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A third straight championship for this fella?
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Or can the Doc take the honours?
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Just another 4 months till we can have our race days back!!!! 🙁
I expect Marquez to win it again.
Bit premature aren't you?
Heart says rossi but head says mm. Id love rossi to get another one tho so fingers crossed
Can't bet against Marquez. I hope Sam Lowes has a good season in Moto 2 and I'm interested in how the returning manufacturers fare.
Hard to see past MM for the title, but I hope it's a bit more competitive next year, towards the end of the 2013 season when Lorenzo was bashing fairings with MM I hoped that was the mold being set for the next few years. Even knowing that we are watching a very special talent in MM, it would be even better to see him fight for the title.
Looking forward to seeing Suzuki return to the grid as well, probably too much to expect them to be competitive in their first year, but it would be great if they could also be in the mix.
Be nice to see a few more giving MM a hard time......but tbh ...i think itle be a carbon copy of this year ..result wise .....not sure how long honda will persevere with Pedrosa .
Marquez has another 2-3 championships without much to bother him (can't see the tyre swap upsetting the order too much).
Hard to see any of the current crop of Moto2 boys worrying him (Mav Vinales maybe,Jack Miller definitely not).
Pedrosa is the perfect accomplice for Marquez, honda have no reason to drop him. He's fast, professional, consistent & develops the bike. He won't be a world champion unless something dramatic happens, but as a number 2 rider to Marquez, he's just about as good as they come
If Jorge wants another title, it has to be 2015, because the new regs for 2016 probably won't suit his particular riding style.
Just hope there aren't too many wet races or he might have to consider taking up fishing. 😆
For anyone that missed his latest ramblings regarding flag to flag races. 😆
http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/211273/1/lorenzo-force-riders-to-pit-in-the-rain.html
I hope he is able to sort himself out in the off-season as he has been all over the place lately...
Do we think Suzuki can manufacture enough engines to get thought the season?
MM has to be odds on favourite but the Doctor & Jorge are lurking in the shadows,if MM has to miss a couple of rounds or DNF's then the championship will be wide open.If you don't know this took place recently ,I'd love to have seen it
http://motomatters.com/news/2014/01/12/2014_superprestigio_barcelona_dirt_track.html
Hard to see any of the current crop of Moto2 boys worrying him
Marquez was good in 125 and M2 but he wasn't leagues ahead of everyone else.
Just look at the end of his last M2 season with his ongoing battles with Redding (who had a huge size / weight disadvantage). The challenge is they've put a very talented kid on one of the best bikes. Unless there's another talented kid on kit that gets near in performance terms, he'll always be the stand-out rider.
The Espagaros have done really well considering what they're riding, but unless someone ends up in the factory teams all his 125 and M2 peers will look like also-rans as there's such a gulf between the top 4 bikes and everyone else.
there's such a gulf between the top 4 bikes and everyone else.
This sums up all that is wrong with the sport in it's current form IMO.
Rule changes and limited testing supposedly to keep costs down, then Dorna let Honda get away with using the seamless transmission which costs silly-money and everyone else has to follow suit to stay with them. 🙄
Scott and Cal have been given 'factory RCV's' but you can bet they'll be dumbed-down enough so they don't threaten HRC's factory wunderkind.
Yamaha aren't doing themselves any favours either, relying on two older riders in the factory team and letting Honda sign up all of the decent young riders. Don't want to bash Bradley but he has had a dreadful season and was really lucky to retain his seat. Pol is a decent rider but only time will tell if he can challenge Marquez on equal-ish equipment?
Ducati riders are still testing the 2014 bike as the 2015 one isn't ready so I can't see them doing much early next season, even with the concessions that have been afforded to them.
All of this aside, I shall still be watching when the new season gets underway...
[i]This sums up all that is wrong with the sport in it's current form IMO.[/i]
Current form? Most motor sport is like this, and tbh there have been many years in MotoGp (and 500's before) where there was less competition.
Most motor sport is like this, and tbh there have been many years in MotoGp (and 500's before) where there was less competition.
I know what you're saying but it wasn't that long ago when Ducati were an actual podium threat and Suzuki and Kawasaki were up against their satellite bikes.
It's a bit of a shame that there's only four true factory prototypes ATM, then the factory 2 Ducati's, the satellite bikes and the CRT/privateers or whatever Dorna are calling them nowadays.
It would make the series more exciting if there wasn't such a gulf in terms of performance and support but it is what it is, I suppose.
