MotoGP 2014

**Autech** · 3rd September 2014, 18:19

Originally Posted by merv

I'm not looking forward to Crutchless going to Honda and then still whinging all year the bike isn't good enough.

Then the look on Nakamoto's face would not be one we'd like to see.

Hopefully the older chaps on here might be able to tell me what's what, but has anyone ever made the successful switch from being a WSBK champion to being competitive in Motogp? All I have to go off are the recent examples I remember of Ben Spies and Crutchlow, both whom entered the championship with high expectations but have not delivered.

I know the likes of Biaggi and Melandri went the other way from GP racing to WSBK.

**suzuki21** · 3rd September 2014, 18:32

Originally Posted by steveyb

Have to agree about the Ducati. It is clearly getting better and better. Both Dovi and Maniac Joe are punting it really well and Hernandez is virtually outdoing Crutchlow also. Crutchlow has one more season. If 2015 is no good then he will be down the road.

Let's hope that it does not take all year to sort out the 2015 Ducati bike.

The rubbing and passing in MotoGP was sweet as. That is what these jokers live for. It is only the PC brigade who think that stuff is out of line.

Its pretty easy when Ducati do a cry baby saying their bike is slow and somehow end up not being factory entries but open class which means more fuel, any software they like, more engines, softer tyres, and unlimited testing. Reminds me of WSBK.

**merv** · 3rd September 2014, 18:40

Originally Posted by Autech

Hopefully the older chaps on here might be able to tell me what's what, but has anyone ever made the successful switch from being a WSBK champion to being competitive in Motogp? All I have to go off are the recent examples I remember of Ben Spies and Crutchlow, both whom entered the championship with high expectations but have not delivered.

I know the likes of Biaggi and Melandri went the other way from GP racing to WSBK.

I don't think a WSBK rider has ever won a GP championship, but Biaggi and Kocinski who were both 250GP champions did drop "down" to WSBK and win the championship.

Colin and Troy Bayliss both went up and won the odd race and that is about it.

Checa and Chili dropped down and won races and Checa the championship but neither one won a GP championship.

That's as far as I know.

**GD66** · 3rd September 2014, 18:59

Nicely summed up Merv.

Except to say that Edwards muffed the one chance he had to win a GP when he had a brainfade on the artificial turf of the Assen chicane...Bayliss' amazing win at Valencia, however was one for the ages...

**pritch** · 3rd September 2014, 19:19

Originally Posted by GD66

But thanks for the sarcasm.

You're welcome. Please don't drink all that Margaret River red, leave some for me.

James Toseland is another who came across as champ and didn't take the Moto GP world by storm. Sam Lowes is the most recent transferee and is current WSS champ.

**Shaun Harris** · 3rd September 2014, 19:21

[QUOTE=Reckless;1130767228]Had to stay away from the net till we finally watched it.

Moto 3 great as ever? I think young Marquez is gunning for the prize there and if our little aussy doesn't start racing to win races instead of "thinking of the championship" he'll loose it for sure.

From what I am seeing, the KTM is just a TAD slower ( And I do mean a tad )than the Honda, and with so many hot shots trying to win it is going to be bloody for Ozzy to win. I do not think he is playing it safe thinking of the champs personally

**Autech** · 3rd September 2014, 19:27

Originally Posted by merv

I don't think a WSBK rider has ever won a GP championship, but Biaggi and Kocinski who were both 250GP champions did drop "down" to WSBK and win the championship.

Colin and Troy Bayliss both went up and won the odd race and that is about it.

Checa and Chili dropped down and won races and Checa the championship but neither one won a GP championship.

That's as far as I know.

Cheers for the sum up

Originally Posted by Moto-Dynamix

From what I am seeing, the KTM is just a TAD slower ( And I do mean a tad )than the Honda, and with so many hot shots trying to win it is going to be bloody for Ozzy to win. I do not think he is playing it safe thinking of the champs personally

Funny how the KTM used to own the Honda till this year and now the Honda is fractionally quicker. Vazquez's seems to be miles faster than even the other Honda's though.

