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Post by René on Aug 21, 2020 16:47:29 GMT
Race 2 of the Austrian double header could be an excellent opportunity for Andrea Dovizioso to close the gap with Fabio Quartararo. He wasn't the fastest in race 1 but probably the smartest. But maybe Yamaha can improve their race performance. KTM missed out on a podium but Joan Mir on the Suzuki had a strong result so let's see what they can do. Johann Zarco has to start from the pitlane so seems out of contention but there is still a lot to look forward to. Rain is expected...  |
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Post by chrisb on Aug 22, 2020 10:43:36 GMT
the extended barrier might work, but the accident i just saw in M2 does not give out much hope, it would be great if Maverick wins but realistically it does look like a KTM / Ducati moment, but the Suzuki's also look very impressive and maybe Joan getting his first win would be a welcome sight, of the KTM's both Brad and Miguel are becoming very popular and if they won I think it would go down very well, whichever way especially if it rains and if Zarco does race I really expect an inspired ride by him, the one rider who Simon Crafar and KTM are defending and rides around as if he is responsible for nothing is Pol, who in my mind is responsible for two accidents and his brothers spat with Petrucci is unpleasant as he did slow him down on a quick lap but that just seems ignored as if the Esparago Bros can do as they please - nice to see Naka doing well
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Post by charleselan on Aug 22, 2020 10:46:27 GMT
This morning I have just watched a truly outstanding analysis by Neil Hodgson of the Zarco/Morbidelli accident from last weekend. It certainly placed the decision of giving Johann a penalty into real perspective, and clearly showed the stupidity of that panel who imposed the penalty.
Neil is one of the finest expert commentators in motor sport and the way he dissected the accident frame by frame and from all angles just illustrated the error of the decision to penalise Zarco. A lot of commenters online have also expressed exactly the same and used similar analysis.
It was a totally political decision in my opinion and Johann Zarco should feel very hard done by as a result, especially so considering the truly outrageous penalty from Brno.
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Post by chrisb on Aug 22, 2020 11:06:14 GMT
that sounds exactly the sort of analysis i have been looking for John, what was Neil's conclusion as to how the accident happened
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Post by charleselan on Aug 22, 2020 11:19:28 GMT
OK Chris I will try and do a short summary of what Neil said.
Firstly he proved categorically that Johann had not taken an unusual line, proved that he and others had used that line on many laps.
Secondly that the "gap" Zarco went for wasn't risky, it was huge when viewed from the rear on Alex Rins following Suzuki, so it was no way dangerous.
Having the faster bike Zarco had no difficulty overtaking where he did and it was to be expected that he, or anyone les would take that opportunity.
Because of the tighter apex taken on the line that Johann took it was automatic that his trajectory would take him across the track, as it did.
He then said that Morbidelli was not taken by surprise by the overtake and that he should have rolled the throttle or stood the bike up slightly, not keep it pinned and therefore ram Zarco. He is talking as I write this recapping his analysis with Suzie Perry and has just emphasised that it is crap people like Rossi intimating that Zarco bake checked Morbidelli. He says that yes Zarco lifted earlier but had to because of the line he was on, and that is not an infringement and an accepted move.
To quote, he says of Morbidelli that the throttle goes both ways and he should have rolled the throttle as he was not taken by a surprise move and knew jolly well what was happening.
Neil has just reiterated that in his opinion and in accordance with the rules it was a racing accident.
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Post by chrisb on Aug 22, 2020 13:31:07 GMT
thanks John, whilst it appears Mat is saying that the riders are saying the penalty is justified an awful lot of fans are strongly disagreeing and one has listed a number of incidents that Marquez or Rossi have been involved in that have been blatantly dangerous and have caused accidents that has resulted in injuries but with no punishments and here you have Zarco, as you say it seems political at least Ducati seem to be supportive saying he will ride for them next year, and if that is a factory bike I cannot wait, whilst we may be losing out Brits, vive la France
just watched qualifying - wow, that was pretty spectacular and Zarco!!!!! what a rider, he is seriously special
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Post by charleselan on Aug 22, 2020 17:48:51 GMT
I find it interesting that it is being said that many of the MotoGP riders are apportioning blame on Johann Zarco. Suzie Perry put that to Neil Hodgson this afternoon and his response was quite simple, "I haven't seen anything written like that", and he stood soundly behind his own analysis.
I just wonder if all these so called riders who are apportioning blame come from two certain areas of Europe; I know for a fact that Cal hasn't said anything to that effect.
