melandri 08 champ my prediction

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Frizzle @ Nov 15 2007, 09:53 AM) [snapback]100852[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Obvious? none of it's obvious except to you people in denial.
The kid can really ride, thats why he won the champioship.
If not Ducati would have filled the first 4 places.
Why do you think accepting that the kid rode faultlessly all season and deserved his win, somehow takes anything away from what Vale is or has achieved? Are you that bitter?


I don't think you sould look our way talking about bitterness. Look in the mirror. Just because we don't think Stoner did this by himself with his home buildt 50cc bike doesn't mean we are bitter, but you and a few others seems to jump on anyone and anyting that dont bow in the dust for the allmighty stoner that did it all by himself. That loks like bitterness to me. Not to mention the paranoid: "you know what these guys are getting at".
To compare it would be equal to me saying that Rossi's braking, corner speed, and corner exit is all his doing. The yamaha is all crap, he just make it look like the best handling bike.

Just go on thinking that stoner did it all by him self. We are going to continue discussing Ducatis statements about how good their TC is and we are going to listen to reporters and riders and their opinions on tc.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Babelfish @ Nov 16 2007, 12:00 AM) [snapback]100878[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
We are going to continue discussing Ducatis statements about how good their TC is and we are going to listen to reporters and riders and their opinions on tc.


Well go go ahead it won't change a thing you know that .... so why bother??

TC is just the latest "Furphy" being bandied around the forums.

And I suspect it will only ever be "right again" when certain riders are winning

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Babelfish @ Nov 15 2007, 01:00 PM) [snapback]100878[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
To compare it would be equal to me saying that Rossi's braking, corner speed, and corner exit is all his doing. The yamaha is all crap, he just make it look like the best handling bike.

I agree with roger-m that rossi vs stoner has become possibly the most boring topic in the known universe. I am far happier to talk about the bikes.

All credit to ducati for out-teching yamaha and honda for one year at least, as rossi himself has said. The yamaha was obviously designed to suit rossi's strengths, and should have been good enough; both rossi and burgess seemed fairly happy initially. No-one anticipated that ducati would come up with a better engine/better engine management/ better tc or whatever, and improve the handling of the bike during the year. It has been rumoured ducati may have been helped by ferrari, odd given ducati are in opposition to fiat yamaha.

Even so, given qualifying performances better race tyres alone may have been enough to give rossi a chance. He obviously thinks this himself given his change in tyre choice, although hrc , their riders and michelin may have something to say about this.

On topic I think melandri will beat stoner in individual races but not the majority, and hence on this basis alone he will not be world champion in his first year with ducati.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BarryMachine @ Nov 15 2007, 01:28 PM) [snapback]100880[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Well go go ahead it won't change a thing you know that .... so why bother??

TC is just the latest "Furphy" being bandied around the forums.

And I suspect it will only ever be "right again" when certain riders are winning


Surely it is legitimate to discuss differences between the bikes.

By the way, I think babelfish just said that the yamaha handles better than the ducati.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Son of Doohan @ Nov 15 2007, 11:28 AM) [snapback]100865[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
You can't talk about topics going off thread Roger. Seem to remember you talking about cakes or some crap earlier in this thread.

really ??

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(michaelm @ Nov 15 2007, 02:04 PM) [snapback]100885[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Surely it is legitimate to discuss differences between the bikes.

By the way, I think babelfish just said that the yamaha handles better than the ducati.

it is with most members mike, but theres a few who will always try and put some spin on it to make it appear that its some sort of rossi v stoner thing.
just a pitty that every thread ends up the same way.

i like ham

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(xx CURVE xx @ Nov 15 2007, 03:58 PM) [snapback]100897[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
i like ham

I like cheese. Toastie anyone? Nice cuppa tea? CAKE?????

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bikergirl @ Nov 15 2007, 10:00 AM) [snapback]100917[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
I like cheese. Toastie anyone? Nice cuppa tea? CAKE?????


lets see them cakes.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BarryMachine @ Nov 15 2007, 02:28 PM) [snapback]100880[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Well go go ahead it won't change a thing you know that .... so why bother??

TC is just the latest "Furphy" being bandied around the forums.

And I suspect it will only ever be "right again" when certain riders are winning


Yeah, why post anything at all, it won't change a thing. Right?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Babelfish @ Nov 15 2007, 01:00 PM) [snapback]100878[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
I don't think you sould look our way talking about bitterness. Look in the mirror. Just because we don't think Stoner did this by himself with his home buildt 50cc bike doesn't mean we are bitter, but you and a few others seems to jump on anyone and anyting that dont bow in the dust for the allmighty stoner that did it all by himself. That loks like bitterness to me. Not to mention the paranoid: "you know what these guys are getting at".
To compare it would be equal to me saying that Rossi's braking, corner speed, and corner exit is all his doing. The yamaha is all crap, he just make it look like the best handling bike.

Just go on thinking that stoner did it all by him self. We are going to continue discussing Ducatis statements about how good their TC is and we are going to listen to reporters and riders and their opinions on tc.


Interesting post this. Mainly because there are a lot of rossi fans who mention on a regular basis how "bad" this years yamaha was and all the other machinary based inequalities this year. I can see why this bothers Stoner fans because it comes from the very same people who were sure the rider made the difference when their man won. furthermore the situation was the same last year, with the common denominator being rossi fans. I think BOTH sides of the endless Rossi vs Stoner fight need to take a look at themselfes before they complain about the other, or just take it for harmless fun

Nobody will deny that this years ducati was working well, as was its tyres. But we also know that its a total beast that other, credible riders cannot tame and we know we are watching a sport where the rider makes the difference. Rossi obviously had days when Michelin didn't stand a chance and days when their was never a decent setup found for the yamaha. But i've never heard bitter gibernau fans bitching about the superior yamaha in 2005, and i very rarely heard Hayden fans being so horrible to Rossi as the Casey crew this year. This will be a long winter if we can't find anyting else to talk about.

