Valencian Grand Prix - Valencia

[René]

The last race of the season and a home race for the champion. I guess there’s nothing that Marquez wants more than win in front of his home fans so that’s not good news for the competition. But at the same time it’s the last chance for anyone to end the season on a high so let's hope for a good race.

Latest news: Jorge Lorenzo will race for the last time this weekend in MotoGP. A good result for him would be very nice. Go Jorge!

[chrisb]

Lorenzo's retirement was not totally unexpected but it really feels like the beginning of the end of an era, he may not have been someone I previously warmed to but I did like his riding style once out in front and he showed real class yesterday, he also came across really well when he was in the commentary box once, giving us real insight as to who was doing what and why, very intelligent and articulate and a very very good rider. One does wonder had Ducati had more sense what the difference would be today, I suspect quite a lot, would he have been champion?, not sure but certainly second, as is normal people statr talking of the succession, I reckon that Nakajima will end up with Marquez and Zarco with Carl, which should be a fascinating mix

and so to the last race of the season, will it be anti-climatic or not I wonder? I suspect Vinales will romp away again, but all we will hear are the commentators love affair with Marquez, hopefully Zarco and Fabio will go well, and we should be treated to a damm good race,

[charleselan]

For me the big headline is the retirement of Jorge Lorenzo, not unexpected as the past few weeks will have revealed. I doubt anyone but close family and friends will know the true extent of the injuries he had to overcome this past season but it is the resolute and courageous way he attempted to overcome them in a very competitive arena that impressed me. He could have stayed at home and tried to recover his fitness in full (if that were to have been possible) but he chose to battle through. all the time riding a bike that did not suit him, or anyone else except Marquez.

As they say he wasn't everyones cup of tea, and i must admit that his early years with his histrionics and attempts to out Rossi, Rossi were not to my taste. However as he matured the real man became apparent, and that was a very thoughtful deep thinking and highly intelligent individual. As a rider there can be little doubt he was one of the greats from the MotoGP era with a style that was impeccable and just a joy to watch that for me put the rodeo cowboys in real context.

His injuries, or the possibilities of more should he continue, make his retirement inevitable and that sadly at the age of just 32 takes a way from  the sport a guy who on the right machine could beat Marquez, and not just on the odd occasion.

A great rider and champion who I hope enjoys a prosperous retirement.

[chrisb]

quite right John, it is the biggest announcement since Stoner's departure and seems to be quite a moment in MotoGP's current life although typically it is focusing on his successor, and we seem to be going from a reasonably straightforward choice to a more complicated one, with Marquez's brother now in the frame, I am not sure I can ever remember any 2 person team with two brothers in it, aside from long distance racing or rallying that is, don't know if you can? I do hope Zarco isn't discounted, he has been very good - personally I think Nakajima will get the Honda ride with Zarco joining Cal in the satellite team, but who knows? 

I would tend to agree John that we got glimpses of the 'real' Jorge and all of a sudden we are getting stories from the likes of the pit lane commentator Simon who relayed a lovely story when Jorge came to dinner once, and again we see a very different person to the petulant one we saw more of,

but I have so much respect for him and will regret Ducati's decision making, where it is clear that Dovi won't be there after next year, and Petrucci has been a big disappointment since Germany, and I do firmly believe that Lorenzo would have taken much more of a fight to Honda this year,

the practice laps look good, althought they are all complaining how cold it is, says they when I am about to put the heating back on...and at least one thing is settled for next year, I have re-signed for next year, expensive but for me worth it

[chrisb]

no hint of nepotism - of course... the Marquez brothers at Honda, where now Zarco, who according to one source despite all his success 'didn't deserve the Honda ride" ok, really?  

a very disapointing end to the season. a poor race and an even poorer tale afterwards, glad Jorge got through it all in one piece, really hope the guy is signed up as a co-commentator, he is very good,

[chrisb]

and now for 2020, testing starts this morning - amazing, be interested to see if Zarco is there and with whom?

[charleselan]

I am totally disgusted at Alex Marquez being given that second factory Honda seat, what the blazes has he done to warrant that ride? How long did it take him on top quality machinery to win the Moto2 crown, beggars belief. Apparently it was down to pressure from Repsol who wanted a Spanish rider, Jeez as if there aren't enough of the blighters in the paddock already!

