MotoGP Discussion (SPOILERS!)

[gixxer72]

Attachment 59148

I love Puigs quote “it was impossible for Marc to avoid the crash”.

At least he’ll miss the next round.

[tls25rs]

I love Puigs quote “it was impossible for Marc to avoid the crash”.

At least he’ll miss the next round.

I did see a quote attributed to Marc that the front locked when he got on the brakes and everything after that happened because the front locked.

I'm not on either side of the discussion around this crash, never really been a Marquez fan because of traits of his coming through the ranks and even now, but no horse in this race per se. It does suck that he took two other riders with him from being overly optimistic on his entry speed and crashing because of it though.

On one side riders are praised when they ride the edge and send it up the inside of someone entering a corner and make a successful pass. On the other side, which in a lot of cases isn't all that far off, they are villainized for trying to make the pass, losing the front and taking them and the rider beside them down. Can't have it both ways, this guy is a hero, he took the chance and it worked, this guy is an idiot, he took the chance and crashed. Professional racers riding on the edge will occasionally go over the edge. Marquez seems to go over the edge and crash more than others but is that because he tries more frequently and therefore statistically he will lose out more frequently? Some might say that is the difference between a multi time champion and an also ran.

[tsorfas]

I barely watched any GP last year. Zero Moto 2/3.
I only saw the race this Sunday. Very entertaining.
I can’t decide how I feel about MM crash. Most of us are/were racers and understand Shit happens. On the other hand when you have a record like MM there’s a fine line between being reckless and just a racing incident.
Racing seems far more enterprising without him absolutely dominating everything but I also sort of wish we could have seen a MM without injuries the last couple of year and see what kind of records he would have set.
Definitely a good start to the season for entertainment.

[jimmycapp]

I did see a quote attributed to Marc that the front locked when he got on the brakes and everything after that happened because the front locked.

I just watched it last night. Looked like he locked the front twice before the crash. Not sure what was going on.

[Paul_E_D]

I did see a quote attributed to Marc that the front locked when he got on the brakes and everything after that happened because the front locked.

I'm not on either side of the discussion around this crash, never really been a Marquez fan because of traits of his coming through the ranks and even now, but no horse in this race per se. It does suck that he took two other riders with him from being overly optimistic on his entry speed and crashing because of it though.

On one side riders are praised when they ride the edge and send it up the inside of someone entering a corner and make a successful pass. On the other side, which in a lot of cases isn't all that far off, they are villainized for trying to make the pass, losing the front and taking them and the rider beside them down. Can't have it both ways, this guy is a hero, he took the chance and it worked, this guy is an idiot, he took the chance and crashed. Professional racers riding on the edge will occasionally go over the edge. Marquez seems to go over the edge and crash more than others but is that because he tries more frequently and therefore statistically he will lose out more frequently? Some might say that is the difference between a multi time champion and an also ran.

This is it in a nutshell. Well stated. I'm ambivalent on this incident, but starting to lean towards Marc is taking too many chances and should be sanctioned.

[OreoGaborio]

There are riders who push the limits of themselves & their machinery..... and then there's Marc Marquez.

Chicken & The Egg and I think Joel's last two sentences summed it up perfectly. He's probably the most exciting rider to watch on the grid. He takes more chances than anyone, but I also think those chances pay off more than anyone.

I think Pecco's Turn 15 front end save in qualifying (?) was the only time I've seen anyone come close to reaching that "Marquez save" level of excitement

[MUZ720]

I think Pecco's Turn 15 front end save in qualifying (?) was the only time I've seen anyone come close to reaching that "Marquez save" level of excitement

That was a great save, he slid that machine for a while on his leg and that corners fast, that was no 2nd gear save very sweet.
As far as MM well you got to penalize him for that and make it hurt. He bumps into someone almost every race it seems.
The roller ball stuff has to stop.

[OreoGaborio]

Oh yeah I'm DEFINITELY fine w/ a next race penalty for that, no doubt.

What's the final decision on that, anyway? Is Dorna sticking w/ the rule book & applying the penalty to the next race and the next race only (and since he's out with a broken thumb he "won't serve" it)? Or is Dorna giving in to social media pressure and making him serve it when he DOES come back from the thumb injury?

[Paul_E_D]

He will serve the penalty in Texas AFAIK

[union]

He will serve the penalty in Texas AFAIK

Ya or what ever race he is in next. Thats pretty standard practice now. Vietti had to serve a double long lap carried over from last season.

