Who Will Win The 2008 MotoGP Series:

[denill]

Will Yamaha give the Doctor a series winning bike?
Will Stoner maintain his fast, consistent, sensible approach next year?
What effect will the tyres (control or otherwise) have on the series?

[Finn]

Will Yamaha give the Doctor a series winning bike?
Will Stoner maintain his fast, consistent, sensible approach next year?
What effect will the tyres (control or otherwise) have on the series?

Huh? Its already been won.

Edit: Sorry, you mean 08. Stoner.

[denill]

Hey Finn, you were quick - or should that be slow?

[deanohit]

I think it will be a ripper of a year as Yamaha should have pulled finger and relised they need a better bike, we know the Doctor is up to it with the right bike, while Stoner has proven he's got what it takes, Ducati had better not just rest on their laurels either. Picking Stoner to win though.

[sAsLEX]

Will Yamaha and Michelin provide a consistant platform for the Doctor?


Surprising since he bought the M1 from an underperfoming pig to title in one year, and now its not keeping its end of the bargin.

Stoner will be most difficult to beat though.

[k14]

I reckon vermeulen could be on for an outside bet. Been there or thereabouts for quite a few races this year so far, still learning the tracks this year but will come on stronger next year. The suzuki is slowly getting more and more sorted too.

[SimJen]

Stoner will be hard to beat, but he's not unbeatable. Bridgestone still have their troubles on certain tracks too!
My money is on Rossi, I'd imagine he may end up retiring shortly and as he's only signed up for one more year with Yamaha, he might make the big push to finish on a high.
Unless! Pedrosa and the Honda come right.....

[banditrider]

Hard to believe that Yamaha will let Ducati get away with it 2 years in a row and the Doctor loves a challenge.

Also, Honda have been out of the picture for a while and won't be liking it.

[MotoGirl]

I reckon Stoner could do it again (go the Ducati!). It's hard to say - Rossi has had some bloody good challengers (e.g. Sete Gibernau) and he's still pipped them for the championship.

[sAsLEX]

I reckon Stoner could do it again (go the Ducati!). It's hard to say - Rossi has had some bloody good challengers (e.g. Sete Gibernau) and he's still pipped them for the championship.

Was the German GP a few years back when those two were battling for the lead. Rossi was being a cheeky fucker and had let Gib past, to follow him and pass him in the last lap for the win, however he miscalculated and Gib held a better line through the last turn to pip him to the line........... the look on Rossi's face as he realised he had let himself be beaten was priceless.

[chris]

Stoner is gonna have his hands full beating his team mate for next year, Melandri. Throw Lorenzo into the mix on a Yamaha, Pedrosa on a fast improving Honda and Rossi wanting to show them all he's still boss and it's gonna be an interesting 2008!

[SimJen]

Yeah at least Rossi used to make it dramatic. He's always one to make it fun for the fans. If only Schumacher had done that in F1 we wouldn't have had all those drab years of boring racing.

[NZsarge]

Yeah at least Rossi used to make it dramatic. He's always one to make it fun for the fans. If only Schumacher had done that in F1 we wouldn't have had all those drab years of boring racing.
I'm a reasonably big F1 fan but now Schuey had retired i find it quite dull, love him or hate him he bought a certain something to the big show that is missing now, all the rest of them are characterless.BTW Rossi despite the last two seasons is still the man!

[SimJen]

I'm a reasonably big F1 fan but now Schuey had retired i find it quite dull, love him or hate him he bought a certain something to the big show that is missing now, all the rest of them are characterless.BTW Rossi despite the last two seasons is still the man!

