Round 6 - Moto GP 2012, Silverstone

[chunder]

I think the chatter is all just related to the new front tyre Bridgestone uses.

Come back Michelin all is forgiven, we dont need tyre companies dictating who wins races which is basically what ruined F1.

Go back to japan where you belong!!!!

[Schummy]

The only real great GP for Casey has been Portugal, and it is already too far in the past. He needs to do something or they (Honda) will be quietly steamrolled like in 2010 (by Lorenzo/Yamaha). You don't only have to be fast in a bike, you have to use alternative views/riding when the bike is not that perfect. Stoner is still in a reasonable course for a title, but he has not much time remaining. I go on wonder about his arm...

Pedrosa is still not out of the picture... at least to beat CS in Honda.

Rossi is lame in dry conditions. His Silverstone's lap times are pretty horrible. He is not being able to cope with not being a top contender. I am sorry for Ducati, as surprising as that phrase can sound.

Espargaro is a real threat to Marquez, who is passing a relative low period. Espargaro was a fierce rival in 125cc, with not much speed between them. They are completely different, Pol being much more aggresive. I don't see Luthi easily overcoming those two with just his regularity.

Vinales is the force in Moto3 and Cortese is the typical steady rival. The thing is Vinales, although very young and still unexperienced, has a cold head, so he is my favorite for the title, which is hardly surprising.

And finally, about sidecar racing I am not going to give an opinion, mostly because it doesn't exist anymore in FIM GPs

[gomick]

Can change pretty quickly, people where saying 2 races ago in F1 forum that Hamilton & McLaren where no good/left behind, then what happens in Canada?
Honda are good enough to work there issues out & Jorge's run of wins will end sooner or later - one would hope anyway

[cg7aa]

Originally Posted by chunder

There is a new harder front tyre that Bridgestone have made everyone use, and basically the Honda cant use it that well, not as well as the Yamaha.

Will we ever see the days of genuine tyre competition again? It had its problems but it also had its positives and in anycase, single tyre supplier hasn't proved to be a panacea either. What's the point of a top line series if it isn't open to all out competition? Apart from ACO sports car racing, I can't think of another top line series (forget the WRC!) where there isn't a single tyre manufacturer supplying and dictating things because there's no competition.

[Schummy]

Tyre competition is worse, it virtually switch off a whole part of the grid. Nowadays tyres play a too much important part in the performance level. Control tyres is a more or less level ground for everyone.

About new tyres favoring Yamaha, it's funny that people in Honda seemed happy with one maker when tyres favored them. Honda has to work with the tyres everyone has and end whinning (specially Casey "I will retire" Stoner).

[jhansen]

I agree, control tires are a necessary evil, but making changes mid season seems wrong.

[chunder]

The main issue here is that Honda have made about 20 chassis in recent years to cope with the Bridegestones!

Much like Lawson and Kanemoto did in 89 when Gardner and Doohan couldnt get teh NSR to work, HRC heoped Lawson by building new bits nearly every race to help him out!

HRC built countless chassis to help Pedrosa initially and then Stoner a little, Dani is their favoured one, always has been hence why they let him switch to Bridgestone mid season under Puigs virtual quit threat!

I dont have an issue with single tyres, as long as they are fair and proper, Pirelli have been a constant issue in WSB with por quality and Bridgestone are doing exactly the same as they did in F1 and favouring certain teams, for no real reason

[cg7aa]

Well, forgive me gentlemen but we'll have to agree to disagree in a civilised manner about this, I think competition improves the breed, the top echelons of any sport should embrace it, tyres, chassis, etc. Yes, in the case of tyres, some circuits and conditions will 'switch' off part of the grid but this same part of the grid will be favoured by another circuit and set of conditions.

I don't mind single tyre supplied series' but I would rather there was competition.