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

[madvlad]

http://www.worldsbk.com/en/news/2018...SBK%20farewell




Thought Rea already signed his new 2 year deal with Kawasaki. I guess if a team in MotoGP wants him that bad, they will pay to break his contract. I just don't see what team Rea would race for. He's mentioned several times, that he wouldn't make the jump unless there was a factory bike and a competitive bike. Well, that's only a handful of seats at this moment. Ducati or Suzuki. Things just got weirder.

Also, it isn't look good for Lorenzo over at Suzuki nor Ducati. Looks to be leaked that Joan Mir may be going to Suzuki in 2019 and that Ducati have already said, if Lorenzo doesn't produce results. Then it is pointless to keep him for another 2 years.

https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/896819/1/ducati-pointless-go-if-it-doesn-t-work-jorge

yeah just saw the Rea thing and what not, it definitely doesn’t make sense at all and now of all times, guess we’ll see how this plays out


Yeah I think Lorenzo’s days in MotoGP are likely counted, the kind of money he wants nobody will pay mainly after his disastrous Ducati campaign and in all honesty even if he would have stayed at Yamaha he wouldnt be performing either with all the ongoing issues. He’s shown his true colors and teams are looking for riders that can work through issues these days and what not, Lorenzo only delivers when the going is good but nearly never when he has to go through a disruption of his rhythm or something goes south. If Mir is going to Suzuki indeed then the only option would be Honda but with this Rea bombshell, that could be checkmate for Lorenzo and he’s too proud to settle for satellite level. Petrucci has that Ducati seat on lockdown, we all know is just a matter of a couple of races until they announce it. Lorenzo had every single opportunity to do so and even with Ducati giving him an insane contract and a far better bike that they moved heaven and earth to make it for him which they did, he still can’t figure out 2+2 to save his life, it’s almost like he refuses to try cause he doesn’t want to change his style of riding, ummmm ding dong, many other riders had to do this to stay relevant in this level, if you can’t adjust then that means bye bye.

[The Black Knight]

Reports are coming out that Lorenzo may end up on a Satellite Yamaha with the Marc VDS team!! Wow! if that really happens then he really must have let all of his other options go by holding out for Ducati to make an offer.

https://www.motorsport.com/motogp/ne...uzuki-1041734/

From that link there it is suggesting that it's close to being a done deal. Mir is sounding more and more likely to go with Suzuki(which I think is a big gamble, two rookies basically in their squad). Also, in the comments section of that link, someone mentions that it's being reported all over Italian media already. So there must be some validity to the reports of Lorenzo heading to Marc VDS.

[madvlad]

Marc VDS with Yamaha? I thought they were going to sign with Suzuki? Yamaha specifically said that they won’t have a satellite team for 2019

[The Black Knight]

Marc VDS with Yamaha? I thought they were going to sign with Suzuki? Yamaha specifically said that they won’t have a satellite team for 2019

That's what I thought with all the turmoil they are having at the moment. It looked that they would go with Suzuki and the Yamaha talks were done with. Who knows exactly what will happen. I will say, some of the comments you end up reading on say crash.net are really looney. But ever now and then, you come across some commenters that know what they are talking about.

[madvlad]

Yeah I don’t take crash.net seriously at all to be honest. Most of the time it’s all smoke coming from those guys and insanely sensationalist headlines and information

[The Black Knight]

hmmm, very interesting. I'd say read between the lines on this one. Sure looks like ole Lin may know something we don't(yet).

http://www.motogp.com/en/in+the+medi...-happen/260287

[madvlad]

hmmm, very interesting. I'd say read between the lines on this one. Sure looks like ole Lin may know something we don't(yet).

http://www.motogp.com/en/in+the+medi...-happen/260287

Yeah these next couple of weeks are going to be interesting, either we see something as drastic as he does retire since I think it’s beneath him to be on a satellite bike or Yamaha does the unthinkable to bring him back but we all know what that means either way Lorenzo would be failing miserably with the new Yamaha so no scenario helps him either way. Everyone thinks that the issue lies on Rossi and Viñales when it’s clear that it’s the electronics and bike altogether, when Zarco tested the 2017 and even the 2018 he didn’t do very well either thus them pushing back to the 2016 yet again. Lorenzo must have reached out to Jarvis and he’s desperate.

