MotoGp 2013 Season

[Rossell]

RIP indeed (belated I know).

Marquez what a move there, hope he makes it stick. Take full advantage of Pedrosa and Lorenzo's injuries. Rookie championship? Has that ever been done in any motorsport?

Edit: Thats a wrap, 4 wins this season for Marquez, the most of anyone. Love it.

On a side note if you view the MotoGP 2013 season on Wikipedia, you'll notice with the exception of Rossi and Scott Redding on 2 occasions, every MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 race this year has been won by a Spaniard.

[Eny]

Awesome last few laps there, just awesome!

[Rossell]

I concur. That was just ace.

[arqueturus]

It's been a long time since Jorge dug that deep for a win. Although it was well deserved I think that if Marc had been at full health then he might have still taken it.

Also, bravo Scott Redding for doing the business at his hone GP - quality ride.

[gpa-gone-west]

Rookie championship? Has that ever been done in any motorsport?

Yep, Kenny Roberts was champion in 1978 in his rookie year. He won it three years running.

Sundays Silverstone race was a cracker, but the best I have watched was the 1979 race. With Roberts and Sheene going at it all race long with Roberts winning by the width of a wheel.

[Rossell]

Australia then, WTF happened there?

[Eny]

Spoiler: show

Don't know yet, watching the replay @ 2...

[Eny]

OOh err, that was....different! Keeps hopes alive I suppose! Marquez nearly falling over the side was a heart stopper!

[arqueturus]

Here's what happened:

A Honda statement read: 'The team made a mistake, understanding [Marquez] was able to complete ten [full] laps and come back in before completing lap eleven, and the 'box' instruction on his pit board was therefore one lap late.”

Unaware of the situation, Marquez swapped bikes and emerged from the pits back in the victory fight - even clashing with Lorenzo at turn one. Marquez was in second place when the black flags appeared shortly after and duly retired from the race, only his second non-score of the year.

“We made a big mistake in the plan with the team,” said the 20-year-old, speaking in the Phillip Island paddock. “It was a big confusion because we thought that we could [stop before the end of the eleventh lap] and I followed what the team said with the pitboard and when they said 'box' I went in, but it was too late. We thought it was possible to go in on that lap but we'll learn from that and go on to Japan.

It's shit that the tyres couldn't make the distance but the rule to change bikes was the right one. Looks like Honda overthought their strategy and were punished although I think it was a clever angle to take myself. Cynical me can't help but think that Dorna blackflagged him to extend the championship.

[arqueturus]

https://twitter.com/TobyMoody/status/392515962899271680/photo/1

Right descision to go for 10 laps then

Shocking that the tyres failed after such a short period - no idea why they didn't test there first. I think there should definately be a case to bring back competitive tyre choices, not been impressed with control tyres at all.

[Rossell]

One for arque:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7fep8y ... r_embedded (Dorna don't let you embed) - at 32 seconds he hits the killswitch. Unbelievable.

[Rossell]

Goodbye and farewell Nicky Hayden. Gutted.

[gpa-gone-west]

Tragic. Top bloke, and a real nice guy as well.

[arqueturus]

A teribble thing to happen.

I met Nicky at the Estoril MotoGP back when he was at Ducati with Casey Stoner, I got him to sign my watch strap as it was a Limited Edition Nicky Hayden Tissot and he was utterly delighted to do so. He's as nice a guy as everyone says and although his signature has long since worn off the watch strap, the impression I got from meeting never did.