MotoGP - Moto 2 - Moto 3 - 2017 banter thread

[kals]

Bottom post of the previous page:

Lorenzo is claiming that Ducati didn't have his second bike ready in time for the change, and that the setup on that bike wasn't that good.

I feel sorry for Scott Redding. Came out of the bike changes in 2nd place and finished the race in 16th. What does he have to do to catch a break in 2017?

[John]

You would have thought that Rossi would have learned a thing or two from Sachsenring last year, but no. Great job tearing through the field to salvage a few points - for a moment there the championship looked all but over. Same goes for Dovi. But MM was just brilliant, he fell like an absolutely brick through the field with the wets, so it was more a case of "Might as well change bike anyway". But you still have to get those first few laps with slicks on a damp track to work.

Austria next up, a good chance for Dovi to make up points there.

[Andy]

Yamaha messed it up overall. Bike not ready for Folger when he did the right call, too late calls for Rossi, Zarco and Vinales .
Please tell me how the second bike can't be ready when the flag drops

[kals]

[Everso Biggyballies]

Austria this weekend, where last year we saw a Ducati benefit, and this year looked like it could be the same this year in early practice. Come qualifying and Marquez had different ideas and took his third successive pole position, and fifth of the season. Ducati took the rest of the front row.

Qualifying 2 results - 2017 Austrian MotoGP Grand Prix
Pos. Driver Team Time Laps
1. M. Marquez Repsol Honda 01:23.235 10
2. A. Dovizioso Ducati 01:23.379 10
3. J. Lorenzo Ducati 01:23.621 8
4. M. Viñales Yamaha 01:23.754 9
5. D. Petrucci Pramac 01:23.780 8
6. J. Zarco Tech 3 01:23.879 8
7. V. Rossi Yamaha 01:23.982 9
8. D. Pedrosa Repsol Honda 01:23.985 9
9. C. Crutchlow LCR Honda 01:24.024 10
10. A. Iannone Suzuki 01:24.185 10
11. K. Abraham Aspar 01:24.220 9
12. L. Baz R. Esponsorama 01:24.483 9

Those that did not make Q2:

Tech 3's Jonas Folger will start from 13th position, having narrowly missed out on a Q2 spot, in front of Avintia's Héctor Barberá and outgoing Pramac rider Scott Redding.

Pol Espargaró fronted KTM's three-strong charge for its home event in 16th position, with tester Mika Kallio taking 18th for his second wildcard of the campaign, as Bradley Smith qualified in 22nd place.

Espargaró and Kallio were split by Aspar's Álvaro Bautista, while Pramac-bound Marc VDS rider Jack Miller took 19th.

Aprilia struggled for pace, with Aleix Espargaró running off-track en route to 20th spot, while Sam Lowes was a low-key 23rd, a day after it was confirmed that he will not be with the team in 2018.

Suzuki's Álex Rins was 21st, with Tito Rabat (Marc VDS) qualifying as the slowest of the 24 riders.

[Everso Biggyballies]

What magnificent MotoGP race we witnessed at Austria today! Multiple race leaders, mistakes, thrills, spills, elbow banging, bravado, stupidity (minor cases) overtaking, the race had it all. To cap it all we had a race undecided until a few metres shy of the line.... indeed we had two passing moves for the race lead on the last corner of the race.

I wont spoil it for those yet to see it. For those who havent take the trouble to watch it in full, as the highlights summary does not do it justice. One of the best races in years.

[Andy]

What magnificent MotoGP race we witnessed at Austria today! Multiple race leaders, mistakes, thrills, spills, elbow banging, bravado, stupidity (minor cases) overtaking, the race had it all. To cap it all we had a race undecided until a few metres shy of the line.... indeed we had two passing moves for the race lead on the last corner of the race.

I wont spoil it for those yet to see it. For those who havent take the trouble to watch it in full, as the highlights summary does not do it justice. One of the best races in years.

Fantastic to watch indeed! I just wonder whether Tech3 tries to keep Folger low at this rate of problems taking last weekends bike change debacle and todays 'loss of brakes' into account.

[John]

What an amazing race. Wow. Just, absolutely stunned. Not quite sure if Dovi's handgesture at the end was "Yes, I won" or a "Marc, you nearly ran me off the track".

[Antonov]

When Marquez passed Dovizioso the first time, I thought - well this is it, it is going to settle down now.
Very happy I was thinking wrong. Good good race!

[John]

With Pol's 9th-place finish at Brno, and Kallio's P10 at Spielberg, KTM is really starting to catch up. Heck, I wonder if they haven't already reached Aprilia and the headelss Suzuki-team in terms of performance.

[John]

I approve of this.

[MonteCristo]

Niiiiice.

[kals]

Is that permanent or just for Silverstone? Either way, it is a YES from me!

[John]

Is that permanent or just for Silverstone? Either way, it is a YES from me!

Not quite sure. LCR Honda just stated on their FB-page that "they've unveiled their new livery", but nothing more than that.

I sure hope it sticks around, though. Now get me some black and yellow Yamaha's and Pepsi Suzukis and I'm good.

[Everso Biggyballies]

Now get me some black and yellow Yamaha's and Pepsi Suzukis and I'm good.

[kals]

Now get me some black and yellow Yamaha's and Pepsi Suzukis and I'm good.

Your wish is my command