Ducati Monster Forum

FP1

Pos  Rider              Team                       Time               Laps
 1.  Casey Stoner       Repsol Honda Team          1m34.133s            20
 2.  Dani Pedrosa       Repsol Honda Team          1m34.431s  + 0.298   22
 3.  Andrea Dovizioso   Repsol Honda Team          1m34.808s  + 0.675   22
 4.  Marco Simoncelli   San Carlo Honda Gresini    1m35.029s  + 0.896   21
 5.  Jorge Lorenzo      Yamaha Factory Racing      1m35.165s  + 1.032   24
 6.  Valentino Rossi    Ducati Team                1m35.414s  + 1.281   22
 7.  Randy De Puniet    Pramac Racing Team         1m35.687s  + 1.554   23
 8.  Nicky Hayden       Ducati Team                1m35.721s  + 1.588   20
 9.  Cal Crutchlow      Monster Yamaha Tech 3      1m35.731s  + 1.598   22
10.  Ben Spies          Yamaha Factory Racing      1m35.743s  + 1.610   23
11.  Colin Edwards      Monster Yamaha Tech 3      1m35.871s  + 1.738   20
12.  Loris Capirossi    Pramac Racing Team         1m36.410s  + 2.277   19
13.  Hiroshi Aoyama     San Carlo Honda Gresini    1m36.448s  + 2.315   21
14.  Alvaro Bautista    Rizla Suzuki MotoGP        1m36.510s  + 2.377   21
15.  Toni Elias         LCR Honda MotoGP           1m36.997s  + 2.864   21
16.  Hector Barbera     Mapfre Aspar Team MotoGP   1m37.036s  + 2.903   18
17.  Karel Abraham      Cardion AB Motoracing      1m37.154s  + 3.021   19

FP2

Pos  Rider              Team                       Time              Laps
 1.  Casey Stoner       Repsol Honda Team          1m33.782            20
 2.  Marco Simoncelli   San Carlo Honda Gresini    1m34.186  + 0.404   21
 3.  Dani Pedrosa       Repsol Honda Team          1m34.478  + 0.696   23
 4.  Nicky Hayden       Ducati Team                1m34.652  + 0.870   21
 5.  Jorge Lorenzo      Yamaha Factory Racing      1m34.659  + 0.877   21
 6.  Andrea Dovizioso   Repsol Honda Team          1m34.705  + 0.923   21
 7.  Colin Edwards      Monster Yamaha Tech 3      1m34.939  + 1.157   21
 8.  Hiroshi Aoyama     San Carlo Honda Gresini    1m34.959  + 1.177   21
 9.  Valentino Rossi    Ducati Team                1m34.966  + 1.184   21
10.  Ben Spies          Yamaha Factory Racing      1m34.976  + 1.194   25
11.  Randy De Puniet    Pramac Racing Team         1m34.998  + 1.216   21
12.  Cal Crutchlow      Monster Yamaha Tech 3      1m35.158  + 1.376   20
13.  Loris Capirossi    Pramac Racing Team         1m35.383  + 1.601   23
14.  Hector Barbera     Mapfre Aspar Team MotoGP   1m35.902  + 2.120   19
15.  Alvaro Bautista    Rizla Suzuki MotoGP        1m35.992  + 2.210   21
16.  Toni Elias         LCR Honda MotoGP           1m36.304  + 2.522   21
17.  Karel Abraham      Cardion AB Motoracing      1m36.327  + 2.545   20

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/91365 (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/91365)

http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/169177/1/lorenzo_responds_to_rossi_pussies_jibe.html (http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/169177/1/lorenzo_responds_to_rossi_pussies_jibe.html)   =)

Dang Hondas anyway. I'll record it and watch it. Ho-hum.  I might end replaying last weeks WBSK Race 2. That Fabrizio-Haga duel was something!

good casey interview:  http://www.girlracer.co.uk/motorsport/james-foreman/9815-casey-stoner-exclusive-girlracer-interview.html (http://www.girlracer.co.uk/motorsport/james-foreman/9815-casey-stoner-exclusive-girlracer-interview.html)

hope for rain...LeMans with Rain equals awesome racing....I seem to recall 2 years ago Guintoli leading the GP pack at 1 point in the rain.

forecast moves rain up to midday Sat, during Q.  dry sunday.  so far.

for those with subs... stay to the end:

http://www.motogp.com/en/videos/2011/Pre+Event+Press+Conference+at+Valencia (http://www.motogp.com/en/videos/2011/Pre+Event+Press+Conference+at+Valencia)

Colin had the best bits in there.

