The official 2008 season MotoGP thread!

avanti · January 12th, 2008, 12:58 PM

I thought us fans of the ultimate motorsport, where we find the bravest of the brave, the last true gladiators, MotoGP, should have our very own thread.

I thought we could discuss everything here, rumors, testing, qualification, races etc etc.

Anyways, the new season is just 2 months away, before that we have the official test at Jerez the 17th of February. I am obviously cheering for Ducati, and I think there is a good chance we might get a Italian world champion on an Italian bike for the first time since Agostini on the MV Agusta in 1972!

Just to get in the mood, or convert doubters...

The real action starts after 1min, just wait for it...

+ YouTube Video

Anyone can slide with 4 wheels, but it takes a real man to slide with 2....

+ YouTube Video

My favorite rider, Marco Melandri, who on a good day can beat anyone!
This is just porno, watch, repeat, watch, repeat!!

+ YouTube Video

Maybe we could even get stickied....

Now I'm going to the garage to warm up my baby!!

avanti · January 12th, 2008, 01:06 PM

Teams and riders 2008 season:

DUCATI
Marlboro Ducati Corse - Bridgestone
Casey Stoner / Marco Melandri

Pramac D'Antin Ducati - Bridgestone
Sylvain Guintoli / Toni Elias

HONDA
Repsol HRC Michelin
Nicky Hayden / Dani Pedrosa

LCR Honda Michelin
Randy de Puniet

Konica/Minolta Honda - Michelin
Andrea Dovizioso

Gresini Honda - Bridgestone
Alex de Angelis / Shinya Nakano

KAWASAKI
Team Kawasaki - Bridgestone
John Hopkins / Anthony West

TEAM KR
Team KR
????

SUZUKI
Rizla Suzuki - Bridgestone
Chris Vermeulen / Loris Capirossi

YAMAHA
Fiat Yamaha Michelin
Valentino Rossi / Jorge Lorenzo

Tech3 Yamaha Michelin
James Toseland / Colin Edwards

Mally Dangerous · January 12th, 2008, 05:49 PM

Here's an episode of After the Flag for people who haven't seen it.

+ YouTube Video

And here's a nice MotoGP action video

+ YouTube Video

Nelis · January 12th, 2008, 06:32 PM

If I'm not mistaking Rossi is riding on Bridgestones this year. Should see for some nice diversity in the Fiat Yamaha team. As Lorenzo is riding on the Michelin compound.

It's said that because of Rossi other Michelin drivers didn't perform as good as they could have been performing. Seeing that Rossi prefers a harder compound, Michelin developed their compounds in close cooperation with Rossi not looking to much at other riders. I don't see Bridgestone doing that as they have the current world champion on their tires.
So Rossi might not be as fast as he used to be this year and other Michelin riders might get their moment to shine.

Karoug · January 12th, 2008, 09:40 PM

^yes Rossi is riding om Brigestones this year.. And since Bridgestone really didn't want to supply him with tires, I don't think he'll be as fast as he can be.. But then again, Rossi can ride the crap out of anything..

avanti · January 13th, 2008, 12:28 AM

Hopper got married during the break! Beautiful girl, although, Mrs. Stoner is still number 1 in my book....

Some pictures from the launch of the 2008 Ducati, so beautiful!!

Does anyone else think the Marlboro "logo" is genius? They can go on sponsoring motorsports forever, who's gonna stop them??

vikiradTG2007 · January 13th, 2008, 07:12 AM

Well basically that livery is almost a Ferrari F1 one draped over the Ducati GP8. And yeah, Marlboro seem to be able to keep sponsoring for ever with that masked logo.

P.S. Saw that drift in one of the clips. Melandri is NUTS!!!

avanti · January 18th, 2008, 10:06 PM

Yamaha presented their 2008 M1 in Torino today, looks almost as good as the Ducati!

Rossi says that he most likely will finish his career with Yamaha, a bit sad for those of us hoping for a return to Aprilia or a ride at Ducati, but probably a good move by him.

For those wondering, the babe is Simona Ventura, famous italian tv host..8)

Karoug · January 18th, 2008, 10:15 PM

^babe? I thought it was Rossis mom...

avanti · January 18th, 2008, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karoug

^babe? I thought it was Rossis mom...

ehi!!!
Cazzo dici?!?!

