Montegi MotoGP qualifying results

[Rapid Dog]

1 John Hopkins Team Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 1:47.230
2 Valentino Rossi Yamaha Yamaha 1:47.275
3 Makoto Tamada Camel Honda Honda 1:47.650
4 Max Biaggi Camel Honda Honda 1:47.814
5 Loris Capirossi Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati 1:47.886

This is gonna be good!

[Highlander179]

They still have Q2 tomorrow. I wouldn't count on Hopper keeping the pole. Plus, the Suzi has already proved to be a good qualifier but not so great over the distance.

I'll put my money on Rossi.

[Rapid Dog]

Consensus sez the circuit favours higher HP bikes and Honda is providing all it's best bikes to make a point.
Val will have his hands full.

[Highlander179]

Originally posted by Rapid Dog
Consensus sez the circuit favours higher HP bikes and Honda is providing all it's best bikes to make a point.
Val will have his hands full.

And don't forget that Honda built and owns the track. They use it for testing friggin' every day.

[Highlander179]

On a side note: If your going to build a racetrack in the US that has both a road coarse and an oval speedway, do it something like this.

They don't use any of the actual oval, they go under it.

[Bob Hancock]

Always love to see an American doing well in such a venue, but my monies on Valentino. The kid is just too good. Sure would love to see him and King Kenny, and Ago, and Schwantz and Rainey other greats of the past go for it. WARNING>>>THREAD THEFT AHEAD!
Who do you guys think is the greatest MotoGP rider of all time?

[Highlander179]

Looks like its going to be:

1. Tamada - Honda - 1'46.673
2. Hopkins - Suzuki - 1'47.230
3. Rossi - Yamaha - 1'47.275
4. Biaggi - Honda - 1'47.401
5. Edwards - Honda - 1'47.821
6. Melandri - Yamaha - 1'47.845
7. Capirossi - Ducati - 1'47.886
8. Ke. Roberts - Suzuki - 1'47.929
9. Hayden - Honda - 1'47.940
10. Barros - Honda - 1'47.963
11. Checa - Yamaha - 1'47.982
12. Nakano - Kawasaki - 1'48.042
13. Gibernau - Honda - 1'48.107
14. Ukawa - Honda - 1'48.154
15. Abe - Yamaha - 1'48.154
16. Bayliss - Ducati - 1'48.174
17. Hodgson - Ducati - 1'48.656
18. Xaus - Ducati - 1'48.859
19. Hoffman - Kawasaki - 1'48.885
20. McWilliams - Aprilia - 1'49.139
21. Jacque - WCM - 1'49.545
22. Aoki - Proton - 1'51.388
23. Byrne - Aprilia - 1'51.466

DNQ - Ui - WCM - 1'54.743 (107%)
Out - Ku. Roberts

[Highlander179]

Originally posted by Bob Hancock
Who do you guys think is the greatest MotoGP rider of all time?

I don't think such things exist. I think Rossi is the greatest now, before him was Doohan, Ago during his reign, although he reallt didn't have anyone to race against.

What kind of stinks is when there is only one great rider per generation that just wins everything. It makes it boring. Who the hell wants to go to a motocross race when you know that Carmichael will win the 250/450 class and Stewart will win the 125/250 class before you even buy the tickets.

[Mr. Deltoid]

I'll put my money on the zee Doktor.The greatest GP rider of all time Bob?Time will show that Rossi is da man....He just hasn't been around long enough yet.

[Rapid Dog]

What a shamer...all 3 Americans out in the first turn!
Is there no justice?

[Highlander179]

Originally posted by Rapid Dog
What a shamer...all 3 Americans out in the first turn!
Is there no justice?

Correction: All four Americans. Hayden, Hopkins, Roberts, & Edwards

[Rapid Dog]

owie!

[Highlander179]

The second race in a row where Capirossi caused a first lap accident. Remember he took out Biaggi in turn 3 in Portugal. He's got a suspension coming to him, I'm just waiting to hear how long.

[Rapid Dog]

Biaggi must be just pissed. Colin didn't look so happy either, after getting podium last race. Dangit.
What really hurts is seeing Nicky go out. He didn't even really fall.
Krap!

[itchybro]

This had to hurt.

Here's how the injuries shake down. Ironically it looks as tho'
Capirossi came out nearly unscathed.

From Moto GP site:
___________________

John Hopkins and Kenny Roberts picked up the worst injuries of the
first corner pile-up at Motegi on Sunday, although incredibly nobody
was seriously hurt. Hopkins was the first rider to be hit by Loris
Capirossi’s wild charge to the front of the pack, the American rider
losing second place and suffering two broken ribs and a deep gash to
his buttock.

However, his team-mate Roberts came off even worse, suffering a
dislocated left elbow and burns to his right side which will definitely
rule him out of the next round at Qatar in two weeks’ time. Hopkins,
meanwhile, should be fit for MotoGP’s first trip to the Middle East.

Capirossi was also injured, suffering slight concussion and two bone
fractures to his right foot. Max Biaggi, Colin Edwards and Nicky
Hayden, the three other riders involved in the incident, escaped
unhurt.

[Highlander179]

Heres Roberts' take on it:

"I don't know if I got a good start or a bad start - but it was the wrong start! A couple of guys got into each other and caused a chain reaction. I think I got taken out by Biaggi, but my left arm got stuck between his rear wheel and some part of the chassis. It pulled me into the bike and I burned my neck a little bit, and my right arm on his exhaust pipe. When I pulled my arm out, I couldn't bend my elbow - but I could twist my arm and my hand, with pain, so at least I knew there wasn't nerve damage. I ran to the inside of the track because I knew I'd get to the medical centre faster. Colin (Edwards) helped me get my gloves off, and I came to the clinic. They took the X-ray and put my arm back in probably 15 seconds. It really hurt going in and it really hurts now. They say I should know in a couple of weeks at what stage I'll feel somewhat good. The left side of my body is in pain from the dislocation, and the right side from being burned . so I have quite a different set of circumstances. Other than that, I'm basically fine. The crash was quite slow, but these things happen. I hope all the other riders are okay. We'll wait until I'm feeling 100 percent, and continue from there."

Ouch!!!