MotoGP Discussion (SPOILERS!)

[JettaJayGLS]

That was CRAZY. The French Men crushed it!

As said above, that shot of Zarco's dad, wow....but what really got me was when Zarco was walking towards the crowd and they captured the exact millisecond he couldn't hold back the emotion. It was a wonderful shot.

[Paul_E_D]

Very cool result. And we can't fail to mention what a smart race Marc rode... Championship turning...

[JettaJayGLS]

I really wish we could grasp the track conditions better.

Conditions were horrendous on the sighting lap. Fabio almost crashed, every one decided to swap to rains.
Commence the quick start procedure and onto the next sighting lap. Maybe 5-10 minutes after the previous lap?
More than half the grid thinks its better on slicks now? That is a crazy change in a short period of time, and its not like it was hot and sunny out to dry things quickly.

I'm not doubting anything here. As a prior racer, I just wish that could be visualized better!

[Paul_E_D]

COTA was the same way. I was joking that if Loudon held a GP, it would have looked like this!

[Stoneman]

Harley-Davidson and MotoGP Bringing Bagger Racing to the World
12 races across six Grand Prix rounds for 2026 season
https://www.motorcycle.com/bikes/new...world-44621965

Very IROC-ish...

[loudbeard]

There has been a lot of shit talk in various groups about the bagger series racing select GP rounds. Purist NIMBYs who still opine over 500cc 2T being the last “real racing.” It’s honestly sad. Even if it is (and it isn’t) a bit gimicky, those baggers are some serious pieces of kit. Literally any serious racer who has thrown a leg over one has loved it. Everyone I raced with was damn stoked to race literally anything with 2 wheels.

For fucks sake this gate keeping mentality is such a buzzkill. I can’t wait to see it!

[OreoGaborio]

There has been a lot of shit talk in various groups about the bagger series racing select GP rounds. Purist NIMBYs who still opine over 500cc 2T being the last “real racing.” It’s honestly sad. Even if it is (and it isn’t) a bit gimicky, those baggers are some serious pieces of kit. Literally any serious racer who has thrown a leg over one has loved it. Everyone I raced with was damn stoked to race literally anything with 2 wheels.

For fucks sake this gate keeping mentality is such a buzzkill. I can’t wait to see it!

10000%.

Personally, I'm "meh" on the Harley series but def not opposed to it. I really like the whole concept of the MotoE series and wish that it would continue to grow, but... well... I dunno, looks like that's plateaued and I haven't really heard anything but I don't know if it's continuing for much longer.

[Paul_E_D]

Moto3 was yet again the best race of the weekend. Catch it if you can.

[Stoneman]

There has been a lot of shit talk in various groups about the bagger series racing select GP rounds. Purist NIMBYs who still opine over 500cc 2T being the last “real racing.” It’s honestly sad. Even if it is (and it isn’t) a bit gimicky, those baggers are some serious pieces of kit. Literally any serious racer who has thrown a leg over one has loved it. Everyone I raced with was damn stoked to race literally anything with 2 wheels.

For fucks sake this gate keeping mentality is such a buzzkill. I can’t wait to see it!

Very well said...

10000%.

Personally, I'm "meh" on the Harley series but def not opposed to it.

I think the King Of Baggers series really opened the eyes of people that couldn't really give a shit about motorcycle road racing anymore, or didn't care do begin with. Folks that are paying attention and tuning in are likely to widen their vision when it comes to other classes of road racing, especially if they run concurrently with other organizations racing programs. I feel it puts that many more people in the stands, paying for streaming content, etc.

The Harley only series running with MotoGP is cool & all. But ALL Harleys, ALL with factory support, ALL with the same specs. I *kinda* like the idea of that, but I REALLY like the Harley/Indian rivalry that can be so intense in motorsports.

[FriskyDingo]

Very IROC-ish...

