09-03-2008, 10:29 AM
Stoner stated that he thinks this last crash is due to the tires. He was advised to scrub them in on the warm up lap (not what he usually does) and he was completely uncomfortable with the result (they wouldn't stick). When he tried to push to pace he set in free practice the tires were too jacked and wouldn't hold (his fastest lap in FP3 was 1'34.3xx and Rossi's during the race was 1'34.9xx).
I don't think last year was a fluke for Stoner. I just think last year went so damn perfect for him that anything less this year looks bad on him. Plus this year Rossi isn't riding around on shit tires so he's actually able to be competitive and Stoner simply can't run away like he used to.
Sucks, but it's racing.
*edit* and these last three races are the only time in his 3 years in GP he's shown problems under pressure. I don't think it makes him flaky under pressure, I think it's a testament to just how far Rossi can push another rider and lately he's actually been able to get under Stoner's skin (hasn't always been the case between him and Stoner).
I don't think last year was a fluke for Stoner. I just think last year went so damn perfect for him that anything less this year looks bad on him. Plus this year Rossi isn't riding around on shit tires so he's actually able to be competitive and Stoner simply can't run away like he used to.
Sucks, but it's racing.
*edit* and these last three races are the only time in his 3 years in GP he's shown problems under pressure. I don't think it makes him flaky under pressure, I think it's a testament to just how far Rossi can push another rider and lately he's actually been able to get under Stoner's skin (hasn't always been the case between him and Stoner).