MotoGP 2018

[Mental Trousers]

Might as well start on next years MotoGP.

Entry list as at 10th November 2017

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2017/11/08/2018-motogp-provisional-entry-list/245319

<table><tr><th>#</th><th>RIDER</th><th>NATIONALITY</th><th>TEAM</th><th>MACHINE</th></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>ANDREA DOVIZIOSO</td><td>ITALIAN</td><td>DUCATI TEAM</td><td>DUCATI</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>JOHANN ZARCO</td><td>FRENCH</td><td>MONSTER YAMAHA TECH 3 ^{<span style="color: #933;">Independent</style>}</td><td>YAMAHA</td></tr><tr><td>9</td><td>DANILO PETRUCCI</td><td>ITALIAN</td><td>OCTO PRAMAC RACING ^{<span style="color: #933;">Independent</style>}</td><td>DUCATI</td></tr><tr><td>10</td><td>XAVIER SIMEON</td><td>BELGIAN</td><td>REALE AVINTIA RACING ^{<span style="color: #933;">Independent</style>}</td><td>DUCATI</td></tr><tr><td>12</td><td>TOM LUTHI</td><td>SWISS</td><td>EG 0,0 MARC VDS ^{<span style="color: #933;">Independent</style>}</td><td>HONDA</td></tr>
<tr><td>17</td><td>KAREL ABRAHAM</td><td>CZECH</td><td>PULL&BEAR ASPAR TEAM ^{<span style="color: #933;">Independent</style>}</td><td>DUCATI</td></tr><tr><td>19</td><td>ALVARO BAUTISTA</td><td>SPANISH</td><td>PULL&BEAR ASPAR TEAM ^{<span style="color: #933;">Independent</style>}</td><td>DUCATI</td></tr><tr><td>21</td><td>FRANCO MORBIDELLI</td><td>ITALIAN</td><td>EG 0,0 MARC VDS ^{<span style="color: #933;">Independent</style>}</td><td>HONDA</td></tr><tr><td>25</td><td>MAVERICK VIÑALES</td><td>SPANISH</td><td>MOVISTAR YAMAHA MotoGP</td><td>YAMAHA</td></tr><tr><td>26</td><td>DANI PEDROSA</td><td>SPANISH</td><td>REPSOL HONDA TEAM</td><td>HONDA</td></tr><tr><td>29</td><td>ANDREA IANNONE</td><td>ITALIAN</td><td>TEAM SUZUKI ECSTAR</td><td>SUZUKI</td></tr>
<tr><td>30</td><td>TAKAAKI NAKAGAMI</td><td>JAPANESE</td><td>LCR HONDA IDEMITSU ^{<span style="color: #933;">Independent</style>}</td><td>HONDA</td></tr><tr><td>35</td><td>CAL CRUTCHLOW</td><td>BRITISH</td><td>LCR HONDA CASTROL ^{<span style="color: #933;">Independent</style>}</td><td>HONDA</td></tr><tr><td>38</td><td>BRADLEY SMITH</td><td>BRITISH</td><td>RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING</td><td>KTM</td></tr><tr><td>41</td><td>ALEIX ESPARGARO</td><td>SPANISH</td><td>APRILIA RACING TEAM GRESINI ^{<span style="color: #933;">Independent</style>}</td><td>APRILIA</td></tr><tr><td>42</td><td>ALEX RINS</td><td>SPANISH</td><td>TEAM SUZUKI ECSTAR</td><td>SUZUKI</td></tr><tr><td>43</td><td>JACK MILLER</td><td>AUSTRALIAN</td><td>OCTO PRAMAC RACING ^{<span style="color: #933;">Independent</style>}</td><td>DUCATI</td></tr>
<tr><td>44</td><td>POL ESPARGARO</td><td>SPANISH</td><td>RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING</td><td>KTM</td></tr><tr><td>45</td><td>SCOTT REDDING</td><td>BRITISH</td><td>APRILIA RACING TEAM GRESINI ^{<span style="color: #933;">Independent</style>}</td><td>APRILIA</td></tr><tr><td>46</td><td>VALENTINO ROSSI</td><td>ITALIAN</td><td>MOVISTAR YAMAHA MotoGP</td><td>YAMAHA</td></tr>
<tr><td>53</td><td>TITO RABAT</td><td>SPANISH</td><td>REALE AVINTIA RACING ^{<span style="color: #933;">Independent</style>}</td><td>DUCATI</td></tr><tr><td>93</td><td>MARC MARQUEZ</td><td>SPANISH</td><td>REPSOL HONDA TEAM</td><td>HONDA</td></tr><tr><td>94</td><td>JONAS FOLGER</td><td>GERMAN</td><td>MONSTER YAMAHA TECH 3 ^{<span style="color: #933;">Independent</style>}</td><td>YAMAHA</td></tr><tr><td>99</td><td>JORGE LORENZO</td><td>SPANISH</td><td>DUCATI TEAM</td><td>DUCATI</td></tr></table>

[Crasherfromwayback]

I reckon old Lorenzo may be at the front more often next season. It's far too long a wait now.

MM for #7.

[Mental Trousers]

I reckon old Lorenzo may be at the front more often next season.

I'm sure he'll do a hell of a lot better next year. However, nobody would've thought Dovi would be the best bet for winning the championship so it's going to be a huge battle to be the number 1 Ducati.

[speights_bud]

I reckon old Lorenzo may be at the front more often next season. It's far too long a wait now.

MM for #7.Yamaha need to sort their shit. MM vs AD & JL for the beginning of the season I reckon.

Ducati v Honda. Who would have thought?

[roogazza]

I'm sure he'll do a hell of a lot better next year. However, nobody would've thought Dovi would be the best bet for winning the championship so it's going to be a huge battle to be the number 1 Ducati.

No matter what happened this year,I just cannot see Dovi being in the same position next year. His luck in weather and tyres and his tactics made him look better I think.
There are too many scrappers for next year that could do well if ,again, the weather and tyres provide a more normal year ??
(we'll see at the end of 2018 I suppose ???). (just me in my chair guess'n,U understand !) :msn-wink:

[Autech]

Depends on what Mitchie do with their tyres, they've been so hit or miss this year that a fair few riders have gone off them. If they can provide a tyre that all riders and bikes can perform on then it's going to be brilliant I think.

Wouldn't bet against MM winning another title, all comes down to whether Yamaha can give their riders a good enough bike, the Ducati was ALMOST good enough I think to beat the MM/Honda combo, so if they make another step then they should wipe the floor. Pramac bringing Jack Miller across may be the young talent they needed to bring in to line up the factory seat in next few years.

[steveyb]

Really interesting to see the number of Independent teams and riders now. Was probably the same this year actually.
I would really like to see all the teams and riders be 'Independent' so to speak so that the field is a little more even, but then on the other hand that would argue against a meritocracy.
If Tech 3 manage to keep their current bikes with some power upgrades then Zarco will be right in the hunt and if Jonas can get well, he will be in there too.
Miller will be in like a robbers dog on the Pramac Ducati.
Redding is too big for the Aprilia.
The KTMs will be closer, but Pol and Bradders are not quite in the league of aliens.

[pritch]

The KTMs will be closer, but Pol and Bradders are not quite in the league of aliens.

I had the strange idea that Bradders was gone and Zarco was joining Pol on a KTM. Or maybe the idea wasn't all that strange?

[BMWST?]

You are not Mistaken, there are already rumours that KTM want Zarco in 2019.Hmm Zarco and MM

[EJK]

Who the hell is Xavier Simeon? Another version of Karel Abraham?

[Dadpole]

Who the hell is Xavier Simeon? Another version of Karel Abraham?

I have my doubts about him too. He may be another Folger though. Not a top name but can do the biz.

Luthi may surprise us and do another Zarco also.

[EJK]

I have my doubts about him too. He may be another Folger though. Not a top name but can do the biz.

Luthi may surprise us and do another Zarco also.

30 seconds into Google search shows he's privately funded by Belgium motorsport company CEO.

Will see about Luthi. Only reason Morbi and Luthi shined this season was because Zarco and Rins moved to MotoGP... I think.

Regardless, it should be interesting. All hot Moto2 players are now in MotoGP!

[Mreza]

I think that Ducat is currently better than others

[speights_bud]

Looks like Miller is enjoying the Ducati more than that "other" bike.

This is what I was hoping for, he'll let slip how he feels compared to the Honda.

The impression I got when Crutchlow first hopped on the Honda was that it's a bit of a handful....

http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/887426/1/miller-having-lot-fun-ducati-debut

[Autech]

CC may talk a lot but lots of what he said springs to mind:
Zarco is good but Miller and others could have done equally as well jumping on the Yamaha
Honda is a cunt to ride
Yamaha is not a cunt to ride

Unless Honda can make it less of a cunt Morbidelli, Luthi and any other rookie who gets on it will struggle.



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[Cosmik de Bris]

Honda is a cunt to ride
Yamaha is not a cunt to ride



Well the honda riders did OK, the yamaha ones, not so much.

Cheers

[Autech]

The two aliens you mean?

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[Crasherfromwayback]

The two aliens you mean?



Even Scrotebag Miller went ok on one...

[sugilite]

I reckon old Lorenzo may be at the front more often next season. It's far too long a wait now.

MM for #7.
Yeah Nah - Lorenzo did to pretty good in a few races, but then his team mate who has pretty much been a journeyman through out his career (granted a speedy one who has had a lot of shit luck) won plenty of races on the same bike. Lorenzo will likely win a race or two next year, but I seriously doubt he will challenge for the championship.
Spot on regarding MM, unless Yamaha give MV the perfect bike (should slip Zarco a factory bike while they are at it) - then it will be all on!

[Crasherfromwayback]

Yeah Nah - Lorenzo did to pretty good in a few races, but then his team mate who has pretty much been a journeyman through out his career (granted a speedy one who has had a lot of shit luck) won plenty of races on the same bike. Lorenzo will likely win a race or two next year, but I seriously doubt he will challenge for the championship.
Spot on regarding MM, unless Yamaha give MV the perfect bike (should slip Zarco a factory bike while they are at it) - then it will be all on!

I think simply because Dovi has been on the thing for so long, he's more used to it's *quirks* and was able to ride it to it's strengths better than Lorenzo. Lorenzo has been on a Yamaha all his Moto GP life, and pretty sure you couldn't get two GP bikes more different. I reckon he'll get his head/style round it better next year. But all credit to Dovi. Part of me wanted to see him win the title. But now MM is my new BF, glad he got it. Hope to see him win more than nine titles you see... :msn-wink:

[ellipsis]

I think simply because Dovi has been on the thing for so long, he's more used to it's *quirks* and was able to ride it to it's strengths better than Lorenzo. Lorenzo has been on a Yamaha all his Moto GP life, and pretty sure you couldn't get two GP bikes more different. I reckon he'll get his head/style round it better next year. But all credit to Dovi. Part of me wanted to see him win the title. But now MM is my new BF, glad he got it. Hope to see him win more than nine titles you see... :msn-wink:

...I followed F1 around Europe for a couple or three seasons when Ayrton Senna came along as a kid and really rocked the boat...he was so good and so easy to dislike, (for me anyway)... very hard not to admire his skill and winning ways but still like MM a while back, easy to get fucked off with...he was touted to be the 'greatest'...very sad end to what could have been the 'GOAT', as they were predicting...I'd hate to lose a man like MM to that kind of shit, but he puts himself in the lap of the Gods every time he gets on that Honda and pushes the way he does...it's a vicious game and all the skill and bravery mean fuck all if it goes tits up...I think he deserves every accolade he gets...the Doctor is back next year...Go Vale...

[pritch]

One of the pundits, David Emmett(?) was saying that Dovi should now be Ducati number 1 and that'll mean he gets first crack at the new parts. Dovi impressed me at PI years ago when riding 250s, he was up with the best. If he can stay near the front of the field next year that won't upset me at all.

Here's hoping Yamaha can sort their grip problem. The track was a bit misleading during the test because it had a good covering of Michelin rubber whereas in the race there was a lot of Dunlop rubber on the track. The factory that can best use the Michelin tyres will have a big advantage in the championship. Yamaha have not been doing so well in that regard.

[Crasherfromwayback]

.the Doctor is back next year...Go Vale...

Title number ten will only ever be won if he *retires* to Superbikes.

https://www.superbikeplanet.com/motogp-valencia-test-results-2018-session-2/

[Mental Trousers]

One of the pundits, David Emmett(?) was saying that Dovi should now be Ducati number 1

Absolutely. You reward results to get results. Six wins vs none for his teammate. I think he's the only rider in MotoGP to beat MM93 when Marquez started the last lap in the lead (can't verify that however). No question Dovi should be the number 1 rider for Ducati at the start of the 2018 season.

