Oxley Bom MotoGP podcast

It's been said that to a rider, Sepang is 'the worst 45 minutes of your year', both physically and mentally. The first goes without saying: you're manhandling what is essentially a giant combustion engine on wheels through a track in the tropics, clad in leather. And that's before the debris and rocks start flying!
But then there is the psychological side of it all: this is where you win or lose it, where you discover if your remaining races will be an upward line or a steep fall from the top. Just ask Bezzecchi, coming in after a rather unnecessary collision with Ogura. The Bez wasn't fast enough to grab those precious points, and his Aprilia compatriot Ogura came in rough and hard. Carbon and aero fly all over the place, and now Mat and Peter have to lay down the law to keep the kids from fighting...
And speaking of flying aero: did anyone notice how the lack of it didn't seem to slow Ai down a bit? That's odd enough by itself, but then you see Marc absolutely dominating this race without using a ride height device. A race where significant moves were made without aero, no RHD? Surely it can't be! I assume the world must be ending?
Well, that depends on who you ask - but if it does end, it might start next week during the race in Qatar!
Okay, I kid, but let's not beat around the bush here: next week's race is vastly more important than Sepang - or any other race, for that matter. Shortly put, against all sane advice and reason, MotoGP is going to an area that could turn into a potential conflict zone at any second. 
Fun fact: did you know there's a giant American air force base, just a stone's throw away from the track? 
Well, the riders and even some manufacturers aren't taking the risk. According to Jack Miller, there's currently about 19 riders who are going to decline the invitation and everyone's favourite Aussie is amongst them. And they're not alone: Yamaha, too, has decided not to go, spurting Liberty Media to lay down the law in truly draconian fashion. 
So here we are, at what might be the eve of an escalating conflict, with the first rider strike in almost thirty years against the corporate power of a media giant. And don't think for a second that this is 'just politics', because the outcome of this conflict might have massive effects on MotoGP, Liberty Media, Formula 1 and even a slight bit of global politics. 
Yeah, I think we'll have plenty to talk about...

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Want more? Visit our website or support us on Patreon. With big thanks as always to Brad Baloo from The Next Men and Gentleman's Dub Club for writing our theme song. Check out The Nextmen for more great music! 
Oh, and a quick word in regards to sponsors: 
If you’re interested in connecting with a really unique MotoGP audience — we’re working with Smash Brand Group out of Sydney to manage partnerships. Curious? Just head to smashbrandgroup.com.au and get in touch!

Welcome to the race that wasn't. It seems Philip Island knew that MotoGP was done with her, and the lady decided that those bastards didn't deserve her anyway. Through the power of being wetter and windier than ever before, she forced the riders to return back to their trailers and sit this one out. And so it ends, "not with a bang but a wimper". 
Or did it? Because while the main event was canceled, the true spectacle took place on every day preceding the race. From amazing qualifying times to that memorable sprint on Saturday, when Marquez and Martin finally went head to head as leaders of the pack. This was it, folks: a last grand hurrah through all those memorable and always tricky corners, until only one contender was left standing. 
Unorthodox, unassuming, unpredictable and ultimately deceivingly decisive. Could there have been any greater goodbye to good ol' Philip Island? 
So here we are. Marquez is in the lead, Martin is injured and the title is now Marc's to lose. But the biggest battle perhaps remains to come, and this time it won't pit rider against rider. No, this time we might be headed for a showdown where all those maniacs and daredevils will have to team up against a greater threat: the unfair demands of show business. 
A few weeks ago, Marc Marquez didn't want to risk another injury in a promotional go kart event. Seems reasonable, but the Powers That Be disagreed. Now there is a new rule on the books, prescribing penalties to any rider not showing up to a booked promotional event. And those penalties aren't just monetary, but go all the way up to track penalties.
Race results determined by a rider not showing up to sign autographs? Absolute bloody madness! But don't take it from me...take it from your ever-charming hosts Mat and Peter. 
So, lots of things to discuss and some very fun surprises to boot! Fancy a listen? 
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Want more? Visit our website or support us on Patreon. With big thanks as always to Brad Baloo from The Next Men and Gentleman's Dub Club for writing our theme song. Check out The Nextmen for more great music! 
Oh, and a quick word in regards to sponsors: 
If you’re interested in connecting with a really unique MotoGP audience — we’re working with Smash Brand Group out of Sydney to manage partnerships. Curious? Just head to smashbrandgroup.com.au and get in touch!

