MotoGP Discussion (SPOILERS!)

[MUZ720]

Sorry to say I think he's done maybe the last two rounds if he's lucky, Real shame.

Since going from the Lusail circuit medical centre to Hamad General Hospital in Doha, Martin has remained there in the intensive care unit for treatment - but a new statement from Aprilia on Thursday says his condition is "showing a slow but steady improvement".

The initial diagnosis of pneumothorax has been upgraded to a hemopneumothorax, which means that, as a result of damage to the lung, there is not just air but blood in his chest cavity. He had also been diagnosed with 11 rib fractures.

Updates from the rider's personal Instagram account confirmed Martin is already on his feet, but also showed that he is still having to undergo artificial lung drainage on the right side "to allow lung re-expansion".

This is still in place as of Aprilia's latest update.

"To date, the situation is being monitored step by step," the team wrote. "It is essential that the lung is stably expanded; only then will it be detached from mechanical aspiration. After a further x-ray check, it will be possible to remove the drainage."

[OreoGaborio]

Holy smokes, that's pretty bad.

What little I saw of the crash, it didn't even look that bad... but the angle was kinda shit. Anyone get a better view of it?

[Paul_E_D]

This is the same exact injury profile Kerry had. She is almost 3 months out and feeling better, but they had to puncture her lung again 2 weeks ago to biopsy something they found in there. Without that complication, she could likely have started riding soon.

[loudbeard]

Again, collapsed/punctured lung and broken ribs is potentially very serious early on. There are complications that can come up during the healing process. That said, recovery is typically very straightforward. There will be A LOT of coverage about how serious it is, take it with a grain of salt. Remember how much Dorna likes to use the word “hero.” Seriously, hero.

George II will be racing in August, and they will lay the hero coverage on thick.

[MUZ720]

Liberty Media and Dorna will for sure will hype the Crap out of his recovery and return to Racing. Thats there job. It's been almost two weeks and he still in ICU. August?? Still late September is my guess.
They really can't rush him this time. His wrist injury was not 100% ready and, in some ways, may have been part of the reason he crashed again in the 1st place.

[JettaJayGLS]

The rumor mill is that Toprak is going to Honda WSBK next year, in prep for a switch to motoGP in 2027 when new rules kick in and they're on Pirelli tires. Will also allow him to test the 850cc bike.
Other rumor is that Honda is going to buy Acosta out of his KTM contract.

I hope both come true!

[loudbeard]

Interesting. If HRC acquire Acosta, I would not be surprised if we see Repsol back as the factory sponsor.

[JettaJayGLS]

They will sell so much merch if all 3 things occur.

[MUZ720]

Acosta to Honda sounds awesome in so many ways. Marketing wise its brilliant, it will make Honda better which is great for the sport. Not sure KTM well be around in 2026 although the Red Bull money may keep them in, but development will be non-existent, so it's a smart move on his part.

[union]

This is shaping up to be a fun race weekend.

[MUZ720]

Again, The sprit race is a mostly a single file race top six all Ducati, once MM gets to the front its over unless he Fs up. Great to see FQ get pole so cool. One-line racetrack if your wide its slick. He wasn't backing off.

[MUZ720]

He Feck up! OH Brother. So cool at home 1st W. FQ rode great also good to see a (dark) blue bike on the podium.

[Rada]

Excited for Gressini and Alex!! Great to see them get a W. The crowd there was nuts.


Finally! My boy FQ20 had a bike matched to the track and rode like a savage.. A couple more steps and he can be back in the hunt on the regular..

Seems like F Bag is getting a bit salty about being #3... Just judging by his body language.

It would be nice if the Sprint races got back to being exciting like they were at first. Feels like they race hardish for two laps then ride to the end to not get hurt

[loudbeard]

Good to see AM get his first, had to be pretty special for him here. Who knows if Marc would have had anything for him.

I’m wondering if Ai Ogura keeps performing if he would not be a favorite for a factory Honda seat. He’s been really impressive on the Aprilia and I gotta think he’d get the nod over Toprak.

[JettaJayGLS]

That settled it - whenever I get to a GP, its going to be Jerez. I don't recall ever hearing the crowd quite like that.

I thought Pecco was being a whiny bitch in qualifying when he made a comment about Marc rolling the lights. After seeing his actions in the first few laps, I would actually believe this is all a plan. Super proud of Pecco for not backing down and bringing it to Marc. He's done this before, for a polite dude he has a lot of fight in him. I like it.

Michelin front slick has got to go. Its likely why Marc crashed in traffic. Its exactly why Pecco was yo-yo-ing off the back of FQ. Likely why Maverick only could get so close to Pecco as well.
Its frustrating how good the racing could have been if they could have actually followed one another. FQ, Pecco, and MV were all on such similar paces.

I am genuinely happy for Alex. He 100% deserved that one. I nearly shat my pants when he almost bowling balled Marc & Pecco, but that really wasn't his fault or due to any form of aggressive riding.

[Paul_E_D]

That settled it - whenever I get to a GP, its going to be Jerez. I don't recall ever hearing the crowd quite like that.

I thought Pecco was being a whiny bitch in qualifying when he made a comment about Marc rolling the lights. After seeing his actions in the first few laps, I would actually believe this is all a plan. Super proud of Pecco for not backing down and bringing it to Marc. He's done this before, for a polite dude he has a lot of fight in him. I like it.

Michelin front slick has got to go. Its likely why Marc crashed in traffic. Its exactly why Pecco was yo-yo-ing off the back of FQ. Likely why Maverick only could get so close to Pecco as well.
Its frustrating how good the racing could have been if they could have actually followed one another. FQ, Pecco, and MV were all on such similar paces.

I am genuinely happy for Alex. He 100% deserved that one. I nearly shat my pants when he almost bowling balled Marc & Pecco, but that really wasn't his fault or due to any form of aggressive riding.

Yeah, I have a friend who grew up in Granada. She said in europe EVERYONE goes to Jerez. It's like a dead show, People abandoning broken down vehicles and hitch hiking to get to the race. Huge encampments with all manner of craziness going on. The only down side is dealling with 225 thousand people. That's a massive crowd.