WSBK » Ben Spies racing tips - Part 2

Frick! That is some solid Q&A with Ben! I think that 2-part interview contains some of the best riding tips and insights that I've ever heard. Well done!

WSBK » Ben Spies: Two wins and the title.

Man, this is freaking epic! I find myself full of butterflies every time I think of this upcoming round - so reminiscent of 2002 Bayliss/Edwards. I honestly couldn't guess which way it'll go - If I had to put my money down on who could win both races, I'd likely say Ben. However, Haga doesn't have to win BOTH races with his 10 point lead - one would do. And then there's Fabrizio, who has finally conceded the championship and who will start trying to help Haga (incidentally, nobody can blame Fabrizio for helping Haga out thus far. He's been fighting for his own wins until now - just look at the win he took from Haga a few rounds ago. Mind you, he did take Ben out once, too). Can't wait!

MOTOGP » 250: Simoncelli 'warned' over Bautista clash.

Yeah, Barbara last year was a complete loon out there, and he didn't get penalized from what I can remember. You know, after that collision, I kept hoping that Simoncelli would do the stand-up thing and wave Bautista past and then start back after him - kind of a re-setting of the order before the incident. If he'd done that, there would have been no race director involvement, and his "I'm sorry" would have had more substance to it. At the expense of possibly one spot, he would have made one amazing statement of sportsmanship. Wish he'd done it.

WSBK » Hacking joins PBM Kawasaki for Miller.

Regarding Bigwl3's comment about "AMA going to hell": Have you actually been keeping up with the AMA?? Have you seen how the top 8 Superbike guys (yes, I know they're more like Superstocks) are within a second of each other, and the Daytona Sportbike class could throw a 1 second blanket over the top 12? Everyone was using the idea about 1200cc Buells racing 600s as proof that AMA is a laughing stock, but they're turning out to be extremely evenly matched, and the competition is friggin tight! Anyway, would LOVE to see Mladin at Miller on Neukirchner's bike! Nieto was pretty solid last year (won a race), but Matt could really do the damage.

WSBK » Spies: We’re still struggling with race set-up.

Anyway, back to WSBK. The Ben is proving to be surprisingly likable and of course surprisingly talented. Watching him in AMA over the last 3 years, you knew he was good because he was racing with Mladin toe-to-toe, but you just couldn't be sure "how good" what with the Suzuki domination that existed. But now, he's doing really well overall, unbelievably well in Super Pole and astronomically well for a rookie. I also really liked how he responded when his bike de-gassed in the last corner at Monza. After crossing the finish line, he parked it on the side, jumped the fence and offered appreciative waves to the crowd. Frick, that's classy. He's humble, he's respectful, he's very impressive.

MOTOGP » Melandri matches Kawasaki, Ducati best.

Hilarious comment, Waz, re: surrendering the CAPS LOCK to the stewards! I just pissed myself!

MOTOGP » Rossi: I’d do a Gibernau to Lorenzo.

I can't believe my last post just had the word for a male rooster bleeped out, leaving an ****ier behind. WTF? I guess I'll have to use the word "arrogant" next time. I wonder if I can use "assimilate" or "assume"? We'll see when I submit this.

MOTOGP » Rossi: I’d do a Gibernau to Lorenzo.

Firstly, is it just me or does it seem like someone is stacking the votes on some of these posts? 150 plus responses seems a bit unlikely without some number padding. If that's happening, that just seems weak to me. I actually appreciate the vote function - it's two fingers on the pulse of my motorbike kindred. Let's keep it legit. Speaking of misleading, I think that's a pretty sensationalistic title to this article: "I'll do a Gibernau to Lorenzo". Firstly, it sounds like Rossi was pressed to respond, and when he did, he finally said that he "would". That's hypothetical. "will" sounds fully intentional. Anyway, it makes Rossi sound ****ier than what his real words likely indicated.

MOTOGP » Takahashi prepared for home race

I'm totally rooting for Takahashi, but I definitely wouldn't bet any money on him in this class. Still, it's early days - he could pull a labbit out of the hat (as the Japanese might say). For the life of me, I can't see why Simoncelli didn't get a MotoGP ride this year! WTF? He was so impressive last year - he had that "Rossi" quality to him.

MOTOGP » Moto2 machines 'qualify' at Albacete.

Wow! Tommo, great idea. I'd love to see the manufacturers take their MotoGP 800 motors, lop off 2 cylinders for the 400 class and 1 more for the 200 class - modular and price-competitive. Alas, I doubt it will come to pass.