Discussion
So boys and girls, the beak is nearly over and we're back with the first of a double header at Misano.
So what do you say?
Who, what, where, when and who's going ot matter....
And will we see a closure to the Ducati musical chairs fiasco.......
I'm fancying the KTM's to make a strong showing, even a podium for BB or MO, both making strong showings of late.
Hopefully Yamaha will raise their game and stop snatching defeat at every turn, Honda to be ok but heavily dependent on Taka turning up...
And Suzuki i think wil go from strength ot strength, maybe a win for Mir or Rins as he must be getting sronger with the 3 week rest....
Zarco will fluff it of course, despite the fan boi adoration here
So what do you say?
Who, what, where, when and who's going ot matter....
And will we see a closure to the Ducati musical chairs fiasco.......
I'm fancying the KTM's to make a strong showing, even a podium for BB or MO, both making strong showings of late.
Hopefully Yamaha will raise their game and stop snatching defeat at every turn, Honda to be ok but heavily dependent on Taka turning up...
And Suzuki i think wil go from strength ot strength, maybe a win for Mir or Rins as he must be getting sronger with the 3 week rest....
Zarco will fluff it of course, despite the fan boi adoration here
Sitting in a caravan in a field in sunny Teesdale rather than sunning ourselves on the Adriatic coast.... f
kin virus 
I suppose it could be worse as unlike Jorge Martin at least I don't have the fkin thing! So we can count him out for the next two Moto2 podiums.
Ducati said at Austria that they would make an announcement about riders before Misano and I expected Jorge Martin to be announced already but so far the only news is they will definitely have Bagnaia and Zarco but have not made their minds up over who in which team; personally I think Zarco might get the nod on a one year deal giving them the flexibility to change their mind the following year. Shame for Avintia either way although Bastianini on a GP20 might go well there with good support from Ducati.
Yamaha, KTM and Suzuki I think are all in with a shout for podiums along with Ducati so that's the top 12 with podium pace; getting a place directly to Q2 will be vital and heroics from the third row will be hard. So:
Best qualifier with great pace: Quartararo
Most consistent: Dovi
Most to gain/lose: Zarco
That's her majesties prediction for the podium, I'll wait until after FP2 I think.
kin virus I suppose it could be worse as unlike Jorge Martin at least I don't have the fkin thing! So we can count him out for the next two Moto2 podiums.Ducati said at Austria that they would make an announcement about riders before Misano and I expected Jorge Martin to be announced already but so far the only news is they will definitely have Bagnaia and Zarco but have not made their minds up over who in which team; personally I think Zarco might get the nod on a one year deal giving them the flexibility to change their mind the following year. Shame for Avintia either way although Bastianini on a GP20 might go well there with good support from Ducati.
Yamaha, KTM and Suzuki I think are all in with a shout for podiums along with Ducati so that's the top 12 with podium pace; getting a place directly to Q2 will be vital and heroics from the third row will be hard. So:
Best qualifier with great pace: Quartararo
Most consistent: Dovi
Most to gain/lose: Zarco
That's her majesties prediction for the podium, I'll wait until after FP2 I think.
The problem with Zarco goin to the factory seat is who is the team lead? him or Jack??
Apologies but JZ hasn't shown he's overflowing with leadership potential thus far...
With Pecco, you can see the team structure and logical prorgression over the coming seasnons.
I think JZ will go to Pramac and be held in reserve in case something goes awry. His age isn't his strong suit....
Apologies but JZ hasn't shown he's overflowing with leadership potential thus far...
With Pecco, you can see the team structure and logical prorgression over the coming seasnons.
I think JZ will go to Pramac and be held in reserve in case something goes awry. His age isn't his strong suit....
Edited by Steve Bass on Thursday 10th September 16:13
Well my predictions so far have been a jinx for those involved. Fabio went extremely well here last year and Lorenzo won when the wife and I went to Misano a few years ago. Without a big straight and heavy braking areas it's similar to Jerez.
However as the KTM, Suzuki and Ducati are all better bikes now, it would be a surprise to see a Yamaha on the top step. So given the accuracy of my predictions so far, this almost certainly won't be the podium:
1. Dovi
2. Quatararo
3. Mir
Who can tell now what's happening? That's before we talk about Ducati musical chairs. Motomatters saying Dovi has test rider offers from everyone bar KTM and a race offer from Aprilia.
However as the KTM, Suzuki and Ducati are all better bikes now, it would be a surprise to see a Yamaha on the top step. So given the accuracy of my predictions so far, this almost certainly won't be the podium:
1. Dovi
2. Quatararo
3. Mir
Who can tell now what's happening? That's before we talk about Ducati musical chairs. Motomatters saying Dovi has test rider offers from everyone bar KTM and a race offer from Aprilia.
the cueball said:
Just to make you feel better, I made it out, currently in Baden-Baden and riding down to Misano tomorrow...
Good man, hope you have a great time. 
The Yam's and Mir looked great in FP1, Aprilia desperately need a great rider for that bike, A.Esp only seems to be able to do the times when he's getting dragged around by someone else. JZ and Miller looked good, electrical and setup issues restriced Dovi's running and Petrux says the atmosphere in the garage is dreadul, oh dear....
