Qatar MotoGP Race **SPOILER**

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Mar 10 2007, 05:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Classic performance from Edwards, he shows promis and speed in testing and practice, then the lights go green and he gets out raced. Very average effort as usual.

ha ha! just what i said in the predictions. complete waste of space...


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (rgvneil @ Mar 10 2007, 05:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>What a awful result from the reigning world champ, 8th place? What's that all about? Maybe one of the Haydenboppers can enlighten us, preferably one that previously slagged me off.

'haydenbobbers'

it was an awful result. both of the repsol's struggled this weekend, i think haydens problem is his broad shoulders though, apparently he has had extra bits put on the front to make the air go other them instead of it hitting him. thats not really an excuse though

When will people learn to stop expecting Edwards to suddenly get good, the Yamaha has been solid and clearly one of the best bikes out there. Edwards is at the top in practice and at a track he loves, everybody decides hes gonna do well. Then when he doesn't do it there will be a list of reasons avoiding the fact that edwards isn't quick enough in a race.

Speaking of which, a disapointing but predictable ride from Hayden, lets hope this problem is track specific and he will be ok in europe shortly. Honda are obviously behind yamaha and ducati and need to sort something out, but i still have faith, its honda afterall.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Mar 10 2007, 05:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>When will people learn to stop expecting Edwards to suddenly get good, the Yamaha has been solid and clearly one of the best bikes out there. Edwards is at the top in practice and at a track he loves, everybody decides hes gonna do well. Then when he doesn't do it there will be a list of reasons avoiding the fact that edwards isn't quick enough in a race.

Speaking of which, a disapointing but predictable ride from Hayden, lets hope this problem is track specific and he will be ok in europe shortly. Honda are obviously behind yamaha and ducati and need to sort something out, but i still have faith, its honda afterall.

yup, and the only reason edwards is still at yamaha is because nobody else wanted the ride, nobody wants to ride under rossi, for obvious reasons

yeah hayden didnt need that. the honda,s seemed to struggle this weekend - i think next meeting will be their time... hopefully.

My review on the GP

1st Casey Stoner: A+
Everyone says the Ducati was so fast, but that's just top speed, Where were the rest of Ducati riders? ... I'll tell you, nowhere near the lead, lots of top speed but ...... chassis as usual in Ducati (will they ever get rid of tubular frame???) So full merit to Casey who managed to get the beast to go throw corners fast. Casey always had the speed (pole last year in same track) but just couldn't make it to the end, if he manages to be a consistent rider everything is possible for him.

2nd Rossi: A
Did pretty well, a win was expected though probably it was more Yamaha's fault than Vale's. Still a good start to the season.

3rd Pedrosa: A
A bit like Rossi, more was expected but it seems the bike is simply not good enough yet.

4th Hopkins: A
Considering he was still hampered by the injury, 4th on the new (apparently better) Suzuki is pretty damm good.

5th Melandri: B
Very unconsistent over the weekend, at least he ended up well what looked like a miserable GP for him.

6th Edwards: C
Considering he said he had the best bike he's ever had and that Yamaha should finish 1,2 in every race, 6th is a poor result.

7th Vermeulen: C+
Not bad, but getting beaten by your semi-injured teammate is not good either.

8th Hayden: D
Nicky gets a lot criticism in this forum, and most of the time I talk about him is to defend him, but not today, if on your bike there's a big fat "1" and a HRC logo, 8th is simply not acceptable.

9th Barros: B-
Compared with the usual D'Antin results it's pretty good, compared to the other guy in your team it's pretty good too, compared to the race winner with a theoretically equal bike it ain't that good.

10th Nakano: C
New bike, new team, new tyres doesn't help, but Casey was in the same situation and look what he did. I'm expecting more of Shinya.

11th Hoffman: C-
Other Ducati's did better today eh! still for the Hoffmeister standards 11th it's OK.

12th Jaque: C-
Old Jaques was not too fast today, is he rusty and will get better or over the hill now?

13th Roberts Jr: D+
Having low top speed doesn't help, but he should have been nearer to non-HRC Hondas.

14th Elías C-
He did the opposite to his teammate, started very well (great qualy) race pace was OK (fighting with Nicky for 8th) but ended badly with an off-track excursion that sent him to the back.

15th Guintoli: A
His debut race in MotoGP category ended in the points scoring postions consistently outracing and outqualifying his vastly experienced teammate.

