What Might Have Been….
October 28, 2008 by Jacob Black · Leave a Comment
Australian Casey Stoner used the final round at Valencia in Spain to demonstrate what might have been in season 2008. Crossing the line 3.39 seconds ahead of his Dani Pedrosa, Stoner showed no sign of his injured wrist, wrestling the Ducati’s front tyre high in the air at the finish of a race he dominated.
The man who unseated Stoner as champion, Valentino Rossi was a further nine seconds back from Pedrosa in third after a valiant charge from 10th.
On a track that Rossi has always performed on it was Stoner who stole the show early in the weekend, eventually scoring a demanding pole position, but it was Pedrosa who stole the start. The new liveried factory HRC Honda launched better than the Ducati off the line and it was Pedrosa who led the field through turn one. Stoner jumped back less than a quarter of a lap later, and was never headed over the remaining laps.
American Nicky Hayden was beaten out by his 2009 replacement at HRC Andrea Dovisioso in fourth, the 2006 champion just behind sixth placed compatriot Colin Edwards.
The 2008 season finished with an unusually processional race at Valencia, the only real action coming from the battle for 11th involving Toseland, Guintoli and Vermeulen.
The teams will stay in Valencia for a round of post season testing before a break over the European winter.
Simoncelli and Bautista Battle
October 6, 2008 by Jacob Black · Leave a Comment
Marco Simoncelli was the latest winner in fierce battle between himself and Alvaro Bautista at Phillip Island on the weekend. The Gilera and Aprilia riders streaked ahead of the pack during the race and entertained the solid Australian crowd with a thrilling two-way dice. Touching more than once in the fight to finish line.
Di Meglio Crowned 125cc Champion
October 6, 2008 by Jacob Black · Leave a Comment
Frenchman Mike Di Meglio is the new 125cc World Champion after winning the Phillip Island 125 Grand Prix by more then 10 seconds from Stefan Bradl.
Stoner Stuns on The Island
October 6, 2008 by Jacob Black · Leave a Comment
Australian Casey Stoner has overcome injury and the recent loss of his world championship title to win his second consecutive Phillip Island MotoGP.
Terol’s Torrential Win
September 16, 2008 by Jacob Black · Leave a Comment
Nico Terol has broken through for his first victory ahead of youngest ever podium winner Pol Espargaro in a rain shortened 125 grand prix at Indianapolis. The Jack & Jones WRB rider was declared the winner despite crossing the line behind rival Pol Espargaro on the lap before the red flag under a complex FIA rule.
Rossi ‘Rains’ Supreme
September 15, 2008 by Jacob Black · Leave a Comment
Valentino Rossi has survived wind, debri, pouring rain and a huge moment to all but seal his championship with a stellar ride in a wind and rain soaked affected Indianapolis Moto Grand Prix. The Italian was declared the winner after the race was stopped 7 laps from home ahead of home town hero Nicky Hayden in his first podium of the year and fellow Fia Yamaha rider Jorge Lorenzo.
Carnage at Misano
September 1, 2008 by Jacob Black · Leave a Comment
Alvaro Bautista has one an electric Misano 250 Grand Prix from Yuki Takahashi on a four year old Honda and an agressive Hector Barbera. The 250 race was dramatic from flag to flag with five of the top ten in the championship standings falling, including the two leaders Mika Kallio and Marco Simoncelli.
Talmasci Wins Misano
September 1, 2008 by Jacob Black · Leave a Comment
Galbor Talmasci has given himself the best possible chance of back to back world championship wins with a win at Misano on the weekend. Talmasci’s win came as championship leader Mike Di Meglio crashed out of third place in a dramatic 125cc race and closed the points gap between Di Meglio, Simone Corsi in second and Talmasci in third to 39 points with five rounds remaining.
The Return of Crashey Stoner
August 31, 2008 by Jacob Black · Leave a Comment
Australia’s Casey Stoner has thrown his championship aspirations down the road with his Ducati today in Misano. The reigning world champion has now crashed in the last three rounds, with two of those coming while protecting a comfortable lead handng Rossi the championship lead by 75 points with five rounds remaining.
Debon – aire
August 18, 2008 by Jacob Black · Leave a Comment
Alex Debon has fought his way through the screaming hordes to victory in the Brno 250 Grand Prix. From second on the grid the Spaniard dropped as low as fifth before fighting his way back to the lead in an intense battle between the five front riders. In a common scenario for the 250 class the front five riders were split by barely a second at the conclusion of 20 laps.
The front pack was typical until lap three when Thomas Luthi crashes out of second place. It was an ugly crash with the Cafe Laté Rider running wide and tripping over himself in the gravel. Bautista and Kallio diced for third and fourth while Debon and Simoncelli carved each other up for the lead. The heated argument for the lead allowed the two red bikes to catch up and Hector Barbera tagged along for the ride.
In the final three laps of the race Simoncelli and Debon took turns dive bombing each other from ridiculous distances until Simoncelli managed to eke out a small gap in the lead. Bautista and Debon swapped second numerous times before a wildly ambitious move from Debon in the final corner forced Simoncelli wide. Bautista snuck through and as they cross the line it was Debon, Bautista and Simoncelli with the series leader having dropped from first to third in the space of the final corner.
Hector Barbera followed the trio home in fourth ahead of Mikko Kallio in fifth. The former ice racer dropped more points to Simoncelli and now trails the Italian by 16 points in the championship.
