Round 4 - Shanghai China [SPOILERS]

[ÜberDoober]

Looks like there will be no showing of the 250's on Sunday but on Tuesday, they are showing the 125's, 250's and a repeat of MotoGP. Check the events calendar later today for broadcast info.

[ÜberDoober]

The opening sessions have been completed. Rossi at the top followed by Stoner and Pedrosa.

Jorge Lorenzo had a big highside "and was rushed to the Clinica Mobile". No further word at this time.

From the sound of things, they are expecting RAIN! :willy_nilly: Everybody run!

You can read headlines from both MotoGP.com and Autosport at the DooberVille MotoGP page HERE (http://www.dooberville.com/motogp.htm)!

[DooberRoni]

First practice never means much but Melandri was 5 seconds slower than Valentino. Dovizioso is in the mix and someone I expect to be among the top Honda's. Hopkins was ahead of Capirossi, Hayden & Edwards.

So, on the "seats that will be opening up" list, we have Ant West on the Kawasaki and Marco on the Ducati. Who else? :ack2:

[ÜberDoober]

Times from afternoon practice.

Pos. Rider Team Bike Time
1 Casey Stoner Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati 2:00.163
2 Valentino Rossi Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha 2:00.215
3 Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda Team Honda 2:00.361
4 Shinya Nakano San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 2:00.553
5 John Hopkins Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki 2:00.591
6 Nicky Hayden Repsol Honda Team Honda 2:00.607
7 Alex De Angelis San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 2:00.931
8 Loris Capirossi Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 2:00.964
9 Andrea Dovizioso JiR Scot Team Honda 2:01.027
10 Colin Edwards Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 2:01.064
11 Toni Elias Alice Team Ducati 2:01.326
12 Chris Vermeulen Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 2:01.504
13 James Toseland Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 2:01.798
14 Marco Melandri Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati 2:01.913
15 Anthony West Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki 2:02.002
16 Sylvain Guintoli Alice Team Ducati 2:02.348
17 Randy De Puniet LCR Honda MotoGP Honda 2:02.407

Soup's got an interesting bit about 5 riders being over 200MPH. That's damn fast! Nicky is 8 mph slower on top than the fastest guy, Guintoli on the Duc.

Autosport is reporting that Lorenzo is doubtful for the race. He banged himself pretty good. Read more here: Autosport.com (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/67064)

[ÜberDoober]

Just found a video of Lorenzo's crash. Oh Man! That's wicked!

I wish Rossi would grow his curly hair back!

sXdDd6Rg6rU

[HEMLOCK]

That is a bad looking wreck. Hope the guy is allright?

[ÜberDoober]

From Autosport.com (http://www.autosport.com/bikes/)
MotoGP doctor Claudio Costa thinks it will be hard for Jorge Lorenzo to participate in the rest of the Chinese Grand Prix after his spectacular practice crash.

The Spaniard has fractured a bone in his left ankle and suffered severe trauma and bruising to parts of his right ankle and foot as the result of a high-side accident at the exit of the first corner in first practice.


While Lorenzo's times appear competitive enough that he is likely to continue riding this weekend, he is suffering off the bike, barely able to walk, emphasised by his decision to stay on the bike and be wheeled into the garage the first time he arrived in the pits, rather than hop off and walk the few metres inside.

And from MotoGP.Com (http://www.motogp.com)
After his huge crash on Friday morning, which resulted in a chipped bone in his left ankle and swelling and bruising on his right ankle, Jorge Lorenzo was back on his Yamaha M1 800cc prototype in Saturday´s third MotoGP free practice session of the weekend, lapping 21 times at Shanghai and concluding the run 14th on the timesheet.

He's one tough kid!

Valentino Rossi topped the final free practice session followed by Pedrosa, Stoner and Colin Edwards! Times to follow.

[ÜberDoober]

It's a little after 11:00pm PST local time and qualifying is underway!

At 15 minutes in, here is the order
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g223/EKron/15Min.jpg

At 20 minutes, it's Rossi, Pedrosa, Stoner with Valentino the first man under 2:00.

With the session half way done, Pedrosa moves to the top:
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g223/EKron/30min.jpg

With 25 minutes remaining, John Freakin' Hopkins jumps into 2nd. Oh! Things are happening fast now. The order is Capirossi, Hayden, Pedrosa, Hopkins, Vermeulen! Wow!

At 18 minutes, it's Edwards, Capirossi, Rossi, Hayden. It's time for the money lap, boys!

With 15 minutes left, Casey Stoner jumps to the top and is the first rider under 1:59. Only 10 minutes to go and Stoner at the top followed by CE III and they're the only two bikes in the 1:58's. Here we go!

