Paddock Pass Podcast

In the latest episode of the RNF Unlocked podcast, Razlan Razali and Wilco Zeelenberg talk about their expectations for Mugello. Razlan and Wilco explain the difficulties of dealing with injured riders, how to handle replacements, and what they expect of Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernandez at Mugello. Wilco tells us all about the experience of the Aprilia All Stars day, and the logistical challenges that presented to the team. And they look ahead to the challenges of racing at Mugello.

After three weekends away, MotoGP is back at Mugello. Adam Wheeler, Neil Morrison, and David Emmett look ahead to motorcycle racing's greatest stage, and ask what might happen this weekend. We touch on Pol Espargaro's decision to not race at Mugello, but his hope to return before the summer break. And we ask whether we will see a return of the crowds after last year's disappointing attendance numbers.

Ahead of the Isle of Man TT, which started last week, Steve English sat down with top TT photographer Tony Goldsmith and Cycle News editor and TT racer Rennie Scaysbrook to preview and discuss the growing popularity of the event.

We have a very special guest on this episode of the Paddock Pass Podcast. David and Adam traveled to Bologna to interview Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali, to ask about Ducati's stellar year in racing and sales in 2023, about MotoE and the future of road bikes, and about the lessons learned from racing which transfer to street production.

Before we get into the interview, Steve English, David Emmett, Adam Wheeler, and Neil Morrison talk Pecco Bagnaia's statements on the difference between satellite and factory bikes, an injury update, and why Toprak Razgatlioglu decided to stay in WorldSBK with BMW

The Le Mans MotoGP round was all about the big numbers: 116,000 fans on race day and 286,000 over the whole weekend for the 1000th Grand Prix. In this episode of the Paddock Pass Podcast, we take a deep dive into exactly what makes Le Mans such a popular venue, and what lessons other promoters can learn from their experience.

Then we get into the racing proper, hearing from Jorge Martin's Pramac Ducati crew chief Daniele Romagnoli after his sprint race win, and discuss the revival of Marc Marquez as a factor. Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola explains what makes consistency so difficult. And as always, we finish up with our winners and losers, and hear from new Tech3 GasGas team boss Nico Goyon about Augusto Fernandez' impressive fourth place.

The Paddock Pass Podcast is proud to present a new series of shows in collaboration with the CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team to bring you unique insight into the highs and lows, the ins and outs of a MotoGP team. In this episode, team principal Razlan Razali takes Neil Morrison through the many difficulties the team has faced with injuries, gives an update on Raul Fernandez and Miguel Oliveira, and points to how much harder it is now to find a replacement rider in MotoGP.

Alvaro Bautista was scheduled to make a big announcement at his home race in Barcelona, and to the surprise of everyone, that turned out to be a one-year extension of his contract. Steve English and Gordo Ritchie dive into that news, and all the background to it, including the MotoGP test Bautista is to have, as well as rumours of a wildcard.

The Paddock Pass Podcast WorldSBK duo then take a long look at the Barcelona round of World Superbikes, discuss the changes to the rev limits, and ask what is up with Kawasaki.

With Le Mans Looming, Adam Wheeler, Neil Morrison, and David Emmett look ahead to the French round of MotoGP. After a brief look at the history of Le Mans, we take a look at what we expect from the weekend.

Le Mans also sees the start of the 2023 MotoE season, with the new generation of Ducati V21L MotoE machines taking to the track for the first time. Neil and Adam talk to Nicolas Goubert, the head of Dorna's MotoE program about what to expect, and we have Chaz Davies give his insights into the bike as MotoE tester.

Finally, we answer some listeners' questions, and give our predictions for the race.

The MotoGP round at Jerez proved to be as controversial as it did exhilarating. On Monday morning as the test started, Adam Wheeler, David Emmett, and Neil Morrison gathered in a server room at the Jerez circuit to take a look back at the weekend.

The Paddock Pass Podcast crew get into the amazing atmosphere at the circuit, and how that changed the feel of the new format. They discuss how Pecco Bagnaia and his crew turned around what could have been a terrible weekend to take a podium in the sprint race and a convincing win in Sunday's grand prix, and go on to lead the championship.

The world championship motorcycle racing schedule is picking up the pace now, with MotoGP and WorldSBK alternating weekends. Sandwiched between the MotoGP rounds in Austin and Jerez, the World Superbike paddock paid a visit to the iconic circuit of Assen.

Afterwards, Steve English and Gordon Ritchie gathered to chew over a weekend dominated by the Ducati of Alvaro Bautista and the Aruba.it Ducati squad. Can Bautista be stopped?