[James Deuce]

Absolutely. You reward results to get results. Six wins vs none for his teammate. I think he's the only rider in MotoGP to beat MM93 when Marquez started the last lap in the lead (can't verify that however). No question Dovi should be the number 1 rider for Ducati at the start of the 2018 season.
Especially after JL did nothing to help in the final race. I try to find something about JL to like and he'll get close then he'll decide he doesn't know what Map 8 is.

[Autech]

You see what you want to see I guess. I could see JL was faster in the final sectors and Dovi in the first few. JL towed him up to DP so it was the right call, simple fact was DP b JZ would have had them covered even if they didn't fall off (hence why they fell off keeping up). So immaterial if he should have let him through, he had no chance of winning on that Sunday

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[pritch]

Especially after JL did nothing to help in the final race. I try to find something about JL to like and he'll get close then he'll decide he doesn't know what Map 8 is.

I think it was Mat Oxley was saying he tries to find something lovable about Jorge. When JL came back a week after breaking his collarbone a few years back that was impressive, but he really doesn't go out of his way to win friends. If he's not careful he'll have no friends to share the good times with when he retires. Apart from Marquez of course. :whistle:

[BMWST?]

I have been a long time fan of Dovi since he was riding the Honda 250 against JL on an Aprilia 250.I think that this year was a slight anomoly.Dovi has always been good itn the wet,I think he is a very clever analytical rider.I think he has a very good senseof where the limit is and rides near it.He also has a very good way of managing the tyres.This year the bikes and tyres have been more mismatched than any time recently and this palyed directly to Dovis strengths.I beleive that next year the bikes and tyres will be better matched and the usual suspects will be riding closer to the limits than Dovi will.I hope i am wrong

[Dave-]

subscribed
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Funny how the code tags remove capitalisation.

No Macros for you!

[Crasherfromwayback]

Especially after JL did nothing to help in the final race. I try to find something about JL to like and he'll get close then he'll decide he doesn't know what Map 8 is.


I think it was Mat Oxley was saying he tries to find something lovable about Jorge. When JL came back a week after breaking his collarbone a few years back that was impressive, but he really doesn't go out of his way to win friends. If he's not careful he'll have no friends to share the good times with when he retires. Apart from Marquez of course. :whistle:

Do you guys seriously think JL gives a fucking shit what people like Oxley and you guys think? Sitting back in his 5 million dollar home? They guy has more testosterone in his missing finger than Oxley has in his entire body.

He's a FIVE time world fucking champion. Prob the best guy I've ever seen on a 250. Seriously guys. Get. A. Fucking. Grip.

[James Deuce]

Do you guys seriously think JL gives a fucking shit what people like Oxley and you guys think? Sitting back in his 5 million dollar home? They guy has more testosterone in his missing finger than Oxley has in his entire body.

He's a FIVE time world fucking champion. Prob the best guy I've ever seen on a 250. Seriously guys. Get. A. Fucking. Grip.
Overreact much?

You might want to loosen your grip. You've cut off blood flow to the head.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Overreact much?

You might want to loosen your grip. You've cut off blood flow to the head.

Lol. Rich coming from you Jim. Seriously. Ask yourself. How much sleep will JL lose over your opinion of him. Next, if you want to get into a war of words over wankers...I dare you. You'll end up in tatters.

[Reckless]

Agreed Crasher
Do you guys seriously think JL gives a fucking shit.

I don't think Lorenzo does give a fucking shit, your are correct and displayed that to the extreme in that last race.
By the time he'd held Dovi up for 20 laps Dovi had no tyre left to have a go. None of them had tyre even MM fell off, it was to late by then.
This crap he said about trying to drag Dovi forward is plain bullshit.
Who the fuck is he to judge that I'm sooo much better/Faster than Dovi he needs my help to drag him forward this race and Ignore team Instruction/loyalty.
Lorenzo's proved who he is time after time even down to bad sportsmanship on the podium in 2015.
He's a spoilt selfish prick and he's shit in his own nest big time with this last display.
I hope Ducati put him on the pramac then give him the boot and steal Zarco off the others. Zarcos style would go well on the Ducati
And no, I couldn't give two shits what he thinks about my or Matt Oxeley's opinion, I could care as much as he does! His actions have spoken louder than words. If Dovi wasnt such a nice guy ther'd be wall up in the Ducati garage next year just like the Yamaha debacle. Common denominator is Lorenzo's attitude.
I didnt like MM to much in the Moto 2 days he proved me wrong. Lorenzo just keeps proving me correct he's a prat.


Congrats to MM. He's carried himself well and been a credit to Honda. The best man won the title bring on 2018 season it was a great year :)

[pritch]

They guy has more testosterone in his missing finger than Oxley has in his entire body.


Oxley raced, and won, in the Isle of Man. Lorenzo would be lost without gravel traps the size of football fields. Just sayin'. :innocent:

[Crasherfromwayback]

Who the fuck is he to judge that I'm sooo much better/Faster than Dovi he needs my help to drag him forward this race and Ignore team Instruction/loyalty.
Lorenzo's proved who he is time after time even down to bad sportsmanship on the podium in 2015.
He's a spoilt selfish prick and he's shit in his own nest big time with this last display.
:)

Not quite as bad as actually trying to run your team mate off the track when he's trying to win the title though eh mate?

Go back and watch Rossi trying his best to scuttle Lorenzo at Montegi in 2010...then tell me more about bad sportsmanship...:facepalm:

[Crasherfromwayback]

Oxley raced, and won, in the Isle of Man. Lorenzo would be lost without gravel traps the size of football fields. Just sayin'. :innocent:

Yeah. That's def pretty special. But almost a diff sport.

[Reckless]

Not quite as bad as actually trying to run your team mate off the track when he's trying to win the title though eh mate?

Go back and watch Rossi trying his best to scuttle Lorenzo at Montegi in 2010...then tell me more about bad sportsmanship...:facepalm:

WTF where was Rossi's name mentioned?? This is about 2017 - Ducati - Lorenzo and Dovi

[Crasherfromwayback]

WTF where was Rossi's name mentioned?? This is about 2017 - Ducati - Lorenzo and Dovi

I'm simply giving you a far worse example of bad sportsmanship mate. Lorenzo may be bad, but he's certainly not as bad as Old Mate Rossi. :innocent:

[Reckless]

These days I think MM will surpass Rossi's record. His skill and the way he thinks is mind boggling.
Once everyone learns to save a crash like he is teaching the others the whole scene will change.

Matt Oxely here on MM interesting article.
http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/opinion/motogp/m-rquez-ledge-beyond-edge

Talking about Rossi few answers to his future intentions in this interview
https://www.facebook.com/764767803702593/videos/825939427585430/

I think times moved on! We all dream about having .1% of the skill MM has not Rossi these days.

[James Deuce]

These days I think MM will surpass Rossi's record. His skill and the way he thinks is mind boggling.
Once everyone learns to save a crash like he is teaching the others the whole scene will change.

Love watching him, and love seeing him cope with stuff that has other people tied in knots. Or crashing. Saw Neil Hodgson interview him a couple of races ago and he was really accessible and open and funny.

[george formby]

Love watching him, and love seeing him cope with stuff that has other people tied in knots. Or crashing. Saw Neil Hodgson interview him a couple of races ago and he was really accessible and open and funny.

MM was not my cup of tea a season or three ago but I have really enjoyed seeing him develop as a rider and media person. The dude wants to race and win, his riding demonstrates that, he has also shown that he has learned how to understand the "circus".

Whichever way you look at it, he entertains on an epic scale. Yeah, it's been fascinating to watch him mature over the years and watch him push to the max.

Quietly, though, MM's a bit polished, I want to see Zarco doing some back flips next season. He always wears his race on his face.

[Doppleganger]

Seriously loved watching MM this season, fukin hated the prick after his interference with Rosi a while back but they have kissed and made up and MM seems to have grown up.
Hore Hay on the other hand, what a complete cock....blocking his team mate for most of the race despite multiple calls from his team what a wanker hope the team gives him the flick.

Will no longer have a tinge of 'maybe a bit to far' in the Dear George columns now, I'd say it doesn't go far enough.

[pritch]

Ben Spies' shoulder must have improved, he's making a comeback - of sorts. He's going to compete in Enduro events.

[pritch]

It has been announced that Simon Crafar is to be the new pit lane reporter for MotoGP. Didn’t see that coming. He almost seems over qualified but we should be able to understand his accent.

[Mental Trousers]

It has been announced that Simon Crafar is to be the new pit lane reporter for MoroGP. Didn’t see that coming. He almost seems over qualified but we should be able to understand his accent.

Damn good idea. Hopefully he’ll do a lap or two of each circuit like Dylan did

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2017/11/24/simon-crafar-joins-motogp-commentary-team/247407

[speights_bud]

Does anyone know where Dylan is going? I assumed at first he'd step upstairs but I read Steve and Matthew are the others in the commentary team

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[pritch]

Does anyone know where Dylan is going? I assumed at first he'd step upstairs but I read Steve and Matthew are the others in the commentary team



Other than a single mention that Dylan's departure was "sad" (from David Emmett?) I have seen nowt. He certainly didn't get the send off Nick Harris did. The reaction to Crafar's appointment though is enthusiastic.

From the Jerez combined test, MotoGP, SBK, and BSB, the fastest time went to J Rea, Kawasaki. OK, he was trying to do exactly that, he had qualifying tyres the GP riders did not, and none of the top 6 factory riders were there. Even so, that's still bloody impressive.

Rea had stopped to pick up an MBE from the Duke of Cambridge on the way. The lad's having a good coupla weeks.

[Crasherfromwayback]

The reaction to Crafar's appointment though is enthusiastic.

.

Yeah that's fucking cool news!

[speights_bud]

Other than a single mention that Dylan's departure was "sad" (from David Emmett?) I have seen nowt. He certainly didn't get the send off Nick Harris did.
That's a real shame, I enjoyed Dylan's input. I will have to look him up on social media sometime and see what he is doing.

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[pritch]

J Rea's performance at the combined test has created a minor controversy on social media. Fans claimed that Rea should be in GPs, but it was pointed out that he's doing very nicely and earning good money where he is. Having a young family, 13 weeks away from home is better than 19 weeks away too.

Some of the fans, mostly from Northern Ireland apparently, took umbrage when it was pointed out that he would not be an instant Marquez beater. Nor for that matter would he automatically beat Rossi, Pedrosa, Lorenzo, Doizioso, or Vinales . Oxley though did point out that in getting fastest time he did so with a bike that weighed 15kg more, produced 50hp less, did not have carbon brakes and was several million quid shy in the budget.

I'm not sure why the need to argue, Rea is probably happy.

One statistic from the test: at lunch in town the bill for one team was 1500 euros. I hope it was a nice lunch.

[Autech]

Rea would be up there. Not like he would blow them all away though there is only so fast a motorcycle can be ridden abd the current batch are all very good at finding that limit

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[Autech]

Gossip

https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/motorsport/662568/Valentino-Rossi-may-quit-Yamaha-admits-team-boss/amp



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[BMWST?]

Johny Rea had sbk quali tyres and a few of the fast boys arent there on therir motogp bikes.Outstanding effort though.He will obviously be the man to beat next year again

[Mental Trousers]

Other than a single mention that Dylan's departure was "sad" (from David Emmett?) I have seen nowt. He certainly didn't get the send off Nick Harris did.
That's a real shame, I enjoyed Dylan's input. I will have to look him up on social media sometime and see what he is doing.

I haven't been able to find a damn thing about where Dylan has gone to. Much more interested in what he's up to than Nick Harris retiring.

However, it's great to hear Simon Crafar is taking over from Dylan.

[pritch]

Fancy a bit of colour in a helmet? Drudi's latest winter testing hat for Rossi.

[speights_bud]

I haven't been able to find a damn thing about where Dylan has gone to. Much more interested in what he's up to than Nick Harris retiring.

However, it's great to hear Simon Crafar is taking over from Dylan.

Dylan's Twitter didn't give much up. I wonder if his contract came up and he just got bumped.
333556

[BMWST?]

maybe he just thought that withnick retiing it was time for a change himself?

[Autech]

Lets skip the multi million $ budgets and put them all on mopeds. Looks fun.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_ozW7DtroGE" frameborder="0" gesture="media" allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Crasherfromwayback]

Lets skip the multi million $ budgets and put them all on mopeds. Looks fun.

]

When people I knew took the piss out of me for racing 883's, I laughed. Matters not what you're racing, but who you're racing against.

