The rumors are flying regarding the upcoming "silly season" when riders and team owners all try to gain some advantage for the next season. This year most contracts are up for 'renewal' or just ending. Team owners try to get the best riders and the riders all try to get the best rides and money. Feelings and allegiances can become bruised and sore in some cases, and rewarded in some cases. THIS is the 'soap opera' for guys; who will join which team, who will become the next 'star' on the way to becoming the new champion, will the new "XXXXX" arrive with enough power, or 'grip', or will no one be able to tame it? We will wait and watch as the new season unfolds. Much to be hopeful for as old injuries mend and new parts are developed to gain a bit more here or there. A tenth of a second here and another there means significant advancement, and a better chance for success. Now, if only they can gain more understanding of how the tires can be used . . . . . .There is an intense struggle going on in the pits to gain some advantage, whether it is aerodynamic, mechanical, digital, or psychological in order to win the championship. And all the teams will be trying their utmost to be at the 'sharp end' of the struggle.
Mostly I cheer for all of them, and I enjoy seeing the development of the machines and tires, and watching the personalities on display. Like I said, soap opera for guys. Mystery, intrigue, guts and will, humor, and drama. It is about to begin unfolding as we near the first major test of the season where we get to see how the new bikes stack up against the other new bikes, and the new riders against the 'old' guys. I think it will be an exciting season as it gets rolling. We shall see soon enough. So far it looks like Ducati will be the 'one to beat', as they will have 8 bikes on the grid, and they turn now plus they have all that horse power and some very good riders. Honda looks to be much improved, and Suzuki has made some progress in gaining more power. But we need to see how they compare when they are put to the test of competition on the track. Still waiting to see if Yamaha brings something for the new season, or just relies on the old bikes from last year. They DID win the championship, but M. Marquez was absent due to injuries. Everybody starts off a new season with the same score until the end of the first race. 8)
There was a shakedown run in Sepang today, newbies and test riders only. Raul Fernandez was on top on his Tech III KTM, some Ducatis an Aprilia and Sylvain Guiantoli on a Suzuki. There were 3 Yamahas, led by Darryn Binder and test riders 2 and 1 at the bottom of the chart. The factory guys show on Feb, 5-6.
And today the Aprillias are on top of the time sheets. So, at least they can play at the sharp end. Rumors flying of riders moving to 'other' teams. It is to be expected as most of the rider contracts are at the end of their specified times. Quartararo may be moving if Yamaha doesn't bring more motor.
Bastianini on a GP21 led the sessions, Espargaro on the Aprilia was second, both under the lap record. Quartararo was 7th even with the speed deficit, even the Suzukis are faster. Crutchlow was 2nd Yamaha in 24th. It could be a long season for Yamaha.
Next stop is Mandalika for more of this. It will soon be the first race of the season in Qatar, but before that there is more testing at Mandalika in SE Asia. Things look good for Suzuki, Honda is showing promise with the new version of their bike, Aprilia is happy with their showing so far, and everything looks great for Ducati. KTM seems to need a bit of something yet, and Yamaha is holding an empty bag. At any rate the new season looks to be another cracker, so hang on to your hat and get set for another great season of racing. New 'blood' (rookies) making noise, and the 'regular' riders getting their settings ready for battle, lots of new parts from the factories being tested, all trying to find a bit more advantage. And so the chase goes on.
For one day all 6 manufacturers were represented in the 'top six'. THAT is very close to 'even' for the manufacturers, so I expect the new season to be rather competitive. However, we will get to see how all those bikes and riders sort things out once the actual racing begins. Looking at charts and time sheets is one thing, BUT when the green flag drops the BS stops and we get to see how things sort themselves in the fire of actual racing. This promises to be a more hotly contested season than usual, as there are so many very competitive potential winners. The tension builds as testing continues and we approach the first race. 8)
March 6 the 'noise' begins in Qatar. Then we will get to see how all the competition sorts things out. 21 races scheduled for the season, and so far in the testing sessions it looks like a fairly closely matched competition at the pointy end. I expect another great season of racing, and more chapters of intrigue within the paddock and surrounds.
Day 1 FP is finished, Suzuki, Honda, Suzuki, Honda, Yamaha. and the Yamaha isn't Quartararo.
