2018 Silly Season

[ute]

Swap to Italian
A very delicate moment for Jorge Lorenzo after the disappointing start of his second season in Ducati. According to Carlo Pernat, who spoke at Paddock, the Mallorcan is likely to remain without a bike next year: "Lorenzo has already already offered several times through his Suzuki manager Suzuki is not interested in certain figures and has not looked for Lorenzo, but it could be one of those that can be blessed, and I throw it there, saying a sporting blasphemy: Lorenzo must be careful because he could even take a sabbatical year.With the numbers he asks and how he is put, it can be difficult for him to find a saddle " .
According to the Genoese manager, the Ducati has now rejected the Spaniard: "I believe that in Ducati they have already put a line over it.I think that now the problem is how to replace it.In the paddock turns a voice, quite safe, according to which they are looking at Miller , which among other things is already under contract Ducati even if he runs with Pramac, he is Australian like Stoner, he seems to be very well looked in. Petrucci, his team-mate, is suffering a bit '.

http://www.sportal.it/moto/lorenzo-senza-moto-l-anno-prossimo.html

[koko64]

Wow. JL better not be too precious then.
And Wow about Miller. I really thought Monkey was first in line. I hope Miller gets his chance and continues the Aussie love affair with Ducati.

[ducpainter]

Pedrosa on a Duc?

Imagine the top speeds.

[kopfjäger]

383 1/2mph on the long straight at COTA.

[DarkMonster620]

Pedrosa on a Duc?

Imagine the top speeds.

and maybe 0 tyre degradation

[ducpainter]

and maybe 0 tyre degradation
[/quo

...along with zero grip because the tire never gets warm?

[DarkMonster620]

correct

[duccarlos]

Zarco officially going to KTM

[duccarlos]

Speculation that Jorghey might have already signed with Suzuki

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/sport/motogp/2018/may/motogp-lorenzo-signs-for-suzuki/

[kopfjäger]

Pol Espargaro will stay at KTM through 2020.

https://www.asphaltandrubber.com/motogp/pol-espargaro-ktm-contract-2019-2020/

[Speeddog]

Man has a valid point:

https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/895729/1/tech-3-smith-return-makes-no-sense

[ducpainter]

Man has a valid point:

https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/895729/1/tech-3-smith-return-makes-no-sense

Maybe KTM needs two test riders.

Herve isn't going to sign him.

[Speeddog]

Dunno, Pit seems pretty happy with Mika for testing, and he rips pretty good on wildcards, so I think Bradley's hosed on that.

Which race was it he got run over, practice for Suzuka?
I forget exactly, but that seems to have taken quite a bit pace away.
He was hurt a long time after, too, yes?

For reliability testing, someone not on hot pace will do the job, perhaps Bradley would slot in that way.

[ducpainter]

Dunno, Pit seems pretty happy with Mika for testing, and he rips pretty good on wildcards, so I think Bradley's hosed on that.

Which race was it he got run over, practice for Suzuka?
I forget exactly, but that seems to have taken quite a bit pace away.
He was hurt a long time after, too, yes?

For reliability testing, someone not on hot pace will do the job, perhaps Bradley would slot in that way.

I don't remember, Nick.

Bradley's future in GP is tenuous to say the least.

[Speeddog]

It is indeed.

Such a competitive grid, if you've got a factory seat that you're hardly getting warm, likely you won't have it long.
Same knife cutting from the other edge, Iannone runs hot and cold while being a steady disturbance, teams would rather have a more consistent and calm rider.

I think Suzuki needs to make a final step to where the bikes can podium without superhuman rider effort.
This sort of approach will see them losing concessions and they'll be right back in the barrel.