2024 MotoGP Round 8: Motul TT Assen - TT Circuit Assen
- Thread starter JPSLotus
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What an ugly crash for Rins. Hope he is ok…
Bit of a snoozefest except for that battle for 3rd.
Bagnaia was almost Doohanesque in his dominance here. Nothing anyone else could have done to halt his momentum.
Pit Beirer must be sitting smug seeing the performance of his 2025 Tech3 signees perform. But I doubt if he, as of now, has the machinery that will let them repeat these heroics.
If Diggia doesn’t have a place on the grid next year, it will be a damn crime. Ride of the day for me.
Would be interesting to see how Acosta will deal with the bad days, now that the honeymoon period is over. I do think he’s mentally strong enough to get past these setbacks.
Something had been off with M. Márquez the whole weekend although he did limit the damage today.
This is the circuit that saw over 140 overtakes just a few years ago. And now we’re seeing a 10th of that if we’re lucky. I do truly hate aero.
Bagnaia was almost Doohanesque in his dominance here. Nothing anyone else could have done to halt his momentum.
Pit Beirer must be sitting smug seeing the performance of his 2025 Tech3 signees perform. But I doubt if he, as of now, has the machinery that will let them repeat these heroics.
If Diggia doesn’t have a place on the grid next year, it will be a damn crime. Ride of the day for me.
Would be interesting to see how Acosta will deal with the bad days, now that the honeymoon period is over. I do think he’s mentally strong enough to get past these setbacks.
Something had been off with M. Márquez the whole weekend although he did limit the damage today.
This is the circuit that saw over 140 overtakes just a few years ago. And now we’re seeing a 10th of that if we’re lucky. I do truly hate aero.
Joined Feb 2020
979 Posts | 1K+
Bendigo Vic
Was the kiwi on the money with MM waving Giggia though? Front tyre temp?
Pretty weird giving the place up like that.
Pretty weird giving the place up like that.
Does seem like it, they probably set his bike up anticipating a mid pack fight and he ended up with clear air ahead.
Joined Sep 2015
733 Posts | 1K+
Office cubicle
Spanish broadcast also said this could be a likely reason, trying to get tire pressure up.
Anyway, to recap, somewhat processional until the last laps with the battle for 3rd/4th. As predicted, Pecco was a man on a mission today, and Jorge replicated his solid performance for yesterday, nothing he could do about Pecco, just wait for more favorable circuits. Enea with his usual tire whisperer magic coming strong late and completing a podium made of GP24s. Difficult race for Marc but he made good use of the opportunities offered to him by Maverick. Very good race for DiGia. Pedro with a costly late mistake, still tons to learn, but he'll get there. Still pretty much a Ducati cup. Waiting to hear more about Rins, that crash looked nasty.
They did cut to him sitting down with the Marshalls, so I’m hoping there’s no lasting damage; but I bet it will hurt like a birch tomorrow.
Another dull race except for the fight for 3rd. Enea is great at late comebacks, as is the GP24.
Much of the intrigue about the first races was about Marc being in the running again. He made the races exciting because he can do things on a bike that no one else can. Ducati must have found something in or before Mugello so Marc once again doesn't have quite the weapon and it's showing.
Much of the intrigue about the first races was about Marc being in the running again. He made the races exciting because he can do things on a bike that no one else can. Ducati must have found something in or before Mugello so Marc once again doesn't have quite the weapon and it's showing.
Joined Sep 2015
733 Posts | 1K+
Office cubicle
It was clear that the GP24 would keep evolving throughout the year, and it seems like Marc's GP23 is now behind DiGia's bike in upgrades too. Sachsehnring next week is his best chance to get a win this season before the GP24s become truly untouchable (aren't they already there?). Forget about the championship and get experience and podiums on that bike.
Yep, this has been the pattern for Ducati since a few years now; the new bike starts off rough but becomes unbeatable by mid year.
Also the reason why M. Marquez rejected a straight shootout with Martin for the factory seat. He knew he’d be outgunned in the second half of the season.
As much as I hate the aero era ruining racing, this is astounding:
Pecco this weekend has been a man on a mission. Very impressive!
The battle for the last spot on the podium was also a brilliant one.
Wonder if there are any statistics about gaining positions in the last half of the race. Bastianini and Zarco must be multiple world champions in that one.
The battle for the last spot on the podium was also a brilliant one.
Wonder if there are any statistics about gaining positions in the last half of the race. Bastianini and Zarco must be multiple world champions in that one.
Joined Aug 2007
11K Posts | 3K+
Pomona NY
I suppose it comes down to what one values as a fan. A top speed a few miles an hour faster than last year, a quality (quantity?) that I as a long time observer of the sport, cannot actually perceive, or all that old school stuff, like, you know, trading paint, breathlessly gutsy overtakes, fearless braking in pouring rain etc. Unlike our old compatriot povol, I just don't get all hyped up and wide-eyed over the newest swing arm, or seat configuration. I want to see racing that is driven predominantly by racers.
As M. Márquez himself said, those watching on TV don’t see or care about the difference between 240KM/H or 260KM/H.
Indeed, just the other day, I was watching a replay of the 2004 Mugello GP. The commentators mentioned several times how the bikes were hitting 235KM/H as if it was an accomplishment. That’s about 30 KM/H slower than this year, but the on track action was a hell of a lot more exciting than this years’s edition.
