Reigning double MotoGP world champion Pecco Bagnaia ended 2024 pre-season testing with a ferocious burst of pace in Qatar that makes him an instant strong favourite for the opening round there next month and the title itself. But while Bagnaia has the edge and bags of confidence right now, he's far from the only rider looking strong at the end of the winter, as Simon Patterson, Val Khorounzhiy and Matt Beer discuss on the Qatar test episode of The Race MotoGP Podcast. We look at the off-season transformation of Bagnaia's team-mate Enea Bastianini, the test form of last year's runner-up Jorge Martin and of course Ducati's superstar new signing Marc Marquez - who also answers a few of your questions in this episode. And we assess who has the best chance of barging into the potential Ducati 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 formation, and analyse whether Yamaha and Honda are actually making any progress yet. FEBRUARY IS FREE! Join The Race Members Club and have a free month on us! Click here to sign up Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Six-time MotoGP champion Marc Marquez joins The Race MotoGP Podcast for an exclusive interview less than three weeks before his competitive debut on the Ducati. In a candid chat with MotoGP writer Simon Patterson, Marquez discusses the short-term ambitions of his Gresini Ducati move and how everything about it is being influenced by his keen awareness of the inexorable march of time. He sets out his targets for 2024 and emphasises the impact of his injuries on the competitive picture, while also giving his assessment of Honda's MotoGP developments since their split. Finally, he gives his expectations for how the 2025 silly season will go for him. FEBRUARY IS FREE! Join The Race Members Club and have a free month on us! Click here to sign up Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With one MotoGP pre-season test down and one to go, several riders go into next week's final two days of running in Qatar with significant problems to solve. And those problems have implications beyond the season-opening Qatar Grand Prix and even the 2024 campaign too, given how wild this year's rider market is set to be. Simon Patterson, Valentin Khorounzhiy and Matt Beer look at who's under pressure and how that pressure is multiplied by the moves teams will already be making towards their 2025 line-ups in a year when only four of the 22 riders on the grid have a contract for next season sorted. Those 2025 prospects weigh on everything in MotoGP at the moment, with even Honda's launch of its strikingly Repsol-light new livery turning into chat about whether Marc Marquez will be back there as early as next year. Speaking of Marc Marquez... he will be our very, very special guest for an exclusive interview on the next episode of The Race MotoGP Podcast, and we'll put some of your questions to him. Send them to podcasts@the-race.com and we'll pick a selection of the best to fit into Simon's one-on-one with the seven-time MotoGP champion later this week. FEBRUARY IS FREE! Join The Race Members Club and have a free month on us! Click here to sign up Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Between Marc Marquez beginning life at Gresini Ducati properly, the massive changes many manufacturers were planning over the winter and the hints of something from Ducati that would change the aero game, the first 2024 pre-season MotoGP test was very eagerly awaited. Simon Patterson joins Valentin Khorounzhiy and Matt Beer on The Race MotoGP Podcast from Kuala Lumpur airport for an urgent dissection of everything we learned from three days of lap record smashing running at Sepang. Marquez's mood after a shaky first day, shifts in the Ducati power balance and some contrasting impressions of Yamaha and Honda's progress are among the many, many topics discussed. And when it comes to picking out a standout performer from the test, we get very excited about the 'next Marquez' - sole 2024 MotoGP rookie Pedro Acosta. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Click here to join The Race Members' Club Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marc Marquez's move from Honda to Gresini Ducati means a change of crew chief for the first time in his whole MotoGP career - and we've got his new crew chief Frankie Carchedi with us on The Race MotoGP Podcast for an exclusive chat. Carchedi talks Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy through his experience of working with Marquez so far and his feelings about being at the centre of the biggest MotoGP rider move in years. And he also offers plenty of unique insight into MotoGP crew chief life and methods. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Click here to join The Race Members' Club Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After making very rapid waves in NASCAR, Trackhouse Racing enters a very different world in 2024 as it joins the MotoGP grid as Aprilia's new satellite team. Trackhouse chief Justin Marks joined The Race MotoGP Podcast for an exclusive chat about the creation of his team's first motorcycle racing project ahead of its launch event in Los Angeles last Friday night, opening up about what drew him to MotoGP and what he expects his team to achieve in its earlier-than-planned debut season. And Marks gave our regular panel Simon Patterson, Valentin Khorounzhiy and Matt Beer plenty to talk about, from where Trackhouse fits into MotoGP's plan to get itself back on the USA's radar to whether the team's 2024 riders Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernandez are just going to be inherited stopgaps rather than parts of what's clearly a long-term project. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Click here to join The Race Members' Club Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As 2024 MotoGP launch season gets into full swing, The Race MotoGP Podcast joins Simon Patterson on his Italian road trip from Gresini to VR46 via a four-day Ducati extravaganza. He keeps Matt Beer and Valentin Khorounzhiy posted as he follows up attending Marc Marquez's debut in Ducati colours with a factory Ducati team launch where the main revelation was news of an aero change too significant to risk revealing before testing. We explain why Ducati - for all its domination - is potentially vulnerable around aero development, despite pioneering wings on MotoGP bikes in the 2010s. As for Valentino Rossi's new-liveried team, we ponder the early dynamic surrounding new signing Fabio Di Giannantonio and whether the 2023-spec Ducatis can really keep up with their factory-spec brethren. We also discuss the off-the-record element of major launch events and how useful they can be for relationships with riders, plus Ducati's attempt to transfer its MotoGP and World Superbike domination to motocross. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Click here to join The Race Members' Club Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The MotoGP world finally got to see Marc Marquez in something other than Repsol Honda colours and Marquez finally got to share his thoughts on riding a Ducati when his new team Gresini held its 2024 launch on Saturday night. Simon Patterson dived straight from the Italian disco venue to join Matt Beer and Valentin Khorounzhiy on The Race MotoGP Podcast so he could report back on the mood at an event unlike any other satellite team launch MotoGP has experienced before. They discuss Marquez's reports on the bike and his expectations, hear exclusively from his new crew chief Frankie Carchedi, and explain why Gresini's livery looks exactly like last year's even though you might've expected an influx of new sponsors to arrive with Marquez. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Click here to join The Race Members' Club Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MotoGP could finally shake off its Valentino Rossi hangover in 2024 as Marc Marquez's team switch creates huge sporting intrigue in a championship that's already just experienced its best title fight in years. But while interest in MotoGP is clearly rising right now, is it accessible enough to new fans and can it keep them hooked? Are its approaches to television and streaming right for this era? Is the fan experience at races good enough? The Race MotoGP Podcast put your questions on all of this to Dorna's chief commercial officer Dan Rossomondo, and we debate his answers and everything else off-track MotoGP with our regular panel Simon Patterson, Valentin Khorounzhiy and Matt Beer plus The Race Media's creative lead Oliver Card - a recent MotoGP convert of exactly the kind Dorna needs to entice and keep on board. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Click here to join The Race Members' Club Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode, host Toby Moody sits down for an in-depth chat with a MotoGP legend: Sito Pons. A familiar face in the MotoGP paddock for more than 40 years, the Spaniard has achieved nearly everything possible in Grand Prix racing, winning the 205cc world title twice, managing a race-winning premier class team, working with some of the best riders in the sport's recent history, guiding Pol Espargaro to the 2013 Moto2 championship, and much more. Listen in as he discusses his incredible career - and why he's now chosen to step back from running a team. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Click here to join The Race Members' Club Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Race MotoGP Podcast begins 2024 with some characteristically bold predictions for the MotoGP season ahead. Matt Beer tasks Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy with some big picture topics - such as who'll do significantly better or worse than in 2023, whether Ducati will be more or less dominant, who'll be first to commit to a 2025 team switch. And they don't waste any chances to disagree with each other or challenge the premise of the question as they make their cases for why 2024 will turn out in the ways they expect. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Click here to join The Race Members' Club Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 2023 MotoGP season had at least three realistic title contenders, 10 race winners if you count sprints too, eight polesitters (three of whom weren't even race winners), and 15 grand prix podium finishers. So picking and ranking the top 10 riders was not an easy task when Simon Patterson, Valentin Khorouzhiy, Matt Beer and guest pundit Glenn Freeman joined forces to do so on The Race MotoGP Podcast. Unsurprisingly there were some _very_ different positions suggested for many riders. Take a listen to the full debate in a bumper episode to round off our season. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Click here to join The Race Members' Club Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We had far more questions than we could hope to fit in a single episode of The Race MotoGP Podcast when we asked what you still wanted answered about the 2023 season or 2024 prospects. Simon Patterson, Valentin Khorounzhiy and Matt Beer tackle the first batch in the latest episode, and they're headlined by some Ducati rider line-up intrigue - particularly around Franco Morbidelli and Enea Bastianini. A conspiracy theory around 2024 newcomer Trackhouse, the mysteries of Maverick Vinales and a theory for how to stop rider injuries deciding title fights are among the many other topics that feature. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Click here to join The Race Members' Club Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A long chat with much-hyped MotoGP rookie Pedro Acosta headlines the first off-season episode of The Race MotoGP Podcast. Valentin Khorounzhiy is joined by Simon Patterson, who spoke to Acosta as well as MotoGP champion Pecco Bagnaia and Moto3 champion Jaume Masia during the FIM prize gala in Liverpool. In an extensive conversation, Acosta reflects on his first taste of KTM machinery in the premier class - which he is now very bullish about being a "nightmare" for its rivals in the not-too-distant future. The Moto2 champ also shares his infectious enthusiasm for MotoGP rivalries of old and gives his take on being talked about as 'the new Marc Marquez' in a paddock where "the guy who smiles at you isn't your friend sometimes". Meanwhile, Bagnaia looks back at the title decider he'd prevailed in - and sets the stage for 2024 after what he believes was a very encouraging post-season test. Finally, Masia talks about his swift-looking Moto2 adaptation and the erosion of the 'middle class' of riders in grand prix racing - while the podcast crew also discuss his much-debated Moto3 title triumph. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Just two days after the 2023 MotoGP season ended, the 2024 MotoGP season began with a hugely eagerly anticipated Valencia test headlined by Marc Marquez jumping on a Ducati for the first time. Simon Patterson, Valentin Khorounzhiy and Matt Beer have plenty to say about just _how_ quick he was, what it means for the 2024 title fight and the Ducati dynamic in The Race MotoGP Podcast. But, ironically, the team Marquez had just walked away from had a hugely encouraging day too. Has Honda come good just a little too late? We delve into that plus Yamaha's latest efforts to get back towards the front, the MotoGP debut of Pedro 'the next Marquez' Acosta and some very big news about a rules package designed to bring Ducati back into its rivals' range. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Simon Patterson joins Valentin Khorounzhiy to discuss the 2023 MotoGP season finale in Valencia, in which Pecco Bagnaia claimed his second successive championship crown as title rival Jorge Martin endured an incident-laden final Sunday of the year that ended in a collision with Marc Marquez. There's also news on the future of RNF Aprilia, whether Fabio Di Giannantonio will indeed be on the grid next year, and much more... Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Just when he seemed to have Pecco Bagnaia on the ropes once again following a hard-charging sprint win, Jorge Martin's terrible Sunday race leaves him back in title long-shot status with just the Valencia finale to go. Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy join Matt Beer to explain exactly what went wrong for the furious Martin on The Race MotoGP Podcast, and make their predictions for how this epic season will finally be resolved next weekend. Bagnaia's Qatar GP could've been even better had he not been defeated in the victory fight by Fabio di Giannantonio - a man who pretty much no one would've tipped for a MotoGP race win just a few months ago, and who doesn't even look like he'll have a place on the 2024 MotoGP grid. We delve into the various rider market machinations that mean that's the case and try to plot some alternative scenarios that would get all the worthy riders in the field. And there's also plenty of debate about Aleix Espargaro and Franco Morbidelli's actions on and off track after their practice spat that dramatically spilled over. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MotoGP championship rivals Pecco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin went wheel to wheel again in the Malaysian Grand Prix, while also dodging other Ducatis, but the big theme of their weekend was tyre pressures and the potential for penalties over them. Are we at a point when the tyre pressure monitoring is going to decide the world title outcome while wrecking all the racing up to then and beyond? That's the worst-case scenario Simon Patterson, Valentin Khorounzhiy and Matt Beer consider on The Race MotoGP Podcast, as well as what can be done about it. How the title fight stands now, the spectacular resurgence of Enea Bastianini, a gung-ho Alex Marquez cameo and a sad MotoGP return for World Superbike steamroller Alvaro Bautista are also delved into. And as Honda's quest to find a 2024 Marc Marquez replacement takes yet another twist, we debate whether Luca Marini and Repsol Honda are right for each other, and what it means for everyone else who's been swept into this particular rider market saga. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Vroom is the better way to buy and sell used cars, so head over to Vroom.com NOW Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With just three grands prix to go, only 13 points separate Pecco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin in a 2023 MotoGP world championship that just keeps delivering twists. Simon Patterson, Valentin Khorounzhiy and Matt Beer debate how the denouement might unfold in the latest episode of The Race MotoGP Podcast. Will Bagnaia and Martin keep it clean? Will it go down to the very last race? Can Ducati afford not to find a way to put Martin in its 2024 factory team line-up if he's world champion? Marc Marquez's prospects in his final races at Honda, the miserable but ultra-close Honda vs Yamaha fight to avoid being last in the manufacturers' championship, and the surprise new contender to fill Marquez's Honda seat in 2024 are also discussed - pretty vehemently in some cases. Follow The Race on Twitter to take part in The Race F1 Cup! Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 2023 MotoGP title fight got even more epic at the Thailand Grand Prix as Jorge Martin and Pecco Bagnaia (and interloper Brad Binder) produced the race of the season so far. Simon Patterson, Valentin Khorounzhiy and Matt Beer delve into how Martin emerged victorious, how Bagnaia limited the damage and the type of riders they are each evolving into as their championship battle progresses. How Binder nearly won on the bike that finished right at the back in all his stablemates' hands is also discussed, as is another weekend that showed both the best and worst of Marc Marquez. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MotoGP only managed one of its planned two races at the 2023 Australian Grand Prix, but the one that did happen was the best of the season so far. It was also a good candidate for being _the_ race where Jorge Martin blew his title bid. Was his choice of a soft tyre that collapsed on the final lap and dropped him from first to fifth arrogance, hubris or understandable? That's a key debate for Simon Patterson, Valentin Khorounzhiy and Matt Beer on The Race MotoGP Podcast. What happens next in the title fight now Pecco Bagnaia is 27 points clear is a hot topic too, and there's due appreciation for Johann Zarco on the weekend he finally gets a MotoGP race win - and finds out for sure that he's not going to get a factory Honda seat in 2024. The circumstances that led to the grand prix being moved to Saturday and the sprint not happening at all are of course analysed as well, along with some potential ideas for how that situation could be avoided in future seasons. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 2023 MotoGP world championship battle flipped yet again during the Indonesian Grand Prix weekend, as Jorge Martin crashed out of a commanding GP race lead the day after his sprint race win had moved him to the head of the championship standings for the first time. That allowed Pecco Bagnaia to take the race win and retake the points lead. But should he feel triumphant given he did that from 13th on the grid, or just relieved at getting a gift given how much of a mess his weekend had looked up to that point across his Q1 exit and lack of sprint progress? That's one of the many debates Simon Patterson, Valentin Khorounzhiy and Matt Beer have on the Mandalika episode of The Race MotoGP Podcast. The latest element of the Marc Marquez 2024 move fallout is also discussed in depth, and this time the focus is on the curveball Honda's thrown by pursuing a pair of current Aprilia riders just when it seemed its solution to filling its Marquez gap was already under its nose. There's not a lot of agreement among our panellists on the wisdom of what seems to be unfolding there. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We asked you what you wanted to know about Marc Marquez's Honda exit, Gresini Ducati move, wider MotoGP future and all the repercussions - and you had plenty of questions for us. So Simon Patterson, Valentin Khorounzhiy and Matt Beer attempt to answer them on The Race MotoGP Podcast. Was Alex Marquez's early move to the team his brother is now joining the start of a secret long-term plan? How will Gresini have to change to accomodate Marquez? Why does anyone actually want to go to Honda now? And is Marquez already committed to KTM for 2025 and is that bad news for Jack Miller? We tackle all that and more. And with the MotoGP 2023 news flow relentless at the moment, we also discuss KTM's decision to commit to Pedro Acosta and Augusto Fernandez as its 2024 Gas Gas line-up at the expense of Pol Espargaro. That's a saga it's fair to say our panel has not been impressed by. News of outside title contender Marco Bezzecchi's ill-timed injury also features. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's actually happening: Marc Marquez is leaving Honda and will soon be announced as a 2024 Gresini Ducati MotoGP rider. The greatest rider of his era, walking out of a legendary and once-dominant team mid-contract to join what is currently Ducati's lowest-priority team to ride a year-old bike. Simon Patterson, Valentin Khorounzhiy and Matt Beer debate everything that has happened to lead to this seismic moment on an extra episode of The Race MotoGP Podcast - and the seeds of it go back further than you might realise. As well as reliving all that's gone wrong at Honda, we also look forward to how Marquez's Ducati future might look. Is Cal Crutchlow right to predict immediate MotoGP domination? And how will Ducati's existing library of star riders handle Marquez arriving in their midst? We also make no secret of our excitement over what this move means for MotoGP's future, make some predictions for what Honda's future looks like (including a punt both for when Joan Mir might win a title for it and when Marquez might return!) and reveal the consequences of Honda's announcement for Simon's dog and Val's shopping. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Any lingering doubts about the 2023 MotoGP world championship fight were erased over an ultra-tense Japanese Grand Prix weekend that ended with Pecco Bagnaia's lead over Jorge Martin down to just three points. And this wasn't because of some calamity for Bagnaia, but a pair of straight-fight defeats in close competition across wildly varying weather conditions. So as Simon Patterson, Valentin Khorounzhiy and Matt Beer debate on The Race MotoGP Podcast, we really do have a proper head to head title fight coming up over the remaining six rounds. As well as how both protagonists rode at Motegi, our panel discuss whether it's really sustainable for Martin's team Pramac to keep this up given its satellite status and what Ducati might do with its 2024 rider line-up if Martin actually beats Bagnaia to the title. Speaking of 2024 Ducati riders, the latest developments and rumours over Marc Marquez's future get plenty of airtime. There's also analysis of what could've been a very significant weekend for KTM's prospect, while also producing yet more discord over it's five-into-four 2024 rider dilemma. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Just when it seemed he'd limited the championship damage caused by his terrifying Barcelona crash, defending champion Pecco Bagnaia threw the title race open again with a massive error in the inaugural Indian Grand Prix. Simon Patterson, Valentin Khorounzhiy and Matt Beer debate how costly that might be on The Race MotoGP Podcast. Might this be a mistake too far for Bagnaia, given Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin's growing form and confidence? There had been plenty of uncertainty about MotoGP's first visit to India all season, and Simon has a lot of tales to share about the fraught process of getting there and some of the quirks of the weekend (from striking marshals to monkeys in the pits) but is also convinced the Buddh race can actually become a MotoGP season highlight. We also discuss a surprise return to form for three past champions and the latest twists in the Marc Marquez 2024 ride saga as it goes into its potential crunch week. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our latest edition of 'Toby Talks To', host Toby Moody sits down for a chat with Carlos Checa, a rider who raced in 125s, 250s and 500s as the top class morphed into the category we know as MotoGP in 2002. The popular Spaniard opens up on the highs and lows of his career, including his two 500cc Grand Prix victories for Honda on home soil at Barcelona and Jarama, and the Superbike world title he claimed after moving on from MotoGP. He also discusses what it was like to be team mates with Valentino Rossi, and gives his opinion on countryman Marc Marquez's current plight with Honda - including his view on what he should do next... Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marc Marquez dominated yet another MotoGP weekend in off-track terms as he swept the paddock into a 'will he/won't he?'' frenzy at Misano with four days of speculation over whether he was about to break his factory Honda contract to join brother Alex on one of Gresini's year-old Ducatis for 2024. Then he tested Honda's 2024 bike on Monday and that prospect suddenly seemed a whole lot more realistic. Simon Patterson, Valentin Khorounzhiy and Matt Beer delve into all the drama Marquez created and assess the likelihood of the Gresini move actually happening in the Misano episode of The Race MotoGP Podcast. They explain why their levels of scepticism fluctuated through the weekend, and what the consequences might be for the rest of the Ducati line-up if Marquez made the leap. And our panel makes it pretty clear what outcome they all want to see from this storyline too. Another past champion at a struggling Japanese manufacturer team gets some attention too - Fabio Quartararo may not be leaving Yamaha before 2024, but is he going to spend 2024 trying to get out? The San Marino GP itself is also discussed - with some feisty debate over whether Jorge Martin's flawless domination was actually that impressive given how battered his main rivals were from the Catalan GP. Dani Pedrosa's amazing (but not amazing enough to satisfy one panellist) comeback and Takumi Takahashi's embarrassing one feature as well. And we also pay tribute to IRTA chief Mike Trimby after his sudden death in the middle of the race weekend, and explain just how huge his contribution to modern MotoGP was. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pecco Bagnaia's smooth progress towards another MotoGP world championship title was jeopardised in terrifying fashion when he was hit by Brad Binder's KTM after landing in the middle of the track following a first-lap high-side in the Catalan Grand Prix. Incredibly, it looks like Bagnaia escaped without any broken bones and may not even miss a race. The Race MotoGP Podcast panel Simon Patterson, Valentin Khorounzhiy and Matt Beer delve into exactly how the crash happened and the elements of fortune that meant the outcome wasn't much worse, as well as making their feelings on one aspect of the TV coverage of the aftermath very, very clear. Seconds before Bagnaia's crash unfolded. his team-mate Enea Bastianini triggered a pile-up of his own. Bastianini's riding, penalty, injury and what it means for his so far very tough time in the works Ducati team are discussed too. Away from all the Ducati drama, we also assess Aprilia's outstanding weekend, and where it goes from here. Does it have the riders to mount a title challenge? There's a bit of a difference of opinion over that... Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A few days on from a weekend in which he was the central figure in MotoGP's rider market for 2024, Johann Zarco speaks exclusively to The Race MotoGP Podcast about his decision to sign for LCR Honda. The 33-year-old Frenchman has elected to spurn a chance of continuing with MotoGP's most competitive bike in Ducati for a Honda 'project'. He explains why - and how the move came together - in a chat with podcast co-host Simon Patterson. Speaking at his home in France, Zarco also talks about how his failure at KTM impacted his thinking - and why he believes he will be more incorporated in the Honda RC213V's development than disillusioned predecessor Alex Rins was. He pontificates on having Marc Marquez as a Honda stablemate and candidly discusses the prospect of fighting for a factory Repsol Honda ride in the future. And he offers a detailed view of his mindset when it comes his pursuit of that ever-elusive first premier-class win. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Race MotoGP Podcast delves into the events of the series' 2023 Austrian Grand Prix weekend, in which the two actual races wound up relatively serene thanks to Pecco Bagnaia's dominance yet the rider market proved as lively as ever. Stand-in host Glenn Freeman is joined by Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy, both fresh off chasing the latest developments in the Red Bull Ring paddock - where Johann Zarco's defection from the Ducati camp to Honda has been confirmed. They try to make sense of Zarco's move and a related (and perhaps even more surprising) development regarding Marco Bezzecchi's 2024 plans, one which suggests one of the best seats on next year's grid is now suddenly open. Also discussed is KTM tying down Brad Binder to a contract extension - on a weekend where Binder again proved an indispensable asset, while confusion over other places in the KTM/Gas Gas line-up continued to gather in the background. Of course, championship leader Bagnaia gets his share of plaudits - and the crew also debate the factors that influenced the quality of the racing on the weekend, as well as the causes of the Saturday multi-bike crash that Jorge Martin was penalised for. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the latest of our 'Toby Talks To' interview episodes, host Toby Moody sits down for a chat with legendary Spanish journalist Manuel Pecino - a veteran of 30 years in the MotoGP paddock and a man with the inside line on everything that's going on. There's plenty of chat about the old days, of course, but also a uniquely Spanish viewpoint on the careers of several Iberian giants of the sport, including Dani Pedrosa, Jorge Lorenzo and Sete Gibernau. Pecino also shares his forthright views on Marc Marquez and Honda, discusses the joy that Valentino Rossi brought to his life, explains what he thinks MotoGP could learn from professional tennis, and regales Toby with plenty of behind the scenes paddock stories... Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aprilia looked superb in MotoGP's British Grand Prix at Silverstone, with Aleix Espargaro's last-lap pass on Pecco Bagnaia's Ducati to secure victory from 12th on the grid the icing on a cake that featured three bikes in the top five. So why have it and Espargaro been unable to do that all season? And is this the start of a trend or does it feel like a circumstantial anomaly. Simon Patterson, Valentin Khorounzhiy, special guest Dre Harrison and Matt Beer debate that in the Silverstone episode of The Race MotoGP Podcast. They also look at yet more wild developments in the rider market, including very revealing information from all parties in a potential Ducati reshuffle that features Johann Zarco potentially being edged aside despite doing nothing wrong right now. Championship leader Pecco Bagnaia gets his usual late-podcast mention for managing to shrug off wobbles without his points status looking in jeopardy, but the absolute state of Marc Marquez and Fabio Quartararo's weekends had fewer glass-half-full elements. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Right now, you can get $50 off your purchase of $500 or more with code THERACE at bluenile.com To get 15% off go to mudwtr.com/therace to support the show and use code THERACE for 15% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The prospect of an exodus from the Honda ranks is the hot topic as MotoGP resumes following its summer break with the British Grand Prix at Silverstone this weekend. With Alex Rins linked to Yamaha, Joan Mir linked to Gresini Ducati and the LCR team linked to KTM, plus the door already being potentially open to a Marc Marquez exit, it's hard to see who'll be left riding Hondas in MotoGP in 2024 right now. Simon Patterson, Valentin Khorounzhiy and Matt Beer make their predictions on that front, and look at the likelihood and potential wisdom of the mooted Rins, Mir and LCR moves too. They also look ahead to a big MotoGP rule change coming into effect at Silverstone, and ask whether Casey Stoner's recent huge criticisms of modern MotoGP were fair. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode we’re delighted to bring you another ‘Toby Talks To’ conversation, which this week sees host Toby Moody sit down for a lively chat with 1987 500cc world champion Wayne Gardner.  In typically forthright style, Wayne talks us through his remarkable career, including how he got his move to HRC, what it was like to ride bikes that would frequently high side, and how he won the world championship in 1987. He also talks about his great rivals of the time, the role he played in bringing Mick Doohan to Honda, and why he chose to bow out of Grand Prix racing after the 1992 season, with a subsequent move into car racing. There is also chat about Casey Stoner, how Gardner nurtured his son Remy’s fledgling career on bikes, and what he would change about modern MotoGP. And finally, Gardner shares his thoughts on the plight of his former team, Honda, giving his view on what needs to change to bring them back to the front.  Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Head over to vroom.com now to see what your current ride is worth and check out thousands of cars to find your next one! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode of The Race MotoGP podcast, Toby Moody speaks to Stuart Pringle, managing director of Silverstone circuit and the man responsible for running both the Formula 1 AND MotoGP British Grands Prix. During this Toby Talks To chat, Pringle gives his verdict on this year’s well-attended F1 Grand Prix at the track, before going on to explain how staging a MotoGP race differs from staging cars. He also talks about adapting the track for bike racing, dealing with Dorna and Liberty Media, the Circuit of Wales fiasco, and gives his view on why MotoGP shouldn’t be afraid to borrow from the F1 playbook. And finally, he responds to criticism from some fans about recent developments at Silverstone. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is the increasing likelihood of a Marc Marquez/Honda MotoGP split a sign that Honda didn't learn from the breakdown of its relationship with Valentino Rossi? That's just one of the many, many listener questions Simon Patterson, Valentin Khorounzhiy and Matt Beer tackle in the latest episode of The Race MotoGP Podcast. Whether Fabio Quartararo should share the blame for Yamaha getting lost, what Miguel Oliveira's season might look like without injuries, the 2024 Honda line-up and the options for improving the grand prix weekend schedule are also on their list. And one particular mysterious under performer who was once tipped for great things prompted a particularly large number of questions. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Right now, you can get $50 off your purchase of $500 or more with code THERACE at bluenile.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the latest edition of Toby Talks To, Toby Moody sits down for an in-depth chat with Simone Battistella, long-time rider manager to the likes of MotoGP legend Andrea Dovizioso and Superbike World Champion Alvaro Bautista. They discuss how Simone got into rider management before diving into some of the specifics of the job: How a contract is negotiated, how bonuses are structured, the setting up secret meetings, and even the influence of pushy parents.  They also talk about ‘get out clauses’ in contracts, particularly in relation to Marc Marquez’s situation at Honda, with Simone giving his opinion on what the Spaniard should do next.  There are also some great stories about managing ‘Dovi’, including ones about the clandestine meeting at the beginning of his MotoGP journey with Ducati, the inside story of their divorce, and the parties that followed significant moments in the Italian's career... Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Honda admitting it won't make Marc Marquez see out his 2024 contract if he wants to leave, The Race MotoGP Podcast delves into a weekend of rider market bombshells and looks at what might happen next. Marquez didn't even race (again) in the Dutch Grand Prix, yet his weekend of clumsy crashes, forlorn midfield performance and seismic media sessions is top of Simon Patterson, Valentin Khorounzhiy and Matt Beer's agenda in our post-race episode. The possibility of Alex Rins or Joan Mir also exiting Honda and whether Assen Moto2 race winner Jake Dixon could step straight into a 2024 factory MotoGP seat is discussed too. Eventually we also make it onto talking about the racing itself, and the very comfortable position Pecco Bagnaia has going into the summer break (despite Marco Bezzecchi's best efforts), plus Brad Binder's astounding deja vu podium loss. Later in the summer break we'll be answering listeners' questions on all things MotoGP 2023, but particularly any topics or riders you feel we haven't talked about enough so far this year. Send your questions by email or voice note to podcasts@the-race.com Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before last weekend, Marc Marquez had never lost a MotoGP race he'd started at the Sachsenring. What a contrast the 2023 German Grand Prix was: five crashes (three of them within 20 minutes in a single qualifying session), a trundle backwards to a finish outside the points in the sprint and then a non-start in the GP after a final crash in the warm-up. So is it game over for the Marquez/Honda relationship? That's certainly what The Race MotoGP podcast panel Simon Patterson, Valentin Khorounzhiy and Matt Beer reckon. Marquez's astonishing(ly bad) weekend is the biggest topic of conversation in our Sachsenring episode, from his actions after the dramatic practice crash with Johann Zarco through to his subdued exit from the weekend just before the main race was due to start. But those who actually contested the grand prix do get a look-in too, as we celebrate an amazing battle between Jorge Martin and Pecco Bagnaia for victory, assess what might happen next in the title fight they're now in, and consider the chance of Martin edging out Enea Bastianini for a shock move to the works Ducati fold alongside Bagnaia in 2024. That great race followed criticism from some riders on Saturday of how "boring" MotoGP has become. Do they still have a point? And is the level of domination Ducati's now achieving - as it took eight of the top nine places in the German GP - as problematic as it might seem? We debate all that too. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Go to Indochino.com and use code RACE to get 10% off any purchase of $399 or more Sign up for a Chime Checking Account today to link your paycheck. It only takes two minutes and doesn’t affect your credit score. Get started at chime.com/therace To get 15% off go to mudwtr.com/therace to support the show and use code THERACE for 15% off Stay cool and dry all summer with Birddogs and get a FREE Yeti-style tumbler at birddogs.com/athletic use promo code ATHLETIC at checkout Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pecco Bagnaia dominated on the track during MotoGP's Italian Grand Prix at Mugello, but Marc Marquez generated most of the headlines off it. From getting under Bagnaia's skin with his qualifying antics to raising the biggest questions yet over his Honda future with the remarks he made when questioned about the spate of crashes and injuries for its riders, Marquez gave Simon Patterson, Valentin Khorounzhiy and Matt Beer plenty to debate on The Race MotoGP Podcast. Bagnaia's controlled wins at the head of Ducati-dominated results are analysed too, as well as the intriguing battle developing in his immediate wake. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Head to factormeals.com/therace50 and use code THERACE50 to get 50% off your first box! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s podcast, Toby Moody returns for an extended chat with Chaz Davies, World Supersport champion, a race winner 32 times in World Superbikes, and a regular for many years in Grand Prix racing.  The popular Welsh rider discusses why he was always likely to get into motorcycle racing, cutting his teeth alongside the likes of Casey Stoner and Cal Crutchlow as a teenager, racing under Alberto Puig, and getting onto the Grand Prix grid at just 15 years of age. Along the way he recounts his unforgettable debut in Suzuka, why he only spent a year racing 125s, the amazing story of how he had to sit his school exams above a pit box at Mugello, and his eventual move to racing in America - a move he believes was the making of him. He also reminisces about his incredibly daunting short-notice MotoGP debut at Laguna Seca in 2007, the crowning glory of becoming Supersport world champion in 2011, and his spectacular World Superbike career.  