[motor_breathing]

I am of the view that MM93 on GP25 with Ducati Lenovo team is going to be very bad for the spectators. I think he is going to wipe the floor with Pecco. No I am not a MM93 fan, in fact i don't like him a bit, but overall i think on GP23 he has proved that what a monster (pun intended) he will be on equal machinery. He will runaway with the titles. Happy if i am proven wrong.

[Porschefire]

Originally Posted by motor_breathing

I am of the view that MM93 on GP25 with Ducati Lenovo team is going to be very bad for the spectators. I think he is going to wipe the floor with Pecco. No I am not a MM93 fan, in fact i don't like him a bit, but overall i think on GP23 he has proved that what a monster (pun intended) he will be on equal machinery. He will runaway with the titles. Happy if i am proven wrong.

If that happens, it'll be one of the greatest comebacks:

career threatening injury -> riding the worst bike on the grid -> switching to a satellite team and becoming competetive again -> winning the race for the best seat on the grid -> winning the championship (hopefully, per your prediction).

[Porschefire]

News Feed

Maverick Vinales, Enea Bastianini join Tech3 KTM for MotoGP 2025

KTM has completed its 2025 MotoGP line-up by announcing the signing of both Aprilia's Maverick Vinales and Ducati's Enea Bastianini to form the Tech3 line-up.

The French-based team will also return to 'Red Bull KTM' branding next season, after two years in red GASGAS livery.

With Brad Binder and current Tech3 rookie star Pedro Acosta confirmed at the factory KTM team next year, both Jack Miller and Augusto Fernandez will leave the RC16 project.


Source: https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/10...tm-motogp-2025

KTM's definitely reaped the benefits of the 2025 silly season and looks set to take the fight to Ducati next year!

[ds.raikkonen]

Originally Posted by Porschefire

KTM's definitely reaped the benefits of the 2025 silly season and looks set to take the fight to Ducati next year!

Both Vinales and Bastianini are too inconsistent to make any major impact on the championship. KTM's WC charge will be spearheaded by Acosta for sure.

Aprilia can't expect Martin to win the title in his first season with them, wins will come for sure (at least Sprint wins).

Ducati will have their strongest line up ever with Pecco and Marc and with Aldeguer set to join and other good riders like Bez/Diggia onboard they will still be favorites for both titles.

[Porschefire]

Happy Birthday, MotoGP!

MotoGP completed its 75th birthday yesterday, 13th June 2024.

The day was the 13th of June 1949, and the race was the inaugural showdown in the 350cc World Championship. It took place on the Isle of Man as part of the very first Grand Prix weekend, which later saw the very first premier class race take place on the 17th of June.


Source: https://www.motogp.com/en/news/2024/...-motogp/501172

The 75th Anniversary special #MotoGP75 festivities are set to kick up a gear at the Monster Energy British Grand Prix at Silverstone with all the 11 teams on the grid – including the five factories – racIng with their own special edition, vintage paintwork.


Source: https://www.motogp.com/en/news/2024/...erstone/501027

[rajeevsulu]

I am so looking forward to next season already.All manufacturers, atleast the European manufacturers, have very good teams now.I don't think the Japanese manufacturers matter much in the scheme of things, atleast for the next couple of seasons.

Hope it makes for some close racing and a tight season.There is just no fun in one rider or manufacturer sweeping everything.

Cheers

[Porschefire]

GP8: 28 June - 30 June

Motul TT Assen

TT Circuit Assen

Assen is the longest serving venue on the calendar, having held a round every year since 1949 with the sole exception of 2020 due to Covid restrictions. The circuit was purpose built for the Dutch TT in 1955, with previous events having been held on public roads. The track is narrow, with rapid changes in direction, and is fully surrounded by grass banks and grandstands, providing excellent viewing for the hundreds of thousands of fanatical spectators who are drawn to the most prestigious event in Dutch motorsport every year. A huge favourite with riders, Assen is well known for its festive and extravagant atmosphere.
In 1999 the circuit was modified with a new grandstand, control tower, press centre and renovated boxes. Modifications to the Assen circuit over the winter of 2005/6 saw the length cut from over 6km down to 4.555km/2.83miles.







Previous Winners


2023


2022

PS: I'll be in Assen to live my first MotoGP experience, super excited and waiting impatiently for Thursday!

[Porschefire]

News Feed

Marco Bezzecchi to Aprilia for MotoGP 2025

As predicted by many, Marco Bezzecchi will join the factory Aprilia team for the 2025 MotoGP season. Like Martin, Bezzecchi has signed a 'multi-year agreement'.

Bezzecchi's deal means the factory Ducati, KTM and Aprilia seats are all decided for 2025. Honda and Yamaha each have one factory team place still to be confirmed.


