*** Le Mans Race *** SPOILERS

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Babelfish @ May 19 2008, 04:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Also, Yamaha are the only factory supporting four full factory spec machines. That give them valuable feedback when sorted and two very strong and competetive teams. That make them look better than the rest.
I agree. Pick good riders for the factory team, have confidence in them and give everyone good equipment. Ducati may not have any dilemma in future; who would want to be their customer next year?, and they may not have the resources to run 4 full-spec bikes anyway. Does the repsol thing constrain honda?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (michaelm @ May 19 2008, 04:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I agree. Pick good riders for the factory team, have confidence in them and give everyone good equipment. Ducati may not have any dilemma in future; who would want to be their customer next year?, and they may not have the resources to run 4 full-spec bikes anyway. Does the repsol thing constrain honda?
thats a good point. sorry to go off topic but we could possibly see the grid thinning out by a couple of bikes next year.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (michaelm @ May 19 2008, 05:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Does the repsol thing constrain honda?

I think it does. It constrain them in who to bring on board and it further constrain them as Repsol demand team dominance within the Honda camp and becuase of that input from the satelite teams are useless as the HRC team ride a totally different bike. At present I think good, reliable input are something they lack.

I CALLED IT!

"He [Pedrosa] will definitely be the man to beat."

And beaten he was. Make that "pummeled"! Stoner, Rossi, Lorenzo AND Edwards.

Something went very wrong from Saturday to Sunday, in the same proportion to what went right with Rossi's Yam. Even before the rain he was lacking confidence in the front tire. The rear was working fine, and he was exiting the corners quite fast - due mainly to the favorable power/weight ratio and riding style rather than the Honda grunt, I suspect - but he seemed unable (I would never use "afraid" with any of this guys) to commit to a passing move, first on Stoner, then on Rossi. When the rain came what little confidence he had left went out the window. But he managed to pull a gutsy move on Stoner 'round the outside.

Stoner has a reason to whine, for a change. He never looked threatening for the win, with the Ducati clearly slower than its rivals in the twisty bits, but he could have fight for 3rd, perhaps even 2nd, and salvage some points on a track that definitely doesn't suit the Dukes. Well... Tough...

Edwards SHOULD have finished 2nd. He had THE bike, he had the tires, he had the experience, and he had fully functioning limbs. I really like the guy, but the rider is starting to get on my nerves.

I still maintain that Lorenzo is not a contender for this Championship. He still has to mature in comparison to his main rivals, there will be tougher tracks (Le Mans seems to have been designed to Yamaha's specifications), and <u>he's still injured</u> (although he seems to be milking things just a wee bit), BUT his' was an heroic, skillful ride, worthy of a future Champion. Not just now...

As to Rossi... What can I say that hasn't been said already, here and elsewhere? Maybe just mention how genuinely surprised he seemed to be with his own pace. And that can't be good news to anyone not riding a Bridgestone shod Yamaha M1.

Worthy mentions: Vermeulen, Dovi and Capirossi on the positive side, and Hayden and Melandri on the less than positive one.

Bring on Mugello!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (dOdGE.dIZ @ May 19 2008, 07:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I CALLED IT!

I still maintain that Lorenzo is not a contender for this Championship. He still has to mature in comparison to his main rivals, there will be tougher tracks (Le Mans seems to have been designed to Yamaha's specifications), and <u>he's still injured</u> (although he seems to be milking things just a wee bit), BUT his' was an heroic, skillful ride, worthy of a future Champion. Not just now...
A humble and modest man indeed.

You said he shouldn't have ridden, either in China or Le Mans..it's such a ..... diatribe I can't be arsed to waste my time finding it and quoting it. Admit it you were completely, utterly and totally wrong, and don't backtrack by saying he's just been hamming up his injuries. Like I said, the guy's matured massively both in his racecraft and his temperament. His drive to the front, along with the pass on Pedrosa was measured, calculating, and brilliantly executed. Two seasons ago they would've both been spitting out gravel as a result.

Of course he's a contender for the championship you eejit, owing to the plain and simple fact that when you look at the points table, he's in contention - duh

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (dOdGE.dIZ @ May 19 2008, 08:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I CALLED IT!

"He [Pedrosa] will definitely be the man to beat."

And beaten he was. Make that "pummeled"! Stoner, Rossi, Lorenzo AND Edwards.

Something went very wrong from Saturday to Sunday, in the same proportion to what went right with Rossi's Yam. Even before the rain he was lacking confidence in the front tire. The rear was working fine, and he was exiting the corners quite fast - due mainly to the favorable power/weight ratio and riding style rather than the Honda grunt, I suspect - but he seemed unable (I would never use "afraid" with any of this guys) to commit to a passing move, first on Stoner, then on Rossi. When the rain came what little confidence he had left went out the window. But he managed to pull a gutsy move on Stoner 'round the outside.

