Moto GP test - Portimao

[Skub]

I love any bike racing...well maybe that's an exaggeration,since the US national series always seems lacking and the commentary is unbearable.

[wull]

I love any bike racing...well maybe that's an exaggeration,since the US national series always seems lacking and the commentary is unbearable.

Yeah makes it hard to watch at times and the racing can be lacklustre but I still watch it. Same with the asbk series yet there is usually more at the front fighting, commentary ain’t too bad on that.

The thing with MotoGP is at times the racing is pish and there isn’t as much action like there is in WSBK and BSB, and if that’s due to the way the bikes are these days then where’s the sense in that. Hopefully this season can be better because if there’s one overtake on the last lap in 14 races then that’s dire.

[Skub]

I love any bike racing...well maybe that's an exaggeration,since the US national series always seems lacking and the commentary is unbearable.

Yeah makes it hard to watch at times and the racing can be lacklustre but I still watch it. Same with the asbk series yet there is usually more at the front fighting, commentary ain’t too bad on that.

The thing with MotoGP is at times the racing is pish and there isn’t as much action like there is in WSBK and BSB, and if that’s due to the way the bikes are these days then where’s the sense in that. Hopefully this season can be better because if there’s one overtake on the last lap in 14 races then that’s dire.

I think sometimes,if I don't know much about the riders in a particular class,then a dimension of enjoyment is lost and it's difficult to become invested as a spectator. I don't mean that in a football fan kind of way,where I have to have a favourite rider/s,but just knowing the individual personalities of riders competing adds depth the the visuals and allows me to imagine more possible race scenarios.

I struggled some years with Moto2 for this very reason. I looked at the grid and saw a load of Spanish and Italian names and knew little about any of them. I used Moto3 to help with this and I enjoy watching individual riders progress through the classes,this makes it more involving for me.

[mangocrazy]

Another string to the bow of absolute fuckery that MotoGP has become.

It's a prototype class, get over it. You have the production-based class (WSB) that you clearly prefer, which is cool. Different series, different rules, different outcomes.

Personally I prefer to see the world's best riders on the world's fastest bikes. And the time differences between riders are significantly closer in MotoGP, which also adds spice.

Get over what? If you have an issue with me having a moan about MotoGP then do one, I wasn’t moaning at you so don’t bother your arse coming the cunt with me.

No, I don't have an issue with you having a moan; how could I? I do enough moaning myself. But it's a case of accepting that it is what it is. The rules describe the way the class goes, and that is obviously not in a direction you like.

[wull]

I don’t care what route it takes but I’ll comment on whether I think it’s going well or not, and as per my comment it’s not good especially when the racing is lacklustre at best. Maybe this year can be better but when compared to WSBK and BSB it pales.

Years ago the racing was stupidly good, the last lap battles, something has went wrong somewhere.

[mangocrazy]

I actually think all the aero bits are what is stopping the close racing and overtakes. All the riders have very similar speed but they don't seem to be able to overtake, much like F1. I think it needs recognition of this fact at the highest levels of Dorna, and they try and get a consensus with the teams to ban the aero aids.

That's in an ideal world, I can't see it happening unless spectators start leaving MotoGP in droves.

[wull]

2023 Portimao MotoGP Test results - Day 2 lap times (Sunday)



Lap times during Sunday’s final day of 2023 MotoGP pre-season testing, in Portimao.

Ducati's reigning world champion Francesco Bagnaia continues to lead the Portimao timesheets as of 2:30pm on the final day of MotoGP pre-season testing, but with 2022 title rival Fabio Quartararo now up to second place (on a soft rear tyre) with three hours to go.


The Frenchman has pushed satellite Ducati riders Johann Zarco, Alex Marquez and Jorge Martin to third, fourth and fifth, followed by the Aprilias of Aleix Espargaro, Miguel Oliveira, Maverick Vinales and Raul Fernandez.

Brad Binder is now leading the KTM challenge in 12th, after an earlier fall. Joan Mir remains the top Honda, in 13th.

