August 2, 2025 • 41 mins
Big thanks to Shannons Insurance for sponsoring this episode!
You’ve heard his voice on the world feed, now hear the stories behind it.
This week on Pit Talk, Matt Clayton and Renita Vermeulen are joined by the one and only Jack Appleyard, the man bringing MotoGP fans every heartbeat of the action.
From pre-race chaos to post-race banter, we dive into what it really takes to be the voice of MotoGP, the wildest moments he’s seen trackside, and how he keeps his cool when the world is watching.
He also gives his take on Jack Miller’s season, his thoughts on Marc Marquez and who he thinks could be Australia’s next MotoGP superstar.
⚠️ Quick heads up: the audio dips in and out at times! Thanks for sticking with us.
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Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
So twenty twenty five, what can we say about this season?
I'm gonna call it electric this year. And while you
guys in the Northern Hemisphere catching your breath and enjoying
the summer break, here on Pittalk, we are warming up
with a Midia deep dive into what's really been happening
behind the scenes. This episode of pit Talk has brought
(00:22):
to you by Shannon's Insurance. I'm your host, Rindita van Mullen,
joined as always by O'll go to guy for all
things a Moto GP inside, mister Matt Clayton. But Matt,
we've got an exciting guest and I'm going to say
he's easily in our top two favorite Jackson Moto GP
right now, mister Jack Apple Yard Jack, welcome to Pittalk.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
Hello, thank you for having me a delight to be here.
Should I ask whether I'm first or second on that
list of Jackson Motto GP, I understand if I'm number two,
there's going to be a little bit of bias going
towards a fellow Australian and that's okay.
Speaker 3 (00:57):
I'll take them worth If you've we've got some news
on the other Jacket might elevate you to number one
if the news is good Jack, So I'll leave that
up to you a bit later on Baby.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
I wish, I wish last time we saw him in
and he says, you know as much as me, which
is well, I'll let you guys use some of the
colorful news. But yeah, he's in the dark at the moment,
but we'll have to wait and see. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (01:22):
No, we've been posting all of that with Jack's comments
all over socials and we love his colorful language here.
It helps us gets a lot of the clicks, so
we like that. But but not talking about Miller, We're
going to talk about you because you have been a
very busy man this year.
Speaker 2 (01:35):
Jack.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
How are you enjoying the new role?
Speaker 2 (01:37):
Yeah, loving it, absolutely loving it. Big shoes to Phil.
Obviously Simon was fantastic, did it for a number of years.
But it's been such a joy to get the opportunity
to basically be the only man in the Pabot that
can leave the circuit on a Sunday, having been in
pact for mate every single weekend. I mean, I've got
(01:58):
a hundred, which even Matt Marquez can't say that he's had.
It's been fantastic so far. I mean the opportunity to
speak to the guys after I have a first wins
or first podiums is always special. I mean, in particular
the one that stands out being there and experiencing the
atmosphere in Lamont after Oh yeah, well that was just
(02:22):
incredibly special. I've even got goosebumps now thinking about the
noise when he came into park for me, the crowd
singing La Marsier's, it was an unbelievable afternoon. And yeah,
it's just very very privileged to be a part of
those moments.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
Yeah, I always think it's really interesting, Jack, when we
get people like yourself that are on you know, we
see you in Australia on the TV screens every weekend.
I always think it's interesting and we take it for
granted a bit for those of us that are around
it finding out how people do their jobs and how
they work. And this is obviously a big change for
you this year. Take us inside a week ind for
you because Thursday, for anyone that's been in a pre
(03:00):
weekend on the media side, Thursday is the day where
you need to be everywhere at the same time because
you're trying to get as many crumbs of information as
you can about the weekend. How do you prepare for
what's coming at you by what you do on Thursday?
And then I also wanted to ask you when things
go a little bit off script, and I'm thinking of
the beginning of the race at Cota, when everyone's abandoning
(03:21):
bikes and running off the grid and that's complete chaos.
You are the world's eyes and ears at that point.
And I still vividly remember halfway through the opening titles
they just got cut off and there's people running down
the pit lane, and you're the person alerting everyone to
the fact this is going on. So twopat question, how
do you prepare for the weekend? And secondly, when something
crazy like that comes up, you can probably still recall
(03:42):
that afternoon in pretty vivid detail.
Speaker 2 (03:44):
I would have thought, absolutely, get onto in preparation wise,
you know you can. You can only do so much,
you think you know. Our once is try and see
what the pattern of the storylines were from a weekend
before year, trying to reach out to people on Thursday
to get an idea of who they think is going
(04:04):
to be strong, who might struggle, who it could benefit
who it won't what the latest gossip is. But so
much of the job is is reactionary, which is what
I love about it. You just have to be on
your toes, wait for something to happen to then go
and grab a reaction, wait for a story to break
to go and grab a reaction. A lot of it
(04:25):
you can't plan for. You can, certainly with the interviews
that I do with certain people, you have to plan
them in advance a little bit. You'll know, book them in,
get your slots because all of the TV stations so
often are wanting to speak to the same people. And
then once you know who you're going to speak to
on a Friday morning, Friday afternoon, Saturday morning, then you
(04:45):
can start to think about how you want to ask
you questions and what answers you want to get from them.
But the thing that I love most about the job
is that it is just so reactionary. You know, actually,
if someone hurts themselves, you've got to go and find
out what's happening. A rumor leaks about one rider going there,
you're going to go and speak to them, and just
(05:05):
think of things on the hoof, So that it means
often the prep that you do come Friday, ten minutes
into the session, it's completely uselel and then for Kotel'
always remember that that was round three. So on my
third weekend doing it properly. And obviously I've got a
(05:30):
talk back with with Matt and Lewis in the commentary
box to be able to chat to them and tell
them who I'm going to speak to, give them sub
dates that I think can help. And often during those
sixty seconds before the race starts, I stayed quiet because
it's a good opportunity for them to get their notes
in order to have a breath and just get ready
for the race ahead. And I was stood there on
(05:52):
the side. I was actually with Jorge Martin about to
interview him on the warm up lat and he's managing
Era over the shoulder, pointed and shouted, that's Mark Marquez.
So I turned, saw him running, looked up pit lane
and saw the rest of the morning. Quickly got on
the over line to the guides, then just shouted, they're
all running off of the grid.
Speaker 4 (06:12):
I wit.
Speaker 2 (06:14):
Kicked away from the opening sequence and gone to what
was happening in pit lane, and I was sprinting down
pit lane in that moment, I didn't know what to do.
Do I stand there and wait with him? So I
go with them. So I just thought, going that way,
I'm going to go that way with them, just to
see what happens. And then speaking about being reactionary, then
once you'd had the chance to stop and think, I thought,
(06:38):
you know, those guys in the comtry box can describe
what happening. I feel my job is to get the
opinion of the people on the ground of what they
make of it. And initially I thought that the people
are going to feel wronged. Here are the ones that
made the correct call on the grid and stayed on
the grid. One of them was Ayagura, And just as
(06:59):
I turned around, I could see David day Rivio walking
towards me. And David Day is normally the most calm,
mild mannered, placid man, and you could just tell you
were seething with anger. So I just went up to
him and went, could you just ask a quick question? Okay,
no problem? So I got it, and then his reaction
(07:20):
was brilliant and told the story perfectly of this is
this is wrong, It should be able to happen. We've
made the right decision. We're being penalised for it, so
so much of that is just okay, trying to stop
and think and have a clear mind of right, what's
the story here? Who do we need to speak to
to try and get the right reactions. Luckily I think
(07:42):
I've got it right with Brivio on that situation. But yeah,
it was a wild one.
Speaker 3 (07:47):
Yeah, the Brivio one was perfect because you all you
had to do was line him up and he had
his answer and he wanted to get all of the
annoyances and the frustrations there, and all you needed to
do is just hold the Mike Andrew's nose why you
got it, which was absolutely perfect. But to take you
inside what it was like being in Australia, of course
with the time difference at six o'clock in the morning
on a Monday, so we're sitting here like half asleep,
(08:09):
trying to get ready for a murder GP race and
then they're all running off the grid and we're listening
to you as like I know that I'm not one
hundred percent awake here, but what on earth is going on?
It was his most surreal experience and being on the
inside as you were, I mean, you know, third Grand Prix.
It's like, is it always like this?
Speaker 2 (08:24):
Yeah? No, And then for Lamon Lamon wasn't too dissimilar
as well. No, the reratin has stopped, and because I
was aware of what Mark had done two rounds before,
I just placed myself until they had to kick me
off right behind the ninety three. If he was having
any conversations with Ta dot C or his crew chief,
(08:45):
just to see whether he's going to do the same again,
and they were very close to him. I mean, that
was another wild one of trying to be at the
end of pit lane looking as they're going out to
see who's on what tires, And yeah, that was and
I love that though, absolutely loved that. When when when
it all goes wrong and there's chale element and I think, wow,
(09:05):
this is so much fun.
