MotoGP

[merv]

So who's going to be the champ this year?

So far in testing Hayden blitzed them in Sepang and now Edwards has stepped up in Philip Island. Rossi is getting the Yam to go a bit faster than the other guys but he's still not up with the Hondas. The Ducs look like they have gone backwards in comparison - what's up?

I'll stick my neck out and guess end of year will see in this order:

Edwards
Hayden
Rossi
Biaggi
Gibernau
Capirossi
Bayliss
Tamada

Kawasakis, Suzukis ands Aprilias won't feature as usual.

[Hitcher]

So who's going to be the champ this year?

So far in testing Hayden blitzed them in Sepang and now Edwards has stepped up in Philip Island. Rossi is getting the Yam to go a bit faster than the other guys but he's still not up with the Hondas. The Ducs look like they have gone backwards in comparison - what's up?

I'll stick my neck out and guess end of year will see in this order:

Edwards
Hayden
Rossi
Biaggi
Gibernau
Capirossi
Bayliss
Tamada

Kawasakis, Suzukis ands Aprilias won't feature as usual.

Bold predictions, but you may well be right. Even at this early stage the new Hondas certainly look the goods.

[pipeman]

Rossi
Gibernau
Melandri
Biaggi
Edwards

I think pratice is easy but when it comes to doing it, it depents on how BIG your balls are.

[Dave]

I'll pick Rossi,Capirossi and then Barros but i wouldn't be surprised if Gibernau see's every one off.
Last year hayden got loads of help from rossi and jerry burgess, theyre all gone now, and the only one to challenge rossi seriously was gibernau-who still has team and bike intact!

[merv]

OK must say I forgot about Barros - once he's fit he should be in there somewhere.

I'm picking Edwards because of his determination and not Rossi because I don't think the Yamaha will match the Hondas no matter how good he is. Hayden I am sure will lift his game compared to last year and his dirt-track experience helps.

.... but then I guess we all could be wrong and a Suzuki might magically get up there.

[SPman]

OK must say I forgot about Barros - once he's fit he should be in there somewhere.

I'm picking Edwards because of his determination and not Rossi because I don't think the Yamaha will match the Hondas no matter how good he is. Hayden I am sure will lift his game compared to last year and his dirt-track experience helps.

.... but then I guess we all could be wrong and a Suzuki might magically get up there.

Has everyone suddenly forgotten the Ducks. Capparossi was quickest in practice at Phillip Is.on Wed.

[Dave]

Rueben Xaus for king- well,most crashes anyway!

[gpercivl]

Rossi was 3rd fastest after testing at Phillip Island this week, Max was about 0.5 secs quicker...should be an interesting year...pity sky don't have coverage.

[Hoon]

Yep I've got faith in Rossi and reckon he has what it takes to win the championship again. He's only 0.59s off the pace and its still early days yet.

Max Biaggi (Honda): 1’30.21 (62 laps)
Colin Edwards (Honda): 1’30.45 (31 laps)
Sete Gibernau (Honda) : 1’30.60 (41 laps)
Nicky Hayden (Honda): 1’30.68 (83 laps)
Valentino Rossi (Yamaha): 1’30.80 (78 laps)
Alex Barros (Honda): 1’30.88 (74 laps)
Loris Capirossi (Ducati): 1’30.97 (56 laps)
Troy Bayliss (Ducati): 1’31.64 (68 laps)
Carlos Checa (Yamaha): 1’31.96 (92 laps)
Marco Melandri (Yamaha): 1’32.00 (80 laps)
Shane Byrne (Aprilia): 1’32.28 (67 laps)
Neil Hodgson (Ducati): 1’32.44 (64 laps)
Norick Abe (Yamaha): 1’33.76 (80 laps)

[Maido]

i am pretty sure that tv one has the rights to all three motogp classes, not sure if they are going to screen live or delayed though

also, biaggi will win,
edwards, hayden, rossi then gib.

[Batcerb]

GOOOO Kawasaki!!!!!

[wkid_one]

i am pretty sure that tv one has the rights to all three motogp classes, not sure if they are going to screen live or delayed though

also, biaggi will win,
edwards, hayden, rossi then gib.

Unfortunately they don't. They only have the rights to broadcast the highlights package on Sunday's Shell Helix Motorsport.

I am getting the races taped live from OZ and then mailed over - only solutions I could find.

[SPman]

Well, first race 3 weeks away and already Rossi is showing he'll be right in there, winning the BMW M4 for fastest lap at Catalunya:
1. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Gauloise Fortune Yamaha - 1'44.571
2. Alex Barros (BRA) Repsol Honda - 1'44.631
3. Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda - 1'44.634
4. Colin Edwards (USA) Telefonica Movistar Honda - 1'44.653
5. Sete Gibernau (SPA) Telefonica Movistar Honda - 1'44.669
6. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati Marlboro - 1'44.871
7. Kenny Roberts (USA) Team Suzuki MotoGP - 1'45.046
8. Ruben Xaus (SPA) D'Antin MotoGP - 1'45.073
9. Carlos Checa (SPA) Gauloise Fortune Yamaha - 1'45.171
10. Marco Melandri (ITA) Fortuna Gauloises Tech 3 - 1'45.196

Caparossi was timed at 215.87mph and even Aoki pulled 204 mph on the Proton V5!
Colin Edwards quote on being pipped by Rossi on the last 2 laps - "I'm going to win the championship and buy the damn car."
Gonna be a great season - to bad we wont be able to see it

[merv]

Here's the report that was posted on PlanetSuperbike.com found here http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2004/Mar/040328lvya.htm

Rossi Fastest At IRTA Car Test, Wins New BMW
Faster Pussycat, kill, kill
by julian ryder
Sunday, March 28, 2004
Valentino Rossi heads for the first GP of the season in optimistic mood after demoralising the opposition at the MotoGP Test at the Catalunya circuit. He was fastest and took home a BMW Z4 for his troubles. There weren't many smiles in the Repsol Honda pit garage as Telefonica Honda team-mates Colin Edwards and Sete Gibernau finished second and third.

Edwards headed the standings for most of the session but couldn't quite equal Rossi's successive fast laps - set on the last two laps of course. Colin set his best time on his penultimate lap.

Capirossi's Ducati was fastest through the speed trap at an astonishing 215.87mph but he could do no better than fourth, just in front of Nicky Hayden and Kenny Roberts.

Interestingly, Rossi's Yamaha was only eighth fastest through the trap, behind the Duke, five Hondas and John Hopkins' Suzuki. The session was interrupted when Jeremy McWilliams' Aprilia sprung a leak and both factory Ducatis, Checa and Barros came down, fortunately on a slow corner. Colin Edwards had good news for Texas BMW dealers: "I'm going to win the championship and buy the damn car."

John Hopkins had a more sanguine view: "My ankle surgeries cost more than the BMW."

ENDS

[merv]

At the start of this thread I put the kid Rossi 3rd. Do you reckon I'll be eating my words by the time racing starts?

He is certainly gunning to top Agostini as the best rider ever. Mind you I doubt he will ever win Isle of Man let alone Daytona on his first visit there like Ago did as these days the GP guys don't take the risks of racing at such places.