Valencia MotoGP **Spoilers**

[DogBoy]

End of many eras this weekend.

Both FP1 and FP2 were wet sessions.

[motodog650]

End of many eras this weekend.

Both FP1 and FP2 were wet sessions.

Don't appear as though Hayes is 'skeered' of it...

[DogBoy]

Go Get 'em Josh.

[squeezer]

Go Get 'em Josh.

Results won't look good, but I think 3-4 tenths off Crutchlow on both a track and a bike he's never been on looks impressive to me. Go Josh!

[Tyrroneous]

If qualifying and race are dry, all this riding around in the wet is doing nothing to really help Hayes learn the brakes and tires.  But 10th in P2 aint too shabby!    

[Blunder]

It rains is Spain?

That's a cool pic of Hayes.  

[Tyrroneous]

It rains is Spain?

Mostly in the plains.  

MotoMatters.com is reporting rain forecasted for the rest of the weekend.  Which, I have to believe is good news for Hayes.  

I'm confused though.  The Ducatis are known to be more competitive in the wet.  But if the whole issue is front end feel and the lack thereof, wouldn't riding in the wet just exaggerate that issue?  Wouldn't they have LESS feel in the rain?  I would think the  Ducs would be less competitive in the wet because trust and feel in the front end is even more important than they are in the dry.  

Also, way cool to see Bautista at the top of P2.  Would great to see them win the last race of the 800 era.

[veefer800canuck]

Well, rain certainly will help the non-aliens. Where is Olivier Jacques when you need him?

[DredheadV2.0]

If rain is the great equalizer, this speaks well of the innate talents of some folks who've been mid-pack all season long.

Personally I would love to see Capirex on the podium.  #100 podium at the end of his career would b lovely, especially carrying Sic's number.

...as an aside, ever wonder what the last decade would have been like if Kato had been around?

[satxbonneville]

I'd love to see them leave an open slot on the grid as a gesture to Marco.

Olivier Jacques indeed. I remember that awesome ride he had at the wet race in China several seasons back.

[veefer800canuck]

I'd love to see them leave an open slot on the grid as a gesture to Marco.

Olivier Jacques indeed. I remember that awesome ride he had at the wet race in China several seasons back.

At the time he got called to china by Kawasaki, he had not turned a wheel in anger on a racetrack for like 18 months, and he proceeded to clean everyone's clocks in a torrential downpour.

One of the better races I have seen in a long time.

[DogBoy]

FP3

[DogBoy]

Stoner domination in Qualifying. Full second on Pedrosa in 2nd.

Hayes is where I would expect to see him in the dry. I think he's doing well for so little time to adapt.

[squeezer]

DePuniet in 4th?!?  Good for him and Pramac.

[motodog650]

Stoner domination in Qualifying. Full second on Pedrosa in 2nd.

1.014 to be exact. I know track conditions were a bit iffy but geezzz...

Hope Yamaha can get some good tests in between now and the first race of 2012 and come out strong with their 1000 or we're gonna see continued domination by Stoner...

[Aero]

From Eurosport:

Hayes tops Valencia warm-up.
MotoGP debutant Josh Hayes was quickest in the warm-up for the Valencia Grand Prix thanks to a bold late run on slick tyres in a damp session.

The double American Superbike champion was the first man to do a flying lap on slicks, and that allowed him to set a 1m40.469s to lead the way by 1.6 seconds over Gresini Honda's Hiroshi Aoyama and 3.3s over world champion Casey Stoner's Honda.

Impressive! I had never heard of him until a few days ago, wonder if he will ruffle a few feathers in the race?

[garry]

Interesting race for the podium spots, for the entire race even. Now it's time to go ride (dual-sport)!

[Galo]

Fab race.....Spies 2nd by 15 thousands.....ugh!!
Hayes 7th!! Methinks this will not be his last MotoGP race.....

[phoenix]

any idea how Stoner pissed away his 9 second lead? Maybe a little off-track excersion?

The big pile up at the start of the race sucked. I was trying to see if anyone was going to throw a few punches, although it was not Bautista's fault. Nick and Valentino are probably glad this season is over. What a mess they've been through.

[DogBoy]

Plenty of excitement and a great battle for second through fourth that morphs into a contest for the win. Glad to see the 800s go out with something memorable.

Very happy for Josh Hayes. Some comments from his Facebook page.

after warmup:
"Considered retiring after morning warm up. Go out on top??"

Just before the race:
"Stomach is wrecked and nerves are shot... #showtime"