2018 MOTOGP Season ****SPOILER ALERT*** *****WARNING - SPOILER *******

[The Black Knight]

2018 is on!!!

Very good pole from Zarco, can't believe the speed of the top 3 in qualifications. Top three destroyed the lap record that has stood for 10 years. I can't wait for tomorrow, the race looks good.

Marquez is setting up for another title. It's his to lose this year. Zarco is fast, but won't always be there and you could see Marquez sizing him up and watching.

Factory Yamaha, well they are picking up right where they left off, and that's going backwards. Good job, and keep up the good work.

Race predictions:
1. Marquez
2. Dovi or Zarco
3. ???

Yamaha's will be lucky to get into top 5.

2018 = dismal year for Factory Yamaha

[madvlad]

Zarco is a one or two lap type of guy, I'm not holding my breath on that dude. I'm sure same usual suspects however on Rossi I am kind of meh cause of the time change on the race and that could affect conditions for them. Should be a good race nonetheless

[The Black Knight]

Zarco is a one or two lap type of guy, I'm not holding my breath on that dude. I'm sure same usual suspects however on Rossi I am kind of meh cause of the time change on the race and that could affect conditions for them. Should be a good race nonetheless

He is, his overall race pace isn't the best. I'd say Dovi has probably the best race pace. Marquez is kind of up in the air, his pace is better than Zarco's. Rossi on the other hand, his race pace is good. He's not quite where Dovi is at, but he did churn out lots of good consistent laps and FP's weren't all that bad. Honestly, it's Vinales that's really all of nowhere. He only had a decent FP4 and even then, seemed to finally get it all together. If you compare Dovi's FP4(which is indicative of race pace) he was doing high high 55.9's and then a few 55.2's but then you look at Rossi and he did some 55.4's and then a bunch of low 56.0's. So really those two could trade pace during the race.

Rossi is a race day rider, so I expect they will find something for him in warm-up. Vinales in FP4 did do a lot of 55's and 56's, so he may have found something but sure didn't show it during Q2. Having gone 12th is a dismal Q2 and really Rossi's P8 in Q2 isn't that bad, considering he's done it before. I didn't think Rossi really had the pace for front row, but I certainly expected him at least on the 2nd row but oh well, is was it is.

He even said it, there are roughly 12 riders with more or less the same pace. So I think it will be a battle to get to the front first is what will win this race tomorrow. If Rossi can get to the front early and stay with the lead pack, then he's got a shot at the podium. Still I cautiously only see Rossi getting a 3rd for the podium(that's if it all comes together). If he pulls something more out then great but we shall wait and see.

[asp_125]

Heroic last three corners! Great race from Zarco, better luck next time with better tire management.

[The Black Knight]

Heroic last three corners! Great race from Zarco, better luck next time with better tire management.

Yeah I was a little surprised his tires went so quick. Thought he was going to be there until the end. Dovi has a rocket for a bike this year. That thing just blows past everyone down the straight. Marquez going for that banzai move at the end was good. And Rossi held it together and brought home some good points and probably a lot more in confidence that the bike is working better.

Looks like my predictions just about ended the way I thought. Figured Marquez would nab Dovi at the end and Dovi would have been 2nd. But the podium is about how I called it, Marquez, Dovi and Rossi.. Very good and hard race...

[madvlad]

Great start to the season, oh man that was awesome. Rossi still shutting people up, Zarco a bust as expected, he doesn't realize this isn't moto2 still lol. This season is already cooking up to be a great one

[The Black Knight]

Great start to the season, oh man that was awesome. Rossi still shutting people up, Zarco a bust as expected, he doesn't realize this isn't moto2 still lol. This season is already cooking up to be a great one

Yeah I'm just glad Zarco didn't do any of his typical bonehead Moto2 moves that he has in the past. He seemed to show some grace in being passed cleanly and didn't try a quick pass back and have his usual contact with the other rider.

I think that's what the others were really waiting on, it was for his tires to fall off.

