Paddock Pass Podcast

Exclusive talk with Justin Marks, the man behind the newest team on the MotoGP grid, about the ‘hows’ and ‘whys’ of joining the sport, the sheer speed of establishing Trackhouse Racing MotoGP, a preference for Aprilia and prospects for 2024 and beyond.

Five weeks is a long time in racing but for Toprak Razgatlioglu it was an eternity. The Turkish superstar has now had his first taste of the BMW M1000RR and we heard from him after his first run at Portimao. Toprak wasn't the only guest on this week's pod with Sam Lowes giving Neil and Adam his thoughts following his final GP appearance at Valencia. Steve, Gordo and David breakdown the first tests for Toprak and Sam while also casting an eye over the WorldSBK season and some Christmas gift ideas!

Adam, David and Neil go through the main talking points in the wake of the Valencia MotoGP test and what the times, news and reactions could mean for 2024. We also interview Freddie Spencer for a Renthal Street session exactly 40 years after his first premier class championship in what was another final round decider. Photo by Polarity Photo.

After one of the most dominant seasons in WorldSBK history we wanted to have a roundtable of Paddock insiders to gauge the season and look into the future of WorldSBK. As ever Steve and Gordo are on the podcast to give their views but we were delighted to be joined by Speedweek.com's Ivo Schützbach and World Feed commentator Alex Raby

Episode 371: Valencia Review – 2023 MotoGP in a nutshell? What a stage to end an intense season: people, unpredictability and, ultimately, Pecco. Discussion points chewed copiously by Adam, David and Neil from Monday in Valencia with our ‘Winners’ and ‘Losers’ and implications of the results and actions of round twenty ahead of the first 2024 season test. Also a Renthal Street Session with Pol Espargaro on Valencia and the next stage of his career.

The chequered flag has been unfurled and prepped for the end of 2023. Valencia was already packed on Thursday with plenty of fans and media digging around for final information: the HRC situation, Marc Marquez’s emotions, Pedro wanting to be another b***ard and we talk with Husqvarna Motorcycles new Moto3 breakout star Collin Veijer

Adam, David, Neil and Steve go over some juicy details from the Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar where a title was (roughly) decided and another one all but done. How much did the tyres dictate Lusail and the championship? Are riders going slightly mental? What further wild rumours are circulating and we’re joined by none other than Fabio Quartararo for an exclusive interview

Expect the unexpected! We certainly got more than a few surprises on Sunday at Qatar, as well as yet another twist in the title chase. Adam and David ask what went wrong for Jorge Martin, and how it affects the championship. They discuss Fabio Di Giannantonio's super debut victory, in his penultimate MotoGP race. And they discuss the Moto3 argy-bargy which ended up with Jaume Masia taking the title in Qatar.

Night lights and action in Qatar as well as some dancing around ‘handbags’ as fatigue surfaces, and tension remains high for the penultimate round of 2023 MotoGP. Leaping into discussion at Lusail are Adam and Neil – talking fists and flights for the nineteenth Qualification and Sprint of the year – while we also hear from Alpinestars’ Media Manager Chris Hillard as the protection product company have plenty of skin in the game for the title pursuit.

A bewildering first day of action at the Lusail International Circuit. Adam and Neil try to offer a perspective to the slow (then crazy-fast) lap-times here in Qatar and why the world championship might already be starting to tip to one side. A surprise early leader in the time sheets, and some Ducati and GASGAS ‘beef’ to spice things up

Expectation among the opulence. Adam and Neil are joined by highly respected Spanish journalist and DAZN TV reporter Borja Gonzalez to talk about what was seen and said on Thursday at the plush, ‘new’ Lusail International Circuit: would Jorge Martin be a good champion for MotoGP? Will the penultimate round be all about the Ducatis again? What’s the latest on Luca Marini and HRC and what about Moto3?

