Malaysian MotoGP races tonight......

[Arizona Wayne]

....on beIN out west from 10pm to 1am.

[Arizona Wayne]

Did you watch qualifying last night?  It was entertaining.  Marquez went down on his 1st attempt.   Front row is Pedrosa- Zarco- Dovizioso.  Marc in 3rd row.   Weather was perfect.

I am really impressed with the 'rookie' Zarco and am a fan of his now + Dovi.     

Races today start @ 8:50 pm to 1 am on beIN out west. 

[LowRyter]

thanks for the heads up.  My DVR has to be programmed for each MotoGP race instead of the entire series.  Sometimes I miss the schedule like this time.

Sorry I missed the quals.   

[Yukonica]

I thought last week was one of the best GP races I've watched.
This one has the markings of better.
Marcus has a rough crowd to pass in front of him.
Dovi can only win or hope for a MM mistake to take it to Spain.
Zarco is hungry and has nothing to lose.
Valli, Pedrosa, and Maverick are all pro's with every intention of adding to their wins.
Can't wait.

[Darren Williams]

I'm thinking this one will be really fun to watch, especially with MM starting from the third row. He had some issues in qualifying but in FP$ he ran hard front and medium rear and put down fast and consistent laps. Look for him and Zarco to both be pushing pretty hard. Unless something happens like Dovi having a run off and getting low in points, then it will just be a finish for the championship with MM (Even then he may not ride conservatively).

This track with it's tight corners at the ends of the straights should set up well for the Ducs and the Yamahas have shown they may be able to sustain a good race pace.  Team orders anyone? They say no, but also they say they expect their riders to ride smart.

[LowRyter]

so vandermark is running the Tech 3 bike?

the first 15 guys were within a couple of seconds. 

[Pisano]

Im expecting MM to just watch Dovi from behind in this race. 
Why push harder than you need to at this point in the series.

Dovi was too carefull the last few races and now he is paying for it.

[Arizona Wayne]

so vandermark is running the Tech 3 bike?

the first 15 guys were within a couple of seconds.

Yeah, I think he's on Folgers bike who still has medical issues.

[Arizona Wayne]

Im expecting MM to just watch Dovi from behind in this race. 
Why push harder than you need to at this point in the series.

Dovi was too carefull the last few races and now he is paying for it.

In qualifying MM went down in 1 of the really tight corners he was leaned over so far.

[Darren Williams]

Im expecting MM to just watch Dovi from behind in this race. 
Why push harder than you need to at this point in the series.

Why? Because when Marquez gets on a race track all logic and reason can't be seen for the extreme red he sees.   

In closer to race trim for everyone in FP4, he was fastest.

[Pisano]

I hope I'm wrong too....  Always in for MM taking it to the edge BUT the championship is the bigger fish now.

[LowRyter]

looks like we have one more race until "the fat lady sings" but she might just have to sing one verse.

[Yukonica]

looks like we have one more race until "the fat lady sings" but she might just have to sing one verse.

It was a good set-up for the final race of the season but I found this one to be a bit of a snoozer.
I wonder if Lorenzo intentionally cracked the throttle a bit too much. His error was at just the right time, in front of multiple cameras, to allow Dovi through without making it look like team orders.
I've been called cynical in the past.

[Darren Williams]

It was a good set-up for the final race of the season but I found this one to be a bit of a snoozer.
I wonder if Lorenzo intentionally cracked the throttle a bit too much. His error was at just the right time, in front of multiple cameras, to allow Dovi through without making it look like team orders.
I've been called cynical in the past.

He got orders to change maps and then it was over.

[LowRyter]

nice to see Lorenzo to actually make a sacrifice for the team.  On the other hand, I doubt if that slip was planned, he almost binned it. 

[Arizona Wayne]

According to the points counters the only way MM can lose the title is if he doesn't finish the next race and Dovi wins it.  GO Dovi !!!   

[Arizona Wayne]

He got orders to change maps and then it was over.

