It's been a different kind of season to what we're used to. No one rider whizzing off with the title by the half way point, still could go to a number of riders.
An amazing statistic racked up this weekend is that in 8 races , there have been 8 different winners, something which hasn't happened before in motogp or 500 cc champs.
Brilliant riding from Cal Crutchlow so far, a win and two second places, finally getting some reward. Considering he isn't in a factory team, makes it all the more impressive.
Good to see Suzuki getting back in the mix too, all round it's been a more competitive year.

The title was claimed by Marc Marquez after both Rossi and his team-mate Lorenzo fell off during the race in Motegi, Japan. They were the only ones with the power to stop him. That makes 3 titles in 4 years for Marquez.
So the two Yamahas get to fight it out for second place now over the 3 remaining races. Only 14 points between them.
Phillip Island up next week, that's one of my favourite circuits, with a couple of extremely fast corners.

Well done to Cal Crutchlow on his second win of the season, in Australia this morning.

There was an epidemic of sliding into the gravel this time, best forgotten.


So here's a couple of grid-lovelies to take our minds off it

this weekend the season finishes whats everyone think about the season end race being in Valencia in my opinion its a terrible racetrack to finish with. a few years back it used to finish in Australia which was way better but i suppose because they test the day after the race it makes more sense to finish in europe, Whos up for a tenth winner such a tight twisty track how about espagarow winning for Suzuki. Big thumbs up for cal breaking records that have been around for over 30 years :D :D  

Quite an exciting race to finish, after all.
It was good the way Rossi & the "maniac" Iannone kept swapping places lap after lap, one good in the corners, the other on the straights. Good close racing. The 360 degree gyro-cams on the bikes give some great footage.
Too bad for Cal crashing out, finished 7th in the championship.

Final standings

Marc Marquez - Repsol Honda Team - 298

Valentino Rossi - Movistar Yamaha - 249

Jorge Lorenzo - Movistar Yamaha - 233

Maverick Vinales - Team Suzuki Ecstar -202

Andrea Dovizioso - Ducati Team - 171

Next year we will have another Brit in the top class, with Sam Lowes moving up from Moto 2.
It will be interesting to see what happens with the fins on the front of some of the bikes next year, there was talk of banning them earlier this season, but they were still using them to the end. They seem a good idea, although they look ungainly, but I think the problem is the unfairness of not all teams being able to afford the cost of wind-tunnel testing etc.
Lorenzo moving to Ducati after 9 years with Yamaha, that will mix things up a bit too.

they have 2017 testing today and tomorrow from Valencia on bt sport 2 or on the streaming sites probably its the only time this year that lorenzo will be on a ducati as his contract runs until january

2 years later ..
I thought I better post this when he is doing so well And it doesn't happen often



MotoGP: Briton Cal Crutchlow wins in Argentina to lead championship
Britain's Cal Crutchlow said a race win was "expected" after he claimed his third MotoGP victory in Argentina.
Victory means LCR Honda rider Crutchlow, 32, is the first Briton to lead the championship since Barry Sheene in 1979.

Marquez riding like a maniac, knocked Rossi off, should make things interesting for future races

Cant see why the Spaniard is being a complete dick cos he is a good rider anyway .The Italian is still the main draw to races and id love to see him win the title one more time
Italy's Valentino Rossi has accused Marc Marquez of deliberately crashing into riders at the Argentina MotoGP, saying he is "scared" to race with him.
Spain's Marquez finished in 18th after being penalised for clashing with Rossi as he tried to overtake during the race, which was won by Britain's Cal Crutchlow.
Nine-time champion Rossi, who finished 19th, accused the current MotoGP champion of "destroying" the sport.
Marquez said Rossi's claims were wrong.
Earlier in the race, which was delayed by heavy rain, Honda rider Marquez was penalised for making contact with compatriot Aleix Espargaro.
Rossi said: "Because he [Marquez] does it purposely, it is not a mistake. So if you start to play like this, you raise the level to a very dangerous point.
"I'm scared on the track when I am with Marquez."
Marquez was seen trying to apologise to Rossi after the race, but was ushered away by Movistar Yamaha staff without speaking to the 39-year-old.