MotoGP Round 13 - San Marino Grand Prix, Misano World Circuit

[flying finn]

MotoGP Round 13 - San Marino Grand Prix, Misano World Circuit

Friday 29.08
Free Practice 1 > 10:00 - 11:00
Free Practice 2 > 13:55 - 14:55

Saturday 30.08
Free Practice 3 > 10:00 - 11:00
Qualifying > 13:55 - 14:55

Sunday 31.08
Warm Up > 09:40 - 10:05
Race (28 laps x 4.180km = 117.04 km) > 14:00 - 14:45

Lap Record > 1'34.649 (158.987 kmh) Casey STONER (2007)

Misano World Circuit home page > http://www.misanocircuit.com/index.php?lang=eng
Timetable > http://www.motogp.com/en/events/San+Marino/2008
Google Satellite > http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie...20556&t=k&z=17
Weather forecast > http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/5day.shtml?world=0222 > Friday: sunny and 28deg

Suzuki preview > http://www.paddocktalk.com/news/html...icle&sid=92386
Repsol Honda preview > http://www.f1sa.com/index.php?option...575&Itemid=219
Michelin preview > http://www.crash.net/motorsport/moto...hemselves.html

Championship Standings

1. ROSSI Valentino ITA > 237
2. STONER Casey AUS > 187
3. PEDROSA Dani SPA > 172
4. LORENZO Jorge SPA > 120
5. DOVIZIOSO Andrea ITA > 110
6. EDWARDS Colin USA > 102
7. VERMEULEN Chris AUS > 99
8. HAYDEN Nicky USA > 84
9. NAKANO Shinya JPN > 83
10. CAPIROSSI Loris ITA > 77

[jhansen]

Per Julian Ryder:

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2008/Aug/080828rn.htm

Rossi on Stoner: "However, he knows he is the best and therefore does not respect his rivals; I have to give him a problem."

That sounds about right. Roll on Missano!

[jhansen]

John Hopkins did not ride today due to injury. Some interesting tidbits about Hopkins not riding from Julian Ryder:

"The second question everyone is asking is "Why isn't John Hopkins riding?" The official answer is that he is very sore and has a damaged rib, which is why he didn't test at Brno.

The third question everyone is asking is "Does the absence of John's wife have anything to do with his not riding?"."

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2008/Aug/080829b.htm

Julian Ryder later ended with this:

"In closing note: by the way, no-one is taking Kawasaki's press release at face value."

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2008/Aug/080829t.htm

[2000yellow360]

Originally Posted by jhansen

John Hopkins did not ride today due to injury. Some interesting tidbits about Hopkins not riding from Julian Ryder:

"The second question everyone is asking is "Why isn't John Hopkins riding?" The official answer is that he is very sore and has a damaged rib, which is why he didn't test at Brno.

The third question everyone is asking is "Does the absence of John's wife have anything to do with his not riding?"."

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2008/Aug/080829b.htm

Julian Ryder later ended with this:

"In closing note: by the way, no-one is taking Kawasaki's press release at face value."

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2008/Aug/080829t.htm

He took the money, but apparently didn't realize that the Kawasaki is a project, and if he ever wanted to be WC, he just ****ed that away. Wonder what he's thinking now about that decision.....

Art

[jhansen]

I'm not sure I get how what you're saying ties in with him not riding.

This race looks like a Stoner walk-over as long as he keeps it rubber side down.

[BootsOntheSide]

A shame Hopkins is absent for whatever reason, he made a decent return last time out, and needs to realise that he's in it for the long haul and was never going to have a competitive bike in 2008. Hopefully any wifely issues will be resolved in time for Indy.

Another stunning pole lap from Stoner, maybe the championship isn't quite over. Good to have Lorenzo back on the pace as well.

[gomick]

Hopkins qualified 17th...

[gomick]

Some great racing going on in the 250cc race - go takahashi on the ageing honda

[Dani Filth]

like wtf ..
it must be a curse or something

[chunder]

Ok news tastic from Misano

Hayden had definately signed for Ducati

Spies has been offered Dovi's bike for next year

Pedrosa amazingly will be riding on Bridgesy for the rest of teh year, not Hayden!!

This explains the Nakano thing and why HRC gave Shinya the bike

Vermuelne pretty much signed for 09 at Rizla

No idea what is oging on with Hopper, I dont think its bike related, something to do with very personal stuff I believe.

[wills]

Was such an anti-climax when Stoner fell off - I really wanted to see if Rossi could have caught him. Was shocked to hear Pedrosa to switch to Bridgestone - this could very well sour the relationship between HRC and Michelin for future seasons. With little to no testing of the tyres(maybe steal some data from the Gresini garage) I doubt he'll be on par with Stoner or Rossi but I might very well be wrong.

