Motogp 2018 News & Chat

Infoanon

News breaking that Jonas Folger has had to pull out of the 2018 season due to his on going illness.

Very sad news for a rider who battled for a win against Marquez at Sachensring.

Herve was only informed on Tuesday - no news on a replacement rider for Tech 3

Frank Bullitt

The new Ducati is a bit of a head turner, not sure for good or bad reasons mind you.

tommyboy26

Infoanon wrote: »

News breaking that Jonas Folger has had to pull out of the 2018 season due to his on going illness.

Very sad news for a rider who battled for a win against Marquez at Sachensring.

Herve was only informed on Tuesday - no news on a replacement rider for Tech 3

very sad news. he showed alot of potential last season. i can only imagine that missing a year can only be detrimental to his career

Gintonious wrote: »

The new Ducati is a bit of a head turner, not sure for good or bad reasons mind you.

bike looks nice but i thought they banned wings:p:p:p

Infoanon

With most riders contactors being up at the end of the year the silly season is already in full swing with most interest concerning Dani Pedrosa at Honda and will Vale sign for another season ?.

Confirmed already is Petrucci and Pramac will part company at the end of 18 with Danilo either stepping up to a works Ducati seat (if Lorenzo does not deliver) or joining Aprilla.

Francesco Bagnaia will take his Pramac seat.

tommyboy26

Infoanon wrote: »

With most riders contactors being up at the end of the year the silly season is already in full swing with most interest concerning Dani Pedrosa at Honda and will Vale sign for another season ?.

Confirmed already is Petrucci and Pramac will part company at the end of 18 with Danilo either stepping up to a works Ducati seat (if Lorenzo does not deliver) or joining Aprilla.

Francesco Bagnaia will take his Pramac seat.

cant see dani leaving Honda where would he go?

vale is an interesting one he could go either way to be honest he finished 5th overall for last year so he is still competitive will be interesting to see how that plays out

oh that would be a dream for me if lorenzo loses his seat at ducati. i really dont like him but tbh i can see him been better this year.

who is giving up there seat in aprilla?

are the test days shown on the tele?

Infoanon

tommyboy26 wrote: »

cant see dani leaving Honda where would he go?

vale is an interesting one he could go either way to be honest he finished 5th overall for last year so he is still competitive will be interesting to see how that plays out

oh that would be a dream for me if lorenzo loses his seat at ducati. i really dont like him but tbh i can see him been better this year.

who is giving up there seat in aprilla?

are the test days shown on the tele?

Who says it would be Danis choice ? however Honda are very loyal to Dani and he has proved himself a race winner and does not get in Marquez way - new boss in Puig but as for choices - Yamaha and Ducati have had chats with Dani in the past but I don't see any openings at either.

Vale is still competitive so expect an early season announcement of a one year extension.

Petrucci will probably go to Aprilla as Dovi and Lorenzo will probably stay at Ducati, Scott or Aleix will make way depending on their performances this year.

Tests are on videopass - don't know about BT

Frank Bullitt

I think this is just the new livery. Darker blue and a white Movistar logo. Its a bit of a looker.

Infoanon

Maverick Vinales confirmed at Yamaha for 2019/2020 - what's the odds on no changes at Honda/Yamaha and Ducati for 2019 !

tommyboy26

hernandez testing for tech 3 at Malaysia. if he got the ride for the season it would be a great move for him.

who else is there that could replace folger?

Infoanon

tommyboy26 wrote: »

hernandez testing for tech 3 at Malaysia. if he got the ride for the season it would be a great move for him.

who else is there that could replace folger?

Only there for testing apparently though Dorna would like to have South American rider and if testing goes well...,Tech 3 hope to announce their replacement for Jonas within the next 2 weeks :
Possibles : Nozane,Baz,Bradl,van der Mark and Lowes - Bagnaia was being mentioned but a deal with Pramac would stop that.
Biggest problem is getting riders out on any current contracts.

tommyboy26

dani dovi and knob head the 3 quickest on first day of sepang test

Frank Bullitt

Lorenzo broke the lap record today around Sepang.

Infoanon

Gintonious wrote: »

Lorenzo broke the lap record today around Sepang.

