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I've always been a Marc fan. I never understood the hate. He was ruthless, but never whined about a penalty of getting hit by another rider. He also was breathtaking to watch, even in practice. I would love to see him get back to that level.Quote:
Originally Posted by OreoGaborio
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I went into the weekend wanting Pecco to win, for no real reason other than I like a comeback.
After the sprint, when it because clear that Jorge would need to crash to lose, I changed my mind and wanted Jorge to win. I didn't want to see him lose by crashing out of the last race. But for some reason, crashing out of the race the day before would have been fine?
I think I really just wanted it to be as close as possible coming into Sunday.
Looking forward to seeing Tuesday test results. Especially Jorge on the Aprilia. I can probably guess how everyone else that switched factories is going to go.
Clearly you don't see the world like a true Rossi fanboy. ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul_E_D
So true. I was a fan, but In that time I thought rossi became a whiny little bitch.Quote:
Originally Posted by OreoGaborio
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Marc definitely helped Valentino expand his excuse book towards the end of his career, that's for sure. ;)
You mean because you guys look like you could be brothers?Quote:
Originally Posted by JettaJayGLS
Oh to hear some candid thoughts of the guys that switched rides after yesterday.
How long until Round 1?
How bout that MM93 flipping off the Gresini garage while he was pitting in? :lmao:
https://youtube.com/shorts/2zEAQNAbr...OWY-NOWN_Ni7cf
But yeah, candid impressions from guys like Jorge would be very interesting.
Full list of those jumping teams/machines:
Jorge to Factory Aprilia
Bez to Factory Aprilia
Marquez to Ducati Lenovo (same constructor, dif generation)
Acosta to RB KTM (same machine, dif team)
Vinales to RB KTM Tech 3
Bastianini to RB KTM Tech 3
Olivera to Primac Yamaha
Miller to Primac Yamaha
Morbideli to VR46 Ducati (same man, dif gen?)
Chantra to Honda LCR (Rookie! Fresh meat!)
Aldeguer to Gresini (Rookie! Fresh meat!)
Ogura to Trackhouse Aprilia (Rookie! Fresh meat!)
Sorry if I botched that anywhere.
EDIT: Honorable mention - Agusto Fernandez to be a Yamaha test rider & wildcard seat filler (6 races)
I'm so glad the video also caught the Gresini guys laughing - otherwise the interweb would be having a field day with rumors!Quote:
Originally Posted by OreoGaborio
The liveries for testing are interesting. Marks was more orange than red. Spreading the talent around for next year should make for a more competitive series. And Ducati only have 6 bikes will help the others finish better overall. KTM and Aprilia will be the main interlopers, but Yamaha will be in the hunt. Honda I am afraid will be on the outside looking in. That said its Pecco and MM for the championship as long as the stay upright.
I loved the factory Ducati livery in testing. I hope club racers start sporting it!
I'm trying to be optimistic about next year:
1: Michelin needs to bring a shittier rear tire, or a better front tire to balance it out. This is what crushed Aprilia and KTM this year. Maybe said better: this is what made Ducati unbeatable. Their bike gets more than any others out of the rear. The GP24 even more than the 23. I believe there is a new front coming, but it wasn't tested nearly as much as it should have been this year. Unsure if the rear is changing, but at least mfgs can do better to adapt to the current one.
2: Honda, especially Zarco, made improvements in the end of the year. This can't be denied. I don't think they're fighting for podiums, but would love to see some regular top 10s.
3: Yamaha is also making progress, at least Fabio, step by step. But I don't think its enough. I think its aero that is killing Yamaha. They just don't have the grunt to use big aero, and big aero is the name of the game.
The question is...will others gain more than Ducati gains in the off season.
Can we talk about David Alonso? 14 wins in moto3. That is like, impossible. He's a magician.
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This is a fun fact, but it must take into account practice. Pecco number stands out big time and i would have thought Mir crashed more.
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid...07660058073789
MotoMatters has some info and photos from the post race test
Martin looks pretty comfortable on the Aprilia -
Attachment 61706
His season was one for the ages. Talent and consistancy. Really impressive to say the very least.Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul_E_D
The number of really talented and "Mature" young riders is impressive.
KTM Will Quit MotoGP After All
https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/moto...a8deb1fe&ei=12
Quote:
Restructuring details shed light on planned MotoGP exit, as well as other choices we could see soon.
Are you good in a crisis?