Speaker 1 (09:07):
Yeah. I just heard you talking about Mark and it
made me think, Okay, you're obviously in the paddoic. You're
seeing him every weekend. How completely in control of everything
is he right now? Like we see him on track,
you see him the races. He kind of has everyone
under his finger, right.
Speaker 2 (09:25):
Yeah, you just feel that he's just so completely dominant
at the moment. There's not not even an expectation just
to I think and understanding across the grid that or
even across the paddoct that Mark's going to win today.
It's a battle for second unless something wild happens. Certainly
(09:45):
now that he's got those those crashes out of the way,
you know, the one at Austin Stone, the one in
her f Stung, And since then he's evolved, is learned,
and he looks unstoppable. Now, I mean looking at the
second half of the year, and I think everyone's asking
the question, when is the first opportunity for anybody else
it's going to come along. It's almost a given he's
(10:06):
going to wrap up the world championship. It's not a
question of if, it's when he's going to do it.
And yeah, he's just in complete control, as you say,
And it makes my job difficult because I'm really running
out of questions to ask you. Yeah, well, then you've
done it again, Mark, another dominant victory. How do you
feel about this one? But he's fair play. I mean,
(10:30):
I think we all had a feeling that this was
going to happen. When you put the best rider on
the best ride, there's only one outcome, and we're seeing
what happens when those two things merge.
Speaker 3 (10:40):
Yeah, it's interesting though, because you know, if you go
back and you look at the early way he won
World Championships, it looks like it's going to be the
same end of the season that we saw so many
times before. But I almost think that, you know, this
is one of those rare cases where the sequels better
than the original, you know, like he's the new improved
version of Mark. You can see, you can see how
he's improved since he last won one, which you know,
(11:01):
twenty nineteen doesn't seem that long ago. It was a
very long time ago. There's a new improved version of Mark.
But the other side to this coin, of course, Jack
is Pekovanyaya. We came into this season so hopeful. It's like, well, look,
Mark's going into Pecko's team, and Pecko's been a two
time world champion and a two time runner up in
the last four years. And as good as it's been
for Mark, it's been pretty dire for Pecko. What are
(11:23):
you seeing from your vantage point right now, because it
looks from afar that Peko is still a little bit confused,
he's still a little bit incredulous, about the whole thing,
and there seems to be this He is the shoulder
shrugging emoji right now. He's not one hundred percent sure
how he's got himself into this position. Do you think
the rest of this year is really trying to understand
(11:44):
and at least finish the year with an understanding of
where things are and then resetting, because right now he
just looks so defeated.
Speaker 2 (11:51):
Yeah, he really is. I think even worse than frustrations,
it's almost just an acceptance from him now the this
bike isn't going to give me what I wanted. He
said that in the lawn, which was it feels a
long time ago, and since then twelve rounds now and
his performance levels haven't really improved. Throughout the year, the
(12:12):
Caty have tried to throw different bits at him. Whether
he's tried the new erow, he's tried a couple of
different chassis, but unfortunately whatever they give at the moment,
the GP twenty five engine, which which is different. You know,
throughout pre season we said that it was the same
and David Todd lots in everyone of the Catty told
us that they were imuligating the twenty four engine, which
(12:33):
in spec is the same, but it is very slightly
different in minor areas, which has clearly affected the balance
of the bike and completely taken away any of that
front feeling that made peckout that the riding of he
was over the last three seasons, and if it hasn't
improved over twelve rounds, I don't think there's a lot
(12:54):
of confidence from anyone that's going to find a miraculous
answer to be able to suddenly fighting for race victories
in the second half of the season. Within the rules,
there is the possibility for going into twenty twenty six
because the Katy confirmed for the satellite teams, those on
the bikes like Alex Marquez and Frankie Morbidelli, the Pecker
(13:17):
to return to that end journal more to a GP
twenty four spec. But whether they do that that's a
question for pre season. But yeah, I mean, just trying
to find that confidence again, it's going to be a
huge challenge and it's tough for ban Yaya because, like
you say, on the opposite side of the garage, Mark
(13:38):
is being able to handle all of the changes quite grilliantly,
but these circumstances are slightly different as well. That Mark
has taken a step from the twenty twenty three last year,
and we've seen the performance step that Alex has been
able to make. It clearly is a step forward from
twenty three to twenty four or twenty five? Is it
(14:00):
a step from twenty four to twenty five? I think
clearly it's not. And Peko is at the moment trying
to ride it like he was last year, and unfortunately
the bike this year just isn't allowing him to do that.
Speaker 3 (14:13):
It's one of the great benefits I guess you could
say with Marcus he never actually rode the twenty four.
It hasn't had to one learn how to ride the
twenty four.
Speaker 2 (14:19):
That's the same for what and Abastianini said last time
out as well. I thought that was really interesting that
the results and the huge turnaround inform saw in Bruno.
He said it was because I come here and I've
got no prior knowledge of any other bike, so I'm
not trying to like the CATD. I'm just having to
ride it like this bike is. So yeah, it's a
challenge for Peko, it really is, and I don't think
(14:43):
it's out of the question that he's looking over his
shoulder and might be up against it to even hold
onto a top three spot in the championship. I mean,
it feels as though it's a given that Mark and
Alex are going to finish one too, but with a
form of Fazeki at the moment that the Prillier is
really strong, really strong in the last few rounds, and
if it wasn't for Mark, Bas would have been winning
races quite comfortably. So I think the packer was really
(15:07):
We've got a huge challenge in the second half of
the year to hold off the rising form of a Brillian.
Speaker 3 (15:15):
You've cued me up beautifully here by mentioning Aprillier, because
I did want to ask you. It's almost like we've
done this before. I wanted to ask you about the
other big story of this year that you were right
in the middle of. I'm not talking about the start
of the race at Cota, the interview you did with
Albert Valera on the Live at Asen, which was kind
of the court coming out of the bottle in this
(15:36):
whole Martine a Prillia situation, because it kind of stagnated
for a bit, and I feel that that interview was
the impetus that caused everything that followed and ended up
with Juge Martin back on the bike for Aprillia and
Bruno and apparently we're all holding hands and friends again.
But talk us through that interview with Albert Valeria, because
I'm sure that's one of those ones where either you
approached him or he approached you and said, hey, I'd
(15:58):
like to come and talk to you today please. He
really had something that he wanted to say and get
out there that was pretty riveting tv A in the moment,
and then what it kicked off in the days after that.
You must have known as that was happening. It's like,
oh boy, I've got something here, this is this is
going to be fun.
Speaker 2 (16:14):
Yeah I was. I was looking my lips thinking, yeah,
I've definitely got a story this weekend, and we've got
ye as soon as as soon as the news broke,
I got in touch with Albert saying, you know, would
love to be able to get your side of the
story around. Not yet, not yet, and he said, look,
(16:35):
when the time is right, I'll let you know. And
then that morning we were in Alpine Stars having a coffee.
He walked in and said, what do we think now
next weekend? You know, before the summer break. Anyway, let's
do it today. I was like, Okay, great, let's let's
get cracking. And yeah, it was. It's fascinating because obviously
(17:01):
English isn't his native language, so beforehand he knew what
he wanted to say and he just wanted to check
that he was going to put it across in the
right manner. So it's just what I was going to ask.
So he had the chance because often you know, like
you have to give huge credit to both Albert, but
then more on than that, or Hey in Bruno, to
(17:23):
do that press conference by yourself in a second language
that impeccably you know, that is so challenging to do.
But he was honest and did it incredibly well. So yeah,
it was. It was great to get the chance to
speak with Albert and everything that exploded on from that.
(17:43):
And I have to say, oh, hey, I think from
the fans has got a lot of grief, has maybe
lost a lot of goodwill with the fans. But from
what Albert was saying, I could understand where he was
coming from. I mean, you saw how emotional or Hey
got in that press conference when he was asked to
recount the days after guitar where you know, on another day,
(18:06):
he was very luckily lucky that that didn't end a
far lot worse than what it did. He was in
ic U for for close to a week with a
collapse long, with tubes coming out of everywhere. We've obviously
been in a different country, not having his loved ones
around him, and that took him to the lowest point
of his career, the lowest point of his life, and
(18:28):
he already or after that. They then gone to them
on then that the contract was agreed by both parties.
Let's not forget I really agreed to it. Albert and
Jorge managed to get that clause, in that now famous
clause that after six rounds in the top five months championship.
Speaker 4 (18:46):
And he'll be able to lean and I think in
good way given.
Speaker 2 (19:08):
Very easy people. Yeah, people in the ground, you know,
all right, even more so the rain wa he's allowed
to a little bit insane. I need to try this,
(19:31):
I need to want to decide whether this bike is
right for me, and Prilliant weren't going to give him
that opportunity to do so, which because of that, I
think he put his back up a little bit and
he thought, right there well, if you're not going to
give me that opportunity, I'm going to look for opportunities elsewhere.
