MotoGP 2014 News & Chat

h3000

So with MotoGP testing having started today I said I'd start a new thread for this year. Here are the test times from day 1 in Sepang Test 2014

1. Marc Marquez ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 2m 0.286s +Diff1st (Lap 52/62)
2. Valentino Rossi ITA Yamaha Factory Racing (YZR-M1) 2m 0.804s +0.518s (58/61)
3. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 2m 0.906s +0.620s (73/75)
4. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Yamaha Factory Racing (YZR-M1) 2m 1.082s +0.796s (26/47)
5. Alvaro Bautista ESP Go&Fun Honda Gresini (RC213V) 2m 1.240s +0.954s (48/52)
6. Stefan Bradl GER LCR Honda MotoGP (RC213V) 2m 1.320s +1.034s (10/25)
7. Aleix Espargaro ESP NGM Mobile Forward Racing (FTR-M1) 2m 1.419s +1.133s (19/26)
8. Andrea Iannone ITA Pramac Racing (Desmosedici) 2m 1.538s +1.252s (38/44)
9. Pol Espargaro ESP Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1) 2m 1.634s +1.348s (42/48)
10. Bradley Smith GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1) 2m 1.876s +1.590s (54/55)
11. Colin Edwards USA NGM Mobile Forward Racing (FTR-M1) 2m 2.483s +2.197s (25/26)
12. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici) 2m 2.497s +2.211s (21/27)
13. Michele Pirro ITA Ducati Test Rider (Desmosedici) 2m 2.552s +2.266s (47/48)
14. Cal Crutchlow GBR Ducati Team (Desmosedici) 2m 2.860s +2.574s (16/38)
15. Yonny Hernandez COL Pramac Racing (Desmosedici) 2m 2.891s +2.605s (28/49)
16. Katsuyuki Nakasuga JPN Yamaha Test Rider (YZR-M1) 2m 3.126s +2.840s (14/35)
17. Nicky Hayden USA Drive M7 Aspar (RCV1000R) 2m 3.319s +3.033s (53/56)
18. Hiroshi Aoyama JPN Drive M7 Aspar (RCV1000R) 2m 3.328s +3.042s (49/51)
19. Randy de Puniet FRA Suzuki Test Rider (XRH-1) 2m 3.893s +3.607s (47/75)
20. Kosuke Akiyoshi JPN Honda Test Rider 2m 4.267s +3.981s (27/64)
21. Scott Redding GBR Go&Fun Honda Gresini (RCV1000R) 2m 4.431s +4.145s (41/48)
22. Hector Barbera ESP Avintia Blusens (FTR-Kawasaki) 2m 4.922s +4.636s (34/44)
23. Mike di Meglio FRA Avintia Blusens (FTR-Kawasaki) 2m 5.825s +5.539s (50/51)
24. Broc Parkes AUS Paul Bird Motorsport (PBM-ART) 2m 5.889s +5.603s (32/40)
25. Michael Laverty GBR Paul Bird Motorsport (PBM-ART) 2m 6.070s +5.784s (14/14)
26. Karel Abraham CZE Cardion AB Motoracing (RCV1000R) 2m 6.755s +6.469s (21/41)

F.J.

Marquez said that he was surprised by his speed today and Rossi was happy with how things went for him.

h3000

Marquez fastest on all three days of testing. Rossi right up there too. Aleix Esparago incredibly quick on the open Yamaha too

