This is my third time trying to send this.  My original post had 6 pics attached but it said it was too much. I cut it down to three and it still said it was too much. Here's one shot of my bike.  And my original post under the cut line.

wow, I hadn't even thought of the pay aspect.  But yeah, they're risking their lives at an even greater amount for the same pay.  Totally WTF.

My build isn't an out of the world thing. It was just a little self-reward to myself for...I don' t know....perservering through shitty times? hahahaha... Anyway, there's a whole story behind "The Montague Loop Special".  Here goes...

When I was 10 years old our family returned to the States after being in Japan for 4 years. We moved to El Paso (Ft. Bliss) on-base in this neighborhood called "Montague Loop".  My Dad bought me a metal-flake orange, Huffy "Cheater Slick" bicycle.  It had  a metal-flake orange frame, chrome ape hanger bars with orange metal flake grips, a white banana seat with an orange metal-flake insert, chrome fenders, chrome sissy bar...man, I LOVED that bike!  I had it less than a year when it got stolen!  Even though my Dad bought me another bike, I still loved my Cheater Slick.  To this day, at 62 years of age, I wanted an orange metal-flake vehicle.

Around the same time all of that was happening, the kids across the street graduated from their Taco mini-bike to a Honda XR75.  My Dad had been taking me to the local motocross races and I would see other kids racing their XR75s.  We couldn't afford one. My friends would let me ride the Taco mini-bike but they wouldn't (well, their Dad wouldn't) let me ride the XR75.  But I wanted one with the heat of a thousand suns. Still do.

So...fast forward to two years ago. I saw an XR70 framed, weird concoction at my local shop and even though it was hideous, it looked fun. So I took a ride on it. I couldn't stop giggling.  I told the shop owner, Dan, I would buy it.  He said it was $2,000.  Yikes.  Over the weekend I stewed over it and finally decided I couldn't justify spending $2K on a seldom used toy.  So I called Dan up and regretfully backed out of the deal.  But then, over the next month or so, I realized that if I was EVER going to get my Cheater Slick/XR75 dreams done, I was running out of time to do it.  So I called up Dan and told him I would take the bike but only if we built it EXACTLY like I wanted, a mix of my Cheater Slick and an XR75.  So I specified the orange metal-flake frame, XR75 tank, XR75-like numberplates, added my own touches and...VOILA! The Montague Loop Special.

Anyway, here's the bike...It's not done yet. I'm putting different bar, levers and switchgear on it.  hope I didn't bore you guys too much.

Mario

From: Vicki@ducati.net vicki@ducati.net
Sent: Tuesday, April 4, 2023 9:18 AM
To: Ducati Owners Group ducati@list.ducati.net
Subject: [Ducati] Re: Argentina MotoGP

Mario,
Nice post, thanks. I agree about the risks and pressure. The other thing is (imho) the Sat race is so much better than Sunday now. And finally, as a person who made a living as a racer for close to two decades, the situation with rider contracts and just springing the sprint format on a series full of under contract riders with no plan for extra pay is kind of wtf. Hopefully they have worked that out by now. The new  format does make Motogoat fantasy league more fun though.
Finally, at some point Mario I would love to see your Handbuilt entry. I am Grand Marshall at a conflicting event that weekend so I am passing on COTA. But my passion for minibikes remains stronger than ever so good luck and please share when you are ready.

On Apr 4, 2023, at 9:46 AM, Mario Baroz mariobaroz@hotmail.com wrote:


I was adamantly against the idea when I first heard about it.  After the first race, since it was so exciting, I thought this might be a good thing.  The second sprint race was just as exciting.  But then as I thought about it more and read some of the more experienced moto-journalists' takes on it,  as exciting as they may be, I don't think these are a good idea going forward.  There are going to be more incidents, more injuries, more stress on the teams and riders, and I don't think any of those things are good for the series.  Losing that extra day of practice and replacing it with a stressful, high pressure race is a radical change.  Then when you factor in how long the season has become, I think it's all just too much.  So now I'm adamantly against it again.

Did anyone else notice the blatant, IMO, bias and favoritism shown to Quatararo by the announcers?  And camera crew for that matter.  Nakagami barely touched Q and they acted like he totally barged into him.  Somone else made a hard pass earlier in the race and they were saying "well, he left a hole and XXXX had to take it....that's just hard racing...."  But then Nakagami does a much less hard pass on Q and suddenly it's "Q's whole race has been ruined by Nakagamis unforgivable sin..."  What a load of garbage.  Then there was constant whining and empathy for Q and making excuses for him.  They gave him so much camera time while Zarco was blazing through the field.  Well, I thought it was out of hand.

