2013 Moto3/Moto2/MotoGP Thread

[Mike Rotch]

Very unfortunate and unnecessary for MM to directly affecting Pedrosa like that. Honda has admitted post race that MM's contact cut the traction control sensor on Pedrosa, hence the huge high-side. I really want to like MM, but things like this mean it is 1 step forward and 2 back in that regard.

Moto2 was great - no love lost between Rabat and Pol! Great racing up and down the order and a good fightback from Nakagami after this excursion too.

 

[adamp93]

Poor qualifying from Redding...again. It's like he doesn't want the title!

You were saying...

I genuinely can't understand the hatred towards Marquez. He made a mistake running too deep into the corner and quite clearly did his best to avoid Pedrosa but he was going wide as well so Marc's room for error came way down. I don't think he should be penalised but if he gets 2 points he'll have to start the next race from the back; which should make the championship a bit closer, although knowing Marquez only by 5 points!

 

[Mike Rotch]

I genuinely can't understand the hatred towards Marquez.

Hatred? Kind of a strong word to use isnt it?

 

[Ninners]

Marquez braked at the same time as Dani, then slowly got closer and closer and had no choice but to pick the bike up and go straight on. It's a freak occurrence because I don't think this has happened before.

 

[F1 fan]

Very unfortunate and unnecessary for MM to directly affecting Pedrosa like that. Honda has admitted post race that MM's contact cut the traction control sensor on Pedrosa, hence the huge high-side. I really want to like MM, but things like this mean it is 1 step forward and 2 back in that regard.

But... You're a Pedrosa fan... Forget what he did to Hayden? He's a rookie. Mistakes happen and the odds of of his elbow brushing the sensor were very slim. Had his elbow tapped somewhere else, we wouldn't be having this discussion. It's not like he plowed into him at full speed.

Moving on, Laguna Seca has been dropped from the calendar.

 

[Tom]

But... You're a Pedrosa fan... Forget what he did to Hayden? He's a rookie. Mistakes happen and the odds of of his elbow brushing the sensor were very slim. Had his elbow tapped somewhere else, we wouldn't be having this discussion. It's not like he plowed into him at full speed.

Moving on, Laguna Seca has been dropped from the calendar.

I'm inclined to agree with you on this Craig.

Also, I think that dropping Laguna is a massive shame as it's produced some fantastic racing since 2005!

 

[Mike Rotch]

But... You're a Pedrosa fan... Forget what he did to Hayden? He's a rookie. Mistakes happen and the odds of of his elbow brushing the sensor were very slim. Had his elbow tapped somewhere else, we wouldn't be having this discussion. It's not like he plowed into him at full speed.

Moving on, Laguna Seca has been dropped from the calendar.

I kinda agree with you, but he does have a bit of a history of this - he almost did the same to Jorge a few times at Jerez before the famous 'move' elsewhere on track and not to forget his accident with Wilariot two years ago where he did plow into someone at full speed. He just seems a bit fearless of danger and gets his bike into a risky position more times then not.

I am not saying it was on purpose, its just that it was a bit avoidable and has taken some of the bite out of the title race now.

 

[hornet_burnout]

Think about this: brake levers now have covers now to avoid expected racing contacts, incidents and accidents.

So should any such sensitive cable/system. It was basically poor design/protection of the cable IMO.

Marc is doing a great job. I hated his style before, but he has grown and this little incident was just a small racing contact. No one would even mention it if it wasn't for a poorly placed/protected piece of electronic equipment.


Anyhow... new 2014 MotoGP calendar:

23 March Losail, Qatar
13 April Austin, USA
27 April Rio Hondo, Argentina
04 May Jerez, Spain*
18 May Le Mans, France
01 June Mugello, Italy
15 June Barcelona, Catalunya
28 June Assen, Netherlands
13 July Sachsenring, Germany
10 August Indianapolis, USA
17 August Brno, Czech Republic
31 August Silverstone, Great Britain
14 September Misano, San Marino
21 September Aragon, Spain
28 September Brasilia, Brazil**
12 October Sepang, Malaysia
19 October Motegi, Japan
26 October Phillip Island, Australia
09 November Valencia, Spain

* Subject to contract
** Subject to homologation

 

[adamp93]

Hatred? Kind of a strong word to use isnt it?

Sorry mate not aimed at you at all, it's just I watched it monday and by then the poll on crash.net was showing some 48% wanted him excluded. I couldn't tell whether it was to make the championship closer or he's public enemy no.1

 

[Mike Rotch]

on crash.net

Well there's your problem .

I don't like him, but I respect his ability. I can see why some people don't like him nor respect his ability, and I would bet they are pretty vociferous if given half a chance.

 

[Tom]

Danny Kent will leave Tech3 next season. I guess he'll either be heading to a team with a more competitive chassis than the Mistral!

On a side note, I purchased a print of this today from a fantastic artist called Colin Carter, I thoroughly enjoyed a long chat with him about Motorsport as well! I should be purchasing one of Rossi on the Fiat Yamaha in 2010, and potentially James Hunt in 1976.

 

[Mike Rotch]

Very cool poster. The pic it is based off sum Super Sic up magnificently.

 

[MadRR]

Ive been a huge GP fan for quite a few years now seen every race since 05 and also here on gt planet for quite a while but Ive never took notice that there's a real motorsport section here lol. I'll have to keep a watch on it now.

@Tom, great pics from the british GP weekend. You even got one with my favorite rider, Hayden! One thing I have to point out that's kinda funny/sad about Nicky though. I didn't notice it until it was pointed out to me about 2 years ago from another guy on a forum. Is that whenever Nicky is doing pics for fans he never looks at the camera. He's always looking away. Same as in your pic. Kinda sad really I guess but now I think its a bit funny since it was over 2 years ago this was pointed out to me and he still does it lol.

 

[Tom]

Ive been a huge GP fan for quite a few years now seen every race since 05 and also here on gt planet for quite a while but Ive never took notice that there's a real motorsport section here lol. I'll have to keep a watch on it now.

@Tom, great pics from the british GP weekend. You even got one with my favorite rider, Hayden! One thing I have to point out that's kinda funny/sad about Nicky though. I didn't notice it until it was pointed out to me about 2 years ago from another guy on a forum. Is that whenever Nicky is doing pics for fans he never looks at the camera. He's always looking away. Same as in your pic. Kinda sad really I guess but now I think its a bit funny since it was over 2 years ago this was pointed out to me and he still does it lol.

I've never noticed it until now, but seen as you mentioned it, I see what you mean. He was an incredibly nice guy though.

The Yamaha and Ducati hospitalities were directly opposite each other and Rossi as it happens was in the Yamaha one, so his mob of people were queuing outside to try and collar him. I was just on the way back from the toilet which were behind the Ducati hospitality and I saw the mob, finding out that Rossi was in the Yamaha one I waited about ten minutes for nothing to happen aside from the mob getting bigger. I then turned round and saw Dovi in the Ducati hospitality, I then saw him disappear to the upper-level and miraculously Hayden appeared! I was literally right outside the step, so I collared him and got a picture before everyone else!

 

[hornet_burnout]

Race Direction explains Aragón decision:

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/Race+Direction+explains+MarquezPedrosa+decision

In short:
- 1 penalty point for Marc, justified by "sending a message to riders"
- minus 25 points for HRC for failing to secure the system properly

I call BS on the first, they were just appeasing the complaints of other riders, which ironically will come out of this loosing. Marc has proven he can learn from his mistakes and improve, this will make him improve his style sooner, not go slower. Part of me wished he'd start last, so he could (once more) come back and win the race as he has done in the past (just last year, twice if you count forgetting to put the bike in gear and being passed by virtually everyone at Motegi 2012 [video] ).

The second one is all but fitting IMO. Such sensitive bit of tech must be better protected.

 

[Peasantslayer]

I bet if Dani hadn't spun out after the touch Marquez wouldn't have been penalised, it shouldn't matter what happens afterwards because it wasn't that aggressive of a move and he pulled out of it and ran on.

 

[hornet_burnout]

Well, Lorenzo asked for rain. He got it. Went 4th. Marc got the pole. There's no taming that kid. Any way, grid will be something like this:

Marc Valentino Cal
Lorenzo Dani Bautista
Smith Dovi Espargaro
Iannone Hayden Bradl
Edwards Corti Barbera
Aoyama Hernandez de Puniet
Laverty Petrucci Scassa
Staring Pesek Cudlin

 

[adamp93]

You can scratch Bradl from that. He had a terribly unlucky injury when his foot dug into the astro turf at 50 mph+ causing a broken ankle. Shocking stuff if you haven't seen it. He's hoping to be back next week.

 

[Mike Rotch]

You can scratch Bradl from that. He had a terribly unlucky injury when his foot dug into the astro turf at 50 mph+ causing a broken ankle. Shocking stuff if you haven't seen it. He's hoping to be back next week.

That is a pity, he and Bautista were in the midst of a good battle for 6th in the championship standings.

 

[hornet_burnout]

Very interesting MotoGP race. Good to see Lorenzo fighting on track.

Scary Moto2 crash.

But ultimatelly the thriller for me was Moto3, especially because of Oliveira. Made a mess of the start, fell to the back but pulled through the field up to 4th, then held with the leaders to finish in an outstanding 3rd. What a great ride!

 

[Tom]

The Moto3 was just intense, six riders barely separated by a second at the finish! The Lap 1 crash for Moto2 was very scary indeed, it even shocked British Eurosport's Julian Ryder as he did say some profanity on-air. MotoGP was great in the first half, the second was rather dull however.

 

[Mike Rotch]

The Moto3 races was one of the best of the season - Vinales is pretty much out of the fight now, but Rins v Salom in the remaining races will be a great spectacle. Cannot wait for PI as that is another track which delivers great Moto3 racing.

 

[Mike Rotch]

Hayden has announced he'll be switching to the Aspar CRT Open Class Honda next year .

 

[hornet_burnout]

Hayden has announced he'll be switching to the Aspar CRT Open Class Honda next year .

What went through my mind was "that new Honda must be a good one".

Casey's says it is...

 

[adamp93]

The news there is that Aspar are ditching the Aprilia for a Honda. Shame since they're working wonders with one of them.

 

[Tom]

Hayden has announced he'll be switching to the Aspar CRT Open Class Honda next year .

Personally, I think was the best option for Hayden as it was clear that Pramac weren't going to pick him up. The only real difference as far as I know is that it lacks the pneumatic valves and seamless gearbox, plus they will have to run the standard ECU. On the flip side, the advantage is that they can run 24 litres of fuel.

 

[Mike Rotch]

I just don't want him to become another Colin Edwards - journey man at the rear of the grid.

Looking forward to this weekends Moto3 and Moto2 races given the tight point's battles - not really Motogp as that is a foregone conclusion.

 

[Tom]

I just don't want him to become another Colin Edwards - journey man at the rear of the grid.

Looking forward to this weekends Moto3 and Moto2 races given the tight point's battles - not really Motogp as that is a foregone conclusion.

I think that the classes will be closer next year, sure they're not going to be as quick as the Factory bikes but they'll be closer than a lot of the CRT's this year. Nicky must think that it's a good deal, I don't think that he would sign a deal to race towards the rear of the field. Speaking of Edwards, it'll be interesting to see how he fairs on-board the 'Yamaha'.

I have to say that Moto3 is getting very, very interesting and in all honesty, I'd love to see Rins take the title. Moto2 is always good here, I'm rooting for Ant West as it's his home Grand Prix, plus he went very well here last year.

 

[Mike Rotch]

Bradl has been declared unfit to race this weekend following his surgery last week. He tried a few laps in practice but was >4secs off the pace.

 

[F1 fan]

You've got to love Charlie Cox. "He was flying, wasn't he?" (when talking about Lorenzo's first lap in quali with a seagull wedged in the bodywork)