Season opens at Qatar;

[Tassie Devil]

Well I think I'm set for the opening weekend;
Video pass organised, beer nice and cold just the way I like it.... (Sorry Si).:icon_redface:

This looks like an interesting season ahead to say the least with our US brothers looking the goods...
Don't know if CV has it right in the following piece; Casey came back very strong after his illness last year and was unlucky not to finish second despite sitting out three races. I don't recall that he worried too much about the "might of the big Japanese".

This from our local rag:

FORMER world champion Casey Stoner will struggle to match the might of the Japanese MotoGP machines this season, according to countryman Chris Vermeulen.

Vermeulen, a winner in the elite series for Suzuki who has returned to world superbikes this year, says Stoner's smaller Italian Ducati team got everything right in his title-winning year of 2007.

But he says while Stoner will be competitive, he is unlikely to be able to snare a second crown.

"I think it's always going to be hard for him to win against the might of the big Japanese on a Ducati," Vermeulen said.

"I think he's one of the most talented riders out there. He doesn't care, he just gets on and twists the throttle and he does it very well.

"I hope for him that he's up there challenging but I realistically think that Yamaha and Honda are going to be harder for Ducati to beat this year.

"Ducati were really at an advantage when the 800cc came out even though Honda built the rules around it but the Japanese seem better at refining things and improving," Vermeulen said.

"I'm not taking anything away from Ducati but they are much bigger manufacturers and the bike plays such a big role in MotoGP.

"I don't know what Ducati have got in the pipeline or anything but that's what I'm seeing from outside.

"I think Casey's going to be in there with Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa but whether he can actually have a chance at that championship we'll have to wait and see.

"I think the `07 bike was very good - not better than any other bike - but he adapted, but there were three or four other Ducatis out there that he beat as well, so you can't take anything away from him.

"But you have to make your own luck and your own opportunities and Ducati just got it perfect," he said.


Anyway, lets be thankful the drought has broken, almost...

Cheers,:eusa_clap:

JQ.

[Griffon]

I'd take Chris with a grain of salt just now. I suspect he's got some sour grapes at present. As to Casey's capabilities, I think you're dead right about his luck. It will be nice to see him healthy and competitive again! In truth, I'm looking forward to a lot of things this season. It's going to be good to see how the upcoming rookies do, esp Ben Spies.

I'm completely unashamed to say I'm hoping Vale gets his tenth championship, then retire. I want to see him out on a high note, and see whatever he does next!

I"m off to get my own video pass!

[Sir Limpsalot]

The really interesting thing is that all of the top four riders contracts expire at the end of this season. Honda have hired Casey's ex Ducati team manager specifically to lure him away from the red bike. Winning two races a year, as they have the last three years, is just not satisfactory. They need either Casey or Vale, but Vale has a long memory..
Yamaha would like to keep Vale, but the company is in trouble and might not be able to afford him. They must be hoping that Ben comes good this year then..
Ducati would, obviously, like to keep Casey but if he elects to go to Repsol then they could afford to pay Vale because Marlboro pays the Ducati riders wages, not Ducati..

There will be lots of negotiating going on this year for certain.

As to the racing, I think CV has every right to his opinion. He's been there. Only time will tell if he's right, or not.

Si.

[Tassie Devil]

As to the racing, I think CV has every right to his opinion. He's been there. Only time will tell if he's right, or not".

One thing's for sure; CV has much better idea of the situation than I have...... No question about that....

Cheers,

JQ.

[Sir Limpsalot]

"One thing's for sure; CV has much better idea of the situation than I have...... No question about that...."

And so say all of us!

I *think* he's alluding to the changes made by Ducati to "tame" their bike, so that more than one person can actually master it. They know that putting all their eggs in Casey's basket is all very well untill, for whatever reason, there's no Casey..
Looking at the practice times over the winter it seems to have worked, in so much as Nicky is running much closer to the front of the pack.

