Ducati Monster Forum

My predictions--

Casey will be fast.
Rossi will be fast.
gm2 will rave about how pretty Ben is.

Fixed it for ya.  ;D

Hopin' we get Nicky and Ben in the top 5.  [thumbsup]

Spidey will find some new way to combine the word "douche" and some descriptor for pedro's size

MCN runs 16 overhyped and partially true stories about it.
...and Speed channel misses it all.

Qatar is Stoner's track.  I imagine he'll come out on top there with Rossi and company not far behind.  I think Yorgie's times will be entirely based upon how well his hand holds up to the stress of full braking.  Time off or not, he should be up there if he can tolerate the pain.

I think the real question is Pedro and Ohlins.  Will they find a solution or keep struggling?  Do they have the balls to switch back to Showa if they don't leap into the top five?

The Spanish Turd will not smile.

Did Pramac really just declare themselves the "green" team?!?  WTF, mang?  I can't imagine many activities less environmentally friendly than racing.  With the exception of the little heralded seal-clubbing/tree-cutting/oil-burning/nuclear waste-distributing/chemicals into the ground water pouring pentathalon.  But that's only semi-pro.

In the generator world they're heroes. ;)

Rossi's crushin' everyone right now, but it's early.  He's doing an Hayden-esque marathon session. 

"near live" timing from motogp.com.... cute.

http://www.motogp.com/en/TestResults/MotoGP+Losail+Test+2010 (http://www.motogp.com/en/TestResults/MotoGP+Losail+Test+2010)

Does anyone have the schedule for testing for today and tomorrow?  Are they testing during the day or just at night?

Rossi still on top.  If he does well at a circuit he doesn't like so much, I'd look out if I was the rest of the paddock.

How long before Pedro goes back to Showa?   :P

HAYDEN!!!!

Damn 3-7 are really close.  0.25 sec separating Hayden in 3rd from Capi in 7th.   (as of 21:30 times)

I don't have the schedule, but AFAIK they're only running at night.

nick up in to 3rd... niice!

check out RDP embarrassing those factory kids.

and ben 4th or 5th all along  [thumbsup]

He's so purty.   :P


He must be messing with his set-up a lot.  He's done a lot fewer laps than the others around him.  Go The Ben!!! 

...would make the first time he's really changed set-up much on that bike.  eenteresting.

let's not forget he doubled here last year.   [cheeky]

and i'm starting to feel pretty bad for Marco Simoncelli.

Twerpy McDouchnozzle is in 15th?!?  He did 35 laps so it doesn't look like he fell.

 [laugh] [laugh] [laugh]

Yeah, it's not going well at all.

Malandri's not going all that well either, seems Gresini's just not come to grips with the new Honda.

Pedro's not making much progress either.

maybe the Honda just plan McSucks!

Spies is currently on top by 1/2 sec according to the home page of MotoGP (maybe it's an error?).  Someone get cardiac paddles for gm2.


Edit:  5 mins later (22:40) and now motogp.com says Stoner is on top and Spies in second.  I think there's something wrong with the times.

Damn straight, it's showing Stoner quicker than Spies.

[laugh]

dayumn.. last time i looked valentino was the only one in the :55s

GO THE BEN YOU SEXY make the beast with two backs   [clap]  ;D

pedro down to 16th.  yikes.  and now there's 4 Spanish rounds this year...

