Alright Gentlemen (and again I use that phrase loosely).

It's all about to start again in 2019. You beauty!
Time for more discussion on a topic loved by all of us.
Many changes to the paddock this season so lots of unknowns to be answered.

Will Hub again give his valued insights into the finer details of racing and riders from his substantial experience? (though more credibility via unbiased reporting on VR46 would be appreciated)
Will stalwarts Rook and Hag show themselves more on this thread?
Will someone other than myself call out Rossi when he deserves it? (highly unlikely)
Will Mad agree with anyone?

Looking forward to the new season and related discussions as the race calendar progresses.

* Last updated by: yannih on 7/7/2019 @ 5:56 AM *

Luca Marini looks impressive. First time on a triple [like everyone else] in moto2. Can swim like a fish when it's wet. A VR46 student. It's only a matter of time before someone rewrites the books. Luca has this... maybe. If his name becomes familiar within a year or less, I'd toss this kid in with the big boys, if say, he wipes everyone's ass and wins right out of the gate and doesn't stop.

This year's front runners from moto2 are now in gp. Bagnaia(duc), Mir(suz), Oliveira(ktm), and this year's transfer, Morbidelli(yam) running this past season. I like to watch the fresh talent and see who runs with the pack and who's the mid-packer when it all settles out? So Bag looks interesting. Bag too is a 46'r graduate. If ktm is going to do something, it might be Olive on the ktm doing it. He's pissed and needs to prove something. So Bag vs. Oli might put on their own show.

MM needs his shoulder pinned/stapled(?) so he's going to be out for a few races. Unless it's less invasive, it takes a year at least to heal 100% even if you're young. So he's out for a few championship rounds before he comes back. Lorenzo wanted his granny grabber on the tank so he has to figure out the bike. But I think he might be the one to watch. The word in the pits says the duc is The Bike. Unless honda has something for them, it might be Dovi's year. Danilo is on the works bike. So Dani has to win all those rain races so it's a 1-2 at the end of the year.

Mav and Rossi have a bike issue. So if the factory can get their act together I am not going to rule out a 1-2 punch (cough) and I'm not choosing one, I'm just saying someone is going to win it all. I'm hearing these two were racing in the cheap seats> yammie tight with the cash flow for 2 years. So now they are on it full bore and not playing around.

If yammie does not catch up - Dovi.
If yammie made it happen - I just don't know but they finish 1-2.
If it's not the bike but the granny grabber did it - Lorenzo.
If there is a dark-horse - Rins.

Smoothest riders out there:
Rins - It's differently smooth.
Lorenzo - Liquefied laps.
Rossi - The art of late lining.

I disagree with your comment that I disagree, Yannih...
I am pretty impressed with Morbidelli on the Petronas Yamaha. Already fast.
Rossi stated, after following Bagnaia that he "could be trouble next year".
Zarco was fairly happy with the KTM motor, not so happy with corner entry performance.
It looks like it will be an interesting season. Marquez still the fastest mofo on the block.

Mad

Add Zarco to the list of smoothests. Vinales will eclipse Vale on the same machinery. If Duc has the bike, Whorehouse made it so before he walked away. Which is what Dovi will do with the championship if the Honda boys can’t stop him..

The “liquified laps” comment is the best 2-word description I’ve heard in many years. So true

* Last updated by: Danno on 11/28/2018 @ 5:22 PM *

I disagree with your comment that I disagree, Yannih...

Very good.
Got to give you that one Mad...

Let's say Nakagami has [wink-wink] factory honda parts in it. Let's say yammie has some work to do. Let's say the duc has the top end at every race, but then again, let's say Bradl has the absolute top end speed on a honda. Naka was looking good at the end of the season. Might be another podium constant. Mid to late 20's is one prime riding window. Early 30's (Dani, Lorenzo, Dovi) is another prime window.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Os_pNkPPVOI

While we're waiting... The insight of the commentator talking about Rossi and Nicky.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4thAE6Kx8Ig

Not sure, but see if you can watch the gp races free on Box Repsol.

MotoGP 2019 has started.
Hooray!
And Valentino Rossi couldn't progress past Q1, missed Q2 and qualifies 14th for Qatar MotoGP.
Slowest Yamaha on the track even though he is on state of the art factory machinery and comprehensively beaten by the two rookie Yamaha riders Quartararo and Morbidelli!
Plus to add insult to injury rookies Mir on the Suzuki and Bagnaia on the Ducati also cleaned him up.
The only rookie to finish below Rossi was Oliviera who is on the developing and struggling KTM machine.
Also interesting that Vinales on the same factory equipment qualified on Pole!
Major embarrassment for The Doctor.

But lets face it, it's not Rossi's fault.
I mean it must be the bike, the tyres, the setting, the track, the conditions, the Team, etc.
My vote is it's Marquez's fault...

Come on Rossi fans (and Hub)!
Surely you have your own excuses to offer for your hero's sorry qualifying performance?

