2023 India MotoGP FP1 Results: Bezzecchi Fastest As Riders Learn New Track

By David Emmett | Fri, 22/09/2023 - 07:15

Marco Bezzecchi has topped the timesheets in the extended first session of free practice for the MotoGP class at the Buddh International Circuit, though that doesn't mean too much in a session which was much more about learning the track than chasing lap times. Most riders improved their times by 3 to 4 seconds from their first runs to their last.

India MotoGP Preview: Was All That Worry About The Buddh International Circuit For Nothing?

By David Emmett | Thu, 21/09/2023 - 22:13

After all the worries, concerns, fears that the Indian MotoGP round would not happen, because of missing visas or missing riders, inadequate facilities, or an unsafe track, things are looking pretty bright for the first ever motorcycle racing grand prix to be held in India. There were plenty of bumps along the way (and there may yet be a few more bumps ahead), but the stage is set for what promises to be a remarkable event.

Was the panic over visas unwarranted? Not entirely. The fact that Marc Marquez only arrived first thing on Thursday morning is far from ideal preparation for a grand prix weekend in the intense heat and humidity of northern India. Lessons will have to be learned when MotoGP comes back next year, about planning to tackle the various bureaucratic challenges posed by racing in India well in advance. It is normal for the first race at a new track to face bumps in the road, but these bumps were nearly large enough to qualify as a whoops section.

Another WorldSBK Silly Season Update: Bassani To Kawasaki, Rinaldi To Moto2?

By Steve English | Thu, 21/09/2023 - 19:06

The primary seats are now all spoken for in WorldSBK. Yesterday’s announcement that Michael van der Mark would partner Toprak Razgatlioglu at the official BMW Motorrad squad is likely to be followed very soon by confirmation from Kawasaki has tabbed Axel Bassani as Jonathan Rea’s replacement.

The only factory seats to be decided at the HRC squad. Their line-up is all but certain to remain as Xavi Vierge and Iker Lecuona, with both having signed Honda contracts already. The only delay on announcing their pairing for 2024 is that until Marc Marquez confirms his future, Honda wants to have the option to move Lecuona to the LCR squad in MotoGP. Lecuona would then replace Johann Zarco, who would be promoted into the Repsol Honda team.

As a result all five factories in WorldSBK have effectively penned their squads for next year. The confirmation that Scott Redding would move to the independent BMW of the Bonovo team was significant for a number of reasons. Redding was under contract but at the centre of plenty of speculation for next year. Kawasaki was an obvious target for him to replace the departing Rea, but ultimately with Kawasaki lasered in on Bassani, this option disappeared quickly.

Where Are We With The Indian Round Of MotoGP, Part 3: Ready(ish) To Go

By David Emmett | Wed, 20/09/2023 - 21:44

A brief update on the state of play for the Grand Prix of India at the Buddh International Circuit this weekend. A steady stream of updates, via social media, team communication, and otherwise, have followed throughout the day, with more and more people arriving at the track. As of nearly midnight European time on Wednesday, the entire MotoGP grid has either arrived or are in the air and on their way. Reports from Moto2 and Moto3 follow a similar pattern.

As the situation appears now, the event will go ahead with close to the full contingent of 2000 people who booked to travel to India. There may still be hiccups ahead, but those appear to be relatively minor.

Paddock Pass Podcast Episode 357: India GP Preview - The Perils Of New Races With Dennis Noyes

By David Emmett | Wed, 20/09/2023 - 12:53

New races mean new challenges, and veteran US journalist and early Dorna employee Dennis Noyes knows all about that. The Hoopeston, Illinois native joins the full Paddock Pass Podcast crew to look ahead to India, review the state of MotoGP, and give some insight into Mike Trimby.

The first thing we do is look ahead to India, and Dennis regales us with tales of organizing the US grand prix at Laguna Seca, including anonymous calls to customs officers in an attempt to delay freight. We then take a look at recent rider news, including Franco Morbidelli's signing to Ducati and what Yamaha is doing wrong. We look again at Marc Marquez' options for 2024, and whether he will stay with Honda or head to Gresini.

Finally, Dennis talks about the long history of IRTA, Mike Trimby's role in it, and the battle in the early days of the series.

Where Are We With The Indian Round Of MotoGP, Part 2? Another Brief Update

By David Emmett | Tue, 19/09/2023 - 21:14

Developments surrounding the inaugural Indian round of MotoGP at the Buddh International Circuit have been continuous and changing almost moment by moment, making it pointless to try to provide up-to-date commentary, as the moment a story is published, it is superseded by events.

But after a second day of feverish speculation and commentary, things are looking a little more positive than they had been yesterday. Visas are arriving, the track is likely to be homologated without problem on Thursday, and riders, team members, and media are starting to head toward the circuit located near Greater Noida, 45km southeast of New Delhi.

Takaaki Nakagami Confirmed At LCR Honda For 2024

By David Emmett | Tue, 19/09/2023 - 21:05

Another day, another rider signing. Tuesday's news is the confirmation that Takaaki Nakagami has extended his contract for another year with the LCR Honda Idemitsu squad.

The deal had been getting closer over the past few rounds, as Nakagami, who negotiates his own contract, had been speaking with HRC for several races. The second half of the season has seen Nakagami's role in developing the Honda RC213V expand, the Japanese rider taking on the role of testing parts before the factory Repsol Honda riders were ready. HRC seem to be using more of Nakagami's input in their development process.

Nakagami has also been far more outspoken in his criticism of Honda in the past few months. Perhaps emboldened by remarks by both Marc Marquez and Joan Mir in the factory team, Nakagami has been keen to highlight the deficiencies of the RC213V.

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