General MotoGP Thread

[duke63]

Not sure he was sacked. I think he fell out with them.

[Blade]

Not sure he was sacked. I think he fell out with them.

I dont have the exact, detail as no one does as it will be confidential, but the media said sacked, and I can't remember which high profile team manager said it, but on a pit lane interview basically one high profile Ducati Manager said it was a huge mistake, which they regretted.

Plus it still doesn't alter the fact mid season last year on a Ducati, Lorenzo was beating everyone. His performance dropped off after his sacking which tends to de motivate an employee, but prior to that and after making the changes he had been asking for for over a year, Lorenzo was cleaning up on a Ducati, an indisputable fact and one I think Ducati would consider to reinstate, for FREE.

[Blade]

The only thing I will add is, if these rumours have any truth, I hope Honda dont hold him to contract as racing is about the show and competition not the politics or personalities.

[Kwacky]

Why should a rider be able to break a contract and walk off to another job? MotoGP is about business.

[Blade]

Why should a rider be able to break a contract and walk off to another job? MotoGP is about business.

If it's mutual why not?

But that a side, my main point was to counter what seems a common feeling that Lorenzo is finished. In my opinion Lorenzo can still be competitive on the right bike and recent evidence suggests that to be a Ducati

[Kwacky]

Mutual is fine if that's what Honda wants.

I can't make my mind up about Lorenzo. He's massively talented but I don't think his head is in the right place and hasn't been for a while.

[Blade]

Mutual is fine if that's what Honda wants.

I can't make my mind up about Lorenzo. He's massively talented but I don't think his head is in the right place and hasn't been for a while.

I don't know what Honda want obviously, but personally speaking I would like to see a talented and proven rider, challenge Marquez as there seems very few who can. The show needs to be entertaining

Honda seem to have honor and integrity, they rarely if ever impose team orders and I believe their thinking is they want a challenge and only truly enjoy victory if they believe they have beaten all challengers on the track not with the rules or in a court room

[duke63]

Dovi won more races than Lorenzo last year.

I don’t think Lorenzo has the desire to win a Championship again. He is either as fast as anyone or running round at the back.

[Cav]

The way I see the Lorenzo / Ducati / Honda situation is simple:

If Ducati want Lorenzo and Honda don't have anyone lined up to take his place of a similar calibre Honda should not allow him to break the contract - even if he doesn't ride.

If Ducati want Lorenzo and Honda does have someone lined up then let Lorenzo go, it'd be better to collect more championship points and have an additional bike tester than to not.

It is business at the end of the day and Lorenzo is probably the best rider for that aspect as when he gets in front he clears off and it's a boring race.

Racers like Marquez, Miller and Dovi are great showman; they bring excitement and a level of intensity to the spectator side of the sport.

[Blade]

According to BT sport. Nobody at DUCATI wants Lorenzo back apart from Luigi dall'Igna

[Cav]

Sounds like he would have Lorenzo over Dovi if he has his way...

Surely that won't happen?! If so, Dovi/Marquez at Honda would be great. Would also give Marquez some idea of whether a switch to Ducati is right when his contract runs out

[Jack]

Marquez won't be going to Ducati , I suspect that he will go with his main sponsor (Red Bull) as they would have the money to pay him the £20mil + a year he will no doubt be asking for , thats if he decides to go anywhere .

[Cav]

Don't you think Marquez wants a new challenge? He isn't on the best bike, clearly that's the Ducati.

MM loves to race but he also loves to dominate so I can see him changing bikes at some point.

[Jack]

He isn't on the best bike, clearly that's the Ducati.

Results say differently , Maybe the best bike and the best bike for him are 2 different things . Doohan never found the need to challenge himself by changing factories maybe MM will be satisfied by smashing every record there is all for the same team .

[Cav]

I disagree.. I think the results do support the Ducati being the best bike.

It's always Marquez then 2 or more Ducatis. The nearest Honda isn't often up at the top. Even Yamaha has more riders up near the top than Honda and look how much that bike is being slated.

You're probably right, the Honda is probably everything Marquez needs and he may be happy to just smash records and be the GOAT - he already is in number of pole positions

[Jack]

As stated results say differently .

[duke63]

Can’t see Marquez going to KTM unless they build a bike that is competitive. I’m sure at some point he might want to prove he can be Champion on the Ducati where Lorenzo and Rossi failed.

[Blade]

Can’t see Marquez going to KTM unless they build a bike that is competitive. I’m sure at some point he might want to prove he can be Champion on the Ducati where Lorenzo and Rossi failed.

This

[Kwacky]

Big rumours that he's staying at Honda

[Blade]

Big rumours that he's staying at Honda

Boring B@$tard