Joined Aug 2008
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Pedro was impressive in 8th. Aleix was way better tho... Time will tell.
MotoGP: 2024 Round 1 Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar
- Thread starter mikesbytes
- Start date
Marc talked about how different the riding style is on the Ducati compared to the Honda. I'd be perfectly content with him running around 5th in the first few races. Adjust to the bike, build confidence and stay out of the gravel traps.
Joined Oct 2008
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In Cider
I would say Martin has to be promoted if he is fighting for the title this yr, but he has already been bad mouthing Ducati and they may feel he's a bit of a liability in that aspect. Could we see Martin at factory and Marquez at Pramac as a factory supported rider?
Time will tell. I think Aprilia should sign Martin and Fabio.
Joined Oct 2008
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Agreed. I was saying during the sprint "a podium is great, but a finish is better"
Joined May 2009
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Unlike in F1, Pirelli provided Moto2 teams with tires that actually wear and make for great racing.
Three Boscoscuros among the Top 4 but the guy who everyone expected to run away with the championship finished outside the points.
Arbolino had an even more dismal race.
Three Boscoscuros among the Top 4 but the guy who everyone expected to run away with the championship finished outside the points.
Arbolino had an even more dismal race.
Yea I wouldn't want to watch a full race through it but I thought it was cool to see the riders working the ride height device and whatever else. All those buttons means a lot to think about. The back cam is cool too but I guess they no longer mount the camera they used to have on the bike itself?
This one was underwhelming in a way that was much similar to the F1 opener.
Just not a lot of difference from last year, same guys up front, the racing is still not great.
How Marc's season will be going is perhaps going to be the lone storyline to make it more interesting than last year.
Just not a lot of difference from last year, same guys up front, the racing is still not great.
How Marc's season will be going is perhaps going to be the lone storyline to make it more interesting than last year.
Joined Sep 2015
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I enjoyed the race, mostly thanks to Acosta stealing the show until his tires and physique gave up. Future looks bright for him, he already has the speed, now he needs to learn how to manage the full race.
The season opener picked up where the previous season ended; Bagnaia dominating the Sundays and Martín the Saturdays. But I think Jorge is learning to be happy with a podium finish, this is gonna be key for his championship hopes. Brad, always excelling in Sundays as well and that KTM looks fast this year. Happy for Marc, solid weekend in a bogey track riding for a different bike. He needs to polish a few details here and there and he'll be in the mix for the championship, earlier than I expected - still, those GP24s are gonna give him trouble, you could see how faster they were on the straight compared to the GP23. Disappointing Aprilias, they set the expectations too high with the sprint. Still an inconsisten bike (or are the riders the inconsistent ones? we won't know until they sign top talent).
As an additional note, an expected different race for the Japanese bikes, with Fabio triumphing among them. Miserable races for Marini and Bezzechi, the latter must be regretting his dismissal of that Pramac seat. Miller should be grateful if KTM offers him a GasGas seat the next year.
The season opener picked up where the previous season ended; Bagnaia dominating the Sundays and Martín the Saturdays. But I think Jorge is learning to be happy with a podium finish, this is gonna be key for his championship hopes. Brad, always excelling in Sundays as well and that KTM looks fast this year. Happy for Marc, solid weekend in a bogey track riding for a different bike. He needs to polish a few details here and there and he'll be in the mix for the championship, earlier than I expected - still, those GP24s are gonna give him trouble, you could see how faster they were on the straight compared to the GP23. Disappointing Aprilias, they set the expectations too high with the sprint. Still an inconsisten bike (or are the riders the inconsistent ones? we won't know until they sign top talent).
As an additional note, an expected different race for the Japanese bikes, with Fabio triumphing among them. Miserable races for Marini and Bezzechi, the latter must be regretting his dismissal of that Pramac seat. Miller should be grateful if KTM offers him a GasGas seat the next year.
They desperately need a rider but the package needs a bit more of a conservative approach. They have a good package but sometimes they go too radical. But for sure the thing that they need the most now is a rider. I don't think Enea is the right one but they should try Quartararo as much as possible. Aleix is an ..... ....... with 2 digits IQ and Maverick isn't even worthy any comment. Best way for Fabio is Aprilia and vice versa.
I think M93 will have his best match at Sachsenring and COTA and also will fight for podiums at Spanish tracks. But that's it for him this year. He's no longer the old Marc and also Ducati is not Honda, that is, a bike that perfectly fit his style. The Desmo is a very very balanced machine but on the other hand doesn't have any special feature that he can sticky with to make a difference like the RCV at entering a corner and specially in changing of direction (pick up the bike the earliest possible). Either he learns how to extract the maximum possible performance of the Desmo or he'll score as much as Zarco at most. That will take time though, no magic here, no miracles.
