Assen Moto GP race - is over!

[supermotoC]

I didn't realize the race was on the 24th - which is nearly over in Assen.
I do NOT know the results - I do know it is a very busy race, with the US flag leading up until the point I stopped reading. If you want to know, go here - you can read the race progression http://www.superbikeplanet.com/newind.htm/ . Please do NOT post results until after the rest of the world has had a chance to see it on TV (TOMORROW PM!).

Does Rossi ride? - yes

Is he in pain? - yes

[DJ Down Under]

U-N-B-E-L-I-E-V-A-B-L-E....unbelievable finish....that's gotta be the most incredible finish to a Gp race that I've seen in a long time.

Followed by stunned silence (by me)....I had to tell myself to shut my mouth when I realized my jaw was hanging down.

I'm still not sure if I'm happy or sad.

DJ

[arkline]

DJ,

You've missed your calling. You should be doing commentary on bike racing, especially MotoGP. From your words above, I'd watch that race even if the house was burning down around me. Ooooooooooooh, patience, patience, patience...

[DJ Down Under]

'A' style...what-the!...looks more like doggy style....or is it just me?

What's with the Assen logo...check out the trophys...they look like two stick figures doing it doggy style.

DJ

http://www.tt-assen.com/cms/images/img-2fb8f6f185478a044d6a2f0f7b7d46de.jpg

[DarthRider]

Actually Deej, that's the correct international symbol for the famous Texas sex position commonly known as "Rodeo Style".
It is similar to the more common & familiar "Doggy Style" except when you get all "mounted up", you put your left arm around her waist.
When the action begins you lean forward and whisper her sister's name in her ear (like Ohhh...Sally baby...)
Then you try to hang on for 6 seconds without getting bucked off! :eusa_clap:

[supermotoC]

thanks for the new avatar, DJ!!


Here's a GREAT write-up of the race, and if you check back often, you'll see this guy (opinionated & sometimes grumpy) is a really decent writer - especially if you don't have Speed Channel (in the US).

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=147520

[Bones]

Looks like only DJ and I have seen it for real. I watched it tonight on the MotoGP website in streaming video.

HOLY MOLY!!! What an unbelievable finish. As DJ said, it was a "WTF" moment.

Let's just say that it was fantastic racing and good for MotoGP all the way around, I think.

I absolutely hate to see anyone crash and get hurt, under any circumstances. The fact that Melandri, Caparossi and Rossi were racing was a testament to how tough those guys are.

Without giving anything away, I think it is OK to say this: Rossi has some type of fracture in either his right hand or right wrist. They had to soften the suspension on his bike to lessen the pain with the bike in transition zones. They modified the brake lever so he could use it. He has some type of cast thing on his right wrist and hand. He starts in 18th place on the grid...last place. Mid race, he starts diving under guys, passing "like butter." The guy is just truly from another planet.

[DJ Down Under]

Hey Bones.

What a great feeling when 'you know who' returns to his pit garage and the whole pit crew and team just stand there and clap him..it was like a standing ovation.

btw..I'm not talking about Rossi.

If that didn't make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up nothing will.

I hope they don't cut that from the US telly cast.

DJ

[jamming]

Go Nicky!!!!!

Awesome race! He showed he can win in Europe, bring on Laguna.

Roger

[Ed K]

Wow!!! Racing at its best! :eusa_clap:

Looking forward to Laguna. :shade:

[DJ Down Under]

You've gotta feel for this guy..the Texas Tornado.

Colin is half Aussie and one hell of a nice guy not to mention a great rider..riding in the shadow of Rossi..and deserved a good result this time..but that's racing.

It was a fantastic battle between the Americans..and what a shame it had to end in tears for one of them.

DJ

http://foxsports.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,5001,5174981,00.jpg

[Bones]

If Colin had used the patience that Nicky has learned over the past two seasons, he would have been on the podium in second place. I know, I know.....these guys are "racers" and will throw caution to the wind. But Hayden has shown THIS year, that sometimes, you have to know when you just don't have the whole package that day and be OK with second. It has got him leading the championship now. Last year, he was a great rider, but you could see him letting his balls override his brain and it ended in some crashes that cost him so many points it bumped him down. Edwards rode an amazing race, but I thought his last move was bone head. Glad he isn't injured. Glad Nicky got the win. I hope he smokes the field at Laguna. I am betting Edwards will be very fast there, like last year.

GO NICKY!

Jeff

[Ed K]

Not sure that it was Collin's "fault" as he high-sided... Both Nicky and Collin were pushing beyond 10/10ths during that final lap.

And, for me, one of best parts of the race, is watching the de-briefing at the end. It appeared Nicky's voice was shaking during his speech just bit (and unusual for him). Not sure if it was because of elation, or a bit of fear knowing he pushed it beyond the limits. But Nicky sure appeared calm as powered through the muck, and brought it home.

We're gonna see some great racing at Laguna. Can wait to be there!

