MotoGP 2014 Round 5 - Monster Energy Grand Prix de France

povol said:

Looks like Rossi is trying to show Marc the fine art of eating ......

Click to expand...

Very good.
One hell of a rider MM. Dominating some very good riders with ease.

nghiemlong said:

MM: I was able to win 4 in a row cause of these BIG BALLs
Vale: oooooooooooooooooooooooops

Click to expand...

More like DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMN !!!!!!!!!

Just when the opposition starts gaining some confidence, he pulls half a second out of the bag. If its boring to some, tough ...., its beautiful to watch anyone in any sport get into the zone. I watched it the other night when Kevin Durant and LeBron James just went off. There is nothing you can do when someone who is supremely talented finds that comfort zone, except hope that it ends.


Q2:
1. Marc Marquez ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 1m 32.042s [Lap 6/8] 304km/h (Top Speed)
2. Pol Espargaro ESP Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1)* 1m 32.734s +0.692s [8/9] 309km/h
3. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici) 1m 32.755s +0.713s [6/8] 308km/h
4. Stefan Bradl GER LCR Honda MotoGP (RC213V) 1m 32.846s +0.804s [8/9] 307km/h
5. Valentino Rossi ITA Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 1m 32.873s +0.831s [8/9] 307km/h
6. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 1m 32.899s +0.857s [8/9] 305km/h
7. Alvaro Bautista ESP Go&Fun Honda Gresini (RC213V) 1m 33.006s +0.964s [8/9] 308km/h
8. Aleix Espargaro ESP NGM Forward Racing (Forward Yamaha) 1m 33.015s +0.973s [6/8] 301km/h
9. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 1m 33.023s +0.981s [9/9] 310km/h
10. Bradley Smith GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1) 1m 33.058s +1.016s [7/8] 305km/h
11. Andrea Iannone ITA Pramac Racing (Desmosedici) 1m 33.102s +1.060s [3/8] 304km/h
12. Cal Crutchlow GBR Ducati Team (Desmosedici) 1m 33.315s +1.273s [2/8] 304km/h

Q1:
13. Nicky Hayden USA Drive M7 Aspar (RCV1000R) 1m 33.859s
14. Yonny Hernandez COL Pramac Racing (Desmosedici) 1m 33.999s
15. Colin Edwards USA NGM Forward Racing (Forward Yamaha) 1m 34.203s
16. Scott Redding GBR Go&Fun Honda Gresini (RCV1000R)* 1m 34.233s
17. Hiroshi Aoyama JPN Drive M7 Aspar (RCV1000R) 1m 34.457s
18. Karel Abraham CZE Cardion AB Motoracing (RCV1000R) 1m 34.880s
19. Hector Barbera ESP Avintia Racing (Avintia) 1m 35.499s
20. Broc Parkes AUS Paul Bird Motorsport (PBM-ART)* 1m 35.795s
21. Michael Laverty GBR Paul Bird Motorsport (PBM-ART) 1m 35.932s
22. Mike Di Meglio FRA Avintia Racing (Avintia)* 1m 36.163s

povol said:

Just when the opposition starts gaining some confidence, he pulls half a second out of the bag. If its boring to some, tough ...., its beautiful to watch anyone in any sport get into the zone. I watched it the other night when Kevin Durant and LeBron James just went off. There is nothing you can do when someone who is supremely talented finds that comfort zone, except hope that it ends.

Click to expand...

LeBron & Durant elevate their game on pure skill and ability. The MotoGP series as it stands would be the equivalent of KD & Lebron wearing special shoes that let them run faster than everyone else. Or making the other players wear weight vests. Marquez is clearly an elite rider, no doubt, but the machinery/budget, and new rules are tipping the scale further.

ReddiWhip said:

LeBron & Durant elevate their game on pure skill and ability. The MotoGP series as it stands would be the equivalent of KD & Lebron wearing special shoes that let them run faster than everyone else. Or making the other players wear weight vests Marquez is clearly an elite rider , no doubt, but the machinery/budget, and new rules are tipping the scale further.

Click to expand...

He is trouncing the guy who is on the same bike with same budget under the same rules. Why is it so hard for people to just admit the obvious. It cracks me up when they go on and on about Marquez being overrated because of this and that, only to say " Marquez is clearly an elite rider". The truth is, the machinery in GP has been as equal in performance the last 10 years than any decade in the history of the sport. Take away one rider, and everyone is talking about the lineup below being 1-10 within half a second.

2. Pol Espargaro ESP Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1)* 1m 32.734s +0.692s [8/9] 309km/h
3. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici) 1m 32.755s +0.713s [6/8] 308km/h
4. Stefan Bradl GER LCR Honda MotoGP (RC213V) 1m 32.846s +0.804s [8/9] 307km/h
5. Valentino Rossi ITA Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 1m 32.873s +0.831s [8/9] 307km/h
6. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 1m 32.899s +0.857s [8/9] 305km/h
7. Alvaro Bautista ESP Go&Fun Honda Gresini (RC213V) 1m 33.006s +0.964s [8/9] 308km/h
8. Aleix Espargaro ESP NGM Forward Racing (Forward Yamaha) 1m 33.015s +0.973s [6/8] 301km/h
9. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 1m 33.023s +0.981s [9/9] 310km/h
10. Bradley Smith GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1) 1m 33.058s +1.016s [7/8] 305km/h
11. Andrea Iannone ITA Pramac Racing (Desmosedici) 1m 33.102s +1.060s [3/8] 304km/h
12. Cal Crutchlow GBR Ducati Team (Desmosedici) 1m 33.315s +1.273s [2/8] 304km/h

ReddiWhip said:

LeBron & Durant elevate their game on pure skill and ability. The MotoGP series as it stands would be the equivalent of KD & Lebron wearing special shoes that let them run faster than everyone else. Or making the other players wear weight vests. Marquez is clearly an elite rider, no doubt, but the machinery/budget, and new rules are tipping the scale further.

Click to expand...

I always believed that Povol has a #23 Michael Jordan jersey in the back of his closet somewhere. It's right next to the Rossi jersey and just behind the Marquez jersey. Remember in the 90s roughly 50% of Americas owned that jersey because they jumped on the latest big thing bandwagon.
The LeBron analogy is interesting but Povol got it all wrong. LeBron couldn't win jack .... until the heat went out and bought the three best players in the NBA at their position and created a dream team. After they won their first championship they went and bought one of the the best three-point shooters in the game to further tip the scales in their favor.
So to sum up the first half of LeBron's career he was basically on the equivalent of a satellite bike but as soon as he was given a Repsol ( Wade, Bosh Allen) he has been unstoppable.
So RW your analogy has come to fruition. The rest of the NBA is basically wearing leaded vests and the Heat is wearing special shoes

povol said:

He is trouncing the guy who is on the same bike with same budget under the same rules. Why is it so hard for people to just admit the obvious. It cracks me up when they go on and on about Marquez being overrated because of this and that, only to say " Marquez is clearly an elite rider". The truth is, the machinery in GP has been as equal in performance the last 10 years than any decade in the history of the sport. Take away one rider, and everyone is talking about the lineup below being 1-10 within half a second.

Click to expand...

Just friendly conversation here . As far as Pedrosa goes, everyone has trounced that guy. That proves nothing. Pedrosa has how many premier class championships? And yet, THIS season he would be winning the championship pretty handily. That's just an interesting sidebar. As far as my comment you quoted, I consider MM elite in the same way that JL, VR, and DP are. You can rank them however you want. But why is it so hard for you to acknowledge that Honda pushed through a rules change and carved out an advantage for themselves? Come on man. Seriously, I want you to answer this question. If the machinery in GP is so equal, and Marquez is so dominant, you honestly believe you could put MM on the Ducati, right now, and the race results would be the same?