After all the Qualifying has been completed the 'stage' has been set for tomorrow. Two Ducatis and a Honda(Marquez) on the front row; Ducati , Aprillia, and Honda on the second row, and so it goes. "They line up on Sunday because nobody knows what's going to happen". There are some remarkably fast riders now, and the machines are fairly close in potential. At least a dozen bikes qualified within a one second spread. On 'paper' it seems to be VERY close. We can know in a few hours(9 ?) from now, as the Time Zone where the race is happening is several hours ahead of California, where I am. I will read about it when I get up in the morning.
Yesterday I watched a video on the MotoGP site of a Suzuki passing a Ducati! Suzuki has made another step forward. My VideoPASS has renewed on the MotoGP site, so let the 'games' begin!
I was watching the Daytona SX and missed the MotoGp but it will be on CNBC at 1:30 eastern US so will see it on the big screen in a couple of hours
I weakened and bought the VideoPass from the MotoGP site. I watched the race this afternoon. For all the Ducatis entered in the race not very many showed up for points. Ducati (Bastianini)won the race, KTM(B. Binder) got 2nd, and Pol Espargaro (Honda) took 3rd. Magic Marc was 5th, I wonder how he is feeling, and if he had any unusual issues during the race. For all the medical issues he has been through I think it is a wonder he can function as well as he is doing. But if he is really physically fit I would expect a better result in the race. The season has begun!
I have Video Pass too but I like to watch on the bigger screen so I can buzz through the ads. I did expect more from Ducati but Yamaha got what they deserved. If they don't want to give the guys more power maybe they should take up curling.
So now they're in Indonesia and the 2 fastest times are Quartararo and Morbidelli, wtf, over.
Yeah, at this point the weather forecast is for at least some sort of rain, heavy in the morning and lighter through the day. So, it will be what it will be and they all have to ride in the same weather. No body likes racing in the rain, but I think Marquez and Miller might be the ones to watch. Not sure about B Binder in rain yet. So we wait on the whims of the weather. This must cause some anxiety in the paddock/garages among the riders and the mechanics trying to figure what set up and strategies to use. This is where having two bikes is a real benefit so one can be ready with tires opposite of what they begin the race with in case the weather changes quickly. I will watch safely from home. ;)
It was a full wet race which I normally do not enjoy but to pretty much everyone's surprise the course offered good wet traction.
Empathy for Magic Marc! On the MotoGP site is a short video of Marc's highside in the warm up . . . . . I replayed it several times to figure out how many times the bike flipped over, and if it hit Marc. I still don't know. Very violent thrashing, and amazing he survived. I hope Marc mends well and returns soon.
I don't think the bike hit him but he got some serious altitude and hit hard. I hate to think fate is paying him back for all of his miraculous saves over the years. More likely is his reaction times are approaching normal and he can't adjust to normal. I really hope he doesn't get seriously injured.
What will be the outcome of the seasonal "musical chairs"? I see rumors but no real news. Will Quartararo stay with Yamaha or move to Honda or Ducati? Miguel Olivera, who just won the most recent race, still has no contract for next year. I find that a situation more than curious, but maybe the plans for the future will soon unfold. Most of the rider's contracts are over this season, so we should hear pretty soon just who is going where.
The next race to be in Argentina at the Termas De Rio Hondo (Thermals (hot springs)of Deep River ). Last year there was a fire that destroyed some of the garage facilities at that track, so we shall see how that works out. 'The Marc' has been ruled unfit for this race, so we wait to see if he will be able to race a week later at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin,TX. Spring happening here in the northern hemisphere, which means Fall in the southern hemisphere. How much of an issue will the Michelin tires make? Stiffer carcass to help prevent flexing causing heat, but they need some flex to make good contact patch with the road surface. Changing tire characteristics means all the work done by the teams to determine what set-ups to use is obsolete. What they learned in the early tests seems no longer to apply because the tires are not the same. However, someone will win, and the teams get more data for figuring out what to change or do next.
I hope Marc will be fit for the race in Austin, but this is beginning to look like another year of injury related poor results.
It is really good to see the KTM brand making noise at the sharp end of the competition. Next should be the Aprillia, and it has shown it CAN play at the sharp end.
I am hoping for more good racing and no more injuries. :police:
And the Soap Opera continues . . . . . as the freight airline has had some issues and much of the equipment for the race is stranded in Africa now. Report says it should be in Argentina by Friday. So in the meantime there is no practice, set-up adjustments, or other preparations for the race which is still scheduled for Sunday. Hopefully all will work out reasonably and no one gets hurt, but this is a situation where long hours, lack of sleep, jet lag, rushing to get everything done . . . . . .I think you can imagine how things could go wrong. It is time to hold some good thoughts for the crews and support people that make an event such as this to happen in a reasonably safe and orderly manner. :angel:
Just watched FP1, pretty wild. Quartararo and the Aprillias look ok but the Ducatis look scary. Due to the short time they'll get one more practice then qualifying. Who gets their setup right first? At least it's dry.
I just watched the race, and the finish was not a foregone conclusion before the race started. So far this season 9 different riders on the podium in the first 3 races. The sharp end is heating up.
Next race is next week in Austin,TX, and we are waiting to hear whether Marc Marquez will be fit to race.
Now we're at COTA, Marc is back and the Ducatis are fast. So is Rins and Vinales is looking good on the Aprilia. Quartararo is 3rd fastest after FP2 but it is obvious that he is trying hard. Qualifying is tomorrow.
I hope Marc is well and healthy because I would like to see him at the top again. However, time moves on and other riders have developed, and machines have also. You never know what will happen when they line up on Sunday. More qualifying tomorrow for final grid positions. The fastest at the front (fastest in qualifying, that is). We will see how it all works out on Sunday. 8)
Qualifying is over, 5 Ducatis then Quartararo, Mir, Rins then Marc. I'd hate to bet against Marc but those Ducatis are fast.
i don't find any current information on the race (it is after 7:00pm here on the west coast) so I wonder what happened in Austin, TX. There should have been some news before now, they are 2 hours ahead of our time zone, so after 9:00pm there. What's going on? :o
:-[What an idiot! This is Saturday, the race is Sunday!!! No wonder there were no results posted!!! Getting older has it benefits but memory seems not to be one of them. Without having to keep up with a business and a calendar the days seem to flow by in uneven currents of time/reality. That, compounded with the pressure of the approaching fire season here in the foothills, has occupied my cranial synapses to a degree that I need to check things twice and then again before making a move. RESET: All is well, now I can enjoy the race when it happens, just not before it happens. (wandering off muttering)
On the MotoGP website there is a FREE video of the final 5 minutes of Qualifying (Q2). There is some stunning camera work following the bikes, and some stunning 'ballet' as they change directions and back again. They make it look so easy, . . .
Watching a video of Marquez's start in Texas causes me to wonder if he was in the wrong gear to start. Funny that no one has offered a technical reason for the "operational malady". I have seen comments that it was the electronics fault, but no definitive or official explanation yet. I suspect, but do not know, that Marc was in the wrong gear and everyone is avoiding an embarrassing answer. Maybe it really was the electronics. Will we find out what really happened? No matter the cause, Marc made a tremendous ride through the pack, from dead last to finish 6th. During the race his lap times were consistent with the leaders, so his botched start may well have cost him the win. But the season is young yet, and there are many more points available in the coming races. He still may be a contender for the title at the end of the season.
We are now in Portugal at Portimao, and it's raining. Pol and Marc (REPSOL HONDA) stand at the top of the time sheets as we come to a close of track activity for Friday. Q2 starts Saturday and more rain is predicted, but Sunday is supposed to be clear for the race. Quartararo is about 20th at this time, maybe he can improve his position in Q2 on Saturday.
There have been some crashes on the rain soaked track.
Sunday's race was totally dry and there were still crashes. Contenders struggling to be faster than 'the other guy', and pushing at the limits of control, so, what could possibly go wrong? Miller trying to occupy the same space as Juan Mir and takes them both out. Kind of rough on the bikes as they tumble and slide through the gravel. Bastianini crashed out, so is no longer championship points leader.
I am loving the VIDEO PASS at the MotoGP website. Lots of shorter videos, highlights, slo-mo, press briefings, interviews, full races, . . . .I just do not have enough time to see them all. 8)
As a Yamaha fan, I did not have high expectations for the race so I didn't watch it on Video Pass. Was I ever proved wrong. Watching the Marquez brothers battle over 6th was quite entertaining. As for the crashes and damaged bikes, it's the engines that are most vulnerable. Everything but the engine can be replaced as needed but they only get 6 engines for the season.
Another race this weekend in Spain @ Jerez. You never know what's going to happen.
Shocking news that Suzuki will withdraw from MotoGP at the end of this season! That leaves five manufacturers (Honda, Ducati, Yamaha, Aprillia, and KTM)
So, where will Rins and Mir get rides? :police:
That was truly a surprise. The success they've had with their limited budget should have been more encouraging. Rumor has Mir replacing Pol at Honda. As for Rins, Yamaha could sure use some help.