Bezzechi is amazing, he will be hard man to contend with the rest of the year.  He has his confidence up and is on a great bike.  Alex Marquez is going to be up there as well. I don't know why people forget he is a two-time World Champion.  Well, because of his older brother but still....

Anyway, I'm not putting it past Marc doing his double lap penalty and still winning COTA.

Also, my mini-bike creation made it into the Handbuilt Show!  It's gonna be a busy weekend!

Mario

2023 Honda CRF250F
2018 Yamaha TTR=230
2017 Ducati Desert Sled
2006 Honda CBR600F4i
1998 AM 140 "Montague Loop Special"
1996 Ducati 900SS/CR
1977 BMW R100
1969 Hodaka Ace 100
1966 Hodaka Ace 90

From: Vicki Smith veloce916@gmail.com on behalf of Vicki Smith Vicki@Ducati.net
Sent: Monday, April 3, 2023 11:35 PM
To: Ducati Owners Group ducati@list.ducati.net
Subject: [Ducati] Re: Argentina MotoGP

What does everyone think about the new format? Sprint race, yes or nea?
Vicki

To get the links and updates on all today's Ducati news:
https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ductalk.com%2F&data=05%7C01%7C%7Ce31ae632528e4a55d9c508db34c61def%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638161797732242284%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=0%2BcGClvTfQ%2BAIJhdiiUosYBrGoEsF51tcP3gR0OgY44%3D&reserved=0https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ductalk.com%2F&data=05%7C01%7C%7Cbfe9cbf4d3c14323249208db3517887c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638162147421442239%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=zZLBZrs5qkHfBz4Je5lkK0DfJP8P2XdHt4Jj1pglJoM%3D&reserved=0
and
https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fducnet&data=05%7C01%7C%7Ce31ae632528e4a55d9c508db34c61def%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638161797732398509%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=0s4J84NIzuJR3eI9Ma5ZmDZs03k1CAV2A%2F6G1aCTGKA%3D&reserved=0https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fducnet&data=05%7C01%7C%7Cbfe9cbf4d3c14323249208db3517887c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638162147421442239%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=X9rNFg0lTDQqzKGqF051tX3hs5%2B9WcgTGwetUKdIFTc%3D&reserved=0

Ducati mailing list -- ducati@list.ducati.net
To unsubscribe send an email to ducati-leave@list.ducati.net
Mailto: %(user_address)s

To get the links and updates on all today's Ducati news:
http://www.ductalk.com/
and
https://www.facebook.com/ducnet

Ducati mailing list -- ducati@list.ducati.net
To unsubscribe send an email to ducati-leave@list.ducati.net
Mailto: %(user_address)s

I didn't say I was stressed...the teams are.

Who cares? I think a lot of people do.  When the season is halfway through and half the grid is made up of replacement riders I think you will care.  We already have a serious title contender out because of this.  This season is already compromised.  One race in.

I'd rather watch a sprint race than practice too. But I bet the teams and riders (well, most of them anyway) would rather have that extra day of practice.

And yes they're pros who get paid well.  Some WAY more than others.  But Vicki brought up an excellent post.  These guys were TOLD they were going to be racing an extra race every weekend when they were already on their contracts.  WTF is that?!?!

Another aspect of the sprint races that I don't like.  The MotoGP race on Sunday is a spectacular event.  And before this elongated season, a kind of rare event.  The "specialness" of the MotoGP Sunday race is a little reduced by the sprint races.

Mario

From: Lan Max nolanmaxxx@gmail.com
Sent: Tuesday, April 4, 2023 10:03 AM
To: Ducati Owners Group ducati@list.ducati.net
Subject: [Ducati] Re: Argentina MotoGP

You feel stressed and pressured from your couch watching a MotoGp race, than excited?

2 MotoGp races in a weekend!
Who cares if the teams, riders and machines get stressed. I see it as pushing to the next level to get better. Push their riding limits, endurance, engineering, etc. it’s the way to excel. Humans adapt and get better in these areas.

I’d rather watch racing (sprint race) than practice.

These riders are pros. It’s all they know, it’s their lives and it’s their choice.  They breathe racing.
Oh, and the nice millions of euros salary, bonuses, sponsors, and babes they can obtain. I’m sure they love that too.

It is great for me As a spectator who enjoys riding motorbikes and watching the best riders in the world go at it.