In a nutshell the Ducati is now a little bit slower, while (according to Vale) the Yamahas are now a little bit faster.

We should find out this weekend. The last three years Casey has just run away from everybody at Qatar, with the rest of the field in a seperate race for second place. If he does it again then we've just confirmed that CV (and I) know Jack Shit. :)

[1MPH]

If he does it again then we've just confirmed that CV (and I) know Jack Shit. :)

Let me clear that up for you Simon. :)


Many people are at a loss for a response when someone says, "You don't know Jack Schitt" Now you can handle the situation.

Jack was the only son of Awe Schitt and Owe Schitt. Awe Schitt, the fertiliser magnate, married Owe Schitt, the proprietor of Kneedeep N. Schitt Inc.

In turn Jack Schitt married Noe Schitt, and the deeply religious couple had six children: Holie Schitt, Fulla Schitt, Giva Schitt, Bull Schitt and the twins Deap Schitt and Dip Schitt.

Against her parents will, Deap Schitt married Dumb Schitt, a high school drop-out. After being married for 15 years, Jack and Noe Schitt divorced. Noe Schitt later married Mr. Sherlock and, because her children were still living with them she kept her previous name. She was then known as NoeSchitt-Sherlock.

Dip Schitt married Loada Schitt and they produced a nervous son, Chicken Schitt.

Fulla Schitt and Giva Schitt were inseparable throughout their childhood and subsequently married the Happens brothers in a dual ceremony. The local newspapers duly announced the Schitt-Happens weddings. The Schitt-Happens children were named Dawg, Byrd and Hoarse.

Bull Schitt, the prodigal son, left home to tour the world. He recently returned from Italy with his new wife, Pisa Schitt.

So now when someone says,"You don't know Jack Schitt", you can correct them because you know his whole family and life story!

[Sir Limpsalot]

Jack, you're a diamond. I shall comit the above to memory. Of course, with my memory being what it is..

Si.

[1MPH]

Jack, you're a diamond. Si.

Thanks Simon, but you are too kind. I'm more like a lump of coal that needs lots of pressure. :) :)

[Tassie Devil]

:webers::webers:
Thanks Simon, but you are too kind. I'm more like a lump of coal that needs lots of pressure. :) :)

I used to be an exspurt;
"A drip under pressure"...:remybussi:

Cheers,

JQ.

[Deans BMW]

Jack, you are with out a doubt, the best.

[1MPH]

Jack, you are with out a doubt, the best.


Thank you Dean....I'm just trying to keep up.

The Cafe seems to bring that out of me.

[Sir Limpsalot]

Casey's up for it..

(Anyone surprised? No, thought not!).

Ducati's Casey Stoner says he is 'happy with what he has' heading into the opening round of the 2010 MotoGP World Championship as he looks to kick off his title quest in style at Losail.

For the most part, Stoner has played second fiddle to Valentino Rossi over the course of the off-season, although he was able to overhaul his arch rival during the concluding pre-season test in Qatar just three weeks ago.

Indeed, while Stoner admits Losail isn't a favourite circuit of his, his strong results there – including a dominant victory in last year's delayed event – makes him happy to begin the season in the Middle Eastern nation.

“We have always enjoyed great results in Qatar although the track isn't one of my favourites as a rider. It was good that they changed the race from daytime to night because they've made it different to anything else – it's interesting for the fans and it is good fun for us.

Looking ahead to the season as a whole, Stoner is particularly excited about getting to put Ducati's new 'big bang' engine into practice in a racing environment.

“Ducati have come up with a much more manageable engine for this season, it is easier for everybody to understand and from my point of view I am finding it easier to ride fast on used tyres. We have made progress with the set-up ever since the first test at Sepang and we're happy with what we have going into the first race.

[Tassie Devil]

Stoner on the pace as Qatar gets 2010 underway

Friday, 09 April 2010
Ducati Marlboro rider Casey Stoner started the Commercialbank Grand Prix of Qatar weekend as the leading MotoGP rider, setting the fastest time of the first free practice session.

