MotoGP, Indianapolis

[White trash]

Fuck yeah!

FP2 out of the way and Spies is a gnats cock behind Stoner. More intereseting, is his is the slowest recorded terminal speed of all 17 bikes. 7kph slower than Stoners bike.

C'mon Benny boy, you can do eet!!!

[rachprice]

Shit, bad buzz, wonder why?

[riffer]

Shit, bad buzz, wonder why?

Possibly gearing. It's not just about the top speed at the end of the straight, it's also drive out of corners, and mid corner speed too.

[White trash]

Possibly gearing. It's not just about the top speed at the end of the straight, it's also drive out of corners, and mid corner speed too.

Thanks for the lesson in how best to get a racebike round a track mate ;)

ACtually, I was wrong. His bike was second slowest.

[Shaun]

Possibly gearing. It's not just about the top speed at the end of the straight, it's also drive out of corners, and mid corner speed too.



NOPE, They change gear box internals to achieve that in the real world, it is only us plebs that need to sacrifice like that

[Crasherfromwayback]

If he's running low on engines he may also be using one that's a tad 'tired'? I think Stoner has engines to burn.

[racefactory]

I'm picking Rossi to win if it's rain!

[Shaun]

If he's running low on engines he may also be using one that's a tad 'tired'? I think Stoner has engines to burn.


Yep, real Race motor goes in for tomorrow

[Crasherfromwayback]

I'm picking Rossi to win if it's rain!

You've got a better chance of him bumming you.

[BMWST?]

I'm picking Rossi to win if it's rain!

be prepared to be disapointed

[White trash]

I'm picking Rossi to win if it's rain!


You've got a better chance of him bumming you.

Dreams are certainly free though............

[DidJit]

I'm with you, WT — the Stoner & Spies Show come race day.

[James Deuce]

I'm with you, WT — the Stoner & Spies Show come race day.

So Pedrosa, Dovi, and Simo on the day then?

[BMWST?]

I'm with you, WT — the Stoner & Spies Show come race day.

i am hoping it will be the ,Dovisio,Lorenzo,Pedrosa,Simoncelli,Spies,Stoner show.
Alphabetical order to protect the overly sensitive

[White trash]

Top ten on the grid. I'm doubting anyone can stay with Stoner for this one but I'd love to see Spies on the top step again.

1STONER C.Repsol Honda Team1:38.850
2SPIES B.Yamaha Factory Racing+0.523
3LORENZO J.Yamaha Factory Racing+0.779
4PEDROSA D.Repsol Honda Team+1.097
5DOVIZIOSO A.Repsol Honda Team+1.174
6EDWARDS C.Monster Yamaha Tech 3+1.248
7SIMONCELLI M.San Carlo Honda Gresini+1.354
8HAYDEN N.Ducati Team+1.394
9BAUTISTA A.Rizla Suzuki MotoGP+1.483
10BARBERA H.Mapfre Aspar Team MotoGP+1.510

[BMWST?]

Computerised results and timing service provided by
4216 m.
Indianapolis
MotoGP
Qualifying Practice
Fastest Laps Sequence
TISSOT
3'49.611 1 Jorge LORENZO SPA YAMAHA 1'43.418 146.759 2
3'49.848 14 Randy DE PUNIET FRA DUCATI 1'43.381 146.812 2
3'50.274 69 Nicky HAYDEN USA DUCATI 1'42.975 147.391 2
5'43.331 58 Marco SIMONCELLI ITA HONDA 1'42.145 148.588 3
5'48.456 46 Valentino ROSSI ITA DUCATI 1'41.787 149.111 3
6'37.500 11 Ben SPIES USA YAMAHA 1'41.148 150.053 3
7'37.614 27 Casey STONER AUS HONDA 1'40.145 151.556 3
10'57.607 27 Casey STONER AUS HONDA 1'39.588 152.403 5
39'28.030 27 Casey STONER AUS HONDA 1'39.250 152.922 15
46'13.866 27 Casey STONER AUS HONDA 1'38.947 153.391 18
53'18.497 27 Casey STONER AUS HONDA 1'38.923 153.428 21
54'57.347 27 Casey STONER AUS HONDA 1'38.850 153.541 22

[jasonu]

Just watched quali live. Stoner fastest by .5 sec. 2nd Spies. Rossi 14th after falling early in the session.
My prediction for tomorrow
Stoner
Spies
Nobody

I also watched the F1 quali from Spa F. this am. I think Moto GP might do well to adopt a similar format as F1 with their 3 stage knock out qualifying instead of just sending everyone out for a 1hr free for all.

