MotoGP

FTR London

Well-known member
of course - but it's been officially announced at MotoGP.com now.
Now we just wait for the inevitable 'and he's joining his brother at Gresini' announcement
As I understand it Gresini are keen to secure a two year deal, whereas the Márquez camp only wants one year. This will allow him to move in the longer term to a factory seat in 2025, possibly KTM. Leaving Honda for a satellite team avoided the severance payment on his HRC contract.
I can understand the decision from MM93 because he is a champion and needs a winner MotoGP bike.
It's not a winning team though and is arguably at the bottom of the Ducati pecking order. Gresini had the full backing of Honda through Daijiro Kato which after his untimely death went to Gibernau who was the main contender to Rossi in 2003 and 2004 whilst Melandri took up the mantle in 2005. Since then, it would have been interesting to see whether Simoncelli would have been able to mount a title challenge on a Gresini bike. He certainly had the backing from HRC. I think Marc will definitely win races though, particularly given his astonishing performances recently on one of the worst bikes on the gird.
 

FTR London

Well-known member
Sprint race: How many crashes have we seen this weekend at turn 11? Marc down early. Same crash - front ender, no warning, no feedback. The problem with a circuit pretty much expressly made for bikes, you don't have cages putting down rubber, so it is treacherous offline. Aleix gets a penalty for taking out Binder, but his only crime was being off the race line on the dirty part of the track. Shame - he had very good pace. Also a shame that Mav couldn't hold on to the lead - maybe no confidence in the front end to match the pace of Martin...Aprilia have said that it's a problem with the bike that needs addressing. Good battle with Bez though. Martin leads the championship Saturday.

Moto GP: Rear tyres are a concern here - Michelin strongly advised against using the soft option, but many did due to the low grip level. Aleix soft front and rear and paid the price 62° is unprecedented.

What a start from Martin. Chaotic first few laps. Binder rightly penalised for riding through Marini - although clearly no ill intent. Then once again after colliding with Olivera. Two long lap penalties - but 5th place in a real race of attrition.

Pecco found something overnight - likely corner entry. Martin - turn 11 again. Nothing he could do. His lap times were ridiculous though. Bagnaia, from 13th on the grid, steals the momentum back. Incredible. 18 point lead. Champions ride today. We know he's strong at the end of a race, but unbelievable defensive ride from Mav to hold off the charging Quartararo. Those tyres down to fibres. Best ever GP result for the outgoing Digi.

Crowd really good here.

Strong rumours that Olivera will be replacing Marc at Honda.
 

Bomverh69

New member
Sprint race: How many crashes have we seen this weekend at turn 11? Marc down early. Same crash - front ender, no warning, no feedback. The problem with a circuit pretty much expressly made for bikes, you don't have cages putting down rubber, so it is treacherous offline. Aleix gets a penalty for taking out Binder, but his only crime was being off the race line on the dirty part of the track. Shame - he had very good pace. Also a shame that Mav couldn't hold on to the lead - maybe no confidence in the front end to match the pace of Martin...Aprilia have said that it's a problem with the bike that needs addressing. Good battle with Bez though. Martin leads the championship Saturday.

Moto GP: Rear tyres are a concern here - Michelin strongly advised against using the soft option, but many did due to the low grip level. Aleix soft front and rear and paid the price 62° is unprecedented.

What a start from Martin. Chaotic first few laps. Binder rightly penalised for riding through Marini - although clearly no ill intent. Then once again after colliding with Olivera. Two long lap penalties - but 5th place in a real race of attrition.

Pecco found something overnight - likely corner entry. Martin - turn 11 again. Nothing he could do. His lap times were ridiculous though. Bagnaia, from 13th on the grid, steals the momentum back. Incredible. 18 point lead. Champions ride today. We know he's strong at the end of a race, but unbelievable defensive ride from Mav to hold off the charging Quartararo. Those tyres down to fibres. Best ever GP result for the outgoing Digi.

Crowd really good here.

Strong rumours that Olivera will be replacing Marc at Honda.
Was good racing on a tricky track! Not as good as the BSB finale What an end to season...
 

edgelett

Well-known member
I'm still travelling so not able to watch. I hear the race was good though with an awesome last lap. Great to see Zarco get his first ever win.
 

FTR London

Well-known member
Not a Márquez circuit this - but so pleased to see him back on the limit again. He's going to be awesome at the hard braking tracks this year. Martin is the sprint specialist. That was a statement of intent. All new Aprilia - different chassis and aero, holding its own on the straight - great to see Aleix smoking the rear. Bagnaia seemed to be struggling with grip towards the end of the race. Good to see three different manufacturers on the podium.

Acosta claimed a few scalps in his debut.
 

FTR London

Well-known member
Main race - business as usual for Ducati, although good to see Binder spoiling the party - that KTM looks so stable on the brakes. A very respectable first debut on the Desmo for Márquez - wouldn't be a surprise to see him take a victory at COTA. Disappointing from Bez, and it's going to be a long and lonely season for Marini.

Acosta is destined to be the next Marc.
 

edgelett

Well-known member
Caught up on the race - wow that was intense!

Pecco and Marc, i'd say that's a racing incident.
Great result for Acosta.
Good to see Miller close to his teammate too.

was a good race with some great passing.
 
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