Characterless??? I beg to differ. :argue:
Besides being a bad looser and a cheat (remember Damon Hill/Jacques Villeneuve etc), he ran away with the championships leaving the rest of the guys to have the better battles behind him.
No doubt he's a good driver, but seriously he had just as little personality as Mika or Kimi.
F1 needs a kick up the ass, remove the wings, get rid of traction control and give them a gear lever back!
Motogp is where the personalities live (well at least one anyway - Rossi) :)

[NZsarge]

Characterless??? I beg to differ. :argue:
Besides being a bad looser and a cheat (remember Damon Hill/Jacques Villeneuve etc), he ran away with the championships leaving the rest of the guys to have the better battles behind him.
No doubt he's a good driver, but seriously he had just as little personality as Mika or Kimi.
F1 needs a kick up the ass, remove the wings, get rid of traction control and give them a gear lever back!
Motogp is where the personalities live (well at least one anyway - Rossi) :)

I also beg to differ:argue::whistle:Damon Hill was lucky and thats about it and Jacques Villeneuve was and is a no talent hack (and VERY VERY lucky) ,sorry he had talent....at moaning his arse off! Schuey ran away with those campionships because of one obvious reason (despite these allegations of cheating)his talent as a driver was greater than anyone else, you can argue all you like to the contrary, but that would be pointless because the FACTS speak for themselves. By the way i've heard that Kimi is quite the hard case when away from the public eye.:calm::done::Offtopic:

[SimJen]

I also beg to differ:argue::whistle:Damon Hill was lucky and thats about it and Jacques Villeneuve was and is a no talent hack (and VERY VERY lucky) ,sorry he had talent....at moaning his arse off! Schuey ran away with those campionships because of one obvious reason (despite these allegations of cheating)his talent as a driver was greater than anyone else, you can argue all you like to the contrary, but that would be pointless because the FACTS speak for themselves. By the way i've heard that Kimi is quite the hard case when away from the public eye.:calm::done::Offtopic:

I beg to differ....again.
Damon and Jacques did what it took to get a championship which makes them no less a champion than anyone else......
Schuey knocked both Damon and Jacques off the track, effectively handing himself the championship on two different years. These are'nt allegations, I saw it with my own eyes.....pitiful driving.
Yeah I heard Kimi was a mad man once he's had a few. I've heard that about lots of Fins!

[mynameis]

It will definitely be an interesting year with a new kid on the block Jorge Lorenzo alongside Valentino Rossi. I am guessing Rossi will not be in the scene for too long and if the kid, Lorenzo gets along well with Rossi, he'll learn lots and has a good chance of winning. He's got too much fire in his belly and is very aggressive and does have a chance to win. Yamaha should hopefully provide them with a good machine to match Ducati.

Having said that Casey Stoner is too good and has a long way to go. He would be hard to beat, as everything is working in his favour, the machine, him being a awesome rider ect. On the same note Rossi will want to leave on a high and show them who the man is and you can never dismiss the old guns in my opinion.

My pick would be a close one between Rossi and Stoner but Jorge will definitely fire things up in the series. And with new advancements in bikes and a new fresh year who knows perhaps someone from Kawasaki, Suzuki or Honda might prevail. All up definitely a good year for us spectators!!

[codgyoleracer]

If Yamaha have a site down & a complete re-think, then Rossi would be my pic, He is still quicker going in & also at mid turn than Mr Stoner, but the electrickery of the Duke coming out of corners & the HP in a straight is very impressive.
If Rossi does do it then - Stoner 2nd & Vermullen 3rd.

Fly in the ointment - Lorenzo & Davitsioso ? , who knows he may jsut click with it............:2thumbsup

[cowpoos]

the electrickery of the Duke coming out of corners & the HP in a straight is very impressive.


I don't actually reckon thats the case...theres more than one ducati out there with a top rider on board!!...but theres only one at the pointy end consitantly...I think it was stoner that made the difference...on a good bike [probally not the best one]...with a good team...and good suport that won him the championship this year...I'm really keen to see how the kawasakis go next year!! and I think the hondas will be back in the running!

[codgyoleracer]

I don't actually reckon thats the case...theres more than one ducati out there with a top rider on board!!...but theres only one at the pointy end consitantly...I think it was stoner that made the difference...on a good bike [probally not the best one]...with a good team...and good suport that won him the championship this year...I'm really keen to see how the kawasakis go next year!! and I think the hondas will be back in the running!

Yeah I suppose the best scenario is those two riders on the exact same bike & tyres to really prove who has the skill.
If that was the case I would still pick Rossi based on his experience & entry / mid turn speed. (although some of that could be in the tyres)
Great to see Stoner do it though aye & at least bring the cup home to "roughly" to this part of the world.

