Qatar predictions?

Oh like Elias even more since he clipped Rossi, it was fun watching Rossi take some of his "medicine".

My prediction:

1. Pedrosa
2. Gibernau
3. Elias

Seeing as how I haven't made any real predictions yet I'll go ahead and do that now.

Head Says:
1. Rossi
2. Gibernau
3. Hayden

Heart Says:
1. Hayden
2. Elias
3. Hopkins

Ok, I'll have an early stab

1) Rossi
2) Caparossi
3) Melandri

Have to wait and see if Pedrosa and Elias can match their perfomances when they're not on their home soil.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Dan @ Mar 30 2006, 08:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Rock on!! oh yeh, rossi to kick out at Elias on first corner!! haha

Nah, Rossi was cool about that and didnt get pised at Elias after the race... I think his main Rival in terms of a war of words this year will come from Hopkins. They had a few run ins in the preseason. Mostly Hopper shadowing Rossi to try and "learn" things from a 7 time world champ who could leave the sport soon. In other words Hopper was tying to copy Rossi and the doc didn't like it

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (richo @ Mar 29 2006, 09:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I think his main Rival in terms of a war of words this year will come from Hopkins. They had a few run ins in the preseason. Mostly Hopper shadowing Rossi to try and "learn" things from a 7 time world champ who could leave the sport soon. In other words Hopper was tying to copy Rossi and the doc didn't like it
I've been a bit miffed by that whole thing. I know you try to keep your lines to yourself but it's bound to happen that somebody wil figure them out some day. And Rossi being the intelligent rider that he is, you would think he would understand a younger rider trying to see where he can make up some time by following a legend.

Rossi said he does understand it, but he says all the other riders have the respect not to use those kinda tactics.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (teomolca @ Mar 30 2006, 09:11 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Oh like Elias even more since he clipped Rossi, it was fun watching Rossi take some of his "medicine".
123 ... i love elias now! ... haha

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (richo @ Mar 30 2006, 01:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Nah, Rossi was cool about that and didnt get pised at Elias after the race... I think his main Rival in terms of a war of words this year will come from Hopkins. They had a few run ins in the preseason. Mostly Hopper shadowing Rossi to try and "learn" things from a 7 time world champ who could leave the sport soon. In other words Hopper was tying to copy Rossi and the doc didn't like it

haha .... anyone seen any of those photos of elias apologising after the race? .... rossi looks like he's about to deck him! HAHAHA .... but yeh, i know the saint wouldnt stoop that low ....

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Katt @ Mar 30 2006, 09:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'> 123 ... i love elias now! ... haha
haha .... anyone seen any of those photos of elias apologising after the race? .... rossi looks like he's about to deck him! HAHAHA .... but yeh, i know the saint wouldnt stoop that low ....

whatever u think of Rossi I think we have to repsect his character to pick himself up and carry on, and also not to sulk like a 3 year old after the race,. t'was a racing incident, just like Gibbers last year, it's all part and parcel of racing

I was sitting behind Padrosa fans who started cheering when they saw Rossi fall at the first,. then as the race went all and they saw how he battled on even though almost lapped by the time he got going, they were all standing at the end of the race clapping Rossi,. that says a lot

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (TopCat @ Mar 30 2006, 06:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I was sitting behind Padrosa fans who started cheering when they saw Rossi fall at the first,. then as the race went all and they saw how he battled on even though almost lapped by the time he got going, they were all standing at the end of the race clapping Rossi,. that says a lot

at least they realised what hes capable of .... ill admit i do respect his talent and wits about racing (23 points behind is better than 25) ... i just cant bring myself to support the guy. But then again there is plenty of ppl who will and one little girl aint gonna make much difference.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Katt @ Mar 30 2006, 09:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>at least they realised what hes capable of .... ill admit i do respect his talent and wits about racing (23 points behind is better than 25) ... i just cant bring myself to support the guy. But then again there is plenty of ppl who will and one little girl aint gonna make much difference.

of course one wee girl makes a difference,. it makes the difference to you and that's all that matter's.

why don't you like Rossi ?,. I can't say I love him [ cuz I is a bloke ] but I love watching him, and I think he is a real character which the sport benifits hugely from,. Cappers is any guy i think is super,...

