First half of my article in brno
So here is the first part of my article, will post the other right away.
Hope you enjoy it
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Rain, motorcycles and Stoner in the dirt.
Brno 15 to 17 august 2008
So finally the launch of the second half of the Motor Grand Prix season. After more than 4-week break, it was again time for the boys and 1 girl to resume the fight for the World championchip.
The place was Automotodrom Brno in the south-east of the Czech Republic. 5.4 km long and with a maximum increase of 7.5% where it is most elevated, this track would be the scene of 12. round of this year's Motogp. Overall, 146,000 audiences found their way into the circuit on raceday.
Once again a German victory [/font]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']
Friday was a fine day for the riders in the 125 cc class. The sun was shining and the conditions for the riders good. First free practice was marked by the riders long summer holidays. 19 year old Italian Andrea Iannone from I.C. Team managed to put the best time of 2 "10. 510, with a speed of 209.5 km / h. Different it looked on the first qualification run, as the Hungarian star Gabor Talmacsi from Bancaja Aspar Team, sat the best time of 2 "09,870, with 0,718-second lead down to Nicolas Terol from Jack & Jones WRB.
The only girl in this year's motogp, Czech Andrea Touskova was last with 8,344 seconds up to Gabor.
Saturday was plagued by cold and heavy rains that made it difficult for the 125 cc riders to improve Friday's times. Best qualification time was set by Raffaele De Rosa from Onde 2000 KTM, it was more than 8 seconds slower than Friday's best time. British Scott Redding put the 3 best time on his Aprilia. I spoke briefly with him after the qualification, which he said that he was satisfied with time, despite he does not feel good running in the rain, it must be said that he is able to exploit his opportunities, and to set new standards of his capacity. There is no doubt that Scott Redding is a rider to watch out for in the future. Despite he is only 15 years, he has already managed to be at the top of the podium, this was at the Donington Grand Prix this year.
Sundays 125 cc race, was incredibly exciting and marked by a lot of overtaking. The Hungarian fans who had made a human flag, was quite ecstatic when their hero Gabor Talmacsi started from pole position. The rider that came best from the start was, however, Bradley Smith, who quickly put himself in front, he held this position for several laps but had to finally see himself overtaken, by Talmacsi, which eyed a victory in front of his many fans. The field was very divided and the front group with the winner from Sachsenring Stefan Bradl, Mike Di Meglio, Joan Olive, Gabor Talmacsi, Nicolas Terol and Bradley Smith gave entertainment for all the our money, fine overtaking and high speed.
It was, however, German Stefan Bradl on his Aprilia, who crossed the finishing line first and took his took his second victory in a row. Mike Di Meglio crossed the finishing line 0,881 sec. after and secured a second place.
Rainfull day for 250 cc and Super Sic on the podium again
250 cc class free training and qualification was a very wet ride, the track was covered by a thick layer of water that made it difficult for the riders to put fast times. Marco Simoncelli lost control of his motorcycle and had to run a trip into the gravel where he ran into the barrier and had a light crash. He could raise the bike up again and continue. With 2 "10,723 Marco had the fastest time by second qualification and was starting in pole position, with Alex Debon and Hector Barbera in second. and third starting position. Mattia Passini closed the first starting line with the fourth best time.
Italian Marco Simoncelli, managed once again to get on the podium. Having been dominant in the last of the race, he lost the victory in the very last corner to Alex Debon, it was very clear that he was surprised and lost so much of his concentration, that he also had to see second place go to Alvaro Bautista. But otherwise still a great run from Simoncelli, which showed that his skills are world class. He still leads the World Cup with 16 points down to Finnish Mika Kallio.
There much speculation wether Simoncelli will move up to motogp class next year, and the conversation that Ducati are looking for the talented Italian.
Mika Kalio also ran a great race, and ended with fifth place 1,249 sec. after Alex Debon, which ensured him 11 points to the overall position.
Stoner rides into the gravel.
The main race and which most had come to Brno to see was a mixed blessing. The free training was again marked by the diabolical Ducati, with Casey Stoner in the seat and again, had to refer the other rider to lower positions. The Ducati is incredibly fast, it has the most amazing sound, which almost gives tears in my eyes. As a wild animal casts on through the corners, but Stoner will not be dominated, he is one with the motorcycle and they cooperate very well.