On Tue, Apr 4, 2023 at 09:46 Mario Baroz <mariobaroz@hotmail.commailto:mariobaroz@hotmail.com> wrote:
I was adamantly against the idea when I first heard about it.  After the first race, since it was so exciting, I thought this might be a good thing.  The second sprint race was just as exciting.  But then as I thought about it more and read some of the more experienced moto-journalists' takes on it,  as exciting as they may be, I don't think these are a good idea going forward.  There are going to be more incidents, more injuries, more stress on the teams and riders, and I don't think any of those things are good for the series.  Losing that extra day of practice and replacing it with a stressful, high pressure race is a radical change.  Then when you factor in how long the season has become, I think it's all just too much.  So now I'm adamantly against it again.

Did anyone else notice the blatant, IMO, bias and favoritism shown to Quatararo by the announcers?  And camera crew for that matter.  Nakagami barely touched Q and they acted like he totally barged into him.  Somone else made a hard pass earlier in the race and they were saying "well, he left a hole and XXXX had to take it....that's just hard racing...."  But then Nakagami does a much less hard pass on Q and suddenly it's "Q's whole race has been ruined by Nakagamis unforgivable sin..."  What a load of garbage.  Then there was constant whining and empathy for Q and making excuses for him.  They gave him so much camera time while Zarco was blazing through the field.  Well, I thought it was out of hand.

Bezzechi is amazing, he will be hard man to contend with the rest of the year.  He has his confidence up and is on a great bike.  Alex Marquez is going to be up there as well. I don't know why people forget he is a two-time World Champion.  Well, because of his older brother but still....

Anyway, I'm not putting it past Marc doing his double lap penalty and still winning COTA.

Also, my mini-bike creation made it into the Handbuilt Show!  It's gonna be a busy weekend!

Mario

2023 Honda CRF250F
2018 Yamaha TTR=230
2017 Ducati Desert Sled
2006 Honda CBR600F4i
1998 AM 140 "Montague Loop Special"
1996 Ducati 900SS/CR
1977 BMW R100
1969 Hodaka Ace 100
1966 Hodaka Ace 90

From: Vicki Smith <veloce916@gmail.commailto:veloce916@gmail.com> on behalf of Vicki Smith Vicki@Ducati.net
Sent: Monday, April 3, 2023 11:35 PM
To: Ducati Owners Group <ducati@list.ducati.netmailto:ducati@list.ducati.net>
Subject: [Ducati] Re: Argentina MotoGP

What does everyone think about the new format? Sprint race, yes or nea?
Vicki

--
sent_from@appleMobileDevice~ #

I like it more than I thought I would. Mario about sums it up for me too.
-------- Original message --------From: Mario Baroz mariobaroz@hotmail.com Date: 4/4/23  6:46 AM  (GMT-08:00) To: Ducati Owners Group ducati@list.ducati.net Subject: [Ducati] Re: Argentina MotoGP

I was adamantly against the idea when I first heard about it.  After the first race, since it was so exciting, I thought this might be a good thing.  The second sprint race was just as exciting.  But then as I thought about it more and read some of the more
experienced moto-journalists' takes on it,  as exciting as they may be, I don't think these are a good idea going forward.  There are going to be more incidents, more injuries, more stress on the teams and riders, and I don't think any of those things are
good for the series.  Losing that extra day of practice and replacing it with a stressful, high pressure race is a radical change.  Then when you factor in how long the season has become, I think it's all just too much.  So now I'm adamantly against it again.  

Did anyone else notice the blatant, IMO, bias and favoritism shown to Quatararo by the announcers?  And camera crew for that matter.  Nakagami barely touched Q
and they acted like he totally barged into him.  Somone else made a hard pass earlier in the race and they were saying "well, he left a hole and XXXX had to take it....that's just hard racing...."  But then Nakagami does a much less hard pass on Q and suddenly
it's "Q's whole race has been ruined by Nakagamis unforgivable sin..."  What a load of garbage.  Then there was constant whining and empathy for Q and making excuses for him.  They gave him so much camera time while Zarco was blazing through the field.   Well,
I thought it was out of hand. 

Bezzechi is amazing, he will be hard man to contend with the rest of the year.  He has his confidence up and is on a great bike.  Alex Marquez is going to be up
there as well. I don't know why people forget he is a two-time World Champion.  Well, because of his older brother but still....

Anyway, I'm not putting it past Marc doing his double lap penalty and still winning COTA.  

Also, my mini-bike creation made it into the Handbuilt Show!  It's gonna be a busy weekend!  

