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It happened because this situation (riders leaving the start grid) is accounted for in the MotoGP regulations. But we can expect the rule to be changed as the three riders who had gambled on slick tires did not get any benefit from being smarter than the rest.

While he most likely expected a different outcome, e.g. starting from pit lane instead of from the grid, because several riders followed his lead to change bikes, he got the best possible deal: a start delay with no penalty and the right for everyone to restart on the grid with their dry bikes. The MotoGP rules are clear; if 11 riders leave the grid, then this is a delayed restart; this rule was implemented to avoid having too many riders starting from pit lane, as it happened once, making it a safety hazard. Obviously, they are going to revisit the rule given that a few riders that had chosen a dry bike had their advantage taken away. However, Marquez was punished since he encroached on that slippery border and terminated his race while in a comfortable lead. This is good for the show. Giving confidence to Bagnaia that Marquez is simply human, and nulled his advantage where he had an edge on everybody else. Hopefully, we are going to see the real confrontation in Qatar, with the advantage evened out.

#5 Is applicable in several countries. #9 is applicable in several countries #11 is unfortunately very true, and thank god for Aussie GPs to tell the kids early about them. Worse, they get bailed out with our money on top of all their scaming derivatives! #13 I did not know that Australia was so close to the Royals. I was under the impression they could not care less... #18 This one is applicable everywhere in the world nowadays. It used to only be applicable to developping countries. #22 Absolutely true everywhere, but the real truth is, most of the stuff which is so-called made at home, is actually "assembled" at home. My car is a Ford, but it was assembled in Spain. #40 Ditto... have you followed the story about the Submarines order? a very good example...

You won't. Someone will stop to help you. It is in the human nature. In all that madness that seem to surround us nowadays, you can still find good people aplenty!

This reminded me of the good old days, when I started riding. Whatever happened to you, you were NEVER alone. Other motorcyclists would ALWAYS stop to check on you if you were on the side of the road. This was some kind of frat devotion that you would carry forward yourself. Fortunately, here in Texas, it still happens. I have had people pulling up to check on me many times now. Not motorcyclists, but pickup trucks. The last experience was in Lafayette, a guy had a workshop in his truck, and helped to put the Quota back in running mode. Thank god for these road saviors...

According to his latest interviews, he said that he is trying to ignore that everybody says he is going to win hand's down. Trying to find some unexpected challenges where they aren't. Good luck with that.

I am taking guesses for who will be the first of the seconds? I watched all the vlogs of MotoGP specialists which have people at COTA last night; there is not a single one predicting anything else but two more wins for MM93. The focus is on who could arrive behind him; Alex Marquex is not a favorie on this one, even if he probably gets some special information from his brother. Some are predicting the return of Francesco Bagnaia, which is something to be expected, but will it happen here? Maverick Viñales won last year, Alex Rins in 2023, Enea Bastianini in 2022. So we have two of the winners on Tech 3 KTMs, and the other on a Yamaha. Unless of course Bezzecchi find its way with the Aprilia.

Texas Sidecar Company Open House on March 29th, 2025; Watch the video showing what they do. They also export if you were ever interested in getting a sidecar for your Guzzi. They ship out everywhere.

Weather forecast predicts rain for Friday on COTA. However Saturday and Sunday should be dry. Nothing will come in between MM93 and the opportunity to get to his fifth and sixth wins of the season. The greatest uncertainty will be about the second and third; whom will it be?

Coming back to this topic, I remember that in the 70's, when I started riding (in France), you did not really need to worry about carrying tools with you, for each and every gas station carried just about anything you needed; spark plugs, tools, consumables, tubes. They actually would fix your flats on the spot. Free air of course, and they would also change your oil if you needed it. Batteries and what not. Today's gas station here are more grocery stores with gas pumps. You can still find oil. But the original purpose of taking care of your vehicle is different.

Gigi Dall'Igna had confirmed that all hands are on the deck to correct the front end issue Francesco Bagnaia is currently having. I thought it had to do with the tank? Meanwhile, Bagnaia is hinting that he may go back to the GP24 millesime rather than getting the GP24.9 up to his taste. You can read about it on Motosprint.it https://www.motosprint.it/news/motomondiale/2025/03/20-8018798/motogp_dall_igna_bagnaia_non_puo_e_non_deve_faticare_cosi_per_un_3_posto_

According to both A+M, on the race track, they both race to win. Now, we should not forget that Alex is the junior, and there always will be some deference towards his older brother. This is human, they can't help it. Something else, we have noticed how Alex is the best of the rest; at least so far... I am convinced there is some additional help coming from Marc; no surprise there. This is why I am pointing on Alex being second on COTA too. I hope I am wrong, but I hardly see any other brand challenging the Ducati herd like Maverick Viñales did last year on the Aprilia. Although, Pedro Acosta came in second, the 2025 KTM is now lagging behind. They did not keep up with the development because of the financial constraints. Enea Bastianini came in 3rd last year, on the Aprilia too; however on the Tech 3 KTM, he will be facing the same challenges. Bezzechi is not a big performer on this track, so all bets are open on what he could do on the Aprilia. I do not know where to factor Francesco Bagnaia in the mix. According to Gigi Dal Igna, they have partially resolved the issues that he is currently facing with the GP24.9. Who else on a Ducati could challenge Marquez? Morbidelli? DiGia? I don't think so... Jorge Martin is now penciled for a return in Qatar; I think he has thrown away any chance to be World Champion again this year. Besides, he is going to have to lear to ride a MotoGP again, and I hope he is going to take it slow. Thus, I am expecting another Marquez stroll in COTA.

I tried to call multiple times, without success. But he sent me an email to tell me the part is shipping today. I guess my last email warning that I was going to cancel the transaction may have helped.

Edit: Harper's just contacted me today to inform the part had shipped. For eveyone's information; I did purchase a part for the Quota on Friday the 14th of March 2025, and there has been no confirmation since I made the transaction. Complete silence from Harper's. I am going to wait until the end of next week, and without any communication from them, I will cancel the transaction. I seem to remember someone else posting on this forum with a similar experience. It is quite a contrast with MGCycle. I recently reported an issue with the AFI oil filters, and Andrew replied right away.