WSBK Qatar Race 1&2

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (michaelm @ Mar 12 2009, 01:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>What is going to stop spies? I have to say based on past form that consistency and/or dnfs are more likely to be a problem for haga than spies. Haga as nearly always will be fast in the race even if he doesn't get near the top in practice though.
Agree - but Haga's main problem is the fact that he's so dim. Maybe he won't see fit to shake his fist at Max this year on the exit of a tight left hander and bounce down the road on his head as a consequence.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Mar 12 2009, 03:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I really think its gonna be very hard for Spies to make up the almost DNF in race one PI. Its really looking like points are gonna be at a premium and the war of attrition will be the real race to the title. One more DNF (which is very likely to come from a crash) may spell the end to a championship run.
It shouldn't be all that difficult. Although Spies is new to the majority of these tracks, he hasn't been much of a crasher in his AMA days. Mladin won more races than Spies during his three championship seasons but Spies was consistently on the podium, something I think he will continue to do at the WSBK level.

Haga doesn't seem to have that setting. In race two at Phillip Island he appeared much more mature while following Spies and not pushing the issue, something he used to do frequently and it has cost him countless points and possibly championships. Further, I think it will take a little bit of time for Haga to really gel with the 1098 and his crew. I think the speed he showed at PI is a little premature or an anomaly as I consider it a real "separate the men from the boys" kind of track. A place that rewards his riding style and aggressive mentality. Either a fall or a couple of sub par rides are certainly not out of the question this season, and I think those events will allow Spies to make up lost points.

One race out of the points wont hurt Spies.
In fact looking at the pace of the Ducati's so far in Qatar, I wouldn't be surprised if Spies doesn't come away from this round in front of Haga.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Arrabbiata1 @ Mar 12 2009, 10:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Agree - but Haga's main problem is the fact that he's so dim. Maybe he won't see fit to shake his fist at Max this year on the exit of a tight left hander and bounce down the road on his head as a consequence.

Hahaha, I remember the incident you are talking about Arrab. At the time I was wondering what the hell Haga was thinking, getting all bent out of shape and then wrecking because of it. The man has fire inside him for sure and this can get the best of him. We shall see if we see a more mature calculating Haga as Austin has pondered.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <div class='quotemain'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Mar 12 2009, 03:13 PM) I really think its gonna be very hard for Spies to make up the almost DNF in race one PI. Its really looking like points are gonna be at a premium and the war of attrition will be the real race to the title. One more DNF (which is very likely to come from a crash) may spell the end to a championship run.

An optomist is never pleasently surprised

<span style="font-size:8pt;line-height:100%my favorite and most used phrase of all time

Just a heads up, Superpole begins tomorrow @ 3:00pm Qatar time, or 8:00am EST. You can catch live timing on the Worldsbk.com website. FOr those of us at work in front of a computer, its nice to have live timing tucked in the corner of the screen.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (VTtwinner @ Mar 12 2009, 04:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Just a heads up, Superpole begins tomorrow @ 3:00pm Qatar time, or 8:00am EST. You can catch live timing on the Worldsbk.com website. FOr those of us at work in front of a computer, its nice to have live timing tucked in the corner of the screen.

Why would you watch live timing whem you can watch the video live?

Damnit though, I can't get up that early.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Arrabbiata1 @ Mar 12 2009, 02:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Agree - but Haga's main problem is the fact that he's so dim. Maybe he won't see fit to shake his fist at Max this year on the exit of a tight left hander and bounce down the road on his head as a consequence.
ah the visual you just brought back to mind.

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GO SPIES!!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Austin @ Mar 12 2009, 02:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>It shouldn't be all that difficult. Although Spies is new to the majority of these tracks, he hasn't been much of a crasher in his AMA days. Mladin won more races than Spies during his three championship seasons but Spies was consistently on the podium, something I think he will continue to do at the WSBK level.

Haga doesn't seem to have that setting.
Good point about Spies. But I'm not so sure that is true about Haga. I think somebody pulled him aside before the season and said, look, Bayliss is gone, this is your championship to lose, don't screw it up by throwing it away. In PI, Haga seemed more resolute, where as in other times he would have stubbornly tried to beat Spies to get the win, this time he held back IMHO.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tremulant @ Mar 12 2009, 04:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Biaggi kicking him off track in the first corner?
he did it twice if you look.

More speed from Spies this morning, he looks like hes got a margin! Tough to beat i reckon. Sykes has picked up his pace this morning and made the Yamaha look like an even stronger package, Haga doesn't look quite so hot, but we know what he's like. looking forward to to superpole!!

Hey - who knows how the live video feed works from the WSBK site? I'm getting nothing...

Live timing's showing Spies quicker on his second lap out than in Q2...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Mick D @ Mar 13 2009, 07:06 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Hey - who knows how the live video feed works from the WSBK site? I'm getting nothing...

Its running right now...but it will NOT allow Americans to see it...we get locked out.... Vid will be available in 4 or 5 days AFTER the race...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (xx CURVE xx @ Mar 13 2009, 05:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Its running right now...but it will NOT allow Americans to see it...we get locked out.... Vid will be available in 4 or 5 days AFTER the race...


Splendid lap by Spies 1.58.782 in the first session

Edit: Rea, Haslam and Max neukrischner left out....

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (xx CURVE xx @ Mar 13 2009, 07:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Its running right now...but it will NOT allow Americans to see it...we get locked out.... Vid will be available in 4 or 5 days AFTER the race...
I'm in freakin' Thailand - big market to lock out?

Justin TV's not got it either...

http://www.worldsbk.com/pubb_EN/index.php

Live access is on the front page...no Americans allowed


"YOU ARE NOT ATHERIZED TO VIEW THIS CONTENT"


Yet my fellow Texan is showing those motherfuckers around a track they've been to a 100 times

Kiyonari's gone down - anyone see it?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Mick D @ Mar 13 2009, 05:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Kiyonari's gone down - anyone see it?


Max Biaggi does a 1.57.836 WOW!!!!!