The "silly season" is in swing and the ground is moving underfoot. I will observe from afar, and let the dust settle.
Another round is in the books. Interesting with lots of crashes. No spoilers, you need to watch.
Mugello is done with and yet more woulda, coulda, shoulda. About the only thing for sure is Marc is having another surgery and will miss the rest of the season. Racing again this weekend at Catalunya.
So, where are Rins and Mir going to get rides? Someone said Mir to Honda and Pol out. Ducati shuffling riders, maybe Bastianini stays at Gresini, or maybe he goes to the factory team. I hope he stays at Gresini, either way Ducati wins. Hopefully Aprillia fields two more bikes for a satellite team, they can benefit from the data from more bikes. (Ducati has 8 bikes to gather data). I will continue to watch from afar. 8)
Catalunya FP 1 and 2 are over. A. Espargaro and Vinales are 1-2, 3 Ducatis, Binder, Quartararo and Morbidelli. Fabio re-upped with Yamaha for 2 more years so I guess Franky decided that he'd better wake up.
Maybe Vinales woke up too. He has dug a hole for himself with his reputation as a 'head case'. Now is the time to show what he can do, and continue doing that. We should see pretty soon where the unattached riders settle.
Yesterday Vinales and A. Espargaro topped the time sheets for a while with their Aprillias! Reading some comments by some of the MotoGP riders, the Aprillias seem to have better drive out of turns, this is BIG! Already Espargaro is 2nd in the points race for the championship. Now, if Vinales can get his self to do the work, he and Espargaro can make some history for the little Italian factory. 8)
And then was the race! I'll say more after you've seen it.
He "threw it out the window"! Bonehead slip of awareness, and I would bet that he doesn't do that again. There is a LOT of stuff going on for a rider to pay attention to on a MotoGP bike in a race, but with flags, pit boards, and messages on screens on the bikes, this should not happen. Sorry for A. Espargaro and Aprillia, likely to be some mean jokes about this.
I really expected Espargaro to win, I didn't expect Nakagami to take out Bagnaia in the first turn, with his head! Germany in 2 weeks. Without Marquez, it's up for grabs.
Silly Season (musical chairs) is playing out now. Miller to KTM, and only rumors so far for the rest. We will find out soon. Rins, Mir, Olivera, ? Inquiring minds want to know. 8)
Watched the race at Sachsenring and it was most interesting. No spoiler yet.
Now comes Assen, wet FP1 but drying FP2. Big surprise, Bagnaia, Espargaro and Quartararo are on top.
Some wicked video of Fabio Q being launched! His second 'crash' of the race. I watched the race on the MotoGP site using my subscription to VideoPASS. It's probably on YouTUBE also. Vinales picked up a couple places in the last corner on the last lap. It was a classic 'smooth move', so Vinales got his first podium with Aprillia! Aleix Espargaro was run off the track and rejoined the race way back, then began his attack that brought him slicing through the field to 4th.
Summer break for a few weeks, next race is at Silverstone, UK in August.
OOPS! That was A. Espargaro (Aprillia) that made the swift move, passed Binder and Miller for 4th in the last corner of the last lap!
That was a fantastic ride by Aleix and an unfortunate mistake by Quartararo. Not only did he score no points, the FIM issued him a long lap penalty at the next race. Nakagami got nothing when he took out Bagnaia and Rins in the first turn 2 races ago.
Looks like the Suzuki riders will be on Hondas next season. Rins to LCR/Castrol, and Mir to Repsol Honda. I hope they get the Hondas properly sorted and dialed in. The motor is great now but the 'rest of the package' needs some wizard love. Marc's younger brother will be on a Ducati.
The grid is set for Silverstone, Zarco, Vinales, Miller and Quartararo. Aleix Espargaro had a hard crash in FP4 and qualified 6th but is questionable for the race. The race will be on CNBC tomorrow at 1:30 eastern. Have to watch this one.
Pretty good race! Maybe this will be a turning point for Vinales now that he "knows" the Aprillia can do 'the stuff'. Sorry for Aleix Espargaro on the other Aprillia, injured in practice, but he finished the race! That takes some 'grit' to ride through the pain.
Interesting practice today in Austria. Wet FP1, dry FP2. Ducati day but Quartararo was 4th, Espargaro is 11th. Will it stay dry for FP3?
