2015 MotoGP season

As no-one made a topic I took the liberty to make one myself

Anyway MotoGP of Qatar is tomorrow and a reinvigorated Ducati seemed to have bucked up their ideas big time for 2015.

Andrea Dovizioso powered to pole position. Followed by the Factory Honda duo Dani Pedrosa and reigning(2x) world champion Marc Marquez. Ducati's improvement is further indicated by Andrea Iannone getting P4 and Parmac Ducati's Yonny Hernandez getting P5.

Yahama seem a little bit off at present with Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi P6 and P8 respectively. Sandwiching Bradley Smith on his Tech3 Yamaha.

Poor days for both Cal Crutchlow, who crashed in qualifying, P12 and Scott Redding P14 both on Honda's. Crutchlow in particular is a rider I often keep an eye on but he seems to make too many errors.

Also will be keeping an eye former Moto3 champion, and another Spanish whizkid, Maverick Vinales and 2014 Moto3 runner up Jack Miller(whom has been likened to the legendary Casey Stoner.

Moto2 also look ultra competitive this year with with Tito Rabat trying to defend his championship. 2014 Moto3 champion Alex Marquez(Marc's younger brother) will be one to keep an eye on in this series.

Ducati got pole due to the Soft Tyres their allowed They also get 2 litres of extra fuel for the race. I think after 3 wins they have to hand the tyres back.

Fernando wrote:Ducati got pole due to the Soft Tyres their allowed They also get 2 litres of extra fuel for the race. I think after 3 wins they have to hand the tyres back.

Whilst the 3 points you make are 100% spot on, I'll counter and say it's good for MotoGP that the other factory teams actually put up smoe sort of fight to Marquez/Honda. As great as Marquez is, he made 2014 a little bit boring.

Secondly I forgot to mention Suzuki and Aprilia are both back as well, so 5 factory teams for 2015. Should enhance the show for the fans

What a fantastic season opener under the lights in Qatar. The Doctor won his 109th race with the Ducati's of Dovi and Iannone completing the podium. It was Iannone's first ever podium!

Marquez came home in 5th after a mistake on lap1 and subsequently battling back from dead last.

Lorenzo was 4th and Pedrosa 6th.

Yes a great start to the 2015 season,you couldn't get a better race than that with the lead changing several times in a lap. Rossi's fans must have been delighted with his win.Ducati will have been well pleased by the performance for their two podium places,Italians 123,it's a bit since that has happened.A pity about Marquez's bad start,it would have made the fight at the front even more exciting.

Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa has decided to undergo further surgery for his ongoing arm pump issues and will miss the GP of the Americas(Texas) and the GP of Argentina(Rio). Hiroshi Aoyama will ride those two races.

There where strong rumours that MotoGP legend Casey Stoner could return(he's still on Honda's books) after he agreed to race the 9hrs of Suzuka. But he wasn't interested in a MotoGP return.

Update on Dani Pedrosa's surgery. It's been reported as a success, but the proof will be in the pudding. This is the 3rd time Pedrosa has had an operation of this nature, so clearly he previous two haven't worked. Wishing the little Spaniard a quick and full recovery, as his ability has never been in question.

MotoGP is in Texas this weekend and Marc Marquez continues to own the track there. Marquez bagged his third consecutive pole position at the CoTA. This was the fastest ever time set in Texas, 0.6sec quicker than what Marquez achieved last year.

Andrea Doviziosio and Jorge Lorenzo complete the front row. Valentino Rossi is P4 followed by British pair Cal Crutchlow and Bradley Smith.

The magnificent Marc Marquez powered to his third consecutive victory at the CoTA. This was Marquez's 20th victory in the premier class.

Ducati's Andrea Doviziso was second and Yamaha's Valentino Rossi was third.

Rossi maintains his top spot in the standing with Dovi second and Marquez third.

Grand Prix of Argentina is next Sunday. Another interesting fact about Marquez, he's won every race in USA since his premier class debut 6/6.

Been away from internet access for a while but managed to see the last round of racing. Texas should consider renaming their track 'Marc Marquez's personal playground'. He truly bosses that circuit.

That aside it was great weekend for Britain as Sam Lowes won his first race i Moto2 and Danny Kent bagged his third win in Moto3.

