Donington MotoGP.

**White trash** · 23rd July 2005, 08:26

Well, after the first free practice session, it goes.
1: Edwards (Yay!)
2: Rossi (Yawn)
3: Hopkins (WTF?!)

See it here

Will it be Edwards first MotoGP win?

**Zed** · 23rd July 2005, 08:32

Originally Posted by White trash

Well, after the first free practice session, it goes.
1: Edwards (Yay!)
2: Rossi (Yawn)
3: Hopkins (WTF?!)

See it here

Will it be Edwards first MotoGP win?

He came 2nd there last year so that should be his motivation to do better this time round!

**White trash** · 23rd July 2005, 08:42

Yeah, and I think after his magnificent pass on Rossi at Laguna, he'll be hungry for that first win. Donington has a habit of producing funny results though. Remember our own Simon Crafar giving the worlds best the learn 'round there to the tune of eleven seconds.

**zadok** · 23rd July 2005, 09:54

Certainly possible, but the weather will no doubt make things awkward and Rossi is a master.

**Matt Bleck** · 23rd July 2005, 11:05

Yeah I've been gunning for Edwards this year too.

Not that I don't think Rossi is the shit, but as ya say white trash, YAWN!!

Its good to see a WSBK champ doing well in the GP, lets hope he can stay consitant!!

**FROSTY:Me** · 23rd July 2005, 11:37

Thats exactly the problem with someone as good as rossi. It makes life friggin hard for the promoters dunnit--hard to keep people interested in watching

**TwoSeven** · 23rd July 2005, 11:58

Valantino 'the poof' rossi will win on better tires. He will make the pass 5 laps from the end.

Bet rossi goes for the harder compound again.

**sAsLEX** · 23rd July 2005, 13:27

Originally Posted by White trash

Yeah, and I think after his magnificent pass on Rossi at Laguna, he'll be hungry for that first win. Donington has a habit of producing funny results though. Remember our own Simon Crafar giving the worlds best the learn 'round there to the tune of eleven seconds.

Yeah that pass took some rather large balls and a big scoop of skill! Kinda showed rossi out of his comfort zone Laguna.

Originally Posted by TwoSeven

Valantino 'the poof' rossi will win on better tires. He will make the pass 5 laps from the end.

Is it better tires, or tyres, or is it the fact that he rides around the fault. In races where everyones tyres are going off Rossi just seems to be able to ride with the back end, and front, stepping out in the corners.

I think it was assen where they showed him flying through a corner when the front followed by the back let go and he just caught it and carried on.

**bugjuice** · 23rd July 2005, 14:01

rossirossirossirossirossi..
i think rossi.

**sAsLEX** · 23rd July 2005, 14:07

Originally Posted by bugjuice

rossirossirossirossirossi..
i think rossi.

I think the texan will be hard to beat, he has done well in the past here and his last race would of given him a bit of courage/knowledge that he can get past and stay infront of rossi.

**bugjuice** · 23rd July 2005, 14:11

Originally Posted by sAsLEX

I think the texan will be hard to beat, he has done well in the past here and his last race would of given him a bit of courage/knowledge that he can get past and stay infront of rossi.

I'm sure he'll be a big threat, and I'm sure for the majority of the race, he'll be either up there, or leading. But 3 from the end, Rossi will pull out the big guns..

**White trash** · 23rd July 2005, 14:15

Originally Posted by bugjuice

I'm sure he'll be a big threat, and I'm sure for the majority of the race, he'll be either up there, or leading. But 3 from the end, Rossi will pull out the big guns..

What? Like he did in the USA?

Don't underestimate his teammate. Edwards has learned alot from Rossi in the first half of this season. Most notably that the young fellah always goes with a longer lasting tyre than his competitors. Edwards now has the bit between his teeth and is charging for his first race win. He played an amazingly mature race game at Laguna and it almost paid off.

I will also be interested as to how long the Suzuki of Hopper can stay with the leaders. Espeacially if it's wet.

As usual, it's gona be a fucken outstanding race.

**sAsLEX** · 23rd July 2005, 14:16

Originally Posted by bugjuice

I'm sure he'll be a big threat, and I'm sure for the majority of the race, he'll be either up there, or leading. But 3 from the end, Rossi will pull out the big guns..

and i note rossis bike was one of the faster in the pratice 275 or so only hayden was that quick as well, wonder why the others aren't faster than the Yam like they normally are?

**TwoSeven** · 23rd July 2005, 15:09

Well I suspect the temp will be between 18-20C so I would expect rossi to put on a medium to medium hard rear and a medium or soft front. Edwards will most likely go for a medium front and a medium-soft to soft rear.

That means you'll see edwards up front for the first few laps (assuming a good start) and then fading at about lap 12. Rossi, if not already leading by then will move up at about lap 12, then if still not in the lead will push hard at the 3/4 distance mark.

Thats how I think they will go compared against each other. As to how the rest of the riders will go, I havn't looked at the latest standings.

**Marknz** · 23rd July 2005, 18:45

Can Edwards win his first MotoGP race at Donington?

Yes he can, but I'm tipping he won't. Edwards will probably be top of the timesheets till about 3 minutes before the end of the qualifying session when Rossi will duck into the pits, have the lads put a super sticky qualifyer on, and then go out and grab the #1 slot on the grid. Then, as someone else mentioned, he'll probably trail the leaders in the race till about 5 laps from the end and then use the tyre he's been saving to win by about 2.5 seconds.

But of it rains... well fook me, even one of those Spewzukis might surprise the hell out of us.