[.OrgOwner]

1.Stoner
2.Lorenzo
3.Pedrosa
4.Dovizioso
5.Rossi

What a great opening round! Looks like we are in for an interesting season, Casey stoner rode away with the race after a slow start. Pedrosa flew out of the gate and looks like he is going to be on the pace this year. Toseland, Lorenzo and Dovizioso all look the goods! Nicky Hayden???? Lets hope they get him on a decent bike soon because he was never in the race.

[dicknose]

So clearly Stoner is on a better bike with better tyres...

Still beat his team mate by a long way and the same tyres didnt magically help other riders (inc Rossi!)

A good race, some nice battles near the front and the race looked good under lights.


Yamaha seems to have done well with both the bike and their new riders. It shows up that Edwards has never really been on the pace when Toseland can just come along and beat him.

Lozenzo is definitely going to be a guy to watch, probably not a huge surprise after 2 championships in 250, especially the dominant performance last year.
Certainly the era of Rossi being able to just ride over anyone has gone and the younger guys dont seem to have any fear of him. Not just Pedrosa and Stoner but now also Lorenzo and Dovizioso. The last lap fight between Rossi and Dovizioso was great - not often you see Rossi lose a battle on a last lap.

Oh and was Hayden out there?

[Bigdaddy75]

Originally Posted by dicknose

Oh and was Hayden out there?

Yeah on an 07 machine???????? he might as well have stayed at home, you have to feel a little sorry for him. As far as Rossi goes, well he got beaten with his choice of tyres and you can't say the Yamaha's are off the pace. There are some good "young guns" coming through this year to keep the boys at top more than honest.

[dicknose]

And nice to get decent tv coverage - live, widescreen and no commercials all on free to air tv!!

looked good on my new lcd tv!

[.OrgOwner]

Rossi is running out of reasons. He's done. Also consider Casey Stoner might have improved a little on last years form.

[ptlcb1]

I agree, Rossi did get beat from his tire choice and his lack of race time on the Bridgestones. Its going to take some time to get use to the feel of the Bridgestones. With the Michelins, he knew what to expect from start to finish with the feel of those tires. I would not count him out. Its only the first race. When he develops the feel for what the Bridgestones will do mid race and at the end, he will make things interesting. From start to mid race, we saw what he is still capable of. The bike, although down on top speed to the Ducati, seems to be a better package than last years bike.

Thats not to take anything away from Casey. The kid is supremely talented! Having the best bike out there is the other half of it. Its got to be great to know, that when you need to pull the trigger, you can, and instantly thats making the other riders think, oh $%&$! He rode a great race! Letting the others "play", a little, before making the decision to demoralized them. He set his fastest laps towards the end of the race, just as Rossi use to do on the Michelins. Thats having the confidence of knowing what your tires can do. That knowledge only comes with time on the tires. Rossi doesnt have that yet. If he doesnt hurry up and develope that feel, his title hopes will diminish with each passing race.

Ducati's electronics package is far superior to those of the other bikes as well. This allows Casey to put down those fast times late in the race. Their traction control allows Casey to get the most out of the Bridgstones in the 2nd half of races.

When Rossi walked away from the others, late in races, I think it was more so because of how talented he really is. He jumped on the uncompetitive Yamaha and made it a winner right away. Was it the bike? Nope. It was his talent level. He rode around the problems the Yamaha initially had. Casey has shown to be equally talented, and on a better package.

His dominance last year forced Rossi to switch tire brands. If Rossi could have gotten a Ducati for this year, I think he would have. Why? To show that he could beat Casey if they were on the same equipment. Yamaha is very good to him. Switching to Bridgstones, maybe gives Rossi a sense of a more level playing field between him and Casey. I probably would have switched tires too, after getting tired of watching him walk away from me, late in races, all last year!

How does that old saying go? If you cant beat him, get on the same tires, then beat him! LOL

[FB1000inPA]

Strange. Rossi was beaten by a rider with another Yamaha, Stoner looks invincible, Honda needs some speed.

What's all that tire talk? Same tires on different machines - must be the riding style that makes the difference besides the extra horses.

Interesting as well that a last year's 250 rider places so far ahead in the race. Makes you wonder.

[ptlcb1]

Its showing that riding the 250's, are a great training ground for the 800cc bikes. I doubt the 250 guys from last year, would be as competitive on the 990's. Having confidence in your tires and knowing what to expect from them when they start to go off, has alot to do with it.

[TKDmasterZ]

I remember a tad more than a few years ago, when the GP bikes were 500cc two strokes, you never saw a newbie finish in the front. Seeing these new comers running on and close to podium, just shows how much easier you can adapt to these new generation of bikes. This also implies how important it is to have a good package these days.