Lorenzo had the whole Ducati R&R department at his disposition and he couldn’t figure out or seems more like he refused to because he’s not mentally tough enough, he got used to having everything working his way from day one at Yamaha entering the premier class and now it’s showing that he’s not as a complete of rider as everyone thought he was, anyone can be successful when all goes your way, he’s never had to be the workhorse and that type of work is beneath him. Ducati is insanely displeased with this dude and they want him gone

[The Black Knight]

Yeah these next couple of weeks are going to be interesting, either we see something as drastic as he does retire since I think it’s beneath him to be on a satellite bike or Yamaha does the unthinkable to bring him back but we all know what that means either way Lorenzo would be failing miserably with the new Yamaha so no scenario helps him either way. Everyone thinks that the issue lies on Rossi and Viñales when it’s clear that it’s the electronics and bike altogether, when Zarco tested the 2017 and even the 2018 he didn’t do very well either thus them pushing back to the 2016 yet again.

Lorenzo had the whole Ducati R&R department at his disposition and he couldn’t figure out or seems more like he refused to because he’s not mentally tough enough, he got used to having everything working his way from day one at Yamaha entering the premier class and now it’s showing that he’s not as a complete of rider as everyone thought he was, anyone can be successful when all goes your way, he’s never had to be the workhorse and that type of work is beneath him. Ducati is insanely displeased with this dude and they want him gone

What I see, is we may yet get Lorenzo back with the M1, albeit in a satellite bike. I'm sure he would bring good sponsorship and some publicity to the new Yamaha satellite team. But as you say, I can't really see him giving it his all as he won't be a factory rider. It is possible that he would get a contract similar to what Crutchlow and Miller have(i.e. factory contracts just not on full factory bikes). Which if that is the case, then I can see Lorenzo easily coming back to Yamaha. He would have his factory contract and just accept that he would inherit Rossi's bike once Rossi retires.

I don't think Lorenzo will retire but that isn't out of the question though. He may just take his Ducati paydays and walk. Not that he would be hurting by any means. I don't see him going to WSBK, that's an even worse slap in the face than running with a satellite MotoGP team.

Check this out, I just had a thought. With all the rumors running amuck. What if we get a new Yamaha satellite team, and the riders are Lorenzo and Johnny Rea!! Rea has hinted at many MotoGP teams looking into him, and he would probably be under the same kind of contract that Lorenzo might get(factory contract, satellite bike). Rea has said he wants a full factory bike. And as bad ass as he is, he still isn't worth a full factory ride until he can come over and prove himself on a satellite bike. I can see Rea gelling big time with the Yamaha M1. Very smooth and fluid and that's his riding style as well.

And with all this coming down, it looks more and more that Pedrosa will keep his seat at Honda. I'd rather see him leave and go else where and achieve with another team. I think he would help Aprilia out and also would help Suzuki out. But the Mir rumor is gaining more and more steam.

I think if anything Petrucci will go to Ducati for probably a One Year contract. Miller has already stated that regardless of where he's at in 2019, he will have a 2019 factory bike, just in Pramac colors. So I'm thinking he's cool staying where he is, and to prove that he has the mojo to step up to the factory team if Petrucci doesn't work out in a year's time.

Honda:
Marquez
Pedrosa???(still up in the air)

Yamaha
Rossi
Vinales

Ducati:
Dovizioso
Petrucci

Suzuki:
Rins
Mir??? maybe Lorenzo still???

Aprilia:
A. Espargaro
Iannone

KTM:
P. Espargaro
Zarco

Tech 3 KTM:
both seats up in the air for now...

Ducati Pramac:
Miller
Bagnaia

LCR:
Crashlow, I mean Crutchlow
2nd seat??

Mark VDSmaybe a Yamaha team??, Maybe a Suzuki team)
Lorenzo???
Rea???

Suzuki satellite team(maybe new team)
???

Avintia and Aspar blah blah blah, no one cares....

[The Black Knight]

Honda:
Marquez
Lorenzo

Yamaha:
Rossi
Vinales

Ducati:
Dovizioso
Petrucci

Suzuki:
Rins
Mir??? <---to be confirmed

Aprilia:
A. Espargaro
Iannone

KTM:
P. Espargaro
Zarco

Tech 3 KTM:
Syahrin
Olivera

Ducati Pramac:
Miller
Bagnaia

LCR:
Crashlow, I mean Crutchlow
2nd seat??

UPDATE:
Looks to be that Pedrosa will be retiring at the end of the season(I'm starting to see more and more reports that this is likely the case). Is yet to be confirmed and will probably come out by Catalunya. Bummed to see the little samurai retire. He's always been super fast.

