2012 MOTOGP discussion thread

[MK2*GTI*GUY]

Yah, great to see Pedrosa fighting back against Jorge. This could be Dani's best chance of getting a title, and he sure is showing that he wants it. I want to see it go down to Valencia.

I'm not a Stoner fan, but I am a race fan. Its always a bummer to see riders hurt. Hopefully he can come back soon and get some more races in before the end of the year. I know he wants to be back for his home race for sure. You know with him at brno, and not broken, he would of made a challenge for the win as well. But a good chance for Johnny Rea to get on a MotoGp bike today, and again in an Aragon Test to fill in for Casey. As of right now he is 3.800 down on Jorge in the test, but improving every lap. Say the tires are a lot different, and harder compound than the WSBK Pirelli's.



More bad luck for Spies. Clutch was slipping for the first 3 laps, then he said he was pushing as hard as possible since he had so much ground to make up. The Yamaha technicians said he didnt do anything different to make the clutch slip that the data shows.



Recent rumors.

Spies in talks with Gresini ( Not a secret ), and Ducati ( latest rumor )

Redding in talks with Gresini

[Silly_me]

Am I the only one really digging the epic frame rate slow-mo shots, especially from this race

More bad luck for Spies.

No kidding, I have really liked him and his style of riding since the AMA days when he was the only challange to Mladin. It really sucks to see him have such a lousy ride with Yamaha, however I do hope he stays with MotoGP, I think he has what it takes, however he's been lamenting a bit in the same vein as Stoner: http://cyclenews.coverleaf.com/cyclenews/20120821#pg31

[MK2*GTI*GUY]

No kidding, I have really liked him and his style of riding since the AMA days when he was the only challange to Mladin. It really sucks to see him have such a lousy ride with Yamaha, however I do hope he stays with MotoGP, I think he has what it takes, however he's been lamenting a bit in the same vein as Stoner: http://cyclenews.coverleaf.com/cyclenews/20120821#pg31

Apparently Dorna wants him to stay, because him being a texan could help them with ticket sales for the Austin GP. And it seems like he has some options, lets see how much Carmello can influence him, or a team to take him. One thing I didnt know until I read that article, is that he has silly tattoo's around his nipples.



Rumor of the day:

Dovi and Ducati in talks with Stoners crew to go back to Ducati next year with Dovi.

[SlowMotion]

MotoGp fan for the last 6 years here and this season lost a lot with Stoner decision to retire.
A 3 riders race for the championship would have been awesome!
I'm a fan of Lorenzo and boy this guy is one talented sob. He has battled for 2 years now with the Honda bikes which are way faster than the Yamaha. Those that saw the last race, the moment when Pedrosa was given the green light to pass Lorenzo
I also follow WSBK and it's been a great year too with lots of good racing! I feel good for Tom Sykes and the Kawasaki effort, I'm sure once they sort out the tire issues the front row will be more interesting
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk 2

[Accidental L8 apex]

As soon as there's no Colin, Hayden and/or Ben, I'm probably retiring from being a MotoGP fan as well. The behind-the-scenes crap is making the racing plain boring. They want another Moto2 and I haven't been able to watch a whole race I wasn't attending yet. If it weren't for Lorenzo, both classes would be the Repsol show. Which is fine with Dorna since they erased the Ben Spies, I mean rookie rule. Dorna has near zero interest in the U.S. or cultivating its riders like they do the Italians and Spanish riders. Nor do they seem to hook up U.S. riders with rides like they do for Cal and Ellison.

[MK2*GTI*GUY]

They have to do somehing to get the racing a little closer. Maybe not as strict as Moto2 ( which has some of the closest racing ), but the spec ECU could be what they need. I'd love to see 20+ prototype bikes out there. Maybe they can make it work by getting another manufacturer or two in there to have another factory team, with some satellite support. BMW and Aprilia?


As far as the rookie Rule goes. You have to remember that none of the Satellite teams wanted Marquez. For most riders the rookie rule works, to help bring sponsorship to the lower teams. But Fausto couldnt afford to dump San Carlo for a year, hoping to get them, or someone else back in 2014, and LCR would of had to do the same.