Acosta is for real but as a rookie he did as rookie, a bit flustered, impatient. He'll need to learn how to manage the tires. No man can debut and make miracles with current MotoGP condition and tires anymore. But KTM have a multiple champion growing up under his arms, it's just a matter of being patient and work. Binder is a good rider and that's it, he sometimes remembers me Dovi, too rational and conservative to get there.
Enea will possible lose his spot to Martin. But it doesn't seem Martin is welcome at factory Ducati. Does it seem those guys at red have some prejudice with Spanish riders? It's really looking like this. Once Marc deployed in their satellite team, many Ducati Corse professionals went away. Is there something to do with Marc arrival? Possible.
Bezzechi wtf? Marini lol.... as we literally say around here: be aware with what you dream about cause it can come true.
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1. Bye-bye Miller from factory KTM ride me thinks.
2. KTM is a real contender but does Brad have what it takes to win it all ?
3. Pecco and Jorge have learned to play it smart, put points on the board, stay out of trouble, sail while the wind blows.
4. MM putting in solid performances in both the Sprint and Final, will he get even better or is that it ?
5. WTF is going on with Marini ???
6. All the agents should be busy now lining up the ducks for 2025, Martin is the prize, Ducati better sign him to the factory team quick.
7. Who will do the best on the Honda this year, I think it will be Zarco.
8. I think Quartararo will leave Yamaha and end up on either a KTM or Aprilia (I would pick KTM myself).
9. I think Aprilia needs to rethink their lineup for 2025.
10. Acosta is the real deal, just needs some polish and some work on strategies (i.e. saving the tires).
As for 2024 my guess is that either Pecco or Jorge will win it all hands down, assuming no injuries !
2. KTM is a real contender but does Brad have what it takes to win it all ?
3. Pecco and Jorge have learned to play it smart, put points on the board, stay out of trouble, sail while the wind blows.
4. MM putting in solid performances in both the Sprint and Final, will he get even better or is that it ?
5. WTF is going on with Marini ???
6. All the agents should be busy now lining up the ducks for 2025, Martin is the prize, Ducati better sign him to the factory team quick.
7. Who will do the best on the Honda this year, I think it will be Zarco.
8. I think Quartararo will leave Yamaha and end up on either a KTM or Aprilia (I would pick KTM myself).
9. I think Aprilia needs to rethink their lineup for 2025.
10. Acosta is the real deal, just needs some polish and some work on strategies (i.e. saving the tires).
As for 2024 my guess is that either Pecco or Jorge will win it all hands down, assuming no injuries !
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Joined May 2009
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What do you mean whats up with Marini? He is not that good and the honda is the biggest pile of .... in motorcycle racing. I am actually impressed with Zarco. Not only is the bike ....... but the honda formally known as repsol looks like .... I didn't like it when I saw it but it looks horrible on track. I guess they wanted a livery that matched its performance. Mission accomplished.
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Bendigo Vic
Pecco looked very good. Had the speed, got to the front pretty aggressively and appeared to manage it. Nobody had the speed on worn tyres to challenge him.
The KTM has a great engine, I would like to see somebody else on it but don't see them doing a heap better than Binder.
The KTM has a great engine, I would like to see somebody else on it but don't see them doing a heap better than Binder.
Joined Aug 2007
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Pomona NY
Thought it was a fun race to spectate. Lots of passing. Only one crasher. Acosta getting everyone's hopes up for a miracle, tho predictably doing what so many rookies have done, carving through the field and burning through his tires. Hoped that Marquez would get on the podium, but like others, happy to see him at the pointy end and not crashing. Mayhaps - it's wishful thinking, but just maybe he's becoming the more mature Marquez I predicted 10 years ago (everybody laughed at me) and still quietly adjusting his skill-set to suit the bike. Certainly not the humongous disappointment suffered by many, years ago, when everyone predicted Nicky's flat-track skills would magically tame the Ducati. The way KTM have steadily improved year after year, takes some of the sting out the way Honda and Yamaha have lost touch. I guess having all five factories be competitive at the same time, is just a fan boy's pipe dream.
Joined Oct 2008
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In Cider
A good point. But Ducati are affiliated with Monster and Marc with Red Bull, so I can see that causing issues.
Wild theory. What if Marc agrees a contract with factory Ducati for 2025 by the summer, and they give Gresini a GP24 (francos bike?) For the remainder of the yr?
Unlikely, but a wild theory. That said..if Marc stays consistent he will likely fight for the title regardless.
If Maverick keeps a factory ride for 2025 then he definitely has details of someone on Epsteins list.
I've seen Ducato corse techs in the Gresini garage. I don't think thr problem with Martin is his nationality, it's his mouth.
For sure. The question is, will he last thr season?
Where at KTM? Binder is confirmed and Acosta being promoted is but a formality.
100% agree
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When it comes to sponsorship, loyalty is only as deep as the pockets.
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