MotoGP 2016

[AEG]

BeIN has an app but you have to log in via your provider

And comcast/xfinity is not listed on the providers page, yet I have that channel.

[Bodhi]

I have charter and sometimes they screw up the times on FS1 and FS2 so I'll cross my fingers that I don't magically DVR some men's college gymnastics final.

Its going to be between Lorenzo and Marquez this year. I'll be rooting for Rossi the whole season, we'll see what happens.

Sucks there's no race at Indy this year. Last year was legit.

[Viper897]

I think its too early to say whos going to take the championship at this point. With the new tires, spec electronics, and testing which wont tell you crap about whos better than the next guy.

Once we see this weekends race, then we may be able to make a assessment of who may be in contention for it.

The obvious would be Marquez, Rossi, Lorenzo. Pedrosa will get injured or come in second.

The other thing we need to take into account is whos going where for 2017. Everyone except for Tito Rabat, Jack Miller (could leave after this season), and Vinales (can also leave his seat after this season) have their contracts up for renewal.

This year will be about results for more people than in the future. A lot of speculation as to where Lorenzo will end up, Is Rossi going to still race, Pedrosa should get the boot (and should have years ago), is Marquez going to stay at Repsol. Will the Honda be a better bike this season.

Lots of questions to answer.

Sunday at 2pm is going to be a big deal to see how things kick off for the season.

[tls25rs]

I have charter and sometimes they screw up the times on FS1 and FS2 so I'll cross my fingers that I don't magically DVR some men's college gymnastics final.

With MotoGP being on the BeIN network this year you are far more likely to wind up with some odd soccer match rather than the men's college gymnastics final you are used to.

[PhilB]

... This year will be about results for more people than in the future. A lot of speculation as to where Lorenzo will end up, Is Rossi going to still race, Pedrosa should get the boot (and should have years ago), is Marquez going to stay at Repsol. Will the Honda be a better bike this season. ...

Pedrosa should get the boot in favor of whom? He is still running consistently near the front. He is still one of the "four aliens" -- the top four riders in the world. There's nobody outside of those four, in MotoGP or out of it, that is identifiably as good as he is. He hasn't gotten a championship, and maybe he never will, but he's always close to it, and it could happen one year if a little luck goes his way. Pedrosa certainly has a better chance at that than Hayden did the year he won the title.

PhilB

[Paul_E_D]

So, first event in the bag. If Ducati is trying to attract Lorenzo, the bikes did some pretty good advertising! Rocketships.

Unfortunately, the reality of motogp stays largely the same through all the tech changes. The races will never be WSB type battles because the top riders simply aren't making mistakes. It's much harder to pass perfection.

[jwm2k3]

Good to have the racing back, but kind of a boring race.

The boys are gonna have to learn the Michelin tires....

[gixxer72]

So, first event in the bag. If Ducati is trying to attract Lorenzo, the bikes did some pretty good advertising! Rocketships.

Unfortunately, the reality of motogp stays largely the same through all the tech changes. The races will never be WSB type battles because the top riders simply aren't making mistakes. It's much harder to pass perfection.

The tire change and ECU's seemed to have almost no effect. So again we get races that put people to sleep. Get rid of the launch control and traction control.

[Paul_E_D]

I don't think that would even do it.

[Mr. Kurtz]

I dunno, I think some of these guys would have a spectacular learning curve if forced to ride those bikes with no electronic safety nets.

[Paul_E_D]

But not the top 4. The bikes would actually have to be redeveloped IMO. But WSBK has more sophisticated electronics at this point as I understand it.

[Tekime]

I wonder how much of it was just caution - I mean I can understand the electronics keeping things more stable/faster, but it was like nobody even attempted a pass. At least Dovi stuck it in there at the end. Sure it's the first race and they want those points but I can't believe Rossi didn't have a single opportunity on Marquez at least??!

But damn, Ducati power for sure.. still I think Lorenzo set a new lap record

Unless there were some epic battles going on further back, they pretty much just covered the front of the pack.

Glad to see a zuki near the front but they need to figure out how to make up about 12 seconds if they ever want a podium

[Tekime]

I tried adding a spoiler alert to the thread title but no go.. any admins want to assist?

[Viper897]

Pedrosa should get the boot in favor of whom? He is still running consistently near the front. He is still one of the "four aliens" -- the top four riders in the world. There's nobody outside of those four, in MotoGP or out of it, that is identifiably as good as he is. He hasn't gotten a championship, and maybe he never will, but he's always close to it, and it could happen one year if a little luck goes his way. Pedrosa certainly has a better chance at that than Hayden did the year he won the title.