In order . . . all 4 HRC Hondas, then all 4 Yamahas, then the factory Ducs.  Yawn. 

The only interesting parts are that Simo is 2d, that Spies is the last of the Yammies and that Crutchlow is right behind Lorenzo.

I thought Hayden looked pretty good today. He might turn out some good laps tomorrow.

Frickin' Stoner leavin' everyone in the dust...

Did you see Elias getting feisty with the corner workers? He was pissed

FP:3

Pos.   Num.   Rider   Nation   Team   Bike   Km/h   Time   Gap 1st/Prev.
1   27   Casey STONER   AUS   Repsol Honda Team   Honda   287.8   1'33.815   
2   58   Marco SIMONCELLI   ITA   San Carlo Honda Gresini   Honda   277.3   1'34.075   0.260 / 0.260
3   4   Andrea DOVIZIOSO   ITA   Repsol Honda Team   Honda   285.6   1'34.244   0.429 / 0.169
4   26   Dani PEDROSA   SPA   Repsol Honda Team   Honda   273.8   1'34.545   0.730 / 0.301
5   69   Nicky HAYDEN   USA   Ducati Team   Ducati   277.8   1'34.954   1.139 / 0.409
6   1   Jorge LORENZO   SPA   Yamaha Factory Racing   Yamaha   279.3   1'35.051   1.236 / 0.097
7   46   Valentino ROSSI   ITA   Ducati Team   Ducati   286.1   1'35.280   1.465 / 0.229
8   5   Colin EDWARDS   USA   Monster Yamaha Tech 3   Yamaha   274.5   1'35.281   1.466 / 0.001
9   11   Ben SPIES   USA   Yamaha Factory Racing   Yamaha   284.0   1'35.302   1.487 / 0.021
10   35   Cal CRUTCHLOW   GBR   Monster Yamaha Tech 3   Yamaha   288.8   1'35.442   1.627 / 0.140
11   7   Hiroshi AOYAMA   JPN   San Carlo Honda Gresini   Honda   286.9   1'35.645   1.830 / 0.203
12   17   Karel ABRAHAM   CZE   Cardion AB Motoracing   Ducati   285.0   1'35.799   1.984 / 0.154
13   19   Alvaro BAUTISTA   SPA   Rizla Suzuki MotoGP   Suzuki   276.1   1'35.979   2.164 / 0.180
14   14   Randy DE PUNIET   FRA   Pramac Racing Team   Ducati   278.3   1'36.091   2.276 / 0.112
15   8   Hector BARBERA   SPA   Mapfre Aspar Team MotoGP   Ducati   275.8   1'36.268   2.453 / 0.177
16   65   Loris CAPIROSSI   ITA   Pramac Racing Team   Ducati   273.1   1'36.370   2.555 / 0.102
17   24   Toni ELIAS   SPA   LCR Honda MotoGP   Honda   277.7   1'36.467   2.652 / 0.097

