2011 R8 Mugello Race Topic ** Spoilers**

[sir_nj]

If Rossi isn't on the podium, I think Hell will open loose on Bologna monday (figure of speaking).
Not trying to fuel any fan debate here, just pointing out the PR leverage is about to break if Ducati doesn't show some REAL results this week-end.

I agree. The Italian media will want blood.

Rossi is no doubt staring down the barrel of genuine pressure coming from all sides this weekend.

The shoulder, the parts, the bike.. and here we are. Just a couple of days to go gentlemen.

I was thinking about this aspect yesterday and I thought, easy solution, DNF.

Burgess will not be at Mugello. His wife is apparently not well. From gpone.com

I read some where JB's wife has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Hope she has a speedy and full recovery.

now I'm thinking I'm an arsehole and should realise there are bigger things than bike racing. To JB's wife and JB I wish you all the best.

[jihem]

Not that VR has been sandbagging all season long to get to Mugello and win by 12 seconds to the second rider, but #46 being supertitious and therefore believing in *magic* (i use this term as generic for "hidden things that happen mysteriously") this might just be the psychologic thing that give Rossi a few extra HP and a better corner entry...Some kind of offering, in its very primal form.

[DJH]

Not that VR has been sandbagging all season long to get to Mugello and win by 12 seconds to the second rider, but #46 being supertitious and therefore believing in *magic* (i use this term as generic for "hidden things that happen mysteriously") this might just be the psychologic thing that give Rossi a few extra HP and a better corner entry...Some kind of offering, in its very primal form.

Well by the looks of things so far in 2011, 'magic' might be Ducati's last resort for a result this year. They've tried everything else!

[Tourn46]

Come on Tourn46 – this is the time to change your user name. Abandon ship!

Once the real GOAT retires I have Tourn58 reserved for the next GOAT

[L34]

Come on Tourn46 – this is the time to change your user name. Abandon ship!

Once the real GOAT retires I have Tourn58 reserved for the next GOAT

Can I ask why EVERY person I know who is a staunch VR fan is NOW (maybe they always were??) a fan of Simoncelli as well.
Never heard them (my friends) mention a word about him before this season.
Just curious why he is so popular atm.

[Rusty Bucket USA]

Once the real GOAT retires I have Tourn58 reserved for the next GOAT

Can I ask why EVERY person I know who is a staunch VR fan is NOW (maybe they always were??) a fan of Simoncelli as well.

Because you're supposed to. That's what marketing is all about; "they" tell you what the next big thing is, and you believe them...

Getting way off topic, but I've always thought that was a large part of the animus between VR and JL. Simoncelli has been Rossi's "hand-picked" successor, but Lorenzo was trying to step in as the self-appointed one.

What 'til Iannone hits the scene, too...

[Tormo4ever]

That, Rusty, brings another debate ... Iannone will not get a factory bike in moto gp, and unless he has a big sponsor, won t get a decent satellite. So what chance of shining in mgp does he have if he gets there via CRT?

Will factories look at CRT riders?

[CIN]

SIC was quite good in 125s. He barely fit on the bike. In 250s with the inferior machine (for half season)he was battling for the championship and finally won. His improvements were quite easy to see. He was maybe one of those who was not being hailed of as the next big thing. His races in 250 were quite spectacular. So I guess people that like Italian riders might like him?

[RatsMC]

He did well in 250cc but I'm not convinced his competition was at the same level as previous champions.

[CIN]

Well you compete with the guys who are there at the time. Can't do otherwise. Just because Bautista is slow on a Suzuki, and Barbera is slow on a Ducati that even Rossi can't make competitive does not mean that they where not as fast as Pedrosa on the 250.

In Motogp Sic is proving to be fast, at least as fast as Stoner (who was never a champion in 250 but is blistering fast in Motogp)and Pedrosa in quali.

[Gustav O]

If you have the opportunity you must check out the pre-event press conference. Pedrosa was on fire. First slating the journalists off regarding the explanation for he re-injured collarbone and then basically saying that Simoncellis is stupid and all he has in his head is hair. Simoncelli replied that everything Pedrosa and uig said was stupid and the best is not to talk. He looked furious.
Maybe it will get heated out there this week end.

[TwoStroke Institute]

................. and then basically saying that Simoncellis is stupid and all he has in his head is hair.....................

Great to see Dani all fired up.

[lebowski]

Krop has the engine allocation list up on the main page and it is very interesting. You would have to think Stoner will take a new engine at least for the race this weekend.

If Duc can't get the Tardus to work they are in real strife for the rest of the season....

[Squidpuppet]

If you have the opportunity you must check out the pre-event press conference. Pedrosa was on fire. First slating the journalists off regarding the explanation for he re-injured collarbone and then basically saying that Simoncellis is stupid and all he has in his head is hair. Simoncelli replied that everything Pedrosa and uig said was stupid and the best is not to talk. He looked furious.
Maybe it will get heated out there this week end.

Journo: Were you bowling?
Dani: Do you think I am stupid?

He looked P!ssed off, so he vented at Simoncelli.

[Gustav O]

The best part was probably when he had a go at the Spanish reporter, the one you comment on.
"I have explained it five times already. How many times do I need to explain it to you?"

Good to see that fire we all know he has.

[ipso]

Looks like rain expected Friday, and possibly Saturday.

I imagine Rossi/Hayden enjoy that idea: others not having as much full-pace setup time.

Also, Is it me, or is Stoner giving us all the finger this week? (Or I guess technically that is us giving him the finger..)

[TexasTriple]

Does anyone remember if it was Mugello where Stupor Sic and Barberra came together in 250s? If memory serves, Simo cut across Babs front and touched his brake lever sending Babs for a serious tumble. I remember thinking at the time that it was a dangerous move, but then again, they were at it the whole season.

Are Simo's recent troubles coloring my memories, or was that an indicator of who he really is?

[Domino]

Does anyone remember if it was Mugello where Stupor Sic and Barberra came together in 250s? If memory serves, Simo cut across Babs front and touched his brake lever sending Babs for a serious tumble. I remember thinking at the time that it was a dangerous move, but then again, they were at it the whole season.

Are Simo's recent troubles coloring my memories, or was that an indicator of who he really is?

No, Simo's stripes haven't changed. He's been the same aggressive rider for quite some time. It is funny though, I don't dislike the guy and I do like the aggression, but if he could only temper it so it isn't so much wrecking ball but maybe a bit more shoulder check...

[TexasTriple]

Here is a pretty good look at it;
http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/_4Jwlmgabyg/

once again, looks like a defensive racing move...but...it happens to be "that guy"

[TexasTriple]

" 783 Marco Simonceli finishes the race without crashing or taking someone else out* Against"

The troublemaker in me is hoping that it's Barbera... There WILL BE punches thrown.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2008/Barb ... +killed+me

[SP_won]

Rossi suspected electronics problems with both bikes failing in FP1

[DJH]

Rossi suspected electronics problems with both bikes failing in FP1

I wouldn't be surprised if this was 1985. Sounds strange at GP level though.

Both Duc's looked alright early, then everyone else picked up the pace and left them behind.

[SP_won]

Strange indeed. Both Rossi bikes??

[DJH]

Yeah both. He coasted the first one into the gravel (not sure which corner it was) and the marshalls gave him a push to get him out of the way.

Jumps onto bike #2, does a lap and comes straight back into pit lane - AGAIN coasting and needing a push.

[Wr3ckogniz3]

Yeah we will see how that pans out for them. Without the problems I think the duc would be good for a high 1.49 or so in FP1.