Ducati Monster Forum

Schedule (all left coast times)

Friday, 03 July 2009
MotoGP FP1   13:55 - 14:55

Saturday, 04 July 2009
MotoGP FP2   09:55 - 10:55
MotoGP QP   13:55 - 14:55

Sunday, 05 July 2009
MotoGP WUP   09:40 - 10:00
MotoGP RAC   14:00

Will be there...in person. Anyone else?

what are the odds Rainey has what it takes to beat Rossi in the kart race on Thursday? (regardless of Roberts Rules -> http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2009/Jun/090626bethere.htm (http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2009/Jun/090626bethere.htm) )

I'm looking forward to not having to wake up at the ass crack of dawn to catch the races this weekend.  [thumbsup]

Jester,

Do you know if AMS/D is having a race watch party? Don't see anything on their website.

fastwin

Not sure Brian.  I think Jeff usually attends the American rounds.  I don't know if he still does some of the engine work for Pegram, but it would stand to reason he'll be there since both teams ( ama and gp ) are in attendance.  I would think they'd show them considering North America is such a huge market for Ducati and Stoner's general success at Laguna.  Lets call and find out!   [thumbsup]   I might have to wear my Rossi hat again.  They love giving me crap for wearing that hat in the lion's den so to speak.  I ride red, I support florescent yellow!

On a side note, this is July 4th weekend... so they may not considering its a holiday weekend.

I will be enjoying waking up at the ass-crack O'dawn and riding to it tomorrow!  [thumbsup] [thumbsup]  [thumbsup]
fek ya!!! I'm so  ;D Will take some pics and post.

caption

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/image/2009/motogp/laguna/2/MotoGP2009-019.htm (http://www.superbikeplanet.com/image/2009/motogp/laguna/2/MotoGP2009-019.htm)

this one, too:

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/image/2009/motogp/laguna/2/MotoGP2009-010.htm (http://www.superbikeplanet.com/image/2009/motogp/laguna/2/MotoGP2009-010.htm)

fek, I was starting to like this young lad. motogp.com:

"Mika Kallio will miss the next MotoGP round at Laguna Seca,
Following his accident at the conclusion of Saturday’s Alice TT Assen Pramac Racing.

Damage to one of the fingers on his left hand means the Finnish rider is unable to ride his Ducati Desmosedici GP9 Sat this weekend at the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix and the MotoGP rookie will therefore have to wait a while longer to make his Laguna debut."

Yeah he got his hand caught during that crash.  Nothing like an asphalt belt grinder to take away your digits.

just ask Bayliss!

I might just be slow but I don't see what channel and time the race is being shown.  Can anybody help me out?

Fox, 2pm PST.


and the 'new format' same-day AMA coverage will be on Speed at... 10pm.

FOX - 5p-6p Eastern

FOX 4-5 Central

No wait, FOX 3-4 Mountain

 ;D

Fox, 2pm GMT-8

Free Practice 1 Results

1. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team 1min 21.981 sec
2. Jorge Lorenzo SPA Fiat Yamaha Team 1min 22.093 sec
3. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team 1min 22.170 sec
4. Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda Team 1min 22.637 sec
5. Toni Elias SPA San Carlo Honda Gresini 1min 22.682 sec
6. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Repsol Honda Team 1min 22.880 sec
7. Marco Melandri ITA Hayate Racing Team 1min 23.140 sec
8. Chris Vermeulen AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1min 23.217 sec
9. Colin Edwards USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1min 23.285 sec
10. Alex de Angelis RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini 1min 23.406 sec
11. Randy de Puniet FRA LCR Honda MotoGP 1min 23.439 sec
12. Loris Capirossi ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1min 23.637 sec
13. James Toseland GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1min 23.690 sec
14. Nicky Hayden USA Ducati Marlboro Team 1min 23.747 sec
15. Sete Gibernau SPA Grupo Francisco Hernando 1min 24.533 sec
16. Gabor Talmacsi HUN Scot Racing Team MotoGP 1min 24.926 sec
17. Niccolo Canepa ITA Pramac Racing 1min 25.511 sec

mebbe you should go ahead and change the thread title to race spoilers now...   ;)

and i love that gabor is already not last!

aslong as the Duc is on the grid, hell be fine

Speed seems to be showing Qualifying for the race. 7:00 pm left coast time Saturday. Well, it's not live, but when has that ever stopped Speed.

