Germany (Spoilers)

Dude, that's a ridiculous argument. First of all there's the Sstock and
Ssport machine aspect, which keeps the differences between machines minimal,
and 4s around a track represents an *enormous* skill gap between the guy
setting the time and the guy that laps four seconds slower on nearly the
same bike. Don't try to make this argument again, please, you should know
that on the same bike, 4 seconds represents a huge difference in class. In
MotoGP the setup complexities result in big differences even among the top
bikes, a rider making a setup mistake will pay for it dearly anyhow, plus
there's the fact there are far biiger differences in bike quality betwen the
top riders and the also rans. Give Ellison one of those SStock bikes, and we
would see if and how far behind the top US riders he is.

He was no longer interested. There was a guy called Roberts in the Suzuki
top slot. Mladin didn't want to switch to an inferior bike bla bla bla. Plus
he has not looked like the hottest talent ever, sure the bike wasn't all
that, but others did far better on it.

There are 4 riders from the US riding in MotoGP. This whole "GP conspires
against the USA" is an imbecile argument. What you want, the whole grid to
be American? Why? You'll agree Edwards and Hayden are among the very best
riders to come out of the USA in the last 10 years, they have had all the
acclimatization in the world, and face it, these days the USA does no longer
have the better riders for the top class in motorcycling. The era came and
went, things are more competitive now. It's very poor sportsmanship to
continue to weep about the fact that the Mediterraneans only are competitive
because of some unfair advantage. Not very becoming. And pure bullshit on
top, as evidenced by the generous contingent of US riders in MotoGP, who get
bankrolled by European teams. Oh, how discriminatory. Cry on.

....pablo

 

Those 2 250cc kids seem to be doing alright on their first time out in
Laguna for now, eh? Perhaps more US kids should go ride 250s.

....pablo

 

Well, damn, my local GP and I have to follow it from the computer, damn
panicky bosses who all of a sudden want something done for a Monday
meeting... I am in the Monteray area and can't make it out. But it's
*scortching* hot out there (39C), I am not surfe I'd survive riding to
Laguna on the bike, must be the closest thing to Death Valley...

The results and proceedings were kind of unusual...
1 71 Chris VERMEULEN AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP SUZUKI 1'23.168 21 27 250.4

2 5 Colin EDWARDS USA Camel Yamaha Team YAMAHA 1'23.321 28 28 0.153 0.153
244.3

3 10 Kenny ROBERTS JR USA Team Roberts KR211V 1'23.420 26 26 0.252 0.099
234.8

4 26 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team HONDA 1'23.490 31 32 0.322 0.070
236.0

5 21 John HOPKINS USA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP SUZUKI 1'23.498 28 28 0.330 0.008
247.1

6 69 Nicky HAYDEN USA Repsol Honda Team HONDA 1'23.536 29 31 0.368 0.038
251.3

7 27 Casey STONER AUS Honda LCR HONDA 1'23.651 18 28 0.483 0.115 238.5

8 56 Shinya NAKANO JPN Kawasaki Racing Team KAWASAKI 1'23.656 29 31 0.488
0.005 239.5

9 33 Marco MELANDRI ITA Fortuna Honda HONDA 1'23.750 27 27 0.582 0.094 248.4

10 46 Valentino ROSSI ITA Camel Yamaha Team YAMAHA 1'24.047 26 26 0.879
0.297 241.3

11 7 Carlos CHECA SPA Tech 3 Yamaha YAMAHA 1'24.153 31 34 0.985 0.106 241.3

12 24 Toni ELIAS SPA Fortuna Honda HONDA 1'24.230 21 25 1.062 0.077 238.4

13 65 Loris CAPIROSSI ITA Ducati Marlboro Team DUCATI 1'24.268 24 24 1.100
0.038 241.5

14 6 Makoto TAMADA JPN Konica Minolta Honda HONDA 1'24.578 13 22 1.410 0.310
240.9

15 17 Randy DE PUNIET FRA Kawasaki Racing Team KAWASAKI 1'24.592 31 31 1.424
0.014 248.4

16 15 Sete GIBERNAU SPA Ducati Marlboro Team DUCATI 1'24.634 23 23 1.466
0.042 247.9

17 66 Alex HOFMANN GER Pramac d'Antín MotoGP DUCATI 1'25.420 22 22 2.252
0.786 235.7

18 77 James ELLISON GBR Tech 3 Yamaha YAMAHA 1'25.763 28 28 2.595 0.343
234.5

19 30 Jose Luis CARDOSO SPA Pramac d'Antín MotoGP DUCATI 1'26.567 26 27
3.399 0.804 236.9


That's the first 11 riders within a second. (And the entire field within
less than 3.5s, by the way).

They're slower than last year. Improvement aside, why can't anyone lay
pavement in California, for heaven's sake? It's like the used the same
mongoloid contractor in Laguna that they use on public roads, there's nasty
bumps that there's no excuse for. Ridiculuous beyond belief considering it
is *new*.

