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I care about the here and now. The last few years Ducati has been one of the best run teams in the paddock and the results show it. They've done it despite not having the most talented roster.
Yamaha has a super talented roster and basically sat on their asses while Zarco, Rossi, and Mav struggle.
Honda was way behind and Marc has been a great deodorant for what is a bastard of a bike to ride.
Lorenzo was relevant during those 5 years before Ducati because at the time the Yamaha was the best bike on the grid. It's clearly not the best bike anymore. And fallen way behind the development curve. Honda have pushed very hard. Suzuki gave Iannone what he wanted. And KTM are coming whether people want to accept it or not.
Yamaha is wasting prime years right now. Honestly, they shouldve stuck with Lorenzo. But again, they get a free pass for that because they have the British media (who mostly cover MotoGP) in their pocket.
I agree that ducati has improofed massivly and seem to continue to do so. but you can't simply blame lorenzo for leaving ducati. both parties were not happy with the results, so they move on. pretty simple. now ducati has bagnaia for 19 and a new shot to groom a young promising rider.
suzuki didn't give ai29 a shit. they messed up pretty bad in pre season testing 2 years ago and had to go a step back again and now new stuff is coming in step by step. but that's for rins and mir next year.
ktm isn't going anywhere for the next 3 years at least. the bike is far away from battling for wins. which is ok because they are fairly new.
yamaha and british media? I don't see the connection?
It's getting to be like Formula 1 and Mercedes.
As for "The Joker" 93 ... can't argue he's the best right now and VR46 is as brilliant as ever but his spots are becoming fewer and farther in between. It'll be interesting how Lorenzo and Marq'i Marq are going to work next season.
The Shop
Tech3 kept asking for a 3rd factory bike. Yamaha didnt think they had a rider worthy. They got a rider worthy. And Yamaha still balked.
The current Yamaha and Lorenzo were a winning combo. And Yamaha let that go. They should be getting hammered in the press yet they dont. Not so much as a whisper. Meanwhile Ducati takes a beating constantly on social media and in articles by (mostly) British media who cover MotoGP.
Ducati does not have the advertising budget the Japanese manufacturers do and it shows in how the last few seasons have been skewed in the press. For example, David Emmet landed Suzuki as a sponsor of his podcast last year and wouldnt you know it, he's spent the last 12 months bashing Iannone at every opportunity.
- When the Honda was a crap bike, Marc got the credit and everyone else is given a pass. No criticism of HRC tho.
- The Yamaha gets ripped daily by Rossi in the press, not an article bashing Yamaha or Lin Jarvis.
- Suzuki puts in a effort comparable to little 'ol Aprilia's and when Iannone was struggling, who got the blame? Iannone.
Meanwhile the press had a field day blaming Aprilla for Sam Lowe's disastrous season. Can you find a single article calling Suzuki out for their inability to field a real effort? Nope. They've let Maverick, Zarco, Iannone, and Lorenzo slip thru their grasps and not a word of criticism of them.
- And while Jorge was struggling? Brit media would block you on twitter if you suggested that maybe the rider is the problem. And the moment he got a win their was an onslaught of articles and press demonizing Ducati for their lack of effort and that they'd let Lorenzo go too early. IT WAS JORGE WHO LEFT ON HIS OWN!!!... nevermind the actual fact that they did everything they could to turn their bike into a Yamaha for Jorge.
It seems pretty clear to me that Italian brands get blamed whenever a rider fails and if it's a Japanese brand, the Japanese get the benefit of the doubt.
While working in Europe for Factory Teams, because I am a Yankee, the Brits always felt they could speak freely to me. They ALWAYS had something slanderous to say about Italians. It was sometimes true but also very odd that they always had to make some negative comment about their culture. Maybe it's because of the long rivalry in racing between England and Italy. Both make magnificent things out of carbon. Whatever the case, the rivalry/bias bleeds over into the press and skews public opinion unfairly.
Ducati sells 1/10th the number of bikes worldwide as Honda. And Suzuki outsells everyone. The fact that Ducati even compete with the big boys should give them an incredibly long leash. They are a niche brand. As is Aprilia.