Repsol Honda team-mate Marc Marquez sits 18th after a technical issue and then an accident at turn 1, with Binder's team-mate Jack Miller 20th and Quartararo's team-mate Franco Morbidelli 21st.

The likes of Bagnaia, Enea Bastianini and Quartararo have already conducted Sprint race simulations, with Quartararo - again struggling with his fresh tyre pace on day one - looking a close match for the factory Ducatis in the low 1m 39s...

2023 OFFICIAL PORTIMAO MOTOGP TEST - DAY 2 (2:30PM)
RIDER NAT TEAM TIME LAP SPEED
1 = Francesco Bagnaia ITA Ducati Lenovo (GP23) 1m 38.154s 21/45 340.6
2 ^10 Fabio Quartararo FRA Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) +0.148s 61/61 339.6
3 ˅1 Johann Zarco FRA Pramac Ducati (GP22) +0.191s 34/35 339.6
4 ˅1 Alex Marquez SPA Gresini Ducati (GP22) +0.248s 41/48 341.7
5 ˅1 Jorge Martin SPA Pramac Ducati (GP23) +0.280s 30/41 339.6
6 ^1 Aleix Espargaro SPA Aprilia Racing (RS-GP23) +0.415s 27/28 340.6
7 ˅2 Miguel Oliveira POR RNF Aprilia (RS-GP22) +0.430s 35/49 343.9
8 ˅2 Maverick Viñales SPA Aprilia Racing (RS-GP23) +0.524s 26/53 343.9
9 ˅1 Raul Fernandez SPA RNF Aprilia (RS-GP22) +0.700s 20/40 338.5
10 ˅1 Enea Bastianini ITA Ducati Lenovo (GP23) +0.735s 28/38 341.7
11 ˅1 Luca Marini ITA Mooney VR46 Ducati (GP22) +0.739s 10/38 339.6
12 ^8 Brad Binder RSA Red Bull KTM (RC16) +0.742s 29/31 337.5
13 ˅2 Joan Mir SPA Repsol Honda (RC213V) +0.850s 28/38 334.3
14 ˅1 Marco Bezzecchi ITA Mooney VR46 Ducati (GP22) +0.909s 38/45 339.6
15 ˅1 Alex Rins SPA LCR Honda (RC213V) +1.004s 42/49 340.6
16 ˅1 Takaaki Nakagami JPN LCR Honda (RC213V) +1.155s 23/43 335.4
17 ˅1 Pol Espargaro SPA Tech3 GASGAS (RC16) +1.320s 43/43 338.5
18 ˅1 Marc Marquez SPA Repsol Honda (RC213V) +1.331s 43/44 341.7
19 ˅1 Augusto Fernandez SPA Tech3 GASGAS (RC16)* +1.513s 42/43 336.4
20 ˅1 Franco Morbidelli ITA Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) +1.759s 26/51 335.4
21 = Jack Miller AUS Red Bull KTM (RC16) +1.925s 28/45 336.4
22 = Michele Pirro ITA Ducati Test Rider (GP23) +1.945s 35/38 336.4

[wull]

1.39:610 was the Superpole time from JR last year.

Tbf it’s one of the tracks where it’s very similar pace between them. Last year the times during the MotoGP weekend were pretty much the same, today they’ve went 0.5s faster than they ever have there.

[wull]

Lap times during Sunday’s final day of 2023 MotoGP pre-season testing, in Portimao.




Into the last hour of MotoGP pre-season testing and Ducati's reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia continues to command the Portimao timesheets, with a new unofficial lap record.

However, Pramac Ducati's Johann Zarco has now jumped ahead of countryman Fabio Quartararo for second place.

Nonetheless, Quartararo has made big Sunday gains despite - or maybe because of - switching to last year's Yamaha fairing and front wings. The Frenchman later appeared with a new Aprilia-style wing on the back of his bike.

