Well even then Ben Spies had moments of brilliance but injury or 'head' problems stopped all that.  I agree it is important to have Americans in the mix as they have been so much a part of it for years and I think that is where the new series in America comes in but they seem to be struggling to make inroads for some reason.  Once upon a time it was Brits and the Americans and I recall going to the Transatlantic races at Donnington and watching some real battles.

 

I think the amount of top class American riders from the past decades (and there have been many) shows that they have the talent but I suppose it all boils down to the domestic scene being strong enough like it is in Spain to encourage youngster to become involved and raise their talent to the correct level.  At least we are having more Brits in the top series now and if you look at the World Superbikes series we are dominating it.

 

Not wanting to put any spoilers in here for those that have not managed to see the races yet but another day full of surprises and strong rides by some even if it meant they had to go for points.

Sad about Cal.

 

I have a theory that unless you grew up in the Spanish racing scene or the Italian one, you are unlikley to make it as as MotGP/Prototype rider.  If you took the percentage of those who have won MotoGPs who are Italian or Spanish it must be half I would have thought, not bad for two countries that only represent two percent of the world's population.

 

We have seen British riders one after another come from Superbikes to MotoGP and fail.  you cannot easily switch from Superbike spec to prototypes, it very rarely works (Troy Bayliss, few others have has success).

 

Of the current crop Bradley Smith, such a nice bloke too, had picture with him at the Bike Show, and perhaps Danny Kent but high hopes for Danny Kent to succeed in the next season or two.

 

Brits already dominate World Superbikes, Johnathan Rea to MotoGP?   Perhaps a swap? (Different manufacturers now of course).

 

Brits are often too stocky/big for MotoGP, would like to see a minimum all up weight like Moto3.

 

Perhaps 250 Kgs and then I can have a go, at least in veteran category.   

 

Well done Dani, good to see you recovering well.

Spiess looked a genius in WSB, but then got the poisoned chalice of the works Yam - up against Lorenzo who had just seen off the GOAT and was surely on his best ever form.

It must have been like going up against Senna or Schumacher in the same team.  Bostrom was another recent yank who disappointed and I still think Hayden got lucky with his GP title - the Doctor's Yamaha was very unreliable that year.

 

Agree there is a big difference from production-based to prototypes - even the smaller ones - near invincible WSS man Keenan Sofuoglu made no impression in the prototype 600 class and went back to supersports.

Speaking of Lorenzo's form, Rossi is starting to worry according to Autosport

He has every right too as well because on form he is unstoppable as he proved the years he won.  Thing is though can he cope with Rossi if he can qualify better?  Just need Rossi to start out qualifying Lorenzo and that 'could' put a demon in his head again.  I have not read Lorenzo's Auto Biography but by all accounts he is a complex character and we have seen already this year him blaming issues with his visor, the tyre and who knows probably a full moon!

 

One thing for sure the races are better this year and that is mainly down to the Yamaha having the better of the Honda.  They will be coming up for the summer break very soon and I wonder what Honda will be doing in that to at least get them above Ducati if not Yamaha in the Constructor's Championship.

 

Roll on the weekend for Catalunya.

BOOM!

 

Suzuki qualify 1-2

Thought you might be along soon Camel.    Fantastic for Suzuki even on soft tyres.    Doubt they will be able to keep at the front for long if at all but at least they being their may give Valentino time to come through from row three.

 

It was said today that solicitors are looking at how to get rid of Melandri! 

 

Great save by Sam Lowes and if you didn't see it I feel sure it will be shown again and again.  Just wish they would get rid of that irritating Irish man who they have dragged back into the programme. 

Why do they need solicitors. He didnt want the gig in the first place and hes 2 seconds slower than Bautista.

Whats Italian for "You're fired"

Why do they need solicitors. He didnt want the gig in the first place and hes 2 seconds slower than Bautista.

Whats Italian for "You're fired"

A horses head on your pillow I think.  When Kieth Huewen and Julian Ryder were talking about it there was the question of who would replace him and Max Biaggi was mentioned but no answer given.  Can't see it myself but you never know.  Still wouldn't be competitive but he may be able to assist with set up and help Bautista who has been fast in the past on a Honda.

Amazing what a good lap time the Suzukis, and the Yamahas, did considering how much slower they are down the straights...

http://resources.motogp.com/files/results/2015/CAT/MotoGP/Q2/MaximumSpeed.pdf?v1_2b3717c6 

 

Bikes putting up some impreesive numbers compared to F1 or Le Mans cars.

 

Rider Nation Team Motorcycle Km/h G.P. MONSTER ENERGY DE CATALUNYA Results and timing service provided by 4727 m. uit de Barcelona-Catalu MotoGP Qualifying Nr. 2 Top Speed

 

26 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team HONDA 346.3 Km/ hr

29 Andrea IANNONE ITA Ducati Team DUCATI 345.7

93 Marc MARQUEZ SPA Repsol Honda Team HONDA 344.1

35 Cal CRUTCHLOW GBR CWM LCR Honda HONDA 343.6

4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA Ducati Team DUCATI 342.8

68 Yonny HERNANDEZ COL Octo Pramac Racing DUCATI 341.8

38 Bradley SMITH GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 YAMAHA 339.9

44 Pol ESPARGARO SPA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 YAMAHA 338.7

99 Jorge LORENZO SPA Movistar Yamaha MotoGP YAMAHA 336.9

46 Valentino ROSSI ITA Movistar Yamaha MotoGP YAMAHA 335.7

25 Maverick VIÑALES SPA Team SUZUKI ECSTAR SUZUKI 333.9

41 Aleix ESPARGARO SPA Team SUZUKI ECSTAR SUZUKI 332.9

If Suzuki could get to the first corner in front that would be good, but first time around to the main straight they look in some trouble.

