MotoGP 2014 News & Chat

h3000

It seems like Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Vinales to Suzuki is a done deal. Should be an official announcement today or tomorrow.

frostie500

h3000 wrote: »

It seems like Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Vinales to Suzuki is a done deal. Should be an official announcement today or tomorrow.

I'm still not 100% convinced on this rumour. I trust who's come out and said that it's a done deal but I can't see why Vinales would sign a three year deal when he could do one more year in Moto2 and possibily win the title and then have the choice of a Yamaha seat seeing as they've been linked with him so much in the past

h3000

frostie500 wrote: »

I'm still not 100% convinced on this rumour. I trust who's come out and said that it's a done deal but I can't see why Vinales would sign a three year deal when he could do one more year in Moto2 and possibily win the title and then have the choice of a Yamaha seat seeing as they've been linked with him so much in the past

I taught Vinales would have stayed in Moto2 for another year alright. I'm sure we will find out whats happening soon enough.

CJhaughey

If PBM pulls out then you could well see Eugene replacing his brother on a Factory Aprilia and possibly Bautista who will have no RCV because Redding will be riding it.
Redding should go well on a better performing pneumatic valve RCV if current results are anything to go by, beating and matching Hayden on the same machine is no bad thing considering Reddings size and weight handicap.
Smith and Bradl are likely to be looking for new rides as neither have performed well enough at this level.
CE II retiring will also free up a seat (not before time) and A Espargaro will also be moving away from Forward. 2 x seats vacant there?
I'd personally prefer to see Eugene on the Aprilia then the Suzuki, the Ape has a lot more development done then the Suzuki and Eugene did really well on the same make in SBK so should be used to the power characteristics of it.

Infoanon

CJhaughey wrote: »

If PBM pulls out then you could well see Eugene replacing his brother on a Factory Aprilia and possibly Bautista who will have no RCV because Redding will be riding it.
Redding should go well on a better performing pneumatic valve RCV if current results are anything to go by, beating and matching Hayden on the same machine is no bad thing considering Reddings size and weight handicap.
Smith and Bradl are likely to be looking for new rides as neither have performed well enough at this level.
CE II retiring will also free up a seat (not before time) and A Espargaro will also be moving away from Forward. 2 x seats vacant there?
I'd personally prefer to see Eugene on the Aprilia then the Suzuki, the Ape has a lot more development done then the Suzuki and Eugene did really well on the same make in SBK so should be used to the power characteristics of it.

First mention of PBM quitting, Herve has done an interview on crash.net which reading between the lines indicates that Bradley is out with a Moto 2 or Moto 3 rider getting the Tech 3 seat.
Aprilla have not confirmed their much rumoured return a year ahead of schedule.

frostie500

CJhaughey wrote: »

If PBM pulls out then you could well see Eugene replacing his brother on a Factory Aprilia and possibly Bautista who will have no RCV because Redding will be riding it

PBM will only be pulling out if Aprilia (or another team) buys their two grid slots. The slots are worth a few million quid (probably 3 million) so if an offer is made you'd imagine that Bird will look at selling them. It's unfortunate because given the resources that the team has they do a great job and Laverty has ridden really well for them this year with some good showings by Parkes.

Infoanon wrote: »

First mention of PBM quitting, Herve has done an interview on crash.net which reading between the lines indicates that Bradley is out with a Moto 2 or Moto 3 rider getting the Tech 3 seat.
Aprilla have not confirmed their much rumoured return a year ahead of schedule.

Yeah, looks like Herve will only take on a young rider, I've not idea who I'd be putting money on it being though! Rabat will stay in Moto2, Folger had been linked but he's staying at AGR. In Moto2 with Miller looking like going to Honda you'd imagine that Rins or Fenati would be targeted but I think Fenati is going to Moto2. Interesting to see what happens but I wouldn't rule out a one year deal for Smith

Infoanon

Leon Camier has been announced as replacement rider for Nicky Hayden at Aspar for the Indy and Brno rounds.Nicky should be fit again for Misano.

h3000

Infoanon wrote: »

Leon Camier has been announced as replacement rider for Nicky Hayden at Aspar for the Indy and Brno rounds.Nicky should be fit again for Misano.