She's certainly no spring chicken, but for her age (43) I find here very hot...8)

Karoug · January 18th, 2008, 10:37 PM

Yea.. With heavily photoshoped pics...
I can only agree with Eddie Izzard: Italy alot of cool ppl that just hangs around on scooters, and when they die, they look a mess!!

avanti · January 18th, 2008, 10:47 PM

She doesn't look half bad in real life either actually.. Eddie Izzard is a funny guy... maybe he is jealous...

Karoug · January 18th, 2008, 10:57 PM

Off topic?

Here's a pic of the Suzuki GSV-R 800 (Vermeulen)

Mally Dangerous · January 19th, 2008, 12:26 AM

We are getting closer and closer. Those Yamahas are looking nice!

Here's some more action.

+ YouTube Video

avanti · January 22nd, 2008, 06:55 PM

Well the guys are testing in Sepang now, and there a bit of action, Pedrosa breaks his hand in a fireball crash...

And Valentino goes flying...

Testing times from sepang:

1. Randy de Puniet FRA Honda LCR (M) 2min 1.377 secs
2. Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda Team (M) 2min 1.864 secs
3. Chris Vermeulen AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 2min 2.074 secs
4. Loris Capirossi ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 2min 2.416 secs
5. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 2min 2.457 secs
6. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team (B) 2min 2.490 secs
7. Colin Edwards USA Yamaha Tech 3 (M) 2min 2.549 secs
8. Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda Team (M) 2min 2.558 secs
9. Jorge Lorenzo SPA Fiat Yamaha Team (M) 2min 2.563 secs
10. Shinya Nakano JPN Honda Gresini (B) 2min 2.622 secs
11. John Hopkins USA Kawasaki Racing Team (B) 2min 2.628 secs
12. Andrea Dovizioso ITA JiR Team Scot (M) 2min 2.783 secs
13. James Toseland GBR Yamaha Tech 3 (M) 2min 3.264 secs
14. Alex de Angelis RSM Honda Gresini (B) 2min 3.301 secs
15. Anthony West AUS Kawasaki Racing Team (B) 2min 3.387 secs
16. Olivier Jacque FRA Kawasaki Test Rider (B) 2min 3.863 secs
17. Toni Elias SPA Alice Team (B) 2min 3.954 secs
18. Marco Melandri ITA Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 2min 4.414 secs
19. Nicola Canepa ITA Ducati Test Rider (B) 2min 5.580 secs
20 Sylvain Guintoli FRA Alice Team (B) 2min 6.000 secs
21 Tamaki serizawa JPN Kawasaki Test Rider (B) 2min 23.590 secs

Karoug · January 22nd, 2008, 09:53 PM

I think Honda will spring back to life this year..
BTW: Love that second pic on Rossi!

avanti · January 23rd, 2008, 03:11 PM

Todays testing at Sepang, I am impressed by Andrea Dovizioso!

+ YouTube Video

1. Randy de Puniet FRA Honda LCR (M) 2min 1.139 secs
2. Colin Edwards USA Yamaha Tech 3 (M) 2min 1.327 secs
3. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team (B) 2min 1.437 secs
4. Jorge Lorenzo SPA Fiat Yamaha Team (M) 2min 1.583 secs
5. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 2min 1.638 secs
6. John Hopkins USA Kawasaki Racing Team (B) 2min 1.874 secs
7. Loris Capirossi ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 2min 1.917 secs
8. Andrea Dovizioso ITA JiR Team Scot (M) 2min 2.006 secs
9. Shinya Nakano JPN Honda Gresini (B) 2min 2.095 secs
10. Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda Team (M) 2min 2.102 secs
11. James Toseland GBR Yamaha Tech 3 (M) 2min 2.276 secs
12. Chris Vermeulen AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 2min 2.371 secs
13. Anthony West AUS Kawasaki Racing Team (B) 2min 2.579 secs
14. Alex de Angelis RSM Honda Gresini (B) 2min 2.914 secs
15. Toni Elias SPA Alice Team (B) 2min 3.311 secs
16. Marco Melandri ITA Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 2min 3.380 secs
17. Olivier Jacque FRA Kawasaki Test Rider (B) 2min 3.462 secs
18. Sylvain Guintoli FRA Alice Team (B) 2min 4.217 secs
19. Tamaki Serizawa JPN Kawasaki Test Rider (B) 2min 4.382 secs
20. Nicola Canepa ITA Ducati Test Rider (B) 2min 4.427 secs

Redliner · January 24th, 2008, 01:21 PM

Great thread, guys.

