Laguna Seca Moto GP

[Rev004]

Well fellars it's all happening again with the US round kicking off.

The 1st round of Free Practise is as you would expect with Stoner setting the pace straight up.
I'm still trying to work things out as you will see there is a 2nd Ducati in the Top 5 what's the go with Melandri, yes don't say it it's only early days but I spose some people would be saying about time.

Pos. Num. Rider Nation Team Motorcycle Lap time Km/h Gap
1 1 Casey STONER AUS Ducati Team Ducati 1'21.915 258.992
2 46 Valentino ROSSI ITA Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha 1'22.679 258.806 0.764
3 56 Shinya NAKANO JPN San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 1'22.953 246.913 1.038
4 7 Chris VERMEULEN AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 1'23.406 254.117 1.491
5 33 Marco MELANDRI ITA Ducati Team Ducati 1'23.455 253.402 1.540
6 69 Nicky HAYDEN USA Repsol Honda Team Honda 1'23.469 254.536 1.554
7 4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA JiR Team Scot MotoGP Honda 1'23.696 248.275 1.781
8 24 Toni ELIAS SPA Alice Team Ducati 1'23.698 253.640 1.783
9 5 Colin EDWARDS USA Tech 3 Yamaha Yamaha 1'23.760 254.837 1.845
10 15 Alex DE ANGELIS RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 1'23.896 245.009 1.981
11 11 Ben SPIES USA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 1'23.950 254.837 2.035
12 12 Jamie HACKING USA Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki 1'24.050 255.500 2.135
13 48 Jorge LORENZO SPA Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha 1'24.317 237.623 2.402
14 14 Randy DE PUNIET FRA LCR Honda MotoGP Honda 1'24.356 247.366 2.441
15 65 Loris CAPIROSSI ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 1'24.392 253.164 2.477
16 13 Anthony WEST AUS Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki 1'24.591 253.699 2.676
17 50 Sylvain GUINTOLI FRA Alice Team Ducati 1'24.661 253.283 2.746
18 52 James TOSELAND GBR Tech 3 Yamaha Yamaha 1'24.736 250.115 2.821
19 2 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 1'25.311 247.706 3.396

[Rev004]

Update from the 1st day of Practise and it looks like the field have it in front of them once again with Stoner setting the pace. Pedrosa is still uncertain to start at this stage but I reckon he is thinking of racing on the day to try and get some points but who knows..

Casey Stoner was the fastest rider in both the sessions on the opening day of action, as he was at the past three rounds in Britain, the Netherlands and Germany. His rivals will need no reminding that on all three occasions the Ducati Marlboro man has gone on to win the Sunday race...

Results from the 2nd round of FP..

Pos. Num. Rider Nation Team Motorcycle Lap time Km/h Gap
1 1 Casey STONER AUS Ducati Team Ducati 1'21.826 258.187
2 69 Nicky HAYDEN USA Repsol Honda Team Honda 1'22.634 252.927 0.808
3 46 Valentino ROSSI ITA Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha 1'22.769 258.868 0.943
4 15 Alex DE ANGELIS RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 1'22.808 253.402 0.982
5 7 Chris VERMEULEN AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 1'22.847 254.237 1.021
6 56 Shinya NAKANO JPN San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 1'22.924 251.865 1.098
7 5 Colin EDWARDS USA Tech 3 Yamaha Yamaha 1'23.077 255.319 1.251
8 4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA JiR Team Scot MotoGP Honda 1'23.097 252.218 1.271
9 24 Toni ELIAS SPA Alice Team Ducati 1'23.114 250.696 1.288
10 65 Loris CAPIROSSI ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 1'23.185 257.326 1.359
11 11 Ben SPIES USA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 1'23.244 255.560 1.418
12 33 Marco MELANDRI ITA Ducati Team Ducati 1'23.317 254.357 1.491
13 48 Jorge LORENZO SPA Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha 1'23.415 243.737 1.589
14 50 Sylvain GUINTOLI FRA Alice Team Ducati 1'23.495 252.395 1.669
15 2 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 1'23.707 251.924 1.881
16 52 James TOSELAND GBR Tech 3 Yamaha Yamaha 1'23.943 247.196 2.117
17 14 Randy DE PUNIET FRA LCR Honda MotoGP Honda 1'23.955 252.749 2.129
18 12 Jamie HACKING USA Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki 1'24.371 255.681 2.545
19 13 Anthony WEST AUS Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki 1'24.483 251.396 2.657

