*SPOILERS* Motegi Rd2

I really think that the closeness of this race was due to the limited time setting up the bikes. Not a bad race at all and there were times I was on the edge of my seat. That hasn't happend for a while with GP. It seems as though some got the setup right and some struggled but over all we as fans had something to watch for once without really knowing what the outcome would be. Good job Jorge for pushing Vale and making the moves. That also wasn't something we are used to seeing but I feel we may see more of it as the season progresses.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Mick.. Rossi.. 46 No1... @ Apr 26 2009, 10:41 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Much better race than the opening round in Dubai. Jorge deserved his win, Rossi did great after looking like been in trouble mid race, The Robot looks to be back on form, and the Whinging Ausie proved once again that close racing just aint his thing!!

You're a ....... broken record. What whining? He said he had brake chatter - period. Give it a rest. Stoner did a great job of coming back from far in the pack. I really get sick of the schoolboy, playground, macho put-downs of riders that aren't "manly" enough. What .....!

And the ........ about close racing. Gimme a ....... break. What the .... were you watching last year when everyone else was watching the race at Laguna Seca? If you recorded the race - you really ought to go back and watch the pass that Stoner made at the end of the race to get by Dovisioso. If they'd been any closer Stoner'd have needed to wear a condom.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Keshav @ Apr 26 2009, 07:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>You're a ....... broken record. What whining? He said he had brake chatter - period. Give it a rest. Stoner did a great job of coming back from far in the pack. I really get sick of the schoolboy, playground, macho put-downs of riders that aren't "manly" enough. What .....!
Isn't it a joke that there are some who just don't want to see Casey win? Well he did do a hell of a job after dealing with a brake issue. Just wait bro and we will see him on the top of the podium again this year. This race was a bit of a joke on the part of the orginizers with the rainy season being disregarded. But it did provide for some close racing.

Great racing today,particularly impressed with Marco and dani.Up front was a riot too,Vale made the best of what he had.Refreshing after the Qatar debacle.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Keshav @ Apr 26 2009, 07:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>You're a ....... broken record. What whining? He said he had brake chatter - period. Give it a rest. Stoner did a great job of coming back from far in the pack. I really get sick of the schoolboy, playground, macho put-downs of riders that aren't "manly" enough. What .....!

And the ........ about close racing. Gimme a ....... break. What the .... were you watching last year when everyone else was watching the race at Laguna Seca? If you recorded the race - you really ought to go back and watch the pass that Stoner made at the end of the race to get by Dovisioso. If they'd been any closer Stoner'd have needed to wear a condom.

Did i upset you in some way?, and your wife...rockgod1..?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Mick.. Rossi.. 46 No1... @ Apr 26 2009, 07:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Did i upset you in some way?, and your wife...rockgod1..?
What are you talking about? I am not upset just unimpressed by the token Jap rider who really should be racing tricycles with second graders. The race was really great for once so I am actually happy. So stop being a ..... and trying to start .....

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Mick.. Rossi.. 46 No1... @ Apr 26 2009, 02:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Did i upset you in some way?, and your wife...rockgod1..?


Haven't seen you around the forum for a long time. If I recall rightly - you're the homophobic British "Pinky". Have I got that right? What the hell . . . every forum has a few like you. Welcome back mate.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Keshav @ Apr 26 2009, 07:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Haven't seen you around the forum for a long time. If I recall rightly - you're the homophobic British "Pinky". Have I got that right? Welcome back mate.

Oh hello Keshav!! Correct, i am British, and "Proud of it". But not homophobic. Think you might have me mixed up there? Im sorry if i upset you by pointing out my opinion on Stoners riding, it is just my opinion, thats all, dont be afraid..

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Mick.. Rossi.. 46 No1... @ Apr 26 2009, 07:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Oh hello Keshav!! Correct, i am British, and "Proud of it". But not homophobic. Think you might have me mixed up there? Im sorry if i upset you by pointing out my opinion on Stoners riding, it is just my opinion, thats all, dont be afraid..
What was so wrong with Stoners riding? The kid came back from some issues that quite a few riders would be afraid of and not willing to push. So give credit where credit is due. What does a rider have to do to earn respect? Win a world championship? Didn't Stoner already do that in dominating fashion. Don't worry Rossi is still the GOAT.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ROCKGOD01 @ Apr 26 2009, 07:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>What was so wrong with Stoners riding? The kid came back from some issues that quite a few riders would be afraid of and not willing to push. So give credit where credit is due. What does a rider have to do to earn respect? Win a world championship? Didn't Stoner already do that in dominating fashion. Don't worry Rossi is still the GOAT.

