Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya(spoilers mixed with stoner/rossi talk)

Daniboy said:

A blunt question from an Italian journalist ("obviously someone is lying, you riders or Carmelo and Franco") combined with the emotionally charged atmosphere brought an angry response from Moto2 pole sitter Johann Zarco: "It's a .... question. You are looking for a problem. Who is right and who is wrong. You must shut up."


Read more at MotoGP News - MotoGP Catalunya: Lorenzo, Marquez disagree over track changes

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.... yea Zarco. Man I like that dude.

Apparently Pol and Bradley were less than pleased the Valentino and Jorge do not attend the safety meetings, as they feel their opinions hold a lot of weight in decision making.

MdubSTYLIE said:

.... yea Zarco. Man I like that dude.

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I became a Zarco fan today (and Binder)!

It wasn't that this ....... "journalist" asked a bad question, it was a good question, however it was obvious that his aim was to try and get Lorenzo in a gotcha moment. In that quote above, this ....... journalist specifically said either "you" (Lorenzo) are lying. He was going after Lorenzo.

I've been asking for "journalists" to grow balls, but this guy wasn't looking for hard answers he had a hard-on for Lorenzo. He mentioned Rossi had said Lorenzo had mentioned safe concerns before for turn 12. The thing is this journalists looked like he was trying to make Lorenzo look bad, and create some kind of political drama. Zarco saw right through it. Zarco's hand gesture to the riders was epic, like 'stop, don't respond, I got this'. It was a thing of beauty. I'm willing to bet a month's pay this "journalists" didn't go after Rossi when he was punting riders off the track, and I bet this ....... doesn't accuse Carmelo of lying to his face. The journalists corps is lacking in this sport, very few respectable ones, though there are some. While I'm on the subject, it has nothing to do with us as spectators being "too lazy" to ask the good questions, I'm not a CNN reporter either, but I still expect them to ask my elected officials the hard questions. However, I've pondered that perhaps that is the problem, I assume GP's media is supposed to be held to an ideal 'journalistic' standard where in fact they are simply fans just like me, but with an ability to write. Perhaps we are all a 'type' of journalists on this forum.

This ....... was not interested in answers, because if he was then I would have known him by now as most certainly he would have had a similar tense exchange with Rossi last year. In fact he still has the opportunity to ask Rossi the hard questions. Here is one: "Rossi, in light of Salom's death, it is obvious lives are in danger when we least expect it, do you ever plan to apologize to Marquez for putting his life in danger at Sepang?" In fact this would be a good question for ANY journalists to ask. I won't hold my breath.

Watching this press conference was intriguing.

Iowegian said:

Apparently Pol and Bradley were less than pleased the Valentino and Jorge do not attend the safety meetings, as they feel their opinions hold a lot of weight in decision making.

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Lorenzo should have been there, and frankly Dorna should have required all the GP riders to be there. Changing the layout is huge, this wasn't a run of the mill safety meeting. That was Lorenzo's point, however I'm sure he'll cop a lot of .... for saying this. Either way, I would require the factory riders to attend.

I'll add, Lorenzo should not be complaining about the change because it's the same for everyone. But I don't doubt Dorna is trying to cover their .... Putting back on the riders, like I said earlier, as if they don't have the personnel, duty, and forethought to preemptively maintain safety for MOTORCYCLE racing.

The doctor speaks.

Valentino Rossi has stated that the Grand Prix Safety Commission has discussed the possible dangers of turn twelve at the Circuit of Barcelona “for six years”.

The paddock was still reeling after Luis Salom's tragic death, caused by a crash at that very corner on Friday afternoon, an incident that Rossi felt “was not normal” and stated that he felt a mechanical fault was to blame.

Rossi's comment also comes after Franco Uncini, the FIM Grand Prix Safety Officer, said that “we never had such a request from the rider” about the potential dangers at this corner.

But Rossi, who qualified in fifth for Sunday's race, said the issue was raised in the Safety Commission after Niccolo Antonelli suffered a frightening fall there in 2014.
“We spoke about turn twelve in the Safety Commission for six years. We say that we need more run off area.

“Unfortunately there is some work that you can do and some that you can't. Because of the grandstand… It's very expensive to modify this area. We already know it was dangerous there. But if you look at the crash unfortunately something happened on the bike.

“The turn 12 is a dangerous point. We already know because two years ago [Niccolo] Antonelli crash. He arrived to protection. Fortunately he didn't have any physical problem but he arrived in the protection so we put in more air fence.

“I remember very well we spoke about turn twelve after the crash of Antonelli. Like in a lot of other races, we say that we need more running area. But sometimes this is impossible. In other places it's not possible. They put extra air fence but they say to us that it's not possible to have more run-off area.

“But this is not just in Barcelona. This is also in Jerez, on the exit from the last corner. If I think for a little bit there are minumum ten corners. In Motegi, turn four, we say every year we need more run off there. You check all the situation and in the end you can't set that on fire.

“This is the reality. Unfortunately something very bad happened that reminds us of the risk of our sport. It was another crash and another problem. During the season you have occasions that if something happens on the bike there is not enough space.”

Rossi then explained how he felt Salom's fall was not normal, and arose because of a mechanical issue.

“The crash of Salom was not normal and you have many points during the year when if something go wrong with the bike you don't have the room. Anyway, turn twelve is a dangerous point. We already know.

