Laguna - Spoiler!

**Cajun** · 21st July 2008, 10:19

'The Bridgestone PR man just dropped off a document detailing which rider chose what tire compound for today's race. Currently Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner are locked in a fierce battle for the lead (Rossi's gap on lap 12: .072).

Both Bridgestone riders, Rossi and Stoner chose identical rubber--medium compound front, and a hard compound rear'

**codgyoleracer** · 21st July 2008, 10:19

If Stoner was "allowed" enough corners to "get away" - I believe he would have done just that. Rossi's tactics were stunning & effective. But I suspect that Mr Stoner will have learnt a hell of a lot from it all.

**roogazza** · 21st July 2008, 10:21

Originally Posted by k14

Lol, stoner is a little bitter after that one! I do agree that rossi did do some hard manouvres but come on, this is racing. Bad form to complain. He'll still win the championship though

Rossi loves to fight. Stoner was out ridden and we've seen it before, he needs to learn how to be a champion. G.

**denill** · 21st July 2008, 10:23

Originally Posted by roogazza

Rossi loves to fight. Stoner was out ridden and we've seen it before, he needs to learn how to be a champion. G.

Yeah Gaz, it's your day.

Bring on Brno. Cheers. Bill

**NZsarge** · 21st July 2008, 10:23

Originally Posted by yod

yeah i agree....the whining afterwards was a bit much

just shut up and get on with it

Originally Posted by jrandom

Agreed that Stoner should have taken his loss like a man. Rossi didn't endanger him with any of the close passes, it was all good clean fast riding. Stoner was just pissed off because he lost.

Watching that action up front, I mean, you just gotta say - is Rossi the greatest motorcycle racer of modern times, or what?

Yes, he won on a slower bike.

**yod** · 21st July 2008, 10:28

exactly - rossi was 4th in the top speed list, stoner was first

the battle for 2nd, 3rd and 4th in the closing laps of SBK at Brno was some good racing too

**k14** · 21st July 2008, 10:29

Originally Posted by roogazza

Rossi loves to fight. Stoner was out ridden and we've seen it before, he needs to learn how to be a champion. G.

Yeah I think even stoner was starting to believe all the press wondering how much he could win by. Rossi well an truely out raced him. Brno will be interesting, ducati have gone well there in the past.

**k14** · 21st July 2008, 10:30

Originally Posted by yod

exactly - rossi was 4th in the top speed list, stoner was first

the battle for 2nd, 3rd and 4th in the closing laps of SBK at Brno was some good racing too

I would hardly call 1.5kph a speed advantage light and day. Spies and Hacking were ahead of rossi too, where were they?? Faster isn't only just in a straight line.

**Cajun** · 21st July 2008, 10:31

interesting looking at some of the fastest times

1 Casey STONER AUS Ducati Team DUCATI 262.8 Qualifying Practice
11 Ben SPIES USA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP SUZUKI 260.4 Race
46 Valentino ROSSI ITA Fiat Yamaha Team YAMAHA 260.2 Warm Up
12 Jamie HACKING USA Kawasaki Racing Team KAWASAKI 260.2 Race
50 Sylvain GUINTOLI FRA Alice Team DUCATI 257.9 Qualifying Practice

Intesting how the two americans, were faster during the race, than they where in practice/qualifying

------------
Top speed & average

interesting reading on here
http://resources.motogp.com/files/re...rage+speed.pdf
stoner by is only 0.7km faster than rossin on average

but still hacket and spies are in top 5 for speeds, on so called 'slower machineny (kawasaki,suzuki)'

**NZsarge** · 21st July 2008, 10:38

Originally Posted by k14

I would hardly call 1.5kph a speed advantage light and day. Spies and Hacking were ahead of rossi too, where were they?? Faster isn't only just in a straight line.

They were only peak speeds, Rossi was consistently being closed down on any part of the track with a decent straight in it hence passing Rossi on the outside of the front straight eh...

**Crasherfromwayback** · 21st July 2008, 10:46

I can't believe how many 'moments' Stoner had early on!

**jrandom** · 21st July 2008, 10:48

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

I can't believe how many 'moments' Stoner had early on!

Oh aye!

There was a bit of footage from Rossi's rear-facing bike cam showing Stoner crossing it up and wiggling all over the show and then immediately lifting the front at one point which just had me boggling.

I'm in awe of the skill and balls that those guys have.

**denill** · 21st July 2008, 10:57

Originally Posted by k14

I would hardly call 1.5kph a speed advantage light and day. Spies and Hacking were ahead of rossi too, where were they?? Faster isn't only just in a straight line.

Poor Hayden was about 6ks down on the FACTORY Honda? I know top speed's not every thing but 6ks is a bit much!