Round 9: Dutch TT / Assen

[DooberRoni]

A-STYLE ASSEN TT
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk279/DooberRoni/AssenBanner.jpg


http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk279/DooberRoni/AssenCIRCUIT.jpg
images: © motogp.com (http://www.motogp.com/)

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk279/DooberRoni/SpeedLogoBig.jpg (http://www.speedtv.com/)
Sunday, June 29
FIM 250's
5:00pm Eastern
2:00pm Pacific
MotoGP
6:00pm Eastern
3:00pm Pacific
Schedule info courtesy of (clicks)
http://www.dooberville.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=6&pictureid=52 (http://www.racefantv.com/USTV.htm)
Because the one at Speed Bites!

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk279/DooberRoni/AssenLocalTime.jpghttp://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk279/DooberRoni/assenTT.jpghttp://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk279/DooberRoni/AssenPacificTime.jpg
<<<Local Time on the Left ---------------Pacific time on the right>>>

RECENT HISTORY / PREVIOUS WINNERS
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk279/DooberRoni/AssenWinners.jpg
courtesy of: © wikipedia.org (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_TT)

Check this out!
Bridgstone has never won at Assen!
Lorenzo has won his class the last 3 years
Stoner has never won at Assen
Hayden has one of his victories at Assen

[ÜberDoober]

Lorenzo has won his class the last 3 years


Yeah if you don't count 2005! :ack2:

[gonickygo]

I'm picking Lorenzo for the win, but only if he crosses the line first, otherwise someone else. Most likely Rossi, Stoner, or Pedrosa I'd venture to guess, maybe. Again, as Gary has said, it will not be anyone on a Ducati not named Stoner, nor Hayden, a Kawasaki or Suzuki (unless it rains), and certainly not a Honda on B'stones. I'll give Dovi, CEII, & JT shots at the podium, but not a win.

[Gary]

I stupidly only picked one - Rossi. He is fairly dominant at Assen as I recall, and horsepower won't win this one. From there I'd agree with what GNG said.

I won't see this one live, I'll be on a plane, but I hope to see a replay Sunday. I'm going to be away for 10 days or so on business but I should have my laptop long so no one will miss me, lol.

[ÜberDoober]

...I should have my laptop along so no one will miss me, lol.

Good, cuz we would! Have a safe trip and check in when you can.

Looks like I'll be up at 5:00am again. It was nice last week getting to watch the 250's and that last corner bonehead move but it's not likely I'll get up at 3:15 this week. That's nuts! :ack2:

This has been a really good season this year and I'm almost sad it is half way over. Sure, some of the races have had runaway winners but it hasn't all been the same guy (Stoner) like last year. You can pretty much expect who will be running up front but which one will stand on the top of the box at each round usually isn't known until the fat lady sings.

I actually gave a vote for Nicky this week even though I think the chances of him getting on the stand are slim. I did finally read what happened to him when running a strong 4th at Donington. He had a warning light on the dash and it freaked him out until he figured out it wasn't terminal. He showed some good aggression and tried a few passes and even if it doesn't have anything to do with the new motor, the psychological effect seems to have done him some good?

I would venture to say that Lorenzo may once again be a factor if he can stay on the bike through practice and qually. One thing we haven't seen this year is a big multi-bike crash or any of the top 3 or 4 take each other out. I not hoping that happens but I'm just sayin'.

It's going to be strange getting up on Friday for qualifying and getting all in race mode then having a normal work day. Maybe I'll just stay home? :)

[ÜberDoober]

And so it begins.

Uh Oh. Stoner looking to dominate again. :ack2: Nicky ahead of Pedroboy in both sessions and Lorenzo doesn't seem to have found it yet. Melandri 3 seconds slow and it was reported that until late in the session he was 5 seconds behind and slower than the 250's.

