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MotoMatters.com | Kropotkin Thinks - ... that silly season could turn out to be sillier than we thought
2024 Aragon Moto3 Free Practice Result: Alonso Fastest On New Surface
2024 Aragon Moto3 Free Practice Result: Alonso Fastest On New Surface
Results:
David Emmett Fri, 30/Aug/2024 - 07:51
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MotoMatters.com | Kropotkin Thinks - ... that silly season could turn out to be sillier than we thought
Aragon MotoGP Thursday Round Up: Nakagami's Communication Revolution, Where Honda Went Wrong, And Grip Trouble On A New Surface
Aragon MotoGP Thursday Round Up: Nakagami's Communication Revolution, Where Honda Went Wrong, And Grip Trouble On A New Surface
It has been a very newsy sort of day at Aragon. First, we got the news that Takaaki Nakagami is to become a test rider for HRC based in Japan, and form a bridge between Honda's Japanese and European operations. Then we got the news that Somkiat Chantra is to become the second Asia Talent Cup rider to move up to MotoGP, taking Nakagami's place in the LCR Honda Idemitsu team. Nakagami will stay on to help Chantra adapt to MotoGP, and teach him the ropes.
That Chantra should get the LCR Honda Idemitsu ride is not a surprise. With Ogura off to Trackhouse, the two options were for Nakagami to stay or Chantra to take his place. That second LCR seat is funded by Idemitsu with the explicit aim of promoting Asian riders, and Chantra proved his mettle in Moto2.
It is pointless to argue over whether a non-Asian rider deserves that seat more than Chantra. "In 2018, the IDEMITSU MotoGP project was born with a noble mission-to be the ultimate stepping stone for future champions. It serves as a beacon of hope for young Asian riders, providing them with the platform to grow and learn at the highest level, after participating in the Asian Talent Cup and other light categories on their road to MotoGP," read the statement in the press release. Without the Idemitsu money, there is no second seat at LCR Honda.
David Emmett Thu, 29/Aug/2024 - 21:56
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MotoGP news - Autosport
MotoGP to hold season launch in Bangkok ahead of 2025 Thailand opener
Dorna plans to organise a special launch event in Bangkok with all MotoGP teams ahead of the season-opening Thailand Grand Prix in 2025.The initiative was discussed by teams in Aragon on Thursday in a meeting that was also attended by the representatives of the International Road Race Teams Association (IRTA). Individual teams and manufacturers usually prefer to stage their own standalone events ...Keep reading
MotoGP news - Autosport
LCR signs Chantra for 2025 as Nakagami steps down from MotoGP
LCR has announced that Takaaki Nakagami will not continue with the squad next year, paving the way for Somkiat Chantra’s move up to MotoGP.As has been widely expected, 2024 will be the last season in the premier class for Japanese rider Nakagami, who has been a part of the LCR set-up since 2018.However, he will remain in the Honda family following his departure from MotoGP, bolstering the ...Keep reading
MotoMatters.com | Kropotkin Thinks - ... that silly season could turn out to be sillier than we thought
Brno To Return To MotoGP Calendar From 2025
Brno To Return To MotoGP Calendar From 2025
MotoGP is to make a return to one its most iconic circuits. From 2025, the grand prix paddock will return to Brno, in the heart of the Czech Republic, with a contract signed for five years.
MotoGP last raced there in 2020, when the race was won by Brad Binder. That race was the last one held there, after complaints from the riders that the combination of a lack of grip and too many bumps on the very old surface made it unsafe to ride. That brought an end to a sequence of races held at the track since it was first built in 1987, with only a single break in 1992.
The poor surface, as well as unpaid debts, is one of the reasons MotoGP did not go back. When the track was owned by Karel Abraham Sr, father to ex-MotoGP rider Karel Abraham, there was never enough money to pay for resurfacing of the track, despite the fact that the Brno round was invariably the best attended grand prix weekend of the year.
