Is anyone more deserving of a Factory Honda or Yamaha than Aleix Espargaro?

[JettaJayGLS]

He can ride the balls off of a motorcycle.

[motoarch]

Cal maybe

[Paul_E_D]

The factory bikes could be in for a few surprises this year. I think the "open" bikes might have a real advantage at times. IF Dorna doesn't fuck with the rules or the software when they start threatening the factory Hondas.

[a13x]

I love these threads.

[Paul_E_D]

So share something Alex. Why do the rules seem so extreme when I read them. 12 engines instead of five seems MASSIVE for any team. Although I understand that some manufactures will only provide 5 engines anyway...

[a13x]

Why do the rules seem so extreme when I read them. 12 engines instead of five seems MASSIVE for any team.

Because ultimately a racing series isn't viable if it's controlled by the OEMs, because the OEMs are not interested in the non-factory teams winning, even if they are on Honda/Yamaha/Ducati machinery. If you are the Repsol Honda team boss do you know what you hear Monday morning if LCR Honda beats Respol Honda. "WHY THE FUCK IS IS OUR 30 MILLION EURO TEAM BEING BEAT BY A 5 MILLION EURO TEAM!!"

Therefore DORNA needed to put rules in place that gave the non-factory OEM teams SOME hope of a decent result. Goal of "Open" rules is to do that and that's why they are so far apart. The rules are stingy for the OEMs because even with 20L of fuel and 5 engines they still have massive amounts of resources (advantage) compared to the non-factory OEM teams. Rider quality (big paycheques), support staff (private chefs, doctors, logistics people), technical staff, and direct motorcycle R&D. All things the non-OEM Factory teams don't have.

All said it will still be unrealistic for a OPEN/Satellite team to win races. That's okay.. they just need to have a chance and hope at a quality result. If you don't even have a chance at a decent result then you can't attract or keep quality team sponsors. As a title sponsor, a real sponsor (not one just interested in hiding budget money or an excuse to party at races) you want your team to be in a respectable position. Even if you know you WON'T WIN that can be okay as long as you are a respected competitor and the team is hitting the other marks for you.

I could honestly type a novel on this because it's my job and the above feels a bit of a ramble. If you have specific questions let me know.

[Paul_E_D]

No, I pretty much already figured that. But when I posted earlier, I thought for some reason that Aleix and even the Ducatis were already running the OPEN software, and doing pretty darn well, but, of course, they were not.

[a13x]

Out of the Ducati's only Yonny Hernandez was publicly riding the Open package.

[Paul_E_D]

But Espargaro WAS running the Open ECU software. (ironic name) And he placed fourthm and was up there throughout. Not just one fast lap. There could be an open bike on the podium...

[Slowpoke387]

Hard not to root for Espargaro, regardless of what he's on. The guy's clearly got people noticing him. The classic underdog, who without question will be fun to watch this year. It's a real shame there isn't an IROC type of series in MotoGP. It would be really interesting to see how all these guys would stack up on identical machinery. We get a small glimpse of that amongst a couple of teams, but think of how interesting it would have been to see Simoncelli, Crutchlow, Espargaro, Bradl, Hayden, etc., all on say, Hondas running against the factory guys on the same equipment. Yeah maybe it would still be a runaway by one or two of the aliens, but at least we wouldn't be wondering "what if this guy or that guy was on a factory bike". Ah, to dream.

[Paul_E_D]

That's what moto2 is...

[Slowpoke387]

That's what moto2 is...

Yes but without the top riders/equipment. More of a springboard. Not even remotely close to what I'd like to see.

[JettaJayGLS]

http://superbikeplanet.com/2014/Feb/140226a.htm

Things are shaking up.

Guess the track was in rough shape, but I like how this looks....A LOT.

[JettaJayGLS]

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2014/Feb/140227a.htm

[JettaJayGLS]

And the last day.

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2014/Feb/140228a.htm

Look at Dovi! Aleix is still right up there.

Getting even more exciting.

[OreoGaborio]

Rossi back on top? Like.

[Gecko]

Rossi back on top? Like.

[carsick]

A gap of 0.165 sec. between the top 5? Goddamn that's tight! Is Lorenzo sandbagging?

[JettaJayGLS]

A gap of 0.165 sec. between the top 5? Goddamn that's tight! Is Lorenzo sandbagging?

He's having trouble with the new spec tires I guess.

[GixerJockey]

Looks like Cal can ride the Duc too.

[cdovego]

Because ultimately a racing series isn't viable if it's controlled by the OEMs, because the OEMs are not interested in the non-factory teams winning, even if they are on Honda/Yamaha/Ducati machinery. If you are the Repsol Honda team boss do you know what you hear Monday morning if LCR Honda beats Respol Honda. "WHY THE FUCK IS IS OUR 30 MILLION EURO TEAM BEING BEAT BY A 5 MILLION EURO TEAM!!"

Therefore DORNA needed to put rules in place that gave the non-factory OEM teams SOME hope of a decent result. Goal of "Open" rules is to do that and that's why they are so far apart. The rules are stingy for the OEMs because even with 20L of fuel and 5 engines they still have massive amounts of resources (advantage) compared to the non-factory OEM teams. Rider quality (big paycheques), support staff (private chefs, doctors, logistics people), technical staff, and direct motorcycle R&D. All things the non-OEM Factory teams don't have.

All said it will still be unrealistic for a OPEN/Satellite team to win races. That's okay.. they just need to have a chance and hope at a quality result. If you don't even have a chance at a decent result then you can't attract or keep quality team sponsors. As a title sponsor, a real sponsor (not one just interested in hiding budget money or an excuse to party at races) you want your team to be in a respectable position. Even if you know you WON'T WIN that can be okay as long as you are a respected competitor and the team is hitting the other marks for you.

I could honestly type a novel on this because it's my job and the above feels a bit of a ramble. If you have specific questions let me know.

Open bikes will podium this year, may even win an odd race.

[a13x]

Open bikes will podium this year, may even win an odd race.

Cool. Thanks for the heads up.

[McBiggity]

Cool. Thanks for the heads up.

We know you got the inside scoop. I'm sure most of us, myself included, would like some more insight after you post vague, passive aggressive comments.

[cdovego]

You haven't changed a bit! Take it easy, Alex.

[a13x]

We know you got the inside scoop. I'm sure most of us, myself included, would like some more insight after you post vague, passive aggressive comments.

You mean like post #6.

You guys love to bitch about my posts. I post up info, I'm name dropping. I don't post info, I'm being vague and acting cool. Dove quoted my post and made a directly contradictory statement, I responded with a cheeky reply and I'm the dick. If anyone else made the same post it would be 'shit talking or ribbing'. Maybe I should have added a smiley. Here

Know why I have to be careful and 'vague'? Because it's information that isn't meant to be shared and normally has big ramifications if it's leaked. I post vague information when I can because I think you guys would like to have some clues and could sometimes piece information together. If you continue to think I get some sort of hard-on from posting 'cool' info or 'hanging out' stories on a message board.... seriously? I can assure you I do not. Most of the new guys don't even know who I am, only the old fogies. Geh been on this board 9 years, crazy.

Dove: Yes, I wouldn't be surprised if Ducati Open or Aleix get a podium here or there if the conditions warrant it. Hell even Rossi/Hayden scored a few podiums on the ultrashit Ducati a few years back. Straight up weekend to weekend I don't expect miracles but who knows. That's why we line up Sunday. Who would have guessed Jorge would be faced with tire issues either. I will be rooting for Aleix and Dovi right along with you.