| Author | Message | ||
     Trojan |
Haydens off has been causing some comments as to the lack of airfence and how it is inexcusable that it was not there I think the fact that Nicky was travelling at around 40mph when he hit the fence shows just how far it actually was from the edge of the track and how much run off area there is at that point, so we are not taking about a dangerous Homestead, IOM or even Suzuka situation here, but a freak event that probably wouldn't be repeated again. Most riders would have bailed out a long way before getting to the fence and in dry conditions the gravel would have stopped a bike reaching that far (although the race was dry it had been raining heavily for days previously and the gravel run off was very wet). Having said that, if Nicky can hit it then somebody else could, so maybe an air fence should be considered at that point of course. Just read that the owners of MotoGP and WSB (Bridgepoint) have appointed Dorna to run both series in future. Is this the beginning of a merger or just an administrative decision I wonder? One thing is for sure now......Honda's threat to turn their back on MotoGP and concentrate on WSB if Dorna don't back down on the ECU issue looks a bit flat  They would have to deal with the same masters in both series.... Personally I hope Dorna stick to their guns and show Honda the door if necessary. Honda had years to write the rules for MotoGP and were responisble for the current situation more than anyone else. | ||
| Davegess |
Yes that ownership deal is going to be interesting. Also it looks like 3 US rounds next year. Dorna blinked on this. | ||
| Bads1 |
Still think Indy will be the one to get the boot if the Texas round works out well. | ||
| Jaimec |
Looks like it'll be more of the "Dani and Jorge Show" tomorrow. Casey isn't in any shape to challenge for the podium, it would appear. Ben, however... | ||
| Trojan |
Ben, however... The words of doom........one sighting lap and one race lap to fry his brakes and run off track? Spies will be wishing he could just skip the rest of the season! Got to feel for Crutchlow too after what looked ike a certain podium finish was cruelly plucked from his grasp because of the ridiculous MotoGP fuel limit rules. Stoner looked rusty and you have to doubt the wisdom of returning so soon. Another fall could seriously damage his leg, and he is retiring anyway, so has nothing to gain by coming back early (or at all really)! Ducati once again looked lack lustre and certainly not improved over last season, let alone this year. I think Ben, Nicky and Dovi will have a long and miserable year next season, although Iannone may surprise a few people Am I alone in wanting the rest of this season to just hurry up and finish so we can get down to the serious business of testing for next year and seeing the new riders/teams in action? But once again it was Moto3 and Moto2 that provided 90% of the entertainment, and produce two excellent races (Moto3 in particular!). Congrats to Danny Kent on his maiden win. A great way to celebrate his Moto2 contract with Tech 3 next year | ||
| Simond |
Not sure Sandro Cortese shared your sentiments ..........! I thought the Moto3 wind down lap was the most entertaining part of the weekend . | ||
| Trojan |
I see that Cortese has no apologised profuesly on Twitter at least Video replay has a way of showing you how silly you have been All he had to do was finish 3rd to virtually guarantee the title, so had no need to battle with Kent or Tonucci on the final lap, and expecting Kent to give up his win to help Cortese's crown was a bit much, expecially in this class. | ||
| Bads1 |
Matt, Doesn't he need a 3rd or better for the remaining rounds?? Thats what I took away from what was broadcasted?? Seems there is that slim chance. Just like Hayden barely took it when he did. | ||
| Trojan |
Apparently Cortese only has to finish one place behind Vinales to clinch the title (provided they both finish in the points of course). I don't think either of them will be thinking of anything other than a win in this class though. Planning to finish in the pack is a very dangerous plan in Moto3 | ||
| Trojan |
Correction to my last post........ It appears that Cortese can in fact just cruise around to take the crown in Sepang. Maverick Vinales has thrown all his toys out of the pram, and has left his team with immediate effect. He has flown home to Spain and will not take part in this or any further GP's for the Blusens team (including this one!). He cites lack of progress with updates to his FTR/Honda and accuses the team of being 'second division', which is a bit rich given the amount of support they have given him, and that they are probably one of the richest 'privater' teams in the paddock (with Moto3, Moto2 and MotoGP CRT teams). This comes only days after he had signed a 2 year deal with the BQR/Blusens team for Moto3 next year and Moto2 in 2014. Contracts these days seem pretty worthless in bike racing  Lets see who decides to sign him up next (if anyone after this outburst!) (Message edited by trojan on October 19, 2012) | ||
| Jaimec |
He just misses Paris, Matt.  | ||
| Jaimec |
Well, to NO ONE'S surprise... the rest of Vale's crew will go with him back to Yamaha: http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/racing/jeremy-burg ess-valentino-rossi-pit-crew-yamaha/ | ||
| Trojan |
It's official... Even the rain can't liven up MotoGP another procession at the 'top' level despite terrible conditions. If guessing who is going to fall off next is the only excitiment I'll leave it thanks. The track condition was appalling to say the least, with rivers running across at the end of the back straight (Where Cal and De Puniet fell of and Lorenzo saved it just before the red flag). Considering that this race is run at the height of the rainy season, at the time of day most likely to have heavy rain (in order to fit European TV schedules), they really should have adequate drainage to cope with it surely? However, moto3 and Moto2...Wow! what a weekend. Maybe they should just scrap MotoGP and put everyone on Moto2 bikes instead. Congratulations to Gino Rea for his first podium finish in Moto2. He is a very talented and underrated young rider who has battled through his first Moto2 season on very uncompetitive Showa suspension (why do Gresini constantly make it harder for themselves than it needs to be in both Moto2 and MotoGP?). I hope he managed to keep his place next year and he gets on a decent package. | ||
