2010 MotoGP Round 1 - Qatar (Race Spoilers)

[derby]

Gee... ya think? No way people stick to that engine limit rule. They'll take the fines. I'll take that bet with you Jacob. Sorry but it's a stupid rule. The factories will spend more $$$ trying to figure out a way to make the motors perform AND be more durable than they did last year on performance motors alone. So... what's the alleged $$$ saving point? Can we be sure that some Washington DC oversight committee isn't in charge of this rule change???

go look at the last decade of f1. i guarantee you BILLIONS have been wasted in the name of saving money.

[Jester]

Told you (whoever "you" are) Lorenzo would be blazin' this weekend. 

I'm not sure Lorenzo is going to hang up front though.  He's put in a fast lap or two, but his consistant laps are closer to midpack pace.  Typically Lorenzo lays down tons of fast laps in the same manner as Stoner and Rossi.  He hasn't been the kind of consistant rider we're used to seeing.  I think the hand still needs another few weeks.... but I guess we find out tomorrow.

[derby]

I'm not sure Lorenzo is going to hang up front though.  He's put in a fast lap or two, but his consistant laps are closer to midpack pace.  Typically Lorenzo lays down tons of fast laps in the same manner as Stoner and Rossi.  He hasn't been the kind of consistant rider we're used to seeing.  I think the hand still needs another few weeks.... but I guess we find out tomorrow.

are you referring to his laps in qualy?

http://resources.motogp.com/files/results/xx/2010/QAT/MotoGP/QP/Analysis.pdf?v1_8a6ee4c4

[derby]

Warm up top 5...

Stoner
Rossi
Lorenzo
Hayden
Spies

rossi and stoner the only two in the 55s.

[gm2]

someone at repsol is having kittens

[EvilSteve]

go look at the last decade of f1. i guarantee you BILLIONS have been wasted in the name of saving money.

Exactly what I've been saying for years. The "cost saving" thing is just a front, same in GP, F1 and WRC unfortunately.

I'm a bit concerned about Moto2, I was looking at qualy for a min before I realized that I didn't give a shit. The racing better be good or we'll end up with another "cost saving" exercise.

The times for GP are really interesting, I'm hoping that Bautista get's his shit together and stays up there. THE BEN is damn impressive and it's great to see Nicky up there as well. The usual Rossi/Stoner battle will ensue I think. Stoner needs at least .5 of a second a lap to make up for Rossi's racecraft with pure speed. Lorenzo it like Rossi but just not quite as fast.

[derby]

wow... what a race!

nicky SO close... impressive first race for ben.

Race Results

1.    Valentino Rossi    ITA   Fiat Yamaha Team    42m   50.099s   
2.    Jorge Lorenzo    SPA   Fiat Yamaha Team    42m   51.121s   
3.    Andrea Dovizioso    ITA   Repsol Honda Team    42m   51.964s   
4.    Nicky Hayden USA   Ducati Marlboro Team    42m   51.975s   
5.    Ben Spies    USA   Monster Yamaha Tech 3    42m   54.002s   
6.    Randy de Puniet    FRA   LCR Honda MotoGP    42m   59.421s   
7.    Dani Pedrosa    SPA   Repsol Honda Team    43m   6.607s   
8.    Colin Edwards USA   Monster Yamaha Tech 3    43m   9.966s   
9.    Loris Capirossi    ITA   Rizla Suzuki MotoGP    43m   10.992s   
10.    Hiroshi Aoyama JPN   Interwetten Honda MotoGP    43m   11.199s   
11.    Marco Simoncelli ITA   San Carlo Honda Gresini    43m   21.737s   
12.    Hector Barbera    SPA   Paginas Amarillas Aspar    43m   22.672s   
13.    Marco Melandri    ITA   San Carlo Honda Gresini    43m   30.879s

DNF:   
Alvaro Bautista SPA   Rizla Suzuki MotoGP   
Aleix Espargaro    SPA   Pramac Racing   
Casey Stoner    AUS   Ducati Marlboro Team   
Mika Kallio    FIN   Pramac Racing   

[He Man]

damn dovi!  that sucked for hayden BIG time.

[MadDuck]

MotoGP may be lots of fun to watch this year if this race portends things to come! Too bad for Nicky. That was a balls up pass on the last lap only to get out pulled by Dovi.

[Speeddog]

Those damn Hondas were hauling ass down the front straight.
Interesting to see if they make the full season on 6 motors....

Good to see Hayden mixing it up near the front.  [moto]

Good ride by The Ben. 

Didn't see what happened to Stoner. 

[Jester]

Really tough to see Nicky end up off the podium.  I'm really surprised at Casey's mistake.  I'm not sure I'd say its a pattern, but he has done this a few times now... out front with the clear pace to manage and win a race and starts pushing qualy pace on hard race tires trying to break the field when I don't think it was necessary at all.  Sometimes his tendency to needlessly ride on the ragged edge hurts more than it helps.  Batshit fast doesn't always get you the win.

How about Rossi fielding the slowest bike on the grid and taking victory?  This reminds me of the 2007 campaign watching other bikes catch/blow past Rossi on the straights.  Yamaha has to be a bit worried about that.  They commented on the engine management possibly knowing he was light on fuel and killing power, but who knows what the real answer is.

Moto2 had some good racing today.  Not the finish for first we were looking for I'm sure, but plenty of scraps for second position throughout.

[madmatt]

Nicky's result broke my heart. Good for Spies. Bummer for Stoner.

[monsta]

looks like you yanks may have a good season this year!   

my heart sank when stoner fell!   

great race tho!

[Triple J]

Great race! 

Awesome to see Hayden do well...and Spies was very impressive. Lorenzo was as well.

Stoner...WTF.

[TiNi]

My throat hurts from screaming!!!!
Awesome!!!!

I'm sooooo happy Nicky is baaaack!!!!!
WoooooooooHoooooooooo!!!!!

Yes, I know he didn't make it on the podium, but that's ok.  There's time 

woooooohoooooo!!!!!!!