Thread: MotoGP Portugal GP, Estoril 2008

Third round in MotoGP, i didn't see a thread for this race 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

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

Hmm.. That's a tough one to call

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.

1-2-3 for pole and 1-2-3 for the finish 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, 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" 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 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

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