RE: PH2: Moto GP - Rossi's return

[RemaL]

has this not been discussed in length in here: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... in Sunday?

[HeMightBeBanned]

dibblecorse said:

So you expected him to jump right in at the top of the timing sheets ??? wow ......

Stoner did...

[Johno]

Rat_Fink_67 said:

...... but what about Marquez?! All those people who were complaining that his team were cheating in Moto2 and his advantage was all down to the bike must be feeling pretty silly now.

I have always maintained his is an extraordinary talent and never have I ( not that the accusation is levelled at me individually - I hope) that he was cheating, however I have also maintained that he had a number of clear advantages which have been addressed since his departure by the rule makers.

Limited testing has been introduced and a combined rider and bike minimum weight, the biggest contention, has been introduced. Some of the rumours about the dieting regimes in the pitlane were actually getting reasonably concerning.

The weight limit not being introduced into a category with distributed spec engines, spec ECU's, spec tyres, spec fuel and spec everything except chassis, suspension and brakes was somewhat perverse, especially when the Moto3 class has more opportunity to develop engines along with chassis but carries a weight regulation to even the field.

A recent interview with Scott Redding revealed his team are still working incredibly hard shaving weight on the swing arm, many components and even his leathers - I hope this reinforces how much of a penalty it was in this class and remains a serious issue for all teams to manage.

His bike advantage was only the same as any team with the most money and the biggest success, the best riders claim these advantages and that's racing in any class, especially one where chassis are being developed weekly almost.

His form at Sepang, is very impressive and I look forward to the season a lot. Ultimately any rider can all have all the advantages outlined, but they still have to delver on any given Sunday and he does that, he'll be making podiums very quickly.

[Rat_Fink_67]

Johno said:

( not that the accusation is levelled at me individually - I hope)

No it wasn't aimed at you, more the voices within the pitlane. I fully agree that not having a combined weight limit in Moto 2 was a joke.

[Draexin]

dibblecorse said:

Draexin said:

Hmm, I did have my doubts as to whether Rossi would be able to keep up with the current "big boys", but seeing him nearly half a second behind Lorenzo (on what is essentially an identical bike) doesn't fill me with confidence..
Sure, Sepang is a very long circuit and he's new to the bike (sort of), but if the Ducati guys are "only" 1.5 seconds behind...

I'll be cheering Vale on as much as the next guy, but if he's gonna dominate the pack remains to be seen imho.

So you expected him to jump right in at the top of the timing sheets ??? wow ......

To be honest, this is exactly where I expected him to be.

But if we're to believe all the hype surrounding Rossi's return to Yamaha, you could argue it would be "expected" of him to be ahead of a MotoGP rookie (Marquez).
Which he isn't... (and Lorenzo is)

CAPP0 said:

He hasn't ridden the Yamaha for 2 years and strangely enough, moving from the Duc to the Yam is not quite the same as moving from a Corsa to a Fiesta in the multiplex car park grand prix. Contrary to your observation, being 0.5 sec off and 4th OA in his first testing session is a very impressive result and shows the degree of talent he (still) possesses. I don't know how much the M1 has been changed over the winter but you could conversely ask yourself why Lorenzo can only manage to stick half a second on Rossi when it's a bike he's ridden consistently for a number of years.

Sure, they're not driving bumper cars and I'm in no way implying Rossi has lost his talent.
Though he hasn't ridden the bike in over 2 years, his riding style favors the M1 rather than the Duc so it's obvious he'd do better than the previous years.

All I'm saying is Rossi's return to form and past glory may not actually happen.
He's in 4th place, bested by a rookie and half a second behind his direct rival. Not really signs of a triumphant comeback methinks.

But who knows, maybe I'm wrong and I'll have to

[Hungrymc]

I have to say chaps, you're trying to read an awful lot into the first few laps of testing? You've no idea of configuration / fuel level / tyre wear..... Can't you enjoy the prospect of having 4 bikes battling at the front?