[rapid van cleef]

you mean re name it world superbikes?

maybe it will be more fun to watch then. it has gotten really dull the last few years. moto 2 has been a blessing.

[James Deuce]

moto 2 has been a blessing.

What, you mean not quite as good or quick as Supersport 600 Moto2? It's rubbish.

[puddytat]

Anyone know what time (NZ) the racing starts.....?Im actually more interested in when the 6hundies start:soon:

[BMWST?]

Anyone know what time (NZ) the racing starts.....?Im actually more interested in when the 6hundies start:soon:

125 @3am moto 2 at 4:15am motogp at 6am,motogp qualifying delayed at 11 tonight(edit NOT...was 11am this morning not tonight......grr)

[BMWST?]

this looks scary...are they berms!

http://photos.motogp.com/2011/08/27/11+ben+spies,+motogp_0_slideshow_169.jpg

[Crasherfromwayback]

What, you mean not quite as good or quick as Supersport 600 Moto2? It's rubbish.

Wot he says. To learn...stick your sorry assed nose up a two stroked vespa's ass.

Learn to miss the vapour of a real bike. If you don't dig, you're a fag.

[CHOPPA]

Wot he says. To learn...stick your sorry assed nose up a two stroked vespa's ass.

Learn to miss the vapour of a real bike. If you don't dig, you're a fag.

I love 2 strokes but there time is done, pitty theres not a few modern type fast ones laying around so I could have a blast on em!

Moto 2 bikes would wax supersport if they were running the same engine and electronic specs

[Metastable]

this looks scary...are they berms!

http://photos.motogp.com/2011/08/27/11+ben+spies,+motogp_0_slideshow_169.jpg

That's what curbing/turtles often look like, except usually they have dirt and grass on the other side.... that one doesn't.

[slowpoke]

What, you mean not quite as good or quick as Supersport 600 Moto2? It's rubbish.


Wot he says. To learn...stick your sorry assed nose up a two stroked vespa's ass.

Learn to miss the vapour of a real bike. If you don't dig, you're a fag.

I'm a realist. I'd rather be sitting here watching a grid chock a block with good riders on fast bikes with an engineering point of difference, than watching a one make half full grid. This is 2011, 3 years into an economic recession with no end in sight and paying over a million Euro's just to lease a bike the same as everyone elses seems ludicrous. We wouldn't put up with a 1 make MotoGP grid so why should we be happy with the same in 250GP?

And I really don't care which is fractionally quicker out of Supersport, GP250 and Moto2, last time I looked they weren't racing each other, so what's the point of the comparision?

[blackdog]

Jaysus! Are they marbles or footballs?

Hope Spies catches JL, plenty of time to do it...

edit: yup should easily, this could still be interesting.

[racefactory]

Fucking boring.

[James Deuce]

And I really don't care which is fractionally quicker out of Supersport, GP250 and Moto2, last time I looked they weren't racing each other, so what's the point of the comparision?
Supersport 600 isn't fractionally quicker. It's also cheaper than Moto2 and is linked with what people actually ride. Moto2 has absolutely no connection with the viewing public and non-motorcyclist people I know who used to watch 250GP simply don't "get" it and have turned off.

The point of comparison is that Moto2 leaves me utterly cold. 125GP is fantastic. It has personalities, personality, and scraps at the front that can consist of 2 riders or 10. I rather suspect that next year's Honda singles benefit is going to be just like Moto2. A bunch of bikes that arrive at the corners together and skittle people until there's enough of a gap for the skitlling to stop. The slow skittling.

With the production engine based bikes turning up in MotoGP next year I think they may as well just give up the fight and can the whole show. Then manufacturers can concentrate on pouring what little money they have into classes that may convert to actual sales for them.

[DidJit]

Strange race... Don't think too many of the riders (or the Ducatis) enjoyed that track today. Still, Spies put on a bit of a show to make his way through the pack like that.

[riffer]

After watching today's race I have to wonder now if there is one solitary person at Ducati that still thinks they can tune the problems out of the carbon fibre chassis?

[slowpoke]

Supersport 600 isn't fractionally quicker. It's also cheaper than Moto2 and is linked with what people actually ride. Moto2 has absolutely no connection with the viewing public and non-motorcyclist people I know who used to watch 250GP simply don't "get" it and have turned off.

