*** Le Mans Race *** SPOILERS

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Arrabbiata1 @ May 18 2008, 03:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Rossi - awesome,

As close as the others are to him in the championship, they must be worried with Catalunya and mugello coming up. Now Rossi's got his head right i'd expect him to make less mistakes, so it's gonna take podiums every weekend to even have a chance of beating him.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ May 18 2008, 02:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>As close as the others are to him in the championship, they must be worried with Catalunya and mugello coming up. Now Rossi's got his head right i'd expect him to make less mistakes, so it's gonna take podiums every weekend to even have a chance of beating him.
Unless the honda pneumatic engine is a dramatic improvement (it has to arrive first) lorenzo looks to be the threat, especially if some tracks favour michelin. That said, as you say rossi is likely to make fewer or no mistakes, and he seems to now be getting the bridgestones to work in most conditions.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (roger-m @ May 18 2008, 02:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>he got a podium mate ! the man man was 3rd best out there today so far from finished me thinks. he not only had good qualifying but he finished 3rd in the race. heres a tissue,i can see some egg on ya face after all you DID say he qualifies well but gets nowhere in the race.
No wipe wipe for no egg.

Edwards has astonished the field numerous times over the course for several years interms of his consistency, coming up to speed with the bike/setup and fast laps during practice, testing and qualifing.

Fact.

Edwards has the reputation of doing well everywhere except the race.

Fact..

Quote from the team manager when asked a question that just came out of nowhere, you know something just totally unfounded without any evidence or basis of truth, "<span style="color:#ff0000Yamaha Team Principal Herve Poncharal. <span style="color:#ff0000`Everybody asks me and Colin why he does well in qualifying and not so well in the races.....'

The last time I checked, Colin just joined the Tech 3 garage. How could he possibly have built the dubious reputation so quickly? (The answer... he has disappointed ritually in the race year after year)

Yes the man got a podium today. I am <u>very happy</u> for him but I want him to win <u>a few</u>. To push Rossi, Lorenzo.

Ride with a bit more aggression.

I don't think that there is any question that if Toseland was in the position that Edwards was in he would have pushed and fought Lorenzo, possibly Rossi to the very end.

I don't see any harm speaking the truth that Edwards has underperformed consistently during the race- time and time again after qualifying extremely well/topping the sheets during Free Practice.

Casey does not deserve that even though he does whine a bit, and what was Toseland doing?? Pulling up half way around with Dovi right in front of him.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (smaid @ May 18 2008, 04:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Casey does not deserve that even though he does whine a bit, and what was Toseland doing?? Pulling up half way around with Dovi right in front of him.

What was Dovi doing? He pulled right across his nose and left him nowhere to go.

Why did Melandri went in to change to rain tyres?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (phleg @ May 18 2008, 04:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>What was Dovi doing? He pulled right across his nose and left him nowhere to go.

For me it was just a racing incident, Dovi didn't know Toseland was there and Toseland had no where to go.

Thats the cruel side of racing i'm afraid.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Evolution @ May 18 2008, 05:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Why did Melandri went in to change to rain tyres?

Becouse something went wrong in the start and he was 40 sec behibd after the first lap.
His only hope were to gamble on more rain that enabled him to gain on the rest while they waited too long with going inn and change. Right move in his situation.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Babelfish @ May 18 2008, 04:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Becouse something went wrong in the start and he was 40 sec behibd after the first lap.
His only hope were to gamble on more rain that enabled him to gain on the rest while they waited too long with going inn and change. Right move in his situation.
yup, and if he had trouble with his #1 bike and had to change he would have to come out on different tyres, same as with stoner.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MigsAngel @ May 18 2008, 03:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Lorenzo passed most of the field like they were just standing there....

The Nieto / Rossi celebration was Class!

In fact, they WERE almost standing there... I do not want to take anything away from Lorenzo's incredible bravery and immense talent, but when the first drops of rain hit the fairings Pedrosa and Edwards began lapping 4 seconds slower - whereas Lorenzo kept a fast pace, only 2 seconds slower. Rossi on his part slowed down just 1 sec per lap, actually increasing his lead under the rain - until the very last laps when he relaxed and administered his advantage.

Nieto and Rossi have always been good friends, nice of Rossi to have planned a show for the old legend, even letting him ride his M1. It shows how Valentino has a deep racing culture, he constantly connects to the history of the sport - something the other younger champs often lack.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (J4rn0 @ May 18 2008, 06:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>In fact, they WERE almost standing there... I do not want to take anything away from Lorenzo's incredible bravery and immense talent, but when the first drops of rain hit the fairings Pedrosa and Edwards began lapping 4 seconds slower - whereas Lorenzo kept a fast pace, only 2 seconds slower. Rossi on his part slowed down just 1 sec per lap, actually increasing his lead under the rain - until the very last laps when he relaxed and administered his advantage.
Even before the white flags came out Lorenzo had made most of the rest of the rider look like chumps...He was as far down as 11th and ended up 2nd....SuperHero Stuff...

