2024 silly season!

I thought KTM had a deadline before summer break to sign Acosta to motogp before other teams could get it on it. If I was gresini and pramac I'd be offering my first born.

MdubSTYLIE said:

I thought KTM had a deadline before summer break to sign Acosta to motogp before other teams could get it on it. If I was gresini and pramac I'd be offering my first born.

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They did in June:
Pedro Acosta set to move up to MotoGP with KTM in 2024

Acosta has put his trust in KTM and will fulfil the contract that keeps him at the Austrian brand at least until the end of 2024.


"We want to give KTM the first opportunity to go up to MotoGP with them, beyond the options contemplated in the contract," Albert Valera, Acosta’s manager, told Motorsport.com.


"KTM has always been very good to Pedro, and he is very grateful."



With this decision, it is KTM’s turn to act, and it must create an opening for the Spaniard in its MotoGP ranks for next year.


Up until the French GP last month, KTM had considered keeping the 19-year-old in Moto2 for another season before aiming to promote him in 2025.


But after Acosta's consecutive wins at Mugello and the Sachsenring, it has convinced the manufacturer to find a spot in its MotoGP rider slots for the 2021 Moto3 world champion.

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#22 said:

They did in June:
Pedro Acosta set to move up to MotoGP with KTM in 2024

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I guess I heard this but haven't seen anything official.

I don't think there was ever an official press release as such, but the interview with Stefan Pierer in mid July confirmed it:

When asked whether Fernández deserves a second season in MotoGP, Pierer said to SPEEDWEEK.com: ‘Absolutely. That's why we have already extended his contract. He already has a contract. And Pedro Acosta also has one. And we guarantee that he will be on a MotoGP KTM in 2024’.

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In the name of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, I would like to fill one of the vacant spots myself. I am retired, in my early 70's, have lots of time to participate, I promise to always start at the back of the grid and to stay off the racing line during the race for everyone's safety ! I only weigh 125 lbs, that should be a big plus for some of the struggling teams out there.

My neighbour is a midget, he's interested too.

Call me !

#22 said:

Bastianini's Ducati MotoGP bike feels like he is ‘riding a chopper’

Still not comfortable on the bike it seems. Remember, he's had very few racing laps this season which hasn't helped him adapt.

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Sounds like he'll come good towards the end of the season, lets hope so

#22 said:

Alex Marquez confirmed extension at Gresini for 2024

Official: Gresini Racing confirm Alex Marquez for 2024

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He's done well for Gresini Racing and hence the renewal. I'm wondering how he compares with Bastianini's 2022 season, I'm expecting Alex to have not done that well, Bastianini was fantastic last year.

#22 said:

Also, Bezzechi has been told he has to decide whether to stay at VR46 or go to Pramac by the next race in Austria.

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Going to Pramac is bad for Zarco, if he doesn't go then Zarco will probably keep his spot but on the previous years bike. Staying at VR46 will be bad for Morbidelli

I recall Acosta's social media saying he would be in a 3rd team, sounds unlikely

mikesbytes said:

He's done well for Gresini Racing and hence the renewal. I'm wondering how he compares with Bastianini's 2022 season, I'm expecting Alex to have not done that well, Bastianini was fantastic last year.

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Bastianini's 2022 was better obviously, but it was also his second year on the bike.

MdubSTYLIE said:

The two riders I think should go from motogp are Zarco and Miller. I like Zarco and hope he gets a win this season but his time is up. He is a very talented rider but not future champion material. Jack we have seen the best of there is no reason to keep him around if other riders are available.

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Zarco is 5th in the standings with four podiums in nine starts, there's absolutely no reason he shouldn't continue to be in the championship. I can understand why Ducati needs to give Bezzecchi a 24-spec bike next year though and Zarco doesn't quite have the raw speed of his teammate.
If Zarco indeed lands at LCR I hope he can help them develop the bike with his experience.

Jack has had a disappointing season so far but I don't think he's washed up either.
He qualifies great, gets up front during the start, slowly drops back during the race and usually finishes behind Brad. Hopefully he can rebound in the remainder of the season.

Bastianini and Pol are impossible to judge for me right now as they both just returned from injury. Raul Fernandez definitely has to step up his game, I think he's extremely talented but he was rushed to the top class.

#22 said:

I'm not saying Vietti is a Stoner, but junior category results aren't always indicative of MotoGP performance and VR46 is about rider development, so why take Franco other than the fact he is part of the academy? (...) The very reason there is no room is because of riders holding on too long. Franco Morbidelli is not the same rider who finished 2nd in the 2020 championship, on a customer machine.

