Topic: Next Sunday, 5:00 -- MOTOGP

[tsflstb]

I will be planted on the couch, beer in hand.  It begins again next weekend. Moto GP racing is back.  I actually have cable TV now.  This is going to rock.  What's your prediction? 

Pre-season testing shows the usual suspects fast again.  Colin Edwards likes the new 800.  Pedrosa can actually reach the bars now on that tiny Honda.  Will Hayden repeat? 

The riders...
My guess...I think Rossi will pull out the title.  He's putting in the work this off-season and not screwing around with Formula 1, Rally Cars and all that.  Pedrosa will win a few races.  He can ride but doesn't seem tough or wise enough to really mix it up with Rossi.  Nicky will get off to a slow start recovering from his shoulder surgery -- hopefully podium enough to stay close.  I'm rooting for Colin Edwards this year.  He's got the bike, he's shown better speed and consistency in the pre-season tests, and he should be hungry.  Hopefully he'll turn it up a notch and be a real contender.  Any other guy on the grid can get it right and win a race too.

The bikes...The new Suzukis and Kawasakis are showing some speed and you can never bet against Ducati. 

The tires...Bridgestone tires are much better at some tracks than Michelin.  Dunlop has invested some time and effort in their program too.  Wet/dry conditions will really mix things up.

Best freakin' racing in the world.  I'm all tingly with anticipation.

[gerhed]

Edwards deserves something, this time--His year (or two?) with Aprillia (sp?) was painfull to watch-probably lucrative but painfull.

Big question--Will Rossi bring the stethascope back out?

[derekd]

I think there will be a few surprises this year.Rossi has got to be the favorite but having grown up in kentucky Hayden gets my support.Always been interested in the Roberts team,like the results from last year.Looking forward to some great racing.     

[malcolmgb]

look no further than Rossi or Pedrosa, those who saw the official test at Jerez will agree I think.
The race is on Saturday by the way not Sunday.

[tsflstb]

It's usually tape delayed here, so we don't get to see live racing.  I was worried for a while that Speed TV wouldn't even carry GP racing this year.  They talked about dropping it altogether.  Just doesn't draw the ratings here in the US of A.  So anyway, I'll have to avoid all my media outlets until after I watch it Sunday.


And on another note, World Superbike is back too!  Freakin' Biaggi is down in the "minors" mixing it up with those guys.  Something to be said for spec. tires.  Both races this week...top 4 finishers on different bikes.  MV Agusta is even back in racing.  Sweeet.

[malcolmgb]

Yes we are spoiled here in the UK by Eurosport, if you can afford Sky subscription, excellent coverage and usually all live.
Yes even I am excited by WSB this year, a Brit leads the championship and an ex MotoGP man, Biaggi,  shows the regulars how to ride.

[xtalon]

How I see it...

Rossi will be out for blood and will not take any prisoners.  My choice for 2007 World Champ!

Pedrosa will be good competition, but he has a tendency to override the front and crash.  Has that gotten better?  Maybe, but I think he is still young and too gung ho to be champion.

Hayden will struggle initially with the Pedrosa bike (that thing is tiny), but hopefully his team and mainly Honda will help him out.  He did bring them the World Championship, but I'm sure Honda thinks it was all the bike.  Nicky's confidence has seemed to increase since winning the Championship regardless of what the naysayers say.  He is consistent and consistency wins Championships!

Edwards for the first time since coming into GP's, FINALLY looks CONSISTENTLY quick... at least through testing.  Let's see if he can carry it over into the races.  Is that old AMA 250cc knowledge finally paying off?

Suzuki has been the surprise through testing, but seem to have lost a step or two in the last couple tests.  I would love to see them up front.

Ducati looks strong.  I will pulling for the Americans, but of the non-Americans, I will be pulling for Capirossi.  He's a great guy.  He's been around forever. He's still brutally fast and he deserves it.  Stoner will have moments of brilliance, but he will continue to crash.

Gresini Honda has always been strong but I have the feeling they are going to struggle this year due to the new 800cc machines and continual development that is going to happen over the season that I think only the true factory teams are going to benefit from.  They will probably do well at the Bridgestone tracks, but on that note, I think Michelin is going to be the tire of choice this year.

