Jerez Grand prix

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Crazyc @ Mar 30 2008, 08:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>yeah we went up an hour last night...


It's times like this when I ask myself Why am I paying these ........?
1 1/2 hours later I am still waiting for them to put the video back up so I can watch it.
Hell I can wait 4 more hours and watch it for free on Speed

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (michaelm @ Mar 30 2008, 01:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Stoner should have settled for position like he did last year; he really only had the pace to finish 5th at best without any mistakes. I don't think his second lose was so bad, as it probably only cost him 2 points, whereas if he had got past he might have got up into the mix for 5th. Ducati seem to have gone backwards in general ; he was closer to the pace of the front four last year, and the other ducatis were closer in pace to him.
On reflection it is hard to say whether stoner's relative pace was worse this year, as the first trip into the gravel may not have done his tyres much good. Still should not have let his ego get the better of him when it was fairly obvious before the race he could not compete with the top 4 for the win; he even said so himself.

Great race.

Dani Pedrocket kinda surprised me , even though I tipped him for second, just wish he can repeat that performance at all tracks. Its like someone switches in another battery at Spanish tracks.

The Rossi Lorenzo fight is going to be an interesting one. I honestly thought Lorenzo had Rossi's measure, but Rossi found heps today ..... even thought the race had finished a lap early but still managed second. I think Lorenzo got double cut today, still a power though he's in second now.

And suddenly Hayden finds some form

Stoner ...... all of Ducati's points so far ..... maybe now they realise they need to stop relaxing. Melandri just plain looks all wrong on that bike. Today they looked like chumps. But I be fair Stoner is cursed at Jerez

What a championships its looking like .... might be the best for years .... maybe even better ..... so many guys are possibles for the WC. It'll be interesting to see at what round a clear leader emerges .... if one does.

I am giving a mixed compliment to Pedrosa. He rode extremely well from the front- no doubt.
I can't take anything away from him. I do say that if he didnt' get away and was in 3rd or 4th after the first lap - Pedrosa may not be on the Podium. He just can't mix it up with hardened racers.

Nevertheless, Bravo to Pedrosa, Bravo!

I am pleased that Rossi pulled out a 2nd place. Even though I am a Ducati man, I find myself rooting for Rossi this year. He has a lot of demons to exorcise and he gambled big with the move to Bridgestone. I hope that it pays off for him with a Championship title.

Did I just say that? No it couldn't have come from me... No No Casey/Ducati all the way.

My big question mark for the race is Lorenzo. What happened? Could he not pass Rossi? Team orders? (doubt it) Was he in awe of Rossi, did the crowd and the hype get to him?

Anyways, I was expecting a lot more from him and he did not deliver. He is still my pick for Rookie of the year but dude you have got to produce some goods. JT may have your number when the Pneumatic valver hits Tech 3.

Hayden: I guess CEII ain't the only guy to save it on the knee and elbow. Good ride and glad that you are back to the sharp end. (minus Jorge and you are back on form from the championship days)

Glad to see Nicky's in the mix again and a well earned 4th place, he could have possibly got 3rd if it wasn't for the mistake.

I was expecting more from Lorenzo but that .... Dani was too good today.

Wow big mistakes from Stoner today but I expect normal service to resume at the next race.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Duc999 @ Mar 30 2008, 03:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>He is still my pick for Rookie of the year but dude you have got to produce some goods.

Thats extremely harsh for a rookie who is second in the world title with two consecutive podiums. He's only been beaten this season by the three best riders in the world, and thats incredible.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Duc999 @ Mar 31 2008, 01:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>My big question mark for the race is Lorenzo. What happened? Could he not pass Rossi? Team orders? (doubt it) Was he in awe of Rossi, did the crowd and the hype get to him?

There was a stage where I was thinking the same. Did look like he could so easily have gone round him at one stage but he almost seemed to prop at Rossi's mistake instead of take advantage of it ...... he did look kinda slightly more the rookie tody than Qatar, if its possible for a guy who is coming second o look a rookie

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Franco Fangio @ Mar 30 2008, 04:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Yeah, that was fun
Also Hayden stayed on his bike, it seemed he almost fell off at some point!!

Same place as Edwards had his save I think and similar save too, just not as dramatic.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BarryMachine @ Mar 30 2008, 05:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>There was a stage where I was thinking the same. Did look like he could so easily have gone round him at one stage but he almost seemed to prop at Rossi's mistake instead of take advantage of it ...... he did look kinda slightly more the rookie tody than Qatar, if its possible for a guy who is coming second o look a rookie

I think the only team order you find at Yamaha this year is "DO NOT TAKE EACH OTHER OUT". If Lorenzo had any second thoughts about passing Rossi that must have been what was on his mind.
Besides, Rossi were faster through the three first sections of the track. It was only in the last section that "everyone" where faster than him. He lost .3 to .5 there for some reason. Strange since I know those two high speed corners that make out most of the last section are among his all time favorites on any track.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BarryMachine @ Mar 30 2008, 04:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Great race.

Dani Pedrocket kinda surprised me , even though I tipped him for second, just wish he can repeat that performance at all tracks. Its like someone switches in another battery at Spanish tracks.

Yeah, that would be fantastic. Pedrobot vanishing in the front for the rest of the season. I can't imagine any more exciting setting.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Mar 30 2008, 12:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Thats extremely harsh for a rookie who is second in the world title with two consecutive podiums. He's only been beaten this season by the three best riders in the world, and thats incredible.

