While we're talking about Hayden...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (an4rew @ Jun 13 2008, 07:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>



She did say she would strip it all off if Toseland won the title...so we can all live in Hope!

Good interview, but as Nicky says last year the bike was too small (so I will concede) and this year he does not have that excuse....so the 2008 bike suit his size, it is back to adaptablity to the necessary riding style for the whole package....

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Jun 13 2008, 07:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>That was an interesting interview, thanks.

A few comments. Nicky mentioned the bike is a bit difficult to set-up. I wonder if the bike is critically & uniquely engineered that the parameters required by Hayden are outside the parameters, or perhaps the window to make it work is extremely narrow. Where as for Pedrosa, the set-up is more forgivable since tire wear is never an issue with him. (your thoughts)


Oh yeah, does anybody think Suzi is a little bit hot? She's no umbrella girl, but I wouldn't kick her out of bed. Something about a female talking MotoGP is a turn on.

Perhaps Mike Leitner understands the bike/rider/tyre situation better than Pete Benson. Maybe, and this is pure speculation, I'm by no means taking a stance, the feedback/data he receives from Dani is more comprehensive.

O.k. Jumk here's one I took of Suzi at Laguna (with some other geezer)

3525:suzi.jpg]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MigsAngel @ Jun 13 2008, 11:55 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>She did say she would strip it all off if Toseland won the title...so we can all live in Hope!

Good interview, but as Nicky says last year the bike was too small (so I will concede) and this year he does not have that excuse....so the 2008 bike suit his size, it is back to adaptablity to the necessary riding style for the whole package....
Cool.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Arrabbiata1 @ Jun 13 2008, 11:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>O.k. Jumk here's one I took of Suzi at Laguna (with some other geezer)

3525:suzi.jpg]
Excellent! Who is the chap in yellow, looks familiar.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Arrabbiata1 @ Jun 13 2008, 07:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Perhaps Mike Leitner understands the bike/rider/tyre situation better than Pete Benson. Maybe, and this is pure speculation, I'm by no means taking a stance, the feedback/data he receives from Dani is more comprehensive.

O.k. Jumk here's one I took of Suzi at Laguna (with some other geezer)

3525:suzi.jpg]
i got a feeling the doctors knobbed her

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Jun 13 2008, 01:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>She's no umbrella girl, but I wouldn't kick her out of bed.

Unless she wanted to bang on the floor

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MigsAngel @ Jun 13 2008, 01:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>....so the 2008 bike suit his size, it is back to adaptablity to the necessary riding style for the whole package....

you actually believe that?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (xx CURVE xx @ Jun 13 2008, 08:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>you actually believe that?

I belive his problem is all in his head and not the bike....he said the bike was too small for him last year and this year he does not have that excuse....so the bike must suit his size, it is all down to him adapting his riding style to suit the 800s...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (roger-m @ Jun 13 2008, 12:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>i got a feeling the doctors knobbed her
I don't think Uccio would approve of your joke.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MigsAngel @ Jun 13 2008, 02:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I belive his problem is all in his head and not the bike....he said the bike was too small for him last year and this year he does not have that excuse....so the bike must suit his size, it is all down to him adapting his riding style to suit the 800s...

the bike hasn't changed that much..it's STILL too small for nick..yeah they gave him a bigger wind screen and i'm sure this and that...but just looking at him ride it... still looks like a pocket bike....... "Fast" Freddy Spencer stated during an AMA race that Nick had told him the bike was still way too small...that after a race his back hurts from the tight fit....