1. Rossi
2. Pedrossa
3. Hayden
4. Capirossi
5. Edwards
6. Melandri
7. Stoner
8. Hopkins
9. Elias
10. Vermeulen

Ha!  I know the above is going to get shot all to hell.  I only feel confident with Rossi as Number 1.  I think 2-21 is a total toss up. 

All new bikes.  New tire technology.  10 previous World Champions.  Hang on to your hats boys and girls and pray for a championship as close and exciting as last year!!!

--xTalon

[tsflstb]

2nd free practice results from Qatar.  The Doctor is in.  Hayden 15th???

1 Valentino Rossi Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha M1 1:56.464
2 Colin Edwards Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha M1 1:56.779
3 Casey Stoner Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati GP7 1:56.839
4 John Hopkins Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki GSV-R800 1:56.972
5 Carlos Checa Honda LCR Honda RC212V 1:56.981
6 Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda Team Honda RC212V 1:56.990
7 Marco Melandri Honda Gresini Honda RC212V 1:57.112
8 Loris Capirossi Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati GP7 1:57.247
9 Toni Elias Honda Gresini Honda RC212V 1:57.382
10 Shinya Nakano Konica Minolta Honda Honda RC212V 1:57.574
11 Alex Barros Pramac D'Antin Ducati GP7 1:57.620
12 Chris Vermeulen Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki GSV-R800 1:57.636
13 Randy De Puniet Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki 1:57.686
14 Kenny Roberts Jr Team Roberts KR212V 1:57.738
15 Nicky Hayden Repsol Honda Team Honda RC212V 1:57.922
16 Alex Hofmann Pramac D'Antin Ducati GP7 1:58.206
17 Olivier Jacque Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki 1:58.523
18 Sylvain Guintoli Tech 3 Yamaha Yamaha M1 1:58.720
19 Andrew Pitt Ilmor GP Ilmor X3 1:59.930
20 Jeremy McWilliams Ilmor GP Ilmor X3 2:00.12


It's also pretty obvious who's packing the horsepower now...

Top Speeds:

1. Casey Stoner (Ducati), 317.2 kph/197.1 mph
2. Loris Capirossi (Ducati), 316.7 kph
3. Alex Hofmann (Ducati), 314.6 kph
4. Alex Barros (Ducati), 313.3 kph
5. Dani Pedrosa (Honda), 311.2 kph
6. Marco Melandri (Honda), 307.8 kph
7. John Hopkins (Suzuki), 307.1 kph
8. Olivier Jacque (Kawasaki), 306.3 kph
9. Colin Edwards (Yamaha), 305.9 kph
10. Jeremy McWilliams (Ilmor), 305.6 kph
11. Sylvain Quintoli (Yamaha), 305.2 kph
12. Nicky Hayden (Honda), 305.0 kph
13. Chris Vermeulen (Suzuki), 304.7 kph
14. Toni Elias (Honda), 303.7 kph
15. Valentino Rossi (Yamaha), 303.7 kph
16. Carlos Checa (Honda), 302.6 kph
17. Shinya Nakano (Honda), 302.4 kph
18. Randy De Puniet (Kawasaki), 302.0 kph
19. Andrew Pitt (Ilmor), 301.3 kph
20. Kenny Lee Roberts (Honda), 300.0 kph
21. Makoto Tamada (Yamaha), 300.0 kph/186.4 mph

[xtalon]

I think Hayden is still 'gun shy' since he crashed there twice in one day during testing.   Doesn't look good, but we shall see.  Hopefully he will move up significantly tomorrow, but I don't think he will be battling for the lead either way.

Impressed w/ Stoner (providing he can keep it up right).  That Ducati is seriously fast though, eh?

How about Checa?  And Pedrosa is further back than expected too.  Very interesting.  I can't wait for the race!

--xTalon

[tsflstb]

Qualifying Results: New track records...this is insane.