Marc Marquez looking unstoppable again. Storms to pole position in Argentina. Aleix Espagaro takes P2 on the factory Suzuki, and he produced a cracking lap. Crutchlow was P4, Lorenzo P5, Dovi P6 and Rossi P8

I'm guessing no one on these boards watches MotoGP???

Anyway what a fantastic race transpired in Argentina!!! The Doctor Valentino Rossi won his second race of the season and retained his early championship lead.

But the race was epic due to the alternate strategies that Yamaha used compared to everyone else. Moments before the race Marc Marquez, strangely, decided to use the softer 'hard' compound rear tyre. Whereas both Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo chose the harder 'extra hard' rear tyre.

Marquez, unsurprising, bolted early doors and built up an 4.5 sec lead over Dovizioso. Meanwhile Rossi starting in P8, worked his way through the pack and up to P2 with 14 laps to go.

The master tactician Rossi began hunting down Marquez, who's softer rear tyre was near the limits. With 2 laps to go Rossi made his move and got passed Marquez. But Marquez, even with literally no grip, wouldn't yield. Marquez tried to retake the lead twice, twice he made contact with Rossi, the second incident resulted in Marquez crashing out.

Rossi thereafter cruised to victory, his 84th in the premier class. Dovizioso was second(he's been second in all three races) and Britain's Cal Crutchlow grabbed the final place on the podium at the last corner.

At 36 years old could the Doctor win a 10th world championship? Will Andrea Dovizioso ever win another race? One thing is certain Marquez is under pressure and without Pedrosa he's got not rear gunner.

Roll on Jerez!!

I watched in a lot of the time when it was on BBC but now BT Sport has the rights (which I don't have) it makes it kind of difficult. I still follow the results now though.

Yeah, just saw the highlights on itv4, cracking race. Rossi kept his tyres in good order & it was then inevitable he's catch Marquez on the lesser hard tyre. Marquez must be fuming at that collision, zero points too is a huge blow.

What's happened to Lorenzo, not interested?

LiamB wrote:
What's happened to Lorenzo, not interested?

Jorge Lorenzo has a very smooth riding style. With the current tyre compounds, he's unable to get heat into the tyres to get them to work for him. Whereas more aggressive riders like Marc Marquez and Valentino Rossi can heat the tyres up.

It's not all lost for Lorenzo though, as there will be a change in tyre manufacturer in 2016.

I'm still watching the Moto GP,I pay for it to come on my computer then hook a cable up to the TV. Despite my predictions that Rossi was past his best he has proved me wrong by winning two GPs already this season. Great to see Ducati having success that they haven't enjoyed since Casey Stoner was winning for them.Hope Pedrosa's operation is successful and he gets in the battle also I'd like to see Lorenzo capture some of his previous determination.Good to see Crutchlow having a good result too.

Reigning double World Champion Marc Marquez has broken his finger dirt biking and undergone surgery to have a titanium plate fitting to injury. Honda has slated Marquez could miss the Spanish GP next weekend.

Hmm seems familiar. Mark Webber and his motorbike accident and Robert Kubica crashing in a rally car. Speed hungry but can prove costly and of course there was Schumacher as well.

Jerez is Marquez's home race, without Pedrosa and Lorenzo's terrible form, ticket sales could take a hit...

Marc Marquez has been passed fit for the Spanish GP, but fellow Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa will again not race.

After very disappointing start to the season, Jorge Lorenzo seems to have refound his mojo as he powered to pole position at the Spanish GP. Marquez is second and Iannone is third. The Doctor will start P5.

But the biggest news coming out of Jerez is Honda confirming Casey Stoner is closing in on his return to MotoGP. The two time world champion could replace the fragile Dani Pedrosa for 2016. Without question Stoner Is the fastest rider in MotoGP history. With his rivalries with Rossi and Lorenzo, would be great to see the legendary Aussie back in the mix.

Jorge Lorenzo completed a dominate weekend in Jerez by cruising to victory. Marc Marquez was second and Valentino Rossi was third.

Missed the race weekend, so I can't really comment to much. But I've read a few articles suggesting 'Jorge Lorenzo is back'. But I feel these thoughts are a little wide of the mark. Lorenzo has always been supreme around Jerez, so his upturn in fortunes should be measured after what happens in Le Mans in 2 weeks time.

French GP this weekend and good news coming out of Spain is Repsol Honda's Dani Pedrosa is finally fit to race again.

