'Official' MotoGP and Superbike discussion thread.

[Worldtraveller]

Really, any motorcycle road racing discussion is welcome.

Ok, second race of the MotoGP season is over. Anyone want to make predictions, discuss the past races, whatever, bring it here.

The Jerez 250 race was a nail biter...I love races like that. I was thinking Bautista would be pissed at being taken out the last lap, but apprently, it came out after the race that his engine had siezed, and he was slowing unexpectedly, which is what caused the collision. Still, musta been a bit surprising to be riding in 3rd, and next thing you know, you're taking the checkered flag!!

The MotoGP was less exciting up front, but the 3-7th position race was exciting pretty much the whole race.

I'm curious for any in the know....you think Pedrosa is going to run away with it this year, or was it a combination of Jerez being his home track and really good tire choice? I was amazed to see that even Rossi couldn't really gain ground on him, and I don't think there's that much of a difference between the Yamaha and Honda. I'm hoping it's the tires. Even though I love to see Honda win, I'd prefer a more contested race. Was good fun, can't wait for Portugal!

Cheers,
Lane

[tjakey]

I haven't seen the 250 race yet, maybe I'll get a chance to watch it between putting coats of paint in the hallway this evening.

I think MotoGP is wide open at the moment. Certainly Stoner, Rossi, Pedrosa and Lorenzo all have a real shot at the title this year. I hate to count out Edwards, but a DNF in this class just might do you in. If Honda would support Hayden with the same enthusiasm they seem to have for Pedrosa I think Nicky could get back up on the podium and maybe make another run at the title. That save he made in the race, (as with the one Edwards did during QP) if just amazing; certainly a "save of the year" contender.

I ride a Suzuki and sure wish Rizla could get it together, but I think they made a huge mistake when they let Hopkins get away. It would be good fun if Toseland can get to the top step some this year, but I think Tech 3 needs a few more ponies out of the motor before that can happen. If Rossi comes out on top this year I think he might retire, maybe go F1 racing. I wouldn't be surprised to see Hayden switch teams next year.

It looks like a fun season coming up.

[tjakey]

The 250 race was a good one. (250 racing often is - in some ways it is the most fun to watch.) Even with Bautista's engine giving way I'm not sure...it really looked like he got clocked from the inside. At those speeds though, once you have set a line through the corner it isn't like you can change it much. And running that close, everything has to be perfect and everyone has to do it right.

I have nearly 1/4 million miles on two-wheels, not much chicken strip on my GSXR tires, I have ridden the K-Bike through thunderstorms and driving rain, streets so flooded I felt like a submarine, and once touched the ton while riding in a snow squall. Yet those kids make me look like a piker not a biker. Damn they are fast.

[Worldtraveller]

Well, Suzuki shines in the AMA Superbike races. The next AMA SS race is Apr 20-22: Birmingham, AL: Barber Motorsports Park, so it'll be a bit of a wait. The AMA schedule is much more spread out than MotoGP, with fewer races.

Complete AMA schedule:
Mar 7-10: Daytona Beach, FL: Daytona International Speedway
Apr 20-22: Birmingham, AL: Barber Motorsports Park
Apr 27-29: Fontana, CA: California Speedway
May 18-20: Sonoma, CA: Infineon Raceway
Jun 1-3: Elkhart Lake, WI: Road America
Jun 22-24: Tooele, UT: Miller Motorsports Park
Jul 20-22: Monterey, CA: Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
Aug 3-5: Lexington, OH: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course |
Aug 17-19: Alton, VA: Virginia International Raceway
Aug 31-Sep 2: Braselton, GA: Road Atlanta
Sep 15-16: Monterey, CA: Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca

Compared to the MotoGP schedule:
March 9 Losail Qatar
March 30 Jerez Spain
April 20 Estoril Portugal
May 4 China Shanghai
May 18 Le Mans France
June 1 Mugello Italy
June 8 Catalunya Catalunya
June 22 Donington Great Britain
June 28 Assen Holland
July 13 Sachsenring Germany
July 20 Laguna Seca USA
August 17 Brno Czech Republic
August 31 Misano San Marino & Riviera di Rimini
September 14 Indianapolis Indiana
September 28 Phillip Island Australia
October 5 Motegi Japan
October 19 Sepang Malaysia
October 28 Estoril Portugal
November 2 Ricardo Torma Valencia
I'm not willing to make any predictions for MotoGP, but I'd like to see the Repsol Honda (Pedrosa is going to defenitely be a contender!) team do well. In Superbike, Suzuki (Spies and Miladon(sp?)) dominates, with Honda a close second, and Yamaha and Kawasaki both representing fairly well. It will be interesting to see what they do with the twins in this series, and it's very cool that BMW is finally getting a factory bike into the action.

More to come!

[Bright Life]

Moved per OP request.

[tjakey]

I wonder how BMW is coming up with the money to go Superbike racing.

[Worldtraveller]

Maybe the R&D division that also invests tons of money into F1? I don't care, I just like to see more manufacturer's competing. :)

I'd like to see Aprilia add some larger bikes, they do very well in the 125 and 250 right now. I saw a recent article that KTm is making a serious contender bike in the middle wieght range. Not sure if they are going to shoot for the Supersport category, or MotoGP, I'll see if I can dig up that article.

[tjakey]

So are the Ducs cooked for the year?

[Worldtraveller]

I the Ducatis might be safe for the season. It will be interesting to see how they fair the rest of the season, though.

For the second time (out of three) this season, the 250 race was in many ways more exciting than the MotoGP. Not that I'm complaining, I like to see me some good motorcycle racing, however big the engines are.

Now in superbike, the Ducatis seemed to really dominate early on. I'm wondering if they weren't holding back a bit for a few races to do better the rest of the season. I'd hope they wouldn't (and I'd have a hard time believing it), but considering how dominant they seemed the first race, when everyone was talking about handicapping them with extra weight, and how poorly they've done the next couple races, I have to wonder.

We shall see. I really hope there is no controversy associated with MotoGP.

Did you see the bump just before the finish of the 250? That was cheap!!

Cheers.

[tjakey]

Rubbing is racing, or so they say. I did think that was a bit of a cheap elbow. The pushing and shoving in the corners was legit though, serious stuff that.

It looks like the young lions are looking for their share of the kill this year in MotoGP, though counting Rossi out is always a bad idea. I thought he looked pretty good. I wish Hayden and Collins could get it together and race at the front, I never did see Hayden's get-off. I wish Suzuki would pony up the bucks and get a first class rider. (I ride a GSXR1000.) Its been a fun year so far though.