RE: MotoGP 2015 preview: PH2

RE: MotoGP 2015 preview: PH2

Friday 27th March 2015

MotoGP 2015 preview: PH2

Another MotoGP season is imminent - can anybody beat Marc Marquez?



The gloves are off or, more accurately, on. And this weekend sees the 2015 MotoGP season kick off in Qatar. But the big question remains the same - can anyone beat Marc Marquez to the title?

Who's in with a shout of glory?
On the face of it you have to say it looks like Marc will once again be the man to beat. In testing he was ominously fast and the Honda seems the best bike out there, or at least the one that best suits Marc's aggressive style of riding.

Hopefully no repeat of 2014 for Lorenzo
Hopefully no repeat of 2014 for Lorenzo
Last year his blistering early season form basically won him the title by mid-way through the year. Not only due to his skill, but also his main rival's lack of form. Jorge Lorenzo had a terrible 2014, something he is very unlikely to repeat. Jorge is a rider whose smooth style means he likes everything perfectly set up and at the start of 2014 he didn't like the feel from the Bridgestone tyres and that scuppered his title charge. If Jorge is challenging for the lead in Qatar then Marc won't get such an easy ride this year. If he isn't then the old dog (or should that be goat?) will be right up there.

Everyone loves it when Valentino is at the sharp end and last season he was once again outstanding. Valentino is incredibly consistent and even if Marc takes the win, you can guarantee Rossi will be on the podium if Jorge is off form. And speaking of consistency, what about perennial bridesmaid Dani Pedrosa? Every season starts with people predicting Dani's replacement in the HRC team at the end of the year, but the truth of the matter is he is another guaranteed podium spot and that's great for the constructor's title. If Marc were to break his leg, Dani would still be able to challenge for the title and that's why he keeps his spot in the Repsol team. This year won't be any different; Dani will probably win a few but is destined to play second fiddle to Marc.

PH2 prediction: You heard it here first! If it happens... The title will go to Marquez with Lorenzo in second and Pedrosa third.

Decent chassis, needs more power...
Decent chassis, needs more power...
Can Ducati or Suzuki win a race?
On testing form it looks as if Ducati has eventually turned a corner with its unruly bike and you can't fault either Dovizioso or Iannone's commitment. That said, with two factory Hondas and two factory Yamahas on the grid, you can't expect miracles. The Ducati isn't going to be a regular top finisher and, to be honest, a few podiums would be a tremendous result. The team has said one win in 2015 is the target, however this looks unlikely unless something odd occurs such as a wet/dry race or a few of the leaders take themselves out.

There will be a gaggle of riders all fighting for fifth spot and the Ducati pair will spend much of 2015 going head to head with Cal Crutchlow, Bradley Smith, Pol Espargaro and possibly Jack Miller and Scott Redding. As for Suzuki, the GSX-RR seems to have a good chassis but is lacking in power. PH2 can see a few top six finishes, however we wouldn't want to be a leather sponsor for either Vinales or Aleix Espargaro; they are both going to have to make up for the Suzuki's power disadvantage through hard riding and that generally leads to gravel traps...

PH2 prediction: A best of third place for the Ducati and a couple of top six finishes for the Suzuki.

Best Brit hope this year?
Best Brit hope this year?
How will the Brits get on?
The 2015 season is a cracker for British riders with Bradley Smith, Cal Crutchlow and Scott Redding all on good machinery, while Eugene Laverty is there to beat his established team mate Nicky Hayden.

Everyone likes to predict failure for Bradders, but he manned up last season (and crashed a fair bit) and took his first MotoGP podium. If the Yamaha is improved, he should be able to run with Cal Crutchlow's Honda and he is getting better with every season.

That said, you have to say the best hope of a Brit podium or two is Cal. Few riders are as determined and he has a point to prove, which always makes him fast. He is the man most likely to make fifth spot his own and hopefully, on a good day, even challenge the four factory bikes ahead. The first few races of the season are Cal's (and Bradley's) best hope of taking some silverware as the factory boys adjust to their improved 2015 machines. As for Scott Redding, he is a hell of a rider, fiercely determined and super fit so he should have a few good showings. It will take him a while to adapt to the RCV, so expect a strong end to Scotty's season, especially if he gets a few HRC go-faster bits. The only fly in the Brit's ointment could be Pol, if he finds his form he is also a serious fifth spot challenger.

