dark Posted February 22, 2009 Report Share Posted February 22, 2009 (edited) Basically Formula One for motorbikes. I've followed this ever since my dad got a motorbike, it's a brilliant sport and one which has me up at all hours watching. Anyone on here a fan of it? Calendar April 12th : Qatar April 26th : Motegi May 3rd : Jerez May 17th : Le Mans May 31st : Mugello June 14th : Catalunya June 27th : Assen July 5th : Laguna Seca July 19th : Sachsenring July 26th : Donnington August 16th : Brno August 30th : Indianapolis September 6th : Misano September 20th : Balatonring October 4th : Estoril October 18th : Phillip Island October 25th : Sepang November 8th : Valencia Current World Champion Valentino Rossi (ITA) Official Website Results/Winners Qatar: Casey Stoner Motegi: Jorge Lorenzo Jerez: Valentino Rossi Le Mans: Jorge Lorenzo Edited May 28, 2009 by dark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeO Posted February 22, 2009 Report Share Posted February 22, 2009 I'll watch it if I've nothing better to do (Suzy Perry HERE is reason enough for that ), but made a point of it last year because of James Toseland, though often turned it off if he crashed or started going backwards. Hopefully he'll have a better year this time, beyond him I do't really care who wins as long as it's not that obnoxious little shite Jorge Lorenzo. Couple of decent young Brits in the 125's (Smith & Redding) which is unusual so a bit of hope for the future there . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dark Posted February 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2009 James Toseland had a poor season last time out. Even though he was a rookie he had high expectations of doing something special (especially after his great position at Qatar) he didn't seem to suit the bigger engine and he still rode the thing like it was a superbike. His Donnington weekend was one to forget too, he had thousands of fans waiting to see him race, only to see him fall at the first corner (on the first lap) he needs to do better next season or he could find himself at a poor team or even back to Superbikes. Don't mind Jorge Lorenzo to be honest, he does have a bad side but thats always going to happen with someone Spanish he managed to secure three pole positions from three at the start of the MotoGP season (Qatar, Jerez & Estoril) and managed to win on home turf. Shame he had that massive high-side at Shanghai, broke both his legs and ruled him out of any championship hope. Should be a force next season though, he still raced with broken legs and managed to get good lap times. Bradley Smith is a good rider, started in the field when he was very young and still has a lot of potential and a few good seasons ahead of him. He will be in MotoGP when the time is right for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sporting4ever Posted February 22, 2009 Report Share Posted February 22, 2009 I miss the great champions of old, like Mick Doohan, Kevin Schwantz, both the Waynes (Rainey and Gardner), and the crazy guys that were Randy Mamola and Max Biaggi. I mean check this out: How he manages not to fall down is anybody's guess... I think there was this hot blonde in the stands, and... Is it just me, or does he go past vertical...? Anyways, Rossi is a magician on a bike, but I miss those days when there was tons of drivers and loads of competition... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dark Posted February 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2009 (edited) He goes past the line vertical because he's gonna crash and saves himself at the last minute. I'm glad that Max Biaggi has left MotoGP because he was a blatent cheat, good rider, but cheat. Remember when he elbowed Rossi off the track? Coulden't take the fact that there was a younger rider that was clearly better than him. I got the video below, Rossi is the rider in yellow (Camel Yamaha) >CLIP< Edited February 22, 2009 by dark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sporting4ever Posted February 22, 2009 Report Share Posted February 22, 2009 He wasn't a cheat in that regard. Yeah, he was hot tempered with a short fuse, but he did lots of crazy ass shit. And Rossi was a bit of a Prima Donna in those days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeO Posted February 22, 2009 Report Share Posted February 22, 2009 ...he didn't seem to suit the bigger engine and he still rode the thing like it was a superbike. Small point but I'm fairly sure Superbikes have considerably bigger engines than Motogp. Different certainly (based on production bikes as opposed to out and out racers), and not the same performance but not smaller . Not been the same since Barry Sheene for me . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romey 1878 Posted February 22, 2009 Report Share Posted February 22, 2009 Small point but I'm fairly sure Superbikes have considerably bigger engines than Motogp. Different certainly (based on production bikes as opposed to out and out racers), and not the same performance but not smaller . Not been the same since Barry Sheene for me . My mum fancied the arse off him. She used to drag her boyfriend with her to the races and make him wait with her while she hunted for Sheene after the race lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dark Posted February 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2009 Small point but I'm fairly sure Superbikes have considerably bigger engines than Motogp. Different certainly (based on production bikes as opposed to out and out racers), and not the same performance but not smaller . Not been the same since Barry Sheene for me . The