RE: MotoGP Valencia: PH2
Monday 9th November 2015
While all eyes at Valencia were on the MotoGP title battle between Rossi and Lorenzo, can we first take a moment to celebrate the first British GP champion since Barry Sheene in 1977. Take a bow Danny Kent, you made us wait for it but congratulations. Finishing ninth while your main rival took the win isn't the best way to take your first world championship, but at the end of the day all that matters is securing that number one plate. Ok, back to the main event...
Danny Kent the first British World Champion since 1977Social media spats, campaigns, court cases, and that was even before first practice kicked off at Valencia! Is it a sad end to a cracking season, or an extra bit of spice? Whatever your take on the Malaysia incident, the fact was that Lorenzo's stunning lap put him at the front of the Valencia grid while Rossi's moment of madness ensured he was right at the back. Lorenzo certainly had the speed to win, so Rossi's main hope (ironically) was the two Hondas. If Pedrosa and Marquez could kick Lorenzo back into third, Rossi had a chance at the title. A slim one, but still a chance.
Or would Dani wake up?
18 laps left and Rossi had done all he could, securing fourth spot and putting clear air between him and Dovi. But with Dani 11 seconds ahead of him, he needed a miracle in the shape of the Honda pair's front tyres going or them both overtaking Lorenzo to take the title.
MotoGP Valencia: PH2
The MotoGP championship is settled but the arguments continue...
Danny Kent the first British World Champion since 1977
Lights out and within a few corners Rossi had made up 10 places, within two laps he was in 12th and third time across the line in he was in the top ten. Which was the good news for Rossi fans, the bad news was that Lorenzo was leading the pair of Hondas. And now Rossi was mixing it with the satellite bikes...
You have to hand it to Rossi, not only was he riding like a demon, he also had the 'Rossi factor' working for him and quite a few riders seemed unwilling to put up too much of a fight when he attempted a pass. But Lorenzo was still in the lead and only Marc looked able to go with him - which wasn't enough for Rossi. Would tyres decide this championship?
18 laps left and Rossi had done all he could, securing fourth spot and putting clear air between him and Dovi. But with Dani 11 seconds ahead of him, he needed a miracle in the shape of the Honda pair's front tyres going or them both overtaking Lorenzo to take the title.
The last 10 laps were shaping up to be a subdued affair with Marc tailing Lorenzo and Dani looking out of the picture. Or was he? Had Dani conserved his tyres as he was now lapping faster than the leading pair...
Well, by now I'm sure Twitter is full of hate for Marc. The chance was there, Dani gave it everything in the last few laps to bridge the gap but Marc didn't attempt an overtake on Lorenzo all race. Did he shadow Lorenzo rather than go for the win? Rossi certainly thinks so but only one person knows for sure and you have to hand it to Lorenzo as he rode an inch perfect race. The fairytale end to the 2015 season didn't happen for Rossi fans, but Lorenzo's army will be partying hard in Spain. Will Marc be invited to the gig...
Results
MotoGP
1st: Lorenzo (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP)
2nd: Marquez (Repsol Honda Team)
3rd: Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team)
Moto2:
1st: Rabat (Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS)
2nd: Rins (Paginas Amarillas HP 40)
3rd: Luthi (Derendinger Racing Interwetten)
Moto3:
1st: Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Ajo)
2nd: Navarro (Estrella Galicia 0,0)
3rd: Kornfeil (Sepang International Circuit)
Brit watch:
Cal Crutchlow (MotoGP) - 9
Bradley Smith (MotoGP) - 6
Scott Redding (MotoGP) - 15
Eugene Laverty (MotoGP) - DNF
Sam Lowes (Moto2) - 5
John McPhee (Moto3) - 7
Danny Kent (Moto3) - 9
Previous rounds:
MotoGP USA
MotoGP Qatar
MotoGP Argentina
MotoGP Jerez
MotoGP France
MotoGP Italy
MotoGP Spain
MotoGP Assen
MotoGP Germany
MotoGP Indianapolis
MotoGP Czech Republic
MotoGP Silverstone
MotoGP Misano
MotoGP Aragon
MotoGP Japan
MotoGP Australia
MotoGP Malaysia
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 |
 |
 |
Discussion
I'm really enjoying the absolute nonsense comparing the battle at Sepang between Rossi and Marquez and the way he shadowed Lorenzo at Valencia as if the two are even vaguely similar in terms of the tactics a rider would use!
