MotoGP 2014

[Reckless]

Rossi is really positive after reading this.

Rossi Le Mans preview
Wednesday, 14 May 2014
Movistar Yamaha MotoGP’s Valentino Rossi heads to Le Mans with spirits high, following a good performance and race in Jerez and with a new chassis incorporated into his YZR-M1 package.
Rossi is keen to put last year’s difficult race at the French circuit behind him, after finishing the 2013 contest in 12th place.

The Italian has had nine podium finishes in the premier class at Le Mans, including three victories. Indeed those wins each came on different machinery - in 2002 riding a Honda, 2005 riding the 990cc Yamaha and in 2008 on Yamaha’s 800cc bike.

Rossi will be looking to make best use of his current prototype and the new chassis for the hard braking areas of the layout and to return to the podium at the classic French track.

Before round five he stated, “I am very happy about the weekend in Jerez, unfortunately I wasn’t able to win over (Marc) Marquez but I managed to win over (Dani) Pedrosa and Jorge (Lorenzo). I am also happy about the test done on the following Monday at the same track. During the test I continued to work on the new chassis and I like it, it helps me especially with the front tyre.”

“At Le Mans I will have only one new chassis but I am confident that Yamaha will bring me the second chassis as soon as possible. I want to continue the work on this. I made good times during the test, even the "time attack" was good and so I will try to start from the front row at Le Mans. It’s a positive moment for me because I'm pretty fast, I work well in the box and I think we can be very optimistic. We can have a good race.”


Lets take a risk and say

VR
MM
DP
JL

Prob first two names reversed truth be known??
Actually my order of skill and ability at this time of the season would be MM, VR, DP, JL.

[pritch]

Lets take a risk and say

VR
MM
DP
JL

Whatever it is it must be contagious. I just hope Rossi catches it too...

[Reckless]

Whatever it is it must be contagious. I just hope Rossi catches it too...

Everyone here knows I'm a Rossi fan but I dunno if the bloody kid can be beaten.
He seems to have a sixth sense and just doesn't fall off or even look like it??

BTW:Talk about roll reversal (compared to last time) in the Yamaha Garage LOL.

We could well be witnessing the first rider in history to win all MotoGP races in a season (unless he does fall off).
Not wishing it one him by any-means he seems to have become a gracious winner that has fun and geniuine respect for the likes of Rossi even after bashing plastics.
JL and MM dont seem to interact very much and DP always seems so sullen ( maybe Shy??) after the races.
Quite frankly he's showing so much superior skill atm I don't really mind if he runs away with it.

Now I've Jinxed him roll on the race!!

[GD66]

We could well be witnessing the first rider in history to win all MotoGP races in a season

Well yeah, but Surtees won all the 500 rounds in 1959, Ago won them all in '68 (and all the 350 rounds the same year)...so "kind of" In History...

[Shaun Harris]

Well yeah, but Surtees won all the 500 rounds in 1959, Ago won them all in '68 (and all the 350 rounds the same year)...so "kind of" In History...

Yea but without the = ness of the bikes as in todays racing

[pritch]

Well yeah, but Surtees won all the 500 rounds in 1959, Ago won them all in '68 (and all the 350 rounds the same year)...so "kind of" In History...

Surtees would have won them all in '59 and John Hartle, his team mate, would have been second. They had the only two factory MV fours, everyone else was on Brit singles.

They still had their challenges, the IoM Senior TT that year was run in "beyond question the worst conditions on record". Storm force winds and torrential rain. Of the 58 starters only 22 finished. They didn't cancel in those days but they did postpone races, Friday's Senior had been postponed to Saturday. Interestingly Surtees and Hartle got up early and went around the course in a car before the start to check the state of the course and see where they would need to adjust their lines.

Please pardon my little nostalgia trip. That's from an item in the first "Motorcycle" mag I ever bought.

[Crasherfromwayback]

and DP always seems so sullen ( maybe Shy??) after the races.
!!

Danni looks to me...this year...the happiest I've ever seen him despite getting his arse whipped.

[Shaun Harris]

Danni looks to me...this year...the happiest I've ever seen him despite getting his arse whipped.

Same too me man

[Crasherfromwayback]

Same too me man

Yeah. Smiling and laughing on the rostrum taking selfies with MM and Dovi etc etc

[Shaun Harris]

Yeah. Smiling and laughing on the rostrum taking selfies with MM and Dovi etc etc

I am thinking it is due to him himself realising that he will not WIN the champs so may as well enjoy as much as possible, as well as the old team manager PUIG gone

[Crasherfromwayback]

, as well as the old team manager PUIG gone

Yeah Pritch mentioned that to me in the rep area too. Think you could both be right. Pressure off.

[Reckless]

Just watched this

http://www.motogp.com/en/videos/2014...ess+Conference

Sorry?? Cant find it on Utube if your not registered for MotoGP??

Rossi says he is "appy" with his season and is staying in Moto GP
He wants to talk to Yamaha over the next few weeks to renew his contract for another 2 years.

They gave MM some question about his new salary compared to Rossi's record salary which both riders avoided.
MM saying he didn't have a clue what the record number was. Rossi saying he's not getting now what he did then LOL.

They quizzed MM on who might be his next team mate and would he mind if it was JL?
Not sure if he found it difficult but said he doesn't really care who his teammate will be.
A bit odd that Pedro's name wasnt mentioned through the entire discussion on the topic.
Lorenzo says no contract negotiations yet its still early in the season.

Pol says hes still on a learning curve and happy to stay with Monster Yamaha.

Pity Pedro wasn't there to find out his arm was? there was small discussion about arm pump at the end.

That's about it in Summary for all those that arn't wired up with the Video pass.
Cheers guys

[steveyb]

Wouldn't it be kinda neat if Issac Vinales wins the Moto3 champs this season?
He is doing really well even if down in 7th. Might be a bit far behind already though.

[steveyb]

Hafiq Azmi The Baby Hulk P10 after FP1.
It is only FP1, but P10 is awesome anyway.

[Reckless]

MM fastest again, But they are close!!

MotoGP: FP1 - Le Mans -
MARQUEZ M.Honda1:34.328
PEDROSA D.Honda+0.189
ROSSI V.Yamaha+0.253
LORENZO J.Yamaha+0.270
BAUTISTA A.Honda+0.325
BRADL S.Honda+0.406
DOVIZIOSO A.Ducati+0.547
ESPARGARO P.Yamaha+0.601
IANNONE A.Ducati+0.605
ESPARGARO A.Forward Yamaha+0.745
SMITH B.Yamaha+1.103
CRUTCHLOW C.Ducati+1.110