The Official Losail Moto GP Thread - With Spoilers
Discussion
huckster6 said:
Just watched the edited race.
Rossi was, of course, magnificent and magical. It's so good to see him dicing for the lead. I do hope this is a portent of the races to come. The name Crutchlow was only mentioned once, I think, as the winners had already gone over the line. Scott Redding got about two mentions though Bradders was rightly highlighted.
The actual broadcast was routine. Ever heard the beautiful BB King song title "The thrill is gone"? The 'Highlights' idea really isn't thrilling when you're not on the edge of your seat with the immediacy of real-time pictures.
The commentary we were given on shows that Parish & Cox were almost in the Murray Walker category for great commentators. We got routine meandering without sparkle, which didn't add anything to the pictures. Parish and Cox had first hand knowledge of racing, good rapport and an amusing way with words.
I thought the whole thing was pretty pointless as a spectacle. It just seems to fill no niche in the racing scene. I think it's an empty fake which exists to fuel a fantasy world of a small group of spectacularly over-wealthy dunderheads - rather like the people who'd buy any of the stupid cars in "Arab Millionaire Boy Racers in London!" [ YouTube clip http://youtu.be/9_f2Ck1nJ_k ]
The fixture looks like a silly publicity gimmick for the Losail new town development just outside Doha, apparently. The climate alone is inhospitable enough for few but desperate chancers'd want to be in the first place. I sense a PR-Marketing concoction for people who want to appear like Big Time Players. Tax write offs and HUGE fees and Commissions for the promoters, d'y'think?
As far as I could see, there must have been at least a couple of thousand spectators who bothered to turn to turn up to sit in the grandstand. I definitely did also see at least three marshals standing in a gap in the mesh safety fence. So it wasn't like there could have been many raving motorcycle tifosi.
Still, that is all very much better than nothing at all, for those of us without loads of money.
Does anyone have a hi-res version of this?Rossi was, of course, magnificent and magical. It's so good to see him dicing for the lead. I do hope this is a portent of the races to come. The name Crutchlow was only mentioned once, I think, as the winners had already gone over the line. Scott Redding got about two mentions though Bradders was rightly highlighted.
The actual broadcast was routine. Ever heard the beautiful BB King song title "The thrill is gone"? The 'Highlights' idea really isn't thrilling when you're not on the edge of your seat with the immediacy of real-time pictures.
The commentary we were given on shows that Parish & Cox were almost in the Murray Walker category for great commentators. We got routine meandering without sparkle, which didn't add anything to the pictures. Parish and Cox had first hand knowledge of racing, good rapport and an amusing way with words.
I thought the whole thing was pretty pointless as a spectacle. It just seems to fill no niche in the racing scene. I think it's an empty fake which exists to fuel a fantasy world of a small group of spectacularly over-wealthy dunderheads - rather like the people who'd buy any of the stupid cars in "Arab Millionaire Boy Racers in London!" [ YouTube clip http://youtu.be/9_f2Ck1nJ_k ]
The fixture looks like a silly publicity gimmick for the Losail new town development just outside Doha, apparently. The climate alone is inhospitable enough for few but desperate chancers'd want to be in the first place. I sense a PR-Marketing concoction for people who want to appear like Big Time Players. Tax write offs and HUGE fees and Commissions for the promoters, d'y'think?
As far as I could see, there must have been at least a couple of thousand spectators who bothered to turn to turn up to sit in the grandstand. I definitely did also see at least three marshals standing in a gap in the mesh safety fence. So it wasn't like there could have been many raving motorcycle tifosi.
Still, that is all very much better than nothing at all, for those of us without loads of money.
It's not clear
Quinny said:
All races were brilliant, but the biggest disappointment for me was Pedrosa
..
I'm a big fan of Dani, and yes he finished on the podium, but where was the fight?.
He's never gone well at Qatar 'cause of his struggle with low grip conditions. After seeing Lorenzo, Bradl, Bautista and Bradley hit the deck in front of him it spooked him a bit - I read an interview somewhere, basically he was happy just to finish, take the points and move on in one piece...I'm a big fan of Dani, and yes he finished on the podium, but where was the fight?.
Lincsblokey said:
graphene said:
If you had Rossi, Marquez, Stoner, Lorenzo and Pedrosa together in a race with 5-laps to go, then I would put Dani last every time.
Yup.He'd rather ride around safely just close enough to bag a podium position if/when the leaders take each other out, rather than get all argy bargy himself for a position.
He's a great rider though, just not a fighter.
Lincsblokey said:
Quinny said:
All races were brilliant, but the biggest disappointment for me was Pedrosa..
I'm a big fan of Dani, and yes he finished on the podium, but where was the fight?.
The Bridesmaid will be out on his ear come the years end...I'm a big fan of Dani, and yes he finished on the podium, but where was the fight?.
Edited by Dare2Fail on Thursday 27th March 22:57
Pedrosa delivers year in year out race wins and manufacturer points. Is generally safe pair of hands and is Spanish.