Pedrosa was a little odd. Found speed, then lost speed, found speed and then lost it again. And Vinales, well as I mentioned the Yamaha's have the pace for the top 5 and he showed it. He certainly would have been there the whole race if not for that crappy qualifying he had. He did come back and gain many positions. Vinales seemed to have pulled a Rossi-esque comeback. Too little, too late though.

Keep in mind this is a Yamaha track and it fits their bike very well. I think we'll see the Factory Yamaha's do better in the season but I also think we may see their weaknesses exposed at tracks they don't normally go well at. Qatar is not really a Honda track, yet Marquez is always there. I don't think we will see the same from Team Yamaha.

What I think will be Rossi's best bet for a 10th title challenge this year will be to at least win where he can and then just go into damage limitation everywhere else, and then hope for the best. I just don't think Yamaha have provided a great bike this year. It's certainly miles ahead of the 2017 M1 but everyone else have moved the goal posts as well.

I agree with you, it is nice to see Rossi make a lot of people eat some crow. The guy is the little bulldog that never gives up. I will say this, I think Rossi is faster than he ever has been, everyone else is just as fast though.

I'm just glad 2018 MotoGP is finally here!!


p.s.
Oh yeah, I broke down and re-activated my MotoGP subscription. Just couldn't hold out any longer and waited until the beginning of MotoGP Q1 to start it up again.

It's like a bad habit man, you just can't say no. Which I basically had to have it anyways. Playstation Vue isn't bringing back BeIN sports anytime soon. And I just can't miss the action. The good thing is, there are way worse habits to have in life and this one(MotoGP) is mine

[salsashark]

p.s.
Oh yeah, I broke down and re-activated my MotoGP subscription. Just couldn't hold out any longer and waited until the beginning of MotoGP Q1 to start it up again.

It's like a bad habit man, you just can't say no. Which I basically had to have it anyways. Playstation Vue isn't bringing back BeIN sports anytime soon. And I just can't miss the action. The good thing is, there are way worse habits to have in life and this one(MotoGP) is mine

I did the same thing this morning... Just jab the needle back in my arm!

[Gramps]

Great start to the season, oh man that was awesome. Rossi still shutting people up, Zarco a bust as expected, he doesn't realize this isn't moto2 still lol. This season is already cooking up to be a great one

Great race for sure.

[madvlad]

Crackheads

[asp_125]

I did the same thing this morning... Just jab the needle back in my arm!

Crackheads

LOL Yeah.. I had it on auto renew since the last race of last season.

[madvlad]

I got this month free but may bite the bullet and join you guys haha. Would anyone be down to meet up for the Argentina round in 3 weeks?

[salsashark]

LOL Yeah.. I had it on auto renew since the last race of last season.

I had cancelled the auto-renew, but decided it was the best of all the bad options to watch GP.

I got this month free but may bite the bullet and join you guys haha. Would anyone be down to meet up for the Argentina round in 3 weeks?

Possibly

[madvlad]

So the race is next weekend at noon our time, broadcast starts around 10 am for the moto3 and then all the way to moto gp. As of right now BeIn in English will be broadcasting it live while of course the Spanish channel will focus on La liga soccer matches during that hour but they will rebroadcast the race until 5 pm. If anyone is interested in getting together I’m game.

[Kristian]

Looks like the new model is running the lower classes in an abbreviated format, then the premier class at full coverage. Easier to fit in a social/gathering !

[madvlad]

Races aren’t very long either way so they shouldn’t cut too much out on the race coverage but for the post race conferences which they’ve never given either way really.

[The Black Knight]

Wow, did not see this coming. Lorenzo accuses Dovizioso of undermining him and his morale, both now as teammates and while as rivals in the lower classes years ago. Man, I knew this guy was a dick but this takes it to a whole new level. Dovi is probably the most humble and down to earth guy on the grid and now Lorenzo thinks he's undermining him?? The only thing undermining you Lorenzo is how slow you are on the Ducati.

https://www.autosport.com/motogp/new...-undermine-him

[madvlad]