Source: https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/10...ia-motogp-2025

[ds.raikkonen]

Originally Posted by motor_breathing

I think he is going to wipe the floor with Pecco.

Marc is a ruthless winning machine, an 8 time WC out of which 6 are in the premier class! Enough said.

But....Pecco has been brought up by Gigi FOR the Ducati Desmo machine. He is one with the machine, much more than Marc is (at the moment anyway, never know with the aliens). Pecco will surely up his game for 2025 and be a major contender even with Marc next doors. It will be a battle for the ages, in nearly every other race next year

[Cyborg]

Originally Posted by ds.raikkonen

Pecco will surely up his game for 2025 and be a major contender even with Marc next doors. It will be a battle for the ages, in nearly every other race next year

I feel Marc will dominate Pecco after he gets to grips with the bike and Pecco will crumble under the pressure with unnecessary mistakes when push comes to shove.

While Pecco is extremely good, Marc is on a different level mentally and possesses natural talent which he elevates to another level with his application. On equal machinery it’s extremely difficult to not see Marc as World Champion next year.

It is going to be an interesting 2025 in Moto GP with his (Marc’s) move and the other musical chairs of top riders.

Cheers

[Porschefire]

News Feed

1) Pramac signs with Yamaha for MotoGP 2025

Yamaha and Prima Pramac Racing have announced a new multi-year partnership. Prima Pramac Racing will become Yamaha's “second Factory Team” from 2025 onwards, while remaining an Independent Team on the MotoGP grid.

The multi-year programme will see close cooperation between the two parties, including Yamaha providing factory spec YZR-M1 bikes for Prima Pramac Racing. The riders will be directly contracted by Yamaha, and MotoGP engineering staff contracted by Yamaha will work together with Pramac team staff.

The official announcement that Pramac will become Yamaha’s new satellite MotoGP team from 2025 not only included confirmation that Pramac will have ‘factory bikes’ but also revealed a ‘future Moto2 project’.

Pramac has been Ducati's longest-serving and most successful satellite team and with this announcement, Ducati’s MotoGP presence will be reduced from eight to six riders next season.

During their 20 years with Desmosedicis, Pramac have achieved eight victories, 55 podiums, and 20 pole positions, as well as winning the 2023 teams’ title and finishing riders’ world championship runner-up with Jorge Martin.


Source: https://www.motogp.com/en/news/2024/...-racing/501840

2) 2025 Rider Market...

With Factory Ducati, Kim and Aprilia along with KTM Tech3 having confirmed their 2025 rider line-up and the news of Pramac joining hands with Yamaha, the rider market is in its second leg with 11 riders yet to be confirmed -

Gresini Racing: Gresini is set to keep one Marquez in MotoGP next season with Alex close to renewing at the satellite Ducati team for a third year. The second rider is yet to be confirmed and it is speculated to be Fermin Aldeguer.

Pertamina Enduro VR46: With Marco Bezzecchi moving to Aprilia, Fabio Di Giannantonio will most likely be retained. It is highly unlikely Franco Morbidelli would be willing to ride a Yamaha again so, he is mostly destined to arrive at VR46 due to his close connections with Valentino Rossi and will likely be riding the latest spec Ducati again.

Monster Energy Yamaha: Lin Jarvis has mentioned their priority is to retain Alex Rins and negotiations are currently underway.

Honda: Joan Mir has had his fair share of troubles with the RC213V and he has been quite critical of the bike raising doubts if the Japanese manufacturer will ever see the light at the end of the tunnel. Yet, he recently pivoted on his stance and interestingly, has stated that he intends to resign with Honda. WSBK star Toprak Razgatlioglu has also been linked to a move to MotoGP with Honda.

LCR Honda: While Taka Nakagami is doing his best on the troubled RC213V and is likely to be retained, rumours have cropped up that LCR might look at replacing Taka with Moto2 rider Ai Ogura.

Pramac Racing: Pramac are looking at a multi step process wherein they started with signing a long term contract with Yamaha and are now looking at riders who would fit the project as they know the road isn't easy and it would mean a few years of development before they can get competitive again. Jack Miller has stated that he shares good relations with everyone in the paddock and especially with Pramac so, he might fit the bill.

[Porschefire]

Dutch GP - Sprint





Dutch GP - Race





The World Championship standings after round eight:



My Experience

As I had mentioned elsewhere, I'd bought tickets to watch the Dutch GP and I drove down to Assen with my wife on Thursday. We were at the track to witness the Moto3, Moto2 and MotoGP Practice sessions on Friday; Moto3, Moto2 qualifying and MotoGP Sprint on Saturday and all sessions starting from Rider Fan Parade on Sunday.

