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Post by René on Sept 25, 2020 9:42:20 GMT
Catalonia is the third of seven Grands Prix to be held on Spanish soil in 2020. Yet the Spaniards have so far not been spoiled for riders' successes. Marc Marquez is out injured and Maverick Viñales was only the first Spanish rider to win this year last Sunday. The Catalan circuit is traditionally a place where there is not much grip. This should suit Ducati, KTM and Suzuki, while there is potential drama lurking for the Yamahas. Andrea Dovizioso is still in the lead in the World Cup, but the Italian has still not found his way with the new Michelin rear tire. Fabio Quartararo is second before Maverick Viñales, the winner of the last GP. Joan Mir is a silent force in the title fight: he has been on the podium three times in the past four GPs and is only four points behind Dovizioso after seven races.  |
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Post by charleselan on Sept 25, 2020 16:29:10 GMT
My weekend is complete, my two worst circuits for both MotoGP and F1.
Hope springs eternal, are there any other racing series on this weekend?
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Post by René on Sept 25, 2020 17:12:00 GMT
My weekend is complete, my two worst circuits for both MotoGP and F1. Hope springs eternal, are there any other racing series on this weekend? Not that I know of but I am also struggling for enthusiasm. |
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Post by charleselan on Sept 25, 2020 18:17:12 GMT
My weekend is complete, my two worst circuits for both MotoGP and F1. Hope springs eternal, are there any other racing series on this weekend? Not that I know of but I am also struggling for enthusiasm. I know exactly how you feel; I was hoping for some IndyCar at one of the great US road courses  . |
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Post by chrisb on Sept 25, 2020 18:43:21 GMT
it would seem a lot of the motoGP riders feel the same, save for the local Spanish guys the Esparago bros and the Marquez brothers, but others were not complimentary,
sadly not John, we were overwhelmed last weekend, saturated in fact and this weekend, sorry watching the F1 race in the Empires backyard isn't my idea of entertainment and then, Barcelona, you ain't no classic, talking of which found a clip on utub of Niki in his BRM and et al at Montjuic its only 2 minutes, but it is brilliant, and the colour and one certain superswede is awesome
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Post by Carl on Sept 25, 2020 19:21:15 GMT
Not that I know of but I am also struggling for enthusiasm. I know exactly how you feel; I was hoping for some IndyCar at one of the great US road courses . John Charles, Unfortunately, IndyCar has no more great natural terrain road courses scheduled this year. The next events are October 2-3 on the mediocre infield road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the finale October 25 on the excellent St. Petersburg street circuit.
It took only a few years for the copycat Austin road course to become stale and now Roger Penske is said to be promoting a second U.S. Grand Prix on the infield course at Indianapolis. Why in hell can't these billionaires see that they degrade the sport by avoiding the best circuits?
-Carl |
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Post by charleselan on Sept 26, 2020 10:17:20 GMT
I know exactly how you feel; I was hoping for some IndyCar at one of the great US road courses . John Charles, Unfortunately, IndyCar has no more great natural terrain road courses scheduled this year. The next events are October 2-3 on the mediocre infield road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the finale October 25 on the excellent St. Petersburg street circuit.
It took only a few years for the copycat Austin road course to become stale and now Roger Penske is said to be promoting a second U.S. Grand Prix on the infield course at Indianapolis. Why in hell can't these billionaires see that they degrade the sport by avoiding the best circuits?
-Carl Carl, It was but a forlorn hope on my behalf that there would be an Indycar meeting at some exceptional venue, just have to suck up what is on offer this weekend therefore. I am not an admirer of the infield course at Indianapolis. It would appear that when someone becomes mega wealthy they loosed a sense of proportion on a level that matches their kingdom, all they see is yet more money and it gets worse the older they become. As a poster on the Guardian commented yesterday "there aren't any pockets on a shroud". John Charles |
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Post by chrisb on Sept 27, 2020 6:58:05 GMT
isn't there a golf course in the infield as well? I agree the infield courses of most circuits are rather pale
but, the motorbike racing was anything but dull, well done to Franky, you know there seemed genuine pleasure from his team mate and also his mentor that he secured pole, really great to see the Yamaha's 1,2,3 and then Jack 4 Mav 5, who is going to surprise us? will Rossi get his 200th podium? will the Suzuki's achieve success and Johan is also looking good
going to be a cold windy day in Barcelona but still warmer than Durham, not a day for venturing far methinks - especially with the French Open starting today as well
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Post by charleselan on Sept 27, 2020 16:02:58 GMT
I have to say that I was a bit too hasty in my condemnation of the Barcelona track the other day. It is rubbish for F1 cars but for motorcycles it is pretty good. In fact Neil Hodgson today on BTSport said that if he were allowed to design a circuit Barcelona would be the place he would use as a template. As I respect what Neil says I will go along with that, to an extent, but still prefer by a country mile the traditional tracks in the UK and America along with some other European venues that we would all name.
Great win by Fabio this afternoon and wonderful to see both beautiful Suzuki's on the podium as well. Very annoyed with what happened on the second part of the first Esses where Petrucci's ambition greatly outweighed his talent causing both Zarco and Dovi the go down. I find it hard to swallow that many initial comments were made that seemed to lay the blame with Zarco and that Dovi was the only one to suffer as a consequence. Johann was on for a good result today and it was ruined by someone else mistake, and who got away with it.
