MotoGP Laguna !!SPOILER!!

[SimJen]

Casey Stoner is a legend, the guy was doing 1m22s laps all race the only person close is Vermuellen who managed to almost match the pace on the Suzuki but then dropped off a bit.
Stoner dropped to 1m23's on the last three laps only, where everyone else has been doing 1m24's mostly.
Rossi is back in fourth obviously struggling to match Stoners pace, and Nicky Hayden is nowhere to be seen.
Stoner wins by over 10 seconds from Vermuelen, almost 25 seconds from Melandri and 30 seconds over Rossi.
Im a big Rossi fan, but noone has had a rookie season like this for a long time.
Stoner is definately going to be the next big thing! and its looking to be a foregone conclusion that he wins the championship this year.

[sAsLEX]

Bridgestones were obviously the tire to have, though I dont think Rossi could of beaten Stoner today if God had made his tires!

[Sparky Bills]

GO DUCATI!!
Stoner is on fire!

Good on Chris on the Spewzuki too. He rode extremley well.

[Sparky Bills]

How about Melandri! He dislocated his ankle yesterday, didnt ride the morning warm up, then came out and got third!

What a hard man!

[sAsLEX]

How about Melandri! He dislocated his ankle yesterday, didnt ride the morning warm up, then came out and got third!

What a hard man!

“There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.”

[zadok]

Another Aussie, Anthony West, 7th on a Kwaka. Good stuff!

[Matt Bleck]

Race running NOW?! :confused:

[steved]

Casey Stoner is a legend, the guy was doing 1m22s laps all race the only person close is Vermuellen who managed to almost match the pace on the Suzuki but then dropped off a bit.

Im a big Rossi fan, but noone has had a rookie season like this for a long time.
Stoner is definately going to be the next big thing! and its looking to be a foregone conclusion that he wins the championship this year.

It's been a great season. Casey isn't a rookie though.

[SimJen]

true, he's not a rookie by any means, I meant he's fresh to motogp.
Look at the current crop, most have been around for years and he comes in and teaches them a thing or two.
Rossi must be really worried now!

[CM2005]

Put rossi on a duke next to stoner... that would liven up things a little. He's no longer hungry for victory... ah for sure...

[Whynot]

Nicky Hayden is nowhere to be seen.

That was probably due to damage after riding over hopkins on the first lap ...


How about Melandri! He dislocated his ankle yesterday, didnt ride the morning warm up, then came out and got third!

What a hard man!

Have to agree with you there, great ride :yes:

[steved]

true, he's not a rookie by any means, I meant he's fresh to motogp.
Look at the current crop, most have been around for years and he comes in and teaches them a thing or two.
Rossi must be really worried now!
I agree. Rossi must be wondering how much is the bike, and how much is the rider. Hopefully he is big enough to know that Casey is a pretty good rider and we don't have a rerun on Sete-Rossi or other heated rivalry.

[merv]

Given that Stoner crashed the Honda so often last year he has really come of age and there is no doubting Ducati have built him a bloody good bike. Honda must be really annoyed with their effort as the 212 is no world beater like the 211 was when it debuted. From a Honda man sigh.... !!!! :slap:

[sAsLEX]

I agree. Rossi must be wondering how much is the bike, and how much is the rider. Hopefully he is big enough to know that Casey is a pretty good rider and we don't have a rerun on Sete-Rossi or other heated rivalry.

Rossi went and congratulated Stoner straight after the race. He doesn't have the "feelings" that he had towards Gibby or Max towards Casey, I think he is not out of the race yet.

[Grahameeboy]

I guess the real test of who is the best rider is to put them on the same bike.

When Rossi went to Yamaha he surprised everyone by winning in it's debut season, however, I think this probably created a race to beat Rossi and Ducati do appear to have the better bike so in a way Rossi's success has inevitably brought about the likes of Ducati and Stoner.

In a sport where the top riders generally have bikes which are evenly matched, it looks like Ducati's significant (in GP terms) power advantage is just enough to keep Rossi at bay and unless Yamaha can find that extra like they did 2 races ago, Rossi's undoubted talent will not be enough.

I guess the key is when we look back in another 5 years. I suspect Rossi will have his name up as well as Stoner and at the end of the day, Rossi is realistic to know that no one can keep winning for ever.

[canarlee]

Rossi is realistic to know that no one can keep winning for ever.



rossi will also throw at least one or two races.




rossi is also gay.

[CM2005]

ROSSI's NOT GAY!! Heard rumors of a Melandri move to Ducati for 2008 2009...

