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Post by René on Nov 20, 2020 15:27:05 GMT
One more to go for the MotoGP heros. Joan Mir is the new champion but there's still the fight for second. It’s very close between Franco Morbidelli and Alex Rins and there are more riders that want to end the season on a high like Fabio Quartararo and Maverick Viñales. And then there’s the constructors title that will go either to Suzuki or Ducati. So still enough to look forward to in this last race of the season!
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Post by chrisb on Nov 21, 2020 9:00:40 GMT
what an incredible circuit, everyone is pumped about this place from Moto3 upwards, they are revelling in the challenges Portimao offers, ups and downs, blind crests - I know we have it in WSB and that is spectacular enough and this is really making riders earn their pay, what a brilliant place, must admit to suggesting a visit to a couple of mates if not next year then the year after,
Moto3, is a nailbiter for the championship, although out of the running it would be great to see John McPhee end a frustrating year as a winner
Moto2 - another nail biter - with a clear championship leader and a wounded Sam Lowes as the main chaser, awesome and heroic ride yesterday, go Sam go
MotoGP, am hoping Zarco does it, would be a real fairytale that one, but the Yamaha's look good but it will be exciting and what a circuit to end the year on, brilliant
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Post by charleselan on Nov 23, 2020 15:04:22 GMT
What an absolutely race day, the best of any formula that I have seen in ages. The beautiful Portimao circuit just has to be the best track for MotoGP and must be a permanent fixture from now on. We have seen both WSB and F1 feature at Portimao this year but to me there seemed to be something truly inspirational with the camera placement and the angles achieved in comparison with previous meetings this past weekend.
Both Moto3 & 2 were championship deciders and had all of the drama that we need more often. The battling by the contenders was outstanding and Arenas won the title in Moto3 even though he only managed to finish 12th and although he had a good points lead the other lads did not give up and it ended top being mighty close.
In Moto2 one has to firstly say what a heroic effort Sam Lowes produced. Broken bones in his right hand, the one which controls the throttle and front brake, must have been absolute agony for the boy. So bad in the morning warm up that he didn't feel he could race, but was persuaded to give it a try, and what a try it was. Third place in the end was outstanding, what a hero.
The race winner was Remy Gardner, son of former World Champion Wayne, and so well deserved. Remy has tried hard for a few years now but has looked better and better this season, a decent understated lad as well.
I have long been an admirer of Miguel Oliveira who is a quality rider and man. He stamped his authority on his home country grand prix from the very beginning and was unstoppable. A brilliant win and a wonderful send off for his Tec3 team as he now moves up to the full factory KTM rise next year. Also another very impressive ride by Jack Miller who now looks so much better than any other Ducati rider, hope he continues this form next year when he moves to the factory team.
For quite some time I have been lukewarm about "Franko" Morbidelli but that was misplaced, he really does look the real deal now and completely overshadows his much vaunted team mate Fabio. Personally I think Fabio will find it hard to come back from his disasters this season, his head looks to have gone and that is not good.
Andrea Dovizioso heads off for a years sabbatical, although some claim that it will be permanent retirement at 35 years old. Not sure myself, I wonder if Marquez has difficulties coming back from his injuries if a Honda ride might not be on the menu. Talking of Honda just a mention for Stefan Bradl, he was superb all weekend and finally shook off the Test Rider label; good rider and far too young to be pensioned off to a test role.
Last race for Cal Crutchlow as well, now moves on to a test role at Yamaha which is a good move. I wouldn't mind betting that he ends up with a few wild card rides in the future, so not the end as some media people try to make out.
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Post by Carl on Nov 23, 2020 18:04:09 GMT
I really enjoyed the MotoGP race, partly because the Portimao venue may be the best in Europe, inexcusably neglected by major series, but also because the competition was wonderfully fierce, so close that I lost count of the many great passes. Motorcycle racing was smart to disallow Ducati's rudimentary wings a few years ago and the close racing yesterday was in stark contrast to the aerodynamic stupidities of Formula One.
