MotoGP season opener in Qatar (POSSIBLE SPOILER)

10-04-2009, 05:49 PM

I'm looking forward to the season getting underway this weekend.

Any predictions?

How do you think Nicky Hayden will get along with the Ducati?

I'm hoping for a strong Ducati season, though Rossi is amazing.

10-04-2009, 05:59 PM

I really think Stoner will run away with things this season, he seems in complete control of the bike, and able to go faster & faster whenever he has to ! Rossi is amazing, but I think Ducati has developed much more than the others with it's carbon frame, Nicky Hayden will be a consistant top ten man but it will take time to get used to the machine & tyres.
I hope I am wrong and we have a really close season, I have my tickets already for Donnington, Can't wait.

11-04-2009, 12:53 AM

stoner is fastest on the free practice, Hayden 13th, but there are quite a few surprises in the top 10 at the moment:
MOTO GP
1. Stoner (Aus-Ducati) in 1'57"053, alla media di 165,463 km/h
2. ROSSI (Ita-Yamaha) a 0"386;
3. Edwards (Usa-Yamaha) a 0"782
4. Lorenzo (Spa-Yamaha) a 1"219
5. De Angelis (Rsm-Honda) a 1"399
6. CAPIROSSI (Ita-Suzuki) a 1"415
7. Kallio (Fin-Ducati) a 1"446
8. DOVIZIOSO (Ita-Honda) a 1"453
9. MELANDRI (Ita-Kawasaki) a 1"704
10. De Puniet (Fra-Honda) a 1"718
11. Toseland (Gbr-Yamaha) a 1"797
12. Elias (Spa-Honda) a 2"041
13. Hayden (Usa-Ducati) a 2"105
14. Vermeulen (Aus-Suzuki) a 2"295
15. Takahashi (Jap-Honda) a 2"384
16. Gibernau (Spa-Ducati) a 3"542
17. CANEPA (Ita-Ducati) a 3"544
18. Pedrosa (Spa-Honda) a 4"382
CLASSE 250
1. Talmacsi (Ung-Aprilia) 2'01"902 alla media di 158,881 km/h
2. Bautista (Spa-Aprilia) a 0"041
3. PASINI (Ita-Aprilia) a 0"294
16. SIMONCELLI (Aprilia) a 2"974
CLASSE 125
1. Simon (Spa-Aprilia) in 2'07"791, alla media di 151,599 km/h
2. Smith (Gbr-Aprilia) a 1"032
3. Terol (Spa-Aprilia) a 1"374
7. IANNONE (Ita-Aprilia) a 1"878
I think Stoner have a big chance to start in winning form, and apart him and Rossi there will be very few other GP winners this season, but no other title contenders as such.

11-04-2009, 07:17 AM

If Soner's wrist holds up he'll win, Hayden is going to struggle, Toseland had a good first practise and I'm really impressed with Kallio.

11-04-2009, 07:50 AM

I hope Toseland has a good season it was obvious he was trying to hard last year, I watch the MOTO GP probably because of Rossi the mans a genius but to be honest i prefer the WSB or BSB which produced some cracking races last year.

Pedro · 11-04-2009, 09:02 AM

My two penneth....

Rossie for the title
Stoner hasn't proved his wrist will do race distance, he may be quick in practice etc but....
Dovi will outshine Pedrosa after a few races, much more the real deal than Pedrosa, not afraid to mix it with the big boys
Hayden will run mid pack along with the likes of JT, Elias and Melandri
I think Lorenzo will be a threat this year if he can keep it rubber side down and the Suzuki's will be worth watching

Yorkie · 11-04-2009, 11:22 AM

Rossi for my choice! He's cool!

Yorkie.

11-04-2009, 12:55 PM

My head says Rossi, my heart says Edwards.

However, I would love to see Melandri get a few podiums but I know that is a dream.

11-04-2009, 06:53 PM

Stoner because of his wrist has not completed as many laps in testing as Rossi. So how his tyres will last with is race set up may be unknown territory. Rossi although slower than Stoner in testing over 5 laps i think will be quicker over race distance. really would like to see JT get a podium this year but i cant see it and i thnk he may be back to WSB after this season maybe swapping with Spies. Dovizioso will be the big suprise this year but only Stoner and Rossi will challenge for title in my opinion and if we are looking for a battle including Gibernau with Rossi like in years gone by forget it.

For what it's worth in my opinion.

