Oxley Bom MotoGP podcast

When not writing descriptions for episodes of the Oxley Bom MotoGP Podcast, I love to spend time on games. And I mean games in every format, from ancient boardgames to weird videogames and, of course, racing. It's not just about playing them, but also about appreciating the design behind them; the way every little aspect has been tweaked just so, in order to make it fun and meaningful. So trust me when I say: making a game flow right is so, so much harder than you'd think. Why am I te...

During the week, he's an unassuming MotoGP-rider. But when the weekend comes around and Sunday's knocking, he changes into...Super Sunday Boy! This week, will our superhero have a mighty collision before parking his bike all the way at the front? Yes, he can! And speaking of the front, something we didn't find there was Ducati. Forget about that beautiful uninterrupted streak of victories last year - this season, they're being passed left and right in the same corner. So what is g...

It's the second race of the season, and MotoGP is back in Brazil. It's been absolute ages since we've last been to the Autodromo Internacional de Goiania, so how has it faired? Well, they say love starts with first impressions - and Goiana definitely delivered. She's short, she's wet (especially after the rain), she's wild...and she's got a sinkhole that's ready to mingle! To quote Mat: "At least it gives you an interesting memory." (Cue the Liberty Media exec's kicking their TVs: "Four billi...

Last week, we asked our dear Patrons if they had any questions for us. And, well, you know the drill: lots of you responded, we picked our favourites and finally Mat and Peter do their best to answer them in an hour or so. Right? I mean, how many questions in need of resolution could there possibly be? Well, let's just say that if you normally pour yourself a glass for these episodes, then this time you might want to bring the bottle. Or just bring the whole damn cask, because we'll be here f...

It's all good times for Aprilia. Their hardware is proving top-notch at the track, and even after one race they've already got some spectacular results in the pocket. In fact, if the world ends tomorrow they'd technically be world champions! But what are the chances of that happening? In completely unrelated news, are we still doing that Qatar GP or are we canceling it due to a chance of missiles? And speaking of apocalyptic disasters, we should probably peak over at Ducati and see how the...

Ah, take a whiff of that! You smell it? It’s that unique scent of jungle, petrol and excitement which can only mean one thing: MotoGP is back, baby! Now, you might wonder why we just described the above mentioned (and highly questionable) smell. But you have to understand that Mat is currently at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand while being sick as a dog. Seriously, some vicious flu has got him down and he’s purely holding on through the strength of willpower and loz...

In 1776, Adam Smith famously speculates on the concept of a free market and coins the term 'capitalism'. Then, in 2026, the organizers of MotoGP suddenly announce that Philip Island is gone from the official roster of the tournament. Coincidence? We think not! Yes, it's the cruel, cold, capitalist culling of a great circuit and the hosts are not amused. In fact, Mat's literally sick of it and has come down with an awful flu. But just like a certain racing organization, we're a bunch of ...

Here at Oxley Bom, everyone knows that the thing we're most famous for are our 'charming' personalities. Like, we can promise we don't physically bite - but that's about the limit of what we can guarentee. So you'll understand when I say it is a great honor to have an actual returning guest to our show! Who is this dauntless fellow? Why, it's the awesome Livio Suppo! For those not in the know (or those who haven't listened to our interview two years ago) we should probably tell you that...

It's hard being a motorsports journalist, you know? Always traveling the world, visiting exotic countries and having to tell people about all the cutting-edge machines you saw there. It's a horrible job, really, but someone has to do it. And this time, that arduous task fell to Peter. Sorry Peter, you're up! So yes, we sent our most intrepid expert packing and told him not to come back until he's got some good stories for us.* And here he is, ready to give Mat the debrief on everything he saw...

Hey, want to score a special deal? How about a nice MotoGP-rider, pretty fast and only slightly used. No? Maybe prefer a rookie, instead? Someone promising but without proven records, so dirt cheap if you act fast. Better act fast before they're all gone... Yes everyone, it's Auction Day at Oxley Bom and we are your auctioneers! In front of us: a collection of riders, contracts currently still unsigned. Who will ride into a new season, and who will step out of the race? That's what we're abou...

We've talked about the riders. We've yapped about the manufacturers. And today? Today we get to the real meat and potatoes...the bikes! Never mind that everybody's still getting ready to start testing in Sepang - we've already got plenty to discuss. We already know a lot about these bikes, so it's time we start looking at the hard questions. Questions like: Are they going to make the racing better? Will they be safer? Are they fun to watch? What's their zodiac? A...

A certain German philosopher once warned that he who stares into the racing grid long enough must know that the racing grid also stares back.* This week, Peter discovers that we have some very particular fans in high places, and wishes they stayed anonymous. We can't talk crap about you if we know who you are - stop being friendly to us! Rather, we prefer our listeners and us to be like estranged spouses: cold and distant strangers, drawn together by a shared mania. Love you, tho...

Everybody has questions. Wait, let me rephrase that: everyone of you has questions for us. And you know? We were kind of asking for it – literally, since we asked our sweet Patrons to donate not just their money, but their MotoGP-inquiries as well. And let me tell you, our Patrons can be very generous! So here we are, four pages of questions ranging from the mundane to the bizarre and everything inbetween. Do we have enough time to get through all of them? Not this week, we don’t....