Session 1 as of 22:50 - 18/03/10

Pos   Rider   Team   Fastest lap   Prev. Gap   Lead. Gap   Laps
1   Casey Stoner   Ducati Marlboro Team   1:55.841   -   -   42
2   Ben Spies   Monster Yamaha Tech 3   1:55.954   +0.113   +0.113   37
3   Valentino Rossi   Fiat Yamaha Team   1:55.971   +0.017   +0.130   39
4   Colin Edwards   Monster Yamaha Tech 3   1:56.540   +0.569   +0.699   49
5   Randy De Puniet   LCR Honda MotoGP   1:56.588   +0.048   +0.747   39
6   Jorge Lorenzo   Fiat Yamaha Team   1:56.838   +0.250   +0.997   45
7   Nicky Hayden   Ducati Marlboro Team   1:56.855   +0.017   +1.014   57
8   Andrea Dovizioso   Repsol Honda Team   1:57.067   +0.212   +1.226   46
9   Loris Capirossi   Rizla Suzuki MotoGP   1:57.099   +0.032   +1.258   40
10   Mika Kallio   Pramac Racing Team   1:57.509   +0.410   +1.668   56
11   Marco Melandri   San Carlo Honda Gresini   1:57.689   +0.180   +1.848   40
12   Hector Barbera   Aspar Team   1:57.822   +0.133   +1.981   44
13   Hiroshi Aoyama   Interwetten-Honda MotoGP   1:57.888   +0.066   +2.047   59
14   Marco Simoncelli   San Carlo Honda Gresini   1:57.891   +0.003   +2.050   56
15   Alvaro Bautista   Rizla Suzuki MotoGP   1:57.960   +0.069   +2.119   49
16   Dani Pedrosa   Repsol Honda Team   1:58.142   +0.182   +2.301   43
17   Aleix Espargaro   Pramac Racing Team   1:58.209   +0.067   +2.368   43

I think I need a wet-nap.  :P

Session 1 as of 23:40 - 18/03/10

Pos   Rider   Team   Fastest lap   Prev. Gap   Lead. Gap   Laps
1   Casey Stoner   Ducati Marlboro Team   1:55.717   -   -   48
2   Ben Spies   Monster Yamaha Tech 3   1:55.954   +0.237   +0.237   44
3   Valentino Rossi   Fiat Yamaha Team   1:55.971   +0.017   +0.254   58
4   Colin Edwards   Monster Yamaha Tech 3   1:56.540   +0.569   +0.823   59
5   Randy De Puniet   LCR Honda MotoGP   1:56.588   +0.048   +0.871   53
6   Andrea Dovizioso   Repsol Honda Team   1:56.811   +0.223   +1.094   55
7   Jorge Lorenzo   Fiat Yamaha Team   1:56.838   +0.027   +1.121   45
8   Nicky Hayden   Ducati Marlboro Team   1:56.855   +0.017   +1.138   70
9   Loris Capirossi   Rizla Suzuki MotoGP   1:57.099   +0.244   +1.382   40
10   Dani Pedrosa   Repsol Honda Team   1:57.402   +0.303   +1.685   50
11   Mika Kallio   Pramac Racing Team   1:57.509   +0.107   +1.792   68
12   Marco Melandri   San Carlo Honda Gresini   1:57.689   +0.180   +1.972   53
13   Hector Barbera   Aspar Team   1:57.822   +0.133   +2.105   53
14   Hiroshi Aoyama   Interwetten-Honda MotoGP   1:57.888   +0.066   +2.171   73
15   Marco Simoncelli   San Carlo Honda Gresini   1:57.891   +0.003   +2.174   63
16   Alvaro Bautista   Rizla Suzuki MotoGP   1:57.960   +0.069   +2.243   56
17   Aleix Espargaro   Pramac Racing Team   1:58.209   +0.249   +2.492   58

pedro up to 10th.  and nicky, aoyama up to > 70 laps.

People can say "Toseland did well at his first race in Qatar", but I guess its time to say Spies is the Real Deal Holyfield(again)..... on a satellite bike.

Rossi steps it up.

1   Valentino Rossi   Fiat Yamaha Team   1:55.402   +0.017   +0.254   62
2   Casey Stoner   Ducati Marlboro Team   1:55.717   +0.315   +0.569   48
3   Ben Spies   Monster Yamaha Tech 3   1:55.954   +0.237   +0.806   44
4   Colin Edwards   Monster Yamaha Tech 3   1:56.540   +0.586   +1.392   59
5   Randy De Puniet   LCR Honda MotoGP   1:56.588   +0.048   +1.440   54

As of 23:55 local time

This is making me hard.  I'm hoping Pedro gets it sorted, Lorenzo heals up, and Spies keep the pace.  It would be fun to see 5 guys up front this year.

this kind of thing really ought to be on tv.

