At last the main European stage of the 2007 championship is about to begin, the 'ground war' as Wayne Rainey called it, and my favorite part of the season. What's going to happen? Six classic tracks, Le Mans, Mugello, Catalunya, Donny, Assen and the Sachsenring. Rossi is going to be very strong, no doubt about that. He'll have six straight wins in his sights so Stoner and Pedrosa will have their work cut out which should provide us with plenty of entertainment, but will the B'Stone/Michelin thing will continue to be a factor and will the surprises will keep coming? How do you all see it panning out? What will the championship table look like come Laguna? With the exception of the huge straight's at Mugello and Barcelona we've got some twisties coming? I'm interested to hear what you guys think.
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<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (skidmark @ May 8 2007, 08:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I'm interested to hear what you guys think.
I think Elias is gonna continue his combat campaign of taking out riders a few at a time. Just to keep it interesting.
I think Elias is gonna continue his combat campaign of taking out riders a few at a time. Just to keep it interesting.
Going into Europe i think Rossi is the man, he will notch up some wins for sure. Pedrosa needs to get one in the bag as well. Michelin will be stronger but not as far ahead as Bridgestone have been so far. The big test is here for Stoner, so far hes done everything right, but now we will see how he performs against the odds, which will be fascinating. Look out for Hopkins to potentially have a strong run.
thats a good question skid.
these tracks comming up are very different to the tracks like turkey and china. i dont think the rider will be able to use the ducs strengths at these tracks and they may expose any weeknesses the bikes or riders have. im thinking rossi pedro capi will feel more at home here than stoner.
in the past i would have said michelin would clear up in the euro tracks but now i think the tyre war is pretty even.
these tracks comming up are very different to the tracks like turkey and china. i dont think the rider will be able to use the ducs strengths at these tracks and they may expose any weeknesses the bikes or riders have. im thinking rossi pedro capi will feel more at home here than stoner.
in the past i would have said michelin would clear up in the euro tracks but now i think the tyre war is pretty even.
I also expect to see Rossi win races in Europe, but still I think Casey will be dangerous. The next races on the calendar are: Le Mans, Mugello, Catalunya and Donington. I think Vale could win in France and England, but Stoner might have more chances in Italy and Catalunya (with the long straights).
Who's gonna take the Donington win? Pedrosa pissed on everyone last year, but Rossi was hurt and is the undisputed king of the track. I hope its good.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ May 8 2007, 06:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Who's gonna take the Donington win? Pedrosa pissed on everyone last year, but Rossi was hurt and is the undisputed king of the track. I hope its good.
My money is on Valentino!!!!!!
And he's also gonna win in Assen..and I will be there cheering for the guy!!!
My money is on Valentino!!!!!!
And he's also gonna win in Assen..and I will be there cheering for the guy!!!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Franco Fangio @ May 8 2007, 05:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>My money is on Valentino!!!!!!
And he's also gonna win in Assen..and I will be there cheering for the guy!!!
I've got Rossi down for Le mans, Donington and Assen, but the others are much harder to call.
And he's also gonna win in Assen..and I will be there cheering for the guy!!!
I've got Rossi down for Le mans, Donington and Assen, but the others are much harder to call.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ May 8 2007, 05:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I've got Rossi down for Le mans, Donington and Assen, but the others are much harder to call.
yeah Mugello, Catalunya are big problems for yamaha unless they have more power by then without upsetting the balance of the bike,im sure rossi would love more power but not at the expence of getting the chatter back
yeah Mugello, Catalunya are big problems for yamaha unless they have more power by then without upsetting the balance of the bike,im sure rossi would love more power but not at the expence of getting the chatter back
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Franco Fangio @ May 8 2007, 06:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>My money is on Valentino!!!!!!
And he's also gonna win in Assen..and I will be there cheering for the guy!!!
Youre not the only one. Almost a week with nothing but motorbikes (and beer)
And he's also gonna win in Assen..and I will be there cheering for the guy!!!
Youre not the only one. Almost a week with nothing but motorbikes (and beer)
Joined Oct 2006
25K Posts | 4K+
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<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ May 8 2007, 09:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I've got Rossi down for Le mans, Donington and Assen, but the others are much harder to call.
