MotoGP 2012
 

The thread for the 2012 MotoGP season.

Gone are the 125's this season replaced by the 250cc Moto3 class, which have already seem to have been given the nickname "fighter planes" :)

Moto 2 was certainly a fantastic season last year with probably the best racing of any of the 3 classes.

Finally we have MotoGP which introduced the CRT bikes to expand the grid.

The calendar for this season is as follows

Date Location

8 April Qatar, Losail
29 April Spain, Jerez
6 May Portugal, Estoril
20 May France, Le Mans
3 June Spain, Catalunya
17 June Great Britain, Silverstone
30 June Netherlands, Assen
8 July Germany, TBC
15 July Italy, Mugello
29 July United States, Laguna Seca
19 August United States, Indianapolis
26 August Czech Republic, Brno
16 September San Marino, Misano
30 September Spain, Aragon
14 October Japan, Motegi
28 October Australia, Phillip Island
23 October Malaysia, Sepang
11 November Spain, Valencia

---------- Post added at 10:54 ---------- Previous post was at 10:20 ----------

Sad news. Sky hoover up another sport from the 2014 season :(

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2012/S...clusive+rights

Re: MotoGP 2012
 

You'll have to get a sat dish up Jo ;)

Re: MotoGP 2012
 

Nah I'll just concentrate on the superior WSB and BSB championships ;)

Re: MotoGP 2012
 

I'll second that :D

Re: MotoGP 2012
 

Repsol Honda rider Casey Stoner has just announced he will retire at the end of the season.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2012/Casey+retirement

There has been a rumour going round the paddock of this for a few weeks now, but he's just made it official at the Le Mans MotoGP press conference.

EDIT: Link added

Re: MotoGP 2012
 

Nooo! The man can ride big time. One of the last using rear brake to make the bike turn (and make it a lot wider :D).

Re: MotoGP 2012
 

And Valentino refutes rumours of his departures at same press conference saying he plans another 2 years

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2012/R...ears+in+MotoGP

Re: MotoGP 2012
 

I believe you can catch the Le Mans on BBC 2 at 12:30, grid start at 1:00 our time.
I have no sat dish either :(

Go Cal, Go Cal, ad infinitum :D

Re: MotoGP 2012
 

I enjoy the coverage on Eurosport, but they don't always have the MotoGP race live so have to switch over to the Beeb.

I'd love to see Cal get a podium at Le Mans :)

Re: MotoGP 2012
 

Nooo - he can't!
Oh well, it gives others a chance I suppose.
What is it with Aussies and bits of rubber? F1, speedway and Moto GP. An Aussie told me it's their free open roads for a start :)

Re: MotoGP 2012
 

What a cracking MotoGP race in appalling conditions at le Mans!

Re: MotoGP 2012
 

Well we should have been 38 mins into the live World Superbike coverage from the states, instead we've got 2 players you've never heard of playing Eurosport 2 despite the fact the tennis has been on since 10 am on both channels.

So in television rage - :)

@EurosportUKTV "Now we're over to a small nearby garden where 2 more people you're not interested in play swingball" #wsb

Re: MotoGP 2012
 

Yes, what a complete mess they made of WSB, Grrr. Really not impressed :(

Re: MotoGP 2012
 

Had to laugh at Jack Burnicle and James Whitham's banter while they had the red flag and were cleaning the track.

Whitham "we could have flown some British Marshals over got the track cleared and back home again in the time it's taken these guys" :)

2nd race after the restart was great.

Re: MotoGP 2012
 

My message to our (UK) foremost rider would be:
Credit to You, Cal, for starting the race with a broken and sparained ankle and competing for the GB fans. How many pairs of special boots do you have??? Next time Mate :tu: I know how much your pet hate hate is A&E.
Podium will come.

Re: MotoGP 2012
 

Some news to break the silence

Ducati confirm Rossi's departure

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2012/Ducati+Rossi+split

EDIT: And Yamaha confirm Vale's return with a two year deal

http://www.yamahamotogp.com/2012/new...20803124534695

Re: MotoGP 2012
 

Well - I'm rooting for the Brit. Crutchlow.
He's not been signed up for next season AFAIK - and finished 7th for the Indi qualifier after crashing out earlier in the qualifying.

