MotoGP 2012

[BMWST?]

Spies trashed(or his tyres were trash) too
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j69/yooperbikemike/spieschunks.jpg

[Crasherfromwayback]

Spies trashed(or his tyres were trash) too
]

Pretty shocking them falling apart that badly I reckon.

[merv]

Bring back Michelin I say :Punk:

This http://www.motogp.com/en/Results+Statistics/2012/NED/MotoGP/RAC says air temp 23 deg, ground temp 37 deg - is that anything out of the ordinary for Europe in summer? I know they've had some cold ones too but surely Bridgestone should be able to handle that.

Also here http://www.motogp.com/en/Results+Statistics/2012/NED/MotoGP/RAC Laguna in 2011 ground temp was 44 deg so this says more about what's wrong with the new tyres than the temp at Assen being high.

[Brett]

Spies trashed(or his tyres were trash) too
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j69/yooperbikemike/spieschunks.jpg

Unexpected temps on the day or not...Bridgestone should be making better tyres than that. That is ridiculous.

[denill]

Unexpected temps on the day or not...Bridgestone should be making better tyres than that. That is ridiculous.

It would be a joke if it wasn't so serious. Makes Stoner's retirement decision easy to make.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Bring back Michelin I say :Punk:



Michelin had their fair share of trouble too Merv. Remember Rossi walking out on them 1/2 way through the season?

[merv]

Michelin had their fair share of trouble too Merv. Remember Rossi walking out on them 1/2 way through the season?


That was only because your boy was on the Ducati and kicking his butt and Rossi had to say it was the Bridgestone tyres he needed the same as Stoner, he couldn't possibly say Stoner was a faster rider lol :innocent:.

In Mick's day of course Michelin were allowed to dream up new potients overnight and keep him at the front. Real protoype stuff then huh!

[Crasherfromwayback]

In Mick's day of course Michelin were allowed to dream up new potients overnight and keep him at the front. Real protoype stuff then huh!

They were still doing it for Rossi Merv.

[Maido]

The trick with a 250hp motorbike is preserving the tyres. Destroying them is the easy bit.

But everyone wants to put a ban on electronics, go figure.......:facepalm:

[Crasherfromwayback]

But everyone wants to put a ban on electronics, go figure.......:facepalm:

It'd be no problem with tyres built properly. Remember Garry McCoy? No tyre failures there. Often spinning them up builds up less heat than not.

[Mental Trousers]

Garry McCoy contributed a huge amount to tyre technology. Before he slid the things all over the show it was thought that sliding overheated the tyres too much but Gazza showed that sliding only produces limited, localised heat whereas flexing the sidewall generates significantly more heat through out the entire carcass.

Maybe they need to turn all the electronics off, slide the crap out of the things and the tyres will last the entire race!!

[Crasherfromwayback]

Maybe they need to turn all the electronics off, slide the crap out of the things and the tyres will last the entire race!!

My thoughts exactly!

[DidJit]

Dennis Noyes’ notes (http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/motogp-noyes-notebook-assen-takeaway) on Assen...

[denill]

Dennis Noyes’ notes (http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/motogp-noyes-notebook-assen-takeaway) on Assen...


Thanks, good read - but it was sobering to read "Honda’s Shuhei Nakamoto, race boss and HRC V.P., has been quoted in several interviews saying that if Dorna imposes the new rules package before 2015 that Honda will withdraw from the championship."

MotoGP as we knew it could be gone in a short time. :weep: :weep:

[tbs]

I read an interview with Spies where he said he knew his rear tyre was dangerously stuffed and didn't want it exploding and taking him down in front of another rider, so when Dovi caught up Spies just let him past. By that point he was just hoping to get the bike home in one piece.

Back to the Stoner/Rossi incident, Stoner said at the time that he heard Rossi's bike behind him, but wasn't comfortable pushing any harder in the conditions, so he left the door open. Rossi was too far back to make the pass stick that corner, but wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth, so he went for it. Amateur mistake, but probably not worth punishing.... maybe?
Bautista claims he lost his braking marker and braked way too late and too hard. I'm prepared to accept that explanation at face value, as how else would you explain such a monumental screw-up from a seasoned rider? But he must know that first corner incidents are frowned on, so a punishment is a must simply as a matter of precedent. Back of the grid seems fair in that respect.

[Crasherfromwayback]

I don't think so. By the way...didn't Lorenzo skittle Hayden in turn one at Phillip Island a couple of years back? Bit rich for him to be demanding Bautista get fined eh.265860

[DidJit]

Cycle World’s Kevin Cameron has written an interesting piece on Assen and, perhaps more interesting, those tyres (http://www.cycleworld.com/2012/07/03/tt-assen-motogp-wrap-up/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tt-assen-motogp-wrap-up)...

Edit: We're spoilt for choice today — David Emmett interviews Carmelo Ezpeleta about a spec ECU (http://motomatters.com/interview/2012/07/03/interview_carmelo_ezpeleta_on_a_spec_ecu.html)...

[Crasherfromwayback]

Cycle World’s Kevin Cameron has written an interesting piece on Assen.

He's a very clever cookie.

[pritch]

Having now watched and digested all of the action from the weekend there were certainly some strange moments interspersed among some brilliant racing.

Cortese’s intimidation of his team mate Danny Webb was chronologically the first.
That may come back to bite Cortese on the arse later in the season; even if Webb doesn’t use his new found boxing skills.

Then, Bautista’s rush of mud to the brain. He said he missed his braking point.
The boy certainly has a gift for understatement.

Finally, Sufuoglu’s move on Fabian Foret at Aragon. Who knows what was going through the Turk’s mind.

After contemplating all this, and the subsequent reactions on KB, I can only ascribe these phenomena to the effects of the full moon. :devil2:

Looking forward to the Sachsenring...

[Crasherfromwayback]

, I can only ascribe these phenomena to the effects of the full moon. :devil2:

Looking forward to the Sachsenring...

Never!

Pedro to win at the Ring again? Third year in a row!!

[DidJit]

... Cortese’s intimidation of his team mate Danny Webb was chronologically the first. ...

Danny Kent, wasn't it?


Pedro to win at the Ring again? Third year in a row!!

He's definitely got motivation to prove a point to Repsol.

[pritch]

Danny Kent, wasn't it?

.

Yeah of course. And I was worried about stuffing up the foreign names...:innocent:

Cortese is just lucky it wasn't Clark Kent he was doing that to.

[Mental Trousers]

Edit: We're spoilt for choice today — David Emmett interviews Carmelo Ezpeleta about a spec ECU (http://motomatters.com/interview/2012/07/03/interview_carmelo_ezpeleta_on_a_spec_ecu.html)...

Lifted from that article:


MM: How do you think the manufacturers will respond? Are they looking favorably at these suggestions?

CE: Well, this is changing, because some days they agree, then other days they say no, and then they continue saying that for them the most important thing is to develop technology, and we say for us the most important thing is entertainment. So we are more or less in marketing discussions, more than anything, let's say.

The number 1 reason pure prototype racing at the highest level is dead.

[DidJit]

Yeah, of course. And I was worried about stuffing up the foreign names...:innocent: ...

Full moon, eh. ;)

[pritch]

Full moon, eh. ;)

No, more like encroaching senility.:wacko:

[cmoore]

mentalshorts said
The number 1 reason pure prototype racing at the highest level is dead

I disagree, there are plenty of places to go watch close racing created by same bike type rules/classes. Prototype by it's nature can be dominated by one bike or team or whoever spends the most money...it is the elite...only for the big boys....if you want to win you need to create something faster or better....how long has this Honda taken to get to the top...10 years?.....the racing is only one part of the attractions....I enjoy the politics, engineering, science, etc etc just as much as i enjoy Lorenzo passing stoner....

[Crasherfromwayback]

just as much as i enjoy Lorenzo passing stoner....

And he's done it more than anyone else too. Mind you, I bet Stoners pass on him at Laguna last year will stay with him forever.

[Mental Trousers]

You don't seem to get it; Carmelo Ezpeleta is saying it's all about entertainment, not technology. So anything that leads to a better spectacle (entertainment) will be a much higher priority than technology advances (prototype racing). So CRT is the future (as he says in the article), ie the end of pure prototype racing at GP level.

I like classes where there's few rules. That's the number 1 reason I race in F3 - I can put whatever I can dream up on the track as long as it's within the capacity limits.

[slowpoke]

And he's done it more than anyone else too. Mind you, I bet Stoners pass on him at Laguna last year will stay with him forever.

It's an interesting contrast: Lorenzo railing perfect lines and maximising entry/corner speed, whereas Stoner is all about the gas, sacrificing the perfect entry for those awesome drifting exits. Lorenzo passing under brakes, Stoner passing on the gas. Both of them pretty to watch!


You don't seem to get it; Carmelo Ezpeleta is saying it's all about entertainment, not technology. So anything that leads to a better spectacle (entertainment) will be a much higher priority than technology advances (prototype racing). So CRT is the future (as he says in the article), ie the end of pure prototype racing at GP level.

I like classes where there's few rules. That's the number 1 reason I race in F3 - I can put whatever I can dream up on the track as long as it's within the capacity limits.

Ezpeleta raises some good points: how is it that Yamaha with all it's success does not have a title sponsor? If they can't get sponsorship to make their campaign self-sustaining then basically no-one can. Which makes the whole thing unsustainable. So the necessity to reduce costs is undeniable, because eventually the series will implode and become a sad parade of 6 bikes (or 4 - how long will Ducati persist with being tail end charlie?). Who's gonna tune in to that? What manufacturer would be prepared to spend $30-50million to be a part of it?

So in these GFC times MotoGP is basically pricing itself out of the market. Let's be even more blunt: without intervention the series is dying. It's already a sad shadow of what is supposed to be a World Championship. To think that more technology, less rules, more costs, will cure things is like giving a lung cancer patient another cigarette: madness.

The manufacturers aren't running their own launch/traction/wheelie control/ECU/data logging, so who benefits from the 10's of millions of Euro's spent on electronics except Magnetti Marelli? Same goes for carbon brakes and Brembo. Once a single supplier is standard across the board the technological race is over and all your doing is spending crazy amounts of dosh to keep up with the Joneses, with the supplier laughing all the way to the bank as the series bankrupts itself.

MotoGP is dead, long live whatever comes next because there is no other choice.

