Assen - 2022

Alright, time for MotoGP at the Cathedral. Weather looks terrible, which might not be the best for spectating, but it could have a profound impact on the championship.

Interesting setting to begin the second half of the season.

Not a single Honda in the top 10 after FP2.

Going to be a massive uphill battle for them. Bradl was over 2 seconds down to Pecco's benchmark.

The sanctioning hammer is falling hard at Assen:

Franco has reportedly been given a long lap penalty for going slow on the racing line during FP2.

A Espargaro had one of his FP2 laps cancelled for running a tire rain deflector while using slicks. Unsure how this will affect FP2 times and combined times.

Stewards are not messing around, I guess. Be careful what you wish for

JPSLotus said:

Not a single Honda in the top 10 after FP2.

Going to be a massive uphill battle for them. Bradl was over 2 seconds down to Pecco's benchmark.

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I'm hoping Honda can pull it together for 2023, they are the worst bike without a doubt at present.

#22 said:

I'm hoping Honda can pull it together for 2023, they are the worst bike without a doubt at present.

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I remember people trying to argue the Honda was a good bike.

I said it was .... years ago regardless of what MM was doing on it.

Looks like the world has finally caught up.

#22 said:

I'm hoping Honda can pull it together for 2023, they are the worst bike without a doubt at present.

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Luca Marini isn't impressed with the Honda.

“The Honda is the bike that has worsened the most. They seem to be struggling with the electronics, one of their strong points, suffering particularly from corner exits. Last year they struggled in entry, now even in exit and you realize it when you are behind them. I don't think they have a great balance, in fact they seem effective in nowhere. Honda, however, has incredible power, they know how to solve these things quickly and with Marc's return they will be in front. Then the Aprilia improved, but also the Ducati, especially during the Championship. I also mention the Yamaha, a great bike and just see what Quartararo is doing ”.

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https://www.gpone.com/en/2022/06/23...ith-slow-growth-it-depends-on-where-i-am.html

According to the weather, the race should look like FP2 conditions

MotoGP FP2 Results:
1. Francesco Bagnaia - ITA - Ducati Lenovo (GP22) - 1'33.274s
DSQ Aleix Espargaro - SPA - Aprilia Racing (RS-GP) - +0.178s
2. Fabio Quartararo - FRA - Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) - +0.305s
3. Alex Rins - SPA - Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) - +0.337s
4. Jack Miller - AUS - Ducati Lenovo (GP22) - +0.559s
5. Joan Mir - SPA - Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) - +0.625s
6. Maverick Viñales - SPA - Aprilia Racing (RS-GP) - +0.664s
7. Brad Binder - RSA - Red Bull KTM (RC16) - +0.853s
8. Johann Zarco - FRA - Pramac Ducati (GP22) - +1.012s
9. Marco Bezzecchi - ITA - Mooney VR46 Ducati (GP21)* - +1.038s
10. Enea Bastianini - ITA - Gresini Ducati (GP21) - +1.042s
11. Takaaki Nakagami - JPN - LCR Honda (RC213V) - +1.230s
12. Luca Marini - ITA - Mooney VR46 Ducati (GP22) - +1.262s
13. Alex Marquez - SPA - LCR Honda (RC213V) - +1.325s
14. Andrea Dovizioso - ITA - WithU Yamaha RNF (YZR-M1) - +1.376s
15. Miguel Oliveira - POR - Red Bull KTM (RC16) - +1.402s
16. Jorge Martin - SPA - Pramac Ducati (GP22) - +1.549s
17. Franco Morbidelli - ITA - Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) - +1.554s
18. Pol Espargaro - SPA - Repsol Honda (RC213V) - +1.560s
19. Fabio Di Giannantonio - ITA - Gresini Ducati (GP21)* - +1.628s
20. Lorenzo Savadori - ITA - Aprilia Racing (RS-GP) - +1.807s
21. Remy Gardner - AUS - KTM Tech3 (RC16)* - +1.948s
22. Darryn Binder - RSA - WithU Yamaha RNF (YZR-M1)* - +2.297s
23. Stefan Bradl - GER - Repsol Honda (RC213V) - +2.677s
24. Raul Fernandez - SPA - KTM Tech3 (RC16)* - +2.952s
25. Aleix Espargaro - SPA - Aprilia Racing (RS-GP) - +8.086s

mylexicon said:

The sanctioning hammer is falling hard at Assen:

Franco has reportedly been given a long lap penalty for going slow on the racing line during FP2.

A Espargaro had one of his FP2 laps cancelled for running a tire rain deflector while using slicks. Unsure how this will affect FP2 times and combined times.