Perhaps Melandri wil do.......................Good rider, but i fear he wont be a world champion, like Hopkins but exciting.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tom @ Nov 16 2007, 04:28 AM) [snapback]100938[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Interesting post this. Mainly because there are a lot of rossi fans who mention on a regular basis how "bad" this years yamaha was and all the other machinary based inequalities this year. I can see why this bothers Stoner fans because it comes from the very same people who were sure the rider made the difference when their man won. furthermore the situation was the same last year, with the common denominator being rossi fans. I think BOTH sides of the endless Rossi vs Stoner fight need to take a look at themselfes before they complain about the other, or just take it for harmless fun

Nobody will deny that this years ducati was working well, as was its tyres. But we also know that its a total beast that other, credible riders cannot tame and we know we are watching a sport where the rider makes the difference. Rossi obviously had days when Michelin didn't stand a chance and days when their was never a decent setup found for the yamaha. But i've never heard bitter gibernau fans bitching about the superior yamaha in 2005, and i very rarely heard Hayden fans being so horrible to Rossi as the Casey crew this year. This will be a long winter if we can't find anyting else to talk about.

Perhaps Melandri wil do.......................Good rider, but i fear he wont be a world champion, like Hopkins but exciting.


Good post - and points well noted.
For what it's worth Babelfish my post was not referring to anything you have posted as you seem to at least have both eyes open. It was just one or two others. Perhaps I should just make use of the ignore button.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(michaelm @ Nov 15 2007, 02:04 PM) [snapback]100885[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
By the way, I think babelfish just said that the yamaha handles better than the ducati.


This is the first season i've seen the Ducati handle at least as good as the Yamaha... and that used to be yamaha's plan to counter the Ducati speed.

Not only that the yamaha engine got worse than it was last year. They need to come out with a better one next year and not give that Ducati anymore than 5km/h or they are gonna be screwed again even if they have the greatest rider on earth.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(an4rew @ Nov 16 2007, 07:18 AM) [snapback]101065[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
This is the first season i've seen the Ducati handle at least as good as the Yamaha... and that used to be yamaha's plan to counter the Ducati speed.



Well thats debatable, from where i was wathing the ducati was clearly far more of a handful and looked to be far more effort to turn.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tom @ Nov 16 2007, 12:13 PM) [snapback]101093[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Well thats debatable, from where i was wathing the ducati was clearly far more of a handful and looked to be far more effort to turn.


I agree. I think that the ducati handles the best it ever has, and that they improved the handling over the course of the season, but the yamaha still handles better, at least on unshredded tyres. This is not to say the ducati doesn't have advantages in other areas. I think this was babelfish's point.

I also think both were ridden fairly close to as well as they could have been by the respective leading riders, without wanting to get into that other debate.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(michaelm @ Nov 16 2007, 01:27 PM) [snapback]101101[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
I agree. I think that the ducati handles the best it ever has, and that they improved the handling over the course of the season, but the yamaha still handles better, at least on unshredded tyres. This is not to say the ducati doesn't have advantages in other areas. I think this was babelfish's point.

I also think both were ridden fairly close to as well as they could have been by the respective leading riders, without wanting to get into that other debate.



Well Stoner handles the Ducati really well and hes developed a new smaller fairing which looks nice.

I think Rossi's problem was 50% tyres, 50% engine so its a fixable situation if yamaha get their heads out of their butts

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(an4rew @ Nov 16 2007, 07:18 AM) [snapback]101065[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
This is the first season i've seen the Ducati handle at least as good as the Yamaha... and that used to be yamaha's plan to counter the Ducati speed.

Not only that the yamaha engine got worse than it was last year. They need to come out with a better one next year and not give that Ducati anymore than 5km/h or they are gonna be screwed again even if they have the greatest rider on earth.


Maybe a couple of years ago, but not today.

Marco, I think has a great chance at the 08 crown if he can get to grips with the Duke, he is in my opinion a better rider than Casey so it'll be interesting to see how things fare.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(an4rew @ Nov 22 2007, 06:38 PM) [snapback]101911[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>

I think Rossi's problem was 50% tyres, 50% engine so its a fixable situation if yamaha get their heads out of their butts



Ahh so the outcome is 100% down to equipment is it?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tom @ Nov 23 2007, 10:05 AM) [snapback]101996[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Ahh so the outcome is 100% down to equipment is it?




I would say at least 80%. I think his actual riding was more questionable in 2006 than this year. Even his crashes this year were mostly due to him pushing hard on cold tyres early, which is definitely not his wont, because he knew that otherwise stoner would get too far away and he would not have a chance to win. I think in his entire career rossi has seldom ridden for position, and his aim is nearly always to win each race.

I guess you are right. Marco got right weapon at least!!!!. Now let see how he does and if he has awesome season Valentino Rossi I'm sorry but a new boy is coming to the town.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jaimeg @ Nov 24 2007, 10:26 AM) [snapback]102056[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
I guess you are right. Marco got right weapon at least!!!!. Now let see how he does and if he has awesome season Valentino Rossi I'm sorry but a new boy is coming to the town.



Um ??? the "new boys" have already "hit town" ....... Hayden .... 06 , Stoner ..... 07.

Think Melandri has tougher opposition to overcome than Rossi for 08 .... though maybe thats what you are suggesting??? .... Melandri for 3rd or 4th???