[Brian d marge]

chassis are now a tune able item , if the new ducati engine doesn’t deliver , screwed is a term I would be using

Stephen

[Mental Trousers]

Ezpeleta raises some good points: how is it that Yamaha with all it's success does not have a title sponsor? If they can't get sponsorship to make their campaign self-sustaining then basically no-one can. Which makes the whole thing unsustainable. So the necessity to reduce costs is undeniable, because eventually the series will implode and become a sad parade of 6 bikes (or 4 - how long will Ducati persist with being tail end charlie?). Who's gonna tune in to that? What manufacturer would be prepared to spend $30-50million to be a part of it?

So in these GFC times MotoGP is basically pricing itself out of the market. Let's be even more blunt: without intervention the series is dying. It's already a sad shadow of what is supposed to be a World Championship. To think that more technology, less rules, more costs, will cure things is like giving a lung cancer patient another cigarette: madness.

Yep.

Yamaha are able to stay in MotoGP partly because Dorna pays them to. Dorna covers a lot of the costs associated with transport between rounds and other stuff.

As for the lung cancer patient, giving him another packet of cigarettes isn't going to kill him any quicker. All the damage is done so he might as well live it up.


The manufacturers aren't running their own launch/traction/wheelie control/ECU/data logging, so who benefits from the 10's of millions of Euro's spent on electronics except Magnetti Marelli? Same goes for carbon brakes and Brembo. Once a single supplier is standard across the board the technological race is over and all your doing is spending crazy amounts of dosh to keep up with the Joneses, with the supplier laughing all the way to the bank as the series bankrupts itself.

MotoGP is dead, long live whatever comes next because there is no other choice.

It's not the electronics itself that is the big win for the manufacturers, it's the software that runs on that electronics. Mostly it's the data gathering and processing algorythmns where the big advances are. It's all good having a theoretical idea of what data is useful and how you should use it but that immediately falls flat on it's face the first time an engine turns over. You can't beat experience.


chassis are now a tune able item , if the new ducati engine doesn’t deliver , screwed is a term I would be using

There seems to be a couple of issues with the engine

weight distribution
power delivery


If they fix both problems it'll be all good. If they do the typical Italian thing and be arrogant twats that know better then they're screwed.

Personally, I'd love to see them fix the engine then head back in the monocoque chassis direction again. But using alloy for the entire thing rather than carbon. When they introduced the monocoque chassis they were miles ahead of the opposition and I don't reckon the engine is what's been holding it all back. However, that's really unlikely to happen.

[tbs]

Maybe Ducati will finally concede and build a V4 engine? Maybe then they will be able to locate it optimally in the bike and finally get some front end feel.

[Drew]

Maybe Ducati will finally concede and build a V4 engine? Maybe then they will be able to locate it optimally in the bike and finally get some front end feel.


What are they running now?

[Brian d marge]

What are they running now?

Something built by Harland and wolfe from the belfast shipyards

Stephen

[Drew]

Something built by Harland and wolfe from the belfast shipyards

Stephen

Doubt it, those would be two strokes.

[DidJit]

The current Ducati MotoGP engine is a V4 I believe, but in ‘L’ configuration — i.e. 90°. What some commentators have been suggesting is that Ducati narrow the angle from 90° to something like the Aprilia RSV4 (~65°) to give a little more ‘room to move’ set-up-wise.

[Brian d marge]

The current Ducati MotoGP engine is a V4 I believe, but in ‘L’ configuration — i.e. 90°. What some commentators have been suggesting is that Ducati narrow the angle from 90° to something like the Aprilia RSV4 (~65°) to give a little more ‘room to move’ set-up-wise.
its been one of those unsaid ," BUT EVERYONE KNOWS" things ...the cog of the biggest gyro is too far back , they are trying to correct fthe rake and trail to improve things but ass you saw by the british gp crash , it aint helping

2 things would help , different tyres , a bigger more powerful engine than the rest or the loss of the l shape ( which is a ducati trade mark)

Screwed , is a word we might be using soon

Stephen

[Mental Trousers]

It's a 90° L shape which makes it long and because the front cylinders are the long part of the L the CoG is closer to the rear and lower than is optimal. Because the CoG is lower and rearward the weight transfer is biased towards the rear, which affects grip and feedback at both ends. The Ducati's have always been damn good on the throttle because the weight is towards the rear, analogous to a Porsche 911.

With the Porsche 911 series cars you have to brake in a straight line as long and as deeply as possible, get the turn over as quickly as possible while going slower through the mid section, then get on the gas hard and fast when it's pointed in the right direction. The exact handling traits of Ducati GP machines since they started using an L shaped engine. It's also why Stoner has been able to win on it when nobody else could, cos he and the bike are both all about the exit.

[rachprice]

It's a 90° L shape which makes it long and because the front cylinders are the long part of the L the CoG is closer to the rear and lower than is optimal. Because the CoG is lower and rearward the weight transfer is biased towards the rear, which affects grip and feedback at both ends. The Ducati's have always been damn good on the throttle because the weight is towards the rear, analogous to a Porsche 911.

With the Porsche 911 series cars you have to brake in a straight line as long and as deeply as possible, get the turn over as quickly as possible while going slower through the mid section, then get on the gas hard and fast when it's pointed in the right direction. The exact handling traits of Ducati GP machines since they started using an L shaped engine. It's also why Stoner has been able to win on it when nobody else could, cos he and the bike are both all about the exit.

That's the most sensible thing I have read in a while, not that I completely know or understand the mechanics!!

[GD66]

2 things would help , different tyres , a bigger more powerful engine than the rest or the loss of the l shape ( which is a ducati trade mark.



Well, having a bigger engine than the opposition paid off handsomely for them in WSBK !
And regarding the 90deg L shape, you could also argue that the trellis chassis was also a Ducati trademark, and it didn't take them long to lose that when they started shagging round with the thing. Who on the Joe Public side of the spectator fence would know or care if they closed their 90 degrees down to 65 as they tried to get the thing working ? They're stubborn bastards...:blink:

[Mental Trousers]

The vee twin is also a Ducati trade mark. Except in MotoGP.

The only reason that engine is still a 90° L is because they're Italian and they're stubborn.

From what I understand it has the broadest spread of power of all of the MotoGP engines while having the highest rev limit, but the riders aren't able to use it properly because the engines delivery is too aggressive. So what should be a plus for them isn't.

[slowpoke]

The manufacturers aren't running their own launch/traction/wheelie control/ECU/data logging, so who benefits from the 10's of millions of Euro's spent on electronics except Magnetti Marelli?



It's not the electronics itself that is the big win for the manufacturers, it's the software that runs on that electronics. Mostly it's the data gathering and processing algorythmns where the big advances are. It's all good having a theoretical idea of what data is useful and how you should use it but that immediately falls flat on it's face the first time an engine turns over. You can't beat experience.

I know what you're getting at but I doubt there's any Honda/Yamaha/Ducati software involved, it's all Magnetti Marelli. It says a lot that a company with BMW's huge resources and technological nous via F1 couldn't develop their own system in WSB and it's only when resorting to the tried and true MM that they finally start winning. I could be wrong but I reckon the only experience the 3 MotoGP manufacturers are getting is how to maximise the MM system(s), which you'll never see on a sportsbike in our lifetimes, especially the GPS based individual corner engine mapping type stuff. Expense for no real world gain is just an engineering luxury no-one can afford.


Personally, I'd love to see them fix the engine then head back in the monocoque chassis direction again. But using alloy for the entire thing rather than carbon. When they introduced the monocoque chassis they were miles ahead of the opposition and I don't reckon the engine is what's been holding it all back. However, that's really unlikely to happen.

Same here. I love the concept of the monocoque and I hope we see it again. Giving Yamaha/Honda decades of a head start with ally beam frames and hoping to beat them at their own game is a big ask, as they are finding out. Unless they are intent on producing their own version of a UJM I don't see the point of it.

[Trudes]

http://twitpic.com/a47z1g
:killingme

[Drew]

http://twitpic.com/a47z1g
:killingme


Fuckin awesome!

[rachprice]

bless that midget is showing his expected form for the ring

pretty tight top 3

[Brian d marge]

After the first corner I must admit I fell asleep ........

Stephen

[rachprice]

Good to see Bradl go sick at his home track'

[PirateJafa]

Now that he is on his way out, Stoner isn't really holding back the verbal punches: http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2012/Jul/120706z.htm

[Crasherfromwayback]

Now that he is on his way out, Stoner isn't really holding back the verbal punches: http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2012/Jul/120706z.htm

Don't think he ever really has mate. Fair enough too. Having tyres disintergrate at those speeds is asking for someone to die.

[denill]

Now that he is on his way out, Stoner isn't really holding back the verbal punches: http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2012/Jul/120706z.htm

And why not? I would be more pissed off than Stoner if POS tyres were trying to kill me. :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[BMWST?]

agrred having tyres chunk like that is random.Why didnt al lthe bikes with heard rears chunk the tyres.Agressive set ups?What do the they expect?

[Crasherfromwayback]

.Agressive set ups?What do the they expect?

Fucking cop out. Doubt Spies or Rossi would have the most aggressive set up in the paddock.

[slowpoke]

Good on Stoner for sayin' what we're all thinkin'.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Good on Stoner for sayin' what we're all thinkin'.

I'm pleased to say I was against the one brand rule from the start.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Currently pissing down right before qualifying. Can't remember such a wet season in Moto GP. Superbikes yes.

[slowpoke]

I'm pleased to say I was against the one brand rule from the start.

At least everyobody has the same worries, lol. It would be a shame if a championship was decided purely on whose brand of tyre you run.

Although it might still come to that: last race of the season, nothing in it on points or on track, 5 laps to go.......and somebody's tyre chunks..........

[Crasherfromwayback]

At least everyobody has the same worries, lol. It would be a shame if a championship was decided purely on whose brand of tyre you run.

Although it might still come to that: last race of the season, nothing in it on points or on track, 5 laps to go.......and somebody's tyre chunks..........

Nah. It's like the 6 engine rule. Fucking crap. Poor old Lorenzo is already on his 5th engine innit e? Stoner's Honda just shit it's self in qual too. Looked more electrical though. I wonder if Stoner has been biding his time knowing Lorenzo may well have to start a couple of races from pit lane later in the season?

[slowpoke]

I wonder if Stoner has been biding his time knowing Lorenzo may well have to start a couple of races from pit lane later in the season?

