MotoGP Qatar (spoiler!)

So Stoner runs away from this start to finish. In general, not an
exciting race, with the attractions being...

- Elias trashing what seems to be a surprisingly crappy Honda, or
maybe it just shows Elias just can not set up a bike right without
teammate input?

- Lorenzo nearly pushing Pedrosa out on the straight, or Pedrosa being
naive thinking everybody is going to allow him to use his natural top
speed advantage in critical race situations...

- Rossi getting lucky when trying to pass Spies on the outside...

- Barbera being unable to sustain what looked like early promise - did
he luck out with the qualifying tire? Did he forget to set up the bike
for the harder compound?

Anyhow, this race to me proves that Pedrosa all these years was unable
to guide Honda's might in the right direction. It has to be
embarrassing to not only lose to your new teammate, but then get
relegated to third knowing you have the best bike around, and one that
was actually originally designed for you. It's do or get lost time for
Pedrosa, the excuses are long long done with. Get Spies on the HRC
team next year, dammit.

 

Apparently not. From Superbike Planet: "Pedrosa complained of arm pump
issues after the race. "

 

Agreed. Unless there are two or more bikes within a tenth on the last
lap, any race will be boring.

Toni's having a rough time with that bike. I too am surprised
considering he's won on one before. I hope he does better in the
future.

Jorge's going to be more of a factor this season than I gave him
credit for.

Vale's never "lucky". He did well to finish where he did.

The whole Ducati fiasco made me cry. Watching DePun and Loris go out
is just gut wrenching.

Agreed, that has to be a bitter pill to swallow.

He would make a good team mate for Stoner but I believe his Yam
contract runs through next season already. He's not the type of guy to
jump ship for the sake of jumping ship. Suzuki lost him by dragging
their feet, he didn't leave them for Yamaha. He'll stay.

 

I liked his pre-race comments: I ride the same bike as Lorenzo, no
excuses, and I shall learn". It is honesty and an attitude that are
refreshing. He will be MotoGP champion.

 

I tought him a little full of himself a few years back, but after
watching him in SBK and his first year in MotoGP, I think he's a
serious student and will definitely make his mark. He reminds me a
bit of Roberts Sr, if he fails, it won't be for lack of effort.

Bill Smith

 

Except Roberts Sr was the guy that established the legend of US
riders. He came, saw and won against Sheene (a legendary rivalry
though), a semi-retired Agostini, and guys like Hennen and Hartog and
so many more. '79 was the first GP season I consciously followed some,
although having grown up in Spain I remember news snippets and races
before (the dark, dark Monza day when Saarinnen and Pasolini moved to
Mount Olympus is probably one of my earliest childhood memories). Wow
- so long ago..

 

In his left arm, which is a bit unusual. I wonder of it's a remnant of
all the injuries. In the parc ferme interviews he seemed absolutely
gutted and very unhappy.

What I did find encouraging is that we might have a championship on our
hands. Despite the blitz of Stoner-Pedrosa qualifying, the top 5 were
quite close and if Spies hadn't got stuck in the early laps, he would
have been up there as well.

Dovizoso, Hayden turned fastest laps on their last lap (always a bad
sign unless itt's for a win). Spies and Rossi (and Crutchlow) were
getting faster and faster through the race. Everyone except HRC seem to
be suffering from not enough testing time to develop this year's model.
That should even out in the next few races and by mid year, I think
we'll have 8 people capable of podiums.

Barbera is back to his old tricks from the 250 days of being the local
road block. Almost like Barros 10 years ago. Fast enough to be up the
front in qualifying and the early laps but his natural position is
actually 10th or lower at the end of the race.