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Post by charleselan on Nov 23, 2020 19:37:50 GMT
I really enjoyed the MotoGP race, partly because the Portimao venue may be the best in Europe, inexcusably neglected by major series, but also because the competition was wonderfully fierce, so close that I lost count of the many great passes. Motorcycle racing was smart to disallow Ducati's rudimentary wings a few years ago and the close racing yesterday was in stark contrast to the aerodynamic stupidities of Formula One.
It is indeed a fabulous venue Carl and I believe that the MotoGP (DORNA) camera positioning really accentuated the stunning nature of this circuit. In some ways I hope that F1 stays away, well maybe just go there occasionally, as the cars with their ridiculous downforce ruin the track surface. This rippling effect causes real problems for the motorcycles and results in the circuit owners having to do repeated resurfacing. The banning of the extreme wings that were appearing was a good call, although smaller more integrated wings are still allowed which do help in stabilising the bikes and stopping the wheely effect. One thing I forgot to mention in my previous post was the amazing engine in Morbidelli's Yamaha which had done close to 2000 kms due to them not being allowed another engine after using up the quota earlier in the year with the valve issues that plagued the Yamaha's. |
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Post by Carl on Nov 23, 2020 20:43:36 GMT
I really enjoyed the MotoGP race, partly because the Portimao venue may be the best in Europe, inexcusably neglected by major series, but also because the competition was wonderfully fierce, so close that I lost count of the many great passes. Motorcycle racing was smart to disallow Ducati's rudimentary wings a few years ago and the close racing yesterday was in stark contrast to the aerodynamic stupidities of Formula One.
It is indeed a fabulous venue Carl and I believe that the MotoGP (DORNA) camera positioning really accentuated the stunning nature of this circuit. In some ways I hope that F1 stays away, well maybe just go there occasionally, as the cars with their ridiculous downforce ruin the track surface. This rippling effect causes real problems for the motorcycles and results in the circuit owners having to do repeated resurfacing. The banning of the extreme wings that were appearing was a good call, although smaller more integrated wings are still allowed which do help in stabilising the bikes and stopping the wheely effect. One thing I forgot to mention in my previous post was the amazing engine in Morbidelli's Yamaha which had done close to 2000 kms due to them not being allowed another engine after using up the quota earlier in the year with the valve issues that plagued the Yamaha's. The overall production was wonderful and I noticed the excellent camera placement, with superb head-on shots of each rider almost airborne as the pack crested the rises. Also excellent were the forward/backward views from motorcycles contesting position. It's probably futile to hope other series will take heed... |
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Post by chrisb on Nov 24, 2020 9:57:10 GMT
I am already making enquires about a trip to Portimao next year, what a fabulous circuit, such a challenge, all those doomsayers moaning that it would be difficult to overtake, utter nonsense, a real test of man and machine, with some found wanting and some found brilliance,
Moto3, so disappointed for John, saw he was forced out wide and lost a host of places but I don't think anyone was in young Fernandez's class this day- another name to keep a watch on as he moves up to M2 next year, talking of which, oh Sam, you made a mistake a few races ago and lost your momentum, and how you raced through that pain barrier was just incredible, but what a race, and a worthy champion, but great credit goes to Remy, what a great race and after all the trauma he has experienced so pleased for him, definitely deserving of a MotoGP seat 2022, what I feel is that M2 is now almost on its own feet so to speak, and you don't have to look at it as a stepping stone anymore, although the number of Italian moving up seems disproportionate but such is the way
MotoGP, welcome to the new, au revoir to the old, and merci to many a person, both on the bike and in the garage, it will be a very different MotoGP world next year, you know what was really nice in M2, how they seem so united and friendly, real cameraderie and the politics we have suffered in MotoGP seems to turning, so maybe the focus will be more on the racing and less on the in-fights and spats, but what a race, Miguel was such class, we knew this from his M3 days against Danny Kent, and he is no fool - his words with Pol shows that, some great successes well done Suzuki and KTM and some terrible times, I wouldn't want to be in the Yamaha head office right now, there will be blood split, I wonder who will be there next year? can't wait,
on another note, I normally pay 200Euros a year to watch MotoGP, it is worth it for me, and it is normally due at the end of November, well to my surprise I received an email yesterday saying I didn't have to pay until the first race next year, wish my bloody golf club did the same, thank you MotoGP!
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