MotoGP 2016 News & Chat

DaveD

Roll on 18th March Let's hope for a season as exciting as last years!

Anyone thinking of making a trip to a GP this year? Hoping to make it to Mugello myself.


I see Lorenzo has signed a deal with Shark for 2016 - no more excuses so!

https://twitter.com/lorenzo99/status/683983941599150080

Frank Bullitt

Jaysis, they must be paying him big bucks.

I still think he is mad to not go with Arai, AGV or Shoei.

DaveD

Gintonious wrote: »

Jaysis, they must be paying him big bucks.

I still think he is mad to not go with Arai, AGV or Shoei.

Not sure about the other two but i'm pretty sure I read somewhere before that Arai don't pay sponsorship to riders. They give a few free lids a year but the riders who choose to wear Arai do it for their safety, not for the money!

Frank Bullitt

I also can't imagine AGV giving him a deal either considering Rossi is their man.

frostie500

DaveD wrote: »

Not sure about the other two but i'm pretty sure I read somewhere before that Arai don't pay sponsorship to riders. They give a few free lids a year but the riders who choose to wear Arai do it for their safety, not for the money!

Not sure where you heard that but of course Arai pay riders for helmet sponsorship. do you think that Dani Pedrosa, Lewis Hamilton or Nicky Hayden are wearing Arai because they think that the helmet is safer? They're wearing it because the helmet manufacturers pay them a lot of money. Now in saying that some manufacturers have to pay more than others for a rider to use their product and HJC definitely fell into this category until recent years but the problems that Lorenzo has had with his helmets have also been self inflicted in some cases.

In Qatar the helmet lining problem is a clear HJC issue (and something that greatly upset Yamaha top brass and they apparently told him at the time to drop them (noone would confirm this to me however), the misting at Silverstone was Lorenzo's mistake for not fitting the demister and in addition to this oneof the helmet techs told me that Lorenzo usually has a helmet slightly on the small size (he loves a very snug helmet) and doesn't open the vents in it which causes further problems.

Shark make high quality helmets just like everyone else so there shouldn't be any major issue with them for Lorenzo...if he prepares them correctly

CJhaughey

Brno confirmed through to 2020.
Great news that Brno has been signed up for the next 4 years for MotoGP, its an iconic circuit and one of the few which allows MotoGP bikes to turn up the wick to the fullest.

Frank Bullitt

New Yamaha.

Frank Bullitt

Praam Ducati, beautiful.

frostie500

Gintonious wrote: »

Pramac Ducati, beautiful.

Looks well doesn't it! First test is starting in Sepang on Monday week and the bikes are starting to get shipped over so at least we'll have some real news coming soon about what to expect this year!

Frank Bullitt

Rumblings already that Honda are struggling with the new electronics pack, and Suzuki have some smart valve timing going on as well. Should be an interesting season.

frostie500

For anyone interested here's a link to the latest episode of my podcast. This week it's myself, David Emmett of Motomatters.com and Neil Morrison of Road Racing World and Crash.net taking a variety of listener questions.

frostie500

Gintonious wrote: »

Rumblings already that Honda are struggling with the new electronics pack, and Suzuki have some smart valve timing going on as well. Should be an interesting season.

Yeah at the Jerez test in December the Honda was still a handful and Marquez and Pedrosa both said that there was plenty of work to be done on the bike. The power is still too aggressive and the they just don't have confidence in the bike at the moment. It'll be very interesting to see whether or not they can solve those issues at Sepang or whether they'll continue to dog the team.

Suzuki has their seamless shift box ready to go now as well so they should be more competitive again this year. The valves have been in use throughout the year for Suzuki too from what I understand.

h3000

Stoner back on a Ducati

https://twitter.com/hazrin/status/693333835673575424

https://twitter.com/adri_stoner/status/693251000770007040

PopePalpatine

Too bad no-one's offering each way terms beyond the top 2 places, that would have made Espargaro and Vinales worth a punt otherwise.

