Watched the 2008 Laguna Seca race again last nite...seems like Rossi's "I am winning this race and no one will stop me" performance from the first lap on set the tone that's carried over into 2009.
Has he psyched the rest of the field already?
I don't think the field is psyched out at all. Well Pedrobot has always been psyched by him on his tail, but I'm pretty sure Stoner and Lorenzo aren't going to crack.
In my opinion, Lorenzo is still another year away from really pushing for the crown, but he'll be in the mix this season for sure. His crash threw away important points and is a reminder of his mistakes of last year. I think he still has a bit of maturing to do. Stoner should pick up a handful of wins after we get around the midway point, so as long as he sticks around the front, he's going to be up in Rossi's grill all season. The early season races favor Rossi this year, but Stoner has a stretch coming up in a bit that favor him and Duc.
Rossi has a better start than last year, and he's definately in some of the best form we've seen from him in a while. Should be a great year.
On a Lorenzo note. I think over time, he's going to end up being the best of the current rest so to speak. He's got the balls that Rossi does during overtaking and probably the best racecraft that I've seen out of the younger folks. Once he tempers his inconsistancy, he's going to be a force down the road. Stoner is faster in general, but Lorenzo has better overall skills imo.
**one other thing**
Did anyone see the question posed to Rossi about how he dangles his leg out before turning the bike after hard braking? He said that he actually has no idea why he does it. He said he thinks he can brake better, but I think its funny how everyone copies that move now, although the man himself really has no purposeful reason for it other than it just kinda popped up in his riding style.