Pedrosa, Lorenzo, Marc and Rossi are all great talents, I'd love to see them slogging it out within a few tenths on the last laps (let's hope Cal can be there as well). What we've seen so far at least suggests its possible..... You can carry on telling us who's going to win and lose before the first session in anger..... I'll look forward to April !

[Hungrymc]

HeMightBeBanned said:

Stoner did...

Come on, he was a great rider.... But why chuck the towel in just after sorting out his lactose intolerance etc etc....? Great rider, should be out there racing this year not throwing his toys.

[StainlessSteve32]

Oh the armchair experts... one things for sure, it's gonna be a very interseting year

[F1GTRUeno]

I've completely lost track of MotoGP over the past few years. Used to watch it religiously when Vale was dominating.

What happened to him? I know he had that massive crash at Mugello (?) and he injured himself for a few months but is it all just the lasting effects of that or is it age and others superceding him?

Also I thought he was going back to Honda and not Yamaha this season?

[Yazza54]

F1GTRUeno said:

I've completely lost track of MotoGP over the past few years. Used to watch it religiously when Vale was dominating.

What happened to him? I know he had that massive crash at Mugello (?) and he injured himself for a few months but is it all just the lasting effects of that or is it age and others superceding him?

Also I thought he was going back to Honda and not Yamaha this season?

He went to ducati for 2 years and rode round mid-pack on their st effort. So he's gone back to yamaha now for one last attempt before retiring, he was never going to honda.

[boyse7en]

Hungrymc said:

Come on, he was a great rider.... But why chuck the towel in just after sorting out his lactose intolerance etc etc....? Great rider, should be out there racing this year not throwing his toys.

He quit while he was ahead. He's won the championship twice, and was never really in it for the glory. He can leave now with his money, 2 big trophies and all limbs in working order. Sounds like the best idea ever.

Rossi lives for the glory of the win, the adulation of the crowd and will find it hard to give it all up. I don't think Stoner was particularly fussed about being the most popular man on the track, he just wanted to be the fastest.

[Mattygooner]

I think this year will be excellent, can't wait!

[srob]

StainlessSteve32 said:

Oh the armchair experts... one things for sure, it's gonna be a very interseting year

Or, enthusiasts getting excited about the first few snippets of bike sport for a few months?

[moanthebairns]

HeMightBeBanned said:

Stoner did...

why do people look so much into these times.

its a kick about for them .......

[998420]

Rain stops play, final times.

1PEDROSA D.Repsol Honda Team2:00.100
2LORENZO J.Yamaha Factory Racing+0.329
3ROSSI V.Yamaha Factory Racing+0.442
4MARQUEZ M.Repsol Honda Team+0.536
5CRUTCHLOW C.Monster Yamaha Tech 3+0.634
6BRADL S.LCR Honda MotoGP+0.903
7BAUTISTA A.Go & Fun Honda Gresini+1.402
8SMITH B.Monster Yamaha Tech 3+1.993
9HAYDEN N.Ducati Team+2.084
10DOVIZIOSO A.Ducati Team+2.177
11NAKASUGA K.Yamaha Factory+2.516
12ESPARGARO A.Power Electronics Aspar+2.528

It is just testing, and the wise are not pushing the last few tenths.......

Smith has impressed, very consistent long run pace, Laverty too, ahead of Hernandez, a rider I really like and rate.

[MrKipling43]

boyse7en said:

Hungrymc said:

Come on, he was a great rider.... But why chuck the towel in just after sorting out his lactose intolerance etc etc....? Great rider, should be out there racing this year not throwing his toys.

He quit while he was ahead. He's won the championship twice, and was never really in it for the glory. He can leave now with his money, 2 big trophies and all limbs in working order. Sounds like the best idea ever.

Rossi lives for the glory of the win, the adulation of the crowd and will find it hard to give it all up. I don't think Stoner was particularly fussed about being the most popular man on the track, he just wanted to be the fastest.

[Rat_Fink_67]

boyse7en said:

He quit while he was ahead. He's won the championship twice, and was never really in it for the glory. He can leave now with his money, 2 big trophies and all limbs in working order. Sounds like the best idea ever.