[longrider]

For all of our Lorenzo fans I have a little humor:

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

You really should go down to the beginning of the season and move up reading the stories

[madvlad]

Wonder if Yamaha is going to pull the trigger on VDS just to bring in Lorenzo. Either he’s bluffing or they obviously know something we don’t

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2018/0...etiring/260378

[madvlad]

Iannone confirmed not to continue at Suzuki, man this shit is cooking up.

[The Black Knight]

Iannone confirmed not to continue at Suzuki, man this shit is cooking up.

Yep seen that earlier today. Well, I'd put money on Iannone going to Aprilia. But after reading some info from some of the more normal commenters on crash.net. And with a link I went to, that shows Petronas possibly funding a Yamaha team, with Syharin and Lorenzo. It's looking more and more Lorenzo will go back to an M1 Yamaha.

There's also talk/hype that Honda are interested in Mir again, and also Ducati. Apparently, Ducati are offering a factory ride to Mir and not just a Pramac ride. I don't see how this kid can warrant any kind of factory ride. He hasn't done sh*t in Moto2 yet. He needs to get some wins or a championship. Hell Rabat won the Moto2 championship and has been totally sh*tboxed while in the Premier class.

I'd narrow it down to Iannone going to Aprilia, and if all the rumors are coming out now. I'd say Pedrosa to Suzuki, with Mir at Honda. Lorenzo to pilot a satellite bike with Yamaha. Lorenzo himself said today, he will remain in MotoGP for two more years and with a very good bike. So that points to Yamaha more than Suzuki but he could pull a fast one and go to Suzuki.

I love this kind of stuff, it's fun to speculate just where riders end up and see how close to calling it you can get. Kind of similar to picking the Final 4 charts in basketball, except way better and not lame or pointless.

[madvlad]

Haha yeah it’s fun to play the guess game for sure. If Ducati screws Petrucci out of a seat they can suck it. There is also speculation that Lorenzo may end up at Tech3

[madvlad]

Brivio confirms deal is being finalized with Mir so that confirms that Lorenzo is out of a factory seat next season unless Honda does the unthinkable.

[madvlad]

Dude that crash by Pirro on the main straight this morning hope the injuries aren’t bad, that was some gnarly ass shit

[Okrapp]

Holy crap that was brutal. Ducati says he's doing better than expected. Hurts to even watch that wreck.

[madvlad]

Yeah I’m surprised they said just a concussion and some bruises, insane stuff. For those who doubt gear please look up this crash which happened at around 200mph and see why gear is important lol

[The Black Knight]

WOW!!

It is only qualifying and Sunday is the race but very good lap and congrats to Rossi for that pole lap. He's looking very fast for tomorrow. Lorenzo looks fast but we'll see how long that lasts for him. Vinales looks fast but is kind of hit and miss. Marquez looks a bit rattled for some reason. He's had some mistakes and really looses it in sectors 3 and 4.

Would like to just see a good race tomorrow and would really like to see Rossi win Mugello. He could win nothing else more in the future, as long as he could win Mugello tomorrow. The crowd was going crazy at just a pole lap. Can't imagine what Mugello would be like if he wins the race there. Place would erupt big time.

[madvlad]

Pretty good race overall, still not impressed by Lorenzo as anyone can win a race unbothered but well not his fault at the end of the day that Dovi was being the biggest bitch not to risk another DNF and well from Yamaha and Suzuki stand point we all knew it was a long shot. Everyone will now have Lorenzo back as a world champion

[The Black Knight]

Pretty good race overall, still not impressed by Lorenzo as anyone can win a race unbothered but well not his fault at the end of the day that Dovi was being the biggest bitch not to risk another DNF and well from Yamaha and Suzuki stand point we all knew it was a long shot. Everyone will now have Lorenzo back as a world champion

Have to congratulate Lorenzo. He did run a very flawless race and his pace was very good. 48's the whole race and he was more the dark horse than Iannone. I didn't think Lorenzo had that pace. Figured he'd be on the podium but not a runaway race win.

I think Dovi wanted to stay quiet and just keep it rubber side down. He couldn't afford another DNF booboo. I think he would have gotten his ass chewed if he went down for a 3rd consecutive race.

Rossi I thought at least had P2 pace. Didn't think he was going to win but you never know. Then once I started seeing him have some issues in braking, then I knew he was screwed for the win or even P2. I figured he'd lose the podium until he pulled the pin at the end and left Iannone. But I think that was Rossi's focus to end up on the podium and he got it.

I will say, I smiled when I saw Marquez go down. Sure he's still leading the championship and he's earned it all. But it was nice to see him crash out and lose 25 points. Since he cost Rossi all his points in Argentina, was only fair he lost all his points for today. I think what comes around goes around and this was it coming around for Marquez. Yeah, he's going to win the championship this year. Yet, it's nice to see him get slapped a few rungs down by all his crashes. Sooner or later it bites you and I think one of the commentators said it. Ride on a knife edge long enough and you get cut.

