Qatar Race - Spoiler

That was worth the wait right from 125's, 250's all the way to James Toseland just being brilliant and riding hard and sticking it to Lorenzo like he's come up through 125's 250's etc. The night race lighting made the bikes just look fantastic and made for a level playing field as far as tyre data went. Stoner, once again awsome and his team mate being at the back end of the grid should stop people doubting his phenominal skill riding that ducati like a legend. Lorenzo, well we knew he wouldn't be backwards in coming forward didn't we? Still gonna be interesting between Rossi and Lorenzo because of the obvious tyre differences but still if Stoner can win on Bridgestones surely Rossi can too but time will tell. James Toseland though unexpected wow and I'm truly hoping that he has a bit of a World Championship fight ahead of him this season but I suppose that depends on whether Yamaha let him but backing up Rossi probably helps him keeping things favorable with the yamaha group. Not that I'm saying he could or couldn't pass him just politically it might be better in the long run.

Pedrosa, wow again really chuffed for him. Dovi........great performance and the last few laps were really exciting because of him.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CaramaC @ Mar 10 2008, 10:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Got a bit pissed with that dude on eurosport going on and on about the "lamposts" and how they could light up 3 million football pitches, stretch half way around the world and light up the whole of the USA..........blah blah blah. And Mrs Stoner (nice looking girl that you are).........go and wash some dishes or something.......oh yeah and the advert breaks on eurosport.......fantastic

Yeah not very politically correct in so far as green wise huh? Being able to light up the road from their to Moscow I don't think is something to brag about however, it's a travelling circus and was never aimed at being planet friendly really ha ha.

The ad breaks on Eurosport did surpass even themselves we were also shouting at the telly. Anyhoo better get back to washing the dishes ala Mrs Stoner

XX Liz

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (J4rn0 @ Mar 10 2008, 02:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Is Ducati playing games? Or is Stoner God? I don't believe in god, so what alternative is there?
Whether or not I believe in god, I don't believe that god and casey stoner are inseparable, even as a keen stoner fan. I agree there is a mystery. I can't see why ducati would rest all their hopes with one rider, who might crash out for the season in practice for the next race. Presumably they wouldn't mind winning the manufacturers/ teams championships either. Their financial situation is said to have improved; also presumably they have enough resources to devote to more than one rider? Otherwise your guess is as good as mine.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (J4rn0 @ Mar 10 2008, 01:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I expected Michelin to run strong or even win, as they shipped Losail-specific custom made tyres to all their teams after the free tests of last week. It must be seen how they fare in the future though, since it will be impossible do to that again for them.that's the question, how will they get on at other places? they're defo gonna be more on it than last year, they've got the motivation and three guys who it is safe to say are good at giving solid feedback so i think michelin can do a good job this year.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (michaelm @ Mar 10 2008, 07:55 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Whether or not I believe in god, I don't believe that god and casey stoner are inseparable, even as a keen stoner fan. I agree there is a mystery. I can't see why ducati would rest all their hopes with one rider, who might crash out for the season in practice for the next race. Presumably they wouldn't mind winning the manufacturers/ teams championships either. Their financial situation is said to have improved; also presumably they have enough resources to devote to more than one rider? Otherwise your guess is as good as mine.
Tough to tell. Melandri's been inconsistent in the past, but 11th is his worst race finish since he was on a satellite yamaha. He's had subpar stretches at times though. Elias has always been inconsistent as hell - slow to fast to slow in the blink of an eye. Entertaining when he's riding well, but not consistently fast. It's tough to know much about Guintoli as all he's ridden on in the premier class was last year's uncompetitive tech3 on dunlops. He beat his teammate, but who knows what Tamada has/had left? Not really sure what they can say either way about ducati in general. The offseason testing lack of pace is worrisome, but it's still a bit early to be anything more than mystified. Neither of them set the world alight last year - maybe they're just not as fast as we thought/hoped? Remember than Capirossi went from a strong 3rd in the championship to absolutely lost on the thing last season, even while stoner was running away with the title with his apparently rather odd settings. Also remember that Melandri went from 12th (and not finishing a ton of races) in the championship to 2nd when he went from Yamaha to Honda, and stoner from 8th to first moving to the Ducati (although he was plenty fast on the honda, especially for a satellite rider, just crashy). Both Stoner and Melandri have had pretty substantial changes in performance when switching bikes before. Maybe Melandri is again, just in the wrong direction?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mattsteg @ Mar 10 2008, 02:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Tough to tell. Melandri's been inconsistent in the past, but 11th is his worst race finish since he was on a satellite yamaha. He's had subpar stretches at times though. Elias has always been inconsistent as hell - slow to fast to slow in the blink of an eye. Entertaining when he's riding well, but not consistently fast. It's tough to know much about Guintoli as all he's ridden on in the premier class was last year's uncompetitive tech3 on dunlops. He beat his teammate, but who knows what Tamada has/had left? Not really sure what they can say either way about ducati in general. The offseason testing lack of pace is worrisome, but it's still a bit early to be anything more than mystified. Neither of them set the world alight last year - maybe they're just not as fast as we thought/hoped? Remember than Capirossi went from a strong 3rd in the championship to absolutely lost on the thing last season, even while stoner was running away with the title with his apparently rather odd settings. Also remember that Melandri went from 12th (and not finishing a ton of races) in the championship to 2nd when he went from Yamaha to Honda, and stoner from 8th to first moving to the Ducati (although he was plenty fast on the honda, especially for a satellite rider, just crashy). Both Stoner and Melandri have had pretty substantial changes in performance when switching bikes before. Maybe Melandri is again, just in the wrong direction?
All your points are reasonable. In particular, it is hard to know how much riding talent and dunlop tyres respectively contributed to tech 3's competitiveness or lack thereof last year; I am still sorry that dunlop have gone though.

