Catalunya GP ( Spoiler )

[Jester]

Well, looks like we have a good race upon us tomorrow.

Stoner seems to have the Duc sorted after qualifying and Pedrosa on his heels.  I figure Rossi will work his way through the field for a 3rd spot on the podium.  His race pace is solid, but qualifying was terrible.  Nice to see Hayden up front, but will he fall back in the race a la Colin Edwards?

Didn't see any official thread for this week's race.

Thoughts on tomorrow?

1. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 1min 41.186 secs
2. Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda Team (M) 1min 41.269 secs
3. Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda Team (M) 1min 41.437 secs
4. Randy de Puniet FRA LCR Honda MotoGP (M) 1min 41.571 secs
5. Colin Edwards USA Tech 3 Yamaha (M) 1min 41.609 secs
6. James Toseland GBR Tech 3 Yamaha (M) 1min 41.820 secs
7. Andrea Dovizioso ITA JiR Team Scot MotoGP (M) 1min 42.053 secs
8. Chris Vermeulen AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 1min 42.365 secs
9. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team (B) 1min 42.427 secs
10. Alex de Angelis RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini (B) 1min 42.580 secs
11. Shinya Nakano JPN San Carlo Honda Gresini (B) 1min 42.643 secs
12. Loris Capirossi ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 1min 42.648 secs
13. Toni Elias SPA Alice Team (B) 1min 42.808 secs
14. John Hopkins USA Kawasaki Racing Team (B) 1min 42.819 secs
15. Sylvain Guintoli FRA Alice Team (B) 1min 43.204 secs
16. Marco Melandri ITA Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 1min 43.719 secs
17. Anthony West AUS Kawasaki Racing Team (B) 1min 44.558 secs

[jswledhed]

Stoner and Melandri are using some bits 'n' pieces from the 2007 bike for this race, aren't they?  If Stoner's back to his 2007 form, that'll be a pretty night-and-day change from whatever it is they reverted to using.

Looks like Melandri's still struggling. 

The 'sedici must be one evil bastard of a racebike.

[Pakhan]

I don't understand what happen to Melandri in QP.  It didn't look like there was any problem before he lowsided, it just seemed to happen out of the blue for no reason.

[ducpainter]

I don't understand what happen to Melandri in QP.  It didn't look like there was any problem before he lowsided, it just seemed to happen out of the blue for no reason.

It was weird...

He had just started to tip in and it was gone.

[Chococat]

I was thinking they need to tone down the traction control. I wonder if that's causing the rear tire to bite too much because it looks like it starts pushing the rear end out of turns and that's why it wobbles. Maybe if the rear tire was allowed to slide a little when powering out of turns it wouldn't shake so much. I love Ducati but the stability on that thing is a joke. The main reason Stoner dominated last year was because of the HUGE advantage in speed. He won most races in the straightaways. That and the fact that the Michelins were melted with five laps left. This year the bikes are more balanced and so he's not able to just power past everyone. My buddies benz has traction control and when he's pushing it the traction control interferes too much and it causes the rear end to bite and jerk the car. I wonder if that's what happens with the Duc.

Anyway....GO ROSSI!!!!!

[Autostrada Pilot]

Is this being shown on TV in the states?  What channel?  Time?

I checked Moto GP's website, but can't find the info I'm looking for.  Thanks guys.

[NuTTs]

Currently on the 250cc race.. Simoncelli - he´s really doing well this season. Reminds me of Rossi a lot

[kellsduc]

Cracking good race down to the wire,very pleased with the placements

[TiNi]

great race for second 

again... rossi with the customized race leathers and helmet 
the leathers are done up to look like a futball (?) uniform and his helmet, the ball 

[Jester]

Nice race today for second place.  Rossi really had to bust it to get into that fight with Stoner.  What a pleasure to watch those two go after it.  Too bad it wasn't the fight for first, but Pedrosa was a monster today.  My God he actually smiled during the post race interview.

[NuTTs]

great race for second 

again... rossi with the customized race leathers and helmet 
the leathers are done up to look like a futball (?) uniform and his helmet, the ball 

Was a great race!! Absolutely loved it!

To me Rossi is still the best!

[BastrdHK]

I don't understand what happen to Melandri in QP.  It didn't look like there was any problem before he lowsided, it just seemed to happen out of the blue for no reason.

Ya, he locked the front is what happened.  I was shaking my fist at Rossi as he moved through the field at will from 9th.  Even though I was praying Casey could keep the gap on him, you just seemed to know Rossi was sizing him up for the pounce.  Sure enough he does and in the next few corners stands the bike up more at the exits and gaps Stoner.  Seemed to pick it up a little last 1/3 of the corner, power on sooner, let the rear slide and hook up, then just drove away.  God, I hated to see it, but he can ride!

I overheard the announcers saying Yamaha was setting Rossi's bike up like a Ducati to run better on the Bridgestones.  Moving the weight of the bike more towards the rear tire allowing it to bite better.......a Yamacati>

[Ash]

you know, this race really helped me retain faith in stoner as a rider. 

if he were second-rate, he would have cracked much much sooner under rossi's pressure.  and it really looked like his rear tire was made of marbles, too.

pedrobot was amazing... that kid can FLY.

[Ash]

Ya, he locked the front is what happened.  I was shaking my fist at Rossi as he moved through the field at will from 9th.  Even though I was praying Casey could keep the gap on him, you just seemed to know Rossi was sizing him up for the pounce.  Sure enough he does and in the next few corners stands the bike up more at the exits and gaps Stoner.  Seemed to pick it up a little last 1/3 of the corner, power on sooner, let the rear slide and hook up, then just drove away.  God, I hated to see it, but he can ride!

I overheard the announcers saying Yamaha was setting Rossi's bike up like a Ducati to run better on the Bridgestones.  Moving the weight of the bike more towards the rear tire allowing it to bite better.......a Yamacati>

you know what i think rossi did to win the position here?  he fooled everyone, including stoner, as to where he'd make his move.  it really looked like he would have made it in the left-right transition where he kept taking a wider line, setting himself up for closing off stoner in the following turn (don't know the turn numbers, sorry).  OTOH he looked weak as a late-braker off the straight, lap in lap out. 

so what does he do?  outbrakes stoner and shocks the shit outta him, only to pour on the pace right after. 

rossi is the king of execution AND setup.  i think that's what makes him so good.

[RodeoClown]

Hayden

He's Killing Me....