QP

Pos.   Num.   Rider   Nation   Team   Bike   Km/h   Time   Gap 1st/Prev.
1   27   Casey STONER   AUS   Repsol Honda Team   Honda   293.2   1'33.153   
2   58   Marco SIMONCELLI   ITA   San Carlo Honda Gresini   Honda   285.1   1'33.212   0.059 / 0.059
3   4   Andrea DOVIZIOSO   ITA   Repsol Honda Team   Honda   286.7   1'33.621   0.468 / 0.409
4   26   Dani PEDROSA   SPA   Repsol Honda Team   Honda   278.6   1'33.683   0.530 / 0.062
5   1   Jorge LORENZO   SPA   Yamaha Factory Racing   Yamaha   281.2   1'33.706   0.553 / 0.023
6   35   Cal CRUTCHLOW   GBR   Monster Yamaha Tech 3   Yamaha   289.9   1'33.804   0.651 / 0.098
7   5   Colin EDWARDS   USA   Monster Yamaha Tech 3   Yamaha   284.1   1'34.063   0.910 / 0.259
8   11   Ben SPIES   USA   Yamaha Factory Racing   Yamaha   289.6   1'34.206   1.053 / 0.143
9   46   Valentino ROSSI   ITA   Ducati Team   Ducati   286.9   1'34.206   1.053
10   69   Nicky HAYDEN   USA   Ducati Team   Ducati   285.0   1'34.277   1.124 / 0.071
11   14   Randy DE PUNIET   FRA   Pramac Racing Team   Ducati   288.4   1'34.351   1.198 / 0.074
12   19   Alvaro BAUTISTA   SPA   Rizla Suzuki MotoGP   Suzuki   285.0   1'34.513   1.360 / 0.162
13   7   Hiroshi AOYAMA   JPN   San Carlo Honda Gresini   Honda   288.8   1'34.612   1.459 / 0.099
14   8   Hector BARBERA   SPA   Mapfre Aspar Team MotoGP   Ducati   282.4   1'34.650   1.497 / 0.038
15   65   Loris CAPIROSSI   ITA   Pramac Racing Team   Ducati   282.7   1'34.866   1.713 / 0.216
16   17   Karel ABRAHAM   CZE   Cardion AB Motoracing   Ducati   292.4   1'35.010   1.857 / 0.144
17   24   Toni ELIAS   SPA   LCR Honda MotoGP   Honda   284.7   1'35.433   2.280 / 0.423

you could give us cheap make the beast with two backsers a hint.

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=48938.0 (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=48938.0)

Check my last post.  That's part of it.

5000 euro wasn't enough.

With all the whining about dangerous riding, coming from the douche himself, Stoner should be dq'ed.

seems like the race of dangerous passes
ironic with all the complaints and finger pointing leading up to it

[roll]

You have got to be kidding. Someone doing 100 on the racing line is not on. This place is a joke.

Watch the race and you will see what dangerous riding is. And what happens when someone does dumb stupid moves. 

Feel sorry for Dani.

Super Sic was way out of line. And bad luck for the Frenchies at their home race. Not a bad race though.

Wasn't talking about the race mate...haven't seen it yet.

I'm talking about the douchebag move he pulled in warm-up when RDP tried to get out of his way and guessed wrong by moving to the right and your boy punched him going down the straight.

That is dumb and stupid...and kind of petulant for a supposed pro. [roll]

He's a friggen joke.

i can't believe i'd ever say this, but i feel bad for the pedrobot

and HOW on earth does RdP still have a ride this year??
he's gotta be the most consistent DNF'er out there...










ok, i'll admit that i already have second thoughts about feeling bad for dani  ;D

I feel bad for the bot's injury but that accident was 50/50. Simoncelli got past pedro before the turn and tipped it in hard but pedro still could have backed off and got through the turn clean(slow). As the BBC announcers mentioned, it looked like pedro let off the brakes to run Simoncelli wide but he was already committed to his line so pedro stood it up and clipped simoncelli. Not the safest pass but Simoncelli gets hit with a ride through?????

Can't wait to watch this later...if only for Vale's first podium on a Duc  ;D
(http://www.indiancarsbikes.in/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Valentino-Rossi-image.jpg)

Me too! I'll have to wait until late tonight though. Junior has two late baseball games before and after dinner. Watching the Daytona Sportbike race last night will have to tide me over. [thumbsup] Some nice results there. And DAMN good ride by Holden. Wow! If I was rich I'd sponsor him after seeing a ride like that! :o Sad that his big money sponsor walked. Might not even have the coin to make it to Miller. Hope something comes out of the woodwork.

Anyway, it will be nice to see Rossi in Duc leathers on the podium. And yes, me too (can't believe I'm about to type this!), I feel a little bad for Pedrobot and hope the shoulder injury isn't too bad. He is kinda fragile. Sort of like a glass vase in a leather suit. :P

I'm calling that one nearly 100% Simoncelli's fault. He came in late and fast and out of nowhere; the Pedrobot could not be expected to react in time.

Simoncelli is a menace. It's a shame as I like the guy otherwise.