[James Deuce]

When people I knew took the piss out of me for racing 883's, I laughed. Matters not what you're racing, but who you're racing against.
Yeah, but that was a fucking entertaining class and worth a trip to watch the racing, just like the TRX850 one.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Yeah, but that was a fucking entertaining class and worth a trip to watch the racing, just like the TRX850 one.

Twenty five fuckwits on GN125's would be fun too.

[ecko_nzed]

Twenty five fuckwits on GN125's would be fun too.Isn't that the Gixxer cup?

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[Autech]

When people I knew took the piss out of me for crashing 883's, I laughed. Matters not what you're crashing, but who you're crashing with.

Corrected for accuracy :D

Very true though, Dani n Marc both looked hyped after that race more so than on the big bikes on a bad day.

Sign me up for the gn125 cup

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

[Crasherfromwayback]

Isn't that the Gixxer cup?



Yeah very close eh. Can get a GN125 for 1k though.


Corrected for accuracy :D

Very true though, Dani n Marc both looked hyped after that race more so than on the big bikes on a bad day.

Sign me up for the gn125 cup



Yeah I'd almost be tempted to squeeze back into my leathers for that.

[Autech]

Yeah very close eh. Can get a GN125 for 1k though.

Yeah I'd almost be tempted to squeeze back into my leathers for that.

http://i43.tinypic.com/n19fo8.jpg

[Crasherfromwayback]

http://i43.tinypic.com/n19fo8.jpg

The only gay in the village...

[Autech]

The only gay in the village...


https://youtu.be/CwO33oUawM8

Bahaha.

Annyywayysss back on topic.

Marquez saying everyone is a threat next year, which comes as no surprise as if the tyres change who knows what could happen.
As it stands though I only see MM and the two Ducati's as the bike and riders with the tyre/bike combo bang on.
Unless every race is in 30 degree heat Dani won't be able to contend week in week out, Zarco will be on a 2017 Yamaha which, sorry, but if VR and MV can't get it to work then I can't see him doing any better. That and a satelite bike contending for a championship won't happen as they don't have the resources to battle with the big boys.
Main wildcard is whether Yamaha can deliver a bike good enough for every track and every condition. If they can't then its a 3 horse race IMO.

Buttt I'm generally wrong so the only constant I see is MM being in the running. All bets are off from there.

Speaking of bets are we going to do the $100 challenge again? I might be able to spare another hundy to turn into more money :D.

[roogazza]

Mat Oxley - The Yamaha MotoGP bike you never knew existed
Submitted by Mat Oxley on Wed, 2017-12-13 10:53
MotoMatters.com is delighted to feature the work of iconic MotoGP writer Mat Oxley. Oxley is a former racer, TT winner and highly respected author of biographies of world champions Mick Doohan and Valentino Rossi, and currently writes for Motor Sport Magazine (link is external), where he is MotoGP correspondent. We are featuring sections from Oxley's blogs, which are posted in full on the Motor Sport Magazine website.

The Yamaha MotoGP bike you never knew existed

Almost two decades ago Yamaha built a single-crank new YZR500 to beat Honda and Valentino Rossi to the final 500cc title. The bike remained a secret, until now…

Yamaha has won plenty of MotoGP titles since the four-strokes arrived 16 years ago, but the factory had a miserable time in the final years of the 500cc World Championship. Yamaha was defeated nine years in a row, mostly by Honda, which is why its engineers built an all-new bike for the final 2001 season of 500s, when Honda and Valentino Rossi would be their greatest rivals.

This bike was tested in Europe in the summer of 2000 by Marlboro Yamaha riders Max Biaggi and Carlos Checa, less than 18 months before the final 500 GP, but never raced. And somehow, Yamaha managed to keep the project secret. Until now.

Yamaha engineers were so desperate to win again that they cribbed the bike’s most vital performance feature from Honda’s NSR500, winner of seven of the last nine 500 championships.

The battle for supremacy between Yamaha and Honda V4s had been the big deal in the premier class since the mid-1980s. The two machines were similar, but for one crucial difference: the NSR500 used a single crankshaft, while Yamaha’s YZ500 used two contra-rotating cranks.

During the first decade of this technology duel, Yamaha’s twin-crank engine seemed the better solution. The two cranks rotated in opposite directions, cancelling out torque reaction and crankshaft inertia for friendlier handling and power delivery. So much so, that Honda built a twin-crank engine in the late 1980s but never raced it because HRC hated copying rivals. After all, a twin-crank NSR would’ve been like Yamaha building a V4 MotoGP bike for 2018, or Ducati building an inline-four.

By the late 1990s, it was Yamaha doing the copying. Biaggi and Checa, who had both joined from Honda in 1999, became convinced they needed a single-crank YZR500 if they were to win the historic final 500cc crown.

Read the rest of Mat Oxley's blog on the Motor Sport Magazine website (link is external).

[Dadpole]

Speaking of bets are we going to do the $100 challenge again? I might be able to spare another hundy to turn into more money :D.

I will be in for that. I currently have 50 cents in my account as I took my winnings out and spent it. :wings: Could anyone better Crashers results from last season?

[Crasherfromwayback]

Could anyone better Crashers results from last season?

I hope to.

[malcy25]

Mat Oxley - The Yamaha MotoGP bike you never knew existed
Submitted by Mat Oxley on Wed, 2017-12-13 10:53
MotoMatters.com is delighted to feature the work of iconic MotoGP writer Mat Oxley. Oxley is a former racer, TT winner and highly respected author of biographies of world champions Mick Doohan and Valentino Rossi, and currently writes for Motor Sport Magazine (link is external), where he is MotoGP correspondent. We are featuring sections from Oxley's blogs, which are posted in full on the Motor Sport Magazine website.

The Yamaha MotoGP bike you never knew existed

Almost two decades ago Yamaha built a single-crank new YZR500 to beat Honda and Valentino Rossi to the final 500cc title. The bike remained a secret, until now…

Yamaha has won plenty of MotoGP titles since the four-strokes arrived 16 years ago, but the factory had a miserable time in the final years of the 500cc World Championship. Yamaha was defeated nine years in a row, mostly by Honda, which is why its engineers built an all-new bike for the final 2001 season of 500s, when Honda and Valentino Rossi would be their greatest rivals.

This bike was tested in Europe in the summer of 2000 by Marlboro Yamaha riders Max Biaggi and Carlos Checa, less than 18 months before the final 500 GP, but never raced. And somehow, Yamaha managed to keep the project secret. Until now.

Yamaha engineers were so desperate to win again that they cribbed the bike’s most vital performance feature from Honda’s NSR500, winner of seven of the last nine 500 championships.

The battle for supremacy between Yamaha and Honda V4s had been the big deal in the premier class since the mid-1980s. The two machines were similar, but for one crucial difference: the NSR500 used a single crankshaft, while Yamaha’s YZ500 used two contra-rotating cranks.

During the first decade of this technology duel, Yamaha’s twin-crank engine seemed the better solution. The two cranks rotated in opposite directions, cancelling out torque reaction and crankshaft inertia for friendlier handling and power delivery. So much so, that Honda built a twin-crank engine in the late 1980s but never raced it because HRC hated copying rivals. After all, a twin-crank NSR would’ve been like Yamaha building a V4 MotoGP bike for 2018, or Ducati building an inline-four.

By the late 1990s, it was Yamaha doing the copying. Biaggi and Checa, who had both joined from Honda in 1999, became convinced they needed a single-crank YZR500 if they were to win the historic final 500cc crown.

Read the rest of Mat Oxley's blog on the Motor Sport Magazine website (link is external).

Ther shit that teams will try eh!

I recall Team Roberts with the KR3 did a set up where they were able to within one practice session convert the gear primary drive to chain, so they could run the crank forward and backwards to test a theory on crank rotation on the same bike in the same conditions and the same rider....

Also Suzuki tried big bang in the 80's with the square 4 RG500. But I think they only ever ran it on the dyno, saw no real difference so abandoned it....lol!

[Rcktfsh]

Mat Oxley - The Yamaha MotoGP bike you never knew existed
Submitted by Mat Oxley on Wed, 2017-12-13 10:53
MotoMatters.com is delighted to feature the work of iconic MotoGP writer Mat Oxley. Oxley is a former racer, TT winner and highly respected author of biographies of world champions Mick Doohan and Valentino Rossi, and currently writes for Motor Sport Magazine (link is external), where he is MotoGP correspondent. We are featuring sections from Oxley's blogs, which are posted in full on the Motor Sport Magazine website.

The Yamaha MotoGP bike you never knew existed

Almost two decades ago Yamaha built a single-crank new YZR500 to beat Honda and Valentino Rossi to the final 500cc title. The bike remained a secret, until now…

Yamaha has won plenty of MotoGP titles since the four-strokes arrived 16 years ago, but the factory had a miserable time in the final years of the 500cc World Championship. Yamaha was defeated nine years in a row, mostly by Honda, which is why its engineers built an all-new bike for the final 2001 season of 500s, when Honda and Valentino Rossi would be their greatest rivals.

This bike was tested in Europe in the summer of 2000 by Marlboro Yamaha riders Max Biaggi and Carlos Checa, less than 18 months before the final 500 GP, but never raced. And somehow, Yamaha managed to keep the project secret. Until now.

Yamaha engineers were so desperate to win again that they cribbed the bike’s most vital performance feature from Honda’s NSR500, winner of seven of the last nine 500 championships.

The battle for supremacy between Yamaha and Honda V4s had been the big deal in the premier class since the mid-1980s. The two machines were similar, but for one crucial difference: the NSR500 used a single crankshaft, while Yamaha’s YZ500 used two contra-rotating cranks.

During the first decade of this technology duel, Yamaha’s twin-crank engine seemed the better solution. The two cranks rotated in opposite directions, cancelling out torque reaction and crankshaft inertia for friendlier handling and power delivery. So much so, that Honda built a twin-crank engine in the late 1980s but never raced it because HRC hated copying rivals. After all, a twin-crank NSR would’ve been like Yamaha building a V4 MotoGP bike for 2018, or Ducati building an inline-four.

By the late 1990s, it was Yamaha doing the copying. Biaggi and Checa, who had both joined from Honda in 1999, became convinced they needed a single-crank YZR500 if they were to win the historic final 500cc crown.

Read the rest of Mat Oxley's blog on the Motor Sport Magazine website (link is external).

Not actually as super secret as Oxley makes out, Mike Webb talked about it a couple of years ago when doing a talk at the Hamilton Motorcycle Club. He and Mike Sinclair were the Marlboro Yamaha crew chiefs at the time and the bike was a creation of their ideas. Apparently it was a lot more radical than just being single crank.

[george formby]

2019 could be a shocking season......

Moto-e (https://newatlas.com/motogp-electric-moto-e-energica-ego-dorna/52598/)


Drippy Triples, too.

Not sure those e-bikes will electrify the crowd, though.. heh.

[Autech]

2019 could be a shocking season......

Moto-e (https://newatlas.com/motogp-electric-moto-e-energica-ego-dorna/52598/)


Drippy Triples, too.

Not sure those e-bikes will electrify the crowd, though.. heh.I am quite charged up to see them

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

[george formby]

I am quite charged up to see them

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

Yeah, I'm quite positive about it. :facepalm:

[Crasherfromwayback]

I am quite charged up to see them



They leave me flat.

[Autech]

Like any racing there is positives and negatives to it. Once there is a direct current racing roster to look at we will see what is what.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

[george formby]

Like any racing there is positives and negatives to it. Once there is a direct current racing roster to look at we will see what is what.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

Shorei they will get lighter and faster in far less time than traditional bikes have? Only problem is the lack of sound track, need more amps coming out the terminalonis. I wonder if they will have a hot lap button..?

[Graystone]

I think that series would be better run in parallel with moto3, there would be resistance obviously, but otherwise watts the point?

[Autech]

Organises have been ohmsing and arrghing but I think once the resistance weakens they will conduct a very good circuit racing experience.

[ecko_nzed]

Please let the racing start soon, and the terrible puns stop.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

[pritch]

Please let the racing start soon, and the terrible puns stop.


That particular vein must be worked out about now so...

The Superprestigio was held this weekend:
1. JD Beach
2. Briar Baumann
3. Ferran Cardus
4. Tony Elias
5. Fabio Di Giannantonio
6. Alberto Arenas

We could see more of Mr Beach as he is primarily a road racer in the USA, he is currently without a ride and has been riding flat track as a fill in.

Farran Cardus is a Catalonian flat tracker.

In the next day or so there is to be a 100k flat track event at the Rossi ranch, run over the 16th and 17th their time. The field is largely Italian but some Spanish riders, Aegerter who is Swiss, and Eugene Laverty give the event an international flavour.