Round eighteen is scratched off the board. Adam, David, Neil and Steve discuss why Sepang 2023 will be memorable for one rider (OK, maybe two) and one factory but for probably forgettable for everyone else. Why the static race? And how worried should MotoGP be with the predicament around tyres? Also news and views and opinions as always. (Pic by Ducati Media)

Home Grand Prix time and an apt moment to look at the how, when and why RNF Racing came to be, as well as the historical links with the Sepang International Circuit and just how popular is motorcycle racing in Malaysia anyway? Join Neil, Razlan and some special guests for this unique deep-dive

On the ground at the Sepang International Circuit Neil grabs some time and thoughts with esteemed journalist and world feed commentator Matt Birt after the run of press conferences and media debriefs. The Martin and the Bastianini Ducati swap, the drawn-out HRC hiring saga, more title tension in Malaysia and other opinions and topics from Thursday.

Sepang and the Malaysian Grand Prix up next and a podcast without a mention of 'that' race but with plenty of chat about Ducati's diplomacy and dilemma, rider movements, Pedro Acosta on the brink and the technical rules on the distant horizon.

The 2023 WorldSBK season drew to a close with a cracking final race of the season. Steve and Gordo think it was one of the best ever but with Toprak switching to BMW, Rea on a Yamaha, Iannone back on a grid and a host of other changes the focus has already shifted to the 2024 season!

After two mistakes in a row, Jorge Martin had his work cut out in Buriram, and the Pramac Ducati rider rose to the challenge. This week, we look back at a thrilling Thai GP, ask what made the racing so exciting, look at the Martin vs Bagnaia rivalry, and ask if the KTM RC16 is a bike only Brad Binder can ride. Plus we hear from Pramac Ducati team boss Gino Borsoi on how Martin is handling the pressure.

The latest RNF Unlocked Podcast takes a look at how a MotoGP™ team caters for its team members and puts on a show for its guests as it travels around the world. Also, there is a look at the unique #RNFExperience, which the team provides at each round. Joining us for this episode are Cyril Francis, Head of Partnership and Hospitality, and Nicole Bovinelli, Team Experience Manager, to tell us more!

With four rounds remaining in the 2023 MotoGP World Championship the title battle is intensifying between Pecco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin but how will things play out in Buriram? On today's Paddock Notes show Neil is joined by Peter McLaren, MotoGP Editor for Crash.net, and they break down the weather forecast and the conditions we can expect in Thailand. The news from today's debriefs centred around the tyre allocation and how it will be decided by the layout of the circuit. We also chat again about the rider market where Marc Marquez is still the centre of attenion. The Repsol Honda rider may be nearing the end of his tenure at HRC but who will replace him and is the eight times World Champion really riding in 2024 for free?

No chance of a weather disruption for this week’s podcast, and we defy the time zones to bring you a full wrap on round sixteen of 2023 MotoGP from a partially compliant Phillip Island. Backflipping Frenchmen, costly tyre gambles, surprise podium faces and much more to blow through with Adam and Neil on the ground in Australia and David doing the hard yards in the early hours.

The subject of the latest RNF Unlocked Podcast deals with the repercussions of crashes: how do the CrypoDATA RNF MotoGP team prepare for technical disaster and how do they cope with worst case scenarios in terms of tackling the Grand Prix programme? Spares, stock, repairs, psychological cost? Team Manager Wilco Zeelenberg and Logistics Co-ordinator Carl ‘Stan’ Meakin lift the lid

To discuss MotoGP fan culture, we went to the country that boasts of one of the biggest MotoGP fan bases in the world: Indonesia! The latest RNF Unlocked podcast sees Team Principle Razlan Razali and host Neil Morrison quiz local fans Erin and Eris about why the sport is so popular in their country, and what the sport can do to grow its fanbase.

A slight frazzled Sunday evening recording for this week’s show and the wrap of round fifteen of 2023 MotoGP as Adam and David dial-up Neil in the Mandalika media centre and half the PPP crew get on the road to Australia. Bagnaia’s rebound, Martin’s malaise, Binder’s bashing and loads more.

The deal is done, and Marc Marquez has finally spoken about why he chose to move from the factory Repsol Honda team to the family atmosphere of the Gresini Ducati squad. Neil, Adam and David analyse what Marc told the media, how the other riders responded, and more. And they discuss Pol Espargaro's mood in having to make way for Pedro Acosta.

