Interested in MotoGP?

**denill** · 2nd May 2008, 13:04

Kiwi Repsol Honda Crew Chief, Pete Benson talks:

**Matt Bleck** · 2nd May 2008, 14:14

great read, cheers!

**denill** · 3rd May 2008, 04:03

And a Chinese MotoGP Motorcycle: Well sorta............

**BarryG** · 4th May 2008, 10:31

Just in time for the Shanghai race to be taken off the calendar - they won't be happy about that.
Doesn't John Surtees look old? I guess he must be by now, but still........
Pretty bike, like most 125's. Harris do good work, I reckon. And with Jan Witteveen doing the motor, it should be competitive.
Now all they need is a good development rider, which won't be easy to find. Mind, they'll likely pay well, so should be able to attract a few chancers.

Cheers
Barry

**denill** · 4th May 2008, 10:38

Originally Posted by BarryG

Just in time for the Shanghai race to be taken off the calendar - they won't be happy about that.
Doesn't John Surtees look old? I guess he must be by now, but still........
Pretty bike, like most 125's. Harris do good work, I reckon. And with Jan Witteveen doing the motor, it should be competitive.
Now all they need is a good development rider, which won't be easy to find. Mind, they'll likely pay well, so should be able to attract a few chancers.

Cheers
Barry

Giday Barry.
Are you back in the States now?

You wrote: "Doesn't John Surtees look old? I guess he must be by now." Yeah he is... Talked to him at Puke when he was out here a couple of years ago. Very approachable guy.
Rossi will never be bothered talking to me.............

Cheers
Bill

**denill** · 6th May 2008, 07:53

A Poll:

**denill** · 6th May 2008, 11:28

After toughing it out in China he may not be able to ride LeMans..........

Did you read:

Lorenzo diagnosed with further ankle fracture
Monday, 05 May 2008

Jorge Lorenzo examined in Barcelona; right ankle, originally thought to be the least damaged, more seriously injured than in original diagnosis.

Directly upon his return from Shanghai to Barcelona, Jorge Lorenzo was taken to the Spanish city´s Institut Universitari Dexeus by ambulance for further inspection of the injuries suffered last Friday in a huge highside crash.

The man in charge of the Fiat Yamaha rider´s medical issues, Dr. Xavier Mir, submitted Lorenzo to an examination of both his left and right ankles, and found a further fracture of the right astragalus (the bone that articulates with the tibia, fibula, calcaneus, and navicular) and a broken ligament in the left ankle.

Lorenzo –who was last operated on by Dr. Mir for a compartmental syndrome in his arm after victory in Portugal- will not be required to go under the knife for his latest injury. However, he will be confined to a wheelchair in order to immobilise both ankles, with particular attention needed for the right hand side.

After confirming that Lorenzo's right ankle injury was more serious than previously though, Dr. Mir explained the next step in supervising the recovery process.

`Next Monday we will carry out more tests, and make a more detailed evaluation of the injuries suffered on both sides,´ said Mir in a statement.

Whilst the MotoGP rookie was able to ride to fourth position in Sunday´s race, the nature of his injuries mean that participation in Le Mans could be in doubt

**roogazza** · 9th May 2008, 10:11

Thanks Bill , if it wasn't for you there would be stuff all to read in the racing section.
This place has really died in the bum. Like you, I spend more time elsewhere nowdays.
Bayliss for Monza I'm betting ? Gaz.

**denill** · 9th May 2008, 10:29

Originally Posted by roogazza

Thanks Bill , if it wasn't for you there would be stuff all to read in the racing section.
This place has really died in the bum. Like you, I spend more time elsewhere nowdays.

Aw shucks Gaz.

Originally Posted by roogazza

Bayliss for Monza I'm betting ? Gaz.

Now there's a brave pick Gaz!

**denill** · 9th May 2008, 10:34

Originally Posted by roogazza

Thanks Bill , if it wasn't for you there would be stuff all to read in the racing section.
This place has really died in the bum. Like you, I spend more time elsewhere nowdays.
Bayliss for Monza I'm betting ? Gaz.

Hey Gaz. Have you checked out the CycleNews Poll lately. Your boy's the flavour of the month, whereas Mrs Stoner's husband's not!

**roogazza** · 9th May 2008, 18:21

Originally Posted by denill

Hey Gaz. Have you checked out the CycleNews Poll lately. Your boy's the flavour of the month, whereas Mrs Stoner's husband's not!

Ha , yeah saw that !

You'll remember I picked Bayliss at the beginning !!!

ps Mrs Stoner inspires me ... G

**denill** · 12th May 2008, 16:57

Lorenzo in a wheelchair!!!

Having flown straight back to Spain on Sunday night following his stunning ride to fourth place in Shanghai last weekend, Fiat Yamaha Team rider Jorge Lorenzo visited the Dexeus Institue in Barcelona on Monday morning for further examination by world-renowned specialist Dr Xavier Mir.

The doctor, who had only operated on Lorenzo two weeks ago to relieve compartmental syndrome in his right forearm, was keen to carry out his own diagnosis on the injuries sustained during free practice for the Grand Prix of China, which the Clinica Mobile had treated to great effect in Shanghai in order to allow Lorenzo to ride.

The injuries were confirmed to be slightly worse than first thought, especially to the right ankle, which was originally thought to have escaped fracture. A 3D CAT scan of both ankles revealed the following further injuries:
- Fracture of the Astragalus in the right ankle (no displacement)
- Torn lateral internal ligament in the left ankle

Treatment now consists of a solid cast for Lorenzo's right ankle and an elastic support for his left, temporarily confining him to a wheelchair. "Next Monday we will carry out more tests and make a detailed evaluation of the injuries suffered to both ankles," commented Doctor Mir.

Lorenzo lies second in the MotoGP World Championship after taking a victory, a second place, a third and a fourth from the opening four rounds. He now faces a battle to be fit for the next chapter of his incredible rookie story - the Grand Prix of France at Le Mans on 18th May.

**roogazza** · 13th May 2008, 09:19

He's clearly better than most in that field. Even with his injuries he is assured of good points if he can drug himself again. He's Probably feeling worse than a week ago though ? 'Oh' to be 20 years old and bullet proof Bill ? Gaz.

**denill** · 13th May 2008, 10:22

Originally Posted by roogazza

He's clearly better than most in that field. Even with his injuries he is assured of good points if he can drug himself again. He's Probably feeling worse than a week ago though ? 'Oh' to be 20 years old and bullet proof Bill ? Gaz.

Yeah Gaz. Bullet proof - and pain proof. The guy is fast becoming a legend,eh, and it's his first year???

**HenryDorsetCase** · 13th May 2008, 10:30

Originally Posted by Pete Benson

The riders who have won a World title on a number of occasions, like Doohan or Rossi, have incredibly strong willpower. I think this is the most important quality. They are very strong, mentally speaking. There is always a degree of luck involved in every championship, but you basically win a championship by being constant and fast every week, finishing on the podium in almost every race. What's more, Valentino and Mick wouldn't worry about what anyone said about them, or about what was happening around them. I think the key quality is mental strength, much more important than physical condition or the bike. Willpower is the main difference and is what sets a rider apart.

there is a lesson that any of us can take from that paragraph.