Surprise, surprise.... not. Lorenzo is a cry baby douche that does nothing but complain when things don’t go his way, that’s his usual rap. News flash douche, you’re not as good as you thought you were lol. He needs to give it a rest as he has better things to worry about like Petrucci possibly taking his seat next season if he keeps sucking the way he is. I’m sure this is just a way to also distabilize Dovi mentally because he knows he won’t be able to do so riding that Ducati cause he is simply not capable of figuring it out since the Yamaha was already developed when he got in. Fuck that douche, have zero respect for that dumbass and he wonders why a wall went up at the Yamaha garage and now we may see one at Ducati with this bs soon. This dude is such a coddled bitch man, unreal. He can’t handle the pressure

[The Black Knight]

Surprise, surprise.... not. Lorenzo is a cry baby douche that does nothing but complain when things don’t go his way, that’s his usual rap. News flash douche, you’re not as good as you thought you were lol. He needs to give it a rest as he has better things to worry about like Petrucci possibly taking his seat next season if he keeps sucking the way he is. I’m sure this is just a way to also distabilize Dovi mentally because he knows he won’t be able to do so riding that Ducati cause he is simply not capable of figuring it out since the Yamaha was already developed when he got in. Fuck that douche, have zero respect for that dumbass and he wonders why a wall went up at the Yamaha garage and now we may see one at Ducati with this bs soon. This dude is such a coddled bitch man, unreal. He can’t handle the pressure

I guess that's why the article caught me by surprise. I get why the whole Rossi and Lorenzo team went south. But Dovi?? I put Dovi in with Pedrosa, both of those guys are just way laid back and very humble. They just go about their work and do what they do when they can. Wasn't a huge fan of Pedrosa when he first stepped on scene(thought he was a bit overhyped from 250's) but he's matured into a very good, fast and competitive rider. He's the only guy with big numbers that doesn't have a MotoGP title to his name. And when the stars align for him, he's almost unbeatable.

Dovi on the other hand, I've always liked him as a rider. Just quiet and rides his ride. He really got the short end of the stick there for a couple of seasons with all the people that kept crashing him out. Dovi really is one of those guys that can say, his crashes aren't always his own fault. Because that poor guy has been taken out by just about everyone on the grid. Total poster child for, "wrong place, at the wrong time."

Thing with Lorenzo is I really can say I respect his talent, because the guy is super fast(but on a Yamaha). He just can't seem to be a decent person. I can see a person being a dick if it's warranted. Sure go ahead then and be a dick, because the other party involved may have provoked it. But with Lorenzo, he just is that way all the time. The Sepang 2015 incident, he had no business sticking his nose in that. It was between Rossi and Marquez, and Lorenzo runs to the stewards to complain about a disqualification. If that isn't a chicken sh*t move to steal a title, I don't know what is.

Sure these guys are all like that to an extent. They are fighting for a very coveted prize, very good money and have lots of pressure heaped upon them from their teams and sponsors. I can imagine the stress the main aliens at the tip of the spear have to deal with makes them irritated. For the midpack guys or satellite guys, if they get an awesome results, then it's cause for a celebration and their team just enjoys the moment. Whereas, these main aliens are expected to win and get podiums all the time. Well there's only three spots on the podium, and with that many roosters in the hen house someone is going to get pissed when they aren't on the podium.

I'd have to say I think Lorenzo can handle the pressure(he wouldn't be a champion if he couldn't), what I don't think he can handle is that bike. It's not his Yamaha and he knows it. The Ducati is whole other animal and one Lorenzo doesn't like. Sure he dials it in from time to time but then you can tell he's out to sea all of a sudden. I think everyone goes to Ducati for the money and that's about it. Hell for the kind of money Lorenzo is getting, I'd be more than happy to get half of his salary and ride that Ducati in dead last every race, and I'd do it with a big smile on my face.

With all the rumors going on, who knows what might happen at Ducati. Heard that Ducati might be looking at Zarco. Which, I think Zarco would do better than Lorenzo on the Ducati but I still think he would struggle same as Lorenzo. They both ride the same, very smooth and precise. Zarco is a bit more wild and I think that would bite him on the Ducati.

