On MMs qualifying woes why was Alex allowed to go out in front and lead Marc for last session of P1? Was he planning for a tow? I was expecting them to swap places and thought it very weird that they didn’t. It looked at times that Marc was being held up but if he’d been up with Alex at the flag he’d have gotten another lap in as Alex did.
2024 MotoGP Round 6: Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya - Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
- Thread starter JPSLotus
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Joined Aug 2007
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Pomona NY
Then how do you explain the way Marquez was out-cornering other riders on the medium front so close to the end of the race???
Oh wouldn't that be ironic considering what happened at PI in 2015??
****Sorry guys, couldn't resist****
Ducati didn't drop Zarco.
Ducati Corse didn't need Zarco when they had Pecco and Bastianini on their factory bikes, and Martin at Pramac.
Gresini choose their own riders, the same way VR46 does.
Ducati Corse didn't have a good option for this season, and when Zarco made it clear that he wanted a multiple year contract, they went for the free option of former Moto2 champion and MotoGP runner up, Morbidelli.
Joined May 2009
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Shovel's Club
They didn't drop him they just didn't offer him what he wanted?
Sooooo they dropped him?
You should take a closer look.
He was the only rider to give Acosta any competition last season, when Acosta won the championship. He did that by going on an unprecedented winning streak once he gelled.
This season he both knows he will be stepping up a category come Valencia, and has new tires to get used to, they now have Pirellis.
Even now, he was quickest in the test going into the season, and has already won a race. His qualifying is mostly on the money, and when not, he progresses through the field.
Easy to forget that he is a teenager, not a machine.
For his pedigree, take a look at what he achieved before coming to Moto2.
He annihilated two CEV categories.
It is a very smart move by Ducati to take this talented rider before someone else will.
I personally wouldn't call a failed negotiation process for dropping. For me at least, dropping would mean Ducati not having any wish to retain him.
They disagree about how they could continue their professional relationship, and parted ways when Zarco was given a factory contract by Honda for two seasons.
I believe Simon Patterson made an interview with Zarco where he talks about this topic, while being given a massage
Joined May 2009
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Tony Arbolino also challenged Acosta from time to time. I'm not saying he isn't a good rider but he has shown me nothing that makes me think it was important for Ducati to sign him a year early. I don't see it as a smart move regardless of how it pans out. They put their money on a horse a year early when they pretty much are the desired choice of destinations. It's stupid unless he is some phenom like Marc or Pedro were. Which he is not.
Joined May 2009
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Which came first the chicken or the egg?I personally wouldn't call a failed negotiation process for dropping. For me at least, dropping would mean Ducati not having any wish to retain him.
They disagree about how they could continue their professional relationship, and parted ways when Zarco was given a factory contract by Honda for two seasons.
I believe Simon Patterson made an interview with Zarco where he talks about this topic, while being given a massage
Its not mutual if Zarco wanted to stay but wanted two years. Ducati didn't want to do that therefore they dropped him. There is really nothing to argue about here.
Joined Apr 2015
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NJ
I'm not sure I'm willing to go that far. I think a podium is within range, but I don't know about an outright win in the GP.
Joined Apr 2015
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NJ
I get the feeling that no one really wants to let Pedro get too far out front lest he might actually get comfortable and win the race. Guys are racing him much harder than in the lower classes, and I think some of that is to let him know it won't be simply a cakewalk to have success.
Arbolino was talked about as being another rider making the step up this season, then he crumbled. Too much pressure on his shoulders, unfortunately.
The biggest difference though between those two riders are the speed they've shown.
Ducati Corse shifted their approach to the rider market after they failed with Valentino, Dovisioso, Iannone, Petrucci and (possibly) Lorenzo.
They've adopted the same approach as Real Madrid. Instead of Galacticos, they've gone all in on youth.
Pecco and Martin have validated their decision.
Apart from Acosta, Aldeguer, was the one turning most heads last year. With Acosta and Raul Fernandez not being available, Aldeguer is worth a few seasons for them.
Maybe Sergio Garcia will be signed soon as well, if he keeps his impressive form up? He in looking promising for a 2026 ride, or even a 2025 if Pit wants to twist both of his slowest riders.
Joined May 2009
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Solid post. I am not saying he doesn't deserve a shot, I just don't see him as being anything special. Like Pedro and Marc. Maybe he is maybe he isn't.
Joined May 2009
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If Marquez doesn't win number 93, Ducati will never win another race in the premier class
You are probably both right, but the GP24 will have been designed and set up for maximum pace over a lap, not for top speed at whatever arbitrary point on the track they choose to measure speed, and as I have said I think you will be waiting a long time to see a GP23 use a speed advantage to pass a GP24 on a straight. MM was stuck behind Mirbidelli for several laps at Catalunya.
He is actually riding well, better than Bezzecchi.DiGia believes the GP24 is quite better than the GP23
Fabio Di Giannantonio: “We are working hard, but it’s hard to be like GP24 bikes”
Fabio Di Giannantonio says the riders aboard the GP24 Ducati bikes have an advantage that is hard to close.www.crash.net
Interesting what he says about tyres, MM has been saying the same thing in regard to his qualifying woes, that the tyres don’t work for the first couple of laps.
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