Under 5 to go and Rossi puts in a flyer followed by Stoner, Edwards, Lorenzo and Toseland!

OMG! Colin Edwards take the pole in China! :ack2:
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g223/EKron/ChinaQualFinal.jpg

Amazing effort by Lorenzo and his bum ankles! He beat Pedrobot!

Thanks to MotoGP.com (http://www.motogp.com) for the live timing. Off to bed!

[HEMLOCK]

That sounds like it was an exciting quallifying. I think i will just have to watch tomorrow. That guy that crashed did pretty good

[ÜberDoober]

That sounds like it was an exciting quallifying. I think i will just have to watch tomorrow. That guy that crashed did pretty good

It was! As I was posting and keeping up with the live timing screen, I felt like I was calling the race or something but it could have been the beers? :cheers2: Colin Edwards didn't show up as the pole winner until the last timing screen refresh after the clock had already run out. I had already typed "Rossi on Pole" and had to change it.

Edwards had admitted that he probably doesn't have the race pace to keep up with Stoner and Rossi, but it's still good to see a Yank on point!

I normally wait to watch the broadcast on SPEED and try to not know the winner until it's on, but with helping out around here, it's hard to do that anymore so if I'm up late tonight, I just might sit here and watch the free live timing in real time? :)

[Gary]

If you look at the analysis on the new, improved and absolutely god-awful motogp.com you can see that in the dry only Rossi, Stoner and Pedrosa have the pace, but the forecast is 80-90% chance of rain :ack2:

Roll the dice and pick your winner - and if the roll comes up West, roll again!

[ÜberDoober]

Roll the dice and pick your winner - and if the roll comes up West, roll again!

:uplaugh::uplaugh:

That's pretty funny!

I'll be surprised if he is there much longer but then again, Hopkins sucked too and I was hoping to see the Kawi's start showing stronger (since I ride and raced Kawasakis) :p

Capirossi gridded the Suzuki well with Vermin not far behind and it may be true that only the top three can hang at race pace, but I was looking for a good serious fight for the win. Rain will throw a monkey wrench into that for sure and as you well know, anything can happen.

I know it's been a few years, but I still can't get used to the new rain rules. Hell, it took me a long to not miss push starts.

[ÜberDoober]

Well, well, Cueball Valentino is back. (I hate his new doo - Spies too).

I've read the stories, read other forums and watched the broadcast and up until the last four laps, it was a pretty good event.

The first few laps were pretty intense and there was some incredible racing and passing. Colin hung in there pretty good until his mistake.

Pos Rider Bike Tyre Gap
1. Valentino Rossi Yamaha (B) 44:08.061
2. Daniel Pedrosa Honda (M) +3.890
3. Casey Stoner Ducati (B) +15.928
4. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha (M) +22.494
5. Marco Melandri Ducati (B) +26.957
6. Nicky Hayden Honda (M) +28.369
7. Colin Edwards Yamaha (M) +29.780
8. Toni Elías Ducati (B) +30.225
9. Loris Capirossi Suzuki (B) +31.440
10. Shinya Nakano Honda (B) +35.969
11. Andrea Dovizioso Honda (M) +36.246
12. James Toseland Yamaha (M) +43.191
13. Randy de Puniet Honda (M) +43.442
14. John Hopkins Kawasaki (B) +45.855
15. Sylvain Guintoli Ducati (B) +46.330
16. Alex de Angelis Honda (B) +50.593
17. Anthony West Kawasaki (B) +1:05.593

I will go on to say that Pedrosa kept Rossi honest up until 4 to go when Valentino broke him. It is a shame that Stoner wasn't in that lead group as that would have been something to see. What the hell got into Marco Melandri? He has sucked ass all season since swithing to the Ducati and I had high hopes he would be a factor at the front. Really seemed to be an up and comer on the Honda last season but has disappointed so far. I read that he got some new traction control juju that made the difference.

Excellent ride by the hurt Lorenzo and Nicky finished better than he started even though he seemed to be losing it mid race. I read at Soup in the post race press releases that he had a few drops of rain on his visor which probably made him cautious and that he fiddled with his traction control settings and picked it back up. I'm starting to think that there's too much electronics between the rider and the race track. I don't want to go back to the days when highsides like Lorenzo's were commonplace but it seems to be working in F1 this season??

I think it was last week at Fontana that Jamie Hacking had electronics problems that clobbered his traction control and his comments were that it had full power everywhere. I think that's how it should be.

So, congrats to Valentino Rossi. Four winners in four races on three different brands. Not too shabby of a start for the season and certainly more exciting than the Stoner, Stoner, Stoner of last year.