JohnnyKnockdown said:

I always believed that Povol has a #23 Michael Jordan jersey in the back of his closet somewhere. It's right next to the Rossi jersey and just behind the Marquez jersey. Remember in the 90s roughly 50% of Americas owned that jersey because they jumped on the latest big thing bandwagon.
The LeBron analogy is interesting but Povol got it all wrong. LeBron couldn't win jack .... until the heat went out and bought the three best players in the NBA at their position and created a dream team. After they won their first championship they went and bought one of the the best three-point shooters in the game to further tip the scales in their favor. So to sum up the first half of LeBron's career he was basically on the equivalent of a satellite bike but as soon as he was given a Repsol ( Wade, Bosh Allen) he has been unstoppable.
So RW your analogy has come to fruition. The rest of the NBA is basically wearing leaded vests and the Heat is wearing special shoes

Click to expand...

Haha, indeed. The Heat really are Repsol. I would've given LeBron all the praise in the world if he would've lead THAT Cleveland team to the Championship. He got close, proving he's great, but fell short. Then he decided to take the easy way out. I can't respect. So in the end, my thoughts about LeBron and Marquez are similar. I think they're both really great, elite. That's not in question. But there are other factors which create a further advantage for both these guys, and some folks like to pretend these factors don't exists. ** I'm a Philly native by the way, 76ers Championship, 2016!!! You heard it here first **

I think MM is absolutely the most talented guy in GP at the moment. By a comfortable margin. I don't however think he could win (perhaps an occasional) on this Ducati, let alone one from 2 or 3 years ago. Clearly the bike is important and he currently sits atop the best one.

levigarrett said:

I think MM is absolutely the most talented guy in GP at the moment. By a comfortable margin. I don't however think he could win (perhaps an occasional) on this Ducati, let alone one from 2 or 3 years ago. Clearly the bike is important and he currently sits atop the best one.

Click to expand...

imgur: the simple image sharer

That was a fun race.
MM is on another planet, I thought he was gonna run out of tire putting in those fast laps, and it's nice to see a sat bike on the podium.

Valentino has looked like the only rider that could possibly challenge Marquez this season. Jorge and Dani seem totally baffled and demoralised.

Holy ...., HE WON!

Lorenzo is just lost right now. He was always so mentally tough, with incredible concentration, but his development of the M1 looks like it's hit a dead end. I think it's most telling that Rossi helped develop a new frame that he feels is an improvement, and Lorenzo isn't using it. Here's to hoping JL can get back on track and make a show of it at least. Vale looks great. If he can find just a few tenths a lap in the coming weeks, there may actually be a race to watch! Remember there was discussion about how Honda's transmission didn't require use of the clutch while up shifting AND downshifting, while Yamaha only had the up shift figured out? Maybe that'll be the breakthrough needed. Eh, who knows...

Last thoughts, I hope to see both Espargaros on the Sat Team next year. I'd like to see what Aleix could do with some better machinery. Duc is out of contention still. I think Dovi is getting everything he can out of the bike, but they're way off the pace still. As for the other H riders, even if Bau or Bradl took Pedrosa's seat next year, I don't think they have what it takes to upset the world order. I could be wrong, but I don't see it. What do you guys think?

Analyzing Braking Stability: Why Is Honda So Much Better Than Yamaha? | MotoMatters.com | Kropotkin Thinks

RCV600RR said:

Valentino has looked like the only rider that could possibly challenge Marquez this season. Jorge and Dani seem totally baffled and demoralised.

Click to expand...

dont think anyone will challenge marquez while he is on the honda. yes the guy is crazy fast but that bike helps alot one hell of alot.


the traction it gets out of a corner is unreal..... yamaha have to sort there
M1 or marquez is gonna win every race of the season lol

so cool to see Marquez and Bautista celebrating together on track. that looked like genuine happiness. impressive ride (whole weekend) from P. Espargaro. JL looking really lost, and getting beaten by his teammate won't help his confidence either. needs a win soon or he will fall deep otherwise. Bradl seemed to fade due to post-OP (arm pump), DP the same, but slow all weekend. Dovi showing off early at least, doing the best possible job. BS getting his ... handed by his team mate, same as Crutchlow. behind them lonely races. btw, why is Hernandez riding a desmosedici? anyway, nice race from P10 (MM). would've been lame otherwise.

