MotoMatters.com | Kropotkin Thinks

Two news items worthy of your attention today. The first confirmation of rumors that have been circulating in the paddock about the MotoGP round in India, and the second about the future of Repsol in MotoGP.

Moving dates, saving face

You may have noticed another brief pause in articles here. I have had to pop over to the UK (literally) to chase up paperwork for the handling of my late mother's estate. Heading back to The Netherlands today, and should resume writing on Sunday.

There's a bit to talk about. Mostly, about the endless permutations of Silly Season, and how Ducati is causing a logjam, as riders wait to hear what they are going to do about their situation.

As I am sure you are all aware, my mother died recently. The kindness and support people have shown me has been overwhelming, and deeply appreciated. 

It is my mother's funeral this Saturday, May 4th. As a result, I will be taking a couple of days off to share with family. Coverage of MotoGP will return next week, ahead of the French Grand Prix at Le Mans. 

Thanks as always for your support and kindness. 

If things had gone differently, you would be reading my preview for the Argentina round of MotoGP. But much to the relief of freelancer budgets, the race at the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit has been canceled due to political instability and financial insecurity. It remains a massive shame that one of the best tracks on the calendar gets so little use, and is in such a remote place.

So instead of that, here's a round up of some of the news items and interviews which are worth your while. Starting with a story that is gaining more and more traction.

Education is important, but racing is importanter, the old adage goes. To which I would add, family is importanterer.

I had traveled down to Portimão ahead of this weekend's Portuguese round of MotoGP, when my mother was taken critically ill. I am now on my way back to the UK to be with her. As she is 80, and had lifelong health problems, the prognosis is not great. She is comfortable, however, and that is what matters.

The new system of concessions is aimed at allowing (in particular) Honda and Yamaha to catch up with the European manufacturers. But concessions are only helpful in as far as the factories actually use them. To improve, you have to go testing.

The first MotoGP round of the 2024 season gave the MotoGP media plenty to get their teeth into, and gave teams and factories plenty of data to pour into their simulations and models to see what they got wrong and find ways to improve things. With so much to pore over, there was little time or appetite for things other than racing.

But in the week since, there have been one or two things worth noting. So here's a few links of things worth your while.

The second domino to fall

With World Superbike off to a thrilling start in Australia and MotoGP less than two weeks away, racing is getting closer. And that means there is more news of significance to report. Here are a few stories that are worth reading.

RNF vs CryptoDATA

As the final tests for both the MotoGP and WorldSBK classes ahead of the 2024 season approaches, developments are afoot. So going into the weekend, here are a few bits of news and reading material.

Movement on pressure