| Jaimec |
At least you got to see it. Speed rebroadcast the Motegi race here for some idiotic reason. | ||
| Trojan |
You need to get a feed to Eurosport coverage. They show all races + qualifying for MotoGP and WSB (and BSB) with decent commentary by people who know what they are talking about (most of the time). I tried to watch a Speed broadcast of one AMA race this year but gave up (We get Speed coverage around 3 weeks after some AMA races). It was like watching a school video project rather than professional 21st century sports broadcasting. I don't know how they get away with it these days. | ||
| Crusty |
At least you got to see it. Speed rebroadcast the Motegi race here for some idiotic reason. Speed showed the Sepang race at 3:30 PM yesterday. It was a real crashfest. Lorenzo is extremely lucky that he didn't fall down. That was the closest non-crash I've seen all season. | ||
| Jaimec |
Somehow my DVR missed it. The only thing on there was Motegi, which I KNOW I watched and deleted last weekend.  In fact, when I hit the "INFO" button it insisted I was watching the Malaysian GP, not Motegi. (Message edited by jaimec on October 22, 2012) | ||
| Davegess |
That Melaysian lad had quite the race in Moto 2. In first for a bit with some really bold passes. Finished 4th on a wild card ride in only his second Moto 2 race. | ||
| Svh |
I think Spies must have kicked a puppy or something. That side of the team couldn't buy luck if it was for sale! No Phillip Island for him having surgery instead | ||
| Bads1 |
Jaime, My DVR did the same thing. Then I fast forwarded it and then the race started. Weird its never done that before.... just a heads up if it does it again. | ||
| Jaimec |
Svh: Yeah, huh? It's like all the bad luck he avoided in his entire career has decided to jump on him THIS year! Geeeeeeez... | ||
| Trojan |
Finished 4th on a wild card ride in only his second Moto 2 race. Not strictly true. He races regularly in the Spanish CEV Moto2 series apparently, so knows the bike and certainly knows the track. having said that, all props to him for a ballsy and impressive ride. he should get a regular ride next year based on that performance. So Ben Spies will miss the next round I think he should just miss the rest of the season now and recover what is left of his health and get his head together for next year. He should have been in a position to support Lorenzo in his title challenge but just hasn't been fast enough to play any part in the lead group, so wouldn't play much part in the run up to the championship decider in Spain even if fully fit. He should just sit it out until teh season finishes now. Why Yamaha can't find a replacement for him is questionable though, as they have test riders in Japan that could be on a plane in 10 minutes. Not to mention other riders (WSB) whose season has finished already that could fill in on a one off ride. Alternatively, why not promote Dovi to the factory team for Philip Island at least? he is the guy in the best position to try and protect Lorenzo surely? | ||
| Trojan |
More on the Spies situation.....A lot of the reports are saying that he won't return at all this season after all, which is pretty much what I expected all along. However, if he misses the last race at Valencia he must also miss his first test of the Ducati (which could be a good thing really!), which takes place the day after the last race of the year. He can hardly ride in the test if he is unfit for the race can he? Yamaha should now immediately promote Dovi (or maybe Cal, seeing as he stays at yamaha next year) to the factory team for the last two races and let Bradley Smith have a run out on the Tech 3 bike just for the experience ready for next season. At least it could help out Jorge and maybe improve Cals final position in the championship too | ||
| Jaimec |
Dovi is leaving Yamaha at the end of the season... why would they want to reward him for defecting? Promote Cal to the factory seat, and let Josh Hayes wild card again. He certainly proved his credentials last year. | ||
| Jaimec |
I may not agree with everything in this article... but it is thought-provoking: http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/739/14609/Motorcycle -Article/STM--MotoGP--Without-the-Emotion.aspx | ||
| Trojan |
and let Josh Hayes wild card again. He certainly proved his credentials last year Yamaha have little to gain by letting Josh Hayes or any other rider without an immediate prospect of a contract in MotoGP have the ride for the last two races, and it makes no sense sending a rider who does not know the tracks to Philip Island or Valencia to try and protect Lorenzo. They would be much better served by giving Bradley Smith an early test on the Tech 3 M1 that he will be riding next year. He can't win the Moto2 title so has nothing to lose by moving up two races early in the same team. All it needs is for somebody at Yamaha to have the balls to make the decision to officially replace Spies with either Dovi or Cal for the last two races......but I don't think anyone will be brave enough to do that. I agree that Cal would be the more logical choice for Yamaha seeing as Dovi is leaving next year, although Dovi may have more success in riding shotgun for Lorenzo in the last two races given his form so far this year. he could also still conceivably take 3rd place in the series from Stoner. There is zero liklihood that putting Cal/Dovi into the team would spoil Lorenzos chances, but every liklihood that failing to do so would seriously hinder his championship hopes. I can't believe that somebody at Yamaha hasn't figured this out. | ||
| Bads1 |
Rossi Slams MotoGP. http://sports.ndtv.com/othersports/othersports/ite m/198292-valentino-rossi-slams-motogp-says-it-is-b oring | ||
| Bads1 |
Stoner may be back. Do ya think Doohan is correct?? http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8552758 | ||
| Trojan |
not a chance. Doohan has no evidence to suggest that Stoner would consider a comeback so it is just opinion. | ||
| Bads1 |
I'd say that they have talked many times and Mick must of gotten something from him that suggests otherwise or none of this in this interview may not of been said. My thoughts??? Who knows it could happen. Maybe it would take some change in the sport in how its ran for that to happen. |
