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Posted by pablo on January 19, 2007, 11:16 pm
>
> I'm surprised some teams are using the same (well revised) frames
it's not like the 990s were overweight, and the 800s are basically already
on the pace, meaning they need all the frame they can get...
> It will be interesting to see how Stoner goes now he's on a factory
> team and on Bstones
The interesting thing about Stoner will be whether he matures quickly
enough. He certainly had shown the talent, speed and cojones. He has to show
more smarts - the latter is a key requirement in the league he is playing in
now.
> ... Capirossi as a team mate ...
I doubt Capirossi is much of a mentor. And this year may be Loris last
chance to get a championship in MotoGP. Capirossi has the speed, and if the
800s indeed reward 250-styles, well, Loris was one of the best 250 riders
ever, little doubt about that. Biaggi may then be left kickuing himself in
the butt for burning bridges before his riding style truly would have come
full circle...
> This season will be interesting because of the new capacity, certain
> riders will benefit and others not so. Exactly who that will be is hard
> to predict particularly as the season progresses and riders adapt.
I think given engineering progress chances are the displacement difference
will not really make that much of a change.
> I think Pedrosa will do well on his pint sized Honda, Rossi will be on
> the pace as usual, possibly Stoner and Cap and very hopefully Hopkins,
> if the Suz is seriously on the pace then this really could be his
> season, if anyone deserves a competitive season it's Hoppy he's a great
> rider and I really hope things work for him this year. Hayden clearly
> has the ability and talent but I wonder if the bike may not suit him,
> have to wait and see.
Hayden rode smart last year, and he will ride smart in 07 again. Among a
field of riders that seem to try out and win too hard, Hayden seems a
shoe-in for another top result, chancy adversity permitting. Pedrosa was way
too irregular last season, which indicates an immaturity the bike can not
overvcome. Rossi showed that he may have suffered reverse-Schwantz
syndrome - trying to win too hard when he had a chance to run the pace,
which is a liability unless he corrects it. It undoubtedly cost him the
championship. I have a feeling this season will be fought among Hayden,
Rossi and Capirossi - provided the factories come up with decent bikes.
> Team Roberts are very optimistic this year too predicting regular
> podiums, hope those predictions come true although I wouldn't hold my
> breath too long.
Unless it rains a lot... ;-) They have an underrated ride in Roberts Jr, who
is mature enough to know when not to push, yet capable enough to exploit
opportunities. It would be fantastic to have an off-team steal the
championship... but it feels far fetched...
> The Seapang test is coming up and most folk think Yam (er read Rossi)
> will be the fastest
The Yamahas were worful machines in 06, as evidenced by Edwards' poor season
(I think he is a better benchmark than Rossi, honestly), so I am not sure
why the Yamahas would be expected to run great now. The inline 4 seems
conceptually not as refined as competing concepts, and perhaps what we saw
last year was the limits of the unimaginative Yamaha approach.
> Well I'm looking forward to finding out but I'm making no predictions,
> just going to sit back and enjoy.
>
> Bring it on.
Indeed. I sense the key to this year will be a balanced machine and a mature
rider that settles for consistent yet good results. hayden showed how it's
done. And honestly I think Hayden and Capirossi may be the strongest in the
field in that regard. Rossi showed *too much* drive to win in 06 (along with
bad luck, yeah), so it will be interesting to see whether Yamaha can provide
a better machine in 07, and whether Rossi then does not make the mistakes he
made.
I am also curious about Nakano on the Minolta Honda. I do not expect Pedrosa
and Stoner to be title candidates in 07, they seemed to need more time to
mature. I think Melandri has shown signs of peaking. Hayden is one to watch
with the security of a title. Capirossi given the fact he could have
probably done much better last year without adversity. And Rossi given the
fact he has the pace every time he has a good bike... but can he adjust to
an era where others can give him a run for his money and he has to settle
for positions?
...pablo
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