If you are, then you already know at least two things. One is that there are near-term plans and there are long-term plans. And you have to successfully prioritize both types of things if you're going to make it through the problem. The second thing is, of course, that you have to delay any freakouts until a more convenient time, while you at least get through the things you have to do rightnowrightnowrightnow.
KTM, the beleaguered Austrian motorcycle OEM, is undeniably working its way through a crisis at the end of 2024. From rumors of possible insolvency that it initially denied, to a self-administered restructuring process it's undergoing that's the first of its kind in Austria, to selling shares of its most recent acquisition in MV Agusta, it's been a wild past few weeks.
But what about MotoGP? It might not be as expensive for teams to engage in as, say, Formula One, but that's a little like saying a Bugatti Chiron is cheap compared to a Lamborghini Aventador.
We've noted multiple times where someone high up at KTM has vigorously denied that bad things are happening, only for news to break a short time later that actually, those bad things are really happening. That's why it's been hard to put a lot of faith in the assurances of KTM MotoGP boss Pit Beirer and others about how it's absolutely committed to MotoGP.
Now, it seems there's something concrete to back up that distrust.
Longer-term plans to get KTM back in shape include the KTM Factory officially leaving the MotoGP paddock in 2026. This timing would be for multiple reasons, including fear of a further significant PR disaster if it were to terminate its MotoGP rider contracts early. This exit will likely include MotoGP, as well as Moto2 and Moto3. And it would save the firm around 46 million Euros.
RideApart reached out to AKV, which is handling KTM's debt administration, for comment. AKV told RideApart, in no uncertain terms, that "in this regard, it is planned not to extend the contract with MotoGP, which runs until 2026. An early withdrawal from the racing series is not currently planned."
AKV went on to say that "The reason for this is the reduction in costs for KTM AG and its subsidiaries."
Honestly, given what KTM just did with pulling out of the Hard Enduro World Championship completely, the MotoGP move is the next logical one it can make—no matter how much Pit Beirer may protest otherwise. The key thing here appears to have been figuring out the timing, and managing things on terms that are as favorable to KTM as they can possibly be.
What this will mean for MotoGP, Moto2, and Moto3 is another matter. In the past couple of seasons, it's seemingly been an arms race between Ducati and KTM, and then there's Aprilia and everyone else. Additionally, it's not clear what this could mean for the Red Bull Rookies Cup, and the current and future generations of motorcycle racers that are and would potentially be coming up through its ranks.
The one thing we can say for certain right now is that whatever happens, the impact of what KTM is going through will likely be felt throughout both the motorcycle and motorsports worlds for a significant amount of time to come. If you're a racing fan and you're feeling a little sick to your stomach reading this, please believe me when I tell you that you're not alone.
I am, too.
From some of the reports I've been seeing it seems like gross mismanagement. Something like 270k in extra piece of inventory. Committed to over production during covid and when they saw soft demand just kept producing. Sounds like a Harley move. We make it you buy it. They make a nice machine but for the average folk they see the KTM prices vs the Japanese bike prices and just go with the Japs instead. Hate to see them leave MotoGP. I think it really fucks the lower levels more then the big bikes.
Quote:
Originally Posted by FriskyDingo
I think the Moto GP team will be on track till 2026 I believe the buyout cost to drop out while under contract and Red Bulls sponsorship (11Mill) will save them till then, plus they have the bikes built already.
The lower classes will be imparted more going forward. There rider feeder system will take a big hit.
https://motorcyclesports.net/ktms-de...ns-until-2026/
The new Honda looks pretty good, have to get used to not seeing Repsol on it
Attachment 61855
As I get older in my racing hobby the saying goes if you can't go fast, you might as well look good!Quote:
Originally Posted by jim v
Martin already out. Looked nasty too. Going back to Spain for some surgery on his right hand and left foot. Hopefully he recovers quick. With a hand injury id say he is not going to contend for the championship this year. He needed to be 100% for the new bike.
Saw the highside this morning, nasty one forsure right hand? That will be tough. Landed on his face also.
Report said fractures in the right hand and left foot. Couple of the rookies look good on the timing sheet. Aldeguer in 4th and Ogura in 16th and I think first among the Aprilias. Chantra seems out in left field. Hope he can improve.Quote:
Originally Posted by MUZ720
Well, if his wrist bones are involved, he's in trouble could be a long recovery just the hand only is a worry. So much hope for the guy and Aprilia. Sucks