And yet his head was turned a little bit by
the big money offer that that Honda had on the
table for him. But I think we should not jump
(19:56):
all over Hawk and understand that from that difficult position,
he maybe wasn't in the right headspace to make clear decisions.
And in the end he tried the bike that that
Masano test enjoyed it, and I think there's fifty to
fifty to that story. Yes, the bike is much better
than when he first tried it, but also as well,
(20:17):
I think key to all of it was the pressure
that Carmelo Espeletta put on the situation by saying that
if a rider isn't fully completely with both sides happy
out of a contract, then we went registered them for
the following season, and Brilliant were more than happy to
(20:38):
drag it through the courts. They were playing their cards
as they're more than allowed to do so, and we're
going to try and make it as awkward as possible.
And in the end, because of that, with all the
mounting pressure from the championship from a few different parties
in the pad. I think it was the only real option,
and we'll see, we'll see. I still think although it's
happy families now, it doesn't take a lot for this
(21:02):
situation to change, because let's not forget that the contract
only runs up until the end of next year, so
or heey could quite happen easily, as we've seen before,
sign a deal in January to go to Honda for
twenty twenty seven, which I still think is on the cards,
and then suddenly the pair of them have to live
with one another knowing that the divorces imminent in twelve months time.
(21:23):
I'm of the belief that if I was Masimo Rivla,
I want people that are one hundred percent committed to
this course. You're either all in or you're out, because
I want people that trust in what we're doing, believe
in what we're doing. And por Hey, regardless of the
fact whether you world champion and you're obviously one of
(21:44):
the top top riders out there, if you're not in,
no problem, we'll prove you wrong. We'll go elsewhere. But
also as well, it's a huge financial investment from a
prillier in Porpey Martin Rivler's bosses given the fact that
they signed off the extra money to make sure that
they had him on board. Would not be happy at
the fact that within six months we've lost this star
(22:05):
man and would be asking quite rightly serious questions of
how on earth has this gone so wrong so fast?
So I can understand why Riveller had to hold his
position and had to make sure that he kept him
on the bike. And you haven't hope, like we've seen
with Beds, that April was competitive and the one thing
that has let Marco down so far has been is qualifying.
(22:27):
And what's Jorges's huge strong suit his ability to put
one lap in and that just out of the box
electric pace. So I wouldn't be surprised if he's on
the podium, certainly before the end of the season, certainly
in the next maybe before we even get onto the flightaways.
I think that that Ali he's ready to compete, and
when Jorges had his best, maybe we'll see some results
and it could be a happy ending. But for sure
(22:49):
the story is although just calm down for now, he's
not done yet.
Speaker 1 (22:55):
You guys heard it there, Jack said that who is
going to put on the box, So we're going to
hold you to that Jack, But let's move on to
our second favorite Jack. Okay, Jack, Miller, we got to
ask you about this. We had to get there at
some point. So I know you mentioned earlier that Jack
said that you know, you guys know as much as
he does. Bloody, bloody blood. But come on, surely you're
going to give us some goss or something like, what
(23:18):
do you know about Jack's future? What's going to happen
to Miller?
Speaker 2 (23:22):
Look, Jack wants wants to stay in Moto GP. There
work offers on the table from will Bite. It looks
as though some of those options have now closed. It
seems one of them was Hondo. It looks as Jake
Dixon is going to take that up. A huge thing
to look at that the Tazuka eight Hours, which is
(23:42):
the endurance event which is going on at the moment.
I think it's this weekend on Thursday. That is a huge,
huge thing.
Speaker 5 (23:55):
Riders in great all that grand and he's looking very
very and a lot of decisions to make during that
as well as going out there.
Speaker 2 (24:10):
He's making a huge, big show of faith in Yamaha,
and I think he's hoping that he will be rewarded
as a result. Of that where he ends up. I
don't know, because I think it all swings on. There's
a lot of talk, a lot of rumors. Whether there's
any wait to them, I don't know, but I think
(24:32):
there does need to be over the summer some really
difficult conversations between Yamaha and Alex Rinns. Alex I think
is an unbelievable rider, five motor GP wins to his name,
that the talent is obvious, but I think it's clear
unfortunate to everybody that after that horrific leg break in Magello,
(24:53):
he's not the same rider anymore. And it is a
very difficult conversation to have because he's a huge because
he's a great guy. But the position that Yamahar are
at now, if they want to break through to that
next level, I just don't think that they can have
their rider line up purely based on and goodwill. They
(25:15):
need to make those daft decisions, be brutal and choose
the right riders that are going to be able to
take the project forward, whether that's paying Alex out of
his contracted year early, promoting Jack and then put in
a rookie alongside top Right and Promac next year. I
think that is a scenario that some people see is
quite a good fit. Jack would be able to step
(25:37):
into the factory team like he has done at the Cateid,
like he has done at KTM, bring a wealth of
knowledge he's played. He knows perfectly how to play that
second rider role like he did with ban Yaya, testing
items throughout the season, like he did at KTM, trying
to just elevate their level. He knows what his job
(25:57):
is and we'll be able to do that job very well.
Trying to support Fabio, who we all know will be
Yamaha's leading light next year, and commercially as well, the
fact that Jack is now a Monster rider, it fits
well with the brand. Jack is easily one of the
most marketable riders on the grid, and having him and
(26:18):
Fabio in the factory team, you know that commercially that
works for all of the sponsors because they're going to
be able to generate good content on social media, are
going to be able to sell the brands brilliantly wherever
they are. It's just a good pairing that we'll get
a lot of people talking. So I think it works
for a lot of reasons. And although Jack said that
(26:40):
he didn't have any answers two weekends ago in the
Czech Republic. I'm fairly sure there will be conversations been
had in Suzuka this weekend where his future will be
a lot lot clearer. So hopefully when we get to
ostroom we've seen him on Thursday, we can ask him
and he'll have some answers for us.
Speaker 1 (26:59):
You mentioned top rack as well. What's your thoughts on
top pract coming in next year? How do you think
he's going to go jumping from a superbike to motorbike
so late in his career as well.
Speaker 2 (27:08):
Yeah, it's fascinating. Just as a fan, I'm incredibly excited,
but he's actually happening because you just look at his
talent and the way that he writes that the World
Superbike is like no one else. He looks like he's
going to win the World Championship this year, but when
the BNW isn't the best bike again, And to be honest,
(27:28):
I think it's such a fascinating question because nobody really
knows how he's going to get on some people, there's
lots of strong opinions out there. Some people think he's
going to come in and he's going to fight for
the world championships, and people think he's going to fail
to score a point, and to be perfectly honest, nobody
has a clue really until he gets on the bike
and we actually see I think we have to treat
(27:51):
him as a rookie, which he will be. We can't
be expecting him to come in and fight for race
wins straight away. Also, the level of the Amahar at
the moment isn't going to allow him to fight for
race wins straight away. Even Fabio on his best days, yes,
has been able to be there and close to the podium,
(28:11):
but the average finishing position has been what eighth, seven, six,
It's been comfortably inside the top ten, but not really
challenging for the top five on a regular basis. I
think by the end of the year, if like a
good rookie, can have some surprise queue two appearances, it
can suddenly confirm himself inside the top ten. He can
(28:32):
learn the circuit because like most rookies, he's also got
that disadvantage that there's going to be at least half
of the circuits he goes to, but he's never ridden before,
which is due's disadvantage. So you've just got to give
him time, I think, but it's going to be fascinating
and can't wait to see how he gets on and
how that style adapts. It's one of the great things
(28:54):
about Motor D've next year is finding out at last,
how will top rack do to j.
Speaker 1 (29:02):
We here at Pittook we like to promote out Ossie's
and not only Miller, but obviously Center Ags in Moto
two and Joe Kelso and Jacob Rulesto in Moto three.
So I want to talk to you about Senna because
this year was pretty cool to be at Silverstone. It
is his first win in Moto two. But I want
to hear from you because you've watched the whole evolution
(29:23):
now of Senna in the World Championship. Do you feel
like he's on the right path? Is he going to
be our next Ozzie hopeful that steps into Moto GP?
Speaker 4 (29:32):
Do you think?
Speaker 2 (29:33):
Yeah? Absolutely. I mean I remember speaking to Matt it
last year about this time last year year about some
of the guys to keep your eye on, and I said,
Sener he's so methodical and precise in how he works,
and he wasn't getting carried away with himself. He was
just slowly making small steps towards the front and now
(29:54):
this year is one of the strongest guys out there. Yeah,
I think going into next year vouted out he's going
to be a title contender. I don't think there's going
to be too many guys move up to Moto GP.
Looks like Marea is going to step up. Looks like
there's going to be a couple of guys that move
over to World Superbikes. Dixon and Cannett, likely's teammate will stay.
(30:15):
It seems like at the moment, despite potentially winning the
World championship, and then you would say next year it's
going to be Gonzales looking to go back to back,
It's going to be Center, probably going to be David Alonzo.