Yup, you'd have to think it'll be part of the calc's going on in everyone's head, especially later on. An article quoted somone in the Yamaha garage saying it wasn't a problem, but 5 engines for a season seems like a big ask. The Lorenzo/M1 package is good enough to pinch 3rd from pit lane at pretty much any track with the current opposition so he doesn't need that much of a cushion. Gonna be interesting to see how it plays out.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Yup, you'd have to think it'll be part of the calc's going on in everyone's head, especially later on. An article quoted somone in the Yamaha garage saying it wasn't a problem, but 5 engines for a season seems like a big ask. The Lorenzo/M1 package is good enough to pinch 3rd from pit lane at pretty much any track with the current opposition so he doesn't need that much of a cushion. Gonna be interesting to see how it plays out.

Fuck me. Did you watch qualifying? If people think Moto GP is boring they're fucking gay.

[slowpoke]

Fuck me. Did you watch qualifying? If people think Moto GP is boring they're fucking gay.

Nah, I'm stuck living vicariously through you! I'm s'posed to be working but things are a lil' quiet quiet/boring on nightshift hence I'm looking for the edge of the internet. I haven't found it yet but I reckon I'm pretty close!

Sounds like a good session, what do you reckon about awarding a point for pole?

[Crasherfromwayback]

Sounds like a good session, what do you reckon about awarding a point for pole?

Probably THE best qual I've ever seen as far as things go.

No. The head start is enough.

[Berries]

Fuck me. Did you watch qualifying? If people think Moto GP is boring they're fucking gay.
Waiting for those F1 monkeys to get off the TV.

So don't spoil it.

[slowpoke]

Fuck it, can't even stream it out here, thanks to the crappy microwave link.

Bautista is in for an interesting day tomorrow, trying to defend the honour of the protoypes. Checking the times he was pretty slow today, and if he gets balked in the drag to the first corner he's gonna have some work to do to catch CE11 and RDP if they rattle their dags.

EDIT: or he just didn't see much point in pushing seeing he's off the back anyway.

[rapid van cleef]

so why the fuck has sky taken the moto gp off TV this morning? cunts!!!!!! anyone know?

is it cos of these formula 1 pussies?

[rachprice]

Nah, I'm stuck living vicariously through you! I'm s'posed to be working but things are a lil' quiet quiet/boring on nightshift hence I'm looking for the edge of the internet. I haven't found it yet but I reckon I'm pretty close!

Sounds like a good session, what do you reckon about awarding a point for pole?

Ahhhh night shift, Im with ya brother!

I did get a quick peek on my iphone but then actually had to stuff (how rude!)

[Berries]

Waiting for those F1 monkeys to get off the TV.
Cunts. Set the video and only got cars and cricket.

[Drew]

I'm pretty sure they were saying at the last round that Lorenzo had just put in his third motor, and was unlucky for it to have been forced to go bang. Yamaha have a tough choice to make.

Expect to go over the 6 allowed and wank them up a bit further for the next two rounds. Then start two races from pit lane and trust George to get them to the podium.

Or pull back from the limits and hope he can stay at the pointy end.

[denill]

so why the fuck has sky taken the moto gp off TV this morning? cunts!!!!!! anyone know?

is it cos of these formula 1 pussies?

I had MySKY set for qualifying and got nothing.......... BASTARDS :mad::mad:

[NAR RG500]

I had MySKY set for qualifying and got nothing.......... BASTARDS :mad::mad:


I stayed up to watch and they delayed the F1, so no Moto gp !! Wankers.. I rang sky and have requested a replay before the race tonight, the guy said the more requests they get the higher the chance of a replay, didn't even have to wait on hold so it's worth it 0800 759 759

[carbonhed]

What an amazing end to qualifying. After the chequered flag came out four riders held pole on their last lap!

[roogazza]

I had MySKY set for qualifying and got nothing.......... BASTARDS :mad::mad:

Same Bill, up at 6am to throw some pills down and watch Qual and .... nuthin !
Thought it might be because Rossi fastest qualified and the shock melted something ? (well thats how my dream went)
Praying for rain......:wacko:

[denill]

Phoned SKY Ripped into the guy. Said "I know it's not your fault - but you are the only one from SKY I can talk to". Feel a bit better now,

[rapid van cleef]

i emailed a complaint in at 2 am this morning. think ill phone em after me brekkie now too!

[rapid van cleef]

for some reason this has really pissed me off!! anyhoo. i called sky and spoke ot a very helpful lady. she took down details of my complaint and said she would pass it onto the programming dept. more chance of getting it replayed today if more people complain. i also said the only reason i have sky sports is for motogp and wsbk, which is true. i may as well cancel it and watch it though moto gp site if they are going to randomly cancel programs! nothing will happen about it if we do nothing. lots of sites saying how great qualifying was, which is even more annoying! hmmmmmm i'm being a grumpy old bugger today! power to the people!

[Berries]

i also said the only reason i have sky sports is for motogp and wsbk, which is true. i may as well cancel it and watch it though moto gp site if they are going to randomly cancel programs!
The only reason we have Sky full stop is for the bike racing. Obviously they couldn't bump rugby on another channel, that would be blasphemous, but missing an hour of the early parts of a Tour de France stage wouldn't have been too much of a hassle.

At least the Black Caps did well in the cricket.

[rapid van cleef]

call em up and complain!!!!!!!!! if enough of us do, they may put it on and take off the fucking golf or some shite

[cmoore]

shit...glad i read this....when i saw it wasn't recorded this morning i blamed the missus for deleting it.....suppose i better tell her.....later...

[denill]

call em up and complain!!!!!!!!! if enough of us do, they may put it on and take off the fucking golf or some shite

As well as the phone call - I emailed skytv@mailap.custhelp.com;

The only think that they will take notice of is rants.

The idiot I spoke to said the next MotoGP showing is sheduled for 21st of July....................

[Crasherfromwayback]

I'll say it again people...MotoGP.com. Fuck Sky.

[GD66]

Fuck me. Did you watch qualifying? If people think Moto GP is boring they're fucking gay.


Amen to that, brother. I tell the endless stream of whiners that claim it isn't interesting/ is a snooze/ lacks excitement the same thing....LOOK CLOSER !! :gob:

[BMWST?]

i set up to record it too....i thought they had bumped us,i emailed them enquirinng what had happened....:innocent:

[Crasherfromwayback]

Morning warmup. It was dry and sunny. Fingers crossed it stays that way for the race.

[Mental Trousers]

Fuck me. Did you watch qualifying? If people think Moto GP is boring they're fucking gay.

Many believe it's a good thing to be seen to be gay these days.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Many believe it's a good thing to be seen to be gay these days.

The Moto 2 race was.

[slowpoke]

What an amazing end to qualifying. After the chequered flag came out four riders held pole on their last lap!

I dunno, it's all well and good to watch some fast laps but unless points are awarded it doesn't really mean that much....just ask Tom Sykes.

[Crasherfromwayback]

I dunno, it's all well and good to watch some fast laps but unless points are awarded it doesn't really mean that much....just ask Tom Sykes.

As I said before...getting a headstart is enough.

Have you seen the race? Fucking awesome!

[eelracing]

Have you seen the race? Fucking awesome!

Mate nothing ceases to surprise me much in GP racing these days....but fuck!what was he thinking eh?

[Crasherfromwayback]

Mate nothing ceases to surprise me much in GP racing these days....but fuck!what was he thinking eh?

lol. Dunno if he was! Some fucking great stuff though don't you think? Battles within battles all the way!

[eelracing]

lol. Dunno if he was! Some fucking great stuff though don't you think? Battles within battles all the way!

Aye bud,the irony is that no CRT's were involved tho...go figure hoho.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Aye bud,the irony is that no CRT's were involved tho...go figure hoho.

Yes they were. They nearly got in the fucking way of the real racing!

[eelracing]

Yes they were. They nearly got in the fucking way of the real racing!

Harhar good one.Talking real racing,moto3 is starting so better put the kettle on.

[slowpoke]

As I said before...getting a headstart is enough.

Have you seen the race? Fucking awesome!

Thought it was on later actually, was hoping to sneak a squiz at a TV over the lunch break.....not even close, haha. But just saw the results and write up....WOOT! Sounds like a beauty.

Glad to see Spies quietly racking up points, once he bags a few more and steadies the ship, he'll start pushing on.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Glad to see Spies quietly racking up points, once he bags a few more and steadies the ship, he'll start pushing on.

Sorry mate. As much as I am a fan...he got wasted and should really hand over his factory ride next year.

[SPman]

Sorry mate. As much as I am a fan...he got wasted and should really hand over his factory ride next year.
Yeah - Spies will be really lucky to hold onto his ride next year - Dovi and Cal are fighting hammer and tong for it!

Oh yes - live free to air on HD TV over here....

[slowpoke]

Sorry mate. As much as I am a fan...he got wasted and should really hand over his factory ride next year.

Yeah, agreed he's not doing enough. I'm hoping (not expecting, just hoping) he's in damage control and will ramp it up for a strong second half of the season. If not then yup, Dovi for the factory ride.

I hear/read Redding is in the mix for a Ducati seat. He's doing well for a bloke giving away 10-15kg's to some of the other Moto2 pygmy's so could be well suited for a MotoGP ride.

[Robert Taylor]

That horrible Australian guy would do well to heed the immortal words of his fellow countryman Sir Jack Brabham, uttered after the 65" Monaco Grand Prix

[roogazza]

Sorry mate. As much as I am a fan...he got wasted and should really hand over his factory ride next year.

I'm not convinced there is a major difference between the 'Works' and Tech3 Yamahas.
Dovi did good.
The pins in the doll worked for me, a little bit of luck for Horhay who looks to be hurting more than he says.
What happened in the last few laps to get Rossi from about 9th to 6th ? He was sitting behind Hayden for most of it ?

Good to see more action in the big boy class.

[McWild]

To finish first, first you have to finish (or something along those lines).

Lorenzo really proved that mantra last night huh?

To me it looked like Stoner tried to pull a similar stunt to last time, letting him and Pedrosa build up enough of an advantage to safely battle with one another, then left it much to late and well.... suffered some pretty extreme consequences. Very little sympathy: not that I have anything against him, just seems he suffered the flipside of a pretty cocky strategy. Bring on the next round!

[Badjelly]

Casey's blaming the marshals again

http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/181737/1/stoner_win_or_bin_one_turn_early_slams_marshals.ht ml

[tbs]

Casey's blaming the marshals again

http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/181737/1/stoner_win_or_bin_one_turn_early_slams_marshals.ht ml

Fair call though. He was up like a jack rabbit running after the bike. You'd think they'd be running out to help him get going again. The bike looked fine and he could have salvaged some points.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Fair call though. .

