Rossi ~ useless off the grid or cunning plan?

I don't think he's trying to watch anyone's lines or anything. He just isn't getting the starts he needs. With this being the first race of the season, Jorge doesn't owe Rossi any favors and should fight for every position just like the rest of the field.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Guido @ Apr 14 2009, 05:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Vale has always been happy starting from 1st, 2nd or even 3rd row and manages to ride to victory. Is he just a crap starter or does he place himself to watch others and adjust his race accordingly?
If so, I think he may have to re-think the stategy with Stoner. Vale cannot afford to let KC get away as in Qatar (and I hope he has a word with George about keeping him back on the first lap ~ he could have reserved his tyres without the needless battle, come on - a little respect for your elders please!).
So will we see Vale break his usual tactics and start going out from the start?


Valentino is neither useless, nor are his comparatively poor starts part of some master plan.

It's possible the Duc warms its tires a little sooner than the Yam, but I don't think that can account for the large difference is early-race performance.

I put it down to Casey being a freak of nature, so far the only once able to push the Red Rocket 100%. Whatever technique he's using to ride the Duc, it's unique to him. Marco, Nicky, Loris, and other highly competent riders don't have this intuitive feel. (Not to say they it's impossible to learn!!!) I suspect that riding the Ducati on cold tires is not a lot different from simply riding the Ducati.

If a man could get great starts every time they got on the track, don't you think they would do it? I know I would. I sure wouldn't want to get swallowed up by the pack and have to fight my way to the front. Especially with the speed of the guys you would be racing in MotoGP.

If a man could get great starts every time he got on the track, don't you think he would do it? I know I would. I sure wouldn't want to get swallowed up by the pack and have to fight my way to the front. Especially with the speed of the guys you would be racing in MotoGP.

AFAIK, Rossi doesn't like to push hard at the beginning. He waits until his tyres warm enough (well felt) before pushing it hard.
Of course this is just my opinion (based as his fan for a long time). I remember. once he said that he needs to get a good start to catch Stoner at front, which -in my opinion- means he needs to change his strategy.
My point is, Valentino has 8 WC on his hand. Surely he knows what he needs to do. - including how to start faster or tactical change -

The answer is in plain sight. Rossi is always first to line up on the grid after the warm up lap and Stoner is always last. Rossi sits there and goes through his bum crack ritual for 30 - 40 sec where as Stoner is stationary for 10 -15 sec tops.

I can't believe that 3 seasons on that this piece of Stoner race craft has gone un-noticed and unanswered by others.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (TP70 @ Apr 15 2009, 02:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>The answer is in plain sight. Rossi is always first to line up on the grid after the warm up lap and Stoner is always last. Rossi sits there and goes through his bum crack ritual for 30 - 40 sec where as Stoner is stationary for 10 -15 sec tops.

I can't believe that 3 seasons on that this piece of Stoner race craft has gone un-noticed and unanswered by others.

It's not rocket science is it?
He takes off slow on the warm up lap and lets everyone go by him. But after half way he heats his brakes and tyres hard whilst others are sitting on the grid getting cold tyres and brakes. Vale would do well to hang back at the rear of the field with Casey and have his tyres warmer by the time the lights go out. It might also give Casey something to think about.
"what is he doing back here with me"

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Frizzle @ Apr 15 2009, 06:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>It's not rocket science is it?
He takes off slow on the warm up lap and lets everyone go by him. But after half way he heats his brakes and tyres hard whilst others are sitting on the grid getting cold tyres and brakes. Vale would do well to hang back at the rear of the field with Casey and have his tyres warmer by the time the lights go out. It might also give Casey something to think about.
"what is he doing back here with me"

Not quite right, stoner looks like he has rev limit for sighting lap to save fuel..

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (chockmoose @ Apr 15 2009, 04:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Not quite right, stoner looks like he has rev limit for sighting lap to save fuel..

He has always hung back and been last to the grid even before fuel limits became an issue.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Geonerd @ Apr 15 2009, 11:48 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Valentino is neither useless, nor are his comparatively poor starts part of some master plan.

It's possible the Duc warms its tires a little sooner than the Yam, but I don't think that can account for the large difference is early-race performance.

I put it down to Casey being a freak of nature, so far the only once able to push the Red Rocket 100%. Whatever technique he's using to ride the Duc, it's unique to him. Marco, Nicky, Loris, and other highly competent riders don't have this intuitive feel. (Not to say they it's impossible to learn!!!) I suspect that riding the Ducati on cold tires is not a lot different from simply riding the Ducati.


lol fuken lol.

in 07 it was coz he was on bridgstone they were superior to the michelins, and now its coz the duc can "warm" the tires up faster, yet it is also the most easy on tire life... hmmmm ok

u can go for equal eqiupment all u like, end of the day the rider is 98%

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (TP70 @ Apr 15 2009, 03:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>The answer is in plain sight. Rossi is always first to line up on the grid after the warm up lap and Stoner is always last. Rossi sits there and goes through his bum crack ritual for 30 - 40 sec where as Stoner is stationary for 10 -15 sec tops.

I can't believe that 3 seasons on that this piece of Stoner race craft has gone un-noticed and unanswered by others.

more like for extra 5 seconds at most..... not going to make huge difference

In Rossi's autobiography he stated at first he woud hang on and then go through the feild but now he does it much less after being beaten a few times neadesley due to it. I doubt any sane rider would purposly go slow of the grid and hamper his race. If Rossi could go fast and clean of the grid and build up a huge lead... im sure he would grab that chance.


He just isnt getting the starts he needs.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pinky @ Apr 15 2009, 06:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>more like for extra 5 seconds at most..... not going to make huge difference


actually i rewatched the start yesterday.

stoner lines up eactly 8 seconds after rossi is at the line already,

however, stoner is not the last to be at his start position, there is at least another 5 riders that lined up after stoner did. up to another 10 seconds after stoner has already lined up..... i can see caparossi lines up after him and many others.... but people only seem to pay attention to stoner.

Fair call Pinky. I rewatched as well and got 11 seconds but who's counting! Interesting to know what the drop off rate of heat in the tyres is and whether something like 10 - 15 seconds has any impact.

Maybe there is a psychological effect for Stoner as he rides through the others lined up on the grid. Also Stoner is last into the first corner on the warm up. There fore he is obviously going harder in the last half of the lap to get to the grid before others who are perhaps cruising more and therefore not generating the same heat. Just speculation!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (TP70 @ Apr 15 2009, 12:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Fair call Pinky. I rewatched as well and got 11 seconds but who's counting! Interesting to know what the drop off rate of heat in the tyres is and whether something like 10 - 15 seconds has any impact.

Maybe there is a psychological effect for Stoner as he rides through the others lined up on the grid. Also Stoner is last into the first corner on the warm up. There fore he is obviously going harder in the last half of the lap to get to the grid before others who are perhaps cruising more and therefore not generating the same heat. Just speculation!

Stoner hanging back like that could have 2 effects;
a) The longer everyone else is at a stand still their tyres are cooling down again.

The hotter eveyones engines will get.

Watch for that little trick in some of the warmer races!