Bike Racing Forum Awards 2008

[jonny hurlock]

http://www.motorsportforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=122094
I think all the main championships are almost done, reward time I guess (is it too early?), same rules as last year

-Top five riders of the year
-Top three rookies of the year
-Top team of the year
-Top manufacturer of the year
-Best race of the year
-Best championship of the year
-Special mention award
-Coolest moment of the year

[patnicholls]

Nice one, was just about to start an awards thread myself.

I'll get thinking!

[jonny hurlock]

-Top five riders of the year

1 Valentino Rossi MotoGP champion
2 Troy Bayliss World SBK champion
3 Ben Spies AMA Champion
4 Marco Simoncelli 250cc Champion
5 Shakey Byrne BSB Champion

This season has been a touch one to choose from imo

-Top three rookies of the year

1. Jorge Lorenzo
2. Andrea Dovizioso
3. Scott Redding

-Top team of the year

Fiat Yamaha

-Top manufacturer of the year

Ducati

-Best race of the year

League Sega Motogp round, Rossi vs Stoner before Stoner little accident

-Best championship of the year

250cc

-Special mention award

two people: 1st person, Troy Bayliss for winning his third championship and retiring, 2nd person to mention is Craig Jones, what more can I say

-Coolest moment of the year

being at snetterton for the bsb round this year, rain or shine, didn't spoil the day, great races, race 2 of that day bsb, 18 laps shakey coming from behind won that as-well,

[T-D]

Top five riders of the year

-Rossi
-Bayliss
-Simoncelli
-Spies
-Shakey Byrne


Top three rookies of the year
-Lorenzo
-Dovizioso
-Redding

Top team of the year
-Fiat yamaha

Top manufacturer of the year
Ducati for their consistent, top performances in MotoGP, WSBK and BSB

Best race of the year
-Assen World Supersport. Monza WSBK race 2 (I think it was race 2). The first 14 laps of Laguna Seca MotoGP.

Best championship of the year
World Superbike followed closely by British Superbike

Special mention award
For displaying potential over a season:
Glen Richards in BSB, Kiyo in WSBK, and jamie Hacking in AMA.

Individual efforts: Haslam's race 2 ride at Brands Hatch after dislocating his shoulder. Bayliss willing himself to a win over Haga in race 2 at LeMans.
Sykes showing the WSBk regulars how to do it.

Michael Rutter-300 starts in a BSB career, including a well-deserved victory in the wet at Mallory Park.

Any rider who survived a season on a kawasaki with their reputation and health intact.

Coolest moment of the year
Ant west 5th place at Brno. BSB tribute to craig Jones at Knockhill.

[patnicholls]

I've nearly decided on who I've chosen for this...

I've nearly decided on who I've chosen for this...

waiting........waiting...........waiting...... :s nore:

[gco0307]

Ok, will try my side.

Top five riders of the year
Valentino Rossi
Casey Stoner (yeah, bias may be playing it's part there but I doe genuinely feel that VR and CS are the top two)
Troy Bayliss
Chad Reed (does it have to be Road Racing)
Will leave it at four.

Top three rookies of the year
Carlos Checa (does he qualify)
Jorge Lorenzo (would be my #1)
Andrea Dovisioso

Top team of the year
FIAT Yamaha

Top manufacturer of the year
May need a bit more definition but I would go Ducati due to it's consistent WSBK/MotoGP results, closely followed by Honda

Best race of the year
Assen (?) WSS - the one with about 8 bikes battling

Best championship of the year
WSS although WSBK was close behind (love MotoGP but this year it lacked)

Special mention award
Indianapolis for providing a decent circuit against all expectations (well, mine at least) and putting on a well run/organised show (shame about the weather)

Coolest moment of the year
Any interview with Troy Bayliss

[patnicholls]

Top 5 riders of the year
1. Marco Simoncelli
2. Troy Bayliss
3. Mike di Meglio
4. Valentino Rossi
5. Max Neukirchner

15 250cc riders, his transformation has won it for him. Troy impeccable, Mike di Meglio illuminated by a move to the superb Ajo squad, Rossi back to blistering form and Neukirchner showing strongly on an unfancied bike in a deep field, holding second for a long time. So many others to mention but only five spots]

Top 3 Rookies
1. Jorge Lorenzo
2. Andrea Dovizioso
3. Scott Redding

Straightforward choices, although Jonathan Rea - as of yesterday in both WSS and WSB, and Kiyo also worth a mention

'Unequal Struggle' Award (to any Kawasaki rider who emerges from the season with credibility intact)
Ayrton Badovini

Outperformed Laconi and Tamada on the same bike with the minnow Pedercini team on many occasions (particularly in qualifying), as a series rookie. Deserves MUCH better for the future if someone takes a chance. Future star.

