Rossi, what else?

[veefereefer]

04 is shaping up to be a dream season with any number of the Honda riders being able to stand on the podium, Rossi potentially bringing the Yamaha there, and continued improvement expected from the Ducs... with more on the podium.

Why is everyone discounting Sete?

I think Sete has become a very steady rider and hear that he is a standup individual.......Fact is though the competion will be stronger than ever in 04......
And until getting Kato's RCV, Sete has had more or less a mediocre GP career.

Year Standing
1997 13th
1998 11th
1999 5th
2000 15th
2001 9th
2002 16th
2003 2nd HONDA RCV

Kinda of suspicius don't you think?
He should see some podiums though and finish in the 10.

 

[veefereefer]

Good points.

I guess next season will come soon enough. Many things can and will happen.

Isn't bench racing fun?..................I don't know diddly squat but it sure is fun pretending that I know what I'm talking about

 

[budman]

Isn't bench racing fun?..................I don't know diddly squat but it sure is fun pretending that I know what I'm talking about

...That is funny!

Texas Tornedo beats Val boy ...5 bucks

 

[veefereefer]

I too, aren't sure that I would place Bayliss above Capirossi. However I think the reasoning may be that Bayliss did very well and it was only his first season in MotoGP.

I guess if you look at his first WSBK season and compare, you could argue that next year he could take a couple of wins (the championship will be much more difficult than it was in 2001).

But I agree, I'm not sure I would take Bayliss over Capirex.

Bayliss vs. Cap

You can certainly say that both are fun to watch!
Maybe I picked Bayliss cause of the great memories of him and Edwards at Imola in 02..........not the most rational reason, but what the heck.............I change my picks daily :notchuci

 

[veefereefer]

...That is funny!

Texas Tornedo beats Val boy ...5 bucks

You won't get my five bucks............I think Edward will win too......but then again............I can't remember ever winning a bet!

 

[mjrydsfast]

My predictions as of today (Cause it changes daily):

1- Edwards
2- Bayliss
3- Rossi
4- Hayden
5- Biagi

Hmmm... it's odd how they make certain bikes number one, number two and so on, even from the factory. From what I was told, there will six equal Hondas next year. That will be much better. Nice to see you have than much confidence in Colin and Troy. I don't see Hayden beating Biaggi, nor Bayliss, nor Edwards for that matter. IF in winter testing, Max gets "the" bike, then I'll take Biaggi. IF not, then Loris or Barros if he gets an equal. Does anyone have an inkling if Ducati's D'Antin team is getting "B" Ducatis or "A"? I have to think the best parts will go to Loris and Troy before "Neil on it" and his to be named teamate. I just hope Barros, Jr. Hopkins and McCoy can eek out some decent rides. With the combined money of Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Suzuki, it's astounding they haven't re-invented the wheel. Hopkin's is a champion waiting to happen.

 

[mjrydsfast]

I change my picks daily :notchuci

Me too. From nose, to ass, to scabs, I got some tough choices! Butt eye'm smart. I'll figger it out.

 

[Robert R1]

6 equal bikes is bad idea. The development line will get screwed with 6 diff. riders giving input on how to make 1 bike better. You always take the fastest rider and develop the bike around him. The rest need to find a way to ride it as faster or faster if they want attention. Most likely, Honda will pick a #1 rider or the RC211V's development will hit the shit bucket quickly.

 

[veefereefer]

6 equal bikes is bad idea. The development line will get screwed with 6 diff. riders giving input on how to make 1 bike better. You always take the fastest rider and develop the bike around him. The rest need to find a way to ride it as faster or faster if they want attention. Most likely, Honda will pick a #1 rider or the RC211V's development will hit the shit bucket quickly.

I agree.

Here is what I heard from my secret sources(voices in my head?)

HRC will have six equal bikes at the start of the season.

After 2-4 races, they will narrow it down to the one or two riders doing the best and give them full support.

 

[veefereefer]

Me too. From nose, to ass, to scabs, I got some tough choices! Butt eye'm smart. I'll figger it out.

LOL...........Alrighty then.

 

[summitdog]

Only the riders on the Kawis and Suzukis can really complain that they have been held back b/c of their rides. Last year Biaggi pulled all kinds of excuses out of his never ending list about how it was not him but the Yama he was on. This year he was on a Honda and did even worse, albeit by one spot.

The key is not the bike but the rider. Rossi has the consistancy to finish every race. The first year he was on a 500cc bike he hucked it almost as much as "Chuck-it Checa" did. Since then he has not gone done in almost two years. (Actually he went down once during a practice this year). I wish I could stay upright that often at the track!

As long as the Yama is reliable on the track, Rossi will continue to arrive at the podium or high in the points, in every race. If someone has a better or faster bike, they will lose the championship b/c they visit the tarmac too many times.

If Ducati can keep the bike running, and Capirossi can keep from crashing his brains out, he is the one I would like to see do well in the upcoming season.

