RACE STUFF THREAD

[Pinocchio]

I gather Rossi has learned a way of looking known to good quarterbacks, or master swordsmen: look everywhere, focus nowhere.
Keep your eye on the mountain, grasshopper...

[jweave]

2010 WSBK Champion?  Going to be hard to beat.

Discuss.....

[fastwin]

I agree. Toseland could have a very good year on a well proven, sorted out bike. He's no slouch, those 2004 and 2007 SBK World Championships weren't just handed to him. BUT, Haga isn't going to get any slower and Fabrizio had a very upbeat year. That is still one hell of a tough team. Biaggi won't be getting any slower either, although he does need a faster teammate.

One thing Toseland will not have next year is Tom Houseworth as a Crewchief nor will he have Greg Wood wrenching on his bikes. Twenty bucks says Spies would admit that bringing those two guys over from Yoshimura was the smartest decision he made this year. On or off the track. In interviews thoughout the year he always gave credit to them and the rest of the team for his success. I just hope that Toseland doesn't try to steal his teammate's Crewchief in WSBK!! Didn't work so well in MotoGP.

[fastwin]

Cool story about John Kosinski. Jeez, they aren't kidding, the guy hasn't aged a bit! Damn! I remember when he was just a kid coming up through the ranks in the late 1980s. Pretty neat that he still enjoys it.

http://www.cyclenews.com/articles/flat-track/2009/10/28/kocinski-rides-again

[fastwin]

Cha-ching and bling for Spies!!

http://www.cyclenews.com/articles/road-racing/2009/10/31/bling-bling-for-spies

[Pinocchio]

I doubt if he'll ever wear it.

Wait a minute, that's a pinkie ring, isn't it?

Welcome to our ting, Benjamino....


If he's smart, he'll wear it.

[RED]

I doubt if he'll ever wear it.

Wait a minute, that's a pinkie ring, isn't it?

Welcome to our ting, Benjamino....


If he's smart, he'll wear it.

It's different when The Don wears it though.

[Cher]

Not sure how bad this could be for The Team next year but the cynic in me says it can't be good...

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2009/Livio+suppo+leaves+ducati+marlboro

[junior varsity]

I think the staffing change in wsbk might be a breath of fresh air - (Tardozzi)

[fastwin]

Not sure how bad this could be for The Team next year but the cynic in me says it can't be good...

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2009/Livio+suppo+leaves+ducati+marlboro

With Tardozzi leaving the Ducati WSBK team after all of his success that leaves two big holes in Ducati Corse. Ouch!

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2009/Nov/091106ozzi.htm

[junior varsity]

Making such a big error with fabrizio and haga, point wise, I think could be a big part of it.

[fastwin]

Don't the teams at this level of competition have "team rules"? Isn't winning the championship the point? Why have #2 rider put #1 rider further in the hole? I always revert back to the Pedrosa knock down of Hayden in the second to last race in 2006. Although some on the "racing & trackdays" board seem to think nothing was wrong with that, like Hayden somehow deserved it. It's just "racing". Huh? WTF? Honda's lame ass answer (defending Pedro-bot) has never stopped pissing me off.

[junior varsity]

I understand its about personal success to the riders, but team success, though a concept probably better displayed by NASCAR of all racing leagues, seems lost on some of these moto-riders.

[Pinocchio]

The only team rule in motorcycle racing that I've ever heard of is "Be faster than your teammate". The fact that he's on the same equipment as you makes him the first rider you've got to beat.

I didn't make that up, Obi-Wan Kenobe said that.
I forget which episode.

[fastwin]

Nice little interview with Tardozzi. Doesn't really explain the Imola race decision but at least he gives proper credit to Spies. Tardozzi has always been a gentleman and a pro.

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2009/Nov/091106dozzi1.htm