Another year of processions?

[Go_Green]

Well, watched the race on Sunday, to cheer on my pics...and I have to say that I'm not sure what I think of the new CRTS-it's like there are two separate race classes running at the same time. Rossi better speed up though or they'll be passing him.

[Uwe W.]

The CRT are another race class, but I personally think that's a good thing. The grid was getting so small that they had to do something to make up the numbers. With Suzuki the latest manufacturer to drop out of the prototype class, it was looking quite grim. Multiple class races are not that uncommon. LeMans racing is prime example of how well it can really work - and there are typically three classes in those races.

You're right that Rossi needs to get his Ducati sorted out, and quick. Despite his talent and illustrious career, I can't help but wonder if these are his end of days in motorcycle racing. I'd like to see him win just one more championship; an even 10 GP Championships has a very nice ring to it.

Despite Rossi's poor showing, I thought there was some exciting racing on Sunday. The battle for first was far better than what we've become accustomed to. The fight for fourth between Crutchlow and Davizioso was very exciting. I was super impressed with Bradl; it was a shame he couldn't hold on to sixth.

Of course nothing can compare to the action in the Moto 2 and 3 classes. Both races had me on the edge of my seat for their duration. To say that I'm not a fan of Marquez would be a gross understatement and I was surprised that his pass on Luhti was allowed to stand; he's known for that type of manoeuvre and has been warned in the past. Running someone of the track in that manner should not have gone without some form of a penalty.

So Go Green, it looks like your picks got you off to a decent start. With 17 races left anyone can still win, but from experience I know that the most important thing is that your riders steer clear of injury for the entire season and don't crash out of any (many) races.

[Go_Green]

Don't they award first, second and third in each of the LeMans classes? To my knowledge, the ALMS is the the same. I don't see that happening in MotoGP, and, as usual, near the conclusion of the race they focus on the front runners.

If they are mixing the classes, fine, I would just like a bit more coverage then of the guys at the back. Unfortunately, for now that includes Rossi. For now.

Both Crutchlow and Brandl rode well, some great little battles going on there, so that did make things more interesting. Indeed the season is quite unpredictable, I just don't want the same three at the front for the majority of it.

How much do you think is the quality of the bike vs the skill of the rider?

[Uwe W.]

Don't they award first, second and third in each of the LeMans classes? To my knowledge, the ALMS is the the same. I don't see that happening in MotoGP, and, as usual, near the conclusion of the race they focus on the front runners.

Edwards was the top finishing CRT rider and he was in parc ferme with his bike, so there was some sort of recognition being made. I suspect its to through the sponsors of those bikes a bone.

I don't mind that they show other battles being fought further down the order, but for the last few laps I really only want to see the fight for first place (if there's one taking place).



Both Crutchlow and Brandl rode well, some great little battles going on there, so that did make things more interesting. Indeed the season is quite unpredictable, I just don't want the same three at the front for the majority of it.

That'll be tough. With only three factory teams left, and one of them struggling to make their bike competitive, I think it'll be a while before anyone else breaks that familiar group of three or four riders vying for the win.



How much do you think is the quality of the bike vs the skill of the rider?

Isn't that the million dollar question? Anyone who makes it to this level of racing is unquestionable an exceptional and very talented racer. However, I think it takes the rarest of the rare to be able to win with equipment that is clearly inferior to that used by his competitors. The problem is that it's not that cut and dry a situation. There are so many factors that contribute to a Championship title. Consistency is sometimes as important as skill and a good bike. When Hayden won the Championship it wasn't because he demonstrated exceptional skill or because he had the best bike in the paddock, it was because he posted consistently good results. The best racer isn't always the one who wins a championship. And it's also not always the best bike either. My pool picks were heavily influenced by the odds that injury befalls everyone at some point; it's rare that someone can remain injury free for two years in a row - and Stoner already complaining about arm pump is an example of that.

