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Re: 2019 Motogp Season

Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2019 6:11 am
by Zazu
Marquez is so far ahead of everyone else the only criteria for his teammate is someone who won't annoy him.

Alex Marquez is a very good rider. Been very lucky to get the factory gig, but I can't think of a rider who can feel hard done by for not getting it. Crutchlow probably best other candidate, he's had bad season and not exactly sponsors dream

If we assume Rossi is over the hill, Marquez has 56wins in the premier class and 6 titles. His competion have about 10wins combined and no titles. Only handful of titles in the lower classes between them.

I've never been so deflated by a season and had less enthusiasm for next year. The only rider with enough speed and experience to beat him to a title has just retired

Re: 2019 Motogp Season

Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2019 12:44 pm
by pokerman
DOLOMITE wrote:I don't get the signing of Alex tbh. Who wins here? OK Alex is in MotoGP but now what? OK we can probably expect better results than Lorenzo managed (sadly) but many riders would have met that brief. Marc should have him more than covered so then what?
Well it could be argued they only run a second bike because they are contracted to do so, they only really need the one bike for Marc Marquez.

Re: 2019 Motogp Season

Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2019 3:44 pm
by Cold Gin
While Alex Marquez is unlikely to challenge for the title next year, it's not necessarily a bad choice for Repsol Honda. I don't think Crutchlow was ever in the cards, everyone else is signed through the season with the exception of Zarco---and as much as I'd have liked to see him get that seat, he rubbed a lot of people wrong with his lack of professionalism at KTM, publicly saying the bike was ****. He's rode relatively well these last three races, especially in Malaysia, but he just doesn't seem to be a good fit for Repsol Honda. It seems like the Avintia/Zarco rumors are still very much alive---Karel Abraham might be bought out to make way for Zarco if Zarco changes his mind. Ducati has pledged more technical support and more money, and a GP19 for Zarco. If he can't gill Marquez' seat in Moto 2, he really, REALLY should think about changing his mind. If he did will at Avintia a move up when the rider market explodes in 2021 could well be on the cards for him. Especially as he is backed by Michelin, Dorna, and Ezpeleta. It won't last forever, though.

I don't know if Aleix Espargaro could have gotten out of his deal, but I'd have loved him in the Factory Honda team. I think he's a much better rider than many give him credit for, and he's stuck at a poor team on a bike they can't seem to improve.

I really, really hope that Yamaha can claw back their huge deficit in engine performance because I still believe Vinales can challenge Marquez. They have to increase their tiny window of maximum performance for him, though. If the smallest thing is off, Vinales is nowhere. When he's on, though---like we saw in Malaysia----he's lethally fast. That track has two very long straights and Marquez still could not get close to him. I think Vinales has got to be Ducati's target in 2021, but that's another story.

Back to Alex Marquez---he's on a one-year deal; he well could not impress, and be out of that ride after a single season. It's a lot more high-pressure of a situation than people seem to be discussing. I can't think he's going to do as poorly as Lorenzo, but I would be suprised if he's challenging for podiums. A lot of riders are gunning for that seat in 2021.

Re: 2019 Motogp Season

Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2019 8:33 pm
by Exediron
Cold Gin wrote:A lot of riders are gunning for that seat in 2021.
As something of a MotoGP outsider (I sort of follow the sport, but not nearly to the extent I do F1) I have to ask why? It seems clear enough to me that there's nothing special about the bike, and it's all down to Marquez. Why does anyone want to put themselves in the same team with an unstoppable rider when they don't even get the best bike in the bargain? It would be like flocking to Red Bull to be Verstappen's teammate, only turned up another notch.

Re: 2019 Motogp Season

Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2019 9:39 pm
by shoot999
Exediron wrote:
Cold Gin wrote:A lot of riders are gunning for that seat in 2021.
As something of a MotoGP outsider (I sort of follow the sport, but not nearly to the extent I do F1) I have to ask why? It seems clear enough to me that there's nothing special about the bike, and it's all down to Marquez. Why does anyone want to put themselves in the same team with an unstoppable rider when they don't even get the best bike in the bargain? It would be like flocking to Red Bull to be Verstappen's teammate, only turned up another notch.
Because last years Honda was a good one, and next years might be as well.
The Yamaha has been nothing special, and the Ducati has its issues.
And if you think you are the best, you go up against the best.

Re: 2019 Motogp Season

Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2019 1:58 am
by pokerman
shoot999 wrote:
Exediron wrote:
Cold Gin wrote:A lot of riders are gunning for that seat in 2021.
As something of a MotoGP outsider (I sort of follow the sport, but not nearly to the extent I do F1) I have to ask why? It seems clear enough to me that there's nothing special about the bike, and it's all down to Marquez. Why does anyone want to put themselves in the same team with an unstoppable rider when they don't even get the best bike in the bargain? It would be like flocking to Red Bull to be Verstappen's teammate, only turned up another notch.
Because last years Honda was a good one, and next years might be as well.
The Yamaha has been nothing special, and the Ducati has its issues.
And if you think you are the best, you go up against the best.
Clearly the Yamaha is now better than the 2018 Honda.

