**SPOILER CONTENT** CZ 2008 MOTOGP Thread

[Yamadog]

It has been a long summer break, too long for everyone except for Nicky, and he needs some time to heal. http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2008/Aug/e/n080812a.htm

With his results this year and last, and now another non-work related injury, even if HRC weren't keen to replace him already before X-Games, surely they will be now. Frankly I hope he moves along one way or the other. He and Stoner could dominate!

And from a Kropotkin review of the situation this snip

The other, slightly more conspiratorial, explanation for Hayden's decision to withdraw from the Brno Grand Prix is that he believes that Repsol Honda will not renew his contract. Hayden has been waiting for word from Honda for a couple of months now, and as the season has progressed, his prospects with Honda have looked less and less realistic. If Hayden has decided that Repsol are unlikely offer him a new contract, then it makes more sense for him to concentrate less on pleasing his current employer, and more on impressing future employers. And struggling around outside the top 10 with an injury makes less of an impression than dicing with the front men while fully fit.

The rest is worth reading too and can be at http://www.motogpmatters.com/news/2008/08/12/nicky_hayden_to_miss_brno_motogp_round.html

[keystonejenks]

Doesn't it seem odd that Honda wants to rid itself of Hayden only 2 years removed from a championship? What, because he didn't win pretty? I've heard that complaint on here.  "He didn't dominate."  Sometimes I think society has put too much emphasis on flash and not enough on substance.  It's conditioned people to think it's better to "lose pretty" than "win ugly."

Honda can think what it wants about Hayden but he still has something Pedrosa does not, a championship.

[Yamadog]

From Kropotkin http://www.motogpmatters.com/

Both Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner are well under lap record pace, and over a second faster than the rest of the field. So far, it looks like Michelin got it badly wrong again, with Colin Edwards the first non-Bridgestone runner down in 9th place. Dani Pedrosa is clearly not fully recovered, and bringing up the rear of the field. Practice continues this afternoon.
Pos.   No.   Rider   Manufacturer   Fast Lap   Diff   Diff Previous
1   46   Valentino ROSSI   YAMAHA   1'57.782       
2   1   Casey STONER   DUCATI   1'57.911   0.129   0.129
3   56   Shinya NAKANO   HONDA   1'59.021   1.239   1.110
4   15   Alex DE ANGELIS   HONDA   1'59.134   1.352   0.113
5   21   John HOPKINS   KAWASAKI   1'59.220   1.438   0.086
6   7   Chris VERMEULEN   SUZUKI   1'59.400   1.618   0.180
7   24   Toni ELIAS   DUCATI   1'59.756   1.974   0.356
8   65   Loris CAPIROSSI   SUZUKI   1'59.770   1.988   0.014
9   5   Colin EDWARDS   YAMAHA   1'59.965   2.183   0.195
10   33   Marco MELANDRI   DUCATI   2'00.082   2.300   0.117
11   50   Sylvain GUINTOLI   DUCATI   2'00.083   2.301   0.001
12   4   Andrea DOVIZIOSO   HONDA   2'00.429   2.647   0.346
13   48   Jorge LORENZO   YAMAHA   2'00.447   2.665   0.018
14   14   Randy DE PUNIET   HONDA   2'00.496   2.714   0.049
15   52   James TOSELAND   YAMAHA   2'01.074   3.292   0.578
16   13   Anthony WEST   KAWASAKI   2'01.128   3.346   0.054
17   2   Dani PEDROSA   HONDA   2'01.231   3.449   0.103

Hopper 5th! Who would have thunk?

[dnlwthrn]

The best part about Hopper in 5th is that he managed to crash (again), but without further injury...  Right back at it again  

MotoGP.com stated that Nakano is on a factory-spec ride for the rest of the year, but his teammate, de Angelis, is still on the old bike.  That will be an interesting battle to watch.  I agree that it appears Michelin screwed up big time, at least at this point.  It makes you wonder what's going on in their heads...

