Moto GP 2024

[FourWheelDrift]

The Aprilia boss did say a little time ago that they might actually have an Italian on an Italian bike. I thought that was going to be Bastianini so maybe pick another available Italian. What Pramac does is still the cork in the bottle.

[Yazza54]

It would be a good move for Bez. There's no room at the inn at Ducati for progression.

[LF5335]

John D. said:

I'm with Yazza54. Mir seems the weakest MotoGP champion in the time I've followed the sport. Maybe unfair as it was a strange season. Repeating rounds at the same tracks played to him a bit perhaps.

Maybe he is the weakest champion, after all there haven’t been that many in the past decade or two. Three of the original four aliens, Marquez, Quartararo and Bagnaia with Mir bringing up the rear. Arguably the last three were only because `Marquez slung himself up the road messing about in Jerez.

On reflection it would be nice to be referred to as the weakest World Champion, than the strongest non-champion.

[epom]

LF5335 said:

John D. said:

I'm with Yazza54. Mir seems the weakest MotoGP champion in the time I've followed the sport. Maybe unfair as it was a strange season. Repeating rounds at the same tracks played to him a bit perhaps.

Maybe he is the weakest champion, after all there haven’t been that many in the past decade or two. Three of the original four aliens, Marquez, Quartararo and Bagnaia with Mir bringing up the rear. Arguably the last three were only because `Marquez slung himself up the road messing about in Jerez.

On reflection it would be nice to be referred to as the weakest World Champion, than the strongest non-champion.

Of that group, IMO there is only one alien. Marquez. The others are decent.

[LF5335]

epom said:

LF5335 said:

John D. said:

I'm with Yazza54. Mir seems the weakest MotoGP champion in the time I've followed the sport. Maybe unfair as it was a strange season. Repeating rounds at the same tracks played to him a bit perhaps.

Maybe he is the weakest champion, after all there haven’t been that many in the past decade or two. Three of the original four aliens, Marquez, Quartararo and Bagnaia with Mir bringing up the rear. Arguably the last three were only because `Marquez slung himself up the road messing about in Jerez.

On reflection it would be nice to be referred to as the weakest World Champion, than the strongest non-champion.

Of that group, IMO there is only one alien. Marquez. The others are decent.

That group, if you read the bit in bold clearly states “three of the original four aliens”. Personally I’d rate Rossi, Stoner and Lorenzo as aliens.

[epom]

LF5335 said:

epom said:

LF5335 said:

John D. said:

I'm with Yazza54. Mir seems the weakest MotoGP champion in the time I've followed the sport. Maybe unfair as it was a strange season. Repeating rounds at the same tracks played to him a bit perhaps.

Maybe he is the weakest champion, after all there haven’t been that many in the past decade or two. Three of the original four aliens, Marquez, Quartararo and Bagnaia with Mir bringing up the rear. Arguably the last three were only because `Marquez slung himself up the road messing about in Jerez.

On reflection it would be nice to be referred to as the weakest World Champion, than the strongest non-champion.

Of that group, IMO there is only one alien. Marquez. The others are decent.

That group, if you read the bit in bold clearly states “three of the original four aliens”. Personally I’d rate Rossi, Stoner and Lorenzo as aliens.

That it does, whooopppss continue

[hiccy18]

I'd argue Fabio started his championship year with the best package, although fading, Pecco definitely has had the best bike, although he did a classy job of his second championship. Mir didn't even have the second best bike, so who was the weakest champion of those three? Seems a bit tough saying the guy on the worst bike.

Alex was stunning at Austin last year.

[John D.]

I don't remember the Suzuki being a particularly bad bike that year.

Its more what he's done since taking that championship. Just seemed a bit of a one off strong year, where he didn't win a single race. If he'd carried on being in the mix at the front of the championship I'd feel differently.

[hiccy18]

These things are relative: the Suzuki wasn't a bad bike, but it wasn't a Yamaha, Ducati or even a Honda. Since 2020 the European manufacturers have risen and both Mir and Rins have been on Japanese bikes, and I think Rins has been a bit better of the two, but both are very good MotoGP riders, and Mir got the job done when he had a chance.

He did win one race BTW.

[Yazza54]

LF5335 said:

John D. said:

I'm with Yazza54. Mir seems the weakest MotoGP champion in the time I've followed the sport. Maybe unfair as it was a strange season. Repeating rounds at the same tracks played to him a bit perhaps.

Maybe he is the weakest champion, after all there haven’t been that many in the past decade or two. Three of the original four aliens, Marquez, Quartararo and Bagnaia with Mir bringing up the rear. Arguably the last three were only because `Marquez slung himself up the road messing about in Jerez.

On reflection it would be nice to be referred to as the weakest World Champion, than the strongest non-champion.

My point was really that previous champion or not, I'm not convinced that'll come into the decision making, it'll be more based on recent form, of which Mir has none.

[LF5335]

Yazza54 said:

My point was really that previous champion or not, I'm not convinced that'll come into the decision making, it'll be more based on recent form, of which Mir has none.

You may be right, but what form is Digi or Morbidelli or even Rins showing? I just struggle to se show any of these are genuine contenders for a factory ride next year. Mir isn’t really a contender either IMO, but he’s in the same bracket or arguably slightly higher than that bunch.

