MOTOGP » German Grand Prix - Preview.

Duke Puke - I base my dominance argument on wins and not consistency - had you read other posts in other threads I have made I very recently commented that it would carve us all up on this forum if DP won a few and ran away with it. Just to fill you in on a secret (the profundity of which may astound you) - the bikes are never equal -this is not the R1 cup or equivalent - the reason for having different manufacturers and teams is to push the machines to their technical limits. As for me being a fan boy - I beg to differ - I am complimentary about nearly all the riders in motogp and after Stoner my favourite is James Toseland – his life story is simply remarkable

MOTOGP » Rossi: I've made my mistake.

Will somebody please mention that Dani Pedrosa - he's a little Spaniard - somewhat quiet and he is either? (a) plugged in at the power point, or (b) likes cheese and had his ears and tail surgically removed Is actually riding in this championship as well, as a matter of fact he pipped Vale at the post for 2nd last year and is currently leading the championship. . Wouldn't it carve all of us up on these forums if DP just pulled a few out of the bag and while we are arguing the merits of Vale and Casey Dani just ran off somewhere with the championship and hid.

MOTOGP » Stoner zeroes in on Sachsenring.

Ace, As much as I'm patriotic I think Westie is finished. He was a long shot brought in from 600's where he raced with road tyres on vastly underpowered bikes compared to this format. Whilst the Kawasaki is not the package to have this year he hasn't done enough to take him to another team and Kawasaki are going to need a sacrificial lamb. That said the Ducati (with the exception of Casey) looks about as cursed as the Kawasaki so they might find it hard to get a rider and that could bring Westie in for the make or break ride. I would still look for the soon to be deposed Nicki Hayden first. As for Casey - He looks fast, tidy and focused at the moment: VR fans are a little panicky...

MOTOGP » Gibernau: 'Various MotoGP possibilities'.

I posted in another thread my theory on Sete, I think he would come back to carry out two functions, he would enjoy annoying Valentino if possible (he has an axe to grind there) He even stated "Perhaps, were I to ride again, my goals would not necessarily include winning races" (cited from motogp.com). Ducati also needs a rider to disprove the poisoned chalice of the 2nd Ducati or they won't get anyone to ride it. At the moment (irrespective of the "why" argument) CS is the only person who can master the bike and no one else would really want it - it is a career wrecker. If other good prospects (like NH) see it can be ridden by someone else they may come over.

MOTOGP » Rossi: I've made my mistake.

Boy I am sorry that I mentioned Casey's record. The post is about Valentino Rossi, however if you want to get a fiery discussion going mention Casey Stoner and you instantly get polarised opinion. Whether it is because he is a threat as a rider or the Ducati is a threat as a bike is sooo irrelevant. So are swimmers, cricketers and the appeal of vegemite. When I originally posted and gave Valentino fans a bit of stick over their lack of faith in Valentino it dissolved into more talk about Casey. The Championship is there for everyone to win, and everyone to lose as well (although only 4 riders stand any chance). Hopefully Valentino will come back strong and we can see a few decent races.

MOTOGP » Rossi: I've made my mistake.

CS never had a factory bike like DP or JL, although he nailed Jorge's hide to the wall while JL was on the factory Aprilia and Casey was on the satellite. The Casey Hate club puts far too much emphasis on the lack of 125 and 250 titles (who complains about Dovi who was 2nd). His first ride on factory machinery began with Ducati – have a look at LCR’s results post Casey – or KTM (development ride in 125) – not really world beating? You guys ignore a lot of evidence to make the case: I figure some of you must be Spanish policeman working on the Maddie case. All he did was make the step up from Satellite machinery to Factory machinery – is this too difficult to understand.

MOTOGP » Rossi: I've made my mistake.

(1st Aprilia 125 cup in Britain, 2nd in the British AND Spanish 125cc national championships in the same year – would have won both but for conflicting dates). This temperamental kid has all the talent but so many are quick to point out that charisma and charm are just as important – this is why Ducati are going to employ Barack Obama to ride the 800 next year – got charm in bucket loads and despite the woes of the other Ducati riders we’ve all but accepted that this bike (with it’s level of automation) just rides itself. The riders have so little to do they’ve installed cup holders on the GP09

MOTOGP » Rossi: I've made my mistake.

Pagoda – you’ve already had the spiel about Australia producing flat trackers and dirt riders. I’ve also raced at some of the venues Casey has, Hatchers on the Gold Coast (albeit many years before Casey did) and Casey’s skills are still spoken of in a kind of hushed awe in those circles – no matter what bike you chucked him on, or who against he had something above and beyond even a good rider. He rode different bikes against all comers and smashed them, repeated for 42 national and 70+ state titles – he did this, it is part of his history and as hard as it is to believe that the guy all of Europe is blasting for not having enough history actually has an awesome history (continued)

MOTOGP » Rossi: I've made my mistake.

I am a big fan of VR AND CS however I have to give you VR fans a bit of a rev up. CS won 40 National & 70+ state titles without TC. He came second in 250’s on a satellite bike. He didn’t get on a factory bike until the Duc and he wins. He is still behind VR in the championship and you guys have given up on VR and are moaning about CS winning it already because of the bike. The bike that has the same TC as Valentino’s bike, that has the same tyres AND that MM, TE & SG go so well on (dominant package that). I’m sure VR is glad to have the worldwide membership of the “ignorant sook club” as his fan base. If VR reads these posts he would say to himself “they’ve given up on me”...

MOTOGP » Gibernau 'very fast', but will he race?

I think we spend far too much time analysing what Casey did when he was on bikes that had the budget of JC’s sausage sizzle - he rode LCR - he got second in the 250 championship on what was a satellite bike (Aprilia chipped in when their factory rider Lorenzo didn't challenge Pedrsosa) - He rode the LCR in the 990 gp era but really - how has LCR done after Casey - any podiums? Poll positions? A better position in the championship? I’m afraid not. Casey did well wherever he was and has only ever had 1 factory bike and got a world championship with it. Would Lorenzo, Pedrosa or Rossi have got so far on second rate machinery – Valentino would've but Casey gave it a bloody good shot as well