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MotoGP should feature the 22 (or 24 if the Dorna weren't blocking these spots for whatever reason) best riders in the world right now. A new rider coming in would have to be an improvement over the one going out and I'd still consider Franco good enough to be at the top level. I wouldn't consider any of the riders in the current field to be washed up.

I don't disagree that lower series results aren't always indicative of MotoGP performance. Fabio never finished higher than 10th in the Moto2 and Moto3 championship but still outperformed the Boscoscuro he was riding at the time.

JFM01 said:

Zarco is 5th in the standings with four podiums in nine starts, there's absolutely no reason he shouldn't continue to be in the championship. I can understand why Ducati needs to give Bezzecchi a 24-spec bike next year though and Zarco doesn't quite have the raw speed of his teammate.
If Zarco indeed lands at LCR I hope he can help them develop the bike with his experience.

Jack has had a disappointing season so far but I don't think he's washed up either.
He qualifies great, gets up front during the start, slowly drops back during the race and usually finishes behind Brad. Hopefully he can rebound in the remainder of the season.

Bastianini and Pol are impossible to judge for me right now as they both just returned from injury. Raul Fernandez definitely has to step up his game, I think he's extremely talented but he was rushed to the top class.

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That makes Zarco the 4th best ducati with pecco, his teammate, and Bezz ahead of him. Add the beast to the list of riders ahead of him unfortunately that makes him the odd man out. I also would put Tony Abolino on a gresini ahead of him. So there just isn't a place left for Zarco.

Jack has done that his entire career. He qualifies good and then drops like a stone. He gets credit for being a good developer and helping with set up for Brad. I don't see it. The ktm has been getting better every year and I don't think it has anything to do with Miller coming on board this year. Also I don't understand why he gets credit for Brad's set up. Brad has also been getting better year after year. .... his first win was 3 years ago he has been good the bike is getting better. I have no idea why they didn't keep Olivera over Miller. If not for his injury Olivera could mop the floor with Miller.

Some Moto2 silly season news/rumors/speculation:

Roberts is likely out at Italtrans, Moreira is the favorite to replace him.
Salac will replace Lowes at MarcVDS (already confirmed iirc), Ogura is the favorite to replace Arbolino if he moves up.

Canet is going to replace Borja Gomez at Fantic, his teammate could be Vietti or Garcia.

Tulovic will apparently be out at LM Husqvarna which sucks. There's a good chance there won't be a German rider in the world championship next year and in the new TV deal the lower classes likely won't be on Free-TV.
The article says Brad is lobbying the team to let Darryn stay another year.
Sasaki and Agius could see a promotion.

Dixon to replace Acosta at Ajo, Öncü is going to get promoted as well.

Both SpeedUp riders have a contract for 2024.

Izan will stay at Aspar, Arenas and Dixon could swap seats.

Chantra wants to replace Nakagami at LCR with the help of Idemitsu money but that's unlikely to happen.

RW wants to continue with Baltus and vdG.

Pons could withdraw from the championship if he fails to secure 50% of his 2024 budget by the end of the month. Sensation: Sito Pons überlegt Rückzug aus Moto2-WM

#22 said:

I don't think there was ever an official press release as such, but the interview with Stefan Pierer in mid July confirmed it:

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#22 said:

When asked whether Fernández deserves a second season in MotoGP, Pierer said to SPEEDWEEK.com: ‘Absolutely. That's why we have already extended his contract. He already has a contract. And Pedro Acosta also has one. And we guarantee that he will be on a MotoGP KTM in 2024’.

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Confusion over MotoGP rider’s contract - does he have a seat, or not?

Honda would do well to get Zarco, as we have been saying he will be great for development.

mikesbytes said:

Honda would do well to get Zarco, as we have been saying he will be great for development.

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Ask ktm about that

KTM still looking for a 5th slot

MichaelBolton said:

Bastianini's 2022 was better obviously, but it was also his second year on the bike.

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Not that it makes a huge difference but in 2021 wasn't he on a 2020 bike, then on a 2021 Gresini last yr?

MdubSTYLIE said:

That makes Zarco the 4th best ducati with pecco, his teammate, and Bezz ahead of him. Add the beast to the list of riders ahead of him unfortunately that makes him the odd man out. I also would put Tony Abolino on a gresini ahead of him. So there just isn't a place left for Zarco.

Jack has done that his entire career. He qualifies good and then drops like a stone. He gets credit for being a good developer and helping with set up for Brad. I don't see it. The ktm has been getting better every year and I don't think it has anything to do with Miller coming on board this year. Also I don't understand why he gets credit for Brad's set up. Brad has also been getting better year after year. .... his first win was 3 years ago he has been good the bike is getting better. I have no idea why they didn't keep Olivera over Miller. If not for his injury Olivera could mop the floor with Miller.

