Refer link: http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sport/sp...8/?&R=EPI-96924
"By Matthew Birt
MotoGP
08 November 2007 16:51
Valentino Rossi reckons Ducati rival Casey Stoner will prove to be an even bigger threat in 2008.
The Italian, who is currently recovering from three broken bones in his right hand after a massive crash in Valencia last weekend, believes Casey Stoner’s incredible 2007 campaign will only make him a more formidable opponent next season.
Stoner dominated the 2007 season with 10 victories in his first season with Ducati and Bridgestone.
Such was his domination Valentino Rossi successfully secured a switch from Michelin to Bridgestone tyres in 2008 to compete on the same rubber as the Australian.
Fiat Yamaha rider Valentino Rossi, who will make his Bridgestone debut in Jerez later this month, said: “I don’t think he will be more relaxed now he’s won the title because he is very young.
“From one point he has won so he will be more relaxed, but from the other point he has more confidence with himself and he will be even stronger next year.”
Casey Stoner continued his brilliant form in the first winter test in Valencia this week. He crushed his rivals riding a modified version of the 2007 championship-winning GP7.
His first appearances on the new 2008 factory Ducati will come at the Jerez test, which starts on November 27, 2007.
That is the last track action of the year before the seven-week winter testing ban kicks in. Testing resumes in Sepang on January 22, 2008."
---------
I really believe that this will be as important a season for Vale as 2004 was when he jumped on the Yamaha. For the first time in his career he is having to face down someone who has come out and literally beat him head to head (for whatever reason). This is another reason why I believe that 2008 is going to be an absolute corker!
I thought it worth copying a post that I made into another thread onto this as well...
"To be honest I think that much of what everyone has said on this forum in recent times about the various possibilities in '08 has a certain amount of truth to it... How's about this in no particular order:
Casey Stoner - All wound up & confident from his stellar 2007 season, is bound to come out fighting on the new GP8 which will no doubt have a little more of his personal influence than even this years bike had if the testing goes well. Sheer speed will remain.
Valentino Rossi - The undisputed master of the "naughties" in motorcycle racing. Will have Bridgestone tyres at his disposal in 2008 & hopefully Yamaha, after having a fairly decent sized rocket shoved up their respective arses, will come to the party with at least a reliable bike if not necessarily the fastest. Will always be fast
Dani Pedrosa - The 'bot managed exactly 2 more wins than any other Honda rider this year & given his relative consistency through the year on an obviously out-of-sorts Honda, plus the constant bagging that we give him on this forum, I believe he will come out with all guns blazing with the new 08 Honda.
Marco Melandri - The guy has obvious talent. Both a proven MotoGP race winner & past WC in other classes and in 2008 will have both the Ducati & Bridgestone tyres ( & he already knows the tyres ). If he can find consistency as well as speed like Casey did this year, then look out!
Nicky Hayden - Got bullied about a bit in 2007 plus must have had the worst luck of any rider in the class. When things started to improve on the bike he showed everyone that he could still cut decently fast laps but just couldn't quite nail enough of them together. I think that the new Honda will suit him much better if simple design is anything to go by plus the new engine should be vastly superior.
John Hopkins - If any man can come close to Vale in making a bike go fast through sheer willpower than it has to be Hopper! Early testing is showing promise & his years at Suzuki will see him in good stead. If he can get the new Kwacka team to gel around him then I think that they have a chance to turn the green meanie into a race winner.
Chris Vermeulen - Another very consistent year is under his belt with his first win & a number of other podiums. If he can just get his qualifying pace sorted out he will be a genuine contender in 08. Of course that will depend on Suzuki continuing their development which sorta fell off the boil at times on 07.
Loris Capirossi - Genuine nice bloke with genuine pace... on his day. Once again needs to find consistency both in himself & from his machine. A little luck going his way would help matters as well! See above when it comes to the bike!
Toni Elias - The guy is a nutter & I love him in the same way as I did Garry McCoy! Has the talent, the machine & the tyres to win races & mix it with the best. The WC might be another thing though depending on whether he can avoid wearing pieces of the scenery too often, a la KC in 06!
Naturally there are plenty of things to say about the other riders however I believe that the vast majority of the regular place getters will come from the above group... No disrespect intended to Ant West, CE2, Jorge, JT or any of the others as they will no doubt play important roles."
"By Matthew Birt
MotoGP
08 November 2007 16:51
Valentino Rossi reckons Ducati rival Casey Stoner will prove to be an even bigger threat in 2008.
The Italian, who is currently recovering from three broken bones in his right hand after a massive crash in Valencia last weekend, believes Casey Stoner’s incredible 2007 campaign will only make him a more formidable opponent next season.
Stoner dominated the 2007 season with 10 victories in his first season with Ducati and Bridgestone.
Such was his domination Valentino Rossi successfully secured a switch from Michelin to Bridgestone tyres in 2008 to compete on the same rubber as the Australian.
Fiat Yamaha rider Valentino Rossi, who will make his Bridgestone debut in Jerez later this month, said: “I don’t think he will be more relaxed now he’s won the title because he is very young.
“From one point he has won so he will be more relaxed, but from the other point he has more confidence with himself and he will be even stronger next year.”
Casey Stoner continued his brilliant form in the first winter test in Valencia this week. He crushed his rivals riding a modified version of the 2007 championship-winning GP7.
His first appearances on the new 2008 factory Ducati will come at the Jerez test, which starts on November 27, 2007.
That is the last track action of the year before the seven-week winter testing ban kicks in. Testing resumes in Sepang on January 22, 2008."
---------
I really believe that this will be as important a season for Vale as 2004 was when he jumped on the Yamaha. For the first time in his career he is having to face down someone who has come out and literally beat him head to head (for whatever reason). This is another reason why I believe that 2008 is going to be an absolute corker!
I thought it worth copying a post that I made into another thread onto this as well...
"To be honest I think that much of what everyone has said on this forum in recent times about the various possibilities in '08 has a certain amount of truth to it... How's about this in no particular order:
Casey Stoner - All wound up & confident from his stellar 2007 season, is bound to come out fighting on the new GP8 which will no doubt have a little more of his personal influence than even this years bike had if the testing goes well. Sheer speed will remain.
Valentino Rossi - The undisputed master of the "naughties" in motorcycle racing. Will have Bridgestone tyres at his disposal in 2008 & hopefully Yamaha, after having a fairly decent sized rocket shoved up their respective arses, will come to the party with at least a reliable bike if not necessarily the fastest. Will always be fast
Dani Pedrosa - The 'bot managed exactly 2 more wins than any other Honda rider this year & given his relative consistency through the year on an obviously out-of-sorts Honda, plus the constant bagging that we give him on this forum, I believe he will come out with all guns blazing with the new 08 Honda.
Marco Melandri - The guy has obvious talent. Both a proven MotoGP race winner & past WC in other classes and in 2008 will have both the Ducati & Bridgestone tyres ( & he already knows the tyres ). If he can find consistency as well as speed like Casey did this year, then look out!
Nicky Hayden - Got bullied about a bit in 2007 plus must have had the worst luck of any rider in the class. When things started to improve on the bike he showed everyone that he could still cut decently fast laps but just couldn't quite nail enough of them together. I think that the new Honda will suit him much better if simple design is anything to go by plus the new engine should be vastly superior.
John Hopkins - If any man can come close to Vale in making a bike go fast through sheer willpower than it has to be Hopper! Early testing is showing promise & his years at Suzuki will see him in good stead. If he can get the new Kwacka team to gel around him then I think that they have a chance to turn the green meanie into a race winner.
Chris Vermeulen - Another very consistent year is under his belt with his first win & a number of other podiums. If he can just get his qualifying pace sorted out he will be a genuine contender in 08. Of course that will depend on Suzuki continuing their development which sorta fell off the boil at times on 07.
Loris Capirossi - Genuine nice bloke with genuine pace... on his day. Once again needs to find consistency both in himself & from his machine. A little luck going his way would help matters as well! See above when it comes to the bike!
Toni Elias - The guy is a nutter & I love him in the same way as I did Garry McCoy! Has the talent, the machine & the tyres to win races & mix it with the best. The WC might be another thing though depending on whether he can avoid wearing pieces of the scenery too often, a la KC in 06!
Naturally there are plenty of things to say about the other riders however I believe that the vast majority of the regular place getters will come from the above group... No disrespect intended to Ant West, CE2, Jorge, JT or any of the others as they will no doubt play important roles."
