[badri]

Lorenzo's dominance at Le Mans was imperious. It started with this stunning pole lap which incidentally took him beyond Rossi in number of poles. Not that pole positions matter for world championship points but it's still a nice statistic.

This onboard video of the pole winning lap is special in some ways for viewers. One, it doesn't need you to login to motogp website. Two, it's got the speed, rpm and gear data overlay which is normally removed in motogp videos on youtube. Check out the way the bike pumps in the dunlop corner ( at around 9 sec) at over 300km /h. Watching it is scary and these guys do it lap after lap over a race distance!

http://www.motogp.com/en/videos/2016...ing-lap/200474

[ecenandu]

Looks like Vinales is going to join Yamaha, most likely.

As, Dani sign two year contract extension with Honda.

Source

[five46]

Yes.
Even Kropot thinks that Maverick may ink the Yamaha deal.

The conspiracy theory behind the Dani-Yamaha team makes a good read though.

The most logical explanation is that sources inside Yamaha leaked the link up with Pedrosa, as a way to force Viñales into making a decision. When the prettiest girl in the room asks you to dance, it is unwise to dillydally, and a public flirtation with Pedrosa may have been Yamaha's way of forcing Viñales to make up his mind.

But it could also have been a ploy by Suzuki, to try to persuade Viñales to stay with them for next year, by giving the Spaniard the impression that he was not necessarily Yamaha's first choice. It could have been a bargaining chip by people close to Dani Pedrosa, to make HRC more aware of the Spanish veteran's value to the Repsol Honda team. It could even have been Dorna getting involved, wanting either Viñales to stay at Suzuki to fulfill the fairytale, or Suzuki to go to Yamaha to add a fifth potential winner to the line up of MotoGP victors.

All that is speculation, however, which we fill in to suit our own beliefs and logic. In reality, only a few people will ever know the truth.

From motogpmatters.com

A real good script to see in a movie.

[ashwin.terminat]

http://www.sportrider.com/motogp-vin...none-to-suzuki

So for now,

Yamaha's Lorenzo moves to Ducati
The vacant spot at Yamaha goes to Vinales
To make room for Lorenzo at Ducati, Iannone will move to Suzuki

So Yamaha:
Vinales
Rossi

Ducati:
Dovizioso
Lorenzo

Honda:
Marquez
Pedrosa

Suzuki:
Iannone
Aleix Espargaro

[shyn]

Originally Posted by ashwin.terminat

http://www.sportrider.com/motogp-vin...none-to-suzuki

So for now

All well and good, but whay about Alex Rins? Is it likely that he will take the vacant seat at Tech3 and then graduate to the factory Yamaha team when Rossi hangs his leathers?

[badri]

Originally Posted by ashwin.terminat

http://www.sportrider.com/motogp-vin...none-to-suzuki

So for now,

Suzuki:
Iannone
Aleix Espargaro

How about Pol and Aleix Espargaro at Suzuki? It can be a dream scenario for suzuki marketing folks.

[killjoy]

Originally Posted by shyn

All well and good, but whay about Alex Rins? Is it likely that he will take the vacant seat at Tech3 and then graduate to the factory Yamaha team when Rossi hangs his leathers?

I just heard that Rins will fill the other seat at Suzuki and that Espargo is out for now...

[Makin Rulesz]

It is confirmed now. Ducati will have Dovizioso riding along with Lorenzo for the next 2 seasons.

[five46]

Some other official announcements:
* Maverick will join Vale at the works Yamaha &
* 'The Maniac', Andrea Iannone will be with works Suzuki.

Here's what the silly season is like:

Yamaha: Valentino Rossi, Maverick Vinales
Honda: Marc Marquez (TBC), Dani Pedrosa
Ducati: Jorge Lorenzo, Andrea Dovizioso
Suzuki: Andrea Iannone, TBC
KTM: Bradley Smith, TBC
Aprilia: Sam Lowes, TBC
Tech3 Yamaha: Jonas Folger, TBC
LCR Honda: Cal Crutchlow
(TBC = To be confirmed)

Yet to announce riders: Marc VDS, Pramac Ducati, Avintia Ducati, Aspar Ducati

News from autosport.com

[badri]

Now that most of the important factory seats are taken care of for 2017, it's now getting back to the riding (with clear heads) for the riders.

Mugello! probably one of the most iconic venues in motogp calendar..right up there with Philip Island for pure speed. The long straights will help the Ducatis whereas the sweeping curves will make Yams smile.

The only colours we will see this weekend at the circuit will be yellow (probably 80%) and red (the rest). Rossi would love to win it and so would be the Ducatis. Trying to spoil their party will be Jorge Lorenzo, who won 4 of the last 6 races here. Michelin is bringing the soft rear with the same construction which Lorenzo won with at Le Mans and that should be helpful for his chances.
It's raining today but Sunday is expected to be bright and sunny (thankfully).

The sad outcome of the fans reaction since end of 2015 resulted in body guards being arranged for Marquez and Lorenzo.

http://www.motorsport.com/motogp/new...ugello-738097/

Mat Oxley from motorsport magazine has written this excellent piece on rider bullying.

http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/op...its-and-trolls

Some interesting bits..

" what these people should understand is that booing Marquez and Lorenzo won’t make them any weaker; it will only make them stronger. These men have climbed to the top of one of world’s cruellest and most vicious sports, so they don’t buckle easily. And top racers are brilliant at turning a negative force into a positive force, so when Marquez and Lorenzo get booed, it will only make them more determined to win the next race. So Rossi fans who want him to win again should think about quitting the booing."

The following lines are more stronger (I don't agree with all the content though) but has some message.

"The booing of two of the fastest riders the sport has known is mindless – nothing more than a bovine reaction borrowed from the most brainless sections of the football terraces. It is the idiot chorus to the idiot mantra that you can change your wife, your politics, your religion, but never your football team, or your favourite MotoGP rider. If that mantra rings true to anyone, then they’ve been brainwashed, most likely by people trying to sell them stuff."

Coming back to Mugello, this is a superb video showing the bikes at 340kmph (maybe more) through the fast kink at the end of the straight. Spine tingling stuff!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qUibWFvEm8

[ecenandu]

Oh my, GOSH.

What a lap from the old man. Throw a carrot in front of the old rabbit, sure, can run or should we say sprint .

Unbelievable, perfect answer from him after the domination from Ducati through out the practice sessions. Its just the qualifying but still, man, that was a treat to watch.

Vinales had an extra go, even then couldn't beat Rossi's time.

Source

[aamateen46]

Awesome lap by Rossi!! It was amazing the way he followed Vinales to reduce whatever advantage Vinales was having in his hot lap.

We are in for another treat tomorrow.

[mayankk]

What's the schedule guys, for the tenhd transmission? I am traveling back tomorrow from bharatpur, I'll just align it to get back in time. Have to catch this! Holiday be........

[Happysmiles]

Ten HD shows race Timings 1.30 to 7.30pm.
Moto3 followed by moto2.
I guess motogp will be from 5 pm onwards.

[nkrishnap]

Originally Posted by Happysmiles

Ten HD shows race Timings 1.30 to 7.30pm.
Moto3 followed by moto2.
I guess motogp will be from 5 pm onwards.

Motogp is at 5.30 pm. The Moto 3 and Moto 2 precedes that.