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Yes my friends, the premier road-racing series has officially announced (as of four days ago, to be accurate) that the 2020 season will go ahead, albeit a strange, repetitive and shortened calendar (13 rounds). The following rounds are confirmed:



Spain Jerez 19 Jul
Andalucia Jerez 26 Jul
Czech Rep Brno 9 Aug
Austria Red Bull Ring 16 Aug
Styria Red Bull Ring 23 Aug
San Marino Misano 13 Sep
Emilia Romagna Misano 20 Sep
Catalunya Catalunya 27 Sep
France Le Mans 11 Oct
Aragon Motorland 18 Oct
Teruel Motorland 25 Oct
Europe Valencia 8 Nov
Valencia Valencia 15 Nov

Americas Americas ***
Argentina Termas de Rio Hondo ***
Thailand Buriram ***
Malaysia Sepang ***

***There may be four additional rounds, COTA, Argentina, Thailand & Malaysia, and confirmation of same will be no later than July 31.

I have read a steady diatribe onine from many fans deriding how many spanish rounds there are, which to be fair, make it difficult to view through a clear prism given Dorna is the commercial rights holder, and based in Madrid, and Marquez favoritism, etc. However, I really think they have done the best they can, and I feel extremely fortunate being a MotoGP junkie we will be getting any racing at all this year, so I welcome it. Hopefully the latter rounds waiting to be confirmed are added, although I think COTA is out based on how many large numbers of Coronavirus cases there are in Texas, which has been hit very hard.

All that being said, there are so many riders and stories to get into this year. I'll be back with further posts with my thoughts on same. Good news is, we'll get some two-wheeled action this year which to me is substantially better than nothing.

I can't wait. I hope without podium and Parc ferme/press they reduce the gaps between races on raceday.

Cold Gin wrote: I have read a steady diatribe onine from many fans deriding how many spanish rounds there are, which to be fair, make it difficult to view through a clear prism given Dorna is the commercial rights holder, and based in Madrid, and Marquez favoritism, etc.

Marquez has won 12 out of the last 13 races in USA, 10 consecutive race wins in Germany and is generally a second a lap faster than the field in Argentina. He's also competive everywhere with 80%+ podium record in the class. Even if they proposed racing on the international space station the internet would whinge about it

Awesome, Zazu, awesome.

Don't they host three races in Spain on a normal calendar anyway? If I recall correctly, there are also two in Italy. If 'double-headers' are needed to make up this year's calendar, it's hardly surprising that Spanish circuits will take up the majority.
No issue with me and it beats no racing at all!

The normally have 4 (Jerez, Barcelona, Aragon and Valencia) which are all well attended

Double headers will work in MotoGP. They regularly don't choose the race tyre until last minute and a little bit of temperature difference can make a huge difference.

https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/93847 ... d-flyaways

DORNA hoping they flyaway races can happen at the tail end of the season....

Still not officially confirmed (despite the title in this article), but the rumors are heavy that Danilo Petrucci has signed with KTM for 2021.

https://the-race.com/motogp/petrucci-se ... -for-2021/

Little nuggets of info from Ducati's Paolo Ciabatti. Interesting info regarding several riders.....

https://www.gpone.com/en/2020/06/24/mot ... -year.html

Official: Danilo Petrucci to KTM Tech 3, and Miguel Oliveira promoted to the Factory KTM team.

https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/93856 ... ments-ajax

Additionally, this obviously proves that Pol Espargaro's rumored deal with the Factory Honda team is done, and it is a near-certainty that Cal Crutchlow's career may be finished a the conclusion of this year's shortened season unless he can find a ride for '21, because Honda will be placing Marquez Jr. with the LCR Honda team, per the rumors.


2021 Rider Line-Up Confirmations:


Repsol Honda:
Marc Marquez (End of 2024)
Alex Marquez (End of 2020)

Pol Espargaro set to replace Alex Marquez.

Monster Yamaha:
Maverick Vinales (End of 2022)
Fabio Quartararo (End of 2022)

Valentino Rossi (set to join Petronas Yamaha for 2021)

Ducati Team:
Jack Miller (End of 2021, option for 2022)
Andrea Dovizioso (End of 2020)

Danilo Petrucci (moving to Tech3 KTM for 2021)

Suzuki:
Alex Rins (End of 2022)
Joan Mir (End of 2022)

Red Bull KTM:
Miguel Oliveira (End of 2021)
Brad Binder (End of 2021)

Pol Espargaro (set to join Repsol Honda)

Aprilia Gresini:
Aleix Espargaro (End of 2022)
Andrea Iannone (End of 2020)

Tech3 KTM:
Danilo Petrucci (KTM contract, end of 2021)
Iker Lecuona (KTM contract, end of 2021)

LCR Honda:
Cal Crutchlow (HRC contract, end of 2020)
Takaaki Nakagami (HRC contract, end of 2020)

Alex Marquez tipped to move from Repsol to LCR.

