[Crash]

Very interesting race.... Pretty amazing what the boys can do in the wet.

1. Rossi
2. Olivier Jacque
3. Melandri

Results

Funny thing is... Olivier Jacque now has more points than Hayden. One race as a wild card and he's 7th overall. He did a great job and obviously surprised himself. Good to see him back.

[BDA116]

Yep, one of the most boring races I have ever watched. I couldn't believe I actually stayed up late to watch it live. The rain always helps those that have nothing to lose, not to mention how it switches the bike advantage 180 degrees. Jacques was on a tear, trying to prove he deserved his ride. Which he did.
I just hope we can get some dry rounds and get back to exciting racing. Of course, all the Bridgestone teams fully disagree with that sentiment.

I was also very surprised Melandri passed Gibbers at the very end of the race.

[warthog]

Originally Posted by BDA116

Yep, one of the most boring races I have ever watched. I couldn't believe I actually stayed up late to watch it live. The rain always helps those that have nothing to lose, not to mention how it switches the bike advantage 180 degrees. Jacques was on a tear, trying to prove he deserved his ride. Which he did.
I just hope we can get some dry rounds and get back to exciting racing. Of course, all the Bridgestone teams fully disagree with that sentiment.

I was also very surprised Melandri passed Gibbers at the very end of the race.

Don't be too surprised. After his last excursion in the wet all Sete could probably hear was a little voice saying 'don't throw it all away - make sure you get SOME points'.
The rain also helps the best riders - aside form a little luck which can kick anyone in the nuts. I've seen a bunch or wet races that just saw Valentino cruise off into the distance. I'm really really glad he's no longer on the best bike. Even with somewhat of a handicap he's way out in front already.....

[BDA116]

Originally Posted by warthog

Don't be too surprised. After his last excursion in the wet all Sete could probably hear was a little voice saying 'don't throw it all away - make sure you get SOME points'.

That's not what I'm talking about. Gibbers was having a problem with the bike and that is what allowed Melandri to catch him. What I'm saying is that passing him in that situation, taking more points away from him may not have been the best decision to make - as a teammate. There may not be the 'team orders' on the Movistar squad, but Melandri did himself no favors in the eyes of the team and Mother Honda - like it or not.

[JBAXX]

Originally Posted by BDA116

That's not what I'm talking about. Gibbers was having a problem with the bike and that is what allowed Melandri to catch him. What I'm saying is that passing him in that situation, taking more points away from him may not have been the best decision to make - as a teammate. There may not be the 'team orders' on the Movistar squad, but Melandri did himself no favors in the eyes of the team and Mother Honda - like it or not.

Gotta agree with ya on this one bro.
Punked his teammate on the last lap

[Rios929]

Melandri is in the hunt for the championship just as much as Sete is...

[JAMI6989]

Originally Posted by Rios929

Melandri is in the hunt for the championship just as much as Sete is...

More so than Sete! In actuality, Sete should've moved over for Melandri since Melandri is 2nd in pts. After all, it is RACING! 3rd race of the year and you want the guy to give up pts AND a podium finish that could cost HIM the championship later this year?

[Purpdust]

IMO he did what he had to do, Gibbers had problems and there was no telling if they would get worst. Remember there were riders not far behind them both and what would Honda think then id Malandri slowed down only to let them pass both of the moviestar bikes.

[BDA116]

Yes, Melandri is in the points RIGHT NOW. However, Gibbers is on a factory machine and is Honda's best hope for the title this year. Being second in the points the third race into the season doesn't really mean much when others have had issues in a race or two. As was said earlier, Jacque is up there in the points after his one nothing to lose race. Think that matters? He won't be in the top ten at the end of the year.
Melandri is going very well this year, but is not going to be 'the contender' at the end of the year.
And yes, to answer some questions, if it is my team and my number one rider is having bike problems and my number two rider catches him up on the last lap of the race with the next couple riders so far back as to not pose a threat, I would have my number two rider hold off and finish behind. Again, I know there are no official team orders at Gresini, but those few points will mean a hell of a lot more to Gibbers and Honda at the end of the year then they will Melandri.
At any rate, enough of this boring race riding. I hope the rest of the season stays dry so we can see the good stuff.

[Baketech]

I heard Colon was lapping the circuit today at about 3 seconds under the race pace, is that true...

[nedro]

Originally Posted by Baketech

I heard Colon was lapping the circuit today at about 3 seconds under the race pace, is that true...

No worthy even on a Monday morning. I'll have to see you fishing license.

[phobiaphobe]

A good headline for this thread would have been "who the hell is Olivier Jacque?"

The AMA race was much more exciting, too bad Honda's sucking hind tit. It was satisfying to see Mladin's "best bike he's ever ridden" **** the bed and the last few laps were awesome. Too bad for Hodgson, I really wanted to see him take it.

[Baketech]

Colin Edwards (Gauloises Yamaha Team) 8th
"I got a good jump from the line but there were a couple of guys trying to be heroes in the first corner and they messed things up for me a little. After that I just tried to make up positions but the spray made it difficult and it was risky to get off the racing line. As soon as I had clear track in front of me my pace was as good as the guys at the front, but I had a problem shifting down through the gears and, coupled with the tire wear, I couldn't do much more than bring it home in eighth. I'm disappointed but it's good to have a race in the wet and we know we're on the right line for the rest of the season. "

[nomad]

hahahaa phobiaphobe. I was howling when I saw Mladin take it. Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. It was too bad Neil blew it.

At any rate, back to MotoGP. I thought it was an awesome race. We were betting on which lap Hopkins and Roberts would crash... I won the Hopkins bet as we counted his visit to the beach as "off". Too bad Robert's bike had issues, it made me lose the crash bet. As for Gibbers, his problem was he couldn't see through his tears. Good on Melandri to go past. It's too bad Barros did poo-all. I was hoping for big things from the dead man. The other great shame was the ride-through for Elias! That guy was having the race of his life. I bet he puked in his helmet when they told him he had a penalty ride through.

There is an on-going debate amongst my friends about Jacques vs. Rossi. They say that if he passed earlier, he would have caught Rossi. I said Rossi slowed the pace for safety and that if Jacques did catch up, Rossi would just up the pace again. Any thoughts?

[nomad]

Originally Posted by Baketech

What's that? 5 excuses?