There is a lot of feeling that Rossi stirred things up when it might have been more prudent of someone with his amount of experience to have been more circumspect. Maybe the "near death experience" he had made him more jumpy than he should have been, heaven forbid that he would have come out with his comments due to his close association with Morbidelli.
Anyway what an absolutely amazing performance by Johann Zarco this afternoon, broken bone in his wrist that had only been operated on 48hrs earlier and all the flack the guy had been given, an outstanding performance and on a year old motorcycle. The BTSport team were all in high praise for him and not only that unreservedly so. Basically Neil and Keith Heuwen were saying that if we get to Le Mans then look out, crowd or no crowd.
As much as I should I just could not celebrate P. Espargaro pole position, the guys attitude has had too much of a negative effect upon anything he might do, as has his brother. Funnily enough Keith Heuwen actually said that Aleix needed "a slap" for hanging around waiting for someone to tow him to a fast lap, that was pure gold.
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Post by chrisb on Aug 23, 2020 8:32:24 GMT
my estimation of the BT coverage is improving with every comment, I detest that smug look on Pol's face and think both brothers deserve a slap around the face with a wet fish, whether either of them have the emotional stability to win remains to be seen,
Bradly Smith was one who criticised Johan, which I found very strange, Brad normally keeps his head out of the firing range and just gets on with things, so surprised by that, but yes the others - not Dovi by the way and hasn't he garnered a few more fans! Aleix may be pushing for Dovi to join him next year on the Aprilla but it may be at Aleix's expense - but yes this waiting for a tow for a quicker rider is something that really bugs me, in Moto3 it is a joke and will get worse unless the stewards actually do something about that - I like when team-mates work together as the sky chaps do but when you get someone who isn't quick being dragged along far higher than they are capable of on their own it is a bit naughty for me
just caught a bit of warm-up and it does look good,
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Post by charleselan on Aug 23, 2020 14:14:55 GMT
my estimation of the BT coverage is improving with every comment, I detest that smug look on Pol's face and think both brothers deserve a slap around the face with a wet fish, whether either of them have the emotional stability to win remains to be seen, Bradly Smith was one who criticised Johan, which I found very strange, Brad normally keeps his head out of the firing range and just gets on with things, so surprised by that, but yes the others - not Dovi by the way and hasn't he garnered a few more fans! Aleix may be pushing for Dovi to join him next year on the Aprilla but it may be at Aleix's expense - but yes this waiting for a tow for a quicker rider is something that really bugs me, in Moto3 it is a joke and will get worse unless the stewards actually do something about that - I like when team-mates work together as the sky chaps do but when you get someone who isn't quick being dragged along far higher than they are capable of on their own it is a bit naughty for me just caught a bit of warm-up and it does look good, It has been very good this weekend Chris, probably one of BT's best weekends of presentation. Hodgson & Heuwen have really been top class all weekend. |
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Post by charleselan on Aug 23, 2020 14:29:39 GMT
Yet another dramatic day of racing in Austria/Styria.
The race stopped this time for a dramatic brake failure for Maverick, the Yamaha's appear to have real problems with the brakes ay this location. Mav' ditched the bike at 140mph when he realised the brakes had failed, incredible where with all from him to do that, and he is fine, the machine not so.
Great "first race" performance by young Mir who looked set to win his first GP, but the race being stopped meant a whole new shortened race (12 laps) and he did not have the available tyres left to re-boot his machine, and paid the penalty. His day will come, and soon, now really showing the talent he displayed in other classes.
Sad also for Nakagami who rode superbly in the first race battling for second with Jack Miller, I actually think Miller was holding him up and allowed Mir to get away a little which was a shame. Like Joan Mir he faired not so well in the second race.
What a triumph from Miguel Oliveira who used his great intelligence and race craft top capitalise on Miller and P. Espargaro's spat at the last two bends. Surprised to see Pol's demeanour at race end as I was expecting lots of tantrums, he seemed very chilled about things to be fair, bet he wasn't inside. Also noted the frostiness between him and Miguel on the podium, that must have hurt. Apparently during their little verbal assault during the week Miguel came out with this priceless comment, "we are not all born with the same level of intelligence"; after Pol tried to say that Oliveira had already crashed last week.
First ever win in the premier class for Herve Poncheral's Tech3 team and could not happen to a nicer guy and team; also first Portuguese winner in the MotoGP class as well. Great result.
I will just finish by saying what a disgrace it was to see Johann Zarco not only have to start from the pit lane but the blighters held him for an inordinate amount of time, which both BT comm's boys commented upon and were not happy about it either.
