[Dino de Laurentiis]

Without the falls, I think Rins would have struggled to contain Dovizioso and Quartararo while Marquez would have made a gap in the first few laps.
I also think that something did not work on Marquez's bike, at the middle of the race his pace was not constant and in the end he was in crisis with the tires. He tried to slow Rins by stopping in the middle of the corner knowing he could have better acceleration than the Suzuki. For this reason Vinales came close in the final laps.
On the last lap Rins didn't fall into Marquez's trap, he used trajectories that allowed him to come out strong from the last two curves ... and he was rewarded with victory!
However, Marquez lost the last two rounds because he was in trouble ... otherwise he would have come first due to a gap.
It is normal that he is angry because he has lost a few thousandths ... who would not be angry? But he must not even let his opponents see him, he is part of the game

As for something “not working” on Marquez’s bike, you could say the same thing about any top rider when they lose a race to an opponent because of a speed deficiency. The competitor simply got the bike setup working in his favour better than the main rider.

In any case, it was clear that Marquez was struggling to maintain pace. For all the races this year, Marquez has been riding much smoother than previous seasons, much less of irresponsible antics to prove a point and more of mature and smooth but incredibly fast riding, usually commanding a sizeable advantage. At silverstone, however, he was fighting the Honda at every breaking point and into every corner, the bike bucking and weaving as in the old days. It was quite laughable to hear him say afterwards that he was riding “conservatively” to think of the championship rather than the race in light of that, but that’s probably just sour grapes and not wanting to own up to having lost two races in a row.

In fact, I think his loss against Rins hurt more than his loss against Dovi, despite Marc saying the opposite. It was clear after Austria that that was a happy, upbeat Marquez joking with Dovi, being generally excited whereas here at Silverstone he was a MUCH more demure figure. Just speculation on my part, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he counts Dovi a “worthy opponent” whereas he sees Rins a much less worthy one, adding to pain of losing.

 

[Dino de Laurentiis]

****, am I the only one who actually appreciates Amy as a trackside reporter? She does have a bit of special way of speaking, but at least for the first two years she was so much more professional and interesting to listen to than Crafar that it was frankly embarrassing for him. Like when she stood in for Crafar at, I think Austin 2018. No contest really, she was doing her job properly whereas he was not...

 

[Dino de Laurentiis]

I think its reasonable to believe his GP19 bike is close to same spec of the factory riders, not identical. Otherwise why would there be a desire to be one of the two factory riders.

There’s so much more to being in a factory than than just the spec of the bike. I don’t remember who it was but read an article a year or two ago about a rider moving up from a satellite to a factory team. Of course that means the rider gets early access to new parts etc but the big was the level of support both for the rider himself, for setup and analysis and overall the whole running of the team. The figure was something like three or four times the number of people in a factory team than the satellites. That could likely have a bigger impact than if a rider has the latest carbon fork or not.

Another big motivation may in fact be money, the year Cal did in the Ducati factory team made him pretty much economically independent, according to him.

 

[Dino de Laurentiis]

Nice to see the ktm finding form. Engine looks strong. The yamaha pack battled to get passed that ktm with Pol on it today. Naturally the sh!t head MM93 didn't want to stick his nose passed Fabio until the point where he couldn't respond... Shame his inexperience of leading didn't suggest to tap off a little so MM could lead then Fabio could have sussed out the sh!t heads weaknesses.
Oh well, good for the yamaha constructors points today. As for Ducati, where were they.. Jeez not even Miller could throw caution to the wind. Maybe too much vooma for the Misano surface.

Honestly, it was a fair move by Marquez, and Fabio was maybe too inexperienced to respond in a good way after the final overtake by Marquez. Agree that I’d rather have seen Marquez lose this one as well but racecraft and predicting the strategic moment for a race winning overtake is also what makes a world champion so kudos to him. Quarto will take his first win, it’s only a matter of time.

 

[Dino de Laurentiis]

Oh boy it’s going to be a cracker of a race! I predict an exciting first 4 laps as MM, Dovi, Rossi and Rins battle to make it to the front group and the tail end should be even better depending who is left standing. Couldn’t pick a winner in this one

Well, that didn’t happen at all, did it? Rins crashing, Dovi nowhere to be seen, and Rossi being able to fight with his buddy Morbidelli but not more than that. Shame, would’ve loved to see such a battle, now the race was a bit bland.

 

[Dino de Laurentiis]

MM had plenty in reserve and was taking his time. If wasn't sure he would've tried the pass earlier. Waiting to the end only gave him two shots. Good move by Fabio to take it back but just couldn't keep it. Funny that only MM can ride that beast. It's always been like that but it seems like the other Honda guys are lot further back now (or in the kitty litter).

