2 wheelin'

Saturday, October 31, 2015

More MotoGP news

More MotoGP news stories, including a major development after the Marc Marquez and Valentino Rossi scrum in Malaysia.

Bridgestone review the #MalaysianGP
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2015/10/28/bridgestone-review-the-malaysiangp/188643

Dani Pedrosa's latest blog entry.

Pedrosa Blog: Three weeks full of excitement

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2015/10/29/pedrosa-blog-three-weeks-full-of-excitement/188644

A blog entry, from Bradley Smith

#Bradley38Blog: Turning it around in Sepang

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2015/10/29/bradley38blog-turning-it-around-in-sepang/188634

Here's some fun, for fans of Monopoly, and board games. It's MotoGP Monopoly!

Monopoly launches MotoGP edition
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2015/10/29/monopoly-launches-motogp-edition/188678

Big development, in the Rossi vs. Marquez incident, from Malaysia.

Valentino Rossi appeals FIM Stewards' decision

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2015/10/30/valentino-rossi-appeals-fim-stewards-decision/188688

Some news from Moto3 as well. One team, switches, to, a Peugeot motorcycle engine. Yours truly, was not aware, Peugeot, builds motorcycle engines.

RTG switch to Peugeot in 2016
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2015/10/30/rtg-switch-to-peugeot-in-2016/188708

Friday, October 30, 2015

Open letter from FIM President Vito Ippolito

FIM President Vito Ippolito has written a letter expressing his disdain for the bad sportsmanship shown in the most recent MotoGP race, in Malaysia, last weekend.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2015/10/29/open-letter-from-fim-president-vito-ippolito/188680

Thursday, October 29, 2015

Valencia championship scenarios (via the Facebook page 2Wheeled Racing News and Views)

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Moto 2 & Moto 3: Malaysia

In Moto2 action in Malaysia, Johann Zarco continued his steamroller of a season, taking the race victory. He led Tom Luthi and Jonas Folger, across the line. Takaaki Nakagami, and Lorenzo Baldassari, completed the top five. In positions six through ten, the finishers were Luis Salom, Sandro Cortese, Hafizh Syahrin (a home crowd favorite, from Malaysia), Simone Corsi, and Xavier Simeon. A good chunk of the field, actually finished the race, and only three riders were unclassified at the end, in this race, that included 30 motorcycles. Some heavy hitters, failed to finish. Alex Rins, Marcel Schrotter, and Alex Marquez.

#5 Johann Zarco FRA. Kalex

The Moto3 race at Sepang, was won by the rapid Miguel Oliveira. He has racked up quite a few wins this season already. Joining him on the Moto3 podium were Brad Binder, and Jorge Navarro. Another impressive finish, for each of those riders. No doubt, they will win races, soon. Another rapid rider, Niccolo Antonelli, came home fourth, with his fellow Italian, Romano Fenati, fifth. Positions six through ten were filled by Jakub Kornfeil, World Champion in Moto3, Danny Kent, Enea Bastianini, Alexis Masbou, and John McPhee.

25 riders were classified at the end of the Moto3 race, and the final one of them, who came home in a classified position, was Gabriel Rodrigo. The retirements list included half a dozen riders. Karel Hanika, Manuel Pagliani, Efren Vazquez, Hiroki Ono, Zulfahmi Khairuddin, and Darryn Binder.

#44 Miguel Oliveira POR. KTM

The finale, beckons, for all three classes (MotoGP, Moto2, and Moto3), at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo, in Valencia, Spain, in less than two weeks.

Monday, October 26, 2015

#SepangClash: Race Direction verdict on Rossi & Marquez

After their kerfuffle in the MotoGP race in Malaysia, THIS is how MotoGP Race Director, Mike Webb, has decided to handle the situation.

Valentino Rossi, for his actions of deliberately forcing Marc Marquez, off the road, will receive three penalty points.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2015/10/25/sepangclash-race-direction-verdict-on-rossi-marquez/188434

#SepangClash: Jarvis reacts
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2015/10/25/sepangclash-jarvis-reacts/188527

#SepangClash: Decision of The Race Direction

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2015/10/26/sepangclash-decision-of-the-race-direction/188604

Sunday, October 25, 2015

MotoGP Round 17: Malaysia

It is the penultimate round of the 2015 MotoGP World Championship, at the Sepang Circuit in Sepang, Malaysia.