DORNA and the big boss who sits in Ecclestone's shoes need to get a flaming grip as this is a world series and not a latin only championship, if they want to grow the product to a bigger world wide audience then look at the bigger picture for goodness sake. 

On another subject I thought that Jorge Lorenzo was epic in his interviews both before and after his last MotoGP ride. His interview with Ms Perry on BT Sport earlier in the weekend was a real insight into the man and what a star he was, also after the race he made a special effort to be on BT Sport and again was fantastic. As a racer he will be sorely missed not only for his magnificent classic style but a fit and healthy Jorge on a bike suited to him would have taken the fight to Marquez without question.

After Marquez' outrageous punt up the rear of Carel Abraham in FP4 there came the quote of the weekend from the BT Sport commentary team, "if it had been one of the top riders there would have been a penalty but as Carl is at the tail of the field there will be no squealing to the authorities" ( I have not directly quoted word for word as memory can't recall the exact wording but this is as near as it gets). The guy is an idiot, did we ever see Casey Stoner or Valentino Rossi in his pomp rear end someone in practice!!

Edit P.S.

Who the blazes does Aleix Esperago think he is mouthing off about Johan Zarco not deserving the Honda factory ride. What the hell has he ever done in any class with regard to wins or major podiums. he had his chance at Suzuki but had his doors blown off by Maverick. His brother who he claims is more deserving had a factory Yamaha contract and was subbed out to Tec3 yet didn't set the world on fire, whereas Zarco did, period! End of rant!

[Carl]

A blighter is a scoundrel, in Spanish sinvergüenza, leading a sport into tribal nationalism with discord and chaos close behind, becoming a shambles from which the presiding ecclestone equivalent walks away with a few billion.

All adding up to a damn shame and the possible degradation of another great series.

[chrisb]

so the soap opera continues! Karel out Zarco in? honestly I can see previous F1 scriptwriters lending a hand here to spice up the 'entertainment' - mind you if Zarco does get a Ducati ride and it is Lorenzo's old bike he will win a slew of races and won't that upset a few.

quite looking forward to see two Frenchman start to dominate proceedings, that will definitely upset even more -

Mat Oxley, surely one of the best modern day journalists and wind-up merchants, gosh how I enjoy those, recently did a brilliant article on Rossi and why should he retire, last I looked there were nearly 500 responses, not bad for a 40 year old who hasn't won for a couple of years, but still draws so many headlines the rest pale into insignificance and the pontificating is awesome, certain individuals who are 'obvious experts' question Yamaha for keeping him on for another year, and maybe it's me but given the amount of exposure this one article has recieved answers the question?

In another article he talks of why Marquez is so quick, which is very interesting and explains a great deal.

[charleselan]

Where has the banner gone?

Anyway just to follow up on Chris' comment above. I don't think that Karel is one of the greatest riders ever but he did bring diversity of nationality which is something this series desperately needs. Interesting that it wasn't Tito that got the boot, although in fairness he had slightly better results than Karel, but they weren't outstanding and anything comparable to what Alvaro Bautista achieved with that team in 2018.

It has not been officially confirmed that Johann Zarco will get the ride at Avintia but I am certain that it will be, I just hope that the bike is half decent and competitive and that Johann can show his true capabilities.

I haven't seen Mat Oxley's article as i seldom visit the MS site now, but I am certain that it really brought the loonies out of the woodwork if that is the case, Chris. Obviously Rossi is still a huge draw for MotoGP but if one were to be brutally honest if he were not who he is Valentino would have been pensioned off by now. I am not saying that on age grounds as i really like to see an older guy taking to the young chaps, but it is purely on performance. The management at Yamaha have really let promotability get in the way of race performance, they dropped the ball by firstly letting Johann Zarco go and what the blazes are they doing keeping Fabio Quartararo from a full blown factory machine. Then of course there is the issue of letting Jorge Lorenzo go when they did, should have moved heaven and earth to keep him as he would have been stronger that Valentino and Maverick combined.

[chrisb]

roll on 2020, Zarco on a factory Ducati, ho ho, vive la belle France, from what is being said Ducati want another smooth rider for their newer bikes,

two Frenchmen vying for the wins can only be great for the series,