Plus, there’s chat about his retirement from racing, his current life as a rider coach, and what’s in his personal bike collection… Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pecco Bagnaia is leading the MotoGP world championship. Apart from that, very little has gone as predicted in the 2023 season so far - including the fact that Bagnaia's lead is just one point. While MotoGP takes its spring break, The Race MotoGP Podcast picks the biggest shocks of what we've seen so far in this fraught season. The abysmal form of two marques (and some riders) who really should be doing much better, the surprise packages emerging as Bagnaia's title threats and the worryingly high injury tally are among the topics debated by Simon Patterson, Valentin Khorounzhiy and Matt Beer. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our brand-new app on iOS or Android Email the show via podcasts@the-race.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The latest episode in our 'Toby talks' interview series sees Toby Moody sit down for a chat with old friend Sylvain Guintoli, a world champion in two different categories (World Superbike and Endurance World Championship) and a man who has raced and tested MotoGP bikes extensively. In typical jovial style, the Frenchman discusses the highs and lows of his career; his start in 250s, his move into MotoGP, his short spell in British Superbikes, his championship-winning campaign in World Superbikes, and his latter day move into MotoGP punditry. Along the way there are amusing stories behind the various deals he’s signed over the years, anecdotes about overtaking Valentino Rossi on home soil, and a vivid description of what it takes to get a MotoGP bike off the line quickly. Amongst other things, there's also discussion about his crucial role developing Suzuki's 2020 title-winning MotoGP bike, whether countryman Johan Zarco will ever win a MotoGP race, and what makes Marc Marquez so special. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our brand-new app on iOS or Android Email the show via podcasts@the-race.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MotoGP 2023 continued to be a story of collisions, penalties and stewarding controversies - but also epic racing and title battle twists - at the French Grand Prix. Simon Patterson, Valentin Khorounzhiy and Matt Beer dive into the incidents in The Race MotoGP Podcast, from championship leader Pecco Bagnaia's clash with Maverick Vinales to the not-actually-a-collision that's earned Alex Marquez a grid drop, plus some incredible paddock debate between the racers and the officials. They also tackle the renewed title battle and Le Mans winner Marco Bezzecchi's potential role in it, what Marc Marquez's fast but eventful return means for Honda, and an absolutely abject weekend for Yamaha and home hero Fabio Quartararo. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our brand-new app on iOS or Android Get 15% off go to mudwtr.com/therace to support the show and use code THERACE for 15% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the latest episode of our series of in-depth conversations with paddock people, host Toby Moody sits down for a wide-ranging chat with former Suzuki MotoGP team principal (and current team principal of the Yamaha factory World Superbike squad) Paul Denning.  They discuss the differences between managing teams in MotoGP and World Superbikes, as well as the subtle cultural differences between the different Japanese marques Denning has worked for.  Denning also goes in to depth on securing the iconic Rizla sponsorship, the merits of Kenny Roberts Jr and John Hopkins as riders, and why things didn’t work out for Ben Spies at Suzuki.  He also talks at length about his star rider in WSB, Toprak Razgatlioglu, explaining what makes him so special before answering the question every fan wants to know about if and when he’ll make the switch to MotoGP. Denning also explains what it was like to go from watching riders like Loris Capirossi on TV to becoming his boss, reveals which riders he came very close to signing to Suzuki, and reminisces on his standout moments in MotoGP, including Chris Vermeulen’s victory at Le Mans in 2007.  Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With red flags for scary pile-ups in both races, another rider injured and others lucky not to be, the MotoGP field had another bruising weekend at Jerez. Simon Patterson, Valentin Khorounzhiy and Matt Beer try to untangle why the 2023 season's injury list is so high and what's leading to this spate of crashes in The Race MotoGP Podcast. They also debate race direction's responses to it, after a weekend when the officials weren't shy about issuing penalties. As Pecco Bagnaia got his championship defence back on course with a clinical performance, they look at whether KTM might now be the only rival bike Ducati should actually fear, and delve into the growing list of teams and riders whose 2023 is turning out far, far worse than they had expected - headlined by Fabio Quartararo and Yamaha. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Go to grammarly.com/GO to download and learn more about GrammarlyGO! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the second episode of our series of in-depth conversations with paddock people, renowned MotoGP engineer Tom Jojic returns to the podcast for a wide-ranging discussion with host Toby Moody on a variety of topics affecting the grid in 2023.  Toby and Tom discuss the latest aero trends in MotoGP and what 2023's race weekend format changes mean for engineers, before diving into how both have potentially contributed to Pecco Bagnaia’s recent habit of falling off his bike.  They also discuss MotoGP’s ‘electronic war’ and whether this is contributing to riders, like Bagnaia, struggling to ‘feel’ their bikes. There’s also chat about whether it’s time for Yamaha to ditch their inline-four engine for a V4 and how the Mooney VR46 team can keep their great start to the season going. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Start making your financial dreams a reality with Chime. Get started at chime.com/therace Right now, get up to 50% off that Mother’s Day gift she will love at bluenile.com To get 15% off MUD/WTR go to mudwtr.com/therace to support the show and use code THERACE for 15% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is MotoGP world champion Pecco Bagnaia crashing out of grands prix because the 2023 Ducati is just too stable? That's Bagnaia's own self-confessed "crazy" theory for the errors that are already the only thing standing between him and a huge championship lead. Simon Patterson, Valentin Khorounzhiy and Matt Beer give their takes on it - and the implications of Bagnaia's errors for the 2023 season - in the Americas Grand Prix edition of The Race MotoGP Podcast. They also assess Honda's shock return to the top step of the podium with Alex Rins and LCR (and what Marc Marquez might feel about it), the latest twists in Yamaha's hunt for both competitive form and a 2024 rider line-up, and the reasons for so many riders crashing at Austin. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week's podcast sees Toby Moody return for the first in a special series of extended interviews with legendary characters from Grand Prix racing, and who better to start with than Jeremy McWilliams? The Belfast-born rider developed a reputation as a fierce competitor in 250s, 500s and MotoGP, and still has an enormous appetite for racing today - as evidenced by the fact he's still competing aged 59! On this show he talks about breaking into Grand Prix racing in 1993, why he moved back and forth between 250s and 500s over the course of his career, his memorable win at Assen in 2001, the famous pole he scored for Team Roberts at Phillip Island in 2002, and what he learned racing against Valentino Rossi. He also discusses his late career move into road racing, shares his thoughts on the introduction of sprint races, and explains why he's not against the proliferation of wings and other aero devices in modern MotoGP. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our brand-new app on iOS or Android Email your questions or comments to podcasts@the-race.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Valentino Rossi is a MotoGP race-winner again - but this time as a team boss. After Marco Bezzecchi's dominant victory for VR46 in the Argentine Grand Prix - which put him into the championship lead - The Race MotoGP Podcast looks at what the first Rossi protege to win in MotoGP for The Doctor's own team might be capable of over the rest of 2023, and beyond. And Simon Patterson, Valentin Khorounzhiy and Matt Beer also explain just how 'Rossi' the VR46 team is - given the legendary rider's relatively low profile since stepping away from the grid. Bezzecchi's breakthrough win came on a bad day for the first Rossi protege to win a MotoGP title: Pecco Bagnaia. We delve into why the reigning champion was so unnerved by his crash from second place in the wet Sunday race. The second weekend of the new sprint format produced an epic victory from 15th on the grid on Saturday. How did Brad Binder make that happen, and how good is he really? We consider that as well as what went wrong for Fabio Quartararo and practice pacesetter Aprilia, and what went right for the usually-struggling Franco Morbidelli. MotoGP stewarding consistency might get a mention too. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our brand-new app on iOS or Android Go to indochino.com and use code RACE to get 10% off any purchase of $399 or more Go to grammarly.com/tone to download and learn more about Grammarly Premium’s advanced tone suggestions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The MotoGP drama hasn't stopped in the days since the bruising Portuguese Grand Prix season-opener, so we've reconvened The Race MotoGP Podcast panel for a special extra episode. Simon Patterson, Valentin Khorounzhiy and Matt Beer give their take on the bizarre controversies that have erupted over Marc Marquez's penalty for crashing into Jorge Martin and Miguel Oliveira at Portimao. That penalty initially looked like it might never be served at all given the specific wording of the penalty notice and Marquez missing this weekend's race in Argentina - but then the situation changed, prompting fury and an appeal from Honda. We debate all the implications, from what it means for the always contentious topic of MotoGP stewarding and the potential for discord between Dorna and the FIM.  Send us a question to podcasts@the-race.com Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 2023 MotoGP season got off to a fraught start as the sprint race format made its debut at the Portuguese Grand Prix. Though the racing in the sprint was superb, The Race MotoGP Podcast panel Simon Patterson, Valentin Khorounzhiy and Matt Beer also found it pretty unnerving. Across the weekend five MotoGP riders needed medical attention and three may now miss races as a result of Portimao injuries. One of them could be Marc Marquez, who's picked up not only a hand injury but also a penalty and plenty of paddock - and podcast - condemnation after ploughing into Miguel Oliveira and Jorge Martin. Before doing that, Marquez was one of the stars of the weekend as he surpassed all expectations with pole and a sprint podium on a Honda no one could get near the front. Ahead of it all, Ducati's Pecco Bagnaia made a serene start to his title defence with a maximum score that already leaves him looking even tougher to beat - though our panel isn't declaring the championship fight over just yet. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android For MotoGP news, analysis and must-read features visit the-race.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A revolutionary MotoGP season - and its longest-ever - begins this weekend, with the Portuguese Grand Prix not only beginning the 2023 world championship but also launching the new sprint race format. MotoGP broadcaster Amy Reynolds makes a special guest appearance on The Race MotoGP Podcast alongside regulars Simon Patterson, Valentin Khorounzhiy and Matt Beer as we preview the 2023 season and make a few bold predictions. Predicting the champion might be quite straightforward this time, but we also take a punt at picking their title rivals and the other potential race-winners - or maybe that should be picking the tiny number of riders who _don't_ have a shot at a race victory this season (spoiler alert: we come up with 19.5 candidates to win). The riders and teams most likely to struggle, and the potential flashpoint and controversies are discussed too. And there's also a (re)appearance from a familiar voice to podcast listeners, with news of something very special we've got planned for the rest of the season. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android For MotoGP news, analysis and must-read features visit the-race.com Start making your financial dreams a reality with Chime. Get started at chime.com/therace Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MotoGP pre-season testing ended with Ducati looking dominant, Aprilia looking strong and Yamaha having rescued its winter at the last moment. But the biggest talking point from Portimao concerned some parts that might not even appear in the grands prix for a while. Aprilia and Yamaha took MotoGP's aero development war up a notch with the latest wings they added to their bikes at the weekend, showing how ineffective the rulemakers' attempts to limit aero have been so far. Simon Patterson, Valentin Khorounzhiy and Matt Beer debate all the implications of the MotoGP wing explosion, as the thrill of a period of great innovation clashes with fears over costs and the quality of racing, not to mention the aesthetic drawbacks. Wings aside, there was plenty to delve into from the final two days of testing, with both Yamaha and Honda ditching much of what they'd been working on and finding themselves in better shape as a result - though for Honda that was still not a great situation. Epic pace and confidence from defending champion Pecco Bagnaia, arm trouble for Aleix Espargaro and how bad things look for the small number of struggling riders (and maybe one manufacturer too) are among the other topics analysed. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android For MotoGP news, analysis and must-read features visit the-race.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ahead of the final winter test this weekend, The Race MotoGP Podcast answers listeners' questions about the 2023 season's prospects - and much more. Yamaha's potential this year and beyond, and whether it risks a downward spiral with dire consequences, a particular Ducati satellite rider who might be of interest to other teams (and no, it's not Jorge Martin) and MotoGP's approach to TV deals and its own streaming package are among the topics you raised for Simon Patterson, Valentin Khorounzhiy and Matt Beer to tackle. Inevitably we (and you) stray a little beyond 2023 topics too: Brno's fate and how Valentino Rossi would've fared at Ducati had he gone there when Jorge Lorenzo did are discussed, and Sepang 2015 crops up again too. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android For MotoGP news, analysis and must-read features visit the-race.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's just one rookie on the 2023 MotoGP grid - Augusto Fernandez. But the number of spectacular talents in the ladder system bodes well for the years ahead. Which of those rising stars will make the cut, though? The Race MotoGP Podcast asked listeners for their predictions of the newcomers who'll make it onto the grid before 2030 - and Simon Patterson, Valentin Khorounzhiy and Matt Beer give their verdicts on your suggestions as well as making a few of their own. We also asked for nominations for the riders who deserved a MotoGP chance in the last 10 years but never got one - and have plenty of those to debate as well. Did your favourite make the list? Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android For MotoGP news, analysis and must-read features visit the-race.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Amazon Prime releases its new Marc Marquez documentary series, The Race MotoGP Podcast looks at what it reveals about the six-time champion and what Marquez's future might hold. Simon Patterson, Valentin Khorounzhiy and Matt Beer assess whether Marc Marquez: All In can make up for the damage done by the botched release of MotoGP Unlimited - which should've been the series' equivalent of Formula 1's Drive to Survive last year - and whether it paints a fully accurate picture, given the Marquez brothers are the producers. The series contains what might be Marquez's first attempt to regain control of the narrative around his feud with Valentino Rossi - so we boldly venture into those murky waters again too. Marquez's incredible MotoGP debut season a decade ago and the prospect of him leaving Honda (and we place our bets on where he might go) are discussed in depth as well. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android For MotoGP news, analysis and must-read features visit the-race.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From a major breakthough followed by a worrying surprise for Yamaha to bizarre wing-less experiments at Honda, the first test of MotoGP's compacted 2023 pre-season offered plenty of talking points. Simon Patterson, Valentin Khorounzhiy and Matt Beer tackle all of them in The Race MotoGP Podcast. Yamaha began the Sepang event looking like it had finally tackled its long-running big weakness, yet ended it miles off the pace in qualifying simulations - just as Ducati's beaming world champion Pecco Bagnaia declared his team had found even more straightline speed. As for Honda, the sight of its bikes running without any wings at all showed how desperate its search for answers is getting. We also look at who's best-placed to spring an underdog upset among the very competitive horde of satellite Ducatis, Aprilia's very strong start to running a four-bike line-up and the new Gas Gas era at KTM's satellite team. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android For MotoGP news, analysis and must-read features visit the-race.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MotoGP 2023 pre-season testing is underway - with the secretive shakedown test now completed and the main action with the race riders commencing at Sepang on Friday. Ahead of that, Simon Patterson, Valentin Khorounzhiy and Matt Beer assess what each manufacturer needs to achieve from this week's running in Malaysia. Reigning champion Ducati actually needs to keep its jobs list short, having overcomplicated its 2022 pre-season. At the other end of the scale, there is a LOT for Honda to try to achieve this week. We explain all that and all the burning pre-season questions the Sepang test is going to answer. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android For MotoGP news, analysis and must-read features visit the-race.com Go to grammarly.com/tone to download and learn more about Grammarly Premium’s advanced tone suggestions Go to Indochino.com and use code RACE to get 10% off any purchase of $399 or more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MotoGP's 2023 season has begun, with three of the five factory teams plus two satellite having held their launch events and testing now just a week away. Though team launches rarely live up to their own hype, there's been a lot to glean from the events Yamaha, Ducati and KTM have held so far - as Simon Patterson, Valentin Khorounzhiy and Matt Beer discuss on The Race MotoGP Podcast. Ducati ultimately won last year's title, but it made harder work of doing it than was really necessary. Has it definitely learned from that? And after the exit of compliant support act Jack Miller, can the works team's new pairing of reigning champion Pecco Bagnaia and ambitious former underdog star Enea Bastianini stay on good terms when it really counts? The narrow margin of Yamaha's 2022 defeat disguised some of the problems it faces - we delve into what's really going on with its desperately-awaited new engine and Franco Morbidelli's painful form. And KTM offered plenty for our panel to consider too, from the rise of Brad Binder to the impact of aerodynamic help from the Red Bull Formula 1 team and a significant - if "forced" - line-up rejig. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android For MotoGP news, analysis and must-read features visit the-race.