What Do You Think..?

Right, the new season starts soon and I want to know your predictions for riders who have gone to new teams, others who have re-joined etc.

This could turn into a debate if people disagree, but debates are fun AS LONG AS YOU DON'T SAY ANYTHING BAD.

Okay, these are some views that I have on some riders:

Casey Stoner: Hopefully he wont crash as much as he did last year, but then again he wasn't on the best bike and was on his own. I think this will be a good year for Casey because he has a great teammate and a bike that will hopefully have a good season. Some people might disagree, if you do, tell me why.

Dani Pedrosa: What can we say for him? Not only is he one of my favourites, but the bike is perfect for him. If you think about it, the rookie came into the season from 250's, bikes that are less powerful than the 990's. As he battled with Rossi through the season, he told the media that he thought riders like Vale were aggressive. Now, the aggressiveness will still be there, but he will be stronger for what he learnt during 2006. That experience will make it easier for Dani as he now knows how to fight with other riders and also has the advantage of the bike size. A rider I think that will frequently be seen on the podium.

Valentino Rossi: Sorry, but this guy is probably raging with anger. I think this is from the bike. He had an excellent season, but I really think that he has kept everything inside him since the last race at Valencia. Other Rossi fans may disagree because you think, "Oh, Rossi? No you can't be taking about him, he never gets angry. He's a calm person." But let me remind you that any normal person wouldn't stay calm if they were so close to winning the championship, but lost it. Right, now i'm getting too into arguing with myself now lol. Anyway, that anger will probably escalate into the 2007 season when he shows everyone that he can recover from 2006. My bet is that he will stay at the top of the championship for quite a long time.

Nicky Hayden: Okay.. champion of 2006. His teammate has an advantage on the bike that they will be riding. Rossi, will be ready to battle with him and other people will want to steal the crown off him. This pressure might just make Hayden that little but faster this year, but he has a very competitive bunch of riders to deal with. Will Nicky be able to regain his title?(yes I know, you've talked about this before). If not, who will take his place and why?



Well, that has taken a lot of time lol just reply with your views. I like debates because they let you express your views and other people know that you aren't doing it to annoy or hurt their feelings. Some adults take it a bit too far and start major arguements. Well, where's the fun in that? There isn't, so please just enjoy this topic and don't turn it into a battle of hatred between two riders.



Thankyou.


Louise

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (4..louzi..2 @ Jan 19 2007, 08:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Casey Stoner: Hopefully he wont crash as much as he did last year, but then again he wasn't on the best bike and was on his own. I think this will be a good year for Casey because he has a great teammate and a bike that will hopefully have a good season. Some people might disagree, if you do, tell me why.

Not on the best bike?

Clarify how the Honda wasn't the best bike.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (phleg @ Jan 19 2007, 09:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Not on the best bike?

Clarify how the Honda wasn't the best bike.

Well, if you look at it this way, he didn't get all the good gear that Pedrosa had did he? If he did, maybe he would have done better in the championship. As a result of crashing, there might have been something wrong with the bike etc. Do you see what I mean?

Ok, well........

I reckon stoners about to get better, i think the bridgestone front tires could do him a favour, as could being part of a factory effort. I expect wins.

I think Rossi feels he has a point to prove now, last year he was beaten and i think he will come out stronger than ever this year, not many things will be able to stop him

Which brings me to pedrosa, i think the only rider who can challenge rossi for the fact that he is so strong mentally, and so fast fast fast.

In other areas, i am expecting checa to be a bit of a middle top ten guy, not much better than he went on the ducati. I have no idea what to expect of barros, maybe a win, but i expect him to be inconsistent. Edwards on podiums but maybe not wins.

Melandri is the one to look out for if the bridegstone tires are better than michelins, considering the new rule will decrease the michelin europe advantage and the new bikes are harder on the front tires. he could do good things.

I think one of the most interesting things to watch will be the battle of the suzuki teamates, who will be the first to take a win.

And whats gonna happen at laguna seca?

Oh i almost forgot the champion. Nicky is still getting better, he knows he can win races and titles now and i think this will work to his advantage. But i think if the pressure gets to him and he gets downhearted (maybe from pedrosa beating him) it could cause a performance drop off. But hes one of the strongest out there so i don't think its gonna happen, he is gonna have trouble beating his teamate but he doesn't take crap and i reckon he can do it.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (4..louzi..2 @ Jan 19 2007, 09:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Well, if you look at it this way, he didn't get all the good gear that Pedrosa had did he? If he did, maybe he would have done better in the championship. As a result of crashing, there might have been something wrong with the bike etc. Do you see what I mean?

No, he admitted himself that he was the cause of the crashes, he was far too dependent on the front end of the bike.

