MOTOGP

[aussiebandit]

So the season begins - who, if anyone, can beat Rossi.

Biaggi - he's always seems beaten even before the race starts.
Gibernau - if he can be more consistent he's a real chance
Bayliss - even though as an Aussie I'd love for him to do it I don't think he's going to get the equipment from Honda
Edwards - half Australian, but I'd doubt if Yamaha and JB will let him win.

My pick, as a dark horse, Tamada.

The others will fight over minor placings and pride.

[smooth operator]

If I was to place a bet, I'd hate to bet against  the Doctor!
  But I agree ,Tamada could be the dark horse. Gibernau,Biaggi, I think will win enough races to keep Rossi from running away with the points. And I'll be cheering on the Texas Tornado to the top of the podium. Nicky Hayden should make it there on occasion too, but I think he'll be on one of the bottom steps.Roberts seems to have too many excuses.
 For the trifecta, I'll pick:1 Rossi,2Gibernau,3Tamada
  (I , changed my mind a few times on 2nd and 3rd,but Rossi stayed on top)

[Red01]

Just before leaving for work today, I did a little channel surfing. Found NASCAR on two channels, so I figured by the time I got to Speed Channel, it would be NASCAR, too. I was pleasantly surprised to find Speed was showing the MotoGP! I was only able to catch the last 1/2 hour, but it was GREAT!

Rossi was sticking to the back of Gibernau like glue until there was two laps to go. Rossi made his move and passed Sete, pulling a strong lead by a few bike lengths. Just when I thought there'd be no way for Sete to keep up, he started closing in on Val and the last lap had the two swapping position several times. The last corner got REAL exciting! Val was on the inside and it looked like Sete was trying to run him into the grass. Val put his foot down, almost flat-track style and held his line. The bikes looked close enough to be swapping paint! Then Val started drifting outward and Sete had to drift out or crash. Val kept him drifting out until Sete ran into the gravel on the outside.

The two had such a commanding lead over everyone else (~10 seconds), that Sete was able to get back on the track and still finish second!

I had to leave for work right after Val finished his victory lap, so I missed the post-race part of the show, but I'll bet there were some words exchanged between those two!!!!

[PitterB4]

I had to leave for work right after Val finished his victory lap, so I missed the post-race part of the show, but I'll bet there were some words exchanged between those two!!!!

Well... I was out riding all day.     Anybody got details???

[NCBANDIT]

I had to leave for work right after Val finished his victory lap, so I missed the post-race part of the show, but I'll bet there were some words exchanged between those two!!!!

Well... I was out riding all day.     Anybody got details???

I was too, maybe they'll replay sometime when its not so nice out.

[dsartwell1]

Me too. Days like these really make you forget about the winter, don't they.  

[Red01]

Read this for starters:

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/motorcycling_spain_dc

[aussiebandit]

Some would say that Rossi had no control in the last corner and should be penalised.  Others would say "That's racing"

Watching live, my immediate thought was "You A#$ehole, Rossi you're a prick and should have your points taken of you".

However, having watched the replays, and my own recording in slow mo I now think it was a 'racing incident' and should be left at that.

Mind you the Spanish crowd certainly sounded pissed (pissed off that is).  I've never heard Rossi boo'd like that before.

[JmuRiz]

I'd say it was a racing incident...like Rossi said, I'm sure Sete is very mad, but that's the racing.  No doubt Rossi had his number and was biding his time to make the pass, just went a little too hot with 1/2 lap left then went for the insane pass on last turn, his foot comes off the peg and he looks like a dirt-tracker and forces him to run wide into Sete.  Looks like a fun season though.
I think Sete and Nickey (if he can keep his head and not wad his bike with a sure podium in sight) will be the biggest threat to the champ.  I really wish Hopkins didn't get the flu, he looked really strong in practice before getting sick.

[PitterB4]

Sounds like it was a lot of fun to watch.  Speed is rerunning it here in the US at 1pm EDT on Tuesday.  Not much help for those of us that work.  

[JmuRiz]

TIVO  

[00Bandit Rider]

I v'e got it on tape I say Rossi did a Dale Ernhart Sr. on him, didn't like it when he did it either.  Its one thing to force your way inside if you get a wheel in but he didn't quit with that he ran him off the pavement.

[LowRyter]

best race I've seen all year, two wheeels or four.

you see Rossi stalk all race and pounce at the end.  

he did it again, lost the lead and took it back...wow, put his foot on the ground, smacked each other, Sete goes into the gravel and saves it for 2nd and Rossi brings it home

those last couple laps were as good as it gets.....

[Red01]

Sounds like it was a lot of fun to watch.  Speed is rerunning it here in the US at 1pm EDT on Tuesday.  Not much help for those of us that work.  

If you want to see the 250GP, it's on the hour prior to MotoGP.
The hour after MotoGP they're having the highlights of the 2004 FIM Enduro season.

I've got my DVR set for all three!  

[smooth operator]

I missed the start of the race, I was racing home from a ride on the bike to see it. Glad I did'nt miss the end! I thought it was a Ernhart move too. I was intersted on how things would go at the post race conference. Sete kept his composure pretty good. But then I thought he tried to jam Rossi 1st,but then Rossi ended up jamming him in the end. I wish I'd have taped it! it sure would be worth another look.