Spanish Grand Prix - Jerez

[René]

And here we go!

Finally, four month later than planned, the MotoGP season is also about to begin.

I have honestly no idea who will be the best this weekend but I am sure Marc Márquez will be one of the favourites. But also for MotoGP a race without fans which will be strange in a country where the bikes are so popular and the crowds always huge.

But it’s good to be racing again so enjoy!

[chrisb]

I am so looking forward to this, practice for Moto3 starts in 40 minutes and I just feel so pleased for this to happen, although WSB and BSB are going to be more exciting the MotoGP series is fantastic, i am really - yea!!! here we go, ride safe one and all, and have a damm good race

I am looking at the Maverick, but the Quatt and Zarco are up there in my attention, i have never been the biggest Cal fan but think his treatment less than gracious and would be interesting if he did get the Aprilla drive and how long before the stab him in the back, as for Bradley, another good rider who I always felt had more to come but just never realised it, so in keeping, Vive La France may the French be with us, yeehaaa 

[René]

My vote is for Quartararo. Wouldn't that be a nice way to start the championship!?

[charleselan]

I am trying to gain some enthusiasm for MotoGP at present. Not being overly happy with how the series is run for some time doesn't help; and of course all of the politics that go with it.

Personally I can't see Marquez being beaten other than by an inspired Maverick or Fabio. It would be great to see the young Frenchman get his first win but........

Also it would be brilliant to see Johan Zarco really fly on the Avintia Desmo, he looks to be doing OK so fingers crossed.

Can't wait for the Superbikes however, and WSBK now has some real interest developing .

[chrisb]

I keep trying to be more optimistic about MotoGP, and I do love it, 5 different manufacturers in the top 7 feels better, it is so great we have two Frenchman up in amongst them, and Zarco was really on it yesterday so hopefully Fabio will get his first win and Zarco second, although I have gone for Maverick to win,

the shenanigans and politics seem to drag all down, I am at a loss as to why Northern Europeans, Americans and Aussies are so under-represented these days, all of whom have contributed countless world champions and the best racers for a 100 years - so why not now? I look at WSB and the Brits are and have dominated and I don't know why we are so successful there but not here, I asked Mat once and he did tell me his thoughts, we were more used to production bikes or something but I am not convinced and think the likes of Jonathon and Scott would be uppermost on the grid in MotoGP, if you are fast you are fast and that does upset me, but I look forward to WSB and BSB soon and fear that the excitment generated by these series may upset Dorna, not sure 

[chrisb]

that was breath-taking, brilliant and so exciting, just great, the spoiled one was clever but Honda must be concerned about his brother, which is why I guess they are farming him out, wonder if that happens sooner rather than later. But some magnificent riding, in all three categories, gosh how this has been missed, tomorrow is now cancelled, one is watching the races, and trying to listen to the cricket in-between, great and emotional ride by Sam Lowes in M2 - great riding all weekend, hopefully he can finally recover from the Aprilla nightmare, great by wee McPhee, and the top two in MotoGP, Fabio and Maverick, shame about Zarco as he had been going pretty well all weekend so expect some good things from him, Vive La France!

[charleselan]

I only viewed the MotoGP FP3 and Qualification sessions so have no real idea what happened in the Moto2 & 3. The final qualification session was pretty outstanding and the result unknown until the very end. What a performance by Fabio & Maverick; I really thought that The Ant had done it yet again. Also where did that performance from Bagnaia come from as he has been less than impressive since getting the Pramac ride, out rode Miller as well...Umm.

Dovi also less than inspiring as was Petrucci although I suppose both have injury issues.

Brad Binder has been massively impressive all through practice and his qualification was excellent for a debut ride, he will be a factor in the future no doubt at all.

Unfortunate to see Johan Zarco slip away like he did as he had been going very well all weekend, hopefully he will race well.