[ellipsis]

In the next day or so there is to be a 100k flat track event at the Rossi ranch, run over the 16th and 17th their time. The field is largely Italian but some Spanish riders, Aegerter who is Swiss, and Eugene Laverty give the event an international flavour.



...that'll be a wild, hoot to watch...I'm sure you'll post a link to it when it appears pritch...:2thumbsup

[pritch]

...that'll be a wild, hoot to watch...I'm sure you'll post a link to it when it appears pritch...:2thumbsup

Farcebook valeyellow46 might have something tomorrow?

[Autech]

Please let the racing start soon, and the terrible puns stop.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Tired of the pun-ishment?

Hehehe. Sorry last one I promise.

[pritch]

Here's something but you'll need more Italian than I've got to really understand what's happening.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNWCxzAcD5I

There is another clip of one of Rossi's neighbours having a whinge, presumably about the noise. The 'italian' in the public comments was easier to understand: "idiot" "imbecile" etc. Most people in the area, including the mayor, are proud of the 10 championships brought home to Tavullia. Yeah 10. Apparently Morbidelli is a Tavullia homeboy.

[george formby]

Here's something but you'll need more Italian than I've got to really understand what's happening.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNWCxzAcD5I

There is another clip of one of Rossi's neighbours having a whinge, presumably about the noise. The 'italian' in the public comments was easier to understand: "idiot" "imbecile" etc. Most people in the area, including the mayor, are proud of the 10 championships brought home to Tavullia. Yeah 10. Apparently Morbidelli is a Tavullia homeboy.


Western Springs syndrome?

[pritch]

Western Springs syndrome?

Similar I guess although it's possible he was there before Rossi built his track. It's very unlikely that there is anybody living who was at Western Springs before there was a track there. They all bought with the full knowledge that there was an operating speedway in the area.

[Cosmik de Bris]

Western Springs syndrome?

...and Ruapuna.

[ellipsis]

...and Ruapuna.

...there are fuckwit moaning cunts everywhere, not just on KB...Levels, up in Marlborough...city wanks coming to live in the country...it will only get worse...

[george formby]

Caveat Emptor Magna.

Should be in the law methinks.

Also explains a lot about Mitsi exhausts.

[Autech]

...there are fuckwit moaning cunts everywhere, not just on KB...Levels, up in Marlborough...city wanks coming to live in the country...it will only get worse...Cunts. Cunts everywhere!

So many cunts!

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

[pritch]

After racing motorcycles for eleven years Juanfran Guevara is retiring to devote time to his business career. At the ripe old age of 22. :blink:

[roogazza]

After racing motorcycles for eleven years Juanfran Guevara is retiring to devote time to his business career. At the ripe old age of 22. :blink:

11yrs racing and only 22 yrs old !!!! That's why those little Mexicans are so fast.:laugh:
Had a career and still only a baby. :confused:

[pritch]

A bit of silliness but not inappropriate for the season.


https://www.boxrepsol.com/en/motogp-en/marc-marquez-and-dani-pedrosas-school-candid-camera-prank/

[onearmedbandit]

A bit of silliness but not inappropriate for the season.


https://www.boxrepsol.com/en/motogp-en/marc-marquez-and-dani-pedrosas-school-candid-camera-prank/

Saw that earlier today, brought a smile to my face.

[WALRUS]

Here's something but you'll need more Italian than I've got to really understand what's happening.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNWCxzAcD5I


This is why the all mighty God invented auto-translate English subtitles!

[roogazza]

https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/opinion/motogp/can-yamaha-give-rossi-winning-bike

[eelracing]

Yamaha Bullshit

Christ it's simple,the sooner Yamaha go V4 the sooner we can have another homogenised class to justify Battery/Leccy bikes.

It's the future baby...:no:

[pritch]

Rossi has won round 1 of the legal action against his "ranch".

Nothing to do with GPs, but we're a bit short of action in that department right now so - Paris Dakar. This is a video of a Brit rider preparing his bike. What you might call a full service?

Episode 1 is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByUwxaf0dvk

Episode 2 is out I think, with several more to come.

[george formby]

Rossi has won round 1 of the legal action against his "ranch".

Nothing to do with GPs, but we're a bit short of action in that department right now so - Paris Dakar. This is a video of a Brit rider preparing his bike. What you might call a full service?

Episode 1 is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByUwxaf0dvk

Episode 2 is out I think, with several more to come.

Cheers, my wet afternoon sorted. I've nearly finished watching Malle Moto, his 2017 solo attempt. Brutal. I doff my cap in his general direction.

[pritch]

Cheers, my wet afternoon sorted. I've nearly finished watching Malle Moto, his 2017 solo attempt. Brutal. I doff my cap in his general direction.

Yeah even tough resourceful guys get worn down. I read an account by a Canadian solo rider who got stuck in dunes. He was in a deep hole and couldn't ride or drag the bike out. He called his wife to tell her he was pulling out (he had a satellite phone) but she told him the stage had been cancelled and provided he could make the start in the morning he was still in. He got out by riding round and round the wall of the hole inching toward the top and eventually over.

[pritch]

The Triumph 765 Moto2 bike.

MCN Motorcycle News have an impressive sounding "flyby" video clip on their Twitter page but it hasn't made it to YouTube yet so I can't seem to find a link to post.

A grid full of those things will be LOUD.

[Mental Trousers]

The Triumph 765 Moto2 bike.

MCN Motorcycle News have an impressive sounding "flyby" video clip on their Twitter page but it hasn't made it to YouTube yet so I can't seem to find a link to post.

A grid full of those things will be LOUD.

Pulled from Farcebook. You might have to right click -> unmute

https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FMo torcycleNews%2Fvideos%2F10155671056463855%2F&show_text=0

Shame there doesn't seem to be any footage of Julian Simon wringing it's neck. Those journo's are taking it a bit easy as they're not familiar with the bike and they're definitely not allowed to break it.

[WALRUS]

I'm just hoping they continue to develop it! Moto2 was pretty good in the first couple of years, all new and exciting, but then it sort of plataeu'd off IMHO.. The racing was still pretty close most of the time but there wasn't much development beyond some fairing changes and by the end of last year, pretty much everyone was just riding a Kalex chassis bike instead of the 15+ "different" bikes that were in the first season

[Mental Trousers]

I'm just hoping they continue to develop it! Moto2 was pretty good in the first couple of years, all new and exciting, but then it sort of plataeu'd off IMHO.. The racing was still pretty close most of the time but there wasn't much development beyond some fairing changes and by the end of last year, pretty much everyone was just riding a Kalex chassis bike instead of the 15+ "different" bikes that were in the first season

It's a fact. I was hoping to see all sorts of developments, especially getting away from the twin beam + telescopic forks layout. But instead we've ended up with a series that could've been designed by accountants.

[Crasherfromwayback]

I'm just hoping they continue to develop it! Moto2 was pretty good in the first couple of years, all new and exciting, but then it sort of plataeu'd off IMHO.. The racing was still pretty close most of the time but there wasn't much development beyond some fairing changes and by the end of last year, pretty much everyone was just riding a Kalex chassis bike instead of the 15+ "different" bikes that were in the first season


It's a fact. I was hoping to see all sorts of developments, especially getting away from the twin beam + telescopic forks layout. But instead we've ended up with a series that could've been designed by accountants.

It's shit, and has been since it's inception. Sometimes, winding the clock back is ok. ;-)

[eelracing]

It's a fact.It was designed by accountants.

Fixed that for you MT.

[pritch]

The rules permit all sorts of weird and wonderful frame and steering designs, but the team managers are very conservative - and risk averse. The result must be the most uniform class ever.
Suter had announced their withdrawal from the class which would have made it even less diverse but at least one team requested they stay.

International racing being a bit quiet at the moment I've been watching what Lyndon Poskitt has been getting up to at the Dakar. He is planning to record his race, currently he is up to episode 7 which covers up to stage 3. How much coverage we get will depend on how long he can stick around. He was 2nd in class last year, currently 3rd.

It can be followed on Youtube by checking: Lyndon Poskitt Racing: Races to Places - Dakar Rally 2018

[WALRUS]

It can be followed on Youtube by checking: Lyndon Poskitt Racing: Races to Places - Dakar Rally 2018

That's really cool, I'll check it out after work!

I'd love to see more experimentation and development across all three of the prototype classes... I was excited when "winglets" started to be a thing but even they got (semi)canned.. At least Aprilia followed through and started releasing them available on Production models (or will be soon).

I fully agree with MT.. It'd be sweet to see someone try something which isn't conventional but I don't think it'll ever happen.. At the end of the day, what wins will make money, why gamble that on something new or exciting which could either change the world or fail epically? It's all accountants and beuocracy these days... We need another John Britten to come up with an idea and go against the grain and succeed before anything major will change, I suspect. Other than the development of E Bikes, the motorcycle hasn't had a big shake up since the early 90's as far as I can tell.. I remember watching or reading an interview with Guy Martin about riding the Mugen at the TT Zero, saying he was excited to finally be riding something different from every other bike!

I'm watching the Crighton CR700P with interest but all their prototypes keep getting pinched so I'm not holding my breath :P I doubt it'd ever get into GP's anyway but I'd love it if it could!

[Autech]

Suter had announced their withdrawal from the class which would have made it even less diverse but at least one team requested they stay.


Didn't I read somewhere that the deal fell through? Would be a shame but as Kalex and KTM are both going to be massively dominant this year you can see why the teams wouldn't want to back a Suter.

We should all get together in a barn sometime a design a chassis for Moto2 and question everything while getting slowly hammered. I'm thinking square wheels, wooden chassis to give good flex (Kauri to give it a kiwi touch). Suspension will be one of those whoopy tubes that makes noises when you tilt it side to side.

Then we will get CWB to ride it for us as he's already crashed lots so wont mind crashing some more during development. Added amusment will be the whoopy nosies as the bike flips end over end :D

[Mental Trousers]

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2017/12/21/airbags-compulsory-from-2018/247973

Safety = good
Compulsory = bad

:argh:

[george formby]

Are the current Aliens wearing these leathers? I recall seeing crashes a season or three ago where the rider got up doing a Hulk impersonation, but I have not noticed if that is still the case. They don't look buff after a bin.

[Mental Trousers]

Are the current Aliens wearing these leathers? I recall seeing crashes a season or three ago where the rider got up doing a Hulk impersonation, but I have not noticed if that is still the case. They don't look buff after a bin.

You can tell if there's a LED somewhere on the suit. But most of the MotoGP riders already do wear the airbag suits so it's essentially formalizing something that's already happening.

[george formby]

You can tell if there's a LED somewhere on the suit. But most of the MotoGP riders already do wear the airbag suits so it's essentially formalizing something that's already happening.

Cheers. I guess the tech is improving rapidly.

[EJK]

This just in. Looks very aggressive. Wicked!

[discotex]

Looks a bit like a Panagale and an MT-10 had a lovechild

[ellipsis]

Looks a bit like a Panagale and an MT-10 had a lovechild

...and the real photographer was out of town for the first pics...

[roogazza]

334800334801

[Crasherfromwayback]

[H]

Looks good I reckon.

[pritch]

The paint job may change a bit, they are still looking for a sponsor to replace TIM which left at the end of last season. Apparently there's a big vacant patch in the middle of the chest on the leathers too.

[pritch]

I was just staring idly at the new Ducati GP18 colour scheme and the thought occurred that you can see GiGi used to work for Aprilia.

[Autech]

So Jonas fucking Folger is out for 18. Bloody shame but it leaves us in an interesting scenario where we have a top level motogp bike free, but all the usual suspects locked in.

Michael VDM is my pick
Loris Baz wouldn't be out of the question
Stephan Bradl might kick loose Honda

Then there are all the Moto2 scrappers that would give their left nut for a year on that bike who might just tell their teams to eff off if Herve comes knocking.

Stay tuned

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

[pritch]

Tech3 say they will not take anybody who already has a contract. UNLESS the contracted rider can prove he has the approval of his team and a replacement organised.

All sorts of names are being floated from the ridiculous, Casey Stoner, to the rather more likely, Peco Bagnaia. Bagnaia is contracted to Rossi's team so it's quite possible that Rossi's relationship with Yamaha would make any potential contract probems disappear pdq.

Ben Spies has been arguing for a US Yamaha rider, their current champ? can't remember his name and can't find it just now.

Bradl and Guinters are apparently available. Bradl though has been firmy wedded to Honda in the past.

Poncheral reportedly has a preference for a Moto2 rider, possibly not a big name though as that would be expensive. Could even be somebody like Remy Gardiner as a budget option.
Don't feel bad that we don't know, Herve doesn't know himself yet.

If I have to pick someone? Bagnaia.

[Autech]

Tech 3 say they will not take anybody who already has a contract. UNLESS the contracted rider can prove he has the approval of his team and a replacement organised.