Loved the original IROC idea, how cool if they got some top motoGP/super bike, enduro, supercross/motocross, flat track riders to compete

[OreoGaborio]

The Harley only series running with MotoGP is cool & all. But ALL Harleys, ALL with factory support, ALL with the same specs. I *kinda* like the idea of that, but I REALLY like the Harley/Indian rivalry that can be so intense in motorsports.

Bingo... I just don't really like the idea of a spec series at this level, just for the sake of a spec series. Even MotoE, as much as I really loved just about everything about it, would have been more appealing to me if it were more than JUST one factory on the grid.

A spec series like the Red Bull Rookie's Cup... that's specifically about talent development. Spec Miata? That's about cheap racing and also talent development. But an all HD series at this level, this is specifically about brand development and that's what kinda turns me off.

I'll still watch it, and I bet I'll even like the product... but it's still less appealing to me than the a series that's open to multiple factories.

[Stoneman]

Bingo... I don't really like the idea of a spec series at this level.

A spec series like the Red Bull Rookie's Cup... that's specifically about talent development. Spec Miata? That's about cheap racing and also talent development. But an all HD series at this level, this is specifically about brand development and that's what kinda turns me off.

I'll still watch it, and I bet I'll even like the product... but it's still less appealing to me than the a series that's open to multiple factories. Even MotoE, as much as I really loved just about everything about it, would have been more appealing to me if it were more than JUST one factory on the grid.

Yeah, I get it. I'm not against brand development & promotion though. Fuck, EVERY brand does it. This whole "only Harley" thing will be interesting. I'm curious to see how it pans out. Will they eventually add manufacturers? Will it compete with King Of Baggers? Will racers jump back & forth just to get seat time/points/purse? Will racers jump organizations to run only with the other? It'll be interesting to watch.

Isn't/wasn't Moto2 *kinda* the same? Same spec engines only supplied by Honda, then Triumph?

Either way, I do believe it'll bring in more fans to motorcycle road racing overall...

[OreoGaborio]

Isn't/wasn't Moto2 *kinda* the same? Same spec engines only supplied by Honda, then Triumph?

Correct, all engines & electronics supplied by Triumph, but it's not a Spec class as any team/manufacturer can make their own chassis... though Kalex currently dominates the grid. Moto2 is also mostly about rider development and being a stepping stone from 3 to GP. It's not simply a self-serving brand jerkfest.

Either way, I do believe it'll bring in more fans to motorcycle road racing overall...

Yeah... which is why I wouldn't oppose it. But for how long will the gimmick last? Has a contract length been announced? I'd be floored if it's around for a third season.

[Stoneman]

Yeah... which is why I wouldn't oppose it. But for how long will the gimmick last? Has a contract length been announced? I'd be floored if it's around for a third season.

I *THINK* I remember seeing something about xx-years, but I can't for the life of me recall how long. Then again, I could be confusing it with something else...

[Stoneman]

Correct, all engines & electronics supplied by Triumph, but it's not a Spec class as any team/manufacturer can make their own chassis... though Kalex currently dominates the grid. Moto2 is also mostly about rider development and being a stepping stone from 3 to GP. It's not simply a self-serving brand jerkfest.

If I remember, MotoAmerica Super Hooligan class was originally Harley only, no? I know it's morphed into something quite different. But I wanna say it was Harley only for a time. Were those spec bikes or did they have the ability to tweak things?

[OreoGaborio]

If I remember, MotoAmerica Super Hooligan class was originally Harley only, no?

Googling tells me that's a no.

[Stoneman]

Googling tells me that's a no.

Yup, got back from the Googs a while ago myself. It started as AMERICAN V-Twins. I thought it was originally Harley only.

[loudbeard]

Super Hooligans is an RSD project with some Nitro Circus ties.

[MUZ720]

Rumor mill is hot on JM getting out of his contract with Aprilia and going to Honda. Also, Pecco moving to Yamaha. All a lot of noise don't, see either happening.

