Jerez Grand prix

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BarryMachine @ Mar 31 2008, 01:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Good point ......

At Qatar Dani was in the thick of it ...... ok he had a stuffed up hand but he still battled all the way even making a comeback after being overtaken by some of the best riders in the world.

When a rider gets out in front and dissappears thats the best ride ever ..... I was actually a bit pissed that they didn't show more of him cos he was riding like a demon from the snippets we did see.

But hey I'd rather watch 1 good rider lapping ad nauseum than several slower riders swapping places in the freight train. Horses for courses I guess.

i think its good to have variety and the 125's and 250's provide that, theyre the races i most look forward to in the weekend but by the end of the 250's i actually like having a bit of a run away (providing its my rider leading of course ) to calm my nerves! i wouldnt want every race to be like that and i wouldnt want Dani to win all the time either because that would bore me as well. as long as the season is exciting overall i will be happy, its inevitable that not every race will be a 5 man dice and thats fine by me.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (stop_killing_dead_things @ Mar 31 2008, 11:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>i think its good to have variety and the 125's and 250's provide that, theyre the races i most look forward to in the weekend but by the end of the 250's i actually like having a bit of a run away (providing its my rider leading of course ) to calm my nerves! i wouldnt want every race to be like that and i wouldnt want Dani to win all the time either because that would bore me as well. as long as the season is exciting overall i will be happy, its inevitable that not every race will be a 5 man dice and thats fine by me.


But you got to admit its great to see a guy put in a supreme ride occasionally ... just wish they had followed him more with the camera cos he was on the limit in some of the short segments I saw.

So far in 08 Pedrosa has proved he can come through the pack ( especially Qatar start ), can battle through placings ( Qatar ) and lead in style for the perfect race ...... Jerez.

Good races.....glad to see Stoner where he belongs.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Mar 31 2008, 12:59 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Here we go again, are you kidding?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BarryMachine @ Mar 31 2008, 04:01 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Good point ......

At Qatar Dani was in the thick of it ...... ok he had a stuffed up hand but he still battled all the way even making a comeback after being overtaken by some of the best riders in the world.

When a rider gets out in front and dissappears thats the best ride ever ..... I was actually a bit pissed that they didn't show more of him cos he was riding like a demon from the snippets we did see.

But hey I'd rather watch 1 good rider lapping ad nauseum than several slower riders swapping places in the freight train. Horses for courses I guess.

The question is do you wanna see a runaway race or a closely fought race for the podium spots.

Everyone has an opinion. I am guessing you are in the extreme minority on this one. I am even going to go out on a limb here and say 99% of race fans will disagree with you. But hey, it takes all kinds, it takes all kinds.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (xx CURVE xx @ Mar 31 2008, 02:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Good races.....glad to see Stoner where he belongs.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Caseyfan @ Mar 31 2008, 11:55 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>

Congrats to Pedrosa. (he still won’t win the championship unless something really bad happens to Rossi/Stoner). But a very impressive win. He has riding talent backed up by complete factory support.

Rossi rode great. I had him picked to win… 2nd isn’t that far off. He’s learning the Bridgestones, and he will continue to improve. He will still be one of two at the end.

Lorenzo did outstanding. I don’t quite get why a few think he disappointed. Two podiums in two races in rookie season. I guess people had a high expectation because he got pole and good practice, goes to show everybody that doesn’t mean ..... Pole and race are two different endeavors, and I think he did well enough in both. I still think he will give Pedrosa a run for third in the points this year.

Hayden did well. It could have gone both ways DNF or a podium finish. All things considered, a 4th was good. (Interesting how updates to his equipment always seem to produce improvements in his results, oh but wait, it’s just us conspiracy theorists). Obviously still not good enough, but his riding talent should NOT be in question, just the biases of those calling for his removal from the factory team.

Capirossi, gifted 5th, veteran who was smart enough to take a gift from Dovi.

Toesland, proves that you can bash your way up the grid and still be loved. (Unlike the vilified Elias). Lesson to be learned: Hayden could learn from Toesland's willingness to muscle his way up to compensate for equipment. So far, he has provided the most excitement and breath of fresh air to the top primo Danas.

Hopkins, gifted 7th, but hey, that’s racing.

Dovi. I’m starting to like this guy. He obviously understands that racing is about him getting the best result possible regardless of the fame and status of those on the grid with him. He deserves his MotoGP seat.