David Emmett Wed, 28/Aug/2024 - 15:22
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MotoGP news - Autosport
Ducati's GP24 "much simpler" to ride than last year's MotoGP bike, says VR46
Former 125cc rider and VR46 team manager Pablo Nieto believes the Ducati GP24's MotoGP dominance this year is explained by it being “simpler” and “smoother” to ride than its predecessor.Ducati’s latest-specification bike has been the class of the field this year, winning 10 of the 11 rounds so far and locking the podium spots in four of the last five rounds.Only Gresini’s Marc Marquez ...Keep reading
MotoMatters.com | Kropotkin Thinks - ... that silly season could turn out to be sillier than we thought
Fermín Aldeguer Confirmed At Gresini Through 2026, Gresini Extends With Ducati Through 2026
Fermín Aldeguer Confirmed At Gresini Through 2026, Gresini Extends With Ducati Through 2026
The final piece of the Ducati puzzle has fallen into place for the 2025 season. Today, Gresini and Ducati confirmed that Fermín Aldeguer will be racing for the Gresini Ducati squad on board a GP24 for next season.
Ducati had already announced they had signed Fermín Aldeguer back in March, before the Portuguese GP at Portimão. But the question of where Aldeguer would ride had been left open all season. That question was complicated further when Pramac decided to leave Ducati and become Yamaha's second factory-supported team. That led to a period of intense reshuffling, with Aldeguer eventually landing at Gresini, once the VR46 team seats filled up.
David Emmett Wed, 28/Aug/2024 - 08:13
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MotoMatters.com | Kropotkin Thinks - ... that silly season could turn out to be sillier than we thought
Davide Tardozzi And The Pit Lane Spy
Davide Tardozzi And The Pit Lane Spy
After the Austrian GP at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, a video emerged on social media of Ducati team boss Davide Tardozzi in an altercation with a person dressed in Aprilia teamwear in the pit lane, just before the pit lane walk for fans. In it, Tardozzi could be seen getting up close to the presumed Aprilia staffer and lecturing him forcefully.
David Emmett Tue, 27/Aug/2024 - 11:23
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MotoMatters.com | Kropotkin Thinks - ... that silly season could turn out to be sillier than we thought
2024 Portimao World Superbike FP2 Result: Petrucci Holds On In Dusty, Windy Session
2024 Portimao World Superbike FP2 Result: Petrucci Holds On In Dusty, Windy Session
At the end of Free Practice 1 earlier, Toprak Razgatlioglu rode back to the pits off the tarmac as his bike was discharging smoke from the exhaust as he limped gingerly home. In this session, he held the top spot until his bike did the same time, sending him back to the pits to watch Danilo Petrucci take and hold the top spot with Alvaro Bautista, just before crashing out on a dusty and windy track, sneaking into second place.
Jared Earle Fri, 09/Aug/2024 - 17:49
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MotoMatters.com | Kropotkin Thinks - ... that silly season could turn out to be sillier than we thought
2024 Portimao World Superbike FP1 Result: Razgatlioglu Leads Gerloff As Bulega Misses Session
2024 Portimao World Superbike FP1 Result: Razgatlioglu Leads Gerloff As Bulega Misses Session
Toprak Razgatlioglu took control of the session in the last twenty minutes, deposing Garrett Gerloff by almost four tenths of a second, putting BMW in the top two spots. Alvaro Bautista was third quickest with his teammate Nicolo Bulega missing out on most of the session with a technical issue preventing him from setting all but one timed lap. Danilo Petrucci led the privateer battle as Iker Lecuona was fifth quickest, knocking Jonathan Rea down to sixth quickest.
Results:
Jared Earle Fri, 09/Aug/2024 - 13:41
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MotoGP news - Autosport
The domino effect leaving Moto2's new star without a MotoGP seat
In just under a month, things have changed significantly on the MotoGP rider market. Sergio Garcia has gone from being the object of desire of Pramac or Trackhouse, the Spanish rider's agents asked not to do anything without letting them know first, to digesting the prospect that he will have to continue in Moto2 next season regardless of whether he is crowned champion.The 21-year-old's trajectory ...Keep reading
MotoGP news - Autosport
Ducati defends decision to field only three factory bikes in MotoGP next year
Ducati has defended the decision to reduce its involvement to just three factory bikes in the 2025 MotoGP season, saying it won’t negatively impact its performance.Ducati general manager Gigi Dall’Igna said that cutting down the supply of official bikes from four to three next year was the “best compromise” for the Italian manufacturer as it prepares for Pramac’s exit from its satellite ...Keep reading
MotoGP news - Autosport
Quartararo: Yamaha testing "way too many things" on MotoGP weekends
Fabio Quartararo has expressed his frustration over Yamaha testing “way too many things” on its bike during MotoGP race weekends in 2024.The Japanese manufacturer is undertaking an extensive development programme to drag itself out of its current slump, experimenting with a wide range of new parts for the M1.Having been given a number of advantages under MotoGP’s new concession system ...Keep reading
MotoMatters.com | Kropotkin Thinks - ... that silly season could turn out to be sillier than we thought
OPINION: Are BMW About To Enter MotoGP? Maybe...
