Moto GP Americas (spoilt)

[duccarlos]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the 0.3 penalty. I know it didn't have any impact whatsoever, but while Rossi was stalking Pedrosa I thought that Rossi would need to push to offset it. Little did I know that Pedrosa's tire was shot.

The incident was similar to Assen last year, but not quite. Something tells me that Rossi had been planning that move through the dirt for years. In Austin you could tell that it was less planed. He did gain a significant advantage, but there's something to be said about intent.

[ducpainter]

The .3 was bullshit.

The move was hard, and Rossi had no choice other than crashing. Had they crashed, Zarco would have received a sanction for over aggressive riding.

Bullshit. Getting more and more like F1. Maybe headlight decals will help.

Canet was robbed. Fenati did a great job of applying the necessary pressure.

Toba causes the red flag, gets to join in the restart, and crashes out again. When did they change that rule?

[duccarlos]

The .3 was bullshit.

The move was hard, and Rossi had no choice other than crashing. Had they crashed, Zarco would have received a sanction for over aggressive riding.

Bullshit. Getting more and more like F1. Maybe headlight decals will help.

Canet was robbed. Fenati did a great job of applying the necessary pressure.

Toba causes the red flag, gets to join in the restart, and crashes out again. When did they change that rule?

I believe they can rejoin as long as they're using the same bike.

[koko64]

Lin Jarvis face said it all. He doesnt look the type to suffer fools gladly.
There is probably a point in the rules regarding relinquishing any advantage gained. Someone will know. If he rolled of enough to give back the advantage he would be in the clear, but the Old Goat is wily. I do agree that things shouldnt be too sanitized.
If MM and MV squeeze each other hard enough Rossi could do a Hayden this year. Who thought he would be leading after last race!

[duccarlos]

Lin Jarvis face said it all.
There is probably a point in the rules regarding relinquishing any advantage gained. Someone will know. If he rolled of enough to give back the advantage he would be in the clear, but the Old Goat is wily. I do agree that things shouldnt be too sanitized.
If MM and MV squeeze each other hard enough Rossi could do a Hayden this year. Who thought he would be leading after last race!

Rossi showed MM that consistency wins the championship. That is how MM won last year and how Rossi kept it close the year before. MV might actually understand that, too early to tell. At the same time, Rossi needs wins. He can't depend on MM and MV crashing for him to stay in the race as long as he continues to finish 2nd and 3rd.

[manwithgun]

   I agree with all of the above.   The Rossi penalty makes me question whether the officials have ever ridden motorcycles.   In the right immediately following the contact, Zarco ended up at the tracks edge, which should have justified Rossi's move.  Instead, a room full of physicists and mathematicians come up with .3 seconds.  Of course, Rossi did gain an advantage but I didn't see it as intentional.  Admittedly, it did add to the suspense as Pedrosa was being reeled in...

   With Moto3, I don't know the rules, but it would seem controversial to allow a rider who caused a red flag to rejoin a race.   It almost seemed as if Canet was throwing a tantrum after his highside (which was awesome btw) hoping to draw another red flag.  The last thing that we need in this sport would be soccer antics having an influence on the racing.

[koko64]

That was a big highside.

The other incident looked like a locked steering damper the way he speared across the line. Anyone know the cause?

Rossi only needs to snag a few wins and stay on the podium while the younguns slug it out. One more crash each under fierce pressure is possible. Jerez again could be a win with opportunities in the Euro rounds and Oz. This year is shaping up as Rossi's best chance for #10. Its gonna be a great season.

[OT]

Agree that the 'advantage penalty' was BS...next season, software that enables the rider's pit crew to dial off speed and take away the advantage will be mandatory...

Here's probably how it happened - the 'race direction' guys are schmoozing with the umbrella girls when, OMG, the announcers go nuts over the almost collision/crash...What happened? Rossi? Again? Give him 0.3 and let's get another round of those salty Margaritas...