2023 MotoGP season

[René]

Austrian Grand Prix - Spielberg



Johann Zarco fastest in FP1 and Marco Bezzecchi in FP2, both on Ducati. Strong pace also from Maverick Viñales on the Aprilla.



Marco Bezzecchi, Ducati

[chrisb]

Oh my what a fiasco? Or what I am not sure I am not a fan of these sprint races feeling that they detract from the main event and the careful build up to the main race and after yesterdays dreadful performance I am even more concerned 

a great race by Pecco and Brad who finished miles ahead of a highly controversial Martin whose aggression knocked out a number of riders, he really was on a mission to make an impression but left a rather bitter taste instead.

maverick had been pretty impressive in qualifying but as usual his start left a lot to do, then along comes a very ambitious overtake by Martin and 5 bikes are either knocked out or delayed after that Maverick rode brilliantly and his overtaking was sublime, the same can’t be said of Martin who then proceeded to take out Marini and end VR46’s participation much to Valle’s disappointment 

the sooner the sprint races are dropped the better so onto today’s events, who will ever know who will win in Moto3 but Moto2 is much closer and Jake is a superb 4th but Pedro Acosta looks favourite there. As for MotoGP it will all depend on how Maverick gets away, if he gets a good start then maybe he can challenge Pecco and the KTM’s 

It may be a pale imitation of the once mighty Osteriechring but it is still such a beautiful place to race and one of my favourite countries in the world 

[René]

Catalan Grand Prix - Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya



The MotoGP circus is back in Spain at the Catalunya circuit near Barcelona.

Francesco Bagnaia seems unstoppable and takes pole position again ahead of the Aprillas of Espargaro and Oliveira.

[chrisb]

thanks Rene, my word it has been spectacular to say the least, until qualifying the Aprilla's have dominated, and even qualifying they are 2nd, 3rd and 4th, which is pretty impressive, but Pecco is just in the zone, 

there is a sprint race later on this afternoon which could be interesting but questionable if it will be exciting, but then 300bhp winged wonders in a large group is naturally exciting, these wretched aerodynamic and other tricks are definitely not helping. 

Up until this morning it was Japan's worst day I can ever remember in MotoGP as the last 6 places were all Japanese bikes, I am advised that they are going to be given concessions irrespective of what the European teams says as quite frankly the grid needs at least 8 if not 10 competitive Japanese bikes, 

There is a massive test coming up after Mugello and this will give us some indication as to what is happening. 

[René]

San Marino Grand Prix - Misano



After the eventful race in Spain, the racing continues in Italy for the San Marino Grand Prix. Can Aprilla surprise again? Francesco Bagnaia will surely have different plans and restore the 'natural' order on home soil.

[chrisb]

After a horrendous looking accident which we feared Pecco would be seriously injured turns out that providing he gets medical approval he will be able to race, his team mate isn’t so fortunate, mind you as he was responsible for skittering 5 other riders he is not getting much in the way of sympathy 

the Aprilla’s are looking very good and one can only hope Maverick gets the victory he deserves, making him the only rider who has won on 3 different machines something even Valle didn’t achieve 

difficult to know who is favourite but it will definitely be interesting as will Moto2 and the great Jake make it 2/2 

[chrisb]

My word MotoGP and WSB are fast becoming gossip columnist heaven, who goes where, when and how, what with all these aerodynamic additions, dropping and rising suspensions which are of absolutely no use to any motorbiker off the circuit and now the news that Pirelli are joining us, hopefully with success.

Mat Oxley my favourite Motorbike writer and author, has written an excellent article on MotorSport [online] that highlights the number of serious injuries the MotoGP lads are suffering and how we seem to be going backwards with regards to safety, it is well worth a read as certainly those amongst us remember the frequency of Monday morning obituaries in the 60's and 70's fear the worst. 

[Carl]

Well said, Mr. Brooke!

[René]

Indian Grand Prix - Buddh International Circuit



The inaugural MotoGP Indian Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit. Marco Bezzecchi set the pace in FP1 and a surprising second position for Marc Márquez.



