Daddy "fingers crossed" Marquez is one of my favorite staples of a MotoGP weekend. I think MM93 can be a complete asshole on track, but I do think he's a good person off-track and Dad Marquez does a good job of keeping him grounded. Some of the stuff he's done for fans seemingly improv'd is pretty commendable.
Crutchlow had two podiums this year. Unless the 2020 Honda is significantly better, I don't see Alex Marquez doing any better next year.
I do. And for one reason.... Marc. I bet Alex can get up to Cal’s speed by first quarter of the season. To go faster, Cal can look at Marc’s data all he wants but without Marc explaining it, it can mean nothing. Marc will explain it to Alex in 3 languages. Yes Marc has more raw talent than anyone right now. Alex isn’t there to beat Marc. Alex is there to be a second younger rider for Honda, to give support to his brother, they know he’ll get support from his brother, and because the kid is a 2 time world champion. That being said, I don’t think anyone should go right to a factory seat. I’m still pissed what MotoGp did to Ben Spies.
It will be fun to see what happens. I agree completely that Marc will offer help, I just find it hard to believe he will pick it up and match Cal in the first quarter. However, we did see how quickly Quartararo got up to speed and finished the year in 5th, two positions ahead of Rossi.
Not only that, but him and Vinales had 7 podiums each this year (tied for 3rd in podiums this season). FQ was the surprise of 2019.
As I think Papa pointed out Spies had a better record with Tech 3 than factory Yamaha Sent from my smatrfone
That’s after the fact. It was a rule. Keep a rule for everyone. Parody. Could care less if he never got a factory ride. The point is he was offered and Motogp held him back from it. But they just open the door for Marquez and Binder.
I’m sure Honda is going, “Whew. That’s just Marc’s old bike which will be Cal’s hand me down” Edit. Just flipped back over to watch Marc destroy a 2020 bike. Now they’re even and three Honda’s down so far.
Cal has been getting a current year spec Honda for a few years now and not a hand me down. The only one on hand me downs is Nakagami.