Ducatis and Hondas looking strong as is Alex Rins on the Suzuki

frostie500

Looking at the posts earlier about rider market we'll see quite a lot of activity very quickly about this I'd say. Rossi will re-sign with Yamaha on another two year deal in the next couple of weeks, I'd be very surprised if Zarco isnt announced at KTM in the opening rounds too (that was a very concrete rumour at Valencia) and you'd imagine that KTM won't make wholesale change so Pol or Brad should keep a seat. Of course though a lot depends on Pedrosa and it'd be a surprise to see him stay at Honda. That's not cos Dani isnt great (he is!) it's because of the complicated relationship he has with Puig. If Dani is pushed out his history with Mike Leitner (his former crew chief) could see him jump to the top of the list at KTM.
If Dani leaves Dovi could be in play for the second Honda seat as a dependable rider etc that can fill the second seat. Honda would ideally want to replace Dani with a younger rider for fear that Marquez jumps ship but unless they hire Mir their options could be limited. It'd be a shock to see Lorenzo leave Ducati, particularly with both Yamaha seats filled, so even though he's still arguably the most complete rider on the grid he mightn't have an alternative option than Ducati.
I'd be shocked if Suzuki make a change. Iannone turned it up at the end of last year and the team went from giving consideration to changing crew chiefs to backing AI to the hilt. The talk about Johnny Rea going there was legit in June and July so there's potential that they might look to JR again and if they called I'm certain that he'd jump at the chance.
Aprilia is an interesting one. Aleix will stay, the team love him, but the second seat could definitely be up for grabs if Redding isn't having success. Who they go for could be interesting but Petrucci would certainly fit the bill for them. He was previously an Aprilia supported rider (at the end of the IODA project). He's said that his time has ran out at Pramac and I'd be very surprised if he was to be the man to replace Dovi (if Dovi leaves) just because despite Danilo having a lot of good results he's too inconsistent in the dry and it's hard to argue that he deserves one of the best rides on the grid. It'd be a surprise if Miller and Pecco wasnt the team at Pramac next year but if Jack has a good first half of the year he could certainly be in play for Dovi's seat.
It's all action already in terms of who goes where and that's even before we start thinking about the likes of Miguel Oliviera, Brad Binder, Sam Lowes etc from Moto2

tommyboy26

frostie500 wrote: »

Looking at the posts earlier about rider market we'll see quite a lot of activity very quickly about this I'd say. Rossi will re-sign with Yamaha on another two year deal in the next couple of weeks, I'd be very surprised if Zarco isnt announced at KTM in the opening rounds too (that was a very concrete rumour at Valencia) and you'd imagine that KTM won't make wholesale change so Pol or Brad should keep a seat. Of course though a lot depends on Pedrosa and it'd be a surprise to see him stay at Honda. That's not cos Dani isnt great (he is!) it's because of the complicated relationship he has with Puig. If Dani is pushed out his history with Mike Leitner (his former crew chief) could see him jump to the top of the list at KTM.
If Dani leaves Dovi could be in play for the second Honda seat as a dependable rider etc that can fill the second seat. Honda would ideally want to replace Dani with a younger rider for fear that Marquez jumps ship but unless they hire Mir their options could be limited. It'd be a shock to see Lorenzo leave Ducati, particularly with both Yamaha seats filled, so even though he's still arguably the most complete rider on the grid he mightn't have an alternative option than Ducati.
I'd be shocked if Suzuki make a change. Iannone turned it up at the end of last year and the team went from giving consideration to changing crew chiefs to backing AI to the hilt. The talk about Johnny Rea going there was legit in June and July so there's potential that they might look to JR again and if they called I'm certain that he'd jump at the chance.
Aprilia is an interesting one. Aleix will stay, the team love him, but the second seat could definitely be up for grabs if Redding isn't having success. Who they go for could be interesting but Petrucci would certainly fit the bill for them. He was previously an Aprilia supported rider (at the end of the IODA project). He's said that his time has ran out at Pramac and I'd be very surprised if he was to be the man to replace Dovi (if Dovi leaves) just because despite Danilo having a lot of good results he's too inconsistent in the dry and it's hard to argue that he deserves one of the best rides on the grid. It'd be a surprise if Miller and Pecco wasnt the team at Pramac next year but if Jack has a good first half of the year he could certainly be in play for Dovi's seat.
It's all action already in terms of who goes where and that's even before we start thinking about the likes of Miguel Oliviera, Brad Binder, Sam Lowes etc from Moto2

very interesting post alot of potential moves there that could shake up the grid.

aside from the potential rider moves does anyone know who will be commenting for btsports this season?



also it was great to see rabat in the top 10 faster today

frostie500

tommyboy26 wrote: »

aside from the potential rider moves does anyone know who will be commenting for btsports this season?

From what I've been told it'll be Hodgey, Keith and Gavin with Edwards potentially doing some sessions here and there.

Frank Bullitt

Rossi is rocking his helmet design from 20 years ago.

I want one, and an R1M to go with it.