Mario

2023 Honda CRF250F

2018 Yamaha TTR=230

2017 Ducati Desert Sled

2006 Honda CBR600F4i

1998 AM 140 "Montague Loop Special"

1996 Ducati 900SS/CR

1977 BMW R100 

1969 Hodaka Ace 100

1966 Hodaka Ace 90

From: Vicki Smith veloce916@gmail.com on behalf of Vicki Smith Vicki@Ducati.net
Sent: Monday, April 3, 2023 11:35 PM
To: Ducati Owners Group ducati@list.ducati.net
Subject: [Ducati] Re: Argentina MotoGP
 

What does everyone think about the new format? Sprint race, yes or nea?
Vicki

https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ductalk.com%2F&data=05%7C01%7C%7Ce31ae632528e4a55d9c508db34c61def%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638161797732242284%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=0%2BcGClvTfQ%2BAIJhdiiUosYBrGoEsF51tcP3gR0OgY44%3D&reserved=0

https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fducnet&data=05%7C01%7C%7Ce31ae632528e4a55d9c508db34c61def%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638161797732242284%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=8GYAX8BejrB2mZ0BOZadpP6lckuceiOA0uulXjX0yvg%3D&reserved=0

https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ductalk.com%2F&data=05%7C01%7C%7Ce31ae632528e4a55d9c508db34c61def%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638161797732242284%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=0%2BcGClvTfQ%2BAIJhdiiUosYBrGoEsF51tcP3gR0OgY44%3D&reserved=0

https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fducnet&data=05%7C01%7C%7Ce31ae632528e4a55d9c508db34c61def%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638161797732242284%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=8GYAX8BejrB2mZ0BOZadpP6lckuceiOA0uulXjX0yvg%3D&reserved=0

To get the links and updates on all today's Ducati news:
https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ductalk.com%2F&data=05%7C01%7C%7Ce31ae632528e4a55d9c508db34c61def%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638161797732242284%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=0%2BcGClvTfQ%2BAIJhdiiUosYBrGoEsF51tcP3gR0OgY44%3D&reserved=0
and
https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fducnet&data=05%7C01%7C%7Ce31ae632528e4a55d9c508db34c61def%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638161797732398509%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=0s4J84NIzuJR3eI9Ma5ZmDZs03k1CAV2A%2F6G1aCTGKA%3D&reserved=0

Ducati mailing list -- ducati@list.ducati.net
To unsubscribe send an email to ducati-leave@list.ducati.net
Mailto: %(user_address)s

How does it impact you personally as a spectator, who ‘subscribes and pays’
to watch the sport for a weekend‘s entertainment? Spectators are taking it
way too personal as if the riders and teams care. What we spectators think
and feel is trivial.

I don’t want anyone of them to get injured or die, but the whole thing is
their choice. They have a choice. They know what they got themselves into.
The sport isn’t like golf. Motorsport is an extremely dangerous sport.

We will see what happens when/if the grid is made up of replacement. That
is unknown and speculation.

So, grab a cold beer, watch the show with friends and enjoy the show while
it lasts!

One day, this will all end up in the Metaverse and these new gen kids will
be racing on their scooters.

On Tue, Apr 4, 2023 at 11:23 Mario Baroz mariobaroz@hotmail.com wrote:

--
sent_from@appleMobileDevice~ #

Some interesting points. I admit I had thought about the additional risks and assumed the racers were compensated. Sorry for drawing the correlation to AFT but in that series the top 5 in each class get a chance for extra $$ by racing in a 5 lap challenge race, those are run before the main event so it's a risk both on the equipment and the racer. I think the risk is ger n MotoGP and the rewards need to fit. - Gene

"I know a Few Roads"
Charter Life Member American Motorcycle Association
Charter Member Victory Motorcycle Club
Member ducati.net
Ex MSF Instructor
Patriot Guard Rider

04' Victory Kingpin
16' Victory Cross Country Tour
02' Ducati Monster 900
13' Ducati Diavel
22' Royal Enfield Himalayan - Hoping to do some adventure riding.

From: Vicki@ducati.net vicki@ducati.net
Sent: Tuesday, April 4, 2023 10:18 AM
To: Ducati Owners Group ducati@list.ducati.net
Subject: [Ducati] Re: Argentina MotoGP

Mario,
Nice post, thanks. I agree about the risks and pressure. The other thing is (imho) the Sat race is so much better than Sunday now. And finally, as a person who made a living as a racer for close to two decades, the situation with rider contracts and just springing the sprint format on a series full of under contract riders with no plan for extra pay is kind of wtf. Hopefully they have worked that out by now. The new  format does make Motogoat fantasy league more fun though.
Finally, at some point Mario I would love to see your Handbuilt entry. I am Grand Marshall at a conflicting event that weekend so I am passing on COTA. But my passion for minibikes remains stronger than ever so good luck and please share when you are ready.