From MotoGP.com
http://resources.motogp.com/files/results/...C/lap+chart.pdf

On Lap 8 Lorenzo took 3 riders....Hopper, Loris and Nicky....with ease!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (phleg @ May 18 2008, 03:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>What was Dovi doing? He pulled right across his nose and left him nowhere to go.

..Just watched it again, Dovi just kept to the line and Toseland tried to get in under him. Dovi didn't pull across him at all, but yeah whatever, racing incident.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (J4rn0 @ May 18 2008, 06:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Nieto and Rossi have always been good friends, nice of Rossi to have planned a show for the old legend, even letting him ride his M1. It shows how Valentino has a deep racing culture, he constantly connects to the history of the sport - something the other younger champs often lack.

I do now know if it is true, but apparently Nieto was wearing a Robert Dunlop styled helmet as well....so serious love and knowledge of deep racing history and culture going on today from the Rossi fan club and Vale himself.

Can anyone confirm the above, please?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MigsAngel @ May 18 2008, 06:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I do now know if it is true, but apparently Nieto was wearing a Robert Dunlop styled helmet as well....so serious love and knowledge of deep racing history and culture going on today from the Rossi fan club and Vale himself.

Can anyone confirm the above, please?
its more that the late robert dunlop had a helmet of similar style to nieto.
and i hope tose dosen't whine about the incedent, even a biased englishman as me can see what goes around comes around, ya can't keep barging people around and not expect to get a taste back , its human nature..............maybe he will leave people a little more room in future

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Duc999 @ May 18 2008, 04:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Edwards has underperformed consistently during the race- time and time again

We could see his race efforts as an underperformance relative to his qulifying pace, but alternativeley his qualifying pace could be considered an overperformance to be more optimistic. Either way better race finishes would be ideal but he is in a fairly strong championship position considering he isn't in a factory team.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (convertmel @ May 18 2008, 06:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>i hope tose dosen't whine about the incedent,

He didn't whine, he sounded disappointed but said it was a racing incident on the TV. We didn't see enough of the incident on the TV footage to see who should have done what to avoid the incident, but no doubt the peanalty brigade on here will be calling for action against the riders dangerous and wreckless enough to make a mistake.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ May 18 2008, 06:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>He didn't whine, he sounded disappointed but said it was a racing incident on the TV. We didn't see enough of the incident on the TV footage to see who should have done what to avoid the incident, but no doubt the peanalty brigade on here will be calling for action against the riders dangerous and wreckless enough to make a mistake.

Have it recorded on Sky + 'cause I was at work so watched it a couple times - not saying he should be penalised, just saying JT made the mistake. Hell of a ride by Jorge though, hats off to him.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MigsAngel @ May 18 2008, 10:40 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I do now know if it is true, but apparently Nieto was wearing a Robert Dunlop styled helmet as well....so serious love and knowledge of deep racing history and culture going on today from the Rossi fan club and Vale himself.

Can anyone confirm the above, please?
3315:nieto.jpg]
Nieto himself

Joey's was known for yellow with black

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ May 18 2008, 07:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>We could see his race efforts as an underperformance relative to his qulifying pace, but alternativeley his qualifying pace could be considered an overperformance to be more optimistic. Either way better race finishes would be ideal but he is in a fairly strong championship position considering he isn't in a factory team.



He didn't whine, he sounded disappointed but said it was a racing incident on the TV. We didn't see enough of the incident on the TV footage to see who should have done what to avoid the incident, but no doubt the peanalty brigade on here will be calling for action against the riders dangerous and wreckless enough to make a mistake.


No Tom, were all waiting for you to say that Vale's win was crap coz he didn't start on pole, so he obviously wasn't the best rider of the weekend.

Anyway, can I just say that Rossi, Jorge and Colin were awesome today. Nice to see the championship table getting another shake up at the top.

Today loooked to me like the best of one generation and the best of the next generation at the front.


Bring on the next one!

Pete

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (J4rn0 @ May 18 2008, 06:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Nieto and Rossi have always been good friends, nice of Rossi to have planned a show for the old legend, even letting him ride his M1. It shows how Valentino has a deep racing culture, he constantly connects to the history of the sport - something the other younger champs often lack.
it was fantastic to see. the 2 race celebrations that will stick in my mind forever. todays and hayden when he took his dad around the track on the back of his bike. totally illegal,but very moving, brings a tear to my eye.