[Yamadog]

FP2

Pos.   No.   Rider   Manufacturer   Fast Lap   Diff   Diff Previous
1   1   Casey STONER   DUCATI   1'57.231       
2   46   Valentino ROSSI   YAMAHA   1'57.410   0.179   0.179
3   65   Loris CAPIROSSI   SUZUKI   1'58.000   0.769   0.590
4   56   Shinya NAKANO   HONDA   1'58.228   0.997   0.228
5   15   Alex DE ANGELIS   HONDA   1'58.264   1.033   0.036
6   7   Chris VERMEULEN   SUZUKI   1'58.462   1.231   0.198
7   5   Colin EDWARDS   YAMAHA   1'58.672   1.441   0.210
8   21   John HOPKINS   KAWASAKI   1'58.830   1.599   0.158
9   24   Toni ELIAS   DUCATI   1'58.881   1.650   0.051
10   50   Sylvain GUINTOLI   DUCATI   1'58.923   1.692   0.042
11   48   Jorge LORENZO   YAMAHA   1'58.977   1.746   0.054
12   4   Andrea DOVIZIOSO   HONDA   1'59.094   1.863   0.117
13   52   James TOSELAND   YAMAHA   1'59.328   2.097   0.234
14   14   Randy DE PUNIET   HONDA   1'59.405   2.174   0.077
15   33   Marco MELANDRI   DUCATI   1'59.943   2.712   0.538
16   2   Dani PEDROSA   HONDA   2'00.540   3.309   0.597
17   13   Anthony WEST   KAWASAKI   2'00.621   3.390   0.081

[dnlwthrn]

Seems to me that Pedrobot should have taken the weekend off...  At least he's ahead of Ant West.  I have a feeling that there will be some changes at the end of the season (Melandri and West for sure)...

[wsplrll]

who is carrying the race this weekend? Not Speed.

[DogBoy]

CBS

[wsplrll]

CAPIROSSI in third ?  

[protondecay123]

CAPIROSSI in third ?  

He's riding on Bridgestones.

I'm not discounting his story nor his ability but Stoner cancel his press conference today due to stomach bug.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/69804

[Yamadog]

FP3

Pos.    No.    Rider    Manufacturer    Fast Lap    Diff    Diff Previous
1    1    Casey STONER    DUCATI    2'09.609         
2    7    Chris VERMEULEN    SUZUKI    2'10.168    0.559    0.559
3    15    Alex DE ANGELIS    HONDA    2'10.941    1.332    0.773
4    56    Shinya NAKANO    HONDA    2'11.117    1.508    0.176
5    46    Valentino ROSSI    YAMAHA    2'11.215    1.606    0.098
6    21    John HOPKINS    KAWASAKI    2'11.374    1.765    0.159
7    65    Loris CAPIROSSI    SUZUKI    2'11.389    1.780    0.015
8    2    Dani PEDROSA    HONDA    2'11.762    2.153    0.373
9    33    Marco MELANDRI    DUCATI    2'11.879    2.270    0.117
10    13    Anthony WEST    KAWASAKI    2'11.950    2.341    0.071
11    4    Andrea DOVIZIOSO    HONDA    2'12.069    2.460    0.119
12    24    Toni ELIAS    DUCATI    2'12.213    2.604    0.144
13    50    Sylvain GUINTOLI    DUCATI    2'12.276    2.667    0.063
14    14    Randy DE PUNIET    HONDA    2'13.885    4.276    1.609
15    48    Jorge LORENZO    YAMAHA    2'14.384    4.775    0.499
16    5    Colin EDWARDS    YAMAHA    2'14.862    5.253    0.478
17    52    James TOSELAND    YAMAHA    2'15.613    6.004    0.751

[Yamadog]

Pole in very wet conditions:

