I did find it ironically amusing that Bautista criticized Marquez for an aggressive pass. How many riders has HE sidelined in his career due to boneheaded moves (usually riders on Yamaha machinery)...
Personally I appreciate a clean skillful pass much more so than bumping an opponent out of the way...it is possible to be aggressive and clean at the same time. Marquez is not.
My usual spot... the "B" Penthouse. Great view of the start finish line, and the first set of turns. Also under the shelter. The only negative is that CLIMB to get up there on race day.
Oh great. Lorenzo might have bronchitis?? Having had that myself there is no way in hell he's going to be competitive this weekend. It's all up to Vale.
But I'm betting Dovi and Iannone might also be revelations at this track on the GP15. It might be fun to see Iannone and Marquez going at it tooth and nail. We got a small taste of that last season but last year the Duc would fade before the end of the race. That doesn't seem to be a problem this year.
Stoner, didn't want a ride in motogp. he has elected to ride the suzuka race. Honda had already asked him to come back full time this year but he rejected it.
Gaesati: Not according to the stories I've seen at several sites. Stoner WANTED to sub for Dani, but HRC turned him down.
Looks like Jorge got over his bronchitis enough to make the front row (third). Vale is fourth. On the pole is Marquez (they ought to just rename that track "Circuit of Marquez") and Dovi is second. Looks like Nicky didn't make the top 20 though.
Anyone know what the story was about the delay on Friday? The commentators said that the official line was something about marshals not being in place but that they knew the real reason and weren't prepared to talk about it on air. Looking forward to the race. It's a shame that Crutchlow made a mess of his qualifying lap. Danny Kent was very impressive in Moto3 as was Sam Lowes in Moto2. I hope he manages to get to the finish. He had the most crashes in the paddock in 2014 (closely followed by Bradley Smith) and has already dropped it 5 times this year before the start of the second race. He's looking pretty secondhand at the moment.
I already assumed Marquez would win in Austin. I don't even know why they bother having the race other than to determine the other two podium positions. That kid as "pwned" that track since it opened and he had his very first tests there.
Like I said, I'm hoping for better at Indianapolis... but from what I've seen in Moto2 (where they were all on nearly identical bikes) he made everyone look foolish there too.
In a horsepower track, my only hope are the GP15s of Dovi and Iannone. On a track where handling is more important, Vale and Lorenzo have a better chance.
As much as I love Marquez, the way Rossi is riding this year, I'd love even more to see him clinch a 10th world championship.
I was actually surprised that Marc was able to pull so far ahead at CotA, but it was only after the race that I learned the Ducatis lost their extra fuel... and they both ran dry on the cool down lap.
I guess they can't pin it wide open as much now, for fear they might run out before the race is over...?
Yup, their two "Dry Podiums" in Qatar meant they now have to run the same amount of fuel as the rest of the grid (I mistakenly thought Honda and Yamaha had only 20 liters... they all are allowed 22. Aprilia and Suzuki are allowed 24 liters until they get three dry podiums as well).
Ducati still has the advantage of the soft tire (which really only helps them in qualifying) and 12 engines which they can still develop over the course of the year. Honda and Yamaha are limited to five engines, "frozen" once the season starts.
And now I'm completely confused because I just read another article that said Honda and Yamaha only use 20 liters of fuel. Does anyone know the definitive amount??
And ya gotta love Rossi and Hayes (in MotoAmerica) showing the "old guys" have still got it...
And ya gotta love Rossi and Hayes (in MotoAmerica) showing the "old guys" have still got it...
I really hope this isn't a spoiler, but I am pretty sure it is. Was hoping since this is a MOTOGP thread, I wouldn't get the results. Wishful thinking.
More proof that tracks with long straights produce crappy racing. All three races were boring, although the moto3 and motoGP races were somewhat interesting for 2nd place.
I had a friend who rarely, if ever, watches 2-wheel road racing and he made the comment about the lack of passing at the Austin MotoGP race. All I could say is..."you shoulda watched the first race in Qatar..."
Was hoping since this is a MOTOGP thread, I wouldn't get the results.
Why would you open this message base AFTER the race and expect people NOT to be talking about it?
More proof that tracks with long straights produce crappy racing.
I couldn't disagree more. Various types of tracks throughout the season show us the versatility of the riders and their machines. Such as how the world champion can outpace machines with superior horsepower, even in the long straights.
Even Valentino said he's never seen a rookie like Marquez, in any motorsport.
Love him, hate him, however you feel, Marquez, has that intangible sense. He rides 2/10ths of a second into the future.
He corrects for the uncorrectable because he see it coming before it happens. Am I nuts? Or am I right?
But so does Rossi when he gets his head in the right place. When you get in the "zone" milliseconds slow down to the point where they last long enough to analyze, and make conscious decisions and act on them.
Common with racers, pilots, and extreme athletes of all sort. You have it or you crash a lot, or just go slow.