MotoGP 2024 Season

Infoanon

The wait is nearly over ;

The unveiling of #93 Marc Marquez and #73 Alex Marquez Gresini Ducatis kicks off the pre season launches this Saturday January 20th.

Lots of intrigue around the sponsors of the team and Marcs potential personal sponsors.

XsApollo

i still think Marc is head and shoulders above anybody else on that grid and I think he will win the title.

Quartararo would be next if he had a bike capable.

Acosta is the one that could come to Marc’s level, not this year tho.

Gremlinertia

Argentina just pulled from the calendar, no replacement. Hmm.

geotrig

Think marc looks very rigid on the Ducati so far(I know its only testing ), Years of honda habits to get out of his system yet ! both yamaha and honda looked ok from testing if not yet on par with with the ducatis,hate the look of the front end of the Ducati's compared to the others.

geotrig

The repsol logo being so far down on the honda and the lack of orange is interesting in the Honda.

XsApollo

I think it looks great, looks similar to the darker repair colours before they put in the white ,I might be in the minority tho

geotrig

no agree, I really like it I just didn't expect such a change from them

Fabio

Do ye watch it using the Dorna Videopass? I usually subscribe but I'm hesitating this year. I had a lot of issues with it last season, choppy video quality, the app overhaul which seemed to make things worse. Matt Birt's commentary grates on me too, used to like him, but he's insufferable these days.

I've got access to TNT Sports (former BT Sports) and the coverage on that is really good.

XsApollo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121770096#Comment_121770096

Yea the coverage on TNT is better, I had video pass last year as I don’t really watch tv and the flexibility of watching the race when I want is what I need.

legrand

Maybe just old age and may get used to it but struggled with new WSBK rules (time limited pit stop). Really throws a cat amongst the pigeons. Fair play to Iannone in race 1.

tomhammer..

Today is the big day

Top 4 maybe for Marquez

sleepysniper

Anyone know what the story is with watching it via the Discovery+ app? It has MotoGP listed under the sports section but nothing showing up other than a line of text saying "All Full Event Replay". Is it going to be shown afterwards or something? VPN to the UK version showing a lot more in terms of content i.e. videos, preview shows etc. but the app won't allow me to watch this way.

Had the video pass last few years but when I heard it was going to go onto Discovery+ and that can be had for €6.99 per month, I didn't renew VP at €139.99 and now they are looking for €159.99!

XsApollo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121864160#Comment_121864160

Spot on, great to have Marc back at the front.

Acosta is looking the business too, great to watch. If those 2 are at the front then it’s going to be a great season, with Martin in the mix too.

Pecco is great too but doesn’t get the blood racing for me.

XsApollo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121864505#Comment_121864505

On this subject, I see mine renewed automatically, I was going to renew it anyway.

but I didn’t get any email, any receipt or any mail my subscription was about to end and/or going to renew.

only I logged on yesterday to watch the Practices I wouldn’t have known.

legrand

Sprint: Interesting to see the field split in two (classes). Hope that's not the form for rest of season.

tomhammer..

Marquez is up there on pace

It'll be all up from here if he doesn't push too hard

tomhammer..

Hodgson is a bit of a dose

More noticeable this year . I'll have to switch channel for this.

XsApollo

I’m watching on the website and the commentators ain’t great either.

tomhammer..

He never stops blabbing

Laverty and Guintoli are good with the technical side as they're involved

Even that can get a bit much when it goes on and on about tyres

Suppose in fairness they have to fill the time

jonnreeks

WSBK - Grande Prémio Tissot de Portugal - 22nd - 24th March

MotoGP - Mar Circuit de Barcelona - Catalunya - 22nd - 24th March

We will be spoiled for motorsport this coming weekend with both divisions in action.

The main times for both races over the weekend to watch as they don't clash, on Eurosport & TNT Sports TV.

WSBK Race 1 on Saturday @ 13.00

MotoGP Sprint Race on Saturday @ 15.00

WSBK Superpole Sprint race on Sunday @ 10.00

MotoGP Race on Sunday @ 13.00

WSBK Race 2 on Sunday @ 14.00

Great weekend of Racing!

😋

XsApollo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121916332#Comment_121916332

I had to double check my ticket there as I just landed in Portugal for the MotoGP :-P :-D

but yes hopefully a great weekend of racing.

Fabio

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121878436#Comment_121878436

Can be a small bit but he's miles better than Matt Birt over on the world feed/VideoPass.

geotrig

fairly sure I Saw motogp is on ITV3/4 the weekend as well , so free to air for all !

XsApollo

Here’s my rental car after a bit of overnight rain.

I think it rained last night also, so the track might be dusty this morning again.

i can see why they are complaining about track conditions, the pics don’t do the layer of dust that is on the car after it rains justice, every car here is the same .

legrand

What a cracker of a race, so much drama and a fitting win!

drury..

A lot more exciting with Marquez and Acosta fighting for podium places now

Acosta is amazing the progress after a few races

Mark is doing what mark does , he's fast

legrand

Holy crap! That Sprint ..skittle city. What a hoot.

Infoanon

A race for the ages , absolute classic as two greats went at it no holes barred.

Tyre marks on the leathers being a 'badge of honour '

Roll on LeMans

geotrig

some great racing in that race

XsApollo

Aleix Espargaro is retiring the end of the season.
Opens up his seat.

So even more drama about the factory Ducati seat.

