MotoGP 2018

[Mental Trousers]

Things aren't sounding too enthusiastic in the Yamaha factory garage. Maybe a factory ride for Zarco next year?

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2018/02/19/yamaha-we-have-to-improve-in-all-areas/250271

[Autech]

Things aren't sounding too enthusiastic in the Yamaha factory garage. Maybe a factory ride for Zarco next year?

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2018/02/19/yamaha-we-have-to-improve-in-all-areas/250271Yeah they seem to be lost at sea.
I think Vinales was silly to re-sign so soon especially with all the factory spots free next year. 99% sure that if he went to Honda in Dani's spot he'd be doing even worserer anyways. Dani n Marc are aliens to ride that monster so well.
Zarco will be hoping Rossi calls it quits I think or Vinales does what he did in Moto3 and bails on his contract. Otherwise there will be a shit fight tween the other factories to make room for him. Crutchlows bike maybe? Too early to speculate.

Petrux is not staying with Pramac next year as part of his contract so the logical rider to get the sexy gp19 is Miller if he shows his stuff.
Suzuki might try and snap Petrux up if mad joe doesn't show his mad skills, otherwise its Aprilia with the most documented interested.

Rins is my pick for the rider that will show the most improvement this year. Looking forward to seeing him in the mix with his old sparring partners.

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[roogazza]

I'm thinking Zarco has it a little easier on the Tech3. He has stuff that works.
The Works guys, Rossi and Vinny are trying new stuff all the time. Time is ticking to get a package working for this year.
But hey, hopefully there might be some sandbagging going on and things aren't as bad as reported ???
Otherwise Rossi will quit ? :confused: :shifty:

[Reckless]

Otherwise Rossi will quit ? :confused: :shifty:

The Ducati is going well :eek: :msn-wink: :bleh:

[roogazza]

The Ducati is going well :eek: :msn-wink: :bleh:

Yes, although Horhay has had a hiccup. Dovi is happy (and Miller !).

First round Qatar will have the answers huh ? But first we have WSBK this weekend :woohoo:.

[pritch]

Peco Bagnaia has signed to Pramac for 2019 to replace Petrucci. The first of Rossi's SKY 46 team to make it through to Moto GP.

Julian Ryder posted on Twitter this morning, "Three very competent, concise, elegant new signings on bike coverage this year: M Laverty at BT Sport, S Crafar on MotoGP world feed and F Spencer on Eurosport.
No pressure on existing pundits then."

Whichever cover you take, some informed comment should be accessible.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Whichever cover you take, some informed comment should be accessible.

You get that here for free from me. :bleh:

[Mental Trousers]

There's officially a Malaysian rider in MotoGP now.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2018/02/21/syahrin-to-line-up-full-time-with-tech-3-in-2018/250389

[Oscar]

The Race Director will be at the HMCC tonight.

[Mental Trousers]

The Race Director will be at the HMCC tonight.

My wife wants to go to that so, for a change, I'll actually be able to make it to Club night.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Nice one.

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/korky-ballington-become-motogp-legend/

Ummm...boys, that 's not the exhaust down there, it's the rear shock res.

[Autech]

Peco Bagnaia has signed to Pramac for 2019 to replace Petrucci. The first of Rossi's SKY 46 team to make it through to Moto GP.

Julian Ryder posted on Twitter this morning, "Three very competent, concise, elegant new signings on bike coverage this year: M Laverty at BT Sport, S Crafar on MotoGP world feed and F Spencer on Eurosport.
No pressure on existing pundits then."

Whichever cover you take, some informed comment should be accessible.Bloody hell whatever happened to the silly season.

Bags showed his talent when he was up front on the Mahindra when it had a shit engine. He won't win the moto2 title this year as I think KTM are going to bend over the whole field and root them but here's hoping I am wrong. Would hate for moto2 to go back to the way it was a few yeara ago with a few riders fucking off into the distance

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[pritch]

It's completely unofficial, unlike the Syahrin and Bagnaia signings, but the GP coffee club has Petrucci moving to Aprilia for 2019.

[Autech]

It's completely unofficial, unlike the Syahrin and Bagnaia signings, but the GP coffee club has Petrucci moving to Aprilia for 2019.Bye bye Redding unless he shows some mad skills

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[Mental Trousers]

WTF?

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2018/02/22/tech-3-and-yamaha-to-part-ways-in-2019/250422

They've got to have a deal to be a full factory team, nothing else would make sense. But what factory?

[eelracing]

WTF

They've got to have a deal to be a full factory team, nothing else would make sense. But what factory?

Herv's been Dornas lapdog for 20 years so he will be rewarded with a moto-e deal. Yamaha satellite team is Rossis for the taking... not hard to fathom really.

[Reckless]

99% Not, Honda or Ducati.
My bet Suzuki want that knowledge??
Aprilia Possibly but would he go there??
KTM will want to do it themselves but still possibly an option.

Rekon its Suzuki.

Random thought
Rossi retiring. VR46 into MotoGP with Tech 3 and a manufacturer.
Na Rossi would want to go it alone when tech 3 has gone.
Might be Rossi's last season aye

Rekon its Suzuki.

[pritch]

Purely speculation but the GP journos are discussing this on line. Tech3 to KTM. Yamaha to SKY VR46. Zarco to The Yamaha factory team with Vinales. Rossi to factory backed SKY VR46 with Morbidelli.

Ezpeleta has said that there are two places on the grid for Rossi’s team so it’s all possible. A set up like that would give the new VR46 team sponsor appeal to start.

[Crasherfromwayback]

WTF?


They've got to have a deal to be a full factory team, nothing else would make sense. But what factory?

Suzuki. ....

[merv]

Why not KTM with Zarco staying put as he has already been suggested as one KTM wanted?

[Reckless]

Well its a bloody exciting development.
Reckon this'll drag whoever he goes with up a few rungs and then there's the VR46 (or whoever) into Tech 3 spot.
Dorna couldn't have scripted it any better - Unless they have LOL

[pritch]

Hint of things to come?

[WALRUS]

I like the look of that... I wonder what the factory would do.. I doubt they're still satisfied with his results since he's stopped dominating but he's still bringing them in a heap of press and money no doubt.. IF that's the way it went, I reckon they would have a LOT of factory backing..

[pritch]

In case any of you were missing Nick Harris? Actually it's not bad and it's a peek behind the scenes.

http://www.nick-harris.co.uk/lawn-mower-and-parish-news-replace-vale-and-marc/

[Autech]

in case any of you were missing nick harris? Actually it's not bad and it's a peek behind the scenes.

http://www.nick-harris.co.uk/lawn-mower-and-parish-news-replace-vale-and-marc/

he who must not be named!

[Reckless]

The reigning Champion re-signs for two more seasons
Tags MotoGP, 2018, Marc Marquez, Repsol Honda Team
Marc Marquez will be staying at the Repsol Honda Team for two further seasons, having signed a contract to remain at Honda in 2019 and 2020. Marquez, who joined the team in 2013 as a rookie and went on to take his first premier class crown that year, will have raced with the squad for a total of eight seasons by the conclusion of the 2020 season – and it has been quite a ride.

So far, the number 93 has only lost the title once, in 2015, and has been a multiple race winner every year. In 2018, the rider from Cervera is looking to defend the MotoGP™ crown and take premier class title number five, with Honda also defending a crown as they head into the year as reigning Manufacturers’ Champions.

“I’m excited to continue to race for Honda’s factory team in the MotoGP class,” says Marquez. “I’m proud to race as a member of the Honda family, and I appreciate how Honda and the team always do their best to provide me with everything I need. I would also like to thank everyone who has given me such warm support over the years. The first two official tests went well and, with my contract renewed, I can focus on racing in the new season. I will continue to enjoy racing, share my joy with everybody and do my best to reach our shared goals. Thank you!”

Yoshishige Nomura, HRC President, adds: “I am very pleased that Marc Márquez will continue to ride for our factory team. Márquez has consistently pushed himself to the limit and matured as a rider, and given Honda many titles. We were able to announce the contract renewal at such an early stage due to our mutual trust, and our common passion for racing. I am certain that we can provide an environment for him to concentrate on the final tests in Qatar this week and in the lead-up to the opening round, and that we can start the 2018 season strongly. HRC will continue its challenge with Márquez, a vital rider in the future of MotoGP. I appreciate and look forward to everyone’s continued support for the Repsol Honda Team.”

[pritch]

And Tech3 has signed with KTM for 2019 on.

[Crasherfromwayback]

And Tech3 has signed with KTM for 2019 on.

If only Kawasaki would come back too eh...

[WALRUS]

If only Kawasaki would come back too eh...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzVxx_3zJX4

I would love that... Probs not going to happen though. They're winning too much at WSBK/Production racing at the mo' to focus on Prototypes, I suspect

[Crasherfromwayback]

[JX4[/video]

I would love that... Probs not going to happen though. They're winning too much at WSBK/Production racing at the mo' to focus on Prototypes, I suspect

Remember it well. Well, they're got more money than Suzuki, so I guess ya just never know! We can live in hope!

[roogazza]

Qatar MotoGP Test Thursday 7:30pm Times: Viñales Ahead Of Lorenzo And Rossi
Submitted by David Emmett on Thu, 2018-03-01 16:36

The Movistar Yamahas are getting up to speed in Qatar, with Maverick Viñales currently leading the pack at 7:30pm, and 90 minutes of the test left. With the race due to start at 7pm, this is a key part of the test.

Viñales has a comfortable lead of nearly four tenths of a second ahead of Jorge Lorenzo on the factory Ducati, who is in turn just a few thousandths quicker than Valentino Rossi on the second Movistar Yamaha. Andrea Iannone is fourth on the Suzuki, ahead of Pramac Ducati's Danilo Petrucci, and the three Hondas of LCR's Cal Crutchlow, and the Repsol duo of Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa. Pedrosa has had a couple of crashes already, though so far without incident.

Times at 7:30pm local time:

Pos No Rider Bike Time Diff Prev
1 25 Maverick Viñales Yamaha M1 1:55.053
2 99 Jorge Lorenzo Ducati GP18 1:55.423 0.370 0.370
3 46 Valentino Rossi Yamaha M1 1:55.432 0.379 0.009
4 29 Andrea Iannone Suzuki GSX-RR 1:55.483 0.430 0.051
5 9 Danilo Petrucci Ducati GP18 1:55.528 0.475 0.045
6 35 Cal Crutchlow Honda RC213V 1:55.536 0.483 0.008
7 93 Marc Marquez Honda RC213V 1:55.545 0.492 0.009
8 26 Dani Pedrosa Honda RC213V 1:55.555 0.502 0.010
9 5 Johann Zarco Yamaha M1 1:55.612 0.559 0.057
10 4 Andrea Dovizioso Ducati GP18 1:55.797 0.744 0.185
11 41 Aleix Espargaro Aprilia RS-GP 1:56.083 1.030 0.286
12 43 Jack Miller Ducati GP17 1:56.173 1.120 0.090
13 42 Alex Rins Suzuki GSX-RR 1:56.207 1.154 0.034
14 44 Pol Espargaro KTM RC16 1:56.275 1.222 0.068
15 19 Alvaro Bautista Ducati GP17 1:56.451 1.398 0.176
16 17 Karel Abraham Ducati GP16 1:56.463 1.410 0.012
17 30 Takaaki Nakagami Honda RC213V 1:56.554 1.501 0.091
18 53 Tito Rabat Ducati GP17 1:56.571 1.518 0.017
19 21 Franco Morbidelli Honda RC213V 1:56.608 1.555 0.037
20 55 Hafizh Syahrin Yamaha M1 1:56.731 1.678 0.123
21 38 Bradley Smith KTM RC16 1:56.738 1.685 0.007
22 45 Scott Redding Aprilia RS-GP 1:56.841 1.788 0.103
23 12 Tom Luthi Honda RC213V 1:57.520 2.467 0.679
24 10 Xavier Simeon Ducati GP16 1:57.957 2.904 0.437
2017 Pole time: 2017 Maverick Viñales 1:54.316
Fastest lap in the 2017 race: 2017 Johann Zarco 1:55.990
Circuit Race Record Lap: 2016 Jorge Lorenzo 1:54.927
Best ever lap at the circuit: 2008 Jorge Lorenzo 1:53.927

[pritch]

There is a BSN interview with Rossi in which he says he was interested in the grid spaces created by Tech3 moving to KTM but he wants to ride for Yamaha for two more years. That would seem to create a number of problems: what team would want to work with Yamaha for just two years until SKY VR46 finally decide they are ready, why would Yamaha want to get involved in a deal like that anyway? It's all very nebulous and the decisions may ultimately not be entirely up to the man himself.

It would still seem to make more sense to move Zarco to the factory team and have Rossi on a factory contract with factory support in a SKY VR46 team from next year.

[Reckless]

There is a BSN interview with Rossi in which he says he was interested in the grid spaces created by Tech3 moving to KTM but he wants to ride for Yamaha for two more years. That would seem to create a number of problems: what team would want to work with Yamaha for just two years until SKY VR46 finally decide they are ready, why would Yamaha want to get involved in a deal like that anyway? It's all very nebulous and the decisions may ultimately not be entirely up to the man himself.

It would still seem to make more sense to move Zarco to the factory team and have Rossi on a factory contract with factory support in a SKY VR46 team from next year.

