2025 Silly Season
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Absolute ........ from Aleix, the man great in his own mind if any translation is correct.
Aleix took 5 years in MotoGP to get his first podium with his first win coming in the 13th season.
Frankie took 3 years for wins and podiums.
Jack was year 2 for a win but year 5 for subsequent podiums.
I am biased where it comes to Miller as the guy is always a punching bag for people as Miller does not produce or perform to standards people expect but his results are not as horrific as people would want one to believe, although I openly admit that 2024 is to me his worst year.
Frankie's career since 2021 has actually been far worse than Jack's results wise and it is only since 2022 that Aliex has appeared on a podium more than once a season (2 podiums prior to 2022 in 12 years).
Of course, any comment by Aleix (as reported) is self-serving as he has left the main game for 2025 and additionally as has his brother who had 166 races with 0 wins and 8 podiums. Pol actually and similary scoring his first podium in year 5 in the sport.
In 12 seasons in MGP, Aleix's best finish was 7th and 8th, with a championship challenge coming in 2022 with 4th.
If the comments are accurately reported then these are a simple case of 'do as I say, not as I do', and 'how quickly we forget'.
Just on the highlighted - serious question - where has Aleix out-performed both of them. Yes, he has better numbers than Morbidelli but not Jack who from 79 less races is 265 points less with more wins and podiums but less fast laps and poles
Aleix
Jack
Frankie
Now, back to my Miller being a punching bag.
Does the guy deserve a spot - well I have been saying for a while that his passport will assist him if no other viable alternatives are available, and I feel it will assist but will not guarantee a spot. That may seem unpalatable to purists or some who want certain Moto2 or other riders in the class, but Aleix, Pol and others have long survived on passports so the issue is DORNA's to correct.
For some areas, having a rider that they can attach to is critical if that country hosts a GP as quite simply, there are no big 'headline grabbing' personalities to latch on to for many people (as was the Rossi era, and the golden era of 500cc earlier).
Those pictures brought to mind times when I toured old diesel powered submarines. I guess because they are still awesome machines but obviously dated.
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In my book it does not matter how many Morbidellis you take, they won't outweigh one Miller.
In actuality, Miller can be useful for MotoGP by aiding Yamaha. He helped KTM, they squeezed him dry and threw away, but he was useful to them.
Morbidelli is useless ballast.
In actuality, Miller can be useful for MotoGP by aiding Yamaha. He helped KTM, they squeezed him dry and threw away, but he was useful to them.
Morbidelli is useless ballast.
Morbidelli, and Miller on this year’s form. shouldn’t be on a competitive bike next year. I have wondered whether Pramac not being able to find anyone better than Morbidelli for their second GP24 was part of the Ducati decisions both to de -prioritise Pramac and to only provide 3 GP25s next year.
I agree with Gaz while never a contender Miller has been significantly better than average for much of his career. Even as someone who was a fan I don’t get much out of him finishing outside the top 10 having dropped down to there through the race. He seems to have even lost the one lap pace he has always had, I really think both that he can’t ride the current tyres and that the current KTM may not be that good and was flattered early season by Acosta.
That said, as Gaz said Aleix and his brother have had long careers without much in the way of performances to justify same themselves, so glass houses etc. it will be interesting to see how a truly elite rider goes on the Aprilia next year.
As for rookies I would agree in general, but a ride on a Honda or Yamaha has not been a great prize in recent years, and KTM have a recent record of burning through well performed moto 2 riders in a single season as well.
If Yamaha is making a serious attempt to develop their bike and Jack is good at same he might not be such a bad signing, they can put a promising rookie on the bike when it comes good as Synn has said. They seem to have a plan, and getting outside input as part of it seems a good idea to me, which Quartararo is showing some insight in backing imo. Certainly the engine direction for which he may have been responsible seems to have subtracted the traditional Yamaha handling virtues from the bike.
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I don't know why Aleix's opinion on this matter hold any weight. Even if I like him.
Both Pramac and VR46 have personal and financial obligations.
I can't see a scenario where a professional team gave a rider a contract purely based on friendship.
Miller brings more to a team than podiums, and Morbidelli has been much better than his current standing would indicate. He spent the pre-season injured, and had two weekends when he adjusted to the bike (two!) and from then on he has finished inside the top ten every time he has crossed the chequerd flag.
He also beat World Champion Quartararo five times last season, and finished just behind a few times as well, so he isn't that bad.
Both Pramac and VR46 have personal and financial obligations.
I can't see a scenario where a professional team gave a rider a contract purely based on friendship.
