2018 banter & silly season thread for MotoGP, Moto2 & Moto3

[kals]

Bottom post of the previous page:

I'm looking forward to the three element rear wing....

.... and T Bar. Oh not to mention a shark fin.

Not long until DRS is introduced

[Everso Biggyballies]

Well Marques has already developed his own version of 'push to pass'

[John]

From what I read that is the 2018 livery, not the 2018 bike.

I sure hope so.

I thought DORNA was clamping down on wings ahead of 2017 anyway?

[kals]

From what I read that is the 2018 livery, not the 2018 bike.

I sure hope so.

I thought DORNA was clamping down on wings ahead of 2017 anyway?

Indeed. As they were ahead of 2017. And look how that turned out.

[MonteCristo]

I'm looking forward to the three element rear wing....

.... and T Bar. Oh not to mention a shark fin.

Not long until DRS is introduced

I imagine sliding skirts would be a bit passé?

[Everso Biggyballies]

I imagine sliding skirts would be a bit passé?

Grid girls are no longer allowed to wear sliding skirts.

[MonteCristo]

I imagine sliding skirts would be a bit passé?

Grid girls are no longer allowed to wear sliding skirts.

Right, that's it, MotoGP is dead.

[kals]

I imagine sliding skirts would be a bit passé?

Grid girls are no longer allowed to wear sliding skirts.

Right, that's it, MotoGP is dead.

Not quite dead yet. Skirts got raised some years ago...

http://www.motogp.com/en/photos/paddock+girls

[MonteCristo]

I imagine sliding skirts would be a bit passé?

Grid girls are no longer allowed to wear sliding skirts.

Right, that's it, MotoGP is dead.

Not quite dead yet. Skirts got raised some years ago...

http://www.motogp.com/en/photos/paddock+girls

All is forgiven, MotoGP. Go nuts with the wings .

[Everso Biggyballies]

Folger out for 2018 due to continuing illness

Jonas Folger will miss the 2018 MotoGP season as the Tech3 rider continues to fight Gilbert’s syndrome.

The German was forced out of the final four rounds of 2017, as well as post-season testing, after the genetic ailment left him bedridden.

The 24-year-old was intially expected to be able to make a full recovery, with Tech3 boss Herve Poncharal saying he expected Folger to be back to fullstrength by Christmas and able to take part in Sepang testing at the end of January.

The team has now issued a statement saying that Folger will not return for the 2018 season.

So Tech 3 need to find a replacement for the season now this announcement has been made. No clues as yet as to whom might get the gig. They used 3 different riders at the end of last season, Kohta Nozane in Motegi, Broc Parkes in Phillip Island and then Yamaha World Superbike rider Michael van der Mark for the final two rounds in Sepang and Valencia.

Best wishes for Jonas to make a full and speedy recover that will allow him to return to Moto GP in 2019.

[kals]

That's a damn shame. Fingers crossed for a speedy (no pun intended) recovery.

It's very convenient for Tech3 though. Herve Poncheral had previously stated that had he been made aware of Folger's condition before signing him for 2017 and 2018 then he would unlikely have placed him in the team.

Perhaps Sam Lowes should be on the phone to Tech3 bosses right now or maybe Brad Binder could be given a promotion.

[DoubleFart]

Just saw that news - shame for Folger. Hopefully he will be back in 2019, but 18 months out and you'll soon be forgotten.

[Andy]

Folger out for 2018 due to continuing illness

Jonas Folger will miss the 2018 MotoGP season as the Tech3 rider continues to fight Gilbert’s syndrome.

The German was forced out of the final four rounds of 2017, as well as post-season testing, after the genetic ailment left him bedridden.

The 24-year-old was intially expected to be able to make a full recovery, with Tech3 boss Herve Poncharal saying he expected Folger to be back to fullstrength by Christmas and able to take part in Sepang testing at the end of January.

The team has now issued a statement saying that Folger will not return for the 2018 season.

So Tech 3 need to find a replacement for the season now this announcement has been made. No clues as yet as to whom might get the gig. They used 3 different riders at the end of last season, Kohta Nozane in Motegi, Broc Parkes in Phillip Island and then Yamaha World Superbike rider Michael van der Mark for the final two rounds in Sepang and Valencia.

Best wishes for Jonas to make a full and speedy recover that will allow him to return to Moto GP in 2019.

Told you before that this will be a longer off and can't say I'm too surprised now.

[kals]

MotoGP to go road-racing?

Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta has revealed MotoGP is evaluating holding a city-centre race on a partial street circuit.

Ezpeleta told Spanish publication Expansion that a proposal to stage a race in an unnamed "warm city" is on the table, and could be added to the growing grand prix calendar in years to come.

"It is possible that there is an urban circuit in MotoGP," he said. "There is a solid project in a warm city.

"In theory, the main straight of the track would be held on a street and the paddock would be covered, integrated in an exhibition centre.

"For the grand prix weekend it will be used for the race, and many other things during the rest of the year."

Though motorcycling's road racing discipline uses public roads for its courses, actual city street circuits are rare in modern motorcycle racing beyond the Macau Grand Prix's superbike-based event.

MotoGP has added a Thailand race to its schedule for 2018, and Finland is also set to join what would be a 20-event calendar in '19.

Ezpeleta said as many as eight other countries have expressed an interest in hosting a MotoGP race in future, but emphasised that the championship has no plans to stretch to more than 20 rounds.

"Right now there is a list of about eight countries that would choose to have a championship round, but we cannot do 26 races," added Ezpeleta.

It's understood that Dorna has been in talks about hosting a round in Mexico, although the United Arab Emirates is another possible candidate to host an urban-based event.

[Everso Biggyballies]

MotoGP to go road-racing?

Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta has revealed MotoGP is evaluating holding a city-centre race on a partial street circuit.

Ezpeleta told Spanish publication Expansion that a proposal to stage a race in an unnamed "warm city" is on the table, and could be added to the growing grand prix calendar in years to come.

"It is possible that there is an urban circuit in MotoGP," he said. "There is a solid project in a warm city.

I would not classify what they are suggesting as road racing.... perhaps a better terminology would be street racing.
To me road racing is on a track like the IoM or other types of high speed open road layout, rather than a trip round Marble Arch down Park lane to Hyde Park Corner and back!

Oh hang on it would not be there they said a warm city..

[Everso Biggyballies]

Yonny Hernandez will replace Jonas Folger at Tech3 Yamaha for the first MotoGP pre-season test at Sepang this month.

Nothing beyond that at this stage as I believe he has committments in WSBK.

Replacing Folger at the Malaysian track will be Hernandez, who raced full-time in MotoGP from 2012 to '16 with the BQR, Paul Bird Motorsport, Pramac and Aspar squads.

Hernandez stepped down to Moto2 in 2017, but parted ways with the AGR team after nine rounds before turning his focus to endurance racing with Honda.

He has also penned a deal with the Pedercini squad to race in World Superbike this season.

It is understood Tech3 is aiming to have a permanent replacement for Folger firmed up before the second pre-season test in Thailand in February, although it is not clear whether Hernandez is in contention for such a role.

Sit back and wait for any news. Maybe his 2018 Superbike contract has an exit clause should an opportunity in MotoGP arise..