[Gary]

Hopkins said they blew their tire choice, but it seems to have affected Hopkins more than West as West finished in his usual spot.

Melandri has the new software that helps him 'feel' the engine, but I won't be surprised if he falls back when they return to a 'real' track. Shanghai is a stop and go track of epic proportions that suits a bike with great acceleration - and I hope I'm wrong. Melandri is too good a rider to be at the back of the pack.

Good race, all in all.

[Hoofhearted]

It was great to see Rossi being his usual self. A good race between the two. I said, about 5 or 6 months ago, on another forum (and got blasted for it) that Stoner was lucky to be sitting on the Ducati and that Ducati would "tune it up" over the winter and screw it up. I was amazed by Lorenzo!! A hard man. All in all it was an enjoyable race.

[HEMLOCK]

That was a good race to watch. That lorenzo guy that was hurt did amazing to finish as well as he did.

It seemed that the top two were in a class all by themselfs. I hope the next race has more bikes battle for the lead.

[DooberRoni]

If you look at the analysis on the new, improved and absolutely god-awful motogp.com...

After trying to look something up over there today, I absolutely must agree their site is teh suck. I have mostly just ignored it up until now as it wasn't a bother but now I realize it is simply frustrating.

[Hoofhearted]

WooHoo! I remember push starts. If they were around today Minime would be still in 125s. I always loved the eerie silence as you waited for the flag to drop. Today the knees say no pushstarts. I've been reduced to this. Have to admit it makes life a lot easier.


http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/3225/0592cnl5.jpg[/IMG]

[KingKenny]

:angry-004:Based on Lorenzo's performance. I cry foul on the PR associated with the alleged injury. The kid has a bent for manipulating the press and playin head games with competitiors. Come on if it was as bad as the press made it out... Look at the lap times. :cheers2:

[KingKenny]

It was great to see Rossi being his usual self. A good race between the two. I said, about 5 or 6 months ago, on another forum (and got blasted for it) that Stoner was lucky to be sitting on the Ducati and that Ducati would "tune it up" over the winter and screw it up. I was amazed by Lorenzo!! A hard man. All in all it was an enjoyable race.
:seeya::cheers2:

[KingKenny]

Hopkins said they blew their tire choice, but it seems to have affected Hopkins more than West as West finished in his usual spot.

Melandri has the new software that helps him 'feel' the engine, but I won't be surprised if he falls back when they return to a 'real' track. Shanghai is a stop and go track of epic proportions that suits a bike with great acceleration - and I hope I'm wrong. Melandri is too good a rider to be at the back of the pack.

Good race, all in all.:seeya::cheers2: Hey maybe no arguing here huh! I for one appreciate your point-of-view! Even if I don't agree all the time. Enjoy!

[ÜberDoober]

:angry-004:Based on Lorenzo's performance. I cry foul on the PR associated with the alleged injury. The kid has a bent for manipulating the press and playin head games with competitiors. Come on if it was as bad as the press made it out... Look at the lap times. :cheers2:

Glad to see you here, KK! I'm on the fence about this. The story on Autosport this morning is that it's worst than they thought

Lorenzo diagnosed with further injuries
By Pablo Elizalde
Tuesday, May 6th 2008, 08:54 GMT

Jorge Lorenzo's injuries are worse than initially thought following his heavy crash during practice for the Chinese Grand Prix last weekend.

Lorenzo was diagnosed with a fractured ankle after being thrown off his bike in Friday's practice. Despite that, the Spaniard raced to fourth place in Sunday's race.

Lorenzo underwent further tests in Barcelona on Monday, when he was diagnosed with a broken astralagus bone in the right ankle and a broken ligament in the left one.
link to full story: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/67174

What the hell is an asparagus bone? :)

I don't doubt that there's a psych factor in pimping how hurt your boy is to the media. Take a look at what happend to Chad Reed in Supercross. Yeah, he busted himself up and was the tough guy for a few races but I don't think he was as severely wounded as they (R. Shouty Shaheen) made it all out to be.

When they're really hurt, they're off the bike. Like Roger & Tommy. :sad:

[Gary]

Costa was interviewed regarding Lorenzo as well and he is generally a no-BS type of guy, other than that ridiculous prose he uses. He looked as excited as Jorge when the bike returned to the pits (if you notice the first hug from Lorenzo was to Costa).

They were REALLY playing it up if so, because Lorenzo was taken to and from his bike in a wheel-chair, and if you saw how his feet were often awkwardly placed on the pegs you could see he looked like someone struggling to find some comfort. No, I think he was legitimately injured.

