Topic: MotoGP heating up

[GroovieGhoulie]

So Hayden, and by extension, Honda, is pretty well done for this season?

[ieism]

HAHA! Those Hondaboys sure know how to put up a fight!  I feel bad for Pedrosa, he was doing so well this season. Good thing they're not teammates next year 

[derekd]

How can you feel bad for Pedrosa?That was a terrible mistake on his part no excuse for a move thet takes both bikes out!!

[nickjtc]

Good job by Tony Elias. Honda didn't lose total face after all. 8 points difference......hmmmmmm. It isn't over until it's over, as we all know. What happened to Hayden could just as easily happen to Rossi next weekend.

[tsflstb]

Stupid, stupid move there.

With everyone else's problems earlier in the year, I guess Nicky was due for a DNF this season.  Too bad it was caused by his "teammate".  Dani is still a young kid and it shows today.  The guy is a born racer, and it's hard to reign them in sometimes, but for Christs sake.  I understand not having team orders to just let Nicky cruise by, but at least don't stuff your teammate a.ka. the championship leader going into a corner while he's chasing after Rossi. 

They're both signed for the same team next year, should be some interesting dynamics there.

[bwaller]

Bummer for Hayden, but at least there was an exicting finish. It'll be a long wait now for the last race and let's face it all is not lost for Nicky boy.

After the jump to Yamaha I haven't minded seeing Rossi challenged by anyone else. It's all just racing but I'm not a big fan of the "stuff pass" and Valentino has pulled off more than one of those in his career, sometimes with feet right off the pegs! But the guy is spectacular, and fun to watch and he seems to enjoy nothing more than a good dog fight at the end of a race. Both the last two finishes have been to the wire, great racing.

Good on KR too, if he does well in two weeks, it'll show promise for 07.

[petercb750]

Whilst I'm a fan of Rossi (his crew chief is an old mate) and want him to win the championship, my heart goes out to Hayden - it's f#@%*& unbelievable.
Pedrosa should be sacked on the spot - that passing move was suicidal - why would he do it?? No chance of the title, 2nd lap in, no room to get through (there was so little room that what caused him to crash was he hit the inside curb trying to squeeze in, lifting the bike off the ground), teammate gunning for the title in a "must win" race - total madness, and he deserves to be penalised by the team in some way. What was he hoping to gain? Even his crew chief said "some teammate!". These riders get paid a lot of money to be part of a top team - they are supposed to respect that and play the team game!
I know Hayden can't blame this one instance if he doesn't win the title, as other things have happened over the season, but at such a crucial time with so much at stake....................far out.
Now, in a complete 360, Hayden is 8pts behind and needs Rossi to have misfortune or a poor showing in the last race - somehow I can't see KRjnr taking his teammate out!! Maybe Honda should instruct Pedrosa to take Rossi out - after all, he's damn good at it! (Sorry for the sarcasm).
On a brighter note, wasn't it great watching Elias sideways as he braked from 330kph into the first corner - he might be about 3feet tall, but he's all balls!! 
Bring on the 29th Oct.
Peter.

[Jeff]

Hayden is class... he told little Tinkerbell Pedrosa he can have an out by the two of them finishing 1-2 next race. If Nicky wins, Pedrosa 2nd and Rossi 3, Nicky will win the championship by 1 point.

Gonna be exciting.

Jeff

[nickjtc]

All right gents (and ladies). Place your bets!

[lendog]

I give Hayden a lot of respect for keeping his cool and not beating the living...s@#$% out of Pedrosa. What a jaw-dropping moment! I'm still stunned . Valencia should be a thriller. Hopefully Dani can make up for his bone-head move and help Nicky out...Stupid Knucklehead    

[cmorgan47]

alright, just read up on this hayden/pedrosa thing and all i can say is WTF?!?!?!  how is hayden not kicking pedrosa's ass up and down the track?



--this is the ONE thing making me wish i had a TV.  at least i can go to any bar and watch baseball or what the lions call football, but nowhere around here shows motoGP.

[Jeff]

--this is the ONE thing making me wish i had a TV.  at least i can go to any bar and watch baseball or what the lions call football, but nowhere around here shows motoGP.

Can't you go somewhere and request that they put on Speed? I mean, not one tv is available to change the channel away from football? No friends with cable?

[nickjtc]

At least Hayden is guaranteed two more years of employment with Honda. I wonder how much his 'win-the-championship' bonus might be??

[cmorgan47]

Can't you go somewhere and request that they put on Speed? I mean, not one tv is available to change the channel away from football? No friends with cable?

sometimes i find it, just a little more searching.
plus, i'm running up some bartabs keeping up with sports lately.

[ieism]

All right gents (and ladies). Place your bets!

Anyone interested in a little group bet by paypal (we could make it a few bucks, that way nobody will cheat)    I'm not sure if that's legal or allowed on this site, but since so many people are interested in Moto Gp now it might be fun. We could bet on who finishes in the top 3 places next race. You'll have to name the exact person at the correct position to earn the points.

Top 3 finish: 25 point for 1st -           20 for 2nd -           16 for 3rd -             

Whoever has the most points wins the bet, and collects all the money by paypal.               

[dusterdude]

how much ya`ll reckon FIM paid pedrossa?

[nickjtc]

how much ya`ll reckon FIM paid pedrossa?