Happy new year, everyone! As we recover from the absolute madness of December, a lot of us in the racing world find ourselves with some free time on our hands. No races means less work, right? And that means more time to better yourself. It's the perfect moment for New Year's resolutions, like: "I want to become a better MotoGP-journalist!" I mean, not us, of course. We're bloody perfect. But here at the Oxley Bom Podcast, we sometimes feel like the rest of the world has some catching u...

Got any unfinished business? Better take care of it fast, because the year is almost at an end and the clock is ticking... Take Mat and Peter, for example. They started by listing the riders. Then they moved on to the manufacturers - the bottom ones first. And now? All that's left is the big cats, the factories at the top of the food pyramid. They all got straight A's, so they should be safe, right? Right? Nah, I think we're leaving 2025 behind on a bang. It's more fun that way. So chee...

It is the longest, darkest night of the year in it's longest, darkest season. In the depths of Dickensian London, Mat discusses bike design with the ghosts of racing past, present and future. In the desolate woods around Assen, Peter is furiously peddling his bike in an attempt to hunt Kris Kringle. And meanwhile, our producer is off performing some unspeakable rites with a goat on the winter solstice. In other words, it sure sounds like the holidays are upon us! So what bet...

If you've checked out last week's episode, you'll know that it was Jeremy Burgess who first described riders as 'flickering lightbulbs'. Why? Because the moment they start to fail, you just replace them with a new one. Cruel, yes, but that's MotoGP for you. You can be one of the twenty fastest riders alive - but all that matters is that you're always just a little slower than the next guy. You've been demoted to dead wood, to borrow another term from Burgesss. Good luck, and ...

Who's got six thumbs in total and is back in their own recording booths, with audio that won't melt your ears off? That's right, it's the Oxley Bom MotoGP Podcast! Now, if your are a rider and are currently enjoying some well-deserved R&R, you might want to turn off this podcast. Because they might be off the bike, but that doesn't mean they're off the hook. This week, we're taking a page from the book of Jeremy Burgess when he said: "Really, riders are like light bulbs: if they sta...

Oh boy, have we got something special this time... Last week, Mat and Peter gave their first ever live performance at the Bike Shed in London. I thought we'd get filthy rich of it, but it turns out those silly sods were doing it for charity? Oh well, I guess we can do it for free this one time... To all those who attended: thank you so much! We hope you had a great night. And for all the rest of our listeners, we've got this recording to show you what happened. Mat and Peter joined forces wit...

It's over! It's all over! Forever! What am I talking about? The 2025 MotoGP-season, of course. Layed to rest in Spain last week, gone but not forgotten, etc. We all had fun, didn't we? Okay, with that out of the way...it's on to the 2026 season! If you are part of our Patreon, you will already have heard Peter talk about the Valencia test in our special crossover episode. But there is a lot more to be said, and it's high time we did so. So, what did we see the team...

Hey everyone, this podcast is best experienced as a video. But for those of you who prefer us only going into your ears rather than your eyeballs, here's the audio only version! And now that I have your ear... ...We're doing our first ever LIVE SHOW, this Friday at the Bike Shed in London! Want to be there? Then go buy your tickets here, and help support Two Wheels For Life! Okay, back to our regular programming... ---- And just like that, it's over. "Not with a bang, but with a whimper...

Want to see a magic trick? Then just keep watching Marco Bezzechi as he disappears right in front of Álex Márquez and Pedro Acosta's eyes, only to magically reappear right next to them on the victory podium! Yes, today was the day that Bezzechi showed us all what he's capable of. Even Peter didn't see it coming! And 'the Bez' was far from the only one serving us spectacular scenes of racing delight, as we had some rough play and knife fighting going on. Did some of it include our favour...

If you are looking for the beating heart of MotoGP, you need look no further than Spain. It's where young riders go to get an education, where living legends have their own training grounds and where the Dorna keep their headquarters. Want to be part of the circus? Then you better get yourself down south - because if you're not in Spain, you're going nowhere fast. But it wasn't always like this, was it? Isn't it a bit strange that a global tournament is this beholden to a country that d...

There’s some days in racing that everyone dreads, knowing that they might be inevitable. Today was one of them, with a horrible crash in Moto3 between José Antonio Rueda and Noah Dettwiler seeing both taken to the hospital and the latter undergoing several emergency surgeries. Our thoughts go out to them. Meanwhile, in MotoGP, you’d be forgiven for thinking that it’s business as usual with Alex Marquez snatching another victory for his ever-growing collection. But let’s look beyond that...

You have to hand it to Phillip Island: there's no track quite like it. I don't mean that metaphorically, by the way - it really is unique in two very specific ways. First of all, there's the fact that this track's high speeds and twisty turns demand the type of agile bike that normal aero cannot give you. The solution? An official exception from normal aero setup. Also, this lay-out of high-speed turns makes a fool out of holeshot devices. It all results in some fantastically old-...

