2018 MotoGP

Klyntonius

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2018 Race Calendar

1 Qatar GP Losail International Circuit 18 March 2018
2 Argentina GP Termas de Rio Hondo 8 April 2018
3 Americas GP Circuit of the Americas 22 April 2018
4 Spanish GP Circuito de Jerez 6 May 2018
5 French GP Le Mans 20 May 2018
6 Italian GP Autodromo di Mugello 3 June 2018
7 Catalan GP Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya 17 June 2018
8 Dutch GP TT Circuit Assen 1 July 2018
9 German GP Sachsenring 15 July 2018
10 Czech GP Automotodrom Brno 5 August 2018
11 Austrian GP Red Bull Ring 12 August 2018
12 British GP Silverstone 26 August 2018
13 San Marino GP Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli 9 September 2018
14 Aragon GP MotorLand Aragon 23 September 2018
15 Thailand GP Chang International Circuit 7 October 2018
16 Japanese GP Twin Ring Motegi 21 October 2018
17 Australian GP Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit 28 October 2018
18 Malaysian GP Sepang International Circuit 4 November 2018
19 Valencia GP Circuit Ricardo Tormo 18 November 2018
 

Klyntonius

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2018 Testing Dates

28 Jan Sepang
29 Jan Sepang
30 Jan Sepang
16 Feb Buriram United International Circuit
17 Feb Buriram United International Circuit
18 Feb Buriram United International Circuit
1 Mar Losail
2 Mar Losail
3 Mar Losail

*note: Stoner, Bradl and a number of other test riders will be testing prior to the Sepang test.
 

Klyntonius

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An update to the safety regulations has been announced of the last couple of days that all permanent riders are required to use airbag systems in their race suits. There are exemptions for wildcard riders and replacement riders.

Also, Alberto Puig is back in the MotoGP paddock, named as the Repsol Honda team manager replacing the outgoing Livio Suppo.
 

hey shorty

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How many guys DIDN'T use the airbag system ??
 

hey shorty

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Probably, just seems like the smart thing to do
 

Klyntonius

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Would be interesting to know costs, particularly for cash strapped privateers. I would imagine it would be ongoing throughout the season for maintenance, especially with a leathers sponsor who don't do their own airbag system.
 
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If you haven't noticed. In the past few months, on other threads on other boards on this site, I've been spruiking MotoGP to people who otherwise couldn't give a s**t about motor racing, to watch it. As acmeans of getting a feel of what genuine motor racing is all about. Not necessarily because there's often going to be a close finish. But because over a period of time, the "patterns and conventions" of top level motor racing is reflected in MotoGP atm.

I mean. They start the race, they race with whatever is their plan, then they finish the race. That's it. None of this having to stop four times when the car doesn't need to and being forced to use multiple compounds of tyre. Soft tyre this race, hard tyre next race. Being forced to use veil. Bull crap racing rules. No idiots bumping and inconsistent punishment. In motorbike racing, even when you do a kamikaze move, you have to do it with consideration, otherwise you get the "natural punishment" of getting really ******* hurt. Like you do in actual motor racing. None of the BS we see in car racing, because they're confident of not getting hurt.

So hopefully we'll see some unfamiliar names itt this year.
 

Klyntonius

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After missing the final few races of last season due to illness, Jonas Folger has been forced to pull out of the 2018 MotoGP season due to still suffering from the virus. This is obviously terribly unfortunate for himself and also for Tech3 who now need to find a competitive rider at short notice. Michael van der Mark I expect will get the call up to replace him.

I'm really disappointed because I really rate Folger. Get well soon, Jonas.
 

hey shorty

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Wow that is huge news, let's hope he regains health
 

Klyntonius

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Yonny Hernandez will fill in for Tech3 at the coming Sepang test. No decision has yet been made on a season replacement yet. I'd love to see Mike Jones get the chance - he ticks a lot of boxes. He's young - 23 years old, has international experience from racing Superstock 1000 last year and he has MotoGP experience from filling in for Avintia Ducati a couple of years ago where he scored points. He's also uncontracted which is something Herve Poncharal has made a pre-requisite.

Ducati have said they hope to have their factory riders re-signed by late Feb - before the season starts.

With that news, Danilo Petrucci has announced this will be his last season with Pramac Ducati. Aprilia are said to be interested in him.