Well now we will have to wait and see how the 2nd day of FP goes but things are looking good for Stoner once again, lets hope he can keep it upright. I must have spoke to soon about Melandri as he didn't stay in the top 5 for long did he. It's great to see Vermuelin up there as well.

[Rev004]

Well the 2nd day of Free Practise continues to be a Stoner Affair with him still setting the pace for the rest of the field.

Here is the results from the 3rd round of FP

Pos. Num. Rider Nation Team Motorcycle Lap time Km/h Gap
1 1 Casey STONER AUS Ducati Team Ducati 1'21.461 257.818
2 46 Valentino ROSSI ITA Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha 1'22.168 259.677 0.707
3 56 Shinya NAKANO JPN San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 1'22.343 252.277 0.882
4 7 Chris VERMEULEN AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 1'22.533 254.596 1.072
5 33 Marco MELANDRI ITA Ducati Team Ducati 1'22.758 254.536 1.297
6 69 Nicky HAYDEN USA Repsol Honda Team Honda 1'22.770 254.297 1.309
7 15 Alex DE ANGELIS RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 1'22.833 251.279 1.372
8 48 Jorge LORENZO SPA Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha 1'22.967 246.970 1.506
9 65 Loris CAPIROSSI ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 1'22.988 252.631 1.527
10 4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA JiR Team Scot MotoGP Honda 1'23.138 252.631 1.677
11 11 Ben SPIES USA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 1'23.171 254.777 1.710
12 50 Sylvain GUINTOLI FRA Alice Team Ducati 1'23.179 252.868 1.718
13 5 Colin EDWARDS USA Tech 3 Yamaha Yamaha 1'23.233 253.045 1.772
14 24 Toni ELIAS SPA Alice Team Ducati 1'23.234 252.631 1.773
15 52 James TOSELAND GBR Tech 3 Yamaha Yamaha 1'23.338 250.115 1.877
16 14 Randy DE PUNIET FRA LCR Honda MotoGP Honda 1'23.358 249.826 1.897
17 12 Jamie HACKING USA Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki 1'23.663 256.959 2.202
18 13 Anthony WEST AUS Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki 1'24.165 254.416 2.704
Not classified
2 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda Lap

Now we will have to wiat and see how Qualifying goes in a few hours time but at this stage Stoner is proving once again that he is the man to beat.

Who is everyone putting there money on this weekend does anyone want to give Simmo any last minute tips to help him on his way.

Heres' my thoughts - Stoner, Rossi and a toss up between Vermeulin and Hayden.

[Rev004]

Casey Stoner continued his pole-to-pole run on Saturday afternoon in Laguna Seca, with his fifth consecutive qualifying top spot and a breathtaking series of laps at the scene of the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix. The 2007 MotoGP World Champion –winner of last year´s race from pole position- had been peerless throughout the free practice sessions, and confirmed his superiority at the American circuit in the hour-long qualifying run.

Having broken his own circuit record continually with every session, it took just nine laps for Stoner to do so again. Three laps later and the Ducati Marlboro man was down to 1´21.374 without the aid of qualifying tyres, and he finally settled on the definitive pole position record time for the weekend with a jaw-dropping 1´20.700 in the final ten minutes. In doing so he cut the previous best by just over 1.5 seconds.

Nine riders were able to break the 1´22 barrier for the first time in the Saturday session, but none were able to do so over an extended series of laps as the reigning titlist did. His imposing pace will pose plenty of problems for those attempting to stop another victory and an ongoing World Championship fightback from Stoner.

