MotoGP season opener in Qatar (POSSIBLE SPOILER)

[Snips]

I'm looking forward to the season getting underway this weekend.

Any predictions?

How do you think Nicky Hayden will get along with the Ducati?

I'm hoping for a strong Ducati season, though Rossi is amazing.

[Steve6404]

I really think Stoner will run away with things this season, he seems in complete control of the bike, and able to go faster & faster whenever he has to ! Rossi is amazing, but I think Ducati has developed much more than the others with it's carbon frame, Nicky Hayden will be a consistant top ten man but it will take time to get used to the machine & tyres.
I hope I am wrong and we have a really close season, I have my tickets already for Donnington, Can't wait.

[Pomp1]

stoner is fastest on the free practice, Hayden 13th, but there are quite a few surprises in the top 10 at the moment:
MOTO GP
1. Stoner (Aus-Ducati) in 1'57"053, alla media di 165,463 km/h
2. ROSSI (Ita-Yamaha) a 0"386;
3. Edwards (Usa-Yamaha) a 0"782
4. Lorenzo (Spa-Yamaha) a 1"219
5. De Angelis (Rsm-Honda) a 1"399
6. CAPIROSSI (Ita-Suzuki) a 1"415
7. Kallio (Fin-Ducati) a 1"446
8. DOVIZIOSO (Ita-Honda) a 1"453
9. MELANDRI (Ita-Kawasaki) a 1"704
10. De Puniet (Fra-Honda) a 1"718
11. Toseland (Gbr-Yamaha) a 1"797
12. Elias (Spa-Honda) a 2"041
13. Hayden (Usa-Ducati) a 2"105
14. Vermeulen (Aus-Suzuki) a 2"295
15. Takahashi (Jap-Honda) a 2"384
16. Gibernau (Spa-Ducati) a 3"542
17. CANEPA (Ita-Ducati) a 3"544
18. Pedrosa (Spa-Honda) a 4"382
CLASSE 250
1. Talmacsi (Ung-Aprilia) 2'01"902 alla media di 158,881 km/h
2. Bautista (Spa-Aprilia) a 0"041
3. PASINI (Ita-Aprilia) a 0"294
16. SIMONCELLI (Aprilia) a 2"974
CLASSE 125
1. Simon (Spa-Aprilia) in 2'07"791, alla media di 151,599 km/h
2. Smith (Gbr-Aprilia) a 1"032
3. Terol (Spa-Aprilia) a 1"374
7. IANNONE (Ita-Aprilia) a 1"878
I think Stoner have a big chance to start in winning form, and apart him and Rossi there will be very few other GP winners this season, but no other title contenders as such.

[giler]

If Soner's wrist holds up he'll win, Hayden is going to struggle, Toseland had a good first practise and I'm really impressed with Kallio.

[mazydog]

I hope Toseland has a good season it was obvious he was trying to hard last year, I watch the MOTO GP probably because of Rossi the mans a genius but to be honest i prefer the WSB or BSB which produced some cracking races last year.

[Pedro]

My two penneth....

Rossie for the title
Stoner hasn't proved his wrist will do race distance, he may be quick in practice etc but....
Dovi will outshine Pedrosa after a few races, much more the real deal than Pedrosa, not afraid to mix it with the big boys
Hayden will run mid pack along with the likes of JT, Elias and Melandri
I think Lorenzo will be a threat this year if he can keep it rubber side down and the Suzuki's will be worth watching

[Yorkie]

Rossi for my choice! He's cool!

Yorkie.

[Mand]

My head says Rossi, my heart says Edwards.

However, I would love to see Melandri get a few podiums but I know that is a dream.

[Humbucker]

Stoner because of his wrist has not completed as many laps in testing as Rossi. So how his tyres will last with is race set up may be unknown territory. Rossi although slower than Stoner in testing over 5 laps i think will be quicker over race distance. really would like to see JT get a podium this year but i cant see it and i thnk he may be back to WSB after this season maybe swapping with Spies. Dovizioso will be the big suprise this year but only Stoner and Rossi will challenge for title in my opinion and if we are looking for a battle including Gibernau with Rossi like in years gone by forget it.

For what it's worth in my opinion.

