Motogp Silly Season "tipping"Challenge

I can't help with the formatting question but I do agree with all the story lines in motogp are getting good. Normally I'm not the type to get caught up in the behind the scenes drama but this year is an exception.

Since I'm a Texan the juiciest rumor is the Schwantz run Suzuki team. I know the outlook is bleak for 2008 but if he can pull some strings for 2009 that would be amazing. It would be fun to have a suzuki satellite team and it would be even better if Schwantz could field Edwards and Spies to ride!!!!! 3 Texans riding and running a Suzukis......they can't lose.

Kawasaki seems like it's Hopkins last chance. His psyche seems to be deteriorating and another multi-year stint that ends in underachievement could end his motogp career. I have a sneaky suspicion Kawi keeps West, which is interesting to me b/c it will be the second team in a row where Hopkins has a less talented Australian teammate who has the ability to steal headlines and finish ahead in the points.

I'm hoping DePuniet lands at Pramac. Seems like it could be a side step to a better environment, and while I don't respect his skills, some people seem convinced he deserves another chance. Hoffman needs to get a new day job. Tamada and Checa seem doomed, Nakano might get an extension and hope for an improved Honda in 2008.

I'm not too worried about the tire battle. I think once teams have a better understanding of the tire rule, they will be better able to determine which tires will work best for their team. Even though it seems like Bridgestone is cleaning up, Michelin has 15 podiums and Bstone has 18 (however Bridgestone does have three race sweeps: Turkey, France, US to Michelin's one at Jerez). Both manufactures have lost two competitive riders. Michelin hasn't been able to rely on Hayden or Edwards, and Bridgestone haven't gotten help from Melandri or Capirossi. The riders mentioned have 2 podiums a piece so the cummulative effect is a wash. However, poor performances by the Michelin riders does seem to have a bigger impact because the podiums they leave vacant are certain to fall into Bridgestone hands (Hopkins, Vermeulen, Elias).

Going into 2008 I'm interested to see how Honda and Yamaha respond to Ducati's dominance. I'm really interested to see how Stoner and Melandri are going to get on (I think it's going to be a bad soap opera). I can't wait to see how Hopkins does with a new manufacturer. I'm praying Nicky has a much better season so his career doesn't start a downward spiral. I want to know whether Pedrosa is going to become a title contender or frustrate himself to death.

Anyways, good fun awaits in 2008.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Duc999 @ Aug 8 2007, 12:35 AM) [snapback]83655[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>

Riders to be placed

Edwards Biaggi?
DePuniet Riuchi Kiyonari?
Hoffman De Angelis?
Barros Dovisioso?
Checa Aoyama?
Tamada Faubel?
Nakano


Biaggi can't come back

And why the hell is Faubel in that list, do you know something i don't?

And you left out West, who is actually riding in GP atm unlike Biaggi or Faubel.. :S

Faubel Thats a good one!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mylexicon @ Aug 8 2007, 04:24 PM) [snapback]83670[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
I have a sneaky suspicion Kawi keeps West, which is interesting to me b/c it will be the second team in a row

where Hopkins has a less talented Australian teammate

who has the ability to steal headlines and finish ahead in the points.


Don't you REALLY mean;

Less illustrious
Less experienced
Less(er) paid
Less ear-ringed
Less Anglo-American
Less energy-drink sponsored???

Next year, if Ant's there, we'll see whose more talented..

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Duc999 @ Aug 8 2007, 04:16 PM) [snapback]83781[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>

I really would like to see some of the 250 guys, WSK, top AMA riders come into the series early and develop into quality talent.




i think you'll see dovizioso & deAngelis from 250s along with lorenzo. toseland is coming from wsbk & it's possible spies may be here next season as well. the only ama rider who i think belongs here right now.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(frosty58 @ Aug 8 2007, 10:28 PM) [snapback]83785[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
i think you'll see dovizioso & deAngelis from 250s along with lorenzo. toseland is coming from wsbk & it's possible spies may be here next season as well. the only ama rider who i think belongs here right now.


