Does anyone know if races will be broadcast on Speed TV for the 2008 season? In HD perhaps? March 9th is the 1st race - I can't wait!!! My notes; -In the official test last weekend, Stoner posted a fastest lap in the Quali practice session that was over a second quicker than anyone else. Continuation of Ducati domination in '08? -It was nice to see Hayden posting some really fast times again. It was disappointing to see Hopkins not showing very well. -Rossi and his new team mate are on different tires?!?!? Has this ever happened on a team before? -Michelin riders posted some quick times.......have they caught up to Bridgestone? Predictions?
MS on Ducati at Mugello for 5th. http://www.blick.ch/sport/formel1/schumi-comeback-auf-einem-motorrad-83851
I'll be at Indy, Laguna, Valencia, and maybe Jerez. Ben Spies will have an entry at Indy (don't know about Laguna) and Valencia, which should be interesting. No lost love between Ben and Hopper (they were teammates with JU when they were teenagers). Art
I think that Indy & Laguna will be on a National network, but the balance will be on Speed, as usual. However, I'd sign up at MotoGP.com (I think it's about 30 - 40 dollars a season) and use their live broadcast, it's better. Art
I'm going to have to go with Rossi. I want to see Hayden and Hopkins place well, but I think only Hayden will do that.
John is toast. He's hurt, and the Kaw doesn't work well, he left Suzuki, when it was finally competitive, and left for the money. I think that he realized that he wasn't capable, and took the money, so that he'd have enough when he finally retired. Big question with Rossi is did he make the right decision on tires? His team mate is consistently quicker, so there is a chance that he goofed when he insisted on Bridgestones. Time will tell. It's interesting to watch Stoner, apparently, he's using the Traction control, setting it as low as he can, and after the apex in the corner, wacking the throttle open, and letting the electronics do it's job. scary to watch, but it works for him. Doesn't work for Melandri, and I suspect he'll be gone at the end of this year, at least with Ducati. Art
Great points, it'll be interesting to see how the 'stones do in the race...the Michelin tires are great qualifiers but don't last the whole race (in the past). Stoner is the new generation so he can ride with the TC, for the older riders they can't get over the mental hurdle of trusting a computer...makes total sense to me. Will be a wildly interesting year (at least I hope so).
I was so disappointed when I tuned into SpeedTV at 6pm yesterday to watch MotoGP, only to find that they were showing the 250s. Thankfully, I watched the Speed Report with aired right after that, and they announced MotoGP was to be aired at 10pm. If I hadn't watched that report, I would have missed it. Big SNAFU by SpeedTV.....I hope they get their acts together in regards to accurate TV listings. Anyways, on to the race. I loved the night race, that was very cool. Rossi looked very true to form early on, catching and passing everyone to get into the lead. Didn't last very long though. He was unable to open any gap, and then got passed several times to finish 5th. Stoner picked up where he left off by getting in front, tossing in a few fastest laps, and opening a decent gap over Lorenzo. Speaking of Lorenzo - you had to be impressed with this kid. On pole for his 1st MotoGP race, and then finishing second? Incredible! Unfortunately, there were no answers to be had regarding the tire wars. Lorenzo, on his Michelins, had a much better race than Rossi on his Bridgestones, yet Stoner, the winner was running Bridgestones. I thought we would have a clear answer on the tires, having the Yamaha team using both tire manufacturers within 1 team. What do you guys think...............Yamaha doesn't work quite as well with the 'Stones? Is Lorenzo possibly a faster rider than Rossi, or at least in this one race? Did Rossi just have an "off" race?
Melandri's Ducati Desmosedici GP08 Reached 207.8 mph During The Race At Losail http://roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=31718 so much for the small cc bikes slowing them down
I'm told that the tires are individual for each bike. There are quite a few of the Ducatis running Bridgestones, while very few of the Yamahas are running them. That makes the matter all the more difficult. None of these tires are identical, they are all hand built, usually to the order of the team. Doesn't look good for Rossi though. Art
While Rossi was off the pace of Lorenzo with different tires, what excuse does Melandri have? Sheesh. At least Rossi was somewhat close to his team mate. Pedrosa was far and away more competitive than Hayden, but I thought I heard Hayden was running the 07 bike? Guess that could be an excuse. Those first handful of laps with the top 5 half a second from each other was pretty exciting. I was surprised at how long they were all bunched up like that.
Looking at the speed charts I'd say it looked like Hayden was on an '07 spec motor. I know Pedrosa is small and aero but not 4.5mph more aero...
What an incredible race! This looks like it might be the best Moto GP season of the year and a night race in the desert was brilliant! Lorenzo looks to be the real deal, Hamilton redux. I'm glad I got my tickets in the Ducati stand for Indy!
Apparently Stoner has set the traction control up so it cuts in fairly soon, and he's just rolling the throttle on at the apex and riding the electronics out. Scary to watch, and I wouldn't trust that stuff, but then again, he's world champion. Melandri won't set the TC as high, and just can't come to terms with the bike. Art
They did say that he was on an '07..............and they made it sound like it was an '07 bike, not just the engine. I wonder why that is.
The works Honda team was posting slower times with their 08 bike than others were using the 07 Honda bike. So at the last minute they decided to compare them by putting together another 07 bike to use. I guess Hayden decided to use it.
It's hard to gauge where everyone is at from the very first race. The temperatures are not ones they will encounter again during the season, because of it being a night race. I think he will be a lot more competitive on the other tracks. He will have to be, to challenge Stoner for the title.
great season opening race although I was disapointed to see Rossi down in 5th. He really was having problems with the bridgestones unlike stoner. His teammate opted to go with the michelins perhaps Rossi should have done the same.