David, Neil and Steve discuss the state of the championship before a three-race run in three weeks, starting with the second trip to the Mandalika Street Circuit. GASGAS, Pol and Pedro, Bezzecchi and the ever-present Marquez situation. Plenty of insight before Indonesia.

The 2023 WorldSBK Championship will have a title decider at the final round of the year in Jerez. An Alavaro Bautista hat-trick in Portimao wasn't enough to get him across the line because on Sunday we saw some of the best racing imaginable. Steve and Gordo bring you all the latest news from the paddock

A special edition show (with the help of Renthal Street) as we mull over the HRC press release bringing an official end to one of the most lethal and prolific combinations in MotoGP history. What’s next? What could happen and what does this mean for MotoGP? Adam, Dave, Neil and Steve – along with TNT Sports Presenter and former World Champion Neil Hodgson - give their 100 pesetas worth.

More Martin magic, the washing-out effect of the Motegi monsoon, what we learned in Japan, our ‘winners’ and ‘losers’ from round fourteen of MotoGP and our take on the near-conclusion of the 2024 silly season. Grab the latest show here!

Adam, David and Neil get on a call to talk about the first day of the Motul Grand Prix of Japan. Brad Binder's lap-record, carbon-powered effort, Ducati's shift, Honda and Yamaha concerns and what's the hold-up with Pedro? Have a listen and then join us for more content from the rest of the Grand Prix weekend on Patreon right here: https://www.patreon.com/paddockpasspodcast

How does a MotoGP team move bikes, equipment, spares, staff around the world? The latest 'RNF Unlocked' podcast talks with Wilco and meets Logistics and Team Coordinator Carl 'Stan' Meakin to find out how the wheels roll for a twenty-round world championship effort

The tenth round of the Superbike World Championship saw a Sunday double for Alvaro Bautista but a crash in the opening race of the weekend made for interesting talking points. On today's pod we are joined by Paul Denning to talk about Jonathan Rea's move to Yamaha and we also have a special Renthal Street Session with Pere Riba, crew chief to Rea at Kawasaki

Some clear and heavy talking points from the first ever IndianOil Grand Prix of India at the Buddh International Circuit: Bezzecchi’s brilliance, Pecco’s prang, Honda’s revived hopes, Marquez’ next move, monkey business and how was the country’s MotoGP debut? Adam, Dave, Neil and Steve share the Naan on round thirteen

On the eve of the first ever Indian Grand Prix we talk to Miguel Oliveira, and the new (and effective) link-up with Crew Chief Giovanni Mattarollo. How do the pair build-up trust, how do they find the small details, what is the Portuguese star like to work with? Questions asked, answers gained! Listen to the brand new 'RNF Unlocked'!

It's been quite the journey, but at last MotoGP has landed in India. Adam Wheeler faced a relatively smooth journey to the Buddh International Circuit, and he checks in with Neil Morrison and David Emmett to talk travel, the state of the circuit, and the thrills and terror of New Delhi traffic. We discuss what the riders had to say about the track, who we expect to be fast, and the state of play in the Honda camp over the 2024 prototype If you like what you hear on this show join us on Patreon as a Paddock Insider!

The Paddock Pass Podcast crew are joined by veteran journalist Dennis Noyes to preview this weekend's Indian Grand Prix. Dennis established himself as a paddock insider early in his career but he also has experience in organising and promoting Grand Prix during the early 90s so he'll give us his insight into what it takes to get a race off the ground

The ninth round of the 2023 WorldSBK campaign kicked off with a bombshell..Jonathan Rea would be leaving Kawasaki and signing for Yamaha. The biggest story of the weekend gets top billing in this week's podcast with Steve English and Gordon Ritchie bringing you the latest news from inside the paddock

Not a classic, but Misano was the scene of a classic performance and there was plenty of rumbling in the background to keep Adam, David and Neil talking through the first hours of the post-race IRTA test in Italy. Thoughts on the racing, Jorge Martin, Marc Marquez, some words on Mike Trimby and an exclusive interview with Wasserman Media Group’s Bob Moore on being an agent and rider manager, particularly with 2023 silly season gathering pace.

