That stupid wing on the Yamaha just makes me SO angry.. I'm kinda sick of MotoGP now, it's getting silly, just stop them spending millions on stupid aero. I know why they don't of course, it's because of Ducati, and their 8 bikes!!!... It's going to be a dull season
Thats what happens when one teams budget dwarfes all the others. MotoGP, as a sport, is at risk possibly. Its getting a bit ridic now.
I’m seriously considering knocking my Moto GP app subscription on the head for this season to be honest . When I see the photos of the bikes with all these rediculous looking wings it just pisses me right off. I understand that development has to happen to move forward ,but it just seems like it’s been taken way too far now. Also factoring in the masses of Ducati bikes on the grid has taken the shine off it. I used to be excited pre season but now I couldn’t give a damn who wins to be honest.
I must say it’s gone a bit dull now. No nutters left. Marquez has gone off the boil, best days probably behind him- plus his bike seems a shitter. Rossi’s jacked it in, as has Stoner, Simoncelli got killed. They all seem too polished and professional now. And as said, the Ducati’s seem too far ahead technically…
Agreed, it can still be prototype, but should IMO be prototypes that would translate to a product they sell, a little unlike F1 in that regard I guess but get them focussing on better electronics and chassis, that they can learn and test things that MIGHT eventually filter down to road stuff. Some might scoff but there are tons of examples of this... Gas forks, TTX technology in Ohlins, the Radial Brakes, Electronics in general, and things like under braced swingarms etc all developed in GP's. All we have really got on road bikes in the last 5 years is more silly aero which doesn't even work below 140mph... pointless.
Yeah Ducati have done well in the last 12 months....where were the moans about domination over the last 20 years..
Tbf here were only ever 4 hondas/yams on the grid at any one time when they were dominating, not 8 bikes like we're seeing this season. Im like you though not overtly bothered by it at the moment.
The amount of Ducati's or other brands doesn't bother me, admittedly the Areo development is getting ridicules and Jorge Viegas, the FIM President has said he could he would so away the areo package completely and get back to normal looking bike. I understand why every manufacture has become obsessed with areo, given that the current standard of MotoGP riders has never been closer. Look at the last 3 seasons, with the exception of Honda, we have every other manufacture on the podium. I disagree that it's becoming dull, on the contrary I think it's more exciting now than has has been for quite sometime. Let's remember, it went right the wire last season, Peco could have easily have made another mistake, as he did many times before and it would have been a different story. I say bring it on, watch the them fight it out, it's going to be another very close season.
But didn't Ducati start last year with a poor bike and fix it through the season. This year, they are starting with the best bike.
Yes, but pre-season testing is a whole different level, it can all change when the lights go out on race day. Fabio will be on the limit again trying to take his title back, the Aprilia want to build on their best season ever last year, so Both riders will be going all out, and as for KTM riders they will be fighting all season. Both Rins & Mir will to show they are capable of adapting to to the Honda and will want good results. Then of course MM is now fully fit and he'll be going for it too, and with half points for the sprint races, they'll be pushing like crazy to rack up as many points as they can as after all, it's consistency and points that win the championship, not necessarily the best rider or the best bike.
It’s gonna be a case of team choice though isnt it. No Suzuki, Kwak or BMW, so we’re down to 5 manufacturers? If I were a team owner I’d see my best chance as my riders being on a Ducati as things stand. As has been said, it’s becoming the new tri options cup. I’d like to see a KTM or Aprilia up there and regularly on the box. Here’s hoping.
QUARTARARO'S DAY 2 DELIGHT: "WE TOOK A MASSIVE STEP" At the end of the penultimate day, this was still a massive issue. But gains were found on the final day of testing, with Quartararo and Yamaha basically going backwards to make a step forwards. 2021 set-ups helped pave the way for Quartararo to claim P3 on the timesheets, which is a much-needed boost heading into the new campaign. His Sprint simulation was right up there with the best as well, so there will be an air of relief on Quartararo’s side of the Monster Energy Yamaha box.
Aprilia quartet pose a real threat The vibes radiating from the Noale camp have been positive throughout testing. Raul Fernandez and Miguel Oliveira are enjoying themselves on the RNF MotoGP™ Team painted RS-GPs, while Aprilia Racing factory duo Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Viñales continued to praise their 2023 upgrades. There will be a slight worry regarding Aleix Espargaro after he experienced arm pump in Portimao. We’ll await to see if anything comes from some medical checks back in Barcelona, but the 2022 race winner didn’t sound too unhappy on Sunday. Viñales also experienced some technical problems which disrupted his final day testing schedule, but that didn’t stop Top Gun from oozing confidence heading into Round 1.
Hard work begins to pay off for KTM After a below-par Sepang Test, the Portimao Test is where things started to click for KTM – and just in the nick of time too. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) climbed up to P9 on the combined timesheets, signalling that progress was being made after a Saturday night "rethink". When listening to Team Manager Francesco Guidotti, the two days in Portimao were all about piecing the 2023 RC16 jigsaw puzzle together. Nothing new was brought to the table for the last two days of testing, it was all about their riders trying to find their own pathway to success. Binder’s time attack lap was a welcome boost, and one that showed they are much closer to where they want to be. Jack Miller’s Red Bull KTM Factory Racing adaptation might look to be slow progress from the timesheets, but the Australian didn’t sound too despondent at the end of testing. A lot of things have been tested, now it’s about working out how to extract everything from his new package. To be under a second away from Bagnaia’s incredible lap was a solid way to end his first pre-season as a KTM rider for Miller.
I think the last posts, taken from MotoGP.com, shows, Ducati will have stiff competition throughout the season.
Well, we'll find out soon enough, just 12 days to the first sprint race and I'm so looking forward to the season starting again.
Yamaha need to throw everything they have at this substandard engine of theirs. Once the GP starts, the engine spec is locked in for the season. Portimao is a Yamaha circuit so if they don't come away with a good result.....