1. M. BEZZECCHI, Ducati
2. M. MARQUEZ, Honda
3. B. BINDER, KTM
4. R. FERNÁNDEZ, Aprilia
5. M. VIÑALES, Aprilia
6. J. ZARCO, Ducati

[chrisb]

I have to say that the circuit is very impressive and I am hoping for a good meeting but the first couple of corners looks fraught to say the least 

bit early to look at any other winner other than a Ducati but at least the Yamaha is starting to look a bit more like it as for the Honda it’s difficult to say but they certainly are stronger than anticipated 

[chrisb]

amazing, difficult to know where to start, 

in MotoGP, after more accidents and more injuries, which worries the devil out of me, Bezza was just class, Pecca was but beached it, Jorge was exhausted and at last the Japanese manufacturers had something to talk about with Fabio finishing a fine 3rd and even better Joan finishing which in recent events was quite an achievement but in 5th place was even better. Marquez getting a lap time that was competitive and Brad riding a great race. The Aprilla's were disappointing, but who was great to see up there was Frankie who finished a fine 8th. ok a lot of attrition and two non-[re] starters 

it was Moto2 that was dreadful for us Brits, first start saw an awful crash caused by John McPhee's old nemesis Alcoba who wiped out several riders and caused a re-start and then a shall we say 'over ambitious' move at the start forcing Jake out wide and basically handing the race to Acosta and then to make things worse and one should read Neil Hodgson's comments about Gomez's taking out of Jake as my words may be a bit more colourful....furious, to say the least, especially as it was deemed a 'racing incident' like the headbutt on Scotland's captain yesterday not deemed a red card??? On top of this Sam was taken out and then Rory on the last corner was also taken out, I know there is a bit of bitterness of the East India Trading company but pease 

Moto3 was all about one rider Jaime Masia - just so far ahead of the others he could have finished a cup of tea before the others finished. again the Brits flattered to deceive with Scott starting a brilliant 4th but then falling backwards and Josh doing much better than all year and hopefully getting his act together. 


A great circuit, wonderful country and one that is really welcome to the calendar. 

[René]

Japanese Grand Prix - Motegi



Title contender Jorge Martin set the pace in FP1 and and KTM's Brad Binder was fastest in FP2, breaking the Motegi lap record. Reigning champion and points leader Francesco Bagnaia was only fractionally slower.



Brad Binder broke the long standing lap record in FP2

[René]

Indonesian Grand Prix - Mandalika International



Sensation in Indonesia where Jorge Martin took the lead in the championship standings after winning the sprint race! Francesco Bagnaia finished only eighth.

[chrisb]

a pretty exciting race that saw Maverick hitting the front for most of the race but then having tyre problems that allowed Jorge Martini and then Luca and Bezz both badly crocked with shoulder surgery take a brilliant pole and then 2nd for Marini and 3rd Bezz, who had just had surgery and flown from Europe for something like 30 hours and literally turned up at the circuit on Friday and wham finishes 3rd. Pecca was poor and has lost the championship lead Fabio was great and really out drove the machinery, Aleix made a horrendous start and then took out Brad supporting a new crash hat wishing the Bok's the best for this afternoon, just as well a Frenchman didn't take him out. 

Fabio di Giannantonio rode very well but here again losing one's seat to the incoming Marc Marquez is always a bit of an incentive. 

For those who hadn't noticed the media scrum [more rugby here] according to the motorbike media this is the biggest news since Rossi left Honda to join Yamaha many years ago, that Marc Marquez who slid out of the race, has joined the Ducati brigade riding a year old Duke next year, tearing up yet another contract signing with Gresini for a year, which is noticeable in itself. and now Honda are said to be chasing after Miguel Olivera and the Maverick, and now Marquez is hinting on a return to Honda,

my word what a tangled web we weave?

[chrisb]

the main race was extraordinary - as was the support races, an amazing weekend, with Martinez leading like a bullet and binning it, Pecca  coming from 13th and winning it, Maverick whose riding is getting better finished a tight second and Fabio a brilliant 3rd, so many people fell off, fortunately to little ill effects there was only 14 left at the end, really exciting but paled into insignificance to the gut wrenching excitement at Brands Hatch.

John and I were very aware of the limited interest in the British Superbike Championship and generally we kept our enthusiasm between us, but this last weekend was one of the tightest and most competitive I have ever known, with Tommy Bridewell winning the championship by half a point. astonishing, the championship lead changed 8 times in the last race, and was gut wrenchingly exciting, Brands being probably my favourite circuit the superbikes are just so brilliant there, I have ridden down there to watch the finale several times in the past but it is a horrible journey and can take up to 5 hours of bum numbing motorways and I am getting too old to do that sort of journey after a days racing anymore. My word ITV did miss a trick by not showing it. 

As for MotoGP the championship is again wide open, between Jorge and Pecca, which has a bit of interest, as Pecca is a protege of Rossi and Jorge is Spanish, shades on 2009? one of the most amazing years?