MOTOGP » Q&A: Nicky Hayden

I see what its is. There is a difference between a sport fan and personality fan. Being a personality fan is fine, as long as you appreciate that others may have an appreciation that differs or is more full in the context of the sport that your own.
Saying that (in effect)the rider that you a fan of is a big loser for what ever reason or to the detriment of another rider misses the bigger picture.
Become a fan of the whole sport not just follow one rider.
Read some rider autobiographies and read back issues of Motocourse, a casual fan will then have a better understanding of MotoGP and enjoy the sport more!

The Kawasaki is a corner speed bike developed by a 250cc world champ. As Hopkins relies on corner speed (witness him rubbing his elbow on the ground), the Kawasaki will suit him well and as long as the Bridgestone give him more side grip, he should do well.

So Gino going off your views on Hopper, he would have been well suited to a 500?

Funny thing about Hopper, after all these years on the GP circuit, this year was his first podium.

Ermmmm as much as I have enjoyed your comments wasn't this thread about Nicky.

Yeah Nicky had a bad year. Machine problems,tyre problems and,I'm a massive fan of his but hell I'll say it,he made some mistakes. That was this season.

Stoner had a cracker of a year and good luck to the kid,but just like Nicky this year he has to defend it next year. Lets hope next year all the bikes are as good as the Ducs.

As Wil said it's ok to follow a rider but concentrate on the whole sport,see the bigger picture.

Any one of these guys can win it again next year,after all this is a sport of passion,skill and,believe it or not,Luck.

I agree with Waltinmatilda about Rossi's passes not always "clean" especially the one at Jerez. If anyone else passes by making contact hard enough to push a rider off the track and they are going to be penalized or DQ. Not the Golden Child. What are your thoughts on that pass Gina?

remind me

Personally, I don't have a problem with what Rossi did to Gibernau, it's all part of racing, but had he gone any further over the limit then maybe it could have been construed as dangerous. Gibernau should have had the balls to stand up to him. I only raised this issue to challenge Ginas' claim that all of VRs passes are clean. Generally they are good clean passes but occassionally they owe more to desparate lunges rather than skillful moves, and that he shouldn't start moaning when he's on the receiving end of a few aggressive moves.

He means the last corner thing at Jerez Gina,
a fascinating last lap battle (those were the days) between Rossi and Gibernau.
Rossi does an inside move in the last corner but loses the bike (you can see his foot slipping off the footrest to keep balance)
Gibernau clearly left the door open and ran wide, they were side by side when it happened.
Afterwards there was a huge scene because Sete hurt his shoulder.

see here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cv7cYa10o0

This is taken as a sick to hit Rossi when people run out of arguments

Thanks morgue, great last lap eh?

aaaaaaaahh! that one!..thanks Morgue...the one when Gibernau slammed into rossi and rossi stayed stable. but the embarassment of going wide onto the grass caused all the drama-theatre-programme of the shoulder ( that recovered so quickly after the race: even Dr Costa didnt have to look at it ! )...
there was one similar attempt in one of the last races this season when the famous winger ( pre - motogp ) West ( ant ) slammed into rossi in a gentler manner and ran it lesser wide coz rossi simply stays on his line .
think it was malaysia this year ..dont know if you remember the one, but very similar to Gibernaos move.