Yamaha released the specs of the 2009 YZR-M1 (Valentino Rossi’s bike) this week. It is all of the usual crap: >200 hp, >320 kmph, Ohlins, Marchesini, Brembo, etc., etc.. But the part worth noting, was not in the spec sheet. Rossi gave a Q and A, which was also released this week. Rossi spoke briefly about the testing he has been able to do on the new M1, stating, “I had the chance to try the 2009 prototype briefly after Valencia but more so in Jerez, when I was very fast. The bike seems better and I was faster than I was with the 2008 version.” Fast enough to hang with the Italian bikes on the straight? I guess we will find out, in April. One more part of the interview that I thought was great, is that Vale enjoys snowboarding. Of course he does. I swear, we should be homies.

In unrelated, yet equally good news, Beastie boys are releasing a 20th anniversary edition of the Paul’s Boutique album. I woke up with the following note in my inbox:

Celebrating the 20th anniversary of Paul’s Boutique we have digitally re-mastered and reissued the record. The reissue comes in five versions offering everything from a digital-only package with 320kbps MP3 downloads to an exclusive limited-edition V.I.P. Type package that includes a CD, 180-gram vinyl, a Paul’s Boutique t-shirt and a never seen before poster that’s 8 ft wide. (OH WHAT!?????!!!!!!???) Most items are available exclusively at beastieboys.com

Digital downloads are available in lossless formats (FLAC and Apple lossless). You’ll also find band commentaries, videos, original album art, and more.

Drop by http://paulsboutique.beastieboys.com for more info.

Sincerely,
Paul

Isn’t it great that they let Paul break the news? Hahahahaha. I’m totally on this thing, man. Finally, I can get a copy of “car thief” that is the same volume as the rest of the songs on the playlist.

I know that this may be a little bit premature, but this morning I was reading about Hayden’s move to Ducati and I really started to get excited. In a pre-season interview, Hayden talked about looking forward to the 2009 season, and having Casey Stoner as a team mate. Hayden also addressed the fact that the Ducati GP9 is a very difficult bike. He admitted that he was a bit nervous when he signed with Ducati, because of this aspect, but followed up by stating that testing has been going better than he expected. I feel like, with this move, and Gibernau returning, Rossi is going to have his work cut out for him this year.

One thing that has been lacking for the last year and a half in MotoGP is bad blood. There have been and are some riders that don’t get along this season, but nothing crazy. Hayden and Pedrosa don’t talk much. So what. They don’t try to elbow each other off of the track. They haven’t made promises guaranteeing the other’s failure. This is the type of drama that has been absent. Rossi and Stoner, the two dominant riders for the past couple of seasons, get along swimmingly. All of this may change again, starting next season. Don’t look now, but Sete Gibernau is making his return to GP in 2009. Gibernau, the GP veteran wet condition favorite, does not like Rossi, at all. Rossi returns the sentiments. In the season of 2004 at the inaugural running of the Losail circuit in Qatar, Rossi’s crew was clearing some sand from the starting grid before the race. Apparently this is not allowed. According to Rossi’s camp, Gibernau or his crew ratted out Rossi’s team, which ended up in Rossi being penalized by having to start at the back of the grid. Rossi, being angry and determined, ended up crashing out, as he tried to make his way through the field of riders. Gibernau went on to win the race. Rossi was so pissed off about it, that he swore that Gibernau would never win another GP race, as long as Rossi was racing. So far, he has been able to make good on it. With Gibernau returning to MotoGP, I predict a Max Biaggi-scale rivalry to come about, as the season unfolds next year. Rossi is a stubborn man. I think that he will continue to do everything in his power to keep Gibernau from winning a race. It should make for some interesting drama next season.

I enjoyed the debate last night. As I mentioned earlier, I was mostly excited about it because of the venue. I think that I may actually be a little less undecided after last night. Now that I got that out of the way, I’m pretty fired up for the weekend lineup.

Since I’m out tomorrow, today is my “Friday.” Nothing like an extra long action packed weekend. Here is the lineup->

-Sarah, Jessie and their girls arrive this afternoon from VA, where they have been staying with Jessie’s father, since they arrived from Alaska. Depending on what time they get here and how they feel tonight, Piper may meet her AK cousins for the first time tonight (as well as aunt Sarah and uncle Jessie). After that, the agenda is pretty much party and do whatever we feel like until Saturday.

