On Aussie TV they're saying Mexico has been added to the GP calendar provisionally for next year.
Joined Aug 2007
11K Posts | 3K+
Pomona NY
Don't know the track but it would be a killer location to get to. Mexico is such a fun place and very reasonable on the budget. Been many times. Any excuse to go.The Umbrella girls would be ......' amazing! There's a pretty big sport bike and supermoto scene there in the big cities. Never seen a Harley there yet. Mexican crowds at sporting events are always so high energy. Much rather go there than Indy.
Joined Nov 2015
872 Posts | 420+
Stratosphere
Crashnut's saying it's defo, at Mexico City F1 track. https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/902723/1/mexico-provisional-2019-motogp-calendar
Rossi brought up the safety issue of the track which is definitely a valid concern. However he then whinged that with 20 races they won't have much time off to do much else. I'm sorry (and this goes for any rider that complains about that) you earn millions of dollars to ride a motorbike for 3 days every second week during the season. Then you get more holidays than most people have who work a normal job. What the .... are you complaining about? That it's not a hobby but a full time job that you get paid obscene amounts to do?
This just really rubbed me the wrong way, their schedule is not that bad compared to other sports and the wear and tare on their bodies is nowhere near as bad either. These ..... need a reality check if they're complaining about not having a life outside of racing.
This just really rubbed me the wrong way, their schedule is not that bad compared to other sports and the wear and tare on their bodies is nowhere near as bad either. These ..... need a reality check if they're complaining about not having a life outside of racing.
I am hardly known as a leading Rossi admirer, but I agree with him, from what others say he is correct about safety, and you can’t race something as physically and mentally taxing, and as dangerous, as gp bike racing year round imo. I think they play too many Major League Baseball games and too many NBA regular season games as well, mostly for TV dollars, you simply can’t perform at an elite level year round, and too many contests devalues each individual contest imo. With horse racing where the desires of competitors don’t come into it they spell horses regularly and don’t have them in full training year round.
Pretty much every rider has said at various time points that 20 races is too much.
If you can do better, why don’t you send in your resume?
I wasn't disputing the safety concerns at all. They're completely valid as I have said. I don't believe the circuit will make for great viewing either so I wouldn't be upset if it wasn't on the calendar next year.
20 races isn't year round, that's my point. Right now they're racing for about 8 months with a break in the middle. Expecting them to do 9 months with a break in the middle isn't unrealistic, not for what they get paid. Soccer players are playing for around 10 months of the year, AFL players only have about 2 months off every year 3 at the most, most elite sports are going to be the same. I know they have to train and keep fit but that along with the racing I can guarantee, is not as physically demanding as what other athletes put up with every week. That's my point. Being expected to race for 9 months of the year isn't unfair and still gives them plenty of time for a life. A lot more time than if they were working a normal job or if they were elite in some other sports. I say 9 months of the year but generally they get every second weekend off as well.
Joined Apr 2015
6K Posts | 5K+
NJ
Poor circuit choice. It's too dangerous for bikes, and is dull as .... as an actual grand prix circuit. Since they opted to use the stadium section rather than the original Peraltada corner, it took most of the character out of the circuit. Track is also bumpy as hell due to the volcanic activity in the area. They should just go back to the Salzburgring.
I think they do race too much, I said on another forum about 7 years ago they need to get rid of 4 rounds and make it a 14 round championship.
Joined Apr 2015
6K Posts | 5K+
NJ
They aren't ever going to get rid of rounds, too much money at stake. I don't agree with the rounds they have added though or about to add. Thailand sucks. Mexico will suck because it's going to be a Ducati circuit due to the main straight. Probably will be hitting 220MPH before the braking zone. Should bring Suzuka back for the Japanese round.
I agree that the circuits added suck and that is a fair reason to complain, my issue with the complaint is 'it means we don't have a life'
Looking at the track though I don't see any way a Mexican GP won't suck, but I also thought that about Austria and we have had a couple of decent races 2 years in a row.
Joined Apr 2015
6K Posts | 5K+
NJ
Joined Apr 2015
6K Posts | 5K+
NJ
Which is ironic since there's the 8 Hours of Suzuka endurance race.
Rossi has shown the most endurance of pretty much any gp bike rider ever, so perhaps his opinion is rather informed.
They are also constantly risking their lives at up to several hundred kph, somewhat more stressful than most other sports, which even possibly the most fearless gp bike rider of all time in MM has been known to opine, and the list of injuries most carry into retirement is often fairly extensive. RCV tells me new airbag technology will improve safety, and I for one really hope he is correct, I will never forget seeing Rainey become a paraplegic live on TV, nor Jones dying in that supersport race, but fortunately have managed to never see Simoncelli’s final accident.
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Do yourself a favor and never watch it. The image is seared into my memory, and it's horrible.
