Great Race.

To bad for Stoner 

Nice to see Rossi figuring everything out the last few races.

Hayden is weak sauce this year again. 

I had a feeling Rossi would be back to winning form after his result in China.  He just needed his confidence back.  Game on.

Quote from: JesterDFW on May 18, 2008, 04:12:05 PM
I had a feeling Rossi would be back to winning form after his result in China.  He just needed his confidence back.  Game on.

Are you guys crazy?  He didn't need confidence, he needed a package that was capable of winning.  He needed a bike that wasn't nearly the slowest on the grid, one that didn't suffer multiple mechanical DNFs two years in a row, one that had tires that could compete with the guys that were running up front.  And now that he has that, we're back to seeing what we're used to seeing out of Rossi - dominance. 

QuoteAre you guys crazy?  He didn't need confidence, he needed a package that was capable of winning.  He needed a bike that wasn't nearly the slowest on the grid, one that didn't suffer multiple mechanical DNFs two years in a row, one that had tires that could compete with the guys that were running up front.  And now that he has that, we're back to seeing what we're used to seeing out of Rossi - dominance.

Tell us how you really feel 

This season has been fantastic so far.  Races like this one are why I love motorcycle racing so much!

Quote from: darylbowden on May 18, 2008, 04:29:17 PM
Are you guys crazy?  He didn't need confidence, he needed a package that was capable of winning.  He needed a bike that wasn't nearly the slowest on the grid, one that didn't suffer multiple mechanical DNFs two years in a row, one that had tires that could compete with the guys that were running up front.  And now that he has that, we're back to seeing what we're used to seeing out of Rossi - dominance. 

short memory, tomato, tomahto, crazy... 

QuoteHe didn't need confidence, he needed a package that was capable of winning

To be fair, Rossi himself admitted to wondering if he could win again after such an absence from the top of the podium.  Sure, the guy doesn't lack much in that area, but he did need the reassurance of that first victory to truly get his swagger back.  Now we have two wins in a row heading into Mugello, where ( knock on wood ) we will very likely see Rossi make it three straight in two weeks.

he's already, what is it, 6, straight there heading into mugello...

Quote from: gm2 on May 18, 2008, 10:22:38 PM
he's already, what is it, 6, straight there heading into mugello...

If I'm not mistaken Rossi has never NOT won at Mugello since he's been in GP.  I'd say there's a pretty good chance he's gonna go for 3 in a row. 

Back on the general race topic.  I think people need to be scared of Honda in the near future.  That bike was pulling HARD and that's with the conventional valvetrain, I've got a feeling the pneumatic engine is gonna be topping the charts hp-wise.

it is a bummer hopper lost his chain and stoner lost something...
i am very impressed with lorenzo's finish... is this guy human?
it's amazing what these guys do to their bodies for this sport.

all in all... great racing 

On the Honda topic, Yamaha is giving some upgrades pretty soon, but I didn't catch what they were.  Rossi cited them waiting for more reliability, so maybe they are giving him even more power?  He didn't specifically say what it was they were upgrading, but it kinda sounds like further engine improvements.  Anyone else heard anything?  If Rossi and Lorenzo get even more power, and the engines don't go up in smoke, they will decimate the field.

Quote from: JesterDFW on May 19, 2008, 05:41:50 AM
On the Honda topic, Yamaha is giving some upgrades pretty soon, but I didn't catch what they were.  Rossi cited them waiting for more reliability, so maybe they are giving him even more power?  He didn't specifically say what it was they were upgrading, but it kinda sounds like further engine improvements.  Anyone else heard anything?  If Rossi and Lorenzo get even more power, and the engines don't go up in smoke, they will decimate the field.

the most they've said publicly is "upgrades" and that rossi's form in shanghai took the pressure off introducing them earlier than barcelona.

what that tells me is that they don't 100% trust the reliability of whatever they're introducing and, given the performance of rossi/lorenzo/edwards, there is no need to chance rushing something into production that may not survive a race.

Why make the beast with two backs with a package that is dominating the field - factory and satellite?  Yami would be crazy to introduce it until it's either proven reliable or they need to risk it for the extra oomph to keep up with whatever secret sauce Honda introduces.

Rossi's ride was clinical in it's precision.  Excellent race.  Lorenzo is the real deal.  He IMO will be the dominating force in GP for the next 5 years.  You can't deny he's tough as nails and has the heart and desire to win after his performance in the last 2 races with his injuries.

As far as Stoner I think he's actually showing his world champion mettle this year.  That bike is a beast this year and he's riding his ass off to tame it.  Watching it in slow motion as compared to the bikes around him was incredible -- they are stable frame to frame and his is all over the place.  I hope they get it sorted and don't lose confidence before the schedule gets to their preferred tracks.

IMO the Ducati GP bikes have been evil slithering beasts since they came back to GP...

The 800 even more so than the 990

Quote from: ducpainter on May 19, 2008, 11:57:25 AM
IMO the Ducati GP bikes have been evil slithering beasts since they came back to GP...

The 800 even more so than the 990

with the fact that 1-in-7 riders can get anything out of it at all... yup.