On Apr 4, 2023, at 9:46 AM, Mario Baroz mariobaroz@hotmail.com wrote:


I was adamantly against the idea when I first heard about it.  After the first race, since it was so exciting, I thought this might be a good thing.  The second sprint race was just as exciting.  But then as I thought about it more and read some of the more experienced moto-journalists' takes on it,  as exciting as they may be, I don't think these are a good idea going forward.  There are going to be more incidents, more injuries, more stress on the teams and riders, and I don't think any of those things are good for the series.  Losing that extra day of practice and replacing it with a stressful, high pressure race is a radical change.  Then when you factor in how long the season has become, I think it's all just too much.  So now I'm adamantly against it again.

Did anyone else notice the blatant, IMO, bias and favoritism shown to Quatararo by the announcers?  And camera crew for that matter.  Nakagami barely touched Q and they acted like he totally barged into him.  Somone else made a hard pass earlier in the race and they were saying "well, he left a hole and XXXX had to take it....that's just hard racing...."  But then Nakagami does a much less hard pass on Q and suddenly it's "Q's whole race has been ruined by Nakagamis unforgivable sin..."  What a load of garbage.  Then there was constant whining and empathy for Q and making excuses for him.  They gave him so much camera time while Zarco was blazing through the field.  Well, I thought it was out of hand.

Bezzechi is amazing, he will be hard man to contend with the rest of the year.  He has his confidence up and is on a great bike.  Alex Marquez is going to be up there as well. I don't know why people forget he is a two-time World Champion.  Well, because of his older brother but still....

Anyway, I'm not putting it past Marc doing his double lap penalty and still winning COTA.

Also, my mini-bike creation made it into the Handbuilt Show!  It's gonna be a busy weekend!

Mario

2023 Honda CRF250F
2018 Yamaha TTR=230
2017 Ducati Desert Sled
2006 Honda CBR600F4i
1998 AM 140 "Montague Loop Special"
1996 Ducati 900SS/CR
1977 BMW R100
1969 Hodaka Ace 100
1966 Hodaka Ace 90

From: Vicki Smith veloce916@gmail.com on behalf of Vicki Smith Vicki@Ducati.net
Sent: Monday, April 3, 2023 11:35 PM
To: Ducati Owners Group ducati@list.ducati.net
Subject: [Ducati] Re: Argentina MotoGP

What does everyone think about the new format? Sprint race, yes or nea?
Vicki

To get the links and updates on all today's Ducati news:
https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ductalk.com%2F&data=05%7C01%7C%7Ce31ae632528e4a55d9c508db34c61def%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638161797732242284%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=0%2BcGClvTfQ%2BAIJhdiiUosYBrGoEsF51tcP3gR0OgY44%3D&reserved=0https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ductalk.com%2F&data=05%7C01%7C%7C8e93d1d8189246f8b5b408db35178822%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638162147415179866%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=fvsJV9EZl9sYGiHRYixbmqnuRXfCdLsRSKF%2FWFwpf4o%3D&reserved=0
and
https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fducnet&data=05%7C01%7C%7Ce31ae632528e4a55d9c508db34c61def%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638161797732398509%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=0s4J84NIzuJR3eI9Ma5ZmDZs03k1CAV2A%2F6G1aCTGKA%3D&reserved=0https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fducnet&data=05%7C01%7C%7C8e93d1d8189246f8b5b408db35178822%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638162147415179866%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=5N9u57V%2FsqyNVv6tp9Df%2Bu3dfMH2rWKD5Pm3rkCuJgA%3D&reserved=0

Ducati mailing list -- ducati@list.ducati.net
To unsubscribe send an email to ducati-leave@list.ducati.net
Mailto: %(user_address)s

To get the links and updates on all today's Ducati news:
http://www.ductalk.com/
and
https://www.facebook.com/ducnet

Ducati mailing list -- ducati@list.ducati.net
To unsubscribe send an email to ducati-leave@list.ducati.net
Mailto: %(user_address)s

I won't opine on the other recent comments, but can't resist responding to
the photo Lan uploaded. This looks like a blast, and I'd be all over it,
except I would find participating way more exciting than watching. Maybe,
if the races included some MX ramps, jumps, etc.,...

