rd2, jerez... race rants........SPOILERS

Tom said:

I totally disagree, i think Lorenzo is one of the most intelligent riders out there, his talent is obvious but his attitude and application to bettering himself and learning are second to none and thats whats really impressed me about Lorenzo since he moved to motogp. It's also worth noting to anyone who is a doubter that Lorenzo has been easily the best rookie since Rossi and the best since motogp went 4 stroke (where rookie performances have generally been lower than in the 2 stroke days).

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Tom, better check some stats because this is a such an incorrect statement.



Lorenzo rookie year: Wins - 1, 2nd - 3, 3rd - 2 = Total podium 6.

Pedrosa rookie year: Wins - 2, 2nd - 2, 3rd - 4 = Total podium 8.



Pedrosa also finished his rookie year with over 30 points more than Lorenzo in his rookie year.



If then you try and justify it by taken the next year into consideration then Stoner blows both of them away with a Championship and 10 wins. Lorenzo has done nothing yet in comparison. When he has another 14 wins and a MotoGP Championship as well as beating Rossi in a championship which Pedrosa did coming second to Stoner in 2007 then let me know.

Pigeon said:

JEREZ SLIDESHOW

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Cool, great pics, thanks Pigeon!



How can anyone concentrate in Racing and bikes?

mylexicon said:

If you'll revisit 2006, you'll find that Dani was a better rookie. He won more races, scored more points (in fewer races), and had fewer DNFs.



Not that I'm a huge fan of Dani's, but Dani showed more promise in his rookie season than Jorge. I rate Jorge higher than Dani and I actually enjoy watching Jorge ride, but honestly, Jorge has got a ways to go before he can touch Stoner or Rossi. Stoner and Rossi can win 3 or 4 on the bounce and both have won double digits in a single season. Even last season, Stoner won as many races as Jorge did. Lorenzo is a phenomenal talent, but he needs to work on his mental focus, imo. He's had 9 DNF's in his first 2 seasons. Can't win a championship like that. Most DNFs in one season by the world champ: 2



He's off to a good start, and I hope he wins b/c it would be nice to have 4 premier class world champions on the grid.

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Comparing Dani's and lorenzo's rookies seasons is not as simple as just counting podiums and DNF's. There's many factors to consider like dani's was on the 990 honda that was at the end of its development where as lorenzo's was on the new 800 that required far more corner speed and had little development. Then there's the tyres. Back in 08 Michelin were the tyres to have especially on the completely developed 990 honda ,where as lorenzo michilins were not working on his bike causing some quite bizarre crashes.

chopperman said:

Comparing Dani's and lorenzo's rookies seasons is not as simple as just counting podiums and DNF's. There's many factors to consider like dani's was on the 990 honda that was at the end of its development where as lorenzo's was on the new 800 that required far more corner speed and had little development. Then there's the tyres. Back in 08 Michelin were the tyres to have especially on the completely developed 990 honda ,where as lorenzo michilins were not working on his bike causing some quite bizarre crashes.

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Yeah Rog, but all those 'Ifs' kind off affect all Riders during a whole Season, you could argue that 2006 was not an easy year for Rossi so Pedrosa's Results were benefited. Who knows, anyway, at the very beginning of their Rookie year:



2006 Pedrosa: 2nd, 6th, 14th, first win, 3rd, 4th. Started a bit slower but ended better.



2008 Lorenzo: 2nd, 3rd, first win, 4th, 2nd, first DNF. Started better but ended worse.



So I agree, after seeing the Global Season Results that during their Rookie Season Pedrosa showed more promise, yet it's his 5th Season with the Strongest Backed up Team and his Results are almost the same: 2 Wins, third Place. I wish I had those Results, but not Honda, I think his Credit is due!

mylexicon said:

but honestly, Jorge has got a ways to go before he can touch Stoner or Rossi.Stoner and Rossi can win 3 or 4 on the bounce and both have won double digits in a single season.

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Agree, he isn't quite there but he's making steady progress in the right direction, im optimistic

TP70 said:

Tom, better check some stats because this is a such an incorrect statement.

