SlowLane

Both of them. Brother Alex won the Moto 3 race again.

Too bad the weather wasn't better. I forget that the Moto 2 and 3 riders are only allowed 1 bike, so no quick changes to a new bike with wet tires or slicks like the GP class.

Maverick Vinales is looking really impressive in his first season of Moto 2 so far.

Legend2TL

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/Y...ract+extension

2 more years with Yamaha

F-C

Good to see.

Legend2TL

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/926/18...ough-2016.aspx

F-C

Don't know about that one. I think Pedrosa's had his chance. Honda should have picked an up and comer to replace Pedrosa.

SlowLane

Agreed. I was hoping they might go after Pol Espargaro.

I wouldn't be surprised if Alex Marquez moves up to Moto 2 next year. Two years in Moto 2, like his brother, and he might be ready to replace Dani in 2017.

Any word on what Lorenzo is doing next season?

F-C

I'm sure Lorenzo is going to stay at Yamaha. Where else would he go? Unless Honda opens up a third factory bike, Lorenzo is "stuck" at Yamaha.

Legend2TL

I think Dani was chosen cause he's very consistent (90 podiums and 25 wins in 144 starts), hard working, and is a good #2 to Marc. I agree his chances for a MotoGP title are looking slimmer every year.

Also agree Lorenzo will stay at Yamaha, they make a great team and once he gets over his head problems he'll be a contender again.

SlowLane

Dani is definitely consistent. I thought Lorenzo would remain with Yamaha. The Moto GP announcers said the same thing during today's practice sessions.

There have been recent rumors that Lorenzo might move to Ducati. I guess that is possible if Dovizioso moves to Suzuki? Motorcycle News has an article about how Lorenzo and Rossi affect Pol Espargaro.

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/mcn/sp...argaro-yamaha/

Pol Espargaro has admitted he is unlikely to quit Yamaha for 2015, despite having an option to leave if the door to a factory YZR-M1 ride is slammed shut in his face for next season.

MCN has learned that the Spaniard has a clause in his contract that he becomes a free agent if Yamaha signs new deals with Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo.

Nine-times world champion Rossi confirmed his new two-year deal with Yamaha last week, while protracted talks with Lorenzo are on going, with the Spaniard still strongly linked to a shock Ducati transfer .

F-C

The only way Lorenzo would move to Ducati is if he was offered gobs of money. Lorenzo likes winning too much.

SlowLane

I retract my earlier statement. Marquez actually has a chance to sweep the season. I never thought he would go 9 for 9. Especially with that crazy start yesterday.

F-C

That was a crazy start. It was too bad Stefan Bradl's bike wasn't set up for dry, which would have made Marquez's chase much more interesting.

Legend2TL

9 wins down, 9 to go it's possible. Marquez is amazing

SlowLane

Dovizioso is staying with Ducati. The new Suzuki team was supposedly interested in him.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/D...nother+2+years

During a press conference at the Italian circuit Dovizioso and Ducati Motor Holding Director Claudio Domenicali gave the details of the rider’s new two-year agreement with the Borgo Panigale factory.

Domenicali commented, “Andrea has been with us for two years now and has shown his belief in this project. After a difficult 2013 he has given us two podiums this year. He is our best rider. It’s a great honour for me to announce that he has decided to continue with us for two more years.”

...

SlowLane

I wonder who the other Suzuki rider will be.

According to German publication Speedweek, Moto2™ rookie Maverick Viñales has signed a three-year deal to join the returning Suzuki MotoGP™ outfit. The second seat in the team has allegedly not been filled yet, though in the same article the German motorsport web rules out Andrea Dovizioso as he has reportedly re-signed for Ducati.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/S...al+with+Suzuki

F-C

Suzuki should sign someone with experience. Someone like Bautista.

SlowLane

There is more news on the MotoGP site. Aprilia is planning to have a MotoGP team next year and they're interested in Bautista.

The Avintia team, Di Meglio and Barbera, is switching from Kawasaki to Ducati next year.

Legend2TL

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/926/18...th-Yamaha.aspx

No surprise, Yamaha like Jorge and he's produced alot for them. Once he gets his head back in the race he'll be alright. Lotta years ahead of him

F-C

Good news for MotoGP. Would have been bad if Lorenzo joined Honda.

