Author Topic: MotoGP 2008 (Read 5035 times)

xtalon · « **on:** March 06, 2008, 05:32:12 PM »

What?!?!? No MotoGP banter/predictions/chest thumping?!?! The season starts this weekend.

Who is going to be '08 World Champ and why?

--xTalon
(yes, I'm still alive - if working qualifies as alive)

mrblasty · « **Reply #1 on:** March 06, 2008, 05:48:41 PM »

I can't get excited, don't have a T.V

tsflstb · « **Reply #2 on:** March 06, 2008, 06:25:19 PM »

The races show up on YouTube every week. Get excited!

1. Stoner
2. Hayden
3. Rossi
4. Pedrosa
5. Vermuellin

No reason to doubt Casey running away with it again. I think Rossi switching to Bridgestone was overreacting to last season's issues - now he can't use Edwards as his own personal tire tester. Stoner is just plain faster than anyone else and barring injury or some major mechanical failures I can't see anybody challenging - even Rossi. Hayden looks focused and ready to prove his championship wasn't a fluke. I have a feeling Kawasaki and Suzuki are still playing catch-up, but they have some talented riders who could take a win in the right conditions.

It will be fun to watch. I've enjoyed the Ducati Cup - I mean World Superbike the last couple of weeks, but MotoGP is the reason I have cable.

ekim98 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 06, 2008, 06:44:13 PM »

Make no bones about it, Stoner is a dam good rider, but that Ducati is the bike to beat. Even with a lesser rider! It's like the AMA Superbike races. Suzuki is the bike to beat in that series.
But my heart is still with Honda

Rocking-M · « **Reply #4 on:** March 06, 2008, 06:56:42 PM »

hum, weren't there rules changes this year, which is why the Desmocedici is now a public bike.

It will be an interesting season I suspect, with the usual front running suspects.

bwaller · « **Reply #5 on:** March 06, 2008, 07:25:29 PM »

It is time, lets get this season underway. I'm curious about a number of things, hopefully after a couple races I'll have my answer.

It will be different watching a night race. Imagine 200+ mph under the lights.... sheesh!
I suppose instead of half baking in the sun, the boys will be numb in the cool night air.

Good to see you back xtalon.

mrblasty · « **Reply #6 on:** March 06, 2008, 07:38:20 PM »

Quote from: tsflstb on March 06, 2008, 06:25:19 PM

The races show up on YouTube every week. Get excited!

1. Stoner
2. Hayden
3. Rossi
4. Pedrosa
5. Vermuellin

No reason to doubt Casey running away with it again. I think Rossi switching to Bridgestone was overreacting to last season's issues - now he can't use Edwards as his own personal tire tester. Stoner is just plain faster than anyone else and barring injury or some major mechanical failures I can't see anybody challenging - even Rossi. Hayden looks focused and ready to prove his championship wasn't a fluke. I have a feeling Kawasaki and Suzuki are still playing catch-up, but they have some talented riders who could take a win in the right conditions.

It will be fun to watch. I've enjoyed the Ducati Cup - I mean World Superbike the last couple of weeks, but MotoGP is the reason I have cable.

Nice try, I'm on a dial up connection, whoa is me

Sam Green Racing · « **Reply #7 on:** March 06, 2008, 07:42:40 PM »

Keep your eye on our Jimmy

Sam.

bwaller · « **Reply #8 on:** March 06, 2008, 07:56:44 PM »

We'll be watching alright Sam, but I have a feeling young James may get his eyes opened.

tsflstb · « **Reply #9 on:** March 06, 2008, 09:18:17 PM »

I think Toseland needs a year or two to get used to the tires, traction control and riding style on the 800s coming from a superbike. He's had the talent to mix it up and beat Haga, Corser, Biaggi, and Bayliss for the last couple of years. The way he raced on the spec tires in superbike was pretty impressive. It probably sucks being a satellite rider for Yamaha since they get all of Rossi's rejected parts.