1 Valentino Rossi Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha M1 1:55.002
2 Casey Stoner Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati GP7 1:55.007
3 Colin Edwards Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha M1 1:55.233
4 Toni Elias Honda Gresini Honda RC212V 1:55.358
5 Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda Team Honda RC212V 1:55.361
6 John Hopkins Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki GSV-R800 1:55.833
7 Loris Capirossi Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati GP7 1:55.851
8 Randy De Puniet Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki 1:55.933
9 Nicky Hayden Repsol Honda Team Honda RC212V 1:56.041
10 Marco Melandri Honda Gresini Honda RC212V 1:56.222
11 Shinya Nakano Konica Minolta Honda Honda RC212V 1:56.306
12 Carlos Checa Honda LCR Honda RC212V 1:56.609
13 Chris Vermeulen Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki GSV-R800 1:56.639
14 Olivier Jacque Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki 1:56.754
15 Alex Barros Pramac D'Antin Ducati GP7 1:56.814
16 Sylvain Guintoli Tech 3 Yamaha Yamaha M1 1:57.257
17 Alex Hofmann Pramac D'Antin Ducati GP7 1:57.274
18 Kenny Roberts Jr Team Roberts KR212V 1:57.495
19 Makoto Tamada Tech 3 Yamaha Yamaha 1:58.024
20 Jeremy McWilliams Ilmor GP Ilmor X3 1:59.606

My prediction...if Stoner doesn't crash and take him out in turn 1, Rossi checks out early...he's not f*&king around.  Edwards may stay close, but he won't race his teammate too hard.  Should be some good racing for second place with Pedrosa, Stoner, and Elias up there.  Capirossi will move up a few spots.

Let's see how my top 10 shake out.  Does Vegas take odds on GP racing?  Probably better if they don't...

1. Rossi
2. Edwards
3. Pedrosa
4. Capirossi
5. Elias
6. Hayden
7. Melandri
8. Hopkins
9. Vermeulen
10. Checa

Stoner...DNF
Ilmor's...DNF

[xtalon]

Interesting pics.  Here's my predicted Top 10 for Qatar:

1. Rossi
2. Edwards
3. Stoner
4. Pedrosa
5. Capirossi
6. Hopkins
7. Melandri
8. Hayden
9. Elias
10. De Puniet

[malcolmgb]

WOW !!! 

[xtalon]

WOW !!! 

I second that!  Where do you think Ducati mounted the tiny rocket motors they were using down the front straight?  Holy Crap!!!  Slipstream?  We don't need no stink'n slipstream!!!

--xTalon

[derekd]

The Ducatis fast Stoner still was very impresive holding off Rossi.The Suzuki is showing some of the testing they have done is paying off.Great race ?It is great to racing back.

[bwaller]

It was a good race. Young Stoner sure showed up to win today, and how old is he...15, man he looks like a kid! It's also great to see several different manufacturers in the fray.

[tsflstb]

No kidding.  I've got new respect for Stoner.  I kept thinking he was just abusing his tires and would fall off the pace at the end.  His last lap was the fastest of the race...incredible.

What happened to Edwards?  Fast all weekend then he runs mid-pack?

[xtalon]

What happened to Edwards?  Fast all weekend then he runs mid-pack?

My guess would be that he picked the wrong tire... maybe too hard.  I think the temperature ended up being cooler than it had been.  Oh well,  I should have known better to get my hopes up until he actually proves himself in a race... or should I say races.  Hopefully in Jerez!

--xTalon

[sparty]

That was an awesome two man race at the front.  The Duc was on steroids....

...And Stoner showed that he has some pretty big ones.

Sparty

[nickjtc]

Could this be the season of seasons? Will Rossi prevail? Can Hayden do a repeat? Will Pedrosa finally show his true form? Can Hopkins get on the podium finally? Why am I asking so many questions? My 2.00pm test has just cancelled?

Seriously though. Rossi showed yesterday that he will not try to win at all costs. When he knew that the Ducati was too much for him he sensibly backed off and took the 20 points. Once the tour moves on to more Yamaha-friendly circuits we should see him come into his own. I'm holding fire for a few races before I make a prediction as to who will win this year.

PS. I didn't realise what a short a&$e Biaggi is. But good to him him shaking things up in WSB>