Miller is doing his best to finish races, remember he has had a few DNF's which cost him some very valuable points. I'm sure he will be back up there soon enough, when you are one of 17 going for the win you are bound to not make it on the podium a few times.

**Shaun Harris** · 3rd September 2014, 19:46

Originally Posted by Autech

Cheers for the sum up

Funny how the KTM used to own the Honda till this year and now the Honda is fractionally quicker. Vazquez's seems to be miles faster than even the other Honda's though.

Miller is doing his best to finish races, remember he has had a few DNF's which cost him some very valuable points. I'm sure he will be back up there soon enough, when you are one of 17 going for the win you are bound to not make it on the podium a few times.

Yea it sure did and I have thought the same thing re Markez bike a couple of times this year and had forgotten about the DNf's for Miller. Luckily for miller I am sure next years contract/job does not totally relly on winning the championship but obviously he will want it big time, but but but, if One of the top go down they are all that close a few will go together like bolling pins

**Crasherfromwayback** · 4th September 2014, 00:54

Originally Posted by Autech

. Last year he had a lot of pressure on his shoulders to win his rookie season and some fierce competition in the forms of Pedrosa and Lorenzo. As a result he did some dumb shit, but it certainly made for damn good entertainment! It all is a little hard to watch as a fierce Dani Pedrosa supporter though, but that's what marks a true fan someone who backs their man no matter how they are doing. Rossi's fan base is as large as it ever was despite all that has happened with him since going to Ducati.

Why? Does being a staunch Pedro or Rossi fan blind you to the pure skill of the guy beating your *heros*

What *dumb shit* are you referring to? I saw more *dumb shit* from Lorenzo last season than I did from MM. Get real. The others are being handed their arses on a plate much as they were when Stoner did it to them. Same old excuses apply though it seems.

**Shaun Harris** · 4th September 2014, 09:14

http://imgur.com/09sUsBU

I think he has told himself he is " SCARED" of crashing to many times now and may just be done- The boys are thinking like you Pete

**Shaun Harris** · 4th September 2014, 10:30

http://youtu.be/5Er8ElDPPio M Markez show

**Autech** · 4th September 2014, 10:52

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

Why? Does being a staunch Pedro or Rossi fan blind you to the pure skill of the guy beating your *heros*

What *dumb shit* are you referring to? I saw more *dumb shit* from Lorenzo last season than I did from MM. Get real. The others are being handed their arses on a plate much as they were when Stoner did it to them. Same old excuses apply though it seems.

Running up the back of his team mate for one, bashing Lorenzo out of the way... Staying out on track too long at Phillip Island then cutting up Lorenzo when re entering the track on one of the fastest corners in motorsport. Need I continue? Made for a great season though.

He's certainly much more mature this year though which is why I think he is kicking so much butt, total focus and dedication to winning with a great team behind him providing him the tools to win.

If you read closely enough you would have noticed I said it's hard watching your man get beaten every week (by a superior rider/bike set up, you chose why) but that's what make a true fan, someone who backs their man.
If you don't have a favourite rider to win, all you are doing is watching bikes go round n round. Went to rugby game recently between Auckland and Canterbury, neither of which I supported and was bored out of my tits.

**F5 Dave** · 4th September 2014, 11:12

Originally Posted by Autech

.. .
If you don't have a favourite rider to win, all you are doing is watching bikes go round n round. Went to rugby game recently between Auckland and Canterbury, neither of which I supported and was bored out of my tits.

That's ' cause a bunch of adults standing around watching another bunch of adults playing a kids ball game is boring as shit. Whereas watching top riders duke it out is entertaining.

'course the bikes all sound like shit these days

**Crasherfromwayback** · 4th September 2014, 11:46

Originally Posted by Autech

Running up the back of his team mate for one, bashing Lorenzo out of the way... Staying out on track too long at Phillip Island then cutting up Lorenzo when re entering the track on one of the fastest corners in motorsport. Need I continue? .

Can't have been round too long eh?