[SPOILERS] MotoGP 2009 Round 2 -- Motogei, Japan

[mitt]

and wtf, was takahashi aiming at nicky?   

That was fvcked up for sure.  Poor Nicky.

Not to try and start a debate, but this seemed like the race were the king was surrounded by the heirs to the throne, and they were all biting at him like a bunch of small fish taking on the shark.  In other words, it seemed like a pretty good lead group full of the ones to watch in the future.

mitt

[gm2]

In other words, it seemed like a pretty good lead group full of the ones to watch in the future.

mitt

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/74852

[mitt]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/74852

So if he agrees with me, does that make me like famous or noble or something?   

mitt

[Jester]

That was fvcked up for sure.  Poor Nicky.

Not to try and start a debate, but this seemed like the race were the king was surrounded by the heirs to the throne, and they were all biting at him like a bunch of small fish taking on the shark.  In other words, it seemed like a pretty good lead group full of the ones to watch in the future.

mitt

Yeah, pending the manufacturers sticking around, We're definately seeing what the next decade of GP has to offer.  Stoner, Lorenzo, Pedro, Dovi... and I'm waiting on Simoncelli and some of the other 250 guys to come up and maybe Spies in a few years.  The Rossi era isn't done, but we probably only have another 2-3 years if he sticks around for one more contract.  Will be sad to see him go, but exciting to watch the young guys doing well.

So where does Nicky go after the Ducati eats up his career like everyone else?    ( yes I know its premature, just sayin' )

[gm2]

So where does Nicky go after the Ducati eats up his career like everyone else?    ( yes I know its premature, just sayin' )

duh: wsbk. 


and spies could come up next year, if he wanted to.  Herve Poncharal has already said he wants him.

[ducpainter]

duh: wsbk. 


and spies could come up next year, if he wanted to.  Herve Poncharal has already said he wants him.

Didn't Ben say he was happy where he was?...of course he could change his mind.

[gm2]

Didn't Ben say he was happy where he was?...of course he could change his mind.

yeah, he more or less said where i am now is fun and i think GP is a little screwed up lately. 

of course, what else is he going to say at this point...

[Jester]

Didn't Ben say he was happy where he was?...of course he could change his mind.

Yeah that's what I thought Spies had said, so I figured it would be a few years before he makes a switch.  He may or may not take the wsbk title this year.  I'd imagine he'd stick around for a few seasons to take care of business there before any more changes.  /shrug

[Jester]

GP is going to get shaken up again next year with the rule changes too, so I'm not sure its the best or most stable environment to come into.  Hopefully they will keep the 800cc limit, but settle down on changes after next year and let the factories all catch up to each other.  ( wishful thinking )

[ducpainter]

yeah, he more or less said where i am now is fun and i think GP is a little screwed up lately. 

of course, what else is he going to say at this point...

sounds like he's telling it like it is.

[Chococat]

Awesome race! Good for Lorenzo, that battle between Rossi and Pedro was crazy. It seemed like Lorenzo hit another gear near the end and left em all behind. I'm happy to see Rossi get 2nd. I really thought Stoner was going to win going into the race. I really hope the season is full of contenders. As much as I like Rossi it does get boring when he runs away with races. And as much as I love Ducati it's boring when Stoner leaves everyone behind.

I also think Ben should stay in WSBK. GP is really about the team. If your not in one of the three top factory teams, Fiat Yamaha, Repsol Honda or Marlboro Ducati then forget it. You really have no chance of winning anything. I hope that changes in the near future.

[derby]

I also think Ben should stay in WSBK. GP is really about the team. If your not in one of the three top factory teams, Fiat Yamaha, Repsol Honda or Marlboro Ducati then forget it. You really have no chance of winning anything. I hope that changes in the near future.

if by "anything," you mean a championship, you're probably right. if you mean races, that's not entirely true. see melandri's '05 and '06 seasons, for example.

[desmoquattro]

if by "anything," you mean a championship, you're probably right. if you mean races, that's not entirely true. see melandri's '05 and '06 seasons, for example.

I'm wondering if the customer bikes will eventually win a GP race in the 800cc era? How many years did it take a non-factory rider to win on a 990?

[Spidey]

If this is what the racing is like when they don't get the time to work on set-up, I vote to get rid of practice entirely.  It was almost as fun as watching WSBK. 

[Jester]

I'm wondering if the customer bikes will eventually win a GP race in the 800cc era? How many years did it take a non-factory rider to win on a 990?

It took 13 races into the 990cc era before a non factory bike won.  Barros took first place in the 13th race of the seaon, after riding the first 12 still on a 500cc two stroke.  He took 2 wins, and 4 podiums in four races after the switch, with one pole.  Biaggi took race 10 on the Factory Yamaha, and Ukawa took race 2 on the factory Honda, with Rossi cleaning up the other 10 before Barros broke through.


I will say that once Dorna makes all the hot rookies first go to satellite teams, that we will then eventually see a customer win.  Until then, no.  There isn't enough talent in the saddles of the customer bikes to do it.  Edwards is probably the best shot the customers have, so um, yeah.