Yup Rossi to become what was Tech 3 even if he rides in the team for a year (he didn't say where he would ride) might be a good option considering Zarco's been woooping there arse on that bike till this session LOL
We are all assuming of coarse he wants to enter MotoGP

Tech 3 to KTM - not silly those dudes. I could support them just from the angle they are pretty much the only one that continued with 2 smokers.

[george formby]

I could support them just from the angle they are pretty much the only one that continued with 2 smokers.

I'll buy that for a $.

Great reason being a supporter.

A 2t fan.

[Mental Trousers]

With Tech3 going to KTM you've got to believe Zarco will be on a full factory machine next year. Which one is the question. Personally, I'd tell him to stay with Tech3 and ride a KTM.

[Crasherfromwayback]

With Tech3 going to KTM you've got to believe Zarco will be on a full factory machine next year. Which one is the question. Personally, I'd tell him to stay with Tech3 and ride a KTM.


I'd sign him up as MM's team mate.

[pritch]

I'd sign him up as MM's team mate.

Yeah I wonder about Pedro. If it wasn't for Stoner's unexpected retirement Pedro was gone, to be replaced by Marquez. He is there still though and while he might win a race most seasons I don't think he is ever likely to win the title. A reliable number two perhaps, but there would appear to be others, like Zarco, who could develop into a bigger title threat.

Strange in a way because while Pedro used to be a surly little bugger he has developed into a guy with a sense of humour and has at times shown more decorum than the other riders. That's not what Repsol are paying him for though.

[Autech]

Yeah I wonder about Pedro. If it wasn't for Stoner's unexpected retirement Pedro was gone, to be replaced by Marquez. He is there still though and while he might win a race most seasons I don't think he is ever likely to win the title. A reliable number two perhaps, but there would appear to be others, like Zarco, who could develop into a bigger title threat.

Strange in a way because while Pedro used to be a surly little bugger he has developed into a guy with a sense of humour and has at times shown more decorum than the other riders. That's not what Repsol are paying him for though.They pay him to put it on the podium week in week out, didnt he get the most poduims out of the whole field last year? Or 2nd to Marquez? I can't recall.
There is no guarantee that Zarco could even ride a Honda and he's also fairly old so I don't ever see Honda chasing him. Alex Rins maybe? but not for a few years.

I think it will be up to Dani if he re-signs with Honda, retires or goes with another factory. Dani could have won the title last year if the tyre compound had stayed softer IMO, so who knows what way the wind will blow?
I hope he goes to another manufacturer as the Honda isn't perfect for him anymore, never has been but another bike may get him that title he's been after for so many years. Maybe Dovi will leave him a spot? Either way we will find out soon I think as the silly season is almost over. already :D

If tech 3 get the ktm bikes I think its likely Zarco will take Bradleys seat, then Olivera and Binder come up to tech 3. Fits like a glove I think.

Dani for the title 2018, oh yeah!

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[Mental Trousers]

Rossi should take the opportunity to form a team with him as one of the riders next year. But it sounds like the old fart is staying in the factory team for another couple of years.

So if he's staying then Zarco might get Vinales seat. Otherwise there's Pedrosa's at Honda, or Smith's at KTM or maybe Ianone's at Suzuki.

[Crasherfromwayback]

There is no guarantee that Zarco could even ride a Honda and he's also fairly old so I don't ever see Honda chasing him. k

He's 27 Bro. Plenty of time for him to learn the Honda's ways, and not like he's a slow learner eh?! :innocent:

[BMWST?]

They pay him to put it on the podium week in week out, didnt he get the most poduims out of the whole field last year? Or 2nd to Marquez? I can't recall.

exactly if you want to winn the title as a factory the perfect set up is MM wins every week and dani would always beat who ever is second in the tilte chase at the time.Failing that and MM has a bad week dani will win,or at least beat the second man in the title chase again.You never ever want dani to beat Mark unless in doing so he again beats you know who.Now tell me isnt that mostly what danii does.Who else could do that job any better?Thats why he gets signed by Hond a over and over again.

[Crasherfromwayback]

exactly if you want to winn the title as a factory the perfect set up is MM wins every week and dani would always beat who ever is second in the tilte chase at the time.Failing that and MM has a bad week dani will win,or at least beat the second man in the title chase again.You never ever want dani to beat Mark unless in doing so he again beats you know who.Now tell me isnt that mostly what danii does.Who else could do that job any better?Thats why he gets signed by Hond a over and over again.

Don't think for a minute, HRC sign riders to fill podium spots mate. Hence having Gardner, Lawson and Doohan on the books at the same time. Wanting Stoner and MM etc etc.

[BMWST?]

Don't think for a minute, HRC sign riders to fill podium spots mate. Hence having Gardner, Lawson and Doohan on the books at the same time. Wanting Stoner and MM etc etc.
it must enter the equation...if they only wanted winners Dani doesnt really tick that box.And if you have two equally fast riders these days i think its actually a hindrance for the championship

[Crasherfromwayback]

it must enter the equation...if they only wanted winners Dani doesnt really tick that box.And if you have two equally fast riders these days i think its actually a hindrance for the championship

Well, Yamaha don't think so either mate...Rossi and Mavric etc etc.

[Autech]

it must enter the equation...if they only wanted winners Dani doesnt really tick that box.And if you have two equally fast riders these days i think its actually a hindrance for the championshipPedrosa could still challenge for the championship though which is why they keep him there, he's more than capable of beating MM head to head when the conditions/tyres don't suit MM, which happens to be when they suit Dani. Give them the soft carcus back and watch MM crash. A massive heat wave hits Europe for the duration of their summer (unlikely). Could be flipped on its head at any stage given MMs unique style.

Its all relative is what I am saying, but I don't see any rider that is not on a Honda currently capable of doing what Dani does week in week out, if it was really that easy to ride many other satellite riders would have challenged him for his seat, which has never happened, Simoncelli may have but unfortunately we never got to find out.

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[Autech]

If he could find a way around his early race pace then the equation would be unlocked I think and he will go for it. Bit more heat in his tyres from lap one n who knows.

Go Dani.

Fuck the haters

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[Autech]

https://motomatters.com/analysis/2018/03/03/2018_qatar_motogp_test_friday_round_up.html

Another fantastic article, will have to become a site suporter this year as the man seems to collate everything then add a bit more day after day.

Jacks comments on MM are hilarious.

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[Autech]

And linked in the article but also worth a read

https://www.cycleworld.com/is-it-save-or-is-it-technique

So we should stop calling them saves, but what to call them?

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[pritch]

it must enter the equation...if they only wanted winners Dani doesnt really tick that box.And if you have two equally fast riders these days i think its actually a hindrance for the championship

Dani was gone, none of that stuff counted. They wanted Stoner and Marquez.

[AllanB]

Rossi. I still want him to finish his career on a GP win.

[BMWST?]

Well, Yamaha don't think so either mate...Rossi and Mavric etc etc.


and look how that works out lately

[Crasherfromwayback]

and look how that works out lately

It's not really the main prob though is it? MM being too good for all and sundry is the main issue for the rest.

[Autech]

It's not really the main prob though is it? MM being too good for all and sundry is the main issue for the rest.Yup the new evolved MM is almost unstoppable with that Honda under him, settling for 4th now and then will keep him in the title for many years to come I think.

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[BMWST?]

It's not really the main prob though is it? MM being too good for all and sundry is the main issue for the rest.
yes i guess so my scenario at Honda is really that Dani supports MM cos he cant beat him regularly

[pritch]

There were some interesting comments from Miller who followed MM for a few laps. He saw one of MMs miracle saves but he said that MM was losing the front on nearly every corner.

I haven't yet seen the final times but at one point even Syahrin was ahead of Vinales and Rossi who were both languishing way down the order while Zarco was at the top. Even allowing for the fact that the factory riders were testing various parts and Zarco probably having nothing to test was chasing fast times, David Emmett commented that was not a good look.


https://motomatters.com/results/2018/03/03/2018_qatar_motogp_test_saturday_final.html


https://motomatters.com/results/2018/03/03/2018_qatar_motogp_test_combined_times.html

[Crasherfromwayback]

Yup the new evolved MM is almost unstoppable with that Honda under him, settling for 4th now and then will keep him in the title for many years to come I think.

lk

I'd say as long as he doesn't fuck himself up, the man will win more titles than the Old Boy.

[onearmedbandit]

I'd say as long as he doesn't fuck himself up, the man will win more titles than the Old Boy.

Have to agree mate.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Have to agree mate.

If he wins it this year, is that #7?

[Autech]

If he wins it this year, is that #7?Cunt would still get expensive insurance premiums too

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[pritch]

Cunt would still get expensive insurance premiums too



I've wondered what they pay for insurance premiums. Jamie Whitham was told to avoid Czech hospitals 'cause they were third world standard. He crashed at Brno and awoke as he was arriving at the hospital, he told his wife, "Get me out of here."

She rang the insurance company and they sent an executive jet with a medical team on board to pick him up and fly him back to England. I don't think you get that sort of service with the insurance you buy from the travel agent. The riders may well pay more in premiums than most of us earn in wages?

[Autech]

I've wondered what they pay for insurance premiums. Jamie Whitham was told to avoid Czech hospitals 'cause they were third world standard. He crashed at Brno and awoke as he was arriving at the hospital, he told his wife, "Get me out of here."

She rang the insurance company and they sent an executive jet with a medical team on board to pick him up and fly him back to England. I don't think you get that sort of service with the insurance you buy from the travel agent. The riders may well pay more in premiums than most of us earn in wages?Thats the kind of insurance you want :D
Was making a joke about him being under 25 btw.

I'd think that under their racing contracts that kind of stuff would be covered off, be poor form for a team rider to miss something due to not having their shit sorted

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[WALRUS]

Yup the new evolved MM is almost unstoppable with that Honda under him, settling for 4th now and then will keep him in the title for many years to come I think.

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Unfortunately I have to agree with you. I'm kinda bored with MM's dominance tbh

Fingers crossed we get a champion not from Spain this year

[Drew]

Unfortunately I have to agree with you. I'm kinda bored with MM's dominance tbh

Fingers crossed we get a champion not from Spain this year
I was the same with Rossi...until he started getting beaten. That's when I became a fan.

[WALRUS]

And that's where all my hypocrisy lies haha! I've been a Rossi fan since the late 90's and almost definitely always will be :P Same with Bayliss and Foggy in WSBK haha!

I felt the same way about Stoner though, and Lorenzo (especially when he was in 250's, he made that class boring for me), so it's probably just your run-of-the-mill bias against whoever is beating your favourite rider/team.

They're all incredibly talented riders and far, far beyond my skill level but yeah, I'm hoping that we get a year a bit like 2016, with heaps of different winners, on different machines and teams.

I would still love to see if MM can still be dominant if he switched to a Suzuki, KTM, or Aprilia etc. I remember that was part of the reason why Vale left Honda after 2003, everyone was just saying it was the bike.

[Autech]

And that's where all my hypocrisy lies haha! I've been a Rossi fan since the late 90's and almost definitely always will be :P Same with Bayliss and Foggy in WSBK haha!

I felt the same way about Stoner though, and Lorenzo (especially when he was in 250's, he made that class boring for me), so it's probably just your run-of-the-mill bias against whoever is beating your favourite rider/team.

They're all incredibly talented riders and far, far beyond my skill level but yeah, I'm hoping that we get a year a bit like 2016, with heaps of different winners, on different machines and teams.

I would still love to see if MM can still be dominant if he switched to a Suzuki, KTM, or Aprilia etc. I remember that was part of the reason why Vale left Honda after 2003, everyone was just saying it was the bike.

I have a feeling if MM went to Ducati he'd kick arse, KTM and Aprilia if they keep there grab it by the balls and thrash it mentality he'd do well also. He wouldn't make a losing bike a winner though as lets not forget he's brilliant, but so are all the others out there.

Where I think he'd fail is if he went to Yamaha or Suzuki, he's shown no real ability to adapt his riding style drastically since he joined Motogp apart from realising when he doesn't have the pace and settling for a lower place. 2015 was case and point where the bike wouldn't do what he wanted so he biffed it out and reverted to an older frame for a few years that could have potentially set back the development of the Honda to be more ridable for the rookies that have come along and failed.

His riding style while very entertaining to watch would be very hard to achieve on another bike, he'd be a bit like Lorenzo and would have to reinvent himself. I see him staying with Honda until he's at least 30 and racking up a fair few titles, then going wherever he pleases from there. Got to look at the talent coming through though in the form of Bags, Mir, Rins + Zarco (already there), Olivera etc, at any stage he will be the one to be shown a few new tricks from the next alien to come through the ranks. Happened to Rossi when Lorenzo, Pedrosa and Stoner crashed his party so it may very well happen to him. Joan Mir is my pick for the next guy to bring something new to the sport.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Where I think he'd fail is if he went to Yamaha or Suzuki, he's shown no real ability to adapt his riding style drastically since he joined Motogp

I think you're kidding yourself my friend. He adapts his riding style every time he rides a bike that has *issues*, and like Stoner, finds a way to ride around them.

[pritch]

I think you're kidding yourself my friend. He adapts his riding style every time he rides a bike that has *issues*, and like Stoner, finds a way to ride around them.

Yeah, I think it has become obvious now that the Honda has been a handful. The pundits have discussed reasons for that, the current testing regime for one. Honda have presumably been busy on the electronics to tame the beast.

This might be another season where the situation changes from race to race accordng to the track and the tyres. Anyhoo less than two weeks now until kick off.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Anyhoo less than two weeks now until kick off.

I know right! Bring it.