Still can't beat watching those guys trading a bit of paint or putting an elbow down at high speed with a 64 degree lean angle. 😯 😯 😯
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We have Bridgestone to thank for allowing the likes of Jorge and Marc to ride like this but Michelin will supply the series in 2016 and I'm not sure if their tyre will offer that amount of edge-grip???
Scott and Cal have been given 'factory RCV's' but you can bet they'll be dumbed-down enough so they don't threaten HRC's factory wunderkind.
The only way Cal could threaten MM is if he had a gun 😉
I love motorcycle racing but for years I've found the MotoGP class to be the least exciting class,the old 250's & 125's plus the Moto2 & Moto3 classes all provide more exciting racing.Likewise BSB especially the 600 Supersport class all offer more entertaining races
I stopped watching it when Eurosport lost the TV rights, since then I've not seen one race. Bit of a shame really but then I think I bowed out in the last season where Rossi/Pedrosa/Stoner/Lorenzo were elbow to elbow.
Last time I watched Marquez he was in M2 I think 😆
Glad they've gone back to 1000cc engines, what's next for next year ??
Glad they've gone back to 1000cc engines, what's next for next year ??
Same as this year. 2016 is all change. New tyres and new electronics.
Can't stand the BT coverage, always loved it on the BBC so watched less of it this year.
The whole sport seems to be in a transition phase but one thing is certain to me, they have to cut costs.
As for who'll win next year, if the Honda is still so dominant on any track with a wiff of a straight MM will sod off and leave them all.
If Yamaha build the best Bike then, well MM will probably still sod off, but there's a chance the 'too old' Doc might nick a fairytale season.
I reckon weve seen a resurgeance of Rossi in the latter half of this season, i think he will continue his current form and hopefully Yamaha can give him the speed to chase down Marquez. Could be back to its elbow banging best in 2015- i sure hope so!
Had a nightmare! Internet was cut off and so was tv! I'm now emerging from the dark ages- what's happened in Moto GP land people, I need updating.
On the plus side, I've just got Back sport- I'll be up and running in two weeks! Yippee!!
Looks like Stoner is trying on Pedrosa's boots for size ... 😆
Wysiwyg's gone so no more live races without a Eurosport sub 🙁
I'm no great fan of Crutchlow, but I reckon he may be a dark horse this year. The early races will tell us for sure.
Brad Smith gets the job done, and is easy to underestimate.
For the championship, I'd like to see Rossi nail it, but another 2nd is probably the reality. I suspect he is Yamaha's No1 rider again though.
2014 showed that Marquez can get rattled, and that's probably the only way he will lose this year. The best way to rattle Marquez would be to bring back Stoner. 🙂
I'd love to see the rules changed to no limits to engine size etc, but a set tyre. As many pit stops as you like. That would bring back the sideways bikes.
Marquez was good in 125 and M2 but he wasn't leagues ahead of everyone else
Really?
He would have won the moto 2 a year earlier had the marshals done their job at Sepang!
Starting at the back of the grid and winning races in 125 and moto 2. If that's not leagues ahead then I don't know what is?
THe race he came from the back of the moto2 grid was amazing! The onboard footage from his bike was pure jaw dropping, watching him carve through the field on the first few laps.
Talent.
I'm a old Rossi fan, but I really don't care who wins this year cos I think we can be sure that its going to be a cracker of a year!
Marqeuz defending his title, Rossi on f]the form of his life, Lorenzo wanting to prove his still got it, Cal on a bike he actually likes, the espargoro's are both on it.
Great championship ahead!
last year was the first season I havent watched since the Schwantz was riding a pepsi suzuki, have I reason to believe this year will be worth coming back for then?
this is the one gonna bag the championship this year 2015, yes folks you heard it here first 8)
[URL= http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w396/wolfenstein782000/motogp-official-test-at-brno-over-circuit-confirmed-for-2015-photo-gallery_11_zps28a21592.jp g" target="_blank">
http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w396/wolfenstein782000/motogp-official-test-at-brno-over-circuit-confirmed-for-2015-photo-gallery_11_zps28a21592.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
Rossi may well be in good form but I reckon his age is against him maintaining it throughout the season.
He'll have some very good races but they'll probably be interspersed with average performances.
Don't forget that the gravel trap can decide a championship, it will be survival of the fittest. Maybe Pedrosa could win it, can't see it myself - he really has to catch marquez this year!