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Post by René on Aug 23, 2020 16:20:53 GMT
What a strange race, or actually two races! It really looked like Mir had it in the pocket and I was also enjoying Nakagami's race a lot. And then that weird brake failure on Viñales's bike. The way Maverick let himself slide off that bike at 200km/h + is something I've never seen before, just incredible. But great to see he wasn't hurt, that could've ended a lot worse.
The finish of part 2 was very exciting and it's always nice to see a new winner. Congrats to Oliveira. Luck was on his side but he anticipated really well in those hectic last few corners.
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Post by chrisb on Aug 23, 2020 16:29:01 GMT
I was out whilst it was 'on' John, so watched the 'spoiler free' three races, gutted with John McPhee, not sure what happened but that has seriously dented his chances, M2 was a disaster, Sam took out two others, I am guessing as I haven't read anything as yet it was his shoulder couldn't sufficiently bring enough power, although Jake got a top ten result so hopefully this will be the start of some good things but the MotoGP, really felt for Mir and Naka, they were sheer class and deserved their podiums, as did Jack, but Maverick was just - I was getting upset he was dropping back like a stone and then to have to jump off your bike - having in my distant past also jumped off a speeding bike I can tell you it ain't easy and at that speed it must have been bloody scary, so relieved that the weekend has past now, but so pleased for Miguel, a genuine winner, when Danny Kent won his M3 crown he was v lucky I thought as Miguel was catching him and he struck me as one intelligent bloke, something that has been totally confirmed this afternoon, especially as he is less than impressed by the emotional one, gosh what fun Pol will have with Marquez next year, neither of them are noted for their emotional stability when things don't go their way - oh that will be interesting, provided of course Marquez returns, really don't know what is happening there, but it doesn't sound good, going back to the race Simon Crafar was saying something about the brake callipers not all being the same and that is likely to change,
the question for me is, will MotoGP be back at Austria next year? if so I wonder what they will do,
what really struck me is that there is a younger breed of rider coming through and they are looking very impressive, there were some good overtaking moves, some questionable and some - oops are you sure type overtakes, I didn't listen to the post race interviews I will do that later, but am genuinely pleased for Miguel and Herve, as you say John, Herve is one class act and for him to win a MotoGP is great news and I am chuffed for him.
Zarco was so quick in the 1st half, he was amazing and I just wanted to see more of him, but less so in the second half, at Misano he will be very interesting,
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Post by charleselan on Aug 24, 2020 11:42:32 GMT
Looks like Marquez is going to be out for two to three months now, it always seemed more serious than they tried to admit. It was a crassly stupid idea to get him out the following weekend, what the blazes did that prove or achieve. I just wonder what he did to break the initial plate that was put on the broken bone. Interesting to se the change in narrative on BTSport this weekend where they openly discussed the fact that the Honda machines have been tailored to Marquez riding style and that has been the problem for the other riders on those machines. It has come back to bite Honda now and illustrates the short sighted nature of a team devoting everything to one person. It was also mentioned that many of the technicians from the Repsol factory team are now working with Taku Nakagami and that goes some way to explaining his big step up in performance. Amazing what you can do when all the resources are being poured into your efforts. A bit of musing from moi  . What happens if Marquez cannot come back, or if he does he isn't able to ride as he once did? Could there then be an open opportunity for Dovi to go to Honda to develop a bike that is user friendly to riders who have a more normal riding style. |
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Post by Carl on Aug 24, 2020 15:56:38 GMT
... Maverick was just - I was getting upset he was dropping back like a stone and then to have to jump off your bike - having in my distant past also jumped off a speeding bike I can tell you it ain't easy and at that speed it must have been bloody scary, so relieved that the weekend has past now, but so pleased for Miguel, a genuine winner... Chris, Please tell us more about when you had to jump off at speed, something that must have been sudden and instinctive. Very scary and thank goodness you landed on your feet! 
-Carl
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Post by chrisb on Aug 25, 2020 8:17:53 GMT
Carl, it was during a period in my life about 50 years ago that perhaps an open forum isn't the best place to talk about it, maybe over a pint might be an ideal time! but suffice to say it was either jump or hit a gate and at that age you still bounced [it wasn't a road] - but I had forgotten about it until - gosh- now - talk about delayed reaction!
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. What happens if Marquez cannot come back, or if he does he isn't able to ride as he once did? Could there then be an open opportunity for Dovi to go to Honda to develop a bike that is user friendly to riders who have a more normal riding style.
