WSBK Portugal ***practice times + discussion, no race spoliers***

**BMFR6** · 10-23-09, 08:41 AM

Figured this race is going to need it's own thread, feel free to talk about practice and qualifying times/positions BUT NO RACE SPOILERS!!!!!

for those of you that don't know what that means, don't discuss any aspect of the actual races as it is taking place or after it has taken place.

With that being said, FP1
http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2009/Oct/091023c.htm

How is it even possible to have the entire field with in 0.637 seconds of each other?!?!?!?! Now I am sure things will change, but thats just flat out crazy.

**BMFR6** · 10-23-09, 08:52 AM

here's another link, covers all riders so i guess my above statement isn't 100% true

http://www.motomatters.com/results/2...p1_result.html

Either way, this is going to be a good weekend

**seth399** · 10-23-09, 09:12 AM

damn pretty crazy, and biaggi back in 14th, but not far off aha

**KawiSmurf** · 10-23-09, 09:15 AM

Yeah, the last three spots on that SuperbikePlanet chart are typos, that's probably what confused you.

I'd say between Spies & Haga finally settling this thing, and Vali with a chance to clinch at Sepang, we're in for some great race action on Sunday.

Looking back on the SBK season, could we really have asked for a better finale? With all the back and forth jostling in the standings, both guys experiencing some pretty bad luck along the way (broken levers, running out of fuel, stupid Italians getting in the way...), only to have it level out in the end. We all know its only going to be won by a matter of a few points (which could be heartbreaking if Nori loses, maybe just a shrug if GP-bound Spies loses).

I'll put some stock in these early practice times, and say that (as much as I want the Texan to win), Haga and maybe one or two others will outpace Ben all weekend. Smrz won't hold that time, but look for Rea or Checa to push the Hondas late.

**BMFR6** · 10-23-09, 09:33 AM

according to the reviews, spies and haga went back and fourth all session for the number 1 spot, ben holding it most of the time until the final moments. now if ben has been honest in his recent interviews, he runs most of his practice sessions on old tires so he really gets an idea of race pace. if thats the case, i think this is his race to lose. but of course, he could just be playing head games when he talks about his old tire useage.

i hated seeing ben dnf this season and if he didn't i'm sure the title would be locked down by now....... but now i'm glad about the dnf's because you couldn't ask for a better grand finale.

**j4eric** · 10-23-09, 10:27 AM

Can somebody pls tell me what time this will air on tv? i looked at the website and its in Portugal time.....i'm sure its on Speed channel right?

**KawiSmurf** · 10-23-09, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by j4eric

Can somebody pls tell me what time this will air on tv? i looked at the website and its in Portugal time.....i'm sure its on Speed channel right?

The usual motorcycle racing block on SPEED is from 3-7 on Sundays. The SBK races are on from 3-5, and the the 250GP and MotoGP races are on from 5-7.

**scottieducati** · 10-23-09, 10:50 AM

WHO has speed and will let me sit on their couch, drink their beer and hit on their old lady on Sunday?

Originally Posted by KawiSmurf650

The usual motorcycle racing block on SPEED is from 3-7 on Sundays. The SBK races are on from 3-5, and the the 250GP and MotoGP races are on from 5-7.

**scottieducati** · 10-23-09, 10:51 AM

SPEAKING of showdowns, don't forget, the WSS title is going to come down to Crutchlow vs. Laverty... so we have two battles to keep an eye on!

**scottieducati** · 10-23-09, 10:52 AM

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2009/Oct/091023ys.htm

BANG... looks like Spies has the upper hand thusfar.

**BMFR6** · 10-23-09, 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by scottieducati

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2009/Oct/091023ys.htm

BANG... looks like Spies has the upper hand thusfar.

I was watching the live timing during this, ben bounced around 3-4 pretty much the first 3/4 of the session, then got punted down to 7th, pretty much stayed there until a flying lap at the checkered. Haga spent a lot of time in the garage. For the first half of the session he was running like 13-14th, but smrz, bryne and fabrizio were all in the top 4 on ducs so i am guessing haga had some set up issues. when he came out in the last 3rd, he jumped up the order but got shuffled back pretty quickly. in my uneducated opinion, haga may have found the pace, but not for race distance yet.

biaggi is in front of haga, if he qualifies in front of him, that could be a huge factor come race time.

**gixxer72** · 10-23-09, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by scottieducati

SPEAKING of showdowns, don't forget, the WSS title is going to come down to Crutchlow vs. Laverty... so we have two battles to keep an eye on!

It's too bad Laverty is so far behind in points now though, he really needs Cruthlow to dnf or finish out of the points...

WSS has been phenomenal racing this year!

**BMFR6** · 10-23-09, 11:34 AM

Originally Posted by gixxer72

It's too bad Laverty is so far behind in points now though, he really needs Cruthlow to dnf or finish out of the points...

WSS has been phenomenal racing this year!

didnt even think of crutchlow. this means yamaha has the potential to take 3 world titles this weekend.

**scottieducati** · 10-23-09, 11:43 AM

I dunno how much of a factor it will be to be honest, Haga's won a bunch of races from mid-pack on the start. It won't make life easy on him, but he doesn't typically qualify well.

