2021 banter & Silly season thread for MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3

[Everso Biggyballies]

Bottom post of the previous page:

Marquez confirmed OUT of the first two MotoGP races in Qatar.

Marquez as we know had targeted a return to MotoGP first race at Qatar. He did however say, that although he had been cleared to return to riding (motor) bikes for light training he would be only returning to race if the doctors gave their blessing and felt that he would be safe from further damage to his still recovering arm. Marquez has been in action in Barcelona and at the Algarve Circuit in Portugal riding an RC213V-S Honda track bike over the past week having stepped up his training.However despite his hopes, Honda have today confirmed he will not contest either of the first two races. He will undergo a further medical check-up on 12 April according to Honda, which also rules him out of the Doha GP in Qatar next weekend.

Marquez revealed this on social media.

"After the last check-up with the medical team, they have advised me not to participate in the two Qatar races so we will continue with the recovery to return to compete as soon as possible,” he wrote on Instagram.

Marquez’s arm started to show signs of proper recovery following his third operation, with the Honda rider cleared to begin training with bikes again earlier this month.

Despite this, doctors have advised him against racing in this weekend’s opening round of the 2021 campaign in Qatar.

“After the last review with the medical team, the doctors have advised me that the most prudent thing was not to take part in the Qatar Grand Prix and to continue with the recovery plan that we have followed in recent weeks,”
“I would have loved to be able to participate in the opening race of the world championship, but we will have to continue working to be able to recover the optimal conditions that allow us to return to competition.”

Marquez’s doctors’ decision to advise against racing in Qatar was motivated by a desire to avoid putting strain on the still-recovering humerus through “intense competition” following such a length period of inactivity.
https://www.autosport.com/motogp/news/m ... r/5847976/

Though Honda is yet to confirm MM's replacement, his place will likely taken by HRC test rider Stefan Bradl

[DoubleFart]

Well that's what you get for disobeying the Doctor's orders and go riding a motocross bike whilst recovering...

[Everso Biggyballies]

Marquez confirmed OUT of the first two MotoGP races in Qatar.



Though Honda is yet to confirm MM's replacement, his place will likely taken by HRC test rider Stefan Bradl

Stefan Bradl to replace Marquez in Qatar MotoGP races now confirmed by Honda

[Andy]

This was an intense first MotoGP qualifying yesterday in which the lap record got battered and trashed. And a new top speed record of 225.18 mph (362.4 km/h) set by Johan Zarco. The Ducatis will be hard to beat how it looks but the Yamahas might become a dark horse in the run for the podium places.
It will be interesting to watch how it will unfold.

[Everso Biggyballies]

Yeah I watched it briefly, and the Yamahas as a group look much better this year. Rossi in the B team close to the front row. But it looks like Ducati's have it as theirs with a loss down to them. Hopefully Miller can keep the bike on its wheels for a whole race.

[MonteCristo]

a new top speed record of 225.18 mph (362.4 km/h)

Jesus. Christ. That's a missile.

[Andy]

A belter of a Moto3 race and a somehow too early decided Moto2 race, so far.
Mainly Remy Gardner in regards to the Moto2 race. Bad luck in qualifying with a yellow flag during his final and until the yellow sector, fastest attempt in reach of pole and a mistake in race when he tried to clear Bezecchi and Dixon too quick denoted him to 2nd as he lost the ground there. Oh well, roll on the MotoGP and Quatar 2 !

[John]

Finally racing is back on the menu, boys.

Go Desmodonkeys go!

[Everso Biggyballies]

Missed the start of the MotGP race but 20 laps to go. Looks like its pretty close with Bags out the front with a Ducati 1-2-3. The Yamahas are looking strong though.

[Everso Biggyballies]

Bloody heck.... Vinales has gone to 2nd and trying to draft Bags on the straight. Vinales clocked 1kph faster on the straight than the Ducati. Great race for the lead.

[Everso Biggyballies]

Vinales takes the lead, but the first 7 or 8 are nose to tail.
Vinales was saying his tyres were going to last better than the Ducatis and it seems that way.

[Everso Biggyballies]

So Mir took 2nd with a corner to go and then ran wide and ended 4th.
So we end up Vinales from Zarco and Bagnaia then Mir. Miller ended up back in 9th.

[Andy]

Dark horses, huh?
This was a bloody intense race especially, and if it wasn't for his last second mistake, Mir would have blown the Ducati competition completely.
What I found damn interesting was how the Ducatis degraded from mid race. My guess would be fuel consumption, as the power horse probably sucked too much of the 22 liters in the attempt of getting away in the first half. Their respective starts though, were from an entirely different planet as the riders barely could hold the power.
It was a true cracker as a season opener, with an amazing result.

[Vassago]

Mir still finished 4th on a Ducati-favorable track after being nowhere all weekend. That's called a championship performance.

Meanwhile self-proclaimed title favorite Miller gets 9th. Yeah, good luck with that title run, Jack!

Old man Rossi went backwards fast, Morbidelli was a total non-factor for whatever reason?

[Andy]

Mir still finished 4th on a Ducati-favorable track after being nowhere all weekend. That's called a championship performance.

Meanwhile self-proclaimed title favorite Miller gets 9th. Yeah, good luck with that title run, Jack!

Old man Rossi went backwards fast, Morbidelli was a total non-factor for whatever reason?

Morbido indeed was nowhere. But Rossi only degraded from roughly mid race. Either he had to save fuel or tires. Or in worst case both.
My bet on Ducatis degradation goes into same direction btw, just here the fuel issue might be higher.
The Ducatis early thunder claimed its price. It could have worked out though, if the others couldn't follow early on. Ducatis biggest problems are still midcorner while the Yamahas seemingly got a bit better in a straight line.
Suzuki did profit from the early Yamaha / Ducatis tussles. They had the end speed but were nowhere near at the start. The race played into their hands. If it wasn't for Mirs light mistake in final corner it would have been more clear.

[caneparo]

Mir still finished 4th on a Ducati-favorable track after being nowhere all weekend. That's called a championship performance.

Meanwhile self-proclaimed title favorite Miller gets 9th. Yeah, good luck with that title run, Jack!

Old man Rossi went backwards fast, Morbidelli was a total non-factor for whatever reason?

Morbidelli had technical issues. Rossi...bwah...there’s been a debate between him and Lucchinelli. The latter wrote that Rossi should have given a call years ago and Rossi responded that lucky was formerly licking his ass and will jump on the winners chariot when Rossi will perform.