Capirossi crashed and the bike tore "an oyster sized hole in his forearm down to the muscle". Doc Costa stitched him up but Loris is listed as questionable to continue. No official word yet other than Spies is on standby. How many times last week was he called Spys? :)

Poor Capirex
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g223/EKron/loriscrash.jpg

First Practice
Pos Rider Team Time
1. Casey Stoner Ducati Marlboro Team 1:36.569
2. Nicky Hayden Repsol Honda Team 1:37.186 + 0.617
3. Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda Team 1:37.398 + 0.829
4. Colin Edwards Tech 3 Yamaha 1:37.437 + 0.868
5. Alex De Angelis San Carlo Honda Gresini 1:37.470 + 0.901
6. Valentino Rossi Fiat Yamaha Team 1:37.480 + 0.911
7. Andrea Dovizioso JiR Team Scot MotoGP 1:37.507 + 0.938
8. John Hopkins Kawasaki Racing Team 1:37.652 + 1.083
9. Shinya Nakano San Carlo Honda Gresini 1:37.821 + 1.252
10. Randy De Puniet LCR Honda MotoGP 1:37.951 + 1.382
11. Jorge Lorenzo Fiat Yamaha Team 1:37.987 + 1.418
12. Loris Capirossi Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1:38.082 + 1.513
13. James Toseland Tech 3 Yamaha 1:38.198 + 1.629
14. Chris Vermeulen Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1:38.341 + 1.772
15. Sylvain Guintoli Alice Team 1:38.435 + 1.866
16. Anthony West Kawasaki Racing Team 1:38.768 + 2.199
17. Marco Melandri Ducati Marlboro Team 1:39.020 + 2.451
18. Toni Elias Alice Team 1:39.805 + 3.236

Second Practice
Pos Rider Team Time
1. Casey Stoner Ducati Marlboro Team 1:36.087
2. Valentino Rossi Fiat Yamaha Team 1:36.819 + 0.732
3. Colin Edwards Tech 3 Yamaha 1:36.931 + 0.844
4. Nicky Hayden Repsol Honda Team 1:37.012 + 0.925
5. Alex De Angelis San Carlo Honda Gresini 1:37.126 + 1.039
6. Shinya Nakano San Carlo Honda Gresini 1:37.137 + 1.050
7. Randy De Puniet LCR Honda MotoGP 1:37.187 + 1.100
8. John Hopkins Kawasaki Racing Team 1:37.251 + 1.164
9. Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda Team 1:37.280 + 1.193
10. Chris Vermeulen Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1:37.282 + 1.195
11. Andrea Dovizioso JiR Team Scot MotoGP 1:37.326 + 1.239
12. Sylvain Guintoli Alice Team 1:37.357 + 1.270
13. James Toseland Tech 3 Yamaha 1:37.838 + 1.751
14. Jorge Lorenzo Fiat Yamaha Team 1:37.960 + 1.873
15. Anthony West Kawasaki Racing Team 1:38.413 + 2.326
16. Toni Elias Alice Team 1:38.656 + 2.569
17. Loris Capirossi Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1:38.667 + 2.580
18. Marco Melandri Ducati Marlboro Team 1:39.214 + 3.127

[ÜberDoober]

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g223/EKron/BenSpies.jpg
photo credit: © autosport.com (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/68652)

SPIES IN FOR CAPIROSSI!

Damn shame he didn't get to ride in the first two free practices and too bad for Loris but Woo Hoo! :)

[Gary]

I feel like a fool, I forgot the Dutch legalized weed and prostitution but race on Saturday for religious reasons - I will be home for the race after all! :ack2:

Either Melandri is using the 'get me off this thing' approach or is so demoralized by the Duc that he's lost it, but it's getting pathetic. Stoner is in a class by himself - and so is Marco, both on the same bike.

Gotta feel bad for Capirossi, but at the same time I think he was pushing it coming back. I think he's afraid that Spies is being groomed for his bike, while I think he's being groomed for Vermeulen's.

[ÜberDoober]

Hold the phone, George!