Pramac Ducati:
Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati contract, end of 2020)
TBA (Jorge Martin strongly rumoured)

Jack Miller (moving to the official Ducati team in 2021)

Avintia Racing
Johann Zarco (Ducati contract, end of 2020)
Tito Rabat (End of 2021)

Petronas Yamaha Sepang Team:
Franco Morbidelli (End of 2020)
TBA - (reserved for Valentino Rossi)

Fabio Quartararo (joining Monster Yamaha in 2021)

Not good news for Dovizioso fans:

https://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/ ... e/4813398/

That's a weird situation with Alex Marquez then... I know it's a cliché but from what I've seen in the lower classes he's good, but he's not Marc. The Ralf to Marc's Michael if you will, but still a strange situation to have a different driver lined up for next year before Alex has even turned a wheel in anger.

Dolomite it is, but it is has been foisted on the teams due to the weirdo situation we are in with the Coronavirus. I think their position is that C-19 didn't give them the ability to evaluate Marquez Jr. long-term, and the ability to sign Pol Espargaro, who by all accounts has been riding fantastically on the KTM, was too hard to pass up in this window. Additionally, Lorenzo's shock retirement at the end of 2019 put HRC in a bad position, and coupled with Marc Marquez being up for contract, many state that to help placate him (along with 20 million over 4 years!), Alex was signed on as well. So, Alex got the one-year deal for 2020 and they had hoped to see what his mettle was this year. Then, C-19 hit, and no racing. By about 5-6 races in, it would have been decided based on results to extend him with HRC, or place him with LCR Honda, as Cal Crutchlow had indicated a few times that his intentions were likely to retire after the 2020 season.....which now brings about a bit more confusion, as since there has been no racing, Crutchlow has walked back the retirement comments and has indicated he'd like to continue if he can be pain-free, which the break this year due to C-19 has given him. However, it appears the decision has been made that Crutchlow is out, and Alex Marquez will be taking his seat on a full factory Honda. Which is what Crutchlow has been riding, and it a very good package. Not quite the technical support that he'd get at Repsol, but an A-spec bike.

A lot of people seem to think it is harsh to demote Alex Marquez to LCR Honda, but given the circumstances and the Espargaro being at his peak, it doesn't seem that harsh to me, looks like a good gamble. Nobody knows how well Alex is going to do, and they are not wanting another situation where their 2nd rider is languishing mid-pack, or even near the rear, like Lorenzo did. Espargaro, on paper, seems to have the aggressive riding style needed to tame the Honda (the KTM is very similar---very physical) so I think the braintrust in Japan jumped on the ability to get him. And HRC can write checks like nobody's business, as if anyone needed further motivation to land with the team that everyone wants to ride for. So, Espargaro to Repsol Honda is a salivating prospect, to say nothing about the potential head to head matchup v. MM....again.

Being a Crutchlow fan, I do feel pain that it looks like he is being squeezed out, but that is the nature of the beast, and he's had a very good run on good machinery in his career in MotoGP. In fact, he may still get a shot to continue with Aprilia if Andrea Iannone's career is halted by the 4 year sentence they want to give him for doping. Although I'd hate to see Crutchlow making up the back of the grid on that bike, and he does not seem the type to stay on just to stay on. That's a different story for another thread, though.

The races we are going to see this year will be fascinating with Alex Marquez, and we'll see how he responds to being thrown in the deep end. A great story line to watch for this shortened season.

Lorenzo back to Ducati rumors for '21 are not only gaining steam, they appear to be confirmed....

https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/93900 ... e-underway

https://www.gpone.com/en/2020/07/06/mot ... eturn.html

https://the-race.com/motogp/rossi-has-s ... in-motogp/

Looks like Rossi will be announcing a 2 year extension with Petronas at the opening race in Jerez.....

Great action but as one hand gives the other takes away

Rins broken shoulder out of championship contention
Marquez broken arm out of championship contention
Rossi uncompetitive

Will be nice to see someone other than Marquez winning and will get some great racing but will be a hollow championship whoever wins

MM is in a different league to anyone else, should have settled for the podium though. MM would have easily won the title this year but now he has no chance, Honda are going to be very worried.

Anyone know if ANY channel other than BT Sport is showing MotoGP in the UK this year? Even as delayed highlights as we've had previously?

