65 replies to this topic

[thefinalapex]

https://twitter.com/...539053358776356

 

Marquez leaving Honda. Sad to see it end this way.

[Nova]

Finally. As in finally it is out in the open, it has been clear for over a year. Sad that it ended this way, but now the focus can be directed where it should be.

 

Edit, but we still have to follow who will be the new riders. No matter who they choose it will be the worst selection of riders of any team on the grid. Hope they are good as development riders at least, that is what is needed the most. The next champion can come later.

Edited by Nova, 04 October 2023 - 12:18.

[Nova]

Oh, and hope Gresini get new colors, without it meaning Marquez taking money/sponsorship from Honda. The grey/red leathers looks drab and awful.

[Disgrace]

The 2024 Honda is a flop then, that's confirmed. The baseline assumption has to be that he'll be in title contention at Gresini. I pray for the field and my own enjoyment of the sport that he's not dominant.

[thegamer23]

BREAKING NEWS:

"Honda and Marc Marquez terminates their relationship at the end of 2023 with a mutual agreement"

Edited by thegamer23, 04 October 2023 - 13:11.

[Ali623]

Curious to see how he does on a Ducati

[Kulturen]

Oh, and hope Gresini get new colors, without it meaning Marquez taking money/sponsorship from Honda. The grey/red leathers looks drab and awful.

 

Ha I had the same thought, if Gresini will be a championship contenders they need some kind of "premium" livery/sponsor    The current livery is ok and fast is beautiful but can anyone picture Marc winning the title in those colours? 

[Disgrace]

Oh, and hope Gresini get new colors, without it meaning Marquez taking money/sponsorship from Honda. The grey/red leathers looks drab and awful.

 

It appears that Marquez wanted to take his technical team like Rossi did when he went to Yamaha. Ducati probably wisely declined as this could be a one-year gig before moving to another factory for 2024. So at least Honda have a year to replace them.

[Showty]

The 2024 Honda is a flop then, that's confirmed. The baseline assumption has to be that he'll be in title contention at Gresini. I pray for the field and my own enjoyment of the sport that he's not dominant.

Not necessarily a flop, but for sure not a bike to win races on merit.

[jensfan09]

The 2024 Honda is a flop then, that's confirmed. The baseline assumption has to be that he'll be in title contention at Gresini. I pray for the field and my own enjoyment of the sport that he's not dominant.

Without input from European engineers, especially from Ducati/KTM, the 2024 was never going to be much of an improvement.

 

Apparently Honda weren't able to entice any engineers from other teams to join them!

Edited by jensfan09, 04 October 2023 - 12:36.

[Disgrace]

Without input from European engineers, especially from Ducati/KTM, the 2024 was never going to be much of an improvement.

 

Apparently Honda weren't able to entice any engineers from other teams to join them!

 

Not that surprising after Alex Rins remarked how Ken Kawauchi, who Honda poached from Suzuki, became unrecognisably uncommunicative at Honda.

[thegamer23]

Taking shortcuts to reach success it's no guarantee that success will come.

 

Would have loved to see him staying at Honda and bring it back at the front, even if it took one or two more seasons of development and work.

After all, the team waited for him and paid him full for one and half seasons of him basically staying at home due to various injuries.

 

Now he'll have the bike to compete...but if he can't win the title, than this could backfire greatly.

 

The Ducati's internal team balance will be thrown out of the window for next season, that could be interesting to see.

Talking about Honda, i fear this could be a major blow to the team, and also for the Repsol Sponsorship.
They should have had Acosta as plan b, but now they're left with no top riders for 2024.

2024 will be even more of a Ducati only championship now, not sure that's what MotoGP needs.
 

Edited by thegamer23, 04 October 2023 - 12:51.

[Skelly1927]

MotoGP desperately needs stories of interest and now we've got one. Great news.

[kumo7]

Not that surprising after Alex Rins remarked how Ken Kawauchi, who Honda poached from Suzuki, became unrecognisably uncommunicative at Honda.

 

I do not really understand what you say. Kawauchi, after moving to Honda, placed in the team where h has no way to put his idea on paper then to machine?