[k14]

ROSSI's NOT GAY!! Heard rumors of a Melandri move to Ducati for 2008 2009...
Yes he is, haven't you seen his bum buddie uccio always in the pits give him a kiss before the race starts. I heard they stay in the same camper too :shutup:

Also just saw that confirmed with Melandri at Ducati next year.

[janno]

I undstood Rossi was gay, too.

But so what?

He is still an absolute motorcycling legend - I fail to see how him liking boys rather than girls is any big deal. Scuse the horrible imagery, but it's not like he's going around shoving his lifestyle down anyones throat. :shit:

[CM2005]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ARGH!!! ah well i'm not homophobic. But now Kawasaki is my Favourite!

[$CENSLS1$]

Im a big Rossi fan, but noone has had a rookie season like this for a long time.
Stoner is definately going to be the next big thing! and its looking to be a foregone conclusion that he wins the championship this year

Are you talking about Casey stoner?This ain't his rookie season..He rode the LCR RCV211 last year..:scooter:

I must say, he is having a wicked season and I think he's going to win the championship :yes:

[BigG]

Stoner is a fantastic rider, Mitchelin need to have a look at what Bridgestone are doing cos it has to be tyres Yamaha are top bikes, Edwards slipped right back at the end and Rossi couldnt push it anymore. They should all be made to ride the same tyres.

[CM2005]

definitely, a bridgestone control tyre would surely cut costs too. But what would happen to the Dunlop Yamaha squad?

[pritch]

Michelin had it pretty much their own way for most of the past few seasons. and Rossi (and the other Michelin riders) had the benefit of that.

Spare a thought for the guys on Dunlops.

Bridgestone have adapted to the new tyre rules better than Michelin and there must be some careers on the line by now at the latter. No summer holiday for them?

Casey Stoner is starting to look the complete package, but without that huge speed advantage he wouldn't see which way Rossi went.

[Grahameeboy]

Michelin had it pretty much their own way for most of the past few seasons. and Rossi (and the other Michelin riders) had the benefit of that.

Spare a thought for the guys on Dunlops.

Bridgestone have adapted to the new tyre rules better than Michelin and there must be some careers on the line by now at the latter. No summer holiday for them?

Casey Stoner is starting to look the complete package, but without that huge speed advantage he wouldn't see which way Rossi went.

You are dead right......the power advantage of the Ducati is significant and I am sure it helps Stoner to keep Rossi at bay but it shows how good a rider Rossi is when he also has dodgy tyres and in some races he has got past Stoner.

But good for Stoner regardless of any advantage...I seem to recall that his old man made financial sacrifices and took Stoner to the UK to get him to where he is now.

Rossi can make an average bike look good and Stoner makes a good bike look good...that is the difference.

[Brian d marge]

Legend of the week/year must go to Melandri ... that was a scary crash,,,

anyone who can leap of a bike at well over 100 Km/h ( remember Speed kills ) Then get back on the bike short of 15 min later , Qualify AND end up on the podium

and then theres chas davis ...

Have to feel sorry for Rossi , the mans a trier ,,but its not comming together !

Stephen

[BIGBOSSMAN]

I undstood Rossi was gay, too.
but it's not like he's going around shoving his lifestyle down anyones throat. :shit:

Uccio should be ok with that, I hear Val has a rather small lifestyle...:sick:

[denill]

You are dead right......the power advantage of the Ducati is significant and I am sure it helps Stoner to keep Rossi at bay but it shows how good a rider Rossi is when he also has dodgy tyres and in some races he has got past Stoner.

At Laguna the power advantage was said to be of no help whatsoever to Stoner.:nono::nono:

[denill]

Pretty sure I heard on Sky News - that Stoner has been retained for 5mil a year!!

[Grahameeboy]

At Laguna the power advantage was said to be of no help whatsoever to Stoner.:nono::nono:

Thats cause Rossi crashed.......

[BarryG]

Rossi's interview after the race http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2007/Jul/070723-46.htm was all about tyres - his take, and not an unreasonable one really, is that the race is pretty much all about tyres only, and if Michelins are working one race, those so equipped run away and hide, and vice versa for Bridgestone. It's not exactly a whinge about not having the best tyres, rather saying that the quality of the racing has been compromised. As he says, the fan has a racer or bike he's keen on, not a tyre manufacturer.
Stoner is still brilliant, however, and the revelation of the season, in a year of learning about 800cc bikes for all the manufacturers, and Ducati with him seem to have their collective sums right, after banging on the door with the 990's.
Pity about Hopper and Nicky, especially considering how well Chris the V went all race, altho' I reckon Nicky would have had the same tyre issues as the other Michelin runners, and would have been unlikely for a third win here.
All in all, not much of a race, really, unless you like processions. Mind you, the dice for 7/8/9/10 was pretty entertaining, but typically, the TV did'nt spend a lot of time on it.
Cheers
Barry

[denill]

Thats cause Rossi crashed.......

