Stoner went into turn one waiting to brake until he saw God. He got there and God said, "SHIT ask Chuck Norris when you get to him".
Back schmack, you don't need no stinking back to race. It's the BBS, we know what's going on with Hopper. You just hush.
Stoner had the fluid removed from his brake lines in early 07. The parts are only there to satisfy Brembo et al.
I've noticed the same thing. That's what I've typically looked at to judge riders. Hopper being one of them. I usually watch to see how he does compared to his teammate.
Interesting info: Stoner at Valencia post-season test in 2007: best time day 1 - 1:32.348 best time day 2 - 1:32.095 Stoner at Valencia post-season test in 2008: best time day 1 - 1:32.464 best time day 2 - tbd
I wonder if this has something to do with those numbers: "Meanwhile, Bridgestone has also reduced the maximum level of grip of the tyres in a concerted effort to assist the sport's governing body in its drive for improved safety, through reduced cornering speeds. That didn't stop most riders lapping faster in the test than they had in the race though, partly due to improved track conditions." (from crash.net)
What's funny/ironic is that you have a guy (Hopper) who is a factory rider and has essentially been given a gift by being a "factory guy." Now, I am not going to discuss the voracity of the rumors that have been floating both on and off the web, but one might be able to say that his focus wasn't 100% on his task at hand this year, possibly being a basis for the "struggling." He had all year to acquire points. On the other hand, you have Ben Spies, who was hungry as can be for a factory ride, but wasn't able to procure one this year. He showed up to several GP races this year as a wild card, and although expectations were very high, each race he either met or exceeded expectations. So, what's "funny" is that you have a guy who really wanted to be in the show putting on a clinic for a lot of racers who are already there. Yet.....he wasn't offered a ride in GP this year.......seems ironic to me.
I wasn't sitting in on the negotiation calls, so, I don't know if he wasn't offered a ride or if they couldn't come to agreement on his paycheck and other terms for a ride.
it is wet in spain... most riders didn't test today... but these guys are still hard at work: 1. Hayden (Ducati) 1.50.855 2. Dovizioso (Honda) 1.50.927 3. Canepa (Ducati) 1.52.069 4. Melandri (Kawasaki) 1.52.262 5. Kallio (Ducati) 1.52.943 6. Elias (Honda) 1.55.553 7. Capirossi (Suzuki) 1.57.322
You mean? http://www.crash.net/motorsport/motogp/news/165489-0/hopkins_out_of_assen_-_and_beyond.html http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2008/Ankle+fracture+could+rule+Hopkins+out+of+Assen+race Methinks that was in excess of 130mph where he went all the way through the gravel and impacted the tire barrier. He was lucky to finish the season at all.
spoke too soon... 1. Hayden (Ducati) 1.48.287 2. Dovizioso (Honda) 1.48.296 3. Melandri (Kawasaki) 1.48.786 4. Canepa (Ducati) 1.49.917 5. Kallio (Ducati) 1.50.275 6. Elias (Honda) 1.54.057 7. Capirossi (Suzuki) 1.57.322
Believe me - Hopper is high on our list. My son and I were very excited when he went to Kawi as we are green fans as well so it was like the perfect match for us. I watch him in every race knowing that he is struggling and it pisses me off. The Valencia race clearly showed sheets of rubber flying off his rear tire from the reverse cam. I have seen bits and pieces flying off regularly but this was alarming to both my son and I simultaneously. Here is my question with all due respect to John: What do you think the Kawi could do if Rossi were to ride it for a season? Do you think his magical riding abilities could bring it forward alone or do you think that his ability to communicate problems to the crew and help them develop the bike would be a requirement? Wasn't the M1 considered a pile before Rossi started using it?
Didn't Mladin ride w/ cracked vertebrae once? It's been established here that he totally sucks. Seriously, where do you think the ideas that Hopkins parties too hard, lacks focus, etc..., originate?
My question is, how did Nicky get so good in the rain? He never raced that much in the rain here in the States. As for Melandri, he's won more races than most of the riders on the grid so I wouldn't write him off just yet. I predict that he'll do better than Hopper this year even though I'd rather see John ahead. Rossi's M1 was a turd the first year but when you have a person of his abilities and his crew chief and company working on the bike, it's bound to come around sooner than later. It would be pretty cool to see Rossi take on a project like turning around the Kawi team. Also, Nakano got on pretty well with the Kawi so what happened after that year?
Link to interview Also, relating to the Ducati, Hayden's comments don't really point to it being an easy bike to ride, either.