[jensfan09]

MotoGP desperately needs stories of interest and now we've got one. Great news.

If Marc can perform on the Ducati, it will be great PR for MotoGP.

 

Marc is still one of the most popular and recognisable riders in the world and he has been sorely missed at front of the grid!

[JHSingo]

I'll repeat what I said in the MotoGP thread last week. The thought of Marquez on a Ducati scares me...

 

Yes, he's made his fair share of bone-headed moves in races over the last couple of seasons, but I dare say that on a far better bike than the Honda, he won't be forced to override anywhere near as much.

 

And even a Marc Marquez operating at 70% or 80% of his natural ability is better than the vast majority of riders on the grid. 

[Disgrace]

I do not really understand what you say. Kawauchi, after moving to Honda, placed in the team where h has no way to put his idea on paper then to machine?

 

Here is the article to which I refer. If I was to guess, Kawauchi is a victim of Honda's outdated and cumbersome way of working. We see him looking miserable in the garage every weekend, but I wonder how much power he really has.

[jensfan09]

I'll repeat what I said in the MotoGP thread last week. The thought of Marquez on a Ducati scares me...

 

Yes, he's made his fair share of bone-headed moves in races over the last couple of seasons, but I dare say that on a far better bike than the Honda, he won't be forced to override anywhere near as much.

 

And even a Marc Marquez operating at 70% or 80% of his natural ability is better than the vast majority of riders on the grid. 

As well with the acceleration and top speed of the Ducati, he won't have to put as much effort into braking, which should hopefully reduce his chances of crashing! Lol

[Chubby_Deuce]

Worth remembering that he hasn't managed a full season since 2019, all of his own doing. I wouldn't be surprised to see him injure himself (and others) if he gets a sniff of the front of the field.

[JL14]

At the end of 2023. So I assume Marquez won't be allowed to jump on the Ducati at the end of season testing, but only at pre season testing. Short time to get used to a new bike for him then.

[ARTGP]

Interesting. 

[Skelly1927]

At the end of 2023. So I assume Marquez won't be allowed to jump on the Ducati at the end of season testing, but only at pre season testing. Short time to get used to a new bike for him then.

I think Honda owe him a release to be able to test at end of season. 

[Iannone]

He’ll make a man out of Pecco, the way he did for Fabio. I’m excited for everyone’s level to come up and we’ll see some exciting racing. I expect him on the podium every race, only challenge will be not bringing his team with him. But with the superiority of the Ducati he should be just fine. 

[Calum]

It’s certainly a headline that makes non-followers of MotoGP take note!

Big news, if unexpected seeing it unravel a bit of late.

[ARTGP]

He’ll make a man out of Pecco, the way he did for Fabio. I’m excited for everyone’s level to come up and we’ll see some exciting racing. I expect him on the podium every race, only challenge will be not bringing his team with him. But with the superiority of the Ducati he should be just fine. 

 

Seems like a bittersweet day for MotoGP.  The recalcitrant Honda was the perfect foil for the ultra talented number 93. Will this move end up as the new era of "Marquez dominance is boring" ? 

 

Reminds me of when Ogier switched from the diabolical privateer fords to factory Toyota.  Dominant driver w/ dominant car is a recipe for predictability. 

Edited by ARTGP, 04 October 2023 - 15:26.

[RedRabbit]

It appears that Marquez wanted to take his technical team like Rossi did when he went to Yamaha. Ducati probably wisely declined as this could be a one-year gig before moving to another factory for 2024. So at least Honda have a year to replace them.

Why would Ducati even entertain that as an idea?

Rossi to Yamaha was entirely different, and so is Jeremy Burgess.

[DW46]

Consider my interest piqued.

[DS27]

The writing has been on the wall for some time, with his comments, though he has been very professional about it all.

 

Next year just got interesting. Lots of questions will be answered next year, mainly about the level of the other riders.

[Boxerevo]

I wish him good luck, a true monster.

[flatlandsman]

The Honda was not that bad until he injured himself, it became bad after then as HRC did an awful job of moving it forward without him.  And to be frank he was massively carrying a very average bike.

 

He will thrive on a Ducati, but he has also only ever ridden one type of bike in his top flight career and has got used to its foibles and great points, so it will take some time to learn.