It started with us asking our listeners for some questions. Then you responded. Now we're here, with the longest episode in the show's history. Funny how those things go, eh? Yes, it's Q&A-time! Our wonderful Patrons brought the questions, and now Mat and Peter will have to find the answers. We've got tires, brakes, bikes, riders, conspiracies, mountain bikes and even clowns and badgers! Trust me: you are not ready. I'd write more here, but I think you all got the gist and I don't w...

When it comes to racing, you either cash out or crash out. And today? Today we're all about the latter, both literally and figuratively. There's a crash for Marc Marquez, potentially locking him out of the next races. And while a broken collar bone hurts like hell, the knowledge that he's already got the championship in the pocket might give some comfort. But there's many kinds of crashing. Take Ducati for example: dominating the earlier half, but now hitting a performance wall. Meanwhi...

We've got a new champion! We all knew it was going to happen, but it's still magical to see: Marc Marquez completes his comeback by securing the world title, and nobody was able to do a thing about it. Tell you what, somebody should write a book about the guy... But while Ducati has one hell of a reason to throw a party, they also have reason to worry. Because what was going on with Bagnaia's bike? It seems to finally be doing what its rider wants it to do, but what causes it? Did Ducati roll...

!!!ATTENTION!!! THIS ONE IS SUPPOSED TO BE A VIDEO. WE’LL BE BACK NEXT WEEK WITH THE NORMAL PODCAST, BUT THIS IS A VIDEO INTERVIEW THAT YOU SHOULD WATCH HERE ON VIDEO. YOU CAN LISTEN TO THE AUDIO ONLY HEAR, BUT DON’T SAY WE DIDN’T WARN YOU OR YOUR EARS! You remember how, last week, we took a camera with us to Misano? Now, you know we wouldn’t just use that to report on the race, now would we? Oh yes, last week Mat and Peter snuck into the quarters of Pramac in order to have a chat with ...

!!!ATTENTION!!! THIS EPISODE WAS ORIGINALLY FILMED AS A VIDEO. YOU CAN WATCH IT HERE. RATHER LISTEN TO IT ON AUDIO? THEN CONTINUE HERE! Ever wanted to attend the race at Misano? Then come live vicariously through us! Your hosts Mat and Peter are ready to take you along for a stroll. We'll start at the Ducati celebrations and keep walking. Along the way we will discuss the secrets behind a flying chain, the insane performance of Bezzecchi, the woes of Bagnaia and we might even walk...

It's a jungle out there* and the predators are running wild! That's the metaphor Peter uses to describe today's race, explaining why he and Mat have a very clear Man of the Match in Barcelona. Spoiler warning: he came in fifth today... And yes, the Marquez siblings continue to reign supreme as they dominate every other rider who showed up to their home country. But surprisingly, it's Alex that takes the number one position. Is Marc slipping? Is he going soft on family? Or is he suddenly...

Ten years ago, two riders had a bit of a scuffle. Today, we’re still seeing the consequences play out. The place? The Phillip Island racetrack, Australia. The time? September, 2015. Going neck-on-neck are two riders of a special caliber. The first has long cemented his legacy as one of the best riders in history – a living legend on wheels. But he’s fighting now, struggling against a Spanish newcomer who’s got his eyes on the prize. Before this, they presented themselves as amicable com...

Wa-hoo! It's Mario ̶K̶a̶r̶t̶ MotoGP, where chaos reigns on a brand new track with more turns that Rainbow Road. This is very exciting, much like falling down the stairs is a thrilling experience. Who knows, maybe next year we'll see Marc Marquéz being chased by Blue Shells! If it sounds like we're grumpy this week, it's probably because there's nothing more frustrating than an interesting failure. Is Balaton really this bad? Yes, and that's because it's doing the right thing...

Look, we all knew who was going to win this one. We're living in strange times, when legends ride amongst us. You might say this makes things too predictable - it's always going to be Mark on number one, driving the Ducati. But even Ducati's dominance cannot remain absolute - not forever, at least. Enter Aprilia, taking third place on the podium with a machine piloted by Bezzecchi. And right behind comes KTM, with a respectable fourth place in the troubled manufacturer's home game. Inte...

Mea culpa! Mea maxima culpa! Yes, it seems like we suffered a bad case of "missing Maverick" during our rider reviews. What can we say - he was right in the middle and we just straight skipped him. Scandalous! Seems like the rider reviews aren't quite done, yet... What have we got in other news? For starters, there's Constructors' World Championship. That's the grading system where we're not looking for the best rider, but the best bike. Don't feel bad if the above doesn't immediately m...

Last week, Mat and Peter set out on a journey to review every rider currently in MotoGP. This Sunday...they're back to finish the job! Yes, we're going all the way to number one this week as we bring our mid-season Rider Reviews to an end. According to my notes, we've got (in no particular order): a semi-stoned maniac, a warrior monk, space aliens and the reason Yamaha isn't going to flog a dead bike. That has got to make you curious, right? So hit play and cheers! Want more...

