MOTOGP » Bautista to Estoril, extra test for MotoGP rookies - updated.

If you want special rules in place for him because of his previous appearances the same special rules could have been afforded him with factory equipment...which weren't when they made the rookie clarification. If the test opens for all riders new to the series for 2010 he should be included accordingly.

MOTOGP » POLL: How will Ben Spies fare on Yamaha debut?

I don't see Toseland placing higher than Spies even if it is Ben's first outing on the M1. If he can make a decent showing on the Suzuki he'll do just fine on his first run with the M1. Edwards might be smart to wear one of those Reevu helmets at Valencia. Spies will surely be there to lasso on to the back of him. This is the perfect time to really size up the competition, and his skillset, ahead of the season.

WSBK » Portimao - Superpole qualifying times

Wow!!! This is NOT GOOD for Haga. Spies nails pole and Haga is in 10TH. 10TH!!!!! What the hell is up with that? Time to pull Superpole when available and hope I get to watch it before tomorrow. Man, at least Fab's is on the front row but that's a big time difference with Spies' 1'42.412s and Fab's 1'43.015s. Bryne plays meat in the middle...I say he balks Fab's at turn 1 and Spies pulls a Miller.

WSBK » Portimao - Qualifying times (1)

I may prefer Spies to win the Championship but I'm not peeing in Haga's cereal either. Don't treat me like one of these other more frequent posters.

WSBK » Portimao - Qualifying times (1)

@Kings, Haga put in good/consistent laps but when you spend 9 minutes more in the pits than your competitor, and run fewer laps over the course of the session, "I" would not use the phrase long runs. Calling out Spies for clocking his best time on his FINAL lap, 10 laps AFTER having pitted is hilarious. That shows me he used the session to better his pace and feel for the bike/track and obtained his goal of improving. Haga's best time was done on his 10th lap and he reentered the pits at the end of lap 19. Time in pit (~2min) would "indicate" a tire change or tweak yet he didn't even make it back to his 1'44'4xx range from mid-session.

WSBK » Portimao - Qualifying times (1)

Haga 1) 1'46.587 2) 1'46.461 3) 1'59.702P 4) 6'42.351P 5) 1'45.374 6) 1'45.610 7) 1'58.872P 8) 14'50.715P 9) 1'44.509 10) 1'44.459 300,8 11) 1'44.426 12) 1'44.462 13) 1'44.541 14) 1'44.447 15) 1'44.254 16) 1'44.783 17) 1'44.833 18) 1'45.916 19) 1'56.705P 20) 3'35.436P 21) 1'45.625 22) 1'44.712

WSBK » Portimao - Qualifying times (1)

Spies did short runs??? Haga was in the pits three times (~20 min) vs. Spies visiting twice (~11 min). Spies 1) 1'45.059 2) 1'45.220 3) 1'44.799 4) 1'44.906 5) 1'44.802 6) 1'45.028 7) 1'45.013 8) 2'11.556 9) 1'44.686 10) 1'56.798P 11) 7'45.001P 12) 1'45.074 13) 1'44.973 14) 1'59.002P 15) 6'31.963P 16) 1'44.313 17) 1'44.814 18) 1'44.390 19) 1'44.630 20) 1'44.588 21) 1'59.925 22) 2'16.634 23) 2'05.989 304,2 24) 1'56.445 25) 1'44.033 26) 1'43.870

WSBK » Portimao - Qualifying times (1)

Go to www.worldsbk.com, Results & Statistics, scroll to Portimao at the bottom of the page and launch the PDF to the right. All data collected on times and speeds will be found here for each session.

WSBK » Haga: I know we are fast and competitive

I'm suspecting they (Xerox Ducati) are NOT holding something back in reserve. Since when does Fabrizio pull back? Haga...maybe since he's been around to form some sort of race craft but Fabs is too young and eager to show off his speed to pull it back in and mask his true pace. We'll find out soon enough anyway. Roll on 2nd Q and Superpole.

WSBK » Haga: I know we are fast and competitive

He doesn't have a choice but to say he's pretty confident. Any sign of perceived weakness and he's going to be gobbled up at the start. He better stamp his authority quick if he wants this Championship sealed up. I'm still rooting for Spies though.