Any Moto GP Fans?

Agreed, a few young riders show a lot of promise. Time will tell.

 

Well Maverick is moving on. There are a few spots to fill. I would like to see Dovi come back.

 

Vinales on an Aprilia is not going to solve their problems.

 

It will be interesting to see who Yamaha signs to fill his seat.

 

Quartararo waiting for August.

 

It's never going to happen. Spies was good. Hayden too. Edwards as well. But you almost have to be born into racing like KRJR. Americans aren't up to par with the Europeans and the MotoGP bikes. These rides, these one-offs aren't given away, they are earned through championships of Moto3 and Moto2 and even then most only get a satellite ride made of last years parts. And for every American with a MotoGP dream, there are a thousand more guys in Europe already in line for those sponsorships. The only way I can see doing it is to get your kid over there and get him racing Moto3 and hopefully work his way through the ranks. If not, the best any american racer can hope for is a WSBK ride. And all those guys have their eye on MotoGP as well. The AMA well has run dry and Europeans see it as a place racers go to die.

Here's a funny story. I cut my teeth racing AFM at places like Sears Point and Thunderhill in the 750SB and Open Twins classes. It was an AMA weekend at Sears Point and all the AMA pro's were there. I'm trying to push harder than I ever have. The top AFM guys would pass me in practice and give me "the kick" telling me to get off the track for being slow. So I'm in the stands watching the top AFM guys practice with the AMA guys like Duhamel and Yates who are giving "the kick" to the top AFM guys. It's kind of like my analogy of AMA guys competing with the MotoGP guys. They're just not up to par with the European competition and not too many team owners are going to give a guy more than 2 seasons to show results by means of top 10 finishes. And believe me, I hope to be proven wrong. For every Bobby Fong out there, There's a Johnny Rea waiting to give him "the kick."

 

The end of an era. Really gonna miss watching this guy ride.

 

Vinales out for this weekends race. This from Yamaha-
Yamaha’s conclusion is that the rider’s actions could have potentially caused significant damage to the engine of his YZR-M1 bike which could have caused serious risks to the rider himself and possibly posed a danger to all other riders in the MotoGP™ race. The rider will not be replaced at the Austrian GP.
Whoa!

 

Reports are that he was repeatedly bouncing it off the rev limiter, leading one to assume he was trying to blow it up. I suspects there will be a full split before the end of the weekend. There's no room in the paddock for shit like that--not in Yamaha's garage and not in Aprilia's for that matter. I think we've seen the last of Maverick on a GP bike. Dude sabotaged his whole remainder of his career because he had a temper tantrum.

Now, it begs the question--will we get to see Rossi finish out his career on the factory bike? Will Dovi slot into the Aprilia spot that seemingly was open to Maverick?

 

Wow that was a crazy race. One that poses the question, what would you do? Stick it out or bring it in with so few laps left to jump on your rain bike?

 

breaking news today

vinales just signed with aprilia

 

Somehow I think that's going to be the nail in his motogp career coffin.

 

what makes you say that?

 

Aprilia hasn't had a win in motogp or wsbk in how long? Given Maverick is talented, the bike is clearly a step down from Yamaha. Aleix got them their best win to date with what? A 5th? And how long has Aprilia been in the racing game? I mean, they make a beautiful bike, I almost bought one once but, mark my words, if Maverick signs a 2 year contract, he'll be gone in 2 years.

 

My post was definitely made as sarcasm. I'm an Aprilia owner and I support their place in the GP class, but I'm not expecting a title, or win for that matter, any time soon.

It's a shame that Suzuki didn't hold onto him and decided to develop around Rins. Aprilia is where riders go to die. That being said, with them being a full factory effort next year, maybe there's something Maverick knows that we don't know.

 

At the beginning of every season Vinales comes out swinging and then fizzles from there so maybe he can get a win for them. In any event, I wish him luck. I still can't believe he tried to grenade his Yamaha.

 

Yup, he wins the highly coveted testing championship every year. lol

I wish the guy luck, but hope he focusses on his mental between now and the first test.

 

My wife and I are sad to see our long time favorite Valentino Rossi retire this year. What an epic career he has had. Its been so much fun to watch him perform his magic over the years but all good things must come to an end I suppose. My wife will be officially retiring her helmet in honor of the legend.

 

Same here! I grew up watching him and ended up not liking him because he was so dominant, it became boring to watch. Now, I feel the same way about MM93, so it seems it's come full circle.

 

Hats off to Aleix Espergaro for getting Aprilia their first MotoGP podium. Maybe it is time for that bike to get a win?!