final times

Session 1 as of 24:00 - 18/03/10

Pos   Rider   Team   Fastest lap   Prev. Gap   Lead. Gap   Laps
1   Valentino Rossi   Fiat Yamaha Team   1:55.402   -   -   64
2   Casey Stoner   Ducati Marlboro Team   1:55.717   +0.315   +0.315   48
3   Ben Spies   Monster Yamaha Tech 3   1:55.954   +0.237   +0.552   44
4   Colin Edwards   Monster Yamaha Tech 3   1:56.540   +0.586   +1.138   59
5   Randy De Puniet   LCR Honda MotoGP   1:56.588   +0.048   +1.186   54
6   Andrea Dovizioso   Repsol Honda Team   1:56.811   +0.223   +1.409   65
7   Jorge Lorenzo   Fiat Yamaha Team   1:56.838   +0.027   +1.436   45
8   Nicky Hayden   Ducati Marlboro Team   1:56.855   +0.017   +1.453   77
9   Mika Kallio   Pramac Racing Team   1:56.923   +0.068   +1.521   72
10   Dani Pedrosa   Repsol Honda Team   1:57.047   +0.124   +1.645   60
11   Loris Capirossi   Rizla Suzuki MotoGP   1:57.099   +0.052   +1.697   40
12   Marco Melandri   San Carlo Honda Gresini   1:57.605   +0.506   +2.203   63
13   Hector Barbera   Aspar Team   1:57.822   +0.217   +2.420   62
14   Hiroshi Aoyama   Interwetten-Honda MotoGP   1:57.888   +0.066   +2.486   75
15   Marco Simoncelli   San Carlo Honda Gresini   1:57.891   +0.003   +2.489   63
16   Aleix Espargaro   Pramac Racing Team   1:57.898   +0.007   +2.496   67
17   Alvaro Bautista   Rizla Suzuki MotoGP   1:57.960   +0.062   +2.558   56

I wanna know who was running which tires before I start spoogin' all over the screen about Team Texas and The Ben particularly.  That said, Rossi is gonna crush this year.  

http://roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=39781 (http://roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=39781)

Ben Spies 3rd 1.55.954 – 44 laps

“I know this track from last year but riding under the floodlights is definitely a bit different and nothing I've experienced before. The perception of speed is much faster with it being at night but I'm having a lot of fun. It's really well lit up but there are a couple of darker spots on the track that you have to get used to but I've not done too bad in adjusting to the lights. I know the track but any track I go to on a MotoGP bike makes it definitely different because of the lines you take. Some of the lines I'd take on the superbike just don't work but I felt like it was coming together good and following a couple of people it felt like I was doing more of the right things than I was in Malaysia. Obviously it is great for me to be high up the timesheets but I'm still taking baby steps to improve and not getting carried away. The crash was nothing too serious. I was running the hard front and I wasn't getting a good feeling from it. We changed the pressure to try and help for my second run but I just lost the front at the second corner. But to be third is fantastic for my guys at Monster Yamaha Tech 3. They have been giving me great support.”

Colin Edwards 4th 1.56.541 – 59 laps

“It was a good night. It didn't start off too great and it took me a while to get into the groove. We played around with the set-up using some of the new parts I'd liked in Sepang and also running some of last year's pieces to get some good information. The lap time was about the same so around this track the new parts aren't making the difference like they did in Malaysia. I did a long run on the hard front and I like it. I did race distance on it and it felt really good. I ended up doing 27-laps on it, which is five more than race distance, and it still felt really good. I'm getting the feedback I need at full lean angle and it holds the turn much better."

OK, so did Ben help Colin, or vice versa?  Or, is the bike that good? 

mitt

I think the bike is that good.  I'm guessing the satellite yams are very close to the factory bikes this year.  The engines are probably identical, which wasn't always the case in the past.

I'm predicting Rossi signs an extension after this season, Jorge leaves, and Ben takes his factory spot.  Jorge goes to Honda to ride with Dovi, Pedro moves to Suzuki to replace Capirex, Stoner stays put, Hayden goes to Tech3 Yammy.

