Anyway, now we’re 51 points down on Hayden with only six races left, so for the first time I will race for the rest of the season without thinking about the pressure of the championship. My plan is to have a lot of fun over the remaining races and try to win as many as possible, and then who knows what might happen?

Seems like he's becoming less confident about the championship as the weeks tick by. Who'd have thought we'd hear the words 'without thinking about the championship' from Vale this year!

He's toast for this year....... if he can come back from this deficet, he'll cement his reputation as the greatest ever. I wonder if he's suddenly regretting his decision to sign off on the yamaha deal for '08? It's very dissapointing, because if he'd taken the title this year he would be the only man to ever hold a 990cc world title.

It's Nicky's title to throw away, the pressure is on him now.

Given Nicky's reliability when it comes to getting on the podium you would have to say it's going to be a hard lead to catch. Rossi needs 2 DNFs from Hayden plus small change just for them to be back on terms with each other. :eek:

Not sure what you're getting at re 2008. I'm sure he's happy to be at Yamaha next year and would be pretty certain that all the doors will still be open to him in 08 unless something very drastic happens.

I think Vale is very happy to be with Yamaha also next year, even this season is not as good for him as the former seasons were. However I think he and also MotoGP fans enjoy the races more and more...it is not only about Rossi as the only adept for the Championship title...and that's great:lol:

Nicky is very strong, but not only Nicky...e.g. Dany Pedrosa...and others, it won't be easy for Valentino, but everything is not lost...I don't thing he'll give it up...

Now most people think Nicky will win the Championship...but what about the other riders...is Nicky really the only one? We might be very surprised at the end of the season, because everything is possible...;)

As unlikely as it may seem my money is still on Rossi :D
I would'nt put it past him (Rossi) to win the next 6, and Hayden to DNF once
Rossi always seems to amaze me but his luck must also change ;)

i would put my money on pedrosa winning it before i would put it on Rossi. The gap is just too big - even for Rossi.

don't want hayden to win to be honest - he's very good on a bike and i respect the guy - i just don't like him.

i dont know, i think rossi is not a contender anymore. hayden will wrap it up if he stays consistant. pedrosa will slip into second, a wonderful result for a rookie, and the might of HRC will prevail.

the pressure of not being able to make a mistake MAY be too much for Hayden and he MAY throw it away. Rossi however - with nothing to lose could be there to pick up the wins and take the title. It's a fairy tale ending to a great season but as i said earlier - I couldn't stand all the yeeeeeee-haws from Nicky if he won.

whoa there, yeeee haws??? whats that supposed to mean...:lol: j/k

yeah, it would be a little wierd if some guy from kentucky win the world championship. but i think it has been one of themost mistake free guys on the tour to date. (this year) he has dealt with the pressure, and even rossi has said that he has rode well and handles the pressure with making the fewest mistakes. if he can just ride and keep staying on the podium, i think hell take it for sure.

he can clearly handle pressure - [uses the edwards/hayden last corner melee as an example] so he'll be very un-lucky to lose it now. if he's the most consistent finisher then he deserves the win - but, as i say - lots of respect for the guy - but he just aint Rossi.

break-downs and crashes aside - this has been a great season for racing and i can't wait to see what happens next year when Stoner & Pedrosa have another years experience under their belts.

actually - i've got a signed hayden slider - if he wins - it'll be worth a FORTUNE !
:)

Given Nicky's reliability when it comes to getting on the podium you would have to say it's going to be a hard lead to catch. Rossi needs 2 DNFs from Hayden plus small change just for them to be back on terms with each other. :eek:

Not sure what you're getting at re 2008. I'm sure he's happy to be at Yamaha next year and would be pretty certain that all the doors will still be open to him in 08 unless something very drastic happens.

Sorry Dom i meant the contract extension for '07....... there's no way he'll be on that POS in '08

he can clearly handle pressure - [uses the edwards/hayden last corner melee as an example] so he'll be very un-lucky to lose it now. if he's the most consistent finisher then he deserves the win - but, as i say - lots of respect for the guy - but he just aint Rossi.

break-downs and crashes aside - this has been a great season for racing and i can't wait to see what happens next year when Stoner & Pedrosa have another years experience under their belts.

agreed with all of that Skinny, i admire Haydens skill, but geez a yokel with the southern drawl holding the title. I can't stand the guys personality.

Re: Casey and Dani......... if Casey ever learns to string 10 races together without throwing the LCR Honda along the tarmac, he'll be a huge threat for the World Title. I love the little bugger to death, admire his tenacity and obvious riding abilities, but jesus he has caused me some grey hairs over the past couple of years.

personally, i like hayden. he is really down to earth, doesnt lie about stuff (like edwards saying he felt better for the race...yeah right,) he also likes to learn from others, and his own mistakes. his "southern drawl" isnt nearly as bad as some of yous are making it out to be. come talk to a few of the people that live around me...i cant understand half of them!