Miller brings more to a team than podiums, and Morbidelli has been much better than his current standing would indicate. He spent the pre-season injured, and had two weekends when he adjusted to the bike (two!) and from then on he has finished inside the top ten every time he has crossed the chequerd flag.
He also beat World Champion Quartararo five times last season, and finished just behind a few times as well, so he isn't that bad.
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I think Miller understands that's his role now. Better to be squeezed dry by Yamaha and then let go than not be in MotoGP at all. At least that's how I see it.
For Espargaro, I'm not sure if the comparisons are fair. As Aleix was on CRT machines for a number of years - and definitely was impressing people given his equipment. He also helped Aprilia to the front and challenged for a championship.
I like seeing underdogs strike back. If Morbidelli has a massive return to form, and wins races next year, I'd enjoy seeing that.
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Tha't's one life boat, one more needed for Miller
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Some time ago I happened to read an article. Its author claimed he interviewed an anonymous person, who was a MotoGP rider and now is a MotoGP team manager. Heck, to my knowledge only Alberto Puig meets this criteria. Anyhow, this nameless individual said there is a snowball chance in hell a factory team lets #1 plate to slip away, in particular to another Italian brand.
Cutting off the upgrades to riders (teams) leaving the brand is natural and common practice. Upgrading year old bikes in a satellite team not so much.
If Mr. Anonymous is right then for Gigi the plate must go to Bagnaia ... or Marc. I saw people talking about Gigi beefing Marc's bike up to rival Martin and Beast, what they missed is if Marc is successful in this and also happens to beat Bagnaia in process then this is of no concern for Ducati.
Whether a GP23 can be upgraded to fight GP24 is another question. My guess is not. Marc needs a bike with strong corner entry, unfortunately this is the weak point of GP23 and I doubt very much this could be fixed mid season.
OK, folks. My coffee cup is empty.
Cutting off the upgrades to riders (teams) leaving the brand is natural and common practice. Upgrading year old bikes in a satellite team not so much.
If Mr. Anonymous is right then for Gigi the plate must go to Bagnaia ... or Marc. I saw people talking about Gigi beefing Marc's bike up to rival Martin and Beast, what they missed is if Marc is successful in this and also happens to beat Bagnaia in process then this is of no concern for Ducati.
Whether a GP23 can be upgraded to fight GP24 is another question. My guess is not. Marc needs a bike with strong corner entry, unfortunately this is the weak point of GP23 and I doubt very much this could be fixed mid season.
OK, folks. My coffee cup is empty.
Have just watched the qualifying for qualifying and was impressed with Morbidellis 2nd fastest time and was just thinking, I wonder if he will convert that to anything meaningful this weekend / how did he get the VR46 ride after this season when the picture cut to him in the garage and it hit me!
Is he being kept around for inclusivity reasons because he is a ROBO?
Tin foil hat time maybe?
Is he being kept around for inclusivity reasons because he is a ROBO?
Tin foil hat time maybe?
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For me his personality is revolting. He acts as an entitled, arrogant brat without morale and ethics.
I recall he attempted to promote woke racism with his helmet design (it disappeared fast, apparently Dorna stepped in).
Then he blamed his braking blunder on Zarco and using influential friends the case was turned upside down in Freddie Spencer's kangaroo court. It is not uncommon for riders to put the blame to the other party, but this was going too far. You do not do this to a fellow rider.
Lately, if a reporter asked him a perfectly legal question he responded arrogantly with "if my grandma had balls ...".
He may be pretty fast given a good bike, but I do not see the man who could be respected.
Ex MotoGP or ex racer?
If it’s the latter, Meregalli, Tardozzi, Zeelenberg, Ceccinello and Borsoi also qualify.
There are many reasons to question his place on the grid, but this isn’t one of them according to any one who has had first hand interactions with him.
But you do you.
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I will admit that the helmet looked a bit strange. But, he was definitely trying to do something for good. I.e. his heart was in the right place. I think the other two points are arguable.
It was a one off design which he did to promote inclusion in the paddock, harking back to the discrimination he suffered in his childhood owing to his mixed heritage.
There’s nothing negative about the message he was conveying and if one isn’t upset about seeing OnlyFans sponsoring a team all season long, they should put on their big boy pants and deal with the darn helmet.
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It's very special for me - Morbidelli celebrates VR46 deal with Friday P2
After confirming his return to Valentino Rossi's charges, the Italian went out and posted the second-fastest time in Austria
www.motogp.com
Good for Frankie!
He is going home. It wouldn't surprise me too much if he'll outperform the likes of Viñales, Alex Marquez, Bezzecchi and everyone on a Japanese bike, next season.
