Jerez Grand prix

Pedrosa reminds me of Mika Hakkinen..when the package is working and he gets in front,it's really hard to beat him..but when he needs to fight against someone 1 on 1 he's not that good..not taking anything away from him in regards to today's race,after all you need to get yourself to the front but if I had to pick the next WC from Spain my money would be on Lorenzo...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Babelfish @ Mar 30 2008, 05:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>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.

Actually, I think it is really rare that riders sandbag or hide - unless they have a really big advantage over the rest of the competition and can relax (like Rossi in 2003 or 2005 for example), they got to try and see where the limit is during practice, and use those short hours well. Rossi can not afford to waste precious practice time any more, especially now that he is setting up his Yamaha for the Bridgestones.

Probably they could not find one setup that was equally fast on all T's, and they 'sacrificed' T4 where he maybe could limit damages better. Who knows.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (JohnnyKnockdown @ Mar 30 2008, 05:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>
3 hours later and still no race video on MotoGp.com
Thanks for the warning, I missed the race because of work and i was considering getting the package for future reces, but if they cant get it up in 3 hours they can go jump..............

Okay now that I've gotten some sleep I can give a real review. I'll follow Migs' model.

1. Pedrosa - I hate to say it but he finally did the business at Jerez, nobody was going to beat him today. He's leading the championship. That's never happened to him in his career.
2. Rossi - an unbelievable ride for a Bridgestone shod machine
3. Lorenzo - complete choke I'm guessing he got his tires wrong. The press conference corroborated this guess.
4. Hayden - 1/2 choke. The commentators revealed before the race that all of his spec parts are still not ready (didn't I say bits and pieces would go missing this weekend, I play it off as a joke, but my conspiracies are true ). Nevertheless, he figured out how to get rid of his front end push, he was the fastest man on track, then two huge mistakes in turn 1 on consecutive laps. He should have been second and he knows it.
5. Capirossi - what a great ride and congrats to Suzuki, he inherited the place from two rookies getting overzealous on the last bend but taking advantage of your opportunities is 9/10 of racing
6. Toser - too bad you're binging yourself into the flu, great ride nonetheless. I love watching you intimidate people. Where has that been since 2006. Its like someone made a rule that says you can't shove these prima donnas around when the 800s came out. Thankfully, you haven't read it.
7. Hopper - Kawasaki can't be more pleased. You've ridden well at a bogey track. You are 9 points clear of DePunt's '07 tally and you have matched your points tally at this time last year as well.
8. Dovi - great job to recover from a terrible qualifying session. You made a horrendous mistake and last 4 places in the final corner. Ooops, you had visions of Repsol dancing in your head and you got swallowed up by the battle-hardened mercenaries of the mid pack (I consider Toseland to be part of that clan. Have you seen the way he races?)
9. Nakano-not bad. I ditched you from my fantasy team and now I'm regretting it. Solid points scoring from the cheapest rider in the league.
10. Verme - he's such a nice guy but he needs to snap. He's been getting owned by the not so nice midpack melee. Does this guy have the ability to get mean?
11. Disaster. He wasn't going to hold third from Nicky. Why did he panic? Bad break with Nakano. He almost salvaged the weekend then off he goes again. He is always shooting people these looks like he had a right to his line. Welcome to the big leagues, #1 is the focal point of their rage.
12. Melandri - for crying out loud. Race harder or crash trying. This is awful. Casey went off twice and he still beat you by over 2 seconds?
13. West - he's doing just as well as DePunt and OJ last year and he's probably cheaper. Kwak can't complain. Kawi paid 2.5 million for Hopper, do they even have any team resources left for West?
14. DeAngelis - he needs to find another day job. The preseason was filed with promise, now he's playing in the gravel or riding scared. That bike won't improve this season, he's done.
15. Elias - he's better than Guintoli. I'd bet anything that both he and Gresini wish they were still working together.
16. Guintoli - give up

Edwards - your swan song is playing. Turn it up.
DePuniet - LCR score another DNF?! shock

I'm looking forward to Estoril. Hayden will have his remaining parts (in theory), Toseland gets the pneumatic lump just in time for Estori's 1km straight. Two more guys should be joining the pointy-end party.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Son of Doohan @ Mar 30 2008, 12:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Holy FK!!! I wonder whether the 250's are a sign of things to come! Crazy move by Simoncelli on Bautista!