He should'nt have put it in the gravel in the first place. Silly boy for not riding to a safe 2nd. I won my money at the TAB regardless!:innocent:

[Oscar]

Fair call though. He was up like a jack rabbit running after the bike. You'd think they'd be running out to help him get going again. The bike looked fine and he could have salvaged some points.

That bike was stranded well into the kitty litter and appeared to be stalled.
Do you seriously think that they could have got it going in time for him to score any points?

Notwithstanding that, bagging the hired help is a dangerous habit.
It also makes him sound like <gasp> a whinging Aussie....

[Badjelly]

I haven't seen that latest Stoner-kitty litter incident yet, but I recall that I wasn't very convinced by his claims of unfair treatment the last time.

I think the only way the marshals can ensure fairness is to help no-one.

[Crasherfromwayback]

I haven't seen that latest Stoner-kitty litter incident yet, but I recall that I wasn't very convinced by his claims of unfair treatment the last time.

I think the only way the marshals can ensure fairness is to help no-one.

Last time I could see why he was a bit miffed. He ended up there by being taken out, through no fault of his own, and the helped the guilty party not him. This time...he's only got himself to blame, so should just take it on the chin. But they all say stuff heat of the moment. Like Lorenzo last week.

[tbs]

Last time I could see why he was a bit miffed. He ended up there by being taken out, through no fault of his own, and the helped the guilty party not him. This time...he's only got himself to blame, so should just take it on the chin. But they all say stuff heat of the moment. Like Lorenzo last week.

That's true. These guys get wound up pretty tight and say some silly things when things don't go quite right. I'm sure the interviews would all be a lot different if they were conducted the following day.
Stoner has never really been one to settle for second if he thought he could win it though eh?

I'm reminded of the opening sequence of the movie 'Fastest'. Lorenzo and Rossi going wheel to wheel. Lorenzo has the lead towards the end of the last lap, and Rossi can't get past. So he goes for a wildly optimistic pass on the final turn.... where an overtake is considered impossible. He himself said he thought he could very well crash, but at least he'd take Lorenzo with him. The pass sticks and he's a hero. Is anyone saying he should have settled for second?

[Crasherfromwayback]

Is anyone saying he should have settled for second?

It would've been the smart thing to do as far as the championship goes, but it's not really Stoners style. Another reason I'm a fan. I reckon it looks like he might've turned the corner with the Honda as it were. Can't wait for Mugello!

[Berries]

Casey's blaming the marshals again
Top idea. Last week he had a go at Bridgestone and this week they got their own back.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Top idea. Last week he had a go at Bridgestone and this week they got their own back.

So you'd rather no one took them to task over dangerous/shit tyres?

[SimJen]

Lets get Michelin and Pirelli back in to MotoGP!

[Crasherfromwayback]

Lets get Michelin and Pirelli back in to MotoGP!

Pirelli ain't be there since Randy Mamola landed on his head by doing one too many smokies on his Cagiva!

[SimJen]

doesn't matter it would be nice to let other manufacturers benefit from the Kudos that GP offers!

[Crasherfromwayback]

doesn't matter it would be nice to let other manufacturers benefit from the Kudos that GP offers!

I agree fully. I've never been into the one make tyre rule.

[carbonhed]

That was an uncharacteristic error from Stoner... opened the championship up nicely.

I know Spies didn't manage to overtake anybody in the whole race but did he even put a serious move on anybody? I'm drawing a blank.

[Maido]

Anyone notice Alvaro Bautista's insane try at a pass again? he went in way to hot and run it wide on the exit. if someone had turned in a little early it would have been skittles

[carbonhed]

Anyone notice Alvaro Bautista's insane try at a pass again? he went in way to hot and run it wide on the exit. if someone had turned in a little early it would have been skittles

Yep. Has he had a bang on the head lately?

[Crasherfromwayback]

Anyone notice Alvaro Bautista's insane try at a pass again? he went in way to hot and run it wide on the exit. if someone had turned in a little early it would have been skittles

Sheesh mate...it is racing. How many times does a passing manouvre get the guy trying it in too hot? He then rode right round the outside of him next corner. Not a lot wrong with that as far as I'm concerned.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Yep. Has he had a bang on the head lately?

I've seen the late Simo do a lot hairier mate.

[Mental Trousers]

Anyone notice Alvaro Bautista's insane try at a pass again? he went in way to hot and run it wide on the exit. if someone had turned in a little early it would have been skittles

Sheesh mate...it is racing. How many times does a passing manouvre get the guy trying it in too hot? He then rode right round the outside of him next corner. Not a lot wrong with that as far as I'm concerned.

Exactly. He fucked up last at the previous round but the lad's showing he's a racer and not letting that mistake slow him down.

Besides, anyone seen Marco Melandri's last few races in WSBK??

[jasonu]

Pirelli ain't be there since Randy Mamola landed on his head by doing one too many smokies on his Cagiva!

This one
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtD_U187zv0

and while looking for that one I found this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HXqZh5oTK0
When men were men, Fuck the four strokes!

[tbs]

Fuck the four strokes!


Okay, new idea for a race series:

Get that mad Sheik who brought us the A1 GP car series to buy a fleet of the Suter 2 stroke 500 bikes that have recently been introduced and start a World series for motorbikes. Each country who enters gets 2 bikes and whatever stuff they need to keep them running, and selects a rider or riders to contest the series. Each country involved host a round. I'd watch that!

[denill]

As well as the phone call - I emailed skytv@mailap.custhelp.com;

The only think that they will take notice of is rants.

The idiot I spoke to said the next MotoGP showing is sheduled for 21st of July....................

The response:

Thank you for your email.

Moto GP Eni Motorrad Grand Prix Qualifying was initially scheduled on a delayed coverage on 7th July at 1:15 AM, however, the Formula-1 Live which started at 11:55 AM (before the Moto GP) over run due to initial rain-delay and then the race resuming. The over run duration was more than 1 hour and unfortunately, this made us to drop the Moto GP. Due to the busy weekend where we had International Cricket and the Tour-de-France live on other two channels, we could not reschedule Moto GP in other channels before the Live Grand Prix.

We appreciate that sport fans are very passionate about their particular sports and we are aware also that television viewing is very personal and subjective and any decision we take is never done so lightly but we do have to try and cater to all the sporting codes we have rights to and offer a wide selection of programmes. We have registered and forwarded your feedback to the appropriate department. We also hope that despite this you will continue to enjoy all the great programming on offer here at SKY.

Please feel free to contact SKY Television Customer Services on 0800 759 759 for further information, alternatively please respond via return email and we will endeavour to reply within 24 hours.

With kind regards,

SKY Online Support Team

[jasonu]

Okay, new idea for a race series:

Get that mad Sheik who brought us the A1 GP car series to buy a fleet of the Suter 2 stroke 500 bikes that have recently been introduced and start a World series for motorbikes. Each country who enters gets 2 bikes and whatever stuff they need to keep them running, and selects a rider or riders to contest the series. Each country involved host a round. I'd watch that!

and call it Moto2stroke. :sick:

[Berries]

So you'd rather no one took them to task over dangerous/shit tyres?
I just find it ironic.

[Crasherfromwayback]

I just find it ironic.

Fair enough. But if all the riders said nothing about safety issues...it'd be pretty sad.

[carbonhed]

I've seen the late Simo do a lot hairier mate.

Simo would have collided with both overtakees on his way though and made the corner. :laugh:

For Bautista's overtake to have worked it would need a completely new chapter in the laws of physics. He overtook two people going into the corner who weren't even that close together. Never even remotely on... and after Assen... ?

[Crasherfromwayback]

. Never even remotely on... and after Assen... ?

Well he ended up in front of them no? And it's not like he collided with anyone. Remember the 07 season? Stoners Ducati had the legs on Rossi's Yamaha. To get by Rossi had to do the demon braking moves. Stoner used to sit back and let Rossi run it way deep, then zip back by up the inside of him.

Don't recall anyone jumping up and down about Rossi getting in too hot on a regular bais trying to overtake someone.

[Robert Taylor]

and call it Moto2stroke. :sick:

I agree about the 2 stroke sentiments but of course A1GP is no longer. As I recall they were quite boring.

[Rcktfsh]

Lucky Crutchlow didn't ruin hisday by getting 3rd.

Cal Crutchlow 8th – 85 points:

“I'm pretty disappointed to be honest and I think we definitely deserved better. My mistake was not passing Andrea earlier because I had the pace to be with Lorenzo. I was just waiting behind Andrea for the last five laps to size up an attack but unfortunately I ran off at the first corner. It was my mistake but I got back on track and was just as fast and recovered a couple of places, so it wasn't too bad in the end. I'm not sure why but Andrea's bike seemed to accelerate better than mine and he had more speed on the str aight. I would catch him in the corners but lose a couple of tenths on the straight. I'm sure I could have been fourth because the podium would have been a gift. I wouldn't have wanted my first podium in MotoGP to come just because another rider crashed out. Once again though I have showed what I am capable of. Last year here was a disaster and I was 14th, but today I was fighting two seriously fast riders and I had the pace to beat them. I got the third fastest lap of the race too so we definitely have the speed to battling in the top five at every race.”

[steveyb]

Anyone notice Alvaro Bautista's insane try at a pass again? he went in way to hot and run it wide on the exit. if someone had turned in a little early it would have been skittles

Hahahahaha, isn't it ironic.
My side is still sensitive to this day from someones (guess who....) handlebar jabbing into it.....
Hahahahaha:nya::nya:
You're just getting all girly now you are married........:nya:

[rapid van cleef]

The response:

Thank you for your email.

Moto GP Eni Motorrad Grand Prix Qualifying was initially scheduled on a delayed coverage on 7th July at 1:15 AM, however, the Formula-1 Live which started at 11:55 AM (before the Moto GP) over run due to initial rain-delay and then the race resuming. The over run duration was more than 1 hour and unfortunately, this made us to drop the Moto GP. Due to the busy weekend where we had International Cricket and the Tour-de-France live on other two channels, we could not reschedule Moto GP in other channels before the Live Grand Prix.