[Optimus Prime]

Great race. I really want to know what Nicky changed to get the faster lap times.

http://www.tt-assen.com/cms/images/img-2fb8f6f185478a044d6a2f0f7b7d46de.jpg
And I couldn't stop smirking every time I saw this.

[arkline]

Wow! There sure is some hard scrabbling going on in MotoGP these days. What's not to like?

Rossi, injured, moves from dead last on the grid to eighth. Eight points garnered and going up and down the points scale relative to Hayden race by race.

Edwards leads the race for the longest time and zoops off track to let Nicky by. But wait there's more. Edwards charges hard and makes his move. He's past Hayden and the race is almost over. Oh, damn. Edwards fall off and finishes 13th. Very unlucky. Hayden ran a very smart race, lost some time to Edwards, made it up and waited until the Tornado made that mistake - twice. Hats off to Nicky, he's getting a big handle on it.

Great racing for what looked like third, fourth and fifth. Roberts showed a pretty good head, kept the pressure up and there couldn't have been a hands-width between those bikes in some of those turns. Pedrosa and Stoner kept "calm" and Edwards' get off moved Pedrosa and Stoner on to the podium.

Hopkins charged hard from the beginning and would probably have been closer to the podium if he'd made a better choice in rubber. He looks like he's beginning to get the picture. His bike is certainly running as well as and as fast as the leaders. Hopkins style in the transitions has become smoother. And his obvious desire to get up there and spray champagne is obvious.

If Hayden keeps up the pace, riding smart and not having to contend with the Doctor, I could see him taking the laurels this year. Hot damn! That would be a grand thing...

[supermotoC]

Talk about body english....

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/image/2006/mgp/assen/1/4.jpg

The bike wanted to finish......

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/image/2006/mgp/assen/1/5.jpg

Colin wasn't the only one riding 105%....

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/image/2006/mgp/assen/1/3.jpg

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/image/2006/mgp/assen/1/7.jpg

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/image/2006/mgp/assen/1/9.jpg

There's "far" in them eyes.....

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/image/2006/mgp/assen/1/9a.jpg

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/image/2006/mgp/assen/1/9b.jpg


Who's not happy....?

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/image/2006/mgp/assen/1/9c.jpg

[geechie]

Holy crap!

That last lap reminded me of some of the epic battles Colin had with Troy in his last season of WSBK. Even the Pegster, while not a big fan of MC racing was screaming and yelling as Colin and Nicky diced. I was absolutely out of my tree. Hell, I still can't honestly say who I wanted to win. I wanted them both to win, of course.

What a race. Man! What a race!

George

[DJ Down Under]

Great race. I really want to know what Nicky changed to get the faster lap times.


Here's what Nicky said...

"I didn't get off to the best start and when I saw Colin (Edwards) on front I knew that I would really have to go after him because he has had very good rhythm all week.

"Colin was so smooth and fast I thought he might get away from me. I changed my style towards the end of the race and that made all the difference.

I was able to close him down and get the win."

Edwards said: "What can I saw? Obviously I'm very disappointed because I know I would have won this race.

"The motorbike was working really well from the start and it was really a pleasure to ride. I knew my rhythm would be hard for the others to follow.

"But when Nicky moved to the inside he closed the door. Unfortunately I was a bit too tight on the final bend and hit the grass.

"I gave it everything but fair play to Nicky it was a great race."


So...Nicky changed his style..???...he pulled his finger out and went faster..:037:..just kidding.

DJ

http://www.mcnews.com.au/motorcycleracing2006/motogp/rnd8/gallery_b/images/Hayden_06GP08_3283_AN.jpg

[supermotoC]

Rossi's handlebar wore electrical tape at Assen, just like half of the bicycles ridden by 11 year old kids.

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/image/2006/mgp/assen/2/3.jpg

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/image/2006/mgp/assen/2/7.jpg

It only hurts when I breathe...

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/image/2006/mgp/assen/2/6.jpg

[Road Dog]

Hey Bones.

What a great feeling when 'you know who' returns to his pit garage and the whole pit crew and team just stand there and clap him..it was like a standing ovation.

btw..I'm not talking about Rossi.

If that didn't make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up nothing will.

I hope they don't cut that from the US telly cast.

DJ

Frigging Speed Channel - I watched the race again last night and yes - they cut the pit shot.

[DJ Down Under]

That's a bugger that they cut stuff like that...Colin rode into his pit..took off his helmet and just sat there looking down...he was surrounded by his crew and team clapping him...:eusa_clap: ...they just kept clapping..they knew how he must have felt and that he gave his all...and he deserved to win that one.

This is an interesting pic...well I guess Kenny's using Honda engine's now.

Do you feel the force young Nicky.

DJ

http://www.mcnews.com.au/motorcycleracing2006/motogp/rnd8/gallery_c/images/KRJR_06GP08_0035_AN.jpg