The first day of action at the opening round of the 2010 season concluded on Friday evening with Casey Stoner the quickest MotoGP rider under the floodlights of the Losail International Circuit. The Australian is seeking his fourth successive win at the track this weekend, as he bids to get his title challenge off to a winning start by carrying over his form from the final pre-season Test.

Stoner’s time of 1’55.500 on board his new Desmosedici GP10, resplendent with its new big bang engine, placed him just over half a second ahead of the rest of the 17-strong field, as he displayed his strength at the desert track and ensured he was the only man to get under 1’56” barrier. Stoner set his time on the ninth of 17 laps, the fewest completed of all the riders.

Jorge Lorenzo (Fiat Yamaha), who admitted prior to the weekend that he may not be at full fitness as he continues to recover from a hand injury, showed no signs of hesitance as he set the second best time of the hour-long session. The Spaniard’s best lap of 1’56.026 came right at the end of the practice, and just before he had a fall which did not appear to cause him any problems.

His team-mate, reigning World Champion Valentino Rossi, was third on the timesheet on board his factory M1 prototype. The Italian, who will aim to get his title defence off to a winning start, timed in at just two-thousandths of a second off his colleague Lorenzo.

Andrea Dovizioso of the Repsol Honda team took his factory RC212V round in the fourth best time. The Italian, who finished last year’s race in fourth place, was just over a second off Stoner’s pace with a time of 1’56.698, and it was Stoner’s team-mate Nicky Hayden who made the fifth spot at just under a tenth of a second behind.

The highest-placed rookie was Ben Spies (Monster Yamaha Tech3) as he showed further signs of taking to the premier class well in sixth spot, with fellow newcomer Álvaro Bautista (Rizla Suzuki) on the GSV-R the final rider under 1’57”.

Randy de Puniet (LCR Honda), Mika Kallio (Pramac Racing) and Héctor Barberá (Páginas Amarillas Aspar) were all inside the top ten, with Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda) 11th. The 2009 third-placed Championship rider continues to struggle on his factory bike, and was over a second-and-a-half off Stoner’s pace as he lapped at 1’57.133.

Colin Edwards (Monster Yamaha Tech3) followed, and Loris Capirossi (Rizla Suzuki) was 13th. The veteran Italian had a crash with 20 minutes of the session to go, but returned to the track to set his best time, ahead of Marco Simoncelli (San Carlo Honda Gresini Team), Aleix Espargaró (Pramac Racing), Marco Melandri (San Carlo Honda Gresini Team) and Hiroshi Aoyama (Interwetten Honda MotoGP).

Good practice times by Ben and Nicky...

Dani Pedrosa is still not up to pace compared to team-mate Andrea Dovizioso.

Interesting...

Cheers,

JQ.

[DarthRider]

Follow these Crash.Net links for some good M-GP interviews and back-stories.
Should be a good race...GO BEN!

http://www.crash.net/motogp

[Tassie Devil]

I agree with that Dave...
Here's another well informed site; http://www.rideontwo.com/forum/

I am enjoying this race video caper.
I was able to watch live QP at 6am local time... Quite a treat for this early rising follower...

The usual suspects seem to be at the front end at the moment... but I look forward to the actual racing..
Let the Season begin..

Cheers,

JQ.

[DarthRider]

What a freakin' race!:eusa_clap:

Oh, Casey...
Welcome back Nickey!
Ben, you're sure going to be fun to watch!
Colin, keep spanking those kids!