Quick question before we continue: Are you now, are were you at any point in the last year, a MotoGP-rider? If so, you probably shouldn’t be listening to this. In fact, I think we can all agree that you should probably just turn off this device and come back next week. Don’t worry, there’s fun Patreon-episodes that you can listen to. I’d offer them for free, but you’re riding bikes around the world while I’m writing podcast descriptions, so I know you can miss it. Go listen now, you’ll have ...

Remember the Cybermen, from Doctor Who? Scary races of machine-men and living computers who share all their experiences in a massive network. And that makes them really daunting, because any trick you might use in a fight against them only works once. Fool one once, and all of them learn and adapt. Your victories only help them slowly iterate towards perfection, all through data, data and more data. Why am I waffling on about sci-fi when we just had a spectacular race? Because the Cyber...

Welcome to Sachsenring, where riders face an education in teutonic terror in every turn. Eighteen riders on the grid, and ten make it to the final finish. It's crash central down here! But what would motorsport be without a little danger? That's what Mat and Peter wonder as they take a look at Sunday's race. Are the Marquez brothers holding back in their fights on the tarmac, or is Alex just really good at calculating the risk-reward ratio when it comes to attacking his brother? And Marc hims...

It's happened: MotoGP is now the property of Liberty Media, owner of Formula 1. So, what now? Well, things are definitely going to change and that might not be a bad thing. Change is life, right? The only question is which changes are necessary, which are wanted and which are inevitable. To find an answer to this, Mat and Peter turn to the one and only Dennis Noyes. Dennis was a racer, he's one hell of a journalist and commentator, and he's right here with us for a little ch...

"I cannot praise a fugitive and cloistered virtue, unexercised and unbreathed, that never sallies out and sees her adversary, but slinks out of the race where that immortal garland is to be run for, not without dust and heat." -John Milton, London, 1644 "I'm going to ride my fast machine!" -Franco Morbidelli, Assen, 2025 It's always awesome to be in Assen, and this year was no exception as the Dutch track celebrated it's Tourist Trophy Centennial. Luckily, the race itself proved worthy of the...

Well, that was an extremely exciting and unpredictable race...until Marc Márquez woke up and showed everyone how it's done, again. Yes, nr. 93 achieved his 93th victory in his archrival's backyard, while his brother Alex fights off Bagnaia and a surprisingly competitive Di Giannantonio. So what else is there to talk about? Well, we've got a bunch of knobheads booing, a 'dead bike riding' and penalties escaliting into punishments. And a lot more, too, but you're just going to have to ha...

A new rider has appeared in MotoGP! Well, he's only new if you haven't watched the WorldSBK in years and he's not really appearing yet – he’s only coming over next year. Nonetheless, long-running rumours about Toprak Razgatlioglu making the step to MotoGP have finally been confirmed this week as the Turkish Tornado signs a contract with Pramac Yamaha. That means there's lots to be excited for. Not only because his riding style is anything but boring, but also because this move coincides...

Ah, Aragon! They used to shoot westerns here, you know. The wide empty desert was the perfect backdrop for spaghetti western action. Cowboy versus cowboy, gunslingers living dying by the grace of their hair-trigger fingers and lightning-quick reflexes. And maybe the spirit of those films never really went away, because now we’ve got some old-fashioned drama like rival brothers and the return of a rider who was really fighting some technical difficulties. But was that really all th...

Answers, answers! Going cheap, barely used, fresh off the press! Good answers to tricky MotoGP questions! Come get them while they're hot! Earlier this week, we asked our Patrons to send us their questions. This time, we thought, maybe we'll succeed in answering all of them? I mean, how many questions could you all possibly have for us? Turns out that the answer is: A whole lot! Sixty seven, at the time of writing. Did Mat and Peter get through all of them? No, because then this podcast...

At the time of writing, it is 02.00 AM in Kyoto and the only thing keeping me awake is leftover adrenaline from watching pure madness on the tarmac. Silverstone is an outlier, this we know. But this time? This time, nobody ended up where they thought they'd be when the lights first turn green. Red flags, infernal ride height devices and an incredibly competitive Honda are just some of the unexpected turns that showed themselves at the UK's twisty track. Today is opposite day, the world ...

It has four cylinders. It won ten world championships, claimed first in over a hundred races and still holds the world record for longest uninterrupted streak with twenty-two wins in a row. It's the Honda NSR500, and it might be the meanest, fastest two-wheeling machine of the 20th century. But it really didn't start out like that. Turn back the clock to those first few years, and this modern legend looked more like a lame duck. The weight distribution was horrible, it took Freddy Spenc...

Sometimes, MotoGP is all about the numbers. Like the number 23 - the amount of races Ducati would have had to win in order to set a new world record. Or the number 1 - the amount they came up short. That bit was courtesy of Number 5, a.k.a. Johann Zarco, the man driving the home crowd wild through a spectacular performance. And going wild they should, as it's been 73 years since a Frenchman claimed victory at Le Mans! And then there's the weather, the tires and of course the crashes, in...

For the first time, we’re going back for seconds! That’s right, it’s time for a sequel as we go back to our history of Ducati’s Desmosedici and take care of our unfinished business. Haven’t heard the first part yet? Then quickly go here to change that! So, last time we saw how the incredibly talent of Casey Stoner brought victory to the Italian manufacturer. But nothing last forever, and now we’re going to see Ducati take a tumble from the top of the world to one of it’s all-time lows. ...