[Autech]

I think you're kidding yourself my friend. He adapts his riding style every time he rides a bike that has *issues*, and like Stoner, finds a way to ride around them.

This is true, but he finds a way to adapt his style to make it out of shape and overload the front, rather than riding it smooth if it needs to be. Same reason they went to the hard carcus last year, he was overloading it, instead of going easy on it they changed it to suit for "safety". Tin foil hat at the ready :D.

In short, I'm not sure if he got on the Yamaha if he could ride the bike like Lorenzo, he'd have to find a way to make the bike ride like Marquez. Bend it to his will rather he bending to its. Hopefully we get a chance to find out at some stage though as it'd suck for him to stay on the Honda too long.

2 weeks, OH YEAH!

[Crasherfromwayback]

This is true, but he finds a way to adapt his style to make it out of shape and overload the front, rather than riding it smooth if it needs to be. Same reason they went to the hard carcus last year, he was overloading it, instead of going easy on it they changed it to suit for "safety". Tin foil hat at the ready :D.

In short, I'm not sure if he got on the Yamaha if he could ride the bike like Lorenzo, he'd have to find a way to make the bike ride like Marquez. Bend it to his will rather he bending to its. Hopefully we get a chance to find out at some stage though as it'd suck for him to stay on the Honda too long.

2 weeks, OH YEAH!

Well, he's won titles on 125 two strokes, 600cc four strokes, and moto gp bikes. So yeah, I think he can adapt.

[Autech]

Well, he's won titles on 125 two strokes, 600cc four strokes, and moto gp bikes. So yeah, I think he can adapt.

Well lets hope we get a chance to find out one day. MM to Yamaha 2023. They'll all be hover bikes by then anyways

[Crasherfromwayback]

Well lets hope we get a chance to find out one day. MM to Yamaha 2023. They'll all be hover bikes by then anyways

Kawasaki to come back and offer him money he can't refuse!!!

[WALRUS]

Or any "new" manufacturer. I think the year 2000 had 8 or 9 different manufacturers, or maybe it was 2001.. Patons, Protons, Modenas, Aprillias, Hondas, Yamahas, Suzukis, TSRs, BSLs, Pulses, Sabres.. Bring back fields like that :P

[Autech]

Kawasaki to come back and offer him money he can't refuse!!!

That's a headbanger bike if there ever was one. Only got to see the last of it when I started watching Motogp with Melandri on the black one, he did well considering how shit it was.

[george formby]

Well, he's won titles on 125 two strokes, 600cc four strokes, and moto gp bikes. So yeah, I think he can adapt.


Concur. That's the main reason I've kinda become a fan. He used to be bin or win but has developed to the point of falling off without binning and racking up points. A pretty epic trick.
A cool, calculated, hombre IMHO.

As for new bikes on the grid.......




BMW. It's gotta happen.

[carbonhed]

Everybody is looking really skinny... except for Iannone who in his own inimitable style has chosen to plough a different furrow and see if extra helpings of pasta can improve his race pace. Suzuki are no doubt wondering WTF? Again.

[Autech]

Concur. That's the main reason I've kinda become a fan. He used to be bin or win but has developed to the point of falling off without binning and racking up points. A pretty epic trick.
A cool, calculated, hombre IMHO.

As for new bikes on the grid.......

BMW. It's gotta happen.

I was a fan day dot, remember when was showing the 125 boys how its done. Then I stopped being a fan when he ran cunts off the road in Moto2 (dangerous shit) and subsequently in Motogp in his rookie year (understandable). Became a fan again in 2016 when he completed his transformation into the most dominant rider in motogp.
Can't cheer him on in races as a DP fanboi, but got love for his ability to push the limits and find some more over the edge.


Everybody is looking really skinny... except for Iannone who in his own inimitable style has chosen to plough a different furrow and see if extra helpings of pasta can improve his race pace. Suzuki are no doubt wondering WTF? Again.

Wonder if Dani managed to find 5 or so extra kgs and some more height. Iannone is too busy partying and fucking gorgeous Italian women to lose weight.

[Dadpole]

Iannone will go better now he has a rival in Rins. AI has always had the raw talent to be a top shelf rider and only needs his head fixing.

[malcy25]

That's a headbanger bike if there ever was one. Only got to see the last of it when I started watching Motogp with Melandri on the black one, he did well considering how shit it was.

Was talking to Radar Cullen on Friday about the Hyate Kawasaki. His view was that it was actually quite a good bike. He knows a few things....

[Autech]

Was talking to Radar Cullen on Friday about the Hyate Kawasaki. His view was that it was actually quite a good bike. He knows a few things....Never heard that name before I'm afraid. Fill me in on him please wise one :D

Never saw that bike when it was a proper factory effort just when it was Marco on his own and he chucked it on the podium in the wet before buggering off the wsbk.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

[WALRUS]

Kwakka's factory efforts always looked and sounded brilliant, but its hard to tell if it was the tech/development that kept them behind everyone else, or the riders they had. They tended to have good bookings but not proven premier class front runners, like de Puniet & Jaques, Hopkins and West, Hoffman and Nakano, Pitt and Yanagawa. All awesome riders but they showed the majority of their prowess in different classes such as 250's, WSS, and WSBK. Nakano got them a couple of podiums from memory but no wins.

They looked fuckin' sick though!!

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8f/West_1024.jpg

I'd be happy to see them back but I still reckon they're having too good a time and focusing on production racing to get back into GP's.. But, never say never..

[Crasherfromwayback]

They looked fuckin' sick though!!



..

Yep. Purchased my first Kawasaki because of the Lime Green colour. Looks great on a race track.

[EJK]

Kwakka's factory efforts always looked and sounded brilliant, but its hard to tell if it was the tech/development that kept them behind everyone else, or the riders they had. They tended to have good bookings but not proven premier class front runners, like de Puniet & Jaques, Hopkins and West, Hoffman and Nakano, Pitt and Yanagawa. All awesome riders but they showed the majority of their prowess in different classes such as 250's, WSS, and WSBK. Nakano got them a couple of podiums from memory but no wins.

They looked fuckin' sick though!!


I'd be happy to see them back but I still reckon they're having too good a time and focusing on production racing to get back into GP's.. But, never say never..

That is an awesome photo. Looks really great!

[Autech]

Dorna would have to make room for them too I think as it's a pretty crowded grid now. At least no bikes are getting lapped now like the CRT/Open class days. Lets hope they keep the formula as it is now as it's working a treat

[malcy25]

Never heard that name before I'm afraid. Fill me in on him please wise one :D

Never saw that bike when it was a proper factory effort just when it was Marco on his own and he chucked it on the podium in the wet before buggering off the wsbk.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

Radar is a legend. He started in about 1979 with Heron Suzuki and was one of the two mechanics looking after the works RG500 Suzuki Hailwood won the 1979 IOM Senior on, then went on to spanner for Crosby for 3 years until Croz retired, then with Marlboro Yamaha, working with Roberts, Lawson, etc, hes run the Aussie Yamaha superbike team and is a suspension expert. He's worked a lot with Ant West who rode the Kwaka Motogp bike, helped with the Yamaha R6 that Westie put on the podium in Aussie 2 years in a row in SSP600.

He's well connected into the motogp world still and good mates with all the kiwi and Aussie GP mechanics that have been there over the years. He's here in NZ so much helping Team Helicraft and their MV that he was given an "honourary NZ passport" on the weekend at the motofest.

Done enough that hthere's an article in Classic Racer on him!

[pritch]

Everybody is looking really skinny... except for Iannone who in his own inimitable style has chosen to plough a different furrow and see if extra helpings of pasta can improve his race pace.

Not sure about the pasta, might be the Chianti going by his latest effort.

That reminds me, I was thinking I should have a nice drink of something to go with the first race and I have a ten year old Chianti here.

[pritch]

Kwakka's factory efforts always looked and sounded brilliant, but its hard to tell if it was the tech/development that kept them behind everyone else, o

To help the bike turn Yamaha went to making the engine run backwards for Rossi's first season. I think Honda have since followed suit. Kawasaki didn't and just kept making the fork angle ever steeper which made the bike a twitchy unstable beast of a thing to ride. Can't recall where I read that, I just checked Kevin Cameron and the Kawasaki of that era doesn't even rate a mention.

[Autech]

Not sure about the pasta, might be the Chianti going by his latest effort.

That reminds me, I was thinking I should have a nice drink of something to go with the first race and I have a ten year old Chianti here.

Nothing I own ever lasts longer than the week it arrives in my cupboard :D


To help the bike turn Yamaha went to making the engine run backwards for Rossi's first season. I think Honda have since followed suit. Kawasaki didn't and just kept making the fork angle ever steeper which made the bike a twitchy unstable beast of a thing to ride. Can't recall where I read that, I just checked Kevin Cameron and the Kawasaki of that era doesn't even rate a mention.

Was it an L4?

They're doing so well in WSBK I can't see them getting back into Motogp, though there was a time I used to be excited to watch WSBK then meh about Motogp, it's done a full flip now to the point where i'm not even watching WSBK regularly as Moto3/2/GP is fulling my cup rather well, so maybe they'll want to get back into Motogp to get their brand in front of the masses?
Kawasaki PR if you are reading this you need to convince the bosses to build a Motogp bike.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Was it an L4?

.

It sure was.

[Autech]

It sure was.

Headbanger shit :headbang::headbang::headbang:

[Crasherfromwayback]

Headbanger shit :headbang::headbang::headbang:

It was a fucking screamer!

[Reckless]

Yep. Purchased my first Kawasaki because of the Lime Green colour. Looks great on a race track.

Wasn't my first that was a 250 F11 @15 but my first real Kawaski love was a coffin tank.
Still got it, never sell it :) even a new tat to go with it, crazy old coot that I am LOL

Love to see them back in Moto GP but they may be thinking with the success in superbike being down at 10th on the grid as a start up team in moto GP might be doing more damage than good.

[Crasherfromwayback]

my first real Kawaski love was a coffin tank.
Still got it, never sell it :)

Love to see them back in Moto GP but they may be thinking with the success in superbike being down at 10th on the grid as a start up team in moto GP might be doing more damage than good.

ZIR?

Ditto. Maybe they'll decide they're missing the real party one day.

[Reckless]

ZIR?

Ditto. Maybe they'll decide they're missing the real party one day.

Yeh Crasher Z1R since 1990 had the old girl. Getting a resto Atm bits everywhere. Still trying to decide how far to go nice original or complete resto??

Dont often show off but this lady is a real artist! year old now, Quite a good result if I do say myself but each to their own LOL.
335603
Hi jack over back on subject :)

[Crasherfromwayback]

Yeh Crasher Z1R since 1990 had the old girl. Getting a resto Atm bits everywhere. Still trying to decide how far to go nice original or complete resto??

Dont often show off but this lady is a real artist! year old now, Quite a good result if I do say myself but each to their own LOL.
335603
Hi jack over back on subject :)

Looks good. You got the small tank for the bike? So much sexier than the large tank. The Z1R is still one of THE sexiest Japanese bikes ever built, and I wish to this day I still had my TC. And it's not a hijack, it's an interjection. :innocent:

[Reckless]

Got both tanks but never run the large. I'd rather stop more often. Never liked the protruding gas cap on the big one.
Find me a new can (original past it now) and I'll be your slave for ever.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Got both tanks but never run the large. I'd rather stop more often. Never liked the protruding gas cap on the big one.
Find me a new can (original past it now) and I'll be your slave for ever.

That, and they totally ruin the lovely slimline look the small tank gives them. You mean std exhaust?

[Autech]

http://www.crash.net/motogp/results/890967/1/jerez-moto2-test-times-tuesday

Moto2 testing going on and Joan Mir absent again.

I'm sad as I was looking forward to see how he was going. Oh well...

Bags on top, had to google who Iker Lecuona was as he was no where last year, wiki said he'd had a bad back injury though so perhaps he'll be an unanticipated contender? Fenanti looking good too, hope his crew no how to duck though when he's not getting his way. Moto2's going to be the KTM vs Kalex cup.

[pritch]

had to google who Iker Lecuona was as he was no where last year, wiki said he'd had a bad back injury though so perhaps he'll be an unanticipated contender? Fenanti looking good too, hope his crew no how to duck though when he's not getting his way. Moto2's going to be the KTM vs Kalex cup.

That list has a slightly odd look to it. Fenati came in to GPs with the tag "special" and he didn't waste any time getting a win but since then he's blown hot and cold. If he has a repeat of his tantrums nobody will touch him with a barge pole.

Quateraro is another who came with a big rep, Dorna even changed the rules for him, but he's languishing in mid field. Still it's only testing and the order at the end of the season might be very different.

[Autech]

That list has a slightly odd look to it. Fenati came in to GPs with the tag "special" and he didn't waste any time getting a win but since then he's blown hot and cold. If he has a repeat of his tantrums nobody will touch him with a barge pole.

Quateraro is another who came with a big rep, Dorna even changed the rules for him, but he's languishing in mid field. Still it's only testing and the order at the end of the season might be very different.

Fenati is too much of a hot head. I was thinking he was another Danny Kent type, in Moto3 so long that he eventually got good enough to challenge week in week out but didn't have the raw talent of some of the younger riders coming through. Dovi has shown us not to judge riders too early so there is hope for the likes of Fenati, Quatararo, Alex Marquez yet. He's definitely a very talented rider and his riding style on the Moto3 bike was interesting last year with his sweeping lines, be interesting to see if he's riding the Moto2 bike like that and if it works well? Moto2 worth watching this year again!