Re: 2019 Motogp Season

Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2019 6:53 am
by Zazu
Exediron wrote:
Cold Gin wrote:A lot of riders are gunning for that seat in 2021.
As something of a MotoGP outsider (I sort of follow the sport, but not nearly to the extent I do F1) I have to ask why? It seems clear enough to me that there's nothing special about the bike, and it's all down to Marquez. Why does anyone want to put themselves in the same team with an unstoppable rider when they don't even get the best bike in the bargain? It would be like flocking to Red Bull to be Verstappen's teammate, only turned up another notch.
Its far worse than the verstapen analogy. In f1 you still finish near the front if you are in the red bull and at least you can be in the ball park

I remember Melandri being 3-4seconds a lap off the pace whilst Stoner was winning races at Ducati. You can go into the pits and whinge about the bike but they're not going to make changes whilst its winning races in the right hands.

You only have to watch Marquez when he corrects interviewers. Vinales, Rins etc can win races but I cant see anyway anyone can beat Marquez to a title unless one of the factories makes a huge jump. His experience advantage is unreal. Pretty much every round outside of Spain in 2016 was an absolute bear garden for him with the hate and media attention post Sepang '15

Got a feeling Zarco is going to lose out big time in musical chairs if he can't get a decent Ducati deal. Expect KTM to make big jumps over the winter

Re: 2019 Motogp Season

Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2019 7:19 pm
by Cold Gin
I’ve read several reports on social media that Karel Abraham announced he will not be returning to MotoGP next year. Nothing official has yet been announced, but it looks imminent Zarco will be an announced as Tito Rabat’s teammate.

Re: 2019 Motogp Season

Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2019 10:33 pm
by Cold Gin
Official: Karel Abraham has retired.

Zarco’s confirmation is imminent.

Re: 2019 Motogp Season

Posted: Sun Nov 24, 2019 2:09 am
by Cold Gin

Re: 2019 Motogp Season

Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2019 12:27 pm
by Cold Gin
Shocking treatment from
Avintia in the release of Karel Abraham.

https://www.asphaltandrubber.com/motogp ... interview/

Re: 2019 Motogp Season

Posted: Tue Nov 26, 2019 5:37 am
by Zazu
Could have handled it better but he's only there due to the money he brings. I know they talked of dropping brno over contract negotiations and lack of payments so I think there me may be more to that story.

Dorna money/benefits if they take Zarco will be worth far more to the team and they have a better rider

Re: 2019 Motogp Season

Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2019 5:19 pm
by Cold Gin
Finally official: Zarco pens one-year deal with Ducati, to race at Avintia next year with added support. Zarco eyes Factory Ducati team for 2021.....

https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/93509 ... ti-updated

Re: 2019 Motogp Season

Posted: Wed Jan 29, 2020 7:28 pm
by Cold Gin
Vinales and Quartararo ink deals with Factory Yamaha squad; Vinales for twomore years, FQ for another two through 2022.

Rossi has been told he will have a factory bike and support if he continues past 2020, so essentially everyone is happy.

https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/93561 ... amaha-2021

https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/93559 ... otogp-deal


Will this be Rossi's last year?

Re: 2019 Motogp Season

Posted: Thu Jan 30, 2020 2:28 pm
by pokerman
Cold Gin wrote:Vinales and Quartararo ink deals with Factory Yamaha squad; Vinales for twomore years, FQ for another two through 2022.

Rossi has been told he will have a factory bike and support if he continues past 2020, so essentially everyone is happy.

https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/93561 ... amaha-2021

https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/93559 ... otogp-deal


Will this be Rossi's last year?
Rossi will have to race in the satellite team though I believe?

Rossi is declining and they had to invest in the future.

Re: 2019 Motogp Season

Posted: Fri Jan 31, 2020 5:07 pm
by Cold Gin
Yes, Rossi will have to be in satellite colors, although will have full factory support, so it'll be the same bike.

With Jorge Lorenzo now confirmed to be Yamaha's test rider, I'm impressed with Yamaha's approach to next season and beyond. They have finally made the decision on Rossi, without really pushing him, that there will be life after him and it begins now with FQ and MV.

If Rossi wants to continue for two more years should he start this season well, he can do so with a factory bike and with Petronas, or whatever they want to call it,a and it won't upset the Factory Team.

Let's see if Yamaha can close the distance to HRC and Ducati.

Re: 2019 Motogp Season

Posted: Fri Jan 31, 2020 8:03 pm
by pokerman
Cold Gin wrote:Yes, Rossi will have to be in satellite colors, although will have full factory support, so it'll be the same bike.

With Jorge Lorenzo now confirmed to be Yamaha's test rider, I'm impressed with Yamaha's approach to next season and beyond. They have finally made the decision on Rossi, without really pushing him, that there will be life after him and it begins now with FQ and MV.

If Rossi wants to continue for two more years should he start this season well, he can do so with a factory bike and with Petronas, or whatever they want to call it,a and it won't upset the Factory Team.

Let's see if Yamaha can close the distance to HRC and Ducati.
Yamaha can now start looking forward, I believe they've been treading water these past 2/3 years by cow tailing to the needs of Rossi.