Opening Race

1 Rossi
2 Stoner
3 Dovizioso
4 Edwards

11-04-2009, 06:59 PM

Yes I'm looking forward to tomorrows race but where the hell can I watch the qualifiying?
Eurosport says its only showing 125 and 250 sessions and BBC says its on iplayer-erm not on mine its not. Help I am very angry at the moment-very angry. Why did the beeb buy the right's with our money and not show it?

11-04-2009, 07:17 PM

their F1 coverage is very good(almost as good as ITV used to be)so I'm hopeful. Parish is OK, and I watch the races to watch racing, not to listen to the commentators TBH.
Eurosport was a big loss to the fans, and the fact that they'll be showing the MototGP again mainly due to pressure from the afficionados speaks for itself, but I've used the iPlayer for most of last season(I normally work weekends

) and found it a decent alternative.

11-04-2009, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pomp1

their F1 coverage is very good(almost as good as ITV used to be)so I'm hopeful. Parish is OK, and I watch the races to watch racing, not to listen to the commentators TBH.
Eurosport was a big loss to the fans, and the fact that they'll be showing the MototGP again mainly due to pressure from the afficionados speaks for itself, but I've used the iPlayer for most of last season(I normally work weekends

) and found it a decent alternative.

Point taken - I don't watch the F1 though so I suppose I can't really comment on that and I'm sorry you work weekends too.

I'd just rather listen to the Julian and Toby show on Eurosport. They talk "wubbish" (Julian impression there...) and I like to correct them, it's the only time I can feel clever!

Do you know I feeling Messr Kallio may be a surprise contender...

11-04-2009, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mand

Point taken - I don't watch the F1 though so I suppose I can't really comment on that and I'm sorry you work weekends too.

I'd just rather listen to the Julian and Toby show on Eurosport. They talk "wubbish" (Julian impression there...) and I like to correct them, it's the only time I can feel clever!

Do you know I feeling Messr Kallio may be a surprise contender...

nothing to be sorry about me working weekends, they pay me well for that

I know what you mean about the coverage team, ES guys are miles better but Suzi Perry is more pleasant to the eye (for the boys at least,,), just turn the audio off.. maybe the Beeb will sign them up next year, I hope.
Kallio and Dovizioso will be doing very good IMO

11-04-2009, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pomp1

nothing to be sorry about me working weekends, they pay me well for that

I know what you mean about the coverage team, ES guys are miles better but Suzi Perry is more pleasant to the eye (for the boys at least,,), just turn the audio off.. maybe the Beeb will sign them up next year, I hope.
Kallio and Dovizioso will be doing very good IMO

Yeah I'm with you there with Dovi too, I just hope it doesn't turn it the "Rossi and Stoner" show, it just makes it boring in my opinion.

I'm hoping that WSB doesn't do the same with Spies and Haga.

PS I don't fancy Suzy Perry!

11-04-2009, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mand

Yeah I'm with you there with Dovi too, I just hope it doesn't turn it the "Rossi and Stoner" show, it just makes it boring in my opinion.

I'm hoping that WSB doesn't do the same with Spies and Haga.

PS I don't fancy Suzy Perry!

Oh, and don't forget Lorenzo.. in WSB if wasn't for Haga Spies will have an easy life, that Yam is strong..

10-04-2009, 05:49 PM	#1
Snips Guest Posts: n/a	MotoGP season opener in Qatar (POSSIBLE SPOILER) I'm looking forward to the season getting underway this weekend. Any predictions? How do you think Nicky Hayden will get along with the Ducati? I'm hoping for a strong Ducati season, though Rossi is amazing.

11-04-2009, 09:02 AM	#6
Pedro Ciao, come stai? Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Somewhere Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 4,158	My two penneth.... Rossie for the title Stoner hasn't proved his wrist will do race distance, he may be quick in practice etc but.... Dovi will outshine Pedrosa after a few races, much more the real deal than Pedrosa, not afraid to mix it with the big boys Hayden will run mid pack along with the likes of JT, Elias and Melandri I think Lorenzo will be a threat this year if he can keep it rubber side down and the Suzuki's will be worth watching __________________ Monster 1200R! KTM 990 SuperDuke

11-04-2009, 07:17 PM	#11
Pomp1 Guest Posts: n/a	their F1 coverage is very good(almost as good as ITV used to be)so I'm hopeful. Parish is OK, and I watch the races to watch racing, not to listen to the commentators TBH. Eurosport was a big loss to the fans, and the fact that they'll be showing the MototGP again mainly due to pressure from the afficionados speaks for itself, but I've used the iPlayer for most of last season(I normally work weekends) and found it a decent alternative. Last edited by Pomp1; 11-04-2009 at 07:20 PM..