Quatararo was shifted up to Moto2 too early, not sure why they do that to riders who aren't performing in Moto3, chuck em on a more powerful bike in hope that they suddenly find the confidence to start winning? Lots going on in the background that we don't know about with sponsors, managers etc.

[Dadpole]

I gather Quatararo was getting too big for Moto3 hence the move. I would have to rate Fenati as a contender. I reckon he is an Iannone type with heaps of natural talent and no discipline.

Oliveira for the title though :wari:

[Autech]

I gather Quatararo was getting too big for Moto3 hence the move. I would have to rate Fenati as a contender. I reckon he is an Iannone type with heaps of natural talent and no discipline.

Oliveira for the title though :wari:

Danny Kent was lucky the KTM was bollocks for half the year when he got his title else it would have been Olivera getting the crown I reckon.
Only problem I see with that prediction comes with the name Bag-in-ya-arrrggghhhh. He's going to be right up there all season

Was thinking Kalex haven't really had to do much for the last few years to make their bike better as they've had no one having a serious crack at them, the end of last season may have been a wake up call and they'll be rolling out a much better bike for 2018 perhaps now that KTM have thrown down a big arsed gauntlet. Good split of talent on both bikes though so it will be a case of the bike as much as the nutter on top.

[WALRUS]

Was thinking Kalex haven't really had to do much for the last few years to make their bike better as they've had no one having a serious crack at them, the end of last season may have been a wake up call and they'll be rolling out a much better bike for 2018 perhaps now that KTM have thrown down a big arsed gauntlet. Good split of talent on both bikes though so it will be a case of the bike as much as the nutter on top.

I'm wondering if they're focussing more on their designs for when they switch to Trumpy engines in 2019?

[Mental Trousers]

Marc VDS seem keen to move away from Honda. Looks like they're talking to Suzuki for 2019, but there's also the Yamaha satellite team that's empty.

[Autech]

Marc VDS seem keen to move away from Honda. Looks like they're talking to Suzuki for 2019, but there's also the Yamaha satellite team that's empty.

No cunts going to want their sat bikes now that they've said we'll ditch you soon as Rossi makes up his mind.
Bet ya top dollar that the VR46 bikes will be full factory too. Yamaha haven't made the smartest decisions of late both with the bike and with management, lets hope they pull their heads out of their arses asap as Motogp need Yamaha in the mix week in week out.

[pritch]

Bet ya top dollar that the VR46 bikes will be full factory too.

Honda have occasionally fielded a third factory bike (Dovi and now Crutchlow come to mind) Yamaha though have refused, two factory bikes has been their limit. But Rossi...

[Reckless]

Honda have occasionally fielded a third factory bike (Dovi and now Crutchlow come to mind) Yamaha though have refused, two factory bikes has been their limit. But Rossi...

They might just run 3 bikes for a year or so to keep Zarco in the fold. They might also tell Rossi to fuck off and start the team to keep Zarco??
There is also no Guarantee someone like Suzuki or Aprilla might want VR46 as a full factory team effort.
Yamaha certainly need more than two top bikes on the grid.

Here's an Idea Rossi to join Kawasaki in a new team set up.

I dont think we can speculate to much money and politics involved. What will be will be.

KTM will be after Zarco that's for sure, now they got Tech 3 all they need is an Alien _ Pedrosa????
Not silly them KTM boys this is a bit of a cue thats for sure!!

[Autech]

KTM will be after Zarco that's for sure, now they got Tech 3 all they need is an Alien _ Pedrosa????
Not silly them KTM boys this is a bit of a cue thats for sure!!

Actually read a gossip article in another language (yes I'm that sad) using translate that stated this rumour.
Can't see Pedrosa going to another team unless the bikes competitive though, that said put him on it and it may very well be .4 faster a lap over race distance and suddenly right in the mix, as that's all they seem to be missing at the moment considering how close they have finished to the other bikes by the end of 17... Impressive stuff from KTM.

[pritch]

KTM will be after Zarco that's for sure, now they got Tech 3 all they need is an Alien _ Pedrosa????




Can't see Pedrosa going to another team unless the bikes competitive though,


There is online speculation from some of the pundits that Pedro may be moving at years end. There was an article a while back, by a former team manager IIRC, that said some of the factories have been doing it wrong. In "the old days" they would hire experienced riders to develop the new bikes, when the bike was sorted then sign the young guns. On that basis Pedro would be an asset to KTM or Aprilia - or Suzuki.

Suzuki have clearly fucked up in this regard which must be a blow to the reputation of Davide Brivio who was reponsible for persuading Rossi to leave Honda for Yamaha.

[ecko_nzed]

Suzuki have clearly fucked up in this regard which must be a blow to the reputation of Davide Brivio who was reponsible for persuading Rossi to leave Honda for Yamaha.

Admittedly, last year was a disaster for Suzuki. With Rins injured and AI all over the show. But I think that Brivio was making the best of a shitty situation. They lost their rising star, Vinales. And treated Espargaro poorly. So, I guess that the Maniac and Rins were the best they could do given their budget and bike. Did it ruin his Rep, I have no idea, can't of helped though.

I reckon Rins will come good this year and will put the Suzuki on the podium at least once.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

[Crasherfromwayback]

I reckon Rins will come good this year and will put the Suzuki on the podium at least once.



Agree mate. I reckon he'll be the better of the two more often that not.

[Autech]

There is online speculation from some of the pundits that Pedro may be moving at years end. There was an article a while back, by a former team manager IIRC, that said some of the factories have been doing it wrong. In "the old days" they would hire experienced riders to develop the new bikes, when the bike was sorted then sign the young guns. On that basis Pedro would be an asset to KTM or Aprilia - or Suzuki.

Suzuki have clearly fucked up in this regard which must be a blow to the reputation of Davide Brivio who was reponsible for persuading Rossi to leave Honda for Yamaha.

Dovi has been pretty coy about his plans, can't see him ditching Ducati UNLESS they refuse to pay him as much/more than George. George knows that a paycut is coming going off an article I read a while back so maybe they'll go 50/50. You can bet your arse that Aprilia will be opening their cheque books trying to draw him in.
If the Ducati seat were to become free then they'd want a cheap alien (I'd bet Pedrosa would race for free if it gave him a title) or a young Italian, of which none are ready to grab a factory bike yet... KTM would throw some decent money at them and Pol has already hinted at how he would like Pedrosa as a team mate to learn off...
Depends on Honda, I don't see them ever shit canning Dani, he's their golden boy who's been with them a very long time and brought them major dominance in the smaller classes and regular title challenges in motogp. I think he NEEDS to leave Honda though else the title will never happen, if he's not got it on that bike after 10 or so years then its time to try another bike. Shame he never took the Yamaha seat I don't see his light arse having tyre wear issues.


Admittedly, last year was a disaster for Suzuki. With Rins injured and AI all over the show. But I think that Brivio was making the best of a shitty situation. They lost their rising star, Vinales. And treated Espargaro poorly. So, I guess that the Maniac and Rins were the best they could do given their budget and bike. Did it ruin his Rep, I have no idea, can't of helped though.

I reckon Rins will come good this year and will put the Suzuki on the podium at least once.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Suzuki royally fucked up when they didn't keep Aleix, the guy regularly beat full motogp bikes on a CRT or open class POS and put in some solid results for them on the previous tyres in their first year. Mitchies didn't work for him at first so his results when Mav was kicking arse weren't quite as good, but without him Mav wouldn't have had a bike to win on, DUMB!

Rins will finish ahead of AI in the points this year, I wont be surprised to see him win one or two races as well. BRING IT! Always been a Rins fan guys kept his nose real clean coming forward and almost won a championship pretty much every year he's raced.

[Crasherfromwayback]

If the Ducati seat were to become free then they'd want a cheap alien (I'd bet Pedrosa would race for free if it gave him a title) .

I'd say he'd fail badly, as he's simply too small, and the Ducati would seem really physical to ride.

[pritch]

David Emmett posted overnight that in his opinion the next two riders to be elevated to MotoGP will be Oliveira and Binder.

He didn't say which teams.

[BMWST?]

David Emmett posted overnight that in his opinion the next two riders to be elevated to MotoGP will be Oliveira and Binder.

He didn't say which teams.
he doesnt have to

[sugilite]

So testing is done, the cold war is over and the heat of real battle is about to begin!:niceone:
A lot of riders are looking good this year, but in the end I think MM is going to be too strong once again. My feeling is he has a better bike this year and will tone down his push until crashing in order to find the absolute limit near every practice session antics - but will still be devastating in the races.

MM - The man to beat, no question. Only injury can stop him IMO.

Dovi - with different bikes working at different times of the day at different tracks - consistency will be key - Step forward Mr consistently - consistently fast that is!

Lorenzo - Will likely win some races this year - could even be dark horse if things align. Watch out for him disappearing into the distance and staying there if he can get tyre management sorted this year. Still a prick and a arsehole imo lol

Pedrosa - Same old same old, probably will win one - should of gone to Yamaha, massive missed opportunity for him there.

Rossi - Lots of drive and enthusiasm, problem is, so do most of the other young bucks. Could well win a few, but more likely when the usual race leaders have bad luck.

Maverick - Had high hopes for this guy, but spends waaaaay to much time in his head - he beats himself imo, and not in a temporarily satisfying way. :msn-wink:

Rins - Looking better and better, will consistently beat his team mate, may win one if others suffer misfortune. One to watch for the future.

Iannone - Now if Suzuki could organize a F1 car to head the race dangling pies, doughnuts with both muff n dick behind it - IA would be World champ! Nuff said.

Zarco - Many podiums, and surely win one or more - Yamaha not giving him a leg up and supplying a defacto factory bike - major fail, as they are beginning to do more and more. Prob would of kept tech 3 on board until VR46 team was ready too.

Crutchlow - Well Crashlow is Crashlow, never stays on the bike enough to mount a serious title challenge and I do not see this changing for 2018.

Miller - Watch out for him in wet races, could well podium in the dry races - do not see him winning unless 3 or so front runners fall.

Others - a lot of talent in the others department this year, some could really surprise - watch this space!

Bwadley Smith - should of been sent to WSBK years ago.

I'm currently living only a 9 hour drive from the Cota track, Texas. Hmmm, do I want to do the drive in order to watch a race with a pre-determined winner - MM?

[WALRUS]

Bwadley Smith - should of been sent to WSBK years ago.

Nawww, poor Bwadley

[Autech]

So testing is done, the cold war is over and the heat of real battle is about to begin!:niceone:
A lot of riders are looking good this year, but in the end I think MM is going to be too strong once again. My feeling is he has a better bike this year and will tone down his push until crashing in order to find the absolute limit near every practice session antics - but will still be devastating in the races.

MM - The man to beat, no question. Only injury can stop him IMO.

Dovi - with different bikes working at different times of the day at different tracks - consistency will be key - Step forward Mr consistently - consistently fast that is!

Lorenzo - Will likely win some races this year - could even be dark horse if things align. Watch out for him disappearing into the distance and staying there if he can get tyre management sorted this year. Still a prick and a arsehole imo lol

Pedrosa - Same old same old, probably will win one - should of gone to Yamaha, massive missed opportunity for him there.

Rossi - Lots of drive and enthusiasm, problem is, so do most of the other young bucks. Could well win a few, but more likely when the usual race leaders have bad luck.

Maverick - Had high hopes for this guy, but spends waaaaay to much time in his head - he beats himself imo, and not in a temporarily satisfying way. :msn-wink:

Rins - Looking better and better, will consistently beat his team mate, may win one if others suffer misfortune. One to watch for the future.

Iannone - Now if Suzuki could organize a F1 car to head the race dangling pies, doughnuts with both muff n dick behind it - IA would be World champ! Nuff said.

Zarco - Many podiums, and surely win one or more - Yamaha not giving him a leg up and supplying a defacto factory bike - major fail, as they are beginning to do more and more. Prob would of kept tech 3 on board until VR46 team was ready too.

Crutchlow - Well Crashlow is Crashlow, never stays on the bike enough to mount a serious title challenge and I do not see this changing for 2018.

Miller - Watch out for him in wet races, could well podium in the dry races - do not see him winning unless 3 or so front runners fall.

Others - a lot of talent in the others department this year, some could really surprise - watch this space!

Bwadley Smith - should of been sent to WSBK years ago.

I'm currently living only a 9 hour drive from the Cota track, Texas. Hmmm, do I want to do the drive in order to watch a race with a pre-determined winner - MM?

Nice summary, only factor you left out is Aleix Asparagrus, who's going to be up there dicing and making a nuisance of himself, podium for Aleix at PI I reckon, he'll smash his team mate week in week out though.
Redding's just too big for motogp, guys got the talent but he's at a major disadvantage always.

Yes you should go to COTA, even if it's just to rub it all in our faces that you're there and we aren't :banana:

[pritch]

Yes you should go to COTA, even if it's just to rub it all in our faces that you're there and we aren't

Definitely. And I see on TV that there is some great barbecue to be had in Austin.



Is it that you guys don't like gingers? I know Cartman said gingers don't have a soul but...

Bradders is reputedly intelligent and articulate and is thus not too bad a choice as a development rider - apart from any questions about his experience. They like older riders to develop new bikes because the young guys are too busy trying to figure out how they can go faster to worry about making the bike go faster. The older guys know how fast they can go and can focus on making the bike go faster. Therein lies my slight concern about Smith as a development rider.

