The Clash
Well, what’s new in Moto GP? Hmmm…….
I, like the rest of you, watched the Malaysian Gran Prix last Sunday. Pedrosa won right??
It was truly a great performance for Dani and yet most people will never remember it. What went on with Rossi and Marquez will be etched into history and could be a game changer for how things are run from here on out. I have read so many comments on everything about what went on but let me give you a few perspectives.
For the past two seasons Marc Marquez has dominated Moto GP. He has been an absolute phenom and has proven to be a step ahead of his competition. Really, up until this year, there has been zero reason to not like Marquez. He always seems jovial, great in front of the camera and good to his fans. This year however, the competition has caught up, things aren’t going the way they have and with the increased pressure we have seen many mistakes.
I saw a different Marquez after Argentina. To this day the fact that he blames Rossi for his obvious screw up is baffling. When I saw his first interview after the race I thought he was joking. Remember, Rossi was catching him at almost 1 second per lap due to tire choices. There was zero chance Marquez was staying with Rossi after Rossi went past. Marquez played hardball and ran into the side of Vale and went down. Then his last gasp effort at Assen was just as strange. No idea what he expected Rossi to do. He again ran into the side of Rossi’s bike and again he lost. He initiated the contact both times and neither worked in his favor.
Rossi, on the other hand, has finished every race and more often than not, on the podium. Racking up points and being the story of the year, he has shown what it takes to win again. How a 36 year old, 9 Time World Champion can keep digging deep? Been fun to watch.
At the press conference in Malaysia, I was blindsided by Rossi’s comments after the Australian Gran Prix. We have all heard about the head games he has played in the past with Biaggi and Gibernau. Was this another way for him to get into Lorenzo’s head? It all didn’t make sense after what I considered to be the best Gran Prix I had witnessed. I didn’t want to believe it if I am being honest. I actually doubted The Doctor!!
Then Sunday came. I was just waking up in my hotel in Spain and put live coverage on the TV (love that). Pedrosa looked unstoppable for the first time in years but nobody was watching that. What was going to happen behind him?
Marquez Vs Rossi
Let me ask you a couple questions:
- When have you seen Marquez put up zero fight for 1st or 2nd?
- When have you seen Marquez lose .4-.8 seconds a lap at the start of any Gran Prix in the past 3 years?
- Marquez claims he was waiting for tires to come in, 7 laps into the race? They worked ok for Pedrosa?
- Marquez claimed set up issues and more than that, claimed turn four was a huge problem for him. Why then would you keep stuffing it up the inside of Rossi in that corner having to over slow the bike and allowing the two ahead to keep getting away?
- Did anyone else notice that when Rossi rode back up the inside of Marquez before the contact he was sitting up?? That’s how much Marquez was slowing up mid corner, go back and check it for your self.
I did have one problem with Rossi
The only problem I had with what Rossi did was that he didn’t do it sooner!!!!!! I was screaming at the TV to park Marquez. Racing Rossi to me was no problem but what Marquez was doing was disrupting a Championship that he no longer had any involvement in. In my opinion he got what he deserved. Rossi wasn’t trying to take Marc out and for those that think Rossi kicked him, STOP IT!!!!! Marquez could have kept going straight like Rossi did, he didn’t, he fell over. Then went whimpering back to his pits crying about something that HE started, again!!! Then before the race ended started claiming his innocence; he was just racing and enjoying the battle, I don’t think so. He was as innocent as a guy who walks into the bank and gets handed someone else’s $100,000 on accident, then leaves with it. He didn’t do anything wrong, he just didn’t come out and tell the truth. Does anyone honestly think for a minute that when the Marquez crew was having dinner at some point this year, little Marc hasn’t told them he wants to get back at Rossi? I’d bet my life on it.
A totally unwritten rule of racing is to never get involved with the guys running for the Championship. I know this opens up a can of worms but it’s a fact, especially in the last two races. I’ve gone up to guys on the grid and said I will not get anywhere near you two. I’ve also had riders come up to me and say the same. Whether I have liked them or not, I was out of the Championship and I wasn’t going to take my grudges out and alter the outcome of the season. Do any of you think that Marquez, during those laps with Rossi on Sunday wasn’t smiling a bit under his helmet? Funny thing is, he crashed enough on his own this year to take himself out of the Championship.
And then there’s Lorenzo
I’m over Lorenzo. What a whining tart he has turned into, constantly moaning. The best video clip of the year is him pulling into the top 3 parc ferme after qualifying in Malaysia only to see that Rossi pipped him for 3rd. He had already shut his bike off and had to push it down to his garage where he pouted away to the back and then complained about brake issues. If Marquez did to Lorenzo what was being done to Rossi can you imagine the press conference after? He would have bitched about Marquez to no end, especially if Rossi was checking out because of it. Lorenzo’s comments after the race in Sepang were despicable. Running off the podium then crying, if Rossi wins the Championship it won’t be a real Championship? Really? He is constantly reminding us that he is a World Champion, stop your crying and act like one.
I personally think Rossi would have finished 4th on Sunday, all things considered. I have said for the past two columns that he doesn’t quite have the pace of the other two. I have been a fan of all three of these guys but as you can probably tell, there is only one that I am rooting for these days. I give Rossi about a 20% chance of winning the Championship now but I would love to see him do it. Coming from the last row will be very, very, difficult but taking the crown on home soil of Lorenzo and Marquez would be priceless.
This was a hard column for me to write and it dominated my brain for days while in Spain. I just feel like the wrong thing was done on Sunday and it started not because of Rossi or what he said in a stupid press conference, those are just words. It started because someone got his ego checked this year and doesn’t want to look at why. As brilliant as Marquez’s riding is, its time to grow up. Rossi will always be endeared and when he goes, Moto GP is in big trouble. Especially if Marquez and Lorenzo are what we all have to deal with.
Cheers and ride safe,
JP
Ii totally agree with you!! If rossi leaves motogp, they are going to lose a lot of fans.
Do you think Lorenzo and Marquez plotted some of that too keep Rossi occupied?
Thank You JP! This is exactly how I feel. Except that I believe Rossis qualifying time would put him on the front row at Valencian, however, since he has to start at the back he will pull into the paddock after the warm up lap and watch the race from his garage. Yamaha will side with Vale and Lorenzo will fail to finish due to a mechanical. Rossi will win without evven racing. This would be a lesson for Dorna and FIM.
I thought Motogp was about racing, not about politics. Fans are not interested in all that stuff. Rossi sadly cheated all the fans from a good race, if I would have been at the race I would be asking Vale for a refund of my ticket. As for JP to say Marques got what he deserves is astonishing. Championship or not it should be a race and not a conclusion that whoever is winning the championship should be left a lone to win the last two races, why would the other riders bother to turn up and why would fans spend there hard earned money to watch? No I think Rossi with his mind games that have suited him in the past have come back to bite him. Such a shame to witness the fall of a great rider
Wow, thank you so much for saying all you said about Marquez and Lorenzo. They both hate Valentino for being as good as he is and handle, troubles not like Champs but like children. Your insight was spot on and it will be interesting in 2016 because of us all watcbing, I hope.
If Rossi is so good how come he can’t beat his team mate . That was a take out .UnSportsman like conduct no if’s an’s or but’s . Rossi was not racing at that point he just wanted to take out #93 kick or no kick . If he is better then everyone else he should be in-front of everyone else .
Totally agree with you. Can’t believe the nonsense people come up with to protect their “hero”.
Do we want a single rider that always wins,boring!!!. That’s why we want Rossi there,he an exciting and unpredictable.He proves his worth and brilliance when the rain’s fall…so to ask if he’s so good why isn’t he always in front,then you never thought about that question. How boring it was when Marquez was always winning..yawn.
I agree completely. Nice write up. From montreal canada.
I couldn’t agree more !! If your all that and a bag of chips, make your pass and then DROP the guy. He had the inside line on Marquez, but choose to ride out into Marcs line and line him up. He looked at Marquez 3 freakin times !!!! Rossi couldn’t take what he has dished out to others. Have we forgotten the paint swapping that took place between Rossi and Lorenzo when they were teammates and Rossi had no shot at the title but was trying to make a point with his teammate that he was the Alpha dog no matter what ?? Lorenzo won the title that year despite all of Rossi’s head games. Fact is Marquez was not going to roll over for Rossi and Rossi couldn’t handle it. Marquez got to Rossi like Rossi has done to other riders. If Rossi didn’t like it, then make your pass and gap the guy, but he couldn’t.
Here here
So, by the unwritten rule of racing, all other riders should step aside to allow Rossi through in Valencia? Do you (and Valentino for that matter) think that would make for better racing? I think not – its called racing for a reason. Riders want to finish as high up as they can. There is no rule to state Rossi should have it his own way (yet)…
I reckon if you are not racing to win the race which involves saving tyres and using the best lines for good times it would be easy to buzz about and mess up the race for someone else. That’s why Rossi was waving at Marquez to race and go after the other two. Sure he ran wide to push Marquez wide – although Marquez still had metres road available when he chucked his bike at Rossi for the third time that lap. It’s just that Rossi realised then he had no chance of catching the leaders and all he could do was try to highlight how uninterested Marquez was in the race. Penalty went the wrong way. Marquez deliberately crashed into him. I was a fan of his last year. Now I see all his talent has been wasted on a poisonous little brat.
Well, he has Been in front of everyone else in 4 ocations, he has Been on the podium almost everyrace, he has qualified in front of Lorenzo, its a Championship, many races, he has won 4 times, in Dry and wet, and when he lose he dont blame the helmet, the brakes, etc etc.
If he wins the Championship, he DESERV it, he has won races, he has Been the most constant rider, in some races he hasn’t been able to be faster than Lorenzo,Yes, its normal, no World Champion has won every Race of the Year, No Champion has done that, so if You are asking why Rossi cant beat Lorenzo and Márquez, You are watching a very very diferent Championship, or maybe Soap opera but not MOTOGP, Numbers dont lie, Rossi has won it 20% of the time (4 Races) Lorenzo has done it 30% (6 Times), Márquez has done it 25% (5 times) of the time. Rossi has finish in front of Lorenzo 8 times, Lorenzo has done it 9 times, But the biggest thing is this:
Rossi has finished in the Podium 15 Times of 18
Lorenzo Has Finished in the Podium 11 Times of 18
Márquez Has Finished in the Podium 8 Times of 18
Numbers are very tight, very very tight, that’s why this Championship its a 7 point Battle, so to answer your question why Rossi can’t beat his Team Mate, dude he has done it 49% of the time, Lorenzo has done it 51% of the time, even Numbers to me! and to Chakemate your insightfull coment SIR VALENTINO ROSSI, THE DOCTOR, The Best of all times, has Been a better moré constant rider the hole Year, no crashes, way many times on the Podium, and off course on top of everybody in the Championship
” IN OUR SPORT NUMBERS ARE THE ONES THING, THAT SAIS THE TRUTH, AND THEY NEVER LIE”
Valentino has Been a better rider all year, moré constant, the only one that has won in the wet and Dry, and guys, its simple, if on Sunday Rossi lose the Championship against Jorge, he still be a Legend, but, If by any crazy thing he wins, he Will Become a GOD in our sport, maybe not your GOD, but he Will be one
Totally agree. Let Rossi race from the front!! Long live the GOAT!
Great article Jason. I was in Italy and saw the same thing.
I was asked about “the incident” and said the same thing. Should have done it sooner.