Read what Ryder says @ https://www.superbikeplanet.com

[Darren Williams]

Lorenzo had to stay up and finish between Dovi and Marquez, just in case something happened to Zarco, such as tires worn out and he hit the floor.

Right now it is 21 points difference. So Dovi has to win in Valencia, second won't do, and Marquez can finish no higher than 13th. 12th (4 points) would leave them tied, and I don't know what the tie breaker would be (most wins?) if there is one.  Gonna be a tall order as Valencia is a good track for Honda.

I'm just happy the final race will mean something. This race was really quite a bit less exciting compared to PI. Moto2 and Moto3 already settled.

[Zinfan]

nice to see Lorenzo to actually make a sacrifice for the team.  On the other hand, I doubt if that slip was planned, he almost binned it.

Yeah that slip came at a good time so he didn't have to just let Dovi go past as I'm sure he would have, imagine the drama if JLo actually won the race and nix'ed Dovi's chance at a championship.  I expect if the opportunity presents itself next year Dovi will somehow pay back today's result.

[PJPR01]

Somewhat of a predictable outcome for Sepang...no way Marquez was going to risk "not finishing"...

Great riding by Zarco by the way...he showed guts!

In Valencia:  I predict Marquez wins the race and championship and Dovizioso crashes while trying to win...he's an amazing rider, and the rivalry seems to have transferred from The Doctor vs. Marquez to Dovi vs. Marquez. 

Has been a very exciting season all the way...

[Pisano]

I agree, fantastic season!

The highlights for me were :

-the battle between MM and Dovi in Japan
-Rossi's crazy short recovery after a broken leg
-Zarco's no fear performance this year

There is more but what was your favourites?

 

[Johncolleary]

I told my son at the beginning of the season I thought Zarco would be the one to watch.

[Arizona Wayne]

I told my son at the beginning of the season I thought Zarco would be the one to watch.

Zarco surprised me from the 1st race this year.  Can't remember any rookie come on so strong as him before.  That's why I'm rooting for him now.   Plus unlike some other racers, he doesn't strut around like a peacock.    Kind of reminds me of Eddie Lawson that way.

[LowRyter]

I agree, fantastic season!

The highlights for me were :

-the battle between MM and Dovi in Japan
-Rossi's crazy short recovery after a broken leg
-Zarco's no fear performance this year

There is more but what was your favourites?

 

I'd say Dovi going for it.  He's only won a couple of races in the previous 10 years.  He was less than a dark horse.  Lots of talent, factory Honda guy behind Dani.  Lost out and went to Ducati.  He was going to support Jorge this year.

It would be great if somehow he won the title.  I wonder if MM blows it, if the rest of field wouldn't wave him by for the win?

[Zinfan]

I'd say Dovi going for it.  He's only won a couple of races in the previous 10 years.  He was less than a dark horse.  Lots of talent, factory Honda guy behind Dani.  Lost out and went to Ducati.  He was going to support Jorge this year.

It would be great if somehow he won the title.  I wonder if MM blows it, if the rest of field wouldn't wave him by for the win?

Dovi and the Ducati's are hot and cold depending on the track, Phillip Island-cold Malaysia-hot, and his results bear that out with six wins and only two other top three finishes while Marc has six wins and five other top three finishes  I looked at the 2016 Valencia results and it seems that the track doesn't favor the Ducati's with Dovi finishing in seventh and Marc in second.  Of course this year is quite different with the Ducks so at least we can hope for a decent fight.  If Marc stays upright I don't see eleven riders finishing ahead of him, there are a few Honda's that probably wouldn't put up much of a fight if he needed to get by.

[Yukonica]

Zarco surprised me from the 1st race this year.  Can't remember any rookie come on so strong as him before.  That's why I'm rooting for him now.   Plus unlike some other racers, he doesn't strut around like a peacock.    Kind of reminds me of Eddie Lawson that way.

There are a few more of his talent level on the way up too. Future of MotoGP is looking bright.