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I disagree, Lorenzo has been the best rookie in the 4 stroke era. 4th place, end of story. I would say qualifying his as 'easily' the best is a matter of opinion depending on how you feel about the if's and buts of the matter. In hindsight i got carried away writing that post and i don't think Dani's rookie year was far behind Jorge's.

Pigeon said:

JEREZ SLIDESHOW

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That is an awesome slide show, except there are not enough pics of Nicky. But it made up for it by all the muff pics.

Babelfish said:

Exactly were do you see his progress? Is it the way he highsides that change over the years? I mean, his high side at LC '08 were no doubt more spectacular than the '09 version.But is that progress? Some would say that is going the wrong way, putting on a less spectacular show

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2008: 2nd, 3rd, 1st, 4th, 2nd, DNF, DNS, 6th, 6th, DNF, DNF, 10th, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 4th, DNF, 8th. Points 190, 4th in WC

2009: 3rd, 1st, DNF, 1st, 2nd, 2nd, 2nd, 3rd, 2nd, DNF, DNF, 1st, 2nd, 1st, DNF, 4th, 3rd. Points 261, 2nd in WC



Joking aside, surely you'd call that progress?? I appreciate that the number of DNFs were the same, but all finishes on the podium is a definite improvement on 2008.

imo Lorenzo is the real deal, He has been very strong next to Rossi who is the best. Some may say because he has had the data's of Rossi, but Edwards (another 2wice champ) recieved that even more, and never could do anything with it.



He has been for 2 years with the best rider and has made the life really hard for Rossi more than a few times. and He hasn't learnt all the tricks yet.



He put a lot of pressure on Rossi last year, that a few weeks ago the Yamaha boss (O.J) said in an interview that the intence rivalery between them was the reason for a few crashes for BOTH of them last year.(which he meant Rossi's crash as well)



His win at Jerez was nowhere near the Rossi's win in Assen 2007, but it was defenetly like one of many exiting Rossi's wins.

Bridgestone have ruled out a front tire problem as the reason for the early retirement of Tech3 Yamaha rider Ben Spies from last week's Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez.



Initially a front tire problem was the main suspect and Tech3 have reported no other technical issues with Spies' M1 machine.



What is certain is that Spies suffered a dramatic and confidence-sapping loss of front-end handling feel on a full fuel tank over the opening laps. Spies wasn't comfortable and he could not capitalize on a lightning start that had him tucked in sixth place, in Casey Stoner's Ducati slipstream, at the end of lap one.



Stoner finished fifth and the superb late-race pace of the factory Yamaha M1's of Jorge Lorenzo (first) and Valentino Rossi (third) indicates at least a top six for Spies was on the cards.



However, Tohru Ubukata, manager of tire development for Bridgestone, is certain that the front tire on Spies' bike was not the problem.



"We have checked the construction and rubber of the front tire and cannot find any difference," Ubukata said. "The tire has been sent to Japan for further checks but we will not find any difference; we did all the fundamental checks at the track."



The front tire on Spies' bike when he stopped was running at the correct temperature and pressure, ruling out Spies' fear that it was deflating.



Tech3 technicians have confirmed there was no damage to the wheel rim.



The Texan returned to the track 24 hours later for the Jerez test and ran an identical bike and tire set-up at the same track temperature and encountered no problems.

Well, he obviously should've stayed on the track but hey...

Tom said:

I totally disagree, i think Lorenzo is one of the most intelligent riders out there, his talent is obvious but his attitude and application to bettering himself and learning are second to none and thats whats really impressed me about Lorenzo since he moved to motogp. It's also worth noting to anyone who is a doubter that Lorenzo has been easily the best rookie since Rossi and the best since motogp went 4 stroke (where rookie performances have generally been lower than in the 2 stroke days).



But hey i would say all that because im endeared to Lorenzo, thats what being a fan is all about.

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So, being a rookie in the 500cc days was easier than in the 800cc era? No way...!

Lorenzo's talent is obvious and I must say his last win at Jerez was in pure Rossi style.

Lorenzo's intelligence, well... That's actually his weak point, he often gets too excited and whatever intelligence he has gets clouded. See his happy dive into the water at Jerez with full gear on...