-Saturday will most likely be spent (depending on weather) doing some football watching and getting ready for the B-day party that evening. Utah plays Colorado State. The Utes will be looking to extend their record to 8-0. It will be a tough road game, but I’m confident that they will be able to put another one in the “W” column. I’m sure there will be a Piper visit in the mix, for Saturday also. Saturday night, Reagan is throwing me a party, woo hoo.

-Sunday, shake off the sugar hangover (from all of the sweetorade and cupcakes), then more Cousin/Piper time. Hopefully we can get some good pictures outside with the kids. Once again, depending on the weather. After that, we will be watching a Discovery Channel show featuring the work of our good friend Tadd Truscott, who is finishing up post graduate work at MIT in fluid dynamics. Check it out, if you like nerd stuff (like I do). It should be pretty awesome. Then, MotoGP.

-The GP race is in Malaysia this weekend at the Sepang circuit. This will be the penultimate race of the season. True, Rossi already has the championship locked up. But don’t think that will stop Stoner from fighting for another podium or 2.

According to MotoGP.com, Pitt gave an interview for Riders Italian Magazine, in which he expressed the following sentiments about Rossi:

“I would give anything to be like him.”

Then continued, saying:

“He is always cool, he seems to have a calmness which is almost beyond human [...] He can do the impossible. He looks like he weighs 30 kilos and yet he is able to stick to the asphalt without crashing. He looks like he is dancing when he rides, it is pure poetry.”

Pure poetry indeed. One more thing for Rossi to check off of his list.

Brad Pitt would give anything to be like me.

(Rossi takes a bow during his victory lap at Motegi on Sunday) Sunday Rossi stood on top of the podium at Motegi, Japan. In addition to winning another GP race, his total points effectively sealed his spot at 2008 GP Champion. This will be Rossi’s 6th (8th, if you include 125 and 250) world championship in the premier class. Don’t think that Casey Stoner just rolled over and handed Rossi the victory. Stoner actually lead the race for the majority its duration. Rossi was finally able to get past Stoner with only a handful of laps remaining. There are still 3 races to go, this season. The next one will be at Casey Stoner’s home track, at Philip Island, in Australia.

This morning’s first free practice session at the Indianapolis Speedway, met the riders with rainy conditions. The wet track led to a high-side wreck for Stoner and the Marlboro Ducati team. At the end of the morning practice session, Stoner was the only rider to suffer a spill because of the wet track.

After 2 free practice sessions, Anthony West has consistently put up the fastest lap times. I doubt that this data will have any bearing on the outcome of the actual race, being that there is an entire day of practice remaining, and track conditions are likely to improve by Sunday afternoon.

Finally, a celebrity that I would actually be interested in meeting, came through NYC… and I totally snoozed. This weekend, for the first time ever, Moto GP will be at the Indianapolis Speedway. It is a pretty big deal, if you are evenly mildly interested in motorcycle racing. Anyway, Valentino Rossi stopped through NYC for his first time, on his way to Indy. I didn’t discover until today that he had even been here. According to the article on Motogp.com, Rossi loves NYC and said that he enjoys the fact that no one recognizes him here. Well dude, if you decide to visit again, hit me up. We have an extra bedroom. Just sayin’.

Side note= Nicky Hayden was in Men’s Vogue this month

Sunday’s race in Misano, was a repeat performance for both Stoner and Rossi. Just like the race before, Stoner opened up an early lead, with Rossi chasing him. Then, just like before, Stoner low-sided out of the race, and Rossi coasted into another victory. Rossi now has a comfortable 75 point lead in the world championship. It would take something pretty extreme over the course of the 5 remaining races this season, for Rossi not to win the championship. It seems fitting that Rossi was able to give such a great performance on his home track. Lorenzo was back in the mix this week, at times riding in second position. Ultimately Pedrosa took second, with Elias finishing third.

Some are arguing that after Stoner’s crash in the last race, that Rossi should be able to coast into the world championship slot. Stoner himself admitted in an interview this week that it would be tough to come back from a 50 point deficit against Rossi. He added, that if it weren’t Rossi he was chasing, things would be different. Just the same, Stoner was clocking the fastest laps in the first day of free practice, today at Misano. I think that it is a little early to say that Rossi’s world championship is a forgone conclusion.

It seems that the Michellin debacle has been somewhat resolved for this week. The clear inferiority of the Michellin tires, that seemed to be a debilitating factor for so many of the riders, last race, is said to have improved some what, according to Hayden and Pedrosa.