If Ducati can produce a bike from scratch and have it on the podium in the first season, then any manufacturerer should, in theory, be able to turn it around enough to win. Even Suzuki did it for one year w/ Kenny Jr.

 

[veefereefer]

I don't see Hayden beating Biaggi, nor Bayliss, nor Edwards for that matter. IF in winter testing, Max gets "the" bike, then I'll take Biaggi. IF not, then Loris or Barros if he gets an equal. Does anyone have an inkling if Ducati's D'Antin team is getting "B" Ducatis or "A"? I have to think the best parts will go to Loris and Troy before "Neil on it" and his to be named teamate. I just hope Barros, Jr. Hopkins and McCoy can eek out some decent rides. With the combined money of Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Suzuki, it's astounding they haven't re-invented the wheel. Hopkin's is a champion waiting to happen.

Since joining GP500/MotoGP, Biaggi has never won more or less than two races in any one year....this could be his break out year.....but watching him being pressured by Rossi and then crashing or making a mistakes kinda makes me weary of picking him to over Rossi or Edwards.

 

[veefereefer]

Only the riders on the Kawis and Suzukis can really complain that they have been held back b/c of their rides. Last year Biaggi pulled all kinds of excuses out of his never ending list about how it was not him but the Yama he was on. This year he was on a Honda and did even worse, albeit by one spot.

Proton can't complain? How bout Aprilla?

Yamaha had problems with the chassis setup all year. Though they did intro a new chassis at the final race of the season that looks promising. It's up to Rossi and his team to develope it for 04.

Not trying to defend Biaggi but for the most part his lap times did improve while on the Honda. Some examples

2002 Yamaha at Rio GP 49'11.190 finished 2nd
2003 Honda at Rio GP 44'45.868 finished 4th

2002 Yamaha at British GP 46'35.259 finished 2nd
2003 Honda at British GP 46'06.688 finished 1st

2002 Yamaha at Brno GP 44'36.498 finished 1st
2003 Honda at Brno GP 44'27.636 finished 5th

What does this all mean? He's faster on the RCV(who isn't?) than on the M-1 but he dropped from being second in the points in 2002 to third in 2003.

 

[sangerz]

Anyone has a copy of the 2002 World Superbike races that they can spare? I would appreciated greatly. I haven't seen the Imola race with Edwards and Bayliss yet. Thanks in advnce.

 

[nitro9292002]

hmmm either way this will be a great up and comming season to watch....


my take on this whole issue is simple..........


Rossi to start out slow in the earlier part of the season, but make a charge to the front by the end....

reason... needing more time to develope the bike to his liking..

he knows what he likes it's just yamaha that will need to build to suit.... 3 months is not enough..

But this boy has drive... do not underestimate that...we have all seen it before with him.. by far the most talented rider out there..

Edwards is good but lacks consistency... he better have that win or crash attitude.... or he will be trapped mid pack....he thinks to much at times... his down fall i think....

Hayden... has the age , and the natural ability to make it to the top. and the machine to do it.... I expect to see more podiums next year from him..

leaning towards biaggi for the crown....

 

[summitdog]

Proton can't complain? How bout Aprilla?

Honestly, has anyone every really considered the Proton a contender? Kudos for Kenny Sr. for trying but . . .

I was actually referring to teams that had some production history. I know I am going to raise the ire of all of the Aprilia fans but Aprilia has been beyond the scooter phase of development for less 6 years. I respect its effort but Aprilia does not have the history to draw from. (Note: I am not referring to some antiquated motorcycle technology of yesteryear).

 

[R6Elmo]

Just to add to the discussion, isn't Neil Hodgson coming to Motogp on a Ducati next year? He dominated WSB and it would be interesting to see how he would compare with the former WSB champion (edwards).

I have always been a hayden fan and i'll be rooting him to win and take it to the top.

I think this coming year in motoGP will be as close as Formula 1 was this past year. Down to the last race and down to the wire.

Danny

 

[redridernl]

I think Hayden and Edwards will be in the top 5......anyone who thinks there is a way to predict beyond that is out to lunch. And I just can't see Biaggi takin the title.....just can't see it, he doesn't have the consistency and he gets spooked to easily, besides if he wins he won't have anything to complain about.

 

[V4]

great thread guys....lot of good and interesting things being said....

 

[veefereefer]

Just to add to the discussion, isn't Neil Hodgson coming to Motogp on a Ducati next year? He dominated WSB and it would be interesting to see how he would compare with the former WSB champion (edwards).

I like Hodgson but.....He's was riding one of only two true factory bikes in SBK so it will be very hard to predict how he will do.
My guess is that he'll be a top ten rider but the competion is so strong he may not get any podiums.


Maybe we should have a Fantasy GP league for all of us bench racers or some kind of scoring system for our preditions.
That might be fun.