Moto GP Round 5 - Mugello

[jhansen]

No fancy thread title this time. Mugello says it all really. This is one of the races I look forward to every year. And even though the winner has been predictable, this track is just inspiring. The championship battle is very tight between the top four contenders.

1. Jorge Lorenzo, Yamaha - 66 Points (2 wins)
2. Valentino Rossi, Yamaha - 65 Points (1 win)
3. Casey Stoner, Ducati - 65 Points (1 win)
4. Dani Pedrosa, Honda - 57 Points

Certainly Rossi has to be the favorite for victory. But I can see any of these four winning.

And how about fifth in the championship? Oh yes, that would be Marco Melandri on the lone black Kawasaki. Yes, repeat that slowly please. You just have to love that. Not sure how long he can keep this up, but I'd love to see him do well again.

The 125 and 250 classes should thrill here as well. I'm guessing Simoncelli will take the honors in front of his countrymen in 250.

[jhansen]

The top four were on top in first practice. Should be a cracking weekend!

Am I the only one that feels it's a bad sign that Gibernau's team did not find a replacement rider?

[gustavobamba]

When they changed the reg. to slow down the moto gp bikes a believed that top speed´s will decrease.
So today i was shocked with Dani Pedrosa Honda RC 212 V top speed...

349.288 km/h
See for your self...

http://www.motogp.com/en/Results+Sta...ITA/MotoGP/FP1

[Utopian]

Looking forward to this- Mugello's a cracking circuit.

[djb]

[QUOTE

349.288 km/h

[/QUOTE]

wow is all I can say. Almost 90k faster than I have ever ridden so that adds to the wow feeling that must entail going that fast.

[jhansen]

Wow...

1. Dani Pedrosa, Honda - 217.04
2. Mika Kallio, Ducati - 216.30
3. Valentino Rossi, Yamaha - 213.94
4. Niccolo Canepa, Ducati - 213.38
5. Jorge Lorenzo, Yamaha - 212.76
6. Marco Melandri, Kawasaki - 212.63
7. Nicky Hayden, Ducati - 212.26
8. Andrea Dovizioso, Honda - 211.95
9. Casey Stoner, boro Ducati - 211.64
10. Alex De Angelis, Honda - 211.58
11. Loris Capirossi, Suzuki - 211.14
12. Colin Edwards, Yamaha - 210.64
13. Randy De Puniet, Honda - 209.77
14. Yuki Takahashi, Honda - 209.46
15. Tony Elias, Honda - 208.53
16. Chris Vermeulen, Suzuki - 208.47
17. James Toseland, Yamaha - 204.56

[Jeff 8]

I thought they were much quicker than that, oh you mean miles per hour.

Sort of kills the old story that Stoner is only up there because his bike is quicker.

Melandri must be smiling, but frustrated at the same time.

Jeff

[jhansen]

Originally Posted by Jeff 8

Sort of kills the old story that Stoner is only up there because his bike is quicker.

Well, this isn't 2007 either.

However, it definitely shows how well the other manufacturers have done in closing the gap.

Originally Posted by Jeff 8

Melandri must be smiling, but frustrated at the same time.

Aint that the truth!

[gomick]

Quick in a straight line doesnt mean your quick in a corner...

[gomick]

Bradley Smith got the 125 pole from Redding, Simon & Gadea...

[gomick]

Capirossi on pole with 1:45 left in the session - go Suzuki

[gomick]

Jorge is da man.... Stoner 2nd from Capirex 3rd & Vale 4th - close times...

[Gerben24]

Good qualifying session, enjoyed that.

However, I'm starting to become more and more annoyed by those riders that are looking to hitch a ride with one of the quick boys, therefore ride really slow on the track in the way of other riders who are trying to do it on their own. Elias is famous for doing that, today it didn't work out for him...

[GORDON STREETER]

At least Suzuki are in with a chance to open up the Championship, but I can't see Loris first across the line at the end !

[DavidStHubbins]

Hayden and Toseland: get a ride in WSBK now.

[jhansen]

Originally Posted by DavidStHubbins

Hayden and Toseland: get a ride in WSBK now.

Yeah, I wouldn't mind seeing Hayden take Fabrizio's seat.

The rumors are going round the US World Superbike round that Spies is in negotiations with Suzuki for Moto GP and Yamaha for WSBK. Be interesting to see which way he goes.

I wonder how much it hurts Ducati in the recruiting department when only one rider is successful.

[gomick]

Suzuki should've put Spies on the bike this year - he is fast, Vermeulen cant get anything out of that bike...

[ghinzani]

De Rosas save in the 250s was something else http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7ep1osg6vQ

[gomick]

That is a great save - bit of carpet burn

[gomick]

Great move by Simoncelli on Bautista - both lucky to stay on... Another wet Moto GP race to come

[Dani Filth]

what a race .. what final lap ..
i'm still shaking
if MotoGP is half as that it's gonna be by far the best race of the season so far

[Born Racer]

Not a fan of wet Moto GP races gomick?

[GORDON STREETER]

Well done Bradley you kept your cool the whole race.
The 250s "wow" talk about a nail biter. Those two obviously do a bit of Motocross !

Will the big one be as exciting ?

[Jeff 8]

Originally Posted by Dani Filth

what a race .. what final lap ..
i'm still shaking
if MotoGP is half as that it's gonna be by far the best race of the season so far

So many times I have heard people say that and it often happens that the better the 250 race the duller the MotoGP race. Let's hope not.

I loved the 250 race, who said wet races are dull.

Jeff

[gomick]

Originally Posted by Born Racer

Not a fan of wet Moto GP races gomick?

Wet races are great...

That was a great last lap in the 250's - whats gonna happen to Simoncelli for that move? Will he hang, be stoned to death??? These tv commentators are w@nkers - how many races have they watched & how many incidents have they seen where riders touch? Fairdinkum...
Nick Harris - Australian Foxtel commentator mentioned that Simoncelli could get suspended for the next round, WTF, who are these idiots...

Lorenzo crashing on the sighting lap