Should be pretty solid qualy.  Rossi tailed off a bit in FP2 while Stoner and Lorenzo upped the pace a bit.   [thumbsup] for Elias and  [thumbsup] for Nicky actually getting within about a second of the top slot.

Free Practice 2 Results

Pos.    Num.    Rider    Nation    Team    Motorcycle    Lap time    Km/h    Gap
1    99    Jorge LORENZO    SPA    Fiat Yamaha Team    Yamaha    1'21.799    256.227    
2    27    Casey STONER    AUS    Ducati Team    Ducati    1'21.835    259.927    0.036
3    46    Valentino ROSSI    ITA    Fiat Yamaha Team    Yamaha    1'22.177    263.478    0.378
4    24    Toni ELIAS    SPA    San Carlo Honda Gresini    Honda    1'22.367    255.379    0.568
5    4    Andrea DOVIZIOSO    ITA    Repsol Honda Team    Honda    1'22.552    256.837    0.753
6    3    Dani PEDROSA    SPA    Repsol Honda Team    Honda    1'22.561    258.558    0.762
7    5    Colin EDWARDS    USA    Monster Yamaha Tech 3    Yamaha    1'22.781    260.178    0.982
8    7    Chris VERMEULEN    AUS    Rizla Suzuki MotoGP    Suzuki    1'22.917    256.714    1.118
9    69    Nicky HAYDEN    USA    Ducati Team    Ducati    1'22.935    256.227    1.136
10    52    James TOSELAND    GBR    Monster Yamaha Tech 3    Yamaha    1'23.127    253.699    1.328
11    15    Alex DE ANGELIS    RSM    San Carlo Honda Gresini    Honda    1'23.368    258.868    1.569
12    14    Randy DE PUNIET    FRA    LCR Honda MotoGP    Honda    1'23.451    254.897    1.652
13    33    Marco MELANDRI    ITA    Hayate Racing Team    Kawasaki    1'23.452    254.957    1.653
14    59    Sete GIBERNAU    SPA    Grupo Francisco Hernando    Ducati    1'23.849    257.265    2.050
15    65    Loris CAPIROSSI    ITA    Rizla Suzuki MotoGP    Suzuki    1'23.951    255.138    2.152
16    41    Gabor TALMACSI    HUN    Scot Racing Team MotoGP    Honda    1'24.114    244.953    2.315
17    88    Niccolo CANEPA    ITA    Pramac Racing    Ducati    1'24.202    252.868    2.403

yeah go Nicky

lorenzo on pole, then rossi and casey... jorge and casey launched themselves at the end of the session. casey was stretchered off the track, jorge looks like he jacked his knee and shoulder up and was having problems walking...

1. Jorge Lorenzo SPA Fiat Yamaha Team 1min 21.678 sec
2. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team 1min 21.845 sec
3. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team 1min 21.910 sec
4. Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda Team 1min 22.113 sec
5. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Repsol Honda Team 1min 22.135 sec
6. Toni Elias SPA San Carlo Honda Gresini 1min 22.146 sec
7. Colin Edwards USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1min 22.490 sec
8. Nicky Hayden USA Ducati Marlboro Team 1min 22.540 sec
9. Chris Vermeulen AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1min 22.633 sec
10. Loris Capirossi ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1min 22.662 sec
11. Marco Melandri ITA Hayate Racing Team 1min 22.842 sec
12. Alex de Angelis RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini 1min 23.004 sec
13. Sete Gibernau SPA Grupo Francisco Hernando 1min 23.106 sec
14. Randy de Puniet FRA LCR Honda MotoGP 1min 23.147 sec
15. James Toseland GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1min 23.390 sec
16. Niccolo Canepa ITA Pramac Racing 1min 23.912 sec
17. Gabor Talmacsi HUN Scot Racing Team MotoGP 1min 24.528 sec

http://superbikeplanet.com/2009/Jul/090704lup.htm (http://superbikeplanet.com/2009/Jul/090704lup.htm)

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/76703 (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/76703)
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/76711 (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/76711)

What's with this virus Casey has?  Is it Adrianitis Chronichus or to much $*^%? someone has a scoop?