The point of comparison is that Moto2 leaves me utterly cold. 125GP is fantastic. It has personalities, personality, and scraps at the front that can consist of 2 riders or 10. I rather suspect that next year's Honda singles benefit is going to be just like Moto2. A bunch of bikes that arrive at the corners together and skittle people until there's enough of a gap for the skitlling to stop. The slow skittling.

With the production engine based bikes turning up in MotoGP next year I think they may as well just give up the fight and can the whole show. Then manufacturers can concentrate on pouring what little money they have into classes that may convert to actual sales for them.

WTF?! You're talking in circles man!

Let me get this straight:

1. First it's a bad thing that a Moto2 bike has little connection to the bikes we ride then you're lamenting the loss of GP250's which have even less connection with what we ride?
2. And somehow changing the bikes is going to change the "personalities" of the guys we never hear about anyway?
3. And why is an Aprilia benefit ok, but a field of different manufacturers (or even your worst case Honda scenario) isn't?

And here's a comparison of Moto2, Supersport, and GP250 times, from last year:

Losail
250cc race lap record: 1m 59.379s (Debon, 2008)
Moto2 race lap record: 2m 2.537s (Luthi)
Difference = +3.158s

Jerez
250cc race lap record: 1m 43.338s (Bautista, 2009)
Moto2 race lap record: 1m 44.710s (Elias)
Difference = +1.372s

Le Mans
250cc race lap record: 1m 39.666s (Simoncelli, 2008)
Moto2 race lap record: 1m 39.169s (Cluzel)
Difference = -0.497s

Mugello
250cc race lap record: 1m 53.669s (Bautista, 2008)
Moto2 race lap record: 1m 55.647s (Iannone)
Difference = +1.978s

Silverstone (New track)
WSS race lap record: 2m 8.717s (Sofuoglu)
Moto2 race lap record: 2m 9.886s (Luthi)
Difference = +1.169s

Assen (Modified track for 2010)
WSS race lap record: 1m 38.608s (Sofuoglu)
Moto2 race lap record: 1m 38.917s (Iannone)
Difference = +0.309s

Catalunya
250cc race lap record: 1m 45.925s (de Angelis, 2007)
Moto2 race lap record: 1m 47.543s (Iannone)
Difference = +1.618s

Sachsenring
250cc race lap record: 1m 24.552s (Bautista, 2009)
Moto2 race lap record: 1m 25.629s (Iannone)
Difference = +1.077s

Brno
250cc race lap record: 2m 2.299s (Lorenzo, 2007)
Moto2 race lap record: 2m 4.315s (Elias)
Difference = +2.016s

WSS race lap record: 2m 2.708s (Crutchlow, 2009)
Moto2 race lap record: 2m 4.315s (Elias)
Difference = +1.607s

Indianapolis
250cc race lap record: 1m 44.720s (Simoncelli, 2009)
Moto2 race lap record: 1m 46.580s (Simon)
Difference = +1.860s

Misano
250cc race lap record: 1m 38.993s (Simoncelli, 2008)
Moto2 race lap record: 1m 39.430s (de Angelis)
Difference = +0.437s

WSS race lap record: 1m 38.868s (Crutchlow, 2009)
Moto2 race lap record: 1m 39.430s (de Angelis)
Difference = +0.562s

Motegi
250cc race lap record: 1m 51.412s (Bautista, 2008)
Moto2 race lap record: 1m 53.653s (Simon)
Difference = +2.241s

Sepang
250cc race lap record: 2m 7.597s (Aoyama, 2009)
Moto2 race lap record: 2m 8.691s (Simon)
Difference = +1.094s

Phillip Island
250cc race lap record: 1m 32.710s (Bautista, 2008)
Moto2 race lap record: 1m 34.771s (Iannone)
Difference = +2.061s

Estoril
250cc race lap record: 1m 40.521s (Bautista, 2007)
Moto2 race lap record: 1m 45.456s (Redding)*
Difference = +4.935s

* Wet track throughout practice and qualifying.

Valencia
250cc race lap record: 1m 35.659s (Kallio, 2007)
Moto2 race lap record: 1m 36.611s (Abraham)
Difference = +0.952s

WSS race lap record: 1m 36.865s (Crutchlow, 2009)
Moto2 race lap record: 1m 36.611s (Abraham)
Difference = -0.254s

Spot that last one Jim? Or Le Mans? Not bad for a first year with absolutely no setup info. And they're only getting quicker.