DaveD

Day 1 of testing has ended. Ducatis seem to be going well.

https://twitter.com/SupportVale_46/status/694096405007319040


Full list of times - https://motomatters.com/results/2016/02/01/2016_sepang_motogp_test_times_monday_lor.html


Laverty had an off as a result of a crash when his throttle stuck open and has broken his hand. Looks like he's out of the rest of the Sepang Test and may miss Phillip Island.

http://www.bikesportnews.com/news/news-detail/motogp-sepang-test-laverty-breaks-hand-in-stuck-throttle-crash1

DaveD

Good news on Laverty ...

https://twitter.com/SteveEnglishGP/status/694133426505543681

frostie500

Couple of new episodes of the paddock pass podcast are uploaded. There's a Yamaha launch special with an interview with Brad Smith, here, and we've also got an episode looking at the World SBK off-season and gearing up for the season opener in Phillip Island, here.

We'll have our post Sepang test roundup posted soon too!

CJhaughey

Thanks Frostie and congratulations on your new role! Will we get to hear your dulcet tones or is it only the RoW?

frostie500

CJhaughey wrote: »

Thanks Frostie and congratulations on your new role! Will we get to hear your dulcet tones or is it only the RoW?

Thanks CJ! I'm really looking forward to it! Obviously working with MCN last year was a great experience but this is another great opportunity and one that's hard to turn down once it's offered to you.

I'm not too sure where SBK will be aired in Ireland, if anywhere, so the only place that I know for sure to hear myself and Greg is with the the World SBK video pass. I've had the pass for the last few years (and even paid for this year before getting the job...best ask for a refund!) and it's really good. I know from talking to the guys in Dorna that they've a lot of ideas for content too so the site should be really active this year.

Apart from that Eurosport will continue to do their live coverage as they have in recent years. I know that last year Channel 4 did a highlights programme on a Saturday evening for but at the moment nothing has been confirmed for the UK highlights but I've been told that there should be some news about it soon and whether or not the world feed or Eurosport commentary will be used.

h3000

IT'S BACK

Infoanon

Valentino Rossi has signed a 2 year extension with Yamaha - silly season in motogp should be done and dusted by Jerez !

h3000

Rossi signs a new two year contract extension with Yamaha. He will race until the end of 2018 now at 39 years of age. I'm delighted but a bit afraid it will all go wrong for him.




Edit: beat me too it Infoanon

DaveD

Infoanon wrote: »

Valentino Rossi has signed a 2 year extension with Yamaha - silly season in motogp should be done and dusted by Jerez !

h3000 wrote: »

Rossi signs a new two year contract extension with Yamaha. He will race until the end of 2018 now at 39 years of age. I'm delighted but a bit afraid it will all go wrong for him.

Great news.. Let's hope he can stay competitive and be a regular at the front of the grid.

Interesting there's no mention of Lorenzo's contract. I wonder will Ducati tempt him away?

Grim.

Great Moto3 race

Fiskar

tight Moto GP for 2nd, 3rd and 4th. Should be an interesting season.

frostie500

funkey_monkey wrote: »

Does anyone on here believe that Rossi can do much this year or is his star on the wane?
Can't see past Lorenzo.

Frostie any more updates on the winglets? Is it my imagination or has the Ducati winglets gotten bigger?

He's not so much "on the wane" but up against the strongest field ever in the premier class. The depth is more than we've seen before and Lorenzo and Marquez are scary good. Valentino is still the third or fourth best rider in the world so definitely warrants staying on until he proves that he's not as quick as before.

The winglets are now officially banned in Moto2 and in Moto3 they're allowed on the Mahindra because they homologated them prior to the start of the season for their mid-season aero upgrade. From 2017 they'll be banned in the lightweight class.

As far as the premier class is concerned though they remain legal because a change wont be made unless it's unanimously agreed upon by the manufacturers...with Yamaha, Ducati and Honda having spent so much on aero development of winglets they obviously wont agree to a ban. So the only way they'll be banned is on safety grounds which could happen at any time. It'll happened...eventually!