PH2 prediction: Cal top Brit, Bradders second and Scott third with Cal taking two podiums.

Jack Miller will be aiming for best rookie...
Jack Miller will be aiming for best rookie...
Who will be top rookie?
There are really only two names when it comes to top rookie - Jack Miller and Maverick Vinales. The fact the former has HRC's blessing and an RCV under him gives Jack the advantage over Suzuki-mounted Maverick but will Jack take more tumbles than Maverick?

PH2 is a huge Jack fan and it's a delight to see another grumpy, aggressive and brash Aussie on the grid. Hopefully his mullet will be trimmed back for 2015. This battle will go Jack's way.

PH2 prediction: Jack Miller wins top rookie and will lead one race for a few laps after a banzai overtaking move or a brave choice to stay out on inappropriate tyres...

... but has Maverick Vinales to beat
... but has Maverick Vinales to beat
What about the rest?
Aprilia may be back in MotoGP but this is very much a development year and that's why Marco is in the saddle. Top 10 finishes would be a good result but the team is basically circulating to gather data and get ready for 2016. Out of the two riders, expect Bautista to come out on top - both in results and trips to the gravel trap.

Speaking of gravel, Karel Abraham is another who will be lapping down the order. He's a talented rider, but alongside the Pramac duo of Petrucci and Hernandez they aren't going to bother the top eight unless there are a few crashes ahead. It would be lovely to see the privateer Honda do well, but once again it appears a bit of a slug. If Eugene, who is a very talented rider, can get the best of his vastly experienced team mate Nicky Hayden then he has done very well. Sadly for former Moto2 champ Bradl, his Forward Racing Yamaha isn't on the pace and as for his team mate Baz, well, he's not one that Brits like to cheer for after his WSB antics last year. The same goes for the Avintia Racing pair of Barbera and Di Meglio, a few top tens finishes would be amazing.



Author
Discussion

VonSenger

Original Poster:

2,465 posts

188 months

Saturday 28th March 2015
quotequote all
So same as last year then?

StuB

6,695 posts

238 months

Saturday 28th March 2015
quotequote all
A vintage year in prospect I hope. The depth of talent at & supporting the elite level is fantastic. Its a pity the level of tech demanded by the fuel & engine regs have effectively knobbled the tier 2 teams without top factory support. We need some tyre competition back to add spice now.

egor110

16,818 posts

202 months

Saturday 28th March 2015
quotequote all
VonSenger said:
So same as last year then?
Not really.

Just look how close the times are in testing top 19 riders split by a second, top 10 bikes split by three tenths, this is like moto3 closeness (if that's even a word)

People will say oh those times aren't real as some teams are using the soft tyre but crutchlow wasn't and iannone did hos time with a medium.

I'm not saying marquez isn't going to take the title but he's going to have to work for it this year.

RemyMartin

6,759 posts

204 months

Saturday 28th March 2015
quotequote all
Why the angry face?????

egor110

16,818 posts

202 months

Saturday 28th March 2015
quotequote all
RemyMartin said:
Why the angry face?????
Maybe he's a rossi fan wink

dukeboy749r

2,539 posts

209 months

Saturday 28th March 2015
quotequote all
Marc say's his biggest concern this year, in order to retain the title, are all fo the challengers - he rates Rossi, Jorge, Pedrosa and even (hooray) the odd Ducati challenge. (please please please)

egor110

16,818 posts

202 months

Saturday 28th March 2015
quotequote all
dukeboy749r said:
Marc say's his biggest concern this year, in order to retain the title, are all fo the challengers - he rates Rossi, Jorge, Pedrosa and even (hooray) the odd Ducati challenge. (please please please)
Iannone did set his quick lap on mediums, so shows promise for race day.

Oz83

687 posts

138 months

Sunday 29th March 2015
quotequote all
So much for the Ducati prediction...