Awesome showing by Vermeulen. And Edwards and Roberts damn near stole pole
on their last laps as Vermeulen had already stopped. Pedrosa sneaks
inbetween the USA phallanx, because behinf him are Hopkins and Hayden. Not
sure how great a position that is for Pedrosa, things could get hairy with
the US riders probably wanting to prove something in front of their home
public... hopefully not. Stoner shot his wad early in the session, as
rookies usually do, but nevertheless a very good showing for a first timer.

But one will have to see how much the Q means... I don't know, I had the
definite impression the riders were spending far more time and had far more
interest in a race set up than in chasing a top position on Qs. Given the
temperatures, it's probably critical to set the bike up to work with a
harder tires, and with the bumps... tough. A good race setup is what's
needed, despite what they say about how hard it is to overtake in Laguna (we
heard that before), I do not pick Vermeulen to win.

Hayden is my favorite. I think he merely worked on his race setup. He will
not be able to get the holeshot this year, so I think we're going to see
some very interesting battles. Screw work, I will be glued to the TV, since
I can't go in person this year, %$#@!

T3, I guess you didn't make it out either in the end, eh?

....pablo

 

Whatever happened to the US guy (with a hispanic apellido) who was rumored
to have a 5th seat in MotoGP (with WCM maybe?)

 

And the race did not dissappoint! Who said you could not pass in Laguna? You
can pass anywhere on a motorcycle, that's why it's the only race-sport worth
watching. But that's beside the point.

Another very dominant display for Hayden.

Vermeulen and Roberts shot their wad early and then faded - I would assume
they focused on good Q times, and their rresulting race setup faded with
distance and heat.

Pedrosa's first ever showing in Laguna was a very impressive second, I would
have never expected it. I forgot, he's just got a size advantage, which
allows him to accelerate harder and such. I am sure that made the difference
on this - supposedly- most technical of all tracks...

And then Melandri, despite the heat, despite the collarbone. Ballsy.

Roberts follows, with what must be a fantastic result for them. He'd
deserved apodium finish, but oh well. Rossi would have finished here if...
if the Yamaha engine hadn't blown. This is *huge* for the championship,
Rossi is out for the championship now.
Vermeulen fifth, looking strong early but fading.

Hopkins next.

Great result for Checha -that most undeserving of riders, some say- in 7th.
Best Yamaha in the race despite the Dunlop tires.

Capirossi follows, and Edwards in 9th in yet another very forgettable
performance. Gibernau completes the top ten.

Stoner bins it, again, while riding over his head against Pedrosa.

All in all, I think that big Honda HRC's might is paying off. Despite rumors
to the contrary, HRC is still the team to ride on, and the others are having
trouble keeping up wth them in '06. One thing that suprised me was how much
smaller Hayden's bike looked compared to Pedrosa's on the final shots...
optical illusion?

Hayden now 34 points ahread of Pedrosa, 44 ahead of Melandri, and 51 ahead
of Rossi. If he keeps his head together, the way he's done all along, he'll
win this even if he DNFs somewhere, somehow... which he does not look like
doing on his own.

I was also glad to hear Shobert's name mentioned as often as it did, and his
helmet (on Hayden's mug) win the race.

Anf for '07, perhaps someone will take note of the fact end Juli is not a
god time to come to the area, it's always sweltering hot. earlier on in the
calendar or later would be better. And perhaps the Laguna people will
finally get someone who knows what they're doing to work on the track
surface, it looked nasty, and it is inexcusable in this day and age.
California roads would be a disgrace in a third world country as a rule, but
to map that local peculiarity into the track seems a bit too much local
flavor...

....pablo

 

no, it means that a spec tire (mediocre at that) keeps everyone closer
together, which to me doesn't say more depth, just that the leaders
can't pull away as much. Look at WSB, last years champ, Corser a
good rider for sure, but one the first half by having a ludicrous
machine advantage, and gave up a lot in the last half, but had enough
to win the championship. Similar trend this year bayliss wins 8 easily
but now is struggling to stay in the hunt, Toseland is pretty good,
one his championship by being gritty yo the end, but the following
years defense was pitiful, this year he is coming back somewhat
look good first race today, but faded in the second.

I never said that an AMA could walk in a win in motogp, never said that
MotoGP isn't the best series, I just don't believe that just by being in
MGP means you are one of the worlds best - obviously the top guys are,
but the best riders in other series are better than many on the grid in GP.

Of course this is all my opinion because that is all you can have trying
to compare across series - to truly rank the best riders in the world
would require that they all get together and ride spec equipment all on
tracks they are familiar with - you know - the one in never never land.

As far as the go prove it crap for an AMA rider to go the WSB, why don't
the WSB riders come to AMA and "prove" it. Some may in both directions
but there are a lot of reasons for NOT doing it (sponsers, salary, family,).

Bruce