I have been pleasantly surprised by the Aprillia's rate of development, and A. Espargaro's ability to get to the sharp end of the pack. Maybe now Maverick can maintain a mature attitude and be competitive on a regular basis. Soon it will be more difficult as Marc Marquez will eventually return to the fray.
What a race!
Six more races to finish the season.
Next race in Spain, and then the "fly-aways" (Japan, Australia, Malaysia, etc.)
And the point race is tightening up. Marquez is supposed to take part in the testing today and tomorrow, see how his arm is healing.
Misano testing has Quartararo fastest. Yamaha has a new engine for 2023, more top speed.
If Honda can take a lesson from Suzuki and Aprillia (and Yamaha) to make a bike that can be ridden at the sharp end by more riders than Marc . . . . . . . . oh, never mind. It will be what it will be. Marc is coming back and all will be roses for Honda again . Maybe. We have seen what happened to Marc, and it could easily have been much worse in an instant. I want to see Marc win again, and I am a Honda fan (I also like Suzuki, Yamaha, KTM, and Aprillia) so Marc and Honda at the top again, but Marc will not always be around because riders cycle in and out as they rise to brilliance, then fade much like the tyres they race on. I feel Honda is all too much depending on Marc and forgetting the other riders that help earn the points toward the manufacturer's trophy. Ducati has 8 bikes on the track, Honda has 4. I know it is expen$ive to support GP bikes, but more bikes means more data and that often means faster development which leads to winning more races.
It is truly an amazing experience to be riding this little garden planet, and witness some of these amazing feats of physics, bravery, and technology.
Ducati has 8 bikes and 1 rider, Bagnaia who has won 4 in a row, Bastianini who has 3 wins and 5 top 5 finishes. Yamaha has 3 wins with Quartararo, Aprilia has 1 and KTM 1. Quartararo has a 30 point lead in the rider championship. Honda is nowhere and Suzuki are on the way out. Can 8 Ducatis beat Fabio? Stay tuned.
That's why they line up on Sunday, . . . . because nobody knows what's going to happen. There are 3 or 4 that are likely "possible" winners, but we just have to wait to find out who it will be. Quarty seems to be on a 'roll', Pecco has won consecutive races recently, Enea can do it, and Marc is back. Aleix Espargaro and Maverick V on the Aprillias are playing at the sharp end, and you just never know who might have a 'good' weekend. Less likely but still quite possible is Jorge Martin who has posted fast laps to gain pole position a couple times. This is a good season, and I am enjoying it as it unfolds. Savor the moments, they usually don't last long before change happens.
Wet in Japan for qualifying. Marc Marquez takes pole position for the race tomorrow. I certainly hope this race goes on as a 'normal' race instead of all the tumult and chaos like the race in Spain (Aragon). :police:
Another race next week! These are the "Flyaways", Japan, Thailand, and Australia, to complete the season in Spain in early November. There is a lot of stuff to discuss during the 'off season', and it will be chewed over thoroughly before the new season begins next year.
The championship is tightening for some, slipping away for others, and 3 races(75 points possible) to go.
Who could have predicted Motegi 2022? Certainly not me. On to Philip Island next weekend.
We'll get to Australia, na d maybe that is where the title will be settled, but first is Thailand.
Guess I got ahead of myself there but I don't think the title will be clinched before the end in Spain.
Well, it's on to Valencia next week for the title but it's pretty much a done deal. Turns out 8 Ducatis can beat 1 Yamaha.
I am wondering what the factories will improve for next season. Yamaha really needs a new motor (or better computer maps?), Honda needs 'something' (not sure what), KTM needs a bit of refinement, Aprillia is so close maybe they just need some time. Actually, the competition has brought the bikes to a very close competitive state and all of them can play at the sharp end. I guess we will find out after the new season gets rolling.
Don't know what bike 'improvements' we'll see. Yamaha certainly needs more power and might have it. Honda needs a lot but what to do? With the addition of Mir and Rins, do they dare build another 'Marquez special' and hope they adapt? We will know more after the Valencia tests.
As Walt stated, the championship was pretty much a done deal, but there were some surprises and some significant DNFs in this final race. Well, the season is over and all the shouting and cheering is settling down as we begin preparations for the coming new year. Everybody grab a comfortable rest and some refreshment as we slide into the holidays and seriously cold weather. It is time to work inside making machinery ready for the new season as the weather will begin to warm again in a few months.
Considering my low expectations at the beginning of the season, Fabio did a tremendous job getting second in the championship. Congratulations to him and to Bagnaia the new champion.