MotoGP Discussion (SPOILERS!)

[Paul_E_D]

The bigger problem was that it was unsafe to start the race with 30 mechanics and 10 bikes being wheeled about. The rules can always be superceded for safety, and that's what happened here. I don't know why Marc felt the need to do this, other than it DID look like it may go full wet, only to flip flop while they were approaching the time cutoff.

[MUZ720]

from what I saw on TV was that others were waiting on pit road to start. Once Mavrick's crew pushed the bike onto the grid that's when the red flag came out.

[Rada]

Without a doubt they should not have just flashed the green for the safety of all on pit road. I think they should have made them line up on pit road or do a LLP or ride through for delaying the start.

In the end the fans saw the race they paid to see and not one decided by weather.

[OreoGaborio]

I mean, imagine if you gambled on slicks and you see Doucette on the grid with wets. Then he pulls a technicality to get back on slicks without penalty? As the good sportsman I know you are, you wouldn’t say anything bad to “the media.” But deep down you’d know you just lost a huge opportunity that you made for yourself, and wasn’t gifted to you.

Very fair situational parallel, RD6 vs MM93... In all honestly, yeah I'd probably be more critical of the situation if it involved me directly, but ultimately, I don't think it changes WHO I would be annoyed with.

If I were on that grid, and if what he (RD6 or MM93) did wasn't within the rules, my frustration and anger would be aimed primarily at the officials... and trust me, I've been there before, where the officials failed to interpret and enforce the rules properly... and it wasn't even the way they penalized someone else, it was how they penalized ME when I never did anything wrong in the first place (and was proven innocent by another official).

That day was easily the most frustrating day of my racing career and it still irritates me to this day when I think about it... I don't have any more animosity against WHO triggered the whole chain of events, my feelings are aimed squarely at HOW it was handled by the officials (and perhaps the officials who mishandled it).

Have we actually seen solid confirmation and evidence that MM93 initiated the tire change after it was allowed? I mean, I'm pretty sure it was, but I'm not sure I've seen anything that confirms that yet.


EDIT: This article was very enlightening.

https://www.roadracingworld.com/news...gets-it-right/

[Paul_E_D]

Yes, see my post above. The rules don't matter in this case. No arguments necessary.

[JettaJayGLS]

Listened to a few podcasts and have an evolving view. There was Marc's action, and then the action of race direction.

Lets start with the actual rules (as I've pieced them together):
1) If you leave your bike on the grid and swap bikes before the 3 minute board to the warm-up lap, you start warm-up lap from pit lane and return to your grid position. Then you get a pit lane ride through penalty.
2) If 10 riders are starting the race from pit lane, you re-grid without penalties. This is not applicable to what Marc said in his post race interviews, because they would all start the race from the grid

So basically...Marc got his strategy wrong. Further, he was not penalized at all due to the commotion it caused, and actually the riders that did it right were the ones that were penalized. This article/interview/video was pretty eye opening.
https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/10...miscalculation

In the end all riders that left the grid should have just been started back in their grid spots, and all served a ride through penalty within the first 3 laps.

Marc's action - he states that he planned this all out because he knew that if more than 10 people did it, it would be a restart with no penalty. This is wrong, but if it is what he actually thought that it is a big risk and I almost applaud it. If he is telling the truth, then he knew that if only 9 people left the grid they would all be penalized.

Race direction - the rules state that all riders that tried this stunt should have a ride through. This is a way of approximating what a flag-to-flag swap would have been. I find asking 10 riders to serve a ride through penalty to be a very reasonable risk. I agree with red-flagging and taking time to figure it out. I don't agree with the lack of a penalty.

- - - Updated - - -

Yes, see my post above. The rules don't matter in this case. No arguments necessary.

I agree in stopping the race to sort it out. I don't agree that means that the riders that caused the commotion don't serve a penalty.

[union]

Interesting sprint today. Good for Martin to race well. SO much for this being one of Peccos better tracks. Really no where so far.

[MUZ720]

Rinse repeat for the most part, good battles down the field.

[Kenn157]

Frankie falls asleep on the racing line once again and almost gives up 3rd.
The sibs are amazing.

[Paul_E_D]

Marc's comment about right handers was ominous. Alex said Marc was faster in the rights. Marc said, I'm still slow in the rights, but I'm learning, adapting... by the middle/end of this season he will complete his adaptation to the bike and will be untouchable again. I think we are looking at the 10x world champion.