 

And he will also not be a full factory rider so will NOT be able to control, development or push ideas, he will have to ride what he is given largely. Again a position he is not used to. 

[RacingFan10]

Good news, and necessary ones for him.

 

2024 will be a transition period with unofficial Ducati Gresini team, which by the way he will still be in contention for everything including the title.

 

Then 2025 there's talk about Gresini switch to KTM, to represent the brand MV Agusta.

 

Imagine marc winning a title with MV Agusta...

[messy]

Oh, and hope Gresini get new colors, without it meaning Marquez taking money/sponsorship from Honda. The grey/red leathers looks drab and awful.

Funny that out of all this very big news in this thread, this is the bit I take issue with - I love the grey-blue/red Gresini livery personally, it’s the nicest livery on the grid for me.

Anyway on Marquez, will make things very interesting next year.

[thegamer23]

Imagine the twist if he actually goes to KTM!

[Risil]

Interesting.

Very

[YamahaV10]

As of an hour ago, Gresini has tweeted nothing or released anything about this. Moto GP hasn't either. Just Autosport did.

 

He should go to Aprilia or KTM. Factory Ducati can just sabotage his reliability if he becomes a title threat

Edited by YamahaV10, 04 October 2023 - 22:01.

[Lennat]

Seems like a bittersweet day for MotoGP.  The recalcitrant Honda was the perfect foil for the ultra talented number 93. Will this move end up as the new era of "Marquez dominance is boring" ? 

 

Reminds me of when Ogier switched from the diabolical privateer fords to factory Toyota.  Dominant driver w/ dominant car is a recipe for predictability. 

 

Good point. It felt like people were sort of questioning Ogier's abiliy back then too and saying he was not as fast as Tanak, like he was past his prime, but once he got that Toyota.... Remember that Citroën stint in between though, which is probably more similar to the last few years at Honda for Marquez than what happened at Ford for Ogier, since he actually won two championships. 

 

I honestly think it is quite obvious a slightly older Marc with a not completely recovered arm will not be AS good as 2019 Marc, but having sad that 2019 Marc is the most dominant rider/driver I have ever seen. He truly redefined the term alien to me.

 

While referring to other motorsport greats, Hamilton hasn't won a single race in almost two years, basically the same as Marquez, and that is without any horrible injury or similar. He simply hasn't had a good car, but it is obvious he would win tons of races again wih the right car.

 

I would not be surprised if Marc absolutely dominated next year. Especially since there hasn't beeen a proper alien even amongst the Ducatis. Pecco has been the best one for sure, if we exclude Martin's recent form, but he hasn't looked like being from another planet, just a bit more consistently fast than the others, and nothing like Marc at Honda/Stoner at Ducati or similar.

Edited by Lennat, 05 October 2023 - 09:24.

[Reinmuster]

I cannot help to think how emotional are this compared to when Rossi announced his departure from Yamaha to Ducati? 

[Gravelngrass]

Great news! Now we need Fabio in a competitive bike to add to the probability of better racing, even in the age of aerodynamics and holeshots. Don’t really want to go back to MM domination but to see more fighting at the top. And if it turns out that he’s still above everyone, so be it; better than watching him end his career by falling, like Lorenzo. It’s at least something exciting to look forward to, until after the first race of 2024 at least…

[Rodaknee]

Glad to see Marquez leaving before that awful Honda sent him to hospital again.  He's not the first to leave Honda because of their obsession with power.

 

I imagine there are plenty of old Ducati MotoGP bikes around for Marc to ride and get used to the differences to the ill handling Honda.

[Disgrace]

As of an hour ago, Gresini has tweeted nothing or released anything about this. Moto GP hasn't either. Just Autosport did.

 

He should go to Aprilia or KTM. Factory Ducati can just sabotage his reliability if he becomes a title threat

 

That seems... paranoid? Gresini were free to pursue Marquez. This is not a Ducati initiative, but nor did they block it either. Ducati deserve credit for their operations. The fact that Gresini is even a viable option confirms it.

 

Marquez will get a title-winning bike with zero development obligations. Similiar to Bastianini last year, who despite claims to the contrary, was free to race the factory guys. He thrived at Gresini more than he has at the factory team.