I'm sure if we all met these guys personally are views would prob change again so I don't put much emphsis on it, I just love the racing and battling

would'nt it be funny if he won at the end of the year by two points !!!!!!!!!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (TopCat @ Mar 30 2006, 06:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>of course one wee girl makes a difference,. it makes the difference to you and that's all that matter's.

why don't you like Rossi ?,. I can't say I love him [ cuz I is a bloke ] but I love watching him, and I think he is a real character which the sport benifits hugely from,. Cappers is any guy i think is super,...

I'm sure if we all met these guys personally are views would prob change again so I don't put much emphsis on it, I just love the racing and battling

would'nt it be funny if he won at the end of the year by two points !!!!!!!!!

rossi just doesnt kick it for me ... can't pinpoint why, i just dislike the bloke.... i guess it could be because he has taken away the excitement of the sport in a way ( im gonna get axed for this) ... race after race its "whose gonna win?" .... "rossi" and on and on and on ....
but i guess with the new season and new competitors things will start to change ( HOPEFULLY & FINALLY)

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Katt @ Mar 30 2006, 10:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>rossi just doesnt kick it for me ... can't pinpoint why, i just dislike the bloke.... i guess it could be because he has taken away the excitement of the sport in a way ( im gonna get axed for this) ... race after race its "whose gonna win?" .... "rossi" and on and on and on ....
but i guess with the new season and new competitors things will start to change ( HOPEFULLY & FINALLY)

I see your point, but then there are two sides to it all. Things like this happen and sport to an extent needs a champion worth de-throning, Roberts, Doohan, Rainey, Gardener etc, I think he's been nothing but good for MotoGP, but what you are saying is that you've had enough ?,.

There's no point in it if he just leaves or goes to MotoGP, I think it would be better if a new champ comes along and defeats him 'Toe-2-Toe', if he just goes away then all we will have it a load of 2nd place guys winning, if you get my drift,. we will forever say, Yeah Mr. X won, but Rossi ain't here

You should have more fun now that Yamaha/Rossi are in Diff's,. but I suspect when he/they get it sorted it will be bizniz as usual

Being a big Doohan supporter, I stand by my belif that he could have kept going, but I think the crashes, not the other riders knocked him off. I would have loved to see him stick at it for a few more years. Watch him go up against Rossi when he first came to 500s. I think Mick would have a big advanage in that Rossi's first 500 crew were basically refugees of Doohan's retirement (Burgess included) They helped give the doc the leg up he needed to become so competitve so quickly. Now if Doohan had stayed, Rossi's crew would most likely be just another crew, not the cream of the crop that serviced mighty Mick's NSR

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (TopCat @ Mar 30 2006, 07:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I see your point, but then there are two sides to it all. Things like this happen and sport to an extent needs a champion worth de-throning, Roberts, Doohan, Rainey, Gardener etc, I think he's been nothing but good for MotoGP, but what you are saying is that you've had enough ?,.

There's no point in it if he just leaves or goes to MotoGP, I think it would be better if a new champ comes along and defeats him 'Toe-2-Toe', if he just goes away then all we will have it a load of 2nd place guys winning, if you get my drift,. we will forever say, Yeah Mr. X won, but Rossi ain't here

You should have more fun now that Yamaha/Rossi are in Diff's,. but I suspect when he/they get it sorted it will be bizniz as usual

i see YOUR point mate .... and its a very good one at that .... i just guess im getting frustrated and want someone to take that halo offa his head already...
he has brought motogp alot more media coverage to an extent, but then all of those champions did too ...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (richo @ Mar 31 2006, 01:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Being a big Doohan supporter, I stand by my belif that he could have kept going, but I think the crashes, not the other riders knocked him off. I would have loved to see him stick at it for a few more years. Watch him go up against Rossi when he first came to 500s. I think Mick would have a big advanage in that Rossi's first 500 crew were basically refugees of Doohan's retirement (Burgess included) They helped give the doc the leg up he needed to become so competitve so quickly. Now if Doohan had stayed, Rossi's crew would most likely be just another crew, not the cream of the crop that serviced mighty Mick's NSR

don't get me wrong... i love doohan ... i think i must've be he's youngest supporter .. my brother supported Biaggi and i supported doohan ... haha we seriously used to have screaming matches over it . But do you really think he could've kept going? ... probably better he retired then... he's injuries would have eventually gotten the better of him surely, that (right?) leg is one ...... up sight, hes lucky to still have it if you ask me.
it is a shame that we never got to see rossi and him racing together ... that would've been a sight, but it still wouldnt have been comparitable ... they're both legends in their own time i guess and thats all we can say now

