I really only care about Hayden and Jorge. They are almost the only riders with charisma and win capability (Rossi the GOAT doesn't count). The rest are a TOTAL bore. Here's my take.
Jorge will qualify 2nd and finish 3rd, behind Vale. Nicky will qualify 3rd and end up 4th, getting passed by Vale. CV falls down the order trying to dice it up with Loris and Nicky. Randy and CE will swap paint. Elias will be the fastest honda. Dovi will be 9th, JT and Marco 10th and 11th.
Me cago en Pedrosa will decide not to race.
Jorge will qualify 2nd and finish 3rd, behind Vale. Nicky will qualify 3rd and end up 4th, getting passed by Vale. CV falls down the order trying to dice it up with Loris and Nicky. Randy and CE will swap paint. Elias will be the fastest honda. Dovi will be 9th, JT and Marco 10th and 11th.
Me cago en Pedrosa will decide not to race.
^No way is Nicky going to take that good finish in the first race. I think it'll take some more time before he can be in the top 5 speed (if he gets there).
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Wander @ Apr 7 2009, 08:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>^No way is Nicky going to take that good finish in the first race. I think it'll take some more time before he can be in the top 5 speed (if he gets there).
Read it an weep. Qatar in March:
Pos Rider Team Session 1 Session 2 Session 3 Prev. Gap Lead. Gap
1 Casey Stoner Ducati Marlboro Team -.--- 1:57.139 1:55.744 - -
2 Jorge Lorenzo Fiat Yamaha Team 2:24.832 1:58.400 1:56.733 +0.989 +0.989
3 Valentino Rossi Fiat Yamaha Team 1:12:31.872 1:57.747 1:56.972 +0.239 +1.228
4 Chris Vermeulen Suzuki MotoGP 2:01.843 1:58.018 1:57.224 +0.252 +1.480
5 Nicky Hayden Ducati Marlboro Team 2:00.717 1:58.577 1:57.225 +0.001 +1.481
6 Loris Capirossi Suzuki MotoGP -.--- 1:58.264 1:57.253 +0.028 +1.509
7 Randy De Puniet LCR Honda MotoGP 2:03.580 1:58.936 1:57.401 +0.148 +1.657
8 Andrea Dovizioso Repsol Honda 2:03.233 1:57.879 1:57.449 +0.048 +1.705
9 Colin Edwards Tech3 Yamaha 2:03.652 1:57.817 1:57.515 +0.066 +1.771
10 Alex De Angelis San Carlo Honda Gresini 2:01.074 1:58.441 1:57.591 +0.076 +1.847
11 Toni Elias San Carlo Honda Gresini 2:08.637 1:59.036 1:57.804 +0.213 +2.060
12 Mika Kallio Pramac Racing 2:01.020 1:59.764 1:57.938 +0.134 +2.194
13 Niccolo Canepa Pramac Racing 2:01.328 1:59.266 1:57.946 +0.008 +2.202
14 Yuki Takahashi Scot Racing Team 2:03.221 1:59.153 1:58.412 +0.466 +2.668
15 Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda -.--- 1:58.619 -.--- +0.207 +2.875
16 James Toseland Tech3 Yamaha 2:03.417 2:00.234 1:58.786 +0.167 +3.042
17 Marco Melandri Hayate Racing Team 2:00.867 1:59.195 1:58.851 +0.065 +3.107
Read it an weep. Qatar in March:
Pos Rider Team Session 1 Session 2 Session 3 Prev. Gap Lead. Gap
1 Casey Stoner Ducati Marlboro Team -.--- 1:57.139 1:55.744 - -
2 Jorge Lorenzo Fiat Yamaha Team 2:24.832 1:58.400 1:56.733 +0.989 +0.989
3 Valentino Rossi Fiat Yamaha Team 1:12:31.872 1:57.747 1:56.972 +0.239 +1.228
4 Chris Vermeulen Suzuki MotoGP 2:01.843 1:58.018 1:57.224 +0.252 +1.480
5 Nicky Hayden Ducati Marlboro Team 2:00.717 1:58.577 1:57.225 +0.001 +1.481
6 Loris Capirossi Suzuki MotoGP -.--- 1:58.264 1:57.253 +0.028 +1.509
7 Randy De Puniet LCR Honda MotoGP 2:03.580 1:58.936 1:57.401 +0.148 +1.657
8 Andrea Dovizioso Repsol Honda 2:03.233 1:57.879 1:57.449 +0.048 +1.705
9 Colin Edwards Tech3 Yamaha 2:03.652 1:57.817 1:57.515 +0.066 +1.771
10 Alex De Angelis San Carlo Honda Gresini 2:01.074 1:58.441 1:57.591 +0.076 +1.847
11 Toni Elias San Carlo Honda Gresini 2:08.637 1:59.036 1:57.804 +0.213 +2.060
12 Mika Kallio Pramac Racing 2:01.020 1:59.764 1:57.938 +0.134 +2.194
