MotoGP Laguna Seca **SPOILERS**

[motodog650]

Ben Bostrom to ride second LCR Honda at Laguna Seca:

http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=45352

Picture of bike:

http://twitpic.com/5sji46

[phoenix]

Is it only in the US MotoGP races where some other riders are added to the grid? I don't recall seeing that happen at other venues. And I think there were 2 additional US riders at last year's Laguna race.

Wish it would / could happen more often. Fill up that grid. Get some fresh meat out there.

[miles]

No, it happens a fair amount.  

http://www.motogp.com/en/MotoGP+Basics/wild_cards

[veefer800canuck]

Cool, hopefully he'll have better luck than Duhamel did with the Gresini squad.

[squeezer]

No, it happens a fair amount.  

http://www.motogp.com/en/MotoGP+Basics/wild_cards

It does seem unusual, though, to be crossing brands -- a zuke rider jumping on a Honda. These rides usually seem like rewards from the manufacturer.

Doesn't matter, though. Go Ben! I mean... go Both Bens!

[motodog650]

It does seem unusual, though, to be crossing brands -- a zuke rider jumping on a Honda. These rides usually seem like rewards from the manufacturer.

Doesn't matter, though. Go Ben! I mean... go Both Bens!

Saw earlier that LCR wanted Roger Lee to ride again like last year but that American Suzuki wouldn't allow it. Not sure what the deal is with BBoz since he rides for Suzuki as well.  

[Blunder]

Saw earlier that LCR wanted Roger Lee to ride again like last year but that American Suzuki wouldn't allow it. Not sure what the deal is with BBoz since he rides for Suzuki as well.  

BBoz rides for Michael Jordan. Different team, different contract.

[DogBoy]

Am I missing something Jeff?  Roger Hayden rides the National Guard bike for Michael Jordan Motosports. He and BBoz are on the same team, operating out of the same truck. http://www.23race.com/

I have no idea if one or both of them are contracted to American Suzuki. American Suzuki used to sign all the riders on the Yosh team and all riders on AMA road racing satellite teams supported by American Suzuki (Team Hammer, Matsushima, etc.) but I don't know if that is still the case.

[Blunder]

Am I missing something Jeff?  Roger Hayden rides the National Guard bike for Michael Jordan Motosports. He and BBoz are on the same team, operating out of the same truck. http://www.23race.com/

I have no idea if one or both of them are contracted to American Suzuki. American Suzuki used to sign all the riders on the Yosh team and all riders on AMA road racing satellite teams supported by American Suzuki (Team Hammer, Matsushima, etc.) but I don't know if that is still the case.

Doh! Maybe I should pay more attention to the racing this year, but unemployment and divorce are kinda distracting.

[DogBoy]

I'll buy you a beer when I come up there in September.

[Blunder]

I'll buy you a beer when I come up there in September.

I might not be here in September.

Anyways, maybe there's a double secret Dorna rule about allowing more than one Hayden one the track at the same time.

[DogBoy]

I might not be here in September.

OK, I'll buy me a beer.

[motodog650]

Am I missing something Jeff?  Roger Hayden rides the National Guard bike for Michael Jordan Motosports. He and BBoz are on the same team, operating out of the same truck. http://www.23race.com/

I have no idea if one or both of them are contracted to American Suzuki. American Suzuki used to sign all the riders on the Yosh team and all riders on AMA road racing satellite teams supported by American Suzuki (Team Hammer, Matsushima, etc.) but I don't know if that is still the case.

Yea I was wondering if it was like Gresini (or Tech 3 last year) where one rider is contracted to the team and the other to the factory...

[heinee]

... but unemployment and divorce are kinda distracting.

**off topic**, Sorry to hear about all that Jeff. I can understand the divorce part and without the second income I've been working with my lender for the past 3yrs to modify my mortgage terms to save my house..so, I can understand distractions and mood-swings..it sucks..I'm not the same person anymore..