Here are the Final results from qualifying

Pos. Num. Rider Nation Team Motorcycle Lap time Km/h Gap
1 1 Casey STONER AUS Ducati Team Ducati 1'20.700 262.773
2 46 Valentino ROSSI ITA Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha 1'21.147 259.365 0.447
3 69 Nicky HAYDEN USA Repsol Honda Team Honda 1'21.430 256.898 0.730
4 48 Jorge LORENZO SPA Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha 1'21.636 246.631 0.936
5 52 James TOSELAND GBR Tech 3 Yamaha Yamaha 1'21.848 252.336 1.148
6 14 Randy DE PUNIET FRA LCR Honda MotoGP Honda 1'21.921 251.338 1.221
7 5 Colin EDWARDS USA Tech 3 Yamaha Yamaha 1'21.947 252.749 1.247
8 7 Chris VERMEULEN AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 1'21.971 255.742 1.271
9 4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA JiR Team Scot MotoGP Honda 1'21.974 256.471 1.274
10 24 Toni ELIAS SPA Alice Team Ducati 1'21.999 251.865 1.299
11 65 Loris CAPIROSSI ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 1'22.039 255.379 1.339
12 56 Shinya NAKANO JPN San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 1'22.092 249.884 1.392
13 11 Ben SPIES USA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 1'22.127 256.288 1.427
14 50 Sylvain GUINTOLI FRA Alice Team Ducati 1'22.719 257.879 2.019
15 33 Marco MELANDRI ITA Ducati Team Ducati 1'22.957 254.177 2.257
16 15 Alex DE ANGELIS RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 1'23.035 253.759 2.335
17 12 Jamie HACKING USA Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki 1'23.309 257.142 2.609
18 13 Anthony WEST AUS Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki 1'24.525 252.218 3.825
Not classified
2 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda Lap

Well there you go fellars now it's up to you or the guys in the tipping game anyway.
Now that's taken care of I'm going to bed just got home from Nights.

One last thing to say and that is Gooooooooooooooooo Stoner

[Rev]

Hey Rev.......(004)..what made you pick that handle

Someone has already got me confused with you...

cheers ............Rev

[Pommie]

Gonna be another race for second. Hope I'm wrong tho

[Rev004]

Hey Rev.......(004)..what made you pick that handle

Someone has already got me confused with you...

cheers ............Rev

Sorry mate I wasn't aware of that when I registered I've had that nickname ever since I got my licence, Bugso did warn me that we might get mixed up. I have been thinking of changing it but I spose the main thing for you is as long as it is all good we should be OK. We could really stir things up couldn't we.

[debandee]

Is the race really on at 2:30 Mon morning?
Just as well it's a public holiday up here

[Madmax]

Is the race really on at 2:30 Mon morning?
Just as well it's a public holiday up here

It's being played at 6.45 Monday morning on free to air Telly down here. I'll have been home from work 30 minutes by then - snuggling into a couple of JD's during the rave before bed.

Tough life!


Max

[BUSGO]

I'm tipping Stoner, Hayden, Edwards (If he doesn't chuck it away) and Rossi.
With Vermulan the wet place getter of course.

[busakid08]

And Rossi wins the day - hes da man! Waddup Casey cant get a groove happnin when someone actually challenges you??? ha ha ha ha

Gonna be a good championship this year me thinks

Good on Chris - love to see him on a decent bike!

[Rev004]

Well what a race and yes Rossi got the better on the day, this is how Rossi has rattled his opponents in the past so lets hope Stoner is able to come back from this and show everyone what he can do. But I would have to say that this was some of the best racing that I have seen this year until Stoners mistake.

Here is the post interviews.

Rossi delighted with win whilst Stoner hits out at passing
Sunday, 20 July 2008

The post-race rider interviews at the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix gathered the three podium finishers in close proximity once more, to provide their views on a thrilling race.

