MotoGP Germany 2014 *** Spoilers ***

[ducpainter]

I don't think anyone on any bike has anything for MM.

It's all academic until he loses the mojo, a manufacturer builds a better bike, or the tire/rules change makes the Honda a dog.

I don't see any of those happening for quite some time.

[Speeddog]

IMO, Rossi is the only one with the mental fortitude to beat MM.
I don't think he's got quite enough speed to do it.

Pedrosa is broken.
Lorenzo is broken.
They're fast enough to fight, but they're mind f*cked.

[The Don]

Rossi was spectacular in his day, but it's time to move on and let the younger blokes have a go.

[koko64]

Na, he's performing too well to retire. He's the best No.2 rider there at present and would be an asset to any team with his experience in bike development.

[derby]

as of the german round, rossi has bested lorenzo in two-thirds of the races this season.

he's also beat the second fastest guy on the best bike (pedrosa) four times, something lorenzo has only done once.

yamaha liked what they've seen enough to re-sign rossi for another two years.

lorenzo? no new contract (yet), and when he signs, i'm expecting it'll be for less money due to the above.

aleix probably "deserves" a better bike, but that's not likely to happen until his current contract is up unless a potential suitor is willing to buy him out of yet another obligation.

[thought]

Yeah... I can't see how any factory would want to cut Rossi at this point.  It's just because he's older and that he's Rossi that people are bagging on him I feel.  I mean, if AE or Iannone or any of the younger guys were posting up his same results we would all be cheering him on as next possible contender to MM.

Imo, results are results.  If you're the top 2nd or 3rd in that season... no one can really argue with you deserving that spot.

Either way, this is one hell of a swan song for him.  If it werent for the game changer of MM showing up that is.

[silas]

Yes, this is Rossi's 2nd swan song, the first after winning a championship after 2 yrs went by.  Pedrosa has matured a lot, as has Lorenzo. Does Pedrosa really still deserve to be called a turd? Give the man a break. If only he knew how to pass others! He appears to be the only one w/ a chance to beat MM.

I'm quite disappointed w/ Cal, was hoping he'd give it a stronger go this year on the Duck. Much as I like Dovi, it would be great to see Cal beat him. It'll be interesting to see where Cal lands- likely the Zook? He's becoming like Spies, burning bridges in a very small circle. Better watch that! I agree, Cal should ride out his last yr at Ducati but that's not looking likely. 
Will/ should Nicky hang in for another year? His bike is no faster than it started.
Rossi is truly earning his spot and I have no issues w/ him sticking around. Quite suprising to see him in front of JLo regularly. 
Colin Edwards is out right, who took his ride this yr again?

[duccarlos]

Forward will probably need to replace both CE and AE.

[derby]

He's becoming like Spies, burning bridges in a very small circle.

what bridges did spies burn?

[derby]

Forward will probably need to replace both CE and AE.

will definitely need to replace colin.

[duccarlos]

will definitely need to replace colin.

I know that they need to replace CE, but now, depending if you believe the gossip, they might also need to replace AE.

[lazylightnin717]

Does Pedrosa really still deserve to be called a turd? Give the man a break. If only he knew how to pass others! He appears to be the only one w/ a chance to beat MM.

No he doesn't really deserve to be called a Turd but it's more fun that way.

I forget where I read it but they said he is the 8th most successful rider on GP history.

He is fast. No doubt. The stars just never aligned for him and now..... #93

[koko64]

Yeah, it was like being in the top 5 for the world heavyweight championship when Ali was around. Bugger.

[Grampa]

so.....nobody should be riding around the track except mm because its all for nothing...it's settled then.


iroc for bikes is the only answer.

[silas]

what bridges did spies burn?

derby, you're right. I could have selected better wording. My point is though, like Cal with his horrendous luck this season, Spies had such bad episodes and luck with Yamaha, then Ducati, that he didn't seem employable anymore. Before he retired. Mechanical defects seem to hurt the perception of a riders' ability to do well. Spies did seem to bring a lot of it on himself, burning up clutches etc. Wish he was still on the horse tho.
The GPS unit on both Cals and Spies's Duck got confused where the bike was on the track. Happened to Nicky at least once also.  The Ducati is not just a career staller- it snags the riders' own confidence.
MGP seems a lot like baseball- your confidence can really affect the outcome. A lot of mind tricks are needed to win. Look at Lorenzo this season. Is it all in his head? (he used to be consistently ahead of Rossi). Now Rossi's head is back in the game & JLo is struggling.