January 12th, 2008, 01:06 PM	#2
avanti Joined: Jul 21st, 2005 Last Online: 02:03 AM Location: Milano, Italia Posts: 2,300 Car: 2 cars + 3 bikes Rep Power: 46	Teams and riders 2008 season: DUCATI Marlboro Ducati Corse - Bridgestone Casey Stoner / Marco Melandri Pramac D'Antin Ducati - Bridgestone Sylvain Guintoli / Toni Elias HONDA Repsol HRC Michelin Nicky Hayden / Dani Pedrosa LCR Honda Michelin Randy de Puniet Konica/Minolta Honda - Michelin Andrea Dovizioso Gresini Honda - Bridgestone Alex de Angelis / Shinya Nakano KAWASAKI Team Kawasaki - Bridgestone John Hopkins / Anthony West TEAM KR Team KR ???? SUZUKI Rizla Suzuki - Bridgestone Chris Vermeulen / Loris Capirossi YAMAHA Fiat Yamaha Michelin Valentino Rossi / Jorge Lorenzo Tech3 Yamaha Michelin James Toseland / Colin Edwards __________________ \|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\| Ride, Eat, Sleep, Repeat.

January 12th, 2008, 06:32 PM	#4
Nelis Joined: Nov 14th, 2005 Last Online: September 24th, 2008 Location: Netherlands Posts: 141 Rep Power: 0	If I'm not mistaking Rossi is riding on Bridgestones this year. Should see for some nice diversity in the Fiat Yamaha team. As Lorenzo is riding on the Michelin compound. It's said that because of Rossi other Michelin drivers didn't perform as good as they could have been performing. Seeing that Rossi prefers a harder compound, Michelin developed their compounds in close cooperation with Rossi not looking to much at other riders. I don't see Bridgestone doing that as they have the current world champion on their tires. So Rossi might not be as fast as he used to be this year and other Michelin riders might get their moment to shine. __________________

January 12th, 2008, 09:40 PM	#5
Karoug Joined: Apr 5th, 2006 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Sweden Age: 30 Posts: 1,600 Car: Volvo 745GLT! 3 bikes Rep Power: 21	^yes Rossi is riding om Brigestones this year.. And since Bridgestone really didn't want to supply him with tires, I don't think he'll be as fast as he can be.. But then again, Rossi can ride the crap out of anything.. __________________

January 13th, 2008, 12:28 AM	#6
avanti Joined: Jul 21st, 2005 Last Online: 02:03 AM Location: Milano, Italia Posts: 2,300 Car: 2 cars + 3 bikes Rep Power: 46	Hopper got married during the break! Beautiful girl, although, Mrs. Stoner is still number 1 in my book.... Some pictures from the launch of the 2008 Ducati, so beautiful!! Does anyone else think the Marlboro "logo" is genius? They can go on sponsoring motorsports forever, who's gonna stop them?? __________________ \|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\| Ride, Eat, Sleep, Repeat. Last edited by avanti; January 13th, 2008 at 12:40 AM.

January 13th, 2008, 07:12 AM	#7
vikiradTG2007 Joined: Feb 8th, 2007 Last Online: 06:38 AM Location: Cluj-Napoca, Romania Age: 17 Posts: 2,207 Car: (as soon as I get my license) 2001 Focus 1.8D Rep Power: 25	Well basically that livery is almost a Ferrari F1 one draped over the Ducati GP8. And yeah, Marlboro seem to be able to keep sponsoring for ever with that masked logo. P.S. Saw that drift in one of the clips. Melandri is NUTS!!! __________________ BRING BACK THE 3.5 L V12 ENGINES TO F1!!!!! Motorsport Humour by Jim Bamber Fernando Alonso, ING Renault F1 Team, 2008 Singapore GP Winner. Save the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix from the claws of Bernie Ecclestone!

January 18th, 2008, 10:06 PM	#8
avanti Joined: Jul 21st, 2005 Last Online: 02:03 AM Location: Milano, Italia Posts: 2,300 Car: 2 cars + 3 bikes Rep Power: 46	Yamaha presented their 2008 M1 in Torino today, looks almost as good as the Ducati! Rossi says that he most likely will finish his career with Yamaha, a bit sad for those of us hoping for a return to Aprilia or a ride at Ducati, but probably a good move by him. For those wondering, the babe is Simona Ventura, famous italian tv host..8) __________________ \|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\| Ride, Eat, Sleep, Repeat.