Yes,Marquez was determined to end Vale’s chances and he probably did. It was funny how sure little Marc was that he had been kicked off his bike after the race,and then Lorenzo after seeing 1 video 1 time was also dead sure Marc had been kicked. They were backing each other’s story up,no? I watched all videos a buncha times and there was no kick. Lorenzo is THAT desperate to win? And make him self look like a whining baby? I used to think Jorge was an ok guy but no more,what will Moto-Gp do someday with no Rossi and these two spoiled brats?
Couldn’t agree more to JP. if race control can’t see what I see on a simple iPhone then something is not right.
After the pestering from Marc, he came in and helmet hit knee. Full stop.
Leg then came off.
Why the likes of Agostini etc condemn Rossi and the influence of the 2 commentator didn’t help. To me they all jumping the gun with there wrong opinions. Look at it again.
Rossi is been wrongly punished.
spot on jp.
Of course they did. They are Spanish. If it’s South American phillopino or simply speaks Spanish don’t trust it, it will screw you and not look back.
I agree 100% with what you said and am myself going re focus on MotoAmerica for next year.
Ok you like Rossi. We get it. I like Rossi but lost my respect for him after that incident.
Funny thats what you get from what I wrote.
JP
that’s kind of what i got too…
p.s. Rossi is 100% in the wrong, full stop. he’s a grown up, and is responsible for his own actions. he started the shit taking in Australia about Marc helping Lorenzo. if that were the case, Marc wouldn’t have beaten him for the win and taken 5 precious championship points away. in Malaysia Rossi clearly went well out of his way to make a point, closed the throttle, blocked Marquez, looked at him no less then three times, and regardless of whether he knocked down Marc or not (which i don’t believe he meant to do), he lost his cool and is responsible for what happened next. that is why he was penalised, and the resultant points on his license combined with previous points are what forces him to start from the back, from the rulebook which obviously predates the whole season. Rossi has been under pressure from the new kids beating him for a while, and he cracked. he made a bad decision, and will now have to live with it. end of story…
The whole world has raised a generation of whiny entitled little pricks who demand everything be given to them, and Marquez sums this up perfectly.
People like him think that it is their God given right to victory and anybody who opposes their victory is oppressing them. We see the same thing here in America with free speech. Liberals will slander and lie and do anything they want all in the name of “free speech” but the instant somebody says something they don’t agree with, no matter how true, it is labeled as hate speech and must be stopped.
Marquez shows all the symptoms of American liberalism. In his mind he is entitled to everything so the rules only apply to everybody else. Liberalism like this is a disease and the only cure is a huge slice of humble pie and a hot steaming cup of STFU.
Rossi is a Legend and the GOAT, Marquez and Llorenzo will never fill his shoes. Rossi is MotoGP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmH4D_I82D0
If Lorenzo has any balls whatsoever, he could make motogp history and create the best last race battle ever by parking right next to rossi in the back of the grid after the sighting lap. THEN you’d see the best man win.
He Will never do that because he is a complete Asshole, people are saying they lots respect for Rossi, dude, I lost all kind of respect or admiration after what he did at Malasia at the Podium, all the stupid Stuff he said at the press conferance at the end of the race, and then traing to beat Valentino in a Desk
No respect for that guy, if You are fighting the best in the world for a championship, and You have the upper hand, of your rival starting from the Back, In my case I’ll Race the shit out of my Bike to beat the legend….., I can say that once, head to head I beat Martín Cárdenas….. no one can take that away, that’s sublime for a rider, to win against a Leyend, but Lorenzo is so full of him self that in pathetic, he has won moré times than Valentino, and in the Last part of the Championship, he has Been faster, but I hope in my Heart Vale kick his Ass on Sunday and become a God on our sport
I’m not Canadian but fuckin’A, Right.
Rossi got his legendary reputation riding on one-off tires specifically designed for him and his factory bike and available to no one else, not even team mates. Since the spec tire rule, he has been great, but never dominating.
It sure would be fun for Lorenzo go to Ducati & win.
The only good resolutions to this current mess is:
1) Rossi gets to start in the 1st two rows, makes a good show for half the race, is in contention to seal the championship, then crashes out (alone). Lorenzo wins championship, everyone happy.
2) Rossi starts from the back and moves up to mid field. Lorenzo is fighting for the win with Marquez when they both go down. Rossi wins the championship, everyone happy.
Unusual perhaps because never particularly been a Rossi fan, but totally agree with everything written. No doubt about it, Marquez making trouble with Rossi. Interfering with championship. Very harsh penalty taking into account the provocation.
Have to say nice to see a well thought out article about all of this.
Just like you I couldn’t really believe Rossis comments about PI at first and put it down to mind games like most seemed to.Then comes this one and its quite clear MM is out to do one thing and thats spoil Rossis rhythm as much as he can. Whether we agree or not there is an unwritten rule in racing that you respect riders that are racing for a championship and dont try and influence that yourself.
MM,s actions were clearly that of someone trying to slow another rider up. If he claims at that point he didnt have the pace in his tyres then do what any other rider would do and tag onto the rider in front and let them pull you up. At that stage in a race constant overtakes just means your losing pace on the riders in front but that was clearly what MM wanted.
Its not surprising that Rossi eventually had enough he tried to tell people after PI what was happening and nobody listened and as a result MM thought he could do exactly the same again.
Rossi never denied he tried to run MM wide but to try and make him crash that takes some believing.
Sadly MM did crash and theres always going to be disagreement from both camps as to why that happened.
So what would have happened if he hadn’t crashed would we have seen this all happen again at Valencia because apparently MM is doing nothing wrong in deciding himself who wins the championship but its quite obvious in his mind its not going to be Rossi.
Shame on MotoGP/Dorna,Honda and Marquez.Lorenzo ist not the 2016 MotoGP champion but Ross!The Spanish-Mafia (Dorna,Marquez,Pedrosa) robbed Rossi of his hard work and deserved title to give the crown to Lorenzo.Letting Rossi start from the back to make sure Lorenzo is ahead and Marquez/Pedrosa taking further points away.Honda is still mad at Rossi because he proved them it is was not their bike but the rider that makes the difference.Marquez is a spoiled child and sore looser. Lorenzo acted very un-sportsmanlike and is not the true champion.Yamaha should have boycotted the last race and declared Rossi the champion!2015 could have been the best season ever but it vecame the worst.
I have lost all interest in MotoGP because of all the politics that showed like in real life that everything is rigged…WSB is dead and so is MotoGP both run by the same criminals who killed the sport…WSB ran out of money and MotoGP out of ethics…Rossi is the true champion and greates rider of all times!
I’ve been watching motorcycle road racing for over 20 years and in the past I’ve never seen this much whining (well maybe from Stoner). That pass that Rossi did was your typical MX racing block pass and its been used plenty of times in road racing, and yes even by Marc. Whatever happened to “that’s racing”? I watch motorcycle racing because you gotta be tough and a lot of times suck it up when things don’t go your way. The sad thing now is sensitivity level has increased and someones feelings got hurt world has seeped into our world of racing. Even Repsol (Spanish oil company) is throwing its weight around by threatening its sponsorship to get things there way. Does anyone have the balls to say F you anymore?
I raced a few years and it was only common sense to stay out of the way of the people going for the championship and everybody else knew that too! So what makes Marcus special? I just think he hasn’t matured enough to handle the head game or losing. Revenge and bullshit have no place on the track. There’s an old saying when the flag drops the bullshit stops.
As for the last race I think many of us would like to see Rossi to take the championship coming from the back of the grid it’s happened before. Rossi will have to dig deep in his bag of tricks and get some help from his pal “Maniac Joe” to win the championship.
I wanna believe Rossi will get help from the other riders, I would not be surprised to see him in the top 10 after the first lap …
Regards …
Race direction agreed Marquez was purposely slowing the pace but no rules against it , but to penalize Rossi 3 points and start him from last row of grid an unfair judgement but it was wring of Rossi .
With title so close the penalty should be upheld but should be put off till Qatar race 2016 .
I personally feel Motogp and Dorna will take a massive hit and leave a bad taste with fans for years to come !!
Cheers guys
Don’t agree…the only credible backstory is the obvious one…Rossi has lost the edge and like virtually all over the hill athletes will do anything to hold on….
Mugello, Catalunia, Silverstone, Aragon… I’ll agree that someone has lost the edge. Several times, in fact.
Yea, totally lost the edge. Has won 4 gran prix and leads and 18 race World Championship. Truly over the hill without question.
JP
Agree, who leads the Championship?
No, no Jason, didn’t you read what Bruce wrote. Rossi is old and over the hill.. just like Federer is old and over the hill and is only still playing to hold on. The fact that he beat Nadal doesn’t really matter. I mean, Rossi is obvioulsy too old. Has only won 4 races and been on countless podiums, I mean c’mon, the guy is past it, and let’s face it, he was never that good. Reading his career is soo boring and run of the mill. Move along, nothing to see here. Anyway, what I think is up is: Lorenzo and Marquez think it is their time to shine, and it should be, Rossi should be gone, too old, past it. They are both frustrated that they have to play second fiddle to an “old man”. Why can’t they take a leaf out of Dani’s book? He has had to share his race career with Rossi and Stoner and if they hadn’t been around, how many champs would he have won?
Really? but he has been leading the points all year
Awesome! Thanks for posting this Jason! Agree 100%. Now if we can just get an unbiased dorna to stop favoring spanish riders/teams/sponsors. That’d be something!
Well said Jason, Marquez attempted to stuff and stand Rossi up many times in the past, and has failed. What made him think he could accomplish this at Sepang. I was hoping Rossi would have sent 93 Yard farming earlier. As for the punishment, give him the points to calm the 93 fans, but Rossi should start where he qualifies.
Totally agree with this write up, Marquez is acting like a spoiled punk. I was also really appalled with Lorenzo’s comments. He basically crucified Rossi. Pedrosa showed a lot more composure and was much more measured with his comments and he rides for Honda! I mean, I know Lorenzo is fighting for the championship too but did he forget who signs the front of his check?? Yamaha.
I do think that Marquez put on the gas and piled into Rossi just before crashing. That is how I saw it. Rossi was annoyed and let Marquez get into his head a bit which I was surprised at. I have always seen him just get past stuff and get in others heads but never the other way around.
I agree 100%. Rossi should have not been punished. Why have a championship decided that way… If Lorenzo wins… It’s not really a true championship. Marcquez could have gone to inside of Rossi in that corner and kept going but CHOSE to go around the outside to screw with him more… It was all Marquez he should have been punished..
Thanks JP.. was good to hear it from a pro’s perspective.
My take is that MotoGP was largely asleep in 2011-12 and MM came in and caught the engineers, techs and racers by surprise.
Asleep meant they were satisfied with their pace, bike performance and personal fitness. MM came in with a bike that was bitchin and a youthful tolerance for risk.. he quickly dominated 2013 and it took well into 14 for the teams to get their acts together.
MM I see as not faster than VR, JL, DP and AI (all of which I respect as finishers).. MM rides at the unstable edge of bike performance and he has successfully wrecked out of the 2015 season for lack of speed.. he cannot hang stably with the (4) top guys once they brought their games back in.
MM initially impressed us; but that was really when he did not have tough competition. He cannot be fully respected till he:
1) gets over the sophomoric idea that he is better or faster than the top (4). He is close but crash tolerance and failing to finish is not faster
2) gets his sportsmanship
I would really like to watch Rossi and Lorenzo battle this one in a fair fight that they both finish. MM is denying that to the top riders and the fan community. No respect
I think it will take Rossi (3-4) laps at Valencia to join the front guys; but with MM there ready to wreck out and AI’s rocket ship down the two long straights.. its gonna be hard to finish in front of or 2nd to Lorenzo
Bottom line is MM is largely not respected for being full of himself (he is no Rossi), selfish with the fans and acting like a pissed off teenager
I would give JL a pass on the comments as I want to think its just the pressure of the championship is showing. (Recently he does seem a little MM in attitude.. hope he is not drinking out of the same baby bottle)
And most of all Respect to Dani.. what a comeback and what a maturity.