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the final episode of our off-season podcasts with renowned MotoGP engineer Tom Jojic, we turn the floor over to you, as Tom and host Toby Moody take on the burning technical questions you want answering. Included in the selection are questions about how fans can identify and appreciate different riding styles, whether thumb throttles might become a reality, and whether Aprillia might struggle in 2023 because of a loss of concessions. Tom also opines on the future of inline-four engines in the sport, goes deep on the subject of frame flex, and discusses Yamaha's lack of satellite teams and how that impacts their development. Got a question for the show? Send a voicenote to podcasts@the-race.com Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android For MotoGP news, analysis and must-read features visit the-race.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The fourth episode in our special in-depth series takes us back in time to Grand Prix motorcycle racing’s much-loved 500cc era. Host Toby Moody and renowned MotoGP engineer Tom Jojic are in nostalgia heaven as they reminisce about the brutal elegance of the bikes and the bravery and skills of the riders. There’s terrific technical insight from Tom on what made the bikes of the era so great, including a detailed explanation of the differences between big bang bikes and screamers. They also discuss how different the bikes were compared to the prototypes used today - and why they could so easily spit a rider off at a moment's notice. There are also some great anecdotes from Tom about his experiences at Team Roberts in the late 90s, including what it was like trying to keep up with the big manufacturers and how the paddock camaraderie differed to today. Got a question for the show? Send a voicenote to podcasts@the-race.com Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android For MotoGP news, analysis and must-read features visit the-race.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The third instalment of our special in-depth series is devoted to one of the most talented riders ever to grace the MotoGP grid: Casey Stoner.  Host Toby Moody is joined by renowned MotoGP engineer Tom Jojic and The Race’s MotoGP correspondent Simon Patterson to discuss Stoner’s incredible impact in MotoGP, from his quick but erratic debut season in the top class in 2006 with Honda, to his phenomenal championship run with Ducati in 2007, and beyond. Along the way, Toby and Tom provide stories and insights from their days rubbing shoulders with Stoner in the paddock, including recollections of watching his astonishing speed trackside, and what it was like when he announced his shock retirement. Amongst the myriad stories and excellent anecdotes, Simon also explains the role Stoner played in Pecco Bagnaia’s 2022 title success with Ducati. Plus there’s a special drop-in chat with Livio Suppo, the man who signed Stoner to Ducati and then worked with him again at Honda, where the Australian secured a second world championship crown in 2011. Got a question for the show? Send a voicenote to podcasts@the-race.com Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android For MotoGP news, analysis and must-read features visit the-race.com Get confident in your writing skills! Go to grammarly.com/tone to download and learn more about Grammarly Premium’s advanced tone suggestions. Get 22 FREE HelloFresh meals plus FREE shipping by using code THERACE22 at HelloFresh.com/THERACE22 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, in the second episode of a special five-part series, host Toby Moody is joined once again by renowned MotoGP engineer Tom Jojic for a deep dive into MotoGP’s popular 990 era. Grand Prix racing’s premier class officially became known as MotoGP in 2002, as sweeping new rules and regulations were introduced that brought 990cc four-stroke bikes onto the grid. The era would run until the end of 2006, during which time we were treated to some incredible bikes, the introduction of amazing new technology, classic rivalries, a tyre war, new races in new locations, and the unstoppable rise of Valentino Rossi.  Our hosting duo dive into all of the above, plus discuss the origins of the 990 formula, look at the key technical differences between the leading manufacturers throughout the era, and weigh in on other key changes, like the introduction of flag-to-flag wet races.  And as if that wasn’t enough, Tom takes listeners inside the world of Team Roberts - the team he was working for at the time - as they joined forces with the likes of KTM and (thrillingly for Tom) Honda.  Got a question for the show? Send a voicenote to podcasts@the-race.com Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our brand-new app on iOS or Android For MotoGP news, analysis and must-read features visit the-race.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Toby Moody presents the first episode of a special five-part series with renowned MotoGP engineer Tom Jojic. This week, the focus is on Ducati’s domination of the 2022 season and how big an influence their mastery of aerodynamics played in their success. As we go in-depth, we’ll be talking downforce vs drag, the relationship between horsepower and aero on top speed, drive grip, torque control, anti-wheelie and much more. Plus, Tom explains why the radical lean angles attained in MotoGP make aerodynamic development so tricky and gives his own fascinating take into Ducati’s key performance differentiator.  Got a question for the show? Send a voicenote to podcasts@the-race.com Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our brand-new app on iOS or Android For MotoGP news, analysis and must-read features visit the-race.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is MotoGP too reliant on Valentino Rossi's legacy for its current-day promotion? That is the topic of discussion in the latest edition of The Race MotoGP Podcast, with host Toby Moody joined by the usual cast of Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy. Was series promoter Dorna too keen on accentuating Rossi's presence in the Valencia season finale - where protege Pecco Bagnaia took the title - and just how much is Rossi's absence hurting the championship? And is there anybody already on the grid who can pick up the mantle as the series' transcendent star? The crew discuss all those questions, and also pitch a potential rivalry that could emulate Rossi's famous feuds and boost MotoGP's fortunes. Got a question for the show? Send a voicenote to podcasts@the-race.com Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our brand-new app on iOS or Android For MotoGP news, analysis and must-read features visit the-race.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode of The Race MotoGP Podcast we have a feature-length interview with rider-turned-team manager Johan Stigefelt. Speaking from his home in Sweden to hosts Toby Moody and Simon Patterson, ‘Stiggy’ - as he is popularly known in the paddock - opens up on a range of topics, including the transition from once racing against Valentino Rossi to being his team boss at Petronas Yamaha, to now being involved in running the VR46 outfit. Stigefelt also discusses running teams at almost every level of racing, from World Supersport to MotoGP, and opens up about what it was like to work with Fabio Quartararo and why he feels Frankie Morbidelli deserved the world title he was denied in 2020. And finally, the Swede gives a forthright assessment of his ‘messy’ split with former Petronas Yamaha partner Razlan Razali, explaining why it almost caused him to lose his passion for the sport and walk away from MotoGP for good. Got a question for the show? Send a voicenote to podcasts@the-race.com Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our brand-new app on iOS or Android For MotoGP news, analysis and must-read features visit the-race.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The latest off-season episode of The Race MotoGP Podcast tackles a new batch of listener questions. Host Toby Moody is joined by Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy to discuss an alternative sprint format pitch, Alex Rins's decision to join LCR Honda and Franco Morbidelli's strife. They also answer questions about the post-2022 fate of Suzuki staffers; the Tech3 KTM rookie duo's disappointing season; the pros and cons of being part of the VR46 family; the procedure for an 'automatic' rookie of the year title; and whether Aleix Espargaro and Aprilia should've got more from the season. Additionally, they tackle a new MotoGP viewer's question about the series continuing to use grid girls.  Got a question for the show? Send a voicenote to podcasts@the-race.com Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our brand-new app on iOS or Android For MotoGP news, analysis and must-read features visit the-race.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 2022 MotoGP season featured the biggest swing in championship battle fortunes in series history and a host of underdog contenders mounting surprise challenges. So ranking the top 10 riders of the year is a tough ask - one that Toby Moody, Simon Patterson, Valentin Khorounzhiy and Matt Beer attempt in the latest episode of The Race MotoGP Podcast. And what they come up with is VERY different to the championship positions. Listen to the debate in full, including plenty of forthright arguments over riders that didn't even make the top 10 cut... Got a question for the show? Send a voicenote to podcasts@the-race.com Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our brand-new app on iOS or Android For MotoGP news, analysis and must-read features visit the-race.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

VR46 Ducati MotoGP rider Luca Marini joins The Race MotoGP Podcast for this week's very special interview episode. The 25-year-old Italian, brother of MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi, ended his second season in the premier class in 12th place and will remain with the Rossi-owned VR46 outfit next year. Marini chats to Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy about his MotoGP methods and the balancing act between camaraderie and high-stakes competition within Rossi's increasingly-successful VR46 Academy talent programme. As the tallest rider in MotoGP, at 1m84cm according to the series, he also outlines his position on a combined rider/bike minimum weight and why he feels the series should act in this regard. Finally, Marini - increasingly regarded by a few as one of the grid's most eloquent and thoughtful figures - explains his attitude towards the media and opens up on whether he's uncomfortable facing questions about his legend brother. Got a question for the show? Send a voicenote to podcasts@the-race.com Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our brand-new app on iOS or Android For MotoGP news, analysis and must-read features visit the-race.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Official MotoGP track action signed off for 2022 with a single post-season test day in Valencia, with Japanese giants Honda and Yamaha both failing to impress. Honda's lead rider Marc Marquez saw insufficient progress from his RC213V bike, while Yamaha's hoped-for and expected engine gains were suddenly nowhere to be seen. Toby Moody is joined by Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy to discuss the feedback from the test along with how riders getting their first taste of new machinery fared. They find themselves particularly impressed with Miguel Oliveira's Aprilia debut and discuss what looked like a pair of low-key Honda baptisms for Joan Mir and Alex Rins. Finally, they tackle the question of whether or not champion Pecco Bagnaia should switch to number one next year. Got a question for the show? Send a voicenote to podcasts@the-race.com Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our brand-new app on iOS or Android For MotoGP news, analysis and must-read features visit the-race.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Race MotoGP Podcast convenes to discuss the 2022 season finale in Valencia, as Pecco Bagnaia held on to clinch Ducati's first riders' title since 2007 in a nervier-than-anticipated weekend. Host Toby Moody is joined by Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy to discuss Bagnaia's race and contact with rival Fabio Quartararo, and how the weekend had offered glimpses of genuine title intrigue before a Sunday that largely lived up to pre-weekend expectations. They also talk about whether Bagnaia's success shows Valentino Rossi's VR46 Academy is the now the template for talent development and how much credit Ducati deserves for identifying and improving its new champion. Suzuki's bittersweet farewell win - and whether it proved the manufacturer's board wrong - is also on the agenda, as is another statement ride by KTM's Brad Binder, the 2023 prospects of Pramac Ducati's Jorge Martin and Aprilia's perhaps worst meltdown of the season. Got a question for the show? Send a voicenote to podcasts@the-race.com Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our brand-new app on iOS or Android For MotoGP news, analysis and must-read features visit the-race.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coming into the 2022 MotoGP title showdown, Yamaha is hoping to end up on the other side of the kind of last-race drama that denied it and Valentino Rossi the 2006 crown. But how much encouragement can Fabio Quartararo really take from the late Nicky Hayden's triumph, and what is his likeliest path to a decidedly unlikely second championship this year? Toby Moody is joined by Valentin Khorounzhiy and Simon Patterson to discuss MotoGP's history of last-race title turnarounds, and why there is another example that's more relevant to Quartararo's hopes of defeating Pecco Bagnaia than the 2006 finale. They also talk about the battle for third place in the standings between Aleix Espargaro and Enea Bastianini, and the state of Honda's bid to avoid the ignominy of finishing last in MotoGP's constructors standings for the first time ever. Finally, they discuss the idea of safety cars in MotoGP and the current state of wet-weather racing in the series. Got a question for the show? Send a voicenote to podcasts@the-race.com Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our brand-new app on iOS or Android For MotoGP news, analysis and must-read features visit the-race.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sepang has left Pecco Bagnaia on the brink of the 2022 MotoGP crown - but also reinforced the fact he is set to face a monumental intra-team challenge at Ducati next year. Bagnaia's key Malaysian GP win under pressure from future team-mate Enea Bastianini takes centre stage in the post-Sepang episode of The Race MotoGP Podcast, as the crew tackle the question of just how hard Bastianini raced Bagnaia and what his motivations were in the duel. Stand-in host Matt Beer is joined by regulars Valentin Khorounzhiy and Simon Patterson to also discuss Fabio Quartararo's heroic ride to keep his championship hopes alive going into Valencia, and what specific stars would need to align for the Frenchman to somehow overhaul Bagnaia. Also discussed is the end of Aprilia's title fairytale, another weekend of two halves for the pole record-smashing/bike-smashing Jorge Martin, and whether Marc Marquez's weekend was encouraging or par for the course. Finally, the crew dedicate a few minutes each to touch upon lacking MotoGP safety commission attendance at Sepang and the increasingly wacky Moto2 title race. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our brand-new app on iOS or Android For MotoGP news, analysis and must-read features visit the-race.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two big errors by Fabio Quartararo in the Australian Grand Prix mean his title rival Pecco Bagnaia now has a pretty clear run at the 2022 MotoGP world championship. But is Quartararo messing up another title bid, or is it a massive tribute to him that he's even led the championship on a poor Yamaha? That's one of the many, many things Simon Patterson, Valentin Khorounzhiy and stand-in host Matt Beer debate in the Phillip Island episode of The Race MotoGP Podcast. Overshadowed by the dramatic title fights, Suzuki finally won a race again - just weeks before it exits MotoGP. After so many weekends when Suzuki hinted it had amazing race pace, this time it actually did - but why now? We explain. The podcast also dives into the clearest signs yet that Marc Marquez will be a 2023 title contender, Alex Marquez's penalty for slamming into Jack Miller, the effective end of Aprilia's championship dream and a bizarre race for long-shot championship protagonist Enea Bastianini. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our brand-new app on iOS or Android For MotoGP news, analysis and must-read features visit the-race.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Has the aero war turned MotoGP racing subpar, and what can be done to recapture the glorious duels of seasons past? This is the main topic of discussion in the latest episode of The Race MotoGP Podcast, featuring host Toby Moody, Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy. The quality of racing across the 2022 season and the impact and aesthetics of the aero appendages are touched upon, while Simon offers an important update on Michelin's development of its next MotoGP front tyre. The trio also look forward to the final three venues of the 2022 season, and answer a series of listener questions - such as whether Alex Marquez's move to Ducati is a potential precursor to brother Marc doing the same, and which riders on the grid are best-suited to winning on multiple bikes. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our brand-new app on iOS or Android For MotoGP news, analysis and must-read features visit the-race.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Having cut a 91-point deficit to Fabio Quartararo to just two points in the last three months, momentum is with Pecco Bagnaia in the 2022 MotoGP world championship fight. But does that make him title favourite, or is reigning champion Quartararo still going to be too tough to overcome in normal circumstances? And can Aleix Espargaro still spring a surprise? And should we even count out Enea Bastianini and Jack Miller? Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy join stand-in host Matt Beer on The Race MotoGP Podcast to debate what might happen in the championship denouement after the action in Thailand. Likely form at the three remaining tracks, potential weather curveballs and the role of Ducati's massive gaggle of bikes and approach to team orders all play into our panel's deliberations. The latest information about Marc Marquez's progress back towards full fitness and competitiveness, Danilo Petrucci's comeback, the shocking video that emerged of a physical assault in a Moto3 garage in 2019, and Buriram winner Miguel Oliveira's wild form fluctuations are also discussed. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our brand-new app on iOS or Android For MotoGP news, analysis and must-read features visit the-race.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A potentially pivotal weekend in the MotoGP title race is discussed in the latest edition of The Race MotoGP Podcast. Host Toby Moody is joined by Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy for a Japanese GP debrief and an assessment of the last-lap Pecco Bagnaia crash that has allowed a struggling Fabio Quartararo to nearly double his points lead. They also discuss the Aprilia error that robbed Aleix Espargaro of a huge opportunity, the role Gresini Ducati rider Enea Bastianini is playing in the title race and a top-drawer Motegi MotoGP debut for KTM's Brad Binder. Also on the agenda are Marc Marquez's first pole since 2019 and his reasonably encouraging race performance. Finally, the crew talk about injured LCR Honda rider Takaaki Nakagami riding with a "glove full of blood" - and express their dismay at the possibility the local hero may have done further damage to his right hand. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our brand-new app on iOS or Android For MotoGP news, analysis and must-read features visit the-race.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Francesco Bagnaia took another 20 points out of Fabio Quartararo's championship lead at Aragon - but should it have been 25? The Race MotoGP Podcast's latest episode centres around Ducati's decision to allow Enea Bastianini to fight, and ultimately defeat, Bagnaia for victory at the Spanish venue. Host Toby Moody is joined by Valentin Khorounzhiy and Simon Patterson to ponder whether Bagnaia may rue the five points he lost to Bastianini come the end of the season, and whether the good PR from avoiding team orders is worth the added risk to Ducati's chances of winning its first riders' title since 2007. They also discuss Quartararo's 'second crash' that came after his Marc Marquez-triggered Aragon GP exit, and a Brad Binder performance that led to him being credited as one of the best riders on the grid. Finally, the crew close out with a chat about the surreal Moto3 mechanic interference controversy from Saturday. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our brand-new app on iOS or Android For MotoGP news, analysis and must-read features visit the-race.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A potentially pivotal mid-season test at Misano takes centre stage in the newest episode of The Race MotoGP Podcast. Toby Moody, Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy discuss Marc Marquez's two-day return to action on a Honda MotoGP bike, as well as the ramifications of the apparent top speed improvement made by Yamaha with its 2023 prototype. The crew also talk about Honda keeping Takaaki Nakagami for another season with the LCR squad and the corresponding decision for Ai Ogura to remain in Moto2 for now. Finally, a batch of listener questions are answered, including on Dani Pedrosa's impact on KTM's peaks-and-valleys MotoGP trajectory and on what MotoGP should do to increase the currently paltry female presence on the grid and within its fanbase. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our brand-new app on iOS or Android For MotoGP news, analysis and must-read features visit the-race.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A fourth consecutive win for Francesco Bagnaia to further close up the 2022 title battle is the main subject of the post-Misano episode of The Race MotoGP Podcast. But how worried should Quartararo be - and did Ducati actually not make it easy enough for Bagnaia? Host Toby Moody is joined by Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy to hash out the conclusions from the race, Ducati's team order reluctance, and why it may get worse for Quartararo before it gets better. There are also extensive discussions of Enea Bastianini and Maverick Vinales, whose excellent Misano weekends mark them out as potential 2023 title hopefuls. A miserable weekend for Honda and a surprising technical development on its end are touched upon, as is Jack Miller's early-race crash - and why it shows Ducati wasn't wrong to look beyond him for 2023. Finally, the crew salute the retiring Andrea Dovizioso and delve into the messy impending separation between KTM and Remy Gardner. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our brand-new app on iOS or Android For MotoGP news, analysis and must-read features visit the-race.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ducati completing its MotoGP works line-up for 2023 and other silly season developments are the topic of conversation in the latest edition of The Race MotoGP Podcast. Host Toby Moody is joined by Valentin Khorounzhiy and Simon Patterson to talk about Enea Bastianini getting the nod over Jorge Martin to replace Jack Miller at the factory Ducati team. The crew ponder the upsides and downsides of the choice, and discuss whether it may set Martin on a course for a Ducati exit down the line. They also touch upon KTM's decision-making in light of the revelation that Remy Gardner expects to drop off the grid for 2022, and debate whether Raul Fernandez is likely to succeed in course-correcting his MotoGP career with his switch to Aprilia. Finally, they discuss Honda-related matters - like the hold-up in confirming Joan Mir for 2023 and the MotoGP outlook for protege Ai Ogura - and tackle a batch of listener questions. *NOTE - This episode was recorded before Mir's move to Honda and RNF's line-up of Miguel Olivera and Raul Fernandez were made official. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our brand-new app on iOS or Android For MotoGP news, analysis and must-read features visit the-race.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Francesco Bagnaia's win in the Austrian GP was his third in a row - but did it do anything to make the success of Fabio Quartararo's title defence less likely? That is the central topic of the post-Red Bull Ring edition of The Race MotoGP Podcast, with host Toby Moody back and joined by Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy. The crew discuss the quality of Quartararo's run to second place, whether there has been a change to Bagnaia and the importance of Jack Miller's role as Bagnaia's impressively loyal rear gunner. They also delve into Aleix Espargaro's weekend, as well as another brutal grand prix for both Honda - with the recovering Marc Marquez in attendance - and Suzuki, which now has Joan Mir on the injured list. Finally, Toby gives his verdict on the 2023 sprint race plans... Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube For MotoGP news, analysis and must-read features visit the-race.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MotoGP's all-new sprint race format, to be used at every weekend of the 2023 season, is discussed in a special episode of The Race MotoGP Podcast. The Race's MotoGP writers Valentin Khorounzhiy and Simon Patterson give their takes on the shock news and their opinions on sprint races. They also talk about the known specifics of the format and how it compares to F1's sprint weekend, and which riders may benefit as a result in 2023. Riders' reactions to the news, ranging from happy to annoyed but with nearly all of them surprised, are also touched upon, as is the fact that a MotoGP rider is back on the public agenda as a result. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube For MotoGP news, analysis and must-read features visit the-race.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The two contenders for the vacant Ducati 2023 MotoGP ride, Enea Bastianini and Jorge Martin, are refusing to make the decision at all simple for the Bologna factory. In the pre-Red Bull Ring of The Race MotoGP Podcast, host Toby Moody is joined by Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy to discuss the dilemma facing Ducati, and why Bastianini and Martin are almost equally viable options despite being very different MotoGP riders. The crew also discuss the role Francesco Bagnaia's status may play in the choice, and debate what Ducati should do from not only a sporting perspective, but in terms of keeping the riders in question happy and willing to commit to its for the longer-term. A host of reader questions - including whether MotoGP riders are amiable and how much riders actually learn about rival MotoGP bikes before making a team switch - is tackled in the second half of the episode. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube For MotoGP news, analysis and must-read features visit the-race.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Silverstone MotoGP race provided one of the closest finishes ever - with the top nine split by only four seconds. But was the race actually any good, and why were so few people there to witness it? Host Toby Moody is joined by Simon Patterson, Valentin Khorounzhiy and special guest Josh Suttill to discuss the merits of the 20-lap contest and the low fan attendance figures. They also talk about the state of the title race after Silverstone, and whether winner Francesco Bagnaia can be seen as back in the hunt - with Aleix Espargaro hurting himself and Fabio Quartararo having an uncharacteristically muted weekend. Honda's continued MotoGP travails against the backdrop of its Suzuka 8 Hours success are another topic of conversation, as is Johann Zarco's latest pole-to-heartbreak outing. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube For MotoGP news, analysis and must-read features visit the-race.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are the top riders in modern MotoGP as good as the greats who came before, or did Marc Marquez's injury rob them of a chance to prove themselves? The relative merit of the 2022 grid, top to bottom, is discussed in the final summer break edition of The Race MotoGP Podcast. Host Toby Moody is joined by Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy to reminisce on how the MotoGP roster has been transformed, and on what that means for the current crop. Also discussed is how the premier-class grid compares to that of the World Superbike championship. They also delve into the top MotoGP-linked names set to miss out on a grid slot in 2023 because of a talent logjam, chief among them defending WSBK champion Toprak Razgatlioglu and Moto2's joint points leaders Celestino Vietti and Augusto Fernandez. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube For MotoGP news, analysis and must-read features visit the-race.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the MotoGP summer break rumbles on, The Race MotoGP Podcast returns with another listener questions special - but this time with a retro theme. The man who was for so many the voice of 800s and 990s, Toby Moody, is joined by Simon Patterson to reminisce on a golden period for motorcycle sport, with the duo answering questions on all manner of topics, including the 2002 season, the late, great Daijiro Kato and - of course - Valentino Rossi. There are also questions on the best tracks of the 800 and 990 eras that are no longer used today, the riders from that era who failed to live up to their potential, and a great hypothetical question about how Casey Stoner would have coped going up against Marc Marquez... If you'd like to submit a question for an upcoming show, send a voicenote or sound file to podcasts@the-race.com and we might answer it on the podcast! Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube For MotoGP news, analysis and must-read features visit the-race.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s pod is a classic two-parter, starting off with some quick-fire reaction to the news that Alex Rins will ride a Honda for LCR from 2023, as part of a two-year agreement between Rins, the team and Honda Racing Corporation.  Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy join guest host Matt Beer to give their views on the move, before regular Host Toby Moody sits down for a very special chat with legendary crew chief Tom Jojic.  In a wide-ranging chat the Canadian shares his experiences of a life in the MotoGP pit lane working for the likes of Team Roberts, Kawasaki and KTM. There are great stories about Kenny Roberts, the inner workings of HRC, the complexities of being a crew chief and much more. Next week’s show is a listener questions retro special! To ask your question, send us a voicenote to podcasts@the-race.com Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube For MotoGP news, analysis and must-read features visit the-race.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As MotoGP's summer break continues, The Race MotoGP Podcast crew tackle another big batch of listener questions on the latest episode. Host Toby Moody is joined by Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy to respond to your submissions, which cover Pedro Acosta's status as the next big thing, the Yamaha decisions that led to it losing its satellite team and whether Johann Zarco could make a play for this year's MotoGP title. Francesco Bagnaia's car crash and failed alcohol test is also touched upon, with the crew explaining what action they want to see from either MotoGP or Bagnaia's employer Ducati. Amongst the other questions is a call for Moody, Patterson and Khorounzhiy to each pick out the non-rider staff members they would choose if they were to start MotoGP teams. Who will they go for? Find out the answer to this and many other questions on this week's pod. And if you'd like to submit a question for our upcoming retro-focused listener questions special, send a voicenote or sound file to podcasts@the-race.com and we might answer it on the show! Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube For MotoGP news, analysis and must-read features visit the-race.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The MotoGP summer break may be in full swing, but The Race MotoGP Podcast never sleeps! This week, Toby, Simon and Val introduce a very special conversation with Tech3 KTM rider Remy Gardner, in what is the first of a string of special episodes to keep you entertained until racing returns.  In a relaxed and revealing long-form chat, Gardner opens up on his life in and away from MotoGP, including his thoughts on how his debut season in the premier class is going so far and why media depictions of his relationship with team-mate Raul Fernandez shouldn’t be believed.  But most revealingly of all, the reigning Moto2 champion speaks frankly about the enormous toll racing in MotoGP plays on riders’ bodies, detailing the extent of the injuries he’s sustained to date and why he and many other riders fear for their quality of life after racing.  Warning: This podcast contains graphic descriptions of injuries. Listener discretion advised. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube For MotoGP news, analysis and must-read features visit the-race.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The latest episode of The Race MotoGP Podcast tackles all things Dutch TT, including Fabio Quartararo's failed overtake on Aleix Espargaro and subsequent penalty and the Spaniard's incredible recovery ride. Why did Quartararo attempt the lunge in the first place, and did the much-criticised FIM stewards panel get it right or wrong in sanctioning him for Silverstone? Host Toby Moody is joined by Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy to discuss these questions, along with a closer look at Espargaro's ride back through the field and whether he would've denied Francesco Bagnaia the win without the incident. They also touch upon the milestone podiums of Marco Bezzecchi and Maverick Vinales and the improved form of the factory KTM team. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube For MotoGP news, analysis and must-read features visit the-race.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fabio Quartararo ending an abject Honda's Sachsenring MotoGP streak in style takes centre stage in the post-German Grand Prix edition of The Race MotoGP Podcast. Host Toby Moody is, as always, joined by Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy to discuss Quartararo's latest imperious performance, whether he has an Achilles' heel in 2022. There's also a brief discussion on whether the current Quartararo is already better than Yamaha legend and three-time champion Jorge Lorenzo, and whether the Frenchman could've prevailed if pitted against a peak Marc Marquez this year. Honda's milestone non-score is touched upon too, as is the fact its riders were suffering from unpalatable heat from the RC213V - leading usual company man Stefan Bradl to lash out. Khorounzhiy puts forward a theory of why Maverick Vinales may be a genuine MotoGP title contender in 2023, while the crew also talk about Francesco Bagnaia's latest crash and a pivotal weekend for one of the VR46 Ducati riders. To end the episode, they give their answers to a listener question on whether series promoter Dorna needs to cap the number of Ducatis on the grid. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube For MotoGP news, analysis and must-read features visit the-race.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The second edition of The Race MotoGP Podcast's Q&A special tackles listener questions on the quality of MotoGP TV coverage, the best races to go to and the current state of play at Yamaha. Host Toby Moody is joined by Valentin Khorounzhiy and Simon Patterson to respond to submissions from 15 listeners from all around the globe. The crew are asked how Yamaha is placating Fabio Quartararo's demand for more engine power, whether Quartararo should be asked to do more to help the other Yamaha riders to get up to speed and if Yamaha could yet be tempted to sideline the struggling Franco Morbidelli to revive its chase after Raul Fernandez. They also give their verdict on whether Marc Marquez could ever end up at LCR Honda and whether the MotoGP TV feed is missing too much of the mid-pack and back-of-the-grid track action. All three name their favoured current grand prix destinations, and debate just how problematic MotoGP's ongoing aero development war really is. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube For MotoGP news, analysis and must-read features visit the-race.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A potentially pivotal Catalan Grand Prix weekend in Barcelona is discussed in the newest episode of The Race MotoGP Podcast. Host Toby Moody is joined by Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy to debate whether Fabio Quartararo's commanding win, coupled with the misfortunes of his nearest title rivals, has already left him with one finger - if not one hand - on a second consecutive MotoGP title. There's also a discussion of Aleix Espargaro's late-race blunder and Takaaki Nakagami's first-lap crash, the lack of a penalty for which seems to have further exposed the MotoGP grid's lack of confidence in the current stewarding regime. The crew also highlight some of the meaningful efforts further down the grid, and give their answers to a listener's question on why Aprilia has re-committed to Maverick Vinales. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube For MotoGP news, analysis and must-read features visit the-race.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Italian Grand Prix weekend at Mugello - and the huge Marc Marquez announcement that came in during it - is the subject of the latest episode of The Race MotoGP Podcast. Marquez and his employer Honda announced that the six-time MotoGP champion would be going in for a fourth operation on his right humerus bone, requiring another lengthy spell on the sidelines - and prompting a striking admission that without this surgery Marquez felt he was headed for a swift retirement. Host Toby Moody is joined by Valentin Khorounzhiy and Simon Patterson to discuss the Marquez news, Francesco Bagnaia's Sunday triumph and the flatter-than-usual atmosphere at an under-attended Mugello. They also touch upon Suzuki's horror weekend, Fabio Quartararo's continued brilliance, Aprilia's 'Leicester-like' title push and its 2023 signing of Yamaha satellite team RNF. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube For MotoGP news, analysis and must-read features visit the-race.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Toby Moody, Simon Patterson and Val Khorounzhiy tackle a range of questions submitted by our listeners about the world of MotoGP, from the rider market to the good and the bad of MotoGP Unlimited on Amazon Prime. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube For MotoGP news, analysis and must-read features visit the-race.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Enea Bastianini's spectacular win in the French Grand Prix at Le Mans and his subsequent comments about the 2023 Ducati factory line-up are the headline topic of conversation in the latest episode of The Race MotoGP Podcast. The only repeat winner in MotoGP so far this year, Bastianini rather sensationally claimed after the finish that Ducati's under-contract factory rider Francesco Bagnaia prefers Jack Miller as his team-mate going forward because Miller is easier to beat. Host Toby Moody is joined by Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy to discuss that claim as well as Bastianini's performance. They also touch upon Bagnaia's costly error, Honda's miserable weekend and KTM's apparent interest in Alex Rins and Miller amid unrest within its current line-up. Khorounzhiy puts forward his argument for why Fabio Quartararo is comfortably the top rider in the MotoGP field right now, while Aleix Espargaro also receives extended praise. Finally, some of YOUR questions are answered and discussed. If you'd like to ask the team a question, send a voicenote to podcasts@the-race.com Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube For MotoGP news, analysis and must-read features visit the-race.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The potential 2023 destinations of Joan Mir and Alex Rins now that Suzuki is heading for the exit are discussed in the latest episode of The Race MotoGP Podcast. Host Toby Moody is joined by Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy to debate whether Mir would be better off at Honda or Aprilia - seemingly his two most logical suitors. As for Rins, the crew try to figure out what his options might be and whether his bike development acumen could be enough of a pull for Yamaha and its star rider Fabio Quartararo. Also discussed is whether Suzuki could yet make a u-turn on its decision while MotoGP still awaits a formal announcement. And the podcast also looks forward to Le Mans, highlighting riders who they believe might make a splash this weekend. READ MORE: Mir's manager on Suzuki shock and Honda rumours Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube For MotoGP news, analysis and must-read features visit the-race.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Suzuki's shock decision to withdraw from MotoGP at the end of 2022 is the subject of a special episode of The Race MotoGP Podcast. Host Toby Moody is joined by Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy to discuss the likely initial fallout from Suzuki's exit.  What MotoGP can do to fill the soon-to-be-vacated grid slots - and why plugging the gap with an independent team is much less straightforward than it might seem - is one of the topics explored. The 2023 options for its two riders Joan Mir and Alex Rins are also brought up, as are the ramifications for both Mir's and Rins's chances to remain in the title fight this year. READ MORE: What Suzuki's shock MotoGP exit means for the 2023 rider market Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube For MotoGP news, analysis and must-read features visit the-race.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

