Round 13: Misano

[DooberRoni]

FIM MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk279/DooberRoni/MisanoBanner.jpg

Boy, that's a mouthful!
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk279/DooberRoni/MisanoCIRCUIT.jpg

Special thanks to the dumbass programmers at SPUDtv. :ack2:

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g223/EKron/STVlogo.jpg (http://www.speedtv.com/)

Sunday August 31
11:00pm Eastern
8:00pm Pacific


Last year's results. Valentino had a crappy day as did a few others.
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk279/DooberRoni/Misano_2007.jpg

After a long absence, Misano returned to the circuit for the first time last year but was marred by a first lap cockup that took out Pedroboy, de Puniet and involved Hayden and Rossi. Valentino lives 8km from the circuit and although Mugello is considered the home race for the Italian riders and teams, Misano is their second home race. What's up with that?

If my research is correct (conflicting info and I don't remember) it was at Misano in 1993 where Wayne Rainey sustained his career ending injuries.

Let's hope for the best, a good safe race and for an epic battle for the win

motogp.com live times
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk279/DooberRoni/MisanoLocalTime.jpg<<Italian local time -- Pacific Time>>http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk279/DooberRoni/MisanoPacificTime.jpg

[Gary]

A tight, twisty track that shouldn't suit the Ducati, although I'm guessing Stoner will be fast anyway (as usual). I expect the other 3 Ducati's to slip back, but all 3 are coming to grips better with the bikes so we'll know Sunday!

I'd pick Rossi for the win, but if he goes into championship consolidation mode it's hard to say. If the Michelins work the Yamahas should move up.

[ÜberDoober]

Results and stories are in for the first day at Misano.

Session 1
Pos Rider Team Time Laps
1. Casey Stoner Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 1:35.422 24
2. Colin Edwards Tech 3 Yamaha (M) 1:35.424 + 0.002 24
3. Alex De Angelis San Carlo Honda Gresini (B) 1:36.145 + 0.723 26
4. Jorge Lorenzo Fiat Yamaha Team (M) 1:36.375 + 0.953 29
5. Valentino Rossi Fiat Yamaha Team (B) 1:36.464 + 1.042 27
6. Nicky Hayden Repsol Honda Team (M) 1:36.518 + 1.096 27
7. Andrea Dovizioso JiR Team Scot MotoGP (M) 1:36.602 + 1.180 26
8. Chris Vermeulen Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 1:36.608 + 1.186 24
9. James Toseland Tech 3 Yamaha (M) 1:36.740 + 1.318 22
10. Shinya Nakano San Carlo Honda Gresini (B) 1:36.883 + 1.461 25
11. Toni Elias Alice Team (B) 1:37.099 + 1.677 26
12. Randy De Puniet LCR Honda MotoGP (M) 1:37.196 + 1.774 25
13. Loris Capirossi Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 1:37.355 + 1.933 27
14. Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda Team (M) 1:37.380 + 1.958 27
15. Sylvain Guintoli Alice Team (M) 1:37.534 + 2.112 28
16. Marco Melandri Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 1:37.669 + 2.247 22
17. Anthony West Kawasaki Racing Team (B) 1:37.929 + 2.507 26

Session 2
Pos Rider Team Time Laps
1. Casey Stoner Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 1:34.806 21
2. Valentino Rossi Fiat Yamaha Team (B) 1:35.224 + 0.418 27
3. Loris Capirossi Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 1:35.377 + 0.571 29
4. Randy De Puniet LCR Honda MotoGP (M) 1:35.620 + 0.814 27
5. Chris Vermeulen Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 1:35.743 + 0.937 27
6. Jorge Lorenzo Fiat Yamaha Team (M) 1:35.766 + 0.960 27
7. Alex De Angelis San Carlo Honda Gresini (B) 1:35.861 + 1.055 23
8. Colin Edwards Tech 3 Yamaha (M) 1:35.913 + 1.107 24
9. Shinya Nakano San Carlo Honda Gresini (B) 1:36.100 + 1.294 27
10. James Toseland Tech 3 Yamaha (M) 1:36.105 + 1.299 23
11. Nicky Hayden Repsol Honda Team (M) 1:36.189 + 1.383 24
12. Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda Team (M) 1:36.219 + 1.413 29
13. Andrea Dovizioso JiR Team Scot MotoGP (M) 1:36.356 + 1.550 27
14. Toni Elias Alice Team (B) 1:36.425 + 1.619 24
15. Sylvain Guintoli Alice Team (B) 1:36.619 + 1.813 25
16. Marco Melandri Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 1:37.096 + 2.290 22
17. Anthony West Kawasaki Racing Team (B) 1:38.239 + 3.433 25

Something is up with John Hopkins? Supposedly not riding due to injury but Julian Ryder has posted something at Soup that may indicate there's more to the story.

Nicky was ahead of Dani in both sessions but crashed in P2 in the last lap in the last corner. Guintoli, Melandri and West rounded out the last three spots in both sessions. Both Suzuki's top 5 in the second run.

