MotoGP Portimao - contains spoilers
Discussion
Bit early perhaps but Marc had the okay to return to racing yesterday:
https://www.gpone.com/en/2021/04/10/motogp/marc-ma...
So now I gotta figure out who to take out of my fantasy team
Other highlights to watch out for:
Can Oliveira replicate his winning performance from last year?
Will feedback from Dovi help Aleix get a podium?
Are Ducati and Yamaha continuing to set the pace or can Suzuki, Honda & KTM join the party?
https://www.gpone.com/en/2021/04/10/motogp/marc-ma...
So now I gotta figure out who to take out of my fantasy team
Other highlights to watch out for:
Can Oliveira replicate his winning performance from last year?
Will feedback from Dovi help Aleix get a podium?
Are Ducati and Yamaha continuing to set the pace or can Suzuki, Honda & KTM join the party?
Surely Marquez will really struggle this year, wouldn't surprise me if he doesn't even podium this year.
Vinales has to deliver this year, assuming Quartararo fades away with the pressure.
Ducatis appear to be running superchargers which might skew the results but can Miller (underdilivered so far) or Zarco be consistent enough?
More knowledgeable can happily talk more sense.
Vinales has to deliver this year, assuming Quartararo fades away with the pressure.
Ducatis appear to be running superchargers which might skew the results but can Miller (underdilivered so far) or Zarco be consistent enough?
More knowledgeable can happily talk more sense.
There are aspects that concern me.
I believe that he knows his mind as do his doctors and the team which is why he has waited for what seems like a full and complete heal, anything else perhaps would injure him permanently, which maybe explains the delay. As he crashes routinely on either side.
And that might still be the case, he will not know.
but I think if you expect anything less than before you might be shocked, I guess if he can't ride like that he will not, but he might also be able to reign it in a little, but I doubt it.
I believe that he knows his mind as do his doctors and the team which is why he has waited for what seems like a full and complete heal, anything else perhaps would injure him permanently, which maybe explains the delay. As he crashes routinely on either side.
And that might still be the case, he will not know.
but I think if you expect anything less than before you might be shocked, I guess if he can't ride like that he will not, but he might also be able to reign it in a little, but I doubt it.
Fraser Rogers is joining the Moto2 grid - https://twitter.com/FraserRogers89/status/13816758...
hmmmm on the NTS, but that'll mean less pressure and more learning. Replacing Barry Baltus.
hmmmm on the NTS, but that'll mean less pressure and more learning. Replacing Barry Baltus.
I saw that. Good opportunity for him, even just being at that level for a few weeks.
I think Marquez will do well (I wouldn't be surprised to see him WC). He was so far above the others in 2019 he should be competitive even if he's lost a fraction until he gets back up to speed.
Last years racing was good. But if last year a rider could win the WC by finishing 4th in every race it just shows how much better MM is, when you consider how many wins and podiums he had in 2019. In fact the 2020 season lost an edge because we knew the most talented rider was at home. If any other challenger was out for the season it wouldn't have been noticed.
I think Marquez will do well (I wouldn't be surprised to see him WC). He was so far above the others in 2019 he should be competitive even if he's lost a fraction until he gets back up to speed.
Last years racing was good. But if last year a rider could win the WC by finishing 4th in every race it just shows how much better MM is, when you consider how many wins and podiums he had in 2019. In fact the 2020 season lost an edge because we knew the most talented rider was at home. If any other challenger was out for the season it wouldn't have been noticed.
It is about wining against whatever the opposition is, no-one else could mount s decent challenge
It was the same in 2000 when Kenny won, he was the only rider to mount a decent challenge, built points early on and was struggling later when Rossi came tot he fore, I hate it when people diss Mir for not winning much, it's about the title, nothing more.
Another reason why 99 and 2000 were close was because mick was gone, same as last year, the dominant factor is gone, everyone else panics as they think they can win, hence great racing, a mixed up year and a fabulous range of winners. Once MM gets back it will be maybe 2 or 3 praps when he falls off!
