Le Mans MotoGP Preview: The Thousand Roads That Led To The French Grand Prix

By David Emmett | Thu, 11/05/2023 - 22:35

The Grand Prix Motorcycling World Championship hits its 1000th event at Le Mans. The grand prix paddock assembles for the 1000th time in France. The fact that it is tempting to say that this will be the 1000th round of MotoGP is both ahistorical and a fascinating glimpse into just how much MotoGP has changed over the years.

In 1949, the first year of the official Grand Prix world championship, the series consisted of a number of separate events, all of which long predated the new FIM sanctioned championship. Big international races had existed almost since the dawn of motorcycling. The Isle of Man TT, which was home to the very first GP in 1949, held its very first race in 1907. The Dutch TT at Assen – held on Saturday, July 9th in 1949 – had been in existence since 1926, after the original race had moved from further east in 1925.

The winners of those first races? Freddie Frith was the very first winner of a motorcycle grand prix, winning the 350cc Junior TT on a Velocette single. Harold Daniell won the 500cc race, the Senior TT, aboard a Norton, another four-stroke single.

Flirting with death

Two Things You Should Be Reading: Mat Oxley On How Kalex Build Chassis, Julian Ryder On Penalties

By David Emmett | Wed, 10/05/2023 - 16:56

Of the deluge of content produced around MotoGP and motorcycle racing, two articles I read stood out today. Both on topics which are highly current: the first, by Mat Oxley, on how Kalex designs and builds their chassis.

Paddock Pass Podcast Episode 333: MotoE Boss Nicolas Goubert Explains The Changes For The New Season, And A Le Mans Preview

By David Emmett | Wed, 10/05/2023 - 10:47

With Le Mans Looming, Adam Wheeler, Neil Morrison, and David Emmett look ahead to the French round of MotoGP. After a brief look at the history of Le Mans, we take a look at what we expect from the weekend.

Le Mans also sees the start of the 2023 MotoE season, with the new generation of Ducati V21L MotoE machines taking to the track for the first time. Neil and Adam talk to Nicolas Goubert, the head of Dorna's MotoE program about what to expect, and we have Chaz Davies give his insights into the bike as MotoE tester.

Finally, we answer some listeners' questions, and give our predictions for the race.

MotoGP Court Of Appeal Scraps Penalty For Marc Marquez - An Analysis Of The Court's Decision

By David Emmett | Tue, 09/05/2023 - 23:10

The MotoGP Court of Appeal has finally rendered judgment on the revised penalty issued against Marc Marquez for causing the crash with Miguel Oliveira at the opening round of the 2023 MotoGP season at Portimão. The change to the original penalty notification, which stated that Marquez would have to serve a Double Long Lap Penalty at the Argentina grand prix at Termas de Rio Hondo, was found to be irregularly and wrongly amended.

As a result, the penalty is deemed to have been served, and Marquez will not have to serve a Double Long Lap Penalty at the next race in which he participates. Marquez is free to race, without facing a penalty.

Update: Has The Marc Marquez Appeal Exceeded Time Limits Set By FIM Regulations?

By David Emmett | Mon, 08/05/2023 - 21:21

On the third lap of the opening grand prix of the 2023 MotoGP season, Marc Marquez locked the front wheel of his Honda RC213V while braking for Turn 3, trying to close the gap to Jorge Martin and Miguel Oliveira. As he did so, he clipped the Ducati of Martin, lost control, and barreled into the RNF Aprilia of Miguel Oliveira.

For that incident, Marc Marquez was handed a Double Long Lap Penalty, to be served at the Argentina GP the following week. But two days after the penalty notice was issued, the FIM Stewards issued a revised penalty, stating that Marquez was to serve the Double Long Lap Penalty at "the next MotoGP Race in which the rider will be able to participate".

That revised penalty has kicked off a controversial process which has gone on so long that the case has exceeded the term set for a hearing by the MotoGP Court of Appeal. As such, the penalty for Marc Marquez is no longer valid.

The FIM regulations set out very clearly that the MotoGP Court of Appeal must hear an appeal and issue a judgment within four weeks of the brief of appeal (basically, the letter from the appellant setting out their case) being received by the court. Section 3.4.4 of the FIM Grand Prix World Championship Regulations states the following:

3.4.4 Time limits to be observed for appeal hearings

The FIM Appeal Stewards must be convened to examine an appeal immediately after the brief of appeal is received.

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