MotoGP: Down Under (Spoilers, Mite!)

Marquez poised to write MotoGP history at Phillip Island

Marquez will become World Champion in Australia under the following circumstances:

- Marquez wins and Lorenzo finishes third or lower
- Marquez finishes second, Lorenzo fifth or lower and Pedrosa does not win
- Marquez finishes third, Lorenzo eighth or lower and Pedrosa does not win
- Marquez finishes fourth, Lorenzo 11^th or lower and Pedrosa does not win or finish second
- Marquez finishes fifth, Lorenzo 13^th or lower and Pedrosa does not finish on the podium
- Marquez finishes sixth, Lorenzo 14^th or lower and Pedrosa does not finish on the podium
- Marquez finishes seventh, Lorenzo 15^th or lower and Pedrosa does not finish on the podium
- Marquez finishes eighth, Lorenzo fails to score and Pedrosa does not finish in the top four

I think title will have to wait for another race, Lorenzo will fight to the very last moment.

Looking forward to Marquez on Stoner Curve. Might be sliding the Honda real purdy there.

I want to see if Marquez breaks Hayden's lap record at P.I.

Weather permitting, I'd have to say yes, he will. And if not him, someone else.

MotoGP.com shows Hayden holds the "circuit record" at 1' 30". But Stoner has the fastest lap at 1' 28" Which is also the best pole record lap time.

Correct. I should have said fastest race lap.

This alone makes me smile

Heck, the way he's going he could just shoot for overall fastest lap

Yes. Weather. Hmmmm.......

http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/forecasts/phillipisland.shtml.

Typical. Anything is possible.

First time for motogp on the resurfaced track too so will be interesting to see how much faster they are

Anybody taking bets on if the Moto3 speedsters will hold it flat through turn 3?

Damn I'd like to see that if it happens.

MM
DP
JL
VR
CC
AB
Esp
a Ducati

I think my prediction is pretty lame really.

A Spanish guy
A Spanish guy
A Spanish guy
An Italian
A Pom
More Spanish guys
Another Italian

There that's better

They might have to change the name of that corner.

When did they resurface? Sometimes a new (green) surface doesn't enable fast laps.

Not 100% certain of when but if domestic bike and car lap times are an indication, the track is significantly faster so the record will go if the weather holds.




Gaz

Track was done late last year so plenty of rubber down.

World supers have been there since resurface

Just been given a Tattoo by by 9 year old daughter



Start heading to the Island tomorrow , will be there on thursday arvo

End of last year, beginning of this. WSBK ran on the new surface.

Well, if memory serves, that forecast as it looks tonight seems very good.

It may rain a bit from time to time, but the winds will dry the track quickly. Yet won't be so strong as to cause serious issues on Sunday.

My guess is overnight light rain making morning practices and warm-up a bit dodgy. Possibly a morning shower. But dry track, moderate temperatures, afternoon sunlight.

In other words, about as good as Phillip Island gets. It's been brightish, cool and mainly dry this past week on the west coast if that's any guide (and often you guys get our weather about a week later).

Should be a fascinating race in the big class. Pedrosa can make Marquez wait if he wins, but if he's second to Marquez then the kid is the champ. Lorenzo can make Marquez wait by finishing second. Rossi can stuff things for everybody, although on current form he's not likely to feature.

PI is a circuit where it is (much!) easier to follow than to lead. Will be hard for Lorenzo or Pedrosa to do the runaway thing. It is also the site of Marquez's most serious and least excusable contact incident (IIRC).