I don’t see Marc in the factory Ducati, was reading about all the sponsorship clashes, pretty much every company Marc is sponsored by Ducati is sponsored by their competitor.

If for some reason jorge doesn’t get the Ducati seat, he will be in aprillia and best buds with Aleix might have some sway to go there, I’m sure he is being told how good the bike is, and that bike does look good in the flesh anytime I’ve seen it.

Or Marc to Aprilia? Dunno about that?

Pramac to Yamaha? They would get a lot of support compared to how Yamaha have been with their satellite teams over the years.

New Regs coming up might be a good move.

Gp25 to Gresini I think is the most likely option for Marc, unless Pramac stay with Ducati, I don’t see why if Pramac were staying with Ducati they wouldn’t have taken the option of agreeing already for the factory bikes for a couple more years.

VR46 might get a gp25 then too, was a stupid move for Bez staying there on a year old bike no matter how good the bike is, any rider with aspirations of winning wants the latest bike.

VR46 really should of tried for Yamahas.

drury..

They were were saying on TNT an issue with marc getting a gp25 outside the Ducati factory team is that he could potentially win the world title

The sponsors of the factory team may have a problem in that scenario

Infoanon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122176532#Comment_122176532

Couple of things -VR46 rejected Yamaha ,they want to stay with and have an option with Ducati but for one year old bikes.

Today everything points at Pramac staying with Ducati - sponsor renewal / Fabios comments- which gives them exclusive access to factory machinery.

Gigi will be ruthless ,which may mean losing Martin.

Marc looks certain to be on a GP25 next year ,Peter McLaren suggested painting it red but have Gresini run it which is a novel solution.

Martin has ALL the factory rides available to him except it seems Ducati !

Good luck to anyone trying to work out whi will land where in 2025 !

The Nal

Great Sprint race yesterday. Marquez from 14th to 2nd!

Magown3

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122184963#Comment_122184963

I agree, great race…. but 3 riders might not agree, lol

XsApollo

another great race, good season so far,

If Acosta can keep it upright , which I’m sure he will start to and Marc keeps getting to the front , then we are in for one of the best season in a long time .

geotrig

yeah Acostas had two tough races now ,but marc is flying now.think its still bagnaia and I think the improvements as the season goes on will get him over the line.

Infoanon

Latest reports say that Claudio Domenicali ,CEO of Ducati ,has issued the instruction that Marc gets the factory bike despite Martin initially been told its his.

Bastinnini is out of Ducati as well ie no fall back move to Pramac.

KTM and April's the expected landing spots.

Update ; Martin has signed for Aprilla

XsApollo

Wow did not see that coming, really thought Marc could not go to the factory team with all his sponsors, dunno how they are going to work that one out.

What Kind of a CEO is that? Can’t imagine GiGi would take too kindly to that? Not that I know him of course, I don’t imagine many would be liking that tho?

Could that be a push from Audi? I saw the Marquez brothers getting RSAudis somewhere a while ago.
whatever it is Marc on a factory Ducati can only mean one thing, exciting races.

XsApollo

it’s up on motomatters now, Marc to Ducati for 2 years.

XsApollo

another wow,

Maverick to Tech 3 next year.

He’s had some of the best/ near best bikes on the grid, he doesn’t seem to settle anywhere.

Some line up next year tho for Aprilia KTM and Ducati,

But who’s gonna get the second Aprilia seat? Olivera? And the American in moto 2 to trackhouse?

Infoanon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122254337#Comment_122254337

Wow is an understatement ,Maverick to Honda was mentioned but KTM !

Steller line up at KTM now , no excuses now!, Dani doing wildcards and being faster than the factory riders had to be an eye opener for KTM.

Only concern is you have 4 riders with very different styles.

Great news for Olivera or Fernandez ,guarantees one of them a job at Aprilla next season, the other names being mentioned as having a factory Aprilla next season are Bez (Aleix has already hinted Bez will be on an Aprilla ) and Mir primarily because of the Davide Brivio link ,Joe Roberts is apparently no longer in the running.... though he is expected to be in moto gp next season.

Jack Miller and Honda is a strong possibility but for the moment all eyes are on Pramac - Ducati or Yamaha (with a pile of cash) next season ??

The Nal

Enjoyed the last few races. Martin yesterday! 🙈

drury..

Hard to see anyone stopping Marquez next season all going well for him

Probably won't even need to be on the limit and crashing

geotrig

Martin was cruising ,good race a few looked quite good A.marquez and maybe morbideli looks to be finding some form for the 1st time in a few years

XsApollo

Well that was a long break. Now back to business.

Getting the ferry at 8am tomorrow and off to Silverstone till Monday.

looking forward to seeing the classic exhibition , 30 years of world championship bikes.
weather is looking decent too.

drury..

The real fireworks is next season , can't wait for that

Barrett

This race seems to last an era. Come on clouds, do something.

Infoanon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122516360#Comment_122516360

Such a pity Marc had that ride height issue,

Aragon is next and MM should be challenging Pecco and Martin ,at the moment though Pecco is unstoppable

Magown3

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122516360#Comment_122516360

The race was boring as hell and I'm considering not going for the video pass next year.

Infoanon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122520593#Comment_122520593

On the basis of one race ?, Moto 2, Moto 3 and Moto E were great races.

legrand

I said the same last year and then races got better. There's hope yet. But very much a 2 tier season so far.