Pierre

... and Capirossi signs with? http://tinyurl.com/24tyly

Looks like this is the Indy Moto GP layout.

Looks to me the playing field has been leveled a bit. We're down to tires quite often. This was a big Michelin weekend. With the exception of Capirossi, Bridgestones seemed off the pace. Not sure how to explain Capirossi's finish - except maybe compound choice. Apparently Hopper finished with large chinks missing from his rear tire. It does seem like the Suzuki is particularly hard on tires - the warmer it gets the worse the bike seems to punish the tires. Was hoping to see Rossi take another win and close the points gap. He's being tested hard this season. We may be seeing his best riding ever ... and it may come up short ... through no fault of his. Moto GP has always been about the "bike" as well as the rider. With the bikes getting closer ... it's the "tires" that seem to be playing an out sized role. Wonderful intertwining of sub plots. I love it.

Wow, Hopper to Kawasaki next year! http://tinyurl.com/2hcdb3

Here's a release from Speed TV confirming that Indy will get a round. However, they talk about CCW configuration, and no mention of Laguna losing its event. http://tinyurl.com/2s2fwb The CW configuration posted was sheer speculation, but was an attempt to figure out what to do with the concrete lined corners at the end of the straight if the track is run CCW. Placement of the grand stands dictate incorporating front straight and those specific two turns of the oval. As regards Barber, I think they made a proposal that was rejected based upon the size and configuration of the track - not enough straight away for the big bikes. I don't know - never ridden it myself, but from reports it's a beautiful and technically challenging track.

David, I agree it sounds strange. As I said, all the rumors were of an additional US round, not one in lieu of Laguna. Have to wait and see. As to configuration, that too has been subject to much speculation. As you probably know, there's already a road course that uses just the front straight. Speculation is they'll run clock wise (see figure below). How much additional work Tony George will do to get it up to Moto GP spec is unknown, of course. There are limits, as Indy without using the front straight would not be Indy. Also, a place built to hold 225,000 people may look a little empty given the average size of Moto GP crowds.

American GP - Indy in, Laguna out Eurosport - Sat, 07 Jul 18:45:00 2007 Moto GP will race at the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway next year when the race switches from its current home at Laguna Seca. http://tinyurl.com/38wvgw Been hearing rumors of this for awhile, but everyone state side assumed it was going to be in addition to Laguan Seca. Looks like that's not the case. So much for "home track" advantage in 2008.

... add this from roadracingworld.com ...Report: Roger Hayden To Race Kawasaki MotoGP Bike At U.S.G.P. At Laguna Seca http://tinyurl.com/393brl Now if Suzuki can just get Spies or Miladin on a GP bike, Laguna would shape up as something very special for American race fans.

I'd love to see this happen .... From SuperbikePlanet.com: Bombshell: DuHamel To Replace Elias For Laguna MotoGP?! http://tinyurl.com/yobqeu

Mine arrived today, Jens. Beautiful piece. I like that it's mechanical. So Guzzi like. Air cooled as well if I'm not mistaken. Thanks.

I confess I can relate to that. Are any of us immune? It's the inexorable ravages of age.

It's a hoax. http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/carlingas.asp George Carlin is a cool guy. He's no fool and he's no bigot. Apparently you didn't know that, or you wouldn't have fallen for the hit piece.

NOT! Hack, when it comes to personal invective and studied ignorance, you never disappoint.

Ah David, David, David. You persistent bastard, you. I fear this will prompt a new round of unflattering sobriquets directed your way from the resident flat earth contingent. I hope you're happy with "wot" you've done.

Hey guys, I'm going racing myself this weekend - so no updates from me. I won't be able to check back in until Monday. Prediction: Rossi, Hopper, Pedrosa.

A bit of a mixed bag. Some moisture during second session may have contributed to the shuffle - but it looks wide open right now. Not sure how the Michelin / Bridgestone war is shaping up here, but it'll be very interesting to see if Bridgestone can put it to Michelin in France. That's the "back story" that has become almost as intriguing as rider results. Friday Free Practice 1: Friday Free Practice 2:

Really sorry, g. Afraid my enthusiasm for Hopper's breakthrough overtook my good sense. I'll be more careful henceforth.

Spoiler! Sorry, failed to take heed of my own earlier request. Congrats to Hopper for finally getting a podium. Fun watching Rossi try to stuff Stoner. Looked to me the HP differential is closing a little. Europe races will tell a lot about whether Duc and Stoner have a superior all aorund package, or just a straight line rocket ship. I think it'll be close, but I'd be hard pressed to bet against Rossi on anything short of a drag strip. Go Hopper!

