2017 MotoGP LeMans *Spoilers*

[duccarlos]

To be fair, Zarco is probably on the best bike on the grid. This year's M1 still has some gremlins they have to work through, but Zarco is still a revelation. The guy is fearless. He's going to be a great successor Rossi when he decides to retire in 10 years.

[GK]

Rossi, intoxicated by the smell of the top step of the podium, goes to Mugello 23 points behind, instead of 3.

That's an interesting way to put it, but I like it! Lol!

[MadDuck]

Rossi, intoxicated by the smell of the top step of the podium, goes to Mugello 23 points behind, instead of 3.
An even uglier fact is that he's finished the same number of races as Zarco, but he's only 7 points ahead.

This season is shaping up to be a 'fewest dnf's gets the chip'.

While I cheer & applaud Rossi's aggressiveness I think he needs to race just a bit smarter.  He could have had the championship in 2015 if he didn't get in a pissing match with Marquez.  A couple less DNF's last year could have also made a huge difference and this years racing looks to be even tighter. Time is not on his side anymore.

[duccarlos]

Rossi still has what it takes to win. Pretty much all the top riders have at least 1 DNF. He did make a big mistake in Le Mans, but it's really early in the season and I think that Rossi's team will soon come to grips with the M1 where he's more consistently qualifying in the front row.

[Speeddog]

Of the top ten, Folger has no dnfs, Cal and Marc have 2, all others 1.

Prior to LeMans, Rossi had 0 dnfs.

Over the last 20 years, the championship winners averaged 1.1 dnf.
The bridesmaids averaged 2.3.

Dropping 20 points on the floor on the last lap will be a bitter pill.

[thought]

Dropping 20 points on the floor on the last lap will be a bitter pill.

Even more bitter when it's the last 4 corners. That said, Rossi leading into the final corners of the race is always exciting even when he crashes out.

Not much happened in the whole race in terms of passing but I was on edge the whole time because you sensed that something was going to happen. So while not a typically exciting race, the moments of excitement were all that much sweeter for it.

[The Architect]

Rossi's crash had nothing to do with the points standings.  Rossi is much smarter than that and usually level headed.

This was a "who has the biggest d!ck in the garage" moment.   I hope he learned his lesson. 

[duccarlos]

The front tucked. Yes, he was pushing it pretty hard at the end of the race with less edge grip, but we make it sound like it was a mistake that only rookies will ever commit.

[koko64]

The top three are pushing each other very hard so the pressure is high. Add the Michelin front tyre into the mix and the need to find but not exceed it's limits and you will have crashes. It's like end of season pressure but right from the start. Its balls out racing but without full confidence in the front tyre and bike settings to suit. The top three are pushing each other right up to and over that edge.
This pressure cooker scenario is making for a great season, very hard on the riders and teams but great for us fans.

[ducpainter]

The front tucked. Yes, he was pushing it pretty hard at the end of the race with less edge grip, but we make it sound like it was a mistake that only rookies will ever commit.

He lost the rear.

I have to disagree with Frank. I think something happened. Too bad we're all keyboard racers and not Yamaha data engineers.

[koko64]

I think the GOAT is more subject to pressure than he used to be. He seemed immune to it in the past. Maybe its the whole legacy thing. Until that crash I had him as favorite to win the title. Still a long season ahead.

[duccarlos]

We haven't hit the midway point. Let's not write off the old man just yet.

[thought]

We haven't hit the midway point. Let's not write off the old man just yet.

Pretty sure he's not retiring by choice unless he gets another WC under his belt... and you really can't discount Rossi ever it seems.

[koko64]

We haven't hit the midway point. Let's not write off the old man just yet.

Hadn't written anyone off. He was my odds on favorite until the crash. MM or MV could still bin in it under the pressure of pushing each other.

[GK]

There's a few main rivals = more pressure. In the past it seems to me that he's only had to fend off one main rival , JL or MM.

This season, MV is in it also.

Great season!