[denill]

Before setting up the poll I thought about listing all the probable and possibles.
But after just a liitle contemplation, at this point of time there really are only two real choices and most of you seem to agree.
Bring on 2008:clap::clap:

[Brian d marge]

Yamaha are already testing next years bike ,,good move

Got to love that desmodromic set up ,,50 yrs old and still doing the biz

wind tunnel testing ..Yamaha /ducati ... cant see signs of Honda testing ( they have a tunel not far from here ,,,but I havent heard any whispers

electronics ... Marrelli weber are investing a bit , though I did hear that they were a bit sharp when they kicked in ( would love to find out a bit more on that )

Tyres
Sylvan Gintolli ... dunlop ,,,watch that space ( interestingly the Michiin rain tyres lasted quite well in the drying track , better that I think the bridgestones who have been testing specifically for this )


Who is a champion . WELL I WANT TO SEE A NEW ZEALANDER ON THE PODIUM

NZ need to get its shit together , to put a champion ( and we do have the talent ,,,I know we do ) on that first step


failing that ..... being a pom Dan Linfoot for champ


Stephen

[NZsarge]

I beg to differ....again.
Damon and Jacques did what it took to get a championship which makes them no less a champion than anyone else......
Schuey knocked both Damon and Jacques off the track, effectively handing himself the championship on two different years. These are'nt allegations, I saw it with my own eyes.....pitiful driving.
Yeah I heard Kimi was a mad man once he's had a few. I've heard that about lots of Fins!

I don't know that if I was in the same position as Schuey I would'nt contemplate doing the same, remember your in the heat of battle so to speak and you under a great deal of pressure. It's all very well to say pitiful driving, cheat! cheat! but until your in that position and believe me, both you and I never will be, it's hard to say how one might react. Take Alonso as case in point, he is supposed to be a goody good guy but i've seen him doing some dodgey shit too when the pressure is on and what about the McLaren debacle?
When there is so much on the line and we've got no idea just how much there is "on the line". Michael has always been the hardest of racers and did as you point out "did what it took" to become champion and in the heat of the moment went too far. If you think he is the only one in that paddock that would of done what he has done in the past you'd be sadly mistaken, there is cheating on all level going on in virtually every sport and buisiness for that matter.
I dont condone cheating but im not about to say that given the same pressure on me and if I was the of the same ultra competitive spirit I would 'nt cross that line, it's not life and death. It's about time some people stopped dragging out the same old shit time and time again to try and prove he is not a great driver because even if you take away the two championship you dredge up he would still be five times a world champion.

[denill]

Interesting to know who are the 'Someone Elses' that have been voted for?

But hey it could well be a wild card.
Who would have bet Stoner to win with 3 races in hand this time last year.

[delusionz]

Being a Kawasaki man I'd love to see a green bike doing better than 6th to last but since that's not likely (Damn it give the Ninja to a man who can ride!!!!) and being from Aussie I'd have to say Gooooooo Stoner!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Toaster]

Gotta love watching the GP... and I only really have sky sport to see the superbikes each month :) love it!

[Kickaha]

Interesting to know who are the 'Someone Elses' that have been voted for?


Tony Elias or Dani Pedrosa

[mynameis]

keystone19 will win motogp in 08 :D

[pritch]

I can remember some of the comments by the pundits in the Brit mags before the start of the season.

Honda would be very strong early. They would have an advantage regarding engine details such as cylinder head form, since they were expected to arrive at an 800cc engine by simply removing one cylinder. The new engine size was even stated to be a Honda plot engineered to give them an advantage.

Stoner's numerous crashes the previous season had gained him joke status...

The guys who write this stuff are supposed to have insider contacts, some have ridden in GPs...

I don't think anybody foresaw the impact that the new tyre rules would have, certainly Michelin don't seem to have. Then there was the new rule limiting fuel which gave (is giving?) all the teams problems.

I'm not sure about Yamaha, before Rossi joined them they usually finished 10th 11th 12th or thereabout. After Rossi joined them they finished 1st and 10th or similar. Lorenzo may be on a learning curve next year so it may still be 1st(?) and 10th for a while.