French GP was yesterday and Jorge Lorenzo confirmed himself as being in the title picture by dominating the race and cruising to his second consecutive victory. Valentino Rossi was second(he's been on the podium in every race in 2015) and Andrea Dovizioso was third.

Yet more problems for Repsol Honda. Marc Marquez qualified on pole, yet tyre problems meant he finished in forth. Dani Pedrosa was 16th after he fell off during the race.

Rossi 102
Lorenzo 87
Dovizioso 83
Marquez 69

Marquez is already 33 points behind Rossi heading into the Doctor's home race at Mugello in two weeks time.

MotoGP of Italy this weekend, Valentino Rossi is looking to win his home GP after a gap of 7 years(mind you he won 7 straight between 2002-08).

Ducati are looking very strong so far in Mugello. Andrea Dovizioso dominated FP 1 & 2, the red bike might be ready to end its winless drought!

Ducati looking good for the race win tomorrow after Andrea 'Crazy Joe' Iannone bagged his first career pole at his home race. Jorge Lorenzo second and Andrea Dovizioso third.

Dani Pedrosa is seventh, Valentino Rossi is eighth and Marc Marquez a lowly thirteenth. His title is slipping away.

Jorge Lorenzo cruised to his third consecutive victory at Mugello. Ducati's Andrea Iannone was second(career best and stunning as he has a broken elbow!) and Valentino Rossi was third.

Repsol Honda's Dani Pedrosa was fourth and looks to be regaining his confidence.

But it was a terrible weekend for Marc Marquez as he crashed out 5 laps from the end. Andrea Dovizioso also retired with a mechanical issue. And Britain's Cal Crutchlow suffered a massive accident, and has suffered a dislocated ankle. Wishing Cal a speedy recovery as he's a top guy.

Championship standings:
Rossi 118
Lorenzo 112
Dovizioso 83
Iannone 81
Marquez 69

Marquez's race is basically run in 2015, as he's nearly 2 full race wins behind Rossi. And the Honda just isn't as good as it was in 2013/14.

Catalunya Qualifying caused a bit of a shock today...

1. Aleix Espargaro ESP Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) 1m 40.546s [Lap 5/7] 333km/h (Top Speed)
2. Maverick Viñales ESP Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR)* 1m 40.629s +0.083s [6/8] 334km/h
3. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 1m 40.646s +0.100s [5/8] 337km/h
4. Marc Marquez ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 1m 40.754s +0.208s [7/7] 344km/h
5. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP15) 1m 40.907s +0.361s [6/7] 343km/h
6. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 1m 40.928s +0.382s [6/7] 346km/h
7. Valentino Rossi ITA Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 1m 41.058s +0.512s [7/7] 336km/h
8. Bradley Smith GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1) 1m 41.068s +0.522s [6/7] 340km/h
9. Cal Crutchlow GBR CWM LCR Honda (RC213V) 1m 41.195s +0.649s [3/6] 344km/h
10. Yonny Hernandez COL Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP14.2) 1m 41.333s +0.787s [6/7] 342km/

I won't say Suzuki getting pole and second was an upset TBH. They said their updated bike would bring them into the mix, and they certainly where true to their word. But they are able to run the extra soft tyre, as a concession(same as Ducati).

Whatever Yamaha dis to get Lorenzo back to his best seems to have worked. He's got Rossi covered for the 4th consecutive race and The Doctor has no reply at present. In this form Lorenzo could take the title by the scruff of the neck and out of Rossi's grasp.

Jorge Lorenzo made it 4 straight wins and reduces the gap to Rossi to 1 point in the championship. Rossi was second and Pedrosa a pleasing third. Marquez crashed out again and with it any realistic hope of defending his title are over. Dovizioso also crashed out.

The GOAT Valentino Rossi put on a clinic in Assen has he bagged his first pole position in over 5 years. Life in the old dog yet!

Valentino Rossi sealed his third victory of the season at Assen yesterday after a thrilling battle with outgoing double world champion Marc Marquez. Rossi and Marquez touched in the final corner but lucky both were able to stay on their bikes. Lorenzo was a distance third.

Rossi has now opened up a 10 point lead over Lorenzo in the championship battle heading to Germany in 2 weeks time.

The bigger news was Marquez's return to form. He's returned to the 2014 chassis and it showed a massive improvement. Marquez now has the chance to influence where the championship ends up.