[jacobflyin]

Ducati has a great rider on a fast bike and I don't like Ducati or Stoner but they keep winning. Honda needs to just build a good bike again like the 2006 season and they could start winning again but Nicky better watch out or his little bro may take his spot.

[spiral]

Honda seem to have done better than we all think....look at Pedrosa result!!!!! Its Nicky can't seem to get on with the bike.

[ptlcb1]

Im not sure if its Honda that has done better. They had to fly in last years bikes. How long will they remain on last years bikes? Remember, Pedrosa ran very well the last 4-5 races of last year. With his riding style, the 800 suits him better than the 990 did, and he is only half of Nickys size. I didnt think he would finish up from because all thru preseason, his health was in question. No doubt, he is comfortable on last years bike, and his health is better than we were all lead to believe. Im not a big fan of his, but the little guy has skills...

[spiral]

Dani raced on the 08 bike Nicky raced on the 07 bike.

The 800 suits Dani better no question....what I am interested in is how quickly dani got off the grid....from 8th to first by the first turn...thats pretty amazing. His tyres did a good job for him too. Also his right wrist still is not 100%. He's better than we thought but I reckon he still carries a bit of discomfort.

[03swanman954]

Originally Posted by spiral

Dani raced on the 08 bike Nicky raced on the 07 bike.

The 800 suits Dani better no question....what I am interested in is how quickly dani got off the grid....from 8th to first by the first turn...thats pretty amazing. His tyres did a good job for him too. Also his right wrist still is not 100%. He's better than we thought but I reckon he still carries a bit of discomfort.

Last year was a learning year for Nicky he had to change his whole style of riding and thats not easy for an aggressive rider like Hayden. Watch the next couple of races,,,he will be back.

And to the gentlemen above about the Ducatti power,,blah blah,,,Stoner could win right now on ANY BIKE OUT THERE,,,its about the rider not the bike,,Ducatti gets way too much credit for the wins he has been busting his
butt for. Lets give the credit due to where it should be and thats Stoner,,NOT Ducatti. ,,,dont get me wrong they make a great bike and they have a great team,,but that bike isnt any faster than Honda, Suzuki, Yami or even now the return of Kawi. I was just hoping with KTM's new RC8 we might see someone jumping on that for MotoGP,,all the reviews Say Ducatti is watching that bike. It would be nice to see some new blood in MOTOGP. Oh well maybe next year!

Go NICKY!

[ptlcb1]

Check the speeds down the front straight at Qatar. Ducati was faster than everyone and by quite a bit... Stoner is talented, no doubt about that. But you put him and Rossi on identical machines and tires, my money will go on Rossi

[low-rider]

Stoner is talented, no doubt about that. But you put him and Rossi on identical machines and tires, my money will go on Rossi [/quote]




and rc8 is not to be in motogp competition. it will compete in superbike racing not motogp.

ducati is the best bike out there at the moment (motogp). i think that soon honda will make their package work well and pedrosa will have the chance to hunt stoner. lorenzo will play importan role also. regarding rossi i think he will be back soon. don't count him off.

stoner has the biggest chances to win this year again but i think after honda and yamaha improve their machines pedrosa and lorenzo could make stoner run for his money. rossi will be close also and he will compete for first 3 places. also watch for toseland.

[low-rider]

this season will be very interesting. i don't think stoner will be superior like he was last year.

[FB1000inPA]

Originally Posted by low-rider

ducati is the best bike out there at the moment (motogp). i think that soon honda will make their package work well and pedrosa will have the chance to hunt stoner. lorenzo will play importan role also.

Let's hope so. But then again, most did so last year as well and Honda was way beyond good and evil.

[.OrgOwner]

I was impressed with Toseland, given good equipment there is no doubt he can win races in MotoGP. You can't even say he's a wildcard as he's demonstrated that he is right on the pace considering his ride. And yes the whole Ducati thing is over hyped, where was the second Ducati? Casey Stoner is the difference, he's the best rider right now.

[dicknose]

Originally Posted by TKDmasterZ

I remember a tad more than a few years ago, when the GP bikes were 500cc two strokes, you never saw a newbie finish in the front.

Max Biaggi - won his first race in the 500cc class.

[dicknose]

Originally Posted by ptlcb1

Check the speeds down the front straight at Qatar. Ducati was faster than everyone and by quite a bit...

Yes it is faster at the speed trap, but that isnt the main reason the bike is doing quicker laps.
Look at the lap times and trap speeds (http://images.motogp.com/multimedia2/1027/1027034.pdf) and you will notice that Stoners fastest laps were when he was leading and also meant his top speed was down. You can get a faster trap speed when drafting, but it often doesnt translate into a faster lap time.

