Discussion
Turn7 said:
I genuinely don’t think Toprak is interested in GP….
It’s much much more work, way harder to get results.
And if BM did go that way, it’ll be 3/4 years of learning….
Yeah, I don't disagree it's likely to take a while to build a competitive bike. But they could take advantage of coming in when the regs change, coming in with a concerted effort having finally worked out how to build a championship winning superbike over 2024/2025/2026.It’s much much more work, way harder to get results.
And if BM did go that way, it’ll be 3/4 years of learning….
Marc will be on a factory "something " and I don't think he cares what colour it is so long as it's fast.
Interestingly, Pramac have yet to confirm what bikes they'll be running next year. VR46 aren't having a great start to the season and are also still to reach agreement with Ducati.
Fabio is keen to reach a decision quickly, but Aprilia are not going to be rushed, understandable given the situation with Martin. The team needs a reliable championship contender, or two.
Interestingly, Pramac have yet to confirm what bikes they'll be running next year. VR46 aren't having a great start to the season and are also still to reach agreement with Ducati.
Fabio is keen to reach a decision quickly, but Aprilia are not going to be rushed, understandable given the situation with Martin. The team needs a reliable championship contender, or two.
There is probably more to it re Fabio and what next.
Results are on thing - but money and real opportunity is another.
He is probably on a good financial package at Yamaha.
They are the second biggest manufacturer by volume that also races in Moto gp. They found a way to pay Rossi EUR10m or whatever every year. They gave Fabio a new deal after his world championship.
And he is is now saying he is seeing changes and a level of investment in the team that he has never seen Yamaha come with before.
Other options - Ducati and KTM both seem full and have strong feeder programmes. Ducati also saying they aren’t paying big money for anyone else following their new deal with Pecco.
No point Fabio going Yamaha to Honda.
So it’s Yamaha or Aprilia. Could well imagine that a small factory like aprilia (ok it’s owned by Piaggio but still) isn’t going to match Yamaha pay.
Also the aprilia bike looks decent this year - but it has taken Maverick 3 years to work out how to ride it.
Also, if the rules change or others keep developing, what are the odds that the Aprilia, without concessions is just as competitive next season and the year after?
So there are reasons to stay at Yamaha, twist their arm for an even better deal, keep making bank and hope the bike improves.
Results are on thing - but money and real opportunity is another.
He is probably on a good financial package at Yamaha.
They are the second biggest manufacturer by volume that also races in Moto gp. They found a way to pay Rossi EUR10m or whatever every year. They gave Fabio a new deal after his world championship.
And he is is now saying he is seeing changes and a level of investment in the team that he has never seen Yamaha come with before.
Other options - Ducati and KTM both seem full and have strong feeder programmes. Ducati also saying they aren’t paying big money for anyone else following their new deal with Pecco.
No point Fabio going Yamaha to Honda.
So it’s Yamaha or Aprilia. Could well imagine that a small factory like aprilia (ok it’s owned by Piaggio but still) isn’t going to match Yamaha pay.
Also the aprilia bike looks decent this year - but it has taken Maverick 3 years to work out how to ride it.
Also, if the rules change or others keep developing, what are the odds that the Aprilia, without concessions is just as competitive next season and the year after?
So there are reasons to stay at Yamaha, twist their arm for an even better deal, keep making bank and hope the bike improves.
Ducati have created the worst scenario for themselves, you could see it coming last year with Jorge's championship.
This is what we know/assume...
Factory team
Pecco - contract practically done
TBC
Pramac
Aldegeur
TBC
Gresini
TBC
TBC
VR46
TBC
TBC
I'm going to say if Ducati want to retain Marc he'll be on a Pramac bike, and they'll move Martin up. Morbidelli out but I doubt he'll end up at VR46, it's a waste of a ride now and they need results.
The problem I have is where does Bastianini go, he could end up back at Gresini but I think that's a stretch. Bezzecchi will be forced to stay at VR46 and I read that VR46 are in the throws of a new deal with Ducati and requesting additional support (putting 2+2 together I think they're trying to retain Marco and get him a factory bike).
Alex will stay at Gresini I think, it's where Digi goes assuming VR46 don't throw Frankie a life line.
This is what we know/assume...
Factory team
Pecco - contract practically done
TBC
Pramac
Aldegeur
TBC
Gresini
TBC
TBC
VR46
TBC
TBC
I'm going to say if Ducati want to retain Marc he'll be on a Pramac bike, and they'll move Martin up. Morbidelli out but I doubt he'll end up at VR46, it's a waste of a ride now and they need results.
The problem I have is where does Bastianini go, he could end up back at Gresini but I think that's a stretch. Bezzecchi will be forced to stay at VR46 and I read that VR46 are in the throws of a new deal with Ducati and requesting additional support (putting 2+2 together I think they're trying to retain Marco and get him a factory bike).
