[Antnee]

Don't forget it's MotoGP in Jerez this weekend. After the brilliant show from the Brits at Qatar (Toseland in 800s, Redding, Webb and Smith in 125s) I can't wait. Will be interesting to see how Toseland does on a track that he's never actually raced on, unlike Qatar where he's raced and won in WSB

 

[Antnee]

So, who watched? And what did you think?

I was pleased to see Stoner struggle and make mistakes today. I'm not his biggest fan but believe in credit where it's due. That said, I felt that his kick at Loris during qualifying was out of place and demonstrated to me that he thinks that it's his track to do with as he pleases. He should remember 2006 when he was binning it everywhere and forced Gibernau into early retirement when he punted him off at the penultimate round of the season at Estoril. He clearly can't remember what it's like to race in the middle of the pack and seemed to think that everyone should move out of his way. I'm starting to think that his ego is getting in the way now. Calm down Casey and get yourself back on form for Estoril in a fortnight!

Toseland though should be careful. He made some wonderful overtaking manoeuvres but he nudged Lorenzo at Qatar and now can add Vermeulen and Dovizioso to the list too. It is good to see some fairing bashing again though.

Impressed with Lorenzo for keeping a wheelying, wobbling Yam moving forward and not getting off mid corner. How much was rider skill and how much was the electronics though?

Credit also to both Colin Edwards and Nicky Hayden for their corner 1 low-side saves. Colin's was in qualifying and was one of the greatest saves I've ever seen, after using his knee AND elbow to keep him moving, followed by bowing to the crowd and Nicky's was in the later stages of the race. Did he let it slow him down? Unlikely! Great to see him back up the front too. The 07/08 bike seems to be working much better now, and as the Eurosport commentators pointed out; if that's how fast that bike is with an 07 engine in it, how fast will it be when the 08 pneumatic is in there? Oh, and Toseland suggesting that he and Edwards may have the pneumatic Yam that Rossi and Lorenzo have already in Portugal? Should make a huge difference on that massive start/finish straight there. Honda will be testing theirs the day after the race.

Finally, I want to say kudos to King Juan Carlos for grabbing Pedrosa and Lorenzo's hands behind the podium and making them shake. It was great to see it on camera. It was funny to watch but also a little humbling I thought, to have the king of any nation grab two of his countries squabbling youths and make them shake hands. Excellent.

Now, my bike is filthy so I need to go clean it. Can't wait for Estoril! (oh and BSB is back at Brands next weekend too, as is WSB at Valencia. Yay!)

 

[andreanegri]

GO PEDROSA GO!!!
:clap :clap :clap

 

[Buzzwagon]

Agreed on all points Antnee except Toseland having to watch out. That's racing mate, it's about who finishes first not who's the nicest guy on track, besides James hasn't even raced in 125's, Dovi has so should know all about a bit of fairing bashing on the last lap. Not sure it's completely fair to blame Stoner for Sete's retirement. Rossi destroyed his confidence long before Casey got to him. Good post though mate.

I'd also like to give a big up to Rossi. Lorenzo needed to be shown that he's not the greatest rider ever to have lived and it really was a pressure weekend for Vale, class always shows in the end and the Dr showed it in spades! Even the King spoke to him before he spoke to Pedroza and Lorenzo on the podium!!

A good race all in all. And as for Bradley in the 125's, that boy really is quality and, whisper it quietly, but he has to be a serious contender for the title! Roll on Estoril.

Jerry

 

[Antnee]

What I mean regarding Toseland is that a few gentle nudges are OK, but you don't see the others doing this as regularly as he is already. Lorenzo gave James the thumbs up after Qatar and said it's a racing incident and didn't do any harm, it was just him getting excited. That to me says that they don't mind it a little, but any more than that and you're pushing you're luck. Personally I don't mind seeing it, as long as it's not taking anyone out, like Pasini did to Bradley last Jerez when he'd started from the back (remember he didn't make it round the sighting lap?). It amuses me that they're team-mates this year, albeit in a different class.

Bradley, you're right, but he's on one of the best bikes out there and he's been in 125s for a couple of years as well as consistently being the fastest in practice at Jerez (both pre-season and now) so I was disappointed to see him so far behind the two leaders. That said, he's still young and has lots to learn and he did make some wonderful overtaking moves. I think it's early to be saying he'll be the champ, but nobody else looks consistent either. Had it not been for that steering damper breaking in Qatar then who knows where he'd be now. I think one win and his confidence will sky-rocket and there will be no stopping him!

Pedrosa; I was pleased to see him smile a little, but he's still a bit boring for me. He likes to get in front and check out, and then proclaim the race to be amazing. Yeah, you did great son, but you were on the best bike on the day, with the best settings, running around on an empty track. Look back at the riders behind and there it was great, you certainly didn't contribute to its greatness.

 

[Antnee]

In MCN today, Chris Vermeulen, Loris Capirossi and Andrea Dovizioso all said that Toseland was over aggressive in his overtaking manoeuvres at Jerez. He was so hard on Vermeulen that he took his bar-end weight off and ripped his leathers. That's too much if you ask me.