MOTO GP BACK ON EUROSPORT !

[paddyberger15]

Fucking hell, Oliver's Mount. That's a terrifying track.

 

PB15, mad respect to your Uncle for riding the TT. Anyone who does that is certifiable.

 

He's dead now mate, died in a bike accident, but he was as mad a Badger and great rider. He was mates with Joey Dunlop.

[Victor Ganges]

I agree, the Duke is flying this season. I can see Stoner winning 2/3 of the races this season.

I'd have to agree with that. It's a completely carbon fibre chassis this year and has the advantage of everyone now being on Bridgestone tyres, which were developed for the Duke.

 

It's my favourite bike on the grid but I'm a massive Rossi fan. I hope Yamaha keep Stoner honest this year. I can't see Hayden having much off an impact.

 

Randy Mamola's contract wasn't renewed by Eurosport this year. It's just Julian and Toby.

[paddyberger15]

My Uncle, Gramps and Dad have all told me that Halewood was the best British rider bar none and Agostini was the best they ever saw. Geoff Duke was a close 3rd.

[dirty_sanchez]

Just felt like posting this:

 

[paddyberger15]

I'd have to agree with that. It's a completely carbon fibre chassis this year and has the advantage of everyone now being on Bridgestone tyres, which were developed for the Duke.

 

It's my favourite bike on the grid but I'm a massive Rossi fan. I hope Yamaha keep Stoner honest this year. I can't see Hayden having much off an impact.

 

Randy Mamola's contract wasn't renewed by Eurosport this year. It's just Julian and Toby.

 

Vic, who is that Neil dude who was co-commentating on Monday night?

That Carbon fibre chassis is a fucking major breakthrough.

Hayden is an honest and talented rider, but he is second division in comparison in my opinion.

This thread needs a greatest rider poll.

[Caramac]

Ducati Carbon fibre chassis and swing arm pics.

 

 

 

 

 

[kelster]

I hope you're right. Rossi has massive ability, massive balls, and an unbelievable feel for pushing a motorbike. I just think the Ducati is so strong. I'm sure Rossi will win plenty of races, but he'll also finish badly in some. Rossi's bad finishes will see him in 12th, 13th, whereas when Stoner's bad finishes will probably see him finish just shy of the podium.

 

Not sure that bears any serious close analysis. Rossi has finished out of the top ten 7 times in 150-odd races. No worse than Stoner, who just retires more often.

 

Anyhow, both are awesome riders - should be a cracking season.

[dirty_sanchez]

Phwoar. That's bike porn that is. Love that swing arm.

 

I had carbon fibre stickers on my GSXR if that counts.

[dirty_sanchez]

Not sure that bears any serious close analysis. Rossi has finished out of the top ten 7 times in 150-odd races. No worse than Stoner, who just retires more often.

 

Anyhow, both are awesome riders - should be a cracking season.

 

Fair point. I guess it's just my memory going!

[Ron Yeats Rules]

Funnily enough I watched the race on the BBC (red button and all that) and Charlie Cox and Steve Parrish were very entertaining. A real sense of anarchy and danger in their conversations :-)

 

I particularly liked "it's deja vu, all over again"

 

Anyway, back to the racing. Rossi screwed up the start and even though he started to cut the gap to Stoner his tyres went and decided "better second than crash" or something like that.

 

I think him and Stoner will still be fighting it out at the end of the season and I'd be surprised if any of the others get anywhere near over the course of the season. There are some excellent riders there but when Rossi is on the top of his game he's pretty much unbeatable and as Stoner and the Duke look invincible at the moment this is lining up to be a good 'un.

 

Rossi is probably the best MotoGP rider we'll ever see and it'll be interesting if he does go to F1 or rally as is constantly rumoured.

 

Don't forget WSB and BSB either as both of them have provided some of the best bike racing ever.

 

Nothing though comes close to the Rossi and Stoner battle at Laguna last year. And they say motorcycling isn't a contact sport :-) .... a simply fucking awesome race. All I can find is this but it's still good.

