Dutch MotoGP - Stoner In Holland.

[Knowlesy]

The Dutch TT has always been a Saturday race as far as I know. The last Saturday in June.

[jhansen]

Indeed. One of the longest running events as well isn't it?

[Knowlesy]

I believe so. First race was late 40's I believe, if I can remember correctly what they said on the commentary.

[Fish_Flake]

To any of the American posters on this thread, was the CBS television coverage almost enough to make you vow never to watch MotoGP again? It's hard to believe, but they actually found a way to make motorcycle road racing unexciting.

[flying finn]

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

(Can we change the title to "Stoner trashed in Holland"? )

1.909 seconds is hardly a trashing. A trashing is what Team Roberts gets at every GP.

Fabulous rides from Rossi (11th to 1st) and Hayden (13th to 3rd). Looked like their tyre strategies were spot on while Stoner could not go with Rossi towards the end of the race. Good to see Pedrosa near the top as well. Top six were within 15s at the end.

[Jeff 8]

A great ride from Rossi and Hayden, Michelin seem to have finally made them a decent race tyre. That seemed to me what was holding them up most so far this season.

Jeff

[jhansen]

Originally Posted by Fish_Flake

To any of the American posters on this thread, was the CBS television coverage almost enough to make you vow never to watch MotoGP again? It's hard to believe, but they actually found a way to make motorcycle road racing unexciting.

*sigh* Yes it is horrid. Unfortunately, Kevin Schwantz is not as flamboyant as an announcer, as he was as a rider. And the other guy, well I'm not sure where CBS found him. He should be covering NASCAR or something. Brilliant move reaching the masses with network tv. Horrible move using this broadcast team.

[Pro Racer]

well great ride by Rossi our commentators thought Hayden and Pedrobot would also get Casey but Casey rode well, shame same can't be said of Chris bloody De Puniet 2nd time Chris has been taken out by a Kwaka rider , Westy had a stable ride but will have to improve if he is any hope of that seat in 08, good race by the Repsol boys especially Hayden.

[FPV GTHO]

West will just need to stay upright considering what de Puniet and Jacque have been doing so far this year.

[Schummy]

Kawa has to build a device to spray water on the tyres of West (and into the head of Randy).

[chunder]

Problem is for KAwasaki, that Randy has been crashing a bit yes, but he has also been going very fast and could arguably have had a podium by now.
I dont think Westy is yet able to push as hard in the dry, but certainly if KAwasaki can reign in Randy's speed a bit and try and stop him crashing, they coul get some better results.
Its clear they need a better rider to deveop the bike and bring it home

[Schummy]

Seeing Nicky happily sliding his bike again in Assen I think is a shame the real big-bike riders are robbed these years of their category. Electronics and 800cc formula are doing those bikes more like the old 350cc than real 500cc beasts. So the authentic specialist cannot shine as much as they could do. It's as if they had changed the marathon into a 10000 meters race

Roberts Sr., Spencer, Gardner, Schwantz, Rainey,... were happy to fight against those monsters. Rossi showed his talent in this respect in his first titles in the higher category. People as Sarron, Pons or even Criville never really got the doctorate in them. Biaggi was better but probably he was not optimal in 500cc/990cc. Ironically perhaps Max would be more at home this year with 800cc (and traction control).

As good a rider as Casey is being, as talented as Pedrosa is, I think they are yet untested as true big-bikers. They are good, clean, solid, but where are the heroic fight for traction of, for example, Gardner? Where are the lurid slides of Schwantz?

In this respect I think people as Hayden, perhaps Hopkins, Vermeulen, even Edwards are unfortunate to race below this rules. I think Melandri and Elias, who were good with smaller bikes are pretty good taming the big ones as well,; I think they would do well in the old 500cc days (or now without traction control).

Rules partially determine who are going to shine more or less in a championship. In F1, for example, was a very different type of cars those in Jim Clark's small capacity, nimble cars era than in 80s brutal turbos era. It's very difficult to know what had happened if those formulae had been others, but a thing is sure: driver's performances had been different.