Opening Race

1 Rossi
2 Stoner
3 Dovizioso
4 Edwards

[dlloyduk]

Yes I'm looking forward to tomorrows race but where the hell can I watch the qualifiying?
Eurosport says its only showing 125 and 250 sessions and BBC says its on iplayer-erm not on mine its not. Help I am very angry at the moment-very angry. Why did the beeb buy the right's with our money and not show it?

[Mand]

Why did the beeb buy the right's with our money and not show it?

It's a control thing and frankly they are b*stards.

Actually the Eurosport thing may be a mistake, don't they only qualify in 30 minutes?

[Pomp1]

Yes I'm looking forward to tomorrows race but where the hell can I watch the qualifiying?
Eurosport says its only showing 125 and 250 sessions and BBC says its on iplayer-erm not on mine its not. Help I am very angry at the moment-very angry. Why did the beeb buy the right's with our money and not show it?
BBC is showing qualifying on the BBC Sport website and wit the red button thinghy on the telly, If the quality of the MotoGP coverage is going to be the same as they're doing with F1 I'll be quite impressed

[Mand]

Now I am confused, how can you be impressed with Charlie Cox and Steve (I'll be forever in the shadow of Barry Sheene) Parish?

[Pomp1]

their F1 coverage is very good(almost as good as ITV used to be)so I'm hopeful. Parish is OK, and I watch the races to watch racing, not to listen to the commentators TBH.
Eurosport was a big loss to the fans, and the fact that they'll be showing the MototGP again mainly due to pressure from the afficionados speaks for itself, but I've used the iPlayer for most of last season(I normally work weekends:grump:) and found it a decent alternative.

[dlloyduk]

BBC is showing qualifying on the BBC Sport website and wit the red button thinghy on the telly, If the quality of the MotoGP coverage is going to be the same as they're doing with F1 I'll be quite impressed

When I press the red button and go to the BBCiPlayer and then select sport it tells me there is a choice of watching SuperAgents ot the Adnventure Show and I do not need to watch those. So ware the hell do I find it?

[Pomp1]

you can wait till 8 o'clock or watch some germans talking about bikes here (http://atdhe.net/), not to everyone's liking but, hey, it's free

[Mand]

their F1 coverage is very good(almost as good as ITV used to be)so I'm hopeful. Parish is OK, and I watch the races to watch racing, not to listen to the commentators TBH.
Eurosport was a big loss to the fans, and the fact that they'll be showing the MototGP again mainly due to pressure from the afficionados speaks for itself, but I've used the iPlayer for most of last season(I normally work weekends:grump:) and found it a decent alternative.

Point taken - I don't watch the F1 though so I suppose I can't really comment on that and I'm sorry you work weekends too.

I'd just rather listen to the Julian and Toby show on Eurosport. They talk "wubbish" (Julian impression there...) and I like to correct them, it's the only time I can feel clever! :chuckle::chuckle:

Do you know I feeling Messr Kallio may be a surprise contender...

[uksurfer]

if it helps and you understand: cus i don't!


Saturday 11 April
Qualifying


2000-2300, BBC Red Button/online (From 2035 on Freeview 301)
Repeated Saturday - 2000 and 2300 and Sunday 0200, 0500, 0800, 1100 and 1400, BBC Red Button/online

Sunday 12 April
:

MotoGP preview
1300-1330, BBC Two/online

125cc and 250cc race
1750-2005, BBC Red Button (Freeview 302)/online
Race repeated from 2200 till 0730 Monday, BBC Red Button

MotoGP
2045-2200, BBC Three/online
Race repeated from 2200 till 1130 Sunday, BBC Red Button

Monday 13 April
Highlights
1300-1415, BBC Two
Highlights repeated - 1300 to 1100 Tuesday, BBC Red Button/online
________
Squirting Amateur (http://www.****tube.com/categories/994/amateur/videos/1)

[Pomp1]

Point taken - I don't watch the F1 though so I suppose I can't really comment on that and I'm sorry you work weekends too.