GOAT!! It just seems to me that every time Stoner gets into a close racing situation, he "Flaps" a bit. He only seems comfortable when hes out in front by a mile. We saw this last season when he ate gravel on different ocassions, each time when he was under presure from the GOAT

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Mick.. Rossi.. 46 No1... @ Apr 26 2009, 07:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>GOAT!! It just seems to me that every time Stoner gets into a close racing situation, he "Flaps" a bit. He only seems comfortable when hes out in front by a mile. We saw this last season when he ate gravel on different ocassions, each time when he was under presure from the GOAT
HOly .... man. So what are you trying to say? I don't think he "flapped" at all during the race. He did what he had to do in order to salvage his race. He came back and then passed Dovi who should of been able to pass Pedrosa. It makes no sence in what your are saying because the race proved to be a good one for Stoner even though he had bike issues. More than I can say for Rossi cause he went backwards and almost lost another position. At least Stoner made up positions. If there were a few more laps he would of had Dani as well. Give it up and at least be impartial as hard as it may be. The race was decent and there were some hairy moments for a good bit of the race. Stoner did a good job point blank.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (J4rn0 @ Apr 26 2009, 12:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Rossi... I can't say I liked his race. He slowed down and settled for second with no real apparent reason this time, then woke up suddenly when Pedrosa passed him. He should have won this race, after the best start I can remember of him. Even if Lorenzo had a slightly better setup. Is his motivation still runnning strong? Does he need the red leathers of Stoner in sight to feel the sacred fire? We'll see.

Dorna... restore the testing times and stop f...ing up.

yep i think rossi miscalculated (a dani word), lorenzo got it rite he stayed consistant all race but rossi went abit hard at the start and realised he was gonna have to save some rubber for the last few laps.
he could have won it if he didnt have that issue on one of the corners where he lost abit of time but thats racing.

rossi got a monster start best ive ever seen from him, ride of the day goes to lorenzo for me but i was very impressed with dani, he must of been hurting keeping that pace all race.

stoner impressed to coming back into it after gettin held up, i noticed at about lap 7 rossi and stoner both put the hammer down which was impressive as i think both wouldnt have had much rubber to play with.

dovi had a good ride and i think it maybe the motivation dani needs cos he really doesnt want dovi to beat him this season.

all in all a pretty good race better than some of the crap from last season.

kwak should really think about paying melandri some attention i was very impressed with his ride.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Hayden Fan @ Apr 26 2009, 06:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Just like 90% of Japanese racers. They think the race can be one of the first lap. ...... A good rider, but if you make stupid mistakes like taking other riders out, you'll find yourself without a job very quickly in racing.

If Nicky wasn't hurt, I think he would have kicked the little riders ....

Correct me if I'm wrong, (and I may well be because I've only seen the incident once - and that was early this morning), but this particular downhill section of track is notorious for this sort of incident, and very deceiving in respect of identifying braking and turn in points. Accidents such as this are very prevalent -particularly in the supporting classes. In Moto GP, I recall Tamada nerfing Sete off into the gravel several years ago and being subsequently disqualified (Hayden bagged a podium by default), and of course Vale taking out Marco in a remarkably similar incident. Complete speculation here, but Takahashi may well have been unsighted by DeAngelis or a another rider in the pack. There's no way that this was Hayden's fault as dipshit Pinky would suppose....Nicky's strong on the brakes, and you could clearly see Takahashi arriving like an exocet missile from the on-board.

I first remember Yuki appearing as a wild card at Suzuka I think, and I'm sure he was on a Yam. The commentators on Eurosport were saying that he's a graduate of The HRC scholarship, so he just represents the latest token nurtured Japanese export to step off the career conveyor belt, fast tracked into the top class. HRC mostly regard their riders as pre-programmed pawns, privileged prototype pilots - the human element which to me is the essence of motorcycle racing, and that means a riders foibles as much as his finesse, is completely eclipsed by the machine - and Yuki is merely the latest product from this process.

As I say, I have seen this sort of incident innumerable times in the supporting classes...granted, Takahashi's presence in top flight owes more to politics than personal prowess; in an ideal (racing) world the supporting classes is where he should have stayed. But then in an ideal racing world funding would be equitable, rides wouldn't be secured through having the right passport or sponsorship over merit, and machinery would be disbursed evenly...Moto 2 anyone? - Dorna, here at last is your chance to get it right...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ROCKGOD01 @ Apr 26 2009, 08:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>HOly .... man. So what are you trying to say? I don't think he "flapped" at all during the race. He did what he had to do in order to salvage his race. He came back and then passed Dovi who should of been able to pass Pedrosa. It makes no sence in what your are saying because the race proved to be a good one for Stoner even though he had bike issues. More than I can say for Rossi cause he went backwards and almost lost another position. At least Stoner made up positions. If there were a few more laps he would of had Dani as well. Give it up and at least be impartial as hard as it may be. The race was decent and there were some hairy moments for a good bit of the race. Stoner did a good job point blank.

I agree, it was a good race, far better than the opening round. Stoner always seems to have "bike issues" if he does'nt end up on the podium!!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Arrabbiata1 @ Apr 26 2009, 08:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Correct me if I'm wrong, (and I may well be because I've only seen the incident once - and that was early this morning), but this particular downhill section of track is notorious for this sort of incident, and very deceiving in respect of identifying braking and turn in points. Accidents such as this are very prevalent -particularly in the supporting classes. In Moto GP, I recall Tamada nerfing Sete off into the gravel several years ago and being subsequently disqualified (Hayden bagged a podium by default), and of course Vale taking out Marco in a remarkably similar incident. Complete speculation here, but Takahashi may well have been unsighted by DeAngelis or a another rider in the pack. There's no way that this was Hayden's fault as dipshit Pinky would suppose....Nicky's strong on the brakes, and you could clearly see Takahashi arriving like an exocet missile from the on-board.

