bike's fine FFS...

What happened to westy mate??

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pinky @ Sep 18 2007, 03:56 PM) [snapback]91223[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
man when stoner got off the bike he went straight to his team and explained his problem. as if he would make that .... up. the team has all the telemetry.



Suppo still loves him, thats all that counts ... still raves about Casey .... wish all bosses were like that guy LOL

I love the way the Ducati guys have kept up there expressions of awe and appreciation of Stoner .... sometimes I think "gee guys give your bike some credit some times will ya!!" .... it seemed odd to me but early on everyone but Ducati were saying the Ducati was the best bike ...... and Suppo!! he keeps saying things that suggested that it was Stoner and not the bike

well if they kept the status quo this season, gibernau and deloris, then ducati would again be mid pack, trying to chase its own tail.