13 Niccolo Canepa Pramac Racing 2:01.328 1:59.266 1:57.946 +0.008 +2.202
14 Yuki Takahashi Scot Racing Team 2:03.221 1:59.153 1:58.412 +0.466 +2.668
15 Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda -.--- 1:58.619 -.--- +0.207 +2.875
16 James Toseland Tech3 Yamaha 2:03.417 2:00.234 1:58.786 +0.167 +3.042
17 Marco Melandri Hayate Racing Team 2:00.867 1:59.195 1:58.851 +0.065 +3.107
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Goatboy @ Apr 7 2009, 10:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Pole in 2006 & wins in 2007 & 8, & a second ahead in testing this year. If anyone but Stoner wins it I'd be very surprised.
1. Stoner
2. Rossi
3. Lorenzo
Same as anyone with half a brain & a pair of eyes.
yes i agree.. and maybe dovi and capi to follow.
1. Stoner
2. Rossi
3. Lorenzo
Same as anyone with half a brain & a pair of eyes.
yes i agree.. and maybe dovi and capi to follow.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (bill88 @ Apr 7 2009, 11:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>yes i agree.. and maybe dovi and capi to follow.
boo!
boo!
Boohoo. Look Hayden just put in a few good laps to get that spot. The Suzuki's have been there all through testing.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (frosty58 @ Apr 7 2009, 11:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>1. stoner
2. rossi
3. lorenzo
I too will go with the most obvious.
Suzuki's 4th and 5th.
2. rossi
3. lorenzo
I too will go with the most obvious.
Suzuki's 4th and 5th.
I would say stoner actually needs to win this race. If rossi beats him on probably stoner's best track and after the large gap in testing his confidence for the rest of the season will not be overwhelming.
Stoner
Rossi
Lorenzo
Caperossi
Dovi
Hayden (as much as it kills me)
Edwards has a chance of being in the top 5 too. lets not forget about The hated one, even though he is injured he can still podium
Rossi
Lorenzo
Caperossi
Dovi
Hayden (as much as it kills me)
Edwards has a chance of being in the top 5 too. lets not forget about The hated one, even though he is injured he can still podium
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (michaelm @ Apr 7 2009, 07:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I would say stoner actually needs to win this race. If rossi beats him on probably stoner's best track and after the large gap in testing his confidence for the rest of the season will not be overwhelming.
Is this really Stoner's best track? I don't recall him winning at Qatar by nearly the margins that he has at some other tracks. Yes, he took pole as a rookie and took his first victory there, but he's done at least as well at several other tracks.
Is this really Stoner's best track? I don't recall him winning at Qatar by nearly the margins that he has at some other tracks. Yes, he took pole as a rookie and took his first victory there, but he's done at least as well at several other tracks.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mattsteg @ Apr 8 2009, 01:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Is this really Stoner's best track? I don't recall him winning at Qatar by nearly the margins that he has at some other tracks. Yes, he took pole as a rookie and took his first victory there, but he's done at least as well at several other tracks.
Sure, it is arguable, but pole position as a rookie on an lcr honda does suggest an affinity with the track, as does his win in 2008 subsequent to which the ducati was basically unrideable for the next several races (unless you subscribe to lex's tyre theory which I for one don't dismiss).