As for the DePuniet / Stoner incident, supposedly DP apologized afterward. While the punch was pretty typical Stoner brattyness, it's not worth more punishment than he got. Calling for him to get DQ'ed over that is over the top.

As for the rest of the race...

It's going to be Honda's year, isn't it? That's a shame as I hate Hondas.

http://crash.net/motogp/news/169243/1/simoncelli_rejects_blame_for_pedrosa_crash.html (http://crash.net/motogp/news/169243/1/simoncelli_rejects_blame_for_pedrosa_crash.html)

http://crash.net/motogp/news/169239/1/dani_pedrosa_i_dont_deserve_this.html (http://crash.net/motogp/news/169239/1/dani_pedrosa_i_dont_deserve_this.html)

Simoncelli comes off as a complete douchebag in his interviews post race.  He really thinks he's done nothing wrong and Pedro ran into him.  Simoncelli wasn't going to make that corner, came in way too hot on the outside and cut right across Pedro, and he wants to blame Dani.

I really feel bad for Dani, as I felt like he had a solid shot at a title this year.  He's been riding really well and been riding with more intelligence than in the past.  Its too bad to see this happen.  Simoncelli is fast, but with little regard to those around him.  I have no problem with tough passes, but that was completely out of line, and he refuses to acknowledge it.

wow what a race !!!

some observations...It goes to show how good Stoner was on the Duc ..no one else can ride it ..Vale only did this good because of circumstance's

Spies ..wtf ..just not competitive..why , same bike as Lorenzo

Simoncelli    yes a doche in the post race ..but I have to say it is racing ...ride to win ( think of Rossi ala Laguna ..off road move )

the difference is rossi and stoner both stayed upright (that time)...

An Interesting take from Former Racers Daryl Beattie and Craig Baird from the Australian One HD Telecast of Moto GP at Le mans.

The PedroBot Incident, They both played that back in slow motion from a number of Angles after the race and showed some interesting points, Pedros bike was hard on the brakes with the Back Tire off the ground by a few inches just before it happened, and considering he was meant to be turning into the corner he was more upright than he should have been to take the corner, they both agreed it should have been classed a racing Incident, as Simoncelli was turning for the Apex of the corner, they both agree that Simoncelli did not leave Pedro a lot of room, but Pedro was also not lined up for the corner correctly and may have been going to run a little wide anyway.
And People are also saying Pedrobot is very Fragile, take a look at the Replay, he hit's the ground Shoulder first into the Raised ridge running around the outside of the Track, as Daryl stated, he is very surprised the damage was not worse, and again would be very surprised if any racer could hit the ground at the same spot and speed and not have the same Injuries or worse. But it never seems to end well when 2 Racers decide they both want the same piece of Tarmac at the Same time, and Debate about this Incident will rage on for a very long time. Get well soon PedroBot! (Skynet is awaiting your parts order by the way)

The Stoner vs De Puniet - Again an Interesting take from both of the Former Racers, I had to Chuckle at Beattie's comment "I would have given him a kick also for good Measure!" They were very critical of De Puniet, and also critical of the fact that the FIM have said nothing to De Puniet about riding so slow on the Racing line and adjusting his Brakes. They both said De Puniet was doing approx 100Kph with Stoner on a Flyer and on full attack mode, with a speed difference of nearly 100 to 200 Kph, the results of Contact could have been Horrific to say the least.  De Puniet can be seen to look back, and weather he simply didn't see Stoner or thought he was going to go a different line will also be debated, but the simple fact is De Puniet should not have been on the Racing line, fresh from the pits, going slowly adjusting his Brakes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daryl_Beattie (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daryl_Beattie)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craig_Baird (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craig_Baird)

Interesting take on the accident... oops, I mean racing incident. Shit happens out there people. There will always be folks who side with Marco and those in Pedrobot's corner. Some like red some like blue. Just glad Dani's injuries aren't as severe as they could have been. Don't care for the lad but he's had enough trouble for one season. Sorry to see he has more.

Dovizioso  [clap] Hell of a race.




Valentino Rossi, Ducati Team

”For me, I think this time, Simoncelli was too hard, maybe it was a bit too aggressive, as Dani had no room to make anything. I think it’s also a mistake because at that part of the race Simoncelli arrive strong so maybe instead of overtaking Dani under braking, he could overtake him on the next lap.”

