Rossi expecting a 'difficult' race.

Go Vale!

*The new R1 with big-bang engine is just awesome*

It will be very hard!

Indianapolis July 2008 MotoGP tyre test – day two – unofficial best lap times:
1. N Canepa 1´43.007 Ducati-Bridgestone
2. B Spies 1´43.091 Suzuki-Bridgestone
3. E Nigon 1´43.627 Honda-Michelin
4. O Jacque 1´43.818 Kawasaki-Bridgestone
5. W Costes 1´44.068 Yamaha-Michelin
6. W Yoshikawa 1´44.298 Yamaha-Bridgestone

... will it be prediction?!

whenever i think of this race being on an oval i think of Daytona 1975 with Barry Sheene. I havent seen the track layout but i have fears about the oval.I know he didn't hit the wall but the pressure on tyres going around the oval,hmmm, just hope everyone survives.
Goooo Vale.

You can see it motogp.com for example. It's not oval.

I hope Stoner doesn't crash again and hurt himself

It'll be interesting to see how Dani goes with his new rubber

Glad to see he is still on a high after last round..I don't know why though, he didn't have to race for it! Maybe he's nervous cause he knows he hasn't dominated and knows he still doesn't have the whole package including the ability to develop the yamacka to the level of certain 'other' bikes out there. To earn ante-VR fans respect, he'll have to show total 'Doohanesque' dominance before bowing out. CS's efforts last year and total focus without the frilly theatrics were inspiring, and I know fans will be going berserk, but if VR and CS met somewhere in the middle of their personalities, they'd both be more likeable for those less obsessed with this unfortunate aspect of hi dollar sports.

Surely for someone of Rossi's calibre a 1.2second gap is nothing! This will be a walk in the park for him. He has smashed Stoner in the last 3 races when he was slower in all sessions. How can he lose? Also, according to those times, the michelin tyres work better than bridgestones at Indy. But that will be nothing for Rossi either.

Surely a difficult race for Rossi, maybe a nitro oxide is needed to compete with Dani and Casey.
But hey... it's a new track, everyone has no data and in this manner his skill and experiences might help.

"To earn ante-VR fans respect, he'll have to show total 'Doohanesque' dominance before bowing out."

Bob, who gives a flying t055 about such fans? Casey is fantastically fast without doubt, but VR doesn't need to earn respect. That is already done, as he heads towards a 6th premier class title.
Need I add that these titles consist of 500cc,990cc and soon to be inevitably added 800cc.

Remember, speed is essential but so is finishing the race.

And Appie Pappie, what does the R1 have to do with Indy? Maybe Haga will show up and teach Rossi how to go fast.

If you can't repect what Rossi has done both as a racer and for the sport you are not a fan, and I don't know what you are trying to gain by being on here, but it's pretty strange to say the least..

Actually I take that all back, now that I see the light I have to admit Rossi DID totally dominate 5 yrs on the bounce in Doohanesque fashion and actually kept on going, giving MotoGP even more when he could have retired at the top of his game. And while he dominated for so long he also raised the profile of the sport with his "antics" keeping ALL fans of the sport entertained, unlike perhaps Shumaker did for F1. I clearly now see his focus and admire the man also has a life off the bike, and it's impressive he can be so good, and also be human, and an interesting character! I also would like to recognize Loris for developing the Duc for Stoner!

I am not offically a Rossi fan!

Just a frustrated closet fan who lives down under

Just hope we get a good race...

Suckmoan, you are going to have to explain the tyre thing. From the test times Bridgestone are 1,2,4,6 while Michelin are 3 and 5. I can't quite see how that means Michelin have an advantage.

I hope Michelin bike tyres are better than when they supplied F1 with sh1t tyres & the teams wouldn't race!!

on paper rossi got his hands full but after last 3 rounds he is well in with a shout. Moaner and that oompa loompa from spain could learn alot stop moaning get your head down and just get on with it. Fingers crossed for JT as well

It will be a great great great indy battle!!, new damn track, no fvck1n' data, well, except for some pathethic-desperate rider that had been doing some pointless race there lately..
well, you know the guy....


DON'T FORGET TO CAPTURE THIS HISTORICAL MOMENT!!

In Andy Duke's post only the Yamaha is shown with a lap time for both tyres. There is no reference for the other bikes. For Yam, michelin time is faster than Bstone.

I'm not sure why in reports i keep seeing this will be new for all the riders and noone as an advantage...maybe Nicky as, i think he's seen the track a fair bit! The person who's gained the biggest is surely Spies,if there ever was a chance to prove himself...how did he manage to get a text ride on a track he'll be racing on for a factory team? a couple of test riders may have been quicker but the data they collected was with their riding styles. Spies as basically got two (i think) days data more than all the other riders...I'd put some money on him being top 3 on Friday.

Lets hope the michelins have a fair pop again this round and i may also have a little chuckle if Dani struggles.