MotoGP 06: It's a long way from Laguna to Valencia...

Baketech · 07-24-2006, 12:57 PM

Here we are at the break...

There seems to be a lot of optimism about the outcome of the season, but in my mind there is a lot that can happen in the remaining 6 races...

In other words, there are still a lot of questions...will Rossi pull it together, will team orders at Repsol become an issue, will one of the young Turks catch fire and stun us all???
In my mind, the outcome of Laguna just made the situation that much more tense and interesting....

My wish in one hand picks are:
Hayden
Pedrosa
Melandri

What I think might happen:
Pedrosa
Hayden
Rossi

So what are your picks for the championship....

phobiaphobe · 07-24-2006, 1:03 PM

Rossi will win a few more races.... Pedrosa might win a couple too. If Hayden can win even 1 or 2 he can lock it up. Can he win 1 or 2? Seems he is racing with a new level of aggression and calculated race strategy.

I still want to see Rossi take it. It would be a spectacular comeback and a testament to his god-like talent. I would also be happy to see Nicky take it, even though I'd be out some money.

He is a stand-up guy and a championship would be well-deserved.

Pedrosa could easily take it too, if he can consistently podium. Not much of a fan of his, but that would be an (even more) amazing rookie year.

nedro · 07-24-2006, 1:04 PM

Not because of Laguna, but at the Betandwin GP, Nickey slapped the fun hater down when he didn't allow him to pass twards the end of the race. I'm not seeing the fun hater passing Hayden in points.
The more interesting question would be, "Has there ever been a #1 plate in motoGP that had to look for a new home?"
I actually see Nickey riding for Kawasaki next year only because thats the only place left to go. Honda has their guys. Yamaha has their guys. Suzuki has their guys. Team Roberts has their nepatism, and Ducati...well, their Italian.

phobiaphobe · 07-24-2006, 1:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nedro

...
I actually see Nickey riding for Kawasaki next year only because thats the only place left to go. ....

Getsome · 07-24-2006, 1:09 PM

Nicky has done better each year with these tracks. Laguna just proves how well he can run when he's got good experience at a track. most of these euro boys have many more laps on all these tracks than him and he's getting better each year. He won't be going anywhere.

phobiaphobe · 07-24-2006, 1:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Getsome

Nicky has done better each year with these tracks. Laguna just proves how well he can run when he's got good experience at a track. most of these euro boys have many more laps on all these tracks than him and he's getting better each year. He won't be going anywhere.

I think it has more to do with ego and confidence than experience on the track. Look at Pedrosa's second place... first time ever racing at Laguna and ni nasty conditions.

nedro · 07-24-2006, 1:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phobiaphobe

You think Fortuna or Minolta would take him? It would be nice, but I don't think Repsol would like it very much.

phobiaphobe · 07-24-2006, 1:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nedro

You think Fortuna or Minolta would take him? It would be nice, but I don't think Repsol would like it very much.

Maybe I'm missing something, or just plain ignorant but why wouldn't he remain with Repsol?

BDA116 · 07-24-2006, 1:14 PM

I'll agree with Bake's post.
I stated it in the Laguna thread, but I really do believe that if Pedrosa is within 25 points of Hayden the last couple rounds, his bike will have a mechanical that will force a DNF. Repsol politics have far more influence than some may believe, and if there is a chance at a Spaniard winning the title you better believe they will pull Honda's strungs for it.
Nicky proving HRC wrong with the EVO bike Dani can't ride for ****, working his butt off and proving himself in MotoGP won't matter at all to Honda and Repsol if they can get Pedrosa to win.

And if that happens I will have an '05 600RR for sale. An '04 Rancher AT as well. I will be done with Honda.
I guess we'll just see what plays out.

luvtolean · 07-24-2006, 1:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BDA116

And if that happens I will have an '05 600RR for sale. An '04 Rancher AT as well. I will be done with Honda.

Did you buy those machines because Honda employed Hayden?

nedro · 07-24-2006, 1:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phobiaphobe

Maybe I'm missing something, or just plain ignorant but why wouldn't he remain with Repsol?

They didn't want him this year. They have their golden Spaniard who is second in points in his first year. They don't want anything to get in the way of the fun haters success. A great racer on the same team would just complicate things.

CBRVFR · 07-24-2006, 1:17 PM

I'd like to see Hayden win. Beyond that, there's any number of people I'd like to see have a lot of success, notably Melandri.

Stoner, Vermuelen, and Nakano have all had their moments this year. Pod-boy is very fast and aggressive, and he'll be a force to be reckoned with over the next 6 races. He'll probably take someone out, either Rossi or Melandri, which will virtually secure the title for Nicky. I don't buy that the fix is in this year, but he'll be the champion of this series soon.

I think Yamaha has hit the wall, and the fundamental weakness of the bike versus the RC211V is showing, even beyond the ability of Rossi to overcome. He'll win one more race this year, and will be third in the championship.

Hayden
Pedrosa
Rossi
Melandri.

BDA116 · 07-24-2006, 1:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvtolean

Did you buy those machines because Honda employed Hayden?

Nope, but them pulling that crap would be enough for me to sell them.
I won't buy any Honda automobiles simply because of the crap they pull as well. Well, first they'd have to make one that I was interested in, but still.

CBRVFR · 07-24-2006, 1:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nedro

The more interesting question would be, "Has there ever been a #1 plate in motoGP that had to look for a new home?"
I actually see Nickey riding for Kawasaki next year only because thats the only place left to go. Honda has their guys. Yamaha has their guys. Suzuki has their guys. Team Roberts has their nepatism, and Ducati...well, their Italian.

Nicky may ride for Kawi, but I doubt it will be because no one else wants him. Yamaha would off Edwards in a second, and Elias isn't in the same category as Hayden.

Suzuki would build a bike for him. Thr Roberts team doesn't have the money, but would be an interesting choice.

BDA116 · 07-24-2006, 1:22 PM

Would? More like already have. CE won't be riding a Camel Yamaha next year.

CBRVFR · 07-24-2006, 1:25 PM

Unless it's in WSBK.

I meant actually offing him, right now.

phobiaphobe · 07-24-2006, 1:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nedro

They didn't want him this year. They have their golden Spaniard who is second in points in his first year. They don't want anything to get in the way of the fun haters success. A great racer on the same team would just complicate things.

So you expect they'll want a patsy teammate to make Podrosa look good next year? I can't see how they'd want to get rid of a potential champion.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVVFR

I don't buy that the fix is in this year,

Me either.

nedro · 07-24-2006, 1:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phobiaphobe

So you expect they'll want a patsy teammate to make Podrosa look good next year? I can't see how they'd want to get rid of a potential champion.

No, I'm sure they have another young, taleted Spaniard able to make a go of it.

phobiaphobe · 07-24-2006, 1:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nedro

No, I'm sure they have another young, taleted Spaniard able to make a go of it.

They didn't have a problem with an Italian kicking ass on their bike.

nedro · 07-24-2006, 1:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phobiaphobe

They didn't have a problem with an Italian kicking ass on their bike.

Last time I checked, Italians weren't Americans. And are on the same continent as Spain.

Scout · 07-24-2006, 1:39 PM

With all the pandering to American audiences, ie

Rossi saying he likes and might race "Nascar"

Pedrosa actually smiling and saying the American fans are great

cheese,
etc.

I don't believe there's a fix or team orders against Hayden. That's an investment they won't want to waste. And I believe Nicky will sign with Repsol again for 2007, regardless of this years points race.