Predictions for the weekend

So, who's going to take the win at Laguna Seca?
Hayden, Rossi, Edwards, KRJr...
My guess before we se any practice times are

1. Rossi - Know the track well enough and with the new changes he's
almost on equal foot with the americans.
2. Hayden - Wants this win more than any and will follow Rossi to the
checkerd flag
3. KRJr - Faster than Edwards these days, I think.

Other potential podium hunters are Edwards, Capirossi, Melandri
Pedrosa will not be on the podium but not far from.

/MBE

 

Looks like a good prediction. I think Pedrosa and Melandri are strong DNF
candidates. Melandri didn't like it one bit last year, I doubt he'll ove it
now. Pedrosa has got to pay Laguna dues, he's never been here, and it's a
tricky b*tch of a track. And I think someone in the US contingent is due to
be over-eager and bin it trying to prove a point. I agree with Hayden and
Rossi on podium, though I'd invert their positions. Stoner 3rd, because he's
crazy. ;-)

 

You could say it's a no brainer but then this season has been up in the
air so much already!!

Providing Rossi's happy with his bike and gets a good enough grid
position I think you're spot on there. The battle will be between him
and Hayden for 1st/2nd. I still think though that Hayden has the local
knowledge edge but it will be alot closer then last year.

I wouldn't argue with that statement but I'm not sure his bike will be
competitive enough against Edwards if those two are fighting for third
spot at the end of the race?

Pedrosa is the dark horse, newish bike (for him), new track.
Potentially could cause an upset but I don't think this is his year.
It's a shame, he's such a good rider but with no personality - I just
can't like the guy?

I think Capi is still recovering so not expecting too much from him.
If he gets a top 5 finish it will be through attrition rather then
fighting for the position. If Melandri stays upright then he may just
creap into the top 5. If he can hang with the fast group though he may
learn something and do better.

It promises to be a thrilling race, I just hope it lives up to it.

MJR

 

Camel Yamaha's mechanics will take a wrestling win by giving a beating
to Mark N, who tried to sneak in the pit by night and sabotage Rossi's bike.

I have no idea about the track changes. Hopefully Hayden won't have any
either.

 

I don't know. It's certainly fast enough and nobody have given Rossi as hard
fight for the position as Roberts the last races and that says a lot. Seems
like he's hard on the brakes and protects his line very good.

I'm very uncertain. The more I think about it the more I expect him to be up
there.
He got Hayden as teammate to show him lines and tell him about the track. He
has done so well in previous clases and in adapting to MotoGP so there is
really no reason he shouldn't adapt to Laguna. Every thing tells me he will
be fighting for a podium spot. We'll see.

In his last interview he sounded like he expected to be ready this weekend.
My guess is that he also will be there fighting for the podium.

I also think it is early to write him off. New asphalt and other changes
might make him feel much more comfortable than last time around.

Lets hope so.

/MBE

 

Edwards was so close at Assen, he wants justice.
So it could be him. But Hayden's faster bike will
probably give him the edge.

1) Hayden
2) Edwards
3) Rossi

 

Melandri will not come close. He has no confidence on this track, and
looked horrible there last year. I think he crashed 4x during the
weekend, including ending his race by running wide into the gravel in
Turn 9.

I think that Nakano and Tamada have a better chance than most are giving
them. They both rode well there last year, and have both been riding
well the last few weeks.

--
Andrew
00 Daytona
00 Speed Triple
71 Kawi H1
05 Infant

 

Not at all bad. Fairly consistent fast lap times on FP2 and as any good
rider he has put last year well behind him, and with the totally different
conditions this year there is no reason why he shouldn't.

He will be there toether with the surprice Pedrosa who did well on the first
two FPs.

/MBE