Phillip Island RACE

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Gaz @ Oct 19 2009, 06:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>An interesting comment and something I got the impression about when watching the race was that Rossi appeared very comfortable racing Stoner that close whereas at times he seems less comfortable around Lorenzo or Pedrosa.

Probably well wrong but to me it just seemed that Rossi enjoyed that race because he seems to have total trust and respect in Stoner when riding that close.

Made damn good viewing.


Gaz

I agree. In part I reckon that Vale's relationship to Stoner, has a bit more emotional distance.
It's pretty clear from recent remarks by Rossi that Lorenzo (his "team-mate" on a near identical bike) is a irksome opponent. No World Champ likes being beaten by his much-less-experienced team-mate. In a sense, I reckon, Vale views Stoner as one who's come up through the ranks and paid his dues in the premier class and is therefore a more "worthy" opponent.

Come next season (my God - how many posts have started with that phrase) J-Lo will be that much more confident and that much more experienced etc. and the slicing and dicing between him, Vale and Healthy-Stoner should make good theater. BTW - is it my imagination - or does Stoner look a bit beefier now. Mayhaps he's eating smarter and putting on some more muscle to prevent anymore outbreaks of the fatigue brought on by the sheer physicality of taming the Duke.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Gaz @ Oct 19 2009, 05:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>An interesting comment and something I got the impression about when watching the race was that Rossi appeared very comfortable racing Stoner that close whereas at times he seems less comfortable around Lorenzo…

Gaz

Catalunya 09?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (VHMP01 @ Oct 19 2009, 01:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Catalunya 09?
I think gaz might mean that valentino may consider stoner less likely to crash into him, which casey demonstrated some facility for if nothing else at laguna seca last year; the big powerslide towards the end of the recent race may not have reinforced this view though.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (VHMP01 @ Oct 19 2009, 09:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Catalunya 09?
Bam, put that in your pipe and smoke it. I think once jlo went down rossi became more relaxed knowing the worst he could do is come out with the same points lead he came in with. He just had no real pressure in this race, so I think he may have been pushing a little harder knowing that lorenzo was taking a gravel nap.

I have to say, I am a bit disappointed with Rossi not trying to pass Casey at P.I. On one hand it was smart since it seemed evident that Casey had more margin than him, so why not cash in the 20 pts to 0 and walk... But, is that the trademark Rossi, or the Rossi we like?!

The Rossi we like would have rather thought he had 20 pts to spend, not 20 pts to save... and would have tried to win. Well, we know age brings reason, not passion

Then, I have an idea about the reason of Lorenzo's nervousness... Perhaps Lorenzo is suffering Stoner's return more than Rossi. Why? Because Stoner is stealing Lorenzo's show! (or what he thought it was his show) Damn, damn, damn

Great race at the front and defnitely cool seeing those 800's powerslide around the turns.
I think if Lorenzo would have stayed rubber side down the battle at the front would have been more interesting. Bummer for Nick getting knocked off the track again but hopefully he'll get all of this bad luck out of the way before next year and can make a respectible run in the championship.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Gaz @ Oct 18 2009, 02:42 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>For Hayden, someone needs to investigate to see how many mirrors he has broken or black cats he has run over or even ladders he has walked under, as this year he has had no real luck of which to speak so is well overdue.
He's still paying for the lack of bad luck he had in 2006.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (TheVermin @ Oct 18 2009, 05:13 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Shattered Vermeulen couldn't crack the top 10, top ride from him anyway in his last MotoGP race at home.
The Suzuki is just plain bad at the moment. What was impressive from Vermeulen, is that he was able to get in front of Capirossi and his new engine.

Definitely an impressive result from Stoner. Valentino was close, but he didn't have anything for Stoner on the day. Sure, he was in championship mode but the only real attempts he made to overtake were lunges. Stoner controlled the race, Valentino did what he needed to do to bring home the points.

I don't understand how Pedrosa gets those starts. Elias is nearly the same size and is on a factory spec Honda and, although he's a good starter, doesn't get near the jump Pedrosa does. He's either got the quickest reactions on the grid by a considerable margin (doubt it), the best clutch control (doubt it) or he's got something special on board.

Great ride for De Angelis. I'm not his biggest fan but he deserves to be on the grid with a competitive ride. He deserves more than Scot Honda or FB Corse.

Edwards, par for the course.

I just can't understand how Dovi has plateaued. He grew up on the circuits, had a learning year with no pressure and got the promotion to the Repsol ride and, outside a freak weather race, has done nothing with it. Not to take anything away from Edwards, but he's a rider in his mid-30s on a factory spec, satellite team. As a 250 kid on a factory Honda, beating Edwards should be a given. Hayden was more impressive. Even on the 212. Really a disappointment. You have to wonder if Honda are happy about giving him another two years. Maybe I'm just bitter about the situation and am being impatient with the kid, I just expected a lot more from him on the factory Honda.