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Katt @ Mar 30 2006, 04:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>rossi looks like he's about to deck him! HAHAHA .... but yeh, i know the saint wouldnt stoop that low ....
yes he would..... just ask max biaggi

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Katt @ Mar 31 2006, 08:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>don't get me wrong... i love doohan ... i think i must've be he's youngest supporter .. my brother supported Biaggi and i supported doohan ... haha we seriously used to have screaming matches over it . But do you really think he could've kept going? ... probably better he retired then... he's injuries would have eventually gotten the better of him surely, that (right?) leg is one ...... up sight, hes lucky to still have it if you ask me.
it is a shame that we never got to see rossi and him racing together ... that would've been a sight, but it still wouldnt have been comparitable ... they're both legends in their own time i guess and thats all we can say now

Yeah, I know he needed to retire, Kat. He couldn't keep going like that, but I meant if he didn't have the injuries. His age itself didn't slow him down, but it did magnify the extent of the damage that made it too hard to keep going.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (frosty58 @ Mar 31 2006, 08:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>yes he would..... just ask max biaggi

Aah the good ole days... everything's so civil now. I wish Biaggi were back, just so Rossi could be beating him

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (richo @ Mar 31 2006, 04:22 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Yeah, I know he needed to retire, Kat. He couldn't keep going like that, but I meant if he didn't have the injuries. His age itself didn't slow him down, but it did magnify the extent of the damage that made it too hard to keep going.
Aah the good ole days... everything's so civil now. I wish Biaggi were back, just so Rossi could be beating him

also remember Mick limping out to an NSR to try to retain some points of Wayne to keep his championship, Garderner doing a good job of trying to help out...

His legs may have been f__ked but his balls were the biggest out there

For my two pennies worth on both topics here:

Whether one likes his personality or not, Rossi is a fantastic racer, a true racer, and I have loved every minute of watching him over the last few years. Dominance in any sporting discipline can become boring, for sure, but when that dominance comes from out and out skill and exciting riding, I think it's a good thing. As TopCat said, surely better to be dethroned that step aside and have the constant 'what ifs'. For me the most fun was the first season in the top class - I loved the' what they hey I'm gonna go as fast as I can and have some fun', feel, much like J Villeneuve's first season in F1 (the last time F1 was interested for my money).

For some reason I used to have a dislike of lil' Loris - I don't know why, he just used to be a bit dirty for my liking, compared to the utterly lovable Barros, say. These days tho', I think the guy it an absolute gem - what a rider.

Anyhoo. back to the race....

Hmm, expect Rossi to feature strongly, not sure about a win... I'll go for Gibbers, the guys luck has to change some time soon, right?

good post boog

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Boogaloo @ Mar 31 2006, 12:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>For my two pennies worth on both topics here:

Whether one likes his personality or not, Rossi is a fantastic racer, a true racer, and I have loved every minute of watching him over the last few years. Dominance in any sporting discipline can become boring, for sure, but when that dominance comes from out and out skill and exciting riding, I think it's a good thing. As TopCat said, surely better to be dethroned that step aside and have the constant 'what ifs'. For me the most fun was the first season in the top class - I loved the' what they hey I'm gonna go as fast as I can and have some fun', feel, much like J Villeneuve's first season in F1 (the last time F1 was interested for my money).

For some reason I used to have a dislike of lil' Loris - I don't know why, he just used to be a bit dirty for my liking, compared to the utterly lovable Barros, say. These days tho', I think the guy it an absolute gem - what a rider.

Anyhoo. back to the race....

Hmm, expect Rossi to feature strongly, not sure about a win... I'll go for Gibbers, the guys luck has to change some time soon, right?


yeah boogaloo i think u r right on the money there

lil Loris Dirty eh? surely not,. I think u r referring to his 250 days ?, but was ths not just 'hard' racing

think u r right about Rossi coming back strong,. really is just a matter of time,. as for Gibbers I think this could be a perfect example of PMA [ Positive Mental Attitude ] except he doesn't have any,. or else his had kicked a voodoo doll on holidays,. or didn't salute the faires going to the Isle Of Man TT

Ha ha, yeah I think you might be right there. That's why we love this sport though isn't it, it's hard to predict... do you guys have these dilemmas on here before every race?!

And yes, I agree, Loris has always been a good hard racer, give me that over processional riders any day.....