Sorry Dom i meant the contract extension for '07....... there's no way he'll be on that POS in '08
Aah, that makes more sense. Personally I still wouldn't like to judge where the Yamaha will be in 2008. We don't know what the playing field will look like once the 800s show up, and since Yamaha have the best development rider in the paddock I'd never bet against them. But then I'd love to see a Rossi/Ducati combo, so I kind of hope you're right. ;)

Hayden is a totally different rider this year. Previously he had the talent but didn't seem to have the drive to win races, often seeming happy to settle for a worse result and rarely fighting back after being overtaken. Thankfully that approach seems to have been dropped in favour of fighting to the flag and look where it's got him. :D

Aah, that makes more sense. Personally I still wouldn't like to judge where the Yamaha will be in 2008. We don't know what the playing field will look like once the 800s show up, and since Yamaha have the best development rider in the paddock I'd never bet against them. But then I'd love to see a Rossi/Ducati combo, so I kind of hope you're right. ;)

Hayden is a totally different rider this year. Previously he had the talent but didn't seem to have the drive to win races, often seeming happy to settle for a worse result and rarely fighting back after being overtaken. Thankfully that approach seems to have been dropped in favour of fighting to the flag and look where it's got him. :D

put it this way, after that many years on the best equipment in the paddock.... if Nicky doesn't win this year he doesn't deserve the seat IMHO. Reminds me of Hodgsen's claytons title in WSBK a few years back. MotoGP certainly terminated his ambitions quick smart.

as Dom says - A rossi/ducati combo would be great but if you read Rossi's book you'll know that is sadly un-likely. Next year is going to be very interesting with the 800's coming in - who knows what will happen. I just hope all of the manhufacturers are ready and we can have some good racing from the off.

put it this way, after that many years on the best equipment in the paddock.... if Nicky doesn't win this year he doesn't deserve the seat IMHO. Reminds me of Hodgsen's claytons title in WSBK a few years back. MotoGP certainly terminated his ambitions quick smart.

not sure I agree with you there. I'm not a big fan of Hayden but the MotoGP crown is not won easily by anyone. Rossi didn't win it 7 times (possibly 8) just because he had the 'best equipment' - he won it because he's the best rider. he proved that by moving to the frankly shite M1 and winning on that.

as for hodgeson - yeah his Moto GP career was un-remarkable but that primarily because he was on an un-competitive bike. there's no point going to Moto GP unless your going to get the equipment you need to do the job - period. you've got to take a look at what he's achieved in the US - again on a not-particularly competitive bike - and admire the guy. he's riding around un-familiar tracks on an under-powered bike and still bringing home the bacon on a regular basis - Go Hodgie I say. Not beating the likes of Mladin (ZZZzzz) and Spies is no disgrace - they've been going around those same tracks for year on end - kind of like tring to beat Hayden @ Laguna - it's not going to be easy.

i think what is not being realised here is the at hrc is now #1 and 3. but let pedrosa finish ahead of rossi one race, and it could be 1 and 2. i understand the whole time versus winning thing, but if you can build a championship winner, even if it takes 3, 4, 5 years, but then wins for 3, 4, 5 years, it will be worth it. espiecially if your "#2" guy is fininshing second only to your #1 guy. plus, with how hayden is doing developing the current bike, most people are very surprised that he is even close to the lead, let alone the one that is leading the race. granted he has had a bit of luck, but thats what you need sometimes to win a 'ship. with people like doohan and others helping to develop hayden as a rider, you think he is being steered in the wrong direction, i dont think so. in the begining of nicky's motogp career, he showed extraordinary talent, but couldnt last the race on the tyres. he would use them up way to early. i remember an interview with doohan where he said exacctly that. hayden said he was trying to work on just finishing the race with decent tyre left. this doesnt happen overnight, but i agree it doesnt take 3 years as well. he has had to take his time to mature into the rider he is today, and i think he will be at the front for a long time once he finally wins a championship.

lol, mladin will always stay in AMA. he enjoys being the big fish in a small pond. im sure if he went to any other level, his ass would be kicked. he knows this, and as such, hes happy to stay where he is at. i dont know if i couls say different either if i was givin a private jet, among other things...

Theres nothing wrong with doing what your good at - taking your $$ and going home to the wife and kids if that's what you want but, the riders that I admire are those who aren't happy with that.

Those riders who will take a risk to prove to the world and themselves that they are the best................. I'm sure you know who I'm talking about.

Whenever I think of Mladin I just keep remembering how he was gonna show the WSB boys the way home on their first visit to Laguna Seca.......... only they kicked his arse and then he was 'too tired' to take part in race 2.

