MotoGP 2014

**ecko_nzed** · 5th February 2014, 10:40

So..... Marquez for back to back titles, barring injury?

**Shaun Harris** · 5th February 2014, 10:45

Originally Posted by ecko_nzed

So..... Marquez for back to back titles, barring injury?

My guesstimation

Lorenzo
Rossi
Marquez------- Due to DNS
Pedi

**Badjelly** · 5th February 2014, 11:08

Originally Posted by Moto-Dynamix

...Asked if he felt Yamaha had violated the spirit of the rules, HRC Vice President Shuhei Nakamoto looked annoyed....

What's the spirit of the Open rules? For Honda it is to put some more bikes on the grid that won't threaten their factory team. For Yamaha it is to do the same, but have their bikes beat Honda. For Dorna it is to develop a class that will replace the Factory class with their stupid Honda-inspired fuel limits and ridiculously expensive electronics, thereby breaking Honda's stranglehold.

Methinks Honda will be beaten on this one. But Honda is pretty damn good at making sure the championship is run for their benefit.

**Shaun Harris** · 5th February 2014, 12:28

Originally Posted by Badjelly

What's the spirit of the Open rules? For Honda it is to put some more bikes on the grid that won't threaten their factory team. For Yamaha it is to do the same, but have their bikes beat Honda. For Dorna it is to develop a class that will replace the Factory class with their stupid Honda-inspired fuel limits and ridiculously expensive electronics, thereby breaking Honda's stranglehold.

Methinks Honda will be beaten on this one. But Honda is pretty damn good at making sure the championship is run for their benefit.

haha hope you are right mate

**DidJit** · 5th February 2014, 13:05

Originally Posted by Badjelly

What's the spirit of the Open rules? For Honda it is to put some more bikes on the grid that won't threaten their factory team. For Yamaha it is to do the same, but have their bikes beat Honda. For Dorna it is to develop a class that will replace the Factory class with their stupid Honda-inspired fuel limits and ridiculously expensive electronics, thereby breaking Honda's stranglehold.

Methinks Honda will be beaten on this one. But Honda is pretty damn good at making sure the championship is run for their benefit.

Excellent summation!

**Crasherfromwayback** · 5th February 2014, 13:26

Originally Posted by ecko_nzed

So..... Marquez for back to back titles, barring injury?

MM

Lorenzo

Pedro

Bautista

Rossi

**pritch** · 5th February 2014, 13:26

Originally Posted by roogazza

Thanks to Carbonhed for posting that list up.
It looks a pretty healthy grid of 26 , can't wait for the serious stuff to start.
Jeeesus it's Feb already, won't be long. C'mon Rossi......

Don't get too excited by the 26, some of those are test riders and, barring injuries, they won't be on the grid.

As for Rossi being fast early then getting left behind, those times are pretty quick.

Anyhow with Jorge struggling, the Honda open bike being a dog, the Yamaha open bike being quick, and the performances of the Espagaro brothers, there's plenty to hold our interest.

**DidJit** · 5th February 2014, 13:46

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

MM, Lorenzo, Pedro, Bautista, Rossi

So, is that “Crasher fide” and worth a punt at the TAB?

Originally Posted by pritch

... there's plenty to hold our interest.

Too right.

**Crasherfromwayback** · 5th February 2014, 14:11

Originally Posted by DidJit

So, is that “Crasher fide” and worth a punt at the TAB?

:

Lol. I certainly wouldn't bet the house on it mate. That old dog Rossi could upset the apple cart.

**merv** · 6th February 2014, 09:27

Yeah and interesting so far while MM is quick and there's been two years development since, MM still hasn't beaten crasher's boyfriend's time from 2012 yet - still got 3 10ths to knock off and then some to make it right for 2014.

Aleix is going well so far isn't he.

Hayden did improve a bit and I can't see Honda not getting the bike up to speed more, but then what if MM had gotten on it, what time would it have done? One issue I am sure is Hayden and Co just aren't in the same league as the fast boys any more.

**carbonhed** · 6th February 2014, 09:54

Standouts for me (apart from MM) Aleix Espargaro, "Crazy Joe" Iannone, and Smith.

Espargaro screams out for a good ride. Hopefully Iannone can stay injury free this year. Smith is right there with the factory Yamahas so far and just seems calm, methodical and quick.

Day 2 Sepang

**Shaun Harris** · 6th February 2014, 09:58

Originally Posted by carbonhed

Standouts for me (apart from MM) Aleix Espargaro, "Crazy Joe" Iannone, and Smith.

Espargaro screams out for a good ride. Hopefully Iannone can stay injury free this year. Smith is right there with the factory Yamahas so far and just seems calm, methodical and quick.

Day 2 Sepang

Iannone for sure mate, he is rockin. As far as Smith goes, he is doing what I expected of him, he has more talent than lots of people have recognised, apart from his team owner and yamaha of course

**Crasherfromwayback** · 6th February 2014, 10:00

Originally Posted by merv

Hayden did improve a bit and I can't see Honda not getting the bike up to speed more, but then what if MM had gotten on it, what time would it have done? One issue I am sure is Hayden and Co just aren't in the same league as the fast boys any more.

Yeah be interesting to know what sort of testing times Stoner's done on the production version vs Hayden if they get to use the same track at some stage. I still rate Hayden.

**roogazza** · 6th February 2014, 11:07

http://www.motomatters.com/analysis/...d_up_fuel.html

**ecko_nzed** · 6th February 2014, 11:07

Originally Posted by carbonhed

Standouts for me (apart from MM) Aleix Espargaro, "Crazy Joe" Iannone, and Smith.

Espargaro screams out for a good ride. Hopefully Iannone can stay injury free this year. Smith is right there with the factory Yamahas so far and just seems calm, methodical and quick.

Day 2 Sepang

Agreed, but think Pol should be added to list. Not that far behind Smith and consistent too. Not bad for a rookie