If you're in a battle for third, of course you need to get past as soon as you can so you can start trying to catch up to the guy in second. If you're in second, why would you try to pass the guy in first and get involved in a scrap for three, five, or 15 laps? You wait until the last minute.
The funny thing about this is that Rossi is the one who's been going on and on about how with Marquez you need to snap back straight away. He's obviously realised this is the approach people will take to racing him and, as he demonstrated in Philip Island, by being patient and making his move as late as possible, has adjusted his racing tactics accordingly by making a move as late as he possibly can. That approach was rather knackered by Dani Pedrosa's charge and overtake attempt at the end of the race, which gave Lorenzo the few bike lengths he needed.
I'm a Rossi and Marquez fan - I find Lorenzo a bit dull to watch (because he never looks like he's always about to flick it or tuck it like Marquez and when he's in his groove he's so damn fast it makes races boring) so selfishly I'm not a huge fan, but he deserved the title. Most wins, poles, fastest laps etc, Rossi was only ever good enough for fourth in Valencia and if Marquez hadn't have overtaken Lorenzo in Australia to take the win Rossi would have had to beat Jorge in Spain and that simply was never going to happen.
Pedrosa for champ 2016!
If you're in a battle for third, of course you need to get past as soon as you can so you can start trying to catch up to the guy in second. If you're in second, why would you try to pass the guy in first and get involved in a scrap for three, five, or 15 laps? You wait until the last minute.
The funny thing about this is that Rossi is the one who's been going on and on about how with Marquez you need to snap back straight away. He's obviously realised this is the approach people will take to racing him and, as he demonstrated in Philip Island, by being patient and making his move as late as possible, has adjusted his racing tactics accordingly by making a move as late as he possibly can. That approach was rather knackered by Dani Pedrosa's charge and overtake attempt at the end of the race, which gave Lorenzo the few bike lengths he needed.
I'm a Rossi and Marquez fan - I find Lorenzo a bit dull to watch (because he never looks like he's always about to flick it or tuck it like Marquez and when he's in his groove he's so damn fast it makes races boring) so selfishly I'm not a huge fan, but he deserved the title. Most wins, poles, fastest laps etc, Rossi was only ever good enough for fourth in Valencia and if Marquez hadn't have overtaken Lorenzo in Australia to take the win Rossi would have had to beat Jorge in Spain and that simply was never going to happen.
Pedrosa for champ 2016!
Never seen anything more destructive for the sport.
I'm not a huge fan of Rossi but he got robbed.
1) Penalised for "kicking" Marquez? Since Phillips Island Marquez has done his best to obstruct Rossi. In other videos it is also clear that Marquez slows down and headbutts Rossi in his leg just before Rossi "pushes" him.
2) We have a decision made by Spanish officials to make Rossi start from the back in the last spanish race, we have two major spanish sponsors, four official spanish tracks and the MotoGP in the hands of a spaniard...what did anyone expect?
And finally, the way Marquez escorted Lorenzo to the finishing line was disgusting...every time he got close he slowed down, never attempted to overtake and even slowed Dani down when he tried to overtake both...with Dani ahead Rossi would have won. How can you race like that?
Honda haven't come out well out of this and I predict falls in sales.
And all this has happened in front of our eyes.
F1 first now MotoGP...money rules.
I'm not a huge fan of Rossi but he got robbed.
1) Penalised for "kicking" Marquez? Since Phillips Island Marquez has done his best to obstruct Rossi. In other videos it is also clear that Marquez slows down and headbutts Rossi in his leg just before Rossi "pushes" him.
2) We have a decision made by Spanish officials to make Rossi start from the back in the last spanish race, we have two major spanish sponsors, four official spanish tracks and the MotoGP in the hands of a spaniard...what did anyone expect?
And finally, the way Marquez escorted Lorenzo to the finishing line was disgusting...every time he got close he slowed down, never attempted to overtake and even slowed Dani down when he tried to overtake both...with Dani ahead Rossi would have won. How can you race like that?