  I wonder if Stoner would have punched Simoncelli.....that might have been interesting.

Best comment came from Nicky.  [thumbsup]

Nicky Hayden, Ducati Team

”I’ve had one look at it so I didn’t really get to slow it down and watch it a couple of times, so I’m not really sure. It’s between them two, they don’t need me to weigh in on it as I’m sure everyone will have an opinion on it. Two guys racing hard, things can happen, there’s been a lot of drama this weekend, a lot of arm waving and this and that.”

I don't think so....and what would I apologize for?

$5K means nothing to him.

Taking a racer out of a race means something.

I also don't think the Simoncelli/Pedrosa incident was all Simoncellis' fault.

I can't even parse this to make a rebuttal  ???

Pretty good race, even though it was a bit of a parade for a while. Nice to see Ducati on the podium, even if it was due to the crash.

The accident looked like Simo's fault...but I haven't watched it over and over, and I don't really care to. Bummer for Pedrobot though as he's been riding well.

What's up with Spies?

Stoner is going to be very tough to beat, as expected.

The Moto2 race was better (as usual).  :)

Oh yeah...J Lo needs to shut his trap about aggressive riding. The bump pass he put on Simo (I think it was Simo...can't remember for sure) early in the race was the exact same thing he has been pregnant doging about for a while. Nice pass though.  ;D [thumbsup]

It was a damn good race, but Dovi putting it to the golden boy was better action.  ;)

Gee...

you confuse pretty easily.

I guess you don't understand sarcasm.

My bad...I'm DP...he's RDP...at least in my mind;)


Stoner is still a whiney pregnant dog...and deserved more than a monetary penalty. That means nothing to these guys.

I just want to jump in here and say that I still don't like Stoner. I know. It's pretty shallow

"I could have won the fight, but about three swings in I got a bad cramp in my right hand."

I reckon RDP's riding in practice was more dangerous than Simmo's under full race conditions. RDP should also have been fined. A huge speed differential for potentially fatal circumstances.

I think if Simmo had taken out a satellite team rider he may not have received his penalty. You can't run over a Puig/Repsol rider. Also the build up of complaints against Simmo may have swayed the officials over time. When I first saw the incident I thought Simmo was all to blame but after seeing a slow-mo of it Pedrosa stands the bike up big time maybe because he can't make the corner or to punt Simmo out of the way to give him some of his own medicine. I'm unsure exactly why. I actually feel sorry for the little bugger though.

I'm a Stoner fan but I would like him to complain less and punch more. Give 'em 10 grand and beat the shit out of him to put the fear into your opponents! That's what Doohan would have done! Imagine Rainey, Schwanz, Doohan and Gardner in the same circumstances, it would be UFC meets GP! [evil]

Maybe it's all getting too PC. Young guys full of aggression, pushing hard will always have incidents.

It is a contact sport anyway, apparently, (what a stupid thing for an official to say).

OK. Finally got to see the race and I'm with the Marco is bad troop. Funky pass attempt at best. I am neither a big fan of either but if the situation were reversed I would call funky pass attempt on Pedrobot. My two cents... who cares?

My main beef is wtf is up with The Ben? Maybe he should have stayed another year with Tech 3 and hit a couple of Colin's boot camp ranch things in the hill country! He's riding like he could use it! :P Great talent but not up to factory results and don't you know they see it. First off, I'm a huge fan and hope things turn around. The talent and maybe some better luck has to show through at some point. But with the Honda domination he may never have the chance. Oh, by the way, did I mention I like WSBK about 100 times better than MotoGP? Having watched the LeMans race it's better than a AdvilPM... I'll sleep like a baby out of boredom! Come on Miller WSBK races!!! [thumbsup] [beer] [popcorn]

Harsh penalty IMO....Simmonceli was past him on the brakes entering that corner.  They bumped, then the pair of them stood their bikes up to sort it out in the gravel and Dani simply was not strong enough to hold the bike up under the second contact.  I know it was front wheel vs. back wheel, but Marco barely even twitched and it looked like Dani hit oil.....the instant they touched he is on the tarmac.  Give Marco credit, he is on a not quite factory bike and he was almost on Stoner's pace.  He is aggressive, but I would much rather see an aggressive move than settle for a position/result.  MotoGP just gained some entertainment factor!

it was Dovi he used as a bumpstop in that turn on that pass...which is why it made me happy that Dovi ( though it took longer than I wanted) passed him back and cleanly...but I agree, that JLo was a douchebag for doing exactly what he was pregnant doging against....seems there was a fair bit of hypocrisy in the actions versus words of Stoner and JLo this weekend...enough that maybe their complaints may not get the same consideration as they have in the past....

