rd2 jerez... picks & qualifying

The extra time ducati spend helping hayden is paying off. Always thought that he hadn't lost it, he just needed some help to adapt to the bike. This situation with two riders at the front is a lot better for ducati, instead of concentrating on one rider.

Should be a good race tomorrow.

Keep in mind that Nick went out on the same bike he crashed in the morning. His 2nd bike had problems. Not bad AT ALL! And this is at a notoriously tricky circuit for the Ducatis.

Qatar wasn't a one off. I'm over the moon.

Bring on race day...He has a decent qualifying position (2nd row) this time, so look out. Nick may be challenging the front runners. Now tell me WHO would have even imagined this after last season?? Everybody said he was down, out, and was lucky to retain his seat on the factory Duc. Well HERE YOU GO!! The World Champ back at the sharp end.

I'm sorry, but I'm slightly more optimistic than you Jumkie. I think #69 is gonna have an unbelievable season. And when the 1000's come back, look out world.

The Kentucky Kid is officially back.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ThePhorest @ May 1 2010, 05:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>The Kentucky Kid is officially back.

I think 2 podiums in a handful of races would convince me this is true, but he's looking good at the moment.

We might as well count Qatar as a podium, and look out tomorrow afternoon.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ThePhorest @ May 1 2010, 01:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>We might as well count Qatar as a podium, and look out tomorrow afternoon.
That was a podium and Spies is not a rookie.
Unfortunately my elation is higher than my optimism at the moment. While I share your enthusiasm Phorest I need to see more but what is clear is that this is not the same rider we have seen struggle over the last few years. I daresay the 7th to 13th place Nicky is gone and he should be battling for podiums. I believe he's going to finish higher than Stoner this year because I think Crashy is back and when Rossi puts the heat on he falls apart. Nicky has the added pressure of Spies and all his hype coming into the series. This is a quiet rivalry that not much is made of. There's no way Nicky wants to finish behind second year man Spies.
Laguna this year is goona be nuts.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (demingracer @ May 1 2010, 09:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>The extra time ducati spend helping hayden is paying off. Always thought that he hadn't lost it, he just needed some help to adapt to the bike. This situation with two riders at the front is a lot better for ducati, instead of concentrating on one rider.

Should be a good race tomorrow.
Well if Nicky was to take points away from Casey's rivals, that would be something for Ducati. Even more if Nicky was to challenge for the championship. (Geez, did I just type that last sentence? Perhaps this this hold my breath thing is making me light headed.)

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ May 1 2010, 02:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Well if Nicky was to take points away from Casey's rivals, that would be something for Ducati. Even more if Nicky was to challenge for the championship. (Geez, did I just type that last sentence?)

Dear compa... And then you woke up!

I thought you were not getting your hopes too high!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (VHMP01 @ May 1 2010, 12:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Dear compa... And then you woke up!

I thought you were not getting your hopes too high!
See my edit above.

 The secret to cracking Jerez is determining whether the track profile is that of the Roadrunner of cartoon fame, or merely a common chicken.  Since Rossi has a 'thing' for chickens  , and is notably slow this weekend, I think it's safe to assume it's a Roadrunner!

9444:jerez_je...era_copy.gif]  

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ May 1 2010, 08:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>See my edit above.
Have faith. Positive thoughts can sometimes work miracles

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Geonerd @ May 1 2010, 02:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>The secret to cracking Jerez is determining whether the track profile is that of the Roadrunner of cartoon fame, or merely a common chicken. Since Rossi has a 'thing' for chickens , and is notably slow this weekend, I think it's safe to assume it's a Roadrunner!

9444:jerez_je...era_copy.gif]


It always looked like a faucet to me

I think the Spies Method favors animals, but suppose a faucet will work too. How many laps 'till Pedrosa's race goes down the drain?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Geonerd @ May 1 2010, 05:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'> The secret to cracking Jerez is determining whether the track profile is that of the Roadrunner of cartoon fame, or merely a common chicken.  Since Rossi has a 'thing' for chickens  , and is notably slow this weekend, I think it's safe to assume it's a Roadrunner!

9444:jerez_je...era_copy.gif]  

Waterbong most definitely a waterbong.

Seems like the non-Spies rooks are going to be relegated to fighting for positions #10 on down this year.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ May 1 2010, 11:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Am i a bad person for the thought running accross my mind that Pedro & Loren, in their haste to impress the Spaniard fans, take eachother out? Then we see Nicky & Rossi battle for the race win.

Like i told my good buddies, im still holding my breath, but its now with a big ... grin.

i enjoyed this post....it made. me laugh- it is possible though

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MdubSTYLIE @ May 2 2010, 08:59 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Waterbong most definitely a waterbong.



Triple tuning forks all look good for race distance, might see a repeat of 05!!!!! Gorgeous George and VR trading blows at the front.

Nicky knocks the midget off in a dogfight for third! Payback for 06.....

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MdubSTYLIE @ May 2 2010, 08:59 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Waterbong most definitely a waterbong.

double ............or nothing

I reckon Rossi,Lorenzo,Stoner will swap for the lead while Haystack following close behind and smoking Peders.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (povol @ May 1 2010, 02:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>2-3-4-5 all within a 1/10th of each other, you dont see that very often. If you look at lap analysis during practice, im sorry to say that this thing looks like a walk for Lorenzo. He has pace that no one is even close to. It looks like he ran a half race simulation and threw down lap after lap of high 139's and low 140's. Anything can happen in a race, but i dont see Pedro vying for the win, unless he has been sand bagging. Haydens race pace is no where near Lorenzo's, of course, no one else is either.
I would disagree that Lorenzo did any 39s on the hard tyre, whereas Rossi managed two in his first long run. Admittedly Lorenzo was the most consistent lap after lap, but I think (and hope!) that the race may be rather closer than "a walk for Lorenzo" given the actual times laid down.

Edited to add : Remember Rossi was quickest on a 1'39.818 on a hard tyre until 40 minutes in, when Lorenzo managed a 1'39.682, presumably on a soft tyre as his previous best was a 1'39.029.

Longish runs on the hard tyre during QP look like this :

Lorenzo :
1'41.520
1'40.288
1'40.029
1'40.158
&
1'40.180
1'40.113
1'40.154
1'40.200
1'40.240
1'40.263

Rossi :
1'41.833
1'39.921
1'39.818
1'40.050
1'40.303
1'40.469
1'40.454
1'40.356
&
1'41.288
1'40.707
1'40.601
1'40.857
1'40.846

Pedrosa :
1'44.490
1'41.190
1'40.300
1'40.218
1'40.250
1'40.321
&
1'43.599
1'40.927
1'40.161
1'40.425
1'40.571

Stoner, as is his wont, did mostly pit - fast lap - pit, with no long runs on the hard tyre.


On another note, theoretical fastest laps (best sectors added together) :
Pedrosa 1'39.017
Lorenzo 1'39.230
Rossi 1'39.446
Hayden 1'39.446
Stoner 1'39.501
De Puniet 1'39.539

Overall theoretical fastest lap 1'39.000

DP in I1 24.702
VR in I2 15.251 (on the hard tyre, interestingly)
DP in I3 28.812
DP in I4 30.235

Pedrosa will get a flying start...
Lorenzo will follow.. Pedrosa will go well for 6-7laps and then fade..
Casey, Rossi and Hayden fight for scraps..

Lorenzo rides off into the sunset.. Plants the Lorenzo land Flag
and now we have Rossi v Lorenzo part II..

Lorenzo wins the championship this year..
Rossi 2nd
Casey 3
Nicky/Pedrosa battle for 4th..