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MigsAngel @ Jun 13 2008, 12:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I belive his problem is all in his head and not the bike....he said the bike was too small for him last year and this year he does not have that excuse....so the bike must suit his size, it is all down to him adapting his riding style to suit the 800s...
Of course, I disagree. I agree partly, Yes he does say the size of the bike is more accommodating, but really, do you think this solves all of the issues & problems? I know you are stuck on this idea of "adaptability" even though I sighted three former champs (on another thread to you) who also had difficulty defending their title on the new bike, but surely you can see its NOT just a matter of "adapting". He does concede that he (himself) needs to step it up (so he party agrees with you), but there are other factors to consider. Are we to believe that the only capable riders in MotoGP are the four guys locked at the front of the points? How about the guys like Capi, Hopkins, Vermy, Melandri, Elias; can we simply chalk it up to a lack of "adaptability"? Surely something more than just this must account for their sub par results. But you would have us believe its just Hayden that suffers from this illness. I partly think its a compliment from you in that you take particular notice when it comes to Nicky, since his lack of results don't coincide with the accepted talent/ability generally expected from him.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Jun 13 2008, 08:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I partly think its a compliment from you in that you take particular notice when it comes to Nicky, since his lack of results don't coincide with the accepted talent/ability generally expected from him.

I think of it as if you win THE world title then you must be that much better than the rest...therefore is held to a higher standards of riding......otherwise it devalues his title win....and I think this is why he is so down on himself....


Capi, Hopkins, Vermy, Melandri, Elias - Some world champs in the list and even some from the feeder GP series, but none winner of THE title....so you can't expect that much from them in the first place...Capi is old, Hopper will never win the title or a race, Vermy will return to WSBK, Marco will just leave like Biaggi oneday, and Tiger Tony - I love his riding style but he is there to make up the numbers at this point (excusing his 1 moment of brilliance in 2006 at estoril)

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Arrabbiata1 @ Jun 13 2008, 07:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>3525:suzi.jpg]

While we are on the topic


http://www.suziperry.com/

http://www.suzip.co.uk/

http://www.revver.com/video/473919/suzi-pe...tripping-video/

I'm not going to sit here with blind blockers on and say that its all Honda/Pedrosa's fault but I am not also going to sit here and say that its all Nicky's fault as well. If I was to put a percentage on it though I would place more of the blame on Honda. Maybe like 60/40 or something. There is always what goes on behind the scenes and we as fans are left here to gather the information that is fed us and come to our own conclusions. From what I can gather, and there is numerous sources, Nicky is being shafted by Honda. Migs you point out that Nicky is an ex-champ and therefore should be kept to higher standards or therefore his title is less meaningless. If you want to continue to walk around with blind blockers on then so be it. I ask you this, was he and is he being treated like an ex-champ? You can see that my point of view is that Honda never gave Nicky the chance to defend his title. Its hard to kill a guy that supplied a knife for a sword fight. I know that he should be doing better despite package, setup, tires, etc, I am with you there. But it must be hard as hell for Nicky to go out there every race knowing that (my speculation) Honda has a one rider mind. It is not in the heart of a champion to quit and Nicky is not giving up but no matter who you are this will affect performanc. Look at Rossi, he gave up last season. I am proud of what Nicky has done and is doing and I think that he is going to get back in there and be fighting for it soon.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Jun 13 2008, 07:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Are we to believe that the only capable riders in MotoGP are the four guys locked at the front of the points? How about the guys like Capi, Hopkins, Vermy, Melandri, Elias; can we simply chalk it up to a lack of "adaptability"? Surely something more than just this must account for their sub par results.

Good point Jumkie.

I've been thinking the same thing, how can a guy like Melandri go from a GP winner and title contender to a back of the pack buddy rider to West in one year? Did everyone else simply get faster or is his "new found slowness" contributed to the bike/package/team/red leathers that he now wears/etc etc? Everyone seems to think that its 80% rider, 20 % bike, but when it comes to winning it seems like the rider can only overcome so much about the bike. Are the best riders really just the ones that can adapt or are some bike issues simply impossible to overcome?