We appreciate that sport fans are very passionate about their particular sports and we are aware also that television viewing is very personal and subjective and any decision we take is never done so lightly but we do have to try and cater to all the sporting codes we have rights to and offer a wide selection of programmes. We have registered and forwarded your feedback to the appropriate department. We also hope that despite this you will continue to enjoy all the great programming on offer here at SKY.

Please feel free to contact SKY Television Customer Services on 0800 759 759 for further information, alternatively please respond via return email and we will endeavour to reply within 24 hours.

With kind regards,

SKY Online Support Team


they sent me the exact same email. bullshit service

[carbonhed]

Well he ended up in front of them no? And it's not like he collided with anyone.


NO. He overtook Rossi and Bradl who went straight back past him and he just managed to keep Crutchlow and Barbera behind him by the skin of his teeth.

He may have let the brakes off to ensure he didn't centrepunch Bradl.. but that's being generous.

[Crasherfromwayback]

He may have let the brakes off to ensure he didn't centrepunch Bradl..

That was good of him!

[carbonhed]

That was good of him!

Well, after Assen... I'm sure Bradl was suitably grateful.

[Berries]

Things could get confusing in the next few weeks - Casey Stoney Olympic captain. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/18673750)

[Crasherfromwayback]

Well, after Assen... I'm sure Bradl was suitably grateful.

It's weird. So many people were raving about the fairing bashing that went on in Moto3 at Assen, yet poor old Bautista get's in a bit hot and he needs to be shot. Maybe we should put them all on railway tracks so they can follow each other dead inline in a safe fashion!

[cmoore]

whilst i am very happy for Lorenzo and Yamaha following stoners dive at the last corner...come on seriously...how many of us leapt in the air screaming with joy....ok maybe just me..:)...i am slightly worried at how damn fast the honda was....

[carbonhed]

It's weird. So many people were raving about the fairing bashing that went on in Moto3 at Assen, yet poor old Bautista get's in a bit hot and he needs to be shot. Maybe we should put them all on railway tracks so they can follow each other dead inline in a safe fashion!

HAHA. So long as Lorenzo is the locomotive driver!

[Crasherfromwayback]

whilst i am very happy for Lorenzo and Yamaha following stoners dive at the last corner...come on seriously...how many of us leapt in the air screaming with joy....ok maybe just me..:)...i am slightly worried at how damn fast the honda was....

Yeah because it's only the Honda eh. Not the guys riding them to within an inch of their lives! Note that it's the SLOWEST track on the calendar with one tiny straight.

[rachprice]

In all honesty I think dovi out rode crutchlow

At times crutchlow was stronger but it seems that his race craft isn't good enough to ride around a problem.
He wanted to pass dovi on the usual passing corners but dovi always beat him under brakes

And in all honesty I don't think he could have been at Lorenzo's pace

[BMWST?]

dovi seemes to be able to brake late ,take a nice tight line and still get a good drive.I reckon the rest of the season could be the best yet...Hopefully the Repsol boys seem to have a handle on the chatter,Casey is determined,Dani is confident and Jorge will be back when his ankle gets a bit better.The Hondas seemed awfully fast today tho

[Crasherfromwayback]

,Casey is determined,

Yeah doesn't look like a guy that's thrown in the towel to me.

[eelracing]

Hahahahaha, isn't it ironic.
My side is still sensitive to this day from someones (guess who....) handlebar jabbing into it.....

I dunno stevey i'm tending to side with Maido on this one...afterall i remember you doing the same to me in a first corner come-together...nothing a little elbow jab did'nt sort out tho eh haha


whilst i am very happy for Lorenzo and Yamaha following stoners dive at the last corner...come on seriously...how many of us leapt in the air screaming with joy....ok maybe just me..:)...i am slightly worried at how damn fast the honda was....

For me it was more of a groan as I could'nt believe he would throw away the championship lead like that,for what was really fuck all gain.
The Sachenring is a tight poxy track (signed up by dorna for another 5 years to boot) at best so it suited the Honda's strength which is acceleration,what will be interesting is will the chatter and front tyre probs return at the much faster Mugello.


Yeah doesn't look like a guy that's thrown in the towel to me.

It was downright foolish Pete...and he knows it.He may not get another chance.

[slowpoke]

Stoner: he's a classic example of my theory that "on average we're all average". I reckon to be truly outstanding in one area then some other part(s) of our make up has to suffer.

On track, he's just incredible, a truly rare talent.....then he steps off the bike and you start to get an inkling of what areas may have been short-changed in exchange for that amazing talent (and fine taste in women).

I actually don't mind him these days, I'd love to meet him away from the track, but jeeeesus, you've gota laugh at some of the stuff he says. No doubt you are hearing exactly what he's thinking, instead of PR speak, but his thought/verbal processes are nowhere near as finely calibrated as his throttle hand.

Race control: we can send several marshall's protected by nothing more than an orange bib and paid in bratwurst voucher's into harms way at the fastest corner on track during the last lap with all it's inherent banzai moves to assist a bloke in the best protective gear known to mankind....or we can wait 60 seconds for the race to be over. Hmmmm, tough decision....

Edit: this is in no way a dig at Stoner, we've all got our own things we're good, fuckin' great and absolutely lousy at, his are just more on display than ours. Still, at least he's found/honed his amazing talent, I'm still lookin' for mine....

[Crasherfromwayback]

[
It was downright foolish Pete...and he knows it.He may not get another chance.

No argument from me on that one mate! Still...how many races has be binned it of his own accord since being on the Honda? That's the first and only. No too shabby, just as you say...moronic timing. Still, we're coming up to a lot of tracks he goes well at. I think he'll still win the title.

[roogazza]

dovi seemes to be able to brake late ,take a nice tight line and still get a good drive.I reckon the rest of the season could be the best yet...Hopefully the Repsol boys seem to have a handle on the chatter,Casey is determined,Dani is confident and Jorge will be back when his ankle gets a bit better.The Hondas seemed awfully fast today tho

Quite like Dovi,have been watching him since his dices in 250 with Horhay. As Rach says, I think he's better than Crutchie.
Honda have been changing frames and may have one that works with the chatter ? Though haven't read anything.
Next week Mugello will tell, hope it's fine to see if it's the case. Acceleration wise the Honda is better.

[Crasherfromwayback]

. Acceleration wise the Honda is better.

I think they've all got more than they know what to do with. The Ducati is often still the fastest bike throught he speed traps...but that means fuck all really dunnit.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Hayden should do his best to get a Sat Honda.

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2012/Jul/120707feat.htm

[roogazza]

I think they've all got more than they know what to do with. The Ducati is often still the fastest bike throught he speed traps...but that means fuck all really dunnit.

Yes, so if Rossi can get the Duc to go through corners as he likes he'll be a force again ?
The weather we've been having I'm starting to think maybe I should have gone to Italy this year again. :cold:

[DidJit]

Hayden should do his best to get a Sat Honda. ...

Cronyism... Hayden deserves better than that. And maybe a satellite Honda ride is. Dagnabbit — where are Suzuki, Kawasaki, Aprilia, BMW et al so that more of these amazing riders can keep racing in MotoGP?!?

Finally got to watch the race last night and what a pearler it was. :yes: Dovi is very good in defending his position, isn't he? Fantastic seeing the Repsol boys dice! And that slick move of Rossi's on the last lap — he may be stuck mid-pack on the Duc but he still has the moves.

Speaking of the blonde Tavullian, it sounds like Audi want Rossi to stay (http://mag.gpweek.com/#folio=14) at Ducati (not that he may have many other options soon). Hopefully Wolfgang Durheimer can turn things around for them...

[Mental Trousers]

Hayden should do his best to get a Sat Honda.

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2012/Jul/120707feat.htm

Hayden and Dovi would be the two I'd be after in the MotoGP paddock.

Hayden gets his head down and goes hard no matter what he's riding and he doesn't use the press to get his way by bad mouthing his team. Also, he's way better without the electronics than most so he's faster on the non-factory bikes than others.

Dovi is far better now that he's moved away from Honda. Him and Ben Spies hit the brakes way later than anyone else. I wasn't surprised when he shelled out of his own pocket for the latest Brembo's cos the brakes are so important to the way he rides.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Cronyism... Hayden deserves better than that....

Yeah pretty fucking rank I reckon.


Hayden and Dovi would be the two I'd be after in the MotoGP paddock.

.

Agreed 100%

[jasonu]

The response:

Thank you for your email.
According to our research, only a handful of people watch motorcycle raceing compaired to cricket,
F1 and pretty much any other sport you care to name so fuck off and have a nice day.:motu:

Please feel free to contact SKY Television Customer Services on 0800 759 759 for further abuse and smart comments, alternatively please respond via return email and we will endeavour to have a good laugh at your wasteing your time sending in your complaint.:moon:

With kind regards,

SKY Online Support Team

10characters

[NAR RG500]

I got the same response as Denill, and probably the same one you got also Jason.

I responded with the fact that we will not be paying the entire monthly bill.

MotoGp.com looking like a dam good option.

[Robert Taylor]

whilst i am very happy for Lorenzo and Yamaha following stoners dive at the last corner...come on seriously...how many of us leapt in the air screaming with joy....ok maybe just me..:)...i am slightly worried at how damn fast the honda was....

I will own up to leaping in the air as well, the points lead has been partly restored.

Casey Moaner............BAD Australian

Mark Webber.............GOOD Australian

[Trudes]

I am so hoping someone somewhere offers Nicky something decent to ride for next season. He's been loyal to Ducati, never really hear of him bitching and blaming machinery or the crew when things haven't worked out. I'd love to see him at least having a chance. At least he generally follows the "In order to finish first, first you must finish" mantra. :heart:

[Crasherfromwayback]

I will own up to leaping in the air as well, the points lead has been partly restored.

Casey Moaner............BAD Australian



Love him or loath him, the sport will be worse off without him.

[slowpoke]

Cronyism... Hayden deserves better than that. And maybe a satellite Honda ride is. Dagnabbit — where are Suzuki, Kawasaki, Aprilia, BMW et al so that more of these amazing riders can keep racing in MotoGP?!?


I'm actually a Hayden fan, but the stats don't look good. I really enjoy the Superbikeplanet website too, Dean Adams is a funny, insightful bloke when he puts his writing hat on.

But he's waving a thread-bare stars 'n stripes in lobbying for Nicky Hayden over Rossi. Not to mention he's completely wrong. Hayden doing better than Rossi? Rossi's 71 points to Haydens 65 tell's it otherwise, and he wouldn't be that close if a certain tyre hadn't fallen apart. Rossi 79 premier class wins to Hayden's 3 despite 6 years on the Factory Honda.

