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So, a new season and a new start- but we all know what people will be talking about before the lights go out at round one.
However, how's about Dani Pedrosa for a shot at a championship? I wont count him out!
It will take me a while to forget last season and start watching again (which is a PITA without BT sport) .....maybe 2017/18.
Superbikes will fill the gap.
His foot slipped....
Hard to bet against Lorenzo over a full year, but all depends on whether the Honda suits MM.
Agree, can't be arsed with it after last seasons debacle.
Thoroughly enjoyed last year, apart from the obvious, spoilt only by not being able to watch live.
Will be interesting to see who is stronger psychologically - I'd like to see Rossi and Marquez behaving like adults, but it's not going to happen.
I have a huge amount of respect for Rossi, but he's lost the mental advantage.
Be very interesting to see how he copes with people who he knows cannot be intimidated.
Bring it on.
🙂
However, how's about Dani Pedrosa for a shot at a championship? I wont count him out!
I too would love to see that as Dani has had so much bad luck in his career.
I just can't see it happening with the way HRC are dancing to the tune of the Marquez clan. Dani is clearly a #2 rider now who is keeping the seat warm for the next big thing arriving.
I hope it's not Maverick as I think the Marquez family would do everything in their power to keep him down. Hopefully he can get a set at Yamaha when the GOAT retires.
Stoner accepting a testing role at Ducati has a lot to do with the Marquez/HRC love-in too. He's inferred that he wasn't allowed to ride Dani's bike when he had his op in case he embarrassed HRC's wunderkind.
Not on BT? where can we watch it live? Are the highlights still going to be on ITV 4?
Wiziwig if it is still going. You can watch it on the likes of CricFree or CricHD but don't expect amazing quality.
Cheers for that...
I think this year was a good year, certainly had its dramas. Personally I don't care if Rossi did or didn't or if Marquez did or didn't, or for that matter if Lorenzo should or shouldn't be WC.
What matters is what happens next.
And above all there's new rules which hopefully should level the playing field a bit....
I'm more curious about Moto2 and how Lowes and Webb go, I reckon Lowes could push Zarco hard and get a few more wins.
MGP I want to see the Suzuki's improve and see if Stoner gets back on the Duke.
[i]Not on BT? where can we watch it live? Are the highlights still going to be on ITV 4? [/i]
It IS on BT Sport.
http://sport.bt.com/motogp/calendar-for-the-2016-motogp-season-S11364007004014
I meant it is a pita to watch if you don't have Bt sport (like wot i dunna).
Lorenzo will struggle with the grip from the front Michelin
Iannone will polish the floor with dovi
Rossi will continue to be mind****ed by MM
Suzuki champion?
I'm not going to bother watching MotoGP this year. I didn't bother to see the last race. It's got too much like golf - the chaps in blazers have too much influence.
I'll watch if Stoner is a wildcard though. 🙂
I will watch Moto2 though. Hopefully Danny Kent will continue his drive to the top.
Does anyone else think there will be a lot of booing the podium in 2016, social media seems divided between the Rossi fans and the Marquez fans. Lorenzo is copping heaps as well. Not sure MotoGP land is going to be a happy place.
Well, I for one can't wait. I fell asleep during every WSB race I watched, and even BSB lacked it's normal sparkle.
I just wish Rossi had not looked to his left during the Marquez incident. If' he'd kept looking where he was going I feel that it would have been put down as a racing incident and quickly forgotten.
I reckon Pedrossa's got perhaps his best chance of a title if he can maintain the form and maturity he found at the end of last season. Lorenzo can find a corner to curl upin and stay there until November. Marquez is fantastic to watch. I'd give a kidney to have half his talent on a bike, but I just can't warm to him.
I want Rossi to win one more championship, or more, but that's hoping for too much.
Fan boy, moi? 
Someone bring back the Aussie please to wipe Marquez's shit eating grin off his stupid face.
http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/225999/1/stoner-marquez-felt-threatened.html
It's funny how at one time Stoner used to get a lot of negativity (as did Vettel in F1 ..... and Lorenzo come to that) from fans the same way Marquez does now .... I wonder if in five or ten years time we'll all be wishing the return of Marquez to show <insert name of future upcoming whippersnapper> the way home and put him/her* in their place!
* who knows!
I don't think so, Marquez has been very aggressive on track in the past, more so than Rossi, where as Stoner just went quick and complained when he felt wronged.
My predictions, well, hopes too I guess (probably all wrong!):
The more basic electronics and new tyres will hurt Lorenzo and his metronomic style, but will hopefully allow the lesser factory squads and the satellites to get close.
MM, VR and Dani will ride round the problems and be the contenders at each race.
The Ducatis will do ok, hopefully Dovi will be up there (Dovi fan here since his 250 days).
