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I was stunned to see him take 5th after he dropped it.

10 laps to go, 11th place, half damaged bike and he takes 5th

 

I loved seeing Edwards on the podium. Congrats to Davi........great ride by him.

 

Rossi pole for tomorrow

 

There are reports that Ducati has a blank check from Phillip Morris to sign Lorenzo:
http://www.motogpmatters.com/news/2009/08/15/ducati_chasing_lorenzo.html

 

WAU ¡¡¡ I didn`t know about that.

But I think yamaha,in general,is the best bike right now.Ducati is a beast properly rided only by Stoner from Ducati`s entry at championship to the actual date.
Develop a Ducati for Lorenzo,or wait improvements from Lorenzo to the actual Ducati could take some time more than Ducati expected I think.

anyway is a very interesting thing to read,,mmm,,

 

Yes, it was a very good read. As much as every true MotoGP fan will miss Casey, it appears that Ducati/Marlboro will miss him the most.

 

well...guess what...

Jorge down and Rossi now has a 50 pts lead...

 

Another brilliant ride by Rossi.

What a bone headed move by Kallio, taking Melandri out. And he had the nerve to go up to Melandri as if it was Melandri's fault? What a dumbass.

 

I didn't get to see a good replay but the BBC commentators thought that Melandri might have come in too hard, leaving Kallio no place. Otherwise it would indeed not explain why Kallio was so mad.

Edit: I just watched a video on Youtube and it does seem that Melandri was well ahead in the turn when suddenly Kallio acellerates into him. Strange move..

 

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2009/Aug/090825a.htm
Lorenzo turned down a reported 5-8 million Euros per year to ride the Marlboro Ducati. Yamaha apparently called his bluff and gave him a deadline of Monday to decide. Less money but better bike from Yamaha.

What this means about Stoner's condition or Ducati's chances next year are the unknowns now. There is talk that he might retire completely, which would throw Ducati into complete chaos (moreso than now with his current "break").

 

Interesting. It would be an absolute shame if Stoner had to call his career short. He is an immense talent, and it would be a great loss.

Lorenzo is very talented, but he has a lot of maturing to do. He has to figure out how to lap quickly AND stay on the bike. He seems to have a lot of trouble doing both.

 

As you said he is already fast, perhaps as fast as Rossi for a small number of race lasp or in qualifying. It is keeping Rossi's pace for the whole race that he is having trouble with most weekends. If he decided to let Rossi go he probably would crash less and still be comfortably on the podium, but he doesn't seem to be made that way.

Often times a player/rider has to make a big change to really break out as the best in his sport. My hope was that for Lorenzo this was going to be Ducati. He will almost certainly be #2 on Yamaha for the rest of Rossi's time there, even if he were to manage a championship the loyalty will remain to Rossi.

I agree that his ultimate goal should be to be fast and not crash, but if he is able to do both then he is equal to Rossi. Big goal.

 

You have to wonder though, if Lorenzo would be able to ride the Duc quickly. It seems like Stoner is the only one capable of that. I think Lorenzo would still do better than Hayden, but it is a complete unknown if he can get out of the bike what Stoner can. Would be interesting to see, but a big gamble on his part.

 

Off to Indy Moto GP. It rained all day Friday last year. 40% chance Fri-Sat. this year. Few stops and will make the 1st Friday practice at 2M and Saturday qualifying.

They ran 200 mph plus in the dry down the front straight. 180 in the rain. 1st pic is Rossi and the rain was coming down so hard his head was up to see.
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For an excellent analysis of the Stoner/Ducati situation, scroll down to Squackitts on rideontwo:http://www.rideontwo.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2259&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=210

 

I fell asleep with the TV on. Woke up to Apocalypse Now. Got a cup of coffee and read this. I feel the same.

 

Michael, I'm already looking forward to your photos, they are the best!

Maybe see you at the track.

 

It started raining 10 min. before 1st practice this PM and rained the entire session. Great stuff. On to the infield straight, on the gas, traction control struggling between on and off too the point that helmets are bouncing up and down waiting for the rear to hook up.

Off to St. Elmos for a shrimp cocktail.

Bill, I'll be there all day tomorrow. If you don't have my cell send a PM.

 

Will there be live TV coverage tomorrow? I see Speed is not showing it.

 

3PM EST on Fox

 

Grid at the front- Pedrosa-Lorenzo-Rossi-Deangelis-Edwards-Hayden.

Pic is Pedrosa Friday. Big crowd for Fri-Sat. I got in last night at 8PM and the power went out and my back-up gen didn't start. So wifey and I just fired a lantern and open a bottle. First I've seen some of over 600 pics. I'll more as time allows.

For those who have never heard these machines it is unlike any other race bike or car. Wickedest evil sounding growl. Nothing like a superbike.

Pedrosa at 1:39.8 was a new track record. He said Turn 1 was scary. 205 mph into a sweeper on the brakes leaned over and they don't stand the bike up to be hard on the brakes till turn 2.

Got to get a beer and turn it on!
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wow....

Pedrosa dropped it early on in the race and Rossi did too. Rossi just retired.