Rossi crashed???

[BigG]

Rossi crashed??? Must have got the previous week, that cork screw is awesome eh. Grahameboy

[denill]

Rossi's interview after the race http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2007/Jul/070723-46.htm was all about tyres - his take, and not an unreasonable one really, is that the race is pretty much all about tyres only, and if Michelins are working one race, those so equipped run away and hide, and vice versa for Bridgestone. It's not exactly a whinge about not having the best tyres, rather saying that the quality of the racing has been compromised. As he says, the fan has a racer or bike he's keen on, not a tyre manufacturer.
Stoner is still brilliant, however, and the revelation of the season, in a year of learning about 800cc bikes for all the manufacturers, and Ducati with him seem to have their collective sums right, after banging on the door with the 990's.
Pity about Hopper and Nicky, especially considering how well Chris the V went all race, altho' I reckon Nicky would have had the same tyre issues as the other Michelin runners, and would have been unlikely for a third win here.
All in all, not much of a race, really, unless you like processions. Mind you, the dice for 7/8/9/10 was pretty entertaining, but typically, the TV did'nt spend a lot of time on it.
Cheers
Barry

Yeah, good points Barry. That's the same race that I saw. I read Val's comments on tyres and they make sense. BUT he did not voice those opinions till this year. Funny that?? Last year no-one seemed to have any big problems with the disparity.

The Control Tyre would make it very interesting, as it has for WSBK, despite all the misgivings - including mine!

As someone said though, what would happen to the Dunlop Team? Unless Dunlop was made the control tyre:gob::gob:

[sAsLEX]

Yeah, good points Barry. That's the same race that I saw. I read Val's comments on tyres and they make sense. BUT he did not voice those opinions till this year. Funny that?? Last year no-one seemed to have any big problems with the disparity.


As its a new rule.

Last year Michelin was making tires at the track, exactly how Rossi and the others wanted them.

Cannot do that anymore.

[SimJen]

Rossi is not gay.... Uccio is his childhood best friend, they grew up together racing bikes around the streets of his home town Tavullia.
Rossi has had some famous (to europeans) girlfriends: ballerinas, models etc.
Some very hot chicks...

elisabetta canalis and another arianna matteuzzi.
He also seems to like the odd dooby ;)

[denill]

Watching the after function at Laguna I reflected with no disrespect at all on - where is the lantern jawed, John Wayne type that one would expect from these death-defying gladiators who have been wrestling with their bucking machines on the knife edge of safety and disaster. Rossi, Stoner, Vermuelen et al just do not have the persona of 'Hard Men'. But that they are is of no doubt. Melandri typified that!

[SimJen]

Watching the after function at Laguna I reflected with no disrespect at all on - where is the lantern jawed, John Wayne type that one would expect from these death-defying gladiators who have been wrestling with their bucking machines on the knife edge of safety and disaster. Rossi, Stoner, Vermuelen et al just do not have the persona of 'Hard Men'. But that they are is of no doubt. Melandri typified that!

Sounds like you've been reading Doctor Costa's book of philosophy......

[denill]

A <a href=http://www.speedtv.com/articles/moto/commentary/38809/>Good Read on Stoner:</A>

[denill]

And here's a <a href=http://www.motogpnews.com/home.php?title=comments&thepageid=888>Very Different Angle:</A>

[k14]

And here's a <a href=http://www.motogpnews.com/home.php?title=comments&thepageid=888>Very Different Angle:</A>
Man I love this site:

Private Roger Lee Hayden

Action Hero

Being known in some circles as Nicky's dimmer brother meant that the expectations on Roger Lee were smaller than Pedrosa's Speedos.

Although I have to say this is the best bit of recent times:

Third was Championship leader Faubel, the flowery hippy one of the most consistent rider in the class. He was just ahead of the remarkable Bradley Smith. I may go on about him a lot, but his front row position was pretty spectacular. Just consider the facts:

1) He’s on a Honda
2) He’s got broken bones
3) He’s English
4) He’s ginger
5) He’s on a Honda
6) He’s ginger

Pretty cool, you have to say.

[deeknow]

Sure, Stoner can ride.. and apparently stay on the bike when he doesnt have to make up for whatever disadvantage he had on the LCR-Honda.

But I really do feel sorry for him... he may be young... and loaded... and a superstar... but he's foolishly also got a long-term girlfriend who follows him to all the race meets. How's he gonna live the Barry Sheene lifestyle now.