Sometimes, the future is uncertain and nobody can predict what will happen next. Not only is the current tournament ramping up towards an unpredictable finale (and a potential race at Qatar, if the world hasn't ended by that point) but the very shape of the race weekend itself is about to change. And nobody is quite sure what effects that will have. 
That's why this week, Mat and Peter are taking a look at the new schedules. One thing is for sure: this is going to have lots of consequenses, some good, some bad and some just plain ugly. And speaking of ugly affairs, Marc Marquez' rather understabdable decission to not go go-kart racing got a swift response in the shape of rider fines. Now the riders might be revolting, but will we see any change? Mat and Peter hope so. 
Yes, the old days aren't coming back, but that's no reason to be sad. So don't mourn, organize! 
Here we go...

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Want more? Visit our website or support us on Patreon. With big thanks as always to Brad Baloo from The Next Men and Gentleman's Dub Club for writing our theme song. Check out The Nextmen for more great music! 
Oh, and a quick word in regards to sponsors: 
If you’re interested in connecting with a really unique MotoGP audience — we’re working with Smash Brand Group out of Sydney to manage partnerships. Curious? Just head to smashbrandgroup.com.au and get in touch!

Sometimes a weekend just can't help but go your way. Take Marc Marquez, maybe the luckiest man on the grid right now. It seems this tournament really is going down to the wire, and playing a giant part in that is just how good these Aprilia bikes are right now. Playing four-in-a-row with a race's top positions is the kind of game we're used to seeing from Ducati, but it seems that The Other Italian Manufacturer is beating those Bologna Boys at their own game.
And then there is the hero of the hour, Raul Fernandez, with his exceptional finger work. How a man who has used his index finger for braking his entire life can just switch like that remains a mystery, even to Mat and Peter. And guess what: they know the brakes!
So get yourself a drink and get ready to hear us tell you all about the race at Mandalika this weekend. Cheers!
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Want more? Visit our website or support us on Patreon. With big thanks as always to Brad Baloo from The Next Men and Gentleman's Dub Club for writing our theme song. Check out The Nextmen for more great music! 
Oh, and a quick word in regards to sponsors: 
If you’re interested in connecting with a really unique MotoGP audience — we’re working with Smash Brand Group out of Sydney to manage partnerships. Curious? Just head to smashbrandgroup.com.au and get in touch!

Sometimes, a race summary sounds surprisingly like a rather laborous romantic rendez-vous: there was quite a lot of tension, not a lot of excitement and the outcome involved lots of rubber while each party involved is trying to finish as fast as humanly possible. 

It's the latest chapter in a championship that refuses to appoint a clear winner and is all the better for it. Say what you want, this year is one for the books. 

Speaking of those rubbers, what exactly was going on with the tires this weekend? Was there really a perfect option that almost everyone missed? Or is the story slightly more complicated? Not to spoil the surprise, but I'd place my money on the latter. Maybe our hosts Mat and Peter will know what's up...

So let's just dive right in this week as we take a look at Motegi 2026, Mat pontificates on World War Three and Peter presents a very controversial opinion. Also, there's lots of smoke being blown up arses. 

Here we go, you weird perverts! 

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Want more? Visit our website or support us on Patreon. With big thanks as always to Brad Baloo from The Next Men and Gentleman's Dub Club for writing our theme song. Check out The Nextmen for more great music! 
Oh, and a quick word in regards to sponsors: 
If you’re interested in connecting with a really unique MotoGP audience — we’re working with Smash Brand Group out of Sydney to manage partnerships. Curious? Just head to smashbrandgroup.com.au and get in touch!