Great result for Danny Kent.

The first genuine world class English rider in motogp since Sheen?

I haven't watched yet but well done Danny.

 

He looked really talented in year 1 on the Lambretta, but the last few years have been disappointing on works KTM/Husqvarna at Ajo motorsport.

 

Given his performances relative to team-mates in those years, there was no indication he would ever turn out so good - he's battering Efran at the moment on the same bike, and that lad's been at the top of this class for many years.

Seeing as you now know the result Camel the ride by Danny was a real indication of what an intelligent rider he is and his race craft is above and beyond all of the other riders in the leading pack who are more like axe murderers. 

 

Unless something goes drastically wrong and I know it is still early he has the Championship well tied up with two clear race wins clear of second place.  He will go up to Moto 2 I presume but I just hope he can go to a competitive ride rather than have to ride his nuts off on also ran machinery and come nowhere which was what happened the first time.

Seeing as you now know the result Camel the ride by Danny was a real indication of what an intelligent rider he is and his race craft is above and beyond all of the other riders in the leading pack who are more like axe murderers. 

 

I so love that description, , But totally agree, we may have a contender if he is handled right on his journey. Scott Redding had a moment of brain fade with Vinales, and was lucky to get away with it. Bradley is starting to put it together now, and is beginning to make Pol look a bit average now.

I so love that description, , But totally agree, we may have a contender if he is handled right on his journey. Scott Redding had a moment of brain fade with Vinales, and was lucky to get away with it. Bradley is starting to put it together now, and is beginning to make Pol look a bit average now.

 And Cal seems intent on writing his own P45. Bloody shame as he would be in a decent points/championship position if he wouldn't keep falling off. OK last one he got a bit nerfed off but at the end of the day it's yet another DNF.

Yup, didn't really expect Brad to still be beating Pol after 18 months but good on him.

If the new boy beat him he would have been out of a job but he raised his game from the start.

Go Bradley!

Yup, didn't really expect Brad to still be beating Pol after 18 months but good on him.

If the new boy beat him he would have been out of a job but he raised his game from the start.

Go Bradley!

 

He is really nice guy, took a picture of him with my lad at the Motorcycle show and you could not wish to meet a more pleasant bloke.  

 

Came up the proper way in motorcycle racing ie from a young age doing the Spanish championship on 125 two strokes I gather.

 

It does not seem to work coming from WSS or WSB, you are just not use to the prototype braking, riding, fall off a lot and eventually get shown the door.

 

Only a matter of time for Cal to go that way.  Future looks to be with Bradley and Scott.  Like Murray and his tennis, sadly you have to based in the warmer climate to do well. 

Cal had a works ride already. Not many do, and regardless of the bike being poor he's blown it now.

Only a matter of time for Cal to go that way.  Future looks to be with Bradley and Scott.  Like Murray and his tennis, sadly you have to based in the warmer climate to do well. 

I would agree with that for the next couple of years, but Danny Kent seems to have better basic race craft than Scott or Bradley. Having said that, I really like Bradley - you get what it says on the tin with him.

Bradley seems to have improved masses since Yamaha went and had a look at his set up and asked "Have you tried this?" and the answer was no.  He has far more feel on the front of the bike now and his results are showing the true talent that he is.

Cal?  Well I used to be a big fan and I think mainly because I wanted a Brit (any Brit) to do well and he had the best chance.  He has had his chances and he is a hard rider and hard as nails as his many injuries have shown but his impatience will be his undoing.  He didn't want to stay with Tech 3 because you cannot win on a satellite bike.  He went to Ducati which OK was dire but it improved and at the end he was getting good results on the old bike so had he kept his moaning gob shut and got on with the team he would have had the newer bike one would have thought and stood a good chance.  You only have to look at Iannone is doing on it now and of course Dovi who Cal could never overtake when they were team mates.  He has now moved to Honda at what would seem to be the worst possible time which is illustrated by Marquez in fine form!

 

Scott Redding is suffering twice because he is on a satellite bike an it is  a Honda!  He is another incredible rider who proved himself in Moto3 but goes to prove that Danny Kent will suffer the same fate unless a good team decides to take him on.  Scott is with a great team but they are new to Moto GP and are having to learn everything along with Scott and deal with a poor bike in comparison to the others around him.

 

Bradley should finish up top Brit this year unless something goes drastically wrong like Cal staying on his bike but alas I don't think it will yield anything else for Bradley next year in the way of a better bike.  He is with a fantastic team now and I feel sure Yamaha are helping out far more because he is helping them win the Constructors Championship this year beating Honda which is massive.

 

All we want now is for Sam Lowes to move up next year and get a decent ride and we will have a very good presence in the Blue Riband class.  Not forgetting that all the top riders in WSB are Brits as well we are doing well and just need a top team to recognise that and give one of our boys a top ride.

Worth the reminding every year as it often catches me out.......

 

Practice for Assen tomorrow,

Qualifying on Friday,

Race on Saturday,

Church on Sunday and thank the Lord for motorbikes. 

Already set up on the recorder.  Mind you not too impressed with BT charging me £5 a month so I can watch it next year.  OK it lets me watch football so what I can't abide it.

 

Assen is always a good round.  Thought about going years ago and never got around to it.  Put it on the bucket list I think.

Rossi on pole,  wow, only hist second pole in 5 years BTSport were saying.  

Now if only he can make sure Lorenzo does not bullet to the front and do his own thing, Marquez back with his old chasis could be entertaining too.

Great race, and an even greater win!

 

Fingers crossed we'll see more of this now that Marquez has his old bike back.

 

Nearly jumped off my sofa on those last corners!!