WSBK Rd 4 -- Assen (Spoilers)

[Spidey]

Good, good stuff.  

It was awesome watching that freight train of front runners in each race.  Gotta say, I was impressed with Rea's racecraft.  He slowed down the pace in the lead, but not enough that he lost pace.  Then in each race, he uncorked it at the end and took off.  Well done.  I dig that he and Haslam have no problem swapping paint.  They both just consider it hard racing.

I was going to say that Camier had the ride of the weekend until he Spies'd himself in the second to last lap of Race 2.

The weekend trophy goes jointly to JT and Ducati.  JT didn't do any single thing spectacularly, but just moved up and stayed there.  I didn't hear anyone comment on how well he held his position.  It wasn't because he was going so much faster.  It's because he can really race.  His lines were great.  I just wish he had the final blast to catch up with Rea and (in Race 2) with Haslam.  It's good to see him back in the mix.  I've started finding myself rooting for him over everyone else.  Bravo, JT.  

So why does Ducati also get the weekend trophy?  Because it looks like my internet trophy is the only one they'll see for a while. WTF is wrong with those guys?  Same line-up, same bikes and they were second and third in the championship last year.  Jeebus.  AT least WSBK reqards wins.  Nori just needs to get a coupla wins or podiums and he'll be back in the hunt.  But he can't keep up this shit.  As for douchebrizio, who cares?  Ducati needs to find someone consistent.  He started last year riding like dogshit as well.  

And boo to Speed for not showing Ollie's boobies.  

As for BMW, I don't know what to say.  Sure, Troy can lead a race or get on pole.  But he consistenly fades at the end.  The bike is looking better and better, but I don't consider him a full-race length front runner until he shows he can run with the big boys in last third of the race.

[derby]

I dig that he and Haslam have no problem swapping paint.  They both just consider it hard racing.

go watch the last decade or so of british superbike (or the british worldsbk rounds w/ the wildcards)... paint-swapping galore.

As for BMW, I don't know what to say.  Sure, Troy can lead a race or get on pole.  But he consistenly fades at the end.  The bike is looking better and better, but I don't consider him a full-race length front runner until he shows he can run with the big boys in last third of the race.

the bike obviously has the speed. i'm chalking this up to tire management (either setup or rider induced).

[Jester]

the bike obviously has the speed. i'm chalking this up to tire management (either setup or rider induced).

That was my thought as well.  I would imagine the tires are more responsible for the drop off, although if Troy is lighting them up too much it could be joint blame between him and setup.  Setup goes hand in hand with how the bike has to be riden.  He might be fighting with rear grip and subsequently sliding the bike a lot more than he'd want to.

[derby]

That was my thought as well.  I would imagine the tires are more responsible for the drop off, although if Troy is lighting them up too much it could be joint blame between him and setup.  Setup goes hand in hand with how the bike has to be riden.  He might be fighting with rear grip and subsequently sliding the bike a lot more than he'd want to.

yeah... troy has historically been a relatively smooth rider which leads me to think he may be compensating for something else.

[gm2]

that thing makes almost 185 ponies stock.  it's not hurting for power.

and that's a big reason why they wanted corser in the first place, i'm sure -- he's very smooth, very precise.  he's the opposite end of the spectrum from xaus.

[mitt]

http://www.crash.net/world+superbikes/news/159097/1/worst_event_in_nine_years_for_ducati_factory.html

ouch

mitt

[ducpainter]

Tardozzi took the team's mojo with him to BMW.

Indeed

[MadDuck]

that thing makes almost 185 ponies stock.  it's not hurting for power.

and that's a big reason why they wanted corser in the first place, i'm sure -- he's very smooth, very precise.  he's the opposite end of the spectrum from xaus.

Corser may be basically smooth but he was wringing that bike for all that it was worth. He had the front end shaking all over and was getting the rear out of shape too. Had to be the tires going and maybe he just got a bit tired setting such a pace when he was running at the front.

[gm2]

wringing that bike for all that it was worth

you're not going to lead a wsbk race if you aren't doing just that 

[gm2]

this just in: tallest man in Holland joins ten kate as a mechanic

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2010/Apr/100427rea.htm

[Speeddog]

Um, doesn't everybody have the same tires?

[gm2]

Um, doesn't everybody have the same tires?

choice of a few, yes.  (rhetorical, i know..)

but how the various bikes treat them.. very different

[Speeddog]

Just wanted to make sure....

Like Derby said, bike setup or rider technique.
Both races he went about the same, so it wasn't just his tire selection in the first race.