As much as the septic tanks are lamenting him having the wrong passport, if he didn't have an American one he wouldn't have had a ride to start with. Can you imagine say the Aussie national superbike champ jumping straight onto a Factory Honda MotoGP ride?

He's a non-stop tryer, an ex-World Champion, and nice bloke, but realistically the outright speed just isn't there. With limited seats and so much talent vying for so few seats the numbers just don't add up for him. Any other time he'd be fine, but with MotoGP in it's death throes he could find himself part of the collateral damage.

[DidJit]

Ah, yes, all good points. And you’re right about limited seats and a healthy supply of very fast and talented riders. But we're not seeing Filippo, Vittoriano, Gabriele et al having to prove their worth, are we? They, too, have been “non-stop tryers” and they're not hanging themselves out to dry in the same fashion... Although, with the Audi deal finalized, I would say they had better start proving their worth quickly, because generally the first things that go when under-performing companies are taken over are upper and middle management. It isn't just the quality of riders that are holding Ducati back from the podium. That was the point of the article (in my opinion).

[Mental Trousers]

.... but with MotoGP in it's death throes he could find himself part of the collateral damage.

Death throes?? MotoGP is certainly changing but it definitely isn't dying. Just because they're making it cheaper and easier for teams doesn't mean it's dead. Probably the end of 100% pure prototypes, but the championship class has only been pure prototypes (no production bits allowed) in modern history anyway. It's returning to something closer to what it used to be when everyone was running TZ's etc.

[Mental Trousers]

Ah, yes, all good points. And you’re right about limited seats and a healthy supply of very fast and talented riders. But we're not seeing Filippo, Vittoriano, Gabriele et al having to prove their worth, are we? They, too, have been “non-stop tryers” and they're not hanging themselves out to dry in the same fashion... Although, with the Audi deal finalized, I would say they had better start proving their worth quickly, because generally the first things that go when under-performing companies are taken over are upper and middle management. It isn't just the quality of riders that are holding Ducati back from the podium. That was the point of the article (in my opinion).

Exactly. The main reason for the Ducatis being a dog for the last few years is the management. Specifically their head engineer Filippo Preziosi. He's an engine man and an arrogant prick too so he refuses to acknowledge there's a problem with the engine design. And it's the engine layout that is the only that hasn't changed through the various iterations of the bike and it's the main reason for the characteristics of the Ducati's that have carried through all of them.

Change the engine you change the entire character of the bike. But to do that they're going to have to change the management.

[pritch]

Damn!

After the weekends results I expected to take a hit in the MCN race league KB division, but from 2nd to 5th?

My boy Casey dropped it, Michael Laverty binned it, and Bautista had to start from the back, although that latter didn't influence things much.

Ah well there's always next week...

[slowpoke]

Ah, yes, all good points. And you’re right about limited seats and a healthy supply of very fast and talented riders. But we're not seeing Filippo, Vittoriano, Gabriele et al having to prove their worth, are we? They, too, have been “non-stop tryers” and they're not hanging themselves out to dry in the same fashion... Although, with the Audi deal finalized, I would say they had better start proving their worth quickly, because generally the first things that go when under-performing companies are taken over are upper and middle management. It isn't just the quality of riders that are holding Ducati back from the podium. That was the point of the article (in my opinion).

Yep, totally agree regards Preziosi. I'm not sure about a complete gutting of the race department, there needs to be some continuation rather than everyone learning from scratch? But Preziosi has floundered for too long despite a loooong list of some very good riders trying to polish a turd.

[DidJit]

I think what really needs to go is closed-mindedness. Try a new engine configuration (on the track and not just in a computer simulation) to see whether or not it makes a difference; try a new chassis; try a new system that addresses the current sudden delivery of power...
But, hey, I'm just another race fan looking in on the outside. :)

[roogazza]

Death throes?? MotoGP is certainly changing but it definitely isn't dying. Just because they're making it cheaper and easier for teams doesn't mean it's dead. Probably the end of 100% pure prototypes, but the championship class has only been pure prototypes (no production bits allowed) in modern history anyway. It's returning to something closer to what it used to be when everyone was running TZ's etc.

Death thros, maybe not yet but times are certainly tough.
Agree on the move towards what we used to have eg TZs etc. great years when everything was booming, probably the best ?
It's wonderful to have experienced those years and probably why all the olds farts get yelled at by 5 minute bikers when we suggest things are dying off here in NZ.
It's a world wide thing. Will it come back, maybe,maybe not.

When I started on bikes my heros were on V4 250 Two Strokes and 500 3 & 4 cyl 4 Strokes.

[tigertim20]

Damn, what a great race!
I much enjoyed seeing the numbers at the end, its Lorenzo leading, Pedrosa second, and Stoner third for the championship?
A competitive three horse race for the latter half of the season sounds like we are in for some good times!!

[GD66]

I'm actually a Hayden fan, but the stats don't look good. As much as the septic tanks are lamenting him having the wrong passport, if he didn't have an American one he wouldn't have had a ride to start with. Can you imagine say the Aussie national superbike champ jumping straight onto a Factory Honda MotoGP ride?

He's a non-stop tryer, an ex-World Champion, and nice bloke, but realistically the outright speed just isn't there. With limited seats and so much talent vying for so few seats the numbers just don't add up for him. Any other time he'd be fine, but with MotoGP in it's death throes he could find himself part of the collateral damage.


A damn fine summary of what is customarily overlooked when attempting to justify a seat for the Kid.:clap:

[BMWST?]

casey will win or bin at mugello.He is past tryin to fix it,he wants to win the Championship so its all or nothin for the rest of the season...that is evident with the result at germany,he wasnt satsified with 2nd...

[ecko_nzed]

This one
and while looking for that one I found this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HXqZh5oTK0
When men were men, Fuck the four strokes!

Schwantz was a fuckin legend, I still get excited watching him in these old races, even when I know the outcome.

[eelracing]

Schwantz was a fuckin legend, I still get excited watching him in these old races, even when I know the outcome.

Totally agree on that sentiment...just read that finish order of Schwantz,Doohan,Rainey,Kocinski,Gardner & Lawson.15 World titles between them on animal bikes that want to spit them off at every corner.

Cool bikes,dangerous tracks,bloody hard men...fucken good days.

[slowpoke]

Death throes?? MotoGP is certainly changing but it definitely isn't dying. Just because they're making it cheaper and easier for teams doesn't mean it's dead. Probably the end of 100% pure prototypes, but the championship class has only been pure prototypes (no production bits allowed) in modern history anyway. It's returning to something closer to what it used to be when everyone was running TZ's etc.

MotoGP is dead. It's a gutshot harpooned whale: a massive magnificent creature, thrashing in pain, but it's terminally damaged.

We're 4 years into the worst economic times since the 1930's. Forget insulated lil' NZ out in the middle of bumfuck nowhere, instead think of any number of countries in Europe that are teetering on the brink of insolvency. Not households, or companies, whole countries. And there is absolutely no end in sight.

Yet after 4 years of this, and looking down the barrel of many years to recover, there is still no plan for MotoGP to adjust! There's lots of talk, and fiddling at the edges, and heads in the sand and unholy amounts of money wasted in the toughest times in living memory but there is no definitive way forward. So MotoGP is dying and it deserves to die.

It'll limp on for a bit with lots of arm waving and blathering substituting for clear direct action, but it'll eventually yield to natural forces and sink beneath the economic waves.

Yes, something else will emerge....but it will be MotoGP in name only.

[Maido]

sheesh, all this negativity. I like watching motogp, i don't care who wins, i just love to see shit going fast.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Cool bikes,dangerous tracks,bloody hard men...fucken good days.

+1. Man I miss some of the old tracks. Madness.

[DidJit]

sheesh, all this negativity. I like watching motogp, i don't care who wins, i just love to see shit going fast.

You're absolutely right. It is what it is, so let's enjoy it while it's here. :yes:

[rapid van cleef]

I watched a couple of races from 2001 last night. Man those races were full on all the way. Makes moto 2 look dull, never mind current motogp! I do love watching the racing but somthing's gotta change. Sachsenring was a little taste of how it used to be. I hope as the season moves on, the racing gets closer.

[Crasherfromwayback]

I like watching motogp, i don't care who wins, i just love to see shit going fast.

I fucking still LOVE it! But I do miss the smokers and the tracks they went to.

[Mental Trousers]

....

ffs, the sport has always changed to reflect the economic times because it's had to. If that were the case the top class has died numerous times over the last hundred+ years.

When the world economy is flourishing race series do too. When the world isn't doing so well race series scale down and adapt.

MotoGP is just the name the top series goes by now. It'll still be the top series for bikes but every so often it will change and adapt. Even as MotoGP this is the 3rd (or 4th depending on how you look at it) major set of rules since it became MotoGP.

So far the only thing to truly stop the racing has been world wars so unless you're planning on blowing up the planet the series will adapt and survive.


sheesh, all this negativity. I like watching motogp, i don't care who wins, i just love to see shit going fast.

Good man!!!

[slowpoke]

sheesh, all this negativity. I like watching motogp, i don't care who wins, i just love to see shit going fast.

Me too! But head in the sand has never and wiil never fix anything. They need to make some strong smart decisions and instead they are fuckin' around with rookie rules. Dorna is Spanish yeah? And Spanish unemployment stands at 24%. That's damn near 1 in 4 out of work. Contrast that with NZ's paltry 7%...and we think times are tough...laughable. But back to the rookie rule, that'll fix things eh?

[DidJit]

The resurrection of the production racer continues (http://motomatters.com/news/2012/07/11/ktm_launches_moto3_production_racer_just.html?utm_ source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MotoGPMatters+%28MotoMatters% 29)...

[roogazza]

Me too! But head in the sand has never and wiil never fix anything. They need to make some strong smart decisions and instead they are fuckin' around with rookie rules. Dorna is Spanish yeah? And Spanish unemployment stands at 24%. That's damn near 1 in 4 out of work. Contrast that with NZ's paltry 7%...and we think times are tough...laughable. But back to the rookie rule, that'll fix things eh?
Heard that on the news this morning Spud, 24% youth unemployment. Few riots happening there.

The resurrection of the production racer continues (http://motomatters.com/news/2012/07/11/ktm_launches_moto3_production_racer_just.html?utm_ source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MotoGPMatters+%28MotoMatters% 29)...
Thats a neat looking little bike Didjit. Moto2 and 3 are going ok. The powers that be just need to sort moto1 to the same level.