[union]

Rumor mill is hot on JM getting out of his contract with Aprilia and going to Honda. Also, Pecco moving to Yamaha. All a lot of noise don't, see either happening.

I can see JM wanting to go elsewhere. That bike is nothing but bad luck for him and I'm sure he has talked to the other riders such as Bezz and realizes how bad the bike has become. A rookie is the leading point scorer for Aprilia. I can see Pecco moving. Isn't his contract up this year? This year and last year he has shown how average he is compared to riders on similar equipment. I doubt Ducati will offer him what he wants. Yamaha and Honda are starting to look a little better. Still miles away but improving. I can see him going there if the money is right.

[JettaJayGLS]

I think Ducati is going down a bad path with Marc.

It isn't just Pecco that can't ride the GP24, its also Digia. Marc is going to be Marc and push to stick with the GP25 because only he can ride it. Ducati would be wise to keep on developing the bike with Pecco, who clearly gives feedback to make a very friendly bike that multiple people can go fast on. The GP24 will probably go down as the best bike in history, and partial credit goes to Pecco. Everyone who gets on it is insanely fast. Think back to last year - Marc and Alex were on the same gp23 and Marc was light years ahead. This year, the playing field is a lot more even with Alex on the GP24 and Marc on the GP25. I don't think Alex had a breakthrough, I think he is in far superior equipment.

If they continue with Marc, he'll do what he did at Honda, and ride around problems and develop a bike that only he can ride. Ducati will continue winning championships, but they'll stop locking out the podium.

My $0.02.

[MUZ720]

I can see both Honda and Yamaha wanting more talent on their bikes. But JM getting out of his contract is one big pile of shit. Lawsuits are going to fly. Don't think him being injured fits any out clause?
Pecco my want out but again I think it's stupid for Ducati to let him go he is a two-time champ. Only one more year with the curtain bikes 27 brings a whole new set of variables. I would want a known rider who's been with the team to start basically all over again. But hay weirder things have happened.

[MUZ720]

Another Question is do the concessions go away with the win?

[Paul_E_D]

I think Ducati is going down a bad path with Marc.

It isn't just Pecco that can't ride the GP24, its also Digia. Marc is going to be Marc and push to stick with the GP25 because only he can ride it. Ducati would be wise to keep on developing the bike with Pecco, who clearly gives feedback to make a very friendly bike that multiple people can go fast on. The GP24 will probably go down as the best bike in history, and partial credit goes to Pecco. Everyone who gets on it is insanely fast. Think back to last year - Marc and Alex were on the same gp23 and Marc was light years ahead. This year, the playing field is a lot more even with Alex on the GP24 and Marc on the GP25. I don't think Alex had a breakthrough, I think he is in far superior equipment.

If they continue with Marc, he'll do what he did at Honda, and ride around problems and develop a bike that only he can ride. Ducati will continue winning championships, but they'll stop locking out the podium.

My $0.02.

This is possible, but from all accounts, Marc and Pecco worked together on the 25 and had nearly identical comments and feedback. So if Pecco developed such a great bike, where did that skill go? Also, it's early days. keep developing! IMO Marc has simply mentally defeated Pecco already. He's done it by riding better than Pecco in every single session. That wears down your confidence and he's looking for excuses.

[JettaJayGLS]

This is possible, but from all accounts, Marc and Pecco worked together on the 25 and had nearly identical comments and feedback. So if Pecco developed such a great bike, where did that skill go? Also, it's early days. keep developing! IMO Marc has simply mentally defeated Pecco already. He's done it by riding better than Pecco in every single session. That wears down your confidence and he's looking for excuses.

Also great points, I'd guess its a mix of both. I think the problem now is that the commentary and podcasts make it seem like they're not listening to Pecco and go back closer to GP24, but they also may have already gone as far back as the rules let them go.

I guess I wouldn't mind if the bike gets a little worse and the playing field gets even.