But the passing thing has been Pedrosas main weekness from the very start in MotoGP. He does these half harted attempts on the inside and once in a while he take his chanses, to late and to fast I might add. They look dangerous and they are, just ask his team "mate".
But he did have problems with the front when turned over and on the brakes in turn 1 so maybe I'm too hard on him, but to me it looks like the same old, same old and the main reason for why I think/hope he will never win the championship. A championship to pedrosa would guaranty the most boring championship ever. He would need a healthy advantage from the bike enabling him to pull away from the rest in most races as he looses out in most fights.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (roger-m @ May 19 2008, 09:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>i see. so that's get this clear. when stoner wins its all down to him and not the bike yet when vale wins its down to the bike, your evidence of this is because 2 other world champions got a podium on the yam also all we need now is for barrymachine to come on here and back you up then we will have the full set
Are you serious or just stupid? Or just have a lame opinion on anything an Aussie says on this site? Where in Krusty's posts has he said it was only Stoner and only the yamaha?
Roger, why don't you try reading ( I know it may be hard for you) some of these before commenting?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Son of Doohan @ May 19 2008, 09:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Are you serious or just stupid? Or just have a lame opinion on anything an Aussie says on this site? Where in Krusty's posts has he said it was only Stoner and only the yamaha?
Roger, why don't you try reading ( I know it may be hard for you) some of these before commenting?
i was actually replying to his +1 on your lame ... post. thought that would be quite obvious, mabe it's you who should read more carefully before commenting.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Arrabbiata1 @ May 19 2008, 08:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>A humble and modest man indeed.

You said he shouldn't have ridden, either in China or Le Mans..it's such a ..... diatribe I can't be arsed to waste my time finding it and quoting it. Admit it you were completely, utterly and totally wrong, and don't backtrack by saying he's just been hamming up his injuries. Like I said, the guy's matured massively both in his racecraft and his temperament. His drive to the front, along with the pass on Pedrosa was measured, calculating, and brilliantly executed. Two seasons ago they would've both been spitting out gravel as a result.

Of course he's a contender for the championship you eejit, owing to the plain and simple fact that when you look at the points table, he's in contention - duh

Oh my, what have we here? Manners, manners...

I even went and look what "diatribe" means. And "duh"! And "sense of humor (lack of...)".

To all you CEII bashers out there "He should have did this he should have did that". STFU!

Did you hear what he said after the race? He was at his limit and he felt like it would have taken a risky move to try and get by a guy that is fighting for the championship when he is not. The guy respects his fellow competitors and is not willing to risk a squirrel move just to move up one more place.

Even though he is a former champ he realizes he is with a team that is in an evolutionary process and that a podium was an important step forward for the team and himself. Just think how much confidence the team came away with after that race. Especially with JT in the dirt.

The guy is a competitor, did you see him race Bayliss for the WSB championship? When and if it ever matters that guy will throw hammer and tongs, just like he did with Hayden. You could tell by the way he hung back his strategy and priority was to put the Tech 3 machine on the box. He put his team, sponsors and fellow riders before himself.

That's also why I don't think he is completely washed up. He may never be wanted to by another primary team but a satellite team looking for experience to move them forward would love to have a guy like CEII onboard.

Bah! Another run away race. The announcers almost had me getting excited when they tried to trick me about the rain that was supposed to make it interesting. Actually the race was better than any so far this season and it really was no contest. I really enjoyed watching Lorenzo come through field. Hurt?? Hopkins chain? How the f-ck does that happen? Speed never showed what happened to Dovi/Tose another big time crap coverage for them. Hell I don't think that they showed anything that happened. Good job to the top 3, a very nice ride.

At least the leader was less than 5 seconds ahead this time.

1 V. ROSSI ITA Fiat Yamaha Team 44'30.799
2 J. LORENZO SPA Fiat Yamaha Team + 4.997
3 C. EDWARDS USA Tech 3 Yamaha + 6.805
4 D. PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team + 10.157
5 C. VERMEULEN AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP + 21.762
6 A. DOVIZIOSO ITA JiR Team Scot MotoGP + 22.395
7 L. CAPIROSSI ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP + 27.806
8 N. HAYDEN USA Repsol Honda Team + 27.995
9 R. DE PUNIET FRA LCR Honda MotoGP + 29.344
10 S. NAKANO JPN San Carlo Honda Gresini + 30.822
11 T. ELIAS SPA Alice Team + 35.154
12 A. DE ANGELIS RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini + 36.216
13 S. GUINTOLI FRA Alice Team + 52.038
14 A. WEST AUS Kawasaki Racing Team + 1'29.307
15 M. MELANDRI ITA Ducati Marlboro Team 1 Lap
16 C. STONER AUS Ducati Marlboro Team 2 Lap

