2020 MotoGP Thread

[Black Hills]

I think Zarco has some added pressure to perform well
This weekend and next. 

[squeezer]

Anybody know what Quartararo wears on his hands and why? And do we all have to buy them now to be real motorcyclists?

Zarco didn't practice today because of the surgery. But, he got hit with a penalty for last weekend's crash and will start from pit lane if he races. I don't know how I feel about that, but I haven't heard any riders come to his defense. Maybe that should answer it.

I watched a little FP 2 today. The super slo-mo cam was in turn 7 and they had Quartararo going through there with a 63% lean angle. Damn. I hope they leave it there all weekend.

[squeezer]

And, by the way, my fantasy team is doing sucky. Who else is playing?

[Black Hills]

Looks like it will be another good one. KTM on pole andzarco was fast but has to start from pit lane due to last weeks error*.  And it would appear a super human miracle comeback by MM is out:
https://www.motogp.com/en/news/2020/08/22/marc-marquez-ruled-out-for-two-to-three-months/340857

[squeezer]

...And it would appear a super human miracle comeback by MM is out:
https://www.motogp.com/en/news/2020/08/22/marc-marquez-ruled-out-for-two-to-three-months/340857

That sucks, but it has been awfully fun without him.

So what is Repsol actually doing right now? Are they using this as an extended testing season? There's no real reason I can think of for them being at the back of the grid even without MM.

[viffergyrl]

Looks like it will be another good one. KTM on pole andzarco was fast but has to start from pit lane due to last weeks error*.  And it would appear a super human miracle comeback by MM is out:
https://www.motogp.com/en/news/2020/08/22/marc-marquez-ruled-out-for-two-to-three-months/340857

Sounds like HRC put their foot down on this one. "Stop talking crazy, Marc."

[miles]

...And it would appear a super human miracle comeback by MM is out:
https://www.motogp.com/en/news/2020/08/22/marc-marquez-ruled-out-for-two-to-three-months/340857

That sucks, but it has been awfully fun without him.

So what is Repsol actually doing right now? Are they using this as an extended testing season? There's no real reason I can think of for them being at the back of the grid even without MM.

Sure there is.  Their other rider is AM.


In all seriousness, it seems every factory except KTM went backwards this year with their development.  The guys doing best are on last year's bikes.

[miles]

  And it would appear a super human miracle comeback by MM is out:
https://www.motogp.com/en/news/2020/08/22/marc-marquez-ruled-out-for-two-to-three-months/340857

We all knew something like this was inevitable.  A rider just can't keep crashing as often as MM does and not have season- or career-ending injuries.

[biking sailor]

They're not all like this, part 5.

[garry]

They're not all like this, part 5.

You can't make this shit up. 2020 has been quite the year. Maybe they will all be like this this season.

[biking sailor]

Can't help but to feel for TN30 and JM36. Going so well before the red flag.

And can things get any worse for Yamaha?

[miles]

Can't help but to feel for TN30 and JM36. Going so well before the red flag.

And can things get any worse for Yamaha?

Well, that was Viñales' last motor for the season, so the answer is probably yes.

[leeo45]

Can't help but to feel for TN30 and JM36. Going so well before the red flag.

And can things get any worse for Yamaha?

Well, that was Viñales' last motor for the season, so the answer is probably yes.

My understanding of the amended rules for 2020 is that the factory teams are allowed five engines per rider for the twelve event season.  Does this mean that if they can't pull a sealed and working motor out of today's wreck that Viñales will be starting the next seven races from Pit Lane?

FIM Regulations - 1.21.20    Penalties for infringement of Article 2.x.3.3 (Engine durability in MotoGP and Moto3).
- Infringement before the race: the rider will start the race from the pit lane 5 seconds after the green light is on at the pit lane exit.
- Infringement during the race: ride through.
Each engine taken above allocation will result in a penalty. Where more than one extra engine is taken at one event, remaining penalties will be carried forward to the next event if necessary.

[miles]

They can and will. What they don't have is any more fresh motors.

[biking sailor]

They're baaack!  Yamaha guys, that is.

[biking sailor]

MM93 must be setting at home thinking...

"If I hadn't broken my arm in the first race, I would have so had this championship wrapped up by now."

 

[squeezer]

MM93 must be setting at home thinking...

"If I hadn't broken my arm in the first race, I would have so had this championship wrapped up by now."

 

So what is going on at Honda anyway? Zero riders in Q2? Repsol the back row? Did they decide to use the whole season as a testing session?

[PatM]

MM93 must be setting at home thinking...

"If I hadn't broken my arm in the first race, I would have so had this championship wrapped up by now."

 

So what is going on at Honda anyway? Zero riders in Q2? Repsol the back row? Did they decide to use the whole season as a testing session?

