MotoGP 2015 News & Chat

Hotblack Desiato

Can't wait for the new season Lots of new rider/team combinations. Suzuki and Aprilia return as factory teams.

Eugene Laverty interview here: http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2015/Eugene+Laverty+interview

There's an offer until midnight tonight on motogp.com to sign up for the off-season Videopass for 99cent. All current videos (testing, bike launches, interviews etc.) plus archives of all races 1992-2014. Not bad.

frostie500

For anyone interested in something special for Christmas I have a few signed prints from the likes of Crutchlow, Bradl, Redding, Smith, Lowes, Michael and Eugene Laverty for sale. Just drop me a PM if you're interested.

kellymick39

Mick Doohan has called for HRC to sack Perdosa and give his seat to Jack Miller instead.Was reading it MCN paper this week.
One Aussie calling for HRC to employ another Aussie,well I never.lol

Hotblack Desiato

A bit off-topic but I was pleased to see Michael Laverty get a seat in BSB (Tyco BMW), good for him.

Ghost Train

Not sure if this is the best place to post or not but the film Road is on BBC 2 tonight at 10pm http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3546370/

h3000

Yamaha unveiled their 2015 M1 today

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OqhNidBusQ

willow46

thank you h3000! i really hope Vale and Lorenzo put some pressure on Marc this year. Nice to see some new bikes in the mix too...

Hotblack Desiato

Is it just me or does that new M1 look really sleek in the front-on view. The lower fairing looks much slimmer.

frostie500

Hotblack Desiato wrote: »

Is it just me or does that new M1 look really sleek in the front-on view. The lower fairing looks much slimmer.

It looks really good, looking forward to getting out to Sepang and seeing what it looks like in the flesh

h3000

Test times from first Sepang session

Pos Rider Team Fastest lap Lead. Gap Prev. Gap Laps Last lap
1 MARQUEZ, Marc Repsol Honda Team 2:00.262 62 / 63 1:07.607
2 ROSSI, Valentino Movistar Yamaha MotoGP 2:00.380 0.118 0.118 27 / 57 2:19.571
3 LORENZO, Jorge Movistar Yamaha MotoGP 2:00.521 0.259 0.141 30 / 55 9:53.068
4 DOVIZIOSO, Andrea Ducati Team 2:00.617 0.355 0.096 36 / 41 1:07.239
5 PEDROSA, Dani Repsol Honda Team 2:00.745 0.483 0.128 25 / 45 15:14.790
6 ESPARGARO, Pol Monster Yamaha Tech 3 2:00.930 0.668 0.185 29 / 55 1:21.895
7 IANNONE, Andrea Ducati Team 2:01.424 1.162 0.494 58 / 59 1:16.608
8 BRADL, Stefan Forward Racing Team 2:01.556 1.294 0.132 50 / 58 1:10.446
9 SMITH, Bradley Monster Yamaha Tech 3 2:01.707 1.445 0.151 27 / 52 2:15.595
10 CRUTCHLOW, Cal CWM LCR Honda 2:01.713 1.451 0.006 34 / 61 1:11.360
11 REDDING, Scott Estrella Galicia 0.0 Marc VDS 2:01.917 1.655 0.204 59 / 63 2:03.190
12 PIRRO, Michele Pramac Racing 2:01.951 1.689 0.034 51 / 54 2:57.157
13 PETRUCCI, Danilo Pramac Racing 2:02.136 1.874 0.185 50 / 50 2:53.943
14 ESPARGARO, Aleix Team Suzuki MotoGP 2:02.225 1.963 0.089 42 / 46 1:22.379
15 BAUTISTA, Alvaro Factory Aprilia Gresini 2:02.285 2.023 0.060 27 / 50 1:10.156
16 AOYAMA, Hiroshi HRC 2:02.560 2.298 0.275 45 / 69 1:11.518
17 HAYDEN, Nicky Drive M7 Aspar 2:02.699 2.437 0.139 22 / 46 2:02.971
18 BARBERA, Hector Avintia Racing 2:02.700 2.438 0.001 28 / 55 1:10.304
19 MILLER, Jack CWM LCR Honda 2:02.807 2.545 0.107 53 / 59 1:14.178
20 NAKASUGA, Katsuyuki Yamaha Factory Test Team 2:03.092 2.830 0.285 38 / 47 1:13.946
21 VIÑALES, Maverick Team Suzuki MotoGP 2:03.164 2.902 0.072 58 / 69 5:34.207
22 LAVERTY, Eugene Drive M7 Aspar 2:03.295 3.033 0.131 41 / 47 2:57.584
23 DI MEGLIO, Mike Avintia Racing 2:03.878 3.616 0.583 34 / 58 1:18.129
24 ABRAHAM, Karel AB Motoracing 2:03.879 3.617 0.001 38 / 46 1:12.349
25 BAZ, Loris Forward Racing Team 2:04.163 3.901 0.284 57 / 66 2:15.970
26 MELANDRI, Marco Factory Aprilia Gresini 2:04.502 4.240 0.339 41 / 42 2:34.639
27 DE ANGELIS, Alex Octo Ioda Racing Team 2:04.673 4.411 0.171 40 / 46 2:23.456
28 TAKAHASHI, Takumi HRC 2:04.719 4.457 0.046 77 / 77 1:12.584
29 TSUDA, Takuya Team Suzuki MotoGP 2:05.478 5.216 0.759 13 / 18 2:23.659
30 LAVERTY, Michael Aprilia Test Team 2:06.190 5.928 0.712 23 / 28 1:21.116