Lorenzo, is coming. Stalking his prey. Closing in. Waiting, for his time. to strike, with two races left. He is a shark in the water, smelling blood. Cue the "Jaws" theme. It's the penultimate race of the 2015 MotoGP season... the Grand Prix of Malaysia, next!

The tension has ratcheted up, and we are ready to race, in the steam of Sepang, Malaysia. Yamaha, is guaranteed, to win everything. But, Lorenzo and Rossi, they have a real rivalry going. Recall, Australia, last weekend, which was one of the most epic races, in motorcycle racing history. Last weekend's finish, was the closest since MotoGP began in 2002, and also, one of the closest in Grand Prix history. Dani Pedrosa starts on pole. Here are some scenarios for the title.

Valentino Rossi leads Jorge Lorenzo by eleven points. Rossi can mathematically win the championship, today. Lorenzo would have to wait, to clinch, in the finale, in two weeks, in Valencia, Spain. Rossi knows he has to push all the way, and not make any mistakes. Lorenzo feels better about his chances now, than he did, a few races back. Lorenzo feels he is at the top of his game. If he finishes behind Valentino Rossi, it will be impossible for him, to be champion again, this year. He believes he'll finish strong.

Rossi says there's lots of pride on the line. He also knows he has to beat Ducati's Andrea Ianonne, or at least, that's how it was in Australia, last weekend. Sepang is where much MotoGP testing takes place. Valentino Rossi accused Marc Marquez of racing too hard, while he didn't race Jorge Lorenzo too hard. Malaysia is very hot, and humid. It's a slick track, and also, very, very hot. Tracks are physically demanding, based on layout, wrestling the bike, accelerating, and braking.

This track has many corners. But, the high humidity and 90+ degree temperatures, are a tough thing to deal with. In the humidity, it's a challenge. The heat, will affect them, and the humidity. If you get dehydrated, it will affect your concentration, and cramp your muscles, as a rider. Heat stroke is also a big issue. Get hydrated. Cool off in a kid's blowup swimming pool, with ice in it. Stay cool, and stay hydrated.

Sepang is an early track of the generation of Class A tracks, capable of hosting Formula One. Turn one, is a favorite passing spot. Wide apex, and tight. Down through turns two and three, up through the gears, and flow through it. 180 miles an hour on a MotoGP bike. Slightly slower on a 1000cc Superbike. Watch for change of direction in the third gear, turn five, and turn six. Be precise with the bike. Into seven, take it is one corner, onto the short straight, into turn one. First gear corner. Into turn ten, down a gear, into eleven. Shades of Marquez and Lorenzo in 2013.

Eleven and twelve are not passing zones. But, it will be in turns 13 and 14. Onto the back straight. Accelrate. Lorenzo wobbled massively into the final turn that year. It's a favorite passing spot. It's a lot of work. In qualifying, Dani Pedrosa blistered the speedway, for pole. Marc Marquez mustered only second with a wobble. Jorge Lorenzo could have had third. He crashed in FP4 and then, got nipped by Rossi.

Cal Crutchlow and Andrea Ianonne are up there. But, Yamaha's will be the ones to watch in this 20 lap contest. Rossi makes his record 329th GP start. Maverick Vinales is Rookie of The Year, riding for Suzuki. Happy 25th birthday, Danilo Petrucci. Nicky Hayden will be inducted into the MotoGP Hall of Fame in Valencia next time out. Look out for tires. Don't dehydrate. Watch the weather. Spare bikes may need to be ready, if it rains.

This could be the deciding round of the 2015 MotoGP season, with eleven points, separating Rossi, and Lorenzo, behind the Honda's of Pedrosa, and Marquez. Hector Barbera, has been moved to the rear of the grid. The world waits, with bated breath. The 2015 Malaysian GP is about to start. 20 laps scheduled, as mentioned. We are ready, to race.

Go! At the start, Marc Marquez gets a slow start. Lorenzo gets swamped by the Ducati's. Pedrosa leads Marquez and Jorge Lorenzo fights through the pack. Lorenzo dives inside of both factory Ducati's. Dani Pedrosa leads Marquez and Rossi. They fly through turns seven, eight, and nine. Nine is a favorite passing spot. Up through turn eleven. Rossi and Lorenzo are pushing the Ducati's of Andrea Dovizioso and Andrea Ianonne. Rossi closes on Marquez. They fly down the back straight into turn fifteen to complete lap one.