Hayden managed to qualify 6th. Maybe he's getting that bike sorted. Edwards again qualifies high, but I've come to expect him to fade during the race. Is this the one where Pedrosa and Rossi finally go head to head with victory on the line? I'd love to see that. I keep hoping Hopkins will break through. Looking forward to a great race. I'm going to watch it Sunday on Speed (standard delay here in USA) with some friends. Please put "spoiler" in header if you decide to discuss results before then. TIA. FWIW the Ducati's are still a lot faster than the Yamahas. Honda and Suzuki are getting closer - but how is it Pedrosa is almost 10 kph faster than Hayden? MotoGP Istanbul Park Circuit Qualifying Practice (max speed kmh) : 1 -46 Valentino ROSSI (ITA) YAMAHA 1'52.795 (288.8) 2 -5 Colin EDWARDS (USA) YAMAHA 1'52.944 (286.5) 3 -26 Dani PEDROSA (SPA) HONDA 1'52.971 (294.3) 4 -27 Casey STONER (AUS) DUCATI 1'53.375 (298.3) 5 -65 Loris CAPIROSSI (ITA) DUCATI 1'53.559 (297.7) 6 -1 Nicky HAYDEN (USA) HONDA 1'53.613 (285.2) 7 -21 John HOPKINS (USA) SUZUKI 1'53.637 (293.0) 8 -14 Randy DE PUNIET (FRA) KAWASAKI 1'53.706 (291.1) 9 -71 Chris VERMEULEN (AUS) SUZUKI 1'53.771 (289.3) 10 -24 Toni ELIAS (SPA) HONDA 1'53.835 (286.2) 11 -19 Olivier JACQUE (FRA) KAWASAKI 1'53.847 (293.2) 12 -56 Shinya NAKANO (JPN) HONDA 1'53.988 (287.3) 13 -4 Alex BARROS (BRA) DUCATI 1'54.082 (294.6) 14 -33 Marco MELANDRI (ITA) HONDA 1'54.143 (291.9) 15 -6 Makoto TAMADA (JPN) YAMAHA 1'54.206 (285.3) 16 -7 Carlos CHECA (SPA) HONDA 1'54.221 (284.4) 17 -66 Alex HOFMANN (GER) DUCATI 1'54.421 (296.2) 18 -10 Kenny ROBERTS JR (USA) KR212V 1'54.527 (283.9) 19 -50 Sylvain GUINTOLI (FRA) YAMAHA 1'54.845 (288.3)

Here's one - London: http://tinyurl.com/372ce6 Video of that one at the end of the article: http://tinyurl.com/2jbmj3 There's another one being done in US - Texas I think - but can't find the info any more. MCN reported Aprilia was doing it for sure ... back in spring of '05 ... ... that rumor is pretty well debunked now. Maybe change in GP rules will resurrect the project.

Uh ... now you mention it .... there's a 100% crossover ... same gaggle of idiots, I suppose. 3 of the 4 actually RACE moto guzzi's occasionally. I'm not one of those ... not THAT weird. Aprilia has long been rumored (speculated, hoped for, beseeched) to have the new 450 twin as a road going successor to the old RS 250. It would be a sweet ride. Some have literally done that (shoe horned a 450 into a 250 chassis) on their own - around a $12K proposition.

Funny you should mention that, Jim. I race a Cagiva Alazzurra 650 in Vintage light weight at Willow Springs. There's four of us racing the Cagiva's. There's also a smattering of other 4 stroke bikes - but the bike of choice in that class is the RZ 350. You can buy a "race prepped" version for about $2500. It'll put out 70 HP and with frame stiffened, handle pretty well. I figure the Alazzurras cost about 3 to one to race prep - and keep running. And we don't get 70 HP, more like 65. The light weight, simplicity and power of the two strokes make them pretty addictive. Cheap, strong, light and simple. Hard combination to beat. Too bad they didn't get to work cleaning those engines up sooner. I think today's technology could have kept them alive, but the nay sayers who refused then to face reality delayed the effort (a preview to the current global warming situation?) until it was too late. We all lose.

http://tinyurl.com/yvz55g 250 and 125 classes to be replaced with GP 2 and GP 3 - 400 cc 4 stroke (2) and 200 cc single 4 stroke (3). Whadaya' think - especially you Europeans who've enjoyed the 2 strokes for so long? We've been without them for years here in good ole' USA - and I miss 'em.

The engines in MotoGP are free for conception, not like in F1 where the rules forces the manufacturers to build V8. In MotoGP, only the displacement, the weight and the capacity of the fuel tank are regulated. So for those who swap an episode or who did not know anything about what makes our favourite bikes move, here is a little rundown about the engines in MotoGP. http://tinyurl.com/2boow7