2009 MotoGP Round 8 - Laguna Seca (Race Spoilers)

[derby]

Jorge Lorenzo took 3rd with a partially dislocated collar bone!  outstanding!

not to mention a broken toe.

[derby]

Just curious, why does the USGP at Laguna Seca have AMA Superbikes and Supersports as the support classes for MotoGP? It's the only race on the MotoGP calender that doesn't have the 125GP and 250GP races as support. What's up with that? Indy is just like the rest of the races, it runs 125s and 250s. What makes Laguna so damn special? Does the AMA have some damning pictures of the head of DORNA and they will release them to the press if they can't run their classes at Laguna? You don't see the British Superbikes running support at the Donington Park round... or pick any other hosting country's Superbike class. Weird.

Anyone know the answer? 

not enough hours in the weekend for the ama program + a full motogp program.

[Spidey]

I think I've developed unrealistic standards for what I want for a race.  MotoGP still isn't really doing it for me, despite the fact that I just watched a race where busted up Lorenzo almost had a pass on Rossi with about 4 laps to go, where there were a ton of crashes, where Nicky finally got 5th, and where Shorty McBadTeammate almost lost the lead on the last corner because he was 'cruising' to victory.  There's something wrong with me. 

Then again, it's nothing WSBK can't fix.   

[OT]

Some things I took away from this TV extravaganza:

* It's a warm, sunny day in California.

* What's-his-latest-name is living proof that being 30 pounds lighter than everyone else means acceleration from the start line equal to being shot out of a cannon.

* Nicky takes 5th wearing Rocky Balboa's leathers....on the 69 bike?  That takes more balls than getting back on after a killer highside....

* Tiny's got a "coach" who leans over the wall waving his arms to make him go faster in the correct direction.

* Rossi smiling like a cat by a birdcage as he's coming down the hill on the last lap.

* Helicopter shots of the bikes flying around the course.....they need (lots) more of those.

* Can't believe "Fox" didn't plaster shots of umbrella girls all over the start of the broadcast.

* My "TV guide" had "House" listed on Fox for Sunday at 5PM (Eastern) - I kept looking for Cuddy in all the crowd shots being shoved into my TV.

* Greg White has become Jethro Bodine....

[ZLTFUL]

Damn you Crashy Mcsmurf and your robot smile!!! Damn you to heck!

I would have laughed for months if Rossi had pulled the pass off in the last turn. It was awesome vs. Jorge and I actually LIKE Jorge. It would have been epic had Rossi done it to the unlikeable Spaniard.

[Cider]

Some things I took away from this TV extravaganza:

I learned that the big thing on the back of the Ducati is called a "swingarm," and it keeps the rear wheel in line.  Did I mention that it keeps the rear wheel in line?  Also, it keeps the rear wheel in line.

Thanks, Greg White.

[TAftonomos]

And that it's a "massive" bit of carbon fiber, don't forget.

I love the post race comments.

Nicky is all smiles

Rossi begins to talk about a reason why he's not the winner, then says nevermind and goes on to talk about the race.

Tiny really IS tiny.

And I didn't have the hear all the crap excuses from stoner.  A true champ doesn't get off the bike, sag his head down low and walk by the cameras....then again he isn't a true champ now is he?

[Triple J]

And I didn't have the hear all the crap excuses from stoner.  A true champ doesn't get off the bike, sag his head down low and walk by the cameras....then again he isn't a true champ now is he?

Are you kidding? He's battling some mystery illness making it tough for him to even finish a race. Even other racers have commented on it so it's not some BS excuse. He apparently puked twice during the race 2 races ago, and still finished 3rd...they wiped off his face and leathers so he could do the podium interviews.

WTF

[redxblack]

I kind of want to call my local duc dealership and ask if they have "one of those massive carbon fiber thingies that keeps the rear wheel in line".

[Jester]

Jorge was one more wiggle from pulling a "Shorty McBadTeammate" on Rossi yesterday.  He damn near took out both of them in turn 11.  Had he waited one more lap he may have had a better shot.  I think his own anxiousness cost him that second place.  Jorge, injured or not, was riding lights out consistant this week.  His QP laps ( the half race distance portion ) were insanely close together and very low times.  Seemed Rossi was struggling for setup most of the weekend.  He put in some hot laps, but never found a real good consistant pace.

You see that Stoner's wrist injury is now a problem again?  He's complaining about his range of motion issues.  I dunno.  I hope the doctors find something, because if nothing is wrong with him and he's just whining and moaning, I'm gonna turn on him again.

[zooom]

Rossi begins to talk about a reason why he's not the winner, then says nevermind and goes on to talk about the race.

I more like the fact that Rossi had no interest in talking to Greg White and was gonna keep on going except his handler told him to talk to the camera...makes ya wonder...if it was like CBS with Kevin Schwantz doing the post race it would have been an instant turn and talk and I think would have been a different interview...

[gm2]

* What's-his-latest-name is living proof that being 30 pounds lighter than everyone else means acceleration from the start line equal to being shot out of a cannon.  Did the officials check Tiny's bike for nitrous after the race?

just about every single start of his is like that

[gm2]

Are you kidding? He's battling some mystery illness making it tough for him to even finish a race. Even other racers have commented on it so it's not some BS excuse. He apparently puked twice during the race 2 races ago, and still finished 3rd...they wiped off his face and leathers so he could do the podium interviews.

WTF

wtf, +1.

http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/149383/1/stoner_stays_in_us_for_medical_tests.html

[ZLTFUL]

Casey haz de herpeez.

[Speeddog]

Well, Nicky got a 5th, so that makes me happy.

That, and I got a copy of the Euro feed, so I can re-watch it without shouting obscenities.