[k14]

but he's foolishly also got a long-term girlfriend who follows him to all the race meets. How's he gonna live the Barry Sheene lifestyle now.
Thats his wife actually.

[sAsLEX]

Thats his wife actually.

yeah it would be hard having to put up with this every morning

<img src=http://alpinestarsinc.com/files/news/main/ivfcs_071807_900x300.jpg>

[denill]

Nieto, Martinez, Criville, Alzamora and Pons share their views on the 2007 MotoGP season thus far:

All of them have been Repsol riders and have won an astonishing 22 world titles. Ángel Nieto, Jorge Martínez ‘Aspar’, Álex Crivillé, Emilio Alzamora and Sito Pons analyse the most burning aspects currently under discussion in the championship which is now on summer holidays until 19th August when the Czech Republic GP starts.

What is the most surprising thing for you at the halfway mark?

Ángel Nieto: “Obviously Ducati and Stoner. I think that this is something that has surprised us all; we did not expect this reaction from Ducati and Stoner. Casey did not arrive with a great record – he fell a lot in 250cc – and last year in MotoGP too. Logically he was not among the favourites. But he is having an incredible season and making things difficult for Honda and Yamaha.”

Jorge Martínez “Aspar”: “I am surprised with the great balance achieved by Ducati, Bridgestone and Stoner. I was convinced that Honda was going to be much higher up. The truth is that this is a surprising season all round. Not one that many people would have been able to predict at the beginning. Not even me! I did not think that what is happening was going to happen either.”

Alex Crivillé: “It is clear that Stoner`s performance on the Ducati is what has most surprised me.”

Emilio Alzamora: “Well, the most surprising is Stoner and his Ducati. People thought he would have difficulties above all on the twisty circuits, but this is not the case. He has been competitive right up to the present day, half a season, at all the circuits, in all conditions, whether in the wet or in the dry, and in complicated training sessions… This is what has been the most surprising.

At the same time pehaps the negative surprise has been Dani Pedrosa`s position and where he is now, because I think he is a rider that has what it takes to be higher. He had had a year that few riders ever have and that was in his first season in the top category. But this year he has come across some difficulties and a new bike that even HRC has admitted was wrong, the concept and the MotoGP project, and this means that we are not seeing Dani where he should be halfway through the season.”

Sito Pons: “The truth is that this season is surprising because Stoner is showing great consistency. I think that he has been the revelation of the season. Above all because he is showing a great maturity for his age. It is clear that he was a fast rider, with talent and with a great future, that is what we thought when we thought about signing him up for the MotoGP project, so that he could take a step up. But now with the Ducati and the Bridgestone tyres, I think that this combination has given him the confidence necessary not to make mistakes and to have this great season.”

Your opinion of the battle between Bridgestone and Michelin in MotoGP. Is it fair that they make so much difference?

Ángel Nieto: “The truth is that for me people speak too much about tyres. Lately it seems they are the reason why some win and others lose. I think that the tyres work when the chassis and all the other components on the bike are in their place. Then the tyre behaviour can always be better or worse, and if the chassis is giving problems they are going to wear down more and the rider will probably not feel comfortable. I think that a machine is the whole, what happens is that the tyres have their importance. Bridgestone and Michelin are fighting to win the championship, another war apart from that of the rider`s and the constructor`s. The World Championship is exciting!”

Jorge Martínez “Aspar”: “We are speaking about a World Championship. The rules are what they are and tyres have always marked the difference when it comes to titles. In any category. With the situation we have at the moment perhaps Michelín is complaining more, because it has always been the one that dominated but now without a doubt it is Bridgestone that is ahead.”

Alex Crivillé: “I think it is OK. This year it seems that Bridgestone is winning the battle with Michelín, but we have to finish the season. There is nothing decided yet and Michelín of course is pulling the stops out. They are going to work well and are going to win races this year as they have already done.”

Emili Alzamora: “We are in the middle of a complicated year for the constructors and riders, because the new regulations that limit the number of tyres means that there are changes and we have already seen some this year. I think that Bridgestone, with the experience it had and with the new regulations, is one step ahead. Tyre technology should also be limited a little, because the behaviour of a bike depends a lot on them.”

Sito Pons: “I think that it is just another ingredient to make the championship more exciting.”

Technological progress. Do you think this ruins the spectacle?

Ángel Nieto: “Yes, a little. What happens is that the bikes gain in safety. What I like least is to see riders falling and in this sense technological progress is good. But we do not see sliding as we did in the 2 stroke 500cc category. Traction control is great, but a little of the spectacle has been lost. Although at the same time it is true that it is still spectacular because we see a lot of makes and many riders have a chance of winning. Now some of the races we see in MotoGP are like those in 125cc, with seven or eight riders fighting to win during the whole race.”