All they're fighting to be world champions. I have to
say right now, was I heard rumors of some potentially
interest even for this year, of Senner moving up to
(30:36):
Moto GP. But for sure, I think he's going to
be from the shopping list for a lot of riders
in twenty twenty seven, for a lot of teams. Sorry,
in twenty twenty seven, it was even talk could he
may be like we saw with man who Gonzales before
the end of the year and in the opportunity to
try Motor GP bike this year, just to get him
prepped potentially for a step up. I'm not sure whether
(30:58):
those talks have gone colds, but I did hear that
was potentially something that who were trying to work towards. Well.
For sure, I'm convinced that if he continues to make
the progress that he is, he's going to fight for
the World championship next year and he's going to be
a hot, hot candidate to be on the gridge for
twenty twenty seven, which for me is the perfect time
(31:20):
to move up to Moto GP.
Speaker 3 (31:22):
Yeah, it is, so you need to think of the
rule changes coming in. It's the big reset for the series.
There's some ronerda you and I were talking about this
off here. There's a change of management there for Center
behind the scenes as well, which is rather interesting given
that he's now got Daniel Ricardo's former manager black Friend
looking after him, and also which has Davies and is
quite a powerhouse sort of management shift going on behind
(31:42):
there as well. So they clearly see something that's going
on there as well they want to get on board with.
So I hope your twenty twenty seven prediction, Jack is
a spot on.
Speaker 2 (31:52):
Yeah, fingers crossed. I mean sometimes you just get the
feeling that it's the right rider, with the right personality,
the right past, which does help the right people around him,
the right results, the right trajectory. In so far touch
toward everything seems to just be moving in the right direction,
the center. So let's hope that continues.
Speaker 1 (32:13):
I like the bold calls that you're doing so far.
So let's move on to murto three real quick so
we can get another one. Let's talk about Joel Kelsoe
because he had a really strong start to the year
and then unfortunately ended well headed into his summer break
that one weekend early, then everyone else with that injury.
But how do you think Joel's tracking this year? Is
it time for Joel also to make that step up,
(32:36):
for him to move into Moto two?
Speaker 2 (32:38):
Uh? Joel's a tough one. I mean, he started the
season so well, didnto, and though through no fault of
his owning, it has been a bit unlucky with injuries
just dognated into the summer break, which is I guess
it can work both ways. You either allow that to
(32:59):
see with you and yeah, a little bit unhappy and
you come out slow out of the blocks going into
the second half of the season, or it's a good
opportunity to reset and rediscover that form on the first
half or the first part of the season. For Joe.
Joel's an interesting one because, through no fault of his own,
his stature doesn't scream to you Moto two rider because
(33:24):
he is it's just a diminutive rider. I mean and
not want to speak, I'm not exactly. He's not one
of those riders like a Colin Veyer or an Autela
over the past couple of years, who are obviously growing
anything they need to move up. You do feel that
Joel maybe could benefit from another year in Moto three,
(33:47):
and because of his size, certainly won't be disadvantaged by
doing another year on a Moto three bike because obviously
that first victory is something that he needs to tick off.
He needs to find that rhythm had been more consistently
on the podium. Let's see, hopefully, as I said that
(34:08):
that injury has allowed him although it was a bit
of a nasty one. I know he's gone back home
to Australia, so hopefully he's got into his room with
his training again, he can get back fit and he
could really attack these first couple three or four rounds
at the second half of the season and rediscover that
mojo we had in the first part of the season,
and then that might be the impetus he needs to
(34:30):
kick off for a big twenty twenty six. But so
far within the paddock, it's pretty interesting that because there's
been everyone was waiting on a resolution of the hot
Pit Martine thing, because that was then going to be
the domino effect of how the rest of the Moto
GP grid shapes up, and obviously the Moto two grid
can't take shape until the Motor GP grid has taken shape,
(34:53):
and then threes the next on the ladder as well.
So there's not been too much talk about the guys
moving up from motos at the moment, other than the
obvious ones of Ruada would we care us The Natter
seems to be moving up as well. So I've not
heard anything in regards to job moving up to Moto
two next year, but I think that's probably the right course.
(35:14):
I think it up and gear with Moto three to
really solidify himself as a regular race winning contender. Would
for me be the best move.
Speaker 3 (35:23):
Yeah, that the Martine story sort of sucked all the
oxygen out of the room for a bit and everything
had to wait its term to turn to develop after that.
But Jack, one more quick one, conscious of your time
here and thank you for joining us this evening. But
I did want to sort of finish on a more
forward thinking thoughe because we know that the Liberty Media
purchase has gone through, and anyone who's lived on the
inside of F one, as I have for a number
(35:45):
of years, it's undeniable the impact that the Liberty ownership
and well, frankly once in one hundred year pandemic that
forced everyone to watch Netflix for six months and we
were all locked at home was the perfect confluence of
circumstances to turn F one to something that is almost
unrecognizable from what it was like eight to ten years ago,
and certainly a long time before that for old people
(36:07):
like moving covering it for a while.
Speaker 1 (36:08):
But you know that.
Speaker 3 (36:10):
Liberty is in the business of storytelling, which is right
down your street. Because that's why you're in this, this
is what you love to do. It seems like it
can only be a positive outcome. Having someone like Liberty involved,
But what do you feel this is going to do
for the wider Motor GP story in terms of pushing
that out there to a wider audience, Because my theory
with Motor GP, as much as we love it, it's
(36:31):
kind of the world's best kept secret to some degree
in that it's just this unbelievably brilliant sport as it is,
it maybe just needs to be sold and told a
little bit better. Is that what you're hoping that this does.
And in terms of the role that you might be
able to play in.
Speaker 2 (36:44):
That, yeah, absolutely. I mean you look at obviously as
you say that Netflix series helps for what Liberty did
through the Netflix series and through their promotion of the
sport was rather than selling every race as a story,
they made people become attached to the personalities to the teams.
(37:05):
And I look at Alagorde at the moment and obviously
if I'm latting to them more often than I do
to my own mom and dad, there are huge personalities
in there which I don't think we managed to get
across well enough. And I know there'll be a lot
of fans out there scared about the growth of the sport,
(37:25):
and some people look at what's happened to Formula One
and maybe see that hardcore fans potentially have a sense
of being pushed out. But I think that the growth
of the sport can only be a huge benefit to it,
and Motor GPS different in a lot of ways to
Formula One. I think for the better. In the hardcore fans,
(37:48):
we will always look after because they've been such a
core supporter for so long. Getting those different faces eyeballs
onto the sport and with that more sponsorship, more finances,
the opportunity to go to different places around the world,
to have the opportunity to sell them on a bigger
(38:10):
market can only be of a huge benefit, and I
think that's the biggest thing. We've got great stories, we've
got great personalities. It's just trying to get that across
to the mainstream media and hopefully with their help that
can happen. It's not an overnight thing. It will take time.
You know, there are small changes happening at the moment
(38:34):
to try and benefit that, but nothing too serious at
the moment. All of the things that we've see right
now are all things that we're in the pipeline. Pre
liberty having some small impact on where we're going, like,
for example, I know that one of the key things
that they want to do is take me to GP
two cities to be able to get a bigger audience
(38:56):
in there. And I think last week we announced that
we're going to be going to there Is in twenty
twenty seven, which I think is a great thing. Into
the city, amazing place. So to have a circuit in
the middle of it will be fantastic one an atmosphere
and hopefully there'll be more of that. But it's easy
in formula one in inverted commas that in a month
(39:18):
they can do a circuit at Albert Park in Melbourne,
they can do a circuit on a strip in Las Vegas,
they can do it around a stadium in Miami. It
takes time for us because we have to have proper
facilities and proper circuits which spring up over night and
right now. Because there's no eyeballs, there's no not that
mainstream success. Nobody wants to be spending millions and millions
(39:42):
of pounds on building circuits in the middle of city.
So it's a step by step process. But I can
only see it as a benefit and hopefully those personalities
are finally sold and people enjoy them as much as
we all do.
Speaker 1 (39:57):
Yeah, yeah, well, there you have it. But I think
like you pretty much has hit the nail on the head,
like you've sold me with that, so sure sign me
up for whatever you're selling there.
Speaker 2 (40:07):
You're not going anywhere, Renita, I don't think prepare. I
think whatever happens, you're still going to be watching it
in a few years time.
Speaker 3 (40:13):
I'm not. I'm not sure we're allowed to go anywhere
and really to wait let me out, so I have
to keep doing this for the rest of time.
