07 MotoGP – Le Mans, France

[Korea]

’07 MotoGP – Rnd 5/18 - Le Mans, France – Sunday 20th May

125s Live at 9pm, 250s 10:15, MotoGP Midnight

Current standings:
Pos Rider Team Points
1 C. Stoner Ducati 86
2 V. Rossi Yamaha 71
3 D. Pedrosa Honda 49
4 M. Melandri Honda 41
5 J. Hopkins Suzuki 39
6 T. Elias Honda 35
7 C. Edwards Yamaha 31
8 L. Capirossi Ducati 30
9 N. Hayden Honda 30
10 C. Vermeulen Suzuki 30

Last year’s winners at Le Mans:
1 Marco Melandri
2 Loris Capirossi
3 Dani Pedrosa
( 4 Casey Stoner )
( 5 Nicky Hayden )

Round 5 of 18:
This time last year Valentino Rossi was in a class of his own - 4 seconds ahead of the competition and gaining a quarter of a second every lap until the Yamaha M1 blew up just 7 laps out from the finish. I reckon we’ll see more of Rossi battling it out with Stoner this race – with Rossi victorious!
Well, we’ll see… With the 800s tho' it's a different kettle of fish, N'cest Pa?

Predictions?

[Black Bandit]

errr, when did Stoner switch teams? :dodge:

[Korea]

errr, when did Stoner switch teams? :dodge:
Bugger! Bloody Typo...
I mean er... didn't you hear Honda offered him Nicky Hayden's ride 'cos he's crap? <P/T>

Typo Fixed now...

[Freebird]

Rossi should do it if the bike keeps going unlike last year when I went to Le Mans to watch the great man and the bike failed :gob:

[cowpoos]

I take note that all the really really good looking people on here have voted for stoner!!!

[TerminalAddict]

are you hitting on me <_<

[cowpoos]

are you hitting on me <_<
DON'T FLATTER YOURSELF!!! and besides...those shoe's makes your arse look fat!

[skelstar]

Well whats the French circuit like? A long straight? Mostly twisty? That would be the deciding factor for me to be honest.

[wildcat_lgf]

Do I need Sky to watch it? Or is it free to air? Is it streamed anywhere?

[TerminalAddict]

yes no motogp.com (at a cost)

[Masterchop]

Well whats the French circuit like? A long straight? Mostly twisty? That would be the deciding factor for me to be honest.

Tight and twisty with a 450 meter straight.

GO ROSSI!

[steveyb]

Stop Start circuit with heavy braking passing ops.
I'm going for Barros to put in a good show and Hopper also.
Dovi for twofiddy and Pasini for baby bikes.

Enjoy :-)

Steve

[skelstar]

Does Hopkins get his new bike this round or the next? I think it might be the next huh?

[earthbound misfit]

I think Stoner is deinately up there with a chance and he is my favourite rider but commonsense tells me back Rossi for the win.

[BarBender]

Go Vale Go!!!!!!!!!!

Stoner?!?! WTF
Stick the chump on a Yamaha and lets see if he can come second. :dodge:

[Big Dog]

Kind of wanted to say Melandri but real hard to vote against The Doctor in a tight twisty track.

[JayRacer37]

HAHAAHAAHAHA

Some people have even bothered to vote for Hayden

Optimism is a wonderful thing, no? I think is very, very funny for spectators.

Go the Doc

[sAsLEX]

HAHAAHAAHAHA

Some people have even bothered to vote for Hayden


I loved his interview after China

"I dont want to make excuses....... I dont want to sound like I am whining.....

[Korea]

HAHAAHAAHAHA

Some people have even bothered to vote for Hayden

Optimism is a wonderful thing, no? I think is very, very funny for spectators.

Go the Doc

I could almost hear a French accent in that post - or was it Rossi-speak?

"Yes, we have good race. The bike work good today..."

Can't bet against Rossi on a tight'n'twisty track like Le Mans, eh?
In fact, can you bet at all? I was wondering if TAB has odds on the MotoGP? Anyone know?
Er... not that I encourage gambling :shifty:

[skelstar]

In fact, can you bet at all? I was wondering if TAB has odds on the MotoGP? Anyone know?
Not yet. www.centrebet.co.au don't have them yet either...but they do still have Rossi fav to win championship at $1.65 and Stoner at $2.25.

[JayRacer37]

I loved his interview after China

"I dont want to make excuses....... I dont want to sound like I am whining.....

I know. Poor guy, its all falling apart around him.

Though many people predicted this before the end of last season, even....

[Crasherfromwayback]

In fact, can you bet at all? I was wondering if TAB has odds on the MotoGP? Anyone know?
Er... not that I encourage gambling :shifty:

Yep the TAB have bets on the races one by one, but not on the seasons outcome. They'll let you bet on practically anything if you ring them and ask though.
Problem is....the cheeky fuckers don't post odds now until after the first and sometimes second practice. They used to post them around Wed/Thurs, but I gather they got burnt a few times seeing as they're only really knowledgable with the mainstream sports.

I've won some good coin on both GP and SB's.....so pays to have a go!

