Moto GP, Round 18 - Valencia

frostie · 4 Nov 2010, 13:37 (Ref:2784905)

I've taken this preview from my website
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The 2010 MotoGP season has been one of numerous talking points but very little enthrallment. While it looked like Lorenzo and Rossi would offer a classic title duel Rossi’s injuries made that impossible. Casey Stoner came into the season on the back of a promising end to 2009 but from the moment he crashed in Qatar it was clear that his season would also be an uphill battle. Dani Pedrosa criticised the bike after the opening races and it was clear that he was struggling, HRC though put all their resources into making the bike competitive and by mid season Pedrosa was the form man in MotoGP.

His championship challenge, and season, though was derailed by a pair of crashes. The first at Laguna Seca looked to end his title tilt but the dogged Pedrosa continued to press hard in chase of his compatriot at the head of the title standings. It was only in Japan that Lorenzo eventually took the title after Pedrosa’s practice crash.

Valencia will offer Stoner, Rossi, Pedrosa and Dovizioso the chance to fire the first warning shots in the battle that will be MotoGP 2011. The race will have added significance for Rossi as it is not just the last race of a trying season but also his last race racing for Yamaha.

Just twelve months ago it would have been unthinkable that Rossi would leave Yamaha but events since the start of the year have seen Rossi fall out of favour as Yamaha came to realise that Lorenzo offered them another great rider who could win for years aboard their machinery. Rossi was obviously hurt by the various episodes of the summer and this weekend is sure to see a fiery performance from the nine times world champion before he heads to Ducati.

Casey Stoner is in a similar position to Rossi and is sure to look to end his Bologna tenure with another victory. He would do well not to view footage of last year’s race and his embarrassing formation lap high side. The Australian is moving to Honda next season and while he is clearly relishing the challenge of changing teams he will also know the physiological importance of winning this weekend.

The Spaniard’s Lorenzo and Pedrosa will both stay with their current teams in 2011 but with Stoner joining Pedrosa at HRC it is imperative that the diminutive Dani can get healthy as soon as possible or else his rival will gain the development initiative for 2011. All of the leading contenders will know that for various reason Valencia offers them a great opportunity to start their 2011 seasons from the best possible position within their ever changing teams.

Yamaha might face a predicament this weekend with Ben Spies. The rookie of the year suffered a bad spill at Estoril and while he is in Valencia his participation is by no means certain, if he is unable to race Cal Crutchlow will start his MotoGP career early in place of the American.

Marco Melandri will draw his Grand Prix career to a close in Valencia. The Italian has had a chequered career that saw him win the 2002 250cc title and challenge for the 125cc championship in 1998. The 800cc era has not been kind to Melandri but as he looks forward to moving to World Superbikes it will be interesting to see if he can end his 12 year Grand Prix career on a high.

In the smaller classes Marc Marquez is on the verge of winning his first world title and heads to Valencia with a 17 point lead over Nico Terol, winner in 2008 at Valencia.

The inaugural Moto2 season also draws to a close and after some of the most pulsating racing of the year the new class has been heralded as a tremendous success by fans all around the world. Champion Toni Elias will be keen to end the season on a high before his return to the premier class but riders like Iannone, Redding, Simon and even Kenen Sofuoglu will be looking to start their 2011 title assualt with a victory in Valencia.

The season has had its fair share of thrills and spills and it can be guaranteed that Valencia will see another exciting weekend of action!

jhansen · 5 Nov 2010, 15:27 (Ref:2785410)

I think there is more interest in Monday than in the race itself.

frostie · 5 Nov 2010, 15:36 (Ref:2785418)

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhansen

I think there is more interest in Monday than in the race itself.

Definitely, should be an unbelievable few days of testing! I remember in 03 when Rossi left Honda everyone was glued to the net looking for pictures with Stoner also changing I'm expecting the MotoGP site to crash! Eurosport are showing a testing roundup on Friday

Good day of practice in the three classes, Abraham and Bradl looked very impressive in Moto2

GORDON STREETER · 6 Nov 2010, 15:42 (Ref:2785841)

Can Stoner stay on for the whole race ? if so he should win. It's good to see simoncelli up on the front row and if he can keep his head he could be on the podium !

jhansen · 6 Nov 2010, 21:34 (Ref:2786009)

Well, hopefully we can get a good contest between Stoner and Lorenzo. But I to wonder if Stoner can hang the whole race. He has been talking about the front tire a fair amount...

