Motogp is fantastic entertainment

[earthling]

Enjoyed seeing Alex Lowes pull that outside pass off and take the win in Australia.
WSBK should be excellent this year, the field has gotten deeper with talent and Bautista has to deal with 15lbs more weight.

That outside pass was sick.
Wsbk is going to be really good. Can’t wait for MotoGP to start.

 

[74Nitro]

I'm not finding it fantastic anymore. Follow the leader racing, putting me to sleep.
Maybe the new 850 engines and aero changes for 2027 will help, at least I hope so.

 

[earthling]

I'm not finding it fantastic anymore. Follow the leader racing, putting me to sleep.
Maybe the new 850 engines and aero changes for 2027 will help, at least I hope so.

The Ducatis are way too far ahead. Aprilia is getting there in handling but they lack that final step in power. KTM is always good on power but I think they lack riders who fit the current packages, (Pedro proves that an improvement in talent equals an improvement in results). As much as I enjoy watching Binder ride, he treats the bike like its a flat track machine. Honda and Yamaha are so far behind they had to reinvent the sport to get the Japanese manufacturers back into the game. Ducati is just smoking everyone in electronics and aero. I think Luca Marini took the Honda contract so he could get paid well for two years while the entire field resets on the 850 motor. The move to the 850, less aero, and no ride height devices is going to bring the rider back to the front of the pack.

I agree, its no fun watching one manufacturer just clean up on everyone else.

 

[74Nitro]

The Ducatis are way too far ahead. Aprilia is getting there in handling but they lack that final step in power. KTM is always good on power but I think they lack riders who fit the current packages, (Pedro proves that an improvement in talent equals an improvement in results). As much as I enjoy watching Binder ride, he treats the bike like its a flat track machine. Honda and Yamaha are so far behind they had to reinvent the sport to get the Japanese manufacturers back into the game. Ducati is just smoking everyone in electronics and aero. I think Luca Marini took the Honda contract so he could get paid well for two years while the entire field resets on the 850 motor. The move to the 850, less aero, and no ride height devices is going to bring the rider back to the front of the pack.

I agree, its no fun watching one manufacturer just clean up on everyone else.

The tables have certainly turned. Ducati struggled for years while Yamaha and Honda cleaned up.
I think Yamaha and Honda assumed it was the rider when the winning came to an end, and were stubborn to acknowledge the bikes needed improvement.
Moto 3 however is producing some exciting racing.

 

[earthling]

The tables have certainly turned. Ducati struggled for years while Yamaha and Honda cleaned up.
I think Yamaha and Honda assumed it was the rider when the winning came to an end, and were stubborn to acknowledge the bikes needed improvement.
Moto 3 however is producing some exciting racing.

I think all three Japanese manufacturers got caught behind the 8-ball when the other teams started very aggressive innovation programs. All three Japanese companies have a culture of gradual evolution, not radical revolution. When natural evolution was no longer competitive they lost a lot of momentum and Ducati benefited from years of tossing everything at the wall until they found a formula that worked. Moto 3 is entertaining for sure. It is telling when the two leaders in the race today got hardly any television time, even the broadcaster was bored.

 

[74Nitro]

In WSBK, Toprak is crushing the competition proving the BMW is better than the R-1. Toprak is an incredible rider and could probably do well on the Honda also. He's that good.
I think if Rea had stayed with Kawasaki I think he'd be way further ahead in points as Lowes is running very well. The Kawi seems slightly better than it was last year.
Rea should have also went to BMW.
Bautista is still running well but I'd say the extra 7kg is having the intended effect.
Iannone is incredibly full of himself and I'd be shocked if he landed a Motogp ride.

 

[earthling]

The WSBK and MotoGP bikes are very different. It will be interesting to see how Toprak could adapt, I think he would have a much better chance in 2027 on the new bikes. Having to learn a new style (motogp bikes sit very high) how to deal with aero and electronics on the current bike would put him at a disadvantage for awhile if he came over now. In 2027 we will find out who the real riders are. I agree, Rea should have went to BMW. Iannone is his own worst enemy.

 

[74Nitro]

The WSBK and MotoGP bikes are very different. It will be interesting to see how Toprak could adapt, I think he would have a much better chance in 2027 on the new bikes. Having to learn a new style (motogp bikes sit very high) how to deal with aero and electronics on the current bike would put him at a disadvantage for awhile if he came over now. In 2027 we will find out who the real riders are. I agree, Rea should have went to BMW. Iannone is his own worst enemy.

Yep. Spies struggled with too much electronics also.
Also, I hope Miller doesn't end up at Yamaha in Motogp.
He, like Iannone like to hear himself speak.
He should gracefully retire from Motogp and try WSBK for a few years. I think he'd be decent there.

 

[earthling]

Yep. Spies struggled with too much electronics also.
Also, I hope Miller doesn't end up at Yamaha in Motogp.
He, like Iannone like to hear himself speak.
He should gracefully retire from Motogp and try WSBK for a few years. I think he'd be decent there.