From rideontwo.com.   [thumbsup]

(http://www.rideontwo.com/gallery/d/99349-2/_TIN4111.jpg)

(http://www.rideontwo.com/gallery/d/99352-2/_TIN4316.jpg)

(http://www.rideontwo.com/gallery/d/99358-2/De+Puniet+Action+Qatar+Test+02.jpg)

(http://www.rideontwo.com/gallery/d/99328-2/4444318592_7cc052ce81_o.jpg)

(http://www.rideontwo.com/gallery/d/99331-2/4444320834_510b519044_o.jpg)

(http://www.rideontwo.com/gallery/d/99337-2/4444323482_52b5cbc6f2_o.jpg)

(http://www.rideontwo.com/gallery/d/99439-2/mgp_180310_tqat_021.jpg)

(http://www.rideontwo.com/gallery/d/99448-2/mgp_180310_tqat_024.jpg)

(http://www.rideontwo.com/gallery/d/99478-2/Test_Aleix_h.jpg)

Sorry, no Rossi or Lorenzo actions shots.  :-\  Here's one of Rossi in the background . . .

(http://www.rideontwo.com/gallery/d/99322-2/4443553955_dfef9b0db7_o.jpg)

Good pics.  :)

Man that Pramac green is pukey.  [puke]

while the rate of parts availability to tech 3 differed throughout the year, that was the whole idea from 2008 ->.  after the 800 introduction debacle, yamaha changed their satellite strategy.

~wildcard issue this year is the new longer lasting motors, which do not appear to be down on power at all.  so the factories spent a ton of moolah making that happen.  cost savings!


GO TEXAS


and heck yeah, great pics.

maybe that's not the same corner, but look at that pic of casey vs. nicky.  casey is visibly more out there on the ragged edge.

Twerpy McDouchnozzle desperately trying to smile.   [laugh]

(http://www.rideontwo.com/gallery/d/99406-2/mgp_180310_tqat_010.jpg)

This photo is ripe for a caption contest.

(http://www.rideontwo.com/gallery/d/99318-2/4443548309_5f4d632728_o.jpg)

IMO, that's the same corner.
Looks like Nicky is further into it, from the shadow.
Casey does have a lot more load on the front tire.
Too bad we can't see the rear tire.
I think Nicky's on corner exit, more throttle and less lean.

To my untrained eye, it looks like Nicky has thinned down this year.  I wonder what he is weighing in at and if it is helping his times?  He almost looks Stonerish.

mitt

http://superbikeplanet.com/2010/Mar/100315lightleathers.htm (http://superbikeplanet.com/2010/Mar/100315lightleathers.htm)

ben also lost about 10lbs

Wow...those guys are small!

Oh yeah? Well JT lost 15 lbs before his first GP season, also he qualified 2nd and finished 6th on distinctly 2nd rate machinery at Qatar. So let the comparisons start here!!  ;D ;)

(FWIW, I think Ben is a far superior rider than JT currently)

...said the umbrella girl.

Day 2 -- As of 18:55

1 Casey Stoner Ducati Marlboro Team 1:56.106 - - 4
2 Valentino Rossi Fiat Yamaha Team 1:56.322 +0.216 +0.216 5
3 Andrea Dovizioso Repsol Honda Team 1:56.581 +0.259 +0.475 13
4 Loris Capirossi Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1:56.660 +0.079 +0.554 4
5 Ben Spies Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1:56.860 +0.200 +0.754 11
6 Colin Edwards Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1:57.028 +0.168 +0.922 12
7 Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda Team 1:57.058 +0.030 +0.952 11
8 Nicky Hayden Ducati Marlboro Team 1:57.205 +0.147 +1.099 5
9 Alvaro Bautista Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1:57.274 +0.069 +1.168 7
10 Jorge Lorenzo Fiat Yamaha Team 1:57.324 +0.050 +1.218 10
11 Hiroshi Aoyama Interwetten-Honda MotoGP 1:57.365 +0.041 +1.259 11
12 Hector Barbera Aspar Team 1:57.991 +0.626 +1.885 15
13 Marco Simoncelli San Carlo Honda Gresini 1:58.002 +0.011 +1.896 11
14 Marco Melandri San Carlo Honda Gresini 1:58.025 +0.023 +1.919 9
15 Mika Kallio Pramac Racing Team 1:58.233 +0.208 +2.127 7
16 Aleix Espargaro Pramac Racing Team 1:58.696 +0.463 +2.590 6
17 Randy De Puniet LCR Honda MotoGP 2:18.652 +19.956 +22.546 1

Go The Casey!