1. Marc Marquez ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 1m 59.533s (Lap 10/40)
2. Valentino Rossi ITA Yamaha Factory Racing (YZR-M1) 1m 59.727s +0.194s (11/47)
3. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Yamaha Factory Racing (YZR-M1) 1m 59.866s +0.333s (2/50)
4. Aleix Espargaro ESP NGM Mobile Forward Racing (FTR-M1) 1m 59.998s +0.465s (7/36)
5. Stefan Bradl GER LCR Honda MotoGP (RC213V) 2m 0.112s +0.579s (11/38)
6. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 2m 0.223s +0.690s (29/49)
7. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici) 2m 0.370s +0.837s (10/40)
8. Pol Espargaro ESP Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1) 2m 0.655s +1.122s (8/48)
9. Andrea Iannone ITA Pramac Racing (Desmosedici) 2m 0.725s +1.192s (13/46)
10. Alvaro Bautista ESP Go&Fun Honda Gresini (RC213V) 2m 0.788s +1.255s (3/46)
11. Bradley Smith GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1) 2m 0.896s +1.363s (10/43)
12. Cal Crutchlow GBR Ducati Team (Desmosedici) 2m 1.060s +1.527s (21/45)
13. Nicky Hayden USA Drive M7 Aspar (RCV1000R) 2m 1.514s +1.981s (21/44)
14. Michele Pirro ITA Ducati Test Rider (Desmosedici) 2m 1.782s +2.249s (12/57)
15. Colin Edwards USA NGM Mobile Forward Racing (FTR-M1) 2m 1.989s +2.456s (31/36)
16. Randy De Puniet FRA Suzuki Test Rider (XRH-1) 2m 2.486s +2.953s (17/52)
17. Yonny Hernandez COL Pramac Racing (Desmosedici) 2m 2.556s +3.023s (31/51)
18. Kosuke Akiyoshi JPN Honda Test Rider 2m 2.619s +3.086s (3/58)
19. Katsuyuki Nakasuga JPN Yamaha Test Rider (YZR-M1) 2m 2.788s +3.255s (13/38)
20. Hiroshi Aoyama JPN Drive M7 Aspar (RCV1000R) 2m 2.819s +3.286s (13/47)
21. Scott Redding GBR Go&Fun Honda Gresini (RCV1000R) 2m 2.833s +3.300s (42/44)
22. Michael Laverty GBR Paul Bird Motorsport (PBM-ART) 2m 3.187s +3.654s (12/30)
23. Hector Barbera ESP Avintia Blusens (FTR-Kawasaki) 2m 3.444s +3.911s (24/35)
24. Broc Parkes AUS Paul Bird Motorsport (PBM-ART) 2m 3.810s +4.277s (7/31)
25. Mike Di Meglio FRA Avintia Blusens (FTR-Kawasaki) 2m 4.516s +4.983s (28/48)
26. Nobuatsu Aoki JPN Suzuki Test Rider (XRH-1) 2m 5.686s +6.153s (10/12)
27. Karel Abraham CZE Cardion AB Motoracing (RCV1000R) 2m 5.974s +6.441s (6/12)

valerossi

Anyone hear how the race simulations pan out with the new fuel restrictions, I reckon their will be a lot of upsets on longer tracks this year with CRT boys placing higher.

frostie500

valerossi wrote: »

Anyone hear how the race simulations pan out with the new fuel restrictions, I reckon their will be a lot of upsets on longer tracks this year with CRT boys placing higher.

I know from talking with different engineers last year that Honda will be fine, fuel was never a consideration for them last year, whereas Yamaha had to give it consideration at numerous races (Motegi, Catalunya etc.) so with one litre less this year it'll be quite tough for the Yamaha riders

Zascar

I did not really watch any of last years season but I'm determined to watch it closely this year. I'm hoping to be able to find some sort of catch up video or overview article of last season so I know what's going on, can anyone help?

valerossi

Start here http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_Grand_Prix_motorcycle_racing_season, pretty sure bbc do season recaps every year?

Hotblack Desiato

What options are available to watch it on satellite this year?

Setanta's website lists BT Sport but doesn't mention MotoGP.

Any decent FTA foreign satellite options?

h3000

ninja900 wrote: »

What options are available to watch it on satellite this year?

Setanta's website lists BT Sport but doesn't mention MotoGP.

Any decent FTA foreign satellite options?

BT Sport is part of the Setanta package. I've no idea about what free to air options are available.

BT Sport are to announce their team on Friday. Julian Ryder should be in the comma box, Keith Huewen is said to be joining Jules, Toby moody won't be with them.

There is also talk going around that Melanie Sykes will be part of the presenting team :eek: How they came up with that idea I don't know.

Go Harvey Go

h3000 wrote: »

There is also talk going around that Melanie Sykes will be part of the presenting team :eek: How they came up with that idea I don't know.

Confirmed...

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/BT+Sport+announces+MotoGP+programmes+and+presenters

I do like Mel... but I have to say, she's almost as strange a choice of presenter for this as Brough Scott (of Channel 4 Racing fame) was for live coverage of Channel 5's first football match in May 1997.

http://www.wsc.co.uk/wsc-daily/1035-June-2012/8641-no-more-channel-5-on-thursday-nights

Stevo105

So Setanta sports. do you have to sign up for a full year or can you cancel after motogp session?

h3000

Stevo105 wrote: »

So Setanta sports. do you have to sign up for a full year or can you cancel after motogp session?

