MotoGP: News and Discussion Thread
#563
Marquez is an alien. That Repsol Honda is his two-wheeled pod. Yeah, he's had some easy races this year but he's had some tough ones too. Although it's his championship to lose already, it doesn't take away from the skill and determination to win that we might not otherwise see the likes of in MotoGP for a long time.
I thought Zarco was going to be great. That was a disappointment. Hopefully Quartararo will keep getting better, and is smart enough not to switch manufacturers.
As for last weekend, another awesome spectacle! I'm an F1 fan too, but F1 has nothing on MotoGP.
I thought Zarco was going to be great. That was a disappointment. Hopefully Quartararo will keep getting better, and is smart enough not to switch manufacturers.
As for last weekend, another awesome spectacle! I'm an F1 fan too, but F1 has nothing on MotoGP.
https://www.crash.net/motogp/intervi...tely-exclusive
Honda’s Technical Manager Takeo Yokoyama has described Marc Marquez as “somebody from another planet” after the Catalan wrapped up his sixth MotoGP championship in Thailand by adapting “his riding style to take maximum profit from the bike.”
#565
Supposedly, Yamaha are interested in Zarco as a test rider for next year. According to this article, Honda might be interested in Zarco too. He may be replacing Nakagami for the rest of the season, because Nakagami is going to have shoulder surgery.
"This opportunity is widely seen as a trial run for Zarco at Honda. There are credible rumors in the paddock that Repsol Honda are considering sacking Jorge Lorenzo at the end of the year, and replacing the Spaniard with Johann Zarco. There are of course concerns that Zarco may find the Honda just as hard to ride as he did the KTM, and giving Zarco a trial on the Honda for the remaining three races of 2019 gives HRC a chance to evaluate the Frenchman's ability to ride the RC213V."
https://motomatters.com/news/2019/10..._with_lcr.html
"This opportunity is widely seen as a trial run for Zarco at Honda. There are credible rumors in the paddock that Repsol Honda are considering sacking Jorge Lorenzo at the end of the year, and replacing the Spaniard with Johann Zarco. There are of course concerns that Zarco may find the Honda just as hard to ride as he did the KTM, and giving Zarco a trial on the Honda for the remaining three races of 2019 gives HRC a chance to evaluate the Frenchman's ability to ride the RC213V."
https://motomatters.com/news/2019/10..._with_lcr.html
#567
It will be interesting to see if Zarco can ride the Honda decently. For me that would be finishing in front of Lorenzo and within 10 seconds of Crutchlow's time, assuming Crutchlow decides to skip his usual visit his pet rock collection of course. Given he hasn't had time to test or get used to the bike, those would be pretty impressive.
#568
Valentino Rossi's old crew chief Jeremy Burgess says he's stayed on too long
https://sports.yahoo.com/valentino-r...125031737.html
Valentino Rossi "has perhaps hung around a little bit too long" in MotoGP according to his long-time crew chief Jeremy Burgess.
Veteran engineer Burgess (pictured above with Rossi in 2009) was by Rossi's side for all seven of his premier class titles, the two working alongside each other from 2000 up until the end of 2013.
For the 2014 campaign, Rossi made the decision to shake up his crew and Burgess made way for Silvano Galbusera - who in turn will be replaced at the end of this season.
Rossi is enduring a difficult campaign on the works Yamaha, having slipped to seventh in the standings - behind team-mate Maverick Vinales and the satellite Petronas SRT Yamaha of star rookie Fabio Quartararo.
The 40-year-old has started on the front row only twice this year, and has an average grid slot of 8.5, compared to Vinales' 4.5 and Quartararo's 3.9.
"He has perhaps hung around a little bit too long," Burgess said. "The concerning thing is, and the sad thing for me is, he is finishing about where he qualifies.
"We never used to worry if he qualified 10th a few years ago, we knew he would pick up four or five spots and be on the podium or challenging for the podium.
"Whether that is another step down the slippery slope or not, who knows?"
Rossi suffered his first DNF since the Dutch TT in June during last weekend's Japanese GP at Motegi, where he was running 11th until he crashed at Turn 1.
"It's a bit difficult because, after a few fairly good races, we've had more problems in the last few races," reflected the Italian, who is without a podium since April's Austin race.
"Unfortunately I made a mistake today, but we'd like to be quicker to fight for better positions. It was a difficult race because my pace was not great.
