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MotoGP
May 13, 2003 2:44:06 GMT -5
Post by Henrik on May 13, 2003 2:44:06 GMT -5
Just for pleasure, here is Loris in Welkom this year. Okay he is not sliding in the pic, but check the angle!!
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MotoGP
May 24, 2003 9:44:10 GMT -5
Post by CFF on May 24, 2003 9:44:10 GMT -5
For those of you who like 'fast bikes', I just uploaded a picture of a buddies 1999 Suzuki Hayabusa GSX-1300R to the Shamu Photo Album - see my area (CFF). *Don't know if this link will work, but here it is: I've never considered the Hayabusa a particularly 'pretty' bike, but as they say, Form follows Function! Graham's bike is a '99 model, meaning it was NOT governed, as all the later Hayabusa's are. I still can't figure out how he manages to own & ride that thing without losing his licence for speeding. CFF *CFF, I just fixed your picture link....Henrik
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MotoGP
May 24, 2003 17:29:01 GMT -5
Post by Henrik on May 24, 2003 17:29:01 GMT -5
Nice picture CFF. However I must admit I have never been particularly fond of the 'busa, nor of going at insane speeds in a straight line. I much prefer carving up the mountain roads with my Duke:
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MotoGP
May 25, 2003 8:24:01 GMT -5
Post by JWK on May 25, 2003 8:24:01 GMT -5
WOW! What a race!!
Sete does it again!!
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MotoGP
May 25, 2003 8:50:31 GMT -5
Post by JWK on May 25, 2003 8:50:31 GMT -5
I mean... WOW!!!
Rossi has full wets on and he still slides the back out into the corners! The restart made things even more interesting throwing a spanner in the races collective works.
Definitely worth staying up for!!
3 way battle from 6 laps out right to the line!! (gotta love that last 6 lap boost all motoGp drivers seem to get!)
I mean... WOW!!!
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MotoGP
May 25, 2003 8:57:44 GMT -5
Post by JWK on May 25, 2003 8:57:44 GMT -5
Im sorry to go on, but i forgot a couple of points.
1- i thought it was illegal to remove gas from the tank during the pit period before the restart.. but a couple of teams definitely seemed to be doing just that...
2- the commentary team is excellent on the feed i get! The man on the grid and in the pits is coming up with answers before you(well, me anyway) even have time to formulate the question... i don't know what team it is, as i get it on sky and they don't broadcast their name all over(unlike ITV)
3- what can i say... WOW!!
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MotoGP
May 26, 2003 2:30:19 GMT -5
Post by Henrik on May 26, 2003 2:30:19 GMT -5
Indeed that was an exciting race, and great to see the battle between Sete and Vale in the last lap.
I was thinking that there might have been a chance to go for sculpted slicks rather than wets, but it proved to be too much of a gamble. Would have liked to see McCoy make more of the chance to get the Kawa a bit higher up, and nice to see McWilliams and Haga up there too.
Pity for the Ducatis. I'm sure they would have had a good chance in the wet conditions, but there will be others. Expect to see fireworks in Mugello in two weeks time!
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MotoGP
Jun 11, 2003 2:04:59 GMT -5
Post by JWK on Jun 11, 2003 2:04:59 GMT -5
again, another decent race
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MotoGP
Jun 11, 2003 4:14:18 GMT -5
Post by Henrik on Jun 11, 2003 4:14:18 GMT -5
I like that JWK, another DECENT race...LOL!! I thought it was a great race with several noteworthy incidents. The first would be that Rossi is still the ruler. However, Capirossi showed yet again that he has balls the size of water melons. Also, I think if Biaggi would get a works 2003 Honda he could challenge Rossi. Then there was Nakano. Incredible start, and by far the best Yamaha rider. The there is Tamada, hired by Honda to test and develope the Bridgestone tyres coming in 4th place. Keep an eye on him in the future..... Troy Bayliss didn't have a good weekend though, and I'm not sure how much of it is down to him not really knowing the track. I expect better results from him though... Then the other classes. The 125cc was great as usual, with a pack of 8 or so riders fighting it out for the lead, lap after lap until the end. Happy to see Checcinello get his emotional home win. On a side note, I loved the qualifying on Saturday how Checcinello would "tow" Casey Stoner to the pole position. He is really looking after the young one, and Casey is undoubtedly somebody to look out for in the future. He's got guts and talent, and is becoming much more stable than what he was. Pity that Jenkner knocked him out.... In the 250cc, Poggiali is really proving to be great as well (as if that comes as a surprise to anybody!!). Being new to the category this year, he is dominating. Randy needs to get his head straight, and not over-do it. He has the talent and the speed, he just needs to calm down a bit. Also good to see Fonsi coming out of his slump. Hope he can keep that up for the rest of the season now. Yeah baby!!!! Talk about close racing!!!!