I don't see the point in getting wound up over something I can't change. I can sit here like Eeyore with a rain cloud over my head whinging about past glories, or I can draw a line in the sand and enjoy the racing available. Choose your attitude and choose your result. If folks don't enjoy it that's their problem not the fault of the bikes, or organisers, or engineers because it's still a fuckin' great show.

[White trash]

Weird old race really. I'm a bit dissapointed BS duffed the start so bad, I was really hoping he could perhaps latch onto Stoner and really give him a good battle.

Championship's Stoners to lose now I reckon. Bet ol' George is having a bit of a cry that his newbie team mate nicked a few valuable points from him.

Great result for Bautista too. Christ I hope Suzuki can build a competitive 1000cc for next season.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Great result for Bautista too. Christ I hope Suzuki can build a competitive 1000cc for next season.

Do we even know if they're coming back next year?

[Crasherfromwayback]

I'm a realist. I'd rather be sitting here watching a grid chock a block with good riders on fast bikes with an engineering point of difference, than watching a one make half full grid.

I hear ya mate. I'm simply a grumpy old two stroke lover is all!

[eelracing]

WTF?!

I don't see the point in getting wound up over something I can't change.

But your fair frothing at the gash to prove a point in that post mate.

For all the "technical racebike" brouhaha you like to spew they are still ponderously slow production racebikes with frames made to fit around the same engine/airbox specs.These are not GP bikes...they are idiot proof commuters,designed to fool you into thinking your watching a class race series.

You may prefer to watch shite GP racing but fucked if i'm gonna accept it.

[LBD]

Anyone know what time (NZ) the racing starts.....?Im actually more interested in when the 6hundies start:soon:

Go to www.motogp.com and look at the race schedule that shows "race time" (Orange).. click on the clock at the left of the race schedule and it changes to the time on your computer.

[puddytat]

Bugger i missed the 125's,slept thru the alarm:argh:
But the 600's made up for it....dunno why you guys are winging as i find them & the 125's by far the more exciting races to watch.The GP race Im afraid is a tad boring with to small a field.
Quite the disaster weekend for Ducati .:cry:

[Ivan]

But your fair frothing at the gash to prove a point in that post mate.

For all the "technical racebike" brouhaha you like to spew they are still ponderously slow production racebikes with frames made to fit around the same engine/airbox specs.These are not GP bikes...they are idiot proof commuters,designed to fool you into thinking your watching a class race series.

You may prefer to watch shite GP racing but fucked if i'm gonna accept it.


Its a good class I talked to a guy on facebook racing a FTR in one of the europeon seires he reckons there awsome and he is a ex 125 racer

[rachprice]

Eh I never find the gp races boring!!

Man if only spies got a good start, I still think he wouldn't have won, but definitely a second!

Stoner is shitting on everyone!

[slowpoke]

But your fair frothing at the gash to prove a point in that post mate.

For all the "technical racebike" brouhaha you like to spew they are still ponderously slow production racebikes with frames made to fit around the same engine/airbox specs.These are not GP bikes...they are idiot proof commuters,designed to fool you into thinking your watching a class race series.

You may prefer to watch shite GP racing but fucked if i'm gonna accept it.

Haha, the perils of a slow night shift bro!

What're the options mate? Seriously. You're passionate like Jim and Pete, which is a good thing, but we can't do bugger all about it. I'd rather watch some racing than none.

It's just the way of the racing world, the only constant is change. Like when the multi's came along and relegated singles like the Manx Norton to history, and they had those sexy as fuck 6 cylinder 250 4 strokes which were banned, and 10 speed gearbox's on 125's with a power band 1000rpm wide were also banned. And imagine the outcry when Agostini jumped off the MV onto a smokey 2 stroke, and then MV were gone alltogether. And they restricted the 125 class to youngsters.......Change.

But even if I don't like the 600 proddy engines I can see the potential for Moto2 when everyone's cashed up again. Hopefully we'll get some pure protype engines from a whole swag of different manufacturers that have been brought into the fold with this stepping stone we have now. A field full of 180hp 135kg bikes ridden by crazy spanish kids won't be boring.

[eelracing]

I totally agree the one constant in GP racing is change.But it has always produced faster and technologically superior bikes.

My beef with Moto2 is not that the racing is boring (it's not)it is that the options available for manufacturers as well as the riders are limited by the engines.
You speak of everyone getting cashed up again,well I would'nt be holding my breath as that reasoning is flawed.
GP racing went through two golden era's depending on your age...The 50's when Europe was still reeling from the financial fallout of the War and the late 80's/90's with stockmarket crashes and resulting world wide recession.

So what has changed now?
Dorna has replaced the FIM and GP racing has become just an excuse to make money.Moto2 is a slower version of the pure racing class it has replaced and Elias is proof positive that it has nothing to add to rider skill.
125's are soon to be replaced by an even slower version in Moto3.But hey Honda's going to sell a shit load of 250's to the emerging Asian markets so it's all good right?

If racing was the priority then Moto2 should of been set at 600cc 4cyl and open to all who could qualify.But you and I and Dorna (and by association Honda)know that a BSL or a KR or even an old NSR 500V twin lying around gathering dust in a museum would clean up in the piss poor excuse that passes itself off as Moto2.

[slowpoke]

I totally agree the one constant in GP racing is change.But it has always produced faster and technologically superior bikes.

My beef with Moto2 is not that the racing is boring (it's not)it is that the options available for manufacturers as well as the riders are limited by the engines.
You speak of everyone getting cashed up again,well I would'nt be holding my breath as that reasoning is flawed.
GP racing went through two golden era's depending on your age...The 50's when Europe was still reeling from the financial fallout of the War and the late 80's/90's with stockmarket crashes and resulting world wide recession.

So what has changed now?
Dorna has replaced the FIM and GP racing has become just an excuse to make money.Moto2 is a slower version of the pure racing class it has replaced and Elias is proof positive that it has nothing to add to rider skill.
125's are soon to be replaced by an even slower version in Moto3.But hey Honda's going to sell a shit load of 250's to the emerging Asian markets so it's all good right?

If racing was the priority then Moto2 should of been set at 600cc 4cyl and open to all who could qualify.But you and I and Dorna (and by association Honda)know that a BSL or a KR or even an old NSR 500V twin lying around gathering dust in a museum would clean up in the piss poor excuse that passes itself off as Moto2.

I actually agree with a fair bit of what you're sayin', I'm just tryin' to look on the bright side, lol.

Elias has got me fucked. He was a world beater on his day in 250GP, finished 3rd(?) in the championship...something like that. Then goes and wins races in MotoGP on a privateer bike, which seems impossible now. I thought he was unlucky to lose his ride at the time. Cleans up in Moto2.........and then fails miserably on a well deserved comeback to MotoGP. WTF? He's a talented rider but something is seriously wrong in his team or his head for his performance this year.

[riffer]

He's a talented rider but something is seriously wrong in his team or his head for his performance this year.

True dat. It's not like he's on a Ducati!

[gixerracer]

I actually agree with a fair bit of what you're sayin', I'm just tryin' to look on the bright side, lol.

Elias has got me fucked. He was a world beater on his day in 250GP, finished 3rd(?) in the championship...something like that. Then goes and wins races in MotoGP on a privateer bike, which seems impossible now. I thought he was unlucky to lose his ride at the time. Cleans up in Moto2.........and then fails miserably on a well deserved comeback to MotoGP. WTF? He's a talented rider but something is seriously wrong in his team or his head for his performance this year.

It's the tyres. Same thing happened with Crafar on the Red Bull 500GP was great on dunlops and they changed to Shitchelins the next year and that ended Simons GP racing

[Crasherfromwayback]

It's the tyres. Same thing happened with Crafar on the Red Bull 500GP was great on dunlops and they changed to Shitchelins the next year and that ended Simons GP racing

I always found that odd. Michelin was THE tyre to use...yet Simon simply couldn't get his head round them.

[gixerracer]

I always found that odd. Michelin was THE tyre to use...yet Simon simply couldn't get his head round them.

If you have done most of your racing on Dunlops which give a ridiculous amount of feedback which is important to any racer and then get on something that has amazing grip but Zero feedback untill the grip has gone it can be pretty hard to get your head around esp at the speed those guy's travel

[Crasherfromwayback]

If you have done most of your racing on Dunlops which give a ridiculous amount of feedback which is important to any racer and then get on something that has amazing grip but Zero feedback untill the grip has gone it can be pretty hard to get your head around esp at the speed those guy's travel

Yeah I dig all that. It's just that Crafar was (I thought) good enough to get to grips (scuse the pun) with them. I mean Spies going from Pirelli to Bridgestone etc etc. Going from a 250 back in the day to a 500. You know...change.