 

 

And just for fun (although this isn't the reason I watch MotoGP - honest)

 

 

WTF were they doing with umbrellas at night in Qatar btw?

[Caramac]

Aye there was no evidence of closer racing at Losail that the single tyre manufacturer rule was meant to bring. Not sure whether this rule will benefit or not. Time will tell l spose....... Qualifying not as exciting for me.

[Victor Ganges]

Vic, who is that Neil dude who was co-commentating on Monday night?

That Carbon fibre chassis is a fucking major breakthrough.

Hayden is an honest and talented rider, but he is second division in comparison in my opinion.

This thread needs a greatest rider poll.

Neil Spalding, technical guru.

 

Neil Spalding.com : MotoGP Technology

[Victor Ganges]

Aye there was no evidence of closer racing at Losail that the single tyre manufacturer rule was meant to bring. Not sure whether this rule will benefit or not. Time will tell l spose....... Qualifying not as exciting for me.

I don't see this happening for some time as there need to be some serious changes to the bikes (ie. weight distribution) before they are competitive. Suzuki are meant to be ahead of most teams in this respect.

[paddyberger15]

Neil Spalding, technical guru.

 

Neil Spalding.com : MotoGP Technology

 

Good shout. He sounded like someone who knew the technical shit. Bit of a dull cunt though.

[Victor Ganges]

I actually sat down and watched the WSB and the BSB for the first time. Usually I'd just watch the MotoGP but as more riders crossover (eg Guintoli from MGP to BSB) it's interesting to see how they do.

[Ron Yeats Rules]

I actually sat down and watched the WSB and the BSB for the first time. Usually I'd just watch the MotoGP but as more riders crossover (eg Guintoli from MGP to BSB) it's interesting to see how they do.

 

Guintoli did rather well and comes over as a top bloke when interviewed. I'll be watching him with interest over the season.

[Stephen Adams.]

Never knew we had some bike nerds on here!

I was born and brought up in Coleraine, which is part of the North West 200 track which some of you will know well.

Been into bike racing for this reason since I was about 5 or 6.

Love Eurosport's coverage of MotoGP, especially compared to BBC's attempts.

Went over to Donington for the first time last year for the MotoGP and then the World Superbikes a few months later. Seeing Redding winning the 125 race was class, although Toseland falling on his arse in just about every session took the shine off it a wee bit!

The sheer noise and power of the MotoGP bikes was amazing to see and hear up close.

The first time Rossi went past me I must admit I got a wee shiver down my spine.

[Ron Yeats Rules]

Oi, less of the nerds :-)

 

I like how you got into the racing. I never got to the NW200 although I did make it to the IOM once. Great fun!

 

My Dad used to race speedway in the army and said he was offered a place in the Liverpool team (this would have been early 50s) but couldn't afford the leathers.

 

He moved to Essex and we used to go to Raleigh for the speedway and it got me hooked on racing and bikes and I've been riding now for 35 years and still love it.

 

Nice to see other bike fans here as well.

[dirty_sanchez]

Nothing beats the thrill of riding a motorbike. Nothing. I once pretty much topped out my old ZX12R and that's by far the biggest rush ever.

[Caramac]

l scared my parents badly by wanting and having motorbikes. Now my 12 year old son is scaring the hell out of me by speaking of having one........should'nt have glorified them l suppose.

[Victor Ganges]

Bought a new set of leathers today. Helmet is next on the list.

 

Roll on the summer!

[dirty_sanchez]

What a performance by Lorenzo this weekend. Clearly the Yamaha's were perfect for the track, but it must have been a real kick in the teeth for Honda!

[Ron Yeats Rules]

I was going to watch it later and then I heard on the radio how it finished.

 

Dunno about you but it's like watching MOTD, I can't do it if I know the result.

[dirty_sanchez]

Yeah the same, although if I don't hear a rider mentioned then there's the "did he fall off, or did he finish really far back" nailbiter.

[Caramac]

You gotta feel for Nicky Hayden at the moment, he's not having the best of luck is he.........comes across as a decent bloke as well.