Joined Apr 2015
6K Posts | 5K+
NJ
I didn't get a chance to see the lower class races as normal outside of the second half of the Moto 3 race. Good racing there as always. Due to my horrid insomnia I dozed off for the Moto 2 race and woke up as they were crossing the line.
So the main event that wasn't quite up to usual Assen standards.
The GP24's look to be near untouchable now. Bad news for the rest of the field since the title chase for anyone not on a GP24 just went out the window in short order. Marc's only chance is going to be the Sachsenring to get something done, but if not there I don't see it happening elsewhere. He's a monster on the brakes, but it's not enough in Aero GP any longer. He also cannot get the drive out of the corners the GP24 gets. There's going to be a lot of egg on face with these rider signings when Pit and Massimo realize maybe the Ducati flattered everyone.
Digi really rode well today. I can't believe we're here talking about his future...yet again. But alas. Bezzecchi got that sweet Aprilia ride and Digi has to constantly fight to prove his worth just to stay on the grid. It's mind-boggling. Good race for Alex Rins, the rumors about a new deal come out and he high-sides on the first corner. Only in GP land. Glad he was okay because it looked pretty nasty.
My rider of the day was Enea because he really had to go to work to get from P10 to the podium. But this is why letting him walk to KTM was the right move for Ducati. Morbidelli I expect to be orbiting somewhere around Neptune on the grid, don't really expect it from Bastianini.
Unfortunate end to Pedro's race. He's learning though so it's going to be far more interesting when he revisits all of these circuits next season with a full year's worth of experience on a GP bike.
I honestly do not think Martin can match Pecco anymore unless he finds a circuit he really clicks with. This was another race where Pecco rode an absolute masterclass from start to finish and just maintained the gap to Martin without any real trouble. Jorge looked like he was pushing hard to try and catch Pecco and Pecco on the other hand looked perfectly in comfort and rhythm the whole way.
I'm going to say this, the aero bikes need to ....... die. It's killing the racing slowly by looking just like Formula One does at this point.
So the main event that wasn't quite up to usual Assen standards.
The GP24's look to be near untouchable now. Bad news for the rest of the field since the title chase for anyone not on a GP24 just went out the window in short order. Marc's only chance is going to be the Sachsenring to get something done, but if not there I don't see it happening elsewhere. He's a monster on the brakes, but it's not enough in Aero GP any longer. He also cannot get the drive out of the corners the GP24 gets. There's going to be a lot of egg on face with these rider signings when Pit and Massimo realize maybe the Ducati flattered everyone.
Digi really rode well today. I can't believe we're here talking about his future...yet again. But alas. Bezzecchi got that sweet Aprilia ride and Digi has to constantly fight to prove his worth just to stay on the grid. It's mind-boggling. Good race for Alex Rins, the rumors about a new deal come out and he high-sides on the first corner. Only in GP land. Glad he was okay because it looked pretty nasty.
My rider of the day was Enea because he really had to go to work to get from P10 to the podium. But this is why letting him walk to KTM was the right move for Ducati. Morbidelli I expect to be orbiting somewhere around Neptune on the grid, don't really expect it from Bastianini.
Unfortunate end to Pedro's race. He's learning though so it's going to be far more interesting when he revisits all of these circuits next season with a full year's worth of experience on a GP bike.
I honestly do not think Martin can match Pecco anymore unless he finds a circuit he really clicks with. This was another race where Pecco rode an absolute masterclass from start to finish and just maintained the gap to Martin without any real trouble. Jorge looked like he was pushing hard to try and catch Pecco and Pecco on the other hand looked perfectly in comfort and rhythm the whole way.
I'm going to say this, the aero bikes need to ....... die. It's killing the racing slowly by looking just like Formula One does at this point.
Well, Pit signed a rider who is chronically inconsistent, and on his day unstoppable.
Plus a world champion who was winning races on an old bike, and is a master of tire consumption. A skill missing in that team.
Massimo have landed the only challenger to the title for the last two seasons, and the young compatriot his bosses probably have needed him to recruit.
Plus a world champion who was winning races on an old bike, and is a master of tire consumption. A skill missing in that team.
Massimo have landed the only challenger to the title for the last two seasons, and the young compatriot his bosses probably have needed him to recruit.
I enjoyed the chopping and changing in the midpack. Sad to see Acosta go down on the last lap, and as a Mav fan is was tough to see him lose positions late in the race. When Marc was stalking him, I could hear the Jaws music playing in my head. Mav is still alive. He finished ahead of the KTM's and scored a chunk of points against Acosta. Those are decent outcomes.
Only 10 points separate Bagnaia and Martin now. Bagnaia has won 3 in a row and 4 of 5. If not for his blunder in the Catalunya sprint, Pecco would have swept 3 weekends in a row. There is a feeling of inevitability, particularly if it's a hot summer and fall, which occasionally helps Enea make his late charge. Mugello may repeat once or twice more this season.
Only 10 points separate Bagnaia and Martin now. Bagnaia has won 3 in a row and 4 of 5. If not for his blunder in the Catalunya sprint, Pecco would have swept 3 weekends in a row. There is a feeling of inevitability, particularly if it's a hot summer and fall, which occasionally helps Enea make his late charge. Mugello may repeat once or twice more this season.
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