Feel bad for Pedrosa, couldn't really see what happen but he looked to take a nasty crash off in the gravel.

These results will spice up the silly season though. Still don't think Lorenzo will stay with Ducati, though if he goes on a win spree it may shake contract talks up.

[madvlad]

Again easy to win a race when you’re not pushing and not being bothered, disrupt him just a bit like we’ve seen him in the lead before, he just falls off with the least of disruption plus he didn’t have to battle so the tire wear wasn’t going to be an issue. I’m sure if Dovi would have had the balls to push forward you would have seen Lorenzo mentally crumble as usual. About the only thing he will do all year, Ducati won’t sign him at all. Glad Rossi went podium, he deserved it. Sucks for MM but well can’t push the limits forever. Also another thing that played in Lorenzo’s favor is the fact that the top end of the Ducati is what helped him anyways, any other track he would have been toast.

[The Black Knight]

Again easy to win a race when you’re not pushing and not being bothered, disrupt him just a bit like we’ve seen him in the lead before, he just falls off with the least of disruption plus he didn’t have to battle so the tire wear wasn’t going to be an issue. I’m sure if Dovi would have had the balls to push forward you would have seen Lorenzo mentally crumble as usual. About the only thing he will do all year, Ducati won’t sign him at all. Glad Rossi went podium, he deserved it. Sucks for MM but well can’t push the limits forever. Also another thing that played in Lorenzo’s favor is the fact that the top end of the Ducati is what helped him anyways, any other track he would have been toast.

I don't feel all that bad for Marquez. Did you see that move he put on Petrucci?? Sure it was hard and somewhat fair. But that outlines how he rides. Barges into or through and can't pass clean when he thinks someone is getting away. It shows that when the chips are down, he reverts to riding like a dick.

For sure the Ducati grunt helped Lorenzo. But I have to applaud his efforts and recognize he rode a good and faultless race. Yes the others should have pushed more. I think Rossi could have pushed more and stayed with Dovi. He spent too much time with Iannone and Petrucci. I think when Rossi saw Marquez go down, he knew that the Hard front was going to take some time working up to temp and making it last. So Rossi played the long game and got the podium. I think if there had been one more lap, he would of got Dovi for P2. Oh well, roll on Catalunya.

[The Black Knight]

Wow, Vinales slams Yamaha, saying the reason he signed was that they could promise a race winning bike.

https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/89...d-winning-bike

Vinales does have a point, he's fast everywhere else except during the race.

I remember Freddy Spencer one time talking about the difference between a race and everything else. He said, races are where the problems would tend to show up. He said, you could test and test and test. That one time they(Honda) had tested a new frame for him and it really looked to do well. Then he took it and used it during the race and then cracked the new frame. So to Spencer, the race is always the real world where things will show if they work or not.

I think the same can be said for Vinales. He's fast in testing, fast in all the FP's, even fast in Qualifying. Then the race gets there and it all changes. That's when the problems show up.

I also think that's when some of the other riders really show up and do battle, and that's come race time.

Pol Espargaro back when he was at Tech 3, mentioned how fast he was. And that during the practices, he could be faster than even Valentino Rossi. According to Espargaro, he was just that good and he was fast. But then he got mad because when it came time to race, he said Rossi would find an extra gear and leave him, along with the rest of the aliens.

I think what it boils down to, is that you have the guys that do extract the most out of their bikes come race day. That's what makes them the true "aliens". Rossi is known for being a racer that shows up on Sunday. And really when you look at it, why not? What's the point of going balls out during the practices and qualifying?? To prove what?? That you're fast over one lap? No further proof than Zarco or Crutchlow. These guys are fast but they are one lap wonders, and will never be aliens.

I'm starting to think that Vinales is letting things get into his head and he's going to fall out of the alien group. I'm really starting to think that Vinales should have stayed with Suzuki and he might have even been champion by now, or at least leading it this year. The Suzuki is a good bike and Iannone and Rins are no where near Vinales, and even they are putting that bike close to the front.

We are seeing a classic case of "the grass is not always greener" syndrome. Yamaha sounded good but Vinales just isn't finding his way on that bike. He's got three wins to his name, more than Rossi does in the last two years but at some point, Vinales mindset waved bye-bye and hasn't returned.

I think he screwed the pooch by re-signing with Yamaha. Time will tell though, he may bounce back and find his bearings yet....