Lorenzo passes Rossi into the turn one braking zone. Lorenzo is up to third. He's pushing really, really hard. They almost touch. Honda, Honda, Yamaha, Yamaha. Pol Espargaro, is next, behind these guys. Rossi's championship lead, might be really cut down. Rossi cannot pass Lorenzo. They are braking away from Andrea Dovizioso and Andrea Ianonne on the Ducati's. Problems for Ianonne. He's slowing and has a mechanical issue onn his factory Ducati.

Pedrosa still leads. Lorenzo sets best lap at 2:00.6. Fastest lap, so far, pardon me. They climb the hill to turn four. Andrea Dovizioso and Cal Crutchlow move up. Jorge Lorenzo passes Marc Marquez who went wide on the brakes into turn four. Rossi closes on Marquez. This is fierce after the word war Thursday night between Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez. Rossi tries to find his way through. Dani Pedrosa still leads. Rossi is going for it. He can't pass Marquez.

Rossi almost passes Marquez. He can't quite make it. We work lap three. Marquez is having front tire issues. Rossi tries inside and makes a pass on Marquez stick, for third! Marquez will fight back coming through turn six. He's close. This is wild. Into turn nine, he's pushing. Dani Pedrosa still leads by 8/10ths of a second. Marquez has front end grip issues. Marquez closes again. These guys are flying. Just flying. Marquez wants to beat Rossi. He tries inside Rossi. Marquez tries using the power and the draft, wiggling the motorcycle. Rossi cuts back inside!

This is the fight. No talk. Only do! Marquez pushes ahead. Rossi fires back. Marquez squeezes Rossi out again! This is wild! Rossi has to get closer to lineup for nine. Marquez fights it. Rossi back inside. This is nuts! Rossi loses the front, and Marquez comes back! The crowd goes berserk! Pedrosa still leads over Lorenzo. This is personal pride between Marquez and Rossi. Dani Pedrosa and Jorge Lorenzo, are breaking away. These two blokes, were leaning on each other. Two of the biggest racing rivals in world motorcycle road racing competition.

Pedrosa continues to lead. Rossi is coming for Marquez. He moves back to third spot! This is bonkers! This race is a classic! Jorge Lorenzo is cruising in second. Marquez passes back. We are working lap six. It makes Rossi and Max Biaggi's fights, years ago, look like a Vicker's tea party. This is war now, Private. Jorge Lorenzo is 2.7 seconds up the road. This fight between Marquez and Rossi won't simmer down. Take a breath. Open your eyes. This is a boxing match... a wrestling cage match, on wheels.

Rossi is back to third! Marquez comes back, and can't get there! Brave indeed! He rides around thound the outside! Marquez has crashed! Rossi is in the clear! There was contact! Wow! Holy s***! That's going to fray some nerves! Rossi was wide, and he ran Marquez out the edge of the road. What will the marshals say about this? Marquez is in the lane. Game over for Marquez! This is absolutely unreal!

Race control will investigate the Marquez/Rossi crash. Dani Pedrosa still leads, chasing Andrea Ianonne for fourth. Ianonne is out with mechanical issues. If Pedrosa wins, he'll demote the Ducati rider in the points. Rossi could clearly see where Marquez was on track. After Rossi's comments in the Thursday press conference, the bitterness boiled over. He attacked Marc Marquez, personally. What will race control say? We are halfway home. Dani Pedrosa, leads this race. That was as fierce a battle as you'd want to see.

That was a bomb waiting to go off. It exploded. Marc Marquez is out. Rossi accused Marquez of helping Lorenzo. If Lorenzo wins, he'll be the champ. Andrea Dovizioso has crashed out of fourth. A pear shaped day for Ducati, here. Game over, sunshine. A bad wreck, too. Cal Crutchlow moves to fourth, and Bradley Smith, to fifth. Nine laps left. 1.1 seconds, the gap, between Pedrosa and Lorenzo. This race, has had the most amazing twists and turns!