2010 MOTOGP TEAMS' CHAMPIONSHIP(After Valencia 1st Round)
1 Valentino Rossi Fiat Yamaha Team 25
2 Jorge Lorenzo Fiat Yamaha Team 20
3 Andrea Dovizioso Repsol Honda Team 16
4 Nicky Hayden Ducati Marlboro Team 13
5 Ben Spies Monster Yamaha Tech 3 11
6 Randy de Puniet LCR Honda 10
7 Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda Team 9
8 Colin Edwards Monster Yamaha Tech 3 8
9 Loris Capirossi Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 7
10 Hiroshi Aoyama Interwetten Honda MotoGP 6
11 Marco Simoncelli San Carlo Honda Gresini 5
12 Hector Barbera Aspar Racing Team 4
13 Marco Melandri San Carlo Honda Gresini 3
14 Casey Stoner Ducati Marlboro Team 0
= Alex Espargaro Pramac Racing Team 0
= Mika Kallio Pramac Racing Team 0
= Alvaro Bautista Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 0

[Boxerboy]

Stoner...


“Let’s look at it this way: Last year I started the Championship very well and ended it badly. Now we can do it the other way around. Without doubt no points from the first race is the worst start, but on the other hand my Ducati has improved a lot and Hayden confirmed that with his fourth place. It was a real shame that Nicky did not make the podium.”

[socalrob]

Casey will be a major threat to Rossi this season. I bet Rossi is counting himself lucky indeed to be 25 points up on Stoner. I predict that cushion will be very short lived, but it may well be the difference at the end of the season.

Hayden came oh so close to a podium. He's a great racer.

[DarthRider]

And let's not forget the performance of this young man...

From Crash.Net:
Ben Spies delivers with fighting fifth

Ben Spies began his first full time MotoGP season by delivering one of the stand-out performances of Sunday night's Qatar Grand Prix.

The Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider gained four places on the opening lap, then was elevated into the top six by a surprise mistake from race leader Casey Stoner on lap six of
22.

Pursuing factory Yamaha rider Jorge Lorenzo, Spies once again demonstrated his devastating speed on worn tyres as he threatened to haul himself into contention for the podium battle involving Nicky Hayden and Andrea Dovizioso.

For several laps, Spies was the fastest man on track and his best lap time of 1min 56.087sec was just a few hundredths slower than the fastest laps by Lorenzo and race winner Valentino Rossi.

Spies went on to cross the line just over two seconds off third position and less than four seconds away from top M1 rider and reigning world champion Rossi.

“The key was that I knew we had a good pace on race tyres. I got a good start and I was quite aggressive in the first couple of laps to try and make up some places and keep contact with the front group,” said Spies, who previous best MotoGP finish was sixth in the wet 2008 Indianapolis Grand Prix.

“My confidence was growing in the middle of the race and I could see Jorge and Valentino and those guys not a million miles in front of me. I wasn't catching them a lot, but I knew for a few laps in the middle of the race I was definitely the quickest out of the top five.

“Maybe if I'd have qualified higher I might have been in that fight for the podium at the end. But I can't be too greedy and this is a good start for me and gives me a platform to build on for the rest of the season,” he added.

“Everybody was expecting great things from Ben this year and we have to say already that he has shown what he is capable of tonight,” stated team manager Herve Poncharal. “We were a bit disappointed when he was only 11th in qualifying but we knew it would be better for the race because he was so strong on hard tyres and we know this is a major strength of Ben's.

“And he is a racer who is very aggressive and he made up a few places early on, which is always crucial in MotoGP. His lap times were incredibly fast and was he closing on the leading group for the whole race and this is a fantastic start for Ben with the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team.”

Spies was also the top rookie and satellite rider, while team-mate Colin Edwards crossed the line in a disappointing eighth.

“I rode my hardest but tonight was one of the times when you're just riding around problems,” he said. “The front grip was great but I was lacking a bit on the rear and I couldn't get a set-up that pushed the tyre on the ground.

“As soon I accelerated the rear tyre would spin, but we actually found out some things for the future that will help me. The Yamaha is obviously working good when you look at the result and I want to congratulate Ben because he did a great job. Hopefully next time out I'll be a bit closer to the fight.”


http://pix.crash.net/motorsport/710/PA723284.jpg

[socalrob]

Wasn't it great to see Hayden giving it his all? Just looked to me like he was going for broke at the end, not being "safe" and collecting points. Reminds me of Rossi.

