MOTOGP » Stoner: We kept getting faster and faster...

Melandri is showing how great a rider Stoner is dito Capirossi. Rossi is making a big mistake. 2 of the top 3 riders were on Michelins this yea! For Rossi it will effectively be a one man team. The setting of the chassis will be different with Bridgestones and the chassis may also have to be developed differently. Look at Nakano this year and team KR. Team KR are leaving Honda because they can't get a two engine supply. Sounds a bit like when Rossi left Honda. Capirossi was not all there in the head this year apparently? He didn't like the engine just like Melandri. How come Stoner is the only one who can ride it? If there was a tyre advantage he didn't need it. Rossi loses Stoner wins again

I would like to know if Melandri had a go on Stoners bike to do a comparison. Melandri is already talking about his "riding style" and making the bike suit him. Capirossi looked like he could get on with the Suzook.

paul, imo clearly rossi is playing his politics ... by switching to bridgstone he blocks any attempts to share his data with lorenzo, isn't that part of the agreement ... i reckon he realizes that lorenzo has more brain than edwards ...

I don't think it goes that far Motp, he just thinks Michelins are ***** at the moment and wants Bridgestones,
it puts the team in a difficult position as they have to split up and 'cement a concrete wall' between the pitboxes.
True, he and his crew are out there alone but they have been top tyre testers all along so Bridgestona can actually benefit.
Personally I think it would be better if Pedrosa got them too because he also asked for it, he shouldn't have been denied.
I don't know much about Lorenzo's intelligence, does he strike you as particulary clever?

What the Hell! Oh yes... "he said "it always sounds like that until i put some oil in it"." must be a manager ...RAAAAAAAH !! Have to laugh and long...

Rossi should be ok on his 'own' on Bridgestones in 2008. It's a huge gamble, but it was a huge gamble moving to the previously useless Yamaha team of 2003, and winning in the first year in 2004. I'm sure this is part of Rossi's mindset - risk. You win or lose - and massively so!

Stoner doesn't need Melandri to give him feedback either (even though he will) - just look how he dealt with Capirossi!

What would be quite incredible in 2008, is if Rossi and Stoner ride off into the distance next year (exchanging wins), with HRC thus kicking themselves that Pedrosa and Hayden are still on Michelins.

If so, I predict Mr Hayden going walkies to another team that use Bridgestones.

Very true Grumpy,
Valentino takes big risks and when it doesn't work out he takes the heat, big time.
Same will happen to Stoner if he doesn't deliver next year, everybody watches the champ, right?
I hope for a real shootout between them (and a couple more) in 2008.

Just for a change I would like to see Suzuki and Kawasaki become the dominant forces in motogp next year. In reality it ain't gonna happpen, but at the very least I would settle for Kawasaki getting their maiden win (they deserve it) and Loris and Chris bagging a win each.

Hawkeye...don't forget about the KR Team lol

Hawkeye, I dont think you will wait long mate, as both Suzuki and Kawasaki are getting better and better, so I would expect them to improve the results next year. And Hopper is going to be on a new bike but on a fairly race ready platform. Also I think that Vermuelen has had enaough time to learn the tracks and he should be expected to chellange for the wins more often next season. And you never know but West can be closer to the top as well.
I still think it will be mainly Rossi, Stoner, and Pedrosa fighting it out all the way. No disrispect to the other riders, and I hope they prove me wrong.