He is indeed a rookie, but a rookie in a factory bike. If Dovisioso and Toseland had the same lucky, I'm sure they would be producing the exact same results. The M1 combined with Michelin bubble gum qualifier is as fast as hell, we all know it.

The fact is Lorenzo comes to Jerez thinking It will be easy, specially after Qatar, where I'm sure he thought: "Oh boy, that is going to be a piece o' cake, I'm so damn good! ...oh, where is my lollipop?"

phrases like "I will be champion one day" and "Stoner is not invencible" (that's obvious) mean he is starting to think he is better than he really is, talking a lot and producing nothing special.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (gui22a @ Mar 30 2008, 04:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>1. If Dovisioso and Toseland had the same lucky, I'm sure they would be producing the exact same results.

2. The fact is Lorenzo comes to Jerez thinking It will be easy,

1. This is a pretty big claim. What you are saying is that the package does all the work and that the varying abilities of the riders is worth nothing.

2. This is far from a "fact", especially considering how many times Lorenzo has told us it is going to be difficult.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Mar 30 2008, 04:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Thats extremely harsh for a rookie who is second in the world title with two consecutive podiums. He's only been beaten this season by the three best riders in the world, and thats incredible.
Good point Tom. Good point.
He is doing extremely well for a rookie. I am just comparing him to Pedrosa (his stated nemesis) and his rookie season. 2 wins, 2 second places, 4 thirds and 4 poles.

or his idol Biaggi:2 wins, 3 seconds, 3 thirds.

Lorenzo has the talent and should extremly well, Valentino and others have said that the 800cc is a lot like the 250cc machine so he should perform.

My point is that the field is extremely close talent wise and you must make the most of every opportunity when you have it. Jerez seems like an opportunity to win that never left the ground. No one had the pace that Lorenzo had all week. On paper he should have been able to do a Pedrosa and disappear.

Pedrosa doesn't let opportunities like that slip by. If Jorge is going to be the number 1 Spanish rider he better deliever when the chips are in his favor.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Babelfish @ Mar 30 2008, 04:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I think the only team order you find at Yamaha this year is "DO NOT TAKE EACH OTHER OUT". If Lorenzo had any second thoughts about passing Rossi that must have been what was on his mind.
Besides, Rossi were faster through the three first sections of the track. It was only in the last section that "everyone" where faster than him. He lost .3 to .5 there for some reason. Strange since I know those two high speed corners that make out most of the last section are among his all time favorites on any track.

Yes good point. Rossi told Italian TV after the race that he was excperiencing chattering in the last three corners, while he could enjoy riding the bike in the rest of the track. It figures.

Regarding the reason why Lorenzo could not pass Rossi, that's simply because Rossi, in the race, had better pace than him. It wasn't Lorenzo being slower than expected, it was Rossi and (above all) Pedrosa being faster than expected.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Duc999 @ Mar 30 2008, 04:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>No one had the pace that Lorenzo had all week. On paper he should have been able to do a Pedrosa and disappear.

Rossi and Pedrosa were both less than a tenth behind on race tyres and we know that with their experience they often race foreward from there. I think it would be much more appropriate to admire Lorenzo's incredible work in qualifying than it would to act like he underperformed by any means. Two consecutive podiums as a rookie has not been done since Biaggi was the new boy so that covers the equivalent performances of Rossi, Pedrosa and Stoner.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Mar 30 2008, 12:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>1. This is a pretty big claim. What you are saying is that the package does all the work and that the varying abilities of the riders is worth nothing.

2. This is far from a "fact", especially considering how many times Lorenzo has told us it is going to be difficult.

1. As big as you are now probably saying Lorenzo is better than Toseland and Dovisioso.

2. he is not going to hit TV saying every rider else is a dumb.

IMO I don't see any special in a 2nd and 3rd place for a factory rookie rider, just a good result.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (gui22a @ Mar 30 2008, 04:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>1. As big as you are now probably saying Lorenzo is better than Toseland and Dovisioso.

2. he is not going to hit TV saying every rider else is a dumb.

IMO I don't see any special in a 2nd and 3rd place for a factory rookie rider, just a good result.

Well based on what we have seen Lorenzo clearly is better than Toseland and Doviziozo, but of course thats because i believe that the rider actually counts for something in motogp. I don't think Lorenzos result was remarkable, but it was still impressive in the greater scheme of things.

As for him thinking its easy, i think you have severely underestimated the intelligence of motorcycle racers at this level. There is no way Jorge is foolish enough to think he would easily win his second ever race.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (J4rn0 @ Mar 30 2008, 05:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Yes good point. Rossi told Italian TV after the race that he was excperiencing chattering in the last three corners, while he could enjoy riding the bike in the rest of the track. It figures.

Regarding the reason why Lorenzo could not pass Rossi, that's simply because Rossi, in the race, had better pace than him. It wasn't Lorenzo being slower than expected, it was Rossi and (above all) Pedrosa being faster than expected.

Strange that he didn't sort that out as this has been his slow section all weekend. It's usually a place he goes very well ans at first I even thought he held back to fool the time charts.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Mar 30 2008, 05:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>As for him thinking its easy, i think you have severely underestimated the intelligence of motorcycle racers at this level.

Is that possible, at any level

3 hours later and still no race video on MotoGp.com