Speaker 1 (40:20):
All right, Well, Jack, thank you so much for joining
us on Pit Hook and A. Matt as always a
pleasure chatting with you, and thank you to Shannon's Insurance
once again for sponsoring this episode. If you guys want
to stay up to date with all the latest Moto
GP news, you can read Matt's articles at foxsports dot com,
dot Au, Forward Slash, and Motorsport. Plus you can check
(40:40):
us out on all the social platforms at Fox Motorsport everywhere,
and guys, don't forget to catch the Suzuka eight hour
live this weekend on Fox Sports and KO. We can
go and support our other favorite Jack, But for now, guys,
that is everything, and myself and Matt are going to
be back real soon with more Moto g P pit
(41:00):
talk
So twenty twenty five, what can we say about this season?
I'm gonna call it electric this year. And while you
guys in the Northern Hemisphere catching your breath and enjoying
the summer break, here on Pittalk, we are warming up
with a Midia deep dive into what's really been happening
behind the scenes. This episode of pit Talk has brought
(00:22):
to you by Shannon's Insurance. I'm your host, Rindita van Mullen,
joined as always by O'll go to guy for all
things a Moto GP inside, mister Matt Clayton. But Matt,
we've got an exciting guest and I'm going to say
he's easily in our top two favorite Jackson Moto GP
right now, mister Jack Apple Yard Jack, welcome to Pittalk.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
Hello, thank you for having me a delight to be here.
Should I ask whether I'm first or second on that
list of Jackson Motto GP, I understand if I'm number two,
there's going to be a little bit of bias going
towards a fellow Australian and that's okay.
Speaker 3 (00:57):
I'll take them worth If you've we've got some news
on the other Jacket might elevate you to number one
if the news is good Jack, So I'll leave that
up to you a bit later on Baby.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
I wish, I wish last time we saw him in
and he says, you know as much as me, which
is well, I'll let you guys use some of the
colorful news. But yeah, he's in the dark at the moment,
but we'll have to wait and see. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (01:22):
No, we've been posting all of that with Jack's comments
all over socials and we love his colorful language here.
It helps us gets a lot of the clicks, so
we like that. But but not talking about Miller, We're
going to talk about you because you have been a
very busy man this year.
Speaker 2 (01:35):
Jack.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
How are you enjoying the new role?
Speaker 2 (01:37):
Yeah, loving it, absolutely loving it. Big shoes to Phil.
Obviously Simon was fantastic, did it for a number of years.
But it's been such a joy to get the opportunity
to basically be the only man in the Pabot that
can leave the circuit on a Sunday, having been in
pact for mate every single weekend. I mean, I've got
(01:58):
a hundred, which even Matt Marquez can't say that he's had.
It's been fantastic so far. I mean the opportunity to
speak to the guys after I have a first wins
or first podiums is always special. I mean, in particular
the one that stands out being there and experiencing the
atmosphere in Lamont after Oh yeah, well that was just
(02:22):
incredibly special. I've even got goosebumps now thinking about the
noise when he came into park for me, the crowd
singing La Marsier's, it was an unbelievable afternoon. And yeah,
it's just very very privileged to be a part of
those moments.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
Yeah, I always think it's really interesting, Jack, when we
get people like yourself that are on you know, we
see you in Australia on the TV screens every weekend.
I always think it's interesting and we take it for
granted a bit for those of us that are around
it finding out how people do their jobs and how
they work. And this is obviously a big change for
you this year. Take us inside a week ind for
you because Thursday, for anyone that's been in a pre
(03:00):
weekend on the media side, Thursday is the day where
you need to be everywhere at the same time because
you're trying to get as many crumbs of information as
you can about the weekend. How do you prepare for
what's coming at you by what you do on Thursday?
And then I also wanted to ask you when things
go a little bit off script, and I'm thinking of
the beginning of the race at Cota, when everyone's abandoning
(03:21):
bikes and running off the grid and that's complete chaos.
You are the world's eyes and ears at that point.
And I still vividly remember halfway through the opening titles
they just got cut off and there's people running down
the pit lane, and you're the person alerting everyone to
the fact this is going on. So twopat question, how
do you prepare for the weekend? And secondly, when something
crazy like that comes up, you can probably still recall
(03:42):
that afternoon in pretty vivid detail.
Speaker 2 (03:44):
I would have thought, absolutely, get onto in preparation wise,
you know you can. You can only do so much,
you think you know. Our once is try and see
what the pattern of the storylines were from a weekend
before year, trying to reach out to people on Thursday
to get an idea of who they think is going
(04:04):
to be strong, who might struggle, who it could benefit
who it won't what the latest gossip is. But so
much of the job is is reactionary, which is what
I love about it. You just have to be on
your toes, wait for something to happen to then go
and grab a reaction, wait for a story to break
to go and grab a reaction. A lot of it
(04:25):
you can't plan for. You can, certainly with the interviews
that I do with certain people, you have to plan
them in advance a little bit. You'll know, book them in,
get your slots because all of the TV stations so
often are wanting to speak to the same people. And
then once you know who you're going to speak to
on a Friday morning, Friday afternoon, Saturday morning, then you
(04:45):
can start to think about how you want to ask
you questions and what answers you want to get from them.
But the thing that I love most about the job
is that it is just so reactionary. You know, actually,
if someone hurts themselves, you've got to go and find
out what's happening. A rumor leaks about one rider going there,
you're going to go and speak to them, and just
(05:05):
think of things on the hoof, So that it means
often the prep that you do come Friday, ten minutes
into the session, it's completely uselel and then for Kotel'
always remember that that was round three. So on my
third weekend doing it properly. And obviously I've got a
(05:30):
talk back with with Matt and Lewis in the commentary
box to be able to chat to them and tell
them who I'm going to speak to, give them sub
dates that I think can help. And often during those
sixty seconds before the race starts, I stayed quiet because
it's a good opportunity for them to get their notes
in order to have a breath and just get ready
for the race ahead. And I was stood there on
(05:52):
the side. I was actually with Jorge Martin about to
interview him on the warm up lat and he's managing
Era over the shoulder, pointed and shouted, that's Mark Marquez.
So I turned, saw him running, looked up pit lane
and saw the rest of the morning. Quickly got on
the over line to the guides, then just shouted, they're
all running off of the grid.
Speaker 4 (06:12):
I wit.
Speaker 2 (06:14):
Kicked away from the opening sequence and gone to what
was happening in pit lane, and I was sprinting down
pit lane in that moment, I didn't know what to do.
Do I stand there and wait with him? So I
go with them. So I just thought, going that way,
I'm going to go that way with them, just to
see what happens. And then speaking about being reactionary, then
once you'd had the chance to stop and think, I thought,
(06:38):
you know, those guys in the comtry box can describe
what happening. I feel my job is to get the
opinion of the people on the ground of what they
make of it. And initially I thought that the people
are going to feel wronged. Here are the ones that
made the correct call on the grid and stayed on
the grid. One of them was Ayagura, And just as
(06:59):
I turned around, I could see David day Rivio walking
towards me. And David Day is normally the most calm,
mild mannered, placid man, and you could just tell you
were seething with anger. So I just went up to
him and went, could you just ask a quick question? Okay,
no problem? So I got it, and then his reaction
(07:20):
was brilliant and told the story perfectly of this is
this is wrong, It should be able to happen. We've
made the right decision. We're being penalised for it, so
so much of that is just okay, trying to stop
and think and have a clear mind of right, what's
the story here? Who do we need to speak to
to try and get the right reactions. Luckily I think
(07:42):
I've got it right with Brivio on that situation. But yeah,
it was a wild one.
Speaker 3 (07:47):
Yeah, the Brivio one was perfect because you all you
had to do was line him up and he had
his answer and he wanted to get all of the
annoyances and the frustrations there, and all you needed to
do is just hold the Mike Andrew's nose why you
got it, which was absolutely perfect. But to take you
inside what it was like being in Australia, of course
with the time difference at six o'clock in the morning
on a Monday, so we're sitting here like half asleep,
(08:09):
trying to get ready for a murder GP race and
then they're all running off the grid and we're listening
to you as like I know that I'm not one
hundred percent awake here, but what on earth is going on?
It was his most surreal experience and being on the
inside as you were, I mean, you know, third Grand Prix.
It's like, is it always like this?
Speaker 2 (08:24):
Yeah? No, And then for Lamon Lamon wasn't too dissimilar
as well. No, the reratin has stopped, and because I
was aware of what Mark had done two rounds before,
I just placed myself until they had to kick me
off right behind the ninety three. If he was having
any conversations with Ta dot C or his crew chief,
(08:45):
just to see whether he's going to do the same again,
and they were very close to him. I mean, that
was another wild one of trying to be at the
end of pit lane looking as they're going out to
see who's on what tires, And yeah, that was and
I love that though, absolutely loved that. When when when
it all goes wrong and there's chale element and I think, wow,
(09:05):
this is so much fun.
Speaker 1 (09:07):
Yeah. I just heard you talking about Mark and it
made me think, Okay, you're obviously in the paddoic. You're
seeing him every weekend. How completely in control of everything
is he right now? Like we see him on track,
you see him the races. He kind of has everyone
under his finger, right.
