MOTOGP » Hopkins: It's the Rossi/Stoner front

WTF.... fixing the green bucket of bolts that ruined Ants career was as simple as a quick change to the set up to use the new front tyre?


.... or is Hopper clutching at straws while Kawasaki search for another magic bullet

Hopkins is just trying to make excuses for his embarrassing 2008 season.

He isn't better than West, in fact, I think West is better.

Slightly confused over the comment 'feels identical to the same tyre Rossi and Stoner have been using but we were unable to run' Does John mean they weren't allowed the tyre by Bridgestone,it was only for Rossi and Stoner? Or that they tried it but didn't like the feel? because after one day of testing they've made a change that allows them to use it,why couldn't they do that 6 months ago instead of bringing up the rear?

Oh come on..

Don't have to make all those excuses..

You can just simply admit that i'm not as good as them..

What's next when he's the back marker next year?Kick his bike again?

Hopkins says they weren''t able to run the same front
Bridgestone as Rossi & Stoner this year. And now they''re
changing setup and he''s getting better feedback. Didn''t
Hopper and West also complain of the rear spinnin up
exting corners most fothe season?

The Kawasaki Racing Team has been going backwards
after they canned their MotoGP Team manager - his name
escapes me but he was european with great experience in
the premier class - after said mgr offered some advice to
the ill-fated Ilmor team. Kawasaki also dumped Nakano
who helped development of the first 990cc Kaw along with
the Bridgestone tires in ''04 or thereabouts

The XZ-10R also sucks eggs.

It was Harald Eckl,he came over from Kawasaki's WSB squad a few years ago

Randall - It was Harold Eckl and yes they do seem to have gone backwards since.

Randall, if you have to change the settings to compensate for the front tyre this will almost certainly have an effect on the grip from the rear.

Also we don't know what tyre options were available to Kawasaki this year With the possibility to tailor tyres for each and every rider Bridgestone were bound to focus on Rossi and Stoner, their two most hopeful aspiring champions. The options for Kawasaki would almost certainly be more limited.

Harold Eckl was sacked after he was giving Ilmor information on Kawasaki's bike

His comments are very interesting. When spec tires were thrust onto scene Pedrosa looked to be in the most jeopardy because of his size & riding style. If anything is to be learned from yesterday's performances..it is a minor issue, easily adjusted to.

What is curious is Hopper talking about the Stoner/Rossi tires. Do they both use the same tires? If so, judging by their physical & riding style differences, this whole adaptation issue is just a red herring..the fast riders/teams will again rise to the top, spec tire notwithstanding.