If he had plenty in reserve, he would’ve made his move earlier and pulled away to create a buffer, rather than risk it all in the final lap. Unlike most races this season, Marquez made all his gains in the breaking, he had nothing to give in acceleration which so I think he really had to fight for it. He wanted to win badly though, so he did take his chances on a last lap move.

 

[Dino de Laurentiis]

Yea, i watched fp1 & 2, he could be a factor when he shows up in moto gp!
But that save by AM, it obviously runs in the family.

I read somewhere where Marc said he’s naturally much more flexible than his younger brother, but maybe Alex is picking up a few tricks?

 

[Dino de Laurentiis]

It sounds like the BBQ was more exciting than the race. So why not give us a few notes about South African BBQ cuisine?

Yeah, the race wasn’t very exciting. Marquez took off and led from start to finish. The only real exciting thing happening was Vinales fighting with Dovi in the later stage of the race, though to no avail. Shame also about Rossi crashing out but he never stood a chance, and was never better than 11th.

 

[Dino de Laurentiis]

It's an appreciation, some things can't be taught.. Keep the rubber downside bud and enjoy!! Falsifying the taste with rubs, man if someone puts a marinated meat or rub in front of me there's a strong chance it'll return to the bowl. I respect its the American way to falsify the taste of the meat but generally that's because the meat is poor where I come from... Just not done..

I’m with you on that one. Even though we don’t have the kind of game I imagine you have in SA, I fully subscribe to the idea that meat should be enjoyed for its own taste and not from whatever crap someone covers it in. But I guess it’s just a way for large industrial meat producers to cover up the horrible quality of the meat which result from having overstressed animals kept in far too crowded conditions and fed mostly artificial feed. When I buy meat from local producers who farm traditional, the quality and flavour is miles apart from the supermarket stuff.

 

[Dino de Laurentiis]

True. Philip Island, if I recall, the weather can have four seasons in a day.
Weather is 35kph winds and 13°C. Fortunately Saturday and Sunday is the same and the wind is in a consistent direction (North East bound).
That will make the home straight quite dangerous. Also turns 9 & 11 dangerous as they get a cross wind. Turn 2 should be interesting because they'll get a great tail wind.
I'm ready for it. Looking forward to seeing Zarco again. Hope the oke does well. He only needs to finish ahead of the KTM's.

Philip Island really is held in the wrong season (early spring). Weather is warmer and more stable at the end of summer supposedly so it’d be a much better fit as a season opener instead of Qatar. Obviously the oil sheiks have much deeper pockets than the Aussies though.

 

[Dino de Laurentiis]

Relevant for Philip Island, the approximate speed in each corner. Pretty insane that the Stoner Corner is taken at approximately the top speed of the SS, and then a hard brake over a crest before the super sharp Honda corner.

 

[Dino de Laurentiis]

Only now found out that the qualifying got cancelled due to excessive wind. Mustve been pretty hairy out there for riders to take such a decision. Possible qualifying tomorrow morning. Has that ever happens before?

 

[Dino de Laurentiis]

I'm surprised MM didn't get a time penalty for his inside pass on Crutchlow. There was not enough room to pass with out making contact. Not to mention his contact with Petrux's Yes he did need to make a move soon or Vinalies was going to disappear

Agree. For some reasons, Marquez can do as he pleases on track without consequences. Honestly no idea why, he’s clearly a step above everyone else so why be a dick? I mean, a guy like Iannone (who did a great first half of the race) basically needs to be a brute to get results most of the time, so even though I dislike the guy, I can see why he does it. Marquez though, no idea?

 

[Dino de Laurentiis]

Please post the footage where MM hit Petrucci.

Petrucci was on the outside and closed the gap towards MM.

Petrucci admitted to “maybe” having contact with MM in a post-race interview, clearly implying it was his (Danilo’s) fault.

If MM hit Petrucci, I welcome the correction. But as matters stand, it seems like we’re basing our case on an assumption rather than evidence.

https://youtu.be/iIpvHbC9vUQ

Cant speak for anyone else but I was referring to him passing crutchlow on the inside, where there clearly wasn’t any room, for in cal to sit up mid corner and I think losing a couple of spots as a result.