David Emmett is picking Moto2 to be good this year with five or so capable of winning the title and another similar sized group capable of giving them trouble. Emmett thinks the winner will be the one who makes the least mistakes.

Only a week to go, must check the SKY schedule.

[george formby]

Fenati is too much of a hot head. I was thinking he was another Danny Kent type, in Moto3 so long that he eventually got good enough to challenge week in week out but didn't have the raw talent of some of the younger riders coming through. Dovi has shown us not to judge riders too early so there is hope for the likes of Fenati, Quatararo, Alex Marquez yet. He's definitely a very talented rider and his riding style on the Moto3 bike was interesting last year with his sweeping lines, be interesting to see if he's riding the Moto2 bike like that and if it works well? Moto2 worth watching this year again!

Quatararo was shifted up to Moto2 too early, not sure why they do that to riders who aren't performing in Moto3, chuck em on a more powerful bike in hope that they suddenly find the confidence to start winning? Lots going on in the background that we don't know about with sponsors, managers etc.

I was impressed with Fenati last season, second half of last season.... Being sacked by God must be pretty sobering.

Quatararo must be close to drinking age now - looking forward to seeing him in moto 2.

and Brad Binder, finished the last few races last year really well. Might be putting a few bob on him, not the new fullas.

[sugilite]

Nawww, poor Bwadley
My American fiance has a quaint saying that applies to Bwadley - "Shit or get off the pot!" :laugh:


Nice summary, only factor you left out is Aleix Asparagrus, who's going to be up there dicing and making a nuisance of himself, podium for Aleix at PI I reckon, he'll smash his team mate week in week out though.
Redding's just too big for motogp, guys got the talent but he's at a major disadvantage always.

Yes you should go to COTA, even if it's just to rub it all in our faces that you're there and we aren't :banana:

Yes, you are absolutely right, the Asparagrass could well give the top contenders their fair share of greens!
Now realizing I would be a complete mug to miss Austin - I'm in!


Definitely. And I see on TV that there is some great barbecue to be had in Austin.



Is it that you guys don't like gingers? I know Cartman said gingers don't have a soul but...

Bradders is reputedly intelligent and articulate and is thus not too bad a choice as a development rider - apart from any questions about his experience. They like older riders to develop new bikes because the young guys are too busy trying to figure out how they can go faster to worry about making the bike go faster. The older guys know how fast they can go and can focus on making the bike go faster. Therein lies my slight concern about Smith as a development rider.

They got Kalio for testing. I have nothing against Gingers. His hair matches the bike! :bleh: They have Kalio for development, so they should of given Bradders bike to a hungry young rider with big balls and skillz this year imo.

Have decided I will get some BBQ in Austin, While watching the race live! It will be my first live MotoGP experience - have read it is a good idea to take ear plugs!

[Crasherfromwayback]

I'm currently living only a 9 hour drive from the Cota track, Texas. Hmmm, do I want to do the drive in order to watch a race with a pre-determined winner - MM?


My American fiance has a quaint saying that applies to Bwadley - "Shit or get off the pot!" :laugh:





Have decided I will get some BBQ in Austin, While watching the race live! It will be my first live MotoGP experience - have read it is a good idea to take ear plugs!

Yo Blood! I was gonna ask what the fuck you were doing over there, but you've answered my question. Nice work and congrats mate!

You won't regret going to the GP mate, you'll wet your fucking pants! But most DEF take ear plugs!! Enjoy, I'm very jealous!

[pritch]

Motorsport have a video on Youtube, Mat Oxley and Freddie Spencer discuss the prospects for the 2018 season
Ok, there is over an hour of this, so if you have an issue with capped broadband there is also a Soundcloud version.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZhxjc071JA

[EJK]

Oh boy!! Is it this weekend??

[roogazza]

Oh boy!! Is it this weekend??

Yip sure is, and looking out the window here in the Horowhenua , I think I'll celebrate ,go for a fang !
Retired people do that ! :lol::lol:

[pritch]

Yip sure is, and looking out the window here in the Horowhenua , I think I'll celebrate ,go for a fang !
Retired people do that ! :lol::lol:

Getting one in before the crap weather? I went to Awakino with the "old cocks" for lunch. Beautiful day for it.

[Madness]

Getting one in before the crap weather? I went to Awakino with the "old cocks" for lunch. Beautiful day for it.

Well, there's a post that deserves a photo...

[roogazza]

MotoGP
MotoGP desk11 Mar 2018
250cc star Ralf Waldmann has died at the age of 51.

MotoGP: Ralf Waldmann has died
Ralf Waldmann, a hero of the 250cc class from 1994-2000, has died at the age of 51.

The German, who won six races in the 125cc class before his 14 victories during a talent-packed era for 250GP, had been working as an expert MotoGP commentator for Eurosport.

The cause of his death remains unknown.

'Waldi' was title runner-up in both the 1996 and 1997 250cc World Championships, losing out to Max Biaggi by just six and two points respectively.

Such performances earned him a ride with Marlboro Team Roberts in the 500cc class in 1998, but after a best finish of seventh on the Modenas KR3 Waldmann returned to the quarter-litre category, where he raced for two more seasons.

Waldmann's final victory, in the 2000 British Grand Prix, was especially spectacular. The changing weather helped the German mount a stunning comeback from 21st place to snatch victory at the final corner, having begun the final lap 12-seconds behind Olivier Jacque!

Waldmann later came out of semi-retirement and signed for the Harris WCM MotoGP team, but quit the project before the start of the 2003 season.

After an absence of six-years, Waldmann dusted off his leathers for his last grand prix appearance at the age of 43, as an injury replacement at Kiefer Racing for the 2009 British 250cc Grand Prix.

Waldmann's death comes just ten days after Luigi Taveri, a triple 125cc world champion in the 1960s, and less than six months after the passing of Stefan Kiefer.

Crash.net sends its deepest condolences to Waldmann's family and friends.

[Autech]

Fuck yeah!

Predictions for this weekend:
Motorcycles will race in anger, that is all.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

[eelracing]

MotoGP
MotoGP desk11 Mar 2018
250cc star Ralf Waldmann has died at the age of 51.

MotoGP: Ralf Waldmann has died
Ralf Waldmann, a hero of the 250cc class from 1994-2000, has died at the age of 51.

The German, who won six races in the 125cc class before his 14 victories during a talent-packed era for 250GP.

RIP Waldi...A legend in the era of the real 250cc racing class.

One of those stunning wins @ Eastern Creek Australian GP
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Pnpm4hIpnxM" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[roogazza]

Dear George,

I not see you very much in Losail. I think maybe I see you when Hafizh make the pass on you, but I am not so sure. Was very fast, ha ha!

I just want to wish you every good luck this season and maybe you need to, how they say this? Make the chill, yes? Maybe take your funny cat for a walk.

For sure is Ducati and Gigi very happy this year. Not with you. But with Jack and Dovi and Danilo and Xavier and Karel. I think is a little bit about the money, yes? Ha ha! Never mind. I understand you cannot make the Ducati your bike, yes?

Maybe if you put your name on the bike? Ha ha! You can paint “This is the bike of the Mamba!” on the tank, so when you sit on it you can see.

OK, I am only make the joke. I know you ride many times with your eyes closed, so it doesn’t matter what is Gigi writing on the tank, or even put on your dash, yes? You never see it. Ha ha! I make the Suggest Mapping 8 T-shirt and I send you one in Spartan size.

Gigi can then put the electric wires in the T-shirt and send you signal like that. Zap! Zap! Gigi can make the zap for every map. I hope you do not have Map 20. You might make the merda in the leathers after so much electricity. Ha ha!

Sorry. Of course I am making the big joke. None of us like to be told to surrender the place for the team-mate.

Of course, it helps if you ride faster than the team-mate. Then you will not be in that position, no?

Someone sent me a story about how the Ducati will not give you a lot of money next year if you do not win any races. I have called my friend Troiba Liss in Australia (can you imagine he is racing and he is 100 years older than me? Is meravigliosa, no?), and he say to me you can come there to make the ASBK racing. He will pay you in beer and sexy kangaroo.


‘SPARTAMAMBASPARTAMAMBASPARTAMAMBA!”

I also like very much your Social Media posts. That picture of you lifting 30kg is very funny. Why is your face scrunching like you are making the caca? Is because you have the confusion about where the race starts? For you normally from the fifth row, yes?

OK, scusa. I have taken very much of your time already. I know you must prepare for the start of the 2018 season.

I will see you at Losail. I will turn my head and wave at you on the grid. Do not smash your helmet into the tank, OK? It will frighten Morbidelli. He is new.

Ciao,

Vale


Keen to see how Zarco does this year ! Will the Yams be good or not ?

[Crasherfromwayback]

Sorry. Of course I am making the big joke. None of us like to be told to surrender the place for the team-mate.

Of course, it helps if you ride faster than the team-mate. Then you will not be in that position, no?

Ciao,

Vale




Oh the hypocrisy! The fat wankstain that writes that shit needs some history lessons. :laugh:

[Autech]

Oh the hypocrisy! The fat wankstain that writes that shit needs some history lessons. :laugh:

Needs to eat a fat dick.

Never found it even slightly funny, you don't make fun of multiple champions who decide to have a crack on another bike, you applaud them.
I imagine the people who enjoy that shit also believe Lorenzo "took" Rossi's title away in 15 when Marquez made him his bitch in the away rounds.

Wankers.

Lorenzo will win races this year, going to be a hard title to snatch if you've got Zarco in there as well threatening to win so I don't see a title for him.
Riders that I think can get at least one win this year:
Rossi
Marquez
Lorenzo
Petrux
Pedrosa
Vinales
Zarco
Dovi
Crutchlow

Riders who may win but will definitely be going for podiums some weeks:
Espagaro
Miller
Rins
Iannone

The top order will be shuffling week in week out, a bad weekend could see em outside the top 10. Bring it on!

[Crasherfromwayback]

Needs to eat a fat dick.

Never found it even slightly funny, you don't make fun of multiple champions who decide to have a crack on another bike, you applaud them.
I imagine the people who enjoy that shit also believe Lorenzo "took" Rossi's title away in 15 when Marquez made him his bitch in the away rounds.

Wankers.


!

Yep. Not like Rossi set the world on fire when he tried to ride red eh! :laugh:

Let alone the amount of times Lorenzo beat him up on the very same bike. And then Mavric, let alone Zarco on a two year old bike...

But the queer cunt that writes that shit clearly wants to eat a large portion of Rossi's, so each to their own I guess. :rolleyes:

[pritch]

But the queer cunt that writes that shit clearly wants to eat a large portion of Rossi's, so each to their own I guess. :rolleyes:

Unlike you guys I do occasionally find it amusing. On the other hand it can be cruel and I hope JL doesn't come across it, although that's probably unlikely. If he did, he probably wouldn't go back for more.
References to mambas and spartans aside, the writer appears to pay attention to what's happening. There is reference in this latest to Syahrin and that's fair enough, after all Syahrin did have a faster time than JL in a test.
This might be another of those seasons where different factories will have the advantage at different tracks you'd be brave to bet against JL having at least one win this year.

The KBer planning on attending CotA might excercise caution? A series of exploding packages have been blowing people up in Austin, a number have been killed.

[Berries]

Never found it even slightly funny, you don't make fun of multiple champions who decide to have a crack on another bike, you applaud them.
I imagine the people who enjoy that shit also believe Lorenzo "took" Rossi's title away in 15 when Marquez made him his bitch in the away rounds.

Wankers.
Of course it is fucking funny, map 8, map 20 after last season? You take it way too seriously. Delete the last two lines and it is the same, just less red flag to certain readers.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Of course it is fucking funny, map 8, map 20 after last season? You take it way too seriously. Delete the last two lines and it is the same, just less red flag to certain readers.

Nah. I just have a prob with any 1%er wannabe that thinks he has the right to take the piss out of a fives times world champion. They guy's a total misogynistic wankstain of the highest order.

Seriously...look at this cunt. What a total fucking meatsack.

335717335718

Hanging off the seat whilst the peg feelers are still a foot off the ground. A real hard charger! Yep, Lorenzo is a real pussy!

[Autech]

Of course it is fucking funny, map 8, map 20 after last season? You take it way too seriously. Delete the last two lines and it is the same, just less red flag to certain readers.You mean when Lorenzo was faster than Dovi so didn't let him by?
Dovi had no show of winning that race with DP and Zarcos pace so I have absolutely no issue with JL not letting him through. His championship ended at Phillip Island unfortunately.

Only line I have ever found funny was the addition of a middle name to Jonas Folger, the rest is just shit. Bullying in any form is not acceptable, especially of someone who goes out and risks his life for our entertainment. Crap like this just adds to the fuck heads that boo him on the podium, disgraceful behaviour.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

[ecko_nzed]

You mean when Lorenzo was faster than Dovi so didn't let him by?
Dovi had no show of winning that race with DP and Zarcos pace so I have absolutely no issue with JL not letting him through. His championship ended at Phillip Island unfortunately.

Only line I have ever found funny was the addition of a middle name to Jonas Folger, the rest is just shit. Bullying in any form is not acceptable, especially of someone who goes out and risks his life for our entertainment. Crap like this just adds to the fuck heads that boo him on the podium, disgraceful behaviour.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using TapatalkNot sure I'd class it as bullying. I can't imagine that he wants or cares if Lorenzo reads his letters, also I can't imagine that Lorenzo reads it, or would give a flying Fuck. Riders at that level are made of much tougher stuff. And he's not only taking the piss out of Lorenzo, but Gigi, Ducati, MotoGP and a bunch of other riders as well.

