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Post by René on Jul 23, 2020 15:06:27 GMT
Will we see another battle between the Yamahas of Quartararo and Viñales? And what about Dovizioso? But wait, wait a minute... Marc Márquez was not supposed to start here after he broke an arm a week ago, was he? But he will!
Maybe the question is; can anyone beat a Márquez who's this determined?
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Post by charleselan on Jul 23, 2020 17:00:24 GMT
Absolute lunacy if Marquez rides this weekend. Another off, which is more than predictable with him, and he could do himself permanent damage, but hey he bounces so well.
I think Fabio is going to take some stopping now after that first win, once you unlock that door!
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Post by Carl on Jul 24, 2020 5:02:43 GMT
I chanced onto Race 1 in the channel guide and have Race 2 scheduled to record, no thanks to the goodness of NBCSports' heart, but instead a paucity of sport programs available to broadcast. I hope this continues because it's been several years since I've seen MotoGP.
I think the presenters (announcers) are not favored here, but I was too busy watching anyhow to listen to them.
Mark Marquez, in his accident, reminded me of myself at a certain corner in Topanga Canyon in July of 1977. Not in how far he was pushing the physics at the time he crashed, or the level of skill beforehand, as he rides in a rarefied atmosphere where I never dared venture, merely in the aftermath, the remarkable differences being that my motorcycle passed me on my left as I skidded across asphalt, not gravel, and it didn't strike me.
I was heading north into the valley from the coast and a southbound car had too much speed on a downhill straight. I saw the driver try for a miracle understeer cure, mouth wide open as he came across the road at about a 30 degree angle in a massive white Ford, presenting me the same horror Captain Ahab felt at the end. I had time to zigzag right and back left, hoping to make the turn, and then I was on Topanga Canyon heading for the left-rear wheel of a camper parked on the dirt verge.
Several broken bones in my left foot and about half a pound of asphalt underneath the skin of both hands were the extent of my injuries. I had stupidly left my helmet at home and didn't even scratch my chin, proving that providence does protect babies, drunks and sometimes even idiots.
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Post by chrisb on Jul 24, 2020 5:38:57 GMT
wonderful but fortunate story Carl, gosh they were the day without helmets, now you just wouln't think of it
this does mean of course [Marquez returns] we shall hear even more of his worshipfullness, by our lacklustre commentators so a mention every 2.5 seconds is on the schedule, may resort to a musical background, thinking of songs to accompany motorbikes, born to be mild, queasy rider, if 6 were 9 I would overshoot the green more often,
I too have gone for Fabio, although I suspect Maverick to be there, as for Marquez, well his desire/ need/ drive to win is astonishing but fearful, and I do fear for him, I do hope he keeps it the right way up this time and shows a bit of discretion i wonder how he would cope if his arm or shoulder injuries prevented him fro racing in the future.
The Suzuki's should be good, the Ducati's up amongst them but what of Valle? where will be be? what ever it will be a spell binding race and one I look forward to
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Post by René on Jul 24, 2020 18:53:32 GMT
Wow Carl, what a story! You were very lucky there but I guess we've all had those lucky escapes.
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Post by Carl on Jul 24, 2020 22:53:17 GMT
Wow Carl, what a story! You were very lucky there but I guess we've all had those lucky escapes. Absolutely, Rene. That one still frightens me in retrospect. I had several nightmares months afterward of my mother and sister collecting my things and finding the helmet I hadn't worn. The luck involved was incredible! |
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Post by chrisb on Jul 26, 2020 6:04:52 GMT
well sense prevails, wise decision and much respected, get well soon Marques, as for qualifying, what a brilliant session, Fabio does it again, Maverick up there and just yeeha - the only rather major thing is, that Spain is experiencing a 'spike' in this wretched virus, how will that effect the next race and everyone's lives?
