MotoGP Discussion (SPOILERS!)

[Philkinson]

Obviously no spoilers yet, but with Marcs future in question, 2022 could be another weird year for sure.
Mir, Bradl and Lecouna are all being linked to the seat. (Nice to see Honda considering Lecouna after KTM boned him)

Championship... I vote Bagnia over Fabio, just because the Ducati is such a superior machine.

Who's the dark horse for the championship? Miller? Martin?

[MUZ720]

Early for this but i love it!
Bagnia for sure is the Favorite if MM is out with Miller and Fabio in the mix, but my dark horse is Morbidelli, Ducati defiantly has the best scooter. MIR is also on the outside looking in as i don't think Suzuki has the bike to compete, but he will be hanging around. KTM? Bike is fast will see how the rookies fit in. Should be a great year can't wait!

[FirstDuc-1098]

Need to fix the thread title

[Philkinson]

Need to fix the thread title

😂😂 I've been doing that at work too.
Can a mod fix that for me?

[Philkinson]

Obviously no spoilers yet, but with Marcs future in question, 2022 could be another weird year for sure.
Mir, Bradl and Lecouna are all being linked to the seat. (Nice to see Honda considering Lecouna after KTM boned him)

Championship... I vote Bagnia over Fabio, just because the Ducati is such a superior machine.

Who's the dark horse for the championship? Miller? Martin?

Manufacturers championship
1.)Ducati 2.) Yamaha
3-5 KTM Honda and Suzuki, in no order.
6.) Aprilia.

Maverick never gets in the top 5.

[MUZ720]

If MM is unable to be his old self.
Then Bagnaia is the Favorite with Quartararo, Miller and MIR in the hunt.
Dark horse is Morbidelli
Ducati has the best Scooter, plus they have the most bikes entered so they win the constructers championship.
Marc needs to be riding he adds so much to mix that without him the benchmark is missing!

[Philkinson]

The benchmark really is gone without Marc. If Marc doesn't return as the same Marc, I think Fabio will keep everyone honest, provided Yamaha gives him a consistent machine.

[OreoGaborio]

I don't think Fabio will be able to repeat... not for his lack of skill, ability or equipment, but because of the absolutely mind bogglingly high level of the competition in MotoGP. The field is just SO... FRIKKIN... STACKED.

Pecco and Jorge Martin were looking AWFULLY frikkin strong at the end of last year and I'm rooting for those guys. I'm not sure Jorge will have what it takes to put together a full season start to finish, so right now my money's on Pecco.

MAYBE Mir can put something together if Suzuki can get him a few more ponies, but it's all dependent on whether or not he has the mental strength to endure being on underdog equipment for so long. A person can only take so much before they start doubting whether or not they can do the impossible with the equipment they're given... and just like that, they lose a little bit of that magic, that little extra intangible something you need to put together a championship.

[Philkinson]

Did anyone see that Marc isnt going to be at the VIRTUAL presentation of the 2022 bike?? Wtf...

[gixxer72]

Can Dovi drag little Binder forward, or will they be battling for last place with Maverick?

Can Rins keep a bike on two wheels?

I’d be pleased to see FQ repeat and silence the critics. And at this point I could not care less if MM returns, it should be s good season with or without him.

[Philkinson]

Can Dovi drag little Binder forward, or will they be battling for last place with Maverick?

Can Rins keep a bike on two wheels?

Darryn Binder, forgot about him.. Between him and Rins, they can battle it out for races not finished.

I don't understand the Dovi/Binder move at all. Yamaha desperately needs some new young talent. Understanding that Toprak wanted to do another season in SBK, I'm shocked they didn't try to pull Gerloff instead of Binder.

[marshdrummer]

I REALLY like Pecco....He was fun to watch last season. My favorite, however, is Brad Binder. If he learns how to qualify, IMO, he can ride up front.

[OreoGaborio]

Same. Pecco reminds me of Nick Leighton a little bit (local RSP racer & TTD instructor for those that don't know the name), so I can't help but root for him.

[Paul_E_D]

Same. Pecco reminds me of Nick Leighton a little bit (local RSP racer & TTD instructor for those that don't know the name), so I can't help but root for him.

Ha! Now that you mention it

[OreoGaborio]

RIGHT??? THANK you!

I told Sylwia and she was like "Eeehhhhhhhhhhhh.... KINNNNNDAAAAA???"

[Paul_E_D]

I would like to think Ducati's time has arrived and that they can win a few titles. But damn is this class a tough one to predict. a simple tire change can throw a manufacturer into a multi-year tailspin.

[loudbeard]

I can’t imagine NOT having FQ20 as the favorite next year, he’s earned that right. Mir’s championship notwithstanding guys who make it to the top at seasons end deserve to be there and will be for some time. Fabio’s progression as a rider is exactly what I’d expect to see from a multi-time world champion.

Pecco is definitely a very close second, the way he closed the season was incredible. That said part of Pecco’s success can be attributed to Fabio managing his risk and results because he put himself in that position early.

After that, could be anyone. I do agree with the FM22 Dark Horse call. Will be super interested to watch Frankie’s season!

[OreoGaborio]

Ooh, Franco? I dunno, I feel like that's a "hot take". He got hot at the beginning but didn't he fizzle out real quick?
... WWAAAAAAAAaaaaiiiiit, wasn't he injured? What was the back story again, there?

EDIT *googles it*

Yeah, that's right. Left knee injury at the VR46 ranch resulting in surgery. Meniscus and ACL... wonder how his recovery's coming along.

[loudbeard]

Yeah, that's right. Left knee injury at the VR46 ranch resulting in surgery. Meniscus and ACL... wonder how his recovery's coming along.

Yep, that's the Dark Horse part....we have:
1.) recovery from serious injury
2.) on a factory ride for the first time....not really counting his seat time in 2021, he wasn't near healthy

If he can wick up the flashes he showed in 2020 the Frankie Show might be a good watch this year.

[Philkinson]

I'm thinking Marc is done and Honda is working on a plan to announce it...

He's not going to be at the VIRTUAL presentation of the 2022 RC213V.. suspicious...

Also, the 2022 bike has a different approach than models in the past.
"Arguably their biggest overhaul in 16 years, HRC has shifted its design concept away from being a 'front-end' motorcycle, like KTM's RC16, and more towards Ducati and Aprilia's rear-end focus." https://www.motogp.com/en/in%20the%2...-change/403750

Such a gamble if they were keeping Marc for the remainder of his contract. Unless they know he'll win on anything?

[Paul_E_D]

I think Marc's career may be over. I can't believe it, but it is true. People said he would crash himself into oblivion, and I think perhaps they were right. I already miss watching him ride at the peak of his powers

[Yev]

MM93 will be at the virtual presentation according to Repsol Honda.
https://www.boxrepsol.com/en/motogp-...m-2022-launch/

FB63 and FQ20 will be top 3 alongside FM21 or JM89, me thinks.

[union]

It's impossible to predict this year. There are really no bad bikes out there anymore and a lot of teams have riders that are capable of winning. It's awesome. I'm excited to see how this goes.

I don't think Marc career is done. He may be done dominating like in the past but good news keeps trickling out.

https://www.motogp.com/en/news/2022/...dvances/403778

[Philkinson]

MM93 will be at the virtual presentation according to Repsol Honda.
https://www.boxrepsol.com/en/motogp-...m-2022-launch/

That's awesome! Great news for the championship.

[jim v]

That's awesome! Great news for the championship.

Even better news, MM on a motocross bike - https://motomatters.com/news/2022/01..._recovery.html

If you're a MotoGP fan I recommend a MotoMatters sub, well worth the $