Phillip Island (SPOILER)

[darylbowden]

Damn, those were some great races. Bayliss looked great, but I think it's pretty certain that the 1098 will be facing further restrictions. Funny enough, it seems to be that the Duc's biggest advantage is corner speed, which no amount of restricting is going to change. I don't know if the chassis is just that good, or is the electronics are amazing, but they are really moving through the corners.

It was also really sad to see Biaggi go down twice because he was the only guy out there who had anything for Bayliss. If he hadn't crashed, we could've had some great last lap passing for sure.

[derby]

the commentators mentioned that you could use xaus vs. biaggi as a good indicator of how additional weight would affect the bike.

so... keeping track of the finisher's points with regard to handicapping the twins, we have the following event averages:

22.5 qatar twins
22.5 qatar fours

25 phillip island twins
20 phillip island fours

two race average:

23.75 twins
21.25 fours

we'd have to see a pretty dismal performance by the fours in spain to see the the twins carry an additional 3kg at assen. they'd have to finish lower than 3rd in both races.

[derby]

oh yeah, biaggi's crash in race two was effin' nuts. that bike almost got him.

[derby]

oh yeah, how about that fabrizio/xaus battle? ;D

[pennyrobber]

The race was on at 8:30 am here on Speed. So there I am half awake drinking my coffee watching the start of the race and bang!!! crash at the start. Then halfway through the first lap bang!!! another crash. Too much chaos for that early in the morning. Good racing though. I was especially amazed that Fabrizio was able to actually grab a podium spot after the incident.

[duc996]

Originally Posted by derby

oh yeah, biaggi's crash in race two was effin' nuts. that bike almost got him.

Yeah, he's one lucky bastard.

Lap 1 of race 1 was insane. How many went down between the start and when the red flag went up? 6? And that was an impressive race by Fabrizio after that start.. I was suprised he was even able to ride after getting nailed the way he did.

Bayliss rid well but you have to admit that he had it easy with Biaggi crashing out both races and Corser crashing in Race 2..

[Matt C.]

Great racing. I wish Haga was dialed in.
So, with 5 differant makers in the top 6 (race 2) are we still talking a Ducati restriction?
Max is going to make the season interesting.

[darylbowden]

Originally Posted by Matt C.

So, with 5 differant makers in the top 6 (race 2) are we still talking a Ducati restriction?

Yeah, but only because Biaggi Crashed and Fabrizio and Smrz had ride-rough penalties.

I think it's a certainty that we will see restrictions. However, as I said earlier, I don't think it'll make much of a difference. The Ducati's greatest advantage is the way it finishes off corners and the add'l weight or air restrictions aren't going to change that.

[derby]

Originally Posted by Matt C.

Great racing. I wish Haga was dialed in.

i think haga's issue was more that he's still sore from that nasty highside in qatar.

Originally Posted by Matt C.

So, with 5 differant makers in the top 6 (race 2) are we still talking a Ducati restriction?

read my first reply to this thread.

in short, ducati would have to sweep the podium in both spanish races to have the possibility of more weight forced on them at assen.

it's possible that we could see more weight at nurburgring, though...

[Matt C.]

I agree that Ducati has come out strong.
How much is rider(Baylis/Biaggi/Xaus etc).
I was under the impression that the Yamaha was the best bike on the grid