[ND4SPD]

I don't think the engine blew... They showed his foot cam as he was pulling off the track and the engine was running and he was downshifting like normal. Must've been something else Didn't catch any smoke, either.

[smoothrideronli]

Maybe throttle linkage broke...engine sounded ok...

[SuperDave]

All I can find so far;


A clearly mortified Rossi was left to park the powerless machine at the side of the race track and, after sitting stationary, finally made his way back to the pits with his head in his hands - still trying to comprehend his second DNF in a row. Rossi would leave Le Mans just eighth in the championship and a massive 43-points behind leader Nicky Hayden.

When I saw the very short "foot cam", all I could hear was the motor bogging down and watched Rossi shift as it came to a stop. There wasn't much footage, just Rossi coming to a stop.

Edit: Here's some more Rossi stuff;

Valentino Rossi (DNF) "The team did a great job with the new chassis this weekend and I really enjoyed being able to ride so fast during the race, so it is a real shame that it ended like that and of course I am very disappointed. Everything was working really well, the bike and tires felt perfect but then the engine went. A bike stopping on me like this has only happened to me a couple of times in my career, and never with a four-stroke, so for it to happen today is typical of our luck at the moment. Something seems to have gone wrong for us at each of the first few races of the season, apart from Qatar, and it has put us in a difficult situation with regards to the championship. We know that championship is a big challenge now but the last word has not been spoken yet. Now we need to look at it race by race, maybe not think about the championship for a while and concentrate on trying to win as many races as possible from the remaining 12."

[nedro]

Nickey's a puss. Miguel would've just taken some Benidryl. Oh wait, never mind. DORNA wasn't very happy with Miguel when he did that a few years ago. I think they threatened to suspend him or something.

[RRWANTR]

Originally Posted by Heavy-Dee

Nicky had a bad case of the flu.

HD

It's kind of funny how people are taking Nicky's "excuses" but if other riders mentioned haveing the flu as a reason for their finishing position, they'd be ridiculed for whining and excuses..

[phobiaphobe]

Originally Posted by RRWANTR

It's kind of funny how people are taking Nicky's "excuses" but if other riders mentioned haveing the flu as a reason for their finishing position, they'd be ridiculed for whining and excuses..

The difference is it isn't Nicky who's making the excuses. Not his style.

[Baketech]

Please don't confuse people with the facts...

Aren't you supposed to be riding:

[phobiaphobe]

6 hours from now.

[colryn]

Originally Posted by RRWANTR

It's kind of funny how people are taking Nicky's "excuses" but if other riders mentioned haveing the flu as a reason for their finishing position, they'd be ridiculed for whining and excuses..

Nicky did not use this as an excuse.

Now, Colin would have run that into the ground.

[Baketech]

Originally Posted by phobiaphobe

6 hours from now.

Phaaaack....you are REALLY west of here...

[BDA116]

What was Colin's excuse for finishing behind a sick Nicky on the dev bike with new parts?
Did he get turned into a newt?

[RRWANTR]

Originally Posted by BDA116

What was Colin's excuse for finishing behind a sick Nicky on the dev bike with new parts?
Did he get turned into a newt?

Did you watch the race? I like 69s dev bike excuse too. Rossi, Caprossi, Hopkins etc don't have a new chassis or new parts on their bikes that are the same since the end of last season.

[RRWANTR]

Originally Posted by phobiaphobe

The difference is it isn't Nicky who's making the excuses. Not his style.

Seems like he's the one that mentioned it in his interview, unless he had another red neck stand in.

[BDA116]

Yep, watched it and watched Colin suck it up as usual. He needs to head back to World SuperSport where he has a shot.
Nicky is faster than Pedrosa on the same version bike, but HRC decided that Nicky gets to test and develop parts for next year's 800cc bike.
You don't hear Nicky making much of it, though, as he knows better and doesn't want to pull a Biaggi or Edwards.

[RRWANTR]

Originally Posted by BDA116

Nicky is faster than Pedrosa on the same version bike,

Thanks for that super secret insider information. I'm sure your data is reliable.

but HRC decided that Nicky gets to test and develop parts for next year's 800cc bike.

Guess you have the insider info on that too.

Here's a bit that you all ready know seeing you have the inside track with HRC, or maybe you have some contradictory info for us.

"Spoke with Chris Herring last night (Repsol Honda Media)
----------------------------------------------------------------
As we all know - Stoner, Melandri, Elias, Tamada are all on 2006 customer bikes
Dani is on a 2006 Factory bike and Nicky is on the 06 Evolution bike

The stories that Nicks bike is a lead in to the 800 is false - probably not one single iota of equipment will be retained from the 990 to the 800

The reason Nicks bike is so different is Honda continuing development of different technologies - which can be used in future years of development (dont mean that they will be on the 800 though)

The 800 has been built - and is being tested as we speak (It's been on the go for some time now) and development has been continues along side the "Lab" bike 990 "




And some good press for ol 69

"From a Team point of view - all they care about is winning championships - how it is done - they really dont give a ****. As far as they are concerned - a race win is a riders glory and a title win is a team glory.
With the new bike - Nicky wasnt expected to win any races for the first 3rd of the season - he wasnt really expected to podium as often as he has been - they are quite happy to see Dani win a few races and let Nicky rack up the points.
Dani has told the team that he cant believe how fast Nicky is riding at the moment with the bike the way it is - most of the sliding that you see is a result of the charachteristics of the bike - as Nick has been trying to smooth himself out. They are confidant that once Nicky gets it sorted - he's gunna be a whole lot quicker over a race distance.

One thing they DONT want to see - is either of their riders firing it into the fence on the last couple of laps just to move from 3rd to second and so forth - that includes a win it or bin it style. The team wants to win titles, and if they need to sacrifice a few wins - so be it!"

[RRWANTR]

Rossi did increase my respect of him the way he handled the Yamaha dnf. Calm, cool, and collected. The way a champion should handle themselves when things aren't going the way they're expected/wanted. No ranting, blaming, kicking the bike etc. Class act any way you look at it.

[phobiaphobe]

Originally Posted by BDA116

...
Did he get turned into a newt?

It got better.

[BDA116]

Sorry to ruffle panties, but it is a known fact that Nicky is riding the dev bike, and it is also widely reported that he got new bits this weekend.
It is also widely reported that Nicky is faster on the other machine.
But since you obviously do have the real scoop by talking to whomever that Chris guy is then I shall bow to your awesome knowledge.
Then once it is written on balllickers.com it will be set in stone as unquestionable truth, just like evertying that spews forth there and out of CE's mouth.

[RRWANTR]

Originally Posted by BDA116

Sorry to ruffle panties,

It's a thong byyattchh!

but it is a known fact that Nicky is riding the dev bike, and it is also widely reported that he got new bits this weekend.

No shyte...I don't think I've read that anywhere else. Like I said, I'm sure Rossi didn't have any new parts on his bike or any of the other riders for other manufacturers for that matter.

It is also widely reported that Nicky is faster on the other machine.

If it's so widely reported that Nicky's faster then Pedrosa on the other bike...show me any data since Pedrosas been on the bike for more than 2 test rides at the beginning of his contract.