About the Race? I'm not that excited as others, wasn't at all a dull races but the excitement lacked for me. I knew Stoner will win it after a few laps, same for the 2nd place. and the 3rd A nice battle for the 4th spot and a glimpse of a fight for 8th. A crash from DeAngelis, A front tyre problem for Vermeulen ment he was laped. What else?

I guess it's my fault though: I had too many expectations . for this race.

Whoa!!!!I`ve been speechless after the race,just don`t know what to say!!!It was bloody excellent from all classes,more of the same please.

I have to put this picture again

2952:Losail_small.jpg]

Seriously, one of the most beautiful sights that I've ever seen!

I enjoyed all three races.
Surprises, disappointments... If we had close battle for the fist it would be perfect.
I just hope we won't have many endings like this through season.

It´s been a long time since I posted in the forum but I´m back now the season has started. I only managed to watch half of the race in crap internet TV quality, but still better than nothing.

Stoner seems to pick it up where he left it last year. Fast and consistent. No doubts. The fact Melandri sucked with the same bike makes it even more impressive.
I was not impressed by Lorenzo, I knew he was very good, anyone who´s been watching 250cc and 125cc the last few seasons knows that.
Pedrosa was also very good as usual, despite the injury and a 08 bike that still has plenty of problems he managed to save 16 points.
I'm looking forward to the fight between JL and Dani cause they really hate each other. That rivalry should produce great fights between them on track.
Dovi was good too, best of the privateers and sticking it to Rossi. Again like with JL, after watching him ride in 250&125 it was obvious how talented he was. Still IMO he is not as good as JL. Still it should be enough to get him an HRC ride for next season when Nicky gets kicked out.
Rossi is running out of excuses, the not adapted to the tyres thing might be a valid excuse for his fans, but IMO the decline of Rossi started last year and nowadays he´s simply not as good as he used to be some years ago.
Toseland was better than I expected, I don´t rate WSBK riders very highly, but he did a great job .

I´m a bit puzzled by Melandri, he is a good rider, he´s won races in all categories, but right now ... he just SUCKS big time. Nicky also sucks, but I guess Melandri eclipses his lack of pace. And anyway I´m not that surprised cause I don´t rate Nicky as good as Marco.