Valentino referred the Ducati to second place on Friday. By setting the best time in the very last attempt before time ran out. The Yamaha is not nearly as aggressive and ferocious as the Ducati, but more elegant and pure in its execution. There is no doubt that Valentino has managed to develop this motorcycle to be one of the best in the track, if not THE best. Although it is not the fastest on the track, is it as a cheetah in corners. The Doctor make it look easy when he with great calm and ease, takes one turn after another, overtakes the other riders as if they are not even there. Simply incredible. [/font]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']
Alice Ducati team had a very good free training. Both Guintuli and Elias, put some really nice times, and had shown that Casey Stoner is not the only one able to manage the wild Ducati. Even Marco Melandri, seems finally to feel right on it, and set several times second best time. Really well done when you consider how difficult it was for him to become one with the Ducati.
Both Dani Pedrosa and Jorge Lorenzo were back in the saddle, after their crashes in Sachsenring and Laguna Seca. None of them delivered anything impressive by the free training, and it was clear that they both must has to retain a greater confidence in their motorcycles.
Qualification was very wet. Just as the riders rolled out on the track, the dark clouds opend for the locks, and the rain poured down. The course was wringing wet, but like so many other times it does not put an end to Casey Stoner who set the best time once again with 2 "11,657. and then got his sixth poleposition this year.
Valentino Rossi sat second best time and very surprisingly, Kawasaki's John Hopkins third best time. Kawasaki's second rider Anthony West, who now is better known as the eternal number shock put the number sixth best time, so it’s very clear that Kawasaki has spent the summer break to work hard to improve their motorcycles, which also was needed.
Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa failed to qualify in the time, but received compensation because of the torrential rain and were allowed to start in Sunday’s race.
The race on Sunday was exciting and had some unexpected results. The weather was perfect, the sun was shining and a big audience was here to pay homage to their heroes. Casey Stoner got the best from start. After a short time, he had a lead of more than 1 sec. down to Valentino Rossi, who did not allow himself to be influenced and started a chase to catch up to the fast Australian. It was clear that Casey wanted to win this race at any price. This resulted in that he invested too much and crashed with the Ducati, when he laid the bike too far down in a corner and lost control. The crowd’s reaction spoke its clear language when he crashed the entire track rejoiced and screamed so much that it overtook the noisy motorcycles. Without being part-ish, I think it is safe to say that Valentino Rossi is the most popular rider in the field. All were in rapture when it became clear that Casey's crash meant a comfortable lead for Valentino in the race. Unfortunately, it also meant that Casey could not continue the race, his Ducati was so damaged that he after a short ride had to withdraw from the race.
Casey's crash unfortunately also meant that the fight that most of us had hoped for, wasa long goner and made that the race not nearly as intense as in Laguna or the good old days where Max Biaggi and Sete Gibenaru fought a hard battle to win over the ever popular Valentino.
Further down the grid was, however, fortunately, a bit more exciting. A lot of beautiful and daring overtakes, offset by a lack of fight between australieren and Italian. Tony Elias had torn himself of the first group, and had secured a second place. Loris Cappirossi made a somewhat daring overtake of his Suzuki teammate Chris Vermulen who seemed to be close to take his third podium place within 3 races. But Loris would it otherwise, his overtaking was very close, and this meant that Chris had to withdraw as far off to the side that he lost some places.
For the riders who ran the Michelin tyres it was during a disaster, the best placed was Andrea Dovizioso on a ninth place, which I think is disappointing. Regardless of how much the Michelin riders fought, it was impossible for them to keep up with the other riders. There really is a lot of work to do with the Michelin tyres, if they will not be notorious as the worst tyre manufacturer in motogp class. We all remember how many problems Valentino Rossi had with his Michelin tyres in previous seasons. It is without a doubt that he took the right choice when he insisted to run on Bridgestone tyres this season.
Victory in Brno meant that Valentino Rossi now has a 50 point lead in the race for the World Championship down to Casey Stoner. At third place is Spanish Dani Pedrosa.[/font]
Hope you enjoy it
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Rain, motorcycles and Stoner in the dirt.
Brno 15 to 17 august 2008
So finally the launch of the second half of the Motor Grand Prix season. After more than 4-week break, it was again time for the boys and 1 girl to resume the fight for the World championchip.