Valentino Rossi – Racewinner
`For me it has been fantastic. It´s the first time that I´ve been able to win here, and it was an unbelievable race. The crew made some modifications and I was able to take a much better pace. I had a good start, then a great battle with Casey, which was a lot of fun. It´s an important victory –very emotional- and now in the summer break we will relax, because the championship is so long.´

Casey Stoner – Second Placed
`The mistake I made past halfway was mine; I ran a little wide and lost the front on the turn as I tried to get back on track. It was race over after that. I enjoyed a lot of the race, but I felt that some of the passes a bit too much for me. I´ve been racing for a lot of years and have come through a lot of different ranks, and for me just a couple of passes were a little too much. I would have liked to have had a little bit of a cleaner battle, but anyway we are happy with the result. We´re still at the front of the championship and not too far off.´
Chris Vermeulen – Third Placed

`It was difficult starting from the third row, and these guys got away early. I had a bit of a battle with Hayden and Dovizioso for a few laps, and once we got past them then we had more pace than everyone else. These two were too quick for us today. To be back on the podium in the dry proves that Suzuki are improving, and I´m looking forward to Brno now.´

Race Results were as follows

MotoGP Race Classification
Pos. Points Num. Rider Nation Team Motorcycle Total time Km/h Gap
1 25 46 Valentino ROSSI ITA Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha 44'04.311 157.270
2 20 1 Casey STONER AUS Ducati Team Ducati 44'17.312 156.501 13.001
3 16 7 Chris VERMEULEN AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 44'30.920 155.703 26.609
4 13 4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA JiR Team Scot MotoGP Honda 44'39.212 155.221 34.901
5 11 69 Nicky HAYDEN USA Repsol Honda Team Honda 44'39.974 155.177 35.663
6 10 14 Randy DE PUNIET FRA LCR Honda MotoGP Honda 44'41.979 155.061 37.668
7 9 24 Toni ELIAS SPA Alice Team Ducati 44'45.940 154.832 41.629
8 8 11 Ben SPIES USA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 44'46.238 154.815 41.927
9 7 52 James TOSELAND GBR Tech 3 Yamaha Yamaha 44'47.330 154.752 43.019
10 6 56 Shinya NAKANO JPN San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 44'48.702 154.673 44.391
11 5 12 Jamie HACKING USA Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki 44'50.569 154.566 46.258
12 4 50 Sylvain GUINTOLI FRA Alice Team Ducati 44'59.584 154.050 55.273
13 3 15 Alex DE ANGELIS RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 44'59.832 154.036 55.521
14 2 5 Colin EDWARDS USA Tech 3 Yamaha Yamaha 45'06.691 153.645 1'02.380
15 1 65 Loris CAPIROSSI ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 45'12.518 153.315 1'08.207
16 33 Marco MELANDRI ITA Ducati Team Ducati 45'15.273 153.160 1'10.962
17 13 Anthony WEST AUS Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki 44'34.872 150.615 1 Lap
Not finished 1st lap
48 Jorge LORENZO SPA Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha

This is still a great result for the Aussies so lets wait and see what happens at the next round I'm sure the sparks are going to fly.

[busakid08]

I cant beleive Stoner has to Whine about everything; "the passing was too close for me sniff sniff" - not only is he boring as batshit to talk to but he has to whinge all the time - even if he is miles in front of everyone with the best bike on the track (without a doubt and I passionalty hate Ducatis!) he STILL whines - lost me as a supporter ages ago and now I am completly sealed. Rossi may be getting on a bit and maybe slowing down a tad (personally dont think so) but he still has the balls to go all out and race hard and is the most entertaining on and off the track we have seen for years.

Go Vale - will always be the best racer not only for his speed but his sense of sportsmanship, competitiveness, humor and plain tom foolery love it!

[TimF]

Valentino certainly is entertaining but I'm not a fanboy - I like seeing new talent. And Valentino's fans are often in my opinion.

The likes of Stoner/Pedrosa get a lot of criticism for not playing to the crowd as much as they could, but I think Stoner cops a lot of undue criticism. Take a look at some of the lap records he set on the LCR honda in 2006. Sure he couldn't stay on the thing but he was FAST.

Stoner definitely deserved the 20 points he got today, good on him!

[busakid08]

Its not a matter of playing the craowd its just being at least a little interesting and not whining every time something doesnt go his way - when was teh last time you actually heard Stoner say it was great fun - Vale always has fun even if he doesnt win. Stoner is just plain ... plain


Never said he couldnt ridde though - FOth he is fast