Ah Jerez, we’ve missed you! The Spanish track never fails to be a season highlight, and this year was no exception. Also no surprise is that the winner is, of course, Marquez. Except it’s not the one you might have thought, because he might have to give his head a wobble. Yes, it’s that kind of race where an ugly surprise for the champion results in every other competitor displaying their raw talent in a bid for the title. You want to know how the championship is going? A rumble like th...

If you want to know the secret to Ducati's success, it's these four words: desmodromic distribution, sixteen valves. Or, if we call it by its more common Italian shorthand: Desmosedici, the name of Ducati's killer MotoGP-bikes that have been absolutely dominating these last few years. But it wasn't always like that. There was a time when Ducati was not the reigning champion, but a worn-out shell of a manufacturer that was about to lose it all. It's a fascinating story, and abs...

We've got a scoop! Curious? We'll give you a hint: this episode contains exclusive news! But what is it all about? Well, that's the question! Maybe it's about Honda - have they found themselves a new rider for a new era? Or perhaps this is about a new contender coming through from World Superbike, as told to us from a live witness? Or perhaps none? Perhaps both? Only one way to find out, eh? And then there's the race in Losail, where floodlights glisten off the dragon's teeth that guard...

Dearly beloved, It is with heavy heart that we gather to say our final goodbyes to a legend: the Yamaha YZR-M1. Its life seemed short to us, but way too long to others. After a long struggle with a clinical lack of competitive edge and a distinct lack of aero, its family at Yamaha has decided to pull the plug and let its beloved inline-engined legend pass with dignity. The YZR-M1 is survived and will be missed by its V4 successors. You are hereby cordially invited to attend the ...

Apologies! Something went horribly wrong last night with the recording, and it took as a long time to fix it. Mat's in Austin, Peter's in Portimão and we completely forgot to sacrifice a chicken to the wifi-gods...the end result was a slight catastrophe where we ended up recording at least one of your host over the phone. Just imagine Peter sitting in the corner of a dark hotel room with a telephone in one fist and an old fashioned recorder in the other, and now you're getting it. ...

You know how we sometimes promise we won't talk so much about tires? Well, we lie! You might have heard about Pirelli moving in and replacing Michelin as the official tire of MotoGP in 2027. And maybe you wonder how much influence a single change like this could possibly have. After all, they're just pieces of rubber - shouldn't we have basically perfected the art of the tire by now? Well, imagine it like this. Here you have a MotoGP bike, pure metal and technology that just wants to go...

Britpop has the Gallagher brothers. Tennis has the Williams sisters. Video games have the Super Mario Bros. And MotoGP? It's the second race of the season and nobody is getting close to the Marquez brothers, bringing Ducati to dominate the track. Which begs the question: is MotoGP boring now? It's a tricky problem, that's for sure. What fun is a game when the winner is already basically determined before the match even starts? Or are we selling the sport short...

Oh, you knew it was coming! Just admit it. First it was December and we got you Kevin Schwantz. Did you really think we could do that, and then not invite Wayne Rainey? Come on, be real! Yes, we've got Wayne with us this week so you just know this is going to be fireworks. But it's not all about legendary rivalries and racing so hard you can feel your teeth chatter - it's also about being really clever and technical in ways that the rest of the world sometimes doesn't underst...

It feels good to be back! The first race of a brand new season is in the pocket and it promises to be a very interesting season, indeed. We've got the Márquez brothers, both on Ducati's and both in front. Maybe not a surprise if you're Marc, but definitely a promising feat if you're Alex. Have we been underestimating the younger Márquez? And then there's Ai Ogura, the rookie who takes our breath away, and Jack Miller taking his brain out and showing that the right rider really can...

You've got questions. We've got answers. Let's make a podcast! Yes, this week we're once again opening up a big bag of mail to do some listener questions! Which listeners, you might ask? Our Patreons, of course, because they're awesome and you should really consider joining them. Then you, too, might ask questions like: Who takes the blame when a slow rider has a fast teammate? Will the future be electric, or is it running on biofuels? How much can a bikeframe bend if bikes was build to...

Ready for racing? So is everyone, but there’s one more test we need to talk about first – and it’s an event that shows some very interesting changes... Welcome to Buriram, Thailand. It’s the last chance to get everything in order before the big circus starts. If you’re a competitor, this is the moment you most want your tech to be not just cutting edge, but also on the exact right side of familiar so you can be in complete control of it. Unless you’re Ducati, and you just decide to go b...

We're back, we're back, we're finally back at the track! It might be a few weeks until the next season officially kicks off, but Mat and Peter need their fix yesterday. The solution? Send them to Sepang, where every team is getting their last tests in before the championship starts. It's hot, it's humid and when the rider kicks their machine into high gear, the power and the vibration will shakes your sternum all the way from the pitlane to the cheap seats. Man, it's good to be back! ...

Beattie. Doohan. Rossi. What do these legends all have in common? Well, they all had their bikes worked on by Alex Briggs, for starters. This week, we're interviewing one of MotoGP's old veteran mechanics. He's the man who saw 26 seasons and multiple championship victories before retiring in 2020, and he's got some great stories for us... This week, join us as we discover what it was like to work with some of MotoGP's greatest riders and what drove them. Want to know why Doohan needed a diffe...

We've got another guest! This week, we're calling Frankie Carchedi. You might have heard of him - he's one of the legendary crew chiefs currently working in MotoGP, winning the 2020 championship with Joan Mir and working with Marc Márquez last year. And since one of our hosts has experience as a crew chief himself, we've got plenty of questions! So, how do you deal with a rider's ego without shattering it? What tells you if a disappointing result is an issue with the rider, the tech or ...

We've got a special guest this week, and if you've seen the title of this podcast you can probably guess who it is... ...that's right, it's the return of the legendary Livio Suppo! So, what's on the menu today? Well, we're gearing up for what promises to be a spectacular season and we don't know what the outcome will be. There's top riders being positioned into intense rivalries, there's old paddock mainstays like KTM in dire, dire straits and there's technology that can make all the diffe...

Remember December? If not, don't worry, it's all a little blurry for us as well. Well, just before the holidays we discussed the top twelve riders and what the upcoming season might have in store from them. Which is all well and good, but what about the bikes? WHAT ABOUT THE BIKES?! Well, don't worry because this week Mat and Peter are dusting off the old crystal ball to look at what MotoGP's next season might look like from a more...mechanical point of view. We're going to look at each manu...

STOP! DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS AUDIO! THIS IS MEANT TO BE A VIDEO. GO WATCH IT ON OUR PATREON OR ON YOUTUBE! Okay, still here? Hello, this is producer Sam. Normally, I'd be writing a description for our new episode here, but we're kicking off the new year with a very special scoop and we're going to need video to show it to you. I've put the audio here, but if you choose to listen to it rather than view it you will probably end up being incredibly confused. So go to our Patreon or YouTube, pres...

Hey everyone! This week, I'm afraid that Mat and Peter are lost in the late-December limbo. So instead, we're giving all of you a holiday present in the form of a (formerly) Patreon-exclusive post. This interview with Casey was first published in March, and was one of the first things we uploaded exclusively for our subscribers. Like this? Then why not start 2025 with a subscription to our Patreon, and get cool stuff like this on the regular? Trust us – you’ll love it! We'll be back with you ...

Ho ho ho! Are you feeling the holiday spirit yet? No? Well, have we got just the thing for you: a visit from Father Christmas himself! No, not Saint Nick – we’re talking about the one and only Kevin Schwantz, wearing a funny little red hat!* Yes, we gave Kevin a ring and he picked up the phone for us. A few minutes later we were talking about his racing career, and before you know it there’s some pretty cool stories being shared. Some of them are about fighting for your life on a machin...

This week, we're getting ready for the holiday season as we count down the Twelve Nights Riders of Christmas! Yes, Mat and Peter have been making a list (and checking it twice) from Bezzecchi to Martin, and they’re about to let you know who’s been naughty or nice… So, who rides with the strongest emotions? Who has the most fighting spirit, the most crashes, the most wins and the most potential? Who should be proud and full of good cheer, and who might have been slacking a bit and finds...

This week, we asked our Patreon-supporters to send in their questions and they did not disappoint. For example: How do factories look at independent teams? Was there ever a crash so bad, it made Peter and Mat reconsider racing? How do you talk to a rider who just messed up their race? Whtiny mistakes can have the biggest consequences for a rider's career? And what does Peter mean when he talks about 'Rider Intelligence'? The answers to all the above and way, way more are found inside this ex...

Oh boy, something went wrong this week! No, we’re not talking about the financial trouble KTM finds itself in – although I promise we’ll touch on that in a bit – but about our microphones. We’ve got it fixed for next week, but this episode the quality is in the lovely tone of ‘tin can’. Sorry about that. However, don’t go away just yet, because we’ve got a guest! This week, we’re talking about the future of MotoGP. That’s the financial future, to be precise. With Liberty Media buying th...

This week, we’re staying at the Barcelona paddock to report on the big test. That’s right: it’s been at least hours since a new champion was crowned, so testing for the next season can begin! So, what will Mat and Peter find and does it get them excited? Well, there’s some stuff that looks absolutely amazing. And it’s right next to the stuff that will probably give us headaches. But what’s what, and why so? The only way to find out is to listen! Also, get ready for guest appearanc...

We've got a champion! Big congrats to Jorge Martin - and now it's time to party! Look, I could write a very long description here, but we all know the drill. It's the end of the season, Mat and Peter are in the paddock and there's beer being served. Care to join us in a 'live' celebration? Here's what you do. First, try to answer the following questions. Your job is to guess who: ...commits a crime against God and Drink ...loves to kill everyone ...doesn't mind 20 punters in your pit ...k...

It’s back to Barcelona as we count down the days till MotoGP 2024 reaches its conclusion. The question, of course, is what will happen and where it will take place. Luckily we’ve got a Peter, so let’s ask him! And luckily for Peter, he already wrote about that very thing. But that was for a different part of the year, with different weather, different humidity, different tires and different stakes. So he ended up having to do the work again, anyhow. Sorry! (Oh, and as always: don'...

