I think what he was pointing out was that in the past the riders were immediately spread out more than now as they all had different abilities/techniques for getting off the line,whereas these days launch systems will get them all to a certain point all bunched together,the main difference in separating distances was off the line from a standstill rather than two hundred yards down the track through a couple of gears.
Its not something that had really occurred to me until RM mentioned it,and he kinda knows what he's talking about (unlike me;) ).
A couple of races ago I remember them discussing these thing,pointing out Rossi's current launch technique of opening his throttle 100% and just dumping the clutch, and Mamola laughing at how high in the air he would have been if he'd done anything remotely like that in his racing days.

I'm inclined to agree with you - my first thought was it was Sete, but having replayed the video several times, and using the white line marking the pit exit as a guide, Loris does drift over towards Sete as much as Sete drifts towards Loris, if not more.

Heroes the lot of them whatever, just one of those incidents, here's hoping they all make a speedy recovery.

Martin

more importantly for Ducati though is that a new riders points will get added to the teams points toward the manufacturer and team standings.....i think?

latest Ducati update
 

Monday Jun 19 2006
Update on Riders Condition

CAPIROSSI RETURNS HOME TO PREPARE FOR ASSEN - GIBERNAU TO UNDERGO COLLARBONE OPERATION TOMORROW, WILL MISS DUTCH TT

The latest updates on the condition of Loris Capirossi and Sete Gibernau following yesterday's horrific first corner crash at the Circuit de Catalunya have brought a sigh of relief to the MotoGP world. Luckily the consequences are not as serious as first thought, but they will have a partial effect on the Ducati Marlboro Team's participation in the Dutch TT race on Saturday.

Capirossi will take part in the next round of the MotoGP World Championship, while Gibernau will still be recovering following an operation to his collarbone.
Loris left Catalunya General Hospital in Barcelona today after remaining overnight for observation and has returned to Monte Carlo. Medical checks confirmed that the Italian rider can take part in the next round of the championship.

Sete Gibernau's condition is more complicated. The Spanish rider today underwent a further brain scan to rule out any possible complications for the operation to fix the minor fracture to his left collarbone, scheduled for late tomorrow morning. Surgeons will replace a plate inserted following an earlier accident with a larger plate. Only after this operation will it be possible to confirm when Gibernau can race again, but he will certainly miss the next round in the Netherlands.

gregorio and leon are available this weekend!...................

If that was the case, surely they would all arrive at the corner in the positions they started on the grid, all evenly spaced out rather than bunched together?

It wasn't me who stated this,it was Randy Mamola, maybe he's pointing out that new technology has evened the field more than in his day which has brought new problems to light.

And the answer is..................*drum roll*

Alex Hofmann!

Here's the Pramac D'Antin Press Release - http://kapitalmoto.co.uk/node/78

Alex Hoffman? *sighs*

Great....

Exactly my thoughts, considering Ducati have Lavilla, Haslam available this weekend let alone other Ducati Factory riders around the globe, I'd of given Max the chance if it was me.