2013 Silly Season?...maybe spoilers

[Triple J]

Dorna changing the rules to suit the situation makes it even less credible.

I agree that it sure looks that way...but the rookie rule was dumb. Teams should be able to hire whoever they want to ride their bikes.

I agree Marquez is a douche...a fast douche, but a douche nonetheless. It could get interesting if he tries to punt some of the GP riders like he's done in Moto2. 

[ducpainter]

I agree that it sure looks that way...but the rookie rule was dumb. Teams should be able to hire whoever they want to ride their bikes.

I agree Marquez is a douche...a fast douche, but a douche nonetheless. It could get interesting if he tries to punt some of the GP riders like he's done in Moto2. 

...and they should be able to buy tires from whomever they want too.

The premise of cost cutting is laughable. The rules are what they are to try and level the field to promote more exciting racing.

It is no longer pure prototype racing, and the way Dorna is running things it isn't effective in making the racing any better.

I'd like to see Colin get his hands on him. 

[gm2]

I'm very, very DISAPPOINTED!! 

MotoGP just got a lot less interesting for me.

why is this so disappointing - no rookie rule or 2 spaniards?  i don't get it.

[derby]

It is no longer pure prototype racing...

ok, but what is?

[tufty]

why is this so disappointing - no rookie rule or 2 spaniards?  i don't get it.

Two Spaniards (one they had to bend the rules for), on a Spanish team's bike in a Spanish owned and run series riding an utterly dominating bike. The whole thing stinks to high heaven.

[gm2]

Two Spaniards (one they had to bend the rules for), on a Spanish team's bike in a Spanish owned and run series riding an utterly dominating bike. The whole thing stinks to high heaven.

ah, gotcha.

btw - if a win gets you a tick in the dominated category, so far this year honda and yamaha are tied.

[ducpainter]

ok, but what is?

exactly...

Dorna took over and killed it.

[Jester]

If you really want motogp to remain interesting, then Marquez to the factory Honda is the way to go.  We need the best young talent on the best bikes so Lorenzo doesn't disappear into the twilight every other race.  I personally like Pedrosa, but we'll see if he stays healthy this whole year if he can truly put up the challenge needed to pressure Lorenzo.  There is no other option after this season unless Audi's money dump into Ducati and Rossi accelerates that bike's development over the next 9 months.  Lorenzo was stupid fast out of the gate, but too reckless to contend.  I think Marquez will be the same animal. 

Btw it looks like Rossi is leaning towards keeping his seat ( only option? ) at Ducati.

[DanTheMan]

Lorenzo, Simoncelli, Marques. Same rider different year. All reckless and hungry. Need to be that way if your ever going to make it to GP.

[gm2]

george's first year in GP: 1 win, 6 podiums, 4 poles, finished 4th.  that's contending.

[zooom]

george's first year in GP: 1 win, 6 podiums, 4 poles, finished 4th.  that's contending.

how many crashes/highsides?

[derby]

how many crashes/highsides?

total or just in races? 

[gm2]

how many crashes/highsides?

enough to finish 4th.  =)

[Spidey]

Pedrosa is going to be the longest tenured rider at the *same* factory to never win a championship -- 8 9 years by the end of his latest contact.  I don't know my GP history, but that's gotta be some kinda record for modern GP racing.  They passed over Rossi for HIM??

[ZLTFUL]

Let's put things in perspective a bit...

http://resources.motogp.com/files/results/2012/GER/MotoGP/table5.pdf?v1_69d7d325

While I respect the hell out of some of those guys, until they are dancing with the premier class numbers the top 3 there have posted up, I am not worried about Rossi's legacy as the GOAT being tampered with.

And while I won't argue that there are riders who have years that can't be touched, Rossi has had a career that can't be touched. Next year will bring changes...as in titanic scale changes. Audi wanted 2 things out of the merger.
1. The carbon credits for production that Ducati will allow them to have to keep on producing things like the Veyron and the R8...
2. And to broaden the scope of their competitiveness with BMW.

I don't think they are going to continue to let BMW trounce them in WSBK and keep close to them respectively in MotoGP. Audi will throw resources at the problems that Ducati couldn't afford to alone.