Be interesting to see if Yamaha can get their new engine to hang together over the winter and to see if Kawasaki can come up with something competitive.

Roll on the 1998 season...

[denill]

Roll on the 1998 season...


Ummm, it's already rolled on? :lol::lol:

[pritch]

Ummm, it's already rolled on? :lol::lol:

Ummm I know we're going to daylight saving this weekend but.....

[denill]

I can remember some of the comments by the pundits in the Brit mags before the start of the season.

Honda would be very strong early. They would have an advantage regarding engine details such as cylinder head form, since they were expected to arrive at an 800cc engine by simply removing one cylinder. The new engine size was even stated to be a Honda plot engineered to give them an advantage.

Stoner's numerous crashes the previous season had gained him joke status...

The guys who write this stuff are supposed to have insider contacts, some have ridden in GPs...

I don't think anybody foresaw the impact that the new tyre rules would have, certainly Michelin don't seem to have. Then there was the new rule limiting fuel which gave (is giving?) all the teams problems.

I'm not sure about Yamaha, before Rossi joined them they usually finished 10th 11th 12th or thereabout. After Rossi joined them they finished 1st and 10th or similar. Lorenzo may be on a learning curve next year so it may still be 1st(?) and 10th for a while.

Be interesting to see if Yamaha can get their new engine to hang together over the winter and to see if Kawasaki can come up with something competitive.


Yeah good points Pritch. Crystal balls are very unreliable.
West the other Bloody Aussie is good for a wild card and if Kawasaki and he keep on the way they are - I reckon a top 5 finish. (This post will self destruct before the end of next season)

[merv]

Roll on the 1998 season...

Yeah I'd love it back, think I had more hair then.

[chris]

Stoner is gonna have his hands full beating his team mate for next year, Melandri.
This will still be the most interesting part of the first few races.

[koba]

Vermulen, Once the suzuki is up to pace.

[cowpoos]

Yeah I'd love it back, think I had more hair then.
but were ya taller?

[NZsarge]

Vermulen, Once the suzuki is up to pace.

I think it would be fair to say Suzuki are'nt far off the pace now, just the odd tweak I reckon

[koba]

I think it would be fair to say Suzuki are'nt far off the pace now, just the odd tweak I reckon

Yep, Damn right, and it shows in the results they have had.
It has taken a long time but next yeah they might just push it that little bit further.

But are Vermulen and hoppy still signed to suzuki?

[NZsarge]

Yep, Damn right, and it shows in the results they have had.
It has taken a long time but next yeah they might just push it that little bit further.

But are Vermulen and hoppy still signed to suzuki?

Pass, I dunno the answer to that one sorry.

[White trash]

but are Vermulen and hoppy still signed to suzuki?


Vermin is, but Hopper is off to Kumandsukme to run around at the back again. Seems he missed the Suzukis performance or lack there of from 2005, thought the Kawasaki was the worst he could get..........

[merv]

but were ya taller?

Yeah I was and as my lovely wife keeps reminding me the average human loses a seventh of their height as they age so when you start out mine or Finn's size at least the seventh we lose isn't as big as some will lose .. lol :clap:

Back in 1998 who was the champ - was still Doohan wasn't it?

As for 2008 - always hard to say because predictions can be fraught with error - I'll guess Rossi will up his act and win it.

[denill]

Looks like one of the 'Some One Elses' won't include the Texas Tornado?

Fiat Yamaha’s Colin Edwards may be coming home.

The Texan is planning to finish his career where it started, in the AMA Superbike Championship, as a member of Yamaha’s U.S. Superbike team in 2009 and 2010.

“That is kind of what I envision,” Edwards said at Sunday’s Japanese GP in Motegi. “Been in the factory team for what, the last three years? And going over to Tech 3 (Yamaha) I think is Yamaha’s polite way of kind of saying ‘Thanks and we need to bring up some young guys,’ which they do. I don’t want to get in the way of some young riders coming up.”