10-04-2009, 05:59 PM	#2
Steve6404 Guest Posts: n/a	I really think Stoner will run away with things this season, he seems in complete control of the bike, and able to go faster & faster whenever he has to ! Rossi is amazing, but I think Ducati has developed much more than the others with it's carbon frame, Nicky Hayden will be a consistant top ten man but it will take time to get used to the machine & tyres. I hope I am wrong and we have a really close season, I have my tickets already for Donnington, Can't wait.

11-04-2009, 12:53 AM	#3
Pomp1 Guest Posts: n/a	stoner is fastest on the free practice, Hayden 13th, but there are quite a few surprises in the top 10 at the moment: MOTO GP 1. Stoner (Aus-Ducati) in 1'57"053, alla media di 165,463 km/h 2. ROSSI (Ita-Yamaha) a 0"386; 3. Edwards (Usa-Yamaha) a 0"782 4. Lorenzo (Spa-Yamaha) a 1"219 5. De Angelis (Rsm-Honda) a 1"399 6. CAPIROSSI (Ita-Suzuki) a 1"415 7. Kallio (Fin-Ducati) a 1"446 8. DOVIZIOSO (Ita-Honda) a 1"453 9. MELANDRI (Ita-Kawasaki) a 1"704 10. De Puniet (Fra-Honda) a 1"718 11. Toseland (Gbr-Yamaha) a 1"797 12. Elias (Spa-Honda) a 2"041 13. Hayden (Usa-Ducati) a 2"105 14. Vermeulen (Aus-Suzuki) a 2"295 15. Takahashi (Jap-Honda) a 2"384 16. Gibernau (Spa-Ducati) a 3"542 17. CANEPA (Ita-Ducati) a 3"544 18. Pedrosa (Spa-Honda) a 4"382 CLASSE 250 1. Talmacsi (Ung-Aprilia) 2'01"902 alla media di 158,881 km/h 2. Bautista (Spa-Aprilia) a 0"041 3. PASINI (Ita-Aprilia) a 0"294 16. SIMONCELLI (Aprilia) a 2"974 CLASSE 125 1. Simon (Spa-Aprilia) in 2'07"791, alla media di 151,599 km/h 2. Smith (Gbr-Aprilia) a 1"032 3. Terol (Spa-Aprilia) a 1"374 7. IANNONE (Ita-Aprilia) a 1"878 I think Stoner have a big chance to start in winning form, and apart him and Rossi there will be very few other GP winners this season, but no other title contenders as such.

11-04-2009, 07:17 AM	#4
giler Guest Posts: n/a	If Soner's wrist holds up he'll win, Hayden is going to struggle, Toseland had a good first practise and I'm really impressed with Kallio.

11-04-2009, 07:50 AM	#5
mazydog Guest Posts: n/a	I hope Toseland has a good season it was obvious he was trying to hard last year, I watch the MOTO GP probably because of Rossi the mans a genius but to be honest i prefer the WSB or BSB which produced some cracking races last year.

11-04-2009, 11:22 AM	#7
Yorkie Anglo-Saxon Warrior Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: North Yorkshire Bike: M900 Posts: 2,485	Rossi for my choice! He's cool! Yorkie.

11-04-2009, 12:55 PM	#8
Mand Guest Posts: n/a	My head says Rossi, my heart says Edwards. However, I would love to see Melandri get a few podiums but I know that is a dream.

11-04-2009, 06:53 PM	#9
Humbucker Guest Posts: n/a	Stoner because of his wrist has not completed as many laps in testing as Rossi. So how his tyres will last with is race set up may be unknown territory. Rossi although slower than Stoner in testing over 5 laps i think will be quicker over race distance. really would like to see JT get a podium this year but i cant see it and i thnk he may be back to WSB after this season maybe swapping with Spies. Dovizioso will be the big suprise this year but only Stoner and Rossi will challenge for title in my opinion and if we are looking for a battle including Gibernau with Rossi like in years gone by forget it. For what it's worth in my opinion. Opening Race 1 Rossi 2 Stoner 3 Dovizioso 4 Edwards

11-04-2009, 06:59 PM	#10
dlloyduk Guest Posts: n/a	Yes I'm looking forward to tomorrows race but where the hell can I watch the qualifiying? Eurosport says its only showing 125 and 250 sessions and BBC says its on iplayer-erm not on mine its not. Help I am very angry at the moment-very angry. Why did the beeb buy the right's with our money and not show it?