Speaker 2 (09:25):
Yeah, you just feel that he's just so completely dominant
at the moment. There's not not even an expectation just
to I think and understanding across the grid that or
even across the paddoct that Mark's going to win today.
It's a battle for second unless something wild happens. Certainly
(09:45):
now that he's got those those crashes out of the way,
you know, the one at Austin Stone, the one in
her f Stung, And since then he's evolved, is learned,
and he looks unstoppable. Now, I mean looking at the
second half of the year, and I think everyone's asking
the question, when is the first opportunity for anybody else
it's going to come along. It's almost a given he's
(10:06):
going to wrap up the world championship. It's not a
question of if, it's when he's going to do it.
And yeah, he's just in complete control, as you say,
And it makes my job difficult because I'm really running
out of questions to ask you. Yeah, well, then you've
done it again, Mark, another dominant victory. How do you
feel about this one? But he's fair play. I mean,
(10:30):
I think we all had a feeling that this was
going to happen. When you put the best rider on
the best ride, there's only one outcome, and we're seeing
what happens when those two things merge.
Speaker 3 (10:40):
Yeah, it's interesting though, because you know, if you go
back and you look at the early way he won
World Championships, it looks like it's going to be the
same end of the season that we saw so many
times before. But I almost think that, you know, this
is one of those rare cases where the sequels better
than the original, you know, like he's the new improved
version of Mark. You can see, you can see how
he's improved since he last won one, which you know,
(11:01):
twenty nineteen doesn't seem that long ago. It was a
very long time ago. There's a new improved version of Mark.
But the other side to this coin, of course, Jack
is Pekovanyaya. We came into this season so hopeful. It's like, well, look,
Mark's going into Pecko's team, and Pecko's been a two
time world champion and a two time runner up in
the last four years. And as good as it's been
for Mark, it's been pretty dire for Pecko. What are
(11:23):
you seeing from your vantage point right now, because it
looks from afar that Peko is still a little bit confused,
he's still a little bit incredulous, about the whole thing,
and there seems to be this He is the shoulder
shrugging emoji right now. He's not one hundred percent sure
how he's got himself into this position. Do you think
the rest of this year is really trying to understand
(11:44):
and at least finish the year with an understanding of
where things are and then resetting, because right now he
just looks so defeated.
Speaker 2 (11:51):
Yeah, he really is. I think even worse than frustrations,
it's almost just an acceptance from him now the this
bike isn't going to give me what I wanted. He
said that in the lawn, which was it feels a
long time ago, and since then twelve rounds now and
his performance levels haven't really improved. Throughout the year, the
(12:12):
Caty have tried to throw different bits at him. Whether
he's tried the new erow, he's tried a couple of
different chassis, but unfortunately whatever they give at the moment,
the GP twenty five engine, which which is different. You know,
throughout pre season we said that it was the same
and David Todd lots in everyone of the Catty told
us that they were imuligating the twenty four engine, which
(12:33):
in spec is the same, but it is very slightly
different in minor areas, which has clearly affected the balance
of the bike and completely taken away any of that
front feeling that made peckout that the riding of he
was over the last three seasons, and if it hasn't
improved over twelve rounds, I don't think there's a lot
(12:54):
of confidence from anyone that's going to find a miraculous
answer to be able to suddenly fighting for race victories
in the second half of the season. Within the rules,
there is the possibility for going into twenty twenty six
because the Katy confirmed for the satellite teams, those on
the bikes like Alex Marquez and Frankie Morbidelli, the Pecker
(13:17):
to return to that end journal more to a GP
twenty four spec. But whether they do that that's a
question for pre season. But yeah, I mean, just trying
to find that confidence again, it's going to be a
huge challenge and it's tough for ban Yaya because, like
you say, on the opposite side of the garage, Mark
(13:38):
is being able to handle all of the changes quite grilliantly,
but these circumstances are slightly different as well. That Mark
has taken a step from the twenty twenty three last year,
and we've seen the performance step that Alex has been
able to make. It clearly is a step forward from
twenty three to twenty four or twenty five? Is it
(14:00):
a step from twenty four to twenty five? I think
clearly it's not. And Peko is at the moment trying
to ride it like he was last year, and unfortunately
the bike this year just isn't allowing him to do that.
Speaker 3 (14:13):
It's one of the great benefits I guess you could
say with Marcus he never actually rode the twenty four.
It hasn't had to one learn how to ride the
twenty four.
Speaker 2 (14:19):
That's the same for what and Abastianini said last time
out as well. I thought that was really interesting that
the results and the huge turnaround inform saw in Bruno.
He said it was because I come here and I've
got no prior knowledge of any other bike, so I'm
not trying to like the CATD. I'm just having to
ride it like this bike is. So yeah, it's a
challenge for Peko, it really is, and I don't think
(14:43):
it's out of the question that he's looking over his
shoulder and might be up against it to even hold
onto a top three spot in the championship. I mean,
it feels as though it's a given that Mark and
Alex are going to finish one too, but with a
form of Fazeki at the moment that the Prillier is
really strong, really strong in the last few rounds, and
if it wasn't for Mark, Bas would have been winning
races quite comfortably. So I think the packer was really
(15:07):
We've got a huge challenge in the second half of
the year to hold off the rising form of a Brillian.
Speaker 3 (15:15):
You've cued me up beautifully here by mentioning Aprillier, because
I did want to ask you. It's almost like we've
done this before. I wanted to ask you about the
other big story of this year that you were right
in the middle of. I'm not talking about the start
of the race at Cota, the interview you did with
Albert Valera on the Live at Asen, which was kind
of the court coming out of the bottle in this
(15:36):
whole Martine a Prillia situation, because it kind of stagnated
for a bit, and I feel that that interview was
the impetus that caused everything that followed and ended up
with Juge Martin back on the bike for Aprillia and
Bruno and apparently we're all holding hands and friends again.
But talk us through that interview with Albert Valeria, because
I'm sure that's one of those ones where either you
approached him or he approached you and said, hey, I'd
(15:58):
like to come and talk to you today please. He
really had something that he wanted to say and get
out there that was pretty riveting tv A in the moment,
and then what it kicked off in the days after that.
You must have known as that was happening. It's like,
oh boy, I've got something here, this is this is
going to be fun.
Speaker 2 (16:14):
Yeah I was. I was looking my lips thinking, yeah,
I've definitely got a story this weekend, and we've got
ye as soon as as soon as the news broke,
I got in touch with Albert saying, you know, would
love to be able to get your side of the
story around. Not yet, not yet, and he said, look,
(16:35):
when the time is right, I'll let you know. And
then that morning we were in Alpine Stars having a coffee.
He walked in and said, what do we think now
next weekend? You know, before the summer break. Anyway, let's
do it today. I was like, Okay, great, let's let's
get cracking. And yeah, it was. It's fascinating because obviously
(17:01):
English isn't his native language, so beforehand he knew what
he wanted to say and he just wanted to check
that he was going to put it across in the
right manner. So it's just what I was going to ask.
So he had the chance because often you know, like
you have to give huge credit to both Albert, but
then more on than that, or Hey in Bruno, to
(17:23):
do that press conference by yourself in a second language
that impeccably you know, that is so challenging to do.
But he was honest and did it incredibly well. So yeah,
it was. It was great to get the chance to
speak with Albert and everything that exploded on from that.
(17:43):
And I have to say, oh, hey, I think from
the fans has got a lot of grief, has maybe
lost a lot of goodwill with the fans. But from
what Albert was saying, I could understand where he was
coming from. I mean, you saw how emotional or Hey
got in that press conference when he was asked to
recount the days after guitar where you know, on another day,
(18:06):
he was very luckily lucky that that didn't end a
far lot worse than what it did. He was in
ic U for for close to a week with a
collapse long, with tubes coming out of everywhere. We've obviously
been in a different country, not having his loved ones
around him, and that took him to the lowest point
of his career, the lowest point of his life, and
(18:28):
he already or after that. They then gone to them
on then that the contract was agreed by both parties.
Let's not forget I really agreed to it. Albert and
Jorge managed to get that clause, in that now famous
clause that after six rounds in the top five months championship.
Speaker 4 (18:46):
And he'll be able to lean and I think in
good way given.
Speaker 2 (19:08):
Very easy people. Yeah, people in the ground, you know,
all right, even more so the rain wa he's allowed
to a little bit insane. I need to try this,
(19:31):
I need to want to decide whether this bike is
right for me, and Prilliant weren't going to give him
that opportunity to do so, which because of that, I
think he put his back up a little bit and
he thought, right there well, if you're not going to
give me that opportunity, I'm going to look for opportunities elsewhere.
And yet his head was turned a little bit by
the big money offer that that Honda had on the
table for him. But I think we should not jump
(19:56):
all over Hawk and understand that from that difficult position,
he maybe wasn't in the right headspace to make clear decisions.