[Shaun]

If you have done most of your racing on Dunlops which give a ridiculous amount of feedback which is important to any racer and then get on something that has amazing grip but Zero feedback untill the grip has gone it can be pretty hard to get your head around esp at the speed those guy's travel



Yea mate, that sure fuked Simon

[steveyb]

It's the tyres. Same thing happened with Crafar on the Red Bull 500GP was great on dunlops and they changed to Shitchelins the next year and that ended Simons GP racing

Agreed. I have read somewhere that Dunlop (because the tyre rule in Moto 2 was (is?) more open than MotoGP) built special tyres for Toni due to his light weight and special style. In MotoGP he does not have that luxury.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Agreed. I have read somewhere that Dunlop (because the tyre rule in Moto 2 was (is?) more open than MotoGP) built special tyres for Toni due to his light weight and special style. In MotoGP he does not have that luxury.

Think you'll find that's bullshit. If I'm not wrong (and I have been so many times before), they had a control tyre in Moto 2 as well.

[gixerracer]

Think you'll find that's bullshit. If I'm not wrong (and I have been so many times before), they had a control tyre in Moto 2 as well.

Correct. I talked to Damien Cudlin after he rode Moto2 wild crad in last years Moto2 German round as I was trying to get some info on the dunlop tyres and they had 2 options one was 2 hard and was slow the other was 2 soft and wouldnt last the race. Everyone goes for the 2 soft option as the lap times are around 1 second per lap different

[gixerracer]

Agreed. I have read somewhere that Dunlop (because the tyre rule in Moto 2 was (is?) more open than MotoGP) built special tyres for Toni due to his light weight and special style. In MotoGP he does not have that luxury.

Man you talk shit bob
:laugh:

[slowpoke]

Did a bit more digging on Elias and came across this at www.twowheelsblog.com:

"Elias has been on the outs with his crew chief Christophe Bourguignon, who has been trying to persuade the Spanish rider to use certain set-ups, with Elias demanding others; with the result that his crew is no longer forcing their opinions on the him, but they certainly haven’t been helping, leaving him to work out his set-ups by himself"

Things don't sound too rosy.

[eelracing]

Elias has got me fucked. He was a world beater on his day in 250GP He's a talented rider but something is seriously wrong in his team or his head for his performance this year.


It's the tyres. Same thing happened with Crafar on the Red Bull 500GP was great on dunlops and they changed to Shitchelins the next year and that ended Simons GP racing


I don't agree in blaming the tyres as Elias used Bridgestone when racing the Ducati in 07 & 08.He also used them on the Gresini Honda in 09 when the one tyre rule came into effect which was also his best season yet finishing 7th overall.
(By the way gixxer Elias won his one and only MotoGP race on Michelin)

The reason he's having a bad year now is the slow and ponderous nature of the current Moto2 bikes which has taught him to get sloppy.At his best he's an aggressive charger and that suits Moto2 but it's a fine line on a pure GP bike.Something he mostly had when coming from 250's into MotoGP.

Simon Crafar is another great example,in Superbikes he was awesome to watch on the Kwaka but notoriously hard on front tyres.When he moved to the 500's he carried that talent through and got away with it while on his favoured Dunlops but as gixxer mentioned when the team changed to Michelin he could'nt get his head around them.

[Badjelly]

The reason he's having a bad year now is the slow and ponderous nature of the current Moto2 bikes which has taught him to get sloppy.At his best he's an aggressive charger and that suits Moto2 but it's a fine line on a pure GP bike.Something he mostly had when coming from 250's into MotoGP.

That sounds reasonable.

But, do you have any reason to think it's actually true?

[Cleve]

Stoner ruled and dominated that race. Spies did well after a bad start/first few corners. However he would have come 2nd rather than 3rd more likely. Trickey conditions with track/tyres/conditions and others failed to deal with them as well as Stoner.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Trickey conditions with track/tyres/conditions and others failed to deal with them as well as Stoner.

Like Silverstone. Makes me think Stoner may well have one at Jerez too if not taken out. Would be looking like a thrashing had that been the case. The 'Haters' must be a hating!!!