If you were Honda, why would you replace him. Ideally you want 1 nailed on winner, and 1 who will win occassionally and not offend the sponsors.
My view is that Lorenzo will be quite keen to leave Yamaha at the end fo the year if Marquez wins the championship again. Perhaps Honda will want to change things around and have Lorenzo and Marquez, which would be interesting. However the cost of having the 2 of them would be huge.
Also, if it doesn't work out, Pedrosa would possibly be on the Yamaha, so now you've got a problem as perhaps that really works for him and now you're in a worse position ... etc etc ..
Pedrosa has been unlucky with injuries, he doesn't bounce well and he's made of glass. He also suffers i think with needing the bike to be perfecyly set up and is not as able as others to ride around issues.
But as a number 2 rider in a works team there isn't anyone much better at not crashing your bike every week, consistently being on the podium, delivering 2-4 race wins a year, has the right passport, probably doesn't cost so much ....
If Lorenzo is keen to leave Yamaha, it would even more entertaining for Honda to keep Pedrosa and Marquez and then watch the frustrated Lorenzo trying to battle on ...
Aleix Espagaro has never won a GP, not won a championship and has a singificant bike advantage against the same class runners and even against the factory bikes in qually.
But he fell apart like a cheap suit on Saturday afternoon and failed to live up to the hype on Sunday night. I can't say I'm as convinced as other about his abilities. He's a talented guy on that grid, but not worthy of a factory seat based on anything I've seen form him in the last 3-4 seasons.
If you were Honda, why would you replace him. Ideally you want 1 nailed on winner, and 1 who will win occassionally and not offend the sponsors.
My view is that Lorenzo will be quite keen to leave Yamaha at the end fo the year if Marquez wins the championship again. Perhaps Honda will want to change things around and have Lorenzo and Marquez, which would be interesting. However the cost of having the 2 of them would be huge.
Also, if it doesn't work out, Pedrosa would possibly be on the Yamaha, so now you've got a problem as perhaps that really works for him and now you're in a worse position ... etc etc ..
Pedrosa has been unlucky with injuries, he doesn't bounce well and he's made of glass. He also suffers i think with needing the bike to be perfecyly set up and is not as able as others to ride around issues.
But as a number 2 rider in a works team there isn't anyone much better at not crashing your bike every week, consistently being on the podium, delivering 2-4 race wins a year, has the right passport, probably doesn't cost so much ....
If Lorenzo is keen to leave Yamaha, it would even more entertaining for Honda to keep Pedrosa and Marquez and then watch the frustrated Lorenzo trying to battle on ...
Aleix Espagaro has never won a GP, not won a championship and has a singificant bike advantage against the same class runners and even against the factory bikes in qually.
But he fell apart like a cheap suit on Saturday afternoon and failed to live up to the hype on Sunday night. I can't say I'm as convinced as other about his abilities. He's a talented guy on that grid, but not worthy of a factory seat based on anything I've seen form him in the last 3-4 seasons.
First season for Bradley, multiple seasons for Aleix.
Differing set ups, classes and advantages and there's plenty of other reasons.
If I had the choice of Espagaro snr or Smith, I wouldn't think twice. I'd take Smith every single time.
When did Aleix last get a podium, win etc in any class... Smith, has multiple.
Differing set ups, classes and advantages and there's plenty of other reasons.
If I had the choice of Espagaro snr or Smith, I wouldn't think twice. I'd take Smith every single time.
When did Aleix last get a podium, win etc in any class... Smith, has multiple.
Johno said:
Pedrosa delivers year in year out race wins and manufacturer points. Is generally safe pair of hands and is Spanish.
If you were Honda, why would you replace him. Ideally you want 1 nailed on winner, and 1 who will win occassionally and not offend the sponsors.
My view is that Lorenzo will be quite keen to leave Yamaha at the end fo the year if Marquez wins the championship again. Perhaps Honda will want to change things around and have Lorenzo and Marquez, which would be interesting. However the cost of having the 2 of them would be huge.
Also, if it doesn't work out, Pedrosa would possibly be on the Yamaha, so now you've got a problem as perhaps that really works for him and now you're in a worse position ... etc etc ..
Pedrosa has been unlucky with injuries, he doesn't bounce well and he's made of glass. He also suffers i think with needing the bike to be perfecyly set up and is not as able as others to ride around issues.
But as a number 2 rider in a works team there isn't anyone much better at not crashing your bike every week, consistently being on the podium, delivering 2-4 race wins a year, has the right passport, probably doesn't cost so much ....
If Lorenzo is keen to leave Yamaha, it would even more entertaining for Honda to keep Pedrosa and Marquez and then watch the frustrated Lorenzo trying to battle on ...
Aleix Espagaro has never won a GP, not won a championship and has a singificant bike advantage against the same class runners and even against the factory bikes in qually.
But he fell apart like a cheap suit on Saturday afternoon and failed to live up to the hype on Sunday night. I can't say I'm as convinced as other about his abilities. He's a talented guy on that grid, but not worthy of a factory seat based on anything I've seen form him in the last 3-4 seasons.
Agree in some ways, but I'll say one thing, talented lads are queuing up for DP's bike.If you were Honda, why would you replace him. Ideally you want 1 nailed on winner, and 1 who will win occassionally and not offend the sponsors.
My view is that Lorenzo will be quite keen to leave Yamaha at the end fo the year if Marquez wins the championship again. Perhaps Honda will want to change things around and have Lorenzo and Marquez, which would be interesting. However the cost of having the 2 of them would be huge.
Also, if it doesn't work out, Pedrosa would possibly be on the Yamaha, so now you've got a problem as perhaps that really works for him and now you're in a worse position ... etc etc ..
Pedrosa has been unlucky with injuries, he doesn't bounce well and he's made of glass. He also suffers i think with needing the bike to be perfecyly set up and is not as able as others to ride around issues.
But as a number 2 rider in a works team there isn't anyone much better at not crashing your bike every week, consistently being on the podium, delivering 2-4 race wins a year, has the right passport, probably doesn't cost so much ....
If Lorenzo is keen to leave Yamaha, it would even more entertaining for Honda to keep Pedrosa and Marquez and then watch the frustrated Lorenzo trying to battle on ...
Aleix Espagaro has never won a GP, not won a championship and has a singificant bike advantage against the same class runners and even against the factory bikes in qually.
But he fell apart like a cheap suit on Saturday afternoon and failed to live up to the hype on Sunday night. I can't say I'm as convinced as other about his abilities. He's a talented guy on that grid, but not worthy of a factory seat based on anything I've seen form him in the last 3-4 seasons.
My money is on JL having it, but even if he doesn't.
IF bradl can string a good season together, I'm pretty sure he will be given a year or so on it before Maverick is moved up.
Aleix won't be off Honda's radar either.
Another rumour is that Ten Kate have been offered an upgraded proddy RCV for 2015 to take J Rea.
I think the musical chairs will start once Rossi decided what he is doing, let's wait a couple of races before everyone give is the big 'He's back' thing (again!!) he went well at Qatar last year and people were getting moist whilst shouting that he was back. His season wasn't exactly stellar after that was it?
My feeling (and that of a few journos too) is if he isn't in the top three in the championship during Mugello he will call it a day.
There are plenty of talented guys who may deserve a crack at Dani's bike, but none of them come close to his performances yet.
Not sure I see Honda paying the salary demands of Lorenzo and Marquez, unless like Rossi had too, Lorenzo takes a wage cut. But I do think Lorenzi will be keen to move if he has a bad season.
Vinales will have to do something incredible in Moto2 this year if he's to be considered for that ride in anything less than 2 seasons, but he is on the treadmill to it, but I also thought he had Yamaha connections in the background as well - could be well off the mark there, but sure I'd picked something up.
Bradl just consistently dissapoints, perhaps this year is his year to shine. Bautista the same ...
Again though, apart from reducing salary costs why would you change Dani? Just for a less proven package - unless you want 2 people to challenge for the title ...
Not sure I see Honda paying the salary demands of Lorenzo and Marquez, unless like Rossi had too, Lorenzo takes a wage cut. But I do think Lorenzi will be keen to move if he has a bad season.
Vinales will have to do something incredible in Moto2 this year if he's to be considered for that ride in anything less than 2 seasons, but he is on the treadmill to it, but I also thought he had Yamaha connections in the background as well - could be well off the mark there, but sure I'd picked something up.
Bradl just consistently dissapoints, perhaps this year is his year to shine. Bautista the same ...
Again though, apart from reducing salary costs why would you change Dani? Just for a less proven package - unless you want 2 people to challenge for the title ...
Dare2Fail said:
I keep hearing this, but who would you replace him with? You have three guys (four if you include Rossi) and one of them is Pedrosa. Why would you drop him? He hasn't won the title but he is fast, consistent and he wins races. The only person I can think of is A Esp, but that is only based on his recent performances and would still be a bit of a gamble.
If I were a team manager, I wouldn't replace Dani.... I think he's an absolutely fantastic rider, and all round good guy.Edited by Dare2Fail on Thursday 27th March 22:57
Not every rider can be champion... Look at Biaggi, Mamola and plenty of others that rode at top level on good equipment for years! and due to circumstances, or a bit of bad luck never got their hands on the trophy.......
As a fan of Dani, I just thought he was lacking in that race, but at the end of the day he came away with 16 points, when a lot of his rivals got a big fat zero
... Maybe he's playing it safe?? Who's to say what will happen throughout the season?? I just want him to do well and not get injured this year..
As for A esp....... Could Honda afford the repair bill
Just found the Ben Spies crash from Qatar last year, every single crash I saw (except Iannone in race and Smith's practice highside) was just like this one. And almost all going into the same or similar left hander.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSUh9CO6YxI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSUh9CO6YxI
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