According to most Catalans, their capital is being overtaken by tourists. So we should probably apologize to them in advance for booking tickets to Barcelona. But hey, this race is going to be spectacular! As we move towards the season finale next week, Mat and Peter look back at the events that brought us here and try to imagine themselves in Bagnaia and Martín's boots. Is this going to be one of those rare years where an independent team takes the title? Whatever you expect, don't let anyo...

Malaysia is in the pocket, we’ve got one last race to go and it would take a powerful curse to keep Jorge Martín from claiming the world title in two weeks time. So, what else is new? Well, a whole lot! Mat and Peter saw some things on the track today that they wouldn’t have expected to ever see there this year, including some very solid actions by Bagnaia. We’ve also got Jack Miller spilling some beans, two riders facing of in what might be more accurately described as a duel rather than a ...

Hey everyone, You might have looked at the runtime of this week’s episode and noticed it appears a little short. There’s a reason for that. Simply put, it has to do with a few changes we’re making to what we’re uploading to Patreon. We always intended the Peter Does… series to be Patreon-exclusives. But Peter wasn’t sure if he could pull it off, and wasn’t comfortable charging money for something that he thought still needed a lot of improvement. So we decided to upload these episodes for fre...

If you have a cat, you’ll know that felines hate wet surprises. But you know who hates it even more? Everybody on- and around a MotoGP bike - especially when we’re at the decisive tail end of the tournament. Every normal talent becomes secondary to that weird six sense required to drive a bike across a slippery, watery track. So we end up with a race that gives us little to say the outcome of this year’s tournament, but plenty of spectacle and some truly spectacular improvisation and cool. ...

Welcome to Thailand! This week, we're getting ready for the last three races of the season as MotoGP heads towards Buriram. There's a lot at stake here, so we can expect the riders to give it their all. But what will be required of them, exactly? Peter's got the answers and he's taking us on a tour of the track, corner by corner, to share them with us. It's all your essential education for the week in one place: where to overtake, where to watch out for crashes and where to hit the gas like...

Phillip Island, to quote Peter, always delivers. And this year we start out with a blast, as Marc Márquez fights a bug. And from big bugs we go straight to close calls, tight fights and daring tactics when comes to tire preservation. This is the track where there are always a hundred things happening at once, and Mat and Peter can't wait to see what it all means... Oh, and we discuss some new ideas to get rid of bothersome wildlife, including snipers! What fun! Want more? Visit our website ...

This is Phillip island. It's fast, twisty and tricky. It's where a massive strait pushes your machine to the limits, where a wild gust of wind can suddenly make all the difference and where corners sometimes work exactly like how you expect they wouldn't. Yeah, we love this place! This week, join Peter as he talks you through every nook and cranny of this Ozzy ripper. And stick around for some great corner names, and the stories behind them! (Oh, and before I forget: pull up our m...

It's almost time to go down under, all the way to Phillip Island, so now's the time to tell tall tales about Ozzie riders and their wildest exploits. To start: why are there so many Australian riders, compared to other countries? What's the culture like, and why does Peter love working with them? Where does the life-or-death obsession with speed come from, and why does it make the Ozzies so bloody determined? And why should you always claim to have seen a koala when you drive your car into a ...

A lot can happen in 40 minutes, but if that was the case today then it surely happened somewhere else than Twin Ring Motegi. We can't blame Bagnaia, of course: the man is here to win. Perfection is not entertaining, but pretty impressive. So yes, it was a boring race. But that doesn't mean nothing happened - it just all happened within the little details. For example, Marquez is getting familiar with a new flywheel after last month's disaster in Indonesia, the presence (or lack of!) certain...

Officially, it's called the Twin Ring Motegi. So this weekend we're getting two tracks for the price of one! Well, would if we'd needed more than one. And if the other one wasn't made for car's, so let's not speak about it too much. But if you must know, we'll let Cartman explain it to you... Okay, so now about the track we're actually racing on this weekend! Actually, let's just let Peter explain it, because he does a bang-up job of it. Take it away, Peter! (Oh, and as always: don't forge...

Sometimes, it can all happen in a matter of minutes. One moment we have a four-way battle for the championship, the next finds Bagnaia and Martin as the last two standing. So what happened? Meanwhile, Pedro Acosta gets bogged down in tire pressure regulations but clears them because of a 'leaking wheel rim'. But what does that mean? Is it even possible? Or is Acosta in possession of the mythical Rim of Power? You know, the artefact created by Sauron, the Dark Lord of Motor, that can make it...

Love Misano? Can’t wait every year for the race, and wish you wouldn’t have to wait another year when it’s done before you can see it again? Well, this is your lucky year! Yes, we’re back at Misano and everybody is feeling the heat as this championship is swinging wildly. It might become a test of endurance, where the winner will simply be the one who makes the least mistakes - but what does that mean, and what will it look like? Oh, and stick around for some lovely stories about riders’ di...