h3000

Sepang 2 times

The Dukes are looking fast, it's a modified GP14 (GP14.3) machine not the GP15.

Pos Rider Team Fastest lap Lead. Gap Prev. Gap Laps Last lap
1 LORENZO, Jorge Movistar Yamaha MotoGP 1:59.963 19 / 55 2:13.941
2 DOVIZIOSO, Andrea Ducati Team 2:00.015 0.052 0.052 6 / 54 1:23.183
3 MARQUEZ, Marc Repsol Honda Team 2:00.146 0.183 0.131 35 / 66 6:35.197
4 PEDROSA, Dani Repsol Honda Team 2:00.260 0.297 0.114 50 / 51 2:21.670
5 IANNONE, Andrea Ducati Team 2:00.391 0.428 0.131 29 / 54 1:25.479
6 ROSSI, Valentino Movistar Yamaha MotoGP 2:00.676 0.713 0.285 20 / 62 2:01.376
7 ESPARGARO, Pol Monster Yamaha Tech 3 2:00.959 0.996 0.283 7 / 56 2:17.838
8 CRUTCHLOW, Cal CWM LCR Honda 2:01.058 1.095 0.099 19 / 61 2:14.062
9 SMITH, Bradley Monster Yamaha Tech 3 2:01.098 1.135 0.040 32 / 50 2:01.734
10 ESPARGARO, Aleix Team Suzuki MotoGP 2:01.344 1.381 0.246 10 / 54 5:27.037
11 BRADL, Stefan Forward Racing Team 2:01.484 1.521 0.140 13 / 49 1:12.780
12 BARBERA, Hector Avintia Racing 2:01.615 1.652 0.131 2 / 42 1:03.651
13 AOYAMA, Hiroshi HRC 2:01.772 1.809 0.157 15 / 60 2:02.518
14 REDDING, Scott Estrella Galicia 0.0 Marc VDS 2:01.844 1.881 0.072 22 / 51 2:13.218
15 VIÑALES, Maverick Team Suzuki MotoGP 2:01.916 1.953 0.072 47 / 56 3:46.915
16 PETRUCCI, Danilo Pramac Racing 2:01.932 1.969 0.016 53 / 54 2:02.194
17 BAUTISTA, Alvaro Aprilia Racing Team Gresini 2:02.155 2.192 0.223 31 / 44 1:45.918
18 PIRRO, Michele Pramac Racing 2:02.199 2.236 0.044 39 / 40 2:43.757
19 HAYDEN, Nicky Drive M7 Aspar 2:02.228 2.265 0.029 14 / 45 2:05.672
20 ABRAHAM, Karel AB Motoracing 2:02.574 2.611 0.346 45 / 51 2:14.854
21 BAZ, Loris Forward Racing Team 2:02.842 2.879 0.268 36 / 44 1:16.839
22 NAKASUGA, Katsuyuki Yamaha Factory Test Team 2:02.914 2.951 0.072 28 / 40 1:16.319
23 MILLER, Jack CWM LCR Honda 2:03.083 3.120 0.169 56 / 56 2:03.083
24 LAVERTY, Eugene Drive M7 Aspar 2:03.129 3.166 0.046 14 / 44 2:03.710
25 DE ANGELIS, Alex Octo Ioda Racing Team 2:03.399 3.436 0.270 8 / 47 2:15.089
26 DI MEGLIO, Mike Avintia Racing 2:03.609 3.646 0.210 8 / 41 2:03.779
27 TAKAHASHI, Takumi HRC 2:03.781 3.818 0.172 10 / 59 2:04.254
28 MELANDRI, Marco Aprilia Racing Team Gresini 2:04.487 4.524 0.706 3 / 52 2:09.494

