2016 MotoGP Thread
 

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Like 2015, 2016 will be an 18 race calendar. There have been a number of shifts of note, particularly the British race moving to September after the British F1 was race moved to July.

The 2016 season starts a week earlier than 2015 and ends almost a week later.

March 20 - Qatar (Losail)
April 3 - Argentina (Termas de Rio Hondo)
April 10 - Americas (Austin)
April 24 - Spain (Jerez)
May 8 - France (Le Mans)
May 22 - Italy (Mugello)
June 5 - Catalunya (Barcelona)
June 26 - Netherlands (Assen)
July 17 - Germany (Sachsenring)
August 14 - Austria (Red Bull Ring)
August 21 - Czech Republic (Brno)
September 4 - Britain (Silverstone)
September 11 - San Marino (Misano)
September 25 - Aragon
October 16 - Japan (Motegi)
October 23 - Australia (Phillip Island)
October 30 - Malaysia (Sepang)
November 13 - Valencia

CONFIRMED 2016 MOTOGP LINE-UP SO FAR

Yamaha: Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo
Honda: Marc Marquez, Dani Pedrosa
Ducati: Andrea Iannone, Andrea Dovizioso
Suzuki: Aleix Espargaro, Maverick Vinales
Gresini Aprilia: Alvaro Bautista, Stefan Bradl
Tech 3 Yamaha: Bradley Smith, Pol Espargaro
LCR Honda: Cal Crutchlow
Marc VDS Honda: Tito Rabat, Jack Miller
Aspar Ducati: Yonny Hernandez,Eugene Laverty
Pramac Ducati: Danilo Petrucci, Scott Redding
Avintia Ducati: Loris Baz, Hector Barbera

British MotoGP at Silverstone moves to September in calendar change - MotoGP news - AUTOSPORT.com

http://cdn.images.autosport.com/edit...1446482738.jpg

Aspar MotoGP team swaps Honda for Ducati, keeps Laverty for 2016 - MotoGP news - AUTOSPORT.com

Aspar MotoGP team swaps Honda for Ducati, keeps Laverty for 2016

http://cdn.images.autosport.com/edit...1445069324.jpg

It's probably still too early to start a 2017 MotoGP thread but this is exciting regardless ...

KTM RC16 turns first laps ahead of 2017 MotoGP return

http://cdn.images.autosport.com/edit...1446562893.jpg

And some great shots over at Cycle World:

KTM RC16 MotoGP Race Bike on the Grid for 2017 | Cycle World: New KTM MotoGP race bike will be on the grid in 2017. With video!

http://www.cycleworld.com/wp-content...49-590x393.jpg

And a great article about the bike's engine over at Sport Rider:

http://www.sportrider.com/sportbike-...hp-motogp-bike

http://www.sportrider.com/sites/spor...?itok=nJK5s0gf

Silverstone's days in MotoGP are almost numbered ... Circuit of Wales is proceeding with development (finally)! :)

Circuit of Wales has planning application accepted - Motorcycle news : Racing news - Visordown

My childhood bestie moved to whales. In a few years that would be a solid reason to visit

F1 would have disqualified Valentino Rossi for Marc Marquez clash - MotoGP news - AUTOSPORT.com

I'm not sure why Bernie even needed to comment on this. Oh wait, he loves to comment on EVERYTHING.

Casey Stoner returns to MotoGP as Ducati test rider

http://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims...otegi_2007.jpg

Bernie likes to talk:

MotoGP News - Rossi right to stay in MotoGP ? Ecclestone

Some bits & info:

Ducati unhappy with its 2015 MotoGP season despite improvement - MotoGP news - AUTOSPORT.com

-despite their best season in five years, Ducati ultimately not satisfied with their 2015 campaign

KTM's new MotoGP bike has first full test, debut for Mika Kallio - MotoGP news - AUTOSPORT.com

-KTM's new MotoGP bike is coming together ... will make for a very interesting 2017!

MotoGP tension with Marquez and Lorenzo will cool, Rossi expects - MotoGP news - AUTOSPORT.com

-good. Let's hope the drama doesn't spill over into 2016

Big changes for 2016:

Changes to Technical Regulations for 2016

Good news for Rossi fans, VR very confident going into the last year of his contract with Yamaha:

Valentino Rossi: 2015 wasn't my last MotoGP title chance - MotoGP news - AUTOSPORT.com

Ya no. He's done for good. If he can't clinch a title with Lorenzo half asleep in the first half of the season and Marquez crashing out more than he finishes... he's not going to clinch ever as long as those two are in the grid.

Time to retire to old man. With Ducati he had an excuse; but with Yamaha it just confirms that he's nothing more than a "has-been" who may get lucky with a race with every now and then.

I'm skeptical about him winning another championship but it's hard to dismiss Vale when his 36 year old ass is actually improving year after year since his return to Yamaha.

What I'm hoping to see is Casey returning and winning on a Ducati to spit in Honda's face. Maybe the resentment Casey is feeling after the Suzuka incident is enough to throw him back on the saddle.

It only looks that way (at least to me) if I'm basing my perspective out of comparing his tenure from Ducati vs. his 2nd stint at Yamaha. Sure at that angle it makes it look like the future is promising.

However, with 6 races to go last season and he only had to win 1 race and/or beat only 1 guy and and he couldn't find an answer; I think I've seen the limits of what Rossi can do.

I don't see MM getting plagued by the same GP15 frame problems as he did the on the first-half of last season, and Lorenzo just showed that he can coast the first half of a season and still bypass Rossi. I really don't think he has any answers for those 2 riders on the grid for the foreseeable future.

I'm with you there.

I'm talking about his performance from 2013 till now. He's adapted his riding style to suit the newer machines and his pace has improved every season. qualifying is still pretty shit but better this year than 13' and 14', iirc. Consistent podiums with a win here and there is enough to get me through the next few years when hopefully Iannone and Vinales get better lol

KTM launch fan trip to see new GP bike in action | MCN

Awesome way to start constructing your fanbase! Very strategic of KTM. :)

New Finnish track KymiRing in MotoGP race talks for 2017 or '18 - MotoGP news - AUTOSPORT.com

Finland to possibly join circuit in 2017 or 2018.

It's actually a surprise that it took this long ... but Baz's crash triggered this mandate from FIM ...

FIM mandate MotoGP tyre pressure sensors | MCN

So this is very interesting ....

Lorenzo wants new Yamaha deal before 2016 MotoGP season starts - MotoGP news - AUTOSPORT.com

-Lorenzo is entering the final year of his contract with Yamaha
-Lorenzo wants his contract extended BEFORE the season begins (security)
-Yamaha hasn't [yet] made an effective offer to retain Lorenzo
-Lorenzo's preference is to stay with Yamaha
-Ducati (it is rumoured) heavily desires to sign Lorenzo away from Yamaha if he enters "free agency" after this season