[Crasherfromwayback]

From Cycle World after Indy...

It was interesting to listen to the Hondas upshifting and downshifting with their new “zero-delay” gearboxes. At each upshift, there was an audible pop, indicating that an ignition cut is still being used to reduce pressure on the engaging surfaces. Stoner’s downshifts at the end of the infield straight were amazing—three rapid-fire engine blips as the shifts went through. The aim of such gearboxes (major factories either have such a gearbox now or will shortly) is not to reduce engine-off time in upshifts, but rather to reduce the thump that the chassis receives when the shift goes through. The more that upshifting disturbs the chassis, the less throttle the rider can use, lest the upset cause a slide.

Rumors always abound in the MotoGP paddock. Sunday’s talk was that chassis-builders FTR have now finished a first-try twin-beam aluminum chassis for Ducati, which will now be evaluated by the factory’s test riders.

[Ivan]

it could be times like this ducati need someone from the outside to come in and help them get the bike back to were it should be, FTR is a known Moto2 front runner and they build chassis for a living so it will be worthwhile seeing how that goes

[Crasherfromwayback]

it could be times like this ducati need someone from the outside to come in and help them get the bike back to were it should be, FTR is a known Moto2 front runner and they build chassis for a living so it will be worthwhile seeing how that goes

I found Stoners take on the carbon/steel/alloy thing interesting...

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2011/Aug/110830cs27.htm

[eelracing]

That sounds reasonable.

But, do you have any reason to think it's actually true?

Only my own eyes Jelly,cos I would never trust what some Dorna payed hack writes.

But how about from the horses mouth...check what Dovi has to say on the matter in Rachprice's post

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/139370-Rossi-is-a-coming/page7

[Crasherfromwayback]

But how about from the horses mouth...check what Dovi has to say on the matter in Rachprice's post

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/139370-Rossi-is-a-coming/page7

Yeah baring the odd exception...all the best punters are ex 250 pilots.

[Badjelly]

Yeah barring the odd exception...all the best punters are ex 250 pilots.

Sure, but until a couple of years ago, 250s was the next rung down from MotoGP in the development ladder. Now it's Moto2, and we'll see how they go. Barring the odd exception (Elias) they're doing fine. Though, since Elias is the only one to try the switch so far, I'm working on a selected sample of 0.

And how come Elias's difficulties this year are a result of his year in Moto2? He's raced 250 and MotoGP for years. One year in Moto2 has turned him into a donkey? Yeah right.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Sure, but until a couple of years ago, 250s was the next rung down from MotoGP in the development ladder. And how come Elias's difficulties this year are a result of his year in Moto2? He's raced 250 and MotoGP for years. One year in Moto2 has turned him into a donkey? Yeah right.

Well actually...while you're correct, you seem to bve forgetting the riders that got feed into Moto GP from Superbikes. Most of them have failed. That's what I meant by the odd exception not coming from 250's. Care to explain what else has fucked him then?

[Badjelly]

Well actually...while you're correct, you seem to bve forgetting the riders that got feed into Moto GP from Superbikes. Most of them have failed. That's what I meant by the odd exception not coming from 250's. Care to explain what else has fucked him then?

I haven't forgotten that Superbike riders haven't gone well in MotoGP. Not relevant to Moto2 vs 250 though. Well OK, you could argue Moto2 is more like Superbikes, but in my experience you can argue pretty much anything, Crashy. And with such apparent sincerity. <_<

What has fucked Elias? Don't know. He won a race in 2006, but he never did that well on the 800s, just threw in a few promising races at contract renegotiation time. I get the impression he's the sort of rider who has to have everything going right for him to do well. Some discouraging results, he gets offside with the crew and he goes into a downwards spiral, like Melandri in 2008.

[k14]

Well actually...while you're correct, you seem to bve forgetting the riders that got feed into Moto GP from Superbikes. Most of them have failed. That's what I meant by the odd exception not coming from 250's. Care to explain what else has fucked him then?
Aoyama has been going about the same speed as Elias lately. I'd say it is a combination of satellite team not having the resources/knowledge to setup the bike and the customer Honda being a nail.