[union]

That one was entertaining. Marc showed why he is the best rider out there. Maverick looked good. Glad he got a nice result. I would be happy to see him win one to be the only to win with four different manufacturers. I don't know what to think about Pecco. It was a solid result but he needs to be better. Alex was a bit wild. Well deserved penalty. As of now the biggest disappointment has to be Acosta. The new KTM must suck. I hope they can figure something out and he can get back contending for podiums. Martin can't buy a break this year. Broken ribs sucks more then wrist I think.

[MUZ720]

Mavrick, When the guy is motivated, he is as fast as they come. Tire pressure rules still suck. Marc is the man. Zarco. and the rookies.

[union]

Mavrick, When the guy is motivated, he is as fast as they come. Tire pressure rules still suck. Marc is the man. Zarco. and the rookies.

Ya the tire rule is garbage. He rode the wheels off the KTM. The team probably figured he wouldn't be leading so they filled the tire so be in the pack. What really suck is if they filled the tire to be up front he probably wouldnt have got there to lead.

[MUZ720]

so, there is a minimum PSI that must be maintained over 60% of the laps. 26psi front 24psi rear is the standard number and each goes five decimal points. This number changes at each track and conditions. No Starting PSI is required, no Max number either? So lower psi is a safety thing in Michelin eyes. those are pretty low numbers wonder what Mavrik's numbers where?

[Paul_E_D]

so, there is a minimum PSI that must be maintained over 60% of the laps. 26psi front 24psi rear is the standard number and each goes five decimal points. This number changes at each track and conditions. No Starting PSI is required, no Max number either? So lower psi is a safety thing in Michelin eyes. those are pretty low numbers wonder what Mavrik's numbers where?

Agreed that seems really low for fronts especially. It has to be a michelin specific thing. The riders say if the front goes above 31 they lose grip and can't push. I know that even up to WSBK and MA people run over 40 in Dunlop and Pirelli front tires. I know I run 40 at heavy braking tracks.

[union]

Agreed that seems really low for fronts especially. It has to be a michelin specific thing. The riders say if the front goes above 31 they lose grip and can't push. I know that even up to WSBK and MA people run over 40 in Dunlop and Pirelli front tires. I know I run 40 at heavy braking tracks.

Is it really low? I kind of remember the front Dunlop ntec running somewhere around 22-24ish hot at Loudon? I could be wrong its been a long time and those tires are at least a generation old now maybe two. Maybe it was the rear? I know at the very least it wasnt a whole lot higher.

[Paul_E_D]

Is it really low? I kind of remember the front Dunlop ntec running somewhere around 22-24ish hot at Loudon? I could be wrong its been a long time and those tires are at least a generation old now maybe two. Maybe it was the rear? I know at the very least it wasnt a whole lot higher.

That's the rear

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

[MUZ720]

Should Martin, Hang it up for the year? I mean it could be Three mouths till he's healed up, that would be Sept. most of the season is gone Little to no time on a bike since January. What's to gain?

[jim v]

....What's to gain?......

He can start developing next year's Aprilia to his liking. Not racing for position, more like testing

[MUZ720]

Not sure testing out weights Crashing again at this point. A fully Fit JM would be a better tester. Not one who's coming back from a major injury. If he was to crash again, he risks more than any Information gathered. Riding around in 16/17 place like he was doing in Qatar. Thats Savadori's job.

[Paul_E_D]

He will definitely finish the season. He absolutely needs miles on the bike. I believe it takes 2 seasons to fully understand a bike. He can't afford to give up the seat time. Also, it's harder than you think to come back after over a year off of road racing.

[MUZ720]

I fully understand how hard that is. (Fractured pelvis Three places) I think he was pushing his wrist recovery as it was. 6 to 8 ribs fractured and a collapsed lung considering you can't breathe without hurting plus the training to get back in shape to race a moto GP bike. I think he would be lucky to make Japan in Late September as it is. He would be superman to just ride a motorcycle much less race one at his level.

[loudbeard]

He needs to come back. Agree he was pushing the wrist recovery time, but he still (theoretically) had a shot at getting into the points race. As serious as a collapsed lung and broken ribs can be initially, actual recovery time is 6-8 weeks. He can still put in half a season of healthy riding. He needs fully recover, then ride.

[MUZ720]

I want him to come back also. he's a great rider Moto GP is better with him racing. He needs to recover fully before the next Test.

[OreoGaborio]

For sure he needs to fully heal up... but I agree w/ Paul & Duncan, he absolutely NEEDS seat time if he wants to compete at a reasonable level in '26. I would be FLOORED if he put his racing on hold for the rest of the year without some sort of incredibly bad news about his recovery. Guarantee you, that guy is doing everything he can right now to get back into competitive race condition ASAP.