engines are very similar and the MotoGP have had them reduced for safety reasons but with all the new technology the teams have got around the problem and actually made the bikes faster, making them faster into corners and overall making them just as dangerous as the 990's. Plus Superbikes is considered a step down from MotoGP, Superbikes is the best of its kind but with all of the hype around MotoGP it is considered the better field to be in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeO Posted February 22, 2009 Report Share Posted February 22, 2009 Plus Superbikes is considered a step down from MotoGP, Superbikes is the best of its kind but with all of the hype around MotoGP it is considered the better field to be in. I know all that . My point was that the engines in superbikes can be up to 1200cc, while motogp's are 500cc (I think). So your point that Toseland couldn't adapt to "bigger" engines was wrong . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dark Posted February 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2009 (edited) Your point about the 500cc engine was wrong so were even It's 800cc. Silverstone Circuits Limited have unveiled provisional plans for a number of striking modifications to the track and spectator viewing areas ahead of MotoGP’s arrival in 2010. Plans to make significant changes at the Silverstone circuit in England have been revealed, following the recent signing of a five year agreement between Silverstone and Dorna Sports, the commercial and television rights holder for MotoGP, which will see the World Championship arrive at the iconic Northamptonshire circuit from 2010. The most significant addition to the circuit will be a new section of track running from the approach at Abbey corner to a spectacular ‘Arrowhead’ at the inside of Becketts corner. The Arrowhead will then join up with the existing National Straight. Additional sections of track will also be laid at the Chapel and Club corners. Edited April 26, 2009 by dark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dark Posted March 21, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2009 The season comes closer as the riders head towards another set of races. With new teams and riders the season looks set to be once again as entertaining as ever. Valentino Rossi looks set to defend his title with some impressive testing out in Jerez, Jorge Lorenzo looked all set to be a title contender in his debut year had he lot had two massive highsides at Shanghai and Laguna Seca. James Toseland had a poor season but looks to be putting that behind him as he and American team-mate Colin Edwards tear up the timesheets on the Monster Tech 3 Yamaha. Colin Edwards continued his impressive winter testing form during the MotoGP Official Night Test at the Losail International Circuit, the American consistently appearing in the top three for the majority of the test as he continued an impressive switch to Bridgestone tyres. Lorenzo is certainly in better physical shape for the upcoming campaign than he was for his rookie season, recovering from a spate of injuries and with a year of callouses and endurance muscle building behind him. The return to full fitness provides him with an optimistic outlook on what he expects of the next few months. I've got part of an interview below if anyone wants a read. If I can stay injury-free and don’t have bad luck, and if the bike goes well, then I can aspire to win races this season –more than just the one. We have to have the mentality of always trying to improve upon the results of the previous season, and it would be ideal to finish higher than fourth in the standings,” said Lorenzo after racing against members of his team on the karting course. As he has done on previous occasions, he also weighed in with some humble analysis of the title favourites. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dark Posted April 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 4, 2009 It starts in a week and already the season has hit the riders. British rider James Toseland crashed during his test in Jerez and had to be taken from the circuit on a stretcher. His team-mate Colin Edwards completed the test with flying colours. James thanked the fans afterwards and will be able to take part in the Practice, Qualifying & Race at Qatar next weekend. The winner of the 07' season Casey Stoner has been the man to catch during these short tests. He managed to reach the top spot and win himself the BMW prize. Valentino Rossi is looking like a title contender yet again on the FIAT Yamaha whilst teams such as Playboy Honda LCR and Team Alice are in an attempt to boost themselves from the back of the pack to the top. The action has started already and Qatar looks to be an entertaining race. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dark Posted April 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2009 The first race of the MotoGP season has been cancelled due to rain. A rare rainstorm at the Losail International Circuit on Sunday evening saw the first MotoGP race of the year cancelled at the Commericalbank Grand Prix of Qatar. Postponement to Monday is under consideration. After shortened 250cc and 125cc races earlier in the evening at Losail on Sunday the MotoGP race at the first Grand Prix of the year had to be cancelled due to a heavy rainstorm in the Arabian desert, which made it unsafe to ride at the 5.380km circuit. The race could be run on Monday. Gutted. This falls into the hands of Nicky Hayden though who was trying to be fit to race. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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