PhilB

I honestly am not sure who should take his place. But hes been in that seat now for what 11 years or so, maybe more. And how many Championships has he won by being there, none yet. I respect the guy (more than when I first started to watch Moto GP) but everyone else in the paddock usually is winning championships to keep there seat on the factory teams, exception being Ducati and Suzuki.

Regardless, what a race yesterday. I know some have said it was boring, but until Iannone crashed there were 5 riders within what 1.5 seconds of each other. Ducati was a monster on the straight. Should be an interesting season.

How about Smith to KTM, more contract talk from other camps before the season even really started. Moto 2 and 3 riders already being linked to Moto GP seats. Zarco rumored to be getting a Suzuki test, maybe a KTM test.

[gixxer72]

I honestly am not sure who should take his place. But hes been in that seat now for what 11 years or so, maybe more. And how many Championships has he won by being there, none yet. I respect the guy (more than when I first started to watch Moto GP) but everyone else in the paddock usually is winning championships to keep there seat on the factory teams, exception being Ducati and Suzuki.

Regardless, what a race yesterday. I know some have said it was boring, but until Iannone crashed there were 5 riders within what 1.5 seconds of each other. Ducati was a monster on the straight. Should be an interesting season.

How about Smith to KTM, more contract talk from other camps before the season even really started. Moto 2 and 3 riders already being linked to Moto GP seats. Zarco rumored to be getting a Suzuki test, maybe a KTM test.

Pedrosa has really had some bad luck / injuries keeping him from a championship. Being Spanish, on a Spanish team, in a Spanish championship and placing well pretty consistently probably means he's staying put.

Iannone crashed out on lap 6. That's pretty much when it got really boring. Typical MotoGP. It's sad because I love the series, but it's undeniably the most boring motorcycle road racing series on TV.

[ScottyJ]

What's the deal? BeIN sports is only showing the MotoGP race. No Moto2 or Moto3?

[Bodhi]

With MotoGP being on the BeIN network this year you are far more likely to wind up with some odd soccer match rather than the men's college gymnastics final you are used to.

Of course if I did my homework properly, I would not have missed the race. Because charter doesn't have that channel

[Kenn157]

I also noticed wasn't in DD..

[isaac_]

Last couple laps of moto3 were exciting... love how the leaders can change in the blink of an eye as slip streams are so critical to them.

[Paul_E_D]

Last couple laps of moto3 were exciting... love how the leaders can change in the blink of an eye as slip streams are so critical to them.

I have been in a few races like that on the 125. Holy crap is it stressful but fun.

[loudbeard]

Video Pass coverage really can't be beat. I stream in to the computer, then use AirPlay to get it on the TV via AppleTV. No commercials, all the races, qualifying, and practice sessions. At $115 for the season it was well worth it.

[jerseygirl]

How do you guys not have video pass?!? I stream FP at work (listening of course). Watch qualifying. Probably not Moto 2 or 3, but I could if I want too. And then Sunday, Paul and I watched 3 races plus supercross! It is an investment, but you can still share it. Split it with a buddy. Dooo itt. Honestly.

[scottieducati]

How do you guys not have video pass?!? I stream FP at work (listening of course). Watch qualifying. Probably not Moto 2 or 3, but I could if I want too. And then Sunday, Paul and I watched 3 races plus supercross! It is an investment, but you can still share it. Split it with a buddy. Dooo itt. Honestly.

Yep. The practice sessions are awesome to listen to in the background at work. You still get to hear the bikes, but you get all the insight on what's going on w/ various teams, riders, etc. It's like elevator music for moto heads.

[Kenn157]

I have the subscription to MotoGP, just about to get a new laptop. Upgraded my comcast to 75mbps. Should be good to go for streaming very soon.

[JettaJayGLS]

Moto 3 will be as awesome as ever. Its a little scary just to watch the race, I dunno how those guys do it.
I have a feeling Moto 2 is going to be excellent this year as well. Jump starts ruined this race, but there are a lot of riders that will be in the mix.

Qatar is an interesting track. It isn't really the best benchmark to base the entire MotoGP season on. I'm keeping the faith that it will get better, but I don't necessarily think this was the worst MotoGP race ever. From what I've read here so far, Paul has made the best point. Its very hard to pass perfection...and with the Michelins seemingly having no problem to go the race distance, there is going to be a lot of perfection this season.

Lorenzo really irks me, its a love hate thing. If he isn't fast, he typically throws in the towel and settles for 4th or 5th. Its very smart for the championship but boring for the viewers. I need to switch gears and try to appreciate his precision when watching him, otherwise I get bored. No one like to watch someone manage a gap, but you can't forget about how impressive that is.