Dovi and Capi have already dropped time from yesterday. 

Still early in the session. I presume it takes quite a few laps to nail down the right setup.

After about 2 hrs . . .

Session 2 as of 20:10 - 19/03/10

1 Valentino Rossi Fiat Yamaha Team 1:55.860 - - 23
2 Casey Stoner Ducati Marlboro Team 1:55.922 +0.062 +0.062 20
3 Loris Capirossi Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1:56.195 +0.273 +0.335 16
4 Nicky Hayden Ducati Marlboro Team 1:56.450 +0.255 +0.590 24
5 Jorge Lorenzo Fiat Yamaha Team 1:56.504 +0.054 +0.644 23
6 Andrea Dovizioso Repsol Honda Team 1:56.581 +0.077 +0.721 24
7 Randy De Puniet LCR Honda MotoGP 1:56.673 +0.092 +0.813 17
8 Ben Spies Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1:56.860 +0.187 +1.000 30
9 Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda Team 1:56.935 +0.075 +1.075 24
10 Mika Kallio Pramac Racing Team 1:56.990 +0.055 +1.130 27
11 Colin Edwards Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1:57.028 +0.038 +1.168 25
12 Alvaro Bautista Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1:57.186 +0.158 +1.326 19
13 Marco Melandri San Carlo Honda Gresini 1:57.222 +0.036 +1.362 30
14 Aleix Espargaro Pramac Racing Team 1:57.240 +0.018 +1.380 30
15 Hiroshi Aoyama Interwetten-Honda MotoGP 1:57.365 +0.125 +1.505 25
16 Hector Barbera Aspar Team 1:57.444 +0.079 +1.584 31
17 Marco Simoncelli San Carlo Honda Gresini 1:57.712 +0.268 +1.852 20


Capi has taken nearly a second off yesterday's time. 

As of 21:20.

1   Casey Stoner   Ducati Marlboro Team   1:55.353   -   -   35
2   Valentino Rossi   Fiat Yamaha Team   1:55.860   +0.507   +0.507   36
3   Andrea Dovizioso   Repsol Honda Team   1:55.879   +0.019   +0.526   39
4   Nicky Hayden   Ducati Marlboro Team   1:56.115   +0.236   +0.762   34
5   Loris Capirossi   Rizla Suzuki MotoGP   1:56.195   +0.080   +0.842   26
6   Jorge Lorenzo   Fiat Yamaha Team   1:56.504   +0.309   +1.151   34
7   Randy De Puniet   LCR Honda MotoGP   1:56.605   +0.101   +1.252   32
8   Ben Spies   Monster Yamaha Tech 3   1:56.779   +0.174   +1.426   32
9   Alvaro Bautista   Rizla Suzuki MotoGP   1:56.898   +0.119   +1.545   34
10   Mika Kallio   Pramac Racing Team   1:56.923   +0.025   +1.570   40
11   Dani Pedrosa   Repsol Honda Team   1:56.935   +0.012   +1.582   30
12   Colin Edwards   Monster Yamaha Tech 3   1:57.028   +0.093   +1.675   25
13   Aleix Espargaro   Pramac Racing Team   1:57.121   +0.093   +1.768   37
14   Marco Melandri   San Carlo Honda Gresini   1:57.222   +0.101   +1.869   38
15   Hiroshi Aoyama   Interwetten-Honda MotoGP   1:57.251   +0.029   +1.898   41
16   Marco Simoncelli   San Carlo Honda Gresini   1:57.379   +0.128   +2.026   34
17   Hector Barbera   Aspar Team   1:57.444   +0.065   +2.091   39

Casy found a half a second.

The Ben ran a 1:55.954 yesterday, so I suspect they're fiddling around testing.

