More like calling Marc 'The Deck' this year and start counting.

Go Basti... New era. So Martin has the fastest top speed there, talks about the button drops both front and rear. Guess the button was down the straight to get that speed.

So, since I have nothing but time on my hands, I thought I'd post my impressions on the new
pre-season.
Aprilia. Brand new bike. Much smaller and looks to have plenty of motor. They look really
good right now but they do this almost every season. But this year they have the reigning Champion
of Practice on their side. The second round this weekend should tell us more.

Honda. Also a new bike. Very different than the past. I heard they took some weight off the front which
seems strange since most of their crashes were front end tucks. Marc is back and seems happy but did say
he needs to understand this bike better. 2 crashes at Sepang. Pol is determined to have a better season than last year.

Suzuki. Looks pretty much the same although power is up. Their main focus is on the squatting device. They're behind the others in its development. Rins looks fast but neither rider is saying much right now.

Yamaha. Hoo boy. The boys in blue could be in big trouble. Neither Quatararo or Morbidelli seem too thrilled
with the new bike. They continue to have less power, probably because Yamaha is terrified of upsetting the
sweet handling of the bike with increased horsepower. Right now both riders are grinning and bearing it
but we'll see how long that lasts. Dovi said he expects to be a title contender this year but is down near
the bottom of the time sheets. Daryn Binder will just be learning so can't help.

Ducati. The only thing they're missing is consistency. Miller has to start showing up on Sunday. I think that this year is Bagnaia's to lose. Enea Bastaini is going to scare a lot of people this year. He's already looking very comfortable on the GP21.

KTM seems to have started with a hiccup. None of the riders are overwhelmed with the new bike. This season, like the last, could be a struggle.

Ill have more insights after this weekend.

* Last updated by: Maddevill on 2/10/2022 @ 10:00 AM *

Mad, 5 hours to go till we get some initial indications on where everyone stands.
For me, this is probably the most interesting MotoGP pre season test I can remember.

Go Marquez, Miller and the rookies...

I agree Yannih. And since I'm basically a vegetable for the next couple months, it's a lifesaver.

Mad

So, day 1 of testing at the new track of Mandalika in Indonesia. Rain made the track into basically a dirt road, so not much was learned. Hoping for better weather today. The Suzuki boys opened up more about their new bike. Both Rins and Mir seem happy. Binder was much happier here, he was 3rd overall so far.
I'm about to go watch Day 2

Mad

TROUBLE IN PARADISE. Mandalika Indonesia
Well after 3 days testing, all the riders are saying that the track surface is not safe for racing. Apparently, instead of using the specified aggregate, they used local gravel which is not bonding in the slurry when it was poured. GP bikes are actually pulling up rocks and flinging them at the rider behind. One rider had his visor broken, another displayed huge bruises on his arms. There's talk of delaying the race until fall or cancelling it until next year. So the clouds of dust seen on TV was not from washed in sand, its from the track actually degrading.
As far as what was accomplished
Honda all smiles from all involved. Marc didn't go for a fast time. He said his arm hurt
Pol set fastest time and looks like he's in love with the new bike. Alex fairly quick as well. Nakagami concentrated on testing new parts for Honda.
Yamaha- nobody wants to admit it, but the M1 has not progressed enough. Fabio is going to have to ride his ass off to have a chance. Frankie looking better but tough work. Dovi said he's still trying to adapt his style to the bike.
Suzuki- Mir wasn't at day 3 due to food poisoning. Both riders seem happy with the improvements.
KTM- Binder much happier. Looks like they found something with set up. Olivera still struggling. Raul Fernandez had a crash and decided to stop early. Remy still fighting the cracked wrist.
Aprilia- Both riders really happy with the new bike. Looking forward to Qatar
Ducati- almost impossible to believe but the GP22 is even faster along with improved cornering. They're the team to beat this year. Luca Marini fastest on Day 2 and finished Day 3 as 3rd overall on a GP22. Watch out for Enea Bastaini on the GP21. Things will get interesting.

Mad

It's getting close now Mad / All.

I'll put it out there.
Although the competition is stronger than ever, if he stays injury free Marquez is my pick for the championship.
Too much talent and experience to ignore.

Bring on Qatar!

* Last updated by: yannih on 3/2/2022 @ 12:37 AM *

ASBK at the Island x 2

While you are waiting Mad...

Yup. Loves me some ASBK and Australian Supercars !
Welp, I'm about to turn on practice for Round 1 in Qatar. I think its going to be a very interesting season.
I'd say Marc and Pecco are the favorites but Marc has been mumbling about his arm still hurting.
If he can temper his aggression just a tad, he could win it all.
We'll have to see.

Mad

WOW, 355 trap. Even Mir is second trap. Qualifying is going to be something else.

https://www.roadracingworld.com/news/motogp-rins-under-race-lap-record-in-fp2-in-qatar/

Easily the best opening season free practices I've seen yet!
Couldn't take my eyes off it!

Still early days but Suzuki is killing it with latest improvements and gains in top speed!

Both factory Honda's (including Pol Espargaro P9), Yamaha's (including Franco Morbidelli P5), Suzuki's, and Ducati's, plus an Aprilia (Aleix Espargaro) in the top 10 after FP2.
2 x KTM's not that far off at P13 and P15.

And Marquez sending out some very dangerous signs to the rest of the field at P2.

Looks like every brand has found substantial improvements except Yamaha who are still struggling with top end speed compared to the others.

Qualifying will tell more...

* Last updated by: yannih on 3/4/2022 @ 11:18 PM *

Wow!
Stories and emotions galore in opening race 1 of MotoGP.
Well worth the wait...

