2020 banter & Silly season thread for MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3

[Everso Biggyballies]

Bottom post of the previous page:

So the season at this stage does not start until May when the Spanish GP is to be run at Jerez.. The MotGP teams will be busy at the back end of the year with two lots of 3 races on consecutive weekends......The Valencia finale will now take place on 29 November, which means two triple-header runs of races end the season, with Austin, Argentina and Valencia following the traditional Japan, Australia, Malaysia triple-header - which, in turn, follows back-to-back events in Aragon and Thailand.

[Michael Ferner]

That's not unusual. Look at some of the schedules in the seventies, they used to run five or six consecutive weekends, then. And, of course, if there was no WC event, they'd be running internationals in between. It's only a relatively recent phenomenon that professional racers have every second weekend off.

[John]

Iannone slapped with an 18 month ban for steroid use.

[DoubleFart]

Iannone slapped with an 18 month ban for steroid use.

Doesn't he realise he's on the wrong type of bike for that shit? Just hit the weights room naturally.

[John]

Iannone slapped with an 18 month ban for steroid use.

Doesn't he realise he's on the wrong type of bike for that shit? Just hit the weights room naturally.

We're talking Andrea Iannone after all. By all accounts not the sharpest mind in the paddock.

[Everso Biggyballies]

Jack Miller confirmed at the works Ducati team for 2021

Jack Miller will step up to the factory Ducati team for the 2021 season, with an option to extend his stay by a further year.

After jumping from Moto3 to MotoGP Jack spent three seasons as a Honda-contracted rider with LCR and Marc VDS, with whom he claimed a win at the 2016 Dutch TT.... the first MotoGP race in the Netherlands not to be held on its traditional Saturday slot - 167 grands prix had passed since a rider on a satellite machine had taken MotoGP win. Plus we saw the first 'shoey' on the podium, a move which Danny Ric ultimately did to death in F1.

For 2018, Miller moved to the Pramac Ducati squad and enjoyed his best season to date in MotoGP class last year when he guided his GP19 to five podiums finishes and eighth in the standings. Plus a few crashes.

After Ducati's main targets for a 2021 ride in Maverick Vinales, Fabio Quartararo and Joan Mir slipped through its fingers, Miller became favourite to move into the factory team. Dovi is still in negotiations for the other Ducati works seat.
Re Miller's appointment....

Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicalli said: "We are convinced that Jack has everything to be able to continuously fight for important positions, in every race, starting this season, and to take a big step forward next year thanks to the full support of the Ducati team."

The identity of Miller's 2021 team-mate is yet to be confirmed, as talks between Ducati and Andrea Dovizioso are still at an impasse.

The issue is thought to be down to the financial side of Dovizioso's deal, with Ducati keen to avoid big money offers in light of impending financial crisis as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

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https://www.autosport.com/motogp/news/1 ... ad-in-2021

The vacant Pramac Ducati has been linked to Moto2 fronrtunners Enea Bastianini and Jorge Martin in recent weeks - though team boss Francesco Guidotti recently admitted it would be a "miracle" if Ducati could sign Martin.

Danilo Petrucci has been linked to a move to World Superbikes with Ducati, though an Aprilia MotoGP switch has also been rumoured should Andrea Iannone's 18-month doping ban not be overturned.

[caneparo]

Andrea Dovizioso had a crash during a motocross race and he injured his collar bone. His injure requires immediate surgery. This puts a question mark on his participation for the first event of the season the next 19 july

[caneparo]

According to his surgeon Dovi will be able to get on board of the bike in 10 days. Good news

[Everso Biggyballies]

Yeah I think that was the reason for the instant same day surgery.... not because it was a serious injury, just to give a simple surgery time to heal

[Everso Biggyballies]

Honda confirms Espargaro for 2021 MotoGP season, Crutchlow to leave LCR

Honda has officially announced it has signed Pol Espargaro for the 2021 MotoGP season, while Cal Crutchlow has been moved aside at LCR to make way for Alex Marquez.

Honda has also confirmed it will be moving Alex Marquez out of the factory squad next season and placing him at LCR with factory support through 2022.

Marquez will replace three-time MotoGP race winner Crutchlow, who now faces an uncertain future.

Crutchlow joined LRC and Honda in 2015 following a tough campaign with Ducati the year before, and signed directly to HRC for the 2018 campaign.

Since 2018, Crutchlow has been the only other Honda rider to have won on the difficult RC213V and get it onto the other podium places other than Marc Marquez.

Crutchlow's 2021 options are now severely limited, with only Ducati and Aprilia yet to fully firm up its rosters.

Talks between Andrea Dovizioso and Ducati have stalled again, while uncertainty surrounds the second Aprilia seat alongside Aleix Espargaro while Andrea Iannone awaits to see if his appeal to have an 18-month doping ban overturned is successful.

[DoubleFart]

Hang on. Alex Marquez is being moved out of the factory team next year before he has even had a single race with them???

[Everso Biggyballies]

Hang on. Alex Marquez is being moved out of the factory team next year before he has even had a single race with them???

The implication is from what I can make out is he got the Repsol seat alongside his brother for one year as part of a sweetener deal to retain MM93 on a new long term deal which was then signed. He is also being moved to LCR with full factory support which I guess means works machinery.

The reigning Moto2 champion, who was signed to Honda to replace the retired Jorge Lorenzo at the end of last year and is thought to have been a key bargaining chip in HRC securing Marc for four more years, is yet to turn a wheel in his rookie campaign.

"I am very proud to announce my renewal with Honda Racing Corporation," Alex Marquez said.

"HRC gave me the opportunity to arrive in MotoGP and I am glad to join the LCR Honda Team at the end of 2020 and compete in a big team with great experience in MotoGP.

"I want to thank HRC and the LCR Honda Team for their trust in me to be able to continue in the Honda family and I will work hard to prove their confidence with results.

https://www.autosport.com/motogp/news/1 ... otogp-exit

[MonteCristo]

MotoGP is back this weekend.

[Everso Biggyballies]

Yeah after a long lay off of motorsport we now have , F1, V8SC plus both their feeder supports, Indycar Moto GP.... too much already! Hardly got time for a pee, let alone eat

[Cheeveer]

Quartararo on pole, nast off for Rins right at the end of qually. Hope he is ok for the race.

Marquez though looking the strongest of all so far, despite meh Q effort.

[Everso Biggyballies]

......nasty off for Rins right at the end of qually. Hope he is ok for the race.

I read it was a dislocated and fractured shoulder.... he has been ruled unfit to race. It has been relocated but he is in Jerez hospital for MRI scans to evaluate tendon damage. Could be back in action next weekend if no further damage found.