CJhaughey

Donington has pulled out of the 2015 MotoGP round because of difficulties with the Circuit of Wales in running the event.
Apparently CoW has been unable to finance some or all of the needed arrangements for the GP round and Donington broke off the arrangement.
Tough for those who bought tickets, I wonder where it will be held if at all?
Silverstone may not want to play ball now either.

frostie500

CJhaughey wrote: »

Donington has pulled out of the 2015 MotoGP round because of difficulties with the Circuit of Wales in running the event.
Apparently CoW has been unable to finance some or all of the needed arrangements for the GP round and Donington broke off the arrangement.
Tough for those who bought tickets, I wonder where it will be held if at all?
Silverstone may not want to play ball now either.

It's very similar to the F1 fiasaco at Donington. Best follow on Twitter for it is Matt Birt (@birtymotogp) he's been on the story for a few months so he'll be well placed for it. I hadn't heard much other than whispers that there was issues so it'll be interesting to see how it plays out...wonder if Brands Hatch is free that weekend! It'll end up reverting to Silverstone I'm sure and it'll be sorted out soon

Hotblack Desiato

Silverstone is a way better bike racing track imho than Donington.

Wouldn't be one bit surprised if that Circuit of Wales is never completed.

Fabio

I have no faith in the CoW ever being finished, there's just so much controversey around it at the moment that it seems toxic. Why did Dorna give them the rights so quickly though...was there some shady dealings perhaps?

Fabio

Oh, and Frostie, hope you enjoyed Sepang!

CJhaughey

This could kill off the CoW altogether. CoW are going to pay Silverstone and I am damn sure that SS will not be cheap.
CoW have the contract to run the British GP round so whatever SS ask they will have to pay.
Too much shady stuff with the CoW anyway, land deals from Public to Private etc, and in the end up theres very little evidence of any money from the CoW and presumably less after this debacle.

frostie500

Fabio wrote: »

Oh, and Frostie, hope you enjoyed Sepang!

Cheers mate, it was mega! First day on my job with MCN so nice to get stuck straight into the start of the testing! I'll be over at Sepang 2 in a couple of weeks as well so should have some good stuff on the new ducati. Here's a few pics from the first test for anyone interested, the full gallery is here. I didnt have my usual kit so some are a bit crap!

CJhaughey

Just announced that Silverstone will host the 2015 and 2016 rounds of the UK GP, not entirely unexpected, but I am sure that Dorna and CoW wanted to get this sorted as quickly as possible for ticketing issues.
Fair play to Renault for moving their race to September must have been worthwhile

CJhaughey

Latest update from Bologna
this one has a lot of input from Noale as well, I guess Gigi has been able to put pen to CNC and come up with a new iteration.
I hope it goes well for them, apart from Stoner no-one else has really done any good on the Ducati. The series needs a competitive challenger apart from Yamaha and HRC.

h3000

Just over a month left till MotoGP is back. Really looking forward to this season.


