MOTOGP » Hayden: You can't beat wild weekend.

Hey Jacko #1 Casey #2 Lorenzo #3 Valle DNF Dani Is equally likely Tho I'd *rather* see: #1 Tosleand #2 Casey #3 Edwards (But I won't hold my breath on that happening just yet) You might be right about it being the top race 'tho .... Should be good.

MOTOGP » Hayden: You can't beat wild weekend.

It would be stunningly difficult for HRC to drop Nicky part way into the season unless he 'pulled a Hoff' or otherwise crapped in the ashtray. So the speculation he's going to be heaved out now in favour of Dovisioiso or anyone else is just that - Speculation. BUT It doesn't mean HRC won't fast track parts to Dovi. Plus its a fair indicator of how things are going to go unless Nicky does bring home some good results this year. If he does loose that ride where would he go? WSBK? The size of the bikes might suit him better but the technology & riding style that's developing there still a problem for the guy. I *hope* he does well. But I'm not putting money on it.

MOTOGP » Hayden: You can't beat wild weekend.

Chu Chu - No argument from me on that. It wasn't Dani's fault, it was Honda's. They gave Pedrosa preference and developed the 800 bike for his tiny stature. A poor reward for Nicky bringing them the 2006 championship (despite hobbling him half the time with half-****d innovations which didn't work even then) and a cynical decision too. But I can't put my hand on my heart and say I would have allocated the priority the other way around in 2007 or 08 if I headed up HRC. The most I might do is run two separate lines of development if I could. If the dimensions are still so close I guess that says they've decided to write Nicky off. The loyalty of the big Corporation eh?

MOTOGP » Hayden: You can't beat wild weekend.

I like Hayden a lot. I also think he gets a lot of unjustified flak. But I can't help thinking he's not going to get a chance to shine very often now in Moto GP. (i) Honda's motor *isn't* producing the sheer grunt for anyone with much body mass. (Re-vist the Qatar footage, Dani came out at the start like a rat from a drainpipe using the advantage his miniscule weight gave him to full effect and then used his brain to stay there or thereabouts most of the race). (ii) The whole series is being significantly determined by electronics - Rider skill (like Casey's) sits on top. Nicky rides by 'gut feel', probably 'cos of his dirt bike heritage. That style won't sustain him.

MOTOGP » Hayden: You can't beat wild weekend.

Given what both Dani & Nicky have said about the nature of the track that should put James T & Colin E in on a more or less equal footing too. Lorenzo was always going to be in there. Having won last year Valle will be under the microscope about tyre choice – not so sure Jerez will favour the Bridgestones. Casey will particularly want to put it on the Jerez podium to prove the point its not the sheer grunt of the Duke putting him at the front. And at least half of the rest of the paddock are gonna be saying to themselves ‘I can do that here, I can’. … & fk knows what’ll happen when De Puniet & Elias decide they both want the bit of tarmac someone else happens to be riding on This could be one of the highlights of the year.

BSB » Public given chance to unveil new bike.

Dear god. If that''s the first prize, what''s second?

MOTOGP » MotoGP stars impressed by road tyre.

Thank for the extra information Slow Joe. I'll do a bit more digging around focusing on the D GP's & Qualifiers. I've a suspiscion they were included in some tyre tests not too long ago in either MCN & Bike. I try did emailing Dunlop's laughingly entitled *information service* before posting into the thread asking for views, explaining to them I wanted the nearest thing to a 207RR or stickier but didn't rate the 208s at all. They couldn't even be ****d to reply.

MOTOGP » MotoGP stars impressed by road tyre.

Geroff 'is back 69er That is seriously useful, helpful information he's providing! My only problem is I'm not sure how Slow Joe's trackdays obliteration of tyres will translate to my road use. I'm not exactly slow on the road (helicoters and camera vans permitting). But the road's mostly not on a par with, say, Corams. Plus I suspect Slow Joe pushes harder than I usally do. I'm still reluctant to give up the pointy triangular profile - which has got me round a few corners I was a little concerned they might not having gone in over ambitiously.

WSBK » Checa, Kiyonari confident - Sofuoglu struggles.

Don't write Sofuoglu off too soon simply because he's not settling in as quickly as Checa & Kiyo. They're both superb riders + Checa's ridden a huge range of bikes competitively. Kiyo's been on a 'Blade (different in detail but broadly similar for two years in BSB). Keenan Sofuoglu's just come up from 600 Supersports. A Superbike's seriously different. I'm not so much surprised by how long its taking him to adjust as surprised how well he did so soon at Phillip Island. Give him time. It might take him most of this season, but I reckon he could very well be one of the future greats. He showed phenomenal and consistent talent last year.

MOTOGP » MotoGP stars impressed by road tyre.

Hmmmmm. One of the things I especially like about the D270RRs is they have a very pointy 'triangular' profile front. Not the most stable straight line but fast turn in and a *lot* of grip on its side. I've a suspicion the BT014s are rounder, more like Pirelli's Diablo Corsa (makes 'em a nice road tyre I guess). Anyone know how the 002's and 016s compare? For that matter, Slow Joe, what sort of mileage were' you getting from the 002s? (And what were you up to to push the rear into letting go)?