MOTOGP 2013, Round 2: COTA, Austin, TX 4/19-4/21

[Spec-ECU]

Save for a win from Spies and Dovizioso, and more recently Marquez, the same 3-4 guys have won every round in the last half decade's (at least!) worth of racing. Betting that any one of those 3-4 guys will be the season's champion isn't exactly a shot in the dark.

Now if we're talking about the 2nd tier guys like the Crutchlows or Bradls, then yeah, I'll take your bet.

 

[DaveT319]

My point is, you can't just discount Qatar.

 

[tonedeaf]

I would believe the 'learns quick' theory if none of those guys had that private test there.

It was certainly a track that favored Honda, but he smoked Dani straight up.

totally. When it's between Dani and Marquez by themselves, Marquez destroys him. 2 races in a row he sat right on Pedro's heels for nearly the whole race, then said "ok i'm done" and blew past him. Dani might not even really have an advantage at the other tracks that he knows so well, because Marquez has ridden those tracks, too. on a different bike, yeah, but he obviously understands the GP bike well enough. and it's all about finding the setup that weekend, so the past only give someone so much of an advantage.

Don't get me wrong, I really like Pedro and would love to see him win the title finally. but I don't think he can win it without others fucking up :laughing...

 

[firstbuell]

Pies provides a new perspective on COTA:

http://www.cycleworld.com/2013/05/0...-of-the-americas-track-analysis-by-ben-spies/

 

[RaptorFA]

Interesting. Sounds like he's almost whining that the track is too hard. That's the point there, Benny! :laughing

I have to agree though that they could have made a few higher-speed corners for this circuit. That's one of the reasons turn 10 is my fave. Perhaps they should consider carving out the inner part just before the entrance to turn 11 and make it a higher speed double apex for the bikes. You would lose a little of the straight, but as long as that straight is that would be no big deal and with the improved flow they would gain pace, which makes turn 12 even more interesting. Other than that, I would not change anythnig else. I love the technical nature of this place. The S's just rock!