Tiger Toni on the rostrom again!! looks like he's finally happy with his Ducati. I do hope to see him in MotoGP next year as his riding style is awesome sliding around. Kawasaki back to where they normally reside in the rear of the field - hopefully satellite team next year could do better.

[chunder]

Aparently the reason wjy Kwak are so bad is thhis whoe Bridgestone front tyre thing

Suzuki have made a new chassis that enables the riders to use the same front as Vale/Stoner.

This tyre needs less front weight to get grip, so those teams can put more weight further back, giving them more acceleration and drive.

Kawasaki cant use this tyre, hence their pooor form. Maybe also why Guinters and Elias are better.

Interesting quite from Doohan "The problem with Dani seems to be the people around him! "

I have been saying this for years!! Bet Nicky cant wait to get out, worst run team in teh paddock!!

[Charlies]

Although the detailed politics of MotoGP largely escape me, the level of influence Alberto Puig and the rest of Pedrosa's management have over Honda is incredible. To inflict such massive damage on a long standing sporting and commercial relationship for short-term gain is astounding, and after Michelin's performance today seems like a 'toys out of the pram' moment taken too far. No doubt they screwed up, but to jump ship in the middle of the season?

If I were Michelin I'd throw all the resources necessary to take Bridgestone on and beat them, Pedrosa included.

Pity Stoner fell off; it's beginning to look like a pattern. Unusual for the 250cc race to be the best of the day, but some of the moves were fantastic.

[chunder]

Its happened before actually

IN 1995 after the Kobe earthquake, Team Roberts stock of usable Dunlop tyres were vastly reduced and Luca Cadalora made a switch to at least Michelin rear tyres!

This was the published reason but the real reason was obvious! Luca was wining races the year before on Dunlops and was often quicker then Rainey!

Then all of a sudden he was hopeless! Luca remember was dominant on Michelins in winning teh 250 crown in 91/92! On a Honda

Then when he finally got the same team Honda, Michelin, Kanemoto, he was just as inconsistent as he ever was on a Yamaha!

[flying finn]

MotoGP - San Marino Grand Prix - Results

1. Valentino ROSSI ITA > Fiat Yamaha Team YAMAHA > 44'41.884 (158.836kmh)
2. Jorge LORENZO SPA > Fiat Yamaha Team YAMAHA > 44'45.047 (+3.163)
3. Toni ELIAS SPA > Alice Team DUCATI > 44'53.589 (+11.705)
4. Dani PEDROSA SPA > Repsol Honda Team HONDA > 44'59.354 (+17.470)
5. Chris VERMEULEN AUS > Rizla Suzuki MotoGP SUZUKI > 45'05.293 (+23.409)
6. James TOSELAND GBR > Tech 3 Yamaha YAMAHA > 45'08.092 (+26.208)
7. Loris CAPIROSSI ITA > Rizla Suzuki MotoGP SUZUKI > 45'08.708 (+26.824)
8. Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA > JiR Team Scot MotoGP HONDA > 45'09.475 (+27.591)
9. Marco MELANDRI ITA > Ducati Marlboro Team DUCATI > 45'15.053 (+33.169)
10. Colin EDWARDS USA > Tech 3 Yamaha YAMAHA > 45'18.413 (+36.529)
11. Sylvain GUINTOLI FRA > Alice Team DUCATI > 45'23.965 (+42.081)
12. Shinya NAKANO JPN > San Carlo Honda Gresini HONDA > 45'25.692 (+43.808)
13. Anthony WEST AUS > Kawasaki Racing Team KAWASAKI > 45'36.758 (+54.874)
14. John HOPKINS USA > Kawasaki Racing Team KAWASAKI > 45'37.038 (+55.154)
DNF. Casey STONER AUS > Ducati Marlboro Team DUCATI > 11'11.968 (+21 laps)
DNF. Alex DE ANGELIS RSM > San Carlo Honda Gresini HONDA > 1'46.395 (+27 laps)
DNF. Randy DE PUNIET FRA > LCR Honda MotoGP HONDA > (+28 laps)
DNS. Nicky HAYDEN USA > Repsol Honda Team HONDA >

> finally a home win for Rossi - very well done and his 68th win as well !!
> nice rides from Lorenzo (back on the podium), Elias (again on the podium) and (finally) Melandri
> good come back ride from Pedrosa
> it seems Hayden saved his foot for Indianapolis
> for Stoner there is always next year

Championship Standings

1. Valentino ROSSI ITA > 262
2. Casey STONER AUS > 187
3. Dani PEDROSA SPA > 185
4. Jorge LORENZO SPA > 140
5. Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA > 118
6. Chris VERMEULEN AUS > 110
7. Colin EDWARDS USA > 108
8. Shinya NAKANO JPN > 87
9. Loris CAPIROSSI ITA > 86
10. James TOSELAND > 85
11. Nicky HAYDEN USA > 84
12. Toni ELIAS SPA > 82

[Roninho]

Originally Posted by Charlies

Although the detailed politics of MotoGP largely escape me, the level of influence Alberto Puig and the rest of Pedrosa's management have over Honda is incredible. To inflict such massive damage on a long standing sporting and commercial relationship for short-term gain is astounding, and after Michelin's performance today seems like a 'toys out of the pram' moment taken too far. No doubt they screwed up, but to jump ship in the middle of the season?

If I were Michelin I'd throw all the resources necessary to take Bridgestone on and beat them, Pedrosa included.

Totally agree, but it's jsut another example of the awful strategies the manufacturers often use, hurting the serie they are in. Just like a couple of years ago when motogp lost a team even though Camel was willing to fund the ride for biaggi but no manufacturer was willing to supply a bike.

Pity Stoner fell off; it's beginning to look like a pattern.

Indeed, really ended the title chase. Imo Rossi would have had to work real hard to beat Stoner in those races had he not fallen. We'd be talking about a 15 points gap instead of a 75 points gap.

[flying finn]

good MotoGP reading each Monday here > http://www.gpweek.com/

[ghinzani]

Well the 250 race was awesome, just watched it on the pvr - did Hector Barbera get out of the circuit without being strung up by Pasini and Simoncelli?? . 125 was great, Gabor looks like Bradleys Grandad tho!. Didnt bother with Moto GP, hate to say it but Im bored of Rossi and I really wanted a battle with Pedrosa and Stoner this year, the absence of which takes away the charm of the class.

[chunder]

Biaggi didnt get a ride becasue he slagged off Michelin, SHowa and many other HRC sectros in public to the press.

That was the only reason he didnt get a ride in GP. And also maybe coz even on the allegedly best bike on the grid he was beaten by Hayden.

[djb]

what did all of you think of that Pasini off by Barbera? I've had an off due to a fall from another rider on the inside (big guy taking the too inside line through a dip in the track and hence unloading his supension and taking me out). My case was a 5th gear corner on a 350 two stroke street production race bike over 20 yrs ago, so probably not even 100 mph--but jeepers creepers Pasini looked like he was really hauling ass (literally) along the pavement and gravel.....I could really sympathize with him wanting to royally clock Barbera!!!

Your takes on the incident? I am definately in the camp of "its like passing in Eau Rouge, in that it was such a fast corner, one doesnt screw around with taking someone out at those speeds.

and just to reiterate, Son of a Gun he was so lucky to have slide so flat! I personally got my noggin properly rattled with my off, but man o man, any flailing arms or legs for the first few seconds and he would have been in deep doo-doo....

a hell of race tho eh? Didnt watch it? You should follow 250, great great races this year.

[chunder]

The prpblem with Barbera is that he is bit too headstrong and altight his moves are just about fair theya re not really ve6 sporting.

he is a bit like Biaggi was in WSB last year, harsh but fair. Problem was he was at it with Simoncelli aswell, and he is supposed to be the Piaggio favourite!!

[ghinzani]

I can see this 250 brewing up nicely, theres been various bits of aggro and over-driving, block passes etc for a while. I personally felt very sorry for Pasini. Simoncelli, well he should have just let it go and settled for 3rd, hes got a WC to win. Takahashi was the ride of that race though, superb.

[Dani Filth]

Barbera was just a little bit over the line .. it makes for interesting watching .. but a bit on the unsafe side too

[djb]

hard racing is one thing, but one has to have your own cajones on the line in real life to perhaps appreciate the real life consequences of barging into someone at the speed of that corner--which I would guess was over 120 mph. Makes me just now remember Biaggi putting Rossi onto the grass at much much faster, rmemember the finger given when he passed him a bit later?
In any case, hard racing is one thing, but contact like that at those speeds for me really does show a lack of consideration and common sense by Barbera, perhaps I'm relating too much to my experience, but the Eurosport announcers certainly seemed to agree, and at least one of them has had racing experience.

all that aside, I am finding that I am looking forward to watchin g the 250's more than the Motogp races for the last while. Broken record alert--god, makes me wonder why I sometimes get up at 7am sundays to watch F1.........

ps what is hte news of hte future of 250 2 strokes? Dont keep track so dont have an idea if changes are still many many years off....

cheers

[chunder]

to be replaced by 600 4 strokes in a few years

not sure yet of they are gonna be allowed different engines, but definately diff chassis, so teh likes of ROC, Harris etc might be back.