I've got Hayden down for Le Mans, Donington and Assen and Laguna to boot, but the others are much harder to call.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Babelfish @ May 8 2007, 02:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Youre not the only one. Almost a week with nothing but motorbikes (and beer)
Lucky dog.
I've got Hayden down for Le Mans, Donington and Assen and Laguna to boot, but the others are much harder to call.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Babelfish @ May 8 2007, 02:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Youre not the only one. Almost a week with nothing but motorbikes (and beer)
Lucky dog.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Racejumkie @ May 8 2007, 11:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I've got Hayden down for Le Mans, Donington and Assen and Laguna to boot, but the others are much harder to call.
Is this a genuine prediction or some kind of joke, either way i don't understand.
Is this a genuine prediction or some kind of joke, either way i don't understand.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ May 9 2007, 12:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Is this a genuine prediction or some kind of joke, either way i don't understand.
He probably ment it literarly. Hayden is going <u> down </u> on those tracks
He probably ment it literarly. Hayden is going <u> down </u> on those tracks
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Babelfish @ May 8 2007, 11:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>He probably ment it literarly. Hayden is going <u> down </u> on those tracks
So Elias will qualify behind, but be slightly faster than Hayden at these three circuits.
So Elias will qualify behind, but be slightly faster than Hayden at these three circuits.
This should be very interesting.. Its crunch time for Honda, if they can't get it together now, its game over..
I'm putting my money on Hopkins for Le Mans, he went pretty well here last yea before crashing out, hes on form at the moment and I don't think the straights will be long enough here for Ducati to blast past em like we have seen before.
Mugello, gotta be Rossi for me.. Its interesting to note he hasn't been beaten here since 2001 and I can't see it ending here.. Although the straight is fairly long, there is a kink towards the end of it allowing a few different lines into the first corner.. Last year we saw Capirossi going deep then firing it out again, blocking off the other rider into the left hander on the way out of turn one.. Rossi could try something similar to keep the Ducati at bay
Catalunya, unless Yamaha and Honda improve I can't see anyone other than Ducati winning this one.. Although I think Loris will have just as much of a chance as Stoner
Donny, I'd say Rossi again, simply because of his record here, and the fact that he likes the track..
Assen, again I'd say Rossi, although I think Edwards could be a dark horse, provided he doesn't have to play number two
As for Sachsenring, I have a feeling about Elias here.. I think his sliding overtaking style may benefit him coming out of the hill going into the second to last turn, allowing him to move up the order.. Just a feeling
As for the tyre war, in the past Michelins have worked better in Europe, but Bridgestone really have raised their game this year. It should be very interesting.
I'm putting my money on Hopkins for Le Mans, he went pretty well here last yea before crashing out, hes on form at the moment and I don't think the straights will be long enough here for Ducati to blast past em like we have seen before.
Mugello, gotta be Rossi for me.. Its interesting to note he hasn't been beaten here since 2001 and I can't see it ending here.. Although the straight is fairly long, there is a kink towards the end of it allowing a few different lines into the first corner.. Last year we saw Capirossi going deep then firing it out again, blocking off the other rider into the left hander on the way out of turn one.. Rossi could try something similar to keep the Ducati at bay
Catalunya, unless Yamaha and Honda improve I can't see anyone other than Ducati winning this one.. Although I think Loris will have just as much of a chance as Stoner
Donny, I'd say Rossi again, simply because of his record here, and the fact that he likes the track..
Assen, again I'd say Rossi, although I think Edwards could be a dark horse, provided he doesn't have to play number two
As for Sachsenring, I have a feeling about Elias here.. I think his sliding overtaking style may benefit him coming out of the hill going into the second to last turn, allowing him to move up the order.. Just a feeling
As for the tyre war, in the past Michelins have worked better in Europe, but Bridgestone really have raised their game this year. It should be very interesting.
Qatar, Istanbul and Shanghai are kind of F1 orientated tracks aren’t they? I see a pattern here. Maybe Ferrari just shop off ¾ of it to create a GP7 F1 orientated rocket!
Mugello has a straight that’s not so straight and Catalunya’s got twisty bits…
Mugello’s straight = 1141m, Catalunya’s = 1047m…
Mugello and Catalunya are also home tracks for Rossi and Pedrosa…
After all this, Sepang is the only other fast flowing; and Phillip Island’s home track for Stoner (Little ....... is already a tread isn’t he?). But Rossi loves Phillip Island!
Next in line… Le Mans suits Yamaha doesn´t it?
It’s getting interesting by day… Go (Mindless Cheerleader of course) Rossi!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Racejumkie @ May 8 2007, 05:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I've got Hayden down...
No Jumkie, Elias was the one that got Hayden down!
Mugello has a straight that’s not so straight and Catalunya’s got twisty bits…
Mugello’s straight = 1141m, Catalunya’s = 1047m…
Mugello and Catalunya are also home tracks for Rossi and Pedrosa…
After all this, Sepang is the only other fast flowing; and Phillip Island’s home track for Stoner (Little ....... is already a tread isn’t he?). But Rossi loves Phillip Island!
Next in line… Le Mans suits Yamaha doesn´t it?
It’s getting interesting by day… Go (Mindless Cheerleader of course) Rossi!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Racejumkie @ May 8 2007, 05:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I've got Hayden down...
No Jumkie, Elias was the one that got Hayden down!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Babelfish @ May 8 2007, 11:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Youre not the only one. Almost a week with nothing but motorbikes (and beer)
You also going to the TT????
It's gonna be the first time for me, got my tickets yesterday..and I'm sooooo excited!!!!! Assen here I come!!!!!!!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Babelfish @ May 9 2007, 12:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>He probably ment it literarly. Hayden is going <u> down </u> on those tracks
LOL
I hope not!! Wouldn't mind seeing Nicky on the podium anytime soon.
It's been a while..
You also going to the TT????
It's gonna be the first time for me, got my tickets yesterday..and I'm sooooo excited!!!!! Assen here I come!!!!!!!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Babelfish @ May 9 2007, 12:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>He probably ment it literarly. Hayden is going <u> down </u> on those tracks
LOL
I hope not!! Wouldn't mind seeing Nicky on the podium anytime soon.
It's been a while..
Joined Oct 2006
445 Posts | 43+
Adelaide, Australia
After the race in Qatar, we started speculating about Jerez, Istanbul and Shanghai. The form guide suggested Rossi, Ducati, Ducati and proved to be remarkably accurate. So, if the trend continues:
Le Man - Rossi
Mugello - Stoner
Catalunya - Stoner/Pedrosa/Rossi
Donington - Rossi
Hopkins is the only other rider right now who looks likely to challenge for a win in the next few races, but anyone from Melandri, Elias, Capirossi, Vermeulen (if he can qualify better) and even Edwards (Le Mans is a renowned Yamaha track) could figure in the podium placings.
In which case, when you consider that Rossi--even when he doesn't win the race--invariably finishes on the podium, the points gap between Rossi and Stoner could well be minimal heading into Assen, with Rossi a fair chance to be leading outright. And that's without Stoner crashing out or making a mistake...
Le Man - Rossi
Mugello - Stoner
Catalunya - Stoner/Pedrosa/Rossi
Donington - Rossi
Hopkins is the only other rider right now who looks likely to challenge for a win in the next few races, but anyone from Melandri, Elias, Capirossi, Vermeulen (if he can qualify better) and even Edwards (Le Mans is a renowned Yamaha track) could figure in the podium placings.
In which case, when you consider that Rossi--even when he doesn't win the race--invariably finishes on the podium, the points gap between Rossi and Stoner could well be minimal heading into Assen, with Rossi a fair chance to be leading outright. And that's without Stoner crashing out or making a mistake...
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Rising Sun @ May 9 2007, 02:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>In which case, when you consider that Rossi--even when he doesn't win the race--invariably finishes on the podium,
consistency wins titles.
consistency wins titles.
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445 Posts | 43+
Adelaide, Australia
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ May 9 2007, 11:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>consistency wins titles.
Heh, heh. That it does!
Heh, heh. That it does!
