Both races were snoozers but it’s more down to this worthless track than anything. It’s 3 straights, strewn together to make a track, and it’s ridiculous. On to real motorcycle tracks next.

The only thing great about this weekend was getting to see Vale. Bags checked out both times and that was it. Jorge Martin learning Marquez bullshit riding, taking people out left and right.

On a positive note Joan Mir finished a sprint race. Yeah he didn’t finish the main event but he’s on a Honda and they blow dirty donkey balls right now.

I’m mad at Zarco for jumping on a sinking ship. They must have thrown tons of $$$$ his way. I’d never sign with those turds given the way their shittastic bike is right performing now and their lack of loyalty.

If I were Zarco I’d be doing all that I could to secure a seat on an Ape or KTM (long shot) because they are both up and coming and I would rather fight along side David than Goliath…even if Goliath is down on his lucky lately.

Zarco may well be looking at trying to make his name as a bike developer, knowing full well he doesn’t have that last bit of skill to win a championship. He’s probably looking at a test rider gig after his contract expires with LCR. I’m also fairly certain they are giving him quite a tidy sum of money for his not yet broken body.

Honestly, Hondas current woes lie with Puig and Marquez. If they’d have developed a bike for all the riders and not just Marc, they probably wouldn’t be hurting so bad right now. It’s funny that when Dani left Honda, they started having problems and KTM started winning races, no?

Mordibelli is headed to Ducati and that’s pushing Zarco out. As Johan said himself “Honda want me more than Ducati”. It’s an abundance of riches at Ducati already, same for KTM. KTM is trying to get 2 additional bikes on the grid next year.

quote:

Originally posted by mutedblade:
Zarco may well be looking at trying to make his name as a bike developer, knowing full well he doesn’t have that last bit of skill to win a championship. He’s probably looking at a test rider gig after his contract expires with LCR. I’m also fairly certain they are giving him quite a tidy sum of money for his not yet broken body.

Honestly, Hondas current woes lie with Puig and Marquez. If they’d have developed a bike for all the riders and not just Marc, they probably wouldn’t be hurting so bad right now. It’s funny that when Dani left Honda, they started having problems and KTM started winning races, no?

One of my favorite moments in MotoGP was when Brad MF’n Binder won on a KTM and KTM’s project leader Pitt Baer said to Dani “this is because of you” and Dani pointed to Binder and said “no it’s because of him”. What a team. How can you not root for those lads?

Binder rode a good race yesterday, not quite on the pace of Bag but held 2nd handily.
Some good scraps for the podium.

Not sure what's up with Miller, good start & just fell off the pace quickly.

If he would have had any patience he’d still be @ KTM reaping the benefits of Pedrosa, tons of investment $ poured in from Red Bull, and a very competitive bike. He hasn’t outdone man of the Ducati riders. Bags, Bez, Martin, even Luca Marini who is less experienced is doing well for his experience. Still waiting on the Beast who just hasn’t been there due to injuries.

Zarco is a fucking moron to go with Honda. That would literally have been my absolute last choice for a competitive bike.

I get that he wants a two year deal but what’s the point of that if you’re injured and on a shit bike the whole time?

Moron move.

stick,

He knows he's not gonna be winning a championship, so he's looking out for his financial future. I believe he's thinking a bit more long term. He's currently 33 years old and by then end of his contract with LCR, he'll be 36. That's retirement age in GP racing. New regulations drop in 2027 at which point I'm certain he's gonna end up as a test rider for Honda with wildcard options. According to his previous teams, he seems to have a knack for setup and if Honda gets their concessions which I am almost certain of at this point, he'll be able to develop the bike over the next 2 years and come out money ahead.

If he was gonna win a championship, it would be on the bike he's currently riding. That Ducati is fast all around but Zarco has the same problem as Maverick Vinales. He's faster the 2nd half of the race but that doesn't do any good because the aero bullshit keeps riders from passing one another. Michelin is coming out with a new front tire next year too, which the Ducati may not play well with. We also know that Ducati is famous for being complete dicks to their riders, regardless of their standing. Rossi, Stoner, and more recently Dovi and Miller.


The silly season is in full swing right now so we're not sure there was a spot at any other manufacturer.


Seats available:

1 @ LCR (Ogura likely-just hasn't been announced)
1 @ GasGas (Pedro Acosta is getting it just hasn't been announced)
2 @ Mooney VR46 (Marini and Bezzecchi if he stays, Morbidelli if he goes to Pramac)
1 @ Grisini (Di Giannantonio, Morbidelli, A Fernandez possibly )
1 @ Pramac (Bez if he want's it, otherwise see Grisini)


Possible Upsets to the above:
Either Aspargaro retires (Pol had a good race this last go around but he's broken. Aleix is a family man and I think seeing what his brother went through has put a hurt on him mentally)
Marc Marquez moves to KTM or retires (one or the other is likely to happen)

Stick, possible news to make you happy. Joan Mir in talks with Grisini to hop on a Ducati using exit clause from HRC. That was a move I didn't see coming but makes a lot of sense for him and clears up who may be getting other seats.

quote:

Originally posted by mutedblade:
Stick, possible news to make you happy. Joan Mir in talks with Grisini to hop on a Ducati using exit clause from HRC. That was a move I didn't see coming but makes a lot of sense for him and clears up who may be getting other seats.

That'd make 2 swaps from Honda to Ducati/Gresini.
AM seems to be enjoying the bike, would think Mir could do well there, too.

Fingers crossed!!

HRC is about to pour a mountain of money into GP. They are embarrassed and Honda brass to this day still think the series is theirs. They’ve been whooped, embarrassed, noses rubbed in shit, and the reckoning is coming. They’ve always had more $ than anyone else. HRC was never going to be down long so anyone leaving is going to be about like Zarco leaving KTM, just when the bike was about to turn around. Yamaha may not get anywhere but I would never bet against HRC.

I am no fan of HRC but I cannot help but admire HRC President Yasuharu Watanabe for being so blunt about rumors that Honda may quit Grand Prix motorcycle racing. During a recent interview he said “ Honda never quits MotoGP! ”

Bravo lad. Shame Suzuki brass doesn’t have the same unshakable confidence and doesn’t value motorcycle racing at the top level.

You can hate on HRC (it’s easy given the slump) but you have to admire their commitment to motorcycle racing. When they are down they don’t punk out an quit like Suzuki.

Link to article

Anyone know how to easily translate a whole Japanese webpage into English?
Link to original article in Japanese



It’s fun to daydream…..

Boring race, MOST EXCELLENT race result.

I was smiling watching that podium celebration.

Boring indeed! You could even see the spectators at the track just wandering around not watching the race. That’s telling to me

Aleix hunted him down and once past, that was it. Good race to me. Mav finally getting on the podium was good to see.

Will be interesting to see if the Aprlias have the pace for the entire race tomorrow as you know the Ducati does.

Mav on the podium was a direct result of him getting off the line like he was supposed to. Damn near impossible to get on any step if you start on the front row, bugger the start and have to fight the rest of the race only to recover maybe 5-8 places. That’s where he’s been forever. If he ever starts consistently, he’ll be a weapon, until then though, he’s a solid mid pack guy.

What a race!!!!!

It got off to a horrific start but it’s sounding like Pecco is going to be ok. His teammate surprisingly was not so lucky. Just a rotten year for the beast.

History was made today.

Anyone know why they switched bikes there during the celebration?