Oh and Frostie500, big congrats on the MCN job. I look forward to ready your articles and following your tweets.

Is Matt Birt still involved with MCN or is he Dorna only now?

frostie500

h3000 wrote: »

Oh and Frostie500, big congrats on the MCN job. I look forward to ready your articles and following your tweets.

Is Matt Birt still involved with MCN or is he Dorna only now?

Thanks, really excited to get started properly with the job! Pretty much a dream job for me. Matt is leaving to do the dorna commentary but he'll still be doing freelance writing for a few mags

frostie500

Some photos from Sepang 2 for anyone interested!

Hotblack Desiato

Nice! Hope Eugene has a good season.

frostie500

Heard a few rumours in Sepang that RTE might be looking to get coverage for this year. I know that they came close a few years ago but hopefully this time it'll go ahead. With Eugene on the grid and being on a more competitive bike that Michael was hopefully there's a motivation to get coverage through the next few years

h3000

frostie500 wrote: »

Heard a few rumours in Sepang that RTE might be looking to get coverage for this year. I know that they came close a few years ago but hopefully this time it'll go ahead. With Eugene on the grid and being on a more competitive bike that Michael was hopefully there's a motivation to get coverage through the next few years

It would be great alright. Who would they get to present/commentate though? Would they just broadcast the Dorna feed?

frostie500

h3000 wrote: »

It would be great alright. Who would they get to present/commentate though? Would they just broadcast the Dorna feed?

RTE generally don't like to use a world feed so they'll have their own comms if they go ahead with it. Given the short notice they might just revive the laycock and Collins box

Ayrtonf7

That would be pretty sweet to have it aired on RTE!

Cant wait for the start of this season! Missed the second half of last season due to moving house, not having internet etc!

Fabio

frostie500 wrote: »

Heard a few rumours in Sepang that RTE might be looking to get coverage for this year. I know that they came close a few years ago but hopefully this time it'll go ahead. With Eugene on the grid and being on a more competitive bike that Michael was hopefully there's a motivation to get coverage through the next few years

Now that could be very interesting indeed! Thanks for the pictures on this thread too, they look savage altogether. I was really liking the "bare bones" Aprilia livery on the development bikes but the livery at the official team launch was nice as well in fairness. Nice to see some variation on the grid, it makes a nice change from the verrrry small grid of a few short years back.

Hotblack Desiato

Hmm would be great for the sport to have it on RTE but I'd still be very tempted to renew my Videopass

frostie500

Hotblack Desiato wrote: »

Hmm would be great for the sport to have it on RTE but I'd still be very tempted to renew my Videopass

The videopass should be even better this year, some of what they've planned is really cool so should be well worth the money

legrand

Anyone using their smart tv internet function to access Dorna's video pass? Or in other words, once subscribed you can use regular browser access as distinct from dedicated smartphone app?

Hotblack Desiato

frostie500 wrote: »

The videopass should be even better this year, some of what they've planned is really cool so should be well worth the money

Yeah the multiscreen stuff looks great, but my broadband probably isn't up to it and my 8 year old laptop isn't able to stream HD

Dunno about smart TVs but on a tablet the android app worked fine for me last year on holidays, even though the wifi where we were staying wasn't great.

Max Headroom

frostie500 wrote: »

. Given the short notice they might just revive the laycock and Collins box

Jesus i hope not...no disrespect to Eddie but that Collins guy is a plank, leave him to the balls.....

Fabio

frostie500 wrote: »

The videopass should be even better this year, some of what they've planned is really cool so should be well worth the money

The Videopass is just about the right price in fairness. It's brilliant to have the archive footage too!

frostie500

Wet day in Qatar today and it looks like we'll have a couple of days with at least some rain...

Took this pic from last week's test of Rossi heading out for an exit...only four days til FP1

!

dudeeile

frostie500 wrote: »

Heard a few rumours in Sepang that RTE might be looking to get coverage for this year.

