Warm-up

[René]

The start of the new MotoGP season is drawing closer and the first pre-season test in Qatar took place last weekend. Fabio Quartararo was fastest overall on his Yamaha with Jack Miller second on Ducati. But it's early day and still difficult to read which team/rider combination will be strongest come the season start at the Qatar Grand Prix.

©MotoGP

[chrisb]

thanks Rene, well pour moi this year is shaping up very very nicely, the bikes look mean and quick, there is a wealth of new talent coming through, question marks over the two previous dominating figures and their situations,

I envisage a number of riders getting their first wins,

Pol and Johann amongst them, possibly Bagnaia and a lot more of the 'younger' brigade dominating proceedings.

For the championship money is on Fabio, Miguel, Franco, Jorge and Joan - disappointment? Jack and Petrucci, Aprilla, Marquez senior and junior and Taka, the surprise package? Maverick - he finally gets it all together

so looking forwrad to the fun

[mikael]

Compared to the others, Valentino Rossi really looks like an elderly gentleman in that photo. But of course, now past forty, that's also what he is (in that world, at least).

[charleselan]

The recent two day test seems to have been pretty random but Fabio did eventually get it together and post fastest time on Day 2 after being all at sea on Day 1. Interesting to read in MCN last week that he had all sorts of "mental" issues last year, which was pretty obvious, for he completely lost the plot big time.

Jack Miller was right up with him on the factory Ducati but Bagnaia was low down in the top ten. However Johann was in sixth on the Pramac Ducati which hopefully bodes well for his season.

Very apparent was the fact that Stefan Bradl was easily the quickest Honda, it would be good too see him get some outings before Marquez returns and also some decent "wild card" rides as he was coming good towards the end of last year.

KTM looked out of sorts all test and Brad threw his down the road a few times.

If Jack Miller can ride all season like he did in Portugal then he is going to be a major factor for the championship in my opinion.

[chrisb]

Yes Mikael, I am seeing Rossi starting to feel his 'age' and just hope he doesn't become an embarrassment this year,

you could be right JC, Jack iis flying at the moment, as is Zarco, Vive La France!

[René]

Marc Márquez will not take part in the first two races... how he will regret his way too early return last year. That was really not clever.

[chrisb]

no it was a harsh lesson to him that he is not invincible and his body will take time to heal,

the middle east is going to be the focus of attention this weekend, I do wonder who is flattering to deceive and who isn't, Moto2 looks even more competitive than usual and Moto3 as well, but MotoGP, well I am really looking forward to the races

[charleselan]

It was only a matter of time before Marc Marquez suffered a more serious injury as you cannot keep throwing a motorcycle down the road without it biting you. It was crass beyond belief that he was even allowed to race so soon after that injury, and what followed should be a lesson to all.

[chrisb]

I do wonder what this injury will do to Marquez, will he carry on regardless, believing he is beyond mere mortals and it won't happen again or will he be more circumspect, motor bike racing is still very dangerous as we sadly learn far too often and bodies can only take so much, but psychologically I wonder.

The testing looks good and Mat O has posted an interesting article in MS about Aprilla and how they are improving, and also the possible effect Dovi may have after testing it in Portugal

just yet another pity about where the season starts, it would have been wonderful if money didn't buy so much and both F1 and MGP started in Australia - oh well