On Tue, 4 Apr 2023 at 18:05, Lan Max nolanmaxxx@gmail.com wrote:

I subscribe and pay and I want to see the best racers and bikes compete for the MotoGP championship.  I realize the sprint races are part of it but I think they detract from the "real" championship, if you get what I mean.  I don't want to see replacement riders. I don't want to see guys riding around in 12th because they got injured in a sprint race when they should be at the front fighting for podiums.

Another reason I was adamantly against the sprint races was historical but thankfully, the FIM/Dorna wisely declared that the sprint races won't count as MotoGP victories.  I was thinking of how the AMA history books look skewed because so and so has XXX victories when famous-racer-but-raced-before-the-two races-a weekend-time , only has XX victories.

Anyway, the sprint races are exciting.  But unlike Lan, I actually do care about the well-being of the racers and the teams. I don't care if my feelings are trivial to them.  I've been in shitty work places where I felt I wasn't compensated enough for the dangers I was facing. It sucks.

For the record, I don't like the new WSBK format either.

Mario

From: Lan Max nolanmaxxx@gmail.com
Sent: Tuesday, April 4, 2023 11:05 AM
To: Ducati Owners Group ducati@list.ducati.net
Subject: [Ducati] Re: Argentina MotoGP

How does it impact you personally as a spectator, who ‘subscribes and pays’ to watch the sport for a weekend‘s entertainment? Spectators are taking it way too personal as if the riders and teams care. What we spectators think and feel is trivial.

I don’t want anyone of them to get injured or die, but the whole thing is their choice. They have a choice. They know what they got themselves into.
The sport isn’t like golf. Motorsport is an extremely dangerous sport.

We will see what happens when/if the grid is made up of replacement. That is unknown and speculation.

So, grab a cold beer, watch the show with friends and enjoy the show while it lasts!

One day, this will all end up in the Metaverse and these new gen kids will be racing on their scooters.

[cid:1874d034b77e1abce72]

On Tue, Apr 4, 2023 at 11:23 Mario Baroz <mariobaroz@hotmail.commailto:mariobaroz@hotmail.com> wrote:
I didn't say I was stressed...the teams are.

Who cares? I think a lot of people do.  When the season is halfway through and half the grid is made up of replacement riders I think you will care.  We already have a serious title contender out because of this.  This season is already compromised.  One race in.

I'd rather watch a sprint race than practice too. But I bet the teams and riders (well, most of them anyway) would rather have that extra day of practice.

And yes they're pros who get paid well.  Some WAY more than others.  But Vicki brought up an excellent post.  These guys were TOLD they were going to be racing an extra race every weekend when they were already on their contracts.  WTF is that?!?!

Another aspect of the sprint races that I don't like.  The MotoGP race on Sunday is a spectacular event.  And before this elongated season, a kind of rare event.  The "specialness" of the MotoGP Sunday race is a little reduced by the sprint races.

Mario

From: Lan Max <nolanmaxxx@gmail.commailto:nolanmaxxx@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 4, 2023 10:03 AM

To: Ducati Owners Group <ducati@list.ducati.netmailto:ducati@list.ducati.net>
Subject: [Ducati] Re: Argentina MotoGP

You feel stressed and pressured from your couch watching a MotoGp race, than excited?

2 MotoGp races in a weekend!
Who cares if the teams, riders and machines get stressed. I see it as pushing to the next level to get better. Push their riding limits, endurance, engineering, etc. it’s the way to excel. Humans adapt and get better in these areas.

I’d rather watch racing (sprint race) than practice.

These riders are pros. It’s all they know, it’s their lives and it’s their choice.  They breathe racing.
Oh, and the nice millions of euros salary, bonuses, sponsors, and babes they can obtain. I’m sure they love that too.

It is great for me As a spectator who enjoys riding motorbikes and watching the best riders in the world go at it.

On Tue, Apr 4, 2023 at 09:46 Mario Baroz <mariobaroz@hotmail.commailto:mariobaroz@hotmail.com> wrote:
I was adamantly against the idea when I first heard about it.  After the first race, since it was so exciting, I thought this might be a good thing.  The second sprint race was just as exciting.  But then as I thought about it more and read some of the more experienced moto-journalists' takes on it,  as exciting as they may be, I don't think these are a good idea going forward.  There are going to be more incidents, more injuries, more stress on the teams and riders, and I don't think any of those things are good for the series.  Losing that extra day of practice and replacing it with a stressful, high pressure race is a radical change.  Then when you factor in how long the season has become, I think it's all just too much.  So now I'm adamantly against it again.

Did anyone else notice the blatant, IMO, bias and favoritism shown to Quatararo by the announcers?  And camera crew for that matter.  Nakagami barely touched Q and they acted like he totally barged into him.  Somone else made a hard pass earlier in the race and they were saying "well, he left a hole and XXXX had to take it....that's just hard racing...."  But then Nakagami does a much less hard pass on Q and suddenly it's "Q's whole race has been ruined by Nakagamis unforgivable sin..."  What a load of garbage.  Then there was constant whining and empathy for Q and making excuses for him.  They gave him so much camera time while Zarco was blazing through the field.  Well, I thought it was out of hand.

Bezzechi is amazing, he will be hard man to contend with the rest of the year.  He has his confidence up and is on a great bike.  Alex Marquez is going to be up there as well. I don't know why people forget he is a two-time World Champion.  Well, because of his older brother but still....

Anyway, I'm not putting it past Marc doing his double lap penalty and still winning COTA.

Also, my mini-bike creation made it into the Handbuilt Show!  It's gonna be a busy weekend!

Mario

2023 Honda CRF250F
2018 Yamaha TTR=230
2017 Ducati Desert Sled
2006 Honda CBR600F4i
1998 AM 140 "Montague Loop Special"
1996 Ducati 900SS/CR
1977 BMW R100
1969 Hodaka Ace 100
1966 Hodaka Ace 90

From: Vicki Smith <veloce916@gmail.commailto:veloce916@gmail.com> on behalf of Vicki Smith Vicki@Ducati.net
Sent: Monday, April 3, 2023 11:35 PM
To: Ducati Owners Group <ducati@list.ducati.netmailto:ducati@list.ducati.net>
Subject: [Ducati] Re: Argentina MotoGP

What does everyone think about the new format? Sprint race, yes or nea?
Vicki

--
sent_from@appleMobileDevice~ #

To get the links and updates on all today's Ducati news:
http://www.ductalk.com/https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ductalk.com%2F&data=05%7C01%7C%7C91d7bb6ad4644b5b395e08db35267dc8%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638162211672040094%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=MnRhKbid8JRQP4r6tzgs0bVtkl7QUsvrB9FDe9vMaUc%3D&reserved=0
and
https://www.facebook.com/ducnethttps://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fducnet&data=05%7C01%7C%7C91d7bb6ad4644b5b395e08db35267dc8%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638162211672040094%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=s3DxcpWvRlP%2Ba0GIUk7BnkmbJ370NTTLm8Xo2lCXz3o%3D&reserved=0

Ducati mailing list -- ducati@list.ducati.netmailto:ducati@list.ducati.net
To unsubscribe send an email to ducati-leave@list.ducati.netmailto:ducati-leave@list.ducati.net
Mailto: %(user_address)s

sent_from@appleMobileDevice~ #

One last pic of my mini-bike! hahahahaha

Mario

From: Gene Hunt Twolanefun@outlook.com
Sent: Tuesday, April 4, 2023 11:08 AM
To: Ducati Owners Group ducati@list.ducati.net
Subject: [Ducati] Re: Argentina MotoGP

Some interesting points. I admit I had thought about the additional risks and assumed the racers were compensated. Sorry for drawing the correlation to AFT but in that series the top 5 in each class get a chance for extra $$ by racing in a 5 lap challenge race, those are run before the main event so it's a risk both on the equipment and the racer. I think the risk is ger n MotoGP and the rewards need to fit. - Gene

"I know a Few Roads"
Charter Life Member American Motorcycle Association
Charter Member Victory Motorcycle Club
Member ducati.net
Ex MSF Instructor
Patriot Guard Rider

04' Victory Kingpin
16' Victory Cross Country Tour
02' Ducati Monster 900
13' Ducati Diavel
22' Royal Enfield Himalayan - Hoping to do some adventure riding.

From: Vicki@ducati.net vicki@ducati.net
Sent: Tuesday, April 4, 2023 10:18 AM
To: Ducati Owners Group ducati@list.ducati.net
Subject: [Ducati] Re: Argentina MotoGP

Mario,
Nice post, thanks. I agree about the risks and pressure. The other thing is (imho) the Sat race is so much better than Sunday now. And finally, as a person who made a living as a racer for close to two decades, the situation with rider contracts and just springing the sprint format on a series full of under contract riders with no plan for extra pay is kind of wtf. Hopefully they have worked that out by now. The new  format does make Motogoat fantasy league more fun though.
Finally, at some point Mario I would love to see your Handbuilt entry. I am Grand Marshall at a conflicting event that weekend so I am passing on COTA. But my passion for minibikes remains stronger than ever so good luck and please share when you are ready.

