Sex Crazed SaltShaker of DeathHas there been any word on how Toprak Razgotlioglu did in testing today? #motogp
I saw he was 1.7 seconds slower than Pedrosa (fastest at test) and .7 slower than Crutchlow on the Yamaha. Very respectable.
Ben@dsmdexter I just wonder if Yam has put the cart before the horse and offered him Franky's ride when it seems like they're only just now giving Franky what he needs. Course, Franky can make them pay for that (as Lorenzo did Ducati) by having a strong rest of the season but, yeah.
@VersionBen6999
I would be surprised if Toprak would agree to anything at this point. The drawbacks to the Yamaha are apparent, and while there may not be a lot of contracts expiring this year, there has been an epidemic of injurieswhich could lead to a seat available that isn't known yet.
I would be surprised if Toprak would agree to anything at this point. The drawbacks to the Yamaha are apparent, and while there may not be a lot of contracts expiring this year, there has been an epidemic of injurieswhich could lead to a seat available that isn't known yet.
Nick 'The Viking'Yeah, this is not the time to be jumping on a Yamaha, nor the Honda.
I suspect we're going to have a brutal year for injuries. I'd be surprised if we see a full grid of contracted riders again this year.
@nlarson830 @dsmdexter As someone who enjoys Marc's talent, I'm curious if Honda can fix their shit while he's still under contract. Because I think if they don't that Red Bull will facilitate a move to KTM, especially given that his current manager has ties there.
Unpopular opinion....
Marc will bonk his head hard enough this year he'll be done.
He can't control himself to just *ride* in the race and develop the bike. They can't develop now, as he's hurt.
@nlarson830 @dsmdexter I don't necessarily agree? I think the bike is such shit (as evidenced by him missing so many races last year and STILL being the top Honda rider) that he's having to use his physical abilities to try and push it to (and past) it's limit, to just be able to compete, let alone win or fight for the championship.
He's readily admitted he's an asshole on the bike, but I don't think you can win championships and not be. Maybe Nicky excluded, but he only had 1.
I agree with that, the bike is bad and has been for a while, and yes he's had to over-ride it to do well.
He's a hard rider but his willingness to crash and gather up other riders into collateral damage, I'm not fond of that. He's entertaining to watch, totally opposite of watching Lorenzo, which bored me to tears.
He's spent the last couple years pretty much broken, so development has been poor, everybody else has been racing and getting faster while he's been rusting on the couch.
I've been watching moto racing for a long time and I've seen these career arcs many times.
I'm jaded for sure.
@nlarson830 @dsmdexter See, I'm a more recent fan (2014) and my introduction to MotoGP was a clip of JL99 with Anna Vives. And damn him if he didn't drag me right in. I related to his personality. Still do, really. Started rooting for Nicky shortly thereafter. But as I'm prone to do (gogo Autism) made myself a student of the sport. Watched many old races.
Perhaps I'm not willing to watch another rider I'm rooting for hang 'em up yet. Either way, we'll see how it all plays out!
I'm not sure exactly when I got into MotoGP, I remember stumbling across a race and the first thing I saw was Gibernau hazing the back tire from just past the apex til he had it up straight. Probably '09.
Lorenzo was very fast, but so smooth he looked slow.
It's good you studied and watched old races, it's perspective.
I don't want MM to retire, but I don't want him to need a guide dog either.
@nlarson830 @dsmdexter
Which as why, as much as I hated it from a "I want him to race forever" standpoint, I was glad JL retired when he did. He seemed legit scared of the bike after that back-breaker.
Equally, I can remember being ANGRY at Marc for trying to come back from that humerus injury after less than a week. Really, more so at the Doctors who encouraged it, because WTF? It's not like these guys get pensions. I'm glad he has a more cautious medical team now.
It's just a few scenarios
Hurt, cant race anymore
Too slow, retired
Too slow, dropped
Don't want to race any more
Spies
Rossi
Abraham
Stoner
Maybe more ?
I'm pretty sure none of the doctors told him he could race.
I think that's something MM and his group decided on their own. I'm an engineer and I'm familiar with materials and such and the standard product that they used for the first repair isn't sufficient to replace the structural capability of a healthy bone.
I do not remember specifically who did the op, but IIRC it was one of the best in the world, and someone that's done lots of riders before. Never before do I remember this sort of event. If I were the doctor I would have been furious and demanded a public apology/retraction from Honda.
1/