What can one say about Maverick only that I knew it would be the case.
Excellent ride by Sam Lowes in Moto2 and very disappointing for Jake Dixon who was going really well; why is it guys like Jake who suffer the rare bike failures.
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Post by chrisb on Sept 28, 2020 8:27:07 GMT
I'm still not a great fan of this circuit John Charles although I do like Neil Hodgson so maybe, but on the other hand I am so grateful we are watching some races,
Brilliant by the Fab one, really thought that was such a mature professional ride that eclipsed all others, sorry about Franky, gutted for Rossi, really though that was going to be his 200th podium, hopefully soon, I have to say the Suzuki's are looking the class of the field and it was good to see them do so well, would be even better if they had a satellite team, now that would have been interesting,
Interesting that BT also initially slammed Johan, as the MotoGP commentator, Mathew did, he was condemning, whereas the other one held back and I was screaming at that injustice having seen Petrucci cause the problem, I saw clearly that Johan had nowhere or could do nothing to a piece of crass riding by Petrucci, fair play to Mathew once he had seen the cause of the accident he immediately put up his hand and apologised admitting he had got it totally wrong, In the post race interviews Dovi and Johan were careful in their comments but seemed clear to me they were blaming Petrucci.
Oh Maverick, I am trying to remember a driver who was also so emotionally governed, and can't remember who that was, one wonders if Yamaha are starting to despair of their golden egg and feel like they should ship him out and swop him with Franky?
brilliant ride in Moto2 by both Sam and Jake, bloody shame for Jake who is starting to look very promising, only to be dropped at the end of the year, from what the commentators are suggesting is John will be in Moto2 next year in Jakes seat, I do so hope Jake gets a decent seat next year it was felt he had done enough to warrant one, but of course and so frustrated by John in the M3 race but good grace to him as soon as he got back to the pits he went and apologised to Arenas, which was class- onwards and upwards chaps, but of course that means for the first time ever no Brits in Moto3 next year, that is not a good sign
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Post by charleselan on Sept 28, 2020 11:44:05 GMT
I still do not like the place either Chris, to me it has no charisma as a spectator and that is it.
I do not think that the BT team were as bad as the initial comments you heard from your providers lead commentator but hats off if he apologised afterwards. Maybe in future he will think and pause before opening his mouth. The BT team just kept harping on about how terrible it was for Dovi with the inference that it was caused by Johann Zarco. Then the reruns clearly showed who was to blame but I still got the impression that Zarco was collateral damage and Dovi the most effected in their eyes.
I get the feeling that Jake Dixon is well integrated in the Petronas team, he is big buddies with Fabio apparently, they get on very well. The team are also impressed with his huge rate of progress this season as well. Personally I cannot see that putting John McPhee in his place would be an improvement; John is talented without doubt and should have moved up years ago but I think Jake has more potential and is a very strong character.
With regard to Maverick; he does appear very fragile. If you want a comparable F1 driver then how about Fisichella, very quick when everything like stars were aligned but any other time a make weight. I have also seen English batsmen at test level like that as well, all the talent in the world but the big time destroyed them.
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Post by Carl on Sept 28, 2020 16:05:18 GMT
I still do not like the place either Chris, to me it has no charisma as a spectator and that is it. I do not think that the BT team were as bad as the initial comments you heard from your providers lead commentator but hats off if he apologised afterwards. Maybe in future he will think and pause before opening his mouth. The BT team just kept harping on about how terrible it was for Dovi with the inference that it was caused by Johann Zarco. Then the reruns clearly showed who was to blame but I still got the impression that Zarco was collateral damage and Dovi the most effected in their eyes. American sport channels, with scant product, have been broadcasting what they otherwise would not, including MotoGP, which is welcomed by those no longer interested in the stick and ball games.
I was stunned by the immediate and hysterical condemnation of Zarco, shrill denunciations followed by an almost inaudible apology. It reminded me of the blaming, in accordance with a spoiled prima donna's tantrum, of Nico Rosberg at Spa 2014, except there was never an apology. Blamed even by his team in order to pacify Hamilton, the injustice may have set his mind then and there to win the championship and get out.
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Post by chrisb on Sept 28, 2020 18:44:42 GMT
I think that says it for me - absloutely no character nor atmosphere at this circuit, especially when and obviously out of any question you think of Montjuic,
You would think so and in all fairness to the two at MotoGP they really have improved this year, mainly I suspect that Marquez isn't around and their sycophantic fan club is a bit redundant at the moment - although he is obviously on his way back
Oh Carl, perfectly put, it was hysterical as if Zarco is this menace on the grid who keeps taking people out, I am still annoyed by their condemnation of Johan when Esparago crashed into him, and yea that is a good comparison with Nico, something that still rankles
Not sure I was thinking of Giancarlo John but it is a good thought, one great driver who could be quite emotionally driven was of course Jochen, Monaco in 1970 being a great example, but again it wasn't Jochen I was thinking of, maybe Trulli not sure
Yea I think Jake is doing really well and deserves the ride but I fear for John, he is determined to ride in M2 next year but he may leave Petronas and get a lesser ride
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