And in the end he tried the bike that that
Masano test enjoyed it, and I think there's fifty to
fifty to that story. Yes, the bike is much better
than when he first tried it, but also as well,
(20:17):
I think key to all of it was the pressure
that Carmelo Espeletta put on the situation by saying that
if a rider isn't fully completely with both sides happy
out of a contract, then we went registered them for
the following season, and Brilliant were more than happy to
(20:38):
drag it through the courts. They were playing their cards
as they're more than allowed to do so, and we're
going to try and make it as awkward as possible.
And in the end, because of that, with all the
mounting pressure from the championship from a few different parties
in the pad. I think it was the only real option,
and we'll see, we'll see. I still think although it's
happy families now, it doesn't take a lot for this
(21:02):
situation to change, because let's not forget that the contract
only runs up until the end of next year, so
or heey could quite happen easily, as we've seen before,
sign a deal in January to go to Honda for
twenty twenty seven, which I still think is on the cards,
and then suddenly the pair of them have to live
with one another knowing that the divorces imminent in twelve months time.
(21:23):
I'm of the belief that if I was Masimo Rivla,
I want people that are one hundred percent committed to
this course. You're either all in or you're out, because
I want people that trust in what we're doing, believe
in what we're doing. And por Hey, regardless of the
fact whether you world champion and you're obviously one of
(21:44):
the top top riders out there, if you're not in,
no problem, we'll prove you wrong. We'll go elsewhere. But
also as well, it's a huge financial investment from a
prillier in Porpey Martin Rivler's bosses given the fact that
they signed off the extra money to make sure that
they had him on board. Would not be happy at
the fact that within six months we've lost this star
(22:05):
man and would be asking quite rightly serious questions of
how on earth has this gone so wrong so fast?
So I can understand why Riveller had to hold his
position and had to make sure that he kept him
on the bike. And you haven't hope, like we've seen
with Beds, that April was competitive and the one thing
that has let Marco down so far has been is qualifying.
(22:27):
And what's Jorges's huge strong suit his ability to put
one lap in and that just out of the box
electric pace. So I wouldn't be surprised if he's on
the podium, certainly before the end of the season, certainly
in the next maybe before we even get onto the flightaways.
I think that that Ali he's ready to compete, and
when Jorges had his best, maybe we'll see some results
and it could be a happy ending. But for sure
(22:49):
the story is although just calm down for now, he's
not done yet.
Speaker 1 (22:55):
You guys heard it there, Jack said that who is
going to put on the box, So we're going to
hold you to that Jack, But let's move on to
our second favorite Jack. Okay, Jack, Miller, we got to
ask you about this. We had to get there at
some point. So I know you mentioned earlier that Jack
said that you know, you guys know as much as
he does. Bloody, bloody blood. But come on, surely you're
going to give us some goss or something like, what
(23:18):
do you know about Jack's future? What's going to happen
to Miller?
Speaker 2 (23:22):
Look, Jack wants wants to stay in Moto GP. There
work offers on the table from will Bite. It looks
as though some of those options have now closed. It
seems one of them was Hondo. It looks as Jake
Dixon is going to take that up. A huge thing
to look at that the Tazuka eight Hours, which is
(23:42):
the endurance event which is going on at the moment.
I think it's this weekend on Thursday. That is a huge,
huge thing.
Speaker 5 (23:55):
Riders in great all that grand and he's looking very
very and a lot of decisions to make during that
as well as going out there.
Speaker 2 (24:10):
He's making a huge, big show of faith in Yamaha,
and I think he's hoping that he will be rewarded
as a result. Of that where he ends up. I
don't know, because I think it all swings on. There's
a lot of talk, a lot of rumors. Whether there's
any wait to them, I don't know, but I think
(24:32):
there does need to be over the summer some really
difficult conversations between Yamaha and Alex Rinns. Alex I think
is an unbelievable rider, five motor GP wins to his name,
that the talent is obvious, but I think it's clear
unfortunate to everybody that after that horrific leg break in Magello,
(24:53):
he's not the same rider anymore. And it is a
very difficult conversation to have because he's a huge because
he's a great guy. But the position that Yamahar are
at now, if they want to break through to that
next level, I just don't think that they can have
their rider line up purely based on and goodwill. They
(25:15):
need to make those daft decisions, be brutal and choose
the right riders that are going to be able to
take the project forward, whether that's paying Alex out of
his contracted year early, promoting Jack and then put in
a rookie alongside top Right and Promac next year. I
think that is a scenario that some people see is
quite a good fit. Jack would be able to step
(25:37):
into the factory team like he has done at the Cateid,
like he has done at KTM, bring a wealth of
knowledge he's played. He knows perfectly how to play that
second rider role like he did with ban Yaya, testing
items throughout the season, like he did at KTM, trying
to just elevate their level. He knows what his job
(25:57):
is and we'll be able to do that job very well.
Trying to support Fabio, who we all know will be
Yamaha's leading light next year, and commercially as well, the
fact that Jack is now a Monster rider, it fits
well with the brand. Jack is easily one of the
most marketable riders on the grid, and having him and
(26:18):
Fabio in the factory team, you know that commercially that
works for all of the sponsors because they're going to
be able to generate good content on social media, are
going to be able to sell the brands brilliantly wherever
they are. It's just a good pairing that we'll get
a lot of people talking. So I think it works
for a lot of reasons. And although Jack said that
(26:40):
he didn't have any answers two weekends ago in the
Czech Republic. I'm fairly sure there will be conversations been
had in Suzuka this weekend where his future will be
a lot lot clearer. So hopefully when we get to
ostroom we've seen him on Thursday, we can ask him
and he'll have some answers for us.
Speaker 1 (26:59):
You mentioned top rack as well. What's your thoughts on
top pract coming in next year? How do you think
he's going to go jumping from a superbike to motorbike
so late in his career as well.
Speaker 2 (27:08):
Yeah, it's fascinating. Just as a fan, I'm incredibly excited,
but he's actually happening because you just look at his
talent and the way that he writes that the World
Superbike is like no one else. He looks like he's
going to win the World Championship this year, but when
the BNW isn't the best bike again, And to be honest,
(27:28):
I think it's such a fascinating question because nobody really
knows how he's going to get on some people, there's
lots of strong opinions out there. Some people think he's
going to come in and he's going to fight for
the world championships, and people think he's going to fail
to score a point, and to be perfectly honest, nobody
has a clue really until he gets on the bike
and we actually see I think we have to treat
(27:51):
him as a rookie, which he will be. We can't
be expecting him to come in and fight for race
wins straight away. Also, the level of the Amahar at
the moment isn't going to allow him to fight for
race wins straight away. Even Fabio on his best days, yes,
has been able to be there and close to the podium,
(28:11):
but the average finishing position has been what eighth, seven, six,
It's been comfortably inside the top ten, but not really
challenging for the top five on a regular basis. I
think by the end of the year, if like a
good rookie, can have some surprise queue two appearances, it
can suddenly confirm himself inside the top ten. He can
(28:32):
learn the circuit because like most rookies, he's also got
that disadvantage that there's going to be at least half
of the circuits he goes to, but he's never ridden before,
which is due's disadvantage. So you've just got to give
him time, I think, but it's going to be fascinating
and can't wait to see how he gets on and
how that style adapts. It's one of the great things
(28:54):
about Motor D've next year is finding out at last,
how will top rack do to j.
Speaker 1 (29:02):
We here at Pittook we like to promote out Ossie's
and not only Miller, but obviously Center Ags in Moto
two and Joe Kelso and Jacob Rulesto in Moto three.
So I want to talk to you about Senna because
this year was pretty cool to be at Silverstone. It
is his first win in Moto two. But I want
to hear from you because you've watched the whole evolution
(29:23):
now of Senna in the World Championship. Do you feel
like he's on the right path? Is he going to
be our next Ozzie hopeful that steps into Moto GP?
Speaker 4 (29:32):
Do you think?
Speaker 2 (29:33):
Yeah? Absolutely. I mean I remember speaking to Matt it
last year about this time last year year about some
of the guys to keep your eye on, and I said,
Sener he's so methodical and precise in how he works,
and he wasn't getting carried away with himself. He was
just slowly making small steps towards the front and now
(29:54):
this year is one of the strongest guys out there. Yeah,
I think going into next year vouted out he's going
to be a title contender. I don't think there's going
to be too many guys move up to Moto GP.
Looks like Marea is going to step up. Looks like
there's going to be a couple of guys that move
over to World Superbikes. Dixon and Cannett, likely's teammate will stay.
(30:15):
It seems like at the moment, despite potentially winning the
World championship, and then you would say next year it's
going to be Gonzales looking to go back to back,
It's going to be Center, probably going to be David Alonzo.
All they're fighting to be world champions. I have to
say right now, was I heard rumors of some potentially
interest even for this year, of Senner moving up to
(30:36):
Moto GP. But for sure, I think he's going to
be from the shopping list for a lot of riders
in twenty twenty seven, for a lot of teams. Sorry,
in twenty twenty seven, it was even talk could he
may be like we saw with man who Gonzales before
the end of the year and in the opportunity to
try Motor GP bike this year, just to get him
prepped potentially for a step up. I'm not sure whether
(30:58):
those talks have gone colds, but I did hear that
was potentially something that who were trying to work towards. Well.
