I know - he gave it a big handful of gas on cold tires and it spit him off. I assume he was trying to get heat into the tires.

NDSkies - 17 November 2009 02:48 PM

This was not a case of feeling what the tires were or were not doing. The bike just went away obviously with no warning.

Yes, ultimately it was Stoner's fault.
No, he is not the only rider to be caught out by cold tires with no grip.

And no, I seriously doubt Ducati are concerned about being stuck with one of the few riders capable of winning every GP race that he lines up for.

My thoughts on Stoner's mid season hiatus have nothing to do with this. That was my opinion, but in the case of the warm up lap crash, you have multiple journalists who were at the race and know team members (do you ND?) who provided the information I am citing. Can you see the difference?

And the crash was caused by cold tires. But why were his tires cold? Why were Stoner's tires colder than teamate Nicky's tires? Because of something Casey did earlier. It isn't a momentary loss of control on cold tires. Casey made other mistakes earlier that lead to that situation. Can you understand that? Can you see the difference?

Ducati had a specific pre-race procedure in place. Nicky used it and was fine. Casey either wasn't able to do it right, or decided he didn't want to do it right. Either way, the onus is on Casey.

And ND, for a guy that puts so much stock in Ben's mental ability, surely you see the chink in the armor that is Casey's head, no? Over the course of a season a factory needs a guy that can limit the mental mistakes in order to take on Vale, Jorge and Dani, who are also capable of winning every race they line up for. That is why they are the top 4.

And if you don't think Ducati are concerned about having Stoner as their team leader after last season, then you really don't understand much about racing, and definitely don't understand the business of racing.

ducati are not concerned about stoner, but marlboro clearly are. by most accounts, ducati know what they got--the only guy who has demonstrated that he can win on their bike--and they walue that.

robertorolfo - 18 November 2009 05:06 AM

And if you don't think Ducati are concerned about having Stoner as their team leader after last season, then you really don't understand much about racing, and definitely don't understand the business of racing.

That is a ridiculous statement that implies you have some vast racing knowledge, RR. Reading GPOne does not make one a great mind.

I think RR has proven time and time again how "vast" his racing knowledge really is.

garyb425 - 18 November 2009 08:29 AM

robertorolfo - 18 November 2009 05:06 AM

And if you don't think Ducati are concerned about having Stoner as their team leader after last season, then you really don't understand much about racing, and definitely don't understand the business of racing.

That is a ridiculous statement that implies you have some vast racing knowledge, RR. Reading GPOne does not make one a great mind.

Actually Gary, it is the exact opposite of what you said. It is common sense. When looking at the 4 fast guys out there, it is natural for the teams to consider which is most prone to stupid mistakes and mental errors. It is natural for the teams and their sponsors to consider which has the most or least appealing public persona. No vast knowledge needed.

And funny, ND, now that your argument has been thoroughly rejected by the facts of the matter (and regular common sense), you resort to your usual personal attacks. My racing knowledge was vast enough to allow me to understand what went on in Valencia, when apparently you couldn't.

What went on was a crash on cold tires.

You want to make it more than that because you do not like Stoner.

There is no great secret, no great riddle to be solved.

And your lack of racing knowledge is not a personal attack. It is an observation that you repeatedly give credence to with your posts. You taking it as a personal attack is just another example of your emotions getting the best of you.

As per usual.

robertorolfo - 18 November 2009 10:28 AM

it is natural for the teams to consider which is most prone to stupid mistakes and mental errors.

In my eyes, that would probably be Lorenzo, and yet teams seem to be scrambling to sign him. Stoner does not make a wide variety of mistakes.

NDSkies - 18 November 2009 10:54 AM

What went on was a crash on cold tires.

You want to make it more than that because you do not like Stoner.

No, I am talking about (not making it) more than that because AS A FACT it was more than that. In reality (as opposed to mini-bike land), it was more than just a crash on cold tires. The journalists in the paddock KNOW FOR A FACT that it was more than just a crash on cold tires. Yet you still don't get it.

And my knowledge of GP is superior to yours simply because I read more. You have yet to prove your experience racing MotoGP machinery, so you have...umm... wait for it... nothing.

garyb425 - 18 November 2009 11:16 AM

robertorolfo - 18 November 2009 10:28 AM

it is natural for the teams to consider which is most prone to stupid mistakes and mental errors.

In my eyes, that would probably be Lorenzo, and yet teams seem to be scrambling to sign him. Stoner does not make a wide variety of mistakes.

Gary, there is a difference between crashing while trying to keep up with Rossi, or while trying to win a wet/dry Brittish GP... then losing the British GP before it even starts because of a dumb tire choice, or failing to make the grid because you can't follow team procedures.