[Sir Limpsalot]

A very good race, I thought.

I think if Casey had got off in front he would have just disapeared, maybe having to get past the others rattled him a bit and he didn't know just how hard he needed to push.

Great performances by both Nicky and Ben. I was really willing a podium for Nicky, but, man those Hondas were fast!

Don't know if you guys saw the official speed trap figures, fastest bike was Dovi's Honda. Slowest bike was Vale's Yamaha.

Yes! That's correct, the race was won on the slowest bike in the race. Draw your own conclusions..

Si.

[DarthRider]

Wasn't it great to see Hayden giving it his all? Just looked to me like he was going for broke at the end, not being "safe" and collecting points. Reminds me of Rossi.

When Nicky was nipped right there at the line by Dovizioso, I was as disappointed as he was.
It looked like he was very comfortable and enjoying himself.
I tell you who really impressed me and I don't even like the guy...Jorge! He can get through places there are no places and can brake past the apex.
Seemingly so anyway.
Right now I just feel like he & Casey "want" it more than anyone else there.
Si makes a great point about "slow" motorcycles outrunning "fast" ones....fun to watch, fun to do!
I love to see that but what I love more is to see an inspired rider out-ride a more talented rider.

It's going to be an interesting season but I sure wish they started more than 17 riders.


I'm surprised there is not more chatter on here about World Super Bikes.
You don't suppose it's because...nah, couldn't be that!:028:
Go Haslam, Biaggi & Haga!

[Griffon]

I managed to get home in time to see the race... and what a race!!! This is going to be an excellent season for sure, for all of the reasons you fine folks have mentioned!

Even more exciting was the inaugural Moto2 race! I believe I'll be watching all three classes this season. There is so much potential for Moto2, and I think it'll be a very fun class to watch if the first race was any indication.

[vintagemxr]

Edit: Aw crap, I posted that in the wrong thread. There goes my perfect year!!

the other Doug

[1MPH]

I really don't understand the obsession with celebrity by people or the media. So many genuinely interesting or important things going on in the world.

By the way, did you guys notice any differences in the leathers Rossi was wearing at the Qatar race yesterday?? I thought the shade of yellow was a little different.

the other Doug



I know that is genuinely interesting and important to me. :)

[vintagemxr]

I know that is genuinely interesting and important to me. :)

Ah crap...I clicked on the wrong browser tab and posted that in the wrong message thread. :linzi:

Qatar was a pretty good race but I didn't think it was that interesting apart from the effect that Stoner's crash might have at the end of the season. Until Casey slid off I thought we might see some good, race long action. It was nice to see Hayden move up to a decent finish again but I still think, as I said in 2007 (some long ago Cafe thread), that Hayden is a one time only Champion.

the other Doug

[Tassie Devil]

This is Spooky

I had an early trip to our factory at Deloraine, so I set off at 5.30 am just as Casey was starting lap 6...
I got halfway down the wet and slippery Lanes Road when I hit a patch of greasy clay and fishtailed into the bank just as Casey hit the deck....
Is there such a thing as "Sympathy Pain" I ask you?:icon_redface:

The new '88 R80 fairing is Cactus... Lucky I have the '84 fairing still as the new owner wants a modified bikini one.

So I'm busy swapping and repainting at the moment. I'll send pics when I've finished.:058:

I watched the race when I got home and drowned my sorrows with an inferior bottle of Scotch.... No use wasting good Scotch on sorrow...

Casey seems up-beat and the season will be very interesting I'm sure...

There's enough encouragement to keep us all interested...:webers:

Cheers,

JQ.

[Sir Limpsalot]

I still think, as I said in 2007 (some long ago Cafe thread), that Hayden is a one time only Champion.

the other Doug

I'm sure you're right. I like to see him do well though as he's a nice guy. I like to see Colin do well for the same reason. Although Dave is right about Jorge's ability he is, in my opinion, far from a nice guy. He cut all ties with his family because they were "a distraction" to his race effort. Yes, the same family who made all the sacrifices to get the little shit where he is now. He wants to go home with a Moto-GP title. If he gets one, I hope they tell him to shove it up his arse.

