WSB - Assen (Spoiler)

Race 1: Spies' charge the last two laps left me literally breathless
at the line. I've not been so happy at the end of a race for a long,
long time. I admit I'm biased, though, being a 'Murican and all.

Race 2: As charged as I was about Race 1 I was equally disappointed
by Race 2. Talk about deflating... Not only did Spies crash out at
the beginning, the rest of the race was pretty dull for the most
part.

-Dirt-

 

Nobody's quite sure but it seems Fabrizio may have had a rare gearbox
failure in the 2nd race. But I agree he's playing the role of 2nd rider
at Corse true to form.

 

S'funny - I wanted Spies to win, and I'm a brit. Go figure, as I
understand you colonials say

Anyway, you're right - race 1 was great, and the last couple of laps
amazing. And with Spies crashing in race 2, I fear for the
championship - Haga really shouldn't let this year slip through his
fingers.

 

When Spies pull the pass on Haslam I laughed out loud. Really quite
an amazing piece of work from both riders. I didn't know two bikes
could fit into a space that small. Then, when Spies rode by Haga, you
could almost hear Haga saying to himself, "Holy S***!" It's really
everything I watch racing for. Experienced and very good riders
making hard but clean passes. It was a joy to watch and right up
there with the few golden Bayliss/Edwards laps at Imola back in '95
(?).

-Dirt-

 

The commentators were saying "nobody passes there". But didn't Vermeulen
pull the same pass a couple of years back?

 

No, they actually said, "nobodies pass there", meaning, of course, non-
Europeans...

 

that's sport all-up innit ? when our favourite drops out it's possible
to lose interest
A lot of champions get the "boring" tap fired at them because they're
racing for the championship and will take a 2nd/3rd/4th.
Spies won't be champion if he keeps falling off and Haga doesn't. Just
look at Haga's early career.

 

 It was a joy to watch and right up

I'm guessing you're speaking of Bayliss/Edwards 2002 where Colin won
all the remaining races from 9 on. They wouldn't have even met in '95.
I'm pulling for Haga to win the title. As long as he gets one, I'll
feel good but he certainly deserves it if anyone does. That new Yam is
fast though.
Hopefully "Vince" will win one next year and then back to Suzuki in
Moto GP. That series needs a winning presence, though I must admit,
I've very
surprised Colin hasn't snuck a couple in by now, Assen 2006
notwithstanding.

 

Those last few were some of the best laps I've seen in quite a while.
That pass on Haslam that took three corners to complete was amazing.
Eve more so when Spies said after the race that he had to make it
because the tires had gone off. That shot of Spies inside but behind
Haslam with both riders leaned over and gassing it as hard as they
dared on shot tires just shows how good those guys are.

Props to Haslam too. Three strong showings now and third in the
points. I hope he continues to qualify near the front to make things
interesting.

When Spies was down by 40 I wasn't too worried because we could always
count on Haga for a couple DNFs. However, now I'm not so sure. Haga
is looking smoother and less aggressive than ever. If his form
continues he should take an easy championship with the huge lead he
has.

It's a rather interesting season in that Haga is running away with the
championship but Spies is stealing all the thunder. Almost perfect in
my book since I'd really like to see Haga get his due but Spies needs
a strong showing in WSBK if he ever wants to score a *good* MotoGP
ride.

 

I thought Stoner did it on Rossi last year. Or maybe the other way round.
I can't remember.

It's a great move though.

 

60 points is far from unassailable, especially in SBK.