MotoGP 2018

**merv** · 16th March 2018, 11:18

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

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

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

**Crasherfromwayback** · 16th March 2018, 11:34

Originally Posted by merv

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

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

**merv** · 16th March 2018, 12:16

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

Vinales won it last year

Lorenzo won it three times 2016, 2013 and 2012

Rossi won it twice 2015 and 2010

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

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

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

**Crasherfromwayback** · 16th March 2018, 12:17

Originally Posted by merv

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

Vinales won it last year

Lorenzo won it three times 2016, 2013 and 2012

Rossi won it twice 2015 and 2010

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

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

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

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

**Mental Trousers** · 16th March 2018, 13:05

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

Originally Posted by pritch

Bring it on

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

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

**Crasherfromwayback** · 16th March 2018, 13:10

Originally Posted by Mental Trousers

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

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

**merv** · 16th March 2018, 13:24

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

**Crasherfromwayback** · 16th March 2018, 13:29

Originally Posted by merv

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

I'm already in the zone mate!

**EJK** · 16th March 2018, 13:46

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

**george formby** · 16th March 2018, 16:37

Originally Posted by EJK

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

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

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

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

**Autech** · 16th March 2018, 17:36

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

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**george formby** · 16th March 2018, 18:07

Originally Posted by Autech

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

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

**pritch** · 16th March 2018, 21:03

Originally Posted by Autech

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

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

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

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

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