Edwards said he “had a hell of a win streak going there in ’94 and left in ’95 to come to World Superbike. And I felt that ’95 was going to be my year to win the AMA Superbike Championship. I’m not going to say we’re going to go over there…hell, we got to beat Ben (Spies) and Mat (Mladin). That’s the first step. And I think if Yamaha are willing to step up, as in Yamaha factory in Japan, and everything looks right and the cards are on the table and placed in the right position, then, yeah, I’ll do that. I’d definitely be more than interested.”

Edwards has been traveling the world since 1995 and wants to slow down, a little. He has a wife and two young children and it might be time to settle down to a life of domestic tranquility in Conroe, Texas.

“The other end of that, I’ve thought about ‘I’ll see you next year’ and then retire. I entertained that thought for about 30 seconds talking to my wife and she said, you’re going to be so f---ing bored. And she’s right. And it’s not the matter of being bored, it’s just I’ll go crazy not having anything to do or look forward to. And I had this discussion with my crew chief, it’s like, ‘How in the hell am I supposed to stay motivated, much less the whole team, when we have this tire problem?’ Where we go out and test every tire and they’re all a second off the pace. How do you stay motivated? But the reality of it is as soon as you get on the bike and close your shield…you got here for the reason that when you do that you go ten-tenths. As far as motivation off the track, yeah, there are sometimes you can get a little bit down on yourself, but when you close that shield and I don’t give a s--t who you are, if you’re up in this league at this level, you go flat out.” Edwards picked the brains of the Eric and Ben Bostrom during the recent Yamaha dealer show in Orlando, wanting to know everything about the team, the bike, and the series. Many of the tracks Edwards raced on in 1994 are still on the calendar and all have improved. But they’re a long way from grand prix caliber, with the exception of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

“Honestly, I’ve been watching pretty much all the races this year, first off to watch the battle royale that’s been going on; it’s been some good racing,” he said, “but also to look at the tracks. Yeah, there’s nothing like I used to race on. Charlotte and Loudon and Miami. I’ve been watching and, obviously, I know what they’ve done to places.

“You’re going to have to revert back to the old mentality. We grew up in the U.S. and we know that there are corners you absolutely cannot crash. Doesn’t matter what happens, you just can’t crash there and you can’t go over too aggressive of a pass, because the guy you’re trying to pass might crash.”

The current Superbike team has had sporadic results with occasional podiums, but no consistency. For him to come, he’d have to see commitment on the part of the factory. “I think that’s what I’m saying the cards need to be right,” he said. “If it’s going to happen…I don’t want to go over there just to do it. I’m not going to go over there just to compete. I want to go over there and win, which is saying a lot. But at the same time, why else race? There’s no other point in going over there. I’ve had some talking with Keith (McCarty) and stuff. That’s the only reason. There’s no other reason.”

Edwards has had the pick of the best tires in the world, up to this year. The AMA Superbike Championship is essentially a spec series with Dunlop supplying all the factory teams and most of the top satellite teams. Edwards thinks it might be worth exploring other options.

“If Yamaha decides to maybe do something different, to maybe look for an advantage somewhere, we could do that as well,” he said.

[NZsarge]

Yeah, Edwards seems like a fairly decent character, understanding of him to realize that new talent needs to come through, particularly at Yamaha I think. Good luck for the future Mr Edwards.:niceone:

[HenryDorsetCase]

I think Melandri will come from behind.


oh, youre talking about RACING?!??!

[merv]

White Trash you signed up for this series yet?

[denill]

I think Melandri will come from behind.


oh, you're talking about RACING?!??!

Or was it - The Doctor referring to his good friend Uccio?? :bleh::bleh:

[roogazza]

Bill, ya back ? Rossi , if the Tyres and Yamaha work !

ps. You dragged me back, I was finding it hard to keep returning . Gaz.

[denill]

Bill, ya back ? Rossi , if the Tyres and Yamaha work !

ps. You dragged me back, I was finding it hard to keep returning . Gaz.


Giday Gaz. yeah I'm back.

Glad you've found ya way back. Need your erudite (love that?) comments.

Just thought. I voted Stoner - but if the bikes were all equal who would ya vote for. My #1 would be Rossi.

On another tack - doubt if Hayden would feature in the 'SomeOne Elses'