Assen MotoGP discussion *SPOILERS*

**svr** · 2nd July 2008, 10:46

High-sides are back in too! TC has meant more riders are capable of winning, which is a good thing. Also the balance between speed / tyre life / ant-crash is obviously a fine line to tread and a new skill for the riders to master.
Its easy to be nostalgic for the good old days - and the best 500 riders were gods - but I think currently motogp is the best combination of technology, spectacle and rider skill that I've seen in 20 + years since i started following.

**johan** · 2nd July 2008, 11:33

Hayden regarding running out of fuel the last 50 meters and electronix:

`It is frustrating because we have the system and it should never run out of fuel. We should always make it across the finish line. On the starting grid a light showed up and I knew something wasn´t calibrating right. The bikes have so much electronics now, sometimes it is not the guy who rides hardest that wins it is the guy who hits the right buttons on his computer.´

**denill** · 2nd July 2008, 12:48

Originally Posted by roogazza

Do you notice they're starting to jump off the 800's a bit more lately (or so it seems) ? Gaz.

Yes, good point Gaz. Seems to be more than they did on the 990s?? Apart from Kato who was fatally injured at Suzuka in '03, there were not too many serious crashes on the 990s. Stoner used to biff his LCR Honda regularly and walk away.

**Badjelly** · 2nd July 2008, 15:48

Originally Posted by denill

Apart from Kato who was fatally injured at Suzuka in '03, there were not too many serious crashes on the 990s.

I think the lack of serious crashes results from a combination of two factors:

A relaxed idea of what consitutes "serious"
Good medical attention at the track

I recall that Capirossi crashed at the end of the straight at Philip Island in 2005 and punctured a lung. It could have been nasty without prompt attention.

**svr** · 3rd July 2008, 12:38

Originally Posted by Badjelly

I think the lack of serious crashes results from a combination of two factors:

A relaxed idea of what consitutes "serious"
Good medical attention at the track

I recall that Capirossi crashed at the end of the straight at Philip Island in 2005 and punctured a lung. It could have been nasty without prompt attention.

They're all 23 odd and seem to bounce pretty good / bend without braking / heal fast if they do break. They're rich too so can afford the best drugs...