Continued:

[denill]

Jorge Martínez “Aspar”: “Well, without a doubt. In some things, without a doubt. I am convinced that the bikes a few years ago were more spectacular and much more difficult to set up and to ride. The latest technology makes everything evolve, but at the same time everything is easier. Therefore I think that it does ruin the spectacle a little.”

Alex Crivillé: “Yes a little. If you refer to traction control, I think that in this aspect we have advanced with the technology, but we have taken a small step backwards concerning the spectacle. Perhaps it is here where they will have to make a move backwards a little bit.”

Emilio Alzamora: “I think that depends on where we look from. Because it is clear that on the one side, all this electronics and technology makes the riding more equal, and with the change in displacement the makes are also more equal. On the one hand this is good because there are more bikes setting the same type of times and more riders in with a chance of winning the championship. But it is also true that the riding skill is less and less important. The rider is always what counts on a motorbike, but there are many aids available now, above all for the traction, with all this new technology.”

Sito Pons: “I do not think so. I think that the races are just as spectacular as they were before. Perthaps they have lost a little of the emotion regarding the slides we saw before. But basically the races, if we compare them to any other motorsport, motorbike races are more spectacular, entertaining and exciting than anything else in the motoring world.”

¿800cc, 990cc or 500cc? Why?

Ángel Nieto: “I think that the actual 800cc is great, because it is not the 990cc we saw in the last few years. It seems to be a very good size. It is amazing to watch these bikes, both the Ducati as well as the Honda. I have the sensation that the technical side has its evolution and has to be there, just like riders evolve.

Jorge Martínez “Aspar”: “I think that it is not a problem of displacement. I think that it is a problem of technology. The evolution from last year to this year is incredible with the 800cc. They are really fast. I do not think that it is a problem of size but one of rules, concerning traction control and other similar things, and not the displacement.”

Alex Crivillé: “For me the 800cc category is the right one, but as I said before I think that traction control should be eliminated. This bike can be great fun I think.”

Emili Alzamora: “At the moment in all the categoríes there is a good spectacle. At the level of the final spectacle, I think that 800cc is what is making the championship more equal, which in the end is what the public wants. That there are more riders fighting for the lead and for it to be more equal.”

Sito Pons: “I think that this depends a little on the era and how the technology is developing and evolving. In its time the two stroke 500cc bikes were the most advanced bikes technologically speaking; then came the 990cc and the four strokes. Now what is happening is that four stroke engines with a smaller displacement are being used, without forgetting that all these technological advances are being mounted on standard street bikes.”

Do you think that this year is going to be a turning point for the new generation in MotoGP?

Ángel Nieto: “I think that the new generation is here. We have riders like Dani Pedrosa, 21, Stoner also 21... There are very young riders on the way, and it seems that Valentino is now very old, but he is only 28. Moreover, Valentino is a rider who has not really been affected by injuries very much, he in that sense is not running on borrowed time. So when we speak of a new generation it seems that he is not part of it because he is four or five years older. The generational change has been here for some time.”

Jorge Martínez “Aspar”: “Without a doubt because it started last year and I think it is getting the final touch this year. It is logical and natural. This is life. That is why the new generations are arriving.”

Alex Crivillé: “It is likely, but it is still not clear to me whether riders like Capirossi and Barros are going to continue. I think so, they want to carry on and they are the old generation. Perhaps next year is too soon, but riders like Lorenzo will arrive, and we already have Pedrosa. All these are the new generation, where at the moment the king is Stoner. Rossi is also there, although it is not clear whether he is still at the top of his form or he is losing a little of his edge. We will see.”

Emilio Alzamora: “In my opinion Rossi is a tough man to beat, so I think that it is not. I think that Valentino Rossi, if he has no problems will win the championship. What is in fact true is that there is a change of generation in the displacement, with young talented riders moving into it, like Pedrosa, Stoner and others who will arrive. There is a new generation, but what happens is that if things turn out like they have to I still think that Rossi is still one step ahead of the rest. Although Stoner has things in his favour, he has a guaranteed chance of winning.”

Sito Pons: “I think that the change of generation in MotoGP started last year, in 2006 and what is happening this year is that this new generation is establishing itself, and this will be even more noticeable in 2008 with the arrival of more youngsters. That will be the definitive moment, which on the other hand is what happens in real life.”

[deeknow]

Thats his wife actually.

even worse... I rest my case :dodge: