Can Nicky repeat?

[Jeff]

Nicky is definitely tough as nails and deserves congratulations for toppling the mighty Rossi.

But now, the question is... can he repeat in 2007? It appears the strikes are against him again. The 800 is built to fit mini people like the good teammate Dani-boy. Messed up shoulder means he's missing tests.

So, can he do it?

Jeff

[garry]

It's certainly possible. The man has skillz. But I'm betting it will be a wild season as the teams try to sort out the new bikes. My money is on someone new to take it (not Hayden or Rossi). Should be a fun season.

[scott-sts]

Yes, he can.  I think his chances are better now with the cc change than if things had remained the same.  Plus, Nicky put the Pedrosa thing to bed by winning the championship.  At least it's logical to assume so but you never know with Honda.

[UPNET]

Rossi,Pedrosa,Hayden, Cappirossi...will be up there. Pedrosa and Rossi will have an advantage on the smaller bikes since they are small guys. Ducati's will probably come out smokin' in the early part of the season.  Would be nice if Hopkins on the Suzuki becomes competitive. Hayden will have to work twice as hard, as Pedrosa is Repsols boy wonder. Hopefully Hayden won't be relegated to test mule rider like he was this year.

[rodm850g]

Scott,
Logic and assume are two words better left out of road racing...specially when dealing with Honda. Whether or not the Kentucky Kid can do it again are yet to be seen and thankfully I don't gamble. If you have kept up with motogp this year the boy just did  get up to speed....The odds as expressed by the polls at  motogp.com disagree with you....but it is racing
and these are but opinions.....cant wait for next year myself.....take care
 
                               Rodm850g

[TalkingHead]

I didn't think Rossi was actually that small? Did you mean Capirossi?
 
He certainly can repeat, whether he will or not is really hard to say. I think next year will be even more competetive than this year. The Suzuki's early form is really refreshing. Who knows? Maybe Hopper will finally have a bike that will allow him to fulfill his potential?

[black hills]

It's hard to bet against Rossi. I don't think anyone has the talent that he does. For Hayden to win again it will require some luck, just like this year. I hope he does it! here are all time rider standings. Rossi is #2 already:
 

[Gaolee]

Interesting list.  Nicky has fewer wins than anyone else with a championship.  You can read that as a failing or as a strength, since he has turned consistency into a championship.  He can win again, and I hope he does.  Hopper and Suzuki seem to have figured something out with the new engine size, and Ilmore will be a very welcome oddity.  Ilmore and KR are as close as you can get to privateers.  The scenario I would like to see, and that absolutely won't happen, is for KRJR to win a championship on King Kenny's bike.  The next thing I would like to see that won't happen is for Hopper to win a championship on the Suzuki.  Then, I would like to see Nicky repeat.  That actually could happen.  The highest probability is Rossi having better luck and taking back the title.

[scott-sts]

It just occurred to me that you should have put *spoiler* in the title of this thread.

[R Doug]

I want him to, he's the guy I'll always cheer for.  But, I voted no.
 
Hayden has an uphill battle w/ the smaller displacement bike (IMHO).  Most of the other guys like Rossi and Pedrosa come from racing smaller displacement road course bikes and I believe they'll be ahead of Nicky on the learning curve when it comes to the different riding style I believe will be needed on the smaller bikes.  
 
Possible but not probable is my vote.

[hobbes]

I think the Suzukis are going to put up a huge fight next year, so I'm not betting on anyone (even rossi) right now.

[Capirex]

I vote he "can" but I don't think it's likely.  I'm sure his first objective is to beat Pedrosa.

[jerome_oneil]

Absolutely he can.   He's shown he can win, he's shown he can be patient and pick his spots.  The only thing that could stop him is HRC shenannigans, and a few more Pedrosa moments.

You can call him lucky, or a fluke, or anything else you'd like.  I'm calling him the defending world champion until someone else says otherwise.

[dgunther]

I don't think he can do it again.  Of course, I'm of the opinion that he couldn't have done it this time if Rossi hadn't had so many DNFs early in the season due to mechanical issues.  To be honest, I'm not a Hayden fan at all. I cringe for my country every time he's allowed to speak on TV.  Oh and then there's the #69 (huh huh huh - grow up you hillbilly!). At least that should be replaced with a big #1 (for a season anyway).

[Playinthestreet]

#69 was his father's number when he raced and I'm reasonably sure that the boys would have had to tell Earl what that number reflected.

[olderigetfasteriwas]

One and done.

[Jeff N]

[Jeff N]

He's already run the #1 plate in testing. I think it looks good.
 
Yes, he'll have to beat Repsol's favorite son, Pedrosa. That munchkin can ride.
 
It'd be cool if Hopkins and Vermuelan (SP?) can do well on the Zooks, and KRJR performing well on his pop's bike would be so cool, even if I still can't get over the fact that Kenny SR has a deal with Honda.

[Capirex]

bwin.com's odds to win the title next year.  
They don't give Nicky much respect. But they also think Vermeulen is American.  
 

MotoGP Championship 2007
Outright winner
Valentino Rossi (ITA/Yamaha) 1.75
Dani Pedrosa (ESP/Honda) 5.00
Loris Capirossi (ITA/Ducati) 6.50
Nicky Hayden (USA/Honda) 8.00
Marco Melandri (ITA/Honda) 18.00
John Hopkins (USA/Suzuki) 41.00
Alex Barros (BRA/Ducati) 41.00
Shinya Nakano (JPN/Honda) 41.00
Chris Vermeulen (USA/Suzuki) 81.00
Casey Stoner (AUS/Ducati) 81.00
Toni Elias (ESP/Honda) 121.00
Carlos Checa (ESP/Honda) 121.00
Colin Edwards (USA/Yamaha) 151.00
Makoto Tamada (JPN/Yamaha) 301.00
Sylvain Guintoli (FRA/Yamaha) 501.00
Alex Hofmann (GER/Ducati) 501.00
Randy de Puniet (FRA/Kawasaki) 501.00
Olivier Jacque (FRA/Kawasaki) 501.00

I read that Nicky is having surgery on his shoulder tomorrow.  Hope it goes well for him.  

[Jeff N]

Nicky is having surgery on his shoulder tomorrow. Hope it goes well for him.

DR Art Ting, orthopedic surgeon to the stars.

[R Doug]

+1, the #1 plate looks really good.  

The boy has talent and he has a damn nice personality to boot.  

Personally, I love it fact the "Kentucky Kid" has an Appalachian accent.

[vguy]

I hope Nicky can do it again. It looks to be a great season no matter what.

[tbeemer]

CAN he?  Yes.  WILL he?  That's an entirely different question.  All the top guys have what it takes to win the whole thing personally.  But it's more than just the rider, as I'm sure we all know.  

Rossi undeniably has the best all around package, with a good (but not great) bike, the best crew and crewchief, and the most talent.  But this year showed what can happen when you overachieve on an average machine; sooner or later it's gonna bite you.

I think next year is wide freakin' open.  But the nod has to go to the Honda boys just because their bikes are more developed right now, so it's basically just fine tuning.  Testing may raise some eyebrows, but nobody wins a championship in the offseason.  Big Red will have the most refined and consistent package when the flag drops next year.

Tom

[spinmaster]

Testing at Jerez has been interesting this week:
 
Day 1:
 
1. Rossi - 1'41.745
2. Hopkins - 1'42.161
3. Edwards - 1'42.293
4. Pedrosa - 1'44.030
 
Day 2 (as of 2PM):
 
1. Tady Okada (filling in for Hayden I believe) - 1'41.857
2. Hopkins - 1'41.932
3. Rossi - 1'42.381
4. Pedrosa - 1'42.794
 
 
Hopkins is looking fast this year...if only he doesn't toss it or break down he might be a contender.

[toecutter]

I would love to see another American win the 1st 800cc GP. If I was a betting man, my money would be on either one of these 3, Rossi, Pedrosa and Capirossi.

[R Doug]

I would love to see another American win the 1st 800cc GP. If I was a betting man, my money would be on either one of these 3, Rossi, Pedrosa and Capirossi.

Ducati looked strong this past season and, if it wasn't for Sete's and Loris' crash, #65 could have taken the whole thing.  

One thing is for sure, 2007 should be an interesting year!

[JBAXX]

I think Pedrosa will be very fast on the 800.

[keystonejenks]

I think Pedrosa will be very fast on the 800.

As much as a don't like the guy, I have a feeling he's going to win next season.

[HexHead]

Rossi,Pedrosa,Hayden, Cappirossi...will be up there. Pedrosa and Rossi will have an advantage on the smaller bikes since they are small guys.

You must be thinking of Capirossi. Valentino is normal sized.



And I don't think Hayden will repeat unless Rossi DNFs a bunch of times again.

[greg96brg]

Nicky is a great rider, but so are last season's top five riders. Bad luck for Loris and Val allowed Nicky to win. Up until Valencia every rider had 1 or more DNF's except Nicky. You can't win the title with a bunch of DNF's.

[TalkingHead]

My money is on Pedrosa simply because this will be only his second season away from 250s and the bike, while not wholey (wtf? sp?) like a 250 in power characteristics, is much more similar in dimensions. He went like stink right out of the gates on the 990 and will now be on a bike that suits him much better.

My prediction?

1. Pedrosa (as much as it galls me to say so, I dislike that little bastard intensely)
2. Rossi
3. Hayden

My hope?

1. Hayden
2. Hopper
3. Edwards

[Belly]

I voted Yes He can.  Wont be easy though
Dont discount Suzuki or KS on the Duke.
Black Hills:  Very interesting list.  Makes you realise how good AG was.
 
I am expecting some one out of left field to upset the established teams in the first few races.

[Jeff N]

How about Shinya Nakano as a darkhorse? He's replaced Makoto Tomato on the Konica/Nikon Honda.

[Orson]

What a great top 10, huh?
 
A number that stands out for me, besides Ago's 68 victories (that's only 500cc victories, btw) is Lawson's 31 victories. He just quietly piled up the numbers, outdistancing, Roberts, Rainey, Schwantz & Spencer.
 
Even more impressive was the year he won the championship on a Honda. That year, the NSR was pretty much unrideable by mere mortals. Only someone with gawd-like riding abilities could have kept that beast on the track without high-siding (see Gardner).
 
(sigh) I miss the era of the unrideable two-strokes no matter what Kevin Cameron says. Those guys could flat out ride.
 
No offense to Rossi. He's the best of his era, no doubt just like Hailwood was the best of his era.
 
Another number that stands out is Cecotto's 12 pole positions in 26 starts. Almost 50%. The guy was truly talented. He just never seemed to click on the 500cc bikes.

[JIMLARCH]

Nicky is definitely tough as nails and deserves congratulations for toppling the mighty Rossi.
 
But now, the question is... can he repeat in 2007? It appears the strikes are against him again. The 800 is built to fit mini people like the good teammate Dani-boy. Messed up shoulder means he's missing tests.
 
So, can he do it?
 
Jeff

Not a snowballs chance in hell! Rossi all the way.
 
Rossi is a better rider:cool: , better looking:cool: , and he speaks English that you can understand, plus Honda will give the best bike to Pedrosa because he is shorter than Hayden, speaks very little English and is Spanish, plus (yet another plus) he scored big brownie points for taking out Hayden with his "superior" motorcycle.

[Thor]

Not a snowballs chance in hell! Rossi all the way.
 
Rossi is a better rider , better looking , and he speaks English that you can understand, plus Honda will give the best bike to Pedrosa because he is shorter than Hayden, speaks very little English and is Spanish, plus (yet another plus) he scored big brownie points for taking out Hayden with his "superior" motorcycle.

 O.K, that was funny.

I don't think Hayden has a chance in hell.  I predict that he will be no higher than fifth and Rossi will take Pedrosa out with such violent finality that he will be banned from one race.

I predict that Rossi will be unbelievably aggressive and will play head games like we have never seen before.  The "elder statesman, good guy" act he put on this year is over.  He will take gamesmanship to a new level and crush the competition.  Then he will retire.

This year will see a number of rider created crashes and incredible controversy.  I think there will be a gay sex scandal and split loyalties exposed among crew chiefs.

I also believe in Santa.

[TalkingHead]

[Liquidsilver]

Hope yes, but voted no.
 
 
Between Rossi and Pedrosa... sheeeeiitt.  

[Mookie]

This year is gonna be so wide open it’ll be amazing if any one rider sticks out noticeably from the rest.  Rossi will have a slight edge, I think Hopper will finally be able to show his stuff now that Suzuki actually will have a competitive bike, and the Haydon/Pedrosa 2 headed monster will be running strong (and probably costing each other points).  Then there's Capirex.  I think this year will be even closer than last year if that's possible.

My big question mark is with KRJR's bike.  Is he going to get a good enough Honda engine?  If he does get a good one, then he too could be at the top of the list further muddling my list of vagaries

[bogthing]

I think Pedrosa will be very fast on the 800.

I would have to agree. He's very focused and talented. Despite the bonehead move at Estoril (which will haunt him for years), I think he'll do quite well, and prove to be a problem for anyone up front.

[Yamadog]

I think he *can* but will he is a much longer reach. And he'll be starting the season recovering from surgery to repair damage much worse than preior thought as per soup.

[marc11]

No enough voting options.  I do not think he will repeat, and I do not think it will be Rossi who wins it either...

[bogthing]

It would seem to me, that for PR reasons alone, HRC would throw all efforts at getting Hayden in the most comfortable groove to help enable him securing another plate. If he stay's healthy, and get's the new unit sorted out to his liking, I believe the guy can do it. I'd also like to see Colin have a comeback year, or another american get in the mix.
 
Of course I know jack about the inner-workings of MotoGP, so this is all speculation.

[vguy]

It would seem to me, that for PR reasons alone, HRC would throw all efforts at getting Hayden in the most comfortable groove to help enable him securing another plate. If he stay's healthy, and get's the new unit sorted out to his liking, I believe the guy can do it. I'd also like to see Colin have a comeback year, or another american get in the mix.
 
Of course I know jack about the inner-workings of MotoGP, so this is all speculation.

Honda (and their strict team rules) does have a way of driving good people away when they reach the top. Rossi and Carmichael are the two most recent.

[bogthing]

Honda (and their strict team rules) does have a way of driving good people away when they reach the top. Rossi and Carmichael are the two most recent.

Yes, that's quite true. One never knows what evil lurks in the minds of those wizards. They've done some strange things over the years, some that would even seem to fly in the face of guaranteed success.
 
As I said before, pure speculation on my part.

[couchflyer]

marc11 is right on 100%  

No enough voting options.  I do not think he will repeat, and I do not think it will be Rossi who wins it either...

[JonS]

The championship will be Rossi's to lose if the Yamaha is competitive. Thats a big "if", but Rossi is also a great rider to develope a bike.
If not Rossi, then Capirossi or Mr. Personality, Danny Pedrosa. Oh yeah, it could also be Maro Melandri.

[X-Troller]

Isn't it funny all the other Honda riders including Nickey are saying the bike is low on power campared to the other 800's Petrobot isn't saying that in fact he is the fastest 800 out there and when Edwards was following him he said there was no way he could keep up! Who's going to get the good equiptment?

[cyeager]

New bikes mean that there are going to be a lot of variables. We cannot really tell what teams are going to have the fastest bike to work with this year and that is going to have an impact on the results (although it wont be definitive).

I think that Pedrosa stands to do *very* well, but i also believe that he has a better chance than most of getting himself injured. He is a truly skilled and fast rider, but he showed a tendancy last year of making mistakes at very inopportune moments, and no I am not just talking about taking out Hayden. There seemed to be a lot of little moments where Pedrosa seemed to be saved by luck alone, and you cannot keep going to that well and not expect to get hurt. The telling part is that these incidents seemed to occur at times when it wasnt necessary to take extra risks. Riders who know when to ride conservatively (like Hayden and Rossi) tend to have a better chance of scoring more points, and in the end that is what matters.