Other mentionables:

Stoner, I guess he does NOT walk on water like Pinky & The Friend would like us to think. However, he did well not to come off his bike. I don’t think he did as bad as some make it out. The first mistake was more minor than his second one, which was a bit of bad luck coupled with impatience. Bad luck in that Nakano also went for the pass at the exact moment he did, and impatience in that he could have sorted out a pass cleanly at another section of the track. Well he doesn’t walk on water, but he was generally flawless up to this point, which shows he is human. I think he will bounce back and continue the march next round. I was impressed with his determination (heart of a champion) he didn’t give up and throw in the towel. I don’t buy that it was a machine issue, he had an excellent start and was there fighting for 3rd when he made a split-second mistake. If anything, it was more a mental mistake rather than a lapse in ability. All, in all, I still think he will win the championship.

Edwards, was better than he showed, he made an uncharacteristic mistake. If you noticed, the commentators struggled to remember the times he has crashed in a race. That’s because he does NOT do it often. So he made a mistake, I still think he will be ok and show us he deserves to be in MotoGP, and the dividends of being on a team outside of Rossi. (You’ll see Vale4607).

Other Ducatis. Nightmare continues.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Apr 1 2008, 07:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Stoner, I guess he does NOT walk on water like Pinky & The Friend would like us to think. However, he did well not to come off his bike. I don’t think he did as bad as some make it out. The first mistake was more minor than his second one, which was a bit of bad luck coupled with impatience. Bad luck in that Nakano also went for the pass at the exact moment he did, and impatience in that he could have sorted out a pass cleanly at another section of the track. Well he doesn’t walk on water, but he was generally flawless up to this point, which shows he is human. I think he will bounce back and continue the march next round. I was impressed with his determination (heart of a champion) he didn’t give up and throw in the towel. I don’t buy that it was a machine issue, he had an excellent start and was there fighting for 3rd when he made a split-second mistake. If anything, it was more a mental mistake rather than a lapse in ability. All, in all, I still think he will win the championship.

I think with Stoner it all snowballs .... eg. Motegi 07. ( only clouded by the fact he kinda lucked the WC on that day ..... he was on a bad day then too )

I find myself looking at the faces around him to get an idea on the day as to his demeanor .... hence how he will go. He looked worried early at Jerez. I thik the place has him spooked. He was going great in early practice then .... bam ... he has an off and he slowed after that. Then all faces looked worried ...... especially look on the face of Adriana ..... she's a good thermometer

Stoner is riding on "divine confidence" with the Duc., he has to bolck out the fact that it is fighting him back, but when something like a crash forces reality onto him then he seems to take heed.

I think its Stoner when he goes bad ..... bit for the same reason I think its Stoner when he goes good. But ..... the other riders have shown that its not the Duc. when he goes good. If he wins on the Duc. its been one of the hardest rides out there. Still he can do it ...... so its him who has lost "it" when it all goes belly up.

Hope he finds "it" again it will be great to see two riders way out front ...... or at least two riders riding like Pedrosa at Jerez and Stoner at Qatar/Laguna/Brno/Donny etc.etc.etc.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BarryMachine @ Mar 31 2008, 11:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I think with Stoner it all snowballs .... eg. Motegi 07. ( only clouded by the fact he kinda lucked the WC on that day ..... he was on a bad day then too )

I find myself looking at the faces around him to get an idea on the day as to his demeanor .... hence how he will go. He looked worried early at Jerez. I thik the place has him spooked. He was going great in early practice then .... bam ... he has an off and he slowed after that. Then all faces looked worried ...... especially look on the face of Adriana ..... she's a good thermometer

Stoner is riding on "divine confidence" with the Duc., he has to bolck out the fact that it is fighting him back, but when something like a crash forces reality onto him then he seems to take heed.

I think its Stoner when he goes bad ..... bit for the same reason I think its Stoner when he goes good. But ..... the other riders have shown that its not the Duc. when he goes good. If he wins on the Duc. its been one of the hardest rides out there. Still he can do it ...... so its him who has lost "it" when it all goes belly up.

Hope he finds "it" again it will be great to see two riders way out front ...... or at least two riders riding like Pedrosa at Jerez and Stoner at Qatar/Laguna/Brno/Donny etc.etc.etc.