looking forward to the race in el-schorchio conditions, will we see another 1-2 for the Yams,
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Post by charleselan on Jul 26, 2020 11:43:51 GMT
I chanced onto Race 1 in the channel guide and have Race 2 scheduled to record, no thanks to the goodness of NBCSports' heart, but instead a paucity of sport programs available to broadcast. I hope this continues because it's been several years since I've seen MotoGP. I think the presenters (announcers) are not favored here, but I was too busy watching anyhow to listen to them. Mark Marquez, in his accident, reminded me of myself at a certain corner in Topanga Canyon in July of 1977. Not in how far he was pushing the physics at the time he crashed, or the level of skill beforehand, as he rides in a rarefied atmosphere where I never dared venture, merely in the aftermath, the remarkable differences being that my motorcycle passed me on my left as I skidded across asphalt, not gravel, and it didn't strike me. I was heading north into the valley from the coast and a southbound car had too much speed on a downhill straight. I saw the driver try for a miracle understeer cure, mouth wide open as he came across the road at about a 30 degree angle in a massive white Ford, presenting me the same horror Captain Ahab felt at the end. I had time to zigzag right and back left, hoping to make the turn, and then I was on Topanga Canyon heading for the left-rear wheel of a camper parked on the dirt verge. Several broken bones in my left foot and about half a pound of asphalt underneath the skin of both hands were the extent of my injuries. I had stupidly left my helmet at home and didn't even scratch my chin, proving that providence does protect babies, drunks and sometimes even idiots. You were a very lucky boy there Carl, but it wasn't your time and the gods (who ever they may be) were looking down on you that day. It actually makes me feel physically sick to not wear a helmet while on a motorcycle these days, in fact I am maybe weird in that i will not ride one without motorcycle boots either, it just the vulnerable feel around the ankles without. I used to ride my motocross bike up a country lane to my practice fields, often sans helmet and that was fine, but i was young and stupid then  . |
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Post by charleselan on Jul 26, 2020 15:09:03 GMT
Another fine win by Fabio today; dare I say it looked effortless, almost Lorenzo(ish). Also a 1;2;3 for Yamaha with Rossi putting in a very good performance for an old chap in such awful heat that must have been truly unbearable even for this super fit guys.
Shame about Brad Binder and Miguel Oliveira at the first corner, and then Brad's comeback ride to end almost like Marquez last week, fortunately Binder bounced better. Seriously he was lucky not to sustain anything broken, but he is obviously the real deal and will be a major player in the not too distant future.
Very bad luck for Bagnaia who is showing all the potential it was claimed he had, and Dovi should now be looking at his contract negotiations very seriously. I have to say that I was surprised that Ducati committed to Jack Miller so early, he really doesn't convince me as a consistent race winner and far too prone to throwing it at the scenery or tailing off in a race.
Taka Nakagami had a very good ride, fourth on that bike was an excellent performance.
I am still appalled at the indifference to masking up at all times by the riders; OK it was indecently hot but still the virus has no preferences to the temperature. F1 really does show up MotoGP in this respect, all of the riders post qualification and race were interviewed minus a mask, that is not a good look. Also lots of hugging & kissing as well so where is the social distancing that the F1 guys display every week? Shabby MotoGP.
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Post by chrisb on Jul 27, 2020 6:09:40 GMT
a few years ago Miguel was narrowly beaten to the Moto3 championship by Danny Kent, what a difference their subsequent careers have been, always been impressed by Miguel, and what is interesting is this a new generation taking over?
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Post by chrisb on Jul 27, 2020 6:33:50 GMT
as I was out getting wet and a bit 'oops' on the bike yesterday, 15 Triumphs rode the Lake Distriict including two passes that were a bit 'challenging' in wet conditions, I didn't watch the races live, but Dorna has a wonderful 'spoiler free' segment so got to watch all three races, although having some sympathy for their temperature I was bloody freezing -
Moto3, a really good ride by Suzuki, will he break through? and a very clever ride by John despite only one Brit now in this series and no future ones indicated it is good for motorbikes that at least there was a Japanese winner, a South African 4th place and an Argentinian 5th, with the two nornally dominant countruies 3rd Italy and 6th Spain,
Moto2, not the greatest of races bt a good result for Bastianni in an Italian and Spanish dominated series, the exception being of the new found calmness of one Sam Lowes, who finished 4th again, which I am happy with, he at last is showing some maturity
MotoGP, what a ride by Fabio, ok maybe assisted by Rossi's reluctance to be passed by his team-mate but what a testament to their physical health that must have been incredible, I have ridden in 50degrees before and although not fit it was almost unbearable, to race in it albeit very fit guys, must have been incredible, so pleased the Yams got a 1,2,3 and Rossi got his podium, albeit fortuitously and all credit goes to Franco Bagnaia, starting to show real class, have Ducati jumped too soon? I wonder, and Franco Morbidelli rode well and was unfortunate as I thought he was heading for the podium, I think Dovi's position is becoming weaker? what with Franco, Jack, Johan who I also thought road sensibly and finished, albeit 11 seconds off Dovi, but, also 10 seconds ahead of Tito and in the top 10, looks like Alex Marquez rode well but again I just don't have that confidence in him, but all credit to 2 riders who overcame such severe pain, Rins and Cal, given the amount of pain they must have endured that was incredible. also a note for Bradley, ok off the pace but he finished and the only Aprilla to do so, which leads the question why haven't Suzuki and Aprilla have satellite teams? given Tech 3 and the Petronas success surely it must be worth considering and I can't see Dorna objecting to 4 more bikes on the grid?