Dani to stay injury-free and with any luck be up there for the title, he was the only one to come out of the end of last season with any kind of integrity.
Rossi will get the better of MM in the long run, experience will tell this year and MM will bin it too often (again) over the course of the season.
Stoner will spend all year setting up for a wildcard at PI and smoke everyone.
My homey #26 Pedrosa will bag the championship MotoGP 2016 and will wave the 26 flag in silverstone..yes you hear it from me first..... i know i keep saying this every year..but this season is the real deal.. place your bets now lads . #forzadani
http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/226226/1/honda-fim-wont-release-rossimarquez-clash-data.html
This is just utter bullshit, MotoGp sinks to a new low.
Gotta think the data must support Rossi more, otherwise Honda would have it on the net and be damned to what the FIM say.
[img] https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRvG5VcAOqiJ47zFQDoq3YboJVgPPgi9RcalMOXfZct_u8XiSAy [/img]
Rusty if you are happy to watch rigged racing knock yourself out 😆
You'd have been delighted if it had happened the other way round.
Not really to be honest, I quite like Lorenzo, I think Marquez was out of order but it is the FIM Dorna and Honda who are the real culprits
I just get the impression that most of the Rossi uber fans I've spoken too in real life since the incident don't seem interested in fairness, or motorcycle racing for that matter.
They just seem annoyed that their golden boy was judged to be in the wrong.
It's an interesting phenomenon.
I wonder what they'll do of a weekend when he retires?
🙂
it is the FIM Dorna and Honda who are the real culprits
Culprits in what sense?
What exactly have they done wrong?
It's great to have a season with proper heroes and villains. I am no longer indifferent to who wins.
It's going to be good.
Mine are simple hopes for this year. What ever happens on track happens, fingers crossed it's good racing but please swap commentators on ITV. If I have to listen them every race say "every race is a home race for rossi" and "once lorenzo gets going he's as consistent as a metronome" I'll punch the TV!!!!
bring back the guys they had a year or two ago. Please?
While I'm on one David Coulthard with his "wheel to wheel" catchphrase as well! Gggrrrrrrr!
FIM and Dorna engineered the result of the Championship by making up a story. Why was Rossi put to the back of the grid? It's pretty simple really. Hondas said they had proof but now won't release it.
racing bikes fairly is risky enough without the "authorities " tilting the playing field.
It certainly ruined a great year.
I haven't watched the footage since the Monday after - has anyone got a link to the helicopter footage Rossi claims exonerated him, or the clearest footage of the event?
The past is in the past- let it go! Let it go!
Testing at Sepang is about to begin and guess who's back?
[img] http://www.omnicorse.it/img/articoli/evidenza/74161_e-iniziata-la-seconda-era-ducatista-di-casey-stoner.jpg.cf.jp g" target="_blank">http://www.omnicorse.it/img/articoli/evidenza/74161_e-iniziata-la-seconda-era-ducatista-di-casey-stoner.jpg.cf.jp g"/> [/img]
I hope this year the Ducati bikes bridge the gap to the Yamaha and Hondas.
Also looking forward to seeing some unexpected results as the factories and riders get used to the Michelin tyres and spec ECUs.
I wonder what the changes will mean for the likes of Suzuki. Maverick Vinales was seriously impressive last year.
Scott Redding needs some decent results, and I am hopeful the Ducati is a good match.
Cruthlow must lament the move to Honda and the delay in getting to ride the 2016 RCV because last year's machine looked a handful.
Casey in at 9 ..
1. = Danilo Petrucci ITA Octo Pramac Yakhnich (Desmosedici GP15) 2m 0.095s [Lap 9/46]
2. ? Jorge Lorenzo ESP Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 2m 0.155s +0.060s [31/32]
3. ? Hector Barbera ESP Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP14.2) 2m 0.387s +0.292s [6/32]
4. = Marc Marquez ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 2m 0.843s +0.748s [5/52]
5. ? Cal Crutchlow GBR LCR Honda (RC213V) 2m 0.899s +0.804s [53/55]
6. ? Valentino Rossi ITA Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 2m 1.021s +0.926s [47/54]
7. ? Scott Redding GBR Octo Pramac Yakhnich (Desmosedici GP15) 2m 1.049s +0.954s [3/42]
8. ? Andrea Iannone ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP15/16) 2m 1.052s +0.957s [9/39]
9. ? Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Test Rider (Desmosedici GP15) 2m 1.103s +1.008s [37/45]
Read more at http://www.crash.net/motogp/results/226395/1/sepang-motogp-test-times-tuesday-final.html#RP7C0WPt6yPyjgq0.99
[url= http://www.motorcyclenews.com/sport/motogp/2016/february/mcn-exclusive-see-the-full-sequence-of-loris-bazs-180mph-crash/ ]Ouch![/url]
Well at least he's ok but faith must be shaken a little?!