OPINION: Are BMW About To Enter MotoGP? Maybe...
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-V2NzH85/0/MZ8Zx6J9jwsPQS5qRkB7hW4MT77CRB2sfsBFXqdqc/L/i-V2NzH85-L.jpg
The reason there are currently only 22 bikes on the MotoGP grid, rather than the 24 Dorna has always said is the number they want, is simple. They have been keeping two slots open on the grid for another manufacturer ever since Suzuki pulled out of the series at the end of the 2022 season.
The phrase "another manufacturer" is a euphemism. The other manufacturer in question is BMW. Dorna have been trying to persuade BMW to enter MotoGP for decades. They came close shortly after the start of the four-stroke MotoGP era, with BMW building and testing a 990cc triple. But ever since then, BMW have been content to be an official partner, with German manufacturer supplying safety vehicles, sponsoring the BMW M Award for the best qualifier, and providing extensive sponsorship of each event.
Dorna took another shot at persuading BMW shortly after Suzuki pulled out at the end of 2022. Reportedly, BMW were offered Suzuki's entire MotoGP program (bikes, trucks, equipment) for free, if they agreed to enter MotoGP. BMW declined again.
Dropping a hint?
Rumors of a BMW entry into MotoGP persist. Speculation was reignited on the basis of comments by new BMW Motorrad CEO Markus Flasch in an interview with preeminent German magazine Motorrad. In a long interview about the current state of the Bavarian manufacturer, and the importance of the new flagship R1300GS launched earlier this year, Flasch was asked about MotoGP.
David Emmett Wed, 07/Aug/2024 - 22:48
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MotoMatters.com | Kropotkin Thinks - ... that silly season could turn out to be sillier than we thought
Fabio Di Giannantonio Confirmed With Factory Bike At VR46 Through 2026
Fabio Di Giannantonio Confirmed With Factory Bike At VR46 Through 2026
It was an open secret, and an obvious move for both parties concerned, but Fabio Di Giannantonio has signed a two-year deal to ride with the VR46 team for the 2025 and 2026 seasons. As part of the VR46 team becoming the official Ducati partner team, taking over from Pramac, Di Giannantonio's contract is directly with Ducati Corse, rather than the team.
That contract also means that Di Giannantonio will be riding a factory-spec GP25 for next year. The Italian has been telling the media since Mugello that he wanted a factory contract and a factory bike, and this deal achieves that objective.
David Emmett Wed, 07/Aug/2024 - 11:13
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MotoGP news - Autosport
Yamaha selects Jarvis’ replacement for MotoGP programme
Yamaha has chosen Paolo Pavesio to replace Lin Jarvis as the head of its MotoGP programme in 2025, Autosport can reveal.The Japanese manufacturer is expected to announce the appointment of Pavesio as the managing director of Yamaha Motor Racing at Misano next week.Over the past 10 years, Pavesio has held various positions in different departments of Yamaha Europe in the Netherlands, the same ...Keep reading
MotoMatters.com | Kropotkin Thinks - ... that silly season could turn out to be sillier than we thought
Somkiat Chantra To Join LCR Honda For 2025, Takaaki Nakagami To Become HRC Test Rider In Japan
Somkiat Chantra To Join LCR Honda For 2025, Takaaki Nakagami To Become HRC Test Rider In Japan
The next to last piece of the MotoGP puzzle has fallen into place. As widely expected, Takaaki Nakagami is to make way for Thai rider Somkiat Chantra in the LCR Honda team.
