MotoGP 2018

[Reckless]

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

[pritch]

Hint of things to come?

[WALRUS]

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

[pritch]

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

http://www.nick-harris.co.uk/lawn-mo...vale-and-marc/

[Autech]

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

http://www.nick-harris.co.uk/lawn-mo...vale-and-marc/

he who must not be named!

[Reckless]

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

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

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

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

[pritch]

And Tech3 has signed with KTM for 2019 on.

[Crasherfromwayback]

And Tech3 has signed with KTM for 2019 on.

If only Kawasaki would come back too eh...

[WALRUS]

If only Kawasaki would come back too eh...

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

[Crasherfromwayback]

[JX4[/video]

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

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

[roogazza]

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

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

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

Times at 7:30pm local time:

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

[pritch]

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

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

[Reckless]

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

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

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

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

[george formby]

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

I'll buy that for a $.

Great reason being a supporter.

A 2t fan.

[Mental Trousers]

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