Italian Grand Prix - Mugello

[René]

Already the sixth round of the championship this weekend in Italy. Can Jack Miller make it three in a row? He’s certainly on form and a fresh contract extension in his pocket will surely boost his confidence. Another man on form is Fabio Quartararo who has also two wins to his name and is the points leader. Remarkably, the men in second and third in the championship, Bagnaia and Zarco have not won yet. Viñales started the year strong but is falling back a little and defending champion Mir does not seem as strong as last year. Can they strike back?

Enough to look forward to!

[chrisb]

if there is one more MotoGP I would love to visit it would be this one, forza Italia!

it will be tight, I have gone for Johan, but it was a close choice between he and Maverick, I do think Maverick will bounce back, and Fabio will be there, Pecco and Jack will be there and being in Italy I expect at least another half second from Pecco,

Not sure about Suzuki, or KTM and Honda, I do think Marquez is going to struggle physically which may see Pol doing well, however for me it is mainly about Ducati or Yamaha

just hope it will be a grat race

[charleselan]

I am going for Johann Zarco, he has to win that first MotoGP race soon and what better place than Mugello.

It appears that Marc Marquez is now saying that his biggest problem is his old shoulder injury and not the broken arm, Umm! Well Marc if you keep piling off the machine that isn't going to do either any good is it son, maybe time to start riding to the limit and not over it.

[chrisb]

totally disgusted!

really awful accident in Moto3, I wish Jason a speedy and full recovery.

Moto2, I noted Raul last year and thought this guy special, keeps his head down, sounds sensible and my word is he talented, of him and Acosta I would always pick Raul, he really is special and if KTM ever let him go I would doubt their ambitions to be champions, great Qualifying from Sam, and that is shaping up to be the best series of the three,

what a travesty, not just screwing up Maverick's race and qualifying one but showing the world what you are really like Marquez, I was disgusted by his tactics, legal yea, morally - no, that wasn't following someone that was hounding them, a big difference, some may call it cheating, I would call it despicable and reinforces my belief that Marquez's philosophy is winning at any cost is acceptable, Ago or Mike would never do such a hounding to get their speed, follow your team-mate by all means but that was just not good. What was worse was the the praise he got for doing it from the MotoGP commentators, their admiration for this guy is nauseating at best but condoning his behaviour is just beyond the pale, that is not what I pay for and will seriously re-consider whether or not I stay with them next year, what sort of message are you sending out you morons?

Qualifying 2 was brilliant, Fabio and Pecca were class, and then there was Johan, wow with a bit of thanks to Jack - Johan's lap was outstanding and what a race we have in prospect -oh and not that your hounding achieved much other than to screw up Maverick Marquez as you finished 11th wasn't it? 2 places ahead of Maverick whom I hope has a day to remind us of your talent 

[René]

Terrible news from Italy. Moto3 rider Jason Dupasquier has died from the injuries he sustained in the crash at the end of qualifying. So sad, Jason was only 19 years old.

Condolences to his loved ones.

[charleselan]

Truly awful news about the loss of young Jason Dupasquier at just 19 years. A terrible accident that as shocking to behold and the one type of accident that one dreads in motorcycle racing, several riders have been claimed in recent years by similar and no one is to blame in such circumstances, something all riders dread.

Yesterday I was trying to balance my viewing between MotoGP and WSB, not helped by unreliable schedules displayed in some sites and not enough thought put into the conflict by DORNA who run both championships. Therefore I ended up seeing the MotoGP qualifying out of the cornet of my eye as I was concentrating on the WSB race One. I too was disgusted at the antics of Marc Marquez, Chris truly unsporting and disrespectful behaviour.

The BTSport commentary team were equally sycophantic in their views on what as unfolding, something that annoyed me no end as they almost lead the viewer to believe it was funny. Not only that they made out it was an accepted way to ride and compete and that it had been going on for the history of the sport. Lets be quite clear here it has not been happening throughout the history of the sport as I do not recall any top line racer indulging in such tactics other than Marquez who has made a habit of this throughout his career. In fact he has gained many a pole position by following another quick rider well before his injury, and displays a similar mentality to his other attribute that of riding over the limit and crashing to find the limit.

The attitude of these so called experienced commentators is similar to those back in the early years of Rossi's career when he used to smash other riders out of the way and they used to say it was all fair hard racing, which it patently was not.

Making out this is the norm is extremely irresponsible and hypercritical as they criticise Moto3 and 2 riders doing similar, and yet here they are encouraging it; complete idiots who need to take a serious look at themselves in a mirror. Apparently Marquez has now apologised for his actions but that doesn't help Maverick does it after screwing up his qualifying attempt.

One plus from BTSport was the arrival of the superb Sylvain Guintoli who was live from the Mugello circuit and gave some wonderful detail and intelligent comment.

