MotoGP Portimao - contains spoilers

[StuB]

FourWheelDrift said:

StuB said:

epom said:

All eyes on free practice in the morning

Cannot wait

You might have to wait till later, rain predicted tomorrow - https://weather.com/en-GB/weather/tenday/l/5d6a66e...

Well MM's running into turn 1 >200 mph and yes, plenty of damp patches on the track. Pol's stuck a decent lap in FP1, but I don't think 1m 43's are going to be at the top of the laptimes for long (the fact that Salvadori is currently P7 speaks volumes).

[epom]

He’s currently 2.3 seconds faster than his brother !! And now he’s gone fastest with 5 mins to go

[Haigha]

I'd like to have watched this one, but in France with Freesat no WiFi and poor 4g.
So it'll be highlights on itv4 Monday.

If marquez can do top 10 in race then that would be really impressive.

[StuB]

epom said:

He’s currently 2.3 seconds faster than his brother !! And now he’s gone fastest with 5 mins to go

Impressive, but his comments about relaxing and having fun seem to have disappeared into the air.

Wonder who's sensible enough to be looking at a race set up though, as they're essentially on similar kit to the last race of last season and who knows if it wont be damp on Sunday?

Petronas must be hoping for a significantly better weekend (in all classes)!

[StuB]

Massive on MM's face in the pit box right now, which says everything we need to know.

[twizellb]

He's back alright

[ArnageWRC]

There are some sportsmen who you never write off - they're cut from a different cloth. MM93 is one of those. I won't rule him out of winning the Title, until it's mathematically possible.

While it's early days, FP1, it's looking promising.

[ajprice]

ArnageWRC said:

There are some sportsmen who you never write off - they're cut from a different cloth. MM93 is one of those. I won't rule him out of winning the Title, until it's mathematically possible.

While it's early days, FP1, it's looking promising.

Before this weekend I thought that whenever and wherever he came back, he would either struggle and come nowhere, or blitz it like he had never been away. It does look like option 2 so far.

[joema]

Once his visor goes down full brappp is inevitable.

No use of 2021 bike, a whole season and two races and tests down and he's third. Mighty.
He's the best.

[egor110]

ajprice said:

ArnageWRC said:

There are some sportsmen who you never write off - they're cut from a different cloth. MM93 is one of those. I won't rule him out of winning the Title, until it's mathematically possible.

While it's early days, FP1, it's looking promising.

Before this weekend I thought that whenever and wherever he came back, he would either struggle and come nowhere, or blitz it like he had never been away. It does look like option 2 so far.

Thing is if any rider could it's Marquez.

I'm glad he's back i just hope some others can give him a decent fight .

[stevemcs]

MM is 15/8 to win, even the bookies think he is back

[Freakuk]

Well he wobbled around for a lap or two before showing why he's been a multiple WC that's for sure. However it's a damp track so who knows what everyone else is doing when all eyes were focused on MM.

I'm more interested in race day to be honest, he's got FP2, FP3 and FP4, plus potentially 2 qualifying sessions before a long race, that's a lot of hard work on an unknown arm without even considering a crash (god forbid).

I'm not his biggest fan, but I'm more than impressed with how he's jumped back on a bike in that depth of field and got P3 in FP1.

[snagzie]

stevemcs said:

MM is 15/8 to win, even the bookies think he is back

Thats very short odds. I'd go for Vinales personally. (edit - its that final long right that does it for me)

Well done though MM, was good to see him back despite all the moaning I've done about him (to my Mrs)

[LukeBrown66]

As I sort of expected really, he has done what most do not do and waited for a clear medical clear to race, and also be ABLE to crash on that arm and potentially do no further damage. Infection is gone, and he is still taking meds to help or keep it at bay.

Infection was the key as also I believe was HRC and his ability to know what Marc is like and make sure he did not get to a point where he was basically disabled, as I think there was a chance early 2020 that he would have done anything to return, I am glad either himself or Honda put a stop to that.

[the tribester]

Imagine the other riders faces in the pit when MM topped the timings with 5 mins to go. If he can do it at a high speed turn one brake heavy circuit, he's back.

[epom]

Agree with above Vinales looks to be favourite again to me.

[hiccy18]

So what we're saying is MM93 is less rusty than me even though I've ridden all winter? That is a surprise!

Not watched it yet to be able to pontificate as I normally would but from glancing at the timings would it be fair to say the Suzukis looked good?

ETA: Feck it, swapped Vinales out of my fantasy team for MM93

Edited by hiccy18 on Friday 16th April 19:05

[Zarco]

the tribester said:

Imagine the other riders faces in the pit when MM topped the timings with 5 mins to go. If he can do it at a high speed turn one brake heavy circuit, he's back.

On a track he's not ridden before either I believe?

The King is back.

[ddom]

Marquez faster than Espargaro with one arm.

Figures

I found it fascinating today. The other riders had to be interested in what MM would do, and he did it. That slide cost him a bit, but it's obvious he is fit in the main as he just kept it pinned. All smiles when he went back to the pit. I think we are witnessing the GOAT and it's time to enjoy it whilst it lasts. Bagnaia is such a breath of fresh air, and Zarco will have that factory seat if Miller doesn't get his st together. On Miller, nice to see he was taxi again

Lowes looked decent, his team mate is getting closer. I think tomorrow he'll be at the sharp end.

It's gonna be a great weekend

[egor110]

Of all the current riders who do you think could make a decent job of riding the honda bar Marquez ?

Is it a case of promoting a moto3 rider so he gets on the honda with no big bike experience to compare to the honda ?