2009 MotoGP Round 17 - Valencia (Qualifying spoilers)

[Speeddog]

Well, might as well start the what-if scenarios here.  

What is the situation with the bike for Spies?
Does he have to use a previously sealed motor, or? ? ?

Edwards want 5th from Dovi.
4 point gap, seems it's all on the table.

Stoner wants 3rd from Pedrosa.
11 point gap, Pedrobot has his work cut out for him.

[gm2]

his engine allocation doesn't come out of yamaha's "limit" but I would assume it has to be sealed.. or just approved or whatever, before they stick it in the bike.  what i don't know is whether or not he could (economics aside, which makes this unlikely) theoretically use several engines over the course of the weekend.

interesting question however if the tech 3 bikes really have been de-tuned like colin claims and if therefore ben's bike is in fact faster.  you KNOW jt feels like he's gotta beat ben..  

[Spidey]

Is Ben riding a third Tech III bike or just some "other" Yamaha they give him as a wildcard?  I don't remember.

[desmoquattro]

My predictions:

• Someone from the DMF goes to the race, posts something about how awesome the food is. Derby finds this thread and calls it a derby.
• Spies upends Edwards from his usual 5th place in the race.
• Hayden starts off a every interview response with "Yeah man..."
• Stoner kicks Pedrobot's arse at his home race

[gm2]

Is Ben riding a third Tech III bike or just some "other" Yamaha they give him as a wildcard?  I don't remember.

it's just A Yamaha, i believe.  don't know what livery he'll have.

[Spidey]

Is Ben riding a third Tech III bike or just some "other" Yamaha they give him as a wildcard?  I don't remember.

Nevermind.  Google and crash.net answered my question:

"The World Superbike title contender, confirmed at Monster Yamaha Tech 3 for 2010, will 'participate as a single rider entry of a Yamaha Factory Racing Team, using YZR-M1 test bikes brought over from Japan' at the Spanish event."

http://www.crash.net/MOTOGP/News/153091/1/ben_spies_to_race_valencia_motogp.html

[derby]

Is Ben riding a third Tech III bike or just some "other" Yamaha they give him as a wildcard?  I don't remember.

(full) factory test bike.

[derby]

Nevermind.  Google and crash.net answered my question:

 

[Spidey]

Imagine if The Ben had to share a garage with Toseland at Tech III.  That'd be like if Toseland stole The Ben's crew chief during the off-season and then they had to share a garage.  Man, that'd be tense.

 

[derby]

Well, might as well start the what-if scenarios here. 

i was going to wait until all the post-weekend race discussions settled down to hopefully avoid spoilers of said races.

you gonna keep the thread title updated over the course of the weekend?  

[derby]

there's at least one "spies over edwards" bet for the weekend... any other takers?

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=24757.msg541953#msg541953

[Spidey]

there's at least one "spies over edwards" bet for the weekend... any other takers?

I'll get in on that.  $25 says Spies over Edwards.    

[derby]

I'll get in on that.  $25 says Spies over Edwards.    

oh, so NOW you're a spies fan. 

[gm2]

I'll get in on that.  $25 says Spies over Edwards.    

why don't you just go ahead and make that donation now... 

[Speeddog]

The way Toseland's been going lately, I think The Ben is going to mop the floor with him.  

I suspect Ben's bikes are going to be set to 'Full Tilt Boogie'.
I don't think the engines are really 'worth' all that much, assuming the 2010 motors are totally new.

Toseland and Edwards may only have some pretty tired motors left.

i was going to wait until all the post-weekend race discussions settled down to hopefully avoid spoilers of said races.

you gonna keep the thread title updated over the course of the weekend?  

Dang. I guess I'm gonna have to.