It was the same in 2000 when Kenny won, he was the only rider to mount a decent challenge, built points early on and was struggling later when Rossi came tot he fore, I hate it when people diss Mir for not winning much, it's about the title, nothing more.
Another reason why 99 and 2000 were close was because mick was gone, same as last year, the dominant factor is gone, everyone else panics as they think they can win, hence great racing, a mixed up year and a fabulous range of winners. Once MM gets back it will be maybe 2 or 3 praps when he falls off!
LukeBrown66 said:
It was the same in 2000 when Kenny won, he was the only rider to mount a decent challenge, built points early on and was struggling later when Rossi came tot he fore, I hate it when people diss Mir for not winning much, it's about the title, nothing more.
Marquez says the same thing, he says he's there to win titles not races.https://www.crash.net/motogp/feature/974925/1/my-t...
I agree with those that think Marc will still ride it like he stole it.
I think if he couldn’t ride as hard as usual, then he wouldn’t, again as has already been said, maybe that’s why it’s taken so long for him to return.
Let’s face it, he has enough money to retire should that have to happen due to more injuries. (I know no racer wants that though.)
He’d never settle for being an “also ran”.
I too am happy to see him back. Much as I think he’s a little sneak, he’s awesome to watch.
Roll on Sunday.
I want to see some battles though, not just a couple of passes in the last laps. Who do we think is most likely to fight as hard as Marc when confronted with him on track? At the moment I honestly think it’s Zarco who least gives a s
t about upsetting anyone, so let’s hope they can end up in close proximity of each other on track.
Oh and Bagnaia too.
I think if he couldn’t ride as hard as usual, then he wouldn’t, again as has already been said, maybe that’s why it’s taken so long for him to return.
Let’s face it, he has enough money to retire should that have to happen due to more injuries. (I know no racer wants that though.)
He’d never settle for being an “also ran”.
I too am happy to see him back. Much as I think he’s a little sneak, he’s awesome to watch.
Roll on Sunday.
I want to see some battles though, not just a couple of passes in the last laps. Who do we think is most likely to fight as hard as Marc when confronted with him on track? At the moment I honestly think it’s Zarco who least gives a s
t about upsetting anyone, so let’s hope they can end up in close proximity of each other on track. Oh and Bagnaia too.
marky911 said:
I want to see some battles though, not just a couple of passes in the last laps. Who do we think is most likely to fight as hard as Marc when confronted with him on track? At the moment I honestly think it’s Zarco who least gives a st about upsetting anyone, so let’s hope they can end up in close proximity of each other on track.
Zarco I agree with, Mir & Martin are both fearsome competitors as is Brad. Frankie & Bestia both have the potential to "do a Dovi" on Marquez which is also fun. t about upsetting anyone, so let’s hope they can end up in close proximity of each other on track.
epom said:
All eyes on free practice in the morning
Nope! To the cry of "FREEEEDOM!!!" I will be attacking *ahem* wobbling around apexes and exploring long missed roads in celebration of the Tartan Trumpette finally allowing us out of our local area.Friday night catch up ofc
StuB said:
epom said:
All eyes on free practice in the morning
Cannot wait 
hiccy18 said:
Nope! To the cry of "FREEEEDOM!!!" I will be attacking *ahem* wobbling around apexes and exploring long missed roads in celebration of the Tartan Trumpette finally allowing us out of our local area.
Friday night catch up ofc
Is it that time already! Yippee, Friday night catch up ofc
..
(Got no where to go except Tesco though)
Edited by Skyedriver on Thursday 15th April 16:53
epom said:
All eyes on free practice in the morning
Nope! To the cry of "FREEEEDOM!!!" I will be attacking *ahem* wobbling around apexes and exploring long missed roads in celebration of the Tartan Trumpette finally allowing us out of our local area. Friday night catch up ofc
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff