SPOILER-Moto GP ASSEN-SPOLIER.

First Free practice session times:

L Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 1min 36.569 secs
2. Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda Team (M) 1min 37.186 secs
3. Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda Team (M) 1min 37.398 secs
4. Colin Edwards USA Tech 3 Yamaha (M) 1min 37.437 secs
5. Alex de Angelis RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini (B) 1min 37.470 secs
6. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team (B) 1min 37.480 secs
7. Andrea Dovizioso ITA JiR Team Scot MotoGP (M) 1min 37.507 secs
8. John Hopkins USA Kawasaki Racing Team (B) 1min 37.652 secs
9. Shinya Nakano JPN San Carlo Honda Gresini (B) 1min 37.821 secs
10. Randy de Puniet FRA LCR Honda MotoGP (M) 1min 37.951 secs
11. Jorge Lorenzo SPA Fiat Yamaha Team (M) 1min 37.987 secs
12. Loris Capirossi ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 1min 38.082 secs
13. James Toseland GBR Tech 3 Yamaha (M) 1min 38.198 secs
14. Chris Vermeulen AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 1min 38.341 secs
15. Sylvain Guintoli FRA Alice Team (B) 1min 38.435 secs
16. Anthony West AUS Kawasaki Racing Team (B) 1min 38.768 secs
17. Marco Melandri ITA Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 1min 39.020 secs
18. Toni Elias SPA Alice Team (B) 1min 39.805 secs

Anyone know what the Eurosport coverage is?

Looking at the timings from today's practice sessions,I think Marco will have received a dinner invitation for this evening from Livio.

In time honoured Italian/mafia fashion he will be fed and then given the bullet. This is now all too shocking and cannot be allowed to continue.

This from someone who realy likes Marco as a rider.

Beware Nicky on the high revving pneumatic RCV this weekend,it could be about to start looking better for him.

P.S.

Bad fall for Loris in FP2 causing a "big hole in his arm". Don't expect to see him again this weekend. Again bringing into question allowing obviously injured riders to be involved?

Marco must feel lucky for having Toni Elias on the grid because it seems that the last 2 places are always made up of those 2, Marco being slightly in front of him

[Stu]

So is JT any good? or just a Tim Henman (we support him cos he's British)

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by Addicted

So is JT any good? or just a Tim Henman (we support him cos he's British)

I believe he is a good rider, you dont win two World Superbike Championships if you are a sh*t rider.

However I just think the british press expect to much to soon, he is in first motogp year and has a lot to learn and we oughta remember that. He's up against the best in the world he's not going to get onto the podium straight away.

What is he 8th or something in the championship, and 3rd placed Rookie, thats a fine result IMHO for his first season.

Look at Hodgson and Byrne in Moto GP they came nowhere.

Unfortunately it is a very British thing to automatically assume that anyone with a bit of promise is a total world beater.This can be seen in many sports. Hence in a way this is why for example home grown footballers get thrust in among truly world class players and attract ridiculous wages and transfer fees between British clubs. All of us can think of names from so many sports where this kind of false hope has been a feature.

JT has proven himself in WSB but this is an altogether different level. He is very talented and aggresive but definitely no hope of ever being world champ. Harsh that might sound, but the real chance of him getting the ride of a bike with true title winning capabilities is very unlikely. Not so much due to his failings or shortcomings,but rather that european kids have come through the system and are a lot more attractive to team bosses. Working against James also is the minimal coverage that the sport gets in the U.K. we should be thankful he is even in the championship tbh.

I will applaud any successes he has and always wish him well, but a top 10 placing is in truth all one can reasonably expect from him and that would be no poor achievement if on a satelite bike.

Theres nothing to say he couldnt win the odd race or 2 though, and could certainly see a few podiums a year once he gets his markers set on these racetracks

Indeed to be the first time he has rode in the GP on a top bike and be going as fast as he is is a testament. Look at stoner, where was he on his bike. The same bike (just about) as was running at the front with other riders.

Time will tell what we can expect from him. Redding/Webb/Smith are the future hope's but at the mo JT is the lad to back in the big class... for us Brits.

Hey Pedro... are you Spanish or British living in Spain? Ive wondered for a bit but im not sure at all.

Soy ingles y vivo en españa.

I agree with a bit of luck and more track knowledge JT's results could well improve. Certainly not to top 5 levels though I fear.