Pos  Rider             Bike           Time
 1.  Casey Stoner      Ducati    (B)  2:11.657
 2.  Valentino Rossi   Yamaha    (B)  2:12.846  + 1.189
 3.  John Hopkins      Kawasaki  (B)  2:12.959  + 1.302
 4.  Chris Vermeulen   Suzuki    (B)  2:13.002  + 1.345
 5.  Alex de Angelis   Honda     (B)  2:13.352  + 1.695
 6.  Anthony West      Kawasaki  (B)  2:14.064  + 2.407
 7.  Randy de Puniet   Honda     (M)  2:14.535  + 2.878
 8.  Shinya Nakano     Honda     (B)  2:14.718  + 3.061
 9.  Loris Capirossi   Suzuki    (B)  2:14.805  + 3.148
10.  Sylvain Guintoli  Ducati    (B)  2:14.861  + 3.204
11.  Marco Melandri    Ducati    (B)  2:15.880  + 4.223
12.  Dani Pedrosa      Honda     (M)  2:16.032  + 4.375
13.  Toni Elias        Ducati    (B)  2:16.510  + 4.853
14.  Andrea Dovizioso  Honda     (M)  2:17.632  + 5.975
15.  Colin Edwards     Yamaha    (M)  2:20.074  + 8.417
16.  James Toseland    Yamaha    (M)  2:23.303  + 11.646
17.  Jorge Lorenzo     Yamaha    (M)  2:23.701  + 12.044

[Ant]

*yawn* started well but ended up as a relatively dull race
Oh well!

[Yamadog]

Good call Ant. Elias and the Suzuke boys tried to liven it up. Nakano also rode very well and Ant West on a dry track!

Pos Rider               Bike        Tyre        Gap
 1. Valentino Rossi     Yamaha      (B)   43:28.841
 2. Toni Elias          Ducati      (B)     +15.004
 3. Loris Capirossi     Suzuki      (B)     +21.689
 4. Shinya Nakano       Honda       (B)     +25.859
 5. Anthony West        Kawasaki    (B)     +29.465
 6. Chris Vermeulen     Suzuki      (B)     +30.608
 7. Marco Melandri      Ducati      (B)     +36.453
 8. Alex de Angelis     Honda       (B)     +36.750
 9. Andrea Dovizioso    Honda       (M)     +38.822
10. Jorge Lorenzo       Yamaha      (M)     +39.573
11. John Hopkins        Kawasaki    (B)     +39.610
12. Sylvain Guintoli    Ducati      (B)     +40.892
13. James Toseland      Yamaha      (M)   +1:11.490
14. Colin Edwards       Yamaha      (M)   +1:21.133
15. Dani Pedrosa        Honda       (M)   +1:37.038
16. Randy de Puniet     Honda       (M)   +1:38.407

Retirements

    Casey Stoner        Ducati      (B)      6 laps

[atypical1]

That will definitely hurt Casey. I wish the races were a bit closer though  

james

[protondecay123]

That will definitely hurt Casey. I wish the races were a bit closer though  

james

Yeah, it's kinda sad. Bridgestone taking the top 8 places. The top Michelin rider over 30 seconds behind.

I guess there's something missing from "The Doctor"'s title. It should be "The Witch Doctor". I wonder if he has a little Stoner Voodoo doll?

Once Stoner got over a second ahead, I figured that the race was pretty much over. It wasn't. It looks like the Championship is Rossi's to lose right now.

[DogBoy]

So what is the story of this race?

1) Rossi is in Stoner's head.


2) Michelin doesn't show up up. Again.


3) Ant West top finishing Aussie. Go Westie!

[miles]

Now it seems we can officially add Stoner to the list of riders Rossi has figured out how to destroy mentally.  I figured this is the race that mattered- after Laguna Seca Stoner could bounce back and shake it off, or Rossi could bury him deeper in the hurt cave.

It's been said Stoner doesn't like racing- he just wants to get away and time trial at the front.  I always found that odd as he comes from a dirt track background, but in any case he'd better develop some serious thick skin or Rossi will continue to push him off the track with his Jedi mind powers.

[miles]

So what is the story of this race?

1) Rossi is in Stoner's head.


2) Michelin doesn't show up up. Again.


3) Ant West top finishing Aussie. Go Westie!

4) Toni Elias saves his job.  Go Toni!

[Yamadog]

So what is the story of this race?

1) Rossi is in Stoner's head.


2) Michelin doesn't show up up. Again.


3) Ant West top finishing Aussie. Go Westie!

2) edited: Michelin makes it a one tire season for '09

The last two races have been absolutely woeful, back to '07 standards. If you are on Michelins you have no shot.