And Pedrosa was on basically the same bike as the customer Honda's, as he didn't want to be the test mule. Showing from Melandri and Elias' wins it shows they are just as equal in riders hands.

The Honda was THE best bike of 06.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (phleg @ Jan 19 2007, 09:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>No, he admitted himself that he was the cause of the crashes, he was far too dependent on the front end of the bike.

And Pedrosa was on basically the same bike as the customer Honda's, as he didn't want to be the test mule. Showing from Melandri and Elias' wins it shows they are just as equal in riders hands.

The Honda was THE best bike of 06.

Sorry, but Elias won once. This was a fantastic race, but you can't put down Elias' win as evidence. Melandri's maybe, but there's just not enough to support what you trying to prove.

Well, if Casey is a good rider; and i'm sure he is, why did he keep falling off? I know you said that he admitted it was his fault, but he can't have kept doing that EVERY time he crashed. There can't be a single race where a rider's bikes have been perfect. If his bike was the same as Pedrosa's, then why didn't he keep up with him in 2006 like he did in 2005? They are both around the same weight, so why didn't he stick with Pedrosa? It has been proven that he can battle with Dani and not fall off. So what was so wrong about 2006?

i read somewhere that stoners concentration wasnt up to the job, and he would get tired. Pedrosa however could do the exact same lap millions of times with less errors. Bottom line, Dani is better than stoner. If we didn't have Dani to comapre him to you'd see that stoner actually had a reasonable impressive rookie season scoring about the same amount of points as should be expected.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Jan 19 2007, 09:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>i read somewhere that stoners concentration wasnt up to the job, and he would get tired. Pedrosa however could do the exact same lap millions of times with less errors. Bottom line, Dani is better than stoner. If we didn't have Dani to comapre him to you'd see that stoner actually had a reasonable impressive rookie season scoring about the same amount of points as should be expected.

so dani was fantastic then? lol

obviously

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Jan 19 2007, 10:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>obviously

i know

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Jan 19 2007, 03:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Melandri is the one to look out for if the bridegstone tires are better than michelins, considering the new rule will decrease the michelin europe advantage and the new bikes are harder on the front tires. he could do good things.

I think you're right! Bridgestone are known for their front end feel and so Melandri being a late braker will definitely be of advantage here.


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (phleg @ Jan 19 2007, 03:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>And Pedrosa was on basically the same bike as the customer Honda's, as he didn't want to be the test mule. Showing from Melandri and Elias' wins it shows they are just as equal in riders hands.

Pedrosa was on a standard PLUS bike.. he wasn't involved in development but he did receive parts after Hayden did.. Melandri was also given some HRC parts that weren't given to new Honda riders which was also given to Pedrosa


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (4..louzi..2 @ Jan 19 2007, 03:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Sorry, but Elias won once. This was a fantastic race, but you can't put down Elias' win as evidence. Melandri's maybe, but there's just not enough to support what you trying to prove.

Elias finally got new parts towards the end of the season that made his machinery equal to Melandri and Pedrosa.. Stoner also did but Stoner didn't capitalize on it.

I think Nakano will be up there especially towards the end of the year when he gets used to the Honda.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (4..louzi..2 @ Jan 19 2007, 09:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Well, if you look at it this way, he didn't get all the good gear that Pedrosa had did he? If he did, maybe he would have done better in the championship. As a result of crashing, there might have been something wrong with the bike etc. Do you see what I mean?
Two words:

Colin Edwards

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (rgvneil @ Jan 19 2007, 11:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I think Nakano will be up there especially towards the end of the year when he gets used to the Honda.


I don't think he'll have trouble with the honda, my fear is that he has been on bridgestones al ong time and might struggle there, look what happened to the last guy who switched in that direction......total loss of confidence.

As for the parts that helped Elias out, i heard it was a little bit of extra attention from michelin, finally giving him a tire that had the feel he liked.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Jan 20 2007, 09:31 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I don't think he'll have trouble with the honda, my fear is that he has been on bridgestones al ong time and might struggle there, look what happened to the last guy who switched in that direction......total loss of confidence.

As for the parts that helped Elias out, i heard it was a little bit of extra attention from michelin, finally giving him a tire that had the feel he liked.

The Michelins might inspire less confidence in Nakano, but the RCV should inspire more. I imagine it would be an easier bike to ride than the Kawa. On the subject of tyres, I'm not fully convinced Melandri has made the right descision moving to Bridgestone. I think the move will help Bridgestone more than it helps him. I fit was Colin Edwards or KRJR, I'd buy it. They speak tyre. Melandri, I dunno. I think he might have been convinced that this is a good new angle to attack the championship from, or he was pissed off at Michelin for being Valentiniboppers and it influenced his descision. He's definately got the talent, but I worry about his level of experience. Then again, the move helped Ducati to wins, who knows? At the end of the day Michelin is still the tyre to beat... for now.

