Grateful for my own personal ties to the people of Nepal, I was really glad to see a MotoGP team supporting this beleaguered country after the devastating earthquake. Well done, Forward Racing!

The distinctive 6 of Herr Bradl was looking at home over at Aprilia. Surely this wasn’t the first time a rider’s logofied number had appeared in two different garages, but it doesn’t happen all that often.

The Aprilia continues to evolve from race to race. For some interesting comments on that very topic, check out amigo Jimil Borillo’s interview with Bautista’s crew chief, Giulio Nava, on Episode 462 to the MotoPod podcast.

Preparing for a dominating performance on Sunday, Jorge Lorenzo was all business before Qualifying.

But when it’s time to do the business, even those at the top of their games might suffer unexpected issues. Lorenzo’s fluid tube needed last moment adjustment that he couldn’t perform himself. It’s a team sport, after all.

Speaking of this being a team sport, when Dani Pedrosa crashed due to an oil leak, his RC213V ended up a heap of smoking ruin at the final turn. The marshals got to break out the extinguisher, for better or worse. It may have been for worse, as the hot oil was smoking but I never say any flames. This fellow’s better safe than sorry approach may have saved that very thing from happening, however.

Afterward the bike was going to require some team work to get ready for the morning. At least they wouldn’t have to clean the extinguisher junk off the front tire. Probably going to need a new throttle, though. And radiator. And fairing. And so on.

But next morning, there were lots of shiny bits on Pedrosa’s second bike, including a brand new shiny exhaust. This is what the factory pipe looks like before passing loads of superheated exhaust fumes changes it to shades of blue and purple.

©2015 by Scott Jones / PhotoGP – All Rights Reserved

Camera Info: Nikon D4 with Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 and Nikon 500mm f/4.0

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