For sure, I'm convinced that if he continues to make
the progress that he is, he's going to fight for
the World championship next year and he's going to be
a hot, hot candidate to be on the gridge for
twenty twenty seven, which for me is the perfect time
(31:20):
to move up to Moto GP.
Speaker 3 (31:22):
Yeah, it is, so you need to think of the
rule changes coming in. It's the big reset for the series.
There's some ronerda you and I were talking about this
off here. There's a change of management there for Center
behind the scenes as well, which is rather interesting given
that he's now got Daniel Ricardo's former manager black Friend
looking after him, and also which has Davies and is
quite a powerhouse sort of management shift going on behind
(31:42):
there as well. So they clearly see something that's going
on there as well they want to get on board with.
So I hope your twenty twenty seven prediction, Jack is
a spot on.
Speaker 2 (31:52):
Yeah, fingers crossed. I mean sometimes you just get the
feeling that it's the right rider, with the right personality,
the right past, which does help the right people around him,
the right results, the right trajectory. In so far touch
toward everything seems to just be moving in the right direction,
the center. So let's hope that continues.
Speaker 1 (32:13):
I like the bold calls that you're doing so far.
So let's move on to murto three real quick so
we can get another one. Let's talk about Joel Kelsoe
because he had a really strong start to the year
and then unfortunately ended well headed into his summer break
that one weekend early, then everyone else with that injury.
But how do you think Joel's tracking this year? Is
it time for Joel also to make that step up,
(32:36):
for him to move into Moto two?
Speaker 2 (32:38):
Uh? Joel's a tough one. I mean, he started the
season so well, didnto, and though through no fault of
his owning, it has been a bit unlucky with injuries
just dognated into the summer break, which is I guess
it can work both ways. You either allow that to
(32:59):
see with you and yeah, a little bit unhappy and
you come out slow out of the blocks going into
the second half of the season, or it's a good
opportunity to reset and rediscover that form on the first
half or the first part of the season. For Joe.
Joel's an interesting one because, through no fault of his own,
his stature doesn't scream to you Moto two rider because
(33:24):
he is it's just a diminutive rider. I mean and
not want to speak, I'm not exactly. He's not one
of those riders like a Colin Veyer or an Autela
over the past couple of years, who are obviously growing
anything they need to move up. You do feel that
Joel maybe could benefit from another year in Moto three,
(33:47):
and because of his size, certainly won't be disadvantaged by
doing another year on a Moto three bike because obviously
that first victory is something that he needs to tick off.
He needs to find that rhythm had been more consistently
on the podium. Let's see, hopefully, as I said that
(34:08):
that injury has allowed him although it was a bit
of a nasty one. I know he's gone back home
to Australia, so hopefully he's got into his room with
his training again, he can get back fit and he
could really attack these first couple three or four rounds
at the second half of the season and rediscover that
mojo we had in the first part of the season,
and then that might be the impetus he needs to
(34:30):
kick off for a big twenty twenty six. But so
far within the paddock, it's pretty interesting that because there's
been everyone was waiting on a resolution of the hot
Pit Martine thing, because that was then going to be
the domino effect of how the rest of the Moto
GP grid shapes up, and obviously the Moto two grid
can't take shape until the Motor GP grid has taken shape,
(34:53):
and then threes the next on the ladder as well.
So there's not been too much talk about the guys
moving up from motos at the moment, other than the
obvious ones of Ruada would we care us The Natter
seems to be moving up as well. So I've not
heard anything in regards to job moving up to Moto
two next year, but I think that's probably the right course.
(35:14):
I think it up and gear with Moto three to
really solidify himself as a regular race winning contender. Would
for me be the best move.
Speaker 3 (35:23):
Yeah, that the Martine story sort of sucked all the
oxygen out of the room for a bit and everything
had to wait its term to turn to develop after that.
But Jack, one more quick one, conscious of your time
here and thank you for joining us this evening. But
I did want to sort of finish on a more
forward thinking thoughe because we know that the Liberty Media
purchase has gone through, and anyone who's lived on the
inside of F one, as I have for a number
(35:45):
of years, it's undeniable the impact that the Liberty ownership
and well, frankly once in one hundred year pandemic that
forced everyone to watch Netflix for six months and we
were all locked at home was the perfect confluence of
circumstances to turn F one to something that is almost
unrecognizable from what it was like eight to ten years ago,
and certainly a long time before that for old people
(36:07):
like moving covering it for a while.
Speaker 1 (36:08):
But you know that.
Speaker 3 (36:10):
Liberty is in the business of storytelling, which is right
down your street. Because that's why you're in this, this
is what you love to do. It seems like it
can only be a positive outcome. Having someone like Liberty involved,
But what do you feel this is going to do
for the wider Motor GP story in terms of pushing
that out there to a wider audience, Because my theory
with Motor GP, as much as we love it, it's
(36:31):
kind of the world's best kept secret to some degree
in that it's just this unbelievably brilliant sport as it is,
it maybe just needs to be sold and told a
little bit better. Is that what you're hoping that this does.
And in terms of the role that you might be
able to play in.
Speaker 2 (36:44):
That, yeah, absolutely. I mean you look at obviously as
you say that Netflix series helps for what Liberty did
through the Netflix series and through their promotion of the
sport was rather than selling every race as a story,
they made people become attached to the personalities to the teams.
(37:05):
And I look at Alagorde at the moment and obviously
if I'm latting to them more often than I do
to my own mom and dad, there are huge personalities
in there which I don't think we managed to get
across well enough. And I know there'll be a lot
of fans out there scared about the growth of the sport,
(37:25):
and some people look at what's happened to Formula One
and maybe see that hardcore fans potentially have a sense
of being pushed out. But I think that the growth
of the sport can only be a huge benefit to it,
and Motor GPS different in a lot of ways to
Formula One. I think for the better. In the hardcore fans,
(37:48):
we will always look after because they've been such a
core supporter for so long. Getting those different faces eyeballs
onto the sport and with that more sponsorship, more finances,
the opportunity to go to different places around the world,
to have the opportunity to sell them on a bigger
(38:10):
market can only be of a huge benefit, and I
think that's the biggest thing. We've got great stories, we've
got great personalities. It's just trying to get that across
to the mainstream media and hopefully with their help that
can happen. It's not an overnight thing. It will take time.
You know, there are small changes happening at the moment
(38:34):
to try and benefit that, but nothing too serious at
the moment. All of the things that we've see right
now are all things that we're in the pipeline. Pre
liberty having some small impact on where we're going, like,
for example, I know that one of the key things
that they want to do is take me to GP
two cities to be able to get a bigger audience
(38:56):
in there. And I think last week we announced that
we're going to be going to there Is in twenty
twenty seven, which I think is a great thing. Into
the city, amazing place. So to have a circuit in
the middle of it will be fantastic one an atmosphere
and hopefully there'll be more of that. But it's easy
in formula one in inverted commas that in a month
(39:18):
they can do a circuit at Albert Park in Melbourne,
they can do a circuit on a strip in Las Vegas,
they can do it around a stadium in Miami. It
takes time for us because we have to have proper
facilities and proper circuits which spring up over night and
right now. Because there's no eyeballs, there's no not that
mainstream success. Nobody wants to be spending millions and millions
(39:42):
of pounds on building circuits in the middle of city.
So it's a step by step process. But I can
only see it as a benefit and hopefully those personalities
are finally sold and people enjoy them as much as
we all do.
Speaker 1 (39:57):
Yeah, yeah, well, there you have it. But I think
like you pretty much has hit the nail on the head,
like you've sold me with that, so sure sign me
up for whatever you're selling there.
Speaker 2 (40:07):
You're not going anywhere, Renita, I don't think prepare. I
think whatever happens, you're still going to be watching it
in a few years time.
Speaker 3 (40:13):
I'm not. I'm not sure we're allowed to go anywhere
and really to wait let me out, so I have
to keep doing this for the rest of time.
Speaker 1 (40:20):
All right, Well, Jack, thank you so much for joining
us on Pit Hook and A. Matt as always a
pleasure chatting with you, and thank you to Shannon's Insurance
once again for sponsoring this episode. If you guys want
to stay up to date with all the latest Moto
GP news, you can read Matt's articles at foxsports dot com,
dot Au, Forward Slash, and Motorsport. Plus you can check
(40:40):
us out on all the social platforms at Fox Motorsport everywhere,
and guys, don't forget to catch the Suzuka eight hour
live this weekend on Fox Sports and KO. We can
go and support our other favorite Jack, But for now, guys,
that is everything, and myself and Matt are going to
be back real soon with more Moto g P pit
(41:00):
talk
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I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com