Satire - yes
Bullying - probably not
Funny - to begin with maybe, a little bit. But the joke has run its course. Time to put it to bed.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

[Crasherfromwayback]

fuck heads that boo him on the podium, disgraceful behaviour.



Yep, it's def pretty poor fucking form.

[Mental Trousers]

fuck heads that boo him on the podium, disgraceful behaviour.



Yep, it's def pretty poor fucking form.

Any prick that boo's in any sport is showing poor form.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Any prick that boo's in any sport is showing poor form.

Agree 100%. I fucking cringe at the rugby when cunts do it too.

[Reckless]

Mat Oxley
His pre season evaluation
https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/opinion/motogp/motogp-2018-it-s-going-be-way-worse?utm_campaign=Mat+Oxley+-+130318+-+MotoGP+2018%E2%80%99s+Holy+Grail&utm_source=emailCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=

[malcy25]

Agree with MT's comment: Any prick that boo's in any sport is showing poor form.

Even Moreso so when you try to drive it...."Classy" act to pull on the podium with your team mate, irrespective of what happened during the race (eh the Rossi / Marquez incident)

2015News report after the Sepang GP......

""But what sparked the rabid booing?

Was it merely that he was Jorge Lorenzo accepting a trophy in front of a sea of his chief title rival’s fans?

Or had Lorenzo done something to antagonise them?

Video appeared on social media in the days after the race showing a wide shot of the podium ceremonies as each rider accepts his trophy.

Keep an eye on Lorenzo, in blue and white leathers to the left of race winner Dani Pedrosa, as Rossi receiving his trophy for third place.

It appears as though Lorenzo is giving a ‘thumbs down’ gesture as Rossi collects his trophy.""

may be some blow back still happening !

[WALRUS]

I think I remember that.. Do you have a link to the video?

Either way, as despicable as it is, people boo people in sport. I remember Rossi being boo'd, Doohan being boo'd, Lorenzo being boo'd, Edwards being boo'd in WSBK.. Then you get Rugby, Cricket, just about anything.

People who spend their lives sitting in offices during the day and then sitting in front of the telly at night love to judge other people, I find :laugh:

[Crasherfromwayback]

People who spend their lives sitting in offices during the day and then sitting in front of the telly at night love to judge other people, I find :laugh:

And I'd be willing to wager just about any cunt that does boo, has never achieved anything of note in any sport.

[Autech]

I think I remember that.. Do you have a link to the video?

Either way, as despicable as it is, people boo people in sport. I remember Rossi being boo'd, Doohan being boo'd, Lorenzo being boo'd, Edwards being boo'd in WSBK.. Then you get Rugby, Cricket, just about anything.

People who spend their lives sitting in offices during the day and then sitting in front of the telly at night love to judge other people, I find [emoji23]Booings disgusting. Cunts need to be throat punched.
Better off cheering your man nice n loud, silence speaks louder than a chorus of fuck heads.
Love how Marquez had his team losing their shit every podium they work hard for, he trusts his team and they trust him and it shows in their celebrations

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

[Crasherfromwayback]

You might be able to win a few bucks on this cunt this year I reckon...

http://www.motogp.com/en/videos/2018/03/13/petrucci-i-have-a-chance-to-get-a-factory-bike/251477

[Drew]

Thread full of fucken saints right here.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Thread full of fucken saints right here.

With the odd right fuckwit thrown in for good measure.

[ecko_nzed]

With the odd right fuckwit thrown in for good measure.I resent that.... I'm more of a leftist fuckwit

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

[Crasherfromwayback]

I resent that.... I'm more of a leftist fuckwit



Prob a bit the same meself mate.

[Reckless]

I remember seeing the thumbs down it was the straw that broke the camels back for me and Lorenzo.
Not quite as low as the Tison ear biting but some things just show your real character.
The nasty in me likes seeing him at 16th.
But to booo in public at him at prize giving?? Never see me doing that. Bad form for sure.
In fact if it was someone I was racing against and not this situation they'd be my thoughts and my secret thoughts only.

ok Crasher get stuck into Rossi now :P :innocent::msn-wink:

On the other side of the Coin hasn't MM taken a step up and matured.
He will prob be the first to get to 10 :)

[pritch]

And I'd be willing to wager just about any cunt that does boo, has never achieved anything of note in any sport.

Normally I’d agree, but Lorenzo only got what he asked for.

Then there were the Holden and Ford fans at Bathurst booing winning Nissan driver Jim Richards who told them, “You’re nothing but a pack of arseholes.” Which sorta summed it up.

[Berries]

I was booing at my kids sports day last week.





He really was shit.

[eelracing]

Thread full of fucken saints right here.

More like pussy whipped #metoo apologisers...its fucking sport. If you want scripted then watch reality tv. If you want the closest thing we have left to lions eating christians then booing a professional sportsman who gets any fucking thing he wants handed to him on a plate instead of his hand ripped off for being a cunt then I say piss or get off the pot ya wanker.

[BMWST?]

professional sportsman who gets any fucking thing he wants handed to him on a plate

Just because they get paid to perform doesnt mean they have things"handed to them on a plate".I would say that motogp riders are amongst the most dedicated sportsmen on the planet.The risk their life every time they compete.Lorenzo was merely expressing his opinion of Rossis fantastic story

[Crasherfromwayback]

a sportsman who gets any fucking thing he wants handed to him on a plate


J.Lorenzo was merely expressing his opinion of Rossis fantastic story

Rossi is the only one of the current crowd that had everything handed to him on a plate. To be fair, he's done incredibly well with the serving.

[WALRUS]

I don't know about that.. Marquez had the rules changed so that he could get a factory ride haha!

Dorna announced that Rookies would not be allowed to jump straight into a factory team, to try to give the "old guard" a chance to get onto more competitive machines and level the playing field.. Until Marquez said he wanted to join the Prem' class so they instantly backflipped on it so he could join Repsol (arguably the fastest bike and/or biggest budget, at the time)

Miller being given a jump straight from Moto3 to MotoGP (not that it turned out how they planned)

Rossi has had a lot of blind eyes turned to some of his behaviour and, sure, he's been there so long and brought so much attention, press, and money to the series that he's allowed to get away with a lot more than others, but I wouldn't say he's handed everything :P

[Crasherfromwayback]

ok Crasher get stuck into Rossi now :P :innocent::msn-wink:

:)

As much as I'm not a fan, I've only ever clapped my hands to him. As I do to any top class competitor. I have a huge amount of respect for those people.

[pritch]

Dorna announced that Rookies would not be allowed to jump straight into a factory team,

Ah yes. That was "the Spies rule". It was designed for one thing, to stop Spies going straight into a factory team.

That was replaced by the Marquez rule, although I've never seen it called that. But as sure as God made little green things...

Then there was the Quateraro rule.

Spies certainly wasn't getting anything handed to him on a plate, but the other two definitely were.

[Dadpole]

I do enjoy the "Rossi had everything handed to him on a plate." thing. It must have been a bugger having to turn up and race when he had those championships handed to him.

[Crasherfromwayback]

I do enjoy the "Rossi had everything handed to him on a plate." thing. It must have been a bugger having to turn up and race when he had those championships handed to him.

Well, that's because you take more from it than is meant eh. But if you want an explanation, checkout the diff between Rossi's lot and certain other racers who's dad wasn't a famous ex GP star. Then get back to me.

[Berries]

Just because they get paid to perform doesnt mean they have things"handed to them on a plate".I would say that motogp riders are amongst the most dedicated sportsmen on the planet.The risk their life every time they compete.
Have you actually watched curling?

[Crasherfromwayback]

Have you actually watched curling?

You need steroids for it!

[Crasherfromwayback]

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2018/03/14/marquez-the-greatest-ever/251604

[mulletman]

Most would've guessed this

https://motomatters.com/news/2018/03/15/valentino_rossi_signs_on_for_two_more.html

[ellipsis]

...just before it all starts and we avert our eyes from the rest of the world and its problems, a word from one who will carry on caring...

https://www.facebook.com/scheifferbates/videos/1163744310423279/

[pritch]

a word from one who will carry on caring...


Wow! That's a hard act to follow.

While I was making my morning coffee I recalled reading back in the 60s or thereabout a comment by one of the top riders - I can't remember who. He hated the first few races of the season. Everybody regards themselves as a title contender and things can get decidedly hairy on track. After a couple of races realism intrudes, normal expectations resume, and things settle down. I mentioned this to Alex Briggs a year or two back and he replied that he could understand what motivated the comment.

So just in case you notice a rider or two being uncharacteristically aggressive in Qatar that may well be why. Then too there are the guys who don't have a contract for next season.

Bring it on :drinkup:

[Crasherfromwayback]

Bring it on :drinkup:

Fuck yeah. And being off work at the mo, I'll indeed have a beer whilst watching it!

[merv]

Fuck yeah. And being off work at the mo, I'll indeed have a beer whilst watching it!

Hopefully you can really enjoy that and are getting some wages compensation from ACC for your troubles :sunny:

[Crasherfromwayback]

Hopefully you can really enjoy that and are getting some wages compensation from ACC for your troubles :sunny:

Yeah. Very lucky to have got the best ACC case manager I've ever had in all my dealings with them. Annie Sherwill if anyone in Welly ever needs an ACC star. Makes life a lot easier to not have to fight tooth and nail all the way.

[merv]

Okay, I'm not going into predictions because anything can always happen and catch us by surprise, but here are some interesting facts if I look back at the Qatar MotoGP since it started in 2007.

Vinales won it last year

Lorenzo won it three times 2016, 2013 and 2012

Rossi won it twice 2015 and 2010

Marquez won it just the once in 2014 (and that is 4 years ago)

Stoner won it four times 2011, 2009, 2008, 2007.

So who can win this year? Only certain is it won't be Stoner.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Okay, I'm not going into predictions because anything can always happen and catch us by surprise, but here are some interesting facts if I look back at the Qatar MotoGP since it started in 2007.

Vinales won it last year

Lorenzo won it three times 2016, 2013 and 2012

Rossi won it twice 2015 and 2010

Marquez won it just the once in 2014 (and that is 4 years ago)

Stoner won it four times 2011, 2009, 2008, 2007.

So who can win this year? Only certain is it won't be Stoner.

Zarco. ...................

[Mental Trousers]

Bring it on :drinkup:

Fuck yeah. And being off work at the mo, I'll indeed have a beer whilst watching it!

Over 8 hours until the Moto3 FP1 session ...... :doh:

[Crasherfromwayback]

Over 8 hours until the Moto3 FP1 session ...... :doh:

Maybe I've started my drinking a lil early then...

[merv]

Take a nap now then Pete and get yourself onto their timezone.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Take a nap now then Pete and get yourself onto their timezone.

I'm already in the zone mate!

[EJK]

Any particular Moto2/3 riders you guys keeping an eye out on this season?

[george formby]

Any particular Moto2/3 riders you guys keeping an eye out on this season?

I'm hoping Binder hits his straps in moto 2.

Moto 3 will be the usual sack full of Terriers for the first few races.

I will have a keen eye on moto 2 this season, which is unusual, the other eye will be looking forward to 2019. A whole new ball game, he who can adapt fastest wins.

[Autech]

If I was betting this weekend (anyone keen this year?) I would be putting dollars on Lorenzo and Dovi for a poduim. Too hard to pick a winner especially with the Suzukis looking threatening.
Vinales will only win if the bike is working, which it was wasn't particularly well at the test... So bad bet imo; last year he had momentum and confidence after a dream pre season, he's far from happy atm and I think we will see that in his race riding.


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[george formby]

If I was betting this weekend (anyone keen this year?) I would be putting dollars on Lorenzo and Dovi for a poduim. Too hard to pick a winner especially with the Suzukis looking threatening.
Vinales will only win if the bike is working, which it was wasn't particularly well at the test... So bad bet imo; last year he had momentum and confidence after a dream pre season, he's far from happy atm and I think we will see that in his race riding.


Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

As has been said - Zarco. Would love to see him come out swinging and get on the podium. It's a long shot, but...

[pritch]

Vinales will only win if the bike is working, which it was wasn't particularly well at the test...

There have been articles written about this lately. Marquez will deal with whatever he is given, he will work out how to use it. Vinales and Iannone in particular can't do that yet, they appear to get psyched out completely. In testing MV would get off the bike each time and walk into the box shaking his head. Hardly the look of a winner.

Dovi is a thinker and will get there eventually. Lorenzo is still waiting for the bike to suit his style. If Gigi can give him the bike - watch out.

Miller likes the Ducati and is going quicker on that than he did on the Honda. Crutchlow is hanging in there, he has a factory bike, apparently the equal of the Repsol bikes, even if he doesn't have all the technicians. He could surprise.

All of that though came from how they were riding in testing, but testing ain't racing. Now they're racing.

[WALRUS]

As has been said - Zarco. Would love to see him come out swinging and get on the podium. It's a long shot, but...

Tech3 in general! I hope they sign off their last year with Yamaha with some seriously kick arse results!

[EJK]

Bring back Dylan Gray :(

[Crasherfromwayback]

Old Petrucci is looking fucking good. I've never thought that being a bigger guy in Moto GP is a problem, and he pretty much proves it week in week out. Oh yeah, and I reckon Zarco will end up at HRC next year.