Also, would like to see the data acquisition from MM’s bike.. when he rammed into Rossi’s leg did he get brake compression? Did he go down because of his little tit-for-tat ram? I would like to see a review of the incident to show that MM rammed Rossi and that action caused him to compress his brake and go down
Rossi already warned him in the earlier lap when he thru a Fanculo hand into the air.. that’s Italian for stop being a childish idiot
Exactly the point to be clarified. Whatever the action before, VR was a bit forward and on the inside, low speed and no danger there. My grand ma could have handled this situation. As the guy on the outside, behind and slower than VR at this very moment, as any basic racer knows, MM just had to wait for VR to turn so he could turn after him. Yet as a stupid kid he demontstrates he is, MM turned first and initiated the collision with VR. If data show some braking at this point, then all is clear. The fool took himself down and it would be only justice.
Anyway, the Boss gave a lesson to the fooliosh kid since Dorna didn’t ha
And what about MM’s dad? That guy is the worse mini dad I have ever seen. I have no idea why the team allows him to stay in the pits with them. He screams, jumps and seem to yell louder than anyone one I’ve seen at any level of racing. I’t your kids life and career not yours.
I really appreciate your comments on this event from Sepang as someone who had raced in premiere classes himself. I too thought that maybe Rossi was playing his usual head games with his competition.
Thanks for giving us your opinion on what happened during ‘the incident’. I saw Rossi up to that point trying to message Marquez several times without success and I guess the last time this is what happened.
I wait with interest to see what the FIM decided as Rossi has launched an appeal to their decision. Crossed fingers as I’d hate to see Rossi lose this championship for this crash as he’s been solid all year, and as always a pleasure to watch.
I feel that every word of the article is absolutely correct and the truth. It is just nice to see a professional racer put it in words and publish it. Bravo !!!!
What a race…….but the whining and crying is too much to take…I’m a huge fan of the Doctor, 2nd only to Nicky “Merica”.
The Doctor has my upmost respect because he is a fantastic rider “a true Champion in every aspect”. What was done to him….in a Championship by Marquez is despicable…it shows the immaturity of Marquez and how ignorant he can be.
When the Doctor leaves MotoGP who will we root for???? Not Marquez or Lorenzo…they may be talented but they will not have my respect as a Champion. Then, with Lorenzo walking off the podium crying …what a joke. NOT the way a real Champion reacts!!!
Pedrosa ……he won a great race and no one seems to remember ……right?
You want a great race?….if the Doctor has to be at the back of the grid then put Marquez and Lorenzo there too…because they deserve penalty points too. Lorenzo passing under a waving Yellow flag and Marquez taking a dive to hurt Rossi’s chance of winning another Championship on purpose. The only kick from Rossi should have been Marquez’s’ ass afterwards.
I fully agree with what Peter says why is Rossi the only one with penalties. Where r Marc and Jorges. Passing a waving yellow flag and getting away with it. Seems to me that the head of Moto GP don’t want Rossi to win the championship. Bit unfair as I wud say over 50% of fans support Rossi.
Honda should replace marquez with the test rider takahashi for Valencia 2015
So well so JP. I’ve seen you in action and at Chuckwalla. Great guy. Nicely put into words:)👍😃🇺🇸🌵
Well said Jason! That was probably the best review I’ve read! Like Josh Brooks said, and I’m paraphrasing, “Marc had many options of what to do in that situation, he could have stood it up and went around the back, he decided to try to hold his line and lean into Rossi, he took himself out of that one.”
Thanks for that great article Jason. And I’m going to be watch Valencia. Don’t be surprised if Rossi parts the back markers like the Red Sea and goes straight up to the front in 5 laps. Though there are a surprising number of Marquez supporters in the MotoGP paddock, I think Rossi with make short work of them. This is going to be a great race! Though I’ve been a Lorenzo fan forever, I’m rooting for Rossi this time. Give em one for us old guys Rossi!!!
Enjoyed reading your thoughts on the race. You pointed out several things I had not noticed, and was very well written. Thank you for giving a perspective as a racer and the understanding of other riders. Definitely had respect for MM before the race, but after the race and comments from Lorenzo, I will never root for anything other than them to never finish another race. Who would want a teammate like Lorenzo… I am not a racer, but in sports I have participated in… if a teammate did something I would not agree with… I didn’t matter, I had their back.
JP,
I completely agree with you! I am so disappointed that it turned out like this. Marquez turned into to Rossi and crashed himself. He could have gone straight or hit the brakes but he chose to turn right into Rossi. I still hope Rossi can make some magic happen.
Right on, Jason.
This season was the best since I can remember. It ended for me with this incident. Marquez has been overly aggressive and dangerous since the start of his career, and never discipline for it. He almost killed Willaroit, and Rossi gets punished just as severely for a racing incident. I’m done watching MotoGP.
My sentiments exactly!
93 is a punk
Agree with your position. I spent many minutes replaying the incident in slomotion many many times. Just before Marc fell you see Rossi turn his focus back to the front and at that point Marc dropped his shoulder onto Rossi at which time (like any rider would do) Rossi pushes his knee out to protect himself. When Marc fell his rear set on the right was broken off. Deliberate harassment over.
Cheers
Jason,
Thanks for writing this difficult article. I’ve been very torn this whole season between whether I want Rossi or Lorenzo to win the championship. I’ve never raced and in fact I’m a horrible rider lol but I’ve learned a ton from you at your schools and now I’m learning even more from you when I get a professionals opinion on what happened between Rossi and Marquez.
I don’t read about Moto Gp or get involved in their drama and press conferences. I just enjoy watching the races so from my point of view it looked like Rossi deliberately made Marquez crash. But yeah if I were a racer and some punk kid kept stuffing his bike up into me and making me slow down so that some other guy can pull away I can see where I’d wanna curb him. I mean what else is someone supposed to do when your technically being “Bullied” on a racetrack. NOW where I think Rossi F’d up is that considering his 10th Moto GP championship is down to the last two races he could have chilled and taking fourth place and played it smart and still won the championship. But I’m sure that racers aren’t passive by nature and therefore prolly can’t do something like that but technically someone could have gotten hurt, and I think that’s why Rossi was penalized the way he was.
I’m gonna really be watching how Marquez rides this next race. I also hope Rossi gets a great start and works his way up to the front of pack. I voted that Lorenzo would win by points in your challenge. I think Rossi could have won by using his brains instead of his brawn. It’s gonna be an interesting race. I can’t wait!!
After the Malaysian race, I had to again watch the Australian GP. It is very clear that Marquez had the pace to win from the beginning of the race. How many riders get to actually RACE with their childhood heros, when they are still close to the top of their game? Very few I think.
Marquez has such a chance, and he seized it! The problem for Rossi the first time was that it allowed Ianonne to close the gap that had developed. The second time, it allowed the Ducati to be there and draft past into 3rd, costing Rossi points.
It was Great racing to watch, for sure, and it seemed very reasonable at the time, even to Rossi I believe. As evidenced by everyone waving and shaking hands, hi fives on the cool down lap and pit entrance.
Only on review of the tapes after the race, was it so clearly evident what actually happened in the race. Could the Ducati have closed the gap on it’s own, maybe – possibly, it was very fast!
Marquez is under contract to Repsol and Honda, he made Sure He could win the race for them, and did! He also had some great Fun racing with his childhood hero, who of us wouldn’t if we had that opportunity?
Malaysia was clearly a different story!! Comments had been made, Pedrosa had the pace to fulfill contract obligations.
Marquez is a young King of the roost, what he was doing at the speeds he was doing it showed no regard for the possible consequences. Yes, a great show that the commentators I usually like got all to carried away with, WAR? On a GP bike at full speed? We ALL know there is no place for that!!! Even with all the safety improvements that have allowed Marquez to get to where he is, no place for WAR on the track!!!
Rossi did the only smart thing possible and sat up and rode Marquez to the side of the track pleading for sanity!!
Marquez, chose to turn into him and went down, At a very slow pace!!
At the speed they were going, only a direct kick to the handlebar would have caused Marquez to possibly go down, and that did not happen. Rossi’ knee [may] have hit the handlebar when Rossi reacted to Marquez turning into him, trying to brush off this mosquito.
And then the commentators, falling all over themselves apologizing to Marquez and just about forgetting everyone else on the track.
And all of the press just waiting for retribution on the track.
How hard does anyone think Lorenzo has to ride, to win the championship? Who does he have to finish ahead of? Is ALL the glory of this championship gone? Can Lorenzo, really claim it? I think it is all Just a Laugh now, probably needs an Asterisk!!!
Hi Jason, I totally agree with you!!! What do you think about Moto Gp’s ruling on this and what are your thoughts about possible outcome of Rossi’s last appeal that should be decided by Nov 6th?
Spot on JP …..
Marquez had set up his own defeat multiple times.
In this case his riding was punitive to Rossi, dangerous and unprofessional.
I would rather see MM penalized for interference than Rossi for slowing
to say “hey man ….. knock it off”!
The stewards penalty ( if it stands ) invalidates the championship this year.
If I were Lorenzo … I would scream for a fair fight and beat the GOAT head to head…… honestly.
Lorenzo will likely win …. but will still be second best.
I’ll start with a bit of general perspective. I’m a club racer with multiple class championships, though not anywhere the league of Jason or anyone you read about. I’ve been following and involved wth racing since the 70’s. That being said I’ll add the following-
I have been a paid subscriber to motogp since its inception and now the basic service is $125 per year. I have watched Carlos E. In my opinion Hurt the sport from trying to emulate F1 to making everything evolve to a Spanish championship. The coverage and announcing was so bad during the race with the Dorna/Carlos E announcers regurgitating the BS about Rossi kicking and setting the politics for Spain/Marquez that for the first time ever I shut off motogp before the race was over. I will not renew my subscription and support these people-ever despite my true caring for the sport. That the announcers are so Dorna biased that they didn’t even so much as mention that Marquez could have simply kept the bike upright and followed parallel to Rossi, all the time Rossi would be falling farther behind, and no crash would have occurred. Period. Add to that the Spansih GP series announcers emphasize the kick that didn’t happen but nothing about Marquez behavior was…….unfortunately typical!! Lorenzo is Lorenzo. He has always complained about anyone fighting or making it difficult for him to win. He is obviously skilled but uses his leverage to garner the Spanish GP series support successfully. Lastly I heard gossip that while Rossi didn’t really kick Marquest he knocked him down with his knee……really! Try that sometime. You can’t hardly generate enough force to kill a moth in that position and the knee is to feel and or deflect- ridiculous. In my opinion Marquez should receive a minimum of a 5 race suspension for unsportsmanlike like conduct and intentionally interfering with the championship outcome. The real question is did he have the blessing from Carlos E to keep the championship Spanish? I’d speculate this is not likely, but with the evolution of the sport you cannot rule this possibility as impossible. I will watch the last race. Cancel motogp And be done with Dorna. I will continue to watch and care about the sport but will never again support Dorna and Carlos E. My opinion only, but I am disgusted in case you did not notice.