"My potential could have been to be with [Alex] Rins and [Cal] Crutchlow [in the fight for fifth], but at the start I was already behind on the grid and then I lost some positions even on the first lap, so I wasn't so great to be able to get back on track."
Veteran engineer Burgess (pictured above with Rossi in 2009) was by Rossi's side for all seven of his premier class titles, the two working alongside each other from 2000 up until the end of 2013.
For the 2014 campaign, Rossi made the decision to shake up his crew and Burgess made way for Silvano Galbusera - who in turn will be replaced at the end of this season.
Rossi is enduring a difficult campaign on the works Yamaha, having slipped to seventh in the standings - behind team-mate Maverick Vinales and the satellite Petronas SRT Yamaha of star rookie Fabio Quartararo.
The 40-year-old has started on the front row only twice this year, and has an average grid slot of 8.5, compared to Vinales' 4.5 and Quartararo's 3.9.
"He has perhaps hung around a little bit too long," Burgess said. "The concerning thing is, and the sad thing for me is, he is finishing about where he qualifies.
"We never used to worry if he qualified 10th a few years ago, we knew he would pick up four or five spots and be on the podium or challenging for the podium.
"Whether that is another step down the slippery slope or not, who knows?"
Rossi suffered his first DNF since the Dutch TT in June during last weekend's Japanese GP at Motegi, where he was running 11th until he crashed at Turn 1.
"It's a bit difficult because, after a few fairly good races, we've had more problems in the last few races," reflected the Italian, who is without a podium since April's Austin race.
"Unfortunately I made a mistake today, but we'd like to be quicker to fight for better positions. It was a difficult race because my pace was not great.
"My potential could have been to be with [Alex] Rins and [Cal] Crutchlow [in the fight for fifth], but at the start I was already behind on the grid and then I lost some positions even on the first lap, so I wasn't so great to be able to get back on track."
#569
Moto2
https://jalopnik.com/alex-marquezs-a...tne-1839222631
https://jalopnik.com/alex-marquezs-a...tne-1839222631
There’s a pretty common assumption that racing drivers and motorcycle riders aren’t actually athletes in the sense that a machine does most of the work for them. Bunk. As a counterargument, I present to you: Alex Marquez’s frankly ridiculous upper body strength as he saves his bike from imminent disaster at the Moto2 Japanese Grand Prix.
Just stop whatever you’re doing and allow your mind to be blown as all your meager fitness goals crumble before the sight of a true strength god:
Alex Marquez—younger brother of the ridiculously talented Marc Marquez—is currently dominating the Moto2 standings. But during the third free practice session of the Japanese GP weekend, the younger Marquez had a little slip
As in, he was launched out of his seat entirely after the rear end of his bike slipped out on the wet track surface.
But that didn’t faze Marquez in the slightest. In fact, he kept his grip on the handlebars and managed to bring his body back down next to the bike and balancing there in order to avoid a crash. And as if that wasn’t absurd enough, he maintained that balance all the way to back to the pit wall, where he was able to remount and get back out there for the rest of the session
I have spent quite literally every single year since my sophomore year of high school trying to build the upper body #gains to do more than a single pull-up at a time. I have not been successful. And then here’s one of the Marquez brothers, putting me to shame and proving once again that they are actually the most capable family of motorcyclists in the entire freakin’ world.
Just stop whatever you’re doing and allow your mind to be blown as all your meager fitness goals crumble before the sight of a true strength god:
Alex Marquez—younger brother of the ridiculously talented Marc Marquez—is currently dominating the Moto2 standings. But during the third free practice session of the Japanese GP weekend, the younger Marquez had a little slip
As in, he was launched out of his seat entirely after the rear end of his bike slipped out on the wet track surface.
But that didn’t faze Marquez in the slightest. In fact, he kept his grip on the handlebars and managed to bring his body back down next to the bike and balancing there in order to avoid a crash. And as if that wasn’t absurd enough, he maintained that balance all the way to back to the pit wall, where he was able to remount and get back out there for the rest of the session
I have spent quite literally every single year since my sophomore year of high school trying to build the upper body #gains to do more than a single pull-up at a time. I have not been successful. And then here’s one of the Marquez brothers, putting me to shame and proving once again that they are actually the most capable family of motorcyclists in the entire freakin’ world.