Why should a national level rider jump up that big a step?

Surely WSB is the smart option? I know, I know, Hayden did it.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(frosty58 @ Aug 8 2007, 10:28 PM) [snapback]83785[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
i think you'll see dovizioso & deAngelis from 250s along with lorenzo. toseland is coming from wsbk & it's possible spies may be here next season as well. the only ama rider who i think belongs here right now.

im looking forward to next season already, and this one is only half way.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(phleg @ Aug 8 2007, 04:41 PM) [snapback]83786[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Why should a national level rider jump up that big a step?



because he' good & should'nt waste time in wsbk. nothing against wsbk of course.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(roger-m @ Aug 8 2007, 04:42 PM) [snapback]83787[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
im looking forward to next season already, and this one is only half way.

yes indeed! just hope it's not rossis last year...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(frosty58 @ Aug 8 2007, 10:47 PM) [snapback]83788[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>

yes indeed! just hope it's not rossis last year...

well if the tax man doesn't bang him in jail he may need to say to re build his fortune
it may make him a little more hungry than he has been lately.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Duc999 @ Aug 8 2007, 10:16 PM) [snapback]83781[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>

Here is a question. Does motogp keep certain nationality riders to keep up fan support in various countries? hmmm.....



Yes, the USA seems to be the most represented nation on the grid and only one of the riders is of any significance, but its all politics so they keep getting rides

DePuniet is well worthy of staying, hes talented and fast so watch him in the future (same thing i said about Casey last year when everyone said he wasn't worth a ride)

Biaggi is finished with motogp, we have seen him look fresh and relaxed in WSBK but that is a reflection of the paddock, the atmosphere and the level of riding that he is submerged too. Motogp is beyond him now.



<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(frosty58 @ Aug 8 2007, 10:28 PM) [snapback]83785[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
& it's possible spies may be here next season as well. the only ama rider who i think belongs here right now.


Its a massive step from national superbikes to Motogp, its a huge call to say Spies belongs here. Its much more realistic to say that he may be talented enough to be worth the risk. Furthermore if you consider Spies worth a go then Kiyo and Rea would be equaly qualified, but most teams will be looking for safer bets (more established riders)

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tom @ Aug 8 2007, 05:15 PM) [snapback]83792[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Furthermore if you consider Spies worth a go then Kiyo and Rea would be equaly qualified

spies is worth the go. also rea. but kiyo i'm affraid i disagree.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tom @ Aug 8 2007, 05:15 PM) [snapback]83792[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>


DePuniet is well worthy of staying



no... a token french rider who needs to be replaced by west.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(frosty58 @ Aug 8 2007, 11:22 PM) [snapback]83793[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
spies is worth the go. also rea. but kiyo i'm affraid i disagree.
no... a token french rider who needs to be replaced by west.


I should be a patriot but:

How is Rea better than Kiyo?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tom @ Aug 8 2007, 05:15 PM) [snapback]83792[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
the USA seems to be the most represented nation on the grid



edwards & jr will most likely be gone next season.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(phleg @ Aug 8 2007, 11:23 PM) [snapback]83796[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
I should be a patriot but:

How is Rea better than Kiyo?


He's not, Kiyo is the better rider.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(phleg @ Aug 8 2007, 05:23 PM) [snapback]83796[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>

How is Rea better than Kiyo?

rea... young, fast & promising. kiyo not the jap for the job. he's a sbker nothing more. i'd also say that his results in wsbk will be akin to those of kagayama. he's not gp material imo.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tom @ Aug 8 2007, 05:24 PM) [snapback]83798[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
He's not, Kiyo is the better rider.

no he's not.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(frosty58 @ Aug 8 2007, 11:28 PM) [snapback]83800[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
rea... young, fast & promising. kiyo not the jap for the job. he's a sbker nothing more. i'd also say that his results in wsbk will be akin to those of kagayama. he's not gp material imo.


Well a lot of non-Americans would think the same about Spies, he's done nothing to prove himself apart from win on a dominant bike against a team-mate who's frankly, past it.