Thanks
While I agree that Marquez was trying to get to Rossi during the race, I cannot 100% agree with Jason’s evaluation, respectfully. The problem for me comes down to the fact that Marquez did nothing outright illegal in the race, and whether Rossi did or not is something of a judgment call but I think he did. That’s because he clearly slowed and pushed Marquez wide, while practically sitting up and staring to his left at Marc. That’s not racing. Yes Marquez’s behavior during the race could be interpreted as dirty, but Rossi’s doesn’t require too much interpretation to say it was definitely dirty. Supposedly the helicopter shot shows that Marquez was already crashing before Rossi’s leg popped up. I’m not 100% sure about that, but either way I don’t think his actions are completely defensible. In fact I think if it were any other rider, they would have been black flagged or disqualified from the next race or both. MotoGP politics are surely at play there.
Anyway, I’m a big Rossi fan, and I like Marquez, too, but this whole incident was a stain on MotoGP, caused me to lose some of my respect for Rossi, and at this point I’d just as soon see Lorenzo win the championship– which is not how I felt before last weekend.
My thoughts EXACTLY
Jason,
Great, and from my perspective, honest, write up. I have only done one track day in my life, but have always thought your school looks very worthwhile. I like your style with this write up so much I will sign up for a schooling day with your outfit next year. Keep up the good work!
Thank you Jason for this column. I have been avoiding all the internet fodder on the “Sepang Clash” since it occurred because I knew it would just piss me off. I read your article because you’re one of the most clear-headed and honest guys out there, and you’re not some hokey journalist trying to get his bs two cents in. You’re the real deal and your opinion as a successful racer means something.
It made me very happy to see your opinion mirrored mine exactly. Rossi may not have been 100% in the right but Marquez was just as guilty and deserved what he got. He was messing with Rossi right from the start of the race. I too wish Rossi made him eat dirt earlier. To be honest, I think Marquez wrecked himself. Instead of avoiding contact you can actually see him speed up and lean into Rossi. His ego got the better of him and he ended up on the ground because of it.
Don’t even get me started about Lorenzo. I cannot believe how he threw Rossi, and therefore his entire team, under the bus after the race. All he saw at that time was the actual incident, nothing else that led up to it. Dani was a true gentleman and said all the right things. I have lost all respect for Marquez and Lorenzo and will never be a fan. Once Rossi retires I guess I’ll have to start rooting for Suzuki. Go Maverick!
One thing you didn’t mention was the sponsor companies getting involved. Screw you Repsol for opening up your big yap about the incident. I hope your products get boycotted by all MotoGP fans.
Thank you Jason for your honest, informed opinion. Anyone who sets their emotions aside can see Marquez got what he deserved and did it to himself.
I hope the “Italian Mafia” aid Rossi to get to the front as quickly as possible! 🙂
I totally agree with you there. From what I saw, his foot stayed on the peg and his leg was the only thing that kept MM’s bike from making harder contact. Stupid pass after stupid pass that couldn’t stick or serve any purpose but to slow Rossi, to show he can mess up a championship fight even if he’s out of it. Now he’s really out of it by proving he’d rather crash than let an old man beat him on a bad day. He needed to pull up or brake to stay out trouble. How many outside passes has anyone seen work?
OMG thank you for saying this! Absolutely right on all counts. I’ve been really surprised that more “insiders,” ex-racers, etc. haven’t come out and explicitly stated that it’s OBVIOUS Marquez was sandbagging.
Great article.
Rossie was being intimidated and slowed down-he does’nt deserve the penalty given to him. Give him a chance in a straight fight and then justice will be shown to be done.
What a true and factual account of what went on ladt Sunday. It’s just a shame many more don’t see it this way!
i am a big fun of marc marquez and team honda , and moto gp is the sport that i enjoy watching more that others . But i bealive it was a big mistake of him , and he is responcible for everything. Honestly i wanted lorenzo to win this year , just for the reason ” one less championship for marc to win ” but after this , i wish and hope from the bottom of my heart to velle to win , he deserve it , and it will make marc a better rider , wiser for the next years ,. i want to bealive that marc learn from this , and be more mature after that , maybe is to much fame for a 22 year old and it will never hapen again . but more disappointed i am with lorenzo !! to be on marc side instead of saying ” i have nothing to say , i don’t know , i race for the championship , not my busines “
Wow. I am dumbfounfed that a very respected racer would support Rossi’s actions in steering another rider to the edge of the track, then kicking his bike 3 times as seen in the heli view, snd causing him to crash. I do not care if Marc was “influencing” the race as that happens in every sport all the time. Physically causing someone to crash does not. Heaven knows Marquez is no saint but he is not the bad guy here. The attitude of those that support Rossi here is disgusting, all I can say. If Rossi continies to act like this, and he never has been a saint either, I doubt I will continue to watch Motogp. Not worth my time.
Kicking his bike 3 time? We were watching a different race mate. I was talking about the Malaysian Gran Prix at Sepang. Not sure what one you were watching.
Same race Jason. I trust you have had time by now to look closely at the heli-shot video where you can see Rossi “lose” his footpg, leading with his knee towards MM, 3 times. As well, the later-released slow motion video from the outside of the track view clearly shows VR swinging his knee out towards MM before MM’s front tucks. Not slipping off the peg but swinging directly out at MM. Not sure exactly how VR contacted MM’s brake lever as the guard whould have been in the way but it probably swiveled down. Honda threatened to tell all and may yet do so. In any case it appears VR was not fast enough to beat JL. He did not go about getting others’ assistance in the best way. I saw nothing unsafe in the way MM rode at Sepang or Valencia so VR & his acolytes have nothing real to whine about. Stay real man.
Interesting point is that:
The whole drivers license point system was come up with in order to deal with MM’s dangerous antics.
If you don’t believe me watch Hitting The Apex. It’s all there.
A point system that in turn just cost Rossi the championship in a tangle with MM
Race Director Mike Webb on the introduction of the ‘driver’s license’ in Hitting The Apex: “Marc Marquez made us think about a points system because he was very close to the limit so many times.”
Obviously no one remembers what Rossi thought of that unspoken rule back in 2010 Motegi.
Would be cool if someone could get the rest of the field to decide to run wide en mass in turn one and let Vale through. But seriously, if they had to penalize Rossi, I wish they would have just taken some championship points and given them the chance to lay it all out and race for it. I would rather they were even on points with one race to go than to hand cuff him like that. If Jorge wins, Vale has to beat everyone else from last. I just don’t see it happening…… sad
All I can say is that you nailed it!! Unbiased story with just the truth for what has happened with GP racing this season, a big Thank You and I hope your article is read by all fans of the sport
“DITTOS” Jason. What a little punk MM is. No chance at the championship so he stuffs the ‘Great One’ turn after turn with lines he cant possibly complete just to ruin Rossi’s championship. What a classless little weasel. Dorna now has just shot themselves in the foot. If they really wanted to punish Rossi and appear to be fair, why not just take away Rossi’s 7 point lead to be dead even with Lorenzo for the last and final round. Then the whole championship will be on the final race. Can you just imagine the market share that race would draw? I am not going to watch the race I am so upset. Oh and by the way, I have super def on my TV and have looked at the helicopter shot a dozen times… it is clear that MM RAN INTO ROSSI’S FOOT JUST BEFORE MM FELL. Tell me this Jason, if someone leaned into your foot wouldn’t it be a natural reflex to push away the machine pushing against your foot. MM’s brake guard may also have hooked Rossi’s boot. Travis
Sorry Jason, but I disagree.
I, too, was blindsided by Rossi’s comments at the press conference, but when it was over had a pretty good idea of what was going to happen on Sunday, as although it’s been over 40 years since I was Marc’s age, I remember exactly how I would have reacted to accusations I believed were unfounded; I would have done everything I was accussed of, but done it with twice the attitude. If Rossi thought I was fucking with him in Australia, I’d show him in Malaysia what fucking with him really looked like. And I believe that’s exactly what Marc did. He fucked with Rossi until Rossi finally lost his cool and stepped over the line and put him on the ground. The problem is that while we may think Marc’s behavior deserved being put diwn, there are no wtitten rules against what Marc did, but there are written rules against what Rossi did. Personally, Dorna probably should have black flagged both of them for dangerous and reckless behavior (they were no longer racing, but fighting on the racetrack with multi million dollar weapons that they don’t own!) and disquallified both, in which case no points would have been awarded or taken away. But it’s easy to be a Monday morning quarterback after the fact, and Rossi’s rabbid fans would have been even more upset. The reality is that Rossi is a very smart guy who made a very stupid mistake; never pick a fight with someone who has nothing to lose, because you will. In this case he lost what may be his lasr chance to win another World Championship.
smartest, most neutral comment on here…
Rossi is beyond any doubt the GOAT.. But moreover the king of the mindfuck . He did it to all that came close .. Vr ruled double off the track than on it .. If he s leading now , again it s more due to his strenght to rattle his opponents than to sheer speed .. Good for him , it s all part of the game .. But here is where all the ” don t mess with the title”, thinking goes wrong : taking it to the wire : all considered : either Mm or Pd have to hold back or run away .. keeping out is just impossible .. So : back to Rossi .. Getting out of Sepang with 4th and JL not first is probably a realistic best scenario .. And now back to his game of mindfucking all around him .. He finally found his match in MM ..MM and his entourage has decided not to be Rossi victim nr X .. MM did him a huge favour by hitting Jl hard in Oz .. So all MM may seem to have done to VR actually is fucking his mind .. Nothing MM did on the track cost VR 1 point .. If VR now has to start from the backrow it is only because MM achieved what no one else achieved : mindfuck the king of mindfuck.. All VR had to do to minimalise his damage was to manage his 4 th place .. The real mindfuck to Vale is that MM is able to toy with him . It just takes a rerun if those fab laps MM riding around him to really understand the dominance MM had over VR .. . His real frustration is that MM is the only and first to best him at his game on and of the track .. .. And he just lost it .. all MM did was stick it to him after VR almost parhetic attempt to destabilise MM on thursday.. He just fucked him over .. As VR just fucked up all te others for more than a decade ..
Well said Kope !!! I think people have forgotten all of the bullshit that Rossi has dished, and gotten away with, for the last ten years. Rossi got schooled in the mind fuck game that he loves to play as well as being toyed with, as Rossi did to Sete time and time again !!!
Spot on! The riders in front of Rossi should pull over and let him by on the start grid and let him race Lorenzo and see how Marquez and DORMA react!
Honda, dorna, Marquez
It certainly has degenerated into a schoolyard brawl. I just hope that they pull themselves together so that the final race of the year will make us forget the past few races – with the exception of Phillip Island. I’d love to see Rossi go out on a high note, not that I think what he did was very sporting, but then again, he did give Marquez the evil eye a lap or two beforehand and he chose to ignore it.
I agree with your view. I was at the race in Sepang and it appeared that over 90% fans were Rossi fans. I think the other 10% converted after the race. Lorenzo and to a lesser extent Marquez (until his race antics) were booed whenever shown. Regrdless if Lorenzo wins the chamionship, he and now Marquez are two of the most depised riders in GP.
In my view Marquez had options and both initiated and exacerbated the situation. Rossi’s paid enough, make it just one point and let them grid up where they qualify. Yamaha, replace Lorenzo. Enough with the whining and I assure you, he’s not selling your bikes; at least not in Malasia.
I couldn’t agree with you more, I at at Sepang during this event, too. I was sitting in the back straight grand stand area, so I was able to see everything. You wouldn’t believe the cheering that ensued when Marquez went down. He’s definitely not liked here.
Completely agree! Well done, Jason.