[jim v]

Some fun numbers from Portimao -

Bagnaia's winning time was 14+ seconds faster than Fabio's winning time last year. The top 10 finishers were all inside last year's winning time. Fabio won last year, was 6sec faster this year and finished in 8th

Fabio set the best race lap last year, 15 riders set a faster race lap this year, Aleix the best at 0.6sec faster

MM93 lowered the all time lap record (set in 2021 by Bagnaia) by 1.5s. 19 of the 20 riders qualified inside the old record! Someone should double check me because that's insane

Top speeds did not increase, Vmax = 351.7kmh last year, 348.3kmh this time around

Weather may have had some slight impact - ground temp 26C last year, 36C this year.

[Paul_E_D]

remember, motor development had been locked for 2 years during COVID. This year they were able to develop the motors. seems like ride-ability went up. Top speeds may be sacrificed to greater downforce in some cases.

[MUZ720]

remember, motor development had been locked for 2 years during COVID. This year they were able to develop the motors. seems like ride-ability went up. Top speeds may be sacrificed to greater downforce in some cases.

When do they go to moveable wings? Or is that already a no no in the rules book?

[Paul_E_D]

When do they go to moveable wings? Or is that already a no no in the rules book?

That has been banned from day 1. They got around it with the ride height device. dropping the rear of the bike changes the angle of the wings

[JettaJayGLS]

Finally got around to finishing watching the weekend. My thought dump:

1) As exciting as the new format is, I feel very bad for the riders. The only time the pressure isn't on is FP3. Could make a case for FP1, but gotta throw in a banker lap in case FP2 is awray. I just don't love the idea of sprint races on this era of motoGP bikes. With all the aero, racing close has gotten pretty dangerous. But damn is it exciting!
2) You all know I am a huge Miller fan, so clearly I am PUMPED. However...I am trying to be a little realistic in that KTM has always gone well at Portimau. In any case, I am enjoying this.
3) Aleix is being surpassed. I love the dude, one of my faves. But I always had a feeling he didn't quite have the raw talent to be the best of the best. Maverick & Oliveria looked better just about all weekend.
4) Everyone made a step, but Ducati's seemed to be big enough to fend them all off. The bike looks phenomenal everywhere.
5) I am not at all shocked with Yamaha. The I4 is outdated in present day motoGP.
6) The Marquez crash...racing incident, but I think a penalty is warranted because he lost the front in the EXACT same way the lap before, just got lucky he had a clear path.
7) I still want aero limited and ride height devices removed. The front of the race was a procession. The battle for 4th was exciting, but only because Alex had the motor to continuously get back in front on the straight and slow everyone down. Maybe that is good enough, I suppose.

[Paul_E_D]

I love the new format from a fan point of view. I mean, 2 days of racing is better than 1. I think it improves on the WSBK model in that 3 races in 2 days is too much. The results don't vary enough. THAT is a lot for the teams and riders. 1 sprint, 1 endurance seems ideal to me. It also kind of takes a little importance away from the "bicycle" style racing that we were seeing.

[union]

And this sprint race format delivers again. OUTFUCKINGSTANDING!

[FirstDuc-1098]

Incredible racing from flag to flag

[OreoGaborio]

Out frikkin standing..... I just hope this format is sustainable, both for the riders & everything else that supports the show. It's definitely adding some complexity to things, that's for sure.

[loudbeard]

Sprint is fantastic.

Will be watching the race live in my shop tomorrow in Swansea. Also pulling the forks and shock out of my Multi. Ping me if you want to join…Will queue up Moto2 after the GP.

[gixxer72]

And this sprint race format delivers again. OUTFUCKINGSTANDING!

They seem to have gotten the format right! I’m definitely a believer, excellent racing.

[MUZ720]

Most intense/on the edge of your seat motorsport in the world. So cool, racing at its finest.. dragin elbows in the rain. Austin should be so good i am looking at tickets now!

[union]

I don't feel like it was the most entertaining race. Not like the sprint. I'm sure it being wet is the reason. Those guys certainly showcased their skills today. The riding was phenomenal. I can only dream of being able to do what they do.

[loudbeard]

Not sure I mentioned, I’m heading to COTA to track marshal the GP. Pretty pumped.

[Paul_E_D]

Not sure I mentioned, I’m heading to COTA to track marshal the GP. Pretty pumped.

What corner? We will be sitting at T15

I don't feel like it was the most entertaining race. Not like the sprint. I'm sure it being wet is the reason. Those guys certainly showcased their skills today. The riding was phenomenal. I can only dream of being able to do what they do.

Zarco's run took it from sleeper to pretty engaging I thought.

Most intense/on the edge of your seat motorsport in the world. So cool, racing at its finest.. dragin elbows in the rain. Austin should be so good i am looking at tickets now!

That blew my mind!