* Last updated by: yannih on 3/10/2019 @ 12:02 AM *

VR is obviously sandbaggin the field to make his scratching and clawing his way to the front for the win more dramatic for the crowd

Put a fork in Rossi. Give Q-man the ride. Very hard guess here. 1st-93, 2nd-Dovi, 3rd-Q-man.

ANybodys, Game.. I am just gonna watch ;) Moto 3 was a good tight race!! saw the new penalty thing work ..

Tri = No DNF's.
MM = Never give up attitude.
Dovi = Best Top Speed.
Q-man = Fastest lap of the race.

VR = Best come from behind performance. (yes or no, yann)

Lotta stuff happening.. Good year coming , I do believe..

Great racing ... wow

VR = Best come from behind performance. (yes or no, yann)

At least Rossi can always rely on a nobbing off from his little fat ugly nobody mate Uccio who will gladly have his chin dented from #46...

* Last updated by: yannih on 3/10/2019 @ 8:55 PM *

Oh man....
Despite claiming that his early lap troubles were "solved" Vinales again screwed up his race by going backwards as fast as he could on the start. AND he was passed by Rossi, who to some, should just hang it up since he's apparently taking up valuable track space. Rins and Mir looked really good on the Suzukis. I hear that some teams are protesting Ducatis use of the spoiler in front of the rear tire. Thing is, there is no rule in the book to prevent that thing. GiGi strikes again.
Clutchblow was pretty amazing since his ankle is basically still a mess.
Interesting times.

Mad

Hmmm.
No automatic defence mechanism from the myriad of Rossi fans on my Qatar post qualifying comments?
Could it be that even the faithful can now see the very clear writing on the wall?
Hallelujah...

(Yes or no, Hub?)

* Last updated by: yannih on 3/14/2019 @ 5:39 AM *

I am no Kofla so I am happy to answer...

As previously stated, I won't rule out the guy. Someone carving thru the best of their era (choose the other riders Rossi passed) is why you my not win a race, but can win [the big one] with high placing finishes. However, the odds are high with a duc having the highest top end of the field, a younger rider that has as much drive as you, then add luck [if any] that is on your side; will bend over their critics with a mighty lunge to their rectal area.

Hub, there are 2 stand out points for Rossi in the Qatar MotoGP.
The positive was the race proper where yet again he rode a masterclass race.
The negative was his qualifying where he could not beat all but one rookie and was the slowest Yamaha in the field at P14.

Why is it no one will mention point 2 but all I hear is point 1 over and over?

Did he win?
Nope. Finished 5th and off the podium.
Why?
His qualifying.
So his qualifying before the race stripped away any chance of a podium or win. So it would not be unfair to say that the poor qualifying was critical, decisive, and the major aspect to Rossi's weekend and race result.

But hey, lets just talk about the race and how he carved through the field.
To 5th.

Maybe another point to consider.
Dovi and Marquez rode a slug like race at the front for the vast majority of the race to conserve tyres, and the lap times show this. Of course Rossi had no choice but to make up places and had to go.
I don't think there is any doubt the slow pace at the front assisted him to some degree with this.

* Last updated by: yannih on 3/14/2019 @ 1:47 PM *

Yannih, you're cherry picking. Rossi was 1st in FP1, 3rd in FP3. Yes he sucked in FP2 and 4.
That doesn't change the fact that on race day he kicked a lot of people's asses, including his
wunderkid teammate. Why would a team drop a rider who still consistently runs at the front AND
brings in millions????

Mad

Mad, cherry picking?
I have stated pure facts.
Rossi finished no better than 5th because of his qualifying.
Was that wrong?
Should I be like all Rossi fans that will hear no wrong against the man and only blindly sing his praises rather than point out the factual shortcomings that he and every other rider has?

You like so many Rossi fans have invoked the automatic defence mechanism.
You have defended the man with no concession of his shortcomings on the Qatar weekend.

And when did I say the team should drop Rossi?
I believe MotoGP needs Rossi and would not be the same without him.
He does bring in millions of fans and dollars to both his team and the sport.

I am not a Rossi fan after 2015. I respect his ability but not his character and sportsmanship.
I think you all know that.
But the reason I have credibility is I put that aside and always give credit when Rossi gets it right (see my past posts) but won't hesitate to point out his shortcomings when they are there.

Rossi is not perfect.
No one is.
So why do his fans treat him as if he is and only point out the good but not contemplate even the slightest shortcomings?

Is that such a hard concept to grasp?

Where did I ignore his qualifying? Reread my post. You claim I have a pro Rossi bias. I submit that it is you
that has a anti- Rossi Bias. And I stand by my statements about him. He's still competitive, he's still riding well, he is still beating most others, and he still brings in fans and money.

Mad

I submit that it is you that has a anti- Rossi Bias.

Hooray.
Check out the big brains on Mad!
You figured it out.
Nothing gets by you.
Nice work mate.

Only difference is I balance my bias with constant admissions when Rossi gets it right which ultimately is my whole point.

* Last updated by: yannih on 3/15/2019 @ 12:44 PM *

I see you've joined the bumpfart school of conversing with others. I thought you were better than that.

Mad