I think Miller has the wrong style for MotoGP. He is forced to wreck the tires to get speed out of the bike. He would do ok in WSBK but I am just not a fan of his. My wife calls him 'porn-stache'. As in 'how is porn-stache doing'. She only knows a few riders, and her opinions come from her sitting down with me to watch races. There are too many good young riders out there to keep guys like Maverick (folds in any the face of any challenge), Miller, even Binder, Zarco, and Nakagami but its all politics with each of those riders representing nations (and therefore audience). Would love to see Canet, Ogura, and a few others brought up from Moto2 alongside Aldeguer but Roberts will probably come up to fill a seat at Trackhouse and the rest are going to have to sit out until Zarco and Nakagami move on.

 

[74Nitro]

I think Miller has the wrong style for MotoGP. He is forced to wreck the tires to get speed out of the bike. He would do ok in WSBK but I am just not a fan of his. My wife calls him 'porn-stache'. As in 'how is porn-stache doing'. She only knows a few riders, and her opinions come from her sitting down with me to watch races. There are too many good young riders out there to keep guys like Maverick (folds in any the face of any challenge), Miller, even Binder, Zarco, and Nakagami but its all politics with each of those riders representing nations (and therefore audience). Would love to see Canet, Ogura, and a few others brought up from Moto2 alongside Aldeguer but Roberts will probably come up to fill a seat at Trackhouse and the rest are going to have to sit out until Zarco and Nakagami move on.

Zarco was good, but it seems once you're over 32, your time is soon up as the high speeds are demanding.
I agree Maverick needs to move on also, bring on the best from moto2 and 3.
Would have liked if Cam Beaubier had went to WSBK for a few years. He's good.

 

[earthling]

2025 will be very interesting.

With Maverick and Bestia on the same team, two very conservative but very fast riders, it will be interesting to see how they overcome the still exsiting gap in handling with the KTM (compared to duc or even aprilia). Maverick isn't going to like that bike is my prediction, his riding style is too smooth and conservative to get the most out of the ktm. Bestia will at least get the point/shoot style and if he can adapt he will likely do okay. Pedro and Binder have to ride the crap out of that bike, exploiting the braking and motor to overcome its grip issues. (which makes them hard to pass as well). When you have someone like miller who spends as much time walking back to the garage as he does it says a lot about how on edge that bike is for grip, he is a back tire rider who relies on grip and when he doesn't have it, seems to lack the feeling to squeeze more out of the bike. Binder has to flat track the thing everywhere and Pedro has just invented a different way to ride, trailbraking so deep to take advantage of the front end and nobody quite gets it.

I used to be a Morbidelli fan but he seems like he is in lala land half the time. I think the GP24 is masking the fact that he still isn't back from injury (mentally), in the same way that it makes Martin look so good. Look what happened to Miller who had the best bike and since then hasn't really adapted to the third best bike on the grid. The GP24 is clearly the best bike in almost every area except high speed edge grip. That is why Marc made the comment about having to adapt to a 'V' style of cornering where braking/acceleration/electronics/aero make the biggest difference. It will be interesting to see Martin on the second best bike on the grid (aprilia) and if he can get the most out of it. I bet he struggles in passing the ducatis even when he has the best bike/track combinations. He isn't as smooth a rider as Aleix or Maverick so it will be interesting to see how he makes out on a bike that doesn't have the grunt/braking he is used to.

With 2 fewer Ducatis on the grid next year, a more even distribution of talent, and improvements coming from every manufacturer except Honda, it will come down to who is fighting for 3rd and 4th in the title chase. Marc and Pecco will start every race with 100% chance of being the top bikes unless Ducati really screws up the GP25. The dark horse will be trackhouse if they can land another good rider. I think they should give up on Raul Fernandez who was never spectacular in Moto 2, he was on the best bike in 21 and Remy beat him every time he could stay on the bike (and won the championship). On top of which, Davide Brivio is an amazing team principle and he has already had an impact at Trackhouse/Aprilia. Both have improved since his arrival in MotoGP. I would love to see Trackhouse pickup Joan Mir for one season (probably the best of the available unsigned riders) and Joe Roberts under extended contract. I don't know if Joe has the raw talent but he seems to be doing well this year in Moto2 and an American in MogoGP will draw lots of fans.

Would love to see MotoGP pick up Toprak but his going to Honda as rumored is not going to end well in 2025/26. I don't think he is more talented than Marc, and that team is a shambles starting at the top. Not a fan of Alberto. Would love to see Remy/Cam/Toprak pulled in alongside Fabio in Yamaha. All three of them are better than Morbidelli and even though I am a fan of Alex Rins, I think all three of them are slightly better to move the team forward (contrast in riding styles to Fabio where Alex R is more like Fabio than different).

 

[74Nitro]

2025 will be very interesting.

