Qatar - SPOILER

Zeeman · 10-02-2004, 10:50 AM

Well, what a difference a race makes! Rossi looke dlike he would possibly getas far as second, maybe even challenge for No. 1 until he hit the astro turf. Shame, would have been one of the most memorable rides ever.

The podium:
Gibernau
Edwards
Xaus

I think CE rode a great race, and with a better start, would have been close enough to take the lead (or go into the sand, as he put it)

Good race, and this will make sure the last few races have a bit more spice, now that Rossi's lead is only 14 pts..

Z...

BigRoy · 10-02-2004, 11:10 AM

Yeah, interesting race, I liked the rossi ramming barros bit!!! And Xaus???? Very underestimated IMHO, does this mean we will stop getting Texan excuses now???

Off to watch WSB now, great day for vegging on the couch!

RRWANTR · 10-02-2004, 12:26 PM

HAven't watched the race but... GOOO COLIN!!!! What were you saying about Colin Crash???

Duke · 10-02-2004, 12:53 PM

I was there I was trhere

Pictures to follow!!!!

TGZ13 · 10-02-2004, 1:08 PM

Beginning of the race was much better then the rest. Wasnt as close as I had hoped it owuld be

Rossi was unbelieveable at the start but pushed way to hard mid race which you know the result

If he would have stayed where he was and just stayed steady the gap to the championship wouldnt be as close as it is now.

And all I can say is go CE

Now lets hoe he can stay consistant

Duke · 10-02-2004, 2:38 PM

Here are the Pics...Thread

deez · 10-02-2004, 2:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeeman

Well, what a difference a race makes! Rossi looke dlike he would possibly getas far as second, maybe even challenge for No. 1 until he hit the astro turf.

Z...

I don't think he would have gotten past 4th, 3rd after Checa retired. He was behind CE in 4th, and CE was starting to walk away. Rossi crashed trying to stay with him. He got a helluvastart, best start I've ever seen, incredible, but he didn't have the race pace all weekend man.

If CE would have qualified better, he would have had his 1st victory in GP.
Excellent race.

deez · 10-02-2004, 3:00 PM

Good post from a guy on CE's site...

Quote:

repsol must be pissed. two satellite bikes and an 03 desmo had the "factory" guys there ass

Anyone see Nakano's **** blow up in front of CE, CE had to backoff, crazy fooking weekend.

BDA116 · 10-02-2004, 6:47 PM

That was not only an excellent race, but an excellent weekend for Edwards. I'm glad, and I hope his excuses will now stop.
It was also a great weekend for Gibernau. Rossi just gave Gib a chance to win the title. Now that he's only 14 points back, Gibernau could win the title by winning the final three races. If he wins and Rossi takes second at the final three rounds, Gibernau is the champion.

Here's to a good October for racing.

Zeeman · 10-03-2004, 12:01 PM

Anyone else quietly smirk to themselves at the site of covered up girls, men handing the winners their trophies, and no victory champaigne???

Z...

Baketech · 10-03-2004, 5:23 PM

Astroturf sucks the big one eh.....

Crash · 10-03-2004, 6:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RRWANTR

HAven't watched the race but... GOOO COLIN!!!! What were you saying about Colin Crash???

One race doesn't mean anything has changed with him. Although he did a good job of not putting his foot in his mouth in the interview. Good for Colin, RR I owe some duckets!

Okay too busy watching WSBK...

TGZ13 · 10-03-2004, 6:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baketech

Astroturf sucks the big one eh.....

Sure rossi thinks so

Baketech · 10-03-2004, 9:54 PM

Anyone find any rider quotes concerning the track itself....

deez · 10-04-2004, 2:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baketech

Anyone find any rider quotes concerning the track itself....

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2004/Oct/041002kj.htm

The Sook · 10-04-2004, 8:41 AM

The "excuses" have stopped for one reason only...............he got the same chassis as the rest of the Honda riders. And what's happened since then? Been at the front consistently (if not for the Italian Midget). Regardless of the outcome of the race, that weekend , Colin kicked everyone's arse. Col Snr said on his site that the talk of Qatar was how Colin was without doubt that fastest guy all weekend. ALL this tells you is that the excuses were warranted, and weren't just made up crap...........New Chassis = Front of pack. Rossi himself said before this race "The winner at this track will be the best at setting a bike up and have the biggest balls" So where does that leave Rossi????????? Colin did qualifying lap times 3/4 of the way through the race. And while Rossi was upright, was walking away from him with ease.
Bring on Sepang. Colin by 2 sec's........................BETS????