Could it be that Alex isn't as good as his brother? 

[Black Hills]

That whole “all your eggs in one basket “. Thing

[squeezer]

MM93 must be setting at home thinking...

"If I hadn't broken my arm in the first race, I would have so had this championship wrapped up by now."

 

So what is going on at Honda anyway? Zero riders in Q2? Repsol the back row? Did they decide to use the whole season as a testing session?

Could it be that Alex isn't as good as his brother? 

No doubt. But he and Bradl aren't back row bad. At least, I don't think so.

[biking sailor]

MM93 must be setting at home thinking...

"If I hadn't broken my arm in the first race, I would have so had this championship wrapped up by now."

 

So what is going on at Honda anyway? Zero riders in Q2? Repsol the back row? Did they decide to use the whole season as a testing session?

Could it be that Alex isn't as good as his brother? 

No doubt. But he and Bradl aren't back row bad. At least, I don't think so.

3 of the 5 HRC riders out hurt. 73 rookie still trying to tame the bike and find the limits, and 30 was fast with some bad luck crashes (pushing beyond the limits?).

I think the ones saying the Honda is a hard bike to ride are right. And that shows just how good 93 is.

[garry]

Well, this past weekend's race in France was a lot like the others this season. I guess they *are* all like that this year. On to Aragon for two weekends with the possible return of MM93.

[viffergyrl]

MM93 must be setting at home thinking...

"If I hadn't broken my arm in the first race, I would have so had this championship wrapped up by now."

 

So what is going on at Honda anyway? Zero riders in Q2? Repsol the back row? Did they decide to use the whole season as a testing session?

Could it be that Alex isn't as good as his brother? 

Looks like he's pretty good in the rain.

[Black Hills]

how about that Rins!? 

[viffergyrl]

how about that Rins!?

I love watching him ride.... until he crashes out. So smooth and he makes it look easy when passing others. And then.... something happens. 

[Black Hills]

how about that Rins!?

I love watching him ride.... until he crashes out. So smooth and he makes it look easy when passing others. And then.... something happens. 

haha, ya... if he learns to keep it upright I see championship potential, he seem to make it look easy right up to where he falls down.

[garry]

how about that Rins!?

I love watching him ride.... until he crashes out. So smooth and he makes it look easy when passing others. And then.... something happens. 

haha, ya... if he learns to keep it upright I see championship potential, he seem to make it look easy right up to where he falls down.

It seems the parity between teams perhaps requires riders to push closer to the limit, leading to more crashing. It's not unusual to have one second cover the top 10 - 15 in qualifying.

[PatM]

MM93 must be setting at home thinking...

"If I hadn't broken my arm in the first race, I would have so had this championship wrapped up by now."

 

So what is going on at Honda anyway? Zero riders in Q2? Repsol the back row? Did they decide to use the whole season as a testing session?

Could it be that Alex isn't as good as his brother? 

Looks like he's pretty good in the rain.

I must admit I was impressed. I hope he keeps on improving.

[PatM]

Well, this past weekend's race in France was a lot like the others this season. I guess they *are* all like that this year. On to Aragon for two weekends with the possible return of MM93.

I would be surprised if he did. He risked his career by returning too soon, I don't think his team would allow it a second time.

[squeezer]

MM93 must be setting at home thinking...

"If I hadn't broken my arm in the first race, I would have so had this championship wrapped up by now."

 

So what is going on at Honda anyway? Zero riders in Q2? Repsol the back row? Did they decide to use the whole season as a testing session?

Could it be that Alex isn't as good as his brother? 

Looks like he's pretty good in the rain.

I must admit I was impressed. I hope he keeps on improving.

Ditto. That was a great ride.

I thought all the races were fun this weekend. Even MotoE.

[Smoothie]

Well, this past weekend's race in France was a lot like the others this season. I guess they *are* all like that this year..."

So true.      Most entertaining season in years.

I'm reminded of the scene in Bull Durham where Kevin Costner tells Tim Robbins to throw the ball at the mascot.   Then Costner turns to the batter at the plate and says, "I have NO idea where it's going."   

[motociclista]

What else, 2020?

Rossi tests positive for COVID-19

https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/valentino-rossi-tests-positive-for-covid-19

[squeezer]

Oh, man. That's crummy news. Best wishes to him.

[squeezer]

Just saw a press release from American Racing Team saying that Joe Roberts is leaving the team at the end of the season. He's taking Hopkins and Butbul (by the way, if that was me, I'd probably change my name) with him so he must have a deal in hand. I'm kind of stoked to see with who.

They said they'd announce a new rider soon, presumably another 'Murcan.

[miles]

Cam is going to Joe's old seat, and Joe is moving to Italtrans.

That'll give us two Americans in Moto2 for now, but the move is a step towards MotoGP for Roberts.

