First day (night) at Qatar - Page 3

 

On Thu, 25 Mar 2010 03:30:40 GMT, Mark N wrote:


I've not pitched up a prediction because I can't decide out of the top 3.  
Like most others, I think it'll be Rossi, Stoner and Lorenzo, but don't
see what the order will be.

Obviously it's just a guess, so who cares, right? :)

Ah screw it, I reckon:

Stoner - I think the engine is even easier to manage and with Stoner,
that's a frightening thought.

Rossi - On the more manageable bike and better at the games but will be
pipped at the post.

Lorenzo - the injury will heal and he'll come out guns blazing and be a
very close 3rd.

Spies - Not sure if he'll run with the others, but will get some great
results.

Pedrosa - can't see him getting it all together this year, not with that
bike.

Hayden - some moments of glory and moments of tears.

Dovi - like Hayden, will get some good results, but mostly not.

Edwards - Something happens on Sundays, just don't think it'll happen

Melandri - we know he can do it, does he and will the bike let him?

 


The new bike, new engine and Ohlins seems to be seriously confusing all
the Honda riders with the possible exception of Dovi and De Puniet. It
seems like Honda may have changed too many things at once and gone for
top end power as well. That wouldn't be the first time. Pedrosa has been
moaning that the engine is too aggressive, the frame won't cooperate and
he can't understand the Ohlins. He changes stuff and the bike doesn't
get any better or worse, it stays unrideable. Note also that De Puniet
has a season on the Ohlins and Dovi half a season.

It seems like it's not that Pedrosa can't develop the bike, but that
Honda is developing the bike without reference to him. And with the
shortened off-season practice, there's not time to get anything changed
even if he knew what to request.

He might well be properly screwed this season.

Are there parallels here with Ducati-Stoner? The bike is a monster that
most riders can't use?

--
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Julian Bond wrote:


Now set the time machine for three years back:

 > The new bike, new engine and bodywork seems to be seriously confusing
 > all the Honda riders with the possible exception of Pedrosa and Elias.
 > It seems like Honda may have changed too many things at once and not
 > gone for top end power as well. Hayden has been moaning that the
 > engine is too passive, the frame won't cooperate and he can't fit
 > inside the bodywork.

 > It seems like it's not that Hayden can't develop the bike, but that
 > Honda is developing the bike without reference to him. And
 > there's not time to get anything changed
 > even if he knew what to request.
 >
 > He might well be properly screwed this season.

Now wouldn't that be delightfully ironic...

 



One can hope!
He is the one rider I absolutely despise.



--
Andrew
00 Daytona
00 Speed Triple
05 Squiddo

 



Indeed, it's that time of the year. when looking forward to the races
makes us be kind and friendly again, prior to the attacks that shall
invariably follow :-D

1.Rossi
It's hard to vote against Rossi. Especially with budgets shrinking and
the bikes probably staying quite similar to what they were last year,
experimentation aside. Rossi still seems on top of his game, and the
guys that challenged him seem somewhat diminished by setbacks and
injuries.

2. Stoner
He looks very fast again. And he could win the title again, but I am
afraid that stress will eventually catch up with him again halfway
through a grueling, long season. If I was Mark, my conspiracy theory
would be that Dorna does not reduce the number of races despite budget
issues simply because a longer season benefits Rossi... :-D

3. Hayden
The Ducati is working well, and I will go out on a limb and say that
Hayden will constantly be within the top 5, with a couple of podium
finishes, now that he feels more comfortable with the Ducati. He may
even be the beneficiary of Rossi and Stoner inevitably running out of
luck and taking each other out on occasion. If Hayden gets back to top
spot it will be a tribute to resiliency and a very professional
approach to racing. He'll never be the fastest guy around, but it is
hard to not root for someone as dedicated and personable. There is my
crazy prediction for the year: Hayden will come to grips with the
Ducati.

4. Lorenzo
He will heal. Then he will hurt himself again. As always, I hope we
have a season free of bad injuries, but Lorenzo always gets
overconfident and think he's faster than he is.

5. Dovizioso
He will become be the best guy on a better Honda that Pedrosa as
always in chronically unable to set up and develop. I would not be
surprised if he finishes higher than an injured Lorenzo.

6. Spies
He will win a race. I'd love for him to finish higher, and to win the
title next year. Not sure who I'd bump down though, and I am already
predicting too much change...

7. Pedrosa
Confused and hiding behind Puig's increasingly antagonistic, paranoid
accusations of a conspiracy against his rider he will go into a shell.

8. Edwards
Top 10 as always for as long as he wants to keep riding in MotoGP. I'd
be curious to seem him ride in WSB again before retirement.

9. Caprirossi

10. De Puniet