Quest have highlights 6pm Mondays

Marquez getting operated on today. Dr Mir says could possibly be back by Brno!

Could have some very bizarre races later in the year. Rins, Marquez and Crutchlow coming back with nothing at all to lose racing against fabio, Vinales and Dovi in a title fight

Marquez has been declared fit to race in Jerez this weekend, and is planning to ride on saturday to see if his arm can withstand the pressure and fatigue of racing, obviously with the idea to minimize points loss.

This will truly be impressive if he can ride around the injury to place in the points. We all know at this juncture, at least at this track, he is embarrassing everyone with his speed. That comeback before crash number two was pure Nintendo, just unreal to watch. He would have got Maverick if not for the mistake of going on the white line.

At any rate, this second race in Jerez will be even more interesting that the first! What a weekend we have in front of us.

https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/94025 ... k-saturday

Watch the alien pull out a win at the weekend, the guy is unreal.

Cold Gin wrote:Marquez has been declared fit to race in Jerez this weekend, and is planning to ride on saturday to see if his arm can withstand the pressure and fatigue of racing, obviously with the idea to minimize points loss.

This will truly be impressive if he can ride around the injury to place in the points. We all know at this juncture, at least at this track, he is embarrassing everyone with his speed. That comeback before crash number two was pure Nintendo, just unreal to watch. He would have got Maverick if not for the mistake of going on the white line.

At any rate, this second race in Jerez will be even more interesting that the first! What a weekend we have in front of us.

https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/94025 ... k-saturday

Do the FIM have the final word on whether an injured driver is allowed to compete or not? I remember Prof. Watkins testing a returning F1 driver.

Fiki wrote:

Cold Gin wrote:Marquez has been declared fit to race in Jerez this weekend, and is planning to ride on saturday to see if his arm can withstand the pressure and fatigue of racing, obviously with the idea to minimize points loss.

This will truly be impressive if he can ride around the injury to place in the points. We all know at this juncture, at least at this track, he is embarrassing everyone with his speed. That comeback before crash number two was pure Nintendo, just unreal to watch. He would have got Maverick if not for the mistake of going on the white line.

At any rate, this second race in Jerez will be even more interesting that the first! What a weekend we have in front of us.

https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/94025 ... k-saturday

Do the FIM have the final word on whether an injured driver is allowed to compete or not? I remember Prof. Watkins testing a returning F1 driver.

It's quite normal for riders to compete when they're injured.

Passing a medical and being race fit are completely different. Wouldn't surprise me if he was competitive

Rins and Crutchlow were slowest and second slowest today but weren't a million miles away

pokerman wrote:

Fiki wrote:

Cold Gin wrote:Marquez has been declared fit to race in Jerez this weekend, and is planning to ride on saturday to see if his arm can withstand the pressure and fatigue of racing, obviously with the idea to minimize points loss.

This will truly be impressive if he can ride around the injury to place in the points. We all know at this juncture, at least at this track, he is embarrassing everyone with his speed. That comeback before crash number two was pure Nintendo, just unreal to watch. He would have got Maverick if not for the mistake of going on the white line.

At any rate, this second race in Jerez will be even more interesting that the first! What a weekend we have in front of us.

https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/94025 ... k-saturday

Do the FIM have the final word on whether an injured driver is allowed to compete or not? I remember Prof. Watkins testing a returning F1 driver.

It's quite normal for riders to compete when they're injured.

I know, and I also know that F1 drivers can drive with injuries. I saw Senna injure his wrist at the chicane in Monaco, and he won the race with a brace. But I also remember Prof. Watkins testing drivers.
Whether Dr. Costa did something similar, however, is something I never heard about. But perhaps his role was also different to that of Prof. Watkins.

Just caught up with Andalucia race. First thing to mind is that much as I watch love watching Marquez, I have to say his absence didn't lessen my enjoyment of the the race. Quatararo looked seriously impressive up front, Bagnaia seized his moment (and others will come if he keeps riding like that), and the Rossi/Vinales scrap was tense.
Names like Lorenzo and Dovi almost in the past.

DOLOMITE wrote:Just caught up with Andalucia race. First thing to mind is that much as I watch love watching Marquez, I have to say his absence didn't lessen my enjoyment of the the race. Quatararo looked seriously impressive up front, Bagnaia seized his moment (and others will come if he keeps riding like that), and the Rossi/Vinales scrap was tense.
Names like Lorenzo and Dovi almost in the past.

I'm not sure if Dovi is riding injured?

Bagnaia and Mordidelli both unlucky with engine failures otherwise they would have finished on the podium.