Any further update on this going ahead? Currently looking to get set up for the season ahead but my internet connection is poor so online viewing is not an option. I think I'll need to go the Sky dish route so if anyone can tell me if I will be able to get both MotoGP and WSB through Sky it would be appreciated. MotoGP is a must but WSB would just be a bonus.

h3000

dudeeile wrote: »

Any further update on this going ahead? Currently looking to get set up for the season ahead but my internet connection is poor so online viewing is not an option. I think I'll need to go the Sky dish route so if anyone can tell me if I will be able to get both MotoGP and WSB through Sky it would be appreciated. MotoGP is a must but WSB would just be a bonus.

You will need a Setanta/BT subscription to watch MotoGP on your tv through Sky. WSB is shown on Eurosport which is standard on most Sky packages.

dudeeile

h3000 wrote: »

You will need a Setanta/BT subscription to watch MotoGP on your tv through Sky. WSB is shown on Eurosport which is standard on most Sky packages.

Cool, thanks for that. Looks like more direct debits down the line.

h3000

dudeeile wrote: »

Cool, thanks for that. Looks like more direct debits down the line.

I went with the annual subscription form BT and I'm delighted I did. It's a few quid cheaper than the monthly sub. I follow the WRC too and they cover that too.

dudeeile

h3000 wrote: »

I went with the annual subscription form BT and I'm delighted I did. It's a few quid cheaper than the monthly sub. I follow the WRC too and they cover that too.

Good to know, currently running at €199 for the year, sorta makes sense as opposed to €21.99/month. Better get the Sky in first though.

Infoanon

Well if FP3 is anything to go by its going to be a cracker of a qualifying session, their tenths between the riders and any one if the Ducatis could be on the front row.

Very impressed with Cal and Yonny has shown a lot of pace.

Eugene Laverty didn't do to badly either !

Hopefully there are no implications foe Eugene in M7 pulling their Aspar sponsorship at the last minute.

Mech1

C'mon Eugene!!

Mech1

19th

funkey_monkey

What a race!!!

Come on Rossi!!!!!

Grim.

that was EPIC!

Fiskar

Italiens 1st, 2nd and 3rd. The Doctor is back on form

Hotblack Desiato

Really enjoyed that.
Not sure Marquez would have had it all his own way if he hadn't lost time on the first lap, either.
Pretty solid weekend for Eugene, apparently he never got to do a race simulation run in testing.

I was watching it about 20 minutes delayed on the videopass, the live feed ended when I was watching the slowing down lap, lucky I didn't miss the finish! Will have to wait for the full race video to go up to catch the podium and interviews

funkey_monkey

Ducati are back the level they were at with Stoner. That s one rapid bike. The circuit suited them with the long straight, so not sure how they will fare on the more twisty circuits with short straights. But they have made a massive leap forward with that bike.

Despite his age, Rossi is still the master of tactics.

Hotblack Desiato

Don't think they're at the level of Stoner's championship season, Honda seemed to drop the ball engine wise for the first 800 season, but yeah Ducati have improved a lot.

Last year, if the Ducatis were going well in qualifying and the start of the race, they tended to fade away about one-third of race distance. They didn't today. But yeah the big straight helped them retake the Yamahas who definitely had a cornering advantage by the end. Rossi's harder tyre was an advantage at the end, he did well in the first half of the race against bikes with a softer tyre (front wasn't it?)

We could still see Ducati struggle at tighter tracks like Sachsenring.

Was good to see Suzuki qualifying so well. Aprilia have a hell of a lot of work to do though.

h3000

There's a bit of news breaking right now in regards to Pedrosa's future. He is still suffering terribly from arm pump and says he cannot continue racing with it. Apparently it's inoperable too.

Check out tweets from our own Frostie500
https://twitter.com/SteveEnglishGP/status/582291043841798144

And others
https://twitter.com/gavinemmett/status/582289254341947393

https://twitter.com/crash_motogp/status/582291578082856960