I was also very happy with all of Marco's "other" passes as he was "clean as you like" in all the other ones...as far as the Pedrobot incident....well...I can beat a dead horse and say anything, but it doesn't matter..while Simo is aggressive, there was not 100% fault on Simo on that one...yes, more of it is on his shoulders than not...but not all of it...and if you think Dani doesn't know that, I think you are wrong, hence why he didn't make a huge stink about it beyond just saying the little that he did...

otherwise, wasn't a bad race, and Moto2 was an awesome one too!

Looking forward to viewing the Moto2 race tonight. Saw the results already on line but that doesn't make watching it any less interesting. I like some of the previous comments about the old guard 500ccGP riders and how they raced and how it compares to the whiny/PC racing of today. I saw racing back then (not in person) that would have kept Stoner and Company up all night and scared shitless. Fairing banging, block passes and high sides galore. Funny... I don't remember anyone pregnant doging that much about it, post incident garage confrontations and fines being issued. And that was in KR Sr.'s day! Think he'd put up with any shit? Get up, duct tape your torn leathers, limp back to your bike, bump start it and get back to it. ;D

Yeah, like this.

(http://ui24.gamefaqs.com/919/gfs_46775_1_1_mid.jpg)

Simo is a fast douchebag. 95% his fault.

I can't believe you guys complaining about Stoner after basically calling him a pussy for weeks and now he's a badass.  [laugh]

RDP also apologized.  he was trying to get out of the way, chose the wrong direction.



because he (mostly) rode the LCR very well last year.


other than the fact that he openly doesn't like le mans very much, i wish i knew.


yeah, for once i was cheering for jlo.  that was a late move but it was nice.  showed some balls.


regardless of blame, i DO feel really bad for pedro.  he deserves to not be the walking wounded for at least a year.  sucks.

Maybe his true calling is horse racing. At least there he'll be falling on dirt and turf.

Yeah, but I think the horses would still find a way to break his collarbone.

Fact is, that its hard for anyone to have an original thought, someone called Stoner a winger and a pussy, the sheep will follow.
Plus its great for Moto GP he is neither European or American so apparently no one will be upset and Moto GP has its villain, happy days all round. Could we have a sticky and all the Stoner wingers could post their, then I wouldn't have to read there BS.
Don

you called?

(http://blondemetal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/kip-winger-1.jpg)

i was waiting for somebody else to pick up on that.

 ;)

I've watched the Pedrosa/Simoncelli incident a buncha times now.  It's all on Super Sic.  If Pedrosa had been farther off the apex (i.e. on a line that demonstrated that he'd only gotten in front because he was going to screw up the corner) or if Simo had given him an extra coupla feet (he did give him some space, but not nearly enough), it'd be a closer call.  However, you *know* that folks are gonna think twice before putting an inside pass on Sic. 

I'm getting frustrated with The Ben.   :(

Those Hondas looks pretty dominant.  Blech.

Stoner punching RDP?  Meh. 

there's something going on with him & yamaha.  i know, duh, obviously.  but there's actually something going on.  those that know aren't saying yet.

so who else got a kick out of the rossi/gavin emmett interview?

rossi  BOOBSHOTTUBBRO!BOOBSMONSTERENERGYBOOBS emmett

Pedro's return for Barcelona is looking doubtful with a fractured collarbone.

I'm having a hard deciding if I feel bad or if it's the cheesesteak I ate for dinner

cheesesteak

Winger - Seventeen (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlN3oEjMpUQ#normal)

Biaggi and Stoner in the cage.

Kittens(play) Fighting in Washing Basket (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiCuw1N49O8&feature=related#normal)



Pussies


 ;)

Cheesesteak.  This'll sound callous (and it is), but anything that breaks up the HRC 1-2-3-4 is ok in my book.

