.RJ

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by life sux die &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i think rossi will retire after this season. </TD></TR></TABLE>

He said he wants to race for 5 more years in an off-season interview.

The results from Qatar are interesting, but IMO the season doesnt start until Jerez.

Evil Smile

it was a really good race and i loved seeing sparks flying everywhere hehe.
Stoner: as much as i respect his riding ability, i really hope this year is not gonna be like last season with him dominating.
pedemidget: i [freak]ing hate you, i just cant help it!!!!
Lorenzo: what a great start
rossi: never was a fan, never will be
Nicky: WTF DUDE? after being one of the fastest all preseason, you finish at 10th?? i was depressed all last night because of this

.RJ

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Evil Smile &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i was depressed all last night because of this</TD></TR></TABLE>

There's 17 more rounds... dont cut yourself yet.

ScareyH22A

Yea.. when Nicky's on fire, he's on fire. Can't wait for the US races!

Biggspeed

I was bummed out with Nicky's performance just as much as Rossi dropping to fifth after leading for a couple of laps. My 2 faves.

ScareyH22A

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Biggspeed &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I was bummed out with Nicky's performance just as much as Rossi dropping to fifth after leading for a couple of laps. My 2 faves. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Rossi's pace didn't seem to drop so much as the others' pace quickening. But Rossi wasn't prepared as evidence of his 5th place position more clearly, his qualifying time. He's actually quite fortunate to have finished 5th imo. It's not like back in the day when his intimidation was enough to make the other racers quake in their boots.

Biggspeed

^^ I agree... still puts a on my face. But it is good to see some new riders stepping up for a change. LOL, I'm being a little too dramatic for the first race... I still have hope for Vale & Nicky.

bad-monkey

thoughts:

1. i'm really starting to get sick of stoner winning. i dunno why, but i am.

2. great race by lorenzo. whatever hype he got before the season, it wasn't enough. must've hurt vale to get beaten by his rival on the same bike and the tires vale trashed all last year.

3. toseland & davizioso make me think that there's a "changing of the guard" about to take place in paddock. both had great races considering the equipment. when toseland gets the 08 motor for the tech3, will he make some waves?

4. i hate pedrosa. i found myself routing for yamaha (when he and VR were battling) which is crazy. my hate for pedrosa &gt; my &lt;3 for works honda...

5. hayden on the 07 bike (? did they end up using the final spec 07 212V?) was disappointing, but i think we knew from the start that he was going to struggle in Qatar. per usual, he had good pace on Q-tires, but the bike or michelin just can't get him a tire for good race pace. hopper, the suzi's, and melandri (!oof) conspicuously absent.

in all, an ok race, but made me realize that superbike is way more fun to watch, and supersport is the best racing around.

b18C1_liLkyLe

Hey guys, where can I watch the race..missed it.

I wasn't home to watch it but when I was checking the line up, I only saw that the 250 race was showing.

Oh yeah, for you Nicky fans..he's washed up, I'm not surprised.

civic08

anyone know when the next race on speed is

.RJ

http://superbikeplanet.com/calendar2000/

JMU R1

Oh yeah, check out my Honda Moto Racing Kickoff article on TOV: http://vtec.net/articles/view-...46990

.RJ

rainmanEK

Why is everyone sick of Stoner Winning?

The [freak]ing kid is Awesome and is the most down to earth racer out there!

Rossi dominated for 5+ years and everyone was happy about that, So give the kid a break! He deserves it!!

Plus his Wifey is banging!!

Ohh and Mr. Hopper Please do somthing good with Kawasaki!!

Eric

backlash

Rossi was at least entertaining to watch when he was dominating. Stoner just rides, nothing exciting.

Starscream

I'm feeling the Schumacher of MotoGP (Rossi) has just found his Alonso (Stoner).

bad-monkey

kinda, but rossi's way more entertaining than ms.

ScareyH22A

Rossi still has the riding ability but there's something lacking in the communication-mechanic-development departments. Obviously because the machines are going around quicker than ever they're upsetting the chassis and tires. And there's a separate issue of engine development with there new valvetrain and power. Then ofcourse electronics... wow. I dunno how they (all MotoGP teams) do it. I do remember when Rossi and Burgess moved to Yamaha, they pretty much chucked all the data acquisition out the window. They were from the old skool which worked so well in the past. They're obviously having a difficult time trying to adapt the to world of 1's and 0's.

Etylorcen

Great opening race. Night races FTW!!!

b18C1_liLkyLe

I really hope Rossi pulls it all together some time soon. Its obvious he still has it in him. He's gotta start winning races from like 7th again like the old days and put some fear back in these kids. I would absolutely love to see him start battling Stoner and putting him to shame. That would definitely make the season for me.

My props do go out to Stoner though, its probable that this might just be 'his time' and he's just going to continue to own people left and right. Whether it be him or the bike. People were saying the same things about the RC211V when Rossi was on it.. talking about it like it was the best thing since sliced bread.

Rossi!!!

MAD ITR 55

Yes this is true. Lot of people said the same about Rossi on the RC211V so he went to Yamaha and won the championship first year on a sub-par bike. For me to put Stoner at Rossi's level he would have to do the same. Not trying to take anything away from Stoner, because he is a good rider, but I think his style just fits perfect with the Ducati/Bridgestone combo. If he was on a different bike I don't think his results would be the same. Look at how Melandri is struggling with the Ducati. He won a 250GP championship and finished 2nd in the MotoGP championship in 2005. He is a top rider and can't get good results on the Ducati.

Biggspeed

It would be cool to have a season with some old school bird flippin' Rossi rivalry. I don't see that happening with Stoner(too good natured)... maybe with Pedrosa though.

JMU R1

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Biggspeed &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">It would be cool to have a season with some old school bird flippin' Rossi rivalry. I don't see that happening with Stoner(too good natured)... maybe with Pedrosa though. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Stoner is a bit of a hardass (like all of the Australian riders other than maybe Vermeulen and Muggeridge) so things could get testy between him and Valentino. But Dani is definitely sensitive and mentally weak so if Rossi or anyone else starting effing with him I wouldn't be surprised to see him lash out or bitch and moan.

marmaladedad

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JMU R1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Stoner is a bit of a hardass (like all of the Australian riders other than maybe Vermeulen and Muggeridge) so things could get testy between him and Valentino. But Dani is definitely sensitive and mentally weak so if Rossi or anyone else starting effing with him I wouldn't be surprised to see him lash out or bitch and moan.</TD></TR></TABLE>
So you're saying Dani has a future in WSBK?

Evil Smile

Melandari is doing pretty shitty! anyone think Bayliss might get some wildcards this season?