MotoGP Gossip: Rider microphones, Marquez on Isle of Man TT

- With 2-metre social distancing impossible to maintain in the hectic environment of a MotoGP pit box, Ducati are to experiment with the use of microphones for rider-to-team communication.

Goggles, masks and visors will be used for mechanics working closer than 2m together but, "You cannot put a rider behind Plexiglas and a mask when he's just got off the bike because he needs to breathe," Ducati team manager Davide Tardozzi told GPone.com.

"We're gearing up to solve the problem either by making team members take all precautions or by using a microphone connected to our headphones so everyone can hear what the rider has to say. We'll try this system at Misano next week."

The Ducati test team and Michele Pirro will be on track alongside KTM, Aprilia and Suzuki at the Italian circuit from June 23-25. (GPOne.com)

- Giacomo Agostini has become the latest to express surprise that Alex Marquez could be dropped from Repsol Honda's 2021 line-up before completing a racing lap in the premier-class.

The reigning Moto2 champion is joining MotoGP alongside brother and reigning champion Marc this season, but it increasingly looks like Pol Espargaro will take over the seat next season.

"I do not know how the situation is with Pol Espargaró but I would not understand if Alex lost the seat before starting his MotoGP career," said the 15-time world champion, echoing recent comments by another legend of the sport, Mick Doohan.

Meanwhile, Agostini also struck a conciliatory tone with Jorge Lorenzo, after their recent clash of words over the Spaniard's record at Ducati: "It would be great to see Lorenzo on the Ducati again. I would like it very much. He is a fantastic rider who was demoralised by his very bad year with Honda. But he is still young, can change his mind and go back to racing." [Marca.com]

- Speaking of Ducati, the Italian factory has revealed it is now using Artificial Intelligence (or 'machine learning') to help analyse huge amounts of data faster than would be possible by humans.

"It is capable of managing an incredible amount of data, something that we cannot do, it does correct calculations and gets parameters in real time," said Gabriele Conti, Ducati's director of electronic engineering.

"The next step, and it's something we're already working on, will help the track engineers develop the new bike." [AS.com]

Marc Marquez probably takes more risks than any other MotoGP rider, but even the eight-time world champion thinks racing at the Isle of Man TT is a step too far.

"I have a lot of respect for the riders that race there, but I don't like it," GPOne.com reports Marquez as saying, during an event for sponsors Estrella Galicia.

"I like to have fun, to enjoy riding, to look for the limit; to go to the Isle of Man is to gamble away your life, that's how I see it. I ride bikes to have fun, not to suffer and endanger my life" [GPOne.com]