January 18th, 2008, 10:15 PM	#9
Karoug Joined: Apr 5th, 2006 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Sweden Age: 30 Posts: 1,600 Car: Volvo 745GLT! 3 bikes Rep Power: 21	^babe? I thought it was Rossis mom... __________________

January 18th, 2008, 10:37 PM	#11
Karoug Joined: Apr 5th, 2006 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Sweden Age: 30 Posts: 1,600 Car: Volvo 745GLT! 3 bikes Rep Power: 21	Yea.. With heavily photoshoped pics... I can only agree with Eddie Izzard: Italy alot of cool ppl that just hangs around on scooters, and when they die, they look a mess!! __________________

January 18th, 2008, 10:47 PM	#12
avanti Joined: Jul 21st, 2005 Last Online: 02:03 AM Location: Milano, Italia Posts: 2,300 Car: 2 cars + 3 bikes Rep Power: 46	She doesn't look half bad in real life either actually.. Eddie Izzard is a funny guy... maybe he is jealous... __________________ \|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\| Ride, Eat, Sleep, Repeat.

January 18th, 2008, 10:57 PM	#13
Karoug Joined: Apr 5th, 2006 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Sweden Age: 30 Posts: 1,600 Car: Volvo 745GLT! 3 bikes Rep Power: 21	Off topic? Here's a pic of the Suzuki GSV-R 800 (Vermeulen) __________________

January 22nd, 2008, 06:55 PM	#15
avanti Joined: Jul 21st, 2005 Last Online: 02:03 AM Location: Milano, Italia Posts: 2,300 Car: 2 cars + 3 bikes Rep Power: 46	Well the guys are testing in Sepang now, and there a bit of action, Pedrosa breaks his hand in a fireball crash... And Valentino goes flying... Testing times from sepang: 1. Randy de Puniet FRA Honda LCR (M) 2min 1.377 secs 2. Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda Team (M) 2min 1.864 secs 3. Chris Vermeulen AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 2min 2.074 secs 4. Loris Capirossi ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 2min 2.416 secs 5. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 2min 2.457 secs 6. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team (B) 2min 2.490 secs 7. Colin Edwards USA Yamaha Tech 3 (M) 2min 2.549 secs 8. Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda Team (M) 2min 2.558 secs 9. Jorge Lorenzo SPA Fiat Yamaha Team (M) 2min 2.563 secs 10. Shinya Nakano JPN Honda Gresini (B) 2min 2.622 secs 11. John Hopkins USA Kawasaki Racing Team (B) 2min 2.628 secs 12. Andrea Dovizioso ITA JiR Team Scot (M) 2min 2.783 secs 13. James Toseland GBR Yamaha Tech 3 (M) 2min 3.264 secs 14. Alex de Angelis RSM Honda Gresini (B) 2min 3.301 secs 15. Anthony West AUS Kawasaki Racing Team (B) 2min 3.387 secs 16. Olivier Jacque FRA Kawasaki Test Rider (B) 2min 3.863 secs 17. Toni Elias SPA Alice Team (B) 2min 3.954 secs 18. Marco Melandri ITA Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 2min 4.414 secs 19. Nicola Canepa ITA Ducati Test Rider (B) 2min 5.580 secs 20 Sylvain Guintoli FRA Alice Team (B) 2min 6.000 secs 21 Tamaki serizawa JPN Kawasaki Test Rider (B) 2min 23.590 secs __________________ \|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\| Ride, Eat, Sleep, Repeat.

January 22nd, 2008, 09:53 PM	#16
Karoug Joined: Apr 5th, 2006 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Sweden Age: 30 Posts: 1,600 Car: Volvo 745GLT! 3 bikes Rep Power: 21	I think Honda will spring back to life this year.. BTW: Love that second pic on Rossi! __________________

January 24th, 2008, 01:21 PM	#18
Redliner Joined: May 19th, 2005 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Canoas, Brazil Age: 28 Posts: 3,348 Car: Fiat Palio 1.6 16v Rep Power: 31	Great thread, guys.