Soup is reporting that Spies has declined to ride!

Spies Turns Down Suzuki Ride
by julian ryder, on the ground in the nd, people
Thursday, June 26, 2008

Ben Spies has turned down the chance to replace Loris Capirossi in the Dutch TT after the Italian crashed in this
afternoon's free practice and injured his right arm. Spies decided to turn down the opportunity after missing the
first day of practice (Assen always runs on a Saturday). As well as the prospect of giving the field a days start,
he has also seen the weather forecast, which is not wholly favorable, and is mindful of the Indianapolis MotoGP
test next week.

Read it at superbikeplanet.com (http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2008/Jun/080626f.htm)

[Gary]

A wise decision, imo. Although the track has been nerf'ed it is still a tricky one. With one session down he'd still be trying to figure out where the track goes when the race started. Throw in the possibility of rain tomorrow... ugh.

[gonickygo]

Same thoughts here... no way will one FP and then the mayhem of QP do him any good. Even if he considers it "familiarizing" himself with the bike and the track, no doubt he'll end up in someone's way, for which he'll be then chastized to no end. Really too bad Suzuki couldn't find a couple spares in the backroom, or maybe even some '07 bikes...

[Hoofhearted]

I'm sticking with Rossi. I think he will do it this week end. What has me wondering is seeing the Dutch have legal pot and pros will anybody bother going to a race?

[gonickygo]

FORECAST FOR SATURDAY... bummer.

10am Light Rain
62°F
62°F 70% 60°F 93% From WSW 13 mph

11am Light Rain
63°F
63°F 70% 60°F 90% From WSW 13 mph

12pm Light Rain
64°F
64°F 70% 60°F 87% From WSW 14 mph

1pm Light Rain
65°F
65°F 70% 59°F 81% From WSW 14 mph

2pm Light Rain
66°F
66°F 60% 59°F 78% From WSW 14 mph

3pm Light Rain
67°F
67°F 60% 58°F 73% From WSW 13 mph


No matter anyway, still gonna be Stoner & Rossi, but Pedrosa did well this morning in the damp conditions. So the usual suspects again.

[ÜberDoober]

Bummer about the weather.

About 40 minutes left in qualifying and Stoner damn near a second faster than Rossi and Pedrosa. Jeez!

[Gary]

At this point I pick Stoner! :eek:

[ÜberDoober]

Tough session for Hopkins. His second crash was pretty fast and he looks hurt. Nicky was on the front row until after the flag but Stoner looks to be the man to beat.

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g223/EKron/AssenQual.jpg

[ÜberDoober]

Still haven't been able to find an update on Hopkins condition. Watching the replay, he came to a stop while still travelling at a good clip and I would guess he won't be racing tomorrow. Too bad, he's had a horrible year.

Meanwhile, here's the 250 grid. Kallio starting down in 9th.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g223/EKron/250qualAssen.jpg

[ÜberDoober]

Ok. Just got the story. Hopkins with a broken ankle. Don't know why they list him as doubtful? Seems pretty clear cut to me?


Hopkins fractures ankle in crash
By Steven English Friday, June 27th 2008, 14:06 GMT

John Hopkins is doubtful for tomorrow's Dutch TT after fracturing his ankle in a qualifying crash this afternoon.

The Kawasaki rider dropped his Ninja ZX-RR at very high speed in the final minutes of the session and fractured the internal medial malleolus bone in his left ankle.

He stretchered away from the scene of the crash and taken to the medical centre in a wheelchair, although he was able to walk into the mobile facility.

MotoGP doctor Claudio Costa set Hopkins' foot in a temporary cast and a decision is to be made shortly on whether the American will be able to take any further part in this weekend's event.

Source: autosport.com (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/68681)

[ÜberDoober]

John is screwed. :mad:

Hopkins out for three to four weeks after Assen accident
Friday, 27 June 2008

John Hopkins is to fly home to the U.S. to recuperate after suffering ankle and tibia fractures in a high-speed qualifying crash at the A-Style TT Assen on Friday afternoon.