BTW, I think I'd take Stoner in the celebrity death match with Biaggi.  Then Max would blame his team for the loss.  

I didn't realize there was an interview goin' on.   ;D  It's good to be the GOAT.


That's what Super Sic looks like off-track.

^^^
 [laugh]

You would have to back Stoner, he hunts deer and wild boar for days with a crossbow! Says he'd rather be doin' that than talking to the media.

Funny stuff there guys!! [thumbsup] I too go back to my original (a few posts ago) wonder/worry about wtf is up with The Ben? Waz up? Sure, he's not a fast starter and has never been one. But shouldn't you want to work on that as a professional factory rider? He's not really qualifing any better than last year either. Yeah sure, the kick ass Honda stable is pushing everyone back on the grid but still... Sure had better results in mind for him this year. Nothing dramatic as in a Championship but at least better than last year's Tech 3 results. What's going on here? Curious minds want to know. Next time I see him down the street at the Central Market grocery store he's gonna have a lot of 'splainin to do! [laugh]

Fixed.  He killed it in AMA and WSBK from the get-go. 

Well, unfortunately I think the best Ben can hope for this year is consistant 4th-8th placements.  He's not faster than any of the four Hondas ( except for a few races while Pedro heals and even maybe not then ), he's not faster than Lorenzo, and in general he's not going to be faster than Rossi the more they continue to develop the Duc.  That doesn't leave him much to work with on a regular basis.  We all know circumstances change week to week, but I don't think his time will come until they change to 1000cc and new bikes.

Maybe he's just not that good... ;)
[waits for flames]

At this point The Ben is in 12th overall. 12th. Colin Edwards is ahead of him but just barely. I don't recall what happened to Edwards but he was way ahead of Ben for quite a bit this last race.

If I were Fausto Gresini, I'd still be yelling at Simo.

He's started from 4th, 5th, 2nd and 2nd.
Completed the first lap in 5th, 3rd, Crashed out 1st lap, 3rd.
Finished 5th, Crashed out of 1st, Crashed out 1st lap, Penalty dropping him from 2nd to 5th.

If he had used his large head for thinking with, he could have been 2nd or 3rd in points now.
And *not* have taken out the #2 (Spanish) rider of Repsol (Spanish) Honda (provider of the bikes he rides at Gresini) in MotoGP (Spanish).
Talk about a Career Limiting Move.  :P

Someone send this goofy make the beast with two backser a Unibrow clipper.  :D

(http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/chiflado/simoncelli01_slideshow_169.jpg)

http://www.motogp.com/en/videos/2011/Paddock+Girls+from+Le+Mans+2011 (http://www.motogp.com/en/videos/2011/Paddock+Girls+from+Le+Mans+2011)

keep in mind, Ben has had 2 DNF's?!?!?!....and Colin is a very steadfast and kinda "bring it home no matter what if you can" kind of rider who will always try his best to put points up on the board...he doesn't feel the need to push the "bin it or win it" envelope...especially in his position as mentor to Cal officially and unofficially to Ben in how they still compadre together in the paddock.


aside from the money/bikes Simo has cost Gresini...Gresini has got to be thrilled in a way, to have someone up towards the front on one of his bikes, because that hasn't happened really since Melandri was making seriously threatening results in 06...but at that point, a Satelite bike had as much of a chance as any almost...now...if you aren't on a factory ride, you might as well forget about the podium, unless you are in a rain race...

now...if said move by Simo on Pedro cost Dani the championship ( ala Dani in 06 to Nicky almost), I can see Simo's ties with HRC being seriously injured...but not yet...

I wonder if they care, given that Stoner's looking likely to run away with the championship. HRC has a way of chewing up and spitting out good riders.

I think the ONLY thing HRC cares about is getting the championship for the end of the 800cc era that they pushed for....sure...they'de like a triple crown to make it sweeter...but for the most part...you are right...

ooh lala

The young lady with the tattoos was rather nice.

Finally watched it last night.  I am in the camp it takes 2 riders to make an accident like that.  Yea, it is 70/30 on Sic, but they were both pushing that corner hard.

The motogp.com announcers said of Pedro - he just doesn't bounce when he hits the ground, he breaks.  Poor guy.