Both options available to you.

Monkeybonkers

h3000 wrote: »

Julian Ryder should be in the comma box, Keith Huewen is said to be joining Jules, Toby moody won't be with them.

There is also talk going around that Melanie Sykes will be part

I'll be glad to see Julian Ryder commentating. Was never that keen on Toby Moody so that won't be too much of a loss.

Melanie Sykes presenting is a bit meh. I only watch the race anyway so the commentators are all I'm interested in. Not bothered with all this analysis and build-up stuff.

Can anyone challenge Maquez this year?

h3000

Monkeybonkers wrote: »

I'll be glad to see Julian Ryder commentating. Was never that keen on Toby Moody so that won't be too much of a loss.

Melanie Sykes presenting is a bit meh. I only watch the race anyway so the commentators are all I'm interested in. Not bothered with all this analysis and build-up stuff.

Can anyone challenge Maquez this year?

I can't see anyone challenging Marquez until Jorge gets a Honda.

Monkeybonkers

Especially if the Yamahas might experience some fuel problems this year, as mentioned above. I can see Marquez win 4 or 5 championships in a row if he stays injury free.

CJhaughey

What is more interesting is that Ducati may be racing in the Open class not Factory, this would give them more fuel, softer tyres and more engines.
I think this years competition between the Open and Factory options will be really close on some tracks.
Agreed that Marquez is the man to beat but I think some of the Open class bikes will be pushing the satellite teams very close on some of the tracks where fuel usage is marginal (Motegi)
I can't see me watching much MotoGP on TV this year, I would rather pay the 100 for the MotoGP Live Videopass for the full season and get it online.
Maybe just get it online afterwards...;)

Hotblack Desiato

Has anyone here ever got the Videopass? Any good?
Do you get all classes and all practice sessions live?

CJhaughey

ninja900 wrote: »

Has anyone here ever got the Videopass? Any good?
Do you get all classes and all practice sessions live?

I know a few that have it, they say its awesome.
Live timing better than on TV, the extra pack for 139 has the possibility to mix multiple feeds, up to 6 and helicopter at the same time.
You could have Marquez, Lorenzo, Rossi and the helicopter plus 2 more all at once!

F.J.

Marquez broke his leg in training yesterday.They reckon it will be 4-5 weeks before he is back to full fitness

Hotblack Desiato

Doubt my laptop or my broadband would be up to the multiscreen package! I'm seriously considering the basic package though.

Just went onto motogp.com to check out the videopass and see that Marquez has broken his leg!

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/Marquez+to+miss+second+Sepang+test+after+breaking+leg

frostie500

The videopass is great, well worth the money. Ive gotten it for the last six or seven years and couldnt do without it now. The classic races are very good as well. I actually picked up the WSBK one this year to see what it was like

F.J.

Frostie have you gone for the standard option or the other one?I am just wondering is the more expensive one worth the extra money

frostie500

I just went for the standard one, it's sppot on but if you were to spend the extra thirty quid you'd be well served either way!

F.J. wrote: »

Frostie have you gone for the standard option or the other one?I am just wondering is the more expensive one worth the extra money

gears

Looks like it may be the way to go ok.

Dumb questions now, is there commentary and who does it as I have to say I liked Jules and Toby (and Randy who was a big loss) on Eurosport.

h3000

gears wrote: »

Looks like it may be the way to go ok.

Dumb questions now, is there commentary and who does it as I have to say I liked Jules and Toby (and Randy who was a big loss) on Eurosport.

I'm pretty sure Gavin Emmett was part of the comms team for the videopass but he has left for BT now. Not too sure who will do this year.

frostie500

h3000 wrote: »

I'm pretty sure Gavin Emmett was part of the comms team for the videopass but he has left for BT now. Not too sure who will do this year.

Yeah it was gav and Nick Harris last year. Nick's confirmed for this year and I'd say Dylan (Thomas?)will be moved to the complementary box with Greg Haines in the pits

gears

Ok, sounds better... Still 100 yo yos.....

h3000

Ducati will race in the 'Open' class of MotoGP for the 2014 season. It could be a very competitive/unusual season me thinks.

CJhaughey

h3000 wrote: »

Ducati will race in the 'Open' class of MotoGP for the 2014 season. It could be a very competitive/unusual season me thinks.

For both bikes or just one as factory and one open?
edit, all 4 bikes.
Great, more power to them. I think the writing is on the wall for factory electronics despite what Honda have threatened.