There was an extra vibe to Misano with the culmination of 2023 MotoE and the first chapter of the Ducati technical era. We chatted with the CryptoDATA RNF MotoE crew about their season, riding the Italian electric bikes and more for the latest ‘RNF Unlocked’ podcast!

Our first – free – Paddock Pass Podcast Notes show from Misano and round twelve of 2023 MotoGP. Talking the latest Marquez rumours, Bagnaia’s shape, Marini’s new contract, exclusive MotoE content and more from the Media Centre and on the eve of the San Marino Grand Prix. Join us on Patreon for more right here: https://www.patreon.com/paddockpasspodcast

Wrapping all matters Catalan, and discussing why Aprilia were so good (thanks to insight from Race Manager Paolo Bonora and Wilco Zeelenberg), what we thought of manic scenes in Turn 1 (and Turn 2!), Barcelona’s low grip & future, Winners and Losers and much more.

The essential double-act in MotoGP. On this latest RNF Unlocked podcast Raul Fernandez and his Crew Chief, Noe Herrera, attach the microphones to talk about they link-up, how they work and how their relationship is key to the chase of success for CrypoDATA RNF Racing.

A taster of our Patreon MotoGP Notes shows! Adam and David talk about some of the news, comments and themes from the first day and a (busy) gathering at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. What did Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta say about KTM, concessions and the future of the Catalan GP? What were Marco Bezzecchi’s initial words about his 2024 Mooney VR46 deal? What else happened in the paddock? Have a listen to the latest round-up and join us for more every day at: https://www.patreon.com/paddockpasspodcast

Looking ahead to round eleven at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya with a few of the hot talking points currently in 2023 MotoGP: possible capacity changes, Marco Bezzecchi and the 2024 calendar. Plus, we call up Catalunya Radio journalist Damia Aguilar and ask him to try and explain why this particular country produces such strong MotoGP racers like Marquez, Espargaro, Rins, Criville, Pedrosa, Elias, Pons, Checa and more

Adam, David and Neil gather to go through the list of talking points from round ten of 2023 MotoGP at the Red Bull Ring: Perfect Pecco, the MotoGP paradox, Martin madness, KTM and their grid slots, is MM93 closer than ever to leaving Honda? And who fancies a Pramac Ducati for 2024? Much more inside plus interviews with KTM’s Sebastian Risse and Brembo’s Mattia Tombolan on the hardest braking circuit on the calendar.

What attracts a sponsor to MotoGP and what do the likes of CryptoDATA gain from their stake as part of RNF Racing? CEO Ovidiu Toma tells us about his discovery of the sport, why the company chose to get involved with the team and what gains they make from being in the MotoGP paddock.

Ducati or KTM? Martin or Miller? Bagnaia or Binder? Quartararo joins the rest of the Japanese brand ‘testing’ fleet and will the grid count on more orange or red for 2024? A few questions and talking points from a hot, sunny and surprisingly busy Red Bull Ring today

Anticipating the hills coming alive with MotoGP, Dave, Neil and Steve sat down to talk about the trip to Red Bull Ring, the latest Grand Prix gossip and had a fantastic chat with Red Bull KTM rider Jack Miller.

Plenty for Adam, David and Neil to chew through after the Monster Energy British Grand Prix: the Aprilia resurgence, the paradox of the event, the Japanese nadir (?), Jake Dixon now-and-the-future plus ‘Moments’, ‘Winners and Losers’ and interviews with Romano Albesiano and Razlan Razali

On this week's podcast Steve and Gordo chew over a feast of WorldSBK from Most. After a slow burning start to the season we've now finally had the fight we've been waiting for; Toprak vs Bautista. In Race 2 it was stunningly competitive with the Yamaha man doing all he could to keep the Ducati at bay. In the end it wasn't to be and for the Paddock Pass Podcast crew it provided lots of action to pick through!

Time, tyre pressures, rider contracts and movements, Silverstone, beginnings, ongoings: get under cover with the dealings of a MotoGP satellite team thanks to the latest frank and ranging RNF Unlocked podcast episode from the depths of the paddock in the UK.