I'll not go into the absolute details of everything but I will say that the experience was nothing short of exhilarating! The whole sense of speed, sound and drama is something that just cannot be experienced on television. My wife, who recently started watching MotoGP with me was thoroughly entertained and amazed at the same time.

Seeing the riders on track was an absolute dream come true for me. These are real life daredevils, with b***s of steel and without an iota of fear inside them.

Lastly, the venue was amazing and the event was very well organised.

Here are some pictures -


We stayed at Van Der Valk Hotel in Groningen-Hoogkerk which is about 35kms from the TT Circuit. We wanted to book Van Der Valk Hotel in Assen which was a 20mins walk to the circuit but it was completely sold out.






We were seated at the Haarbocht Tribune stand along the main straight. From out POV, we were right in front of the braking marker for Moto2 and MotoGP bikes and could see the Turn 1, 3, 4, 5 and the long lap clearly.




Behind the stands were the fan stores selling merchandise, shops selling food & beverages and toilets that were maintained very well. Outside the perimeter was parking for the motorcycles (just behind us) and cars.
I was initially worried about driving to venue as the parking can get quite messy in events of this scale but the ground staff were very respectful and accommodating in directing the traffic. The car parking was huge and very well maintained.


Luca Marini's Honda that broke down during the Sprint.


There were a few Rider Q&A sessions along with meet/greet with the fans. I managed to attend Taka's and get an autographed postcard from him.


My prized takeaway from this experience.


Happy Me.

[rajeevsulu]

That is a lovely experience that you have had.That too at the cathedral.I have seen the Gp at Sepang.This must have been special.

[ads11]

Really pleased for you @Porschefire! Sounds like an excellent experience.

Interesting news with Pramac ending their Ducati association to go with Yamaha. I don't fully follow the factory designation - surely there can only be one factory team right? Aren't Pramac a customer or is there a sort of premium economy type tier in between the business class of factory labelling and economy class of customer labelling?

I can only imagine it's good for Yamaha to have data from another 2 bikes to help them develop - that'll only be good for the sport as a whole to close the gap between the OEMs. All the OEMs now have two pairs of bikes to get developmental data from - though it leads me to another question: aren't some customer teams on older spec bikes, the data probably is less useful from these for the full fat factory outfit right?

[Porschefire]

Originally Posted by rajeevsulu

That is a lovely experience that you have had.That too at the cathedral.I have seen the Gp at Sepang.This must have been special.

Originally Posted by ads11

Really pleased for you @Porschefire! Sounds like an excellent experience.

Thank you so much. It was a surreal experience for sure.

Originally Posted by ads11

Interesting news with Pramac ending their Ducati association to go with Yamaha. I don't fully follow the factory designation - surely there can only be one factory team right? Aren't Pramac a customer or is there a sort of premium economy type tier in between the business class of factory labelling and economy class of customer labelling?

I can only imagine it's good for Yamaha to have data from another 2 bikes to help them develop - that'll only be good for the sport as a whole to close the gap between the OEMs. All the OEMs now have two pairs of bikes to get developmental data from - though it leads me to another question: aren't some customer teams on older spec bikes, the data probably is less useful from these for the full fat factory outfit right?

Every manufacturer except Yamaha currently have a factory team of two motorcycles and a satellite team with the latest spec motorcycles, that is also fully supported by the factory. This means the satellite team gets similar kind of technical support from the factory as well as access to the latest spare parts that are regularly introduced as part of the motorcycle development. Also, the manufacturer benefits from having access to more data to develop their motorcycles. It has to be noted that it depends on the manufacturer as to how many latest spec motorcycles they can produce and support. Usually it's 4 bikes, but Aprilia has only 3 with Raul Fernandez currently riding an older spec and destined to get the latest spec RS-GP around Silverstone.

Ducati also supports two additional satellite teams and supplies them with older spec motorcycles (usually N-1) to also benefit from collecting data off other riders on their older motorcycles to develop their current specs. However, the development on the older spec bikes from the factory side is very limited, if not none and it is up to the satellite team to play around with the package they have to produce their desired results. In Ducati's case, the older spec bikes are usually more competitive than the current spec in the first few rounds. The GP22 was much closer to GP23 in terms of performance during the entire season but the GP24 has been superior to the GP23 right from the get-go.

In Yamaha's case, they've had RNF Racing as their satellite team until the end of 2022 before they switched to Aprilia machinery so, they've been missing a full fledged satellite team since 2023. One of the many reasons for their lack of performance and competitiveness in the past couple of seasons could be attributed towards not having a satellite team so, signing Pramac should be a huge shot in the arm for their future development.