And as I said in my last post. Dorna does want Americans, especially with 2 races in the states currently. Besides the 3 Americans already in there, who else would you suggest? Only person that comes to mind for me is Josh Hayes. Multiple AMA championships, going for another, and has ridden the Tech 3 bike, and got on well. But as far as a younger rider, maybe Josh Herrin, who has done much better than expected in his rookie year in AMA SBK.

But Cal doing well is great for Dorna. 12 years since a Brit has been on the podium, and something like 25 since one has won a race. And the UK is one of the biggest markets for MotoGp, and they only have one rider, soon to be two. James Toseland had too many injuries, and didnt quite have the pace a few years back.





Latest news:

Valentino did test both a new chassis, and swing arm @ Misano over the last couple of days. So lets see if that helps out when they race there in 2 weeks. I just wonder how many more updates they will give him towards the end of the season.

Nicky is still in KY, but says the swelling went down in his hand, and he is hoping to be back for the next race.

Stoners ankle surgery was successful, but no word on when he will be able to ride.

[MK2*GTI*GUY]

Johnny Rea on track today W/ HRC in Aragon for an official test with Yamaha and Honda. Not messing with settings, but working more with learning the bike.


And Ben Spies told the media that there will be an announcement on his future this week.

[MK2*GTI*GUY]

Back to racing @ Misano this weekend.

Not much has gone on since, besides some testing. But on the little news that there is...


Nicky Hayden back w/ fractured hand. Should be good to race

Hector Barbara back this weekend too. Not sure if Elias will be around just in case.

Ianonne tested, and went decent on a Gp12 last week. Now just a matter of time til' he is announced to be on the Ducati factories "Satellite" team for next year.

No news on Spies yet, but last week a lot of talks that he will be on a Ducati.

[MK2*GTI*GUY]

Ianonne and Spies announcement this morning to Pramac Ducati on full factory bikes.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2012/D...m+announcement

[U n i o n 0015]

Going to be very interesting to see how Spies and Dovi adapt to the Ducati. It's a terrible bike currently that has to be driven from the rear. Guys like Stoner and Hayden can do that, but most of the other guys need a front with clear feedback.

These guys are putting a lot of faith in Audi/Ducati to deliver a good bike in the next couple of years.

[Silly_me]

Guys like Stoner and Hayden can do that

I think the key is that they were both reared up racing on dirt, completely different skill set to those of us who've only really ridden on tarmac.

[MK2*GTI*GUY]

Spies just tweeted saying " More to come its about the passion. And Italy has that! Wait a bit more and it's gonna get a bit more exciting".


I wonder what that could mean / be ?



Edit :

Just thinking maybe Spies will try and take Stoners crew with him, that Dovi has his eyes on already.

Also some rumors floating around that Stoner could go back to Ducati as an advisor.

[MK2*GTI*GUY]

Near the Misano circuit this this weekend.

[U n i o n 0015]

Misano was filled with drama. Don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't watched, but 2nd finally had a consistent ride and the ending for 3rd/4th was great.

[Silly_me]

2nd finally had a consistent ride

bout freaking time

[MK2*GTI*GUY]

He tested a different frame and swingarm today. He will use the swingarm at the next race. Give better feeling, and drive out of corners.

Hayden tested the setup Rossi ran for the race. But didn't ride many laps.

Ianonne we scheduled to ride too. But that was cancelled.

[Knock Sensor]

Misano was filled with drama. Don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't watched, but 2nd finally had a consistent ride and the ending for 3rd/4th was great.

Great race for 3rd/4th!

[MK2*GTI*GUY]

Lot's of articles this week regarding the restart, and how poorly it was handled.


FIM reaction.
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/102639


Cardio AB's press release.
http://motomatters.com/news/2012/09/...t_blame_f.html

Hector Barbera's apology
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sp...pology-before/

[MK2*GTI*GUY]

This thread has been dead for a while. 2013 season begins today. Testing tomorrow.

Ianonne





Dovi






Rossi