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MotoGP
Jun 11, 2003 4:30:24 GMT -5
Post by Henrik on Jun 11, 2003 4:30:24 GMT -5
I can't resist pasting some more photos on here. Damn they have nice pics on Ducati's web site...
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MotoGP
Jun 12, 2003 2:30:09 GMT -5
Post by eso on Jun 12, 2003 2:30:09 GMT -5
Henrik, What are the primary differences in regulations between the new 4stroke MotoGP and the WorldSBK? I would imagine one would be that the MotoGP bikes are lighter, but what else?
I have to say I expected both Troy Bayliss and Colin Edwards to do better than they have thus far. As much as they dominated SBK, they both seem lost in MotoGP. Also Nicky Hayden, who fairly dominated Superbikes here in the states seems lost at the world level.
I guess all of that really says a lot about the level of Rossi, Cappirossi, Biagi, Haga and the usual front of the pack.
eso
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MotoGP
Jun 12, 2003 3:08:06 GMT -5
Post by Henrik on Jun 12, 2003 3:08:06 GMT -5
Eso,
Actually there are considerable differences between SBK and MotoGP bikes, even if visually it does not seem to be the case.
As a comparison, one could almost say that MotoGP bikes are like F1s, and SBK are like FIA GT cars. There are the obvious weight and power differences, with the MotoGP bikes be much more powerful and lighter, but there is also the whole chassis and set-up possibilities available.
If we look at Edwards, I think he is actually doing rather well. The Aprilia he is riding is far from being a top bike, and he is new to most of the circuits. I have no doubt he has the talent to be up their with the Rossis and Biaggis, but he needs more time to get used to both the bike and the tracks, and the bike needs some serious development. I still don't understand how Honda chose not to give Colin a proper race bike....
Bayliss is much in the same position. New bike to develope and new tracks. Okay, the Duke is clearly a better bike than the Aprilia, but I think on many occasions we have seen Troy up there with Capirossi who, apart from being on of the absolute top riders, also has years of experience in the category. Then again, Capi is also new to the 4 strokes....
Give them both some time, and let's look at where they are in next year's season.
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MotoGP
Jun 15, 2003 16:33:45 GMT -5
Post by Henrik on Jun 15, 2003 16:33:45 GMT -5
What a day of bike racing!!!!
All three races where simply incredible, with the MotoGP race actually competing with the 125cc for nail biting final lap tension and overtaking!!
First the 125cc race. 16 year old Thomas Luthi, a Swiss "freshman" who was competing in his 13th GP race rode the race of his life! Riding a private machine, he was able to give a lesson to all the top guys, actually taking the lead at one point. In the end he came in an incredible second place! Pedrosa was also great, probably giving a clear signal that he will be the champ this year...
250cc race, and Randy finally gets to win! Great stuff, dicing it out with a Fonsi Nieto who is on the rebound.
Then, the fireworks to end the day. Ducati takes their first MotoGP victory with Capirossi riding like a god. Truly impressive stuff, and Rossi making a mistake and "giving" the lead up. Then there was Sete Gibernau, pushing his bike way past the limit. And what can one say about how Rossi rode after his mistake? The guy is really on a different level. When you think he is riding on the limit, he still has more to give. Great stuff fighting it out with Biaggi too, who by the way deserved to finish better, but hey, when you go off like that....
Great stuff! Motorcycle racing rules!!!!!
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MotoGP
Jun 16, 2003 0:54:13 GMT -5
Post by JWK on Jun 16, 2003 0:54:13 GMT -5
I agree: Motorcycle racing ROCKS!! Rossi's charge was phenominal and was only hindered by his battle with Biaggi, which was by the way edge of the seat stuff! Sete had a good run especially considering he wasn't happy with the bike. Dukes on top after only 6 races, id say thats a pretty damn good effort by the team and by Capirossi! Now if only Toyota could do that just to please Rx I diddn't get to see the 125cc but it sounds like it was another great race. By the time the superbikes rolled around i was pretty tired... though i managed to keep my eyes open through the 2 races, only to fall asleep at the start of the F1(about 5am!) Great night of racing action though!
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MotoGP
Jun 16, 2003 0:55:58 GMT -5
Post by JWK on Jun 16, 2003 0:55:58 GMT -5
oh yeah, and seeing Capirossi slide that bike through the corners sent shivers down my spine! Wicked driving!!
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