I agree with most of your take. I'm actually surprised you acknowledged Rossi's first bonsai move on Hayden. Tell me something, why is it that when Simoncelli makes a similar pass he's called "dangerous?" Anyway, if this cost Hayden time, how come you don't see it the same as when Rossi claimed he lost the race by losing 2 seconds on a much more mild move? Double standard?
Rossi is smart because he bullies into the inside line knowing that once he has a wheel, all he as to do is park it (classic block pass) and then run opponent wide because at that point he has the physical advantage. He did the exact same thing with Lorenzo at Motegi for that final pass. This is a common motocross move. I think that's why these guys train so much in this discipline. In motocross, I'd say its more acceptable. But in roadracing, I think its dirty. You may not think its dirty, that's ok. Until Rossi gets called on it, I suppose he should use it because he's getting away with it. As far as what is "legal", well we all know that is highly subjective. There is a human being in a booth deciding what is legal and what is not. Tamada got DQ for less. Like I said, until somebody is willing to race Rossi like Rossi, he will win every one of these battles. I think it does say something about the man and his entitlement in the sport. But that's not his fault if he's willing to resort to those tactics and push the line of what is acceptable and get away with it. People say this is a contact sport, but its really not. Its a sport where contact occurs. There is a difference. Anyway, Rossi got the podium resorting to these tactics, if it were somebody else they'd call him "dangerous" like he called Elias. But being called dangerous doesn't make it wrong. So if this is what it takes to get ahead, then some people will use it. Rossi is chosen to use this tactic and it has served him well.