Jorge Lorenzo summed up why he's not in the league of Rossi or Marquez. If he can't get pole, he can't overtake.

Marc Marquez seems to have discovered his mojo after the change to his 2014 chassis. Dominated free practice 1 and 2 and the MotoGP of Germany.

Marquez is 74 points behind Rossi with 10 races left and in normal circumstances you'd say Marquez's goose was cooked. BUT Marquez isn't your run of the mill racer.

Marc Marquez storms to victory at the Sachsenring, he has now won 6 straight races there across all three classes. Dani Pedrosa sealed a Honda 1-2. Valentino Rossi was third and Jorge Lorenzo was fourth.

Championship Standings after 10 rounds:
1. Rossi 179
2. Lorenzo 166
3. Iannone 118
4. Marquez 116
5. Dovizioso 87

Jermaine2015 wrote:Marc Marquez seems to have discovered his mojo after the change to his 2014 chassis. Dominated free practice 1 and 2 and the MotoGP of Germany.

Marquez is 74 points behind Rossi with 10 races left and in normal circumstances you'd say Marquez's goose was cooke d. BUT Marquez isn't your run of the mill racer.

Yes as you say Marquez has a lot of catching up to do after a bad start to the season but the older Honda seems to suit him better. Good to see Dan Pedrosa back on form and taking on Rossi and coming out on top. There's still a long way to go in the season and it's still any ones title for the taking.

MotoGP has returned after its summer break and we roll on to the historic Brickyard at Indianapolis.

The rejuvenated Marc Marquez stormed to his third consecutive pole at Indy in the premier class. Should Marquez win the race it would be his fifth straight at Indy following on from 2011-12 Moto2 and 2013-14 MotoGP.

Dani Pedrosa, who is trying to save his career, is p2 and in play to be Marquez's reargunner.

Lorenzo is p3 and championship leader Rossi is way down in p8.

Some news regarding 2016, Tech3 Yamaha have decided to retain Pol Espagaro and are chasing Sam Lowes for their second seat. Whilst Cal Crutchlow has openly stated he wants to return to Tech3. Leaving the impressive Bradley Smith with very few options. Bizarre situation.

Also German's Stefan Bradl has left the Forward Racing Yamaha team and joined Aprilia Racing Team Gresini, therefore gaining a factory ride.

Marc Marquez won the Indianapolis Grand Prix for the 3rd straight year(5th in a row if including 2011-12 Moto2 races) after a race long battle with Jorge Lorenzo. Marquez made the decisive pass 4 laps from the end. Valentino Rossi ensured his streak on finishing ever race in 2015 on the podium continued with third.

Marc Marquez has never been beaten on Amercian soil in MotoGP: Texas 2013, 2014 and 2015. Laguna Seca 2013. Indianapolis 2013, 2014 and 2015.

Title standings:

Rossi 195
Lorenzo 186
Marquez 139

Marquez is coming...of that there's no doubt!

Weekend just passed was the Czech GP at Brno.

It was a significant race in the title picture, as Jorge Lorenzo won for the fifth time this season. Most importantly for Lorenzo for the first time in 2015, Rossi has been dislodged from the top of the standings.

Reigning champion Marc Marquez was second and Valentino Rossi was third. The race was very boring. Lorenzo was too quick and led every lap unchallenged. Marquez was a comfortable second and Rossi a comfortable forth.

Title standings:

1. Lorenzo 211 (5 wins)
2. Rossi 211 (3 wins)
3. Marquez 159

The Doctor produced a wet weather masterclass at Silverstone to regain the championship lead. It was Rossi's first win at Silverstone and his first victory at the British GP since 2005.

Marc Marquez's slim hopes of retaining his title are all but over after the Spaniard crashed out from second place with 12 laps to go. Marquez is a massive 77 points behind Rossi.

Pramac Ducati's Danilo Petrucci claimed his first MotoGP podium with a fantastic second place. Factory Ducati rider Andrea Dovizioso sealed third place on the podium.

Jorge Lorenzo was a fourth and was once again exposed in wet weather conditions.

The other big story of the weekend was Britian's Scott Redding has joined Pramac Ducati for 2016.

Title Standings:
1. Rossi 236
2. Lorenzo 224
3. Marquez 159

6 rounds to go

Misano results.