The place was Automotodrom Brno in the south-east of the Czech Republic. 5.4 km long and with a maximum increase of 7.5% where it is most elevated, this track would be the scene of 12. round of this year's Motogp. Overall, 146,000 audiences found their way into the circuit on raceday.
Once again a German victory [/font]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']
Friday was a fine day for the riders in the 125 cc class. The sun was shining and the conditions for the riders good. First free practice was marked by the riders long summer holidays. 19 year old Italian Andrea Iannone from I.C. Team managed to put the best time of 2 "10. 510, with a speed of 209.5 km / h. Different it looked on the first qualification run, as the Hungarian star Gabor Talmacsi from Bancaja Aspar Team, sat the best time of 2 "09,870, with 0,718-second lead down to Nicolas Terol from Jack & Jones WRB.
The only girl in this year's motogp, Czech Andrea Touskova was last with 8,344 seconds up to Gabor.
Saturday was plagued by cold and heavy rains that made it difficult for the 125 cc riders to improve Friday's times. Best qualification time was set by Raffaele De Rosa from Onde 2000 KTM, it was more than 8 seconds slower than Friday's best time. British Scott Redding put the 3 best time on his Aprilia. I spoke briefly with him after the qualification, which he said that he was satisfied with time, despite he does not feel good running in the rain, it must be said that he is able to exploit his opportunities, and to set new standards of his capacity. There is no doubt that Scott Redding is a rider to watch out for in the future. Despite he is only 15 years, he has already managed to be at the top of the podium, this was at the Donington Grand Prix this year.
Sundays 125 cc race, was incredibly exciting and marked by a lot of overtaking. The Hungarian fans who had made a human flag, was quite ecstatic when their hero Gabor Talmacsi started from pole position. The rider that came best from the start was, however, Bradley Smith, who quickly put himself in front, he held this position for several laps but had to finally see himself overtaken, by Talmacsi, which eyed a victory in front of his many fans. The field was very divided and the front group with the winner from Sachsenring Stefan Bradl, Mike Di Meglio, Joan Olive, Gabor Talmacsi, Nicolas Terol and Bradley Smith gave entertainment for all the our money, fine overtaking and high speed.
It was, however, German Stefan Bradl on his Aprilia, who crossed the finishing line first and took his took his second victory in a row. Mike Di Meglio crossed the finishing line 0,881 sec. after and secured a second place.
Rainfull day for 250 cc and Super Sic on the podium again
250 cc class free training and qualification was a very wet ride, the track was covered by a thick layer of water that made it difficult for the riders to put fast times. Marco Simoncelli lost control of his motorcycle and had to run a trip into the gravel where he ran into the barrier and had a light crash. He could raise the bike up again and continue. With 2 "10,723 Marco had the fastest time by second qualification and was starting in pole position, with Alex Debon and Hector Barbera in second. and third starting position. Mattia Passini closed the first starting line with the fourth best time.
Italian Marco Simoncelli, managed once again to get on the podium. Having been dominant in the last of the race, he lost the victory in the very last corner to Alex Debon, it was very clear that he was surprised and lost so much of his concentration, that he also had to see second place go to Alvaro Bautista. But otherwise still a great run from Simoncelli, which showed that his skills are world class. He still leads the World Cup with 16 points down to Finnish Mika Kallio.
There much speculation wether Simoncelli will move up to motogp class next year, and the conversation that Ducati are looking for the talented Italian.
Mika Kalio also ran a great race, and ended with fifth place 1,249 sec. after Alex Debon, which ensured him 11 points to the overall position.
Stoner rides into the gravel.
The main race and which most had come to Brno to see was a mixed blessing. The free training was again marked by the diabolical Ducati, with Casey Stoner in the seat and again, had to refer the other rider to lower positions. The Ducati is incredibly fast, it has the most amazing sound, which almost gives tears in my eyes. As a wild animal casts on through the corners, but Stoner will not be dominated, he is one with the motorcycle and they cooperate very well.