[Yazza54]

LF5335 said:

Yazza54 said:

My point was really that previous champion or not, I'm not convinced that'll come into the decision making, it'll be more based on recent form, of which Mir has none.

You may be right, but what form is Digi or Morbidelli or even Rins showing? I just struggle to se show any of these are genuine contenders for a factory ride next year. Mir isn’t really a contender either IMO, but he’s in the same bracket or arguably slightly higher than that bunch.

All questionable, I think the discussion began around Mir and Rins and the point I was making was Mir being a previous champion probably doesn't give him any edge over Rins at this point.

If Aprilia want an Italian their most sensible punt is Bez

[John D.]

hiccy18 said:

These things are relative: the Suzuki wasn't a bad bike, but it wasn't a Yamaha, Ducati or even a Honda. Since 2020 the European manufacturers have risen and both Mir and Rins have been on Japanese bikes, and I think Rins has been a bit better of the two, but both are very good MotoGP riders, and Mir got the job done when he had a chance.

He did win one race BTW.

Well Morbidelli finished second on a year old Yamaha that year, so not sure what that says about the factory Yamaha or the other bikes relative to the Suzuki.

Morbidelli was another flash in the pan rider that year.

[2ndclasscitizen]

Marquezs Stabilisers said:

Yazza54 said:

It was definitely a strange season. Mir being consistently dominated by Marc at Honda didn't help and even Rins won a race on the Honda while Mir was busy throwing it at the scenery. I doubt Yamaha are thinking about letting Rins go, more that Rins is stalling I suspect.

If you're Alex Rins, you'd back yourself to win races on the Aprilia. He might not win a title there but I'm pretty sure he definitely won't at Yamaha, he and Fabio are way better than the results they get.

Rins was discussed on the Paddock Pass Podcast this week. Yamaha are really happy with him and Rins seems happy there, but he is considering retiring as the leg injury was much worse than has been let on.

[Yazza54]

2ndclasscitizen said:

Marquezs Stabilisers said:

Yazza54 said:

It was definitely a strange season. Mir being consistently dominated by Marc at Honda didn't help and even Rins won a race on the Honda while Mir was busy throwing it at the scenery. I doubt Yamaha are thinking about letting Rins go, more that Rins is stalling I suspect.

If you're Alex Rins, you'd back yourself to win races on the Aprilia. He might not win a title there but I'm pretty sure he definitely won't at Yamaha, he and Fabio are way better than the results they get.

Rins was discussed on the Paddock Pass Podcast this week. Yamaha are really happy with him and Rins seems happy there, but he is considering retiring as the leg injury was much worse than has been let on.

That would be a crying shame. I'm about to make a silly and misinformed statement as I don't know how bad it actually is... But if that was Marc he would probably tell them to break his leg again and fix it

[Freakuk]

Mir, someone had to win that championship let's not forget, I'd agree it wasn't the best championship year but it was still a championship with a hell of a lot of good riders and teams at the start, plenty of others were in the mix. You cannot take that away from Joan.

Back to 2025, it's been an interesting few days. Ducati have lost 2 good riders to other manufacturers to make sure Marc stays, one leading the current championship and one who has won races.

Aprilia, I think Jorge's job has just got a lot harder, no idea if him/Vinales were friends or not but losing both riders within a team is going to take some time to transition, I think it will be a tough start to the season for both Jorge and Aprilia. Aprilia would be wise to try and get someone like Rins on the bike IMO, there's also the Suzuki link there with Aleix & Alex. I think he's a talented rider, clever, methodical and could develop a bike further.

KTM full now leaving Jack and Fernandez out in the cold, I think Fernandez will have to go to WSBK now. Jack's option is Honda (there's a spare seat at Gresini.... but I'm not sure if that's an option). It will all depend upon Mir's will power or options, we all know he's on the verge of retiring given the beating he's had on the RCV, sign again and accept a beating or possibly Trackhouse, that card needs to play out now to see where those guys end up. I could see Jack at LCR, but I doubt Honda would want no Japanese riders.

I think the biggest piece of the remaining puzzle will be Pramac, if they remain with Ducati Fermin slots in, if not he'll probably go to Gresini to replace Marc, then you have 2 satellite Yamaha's..... Once Pramac confirm things I think the remaining seats will move quickly.

[coetzeeh]

One wonders what Joe Robert’s on a factory Aprilia would do for sales in the USA. He’s handy on the COTA track too.

[Yazza54]

coetzeeh said:

One wonders what Joe Robert’s on a factory Aprilia would do for sales in the USA. He’s handy on the COTA track too.

I am postive trackhouse will be having talks with him. It's a no brainer especially with the new 'murican owners. Would think the factory seat will go to someone more established in the top class.

[LF5335]

Miller’s time has to be up in MotoGP. Younger riders are being thrown on the scrap heap before him and it’s not like he’s going to do much for any team now.

[Biker's Nemesis]

Yazza54 said:

coetzeeh said:

One wonders what Joe Robert’s on a factory Aprilia would do for sales in the USA. He’s handy on the COTA track too.

I am postive trackhouse will be having talks with him. It's a no brainer especially with the new 'murican owners. Would think the factory seat will go to someone more established in the top class.

I'd like to see Roberts progress, I really like everything about him.