And if the Ducati was that much better why was there 4 Yamahas and 4 Hondas (and a Suzuki) ahead of the next places Ducati??

Yes its a good bike - yes its fast in a straight line - but its also a bike that works for Stoner and he is riding well. Much better than the others on the same bike. Rossi wasnt even the top placed Yamah rider!

[ptlcb1]

Its obvious that a faster bike down the straight, doesnt always equal faster lap times. I race, I know. Whether the trap speeds were draft assited or not, how many times last year, did Stoner pull everyone when they came on to the straight? The Duc is the fastest bike right now. At what point in the race did he set those fast times? From mid race on, when tires normally start to go away. Thats Stoners talent and a far superior traction control system that allows him to get the most out of the tires when they start to go off.

Why did so many others finish in front of the other Duc? You should know the answer to that one. Melandri isnt the talent that Stoner is. Never has been.

Rossi has been beat in races before, even in those years he has won the title. Its the first race of the year. He has won this championship before on a bike that everyone said he could not win on. He proved everyone wrong. Can he do it again? Time will tell...

[Bigtoe]

I think Honda has given up on Nicky. Why would they not get equal machines? That is crazy.

[dicknose]

Originally Posted by ptlcb1

Rossi has been beat in races before, even in those years he has won the title.

But he rarely looses a close battle on the last laps - that was the thing, he lost on the last lap.

Sure its happened before. But its not a good sign for him when he lost head to head with someone on their first race in that class.

[03swanman954]

Originally Posted by Bigtoe

I think Honda has given up on Nicky. Why would they not get equal machines? That is crazy.

Nicky is having issues with the new bike so he ran the old bike at Qatar which is part of the reason he is in 10th place.


And for the Gentleman above who stated Ducatti,,blah, blah, blah, All I have

to say is did you see who blew everyone away on the holeshot and never

looked back,,,I will give you a clue it wasnt DUCATTI,,,it was HONDA and Dani P.

So given from your statement about a straight run,,obviously that isnt true because Dan started in like 4th or 5th pole position.

Bottomline: Its Stoner winning the races , not the bike and I for one am tired of hearing that. Give credit to where its due. CASEY STONER not Ducrudi!

[ptlcb1]

Pedrosa had a heck of a start, no doubt! But let me correct you... He was on the 3rd row, I think 8th starting spot. But there wasnt a checkered flag at the exit of turn 1, on lap 1. Hole shots do not always equal race wins.

If you re-read my posts, I always given Stoner credit. Again, he is very talented. The combination of him and the Ducati, are hard to beat, and yes he is winning the races. I would much rather be talking about a Honda and Nicky, but that may take a while.

Watch the race again and look at how smooth Stoner was while setting those fast laps when he started pulling away from Lorenzo. I cant recall him being loose at any time the camera was on him. Why was that? Two reasons, Stoner's talent AND Ducatis traction control system that allows him to get the most grip from the tires when they start to lose grip.

As for Rossi losing a place on the last lap, sure we all are not use to seeing him do that. But think about the last two years... He lost the title to Nicky in the final race of the year. How? He fell. He was able to get back on the bike, and still had a chance to win the title, but ran out of time. Had he not fallen, there was a very good chance he could have beat Nicky. Thats not saying he would have, but HE WAS IN A POSITION TO DO SO.

Last year, he did not have to best of luck. There was some races when he fell, and some races the bike failed him. He surely would have made the points race much closer, but I think Stoner was going to win it anyway, and he did.

Would Rossi have faded once he got to the lead, if he was still on the Michelins? My opinion is, I dont think he would have. He knew those tires well. Now he is on a new brand of tire for the first time in his MotoGP career. Its going to take some time to get the confidence he will need in the Bridgestones.

What we know as a fact is that, Rossi did fade. Why? Most likely from the tires. So my question to you is this... If you were running 4th or 5th, and made it to the lead. Then you start to fade and no longer can you challenge for the lead. As it gets late in the race, and you realize that finishing on the podium is not going to happen, and you lose another place on the last lap. Do you push to get that one position back? When you know you tires have gone off. Or do you finish the best you can, knowing that finishing the race is much better for the championship than pushing to get that 1 spot back and risking throwing the bike down and getting NO POINTS toward the championship?

[03swanman954]

All I read was this ,,your Quote "how many times last year, did Stoner pull everyone when they came on to the straight?" end Quote. It seems we do agree on one thing Stoner is the reason he is last years Champ. And my point is simple. Its NOT the bike its Casey Stoner!

Peace!