He and Colin are doing race simulations today. 

Go Hayden!!!  [thumbsup]

combined times for both days

http://www.motogp.com/en/TestResults/MotoGP+Losail+Test+2010 (http://www.motogp.com/en/TestResults/MotoGP+Losail+Test+2010)

Pos   Rider   Team   Session 1   Session 2   Prev. Gap   Lead. Gap
1   Casey Stoner   Ducati Marlboro Team   1:55.717   1:55.353   -   -
2   Valentino Rossi   Fiat Yamaha Team   1:55.402   1:55.860   +0.049   +0.049
3   Andrea Dovizioso   Repsol Honda Team   1:56.811   1:55.879   +0.477   +0.526
4   Ben Spies   Monster Yamaha Tech 3   1:55.954   1:56.779   +0.075   +0.601
5   Nicky Hayden   Ducati Marlboro Team   1:56.855   1:56.115   +0.161   +0.762
6   Loris Capirossi   Rizla Suzuki MotoGP   1:57.099   1:56.195   +0.080   +0.842
7   Jorge Lorenzo   Fiat Yamaha Team   1:56.838   1:56.504   +0.309   +1.151
8   Randy De Puniet   LCR Honda MotoGP   1:56.588   1:56.504   -   +1.151
9   Colin Edwards   Monster Yamaha Tech 3   1:56.540   1:56.722   +0.036   +1.187
10   Mika Kallio   Pramac Racing Team   1:56.923   1:56.767   +0.227   +1.414
11   Aleix Espargaro   Pramac Racing Team   1:57.898   1:56.897   +0.130   +1.544
12   Alvaro Bautista   Rizla Suzuki MotoGP   1:57.960   1:56.898   +0.001   +1.545
13   Dani Pedrosa   Repsol Honda Team   1:57.047   1:56.935   +0.037   +1.582
14   Marco Melandri   San Carlo Honda Gresini   1:57.605   1:57.222   +0.287   +1.869
15   Hector Barbera   Aspar Team   1:57.822   1:57.223   +0.001   +1.870
16   Hiroshi Aoyama   Interwetten-Honda MotoGP   1:57.888   1:57.251   +0.028   +1.898
17   Marco Simoncelli   San Carlo Honda Gresini   1:57.891   1:57.379   +0.128   +2.026

So, Pedrosa's doing a Poker Run simulation?

 :-X

Sad to see him down in Kurtis Roberts Position...especially after he got a SBK podium last year.

Something's F'd up at Gresini, Melandri isn't that bad a rider.

I can see Simoncelli being off the pace, but he shouldn't be that far off.

Man, WTF is going on with the midget?!?

We kept hearing all last year about how 250 riders were better equipped for GP than SBK riders.  Sure, The Ben ain't your usual SBK rider, but the current crop of 250 riders have had a while to learn their bikes.  They've pretty much filled up the bottoms of the time sheets.  

I'm glad to see Dovi getting back up there.  He was not at his best last year.  

If Lorenzo doesn't heal up and Pedrosa continues to struggle, the aliens are gonna be a two-some for the beginning of the season.  It doesn't look like anyone can get anywhere near Stoner and/or Rossi.

Anyone wanna take bets on Team Marco v. Team Texas?  I doubt it. 

ben was 0.237sec from stoner yesterday...

But not today.  Look, I think he'll run with them later in the season and likely earlier than that for some but not all the races.  But I think that we're lookin' at mostly a two-man show for the first two races until Lorenzo's hand heals (after which he'll throw himself back down on the ground--then again, he's got nearly a month to get better), the midget gets his shit sorted out and The Ben gets up to alien speed.  Cuz while he can do fast laps, I just don't know yet if The Ben can stay with the frontrunners in the beginning of the race while the tires get up to temp.  Mebbe he's had enough time on them now that he's got 'em figured out. We'll see.

agreed, don't think he's really there-there yet.  i was just stating a fact.  =)

haven't read anything about the race simulation run today, other than he and colin both had small get-offs again in T2. 
maybe today was mostly on old tires, etc.. dunno.

duccarlos...I removed your post.

That was over the top. Knock it off.

Take it back to NMC if you can't control your inner 12 year old.

http://roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=39795 (http://roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=39795)

comments from the Texans and Repsolians

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/82282 (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/82282)

interesting


mitt

"Reigning champion Valentino Rossi believes an earlier start time would be better for European television audiences anyway"

Interesting that he's not pointing to safety as his top concern.....  ;)


Rossi, Stoner, Ben, Nicky, Pedro, Lorenzo, Edwards.....

Can someone explain to me, again, why more teams/riders are needed in MotoGP?   [cheeky]

i think everybody is pointing to safety, but the initial argument for night time races (f1 and motogp) were better viewing for euro tv audiences.

'anyway', as in in addition to supporting the safety concerns is how i read that.

http://superbikeplanet.com/image/2010/motogp/qatar-test-march/t3/0.htm (http://superbikeplanet.com/image/2010/motogp/qatar-test-march/t3/0.htm)

as usual, several hilarious Soup captions here.. starting with the first

also note the photog credit. [laugh]

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2010/gresini+reactions+after+qatar+test (http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2010/gresini+reactions+after+qatar+test)

and man Simoncelli makes that bike look teeny tiny

I'm afraid I'm gonna have to pull rank on you. I didn't want to have to do this. I'm with the Mattress Police. There are no tags on these mattresses.

inside joke?

Nope (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089155/)

Alan Stanwyk = Tim Matheson's character in Fletch

yeah yeah yeah...

after I realized i was sitting at a computer that had google...

I figured it out. ;D [bang] [bang] [bang]

I feel like an idjit for only having seen Fletch once and not remembering a single thing about it.

And off topic (cuz this thread is now about Fletch), but those Hondas are a problem.  Of course, any bike not 'specially made for him is gonna be a problem for Halfsy McTitleKiller, but there are bigger issues goin' on.  'cept with Dovi, of course.  Simoncelli was right on when he said that it wasn't just that he's a rookie because everyone was struggling.  After last year, I thought this year they were supposed to come up with competitive machinery.  Is it just the Ohlins switch? 

Well, it sure seems Dovi has found something, and DePuniet as well.

I can't believe that the 'bot doesn't have access to Dovi's setup info.
Fer crying out loud, Bautista on a Suzuki went faster than the 'bot.
That's gotta be making his stomach churn.

Team Marco is lost in the woods.

They'll get it figured out, but if it takes 2 races to do it, the 'bot's championship hopes are fried.
The other aliens will likely have 2 bad races during the season, but the 'bot is gonna throw it in the kitty litter a time or two.
IMO, he's make the beast with two backsed.

<smacks head>  I totally forgot about DePuniet.  This leaves me even more confuzzled.  I really hope that it gets sorted out.  As much as I'd love Dovi to stomp the shit out the midget all season long and be able to run with the fast guys, I don't want to see Team Marco wallowing in last place.  I like watching Melandri and Simoncelli and want them to be on competitive machinery.

Funny about your take on the championship & Pedro, Nick.  When I think of the top guys, I always think of four aliens, Nick, but only of two and a half title contenders --- Stoner and Rossi and half of George.  The bot is fast as make the beast with two backs, but I just always assume that he'll never put together a championship season.   Lorenzo only gets a half cuz I can't imagine Rossi letting him win or him beating out Rossi.  That's not to say I'm right, but it's how my mind thinks about those four.

If the 'bot qualifies on the front row and gets the holeshot, he's a threat to run away and hide.
But if he's on row 3, that holeshot ain't gonna happen.

He did well at Sepang, but still was 0.9 sec behind Rossi.

Looking like he's going to start the season in a hole just due to being off pace, not because he's hurt.

true, but based on how often he gets to T1 first - almost every time - it's not as great a threat as it would seem.  unless they're in germany.


…except, even from the third row, it often does. 

but then, see above. 

he almost always gets to the front and then gets overtaken in a lap or three.  800-era RC still no bueno, comparatively speaking.

With the limited engine rule this year being fast all the time isn't the only factor in winning the championship.