16th Tamada: D
.... FP, .... quali, .... race, though it's nice to see he took the blame and said I'm sorry to the team instead of bringing up some cheap ... excuse.

The rest D, should've stayed on the bike!

The Ilmor guys hard to judge.

I don't see how the Hondas struggled considering Dani got third.
I'd like to think that had Hopper not been carrying an injury he may have passed Pedrosa for third and exorcised a few demons but at least the Suzukis seem to have shown some improvement.
Damn those Dukes are fast!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (rgvneil @ Mar 10 2007, 06:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I don't see how the Hondas struggled considering Dani got third.

He flatters the bike.

Rossi did the same in 04.

Hope you don't mind me using your post Teo, it looks like a good way to evaluate each individual's race. I haven't included comments though because many are the same as yours originally.

My review on the GP

1st Casey Stoner: A+

2nd Rossi: A

3rd Pedrosa: A

4th Hopkins: A+

5th Melandri: B-

6th Edwards: B-

7th Vermeulen: B

8th Hayden: D

9th Barros: B-

10th Nakano: C

11th Hoffman: C-

12th Jaque: C-

13th Roberts Jr: D

14th Elías C-

15th Guintoli: A+

16th Tamada: D

Others: U

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (K.J. @ Mar 10 2007, 12:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>stoner, stoner stoooooooooooooooooooner..... flawless race from him. Brilliant stuff.

and Hopper is an absolute battler, anyone see his face after the race?

why? why dya have to go being Caseys number 1 fan?? lol

That Duke is AMAZING!! jesus, going to be a very interesting season!!!!

Actually Dani in his post race interview at the parc ferme' said his bike was faster than Vale's. Don't know what Hayden's problem is. I don't think he can blame the bike. Even if we leave Dani out of the equation, since the Italians have been saying he's got a different engine, surely he should have managed to do better than Marco?

I wonder if Lucio Cecchinelli's team curses riders to crash? Maybe it wasn't Casey's fault after all?! Nah...he crashed the 250 often enough, though Lucio must really be chewing his fingers off poor chap!

Another post race comment from Vale:
I knew the Ducatis were very fast but my mechanics told me not to worry about them...that they'd run out of fuel before the end of the race. I'm really going to have to have a word with them about giving me the wrong information.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Bikergirl @ Mar 10 2007, 08:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Actually Dani in his post race interview at the parc ferme' said his bike was faster than Vale's. Don't know what Hayden's problem is. I don't think he can blame the bike.
That's 100% spot on. Down the straights Dani Pedrosa was quicker than Rossi and overtook him a few times until Rossi came back at them by braking so late entering the first corner, therefore carrying more corner speed to get away from Pedrosa - this happened enough times to say it's fact too.
Hayden said he had problems with the front end of the bike and never really gained a relationship with it. He also missed out on 1 practice session because of receiving treatment for his shoulder in the fall when Dani took him out. Hayden has no excuses for his poor performance though.

Hayden has said himself that his shoulder or other circumstances are not excuses, and he needs to work hard with his team to find a solution for these problems. I am hoping that the problem is solved in some way or another very soon, these are not points he can afford to give away often.

Honda also have work to do if they want to catch up with the other facotries anyway, hopefully that involves making Nicky more comfortable.

Casey Stoner - Well done!

For me, Casey rode a brilliant race, and, won, that's it, he fought off rossi, and everyone else. The ex Preston and District motorcycle club rider, made all of us at Preston and District motorcycle club PROUD!

Yup, Rossi, u came 2nd

only just got to see the race but it was worth the wait.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Mar 10 2007, 03:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I warned you all didn't i. I said that Casey was a man to watc and he was kind enough to ride a perfect race, brilliant stuff.

me n you both Tom - I haven't heard any Crashy comments today - he rode the perfect race though i admit i expected Rossi to ake im in the last 3-4 laps as the tyres went off.