#570
Marc Marquez's brother Alex wins 2019 Moto2 world championship
https://www.autosport.com/moto2/news...19-moto2-title
Little surpised he's staying in Moto2 for 2020, woulda thought he'd be going to a tier-2 or tier-1 MotoGP team
Little surpised he's staying in Moto2 for 2020, woulda thought he'd be going to a tier-2 or tier-1 MotoGP team
#571
https://www.autosport.com/moto2/news...19-moto2-title
Little surpised he's staying in Moto2 for 2020, woulda thought he'd be going to a tier-2 or tier-1 MotoGP team
Little surpised he's staying in Moto2 for 2020, woulda thought he'd be going to a tier-2 or tier-1 MotoGP team
#574
^ +1 Just announced Jorge retiring. He should enjoy retirement and give his body a well deserved rest. I think the hill to struggle to become competitive again for him was just too difficult. He made the right call.
#576
https://www.motogp.com/en/news/2019/...or-2020/319950
Honda Racing Corporation have announced the signing of double World Champion Alex Marquez. The young Spanish rider and reigning Moto2™ Champion will join the Repsol Honda Team on a one-year contract. He will move from the intermediate class to partner eight-time World Champion and older brother Marc Marquez in 2020 for his debut season in the premier class aboard the Honda RC213V.
Called it!
Honda Racing Corporation have announced the signing of double World Champion Alex Marquez. The young Spanish rider and reigning Moto2™ Champion will join the Repsol Honda Team on a one-year contract. He will move from the intermediate class to partner eight-time World Champion and older brother Marc Marquez in 2020 for his debut season in the premier class aboard the Honda RC213V.
Called it!
#578
Yep, the brothers in the same team will be interesting for sure. Will MM give AM a tow to get him directly into Q2? This is going to be good.
Best of luck to next year rookies Iker and Binder on the KTMs. Hopefully they along with test rider Pedrosa can help Pol keep the KTM moving towards the front of the grid. More bikes / manufacturers toward the front should just make for a better show. Unfortunately, MM will probably just run away with the Championship again unless Yamaha can up the power game without messing up the sweet handling or destroying tires. That will not be easy.
Good news for American Moto2 rider Joe Roberts. Hopefully he will get along better with the Kalex machine and can work with his new teammate to move the team forward.
https://www.roadracingworld.com/news...kalex-in-2020/
Best of luck to next year rookies Iker and Binder on the KTMs. Hopefully they along with test rider Pedrosa can help Pol keep the KTM moving towards the front of the grid. More bikes / manufacturers toward the front should just make for a better show. Unfortunately, MM will probably just run away with the Championship again unless Yamaha can up the power game without messing up the sweet handling or destroying tires. That will not be easy.
Good news for American Moto2 rider Joe Roberts. Hopefully he will get along better with the Kalex machine and can work with his new teammate to move the team forward.
https://www.roadracingworld.com/news...kalex-in-2020/
#580
Good news for American Moto2 rider Joe Roberts. Hopefully he will get along better with the Kalex machine and can work with his new teammate to move the team forward.
https://www.roadracingworld.com/news...kalex-in-2020/
https://www.roadracingworld.com/news...kalex-in-2020/
Hmmm, Joe Roberts from California, but not related to Kenny Roberts.
#581
Lewis Hamilton may have crashed Valentino Rossi's MotoGP bike at the Valencia circuit this week.
The pair swapped their Mercedes and Yamaha machines for a promotional event organised by mutual sponsor Monster, but the media was locked out and no official information whatsoever has been forthcoming.
But two Italian newspapers are reporting information unofficially.
La Repubblica said the event took place over eight hours, and that information including photos and footage should be released shortly.
The report said the event went "very well" for both sportsmen who were "as happy as children".
But Corriere dello Sport claims that Hamilton actually crashed Rossi's Yamaha on his MotoGP track debut, even though there were "no consequences" for the six-time world champion.
The pair swapped their Mercedes and Yamaha machines for a promotional event organised by mutual sponsor Monster, but the media was locked out and no official information whatsoever has been forthcoming.
But two Italian newspapers are reporting information unofficially.
La Repubblica said the event took place over eight hours, and that information including photos and footage should be released shortly.
The report said the event went "very well" for both sportsmen who were "as happy as children".
But Corriere dello Sport claims that Hamilton actually crashed Rossi's Yamaha on his MotoGP track debut, even though there were "no consequences" for the six-time world champion.
#583
In case you haven't been following the offseason news. Iannone tested positive for steroids and is currently suspended from racing.
