wfooshee
O, Woe is me!!
Turn one bike-billiards took out both Ducattis, De Puniet, and Bautista, when Bautista's front wheel hit Dovi's rear and put Bautista on his side. Bautista was almost in a stoppie trying to avoid him. Everyone else gets through, and Stoner takes off into the distance, with Pedrosa, Spies, and Dovizioso behind. Spies and the two non-Stoner Hondas made a race out of most of the event, and settled in to Spies riding a close 4th as the Hondas dueled for 2nd.
Later on it started to drizzle a bit, and Spies took the Hondas in turn 4, one at a time on successive laps. He caught Stoner in a few more laps, and when Stoner went wide on the slippery surface (and talking to the press, Stoner reports he selected neutral at that turn,) Spies took the lead.
Dovi and Pedrosa dropped back as conditions worsened, but Spies seemed to have the race in hand. Last turn, last lap, though, maybe his line was worse than Stoner's, maybe he was just a little bit too cautious, but regardless, Stoner came for more than a second back to take him at the line by .015! I startled my dog with what I said to the TV; sorry, dog. Spies and Stoner were laughing with each other on the podium.
Crutchlow was able to get by Pedrosa for 4th, and takes rookie of the year honors.
Josh Hayes, riding for the injured Colin Edwards, finished in 7th after starting last on the grid, and battling quite a while with Karel Abraham. (BTW, in the morning warm-up, in wet conditions, Hayes switched to slicks near the end as it started to dry and pulled out the fastest time of the session!)
Marco's father's request for a minute of noise was answered with a fireworks display before the racing. Very cool! There was also a parade lap of all the participants from all classes, with Kevin Schwantz leading on Simoncelli's bike. In the race, Loris Capirossi carried number 58 on his bike, in his last race before retiring.
Later on it started to drizzle a bit, and Spies took the Hondas in turn 4, one at a time on successive laps. He caught Stoner in a few more laps, and when Stoner went wide on the slippery surface (and talking to the press, Stoner reports he selected neutral at that turn,) Spies took the lead.
Dovi and Pedrosa dropped back as conditions worsened, but Spies seemed to have the race in hand. Last turn, last lap, though, maybe his line was worse than Stoner's, maybe he was just a little bit too cautious, but regardless, Stoner came for more than a second back to take him at the line by .015! I startled my dog with what I said to the TV; sorry, dog. Spies and Stoner were laughing with each other on the podium.
Crutchlow was able to get by Pedrosa for 4th, and takes rookie of the year honors.
Josh Hayes, riding for the injured Colin Edwards, finished in 7th after starting last on the grid, and battling quite a while with Karel Abraham. (BTW, in the morning warm-up, in wet conditions, Hayes switched to slicks near the end as it started to dry and pulled out the fastest time of the session!)
Marco's father's request for a minute of noise was answered with a fireworks display before the racing. Very cool! There was also a parade lap of all the participants from all classes, with Kevin Schwantz leading on Simoncelli's bike. In the race, Loris Capirossi carried number 58 on his bike, in his last race before retiring.
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h34r: 