Well done young Casey

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Alex @ Mar 10 2007, 01:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>It's been a long time since the Australian national anthem has been played in Moto GP that's for sure!

you sure about that Alex ?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Babelfish @ Mar 10 2007, 04:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Btw, did anyone study the throttle bars for Casey and Vale near the end of the race? It was quite a distance between the bikes, about 10 to 20 metres, even so, in every corner Rossi were earlier on the power. Every single one. Still he lost distance in the exit, even early in the exit. It's hard to decide if this was lack of power or lack of grip. In Rossis first year at Yamaha we could often se how Rossi had higher speed out of the corners by being earlt on the power, masking the power differences between the Yamaha and the Honda. But today it looked like he was back on his Vespa, whith neither power or grip to keep up. It was even worse than his first year at Yamaha. Or maybe the power bars were miscalibrated and casey is Rossis equal in corner exits?

i noticed that too - Casey was almost riding it lke a 999 - stop n squirt style - where as rossi was on the power early and feeding it on gradually. mind you - the Duke has the legs to do it - the Yam doesn't.

it was certainly an interesting race but i think round 2 will be even more interesting now that Yam and Honda have had their noses rubbed in it - they won't be taking it lying down. their engines will be on the dyno's before they even cool down.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (stop_killing_dead_things @ Mar 10 2007, 06:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>yup, and the only reason edwards is still at yamaha is because nobody else wanted the ride, nobody wants to ride under rossi, for obvious reasons

if you honestly think no-one want's Colins seat, then your insane

i for one would happily take it.

Congratulations Stoner! Very impressive ride from this Aussie.


Rossi second that's a good result. From what i saw in top speed Rossi was 9 with 309km/h. Stoner was the first with 323 km/h.


Great to see Suzuki with a good result (4 and 7 not bad). If Hopkins beat Pedrosa that was much better.


Sorry for Capirossi (exchange the place with Stoner? ). 5th place could be obtained if he didn't fall.


Looking forward to next race.

Hayden?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Morgo @ Mar 10 2007, 11:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Hayden?


Needs to phone M&P for a decent set of clutch plates...

Pete

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (baldylocks @ Mar 10 2007, 11:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>i noticed that too - Casey was almost riding it lke a 999 - stop n squirt style - where as rossi was on the power early and feeding it on gradually. mind you - the Duke has the legs to do it - the Yam doesn't.

The ducati must also have some of the best traction control out there as well. On that loooong sweeper in section 3 he really streched away from Rossi every time we could see the two from the side. That is a 2nd to 4th allmost at full lean angle.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <div class='quotemain'>it was certainly an interesting race but i think round 2 will be even more interesting now that Yam and Honda have had their noses rubbed in it - they won't be taking it lying down. their engines will be on the dyno's before they even cool down.
It's Jerez isn't it? The power factor won't play the same role there so I guess they have a few weeks to come up with a few patches, allthough with the current difference one would think that the full SP1 will be needed

Even so I can't help smiling at the whole thing. Little Ducati powering away from both Honda and Yamaha. Guess they didn't see that comming.

After QP it was clear Hayden wouldn't be running with the top guys but I was hoping he'd find somthing to pick up a few spots. I was just glad he didn't lose the front and end up in the gravel. I do have confidence in the Hayden-Benson team that they will get it together. Great race no matter who your favorite rider is, Stoner ruled it . If I am Honda I would be worried about Pedrosa though, as strange as that sounds. Vale schooled him so many times today going into the first turn doing exactly what was going to be Dani's strong suit, cornering. There was much talk last year and some from Rossi himself about DP's odd cornering lines and braking points and I thought moving to the 800's would take care of that but it didn't seem to. DP also didn't seem to interested in going in close and mixing it up which Vale seems fully aware of. Can anybody tell me if my favorite KRJR has finished yet?He didn't get much face time on camera today.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (basspete @ Mar 11 2007, 12:11 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Needs to phone M&P for a decent set of clutch plates...

Pete

If I was him I would stay away from M&P, he would be lucky if he got his cluth plates before the season is over.

(after two full weeks my shipment with new stuff is still not shipped. They are "waiting" for those special trick parts as no-brand brake hoses and Did chains to hit the storage. If you see a VTR without brakes and a rattling chain as it jump the cogs outside assen at the race weekend you know it's me )

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Babelfish @ Mar 11 2007, 12:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>If I was him I would stay away from M&P, he would be lucky if he got his cluth plates before the season is over.

(after two full weeks my shipment with new stuff is still not shipped. They are "waiting" for those special trick parts as no-brand brake hoses and Did chains to hit the storage. If you see a VTR without brakes and a rattling chain as it jump the cogs outside assen at the race weekend you know it's me )

Ahh, you've had the same M&P experiences as me... Funny, but MPS and Busters have their act together and they are all the same company.... Maybe he should phone Dave Silver...



Pete