In the years leading up to the 800's Nicky was a top 5 guy and in 2006 a consistent podium finisher and race winner. A new bike comes out and suddenly, his title defense year he is pushed down, yet his teammate on "the same bike" is still performing consistently? Nicky is not a piece of .... rider else he would not have won the AMA at a young age prior to GP nor have had great results leading up to his championship. The guy is known to put in more laps during practice then most and is dedicated to developing the bike, so I find it hard to believe he is simply a poor adapter.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MigsAngel @ Jun 13 2008, 11:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I think of it as if you win THE world title then you must be that much better than the rest...therefore is held to a higher standards of riding......otherwise it devalues his title win....and I think this is why he is so down on himself....


Capi, Hopkins, Vermy, Melandri, Elias - Some world champs in the list and even some from the feeder GP series, but none winner of THE title....so you can't expect that much from them in the first place...Capi is old, Hopper will never win the title or a race, Vermy will return to WSBK, Marco will just leave like Biaggi oneday, and Tiger Tony - I love his riding style but he is there to make up the numbers at this point (excusing his 1 moment of brilliance in 2006 at estoril)
Fair enough.

Oh, thanks for the links, good stuff. (....... guy had the phone in his hand just enough in the field of view to .... block, ....!)

Disclaimer: I'm a bit tired from a miserable mothafuking day at work, so I don't feel much like fighting or debating.

That's because Colin is a first generation Texan!

He learned to speak OZ as his first language!!! Not to mention he came from MX instead of Flattrack!

I love that kid, though. He is right up there with Randy Mamola as far as my favs go. I was fortunate enough to see Colin sweep the AMA/CCS at Daytona in...

Jeez, I am old... I think it was '91

I hope Colin hangs around racing as a team manager/owner like KR. I think Colin's entire demeanor would make him an ideal team leader. Colin, like KR, is one of the American riders who seemed to have made a great transition to living abroad.

I've never been a big Nicky fan, but I hope he is not 'done' as a rider. Unless that is what he wants that is. I always look at the Boz Bros as a great example of fine riders who also have other interests in life. I think both Ben and Eric could have been champions, but they had other things they loved as much as racing. In my more than 6 decades I have never been - nor could I be - just one thing. Maybe Nicky is ready to move on...or up...or back...to the US.

I spent mucho, Mucho, MUCHO years away from the States during my Military Career. No matter how much I loved where I happened to be at any given moment, sometimes I just missed being home so bad it hurt somehow. So I would understand if NH wanted to come back home. He could be an asset to DMG, and he might be able to make the AMA what it once was.

IMHO

j






<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (JohnnyKnockdown @ Jun 11 2008, 09:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Is Colin inferring that the Ducati Nicky deal is done or that Nicky is done as a rider?
...... Colin. I never understand him. Always speaks his own version of English.
Must be a Texas dialect because Mylexicon often leaves me feeling just as confused

Wow believe it or not that is the first time I had ever seen Suzi. I have hear of her and all but dang all I can say now as much as it kills me to say it but here goes.. COME ON TOSELAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (SackWack @ Jun 13 2008, 09:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I'm not going to sit here with blind blockers on and say that its all Honda/Pedrosa's fault but I am not also going to sit here and say that its all Nicky's fault as well. If I was to put a percentage on it though I would place more of the blame on Honda. Maybe like 60/40 or something. There is always what goes on behind the scenes and we as fans are left here to gather the information that is fed us and come to our own conclusions. From what I can gather, and there is numerous sources, Nicky is being shafted by Honda. Migs you point out that Nicky is an ex-champ and therefore should be kept to higher standards or therefore his title is less meaningless. If you want to continue to walk around with blind blockers on then so be it. I ask you this, was he and is he being treated like an ex-champ? You can see that my point of view is that Honda never gave Nicky the chance to defend his title. Its hard to kill a guy that supplied a knife for a sword fight. I know that he should be doing better despite package, setup, tires, etc, I am with you there. But it must be hard as hell for Nicky to go out there every race knowing that (my speculation) Honda has a one rider mind. It is not in the heart of a champion to quit and Nicky is not giving up but no matter who you are this will affect performanc. Look at Rossi, he gave up last season. I am proud of what Nicky has done and is doing and I think that he is going to get back in there and be fighting for it soon.
Great post man.