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2009/Jul/090704nodiagnosis.htm (http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2009/Jul/090704nodiagnosis.htm)

trackside report:

It was a more than exciting watching qualifying today* Most of the times posted were on race tires. Stoner had the solid lead then traded poll position with Jorge. Vale was making a lot of adjustments to the bike and seemed to be testing more than pushing for pull position. Watching Rossi, Stoner and Jorge round turn 2 it was pretty clear who was doing what. Stoner had phenominal control of that corner missing all the paint lining up 3 and 4 on the gas fully upright; Rossi was pretty casual taking the corners in pretty wide sweeps; Jorge was hitting all the paint on exiting 2, going into 3, and kicking the back end around with a little head shake going into 4 braking hard pretty concistantly.

The battle between Casey and Jorge started really heating up and, with the last few minutes everyone went to Qulifiers.  Casey and Jorge  basically went and highsided on cold qualifiers within seconds of each other, 1 to 2 laps into the new tires. The famous Nor Cal fog started blowing in and the temps had dropped a good 10 degrees in the last 20 minutes. Rossi got back on the track with less than a minute left. He crossed start-finish with 2 seconds left and basically had the track to himself. Putting the hammer down Rossi jumped up several positions nabbing 2nd. You'd almost think he'd done this before or something.

In italian the word is "Furbo." [evil]  (clever in a very sneaky way)

* [bacon] We found ourselves in the Turn 2 VIP box being catered to with tri-tip, BBQ bird, string beans, and local strawberries over chocolate cake and champagne. Like that all day.  [coffee]

 

What is the weather meant to like on race day?

they may have gone to softs, but there are no qualifying tires. read gm2's links above where rossi and hayden talk about the tires and crashes.

One tire manu...

and it's still about tires.

when QP turns into an acrobatic event, you're gonna hear about the tires...

...and I don't blame them.

These guys need to be at the front of the grid to finish well.

It was more of a comment on the single tire rule, and the elimination of qualy tires.

This weekend "Arm pumping" says he.  I wondered which one?  [laugh]

Why nicky is wearing his boxer outside the leather?    [popcorn]

Que?

Jorge Lorenzo took 3rd with a partially dislocated collar bone!  outstanding! [beer]

f'n lil people

Just curious, why does the USGP at Laguna Seca have AMA Superbikes and Supersports as the support classes for MotoGP? It's the only race on the MotoGP calender that doesn't have the 125GP and 250GP races as support. What's up with that? ??? Indy is just like the rest of the races, it runs 125s and 250s. What makes Laguna so damn special? Does the AMA have some damning pictures of the head of DORNA and they will release them to the press if they can't run their classes at Laguna? [laugh] You don't see the British Superbikes running support at the Donington Park round... or pick any other hosting country's Superbike class. Weird.

Anyone know the answer? 

They want the weekend off.

not to mention a broken toe.

not enough hours in the weekend for the ama program + a full motogp program.

I think I've developed unrealistic standards for what I want for a race.  MotoGP still isn't really doing it for me, despite the fact that I just watched a race where busted up Lorenzo almost had a pass on Rossi with about 4 laps to go, where there were a ton of crashes, where Nicky finally got 5th, and where Shorty McBadTeammate almost lost the lead on the last corner because he was 'cruising' to victory.  There's something wrong with me. 

Then again, it's nothing WSBK can't fix.   ;D

Some things I took away from this TV extravaganza:

* It's a warm, sunny day in California.

* What's-his-latest-name ;D is living proof that being 30 pounds lighter than everyone else means acceleration from the start line equal to being shot out of a cannon.

* Nicky takes 5th [thumbsup] wearing Rocky Balboa's leathers....on the 69 bike?  That takes more balls than getting back on after a killer highside....

* Tiny's got a "coach" who leans over the wall waving his arms to make him go faster in the correct direction.

* Rossi smiling like a cat by a birdcage as he's coming down the hill on the last lap.

* Helicopter shots of the bikes flying around the course.....they need (lots) more of those.

