Silly Season 2008 Thread :)

[Knowlesy]

"For absorbing water, there's nothing better."

[jhansen]

At least Nicky has progressed over the season...

Certainly the evidence suggests and proves that the thumb sucking baby has been better over the course of the season. And rightly so, given the 800cc format and HRC politics. I have no dispute there.

[chunder]

Its a very difficult argument.

One point is clear to me and that is the RC212 was not designed and built for a rider like Nicky, that is why Elias Pedrosa and even Marco have gone well on it, they are smaller, and use more of a corner speed style.

What HAS happened though is that I think HRC ave respected Nicky;s work ethic and really come round to seeing what the lad could do if you help him.

All the other riders show the same trait as someone like Max, Luca or to some extentKocinski in that they STILL even with a 250 style, cant run quick when the bike isnt right there.

Nicky has that ability to do it if its close, most of the season its not been anywhere near and I am recollectying times last year when he was nowhere, but again remember he was on a unique machine last year too!!

For me Marco and Dani are too easy to pass and not aggressive enough at times, Rossi has had Danis number ever since they started and Dani reminds me so much of Max and Luca its unreal, unstoppable 4 tyimes a year, good the rest. That aint how you win titles

I already fear people are gonna taint Nickys title the same as Kennys Juniors, please remember they way Hayden rode in some races, the same way Kenny rode in Motegi blitzing the field after wining the title, to win a title needs a different sort of head!

[jhansen]

Chunder is now on my Christmas card list!

Seriously though, Nicky has the intangibles, Dani doesn't.

[Pro Racer]

We know the difference of opinion with Pedrobot and NH this year with a bike way under par and tyres that are also under par, IMO i have to say about NH i didn't like him before but this year the way he has carried himself, has tried to develop the bike and has improved all season, his work ethic has been unbelievably high i am liking him this year, never have liked the way Pedrobot has carried himself and his work ethic has been crappy this year.

250's everyone said Pedrobot was better than Stoner, last year with both making the step up everyone was saying Pedrobot is the future star of Moto GP, last year he was better than Stoner but Pedrobot did have the better bike, but this year the way Casey is racing and has been in some good battles not cracking, and comming out on top, Stoner has the best bike handsdown but with the battles Stoner has been in with Rossi at Catalunya great battle, at Assen held the lead for that long and was good on a fading bike, and how he has gone at Le Mans and Donnington in the wet where Pedrobot has faded, with that said we know NH would match Stoner maybe even beat him but would Pedrobot do the same? i think not.

[Pro Racer]

Westy confirmed at Kwaka for next year: http://www.motogp.com/en/motogp/moto...id=3&section=1 i am sure he will repay their faith in him and get some good rsaults.

[FPV GTHO]

"rsaults" might be hard to come by...

[Schummy]

I'm sure West will have good "rsaults" in "west" conditions (whatever "rsault" is)

[Pro Racer]

, resaults.

[bestfit]

Originally Posted by Pro Racer

, resaults.

Your spelling lessons are not showing good results.

With a bit more work you may see some success!

[jhansen]

[Knowlesy]

*despairs at it all!*

[jhansen]

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

*despairs at it all!*

I'm betting you used spell check on despairs though!

[Schummy]

I cahn understad now why thes forun is not sucesfool.

[Pro Racer]

Originally Posted by Schummy

I cahn understad now why thes forun is not sucesfool.

i will have to read this properly in the morning, just been to a party and had a few , my spelling might be better with a few in me.

[jhansen]

Originally Posted by Schummy

I cahn understad now why thes forun is not sucesfool.

Priceless! I love this forum!

[Gerben24]

Originally Posted by bestfit

I don't think Pedrobot has done enough this year to either warrant more money or put pressure on Repsol/Honda.
Considering the bike was supposedly design specifically around him he seems to be going backwards as the season progresses whereas Nicky is getting stronger.
I think Stoner's performance has taken a lot of polish of Danni's star. He was heavily promoted as the next superstar of the sport but so far he is getting soundly thumped by Casey (along with everyone else).

Originally Posted by jhansen

Agreed bestfit.

In my opinion, Pedrobot has not overwhelmed during his time in Moto GP. He was dominant in the lower categories, so he has talent. But he's the kind of rider that likes to control from the front. Just look at his three wins in GP. But he can easily be rattled. Witness Rossi fighting with him for 2nd last year in Brno and Qatar this year. Or maybe more infamously, when he took out Hayden. In short, Pedrosa needs a machine advantage. He's better off waiting for Honda to deliver the goods. I can't see Kawasaki doing it.

If Pedrosa would have been on the Ducati this year he would have done the same as Stoner is doing, which is winning from the front.

Personally I still think Pedrosa is slightly the better rider of the two. Stoner is doing a brilliant job, he will be a worthy champion and I might have a completely different opinion of him in a years time, but he has the same weaknesses as Pedrosa.

They dont know (yet) how to develop a bike. We see it this year with Pedrosa, he doesnt seem to improve a lot over the year. Stoner last year never got his bike sorted, he kept on crashing. This year the Ducati was already developed and it just suits his riding style.

It seems they both can only win from the front.

They are both boring as hell (I dont want any other Rossi or Lorenzo, but hey it doesnt hurt to smile or celebrate a victory)!

[FPV GTHO]

Originally Posted by Gerben24

Stoner last year never got his bike sorted, he kept on crashing. This year the Ducati was already developed and it just suits his riding style.

That doesnt mean he hasnt helped develop it more. After Qatar how many people thought in a month's time Yamaha would have more power and Rossi would be dominating as Ducati crawl through anything slower than a fast sweeper? Bloody everyone, thats how many.

[Mystery]

Chaz Davies to test a works Ducati soon. It may or may not be relevant that there are D'Antin rides up for grabs
http://www.crash.net/news_view~cid~6~id~154084.htm

[Bleu]

Aspar will probably enter MotoGP in 2009, not next year as it's somewhere rumoured.

In the 250s, Alvaro Bautista and Mika Kallio have signed contract extension with their current teams.

[Gerben24]

Depending on who is gonna move up from 125, those will be the new 250 championship contenders next year.

[Gerben24]

There was some real news as well yesterday (this not being announced by FEDs look-a-likes).

Lorenzo to be teammate of Rossi
Both to ride with Fiat colours (although Fortuna wants to keep Lorenzo in its red colour)
Yamaha to stay with Michelin
No fines were announced.

[Gerben24]

Dovizioso will ride a Honda RC212V in 2008, via (not with) the JiR team (Konica Minolta).

It's likely he will take his current team to Motogp.

I'm not so sure if this is an ideal solution for Dovizioso to debut in Motogp. His team will have to learn the Motogp bike as does Dovi.

[Hazza]

LCR did okay.

[Gerben24]

1 pole, 1 podium iirc. I suppose that is not to bad, but that was on the magic Honda... The RC212V has to change a lot for a new team to achieve that again.