DOLOMITE wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 28, 2020 9:20 am

Just caught up with Andalucia race. First thing to mind is that much as I watch love watching Marquez, I have to say his absence didn't lessen my enjoyment of the the race. Quatararo looked seriously impressive up front, Bagnaia seized his moment (and others will come if he keeps riding like that), and the Rossi/Vinales scrap was tense.
Names like Lorenzo and Dovi almost in the past.

With Marquez having 2nd operation (shame for that) and out another race, however we should have another great weekend fight.

A very dangerous crash in MotoGP, I know it will be viewed as a racing incident but I've always considered Zarco to be a dangerous rider, Morbidelli got hurt, how close were Vinales and Rossi to being hit by flying bikes.

The track produces great races but is dangerous for bikes, that corner is a shocker.

Cant belive how close some of the barriers are as well, reminds of the straight at Mugello where they go into a braking zone at 200mph+ with only about 2metres of run off before the wall

Another great race. Think Rins would have won easily if he hadn't crashed.

Marquez could easily come back at Misano next month and be a major threat for the title!

Zazu wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 16, 2020 2:29 pm

The track produces great races but is dangerous for bikes, that corner is a shocker.

Cant belive how close some of the barriers are as well, reminds of the straight at Mugello where they go into a braking zone at 200mph+ with only about 2metres of run off before the wall

Another great race. Think Rins would have won easily if he hadn't crashed.

Marquez could easily come back at Misano next month and be a major threat for the title!

If Marquez can't make up the difference then I see Dovi taking the title, none of the younger riders look ready to step up to the plate and Rossi is now too old.

pokerman wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 16, 2020 12:19 pm

A very dangerous crash in MotoGP, I know it will be viewed as a racing incident but I've always considered Zarco to be a dangerous rider, Morbidelli got hurt, how close were Vinales and Rossi to being hit by flying bikes.

I don't know about Vinales, without watching it again, but I think Rossi knew this could have been his final race.

Fiki wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 16, 2020 4:35 pm

pokerman wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 16, 2020 12:19 pm

A very dangerous crash in MotoGP, I know it will be viewed as a racing incident but I've always considered Zarco to be a dangerous rider, Morbidelli got hurt, how close were Vinales and Rossi to being hit by flying bikes.

I don't know about Vinales, without watching it again, but I think Rossi knew this could have been his final race.

One bike flew over the top of Vinales' head.

Fiki wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 16, 2020 4:35 pm

pokerman wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 16, 2020 12:19 pm

A very dangerous crash in MotoGP, I know it will be viewed as a racing incident but I've always considered Zarco to be a dangerous rider, Morbidelli got hurt, how close were Vinales and Rossi to being hit by flying bikes.

I don't know about Vinales, without watching it again, but I think Rossi knew this could have been his final race.

Valentino looked quite shaken when he got back to the pits during the red flag. That flying bike was only inches from hitting him.

The Moto2 crash was worse in some ways - maybe not the absolute speed but a rider on track and another rider hitting the bike at full speed. Much as we do all watch motor racing in part for the accidents these two incidents were sickening to watch as for a few moments you have no idea if you have just watched a life being lost.

Blimey, Moto 2 stewards don't mess about. Winner relegated to second for going a fraction off the track on the final lap. They had reversed the result before they'd finished the slowing down lap!

It's a rule changed this year for the final lap, I actually highlighted this last year in a Moto3 race were a chasing rider went wide on a corner which gave him more momentum in order to outbrake the leader going into the final corner and he won the race, I said he should have been penalised and given the place back.

pokerman wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 16, 2020 10:25 pm

Fiki wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 16, 2020 4:35 pm

pokerman wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 16, 2020 12:19 pm

A very dangerous crash in MotoGP, I know it will be viewed as a racing incident but I've always considered Zarco to be a dangerous rider, Morbidelli got hurt, how close were Vinales and Rossi to being hit by flying bikes.

I don't know about Vinales, without watching it again, but I think Rossi knew this could have been his final race.

One bike flew over the top of Vinales' head.

Not long caught up with the second weekend. Poor Vinales follows up that close call with brake failure. That was some bail-out.

Vinales knew he had brake fault laps earlier but continued. Could sort of understand why he continued if he was fighting near the front but minor/no points whilst putting his and others lives at risk is madness

Zazu wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 30, 2020 5:20 pm

Vinales knew he had brake fault laps earlier but continued. Could sort of understand why he continued if he was fighting near the front but minor/no points whilst putting his and others lives at risk is madness

I think it's fair to say that you need a screw loose to race motor bikes.