Motogp Hopkins Suzuki on Pole

[SimJen]

John Hopkins is on pole on his GSV-R, closely followed by Shinya Nakano on the Kawasaki and Edwards on the M1. Hayden is in fourth position.
Rossi had trouble with his wrist which has been deteriorating overnight but finally managed to qualify last with only a handful of laps.
Remains to be seen whether Rossi will actually race.
Rossi can only hope that Hayden doesn't have a good race to keep his championship alive.

http://www.crash.net/news_View~t~Hopkins-gets-pole--out-of-the-way---podium-next-~cid~6~id~132566.htm

http://www.crash.net/news_View~t~Rossi-in-doubt-for-race-day-~cid~6~id~132561.htm

[White trash]

Mate, I'm lovin' that grid.

Hopkins 1m36.41
Nakano 1m36.42
Edwards 1m36.75
Hayden 1m36.75
Pedrosa 1m36.99
Vermeulen 1m37.07
Melandri 1m37.33
Checa 1m37.37
Hofmann 1m37.39
Roberts 1m37.52
De Puniet 1m37.55
Stoner 1m37.66
Tamada 1m37.67
Ellison 1m38.05
Capirossi 1m38.06
Cardoso 1m39.40
Silva 1m39.49
Rossi 1m40.29

The fact that Rossi's struggling so much and in such obvious pain, would leave me to believe he's better to sit this one out and minimize the possibilty of future complications.

[SimJen]

Yeah I was thinking the same, he could possibly do it if he was 100% fit, but to start from the back is gonna be difficult. I usually support Rossi to win, but if he's not racing I'll be looking forward to one of the smaller teams giving it a go. Suzuki deserves some success, and so does Kwaka. :)

[riffer]

Yup. Agreed. If Rossi doesn't race, then there's no one I'd rather see win the race than Hoppy.

[jimbo600]

Mate, I'm lovin' that grid.

Hopkins 1m36.41
Nakano 1m36.42
Edwards 1m36.75
Hayden 1m36.75
Pedrosa 1m36.99
Vermeulen 1m37.07
Melandri 1m37.33
Checa 1m37.37
Hofmann 1m37.39
Roberts 1m37.52
De Puniet 1m37.55
Stoner 1m37.66
Tamada 1m37.67
Ellison 1m38.05
Capirossi 1m38.06
Cardoso 1m39.40
Silva 1m39.49
Rossi 1m40.29

The fact that Rossi's struggling so much and in such obvious pain, would leave me to believe he's better to sit this one out and minimize the possibilty of future complications.

I see you're not on the timing sheet Trashy. You never did like Assen as a track anyway though aye.

Man this is going to be Hoppers race. I can feel it in my gut I tell ya. Or that might just be a cable. Anyway the Suzooks are going to clean up.

[roogazza]

Hate to boast ! but when I was in the pits at Mugello last year, I heard it mentioned a couple of times that both Nakano and Hopkins were very highly regarded and rated. Must admit that they all looked bloody great to me and nothing like i have ever seen ! Gaz.

[Maha]

Colin Edwards is my pick if Rossi aint there, if Rossi does start from the back he wont have to much trouble carving up the field to take it out. So long as he stay's upright, plus he likes coming from behind........:blip:

[Crasherfromwayback]

While I never like to see anyone injured, Rossi's had the grace of God on his side so far.
So many big biffs, no broken bones!
Now don't get me wrong....the guy is a 'God' on a motorcycle, but I've long stated that it remains to be seen if he can compete when hurt (a-la Doohan, Revin Kevin, Roberts etc).
A cracked wrist/and or hand is painfull for sure.....but how was Doohan's leg?
Harada won his 250cc title with a freshly smashed collar bone!

[UrbanMyth]

rock on hopkins and edwards

[Matt Bleck]

My Heart ses Edwards but my head ses Hayden.

[oldguy]

John Hopkins is on pole on his GSV-R, closely followed by Shinya Nakano on the Kawasaki and Edwards on the M1. Hayden is in fourth position.
Rossi had trouble with his wrist which has been deteriorating overnight but finally managed to qualify last with only a handful of laps.
Remains to be seen whether Rossi will actually race.
Rossi can only hope that Hayden doesn't have a good race to keep his championship alive.



Pole means nothing, Hopkins/Vermeulen always seem to do well in qualifying but dont seem to be there at the end, and as for Rossi you can never discount him.
Go Hayden/Stoner/Pedrosa/Melandri Don't you's Know its the year of the HONDA

[enigma51]

a foolish man will count out rossi for the win!

[Crasherfromwayback]

a foolish man will count out rossi for the win!
The call me a fool, but this is one race the man ain't gonna win.

[Motu]

Without Rossi behind him pushing his tyre to destruction,Hopper may have a chance if he runs a sensable race.It'll be interesting to see who steps up to the plate in this one.I'm hoping for Hayden,this is his one chance with Rossi out of the picture....no excuses now boy,make this one stick!

[Skunk]

Nakano often qualifies well but I don't think the Kwakas will finish in the top 6. I think it's Suzuki's race.

Those that know me will know the pain I have in writing that...

[Edbear]

a foolish man will count out rossi for the win!




Did you see his hand on the news? Looked real sore to me, quite swollen! I hope he does well if he rides, but I'd hate to see him get further hurt and spoil his future chances.

[UrbanMyth]

My Heart ses Edwards but my head ses Hayden.
So very true.

[merv]

How the hell did that Suzuki go so quick all of a sudden?

Is Erv Kanemoto still advising the team?

Edwards of Hayden, I don't mind who wins and I guess if Hopper wins I won't mind either.

Our garage has 4 Hondas, 2 Yamahas, 1 Suzuki and yeah 1 Toyota in it, so we've got our bases for support covered as long as the bloody Kawasaki or the Ducatis don't win.

[SimJen]

The Suzuki has been coming along nicely. All they need to do is get a podium to prove its worked.
They've had lots of new bits and a heap more power, Hopper is a great rider and just needs the bike up to a similar level to get him on the podium.
To be honest, I always gun for Rossi.....but whoever wins, its all good racing if you ask me. I'll be up at 3ish am to watch the race :)

[UrbanMyth]

I think suzuki use similar 3 lap tyres like kawasaki thats why Shinya consistantly qualifies very well and so does hopkins and vermuelen.
Would be awesome to see Hopkins win as i think he has learnt how to not fuck his tyres in the first half of the race.

[gav]

Bridgestone have been making a real good qualifying tyre this season. Man to watch and who was turning the fastest laps on race tyres is Colin Edwards.
Hope Casey Stoner gets up and wins this one!