For anyone interested we've just finished off the latest Paddock Pass Podcast so have a listen! It'd be great if anyone that likes the show would also like the facebook page and follow us on twitter because we're trying to raise the profile so that we can organise events at races.

https://soundcloud.com/the-paddock-pass-podcast/episode-21

Colser

Anyone here been to Jerez or going this year...just looking to ask a few questions about accomadation,do I pre book tickets ect. Ive just decided to book this as a present for someone but as usual left it very late and wondering if I get flights sorted will I be able to get accomadation nearby or would someone recommend staying further away and driving to it.Sorry if this needs to be asked on a separate thread.

Pat Dunne

Colser wrote: »

Anyone here been to Jerez or going this year...just looking to ask a few questions about accomadation,do I pre book tickets ect. Ive just decided to book this as a present for someone but as usual left it very late and wondering if I get flights sorted will I be able to get accomadation nearby or would someone recommend staying further away and driving to it.Sorry if this needs to be asked on a separate thread.

Yes, you will need to pre book tickets I always get mine from the circuit website directly.
https://entradas.circuitodejerez.com/EventoZonas?opc=MDkwMDUwNDUyOUy0PI%2BErEnQgws5REfWy%2FHWJbVL%2B7s%3D

Flights, Dublin to Seville Tuesday's and Saturday's (Ryanair) otherwise Dublin to Malaga daily, Aer Lingus & Ryanair.

Accomodation, try Cadiz or Seville, that said I always stay near Estapona and drive over each day.
You'll definitely need a hire car and be prepared to be at the circuit early, especially on race day as traffic is completely crazy.

Bring a hat and plenty of sun block and be prepared to walk a fair bit from the carparks to your stand at the circuit.

Enjoy!

Colser

Thanks a mil Pat Dunne for the info...:)

frostie500

Colser wrote: »

Thanks a mil Pat Dunne for the info...:)

Jerez is a mega race to go, always my favourite of the year! The atmosphere is terrific and the town is crazy during the week. As Pat said you've plenty of options for where to stay and it just depends what you're looking for. For the race I usually stay in arcos de la frontera because it's only a 15 minute drive into the circuit and you're coming from the "right" side of town to get in without any real traffic. If you stay in Seville, Jerez or Cadiz you'll have to deal with a lot of traffic.

Cadiz is the nicest place to stay for the week because it's on the beach, has lovely restaurants and hotels and is a very pleasant town. I stayed there the first couple of times I was down and it's great...but it's a 40 minute drive each way which adds up when you've been in the sun all day. I actually stayed there before the WSBK test in january and it was great-me and a mate spent a few days golfing beforehand and you couldnt ask for more. However for GP it's definitely a trek!

Jerez is a mega circuit for spectating too and you can easily get around it without any real hastle and has plenty of great viewing opportunities from the GA areas. You also have a lot of food and drink options around the track. The last corner and the stadium sections are all accessible with the GA so you get great value. With no covered grandstands the advantage of the stands is debatable for me when you factor in the extra cost

Fabio

Loving the Paddock Pass Podcast Frostie, keep up the good work

Looking forward to Argentina this weekend, and Aragon as well. Should be two cracking races.

Grim.

EUGENE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

DaveD

Well that was an exciting finish!

CJhaughey

Great race, and an even better result.
The track looked treacherous though, one small deviation off line and they were gone.

roroliam

Great result for Eugene. ��

frostie500

Fantastic for Eugene! Great to see his hard work paying off

Magown3

No discussion on Lorenzo to Ducati for 2017. According to pretty good moto gp sources, the deal has already been signed.

Is he moving to Ducati just at the right time? Could be as it seems to be a pretty decent package now. Would have had 2 on the podium only for an Italian Brain-fart!

frostie500

Magown3 wrote: »

No discussion on Lorenzo to Ducati for 2017. According to pretty good moto gp sources, the deal has already been signed.

Is he moving to Ducati just at the right time? Could be as it seems to be a pretty decent package now. Would have had 2 on the podium only for an Italian Brain-fart!

