motoGP_data

On the previous post we looked into which riders have scored more points in anticlockwise tracks (with more left handers) than on clockwise tracks (with more like handers) since 2016, when Michelin became the sole tyre supplier of MotoGP.

Among other things we saw that Marquez has scored “only” 1.0 points more on anticlockwise tracks than on clockwise tracks, despite his reputation of being particularly strong on left turns. In comparison, we found that Andrea Iannone has scored +5.1 additional points on anticlockwise.

To better understand each rider performance, we now show the positions on which each rider finished on each type of track since 2012, when MotoGP moved to 1000cc, until the time of writing (after the Silverstone 2019 GP).

Continue reading “The left turners, part two”

When Tito Rabat broke his leg in Silverstone, his one year old Ducati GP17 was handed to his teammate Xavier Simeon in the Reale Avintia Racing team, while Simeon’s two year old Ducati GP16 ended a the hands of Christophe Ponsson. But after Ponsson’s slow pace was deemed too dangerous by other riders (he was over 4 seconds off the winning pace) Dorna forced him out and Simoen’s Ducati GP16 was given to Jordi Torres, a former Moto2 podium scorer currently racing the world superbike championship on a MV Augusta.

After 5 races since he replaced Ponsson (one raced missed due to injury), now is time to wonder… how well has Jordi Torres rode the Avintia Ducati GP16?

Continue reading “Jordi Torres results as a substitute of Xavier Simeon”

After the traditional 3 Asian flyovers – Japan, Australia, and Malaysia – riders and paddock finally head home for a few days rest before the closing act in Valencia.

Some will bring home a big smile, like Marc Marquez who won the world championship in Japan in front of the big bosses, or Alex Rins with 2 podiums and a 5th position. Some will come home a tad more disappointed… Petrucci for example, who only managed a top 9 as his best result.

And the rest?

Continue reading “Flyover perfomance increase”

Due to Tito Rabat injuries consequence of a nasty crash in Silverstone, Xavier Simeon moved to Rabat’s garage, and Simeon’s seat in the Avintia team was vacant for the Misano race.

Christophe Ponsson, who currently races in the Spanish Superstock 1000 series, landed the seat despite having zero experience in a MotoGP bike or anything similar. Ponsson was so unfamiliar with a MotoGP prototype bike, that he felt that learning to ride his Ducati GP16 was “as if I start again riding on a bike”.

Continue reading “Ponsson, a weekend learning a MotoGP bike”

“During the race it’s every man for himself and your teammate is your first rival” – Nicky Hayden

In racing, a big chunk of glory (or agony) is consequence of the machine you ride. If not, ask Rossi how his two years in Ducati compare to the results he obtained while riding the Honda inherited from Doohan… Because of this, beating a teammate (or anyone riding a similar motorbike) becomes a rider’s imperative. Because if you beat someone on a similar machine, then it is the rider who did it. The flesh, not the hardware.

Continue reading “Who want enemies when you have teammates?”

On a previous post we saw that Rossi’s reign of 89 race victories over 18 years towered over all other champions.

Continue reading “Comparing the incomparable.”

After the French GP, Claudio Dominicali (CEO at Ducati) voiced regret that Lorenzo hadn’t been able to perform as expected on the Ducati: “Lorenzo is a great rider who has not succeeded in getting the best from our bike, a bike that has great strengths and some weaknesses” said Domenicali.

Continue reading “Lorenzo: “I’m not a great rider, I’m a champion.””