Just a thought to vindicate the reigning world champion, I suppose

[chunder]

I think you are being a little unfair to some of the guys you mention there Schummy but I do take your point, I detest traction control with a passion, I long for the days of watching GP practice at the Old Hairpin exit and watxhing the likes of Mick, Crafar and McCoy lay 50 ft darkies out of the bend.
I also think you are right about rider ability being masked. Its clear that the new generation are differnt riders, but can you imagine if Mick, Rainey or Schwnatz?lawson were around, would they still be beating most of the riders?

I disagree with your point about riders though, Criville was a rear slide master in his Doohan beating years, he knew the only way he could beat Mick was to completely copy him and he managed it, not consistently but he did. And Sarron was a superb racer and got a runner up in 89, so unfair there, Chili, Pons Biaggi I agree with though, and maybe even Luca.

Totally agree with F1 comment though, can you imagine Hamilton jumping into a JPS Renault and winning in the wet at Estoril as Ayrton did, or into a Benetton with 1300hp and getting pole, no way Jose!!

[Pro Racer]

this year there has only been 3 stan outs for me, Casey going so well, Chris getting his first win in the wet the way he rode and Rossi being his usual self and doing it on not the best bike out their, but i think the problem is not the fact they have downsized but it's a transition period next year and the year after i think we will see the racing like what we have seen in previous years.

[Gerben24]

Originally Posted by Schummy

Seeing Nicky happily sliding his bike again in Assen I think is a shame the real big-bike riders are robbed these years of their category. Electronics and 800cc formula are doing those bikes more like the old 350cc than real 500cc beasts. So the authentic specialist cannot shine as much as they could do. It's as if they had changed the marathon into a 10000 meters race

Roberts Sr., Spencer, Gardner, Schwantz, Rainey,... were happy to fight against those monsters. Rossi showed his talent in this respect in his first titles in the higher category. People as Sarron, Pons or even Criville never really got the doctorate in them. Biaggi was better but probably he was not optimal in 500cc/990cc. Ironically perhaps Max would be more at home this year with 800cc (and traction control).

As good a rider as Casey is being, as talented as Pedrosa is, I think they are yet untested as true big-bikers. They are good, clean, solid, but where are the heroic fight for traction of, for example, Gardner? Where are the lurid slides of Schwantz?

In this respect I think people as Hayden, perhaps Hopkins, Vermeulen, even Edwards are unfortunate to race below this rules. I think Melandri and Elias, who were good with smaller bikes are pretty good taming the big ones as well,; I think they would do well in the old 500cc days (or now without traction control).

Rules partially determine who are going to shine more or less in a championship. In F1, for example, was a very different type of cars those in Jim Clark's small capacity, nimble cars era than in 80s brutal turbos era. It's very difficult to know what had happened if those formulae had been others, but a thing is sure: driver's performances had been different.

Just a thought to vindicate the reigning world champion, I suppose

You know, sometimes you DO make sense!

[Dani Filth]

nonsense

[Schummy]

Show more respect! I have been named in "Forum Administration" the second best Forum Host in the whole two-wheel-racing range of forums!

(And this time I have not payed anything)

[jhansen]

Oh contraire, you are far too modest. You achieved the top award!

[Knowlesy]

Balls!

[djb]

Originally Posted by bestfit

I just watched a replay of the race and noticed Melandri smashed his screen with his fist after he crossed the finish line. I guess that shows his opinion of the Honda at the moment.

I'm pretty certain that he thought that he had gotten pipped at the line (and maybe throw in some "this bike is a piece of ...." too)

and for me as well it was great seeing Hayden being able to throw his bike around and have it do what he wanted.

[Pro Racer]

vintage Hayden backing it in, great to watch, Melandri has a right to be off, maybe he could go to Ducati this year and it won't just be strong rumours.

[Slippy Diff]

Originally Posted by flying finn

1.909 seconds is hardly a trashing

Possibly is when the 'trasher' comes from 11th on the grid to pass and beat the 'trashee'.

[gomick]

was a great race - the anticipation of vale #46 coming through the pack was great

glad nicky beat danny - honda are a disgrace i reckon... its good that suzuki are right in the mix now too! get on john hopkins for a win at sachsenring...