Phillip Island Race 1&2

I had to scroll down to the bottom of this thread because of it's obvious spoilers.
I won't be able to see race 2 for a few more days so if I decide to post about race 1 than I am sure to see the spoiler. This really blows. By the time I can comment it's already old news.
I'm sure a number of us Yanks are in the same predicament so I thought that it would be a great idea
if there were 2 seperate threads on Race 1 and Race 2 because I am sure this will happen again.
I hope you guys agree for the sake the deprived.
I'll check back in a few days for the answer

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Frizzle @ Mar 2 2009, 01:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Yeah lucky he didn't have a long flight over the front of the bike, but unlucky as it probably cost him the win in race 1. No doubt in my mind after witnessing race 2 that Spies is the real deal and if he doesn't win the championship then he will give it one mighty shake. To put his Yamaha on pole and to have a win on your first visit to the Island is impressive stuff indeed. It's going to be a fantastic series throughout the year and if yesterdays race is anything to go by then the Supersport category will be awesome as well. Roll on Losail in 2 weeks.
I've been saying that to anyone who'll listen ever since he signed for Yamaha. Why the hell Suzuki didn't give him a GSVR this season I'll never know.

I'd totally forgot about WSS. Good to see Kenan back on top again, though I was really rooting for Westy in that one. And It's great to see Crutchlow and Laverty both in the top 5 so soon. I knew Norge would be great in WSS after Vallelunga last year, but I wasn't expecting Cal to be this strong so soon.

What about BMW's first round? I never saw anything of Xaus, but Corser rode a great first race, - way better than I expected, though I've no idea what happened to him in the 2nd race other than he finished 22nd. Did he run off, have problems, or was he just slow???

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (JohnnyKnockdown @ Mar 1 2009, 07:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I had to scroll down to the bottom of this thread because of it's obvious spoilers.
I won't be able to see race 2 for a few more days so if I decide to post about race 1 than I am sure to see the spoiler. This really blows. By the time I can comment it's already old news.
I'm sure a number of us Yanks are in the same predicament so I thought that it would be a great idea
if there were 2 seperate threads on Race 1 and Race 2 because I am sure this will happen again.
I hope you guys agree for the sake the deprived.
I'll check back in a few days for the answer
Really good idea, Johnny.

I watched race one, really disappointing to see Spies run off as his times seemed to be fast enough to run up front and sounds like race two proved that. A bit disappointed to see both Rea and Haslam go backwards in race one but sounds like Haslam came good in two. Still haven't seen race two yet but couldn't escape finding out the results.

Does anyone know of a good place to torrent races? I really want to watch race two and SS but don't want to wait until Tuesday to catch it commercially interrupted on SPEED. Any help would be great.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Austin @ Mar 2 2009, 01:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Really good idea, Johnny.

I watched race one, really disappointing to see Spies run off as his times seemed to be fast enough to run up front and sounds like race two proved that. A bit disappointed to see both Rea and Haslam go backwards in race one but sounds like Haslam came good in two. Still haven't seen race two yet but couldn't escape finding out the results.

Does anyone know of a good place to torrent races? I really want to watch race two and SS but don't want to wait until Tuesday to catch it commercially interrupted on SPEED. Any help would be great.


PM sent mate.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Mar 1 2009, 06:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I got to see race 2 only. Was on the edge of my seat the entire time. Did somebody say processional and AMA like? Haha, did they NOT see the 3 other riders behind the top 3? Biaggi was riding the ... of position 2 which switched a few times between Haga and Spies, just when you thought one might check out, it was on the entire race!


As they say, you can't win the title in the first race, but you can lose it. Its gonna be very hard to make up those points. This may be the what makes the difference at the end.

Dorna must be shaking in their boots! Haha, I love it, this can only be good for us.
I think I said AMA-like, but the implication I intended was spies looking comfortable at the head of the field, either controlling the race from the lead or stalking the leader from second. He rode a very measured race as appears to be his wont, while more experienced riders had trouble with tyre wear etc.

I don't think one dnf /no points finish is as much a problem as in motogp with 25 points available twice a round, a larger number of potential winners, and dnfs reasonably common among front-runners including bayliss last year (and haga most years).

Dorna should be looking at wsbk to see how to run a bike racing series, although as others have said wsbk was not always regarded as being so well run in the past. For me, for wsbk to replace motogp as my primary interest they would need to get rossi and stoner there to race spies; they could throw in nicky hayden as well as he was a fair to middling superbike rider. Other than spies whom it seems could be anything I still think the top 5 motogp riders are more talented than the rest of the wsbk riders including haga.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Frizzle @ Mar 1 2009, 09:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>PM sent mate.
Cheers, Frizzle.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (michaelm @ Mar 1 2009, 09:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Dorna should be looking at wsbk to see how to run a bike racing series, although as others have said WSBK was not always regarded as being so well run in the past. For me, for wsbk to replace motogp as my primary interest they would need to get rossi and stoner there to race spies; they could throw in nicky hayden as well as he was a fair to middling superbike rider. Other than spies whom it seems could be anything I still think the top 5 motogp riders are more talented than the rest of the wsbk riders including haga.
Rossi, Stoner, Lorenzo, Hayden, Haga and Spies all on superbikes would be quite the spectacle. MotoGP will always attract the top talent because of the history of the series. However, if the rules continue to nurture a specific riding style then I think more and more riders may take the Spies route. Not that WSBK was his first choice, but I think it may be a more and more common destination for young riders from the states, Aus, the UK and even the rare Italian or Spaniard. Like I said, GP has the history and the mystique, but WSBK offers riders a chance to showcase their talents in what is seen as a more rider-focused formula.

A quick response to the first races fae me. Spies, big statement of intent, very impressive. Haga, no surpises, is he going to join the list of riders who can only lift a WSB title on a Ducati? Neukirkner, awesome first race. Biaggi, great showing and looks good for the Aprilia, shame they cant give it another 200 cc to make it fairer.......(sorry just a wee dig at the WSBK rules!)

Last thing I'm saying just now, get Westys bike tuned please, we could be looking at he next WSS champion.

Pete

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Babelfish @ Mar 2 2009, 12:25 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>He probably lost the front for a moment as he got sqeezed into one of the slower turns and he went strait into the gravel. They showed a replay of the incident after the race.

ahaha... I must be blind, how did I missed it
thanks Babel and Stevo

I was disappointed with Spies' grass excursion in Race 1 but what a recovery in Race 2; new bike, new circuit, new championship, and he wins.

After coming close so many times and now that he's on a championship winning team, I think the pressure's on Haga this year so I was pleased to see him do so well from his qualifying position.

I liked watching Haslam race in BSB so was pleased to see him fighting at/near the front in both races.

With all the new riders, team changes and the bikes still developing, I think this is going to be a good and interesting year for SBK.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (michaelm @ Mar 1 2009, 10:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I think I said AMA-like, but the implication I intended was spies looking comfortable at the head of the field, either controlling the race from the lead or stalking the leader from second. He rode a very measured race as appears to be his wont, while more experienced riders had trouble with tyre wear etc.

I don't think one dnf /no points finish is as much a problem as in motogp with 25 points available twice a round, a larger number of potential winners, and dnfs reasonably common among front-runners including bayliss last year (and haga most years).

Dorna should be looking at wsbk to see how to run a bike racing series, although as others have said wsbk was not always regarded as being so well run in the past. For me, for wsbk to replace motogp as my primary interest they would need to get rossi and stoner there to race spies; they could throw in nicky hayden as well as he was a fair to middling superbike rider. Other than spies whom it seems could be anything I still think the top 5 motogp riders are more talented than the rest of the wsbk riders including haga.

I agree that the top 5 are more talented, On a GP bike. But that doesnt guarantee them anything on a Superbike,just like being fast on a Superbike doesnt mean you will be fast on a Gp bike. Guys like Pedro and Lorenzo,who have never raced anything like a Superbike could very well struggle. It would be fun to find out though. Since you were fishing with the Nicky statement, i will bite. Fair to middling,you obviously were not paying attention when he ran Superbike.

What a great start to the season for WSBK!

Race 1
Haga, the man starts 13th on the grid and is in the front pack within a lap or two. Pulls the lead, then Max N starts his push thru the pack. Now we have a battle on, it could have been either man but Max's slip up before MG corner cost him some drive and Haga took the maiden win of the season! Kagayama pulling a well earned 3rd, his first podium in quite some time. Clearly Suzuki has built a competitive machine so far. Rea looked good but faded a bit, Corser definitely doing better then expected, and Laconi looking solid which is a nice turn around for him. And of course, bad luck for Spies in the southern loop, running off the track. Watching that part over again, what looks like happened is Haslam made a pass on Biaggi, which caused Biaggi to slow up suddenly, and this event then caused Ben to stand up as well, fortunately though he kept it upright and didn't pull a Pedrosa and bin it there. All was to change however in race 2.

Race 2
Spies, great start this time, kept it upright thru the first few turns, things were looking good. Again Haga comes thru traffic and takes the lead with Spies and Biaggi close behind staying with him. Spies finally takes the lead and we have some swapping at the front, Haga with 4-5 laps to go can't stay with Spies and #19 picks up his first victory. Lots of drama for the final rostrum position. Haslam digs deep and picks up a well earned, hard fought 3rd. Biaggi runs off track due to the battle happening in front of him.

