MotoGP Portugal GP, Estoril 2008

[aphelyon]

Third round in MotoGP, i didn't see a thread for this race :wonder: The weather again is unpredictable.
Just like in Spain Lorenzo is first on the grid followed by Pedrosa.
And again, just like in Spain, Lorenzo has broken another record!!
2006: Rossi: 1:36.200 (with the bigger engine!)
2008: Lorenzo: 1:35.715 :drunk:

Qualifying times:

1. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha (M) 1:35.715
2. Dani Pedrosa Honda (M) 1:35.948 + 0.233
3. Valentino Rossi Yamaha (B) 1:36.199 + 0.484
4. Nicky Hayden Honda (M) 1:36.266 + 0.551
5. Colin Edwards Yamaha (M) 1:36.289 + 0.574
6. James Toseland Yamaha (M) 1:36.790 + 1.075
7. Andrea Dovizioso Honda (M) 1:36.998 + 1.283
8. Randy de Puniet Honda (M) 1:37.223 + 1.508
9. Casey Stoner Ducati (B) 1:37.253 + 1.538
10. John Hopkins Kawasaki (B) 1:37.346 + 1.631
11. Shinya Nakano Honda (B) 1:37.664 + 1.949
12. Loris Capirossi Suzuki (B) 1:37.786 + 2.071
13. Chris Vermeulen Suzuki (B) 1:37.843 + 2.128
14. Toni Elias Ducati (B) 1:38.561 + 2.846
15. Anthony West Kawasaki (B) 1:38.775 + 3.060
16. Alex de Angelis Honda (B) 1:38.823 + 3.108
17. Marco Melandri Ducati (B) 1:39.115 + 3.400
18. Sylvain Guintoli Ducati (B) 1:39.355 + 3.640

[EIR Loe.307]

I'm thinking Pedrosa for this one. Casey Stoner has had it rough all weekend so far. I hope he is able to get it together and finish well. Should be a good battle up front.

[saltysurprise]

Hmm.. That's a tough one to call:wonder:

The weather will certainly be the leveler here, if it does rain. It currently looks like it's going to be variable cloudiness, and a high of only about 16-17c. or 62-63F. Certainly not a hot track surface.

[saltysurprise]

1-2-3 for pole and 1-2-3 for the finish:lol: Great races by Edwards and Hopper too.
Stoner has to get that bike dialed in, as I'm sure they will come China next week. He had a terrible start:thumbsdown:, but climbed up respectively.

I had a feeling Rossi would have a great race today, but opting for the softer compounds (Bridgestone at that) compared to most obviously cost him. He's not got a great record in the rain, and actually bailed hard on wet tyres in practice, looking for the 'limit'. He said, "I think I found it":lol: Maybe he was hoping the bit of spittle would keep up.

It was one of the best MotoGP race starts I've seen in a while. Once it totally dried up though, the leaders just kept on movin'. 75% of the race was excellent! Jorge had a truly brilliant race today:finishfirst: Now tied with Pedrosa for the points lead at 61, with Valentino following along at 47.

I'd post a highlight vid but DORNA gets it's panties in a bunch if you share:rolleyes:

1 Lorenzo 45:53.089
2 Pedrosa + 1.817
3 Rossi + 12.723
4 Edwards + 17.223
5 Hopkins + 23.752
6 Stoner + 26.688
7 Toseland + 32.631
8 Vermeulen + 36.382
9 Capirossi + 38.268
10 Nakano + 39.476
11 de Angelis + 1:01.306
12 Elias + 1:03.867
13 Melandri + 1:09.525
14 Guintoli + 1:09.634
15 de Puniet + 1:11.542
16 West + 1:23.629

[EIR Loe.307]

I agree, the start was awesome. So many lead changes in just the first lap. I was going for Pedrosa in this one so 2nd isn't bad. Stoner had a crap weekend it seems. He even lined up in the wrong grid spot. :banghead: Got it straight though. He should start coming back strong soon.....I hope.