MotoGP 2012

**Crasherfromwayback** · 28th April 2012, 23:24

Originally Posted by carbonhed

They've not got intermediates?

Not for a while now mate.

**denill** · 29th April 2012, 11:53

Originally Posted by carbonhed

They've not got intermediates?

Several journalists raised the question of intermediate tires, but here opinion was split. Casey Stoner dismissed the idea out of hand, saying that he had never found a use for intermediate tires, preferring to run either full wets or chance it on a slick. Cal Crutchlow, however, viewed it differently: if conditions were to be anything like they were on Friday, then his preference would be to start on an intermediate, and hope that it would last the difference. With intermediates having been banned since the introduction of the single tire rule, Crutchlow would instead choose to start on a rain tire, and then pit early and gamble on it staying dry enough to use slicks. And more.

**Crasherfromwayback** · 29th April 2012, 12:40

Why is the worlds best development rider and the best racer of all time only .2 sec faster than the fastest CRT bike, the last Ducati, and the last prototype bike on the grid? He says he's checked Haydens setups info etc. Odd...because when he was top dog at Yamaha...he wouldn't let Lorenzo share his. So it's ok for him to wanna share when he needs help? Oh...the the guy that beat him to the championship in '06' has the same bike on the front row.

Odd.

**Mental Trousers** · 29th April 2012, 12:44

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

Why is the worlds best development rider and the best racer of all time only .2 sec faster than the fastest CRT bike, the last Ducati, and the last prototype bike on the grid? He says he's checked Haydens setups info etc. Odd...because when he was top dog at Yamaha...he wouldn't let Lorenzo share his. So it's ok for him to wanna share when he needs help? Oh...the the guy that beat him to the championship in '06' has the same bike on the front row.

Odd.

Nothing odd about it. He's playing a long game to get what he wants. Seeing as Audi now own all their arses there's a new player in the game now so things are going to be really interesting.

**BMWST?** · 29th April 2012, 12:46

Originally Posted by Mental Trousers

Nothing odd about it. He's playing a long game to get what he wants. Seeing as Audi now own all their arses there's a new player in the game now so things are going to be really interesting.

long game?...with a new boss there is only one place in the team that i would want to be....ahead of ANY other Ducati

**Bassmatt** · 29th April 2012, 12:48

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

Why is the worlds best development rider and the best racer of all time only .2 sec faster than the fastest CRT bike, the last Ducati, and the last prototype bike on the grid? He says he's checked Haydens setups info etc. Odd...because when he was top dog at Yamaha...he wouldn't let Lorenzo share his. So it's ok for him to wanna share when he needs help? Oh...the the guy that beat him to the championship in '06' has the same bike on the front row.

Odd.

I wonder if his heart isn't really in it anymore. He clearly isn't happy with the bike and thats affecting his whole performance.
Or he is shit.

**boman** · 29th April 2012, 13:01

Originally Posted by Bassmatt

I wonder if his heart isn't really in it anymore. He clearly isn't happy with the bike and thats affecting his whole performance.
Or he is shit.

Fair comment. I don't think he is shit in any way shape or form. More frustrated at the lack of progress. If you believed all the hype and comments at the start of last year, he should have won the championship again.

That has to be offputting??

**Crasherfromwayback** · 29th April 2012, 13:03

Originally Posted by Mental Trousers

Nothing odd about it. He's playing a long game to get what he wants.

Bollocks!!

**Crasherfromwayback** · 29th April 2012, 13:05

Originally Posted by Bassmatt

I wonder if his heart isn't really in it anymore. .

Think you've nailed it. Also not prepared to risk it all anymore. Especially after his good mate Simo dying last year.

**Mental Trousers** · 29th April 2012, 13:07

Originally Posted by BMWST?

long game?...with a new boss there is only one place in the team that i would want to be....ahead of ANY other Ducati

Audi know how to take a flakey little company that relies entirely on image to sell anything and turn them into a successful business that moves 10x the number of units they used to. Vale is a sales gold mine that Ducati isn't really taking advantage of. Depends on whether Audi can be bothered sorting things out to put him back at the top of the game or not.

**Crasherfromwayback** · 29th April 2012, 13:14

Originally Posted by Mental Trousers

Vale is a sales gold mine that Ducati isn't really taking advantage of. .

So far I'd say Rossi is THE biggest waste of money and THE worst PR disaster in Ducati's proud (until now) history.

**merv** · 29th April 2012, 13:16

Yep, time Ducati looked for some new young blokes to race its bikes, the old fellahs can retire now and stay home and polish their trophys.

**carbonhed** · 29th April 2012, 13:17

Originally Posted by denill

Several journalists raised the question of intermediate tires, but here opinion was split. Casey Stoner dismissed the idea out of hand, saying that he had never found a use for intermediate tires, preferring to run either full wets or chance it on a slick. Cal Crutchlow, however, viewed it differently: if conditions were to be anything like they were on Friday, then his preference would be to start on an intermediate, and hope that it would last the difference. With intermediates having been banned since the introduction of the single tire rule, Crutchlow would instead choose to start on a rain tire, and then pit early and gamble on it staying dry enough to use slicks. And more.

Interesting. Thanks.

Hayden front row, Rossi 13th... and beaten by de Puniet on a CRT bike. Those CRT bikes look like scarey mofo's.

Spies 1.5 secs behind his teammate and then is reported as saying the following after speculation his position may be under threat from Dovi :-

"I don't care," said Spies. "Dovizioso has been in the series about triple the time that I've been here and he's had his chance at factory seats.

"I think that people know his ability and what it is. It's fourth to sixth place finishes and that's not bad but it's not Casey or Jorge for sure."

Which seems rather out of character for Ben so maybe he is feeling the heat.

**Crasherfromwayback** · 29th April 2012, 13:21

Originally Posted by carbonhed

"I think that people know his ability and what it is. It's fourth to sixth place finishes and that's not bad but it's not Casey or Jorge for sure."

Which seems rather out of character for Ben so maybe he is feeling the heat.

Which is about Spies's ability on a good day right now. I really thought he's step up at first. He certainly needs to on the thous. No excuse re body size etc anymore I reckon.