WSBK 2020 Round 1 - Phillip Iceland Feb 28 - Mar 1

[Manimal]

Baz had a couple great saves in Race 2. Great control, and recovery. He looks to be another Yamaha threat with the front runners.

Kawi's still seem to have power over the others. But, the Yamaha's seem to have improved. OTOH, maybe the Yamaha's are better suited for the more technical tracks, than a fast pace track. I guess we'll see.

Hope Garrett didn't get too banged up, and will rebound quickly. He had a decent Race 1 finish. Look forward seeing him progress.

Davies - will he still be a threat? Or who would better fill his seat and team up with Redding? Or, what bike / team could he potentially be a better fit?

Good to see Honda run with the front. But, till has work to do to consistently challenge the front runners.

Sykes on BMW - he has pace, but still can't seem to manage his tires to go the distance - typical Sykes fashion

 

[Map8]

As expected, the WSBK Qatar round has been postponed (not canceled yet).

https://www.worldsbk.com/en/news/2020/Lauretana%20Water%20Qatar%20Round%20to%20be%20rescheduled

 

[Johndicezx9]

Bummer....

 

[budman]

expected... glad it is not just cancelled.

 

[Map8]

Redd • emption noun :
1) the act of making something better or more acceptable. 2) Christianity : the act of saving people from sin and evil : the fact of being saved from sin or evil. 3) Scott Redding's recent comeback.



I really rooted for Scott Redding in Moto2 especially as the 2013 championship came down to the wire against Pol Espargaró. During his MotoGP career, I just saw him as a complainer always blaming the bike* and generally working his mouth more than his throttle hand. The BSB Championship didn't do much to change my mind as he really should have been considered the heavy favorite to win that title. But the Scott Redding I've seen during the WSBK off-season and at Philip Island last weekend seemed more like a determined pro racer focused on his job. Redding's public statements never blamed the bike or the tires; rather he was analyzing what he could do better to improve his results.

No doubt he always had an engaging personality and a great sense of humor. WSBK social media even posted a short clip of the Paddock Show from Phillip Island with Redding leading the crowd in a sing along of Sweet Caroline. :laughing I even found myself hoping he could pull off a win last weekend and genuinely glad to see him on the podium.

Was I just a blind, biased hater before or has he changed? Anyone else notice a difference?




*No fault given for Redding blaming the bike while he was on the MarcVDS Hondas.

 

[budman]

Was I just a blind, biased hater before or has he changed? Anyone else notice a difference?

Obviously... :laughing

Kidding.. I have noted a change as well. Good to see.. and yeah I am routing for him this year.

 

[kelsodeez]

Personally, I hope Redding will be even more of a trainwreck this year, but with results to back up his weird ass behavior. In a world of bland, corporate robots, its nice to see a dipshit with purple braids in his hair slip through the cracks on skill alone.

 

[WorldSBK]

As expected, the WSBK Qatar round has been postponed (not canceled yet).

https://www.worldsbk.com/en/news/2020/Lauretana%20Water%20Qatar%20Round%20to%20be%20rescheduled

Isn't it curious that Dorna planned motoGP on March 8th, and WorldSBK a week later, both in Qatar ?

 

[kelsodeez]

Isn't it curious that Dorna planned motoGP on March 8th, and WorldSBK a week later, both in Qatar ?

Qatar is usually at the end of the wsbk season but it was moved this year due to the track renovations planned for later in the year.

 

[clutchslip]

The WSS teams had a minimum time for the tire change. I don't believe there were any issues with the actual tire changes. Some riders left the pit lane too early and were penalized equal to the time under the pit minimum whether it was one tenth of second (Cluzel) or a few seconds.

The leader lost 2 seconds, no? So everything was not perfect. But that really wasn't my point. It was stupid. Unless it is a regular part of the racing and the teams and bikes are prepared for it like in auto racing, then they should just cut the race short or have two races. It was a silly solution, in my opinion.

I hope this season isn't a total disaster because of the virus fears. The racing business is hurting enough, thank you so much recession and paranoid millennials. :x

 

[stangmx13]

The minimum pit time has been a rule for WSBK and flag-to-flag races for 2-3 years now. so they took an existing rule and applied it to WSS. I think someone got a penalty the first time WSBK used that rule, so im not surprised WSS teams screwed up.

we've seen teams screw up new procedural rules every time. Moto2 botched the "1 min to leave the pits" rule a few years ago. MotoE screwed up with the qualifying format. HRC got MM disqualified at PI. im sure there are more examples. as someone that reads the rulebooks too often, its just sad to see that happen :laughing