2013 MotoGP Thread

[Rob]

Voices from Sepang: Stoner in place of Bradl in Australia?
Many of us hope, but for now suppo denies saying that you have not even heard Casey
October 12, 2013 14:32 Voices from Sepang: Stoner in place of Bradl in Australia?

The fracture of the ankle remedied today in Sepang , compel Stefan Bradl to give up the Malaysian Grand Prix . To shorten the recovery time, the German will undergo a surgery soon in Kuala Lumpur, hoping to be able to go riding his RC213V of the LCR in a week at Phillip Island . thing, however, is not so obvious and then Lucio Cecchinello moving you'd be looking for a possible replacement. Invariably the name that began to circulate in the paddock at the Malaysian track was to Casey Stoner will be at the Australian Phillip Island for a lap of honor, recently had the opportunity to perform a couple of tests with the RC213V , also His debut with the team took their manager's Italian. This clearly would be the dream of many fans and it must be said that several colleagues have tried to spur Casey front of the microphones of journalists ( Marc Marquez and Colin Edwards all), even if the ' last word probably will be for the Honda and when Livio Suppo does not seem too convinced of the feasibility of the operation. " It would be dangerous for him, he has not raced for almost a year and has made ​​only a few days of testing , "he told GPOne.com . " I know him well, if he was interested I would have already called. Nor did it . " In short, at the time HRC does not seem too much of this idea, but many of us still hope ...

http://www.omnicorse.it/magazine/316...-ma-suppo-nega

[Rob]

missed quali. See if i can catch at some point.

[Rob]

Marquez delighted to earn tricky Sepang pole

Marc Marquez Sepang 2013 Q2 review
Sepang Qualifying: Pole position - Marc Márquez
Saturday, 12 October 2013

World Championship leader Marc Marquez took his eighth pole position of the season with a new lap record at the Sepang International Circuit on Saturday.
It was an exciting conclusion to Q2 at the Shell Advance Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix, Marquez again putting on a show, as he broke the circuit record on his final hot lap. That was enough to give him pole position number eight of the season, his fourth in a row.

Valentino Rossi, Cal Crutchlow, Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa all took turns to lead the way in the 15 minute shootout, but it was rookie and World Championship leader Marquez who smashed the circuit record with his last attempt.

A mistake at Turn 1 of his penultimate lap had left him with little margin for error on his final go, but he came back strong to take another pole position. He will be joined by Rossi and Crutchlow on the front row, with Lorenzo and Pedrosa on the second row in fourth and fifth, respectively.

"I'm really happy with this pole position, particularly as earning it was a little different to with my previous poles," reflected the young Spaniard. "At the start of qualifying there were two completely wet corners, which made it hard to put in a hot lap as we had to calculate the amount of risk ‒whilst still maintaining our speed. I knew that the final lap of the session would be definitive, because the surface was drying out and conditions were getting better by the minute."

"Things worked out for us and I set a time that I really wasn't expecting. Tomorrow will be a different story, because Lorenzo and Dani both have a great pace, so we shall see if we have a bit of good fortune and the conditions remain dry."

[Rob]

Rossi achieves best grid spot since 2010

Saturday, 12 October 2013

Valentino Rossi enjoyed his best qualifying session of the season at Sepang, scoring second on the grid for Sunday’s Shell Advance Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix.
Indeed the result for the nine-time World Champion is also his best qualifying result since Motegi 2010 - and puts him in a strong position ahead of the 15th race of the season.

The 15-minute Q2 took place with uncertain track conditions after a pre-session rain shower tested rider skill to the limit. Having saved a big moment at turn six on his first lap, Rossi put his head down and set a 2’03.499 to take provisional pole position.

A flurry of activity at the top followed and the multi-title winner came in to change to a fresh rear tyre in third position. As the last minutes counted down Rossi became a key protagonist in the battle for pole, delivering a scorching 2’00.336 lap to take another provisional pole, a position he held for a few seconds before a final hot lap from rival Marc Marquez moved him to second, 0.325s from pole.

