Triumphrat

topgunz1

Marques had elbow sliders on his leathers in Moto2 as well, heard the announcers say once he was the first that Alpinestars had to make them for. I have several shots of him elbow on ground from Indy this year, insane!

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“Faster, Faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death.”
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Boldor

I want to exercise caution here, because I don't want to be drawn into a Stoner slanging match, but:

Stoner's riding style was extremely mutable. He could change his style mid race, he could learn a new technique mid race. The bike was almost immaterial, he gels with the situation that he needs to gel with. That is why he was the only rider who will ever take the present Ducati to victory. The Ducati does not reward conventional riding - Tino said so himself - Tino even stated what I have claimed about Stoner. Tino hid behind the fact he is older than Stoner and was coached in a more conventional school of riding.

Pre 2007 were Stoner's learning years, he was still champion-less at this point. His learning style involved riding outside the envelope to see how far he could stretch his envelope beyond the competition.

2007 Stoner won. But not like night and day; he still dumped the Duc on a regular basis. It is just as likely that he won due to reaching a critical amount of racing experience as it was him being given a Duc. It is also very like Stoner to respond to being in a unique predicament. He is not a team player, nor is he a crowd pleaser.

2008 Stoner was ill but did pretty well nonetheless.

2009 The Yamaha was clearly a better bike, too much better. He still put in a good show.

2010 Stoner was given a fresh chance and capitalised.

2011 Stoner was knobbled by the soft compounds.

Stoner's Achilles was Bridgestone. He could not ride around the chatter as well as even Dani could. But his weakness, which was bigger than his issue with Bridgestones, was his love of pure racing and his disgust with the spectacle.

If you don't like him and/or you disagree with me that's OK, my passion & reactivity on the topic is dwindling now. I am just providing an alternative angle should you be interested.

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Carmelo Ezpleleta is the CEO of Dorna.
Dorna owns MotoGP and SBK

LittleJoe

I wouldn't say we disagree here at all Bol. My like or dislike of Stoner has nothing to do with his ability. I just used the the word "gell" instead of getting into specifics. No doubt his ability to get a feel and adapt to the Ducati is what allowed him to excel there, where literally no else could.

Boldor

I'd almost agree that he gelled better with the Ducati, but I think it was more that he was in a unique postition which drove him. Capirossi and Hayden were in a similar position, you could argue, but in an entirely different league. Stoner the loner: that's where his energy came from - IMO.

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Carmelo Ezpleleta is the CEO of Dorna.
Dorna owns MotoGP and SBK

BKK Jack

Interesting.

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Just because I'm paranoid, it doesn't mean the whole world isn't out to get me.
Words mean things.

Boldor

But where're the elbow sliders?

__________________
Carmelo Ezpleleta is the CEO of Dorna.
Dorna owns MotoGP and SBK

D41

I'd agree almost totally with your essay about Stoner (that did not include any links, I might add!)....life is about adapting, and Stoner clearly adapts well. Rossi did not adapt...all his years of riding Japanese bikes worked against him to some degree or other...even Hayden has done pretty well on the Ducati, I think..in fact he seems to be getting better on it.

Now Dovi on the other hand....Dovi is going to do well with Ducati next year....I expect big things from him in 2013.

Boldor

I hope you are right Dee, but I'd still bet against you on Dovi.

I claim that no rider will take the Duc to victory (championship) in the next five years, and probably longer - like never.

I'd refine the claim to race wins, but stranger things have been known to happen; like CRT's leading the race.

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Carmelo Ezpleleta is the CEO of Dorna.
Dorna owns MotoGP and SBK

D41

Fair play, but at the Valencia test, Dovi was faster in the wet on the Ducati than he had been on Yamaha during the race itself....that's impressive by any measure.

leemadinger

Dennis Noyes reports on the tentative deal between Dorna and MSMA.

http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/artic...e-in-our-time/



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Lee