Infoanon

frostie500 wrote: »

Of course though a lot depends on Pedrosa and it'd be a surprise to see him stay at Honda. That's not cos Dani isnt great (he is!) it's because of the complicated relationship he has with Puig. I'd be shocked if Suzuki make a change. Iannone turned it up at the end of last year and the team went from giving consideration to changing crew chiefs to backing AI to the hilt.

Thanks Frostie - a very interesting post, Puig seemed to making positive statements about Dani recently and he is held in high esteem at HRC so I don't think its a certainty that he will move, with Rins performing to his expected high standard Andrea will need to raise his game and I don't think its a certainty that crazy joe stays at Suzuki.

Think a lot will be sorted by Jerez !

frostie500

Infoanon wrote: »

Thanks Frostie - a very interesting post, Puig seemed to making positive statements about Dani recently and he is held in high esteem at HRC so I don't think its a certainty that he will move, with Rins performing to his expected high standard Andrea will need to raise his game and I don't think its a certainty that crazy joe stays at Suzuki.

Think a lot will be sorted by Jerez !

Puig may have been positive about Dani since getting the job but as recently as the Valencia GP he was on Spanish TV blasting Dani and saying that he didnt deserve the ride. That's second hand info though because I dont speak Spanish but there's no love lost between the pair after their split a few years ago. It's ironic that within 24 hours of saying these comments Suppo took us all by surprise and left and obviously since then Puig has been given the team manager job...it's going to be very interesting how it plays out! I still think that Honda would ideally want Mir on the bike but if he's not ready it could be a toss up between Dani and Dovi

Infoanon

Infoanon wrote: »

Only there for testing apparently though Dorna would like to have South American rider and if testing goes well...,Tech 3 hope to announce their replacement for Jonas within the next 2 weeks :
Possibles : Nozane,Baz,Bradl,van der Mark and Lowes - Bagnaia was being mentioned but a deal with Pramac would stop that.
Biggest problem is getting riders out on any current contracts.

Hafizh Syahrin has got the call up for the pre season test at Buriram for Tech3 and has been replaced by Zulfahmi Khairuddin at the SIC Moto 2 team.

Frank Bullitt

h3000

Tech 3 and Yamaha to part ways next year. I take that means there will be a VR46 Yamaha satellite team in 2019.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2018/02/22/yamaha-and-tech-3-to-part-ways-in-2019/250422

legrand

What bike (Zarco) are Tech 3 running in 2018?  Yamaha's  2017 factory bike?  Not caught up with all the testing but from what I can gather Zarco's T3 blitzed the opposition again..?

Infoanon

legrand wrote: »

What bike (Zarco) are Tech 3 running in 2018? Yamaha's 2017 factory bike? Not caught up with all the testing but from what I can gather Zarco's T3 blitzed the opposition again..?

Believe its the 16 chassis with 17 aeros.

Very strong rumours that Zarco will be on a factory supported 19 KTM run by KTM.

Who will Yamaha align with on '19??

tommyboy26

Infoanon wrote: »

Believe its the 16 chassis with 17 aeros.

Very strong rumours that Zarco will be on a factory supported 19 KTM run by KTM.

Who will Yamaha align with on '19??

i can see rossi leaving yamaha at the end of the season and having his vr46 team take the yamaha bike instead of tech 3. then he either rides the first season with them or he runs the team?

Infoanon

tommyboy26 wrote: »

i can see rossi leaving yamaha at the end of the season and having his vr46 team take the yamaha bike instead of tech 3. then he either rides the first season with them or he runs the team?

Rossi will finish his career as a works Yamaha rider imho

tommyboy26

Ktm confirmed as partners with tech 3 in 2019.

tommyboy26

first race this weekend who do you fancy?

Max Headroom

Ralf Waldmann..R.I.P.

Great rider

pablo128

tommyboy26 wrote: »

first race this weekend who do you fancy?

The GOAT of course.

h3000

Rossi signs a new two year contract with Yamaha for 2019 and 2020.

https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/891552/1/valentino-rossi-resigns-yamaha

tommyboy26

h3000 wrote: »

Rossi signs a new two year contract with Yamaha for 2019 and 2020.

https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/891552/1/valentino-rossi-resigns-yamaha

will this make him the oldest ever grand prix rider?

legrand

Goat AND oegpr  no less :)

tommyboy26

alot of talk of zarco joining hrc from next year. if this happens where is free for dani?

not sure i like the commentary team on btsports this year

legrand

With one or two exceptions probably not the most exciting race but bodes well for a competitive season ahead.

tommyboy26

legrand wrote: »

With one or two exceptions probably not the most exciting race but bodes well for a competitive season ahead.

i have to say i really enjoyed the racing especially the motogp. i think its the closest racing in years. it was good to see a few bikes upfront instead of the usual marquez out on his own.

legrand

agree - very close which is great for season ahead - bit a of procession I thought - guess I was missing the thrills and spills.
Argentina should be interesting - it's been 15 years since motogp was last there http://www.motogp.com/en/event/Argentina. Is that the same circuit  used for F1?