Si.

JQ, sorry about your new bike and I hope it's soon mended. S.

[Tassie Devil]

Thanks Si...
BTW don't hold back old fella....
Tell us what you really think....

Yeah... I agree

Cheers,

JQ.

[Griffon]

I'm sure you're right. I like to see him do well though as he's a nice guy. I like to see Colin do well for the same reason. Although Dave is right about Jorge's ability he is, in my opinion, far from a nice guy. He cut all ties with his family because they were "a distraction" to his race effort. Yes, the same family who made all the sacrifices to get the little shit where he is now. He wants to go home with a Moto-GP title. If he gets one, I hope they tell him to shove it up his arse.

Si.

JQ, sorry about your new bike and I hope it's soon mended. S.


If he wins the title he so desperately wants, I wonder if he'll think it worth it when it's over. Two years after his last win, who will remember him but a few race fans. However good things get, there is always the downswing, and as we get older I think it gets harder. I suspect a good reason why Rossi continues to do so well is that he's been smart enough to surround himself with people he's known and trusted for years. It has likely kept him grounded and will keep him warmer when the flame of celebrity dies away.


As for Casey, I'm not the slightest bit worried for his championship bid. A DNF or two is probably factored into a season's plans. I think we're in for a thoroughly cracking season!

[Sir Limpsalot]

If he wins the title he so desperately wants, I wonder if he'll think it worth it when it's over. Two years after his last win, who will remember him but a few race fans. However good things get, there is always the downswing, and as we get older I think it gets harder. I suspect a good reason why Rossi continues to do so well is that he's been smart enough to surround himself with people he's known and trusted for years. It has likely kept him grounded and will keep him warmer when the flame of celebrity dies away.


As for Casey, I'm not the slightest bit worried for his championship bid. A DNF or two is probably factored into a season's plans. I think we're in for a thoroughly cracking season!

You make some very good points there, as always, Jeremy.

All the riders will have to keep crashes to an absolute minimum though, it's easy for an engine to ingest some sand and stones when flung into a gravel trap and with only six engines allowed for the season..

I'm not sure the flame of celebrity (what a lovely expression!) will ever die for Vale though. Not in Europe anyway, it's about 35 years since Agostini last raced and the old boy gets mobbed when he turns up at circuits here. Awesome. Couldn't happen to a nicer bloke.

Cheers!
Si.

[DarthRider]

I'm not sure the flame of celebrity (what a lovely expression!) will ever die for Vale though. Not in Europe anyway, it's about 35 years since Agostini last raced and the old boy gets mobbed when he turns up at circuits here. Awesome. Couldn't happen to a nicer bloke.

Cheers!
Si.

Here in the good ol' US of A we rank champion motorcycle racers right up there with Wal Mart greeters as heroes or celebs to be admired & remembered.
Instead we have Tiger Woods, Paris Hilton, Snoop Dog, Rush Limbaugh, Oprah and assorted other boring druggie wife beater & cheater millionaires from movies & stick & ball sports.
Outside of a small community of motorcycle racing fans, no one would even recognize names like Kenny Roberts, Gary Nixon, Wayne Rainey, Randy Mamola, Freddie Spencer, Eddie Lawson, etc.
Geeze, we're almost as gay as France...:ymca:

[socalrob]

.....

It's going to be an interesting season but I sure wish they started more than 17 riders.




I agree, but OTOH, seems like anybody past the about top 10 are not truly competetive & don't really get any TV time, so I can understand the reluctance of the sponsers to pony up the big $$ needed.

[Sir Limpsalot]

Geeze, we're almost as gay as France...:ymca:

"almost" ??

S.

[DarthRider]

"almost" ??

S.


HEY!!