Stewards are not messing around, I guess. Be careful what you wish for

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Taka seemed to be cruising at one point. I forget who came up behind him but Taka looked seriously slow.

Miller is a fine bloke, I like him a lot. However, how many times we have seen him cruising some 100 km/h slower than traffic? Now again, his excuses are pure b/s. The fact is he did not consider safety as the most important factor when he returned to the track. But OK, lets assume Miller is right and "there was nothing I could do". In that case to keep racing safe the only option is to ban all returns after running off.

MichaelBolton said:

Luca Marini isn't impressed with the Honda.



https://www.gpone.com/en/2022/06/23...ith-slow-growth-it-depends-on-where-i-am.html

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It was a bike designed around bespoke electronics which are no longer extant. I remember Furusawa threatening to pull out.

The software between MM’s ears prevailed for a time, but he has had a hardware failure going on for 3 seasons now.

Looks like another show down between Quats and Bags. I don't see Martin going full race distance with the top 2 but who knows? If Aleix gets a good start he could be a factor at the end. Fabio needs another hole shot. Let's hope for a dry race.

michaelm said:

It was a bike designed around bespoke electronics which are no longer extant. I remember Furusawa threatening to pull out.

The software between MM’s ears prevailed for a time, but he has had a hardware failure going on for 3 seasons now.

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This year's bike is not the one from previous years. It's built from the ground up, almost with the objective of being the total opposite of past iterations. And it's a massive failure.

Another long lap penalty for Miller.

Segfault said:

Miller is a fine bloke, I like him a lot. However, how many times we have seen him cruising some 100 km/h slower than traffic? Now again, his excuses are pure b/s. The fact is he did not consider safety as the most important factor when he returned to the track. But OK, lets assume Miller is right and "there was nothing I could do". In that case to keep racing safe the only option is to ban all returns after running off.

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Mav had no real issues with it - check the video before it goes - https://www.motogp.com/en/videos/20...ng-lap-penalty-after-vinales-near-miss/427792

If the story of broken footpeg is correct then the fact Miller looks over the left shoulder and not the right plays a part. Interesting anyway that Mav's lap was already cancelled due to yellow flags which was the same later. Even more interesting, is the different attitudes of Mav vs Aleix when their laps are killed by yellow flags - one accepts the other spits - Aleix cannot accept yesllows - https://www.motogp.com/en/videos/20...re-of-a-espargaro-after-front-row-miss/427873

That would be a track by track thing but I would say that any crashes in the final X minutes of a session should see the bike dragged

MichaelBolton said:

Luca Marini isn't impressed with the Honda.



https://www.gpone.com/en/2022/06/23...ith-slow-growth-it-depends-on-where-i-am.html

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MichaelBolton said:

This year's bike is not the one from previous years. It's built from the ground up, almost with the objective of being the total opposite of past iterations. And it's a massive failure.

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I am aware of that. My point remains, I don’t think they can build a bike around the control ECU, the current bike is an unsuccessful attempt at doing so. They also have had years of building around MM who just wanted them to build a fast bike with him taking care of the rideability. Stoner and Pedrosa were probably responsible for their last generally rideable bike.

Aleix has become the ....... man.
you'd have to be borderline ........ to not get that by now.

Pecco needs to thank Fabio, I think Aleix was likely winner today. From 15 to fourth in dry conditions is mission impossible.
Fabio must have a confidence hit, losing front like this. Must be hard to swallow after all these victories.

His personality might not be the most pleasant, but holy cow Aleix, take a bow.

Very stupid from Fabio, I think he was way too overconfident after building such a gap in the standings. And Mav back to the podium, let's see if he can finally fulfil some of that potential finally.

What Nakagami taketh, Quartaro giveth back.

Bezzechi and Vinales on the podium. Who could have predicted that? I guess after seeing Honda fail to score a point for the first time in 40 years, Yamaha felt obliged to follow their lead. Aleix had an incredible ride. If he becomes world champion, no one can claim he didn’t earn it, even if he only has a couple of wins.

Since sanctioning is a hot topic, Yamaha probably needs a hefty fine. Quartaro came in apparently complaining of something, but his team sent him back out. He later crashed and if not for the speedy response of the marshals, the race could have been red flagged.

I thought it was an interesting race.

Do think Aleix might have won if that incident with Fabio never happens but that's racing for you. He had a hell of a ride to climb back from 15th. Easily the best rider of the day. Kudos to Maverick getting a podium finish. First one on the Aprilia right?

Nice crowd there which is always nice to see.

I have to say I've been liking the shoulder cam they're using on the riders now. It's very cool to see.