Stevo105

I ordered the Season Video pass for 99euro. let hope it runs smooth

MOTOGP 13 on PC for 12$ if anyone is interested
http://savygamer.co.uk/2014/03/03/moto-gp-13-pc-7-18/

gears

Has any one else seen that there will now be 3 classes in Moto GP......

frostie500

gears wrote: »

Has any one else seen that there will now be 3 classes in Moto GP......

There's the possibility of three classes....it's a big mess created cos Honda are throwing their toys out of the pram at Ducati going Open. For Ducati (or any other bike) to be "Factory 2" they would need to win races, get lots of podiums and from their starting point I cant see it coming anytime soon. Saying that there shouldn't be two classes at all

gears

frostie500 wrote: »

there shouldn't be two classes at all

Completely agree here, it's a prototype class, or at least was until the world economics went mad and only a few teams could come up with the budgets to run a team and the powers that be got scared of having only a handful of bikes on the grid.

I think from that perspective it's a low point in Moto GP history, we can only look forward to Suzuki coming back and hopefully Kawasaki or maybe Aprilia and BMW in years to come, what a grid that would be. We can dream I guess...

CJhaughey

I respect HRC a lot for the stuff they have done in the past and their racing history, I can also see where they are coming from with this as they are the only manufacturer that has actually built a customer MotoGP bike for the production based series.
That said until I see a load of Honda signs around the track then they can take their bikes and go until they are prepared to accept that racing is more than just engineering put into practice but also entertainment.
They have walked before and took them over 10 years to come back but they ultimately returned.
Let them go if they want to.

lolie

Itv4 are rumoured to be showing highlights on the monday evening after the races.
That cant be a bad thing.

jpb14

CJhaughey wrote: »

I respect HRC a lot for the stuff they have done in the past and their racing history, I can also see where they are coming from with this as they are the only manufacturer that has actually built a customer MotoGP bike for the production based series.
That said until I see a load of Honda signs around the track then they can take their bikes and go until they are prepared to accept that racing is more than just engineering put into practice but also entertainment.
They have walked before and took them over 10 years to come back but they ultimately returned.
Let them go if they want to.

So Ducati will racing in the "open class".Does that mean they have failed to produce a proper competitive factory prototype race bike for 2014 then.Seems that way going by testing and times.

jpb14

lolie wrote: »

Itv4 are rumoured to be showing highlights on the monday evening after the races.
That cant be a bad thing.

1 word and 4 letters that will give you all the live MotoGP that you can handle from BT Sports and Arab Bein Sports network via an internet connection hooked up to your TV.All for free.
Android
X
B
M
C

EB_2013

lolie wrote: »

Itv4 are rumoured to be showing highlights on the monday evening after the races.
That cant be a bad thing.

Can't see them covering much or even any Moto2 and 3 if they only have an hour Much more entertaining watching them over the big bikes. Still it's better than nothing.

CJhaughey

jpb14 wrote: »

So Ducati will racing in the "open class".Does that mean they have failed to produce a proper competitive factory prototype race bike for 2014 then.Seems that way going by testing and times.

They have been uncompetitive for quite a few seasons now.
Going Open instead of factory is a smart move as it allows them to develop the bike over the season much more than the factory option.
More fuel, softer tyres and more engines and modifications permitted over the year and testing would mean a greatly accelerated development time.

Infoanon

Pol Espargaro has broken his collarbone during Sunday evening testing - should be ok for Qatar in 2 weeks time

Infoanon

BT Sport now running promos for Moto GP - not to impressed so far...

jpb14

CJhaughey wrote: »

They have been uncompetitive for quite a few seasons now.
Going Open instead of factory is a smart move as it allows them to develop the bike over the season much more than the factory option.
More fuel, softer tyres and more engines and modifications permitted over the year and testing would mean a greatly accelerated development time.

Cals gonna be in for a very long and tough season then.To me the Ducati move to open class is an admission of failure on their part and being unable to give Cal and Dovi a competitive factory machine for 2104.But I think Cal is really only interested in one thing now,lots of money.He said so himself last season when interviewed about the wizeness of moving to Ducati.He openly said on camera to the BBC that hes getting older,he wont race bikes forever and he now has to think of his families financial future.
It would be nice to see Cal on the podium again this year,but I think its going to be a very long hard battle to get near the podium for him this year.