This petulant, petty (albeit talented) brat, incapable of sincerely seeing blame in himself for anything (oh, he’ll occasionally publicly assume blame for his f-ups [though not in Sepang] to feign humility, but without meaning a word of it) has completely destroyed what should have been one of the most brilliant title contests in MotoGP history, completely tainted it. And I’m sure we’ve yet to see the end of his antics, should Rossi somehow make it to near the sharp end of the proceedings at Valencia. Frustrating. Utterly unsporting, and frustrating. Unwatchable, really.
I seriously doubt that I will give MotoGP much thought once Rossi retires. I may very loosely peek in, I don’t know, but I doubt it. I may even give up on it as soon as next season, even if Rossi were to continue racing. For a championship battle of this magnitude (the tenth, after the long drought, and possibly the last, title of his storied career) to be derailed by such a recalcitrant brat, one who is completely out of the title race, is just hard to stomach. It’s a taste of disgust that I don’t wish to have to endure in the future… Having to watch this little sh*t?… And his unmitigatedly arrogant, ceaseless whinging compatriot?… Nah, why deal with the bile in the mouth that that would induce?…
I just have a short observation to make. Just watch how easily Lorenzo gets by Marquez near the first part of the race, and then watch all hell break loose when Rossi tries. Very interesting!!
There was a yellow flag when Lorenzo overtook Rossi.
What a fantastic, unbiased colum you put together there, Jason.
So glad I too put my yellow tinted glasses on to read it, as I thought I’d be disappointed if you’d might of shown at least some blame to Rossi’s actions in the incident.
Fancy anyone in MotoGP passing any blame onto Rossi for what happened.
Now where do I sign up to a subscription to this wonderful site that you put your thoughts to.
Strong comments.
Interesting P.O.V.
We agree to Disagree but well written & thank you.
Excellent writing Jason, the most concise and thoughtful piece I’ve read among a tsunami of opinion on this issue. When I was watching MM & VR’s dice live I thought something wasn’t right about it, as entertaining as it was. I’ve kept an open mind on the fallout but your piece hit the nail on the head. Thanks.
Thank you for your thoughts. It’s nice to read someone who has enough balls to take a side. Nobody wants to say anything bad about Marquez or Lorenzo because they are supposed to be the heroes after Rossi retires. But they both acted despicably. It sure is a long shot now, but I hope Valentino pulls it off.
I guess I just see it differently. At first, I thought “VR kicked his brake lever and put him on the ground” but after looking at it a few times, it looks to me like MM was leaning on him and he just raised his leg to push him off. Albeit, it was a hard push. But who wouldn’t push hard the way MM was doing him? Just a another sign of the times. The kids have zero respect for those that have mastered their craft before them. What a pissy ass little bitch!
As a matter of perspective, I wonder how things would have unfolded in the days of Schwantz, Spencer, Rainey, Lawson and Roberts. Whining would have been off the table. I doubt any of those guys would’ve behaved the way Marquez did.
100% agree!
Or the way that Rossi did
Jason – Thank you SOOOO much for this. Maybe it’s because I agree with every word, or that I had been posting the same comments last Sunday night, but you summed it up perfectly. For me, the ideal end for this season would have Rossi starting at the back and making his way to 4th. Pedrosa wins, passing MM on the last lap. Ianonne takes 3rd. Lorenzo goes for a swim in the gravel on the second lap after MM pushes him wide. Rossi wins the title he deserves to take from his petty, whining creep of a teammate. Rossi’s the only true champion of the three. And Pedrosa takes it all next year, and the year after.
When Rossi retires I’ll be 1 to watch & go to Moto GP.
There is other moto racing going on.
Don’t agree at all. This all started with Rossi accusing Marquez of supporting Lorenzo at Phillip Island. I suggest you watch the Australian race again as I did and see if you agree. Total nonsense. Marquez didn’t ride that race to interfere with Rossi’sl. Rossi the great champion he is surprisingly let the pressure get to him and went into a paranoid state. Marquez responded by interfering with his race yes which isn’t cool but he stayed within the rules and Rossi didn’t when he lost his cool. Any other rider would have been black flagged for doing what he did. Valentino put himself in the spot he’s in. His paranoia created the situation we have. I’d also like you to look at Rossi’s lap times after the incident in Malaysia. He was no faster than when Marc was racing him. If he’d kept his mouth shut, he may not face starting form the back in Valencia.
when marc fell he dif not even jump up and throw his arms up to to give the gesture to rossi that it was his fault ???? Makes u wonder , if some one cause you to fall you give him the finger or hands and arms up in rhe air ….. Tou dont wait fore ever to accuse or blame someone els because you crash
Don’t you think MotoGP is getting a little bit like F1, penalties for this, penalties for that, and a bit like Spanish footballers, going down like they’ve been pole axed? Of course no one wants to see fatalities, but this is motorcycle racing!!!! The support races are better viewing and they bump and grind it out!!!
Come on Dorna sort it out or you will loose your income providers! The paying public!!!!
My thoughts exactly. We’ll put!
Very well said, fully agree.
Thanks for the thoughtful posting Jason. Happy riding and teaching!
spot on jp.
In my view 93 had every right to fight for 3rd spot, he is an employee of Honda who would be happier with two bikes on the rostrum. A 9 times world champion could have sorted that incident out in a better way, sitting behind&waiting for the moment to pass perhaps. Race control should have black flagged perhaps
Jason, your analysis of this whole situation is the best I have read until now. Very entertIning too. Bravo! I am totally with you!
Great article, spot on!!!
watch properly
I could not agree more with the comments in your article, especially why Vale waited so long before he openly showed that he was unhappy with the totally unsafe way Marquez rode during the race in Malaysia. I could not believe my eyes, I could see the levels of dangerous riding escalating at every corner. I have loved Rossi from the first moment I saw him ride about 15 years ago. Always thought Lorenzo was a bit of a cry-baby. Was impresses with Marquez until now. Delighted for Danny he is genuinely a gentleman and hugely talented.
That is the best and most truthful report I’ve read regarding this situation. You’ve got that spot on JP.
What’s with this “unwritten rule” suddenly? I’d say every rider has the right to fight for his own position, and if you’re going to be the champion, you just have to deal with that. Pedrosa had every right to fight Rossi in Aragon, as did Iannone in Phillip Island. Nobody said anything about unwritten rules then.
It’s another thing entirely when a faster rider drops back intentionally, and starts messing with someone else to fuck up his championship because of some stupid grudge. This is what Marc did IMHO, and it has nothing to do with unwritten rules, and everything with petty, childish behavior.
Great column. Too bad that what could have been one of the great battles for a title was ruined by Marquez. He is out of the title chase but still racing like he is.There is a fine line between racing and being in the way. I understand that it`s difficult not to want to pass everyone and finish as high as you can, but there comes a point where you need to deal with the fact your not going to win either the race or the championship.Marquez show some maturity; realize you won’t win the race, you won’t win the championship, you have third place locked up, deal with that.
Spot on very well said .
In my view the other riders on the grid know the situation, and should give Rossi room to do his thing, and not get in his way. so he’ll have a fighting chance in the final showdown.
The first thing that went through my head as it was happening, was “why is Marquez rolling onto the gas and turning in? Surely he ca see there is a motorbike in the middle of his intended trajectory!?” He knew Rossi wasn’t rolling on – you can hear these GP bikes from a mile away. Marquez was playing dirty, he made a rash decision to try to squeeze Rossi, and he crashed. Again. Yeah, Rossi ran wide and slowed – what was he supposed to do? Continue the dangerous passing at 200km/h until one or both of them crashed at high speed? His call was the right one, made of course on the spur of the moment in the middle of an all out race (hardly time to really thing things out). Marquez – you got what you were looking for. Deal with it. And Dorna? Pathetic. If Marquez had bounced off Rossi and kept scrapping not a word would ahve been said. Marquez crashed himself and Rossi (and we, the public) have been robbed of a truly epic finale because Dorna can’t grow a pair of balls. I used to be a Marquez fan. The wonder kid. Not any more. I always loved the way Lorenzo rides (he really is the fastest out there), but my god, what a sniveling little snot! So now we have a championship won by a sissy, handed to him by an unsportsmanlike juvenile, in the midst of one of the most epic seasons in memory.
I know this is pure fantasy, but what if all the riders let Rossi pull through on the first lap so he could actually compete for the title. When Rossi leaves the sport, I’ll be watching Pedrosa, he’s a class act. And when he’s done so am I. Thanks for the article. Very thoughtful and I couldn’t agree more.
Jason, Those questions, particularly #2-5, hopefully will be addressed in the pending appeal (Motogp.com – “On the basis of Article 3.4.2, para 3 of the FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix Regulations Mr Valentino Rossi has filed an Appeal against the decision taken by the Race Direction of the Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix in Sepang”). Final ruling by Friday, November 6th.
Rossi knew exactly how much room there was in executing his going wide maneuver. It is absurd to suggest that he intended to cause Marquez to crash.
Not a big deal if Rossi doesn’t get the championship. He did what he had to do (including his comments at the Sepang press conference on Thursday). If he does win the championship, it would be a beautiful thing, but he’s done what had to be done.
It was inevitable that things unfolded as they did. Probably was good for the future of the sport. Personally, I hope to be at the Sepang race next year!
Fankly speaking Rossi is over, mostly for this derty fact That he has done in The last race. I hate, him bit respect beca use he Washington a great profesional until The last race, now to me and The rest of The riders be ame rubbish. Only envy, moves him….Casey Washington total y right, after The end of Rossi which is inminent…maybe Casey come back
Thank you Mr. Pridmore for taking a balanced and sober look at the situation before coming out with lots of inflammatory opinion of what did and didn’t happen.
I freely admit that initially, like immediately after it happened, there was just a pit in my stomach that told me the whole season up to this point has been wasted, I then realized how much I had ‘invested’ in something so, for all intents and purposes, insignificant.
Then the commentary started and everyone’s (other riders’) opinions started flowing in on ‘twitter’ and other social media to the point where I stuck with it and kept reading more and more and finding all the footage I could, after looking at it a few times, I really couldn’t, under the circumstances, see what Rossi did wrong.
He certainly didn’t kick marquez, aggressive and hard racing/passing between the two?…yeah but that’s been going on all season and part of what made if fantastic to watch…but all these expert opinions actually had me doubting my own eyes, though I quietly stuck with it.
More articles, more opinions, it seems like more and more clarity is being gained and its now virtually crystal clear that Rossi’s detractors really just jumped on their best opportunity to date to try and take him down a notch and yet again they are unsuccessful.
Thank you, thank you and John Burns in his ‘Whatever’ piece clarifying and stating plainly what is going on here with a nod towards the politics involved and with the larger view of the season as a whole that has been shot.
Its a big ask of Rossi, but if memory serves, that’s usually when he shines the brightest.
I’m not 100% convinced he can do it, but I WILL be there, in front of my monitor to watch as this last chapter unfolds.
Wade
I think in the future we are going to see more and more unsportsmanlike battles due to the mentality and lack of respect people have for each other, it is bad enough seeing the wars in the Middle East but on the big stage that is not right at all. It makes me very sad that I can not watch a world class legend motor cyclist who will go down in history as probably the greatest ever be treated like that even though he helped Marquez at the start of his career when Lorenzo snubbed him and said was second rate, only to turn on Rossi who was meant to be his hero. If it’s Spanish don’t trust it.
Couldn’t agree with you more, Mr. Pridmore. Thanks for verbalizing what a lot of us feel. I’m not a blind Rossi fan, but I’m going he kicks some tail and prevails….
Lorenzo- hey Mark, I’ll give you a lollipop if you stop crying.
Marquez- ok, done deal.I’ll pay it back to you somehow.
