Anyone still watching MotoGP?

[Redmires]

I've just watched the WSB highlights on ITV4. How lucky was Toprak when he crashed in practice? Another couple of degrees and his head could have taken the full force of the impact on the barrier. To my eyes, it seemed that the barrier in that location was totally inadequate. I noticed that in the actual races a crash mat had been put in place.

[Tedx]

But sprint races will now be available on free TV in a major change, and a huge boost for UK-based MotoGP fans.

The sprint race, on the Saturday at each round, will be broadcast live in 2025 on free-to-air channel Quest.

Quest will also broadcast two live (and free) MotoGP grands prix in 2025, including the British GP.

https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/10601 ... shown-free

The sprint race, as the name suggests is a balls out, elbows out bun fight over a half distance for half points. No fuel or tyre worries. In fact the biggest danger used to be an 'enthusiastic' Marc Marquez starting way back on the grid on the bucking Honda and him skittling you (ending your season) before you even finished the first lap

Talking of Mr Marquez, I was going to do a follow up to my post back at the start of the season, but ran out of time/energy and love for him as it was made clear that his goal was to ditch Gresini and join the factory Ducati team, ousting 2 of Ducati's most promising stars (one of whom is the new world champion!)

In the end he finished 3rd in the title race - an outstanding achievement given the large gap in placings between his 2023 bike and the other 2023 Ducatis. If a few more things had gone right (the brakes in Texas for example) he might well have been there or thereabouts. Saying that, the factory 2024 bikes were outstanding compared to the outdated machinery he was on (with the exception of the dreary Frankie Morbidelli who keeps on getting decent rides despite his lacklustre performances)

So Marquez to the factory team. Top 2025 spec bike, oodles of tech and all the support he'll ever need. World Champion 2025? Most likely.

Bye Gresini. It was a laugh

https://youtube.com/shorts/2zEAQNAbrJ0? ... z9BJHGBVDD

[DrFfybes]

Talking of Mr Marquez, I was going to do a follow up to my post back at the start of the season, but ran out of time/energy and love for him as it was made clear that his goal was to ditch Gresini and join the factory Ducati team, ousting 2 of Ducati's most promising stars (one of whom is the new world champion!)

I don't think that was his goal (although the gesture to the Gresini team at the end of the test day seemed odd, it was taken as a joke).

I think his aim was to get a Factory Ride for 2025, same as Martin stated he wanted. However had the Pramac/Yamaha thing been announced sooner, I reckon he'd have stayed at Gresini with full Factory support. Gigi effectively took that option off the table by selecting him over Martin.

Note that there have been 3 'Full Factory' bikes on the grid in the past- remember Dovi as the third Repsol Honda in 2011 alongside Stoner and Pedrosa?

As an aside we went to Worldsuperbikes at jerez last month. Friday was about as busy as a GP Moto2 test, Sat and Sun was so easy and quick in and out it was unbelievable. parking right inside the ciruit, no queues, Paddock access, free Prosecco. The only downside was with the low crowd the facilities were poor - 3 beer taps on the whole circuit, 4 food outlets, long queues, they even shut the only cafe on site on the Sunday! I've seen better provisions at Lydden Hill.

Paul

[Tedx]

I'll be interested to see Martin on the Aprillia next year. It's a winning/competitive machine as Espagaro and Vinales have shown. And I think Martin is better than both of them.

I can't see past Marquez next year though. Pecco can compete with him when he's on a 24 and Marquez in on a 23....but on the same machinery? I doubt it. Acosta on the factory KTM will be interesting too. Always a trier is Pedro.

Honda and Yamaha? Well the Yamaha is showing some signs of life with their concessions - and rumours of a new V4 engine abound. 4 factory bikes next year (effectively) should see some progress.

Honda? Surely to God they have enough cash to throw at this thing to make it work...? Honestly, it's embarassing.

[Redmires]

I'd love to see Toprak in MotoGP. Maybe 2026.

[Tedx]

I'd love to see Toprak in MotoGP. Maybe 2026.

Well the rule change to 850cc in 2027* and MotoGP are trying like hell to get BMW involved from then.

The question is if Razgatlıoğlu** will be happy waiting until then.

*I saw an article the other day about Honda building a three cylinder electronically supercharged engine. If they allow engines beyond the standard four cylinders (typically V4) that we see today in MotoGP then possibly could have some interesting innovation there.

**It's a surname that I can hear a commentator say and repeat it back exactly many times. 2 hours later though and I haven't got a clue how to say it.

[DrFfybes]

I'd love to see Toprak in MotoGP. Maybe 2026.

Well the rule change to 850cc in 2027* and MotoGP are trying like hell to get BMW involved from then.

The question is if Razgatlıoğlu** will be happy waiting until then.

AIUI BMW have bought the Suzuki MotoGP setup, although Toprak tested and wasn't impressed. At Jerez you could stand alongside the circuit in the paddock where they are braking for the hairpin - that is interesting however Moto2 actually feels more violent than Superbikes

Honda? Surely to God they have enough cash to throw at this thing to make it work...? Honestly, it's embarassing.

The problem with the Japanes manufacturers, and Honda in particular, was a culture to keep everything in-house and to test it to the nth degree before releasing it.

The European manufacturers, and Ducati in patricular as they had half the grid , released loads of things and just let the teams test them where they could.

We're off to the Moto2/3 tests in Feb, but I think next year we might focus a bit more on WSBK if Chloe Jones does get a WCR entry - several of the existing teams were talking to her after her wildcard but I don't know if anything came of it.

Paul

[bungeejumper]

[Razgatlıoğlu]: It's a surname that I can hear a commentator say and repeat it back exactly many times. 2 hours later though and I haven't got a clue how to say it.

I used to have to tangle with the Turkish alphabet in my work. There are plenty of pronunciation guides on t'interweb, and not all of them are correct. The BBC's pronunciation is a mash-up too.

The second g with the thingy over it is called a yumuşak, and it's an Arabic import, which is a bit weird given that Kemal Ataturk tried so hard to Europeanise the alphabet. Basically it's a silent letter (as in President Erdoğan), although that's not quite true either. Anyway, the word ends "liolli-yew", more or less.

The whole word Razgatlıoğlu sounds rather like a very wet sneeze. You have not been charged for this information. Have a nice day.

BJ

[Tedx]

The most common pronounciation I've heard is 'Raz-gat-lee-og-loo'

That'll do for me.

Everyone calls him Toprak (his first name). For good reason!

[bungeejumper]

The most common pronounciation I've heard is 'Raz-gat-lee-og-loo'

That'll do for me.

Whatever works. The last fast biker I ever went to watch was some flash git called Barry. AKA Mr Sheene.

BJ

[Tedx]

The most common pronounciation I've heard is 'Raz-gat-lee-og-loo'

That'll do for me.

Whatever works. The last fast biker I ever went to watch was some flash git called Barry. AKA Mr Sheene.

BJ

Ironically, Barry was the most unpolished person in the world.

[Redmires]

Marquez is looking the part on the Ducati gp25 in today's MCN. Red leathers, red helmet on a red bike, with no logos etc. Ironically, it was his brother Alex who was quickest though in the testing session.



https://cdn-3.motorsport.com/images/mgl ... i-team.jpg