Max Headroom

ahhh....MotoGP....i remember it well.........:o

CJhaughey

The way the series has moved with limited testing and no in-season engine development has meant if you fall behind for any reason then its almost impossible to regain any kind of parity.
Ducati's problems in this class have been obvious since Stoner left, and seeing as they couldn't or wouldn't accept that the bike was the problem not the rider/s then they have fallen behind the Honda and Yamaha machines.
Now with Luigi in charge they seem to be willing for the first time in years to actually be serious about modifying the bike, not sending riders like Melandri to a Psychiatrist!
Really though having three separate divisions in the same class is ridiculous.

jpb14

CJhaughey wrote: »

The way the series has moved with limited testing and no in-season engine development has meant if you fall behind for any reason then its almost impossible to regain any kind of parity.
Ducati's problems in this class have been obvious since Stoner left, and seeing as they couldn't or wouldn't accept that the bike was the problem not the rider/s then they have fallen behind the Honda and Yamaha machines.
Now with Luigi in charge they seem to be willing for the first time in years to actually be serious about modifying the bike, not sending riders like Melandri to a Psychiatrist!
Really though having three separate divisions in the same class is ridiculous.

Or telling Rossi that he will ride with an all carbon frame and swingarm and thats that.Maybe if Ducati had have listened a few years ago then they would be better off for it now.
Any news on JB now that Rossi has fired him as his crew chief.
Is he going to remain on in MotoGP or is he retiring completely now?
Rossi owes that man so much for his success and 9 titles.

RezwoK

jpb14 wrote: »

1 word and 4 letters that will give you all the live MotoGP that you can handle from BT Sports and Arab Bein Sports network via an internet connection hooked up to your TV.All for free.
Android
X
B
M
C

Really? Is it stream or do you download first? Free? That's interesting.

RezwoK

CJhaughey wrote: »

The way the series has moved with limited testing and no in-season engine development has meant if you fall behind for any reason then its almost impossible to regain any kind of parity.
Ducati's problems in this class have been obvious since Stoner left, and seeing as they couldn't or wouldn't accept that the bike was the problem not the rider/s then they have fallen behind the Honda and Yamaha machines.
Now with Luigi in charge they seem to be willing for the first time in years to actually be serious about modifying the bike, not sending riders like Melandri to a Psychiatrist!
Really though having three separate divisions in the same class is ridiculous.

Good point, yet I still feel Ducati will struggle again this year. Bad moove by Cal Crutchlow

CJhaughey

jpb14 wrote: »

Any news on JB now that Rossi has fired him as his crew chief.
Is he going to remain on in MotoGP or is he retiring completely now?
Rossi owes that man so much for his success and 9 titles.

JB. is kicking back for the year, still on a 1 year contract with Yamaha until the end of the season but having to do sweet FA!
Rossi, Doohan and Gardner all owe JB a debt of gratitude for their success.
Yamaha as well for getting them up to pace after the Honda years.
He said in an interview that he is just enjoying life, and if Yamaha need him to step in at any point during the season he would discuss it and see if it was mutually beneficial.
Good luck to him I say, he has earned his retirement.

jpb14

CJhaughey wrote: »

JB. is kicking back for the year, still on a 1 year contract with Yamaha until the end of the season but having to do sweet FA!
Rossi, Doohan and Gardner all owe JB a debt of gratitude for their success.
Yamaha as well for getting them up to pace after the Honda years.
He said in an interview that he is just enjoying life, and if Yamaha need him to step in at any point during the season he would discuss it and see if it was mutually beneficial.
Good luck to him I say, he has earned his retirement.

A true mechanical and engineering genius,a once in a lifteime guy indeed.I would love to see him jelp out Rossi again,or more so that Rossi HAS to ask for JBs help again.:)
I dont think Rossi was very nice in how he parted comapny with JB,not fair to do it like that.:(

CJhaughey

jpb14 wrote: »

A true mechanical and engineering genius,a once in a lifteime guy indeed.I would love to see him jelp out Rossi again,or more so that Rossi HAS to ask for JBs help again.:)
I dont think Rossi was very nice in how he parted comapny with JB,not fair to do it like that.:(

JB said that Rossi is still in love with the racing, not the winning.
JB also said that winning was the reason he went to the paddock not to race but to win.

Max Headroom

jpb14 wrote: »

.:)
I dont think Rossi was very nice in how he parted comapny with JB,not fair to do it like that.:(

Rossi is numero uno in Rossiworld.....no one else matters, he'd shoot his own father if it meant him winning again...