The temperatures are hot, and the tempers, are hotter. As things stand, the championship, will go to the finale. Valentino Rossi may be in the clear, as Dani Pedrosa is edging away from Jorge Lorenzo. Dani Pedrosa got the hole shot, and no one has touched him. He's headed for his second win in the last three races. Seven points, is the margin. Jorge Lorenzo should settle for second. Dani Pedrosa smashed the lap record in qualifying. Pedrosa's victory (if he wins), will be a side show. The drama of Rossi and Marquez, will be the headline. Marc Marquez will not talk. Livio Suppo, from Honda, will say something.

They will blame Valentino Rossi, fairly and squarely. Marquez will be livid... enraged. He needs to calm down, and move on. Will Rossi and Marquez mend the fences? Probably not. Danilo Petrucci, the Espargaro brothers, and Stefan Bradl, are battling each other. Livio Suppo still has to talk to race control, after the checkers. What action will race direction take? How will that decide the 2015 MotoGP World Championship? If there is guilt, what will be said? Suppo said Rossi deliberately wrecked Marquez.

If you are deemed to do that, race direction, won't tolerate it. You will be punished. We watch this incident, again. Rossi looked twice, at Marc Marquez. There will be a long night. We will have some news on this, to come. Don't take anything away from Dani Pedrosa or Jorge Lorenzo. Race Director Mike Webb, is a cool customer. But, he'll surely make a decision. Rossi was pushing Marquez to the outside of the road.

Dani Pedrosa, has dominated. Four laps left. He is chasing his third MotoGP win at Sepang. His fifth win, overall in Grand Prix motorcycle racing, here. Jorge Lorenzo has had a great ride. This blows the championship, wide open. If there's discussions, the discussions between Marquez and Lorenzo, with the stewards, will be separate, because, it could turn into a fisticuffs, and that's not professional. Bradley Smith and Cal Crutchlow, will finish fourth and fifth. Danilo Petrucci is sixth. The two Suzuki's are running together. Aleix Espargaro, and Maverick Vinales. Stefan Bradl is tenth on the factory Aprilia.

Anthony West, is last, filling in for the injured Alex de Angelis. A battle between the Suzuki team mates. Espargaro and Vinales battle. It's a good scrap, but not vicious like the Rossi, Marquez wrestling match from earlier. Two laps to go now. Maverick Vinales tries into turn one and can't make the pass. Bradley Smith has done a number on Cal Crutchlow. Smith gains. The Yamaha brass are discussing this issue. We have seen a classic battle. But, Dani Pedrosa's win, is totally secondary.

Dani Pedrosa comes through, for the final lap, dominating, checking out. He leads by three seconds. Slow down a tad. But, he has not made any mistakes. Valentino Rossi, will finish third. Pedrosa won 125cc in 2003, and 250cc in 2004. This will be Pedrosa's third win in Malaysia. We will then head for the finale. What will happen to Valentino Rossi? We don't know. A great race in Australia. A verbal assault by Rossi on Marquez. Now, this battle, will go on, into the night. Pedrosa has ridden a career race! Dani Pedrosa, wins it!

#26 Dani Pedrosa ESP. Honda

...And then, there was one. The final race of the 2015 MotoGP World Championship, will be at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia, Spain, coming up, in two weeks. Lorenzo has beaten Rossi. He has scored points, on the way, to a possible championship. We'll be talking about the Rossi/Marquez battle, for the next two to three decades. The incident, will be investigated. If we do not get a decision before this blog entry is published, there will be a story, when it breaks, on the blog, perhaps, even before the news of the support races for Moto2 and Moto3, are published.

Pedrosa and Lorenzo, probably have no clue about what happened, to Rossi. Motorcycle racers, can only learn so much, from their pit boards, and no, they do not have bike to pits radio communication. That's only in car racing. Victory, again, for Dani Pedrosa. Did Marc Marquez's dad Julian, want a fight with Valentino Rossi? We don't know. Julian Marquez, Marc's dad, was absolutely enraged. Did Rossi have his leg out to kick the fork of Marquez's bike?

Rossi says he tried to go wider into turn 14, to slow Marquez down. He says it's a shame. Lots of ground to cover between now, and the finale, in two weeks. Dani Pedrosa, has 99 career podiums. One race remains, and only seven points separate Rossi and Lorenzo. We will have more breaking news, after the decision, and see you, in Valencia, Spain, in two weeks.