Few bits of info guys. Obviously I'm not in the GP paddock on a full time basis any longer but I did get a few messages from people that I trust saying that it's a done deal with Lorenzo to Ducati
It makes a lot of sense on many levels. The Ducati is a very good bike and looks to only need a top rider to help them make the step. Jorge will get a lot of money for it too and he can also cement his legacy. Good move for all

PopePalpatine

Yeah, I really can't see him sticking in the same team with Rossi past this year, and I'd hazard a guess that if he didn't have a contract for this season he would have walked away from Yamaha before the podium at Valencia was dried of champagne.

h3000

Will Maverick Vinales take his place at Yamaha?

h3000

funkey_monkey wrote: »

Vinales? Are Yamaha not interested in winning championships? He's a good rider, but with MM on the Honda and Jorge on a Ducati where is their challenge coming from?
Lorenzo will do what Rossi couldn't do. He's going at the right time. That bike is not far off 100% at this stage.

I think Vinales is well good enough for the Yamaha seat. Who's quicker than him? Maybe Ianonne but I really think Maverick could get the seat.

Infoanon

Maverick Vinales is regularly beating the highly rated Aleix Espagaro.

Other potential stand out talent would be imho Daniel Petrucci

Cal/Redding/Baz have shown occasional signs of brilliance but like Pol Espagaro and Jack Miller their progress has been stagnant.

CJhaughey

Vinales to me has a lot more potential to become a top tier rider than Baz(too big) Crutchlow( no consistent speed), Redding is also too big but probably faster than the other two.
I think of all the tier two riders he stands the best chance of moving up to a factory ride.

h3000

Well COTA really is a bit boring. Bring back Laguna Seca.

Moto3 was incredibly dull when you consider what Moto3 normally does on the entertainment scale.

Moto2 I had a little nap though from what I did see the two boys out front rode very well.

MotoGP interesting first few laps but then a bit processionally (if that's a real word). Dovi is really lucky not to have a broken leg. Pedrosa is lucky not to have a broken jaw. Dovi did seem to take it very well, both of them seem to be among the most down to earth honest guys in the paddock.

CJhaughey

h3000 wrote: »

Well COTA really is a bit boring.

In all honesty all the US tracks are pretty boring, one line affairs.
Yes, Laguna is included in that as well.
Michelin fronts don't seem to be all that good compared to the Bridgestones.
Maybe its the cold temps?

h3000

CJhaughey wrote: »

In all honesty all the US tracks are pretty boring, one line affairs.
Yes, Laguna is included in that as well.
Michelin fronts don't seem to be all that good compared to the Bridgestones.
Maybe its the cold temps?

I agree that Laguna isn't the best track either but it's better than Indy and COTA. I'm not really familiar with the AMA Superbikes but do they have any decent bike tracks?

It's still early days for Michelin and I think they will sort it out. The main problem with the front is that there seems to be very little progression between having grip and not any grip. I think a few riders have said that you have crashed before you even realise you've lost grip. With the Bridgestones they used to have time to dig their knee and elbow into the ground to try and save the front.

CJhaughey

h3000 wrote: »

I agree that Laguna isn't the best track either but it's better than Indy and COTA. I'm not really familiar with the AMA Superbikes but do they have any decent bike tracks?

It's still early days for Michelin and I think they will sort it out. The main problem with the front is that there seems to be very little progression between having grip and not any grip. I think a few riders have said that you have crashed before you even realise you've lost grip. With the Bridgestones they used to have time to dig their knee and elbow into the ground to try and save the front.

Miller motorsports in Utah was pretty good, I think the biggest issue is that most of them are designed for cars. The tracks seem to be either huge like CoTA or smaller and nadgery in the MotoAmerica series.
There are a few OK tracks with some nice elevation changes Road Atlanta is pretty good, Road America is nice and 4 miles long and Barber and VIR are probably the top 4 tracks in that series.

h3000

Spotted this and taught it was interesting

https://twitter.com/MatthieuEberlin/status/720608846608261123

Max Headroom

h3000 wrote: »

Spotted this and taught it was interesting

https://twitter.com/MatthieuEberlin/status/720608846608261123

I'm getting that Michael Jackson feeling again,....;)

Frank Bullitt

Lorenzo to Ducati confirmed then. Interesting.

Infoanon

So Dovi or Iannone as team mate ? Jorge might prefer Dovi....

Vinales to Yamaha seems a dead cert as well from all reports