Once Hodgie gets his 1300cc twin I hope he kicks Mladins arse for old times sake.

The Yoshi garage must be a powder keg right now with Spies & Mladin in the same tent so if the rumours about Spies going to ride for Michael Jordan come true it'll be 'battle royal' next year.

Theres nothing wrong with doing what your good at - taking your $$ and going home to the wife and kids if that's what you want but, the riders that I admire are those who aren't happy with that.

Those riders who will take a risk to prove to the world and themselves that they are the best................. I'm sure you know who I'm talking about.

Whenever I think of Mladin I just keep remembering how he was gonna show the WSB boys the way home on their first visit to Laguna Seca.......... only they kicked his arse and then he was 'too tired' to take part in race 2.

Once Hodgie gets his 1300cc twin I hope he kicks Mladins arse for old times sake.

The Yoshi garage must be a powder keg right now with Spies & Mladin in the same tent so if the rumours about Spies going to ride for Michael Jordan come true it'll be 'battle royal' next year.

agreed on all of the above Skinny......

Still don't like hayden, and can't stand Hodgsen...... never have, never will.

As for Mladin......... whatever. Big mouth , no balls to test himself against the best. And thats coming from an Aussie about an Aussie.

Did anyone see Fabrizio snatch 3rd on the last lap at Race 1 in Brno? Good god he was flying...

And what the hell... even Greg White (commentator) says things about how AMA is better than World SBK...

Aaron Yates, Ben Spies, Ben Bostrom, Mladin, Duhamel.... the best riders in AMA... they dont stand a chance, not even if their own lives depended on it. Go to the SBK website, look at the top 10 riders in points. Personally, all 10 are SBK's finest this year.

Corser, Haga, Fabrizio, Kagayama, Bayliss, Barros, Toseland, Nieto... what right do some of the riders in AMA have to talk trash about WSBK? They cant compete against SBK, period.

SBK's overall speed dwarves that of AMA... I see pretty horrendous crashes, and some amazing battles in SBK.. but AMA? No thanks. Yes, AMA is good, but no where near SBK, and certainly not a chance against MotoGP. It's like comparing IRL to Cart and F1 and AMA to SBK and MotoGP... it just wont fly.

Some serious rider bashing goin on in here :lol:

My $.02, it's near impossible to compare riders from different series on pure talent alone. Among other things the tires these guys use are totally different. Just look at how Nicky jumped from AMA straight into GP and got Rookie of the Year. There's just no predicting who will be competitive on a world scale.

As far as mladin goes, I think everyone would like to see how he measures up in the world. He's been honest that he doesn't have a competitive offer to ride Motogp. Therefore, he hasn't even entertained the idea. Not to mention that riding the GSVR wouldn't even let him showcase any talent besides acrobatics. Jeez you guys make me sound like a Mladin fan :roll:

Btw, Fabrizio's 3rd was great but his 2nd in race 2 was insane!

fabrizios' last dash through the field reminded me of chilli's 7 laps - 7 seconds comeback a couple of years ago - not quite as impressive maybe but you get the idea. he clearly had a lot more in his tyres than anyone else.

to be honest - fab's hardly even been mentioned until now and to be fair - i doubt we'll hear much about him for a while.

AMA stronger than WSB - I'm not convinced. In fact I think BSB is probably stonger than AMA - just look at the level of factory support.

i would be interested to see how the AMA boys would fair against the WSB riders - we all saw what happened on their last WSB visit to Laguna Seca but it would be nice to see it again.

I would predict a right spanking for Mr Mladin & his friends from the likes of Corser, Haga, Bayliss et all. The WSB field is stronger than ever in my opinion.

I'm not a fan of Mladin but as I said above, there's no point in going to Moto GP unless you're going to get the kit you need to do the job. I'm thinking
Neil Hodgeson & Ruben Xaus - both capable riders but they were onto a loser from the start. I'd be willing to bet he'd get a ride in WSB tho ! .................now that I would like to see.

ok ok not doubt rossi is the king and has been its haydens to win or lose.he has had so very good luck this year. but he is on an ever changing bike and stays consistant. u have to remember also that he has only been riding these courses for a few years and he has learned how to run them consistantly. hayden is also learning to deal with being famous, in the state he walks around and noone knows who he is. he has stayed grounded and with his nose to the grindstone working very hard to learn and be the best he can be. and what a rider his rook teammate is going to be!

don't get me wrong i'm NOT knocking Hayden - he's very handy on a bike & he's leading the championship fair & square and I respect him for that - I just don't like him.

It's not his accent, his face - or the fact he's american - it's just a personality thing (or as much as I can tell what he's like from the tv) but I doubt if he would want to go for a pint with me either.