At least the announcer on the GP telecasts (can't remember his name) finally has a British rider on the grid. Hodgson didn't pan out and I'm tired of hearing about Hopkins being 1/2. I think the guy's head may actually explode if Toseland wins a race.

mkramer1121 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 06, 2008, 09:19:27 PM »

Anyone going to be going to Indy this September to catch one of the races? APTech and I have thrown around the idea a bit, ride down from Chicago and catch the race.

tsflstb · « **Reply #11 on:** March 06, 2008, 09:22:29 PM »

I've got tickets and hotel reservations already. Not sure how I'm getting there (driving, riding, flying).

edit...i'd be coming from Houston.

inline4 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 06, 2008, 10:24:31 PM »

I'm a MotoGP WHORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also a big fan of Nicky Hayden. It is SOOO cool watching Nicky at the post-race interviews; usually it's two European riders speaking with their native country dialect.
Then there's Nicky with his Kentucky drawl. PRICELESS!
Of course Stoner is going to be hard to beat, along with Rossi and Pedrosa (the little bastard!)
All I can say right now is BRING ON 2008!!!!!!!!!!!!!

magnus72 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 06, 2008, 10:46:27 PM »

judging from the preseason tests, Stoner looks sure to defend his title in 08. He is the next Doohan.

Sam Green Racing · « **Reply #14 on:** March 06, 2008, 11:05:52 PM »

Quote from: magnus72 on March 06, 2008, 10:46:27 PM

judging from the preseason tests, Stoner looks sure to defend his title in 08. He is the next Doohan.

I think with Stoner you have an exceptional talent on an exceptional bike.

To prove how good that Ducati is, look what Bailis did at the last meeting in 2006.
Jumped of his WSB onto a GP bike and stuffed everyone.

If Toseland had a decent bike he'd do great, he's been stuffing Bailis for ages.

Sam.

CrisPDuk · « **Reply #15 on:** March 07, 2008, 03:13:27 AM »

I think Stoner will win it again, but it ain't going to be walkover this time, I think Melandri will get on better with the Duke than Capirossi did, and Rossi will put up more of a fight. Power-wise the Yam is never going to be the equal of any of the others due to it's crank design, but thanks to that same feature they've always been able to carry more speed through the corners.

Hopefully it has dawned on Honda that they need to put some support behind Hayden for once, after all he's won it once despite their best efforts, imagine what he could do with their support

I disagree with the comment that Kawasaki and Suzuki will be playing catch up, signing Hopper was a big coup for the green team IMO, and with Ant West in support they're gonna have a good year
Suzuki had it close to sorted last year. I think Vermeulen will be a huge force to be reckoned with in the coming season, especially when you bear in mind that his new team mate is not only one of the best development riders in the business, he's also got a point to prove

Of the Satellite teams I think Guintoli could be the man to watch, he could be the rider to finally get something from the from the (ex) D'Antin dog

I think Toseland will surprise us Sammy, OK he's in a traditionally poor performing team, but they have been promised better factory support this year, and Edwards (who does know a thing or two) has already stated that his sole intention this year is to support JT in every way he can.

My prediction for the season

1. Stoner
2. Rossi
3. Vermeulen
4. Hayden

Quote from: Rocking-M on March 06, 2008, 06:56:42 PM

hum, weren't there rules changes this year, which is why the Desmocedici is now a public bike.

It will be an interesting season I suspect, with the usual front running suspects.

The rule changes you are thinking of were in WSB not MotoGP RM, to enable the new 1098S to compete against the litre fours

The Desmosedici that is available on sale is a replica of the old 990, not the current 800, and the only reason they've developed it for sale is because they can

Personally I'm saving my cash until Honda follow suit and bring out the RC211V

Rocking-M · « **Reply #16 on:** March 07, 2008, 03:55:53 AM »

Quote from: CrisPDuk on March 07, 2008, 03:13:27 AM

Quote from: Rocking-M on March 06, 2008, 06:56:42 PM
hum, weren't there rules changes this year, which is why the Desmocedici is now a public bike.

It will be an interesting season I suspect, with the usual front running suspects.

The rule changes you are thinking of were in WSB not MotoGP RM, to enable the new 1098S to compete against the litre fours
The Desmosedici that is available on sale is a replica of the old 990, not the current 800, and the only reason they've developed it for sale is because they can

Personally I'm saving my cash until Honda follow suit and bring out the RC211V

In that case I go with Stoner.

xtalon · « **Reply #17 on:** March 07, 2008, 04:22:02 PM »

Quote from: bwaller on March 06, 2008, 07:25:29 PM

Good to see you back xtalon.

Thanks Bwaller!

All good insight guys.

The thing that continues to baffle me is how Stoner is so much better than anyone else on the Ducati. Capirossi last year, a proven race winner and multi-time world champ (125/250cc) and this year Melandri (at least so far in all the pre-season testing - not even close). Why is that? Is Stoner THAT good... or has Ducati taken the development of their bike in a direction that suits a former dirt tracker rather than a 250cc pilot? Yes, I know Stoner rode 250's too, but his back ground is dirt. Last year I just thought Capirossi was getting long in the tooth, but so far, Melandri isn't fairing much better. Time will tell. The Ducati definitely doesn't act like a full on sideways brute of a dirt tracker, but maybe it lies somewhere else. As I said, I'm baffled.