Satellite Ducati riders Alex Marquez and Jorge Martin remain fourth and fifth but Brad Binder has made a huge leap forward with sixth for KTM, just 0.326s from Bagnaia.

That has pushed the Aprilias of Aleix Espargaro (who fears he will need arm surgery), Miguel Oliveira and Maverick Vinales to seventh, eighth and ninth.

RNF team-mates Oliveira and Fernandez fell just a few corners apart, while Luca Marini's quest to complete a perfect sweep of the fastest lap at all three winter tests has been complicated by a late technical problem with his VR46 Ducati.

After a technical issue and then an accident at turn 1, Marc Marquez briefly broke into the top ten but is now down to eleventh, still as the leading Honda.

The likes of Bagnaia, Enea Bastianini and Quartararo have conducted Sprint race simulations, with Quartararo - struggling for fresh tyre pace on day one - looking a close match for the factory Ducatis in the low 1m 39s. Jorge Martin and Alex Marquez also set a strong pace in their simulations.

However, Marc Marquez still appeared to be lacking half a second during his long run.



2023 OFFICIAL PORTIMAO MOTOGP TEST - DAY 2 (4:30PM)
RIDER NAT TEAM TIME LAP SPEED
1 = Francesco Bagnaia ITA Ducati Lenovo (GP23) 1m 38.154s 21/57 342.8
2 ^1 Johann Zarco FRA Pramac Ducati (GP22) +0.110s 51/53 340.6
3 ˅1 Fabio Quartararo FRA Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) +0.148s 61/88 339.6
4 = Alex Marquez SPA Gresini Ducati (GP22) +0.248s 41/67 343.9
5 = Jorge Martin SPA Pramac Ducati (GP23) +0.280s 30/73 347.2
6 ^8 Brad Binder RSA Red Bull KTM (RC16) +0.326s 49/51 340.6
7 ˅1 Aleix Espargaro SPA Aprilia Racing (RS-GP23) +0.415s 27/39 340.6
8 ˅1 Miguel Oliveira POR RNF Aprilia (RS-GP22) +0.430s 35/67 343.9
9 ˅1 Maverick Viñales SPA Aprilia Racing (RS-GP23) +0.524s 26/71 343.9
10 ^2 Enea Bastianini ITA Ducati Lenovo (GP23) +0.535s 46/59 343.9
11 ˅2 Marc Marquez SPA Repsol Honda (RC213V) +0.624s 49/69 343.9
12 ˅2 Marco Bezzecchi ITA Mooney VR46 Ducati (GP22) +0.695s 49/74 346.1
13 ˅2 Raul Fernandez SPA RNF Aprilia (RS-GP22) +0.700s 20/62 338.5
14 ˅1 Luca Marini ITA Mooney VR46 Ducati (GP22) +0.739s 10/57 340.6
15 = Joan Mir SPA Repsol Honda (RC213V) +0.850s 28/53 336.4
16 = Alex Rins SPA LCR Honda (RC213V) +1.004s 42/68 340.6
17 = Franco Morbidelli ITA Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) +1.069s 62/74 337.5
18 = Pol Espargaro SPA Tech3 GASGAS (RC16) +1.133s 45/66 338.5
19 = Takaaki Nakagami JPN LCR Honda (RC213V) +1.155s 23/55 336.4
20 = Augusto Fernandez SPA Tech3 GASGAS (RC16)* +1.513s 42/48 337.5
21 = Jack Miller AUS Red Bull KTM (RC16) +1.646s 47/66 338.5
22 = Michele Pirro ITA Ducati Test Rider (GP23) +1.945s 35/62 336.4

[Skub]

Zarco is another test time contender/qualifier etc,like Vinales. Then he screws it up in the races. It must be frustrating for his teams to know the potential is there,but the consistency needs a secret key.

Miller is taking his time with his new KTM,Binder is showing some pace.

Maybe Yamaha found something,or maybe it's just the Fabio effect. Hard to tell from Morbidelli's times.