My thoughts on the first race, in random order

1. Michelins may have improved more than the Bridgestone (but, this could be a result of the cold track temperature). Has Rossi made the right decision by switching to stones?

2. Night racing sucks. The colors looked washed out and low angles shost were filled with the background lights that made it difficult to follow the action.

3. It seems to easier to adpt from 250cc bikes to the 800cc bikes than from 990cc to 800cc -- given the performence of the rookies who came from 250cc

4. Only Stoner and Pedrosa appeared to be riding the bike to their limits -- with all the moving around their bikes were doing.


5 How are the satellite Honda's performing better than Nicky's bike?

6. I am looking forward to Honda's new engine. will it be the ducati killer?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mylexicon)<div class='quotemain'>I think its obvious that Ducati and Yamaha have been concealing their hand--top speeds were up for their factory riders about 5 or 6 kph on race day--but he should be able to score some good results this season.
If you look at top speed posted on motogp.com the Honda engine is capable of posting Top speeds similar to the Yamaha. the ducati is still faster though. honda's main problems appear to be corner speed and stability under braking.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Teomolca @ Mar 11 2008, 06:42 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I'm looking forward to the fight between JL and Dani cause they really hate each other. That rivalry should produce great fights between them on track.

I was wondering about how they would go in that respect.

That could actually end up helping out Stoner I guess, I really saw Pedrosa as Stoners nemesis this year, but now I think Lorenzo is it. But if both are distracted by each other then Stoner should pull off the occasional win.

I also think it will take some time for Lorenzo to get the physical side of getting a motogp bike up to the front and keeping it there. He made a good run at Qatar, and was catching Stoner at one stage, Stoner reacted and pulled away more but it seemed Lorenzo was out of "puff". He'll get there though I'm sure.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mylexicon @ Mar 11 2008, 08:40 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I just checked the top speeds from last year. Best was Alex Barros at 312. This year Melandri at 334. Even more hilarious--the top speed at Qatar in 2006 was Pedrosa at 320.

I'm so glad they made the 800s to keep the speeds down.
That's crazy isn't it? The second year of the 800's and top speed is 14 kph quicker than the last year of the 990's? I can't get my head around that one.

Hmmm, Im wondering if Stoner was actuallly trying to make it look like he could come up through the field like Rossi does. Last year everyone of his starts was balls to the wall. He said that he wanted things to be worked out in front because everyone was going crazy. I think he is trying to make it look like he can overtake and come from behind, which he did but it wasn't as spectacular and lacked the heroics of a Rossi. In all honestly I think that he could have been leading from the start and blown everyone away from lap one, that would have pissed off a lot of people and you all wouldn't have been talking about well Pedrosa lead, then Lorenzo, blah blah. You guys are really hopefull in thinking that teams can challenge him (Stoner) this year. Its going to be just like last year, Rossi may get a few but Stoner, barring an injury, is going to make yawners of most of the races. I hope in my heart that teams find something to compete with, but he won by over 5 seconds right (couldn't find the times)? Evertime Hohay banged out a nice lap Casey would answer with a banger of his own. And what I really want to say is C'MON HAYDEN, I mean COME ON MAN your killing me.

its called nerves.

this year he is favourite. and the WC.

he had a very conservative reaction off the line.

there is no point in having a jump start and giving away 25 points.

end of day was a smart move, coz he kknew he had race pace.

he already said in the motogp.com quotes, his rear tires wasnt working the the first few laps.

Stoner isn't going to run away with the championship this year. He may very well win it but he's going to be pushed all the way.
The hondas and yamahas are definately quicker and there's some real talent out there now - Dovi, Lorenzo, Pedrosa, Toseland and Vale to name a few.
Once Pedrosa gets fully fit and Vale works out tyre issues I reckon it's going to be a hell of a season. The rookies (especially Jorge and Dovi) are very quick and talented and keen to make their mark.
Stoner may still win the championship but this year he's going to have to work seriously hard for it. It's going to be a cracker!!!