* Can't believe "Fox" didn't plaster shots of umbrella girls all over the start of the broadcast.

* My "TV guide" had "House" listed on Fox for Sunday at 5PM (Eastern) - I kept looking for Cuddy ;) in all the crowd shots being shoved into my TV.

* Greg White has become Jethro Bodine....

Damn you Crashy Mcsmurf and your robot smile!!! Damn you to heck!

I would have laughed for months if Rossi had pulled the pass off in the last turn. It was awesome vs. Jorge and I actually LIKE Jorge. It would have been epic had Rossi done it to the unlikeable Spaniard.

I learned that the big thing on the back of the Ducati is called a "swingarm," and it keeps the rear wheel in line.  Did I mention that it keeps the rear wheel in line?  Also, it keeps the rear wheel in line.

Thanks, Greg White.

And that it's a "massive" bit of carbon fiber, don't forget.

I love the post race comments.

Nicky is all smiles

Rossi begins to talk about a reason why he's not the winner, then says nevermind and goes on to talk about the race.

Tiny really IS tiny.

And I didn't have the hear all the crap excuses from stoner.  A true champ doesn't get off the bike, sag his head down low and walk by the cameras....then again he isn't a true champ now is he?

Are you kidding? He's battling some mystery illness making it tough for him to even finish a race. Even other racers have commented on it so it's not some BS excuse. He apparently puked twice during the race 2 races ago, and still finished 3rd...they wiped off his face and leathers so he could do the podium interviews.

WTF

I kind of want to call my local duc dealership and ask if they have "one of those massive carbon fiber thingies that keeps the rear wheel in line".

Jorge was one more wiggle from pulling a "Shorty McBadTeammate" on Rossi yesterday.  He damn near took out both of them in turn 11.  Had he waited one more lap he may have had a better shot.  I think his own anxiousness cost him that second place.  Jorge, injured or not, was riding lights out consistant this week.  His QP laps ( the half race distance portion ) were insanely close together and very low times.  Seemed Rossi was struggling for setup most of the weekend.  He put in some hot laps, but never found a real good consistant pace.

You see that Stoner's wrist injury is now a problem again?  He's complaining about his range of motion issues.  I dunno.  I hope the doctors find something, because if nothing is wrong with him and he's just whining and moaning, I'm gonna turn on him again.

I more like the fact that Rossi had no interest in talking to Greg White and was gonna keep on going except his handler told him to talk to the camera...makes ya wonder...if it was like CBS with Kevin Schwantz doing the post race it would have been an instant turn and talk and I think would have been a different interview...

just about every single start of his is like that

wtf, +1.

http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/149383/1/stoner_stays_in_us_for_medical_tests.html (http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/149383/1/stoner_stays_in_us_for_medical_tests.html)

Casey haz de herpeez. [puke]

Well, Nicky got a 5th, so that makes me happy.

That, and I got a copy of the Euro feed, so I can re-watch it without shouting obscenities.

Had to watch it from Ducati Island since I really didn't have a seat for the race. Couldn't hear the announcers over the bikes  [thumbsup]

You should see it from The Red Bull hospitality suite.  ;D [thumbsup]

Somebody wants to have Stoner's baby... [evil]  ;D

Anyway, one of the announcers thinks it's the pressure of trying to win back the championship -- if so, it sounds like a routine case of Rossitis [coffee]

didn't really have a seat? the best seats at laguna are free (corkscrew hill on the turn 4 side). you can see turns 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, and 11...

Casey always has an excuse if he doesn't finish 1st.  Never positive, always whining.  Doesn't matter if he's got a "mystery illnes" or not.  Hell, look back to last year when he got a taste of the big boy medicine at Laguna.....wouldn't even shake rossi's hand at the end.

Whether rossi didn't want to talk to the guy or not, when he did turn to do the interview, he smiled, was positive in his comments, and didn't make excuses.

for the record, I don't cheer on Rossi at all.  I was a Stoner fan, until I started paying attention to the interview/excuse fest that always insues should he finish less than 1st.

 [roll]

I'm not a fan of Casey's tendency to find excuses either...but this seems legit.

regardless of any past, you can't call an illness that has you throwing up in your helmet during the race, then you're so exhausted you can't even climb off the bike, an excuse.  especially not when you still manage to podium.

f'n A!