[wull]

Zarco is another test time contender/qualifier etc,like Vinales. Then he screws it up in the races. It must be frustrating for his teams to know the potential is there,but the consistency needs a secret key.

Miller is taking his time with his new KTM,Binder is showing some pace.

Maybe Yamaha found something,or maybe it's just the Fabio effect. Hard to tell from Morbidelli's times.

It’ll be Fabio’s new wing




Fook me dead

[mangocrazy]

That's hideous. I really do think that Dorna should start setting limits on the aero, with a long term view of reducing it or banning it altogether.

[Skub]

That's hideous. I really do think that Dorna should start setting limits on the aero, with a long term view of reducing it or banning it altogether.

You'll get them on Alibaba Express tomorrow.

[ChrisW]

Oh lord, that's hideous. It's like 80s budget kamei kits for bikes... they'll have sun-strips on their screens next.

[Yorick]

Oh lord, that's hideous. It's like 80s budget kamei kits for bikes... they'll have sun-strips on their screens next.

And furry dice hanging inside fairing.

[ChrisW]

Oh lord, that's hideous. It's like 80s budget kamei kits for bikes... they'll have sun-strips on their screens next.

And furry dice hanging inside fairing.

This has brought on a very detailed, long-forgotten memory from when I was a teenager of regularly going to a car parts shop that also had a video rental section in it - honestly. It was in the next town from where I grew up and I swear it was called 'Dingle Bells' although I'm doubting my memory here... I'd go there with my elder brother, who had a car, to rent films and look at car parts. Loads of rubber stick-on bootlid spoilers etc. and triple-tone sticker stripes - as well as all the proper Kamei and Reiger(?) stuff, side skirts and grill / headlamp mono-units. I also had an early crush on the girl who worked at the video rental counter.

Sorry for the off-topic tangent.

[Yorick]

Oh lord, that's hideous. It's like 80s budget kamei kits for bikes... they'll have sun-strips on their screens next.

And furry dice hanging inside fairing.

This has brought on a very detailed, long-forgotten memory from when I was a teenager of regularly going to a car parts shop that also had a video rental section in it - honestly. It was in the next town from where I grew up and I swear it was called 'Dingle Bells' although I'm doubting my memory here... I'd go there with my elder brother, who had a car, to rent films and look at car parts. Loads of rubber stick-on bootlid spoilers etc. and triple-tone sticker stripes - as well as all the proper Kamei and Reiger(?) stuff, side skirts and grill / headlamp mono-units. I also had an early crush on the girl who worked at the video rental counter.

Sorry for the off-topic tangent.

Probably owned by @Taipan

[wull]

Final lap times during Sunday’s last day of 2023 MotoGP pre-season testing, in Portimao.



Ducati's reigning MotoGP champion Francesco Bagnaia brought the curtain down on 2023 pre-season testing in style, becoming the first rider to lap Portimao in the 1m 37s on his penultimate lap.

But the previous Ducati/Aprilia dominance of the leading positions was disrupted by Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo in third.

While Bagnaia ruled the timesheets from midday onwards, Pramac Ducati's Johann Zarco jumped ahead of countryman Quartararo late in the afternoon for second place.

Nonetheless, Quartararo made big Sunday gains despite - or maybe because of - switching to last year's Yamaha fairing and front wings. The Frenchman also appeared with an Aprilia-style wing on the back of his bike, which Cal Crutchlow tried at Sepang, but didn't feel it was 'better or worse'.

VR46 team-mates Luca Marini and Marco Bezzecchi, plus new factory Ducati signing Enea Bastianini snatched a late fourth, fifth and sixth respectively, pushing Gresini's Alex Marquez - all smiles despite a pair of falls - and early leader Jorge Martin (Pramac) to seventh and eighth.

That in turn nudged Brad Binder to ninth, but still second best of the non-Ducatis after Quartararo. The South African earlier dragged his KTM from the lower end of the timesheets to an impressive sixth, in-between two accidents on from his RC16.

But there was no last-gasp surge from Honda, with new signing Joan Mir finishing best of the RCV's in 13th (+0.794s). After a technical issue and then an accident at turn 1, team-mate Marc Marquez briefly broke into the top ten before being forced to settle for 14th, just ahead of LCR's Alex Rins.

The late flying laps also pushed the Aprilias of Aleix Espargaro (who fears he will need arm surgery), Miguel Oliveira and Maverick Vinales down to tenth, eleventh and twelfth.

RNF team-mates Oliveira and Fernandez fell just a few corners apart, while Marini's quest to complete a perfect sweep of the fastest lap at all three winter tests was complicated by a late technical problem.

Many riders used the final day to conduct Sprint race simulations.

Bagnaia and Bastianini looked among the best, but Quartararo - who had been struggling for fresh tyre pace at Sepang in February as well as Saturday in Portimao - was among several riders (also including Alex Marquez and Martin) joining the factory Ducatis in an average Sprint pace of 1m 39.1-39.2s.

Marc Marquez was also closer to Bagnaia during his long run, appearing to lack around 0.3-0.4s a lap, a similar figure to Bezzecchi, Marini and Raul Fernandez.

But the post-test verdict from the riders was clear: Bagnaia's scorching speed over both a single lap and race pace means he heads into the Macrh 24-26 season-opener as favourite.

2023 OFFICIAL PORTIMAO MOTOGP TEST - DAY 2 (FINAL)
RIDER NAT TEAM TIME LAP SPEED
1 = Francesco Bagnaia ITA Ducati Lenovo (GP23) 1m 37.968s 60/61 342.8
2 ^1 Johann Zarco FRA Pramac Ducati (GP22) +0.296s 51/69 340.6
3 ˅1 Fabio Quartararo FRA Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) +0.334s 61/88 339.6
4 ^9 Luca Marini ITA Mooney VR46 Ducati (GP22) +0.342s 62/64 340.6
5 ^5 Marco Bezzecchi ITA Mooney VR46 Ducati (GP22) +0.383s 85/86 346.1
6 ^6 Enea Bastianini ITA Ducati Lenovo (GP23) +0.405s 61/66 343.9
7 ˅3 Alex Marquez SPA Gresini Ducati (GP22) +0.434s 41/72 343.9
8 ˅3 Jorge Martin SPA Pramac Ducati (GP23) +0.466s 30/77 347.2
9 ^5 Brad Binder RSA Red Bull KTM (RC16) +0.512s 49/62 340.6
10 ˅4 Aleix Espargaro SPA Aprilia Racing (RS-GP23) +0.601s 27/52 340.6
11 ˅4 Miguel Oliveira POR RNF Aprilia (RS-GP22) +0.616s 35/72 343.9
12 ˅4 Maverick Viñales SPA Aprilia Racing (RS-GP23) +0.710s 26/82 343.9
13 ^2 Joan Mir SPA Repsol Honda (RC213V) +0.794s 59/61 336.4
14 ˅5 Marc Marquez SPA Repsol Honda (RC213V) +0.810s 49/76 343.9
15 ^1 Alex Rins SPA LCR Honda (RC213V) +0.814s 81/85 340.6
16 ˅5 Raul Fernandez SPA RNF Aprilia (RS-GP22) +0.886s 20/63 338.5
17 ^4 Jack Miller AUS Red Bull KTM (RC16) +0.941s 74/80 338.5
18 = Pol Espargaro SPA Tech3 GASGAS (RC16) +1.006s 73/79 338.5
19 ˅2 Franco Morbidelli ITA Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) +1.098s 79/89 337.5
20 ˅1 Takaaki Nakagami JPN LCR Honda (RC213V) +1.341s 23/72 336.4
21 ˅1 Augusto Fernandez SPA Tech3 GASGAS (RC16)* +1.699s 42/64 337.5
22 = Michele Pirro ITA Ducati Test Rider (GP23) +2.131s 35/62 336.4

[wull]

[Bigyin]

That Yamaha rear wing is fucking ridiculous