Chantra becomes the first ever Thai rider in the MotoGP class, an important factor for the Buriram MotoGP race, and important for Idemitsu, who have sponsored the second LCR Honda seat with the aim of promoting talented Asian riders.
With Ai Ogura going to Trackhouse Aprilia and Chantra at LCR, there will now be two riders from the Asian Talent Cup in MotoGP. The ATC is an important stepping stone for talent into the grand prix paddock, and having two riders in MotoGP is an important sign that the project is working.
David Emmett Thu, 29/Aug/2024 - 12:45
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MotoGP news - Autosport
MotoGP Aragon Grand Prix: Start time, how to watch and more
MotoGP is gearing up for the Aragon Grand Prix in Spain. It is the third of four races taking place in Spain in the 2024 season, with the final grand prix happening in Valencia. This will be the first race at MotorLand Aragon since 2022, after the grand prix was skipped last year as the track underwent resurfacing work. The 2022 Aragon GP was won by Enea Bastianini who claimed his final win ...Keep reading
MotoMatters.com | Kropotkin Thinks - ... that silly season could turn out to be sillier than we thought
Aragon MotoGP Preview: Will A New Surface Prevent A Battle Of The Ducatis?
Aragon MotoGP Preview: Will A New Surface Prevent A Battle Of The Ducatis?
The Motorland Aragon circuit near Alcañiz in Spain divides opinion in the MotoGP paddock. Most people really like the layout, and the track produces great racing - the last three races there were decided by less than a second, and featured a flurry of overtakes on the last lap - but the location is something you either love or hate.
I am a fan. Set a couple of kilometers outside of Alcañiz, a small Spanish town with a magnificent 12th Century castle overlooking a river and an arid plain, the circuit has been designed to blend into the landscape. The famous wall, consisting of massive red stone blocks hewn from local quarries, give it an intimidating feel. You are in the midst of an environment you are at the mercy of. Big skies, scorched red earth stretching into the distance, low hills rising up to mid-sized mountains.
The circuit feels like it is a part of that landscape, like it has always been there, despite only being opened in 2009. It sits on the side of a sloping hill, rising off toward the northeast. That hill provides a lot of elevation changes, which give the track its character.
The start and short front straight sits on perhaps the only flat part of the circuit, though if you qualify too far back you sit over the crest of the hill on the approach to the front straight. That straight leads you onto the hardest braking point of the track at Turn 1, a 90° left hander where you are trying to shed 200 km/h to get through the first corner.
David Emmett Thu, 29/Aug/2024 - 08:45
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MotoGP news - Autosport
Brno to return to the MotoGP calendar in 2025
The Czech Republic will return to the MotoGP calendar for the first time since 2020 as part of a five-year deal with the Brno Circuit.Under the terms of the agreement, the much-loved Brno track will make a long-awaited comeback in 2025 and stay on the calendar until at least 2029.The exact date for its return in 2025 is yet to be announced, but it previously occupied a slot in early August that ...Keep reading
MotoMatters.com | Kropotkin Thinks - ... that silly season could turn out to be sillier than we thought
2025 MotoGP Rider Line Up: 19 Seats Filled, 3 Seats To Go
2025 MotoGP Rider Line Up: 19 Seats Filled, 3 Seats To Go
With the announcement of Fermín Aldeguer at Gresini Ducati for the next two years, the total number of riders with a confirmed contract for the 2025 season rises to 19. Three seats remain open, two at Pramac Yamaha, one at LCR Honda.
Aldeguer is the 16th rider with a seat confirmed through 2026. Only Luca Marini, Johann Zarco, and Franco Morbidelli are certain through 2025, though Morbidelli has an option to remain at VR46 for another season.