Rossi IRL

Utter confusion at the start of this race

I don't actually know what's going on

pablo128

Marquez is a dirty filthy bastard of a rider. He won't rest until he badly hurts someone.

Gremlinertia

That was an utter mess, start to finish, however i'm delighted for a few riders out there showing they can hack it at the front end.

Arne_Saknussem

Marquez should have been black flagged & faced penalties for the next race. You can't ride like that, it doesn't matter how fast you are, ****ing nuts.

pablo128

Gremlinertia wrote: »

That was an utter mess, start to finish, however i'm delighted for a few riders out there showing they can hack it at the front end.

I won't spoil it for those who haven't seen the race but I was cheering for the winner. Delighted for him and indeed all of the leading pack

Gremlinertia

pablo128 wrote: »

I won't spoil it for those who haven't seen the race but I was cheering for the winner. Delighted for him and indeed all of the leading pack

Same here.. Just saw Marquez attempt apology, refused the apology, dead right.

lolie

What a race. Marquez was a fcuking idiot in that race and should have been black flagged but what do you expect after Aron Canet got no penalty for his dick move on Friday.

Infoanon

Trying not to give too much away but 3 penalties in one race for a world champion including one for irresponsible riding is unacceptable - the book should be thrown at him for this ,what was he thinking at the start of the race ??.

Haven't had a chance to get BTs Keith Huewans view

Infoanon

Watching Rossi press conference - apologies in advance for any errors but this is the basic just : he has said that Marquez has destroyed the sport and it is racing over the limit and it could end in a very bad way.

Rossi focused on MM passing where he tends to put the bike between the other riders leg making it probable that the other rider crashes. Rossi said he feels scared when he sees mm approachIng .Rossi accused mm of going into corners 20mph to fast endangering other riders.

Rossi listed the incidences in qutar and from Friday in Argentina insisting that Mm has no respect for the other riders referencing incidents with Dovi / Vinales / Zarco

Rossi says he has spoken to Webb and it's now up to race direction.

Infoanon

Lin Jarvis - Yamaha boss - has told Sky Italia that Rossi is scared to race with Marquez, he added that he (lin) had no interest in speaking to Marquez or Honda at this time.

Added that race direction had to act now for the future of moto gp and that race direction where reviewing the options available as a 30 second penalty had already been applied.

Addition comments from Rossi - we all make mistakes from time to time but what Marc does is on purpose.

Infoanon

Watched the Marc Marquez press conference as well : the start line incident he basically blamed race direction for, admitted fault for the Aleix incident as he misjudged that he was 4 seconds a lap faster and as for the Rossi incident it was track conditions.....

Have watched BTs coverage and from the outset they cried foul - 'you just cant do that in motogp' ie divebomb an opponent and have looked at comments from other ex moto gp riders and there is universal condemnation of Marquez.

Watching the interview the arrogance show was disturbing - either he has been very badly advised or believes his riding was within acceptable standards.

Rossi and Yamaha have made the incident a massive issue and how FIM deal with what is an ultimatum from Rossi and Yamaha will be interesting.

There have been murmurings this evening that Yamaha have telemetry evidence that Marquez used his leg to push Rossi bike...

Gremlinertia

Blamed race direction for stalling, that's a new one. The rule book has already gotten a good going over, interesting to see how this plays out.

Infoanon

Gremlinertia wrote: »

Blamed race direction for stalling, that's a new one. The rule book has already gotten a good going over, interesting to see how this plays out.

to be more accurate he blamed one marshal for not knowing what to do and the he says the second marshal told him to take back his spot - so its race controls fault (MM put the blame on race direction).

Most watching would have known that you cant turn your bike around and drive up the wrong way back to your pit slot..........that in itself should have been a DQ

MM is rightly pointing to other clashes eg Dani/Zarco but as Rossi said MM has multiple incidents.

One thing that was not clear - did MM and Vinales clash on the last lap ?

Gremlinertia

Yeah i kinda chose to say that assways, knowing he blamed the two officials on track for giving him the go ahead. Just annoyed at the arrogance, as for Vinales i don't know, more information to appear during the week i guess. Couldn't believe my eyes to see a bike going back through a race start grid..