Brno next, Ducati territory, could be interesting
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Post by mikael on Jul 28, 2020 19:50:39 GMT
First, I must say that I haven't yet watch any of the MotoGP's of this year. Also, I must excuse on beforehand that I intend to move out of a tangent (as usual). But reading about Takaaki Nakagami's fourth place reminded me that, I "always" found it puzzling that while Japan has been able to produce a number of first-rate motorcycle GP riders (there have been several GP winners through the years), there have never a truly first-rate Formula One driver. I wonder about the reason for this ...
An immediate "answer" would be linked to Japan's long-time domination of the motorcycle world in general; but I don't think this is the answer. It's my impression that the four-wheeled racing environment of Japan is just as developed as the two-wheeled counterpart - if not more. Also, I think that the car-racing "world" (of Japan) is significantly more wealthy than the motorcycle-racing ditto. And everything, from karting to the Super Formula, is well structured, well organized, and well managed. And it's highly competitive too, with professional drivers, and a good number of up-and-coming international stars.
In motocross, Japanese machines have been almost completely dominant since the early 70's. Yet Japan has produced just one single motocross World Champion: Akira Watanabe, who won the 125cc Championship in 1978. Also here, it's peculiar that, for more than 40 years now, there hasn't been anyone else who was able to compete at the top level.
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Post by chrisb on Jul 29, 2020 7:25:23 GMT
I get the 'buzz' I used to get with F1 with MotoGP now, probably more so in Moto3 and less so in M2, but I do find motorbike racing far more exciting and wonder if it is because I can relate to it more< possibly not, I don't know, maybe a number of reasons,
Great tangent Mikael, and one that is very interesting - I watched Takuma Sato wipe the floor in F3 [my word that was nearly 20 years ago] and he was just the best, but subsequently scored one podium in 6 years in F1, ok he did a bit better in Indycars but as you say Mikael not quite at the top in F1, as to the why's I look at MotoGP in the past few years there have been so many false promises, I am not convinced by Nakagami, and were he of a different nationality would he have that drive, I'm not sure. In Moto3 they really do have a rider that looks like the real deal but time will tell.
as for future Japanese F1 drivers because of the demise of Autosport and the changes to get to the top are not so well advertised or known it is simply more difficult to follow who is up and coming but also less understanding as to why there is a lack of Japanese champions. There has been 21 Japanese F1 drivers per se and none for 6 years and yet the enthusiasm at the Japanese GP is amazing so why? I felt Kamui Kobayashi was the 'best' Japanese driver and a good mid field runner, but a champion no, great overtaker though. But that doesn't explain why. Food for thought Mikael
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Post by charleselan on Jul 30, 2020 18:17:41 GMT
First, I must say that I haven't yet watch any of the MotoGP's of this year. Also, I must excuse on beforehand that I intend to move out of a tangent (as usual). But reading about Takaaki Nakagami's fourth place reminded me that, I "always" found it puzzling that while Japan has been able to produce a number of first-rate motorcycle GP riders (there have been several GP winners through the years), there have never a truly first-rate Formula One driver. I wonder about the reason for this ...
An immediate "answer" would be linked to Japan's long-time domination of the motorcycle world in general; but I don't think this is the answer. It's my impression that the four-wheeled racing environment of Japan is just as developed as the two-wheeled counterpart - if not more. Also, I think that the car-racing "world" (of Japan) is significantly more wealthy than the motorcycle-racing ditto. And everything, from karting to the Super Formula, is well structured, well organized, and well managed. And it's highly competitive too, with professional drivers, and a good number of up-and-coming international stars.
In motocross, Japanese machines have been almost completely dominant since the early 70's. Yet Japan has produced just one single motocross World Champion: Akira Watanabe, who won the 125cc Championship in 1978. Also here, it's peculiar that, for more than 40 years now, there hasn't been anyone else who was able to compete at the top level.
It is very strange Mikael, that Japan hasn't had a more successful group of riders in MotoGP. Probably the best was the late Daijiro Kato, who was pretty special but sadly died at Suzuka. Others have been exceptional in different series like Nori Haga who was a great WSBK rider in his pomp. I wonder if it is a cultural thing, in that during past decades things were very different inJapan to much of the western world. I do recall the European race drivers who went to Japan to race in their series had quite a cultural shock when they first went there. |
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Post by chrisb on Jul 30, 2020 19:24:27 GMT
Ryuichi Kiyonari was also very good and a thrice BSB champion which is no mean feat,
I don't understand why Haga wasn't a success in MotoGP apparently he raced at least 32 times but just seemed to prefer the WSB and BSB, Kiyo also raced in MotoGP taking over from the tragic Daijiro Kato but again wasn't a success and went to BSB in 2004.
so Japan has had some worthy champions just not in F1 nor MotoGP, and I am sure that Honda, and it seems to be Honda who promote the Japanese riders/ drivers are also wondering what they can do to get that champion,
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