[chrisb]

the tragedy of Jason is so awful and it really is so dreadful, my thoughts are with the family and friends, his team and everyone, I saw the accident and as soon as the helicopter came into view I knew it was extremely serious, and so sadly it proved to be. Rest in peace Jason

I watched the 'spoiler free' race on MotoGP which is a great way of watching the races, you can fast-forward all the preamble and just get to the racing,
Moto3 was pretty exhausting to watch and pretty disappointing for John, but by comparison to others at least he didn't park it,
Moto2 was just so frustrating, the class of the field was led by Raul, with a fast-closing Sam and Remy, so upsetting to see Sam park it , I am convinced he would would have won, but another one bites the dust,
MotoGP- got off to a very strange start as Johan was hit before the start, not sure if he has been penalised for this but the scene was set, what a magnificent ride by Fabio, sheer class, ok helped by Pecca's accident, and Maverick starting well back, for all his 'tactics' in qualifying didn't get very far as Marquez crashed out on the 1st lap, I really do think Honda are temporarily up the creek, this is Honda and they are struggling, Pol must be wondering why he signed, the one thing we do know is that Honda will change - maybe no longer focussed on one rider and maybe, is this a coincidence I wonder, Cal on the Honda tested a lot of new parts etc, now he is at Yamaha - they are winning and Honda are losing, coincidence?

the appalling tactics were one thing - the commentators something else, we had just had a serious accident on Moto3 and here we have the commentators praising Marquez for his 'intelligence??' whereas condemning especially Moto3 riders for doing exactly the same, following a rider is one thing, but what Marquez was doing was beyond the pale, at least Vinales finished in the points and managed some good overtaking - even Rossi was in the points, is this his last race as a rider at Mugello? will he be the team boss next year?

[robmarsh]

Rest in Peace Jason Dupasquier.

I haven't been watching Moto GP this year as need to limit my cost of viewing and so don't have BT but from all accounts I would be as peed off as you guys over Marquez' tactics. I found the sycophantic behaviour from the commentators irritating two years ago so would be more so now no doubt.

[charleselan]

Just a few other points to raise here.

After the start line mess up, what the blazes were the organisers playing at letting the race start with the Avintia Ducati laying in the middle of the track, and Zarco's machine having sustained damage. Totally irresponsible actions from supposed experienced race directors. The start is in the middle of the fastest straight (I use the term straight but it is not that in reality) in the MotoGP calendar, bikes in full flow would be hitting over 200 mph at that point on the following laps, just one bit of carbon fibre or other material could puncture a tyre and then imagine the outcome!!!

With Johann's bike damaged which any reasonable race director would have realised he should have delayed the start to enable Pramac to either quickly repair the machine or Zarco to get his spare bike, also Avintia could have done the same.

Interesting to note that in the BTSport box Neil Hodgson was adamant that no blame should be prescribed to Johann, as he was doing what all the riders do approaching the grid, hard braking to get heat into the front brake especially when there is a long straight followed by a heavy braking zone. I also ask the questions what the hell was Bastianini doing taking the same line as Zarco anyway, he should have been well to the side of him, or not so flaming close and not paying attention.

[chrisb]

as yet I have seen no comments criticising either rider, or maybe I have missed them, I did hear that Johan was saying Bastianini was looking at the screen, but what got me was the speed he was approaching the grid, maybe we should be happy that no one was hurt, but I was shocked when the green flag was waved, and the race started with haste,

that is interesting to hear what Neil said, he should know after all, I don't recollect if Steve and Matt on MGP said anything other than surprise it occurred, but then I try and tune out what they say as most of it is Marquez orientated - even if he is not in the race 

the speed they are going on that 'straight' is just mind boggling and some of the slipstreaming looks decidedly dodgy, definitely in the lower classes and was again wondering if by having a 4th series, i.e a 400 or 500cc series, will the grids up to the senior classes be smaller? I am not sure they will be and yet something needs to be looked at here 

[charleselan]

I have read this morning that Remy Gardner has been signed up to ride for Tech 3 KTM for next season which is thoroughly deserved and should see that team come back to being contenders for good places as last year. KTM appear to have a raft of talent available to them currently, almost too many as there aren't enough places for all of them from what I can see.

Brad Binder has just signed a three year extension to his contract and it appears that Miguel Oliveira will be next, well it will be if they have any sense as that boy is a star.

[chrisb]

I had some dialogue with Mat O regarding Petrucci whom I do think will prosper in WSB, apparently Daniello said he wasn't interested - then- but - now -not so sure.

Next to sign was Johan and Martine for Pramac for next year, I do feel Pramac is Johan's more natural environment - and Maverick has split with his crew chief and has gone back to the previous one, I do so hope it works,

big question is Rossi, will he won't he saga continues 

[charleselan]

Doubt that Daniello will be on a Ducati though Chris  .

Absolutely agree that Johann is best suited to Pramac, a perfect fit as long as they have current factory spec bikes. I think it suits Ducati as well as it basically means they have three factory riders, and once fit Martine will be developing as long as he doesn't do a Marquez.

[chrisb]

My problem with Martine is that whilst he is very quick he is also very accident prone, and at some stage this is going to have a consequence, whether or not it is losing his seat or getting injured I don't know, I hope it is the former as he comes across really well and I would hate for anyone to get hurt