And KK, I'll try to avoid arguing here - not disagreeing though! Certain people on 'that site' seem to prefer arguing to anything else...that is the most argumentative racing site I visit.

Oh, as far as riding with injuries - remember in '79 Roberts showed up at the first GP with a cracked back and was competitive. These guys are a different breed...

[gonickygo]

oh my... as if I don't get enuff Gary on sp**dtv.com forum, I gotta see him @ RO2... but now I have to read more KK, too? :eek:

:banghead:


;)

[Gary]

Forum whore here - I'm in at least 3 others, lol.

[Hoofhearted]

I'm here too (assumed name, incognito, etc.) and I'm even more boring!!:D

[Gary]

I'm here too (assumed name, incognito, etc.) and I'm even more boring!!:D

You gave yourself away pretty fast, lol.

[Gary]

oh my... as if I don't get enuff Gary on sp**dtv.com forum, I gotta see him @ RO2... but now I have to read more KK, too? :eek:

:banghead:


;)

Oh, apparently some were invited here but I didn't make the cut *SNIFFLE*

I just wandered in...

[ÜberDoober]

Hey! It could be worse! I invited Rolfo to join too! Maybe I should send him a reminder?:willy_nilly: I did read something he posted recently and it was actually quite good. He and any of the other guys from SPUDtv would be more than welcome here as are you all.

And about those invites...I actually PM'd about 18 people from different sections and from one follow up inquiry, I learned that probably most of them didn't get delivered. Damn, their new board is a piece of crap. :mad: Feel free to get a few more convicts converts on your own, if you think you from can from wherever and sorry, Gary, if you didn't get one. (bad Doober :smash: )

We managed to get kind of an exclusive link on a fairly busy website that goes to our homepage at DooberVille.com (http://www.dooberville.com) that will hopefully bring in some new blood. There was a post about it here (http://www.dooberville.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1013#post1013) and if you haven't seen the site lately, take a fresh look. It's growing bit by bit as are the forums. There's a few more other things in the works to make the neighborhood a busier place and when we do get there, the gang we have now will be the oldtimers.

Thanks to everyone for their participation. FWIW, I guess I qualify as a Forum whore too because I'm on a few others myself! :closedeyes:

[Hoofhearted]

You gave yourself away pretty fast, lol.

But I got invited. neener, neener, neener!

[gonickygo]

But I got invited. neener, neener, neener!

LOL... so did I, Ander... I mean Hoofhearted! But I didn't get mention in the latest PM from UberD. My feelings are hurt.

BTW... shhhh, let's not tell LJB about this place. Deal?

What I really want is for my "reputation" to grow...

[Hoofhearted]

You didn't get a mention because you not boring enough. The only thing that is growing is my belly. I'm supposed to be going racing the weekend after next and I look like a beached whale!

Caught the 250 today. Good race 'til Alvaro dumped it.

[ÜberDoober]

Sheesh! I should have just made a huge post over there and got myself banned. :)

BTW, your rep comments show up in your User CP. There's some avatars in there too for those (ahem) that can't be bothered to upload one. Users can add 1 rep point to others, mods & admins 10 unless there's a special situation where HeadDoober goes in and picks a number.

$20 is usually enough to be "special" situation. ;)

Oh yeah, screwups rep level can go red if everybody hates them.

[Hoofhearted]

Its OK so far. RR hasn't showed up yet so we can talk about riders that aren't Italian. And James Toseland can still be a racer.

[Gary]

To be honest, I don't mind RR. He's extremely opinionated (obviously) but he does have a good understanding of the game and being in Italy gets information that we English speakers don't. I have to call him on the pro-Italian bs at times (constantly) but I think he honestly believes he's unbiased. :ack2:

LJB is a psycho...

[Hoofhearted]

He certainly does have a knowledge of the game. Europe gets much better coverage of GPs than we do. Truth is I watch the racing but I'm not too concerned what Loris had for breakfast. Much like the way speedtv talks nascar to death. Where do they find so much to talk about? RR's sort of if you aren't Italian you aren't a racer attitude gets up my nose. I was going to make a comment about THE real RR falling off his mountain bike and breaking his clavicle but you know. Italian, Luigi with the broken nose "Hey! I breaka you leg!"

[Gary]

Truth is I watch the racing but I'm not too concerned what Loris had for breakfast.

That's what I refer to as 'the People magazine' side of it. On another forum the village idiot brought up the fact that both Lorenzo and Rossi have the same haircut and that Lorenzo was just trying to emulate Rossi. To the forums credit, no one replied...who cares?