Good luck young man.

I'd also like to see Stoner go out on a high at the end of the season. He has quite a few points to make up to do that.

Re: MotoGP 2012
 

the infield at Indy is terrible, I'm surprised the riders don't refuse to ride there.

Amazing performance by Stoner riding with the injuries from yesterday, he could barely get off the bike at the end.

I believe Cal hinted he would like to stay with the Tech 3 team next season, with the Italian media suggesting Dovi has the vacant Ducati ride and with Bradley Smith joining the Tech 3 MotoGP team next season it could be interesting.

Re: MotoGP 2012
 

I'd better stop openly rooting for my wee fave Brit. I seem to be the kiss-of-not-finishing-on-the-podium.

Stoner did amazingly well - no illegal painkillers etc. Fantastic racer.

Let's not forget the great race that Crutchlow put on on his own turf with similar injuries.

Putting those guys through the metal detectors at customs must be interesting - pins, plates, etc :D

I fear that Cal will have no Moto GP team next year. He'll be 28 in October IIRC but hey - 'Rookie of the year' last season, and finishing behind the amazing riders that he does, is no disgrace.

I think that the thought that he has not yet been signed up for next season affects his prformance.

Re: MotoGP 2012
 

Here we go again.
Coventry Kid starts 4th on the grid next session.
Yamaha are looking good.

Re: MotoGP 2012
 

Great day of bike racing on Eurosport today BSB, WSBK and MotoGP :)

Cal & Bradley confirmed as Tech3 riders for next season

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2012/T...ne+up+for+2013

And Cal 2nd on the grid for today's race

Re: MotoGP 2012
 

Some great news there. Thanks for posting.
I don't think that Cal has started so high on the grid this season, and being wanted for next season must be a relief and boost to him.

Re: MotoGP 2012
 

I'm really hoping Cal can get at least one podium this year, he's done a great job in his second year of MotoGP. I think staying with Tech3 is a better option for him atm :)

Re: MotoGP 2012
 

An amazing last lap today

Re: MotoGP 2012
 

Cal's first podium, well done that man:D

Re: MotoGP 2012
 

Woohoo well done Catherine Green winning the Motostar race at Cadwell yesterday. First woman to win a British championship race :D

http://www.britishsuperbike.com/news...well-park.aspx

Re: MotoGP 2012
 

Brit, Crutchlow starts 3rd on the front of the grid at San Marino tomorrow.
Pedrosa and Lorenzo start 1st and 2nd respectively.

I'm sure there will be another fitting tribute to Simoncelli on his home turf.

I'm so disappointed that Casey Stoner still can't show up.

Re: MotoGP 2012
 

Saw the first few laps today of the race from Australia, how unlucky was Pedrosa in coming off the bike?

Re: MotoGP 2012
 

Very bad luck for Dani, good for Lorenzo though I don't imagine he wanted to win that way. It'll be interesting if Casey decides to race Aussie V8's. We prefer them to BTCC.

Re: MotoGP 2012
 

Not really watched much bike racing in the past, but am looking to get into it. Shame I decide these things just before the season ends!

Re: MotoGP 2012
 

Well done to Casey on the emphatic Phillip Island win. Jorge on becoming world champion and to Cal for a great podium despite having the lurgy.

As much as I agreed with a lot of people about Casey's "moaner" label, there simply aren't words to describe how good he is on a motorcycle, and what he brought to the sport. I do hope that in time he might return to the paddock.

I also think that Jorge has matured a lot since his last world championship win, and comes over much better these days, such a shame for Danny who came so close. And great to see Cal up there on the podium, here's to many more!

With one race to go, I think all the riders in all 3 classes deserve a mention, giving us some stunning racing this season.

Re: MotoGP 2012
 

I am so glad that Stoner won on his home turf.

And congrats to Cal too - another podium finish!

One more race to go.