The motorsports thread.

[pdxmech13]

If I were Zarco, I'd wait for Jorge to get kicked to the curb and pounce on that sweet Ducati Factory ride.

KTM although is a good place they aren't winning any championships for 3 years. Aprilla has a better shot before than and that's not saying much.

[jscottyk]

Why? They seem still pretty far off the pace. Not being snarky, genuinely interested if there are significant signs of life there. If they could get Zarco, that would definitely signal a confidence vote that they are coming up quickly.

Not snarky at all, I was were you are prior to COTA. Watching them there got me reading more about the current iteration of their MotoGP involvement.

Check out these two articles...
KTM launches 2018 MotoGP bike
PIT BEIRER INTERVIEW

Also, consider their success in Moto3, and going after Moto2 (even though they cannot develop motors there, the goal is rider development).

It's impressive that in basically less than 3 years of MotoGP they are already running middle of the pack and beating well established efforts. From an engineering perspective alone, that is amazing.

Regarding Zarco, this story reports him going with KTM over Honda.
Zarco chooses KTM over Honda for 2019 move

[pdxmech13]

Honda isn't changing anything in that paddock. Dani and Marc are the best options and they seem to get along just enough to make it work.

KTM going after a rider that hasn't been on their bike is a challenge. It will take at least half a year for Zarco (if he goes) just to get comfortable on a bike and adapt his riding style to it or change the bike. Both are not easy task.

But this begs another question. If you don't have a factory ride can you be competitive?

Sure you have LCR and I'm a big Cal fan but he's almost the exception to the rule and has a pretty solid ride on that Honda.

[jscottyk]

But this begs another question. If you don't have a factory ride can you be competitive?

This is a great question!

Also, I need to read more about the Aprilia program. What's up with those guys? Anyone have any good links?

[pdxmech13]

Aprilla has a good motor and awesome chassis.

It's my understanding the bike is just too dang heavy compared to competition.

[dogrange]

Not snarky at all, I was were you are prior to COTA. Watching them there got me reading more about the current iteration of their MotoGP involvement.

Check out these two articles...
KTM launches 2018 MotoGP bike
PIT BEIRER INTERVIEW

Also, consider their success in Moto3, and going after Moto2 (even though they cannot develop motors there, the goal is rider development).

It's impressive that in basically less than 3 years of MotoGP they are already running middle of the pack and beating well established efforts. From an engineering perspective alone, that is amazing.

Regarding Zarco, this story reports him going with KTM over Honda.
Zarco chooses KTM over Honda for 2019 move

THanks for the good reads. I'm rooting for them. Love the trellis!

[jscottyk]

And, I would really love to ride one of these Moto3 beauties!

14KTMAjo4004.jpg

[shorelocal]

But this begs another question. If you don't have a factory ride can you be competitive?

Tech3 are the counter to this point ... even way back when both Cal and Dovi were on the Tech3 Yams, they were competitive at select rounds.

[shorelocal]

If I were Zarco, I'd wait for Jorge to get kicked to the curb and pounce on that sweet Ducati Factory ride.

History has shown that the Ducati factory ride isn't a guarantee to success .... so many failures of otherwise very fast and successful riders (Rossi and Lorenzo being the top of that list). Dovi is able to ride the Ducati the way it needs to be ridden to go fast ... you could argue Zarco is also a charger and less of a flow rider (a la Lorenzo), but the Yamaha rewards smoothness, so I wouldn't be so sure. Zarco would be the #1 rider if he went to KTM ... not so if he went to Ducati.

[pdxmech13]

Agreed. It takes a pretty aggressive and talented rider to make the Ducati work. Stoner is a great example.

Zarco could be that loose nut as well. If I were a rider I don't know if I would be as concerned with having #1 status but more a bike that could land you on the podium each race. The KTM is not that bike yet and it will be a while if and when id does happen.

[jscottyk]

History has shown that the Ducati factory ride isn't a guarantee to success .... so many failures of otherwise very fast and successful riders...

Agreed. It takes a pretty aggressive and talented rider to make the Ducati work...

It's this point that still has me scratching my head about Lorenzo signing with Ducati in the first place. If with the big money, surely he knew it was not going to be the same sort of machine as he had been successful with.

[shorelocal]

It's this point that still has me scratching my head about Lorenzo signing with Ducati in the first place. If with the big money, surely he knew it was not going to be the same sort of machine as he had been successful with.

Agree here ... head scratcher for sure. But I think it had a lot to do with getting out from under Rossi's shadow (full-on solar eclipse). Even when Lorenzo was winning and Rossi was finishing off the podium, Rossi was still more popular with fans and possibly even Yamaha brass ... Lorenzo couldn't get no respect. Perhaps Lorenzo thought it would finally prove how great he was if he could win on a bike Rossi failed on ... so far he's doing worse, IMO. These guys thrive on ego at this level ... ego and confidence. Lorenzo's is shot ... amazing how far the mighty can fall, and how fast.

[sk_tle]

As a rider I wouldn't sign a contract with ducati without having a test ride before. I know it is very unlikely they allow a rider from a competing team to test ride a bike before signing but this is the way to go with ducati. It seems you either can dial your riding style to it or you don't and your career will be ruined.

[jscottyk]

I've always enjoyed watching Lorenzo ride. Never been a huge fan, but have always admired his talent and dedication. Oddly, I find this "fall", and his struggle, make him a compelling "hero". I'm kinda rooting for him, but I don't think his redemption will come on a Ducati.

[shorelocal]

It's official ... Zarco to KTM

Bombshell: Zarco Joins KTM MotoGP – SuperbikePlanet

[jscottyk]

It's official ... Zarco to KTM

Bombshell: Zarco Joins KTM MotoGP – SuperbikePlanet

His IG from yesterday.

IMG_5196.jpg

[sk_tle]

Dat crash between Pedroza, Lorenzo and Dovizioso. Zarco won at the lottery.

[jscottyk]

Dat crash between Pedroza, Lorenzo and Dovizioso. Zarco won at the lottery.

HOLY COW. That race!

I felt so bad for all three of them. Am relived that Pedroza was not seriously injured. That was "500GP high" highside.

[pdxmech13]

Me's thinking that was the move that will put Lorenzo on a Suzuki.

All three made for a spectacular crash but Lorenzo had the most amount of hand in it.

[jscottyk]

Me's thinking that was the move that will put Lorenzo on a Suzuki.

All three made for a spectacular crash but Lorenzo had the most amount of hand in it.

I agree. I still can't understand why he re-entered the race line so abruptly.