[mugwump58]

Looks like nobody watched the 250s. Quite a race. Well I'm going to watch the 125s now cause I woke up late. The best race wasn't the 800s.

[Jeff N]

Looks like nobody watched the 250s.

Seeing as they were broadcast on Speed at the same time CBS was airing the 800s you had to tape one or the other on another machine.

[pearsonm]

No more CBS for the rest of the year. YESSS!!!  

[Jeff N]

No more CBS for the rest of the year. YESSS!!!  

I think Indy is gonna be on Fox.

[pearsonm]

I think Indy is gonna be on Fox.

I'll give FOX an honest shot, but CBS has proven they don't get it.

[satxbonneville]

275 Million people in this country and the best that we can do to call the race is Greg White? I wouldn't let him call my wife folding laundry...he would probably have a hard time properly pronouncing the names of things such as "socks" or "blouse". How fecking difficult is it to learn how to pronounce the names of the riders...if you listened to at least one feed of the regular Speed MotoGP broadcast you might pick up a few hints ya lump.  

[DredheadV2.0]

I was really impressed by the way the camera feed managed to capture none of the passes.  Amazing.

[Jeff N]

I'll give FOX an honest shot, but CBS has proven they don't get it.

Don't hold your breath. All the broadcasts come from the same production company that does the Speed episodes, the only difference is the networks get Greg White and some celebrity ex-rider to do the play-by-play. Doohan was pretty good today but for Indy it's gonna be either Schwantz or Spencer.  

[Capirex]

I guess it's possible that Vale is in Stoner's head but based on his past two performances, I think it's more likely that Stoner has finally awoken from his Ducati induced dream and is back to his binning ways.

Greg White definitely needs to work on his vernacular.  I didn't know it was possible to 'go around' someone while passing on the inside.
 
What's up with showing the 250 race at the exact same time as the GP race?  An attempt by FOX Speed to spite CBS?

[mugwump58]

Seeing as they were broadcast on Speed at the same time CBS was airing the 800s you had to tape one or the other on another machine.

Oh I didn't know. No TV.

So do any of you wiz kids know how to plug into Dorna's audio while at the track?

[phoenix]

Seeing as they were broadcast on Speed at the same time CBS was airing the 800s you had to tape one or the other on another machine.

ya gotta step into the new stuff and get rid of the VCR. A DVR can record 2 programs at the same time (although you have to watch one of them if you want to watch anything). We were not home but got them both recorded.

[keeb]

I don't think it's quite fair to say that Stoner has fully succumbed to the voodoo pressure.  He's proven plenty of times that he has plenty of mental fortitude.  I mean, I'd probably crash too if I had explosive diarrhea!

[Jeff N]

ya gotta step into the new stuff and get rid of the VCR. A DVR can record 2 programs at the same time (although you have to watch one of them if you want to watch anything). We were not home but got them both recorded.

Modern tech is beyond me. I'm lucky if I can answer my cell phone as it dances across the table.

Fortunately for this racefan, I was able to watch the MotoGP at work on CBS whilst taping the 250 race (what a great last couple of laps that was) at home, along with the AMA races.

[DogBoy]

Modern tech is beyond me. I'm lucky if I can answer my cell phone as it dances across the table.

Take it from another cell phone neophyte, DVR's are much easier to operate than frustrating and impenetrable VCRs. Once you make the leap, your life will fill with joy and sunshine.

[Jeff N]

Take it from another cell phone neophyte, DVR's are much easier to operate than frustrating and impenetrable VCRs. Once you make the leap, your life will fill with joy and sunshine.

I'll have to speak with my 13 year old daughter. Apparently she's up on this stuff.

Is this a sign of old age and obsolescence?

[pearsonm]

I was really impressed by the way the camera feed managed to capture none of the passes.  Amazing.

They've made great strides since Laguna Seca where they cut away from a Stoner/Rossi retaliatory pass to feature Nicky Hayden's ass.


I found one of Greg White’s comments interesting - did you guys know that MotoGP racers where leathers and plastic “sliders” on their knees? Wow!

[ol Rocket]

Is this a sign of old age and obsolescence?

You rang?



Just so I don't have to go to the MotoGP website, what happened to Stoner?  I was visiting the kids across the state this weekend and saw little TV.