"I’m very happy about today," Rossi beamed afterwards. "From this morning we really improved the bike. We worked hard with the team this weekend and I like the set up a lot, I can really push and have a good pace. Just before qualifying it started to rain and everything became more difficult. I expected it to be full dry but two or three corners were not, I had a big moment on the first lap and I was very happy to not crash, I have to say thank you to my Yamaha!"

He added, "After that I tried to push and I made a very good lap time, especially considering the conditions. Now we wait for tomorrow and I hope it will be dry because I think in the dry we are very competitive."

Defending World Champion Jorge Lorenzo shared a similar experience to his teammate Rossi, having a big moment at turn six on his first lap. Like Rossi he was also able to save it and then returned to the pits to watch the session unfold and decide on a strategy.

As the lap times began to tumble he came back out with six minutes remaining and immediately took provisional pole with a 2’00.792 second lap. He kept the pressure on, immediately dropping further with 2’00.578. A lack of trust in the track conditions held him back from attempting a perfect lap, his time good enough to take fourth on the grid on the second row, 0.567s from pole.

Lorenzo commented, "Today we improved the bike a lot and I feel much more comfortable than yesterday. I did a long run in free practice which went quite well. Then before qualifying we changed the bike a little and we were able to improve it further. The problem was in some corners, especially in turn six and turn seven as it was wet. On my second lap I almost crashed there so I didn't trust the corners to be able to make a perfect lap."

[Rob]

Crutchlow: 'The team have done a brilliant job.
Saturday, 12 October 2013

Monster Yamaha Tech3’s Cal Crutchlow thanked his crew after he made a return to the front row of the grid in Malaysia, finishing third fastest in a dramatic conclusion to qualifying.
Crutchlow calculated where he could push hard to battle for a third pole position throughout a tense and exciting Q2, after rain had fallen just before the session.

A lap of 2’01.801 put Crutchlow on top of the rankings by just 0.006s over Dani Pedrosa shortly after the halfway stage. In a frantic last lap sprint in improving conditions, the 27-year-old improved his pace to 2’00.359 to clinch a spot on the front row of the grid for the seventh time in 2013.

“I am really happy to be back on the front row because it was not an easy session at all,” said the Englishman. “It was hard with a dark visor to see where the track was wet and in some corners it was pretty tricky. It was a bit of a lottery with the damp sections and I think it came down to who was willing to take the most risks right at the end when the track was improving.”

Crutchlow continued, “Today’s result is a great reward for my crew because they have done a brilliant job giving me a very competitive package this weekend. It is going to be a very tough race in the heat and humidity but hopefully I can put up a good fight. It will be hard for the tyres as well because 20-laps is a long race and the tyres have been going off quite quickly.”

[fratelliferrari]

How was the race today? I have seen the results but was it a nice race?

[Suzie]

How was the race today? I have seen the results but was it a nice race?

It was okay - Jorge and Marc had a fantastic tussle in the first part of the race. The second half was pretty uneventful.

[fratelliferrari]

It was okay - Jorge and Marc had a fantastic tussle in the first part of the race. The second half was pretty uneventful.

Thanks then I will watch summary only

[Rob]

New challenge as mandatory bike swaps added to Australian GP.

Saturday, 19 October 2013
For the first time in MotoGP™ history, compulsory bike changes will be required in Sunday’s Tissot Australian Grand Prix. With a new race distance of 26 laps, all riders will be required to change bikes during the race.

The change came courtesy of an announcement from Race Direction after qualifying on Saturday, with Bridgestone having announced that it is unable to guarantee the safety of its rear slick tyres beyond 14 laps.

It has therefore been decided to make the following changes to the MotoGP™ class race in the interests of safety:

1. The race distance will be 26 laps (previously scheduled to be 27)

2. Every rider will be required to enter the pits and change to their second machine with fresh tyres at least once during the race.

