I'm the best, I'm the best, all the rest are just lucky In all seriousness, I don't understand how Pedrosa still has a job at Honda. Every team mate he's had has beaten him sooner or later. Hayden, Dovisioso, Stoner, they've all beaten him at least once. Two brought championships which, despite the full weight of HRC behind him, DanPed's failed to deliver. He can't deliver when it matters, when he really needs to win or it gets wheel to wheel he reliably falls over. I think Marquez spells doom for Pedrosa's career, in the past his nationality's provided him a bullet proof seat on the Repsol Honda, Lorenzo wasn't available and Elias, Barros, Gibernau etc never quite worked out. But the new guy's a Spaniard too, he's at least as fast as Pedrosa right out the box. Ironically he finds himself in the same position he put Hayden in in 06. Even if Pedrosa wins the title this year (which he won't, I'm calling it now) he is no longer the future. His days on that bike are numbered and Pedrosa will crumble under pressure like he does every year.
Don't be surprised if Marquez does not get the championship or at least second. Lets hope Crutchie carries on what he's doing as he is due a full factory ride
Marquez has been stunning all weekend. He'll be at the pointy end of the grid that's for sure, Cal was seriously impressive
Cal's on last year's bike (why aren't Yamaha giving Tech 3 a works bike again?), he should get an extra five points for every factory machine he beats, +10 today!
Cal apparently now has a 2013 engine but is running 2012 software. Neil Spalding reckons that Yamaha now also have a seamless shift gearbox like Honda and Ducati, but that's not yet 100% confirmed. The reason (again, apparently) that Tech3 don't have a works bike is Yamaha simply don't have the budget to produce 4 works machines at any one point, instead they do the hand-me-down process instead, unlike Honda who churn out, what is it, 5...6 factory bikes?
What I want this weekend is Rossi and Crutchlow in the top two, either way round. I expect it to be Gorgeous, Marquez and DanPed on the podium though, Crutchy fourth Rossi fifth, the rest of the field seem to have forgot to turn up so far this year. Dovi and Hayden to struggle manfully into the top ten...
Did anyone catch the Supersport race won by Sam Lowes ?, Flipping eck what a prospect for the future of british racing
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/motogp+pedrosa+fp2+le+mans Rossi looking strong for this weekend's battle!
am I the only person to dislike marquez? i'm not doubting his talent for one second, but some of his decisions have been way wide of the mark. (not in moto gp, but the stuff he got away with in moto2 was unreal) my prediction this weekend: 1.pedrosa 2.marquez 3.lorenzo ps. anyone playing mcn fantasy league? maybe we could get a league going
I wouldn't say I dislike him but I have no respect for his riding style and if he is not careful he or someone else will get hurt soon
I have no problem with Marquez's riding this season (so far), if he were racing Superbike no one would bat an eyelid and it's not like Rossi has never used bumper tactics to win races. There's been some moments of madness/stupidity in moto 2 but he also completely dominated them last year, at Valencia it was as if the rest of the field were frightened of him. His attitude remind me of Senna, he's out to win, not to make friends, not play nice or ride in the approved manner, just win. He approaches other racers in much the same way Senna used to in cars. I can't say it's overly endearing but I've got a lot respect for his ability and obvious toughness.
I agree with everything fix-the-spade said. the Senna comparison is maybe a little too far, but I agree with where you're coming from. my championship predictions are: 1. pedrosa 2.lorenzo 3.marquez
I don't have a problem with Marquez either... it's racing! And it'd be dull without it. Cal did really well today I think given his fall in FP4, impressive stuff. And I never thought I'd say it but Smith did well too! If it's wet tomorrow, Rossi to win
Worrying what bike he is going to be on next year. I hope Cal has a brilliant day tomorrow but wow from Dovi.
There are options for Cal, I think. Audi will fix the Ducati, that much is a dead certainty but it'll probably take another two seasons yet. Ducati know that Hayden and Dovi are not their men to Do The Job when they have competitive machinery again, and this is likely Hayden's last year anyway. So there's going to be a place there sooner rather than later - Ducati have got to start assembling the riders because they can't afford for the bike to be fixed but then have riders who can't deliver a title or regular podiums. So they must start to make a move for a better rider (or riders) soon. Also, the people Cal pissed off at Ducati are long gone; Ze Germans are at the helm now and none of that stuff matters anymore. Honda have run a 3-bike line up before, and certainly have the means to do so again. I also have a bit of a feeling that if this isn't Pedrosa's year, and certainly if he finishes behind Lorenzo, Honda might give him the push at the end of this year. Suzuki are coming back with a full prototype in 2014 (which we'll see being tested at Catalunya soon)* So he doesn't really need to worry IMO - there will be a factory ride for him somewhere and he has proven time and time again that he needs a factory seat. The tech3 bike is visibly making him crawl up the walls with frustration! *there are rumblings of a Casey stoner return to Suzuki... Cal managed to fracture his shin and had internal bleeding! As for Dovi, cold track suits the Ducati and so if it is wet it could be very interesting. He and Hayden will probably still lose 1-1.5 seconds a lap over the race if it's dry though...