Good weekend for motorsports Italy wise.
The F1 cars are immensly quick around Mugello.... they'd lap the MotoGP field after 3 laps gulp.
Loving the MotoGP season so far. Nice to see the "privateers" mixing it with the factory guys. I still can't decide if MM missing is a blessing or whether it would have added more interest in the battle.
The F1 cars are immensly quick around Mugello.... they'd lap the MotoGP field after 3 laps gulp.
Loving the MotoGP season so far. Nice to see the "privateers" mixing it with the factory guys. I still can't decide if MM missing is a blessing or whether it would have added more interest in the battle.
FourWheelDrift said:
Turn7 said:
Bastia 99% to Avintia according to Ruben Xaus......
Yep, it's never going to be Marini. He's going to replace Rossi when Marini moves up with Rossi involved in managing. It's the only solution Dorna have to keep the Rossi crowds.Fabio & Maverick both have cracking race pace, if they can get in front at the first corner they look like they will run and hide again. After them Dovi, Pol and Morbidelli will likely be vying for the last spot on the podium with the Suzuki's close behind. Usual suspects rounding out the top ten, most likely being Rossi, Zarco & Oliveira.
However the strong qualifiers and starters will upset the running order and create breaks in the pack so expect Zarco to be running in the top five early on and Rins clawing his way through the field. Prediction:
1. Fabio
2. Vinales
3. P.Esp
4. Mir
5. Dovi
6. Rins
7. Zarco
8. Franky
9. Rossi
10. Nakagami
11. Oliveira
12. Petrux
Goin full Mystic Meg this weekend
Forgot Miller actually: rather than rewriting I'm going to suggest gravel for him, A.Esp and Lecuona. Pecco is going to struggle through the pain to bring it home in the points.
No Cal this weekend, sounds like there's a big problem with his armpump surgery.
However the strong qualifiers and starters will upset the running order and create breaks in the pack so expect Zarco to be running in the top five early on and Rins clawing his way through the field. Prediction:
1. Fabio
2. Vinales
3. P.Esp
4. Mir
5. Dovi
6. Rins
7. Zarco
8. Franky
9. Rossi
10. Nakagami
11. Oliveira
12. Petrux
Goin full Mystic Meg this weekend
Forgot Miller actually: rather than rewriting I'm going to suggest gravel for him, A.Esp and Lecuona. Pecco is going to struggle through the pain to bring it home in the points.No Cal this weekend, sounds like there's a big problem with his armpump surgery.
epom said:
Steve Bass said:
Yamaha bossing it in Q2!!
Penny must be dropping with Honda that they have a bike only one rider can ride ?? Bradl and Marquez having a shocker, Taka trying to maintain honour...
HRC must be wondering if they've driven themselves down a blind alley now, a one man team is always a risky proposition.
Steve Bass said:
epom said:
Steve Bass said:
Yamaha bossing it in Q2!!
Penny must be dropping with Honda that they have a bike only one rider can ride ?? Bradl and Marquez having a shocker, Taka trying to maintain honour...
HRC must be wondering if they've driven themselves down a blind alley now, a one man team is always a risky proposition.
Stuart Fordyce said:
Well my predictions so far have been a jinx for those involved. Fabio went extremely well here last year and Lorenzo won when the wife and I went to Misano a few years ago. Without a big straight and heavy braking areas it's similar to Jerez.
However as the KTM, Suzuki and Ducati are all better bikes now, it would be a surprise to see a Yamaha on the top step. So given the accuracy of my predictions so far, this almost certainly won't be the podium :
1. Dovi
2. Quatararo
3. Mir
Who can tell now what's happening? That's before we talk about Ducati musical chairs. Motomatters saying Dovi has test rider offers from everyone bar KTM and a race offer from Aprilia.
; However as the KTM, Suzuki and Ducati are all better bikes now, it would be a surprise to see a Yamaha on the top step. So given the accuracy of my predictions so far, this almost certainly won't be the podium :
1. Dovi
2. Quatararo
3. Mir
Who can tell now what's happening? That's before we talk about Ducati musical chairs. Motomatters saying Dovi has test rider offers from everyone bar KTM and a race offer from Aprilia.
I've just watched qualifying and my predictions are as good as ever!
Big day for Yamaha tomorrow: can Maverick actually string a few early laps together with a full tank and cold tyres? If so, (and that's always the if with Maverick) he could disappear. I think Fabio and Frankie can run with him: no idea if Rossi can still slug it out right at the sharp end. Would be a fairytale if he did.
Cal's continuing injury issues surely put him behind Dovi in the queue for an Aprilia ride (as Cal crashes and Dovi basically doesn't). I think if Pecco manages to beat Zarco a few times that will be enough to get him the factory ride - Ducati will want an Italian even if Gigi wants Zarco. Given Jorge has barely ridden a motorcycle in 2020 I can't see him being anywhere close enough to full fitness.
Still, the injury to Marc has made this the most unpredictable season in years and most enjoyable.
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