British Grand Prix in jeopardy as Donington Park pulls out
Breaking news: 2015 British MotoGP back at Silverstone?
I only bought my sodding ticket last week !
I'm no great fan of Crutchlow, but I reckon he may be a dark horse this year. The early races will tell us for sure.
Have a look at the satellite honda riders from last year. That's about what you'll get.
MSP – Member
Oh FFS!
Four posts back - from the second link
“But MCN learned that representatives from Silverstone, including new boss Patrick Allen, flew to Barcelona on February 2 for talks with MotoGP rights owners Dorna about a rescue deal for the British MotoGP.”
From Here
“Ticket sales for the British MotoGP have temporarily been paused as we have received information that the event will not be taking place at Donington in 2015.
A new venue has been secured and further information about this is to be announced on Thursday.”
Crap, a new venue has been secured. They obviously mean Silverstone are rubbing their hands together once again. Hate Silverstone as a track, to race on and to watch.
Best track in uk to ride IMO.
Plus closest one to my house lol
Gutted!!i have tickets...wonder if I can get a refund?!?
Back on, and back at Silverstone again. Wish they'd make their minds up one way or the other.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/motorsport/31420233
Ah - only 22 hours off the pace, then... 🙂 I love SIlverstone - always thought Donington should be where MotoGP lives, right until I went to Silverstone... Facilities rock. 🙂
I've always loved Silvestone, the old circuit pre 90s was a beast.
You used to be scared shitless for the biggest part of the lap, I was anyway 🙂
I'd love to see MotoGP @ Brands Hatch but I doubt the track could accommodate the safety improvements required by the FIM/Dorna due to development near the circuit.
Best track in uk to ride IMO.
Plus closest one to my house lol
Best track!!
No chance, Oulton Park, Cadwell park and Thruxton are so much more enjoyable to race on.
Not MotoGP but worth posting
A promising test for the Brits 🙂
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Those 'in the know' reckon Rossi's hungry and faster than he had been since he climbed onto that big red career killer, but even as great as he is, I don't think he's got enough to over come Marquez if the Honda is better - it'll come down to which bike is better.
Really hoping Cal will be up front again.
I'd bet on Scott Redding beating Cal ....
How about Dovizioso as an outside bet for the title?
Bit of fun:
Simply select a team consisting of six riders - two from each classification (MotoGP, World Superbikes and British Superbikes) all from your budget of £10 million.
(Register before 04:00 GMT on Saturday, 21 February 2015)
THe race he came from the back of the moto2 grid was amazing! The onboard footage from his bike was pure jaw dropping, watching him carve through the field on the first few laps.
Talent.
Worth watching again that.
[url=
Crutchlow looking good.
Crutchlow looking good.
He even managed to stop complaining long enough for a pratical joke...
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YAY- ive got bt sports! Where was the testing then? Ive yet to get it put on my sky tv, can it only be viewed on the telly and not on the bt sports player?
Ooh, a Ducati thats actually [url= http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/216653/1/the-gp15-is-a-real-ducati.html ]pretty good!![/url]
Could this be the year that they win again??
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I'll not hold my breath but At the same time I think a little bit of sex wee would come out if Dovi came out fighting this year and gave the Honda's/Yamaha's a right good pasting!
That photo is absolutly beautiful too, amazing looking bike!
I'm a Yamaha fan but it's good to see Ducati back up there.
Dovi's an excellent racer,I used to love the battles he had with Lorenzo back in the 250 days,he learned some proper racecraft there!
[url= http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/216932/1/casey-stoner-to-make-motorcycle-racing-comeback.html ]Casey Stoner is set to come out of retirement to ride for Honda in the Suzuka 8 Hours Superbike race.[/url]
😕 When does Pedrosas contract run out ?
When does Pedrosas contract run out ?
It should have run out years ago - he's only hung in there due to the Spanish Mafia at Repsol.
Dunno if Stoner would come back to GPs. He didn't like all the publicity stuff when he was in it so how's he going to handle the huge press interest in a comeback? Badly, probably.
The other question would be - is he still fast?
Looks like Crutchlow might have deserted the sinking ship just as it re-floated. He should have stuck in there for the duration of his contract instead of moaning all the time.
He won't. He was interviewed recently and said explicitly he has no interest in racing Motogp again as the bikes have so much in the way of electronics.
Still moaning then.... 🙂He was interviewed recently and said explicitly he has no interest in racing Motogp again as the bikes have so much in the way of electronics.
That's some Stoner moaning I can back! I'd bloody love to see Marquez, Stoner and Rossi braaaaping round the track on bikes with no electronic gubbins, bring back the 2 strokes!!!
I'd like to see some close racing this year but think pole position is going to be so important as there are lots of one lap specialists that will be up the sharp end for the first few laps therefore allowing the pole man to get away leaving the other aliens to fight their way through to the front. Good to watch the battles but the leader, probably MM, will have gone off into the distance by the time they get through. Looks like Ducati might start loosing some of their concessions this year. Early days but Danny Kent and Sam Lowes looking good too.
I'm going to be keeping an eye on Redding.
Anyone who backs a Moto2 bike into corners is going to find in MotoGP bikes just what he needs. I'm hoping this might get us more interesting racing. 🙂
Stoner is missed. I think Stoner/Marquez battles would have made the last couple of seasons a lot more exciting.
I doubt Stoner has lost speed if Honda are using him to test the bikes, or for Suzuka. They live for winning.
Stoner couldn't battle, he could clear off into the distance, but he couldn't bash fairings in a close race.
MSP - Member
Stoner couldn't battle, he could clear off into the distance, but he couldn't bash fairings in a close race.
Why would he want to ride that slowly?
I see Marquez has managed to just beat Stoner's record on the Qatar circuit.
It only took 7 years.
Why would he want to ride that slowly?
He didn't always have the bike to dominate, when he had to actually race others he came up short timer and time again. If motogp was a time trial he would probably have an unequalled record, but it isn't it's a race with other people and bikes involved.
If he was racing MM, he would retire after the first lap complaining that it isn't fair that he has to race close to other riders.
MSP - Member
Why would he want to ride that slowly?
He didn't always have the bike to dominate, when he had to actually race others he came up short timer and time again....
What? Like the time he won the Championship on a bike no one else could ride, not even the GOAT?
He got the moaner reputation for complaining about that bike, and he was right to do so - it was a steaming pile of poo. Funny that when Rossi complained everyone hung on his every word.
Different year, different bike. The year that the ducati could just pull away from every other bike on even the shortest straight bit of track.
And he got his moaner reputation for moaning about racing not about the bike.
Stoner couldn't battle, he could clear off into the distance, but he couldn't bash fairings in a close race.
Agreed. With VR on his tail he used to throw it into the scenery more than he should have.
Different year, different bike. The year that the ducati could just pull away from every other bike on even the shortest straight bit of track.
Caparossi was leading the championship until he got his front brake lever smacked by Gibernau the year before. He was Stoner's team mate the next year, the year Stoner won on the Ducati. Have a look at how Caparossi did that year.
It was never the bike.
I think that qualifies for a topsy turvy grid. Ducati making use of the soft tyre very well but great to see them smiling.
Pedrosa the silent assassin....
And Marquez not on pole!
Good effort by Smith after some tough practice sessions - just where he needs to be!
Crutchlow has made his life hard but its a long season.
Looking forward to seeing everyone on similar tyres for full race distance.
Oh and action and interest in Moto2 with Lowes and Moto3 with McPhee and Kent.
Wow, Ducatis are thick at the sharp end. It's interesting looking at the top speeds, the Ducatis have that too.
There's a dark horse lurking at the back of the field in the shape of Melandri on an Aprilia. Not the best bike by a long shot, but if anyone leaves a gap, he'll be in it. I'm looking for a top 10 from him.
I'm looking for a top 10 from him.
😯 😆
Did I see wings on the Ducati? What a ride from Dovi, hope he can do the biz in the race but with Marquez there where it counts I expect him to be at the front.
Rossi is in a quiet 8th, but I can see him coming through the field.
Should be a good race tomorrow!
There's a dark horse lurking at the back of the field in the shape of Melandri on an Aprilia. Not the best bike by a long shot, but if anyone leaves a gap, he'll be in it. I'm looking for a top 10 from him.
If Melandri scores a point I'll buy you lunch! The Aprilia is at the beginning of its development and Melandri is in his lost melancholy mood and is way behind his teammate Bautista
Melandri wants to be in wsb and is trying to get put on gardening leave until his contract runs out.
Well Moto2 certainly livened up at the end.
Only 55 minutes to go now.
Oh my lord! What a race.
Fantastic, I couldn't choose who I wanted to win at the end. Fascinating start to the season.