My opinion, I think Lorenzo would do well at Suzuki. I also think Zarco would do well at Suzuki. Very great handling bike that is forgiving. I think those two could push Suzuki's development up fast. But I've heard that Suzuki won't pay more than $3 Million for anyone. Zarco might jump at that, Lorenzo will laugh at that salary.

There's also rumors that Honda might be interested in Zarco, which would leave Pedrosa without a ride. And I could see Pedrosa going to Suzuki and probably winning on that bike. You know they would build him a bike that he wants and that guy would be fast there. Heard HRC might take Crutchlow if Pedrosa leaves, and I think that's a bad move. Crutchlow is good but on a Repsol, would be a waste. You think he has his head in Marquez' ass now, wait and see if Crutchlow gets a Repsol ride, it will be hard to tell where one ends and the other begins.

It's still early but I love the silly season.

Yamaha - Rossi, Vinales
Honda - Marquez, ???
Ducati - Dovi, maybe Petrucci or Zarco
Suzuki - I bet Rins will stay, maybe Pedrosa if he's cut loose, or Zarco possibly.
KTM - Zarco has a great shot here, then maybe Iannone. Let's face it, Smith and P. Espargaro are great as a sh*t sandwich and polished turd.
Aprilia - who really cares, isn't Aprilia for where a racer's career goes to die?? Honestly, could see Iannone coming here. A. Espargaro would probably stay, similar to his brother = weaksauce
LCR - Crutchlow will stay(contract til 2019), why?? I don't really care. Maybe they need more bikes crashed. You'd think a guy with a wife that hot, he'd leave racing and just bang her as much as possibly. Get it before Father Time does. Cause that's the thing with British chicks. Sure in the beginning they start out as Baby Spice. After a several years, yeah... it's Old Spice.
Tech 3 - Morbidelli would be good here, but I think he's signed til 2019. I think Petrucci would do well here, except he's older and Tech 3 likes getting younger riders. So maybe Bagnaia?? Jack Miller could surprise as well and might end up here. Though, I think Miller could also snag a Aprilia ride as well.

Notice how Lorenzo doesn't fit in any of those scenarios. In all actuality he'll probably just swallow some pride and resign with Ducati at a massively reduced salary. Mainly just to have a ride for the next two years, in which I'm thinking he's going to see what Rossi does, and maybe come back to Yamaha. It's either that or just flat out retire. Because if he does resign, and has two more crappy years, then the guy is done.

[longrider]

Seeing this story about Lorenzo made me immediately go check Dear George. While Boris has not written anything about it yet I'm sure he will and it will be good. Check out the archives:

https://www.bikeme.tv/index.php/cate...s/dear-george/

[madvlad]

Beg to differ on the Lorenzo can handle the pressure, he can’t. He only does well when he is not bothered and he gets that rhythm at the front but as soon as someone shows him a wheel, he starts to crumble. What’s happening now proves not only that but that Rossi developing Yamaha is the only reason why he is champion, with the exception of maybe and a big maybe Honda I don’t see that douche champ again with any other manufacturer. Again he’s not as good as he thinks he is, just a coincided spoiled mommy and daddy punk. Some will say well you wish you had that kind of talent but talent isn’t worth a fuck without mental tenacity which he lacks insanely cause he’s a coddled bitch. Anyways doesn’t surprise me that he is coming out with this bullshit now of all times, he’s feeling the pressure and he is starting to play the last cards from his desperate stack trying to make someone fuck up since his job is now at stake as so much young talent is coming up and his chances for a factory ride decrease by the day. I still think if he doesn’t deliver soon, Ducati will sign Petrucci

[madvlad]

Jesus that Q session was a shit show

[The Black Knight]

Jesus that Q session was a shit show

I'm with you, except after seeing morning warmup, I think the race will also be a sh*t show. Guys times were all over the place. It's Marquez race to lose, but Pedrosa and even Rossi were showing decent pace. Everyone else could put in the quick lap, but the rest of the laps in their runs were all over the place. I also bet if it continues to dry, we get a flag-to-flag race, which will totally wreck the race.

[madvlad]

Good ol’ Argentina weather