Rossi- hey Marquez, how many times your daddy has said no candy before racing?
Marquez- 🙁 :(, but,but why? I’ll get my pop back and payback somehow. I’ll be the brat little kid I am and play dirty to take the big boy toy from you.
Rossi- Now you see what happens when you get involved with real man? Some day when you grow up you will earn the big boys toy as a true sport competitor. Don’t get me wrong, but when adults are talking and making decisions, young kids don’t get involved.
My little boy enjoy this story every night before bed. God bless you all.
It goes back to the Moto GP directors , FIM, Dorna ?? It’s pretty obvious that they let win who ever they want !! You all seen all the BS from that race !! The two Spaniard’s get no penalties ?? Lorenzo passing under yellow flag , Marquez and his pussy ass riding blocking for his fellow countryman, turning in yo Rossi to make him self crash !! And all penalties go to Rossi !!! Political BS is what it is !!! Spain the last race ?? They will crash Rossi at all costs !!! If the riders take Rossi out all the fans should block the track and beat there asses and let Rossi personally beat Marks ass !!! It all goes back to when Spies went to GP. No rider allowed to an A team bike for there first year !!! Marquez come over and wait they let him … Americans got fucked and now there fucking Rossi … Moto GP will never be the same ever !!! They have ruined it !!! Fuck you FIM …
totally agree. well said
Spot on ,they need to give rossi back his points and let him fight it out at the front with lorenzo at valencia otherwise you may as well just scrap the 2015 moto gp.
Well said there will be a big cheer if the goat can pull this off I am one of many behind him go Rossi go
I am so disappointed. May be I don’t understand racing, i am just a Sunday idiot rider, but i am just going to take couple of your points.
Argentina you are saying “Marquez played hardball and ran into the side of Vale and went down.” Here is the video.(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rIpRip4wO4) With all your racing knowledge you calling this “running into the side of Vale.”
your question 3 to Marquez “Marquez claims he was waiting for tires to come in, 7 laps into the race? They worked ok for Pedrosa?” Again with all your racing experience, because the tire were working for Pedrosa they should have work for Marquez ?
And your statement that Rossi should have parked Marquez sooner … Is that your view of racing. Parking people on purpose when they disrupt you during a race ? Racing is not dangerous enough ??? Even Yamaha agreed Rossi move was incorrect and punishable.
Really !!!!
Everyone keeps saying the racing will go to shit 💩 when Rossi leaves but this is why we have 2 other classes so new talent can come through and by the signs of Moto 3 there’s plenty as for what happened
Six of one half a dozen of the other but it was great to watch and if you’ve watched Marques come through the ranks you’ll have realised he’s always had a ruthless streak
Few people are able to sum up this very complicating situationin Motogp. My compliments! I agree with everything. This sport is running out of real men and is being filled with whining little talented children.
I appreciate the wonderful insider’s opinion, and I have been a Rossi fan for many years, but I think his own ego was to blame here, not Marquez. Rossi had the lead several times in those few laps. Nothing was stoping him from taking off and leaving Marquez behind. If you’re ahead of some one, you can’t accuse them of intentionally slowing you down. I lost respect for Rossi.
Totally agree.Listening to Marquez saying he was conserving his tyres by at the start of the race and that was causing him to slow down and then speed up……crap. He wasn’t that bothered about his tyres when he was riding round the outside and also under Rossi. And the comments about him having a big moment when Lorenzo passed him…he likes to ride like that,so why didn’t he keep up.It was obvious that he was trying to slow Rossi(even to race control!!!) and yet wasn’t penalised. It’s a shame that his actions have most likely gifted the championship to the whinging Lorenzo.
I was at Sepang as well and seen Marquez teasing Rossi all weekend. How surprised I was seeing Marquez leaving the Pitt lane first before Lorenzo in qualifying.. That has never happened before! Was it an obvious tow for Lorenzo? Then Sundays crash… Marquez keeps saying Rossi kicks his brake …. Impossible! There’s a big protection in front of the lever, but he needs to hang on to this, because telemetry shows a front brake action a split second before crashing…has anybody noticed how angry Marquez was each time after crashing this year? Jumping, fists etcetera… Where was this anger after This last crash??? I watched the race in Australia yesterday again, now with the words of Rossi in my mind, that made the brilliant race look different, Marquez was playing like hell and was by far the fastest , which he confirmed by overtaking Lorenzo mid race, take a lead of 3 sec and two laps later he was behind Rossi in fourth….I just love to see him ride, if only he had just half the charms of Rossi….. Forza Vale!!!
,
Well said!!!
Thank you for the article. What happened on Sunday was a disgrace to our sport. There was no kick. MM93 was not racing to win he was racing to upset Rossi’s championship. His tactics have left me numbed and if the situation is not fixed I will never watch another Motogp race after Valencia. The story and video regarding lorenzo’s passing on yellow I have heard are a spoof put out some idiot. Shame. However, there is no doubt we all saw Lorenzo give a thumbs down when VR46 was handed his trophy. JL99 then stormed off the podium when the crowds booed his unmanly display. Anyway, here is another piece of evidence to show what other top riders are thinking, please listen to it, and subtitles in English to help those of us who are not polyglots. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmH4D_I82D0https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmH4D_I82D0
Why is no one mentioning Lorenzo’s behaviour on the podium? He gave a very obvious “thumbs down” when Valentino was being awarded his trophy, before running off. Check out the Youtube video and see for yourselves. And why is nothing being done about him passing Valentino under a yellow flag? Mr. Yamaha, you need to terminate Lorenzo’s contract for bringing your company into disrepute.
Hi Jason,
I, too, agree with you. I would like all of the MotoGP racers to read what you wrote and then move out of the way as best they can to let Rossi win from the back of the grid.
I absolutely do not agree with race direction’s penalty in both points and starting place! It is a big mistake on their part.
Locke
I agree with the article, i never saw a kick only a headbutt by marquez, I think race fixing just like team orders should be questioned since the key to all championships should hinge on abilities on the day of any event.
SO it’s title by all means at all cost. What kind of idea is it that if you’re not fighting for the championship you stay out of the fight for a podium place. Motegi 2010, Rossi was not a title contender, but he had a dog fight with Lorenzo: I was with Rossi when Lorenzo complained… And how come Rossi lap time after Marquez crashed out at Sepang was not any better than what he was doing during or before the fight with Marquez. I was expecting to see a difference showing that Marquez was slowing Rossi but that’s not the case… We need to look at the FACT. I love Rossi but this is not how I want him to win a 10th title….
Totally agree! Thank you for writing this article. It needed to be written and you were the right person to do it.
Jason, I would appreciate your comments on my blog article: http://domotogp.blogspot.com/2015/11/the-principle-of-championship-series.html
I agree with most of what you said, however. The part where you said “up until this year, there has been zero reason to not like Marquez” have you watched any of his racing from Moto2? Talented sure, but he is a two-faced menace! Clearly deliberately ramming other riders and then playing dumb after the race when you could see him lining it up laps in advance or just ramming riders that are just making a pass that he clearly didn’t want to happen. He’s one of the dirtiest riders I’ve ever seen and especially when things aren’t going his way, then he has the cheek to smile and play nice to the cameras and claims he didn’t see him there etc. Of course he tries to be friendly to the cameras and the press or no one would support his “win at ANY cost” attitude. I’m just surprised that more people can’t see through his fake front that he puts up. It really is a shame he is that way because he has massive talent and has shown that time and time again however I believe he needs to have his attitude pulled into line or thrown out of the MotoGP because sooner or later his dangerous riding is going to get someone killed and of course he will claim that it wasn’t his fault or “I didn’t see him there”
100% agree!
Well Said JP!
You’ve missed a few things. Marc has been groomed to become a personality for Moto GP for quite some time. I read years ago that Sic and he were their hopes for GP prosperity after Rossi leaves. It’s evident as viewership declined down 10-15% when Vale was out injured for 3-4 races after injuring his leg at Mugello in 2010 that Lorenzo, Pedrosa, or Stoner weren’t the ones who could keep viewers paying to watch. Then when Rossi left Yamaha, even with Lorenzo winning championships, Jorge basically ran on a motorcycle that said Yamaha on the side of it. Not even the sponsors stuck around for Lorenzo.
Marquez’s problems stemmed from the ’15 frame this year. The stress of the competition itself isn’t what caused his problems. He unsuccessfully pushed to keep pace with the Yamaha and lost because of that. Not just the increased pressure of the competition, as Lorenzo suffered from the year before. Pedrosa commented on how much the bike moves around after Sepang. I was trying to figure out why, after Marc went wide, he didn’t aggressively accelerate and challenge Jorge until Rossi caught up to him. Then I knew he was implementing a plan.
Marc’s error at Argentina is what proved he isn’t very mature, thinking he could fend Rossi off for 1 1/2 laps when Valentino was something like a second faster than him a lap was just dumb. Rossi opened the door for Marc in Assen. My thought is that Valentino planned his shortcut. I have no idea what you thought Marquez should have done in that instance either way. It’s a popular passing point and Marquez got good drive out of the last corner with a wide open shot at the apex.
Moto GP lost this weekend with Marquez losing so many fans. Showing what kind of person he really is will damage Moto GP when Rossi does leave. If Rossi came in 4th in this race, he would have only gained 13 points to Lorenzo’s 20 (or Lorenzo’s 16 had Marc focused on the race), but at least Valentino would still have had a chance at the championship in Valencia. Even if Marquez were penalized in Spain for his shenanigans (he wouldn’t have), it would have had nothing but a positive outcome for Valentino’s championship chances. Rossi is the most calculating racer ever, for my money, and for Marquez to get this reaction from the doctor, he had to work for it.
Vale ultimately only hurt himself and any championship chances he had by reacting the way he did. I’m not arguing whether it was deserved or not. I’m a diehard Rossi fan so I’ll leave you all to figure it out. My money has been on Jorge since about half way through the season, though.
Jorge really didn’t have much to do with this, so why you would belittle yourself to comment on his “whining” is beyond me. At this point I could say something like “you’re a former champion, act like one.” Every sport has athletes like Lorenzo. There are a number of them in the Moto GP, WSBK, and Moto America’s paddocks. They want to win. They’re upset when they don’t. He’s one of the greatest riders of his time. Who gives a crap if he cries when he loses. I’m guessing you didn’t watch the part after the race when he was booed off the podium. It’s been a long time since I’ve stood anywhere near one, but can’t blame him for leaving. I didn’t think it was a big deal. I’d bet Lorenzo couldn’t have said anything that wouldn’t have caused so many people to cry about it the most of you have been.
2015 will go down in history as Lorenzo winning the world championship by means not associated with hard racing, Vale losing the championship the way he did with the events of the Sepang race being the focus. But more damage was done by Marquez’s actions for a number of reasons. Hopefully he’s able to learn from this and mature a little.
While I know it won’t happen (as the other guys have their own places in the championship to sort out) it would be “awfully nice” if rows 2 and back on the grid could just keep a couple of feet of space free on the right or left of the start/finish straight so VR can ping up the side to join his “friends” at the front as quickly as possible so they can all have a good, clean, ding dong as that’s ultimately what we want to see.
How ironic would it be if someone bumps Lorenzo off in that last race? Rossi could basically ride the entire race waving at the crowd….
I agree with you Steve, been into bikes 50 years,,and the way they moan about stuff,my zip on my boot was tight,,a fly hit my knee,ect,,Marquez is a spoil twat…step a side let a professional man pass,, ,ROSSI…..good report ev.
