Australian GP Oct 5 (spoilers!)

[gm2]

Rossi is gonna take it easy, he is already world champion.

sometimes you say some really funny things.  this is one of those times. 

[Speeddog]

Rossi getoff:

[Giannis]

sometimes you say some really funny things.  this is one of those times. 

yeap he did from 12 to 2 

[Spidey]

That was good racin'.  That pack of 4 fighting for 4th was excellent.    I really wish Hayden could have held on, but it was pretty obvious Rossi was gonna get him.  Three champs in the top 3.  Pretty cool.  And Stoner's pretty much locked up #2 for the season.  Woot.   [moto]

Pedro's tossing himself down on the ground a lot more this year, eh?

[darylbowden]

Great race, but Phillip Island pretty much always makes for good racing.

Stoner was lightning fast from the get go, but it was nice to see Nicky hang with him for quite some time.  The announcers said that Nicky was running 1/2 second faster in the race than he had all weekend, very impressive.

I really wish Rossi hadn't crashed in QP because he had the pace to at least make it a real race out front and keep Stoner honest, but his comeback from 12th to 2nd was just unbelievable.

Toseland was awesome, I love to see guys racing like that.  Just heart and balls, hanging it out everywhere.  I was disappointed to hear Dovi complain about Toseland's aggression.  I swear these GP guys are getting make the beast with two backsing spoiled.  If the other guy didn't make you crash or run off the track, STFU!  Now, if you want to see aggression (which I LOVE), check out Simoncelli and Bautista in the 250s, that was some exciting stuff.

[Spidey]

I loved Toseland's line into the first turn.  I was watchin' it all race.  Before Rossi tried to get around him, you could see exactly how James was setting it up-->  Give them the inside of 1, run wide and then you're set up to take them back on the inside of 2 (left hander).  Tighten up the exit on 2, kill their corner speed, stand the bike up early and get a good drive out.  It was awesome.  I'd been watching it for a coupla laps and then Rossi tried to come through.  It worked perfectly.  James let him have the inside of 1 and then took it back on the inside of 2.  'course, Rossi got around him the next lap in the same place.  It was also a blast watching someone  brake late with Rossi.  Few, few people can do that.

I don't get what Dovi was complaining about, though to be fair, I think he did complain that he had to run off track (not sure what he was talking about there). 

[derby]

 Now, if you want to see aggression (which I LOVE), check out Simoncelli and Bautista in the 250s, that was some exciting stuff.

 

[sbrguy]

it is just silly how rossi can ride, wtf?

is his bike that much faster than anyone else or is that all riding ability? bc if its ability that is just unfair.

he was passing guys so fast in the early laps it was like they were still doing warmup laps.

[NAKD1]

Rossi has it wrapped up, riding like that for the fans shows a true champ.

[TiNi]

it was a great race, i'd love to see the GP at Philip Island, the setting is beautiful.

three cheers for nicky, i would have loved to see him hold his 2nd position, but i'm still psyched he was on the podium, he's had a rough season.
Rossi moving up from 12th to 2nd was just amazing... like old times.

damn... there are only 2 races left of the season 

[FatguyRacer]

three cheers for nicky, i would have loved to see him hold his 2nd position, but i'm still psyched he was on the podium, he's had a rough season.

Agreed! I think at this point he's just trying to rub it in the best he can in the noses of HRC for treating him like shit. Dani will never be WC. It'll be interesting to see what happens next season with Dovi on the factory bike. The way he's been riding the satillite bike must be giving Pedro night sweats thinking about having him as a teamate in 2009.

[Chococat]

Great race! Of course Rossi is the greatest. If you think his talent ability makes it unfair for everyone else having to face him when he's not on the fastest bike in GP you should have seen him on the RC211V. It was almost a forgone conclusion that he was going to win. I think him being on a Yamaha has made it all much more interesting. Thanks Rossi!

I'm happy that Nicky is having a good run near the end of his tenure at Honda. I wasn't sure Rossi was going to catch him. It's a little sad the year is almost over. I have a feeling that next year there will be more riders truly contending for the championship that there has been in a long time. I wouldn't be surprised if we see many more different race winners next year. It's going to be tough for Rossi. It makes me sad to think that one day he'll be gone.

[gm2]

it is just silly how rossi can ride, wtf?

is his bike that much faster than anyone else or is that all riding ability? bc if its ability that is just unfair.

he was passing guys so fast in the early laps it was like they were still doing warmup laps.

it's only this year that the M1 800 is as fast as most other bikes.  what you're seeing is just rossi.

[gm2]

..and double for nicky!  great fun to see him hang on to stoner like that.

i don't think he was trying to show HRC their mistake... he was just trying to get a better look at his next bike in action. 

+1 on Toseland, especially holding off rossi.  that's a career moment all by itself. 

and -1 on Dovi.  shut up and race dude.

[gm2]

some good photos

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2008/10/the_2008_australian_motorcycle.html