Great post, I agree 100%

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BarryMachine @ Mar 31 2008, 03:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I find myself looking at the faces around him to get an idea on the day as to his demeanor .... hence how he will go. He looked worried early at Jerez. I thik the place has him spooked. He was going great in early practice then .... bam ... he has an off and he slowed after that. Then all faces looked worried ......
Maybe a black cat ran in front of him....

I don't buy the "spooked" thing. Is he superstitious or something that I haven't read about? Is there something to this effect written in the Australian press?

I just think it was a minor mistake with major consequence because at a time all the bikes were bunched together. Had he made that first mistake 3/4 race, he would NOT have lost as many positions. His second, being much more sever, lost no positions because everybody was spread out. For me it was quite simple, he made a couple of riding errors, nothing more. Racing is an endeavor where these guys are on the extreme edge all the time. Look at Hayden, he cruised to a 4th, but could have just as easily been a DNF. He saved it with skill and luck. Nothing more nothing less happened with Stoner.


Oh, I forgot to add to my post race analysis:

Depuniet, crashed. What?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Apr 1 2008, 09:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I don't buy the "spooked" thing. Is he superstitious or something that I haven't read about? Is there something to this effect written in the Australian press?

He prays before each race ....

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Apr 1 2008, 07:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Edwards, was better than he showed, he made an uncharacteristic mistake. If you noticed, the commentators struggled to remember the times he has crashed in a race. That’s because he does NOT do it often. So he made a mistake, I still think he will be ok and show us he deserves to be in MotoGP, and the dividends of being on a team outside of Rossi. (You’ll see Vale4607).
Where there's a will, Edwards will find a way to get beaten by his team mate.

i would bet edwards would never win a race in his life, but the odds are too low for me to even bother

bit late but hey. race was a bit of a let down after the enthralling first few laps and stoners occasional highjinx but all in all well done to pedrochio, he blew everybody and you just have to get used to the fact he will do that from time to time. i don't think he'll do it enough to be a credible title challenger. i ain't stoopid, i know he currently leads the points but he can't repeat this type of form any way consistently, maybe he can but i don't think it. lorenzo showed some maturity to take the safe third instead of trying to ruffle rossi's feathers, he may have had the pace to get near rossi but not to get past cleanly, that may turn out to be have been a truly wise move given vale's form at jerez and we know that consistency win's titles. getting involved in a dirty last few laps at jerez with vr is a very bad idea if all you can do is barely match his pace. lorenzo is the second biggest threat to stoner after rossi. it might be too early to say but the gulf between the two tyre companies has narrowed, only as we go to more places they haven't tested at will this become truly apparent. a monumentally strange day for stoner i think he got frustrated and lost his cool, twice. fun to watch but i don't think you'll see him or ducati .... up like that again.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BarryMachine @ Mar 31 2008, 01:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>But you got to admit its great to see a guy put in a supreme ride occasionally ... just wish they had followed him more with the camera cos he was on the limit in some of the short segments I saw.

So far in 08 Pedrosa has proved he can come through the pack ( especially Qatar start ), can battle through placings ( Qatar ) and lead in style for the perfect race ...... Jerez.


of course i do, its Dani! i'm one of about 3 that actually like him

most exciting thought is this though, if he's doing what he's done with a valve spring engine, imagine what he'll be like with a pneumatic (providing it works lol) bring it on!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (stop_killing_dead_things @ Apr 2 2008, 05:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>most exciting thought is this though, if he's doing what he's done with a valve spring engine, imagine what he'll be like with a pneumatic (providing it works lol) bring it on!

I'm one of the three, and i can't wait till China!!!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (stop_killing_dead_things @ Apr 2 2008, 05:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>of course i do, its Dani! i'm one of about 3 that actually like him

most exciting thought is this though, if he's doing what he's done with a valve spring engine, imagine what he'll be like with a pneumatic (providing it works lol) bring it on!

woopsie doodle

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (stop_killing_dead_things @ Apr 3 2008, 03:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>of course i do, its Dani! i'm one of about 3 that actually like him

most exciting thought is this though, if he's doing what he's done with a valve spring engine, imagine what he'll be like with a pneumatic (providing it works lol) bring it on!


you know ..... I'd hate to see that after such a great start, that honda bring in the Pneumo jobby and its a failure ...... Seems a spooky time to be bringing it in!! .... whilst leading the Championship .....

In a way if Honda does bring it in it will be kinda like a public confession that they have absolutely no confidence in their product at present. Which is odd becasue they are leading .....