MotoGP Features

Marc Marquez might be leaving Assen with the runner-up trophy tucked under his arm, but it is very much mission accomplished by the reigning MotoGP world champion as he makes the 2019 crown look a definite fit.

When you’ve spent much of your life with the MotoGP paddock charging around the world from one race to the next, it can be difficult to realise the impact and the changes going on around you.

KTM’s Motorsport Director Pit Beirer has admitted the early season struggles of new signing Johann Zarco has come as a surprise, but has resolved to make a success of the move to prove the Frenchman was right to choose his team.

The early months of 2019 have not only been a time of adaption for the Moto2 class, but for Joan Olive, the new team manager of Marc VDS’ grand prix operation, as well.

Gilles Bigot has over 30-years of experience in the grand prix paddock, including as crew chief to Alex Criville during the Spaniard’s 1999 title-winning 500cc campaign with Repsol Honda.

“He beat one record that is the youngest pole man, so tomorrow I will try to stop him, so he doesn’t beat another record and be the youngest winner.” – Marc Marquez

Yamaha ‘didn’t feel strongly’ enough about Ducati’s swingarm device to join MotoGP’s four other factories in protesting the FIM’s decision to the Court of the Appeals, according to Managing Director Lin Jarvis.

"Unbelievable. It's never been better. I mean the talent of the riders, the equipment… MotoGP's obviously the best show in the world now." Those were the words of American legend Kenny Roberts, back in the MotoGP paddock during the recent Austin round at COTA.

Yamaha’s Lin Jarvis has explained the thinking behind the factory’s winter of reorganisation, stating a “reset” was necessary after the fallow years of 2017 and ‘18, with those effects already being felt two rounds into the season.

Earlier this week, the MotoGP Court of Appeal confirmed Andrea Dovizioso as winner of the season-opening Qatar Grand Prix by rejecting a protest made against Ducati's swingarm spoiler by Honda, Suzuki, Aprilia and KTM.

"It is a shame that to get this result we had to spend our time and money with lawyers and reveal to the competitors our understanding about tyre cooling."

A Repsol generated interview with MotoGP champion Marc Marquez's crew chief Santi Hernández. Hernandez worked as a suspension technician for 1999 500cc world champion Alex Criville and has been at Marquez's side since Moto2… Q:

As the wait continues for a verdict from the MotoGP Court of Appeal regarding Ducati's swingarm spoiler used in Qatar, Aprilia has further explained its opposition to the device.

Dorna recently confirmed that an agreement had been reached for both MotoGP and WorldSBK to race at a to-be-built street-style circuit in the Mandalika tourist region on the island of Lombok, near Bali, from 2021.

UPDATE 2: Furter footage clearly shows the rear suspension of the Ducati lower by around two inches when the switch is activated.

Team: Repsol Honda Team Riders: Marc Marquez, Jorge Lorenzo Test Rider: Stefan Bradl Bike: Honda RC213V Best placed rider, 2019: Marc Marquez, 1st Best result, 2018: 1st x10, Marc Marquez (9), Cal Crutchlow (1)

Team: Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Riders: Andrea Dovizioso, Danilo Petrucci Test Rider: Michele Pirro Bike: Ducati Desmosedici GP19 Best placed rider, 2019: Andrea Dovizioso, 2nd Best result, 2018: 1st x7, Andrea Dovizioso (4), Jorge Lorenzo (3)

If Cal Crutchlow could wave a magic wand and fix one thing on the 2019 Honda, there's little doubt about what it would be.

Team: Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Riders: Valentino Rossi, Maverick Viñales Test Rider: Jonas Folger Bike: Yamaha M1 Best placed rider, 2018: Valentino Rossi, 3rd Best result, 2018: 1st x1, Maverick Viñales

Team: Team Suzuki Ecstar Riders: Alex Rins, Joan Mir Test Rider: Sylvain Guintoli Bike: Suzuki GSX-RR Best placed rider, 2018: Alex Rins, 5th Best result, 2018: 2 nd , Alex Rins (3), Andrea Iannone (1)

Among those hoping that Jake Dixon can make a strong impression in Moto2 this season is former British Superbike rival Bradley Ray. Both riders won BSB races last season, Dixon finishing as main title rival for fellow Kawasaki rider Leon Haslam, with Ray sixth overall for Suzuki.

Team: Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Riders: Pol Espargaro, Johann Zarco Test Riders: Mika Kallio, Dani Pedrosa Bike: KTM RC16 Best placed rider, 2018: Pol Espargaro, 14 th Best result, 2018: 3 rd , Pol Espargaro

Team: Aprilia Racing Team Gresini Riders: Aleix Espargaro, Andrea Iannone Test Rider: Bradley Smith Bike: Aprilia RS-GP Best placed rider, 2018: Aleix Espargaro, 17 th Best result, 2018: 6 th , Aleix Espargaro

With MotoGP pre-season testing starting tomorrow, 2019 is gathering pace ahead of the new campaign.