First I would like to point out that All Teams have the newest 800cc prototypes cause there are no ‘Last Year Bikes’ that could be inherited from factory teams to satellites as it did back in ’02 when they increased capacity.

Hayden. Right now he is the one to beat, 800cc will not help him though, Honda 800cc bike is more like Pedrosa’s thought for. Although I think he does not have to develop it this year and from last year’s commentaries he did not like the task much.

Melandri. I think he does not want to let go Honda, Ducati were interested in him, and did not do great things on a Yamaha. Still, a runner up spot in ‘05, so in Bridgestone tracks on a Honda (remember Tamada’s Camel-Honda-Bridgestone ’04 two wins).

Pedrosa. He is going to be fast, but there will always be the question as for other riders have; who would he be without a Honda? Without all that factory support and when Honda no longer needs him what will happen (recalls Gibernau).

Capirossi. Was the only other Championship first place, other than Hayden and Rossi. If Bridgestone improve in most tracks it will be tough.

Stonner. As I recall he was ‘Rolling Stoner’ before he got to MotoGP, and Gibernau did fell more on Ducati than on Honda, let us see if he keeps wheels down.

Elias. Has his ups and downs (really on very high up and more downs).

Hopkins and Vermeulen. Let’s see Suzuki 800cc this year, don’t know.

Checa. We have to consider that most riders have not done well on others bikes, then get a ride on a Honda and come out much better (Barros, Gibernau, Melandri, etc), Biaggi kept on crapping on about it. This brings us to…

Nakano (same thing).

Barros. Late breaker, which is one of 800cc advantage over 990cc, more corner speed plus later breaking, not HP or tops speed thought.

Eduards and Roberts. With less engine capacity I think they have it tough.

Tamada. Cannot see him improving and do not really know about Dunlop.

Rossi. Numbers speak for themselves, 45 wins out of 82 races in 990cc.

Also how will Michelin, Bridgestone or Dunlop on 800cc be? There are some Michelin tracks and there are some Bridgestone tracks. From my point of view, Melandri’s move to Bridgestone had nothing to do with him, it’s more like 7 out of 21 bikes on the grid from Honda (greater chances to make points for the Constructors Championship) but did struggle in some tracks, so now with a couple of Bridgestone Honda’s they could cover most races to their favor (just a thought but unfair).

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (VHMP01 @ Jan 21 2007, 06:33 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>First I would like to point out that All Teams have the newest 800cc prototypes cause there are no ‘Last Year Bikes’ that could be inherited from factory teams to satellites as it did back in ’02 when they increased capacity.

yh we were talking about last year not this year

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (VHMP01 @ Jan 21 2007, 04:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>From my point of view, Melandri’s move to Bridgestone had nothing to do with him, it’s more like 7 out of 21 bikes on the grid from Honda (greater chances to make points for the Constructors Championship) but did struggle in some tracks, so now with a couple of Bridgestone Honda’s they could cover most races to their favor (just a thought but unfair).


I don't think Honda decided on the move, having a bridgestone bike back means they'll have to do more specific work for Gresini, as his bikes arent on the "standard" michelins. I think you'll find that when Melandri agreed to stay with Gresini instead of move to Ducati, one of his terms was that he wanted bridgestone tyres. He says this is because he belives Michelin concentrate too much on Rossi and Yamaha, and that is where their tyre development will head. Like when Ducati was wqith Micelin. They were getting ignored because Yamaha and Honda came first, so they switched to bridgestone, and instead of being 3rd in the food chain with the best tyre company, they became the top of the food chain with the 2nd best tyre company, and it worked for them. I think Melandri belives Michelin ignore him, and other Honda riders. He belives a switch will give him more personal attention. Even if his tyres lack durability, they will now be HIS tyres, not RCV tyres, or Rossi tyres. This looks good in theory but in practice, he's not a reputed tyre tester. I'm not willing to say this is a good move till I've seen results. In races. Bridgestone have no problems with fast laps in testing, running race distance with Michelin is where their weakness shows.

it's gonna be 1 hell of a season! thats what me think's. agree with richo bout the tires.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (richo @ Jan 21 2007, 08:41 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I don't think Honda decided on the move, having a bridgestone bike back means they'll have to do more specific work for Gresini

Nevertheless, if this is the case, then Bridgestone has to develop for Ducati, Suzuki and Kawasaki first, a least by client antiquity. So I don’t really see Melandri’s point of view, it would kind of be Capirossi, Hopkins and Jaque first. On the other hand, if all their riders are tire developers, Bridgestone is taking it too diverse and this makes it too complicated to develop specific needs.