[skelstar]

Problem is....the cheeky fuckers don't post odds now until after the first and sometimes second practice.
Well seems to me that Rossi does really well in the Quals and Pracs but because of straight line passing and being held up in the twisty stuff he gets second anyway! Surely thats exploitable as far as putting some money on it.

[EZAS]

Can ya bet on these at the TAB?
The return on Rossi would have to be like $0.90 for every dollar bet.

[sAsLEX]

Well seems to me that Rossi does really well in the Quals and Pracs but because of straight line passing and being held up in the twisty stuff he gets second anyway! Surely thats exploitable as far as putting some money on it.

nah the M1 just performs like a scalded cat on the qualifying tires, even Colin quals well up the field even when not on the pace in the race.....


Rossi has said the M1 on the qualifying tires is the best bike he has ridden

[Postie]

but its not Rossi.

1. Edwards (Fastest qualifying ever at Le Mans 133.616)
2. Stoner
3. Checa
4. Rossi
5. Hopkins
6. Elias
7. Hayden
8. De Puniet
9. Melandri
10. Pedrosa
11. Guintoli
12. Vermeulen
13. Barros
14. Nikano
15. Cappirossi
16. Tamada
17. Hoffman
18. Roberts Jr.
19. Nieto

Its a tight circuit with some good chicanes, its gonna make for some good racing and great shots of 55 degree lean angles

[Wingnut]

With no really long straight - the Duke hasn't got the advantage it has previously had on the circuits with the longer straights - Must have pissed off Rossi to get past stoner in the twisties ,only to be smoked on the straight everytime as what happened the weekend before last.

[Korea]

With no really long straight - the Duke hasn't got the advantage it has previously had on the circuits with the longer straights - Must have pissed off Rossi to get past stoner in the twisties ,only to be smoked on the straight everytime as what happened the weekend before last.
True that, but the Ducati will still have good drive out of the corners.
Could be anyone's race, really. It will be a hard fought battle.
This one will be well worth staying up for :corn:

Meanwhile, just 0.016 of a second difference relegated Rossi to 2nd row!

Roll on midnight~!

[Crasherfromwayback]

For those of you that asked about the race odds.....they're up now.

The 'Option' for the race is #487.

Hopkins is paying $15.00, Elias $20.00.

Worth a wee dab!

They're both late brakers, and this track is all about that!

[Crasherfromwayback]

The forecast is for rain!
Dunno about this year, but certainly last year the Bridgestones seemed to be the better wet tyre.

[Korea]

Although Elias is coming up, can't see him at the top of the podium.
Still, Hopkins on the Bridgestones... Plus the Zook has got some new go fast bits, doesn't it? Hmmm...
...and at $15 why not have a crack, eh?
Starting from the second row, he's got a chance - but he might biff it.

[Crasherfromwayback]

And there you have it.
Wet....Bridgestone 1-2-3. They're obviously still the wet tyre to have.

Pity I didn't put money on Chris the 'V'...he was paying $60.00.

[k14]

yip, what a race. what i was so surprised about is the fact that no one crashed till about the 10th lap. stoner showing how good a rider he is and definately worthy of the championship lead.

roll on mugello

[sAsLEX]

yip, what a race. what i was so surprised about is the fact that no one crashed till about the 10th lap. stoner showing how good a rider he is and definately worthy of the championship lead.



And old hayden looked like he was going to cry in the interview!

[k14]

And old hayden looked like he was going to cry in the interview!
Lol, well sky couldn't wait to put on the two day old highlights on of rallying so didn't feel the need to show any of the interviews.

[nudemetalz]

I reckon Rossi has had his day.
There is some new talent coming up that are nearly equal with him. Also, the Duke is so much quicker than the Yamaha, he has to ride it to it's edge just to stay with Stoner.

[Korea]

Well, who would have thunk it - Chris V waving two fingers at the opposition while parting the surface flooding in style not seen since Moses. :niceone:

Right on the money with the Bridgestone call CFWB.

It was clearly all Rossi could do to stay on the Michelin-shod Yammy with people biffing their bikes down in his path, left, right and centre. Finishing in 6th.

Stoner also had an amazing save earlier in the race and went on to snatch a hard earned third.


I reckon Rossi has had his day.
There is some new talent coming up that are nearly equal with him. Also, the Duke is so much quicker than the Yamaha, he has to ride it to it's edge just to stay with Stoner.

Don't go writing off Rossi just yet, rain is a great equaliser but there are still 13 races left in the season. You're right about the competition being fierce though and the Ducati is awesome.

World Standings after French GP:

1 - - - Casey Stoner - - - Ducati Marlboro Team - - - 102

2 - - - Valentino Rossi - - - Fiat Yamaha Team - - - 81

3 - - - Dani Pedrosa - - - Repsol Honda Team - - - 62

4 - - - Marco Melandri - - - Honda Gresini - - - 61

5 - - - Chris Vermeulen - - - Rizla Suzuki MotoGP - - - 55

6 - - - John Hopkins - - - Rizla Suzuki MotoGP - - - 48

[sAsLEX]

Lol, well sky couldn't wait to put on the two day old highlights on of rallying so didn't feel the need to show any of the interviews.

Prime was the same putting reruns of shitty american tv on at 0300 in the morning!