It looked like we were going to be in for a real scrap with Elias, Edwards, Dovizioso, Kallio and Melandri but they really spread out. To the point where there was nearly five seconds between each rider. It used to be that the race at the front was usually a procession but there were generally scraps from fifth onwards. We didn't see much of that at the Island. Hopefully that's an anomaly and won't continue

Lorenzo and Hayden, unlucky to say the least. Lorenzo bogged the start, Hayden got his best jump of the season. Lorenzo got sandwiched between Hayden and Kallio and it sounds like it was a combination of Hayden braking early and Lorenzo outbraking himself. It's a shame that Lorenzo has effectively taken himself out of the championship. It's a shame that Hayden has been taken out on the first lap for the third time this season, he could be in the top 10 and see some tangible progress for all his hard work. It's a shame Hayden couldn't really race at one of his favorite circuits.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Oct 19 2009, 12:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>LINK

This is what "elbows down" looks like.
.... that guy.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Austin @ Oct 19 2009, 01:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>.... that guy.
LOL...I'm not surprised to see Yates with his elbow down, he's so damn tall it's hard for him not to drag his elbows.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Oct 19 2009, 07:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'> Geez Ooost, what brought that on? Tell me so I can dislike him too buddy.
he is just copying ben 'elbows' spies style

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Oct 19 2009, 06:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>LINK

This is what "elbows down" looks like.
Ruggia.....the original and the best!

link

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Austin @ Oct 19 2009, 06:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>It looked like we were going to be in for a real scrap with Elias, Edwards, Dovizioso, Kallio and Melandri but they really spread out. To the point where there was nearly five seconds between each rider. It used to be that the race at the front was usually a procession but there were generally scraps from fifth onwards. We didn't see much of that at the Island. Hopefully that's an anomaly and won't continue

I thought it looked like the order was just decided with how well the tires lasted for each rider. Shame there was no fight for the end anwyay.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Oct 19 2009, 01:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'> Geez Ooost, what brought that on? Tell me so I can dislike him too buddy.

He buddy, you remember The Cult whining and complaining about the 06 champ "cruising" around for points. Hahaha, ah, Rossi Mindless, what a blissful bunch.
He torpedoed EBoz at race one Laguna WSBK 2003, breaking Boz's collarbone. Bostrom led the championship at that point on the underpowered ZX7RR, fighting Mladin's GSXR 1000. It was an awful move and it cost the youngest Boz, who was tipped to move to the world stage, dearly.

The Cruisin' Caretaker. How nice it must be to have the flexibility to frown upon any number of championship strategies depending on how Rossi's season is going.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Austin @ Oct 19 2009, 09:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>He torpedoed EBoz at race one Laguna WSBK 2003, breaking Boz's collarbone. Bostrom led the championship at that point on the underpowered ZX7RR, fighting Mladin's GSXR 1000. It was an awful move and it cost the youngest Boz, who was tipped to move to the world stage, dearly.
Does anyone recall the dropkick? - He got fined heavily by the AMA and HJC withdrew their sponsorship as I remember. Andrea Ianonne has been likewise vilified for his similar headbutt on Espagaro, and has cost his team thousands in sponsorship money through several backers pulling out.
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<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (J4rn0 @ Oct 19 2009, 11:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I have to say, I am a bit disappointed with Rossi not trying to pass Casey at P.I. On one hand it was smart since it seemed evident that Casey had more margin than him, so why not cash in the 20 pts to 0 and walk... But, is that the trademark Rossi, or the Rossi we like?!

The Rossi we like would have rather thought he had 20 pts to spend, not 20 pts to save... and would have tried to win. Well, we know age brings reason, not passion

Then, I have an idea about the reason of Lorenzo's nervousness... Perhaps Lorenzo is suffering Stoner's return more than Rossi. Why? Because Stoner is stealing Lorenzo's show! (or what he thought it was his show) Damn, damn, damn

I think Rossi owed it to his fans to take it to Stoner like he did in Laguna. It could have been a fantastic race but he sandbagged it. Who cares if he wins another championship? I wanted a war and got a parade.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (gsfan @ Oct 19 2009, 11:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I think Rossi owed it to his fans to take it to Stoner like he did in Laguna. It could have been a fantastic race but he sandbagged it. Who cares if he wins another championship? I wanted a war and got a parade.

his fans do... and tho we would liked to have seen a battle, the clever thing to do was cross the finish line and not finish like lorenzo.... the on the edge performance from stoner and rossi's consistant pace even tho there was no overtaking was magical.... trading blows in laptimes made up for not having a battle IMO there performance was a pleasure to watch.