Biaggi is not going to like this ..............

Proto · 01-26-2004, 9:09 AM

Final days testing for Yamaha at Sepang:

Valentino Rossi – 2’02.75 (59 laps)

Calros Checa – 2’03.72 (88 laps)
Norick Abe - 2’05.05 (52 laps)
Marco Melandri – 2’05.55 (52 laps)

I know Max managed a 2'02.585 on his last day but Rossi is knocking on the door. Rossi matched Gibernau's time.

Can't wait for the season to start.

ND4SPD · 01-26-2004, 9:13 AM

nedro · 01-26-2004, 10:10 AM

I wonder what bugs him more.
Rossi's lap times or the fact that the Moto GP subscribers voted Sete as the #1 Honda rider?

Max is the Rodney Dangerfield of Moto GP.

firebladetoronto · 01-26-2004, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nedro

I wonder what bugs him more.
Rossi's lap times or the fact that the Moto GP subscribers voted Sete as the #1 Honda rider?

Max is the Rodney Dangerfield of Moto GP.

deez · 01-26-2004, 11:31 AM

Where are all the bitches that said that Rossi didn't have a chance on the Yamaha this year?

ND4SPD · 01-26-2004, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by booth23

Where are all the bitches that said that Rossi didn't have a chance on the Yamaha this year?

He hasn't started racing yet....

deez · 01-26-2004, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ND4SPD

He hasn't started racing yet....

Just getting it started early needlemeyer

nedro · 01-26-2004, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by booth23

Just getting it started early needlemeyer

Is That a PLedge PIN!!...ON Your UNIFORM?!?

deez · 01-26-2004, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nedro

Is That a PLedge PIN!!...ON Your UNIFORM?!?

No, that's DEEZ NUTS parked in your mouth

CBRVFR · 01-26-2004, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by booth23

Where are all the bitches that said that Rossi didn't have a chance on the Yamaha this year?

I bet you were one a them beeatches that thought Michael Jordan was going to win with the Wizards.....It's pretty much the same difference

Baketech · 01-26-2004, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by booth23

Where are all the bitches that said that Rossi didn't have a chance on the Yamaha this year?

Probably sippin cappucino at the Phuktard Cafe right beside the Hayden Haterz that said Nicky wouldn't crack the top ten.....

RRWANTR · 01-26-2004, 12:30 PM

Testing times mean absolutely squat. It still remains to be seen if Rossi can push the music machine to it's absolute limits (which he'll have to to be competitive) and keep it on two wheels..it's going to be an AWESOME year of racing. I'll still say Rossi will not be winning the championship.

nedro · 01-26-2004, 1:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RRWANTR

Testing times mean absolutely squat. It still remains to be seen if Rossi can push the music machine to it's absolute limits (which he'll have to to be competitive) and keep it on two wheels..it's going to be an AWESOME year of racing. I'll still say Rossi will not be winning the championship.

Maybe so but I don't remember the M1 being the second fastest around Sepang last year durring testing. The only thing that will keep RatBoy from winning this year would be if the M1 started blowing up like the Aprilia did to Collin last year.

BTW have any of you noticed what kind of winer Collin has been at Sepang this year? I don't think that will play too well in Honda's eyes. If he keeps it up, he maybe back with Aprilia sooner than he thinks.

edit because for some stupid reason I was thinking Jarez instead of Sepang

Nick the Quick · 01-26-2004, 2:24 PM

It is amazing how good the Doctor is. I didn't think he was going to run so well within his first 3 days on the bike. He is inside of his track record of last year, plus fastest man ever on the M1 at Sepang. I really didnt expect him to do so well this earlly. Yet to be seen how the bike will hold up for 15+ plus race pace laps, but the season looks promising for him. ROSSI is the greatest rider in motorcycle racing today, as amazing as he has already been this test, and even though I didnt expect this, it doesnt suprize me at all. You cant be suprized with him...

firebladetoronto · 01-26-2004, 2:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RRWANTR

I'll still say Rossi will not be winning the championship.

Care to put a little wager on that prediction?

RRWANTR · 01-26-2004, 2:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firebladetoronto

Care to put a little wager on that prediction?

maybe a small amount....don't have the $$ for anything large....going to do my beginner race class next month and all spare (and not spare) $$ will be going to the racing fund..

nedro · 01-26-2004, 2:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RRWANTR

going to do my beginner race class next month and all spare (and not spare) $$ will be going to the racing fund..

Congradulations. Money? What's that? Oh ya, it's that stuff that goes directly into the Team Visa account.

tigerblade · 01-26-2004, 5:13 PM

Also remember that practice times/qualifying times don't always translate to race wins. Sometimes the advantages you have on a clear track are trumped when you have to do it in traffic (i.e. drive gets killed from being blocked). Remember Phillip Island two years ago? The front row was dominated by the 2-strokes. Once the race was started, they got smoked because although they could get around the track quickly when there were no impediments, it's a different story when you have to take alternate lines etc. during the race. Not saying anything about Rossi; just take practice with a grain of salt.

abtech · 01-26-2004, 5:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick the Quick

It is amazing how good the Doctor is. I didn't think he was going to run so well within his first 3 days on the bike. He is inside of his track record of last year, plus fastest man ever on the M1 at Sepang. I really didnt expect him to do so well this earlly. Yet to be seen how the bike will hold up for 15+ plus race pace laps, but the season looks promising for him. ROSSI is the greatest rider in motorcycle racing today, as amazing as he has already been this test, and even though I didnt expect this, it doesnt suprize me at all. You cant be suprized with him...

If anyone thinks this is actually his first laps on the bike, they are a bit naive. It's a marketing and intimidation type of thing, but rumor is Val and Burgess have put quite a few laps in at the old Hammamatsu circuit prior to the "official" intro . . .

Nick the Quick · 01-26-2004, 5:32 PM

I thought Honda didnt let him ride until contract was up, dec31. And the MotoGp break. Where did you hear this assumption?

nedro · 01-26-2004, 5:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick the Quick

I thought Honda didnt let him ride until contract was up, dec31. And the MotoGp break. Where did you hear this assumption?

That's what I was thinking. And don't you think Honda would jump all over that if it were true! I mean, taking points away from Rossi even before the season started would help out Honda to no end.

Besides last I checked, there were quite a few people living on those small Islands. I'd think one of them probably works for Honda. And I'm sure they'd be letting the cat out of the bag if they could.

ND4SPD · 01-26-2004, 5:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick the Quick

I thought Honda didnt let him ride until contract was up, dec31. And the MotoGp break. Where did you hear this assumption?

What they don't know won't hurt 'em

Baketech · 01-26-2004, 5:41 PM

I'll wager that Honda didn't give a crap if he rode the bike in the interim....they only give a crap if he rode it "publicly"......

abtech · 01-26-2004, 5:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baketech

I'll wager that Honda didn't give a crap if he rode the bike in the interim....they only give a crap if he rode it "publicly"......

If anyone really believes the press releases that are published in rags like RRW et al, then maybe I can interest them in this most excellent piece of land I have for sale in the middle of the Everglades . . .

Contract issues aside, the cubic dollars blown at this level of racing are beyond comprehension. Do you honestly think Yamaha or anyone else would take a chance on their multi-million dollar investment and cash cow being 5 seconds off the pace at the official press intro?

Honda has moved on and they really don't care what their ex-employees are doing. They have their hands full developing new riders and equipment and wouldn't want to risk a PR snafu by taking Rossi or anyone else to court.