No race this week, but Mat and Peter have plenty to talk about! First up is a new technology that can only mean trouble: the bloody radio. Yes, we might have been mucking about with radio's for more than a century, but until now nobody had the bright idea to put them inside the rider's helmet. And according to our hosts, there are some bloody good reasons for that... But that's not all, because there's also another brand new piece of tech that a major manufacturer is still trying to keep und...

According to Peter, when the Dutch get that sinking feeling in their stomach that tells you something is about to turn into an unpleasant surprise, they say that they are "feeling wetness". Francesco Bagnaia and Enea Bastianini can probably relate, as they called a surprise downpour's bluff and got away with it. Why? Because it the rain didn't 'smell right'. Call it local wisdom, but that's one hell of an advantage when racing at Misano. So, what exactly happened? And what other teams ...

Within the microstate of San Marino, there live just over 30.000 people. Those Sammarinese better get ready for a busy weekend, because when MotoGP comes to Misano World Circuit they tend to bring along more than 140.000 (!) visitors. So, what can those roving crowds expect to see this Sunday? Join Peter as he talks us through a track where no bike design has a clear upper hand and where it all comes down to the skills of riders who know every bump and curve like the back of their hand. Just...

When asked about his motivation during a race, Usain Bolt explained that he imagined all the other runners were giant spiders: 'And then I get super scared.' But it's not just runners that are privy to this trick: riders, too, have their own fantasies that get their mental engines going. For example, Mat would imagine he's a fox. Luca Marini, today, had a very different trick to keep him sane in last place. And we can only speculate what it was that went through Marc Márquez' head as he took ...

MotoGP doesn't go to California anymore - so according to Peter, it's a good thing that Europe has it's very own Laguna Seca! It's in Spain, it's less likely to kill you and it's called the Ciudad del Motor de Aragón. We just call it Aragón, for short. This week, find out why you shouldn't bet on any rider who isn't in the two front rows at the grid and why it's a bad idea to have vertigo in Spain. Enjoy! (Oh, and as always: don't forget to pull up our map of the circuit!)...

Well, we asked - and you delivered! We've got a whole list with your questions, and now it's time to answer them. What sensors would we rather see gone? What's our favourite fantasy team-ups? How much of MotoGP runs on beer, and will we ever see Mat and Peter covering MotoE? Well, we're sure you already know the answer to one of those questions...but if you want to know the rest as well, then you'd better put on this episode! Want more? Visit our website or support us on Patreon. With big t...

How do you bring excitement to an otherwise rather unremarkable race? Easy: you put the world's most deadly maniac at the fourteenth place and watch what he does. That's why Peter had a great time watching the race from the perspective of Marc Márquez' dashcam. But what exactly went wrong with his bike, and could it have been prevented? Mat and Peter are on the case, and it seems that the killer is that good-for-nothing ride height device... And actually, come to think of it, Márquez wa...

The Red Bull Ring is Silverstone's evil twin: a track that demands vicious and long braking, full of elevation and with very little flow. If you think that sounds too negative, you could also say that it's like a northern Mugello: a place where technical skills are pushed to the limit by riders that have to showcase perfect mastering of stop-and-go manouvering. And just like the energy drink that it's named after, the Ring will definitely raise your heartbeat and give you cold sweats... Want...

Want to be a famous MotoGP racer? Then you'd better start young, move to southern Europe and make a name for yourself. And one of the best places to do that is in Red Bull Rookie Cup. This week, we invite former racer and journalist Peter Clifford for a chat. For the last 18 years, he's been responsible for guiding and helping the young talent in the Rookie Cup. He's worked with people like Acosta and Binder when they were just teenagers, and knows exactly what goes into developing young ta...

It's a party at Silverstone, as MotoGP celebrates 75 years of racing there. Or is it actually 76 years? Never mind, back to the celebrations! And there's nobody with more reason to celebrate as Ducati, who continue their spree of dominating the podium with Enea Bastianini, Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia taking respectively first, second and third place. But look behind the results, and you find a race where the bleeding edge tech that dominates modern racing collides with a track ...

When asked to report his experiences of Silverstone, Peter described it as "a place full of history and tradition, that can also be wet, grey, cold and miserable." We then asked him to describe the track rather than the country it's in, and this episode is the result. So grab your bike, put on your headphones and come join us as we take a ride on one of the widest circuits in the tournament, where the engines run hot but the brakes stay cool. Cheers! As always, don't forget to pull up our ...

It's rider versus machine in the second part of our electronics special! This week we take a look at the different ways unseen systems determine a rider’s options. From electronic fuel injection to traction control and full drive-by-wire bikes, this is the story of machines performing clever mathematics at high speed. But it’s also the story of ambitious engineers offering riders some clever digital assistance – and all the ways in which those overly helpful boxes can accidentally become over...

It's 2024, and already we can say for certain that this season of MotoGP is weird. Spectacular rider transfers, a new set of regulations, essential developments in bike designs and even the upcoming farewell of Dorna itself: it's all turning out to be one hell of a ride. And that's not even going into the fact that we are seeing manufacturing legends like Honda struggling harder than they have in a long time. What's going on? Enter this week's guest, the legendary Livio Suppo. He's held the ...