Indy is a really big one for Nicky miss. I wouldn't say he is too happy to miss it.

Fabio

Still silence from Suzuki about contracts...

Infoanon

Cal Crutchlow has been confirmed at LCR Honda with Andrea Iannone to take his Ducati seat.

Rumours had been rife all morning that Cal would not be staying with Ducati just days after confirming he had taken up his option.

LCR also confirmed a new UK based sponsor.

h3000

Infoanon wrote: »

Cal Crutchlow has been confirmed at LCR Honda with Andrea Iannone to take his Ducati seat.

Rumours had been rife all morning that Cal would not be staying with Ducati just days after confirming he had taken up his option.

LCR also confirmed a new UK based sponsor.

Heard that this morning but taught it was just silly season speculation. I'd say he will be very quick on the Honda.

Hotblack Desiato

Iannone deserves it, he's often been the quickest Ducati.

Are LCR running two bikes, or is Bradl moving on?

Edit: wait a minute

motogp.com wrote:

Ducati Corse announced today that it has reached an agreement with its factory rider Cal Crutchlow to terminate, ahead of time, the contract that ties the British rider to the Italian team in MotoGP for 2014 and also for next season.

So Cal will be on a Honda next time out?

h3000

Hotblack Desiato wrote: »

Iannone deserves it, he's often been the quickest Ducati.

Are LCR running two bikes, or is Bradl moving on?

Edit: wait a minute



So Cal will be on a Honda next time out?

I'm pretty sure he is with Ducati until the end of the season.

CJhaughey

h3000 wrote: »

Heard that this morning but taught it was just silly season speculation. I'd say he will be very quick on the Honda.

I can guarantee that he'll be faster on the Sat RCV then he was on the GP14.
It'll be interesting to see where he is in relation to Redding on the same machinery, as long as Redding is running Ohlins/Brembo not Showa/Nissin.
Where does Bradl go, Forward?
IMO Cal was right to get out, he is demoralized and losing pace fast, look at how long it's taken Rossi and Hayden to get over that red period.
Gigi might make a fast GP15 next year but I highly doubt its going to be beating Yamaha and Honda in the first year.
Given its not even made yet and the first showing is rumoured to be in the Sepang test its a big gamble.

pablo128

I doubt anyone worth their salt will touch the Ducati with a bargepole in the next couple of years.

CJhaughey

pablo128 wrote: »

I doubt anyone worth their salt will touch the Ducati with a bargepole in the next couple of years.

If anyone was looking at the list of successful riders in MotoGP compared to riders that have been burnt by Ducati the list looks like:

Crutchlow
Rossi WC
Melandri Runner up to WC
Hayden WC
vs

Stoner WC

None of them could ride the red beast apart from Stoner in a season of flux and even he was going backwards in the end.
I hear they pay well though!

pablo128

CJhaughey wrote: »

If anyone was looking at the list of successful riders in MotoGP compared to riders that have been burnt by Ducati the list looks like:

Crutchlow
Rossi WC
Melandri Runner up to WC
Hayden WC
vs

Stoner WC

None of them could ride the red beast apart from Stoner in a season of flux and even he was going backwards in the end.
I hear they pay well though!

Well the reason Crutchlow went was for the money. Allegedly. Couldn't blame him myself though, 300k a year at Tech3 vs 2m a year at Ducati.
I've no doubt he'll do a lot better with a Honda under his arse.

CJhaughey

pablo128 wrote: »

Well the reason Crutchlow went was for the money. Allegedly. Couldn't blame him myself though, 300k a year at Tech3 vs 2m a year at Ducati.
I've no doubt he'll do a lot better with a Honda under his arse.