I first remember Yuki appearing as a wild card at Suzuka I think, and I'm sure he was on a Yam. The commentators on Eurosport were saying that he's a graduate of The HRC scholarship, so he just represents the latest token nurtured Japanese export to step off the career conveyor belt, fast tracked into the top class. HRC mostly regard their riders as pre-programmed pawns, privileged prototype pilots - the human element which to me is the essence of motorcycle racing, and that means a riders foibles as much as his finesse, is completely eclipsed by the machine - and Yuki is merely the latest product from this process.

As I say, I have seen this sort of incident innumerable times in the supporting classes...granted, Takahashi's presence in top flight owes more to politics than personal prowess; in an ideal (racing) world the supporting classes is where he should have stayed. But then in an ideal racing world funding would be equitable, rides wouldn't be secured through having the right passport or sponsorship over merit, and machinery would be disbursed evenly...Moto 2 anyone? - Dorna, here at last is your chance to get it right...
You would think also that if everyone knows of this notorious section of the track one would use alot of caution as to not take themselves out of the race and ultimatly the points. He clearly doesn't know the limits if he did what he did cuase it surely was NOT haydens fault.

I agree that Dorna is pandering to the notion of a multinational grid which seems like a good idea. But isn't this racing at its finest? If that is so it should be reflected in the group of riders and not down to the nationality to gain TV viewers. Sad to say but the last rider to make a dent was Tamada I think. Even Kato didn't perform as most thought he would. Another shining example of Dorna using this policy is Depuniet in the GP class. As much money as he costs the team in crashes you would think that would have been enough to say good bye.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Mick.. Rossi.. 46 No1... @ Apr 26 2009, 08:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I agree, it was a good race, far better than the opening round. Stoner always seems to have "bike issues" if he does'nt end up on the podium!!
So does ROssi!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ROCKGOD01 @ Apr 26 2009, 08:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>So does ROssi!

Yes, but he can, He is the GOAT!!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Mick.. Rossi.. 46 No1... @ Apr 26 2009, 08:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Yes, but he can, He is the GOAT!!
That is the worst excuse. OF course if you don't win you must have some issue with the bike or it would have been perfect. SO what? Why bash on a guy that did his job and actually did better in terms of dealing with his issues than Rossi. If Rossi is the GOAT then he clearly had the opportunity to win the race but didn't. SO what does that say about his ability if he had bike issues? I would say he was satisfied with second as long as Dani didn't win. Not rossi bashing but we all saw the race and he had his chance but didn't capitalize on it. Guess Rossi has a ..... in his armour and when it shows on the GOAT it shines like the sun reflecting in a mirror. Still he did a decent job but for someone of Vale's stature it was a subpar performance.

I am kind of sad that Kawasaki has chosen to stop development of this machine after this race. Marco seems able to finish top ten on it every race. It appears to be super competitive and it looks great. Hayate seem to be working really well. The Honda is clearly making strides and when Pedrosa is healthy and Dovi more practised they are going to challenge for double podiums. The M1 is obviously very good and it helps to have very similar and capable pilots. Ducati's carbon marvel is still not ridden by similar talent and that leaves them in the unenviable position that if Casey doesn't win on the GP9 no one will and likely they will never see the beautiful double podium that Yamaha just had. I can't overstate what an admirable achievement I think that is. I think I saw a Suzuki pull a Honda down the back straight...maybe I was sleeping? It was 2am start where I am so I was pretty tired having just driven 600kms through ghastly weather, checked in a work for an hour, dropped by the pub for a pint, then raced home to catch the 125's. For a team that boasts about their mechanical record ... you know I would rather see the odd motor blow up from tweaking the most hp possible than never win and have a super reliable machine. What pressure is on this team I wonder? My tip, blow up some ..... Call Yoshimura. Today. Then talk to Marco 'cause next year the riders will have to change.

The overriding observation I have about this race and so far this season is that now the machines are becoming far more equal. Not exactly equal but closer than ever. But, the main thing now is that the teams have to decrease setup time drastically. The simplification of the tire choice has made setting up the chassis harder IMO. Teams now have to somehow redesign the chassis to be as wide ranging as the tires. The setup for a track instead of being a multitude of adjustments has to be reduced by a huge amount. I know these last races were a worst case but that is what you have to plan for. The days of a tenth of a click here then a tenth there....all gone.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Arrabbiata1 @ Apr 26 2009, 08:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Correct me if I'm wrong, (and I may well be because I've only seen the incident once - and that was early this morning)

I was wrong. According to the web pages I've been perusing, the Takahashi/Hayden incident happened going down into the hairpin, which is a totally different section of track to the one that I was picturing, which is before the tight right hander at the end of the back straight - where Rossi took out Melandri in '05. In my defence, I think the hairpin also has encouraged a similar amount of accidents and mayhem over the years.

Good to hear Nicky's fine, I hope that Wiliarot is similarly o.k after being stretchered into an ambulance during the 250's.