I'd just rather listen to the Julian and Toby show on Eurosport. They talk "wubbish" (Julian impression there...) and I like to correct them, it's the only time I can feel clever! :chuckle::chuckle:

Do you know I feeling Messr Kallio may be a surprise contender...

nothing to be sorry about me working weekends, they pay me well for that;) I know what you mean about the coverage team, ES guys are miles better but Suzi Perry is more pleasant to the eye (for the boys at least,,), just turn the audio off.. maybe the Beeb will sign them up next year, I hope.
Kallio and Dovizioso will be doing very good IMO

[Mand]

nothing to be sorry about me working weekends, they pay me well for that;) I know what you mean about the coverage team, ES guys are miles better but Suzi Perry is more pleasant to the eye (for the boys at least,,), just turn the audio off.. maybe the Beeb will sign them up next year, I hope.
Kallio and Dovizioso will be doing very good IMO

Yeah I'm with you there with Dovi too, I just hope it doesn't turn it the "Rossi and Stoner" show, it just makes it boring in my opinion.

I'm hoping that WSB doesn't do the same with Spies and Haga.

PS I don't fancy Suzy Perry! :)

[Pomp1]

if it helps and you understand: cus i don't!


Saturday 11 April
Qualifying


2000-2300, BBC Red Button/online (From 2035 on Freeview 301)
Repeated Saturday - 2000 and 2300 and Sunday 0200, 0500, 0800, 1100 and 1400, BBC Red Button/online

Sunday 12 April
:

MotoGP preview
1300-1330, BBC Two/online

125cc and 250cc race
1750-2005, BBC Red Button (Freeview 302)/online
Race repeated from 2200 till 0730 Monday, BBC Red Button

MotoGP
2045-2200, BBC Three/online
Race repeated from 2200 till 1130 Sunday, BBC Red Button

Monday 13 April
Highlights
1300-1415, BBC Two
Highlights repeated - 1300 to 1100 Tuesday, BBC Red Button/online

If is all like last year the site will show a Live/watch button on the top right of their Sport website when it's on..
I know we have been waiting all winter for the start of the season..

[Pomp1]

Yeah I'm with you there with Dovi too, I just hope it doesn't turn it the "Rossi and Stoner" show, it just makes it boring in my opinion.

I'm hoping that WSB doesn't do the same with Spies and Haga.

PS I don't fancy Suzy Perry! :)

Oh, and don't forget Lorenzo.. in WSB if wasn't for Haga Spies will have an easy life, that Yam is strong..

[Mand]

Oh, and don't forget Lorenzo.. in WSB if wasn't for Haga Spies will have an easy life, that Yam is strong..

Oh I know that Yam is strong! my R1 riding other half mentions it every now and then! :chuckle:


Back to MotoGp, at the beginning of last season, I didn't have much respect for Lorenzo, just thought he was arrogant but after getting injured several times and perserving and actually lucky enough to meet as well, I really like him now.

I know, I'm fickle! :mand:

[Pomp1]

watched it then? Hayden crash looked pretty bad, hope he hasn't compromised his race, but didn't look fast enough anyway..

[uksurfer]

looked like he was struggling, but hes gonna be a bit sore tomorrow, looked quite nasty fall, stoner seemed to be really quick, interesting race ahead i hope!
________
KAWASAKI KX450 (http://www.cyclechaos.com/wiki/Kawasaki_KX450)

[Snips]

Nasty crash for Hayden, though it doesn't look like it took out a contender.

Like the BBC guys said, I think the racing will be closer than qualifying.

[dlloyduk]

I got to see it as it was on Eurosport, only the schedule did not say so.

[MON]

Eurosport are showing all the qualifying and practice sessions live all season.

The 125 and 250 races are also being shown live, with the MotoGP race being delayed as the BBC got exclusive live coverage of that one only.

I'm sticking with Toby and Jules, the BBC comentary team is awful, especially for the smaller classes. They can't even pronounce the names correctly.

[richard horton]

My predictions - for what they are worth - lying in position 21,053 in MCN fantasy league.

Stoner will run away with a boring championship - good old Ducati for taking on the rest of the world and anihalating them (what price brand loyalty - seeing Ducati win or watching good racing???)

Rossi will challenge on nadgery tracks but will only win about 2 or 3 GPs.

Jorge will finish 3rd - lots of podiums but only one possibly two victories

Dovizioso will eclipse Pedrosa (4th and 5th) although Capirossi may challenge Pedroza at places where aggressive passing is possible.

Capirossi and Edwards and Vermuellen will fight for 6th, 7th and 8th and could end up in any order (most likely as set out above).

