MotoGP It's nearly that time

[Dirty]

Originally Posted by Kato

I shall stay completely silent will not post anything even when 46 crashes out I shall celebrate in total silence ........ Promise

Celebrate away. When you haven't watched something live it's best practice to avoid all SM until you've caught up anyway.

[Dirty]

Originally Posted by Darren69

Lewis Hamilton will probably win it anyway!

SIR Lewis to you

[Kato]

The signs are looking good

If only they can make it go round corners !!!

[350TSS]

That would be one of Ducati's strong tracks for comparative top speeds - a long straight preceded by a slowish corner so all down to outright grunt, nevertheless just over 5 mph over the Hondas does look promising.
I can still remember Stoner passing everybody on the straights that year when he won the championship for Ducati

[350TSS]

https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/a...37923K,4N69V,1
Here is an interesting article from Mat Oxley, personally I think aero development is a blind alley for general motorcycles and it makes the bikes look fugly.
Also, I think if it interferes with the ability of riders to overtake then it will ruin the sport as it has in F1

[Kato]

The full Provisional Entry List for the Barwa Grand Prix of Qatar: first race of the year has just been published, the last name on the list is the interesting inclusion and I for one hope it is correct

5 – Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing)
9 – Danilo Petrucci (Tech3 KTM Factory Racing)
10 – Luca Marini (SKY VR46 Avintia)
12 – Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP)
20 – Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP)
21 – Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamahaa SRT)
23 – Enea Bastianini (Avintia Esponsorama Racing)
27 – Iker Lecuona (Tech3 KTM Factory Racing)
30 – Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu)
32 – Lorenzo Savadori (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini)
33 – Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)
36 – Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar)
41 – Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini)
42 – Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar)
43 – Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team)
44 – Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team)
46 – Valentino Rossi (Petronas Yamaha SRT)
63 – Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team)
73 – Alex Marquez (LCR Honda Castrol)
88 – Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)
89 – Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing)
93 – Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team)

[Kato]

End of day 3, last two days of the only pre-season testing that's been allowed it going to hot up now, by the end of today I'm sure we'll have a good idea of form this season.
Jack M has with this time broken the all time lap record


1 - 43 J. MILLER 1:53.183
2 - 20 F. QUARTARARO +0.080
3 - 12 M. VIÑALES +0.327
4 - 5 J. ZARCO +0.716
5 - 44 P. ESPARGARO +0.716
6 - 41 A. ESPARGARO +0.788
7 - 36 J. MIR +0.895
8 - 42 A. RINS +0.960
9 - 63 F. BAGNAIA +1.053
10 - 30 T. NAKAGAMI +1.079

[Luddite]

Originally Posted by Luddite

I emailed Quest yesterday, Nasher, and asked if they would be showing the highlights again this year.

I'll let you know when I hear something definite.

So it seems that Quest won't be showing the highlights this year but Channel 5 will. I've sent them an email for confirmation and to ask when the first highlights package will be broadcast.

[Luddite]

Hmm? Despite this site saying Channel 5 would broadcast free-to-air highlights, https://www.sportingfree.com/motogp/...verage-rights/ Channel 5 itself has said that this is not the case.

On another site, a report with today's date says that it's all still up in the air (a bit last minute, don't you think?).

"On the free-to-air highlights front, negotiations are believed to be ongoing between Dorna and prospective broadcasters as of writing.

https://motorsportbroadcasting.com/2...season-openers

So I guess it's just a case of "watch this space". I'll update this if I hear anything more.

[Nasher]

Thanks for keeping on this Luddite, much appreciated.

Nasher.

[Luddite]

Well, unfortunately, I've drawn a blank here. While some sources say the highlights will be on Quest and some say Channel 5, both channels have specifically told me that this is not the case. Another source mentioned ITV, which made me think ITV4 might carry the highlights but next week's TV schedules have now been published and there's no sign of any MotoGP anywhere.

I seem to remember that last year the highlights were only announced at the last minute, so perhaps the same will be true this year. We can only hope.

[crawsue]

I imagine some broadcasters will be a bit wary about what they get for their investment, advertisers likewise. From memory it ended up as 13 meetings last year against a planned 19/20 ( Finland wasn’t ever confirmed) this year it appears that Argentina and Texas have already been withdrawn.
Whatever, roll on Friday...for us lucky BT punters.....
Looking like a possible volte face from AD04.....perhaps Noale have at last produced something competitive....😳

[Luddite]

Originally Posted by Luddite

Another source mentioned ITV, which made me think ITV4 might carry the highlights but next week's TV schedules have now been published and there's no sign of any MotoGP anywhere.

I seem to remember that last year the highlights were only announced at the last minute, so perhaps the same will be true this year. We can only hope.

A change to the schedules for next week has just been announced - Monday 8pm - 9pm ITV4 MotoGP highlights

[alan s4]

Just need to avoid Facebook and the entire internet for the weekend......NO SPOILERS PLEASE

[mickj]

That's great news Luddite, just have to avoid any spoilers now.