Qatar Grand Prix - Losail

[René]

First race of a new season! Yamaha is looking better this year and Rossi fastest in first free practice. But the Hondas look stronger now than they did during testing. Close behind the Ducatis. Let’s see what the session this evening brings.

[chrisb]

yeehaah here we go -

proper racing- so many bikes within 1 second of each other and Marquez laying dow the gauntlet already, it is going to be fascinating, watching the developments at Honda, seeing if Jorge gets on the front row, and then makes a brilliant start and disappears, or Marquez blitzing all, the Dukes sweeping all before them Suzuki coming good or the Yamaha's with Vinales or Morbidelli destroying the competition, oh, and certain 40 year old who comes to life in the race, it should be brilliant, just a crying shame it's somewhere so inhospitable but ce la vie at least it starts!! 

thanks Rene - way to go Mav

[René]

Chris, Viñales on pole! You must be a happy man!

[chrisb]

what a race or races, my word that was spectacular, looking forward to Argentina

[charleselan]

I have grave reservations about MotoGP as it seems hell bent on going the way of F1. Aero is rearing its ugly head and teams are behaving in just the same manner as their F1 counterparts, protests and all.

I tried to watch the race but my normal "streaming service" was truly awful last Sunday, with constant "buffering" and dropping the stream completely at times, my mood was not good!

All things considered a very good and clever win by Andrea, who yet again outsmarted the charger. I really think Alex Rins had a win there with the superb Suzuki but he got monstered by the others who wished to run at a slower pace.

Also poor Jorge Lorenzo picks up yet another nasty injury with what now appears to be a cracked rib, goodness that boy is tough riding with that problem.

[chrisb]

I share those concerns JC, Ducati are really pulling in aero packages one wonders if Adrian Newey is involved somewhere, I am also concerned at the attitudes of Dorna, the increase in races, the TV deals, and the popularity of the series is growing unabated, which history tells us leads to over-inflated egos and demands, it would be good if common sense prevailed but I remain doubtful

Mat Oxley has done some great articles online MS which I am pleased to say don't include too many idiot responses, well, not yet anyway

Yea, spot on JC, I did think Cal's race was perhaps the best of the day, although there were many many other great rides, and again Dovi out fumbles Marques which is interesting, Rossi was excellent and magic on Sunday again,

but Moto2 ahhhh brilliant

[charleselan]

Worrying for the state of MotoGP that we share similar concerns Chris, for surely we are not alone.

I have read Matt's latest feature on the MS Forum and it is very good, and in reality makes the point of where the sport is going, just chase the money and b*ll*cks to heritage.

From what I observe the move to these filthy rich countries is nothing to do with market forces and viewing circuit figures, but all about filling the coffers with the money from these nations excessive riches and their desire to promote themselves and their wealth.

One only has to look at the riders concerns about circuit safety with the low temperatures and rising dew count at last weekends GP, the rights holders saw that off, yet at Silverstone last year nothing was even entertained with regard to rescheduling the meeting, or similar. I do not care what spin the media or the FIM and Rights Holder put on that, it was a disgrace.

[chrisb]

hear hear Charles, Mat has been doing some really stellar work on the MS forum recently, i still refuse to join in these debates, although I will make an occasional comment on other articles, mainly because of some of the numpties and their 'knowledge' which is far superior to Mat's...obviously, I mean what does Mr Oxley know? a former racer a professional journalist with access to areas mere mortals can only dream of and above all an intelligence some of these people can only wonder,

but yes, I fear the direction this is going, which is why things like BSB are selling so many tickets and attracting fans galore, as it is not selling its soul for the lucre, WSB on the other hand is not in a good place, unless of course Rossi quits MotoGP next year and rides the Yamaha in that series instead it is not likely to improve,

For me MotoGP is still the most exciting series on this planet and the Middle East will always attract series such as these because of the money they are prepared to offer, but why they insist on racing at that time of the evening is plainly daft and if you are a fan, a real fan you would get up an hour or two hours earlier or later to watch something that is measurably safer, I cannot bear these highsides and accidents caused by stupidity, it reeks of what we experienced with circuit owners in the 50's and 60's and how many needless deaths did that cause. 

[charleselan]

Chris,

I don't always like some of Mat's work, but the most recent piece is very good and on point.

I agree that MotoGP is probably one of the most exciting series around, but in all honesty I find BSB to be the stand out motor sport class. Incidentally when is the first meeting, must be around Easter time?

WSB is but a shadow of its former self sadly, with downright stupid rules that allow for teams like Kawasaki and Ducati to dominate. Ever since DORNA took it over it has gone down hill, and the blame lies firmly at their door as well as being so predictable in what they aimed to achieve. It isn't the main manufacturers that have brought this about, which is claim of some in the media, but DORNA, an organisation that is rapidly becoming Ecclestonian in its behaviour and conduct.

At one time WSB was actually bigger than MotoGP, and that can never be allowed to happen with the dreaded D***A, just as Ecclestone and Moseley ruined Group C and the burgeoning WTC in the late 1980's.

JC

[chrisb]

First BSB race is April 21st at Silverstone, am already planning to be there, despite my dislike of Silverstone, especially the attitudes, they really do think themselves above all others, but I am seriously looking forward to this year,


Moto GP may have a bit of an advantage to F1 mainly because no one else can intimidate as much as BCE did - I think the Ducati ruling is today and I see Aprilla is saying let them keep the win, it would reek if that happened, I do think they are in a pickle over this and suspect there will be a copt out as a result

[charleselan]

Mar 22, 2019 15:06:26 GMT chrisb said:

First BSB race is April 21st at Silverstone, am already planning to be there, despite my dislike of Silverstone, especially the attitudes, they really do think themselves above all others, but I am seriously looking forward to this year,


Moto GP may have a bit of an advantage to F1 mainly because no one else can intimidate as much as BCE did - I think the Ducati ruling is today and I see Aprilla is saying let them keep the win, it would reek if that happened, I do think they are in a pickle over this and suspect there will be a copt out as a result

Thanks Chris for the info regarding the first BSB round at Silverstone, not a particularly inspiring kick off to the season. I wonder if Scott will be able to replicate what Alvaro is doing in WSB aboard the Ducati V4, but very different rules in BSB to the electronically controlled WSB bikes.

I think that they really need to jump on this aero business in MotoGP, we do not want it heading the same way as F1 in that respect.

[chrisb]

Scott has been topping times until the last test where he was second,I do think he will have his work cut out, he will not be as familiar to a number of circuits as his closest competitors are, Cadwell Park, or Snetterton are a far cry from Phillip Island and the Spanish circuits, but I do think he will prevail,

I've never been a great fan of Bautista but you have to say he is blowing everyone incl Johnny away and that is not a great testament for whatever reasons on WSB

the sad thing for me is that 2 years ago we had 4 Brits in MotoGP and now, we have 1 and Smithy occasionally, with only 2 each in Moto2 and 3 and that is not boding well for future Brit champions