3. No rider is permitted to make more than 14 laps on any one slick rear tyre. This means that a bike/tyre change before lap 12 would require a second bike/tyre change to finish the race

4. Riders using ‘Factory’ and ‘Satellite’ machines will be required to use the ‘hard’ option tyre (B51DR). Extra quantity will be allocated by Bridgestone

5. Riders using CRT machines will be required to use the CRT ‘hard’ option tyre (B50DR). Extra quantity will be allocated by Bridgestone

6. The pit lane speed limit zone will be extended both on entry and exit and the exit route to rejoin the track will be marked by a white line in the runoff area; crossing this line whilst rejoining the track from pit lane will result in a penalty

[Rob]

Marquez's 11th front row, Pedrosa on Row 2.
Saturday, 19 October 2013

In a dramatic Q2 session at Phillip Island, World Championship leader Marc Marquez secured his 11th front row start for Sunday’s Tissot Australian Grand Prix – with his Repsol Honda teammate Dani Pedrosa, starting from the second row in fifth.

Marquez, who had a small crash at turn 10 in FP3 on his first exit with the hard rear tyre, recorded his fastest lap on his second run in qualifying - on lap 6 of 8 with a 1'28.120, claiming second on the grid.

With his second position, Marquez has now also sealed the BMW M Award for Best Qualifier in 2013.

Marquez stated, "The goal today was to get a front row start, and we achieved it. We knew that Jorge (Lorenzo) and Valentino (Rossi) would both be very fast over a single lap with the new soft tyre compound, something that they showed today."

"Jorge, Dani and Valentino have a great pace, but I think I can stick with them. After the issues with tyres the race will now be a flag-to-flag, which for me is the first time so it will be interesting - even if I would have preferred a shorter race but this is the decision from Race Direction."

Pedrosa also worked hard in qualifying and got his fastest time on the last of his nine laps with a 1'28.748 lap, placing him fifth.

"I'll make no excuses," Pedrosa commented. "Qualifying didn't go well for us and I was not able to go fast. However, the practice sessions have been positive for us. Now we have been told that Race Direction have taken a decision to make the race 26 laps with a flag-to-flag. I don't think this is the best option but this is the scenario so we will do our best to prepare for it."

[madders25]

Really gutted for redding fractured wrist.

[Suzie]

RIP seagull.

[fratelliferrari]

I read it was a crazy race today but couldn't see it so I will watch it later this day.

[Rishu]

Shocker from Honda/Marquez

[Rob]

Shocker from Honda/Marquez

Yet, another team mistake, they gt be on the ball in Japan. Good result for The Docter, great see him on the podium. Want see him more on the top step next year, get his 10th title

[Rishu]

Yet, another team mistake, they gt be on the ball in Japan. Good result for The Docter, great see him on the podium. Want see him more on the top step next year, get his 10th title

I really want Marquez to take the title. Lorenzo is a champion rider, Marquez can not afford another mistake. The doctor is doing what Kimi will do for us next year: crucial WCC points :D

[fratelliferrari]

Shocker from Honda/Marquez

That must have been a very painful race today for Marc! I still hope he wins the title because I don't like Lorenzo at all!

[wisepie]

This looks like the thread for Massabots to divert to from now on! Marquez has had a brilliant season but is he another Vettel? I feel for Dani Pedrosa as he's always the bridesmaid, and Vale is just Vale, so any result he gets is a bonus. Admire Lorenzo, but no charisma. Silly mistake yesterday from Honda/Marquez but the racing itself is so close it's terrifying to watch. And I miss Simoncelli, but there are some strong Italians coming on in the CRT pack.

[fratelliferrari]

This looks like the thread for Massabots to divert to from now on! Marquez has had a brilliant season but is he another Vettel? I feel for Dani Pedrosa as he's always the bridesmaid, and Vale is just Vale, so any result he gets is a bonus. Admire Lorenzo, but no charisma. Silly mistake yesterday from Honda/Marquez but the racing itself is so close it's terrifying to watch. And I miss Simoncelli, but there are some strong Italians coming on in the CRT pack.

I like Pedrosa the most of the Spaniards but because he can't win the title anymore this year I hope Marquez will win because as I said I don't like Lorenzo. Valentino is doing a good job at the moment to, just a shame the Dreamteam Ducati-Rossi hadn't the success a lot of us had hoped for.

