2006 MotoGP Predictions thread

Jason Perez in MotoGP... well I'll be....

cool.

 

mi prediction about motogp 2006

1º.- Valentino Rossi

2º.- Dani Pedrosa

3º.- Sete Gibernau

 

His agent is a client, Doug Gonda. The WCM deal (which is the bimoto deal) is run by Peter Clifford. I don't see him in MotoGP, unless something funny happens, I think that Jason is signed with Chuck Graves for next year, but I'll be talking to Gonda next week and find out.

Art

 

Bimota really?! nice! I predict more passing in the first race, then all of F1, Nascar and LeMans put together.....

 

Prediction? Rossi (If the F1 rumors are correct) he'll want to go out the champ. But, with the new regulations coming in for '07, i would like to see him hang around to attempt to be THE only rider to win every championship available (125, 250, 500 MotoGP and the new class in '07.)

2nd Melandri (if he can Focus on riding)

3rd Long Shot here.......... Pedrosa (if he can stay on he will be in the mix)

Honorable mention - Casey Stoner (I think he'll have some top 10 finishes this season)

 

I wonder were you came up with # 2 and #3

 

#2 Pedrosa is no slouch. I don't think he's going to be a contender in his first year though. Maye.

Sete? Maybe. Depends on how much HP the Duck makes, and how hard Honda tries to catch up.

Art

 

Rossi to face F1 regulars at Valencia
News, 30/01/06

MotoGP star Valentino Rossi will be one of the main attractions of the upcoming F1 test to be held this week at the Valencia circuit, in Spain.

On Tuesday, the Italian will join the F1 Scuderia Ferrari for a three-day test at the Spanish circuit, sharing the garage of the seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher and his team-mate Felipe Massa. Rossi has previously tested for the prestigious Italian carmaker at the Fiorano and Mugello circuits, in Italy, but it will be the first time that he will take part in a multi-team test.

Eight F1 teams will attend this pre-season test, organized just five weeks before the beginning of the season.

After this new foray in F1, Valentino Rossi will head to Qatar where he will resume his preparation for the 2006 MotoGP World Championship with the Camel Yamaha team

 

BTW: Jason Perez may very well run for WCM. Depends on the $$$s.

Art

 

this isnt a prediction, and it might be really old, but i found it interesting.

http://media.putfile.com/RossibyBapman

its a pretty cool Rossi video

 

Absoluley great video. Notice the footage of the corkscrew? Great stuff. Never fell down there, but ran over a good friend of mine, Bud Riddle when he fell on the way into that corner. Don't recall the year, but it was early 80s, I think. Ran into him on a ride with Mike Grant, who thought I was telling him stories, until Riddle showed upon, and told him even bigger stories.

Art

 

Today's F1 results:
http://crash.net/news_view~t~Rossi-matches-F1-regulars-~cid~6~id~124803.htm

Leading times (1 February) - Valencia:

1. Fernando Alonso Renault-Renault 1m 11.229s 47 laps M *
2. Jenson Button Honda-Honda 1m 11.332s 86 laps M *
3. Michael Schumacher Ferrari-Ferrari 1m 11.814s 71 laps B *
4. Juan Montoya McLaren-Mercedes 1m 11.978s 68 laps M *
5. Rubens Barrichello Honda-Honda 1m 12.063s 115 laps M *
6. Heikki Kovalainen Renault-Renault 1m 12.122s 32 laps M *
7. Jacques Villeneuve BMW-Sauber 1m 12.622s 75 laps M *
8. Ricardo Zonta Toyota-Toyota 1m 12.668s 78 laps B *
9. Valentino Rossi Ferrari-Ferrari 1m 12.851s 53 laps B
10. David Coulthard Red Bull-Ferrari 1m 12.891s 36 laps M *
11. Alex Wurz Williams-Cosworth 1m 12.925s 82 laps B
12. Gary Paffett McLaren-Mercedes 1m 12.937s 115 laps M
13. Mark Webber Williams-Cosworth 1m 13.050s 68 laps B *
14. Jarno Trulli Toyota-Toyota 1m 13.075s 108 laps B *
15. Robert Kubica BMW-Sauber 1m 13.353s 69 laps M

[M denotes Michelin tyres / B denotes Bridgestone tyres / * denotes 2006 car.]

Track conditions: In the morning wet, later sunny and dry.

 

Too many changes since 2005 for me to have any strong feelings. I can't even figure out if Sete will be good for an entire race (when running at or near the front) this season, or if he'll have similar problems to last season.

 

easy pick:
valentino

 

Thursday, Friday, they'll be testing what they're going to be racing. Should be intersting. Hopkins has been running 7, 8 & 9 in previous tests, but from what I've heard, it isn't good. Time will tell. Watch for JR, jr, with the Honda power, should be competitive this year, and there is no lost love between him and John.

Art

 

Did anyone watch the qualifying competition this weekend? Looks like it could be a much better year for the Texas Tornado! I realize it was raining, plus a bunch of wrecks, but regardless Colin now has a nice shiny new BMW. I expect to see him on the top podium this year, hopefully a couple of times.Can't wait for the first race!

 

Rossi was consistently .5 seconds quicker than anyone. I think he wants the last record or two, i.e., most wins per season, which is currently held by Dohan at 12 I think. If indeed he's that much better look for him to win at least 12.

If something causes that not to happen, look for the Ducatis to win a few. Sete has been the next quickest in a good many sessions, and he does have something to prove.

Art

 

Rossi has definitely been quick this preseason, so he will probably do what he always does. Watching Rossi is fun in that years from now when people discuss the greatest racer of all time we will be able to say we watched him race. I would also like to see some other riders, Colin, get on the top box so the year isn't so predictable. John Hoopkins' Suzuki looks improved for the year, Kenny Roberts Jr. is riding with some enthusiasm and a new engine, and yes Sete would like to prove something. On the other hand, Melandri hasn't been as consistently quick like I expected. The other American, Nicky Hayden, will hopefully use the end of last season as a confidence booster and challenge for some races at the end of the race, not just the beginning.
Anyway, WorldSbk will probably have the best racing this year.

 

I can confidently predict that I will NOT take pole in any of the 2006 MotoGP races.

Podiums are pretty much right out.

I will make it onto the grid however.... with a camera