Alex will stay at Gresini I think, it's where Digi goes assuming VR46 don't throw Frankie a life line.
five50 said:
There is probably more to it re Fabio and what next.
Results are on thing - but money and real opportunity is another.
He is probably on a good financial package at Yamaha.
They are the second biggest manufacturer by volume that also races in Moto gp. They found a way to pay Rossi EUR10m or whatever every year. They gave Fabio a new deal after his world championship.
And he is is now saying he is seeing changes and a level of investment in the team that he has never seen Yamaha come with before.
Other options - Ducati and KTM both seem full and have strong feeder programmes. Ducati also saying they aren’t paying big money for anyone else following their new deal with Pecco.
No point Fabio going Yamaha to Honda.
So it’s Yamaha or Aprilia. Could well imagine that a small factory like aprilia (ok it’s owned by Piaggio but still) isn’t going to match Yamaha pay.
Also the aprilia bike looks decent this year - but it has taken Maverick 3 years to work out how to ride it.
Also, if the rules change or others keep developing, what are the odds that the Aprilia, without concessions is just as competitive next season and the year after?
So there are reasons to stay at Yamaha, twist their arm for an even better deal, keep making bank and hope the bike improves.
Good post, a lot of what you say there makes sense. 2 more years until the rule change though is it ?Results are on thing - but money and real opportunity is another.
He is probably on a good financial package at Yamaha.
They are the second biggest manufacturer by volume that also races in Moto gp. They found a way to pay Rossi EUR10m or whatever every year. They gave Fabio a new deal after his world championship.
And he is is now saying he is seeing changes and a level of investment in the team that he has never seen Yamaha come with before.
Other options - Ducati and KTM both seem full and have strong feeder programmes. Ducati also saying they aren’t paying big money for anyone else following their new deal with Pecco.
No point Fabio going Yamaha to Honda.
So it’s Yamaha or Aprilia. Could well imagine that a small factory like aprilia (ok it’s owned by Piaggio but still) isn’t going to match Yamaha pay.
Also the aprilia bike looks decent this year - but it has taken Maverick 3 years to work out how to ride it.
Also, if the rules change or others keep developing, what are the odds that the Aprilia, without concessions is just as competitive next season and the year after?
So there are reasons to stay at Yamaha, twist their arm for an even better deal, keep making bank and hope the bike improves.
Turn7 said:
I cant see Martin in Red, they wont/cant pay him what he thinks he is worth after sorting Pecco out...
I think Ducati have been cutting salaries across the board for it's riders, they have the best bike so if you want a chance of being a world champion you need the tools to achieve it.Gone are the days when Lorenzo was earning 15M euros per year from Ducati, I suspect it will be tied up in bonuses, based upon points, wins, podiums, championship position.
If Jorge doesn't get on the red bike I think it's a travesty, he's done the hard work and played the long game. Assuming Fabio leaves Yamaha and Jorge ends up there that's his title chances done for for a few years minimum, if he could bag an Aprilia seat at least he's on a V4.
He lives in Andorra with his best mate Aleix so that has to count for something.
On that point, Vinales... he had a great showing at the weekend, but how many times have you seen him perk up when contracts are up. He's a great rider when he's on it, but he will never win a championship for Aprilia, neither will Aleix in fairness. Maybe it's time for the Noale factory to turf them both out, if they could get Jorge and Fabio I think they could easily win a championship.
Then what about Trackhouse, early days with that team but both riders aren't doing much... I could see one or both leaving, which could mean Aleix/Maverick drop to the satellite team potentially.
five50 said:
There is probably more to it re Fabio and what next.
Results are on thing - but money and real opportunity is another.
He is probably on a good financial package at Yamaha.
They are the second biggest manufacturer by volume that also races in Moto gp. They found a way to pay Rossi EUR10m or whatever every year. They gave Fabio a new deal after his world championship.
And he is is now saying he is seeing changes and a level of investment in the team that he has never seen Yamaha come with before.
Other options - Ducati and KTM both seem full and have strong feeder programmes. Ducati also saying they aren’t paying big money for anyone else following their new deal with Pecco.
No point Fabio going Yamaha to Honda.
So it’s Yamaha or Aprilia. Could well imagine that a small factory like aprilia (ok it’s owned by Piaggio but still) isn’t going to match Yamaha pay.
Also the aprilia bike looks decent this year - but it has taken Maverick 3 years to work out how to ride it.
Also, if the rules change or others keep developing, what are the odds that the Aprilia, without concessions is just as competitive next season and the year after?
So there are reasons to stay at Yamaha, twist their arm for an even better deal, keep making bank and hope the bike improves.
