RACE STUFF THREAD

[Cher]

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Sunday October 25th.

Just finished watching the Malaysian GP, penultimate round…




So.  Rossi and Marquez.  

WTF!   

I've never in all of my life seen such poor sportsmanship in any form of motorsport, pro or amateur.  Totally, totally disappointed in Rossi's behaviour.  Is he that jaded that a 10th World Title means nothing over settling a score - an absurd war of words - with Marquez?

C'mon Rossi, Nine-times World Champion!  Really?

At least Race Direction sorted it out quickly.  I'm surprised they just didn't award the title to Lorenzo on the podium today with Rossi standing right there.

[Mhanis]

I just finished watching. Shameful by Rossi. I'd say it rates up there with F1 driver intentionally crashing a rival to win the championship, except this didn't win Rossi the championship! I think Rossi lost his cool. Whether he was trying to cause Marquez to "crash" or not is (to me) a moot point. The fact is, Rossi wasn't racing anymore at that point, he was effing with Marquez.

I am frankly surprised that he was allowed to garner ANY points from the race. All things considered, starting from the back of the grid at Valencia is rather light.

Mark

[Pinocchio]

Slowing and running wide in the corner to block a faster rider is done all the time, but gesticulating and kicking at an opponent during a race is completely unsportsmanlike, almost "Casey Stoner-like" behavior.  Even if it weren't the direct cause of Marquez' crash, the kicking alone would have incurred the penalty Rossi earned. In short, I don't think Race Direction decided that Rossi caused Marquez to crash, or he would have been black flagged before the race ended.

If taking second place is like kissing your sister, then taking third place for one of the Aliens is akin to being kissed by your brother. Whether or not he provoked Rossi into a rash action, Marquez can take cold comfort that the Italian was docked 3 points and sent to the back of the grid at Valencia.

I wouldn't count him out, though. The only thing worse than having Rossi in front of you is having him behind you.

[Cher]

And now Marquez says, "You will never win another race."  Instant karma's gonna get ya' each and every time.

Time to retire, Rossi.  Leave the childlike behavior to the pros in the unpaid, non-televised amateur ranks.  WTF were you thinking, honestly!

So sad.  Idols with feet of clay indeed.

[Mhanis]

Just to be clear, Rossi was not docked 3 points, we was awarded 3 penalty points. Motogp has a system of awarding points for bad behavior and handing out sanctions based on the number of penalty points assessed. Rossi was previously awarded a single penalty point for riding slow during a qualifying session, add the 3 from this weekend and he has a total of 4. The result of gathering 4 penalty points is starting at the back of the grid.

I found it very interesting that race direction agreed with Rossi that Marquez was (in their opinion) not "racing" but intentionally messing with Rossi's lines and pace! But after agreeing with Rossi, they pointed out that there is no rule prohibiting this type of riding. There are however rules governing Rossi's reaction.

Assuming that race direction knows what they are doing and not in Rossi's back pocket, it makes Rossi's actions somewhat understandable. Not excusable by any stretch mind you, but I can see a guy feeling he is being jacked with lashing out. Human nature: "make the beast with two backs me!? NO.....make the beast with two backs YOU!!!"

[Cher]

Well said. 

I read somewhere yesterday that Loris Capirossi was one of the Stewards of the Meet involved in the decision so I can see where the, "that guy was off the pace, not racing, just messing about" business came from. 

Having had more time to think about it, I've moderated my opinion on Rossi's tactic, but man, still a lack of sportsmanship from one of the greatest motorcycle racers of all time.  Just not what I was expecting, I guess.  So not Rossi.  Oh well...

Move along.  Nothing to see here.   

[Mhanis]

It would have been SO much cooler is Rossi had just passed Marquez, chased Georgie down and passed him too. But alas, there would have been less to talk about!

Mark

[Cher]

/tinfoil hat on/

Could this all be a ratings ploy?

  

[Cher]

Actually, the last thing motorcycle gran prix racing needs is NASCAR style soap operas.  Next thing you know you'll have Rossi throwing his helmet at Marquez from the gravel trap as a triumphant MM blasts by.

Yes, that sound you're hearing is millions of viewers switching their TVs off.

Maybe for even more drama motogp could throw in a "virual safety car" for non-existent "debris on track."  Bunch up the field and let the real shenanigans begin.

 

[Cher]

So, anyone watching motogp this weekend?

 

[Mhanis]

No kidding! Can't wait!!

Mark

[Cher]

Nothing is going to happen besides Lorenzo winning the Championship    Rossi will behave (they are in Spain, after all) and Marquez will win the race.  Rossi will finish well down the order but in the points.  Of course there will be - probably already have been - countless Rossi v Marquez partisan shenanigans in the grandstands… Maybe the director of this motogp broadcast should, instead of showing the occasional 2,500 frames per second of dragonflies or birds, train the attention to 2,500 frames per second of these fun and games.

  

[swanny]

I will be up bright and early to watch the races.  Might wake up really early to watch Kent capture the Moto3 title!!!  MotoGP Video Pass is so worth the money.  I watched MotoGP FP2 earlier today while working. 

[Cher]

Yep.  I've got the auto-renew subscription to Video Pass for the last several years . There is no better coverage of any form of motorsport.

[Cher]

From the slightly old news, "WTF, really?" file :

OK, so I kind of get this... but… damn, it's been a while since most people have thought about Casey Stoner, much less Stoner and Ducati (yeah, I remember, the 2007 GP title).  

http://www.autoblog.com/2015/11/27/casey-stoner-ducati-motogp-test-rider-official/

Test rider part?  Check.   "Brand Ambassador"?  Umm, not so much.  

Discuss