Andrea Iannone's lawyer confirmed to Italian sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport that Iannone's B sample from the drug test he failed in Sepang has also come back positive. The Italian now faces a four-year ban for use of the anabolic steroid drostanalone.
https://us.motorsport.com/motogp/new...tance/4614173/
https://motomatters.com/analysis/202...sion_what.html
Andrea Iannone's lawyer confirmed to Italian sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport that Iannone's B sample from the drug test he failed in Sepang has also come back positive. The Italian now faces a four-year ban for use of the anabolic steroid drostanalone.
https://us.motorsport.com/motogp/new...tance/4614173/
https://motomatters.com/analysis/202...sion_what.html
#584
In case you haven't been following the offseason news. Iannone tested positive for steroids and is currently suspended from racing.
Andrea Iannone's lawyer confirmed to Italian sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport that Iannone's B sample from the drug test he failed in Sepang has also come back positive. The Italian now faces a four-year ban for use of the anabolic steroid drostanalone.
https://us.motorsport.com/motogp/new...tance/4614173/
https://motomatters.com/analysis/202...sion_what.html
Andrea Iannone's lawyer confirmed to Italian sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport that Iannone's B sample from the drug test he failed in Sepang has also come back positive. The Italian now faces a four-year ban for use of the anabolic steroid drostanalone.
https://us.motorsport.com/motogp/new...tance/4614173/
https://motomatters.com/analysis/202...sion_what.html
#586
MotoGP: Quartararo replaces Rossi at factory Yamaha team in 2021
https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/93...maha-team-2021
Little surprised that Yamaha didn't give Rossi a chance to announce his future plans before this announcement since Yamaha and Rossi have long history together
Little surprised that Yamaha didn't give Rossi a chance to announce his future plans before this announcement since Yamaha and Rossi have long history together
#588
Yamaha open to Lorenzo making wild card return to MotoGP
https://news.yahoo.com/motorcycling-...124958252.html
Would be surprised to see Jorge back racing, but also cool Yamaha is giving a test rider contract
Would be surprised to see Jorge back racing, but also cool Yamaha is giving a test rider contract
#590
Rossi has the option for a full factory supported bike on another team, so he won't necessarily be testing next year. He might be on a factory bike in Petronas colors or on a bike for his new MotoGP team if they buy a slot on the grid and Petronas switches to become the Suzuki satellite team.
#591
MotoGP champion Marc Marquez re-signs with Honda until 2024
#594
What Makes A MotoGP Rider Tick? | Andrea Dovizioso: Undaunted
https://www.redbull.com/int-en/films...aQ0lO1PUd2i4gQ
great RB documentary about Andrea Dovizioso's 2019 season
Full length is the top link, YouTube is the traier
great RB documentary about Andrea Dovizioso's 2019 season
Full length is the top link, YouTube is the traier
#595
https://acurazine.com/forums/motorsp.../#post16544521
While a host of major sporting events, including the MotoGP season opener in Qatar and the following Thailand Grand Prix, have been called off because of coronavirus, the latest news from Australia is that F1 is pushing on with its season opener on March 15.
But amid a quickly developing situation, especially with Italy being the source of a major outbreak of the virus, there is a risk that some team personnel could yet struggle to make it to the early season races if travel bans or strict quarantine rules are put in place.
It was Qatar's decision to quarantine Italian citizens for 14 days on arrival in the country that prompted MotoGP to call off its race there, despite series organisers Dorna Sports initially putting plans in place for all paddock personnel to avoid this.
But amid a quickly developing situation, especially with Italy being the source of a major outbreak of the virus, there is a risk that some team personnel could yet struggle to make it to the early season races if travel bans or strict quarantine rules are put in place.
It was Qatar's decision to quarantine Italian citizens for 14 days on arrival in the country that prompted MotoGP to call off its race there, despite series organisers Dorna Sports initially putting plans in place for all paddock personnel to avoid this.
#597
The Moto2 and Moto3 teams and riders were already in Qatar for testing this week, so they are still going to run.
I have read that the Austin MotoGP round is in doubt and MotoAmerica would most likely not be able to run without GP so their round Austin would likely be cancelled as well.
I have read that the Austin MotoGP round is in doubt and MotoAmerica would most likely not be able to run without GP so their round Austin would likely be cancelled as well.
#600
I sure hope Joe gets some more chances to show his talent this year. His pole and his performance in the race were great for fans of American motorcycle road racing. The more experience he gets running up front the better he will be. He pressured Marini to burn up his tires and eventually fall back to 14th before being caught up in a crash.
Congrats to Nagashima on the win.
Congrats to Nagashima on the win.