Honda haven't come out well out of this and I predict falls in sales.
And all this has happened in front of our eyes.
F1 first now MotoGP...money rules.
Lorenzo post race "The fact that they knew what I was going for and that they are Spanish has helped me and in another race they may have tried everything to overtake. Dani did well because he could have tried a crazy overtake. We are Spanish and the title remains in Spain" Unsulted by a rider who beat him this year and who Marquez DNF'd tice and nearly 3 times trying to better. Nuff said.
ash73 said:
Good drama, enjoyed it. Chose to ignore the countless pages of arguments; it's almost as bad as the F1 threads. Looking forward to 2016, bring it on. Just wish Stoner was still in the mix of aliens.
Well except it would be ten times worse if Eccles ran F1 like Dorna run MotoGP. I thought nationalism was dead in Europe. Almost everything about yesterday was Spanish, even the Champagne.
Will leave you with this:
Lorenzo post race "The fact that they knew what I was going for and that they are Spanish has helped me and in another race they may have tried everything to overtake. Dani did well because he could have tried a crazy overtake. We are Spanish and the title remains in Spain" Unsulted by a rider who beat him this year and who Marquez DNF'd tice and nearly 3 times trying to better. Nuff said.
Can you imagine Vettel getting in Hamiltons way to help Rosberg or not overtaking Hamilton to help Rosberg. No exactly.
srob said:
Meanwhile in Moto3, we have a British World GP champion.
Anyone else shouting at the TV when Ono was buggering about, dicing with Kent?!
Yup I was doing the same with OnoAnyone else shouting at the TV when Ono was buggering about, dicing with Kent?!
As for the race and as I said before.
Great championship for Kent
great race by Rossi, to finish 4th
And a great season for Jorge and deserved championship win for him
Yours sincerely a
A Rossi Fan
Lovely for Danny Kent, well deserved.
Shame about Rossi, but what a show he put on , pure class , the peoples champion.
Jorge and Marc - As much I think they are both great riders, its such a shame scrached each others backs
Karma is a wonderful thing - When MM is all over JL like a cheap coat and makes dodgy moves - who will care then ?
Be careful what you wish for.
Shame about Rossi, but what a show he put on , pure class , the peoples champion.
Jorge and Marc - As much I think they are both great riders, its such a shame scrached each others backs
Karma is a wonderful thing - When MM is all over JL like a cheap coat and makes dodgy moves - who will care then ?
Be careful what you wish for.
boyse7en said:
So last time out, Marquez was wrong and an idiot for getting involved in racing one of the championship contenders in the final rounds
This time, Marquez was wrong and an idiot for not getting involved in racing one of the championship contenders...
I was thinking the same thing... damned if you do, damned if you don't... This time, Marquez was wrong and an idiot for not getting involved in racing one of the championship contenders...
Yeah, exactly.
And Dorna know which side their bread's buttered on. The ideal situation for them would be for Rossi to win everything, all the time. If it was rigged, it would be rigged in his favour.
I am a huge Rossi fan - I was desperate for him to win the title this year - but the blinkers so many of his fan wear are hilariously ridiculous.
Marquez escorting him to the line. Honestly, what a load of claptrap.
If he was so keen for Lorenzo to win, why didn't he hand him the Aussie GP too? Seriously, I really want to hear the crazy explanations...
And Dorna know which side their bread's buttered on. The ideal situation for them would be for Rossi to win everything, all the time. If it was rigged, it would be rigged in his favour.
I am a huge Rossi fan - I was desperate for him to win the title this year - but the blinkers so many of his fan wear are hilariously ridiculous.
Marquez escorting him to the line. Honestly, what a load of claptrap.
If he was so keen for Lorenzo to win, why didn't he hand him the Aussie GP too? Seriously, I really want to hear the crazy explanations...
You obviously didn't watch the race...Rossi passed 21 riders Marquez didn't want to pass 1...when Dani attacked them both he strangely found the urge to accelerate.
Lorenzo even said it in an interview...they wanted the title to remain in spain and thanked Marquez...it can't be clearer than that.
That is the only way to beat Rossi.