John Hopkins´ difficult debut season with Kawasaki took a decided turn for the worse on Friday in the Netherlands when the Anglo-American lowsided his Ninja ZX-RR at high-speed in qualifying at the Ramshoek corner, smashing into the advertising hoarding and tyre wall.

A broken bone (internal medial malleolus) in his left ankle and two tibia fractures have already been confirmed - and an additional knee injury is being examined - meaning Hopkins is to miss the races at Assen, Sachsenring and possible Laguna Seca.

Source Article (http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2008/Hopkins+out+for+three+to+four+weeks+after+Assen+ac cident)

The article states that a decision to field a replacement rider at the Sachsenring has not been made. Speculation anyone?

[Gary]

Clear cut? Hopkins is like Lorenzo - if he can ride he will. He's taking a hell of a pounding on that Kawasaki, if DePuniet wasn't doing the same on the Honda I'd say it was definitely the bike.

[gonickygo]

I'd venture to guess Tamada or Laconi as replacements, but WSB has a race same weekend as Laguna Seca MotoGP...

Alex Hoffman would be good fill for Sachsenring... hmmm, Hacking for Laguna? or maybe Chris Walker from WSS for both....

[ÜberDoober]

Ok, here's one for Sachsenring just for fun. Melandri to Kawasaki and Gibbers to Ducati. :)

Who is Kawi's test rider? I'd doubt anybody from the world series would sub but Hoffman's name does come to my mind as well. What about the upcoming Indy test? Who's going to do that?

Sure wish RLH hadn't been hurt. Davies instead of Hacking.

John Hopkins sure has had a bitch of a season. He's been riding hurt all year and now this. The tibia is the big bone and depending on how badly it is broken, he won't be walking much (spoken by someone with a 14 fracture tib/fib crash)

[ÜberDoober]

Oh Shiat! RdP, De Angelis AND ROSSI in the dirt. Stoner to the front already but oh my! :ack2:

Team orders for Honda? Nicky and Dani are dicing, at the moment. Can that be allowed?

[ÜberDoober]

Heartbreak for Nicky in the last corner. :( I was all ready to type neener neener because I picked him in the poll. Stoner again in a class by himself.

You know it isn't the most exciting of races when they focus on 11th place. Pedrosa now leads the championship by 4 points. Edwards put in a hella good ride and if not for getting involved in Rossi's blunder would have been up there.

I'm starting to get worried that the rest of the season is going to turn into a repeat of last year?

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g223/EKron/AssenResults.jpg

[Gary]

Who is Kawi's test rider? I'd doubt anybody from the world series would sub but Hoffman's name does come to my mind as well. What about the upcoming Indy test? Who's going to do that?

Hoffman is racing WSS, I think (or is he testing the Aprilia superbike, I can't remember). The test rider is OJ, Olivier Jacques, and I'm sure he won't be racing. He damned near killed himself last year in each and every race!

Sounds like one of the US Kawasaki boys will get the call, that pretty much narrows it to 3: Hayden, Hacking or Davies.

[ÜberDoober]

Word is out today that Melandri will stay at Ducati until at least Brno.
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/68795

Kawasaki announced a month or so ago that they would not be fielding wild card riders for the US rounds but I wonder if they're sticking to it? The press seems to think that Hopkins will be back for Laguna but I haven't heard any updates on his condition since he returned to the states after his crash.

[Gary]

Kawasaki announced later that they won't field wild-cards, they said they have enough problems without that albeit in more words. I thought, from what I'm reading on boards (my time is pretty limited at the moment) that it was generally understood that Hopkins is out for Laguna - Kawasaki said that they will fill his position with a rider currently competing in the US, which just leaves the 2 Monster boys and Davies in my opinion. I think Hayden would be the preferred choice but I'm not sure of his health.