2009 MotoGP Round 4 - Le Mans (Race Spoilers)

[derby]

well, i might as well do all of 'em... 

Schedule (left coast times)

Friday, 15 May 2009
125 FP1   03:40 - 04:40
MotoGP FP1   04:55 - 05:55
250 FP1   06:10 - 07:10

Saturday, 16 May 2009
125 FP2   00:00 - 00:40
MotoGP FP2   00:55 - 01:55
250 FP2   02:10 - 03:10
125 QP   04:00 - 04:40
MotoGP QP   04:55 - 05:55
250 QP   06:10 - 06:55

Sunday, 17 May 2009
125 WUP   Sat-23:40 - Sun-00:00
250 WUP   00:10 - 00:30
MotoGP WUP   00:40 - 01:00
125 RAC   02:00
250 RAC   03:15
MotoGP RAC   05:00

[Desmostro]

looks like its' going to be a wet race   
It's been raining all week.

[gm2]

it's a 2009 requirement that all MotoGP events involve at least some rain

[Spidey]

This sucks.  70% chance of rain Sat and 60% Sunday. 

[Grampa]

maybe rain will help Nicky out a lil

[Desmostro]

maybe rain will help Nicky out a lil

ya, I think I heard him in an interview actually want it to rain.
Any help at this point.

Makes me pucker watching the race though

[derby]

Makes me pucker watching the race though

pucker this:  http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=23730.msg418345#msg418345

[derby]

MotoGP Free Practice Nr. 1 Classification
Pos.   Num.   Rider   Nation   Team   Motorcycle   Lap time   Km/h   Gap
1   4   Andrea DOVIZIOSO   ITA   Repsol Honda Team   Honda   1'36.136   282.574   
2   27   Casey STONER   AUS   Ducati Marlboro Team   Ducati   1'36.194   287.846   0.058
3   14   Randy DE PUNIET   FRA   LCR Honda MotoGP   Honda   1'36.293   285.412   0.157
4   7   Chris VERMEULEN   AUS   Rizla Suzuki MotoGP   Suzuki   1'36.301   274.529   0.165
5   3   Dani PEDROSA   SPA   Repsol Honda Team   Honda   1'36.476   274.181   0.340
6   46   Valentino ROSSI   ITA   Fiat Yamaha Team   Yamaha   1'36.751   285.865   0.615
7   99   Jorge LORENZO   SPA   Fiat Yamaha Team   Yamaha   1'37.024   265.878   0.888
8   33   Marco MELANDRI   ITA   Hayate Racing Team   Kawasaki   1'37.024   281.763   0.888
9   65   Loris CAPIROSSI   ITA   Rizla Suzuki MotoGP   Suzuki   1'37.224   280.446   1.088
10   5   Colin EDWARDS   USA   Monster Yamaha Tech 3   Yamaha   1'37.269   269.058   1.133
11   24   Toni ELIAS   SPA   San Carlo Honda Gresini   Honda   1'37.270   266.403   1.134
12   52   James TOSELAND   GBR   Monster Yamaha Tech 3   Yamaha   1'37.738   263.994   1.602
13   36   Mika KALLIO   FIN   Pramac Racing   Ducati   1'37.800   271.016   1.664
14   59   Sete GIBERNAU   SPA   Grupo Francisco Hernando   Ducati   1'37.875   279.286   1.739
15   69   Nicky HAYDEN   USA   Ducati Marlboro Team   Ducati   1'38.032   279.503   1.896
16   15   Alex DE ANGELIS   RSM   San Carlo Honda Gresini   Honda   1'38.323   268.123   2.187
17   72   Yuki TAKAHASHI   JPN   Scot Racing Team MotoGP   Honda   1'38.639   275.019   2.503
18   88   Niccolo CANEPA   ITA   Pramac Racing   Ducati   1'39.116   258.311   2.980

[Jester]

maybe rain will help Nicky out a lil

Not so far.

[derby]

Not so far.

...it was a relatively dry session.

[ZLTFUL]

Look at Marco go! Right there with Jorge. Way to go Marco! 

Oh wait...I could care less about Marco. 

[Spidey]

The session was half wet and half dry.  I really wish Nicky could get a buncha dry laps on the Duc.

All the Ducs takin' up the rear 'cept for Stoner.  <sigh>

[Grampa]

what would happen if Nicky switched bikes with Casey?

[ducpainter]

what would happen if Nicky switched bikes with Casey?

Unfortunately Casey would have them make a few adjustments and go fast...

and Nicky would...

struggle.

I don't know why.

[gm2]

what would happen if Nicky switched bikes with Casey?

about the same.  you can tell from the top speeds of the Pramac bikes, even the satellite machines are getting the 'good' stuff...

the problem here (good problem, on the one hand) is that they found the proverbial lightning in a bottle with the 800cc bike and casey.  bigger problem.. that they are now more fully acknowledging.. is that it's only that 1 dude who can ride the thing.  and they have 5 bikes on the grid.  possibly 7 if/when king kenny and MGM get their deal worked out.