Crash · 10-04-2004, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Sook

The "excuses" have stopped for one reason only...............he got the same chassis as the rest of the Honda riders. And what's happened since then? Been at the front consistently (if not for the Italian Midget). Regardless of the outcome of the race, that weekend , Colin kicked everyone's arse. Col Snr said on his site that the talk of Qatar was how Colin was without doubt that fastest guy all weekend. ALL this tells you is that the excuses were warranted, and weren't just made up crap...........New Chassis = Front of pack. Rossi himself said before this race "The winner at this track will be the best at setting a bike up and have the biggest balls" So where does that leave Rossi????????? Colin did qualifying lap times 3/4 of the way through the race. And while Rossi was upright, was walking away from him with ease.
Bring on Sepang. Colin by 2 sec's........................BETS????

It's amazing how after one good showing, it's all okay and that his complaining is "warrented". Complaining is never warrented. If you have childeren you'll understand that complaining is a childs way of getting what they want, it has nothing to do with professionalism and being right. I've never doubted his ability, I've grown tired of his attitude. I hope Colin can now just STFU and ride like we know he can, but if he runs middle of the pack in the next race, what's gonna be the problem if isn't his chasis??? Time to put out or shut up, he's run out of excuses

Rossi made a mistake, the great ones do on occasion.

RRWANTR · 10-04-2004, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crash

It's amazing how after one good showing, it's all okay and that his complaining is "warrented". Complaining is never warrented. If you have childeren you'll understand that complaining is a childs way of getting what they want, it has nothing to do with professionalism and being right. I've never doubted his ability, I've grown tired of his attitude. I hope Colin can now just STFU and ride like we know he can, but if he runs middle of the pack in the next race, what's gonna be the problem if isn't his chasis??? Time to put out or shut up, he's run out of excuses

Rossi made a mistake, the great ones do on occasion.

I doubt Colin would have gotten the new chassis if he hadn't made public the problems he was having with it..

Crash · 10-04-2004, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RRWANTR

I doubt Colin would have gotten the new chassis if he hadn't made public the problems he was having with it..

We'll never know will we?

BTW - PM You're paypal addy

asiliat · 10-04-2004, 12:38 PM

definitely a great race. Obviously I don't want anyone hurt, but am kinda happy that Rossi crashed out.

Makes things that much more interesting.

He is beyond human though, able to leap through the pack that quickly. Scary.

Does astro make the bike that much more squirrely when you're in it?

RRWANTR · 10-04-2004, 1:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crash

We'll never know will we?

BTW - PM You're paypal addy

You don't owe me anything...it was double or nothing seeing I owed ya 5 from last race....we're all square. But if you insist on sending me $$ you can pay for the remaining parts for the race bike..

RRWANTR · 10-04-2004, 1:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asiliat

Does astro make the bike that much more squirrely when you're in it?

The same thing happened to him as I believe Abe a couple rounds ago where he went a little wide onto the grass, caught the edge and highsided which led to Melandri doing a spectacular high side trying to avoid him....that wasn't on astro...so I don't think you can blame it on the astro.

Crash · 10-04-2004, 1:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RRWANTR

You don't owe me anything...it was double or nothing seeing I owed ya 5 from last race....we're all square. But if you insist on sending me $$ you can pay for the remaining parts for the race bike..

Now why did you have to go a make me out to be Forest Gump in public. "I'm not a smart man..."

Anything for this week???

RRWANTR · 10-04-2004, 1:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crash

Now why did you have to go a make me out to be Forest Gump in public. "I'm not a smart man..."

Anything for this week???

Sure...same $$ and place. Colin in the top 5.

tnarinen · 10-04-2004, 2:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Sook

The "excuses" have stopped for one reason only...............he got the same chassis as the rest of the Honda riders. And what's happened since then? Been at the front consistently (if not for the Italian Midget). Regardless of the outcome of the race, that weekend , Colin kicked everyone's arse. Col Snr said on his site that the talk of Qatar was how Colin was without doubt that fastest guy all weekend. ALL this tells you is that the excuses were warranted, and weren't just made up crap...........New Chassis = Front of pack. Rossi himself said before this race "The winner at this track will be the best at setting a bike up and have the biggest balls" So where does that leave Rossi????????? Colin did qualifying lap times 3/4 of the way through the race. And while Rossi was upright, was walking away from him with ease.
Bring on Sepang. Colin by 2 sec's........................BETS????

The excuses/complaining always sucks, even if it is "warranted". The race was a great showing by Colin, no question about it, but I wouldn't declare he has really conquered his problems until after Sepang and PI. My take is that Colin's future in high-level MotoGP teams will be decided in the remaining 3 races. If he can maintain the form he showed in Qatar who knows where he'll end up to. Given the crappy (relative) performance of Repsol Honda riders this year, I'd say there will be one or two surprises when the Honda seats for next year are assigned. HRC have said they'll keep Hayden but have not specified the team, right? Sete is Telefonica's golden boy next year too, but how long is Max tied up with Camel?

I do agree that Colin was walking away from Rossi at the point Rossi went down, it could even be said that Colin's good pace may have contributed to Rossi's crash. Saying Colin is as fast or faster than Rossi will take a little more than one weekend, IMHO. A GP title or two and then we're ready to debate this again