David Emmett Wed, 28/Aug/2024 - 08:28
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MotoGP news - Autosport
Gresini Ducati completes 2025 MotoGP line-up with Aldeguer
Gresini has revealed that Moto2 frontrunner Fermin Aldeguer will join its MotoGP line-up for 2025, partnering Alex Marquez.The announcement was nothing more than a formality, as Gresini was the last remaining team within Ducati’s stable that still had a seat available for next year.Aldeguer’s move to MotoGP was confirmed at the beginning of the year and it was only a matter of Ducati finding a ...Keep reading
MotoGP news - Autosport
Rossi hits out at Ducati's decision to sign Marquez for factory MotoGP team
MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi has lashed out at Ducati for signing Marc Marquez to its factory MotoGP team in 2025, saying the consequences of the decision are immense.The seven-time premier class champion believes Ducati should have given an opportunity to a rider from its existing pool of talent to partner Francesco Bagnaia next season instead of going after Gresini rider Marquez.The Italian ...Keep reading
MotoMatters.com | Kropotkin Thinks - ... that silly season could turn out to be sillier than we thought
2024 Portimao World Supersport Superpole Result: Early Red Flags, Late Action
2024 Portimao World Supersport Superpole Result: Early Red Flags, Late Action
After a delayed start following a red-flagged Supersport 300 prior to the session start, Bahattin Sofuoglu had an early crash in the Superpole session resulting in a concussion that ruled him out for the rest of the weekend.
Jared Earle Fri, 09/Aug/2024 - 17:17
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MotoMatters.com | Kropotkin Thinks - ... that silly season could turn out to be sillier than we thought
2024 Portimao World Supersport FP1 Result: Navarro Ahead Of Montella And Manzi In Tight Session
2024 Portimao World Supersport FP1 Result: Navarro Ahead Of Montella And Manzi In Tight Session
Jorge Navarro opened the late-set weekend with top spot before this evening's qualifying session, taking the top spot from Yari Montella at the end of the session by just three thousandths of a second with Stefano Manzi just over a hundredth off his pace in third place.
Results:
Jared Earle Fri, 09/Aug/2024 - 13:30
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MotoGP news - Autosport
MotoGP riders expect fairer decisions from new steward Crafar
Several MotoGP riders have supported the decision to appoint Simon Crafar as the series’ primary steward from 2025.Former grand prix and World Superbike racer Crafar will become the new chief of MotoGP’s stewards panel next year, taking over the role from two-time 500cc champion Freddie Spencer.Crafar is popular among fans thanks to his commentary and pitlane reporting role with Dorna, and ...Keep reading
MotoMatters.com | Kropotkin Thinks - ... that silly season could turn out to be sillier than we thought
Paddock Pass Podcast Episode 426: Silverstone Gossip And Patreon Questions - Can Bestia Win It All?
Paddock Pass Podcast Episode 426: Silverstone Gossip And Patreon Questions - Can Bestia Win It All?
Safely back at home, Neil, Adam, and David go through the latest rumours from Silverstone - just how much is Yamaha working, and will Somkiat Chantra replace Takaaki Nakagami - and then answer questions from Patreon backers. What's up with Silverstone attendance when BSB draws such a big crowd? What is up with KTM? Is Joe Roberts condemned to remain in Moto2? Will we see a proper Ducati battle this year? And what will MotoGP look like in 25 years?
David Emmett Thu, 08/Aug/2024 - 09:46
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MotoGP news - Autosport
How Marquez believes he can challenge "super fast" Ducati GP24 MotoGP bikes
Gresini rider Marc Marquez believes the way to challenge Ducati's "super fast" GP24 bikes at some MotoGP tracks demands a strong start to the weekend.Facing an increasing gap to the factory-spec machines on his GP23, Marquez has managed to stand on the podium just once in the last four rounds, with factory rider Enea Bastianini’s improved form making it harder to break inside the top three.This ...Keep reading
MotoGP news - Autosport
Why MotoGP has a British disconnect
Jake Dixon’s victory in the Moto2 race at Silverstone last Sunday was a moment for the home fans to enjoy. But as he encouraged the crowd to produce an even louder cheer to accompany only his third victory in the series, it was also a moment to assess Britain’s relationship with MotoGP.Perhaps there was good reason why Dixon was underwhelmed by the crowd’s first attempt – he couldn’t ...Keep reading
MotoGP news - Autosport
Bastianini doesn't consider himself in MotoGP title fight despite British GP double
Enea Bastianini says he doesn’t consider himself a contender in the 2024 MotoGP title battle despite scoring a double victory in the British Grand Prix last weekend.The factory Ducati rider pulled off his best performance this year to win both the sprint and the main race at Silverstone, comfortably outgunning team-mate Francesco Bagnaia and Pramac rival Jorge Martin.The result elevated him ...Keep reading