Tough crowd

Stoner ROCKS! and if you pansies can't hang with our man while he figures out his issues you suck there on your band wagon.
He's 23, give him a friggen brake. Interviewers ask him questions and he tries to answer, that's not making excuses IMHO even if he got shaken up by a dude with almost a decade of experience on him, once and was pissed about it.

Look at this perfect line out of T1,2,3 . When he get's his sheet together again he's going to go back to kicking Rossi's arse for him.
Jorge has been doing well because he rides past his ability - and often ends on his head for it. Stoner just hasn't been able to. Jorge was Mr.Mc-head shake-wheelie-almost-fall-off the whole race. I'll give Jorge brave, but Stoner is smoother, and one of the best bike handlers by quite a margin from what I saw.

Furthermore Stoner is an actual team mate. He hangs with Hayden and they share a lot of info and Hayden's the better for it.
Jorge told me himself Rossi won't even talk to him, as in, ever. The little hand shakes post race you see are it for their communication.

Everyone has their strong an weak points. Mine may be opining too much. [cheeky]     

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3477/3696441426_9d6b84f2e1.jpg)


Much Bigger image here (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3477/3696441426_b00d55c14a_o.png)

I've never seen the TV capture just how steep the "Corkscrew" is.

Video clip

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eobo/3695735673/

This...

Plus this...
= Me  [roll] then  ??? then  [laugh] [laugh] [laugh]

You, sir, are comedic genius.  [clap]
One season that Casey and Valentino have raced together could be considered him giving Rossi an arse kickin'. All I have to say is at least Rossi has never finished a season behind KR JR. I'm just sayin'. ;)

Yes he did - KR JR won the 2000 500 cc championship; Rossi was second.

 ;D

I went up there on Friday, but by Sunday could barely walk. The only way I could have made it up there was being trailered.

I try.

+1 on Jorge pushing the limits.  He's tempered that this year, but still hasn't grasped it fully.

Stoner is a good teammate, but Hayden is no threat whatsoever to his title chase.  Rossi typically stonewalls riders he views as a threat to his crown.  Just part of the mind games he's been playing the better part of 10 years.  Rossi and Edwards were best buddies on the Fiat team, the same as when Rossi and Hayden were good friends.  Aside from the "consistant championship" in 2006  ;D, neither of those guys are any threat at all, so Rossi doesn't mind being a good teammate to them.  Lorenzo is Rossi.  Skill, flair, bravery, lightning fast.  He wants no part of that relationship outside of media sportsmanship.

That's my point looking at Stoner's line. That was a 1:21... lap comfortably on the blacktop. Jorge and Rossi were banging off the rumble strips trying to catch Casey in Qualifying. But I wouldn't put Rossi and Jorge in the same camp. It would appear Rossi is more able to do what the hell he wants with the situation many times. Jorge seemed to be hanging it all the way out there and then some to hit those times.


Ya I think you're right +1
Everything I've seen/ everyone I've heard, except from Jorge, points to Rossi being an all around fun and nice guy. He remembered my friend Ruffo from their last meeting, grabbed his hand and spoke with him in their local dialect. That was kind of cool/ 10 points on the respect chart. Then Vale's chef made us lunch after we toured the garages etc. It's hard not to love Vale. He's all smiles.

Vid - Vale's Garage - ear bursting even with ear plugs. (Smirf's Suki is louder. Ducati WAY louder still.)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eobo/3697756431/#secret8749c964f7-w500-h331in/set-72157621095117658/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/eobo/3697756431/#secret8749c964f7-w500-h331in/set-72157621095117658/)

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2433/3697751327_d9a81e3883.jpg?v=0)

Vale's Chef  - Lunch at the track
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2502/3698568332_a30d02b660.jpg?v=0)

Nice pics.  Yeah man the Ducati shreaks in comparison.  Burgess did comment on the lower note of the Yammy allowing the riders to hear other bikes around them.

Damn you and your facts and stuff!  ;D

Man, I can't wait until Indy. Monster Energy came through for me big time with VIP passes for all 3 days.  [thumbsup]

LOL... [beer]