And lastly, keep doubting KTM. Fans look at the results sheet. But look closer at how they're finishing races in relation to the podium. They're getting closer and closer year by year. It's a very rapid accent by both them and Aprilia. KTM has the budget, they havent had the riders. They will make a big jump next year with Zarco. And if Yamaha dont get their shit together, they're gonna be watching Honda, Ducati, and KTM battle for wins soon while the M1 is busy fighting off the Suzuki, Aprilia, and all the satellite bikes.
Rossi has got a lot left in the tank and he's riding the bike to it's limits. I'd say Rossi is the best in the field right now but Marc is doing the same with the RCV. The difference is at least HRC are trying.
Rossi
Iannone
Zarco
Lorenzo is not on that list because he's just not a "racer". He's fast as hell and great at checking out, but any time it becomes a battle, he fades back.
If you're gonna beat Marc, you better be ready to trade elbows & paint. Few have the talent and gall to do that. And none of the 3 I listed have the bike. Marc is just too talented. These guys need help and NONE of them are going to get it this year unfortunately.
Well, maybe Rossi will. We'll see at Brno.
I honestly couldn't care less who is getting more or less bashed by media. I care about the racing. that's all.
clearly there is a problem with the yamaha right now. vineales is in my opinion the only one who could beat marquez in a propper pound for pound battle at every race.
valle needs certain tracks to do really well and be competetiv for a win nowadays.
zarco hasn't impressed me one bit. just like ai29 he's eighter hot or cold. but zarco is still new, so he will learn each and every race.
CK7fourever
https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/opinion/motogp/now-proud-cock-bit-up…
His latest book is full of great stuff, too.
Pit Row
Good morning.
https://www.totalsportek.com/motogp-stream/
Ticket was 50 bucks...
Lorenzo was brilliant this race. And definitely more aggressive & risk taking than I've ever seen him do. I think knowing all the barbs Dovi & JLo were taking at each other in the media during the week leading up to this race, Marc decided it would be wise to avoid the potential carnage. Both of those Ducati riders were prepared to take each other out before losing to one another.
And with Vale so close in tow, it would have been huge for the championship if Lorenzo had done something stupid and Marc ended up collateral damage.
Had it just been Dovi vs Marc, I think MM93 would have been up for a fight. He trusts Dovi will keep his cool.
Him and Marq came pretty close too, it's going to be interesting to watch these two as teammates.
I think it's extremely important to put a rider on a bike that matches his style. Lorenzo's style is perfectly suited for the Suzuki and Yamaha. He wont mesh well with the Honda any more than I think Marc would have a hard time on the Yamaha.
And HRC isnt going to put up with his bullshit attitude. Which has followed him everywhere he's been.
Then take this into consideration... Gigi at Ducati not only WANTED Lorenzo, but he's the guy that got Ducati's management in it's current form. He's a master at calming down difficult situations. Just look now at the Lorenzo garage. JLo has been metaphorically saying fuck you to Ducati management since he signed the HRC deal. Yet he's still getting the good parts and full support of the team. AND he's part of the development process for the 2019 bike still. That NEVER happens to an outgoing rider (just ask Zarco), especially when the OEM has several other satellite teams they can shift development duties over too. Why is JLo the exception? Gigi. Why? Well for one, he's in hot water for convincing Ducati to sign the disaster that has been Lorenzo and every win from here on out justifies his recommendation. And two, that's just the way he is. He's a peace maker of difficult situations. Why is this relevant to 2019? Look at who the team manager is over at HRC... Nobody has EVER accused Alberto Puig of being the same mold as Gigi. That HRC garage is going to be dysfunctional as all hell.
Yamaha never shouldve let JLo go. They had a winning combo and they fucked it all up by being cheap (aka, taking the Rossi induced sponsorship so they wouldnt have to fund the team out of pocket). I love Rossi but the facts are the facts, Yamaha was doing just fine building the bike for Lorenzo and since Rossi showed up they've had to go back to building the bike for him, which has in turn cost them valuable results from both Zarco and Vinales.
Lin Jarvis is a moron.
just watched a sketchy replay of the czech race, was a good one! if anyone has any good consistent feeds for live and or replays, please share, much ty!
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