Rossi Stoner 2007-2008 CURRENT RESULTS with prior year comparison SPOILER

[COWBOY]

I'd be happy with that. I'd also be happy with the Americans on the grid kicking some ass. I wouldn't even mind seeing Rossi return to the top. Since it's been 3 years now (2 seasons) it qualifies as a comeback story and who can't help but pull for the underdog.

As far as predictions go

4 things IMO that will lend themselves to a great year of racing...

1. Honda and Yamaha redoubling their efforts given Ducati's success,
2. Rossi either being completely focused or completely insane (depending on how you read the shaved head look -- be like Mike or is it Britney?)
3. An influx of top flight new talent -- Lorenzo, Toseland, et al.
4. The tire tech battle -- Michelin should be investing heavily and Bridgestone won't give anything back willingly.

Top 10 Stoner, Rossi, Hayden, Lorenzo, Pedro, Melandri, Hopkins, DePuniet, Toseland, Capirossi

Results

1.  Yamaha -- yes. Honda -- work in progress
2.  completely focused
3.  new talent has been very solid
4.  big let down.  Michelin has all but folded, losing Pedro in process.  Spec Tire for 2009?

Top 10

4 out of 5 for top 5 isn't bad.  let's not look at the rest though, lol.    other than hayden my 6-10 riders are 11-17 LOL.

I highlighted a piece of the quote to prove I'm a fan of good racing; Rossi included...

[darylbowden]

What I find very funny is that I predicted JT would be doing better and you said he wouldn't make the TOP 11 and right now he's 12th 

HA!  I missed that.  Damn, if it weren't for my Hopkins gaffe, I'd be anointing myself the king of racing ESP. 

[ducpainter]

On another note:  How am I a premium member over there?  I never was a titanium member and I haven't even logged in once since VS took over.

They made all existing members premium members for a certain period of time...not sure how long it lasts.

[COWBOY]

I think he will be lucky to win 4 races this year (which is still great by any standard, but far shy of last year's total).

Hmm.  I remember getting some heat from this reply.  Maybe I should order up a plate of crow for a few peeps?

[COWBOY]

well, cowboy is at 4 for 14 now... early surgery would really throw off his predictions. 

Glad he didn't have surgery.

I'm 6 for 16 now (37.5%).

if Stoner and then Lorenzo can pull through in the last 2 races I can up that to 8 for 18  (44.4%). 

[COWBOY]

Interesting prerace article btw if you haven't seen it. 

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24438507-39478,00.html

Highlights include

-- Rossi claims Stoner is his toughest competitor even over Sete.
-- Ducati is already testing a "revolutionary" bike with a carbon fibre frame for 2009.
-- The GP9 has been in testing since June and Stoner asked to race it this year but they opted not to.
-- Rossi's goal is (was) to win 11 races matching his career best
-- Rossi claims to be fitter and faster than he has ever been.

[darylbowden]

Even if he won the last two races, my predictions would still be light years ahead of yours

[COWBOY]

Wow get called for prematurely making Crow pies and get cranky about it....  i keed, i keed so relax.

And light years?    

Actually if he wins the next 2 races we will be exactly the same in our wrongness.

10 - 7 = 3
7  - 4 = 3

[gm2]

-- Rossi claims Stoner is his toughest competitor even over Sete.
-- Ducati is already testing a "revolutionary" bike with a carbon fibre frame for 2009.
-- The GP9 has been in testing since June and Stoner asked to race it this year but they opted not to.
-- Rossi's goal is (was) to win 11 races matching his career best
-- Rossi claims to be fitter and faster than he has ever been.

[COWBOY]

Nice.  Share an article from GP weekend and get trashed for summing it up. 

The GP9 has been discussed here that's true.  BUT

-- The Rossi quotes are all new.
-- I had not read elsewhere that Stoner had requested to use the bike this year at the midway point. 
-- The fact the bike is far enough along in dev and settings that they even considered it is also new.

Thanks for sharing though ...





   

[darylbowden]

Nice.  Share an article from GP weekend and get trashed for summing it up. 

The GP9 has been discussed here that's true.  BUT

-- The Rossi quotes are all new.
-- I had not read elsewhere that Stoner had requested to use the bike this year at the midway point. 
-- The fact the bike is far enough along in dev and settings that they even considered it is also new.

Thanks for sharing though ...

NOW, who's getting all defensive?

What is that you always say?

[COWBOY]

NOW, who's getting all defensive?

What is that you always say?

Actually it (the a hole comment) was in good fun.  You just replied before I could get the cheeky bacon smileys added.

Besides I wanted to show I could attach a funny image too.  LOL.

[gm2]

i'm not sure asshole is really in good fun.  but i wasn't trashing you; hence the cheeky smiley thingamabob.  and i was following your lead from many other threads, which daryl already alluded to.  

[COWBOY]

i'm not sure asshole is really in good fun.  but i wasn't trashing you; hence the cheeky smiley thingamabob.  and i was following your lead from many other threads, which daryl already alluded to.  

if cheeky smiley thingamabobs equate to a good natured jab then that's the intent.  The tone is more that of a bar conversation with a friend as opposed to a debate with a foe.

following my lead? In what way?

[gm2]

The tone is more that of a bar conversation with a friend as opposed to a debate with a foe.

ok, cool.