Actually, Bautista's bike apparently died on that bend. If you re-watch you'll notice his bike slows down before Simo slams into him. When they got up in the kitty litter Bautista walked towards Simo to apologise and Simo apparently thought Alvaro was going to be mad at him but he only wanted to say sorry and Simo was so relieved they weren't going to end up slapping each other around that he gave him a hug. Awwww.... At least that was Simoncelli's version of things.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (roger-m @ Mar 30 2008, 02:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>the king of spain taking lorenzos and danis hand and making them shake was priceless look to me like the king is a real motogp fan
Haha...noticed how please Juan looked to be chatting to Vale?
And anyone else notice that when Dani was 3 seconds ahead of Vale, Puig was holding out a pitboard that read 1.1 seconds????? The commentators on Italian telly were a bit upset about that, saying he was being irresponsible but Agostini and Cecchinelli shot that down saying it's common practice.

As for the race, well done to Dani. I was thrilled to see Rossi do so well at what's considered to be a Michelin track and it was so so weird to see him in a red B'Stone podium cap! I was pleased for Hayden, especially that he pulled an "Edwards" out of his hat to save himself at one point and think Dovi ran a great race. I like Toseland but think his finishing line stunt was a bit over the top. Capirossi, a man who never speaks evil of anyone, actually commented about it being maybe a little too much. As for Melandri, I just hope that seeing Stoner suffer today will teach him the Ducati might be a great little beast, but it doesn't bloody ride itself. I have hopes though because his lap time was only 0.4s behind Casey's at one point whereas it's normally closer to 2s. So am hoping he'll gain a bit of confidence with that even though Casey was really not there at all today. Right from the start. Maybe he just hates the track.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Bikergirl @ Mar 30 2008, 06:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I like Toseland but think his finishing line stunt was a bit over the top. Capirossi, a man who never speaks evil of anyone, actually commented about it being maybe a little too much. .

Maybe he shouldn't be such an old woman and remember it's racing.

@ Rossi thinking the race was finished would've been funny if Lorenzo and Nicky just strolled past him.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (pacman @ Mar 30 2008, 06:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'> @ Rossi thinking the race was finished would've been funny if Lorenzo and Nicky just strolled past him.
No it wouldn't!

+'s of the race
Dani ran a perfect race (even though I was praying for a big mistake)
Vale looks like he is gelling with the bridgestones
Jorge got the job done. It was great seeing his lines compared to Rossi's.
Nicky was a BIG IMPROVEMENT from the last race (he just needs to learn how not to get rattled)
The battle for fifth place. Glad Loris is showing Ducati what a BIG mistake they made.

-'s of the race
Dani won the race
Casey, if he hadn't made that second mistake he could have been battling for at least 5th place.
I would have like to seen more of the battle for fifth.
Dani's press interview after the race. You could even hear the low level of excitement when he was asked about the race. Dani needs to swallow the champaign or take some uppers

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Bikergirl @ Mar 30 2008, 06:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I like Toseland but think his finishing line stunt was a bit over the top.

Forgive me for not watching properley but what stunt was this, i didn't see anything extreme from JT?

Dovi went too deep in the last corner and JT kinda let him through but Loris took advantage of that and went by JT at the exit of the corner..not really a stunt IMO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6g4VOGR7o6E

I just finished watching it (Thank you Spud TV). Congrates to Honda for dominating the race. Dani stunk up the whole race. Lorenzo nearly cost himself a finish about halfway through when he lost the front end. Rossi had a great race, but could not get too far ahead of his teammate. Hayden had a great turnaround to 2007 and Qatar.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Bikergirl @ Mar 30 2008, 06:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Actually, Bautista's bike apparently died on that bend. If you re-watch you'll notice his bike slows down before Simo slams into him. When they got up in the kitty litter Bautista walked towards Simo to apologise and Simo apparently thought Alvaro was going to be mad at him but he only wanted to say sorry and Simo was so relieved they weren't going to end up slapping each other around that he gave him a hug. Awwww.... At least that was Simoncelli's version of things.
Yeah Spanish press says also that Bautista's engine seized, which I guess explains why, Bautista wanted to hug Simoncelli instead of kill him.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <div class='quotemain'>Haha...noticed how please Juan looked to be chatting to Vale?
And anyone else notice that when Dani was 3 seconds ahead of Vale, Puig was holding out a pitboard that read 1.1 seconds????? The commentators on Italian telly were a bit upset about that, saying he was being irresponsible but Agostini and Cecchinelli shot that down saying it's common practice.
Seen it many times, I was surprised that the commentators were so interested in that. It's the first race I see in Italia1 and it's not so bad, though I guess "spaventoso" is his favourite word I think he said it about 100 times in quali yesterday.

check out the save from Edwards

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uztx4tsJibE

I'm sure Stoner will bounce back in Estoril.