All sorts of names are being floated from the ridiculous, Casey Stoner, to the rather more likely, Peco Bagnaia. Bagnaia is contracted to Rossi's team so it's quite possible that Rossi's relationship with Yamaha would make any potential contract probems disappear pdq.

Ben Spies has been arguing for a US Yamaha rider, their current champ? can't remember his name and can't find it just now.

Bradl and Guinters are apparently available. Bradl though has been firmy wedded to Honda in the past.

Poncheral reportedly has a preference for a Moto2 rider, possibly not a big name though as that would be expensive. Could even be somebody like Remy Gardiner as a budget option.
Don't feel bad that we don't know, Herve doesn't know himself yet.

If I have to pick someone? Bagnaia.Bags has the ability IMO to do a Zarco and start strong. Guy was insane on the Mahindra in Moto3.

Yeah I know the yank you speak of though the name alludes me. Can't honestly see a yank rocking straight into Motogp on unfamiliar circuits doing too well though.

Joan Mir would be epic, but I think he should pay attention to the Miller lesson and do his time in Moto2

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

[pritch]

Michel Turco, a respected French moto journo, says Yonnie Hernandez will be on the bike at the Sepang test. Tech3 are still saying nowt.

[BMWST?]

i would like to see alvaro bautista have another crack at a good bike.Purely hypothetical I know

[WALRUS]

Ben Spies has been arguing for a US Yamaha rider, their current champ? can't remember his name and can't find it just now.


I'd love to see Spies ('Elbowz') back on the world stage.. i don't think he'd go very well though.

VDM would be good if it's an offer good enough to get him from the Factory WSBK squad...

I reckon it'd be more likely to get someone from Production racing rather than someone from Moto2 or a GP rider with no/crap contract etc

[Autech]

What is Danny Kent doing this year?

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[pritch]

What is Danny Kent doing this year?

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

Training hard as fuck apparently. He had done major damage to his reputation in the paddock by spendng every available minute on the phone to his gf. Barely interested in his job, so was dumped from his Moto2 team. He has talent but lacked the motivation. MotoMatters thinks he may have his mind back on the job.

The Tech3 situation has people watching who is travelling to Sepang with more than the usual interest. The team still maintain all options are open: no rider, factory test rider, or uncontracted rider.

So with no confirmation of anything at all, the following people are reportedly en route to Sepang: Tony Elias, Michael Dunlop and Josh waters. Of course they could just all be heading out there to catch some sun?
I would have thought the latter three are more associated with Suzuki anyway and It's true Suzuki need a hand.

[Autech]

Elias tweetes they get to ride the RR as a reward for winning the titles. But what's stopping him speaking to Herve.

I have sat by the phone just in case but haven't revieved a call yet. Still time though :D

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

[WALRUS]

Michael Dunlop

I seriously doubt Dunlop would be looking to get into GPs but it would definitely be interesting

[Crasherfromwayback]

I seriously doubt Dunlop would be looking to get into GPs but it would definitely be interesting

He'd get fucking blown away.

[pritch]

He'd get fucking blown away.

Yeah it's all very specialised now, but just as the GP riders would blow him away on a GP track, they'd shit themselves on his turf.

There have been a couple of recent mentions of a GP on a road circuit, but neither item I saw contained enough info to indicate what they were talking about. Hard to see how that could work.

[speights_bud]

There have been a couple of recent mentions of a GP on a road circuit, but neither item I saw contained enough info to indicate what they were talking about. Hard to see how that could work.

It wouldn't. Because Safety.

Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk

[pritch]

It wouldn't. Because Safety.


Dunno. If they could find a piece of road surrounded by football sized runoff areas. if...

[WALRUS]

Dunno. If they could find a piece of road surrounded by football sized runoff areas. if...

I wish they'd go back to the original Assen layout.. It's the closest we got in recent memory. A lot of off camber corners, bumpy surface, looong laps (for GPs, at least).. Twas grand! Never going to happen but ah well

[speights_bud]

Dunno. If they could find a piece of road surrounded by football sized runoff areas. if...Like Qatar without the fences?

Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk

[Autech]

From what I saw it was just an idea where part of the circuit will use a public road in a city then back to a real track. Basically saying build a circuit and we will race there

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

[Crasherfromwayback]

Yeah it's all very specialised now, but just as the GP riders would blow him away on a GP track, they'd shit themselves on his turf.

There have been a couple of recent mentions of a GP on a road circuit, but neither item I saw contained enough info to indicate what they were talking about. Hard to see how that could work.

Yeah, but as good as the road racers are, they're nowhere near as fast as the aliens in Moto GP. So whilst they'd blow the Aliens away on road tracks, that's because they know the roads, and are prepared to take risks on them, the Aliens wouldn't be prepared to take. They're not in the same league.

[pritch]

Yeah, but as good as the road racers are, they're nowhere near as fast as the aliens in Moto GP. So whilst they'd blow the Aliens away on road tracks, that's because they know the roads, and are prepared to take risks on them, the Aliens wouldn't be prepared to take. They're not in the same league.

Nah, you're being too tough. McPint and Rossi seem to get on - mutual respect and all that. They're all "not in the same league" on the other guy's patch.

Cheers. :drinkup:

[Autech]

http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/888825/1/dunlop-confirms-suzuki-motogp-test

You guys were saying?

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

[Crasherfromwayback]

Nah, you're being too tough. McPint and Rossi seem to get on - mutual respect and all that. They're all "not in the same league" on the other guy's patch.

Cheers. :drinkup:

Nah, I'm just being realistic. Rossi and McPint getting on doesn't mean McPint could get anywhere near Rossi on a race track. Example... I've beaten a man that's beaten McPint. And I know for a FACT I'd struggle to get withing 10 secs a lap of the big boys.

[pritch]

Nah, I'm just being realistic. Rossi and McPint getting on doesn't mean McPint could get anywhere near Rossi on a race track. Example...


I didn't say that. To be clear, just as Rossi would own McPint on a track, McPint would cream Rossi around the Island or Dundrod or...

Anyhoo, Stoner has impressed on a damp track at the Ducati private test at Sepang, .2 off last years pole time on a damp track. He's still got it.

The factories are "private testing" with their test riders and guests and whoever, prior to the factory riders getting to work

[Crasherfromwayback]

Anyhoo, Stoner has impressed on a damp track at the Ducati private test at Sepang, .2 off last years pole time on a damp track. He's still got it.



Yep. Such a shame he still doesn't feel like a comeback.

[Mental Trousers]

Anyhoo, Stoner has impressed on a damp track at the Ducati private test at Sepang, .2 off last years pole time on a damp track. He's still got it.



Yep. Such a shame he still doesn't feel like a comeback.

You never know. If he is impressed enough with a bike he tests it might be tempting enough to put in the work to do a wildcard. Certainly a possibility now they've got a bike, team and factory set up that isn't all shut up and ride the bike.

[Crasherfromwayback]

You never know. If he is impressed enough with a bike he tests it might be tempting enough to put in the work to do a wildcard. Certainly a possibility now they've got a bike, team and factory set up that isn't all shut up and ride the bike.

We can certainly dream of a Stoner/MM showdown at PI!

[WALRUS]

I liked Casey when he was racing for LCR in the 250's and his first year in the Prem' Class on the RC211V.. But despite being an Australian with a massive Ducati fixation, after he got on the Ducati GP7 and absolutely owned, I went off him a bit, I just got kinda bored I guess? In the same way that I'm bored by Marquez.. They're both incredibly talented and maybe putting them up against each other would be a good combination, but yeah.. I'm not hugely fussed about him making a comeback or not..

However, Troy Bayliss is coming out of retirement this year to race in the ASBK championship.. Not nearly as glamourous as MotoGP or WSBK but I am all over that!!

[merv]

Anyhoo, Stoner has impressed on a damp track at the Ducati private test at Sepang, .2 off last years pole time on a damp track. He's still got it.



Where can we find this lap time information on the test?

[roogazza]

334898

Haven't heard much about it yet or maybe it's a secret ?:confused::shifty::rolleyes:

MotoGP
Neil Morrison25 Jan 2018
Valentino Rossi is ‘positive’ about upcoming contract talks; will evaluate performance during preseason and “maybe” first three races before deciding whether to race beyond 2018.

MotoGP: Rossi ‘optimistic’ about negotiations - but ‘in no rush’
Valentino Rossi has insisted he is “not in a rush” to confirm whether he will continue as a MotoGP rider beyond 2018, but added that he feels “positive” and “optimistic” about upcoming negotiations with Yamaha.

A great deal of speculation has surrounded the future of the 38-year old Italian in recent months, who is preparing for a near unprecedented 23rd year in grand prix racing, and 19th in the premier class.

Toward the end of last year Rossi had insisted that he would use the first six races of '18 to gauge his competitiveness against opponents some 15 years his junior. Should he remain a regular podium challenger, Rossi said, he would extend.

At Movistar Yamaha team’s launch in Madrid, Rossi revealed he had recently spoken to factory managing director Lin Jarvis, and relayed his hopes of evaluating his performance at the three preseason tests - and “maybe the first three races” of the year - before coming to a decision.

[Autech]

Yonny Hernandez to Tech 3.

Can't say I ever saw much of him in a race that I recall...

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

[manxkiwi]

Nobu Aoki 'surprised' at how quickly MD adapted to the MotoGP bike. No times though. Also they weren't running GP Michie slicks as they're allocated for the season.

Doubt he'd cut it in GP, but he's certainly got a ton of talent.

[george formby]

Nobu Aoki 'surprised' at how quickly MD adapted to the MotoGP bike. No times though. Also they weren't running GP Michie slicks as they're allocated for the season.

Doubt he'd cut it in GP, but he's certainly got a ton of talent.

Yeah, I think the road racers focus their ability on finding the limits of the road and MotoGP riders have to find the limits of their bikes. Obviously a big overlap in the middle.

Just my musings on it.

[pritch]

Where can we find this lap time information on the test?

I got it from a tweet posted by David Emmett. It is a private test so there are no official public results. There is, however, a little more here: https://motomatters.com/news/2018/01/25/sepang_private_motogp_test_update_stoner.html

Visits to Crash.net and GPOne would be in order.

Presumably the factory testing in a day or so will be less Secret Squirrel.

[pritch]

MotoGP have announced their new commentary team. The announcement was made by @CommentarySteve who I assume is Steve English, who is Irish, he was on the team last year. Also on the team, and also Irish, is Neil Morrison. Thankfully the third member of the team hasn't got an accent, it's Simon Crafar.

[Dadpole]

As long as Steve English doesn't bring that Aussie Harry with him from Superbike....

Will this also mean that Harry boy is the head commentator in WSBK? If so, I may have to get the Russian coverage. :pinch:

[Crasherfromwayback]

MotoGP have announced their new commentary team. The announcement was made by @CommentarySteve who I assume is Steve English, who is Irish, he was on the team last year. Also on the team, and also Irish, is Neil Morrison. Thankfully the third member of the team hasn't got an accent, it's Simon Crafar.

Yeah, looking forward to hearing Simon. He's actually a fucking funny guy.

[roogazza]

As long as Steve English doesn't bring that Aussie Harry with him from Superbike....
Will this also mean that Harry boy is the head commentator in WSBK? If so, I may have to get the Russian coverage. :pinch:

I described him as sounding like a Gay hairdresser which was a bit unkind I suppose ?
Won't be long for us armchair experts, till everything kicks off again,can't wait !

At least Nick Harris is gone !

ps Dadpole,listen for the "Dulset" tones of the K6 early tomorro :yes: :woohoo:

[Dadpole]

At least Nick Harris is gone ! :woohoo:

ps Dadpole,listen for the "Dulset" tones of the K6 early tomorro :yes: :woohoo:

Call in anytime. We are at the old Makomako School. 200 meters before the Masterton turnoff coming from Palmy. Otherwise I shall wave to all sportbikes - sometimes with all fingers...

[BMWST?]

Neil morrison is the third member of the sometimes 4 member moto matters podcast.David Emmet,Steve English,Neil Morrison and an American photraghper guy who cant quite remember the name of at the moment.Neil Morrison has a very deep voice and quite softly spoken.Will be a challenge for the sound engineers,esp at the circuits where the commentary spot is close to the circuit with poor sound insulation.
Sho;d be quite a knowledgeable trio though.I think Neil Morrison is a regular contributor to crash net?

[pritch]

A spot of bother on the way to work. Anyone know a mechanic?

[roogazza]

Call in anytime. We are at the old Makomako School. 200 meters before the Masterton turnoff coming from Palmy. Otherwise I shall wave to all sportbikes - sometimes with all fingers...

will when I can find it Dad. Perhaps if i slowed down a little I'd have time to spot ya Digs.
Was chatting to a fella I see, in town Sunday. Think he said he'd been to your place (he's a Sparky and fixes shit ) ????