Always had my doubts about Marquez Jnr even though the comms team at BTSport do there best to big him up with facile comments like he always takes time to get up to speed. Well if he were any other nationality he would be curtains by now and they know it; he ain't his older sibling and that is the end of it. Not a big fan of Crutchlow mainly because he spouts off too much, but he can ride and he has been treated diabolically by Honda here. In actual fact he warranted that second factory bike far more than P. Espargaro who isn't as good as some believe.

Pol had a big chance some years ago with a Yamaha contract and then placed at the excellent Tec3 set up, but wasn't that brilliant there when matched up with Bradders. Anyone can ride a Yamaha according to BTSport!!

Cal could yet end up back at Ducati from what he was saying when interviewed today as he is in regular contact with Tardozzi; could he replace Dovi?

Anyway rooting for young Fabio & Mav' tomorrow, and maybe Rossi might show up in the race.

[René]

Haha, finally, Fabio has won his first race. This time I guessed right!
Well deserved and very exciting. I hope Marc is ok though.

[chrisb]

you certainly did Rene, what a wonderful race, Marquez's first save was incredible, it defied belief, but his ride through the pack was awesome but too far over the edge, it was an accident waiting to happen, there is a sense that he gets almost manic to win, and loses his reason when he gets like this, in saying that it was a dreadful accident and wish him a very speedy recovery - and Vive La France - belle belle - wasn't Fabio just brilliant, and so pleased Mav got 2nd beating the Duke's who all rode good races as did Pol, but watch out world Brad Binder is coming, that boy is special, Suzuki had a dreadful time and poor old Cal - I am not a big fan but totally agree he has been royally shafted by Honda, and their confirmation of Alex's lack of ability, really felt for Zarco and hope next weekend the Ducati is more dialled in and he is up amongst the leaders 

but my word I cancelled today to watch this and also keep an eye on the cricket and wasn't it worth it - fabulous 

[chrisb]

and sorry Moto3 and 2, up until the last corner when wee John McPhee was punted off the Moto3 race was an emotional rollercoaster, John going back to 10th then up to the lead then knocked off, not happy about that

and well done Sam Lowes [or SLow] who I thought rode a very sensible race once the idiot who seemed to want to knock him off himself crashed, well done to Luca - and again some young riders who are looking good

[charleselan]

Contrary to my earlier post it was good to have MotoGP back, the main race wasn't what i would call exciting but it, as was the whole weekend, full of drama.

Absolutely delighted that Fabio finally obtained his first GP win after a superb ride that was so reminiscent of Lorenzo at his very best. The first French rider to win a premier class since Régis Laconi some 20 years ago.

What can one say about Marc Marquez and his accident. To my way of thinking he has been pushing the envelope for a very long time, and there comes a time when you will no longer bounce or lady luck comes into play. Marc actually said over the weekend that to find the limit you have to crash, well sorry but I disagree with that statement son, as the greats of the past knew instinctively where the limit was without having to crash.

The initial save that took him out of the lead was spectacular no mistake, but he was pushing his luck. However what was to follow was a disaster in the making, his climb back through the field may have been spectacular viewing but some of the overtakes were OTT (Morbidelli's in particular). A little circumspection would have seen a great podium finish, but no the "red mist" was down and it was ball's to the wall! He could now regret his rash behaviour, just depends on how well he heals.

His younger brother has no business on the second factory Honda, and who ever promoted that deal should be hanging their head in shame. Lucio Cecchinello the owner of LCR Honda was less than enthusiastic about Crutchlow being dumped next year and his team being forced to take the younger Marquez. Honda really have behaved disgracefully here and with Marc now sidelined they are going to reap what they have sown.

We also have Cal and Alex Rins also injured, although Cal should be back pretty soon. If Rins is out for a few races Suzulki should get Lorenzo on that bike pronto .

Yet gain Jack Miller was very quick at the start of the race but as always faded towards the end which is becoming a trait he needs to address. On the opposite side Dovi looked out of it but worked his way up the order to gain a reasonable finish,

Very disappointed in Johan Zarco, obviously something wasn't right, but he needs to get it sorted very quickly or he will be no longer in MotoGP.