I know people hate when I do this, because of anything can happen, but since we can look back at the results now. This race was decided by the 8th lap and by the 22 lap the top 4 places were decided. I still need some closer racing please but it was just okay for me. The championship is damn close if you are a numbers junkie though. Oh mannn (rubbing hands together with cheesy grin on my face) look how close those points are. I'll start looking at those later on in the season Right now they don't mean much unless you like my boy Hayden and out of the championship already

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (roger-m @ May 20 2008, 06:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>i was actually replying to his +1 on your lame ... post. thought that would be quite obvious, mabe it's you who should read more carefully before commenting.
Roger, I can put up with you rubbishing the Aussie riders all you want, but now you've started criticizing Jeremy Burgess I'm going to start calling you out on it. By definition you calling Burgess a senile old git, you're doing it to the Fiat yamaha team and therefore Valentino Rossi.
You've "said it before" it's a team sport and you can't win without a great team behind you.
It's funny, you seem to have a comment on every topic on this site, all except for one that I can think of and that's Rising Sun's "Top 10". Could it be because he was poking a bit of fun at Valentino last season, and you couldn't see the humour in it? Everyone else seems to think it's funny so you just don't bother commenting on it as you'll be seen for the humourless (at least when it comes to Rossi) git that you are.
You're fanboyness has come shining through loud and clear in the last few weeks and and it's funny to watch.
By the way, I wait with baited breath for your no doubt, lame reply, to this post.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Son of Doohan @ May 19 2008, 11:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Roger, I can put up with you rubbishing the Aussie riders all you want, but now you've started criticizing Jeremy Burgess I'm going to start calling you out on it. By definition you calling Burgess a senile old git, you're doing it to the Fiat yamaha team and therefore Valentino Rossi.
You've "said it before" it's a team sport and you can't win without a great team behind you.
It's funny, you seem to have a comment on every topic on this site, all except for one that I can think of and that's Rising Sun's "Top 10". Could it be because he was poking a bit of fun at Valentino last season, and you couldn't see the humour in it? Everyone else seems to think it's funny so you just don't bother commenting on it as you'll be seen for the humourless (at least when it comes to Rossi) git that you are.
You're fanboyness has come shining through loud and clear in the last few weeks and and it's funny to watch.
By the way, I wait with baited breath for your no doubt, lame reply, to this post.
jb is good at his job, ie building fast race bike but he does tend to open his gob and spout ..... only to retract later, bit like you really, and that comment wasn't in this thread so why debate it here ? and how do you know what threads i read, just because i had nothing to add does not mean i didnt find it funny. why so up tight, you jb's bum chum or sumit

edit : cant be arsed to respond. sat here laughing my head off at a sore looser.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Son of Doohan @ May 19 2008, 12:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Are you serious or just stupid?
Both. Roger is seriously stupid.

Here you go Doohan...

This from the Top 10 thread:

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (roger-m @ May 19 2008, 03:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'> great stuff.

just to keep son of doohan happy.

You see, Roger always knows how to reach out and make friend, that's why we're pals.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (roger-m @ May 20 2008, 08:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>edit : cant be arsed to respond. sat here laughing my head off at a sore looser.
Too hard for you to do it in an open forum Roger, or are you just going to send me abusive personal messages? I liked your personal message to me, shows how witty you really are!
I'm willing to debate you any time but it'd be like debating with a dumb, blind and deaf mute!
I'll be waiting.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ May 20 2008, 09:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Congrats to <strike>Stoner</strike> Rossi; who is clearly on a better bike on superior tires. What a lame title defense so far by the current champ. (Oh wait, wait, why does this sound so familiar, what fans, i wonder, would say such things???)
Ah, the irony of it all.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Son of Doohan @ May 20 2008, 12:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Too hard for you to do it in an open forum Roger, or are you just going to send me abusive personal messages? I liked your personal message to me, shows how witty you really are!
I'm willing to debate you any time but it'd be like debating with a dumb, blind and deaf mute!
I'll be waiting.
just keeping it off the board, better to abuse you there than here, im not bothered about you really, you have made your points last year, dont cry this year because the tables have turned.

did you really troll through 220 posts to check if i had posted there ?, man that's sad. that's verging on a stalking.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (roger-m @ May 19 2008, 03:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>just keeping it off the board, better to abuse you there than here, im not bothered about you really, you have made your points last year, dont cry this year because the tables have turned.
NO, please, get it back on the board (no private PMs), as I just opened a beer and some popcorn.

Carry on, please, here I'll try to help:

May I quote an Aussie, why not: "Valentino is NOT a pure rider". (I'll skip the 21 reasons given).

Oh, how about a quote from a Brit: "Aussie's are poms". (I'm not sure what that means, but I read it here on the board and it seemed to get the Aussie's very angry).