Kallio, Hayden and Toseland will fight for 9th 10th and 11th and the latter two will end up in WSB for 2010. - probably Toseland 9th by the end of the season.

Gibernau, de Angelis, Melandri will be propping up the field.

What I would like to see is
Rossi battling with Stoner, wheel to wheel all season long, with Rossi winning the title and Ducati winning the manufacturers pot.
JT as the next best Yamaha - (but 2 x 100mph + highsides messes with the confidence and it will be 3 months into the season before he has put the flying lessons out of his mind as he goes into or comes out of a 125mph corner 100% fully nailed. Whilst I think he can beat Colin Edwards I am not sure over the season he has the controlled aggression to beat Jorge, who is that bit younger and has not suffered the number of instances of pain that Toseland has suffered over his career. For a motorcycle racer the instance of pain is a cumulative deterrent to success e.g. Kevin Schwantz - everytime he fell off he hurt himself so his career was cut short vs, for those old enough to remember him, Dave Croxford - British Champion and works Norton Rider - 179 crashes never broke a bone in a career spanning probably 11 years).
Nicky Hayden mastering the Ducati and getting regular podiums towards the end of the season (for no other reason than I think he is a nice bloke)
Capirossi picking up good podiums and possibly a win when the others tangle.
Cannot wait

[Gilps]

I reckon Jorge will win every race with Rossi and Stoner scrapping for 2nd. Okay, it's not going to happen but I would love to see it. Jorge sould be a real threat this year. He's got real talent and balls of steel. Go Jorge

[Mand]

watched it then? Hayden crash looked pretty bad, hope he hasn't compromised his race, but didn't look fast enough anyway..

Yeah I watched it. That crash did make me winch, poor man but I still don't think he'll be a contender this year, I do think you have to be wired up a bit differently to ride that Ducati.

I'm hoping I stay awake to watch it later.. :D

[Pomp1]

for those that haven't seen the quali times as follows:
1 C. STONER AUS Ducati Marlboro Team 1'55.286
2 V. ROSSI ITA Fiat Yamaha Team + 0.473
3 J. LORENZO SPA Fiat Yamaha Team + 0.497
4 A. DOVIZIOSO ITA Repsol Honda Team + 0.691
5 L. CAPIROSSI ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP + 0.863
6 C. EDWARDS USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 + 0.908
7 R. DE PUNIET FRA LCR Honda MotoGP + 1.072
8 C. VERMEULEN AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP + 1.207
9 A. DE ANGELIS RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini + 1.504
10 M. KALLIO FIN Pramac Racing + 1.566
11 M. MELANDRI ITA Hayate Racing Team + 1.676
12 T. ELIAS SPA San Carlo Honda Gresini + 1.939
13 J. TOSELAND GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 + 2.224
14 D. PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team + 2.443
15 S. GIBERNAU SPA Grupo Francisco Hernando + 2.613
16 N. HAYDEN USA Ducati Marlboro Team + 2.929
17 Y. TAKAHASHI JPN Scot Racing Team MotoGP + 3.498
18 N. CANEPA ITA Pramac Racing + 3.713

[uksurfer]

oh well, got all geared up for it, then rain
250 race was good though!
________
Pissing Babe (http://www.****tube.com/categories/818/babe/videos/1)

[BluprintZ]

Bugger............!!!

[Yorkie]

Well that was an anti-climax. The first couple of laps were good but the last 12 were just .............Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Nice one Pedrosa for staying on the bike!!!

Yorkie

[Pedro]

No real surprises eh? Thought Vale and Jorge looked very bored at the post race interviews.

Pedrosa did well to survive that incident, good rides from Edwards & Dovi too and Loris looked good before the firework show!

[dlloyduk]

Lets hope it gets better. I want to see a Ducati with a rider that can race-can someone ask Haydon to get a move on.

[Pomp1]

eh?uh? sorry I fell asleep at lap 3, who won?*yawn*

[Mand]

Only interesting part of that race was Edwards coming 4th........

[gremlin]

I bet that was so sweet for him after the upset in the garage, felt sorry for JT though, all the hype just puts pressure on.

[giler]

oh well, got all geared up for it, then rain
250 race was good though!

250s are incredible, I would love to have a go on one of those - 172mph from a 250 two stroke twin:yoparty: