Moto-GP, Miata Park.

[Sir Limpsalot]

(Or whatever they call Laguna Seca these days..)

With a front row of Jorge Lorenzo, Casey Stoner and Andrea Dovizioso and not much separating the second row of Dani Pedrosa, Ben Spies and Valentino Rossi at the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix following qualification on Saturday, motogp.com’s Ian Wheeler gave his thoughts on the session and Sunday’s race.

“Casey Stoner had staked his claim for pole position and he worried a few people because it looked like he’d done it on a hard rear tyre due to an error with the markings, but it turned out to be the softer medium option,” explained Ian thanks to his Pit Lane presence. “There were a few worried looks in the Yamaha box when he went fastest and they could not see any white stripe on the TV monitor! Stoner’s pace is good, as is Jorge Lorenzo’s… expect them to be at the front tomorrow. The biggest news here is Andrea Dovizioso, he’s won a MotoGP race already – at Donington last season – but has never qualified on the front row for MotoGP until today. He looked quite happy to be there!”

Ian continued: “I think the biggest problem here for Valentino Rossi is the Corkscrew. It puts a lot of pressure on his injured right leg and his injured shoulder too, but it’s only two turns on the whole circuit. I expect him to be up there tomorrow because he is Valentino Rossi after all! I think Ben Spies’ expectations are quite high this weekend. As usual he is playing it down and saying eighth place is what he’s aiming for, but I think he would be very disappointed if he went away without a podium. Dani Pedrosa won last time out, won here last year, and is sure to be the first rider into turn one tomorrow, and you can never rule him out. I think we will see a close race".

I watched qualifying last night and at one time Ben was holding third, circuit knowlege really is everything at Miata Park. With my favourite Frenchman in hospital I need an "Underdog" to cheer for. Let's see.. hmmm, broken leg, damaged shoulder.. GO VALE!!

Si.

[DarthRider]

Moto-GP, Miata Park.

(Or whatever they call Laguna Seca these days..)

And why don't they plant some grass & trees & shit anyway? Looks like the Gobi freakin' desert out there.


Hmmm..."mis-marked" tire, eh? Sounds like what Jon Minonno calls "getting inside their helmet" to me.

Don't rule out Nicky, Ben & Colin...the "home field advantage" is very powerful! Hey, it could happen.
Or Casey, the only one who was not intimidated by Rossi in last week's race.
But the advantage of the direct factory teams is strong too so you can't forget Pedrosa (the little weenie!).
But Stoner is "overdue" for a win and if I was to bet, I'd pick him. But then, what smart betting man would not pick Vale? Or Jorge?

If my heart could pick the winner it would be Colin. He is better than he has been doing lately and he deserves a win, especially on an American track!
Yeah, that's it:
1. Colin
2. Nicky
3. Ben

In next year's race, reverse that order!

Long term prediction (and I never make those in racing):
Little Ben. "Elbows" may not ever be another Rossi (who will?) but he will go down in history as one of the all-time great GP riders. He has at least "2 more gears" he hasn't used yet!

Have you heard the Internet rumor/theory that Ben, Yamaha & Dorna are in cahoots that he not do "too well" for a while..."for good of the sport"? Then next year he will win most of the races and the championship. Are people born that stupid or are they trained from birth?

[Sir Limpsalot]

Must be born. It would take too long to train 'em.

Colin won't win tonight. Neither will Vale. You do have a shot at getting an American on the podium though, something that would please me as much as it would you. I like all the current American riders.

Now, if Casey and Jorge take each other out..

Si.

[Sir Limpsalot]

Now, if Casey and Jorge take each other out..
Si.

They didn't, of course. Otherwise you'd have got your "home" podium. Shame.

After the race Vale was wreathed in smiles, it was like he'd just won a championship. Make that his first championship.

Poor Casey looked glum and you have to feel a little sorry for him. He no longer has faith in Ducati (nor, I suspect, they in him..) the marriage is over, the divorce has been announced and yet he has to turn up every weekend "for the sake of the kids".

You have to feel a bit sorry for Yamaha too. In a few weeks their rider line up for 2011 will be made public and it probably won't include the goat. To them Jorge has to be the future, and as Vale won't accept "second fiddle" status he'll have to go. The man who turned the M1 from paddock joke (two wins in two seasons) to multi championship winner and (currently) the best package on the grid will be forced to race against them, not for them. An uneasy prospect, especially with the 1000cc bikes coming back in 2012. Incidentally, trivia fans, M1 stands for "Mission one". The mission? To win the 2004 Moto-GP championship to celebrate Yamaha's 50th birthday. That the mission was accomplished, and more besides, by the rider they're about to "let go" and it can't sit easy with them. They'll get over it, I'm sure.

Cheers,
Si.