Ai Ogura wanted another year in Moto2 (you could read that as I don't want to ride the pig of a Honda also) which kind of handed another year to Taka.
Nice start by JD96 topping moto2 time sheets but over 2 seconds off what Acosta was doing in the test last week so suspect a lot more to come. Good to see A Marquez top moto gp times on his new to him ducati. Nice recovery from frankie M after that horrible looking high side too. Aunty Joan going well on thee Onda too.
Nice to see A Marquez up there, and tbh Nice to Joan Mir at least have a solid start on the Honda, I know all their times are a way off but it's still decent to be beating Marc so far, especially as most including me though Joan Mir would just be at the back of the grid on that Honda. Fabio is looking like he's struggling though, he was 8th, which isn't the end of the world but he looks like he's riding hard for it which is perhaps the biggest worry
All to be taken with a pinch of salt, everything changes come qualifying, but some interesting numbers…
Yes, it is locked once qualifying starts until after the race. Then you can make up to two changes. The values of riders, manufacturer etc may change during the season depending on performance, making things more interesting. If you really get in to it, you can watch for injuries pre qualifying, which bikes/riders go well at a particular track. Beware though, it is easy to get sucked in and regret changing from a good ‘gut’ feeling to something that looks better on form. Fabio for instance, fantastic bet over the season, but can massively underperform in a wet race. Conversely, Oliveira has been brilliant in the wet. Partly down to rider and partly the Ducati being less able to use all of the power advantage. I have finished in the top 5 to 10% in the main and the French league the last three years.
