MOTOGP 2021 Predictions

[Philkinson]

Let's make some pre-season, pre-testing predictions?
Most accurate after the final round.. I'll Zelle you $4.99 to buy a 6-pack of Red Dog at the end of the season. (Man, this is difficult with such a competitive grid)

Top 15 by the end of the season

1.) Franco Morbidelli
2.) Pol Espargaro
3.) Fabio Quartararo
4.) Juan Mir
5.) Marc Marquez
6.) Jack Miller
7.)Takaki Nakagami
8.) Alex Rins
9.) Brad Binder
10.) Valentino Rossi
11.)Maverick Vinales
12.)Alex Marquez
13.) Miguel Olivera
14.)Aleix Espargaro
15.) Johann Zarco

[Philkinson]

Heh

[theducman]

Pol in second?? Wow

[02redhawk]

Assuming Marc isn't back before mid year...
1.) Franco Morbidelli
2.) Alex Rins
3.) Juan Mir
4.) Johann Zarco
5.) Miguel Olivera
5.) Fabio Quartararo

Quartararo, Pol and Vinales all seem to have the same problem when things don't start perfect for them. They fold under pressure or make stupid mistakes. The Suzuki package seems better for the riders they have. If Zarco can keep it upright he certainly has pace though he could be a bit less whiney (toughen up a bit like Marc and get on with it).

[Philkinson]

Pol in second?? Wow

If he meshes with that bike, the results could be astounding.
I know it's a big IF, but I believe that KTM was shaping their bike to suit Marc and that plan may have backfired

[Paul_E_D]

Pol has to stop over riding his setup before he's a serious title threat. From what I have seen, he's not ready to do that yet.

[loudbeard]

I see Pol taking a step back this year. Moving to a bike that’s been very difficult to ride coupled with the fact he’s a dickhead, it’ll be tough.

I haven’t put my list together yet, but there’s one coming.

[Philkinson]

It could go either way but Pol is the best suited rider for that bike since Marc hopped on in 2013. Dani- too small, Jorge- too smooth, Alex- lack of experience. Cal - too Cal, Nakagami - lack of experience but he's getting it.

I feel that KTM brought in Dani to obviously help them develop the bike, but also to help them mimic the Honda as much as possible. Who better to bring in than Dani?
In doing so they may have allowed Pol to transition to the Honda smoothly, and the ultimate backfire, Marcs 4 year contract.

[JettaJayGLS]

Woof, top 15 is hard. I'll do top 6 because I don't think any of the new guys will crack that and don't want to go deep thinking through them.

1: Marc (sigh)
2: Mir
3: Franco
4: Jack
5: Fabio
6: Rins

[Philkinson]

Woof, top 15 is hard. I'll do top 6 because I don't think any of the new guys will crack that and don't want to go deep thinking through them.

haha... yeah.. I understand.

You think Marc, even with him most likely missing the first few rounds, and not being on a Motogp bike for 12 months?

[JettaJayGLS]

haha... yeah.. I understand.

You think Marc, even with him most likely missing the first few rounds, and not being on a Motogp bike for 12 months?

Yes. When he is on the bike he constantly wins. The other guys don't. If half the season passes and Marc hasn't raced yet, I'll take him off of my number 1 slot.

[gixxer72]

I'm not sure MM is coming back. At least missing a few rounds will help shape the championship up if he does make it back.

Top 3:
Rins
Mir
Morbidelli

[Philkinson]

Yes. When he is on the bike he constantly wins. The other guys don't. If half the season passes and Marc hasn't raced yet, I'll take him off of my number 1 slot.

As much as I can say Marc is the best there is, I think he's got a huge hurdle for 2021. Makes me nervous for him that they still aren't saying much about his arm

Could be another changing of the guard, only time will tell

Rins/Mir? I don't think they'll have a stellar season this year. I hope I'm wrong, I really like those two, I've been following Mir since his Moto3 days, it was cool to see someone move up through the ranks and be successful.

Where will Marini finish?

[Paul_E_D]

I agree that Marc has an uphill battle this year. I'm not fully convinced he will be back next season. I doubt he will be dominant. That said, I still don't see any clear dominance in the field. It sure won't come from Mir. Frankie was pretty consistent, but if they leave europe, all bets are off.

[jim v]

Sepang tests just canceled - https://motomatters.com/news/2021/01...arly_part.html

[MUZ720]

Does Marc Marquez even race next year?

[MUZ720]

I like your choice of Morbidelli for champion. Once out front he is hard to catch, Figure Yamaha wont have the same engine issues as last year either!

[JettaJayGLS]

I like your choice of Morbidelli for champion. Once out front he is hard to catch, Figure Yamaha wont have the same engine issues as last year either!

I thought no engine modifications were allowed between 20-21? Did they already pay that penalty and now can continue using the different valve MFG? I still don't think I fully understand that whole thing.

I think Marc is back for at least half of the season, which is why I have him to win.

[MUZ720]

I thought no engine modifications were allowed between 20-21? Did they already pay that penalty and now can continue using the different valve MFG? I still don't think I fully understand that whole thing.

I believe they paid the price already? https://motomatters.com/news/2020/11...hment_for.html

[tls25rs]

I'd be concerned that if Marquez does come back this season that he doesn't change his riding style accordingly, one of his normal/typical practice/qualifying crashes happens and he reinjures the arm putting him out potentially long term.

This would be a shame as he undeniably has immense talent on a bike but the riders that have long careers learn to reign in the youthful exuberance and ride on the edge of the envelope with out riding off it and crashing on a regular basis.

[jim v]

Latest 2021 schedule - US and Argentina out. Details - https://motomatters.com/news/2021/01...ustin_and.html

Date Grand prix Circuit
28 Mar Qatar* Losail International Circuit
04 Apr Qatar* Losail International Circuit
18 Apr Portugal Algarve International Circuit
02 May Spain Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto
16 May France Le Mans
30 May Italy Autodromo del Mugello
06 Jun Catalun Barcelona - Catalunya
20 Jun Neth TT Circuit Assen
27 Jun Germany Sachsenring
11 Jul Finland** KymiRing
15 Aug Austria Red Bull Ring-Spielberg
29 Aug Great Britain Silverstone
12 Sep Aragón MotorLand Aragón
19 Sep San Marino Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli
03 Oct Japan Twin Ring Motegi
10 Oct Thailand Chang International Circuit
24 Oct Australia Philip Island
31 Oct Malaysia Sepang International Circuit
14 Nov Valencia Ricardo Tormo

[Paul_E_D]

Dovi has said he would ride the Honda while Marc is out. THAT would be interesting to watch. I don't think Honda will do it though. They are that bold. More loyal and conservative with replacement riders.

[Philkinson]

Dovi has said he would ride the Honda while Marc is out. THAT would be interesting to watch. I don't think Honda will do it though. They are that bold. More loyal and conservative with replacement riders.

My initial reaction was to agree 100% with you and watch Bradl do his thing out there again this season.

Then I remembered... Zarco. 0 affiliation with Honda... rode in place of Lorenzo.

[Paul_E_D]

Yeah, that made some waves. Not sure what Honda's take on that experience is. Maybe there's hope. It would suddenly make the motogp.com membership much more compelling!

[Tricky Mike]

No bueno: https://jalopnik.com/motogp-argentin...mes-1846212545