MotoGP 2013

**Crasherfromwayback** · 22nd April 2013, 11:17

Originally Posted by DidJit

Not at all — we witnessed the arrival of another Alien to the top step. Things just got Next Level.

Landed with a thump! Rossi finished with a Ducati not so far behind him...

**DidJit** · 22nd April 2013, 11:33

Yeah, said it before, will probably say it again: Dovi was a good pick for Ducati — fast, smart and methodical.

**Crasherfromwayback** · 22nd April 2013, 11:40

Originally Posted by DidJit

Yeah, said it before, will probably say it again: Dovi was a good pick for Ducati — fast, smart and methodical.

What are the chances he'll beat Rossi this year in a race?

**Mental Trousers** · 22nd April 2013, 11:43

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

What are the chances he'll beat Rossi this year in a race?

That's going to be fucken hilarious when it happens (not if it happens if you ask me).

**Crasherfromwayback** · 22nd April 2013, 11:44

Originally Posted by Mental Trousers

That's going to be fucken hilarious when it happens (not if it happens if you ask me).

Imagine if it was at Mugello...

**Mental Trousers** · 22nd April 2013, 11:45

Originally Posted by DidJit

Yeah, said it before, will probably say it again: Dovi was a good pick for Ducati — fast, smart and methodical.

He's also got an interesting way of setting up bikes. He likes them slightly heavy at the backend, which is the Ducati all over.

He's looking like the rider that should've been on that bike after Stoner left.

**DidJit** · 22nd April 2013, 12:01

Yes, but he needed that year of adapting to and figuring out the Yamaha to make him so valuable now to Ducati. Dovi has learned how to analyse and adapt to the bike — he might not have been quite so well rounded if he’d come straight from Repsol Honda.

**misterO** · 22nd April 2013, 12:18

Well, the sun is about to set on the first ever MotoGP in Austin, Texas. Couldn't have asked for a better day: not too hot/cold, slightly overcast, light winds. I grabbed a Stella from the man shouting "Overpriced beer- get your ice cold overpriced beer here". I took my seat at turn 15, put on my cowboy hat and kicked back to watch the show. From the start of the race to the finish: Honda in first and second. They never even seemed to be breaking a sweat, just flowing from turn to turn in tandem, as if it was a just a friendly Sunday ride. JL held onto 3rd and just stayed there. Rossi, unable to pull a rabbit from his lid, clung tenaciously to his spot (or could it have been one of his mindgames?). Schwantz was nowhere to be seen, but a lot of folks were proudly wearing shirts with his number on it. Today wasn't much of a race, really: no close calls, no last minute late braking heroics. It seemed like everyone had settled into their position on the first lap and then just stayed that way for twenty more. Still, it was good to hear the roar of the crowd and the scream of finely tuned engines on full song. Quite a buzz. Well done MM- hats off!

**Kendog** · 22nd April 2013, 12:23

Well I have to say I am super impressed with the way MM rode that race (and the entire weekend)
There was not a hint of 'must pass at all costs'.
Once in the lead he rode calmly, under what must have been a fair amount of pressure to win.
His riding style still makes me gasp.

New favorite rider.

**Kendog** · 22nd April 2013, 12:27

Originally Posted by misterO

It seemed like everyone had settled into their position on the first lap and then just stayed that way for twenty more.

What about MM and his calculated move around half way, did that get any crowd reaction?

**misterO** · 22nd April 2013, 12:32

I couldn't see that move from where I was sitting and, I'm ashamed to admit, I didn't even notice they'd switched positions until near the very end. Sometimes you get better coverage from the couch in front of the TV than you ever could from a seat at the track.

**Crasherfromwayback** · 22nd April 2013, 12:39

Originally Posted by Kendog

Well I have to say I am super impressed with the way MM rode that race (and the entire weekend)
There was not a hint of 'must pass at all costs'.
Once in the lead he rode calmly, under what must have been a fair amount of pressure to win.
His riding style still makes me gasp.

New favorite rider.

Yeah pretty impressive alright. Casey who? :-)

**DidJit** · 22nd April 2013, 13:06

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

... Casey who?

For shame!

**Crasherfromwayback** · 22nd April 2013, 13:36

Originally Posted by DidJit

For shame!

Only real shame is not getting to see the two of them racing each other. But I reckon we'll have some ding dongs this year regardless. We'll get to more tracks that are more even for both bikes. Imagine if MM was to win the title first year out eh?