I think Rossi made a mistake in jumping to Bridgestone and I think it will cost him the championship, but either way I hope tires do not play as big a factor as they did last year.

Lorenzo and Toseland have both impressed me, but it is a long year and I forsee the luster fading a tad as the year wears on.

Honda? What on Earth? Honda used to dominate everything. Now it appears they are struggling everywhere in 2008. F1, World Superbike... now MotoGP.... but I still don't count them out. Although, I believe Honda should put their developmental hopes on Hayden, regardless of what the mighty midget robot Pedrosa says. Hayden won a World Championship while being the development rider for Honda in '06. What if they would listen to him and his team and steer the bike in his direction instead of simply using him as the testbed during race weekends? The Pedrosa ('07) bike was quite the disappointment.

Anyway, that's enough to chew on for now.

My picks:

1. Stoner
2. Rossi (once he comes to grips w/ the 'stones and you can't discount Burgess)
3. Hayden (if Honda will support him)
4. Pedrosa
5. Lorenzo

Now, I'll be wanting to change all these after Qatar.

Oh... and I'll be at Indy in Sept. Hope to see you there tsflstb!
Thought I would share a picture I took at Laguna last year.

--xTalon

bwaller · « **Reply #18 on:** March 07, 2008, 06:05:36 PM »

I wish I knew what was in the water these Aussies are drinking. There has been some incredible bike racing talent produced there for sure. I find a striking similarity now between Stoner and Vermeulen and that is when they get to the front both are completely unfazed by pressure from behind. Usually a sign of maturity and experience. Of course Mr. Vermeulen hasn't had much opportunity since his last year in WSB but he lead quite awhile at Laguna the year I was there so all he needs is the right ride.

derekd · « **Reply #19 on:** March 08, 2008, 07:32:45 AM »

Yeah I am ready!Hoping Hayden can find a way to compete for another championship but my head says Stoner is going to be the guy everyone is chasing.I am also looking forward to watching Lorenzo and Toesland,its nice to see some fresh talent that I think at times will be competitive.Cant wait

malcolmgb · « **Reply #20 on:** March 08, 2008, 01:27:36 PM »

Just watched the Moto GP qualifying, what an eye opener

I was one who thought that Toseland wouldn't hack it, I now have to eat my words.

The general consensus seems to be about the Ducati is that the electronics do all the work, Stoner just needs to have the confidence to wind it wide open and hang on, to try and ride it which is what Capirossi did last year and Melandri this year just doesn't work.

CrisPDuk · « **Reply #21 on:** March 09, 2008, 03:39:21 AM »

I believed JT would have the confidence/ability to cut it in the top class, but I admit Ididn't think he'd catch on that quickly

According to the Ducati camp Malcolm, it's not so much that Stoner has confidence to wind it up and hang on, more that he has the reactions to deal with the bike being permanently right on the edge of throwing him off

I think it's possibly down to his dirt biking background, I kind of suspect that Hayden would get along similarly well with that kind of bike

xtalon · « **Reply #22 on:** March 09, 2008, 07:15:05 AM »

Quote from: CrisPDuk on March 09, 2008, 03:39:21 AM

I kind of suspect that Hayden would get along similarly well with that kind of bike

I've thought the same thing CrisPDuk! Hayden's contract w/ Honda expires this year. So does Stoner's, although I don't see him leaving unless somebody throws some BIG $ at him.

An American doing well on a Ducati certainly wouldn't hurt Ducati's American sales market.

--xTalon

ieism · « **Reply #23 on:** March 09, 2008, 08:55:32 AM »

Unlike anybody else, I predict Rossi to win it back this year. Stoner will make a terrible highsider, and miss 2 races in the beginning of the season.

Off course my predictions are never exactly acurate....

malcolmgb · « **Reply #24 on:** March 09, 2008, 09:01:36 AM »

Quote from: ieism on March 09, 2008, 08:55:32 AM

Unlike anybody else, I predict Rossi to win it back this year. Stoner will make a terrible highsider, and miss 2 races in the beginning of the season.

Off course my predictions are never exactly acurate....

wow! that is quite a prediction, you don't happen to have the lottery numbers for next week also do you.

News:

Author Topic: MotoGP 2008 (Read 5035 times)

Rocking-M

Rocking-M

derekd