Very interesting comments points from all of you, cements my opinion that marquez is a poor looser kid that needs growing up, Lorenzo should buy lots of nappies/dummy and go back to the crying cot.Go Vale
Jason, your article is spot on! You have written down my exact thoughts. It seems the more this situation is looked into, ex racers et al checking lap times etc, the more evidence there is that Marquez did have a dirty plan to stop Valentino. I didn’t doubt Valentino from the moment it happened. He has been in the sport for so many years, and the dedication, commitment, and sheer bloody hard slog to be where he is so many years on, is nothing short of amazing. It’s not just getting on the bike and riding – the restrictions of diet, constant exercise, not being able to go out pissing it up with your mates every weekend etc, and to keep that up for so many years makes Valentino a one off. There will never be another Valentino (although at one time I had wrongly thought Marquez was in the running). He is the GOAT, and the God of MotoGP, and to boot he is a thoroughly nice person. Always congratulating his fellow riders even when they beat him, good sportsman, and fantastic personality. Go Valentino, show them who is the only worthy Champion in 2015. #ForzaVale #iostoconVale
You “totally” sound like you are in middle school when you talk about a “totally” unwritten rule. Fortunately “WRITTEN RULES” trump unwritten ones. Rossi received a penalty for breaking a written rule. MM broke no written rules. Also, you keep bringing up other people whining/crying. But Rossi is the only rider I can recall in the last few decades that has whined to the point of taking a penalty to court. He even threatened to not ride at Valencia. The oldest rider in the paddock showing what a spoiled brat he is. Grow up, take it like a man, and race hard.
So as a racer you are willing to finish behind a competitor so that you do not interfere with a Championship? As a sponsor I am not sure I would want you on my eauipment. Racers race and are payed big salaries to finish ahead of there competitors and that is what I want to believe Marc was doing. I would have been fine with Vale “parking” Marc, however slowing in an obvious manner looking for a rider you are targeting and pushing that rider to the edge of the track resulting in him falling for me personally is unacceptable. I lost a little respect for a great Champion in this case.
What a totally biased and yellow article.
Rossi lost a lot of respect from me.. if your going to be a legend, act like one. Or be nothing at all
And that ladies and gentlemen is how you tell it like it is.
I bet Marc and Lorenzo stay awake all night wondering what made Rossi so fast for so long. Maybe this is there of trying to move him out of another championship and into early retirement.
My thoughts completely, does Lorenzo
want a title won by someone else and what marques is doing is the equivalent of match fixing.
You’re absolutely dead on correct. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to cheer for Marquez again. If anyone can find a way to beat crybaby Lorenzo, it’s Rossi.
what a lot of rubbish, never tell you are a rossi fan. all that experience and he couldn’t out race a wiper snapper on a honda so resorted to underhand tactics, he should have carried on racing, looking through the corner for his apex not looking at marquez.that shows you how deliberate his intentions were.he should have been black flagged as well as start from the back at valencia, and no i’m not a fan of marquez. i follow the brits
Very well put together article and i agree with all your comments
If you want to be the greatest ever…you should have respect for the greatest ever!
Thanks for the articulate article which I fully agree with. Too many times MM93 just bangs into another rider when attempting a pass.
Don’t discount the Doctor just yet, the championship is FAR from over. Dani and Marquez could come in 1st and 2nd and then Rossi needs to only finish 6th which is totally doable for Rossi.. he has come back from back of the grid in the past. He is going to be determined as hell to make it happen now. If he has a great start he can advance many positions right from the start.
I think Rossi provoked a lot of that situation by whining so much after Australia and taking personal jabs at Marquez. Marquez is still a kid so of course he’s going to make stupid mistakes, Rossi has been at this for way, way longer, whats his excuse for acting so childish that he felt the need to kick Marquez? He is 14 years older than Marc He could have relaxed and stayed at 4th and really made Marquez look like an ass but instead he got into it.
right ON, Jason!
AMEN Jason! 100% agree with you!
Marquez has made MotoGP ugly by bringing tactics like his into the sport.
Marquez has consistently initiated contact/run into other riders when he thinks he can use it to intimidate other riders, or use the contact to his advantage.
NONE of this would have happened if Marquez, being an imature spoil-sport, didn’t start harassing Rossi on the track first at Philip Island, and then at Sepang.
Abbout the altercation itself – you’ll notice that while Rossi is still going (mostly) straight, immediately before the contact, Marquez decides to force the contact by turning onto Rossi, where he COULD have gone straight. He KNEW he was being hung out to dry, and instead he STILL turned into Rossi instead of going off the track, where he would have lost enough time that Rossi could have gotten away.
Thing is, you can only harass and push a man so far until he loses his temper. We all saw Rossi lose his temper, and while in hindsight, it wasn’t the best thing to do, Marquez did indeed have it coming.
Marquez is a bully on a motorcycle. He pulls dangerous moves, and it’s only a matter of time before he seriously hurts more riders, much like he did Rathapak Wilarot, who he ran into at the end of a free practice session, putting him in the hospital.
Marquez needs to be sorted out, one way or another. He cannot be allowed to continue to ride this way, causing chaos on the track, just for his own personal gain.
Absolutely agree MM effectively ended Wilairot’s hopes of a MotoGP career……
I especially agree with Locke. They could have considered to excute the penalty at the first race of next season. That way the championship wasn’t spoiled. When Rossi leaves, I’ll stop watching MotoGP after 15 years.
Thanks Jason, I’ve been waiting for some racers to weigh in on this Goat rope! I got so pissed off watching MM go back and forth on VR those first laps of the Malaysian GP that I swallowed my mouse, head butted my screen and, worse of all, knocked my beer all over the keyboard. And I say, F the keyboard, that was a barely opened beer!
BTW, thanks for giving me the tip about lining up a couple of trees for a good line out of the bowl at Loudon these many years ago back in the days when the AMA 250 GP class was a hoot.
So where to start. Lets discuss MM’s priors; did anybody catch MM’s last Moto 3 race where dipstick crashed on the warmup, started the race from the pits and proceeded to use every rider he passed in a corner like a berm on a MX track. Total BS; but someone decided it made good TV. Hmmm?
After dicing with Rossi and Innone in OZ GP lap after lap; MM mysteriously finds an extra second on the last lap and sweeps around all into a win. Hmmm? Really, an entire second, that’s huge at such a high level of racing? Anyone at the top of his craft knows “sumthins up” when a rider you’ve been dicing with all race suddenly just rides away from the party on the last lap. Did he just hit the “noxious” button?
Malaysian GP. I’ve seen racers be a wee bit cautious on maybe the 1st lap with tires, but no one holds back from lap 2 on, nobody! Except MM for the first time about 10 days ago in Malaysia. I hope he continues the practice at Valencia; though I recommend 8 laps just to be sure. What a whopper. I’ve never seen MM say that live; probably cause even he wouldn’t have kept a straight face.
Now Jason, tell me true. When was the last time, in a race you either caught up with someone or they came back to you, that you didn’t just pass them and never see them till after the race. I KNOW that VR was hammering it to stay in touch with the front. What I didn’t understand was MM’s mysterious Honda that was faster then VRs, then slower, get passed; then faster and repass VR; then slower again and get repassed?? Back and forth; blocking lines instead of racing to get to the front. Oh yeah, I remember, MM was getting his tires up to temp every “other” corner?
Now VR’s running MM wide. There was huge runoff in that corner, all paved; not like Atlanta, where running wide meant a Georgia red clay enima lasting all season. VR was sending a nice professional text delivered racer style; to wit, I have the inside line and if you persist with this “F”ing around, I’ll just keep widening my line till you’re in the bleachers, mud, marbles etc. “Been there, had that done to”, check, I got it, my bad.
What about those rules that VR broke and MM didn’t. Here’s a little enlightenment for those who are not in the “arena”. No racer carries or refers to the “rulebook” at those speeds. Yeah, duh? What these guys do at the highest levels is just magic. They operate in a zone that truely only a handful comprehind out of the millions that watch the sport (Yeah, Jason even you, backing that superbike in lap after lap.) The only rule in racing is win. OK, sure I can’t jump the start; no passing on the yellow (didn’t see it); black flag = come in; no bumping or shoving, we do it all the time,especially on the first several corners; stay between the lines, we don’t if you can gain a tenth here or there; etc. If you were a back marker ( I was) and the Big Dogs come thru, get off the racing line; otherwise, you might be missing some paint or worse. Anybody remember Maladin; in AMA riders meeting, he used to complain about anyone else on the track that didn’t yield the racing line to him. So if you were cool and didn’t intefere with another’s race, they gave you a little room; if not, shit happens. VR, MM , Danny, Lorenzo know each other; they know they can trust that none of them are slowing down or being unpredictable in a corner , otherwise you would never have the confidnce to be inches off someone’s back tire at 180+. What MM was doing at Malaysia was not racing, but rather just mucking about, being fast in one corner, slow in the next. Thats not racing; and that is the one overriding rule in Motorsports. Thanks for enabling my chance to vent, Jason. Tell Reg I said Hi.
Excellent commentary JP, We all wait for the outcome of the meeting on the 5th? My thought is if Rossi has to start from the back of the pack on Sunday – How many “Professional Riders” will slow down to allow Rossi to move to the front ASAP to give the the “Old Guy” a fighting chance. The plot thickens.
Regards to all, Chris
Jason,
In the days since your article first came out it seems that the controversy over this clash is spinning more and more out of control- despite cries that this controversy is “poisoning” Moto GP, press releases from Dorna, Honda, and Yamaha, and Lorenzo’s petition to “get involved” all seem to be fanning the flames. One bright spot in all this is the petition to “Remove the penalty from Valentino Rossi and bring back integrity to the Championship” – which I signed, along with more than half a million others so far.
https://www.change.org/p/motogp-dorna-amp-fim-remove-the-penalty-from-valentino-rossi-and-bring-back-integrity-to-the-championship
As most of the replies above confirm, your article is spot on. However, there are a couple of replies above that make me wonder, as you did in one response, what race they were watching. I noticed a very good link above from “Noel W” – it turned out to be an interview with Fonsi Nieto, with English subtitles. It seems that Nieto has set his national allegiances aside and sided with common sense and reason. Here is that link again-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmH4D_I82D0
After watching the interview with Nieto, I noticed a link entitled “Rossi VS Marquez frame by frame…. Is really Rossi so bad…???” It might be instructive for those who think Rossi kicked Marquez to have a look at this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IbC-Yu7EAQ
Marquez clearly takes a lunge at Rossi from the outside; there is no “kick” – only a slight lift of the leg that appears to be the result of being run into by Marquez. In any case, in that situation Rossi had every reason to posture his body to protect himself and there is no evidence at all of any offensive intent, other than what appears to be Rossi’s effort to give Marquez notice that he had had enough of Marquez’ dangerous tactics. In my view, at that point as the senior competitor, and as a rider’s safety representative (I believe Rossi still holds that role) Rossi had not only the right, but also the duty to take some action to get Marquez in line. Rossi’s closing off the line was the right move at the right time and it showed great patience and restraint.
As far as Marquez front brake locking up- that’s fairly obvious from the way he went down- but is it legal to run without a front brake protector in Moto GP? It’s a mystery why a Honda manager would try to use onboard data spin the unfounded claim that Rossi somehow intended to kick Marquez into something even more- was he trying to say that Rossi intended to hit the Honda’s brake lever? That would be some trick to say the least. Yamaha’s response made much more sense.
