So far (this year)

 Let's see, we saw the "bump" in Spain, the Barros resurrection in
Estoril and the rainy Rossi, Jacque show in China, what next? Other than
the expected Valentino points lead, what has or hasn't happened?

1. First and foremost, where's Geeber? He shouldn't be waiting much
longer if he has any real hopes for a title this year. Being bitch
slapped by Val in Spain and losing it in Portugal, has put him in the
barrel, time to get out! (hasn't happened!)
2. How 'bout the Maxman? Finally got his dream spot, but now seems to be
shooting blanks. It's said Le Mans will favor him, if not, he may join
Geeber, in the barrel! (hasn't happened!)
3. Nicky boy, looks like the dream of coming out strong has turned into
a nightmare! This dood really needs some points! Word is, the second
year of his contract wasn't written in concrete, at least not with
Repsol. We are all still waiting to see you dance Mr. Hayden and
becoming a "little" impatient as well... (really hasn't happened!!)
4. Colin, while he's been consistent, he's been consistently out of it
and off the pace. He needs to help Yam a "little" more with the
Manufacturers points, that's what he was really hired for...
(semi-happening, but...)
5. Marco, wow, he's done real good, so far! Is he the real deal, or has
he done well because some others have done so poorly? I think we're
gonna find out, soon too...(happened big-time, so far)
6. The Duke boy's, c'mon guy's twist it and let the big Duc eat!
Hopefully in doing so, they won't take out half the field...(Nope,
hasn't happened)
7. Hoppy, exactly how were you going to mess with Rossi mind? You can't
do that 30 seconds back, probably can't do it at all on the Zuki...
(again, hasn't happened, probably won't either!)
8. Lemme see, who else? Kenny, hmm, nevermind... (nope, see #7)
9. Oh yeah, Tamada-san, he's back from the injured, he's got the "juice"
can he make it work out? We'll see...(hasn't happened!)
10. Barros, pretty good start! Looks like the Ol'boy is happy with the
"homeys," he could liven up a fairly boring points race with another
win! (happened, but will it turn into a happening?)
11. Last, but certainly not least, Rossi, what can anyone say?... ("for
sure", very, very happening!!!)

So, so far so good, for Val!

                    T3

 Not a mention of Troy.
Is it all over for him?

Bummers (sobbing)

T3 wrote:

 Bummers wrote:

opps! Hey, it was early... He's the odd man out with the men in red and
it hasn't happened, hope it does as it would make my earlier (SB guys)
prognostication look better, but...

 T3 wrote:

What hasn't happened much is these guys going at it in truly dry
conditions, and this weekend looks to be another wet one. So far that
seems to have played into Rossi's hands (what else is new?), but one
would think this might be the opportunity for Gibernau to get his first.
It's a Honda track in the dry, stop-and-go filled with acceleration runs
out of slow corners, and Gibs has won here the last two years. Barros
went well here in '03 in the wet, taking Yamaha's only podium of that
year, but was only 7th last year, one of his worst finishes. Hayden has
been 12th and 11th, so hardly his best track. Rossi was off the box here
last year, the only time beaten by his teammate (Checa was 2nd) since
Ukawa won the SA race early in 2002. Edwards was 5th last year and a
decent 10th on the Aprilia in '03, so maybe a good circuit for him.
Biaggi was 3rd last year and won in '01, and he probably needs it it to
be wet, given his struggles in the dry so far this year and his
historical problems with running a dry race after wet practice. Jacque
is back, has to be confident at home with a podium under his belt, so
you can bet he'll be trying to mix it up at the front again if it rains.
Nakano, Hopkins and Roberts will try to do the same, but will be nowhere
if it's dry (Roberts' 12th was the best for the underpowered Bridgestone
boys last year).

Anyway, more weather mucking up the works once again in GP,
unfortunately. At least Sears is looking bone-dry and beautiful (partly
cloudy and high 70s) for racing this weekend...

 Mark N wrote:

So, Geeber, Nicky, Bayliss and Tamada are "in the barrel" now, without a
decent result Max will join them and the race is at a point and shoot
type Honda track, maybe a wet one too, hmmm.... I shudder to think, what
if Vale wins this week? Sad to say, he just might break everyone's will
to proceed! He's really starting to pile on the points and for a guy who
isn't in the habit of making mistakes, that could easily put him in the
cruise control mode... I imagine the barrel is a dark and smelly place,
crowded too, maybe we'll see a Honda breakout, but then again, maybe
I'll win the lotto. Sounds nice and I could surely dig it, but reality
may not see it that way...


Good news for the race, not so good news that Mat will probably show up
and grab all the goodies...