Here's a new one. Combined times from both sessions:

Free Practice One & Two Combined Results:

1. Casey STONER (Ducati), Bridgestone, 1:34.806
2. Valentino ROSSI (Yamaha), Bridgestone, 1:35.224
3. Loris CAPIROSSI (Suzuki), Bridgestone, 1:35.377
4. Colin EDWARDS (Yamaha), Michelin, 1:35.424
5. Randy DE PUNIET (Honda), Michelin, 1:35.620
6. Chris VERMEULEN (Suzuki), Bridgestone, 1:35.743
7. Jorge LORENZO (Yamaha), Michelin, 1:35.766
8. Alex DE ANGELIS (Honda), Bridgestone, 1:35.861
9. Shinya NAKANO (Honda), Bridgestone, 1:36.100
10. James TOSELAND (Yamaha), Michelin, 1:36.105
11. Nicky HAYDEN (Honda), Michelin, 1:36.189
12. Dani PEDROSA (Honda), Michelin, 1:36.219
13. Andrea DOVIZIOSO (Honda), Michelin, 1:36.356
14. Toni ELIAS (Ducati), Bridgestone, 1:36.425
15. Sylvain GUINTOLI (Ducati), Bridgestone, 1:36.619
16. Marco MELANDRI (Ducati), Bridgestone, 1:37.096
17. Anthony WEST (Kawasaki), Bridgestone, 1:37.929
18. John HOPKINS (Kawasaki), Bridgestone, no times recorded

[ÜberDoober]

Word is out that Stoner has re-broken a bone in his hand and is in pain and that Hopkins hurt his back in a "light training" session on Thursday night. Both are expected to continue.

Hopkins:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/70138

Stoner:
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2008/Stoner+reveals+mysterious+hand+fracture

[ÜberDoober]

With 30 minutes remaining, Stoner leads qualifying

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

They're making comments about Hopkins' personal problems and that the Italian press is all over it but aren't giving details. They showed a good shot of Ago - he's a nice looking gentleman.

[ÜberDoober]

Seven poles in a row for Stoner!

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

Tony Elias continues his Brno form and puts his Ducati 3rd on the grid. Jorge Lorenzo may be back? He was looking good. Vermeulen meets his goal of getting a 2nd row start but Capirex ended up way down in 14th. Hopkins' problems, whatever they are, have him just barely ahead of Ant West and just behind Hayden, who is also sucking.

The start should be very interesting especially with de Angelis and Elias in the mix. Rossi will have to work hard to match Casey's pace and may get tied up with Lorenzo or ? at the start.

Let's hope Stoner doesn't run away but I think it is looking like he might?

Can't wait until tomorrow! (even if I have to get up at 4:30 :ack2:)

A quick heads up...if you haven't seen Motoman's big adventure post with great photos, go check it out here: http://www.dooberville.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3933#post3933

[ÜberDoober]

And the 250 grid will be:

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g223/EKron/250grid.jpg

[ÜberDoober]

:( Nicky has pulled out and isn't racing today. It's damn dark outside at 4:30 too.

[ÜberDoober]

With 20 to go, Stoner tosses it away. See ya Casey. :seeya:

[ÜberDoober]

Valentino! With Stoner out, Rossi cruised to another win tying Agostini's record for GP wins and heading into Indianapolis with a 75 point lead in the championship.

Another great (surprising) ride for Tony Elias on the Alice Ducati. Pedrosa challenged for the last spot on the podium but faded leaving Elias with his 2nd trophy in a row.

The best battle toward the end was Vermeulen, Dovizioso, Toseland and Capirossi. Chris V. had a problem on the start but fought his way back toward the front. Toseland put in his best ride since the start of the season.

Two weeks for Indy. Can't wait for that one!

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

[Hoofhearted]

Well, It look like Gibernau has a soulmate in Stoner. Another head messed up by Rossi.

[Gary]

Stoner was just like this last year, minus the crashes. Unload the bike, turn the fastest time in every session, front row with a pace that will walk away. It strikes me as odd that the kid has his head messed up so easily. With the kind of confidence he had from last year I'd think he could hold it together but 3 races in a row is hard to fathom.

On the other hand, in '06 this would have not been too far off the norm...

[Hoofhearted]

Watching the Laguna round I was fascinated by the few bits of telemetry that was shown. Almost every time coming out of a corner you would see Stoner slap the throttle open while Rossi would modulating his throttle. I think the pressure from Rossi is causing Stoner to outride the ability of the TC to save his ass. I've been blasted for saying this before but the memory I have of Stoner in 250s is wondering what lap he was going to crash. And not being disappointed. I said last year that he got his championship because Ducati was miles faster than the rest of the field. Now that Yamaha have somewhat caught up Stoner can't handle it and is resorting to his old self.

[Gary]

Sounds fairly accurate - in '06 it was 'poor Casey, Michelin done him wrong', now he's the focus of Bridgestone and losing the front again.

Stoner needs to settle down and accept that second may occasionally be good enough, and try the Rossi maneuver of sitting on the other guy's wheel for the entire friggin' race until he breaks. No one has the stones to try that on Rossi, while it's one of Rossi's favorite tricks. Stoner wants to win every race by 20 seconds.