 

[Dino de Laurentiis]

Ajo is the team, presently KTM make a chassis for Ajo and then plaster ktm redbull stickers all over it. They got priority with the engineering team in Austria. Next year Ajo will be using the kalex because KTM prefer to focus more engineering effort in motogp. Hence the push up of Ika Lecuona and Brad Binder to the ktm motogp. They both use the ktm chassis in moto2 but Lecuona is with a different team.
No more ktm branding or chassis development in moto2 in 2020. That's my understanding of the situation. I think there are four chassis developers, only three next year. Or maybe another company like Honda step in.

That sounds about right. I’d say there is ZERO chance that Honda would develop a chassis for a Triumph engine though.

 

[Dino de Laurentiis]

If Jorge is Leonidas, then who is the guy looking like jack the ripper on the bottom right?


Loved Miller's comment about being an evil clown, "yea, thats about right"


Do you think we can get one of the MotoGP announcers to chime in, Amy Dyken, are you out there?

That’s Maverick, innit? Then Karel as the musketeer. I guess the Joker must be Rins, no? Do I and Rossi are too generic to really be recognisable, in my opinion. I only got it from their attributes.

 

[Dino de Laurentiis]

Zarco was right there until Mir took him out. Marc finished as expected.

I'd bet the Zarc is on a Honda next season and with a lot of new spec stuff if not a factory ride.

I’m not sure I’d pin that incident squarely on Mir. As it was, Zarco was lining up a move on Miller and by doing so left a gap which Mir took advantage off. When Zarco returned to his previous line, Mir was simple there and neither could avoid the other. In fact, Zarco went to apologise to Mir after the race for what happened, so surely he at least didn’t blame Mir for it. Racing incident in my opinion.

 

[Dino de Laurentiis]

Closing out the 2019 MotoGP season will be the Gran Premio Motul de la Comunitat Valenciana at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Spain.

Dates are 14/15/16/17 NOV

The Circuito de la Comunitat Valenciana was completed in 1999 and held rounds of the MotoGP and Spanish Motorcycle Championships in the same year. The Cheste track has several layouts, running anti-clockwise with varying lengths. MotoGP events are held on a 4km track comprising of five right handed corners, eight left handers and a 876m straight. Although the track is regarded as quite small, the pit complex contains 48 garages whilst the stadium style grandstands can seat up to 150,000 spectators. The circuit layout which allows all parts of the circuit to be seen from any stand helps to create a unique atmosphere enjoyed by Spanish and international riders alike and as the last race of the season there is always a party feeling to the Grand Prix, which was voted best GP of 2005 by IRTA.

LENGTH - 4.0 km

CORNERS - 9 left, 5 right

WIDTH - 12 m.

LONGEST STRAIGHT - 876 m.

MotoGP Laps: 27 for 108.1 km

Moto2 Laps: 25 for 100.1 km

———————————————————————————————————————————

Grand Prix results from 2018:

1st Place - Andrea DOVIZIOSO (DUC) - 24’.03.408 - 139.8 km/h
2nd Place - Alex RINS (SUZ)
3rd Place - Pol ESPÁRGARO (KTM)

Circuit Records

All Time Lap Record 2016
Jorge LORENZO (YAM) - 1'29.401 / Speed 161.2 km/h

Best Race Lap 2016
Jorge LORENZO (YAM) - 1'31.171 / Speed 158.1 km/h

Best Pole 2016
Jorge LORENZO (YAM) - 1'29.401 / Speed 161.2 km/h

Top Speed 2015
Andrea DIVIZIOSO (DUC) - Speed 335.9 km/h

Having been to the circuit, I feel the description above gives the track too much credit. It's true that it's possible to see most of the track from most of the grandstands, but there's still something missing. Admittedly I've only been to one other GP, at Sachsenring, but that was a whole different thing, both the track itself and the people attending. That said, I did get some nice photos when I was there. Just like this year, the championship was already settled by the time the Valencia race took place. Stoner won the race unthreatened, if I'm not mistaken. Rossi had won the championship. Anyway, got some nice photos.

Below, Simoncelli battling Mika Kallio for the 250 win. Great fight, though unfortunately Kallio crashed in the second to last corner. Rossi in a rather lonely third place, and finally, the initial part of the race, with some oldtimers, like Capirossi on the Suzuki. Back then Lorenzo was running the nr 48. Also an unknown Pramac rider on the short back straight.

 

[Dino de Laurentiis]

Here’s the full clip of Jorge’s retirement conference. Even if you don’t like Jorge (I’ve never been a fan myself), it’s very much worth a watch. A true champion departs the sport, is my feeling afterwards.

 

[Dino de Laurentiis]

Am I the only person hoping Zarco gets the ride with HRC?

You’re not, of course. I’d much rather see Zarco than Alex Marquez and I don’t think Cal is up for the job.