MOTOGP » Melandri manager confirms '09 Ducati split.

I can sort some of this out by citing Australian Motorcycle news again. In an article on page 119 of the current edition by Colin Young it is stated as fact (and AMCN is usually well informed) that Marco has had his contract finalised as of round 11 (Laguna). At round 12 (Czech) he will be riding the third Kawasaki normally used by Olivier Jacque as a test bike and shall continue on with them (team green) in 2009. Sete will be riding the second factory Duc and the only part of the article acknowledged as informed speculation is that Hayden will take the Ducati over in 2009. I believe he will sign up if Sete is getting good results on it (i.e. not a 1 rider bike)

MOTOGP » Rossi: We must stop Stoner.

"Andy Roo - any links on that article in that Australian Magazine??? Posted by so true - Unregistered (5 hours ago)" No, sorry I get it home delivered. It is Aus MC NEws Vol 58 No.1. I'll give you this one in which Rossi refers to Stoner and the Ducati (not either exclusive of the other) as "supernatural". Vale knows what he is facing. foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,24028375-23770,00.html Valentino is also critical of his starting, which in lucid and objective moments I have nominated as being his weakness - you cannot let Dani and Casey go at the start - they are too hard to catch, what he could do 5 years ago is now nearly impossible with 800 & the newer riders.

MOTOGP » Rossi: We must stop Stoner.

In an interesting interview with Vale this week in Australian motorcycle news Vale states the "bike" theory is rubbish and Casey is just a driven hard competitor and rider. Vale has spoken, all the Stoner "fanboys" (I love being called a "boy" - My oldest kid is about to turn 21) are just fans, as are the fans for Vale. It isn't how to stop Casey that is the problem it's how to catch him. When the attitudinal shift occurs I think the problem will solve itself. Mind you, he is riding a crappy bike (on average) and the best factories in the world have had nearly two years to work it out, maybe he is just plain old fast…

MOTOGP » Sachsenring - Free practice times (2).

I read a post the other night where someone said MM gets paid more than CS. This is true, I was horrified but I found out that CS get a bonus per race and C'ship win (millions apparently). This makes him ride harder & may be the answer for the others – commission payments instead of a salary – Casey (quoting Sydney Daily telegraph) pulled 12 million from winning 10 times + a championship. Casey stays on this win and pay contract until 2009. I’ll throw this one out for debate. Motogp riders on huge salaries with smaller performance bonuses don’t ride as hard as those on small salaries and big performance bonuses. Perhaps it's (economic) psychology and not traction control?

MOTOGP » Sachsenring - Free practice times (2).

Woah - just looked at the pictures of CS's Duc after he stepped off it. Any bike trashed like that breaks my heart. Belly - De Angelis has to prove himself in the wet to make any real impact this weekend BUT if we get a dry or drying track I think he will do more to stuff DP & VR up. If Casey stays on during the race (he has discovered the limits of the machine this weekend) then he could really close the point’s gap.

MOTOGP » Sachsenring - Free practice times (2).

I put it out there for someone to debate the other night but I got no takers. What is unfair with Casey having TC whilst every other rider has it as well? When Alex Goebert (Aust MC News) tested his 2007 bike he found he has it on its absolute minimum setting. The Magneti Marelli system that CS uses is the series 1 unit (as does Kawasaki) and yamaha have the improved series 2 unit. Yamaha owns Magneti Marelli. I just don’t see what the fuss is about and I want someone to (without vitriolic unfounded anti stonerisms) explain it to me, and then explain why Marco, Toni and Sylvain got broken ones.

MOTOGP » Sachsenring - Free practice times (2).

Bored individual I may be - I watched the live timing last night when FP2 was on, De Angelis was only a whisker behind Casey the whole way, he ran about 12 consecutive laps at great pace. Apparently San Gresini are a little over Alex so it would be good to see him get a good result. His pace at the moment would be upsetting Pedro and Vale more than Caseys pace, Casey is predictably fast but the prospect of a non contender between them and the winner really closes the points gap.

MOTOGP » Sachsenring - Free practice times (1).

He was fastest (pole) last year in the 1:22's, Dani was faster in the race somewhere in the 1:23's. As I post Stoner has just lapped at 1:21.703 and that'll be the track record. De Angelis has sort of come from the boondocks at present to be running in 2nd after cutting the 2nd fastest time in FP1. WTF?

MOTOGP » Sachsenring - Free practice times (1).

Brother from another moth (it's how it comes out). So here I am thinking (because it Friday night and I'm on the red (again). Wow, he's from a MOTH. That's deep. But it's because there is a letter limit to your name isn’t it tiger (moth). Who's racing skill am I to restrict my comments to, Casey? He’s fast. Ever been to India? Get that India… (do it with Australian accent – its HILARIOUS) Valentino. He’s fast, we know he’s the king. People posted after me with terribly personal comments but you held your tongue. Moth - is there a point to this restriction or are you the self appointed unregistered enforcer on this site?

MOTOGP » Sachsenring - Free practice times (1).

Come on guys, don't give up on Vale just yet, at least let the race run. Tossing it in from FP1 is a little defeatist. I guarantee the great man (Vale) is NOT thinking that he's beat but he knows there will be a challenge. I genuinely would like to see the top 3 separated by a bee's **** in times so they knuckle on during the race. But I do concede our boy Casey is looking fine...