That is the question on the minds of The Race MotoGP Podcast's crew, following Francesco Bagnaia's resurgent Jerez win to deny Fabio Quartararo - as the pair finished nearly 11 seconds clear of the chasing pack. Host Toby Moody is joined by Valentin Khorounzhiy and Simon Patterson to discuss all the main storylines from the Spanish Grand Prix. Beyond Bagnaia and Quartararo, the crew discuss just how real Aleix Espargaro and Aprilia's title aspirations are and what they learned from Marc Marquez's slightly surprising ride to fourth place. They also heap praise upon VR46 Ducati's standout rookie Marco Bezzecchi, while wondering whether Suzuki and KTM might both be on a path to back-to-back disappointing years. Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube For MotoGP news, analysis and must-read features visit the-race.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fabio Quartararo's unstoppable ride to his first victory of his 2022 title defense at Portimao is the central topic of the latest episode of The Race MotoGP podcast. Host Toby Moody is joined by Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy to discuss how Quartararo's landslide win fits into a campaign that had been largely disappointing so far, and whether it could be enough to get him to commit to Yamaha longer-term. There's also a discussion of the noticeably low fan attendance during the weekend, the Jack Miller crash that also wiped out Joan Mir, the rain-induced Moto2 near-pileup and an uncharacteristically muted race from Marc Marquez. Poleman and second-place finisher Johann Zarco also gets a segment dedicated to him, as the crew debate whether he's likely to win a race this season and his chances to remain at Pramac Ducati. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Race MotoGP Podcast crew debate their winners and losers of the 'flyaway' start to the 2022 season in the latest episode of the show. Host Toby Moody is joined by Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy to discuss who has the most reason to be satisfied with the topsy-turvy first four races of the campaign, and who seems to be hitting below par. Along the way, they touch upon Suzuki's title hopes, the potential contract impasse between Aleix Espargaro and Aprilia, and Yamaha's lack of obvious fallback options should it lose Fabio Quartararo for 2023. Finally, the crew name the races they're most excited about from the upcoming European leg of the season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Enea Bastianini's MotoGP victory at the Circuit of the Americas this Sunday felt almost inevitable for much of the weekend - but did Marc Marquez's "magnificent" ride prove he should've won instead? The two top-class performances are discussed at length in the latest episode of The Race MotoGP Podcast, featuring Toby Moody, Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy. The trio discuss whether Bastianini is now a bona fide 2022 title contender and whether Ducati would really be open to entrusting the hopes of ending its long awaited riders' championship drought to someone riding a year-old Desmosedici for a satellite team. They also talk about Alex Rins' stellar start to the year, Fabio Quartararo's ever-evolving disillusionment with the 2022 Yamaha M1 and KTM's worryingly 2021-esque outing. Finally, the topics of erstwhile points leader Aleix Espargaro's difficult weekend and the state of the Circuit of the Americas track surface after the partial repaving round off the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A landmark MotoGP win for Aprilia and Aleix Espargaro takes centre stage in the latest episode of The Race MotoGP Podcast. Host Toby Moody is joined by Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy to discuss Espargaro's journey to his win, his race-long battle against Jorge Martin and the impact Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola has had on the project. There's an in-depth look at how the weekend arrived at an ultra-condensed two-day format due to a substantial freight delay that at one point threatened the race. Also discussed are Fabio Quartararo's ongoing discontent at Yamaha, yet another polarising weekend for Ducati and the latest on Marc Marquez's recovery from diplopia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The return of Marc Marquez's diplopia and the impending ban on front ride height devices are the two main topics of discussion in the latest episode of The Race MotoGP Podcast. Host Toby Moody is joined by Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy to discuss whether Marquez should take fewer risks in light of his latest big accident at Mandalika. They also wonder whether, with 11 points on the board and given his ongoing spell on the sidelines, his 2022 title aspirations are already unsalvageable. The news that MotoGP will ditch front ride height adjustments devices from 2023 onwards - and whether that goes far enough - is also touched upon, as is the prospect of MotoGP going electric in the future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MotoGP returned to Indonesia for the first time in 25 years, and after the race almost didn't happen, KTM's Miguel Oliveira took another commanding victory. Toby Moody, Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy look into how Oliveira did it, and whether display of controlled dominance tells us anything new about the up-and-down Portuguese rider, or about the KTM bike in 2022. We also analyse Marc Marquez's latest terrifying crash which ruled him out of the race, Fabio Quartararo's wet-weather redemption and the continued travails of pre-season favourite Francesco Bagnaia. Plus there is talk of Suzuki's true form, and how a forced Michelin tyre carcass change turned the weekend upside down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week MotoGP's long-awaited 'Unlimited' behind the scenes documentary series made its debut on Amazon Prime Video. However, this landmark moment in MotoGP history was marred by what's been described as a 'technical error'. Simon Patterson joins host Matt Beer to explain what's gone wrong and the potential damage that has been done, before Valentin Khorounzhiy joins them for a full review of the series. There's also a look ahead to MotoGP's next race of the season in Indonesia, and if we should revise our expectations for reigning world champion Fabio Quartararo, and the factory Ducati team that was expected 2022's expected dominant force. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ducati came into the 2022 MotoGP season as strong favourite and duly won the Qatar Grand Prix opener.But that victory came with its old-spec bike, Enea Bastianini and Gresini Racing, as the factory Ducatis had an absolutely horrible time.Host Toby Moody is joined by Simon Patterson and Matt Beer as The Race MotoGP Podcast tackles all the storylines from Lusail - as the circuit name's now officially spelt to mirror the nearby city and stadium.With Gresini having not won since 2006, lost its founder Fausto Gresini to COVID last year and only just returned to racing under its own identity in MotoGP after seven seasons running Aprilia's works project, Bastianini's win was hugely emotional. We debate whether it's the start of something big or a romantic one-off.As the underdogs won, plenty of big names had things to rue. We delve into Ducati's extraordinary apology to Pecco Bagnaia, Suzuki's failure to convert its pace into results, the ongoing misery at Yamaha and the odd sight of Marc Marquez being beaten by a team-mate.And we celebrate more of the unexpected successes too, from Brad Binder and KTM coming close to victory to Aprilia and Aleix Espargaro looking so at home at the front. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Toby Moody, Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy examine the hopes and fortunes of every manufacturer on the MotoGP grid ahead of the 2022 season kicking off in Qatar this weekend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the excitement builds for the new MotoGP season, and with testing complete, Matt Beer, Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy answer questions from our audience about the upcoming season - and beyond. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MotoGP world champion Fabio Quartararo's annoyance at the bike Yamaha has provided him with for his title defence got even louder at the final pre-season test in Mandalika.Is it just a negotiating tactic for a pay rise or a longer contract? Or would Quartararo really walk out on Yamaha?Is Pol Espargaro's Honda seat vulnerable if he does so? And does he risk burning bridges with the team behind his MotoGP rise?Simon Patterson, Valentin Khorounzhiy and stand-in host Matt Beer tackle those questions as The Race MotoGP Podcast delves into everything that went on in the Mandalika test.Our panel explains exactly why the track surface was so problematic, and could still be in parts when MotoGP makes its racing debut there next month.The massive progress Honda and Suzuki seem to have made, a few signs of vulnerability at Ducati, and MotoGP's latest concerning incident involving concussion are just some of the other topics addressed.And with MotoGP's answer to Drive to Survive hitting Amazon Prime soon, we look at the paddock's hopes and fears for its equivalent of the documentary series that has done so much for Formula 1's growth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With an Aprilia 1-2 on day one and an older-spec Ducati run by an independent team fastest on day two, MotoGP's first 2022 pre-season test wasn't short on surprises.Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy join host Matt Beer to go beneath the headline times to make sense of what went on at Sepang last weekend.They explain why Aprilia and Enea Bastianini/Gresini's headline times are much more significant than just being typical testing anomalies.And they look at how that one weekend of testing might've instantly impacted the 2023 rider market, with Fabio Quartararo's unhappiness at Yamaha suddenly much more acute but Suzuki having - maybe - renewed Joan Mir's faith.Big changes at Honda, teething troubles at Ducati and a puzzle at KTM are also analysed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After two years of restricted development amid the pandemic, this winter MotoGP teams have finally had chance to properly get stuck in on tackling problems that in some cases they've been grappling with since the end of 2019.So as the field hits the track for Sepang testing, The Race MotoGP Podcast looks at what to expect, which teams' bikes will have changed most and who has most riding on the crucial pre-season days ahead.Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy plus stand-in host Matt Beer debate everything from whether Yamaha actually wants to follow Fabio Quartararo's technical demands to Honda's hopes of finally updating an aero package that dates back to 2019, plus the hints that KTM might make a big step forward for personnel reasons rather than technical. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Race MotoGP podcast welcomes special guest Danilo Petrucci in its latest edition, as the Italian discusses his first attempt at the Dakar Rally.Petrucci, a two-time race winner in grand prix racing's premier class, left MotoGP at the end of last season but was set up with a shot at the Dakar by employer KTM - which yielded a stage win and several other standout performances.Joining host Toby Moody and MotoGP writers Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy, Petrucci discusses the highs but also the lows of his experience in Saudi Arabia, telling stories of frantically trying to find a path when getting lost in the desert and of coming close to pulling out of the rally entirely shortly after his fifth-stage triumph.The Italian also addresses the one part of the Dakar he still struggles to accept, and touches upon why he is set to make a return to road racing in MotoAmerica this season instead of tackling the cross-country world championship - and what this means for his future Dakar plans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marc Marquez was a last-minute addition to a Honda media event last week, and during his time answering questions on his recovery from his latest injuries, he opened up a great deal. Guest host Matt Beer discusses what Marquez told us with Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy, plus what we should expect from him after another winter of recovery, and the importance of Honda making a big step with its machinery for 2022. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For our first episode of 2022 we're switching our attention to 2023... in line with the series' tendency to finalise rider contracts a year in advance.Host Matt Beer - filling in for Toby Moody, away on Dakar Rally duties - is joined by Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy to discuss the biggest question marks of the impending 2023 rider market.With only three riders signed through '23, the trio ponder whether the series' two latest champions Joan Mir and Fabio Quartararo could really be on the move - with both having made it clear that they will be listening to offers.They also consider the futures of the likes of Suzuki's Alex Rins, KTM's Miguel Oliveira and Ducati's Jack Miller - as well as looking into potential reshuffles in the satellite rosters.At the end of the show, they finalise their rough mock-up of the 2023 grid. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's fitting to end the year by saying goodbye and thank you to Valentino Rossi with our final episode of 2021. Toby Moody, Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy reflect on the great Italian's journey through grand prix racing, from his early days in 125s and 250s, to how he took MotoGP by storm. We look back on the successes, the failures, the rivalries, the mad celebrations, the injuries, and most importantly the incredible memories Rossi's career has given everyone who follows two-wheeled racing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A key move behind the scenes in MotoGP this winter is KTM's decision to replace longstanding team manager Mike Leitner with Pramac Ducati's Francesco Guidotti, after a disappointing season for the Austrian manufacturer, which failed to build on the progress it made in 2020.Toby Moody, Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy discuss what the move means for both teams, and assess how much KTM has achieved since it joined the MotoGP grid in 2017. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ranking the top 10 riders of the 2021 season is the mission in our latest episode.But with panel Toby Moody, Simon Patterson, Valentin Khorounzhiy and Matt Beer having all put forward their own individual top 10s to create our definitive rating, there's plenty of passionate debate over who ended up where once everyone's scores were factored in.And the end result is a top 10 with a very different look to the final championship standings, after a year in which very little ran according to the form book amid the shock breakthroughs, surprise underperformers and even mid-season splits.The Race MotoGP Podcast will continue through the off-season with regular episodes tackling the latest news in what's already proving to be an eventful winter, assessing 2021 in depth and looking ahead to a tantalising 2022 season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every MotoGP manufacturer was in action at Jerez last week for the traditional post-season test, which serves as a starting point for preparations for the new season. Toby Moody, Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy cover all the major talking points, from Ducati's early warning shot, concern for 2021 champion Fabio Quartararo, and what sort of shape Honda is in despite Marc Marquez having to miss the test due to injury. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Valentino Rossi's farewell and Ducati's ominous performance at the Valencian GP are discussed in our latest episode.Host Toby Moody is joined by Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy to discuss the MotoGP sign-offs enjoyed by Rossi and compatriot Danilo Petrucci.They then offer their takes on whether the fears of Ducati dominance in 2022 on the back of its incredible form in the 2021 run-in are overblown or valid.There's a discussion on standout rookie Jorge Martin and his sickness-overcoming performance, while Alex Rins' latest crash and champion Fabio Quartararo's inconclusive weekend are also touched upon.And the hosts also discuss what to make of Yamaha's apparent continued efforts to lure away KTM's golden boy Raul Fernandez, while Simon provides an update on MotoGP's Indonesian 2022 debutant venue Mandalika. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After another victory for Pecco Bagnaia and Ducati, in a race with five Ducatis in the top nine positions, Toby Moody, Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy look at what this could mean for the Italian marque's title prospects in 2022. We also explain why it was the correct decision to red flag the Portimao race late on, and look at a rare error from newly-crowned champion Fabio Quartararo. Talking of champions, Casey Stoner was back in the paddock, with plenty to say and a few ideas about how he could stick around more often in the future. Marc Marquez's concussion-enforced absence is discussed, although this episode was recorded before an update on his condition and the news that he would definitely miss this weekend's Valencia event was issued. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The post-Emilia Romagna Grand Prix edition of The Race MotoGP podcast discusses Fabio Quartararo's day of glory at Misano and the riders who are best poised to challenge him in 2022.Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy join host Toby Moody for a customary overview of the weekend's premier-class action, as well as the extravagant title celebrations that were due to be postponed until Francesco Bagnaia's sudden late-race crash.There is also a discussion of Bagnaia's star-making season, as well as an assessment of where MotoGP's former king Marc Marquez is on his road to recovery and what Pol Espargaro's second-place should tell his employer Honda.Enea Bastianini earns plaudits for his second podium appearance, as does Miguel Oliveira despite his podium-denying crash, while in the final part the crew talks about the one-year deal handed to the new Yamaha satellite team RNF. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The post-Grand Prix of the Americas edition of The Race MotoGP podcast delves into the controversies that dominated the COTA weekend, along with analysing Marc Marquez's second win of the season.While the 20-lap MotoGP showdown on Sunday proved relatively serene, it came after a weekend in which the possibility of a race boycott was breached, and also followed a few hours after a massive Moto3 crash that left one rider with a rare two-race ban.Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy join host Toby Moody to discuss the merits of that stewards' decision, as well as the debate around the state of the Circuit of the Americas' bumpy surface.Also in the episode, all three of the MotoGP podium finishers receive their fair share of praise, with the podcast crew delving into the ramifications of another Marquez victory, and what it tells us about his ongoing recovery from his 2020 injuries. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The post-San Marino Grand Prix edition of The Race MotoGP podcast centres on the battle between Francesco Bagnaia and Fabio Quartararo.Jack Miller's role in helping Bagnaia win the Misano battle is flagged up, even if the Italian remains unlikely to win the war given Quartararo's 48-point advantage.There's also a chat about Suzuki's season given the latest frustrating outing for Joan Mir and Alex Rins, and a look at the current slumps faced by Johann Zarco and Miguel Oliveira.Finally, Misano star Enea Bastianini gets his due credit, while the efforts of big-name returnees Franco Morbidelli and Andrea Dovizioso are also assessed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After the stunning battle for victory between Pecco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez at Aragon, Toby Moody, Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy look at what the outcome told us about both riders and how the hierarchy of talent at Ducati is shifting. There's also discussion of why Fabio Quartararo was off the pace, how he limited the damage to his championship lead, a sense of frustration for reigning champion Joan Mir at Suzuki, plus Maverick Vinales' Aprilia debut and what's going on with the plans for Valentino Rossi's VR46 team in 2022. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is the 2021 MotoGP title race now over? Toby Moody, Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy reflect on a commanding victory for Fabio Quartararo and discuss all the other major talking points from the Silverstone weekend, including Aprilia's first podium, whether Pol Espargaro's pole position was a sign of a genuine turnaround, and what his Honda team-mate Marc Marquez was doing when he clumsily took Jorge Martin out of the race on the opening lap. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Austrian Grand Prix was decided in a tense and at times terrifying final couple of laps, as riders who had switched to wet-weather tyres hunted down those who stayed out on slicks - and could barely keep their bikes upright - when the rain hit.Toby Moody, Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy discuss all the major talking points from the second weekend at the Red Bull Ring, including how Brad Binder made his tyre gamble pay off, what it means for KTM to win in Austria again, Fabio Quartararo's incredible aggression during the dry part of the race, Marc Marquez's fall after one of his better Sunday performances, and if 'flag to flag' racing really has a place in MotoGP.We also react to the latest news around Maverick Vinales' future, as his Aprilia deal was made official on Monday following his suspension by Yamaha for the Austrian GP weekend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A major shock ran through the MotoGP paddock in Austria on Thursday when it was revealed Yamaha had suspended its rider Maverick Vinales due to “unexplained irregular operation of the motorcycle by the rider during last weekend” in the Styrian GP. Toby Moody, Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy get together for a special episode of The Race MotoGP Podcast to discuss what's going on. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MotoGP returned from its summer break with the first of two back-to-back races at the Red Bull Ring. Toby Moody, Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy discuss all the major talking points from a busy weekend on and off track, including the rise of Pramac from plucky underdog to race winner with the sensational Jorge Martin, if Suzuki's vital upgrade can get Joan Mir back into title contention, and why the Red Bull Ring always seems to feature scary incidents when MotoGP comes to town. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The day has finally come: Valentino Rossi announced ahead of the Styrian Grand Prix that he will call time on his MotoGP career at the end of the 2021 season. Toby Moody, Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy discuss the Italian's decision, look back at some of the moments that defined his iconic career, and look ahead to what to expect from the remaining races of his career. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MotoGP returns from its summer break with a double head in Austria. Toby Moody is joined by Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy to look ahead to the rest of the season, working out if anyone can challenge Fabio Quartararo for the title, who we can expect to pick up race wins over the rest of the year, and if Marc Marquez will come back from a few weeks off having taken another step forward with his recovery from his 2020 injuries. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Suzuki won its first title at the top level in MotoGP for two decades last year, as Joan Mir was the man to capitalise on Marc Marquez's absence to take his first championship. This year Marquez is back and not at his dominant best, but another Suzuki title appears increasingly unlikely. Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy join guest host Glenn Freeman to look at the factors behind what seems likely to be an unsuccessful title defence, as well as catching up on the news of racing comebacks for GP winners Cal Crutchlow and Dani Pedrosa. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Livio Suppo has the remarkable achievement on his CV as a MotoGP team boss of tasting championship glory with two manufacturers. The Italian was the man in charge of Ducati when it decided to enter grand prix racing for 2003, and he took the red bikes through a rollercoaster first few years until everything came good with Casey Stoner in 2007. In the years that followed he would switch to Honda, where he tasted championship success again with Stoner, and then the early years of Marc Marquez's dominance of the series. In this incredible interview, Suppo talks host Toby Moody through his career in great detail, all the way from his early experience in the paddock with Benetton in the 1990s, to the role he played in getting Ducati to make the leap into MotoGP, the gambles taken that led to that first title, what it was like working with Stoner, why he switched to Honda, the emergence of Marquez, what led to his departure from HRC and what he thinks of the Japanese firm's current situation in MotoGP. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Maverick Vinales' sensational exit from Yamaha and expected confirmation at Aprilia is the big topic of the post-Dutch TT edition of The Race MotoGP Podcast.While Fabio Quartararo's imperious, points lead-extending performance is touched upon, host Toby Moody along with Valentin Khorounzhiy and Simon Patterson dedicate most of the episode to the Vinales news.Listen to find out why the podcast crew are more or less unanimously excited about Vinales on an Aprilia, and why him ditching a title-calibre bike for one that is yet to grace a MotoGP podium makes more sense than it would seem initially.There's also a discussion of what Vinales can do for the various facets of Aprilia's MotoGP operation, and whether the Italian marque is right to be committing to the Spaniard instead of continuing to explore the option of filling the seat with Andrea Dovizioso. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MotoGP technology expert Neil Spalding returns to The Race MotoGP Podcast for an in-depth look into the latest tricks being used by Ducati in the Italian manufacturer's quest to improve the aerodynamic performance of its bike - and how it appears to be finally tackling the difficult challenge of creating downforce that can be useful in the corners when the bike is leaned over. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marc Marquez's sensational German GP victory is the main topic of conversation for Toby Moody, Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy, while at the other end of the field, questions are asked about the disastrous turn Maverick Vinales' season has taken since he won at the start of the year in Qatar. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The big talking points from MotoGP's Catalunya Grand Prix are all covered in detail by Toby Moody, Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy, from KTM's incredible turnaround after a terrible start to 2021, to Fabio Quartararo's unzipped leathers and why the Yamaha rider needed to be stopped by race control. We also look at Maverick Vinales' busy off-track weekend, which featured both news of a shock crew chief swap and a social media clarification. Plus, how bad have things got for Honda?Finally, there's a chat about the state of Joan Mir's title defence and an update on the state of play in the 2022 silly season, including whether Barcelona moved the needle on Valentino Rossi's retirement decision. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We look back on all the major talking points from a sombre weekend in the MotoGP paddock, and remember Moto3 rider Jason Dupasquier, who lost his life following an accident in qualifying. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Valentino Rossi heads to the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello in the worst form of his MotoGP career. Toby Moody, Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy discuss what should be next for the sport's biggest star of the last two decades, and how the championship and Yamaha could possibly come to terms with him deciding to call it a day if that's the choice he makes later this year.Never miss a moment of the MotoGP action with the new BT Sport Monthly Pass with no recurring contract. Find out more here: https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=3041&awinaffid=879859&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bt.com%2Fsport%2Fmonthly-pass Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jack Miller made it back to back MotoGP wins in the crazy conditions of Le Mans, so does that prove he's the real deal in 2021 after all the doubts from the early races? Glenn Freeman stands in for Toby Moody as host this week to look back on the French Grand Prix with Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy. We also explain why Fabio Quartararo celebrated his third place like it was a victory, if Marc Marquez threw away a real victory shot when he crashed out of the lead, and why Suzuki's weekend was so terrible. ** Catch all the action from MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 with the new BT Sport Monthly Pass. Watch on two devices simultaneously and cancel any time - to find out more visit: https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=3041&awinaffid=879859&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bt.com%2Fsport%2Fmonthly-pass Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Toby Moody, Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy look back on all the MotoGP action from the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez. They explain how Ducati landed a 1-2 at a track where it has traditionally struggled, what Fabio Quartararo's arm pump problem could mean for his season, and if time is finally up for Valentino Rossi. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Toby Moody, Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy discuss if Fabio Quartararo and Yamaha have found the magic formula for 2021 following another victory in the Portuguese GP. We also try to work out what's going wrong for Maverick Vinales on the other factory bike, and the man Quartararo swapped seats with - none other than Valentino Rossi.There's also our verdict on Marc Marquez's racing comeback and what to expect from the Honda rider over the rest of the year, as well as looking at the likelihood of his old rival Andrea Dovizioso making a comeback with Aprilia.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Following the news that Marc Marquez has finally been cleared to return to racing in MotoGP, Toby Moody is joined by Simon Patterson and Val Khorounzhiy to discuss how fast he can be on his return, and debate whether MotoGP - and his opposition - has changed in his absence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MotoGP's second race in Qatar produced an action-packed Doha GP, but should the race officials should have intervened when Jack Miller and Joan Mir started swapping paint? Toby Moody, Simon Patterson and Val Khorounzhiy discuss how far is too far in the 'rubbing is racing' debate, as well as looking at all the other big talking points from the second weekend of MotoGP's double-header in the desert to kick off the 2021 season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 2021 MotoGP season kicked off with the first of two back to back races in Qatar, and Yamaha's Maverick Vinales came through against a clutch of Ducati's to take the first win of the season. Toby Moody, Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy review all the major talking points from the event, plus the latest news on the futures of the recovering Marc Marquez, and his out of work (for now) former rival Andrea Dovizioso. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ahead of the 2021 MotoGP season kicking off in Qatar, Toby Moody, Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy try to work out what to expect this year. Are we in for another wide-open title fight, where will Marquez fit in, and how much can we read into the condensed pre-season testing programme that took place at only one circuit? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Valentino Rossi has been unveiled at his new home for the 2021 MotoGP season, moving from the factory Yamaha team to the satellite Petronas squad. Toby Moody, Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy discuss how Rossi came across in his media appearance as part of the team's launch, what they're expecting from him this year, and if he's still capable of winning another grand prix. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Following the death of MotoGP team boss Fausto Gresini, Toby Moody and Simon Patterson reflect on his legacy in motorcycle racing. They also recall their favourite moments from Gresini's riders and bikes over the years, how the team dealt with two major tragedies in the 21st century, and how its Aprilia project is shaping up in 2021 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Toby Moody and Simon Patterson reflect on the 2021 MotoGP launches from Ducati, KTM and Yamaha, and how the championship's tech freeze for this year will affect each manufacturer on the grid. They also round up the latest news in the world of grand prix motorcycle racing, from updates on Fausto Gresini's health in hospital, to the 2021 calendar, Marc Marquez's battle back to fitness and Joan Mir deciding not to use the number 1 plate for his title defence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We look ahead to the 2021 MotoGP season with Toby Moody and Simon Patterson revealing their wishlist for the new campaign. Find out what we want to see from MotoGP this year, from a Marc Marquez return, Suzuki's life after Davide Brivio's departure to F1, Jack Miller riding for the factory Ducati team, our hopes for the calendar in another disrupted season, how Yamaha can bounce back from a turbulent 2020, if KTM can build on its breakout year, what to expect from Valentino Rossi's change of teams, and how and when The Doctor can get his own team onto the grid in the future. There's also talk about if MotoGP can match the on-track drama of 2020, Pol Espargaro's chances on a works Honda, what Aprilia can do - and a call to bring back wildcard entries for 2021! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our first episode of 2021 is a tech special, with Neil Spalding joining Toby Moody to look at the challenges facing every manufacturer as they bid to improve their machinery for the new season. Toby and Neil cover what's left for Suzuki to find, why Yamaha's focus will need to be on more than just its controversial engine, how KTM will handle losing its concessions now it's a race winner, if politics or engineering have let Ducati down, how dangerous Honda could be now it's developed a bike for riders other than Marc Marquez, and where does Aprilia go from here. We also take a selection of your questions at the end! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For our final episode of 2020, Toby Moody and Simon Patterson take your questions on all things MotoGP: from 2020 discussion points, rider market moves, some historical chat and even if it's possible to buy your own ex-factory MotoGP bike! Thanks for supporting the show during 2020, we can't wait to get going with more episodes when 2021 begins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's time to look back on an unforgettable year in MotoGP. Toby Moody and Simon Patterson explain how all the major storylines shaped the season, from Joan Mir giving Suzuki its first championship in 20 years, a dream turning into a nightmare for Fabio Quartararo and most of the Yamaha riders, Ducati's disaster, KTM's emergence as a race-winner, and what Honda learned about itself in the absence of Marc Marquez. And we can't resist being impatient and looking ahead to 2021 a bit too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Following the news that Marc Marquez has had a third, eight-hour operation on his injured arm, Toby Moody and Simon Patterson discuss the potential fall-out and the impact it could have on the 2021 MotoGP season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The final round of MotoGP's crazy 2020 season was all about one man: local hero Miguel Oliveira, who dominated the race from pole position at the Algarve circuit. Toby Moody and Simon Patterson reflect on the last round of the season, and look at why there was more to it than local knowledge. With another win for KTM to round out the year, they look ahead to the prospects and expectations on the Austrian manufacturer for 2021 now it's established as a MotoGP race winner. There's also talk of Suzuki's weekend to forget, more problems at Yamaha, and why Valentino Rossi should be happy that he's switching from the works team to Petronas, alongside his buddy and 2020 runner-up Franco Morbidelli. Plus, we couldn't ignore the Jorge Lorenzo vs Cal Crutchlow spat that blew up over Yamaha's choice of test rider for next year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MotoGP has a new world champion: Suzuki's Joan Mir. Toby Moody and Simon Patterson reflect on the second race weekend at Valencia, where Mir was crowned for 2020. Simon explains why he was backing Mir much earlier in the season, and what Suzuki got right this year that no other team could. There's also a detailed look at what went wrong for Yamaha's main hopes in Maverick Vinales and Fabio Quartararo, and how the latter's season has completely fallen apart. Toby also raises the question of if Valentino Rossi has become anonymous after single-handedly helping MotoGP to explode throughout the 21st century, and there are some crucial updates on Marc Marquez as it emerges he could even be in a race against time to be fit for the start of 2021. Plus we discuss Jorge Lorenzo's reaction to being replaced by Cal Crutchlow as Yamaha's test rider, and why Andrea Iannone was slapped with the maximum ban on the table in his doping case. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The craziest season in MotoGP's modern era now appears set to crown a champion before the final race of the year. Toby Moody and Simon Patterson get together after the first of Valencia's double header races to discuss how Suzuki and Joan Mir took control of the championship battle, on a weekend where everything that could go wrong did go wrong for Yamaha. There's also a look at KTM's fortunes after a pole position and a podium finish, the futures of Andrea Dovizioso and Jorge Lorenzo, how Valentino Rossi's VR46 team will take its first steps into MotoGP's top class next year, plus the latest concerning signs in Marc Marquez's long and difficult recovery from injury. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The first weekend of MotoGP's Valencia double header has been marred by the row over the penalty Yamaha has picked up for an infringement surrounding its engines. In this special episode of The Race MotoGP Podcast, Toby Moody is joined by Simon Patterson and MotoGP technology expert Neil Spalding to explain what's happened, why rivals are so upset, and the possibility of further ramifications for the championship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MotoGP technology guru Neil Spalding joins Toby Moody to discuss the the big talking points under the skin of the 2020 MotoGP bikes so far this year. We start off with an in-depth look at Ducati, which went from being the only credible rival to Marc Marquez and Honda in recent years, to losing its way completely when the Spaniard ended up on the sidelines. Neil explains what hasn't worked for Ducati in 2020, how bad things have got inside the team, and why Johann Zarco could be the secret to its success in the future.There's also plenty to talk about with the other manufacturers on the grid: Yamaha: How it has bounced back from those early-season engine problems, but is there more pain to come? Honda: Why did it end up with a bike that only Marc Marquez could ride, and what has it done recently to become competitive again? Suzuki: How it's winning this wide-open championship, the secrecy around its updates through the year, and the risk it took with Alex Rins last time out that it won't take with points leader Joan Mir.KTM: Why has it slipped back since those early-season wins? The explanation is actually quite straightforward, and suggests KTM's in for an even bigger challenge in 2021. APRILIA: Why the season hasn't matched the high hopes the team had at the beginning of the year. Plus, can it find a star rider for 2021? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The second MotoGP race in as many weeks at Aragon threw up just as many surprises as every other race this year. But, as Toby Moody and Simon Patterson explain, a clearer picture is starting to emerge in the championship fight, with some of the contenders starting to fall out of contention, and some big names effectively accepting defeat. And will it matter if the champion at the end of the year hasn't won a race? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can you win a MotoGP championship without winning a race? Toby Moody and Simon Patterson discuss everything going on in MotoGP from a busy first weekend at Aragon, which started with Valentino Rossi testing positive for COVID-19, and ended with what Simon believes could be a decisive moment in the championship battle in favour of Joan Mir, even though he hasn't claimed a win yet.Fabio Quartararo's disastrous tumble down the order is explained, as is Maverick Vinales' gamble for the race, Honda's change of fortunes with Alex Marquez, what's making Suzuki tick so well behind the scenes, plus the latest infighting at Ducati. We also look at the prospect of Andrea Dovizioso spending next year as a test rider, and if he could end up doing so with the number 1 on his bike! And despite Toby's frustrations with the whole saga of Andrea Iannone's doping case, Simon explains the latest developments, and how it's impacting what could happen next in the 2021 rider market. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The French Grand Prix at Le Mans was the first wet MotoGP race since 2018, and it threw up a shock result that was eye-catching even by 2020's standards. Toby Moody and Simon Patterson look back on all the talking points from the weekend, including how Andrea Dovizioso failed to capitalise on a day that the Ducati was the bike to have, and the first signs that the rest of the title contenders were riding with their championship hopes weighing heavily on their minds. There's also a look at the latest theories on when Marc Marquez will return, if Valentino Rossi's legendary consistency is gone for good, and what to expect from the final five rounds of the season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With no MotoGP race to look back on this week, Toby Moody and Simon Patterson look to the future to explain what is likely to happen when MotoGP's next round of contracts with its teams are up for renewal. The process will almost certainly result in a shuffle of the satellite teams, with the series' ambition to be for all six factories to have four bikes on the grid. If that happens, who gets the Suzuki and Aprilia deals, and what happens to Ducati's third team? And is Valentino Rossi's VR46 outfit waiting in the wings to pick up a deal? There's also talk about why a global recession shouldn't hit MotoGP as hard as the last financial crash did, and how the championship bounced back from having races less than a decade ago where it looked like it was scrambling to fill the grid. Toby and Simon also look to how next year's calendar may look if there's more disruption, and they run through who pays for what to give you a better idea of how this year's schedule came together in the most challenging of times. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Valentino Rossi was even more of a centre of attention than usual at MotoGP's Catalan Grand Prix - his 2021 Petronas SRT Yamaha deal finally done, his best form of the year so far, but then a crash as he chased victory.Toby Moody and Simon Patterson give their take on the wild highs and lows of Rossi's weekend, and how that crash happened.The race also provided another big twist in the crazy title battle. Is it now a two-horse race between Fabio Quartararo and Joan Mir after new blows for Andrea Dovizioso and Maverick Vinales. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MotoGP's second race at Misano was by no means a clone of the first from a week before. Toby Moody and Simon Patterson discuss all the big talking points from the second leg of the Italian double-header:- Did Pecco Bagnaia have the strangest reason ever for crashing out of the lead?- Can the Yamaha bike only win from the front?- What's gone wrong for Fabio Quartararo since starting the season with a double victory?- Are MotoGP's strict track limits rules correct?- Why Valentino Rossi believes he can still win the title- Why Simon is picking a new title favourite who hasn't won a race yet- Can Andrea Dovizioso stay out front, or has he shot himself in the foot?- What went wrong for Alex Rins?- KTM's improvement from 'Misano 1'- The signs of Alex Marquez and Repsol Honda turning a corner- Why MotoGP's trial of radio communication with riders was a failure- The latest on Rossi's move to Petronas Yamaha, and why that team may be casting glances towards a future with Suzuki+ much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Toby Moody and Simon Patterson look back at all the MotoGP action from the first weekend of the Misano double-header. There's talk about another fairytale win in MotoGP, and why Valentino Rossi will be pleased about it even if his own race drifted away near the end and he lost a podium finish on the final lap. We look at if Rossi's VR46 team would ever step up to MotoGP, and would it do so with a manufacturer other than Yamaha? The 2021 rider market remains in focus, as does the prospect of Andrea Dovizioso winning the title for Ducati on his way through the exit door. Will the Italian's experience punish the inconsistency of the rest? Repsol Honda's position at the BOTTOM of the teams' standings is in the firing line, while there's also an explanation for KTM's "return to normality" after the highs of recent races. And Simon provides some numbers on how much faster the closed-up field is going in 2020 even without Marc Marquez on the grid. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Toby Moody and Simon Patterson tackle your questions about all things old and new in MotoGP, with a guest appearance from Neil Spalding to answer the most technical of them. Perhaps most importantly, Neil explains why his MotoGP Technology book features some pictures from 2006 when Valentino Rossi didn't run his 'The Doctor' stickers on his Yamaha! Talking of Rossi, the show kicks off with Simon explaining why the Italian's deal to move to Petronas Yamaha hasn't been made official yet. There's also plenty of 2020 title battle talk, looking back at the best eras of MotoGP and 500s, some suggestions for Andrea Dovizioso's post-Ducati future, and if there are more satellite teams on the horizon. Plus much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Yamaha started the 2020 MotoGP season in commanding fashion with Fabio Quatararo at Jerez, but now engine woes threaten to derail its hopes of winning the championship in Marc Marquez's absense. MotoGP technical expert Neil Spalding joins Toby Moody to give the full story on what's going on with Yamaha's engines, and why it might have passed up its best opportunity to safeguard against more dramas over the remainder of the season. For more of Neil's brilliant tech insight visit https://motogptechnology.com/ to check out his incredible book on what goes on under the skin of MotoGP machinery. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Toby Moody and Simon Patterson try to catch their breath after another phenomenal 2020 MotoGP race, and they attempt to work out what's coming next in this most crazy of seasons. They look at the big talking points from the second race in Austria, including KTM going from strength to strength (and losing its concessions as a result), Miguel Oliveira's journey to becoming a winner in the top class, why a win at last for Tech3 was so popular (and some stories from the past about that team), and how MotoGP now has a competitive model F1 can only dream of. They also look at the latest scary accident for Maverick Vinales and explain what caused his brake failure, plus there's an update on Marc Marquez's condition - should he try to ride at all this year? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Toby Moody and Simon Patterson reflect on a weekend that will forever be remembered as a lucky one for MotoGP. They look at the accident in the premier class where Valentino Rossi and Maverick Vinales narrowly avoided disaster, while there was also drama in Moto2. The racing itself was exciting either side of the red flag stoppage, and we also look at Andrea Dovizioso's win against the backdrop of him confirming his Ducati exit, plus more drama for Pol Espargaro, the politics behind Yamaha's attempts to fix its engine concerns and much more from the weekend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With three races in the books for MotoGP 2020, Toby Moody is joined by technical guru Neil Spalding to look at what we've learned about the secrets of the machines on the grid so far this season. That means a big chat about how Honda has got itself into so much trouble with a bike only Marc Marquez can ride, and what it will have to do to fix that - plus Neil's theory on what might have caused Marquez's crash at Jerez. Yamaha's engine dramas are also in the spotlight, as are the struggles for its three riders on factory 2020-spec machinery in Brno, and why Maverick Vinales appears lost. Yamaha's problems are nothing compared to the factory Ducati team, which is all at sea. And how did Johann Zarco manage to star on its 2019 bike? Find out much more about the man Toby and Neil refer to as 'Lorenzo 2' and why that's working so well for him at a reborn Avintia team. There's also an explanation of what KTM does differently to all of its rivals, and how that helped it win in Brno, plus why Suzuki has little to show for getting everything right technically, and a look at if the Aprilia is as good as we keep being told it is. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Toby Moody and Simon Patterson are back to discuss a wild weekend at Brno for MotoGP. They look at how everything came together for Brad Binder to take KTM's first victory in the premier class, and ask if the result would have been any different if a fit Marc Marquez was on the grid. There's also terrible weekends for the remaining Hondas, the factory Ducatis, and the works Yamahas. The revival of Johann Zarco is a big talking point, along with his clash with Pol Espargaro, controversial penalty and skillful 'long lap'. There's updates on the condition of Marquez, whose absence has blown the 2020 season wide open, and a look ahead to the upcoming double-header in Austria. The Red Bull Ring is usually Ducati and Honda territory - surely that won't be the case this year...? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MotoGP's second race in as many weeks at Jerez gave us plenty to talk about. Toby Moody and Simon Patterson look back on how wise it was for Marc Marquez to try to ride just days after surgery on his arm, Fabio Quartararo's position as runaway championship leader, Valentino Rossi's Yamaha 'politics' comment and the manufacturer's engine worries, and if Ducati is in trouble. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 2020 MotoGP season is finally up and running, but Fabio Quartararo's long-awaited first victory wasn't the biggest talking point of the weekend. Toby Moody and Simon Patterson discuss all the major stories from Jerez, where the destiny of the 2020 title was thrown up in the air when Marc Marquez crashed while charging back through the field after an earlier off. How bad could the injury be, and what does it mean for the rest of the season? We also look at the fortunes of MotoGP's other big names, ahead of doing it all again at Jerez in a few days' time for round two. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Toby Moody, Neil Spalding and Simon Patterson are back for a second crack at previewing the 2020 MotoGP season, which finally gets underway at Jerez. We look at the likely fortunes of all the manufacturers, including how Honda could have used the enforce break to work on its chassis concerns from pre-season. There's also more rider market chat following the latest confirmed moves. Cal Crutchlow is leaving Honda: where could he end up, and has Honda just let its best test rider go? The guys also come up with a solution for the Andrea Dovizioso/Ducati stand-off, in the form of a world champion who might fancy a call-up from the sidelines... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrea Dovizioso's broken collarbone just weeks before the delayed start of the 2020 MotoGP season is the main topic of our latest podcast. Toby Moody and Simon Patterson discuss the latest on the situation of the man who has finished second in the championship for the last three years, how the injury could affect his 2020 season, and if it will have any influence on his place in the 2021 rider market. Talking of deals for the future, we round up the latest jigsaw pieces being put into place, including KTM's reshuffle that involves Danilo Petrucci riding a Tech3 bike next year. There's also discussion on the developments in Andrea Iannone's doping case, how the calendar looks so far, and Simon's take on journalists not being allowed to attend the early races of the season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MotoGP's 2021 rider market shows no signs of waiting for racing to get underway this year before it sorts itself out. Toby Moody and Simon Patterson bring you up to date with all the done deals and growing speculation around how the entire grid will look next year, including the latest rumour that Pol Espargaro could be in line for Alex Marquez's seat on the second factory Honda. Plus much more on the timeline for Valentino Rossi to make a decision on his future, how long Cal Crutchlow will stick around in MotoGP, what the disruption means for any plans Jorge Lorenzo had to evaluate a comeback, and how Jack Miller's move to the works Ducati team could change the way Andrea Dovizioso feels about interest from KTM. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Casey Stoner's second MotoGP title is our focus this week, with Toby Moody and Neil Spalding looking back at the long and difficult journey Honda went through to finally win a championship in the 800cc era. Neil explains why Honda struggled when the new rules came in for 2007 after it had dominated during the 990cc rules, and the measures it took over the years that followed to have a bike ready to make Stoner a champion again in 2011. We also look at the struggles of Yamaha and the Valentino Rossi-Ducati combination that year, plus the memorable cameos during that season from Marco Simoncelli, before the tragic events of Sepang that year robbed the MotoGP paddock of one of its fastest riders and biggest personalities Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jorge Lorenzo was a man reborn at the start of this year, free of the demons that plagued the end of his full-time MotoGP career, back in the Yamaha fold and looking forward to making a wildcard appearance at Barcelona. While those plans are now on hold, Toby Moody and Simon Patterson discuss Lorenzo's journey to retirement at the end of last year, via his heroics with Yamaha, the combustible relationship with Ducati that fell apart just before things came good on track, and why things didn't work at Honda in 2019. They also take an in-depth look at where his head is at in 2020, after Simon got to sit down for one of the most open interviews he's ever done with a big-name MotoGP rider during pre-season. And could we see Lorenzo race full-time in MotoGP again, perhaps alongside Rossi either at the Petronas team or in a special 'legends' line-up? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Toby Moody and Neil Spalding take themselves back to the remarkable 2006 MotoGP season, when Nicky Hayden and Honda defeated the seemingly unstoppable Valentino Rossi/Yamaha combination. They recall why Hayden was on a 'special' development Honda that year, and how it ended up being a 'patchwork' bike. They also look at what caused the chatter problems that derailed Rossi's season, and the non-scores that proved so costly for The Doctor. Ducati was in the mix with Loris Capirossi until the horror shunt at Barcelona, which also effectively ended Sete Gibernau's career as a top-line rider. The Michelin v Bridgestone tyre war was in full effect by this point, and the two companies went about MotoGP in very different ways. The year reached a conclusion with Hayden and Honda seemingly throwing it away as Rossi hacked away at the points deficit, culminating in the implosion that was Dani Pedrosa taking Hayden out in the penultimate round - one of MotoGP's greatest races at Estoril. But the drama wasn't done there, and Toby and Neil recall their memories of being in Valencia when Hayden was crowned, Rossi fell, and Troy Bayliss blew everyone away on a one-off return to Ducati. And finally, Neil tells us what it was like to ride Hayden's bike the following day! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrea Iannone's 18-month ban for failing a drugs test is the subject of our latest MotoGP podcast, with Toby Moody and Simon Patterson discussing how a career that promised so much has come to what looks like an ignominious end. Simon details how Iannone ended up with the length of ban that he did, and we also take a look at the highs of the Italian's career, before detailing how things had spiralled downwards on-track even before this scandal kicked off late last year. Plus, Toby and Simon discuss the chances of Iannone ever riding at the top of the motorcycle racing pyramid again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MotoGP technical guru Neil Spalding joins Toby Moody to revisit Valentino Rossi's dramatic switch from Honda to Yamaha for the 2004 MotoGP season. As well as recalling their personal memories of being in the paddock when Rossi announced he was leaving the dominant force of MotoGP's then-new four-stroke era, they explain in depth how the technical battle was shaping up between Honda and Yamaha in those crucial early years after the 500cc bikes were sidelined. Rossi's stunning debut win for Yamaha is revisited, including mentions of the key personnel from the team that made his remarkable achievements that year possible. Toby and Neil also look at where Yamaha stands today as a result of its mid-2000s turnaround, and if it is about to go through a similar process from 2019 to 2020 as it did from 2003 to 2004. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The delayed start to the MotoGP season is likely to have an impact on one of the biggest storylines of 2020: What Valentino Rossi decides to do in his future. Toby Moody and Simon Patterson discuss if Rossi still has 'it' on a motorcycle, his motivation, his opposition, his status in the sport and if he could really contemplate stepping down to a satellite team now Fabio Quarataro is taking his Yamaha seat for next year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is the door open for someone to beat Marc Marquez and Honda to the 2020 MotoGP title after their troubled winter? For our first full episode, Toby Moody and Simon Patterson are joined by technical guru and author of MotoGP Technology Neil Spalding to unpick how pre-season went for every manufacturer on the grid. Check out the latest edition of Neil's book at https://motogptechnology.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As an introduction to our brand new MotoGP podcast for the 2020 season, host Toby Moody and The-Race.com's MotoGP correspondent Simon Patterson are joined by technical guru Neil Spalding for a quick look at what they are excited about for the new season. Our full season preview will be dropping very soon - make sure you subscribe so you don't miss it! Keep up with all the latest goings-on in MotoGP and all other major motorsport series at The-Race.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices