MARQUEZ to join MARQUEZ at Repsol Honda

[budman]

Loved the look on Puig's face as he was trying to fend off journalists asking "why Alex"? He looked as comfortable trying to explain it as if he was having a prostate exam at the same time. Fuckin' politics, man

I was thinking more like he was pull over for drinking and trying to get out of a DUI. :laughing

 

[kevin 714]

:thumbup ayyyyyyyy

 

[Maddevill]

Consider at this exact point last season -- did you consider Fabio the way you do now?
Alex is a very solid rider, but does seem to make unforced errors. Not sure how he'll do next year, but I expect him to finish higher than Binder, who no one seems to think wasn't a good promotion. Yes I know KTM is not HRC, but HRC isn't trying to foster two possible champions when they have a lock on it with one.

I actually think Binder will be good on the KTM. He rides with the same uber aggression as Pol Asparagus, which seems to suit the KTM.

Mad

 

[Maddevill]

Good points. It might have been Dad that really pushed it. He is all over those pits. I can't imagine having my ego fed by two sons like that.

That is a good thought. He would be like Nicky Hayden was to Pedrosa? (I think Nicky got screwed, b-t-w.)

While I am seriously concerned that Marc will alter his style to help his brother, I can see an upside for the MM campaign. His little brother can block like a pulling guard and let MM ride away. Not only does this save on MM crashes, and roughing up other riders, but it gives all the MM haters a great excuse for when Marc wins. "His brother cheated." Etc. Etc. :thumbup

Edit: Typo Nicky's name. Sorry 69.

That would assume Alex could be far enough up the field to provide blocking duty, which may be a pipe dream

Mad

 

[R3DS!X]

uber aggression as Pol Asparagus

I'm really hoping Pol gets a better bike next year, I really like seeing the way he rides that bike. He seems to goes fast on it out of spite and frustration :laughing

 

[budman]

Ditto.

Pol rides his ass off. So does Binder.

I really hope the bike is better and the boys can play near the front.

:angel

 

[scootergmc]

Seems to me anyone who can hang around on a KTM would be able to successfully transition to a RC213V.

 

[Map8]

Seems to me anyone who can hang around on a KTM would be able to successfully transition to a RC213V.

KTM CEO Stefan Pierer has repeatedly stated Honda is the target for their program. He never mentions Yamaha or Ducati when talking about goals for the MotoGP team. KTM appears to have built a steel-framed RCV: a very powerful V4 that and a chassis that has to be manhandled. Then he signs Pedrosa for a development rider to put an exclamation point on his plan.

 

[R3DS!X]

I'm really hoping KTM back pedals on their "SpOrT BiKeS aRe ToO FaSt FoR sTrEeT uSe" stance and give us a V4 KTM sport bike.... and then make a streetfighter version with handlebars so I can buy it. Why be in GP if you're not gonna make fast stuff for the track!? The RC8 was a great start.

 

[scootergmc]

KTM CEO Stefan Pierer has repeatedly stated Honda is the target for their program. He never mentions Yamaha or Ducati when talking about goals for the MotoGP team. KTM appears to have built a steel-framed RCV: a very powerful V4 that and a chassis that has to be manhandled. Then he signs Pedrosa for a development rider to put an exclamation point on his plan.

I'm really hoping KTM back pedals on their "SpOrT BiKeS aRe ToO FaSt FoR sTrEeT uSe" stance and give us a V4 KTM sport bike.... and then make a streetfighter version with handlebars so I can buy it. Why be in GP if you're not gonna make fast stuff for the track!? The RC8 was a great start.

When KTM was brainstorming the RC8 they replayed the Ducati v. Honda battle of WSBK 2002 and said, "That looks fun. Let's do that!"

Stupid KTM. MotoGP will have transitioned to radial rotary three bank hybrid fart powered engines and KTM will still be labcoating around in a dimly lit shop with a trelissed V4, with Pierer doing his best Mr. Burns:

 

[Map8]

If your goal is to use truckloads of Red Bull money to lure someone away from HRC, building an RCV clone might not be so stupid.

 

[scootergmc]

If your goal is to use truckloads of Red Bull money to lure someone away from HRC, building an RCV clone might not be so stupid.

Then they should start. Right now they're 10 years late.

HRC did the right thing. Sign no harm no foul placeholder Amaq for peanuts in order to back the truck up to MM next year. The 2020 silly season will be something to behold with basically everyone's contract up. It could be much ado about everything, or a whole lot of hype and nothing.

 

[R3DS!X]

For 10 years late and only a few years into the game they aren't doing that badly. Suzuki had years of GP experience and it still took them a while to get back on the podium. KTM at least had a podium under their belt which is more than I can say for Aprilia. Would really like to see Kawi come back and try. but they are doing just fine in WSBK spending a fraction of the money. still... want

 

[scootergmc]

For 10 years late and only a few years into the game they aren't doing that badly. Suzuki had years of GP experience and it still took them a while to get back on the podium. KTM at least had a podium under their belt which is more than I can say for Aprilia. Would really like to see Kawi come back and try. but they are doing just fine in WSBK spending a fraction of the money. still... want

I guess a red flagged wet race is still a podium. Good on Pol. He could ride the RCV too. Let's be nice to Aprilia. They're doing well with what they invest. How I wish Iannone would get Zarco'd though. He's mentally out of it.

 

[Map8]

Iannone is held back by the bike. He's smart not to crash his brains out like Aleix does for 15th place. Iannone had podium pace pretty much all last season on the Suzuki. I'd still argue Iannone is less intimidated by Marquez than anyone else on the grid including Rossi, Fabio and Maverick.

Aprilia is supposed to be real factory effort by 2021 rather than the quasi-supported Gresini team they have now.

 

[scootergmc]

Iannone is held back by the bike. He's smart not to crash his brains out like Aleix does for 15th place. Iannone had podium pace pretty much all last season on the Suzuki. I'd still argue Iannone is less intimidated by Marquez than anyone else on the grid including Rossi, Fabio and Maverick.

Iannone is held back by his side gigs, manscaping, and calf implants.

 

[Chill]

From Valencia Testing, day one. "Transition" day.



youtu.be/E1kHmozwvpI

 

[R3DS!X]

I guess a red flagged wet race is still a podium.

If you got a podium in MotoGP under any circumstances wouldn't you count it?
*english announcer*
"OH MY THE WHOLE FIELD IS DOWN ASIDE FORM THREE RIDERS! All that's left is Marc Marquez, scootergmc, and Tito Rabat!!!!"

Tell me you wouldn't tell everyone about how you got on the podium?:rofl

 

[R3DS!X]

Iannone is held back by the bike.

I dunno about that. He's not slow but the guy crashed the hell out of that Suzuki and was kinda lazy about riding it till Giuntoli and Rins started to one up him. I don't think he would be giving a championship run on any bike. Maybe he would do better than Rossi on Yamaha.

 

[scootergmc]

If you got a podium in MotoGP under any circumstances wouldn't you count it?
*english announcer*
"OH MY THE WHOLE FIELD IS DOWN ASIDE FORM THREE RIDERS! All that's left is Marc Marquez, scootergmc, and Tito Rabat!!!!"

Tell me you wouldn't tell everyone about how you got on the podium?:rofl

Well yeah duh, I'd punch Tito, give Marc a big wet frenchie, let Amy Dargan have the exclusive and tell the entire world.

You may get some steak knives after all.