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I think 2 reasons:
1. Oliveira was deemed as too peaky
2. They thought they could get some Ducati secrets from Miller.

Apart from is passport, I can;t see any other reasons.

MdubSTYLIE said:

Ask ktm about that

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I never did find online the video of him flipping his .... in practice at Jerez 2019.

#22 said:

Not that it makes a huge difference but in 2021 wasn't he on a 2020 bike, then on a 2021 Gresini last yr?

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2022 was referring to the race year. Both riders are/were riding previous year bikes.

#22 said:

2. They thought they could get some Ducati secrets from Miller.

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That they did and that's helped Binder heaps

Millers faults seem to be [AKA an armchair expert solution];

1. Wide entry into corners makes him easy to overtake
2. Too hard on the tyres in particular the rear tyre

#22 said:

Not that it makes a huge difference but in 2021 wasn't he on a 2020 bike, then on a 2021 Gresini last yr?

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Gresini's bikes are always the Ducati from the previous year, even now.

Interesting stuff, KTM is now playing hardball with Dorna and refusing to give concessions to the Japanese manufacturers in an attempt to be allowed to field more bikes so they don't lose any of their riders with the Acosta move.

MichaelBolton said:

Interesting stuff, KTM is now playing hardball with Dorna and refusing to give concessions to the Japanese manufacturers in an attempt to be allowed to field more bikes so they don't lose any of their riders with the Acosta move.

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In a sense I think that Dorna could let KTM lease the vacant slot for say 3 years as if anyone wants to enter MotoGP it will take them 3 years to get a bike ready to race anyway. Dorna and KTM could do a deal where the new satellite team doesn't get Dorna money.

BTW is there any particular reason why there couldn't be more than 24 bikes on the grid?

MichaelBolton said:

Interesting stuff, KTM is now playing hardball with Dorna and refusing to give concessions to the Japanese manufacturers in an attempt to be allowed to field more bikes so they don't lose any of their riders with the Acosta move.

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I can't say I blame them. Ducati leveredged the hell out of Dorna and thr MSMA to get spec ECU amongst other things. WHile DOrna suck off Ducati, they seem to take KTM for granted when they are the 2nd best manufacturer in the sport right now and unlike Suzuki, Yamaha and Aprilia, are willing to spend more money and expand their presence.

Carmelo is obsessed with having another manufacturer in GP, but realistically there is no one going to join before 2026/7, and even then it is unlikely:

Kawasaki - Left GP to dominate WSBK, have no intention of returning
BMW - Are committed to WSBK for the long haul and believe MotoGP wouldn't be worthwhile

In an interview with Motorsport.com, BMW Motorrad CEO Markus Schramm made it clear that the German marque is committed to its WSBK effort for the long-term, but also emphasised he feels a step up to MotoGP simply wouldn't be worthwhile.

"I didn't ask myself the question whether we should dare to re-enter the Superbike World Championship," Schramm said. "It was absolutely clear, because motorsport is part of BMW's DNA. That's why we should also be represented.
"An important point is that we come from customer racing. In the past season 120 customer riders took part in 25 championships and clinched 250 podiums, 90 victories and nine championships. This is central to BMW.
"In the Superbike World Championship there are stronger technical synergies compared to MotoGP. I think the additional brand effect is marginal in MotoGP. It would not justify the effort we would have to put in.

"For us, customer racing and the Superbike World Championship are clearly the focus."

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MV Augusta? - Don't have the money or infrastructure to run GP

mikesbytes said:

In a sense I think that Dorna could let KTM lease the vacant slot for say 3 years as if anyone wants to enter MotoGP it will take them 3 years to get a bike ready to race anyway. Dorna and KTM could do a deal where the new satellite team doesn't get Dorna money.

BTW is there any particular reason why there couldn't be more than 24 bikes on the grid?

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I'm guessing cost of subsidies from Dorna. But if you had more factories then I expect they'd make an exception.

The grid is currently at 22 bikes which "I am calm" says is the optimal number. But then he says they are reserving 2 slots for a factory team? The only way they get more factories in without expanding the grid is to cut the number of Ducati customer teams. If Yamaha get another 2 bikes on the grid, it will likely be VR46 so that would leave:

Ducati - 6 bikes
Yamaha - 4 bikes
Honda - 4 bikes
Aprilia - 4 bikes
KTM - 4 bikes (or 6 if they get a 3rd team)

Seems fair to me Mike, KTM want to enter another team NOW. Carmelo is waiting for the factory bird in the bush....

IF ktm manage to get two more bikes on the grid who will be the second rider? Acosta is first obviously.