Rossi:
9 World titles
112 GP won
211 podiums
61 Poles
5419 points
86 Wins in the top class
Winner with 7 different bikes
Winner on 29 different circuits
You really need more than two spaniards to make a Rossi.
Lorenzo even said it in an interview...they wanted the title to remain in spain and thanked Marquez...it can't be clearer than that.
That is the only way to beat Rossi.
Rossi:
9 World titles
112 GP won
211 podiums
61 Poles
5419 points
86 Wins in the top class
Winner with 7 different bikes
Winner on 29 different circuits
You really need more than two spaniards to make a Rossi.
Edited by DeltaEvo2 on Monday 9th November 18:02
DeltaEvo2 said:
9 World titles
112 GP won
211 podiums
61 Poles
5419 points
86 Wins in the top class
...and one, long, drawn-out, embarrassing, public meltdown?112 GP won
211 podiums
61 Poles
5419 points
86 Wins in the top class
For one who apparently cares so much about the sport and its promotion, I'm not sure the very public, paranoid rantings and accusations have really done anyone any favours. If he had genuine concerns regarding collusion he should've taken an alternative, private route to redress. All he's done is make himself look bad, Marquez look bad, Lorenzo look bad and most of all he's made the sport look bad. Very strange behaviour from someone who has done so well with self-promotion and media handling over the years.
peterg1955 said:
boyse7en said:
So last time out, Marquez was wrong and an idiot for getting involved in racing one of the championship contenders in the final rounds
This time, Marquez was wrong and an idiot for not getting involved in racing one of the championship contenders...
I was thinking the same thing... damned if you do, damned if you don't... This time, Marquez was wrong and an idiot for not getting involved in racing one of the championship contenders...
Well done Danny.
Rawwr said:
...and one, long, drawn-out, embarrassing, public meltdown?
For one who apparently cares so much about the sport and its promotion, I'm not sure the very public, paranoid rantings and accusations have really done anyone any favours. If he had genuine concerns regarding collusion he should've taken an alternative, private route to redress. All he's done is make himself look bad, Marquez look bad, Lorenzo look bad and most of all he's made the sport look bad. Very strange behaviour from someone who has done so well with self-promotion and media handling over the years.
There is nothing he can do. Especially when the entire circus is in Spanish hands. So they cheat and Rossi is the culprit...Even in Spain they're saying he was robbed, anyway great analysis a Biagi fan I bet... For one who apparently cares so much about the sport and its promotion, I'm not sure the very public, paranoid rantings and accusations have really done anyone any favours. If he had genuine concerns regarding collusion he should've taken an alternative, private route to redress. All he's done is make himself look bad, Marquez look bad, Lorenzo look bad and most of all he's made the sport look bad. Very strange behaviour from someone who has done so well with self-promotion and media handling over the years.
dc2rr07 said:
So he is OK to choose which champion he gets involved with, that seems to be the problem if he fights with one you have to fight with the other to be fair.
Well done Danny.
At least Dani, with 5 laps to go, tried at to save face and make a move and hadn't Marquez slowed him down he would have passed Lorenzo, at one point he had them both...never mind I'm sure The Doctor will bounce back...can't wait for 2016...and the freaking Ducatis to start winning! Well done Danny.
boyse7en said:
So last time out, Marquez was wrong and an idiot for getting involved in racing one of the championship contenders in the final rounds
This time, Marquez was wrong and an idiot for not getting involved in racing one of the championship contenders...
MM wasn't racing Rossi in Sepang though, he was deliberately holding him back...This time, Marquez was wrong and an idiot for not getting involved in racing one of the championship contenders...
A really sad episode for sport, for MM, for Honda - and for JL, who while a worthy champion will never know whether he could have won it in a fair fight
Anyway - as someone said, 'is memories' now, bring on 2016 and let's see how friendly MM and JL are when it's back to business as usual. My bet is that it won't be long before they fall out!
FER4L said:
MM wasn't racing Rossi in Sepang though, he was deliberately holding him back...
I wholly agree. Then again, would Marquez have done that if Rossi had said fewer words in the pre-event press conference? In this instance I believe The Doctor was Doctor Frankenstein and created a monster he couldn't control. That didn't end well, either.
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