He has done very well out of the arrangement though, this years salary and probably some of next years as well by the looks of things, Ducati will have had to pay him out but will save 6-8m on the cost of running a third factory bike.

Infoanon

CJhaughey wrote: »

He has done very well out of the arrangement though, this years salary and probably some of next years as well by the looks of things, Ducati will have had to pay him out but will save 6-8m on the cost of running a third factory bike.

Ducati are already running 3 Factory bikes - its possible that they may continue ro run 3 Factory Bikes, Pramac is now effectively an extension of the factory team.

Rumours persist that Iannone bike is a higher spec than Cals and Dovis bike.

EB_2013

Good move for Cal, another disasterous year on the Ducati might have ended with no top team wanting him. Better off ending it now. I'm guessing the new British sponsor at LCR might have helped too getting him in. Hope to see him challenging for some podiums next year.

CJhaughey

In my view he's done very well for himself .
Whatever you may think about Cal, he has negotiated a very good deal.
He's got out of the moving trainwreck that is Ducati Corse, and has been paid out by them instead of enduring another year of poor results and probably no offers at the end of 2015.
He has also got arguably the best bike on the grid outside of the 4 Full factory machines.
What rider has a better deal?
This is last chance saloon for him though.

Infoanon

Stefan Bradl has signed for forward Yamaha racing - good move for both imho - Suzuki still to confirm and rumours abound about a second LCR !

CJhaughey

Infoanon wrote: »

Stefan Bradl has signed for forward Yamaha racing - good move for both imho - Suzuki still to confirm and rumours abound about a second LCR !

Not another Factory bike though, Production Honda I would think.
Chechinello was keen to run two Bikes but depending on finances being available
Good move for Bradl, those Forward Yamaha's are pretty good as shown by AEspargaro, we'll see what he can do on that bearing in mind that they won't be running the Yamaha chassis next year but the FTR instead.

Infoanon

Jorge confirmed at Yamaha for 2015 and 2016.

Rumours have it that Jorge only wanted a one year contract. Pol wont be too happy either...

Aleix Espagaro had said that he is only interested in the Suzuki ride and has turned down other offers in the last few weeks.

CJhaughey

Infoanon wrote: »

Jorge confirmed at Yamaha for 2015 and 2016.

Rumours have it that Jorge only wanted a one year contract. Pol wont be too happy either...

Aleix Espagaro had said that he is only interested in the Suzuki ride and has turned down other offers in the last few weeks.

At least Suzuki have been a paddock presence for most of the time, they come in and out like the tide but they have won stuff in the past, what irks me is the like of KTM and BMW who won't support any factory teams but just want to sell equipment to privateer MotoGP teams.
Whatever you can say about Honda and Yamaha they always put the machinery out there for themselves and satellite teams to use.

frostie500

Infoanon wrote: »

Jorge confirmed at Yamaha for 2015 and 2016.

Rumours have it that Jorge only wanted a one year contract. Pol wont be too happy either...

It's a two year contract with an opt out option at the end of year one so Jorge got what he wanted out of the deal

Infoanon

Colin Edwards had confirmed that he is scheduled to do just 2 more races - Silverstone and Valencia - before he retires.

Rumour has it that Alex de Angelis will ride the Forward Yamaha at Brno next weekend.

CJhaughey

Bradl was looking good there in qualifiying, seems to have good pace but can't keep it up over race distance.
MM = Normal service resumed.
Redding looking good on the proddy Honda.
Camier looking very sharp for a MotoGP novice.
Pedrosa not looking great here.

Looking forward to a good race here.

Scotty #

First 15 laps were great but all getting a bit too predictable after that. As long as Marquesz keeps her upright he's unbeatable.

Stainless_Steel

Scotty # wrote: »

First 15 laps were great but all getting a bit too predictable after that. As long as Marquesz keeps her upright he's unbeatable.

The boy is just too good.

Infoanon

Bradley Smith has been confirmed at Tech 3 for 2015 !

h3000

Brilliant Moto3 race at the moment.

h3000

If you want to get anyone interested in motorcycle racing get them to watch today's Moto3 at Brno. What a fooking race.

A tad embarrassing for rins.

Infoanon

h3000 wrote: »

If you want to get anyone interested in motorcycle racing get them to watch today's Moto3 at Brno. What a fooking race.

A tad embarrassing for rins.

16, Sixteen ! ! fighting for the win , the team have taken responsibility apparently for Rins error - I remember Julian Simon doing the same in Barcelona in 2009.

The last lap was spectacular.

Moto GP wasn't too bad either, Iannone and Marquez bashing fairings ! Crazy Joe is really getting his act together.

h3000

Infoanon wrote: »

16, Sixteen ! ! fighting for the win , the team have taken responsibility apparently for Rins error - I remember Julian Simon doing the same in Barcelona in 2009.

The last lap was spectacular.

Moto GP wasn't too bad either, Iannone and Marquez bashing fairings ! Crazy Joe is really getting his act together.

I think Rins took responsibility in the end.

I'm a fan of Marquez but I was delighted to see Crazy Joe stick it right back at him. Crazy Joe and Dovi will be a great pairing. Hopefully Gigi can work his magic and help Ducati finally sort the bike.

Infoanon

Scott Redding seems to have confirmed the Gresini Aprilla rumours in an interview on Crash.net.

Scott wants a Honda moto gp bike next year and Honda want him on a moto gp bike (as opposed to open class) from all reports.

More surprisingly is the news that Eugene Laverty and Jonathan Rea are in the running for the second LCR bike.

Fabritzo

Infoanon

Jeremy Mc Williams is to ride in the Moto 2 race at Silverstone.

Jeremy will race on the Brough Superior bike which is debuting at the race.

h3000

Infoanon wrote: »

Jeremy Mc Williams is to ride in the Moto 2 race at Silverstone.

Jeremy will race on the Brough Superior bike which is debuting at the race.

That's awesome. I'd love to see him put in a good result.

EB_2013

I can't wait to see how he gets on. The bike looks great and Jeremy's got lots of experience. I just hope they have the reliability for a full race distance.

frostie500

Chatted to Jeremy last night about it, here's a link. He was really positive about the project but keen to make sure that everyone keeps their level of expectations to a reasonable level. He knows the difficulty of jumping into Moto2 would be high even if he was on a top bike but with a new bike it's going to be a huge challenge. The bike is very innovative so it will be interesting to see how he gets on.
Can't wait to see what happens, when I was a kid Jeremy was the only Irishman at the top levels of racing so it's going to be great to see him back on track again

Infoanon

Reminder that the Marc Marquez special is on BT Sports 1 tonight at 8pm

frostie500

Anyone heading over to Silverstone this weekend?

Infoanon

Paul Bird Motorsport are to pull out of Motogp at the end of the season, Michael Laverty is quoted on crash.net as saying he will probably race in BSB next season.

No word on Aprillas possible early return to Moto GP or deal with Gresini.

Hotblack Desiato

That's a shame. PBM I mean.

pablo128

frostie500 wrote: »

Anyone heading over to Silverstone this weekend?

I have a weekend ticket. But I'm not going. My asshole mates who promised me last January that they were going, pulled out at the last minute!:mad:

Hotblack Desiato

That's no excuse...

CJhaughey

Asshole mates? Who needs them, just book a ticket on the Ferry and bring your tent.
I wouldn't miss it if I had a ticket.

Scotty #

frostie500 wrote: »

Anyone heading over to Silverstone this weekend?

No, but...




:D:D

frostie500

Scotty # wrote: »

No, but...

:D:D

ClAd, Aragon is a great weekend but it's in the middle of nowhere! I'll probably be there for the Sat and Sun