1 Marc Marquez Honda 48'23.819
2 Bradley Smith Yamaha 48'31.107 7.288
3 Scott Redding Honda 48'42.612 18.793
4 Loris Baz Yamaha Forward 48'50.246 26.427
5 Valentino Rossi Yamaha 48'57.015 33.196
6 Danilo Petrucci Ducati 48'58.906 35.087
7 Andrea Iannone Ducati 49'00.346 36.527
8 Andrea Dovizioso Ducati 49'01.253 37.434
9 Daniel Pedrosa Honda 49'03.335 39.516
10 Aleix Espargaro Suzuki 49'03.511 39.692
11 Cal Crutchlow Honda 49'05.814 41.995
12 Jack Miller Honda 49'09.894 46.075
13 Mike Di Meglio Ducati 49'12.200 48.381
14 Maverick Vinales Suzuki 49'16.144 52.325
15 Alvaro Bautista Aprilia 49'17.167 53.348
16 Stefan Bradl Aprilia 49'22.647 58.828
17 Nicky Hayden Honda 49'26.468 1'02.649
18 Hector Barbera Ducati 49'28.587 1'04.768
19 Eugene Laverty Honda 49'29.496 1'05.677

It's Valentino's to lose now.

A quite magnificent race at Misano this weekend, the late Marco Simoncelli would've been proud at the track which bears his name.

Marc Marquez benefited from Valentino Rossi's decision to stay out far too long on wet tyres, when the dry tyre was some 12-15 seconds faster per lap.

Some rumours flying around that Rossi decided to forego a near certain victory to cause Lorenzo to push extra hard to beat Rossi and in turn as it turned out Rossi did cause Lorenzo t crash out under big pressure.

Marc Marquez won for the first time ever at Misano, but British riders Bradley Smith(whom stayed on dry tyres for the whole race) and Scott Redding(whom crashed and remounted) had their greatest rides in MotoGP. Frenchman Loris Baz also achieved a career best 4th and was fantastic.

Lorenzo once again showed the lack of skill required in changing conditions.

Title standings:
1. Rossi 247
2. Lorenzo 224
3. Marquez 184

Jorge Lorenzo won the Grand Prix of Aragon the weekend just passed. Dani Pedrosa was second and Valentino Rossi was third. Pedrosa and Rossi had an epic battle and Pedrosa showed he still has some of his old magic. Marc Marquez crashed out.

Title standings:
1. Rossi 263
2. Lorenzo 249
3. Marquez 184

Next 3 races are critical to where the championship will end up. Motegi, Philip Island and Sepang can all be effected by weather so it could be intriguing to see what pans out.

Finally Yamaha have won the team title for the first time since 2010.

Yes,good to see Dani Pedrosa back to top form.It's a pity he didn't have the shoulder surgery in the off season,he might have been further up the title race.

Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi this weekend and the big story to emerge was 2006 MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden will end his 13 year MotoGP career and head off to World SuperBike for 2016.

Repsol Honda's Dani Pedrosa powered to victory at Motegi, to register his first victory since Brno last year. Valentino Rossi was second and Jorge Lorenzo was third.

Lorenzo was cruising to a near certain victory when the heavens opened as and per usual Lorenzo surrendered in challenging conditions.

Most surprising Pedrosa came alive in changing conditions and perhaps produced one of his best wins in MotoGP. Pedrosa achieved his 50th Grand Prix win of his career.

Another lacklustre weekend for outgoing World Champion Marc Marquez finishing down in 4th.

Rossi extended this championship lead to 18 points with 3 races left, with Philip Island next weekend.

Standings:
1. Rossi 283
2. Lorenzo 265
3. Marquez 196

Marc Marquez won a thrilling Australian Grand Prix at Philip Island to register his 50th career victory.

Jorge Lorenzo was second and Ducati's Andrea Iannone was third. Championship leader Valentino Rossi was only fourth.

The battle of the championship has heated up yet further with Rossi's lead down to 9 points.

Standings:
1. Rossi 294
2. Lorenzo 285
3. Marquez 221

The Malaysian GP is next Sunday.

Just seen the highlights, cracking racing in those closing laps. Last lap by Marquez was brilliant. Going down to the wire this championship, Jorge won't want rain in Malaysia

Must be a contender for the race of the year.Still no title winner,I wouldn't like to pick whose going to come out on top.

Im going for Lorenzo, It's been 6 years since Valentino last won a title and it seems like a Federer thing of so close but so far and the pressure/eagerness may cost him.