Stoner interview

[Squidpuppet]

Oscar, I think that while the Ducati clearly had problems and was difficult to ride (as everyone else on it would tell you), however, Stoner's pace in practice was blinding and everyone expected him to run away with it based on that fact. I think most will agree, in hindsight, Stoner was doing something amazing to be able to have the speed he did but I think we have to admit that he was clearly capable of a pace Rossi couldn't match.

Rossi was asked before the race, what will it take to beat Casey today? He responded, (words to the effect) A 30 second headsart or a gun".

[JoeKing]

Like so many urban legends this myth of Stoner's unassailable advantage won't let reality interfere. Stoner in QP was indeed flying..seeming running low 1:21's at will, culminating in his 120:70 pole.

Problem is..come raceday he couldn't repeat them. Rossi ran consistent 21's- low 22's..the SAME as Stoner. Stoner only ran 3 faster laps than Rossi's best (barely). Stoner didn't get close to his QP time & Rossi found another .5 second. Even when Stoner was leading he couldn't drop Rossi.

Rossi's comments were perhaps an attempt to give Stoner a false sense of security; it is not outside of his racecraft; or he thought Stoner was going to run low 21's.

http://resources.motogp.com/files/resul ... 1_96143780

[Squidpuppet]

Stoner didn't get close to his QP time & Rossi found another .5 second.

Rossi never even got within a half of a second of his own qualifying time for the entire race.

I'd say Stoners times were similar to Rossis because of the big yellow road block he had to deal with.

Numbers dont always tell the whole story. If you watch the race you can see that when Rossi was in the lead he was taking odd and different (very deffensive) lines almost every lap. Casey was probably shaking his head in frustration trying to figure out how/when/where to get by. I attribute Caseys inability to run away on the occasions where he got the lead to the willingness of Rossi to make some very controversial (maniacal with fortunate/lucky outcomes) moves. Racecraft at the edge IMO.

[JoeKing]

Stoner didn't get close to his QP time & Rossi found another .5 second.

Rossi never even got within a half of a second of his own qualifying time for the entire race.


I was refering to his "pace". He did a 16 lap stint in QP in the low-mid 1:22 range & then went .5 quicker in the race...essentially matching Stoner's race pace...capish?



I'd say Stoners times were similar to Rossis because of the big yellow road block he had to deal with.

Numbers dont always tell the whole story. If you watch the race you can see that when Rossi was in the lead he was taking odd and different (very deffensive) lines almost every lap. Casey was probably shaking his head in frustration trying to figure out how/when/where to get by. I attribute Caseys inability to run away on the occasions where he got the lead to the willingness of Rossi to make some very controversial (maniacal with fortunate/lucky outcomes) moves. Racecraft at the edge IMO.

[/quote]


If he was taking odd/defensive lines as you say..they were obviously faster ones than he had been doing all weekend. Pedant off

[Squidpuppet]

I was refering to his "pace". He did a 16 lap stint in QP in the low-mid 1:22 range & then went .5 quicker in the race...essentially matching Stoner's race pace...capish?

Rossis lap average from 2-24 was 22.171. If you include the final 8 laps after Casey fell and Rossi presumably deliberately slowed, it 23.007. I dont see the half second improvement.

Caseys average lap time for 1-23 was 22.141

During the first 24 laps Rossi was able to dip into the 21s nine times. Casey was able to do it 13 times while trying to find a way past.

I still think Rossi was keeping him behind.

[Oscar]

Leaving QP and WUP out of the equation, Rossi's best theoretical lap from FP1, FP 2 and FP3 (i.e. taking the best sector times he achieved in practice and putting them together for one lap) was 1.22.055, and his top recorded speed was 259.7. His best recorded lap was 1.22.168, or 0.113 secs outside his best theoretical.

Stoner's best theoretical lap (same criteria) was 1.21.405 and top recorded speed was 259.0; his best recorded lap was 1.21.461, or 0.056 outside his best theoretical.

So from practice Rossi was 0.650 slower than Stoner on best theoretical lap and 0.763 slower on actual best lap.

Rossi's QP best lap was 0.447 slower than Stoner's QP best lap.

In the race, Rossi's best lap was 1.21.713 - or 0.342 faster than his best theoretical practice lap and 0.455 faster than his best recorded practice lap. His best top speed was - golly gee - 259.7!

In the race, Stoner's best lap was 1.21.488 - or 0.083 slower than his best theoretical lap and 0.027 slower than his best recorded practice lap. His best top speed was 261.4.

The top speed difference was, in reality, sod-all.

I say Rossi had something up his sleeve from practice and he played Stoner like a fine violin for the race.

[edited to add differences from actual practice recorded best laps]

[Albert]

Yep, I agree - but what Rossi could see, and used so brilliantly, was that the track exposed places where the Duc was vulnerable to attack. Rossi had to ride out of his skin to GET to the places before Stoner was gone and untouchable - but I believe the nature of L.S. is such that the Duc was not at an advantage everywhere. I'm willing to take a considerable bet that Rossi knew exactly how he was going to handle the race probably weeks and weeks before it happened, down to where he would make the decisive move. He went into that race with a card to play and I will fight to the , er, conclusion that for practice he did indeed sandbag - it was a classic of old age and treachery beating youth and ability every time.. except of course Rossi had ability as well.

If you're going to revisit LS '08 then you really should read Kropotkin's write up. It makes for excellent reading!
It can be found HERE!
As a side note and not wanting to deviate this thread too far from topic, I believe it was Krop who made the comment that LS '08 was the first time that Yamaha had given Rossi what he had been asking for!
Was there some "sandbagging" going on? That's debatable -- lets just say that Rossi didn't show all of his cards -- until race day!

[Squidpuppet]

As aware and concerned with records as Rossi is, do you gentlemen believe that he forfeited pole for a psychological advantage? I'd vote no. Was it important enough for the season at that point? Your thoughts please.

[Albert]

As aware and concerned with records as Rossi is, do you gentlemen believe that he forfeited pole for a psychological advantage? I'd vote no. Was it important enough for the season at that point? Your thoughts please.

Perhaps a thought for another thread SP?

Personally I'll say "Yes!"