* Last updated by: yannih on 3/6/2022 @ 12:31 PM *

My ISP cuts off 5 laps from the end. Missed my boy clean house. Says the guy knows how to save the tires to the end. This might be the way to do it. Doubt MM has that second wind like the kid does. Maybe he had it at one time, but Basti has this down since the early days I guess.

Have yet to see the rest of the finishers. Who's going to Cota next month?

Man, if MM can't catch a ktm, end of an era. Even the ape put on a show. 3 duc's out with a dnf and two riders taking the brand out... Doubt if I'll predict any top 3. Probably, me thinks Basti takes it all home if he keep going like this.

So, as a break from the never ending Daddyrabbit crap, here's my impressions from Qatar
Really happy for Enea. I've been following him since Moto3 days. He's got what it takes. He's fast and saves his tires. Well done. Also happy for Binder. He was solid the entire race. Pol did a Pol but he looks way better on the new Honda. Marc is a question. Did his arm affect his pace ? Was he getting tired or just playing it safe ?
Ducati in trouble. Apparently the GP22 engine has some issues. The factory boys were using a hybrid from the GP21 and 22 and got their asses comprehensively kicked by Bastainis GP21. Pecco can't afford any more unforced errors. Jack didn't look happy about the mechanical issue. Suzuki still looking pretty good.
Yamaha is in big trouble. The M1 is the slowest bike in the field and still burns up tires. Someone got some "splainin" to do.

Mad

Mad / Hub, I'm not sure you have Marquez quite right at this early stage of the season.

Personally I think it was a new level of maturity!

No one can win every race and it's all about consistency.
He determined that rather that go for broke to win the race and or fight for a podium position and risk chucking it down the road, he would make sure he bought the bike home in a respectable 5th and score solid points.
Remember, he has only won at Qatar once so it is definitely not his track.
Perhaps for him the soft rear was a mistake?
Perhaps he is still building up to a more solid physical recovery position in a methodical way?
Maybe he is being more cautious than Pol with getting use to the new bike?
Who knows, perhaps the Michelin inconsistency of tires played a part?
Plus I thought he did an amazing job not falling back through the field in the last 5 laps.

So I was actually mighty impressed with his ride.

But time will tell.

* Last updated by: yannih on 3/7/2022 @ 1:11 PM *

So, I guess we'll see when it comes to Marc. I know he's still not 100% and I'm sure he has
it in the back of his mind that one more crash could drastically alter the rest of his life.
I was impressed with Aleix Asparagus catching up towards the end and getting into 4th. Perhaps finally
the Aprilia is the Real Deal. Pol said he's looking forward for a Brother on Brother fight.
I'm going to be watching the Yamaha camp. I'm wondering if the frustration of having really a sub par bike
will eventually affect Fabio. Frankie is so chill I think he'll just ride.

Mad

Mad, I reckon Yamaha are completely screwed.
They have the only bike to not make substantial gains and Qman knows it.
Hope I am wrong but I don't believe he will be in the mix this season unless its a dedicated Yamaha track.

Ducati have had as good a nightmare at Qatar as one can have.
I'm sure Miller told them behind closed doors to go fuck themselves.
He's that sort of bloke.

KTM and Aprilia will show some good things but thats about it.

I reckon Suzuki and Honda are the teams to watch.
But you can't discount Ducati...

Bring on Mandalika.
Will give us a bit more of an idea what is happening.

Come on Hub, you are always in front of the game with MotoGP predictions after every race...

* Last updated by: yannih on 3/9/2022 @ 2:43 AM *

Even a comment was made on ATF that it is hard to predict the top 3 these days. I guess I was not the only one. MM was either 1 or 2, and it was a lot easier to fill 2 more in at the end. But these last few years MM is not in the mix, though he fills Rossi's slot for 'don't count him out.'

Only thing I predicted was a podium fill of duc's for at least 2 rounds minimum, but with Espargaro bros hot out of the gate, the ape and ktm's looking competitive, might see a family affair on the podium as a prediction. Alex is getting long in the tooth and better make it happen.

I predicted Enea to be the one to lookout for. Probably on Miller's old bike of last year, but here is Basti fastest on a new bike [for him], new track [pre-race practice], wins first race, is 23, is noted for saving tires for the end, is the full package. I forgot fastest qualifier if he didn't breakout of the green zone. Tried to correct, no advantage; probably lost time with the body english.

https://www.roadracingworld.com/news/motogp-world-championship-race-results-from-qatar-2/

4 manu's running 168km and look how a km sends you so far back. Maybe this year, it's who's the manu filling the podium are the predictions, not the riders... looks like

I hope he tries again!

I hope to try what you're smoking. Short term memory is not what it used to be. Figure the 'checks are not coming' either. Now, get back to the newsroom and keep us updated. 'Building back like it used to be.'

might see a family affair on the podium as a prediction

Now Hub, forget the Hubbish.
Who is your single pick for the 2022 Championship?
That goes for you as well Mad?
(And anyone else who wishes to throw their pick in as well)
I have already advised 93 as my man!

Bragging rights are on offer here!!!

* Last updated by: yannih on 3/10/2022 @ 1:40 AM *

Basti for all the marbles. Wherever he goes, whatever he does.

Well yannih, I was backing Pecco, but after Qatar I'm not sure anymore. I'm not sure Enea
is ready to sustain a season long challenge for the title, so I'm in a state of cornfusion.
I'd have to say Pecco is still the safe bet but ( gasp!) Marc could be the Dark Horse this year.

Mad

* Last updated by: Maddevill on 3/10/2022 @ 11:22 AM *

So Mad, are we officially putting you down for Pecco?

Yeah, for now keep me on the Bagnaia bandwagon.

Mad

p.s.- notice who's missing ?