Was nice to hear Hodgy and the village idiot say/admit that during all his shit times this season, he'd never once refused an interview, made any excuses or turned into a complete prick like certain other riders we could mention. And that's precisely why a lot of people like him.
You’re not a twice world champion in Moto GP if you’re shit. I think he’s had a torrid time getting that set up right ,but seems to be there now. Casey Stoner has been helping him too since Misano apparently, so it’s all clicked together at last. He’s lost a whole season as have we really as it’s obvious the Ducati 25 is a beast of a bike if you can get the best out of it. And he’d have at least pushed Marc into a few mistakes throughout the season even if he couldn’t beat him. But it’s a what might have been scenario I guess.
What was Jorge Martin thinking today ? Crazy manoeuvre that’s pretty much finished any constructive use of the last few races of his season to improve.
Tardozzi was still putting him down before the start of the race. Completely understandable you’d put your eggs in the 93 basket especially if you’re paying him that much and he’s won x amount of world titles but amazing what can happen when you listen to another back to back world champion who’s been struggling and actually listen, support and adapt to him. Which seemingly they haven’t since the first test of the season cos their eyes have been on “the prize”. No loyalty shown whatsoever and that’s never a good look.
Really good to see Pecco win. Even Marc Marquez, congratulated him when they crossed the line. Conspiracy theory incoming : I reckon the Pecco team got some help from the MM93 team. I reckon with the title won MM93 tweaked a few sliders in the software, for Pecco, and said that should sort it out for you. A few clicks in the software - and try that. Wow - a different bike - thanks MM !! Although MM not happy about not winning but accepts the bigger picture. Its all true I say
My impression is he/they were so pissed with pecco for *letting the number one plate go to a satellite team/and on to another manufacturer last season they completely cold shouldered him this year. Petty I know but I certainly wouldnt put it past him or them.
It does seem very odd to go from +14 +16 seconds and regularly sliding down the order with no hope - to P1 today. That is very odd, and strange it comes after MM has almost won the title. See what happens tomorrow.
It’s a brutal world in the Moto GP paddock ,and probably more so in Ducati. I can’t even begin to imagine how bad it’s been for Pecco this season. To go from the pointy end to having to watch your team mate wipe the floor with you , and slip further and further down a hole must take superhuman courage to get back to where he was today. I have no doubt that Marquez would stop at nothing to win back that title ,but if shenanigans have been severely at play within the team then that is unforgivable.
Hey, what a boring race!! Oh hang on, no, no it wasn’t boring… MM didn’t win!! Well done MM. What a comeback!! Incredible.
I'm very happy that Pecco won. But was Pecco faster than usual? I am interested to see if this is the beginning of a change, or a one off? I guess everyone is! Huge congrats to Marc. To be World Champion again after everything is incredible.
Wasn’t that he was faster per se his bike was visibly doing what he was able to in previous years which up to now it wasnt. Ergo brake and turn how he expected it to. Certainly from what I saw in the sprint anyway. And I’m not a complete myopic helmet like some, well done to 93 after the injuries he went through. Fair play etc…
Got up at 5.00 am to watch the buildup and the race start at 6.00 am (UK) time. Great circuit anyway, Enjoyable race to watch, although I wish they would put some air fencing near turn 5 - that huge slab of concrete gives me the creeps. Surely there is no place for exposed concrete walls like that on a modern circuit (IMHO). Anyhooo.... The Hondas look good - as a bike - in HRC colours on the front row. Joan Mir gave a really short after race interview. Really happy for him - nicely spoken decent lad ( and he previously won the MotoGP tile on a GSX-R - that is a cool thing to do !) I think Marc Marquez held back a bit towards the end of the race - he could see puffs of smoke coming out the back of Peccos bike - and smartly thought it best not to get to close to it Marc is a good champion. He went to say hello to his old Honda team as well, who still hold him in high regard. A bit of age has probably made him a better people person - all the other riders came past and shook his hand and gave him a pat on the back - they didn't have to do that but they did. He deserves his win without any doubt. It was good to see how Pecco, Marc and Joan Mir got on with each other before they went onto the podium - all three former world champions seemed very comfortable and happy in each other's company. Pecco with his good humor and confidence back.
Just responding in kind to my forum stalker. Pecco (after the worst season imaginable) is now 90 points + ahead of Digi on the other factory bike, who’s had a podium or two in two years and he gets another go on it next year. Can’t work out their thinking sometimes especially when a certain Turkish rider was available to sign earlier in the year.