Agree and plenty of logic there for reasons to stay, but he is a champion, regardless of everything else I guess it depends if he is prepared to hope for an improvement rather than move to something thats already working.Results are on thing - but money and real opportunity is another.
He is probably on a good financial package at Yamaha.
They are the second biggest manufacturer by volume that also races in Moto gp. They found a way to pay Rossi EUR10m or whatever every year. They gave Fabio a new deal after his world championship.
And he is is now saying he is seeing changes and a level of investment in the team that he has never seen Yamaha come with before.
Other options - Ducati and KTM both seem full and have strong feeder programmes. Ducati also saying they aren’t paying big money for anyone else following their new deal with Pecco.
No point Fabio going Yamaha to Honda.
So it’s Yamaha or Aprilia. Could well imagine that a small factory like aprilia (ok it’s owned by Piaggio but still) isn’t going to match Yamaha pay.
Also the aprilia bike looks decent this year - but it has taken Maverick 3 years to work out how to ride it.
Also, if the rules change or others keep developing, what are the odds that the Aprilia, without concessions is just as competitive next season and the year after?
So there are reasons to stay at Yamaha, twist their arm for an even better deal, keep making bank and hope the bike improves.
If i was Aprilia and there was a deal to be made there I don't think I'd be taking my time, regardless of the current riders. As a prospect he'd be there with Martin for me and I'd take what comes first!
If Martin wins the championship this year then I think I can see him in the factory Ducati team, but if not then I see it being a different manufacturer. I get the feeling he doesn't just want to be in a factory team, but also the number one rider. There would seem to be a lot of valid reasons why he would be a more natural choice to head up Aprilia. But its hard to see him committing to that whilst at the top of the championship on the Ducati!
Unless I missed an announcement, Pramac, VR46 and LCR don't have bikes sorted for next year.
KTM are aching to get another slot, they don't have anything coming through from the lower classes so would be recruiting from within the GP paddock if they're successful in getting another team.
Yamaha aren't just trying to persuade their riders to stay, they're trying to persuade another team to join them.
If Ducati lose Pramac they'll have two seats and two riders under contract.
KTM are aching to get another slot, they don't have anything coming through from the lower classes so would be recruiting from within the GP paddock if they're successful in getting another team.
Yamaha aren't just trying to persuade their riders to stay, they're trying to persuade another team to join them.
If Ducati lose Pramac they'll have two seats and two riders under contract.
HybridTheory said:
rallycross said:
Anyone know if future races will be live on itv 3 or 4? Was great to see it live again used to have itv sport and watched all the races have lost touch since changing channels.
You might find silverstone on terrestrial but otherwise it’s tnt or nothing tbhBiker's Nemesis said:
I just want to say I really enjoyed the Moto GP races apart from Peco being a knob and knocking Marquez off.
lol. It was decided by the stewards as a racing incident - but Marc knows what he’s doing - and it’s finding ways to get under Pecco’s skin as lead Ducati rider. Guess who wants that seat and has nothing to lose.It was a slightly desperate move with strong cut back. Technically he might have been in the lead at that point but Pecco didn’t really have anywhere to go.
Acosta demonstrated clean and low risk passing if anyone wanted to see how it’s done.
Marc can’t go straight to the kind of explicit rival baiting he did with Rossi as he rides for the same factory as Pecco - but to stir things up, create a situation that leads to a crash and then blame the other guy - not the first time we’ve seen it from Marc.
five50 said:
Biker's Nemesis said:
I just want to say I really enjoyed the Moto GP races apart from Peco being a knob and knocking Marquez off.
lol... not the first time we’ve seen it from Marc.
ked up?...Marc made the move and got ahead, Peco didn't like it and ran Marc off, taking himself out in the process.. That's how I see it, how Biker's Nemesis sees it, and how most people see it. Marc was on the outside, Peco ran out wide into him.
If it helps I also would have called Sepang 2015 differently - Rossi got the blame for taking Marquez down - but Marquez had been riding with total disresoect and in a provocative / dangerous and completely unsportsmanlike way the whole time - in a way that I had never seen before.
Undoubtedly Rossi ran Marquez out at that time - but I felt that Marquez prior behaviour should have been taken into account.
We’re just racing enthusiasts discussing on a forum so I’ll respect your view and say that I understand why you say that, even if my view is different.
Clearly the stewards didn’t apportion blame for Sunday at Portimao.
Undoubtedly Rossi ran Marquez out at that time - but I felt that Marquez prior behaviour should have been taken into account.
We’re just racing enthusiasts discussing on a forum so I’ll respect your view and say that I understand why you say that, even if my view is different.
Clearly the stewards didn’t apportion blame for Sunday at Portimao.
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