[codgyoleracer]

Me too! But head in the sand has never and wiil never fix anything. They need to make some strong smart decisions and instead they are fuckin' around with rookie rules. Dorna is Spanish yeah? And Spanish unemployment stands at 24%. That's damn near 1 in 4 out of work. Contrast that with NZ's paltry 7%...and we think times are tough...laughable. But back to the rookie rule, that'll fix things eh?

Quite ironic really, those crafty Germans have gone from being the terrors of Europe , to the savours - & all within in one persons lifetime.

Like all businesses MotoGP will evolve, the 5 Trillion dollar question though is into what ?

[DidJit]

... the 5 Trillion dollar question though is into what ?

Back to the Future is my pick.

[Brian d marge]

theres a rumour floating about , Hayden and Dobby to wsb......

Stephen

[Shorty_925]

The resurrection of the production racer continues (http://motomatters.com/news/2012/07/11/ktm_launches_moto3_production_racer_just.html?utm_ source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MotoGPMatters+%28MotoMatters% 29)...

Spare $70k anyone?

[yod]

theres a rumour floating about , Hayden and Dobby to wsb......

Stephen

Dobby?

10fc

[denill]

theres a rumour floating about , Hayden and Dobby to wsb......

Stephen

Hayden on a competitive WSBK would be an odds on favourite. And would be great for WSBK.............. ;)

[cmoore]

your right slowpoke....the world has never been through this before......well unless you include a few world wars...a depression, multiple money failures..(10 year cycles??)..but yeah this is the one that will end the world and motogp.....my neighbour is really struggling at the moment...moans every week about the economy and where the world is heading, in fact he says it is so bad he has cut the cleaner back to once a week.....motogp is just motorcycle racing, it is a sport, it has been in action for 63 years plus the years before that as different names.....it will remain as elite racing in some form forever....some people will always have money

[merv]

Heard that on the news this morning Spud, 24% youth unemployment. Few riots happening there.


Its worse than that Gaz, the radio news this morning said 24% was employment age total, whereas youth unemployment is over 50%.

Confirmed here http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/9181776/Youth-unemployment-passes-50pc-in-Spain-and-Greece.html

[tigertim20]

theres a rumour floating about , Hayden and Dobby to wsb......

Stephen
hayden to WSB makes sense to me

Dobby?

10fc

Andrea Dovizioso

[5150]

Well, I guess it is official now !!!

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2012/pedrosa+and+marquez+to+race+together+in+Repsol+Hon da

[pritch]

Early Christmas present for Yamaha? Unless the second coming takes place in Borgo Panigale imminently the championship will be fought out between Jorge and his team mate next year.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Early Christmas present for Yamaha? Unless the second coming takes place in Borgo Panigale imminently the championship will be fought out between Jorge and his team mate next year.

I reckon if he doesn't fuck himself learning the ropes next year, Lorenzo's biggest challange will be Marquez.

[Drew]

Early Christmas present for Yamaha? Unless the second coming takes place in Borgo Panigale imminently the championship will be fought out between Jorge and his team mate next year.

You ruling Pedrodsa out completely? That wouldn't be wise.

[scracha]

Spanish unemployment stands at 24%. That's damn near 1 in 4 out of work. Contrast that with NZ's paltry 7%...and we think times are tough...laughable. But back to the rookie rule, that'll fix things eh?
But they don't have ACC, $5K incentives for employers, a roading mafia, mickey mouse training schemes nor a youth incentive scheme to fudge the unemployment figures down.


Oh...bikes...would love to see Dovvy in superdooperbikes.

[Brian d marge]

Pedrosa better pull some finger , WHERE is the new Ducati engine

and , I’ve got a fiver on Enfield for the championship

Stephen

[Berries]

Quite ironic really, those crafty Germans have gone from being the terrors of Europe , to the savours - & all within in one persons lifetime.
Ve hav plans.

[yod]

Andrea Dovizioso

I spose he does look a bit like a house-elf :lol:

[DidJit]

Christmas has come early (http://www.gpone.com/index.php/en/201207127552/Honda-moto-nuova-per-i-test-del-Mugello.html) for the Repsol Honda riders.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Christmas has come early (http://www.gpone.com/index.php/en/201207127552/Honda-moto-nuova-per-i-test-del-Mugello.html) for the Repsol Honda riders.

Nice one. Bet the others will be none too happy though.

[merv]

Its what we've come to expect from Honda right from when the old man was in charge, but back in his day Suzuki and Yamaha were doing the same but only Yamaha do now - I don't understand why Suzuki has been such a flop over the last 12 years in comparison.

[Drew]

Its what we've come to expect from Honda right from when the old man was in charge, but back in his day Suzuki and Yamaha were doing the same but only Yamaha do now - I don't understand why Suzuki has been such a flop over the last 12 years in comparison.

They were the last to go four stroke, and I assumed it was to get more development time. But if it was, someone shoulda been sacked. Near as I could hear when I went to the GP, they are the only manufacturer who were still running a conventional firing order. Bike sounded best to me ear, but everyone else runs big bang or cross plane.

[jellywrestler]

we suggest things are dying off here in NZ.

heres the stats for the last few years, this was taken off mylaps so doesn't just show whose in the program, it shows who actually raced.
not exactly what you'd expect with the 'recession' is it?
First Round Entries for Road Race Championship. and are all actual as per first round entries listed on mylaps for those years 2012 fiqures are actual as of Jan 3rd 2012.


Superbike
2007 14
2008 15
2009 9
2010 14
2011 11 * Rules Changed
2012 18


Prolite 250
2011 6
2012 18


125GP
2007 16
2008 13
2009 11
2010 12
2011 14
2012 12


Supersport/Sports Production 600
2007 22
2008 19
2009 17
2010 16
2011 10+6 Superstock (Total 16) * Rules Changed
2012 16+8 Superstock (Total 24)


Superlite/F3
2007 18
2008 11
2009 8
2010 8
2011 12 * Rule Change
2012 13


Pro Twin
2008 12
2009 9
2008 9
2011 8
2012 8

[pritch]

You ruling Pedrodsa out completely? That wouldn't be wise.



Pedrosa's one or two wins a year have not made him look like a real contender to me, and for a couple of years he was the annointed one.
OK, I know that Hayden won a title when several other riders had won more GPs than him but...

Stoner and Lorenzo currently look the men to beat, Stoner is quitting but Loreno isn't going anywhere and on current form you'd still have to back Jorge to beat the dwarf more often than not. I also think Honda seriously fucked up by not signing Rossi, he would have been the best bet to compete with Lorenzo. And it would have been great to watch.

The VW group have a near miraculous record of sales success with their acquisitions. Here's hoping they can work magic for the Ducati GP project.

[pritch]

Bike sounded best to me ear

I thought that too. They were all LOUD! but the Suzuki sounded sweetest.

[BIG DOUG]

Pedrosa is a bloody good rider but he is not ever going to be a world champ,and as for queeras love to see him pull his passing shit on rossi and the like then wonder why he is spitting gravel out of his spanish mouth as he picks himself up out of the kitty litter going oh fuck these boys push back.

[rapid van cleef]

after last weekends bullshit fiasco with sky tv nz i just bought my subscription to motogp.com. bugger me, its epic!

[pritch]

after last weekends bullshit fiasco with sky tv nz i just bought my subscription to motogp.com. bugger me, its epic!

Can you watch races delayed, or only live?

I take it you can watch qualifying in all three classes?

[rapid van cleef]

you can watch pretty much anything. im watching a race from mugello 2005 at the mo.

[Brian d marge]

Pedrosa better pull some finger , WHERE is the new Ducati engine

and , I’ve got a fiver on Enfield for the championship

Stephen

press release from rossi , the test bike has reached warp speed ( cant remember actual number ) ...so it seems they have given up on corner speed ,,,,,,,,


fail

honda have an awesome database on engines

Stephen

ps , note to rossi, wsb:wacko:

[gatch]

Stoners whinge about the marshals not helping was a laugh.

Perhaps THE best rider of the present bunch chucks it on the fastest corner of the track, and now the marshals are unhelpful because they don't want to be standing in the firing line as 18 or so other bikes come barreling past. How totally unreasonable of them.

P.S I have grandstand tickets to the Phillip Island GP. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA fuck you cunts.

[Brian d marge]

Stoners whinge about the marshals not helping was a laugh.

Perhaps THE best rider of the present bunch chucks it on the fastest corner of the track, and now the marshals are unhelpful because they don't want to be standing in the firing line as 18 or so other bikes come barreling past. How totally unreasonable of them.

P.S I have grandstand tickets to the Phillip Island GP. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA fuck you cunts.
so do I , a work treat ,,
Stephen

[k14]

P.S I have grandstand tickets to the Phillip Island GP. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA fuck you cunts.
Well I hope you have your winter woolies ready. I'm in Florence and booked in for Mugello on Sunday. Beat that :banana: Forecast is for 31 degrees, eek!

[roogazza]

Well I hope you have your winter woolies ready. I'm in Florence and booked in for Mugello on Sunday. Beat that :banana: Forecast is for 31 degrees, eek!

'Firenze' huh, Get ready to give the Visa a hiding shopping there.

Get the earlist train you can Sunday morn, you'll be surprised how much room 90,000 spectators take on the roads. Enjoy.

[roogazza]

Rossi,Mugello, time for another helmet design.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/8aq1Szdgz6M

[rachprice]

Stoners whinge about the marshals not helping was a laugh.

Perhaps THE best rider of the present bunch chucks it on the fastest corner of the track, and now the marshals are unhelpful because they don't want to be standing in the firing line as 18 or so other bikes come barreling past. How totally unreasonable of them.

P.S I have grandstand tickets to the Phillip Island GP. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA fuck you cunts.

Which grandstand?
We are on Bass strait

[Drew]

P.S I have grandstand tickets to the Phillip Island GP. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA fuck you cunts.

You'll be laughing out the other side of your face if it's as shit house as last year. Wind chill took it down to about -5

[rachprice]

You'll be laughing out the other side of your face if it's as shit house as last year. Wind chill took it down to about -5

Just gotta take a coat!!

Hopefully brno will be warm

[denill]

Hopefully brno will be warm

Yeah, that's right. Not long now...................

Where are you staying?

A beer (or two) at the Starobrno is a bit of a must.