With Maverick and Bestia on the same team, two very conservative but very fast riders, it will be interesting to see how they overcome the still exsiting gap in handling with the KTM (compared to duc or even aprilia). Maverick isn't going to like that bike is my prediction, his riding style is too smooth and conservative to get the most out of the ktm. Bestia will at least get the point/shoot style and if he can adapt he will likely do okay. Pedro and Binder have to ride the crap out of that bike, exploiting the braking and motor to overcome its grip issues. (which makes them hard to pass as well). When you have someone like miller who spends as much time walking back to the garage as he does it says a lot about how on edge that bike is for grip, he is a back tire rider who relies on grip and when he doesn't have it, seems to lack the feeling to squeeze more out of the bike. Binder has to flat track the thing everywhere and Pedro has just invented a different way to ride, trailbraking so deep to take advantage of the front end and nobody quite gets it.

I used to be a Morbidelli fan but he seems like he is in lala land half the time. I think the GP24 is masking the fact that he still isn't back from injury (mentally), in the same way that it makes Martin look so good. Look what happened to Miller who had the best bike and since then hasn't really adapted to the third best bike on the grid. The GP24 is clearly the best bike in almost every area except high speed edge grip. That is why Marc made the comment about having to adapt to a 'V' style of cornering where braking/acceleration/electronics/aero make the biggest difference. It will be interesting to see Martin on the second best bike on the grid (aprilia) and if he can get the most out of it. I bet he struggles in passing the ducatis even when he has the best bike/track combinations. He isn't as smooth a rider as Aleix or Maverick so it will be interesting to see how he makes out on a bike that doesn't have the grunt/braking he is used to.

With 2 fewer Ducatis on the grid next year, a more even distribution of talent, and improvements coming from every manufacturer except Honda, it will come down to who is fighting for 3rd and 4th in the title chase. Marc and Pecco will start every race with 100% chance of being the top bikes unless Ducati really screws up the GP25. The dark horse will be trackhouse if they can land another good rider. I think they should give up on Raul Fernandez who was never spectacular in Moto 2, he was on the best bike in 21 and Remy beat him every time he could stay on the bike (and won the championship). On top of which, Davide Brivio is an amazing team principle and he has already had an impact at Trackhouse/Aprilia. Both have improved since his arrival in MotoGP. I would love to see Trackhouse pickup Joan Mir for one season (probably the best of the available unsigned riders) and Joe Roberts under extended contract. I don't know if Joe has the raw talent but he seems to be doing well this year in Moto2 and an American in MogoGP will draw lots of fans.

Would love to see MotoGP pick up Toprak but his going to Honda as rumored is not going to end well in 2025/26. I don't think he is more talented than Marc, and that team is a shambles starting at the top. Not a fan of Alberto. Would love to see Remy/Cam/Toprak pulled in alongside Fabio in Yamaha. All three of them are better than Morbidelli and even though I am a fan of Alex Rins, I think all three of them are slightly better to move the team forward (contrast in riding styles to Fabio where Alex R is more like Fabio than different).

Good summary.
One of my favorite race finishes was when Rins pulled off the last corner pass on Marquez at Silverstone.

 

[earthling]

Good summary.
One of my favorite race finishes was when Rins pulled off the last corner pass on Marquez at Silverstone.

It was a thing of beauty and I am sure a story Rins will tell his grandkids over and over. While I am sure was looking over at the finish to see where Marc was at, it sure looked like a clear " I got you MF" moment.

And I have no idea what this was about..

 

[74Nitro]

Saw an article headline from Crash.net stating Ducati insists the mistake they made with Rossi won't happen with Marquez. Wow, they are full of themselves, I hope the competition catches up sooner than later.
While they have the best bike currently, it certainly was NOT when Rossi rode it for two years. Stoner was an amazing rider, the only one who could make it work, but not consistently. Nobody else did well on it for years and years.

 

[earthling]

Saw an article headline from Crash.net stating Ducati insists the mistake they made with Rossi won't happen with Marquez. Wow, they are full of themselves, I hope the competition catches up sooner than later.
While they have the best bike currently, it certainly was NOT when Rossi rode it for two years. Stoner was an amazing rider, the only one who could make it work, but not consistently. Nobody else did well on it for years and years.

That is why the next two years are going to be interesting. Every manufacturer has to make a decision on where the investment goes since they all have to make a new bike from the ground up for '27. With limited aero and no electronics (no ride height anyhow) it will really be a riders bike, at least for a few years. Its too bad Suzuki didn't stick around, their GP bike had amazing natural edge grip. I think the GP24 is the best overall bike on the paddock today but all of their investment has to be going into the new bike as they have the most to lose. I think this is partially why Primac is moving away from Ducati, they want to build a relationship with a manufacturer which they believe will have an advantage or at least can be competitive and escape the cost of dealing with ducati. The advantage the ducati has today is based on their engine, aero, and their ride height device/electronics, all of which change. The Aprilia has better grip and handling, the KTM has a strong engine and braking, and Yamaha may finally get back in the game. With each team split between todays bike and the future I think we will see less advancement for the GP24 while Aprilia and KTM keep slowly evolving their machines., Yamaha seems to be making improvements (small steps) but there is only so much you can do with the current engine layout. The exception is Honda of course, who can't even manage to build a swingarm. I hope they are just putting all of their R&D dollars into a new bike and the current performance isn't a reflection of their real potential... and they should fire Alberto Puig, twice.