[2dealdrive]

TV coverage of the race?  One of the networks has aired the race live in the past but checking NBC, ABC, FOX, CBS and ESPN, I don't see it in the schedule.  Just wondering if I should buy the motogp one race video pass or not.

[squeezer]

TV coverage of the race?  One of the networks has aired the race live in the past but checking NBC, ABC, FOX, CBS and ESPN, I don't see it in the schedule.  Just wondering if I should buy the motogp one race video pass or not.

It's on Speed.

[2dealdrive]

It's on Speed.

forgot about them, thanks.

[DogBoy]

After FP1 (Stoner) and FP2 (Lorenzzzzthththto) with Pedrosa 2nd in both sessions, it looks like the usual suspects are in charge. All past winners at Laguna. I'm guessing it will be Pedrosa out front on race day with Stoner and Lorenzo hoping he has trouble in turn 5 again. I'd really like to see Spies in the hunt. Ben Bostrom made some comments after FP1 one about trying to ride a MotoGP bike. Unforgiving bike with a very narrow setup range to work in. Adapt or fall far behind.

AMA pro racing should be fantastic as usual. Can't wait.

[mugwump58]

Ahhh that's right it's Friday. Guess I'll go sign in and watch FP1

[stromgal]

This year's Yamaha vid just released; great as usual.  

[veefer800canuck]

Bostrom's practice time on his superbike:

9 Ben Bostrom Jordan Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:27.073

GP FP1:

1 Casey Stoner Repsol Honda Honda RC212V 1:22.300
2 Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda Honda RC212V 1:22.402
3 Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha Factory Racing Yamaha M1 1:22.420
4 Ben Spies Yamaha Factory Racing Yamaha M1 1:22.806
5 Andrea Dovizioso Repsol Honda Honda RC212V 1:22.911
6 Marco Simoncelli San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda RC212V 1:23.210
7 Nicky Hayden Ducati Marlboro Ducati GP11 1:23.297
8 Colin Edwards Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha M1 1:23.459
9 Valentino Rossi Ducati Marlboro Ducati GP11 1:23.467
10 Alvara Bautista Rizla Suzuki Suzuki GSV-R 1:23.529
11 Hector Barbera Aspar Team Ducati GP11 1:23.596
12 Randy De Puniet Pramac Racing Ducati GP11 1:23.807
13 Cal Crutchlow Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha M1 1:24.018
14 Toni Elias LCR Honda Honda RC212V 1:24.324
15 Loris Capirossi Pramac Racing Ducati GP11 1:24.566
16 Karel Abraham Cardion AB MotoRacing Ducati GP11 1:24.682
17 Hiroshi Aoyama San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda RC212V 1:25.324
18 Benny Bostrom LCR Honda Honda RC212V 1:27.286

GP FP2:

1 Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha Factory Racing Yamaha M1 1:22.056
2 Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda Honda RC212V 1:22.197
3 Casey Stoner Repsol Honda Honda RC212V 1:22.231
4 Andrea Dovizioso Repsol Honda Honda RC212V 1:22.537
5 Ben Spies Yamaha Factory Racing Yamaha M1 1:22.615
6 Marco Simoncelli San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda RC212V 1:22.803
7 Alvara Bautista Rizla Suzuki Suzuki GSV-R 1:23.056
8 Randy De Puniet Pramac Racing Ducati GP11 1:23.135
9 Colin Edwards Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha M1 1:23.183
10 Nicky Hayden Ducati Marlboro Ducati GP11 1:23.195
11 Valentino Rossi Ducati Marlboro Ducati GP11 1:23.369
12 Hector Barbera Aspar Team Ducati GP11 1:23.424
13 Cal Crutchlow Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha M1 1:23.707
14 Karel Abraham Cardion AB MotoRacing Ducati GP11 1:23.811
15 Toni Elias LCR Honda Honda RC212V 1:23.830
16 Hiroshi Aoyama San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda RC212V 1:24.590
17 Loris Capirossi Pramac Racing Ducati GP11 1:24.663
18 Benny Bostrom LCR Honda Honda RC212V 1:26.159



Bostrom bettered his GP FP1 time by over a second, now he only needs 4 more practice sessions to improve!

Tough thing, being tossed into the deep end of the shark tank. Hope he has a good race!


Not counting "Benny", it was 3 sec differential from 1st to last in FP1, and 4.1 sec in FP2.

[motodog650]

Wow, B I G crash for Lorenzo at the end of FP3. Really bizarre, practice start after the session and as he went into turn five he had a massive highside. Apparently he had came out of the pits with only time for about a lap before the session ended so early guesses are a cold tire highside. After being on the ground for a bit he walked away (eventually) under his own power. Yet to be seen if he'll make QP, gotta be hurting...

[DogBoy]

Yikes!


More on MotoGP.com: http://www.motogp.com/en/photos/latest+photos#Jorge-Lorenzo-Yamaha-Factory-Racing-Laguna-Seca-FP3-525297

[stromgal]

Yeeks.  Looking at the slideshow, bike might've hit him as well.

[Playinthestreet]

oops

[Kneescrubber]

That's gotta hurt.  

[Blunder]

Apparently he had his traction control turned off.

[DogBoy]

Grid

[veefer800canuck]

Well, Benny B shaved off another second, but so did everyone else!!!

[satxbonneville]

I hope to see a race as exciting as the Rossi in the dirt pass on Stoner in the Corkscrew.  

[mugwump58]

Sorry but that move pisses me off today. Replace the name "Rossi" with anyone else and instead of the superlatives you'd have calls for peoples heads.

Only he can leave the racing surface, come out ahead of his competitor and be praised.

Whether it was a "move" or the result of going into hot doesn't matter.

[veefer800canuck]

Sunday morning practice:

17 Benny Bostrom LCR Honda Honda RC212V 1:24.101

And another 1.1 sec faster. Good work Ben!

[mugwump58]

So how much would you pay to segway into the AMA prerace show? Nice jobe Casey, Lorenzo you are worthy of your world championship status. Betcha his bruises are worse than Papa's. How long to Indy? I may start packing tonight

[tomek]

Spies needs to improve his starts , he should not be racing with Ducatis , Bautistas , etc .  By the time he gets around those guys leaders are already long gone , it happens quite frequently . It also seems Ms. Rossi tries extra hard when his old ride is directly behind him .  

He , Ben , is not learning anything racing with mid pack guys , he has to stay with Lorenzo , Pedrosa and Stoner in order to improve his race craft .


 

[stromgal]

I went out to watch, as I don't have cable. Good grief, the commercials! Hard to know just what ensued when one misses big chunks of the race.

Nonetheless, I'm glad to have seen any of it. Viewing the dry lake brought back good memories.

[DogBoy]

Good MotoGP race and I was glad to see Stoner come on so strong.

The AMA Superbike and DSB races absolutely rocked! Hollleeeee Sheeeeyite! That pass Eslick made was just a towering display of bike control.    I'm sure my neighbors were wondering what I was screaming about.

[crashtech]

Spies needs to improve his starts , he should not be racing with Ducatis , Bautistas , etc .  By the time he gets around those guys leaders are already long gone , it happens quite frequently . It also seems Ms. Rossi tries extra hard when his old ride is directly behind him .  

He , Ben , is not learning anything racing with mid pack guys , he has to stay with Lorenzo , Pedrosa and Stoner in order to improve his race craft .


 

LMAO....yea I agree but he is not the guy we saw in wsbk and ama......great talent in gp! Expected much better from him on the factory ride this year....Was shocked at his one off performance at Assen...just hope he does not turn into another Edwards and just do laps.....

[motodog650]

He , Ben , is not learning anything racing with mid pack guys , he has to stay with Lorenzo , Pedrosa and Stoner in order to improve his race craft .

LMAO....yea I agree but he is not the guy we saw in wsbk and ama......great talent in gp! Expected much better from him on the factory ride this year....Was shocked at his one off performance at Assen...just hope he does not turn into another Edwards and just do laps.....

You guys have got to be kidding !! Running with mid pack guys ?? Right now you have 27, 1 & 26 followed closely by 11, 4 & 58 (with 11 at the head of that group) with the rest behind them. Spies stated post race that the launch control setting was off just a bit and robbed him of of some critical power but that his actual start (off the line) was really pretty good but then was passed by the third row heading for turn #2. Don't think Ben is one to make excuses. Apparently some fans really just don't realize just how difficult it must be to ride one of these machines at or near its limits.          

[sammyseaman]

Sorry but that move pisses me off today. Replace the name "Rossi" with anyone else and instead of the superlatives you'd have calls for peoples heads.

Only he can leave the racing surface, come out ahead of his competitor and be praised.

Whether it was a "move" or the result of going into hot doesn't matter.

 

[crashtech]

Good MotoGP race and I was glad to see Stoner come on so strong.

The AMA Superbike and DSB races absolutely rocked! Hollleeeee Sheeeeyite! That pass Eslick made was just a towering display of bike control.    I'm sure my neighbors were wondering what I was screaming about.

No kidding...LOL....I was in shock screaming myself when Eslick stuffed the 2 for the lead....I take back everything I ever said about ama...Those 2 races were the best of the weekend.....I will be following again now....Great to see a Hayden on the top spot this weekend too.....

Great to see Stoner BREAK Jorgay.......(in Jorgays defense he was hurting)..LOL....

[DredheadV2.0]

Great to see Stoner BREAK Jorgay.......(in Jorgays defense he was hurting)..LOL....

Oh, I dunno.  I'd love to see a 2nd-half surge from J Lo, if only to deny an 800cc championship to Honda.  It would amuse me no end to have 4 factory Hondas unable to get the top spot.  Not a Lorenzo fan, just not a fan of the way Honda has been doing business since 2005.

In other Honda news - why is Hiroshi Aoyama on a sat-spec bike and his team-mate - whom he beat in the last 250cc championship - is on a factory bike?  And yet, Aoyama is still ahead in the points... AND Fausto Gresini is giving Hiro static about having no will to win, while petting Simo on his fuzzy, pointed head every time he chucks it in the gravel?

[mugwump58]

Locally we had a racer, not motorcycle, get an offer to go big time. The catch was what they were going to bring in sponsorship money. I'm not saying that's the reason here. I'm just saying I've seen if happen before.

[DredheadV2.0]

What, the only Japanese rider in the top class can't manage to score more sponsorship cash than Yet Another Italian?

[nantahala]

I thought about that Thursday night when Hiroshi was walking by himself through the pits dragging his suitcase and nobody really recognized him, including me (although he was wearing team gear and looked too small to be a tech for some reason so he drew some attention).  A group of Japanese ladies recognized him and talked to him some and got an autograph.  If that had been about any of the other riders, lots more folks would be approaching them.  He's been a quiet mid-packer that has been getting along pretty good, but The Show seems to be pretty important and that's a sponsor's goal.

[DredheadV2.0]

He put on an amazing show in 250s, finessing a second-rate machine around the GP circuit, carrying so much corner speed and babying tires that others were tearing apart, and he won the championship.  I betcha if someone gave him a better ride than Gresini he could put on a heck of a show again.

[tomek]

Well , no . It has been proven behind reasonable doubt   that Japanese ( and Brits too ) cannot ride big GP bikes .

[Blunder]

Behind a reasonable doubt? WTF does that mean?  

[tomek]

Behind a reasonable doubt? WTF does that mean?  

I don`t know , it happens if you try to write something   before your morning coffee kicks in .

Now I don`t remember WTF I meant .   

[JonS]

Ya know, for some people, life is good most of the time.


'Jesus CHRIST! Don't any of these well-endowed women buy programs?!' thought Rossi.

This image came from Superbike Planet. Where else!