And for the first time, I'm really wanna see Rossi going on with him.

Rossi and Stoner battle's was historic. I'm starting to yearn last year.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (gui22a @ Mar 30 2008, 05:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I'm sure Stoner will bounce back in Estoril.

And for the first time, I'm really wanna see Rossi going on with him.

Rossi and Stoner battle's was historic. I'm starting to yearn last year.

They were saying on the television during the race Ducati said they would probably going to struggle at Estoril.


Gosh, Casey sucks at qualifying. He was in row 3 at Qatar, and was again in row 3 for Jerez.

1. Pedrosa - Great ride, the puppet master was on today controlling pedrochio
2. Rossi - I thought he was gonna be closer by the end when he was slowly gaining on pedrosa but that repsol just kept on chuggin
3. Lorenzo - I didnt think this was a chokejob, hes a rookie and has 2 straight podiums congrats
4. Hayden - Colin edwards goes down, and hayden grabs his save for the day. Those amreicans know how to crash and to save, but always push it
5. Capirossi - good ride on a suzuki, and was the winner of the best race of the day for 5th
6. Toser - great show of balls. He just bashes his way through other riders, which I love, because whats motorcycle racing without balls?
7. Hopper - Great great ride, showin he's getting back to full health and pushin to improve that lackluster kawasaki and beating ur teammate is always good too.
8. Dovi - He's pushed hard but didnt win that battle for 5th and got beatup by a fellow rookie rider in toseland
9. Nakano- bravo, beyond expectations, but still not fabulous
10. Verme - Aussy bad day
11. Stoner- Aussy REALLY bad day
12. Melandri - hahaha..... hahaha..... ur teammate smokes you, when he runs wide TWICE!
13. West - Not bad, plus I like the way the announcers pronounce his name - ANT-OUNY
14. DeAngelis - Gay pride doesnt always win, go back to The Village
15. Elias - Almost picked u on my fantasy.... weoh I dodged a bullet... a really slow bullet....
16. Guintoli - shhhh, its ok, at least you finished right?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Dylan @ Mar 30 2008, 05:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>1. Pedrosa - Great ride, the puppet master was on today controlling pedrochio
2. Rossi - I thought he was gonna be closer by the end when he was slowly gaining on pedrosa but that repsol just kept on chuggin
3. Lorenzo - I didnt think this was a chokejob, hes a rookie and has 2 straight podiums congrats
4. Hayden - Colin edwards goes down, and hayden grabs his save for the day. Those amreicans know how to crash and to save, but always push it
5. Capirossi - good ride on a suzuki, and was the winner of the best race of the day for 5th
6. Toser - great show of balls. He just bashes his way through other riders, which I love, because whats motorcycle racing without balls?
7. Hopper - Great great ride, showin he's getting back to full health and pushin to improve that lackluster kawasaki and beating ur teammate is always good too.
8. Dovi - He's pushed hard but didnt win that battle for 5th and got beatup by a fellow rookie rider in toseland
9. Nakano- bravo, beyond expectations, but still not fabulous
10. Verme - Aussy bad day
11. Stoner- Aussy REALLY bad day
12. Melandri - hahaha..... hahaha..... ur teammate smokes you, when he runs wide TWICE!
13. West - Not bad, plus I like the way the announcers pronounce his name - ANT-OUNY
14. DeAngelis - Gay pride doesnt always win, go back to The Village
15. Elias - Almost picked u on my fantasy.... weoh I dodged a bullet... a really slow bullet....
16. Guintoli - shhhh, its ok, at least you finished right?

That is how I believe they say the name Anthony. Nicky kicked butt. Showed he is fast, and quieted many people who think he was done, including myself.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Dylan @ Mar 30 2008, 10:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>5. Capirossi - good ride on a suzuki, and was the winner of the best race of the day for 5th
10. Verme - Aussy bad day

These two can go suck an egg. JT wasn't being over-aggressive. He was racing for God's sake! This ain't a procession guys!

Rossi sure brought down Pedrosa's lead near the end. I can't wait to see the old Doctor back.

Toseland did great considering how ill he was. I love his attitude, he appreciates what he does and just wants to do a good job.