[Crasherfromwayback]

I haven't forgotten that Superbike riders haven't gone well in MotoGP. Not relevant to Moto2 vs 250 though. Well OK, you could argue Moto2 is more like Superbikes, but in my experience you can argue pretty much anything, Crashy. And with such apparent sincerity. <_<

What has fucked Elias? Don't know. He won a race in 2006, but he never did that well on the 800s, just threw in a few promising races at contract renegotiation time. I get the impression he's the sort of rider who has to have everything going right for him to do well. Some discouraging results, he gets offside with the crew and he goes into a downwards spiral, like Melandri in 2008.

Of course you can argue anything...no good if everyone agrees on everything! I'm only too happy we've all got our own opinions. People without them are generally boring fucks.

And Elias...you're right. He only won one race on a 990. And as good as that race was...he's done fuck all since. But I can't recall him being so off the pace as he is now. And I think Melandri lost the plot after trying to ride the Ducati at the back of the field for a year. He didn't get on the 800cc Honda after becoming a world champ in the year before.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Aoyama has been going about the same speed as Elias lately. I'd say it is a combination of satellite team not having the resources/knowledge to setup the bike and the customer Honda being a nail.

Aoyama has been a huge disappointment too. But I don't think you'll find the customer Honda is a nail mate. In fact...wouldn't mind betting it's not that far off the factory equipment.

[DidJit]

Yeah, barring the odd exception... all the best punters are ex 250 pilots.

I'm curious: what's the difference in approach to riding a MotoGP bike between riders coming from 250GP and WSBK? (Sounds like the start of a joke, doesn't it?) Is it that the 250GPs require maintaining/can maintain high corner speed, while WSBK bikes can/do rely more on the "point-and-squirt" technique (and the former technique translates better over to MotoGP than the latter)?

[Crasherfromwayback]

I'm curious: what's the difference in approach to riding a MotoGP bike between riders coming from 250GP and WSBK? (Sounds like the start of a joke, doesn't it?) Is it that the 250GPs require maintaining/can maintain high corner speed, while WSBK bikes can/do rely more on the "point-and-squirt" technique (and the former technique translates better over to MotoGP than the latter)?

Whilst I've never raced a Superbike, I've certainly tried to race a 250GP bike. I think Dovi said it best. Superbikes are also a lot softer and more forgiving to ride than GP bikes so they say. I can tell you that after racing a KR1SP reasonably successfully that a 250GP bike is NOTHING like a 250 Proddie bike to ride/race. The only thing they had in common was being two strokes, and learning to trust/ride the front tyre 100%.

[DidJit]

Ta. :) Different bikes, different techniques... Oh, that's just gonna open a whole can-o'-worms about how Stoner is able to ride a bike how it needs to be ridden and Rossi isn't willing to. ;)

[Crasherfromwayback]

Ta. :) Different bikes, different techniques... Oh, that's just gonna open a whole can-o'-worms about how Stoner is able to ride a bike how it needs to be ridden and Rossi isn't willing to. ;)

Cause Stoner is young and has everything to prove. Rossi is older and wiser and has nothing left to prove!

[gixerracer]

Cause Stoner is young and has everything to prove. Rossi is older and wiser and has nothing left to prove!

That and he has lost his mojo. BOOM:gob:

[Crasherfromwayback]

That and he has lost his mojo. BOOM:gob:

Think he's joining the long list of Ducati done overs mate?

[gixerracer]

Think he's joining the long list of Ducati done overs mate?

It will be good to see him back on a Honda. Pitty is will only be a Moto2 bike lol
:yawn:

[RobGassit]

I feel sorry for Elias. I really love his unique riding style. He never looked to me like he wasn't doing everything he could to be as fast as possible. Top level sport can be a cruel mistress.

[slowpoke]

One thing in Elias's defence: he's never ever ridden the same bike 2 years running. It's always been one year on this then jump on to something else then jump on to something different again and so on. Which is why he tends to do better in the second half of the season when he's starting to get a handle on the new ride which is coincidentally around contract negotiation time. Unlike a Stoner or a Rossi there isn't the luxury of taking his own trusted crew with him either. Might have been a different story if he'd cracked a factory ride but not to be.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Might have been a different story if he'd cracked a factory ride but not to be.

He can still make a claim that Edwards can't, and probably never will. He's won a GP!

[White trash]

He can still make a claim that Edwards can't, and probably never will. He's won a GP!

Who gives a shit if Edwards never wins another race in his whole life, he's still the coolest cunt in the paddock.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Who gives a shit if Edwards never wins another race in his whole life, he's still the coolest cunt in the paddock.

Yeah he's a funny prick for sure.