[Crasherfromwayback]

Meantime.......

https://www.superbikeplanet.com/motogp-sepang-day-1-test-results-2018/

[Mental Trousers]

At least Nick Harris is gone !

I got totally pissed off at how much coverage he got for leaving and virtually nothing was said about Dylan Gray. I was much more interested in what Dylan was doing.

[roogazza]

Movistar Yamaha duo take to the top, with Jack Miller for close company
#jackmiller #motogp #sepangtest

Viñales and Rossi reign on Day 2 at Sepang - Australian Motorcycle News
Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) went quickest on Day 2 at Sepang International Circuit, just beating teammate Valentino Rossi to the top late on as…
AMCN.COM.AU

Not so much about who's fastest at this stage but more about how many are close,within a second!
Miller seems to like the Ducati .

[Crasherfromwayback]

Miller seems to like the Ducati .

And seeing as the Ducati is good in the wet, he'll be your man at the TAB in the rain.

[Mental Trousers]

At least Nick Harris is gone !

I got totally pissed off at how much coverage he got for leaving and virtually nothing was said about Dylan Gray. I was much more interested in what Dylan was doing.

Finally figured out where Dylan went.


It's been just over a year since I accepted a job offer to move to Barcelona and join the fantastic team at Dorna Sports to work as a Voice Over Artist in MotoGP and Lead Commentator in the FIM CEV Repsol. It's been a hugely exciting learning curve, one that has tested my abilities, and without a doubt improved my skills in so many areas.

I'm very excited to be focusing more on commentary for the forthcoming season with a number of different projects, kicking off with highlights of the Credit Andorra G Series throughout this month and into February. March sees the start of what will be a hectic 10 month schedule in the world of racing, but I'm so excited to get better at the job I've always dreamed of.

Here's to a successful 2018, and I wish you all the best in your endeavours also.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylan-gray-40481933/detail/recent-activity/

[pritch]

Dylan Gray didn't retire, he went to the opposition which makes a difference. He might be on the move again because one comment I saw indicates BT may have lost the UK coverage.
There does seem to be further upheaval to come in the commentary teams, I guess it'll all settle for the first race.

Some of the aero pckages are causing comment being strictly in accordance with the letter of law, if not the spirit. I'm going to need to find a detailed explanation of how the Yamaha wings - as per pic - are legal.

[pritch]

Ahhh this might explain it.

[Mental Trousers]

Ahhh this might explain it.


Some of the aero pckages are causing comment being strictly in accordance with the letter of law, if not the spirit. I'm going to need to find a detailed explanation of how the Yamaha wings - as per pic - are legal.

Looks fine to me. They aren't wings as such, but more like ducts, same as the other manufacturers.

[Grumph]

Looks fine to me. They aren't wings as such, but more like ducts, same as the other manufacturers.

A more correct description is "ring aerofoils". These go back to the 1920's and are quite useful at subsonic speeds.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Looks fine to me. They aren't wings as such, but more like ducts, same as the other manufacturers.

Rules are always open to diff Interpretation .

[Mental Trousers]

Looks fine to me. They aren't wings as such, but more like ducts, same as the other manufacturers.

Rules are always open to diff Interpretation .

Yeah for sure, but I literally can't see anything wrong with them. No idea what the basis for any objection to them would be. If anyone knows why those are objectionable when others let me know.

[EJK]

I got totally pissed off at how much coverage he got for leaving and virtually nothing was said about Dylan Gray. I was much more interested in what Dylan was doing.

Sorry I missed the news. No Dylan Gray in 2018? What? Nooo..!

"And daaaawwwnn in the pitlanes, Dilan grwayy~~~"

[Crasherfromwayback]

Yeah for sure, but I literally can't see anything wrong with them. No idea what the basis for any objection to them would be. If anyone knows why those are objectionable when others let me know.

Me neither. Only prob I have with them is, they're fucking ugly.

[Mental Trousers]

Sorry I missed the news. No Dylan Gray in 2018? What? Nooo..!

"And daaaawwwnn in the pitlanes, Dilan grwayy~~~"

Indeed. Although his replacement knows a thing or two about racing motorbikes - Simon Crafar.

[Mental Trousers]

Me neither. Only prob I have with them is, they're fucking ugly.

Yeah well, the whole fucken lot are fugly. I hated the look of the wings, but at least they weren't retarded looking like these "ring foils" (cheers Grumph).

[Crasherfromwayback]

Yeah well, the whole fucken lot are fugly. I hated the look of the wings, but at least they weren't retarded looking like these "ring foils" (cheers Grumph).

I don't have a prob with the look of the Honda so far.

334976

[Mental Trousers]

I don't have a prob with the look of the Honda so far.

334976

They've been testing this one out (nicknamed the hammerhead), but not Marquez or Pedrossa. I don't think Luthi has either. EDIT only Aoyama so far?

https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/888968/1/new-fairings-honda-yamaha-sepang-updated

https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/crash.net/styles/article/s3/field/image/Wing3.jpg?itok=3kTBWoFJ

[Crasherfromwayback]

They've been testing this one out (nicknamed the hammerhead), but not Marquez or Pedrossa. I don't think Luthi has either. EDIT only Aoyama so far?

]

Yeah saw that the other day. Ugly as all fuck.

[EJK]

Indeed. Although his replacement knows a thing or two about racing motorbikes - Simon Crafar.

Local guy too eh? Nice! Looking forward to the big changes.

[Mental Trousers]

Yeah saw that the other day. Ugly as all fuck.

Seems the 3 factory riders have tried the ugly fairing now

Farcebook Live shit (https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2FTSepLive3FB&h=ATNQw9KHhHhJkpre8kTnFtvwvlSf30Zv9bJtxHLhLVhhQ-upxl0Eo7unBSayy7Cmh6YQjBfvyRZQ-t7mdoIquZxderPaP25dtm9EVqbVdZo7nTea6KJFxB8FaCMnc7G 7TAYLY6i355mu4WkIQglA4HXBF5Asuxm84iyoCj3_iZqYZuari f-X9Q-0UpSe_bjXnRLWEHNaDN6MbdWoP1GWH7Akyw2I8X1zxCUdDlSHT 1MTaElIXyu8RB16W0g97PYBDn-DMgXDojamH-lbd7UrmWPPjDiRnWnbqhLJEe3EDA)

[WALRUS]

Yeah well, the whole fucken lot are fugly. I hated the look of the wings, but at least they weren't retarded looking like these "ring foils" (cheers Grumph).

I've never understood why people expect them to look "good" (which is objective, anyway).. F1 cars are all fugly, covered in stupid wings and aero.. So are the LMP cars.. Prototype racing is about function over form.

Whilst a lot of prototype bikes can look pretty cool, I can't remember the last one which I thought was genuinely good looking, those honours lie more with WSBK/WSS machines for me.

[Drew]

Motorcycles normally being as aerodynamic as a brick, wings and the like are a natural step.
It's different, but still looks better than the fucken H2r thing.

[Crasherfromwayback]

I've never understood why people expect them to look "good" (which is objective, anyway).. F1 cars are all fugly, covered in stupid wings and aero.. So are the LMP cars.. Prototype racing is about function over form.

Whilst a lot of prototype bikes can look pretty cool, I can't remember the last one which I thought was genuinely good looking, those honours lie more with WSBK/WSS machines for me.

Because one of the many reasons I love motorcycles is, they're (some anyway) fucking things of beauty. And racing motorcycles even more so. Having owned a proper Grand Prix bike, I know first hand how gorgeous they are. True works of art. Sure, winglets and aero devices are the future, but I think they're fucking ugly is all. I personally couldn't give a shit about F1 cars. It's a gay sport full of spoilt rich wankers.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Clothed or nakid, this is a thing of beauty.

334978334977

[WALRUS]

Like I said, it's all objective. Some people like them, some don't, some couldn't care less. I'm just glad to see factories trying something different for a change. Sure, some of their ideas aren't the prettiest but as Drew said, at least they aren't as ghastly as the H2R haha!

Similarly to what I said in my last post, I can't remember the last GP bike which I thought was a real stunner (aesthetically, of course. From an engineering standpoint they're all absolutely stunning) but, that said, I can't think of any which were particularly ugly either. But I'm still obsessed with ZX7's, SRAD's, R7's, 916's and that era of machine, personally..


I personally couldn't give a shit about F1 cars. It's a gay sport full of spoilt rich wankers.

And MotoGP isn't?? :P

[Crasherfromwayback]

. But I'm still obsessed with ZX7's, SRAD's, R7's, 916's and that era of machine, personally..



And MotoGP isn't?? :P

Mate, I'm stuck on similar shapes don't worry. But hey, I think my GSXR1100 and Katana are sexy bikes, so no accounting for taste.

Yeah, but even though I'm no Rossi fan, and he was born into it, I still prefer him to some cunt like Lewis Hamilton. At least he loves bikes through and through. And yes I know LH likes bikes.

[EJK]

Because one of the many reasons I love motorcycles is, they're (some anyway) fucking things of beauty. And racing motorcycles even more so. Having owned a proper Grand Prix bike, I know first hand how gorgeous they are. True works of art. Sure, winglets and aero devices are the future, but I think they're fucking ugly is all. I personally couldn't give a shit about F1 cars. It's a gay sport full of spoilt rich wankers.

Agree. I tried watching F1 couple years back and got bored after ten laps.

I guess MotoGP doesn't have the luxury of refueling and tyre changes so all the action/ drama needs to be completed in 30 mins/ 20ish laps. So much more intense. Oh, and the riders are more personal.

[Grumph]

Agree. I tried watching F1 couple years back and got bored after ten laps.

I guess MotoGP doesn't have the luxury of refueling and tyre changes so all the action/ drama needs to be completed in 30 mins/ 20ish laps. So much more intense. Oh, and the riders are more personal.

Both sport's current versions are made for TV. Bring back 3 hour long GP's for the bikes - and day long GP's on closed public roads for the cars....

Bah, humbug, snort.

[EJK]

Both sport's current versions are made for TV. Bring back 3 hour long GP's for the bikes - and day long GP's on closed public roads for the cars....

Bah, humbug, snort.

Yeah you are right. I'm hoping MotoGP doesn't turn into another UFC, which is now 100% complete cow dung bullshit crap. Just like "professional" wrestling.

[Mental Trousers]

Agree. I tried watching F1 couple years back and got bored after ten laps.

What took you so long?


I guess MotoGP doesn't have the luxury of refueling and tyre changes so all the action/ drama needs to be completed in 30 mins/ 20ish laps. So much more intense. Oh, and the riders are more personal.

Another thing I dislike about F1, everyone get's all excited when the lead changes during a pit stop. What a load of shit.

[Autech]

Yup a race should be won on the track, not in an engineer's calculations book. F1 is shit

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

[ellipsis]

...as far as ugly or not goes, my favourite ride is the Vettered up '78 Goldwing in the shed, so I couldn't possibly comment on bits hanging off motorcyles...I followed F1 around Europe for a couple of seasons in '81, '82...free smokes, wall to wall spunks everywhere, Lauda, Prost, Senna, Mansell, Piquet, Rosberg, Arnoux, Laffitte, Villeneuve, and still managed to keep up with a lot of the 500 GP's...dunno what was more fantastic
...the passion of the 500 side of things or the whole spectacle of F1...the dollar differential was a chasm and it showed in every aspect of the two shows...it has all changed since then for both aspects of the sports...both for the worse I feel...

[george formby]

Mate, I'm stuck on similar shapes don't worry. But hey, I think my GSXR1100 and Katana are sexy bikes, so no accounting for taste.

Yeah, but even though I'm no Rossi fan, and he was born into it, I still prefer him to some cunt like Lewis Hamilton. At least he loves bikes through and through. And yes I know LH likes bikes.

Not sure what race exactly last year, Phillip Island? Not even sure if he was on the podium. But Rossi was absolutely ecstatic. When interviewed he had eyes like pickles on a fork and was struggling for words due to his excitement. After all these years his passion has not dimmed and he loves a tough day in the office. Bikes through and through. Absolutely.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Not sure what race exactly last year, Phillip Island? Not even sure if he was on the podium. But Rossi was absolutely ecstatic. When interviewed he had eyes like pickles on a fork and was struggling for words due to his excitement. After all these years his passion has not dimmed and he loves a tough day in the office. Bikes through and through. Absolutely.

Yep. There's many things I admire about the man, even though I'm no fan. Hope he wins a few races this year to spice things up.