Brad Binder was outstanding until his mistake which dropped him down the field, but what a ride in his first MotoGP race. he always was outstanding and will be a major factor soon enough.

Good to see Sam Lowes stay upright and and finish with a well ridden race in Moto2, he has no excuse now that he is on a MarcVDS machine.

Same venue next weekend for round 2, just hope that they show a little more attention to detail with mask wearing that F1 does so very well. I noticed that on many occasions some of the riders did not put masks on, even for the post race interviews which was slack.

[chrisb]

Great words John, MS comments are echoing your sentiments about MM- we have seen this side of him when the emotions overrule the head and he goes for it, the difference is to know how to balance that sensation, in any other era we would be reading his obituary, and I wonder if the MotoGP commentators will now cease their insistent patronising of him - but I doubt it, but apparently we are not alone in that sense, they really are annoying and oh for Jack and James, talking of which I have booked my tickets for Donington for the BSB and need to check the WSB schedule


Cal and Alex Marquez, isn't really a contest and Honda have shown there perennial weakness, they continually put their driver/ rider of choice in irrespective if they are any good, but Alex was embarrassing, Cal would have been in the top 6 [or the gravel] but as you say John, now what do they do? ask Lorenzo back, not a chance and KTM were the bright ones getting Binder who definitely looks like the real deal, wouldn't it be a hoot if the French, South Africans and Aussies started to dominate,

Ducati, I do wonder what goes on, Dovi starts well, gains a few places, settles down doesn't push and is there at the end, Jack pushes at the start keeps pushing tyres go 'of'' drops back, Baga looked much better this race and maybe there is some hope here, but Petrucci was nowhere, neither was Zarco, to begin with he looked good but either the others improved or they went backwards but at least he got a point or two, hopefully he will go better this weekend,

hear hear, Spain was one of the most infected countries who managed the virus ably hence why we can race there and my friend can keep posting her bloody pictures of her her holiday home in Spain as I contemplate putting the heating on, mutter mutter - this is the 22nd July, where is the sun?

[charleselan]

Goodness me Chris, having to put the CH on during July, that is extreme. It has been mid twenties here for days, absolutely scorching hot today, thank goodness for air con in the car.

It is heartening to hear that they share the same views as myself on MS about Marc Marquez as they haven't always been the same over the years. To me it was pretty obvious that he was over-stretching himself by some margin, and not for the first time either. As you quite rightly point out, in any other era he would be in a casket by now.

In all my years I never heard of Mike Hailwood; Ago; John Surtees; Bob Mac; Bazza; Kenny Roberts; Eddie Lawson or Wayne Rainey crash to find the limit. Can't think that Rossi or Lorenzo have done either. I also seem to recall that it was a serious arm injury that ended Foggy's career and that wasn't brought about by manic stupidity.

Apparently Honda say they are putting all their effort into Alex Marquez this weekend, good luck with that I say as I doubt that he will challenge the top ten.

[chrisb]

I only know of one real champion who overdrove once and that was on 4 wheels, managed to frighten himself silly and got even Jenks to worry for his safety, that was in 1962 when some silly bugger forgot to switch on the fuel pumps and was left on the grid and then because it was his fault drove at 11/10's but after getting to 4th and one slide too many, it was wet and at the Nurburgring after all- the quiet champion settled down and finished fourth, that is the difference between class and stupidity , oh and having the chance of being killed greatly reduced by a sanitised circuit as opposed to 14 miles of scary very scary track. that 4th place put Jimmy in with a chance to win the WDC, MM doesn't have that capacity to think and that is the difference


To ride like that at any other time in history would have greatly reduced life expectancy

I have just read that MM is considering riding this weekend, that is insane

[robmarsh]

There are old fools and bold fools but very few old bold fools