They're Baaaaaack! Sepang MotoGP test#1

[Jester]

And thus begins the downward spiral of Crutchlow.  I'd be curious to see what Vale and Jorge could do with 4 more liters of fuel like Aleix.  Yam chassis, engine, and more horsepower.  Is there an incentive to staying a "factory" team any longer?  More engines that can be changed during the year, more fuel, more power, factory chassis, and spec ecu.  I'd like to see the gloves come off and everyone go "open."

Looks like the Suzuki still has a lot of work to do.

[Spidey]

And thus begins the downward spiral of Crutchlow. 

It's going to take a while for Crutchlow to get a handle on the Ducati.  At which point, he'll reliably be able to give Dovi a run for this money in 8th place.  <sigh>

[lazylightnin717]

And thus begins the downward spiral of Crutchlow.  I'd be curious to see what Vale and Jorge could do with 4 more liters of fuel like Aleix.  Yam chassis, engine, and more horsepower.  Is there an incentive to staying a "factory" team any longer?  More engines that can be changed during the year, more fuel, more power, factory chassis, and spec ecu.  I'd like to see the gloves come off and everyone go "open."

Looks like the Suzuki still has a lot of work to do.

I'd love to see everybody go "open" as well.

I guess it all boils down to the electronics. So much so that HRC has threatened to leave MotoGP over a mandatory spec ECU 

Marquez broke Stoner's record? I want Stoner to come back and spank him in the worst way possible 

[thought]

This motomatters post makes a good point about the FTR yam:

http://motomatters.com/analysis/2014/02/06/2014_motogp_sepang_1_day_3_round_up_marq.html

"But clearly, a lot of the difference is in Aleix Espargaro himself. When asked whether the performance of the Open class Yamaha had changed their judgment about the category, Honda team boss Livio Suppo, Ducati Corse chief Gigi Dall'Igna and Suzuki team manager Davide Brivio all pointed to the rider. A lot of the performance comes from the talent of Aleix Espargaro himself, they agreed."

The other open bikes arent actually doing amazingly well, it's just Aleix really pushing the that bike hard.  The other FTR is Colin and he's under Hayden in times.

As the article states... I think this summer is going to be a pretty great for Aleix and the contracts he'll get offered.

[zooom]

my prediction right now is that Aleix Espargaro ends up with Dani Pedrosa's seat next year....

[duccarlos]

my prediction right now is that Aleix Espargaro ends up with Dani Pedrosa's seat next year....

Thta's assuming that HRC is not able to pry Jorge from Yamaha.

[Spidey]

Thta's assuming that HRC is not able to pry Jorge from Yamaha.

They're not going to pay Lorenzo and Marquez, and Marquez is never leaving HRC.  That is, he's never leaving until he does.   

[duccarlos]

He won't leave by choice, but HRC has some deep pockets. It wouldn't surprise me that they pay them.

[MadDuck]

He won't leave by choice, but HRC has some deep pockets. It wouldn't surprise me that they pay them.

What if HRC quits MotoGP?  Then what for Marquez?  And surely Lorenzo would stay at Yamaha. 

[duccarlos]

There would not be a MotoGP without HRC. Simple as that.

[thought]

There would not be a MotoGP without HRC. Simple as that.

It would be like Star Wars without the Empire.

[ducpainter]

There would not be a MotoGP without HRC. Simple as that.

Seems you have the same high opinion of HRC as they have of themselves.

[duccarlos]

Don't get me wrong, I don't appreciate the level of control they have over the series, but Dorna hasn't done a good job at being independent either. HRC is pumping a lot of money into the series if only for their development effort. As the series moves into what is hoped to be more manufacturer independent they will be able to make better decisions. For now they are stuck with the 800 lbs gorilla.