SlowLane

I am shocked that Marquez is in pole position for tomorrow's race. The smartest rider was Dovizioso. He tucked in behind Marquez during qualifying and followed him to finish 2nd.

Suzuki continues to struggle with nailing down their team for 2015. Vinales said that he might remain in Moto 2. Aleix Espargaro is talking with Suzuki now.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/V...+MotoGP+future

Suzuki and Aprilia have been talking to Eugene Laverty about a move from World Superbike to Moto GP next year.

F-C

So who pulled the plug at Indy? That was just about the worst commentary I've heard from any sports broadcast. Someone probably pulled the plug on the Fox Sports team because it was so atrocious. At least we got the last lap without any commentary.

Ten straight for Marquez.

SlowLane

I don't have cable tv. Is the Fox team usually that bad? I subscribe to the Moto GP website to watch races.

Legend2TL

FWIW, I thought 10 wins in a row would be a record, but Mick Doohan did 10 wins in a row so Marc has one more to go to.

Kinda amazing to look at Doohan's record, Stoner pales in comparison but he also had more competition as well.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mick_Doohan

SlowLane

^^ Thanks. Doohan had an impressive run from 1994 through 1998. 10 wins in a row is unreal.

F-C

Fox usually uses the world feed with Gavin Emmett and Nick Harris. However, for the two USA races, Fox has Ralph Sheheen and Scott Russell doing the commentary. Ralph is clueless about MotoGP. While I like Scott as a racer, he just can't cut it in broadcasting.

F-C

Agreed. Mick was great, but he didn't have much competition when he won his championships. Alex Criville was his biggest rival, which isn't saying much.

F-C

What in the world happened yesterday?

SlowLane

Same here . I don't know what happened. You think that scrap with Iannone at the beginning of the race threw Marquez off his game?

Marquez set the fastest lap on the next day during testing. It was a new track record.

Anyone watch the Moto 3 race? Poor Alex Rins . He thought he won the race on the 2nd to last lap, started celebrating, and then realized what was happening as the other riders kept going.

Vlad_Type_S

iTrader: (3)

^That's what I think... Iannone ain't no bitch. Hahaha, he fought hard. Respect.

Also, the Brno track is super wide and has higher-speed corners than others. This gives many different lines the riders can follow. More room for mistakes.

SlowLane

Iannone looked good on Sunday. Marquez, Pol Espargaro, and Iannone are used to battling each other from Moto 2. They were the top three Moto 2 riders in 2012. Marquez and Iannone finished 2nd and 3rd in the 2011 Moto 2 standings.

SlowLane

Back to business as usual yesterday. It was a good battle between Lorenzo and Marquez.

Alex Marquez is moving up to Moto 2 next year with the Marc VDS team. They already signed Tito Rabat to another year. I wonder if Mika Kallio will move up to Moto GP again?

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/A...+with+Marc+VDS

Legend2TL

^ +1, Lorenzo's mid-season slump is definitely over.
The last 3 races he has placed 2nd to Rossi's 3rd.

F-C

Aprilla factory team back in MotoGP with Gresini.

MOTOGP - MotoGP: Aprilia returns with Gresini

Legend2TL

Rossi!!,
The Doctor shows the Spanish boys how's it done in Italy today!
Some great passing and defending

SlowLane

Agreed. It was great to watch Rossi win at home.

F-C

The Doctor's still got it.

F-C

KTM to join in 2017.

KTM 2017

SlowLane

Suzuki, Aprilia, and now KTM. Good. I hope other manufacturers consider joining or rejoining. MV Agusta joined World Superbike this season. Jules Cluzel is doing well on their Super Sport entry.

Legend2TL

MotoGP: Breaking Down The Rules For 2014 And Beyond | SPEED | The Motors On FOX Blog

2015 MotoGP rules explained, in the end they favor win-less teams

SlowLane

Marquez and Pedrosa were flying during qualifying session 2 today.

The Doctor had to make it through qualifying session 1 .

Switching from Kawasaki to Ducati is already paying off for the Avinta team. Kind of. Hector Barbera made it through to session 2 on his new Ducati, but bike issues kept him from participating.