News

[Speeddog]

Wasn't Michael Laverty signed to aprilia as Marco's replacement for like 20 minutes?

He's one of their test riders.

But he's 5th in BSB 2/3 of the way through the season, and IIRC is going to be in WSBK next year.

[duccarlos]

He's one of their test riders.

But he's 5th in BSB 2/3 of the way through the season, and IIRC is going to be in WSBK next year.

He replaced Marco in 1 race. They were hesitant to call him a replacement since they were concerned that there was a conflict with 1 race. Bradl, like Bautista, are very experienced in MotoGP. They have both showed that they can be fast, so now the Ape has 2 riders that can help them test next year's bike, which apparently is all new.

[Speeddog]

Cuzari released from the pokey:
https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=de&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.speedweek.com%2Fmotogp%2Fnews%2F79749%2FGiovanni-Cuzari-Nach-30-Tagen-Haftentlassung.html&edit-text=

[duccarlos]

Apparently I'm not completely crazy!

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/sport/motogp/2015/august/kent-weighing-up-motogp-option-for-2016/

Pramac making a move is great to see. Ducati has gone tried and true and has a solid bike to show for it, but now they really need to go out on a limb. With the 4 Aliens solidly entrenched in Yamaha and HRC, they need gamble on young talent.

[thought]

Interesting... that's a tough call for Kent.  Wasn't too hot in Moto2 the first time around but looks to be a different rider now... and seeing what happened to Miller's progress from skipping moto2 is rough.

I have a funny feeling he'll take it though.  I mean, that's a hard opportunity to pass up.

[duccarlos]

Miller was never this dominant in Moto3 and he's actually been doing relatively well considering his position in the open class. His still leading all other open Hondas as well.

[Raux]

The new part of that rumor is 1 yr pramac after that possible factory. A 3 yr deal.

[Raux]

And pramac is not a satellite anymore next yr. Fact spec or near fact spec bikes

[duccarlos]

Near factory since next year they're all on spec electronics.

[Speeddog]

Looks nearly official that LCR's dodgy sponsorship from CWM is finished:

http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/222046/1/lcr-talks-castrol-crutchlow-2016.html

[duccarlos]

Notice that they went on to talk about extending Cal to a multi-year deal, but possibly dropping Miller. Not sure if Cal reverted back to the 2014 chassis like MM and the Turd, but I'm sure he's not happy with the way this year has gone. He's running 9th overall behind the 3 primary factory riders, Ducati included, and the Tech3 boys.

[Speeddog]

AFAIK, MM is the only rider on the 2014 chassis.

I'm pretty sure all of the Hondas on the grid, including the open bikes, got the 2015 frame.
Everybody's struggled with it.
I think it's especially true for the guys that came off of the production Hondas, way more power of an unfriendly type with the pneumatic valve spring engine, in a chassis not well matched to the engine.

Comparing standings at this point in the season, 2014 to 2015:
The top 8 riders are the same guys, except for 2.
Bradley Smith got his shit together this year (from 10th to 5th), and Aleix Espargaro jumped from the Forward Yamaha to the Suzuki (from 6th to 12th).

2014, the non-Repsol Hondas were placed 9,11,12,13,15,17.
2015, the non-Repsol Hondas are placed 9,14,18,21,22, equal last no points.

Scott Redding is 2 places further back, Nicky 6 places.
Karel 7 places, granted he's been hurt, but one could lobby that he got hurt by a worse bike.

[duccarlos]

If he decides to stay with LCR it will be because he believes that HRC will right the ship or because he's offered a shitload of money. It must frustrate him to see Smith up there.

[duccarlos]

http://www.foxsports.com/motor/story/motogp-scott-redding-eyes-switch-to-pramac-ducati-2016-season-danny-kent-081815

That Pramac seat seems to be the hot seat.

[The Architect]

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/2015/august/video-hitting-the-apex/

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