MM - Wow, but not surprised
ROSSI - Only one that can take the the fight to MM, Yamaha needs to give follow his lead
BAUTISTA - Wont save your job
POL - JLo's job in 2015?
Dani - JLo taking you job in 2015?
JLo - MM and Rossi are in your head
BRADL - Disappointing
DOVI - Suzuki in 2015 looking better and better eh?
Aleix - Tech 3 in 2015 taking your bro's old job....
SMITH - Could have been better but maybe next race...
Cal - Hmmm....maybe time to canvas LCR...
REDDING - Handing all the other Honda Proddy riders their ...
Yonny HERNANDEZ - Could have been worse
Hiroshi AOYAMA - Handing Karel and Nicky their ... on the Honda Proddy.
Karel ABRAHAM - At least you werent the last Honda Proddy rider
LAVERTY - better than Colin!
Colin EDWARDS - Looking forward to retirement?
Broc PARKES & Mike DI MEGLIO - why bother

Not Classified
IANNONE - I guess someone else tried to take your racing line after lap 1...
BARBERA - Moto2 sounding better and better?

Not Finished 1st Lap
HAYDEN - Next time dont try to take the ducati line.....and you wont get your ... handed to you....

Stupid ....... Iannone put on qualifying tires to do what exactly? The commentators called it 10 mins before the start as a foolhardy idiotic decision destined for disaster. This is another example of how the "penalty point system" has no effect on boneheaded decisions that are detrimental to riders on track. Even if Iannone hadnt torpedoed Hayden, how many laps was he really going to do on qualifying tires that drop off after 3 laps? Is there anybody with a brain on his team? I dont expect Race Indirection to take notice, but there is a safety issue on the track when u know going in a rider has decided to put tires on his bike that wont complete the race in reasonable performance.

ReddiWhip said:

Just friendly conversation here . As far as Pedrosa goes, everyone has trounced that guy. That proves nothing. Pedrosa has how many premier class championships? And yet, THIS season he would be winning the championship pretty handily. That's just an interesting sidebar. As far as my comment you quoted, I consider MM elite in the same way that JL, VR, and DP are. You can rank them however you want. But why is it so hard for you to acknowledge that Honda pushed through a rules change and carved out an advantage for themselves? Come on man. Seriously, I want you to answer this question. If the machinery in GP is so equal, and Marquez is so dominant, you honestly believe you could put MM on the Ducati, right now, and the race results would be the same?



Haha, indeed. The Heat really are Repsol. I would've given LeBron all the praise in the world if he would've lead THAT Cleveland team to the Championship. He got close, proving he's great, but fell short. Then he decided to take the easy way out. I can't respect. So in the end, my thoughts about LeBron and Marquez are similar. I think they're both really great, elite. That's not in question. But there are other factors which create a further advantage for both these guys, and some folks like to pretend these factors don't exists. ** I'm a Philly native by the way, 76ers Championship, 2016!!! You heard it here first **

Click to expand...

I think Marquez dominates the series on a Yamaha, and makes the Ducati a podium contender on a regular basis. In my opinion, that is something no other rider in the sport is capable of doing at this time. I didnt say all the bikes are equal, i said the bikes are more equal the last ten years than any other decade in the history of the sport. Marquez has a half second in his pocket on the field. He was running the fastest laps of the race while working his way from 10th. What used to be a Yamaha track is now a Marquez track, take him out of the picture, its all of a sudden a Yamaha track again. As far as LeBron, leading that rag tag bunch of nobodies to the NBA finals was all that was needed to stamp his greatness. The NBA requires 3 superstars to reach and retain greatness, Jordan had his, Magic had his, Bird had his, why is it a problem that Lebron has his. To little johnny squat down, i dont own but one piece of apparel that has anyone's name on it except 1, the Nicky Hayden 2006 Championship T shirt, Out of the dozens of bike racing event shirts i own that is it. Have never ever owned any piece of apparel from any other pro sport. Cracks me up to see grown men wannabe's with their NFL and NBA player jerseys hanging down to their knees. I have been considering getting a Marquez hat, but they want to damn much for them

I hear next year (or sooner) Lorenzo's newest sponsor will be Zoloft. Never really liked the guy - but he is talented and tough as nails. It's a shame to see him fall apart. Would love to see him on Pedrosa's bike next year, but by then it'll be too late. MM is scary good.

BTW - Good Race.