Sure, it is arguable, but pole position as a rookie on an lcr honda does suggest an affinity with the track, as does his win in 2008 subsequent to which the ducati was basically unrideable for the next several races (unless you subscribe to lex's tyre theory which I for one don't dismiss).
Joined Jul 2008
2K Posts | 14+
Tweed Valley Australia
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (frosty58 @ Apr 7 2009, 11:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>well it's finally here... round 1 qatar... post yer picks
1. stoner
2. rossi
3. lorenzo
Concur
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (michaelm @ Apr 8 2009, 10:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I would say stoner actually needs to win this race. If rossi beats him on probably stoner's best track and after the large gap in testing his confidence for the rest of the season will not be overwhelming.
I think Rossi would trade a rub down from Uccio just to win at Phillip Island again.
Although beating him in round 1 would give him a victory at a Stoner track and a mental edge (he'll be looking for that again this season)
1. stoner
2. rossi
3. lorenzo
Concur
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (michaelm @ Apr 8 2009, 10:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I would say stoner actually needs to win this race. If rossi beats him on probably stoner's best track and after the large gap in testing his confidence for the rest of the season will not be overwhelming.
I think Rossi would trade a rub down from Uccio just to win at Phillip Island again.
Although beating him in round 1 would give him a victory at a Stoner track and a mental edge (he'll be looking for that again this season)
Joined Jun 2007
3K Posts | 309+
UK
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (clarkjw @ Apr 7 2009, 08:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Read it an weep. Qatar in March:
Testing....
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Apr 7 2009, 04:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Testing is over.
Like the man said!
Testing....
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Apr 7 2009, 04:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Testing is over.
Like the man said!
Pedrosa's in, but he must be far from full fitness after the ops he went through and the recovery time he has had:
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2009/Pedrosa+to+ride+in+Qatar
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2009/Pedrosa+to+ride+in+Qatar
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Austin @ Apr 7 2009, 03:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>1. Stoner
2. Rossi
3. Capirossi
Those are my hopes also.
Maybe the 3-5 spot is going to be tight with Lorenzo and Vermulen or Edwards.
I think in this first raceweekend it's going to be the ones most comfortable on their bikes that will get a bonus.Before they get used to the short practicetime.Perhaps Lorenzo gets 3rd but Capirossi is definitely going to be on the podium in Motegi.
Also,the Robot will probarbly do like he did in Laguna Seca and cancel the race after one or two practices.
2. Rossi
3. Capirossi
Those are my hopes also.
Maybe the 3-5 spot is going to be tight with Lorenzo and Vermulen or Edwards.
I think in this first raceweekend it's going to be the ones most comfortable on their bikes that will get a bonus.Before they get used to the short practicetime.Perhaps Lorenzo gets 3rd but Capirossi is definitely going to be on the podium in Motegi.
Also,the Robot will probarbly do like he did in Laguna Seca and cancel the race after one or two practices.
Joined Apr 2008
7K Posts | 3K+
Out of Nowhere
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Anders GUZZI @ Apr 8 2009, 03:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Those are my hopes also.
Maybe the 3-5 spot is going to be tight with Lorenzo and Vermulen or Edwards.
I think in this first raceweekend it's going to be the ones most comfortable on their bikes that will get a bonus.Before they get used to the short practicetime.Perhaps Lorenzo gets 3rd but Capirossi is definitely going to be on the podium in Motegi.
Also,the Robot will probarbly do like he did in Laguna Seca and cancel the race after one or two practices.
To be fair, no one last year would've predicted Dovi and JT in 4th and 6th respectively with Vale sandwiched in between. Someone unexpected could well come to the fore again.
Maybe the 3-5 spot is going to be tight with Lorenzo and Vermulen or Edwards.
I think in this first raceweekend it's going to be the ones most comfortable on their bikes that will get a bonus.Before they get used to the short practicetime.Perhaps Lorenzo gets 3rd but Capirossi is definitely going to be on the podium in Motegi.
Also,the Robot will probarbly do like he did in Laguna Seca and cancel the race after one or two practices.
To be fair, no one last year would've predicted Dovi and JT in 4th and 6th respectively with Vale sandwiched in between. Someone unexpected could well come to the fore again.