Petrucci's impending departure opens a clear pathway for Jack Miller. Perform this year and get the coveted third factory bike with the opportunity to rise into the factory team in a couple of years. Fingers crossed he's able to put his best foot forward.

Zarco will be a factory rider in 2019, either with Yamaha if Rossi retires or at KTM.

In the private Sepang test over the passed couple of days, Suzuki rewarded some of their successful national riders with a test of their MotoGP machine. Michael Dunlop (TT), Toni Elias (USA SBK) and Australian Superbike champ, Josh Waters, all got a ride and Waters was said to have impressed.

Stefan Bradl had his first outing as a Honda test rider.

Casey Stoner apparently was up to competitive race pace within four laps.
 

Klyntonius

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Honda and Yamaha have been testing new wing designs, similarish to Ducati's.

Wing3.jpg


Ironically, Ducati tested without wings.
 

Klyntonius

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MotoGP had their first official day of testing today at Sepang Circuit. Obviously it's exactly what it is called - testing - so take times with a grain of salt but Jack Miller was 5th fastest riding Dovi's bike from last year. Dovi was second fastest riding Dovi's current bike. Lorenzo and Petrucci were third and fourth in a strong showing for Ducati.
 

Klyntonius

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Fastest lap standings for day 2.


Pos No Rider Bike Time Diff Prev
1 25 Maverick Viñales Yamaha M1 1:59.355
2 46 Valentino Rossi Yamaha M1 1:59.390 0.035 0.035
3 35 Cal Crutchlow Honda RC213V 1:59.443 0.088 0.053
4 99 Jorge Lorenzo Ducati GP18 1:59.498 0.143 0.055
5 43 Jack Miller Ducati GP17 1:59.509 0.154 0.011
6 5 Johann Zarco Yamaha M1 1:59.702 0.347 0.193
7 93 Marc Marquez Honda RC213V 1:59.730 0.375 0.028
8 4 Andrea Dovizioso Ducati GP18 1:59.732 0.377 0.002
9 9 Danilo Petrucci Ducati GP18 1:59.747 0.392 0.015
10 29 Andrea Iannone Suzuki GSX-RR 1:59.917 0.562 0.170
11 41 Aleix Espargaro Aprilia RS-GP 1:59.925 0.570 0.008
12 26 Dani Pedrosa Honda RC213V 1:59.999 0.644 0.074
13 42 Alex Rins Suzuki GSX-RR 2:00.042 0.687 0.043
14 44 Pol Espargaro KTM RC16 2:00.262 0.907 0.220
15 53 Tito Rabat Ducati GP17 2:00.506 1.151 0.244
16 38 Bradley Smith KTM RC16 2:00.520 1.165 0.014
17 21 Franco Morbidelli Honda RC213V 2:00.662 1.307 0.142
18 36 Mika Kallio KTM RC16 2:00.701 1.346 0.039
19 19 Alvaro Bautista Ducati GP17 2:00.728 1.373 0.027
20 17 Karel Abraham Ducati GP16 2:00.914 1.559 0.186
21 30 Takaaki Nakagami Honda RC213V 2:00.952 1.597 0.038
22 50 Sylvain Guintoli Suzuki GSX-RR 2:01.392 2.037 0.440
23 45 Scott Redding Aprilia RS-GP 2:01.456 2.101 0.064
24 33 Kohta Nozane Yamaha M1 2:01.480 2.125 0.024
25 68 Yonny Hernandez Yamaha M1 2:01.554 2.199 0.074
26 10 Xavier Simeon Ducati GP16 2:01.689 2.334 0.135
27 12 Tom Luthi Honda RC213V 2:01.810 2.455 0.121
28 32 Katsuyuki Nakasuga Yamaha M1 2:02.573 3.218 0.763
 

Klyntonius

Norm Smith Medallist
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It is being reported that 23 year old Malaysian, Hafizh Syahrin, will replace Jonas Folger at Tech3 this year.

On Folger, from what I read it seems like his issue is actually less physical from an ailment and more mental. It really sounds like burnout, the stress and anxiety has been too much for him. Hopefully a year off for him gets his head clear and he can resume his career in some manner in the near future.
 

hey shorty

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Poor bloke, on top of the world and it still gets you.

