MotoGP 2014

**tbs** · 22nd March 2014, 15:16

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

Prob is Bro...think you'll find he's now still the fastest on the same tyre as the factory boys. Main prob seems to be the Yamaha on only 20l of fuel is that lean it's a slow dog compared to last years bike with 24l.

Except the factory Yamahas are still 11kph faster than Aleix's bike on the straights. I agree though that the leaner engine probably makes it harder to crack the throttle accurately and keep it stable at full lean.

It does promise to be a very interesting race. Reckon Marc's leg will give him grief late in the race?

**Crasherfromwayback** · 22nd March 2014, 15:23

Originally Posted by tbs

Except the factory Yamahas are still 11kph faster than Aleix's bike on the straights. I agree though that the leaner engine probably makes it harder to crack the throttle accurately and keep it stable at full lean.

It does promise to be a very interesting race. Reckon Marc's leg will give him grief late in the race?

Yeah I guess like Soup say...Whores gay is obviously hanging it all out trying to get good drive out of the corners. Gonna be fucking interesting for sure. But I'm still kicking myself for not putting coin on him when he was paying $35.00! Duh Peter.

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2014/...rydernotes.htm

**pritch** · 22nd March 2014, 18:12

Good news/bad news department:

Crutchlow crashed in FP3, that was his first crash on the Duc and this was considered evidence of an improvement in the bike. He was unhurt apparently.

The bad news? It was a front end tuck.

**BMWST?** · 22nd March 2014, 18:19

Originally Posted by pritch

Good news/bad news department:

Crutchlow crashed in FP3, that was his first crash on the Duc and this was considered evidence of an improvement in the bike. He was unhurt apparently.

The bad news? It was a front end tuck.

With tc its prolly the most likely crash scenario?

**pritch** · 22nd March 2014, 18:59

From Matthew Birt:

As always, very interesting comments from Valentino Rossi in Qatar tonight. "Lorenzo said tyres dangerous and Open bikes have too much of an advantage – agree?
“It looks like the modify to the rules to create more problems for the factory Yamaha and Honda has worked (laughs). But we are in trouble. We suffer a lot with the new tyre of Bridgestone and for us the grip on the edge is not enough and the bike becomes difficult to ride. And on 20 litres, sincerely the bike is very slow. On the straight nothing happens and it is a bad feeling. I am worried about this for the race because we are very at the limit. The number one favourite for the victory will be Espargaro because he is the only one able to go fast, also with the hard tyre, which is our soft and I think everybody will race with the same tyre. After Espargaro, Dovizioso and Iannone are very fast with the extra soft but after when they put in our tyre we have eight or nine riders that have exactly the same pace. The Ducati is also very good with our tyre but also Marquez, Pedrosa, Lorenzo, me and Bradl can all fight for the podium. What I am not happy about today is Lorenzo is better than me with the new tyre because on the rhythm I am a bit faster than him.”

With fuel consumption, can you clearly feel bike loses performance?
“In this track it is a bad feeling from the bike. It is very slow and very difficult to ride with the engine braking and acceleration. But especially with the long gear the bike doesn’t push. It is a long, long time that I tried a bike so slow. Now with 20 litres the engine goes with air.”

What will fans think when they see 10th, Marquez 5th and Lorenzo 7th
“It is a little bit like in F1 where the top guys are struggling very much. But we need to wait for Sunday. If the race will be funny maybe it is the right way, but who pays the most are the four riders that arrive in front last year. Yamaha and Honda pay very much with the new rules.”

Fans could get some great battles in early laps
“On paper yes because looking at the sheets there is more confusion because everybody has the same rhythm. The Ducati is very strong even with the hard tyre and the bike improves a lot with 24 litres. And Espargaro is very impressive. He rides very well, he is in a great shape, very confident and maybe the 24 litres is not just a big help in the straight but also in the corner with engine braking and opening the throttle. The bike is easier to ride but he deserves it because he is f***ing fast.”

**pritch** · 22nd March 2014, 19:04

Originally Posted by BMWST?

With tc its prolly the most likely crash scenario?

They still have massive high sides, eg Smith in FP3.

CS27 could probably tell us more?

**BMWST?** · 22nd March 2014, 19:07

Originally Posted by pritch

They still have massive high sides, eg Smith in FP3.

CS27 could probably tell us more?

You watching practise on motogp?

**pritch** · 22nd March 2014, 21:44

Originally Posted by BMWST?

You watching practise on motogp?

Not FP3, read about that on Twitter. I want to watch qualifying if I can wake up in time.

Meanwhile Bradders from FP3: 10/10 for artistic interpretation

Oh, and the bike was a complete wreck and the mechanics had a busy night.

Overnight their time it rained and the track is now very dirty. Apparently that happens when it rains.

**Crasherfromwayback** · 22nd March 2014, 22:24

Originally Posted by BMWST?

With tc its prolly the most likely crash scenario?

You not noticed how many high sides we've seen in the last few years mate?

**pritch** · 23rd March 2014, 06:39

Qualifying was definitely action packed. Everybody's favourite A Espagaro didn't handle the pressure and crashed both of his bikes. Unhurt but furious.

Front row: Marquez Bautista Smith

second row: Divizioso Lorenzo Pedrosa

**puddytat** · 23rd March 2014, 06:40

Originally Posted by pritch

Not FP3, read about that on Twitter. I want to watch qualifying if I can wake up in time.

Meanwhile Bradders from FP3: 10/10 for artistic interpretation

Oh, and the bike was a complete wreck and the mechanics had a busy night.

Overnight their time it rained and the track is now very dirty. Apparently that happens when it rains.

Well he did bloody well to qualify on the front row !!