[Dadpole]

Zarco at HRC? I wonder how Puig would handle that? Unless he expressed a desire for Zarco, I imagine things may get a bit frosty - based on his previous stint with HRC.

[pritch]

Old Petrucci is looking fucking good. .

Yeah. He is one of those without a contract for next year so he will be trying to impress somebody. Anybody?

[Autech]

Yeah. He is one of those without a contract for next year so he will be trying to impress somebody. Anybody?Unless George or Dovi fucks off he won't be getting a factory seat at Duc...
Aprilia is my bet taking Reddings spot.

Autechs predictions for next year:

Zarco to KTM in place of Branders OR to Honda if Pedrosa decides to leave. It will be Pedrosa's call though I don't see Puig arseholing a steady rider like him for a rider like Zarco. Joan Mir is already sniffing in Motogp for '19 so he could be the spanner in the works. If Mir wanted Pedrosa's seat I could see Puig making room for a young Spanish talent that won a moto3 title on a Honda.
Seat with the biggest question mark is Iannone, if he has another year like last year he could see himself without a bike and someone like Petrux, Zarco, Pedrosa, top Moto2 riders taking it.


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[Crasherfromwayback]

Fuck me qual was good. A ten year old track record finally falls.

[Autech]

So Rossi thinks there is 12 riders all with the same pace.

I feel much excite right now.

Fucking bring it!

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[GD66]

Bring back Dylan Gray :(




Give him time.

[denill]

Good to see one of NZ’s greats, Simon Crafer in the mix.

[speights_bud]

Don't get me wrong here...

But did anyone else find Simon difficult to hear? I found his voice hard to pick up, flat and almost muffled.
Which is not ideal with the amount of noise also coming in from his surroundings.

I'm sure he will get better, but I reckon some voice coaching wouldn't go astray....



On another note, George loves to get heavy on the rear brake... All images butchered together from the same lap.
335777

[SaferRides]

Zarco. Faster than the factory riders on last year's bike that they both said was shit. Priceless.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Zarco. Faster than the factory riders on last year's bike that they both said was shit. Priceless.

I could be well wrong again, but isn't he on the 2016 chassis?

[pritch]

But did anyone else find Simon difficult to hear?


Yes, especially early on - but I'd have thought they have guys who are supposed to be managing that.






On another note, George loves to get heavy on the rear brake... All images butchered together from the same lap.


Indeed. There was a blurry photo on Twitter but if you watch the TV coverage, just after they come out for the second tilt at Q2 there is a good shot of Lorenzo with a red rear disc.

Front discs in red are pretty but not noteworthy because they are carbon and need to be hot. Rear discs are steel, and not everybody uses them all that much, so we can gather George is a big user of the rear brake.

Historical note: Hayden used to run a bigger rear disc than Pedro 'cause #69 relied on it more heavily than did #26.

It was pointed out prior to qualifying that under the current rules the gap between the factory teams and the satelite teams is "wafer thin". OK, the gap at the start of the season is always smaller because as the season progresses the factory bikes get new bits, but the satelite teams don't. To have two satelite bikes on the front row though? That could make for an interesting season - I hope.

[speights_bud]

Indeed. There was a blurry photo on Twitter but if you watch the TV coverage, just after they come out for the second tilt at Q2 there is a good shot of Lorenzo with a red rear disc.

Front discs in red are pretty but not noteworthy because they are carbon and need to be hot. Rear discs are steel, and not everybody uses them all that much, so we can gather George is a big user of the rear brake. .

Since posting I have given some more thought to the glowing disc.

If George is that heavy on it its at a high temp/plastic state so often is there a significant reason for concern around the Lifespan of such a disc over the length of the race?

Though I suspect even the often neglected rear disc probably has unobtanium molecular biology that allows it to deal with the conditions.


His use seems excessive and would suggest a shrouded (to retain heat) carbon disc might be a better option for this track?

It caught my eye at first because I thought it might have been dragging. Seems his Team may have been a bit off this weekend. Loose chain creating showers of sparks etc...

[SaferRides]

I could be well wrong again, but isn't he on the 2016 chassis?Could be. I understand that Tech 3 get the factory bikes at the end of the season, but I haven't seen anything about what they have done to Zarco's bike.

Vinales has gone back to the chassis he used at the start of last season and is much happier. Rossi is blaming the electronics.

[roogazza]

Don't get me wrong here...

But did anyone else find Simon difficult to hear? I found his voice hard to pick up, flat and almost muffled.
Which is not ideal with the amount of noise also coming in from his surroundings.
I'm sure he will get better, but I reckon some voice coaching wouldn't go astray....

Yep, not a strong speaker, he needs work.

Go Vale !!!!!!! :woohoo:

[eelracing]

Great first up race that confirms that the old suspects are still up for it.
The track is still boring.
Marques is getting predictable.
Rossi haters are never satisfied.
Dovi and the Duke were taking the piss.
Roll on second round and the start of the ground war.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Fuck me that was a good start to the season! I lost the $100.00 challenge, but funnily enough couldn't give a shit. Bring on the rest of the season already!

[Crasherfromwayback]

Marques is getting predictable.
Rossi haters are never satisfied.
.

Well, if he didn't have a go, how exciting would the races be mate?

And yeah, for a time there, I thought the cunning Old Dog was gonna get away on them. 39 and still giving it large. Respect.

[ellipsis]

...every year I expect my man #46 to be there and he repays my expectations with just that...the race was a fantastic opener and my expectations of the rest of the season will remain the same...go Vale :love: ...

[rustys]

[QUOTE=speights_bud;1131090054]Don't get me wrong here...

But did anyone else find Simon difficult to hear? I found his voice hard to pick up, flat and almost muffled.
Which is not ideal with the amount of noise also coming in from his surroundings.
I'm sure he will get better, but I reckon some voice coaching wouldn't go astray....

Yep, not a strong speaker, he needs work.

Go Vale !!!!!!! :woohoo:

Yes totaly agree, a bit dissapointing , umm's and ah's, needs to get into it, hope he improves as time goes on.:facepalm:

[Autech]

Wow did we get rewarded with a good show!
So glad I got up and watched all 3 races as it cemented in me that motogp is now by far the most entertaining in this era, 8 riders in a bunch all with podium potential, fug yeah! Dovi is one clever motherfucker though and seems to has taken to the pressure very well.

Fast and hard racing, lots of overtaking, what more could you ask for?

Crafer... Hate to say it but it seems he hasn't read the bios on a fair few of the riders, "Joan Martin", Jack Miller is newer to Motogp, Petrux is going to get the bike he wants (while he is on top a factory ducati), Moto3 rider a rookie... Fair few cock ups but I think by mid year he will be more familiar with the paddock and his job, just will need a lot of work to be on the level of Dylan Gray. For a first crack though not too bad! Lets hope he reaches into his race experience more to give us some technical commentary as the paddock gets to know him.

How nice was it to not have He Who Must Not Be Named babbling though? New team well up to the job.

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[EJK]

Wow did we get rewarded with a good show!
So glad I got up and watched all 3 races as it cemented in me that motogp is now by far the most entertaining in this era, 8 riders in a bunch all with podium potential, fug yeah! Dovi is one clever motherfucker though and seems to has taken to the pressure very well.

Fast and hard racing, lots of overtaking, what more could you ask for?

Crafer... Hate to say it but it seems he hasn't read the bios on a fair few of the riders, "Joan Martin", Jack Miller is newer to Motogp, Petrux is going to get the bike he wants (while he is on top a factory ducati), Moto3 rider a rookie... Fair few cock ups but I think by mid year he will be more familiar with the paddock and his job, just will need a lot of work to be on the level of Dylan Gray. For a first crack though not too bad! Lets hope he reaches into his race experience more to give us some technical commentary as the paddock gets to know him.

How nice was it to not have He Who Must Not Be Named babbling though? New team well up to the job.

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Yeah, who's the main commentator now? Matt Birt? Whoever it is, boy, that guy is really good!

Crafer has big shoe to fill. True we should give him time. But Dylan was such an awesome presenter in general we just miss him. His GoPro sponsored on-board track commentary was fantastic to watch, makes Jeremy Clarkson hide in shame. On the other hand Crafer was like "this here... a right hander........ a right hander... and a right hander..."

[pritch]

Crafer... Hate to say it but it seems he hasn't read the bios on a fair few of the riders, "Joan Martin", Jack Miller is newer to Motogp, Petrux is going to get the bike he wants (while he is on top a factory ducati), Moto3 rider a rookie... Fair few cock ups but I think by mid year he will be more familiar with the paddock and his job, just will need a lot of work to be on the level of Dylan Gray. For a first crack though not too bad! Lets hope he reaches into his race experience more to give us some technical commentary as the paddock gets to know him.



But Simon's office space does have its compensations. The blonde is Amy Dargan but who the beautiful brunette is I have no idea.

Anybody who wasn't happy with that race is very hard to please. While the race was in the middle stages I was thinking about the comment someone made about Zarco beating the factory riders on last years bike. I have read a detailed explanation of all this previously and it is complicated, but best I can recall it goes something like this:

The 2017 frame has been scrapped. The riders are currently using frames developed from the 2016 frame. Except that there was a new frame introduced in 2016 that carried the fuel tank further back. That frame was not perservered with. So if that frame was the 2016 frame, the frames the riders are currently using can be considered developments of the 2015 frame.

My recollection may not be strictly correct, but one thing it is fair to presume is that Zarco is not actually using "last year's bike".

[Crasherfromwayback]

but who the beautiful brunette is I have no idea.

.

I'd like to do white wees up her front bum.

[carbonhed]

I'd like to do white wees up her front bum.

Must be the chompers i guess :-)

Honda looks pretty ominous to me if that's not a favourite track.

[Autech]

The 2017 frame has been scrapped. The riders are currently using frames developed from the 2016 frame. Except that there was a new frame introduced in 2016 that carried the fuel tank further back. That frame was not perservered with. So if that frame was the 2016 frame, the frames the riders are currently using can be considered deveopments of the 2015 frame.

My recollection may not be strictly correct, but one thing it is fair to presume is that Zarco is not actually using "last year's bike".

Going off my recollection of the 2016 bike, it was in essence a 2015 bike with some alterations in geometry to allow for the Mitchies while they all worked out wtf to do with the new tyres.
My guess going off the 2017 bike is they tried to make a bike that utilised the extra rear grip of the Mitchie but in doing so made a bike that relied heavily on what tyre/temp that rear was at. If they had no grip they were no-where.

Zarco this year from what I understand has exactly the same tyre burning chassis (2016) but with a 500 more revs in his engine. Going off his drive out of the final corner last night power was not something he is lacking, though exit drive has always been a strong point of the Yamaha/Lorenzo style.

Rossi and MV are on a chassis which is an evolution of the 2016 chassis with probably a smoother more powerful engine than Zarco which gave them the extra tyre life at the end of the race. That and you cant ignore the class of the pair of them. Seemed to me that when Zarco's tyre went it/he dropped off a cliff big time.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Must be the chompers i guess :-)

Honda looks pretty ominous to me if that's not a favourite track.

Lol. Yep, I'd say MM is gonna be fucking hard to beat this year now that the Honda looks better this early.

[Crasherfromwayback]

. Seemed to me that when Zarco's tyre went it/he dropped off a cliff big time.

Could've also been something like his bike leaning out as it was running low on gas.

Edit. Just saw him talk about the race. Seems he chewed up his front tyre.

[Autech]

Could've also been something like his bike leaning out as it was running low on gas.

Edit. Just saw him talk about the race. Seems he chewed up his front tyre.

Yeah and it apparently may have had a quality control issue that the Frenchies are looking at and shrugging about right now no doubt.
Fucking hope not but you never know, Dani looked to be having front end sliding too (how good was his launch?) so could have been the conditions.

Wouldn't be surprised if Zarco had cooked it though he was going real deep (as deep as crasher wants to go in the aforementioned brunette) in turn one to make up for his lack of powa over the rocket ships. Good ride regardless as I think any one of those fullas back to 8th was up for a poduim just MM, AD and VR wanted it more.

[Autech]

Hot off the press is JL had a brake problem and was nursing it most the race till they failed outright. FUCK THAT! I'd hate it to happen on my bucket racer let alone a 300+kmph weapon.

So in preparation of the Dear George letter, I will write it myself:

Dear George

We decided to try and kill you today, but you too much of a spartan mamba to die.

Gigi

Or some gay shit like that.

[roogazza]

[QUOTE=Autech;1131090148]Yeah and it apparently may have had a quality control issue that the Frenchies are looking at and shrugging about right now no doubt.
Fucking hope not but you never know, Dani looked to be having front end sliding too (how good was his launch?) so could have been the conditions.

Remember a few years ago when that little Mexican (Pedro) was great down the shute with his lack of weight? Doesn't seem like that happens now ?

[Autech]

Remember a few years ago when that little Mexican (Pedro) was great down the shute with his lack of weight? Doesn't seem like that happens now ?

When you think about it lack of weight + height would actually be a disadvantage off the line with a bike that powerful as the bigger guys can climb over the tank to keep the front wheel down. When I first started watching Motogp it was watching DP haul arse off the line that made me a fan of him IIRC.

He's only started dominating off the line again since the control electronics came in, Autech's theory was before 2012 (can't remember when he stopped being the fastest off the line but lets just say then) the launch control systems weren't quite as advanced so more of it came down to the rider ability, as the electronics got better the natural ability was less of a factor so the others were able to negate his advantage by just pinning the throttle and letting the electronics do the rest. Now they have less sophisticated software he's able to do his old trick again launching just right and taking at least 2+ riders down the chute (last night he hit 1st from the 3rd row). Awesome to watch and if he's ever out of a motogp seat head make a good drag racer.

