Stoner VS Rossi, the never ending debate

[Squidpuppet]

I'd like to know about their % of laps lead. Stoner's numbers must be over the roof, Rossi's not so much because of how he had a habbit of poor starts and only bothering to lead the last few laps. But they should still make for some good numbers.

I find that stat to be fairly meaningless because of the strategy of deliberately following that some riders employ. Doohan was notorious for "Putting him in front so I could see what he could do." Rossi did a lot of that as well.

[Cappra]

I'd like to know about their % of laps lead. Stoner's numbers must be over the roof, Rossi's not so much because of how he had a habbit of poor starts and only bothering to lead the last few laps. But they should still make for some good numbers.

Ditto Doohan, but I think this is more a tactic than habit or preferrence.

There are others who would argue that Stoner does it as a tactic as well; to go hard and to put heat and maintain heat in the front tyre.

[Oscar]

There are others who would argue that Stoner does it as a tactic as well; to go hard and to put heat and maintain heat in the front tyre.

Stoner was pretty clear that the strategy he used on the Ducati was very much dictated by tyre heat and fuel management issues - the bike was simply not a good weapon for scrapping with the field. In '07 and '08 in particular, his starts were very much on a par with Pedrosa; the number of Dr. K's race reports from then with the phrase 'Stoner got his usual rocket start' attest to that. It's been quite noticeable that on the Honda he has more options; IIRC the only two wins in '11 where he ran away from the field were Le Mans (where everybody else up the front basically disappeared in puffs of smoke) and Silverstone, where presumably he'd found a groove he liked and wasn't going to disturb his own rhythm. Most of his other races he was content to take the lead when the move was available / desirable and hold a 'comfortable' advantage, or as at L.S. '11, only make the move when he felt it necessary to do so to be in front at the flag.

Even Stoner's 'last on the grid' has been less obvious recently - he still is one of the last, but only for the first few rows - e.g. at Estoril he was well settled in his grid slot while some of the tail-enders were still coming to their markers. His start procedure is more relaxed: on the Duc, his feet were on the rests a few metres from the marker and his body well forward to hold the front end down while he gave it the full wellie; on the Honda, he drags his rest foot for quite a way and manouevers for a safe position through the first few corners. It appears that he is now riding away from the start with his concentration on Lorenzo and Pedrosa and how he will manage the race against them, whereas with the Duc it seems - in hindsight - that his main concern was 'how to get this damn thing to where it can be ridden for a win'.

[tom]

I have noticed that his start procedure is different as well Oscar. He is much earlier to the grid. He does still seem to try to get the hammer down and gap the field if possible though. But I guess if that's something you can do, then why not. The difference now is that on the honda he is afforded a plan B.

[Oscar]

I have noticed that his start procedure is different as well Oscar. He is much earlier to the grid. He does still seem to try to get the hammer down and gap the field if possible though. But I guess if that's something you can do, then why not. The difference now is that on the honda he is afforded a plan B.

Started noticing this last year - Stoner was quite happy to let Lorenzo go around outside him and get settled then wind it up a notch. It was interesting at Estoril, both Loenzo and Stoner had positioned themselves around Pedrosa and when he wobbled they easily went either side (poor bugger must have felt breathless from the vacuum!) and motored away. Those three trust each other a hell of a lot..

[dave_m]

The difference now is that on the honda he is afforded a plan B.

I think that sums up the entire change from Ducati to Honda for Stoner, he can ride the bike as he chooses instead of how the bike dictates. Starts, tires, strategy, everything.