2015 Assen TT

Does tickets to attends the Assen TT sound like a good enough birthday present for you ? It does it for me in a way no other has in the last 10 years. And I'm including the presents made to myself in the list.

So ! Friday we headed to Assen to attend the MotoGP round. We rode there 2 up on the R11S to cover the 400-ish kilometers to the track. Then Yesterday we made the remaining 30 kilometers and parked the bike among thousands others.

The view from our bench located at the end of the start/finish straight, perfectly placed to observe every single crash happening in the first corner.

We had a great time there watching the races, no to mention seeing Zarko and Rossi on top. And those nice wristbands will bring up memories when taken out from our dedicated souvenir box. What's more to a new life ?

Marquez who ?

Now who is this racer on the foreground of this Johann Zarco picture ?

(From 2013 Philip Island round, credits on picture)

Rossi wins Assen TT

80th premier wins for Rossi. It's good to see that happening again.

(Photo credit CycleWorld) 

Suzuki back to MotoGP

Suzuki will be back in MotoGP ... but not before the 2015 season. The team will be racing a bike that should be similar to the one below, which is the current development bike that appeared during the Aragon test sessions last week.

It really costs me to say this, but let's hope it will hold another number than Randy's 14. Or else the only places this bike will race are the first turns' gravels ...

Flashing light on Rossi's suit

There's a flashing light on Valentino Rossi's suit (see the red circles on the pictures below). It's something I had never observed until tonight during the post-race interviews. Does it have something to do with the Dainese D-Air system of his suit ?

If anyone knows, drop a me line.

MotoGP 2013

The 2013 MotoGP season is just about to kick off in 10 minutes. So, why are you here reading this post while you should be in front of the teli ?

Cal Cruthlow did very well on his Tech3 Yamaha during all the pre-race sessions

Funny thoughts on MotoGP

Found this one on Six3Seven tonight on the pre-season testing session in Sepang. Could not resist sharing ...

If you haven't seen the time sheet yet, Pedrosa leads ahead of Lorenzo, Rossi's third and Dovizioso is somewhere 2 full seconds behind.

Rossi on 2013 Yamaha

Meanwhile (while Lorenzo is still up in the air, that is), Valentino Rossi is back on a 2013 Yamaha for a post-season testing session.

The bike is said to be turning right ...

... and left as well

Experience has it that we should all keep calm with his return to Yamaha and debut on the M1. We'll all see what it's like next year.

Air Lorenzo

While with time I came to appreciate Jorge Lorenzo's style and commitment, it's not exactly the kind of riding that helped making up my mind.

Jorge Lorenzo highsiding his M1 - Valencia 2012

Let's say something positive : even when he's highsiding, you can witness complete dedication to the move (remember China 2008 ?).

World champ

The new world champion. Has his cool factor improved since his last title ? Yes, definitely.

Rossi back to Yamaha

Could Rossi have already signed a contract to return to Yamaha ? Reading from several sources, he apparently has.

It all started two days ago with a piece of news in La Gazetta dello sport stating Rossi may have signed a 3 years double agreement with Yamaha : 2 years in MotoGP, then 1 year in WSBK. 

Later that day, Niall Mackenzie - former GP500 racer, BSB champion and current Eurosport consultant -  twitted something about a surprise in the blue team for next year.

Today Ducati MotoGP team confirms the break up with Rossi at the end of the season.

There are a few more things to learn from that new contract with Yamaha : 

- Andrea Dovozioso who was hopping official Yamaha support for next year might not get it and would probably have to stay with Tech 3.

- Yamaha will be back in WSBK for 2014 as an official team supporting Valentino Rossi.

Want to fast forward to 2013 ?

Tire failure

It looks like Rossi and some other riders experienced a major tire failure at the MotoGP Assen round last week. Front and rear tire are literally missing some rather large pieces.

The eye

Rossi's helmet at the Mugello.

Is that a way to say "keep an eye on me even if I'm not trusting the podium" ?

Extreme lean angle

Casey Stoner seems rather at ease on the Honda this year.

Next step ? Scratch the helmet.

Watching MotoGP

Sitting in my couch watching the first MotoGP round of the 2011 season.

It looked promising on the paper with Bautista bringing Suzuki where they haven't been for 10 years - he then badly highsided in free practice -, Rossi on a still-to-impress Ducati (but certainly on the good move) and Simoncelli riding on super fast pace mode on his private Honda. It eventually turned out to be a rather boring race which looked so 2010 :

- De Puniet crashed in the 3rd turn (hurting Capirossi). This points actually looks so 2009, 2008 and 2007 as well ...

- The entry list was as short as ever

- Stoner, Lorenzo and Pedrosa were in front from the start

MotoGP is back folks ! Let's hope this race is not a preview of what the rest of the season could look like.

Braking

Ducati red

First official pictures of Rossi dressed in red ... and a bit of yellow of course.

Oh and let's not forget the brave Nicky who's having less press coverage these days, go figure ...

And since wer're on the MotoGP topic, Yamaha have lost their Fiat sponsorship and are still looking for a main sponsor deal, while Ducati - who had already signed with AMG in late 2010 - have announced this week a new deal with Diesel.

Me ? Being partial ? Yeah maybe ...

MotoGP gyroscopic cam

It's about time someone think of a mean to render the combination of speed and angles acheived by MotoGP riders in a more realistic way.

Check out the new toy Rossi got on his bike.

Get on the Bike

"Get on the bike ! Get on the bike, Mike !" (hear a loud Beastie Boys tune ?)

Remember 2 years ago when you could put your name on a MotoGP ? You just had to fill a form and your name was then printed on Kenny Roberts Jr's KR212V. That was cool, but now it seems so 2008 ... The idea was great for the fans who could have their name on what was the last appearance of the KR MotoGP team.

For the upcoming Laguna Seca MotoGP round, Yamaha is trying a revival of the concept with a similar plan named "get on the bike". As is was 2 years ago, the idea is still simple, but this time implies you send a picture of your face. You read well, you get the opportunity to put a picture of yourself on either Valentoni Rossi's or Jorge Lorenzo's M1. To apply, just click here. Try to smile at least if you do so.

MotoGP to go back to liter capacity

While you're looking at this 2010 Ducati MotoGP racing bike, you should know this 800cc version is probably among the last to be designed, because the 2012 version will more than likely have a near 1000cc capacity engine.
Do I mean like 3 years ago ? Yeah I do. Do I find it stupid ? I still do. Just as if nothing happened in the meantime, the MotoGP is back to its original capacity. It's Dorna's decision to step back arguing technology has evolved enough and is now able to tame powerful bikes with smart traction control systems. Weakest argument ever ...

I can't help but feeling sad for small MotoGP teams like KR who could not afford the 800cc swap. Will they come back ? I really doubt it.