Valentino referred the Ducati to second place on Friday. By setting the best time in the very last attempt before time ran out. The Yamaha is not nearly as aggressive and ferocious as the Ducati, but more elegant and pure in its execution. There is no doubt that Valentino has managed to develop this motorcycle to be one of the best in the track, if not THE best. Although it is not the fastest on the track, is it as a cheetah in corners. The Doctor make it look easy when he with great calm and ease, takes one turn after another, overtakes the other riders as if they are not even there. Simply incredible. [/font]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']
Alice Ducati team had a very good free training. Both Guintuli and Elias, put some really nice times, and had shown that Casey Stoner is not the only one able to manage the wild Ducati. Even Marco Melandri, seems finally to feel right on it, and set several times second best time. Really well done when you consider how difficult it was for him to become one with the Ducati.
Both Dani Pedrosa and Jorge Lorenzo were back in the saddle, after their crashes in Sachsenring and Laguna Seca. None of them delivered anything impressive by the free training, and it was clear that they both must has to retain a greater confidence in their motorcycles.
Qualification was very wet. Just as the riders rolled out on the track, the dark clouds opend for the locks, and the rain poured down. The course was wringing wet, but like so many other times it does not put an end to Casey Stoner who set the best time once again with 2 "11,657. and then got his sixth poleposition this year.
Valentino Rossi sat second best time and very surprisingly, Kawasaki's John Hopkins third best time. Kawasaki's second rider Anthony West, who now is better known as the eternal number shock put the number sixth best time, so it’s very clear that Kawasaki has spent the summer break to work hard to improve their motorcycles, which also was needed.
Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa failed to qualify in the time, but received compensation because of the torrential rain and were allowed to start in Sunday’s race.
The race on Sunday was exciting and had some unexpected results. The weather was perfect, the sun was shining and a big audience was here to pay homage to their heroes. Casey Stoner got the best from start. After a short time, he had a lead of more than 1 sec. down to Valentino Rossi, who did not allow himself to be influenced and started a chase to catch up to the fast Australian. It was clear that Casey wanted to win this race at any price. This resulted in that he invested too much and crashed with the Ducati, when he laid the bike too far down in a corner and lost control. The crowd’s reaction spoke its clear language when he crashed the entire track rejoiced and screamed so much that it overtook the noisy motorcycles. Without being part-ish, I think it is safe to say that Valentino Rossi is the most popular rider in the field. All were in rapture when it became clear that Casey's crash meant a comfortable lead for Valentino in the race. Unfortunately, it also meant that Casey could not continue the race, his Ducati was so damaged that he after a short ride had to withdraw from the race.
Casey's crash unfortunately also meant that the fight that most of us had hoped for, wasa long goner and made that the race not nearly as intense as in Laguna or the good old days where Max Biaggi and Sete Gibenaru fought a hard battle to win over the ever popular Valentino.
Further down the grid was, however, fortunately, a bit more exciting. A lot of beautiful and daring overtakes, offset by a lack of fight between australieren and Italian. Tony Elias had torn himself of the first group, and had secured a second place. Loris Cappirossi made a somewhat daring overtake of his Suzuki teammate Chris Vermulen who seemed to be close to take his third podium place within 3 races. But Loris would it otherwise, his overtaking was very close, and this meant that Chris had to withdraw as far off to the side that he lost some places.
For the riders who ran the Michelin tyres it was during a disaster, the best placed was Andrea Dovizioso on a ninth place, which I think is disappointing. Regardless of how much the Michelin riders fought, it was impossible for them to keep up with the other riders. There really is a lot of work to do with the Michelin tyres, if they will not be notorious as the worst tyre manufacturer in motogp class. We all remember how many problems Valentino Rossi had with his Michelin tyres in previous seasons. It is without a doubt that he took the right choice when he insisted to run on Bridgestone tyres this season.
Victory in Brno meant that Valentino Rossi now has a 50 point lead in the race for the World Championship down to Casey Stoner. At third place is Spanish Dani Pedrosa.[/font]
Total Comments 2
Comments
 |  Great and interesting read,i feel just like i was there!You translate very well the atmosphere that was there!! Maybe you can make this a job for you someday... |
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| |  Dani, it is amazing, your expression is incredibly good, i think you born to do this job! well done to u .. |
| |
Recent Blog Entries by Tjuggi
- And the interview with our very own Simone (04.11.2008)
- My interview with Mika at Valencia (04.11.2008)
- third part (21.08.2008)
- And second half (21.08.2008)
- First half of my article in brno (21.08.2008)
