MotoGP

[gstallons]

Mmmm. I don't mind watching it. 

[p6x]

Dorna has signed a deal with Harley Davidson.

There will be Bagger's races at six MotoGP Grand Prix from 2026. Exclusive to Harley Davidson, apparently. It will not be the current baggers' series that see Harley and Indians racing.

https://www.motogp.com/en/news/2025/05/10/harley-davidson-and-motop-announce-new-global-racing-series-launching-in-2026/748744

[fotoguzzi]

Those bagger races are stupid🤮

[p6x]

11 minutes ago, fotoguzzi said:

Those bagger races are stupid🤮

They seem to have followers. Also, European media have reviewed the bikes participating. Most likely a commercial effort to draw some attention to the brand.

Last race in Atlanta, a former MotoGP racer won one of the races: Loris Baz.

Edited May 15 by p6x

[GuzziMoto]

I am not worried about the Bagger races, although I don't think they are stupid, because I won't be going to a MotoGP race next year and being a support race we don't get to see them on TV in the USA.

As to the racing in the Bagger class, they race hard. If you aren't into racing, fine. But they race hard. The MotoGP version of the Bagger class seems to be shaping up to be a spec Bagger class, all running the same HD Bagger racebike (it is a racebike that looks like a Bagger).

[fotoguzzi]

I’ve watched them on Moto America for a few years.  They are not really baggers. They’ve modified frames, suspension and hopped up the motors.

its usually HD vs Indian. they do have some credible riders tho

[p6x]

On 5/12/2025 at 9:52 AM, GuzziMoto said:

And would Honda pick Martin over Acosta?

Since my last post, we have had some clarifications. I watched the various post race vlog from the French, Italian, Spanish and English specialized channels. They all agree.

The rumor is confirmed. Martin wants out of Aprilia.

It is allegedly a decision based on money.

Acosta and Martin have the same manager. Acosta refused a proposal from Honda, because Acosta wants a competitive machine, and Honda is not. He is possibly moving with the VR46 team for next year's GP26.

Next in line for Honda would be Jorge Martin. According to what is known, if true, Martin may not be getting much of a stipend because he is not actually racing. Nobody knows for sure, but in any case, he is not making as much money as if he was participating in the races.

He is not getting much in return for the world champion tittle that he brought in to Aprila with him.

There are photos of him at Le Mans, in civil, where he participated in meetings with Dorna and IRTA. It is said that he did not encounter anyone in his team.

According to the media, Aprilia has declined answering any questions related to that issue, which is kind of an an answer in itself.

 

[p6x]

KTM will be able to front the money required on May 23rd to pay its creditors.

No surprise that the bulk of the money comes from India, Bajaj Auto.

The future of KTM in MotoGP remains uncertain, while they insist they are working on the 850cc version of the bike for 2027.

[GuzziMoto]

The British GP is this weekend. Yamaha just did a private test in the off week. So FQ is looking good, as is Vinales (he seems to like this track). Of course, the Marquez brothers are also expected to be strong. It will be interesting to see if Pecco / Ducati can resolve the front issues the 2025 suffers from.

Edited May 22 by GuzziMoto

[Steve Swan]

imho, MM is a once in a lifetime driver. He adapts to the machine and makes the best out of any circumstance he is confronted with. He overcame his 2021 Jerez crash which matured him. MM is on track to win at least 10 MotoGP championships.  After this season, he has a minimum of at least 3 more years to win 10. Barring the unforseen, he has everything he needs within himself and around him to win more than 10.  And, he is still human.

[GuzziMoto]

51 minutes ago, Steve Swan said:

imho, MM is a once in a lifetime driver. He adapts to the machine and makes the best out of any circumstance he is confronted with. He overcame his 2021 Jerez crash which matured him. MM is on track to win at least 10 MotoGP championships.  After this season, he has a minimum of at least 3 more years to win 10. Barring the unforseen, he has everything he needs within himself and around him to win more than 10.  And, he is still human.

I am not sure about the "Once in a lifetime driver (racer)" tag. We have seen others like him in my lifetime, Casey Stoner and Rossi come to mind. But he is special, he is probably the best racer racing in MotoGP right now.. His ability to ride around shortcomings of a bike is impressive. He isn't the only racer I have seen do that, but he is one of the best I have seen at that. Time will tell how the future pans out. He may win more titles, he does look to be in the running for one this year. But things could go either way next year. Will Ducati keep going down the path of a bike that only Marc can go fast on? If so, at some point even Marc won't be able to. Ask Honda. Heck, ask Ducati. They made that same mistake back in the Stoner days.

I would be curious to see Toprak from WSBK come to MotoGP. He also seems to have very special abilities.

Edited May 22 by GuzziMoto

[Steve Swan]

@GuzziMoto, indeed, we all have our opinions.  Stoner was EXTREMELY talented, albeit his 7 year career was short lived, so we have no way of knowing had he might have accomplished had he raced 13 seasons as has MM.  Altho Rossi introduced a riding style prior unseen, he did not win his rookie year like MM.  Nor did he win as many back to back championships as has MM, altho Marquez has another 13 seasons to catch Vali's 21.  (13 & 21 being in the premier class). At age 40, MM will match Vali's 21. Other than Vali's 2015, loss, he didn't win another championship after 2009, when he was 30 years old.  MM is on track to win the championship this year at age 32. And still has, at minimum, another 3 years before he enters his decline.  Time will tell.

[p6x]

19 hours ago, Steve Swan said:

MM is on track to win at least 10 MotoGP championships.

MM93 is on a crusade to great VR46's legacy. He probably understands that he will never surpass him in terms of sheer popularity, notoriety, and most importantly, charisma; but the records will show that he won more on track. That's what Marc wants!

It is a real pity to have those two once in a millennium people not talking to each other. Both of them have marked the sport, and will continue to be remembered.

It is no secret that Marc wants to topple Valentino's achievements.

I am certain he will do 10 this year, and 11 the next.

It is strange that it seems that his brother is the only one currently capable to challenge him.

[p6x]

19 hours ago, GuzziMoto said:

I would be curious to see Toprak from WSBK come to MotoGP. He also seems to have very special abilities.

His test drive on the M1 did not really amount to anything worth reporting. Indeed, they did not make his lap times public. Admittedly, the M1 was no longer the motorcycle to beat when he tried it.

Toprak R. seems to have the same ability that Marc has: riding around the limitation of his bike.

But he is already past his prime, and starting from scratch, even in a revamped field in 2027 will not work in his favor.

[p6x]

10 hours ago, Steve Swan said:

And still has, at minimum, another 3 years before he enters his decline.

Let's not forget, that he allegedly turned down a significant dollar amount from Honda, when he broke his contract to move to Gresini... he was already on a multimillions contract, and the rumor has it that Honda offered him a substantial increase for him to remain.

He wants to go out being recorded for his achievements on track, so he will beat Rossi by going 11 world titles.

Without his accident and the obvious decline of the RCV, he probably would have been able to challenge Agostini's 15.

He allegedly said that he was dreaming of having both Marquez in the Ducati factory team. Given the performance of Alex, and the apparent decline of Bagnaia, it is not completely out of the question that 2027 could see the Marquez brothers teamed up again in the official Ducati team.