Paddock Pass Podcast

Sunday proved to be a fascinating day in the 2023 MotoGP season. Jorge Martin went from leading to losing the championship, while Pecco Bagnaia rode one the best races of his career to take victory. As the dust settled, Adam Wheeler, Neil Morrison, and David Emmett gathered to debate why Martin crashed, how Bagnaia won, what difference the medium rear made, Fabio Quartararo's revival, a rider union, and much more.

With MotoGP about to go into hyperdrive, and six races in seven weeks, Steve English, Neil Morrison and David Emmett look ahead to the Indonesian round of MotoGP at Mandalika.

But first, there is some news to get through. Shortly after we heard that Marc Marquez was leaving Honda, KTM announced that it would be Augusto Fernandez partnering Pedro Acosta in the Tech3 GasGas team, with Pol Espargaro moved into a different role. We discuss that move, assess the championship fight between Jorge Martin and Pecco Bagnaia, and ask if Marco Bezzecchi's injury puts him out of the title fight.

Alvaro Bautista had an outstanding weekend at Portimão, winning both main races and the Superpole race, but Toprak Razgatlioglu's tenacious defence, finishing second in all three races, means the championship will still go to the final round. Steve English and Gordon Ritchie survey the state of the WorldSBK championship after the round in Portugal.

Even though we have known for a month or so that Marc Marquez is going to leave Honda, the official announcement today still came as a shock. So the Paddock Pass Podcast crew gathered to read the runes, and chew over what it means for MotoGP.

Neil Morrison, Steve English, David Emmett, and Adam Wheeler examine what effect it will have on MotoGP, why Marquez left, who will go with him, which sponsors might go with him, and what the knock-on effect on next year's rider market will be. We also have insight from former World Superbike champion and TNT Sports MotoGP commentator Neil Hodgson.

The rain came to Motegi just as the grand prix was about to start, throwing up a thrilling battle for the championship, some red flag excitement, and lots and lots to talk about. Adam Wheeler, Neil Morrison, and David Emmett try to make sense of it all in this episode of the Paddock Pass Podcast.

We ask questions and answer them. Why is Jorge Martin so good? Why was Johann Zarco excluded from the results? Will Johann Zarco ever win a race? When will we hear about Marc Marquez' moves, and what's up with Augusto Fernandez, Pedro Acosta, and Pol Espargaro? And are flag-to-flag races actually any fun?

How does a MotoGP team move bikes, equipment, spares, staff around the world? The latest 'RNF Unlocked' podcast talks with Wilco and meets Logistics and Team Coordinator Carl 'Stan' Meakin to find out how the wheels roll for a twenty-round world championship effort.

At Aragon, Alvaro Bautista took a step closer to wrapping up the 2023 WorldSBK title, despite a crash in Race 1. After the weekend, Steve English and Gordon Ritchie got together to chew over what happened, and take a deep dive into the Jonathan Rea to Yamaha news. Steve Interviews Pata Yamaha team boss Paul Denning, and then speaks to Rea's crew chief at Kawasaki, Pere Riba, who will be staying at Kawasaki.

MotoGP opened a new frontier at the Buddh International Circuit, the inaugural Indian round of MotoGP making history, in many ways. Adam Wheeler, Steve English, Neil Morrison, and David Emmett discuss how MotoGP was received in India, why Marco Bezzecchi dominated so thoroughly at the circuit, what happened with Jorge Martin and his leathers, and whether the strong results for Marc Marquez and Joan Mir is the start of a Honda revival. We also hear from Marc Marquez' Repsol Honda crew chief Santi Hernandez on adapting to a brand new circuit.

New races mean new challenges, and veteran US journalist and early Dorna employee Dennis Noyes knows all about that. The Hoopeston, Illinois native joins the full Paddock Pass Podcast crew to look ahead to India, review the state of MotoGP, and give some insight into Mike Trimby.

The first thing we do is look ahead to India, and Dennis regales us with tales of organizing the US grand prix at Laguna Seca, including anonymous calls to customs officers in an attempt to delay freight. We then take a look at recent rider news, including Franco Morbidelli's signing to Ducati and what Yamaha is doing wrong. We look again at Marc Marquez' options for 2024, and whether he will stay with Honda or head to Gresini.