Will it polish out?! 😀
........ 😳 Is there a WSB thread?
Has Tom Sykes been fettling Loris` bike?
Is there a WSB thread?
I don't know actually, haven't seen one- shall I start one?
Just booking up for a trip to the Dutch TT. Taking Thursday to Monday and making a tour of it. Cannae wait!
Maverick went well at PI test.
I'm hoping to see HRC's wunderkind getting [i]hoofed in the slats[/i] at some point this season. I really don't mind who carries out the deed. 😆
[url= http://www.motorcyclenews.com/sport/motogp/2016/march/aegerter-debuts-latest-gp-aerodynamic-devices/ ]New areoydynamic device[/url]
????? what to think!
They're back!
Don't care what all the naysayers say, I can't wait to watch the season again. Although those fins on the yamaha look ridiculous!
Rossi and Lorenzo have already drawn the handbags in practice, I notice Marquez has been pretty quiet....
Anyway- look at maverick go in qualifying!
MotoGP highlights for the race are on ITV4 Monday at 20:00, repeated Tuesday at 17:40 if you missed it.
I hope Pedrosa wins it this year as I think this will be his last as a factory rider although I can't see past Lorenzo winning it.
Would also like to see Stoner come back and win a couple of races on the Ducati silence the 'EGO'. His attitude over the past couple of years has me supporting anyone but him.
Top 7 within 1/2 a second. Ducatis over 10mph faster down the straights. Jlo checking out at the front might not be an option this year. It could really mix things up.
Injury and incident may well decide the championship.
10 quid says that someone gets decapitated by a winglet this year.
It's going to come down to who can make the Michelins work best for them IMO.
Lorenzo is a super-smooth rider but the Michelin doesn't have the extreme edge-grip of the Bridgestone so I don't know if he'll be able to ride at his usual level over race distance. Rossi was always pretty good on worn tyres. The Ducati is a rocket ship which reminds me of the 2007 season but the new bike turns better so who knows what they can do...
I'm enjoying the Rossi vs. Lorenzo handbags. I thought he'd be making like difficult for Marc but Jorge seems to be the focus of his attention. I suppose the whole thumbs-down at Sepang, crying to race direction and the court case didn't help. 😆
Marc to get beaten by a Suzuki to second, Lorenzo will dump it and Rossi will come first. Ducati in fourth.
Looking forward to the race. And Smith off to KTM next year. Takes pressure off him this year although chances of him getting any bike updates this year will be zero (not that there are usually many for him!)
Smith to ride the Ktm next year
Moto2 race ruined by jump starts.
Lucky escape for Redding.
Yes deffo lucky escape. Without any spoilers I recon the teams will have to rethink their strategies if the suppliers bottle it.
Argentina Qualifying:
Pos. Num. Rider Nation Team Bike Km/h Time Gap 1st/Prev.
1 93 Marc MARQUEZ SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 315.3 1'39.411
2 46 Valentino ROSSI ITA Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Yamaha 317.4 1'39.786 0.375 / 0.375
3 99 Jorge LORENZO SPA Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Yamaha 317.5 1'39.944 0.533 / 0.158
4 26 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 317.0 1'40.011 0.600 / 0.067
5 4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA Ducati Team Ducati 323.4 1'40.198 0.787 / 0.187
6 29 Andrea IANNONE ITA Ducati Team Ducati 325.1 1'40.272 0.861 / 0.074
7 25 Maverick VIÑALES SPA Team SUZUKI ECSTAR Suzuki 317.6 1'40.375 0.964 / 0.103
8 8 Hector BARBERA SPA Avintia Racing Ducati 317.2 1'40.524 1.113 / 0.149
9 35 Cal CRUTCHLOW GBR LCR Honda Honda 313.6 1'40.528 1.117 / 0.004
10 44 Pol ESPARGARO SPA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 316.1 1'40.654 1.243 / 0.126
11 41 Aleix ESPARGARO SPA Team SUZUKI ECSTAR Suzuki 313.3 1'40.708 1.297 / 0.054
12 38 Bradley SMITH GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 315.3 1'40.893 1.482 / 0.185
Usual suspects - looks like Rossi is still on his game. 🙂
Ducatis didn't qualify that well.
New tyres for tomorrow!
http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/229030/1/michelin-withdraws-both-rear-tyres.html
That will shake up the field. The grid positions won't reflect rider speed now that the tyres are different.
Might see the Ducatis do better now.
Neat save by Redding.
Jorge won't like this at all. He had the bike on rails when he was on his favoured Bridgestone edge-grip specials but some spoilsport took them away.