As it often does in YouTube, after watching the frame by frame video above, I noticed another interesting analysis video, with some comments that are apparently in Italian. Too bad I can’t read those…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROzL40UJ37I
Whatever the language, this video clearly provides visual evidence of unsportsmanlike riding by Marquez. It is also important to remember that at Argentina and Assen Marquez crashed after he hit Rossi from behind while trying to overtake. Considering these crashes and others, if this were club racing Marquez would be in some trouble- under AFM rules for example, Marquez probably wouldn’t be able to start another race until next year.
http://afmracing.org/downloads/rulebook/2015Rulebook.pdf
Maybe FIM and Dorna should consider a maximum crash count rule like America’s oldest road racing club has?
Last point- Any way you look at it, controversy, and controversial athletes, sells tickets. This one seems pretty tame compared to feuds in NASCAR, aggressive driving in F1, or under inflated footballs.
TW.
You are both an idiot and a liar, Pridmore!
ANY HONEST person watching the race sees that Marquez entered the corner too hot. Rossi did not.
Marquez was at the oute edge of the corner, slowing down, while Rossi’s speed allowed him to continue on the racing line!
Rossi, however did not want to speed away, he was looking for payback for an IMAGINED SLIGHT.
As for Marquez gifting Lorenzo second place, i suppose that Marquez also rode the record lap on Lorenzo’s bike, as well?
Sure you can claim Marquez ran wide to permit Lorenzo through, but he nearly left the track, which was not neccesary to give him the spot!
Back to Rossi in the curve. Rossi could have motored off, giving himself a nice lead over Marc, but HE decided to play dirty. Whole not overcooking the entry, he left the racing line and moved out, looking back three times to make sure he was right in Marquez’s way. Then as we see Marquez getting ready to accelerate, Rossi brakes, causing Marquez to, as well. As a ricer, you know full well that any certain lean angle needs a certain speed to maintain the bike upright. without the centrifugal foce acting on it, the bike will tip and fall. If you deny this, you will have lied, again.
So, Marc was leaned as far as he could, to pull the bike back and not leave the track proper. The brake check move of Rossi, caused Marquez to have to slow to stop a full on collision, which would have caused BOTH to fall. Rossi claims that Marquez caused his leg to come off and he was merely pushing back to avoid his own fall.
Bull crap and you darn well know it!
When all camera angles are viewed in sync at the same time, it is EASY to see Rossi did push or kick AT Marquez in an offensive, not defensive manner.
Oh, BTW, YOU think YOU know better than Race direction? Sorry, pal, you do not.
Rossi provoked and positively caused the fall of marquez. True, this seems more like Marquez’a rookie season, but Honda simply gave him a new chassis that was garbage which is why he is using, successfully, last year’s chassis.
Had he had a competitive frame from the start, his many falls would not have occurred and Rossi could not say anything, because he would be in third in the championship.
Now, I would HOPE that every single bike on the track works to block Rossi with extreme prejudice. ALL Honda’s will, for sure. I fully expect to see Pedrosa and Marquez to allow Lorenzo to sprint to a fairly easy win, keeping Rossi off the Podium.
I was a huge Rossi Fan, until Malasia, but he lost many fans that day. I am among them.
Thank you for this, I needed to crack up at something. Being called a liar based on 40 years of being at racetracks is good stuff. To verbally attack me based on my opinion shows what kind of person you are. I am sure you have years of racing experience under your belt so you would know every angle possible.
Not sure where I make claim that Marquez ran wide to let Lorenzo through, we reading the same article? Either way, thanks again.
JP
Jason-
Thank you for a well written and informed opinion of the incident. Marquez shattered a long standing practice of respecting a Title fight by sticking his nose where it did not belong. As a longtime racer, I consider this to be the height of poor sportsmanship, dangerous, disrespectful and rude. He should have got what he deserved by being excluded from the final race, after removing himself from the road. It is sad that Dorna is so biased toward the Spaniards that it will alienate a million fans and trash it’s reputation, to push an adgenda and please sponsors.
The damage is done. Championship spoiled. I regret that you have to suffer insults from the uninformed, blindly biased MM “fans” for pointing out the debacle.
You have my support in your future endeavors.
Sorry, are you living under some grand illusion that 40 yrs of racing make one immune from lying? The whole planet should be glad to learn that this is the discovered method to cure lies.
Oh, 40 years of being AT racetracks. The AT is important.
No, I have NEVER raced. Just 25 yrs of road riding, sporting riding, canyon carving, etc…
I guess you are going to tell the world that physics on a race track is somehow different that public highways and byways?
Well, Mr. 40 AT racetracks, Physics does not change. The gyroscopic effect and centrifugal force and road banking do not change the physics.
The greater the speed, the greater the lean angle possible.
IF you doubt this, or are stupidly inclined to contradict me, then, please by all means, explain why no rider like Marc (who eclipses YOUR talent many times over) can get his elbow down at high speed, but not at low speed?
“I am sure you have years of racing experience under your belt so you would know every angle possible.”
THAT has to be one of the most stupid appeals to authority (A often used, logical fallacy presented by people in debate when said person holds no winning position) I have seen in a while.
THIS, by the way, is your charge of Marquez letting Lorenzo by:
“When have you seen Marquez put up zero fight for 1st or 2nd?”
Excellent analysis Jason, and very well written.
As a kid who grew up with a pro flat tracker father and uncle, who watched in rapture as Kenny Roberts took his bike sliding talents worldwide, who later vastly enjoyed the battles between Lawson and Rainey and Schwantz, I am appalled that this situation has completely destroyed what should have been one of the most brilliant title contests in MotoGP history.
Too bad that what could have been one of the great battles for a title was not so much ruined by Marquez, but a knee-jerk reaction (pun somewhat intended) by Dorna.
Running someone wide is age-old racecraft, employed countless times by countless racers. Rossi was ahead of Marquez, and he was on the inside of Marquez. Therefore it was his track, and up to MM to find another way around.
While watching, I fully expected one of Marquez’s strafing the inside maneuvers to lead someone to a bad end, as his questionable line selection was quite arguably far more dangerous to both riders than Rossi’s retaliation.
I was a Marquez fan, and considered him the to be perhaps the best reason to continue to watch MXGP after Rossi retires. No longer. Anyone who thinks Marquez’s justification that he was waiting for his tires to come in (on lap 7!) is either biased against Rossi, has no racing experience whatsoever, or both. Blinders off, please. And the nonsense about a kick to the brake lever protected by a guard? Again, please.
Also, anyone who watched Marquez rise through the Moto 2 ranks has to know that he’s long been a bull in a china shop, on numerous occasions, and should have no standing to complain about contact from another rider — particularly in an instance when he is once again responsible for the contact.
I have enjoyed watching Lorenzo ride, but not his off-bike sniveling any time someone races him hard. His reaction to an altercation in which he played no part is despicable, but hardly unprecedented in his own career.
Most of all, I am completely disillusioned by the reaction and subsequent decision of race officials in the aftermath or the race.
At this point, in all likelihood, I won’t watch MotoGP at all past the final race, not ever again. And again, I’ve been a fan of roadracing since King Kenny first fashioned his knee pucks out of duct tape. (And at a much lower level, I’ve been a road racer myself. I’ve raced all my life, carried a pro sport card in moto for many years, and dabbled in multiple WERA events on the side.)
I retain high hopes that Rainey and company can right all that’s wrong with American roadracing, and that’s a long litany of woes in and of itself.
But in the wake of this debacle, should the penalty stand and a great series be decided by a clearly biased sanctioning body, I will no longer watch, read about, or in any way support the GP tour.
Moto GP lost this weekend with Marquez losing so many fans, along with Lorenzo. Count me among the exodus.
I completely agree. I have watched various camera angles plenty of times and all Rossi did was puch MM wide, then MM thought to be clever and ram into Rossi and push back, and the result is MM has fallen down every time he has tangled with Rossi. There is no way you can ‘kick’ another bike the way MM and crew say he did, Rossi would have fallen off his bike trying to do something like that. Plus, you can see clearly Rossi set his line to the near edge of the track, with just enough room for MM to stay on track, and held that line, then MM barged into him and fell.
Finally!!!!! Someone who knows racing has spoken the truth. This is by far the best written and most thought out response I have read. Kudos to you Jason for speaking the truth and giving it a perspective that the rest of these people can’t seem to grasp. Well said and thanks!
Jason, thank you for your honest racers opinion. This is of course a rare opinion in the sponsored racers world we live in.
For anyone confused about the danger that the final Marquez fall down routine was witnessed under, well, anyone witnessed juniors motocross racing lately? Far more dangerous than the Marquez flop. Any sport at this level contains mind games using both positive and negative reinforcement toward your fellow competitors. To use blocking techniques into corners on 2 or 4 wheels, of course. To lead others into running wide on corners following you in, of course. To repeatedly lead another competitor into getting so pissed off at you they make a rash manoeuvre ? Of course. THIS IS RACING. Racing at its purest, most entertaining for the riders and fans. Only the great ones can repeat this over and over and have the respect to thank their competitors for a great race afterwards. BUT, let’s not forget why we all clamour to watch these battles, these gladiatorial pitting of man on a machine against another, these are human beings racing with passion and a love of adrenaline. We get our fix by partaking whether at the trackside, scree side or on the saddle ourselves. Those who fall into the corporate robot mode no matter how much ability they may have are swiftly forgotten by the real reason modern racing exists, the viewers of the advertising they batter us with, the racing addict. What we didn’t witness was pulling into the side of someone on a sixth gear straight as in another popular superbike series. That was almost culpable as attempted manslaughter at 190 mph.
The Rossi – Marquez come together was at a pitiful speed with both riders fully able to simply ride away from each other and continue battling. This was obviously not on junior Marquez agenda for the day and he was out to prove it. Some of us have witnessed this first hand when racing in a series competing regularly against the same group of riders. Some of them throw their toys out the pram regardless of their sponsors best attentions when things aren’t going well.
In other racing series you put out a leg and push the other bike away mid berm as they are about to block pass you in a slow corner. In touring cars you give rear quarter nudges to the car in front who is blatantly slower and blocking your exit speed. Sometimes the nudge is a bit too much and you spin the guy in front out of the way.
Rossi made repeated blatant polite objections to Marquez over and under passing that wasn’t a simple attempt to get past and stay ahead. The hand gesture was another attempt at ‘are we really racing here ?’ to get Marquez to stop playing tag and either get past or stay put. Of course the stay put is not really an option to a racer but short of pulling over and spanking him to race properly wasn’t on Rossi’s list of options mid race.
All racing needs rules to make sure we don’t take the law into our own hands but copying F1 is not where Dorna want to be heading.
Let’s keep it as near to safe as possible but stop the petty whining to get attention and change the rules to our favour routines by the ‘how the hell is Rossi is still this quick, it’s not fair’ riders having a hard time this year.
Take a leaf out of the Dani Pedrosa book on not giving up and just taking off and winning. Respect to Dani and avoiding the team directive comments he could have so easily made.
Anyone for some V8 Supercars to calm the nerves or perhaps some World Speedway for no brakes and backing it into the corners ?
Best article I have seen written Jason Pridmore – a honest and fair appraisal of the situation.
Truer words were never spoken!
100% agree.
MM is a spoiled boy and think he could do everything he wants without responsibility, putting everyone in risk… they call it daring! I think he deserves try it own poison in Valencia…
JL is just a crying baby which received a unexpected gift — I will love if VR win but it is almost impossible…
I don’t know but those Spanish pilots are boring as hell! Always in bad mud because they can’t bear deal with losses. I hope 2016 will be different otherwise Motogp will lost its appeal.
Over three years later, still spot on.
Aw, this was an incredibly good post. Taking a few minutes and actual effort to make a top notch
article… but what can I say… I hesitate a whole lot and never manage to get anything done.