Dark Angel
Still kickin' it!
...It's beginning to show now..!
Casey Stoner had a minor "off" yesterday - running into the gravel trap at the top of the Corkscrew and only just failing to keep the bike upright. Normally, this type of incident would probably raise no more than an eyebrow - but back in his garage, Stoner's body language told the story of a very edgy young man, potentially on the verge of becoming demoralised. I hope the lad doesn't lose his confidence - but I fear it might already be too late.
Hayden (according to comments made by Randy Mamola yesterday) is also very edgy and is determined to impose himself again at his home GP. From the early standings, I guess KR Jr. will have something to say about that - not to mention Colin Edwards, whose form could receive a timely boost from Rossi's (allegedly) expressed preference for him as his team mate for next season.
Speaking of the great man himself, Rossi also hit the gravel trap at the corkscrew - and managed to ride safely through! After his universally acclaimed demonstration of his talents in Germany last time out, I wonder if his Lucky Star is in the ascendency again? Maybe - maybe not - he seems to have hit the usual brick wall as far as setting the bike up is concerned, but it's interesting to see Edwards featuring in sixth place and amazing to see Pedrosa doing so well in his first-ever appearance at the Laguna Seca track.
It's gonna be another goody!! :yo:
Combined free practice times below.
1. Kenny Roberts Jr USA Team Roberts 1min 23.859 secs
2. Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda Team 1min 24.125 secs
3. Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda Team 1min 24.194 secs
4. Marco Melandri ITA Fortuna Honda 1min 24.223 secs
5. Chris Vermeulen AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1min 24.253 secs
6. Colin Edwards USA Camel Yamaha Team 1min 24.310 secs
7. Makoto Tamada JPN Konica Minolta Honda 1min 24.339 secs
8. Casey Stoner AUS Honda LCR 1min 24.360 secs
9. Toni Elias SPA Fortuna Honda 1min 24.494 secs
10. John Hopkins USA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1min 24.608 secs
11. Valentino Rossi ITA Camel Yamaha Team 1min 24.674 secs
Casey Stoner had a minor "off" yesterday - running into the gravel trap at the top of the Corkscrew and only just failing to keep the bike upright. Normally, this type of incident would probably raise no more than an eyebrow - but back in his garage, Stoner's body language told the story of a very edgy young man, potentially on the verge of becoming demoralised. I hope the lad doesn't lose his confidence - but I fear it might already be too late.
Hayden (according to comments made by Randy Mamola yesterday) is also very edgy and is determined to impose himself again at his home GP. From the early standings, I guess KR Jr. will have something to say about that - not to mention Colin Edwards, whose form could receive a timely boost from Rossi's (allegedly) expressed preference for him as his team mate for next season.
Speaking of the great man himself, Rossi also hit the gravel trap at the corkscrew - and managed to ride safely through! After his universally acclaimed demonstration of his talents in Germany last time out, I wonder if his Lucky Star is in the ascendency again? Maybe - maybe not - he seems to have hit the usual brick wall as far as setting the bike up is concerned, but it's interesting to see Edwards featuring in sixth place and amazing to see Pedrosa doing so well in his first-ever appearance at the Laguna Seca track.
It's gonna be another goody!! :yo:
Combined free practice times below.
1. Kenny Roberts Jr USA Team Roberts 1min 23.859 secs
2. Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda Team 1min 24.125 secs
3. Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda Team 1min 24.194 secs
4. Marco Melandri ITA Fortuna Honda 1min 24.223 secs
5. Chris Vermeulen AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1min 24.253 secs
6. Colin Edwards USA Camel Yamaha Team 1min 24.310 secs
7. Makoto Tamada JPN Konica Minolta Honda 1min 24.339 secs
8. Casey Stoner AUS Honda LCR 1min 24.360 secs
9. Toni Elias SPA Fortuna Honda 1min 24.494 secs
10. John Hopkins USA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1min 24.608 secs
11. Valentino Rossi ITA Camel Yamaha Team 1min 24.674 secs