[Go_Green]

I quite agree on the factors that lead to a championship win. It is definitely not all black and white. Would be interesting, though, if they were all on the same bike. Isn't Moto2 like that? I may be mistaken.
I, too, would love to see Rossi win another championship, yet things at this point seem very uncertain. Wonder what he is really thinking about his move to Ducati now. Perhaps the Doctor can't fix this one. I still am cheering him on, regardless.

[slomoshun]

I thought there was some exciting racing on Sunday. The battle for first was far better than what we've become accustomed to.

After Stoner got the lead it didn`t take him long to pull out a two second lead and I was thinking oh well here we go again just another MotoGP end of race procession. And I believe it would have been except for the determination of Little Dani. It`s quite possible that Lorenzo could have sat on a comfortable second place and been happy with an easy twenty points once he saw Stoner get his head down but with Pedrosa snapping at his heals he wasn`t allowed that option. Lorenzo was pushed to the limit in the closing laps by Pedrosa and this kept him close enough to strike once Casey slowed at the end. Thanks Dani, you cost me nine points and first place in the MMM pool.
slo.
PS. Nobody seemed to mind MotoGP processions when a certain Italian was leading the parade.

[Uwe W.]

Would be interesting, though, if they were all on the same bike. Isn't Moto2 like that?

The Moto2 class uses the same Honda engine supplied by a third party. However, the frames come from many different manufacturers, so essentially they can be quite different handling wise.


Wonder what he is really thinking about his move to Ducati now. Perhaps the Doctor can't fix this one.

He was asked that not too long ago and said that he didn't regret the move at all and that for him the challenge of getting a bike to work properly is partly what motivates him. Who knows what his response would be behind closed doors. From the perspective of his Superstar ego, he's the coveted top dog again, whereas with Yamaha it was clear that they were more enamoured by the much younger Lorenzo. I'm sure that has something to do with it too.



Thanks Dani, you cost me nine points and first place in the MMM pool.

Ha! Thanks Dani, I knew it was smart of me to pick you in the pool and that you'd keep ahead of slo.


PS. Nobody seemed to mind MotoGP processions when a certain Italian was leading the parade.

Of course not! That's because it isn't a procession - it's a coronation.

[Uwe W.]

To say that I'm not a fan of Marquez would be a gross understatement and I was surprised that his pass on Luhti was allowed to stand; he's known for that type of manoeuvre and has been warned in the past. Running someone of the track in that manner should not have gone without some form of a penalty.

I've been following this and have to say that I think even less of Marquez than before.


The manoeuvre resulted in an off-track excursion for Lüthi, and the two riders were summoned to Race Direction after the incident; Márquez for the move which was viewed as being on the limit, and Lüthi for striking the Spaniard on the arm on the cool down lap following the race.

The pair also exchanged opinions after the race when Márquez sought out his opponent to explain his actions.“After how the sessions went and having been at the front of the race until the final lap, to then end fifth, you can’t be satisfied with that,” said Lüthi. “I didn’t like the incorrect manoeuvre which Márquez made.”

Márquez told motogp.com: “I’d been passed aggressively three or four times and I realised I needed to be a bit more aggressive to try and defend my position. At that moment [in the race] I knew Lüthi was going to get ahead of me and then go hard to try to open up a gap. I stuck to him, and I thought the last lap was where I was going to pass him and that’s what I did.”

In this interview, Marquez claims that he was being more aggressive and defending his position. Yet, when he went to Lüthi's paddock to discuss the incident, he claimed that the rear end of his bike got away from him. It was an outright lie. The video of the incident proves without any doubt that he was in full control of the bike and that he simple rubbed Lüthi off the track. Keep in mind that this incident occurred at the end of the main straight where these guys are braking hard for Turn 1 from 340 km/h. There was absolutely no reason for Marquez's manoeuvre and as Lüthi said in their brief discussion, "it was very dangerous." That was an understatement. The close proximity of their tires was one thing, but the real danger was how close Marquez was to jamming the front brake lever of the other bike. We've all witnessed the catastrophic results when something like that happens.