MotoGP 2014 News & Chat

h3000 wrote: »

It seems like Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Vinales to Suzuki is a done deal. Should be an official announcement today or tomorrow.

I'm still not 100% convinced on this rumour. I trust who's come out and said that it's a done deal but I can't see why Vinales would sign a three year deal when he could do one more year in Moto2 and possibily win the title and then have the choice of a Yamaha seat seeing as they've been linked with him so much in the past

If PBM pulls out then you could well see Eugene replacing his brother on a Factory Aprilia and possibly Bautista who will have no RCV because Redding will be riding it.
Redding should go well on a better performing pneumatic valve RCV if current results are anything to go by, beating and matching Hayden on the same machine is no bad thing considering Reddings size and weight handicap.
Smith and Bradl are likely to be looking for new rides as neither have performed well enough at this level.
CE II retiring will also free up a seat (not before time) and A Espargaro will also be moving away from Forward. 2 x seats vacant there?
I'd personally prefer to see Eugene on the Aprilia then the Suzuki, the Ape has a lot more development done then the Suzuki and Eugene did really well on the same make in SBK so should be used to the power characteristics of it.

CJhaughey wrote: »

If PBM pulls out then you could well see Eugene replacing his brother on a Factory Aprilia and possibly Bautista who will have no RCV because Redding will be riding it

PBM will only be pulling out if Aprilia (or another team) buys their two grid slots. The slots are worth a few million quid (probably 3 million) so if an offer is made you'd imagine that Bird will look at selling them. It's unfortunate because given the resources that the team has they do a great job and Laverty has ridden really well for them this year with some good showings by Parkes.

Infoanon wrote: »

First mention of PBM quitting, Herve has done an interview on crash.net which reading between the lines indicates that Bradley is out with a Moto 2 or Moto 3 rider getting the Tech 3 seat.
Aprilla have not confirmed their much rumoured return a year ahead of schedule.

Yeah, looks like Herve will only take on a young rider, I've not idea who I'd be putting money on it being though! Rabat will stay in Moto2, Folger had been linked but he's staying at AGR. In Moto2 with Miller looking like going to Honda you'd imagine that Rins or Fenati would be targeted but I think Fenati is going to Moto2. Interesting to see what happens but I wouldn't rule out a one year deal for Smith

Cal Crutchlow has been confirmed at LCR Honda with Andrea Iannone to take his Ducati seat.

Rumours had been rife all morning that Cal would not be staying with Ducati just days after confirming he had taken up his option.

LCR also confirmed a new UK based sponsor.

Iannone deserves it, he's often been the quickest Ducati.

Are LCR running two bikes, or is Bradl moving on?

Edit: wait a minute

motogp.com wrote:

Ducati Corse announced today that it has reached an agreement with its factory rider Cal Crutchlow to terminate, ahead of time, the contract that ties the British rider to the Italian team in MotoGP for 2014 and also for next season.

So Cal will be on a Honda next time out?

h3000 wrote: »

Heard that this morning but taught it was just silly season speculation. I'd say he will be very quick on the Honda.

I can guarantee that he'll be faster on the Sat RCV then he was on the GP14.
It'll be interesting to see where he is in relation to Redding on the same machinery, as long as Redding is running Ohlins/Brembo not Showa/Nissin.
Where does Bradl go, Forward?
IMO Cal was right to get out, he is demoralized and losing pace fast, look at how long it's taken Rossi and Hayden to get over that red period.
Gigi might make a fast GP15 next year but I highly doubt its going to be beating Yamaha and Honda in the first year.
Given its not even made yet and the first showing is rumoured to be in the Sepang test its a big gamble.

pablo128 wrote: »

I doubt anyone worth their salt will touch the Ducati with a bargepole in the next couple of years.

If anyone was looking at the list of successful riders in MotoGP compared to riders that have been burnt by Ducati the list looks like:

Crutchlow
Rossi WC
Melandri Runner up to WC
Hayden WC
vs

Stoner WC

None of them could ride the red beast apart from Stoner in a season of flux and even he was going backwards in the end.
I hear they pay well though!

pablo128 wrote: »

Well the reason Crutchlow went was for the money. Allegedly. Couldn't blame him myself though, 300k a year at Tech3 vs 2m a year at Ducati.
I've no doubt he'll do a lot better with a Honda under his arse.

He has done very well out of the arrangement though, this years salary and probably some of next years as well by the looks of things, Ducati will have had to pay him out but will save 6-8m on the cost of running a third factory bike.

Good move for Cal, another disasterous year on the Ducati might have ended with no top team wanting him. Better off ending it now. I'm guessing the new British sponsor at LCR might have helped too getting him in. Hope to see him challenging for some podiums next year.

Stefan Bradl has signed for forward Yamaha racing - good move for both imho - Suzuki still to confirm and rumours abound about a second LCR !

Jorge confirmed at Yamaha for 2015 and 2016.

Rumours have it that Jorge only wanted a one year contract. Pol wont be too happy either...

Aleix Espagaro had said that he is only interested in the Suzuki ride and has turned down other offers in the last few weeks.

Infoanon wrote: »

Jorge confirmed at Yamaha for 2015 and 2016.

Rumours have it that Jorge only wanted a one year contract. Pol wont be too happy either...

It's a two year contract with an opt out option at the end of year one so Jorge got what he wanted out of the deal

Bradl was looking good there in qualifiying, seems to have good pace but can't keep it up over race distance.
MM = Normal service resumed.
Redding looking good on the proddy Honda.
Camier looking very sharp for a MotoGP novice.
Pedrosa not looking great here.

Looking forward to a good race here.

h3000 wrote: »

If you want to get anyone interested in motorcycle racing get them to watch today's Moto3 at Brno. What a fooking race.

A tad embarrassing for rins.

16, Sixteen ! ! fighting for the win , the team have taken responsibility apparently for Rins error - I remember Julian Simon doing the same in Barcelona in 2009.

The last lap was spectacular.

Moto GP wasn't too bad either, Iannone and Marquez bashing fairings ! Crazy Joe is really getting his act together.

Scott Redding seems to have confirmed the Gresini Aprilla rumours in an interview on Crash.net.

Scott wants a Honda moto gp bike next year and Honda want him on a moto gp bike (as opposed to open class) from all reports.

More surprisingly is the news that Eugene Laverty and Jonathan Rea are in the running for the second LCR bike.

Jeremy Mc Williams is to ride in the Moto 2 race at Silverstone.

Jeremy will race on the Brough Superior bike which is debuting at the race.

I can't wait to see how he gets on. The bike looks great and Jeremy's got lots of experience. I just hope they have the reliability for a full race distance.

Reminder that the Marc Marquez special is on BT Sports 1 tonight at 8pm

Paul Bird Motorsport are to pull out of Motogp at the end of the season, Michael Laverty is quoted on crash.net as saying he will probably race in BSB next season.

No word on Aprillas possible early return to Moto GP or deal with Gresini.

Asshole mates? Who needs them, just book a ticket on the Ferry and bring your tent.
I wouldn't miss it if I had a ticket.

Scotty # wrote: »

No, but...

:D:D

ClAd, Aragon is a great weekend but it's in the middle of nowhere! I'll probably be there for the Sat and Sun