Top Team
On-track - Ajo Motorsports & Fiat Yamaha
All-round contribution - Parkalgar and those responsible for the superb Portimao circuit

Top Manufacturer
Yamaha (MotoGP)

Did the best job, best all-round machine.

Best Race
Donington 125cc
Assen World Supersport

Scott Redding's win at Donington - I'm biased yes, and I don't care! I was there and could hardly move for the last eight laps :)

Best Championship
WSB

Coolest moment
Hiroshi Aoyama - normally very polite and well-spoken - punching the cardboard pit garage advertising after his bike went pop in Australia

Special Mention
The one and only Craig Jones - always sideways, never forgotten

In line with that, a mention for the career-making WSS rides from Eugene Laverty at Vallelunga (which has earned him Jonesy's seat for 2009, very suitable choice) and Josh Hayes who took over Jonesy's bike and scored a stirring fourth at Portimao. He may also stay with Parkalgar next season which again would be great.

[mx311]

Top 5 riders of the year
1. Troy Bayliss
2. Marco Simoncelli
3. Mike di Meglio
4. Valentino Rossi
5. James 'Bubba' Stewart

Top 3 Rookies
1. Andrea Dovizioso
2. Scott Redding
3. Jonny Rea

Top Team
I don't think there really was one this year to be honest but if I had to dish out an award I'd say Hannspree Ten Kate WSS.

Top Manufacturer
Piaggo Group (Aprilia, Derbi, Gilera)

Best Race
Assen World Supersport

Best Championship
World Supersport

Coolest moment
Personally, Angel Rodriguez's season in the Spanish CEV Supersport (I hope I haven't jinxed him) and Joan Olive's podiums (Qatar, Portugal, Assen and Brno), plus my visit to Indianapolis for the GP.

Special Mention
Craig Jones of course, such a sad loss and also Pablo Nieto, nice guy, good racer and now hopefully in racing retirement, a good team manager.

[Wim_Impreza]

Top 5 riders of the year
1. Troy Bayliss
2. Valentino Rossi
3. Marco Simoncelli
4. Brendan Roberts
5. Xavier Siméon

Top 3 Rookies
1. Jonathan Rea
2. Andrea Dovizioso
3. Ryuichi Kiyonari

Top Team
Ducati Xerox

Top Manufacturer
Ducati (Champions in WSBK, British Superbike, FIM Superstock 1000, Dutch champion and 2nd in MotoGP)

Best Race
Nürburgring FIM Superstock 1000

Best Championship
World Superbike

Coolest moment
Ryuichi Kiyonari who won the double at Brands Hatch.

Special Mention
Craig Jones, but also the 2nd place for Sheridan Morais in FIM Superstock 1000 at Brands Hatch with a Kawasaki.

[GP-Knight]

Top Five Riders of the Year

This category was a tough one. There were many excellent rider performances all over the year and especially top three was hard to put to any kind of order.

1. Troy Bayliss (World Superbike Champion) - Total domination throughout the season; he was fastest, most consistent, smartest in WSBK - many other rider put superb performances too, especially Noriyuki Haga, Ryuichi Kiyonari, Max Neukirchner, Tom Sykes, Cal Chrutchlow, but Bayliss was still the best.

2. Valentino Rossi (MotoGP World Champion) - What a comeback after two difficult seasons! He made only one big mistake, took nine wins and won the title with huge margin, as usual. And the way he took his title was great. Also "Scusate il ritardo" t-shirt was nice.

3. Loris Baz (Superstock 600 European Champion) - First year, first title. Age of 15.

4. Marco Simoncelli (250cc World Champion) - Fast rider, but always making awkward mistakes. Oh really? This year was his show, first battling with satellite bike, and then taking the championship with works machine.

5. Mike di Meglio (125cc World Champion) - This year he finally grew to be a rider that he really is capable of being. Mature riding, and controlling of the season.

Top Three Rookies of the Year
1. Loris Baz
2. Andrea Dovizioso
3. Jorge Lorenzo

Top Team
Ajo Motorsport - Low budget, but pro staff. And a great no.1 rider. They did their job well, and deserved the riders' title.

Top Manufacturer
Ducati - Riders' and manufacturers' titlists in WSBK, BSB, FIM Superstock 1000, and riders', manufacturers' and teams' runner-up in MotoGP.

Best Race
Dutch World Supersport race

Best Championship
Superstock 1000 FIM Cup

Coolest Moment
Ryuichi Kiyonari's domination at British rounds

Special Mention
Any Kawasaki rider who managed to survive the season with honour.

[NinjaMaster]

Top five riders of the year
James Stewart - AMA MX Champion undefeated
Troy Bayliss - WSB Champ
Valentino Rossi - MotoGP Champ
Marco Simoncelli - 250cc GP Champ
Glenn Allerton - Australian SBK Champ

Top three rookies of the year
Andrea Dovizioso
Jorge Lorenzo
Jonathon Rea

Top team of the year
Fiat yamaha

Top manufacturer of the year
Yamaha - 1st and 4th in MotoGP, 2nd and 3rd in WSB, 4th and 6th WSS, 2nd and 3rd in Aus Sbk, 1st and 4th Aus SS, 3rd and 4th in AMA SBK, 1st AMA SS. Pretty successful.

Best race of the year
Phillip Island WSB and MotoGP (becuase I was there! ;) )
Magny Cours WSB Race 2
Laguna Seca MotoGP
Phillip Island 250cc

Best championship of the year
Superstock 1000 - top 4 covered by 11 points. Unbelievable. :crazy:
Australian Superbike - Down to the wire with 3 contenders (4 mathematically) capable of winning. Top 4 covered by 29 points.

Special mention award
Chad Reed for pouring millions of his own moola into the new Super X series in Australia. Running innovative formats and at large stadiums across the land with Australia's finest riders returning from around the world, it brought supercross racing the closest to becoming mainstream in Australia for a long time.

Coolest moment of the year
Seeing MotoGP under lights at Qatar for the first time. Wow!

[tha_jackal]

Allright, I'll give this a go... Pretty bored and tired :D

Top five riders of the year
Valentino Rossi - MotoGP Champ (no more needs to be said)
Troy Bayliss - WSB Champ (as above)
Marco Simoncelli - 250cc GP Champ (will be a MotoGP champ one day)
Andrew Pitt - WSS Champ (after some tough years in the wilderness, good reward)
Mike DiMeglio - 125cc Champ (unexpected, yet appreciated, congrats Frenchie!)

Top three rookies of the year
Andrea Dovizioso
Jorge Lorenzo
Mattia Pasini

Top team of the year
Ajo Motorsport (building up from a privateer outfit to be a real powerhouse in the lower categories, hope it continues)

Top manufacturer of the year
Yamaha - 1st and 4th in MotoGP, 2nd and 3rd in WSB, 4th and 6th WSS, 2nd and 3rd in Aus Sbk, 1st and 4th Aus SS, 3rd and 4th in AMA SBK, 1st AMA SS. Pretty successful. Can't disagree with what Clint came up with here ;)

Best race of the year
Laguna Seca MotoGP - EPIC!
Assen WSS - INSANE

Best championship of the year
125cc - Plainly because i love the racing and it's always tight and close.
DiMeglio is one of my favorite riders also, so that was a nice surprise.

Special mention award
To Kawasaki, for single handedly lowering the standard that a Motorcycle Racing Manufacturer has to live up to. Great work you useless b@stards :D :laugh: *runs and hides from a certain NinjaMaster*

Coolest moment of the year
Kenan Sofuoglu winning the last WSS race of the year. After the pain and hardship that young man has endured, really was a tear-jerker.. Sadly, will be runner up in 09 to Westy tho ;)

[NinjaMaster]

Special mention award
To Kawasaki, for single handedly lowering the standard that a Motorcycle Racing Manufacturer has to live up to. Great work you useless b@stards :D :laugh: *runs and hides from a certain NinjaMaster*


Don't need to run Jackal, my Kawasaki blood has slowed me down and I couldn't catch ya! Still, the big K will take any award they can get!