[DogBoy]

Stoner pulls a decent gap on the field before the first lap was over. He and Rossi pull away from the rest of the field with Rossi consistently 1.2-1.4 seconds behind. After several laps, Rossi gains .2 seconds on Stoner in one lap. The very next lap Stoner loses the front in a right hand sweeper. Casey takes a while to get back on the damaged bike. Rides back to garage as bike too damaged to continue.

[Jeff N]

I don't think Rossi has gotten into Stoner's head quite yet.

Yes, Rossi made up a few 10ths but Casey couldn't have known that as he hadn't passed by his pit board.

Stoner was just riding too hard.

[DogBoy]

I don't know. Rossi got into Gibernau's head. Rossi got into Biaggi's head (which couldn't have been easy with all the Max is #1 thoughts in there). I think he can get into Stoner's head.

[Jeff N]

Ya, I think Rossi will get into Stoner's head, eventually, if it hasn't happened already.

What would be interesting, and we "pundits" would enjoy the thought, is if Vale could get under the skin of a Roberts or Lawson. I don't think Eddie would give it a second thought.

[miles]

Eddie Lawson's skin was thicker than rhino hide.  Rossi wouldn't have been able to do anything to him.
Roberts would have just run him off the track a couple of times to show the kid what's what.  Nixon?  That's a thought...  a funny one.

[Jeff N]

Nixon is a walking and talking God amongst racers. Dick Mann would use Rossi's skinny legs for toothpicks. Let's not talk about what Resweber would do to Pedrosa.

Fucking Eurotrash don't know nothing about racing.

[DogBoy]

 

[miles]

Just the thought of a Gary Nixon in today's WSBK or MotoGP fields makes me giggle with amusement.  Sure, that Bayliss guy is kinda tough, you might say.  That Rossi is the master of mind games, you might say.

Pfft.

[Jeff N]

Traction control.



It's all in the wrist.

[Yamadog]

As usual Kropotkin provides excellent observations and analysis of the race http://tinyurl.com/6q7mxp

Did I snooze through it or did the CBS goons forget to mention this?

If anything, Pedrosa's manager Alberto Puig was even more furious. Before the race, he had been seen rushing along pit lane, trying to persuade the other Michelin runners to pull in after the warm up lap, in a display similar to the Formula 1 race at Indianapolis in 2005. That was the race that triggered the introduction of a single tire rule in Formula 1, and most likely, it was Puig's intention that such a display would be the catalyst for a similar change in MotoGP.

[Yamadog]

Don't feel too badly for Stoner

Stolen from http://tinyurl.com/629x7u where there are more great shots of the race and practice.

[phoenix]

I don't think Rossi has gotten into Stoner's head quite yet.

I think Rossi REALLY got into Stoners head at Laguna Seca, and now Stoner is overly occupied with his presence. That was just an unforced error. Most of his wins last season were run-aways and that's not been happening (enough) this season.

[Capirex]

That was just an unforced error.

Stoner has a long history of unforced errors in 250s and his first year in GP.  I think last year was an anomaly.  

[Orson]

After several laps, Rossi gains .2 seconds on Stoner in one lap. The very next lap Stoner loses the front in a right hand sweeper.

one would think that sort of Jedi mind control only happens in the movies...

but I can see it happening that way

Well, I make love to you,
And lord knows youll feel no pain
Say, I make love to you in your sleep,
And lord knows you felt no pain
(have mercy)
cause Im a million miles away
And at the same time Im right here in your picture frame
(yeah! what did I say now)
cause Im a voodoo chile
Lord knows Im a voodoo chile

 

[keeb]

one would think that sort of Jedi mind control only happens in the movies...

but I can see it happening that way

Well, I make love to you,
And lord knows youll feel no pain
Say, I make love to you in your sleep,
And lord knows you felt no pain
(have mercy)
cause Im a million miles away
And at the same time Im right here in your picture frame
(yeah! what did I say now)
cause Im a voodoo chile
Lord knows Im a voodoo chile

 

I really didn't want to think about Rossi making love to Stoner...painful or not.

[ol Rocket]

Sorry I asked.