On Apr 4, 2023, at 9:46 AM, Mario Baroz mariobaroz@hotmail.com wrote:


I was adamantly against the idea when I first heard about it.  After the first race, since it was so exciting, I thought this might be a good thing.  The second sprint race was just as exciting.  But then as I thought about it more and read some of the more experienced moto-journalists' takes on it,  as exciting as they may be, I don't think these are a good idea going forward.  There are going to be more incidents, more injuries, more stress on the teams and riders, and I don't think any of those things are good for the series.  Losing that extra day of practice and replacing it with a stressful, high pressure race is a radical change.  Then when you factor in how long the season has become, I think it's all just too much.  So now I'm adamantly against it again.

Did anyone else notice the blatant, IMO, bias and favoritism shown to Quatararo by the announcers?  And camera crew for that matter.  Nakagami barely touched Q and they acted like he totally barged into him.  Somone else made a hard pass earlier in the race and they were saying "well, he left a hole and XXXX had to take it....that's just hard racing...."  But then Nakagami does a much less hard pass on Q and suddenly it's "Q's whole race has been ruined by Nakagamis unforgivable sin..."  What a load of garbage.  Then there was constant whining and empathy for Q and making excuses for him.  They gave him so much camera time while Zarco was blazing through the field.  Well, I thought it was out of hand.

Bezzechi is amazing, he will be hard man to contend with the rest of the year.  He has his confidence up and is on a great bike.  Alex Marquez is going to be up there as well. I don't know why people forget he is a two-time World Champion.  Well, because of his older brother but still....

Anyway, I'm not putting it past Marc doing his double lap penalty and still winning COTA.

Also, my mini-bike creation made it into the Handbuilt Show!  It's gonna be a busy weekend!

Mario

2023 Honda CRF250F
2018 Yamaha TTR=230
2017 Ducati Desert Sled
2006 Honda CBR600F4i
1998 AM 140 "Montague Loop Special"
1996 Ducati 900SS/CR
1977 BMW R100
1969 Hodaka Ace 100
1966 Hodaka Ace 90

From: Vicki Smith veloce916@gmail.com on behalf of Vicki Smith Vicki@Ducati.net
Sent: Monday, April 3, 2023 11:35 PM
To: Ducati Owners Group ducati@list.ducati.net
Subject: [Ducati] Re: Argentina MotoGP

What does everyone think about the new format? Sprint race, yes or nea?
Vicki

To get the links and updates on all today's Ducati news:
https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ductalk.com%2F&data=05%7C01%7C%7Ce31ae632528e4a55d9c508db34c61def%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638161797732242284%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=0%2BcGClvTfQ%2BAIJhdiiUosYBrGoEsF51tcP3gR0OgY44%3D&reserved=0https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ductalk.com%2F&data=05%7C01%7C%7C60a54eaab4d74239cae008db3526ddfc%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638162213282283529%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=uzUBq1tHjhRSxoooXNmEzeCwAUfs4Xyo%2F5hkA4QzS2E%3D&reserved=0
and
https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fducnet&data=05%7C01%7C%7Ce31ae632528e4a55d9c508db34c61def%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638161797732398509%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=0s4J84NIzuJR3eI9Ma5ZmDZs03k1CAV2A%2F6G1aCTGKA%3D&reserved=0https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fducnet&data=05%7C01%7C%7C60a54eaab4d74239cae008db3526ddfc%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638162213282283529%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=T2Trpl25wJKxhixdEHeMuJo7EZ9QSch0rOapIjkO2VA%3D&reserved=0

Ducati mailing list -- ducati@list.ducati.net
To unsubscribe send an email to ducati-leave@list.ducati.net
Mailto: %(user_address)s

To get the links and updates on all today's Ducati news:
http://www.ductalk.com/
and
https://www.facebook.com/ducnet

Ducati mailing list -- ducati@list.ducati.net
To unsubscribe send an email to ducati-leave@list.ducati.net
Mailto: %(user_address)s

2 thoughts….
One, MotoGP riders get paid FAR less than basketball or football players (or F1 drivers for that matter) so risk/reward is very skewed.

Two, Mario that bike needs slicks and me and a kart track!

Pags