 

No more Monday morning testing sessions comparing one dud chassis to another. Marquez has all but booked himself a near-vacation for next year.

[Primo]

Great news! Now we need Fabio in a competitive bike 

Somewhat strange that he seem to believe Yamaha can be competitive again. Or has he given up? I have heard nothing about him changing teams.

[Nova]

First words from Marc Marquez about the split.

 

https://www.crash.ne...-quitting-honda

 

What an outstanding professional, human being and athlete. Wish you well in the future, and would love to have you back in the Honda family if Honda can provide a competitive bike and the opportunity arise.

 

 

[JL14]

'Am I doing right or wrong' - Marquez's emotional exit message - The Race (the-race.com)

 

“I want to share with you this message that I sent to a team member:”

“I don't know where to start. I don't know if I'm doing right or wrong, I don't know what will happen in the future, I don't know if all this will turn out well, but what I do know is everything we have achieved together.

“It has been the most difficult decision of my life, guided by my head and courage, not by my heart. My heart will always be you, always, that you have supported me and will support me.“But I have one clear thing. I want to try to be the best rider in the world again and for that I need to enjoy it.

“I used a theory that the mountaineer said in the book you left me to read. If I can climb Everest in three days, why climb it in five? Logically, it is much more risky to try it in three days. You expose yourself much more and it may not be possible, but if I don't try, I won't do it.

“I will never know. You have always told me and I have applied it: follow your instinct, no one beats you with character and balls. Finally, it's time for the heart to speak and, as you well know, our relationship is very special, that's why I hope our paths cross again. Let's enjoy these six holidays that we have left this year.”

Edited by JL14, 05 October 2023 - 09:05.

[DW46]

Testament to his brilliance that he got his own thread here think I’ve only seen that once or twice for MGP.

[Astandahl]

[JHSingo]

 

Easy to say from behind the comfort of a keyboard when you're not riding a bike that has managed to injure just about every single rider that's sat on it in the last few years. In some cases, more than once...

[RacingFan10]

Yeah, Marc gave all the opportunities in the world for Honda to recover but Honda, as typical japanese, were stubborn in keeping their own methods, not accepting external help, nor any european top engineers to give them tips and tricks... so they may easily spend 5 or 6 years in a deep hole before starting to recover, if they do so.

Marc is 30 now, he can't wait 5 or 6 more years to win again, he was FORCED to leave.

 

Reminiscent of the McLaren Honda split.

Edited by RacingFan10, 05 October 2023 - 11:08.

[thegamer23]

Yeah, Marc gave all the opportunities in the world for Honda to recover but Honda, as typical japanese, were stubborn in keeping their own methods, not accepting external help, nor any european top engineers to give them tips and tricks... so they may easily spend 5 or 6 years in a deep hole before starting to recover, if they do so.

Marc is 30 now, he can't wait 5 or 6 more years to win again, he was FORCED to leave.

 

Reminiscent of the McLaren Honda split.

 

30 is not old at all tho in modern sports tho, the guy may still have 5-6 seasons of peak performance.

Another alien, Rossi, was 34 when he left Ducati to come back in Yamaha. 

 

Think Marquez could have respected the natural end of his Honda contract at the end of next season, while keep trying to bring back Honda at the top.

Than. he would have been free to go for a KTM factory ride, or Ducati or Aprilia.

Edited by thegamer23, 05 October 2023 - 11:20.

[RacingFan10]

30 is not old at all tho in modern sports tho, the guy may still have 5-6 seasons of peak performance.

Another alien, Rossi, was 34 when he left Ducati to come back in Yamaha. 

 

Think Marquez could have waited as well till the natural end of his Honda contract at the end of next season, while keep trying to bring back Honda at the top.

Than. he would have been free to go for a KTM factory ride, or Ducati or Aprilia.

 

Depends of the rider.

Rossi had a less agressive, less all or nothing approach, and more tactical.

Marquez should not have the same longevity as the italian had.

[dissident]

I would argue the Rossi example is actually supporting Marquez's move: after all, Rossi's last championship came when he was 30...