Last lap was the race. That suz can really crank over or Mir is working that bike to the limit. Zarco's engine is a freak and they'll have to park that engine in a race or two. You called it. The duc's top end ate suz's lunch.

Q&FP had my picks up there, but come R time they sunk like lead. I still stayed with them because it's hard like last year to call the podium. Even the announcers made comment on a pick. So I bet lunch on my numbers. He picked 63-20-21, so Baggie hit the podium. I almost duc'd one. Now he's two up on me.

Oofah. What happened to Miller and Rossi ?? Tires, rider?. I know the track was much cooler
during the race but those two had nothing. And I don't think Morbidelli was even at the track.
Maybe he overslept in his motorhome. I'm always impressed with Mir. He gets stronger as
the race goes on, His passes, while close, are almost always clean. I'm delaying my
thoughts on Top Gun. We'll see if he's as good next weekend.

Mad

After qualifying, Valentino Rossi starting the Doha GP from 21st position on the grid.
Out of 22 riders...

Martin pole.
A rookie.
Brilliant stuff...

* Last updated by: yannih on 4/4/2021 @ 2:14 AM *

Two duc's and a yammie fill the podium.

16 year old Pedro Acosta might be the new MM. 1 of 7 penalized riders started from pit lane. First time on the track. Groomed in Spain. Debut victory. Someone to watch in moto3.

So he's a cup champion from the Spanish farm team? Not up on the cup kids. Where do I hand in my race card?

Clears throat... Well, well, is the old man inspired by Acosta and climbs out of that hole with the ladder rung of riders in front of him? Or is this his question mark to run the rest of the season if not cancel his 2022 contract? The fork if I know? Especially when the same shitpile Franco's on... it's not the bike.

* Last updated by: Hub on 4/4/2021 @ 9:16 AM *

Had to be the best 3 races in a row for the year.
No sign of MM and even if he did...
Rossi was the fastest of the slowest riders, 14 seconds off the pace, 6 seconds away was next place. The hand is on the drawer handle.
It's Zarco's championship to lose.
V-4 configuration needs another look at, cough, competition.

Two duc's and a yammie, yeah I know... I cheated.

I am hoping Miller is the man this year and have been supporting him since the start of this season.

But I don't care if it's an out of control Italian kicking another rider off his bike or an Australian who has lost the plot and intentionally steering wide into another rider.

It's exactly the same thing!

Miller was completely out of order and should have be penalised for his actions.
Mir's first overtake was aggressive but not completely unsafe.
Thats good hard racing.
And he apologised.

Then with the second incident I believe Miller had the red mist in front of his eyes and reacted in an unsportsmanlike fashion.
When I was watching the race live and saw the second incident was under investigation I though "You are in strife here Miller".
But they did nothing?

Not good enough MotoGP.

Allowing riders to lose control and put other racers at risk is simply not acceptable.

It disappoints me to see any rider, let alone an Australian, act like that.

Get it right 43!!!

* Last updated by: yannih on 4/5/2021 @ 1:03 AM *

I agree with your point about Miller. Looked like a deliberate move. Bad boy
Pedro was just amathing. He thertainly is a fatht kid.
I saw a post on Farcebook, guy said he was going to post spoilers but wanted to wait
a couple hours until Rossi finished the race...OHHH SNAP !!!
Good season so far. Let's see how far French Toast can get.

Mad

Only MM has been consistent. The others have been flashes in the pan. Martin and Baggie should be the factory riders. Good luck with Miller. I think the battle might be for rookie honors... Basti, Martin, and Baggie. If Zarco has that incentive to keep it going, he sure can't blame the bike or lack of jell with the crew like he did last year.

I rather see MM sit out the whole year if not retire and face facts about losing full range on a bike like this.

Fickle fan as I am, I liked how the suz team came together a few years back. Now another set of rookies are about to head for team duc. I think Miller is feeling the pressure by the Pramac riders and Basti. His one year fling or back to having a premier national rider on said bike.

Watching those Sky-46 riders come up in the ranks might keep Rossi in the pits as a motogp staple. I doubt he'll get out of the game he loves.

Rossi sold his Moto3 team to clear the way for him to buy a MotoGP team.
Apparently the rules prevent ownership in all 3 classes. One way or another, Rossi
Will be in the pits.

Mad

Rossi sold his Moto3 team to clear the way for him to buy a MotoGP team.

Yes, I know he will have one or two reasonable qualifyings and races and the commentators and everyone else will say "He's evergreen, forever young, what a rider at 42, keep going, etc".
But look at the overall season results over the last few years (last win in 2017 I believe) and that tells the whole story.

And as all can already see, the best thing the factory Yamaha team could have done was let him go.
Now he is now Petronas Yamaha's liability...

And the great Valentino Rossi riding for a second team and not in the top one?

It's time. Make the call 46...

* Last updated by: yannih on 4/6/2021 @ 1:27 PM *

HE'S BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

* Last updated by: yannih on 4/10/2021 @ 3:05 AM *

You keep forgetting. Rossi is on a satellite team. He's not on a satellite bike
2021 Yamaha with Factory support. But in one sense you are correct. He either has
to shit or get off the pot. This season tells the tale.
It will be fascinating to see what level Mark is at. He could eclipse Doohan's
comeback story.
Mad

Name your scenario:
MM and brother go out in practice together. MM works his brother up for blocking techniques, and helps him get up to speed. Plan B is MM remains smart and consistent and plugs away at 2nd-3rd places, a 4th maybe once. The others are not that consistent as MM so it goes back and forth all year where MM is positioned. Where this brings another pie cut to the slices like tires, favorite tracks, rain, top speed dominance, rookie riders upsetting the pack, head games in general, ect.

The way the guy ran the stats, almost looks like it's MM v. Zarco for the win.

https://www.asphaltandrubber.com/motogp/marc-marquez-2021-motogp-championship-analysis-motomatters/

Ok, here's my pick
Zarco for the win
Vinales
Bagnaia

MM finishes in the top 10- I say 7th.

Mad

Mad, jumping on the Zarco wagon huh?
I hope you are right.
Don't know why but I'm a big Zarco fan.
Hope he does really well and maybe goes all the way.
But all will struggle if Marquez comes back strong.
Time will tell.
I'm still real pissed at Miller...

Hooboy...I said I'd lick Marcs taint if he came back and won this race.
Currently he's 3rd in practice...
I'm getting out my Chapstik and mouthwash.

Mad

Dry:
Probably a duc/suz/hon,

Wet:
Danilo/Alex/Rossi.

Most likely? MM hardly crashes out of a race. There is the focus. Guy like that has a win mentality at all [career ending] costs.

Amazing return by Marquez.
And if you weren't touched at the end when he broke down you ain't human.

Oh, and Rossi fell off...

I am a JENIUS ! I picked Marc to finish 7th...He finished....7th
I'm also a DOPE. I picked Zarco to win....oops!
They showed Marc in the garage after the race. He was whipped. His right arm was
dangling like it was dead. Great ride back, he didn't crash, although he got close.
Almost time to see Valentino Rossi- MotoGP team owner.

Mad

Duc loses championship due to fly-by-wire.

https://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/gearbox-issue-led-to-zarcos-portugal-motogp-crash/6363321/

Mad/yannih, this one is for you. Not familiar with the points gathering, but just watched moto2's 'extra' points handout besides final position. 5 for fastest lap, 6 points for the top qualifier. I didn't know that.

If we are saying this points structure is for all 3 classes, that means it would take those points for MM to catch up on the points lead for the rest of the season and I don't think so. Especially when he's not 100% first time out. Especially when he bails a lot more sticking that head out farther.

Thanks.

Poor Franco is riding the wheels of that bike. Bag might have this one in the bag. Gone is the elbow down on the one side is MM needs more recovery time and a few years... I don't think so. They are contemplating about jumping that kid from moto3 to gp next year? If he pans out, I would.

So Rossi begins to build his empire by teaming up with a lot of factories looks like. Duc would be the better choice if national pride is all about this international sport anyway. With his farm filled with Italians, factory down the road, I mean come on.

The GOAT would be the ambassador to both his clothing franchise and now have duc work on it? Both share royalties. Can't say he's has not given back to the sport all these years with the academy, fan base. Not a bridge burner per say.

Let's see if the tableware drawer gets pulled out mid or end of year. Lot's of mid packers that should pack it in.

Ok here's my picks for Jerez

Bagnaia
Vinales
Rabat......oops..I mean Zarco.
MM finishes 6th

Mad

So, Marc is saying his arm is getting tired. He skipped part of FP2. Totally
expected due to his injury. Miller still struggling. I guess his arm
pump surgery affected him more than he thought. Oofah...Rossi back down
between 19th and 21st. And " Have no ideas of what to do " to make his bike
work. All 3 of the other Yamahas are comfortably in the top 10.
Aleix Asparagus still running at the front. Lines are now forming for
a ride next year on the Ape....
Ducati stated that they'd like Rossi to run their bikes in his MotoGP team
next year.

Mad