On essentially the same equipment, Pol Espargara beat Marc Marquez straight up … more than once. But that was in Moto2.
The MotoGP rookie Espargaro is not quite as fortunate as Marquez, who received a factory Repsol Honda in his rookie year. Espargaro is aboard a Tech 3 Yamaha, a satellite bike, but he nevertheless is distinguishing himself as a MotoGP rookie. Currently 6th in the championship, Pol (as opposed to his brother Aleix) has six consecutive top 10 finishes after a 7th place at Catalunya. To earn that 7th place, he fought the top factory Ducati rider, Andrea Dovizioso, tooth-and-nail.
Could Pol Espargaro beat Marc Marquez on equal equipment? That question may be answered sooner, rather than later.
Pretty sure I just saw Pedrosa challenge Marc right up to the last corner, with Rossi just a few tenths back. He’s already being challenged, more and more each race.
If only Tito Rabbat could benefit from the rookie rule and get that second Repsol next year. Not that HRC wants a real threat to MM’s chances of a 3rd title next year, but that guy’s been dominating moto2 this year and comes from Spain…
Honda management sat down with Marquez and told him to slow down to give others a chance.
Lol, yea right
Marquez has seemed to have lost some of his zing lately, actually having to work for a win. I wonder why….
the went from Mugello to Catalunya. 2 home tracks.
they.
If Rossi or Lorenzo were on a Honda would they beat Marquez. I bet they would. The competition at this level is so close.
That’ll be funny when Pol is on Pole
http://www.yamaha-racing.com/Racing/wall_of_fame/ Wow…Yamaha’s Wall of Fame GP Motorcycle Championships is long and impressive…especially multiple triple-consecutive #1s. I don’t know how Big Red compares, but it certainly appears Yamaha will get it’s mojo back one day, possibly with this sharp looking Spaniard.
I’m love Marquez more and more, but won’t lament seeing colors other than black and orange on the #1 podium someday soon.
Aleix is showing some potential too. Only 4 points behind his brother in the standings, and another year under his belt, he seems to have the potential to get a few podiums this year.
It could happen.
“Could Pol Espargaro beat Marc Marquez on equal equipment? That question may be answered sooner, rather than later.”
Is the implication that Espargaro will take over Pedrosa’s seat?
Q: “Is the implication that Espargaro will take over Pedrosa’s seat?”
A: no.
Rossi’s seat maybe. Rossi may be resurgent this year, but at 35 it’s a swan song. Whether you’re a Rossi fan or not.
and there it is. it’s not by accident Paul is on the Yamaha “farm team”.
Rossi is on the verge of signing a contract extension. No chance that this season is a swan song.
Pedrosa isn’t going anywhere. Honda is trying really hard to resign him for another couple of years.
Read a rumor though that Lorenzo only wants a one year deal with Yamaha ( instead of 2 that Yamaha wants) so that he can go to Ducati in 2016. Lord knows why?
Also, Marquez is a moving target (pun intended) and what happened in Moto2, as was pointed out, is in the past and the assumption that there’s been growth since is natural. Still, if Lorenzo has truly lost his mojo then some fresh faces will naturally follow.
Not this year.
Definite alien potential! Great to see battles up front in the premier class again.
The lean angle he’s generating on that Yamaha is absolutely insane! Forget about dragging his knee… he’s practically dragging his shoulder!
Unless someone is on a Repsol Honda that’s a patch on MM’s bike, they won’t beat him. Rossi (or Stoner) could fight MM straight up. Lorenzo probably could, as well. Perhaps Pol also might, given enough seat time, but as it currently stands only Vale and Jorge could give Marquez a consistent fight, and only if they’re on equal machinery, which they aren’t.
translation…? NATCORK. see Very Light-J gets it.
Re: “Lorenzo probably could,”
Lorenzo had more wins than Marquez just last year. The differences in equipment are tiny. Yamaha just needs a little break through and they’ll be right there again.
re: “Lorenzo had more wins than Marquez just last year.”
and Then Came Bronson…
re: “The differences in equipment are tiny.”
differences in consumption and tyre use…? not so much.
re: “Yamaha just needs a little break through”
Jay needs a DELOREAN. this way he can go back in time and fix those 2 rounds that put “paid” to his 2014 season.
Re: “differences in consumption and tyre use…? not so much”
Tiny. Anything more would’ve put Rossi far enough back to prevent him taking advantage of Dani’s mistake. Jorge clearly has other problems.
“The differences in equipment are tiny.”
We must not be watching the same races. Every time there’s a long straight and the Repsol Hondas easily swallow up the Yamahas, I doubt that Rossi and Lorenzo are thinking, “Hmmm, just a tiny difference. I got this!”
VLJ, soon-to-be General in this man’s Army.
Hmm. And this year? Marc was a rookie last year. What you’re saying is even though Lorenzo had more wins Marquez still won the championship, ergo: Marc was more consistent than JL even in his rookie year. Lorenzo is struggling for consistency again this year, not crashing, but definitely not inspired every race. Even the geezer Rossi’s outriding Lorenzo. How demoralizing is that for JL? I think Lorenzo’s psyched and lacks mental toughness. Not saying he can’t get it back…
“What you’re saying is even though Lorenzo had more wins Marquez still won the championship, ergo: Marc was more consistent than JL even in his rookie year.”
It had little to do with consistency and everything to do with fortune, both good and bad. MM crashed a LOT more than Lorenzo did last year. Hell, MM was practically Ruben Xaus: The Second Coming. What decided last year’s championship was the simple fact that Lorenzo and Pedroza suffered major injuries as a result of their few crashes while Marquez always walked away unscathed following his numerous tumbles. If Marquez suffers the broken collarbone and misses a race or two before riding hurt for a couple more races and Lorenzo never gets hurt, it’s an entirely different championship.
Luck of the draw, and luck was in #93’s corner.
Truth!
Judged alone, Moto2 bikes are fast and tons of fun to watch. Moto3 is much quicker. By the time the MotoGP bikes roll out, Moto2 is a distant memory. By comparison, Moto2 bikes are running in reverse.
The difference between 7th and Marquez is an eternity. I suppose we’ll find out.