[Ste]

I think Honda's so called mistake was utter rubbish frankly. How can they have made that error? They knew there was a two-lap pit window, regardless of whether they thought you could come in on lap 11. Pedrosa pitted three laps before Marquez - so the 'mistake' is a bit odd.

I'm really enjoying MotoGP this year - not that I don't normally! I've always been a Rossi fan but have always liked Lorenzo too so I like to see them both doing well. The problem is that I supported Marquez through the lower series'. I think Marquez deserves the title - it would be amazing for a 20 year old to keep breaking records like he has so far. Though I wouldn't be complaining if Lorenzo won either! Happy that the championship is 'on' a bit longer but the Black Flag did seem incredibly extreme - why not a ride through penalty instead?

[wisepie]

I like Pedrosa the most of the Spaniards but because he can't win the title anymore this year I hope Marquez will win because as I said I don't like Lorenzo. Valentino is doing a good job at the moment to, just a shame the Dreamteam Ducati-Rossi hadn't the success a lot of us had hoped for.

As Ducati is now owned by Audi (I think), it's no longer the Italian team I'd supported, and they just seem to go backwards at the moment, even with Dovi and Hayden riding. Rossi/Ducati success would have been great, and we must have Latin blood in us somewhere, fratelli, we just seem to support anything and anyone with emotion in their veins!

[Rishu]

I think Honda's so called mistake was utter rubbish frankly. How can they have made that error? They knew there was a two-lap pit window, regardless of whether they thought you could come in on lap 11. Pedrosa pitted three laps before Marquez - so the 'mistake' is a bit odd.

I'm really enjoying MotoGP this year - not that I don't normally! I've always been a Rossi fan but have always liked Lorenzo too so I like to see them both doing well. The problem is that I supported Marquez through the lower series'. I think Marquez deserves the title - it would be amazing for a 20 year old to keep breaking records like he has so far. Though I wouldn't be complaining if Lorenzo won either! Happy that the championship is 'on' a bit longer but the Black Flag did seem incredibly extreme - why not a ride through penalty instead?

Black flag probably since it wasn't a racing mistake/incident. Rules were pretty clear before the race was started, if you don't obey them, black flag seems to be fine penalty IMO.

[Tobes]

Yet, another team mistake, they gt be on the ball in Japan. Good result for The Docter, great see him on the podium. Want see him more on the top step next year, get his 10th title

Ha ha, thought it was a good race, bit too short but with shades of Michelins disaster at Indy, the weekend was kinda comical from the start, we learned really young riders aren't always the best plan if Marquez can't count past 10 and George isn't a bird lover...

10th title..? Pah... you can't count the MotoGP feeder classes, that's like counting GP2 and GP3 as a world titles, as far as i'm concerned he's a 7 time Champ, just like Schumi...

[Rob]

Ha ha, thought it was a good race, bit too short but with shades of Michelins disaster at Indy, the weekend was kinda comical from the start, we learned really young riders aren't always the best plan if Marquez can't count past 10 and George isn't a bird lover...

10th title..? Pah... you can't count the MotoGP feeder classes, that's like counting GP2 and GP3 as a world titles, as far as i'm concerned he's a 7 time Champ, just like Schumi...

That is true mate. Funny how Marquez carried around for 1 more lap, i couldnt believe it.

Bird lover, what did i miss?

[Suzie]

Rob did you not see the seagull getting sucked into Jorge's bike during quali?



Something very macabre about watching him ride around with the poor thing flapping away

[Rob]

Cheers Suzie, no i didnt see quali. Never seen that happen.

[fratelliferrari]

Sadly too early in the morning to see Quali and Race live this weekend

[fratelliferrari]

Lorenzo on pole for tomorrow with Marquez in second. Will be an exciting end of the championship in Moto GP.

[fratelliferrari]

So the championship will be decided in the last race. Iam already excited for the last race

[Rishu]

I am eagerly waiting for this weekend