[ellipsis]

Yep. There's many things I admire about the man, even though I'm no fan. Hope he wins a few races this year to spice things up.

...I'm the forlorn cunt that wants him to win the lot...Vale:love:

[george formby]

Yep. There's many things I admire about the man, even though I'm no fan. Hope he wins a few races this year to spice things up.

I think this year could be a real vindaloo. Lots of big questions to be answered and it seems a lot of development has happened. I'm hoping for more competitive bikes on the grid to match the available rider talent. I'm more of a Yamaha fan than a Rossi fan but I hope they have figured out how to maximise tyres better for the benefit of both parties.

Wrong thread, I know, but how long for one rider to win two races? The longer the better for my motogp subscription bang for buck meter.


Are we there yet?

[Reckless]

Live timing 40 mins to go :rockon:


334985

[Reckless]

Final places. Missed the screenshot of the full grid like above but
Millar will be very happy in 5th.
Rossi only one to jump a few places 12th to 8th in the last hour.
Nakagami doing good for a newbie
Vinales is 18th and will be pissed as :(

Top 10 or 12 within 1 second of each other at this early stage of the game.

334986

[Crasherfromwayback]

Bring it on I say. The queer cunt that writes Dear George might have to suck a fat one this season.

https://www.superbikeplanet.com/motogp-sepang-day-3-test-results-2018/

[pritch]

Vinales is 18th and will be pissed as :(


Dunno, he did a lot of laps yesterday.
MM: 75
Smith: 71
MV: 70
CC: 65

All the above might have felt a bit drained by the last hour when people started changing to sticky tyres. Sepang and Buriram are brutal places to test.

From Oxley on Twitter.
"Bumped into a top MotoGP rider in the hotel.
Him: You doing Thailand and Qatar tests?
Me: No, next time for me it's the Qatar race.
Him: Lucky you."

So while they have a dream job, it is hard work.

My only ride in Malaysia, on a YDS2 wearing zero safety kit, was extremely pleasant but you needed to watch out for the water buffalo.

[Crasherfromwayback]

but you needed to watch out for the water buffalo.

That code for the local ladies?

[pritch]

That code for the local ladies?

Not at all, the local ladies could appear quite graceful but are mostly muslim so wouldn't be likely to socialise. The buffalo just appeared particularly unyeilding and seemingly didn't feel the need to bother too much about traffic.

[pritch]

Further to the comments about MV's lap times. Apparently he is not a happy chappie. Rossi was very chipper after Day 1 but much less so after day 3.

Haven't seen any coments from the Honda camp. Maybe the Ducati dudes are happiest. Two more tests to go before the serious action starts.

david Emmett will be posting a series of srticles on the test on his Motomatters page.

[Reckless]

Dunno, he did a lot of laps yesterday.
MM: 75
Smith: 71
MV: 70
CC: 65

All the above might have felt a bit drained by the last hour when people started changing to sticky tyres. Sepang and Buriram are brutal places to test.
.

Those lap times are best over the whole day Pritch fastest for the day not the last hour :)

[Reckless]

Great New about Crafer :)

Matt Oxley's first write up

https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/opinion/motogp/lorenzo-fastest-3rd-day-motogp-testing?utm_source=email&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=MatOxley&utm_content=day3tests

[BMWST?]

courtesy motomatters (https://motomatters.com/) times as at 2 30 pm local time


<tbody>
Pos
No
Rider
Bike
Time
Diff
Prev


1
99
Jorge Lorenzo
Ducati GP18
1:58.830




2
26
Dani Pedrosa
Honda RC213V
1:59.009
0.179
0.179


3
35
Cal Crutchlow
Honda RC213V
1:59.052
0.222
0.043


4
4
Andrea Dovizioso
Ducati GP18
1:59.169
0.339
0.117


5
43
Jack Miller
Ducati GP17
1:59.346
0.516
0.177


6
42
Alex Rins
Suzuki GSX-RR
1:59.348
0.518
0.002


7
93
Marc Marquez
Honda RC213V
1:59.382
0.552
0.034


8
5
Johann Zarco
Yamaha M1
1:59.511
0.681
0.129


9
53
Tito Rabat
Ducati GP17
1:59.547
0.717
0.036


10
29
Andrea Iannone
Suzuki GSX-RR
1:59.615
0.785
0.068


11
9
Danilo Petrucci
Ducati GP18
1:59.819
0.989
0.204


12
46
Valentino Rossi
Yamaha M1
2:00.018
1.188
0.199


13
30
Takaaki Nakagami
Honda RC213V
2:00.071
1.241
0.053


14
19
Alvaro Bautista
Ducati GP17
2:00.205
1.375
0.134


15
41
Aleix Espargaro
Aprilia RS-GP
2:00.234
1.404
0.029


16
21
Franco Morbidelli
Honda RC213V
2:00.526
1.696
0.292


17
25
Maverick Viñales
Yamaha M1
2:00.555
1.725
0.029


18
17
Karel Abraham
Ducati GP16
2:00.574
1.744
0.019


19
36
Mika Kallio
KTM RC16
2:00.719
1.889
0.145


20
10
Xavier Simeon
Ducati GP16
2:00.784
1.954
0.065


21
50
Sylvain Guintoli
Suzuki GSX-RR
2:01.120
2.290
0.336


22
12
Tom Luthi
Honda RC213V
2:01.126
2.296
0.006


23
45
Scott Redding
Aprilia RS-GP
2:01.158
2.328
0.032


24
38
Bradley Smith
KTM RC16
2:01.214
2.384
0.056


25
68
Yonny Hernandez
Yamaha M1
2:01.223
2.393
0.009


26
33
Kohta Nozane
Yamaha M1
2:01.385
2.555
0.162


27
32
Katsuyuki Nakasuga
Yamaha M1
2:02.077
3.247
0.692

</tbody>


yamaha may be in the same trouble as lasy year apparently there wasnt much difference between monday and tuesday and the Yammies went from th e to p to mid feild.I read somewhere zarco want to keep his old bike

[Reckless]

Watching after the flag on the GP site, sooo impressed with Simon Crafars perspective/input/opinion.
Great choice!

[Autech]

Few riders comments on Lorenzo on the 18 -

"He's riding it like the Yamaha" in relation to how he is getting it to turn. Here's hoping he snatches the title to show the haters up

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

[pritch]

Those lap times are best over the whole day Pritch fastest for the day not the last hour :)

Not really.

Lorenzo went out on sticky tyres early, before the track heated up. It worked, he did the fastest ever lap of Sepang on two wheels. Most of the others did their fast runs in the last hour as it cooled a bit.

Some of the riders did a lot of laps in the heat of the day, when the bikes have less power and the track has less grip. That, after all, is when they hold the race. Guys who have done two hours or more in that heat though may not be in any condition to go for a fast lap in the last hour. The ones that were chasing a fast lap did it late in the day after their testing programme was completed and the conditions were more conducive to a fast time.

Basically at Sepang the fast times will be early or late in the day. Probably similar at Buriram.

[Autech]

Few riders comments on Lorenzo on the 18 -

"He's riding it like the Yamaha" in relation to how he is getting it to turn. Here's hoping he snatches the title to show the haters up

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

I take the above back. GO DANI!!!

[WALRUS]

Watching after the flag on the GP site, sooo impressed with Simon Crafars perspective/input/opinion.
Great choice!

I was just watching that last night and yeah, great value!


Few riders comments on Lorenzo on the 18 -

"He's riding it like the Yamaha" in relation to how he is getting it to turn. Here's hoping he snatches the title to show the haters up

I'm so torn.. I mean, I've disliked Lorenzo since he's been in the 250cc class.. He's a very talented rider, no denying that, but his personality just rubs me up the wrong way. But now he rides for my favourite Marque :( At least they still have Dovi haha!

[pritch]

I'm so torn.. I mean, I've disliked Lorenzo since he's been in the 250cc class.. He's a very talented rider, no denying that, but his personality just rubs me up the wrong way.


Lorenzo does rub people the wrong way. Mat Oxley upset him a few days back with the headline to his most recent column. Lorenzo posted on Twitter to the effect, "Always a but or an if." HIs fan bois then ganged up on Oxley who was moved to explain that the "but" did not actually refer to Lorenzo.

"Jorge Lorenzo and Ducati left everyone trailing after three days at Sepang, but the most important news happened off the track."

OK, English is not Lorenzo's first language but he was being just a bit too sensitive.

The article is here: https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/opinion/motogp/lorenzo-fastest-3rd-day-motogp-testing



There is big discussion now about grid girls being done away with in F1. Doesn't bother me I don't watch F1, the girls would have been the most interesting part, the racing is a fucking big yawn. Some people are agitating for Dorna to follow suit. Others are against any change. Amy Dargan, one of the TV journos, is best qualified to comment, she used to do the brolly dolly thing when she was a student. She enjoyed the work, she needed the money, she met her partner there and it helped her get her TV job. Can't be all bad.

[merv]

There is big discussion now about grid girls being done away with in F1. Doesn't bother me I don't watch F1, the girls would have been the most interesting part, the racing is a fucking big yawn. Some people are agitating for Dorna to follow suit. Others are against any change. Amy Dargan, one of the TV journos, is best qualified to comment, she used to do the brolly dolly thing when she was a student. She enjoyed the work, she needed the money, she met her partner there and it helped her get her TV job. Can't be all bad.

This take on it by a woman hits the mark https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwMBRwbatYU&feature=youtu.be

If the argument is the girls should be racing the cars (hoping this won't affect MotoGP and motorcycles yet), what actually is stopping them now from doing that, except they are not inclined to want to do that?

[Grumph]

If the argument is the girls should be racing the cars (hoping this won't affect MotoGP and motorcycles yet), what actually is stopping them now from doing that, except they are not inclined to want to do that?

Some do - and are very good at it too. I've told a couple of young women that the sky's the limit for them as in my experience it's much easier to get sponsorship dollars for a girlie...It opens up sponsors that would never go near a young man.

[pritch]

If they get rid of the grid girls maybe some of the riders will remove part of their kit and pose. Oops! This is Michael Laverty. Brother Eugene did a gentle piss take.

[Reckless]

If they get rid of the grid girls maybe some of the riders will remove part of their kit and pose. Oops! This is Michael Laverty. Brother Eugene did a gentle piss take.


They couldnt do modelling now Pritch they look all positively under nourished.

Which brings me to a subject I was going to mention

I noticed Rossi looking quite Gaunt last season and now they all are loosing so much weight they all look the same this season except maybe Pedro and MM.
Petruchi especially has also lost sooo much and Crutchlow.
I 'm thinking Rossi wanted an advantage has he was getting on, is a bit bigger and weight was one of his trump cards? Now they are all skin and bone.

Guess its cheaper a few kilo's off the rider as the bike is engineered already with the least weight it can be Vs strength/handling.
And cost thousands to engineer to get each kilo off.

Even in our world on a post classic thou - 1 kilo = 1HP so a GP bike could well be more???

[actungbaby]

I got totally pissed off at how much coverage he got for leaving and virtually nothing was said about Dylan Gray. I was much more interested in what Dylan was doing.

Is this btt coverage as i only get to dl the motogp as got rid of sky just to save money . athough to be fair it was really mainely why i had sky tv. doco,s are way cool too . how much is the offical dorna video feed cost . as is it okay on standred asdl . seems to have a few bonus vids too.

I do like the btt broadcasts though alot extra content. am getting bit omg when it start again . i really like the speedway solo world thing too.

On the subject of commentrys wasint that chap that retired . i got a shock when i saw thim big bererly gentleman juilian looked nothing like the voice.

[actungbaby]

They couldnt do modelling now Pritch they look all positively under nourished.

Which brings me to a subject I was going to mention

I noticed Rossi looking quite Gaunt last season and now they all are loosing so much weight they all look the same this season except maybe Pedro and MM.
Petruchi especially has also lost sooo much and Crutchlow.
I 'm thinking Rossi wanted an advantage has he was getting on, is a bit bigger and weight was one of his trump cards? Now they are all skin and bone.
yes i thought the same too . when your middle aged like me you get chubby fab in the face skin sags . then when you 70,s old u can get hallow in the checks and the opposite, he looked like the 70,s thing.

When they retire they seem age real fast grey hair its take alot out of them
The pressure of the lets face its a Biz there in the show. constant promo. and the sheer brutal concentration of the shaving milsec of a lap time.
I personally think that takes more a toll than they physical work out.


Guess its cheaper a few kilo's off the rider as the bike is engineered already with the least weight it can be Vs strength/handling.
And cost thousands to engineer to get each kilo off.

Even in our world on a post classic thou - 1 kilo = 1HP so a GP bike could well be more???

I think just he has to work harder at being older but more how the face and skin are at 40 over the 20-30,s but he did look bit over done.