Rossi lives for the glory of the win, the adulation of the crowd and will find it hard to give it all up. I don't think Stoner was particularly fussed about being the most popular man on the track, he just wanted to be the fastest.

If you've ever read his autobiography, Rossi lives for riding motorcycles, he loves being out on two wheels, I don't necessarily think it's for "glory". I'm not particularly a Rossi fanatic, but all this stuff about him just being a showman is ridiculous at times. People who latch on to Stoner talk like Valentino has no talent something. The guy who made "that pass" at Catalunya or pulled out a second a lap over the field on a V5 Honda with no rider aids at Philip Island.

[dibblecorse]

MrKipling43 said:

boyse7en said:

Hungrymc said:

Come on, he was a great rider.... But why chuck the towel in just after sorting out his lactose intolerance etc etc....? Great rider, should be out there racing this year not throwing his toys.

He quit while he was ahead. He's won the championship twice, and was never really in it for the glory. He can leave now with his money, 2 big trophies and all limbs in working order. Sounds like the best idea ever.

Rossi lives for the glory of the win, the adulation of the crowd and will find it hard to give it all up. I don't think Stoner was particularly fussed about being the most popular man on the track, he just wanted to be the fastest.

Good to see the CS fanboys in full effect ....

Just wonder why you are in a MotoGP thread these days as its evidently not worth Sh** without WonderWhinge in it .... is there not a V8 racing forum you can go bore ???

[rhinochopig]

Draexin said:

dibblecorse said:

Draexin said:

Hmm, I did have my doubts as to whether Rossi would be able to keep up with the current "big boys", but seeing him nearly half a second behind Lorenzo (on what is essentially an identical bike) doesn't fill me with confidence..
Sure, Sepang is a very long circuit and he's new to the bike (sort of), but if the Ducati guys are "only" 1.5 seconds behind...

I'll be cheering Vale on as much as the next guy, but if he's gonna dominate the pack remains to be seen imho.

So you expected him to jump right in at the top of the timing sheets ??? wow ......

To be honest, this is exactly where I expected him to be.

But if we're to believe all the hype surrounding Rossi's return to Yamaha, you could argue it would be "expected" of him to be ahead of a MotoGP rookie (Marquez).
Which he isn't... (and Lorenzo is)

CAPP0 said:

He hasn't ridden the Yamaha for 2 years and strangely enough, moving from the Duc to the Yam is not quite the same as moving from a Corsa to a Fiesta in the multiplex car park grand prix. Contrary to your observation, being 0.5 sec off and 4th OA in his first testing session is a very impressive result and shows the degree of talent he (still) possesses. I don't know how much the M1 has been changed over the winter but you could conversely ask yourself why Lorenzo can only manage to stick half a second on Rossi when it's a bike he's ridden consistently for a number of years.

Sure, they're not driving bumper cars and I'm in no way implying Rossi has lost his talent.
Though he hasn't ridden the bike in over 2 years, his riding style favors the M1 rather than the Duc so it's obvious he'd do better than the previous years.

All I'm saying is Rossi's return to form and past glory may not actually happen.
He's in 4th place, bested by a rookie and half a second behind his direct rival. Not really signs of a triumphant comeback methinks.

But who knows, maybe I'm wrong and I'll have to

The thing is, there's a world of difference between free lapping and racing.

Rossi's strong point has always been his racecraft - his ability to pass in the most unlikely places and his ability to be consistent on a bike that is getting lighter with deteriorating tyres - not his out-right speed, although he's also very fast.

[rdjohn]

Way off topic, but I was at the F1 test at Jerez yesterday.

Behind me there were a group of Spanish guys clealy taking about Moto GP. I don't speek much Spanish but one bit went

da-di-da di, Lorenzo, followed by

da-di-da di Nanny Macfee

Having just looked at some images of Nanny Mcfee, I have not a clue who they might be refering to.

Any one here know?