Joined May 2009
6K Posts | 4K+
Shovel's Club
Pecco can make diamonds with his ... because of the amount of pressure he is under.
2023 Motul Grand Prix of Japan
- Thread starter MichaelBolton
- Start date
Martin is definitely taking the fight to Bagnaia. I was a bit surprised Binder had nothing for Martin. He usually has a go, but he could only stay in tow. Jack tried desperately to hold on to 3rd, but the KTM started to fade and he was taking bigger risks to stay ahead. Solid effort from Miller. Marquez also had a good sprint despite fading as his tires started losing grip.
Yamaha, ugh. What was that? Home grand prix and you finish 15th and 16th. Same for Aprilia. Follow up recent good form with a DNF and 9th.
Bezz fulfilled his own prophecy for the sprint race, when he said earlier this week that he doesn't see himself as a title contender. Maybe that was just clickbait headlining by the journos, but he didn't look very strong on Saturday.
Zarco should get an extra cookie for demoting Bezz for Martin.
Yamaha, ugh. What was that? Home grand prix and you finish 15th and 16th. Same for Aprilia. Follow up recent good form with a DNF and 9th.
Bezz fulfilled his own prophecy for the sprint race, when he said earlier this week that he doesn't see himself as a title contender. Maybe that was just clickbait headlining by the journos, but he didn't look very strong on Saturday.
Zarco should get an extra cookie for demoting Bezz for Martin.
Joined Aug 2007
11K Posts | 3K+
Pomona NY
I thought the KTM riders acquitted themselves quite nicely, what with being on chassis they had little familiarity on. Makes me more interested than I have been in a while, to see how they fare tomorrow after having time on it in actual race conditions and making the necessary refinements to set-up. For some reason, I have a feeling, Sunday's race won't just be a longer replay of Saturday. Not surprised the Yamahas were crap. Just because it's home territory, it's still the crap bike it's been for way too long. Along with getting rid of aero and ride-height, having a Marelli in every bike needs to go. I don't think I can keep paying to watch a stupid Ducati Cup. The Japanese factories have been a big part of the heart and soul of this series for too long, to allow Dorna to crowd or ignore them out of the game.
Joined Mar 2023
1K Posts | 1K+
Australia
Trying to judge how much the CF frame helped Bradl and Miller is a bit tricky, the Gas Gas riders finished 11th and 12th in the sprint 15 seconds behind the winner, perhaps a little better than normal and I'm assuming they had the old frame suggesting that the KTM works better at this track anyway but none the less it appears that the CF frame is already working better than the steel frame
What should we infer about M Marquez finishing 7th in the sprint, 9 seconds behind the winner?
What should we infer about M Marquez finishing 7th in the sprint, 9 seconds behind the winner?
The way Martin has been riding, if he gets the hole shot tomorrow I can't see him being beaten. Hopefully Binder will get by Jack from the start and Jack can keep Pecco at bay. Wouldn't mind seeing Bez finish in front of Pecco as well but not holding my breath.
Joined Feb 2020
979 Posts | 1K+
Bendigo Vic
Just watched it. They didn't show much of Binder but you saw Miller's Ktm did fire out of the corners well.
They are saying more rear traction with the new chassis. We'll need to see how it goes elsewhere I guess.
Yep pretty processional though. The aero stuff is just so good for overtaking.
They are saying more rear traction with the new chassis. We'll need to see how it goes elsewhere I guess.
Yep pretty processional though. The aero stuff is just so good for overtaking.
Joined Feb 2020
979 Posts | 1K+
Bendigo Vic
Particularly when the motor Honda are using was apparently designed around having their own ecu on it.
Joined Aug 2007
11K Posts | 3K+
Pomona NY
Not that he's ever done things half-way, but Marquez's performance in Japan could be viewed sort of like a farewell peck on the cheek to an old girlfriend as she's getting ready to walk out the door. A bit of a pat on the back and "Really. It's not you dear. Trust me."
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Great camerawork in the Moto2 race. They actually showed the battles in the field instead of the leaders running two seconds apart all the time.
Happy for the Honda Asia guys. Fascinating how Somkiat is unbeatable two times a year but in the upper mid-field during all the other races.
Happy for the Honda Asia guys. Fascinating how Somkiat is unbeatable two times a year but in the upper mid-field during all the other races.
Joined Sep 2015
733 Posts | 1K+
Office cubicle
Red flag. It gets interesting now, Martín was getting away and seems displeased with the stoppage.
Joined Sep 2015
733 Posts | 1K+
Office cubicle
Joined Mar 2016
2K Posts | 2K+
FNQ
Jorge is a less brittle and more skittish riding style version of Pedrosa.
Joined Aug 2008
6K Posts | 748+
Thailand
Joined Sep 2015
733 Posts | 1K+
Office cubicle
Well that was anti-climatic. Red flag again, race declared over and full points awarded.
