MOTO GP 2017

[Devs Hampton]

Delighted this is back this weekend, proper motor racing with actual overtaking all the time all over the circuit!
Shame the buggers at BT have it now but really looking forward to it. May try to get to a couple of rounds this season. Anyone else on this?

[Denbighammer]

Love it but only get highlights in ITV4. Proper blokes, proper racing

Also, BTCC starts in two weeks. Well looking forward to that as well.

[Bend it like Repka]

Yes, it's a shame it moved to BT sport, another live sport gone for me I'm afraid.

There is no greater sight in sport than a super slow mo of Marquez sliding on just his front wheel into a corner, just mind blowing skill and balance.

And this is still the greatest head butt ever

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WuxtStWC1k8

[szola]

Yes!!!



Tried to keep a thread on this alive some time back, but only the F1 was active.

Really looking forward to this season. Il Dottore hasn't hit form yet during the test weekends, unlike Viñales. Will be interesting to see how Rossi will cope with the best young rider. Don't consider Marquez to be one of the young'uns anymore.

Lorenzo on the Ducati will be interesting to follow as well. Not on the reliable Yamaha anymore. If he can tame that bike, he'll be a contender.

KTM is also now part of the pack. Smith and Espargaro are two good riders who can lay a foundation for another team to challenge in the long run. KTM, Yamaha, Honda, Ducati and possibly Suzuki to make competitive bikes in a few years time?

[szola]

the new fairing on the Ducati

[szola]

The weather in Qatar made an interesting qual session, w/Viñales grabbing pole in his first race for Yamaha. A legend in the making? Good to see Iannone bringing the Suzuki up to second, after been given the boot by Ducati. Rookie Zarco in the second row will have a chance of a lifetime to grab some points. Redding also in the second row.

Rossi and Lorenzo way back in row four. Weather forecast still doesn't look too good. That might equal a good race. Last season the two wet races brought some refreshing results.

Only 24hrs before the new season starts

[RyanWHUFC]

After much messing around before the start we finally had a race.

Zarco rapid out the blocks then crashed. Rossi comes from row 4 to 3rd. Marvellous Maverick bused his time, then struck with 2 laps left against Dovizioso. Marquez 4th. Lorenzo 12th

Brilliant race, put the F1 to shame today.

[szola]

The MotoGP has always been a different level from the F1.
No Ayrton, no fun.

Zarco's run was impressive. A non-Factory team, with a rookie rider, pulling away from the pack. Marquez included! Ianonne was also impressive with the Suzuki.

The result of the day imo wasn't Viñales' victory, but rather Aleix Espargaro's 6th place with the Aprilia.

[Oxonhammer]

Great to get the season underway didn't expect to see Vale on the podium but Espargaro on the Aprilia was ride of the day.

Nice to see McPhee on the podium in Moto3 after Australia last season.

BSB and WSBK this coming weekend

[RyanWHUFC]

Looking forward to the BSB, hoping Haslam can win this year

[szola]

The Yamaha's have started the season with a bang, even if they lacked good results in practice and qualifying. Rossi at least.

Crutchlow had a fantastic race, keeping up with the factory Yamahas. Same with Bautista, Zarco and Folger. The non-factory riders had an excellent day out in Argentina.

Mean while Lorenzo is continuing his bad run. No one seems to be able to tame the Ducati. Even the Honda looks wild and restless when cornering

[Bend it like Repka]

Just seen the highlights, great race by Cal. one of Britain's unknown sports superstars.

[szola]

Classic Marquez race yesterday. The Goat also had a good one, and this time round he even nailed the qualifying.

Cal & Zarco look both nailed on to finish top of the Non-Factory championship if their form continues. The French rider took a while to mature in Moto2. Winning twice though set him up for the GP class. Can see him being a candidate for the Yamaha after Rossi retires. They surely won't go for Marquez

[Bend it like Repka]

Nicky Hayden in a serious condition in hospital with brain injuries.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/motorsport/39959770

Really hope he pulls through. Love his Southern drawl.

[szola]

Hayden has serious brain damage from what I could read from the tweets I've read.
Poor man, he's been riding motorcycles for a living, and has ended his life while enjoying a hobby. Much like Schumacher.

As for the French GP, the Yamaha's are in pole position again after bad day in Spain. Zarco's performance so far this season is just as impressive as Viñales last.

[Johnny Byrne's Boots]

Hayden dies from his injuries

Former MotoGP champion Nicky Hayden has died aged 35, five days after being involved in a crash while cycling.

The American collided with a car on the Rimini coastline in Italy on Wednesday, 17 May.

He suffered "serious cerebral damage" and had been in the intensive care unit of Cesena's Maurizio Bufalini Hospital.

Hayden, who competed in the World Superbike Championship in Italy on 14 May, won the MotoGP championship in 2006.

A hospital statement issued on Thursday said Hayden had suffered "a serious polytrauma", which is a medical term to describe the condition of a person who has multiple traumatic injuries.

[Bend it like Repka]

Absolutely gutted at the news. So sick that he can go through a career riding a motorbike at 200 mph and then die on a bicycle.

RIP Nicky. You were a legend.

[szola]

Very sad indeed. Thought about the same thing BILR. Hit by a car coming from the left, when out pedaling. Not when riding 300km/h.

RIP Nicky

[Oxonhammer]

RIP Nicky #69

[NH Hammer]

So sad haven't felt this gutted since Barry Sheene passed away. Nicky was such a nice lad, awful for his family and fiancé.