MotoGP 2019

And I see Iker Leucona will move up from Moto2 to take the Tech3 seat vacated by Binder in the shuffle.

KTM 2020 shake-up: Binder to factory MotoGP team, Lecuona Tech3

KTM has officially confirmed its revised 2020 MotoGP rider line-up, with Brad Binder moved straight to the factory team while fellow rookie Iker Lecuona replaces the South African at Tech3.

Lecuona's surprise KTM MotoGP chance leaked out a few days ago but was said to be alongside Pol Espargaro at the official team.
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KTM's got, on paper, a solid crop of riders now. Brad is possibly the best Moto2 rider currently in the field and Oliveira was no slouch there either. Lecouna is very green, but he's made good progress in Moto2. And of course Pol has done an amazing job developing the bike. Lots of potential.
 
Was wondering why I didn't find any results for qualifying, and then came across this on the Supersport website

Australian MotoGP qualifying cancelled due to high winds

Qualifying for the Australian MotoGP was called off on Saturday as strong winds caused havoc at the coastal circuit, with officials deciding it was too dangerous to continue. Phillip Island, known for its fast corners and long straights, is a favourite among riders, but it is also renowned for notoriously unpredictable weather. After wet and then dry sessions on Friday, the riders had to contend Saturday with not only more rain but blustery and cold conditions.

The winds whipping the circuit were such that 10 in the 22-strong field didn't even set a lap-time in Saturday's third practice session. Fourth practice was then red-flagged when pit board numbers blew onto the track, just minutes after Tech3 Racing's Miguel Oliveira lost control and came off his bike on the approach to turn one. He was stretchered off and the rest of the session and subsequent qualifying was called off.
"Conditions will be assessed tomorrow (Sunday) morning with a view to running Q1 and Q2," MotoGP officials said. If qualifying cannot be held on Sunday, the grid order will be based on the current combined practice results.

That would put Yamaha's Maverick Vinales, who won in Australia last year and has topped all three sessions so far, on pole ahead of Ducati's Andrea Dovizioso and Honda's Cal Crutchlow.
World champion Marc Marquez is currently sixth.
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Now that was definitely worth getting up for! Imperious stuff from Brad. I fear the championship may be a bridge too far but he will certainly keep Marquez honest all the way to the checkered flag at Valencia.
 
Agent_Smith said:
Now that was definitely worth getting up for! Imperious stuff from Brad. I fear the championship may be a bridge too far but he will certainly keep Marquez honest all the way to the checkered flag at Valencia.
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When he gets in front he's on another level.

I know Brad kicked it up at the end there and blew Martin away, but do you think there were orders that Martin should not attack Brad if he has the lead?
 
thestaggy said:
When he gets in front he's on another level.

I know Brad kicked it up at the end there and blew Martin away, but do you think there were orders that Martin should not attack Brad if he has the lead?
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Simon Crafar did interview one of the KTM guys and asked if team orders were in effect. He said that it was discussed pre race and while they're not technically in effect, the riders were to be aware of the situation and act accordingly. I think Martin was definitely happy to tow the line and wouldn't have done anything stupid so credit to him for that.
 
Agent_Smith said:
Simon Crafar did interview one of the KTM guys and asked if team orders were in effect. He said that it was discussed pre race and while they're not technically in effect, the riders were to be aware of the situation and act accordingly. I think Martin was definitely happy to tow the line and wouldn't have done anything stupid so credit to him for that.
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It makes sense.

Brad must be frustrated over his Japan performance. At least a top-5 and he'd be 20ish points behind Alex.
 
thestaggy said:
It makes sense.

Brad must be frustrated over his Japan performance. At least a top-5 and he'd be 20ish points behind Alex.
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Yeah, championships hang on such things. But the truth is that if KTM had just gotten to grips with the Triumph engine just two or three races earlier, they'd be romping to the title.
 
Nice win for Brad, next race a dead rubber but hope he can end the season with another win
 
Yeah great stuff from Brad. Fantastic weekend for SA sport in general. Oh what could've been if KTM had got to grips with the Triumph engine sooner. Cannot wait to see him in MotoGP next year!
 
Too many injuries and lack of motivation. He was great on his day, no doubt. Would've been interesting if he managed to get on Marc's level the same way he did with Dovi and Rossi.

I wonder who they are going to replace him with? All MotoGP riders are locked in and so are the top Moto2 prospects. Zarco?
 
thestaggy said:
Too many injuries and lack of motivation. He was great on his day, no doubt. Would've been interesting if he managed to get on Marc's level the same way he did with Dovi and Rossi.

I wonder who they are going to replace him with? All MotoGP riders are locked in and so are the top Moto2 prospects. Zarco?
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I do think Zarco might be an option on the second factory Honda. He's shown good form in his brief stint as a replacement on the LCR-H. Imagine that as a MotoGP lifeline. From being binned by KTM to a possible ride on the best bike.
 
thestaggy said:
I wonder who they are going to replace him with? All MotoGP riders are locked in and so are the top Moto2 prospects. Zarco?
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I'm thinking little brother Alex may be high up on the list of candidates. And I'm sure he'll be released by the Marc VDS team if there's a request.

That being said, many riders must be frothing at the mouth for the Honda seat.
 
Marc did come out and say his brother is ready for he Honda... A very non-subtle hint there

Does Zarco deserve a factory Honda over Cal? He's (Zarco) also said he'd rather go back to Moto2 if he doesnt get a decent bike / team
 
powermzii said:
Marc did come out and say his brother is ready for he Honda... A very non-subtle hint there

Does Zarco deserve a factory Honda over Cal? He's (Zarco) also said he'd rather go back to Moto2 if he doesnt get a decent bike / team
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Tough call. I don't know if coming into MotoGP and partnering his all conquering brother would be the best thing for Alex Marquez. I feel he needs to come in at another team and establish himself there first. Marc looks like a great bloke but he is ruthless and I have no doubt he'd destroy Alex in that setup. I still maintain that Alex Marquez only won this year's Moto2 championship due to the KTM not being up to speed with the Triumph engines. For me, Brad Binder is a much better rider and it is only due to KTM's inability to click with the new engine from the start of the year that resulted in Alex Marquez winning the Moto2 championship. If Alex steps up to the second factory Honda seat next year, I feel he will be annihilated. What that will do for his psyche, I don't know but I can imagine it won't be good. His time in MotoGP will definitely come but I don't feel it is next year and certainly not along side his brother at Honda.

Johann Zarco is more than able to step up to that ride. Remember, he was fantastic at the Tech 3 Yamaha satellite team last year; finishing ahead of the likes of Crutchlow, Pedrosa, Petrucci & a certain Mr Lorenzo in the final standings. This year he just hasn't gelled with the KTM and we know from F1 that Red Bull has no qualms about dumping drivers (and riders) midway through a season. It hasn't been a fair reflection of his pace, which I believe he has shown again during his brief stint at the LCR Honda team while riding in place of Taka Nakagami.
 
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