WSS
Wow, what a great race, just what we expect from WSS, lots of people taking the lead, but Ten Kate Honda ultimately winning. Good going Sofuglu, and unfortunate to Pitt for not getting a home win. West, impressive showing, cutting thru traffic to the front with a solid 3rd. What the hell is Stiggy doing to these privateer Honda's? Two podiums in two classes, that is a great team he has going there. Also to mention the amazingly close finish between Crutchlow and Laverty, .001 of a sec. WSS so far is looking as great as last year, can't wait to see these guys at Assen.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Babelfish @ Mar 1 2009, 03:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I'm Norwegian but that's close enough as long as Norwegians and Swedes are in competition.
Stiggy have had several good builds the later years as they've been very competetive in SS

Ah, I couldn't remember, since I alway lump you in as a Scandinavian. I dated a Finn once, so I know better than to lump you all in as simply Scandies.

Anyway, I also meant to congrats the Stiggy for providing Haslam's ride. Which in both cases of West & Haslam, it really looked like the riders squeezing every ounce of juice out of their machines. Two podiums against a field of factories is like a win I think...or am I erroneously attaching a resident element of MotoGP on to WSBK and by doing so doing the series a disservice? Actually, I know there is some difference, of course there has to be, but certainly its not as pronounced a difference between a satellite and a factory, but I'd say Stiggy (after reading their site and history) seems more like a well organized yet underfunded 'privateer'. Doing a little reading about them reminded me of the KR effort. A former racer turned team owner, and basically a labor of passion. And their ability to produce a good bike among a competitive field show. I don't know much about the Brits except what I've seen in highlights and reading (which I do alot of) but I seem to recall Haslam not getting a nod of the likes of Rea, Sykes, and Byrne. Perhaps its because he was on a Stiggy, don't really know, but he charged to the front and made the bike and himself look genius.

I'm still thinking we will see a Brit in the top three at the end of the season. They all look pretty good to me. I know Byrne had his issues this weekend, but I don't expect that to be a regular problem. Perhaps Hill may be the last Brit, though he did finish above a few respectable riders and finished about the middle of the pack.

Another note worth mentioning. Laconi is an example of a good rider that had been on a poor bike. Kawasaki are pitiful. Laconi, who almost won a WSBK title (and should have) showed what he can do on a better bike. A seventh and fourth is something to write home about.

Lastly, I'm a fan of Max. No not that Max...but Max the German (I can't remember how to spell his last name, so I'll just call him Max the German). This guys is nails, and man is he gracious. Did anybody catch his podium interview. Most of it was praise for the other guys. This is the type of human being I like, humble, gracious, and backs it up with talent.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (povol @ Mar 2 2009, 02:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I agree that the top 5 are more talented, On a GP bike. But that doesnt guarantee them anything on a Superbike,just like being fast on a Superbike doesnt mean you will be fast on a Gp bike. Guys like Pedro and Lorenzo,who have never raced anything like a Superbike could very well struggle. It would be fun to find out though. Since you were fishing with the Nicky statement, i will bite. Fair to middling,you obviously were not paying attention when he ran Superbike.
Fair to middling in australian can sometimes mean very good . I know he won the AMA superbike championship, presumably also beating mladin like spies. I remember seeing a few replays of the races at the time.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (xx CURVE xx @ Mar 2 2009, 03:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>No..its not working...why?
relax, keep breathing curve I moved it its not working cause I merged it with 2 other topics that 2 other people allready started. I just clicked the link, and it works??

you just made another topic for discussing WSBK race here, have you noticed that we do have a WSBK section on the forum

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (xx CURVE xx @ Mar 2 2009, 06:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Did i not post it in the OTHER motorsports threads?...and my original thread did not work....tiss why i started a new one.... for the better race series
yes you did. but the superbike topics belong in the superbike part of the forum, not the other motorsport chat part hence why I moved + merged it

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Mar 2 2009, 08:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Lastly, I'm a fan of Max. No not that Max...but Max the German (I can't remember how to spell his last name, so I'll just call him Max the German). This guys is nails, and man is he gracious. Did anybody catch his podium interview. Most of it was praise for the other guys. This is the type of human being I like, humble, gracious, and backs it up with talent.

I appreciate his humility, but he's too soft. He gets punted all over the track and he rarely returns the favor.

Massive respect for what Neukirchner has achieved on the Suzuki, but he needs to pull his balls out of his girlfriends purse.

The proper mix of balls and humility is JT. Never afraid to apologize for going over the line, never afraid to run his front wheel up your backside. Good stuff.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (michaelm @ Mar 2 2009, 11:41 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Fair to middling in australian can sometimes mean very good . I know he won the AMA superbike championship, presumably also beating mladin like spies. I remember seeing a few replays of the races at the time.
Actually,Nicky beat Mladin like a borrowed mule. Spies beat an older Mladin 3 times by a hair.. I like them both and would pay big money to see them square off right now.