Dovi and Rossi was fun  [thumbsup]

The Pramac Ducati team has to be about out of bikes at this point between RDP and Caprix.

mitt

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/91477 (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/91477)

This -->  "I've re-watched many times the crash and with hindsight I could have perhaps left a bit more space," said the Italian rider. "However, he got off the brakes. Surely I made a mistake with my strategy, because I was a lot quicker and I could have made my move a bit later and risked a lot less.

And this -->  "Anyway, I've certainly learned a lesson and I'll be more careful in the future; I'll try to pick a better time to make an overtaking move, maybe by leaving a bit more of a margin."

But not this -->  Simoncelli added that he now accepted his move on Pedrosa was a mistake, but still feels he is being victimised.

Simoncelli's analysis is dead-on, but he's not being victimized.  He got penalized for a dangerous move. It's not unfair.  He didn't get DQ'd or forced to sit out a race.  

I suspect that was said with some sarcasm....

he's referring to the media/fan backlash, not the ride-through.

Oh, the Spanish fans?  They don't count.  They're the same people who think Douchey McNowNeitherArmWorks is worth cheering for in the first place.

[laugh]  [laugh]  [laugh]

btw, pinty had [yet another] plate fitted to his collarbone today.

They also think offal (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Offal) is food.

good schwantz article mostly about le mans.

there are also le mans moto 2 & 125, AMA infineon, and wsbk Monza spoilers in this article.

http://superbikeplanet.com/2011/May/11051734x34=lemans.htm (http://superbikeplanet.com/2011/May/11051734x34=lemans.htm)

Thanks for posting that link - lots of fascinating insight, and I laughed out loud at the Paris Hilton/Antonio Banderas line.  [thumbsup]

Hey, he agreed with me  ;D  Good article and right on IMO.


mitt

http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/motogp-noyes-notebook-anatomy-of-an-overtaking-pt-i/ (http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/motogp-noyes-notebook-anatomy-of-an-overtaking-pt-i/)

I'm not Spanish and I root for the guy.  Like him or not, you have to admit he was riding as well as ever until he got punted off the track by the non factory, factory Honda.

I can't wait for pt 2 [thumbsup]

My sentiments, exactly.

And this, Douchey McNowNeitherArmWorks, is AWESOME!

Really great article at motomatters about Super Sic.  That website is just awesome.   [thumbsup] 

http://motomatters.com/opinion/2011/05/22/marco_simoncelli_s_greatest_crime_impati.html (http://motomatters.com/opinion/2011/05/22/marco_simoncelli_s_greatest_crime_impati.html)

Good article.

Hard to argue the crash isn't on Simo now after seeing that footage.

http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/motogp-noyes-notebook-the-anatomy-of-an-overtaking-pt-ii/ (http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/motogp-noyes-notebook-the-anatomy-of-an-overtaking-pt-ii/)

http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/motogp-noyes-notebook-anatomy-of-an-overtaking-pt-iii (http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/motogp-noyes-notebook-anatomy-of-an-overtaking-pt-iii)

Unfortunate that Marco has 

...yeah.  despite the level of analysis i think the bottom line is he should have waited.  too impatient. 

(http://www.solarnavigator.net/films_movies_actors/actors_films_images/tom_cruise_val_kilmer_top_gun_locker_room.jpg)

he's an excitable boy

would have worked out better if he had. ;)

Super Sic now says he was wrong.  To be precise, his team said he said it.  Anyone wanna take bets on whether Super Sic knew this press release was going out?   [laugh]

http://crash.net/motogp/news/169794/1/simoncelli_wrong_more_cautious_in_future.html (http://crash.net/motogp/news/169794/1/simoncelli_wrong_more_cautious_in_future.html)

there have been death threats/suggestions of death threats

Spidey doesn't count.

Race Direction had a follow-up meeting with Simo and his team.  Sure, it was a meeting at Round 5, but it was about Super Sic's Round 4 clustermake the beast with two backs.  Nothing new was said, but mebbe now some crazy Spaniard won't try to shoot him in the face.

http://crash.net/motogp/news/169836/1/race_direction_statement_after_simoncelli_meeting.html (http://crash.net/motogp/news/169836/1/race_direction_statement_after_simoncelli_meeting.html)