Suzuki??

 

They haven't been competitive in SBK since Leon Haslam battled Biaggi's Aprilia for the title in 2010.

 

No Suzuki rider has bettered 10th in the Championship since and that includes some real talent.

Edited 28 February, 201610 yr by camelspyyder

Suzuki??

They haven't been competitive in SBK since Leon Haslam battled Biaggi's Aprilia for the title in 2010.

No Suzuki rider has bettered 10th in the Championship since and that includes some real talent.

 

Wondered why?

Get their e-bulletin as I still have a Suzy and I thought there was a new GSXR1000 so would be the place to showcase.

 

Expected to see Leon at Philip Island but gather from his webpage he is going to do BSB this year.

 

Even MV Augusta were at WSB, think there were Ducati and Aprillia as well as MV so as many Italian as Japanese plus BMW back. 

However...

 

Maverick fastest again at Qatar testing, so we can see where Suzuki are investing the money for 2016.

He seems to have meshed with the bike very quickly and now they have the seamless gearbox perhaps the bike will be a contender this year.  I certainly hope so.  Also it is interesting that he has blitzed his team mate as well.  I hope it will be a close interesting season without all of the stupidity of last year.  I see now they have removed the penalty points which of course had they done that earlier Rossi would have lifted the Crown.

Most of the top riders are out of contract at the end of this year, so Maverick will be hoping to get picked up by a top works outfit (no disrespect to Suzuki intended, but if he proves to be consistently fast then surely Repsol, Ducati, or even Yamaha will come calling)

I agree he will be very high on a lot of team shopping lists. Of course with all the changes with tyres and control ecu it will be a learning curve for everyone invioved and they will wait to see how all the riders adapt but he will still be on anyone's most wanted list.  As good as he is I cannot see Danny Pedrosa with Honda for another season.  Unless he wins this year!

Lorenzo pulls half a second on everyone on final test day. Scott Redding pips Maverick, Marc and Vale for second.

Edited 4 March, 201610 yr by camelspyyder

Bradley Smith starting his last season with Tech 3.  Yamaha bring on new young talent through there and this will be his 4th year.

Recorder set for the whole lot.  Guess I will be in front of the telly a bit more than usual now.  Nice to see Suzy Perry back but I wish they had got rid of the Irish man!

Just about to watch first Moto GP practice,love the evening race,bikes look superb under the lights!

Yamaha quick in FP1, Repsol not so quick yet.

Recorded a one show on BT Sport where Marquez and Rossi sounded quite sanguine on each other, no malice in their voices.

 

Either a well buried act or they have reconciled (on being told by their sponsors and the MotoGP operator)? 

Practice 2 very promising - Ducati Honda and Suzuki all quick - Yamaha concentrating on race setups allegedly

Bradley lloks like he is struggling again but he is a worker and will sort it out.  Redding looking like he has made a good move.

Ducatis hitting over 350 kph...

 

http://resources.motogp.com/files/results/2016/QAT/MotoGP/FP3/MaximumSpeed.pdf?v1_a501c214

 

Within 0.2 kph of highest speed ever.

Rossi signs to stay at Yam for 2 more years... :clap:

And looks like Lorenzo pretty upset about it!! Yamaha not renewed his contract yet.

Looking at track action without spoiler looks like we are carrying on where we left off,aggro with Rossi and Lorenzo.

For the last 15 years or so I have been a huge Rossi fan.  

 

On the outside, by their intereviews,  the riders seemed to have moved on after Rossi flicking Marquez off his bike in the penultimate race last year.

 

I had decided to support Maverick Viñales this year on the Suzuki.  Great Qatar qualifying considering engine still a few HP short. Best looking bike IMO too... 

 

Edited 19 March, 201610 yr by lol-lol

Mav is bloody quick isn't he?  

 

I mean every time they go out he's crucifying Aleix (and he was the best thing since sliced bread on a CRT just over a year ago)

Yes and apparently Honda have him at the top of their shopping list. 

 

I am a little surprised at Rossi signing if only because yesterday BT Sport showed an interview with him where he said he would see how the first few races went before he would make a descision to stay or go.  Which is exactly what he said last year and what he did.

 

I cannot see Lorenzo wanting to leave Yamaha but I also cannot see him wanting Rossi as a team mate for the next 3 years.  If Ducati do well early this year and if they offered him a good enough deal he could move across there.

Is that this chap? I took these while working at Silverstone last year (click on them to sharpen the image )

 

Silverstone MotoGP 2015 (34 of 72) by Amanda, on Flickr

 

Silverstone MotoGP 2015 (36 of 72) by Amanda, on Flickr

 

Silverstone MotoGP 2015 (35 of 72) by Amanda, on Flickr

Edited 20 March, 201610 yr by Lady Elanore

Top 12 all within a second

 

1. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 1m 54.543s [Lap 2/6] 333km/h (Top Speed) 
2. Marc Marquez ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 1m 54.634s +0.091s [4/7] 330km/h 
3. Maverick Viñales ESP Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) 1m 54.638s +0.095s [7/7] 334km/h 
4. Andrea Iannone ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP16) 1m 54.693s +0.150s [7/7] 350km/h 
5. Valentino Rossi ITA Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 1m 54.815s +0.272s [7/7] 334km/h 
6. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP16) 1m 54.963s +0.420s [6/7] 344km/h 
7. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 1m 55.078s +0.535s [3/7] 335km/h 
8. Hector Barbera ESP Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP14.2) 1m 55.165s +0.622s [4/7] 338km/h 
9. Pol Espargaro ESP Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1) 1m 55.302s +0.759s [7/7] 338km/h 
10. Cal Crutchlow GBR LCR Honda (RC213V) 1m 55.352s +0.809s [3/7] 334km/h 
11. Bradley Smith GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1) 1m 55.414s +0.871s [5/7] 333km/h 
12. Scott Redding GBR Octo Pramac Yakhnich (Desmosedici GP15) 1m 55.508s +0.965s [7/7] 337km/h 
Read more at http://www.crash.net/motogp/results/228621/1/motogp-qatar-full-qualifying-results.html#4ZwpK8UTeYGG7hjV.99

Is that this chap? I took these while working at Silverstone last year

 

Silverstone MotoGP 2015 (34 of 72) by Amanda, on Flickr

 

Silverstone MotoGP 2015 (36 of 72) by Amanda, on Flickr

 

Silverstone MotoGP 2015 (35 of 72) by Amanda, on Flickr

 

This is Mav (Maverick).  Just make out the "MVK" that is embedded in the number 25.  And he is says his favourite movie is Top Gun (of course) !

 

Vinales brilliant and getting better all the time,I made a mistake about Yamaha not renewing Lorenzo's contract,he has delayed signing and talking to Ducati!

Think it was a master stroke by Rossi to sign so quickly,he is still the biggest crowd draw even though he is 37 and not always the fastest.

Looking forward to an afternoon of excitement.

Enjoy guys.

Vinales brilliant and getting better all the time,I made a mistake about Yamaha not renewing Lorenzo's contract,he has delayed signing and talking to Ducati!

Think it was a master stroke by Rossi to sign so quickly,he is still the biggest crowd draw even though he is 37 and not always the fastest.

Looking forward to an afternoon of excitement.

Enjoy guys.