2015 MotoGP Thread

[dc]

As F1 begins and continues to disappoint, NASCAR throws the same WWE story lines at the racing community again and IndyCar is still a ways off, I know that there are some here on ApexSpeed like me who are eagerly awaiting the rapidly approaching MotoGP season opener in Qatar in a couple of weeks.

Testing is finishing up in Spain and there is a lot to be excited about. Honda and Yamaha are strong of course, but Ducati has made huge leaps and was at the top of the lap charts on a couple of different occasions. Suzuki is making gains, too. It looks to be an exciting season in MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3. High horsepower, no downforce, the best talent in the world on some of the greatest tracks... what more could you want from a race series?



Can't wait. Who else is a MotoGP fan here?





I am heavily rooting for Crazy Joe and the Ducs.

[zcars]

Go Valentino ! Been wacthing Moto GP for years.

[petawawarace]

Awesome racing!!! Gotta love when the only "aero" is drafting, and it helps promote passing

[Jnovak]

Just love MotoGP

[steve zemke]

It is the best racing on TV

[SEComposites]

No downforce is not strictly true. Ducati have been experimenting with little winglets!

[mikey]

After all the work Honda has done with aero in Indycar this year, I wonder how long before they translate all that work onto the motoGP platforms

Good to see somebody else corroborating my mantra that NASCAR is just WWF on wheels, not really racing.

[lance3556]

Not sure who to watch this year. I was a big fan of Nicky, but since his injury and his brother Rogers injury, seems he has been struggling. Hopefully someone will give Marquez a run this year!

[rickb99]

Moto GP fan here.

Ever since they dumbed down F1 racing, the only true 'racers' that take on the road and life in a serious way are Moto GP and Isle of Man TT'ers.

[Earley Motorsports]

Love it. As for the no downforce , when we went to the US inaugral in Indy I was watching them going down the straight in the pooring rain and there was no rooster tail at all. In fact the water was being pushed to the track surface about 3 feet behind the bike. Amazing to see. So maybe there is something "aero" in the bike, just not a visible wing. A little different to when I raced bikes, mind you that was in the 70's.

[dc]

Anyone else excited to see the top 12 qualifiers in GP covered by just over a second in qualifying with a Ducati on the pole? I donno about you, but I can't wait for this season to get underway today!

[lucky13]

I'm a massive MotoGP fan. The Ducatis seem to have made big strides on their issues of front end stability on the brakes. Dovi is a huge talent and Crazy Joe is a serious rising star. Marquez is still a magician and a third championship isn't unrealistic. The Yamaha is good at some tracks but not so much at others. Don't expect much from them at Qatar.

Moto2 and Moto3 are even better racing than MotoGP!

[dsmithwc04]

Actually, the second F1 race was much better than Australia. Looks like Ferrari and Merc may be duking it out for the championship which is a fantastic surprise.

After all the work Honda has done with aero in Indycar this year, I wonder how long before they translate all that work onto the motoGP platforms

Good to see somebody else corroborating my mantra that NASCAR is just WWF on wheels, not really racing.

I get zero excitement watching a bunch of good 'ole boys running around in a circle all day. I just can't get into Nascar and to be honest, I only watch Indy when they are on road courses and of course the Indy 500.

[dc]

I get zero excitement watching a bunch of good 'ole boys running around in a circle all day. I just can't get into Nascar...

Factually speaking, well more than half of the Cup field would have fought for the North in the Civil war (by birth location), and plenty west of the Rockies. There are actually very few "good ol' boys" in NASCARs driver's seats, and even more so as you go down the ranks into Infinity series and Camping World Truck series.

Just because the main color commentator is a stereotypical goober is no reason to paint with such a broad brush. Just sayin'. If you don't like oval racing, that's cool, but at least be honest about it.


Now, back to MotoGP...

[dsmithwc04]

Factually speaking, well more than half of the Cup field would have fought for the North in the Civil war (by birth location), and plenty west of the Rockies. There are actually very few "good ol' boys" in NASCARs driver's seats, and even more so as you go down the ranks into Infinity series and Camping World Truck series.

Just because the main color commentator is a stereotypical goober is no reason to paint with such a broad brush. Just sayin'. If you don't like oval racing, that's cool, but at least be honest about it.


Now, back to MotoGP...

Doug, perhaps my words did not convey the point I meant to make which was my error. My idea of "good 'ole boys" isn't necessarily dependent on geography but more on a mentality. Nascar appears to have a disproportionate amount of drivers with mental illnesses, meth users, and drug charges. Not saying any other form of racing has perfect guys behind the wheel , but Nascar sure has some "classy" drivers among their ranks. Of course part of the problem is the fact , which was observed by some previously in this thread, that Nascar has taken this route almost on purpose to keep their guys in the headlines to keep the "sport" relevant much like the business plan of WWE.

And I close with......... GO ROSSI!!!!

[JeffW]

Just watched the Moto GP race last night - now that was a race. Four at the front for the most part, all covered by a blanket , and Valentino on his own against the Ducati's. Brilliant riding by everyone - especially VR.

Its everything F1 is not (Malaysia aside - which I hope will not be a flash in the pan).

JeffW

[dc]

Did anyone catch the Moto3 race last night?




Holy hell. What a season this is going to be.

[lucky13]

What an absolutely fantastic race by everyone and especially by "The Doctor"!!! Where did Yamaha find that much speed? What about Maniac Joe!

Now the news that Pedrosa is having serious arm pump issues. If he is out for a few races or longer, does Honda put someone else on the bike and if so.....who? They have talked Stoner into doing the Suzuka 8 hours - maybe they can talk him into stepping in? Either way, if the rest of the year is anything like the first race weekend, this is going to be an incredible year!

[Rolling Stone]

Those Ducatis had some straight line speed!!!I watched all 3 classes best racing on TV easily,anyones race up front right up to the last corners.

[Swift17]

Got to love'em ......

Have been a fan since my 900ss Superlight, 916 and by personal favorite (and rare - and still have 750 Paso Limited SS (only 28 made not expensive but neat)

The use to dominate Superbike - struggled at MotoGP - new rules helped and they are fly'in !!!!

NO Gismo, Desmo !!!!!
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.
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[steve zemke]

What channel?

[dsmithwc04]

I watched it on ABC on DirecTV

[steve zemke]

Thanks

[JeffW]

Not to take anything away from the Ducatis which have awesome straight line speed, it was mentioned that they are allowed to use softer/grippier tires than the rest until they have i)one win, or ii) two seconds, or iii) three thirds. Then they have to use the same tires as the rest of the field. Still a fantastic performance by them and everyone else. Also liked Valentino's obvious joy at winning. Not the buttoned up attitude before/during/after an F1 race.

JeffW

[steve zemke]

ON 219 on Direct tv tonight for those of us who missed it

[Kazis31]

Marquez just cleansweeped last season.
insane driver.

[ric baribeault]

Was a bike racer long before open wheel. Been claiming it's the best racing on the planet for years. Moto3, in my opinion, even better than GP. Glad to see so many other members have the fever. Never watch NASCAR. Indycar is now FooFooCar. F1....eh....Monaco and Spa still draw my interest. WSB also has some pretty good racing

[Rolling Stone]

What channel?

FOX SPORTS in Ontario Canada

[Chris Livengood]

Not to take anything away from the Ducatis which have awesome straight line speed, it was mentioned that they are allowed to use softer/grippier tires than the rest until they have i)one win, or ii) two seconds, or iii) three thirds. Then they have to use the same tires as the rest of the field. Still a fantastic performance by them and everyone else. Also liked Valentino's obvious joy at winning. Not the buttoned up attitude before/during/after an F1 race.

JeffW

Do you have a written source for this or was it on the broadcast? Just curious because I was looking around and couldn't find anything.

[a. pettipas]

Not to take anything away from the Ducatis which have awesome straight line speed, it was mentioned that they are allowed to use softer/grippier tires than the rest until they have i)one win, or ii) two seconds, or iii) three thirds. Then they have to use the same tires as the rest of the field. Still a fantastic performance by them and everyone else. Also liked Valentino's obvious joy at winning. Not the buttoned up attitude before/during/after an F1 race.

JeffW

Do you have a written source for this or was it on the broadcast? Just curious because I was looking around and couldn't find anything.

I only get MotoGP news from the series site and I remember reading something about this recently.

[JeffW]

Chris, It was mentioned only in the broadcast. The reasoning was that it would help new teams get started in a positive manner.

JeffW

[dc]

No spoilers...


If you didn't stay up late for Australia, do yourself a favor and find the re-broadcast and record it. It's easily the best top level racing I have seen... maybe ever. I'm winded from watching it.

One of the greatest races you will EVER see. Amazing.

[Hawke]

Doug, you're right. Best race ever. Lucky I live here so no staying up late. And having raced on the track several times, gives you a different perspective.

[jpetillo]

Do you have a written source for this or was it on the broadcast? Just curious because I was looking around and couldn't find anything.

Yes, that is pretty much true. I read it in the motorcycle magazines. I don't remember the details, but what was mentioned is about what I remember. I also recall that Ducati is actually ready for the special allowances to be removed and is asking for it to happen prematurely.

I'm another ex motorcycle racer turned open wheel guy. John

[FASTDAD]

These riders are very good at what they do. It's inspiring to read about a person of Rossi's caliber talk about how he "cannot cry, regret". it must be a very different attitude with these guys, and also no one whining. They just battle it out at the very limit of their machines and abilities.