[actungbaby]

If they get rid of the grid girls maybe some of the riders will remove part of their kit and pose. Oops! This is Michael Laverty. Brother Eugene did a gentle piss take.

nooo i got bigger boobs than some of the pit girls they pay me to wear more.

I dont know how people wear leather suits in the heat of nz let alone the hot places of the world. that and bloody hot engine no thanks

[pritch]

Guess its cheaper a few kilo's off the rider as the bike is engineered already with the least weight it can be Vs strength/handling.
And cost thousands to engineer to get each kilo off.



There was comment about this, particularly with regard to Petrucci. Apparently the main motivator is tyre wear. The rear I think.

[Crasherfromwayback]

A pic for the Pedro fans out there.

335035

[Mental Trousers]

Is this btt coverage as i only get to dl the motogp as got rid of sky just to save money . athough to be fair it was really mainely why i had sky tv. doco,s are way cool too . how much is the offical dorna video feed cost . as is it okay on standred asdl . seems to have a few bonus vids too.

I do like the btt broadcasts though alot extra content. am getting bit omg when it start again . i really like the speedway solo world thing too.

On the subject of commentrys wasint that chap that retired . i got a shock when i saw thim big bererly gentleman juilian looked nothing like the voice.

motogp.com coverage. This year the commentary team looks to be Steve Day, Neal Morrisson (I think?) and Simon Crafar.

[BMWST?]

A pic for the Pedro fans out there.

dani needs a rear aerofoil too

[Reckless]

Copy and paste MotoGP site

Hafizh Syahrin to test the Yamaha YZR-M1 in Buriram
The Malaysian rider will join the Monster Yamaha Tech3 outfit for the upcoming Official MotoGP™ Test in Thailand
Tags MotoGP, 2018, Hafizh Syahrin, Monster Yamaha Tech 3
For the upcoming Official MotoGP™ Test in Thailand, Buriram, Monster Yamaha Tech3 calls for the services of Hafizh Syahrin. With just 23 years of age, the Malaysian rider is already looking back on four years of Moto2 experience and now feels more than ready to make his first steps in the premier class of motorcycle racing. Following three exciting days of testing at the all-new venue for the MotoGP category, the Monster Yamaha Tech3 team together with its partners will evaluate the performance of the new arrival in order to decide a possible permanent ride concerning the 2018 season.

Hafizh Syahrin: “First of all, I want to thank Herve Poncharal for giving me this opportunity and of course the entire Monster Yamaha Tech3 team. I’ll try to do my very best during these three days in Thailand. For me, it’s a dream coming true to be able to ride a MotoGP machine. I have to admit, that I’m overly excited to get this chance. I hope I can be fast from the word go to show everybody what I’m capable of. In addition, I want to thank Razlan and all the people, who support me and made this possible. I’m incredibly happy and I’m looking forward to be in Buriram, because it will be the very first time ever I can ride a MotoGP bike. I know that I have to learn a lot abroad the Yamaha YZR-M1 and I’m eager to try to understand how the team works as I know that they are very experienced, so I want to make the most of their input. During this winter, I trained a lot, yet I hope this hard work pays off and I can’t wait to get this test started.”

Herve Poncharal: “I’m really happy and honored to have the possibility to have Hafizh Syahrin with us for the test in Buriram. As everybody knows, since Jonas Folger decided that he couldn’t race in 2018, we’ve been looking for who could be the right replacement rider. Following the Sepang test, we had many meetings and it has been decided that Hafizh Syahrin would be a very good choice for the Monster Yamaha Tech3 team. Right now, it is only three days, but I am more than convinced that Hafizh is going to show us what he can do. He is young, only 23 years old, has already done some podiums in the Moto2 class, which is not easy. He ended inside the top 10 in the final ranking of Moto2 in 2017, which is a huge achievement, because I know how tough this category is. As I always said, to have a young rider is much more meaningful for the team than having an already established rider. Let’s do the test, I’m already full of excitement and optimism and really soon after Buriram we will take a final decision. Yet, I would like to thank Razlan Razali from Sepang International Circuit, who is the team manager of Hafizh Syahrin.”

[pritch]

And watch out for Syahrin if it rains. Odds are it will.

[Badjelly]

Hafizh Syahrin to test the Yamaha YZR-M1 in Buriram

I thought this first name was "Happy". Nick Harris has a lot to answer for.

[roogazza]

And watch out for Syahrin if it rains. Odds are it will.

Lets hope that we don't get so many wet GPs' this year Pritch?
Last year was terrible, it became a tyre lottery as well.
Be nice if we got a season to match our brilliant Summer here in NZ. :banana:

[Crasherfromwayback]

Lets hope that we don't get so many wet GPs' this year Pritch?
Last year was terrible, it became a tyre lottery as well.
Be nice if we got a season to match our brilliant Summer here in NZ. :banana:

Gotta have the odd wet one mate. Better money from the TAB!

[Autech]

And watch out for Syahrin if it rains. Odds are it will.

Jack Miller on a GP17 is a dangerous prospect if it tips down, I think the fish might get hooked lined and sinkered if Miller has his way. Especially if he chooses the 17 chassis.

Lets face it though they're all pretty faking good in the rain at Motogp level, wouldn't have made it there otherwise.


Nick Harris has a lot to answer for.

Speak not his name, hence forth we shall refer to the above former commentator as:
HE WHO MUST NOT BE NAMED!

[Crasherfromwayback]

Lets face it though they're all pretty faking good in the rain at Motogp level, wouldn't have made it there otherwise.

!

Nah. Some of them have been right pussies in the wet over the years.

[pritch]

Lets face it though they're all pretty faking good in the rain at Motogp level, wouldn't have made it there otherwise.



Australians, (West?) and even more so Malaysians, can be exceptions due to the surfaces they race on in their early days.

[BMWST?]

Australians, (West?) and even more so Malaysians, can be exceptions due to the surfaces they race on in their early days.
Vermulen 10 char

[WALRUS]

Australians, (West?) and even more so Malaysians, can be exceptions due to the surfaces they race on in their early days.

Sure, it was WSBK but I think one of my favourite ever wet performances was Bayliss @ Silverstone in 2002.. Absolutely pissing it down, riding around the outside of everyone, stacked it twice and still finished 5th.. That was impressive!

And yeah, Westy is good on a good bike and brilliant in the wet (which is interesting, considering he said he hates riding in it).. It's a shame he's never really lined it all up on the world stage, except for a brief stint with the Factory Yamaha squad in WSS when Kevin Curtain was out.

[pritch]

And yeah, Westy is good on a good bike and brilliant in the wet (which is interesting, considering he said he hates riding in it)..

I may have read it in Stoner's book? The Oz kids race on dirt surfaces, and to keep the dust down, used engine oil is poured on the dirt. When that gets wet it gets seriously slippery. Wet tarmac would be no problem after that.

The factories want a share of the huge Asian market and will try to race in Asia and put Asian riders on the bikes. If Syahrin stays with Tech3 I'd expect Sepang to be pretty much a sellout. Not too many years ago crowds there were decidedly lean. There are a few clips of the underbone racing the Asian kids do but we need to see more to appreciate their background.

[WALRUS]

Yeah, greasy Aussie flat track racing. They pretty much all started on that so are very used to not having any traction and sticking the back out at every opportunity (Remember Garry McCoy on the YZR500 or Andrew Pitt on the first gen ZX-RR, anyone?)

[flashg]

Yeah, greasy Aussie flat track racing. They pretty much all started on that so are very used to not having any traction and sticking the back out at every opportunity (Remember Garry McCoy on the YZR500 or Andrew Pitt on the first gen ZX-RR, anyone?)Garry McCoy spinning his rear around the corners to keep it cool, amazing to watch. Andrew Pitt was the first rider I saw pick his bike up using elbow and knee after losing the front end, now it's becoming more common almost, for both.

[pritch]

Some slight surprises:

https://motomatters.com/results/2018/02/12/2018_jerez_february_test_monday_moto2.html

https://motomatters.com/results/2018/02/12/2018_jerez_february_test_monday_moto3.html

And the big kids are en route to Buriram.

[pritch]

https://motomatters.com/results/2018/02/18/2018_buriram_motogp_test_sunday_final.html

Zarco fastest Yamaha, Rins fourth fastest overall, Jack Miller fastest Ducati, Syahrin faster than Lorenzo? There was some serious testing going on but...

The Yamaha and Ducati factory riders have problems and there is some unhappiness showing. Time is now very short.

[Crasherfromwayback]

https://motomatters.com/results/2018/02/18/2018_buriram_motogp_test_sunday_final.html

Zarco fastest Yamaha, Rins fourth fastest overall, Jack Miller fastest Ducati, Syahrin faster than Lorenzo? There was some serious testing going on but...

The Yamaha and Ducati factory riders have problems and there is some unhappiness showing. Time is now very short.

Be brave to bet against MM this season.

[pritch]

Be brave to bet against MM this season.

It does look like it's his to lose.

Apparently the factories have to decide at the next test what fairing they are going to use, they are allowed only one other variation during the season. Thus there was a lot of serious aero testing at Buriram.

Michelin had a 1000 extra tyres and wanted the Austrian variant tested by everybody, plus some of the riders were testing on worn tyres to check how the bikes performed late in a race. Marquez did a couple of ninety plus lap days, and crashed late on Sunday so it's not surprising that he wasn't right at the top of the timing sheets.

The pundits are warning against reading too much into the times. Still, I hope Yamaha and Ducati can sort their problems and prevent the season turning into a total Marquez benefit. Some more exciting racing would be nice.

[Crasherfromwayback]

prevent the season turning into a total Marquez benefit. Some more exciting racing would be nice.

I don't think it'l ever be that again, but the Honda looks to be ahead of where it was last season, and MM is certainly putting in the hard yards! Bit ominous for the rest.

[pritch]

There was some excitement among the professional MotoGP watchers that HRC had introduced a carbon fibre swing arm at Buriram. It now transpires that Pedro was testing one at Sepang but nobody noticed.

Decent crowds at testing in Thailand too. Should bode well for the big event.

[Autech]

I've been a bit quiet on here lately but just jumped on to remind you all that this is Dani's year and all the other guys are going to get smoked by him.

GO DANI!

Miller seems to have taken to the Ducati like a duck to the proverbial body of water. If he shows the kind of form that a lot of us believe him to have for the rest of the year then I think when Petrux leaves next year he'll slip straight on to the 3rd factory bike. That makes me moist. He's on a really good bike and I think his team really want him to do well, bit of Italian passion for racing might be the boot up the arse he needs to start giving the top guys shit :first:

[BMWST?]

I've been a bit quiet on here lately but just jumped on to remind you all that this is Dani's year and all the other guys are going to get smoked by him.

GO DANI!

Miller seems to have taken to the Ducati like a duck to the proverbial body of water. If he shows the kind of form that a lot of us believe him to have for the rest of the year then I think when Petrux leaves next year he'll slip straight on to the 3rd factory bike. That makes me moist. He's on a really good bike and I think his team really want him to do well, bit of Italian passion for racing might be the boot up the arse he needs to start giving the top guys shit :first:
all that demonstrates is that the Honda has been a really difficult bike to get to 100 percent

[pritch]

I've been a bit quiet on here lately but just jumped on to remind you all that this is Dani's year and all the other guys are going to get smoked by him.

GO DANI!

Miller seems to have taken to the Ducati like a duck to the proverbial body of water. If he shows the kind of form that a lot of us believe him to have for the rest of the year then I think when Petrux leaves next year he'll slip straight on to the 3rd factory bike. That makes me moist. He's on a really good bike and I think his team really want him to do well, bit of Italian passion for racing might be the boot up the arse he needs to start giving the top guys shit :first:



Dunno about replacing Petrux. The pundits have already floated the idea that if Miller can keep performing at this level his pit box will start receiving boxes of special bits from Bologna.

I hope he can keep it up, the more at the sharp end the betterer. Then again, as they keep reminding us this was only testing.

[Reckless]

Dunno about replacing Petrux. The pundits have already floated the idea that if Miller can keep performing at this level his pit box will start receiving boxes of special bits from Bologna.

I hope he can keep it up, the more at the sharp end the betterer. Then again, as they keep reminding us this was only testing.

Here's the nasty in me :ar15:
I really want to see Miller make a cock of Lorenzo on the factory bike.:bye:

[ellipsis]

Here's the nasty in me :ar15:
I really want to see Miller make a cock of Lorenzo on the factory bike.:bye:

...he can do that on his own, can't he?...

[Crasherfromwayback]

I really want to see Miller make a cock of Lorenzo on the factory bike.:bye:

Well Miller certainly needs no help in making himself a cock.