[dpippin]

Just saw a press release from American Racing Team saying that Joe Roberts is leaving the team at the end of the season. He's taking Hopkins and Butbul (by the way, if that was me, I'd probably change my name) with him so he must have a deal in hand. I'm kind of stoked to see with who.

They said they'd announce a new rider soon, presumably another 'Murcan.

Joe Roberts is set to join the Italtrans Racing Team for an assault on the 2021 Moto2 World Championship in a shocking move that will see him leave the American Racing Team.
His performances have attracted interest from the highly coveted Italtrans team, a squad currently fighting for the title with Enea Bastianini, who will step up
to MotoGP with Ducati next year.

In a way this is good news as it opens up another spot for an American on the American Racing Team

[R Doug]

NBC Sports was doing a good job covering races live easier this year but it appears they have dropped to a delayed viewing at 6:30 PM Sunday evenings.  Am I missing another coverage in the U.S.?

I may need to pick back up my MotoGP Video Pass.   

[Black Hills]

after the latest "hints" on MM's condition one has to wonder if this could be a career ending issue?

[viffergyrl]

after the latest "hints" on MM's condition one has to wonder if this could be a career ending issue?

Hmmmmm. Puig's comments were very noncommittal to the point of 'let's hope'. Well, we'll see.

[Black Hills]

exactly, seemed rather odd to me, but then???

[motociclista]

Finally signed and official: Cameron Beaubier to American Racing Team in Moto2 next year:

https://motoamerica.com/cameron-beaubier-headed-to-moto2-world-championship/

Two U.S. riders in Moto2 next year. Now if only NBC would show the Moto2 races here...

[R Doug]

Finally signed and official: Cameron Beaubier to American Racing Team in Moto2 next year:

https://motoamerica.com/cameron-beaubier-headed-to-moto2-world-championship/

Two U.S. riders in Moto2 next year. Now if only NBC would show the Moto2 races here...

That's great news! 


Now, only if NBC Sports can show the races live!   


** SPOILERS  **


How about tomorrow's front row!?  This season is so enjoyable.  I love me some T.N.!

[st2sam]

Finally signed and official: Cameron Beaubier to American Racing Team in Moto2 next year:

https://motoamerica.com/cameron-beaubier-headed-to-moto2-world-championship/

Two U.S. riders in Moto2 next year. Now if only NBC would show the Moto2 races here...

That's great news! 


Now, only if NBC Sports can show the races live!   


** SPOILERS  **


How about tomorrow's front row!?  This season is so enjoyable.  I love me some T.N.!

Great news indeed. 
I'm tickled pink they are showing as much racing they are.
Wayne Rainey is doing a fantastic job. Kudos to him! 

[motociclista]

I'm tickled pink they are showing as much racing they are.

Pretty hard for me to feel "tickled pink." Or any other color.

A few years ago, on cable TV I could watch MotoGP, Moto2, Moto3, WSBK, occasional WSSP (often tape delay), MotoAmerica Superbike, MotoAmerica Supersport and Junior Cup.

Now it has dwindled to MotoGP (delayed), MotoAmerica Superbike and MotoAmerica Supersport.

[st2sam]

I'm tickled pink they are showing as much racing they are.

Pretty hard for me to feel "tickled pink." Or any other color.

A few years ago, on cable TV I could watch MotoGP, Moto2, Moto3, WSBK, occasional WSSP (often tape delay), MotoAmerica Superbike, MotoAmerica Supersport and Junior Cup.


Now it has dwindled to MotoGP (delayed), MotoAmerica Superbike and MotoAmerica Supersport.

(you forgot American Flat Track (delayed))

True,
but IMHO it's better than nutt'in..

[garry]

Garrett Gerloff is on standby as a replacement for Rossi if he still tests positive for COVID-19.

[squeezer]

Garrett Gerloff is on standby as a replacement for Rossi if he still tests positive for COVID-19.

Now THAT would be cool.

[Black Hills]

 

[biking sailor]

What are the chances Spain or Portugal races could be cancelled as those two countries are tightening shutdown measures? Anyone have info that I am not seeing, which is mill?

[squeezer]

What are the chances Spain or Portugal races could be cancelled as those two countries are tightening shutdown measures? Anyone have info that I am not seeing, which is mill?

I don't think they'll cancel. They'll just close it to the crowds. Watched most of FP2 today and, although they didn't show a crowd shot, the stands I could see were empty.

Pretty cool session, though. The announcers fell in love with Garret Gerloff. He finished 19th in the session because he didn't nail the time attack at the end, but he was midpack most of the way. Given he's on a bike he's never ridden on a track he's never ridden on a partially damp track -- they couldn't stop gushing about him. Sounds like Rossi will be back on the bike tomorrow, but he made an impression.