Marc Marquez saying now is not the time to be thinking about his future. You don't make decisions at the worst point of your career. He wants to be fit, get back on the bike, and then make a decision in a more calm moment, when he can think clearly, not clouded by emotion and pain.
For On Track Off Road, I wrote about why the Japanese #MotoGP manufacturers are struggling, and why I don't think #Honda will pull out of MotoGP.
In 1954, Soichiro Honda wrote a letter about his intention to go racing at the Isle of Man. They competed in their first race at São Paulo in Brazil at the start of the year, and there, Honda realised just how much work they still had to do. Lessons still apply today
Rode my #Honda CRF450RL to my parents' place and back today. It's honestly not too bad on the freeway, but isn't super happy going over 70 MPH. Aside from that, I'm still finding the best technique to put a single foot down at a stop rather that having to have both dangle since I can barely reach. #motorcycle#dualsport
Been a lot happening with riders for next year in the past few days.
Wrote up Silly Season developments and speculations for subscribers on the website.
Includes Morbidelli, Bezzecchi, Zarco, Marquez, KTM, Acosta, Honda, and much more.
The disastrous launch of the Vinfast VF8 speaks to the difficulties of launching a new international electric car brand, but also to the benefits of sticking with companies who have already figured out details like suspension and steering.
An excellent interview with Alex Baumgaertel of #Kalex by Mat Oxley. Explains simply and in detail how a chassis works around a corner. Well worth your time.
Re: the Marc Marquez/Repsol Honda appeal of the Double Long Lap Penalty imposed after his collision with Miguel Oliveira at Portimão. The "brief of appeal" in the case was lodged on 30th March 2023, when it was referred to the MotoGP Court of Appeal by the FIM Appeal Stewards.
4 weeks after 30th March 2023 is 27th April 2023. That date has passed.
I think this means the whole case is no longer valid, and the penalty will be automatically scrapped.
Here's my write up of this. By not hearing the Repsol Honda team's appeal against Marc Marquez's penalty within the deadline set in the regulations, the penalty is no longer valid.
@motomatters did #Yamaha get any of Suzuki's engine engineers? #AR42 win in #Austin made me wonder if some of that #Suzuki DNA is fixing the #Honda . Feels like Yamaha need the same.
Originally, Marc Marquez was scheduled to do just a normal media debrief. He is in Jerez to open a Repsol garage, normal sponsor duties, Honda thought it would be good for him to talk to the press.
The Dorna turned it into a press conference, and everyone got very excited. Paddock people speculating about retirement, KTM, etc.
So Honda changed it back to a normal media debrief.
As predicted. Marc Marquez doesn't want to risk racing at Jerez because braking forces could force the pin in his thumb to let go, and that could possibly be career ending.
OC How I ended up owning a Navi (blog.jws.app)
This past year, I decided that I wanted to learn how to ride. This is how I ended up with a Navi.