[rachprice]

Yeah, that's right. Not long now...................

Where are you staying?

A beer (or two) at the Starobrno is a bit of a must.

Just organised it with pole position, mostly because it will be a good way to meet people, and I stress out when it comes to getting to and from tracks so if im picked up/dropped off I'll be happy!

[denill]

Just organised it with pole position, mostly because it will be a good way to meet people, and I stress out when it comes to getting to and from tracks so if im picked up/dropped off I'll be happy!

What Hotel Rach?

We stayed at the Hotel Continental (Built in the Russian era) where a lot of Pole Position customers stayed also.

[rachprice]

What Hotel Rach?

We stayed at the Hotel Continental (Built in the Russian era) where a lot of Pole Position customers stayed also.

IN all honesty I don't know what its called, its cheap though!

[gatch]

Lukey heights.

My brother and I have also agreed we will build our own shelter in the camp area, then burn it down when we leave.

As for the cold, GET HARD you soft cocks.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Waaaa...the Honda's are too fast. It's not fair. Oh hang on...

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2012/Jul/120713whatdone.htm

[pritch]

Meanwhile back at Mugello... (And I am just a tad envious of you globetrotters)

Stoner was criticised for a hard move on Petrucci in practice which is ironic considering Stoner's usual stance on dangerous riding.

Hayden has still not received an offer from Ducati.
Crutchlow has, but it has not been finalised yet.

The man everybody is waiting for, gave an interview to a packed house. Rossi denied trying to influence the factory's choice of his team mate, he said he would be happy to have either Hayden or Crutchlow. He has worked with Hayden for years both at Honda and Ducati, and considers Crutchlow the funniest guy in the paddock. He also said that he'd like to stay at Ducati but that would involve risk as the team has been trying to sort the bike for 18 months without success.

That last comment looks like a shot across Presiozi's bows, but there aren't too many other options available to Rossi now. It appears there is a factory Yamaha ride yet to be decided, and then possibly one or two at Tech 3 depending what happens with Crutchlow, and whether Spies or Dovi gets the nod for the factory ride.

Also, now that the Audi deal to buy Ducati is about to be finalised, Rossi's FIAT sponsorship would look doubtful if he stays.

It would be interesting to know if Bautista has a contract with Gresini for next year? The period of mourning apparently being over, the Gresini bakes are back in white for Mugello.

Lorenzo has been seriously impressive in practice. Yamaha have at last got a sponsor, and no, it's not FIAT.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Lorenzo has been seriously impressive in practice.

Yeah he's always pretty impressive round there eh!

[pritch]

Was just reflecting on changes in the speed and quality of information available to us racing fans. I used to wait three months for a magazine that contained a few black and white photos. A few years later if Hugh Anderson won in the Isle of Man that might get a mention in the National Programme lunchtime news, sometimes also perhaps a photo in the newspaper?

Now we have riders, mechanics, managers, and others sending instant messages from the pits on Twitter, there are podcasts with up-to-date interviews of riders, managers etc, and there are dedicated websites such as Motomatters and GP One.

Then we have live, or almost live, coverage on TV. I'm becoming very interested in the MotoGP Video pass too, with the Apple TV I'd be able to watch that on the 42" screen.

As Fred Dagg said, "We don't know how lucky we are."

[Crasherfromwayback]

As Fred Dagg said, "We don't know how lucky we are."

I remember it well!

http://www.cycleworld.com/2012/07/13/mugello-motogp-preview/

[BMWST?]

I remember it well!

http://www.cycleworld.com/2012/07/13/mugello-motogp-preview/


used to wait all year for motocourse to come out....to get the real deal

[carbonhed]

Some of the Moto2 guys into turn 1 are jaw dropping. Dorifto!

[gatch]

Some of the Moto2 guys into turn 1 are jaw dropping. Dorifto!

Those guys back it all day, FANTASTIC to watch.

[merv]

I think its pretty cool the Moto3 bikes are reaching 230km/hr, that's 143mph at Mugello in practice.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Lorenzo is looking pretty much untouchable so far.

[merv]

Yeah who says the Yamaha is slow?

[cmoore]

here is another example of the complexities of motogp....stoner and pedros were untouchable in germany........now in italy we have ped, lorenso and barbera on the front of the grid with stoner 5th....spies again slower then the satalite guys and lorenzo with an engine problem.....probably just more proof QP means fuck all......a bit like SBK and superpole.....how many races has the kawasaki gone on to win?.....how stink will rossi and hayden feel with barbera up there.....who will bet against stoner being there or there abouts in the race..

[roogazza]

here is another example of the complexities of motogp....stoner and pedros were untouchable in germany........now in italy we have ped, lorenso and barbera on the front of the grid with stoner 5th....spies again slower then the satalite guys and lorenzo with an engine problem.....probably just more proof QP means fuck all......a bit like SBK and superpole.....how many races has the kawasaki gone on to win?.....how stink will rossi and hayden feel with barbera up there.....who will bet against stoner being there or there abouts in the race..

Horhay looked concerned after qualifying 2nd.Not happy.
I Hope this title isn't affected by the 6 engine rule, that would suck.
QP gives Barbera bragging rights and to some extent Hayden but I'm sure Rossi looks at the much bigger picture and will finish in front of them come race day. The Ducs' have a lot of top end but little else and it shows here.

[Crasherfromwayback]

...how stink will rossi and hayden feel with barbera up there.....who will bet against stoner being there or there abouts in the race..

Hayden not so much. He's not a full second slower than him as Rossi is. It's massively important to have the setup spot on round this place. If Stoner can't get it right he'll get roosted.

[Robert Taylor]

Horhay looked concerned after qualifying 2nd.Not happy.
I Hope this title isn't affected by the 6 engine rule, that would suck.
QP gives Barbera bragging rights and to some extent Hayden but I'm sure Rossi looks at the much bigger picture and will finish in front of them come race day. The Ducs' have a lot of top end but little else and it shows here.

Yes the engine rule is as damaging to MotoGP as it is to Formula 1. When Formula 1 engines were unreliable and kept blowing up it added another dimension. Now they are boringly reliable, in relative terms.

[roogazza]

Yes the engine rule is as damaging to MotoGP as it is to Formula 1. When Formula 1 engines were unreliable and kept blowing up it added another dimension. Now they are boringly reliable, in relative terms.

Seems Horhay's problem was electrical and has been fixed.

Crutchlow is getting a bit of a towelling on a site populated with his own countrymen. Seems they reckon he should let his riding do the talking instead of beating his gums. Hmmmmm

[Mental Trousers]

Crutchlow is getting a bit of a towelling on a site populated with his own countrymen. Seems they reckon he should let his riding do the talking instead of beating his gums. Hmmmmm

Not wrong there. That guys mouth can get him in a lot of trouble. I totally went off him when he recently said that he wants to be in another team as there's nothing for him at Tech 3. Not just arrogant (which I always got over) but very ungrateful as well. It's true that the factory riders have the best shot at winning the championship but that's just downright ungrateful.

[Kiwi Graham]

Seems Horhay's problem was electrical and has been fixed.



I reckon he ran out of gas :shifty:

[Reckless]

http://motomatters.com/analysis/2012/07/13/2012_mugello_motogp_friday_round_up_lore.html

[rachprice]

Ohhhh the arrogance!!

'I'm confident I could have battled for pole but I only had one new front tyre for qualifying and I crashed on it immediately'

Crutchlow was nowhere fucking near pole and is possible he may get top 5 but closer to 5 than 1 for sure!

He may be doing well this year but is still a bit of a douche

[rachprice]

Lorenzo! What a machine!! Just continued to crank the Laps even when everyone else was slowing up

Normally rooting for dovi but really wish Bradl took his first podium

Rough that Rossi took Hayden!! I wish he had of got that

And stoner? What the fuck? That is all

[k14]

Another yawn fest. Moto3 and Moto2 were great. Even the Italian fans knew before that MotoGP was going to be boring as about 10-20% left the track after Moto2. Another 20% left during the MotoGP race. Attendance was only 64000. Shows how much pull an in form Rossi would have.

[Robert Taylor]

Another yawn fest. Moto3 and Moto2 were great. Even the Italian fans knew before that MotoGP was going to be boring as about 10-20% left the track after Moto2. Another 20% left during the MotoGP race. Attendance was only 64000. Shows how much pull an in form Rossi would have.

The attendance figures may also be a little indicative that the Italian economy is very tits up. As for Lorenzo winning by going away its ''normal service resumed'' and its a joy to watch his smooth style and how that Yamaha when its set up right is on rails. The engineers have done a great job. I like that.

[roogazza]

Another yawn fest. Moto3 and Moto2 were great. Even the Italian fans knew before that MotoGP was going to be boring as about 10-20% left the track after Moto2. Another 20% left during the MotoGP race. Attendance was only 64000. Shows how much pull an in form Rossi would have.

That's over 30 thousand down in attendance ! Watching from my lounge chair it didn't seem to be going off in normal Mugello fashion ? Best I've witnessed there was 96 thousand in 05, I'll be back next year.
Good to see Rossi climb to 5th as predicted by JB in spite of QP position.
Horhay, 'the black Mamba' was in serious mood.

Would you go back K14 ? Trains work out ?

[Crasherfromwayback]

Another yawn fest. .

Why do you even bother watching then?

[carbonhed]

Lorenzo is delivering a masterclass isn't he. Great rides by Dovi, Hayden and especially Bradl whose moved up to the next level. Rossi and Crutclow came strongly back up to podium contention.

Spies was ill but he's the guy that's opening up the gaps for the chasing riders... has a factory ride ever been more comprehensively shat upon? :lol:

Moto2 was great good to see Smith's bike getting more competitive.

Vinales has got the killer instinct.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Lorenzo is delivering a masterclass isn't he. .

The scary thing for the others is, I reckon he's still getting better year after year.

[Oscar]

The scary thing for the others is, I reckon he's still getting better year after year.

I know it don't make for good racing, but watching a guy that good, and that consistent is a privilege. It's not just the blistering speed, it's the precision and scary concentration that he brings to the whole race. Maybe Pedrosa can challenge him, now that he's fit and confident, but I'm not sure who else is up to the task.

[Crasherfromwayback]

I know it don't make for good racing, but watching a guy that good, and that consistent is a privilege. It's not just the blistering speed, it's the precision and scary concentration that he brings to the whole race.

I agree 100%. Some may call it boring, but to me, it's a privilege to see for sure.