MotoGP 2018

**pritch** · 5th July 2018, 20:53

There are currently reports being released of Aspar Ducati quitting the MotoGP grid at years end. It's reported that the most of the affected mechanics are headed to the SIC Nieto satellite Yamaha team.

OK the press releases are out now so it ain't just a rumour.

All of which might be stealing some of the thunder from Pedro's special press conference. Or not. Alex Marquez has been tipped for one of the seats.

**BMWST?** · 5th July 2018, 21:38

seem to be reports that Dani is to announce his retirement but the rumour mill has been very wrong already this season

**pritch** · 5th July 2018, 22:30

Originally Posted by BMWST?

seem to be reports that Dani is to announce his retirement but the rumour mill has been very wrong already this season

We'll just have to wait unti Thursday night. The top pick for one seat is Morbidelli with Quateraro mentioned as a chance. Meantime our guesses are as good as anybody else's.

**Autech** · 6th July 2018, 08:46

Originally Posted by BMWST?

seem to be reports that Dani is to announce his retirement but the rumour mill has been very wrong already this season

It will come down to the spec of the bikes I think. If they aren't full factory bikes then Dani will call it a day

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**AllanB** · 8th July 2018, 15:56

Just caught up on the Assen race. Why was there suddenly such good tight racing? Weird. Fantastic to watch, but very odd.

I have no real reason not to like MM, none I can justify of someone with such skill. But I dislike him anyway!

**husaberg** · 8th July 2018, 16:54

Originally Posted by BMWST?

seem to be reports that Dani is to announce his retirement but the rumour mill has been very wrong already this season

Wait and see.

Dear all,
Finally I have taken my decision concerning my future. I want to inform everyone personally and at the same time.
For this reason, in Sachsenring I will give a press conference for this matter.
I please ask everyone to respect my decision to wait until then to make my announcement.
Thanks very much in advance
Dani Pedrosa

Having lost his Repsol Honda seat to Jorge Lorenzo, Pedrosa has been linked to the proposed new Petronas/SIC Yamaha team - but is also thought to have been considering retirement.
The fact Pedrosa is calling a press conference to announce his future arguably suggests he has decided on the latter. A move to another team would normally be signalled by a press release.

**BMWST?** · 8th July 2018, 18:03

Originally Posted by AllanB

Just caught up on the Assen race. Why was there suddenly such good tight racing? Weird. Fantastic to watch, but very odd.

I have no real reason not to like MM, none I can justify of someone with such skill. But I dislike him anyway!

i reckon it was the wind...

**pritch** · 8th July 2018, 20:43

Originally Posted by AllanB

Just caught up on the Assen race. Why was there suddenly such good tight racing? Weird. Fantastic to watch, but very odd.

The pundits credit the track, they say flowing tracks can produce great racing. Presumably as opposed to the glorified Go Kart tracks that we see too often these days.
Phillip Island is another track that can turn it on when the lads come out to play.

That and the fact that the Honda riders couldn't function properly in traffic so MM didn't clear off until near the end.

**pritch** · 9th July 2018, 09:42

Dunno why they felt the need to use three riders for this but we can assume they know what they are doing. Apparently the 2019 Moto2 bikes will have more advanced electronics than the current crop.

Anyhoo Kalex have put this out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pR5y...&frags=pl%2Cwn

**onearmedbandit** · 9th July 2018, 19:12

Originally Posted by pritch

Dunno why they felt the need to use three riders for this but we can assume they know what they are doing. Apparently the 2019 Moto2 bikes will have more advanced electronics than the current crop.

Anyhoo Kalex have put this out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pR5y...&frags=pl%2Cwn

Ahhhh I'm going out on a limb here but maybe, just maybe, more feedback? And if you mean 'just for the video' then more exposure to the public.

**pritch** · 9th July 2018, 19:22

Originally Posted by onearmedbandit

Ahhhh I'm going out on a limb here but maybe, just maybe, more feedback? And if you mean 'just for the video' then more exposure to the public.

Welcome back

And yeah, I meant the vid. I must play that again with the 'phones on.

**AllanB** · 9th July 2018, 21:48

Originally Posted by pritch

I must play that again with the 'phones on.

It's a darn fine soundtrack.

**eelracing** · 10th July 2018, 13:22

Originally Posted by AllanB

It's a darn fine soundtrack.

Shud sound like this...

**WALRUS** · 10th July 2018, 15:02

There have been some amazing sounding Triple race bikes over the years... These are my faves..

(^ This is from a brilliant Doco, by the way. Foggy: Against All Odds)

I'll put that Kalex video through the hifi at home tonight, see what we're dealing with.. I suspect it's just going to sound like a loud Daytona/Stripple but, hey, nothing wrong with that!