Dani Filth · 7 Nov 2010, 10:48 (Ref:2786297)

did Bradley save a 40 something years old british record ??

**ghinzani** · 7 Nov 2010, 11:13 (Ref:2786307)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dani Filth

did Bradley save a 40 something years old british record ??

Regarding being handed victory? At least he took it this year

Dani Filth · 7 Nov 2010, 11:39 (Ref:2786321)

no .. i understood that there was a record of number of wins in a season for a nation ..
and if spanish riders would win all three at valencia would overtake britain, 2 wins would tie the record

Dani Filth · 7 Nov 2010, 12:01 (Ref:2786329)

so .. what do we think of Abraham now? .. worthy of a MotoGP ride??
was he in a mood for a fight today or what ..
bit of a bonkers move from elias though ..

Jamesy-18 · 7 Nov 2010, 12:14 (Ref:2786331)

Stunning Moto2 race.

**ghinzani** · 7 Nov 2010, 14:43 (Ref:2786384)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dani Filth

so .. what do we think of Abraham now? .. worthy of a MotoGP ride??
was he in a mood for a fight today or what ..
bit of a bonkers move from elias though ..

Karel deserved it on balance, he really got stuck in through the whole race although a shame for Iannone becuase if Elias had got Simon and it stayed that way then he would have been 2nd in the champs. But as we all know IF doesnt apply in Moto2, its crazy.

Shout out to Alex Debon who retired from riding today, a proper nut job and superb to watch over the years especially on Aprilia 250s.

**ghinzani** · 7 Nov 2010, 14:44 (Ref:2786386)

Oh and can the BBC stop going on about Rossis injury as an excuse? Even he has stopped using that one. Next years top 2 finished in the top two today, its going to be epic between them on Jap bikes both next year.

jhansen · 7 Nov 2010, 16:05 (Ref:2786425)

GP race was pretty good I thought. Considering that Lorenzo had to come from well back, that was pretty darn impressive. Was hoping Stoner could hang with him, but no luck. Rossi too, was out-gunned.

How bout Simoncelli?! He's a pistol. Some day it's gonna go all wrong with him at the heart of it. Very entertaining though.

Great finish by Spies.

chunder · 7 Nov 2010, 23:56 (Ref:2786784)

Roiise blamed the injury aain in post race

Dont think you are ever going to know the full story until next year.

Great to see Spies doing well again and a good win for bradders.

Awesome to ahve so many Brits in 125, but Mackenzie loks like he is suffering the same fate as Redding, simply being too massive!

**gomick** · 8 Nov 2010, 10:18 (Ref:2786915)

Enjoyed Moto 2 & GP - 1st battle of the year between Lorenzo & Stoner, look out next year

...

I reckon Vale46 has come back to the field & P3 or P4 is what we will see more regularly - i think Stoner & Lorenzo will have far better days than Rossi in 2011

Elias didnt score points in final 2 races - if only that happened earlier on in the season. Great ride by Karel Abraham, congrats to him

**ghinzani** · 8 Nov 2010, 10:58 (Ref:2786939)

Chunder - OT but the BBC and Eurosport commentary teams both said Brad would be riding the Mistral chassis next season and its down in the results as such. Are they all wrong? Dont want to float the idea that you might be at this stage, just eliminating non-believers presently...

chunder · 8 Nov 2010, 11:00 (Ref:2786940)

Tech 3 are probably using Mistral yes, they are Frnech after all.

They used Fulger frames in the past with Jacques and they even built a full carbon frame in about 95 I recall? But was not raced much.

Mistral sounds right for them.

**ghinzani** · 8 Nov 2010, 13:51 (Ref:2787038)

Ok so they didnt switch to Suter then? Maybe that was someone else.

chunder · 8 Nov 2010, 14:06 (Ref:2787046)

One or two teams switched to Suter I think.

not sure about Aspar really, Seems di Meglio cant deal with any chassis

And very annoyed to read the likes of Faubel and Gadea =trying to get dispensation to move back to 125.

They will get it of course bign Spanish and ex Aspar!

frostie · 9 Nov 2010, 11:29 (Ref:2787537)

Oh yes!!!

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