Rossi should be able to make a good fist of this race as he is good at adapting to low grip situations. It might rain anyway so all of this goes out of the window then...
Miller [i]might[/i] get a good placing IF he can keep it on the black stuff. Big if, granted. Same applies to Cal...
Rain 🙂
Redding may do better than usual
I hope the race is completely wet otherwise things could get a bit complicated!
"The warm-up starting at 10:40 will now be for 30 minutes, finishing at 11:10. This will apply whether the track is dry or wet."If the track is dry for the warm-up riders should use the replacement rear tyre (Option Tyre).
"If the track is wet for the warm-up then the plan to provide extra practice sessions with the Option tyre is cancelled and the race will be held using the tyres from the original allocation.
RACE
"If the race starts in dry conditions if the warm-up has been dry then riders must start with the Option tyre and the race will be for the full 25 laps. The normal flag to flag conditions will apply if the track becomes wet.
"If the race starts in dry conditions when the warm-up has been wet then riders may use either of the rear slick tyres (Medium & Hard of their allocation for Argentina). However, the race will be “flag to flag” for 20 laps with a compulsory stop to change machines at the end of lap 9, 10 or 11.
"If the race starts in the wet and the track dries then Race Direction will decide if it is unsafe for the riders to continue in which case the race will be red flagged. The new “dry” race will then be restarted for ten laps with a 15 minute start procedure. Should the track become wet during this race the riders may change machines as normal.
"If the race starts in wet conditions and remains wet then the race will be for the normal 25 laps.
"Under no conditions will the use of intermediate tyres be permitted.
"Race Direction"
Read more at http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/229066/1/argentina-motogp-the-race-options.html#1e3yjtM1v3ey8BRC.99
Some cracking racing tonight. Plenty of thrills and spills.
Iannone is in the doghouse again. Poor Dovi. 😈
Rossi was fast on bike 1, such a shame he couldn't make the 2nd bike work for him...
Chest_Rockwell - Member
Rossi was fast on bike 1, such a shame he couldn't make the 2nd bike work for him...
Probably the same result though.
If Redding's engine hadn't failed, my prediction would have been true - he would have been on the podium. I'd love to see what he could have done with a 500 2stroke - he's born after his time. 🙂
Nice to see Pedrosa on the podium because bad luck at the start ruined his run.
I had just finished telling my wife the Ducati guys reminded me of the Doohan/Criville last lap debacle many years ago, and almost on cue down they went. Poor Dovi.
The big surprise was seeing Lorenzo go down with clear space all around him.
The big surprise was seeing Lorenzo go down with clear space all around him.
I'm not surprised at all, riding in mixed conditions is his only real weakness. He can be millimetre perfect on a dry track and he's OK on a fully wet track but he doesn't like trying to adapt to a situation where there are different levels of grip available.
I did enjoy Cal saying he 'could' have podiumed (sic) again were it not for his two falls. Okey dokey... 😆
... and nice to see the Suzuki running up at the front. Could have been a podium if he hadn't binned it.
Chest_Rockwell - Member
..I did enjoy Cal saying he 'could' have podiumed (sic) again were it not for his two falls. Okey dokey...
I always think of Joe Craig's utterance of "They only count the winners at the finish line" ie first you have to stay on your bike.
... and nice to see the Suzuki running up at the front. Could have been a podium if he hadn't binned it.
It's a shame for Maverick but lots of much more experienced riders had problems with those mixed conditions so it's hard to be too critical of the lad.
I can see young Maverick getting Jorge's bike if he really does go to Ducati. Him and Rossi seem quite pally all of a sudden and his current boss at Suzuki is a close friend of Rossi. Smith is off to KTM and Pol will be lucky to keep his ride at Tech3, the way things are going.
Stranger things have happened...
Woulda, coulda, shoulda, story of a lot of racers careers.
[url= http://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/2016/april/can-lorenzo-win-on-a-ducati/ ]Lorenzo to Ducati[/url]
If Iannone gets shot for his antics, maybe Lorenzo could be on it sooner?! 😀
I have given up trying to watch this on BT Sport - first two rounds of the season, and the picture is all broken up, or it fails to record. Pish. Then you call BT Sport and they blame t'internet provider, who is (all together now) BT !!!
And sorry for bragging but guess who is working at the LeMans round ? Me !! Me !! Not you, Me !!!
So much fun will be had.
ITV4 is showing the repeat (Mondays I think)
Future MotoGP star with impeccable bloodline
[url=
Stoner's daughter[/url]
Well, what a race. The first half anyway.
Dovi must be p****d off. Second consecutive race he's been taken out whilst in second place.
Lorenzo just announced as riding for Ducati next year on the BBC website.
If he can win on the duke I would be very impressed, I don't think this works out. Vinales or Rins on the Yamaha for me.