Hmm. Surely you jest?

[tsflstb]

I think Honda's PR spin on the incident leaves out some of the details.  Hayden seems pretty easy going, but I can't imagine he'd take it that well. 

Anyway, here's my best guess for the finale at Valencia:

1.  Rossi
2.  Melandri
3.  Stoner
or
3.  Roberts, Jr.
5.  Hayden
6.  Edwards

Pedrosa will be run off track in lap 12 by a pickup full of good 'ol boys from Owensboro, KY.

Edwards will be a good teammate and duke it out with Hayden from the start, allowing Rossi to break away.  If Melandri recovers from his wreck this week, I think he'll be back in good form.  Qualifying is going to be a big deal since there aren't a lot of good passing zones there.  If Caparossi qualifies up front, he may throw a wrench in the works.  It'll be fun to watch.  I'm still rooting for Hayden and I'm actually kind of glad he's going to have to beat Rossi heads up to win the title.  If he pulls it off under this pressure, he will have definately earned it.

[Jeff]

The thought crossed my mind about the FIM getting involved. I can't stand that little twerp Pedrosa. Didn't like him before, but I at least thought he could ride. Now, I'm not so sure.

Hayden is pretty much on an even keel, but I watched a video clip of him on You Tube, and he was visibly upset. He had huge sunglasses on, and I'm sure they were hiding the tears he had. His voice was a mixture of southern drawl and on the verge of crying. And you know... I can't blame him. He got totally F'ed by his own teammate.

I think he's royally pissed, and he's gonna do everything he can to win in Valencia. I predict:

1. Hayden
2. Rossi
3. Edwards

I think the Tornado will do the good teammate thing again to keep Rossi in the 2 spot, and Hayden will do everything he can. His little teammate however will suck. It's gonna be interesting.

Jeff

[nickjtc]

Things will become clearer closer to race day, after they've all put in practice time, of course. Although Rossi admits he likes to win, I think he realises that in this case he can win the championship just by keeping Hayden in his sights. I suspect he is too smart to risk losing the championship himself by doing something silly.

So I am not convinced that he will race to win the race. I think we'll see Rossi at his best, riding a tactical race. Hopefully his lap board crew will be on their game on race day...

After all he still has next year to put his mark on yet another new 'class' (the 800's) and exit 2 wheels with style.

My prediction, and you can say you heard it here, is that Rossi will be the first rider/driver since John Surtees to win a championship on both 2 and 4 wheels.

I also predict that when he is done with 4 wheels he will make a Hailwood-style comeback to 2 wheels.

[Brookesy]

I know i'm coming in a bit late but...

I think Honda is backing Dani P because he will have an advantage next year on the lightweight 800's
Haven't seen anything that stupid since the Doohan last lap clash with a "teammate" years ago - can't even bring myself to type his name
Pedrosa should be hung up in his leathers and fire-hosed!
For a dyed-in-the-oil Honda this is unforgivable stuff
The "Team" is all mates for the camera, but you can bet Hayden isn't taking it lying down.

Rossi's a big drawcard for MotoGP and his fans like to see him winning
You've got to hand it to him - he's a class act but i'm tired of staying up 'til 1:00am to watch the bugger win

Pedrosa - i hope it rains for Valencia, that'll put the little #$%* out of contention
i was just happy to see Elais win but who's going to remember that?

And - the yellow flag incident...
anyone else but Rossi would have been put straight by now and lost the points
It should have been sorted on the spot
Too many fans and no-one can beat that

Casey Stoner's "Win-it or Bin-It" riding style might help out if he can take Rossi down with him...

Can't wait for the next installment - and that's what it's all about folks, tv's being turned on to watch the show

[Sam Green Racing]

isnt the fim based in france,if so nuff said

Dusty, just for you

F.I.M.
11, rte de suisse
CH-1295 Mies
Switzerland.

info@fim.ch
Tel 41 22 950 95 00
Fax 41 22 950 95 01


Sam.

[tsflstb]

1. Hayden
2. Rossi
3. Edwards

That's very possible too.  We haven't really seen Hayden ride "balls out" any time this season.  The last lap duel with Edwards at Assen was pretty good, but Rossi and others were hurt.  The rest of the season, it seems he's been riding conservatively and protecting the points lead.  Now he's got nothing to lose, and I'm keen to see how much he's been holding back.  Two years ago Hayden crashed out of a strong third at Valencia -- it was the last race and he said he wanted more than just a podium.  Last year he was 2nd and was kicking himself for not having a go at Melandri.  He typically rides well at this track, and I'd love to see him go for it from the start..

Of course, this is the last race of the season, and pretty much everyone is wanting to take a win.  There are a lot of riders with something to prove and contracts to negotiate $$$$.  I wonder how far Honda's "team orders" will reach?  Will the satellite teams get involved?  If Melandri or Elias is holding up Hayden will they move over? 

[nickjtc]

You've got to hand it to him - he's a class act but i'm tired of staying up 'til 1:00am to watch the bugger win

You'll  have to move here. We get to see the action mid-morning (our time) on race day.

[nickjtc]

I wonder how far Honda's "team orders" will reach?  Will the satellite teams get involved?  If Melandri or Elias is holding up Hayden will they move over? 

Hmmm, that's an interesting thought. I could get very interesting if the Honda gang decides to get tough with Rossi.