Originally Posted by BMFR6

I was watching the live timing during this, ben bounced around 3-4 pretty much the first 3/4 of the session, then got punted down to 7th, pretty much stayed there until a flying lap at the checkered. Haga spent a lot of time in the garage. For the first half of the session he was running like 13-14th, but smrz, bryne and fabrizio were all in the top 4 on ducs so i am guessing haga had some set up issues. when he came out in the last 3rd, he jumped up the order but got shuffled back pretty quickly. in my uneducated opinion, haga may have found the pace, but not for race distance yet.

biaggi is in front of haga, if he qualifies in front of him, that could be a huge factor come race time.

**seth399** · 10-23-09, 11:44 AM

imo- Rea has been riding like a bat out of hell, like he's gonna pass the top contenders or wreck trying

**scottieducati** · 10-23-09, 11:45 AM

Now Johnny Rea could definitely be an X factor.

Originally Posted by seth399

imo- Rea has been riding like a bat out of hell, like he's gonna pass the top contenders or wreck trying

**BMFR6** · 10-23-09, 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by scottieducati

I dunno how much of a factor it will be to be honest, Haga's won a bunch of races from mid-pack on the start. It won't make life easy on him, but he doesn't typically qualify well.

No doubt, but Biaggi isn't letting Haga by at all, he'll be racing for the podium. watching the timing screen, Ben is going to be around a lot of Ducati's. ben needs to be making friends with the fast guys on other makes, mainly Biaggi and Rea. The only time Ben will see his teamate will be leaving the garage.

**FireboltEric_MA** · 10-23-09, 12:11 PM

SPEED CHANNEL GUIDE FOR THE RACES

FIM World Superbike - Sunday - Portugal (1 & 2)
3:00pm ET/Noon PT

MotoGP 250 - Sunday - Malaysian GP
5:00pm ET/2:00pm PT

MotoGP World Championship - Sunday - Malaysian GP
6:00pm ET/3:00pm PT

If anyone wants to watch it at my place they are more than welcome to stop in. Big TV, small house, surround sound blasting....

I have a couch, beer and a wife should scottieducati need a place to watch it...

**KawiSmurf** · 10-23-09, 01:09 PM

Originally Posted by BMFR6

No doubt, but Biaggi isn't letting Haga by at all, he'll be racing for the podium. watching the timing screen, Ben is going to be around a lot of Ducati's. ben needs to be making friends with the fast guys on other makes, mainly Biaggi and Rea. The only time Ben will see his teamate will be leaving the garage.

I know Biaggi can be an exception, but do you think the Ape can really hang with the inline-4s on this circuit come race time? Portimao has a lot of straight fast sections, and, with the exception of Corser's phenomenal double on the Duc last year, the top 10 was dominated by the I-4s in both races (though Fabrizio did make the podium in race 2). Haga will be yet another Ducati X-factor this year, but I just get the feeling there will be more Yamahas and Hondas in the top ten than Italians.

**scottieducati** · 10-23-09, 01:16 PM

Giggidy.

Originally Posted by FireboltEric_MA

SPEED CHANNEL GUIDE FOR THE RACES

FIM World Superbike - Sunday - Portugal (1 & 2)
3:00pm ET/Noon PT

MotoGP 250 - Sunday - Malaysian GP
5:00pm ET/2:00pm PT

MotoGP World Championship - Sunday - Malaysian GP
6:00pm ET/3:00pm PT

If anyone wants to watch it at my place they are more than welcome to stop in. Big TV, small house, surround sound blasting....

I have a couch, beer and a wife should scottieducati need a place to watch it...

**a13x** · 10-23-09, 01:19 PM

Originally Posted by BMFR6

With that being said, FP1
http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2009/Oct/091023c.htm

How is it even possible to have the entire field with in 0.637 seconds of each other?!?!?!?! Now I am sure things will change, but thats just flat out crazy.

Well that's not the entire field. The entire field is 26 riders. http://roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=38518
Superbikeplanet is a f-ing joke. I suggest deleting it from your bookmarks and sticking with Roadracing sites that actually do proper reporting. RRW.com, Crash.net, and MCNews.au are good ones.

I'm down for finding a couch to crash on to watch the races...

**scottieducati** · 10-23-09, 01:44 PM

Crash.net FTW.

**BMFR6** · 10-23-09, 02:40 PM

agreed on the fact there are better sites than soup but not everything is accesible for me at work and/or they like to have ad's that aren't really good to be on my PC (like that ebony one that has been going around)

**moto316** · 10-23-09, 03:11 PM

Originally Posted by KawiSmurf650

I know Biaggi can be an exception, but do you think the Ape can really hang with the inline-4s on this circuit come race time? Portimao has a lot of straight fast sections, and, with the exception of Corser's phenomenal double on the Duc last year, the top 10 was dominated by the I-4s in both races (though Fabrizio did make the podium in race 2). Haga will be yet another Ducati X-factor this year, but I just get the feeling there will be more Yamahas and Hondas in the top ten than Italians.

if im not mistaken, the rsv4 has been known this year for setting the top speed records at each race

**scottieducati** · 10-23-09, 03:12 PM

Corser rode a Duc?

Originally Posted by KawiSmurf650

I know Biaggi can be an exception, but do you think the Ape can really hang with the inline-4s on this circuit come race time? Portimao has a lot of straight fast sections, and, with the exception of Corser's phenomenal double on the Duc last year, the top 10 was dominated by the I-4s in both races (though Fabrizio did make the podium in race 2). Haga will be yet another Ducati X-factor this year, but I just get the feeling there will be more Yamahas and Hondas in the top ten than Italians.

WSBK Portugal practice times + discussion, no race spoliers

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