MOTOGP

[The Gentleman Biker]

I was just trying to register on the MotoGP site and there was no option for United Kingdom......? We pissed em off? 

[lew600fazer]

Try www.motogp.com

[The Gentleman Biker]

Try www.motogp.com

Edit: Ignore my silly arse, they've craftily listed us as Great Britain... I could have sworn that wasn't there last night.

[kitcrazy]

anyone just watched that rossi is a god

[Gnasher]

What on earth have Ducati been doing over winter, whatever it's worked!  They only had the bike for just over a month and it's performing good enough to get 2 of them on the podium, Rossi was back on form yes, Marquez was just unluckily on that first lap so don't go writing him off.  Even Suzuki had a good race and they should just improve as the year progresses, but they all better watch out for those Ducati's.

I think 2015 is going to be a good year! 

[ChristoT]

Anyone know where I can watch it? Was unable to see it live due to commitments, but it sounds like it was epic!

[slimwilly]

Yes an awesome race. Rossi ! Rossi !!!


As for the Ducati's, they run in "open" rule class, so they can use soft tyres in qualifying,thus they got 4 bikes in the top six or something like that,
Then in the race they are allowed to use two litres more fuel , so their bikes can be cranked up more than "factory" rule class.So more top end speed than Honda and Yam.


If they win 3 races in a season then these rules will be pulled from them,to stop a two rule whitewash,,

[brooker81]

Great Race. Thought Rossi was gonna loose it over the line like 2 laps before the last lap. Tactical masterpiece from Rossi. Maybe you can teach a old dog new tricks,Rossi looks leaner and fitter than ever.

[Phil]

Anyone know where I can watch it? Was unable to see it live due to commitments, but it sounds like it was epic!

ITV4 tonight at 8pm.

[brooker81]

There are plenty of sites with this on this morning im not sure if i can post on here though. Pm if u want a link.

[brooker81]

Pm'd a few guys.  Maybe i should start a thread.

[brooker81]

See my sig for link... 

[ChristoT]

Bloody hell, that was good! 

[unfazed]

Great race, did not think Rossi was far enough ahead to out drag Dovi to the line. Maybe Ducati backed off  ???????

For those who don't like paying to much, try this.

http://cricfree.sx/bt-sport-2-live-stream

 If you use adblock it stops all the popups and the faster the internet speed the better the quality.

My son an I bought the MotoGp.com multiscreen package, Works out about a pound a week each,  but you have access to all the races at any time

[ChristoT]

The pace on those Ducatis was something else! And how the hell did Marquez claw his way back up the field? Where do Honda get that power?!?

[fazed]

first time I've seen Marquez in the pits looking anxious and thoughtful after the race.  Some terrific work on the Ducs to improve the handling by an order of magnitude plus thee Suzukis showing promise and the Hondas seemingly not as all conquering as before.  That was one of the best races I've seen in years.......Vintage season coming up??

[unfazed]

Not a Spaniard to be seen on the podium, when last did that happen? 

[HarryHornby]

That was awesome, Rossi is a god!  Great to see Dovi having a great race, I've always liked him as a ride.


Our aim is to get to qualifying at Silverstone this year, I have to see Rossi ride in the flesh.  Can't afford the race prices though.  Qualifying kids always go free :-)

[midden]

It's going to be built in the middle of nowhere though so it's going to be very difficult for people not familiar with the area to find.


For £300m they could have found a better site for it.

Like they'd spend £300m and not paint arrows on the sheep to guide the traffic. Even the Welsh aren't that thick 

[Gnasher]

As for the Ducati's, they run in "open" rule class, so they can use soft tyres in qualifying,thus they got 4 bikes in the top six or something like that,
Then in the race they are allowed to use two litres more fuel , so their bikes can be cranked up more than "factory" rule class.So more top end speed than Honda and Yam.

Not quite matey it's called the "Ducati Compromise"  Suzuki have much the same.
A manufacturer with an entry under the factory option that has not achieved a win in dry conditions in the previous year (Ducati) will initially have :-

- 12 engines per rider per season with no design freeze
- 24 liters of fuel
- Same tires allocation (addition of an extra soft compound rear) as Open Class.
- Unlimited testing.
- Success Penalty

Subject to results, a series of success penalties will apply, and in 2014 this means for Ducati:

Fuel allocation will be reduced to 22 liters if the combined results of Ducati riders (Dovizioso, Crutchlow and Iannone) reach one race win, two second places or three third-place finishes.
Three race wins by any combination of riders will also mean the loss of the extra soft tire option.
So Ducati is a factory entry — and able to use its own ECU software — but with the advantages of the open class until it triggers the success penalties. These changes mean that the lower-budget independent teams will not be overpowered by a factory bike in a class that was designed to build competitive opportunity for privateers.

They've just lost the 24 litres and are now on 22 and they way their going and the others are not they could be quite quickly back to a full factory or they could start going backwards!

Oh and Pedrosa has just announced he's pulling out due to arm pump, it's going to be a year to remember.......bring it on!

Next year it's one set of rules for everyone!

[ChristoT]

Erm... Crutchlow's on a Honda... 

[slimwilly]

Erm... Crutchlow's on a Honda... 

Yes but he's still in 4014


and repeating what i wrote (confirming) .


Ducati are able to cheat in qualifying by using a SOFTer  tyre, thats how they got to the front of the start grid.

[Gnasher]

Ducati are able to cheat in qualifying by using a SOFTer  tyre, thats how they got to the front of the start grid.

In my opinion there's has always been too much hype as to where a rider is on pole and mostly now days it's about attracting more TV coverage.

Qualifying was traditionally about sorting out those who had no chance of running with the pack, when was the last time someone didn't qualify in GP that wasn't due to mechanical failure!  Yes they need to sort out the grid slower at the back etc.  That said fast riders/bikes even if they start from pit lane will still hit the top 5 within a few laps even win, Mr Marquez has done it a few times and he was at the back within the 1st lap of Sundays race still finished 4th.

All but a few were running medium tyres for the race, again I think there's too much emphasis on which compound tyre, and it gives the riders an excuse.  Superbike uses control tyres as does many other races series these days you still get big differences in performance, lap times and finishing places.

So in my opinion it matters not where they start on the grid so much, if the rider is good and the bike is well set up and fast.  Ducati are not cheating they just have a very fast bike and a very good rider in Dovizioso, now what will be the fun part is can they keep on top as there success penalties kick in?  But without doubt Honda and Yamaha will be more than a little worried as I think Ducati have more up their sleeve     

[bri h]

with the exception of casey stoner yamaha/honda have been the only bikes in the mix for years. the new rules giving other manufacturers a chance are working, looks like being the best most competetive season for a long time. Rossi proved that rider input counts bring it on

[Gnasher]

Interestingly I've been doing a little digging about Ducati's fuel consumption. 


Apparently they are very, very good on fuel and have never come close to using 24 or 22 in fact I'm lead to believe not even 20lts which is the factory entries limit.  Even at the fuel hungry circuits they are better than Yamaha and Honda who are limited to 20lts they have definitely got stuff up their sleeve  [size=78%]             [/size]