The long winter wait is over. This weekend, MotoGP racers return to Qatar to start the 2016 season in earnest, with Sunday’s race under the lights of Losail.
Most MotoGP fans will agree that 2015 had some of the best racing we’d seen for a long time. The duel for the title was close, only decided in the last race. Although the Honda and Yamaha factories dominated as usual, there were signs of significant growth from the other teams, especially Ducati. Valentino Rossi’s fans were delighted to see their hero challenge for the title, and enraged to see the controversy between him and Honda’s Marc Marquez (Marquez’s fans weren’t happy either, just to be clear!). Rossi and Marquez’s conduct, and Rossi’s subsequent suspension, were the only real dampers on the season.
Now, we’re looking at a whole new year of racing, one that could go in any direction. We’ve seen some hints in pre-season testing; Suzuki’s Maverick Vinales appears to be ready to take a step forward with his racing, while others (particularly Dani Pedrosa) seem to be struggling with the new spec electronics and Michelin tires. Those struggles could have significance beyond race results this year; with many riders up for new contracts at season’s end, there’s more than just pride on the line. The rule changes could have an impact on performance for even the alien riders, and that could mean openings on the teams at the top for scrappy, hungry young guns who put in solid results for the factory teams this year.
This year, MotoGP fans in Canada won’t have to subscribe to Dorna’s Internet feed to watch races (although that is a convenient, if expensive, way to watch the action). Instead, if you have the beIN sports channel on TV, you can watch the races there.
Today is the start of the Losail festivities, with the pre-race press conference. Practice runs Thursday and Friday, qualifying runs Saturday, and the race takes place Sunday evening.
Cogeco Cable wants $14.95 per month for the beIN channel. May as well stay with Dorna.
I got BeIN and have loved the four WSB races so far and look forward to the Moto GP this Sunday. It is worth every cent of the $15/mth to me.
That’s a very good point. If you don’t need the extras offered by Dorna, you’re getting both WSB and MotoGP for your money with BeIN.
And for car racing lovers World Rally Cross as well. The World Super Sport motorcycle races are also shown and they are great to watch as the action is very close. The BeIN channel has very few commericals and of course that is nice.
And, through Dorna, for 20 bucks a month you can get both series as well as World Supersport, Moto2, Moto3, and all practice and qualifying sessions with NO COMMERCIALS.
For a MotoGP weekend alone, that adds up to about 10+ hours of coverage with intelligent commentary. Did I mention no commercials?
Wow that is nice!!!!
Yeah, it comes down to how much time you want to spend on the couch. I could see an argument being made for either service; I’d guess the casual race fan would be better served by cable, and the hard-core fanatic would be better off with Dorna.
Oh, I hadn’t forgotten.
This will reduce the number of weekend jobs I get done!