On Dani, how odd that he chose the hard front tyre? I wonder if he's trying something new to see if he can get the heat in earlier, IE pick a tyre you can punish more in the hope that if he punishes it enough and he stays on board it will work for him?

Oh and I think we should declare an amnesty for any front tyre destined for MM's garage, I feel sorry for the fuckin things with what he puts em through, no other rider would have got the front end to grip in T1 after he eff'd up last night. Mad.

[roogazza]

Cheers Autech, I don't know if you've ever been to a GP? But if you do go try and get yourself into the garage area,its bloody interesting.
I mooch around in the pits most of my time in the first couple of days.
The trick is knowing someone to get you in there and from there, you meet others. It worked for me lol.

[EJK]

When you think about it lack of weight + height would actually be a disadvantage off the line with a bike that powerful as the bigger guys can climb over the tank to keep the front wheel down. When I first started watching Motogp it was watching DP haul arse off the line that made me a fan of him IIRC.

He's only started dominating off the line again since the control electronics came in, Autech's theory was before 2012 (can't remember when he stopped being the fastest off the line but lets just say then) the launch control systems weren't quite as advanced so more of it came down to the rider ability, as the electronics got better the natural ability was less of a factor so the others were able to negate his advantage by just pinning the throttle and letting the electronics do the rest. Now they have less sophisticated software he's able to do his old trick again launching just right and taking at least 2+ riders down the chute (last night he hit 1st from the 3rd row). Awesome to watch and if he's ever out of a motogp seat head make a good drag racer.

On Dani, how odd that he chose the hard front tyre? I wonder if he's trying something new to see if he can get the heat in earlier, IE pick a tyre you can punish more in the hope that if he punishes it enough and he stays on board it will work for him?

Oh and I think we should declare an amnesty for any front tyre destined for MM's garage, I feel sorry for the fuckin things with what he puts em through, no other rider would have got the front end to grip in T1 after he eff'd up last night. Mad.

Seems you know a thing or two about Dani Pedrosa... :p

[speights_bud]

Hot off the press is JL had a brake problem and was nursing it most the race till they failed outright. FUCK THAT! I'd hate it to happen on my bucket racer let alone a 300+kmph weapon.

So in preparation of the Dear George letter, I will write it myself:

Dear George

We decided to try and kill you today, but you too much of a spartan mamba to die.

Gigi

Or some gay shit like that.I Called it here first....

Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk

[Autech]

Cheers Autech, I don't know if you've ever been to a GP? But if you do go try and get yourself into the garage area,its bloody interesting.
I mooch around in the pits most of my time in the first couple of days.
The trick is knowing someone to get you in there and from there, you meet others. It worked for me lol.Need to go in the next few years before the riders I've spent the last 10 years watching bugger off!

Will make an effort for PI or Japan I think and most certainly will be hanging round the pits like a mooch :D

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

[speights_bud]

Need to go in the next few years before the riders I've spent the last 10 years watching bugger off!

Will make an effort for PI or Japan I think and most certainly will be hanging round the pits like a mooch :D

Sent from my Nexus 5X using TapatalkGo marshal at PI. Did the whole weekend for under 1k including flights.

Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk

[Berries]

Marques is getting predictable.
But his post race interview was classic. He knew he couldn't out drag the Ducati but thought he would give it a go on the last corner just to see what happened. Not sure if it is his English that has got better over the off season or not but I warmed to him after this comment.

No white wees like Crasher but.

[Crasherfromwayback]

But his post race interview was classic. He knew he couldn't out drag the Ducati but thought he would give it a go on the last corner just to see what happened. Not sure if it is his English that has got better over the off season or not but I warmed to him after this comment.

No white wees like Crasher but.

Lol. Anyone that claims to be a motorcycle racing purist that isn't an MM fan is a latent homo. He's what it's all about, as was Stoner before him.

[Drew]

Lol. Anyone that claims to be a motorcycle racing purist that isn't an MM fan is a latent homo. He's what it's all about, as was Stoner before him.

That's a fucking retarded way to look at it.

[Oscar]

Need to go in the next few years before the riders I've spent the last 10 years watching bugger off!

Will make an effort for PI or Japan I think and most certainly will be hanging round the pits like a mooch :D

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

Malaysia is way better than PI and much less effort than Japan.
The people are friendly and stuff is cheap (except beer).

[Crasherfromwayback]

That's a fucking retarded way to look at it.

Then you should understand it perfectly.

[WALRUS]

Lol. Anyone that claims to be a motorcycle racing purist that isn't an MM fan is a latent homo. He's what it's all about, as was Stoner before him.

Eh, I respect them both immensely but I wouldn't say I'm a fan of either.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Eh, I respect them both immensely but I wouldn't say I'm a fan of either.

Yeah, I was actually just winding a mate of mine up. But on a serious note, you just know if (and even sometimes if there's not) there's any chance at all of stealing a win, he's gonna try and do it. And that to me is what racing a motorcycle is all about. Some of the last lap antics from MM and AD last season and now this, make for edge of your seat shit! If you don't love that shit, you must be asleep at the screen! And you've gotta love the remarkable saves MM has, fan or not. Even his competitors shake their heads in amazement.

[WALRUS]

Absolutely!!

But, I gotta say, my main talking points/thoughts from the opening round are..:

1) How awesome does the Sic58 livery look in Moto3!?
335792

2) Simon, I've loved your work for years but please work on your Charisma and practice names before you start awkwardly reading out Tyre lists on a live, world feed! :killingme:lol:

[Crasherfromwayback]

1) How awesome does the Sic58 livery look in Moto3!?
335792

2) Simon, I've loved your work for years but please work on your Charisma and practice names before you start awkwardly reading out Tyre lists on a live, world feed! :killingme:lol:

Yeah looks great. And yep. Simon is actually a funny guy. Think he's prob just pretty nervous and trying too hard.

[pritch]

[QUOTE=WALRUS;1131090290]
1) How awesome does the Sic58 livery look in Moto3!?


Paolo Simoncelli must be a special kind of guy.

[WALRUS]

1) How awesome does the Sic58 livery look in Moto3!?


Paolo Simoncelli must be a special kind of guy.

He's an absolute legend!

[Autech]

Yeah, I was actually just winding a mate of mine up. But on a serious note, you just know if (and even sometimes if there's not) there's any chance at all of stealing a win, he's gonna try and do it. And that to me is what racing a motorcycle is all about. Some of the last lap antics from MM and AD last season and now this, make for edge of your seat shit! If you don't love that shit, you must be asleep at the screen! And you've gotta love the remarkable saves MM has, fan or not. Even his competitors shake their heads in amazement.

I have a feeling Ayrton Senna and Marquez would have got along well:
"By being a racing driver you are under risk all the time. By being a racing driver means you are racing with other people. And if you no longer go for a gap that exists, you are no longer a racing driver because we are competing, we are competing to win. And the main motivation to all of us is to compete for victory, it's not to come 3rd, 4th, 5th or 6th. I race to win as long as I feel it's possible. Sometimes you get it wrong? Sure, it's impossible to get it right all the time. But I race designed to win, as long as I feel I'm doing it right."

Marquez's move was nothing more than a lunge, but he hoped I think to cut off Dovi's nose long enough to out drag him to the line, unfortunately for MM the Ducati relys on squaring off and hauling arse out of a corner to get it's speed so it was not great hassle for Dovi to just drop the bike under him and fly to victory. This time though apparently Dovi was not expecting an attack, but he still managed to get the win showing how cool he is under pressure. Top notch.

[Crasherfromwayback]

I have a feeling Ayrton Senna and Marquez would have got along well:
"By being a racing driver you are under risk all the time. By being a racing driver means you are racing with other people. And if you no longer go for a gap that exists, you are no longer a racing driver because we are competing, we are competing to win. And the main motivation to all of us is to compete for victory, it's not to come 3rd, 4th, 5th or 6th. I race to win as long as I feel it's possible. Sometimes you get it wrong? Sure, it's impossible to get it right all the time. But I race designed to win, as long as I feel I'm doing it right."

Marquez's move was nothing more than a lunge, but he hoped I think to cut off Dovi's nose long enough to out drag him to the line, unfortunately for MM the Ducati relys on squaring off and hauling arse out of a corner to get it's speed so it was not great hassle for Dovi to just drop the bike under him and fly to victory. This time though apparently Dovi was not expecting an attack, but he still managed to get the win showing how cool he is under pressure. Top notch.

Bro, there was indeed a gap there. Dovi prob even sucked him into it by going a lil wide and not protecting the line knowing full he he'd be coming. Oldest race manovure in the book. Go back and watch the 2008 season. Rossi tried the same thing on Stoner at nearly every corner at most rounds, and Stoner did exactly what Dovi's been doing to MM. MM hasn't skittled anyone doing it, so all's fair. And a fucking GREAT spectacle.

[ellipsis]

Bro, there was indeed a gap there. Dovi prob even sucked him into it by going a lil wide and not protecting the line knowing full he he'd be coming. Oldest race manovure in the book. Go back and watch the 2008 season. Rossi tried the same thing on Stoner at nearly every corner at most rounds, and Stoner did exactly what Dovi's been doing to MM. MM hasn't skittled anyone doing it, so all's fair. And a fucking GREAT spectacle.

...nuthin changes...winners have gotta win...love that boys (everything)...I have alluded in the past to the Marquez-Senna headspace...don't go there, it hurts still...Go Vale:ride:...

[BMWST?]

imho th ability to actually "race" AND overtake is the mark of a champion.There only a few that will/can do it and they are MM VR JL and MV Those four will make a pass where the others wont......and MM will risk all to do it,MV may be just as merciless but we havent really seen it yet

[EJK]

imho th ability to actually "race" AND overtake is the mark of a champion.There only a few that will/can do it and they are MM VR JL and MV Those four will make a pass where the others wont......and MM will risk all to do it,MV may be just as merciless but we havent really seen it yet

Likewise with Iannone, but he's gone dull ever since he moved to Suzuki :yawn:

[husaberg]

2) Simon, I've loved your work for years but please work on your Charisma and practice names before you start awkwardly reading out Tyre lists on a live, world feed! :killingme:lol:


Yeah looks great. And yep. Simon is actually a funny guy. Think he's prob just pretty nervous and trying too hard.
335809.....

[Autech]

Bro, there was indeed a gap there. Dovi prob even sucked him into it by going a lil wide and not protecting the line knowing full he he'd be coming. Oldest race manovure in the book. Go back and watch the 2008 season. Rossi tried the same thing on Stoner at nearly every corner at most rounds, and Stoner did exactly what Dovi's been doing to MM. MM hasn't skittled anyone doing it, so all's fair. And a fucking GREAT spectacle.I agree with the last two occasions but this time round going off press comments and what I saw I reckon he wasn't expecting that one, but the end result was all the same, Dovi let him have a bit of track then bent him over and took the win all the same. Race craft from both was epic because:
If MM had managed to block Dovis nose by pulling it up a metre or two earlier it would have been him on the top step n not Dovi.
That's what the goal is of such a move, put it there long enough to stop their exit drive n giggle with the grid girls.
The counter is move is the above, give him the track then root him with it all the same.

Racing at its finest

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[SaferRides]

Bro, there was indeed a gap there. Dovi prob even sucked him into it by going a lil wide and not protecting the line knowing full he he'd be coming. Oldest race manovure in the book. Go back and watch the 2008 season. Rossi tried the same thing on Stoner at nearly every corner at most rounds, and Stoner did exactly what Dovi's been doing to MM. MM hasn't skittled anyone doing it, so all's fair. And a fucking GREAT spectacle.And MM nearly won! What was the gap, 0.03 or something?

I am still trying to work out how he got around Turn 1 when he followed Dovi past Zarco.

[Autech]

And MM nearly won! What was the gap, 0.03 or something?

I am still trying to work out how he got around Turn 1 when he followed Dovi past Zarco.Fuck knows, the front end on his Honda is incredible and he knows how to use n abuse it.

How bout Sam Lowes crashing out of Moto2? Smh, never understood the hype around him.

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[husaberg]

How bout Sam Lowes crashing out of Moto2? Smh, never understood the hype around him.

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Hes a pom, thats all he needs alot of the press are pommy based.

[Crasherfromwayback]

I have a feeling Ayrton Senna and Marquez would have got along well:
"h.

Senna winning the title the nasty way...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myaEBjK67k0

[EJK]

Senna winning the title the nasty way...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myaEBjK67k0

Ahahahahahaha Senna walks away like a boss. Doesn't even turn around for a second look.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Ahahahahahaha Senna walks away like a boss. Doesn't even turn around for a second look.

Job done right! Bit like Capirossi winning one of his 250 titles.

[Autech]

That's one way to win a title I guess.

[Crasherfromwayback]

That's one way to win a title I guess.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQdzS1WmhCg

[Autech]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQdzS1WmhCg

That's a bit phuckin rude!

Would love to have seen the Oertil (or however you spell it) Darryn Binder incident to see who was at fault. Was some good gesticulation going on between them :D

Not quite sure he shares his brothers talent tbh, been given a fair few good rides in the past and not shown much from them, time will tell

[Crasherfromwayback]

That's a bit phuckin rude!

l

Def towards the tougher end of the hard passes scale!