8 minutes ago, camelspyyder said:

 

I think over the winter testing all 3 tried the 2016 (tech3 in effect), 2017 (last years poor works bike) and 2018 chassis. I remember Zarco actually liked the 2017 bike more than the other 2 did, he couldn't see what the problem was. I don't know if he did a race distance on it - the problem seemed to be lack of grip in the second half of the races. I think the 2018 bike ended up being based on the '16 one.

 

 

 

And even worse when there is damp conditions.  Too much front wheel weight maybe and not enough rear weight when rear tyre starts to lose grip.  More adjustable wheel base or swinging arm and helping the rider move their weight to help perhaps.

Olivera has signed for Tech3 KTM next year. Bradley unlikely to be there.

Cal on pole position 

To get points one has to finish. 

Carnage for 3 of the top rides allowing Rossi and Vinales to pick up good points but already looking like MM's season to loose, as long as he does not seriously injury himself on his frequent free practice crashes. 

Edited 7 May, 20188 yr by lol-lol

Looks like the season is over already with the usual Marquez walk to the title . The guy a ridiculous talent but FFS guys give him some bloody competition and stay on the sodding bikes. You'd hope Cal would get the factory Honda ride but would you take him on if you were Honda top brass? He chucks it down the road far too often. 

Ouch, "only" a dislocated shoulder thankfully..... 

 

 

Ouch indeed!

Edited 2 June, 20188 yr by tweenster

Lorenzo wins on Duke shocker!

Pedrosa out of 2019 HRC ride!

 

Who will they hire?

Well well, join up the previous 2 posts and you get:

 

https://www.autosport.com/motogp/news/136533/honda-opens-talks-with-lorenzo-for-2019

**** that was quick:

 

https://www.autosport.com/motogp/news/136537/lorenzo-agrees-twoyear-deal-with-honda

So Ducati, how do you feel right now having pushed Jorge out? 

 

Do you hope he doesn't keep on winning and close down Marquez Championship lead?

2 hours ago, camelspyyder said:

So Ducati, how do you feel right now having pushed Jorge out? 

 

Do you hope he doesn't keep on winning and close down Marquez Championship lead?

 

But Dovi having trouble staying upright !

 

Rossi doing very well.

 

Moto3 was great. John McPhee nearly getting a podium on the KTM.

Marquez first Assen pole? 

Lorenzo not too happy with 10th, but the gang Cal used to call the Caravan Club got tows around Assen and picked up a few 10ths to push him down to row 4.

Assen. Cathedral of speed. That was the best MotoGP I've seen there for years. As good as the epic 2010 SBK races that I've never forgotten.

Circuit has been butchered though from the days of Fogarty thundering round it back in the 90's

 

Edited 13 July, 20187 yr by hatchy

Very true, but after turn 3 its still the same mad fast blast all the way to the chicane, and there have been some awesome races on the new layout. 

 

Meanwhile Ducati 1,2,4 in practice FP2 at Sachsenring.

One half-decent result and Batistuta thinks he should get a new deal:

 

https://www.autosport.com/motogp/news/137499/bautista-i-cant-do-any-more-to-stay-in-motogp

 

I hadn't even noticed he was still on he grid this year!

 

With less bikes next season I'd say he has little chance.

Morbidelli and Quantararo to ride satellite Yams next year. Luhti back to moto2.

Finally Yamaha got someone good in to sort out the electronic and it is showing in the Qualifying at Silverstone.

 

Also those tracks are now behind us with the big changes in elevation that favour the lighter riders, not that Dani P seems bothered any more sadly.

 

 

 

Are Ducati regretting pushing Jorge out yet?  Now he's finally got the bike how he wants it, he's up the front every week.

Fiasco yesterday with concave Silverstone holding water.

 

Rabat has 3 breaks in one leg and take to Convetry specialist hospital.

 

Rims bailing at 160 kph rather than plough in to lake of water several cms deep............

 

 

Edited 26 August, 20187 yr by lol-lol

Races abandoned.

 

Shame on Silverstone for having the track resurfaced and a dangerous track profile produced which does not drain safely.  Not good for British competency flag waving.  Happened to Sepang a few year back so should have learned the lessons.  No excuse for such profile errors which road engineers have to consider just like race tracks.  Blaming not dry summer a cop out.  

Mend quickly Rabat.

1 hour ago, lol-lol said:

Races abandoned.

 

Shame on Silverstone for having the track resurfaced and a dangerous track profile produced which does not drain safely.  Not good for British competency flag waving.  Happened to Sepang a few year back so should have learned the lessons.  No excuse for such profile errors which road engineers have to consider just like race tracks.  Blaming not dry summer a cop out.  

Mend quickly Rabat.

 

Bad management of the circuit is partially to blame, but also Dorna for giving the contract in the first place to the non-existent Circuit of Wales (who then had to sub-contract).

 

Donington Park is the best mainland circuit for MotoGP IMHO, much as I'd like to see them at any of MSV's 4 tracks. 

18 hours ago, camelspyyder said:

 

Bad management of the circuit is partially to blame, but also Dorna for giving the contract in the first place to the non-existent Circuit of Wales (who then had to sub-contract).

 

Donington Park is the best mainland circuit for MotoGP IMHO, much as I'd like to see them at any of MSV's 4 tracks. 

 

Donnington is a bit of short lap for my liking, can be bloody cold up there too.

 

Maybe a race track by Exeter Airport might be better, better weather, rainfall not too bad and lots of visitors around anyways this time of year.  

 

Even Brands would be better perhaps.  

 

All very sad and not great for UK PLC, supposedly the home of motor-racing, though France and Germany might argue that.