Syahrin brings significant money but not a great deal else IMO
 

Klyntonius

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Yeah, Herve Poncharal really had pretty limited options on replacement riders. Tech3 being a Yamaha junior team, he needed a young rider who is fast and not a retired veteran. Of course, they are all already signed up and he refused to get someone who had to break contact.
Syahrin was under contract with the Sepang circuit's own Moto2 team and they offered him to Tech3 as they want a Malaysian rider on the MotoGP grid. So, young and not breaking contract ticks some boxes for them. Has also scored Moto2 podiums so had some speed.

Still would've loved to see Mike Jones get the opportunity.
 

Klyntonius

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MotoGP has been testing for the last couple of days at the Chang circuit that they'll race at in Thailand later this year. Results so far:

1 93 Marc Marquez Honda RC213V 1:29.969
2 26 Dani Pedrosa Honda RC213V 1:30.127 0.158 0.158
3 43 Jack Miller Ducati GP17 1:30.185 0.216 0.058 :)
4 25 Maverick Viñales Yamaha M1 1:30.274 0.305 0.089
5 5 Johann Zarco Yamaha M1 1:30.360 0.391 0.086
6 9 Danilo Petrucci Ducati GP18 1:30.367 0.398 0.007
7 42 Alex Rins Suzuki GSX-RR 1:30.446 0.477 0.079
8 35 Cal Crutchlow Honda RC213V 1:30.490 0.521 0.044
9 4 Andrea Dovizioso Ducati GP18 1:30.494 0.525 0.004
10 99 Jorge Lorenzo Ducati GP18 1:30.729 0.760 0.235
11 29 Andrea Iannone Suzuki GSX-RR 1:30.775 0.806 0.046
12 53 Tito Rabat Ducati GP17 1:30.855 0.886 0.080
13 19 Alvaro Bautista Ducati GP17 1:30.883 0.914 0.028
14 46 Valentino Rossi Yamaha M1 1:30.888 0.919 0.005
15 30 Takaaki Nakagami Honda RC213V 1:30.901 0.932 0.013
16 38 Bradley Smith KTM RC16 1:31.113 1.144 0.212
17 41 Aleix Espargaro Aprilia RS-GP 1:31.130 1.161 0.017
18 21 Franco Morbidelli Honda RC213V 1:31.185 1.216 0.055
19 36 Mika Kallio KTM RC16 1:31.598 1.629 0.413
20 45 Scott Redding Aprilia RS-GP 1:31.637 1.668 0.039
21 17 Karel Abraham Ducati GP16 1:31.661 1.692 0.024
22 12 Tom Luthi Honda RC213V 1:31.994 2.025 0.333
23 55 Hafizh Syahrin Yamaha M1 1:31.998 2.029 0.004
24 10 Xavier Simeon Ducati GP16 1:32.267 2.298 0.269

Of note, the top 15 are covered by less than 1 second.

They will test there for one more day.
 

hey shorty

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Reckon he will be the best of the Yamahas
 

Klyntonius

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It was certainly an interesting test, though it probably leaves more questions than answers.

Yamaha still look in a right mess with no clear direction. There is lots of talk that their riders are pulling in opposite directions with regard to development and listening to their interviews it's no surprise. Both Rossi and Vinales have had strong days but are overall unhappy, complaining about lack of rear grip, turn in, electronics, power delivery lack of acceleration, etc. Is it because of the circuits out conditions? Only time will tell.
Although he's now on a two year old bike, the advantage for Zarco is he doesn't have to worry about anything other than how to get the most out of a bike he's already familiar with.
Syahrin also did a great job on debut for Tech3.

Rins was very impressive and the Suzuki looks improved over last year. Hopefully he can remain fit this year coz he's a very talented guy and will get strong results.

Ducati had a positive test with all of Dovi, Petrucci and Miller leaving consistently fast and very happy. Lorenzo continues to be an enigma though. After blitzing to a new track record in Sepang, he was nowhere in Thailand and even resorted to trying the 2017 bike. Which version we'll have of Jorge this year is anyone's guess.

And Honda led the way every day. First with Crutchlow, then Marquez and finally Pedrosa. Frightening. Marquez at this stage has to be raging hot favourite.
 

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