Expectations for China?

[Gary]

With 3 rounds in the books the series is headed for a theoretical 'Bridgestone track', at least based on last year. What are everyone's expectations?

I think Ducati will move up the order, at least in Stoner's hands, and expect him to race for the win. I think Hopkins also may be in the hunt for a rostrum, while the Honda's may struggle a bit if they are still using the old motor. With the Yamaha's we'll see exactly where that engine stands compared with the Duc. I don't personally expect much from Suzuki, barring rain.

With all that said let me clarify: I'm usually wrong.

My guess for the rostrum:

Stoner, Rossi, Lorenzo in no particular order

[ÜberDoober]

I think the long straights will indeed reveal if the Yamaha's have gotten closer to the Ducati's top end. I suspect Rossi & Lorenzo along with CE & JT on the Tech-3 squad to all be front runners. I think I read that the Ducati was still fastest down the straight at Estoril? (might have been post race testing??)

One would think that the delayed development of the pneumatic Honda is going to hurt but much as I don't want to say it, still think Dani PeePee will be up at the front, at least for a while? I'd like to say Nicky would be in the fray too but the long straights and Pedro's weight advantage are hard to beat. I do think Hayden is hungry though.

Although Rossi says getting the Bridgestones up to par is his highest priority, unless they do a quick turnaround between Estoril & Shanghai, I still think the Michelins are ahead of the game, at this point.

Of course, as fast as things change, who can do more than guess? :closedeyes:

Oops-duty calls...more cornball opinions later today

[DooberRoni]

What's everybody up to with this three week break?

Even the RSS feeds at DooberVille (http://www.dooberville.com/motogp.htm) don't have much news or any new gossip to ponder and even Autosport hasn't had a MotoGP story in almost a week. It's like everybody is snoozing or something?

Kawi is working on moving from a big bang to a screamer. It sounds like a proper F1 engine!

bjou0zRJZBE

[ÜberDoober]

As the buzz builds for this weekend's event, one consistent theme is "bounce back". Bridgestone is planning to bounce back. Nicky Hayden is hoping to bounce back and Rossi didn't say bounce back but the term resurgence was used.

So far this year, it's been anybody's game and still hard to call who is the favorite to win the championship. This race won't make the picture any clearer, I don't think? With the longest straight of the season and some of the heaviest braking, one would think this track favors the bike with the most uumph in a straight line? Have the Yamaha's caught up to the Ducati's in outright top speed? Do the Suzuki's or Kawasaki's have anything new on the top and might they be a factor for another top 5 or better? Will the Honda spring motor show a disadvantage? Has Bridgestone done their homework?

It all remains to be seen and with a relatively quiet weekend of other top motorsports, around this place, MotoGP will be the premier event.

There's a new official spoiler thread started with a poll on who you think is going to win? Go check it out> LINK (http://www.dooberville.com/forums/showthread.php?p=866#post866)

[gonickygo]

Word is that HRC will NOT run the pnengine in Shanghai... so the Hondas may have a tough time keeping up with the Yamahas (any of them) and Stoner.

[Gary]

Word is that HRC will NOT run the pnengine in Shanghai... so the Hondas may have a tough time keeping up with the Yamahas (any of them) and Stoner.

Yeah, I doubt they'll be on the box with springs but Pedrosa often surprises me. If they can get any stability on the brakes the 'other 3' Ducatis may not even bring up the rear.