Grand Prix of China

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Valentino Is God @ Apr 26 2007, 10:31 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I think the actual finish line is under the "UFO" to the right of the picture isn't it? i'm not sure though can't remember the end of the F1 or Moto GP last year.

It’s very twisty with two of them long straights, but very much ‘stop & go’ as several riders have described I think.

http://www.icsh.sh.cn/english/content/2005...ent_1405345.htm

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<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Valentino Is God @ Apr 26 2007, 03:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>The ducati doesn't seem bad around the turns this year though and those straights may be like at Qatar give Stoner enough of a gap that by the time the other bike (at Qatar, Rossi) has caught up they are back around at the straights again!

Ducati was probably the most powerful bike (probably desmo related) plus they had that super flexible trellis frame and they had mediocre bridgestones.

This year they have ~20% less power, so no more chassis bs, no more fiddling with the firing order to reduce power, and much improved Bridgestones.

I love Ducati, but sometimes they do silly things. Chassis flex is great for handling and it helps make acceleration predictable and controllable while the bike is on its side. During the 990cc era that was useless because no one was touching the accelerator until the bike was nearly upright. So whats the point in having a mushy frame?

This year it seems to be working brilliantly though.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (250stroker @ Apr 26 2007, 11:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>You've got to fancy the Ducati's in China.The track is perfectly designed for their bikes,the Bridgestones seem to work pretty good too.The problem for everyone else is being able to get in the Slipstream of the Dukes on the straight,the Honda's don't look quick enough,or the Yamaha's,on last weekends speed trap top ends,only the Suzuki looks any where near quick enough.Could be interesting if Elias is fighting for places with Rossi again

The Ducatis and Sotner are the obvious favorites but then again, mabe not so much of an obvious choise when we look closer. They didn't do well last year where we saw dani, nicky and collins on the podium.
I think the Yamahas have some more power now, close to Hondas power, at least it could look like that in turkey, but then again with the high speed corner 9 there it's hard to say.
I suspect that this it not a favorite 'stones track. Question is, are they good enough to win even on a "bad" track? The other question is: How much of Ducatis huge power advantage are still there, 8 weeks after Quatar?
With these questions still open I find it hard to predict anything before the practice is well underway.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (DrDanMD @ Apr 27 2007, 12:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Im thinking of somehow managing to get ducati in my fantasy team.....
yeah me to. come on ben, give us our turkey points and money so we can start doing the math.