Misano, under water. made me think.?

Question

I know the bike weight has to be the same. but rider weight is a variable. power to weight ratio. does stoner have any advantage over rossi. how much is power and how much is skill. I'm not dissing stoner (1st class). but.. rossi's power loss......?

Answer 1

Hi proc,

I'm with Neil on this one - skill will usually triumph over muscle power - or having a super light rider, (as discussed here recently, these boy's are pretty fit bunnies!) but I have always felt that a rider with  good tactics and "flair"  has the upper hand.

Answer 2

Well some riders are known for being great in this type of weather. Stoner is not one of them. If it's the same on the race day, I would say that Rossi has small advantage because he is more skillful and as Wiggysan said I expect West and Vermulen to be in the first positions.

Michelin are supposed to have good wet tyres... I wonder if they will help Rossi or will give Stoner advantage.

I'll keep my fingers crossed and will hope for the best!

Answer 3

When you look at that equation Dani Pedrosa would seem to have the biggest advantage. (Although stoner's not exactly big!)

But there's more to it than that. Less weight pushing down on the bike means less friction between tire and track, which means grip level goes down, less traction, less drivability etc etc.......

Also smaller riders tend to be weaker and will therefore struggle to muscle the bike from one change of direction to another.

With the power that these bikes produce, (even the 800's) differences in power to weight ratio are infinitesimal, and they can have advantages and disadvantages.

Skill is the overriding factor. We know Rossi has it in spades. Unfortunately for him (Rossi), so does a certain Mr Stoner!

Answer 4

Very well said Sir.

If its raining on race day, look out for West and Vermulan!

Them boys will rock the show to bits !

Answer 5

tires are the difference when you have more confidence in the grip your faster

traction control plays a huge part as well

the duc is a faster bike in a straight line