I know, I know...I just keep hoping if I nag you enough you'll come for the weekend anyway. I don't think anyone else from here is going! The "extended forecast" looks like rain! Yuck!

Bahhh, the month off for England and Laguna pretty much ate all my vacation and sick time! I'd LOVE to be at Indy, but I don't think it'll happen.

Oh and Linda, Chris is so right, you do make everyone feel like family. That's not easy to do yet you do it perfectly! Looking forward to seeing you at Indy!

I knew I could count on you, Chris! Cooler than the underside of a pillow--that's classic! When are you getting to Indy?

I got your back anytime Lisa!

Chris, couldn't have said it better myself! Thanks, I feel better now!

I mean really, isn't that why we're fans? We've seen him ride & loved it? We've met him and know he's cooler than the underside of a pillow? We've seen how his mom makes everyone feel like family? We've seen how his wife cares enough to go out of her way & let everyone get a glimpse at some of their personal life? We've had people meet up at races, rootin for the underdog amidst a sea of Vale & Ausies & the Orange Army & we've got his back win, lose or DNF.

I'm just sayin!

Thanks everyone. We all appreciate your support and good wishes. Many thanks to Ashleigh too for her amazing blogs....she tells me more than my son....haha.
Anyway, It will all work out well in the future. This season has been unfortunate but it's all been a learning experience. We go on and upward from here.
Go John and Go Kawasaki!!!!

From crash.net-

Kawasaki joins new tyre tactic

Kawasaki begins adapting its ZX-RR to suit the same Bridgestone tyres as Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner during Monday's Misano test.

Kawasaki began the process of adapting its ZX-RR to run the same specification Bridgestone front tyre as world championship leaders Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner, during Monday's post-race test at Misano.

Rather than adapting tyres to the characteristics of the bike, the new tactic amongst the chasing Bridgestone teams seems to be to adapt the bike to proven race-winning rubber - a method used to great effect by world championship leader Valentino Rossi, when he first made the switch from Michelin to Bridgestone.

Kawasaki's move follows hot on the heels of a similar change by Suzuki and John Hopkins confirmed that Kawasaki is now the only team running a different specification front tyre to Rossi and Stoner.

"Our focus was mainly on the front-end of the machine, and we have refined our setting from this weekend by changing the way the chassis is set up," began Hopkins, who knocked 0.831secs from his best race lap and finished the test third out of the six riders present.

"We also started work on using a Bridgestone front tyre option that both Valentino [Rossi] and Casey [Stoner] use. This meant we had to alter the bike a lot, but we are now the only team using the old type of tyre, basically because we've not had any chance to test.

"This new specification tyre is definitely the future for us, but unfortunately it can't be in my allocation until we're completely happy with the way the machine handles with it."

As a result, Hopkins spent the last few hours refining the chassis setting of his machine using his current tyre options.

"I'm pleased with the results of today's test, but still have a lot of catching up to do with the upgraded bike," confessed John, who missed the opening day of the San Marino Grand Prix weekend due to a 'rib injury'.

"I'm really excited about Indianapolis, particularly as it's my home round, and we'll be looking to achieve strong results there," he concluded.

Well said, Pinus! Never known anyone to work harder and stay more positive than Hopper. I don't think he could get more focused jbyo so let's be a little more supportive! Fans are fans through the good and bad!

jbyo, you think you are tired of it? me too, I mean , I wore my hopper hat and shirt all day sunday and all my Rossi fanatic friends made fun of me. !! Give me a break...how do you think john feels? we all know he is capable of much more, but it just hasn't been showing lately in the results. i'd say he is trying harder than anyone out there.

Getting a little tired of these shitty results. John you can do better! Get focused homie! Let's see these big things all ready.

Atta boy!!!

Test times...


1. Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda Team (B) 1min 34.652 secs
2. Shinya Nakano JPN San Carlo Honda Gresini (B) 1min 35.446 secs
3. John Hopkins USA Kawasaki Racing Team (B) 1min 35.879 secs
4. Randy de Puniet FRA LCR Honda MotoGP (M) 1min 35.972 secs
5. Anthony West AUS Kawasaki Racing Team (B) 1min 36.101 secs
6. Alex de Angelis RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini (B) 1min 36.120 secs

Hi John...Yesterday I see you in Misano...The last position is not your, come on Hopper! I know about your problems in the week end, I sure that's it's all rigth...Sorry for my english, I'm Italian but I'm your and Kawasaki fan...Let's rock John

Chin up, John!
You can take a rest for two weeks and give your best at Indy!
See you soon, Burki!!

What do you mean you can't believe it? I'd say it was par for the course!

Haha good point Chris! Can't believe RDP didn't even make the first lap! Surely he won't be in GP next year!

Just heard Dani is switching to Bridgestone. Should be interesting.

Hey, he finished the race. There were a few riders who can't say that and they were in perfect health!

Tough race for John given his rib and the personal stuff but he came away without banging himself up anymore. Get some rest and come back stong at Indy