Figured now that the Sepang testing and bike unveiling has begun it would be time for a thread..
results of testing here; https://www.crash.net/motogp/results/996089/1/sepang-motogp-test-results-saturday-lap-times-final
Hoping for a good competitive season and watching Vinales and Bezzecchi hoping for some standout work..
personally I'd like to see Toprak get a seat. A good fit with the right bike and his abilities should make for great racing.
Did Raul sign for Yamaha? Didn't know that... And then what happens to Darren Binder? Thrown by the wayside? Crazy.
Part of me would love to see Toprak in MotoGP but I get the feeling he'd like to stay in WSBK. He would have to work a lot harder in MotoGP and I get the feeling he's comfortable where he is and with the money he's making and there's no harm in that.
Personally, I love seeing Johnny, Alvaro and Toprak fighting each WSBK weekend and it' just wouldn't be the same with just 2 of them and Toprak in MotoGP. Nobody seems to be able to match their pace, not even close.
Aleix quickest today. Maverick 17th on the same bike. I can't see him still there in 2024. Aprilia obviously know something I don't.
Well since Maverick has just signed a 2 year contract , he is looking secure for 2024.
His quali position today is slightly misleading, Aleix was fastest following a tow from Maverick but when Aleix went return the favour something went array - possibly the yellow flags for Zarco, it wasn't clear fromthe coverage.
Miller and Binder at factory KTM looks increasingly likely with Olivera informing the press that a demotion to Tech 3 was on the cards if he wanted to stay at KTM.
Olivera going to LCR Honda is looking a more likely possibility.
Amazing qualifying today ,however there is only one story
After rumours started circulating Honda called an exceptional press conference where Alberto Puig and Marc Marquez confirmed that Marc is going to have / requires additional surgery on his arm and shoulder next week.
The length of time required for recovery is unknown.
Reading between the lines Marc will not return until 2023 and that time line has been communicated to Dorna.
Moto GP qualifying - what a topsy turvy grid and two '21 Ducatis (and three Italians) on the front of the grid - and the 'Beast' is not one of them.
Fabio stunning lap but the Yamahas are struggling for top speed ,Lin Jarvis confirming only 2 Yamahas on the grid next season (ignore the click bait on RNF ).
That was my point. Why did they offer him a new 2 year deal? What do they know that I don't? Because I certainly wouldn't have offered him a new contract. He's consistently rubbish. Despite finishing every race this season he's finished inside the top 10 only once and never inside the top 6. Did Aprilia really have no better option? Did Aleix talk them into it?
Stability is one very good reason along with Mavericks potential - remember Lorenzo was written off in '17 and then went on a winning streak in the second year of his Ducati contract.
Not so long ago Fabio was written off ! , Aprilla have obviously seen something in Vinales, he is a race winner and hasn't suddenly become slow. If hid arrival has spurred Aleix into a championship contender then even more reason to retain Maverick.
If it doesn't work out they can always place him at the satellite RNF team.
Rumours building that Miller / KTM could be announced as soon as tomorrow, The 'Beast ' overwhelming favourite to replace Miller.
The Beast replacement at Gresini? , Olivera now a front runner !
Aleix !! 😫
Rins confirmed as having a fractured risk following today's crash. No news on Taka.
Rins and others have slammed the FIM stewards over calling the crash a racing incident with Rins going as far as saying that Freddie Spencer is 'too old'.
Team s are testing tomorrow, gutted for Aleix , that's the third time a lap counting issue has arisen at Barcelona, apparently it's the only circuit that counts the last lap as lap 0.
While I'm also gutted for Aleix and would have loved to see him take another deserved podium
So it's a bit confusing as to why he thought the race was over.
Honestly thought Taka broke his neck. His helmet/head snapped back when it hit Peco's rear wheel. Looked nasty.
Gutted for Pol Aleix (jayzus what a cock up)
Also Gutted for Roberts - that could have been something else. But a classic race.
I know it's bad and I feel a bit sorry for Alex, but at the same time I thought it was hilarious. It's a long time since I've seen that happen.
He couldn't see the pit board very well as it was the first one around the corner so difficult to see. He was looking at the tower I think for info. He won't make that mistake twice I'm sure.
I got a fright watching the crash, The way Taka went just reminded me of Simoncelli
Goes to show the high level of gear they have now.
Rins has a fractured wrist. Not what he needed. Any closer to the summer break might have been alright but there's a few races to go first.
Gutted for Aleix. I really hope those lost points don't decide the championship!
RE: Yamaha, personally, I'd rather they opt for Raul over Toprak, Toprak would be a huge loss to WSB. I don't know what's happened to Frankie. Is it the bike or the body?
The stewards based their Nakagami 'racing incident' decision on the fact that Nakagami was NOT carrying excessive speed into the corner. Though he had come from 12th to 5th, he was travelling at roughly the same speed and braked at the same time as those around him and was just unfortunate to lose the front, thus a racing incident rather than reckless riding.
Miller to KTM is a done deal
He and his misses are okay apart from a few bruises. Looks like a fairly big one.
Did they ever sort out MotoGP Unlimited?
i remember reading something they were going to change the dubbing on it?
Peco *facepalm*
After 2 great years of MotoGP, I'm finding this year extremely difficult to get excited about on race day.
I fast forwarded a lot of yesterdays race after midpoint and I didn't miss anything really. I'm really thinking of logging in and unclicking autorenew for the VideoPass for next year.
Anyone else find the same? Earlier races in the season were great tho I must say. Maybe I'm just being impatient after 3 borefests
No you're not alone Magown3, I only really enjoy the Moto3 race, it all downhill from there for me. It's becoming a two wheeled version of Formula 1.
Too much power, winglets & electronics.
WOW!
https://www.yamaha-racing.com/motogp/news/razgatl_o_lu-enjoys--very-positive--maiden-outing-on-yamaha-yzr-/
think his riding style might suit the m1 and be closer Fabio would like to see it happen but like him wsbk also !!!
Acosta breaks his leg. Hopefully he can fully heal up. Such a promising rider for the future.
Pedro Acosta is expected to return at Silverstone, definitely a star of the future but another season in Moto 2 is needed.
Assen this weekend which will suit the Yams so it's hard to see beyond another Fabio win - surely 'Alien ' status has been achieved? .
Breaking news that Rins is expected to be announced at LCR ( Mir at Repol Honda is a done deal according to all reports ) while Aprilla have apparently made Miguel Olivera an offer he couldn't refuse and have snatched him from Gresini Ducati. RNF gain is Gresinis lose who will almost certainly need a replacement for Enna Bastinini. (Bez from VR46 with Vietti to VR46 ??).
Well this has to be one of the most awesome moments ever 🥲
True.
Very hard to watch especially when the BSB and WSB is much closer racing.
Close to tears, when I saw that. Can only imagine how he felt. Seen a video of him on an R1 riding it quick!
Emotional seeing the R1 with Wayne on board.
BT Sports are doing a special on it and there will be a short version shown in the build up to the Moto GP race.
Moto 2 providing the best qualifying entertainment today , Moto GP ruined by yellows and Moto 3 ruined by riders trying to get a tow.
Fabio and Yamaha looking good for Moto GP, Lowes and Arbolino on a collision cause again ! Canat has withdrawn as has KTM bound Pol Espagaro
Moto 3 - whats going on at Vision quest? Murmurings earlier in the week about sponsorship issues and lack of results and then Scott Ogden when interviewed mentioned things happening in the background and then when asked about qualifying said ' he was distracted by other things going on in the background '.