“I don't know. Something in the steering, something in the throttle, something on the brake. Turn twelve is very demanding on the front and you have a lot of bumps. Every lap is a lot of risk but usually you exit from the previous right.

“You hit second, third [gear], you enter and usually the normal crash is 35-40 metres later. You go on the right. If you open the angle and go on the right you have a lot more space. But Salom unfortunately go straight. He arrived at one speed that was unnatural. He didn't slow down.”

Like team-mate Jorge Lorenzo, Rossi also was puzzled as to why the Safety Commission decided to change turn ten.

“I don't understand sincerely why they modify another corner where nothing happen. This is not very clear and I don't know why but on the other hand I wasn't in the Safety Commission. I take that decision so we will race like this.

“For turn ten, personally, they don't have to change. It's true the run off area is not a lot. It's like this, minimum, 20 or 30 corners during a season. For me it was better the other one [corner].”









by Neil Morrison

Read more at MotoGP News - MotoGP Catalunya: Rossi: We spoke about turn twelve for six years?

Jumkie said:

Why not?

Content Warning: Look ....... (.)(.)

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I'm just not sure neutering the tracks in this way would be the right way to go, I understand they needed to be seen to do something as a result of what happened and maybe with such short notice and wanting the GP to go ahead it was for the best for this weekend.
I'm all for safety in motorsport, but as has been said already a gravel trap would likely have slowed Salom enough to survive. Sure that cant be done over night for this weekend, but a an idea for next year maybe if there is a way to do it without upsetting the FIA.
But my point is a similar crash could well happen at any medium>highspeed turn on the calendar any session of any year these guys are aware of the risks involved and accept them every time they go on track.
The monster corner speeds are a massive part of this sport always have been, I just dont want to lose more and more of them "just incase".

It says on the tickets "motosport is dangerous" and sadly these things happen. Unpleasant as it is.

Jumkie said:

Lorenzo should have been there, and frankly Dorna should have required all the GP riders to be there.

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ABSOLUTELY! And not only factory riders; ALL riders should attend every safety meeting. That's exactly what I thought after reading that press conference. And now it's clear to me nobody was at fault for that accident because nobody complained about that curve where it mattered. That's something that should change immediately: every rider must attend safety meetings. Finally, it's also a fact many riders would put advantage over safety, like I think Lorenzo was doing with his comments. But if everybody attends, the majority will always (and easily) overrule such racers. Hopefully somebody with influence will make that happen.

Jumkie said:

The journalists corps is lacking in this sport, very few respectable ones, though there are some.

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You may have noticed that this trend is not limited to this sport. The 4th estate has been reshaped in the image of entertainment not news. The message is clear in all forms of journalism: do not question the overlords - fall in line, you need us, we don't need you.

Mick D said:

You may have noticed that this trend is not limited to this sport. The 4th estate has been reshaped in the image of entertainment not news. The message is clear in all forms of journalism: do not question the overlords - fall in line, you need us, we don't need you.

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'Never bite the hand that feeds you' as they say

To many journalists across many sports are paid to report on the sport, thus if they upset that sport they may have limited access to then be able to do their job

It has happened in Australian sport and we are a very minor player in world sports terms

Kudos to Rossi for saying it like it is. I wasn't at the safety meeting so I have no say so on what was changed, that's on me for not being there. Secondly, I thought 1st gear acceleration corners were Hondas bugaboo, now Lorenzo is claiming that is an advantage to Honda. What the .... is going on, are these bikes changing performance characteristics from one race to another.

Mick D said:

You may have noticed that this trend is not limited to this sport. The 4th estate has been reshaped in the image of entertainment not news. The message is clear in all forms of journalism: do not question the overlords - fall in line, you need us, we don't need you.

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Yes, absolutely.

Frankly, journalism has always been pressured by power. So like I said, the problem may be all in my unrealistic idealistic expectations.

The sophistication of power has made the 4th estate virtual dead. Worse, the 4th estate is now in the business of entertainment, in practical terms, an extension of power.

557953 said:

I'm just not sure neutering the tracks in this way would be the right way to go, I understand they needed to be seen to do something as a result of what happened and maybe with such short notice and wanting the GP to go ahead it was for the best for this weekend.

I'm all for safety in motorsport, but as has been said already a gravel trap would likely have slowed Salom enough to survive. Sure that cant be done over night for this weekend, but a an idea for next year maybe if there is a way to do it without upsetting the FIA.

But my point is a similar crash could well happen at any medium>highspeed turn on the calendar any session of any year these guys are aware of the risks involved and accept them every time they go on track.

The monster corner speeds are a massive part of this sport always have been, I just dont want to lose more and more of them "just incase".



It says on the tickets "motosport is dangerous" and sadly these things happen. Unpleasant as it is.

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I agree. Can we really say that any corner in a racetrack is risk free? No. So then someone must determine the degree of risk that is acceptable for a given set of circumstances. This assessment has been carried out for each track and then is reviewed each race weekend by a group of people who include riders representatives. The importance of getting it right is always there and not increased by the unfortunate event that occurred. Therefore if JL, VR or anyone else should have been consulted yesterday then they should make themselves available for these meetings every weekend.
Not all MotoGP riders should attend unless all riders, of all classes, should attend. They all are equally at risk are they not? Personally I suspect that once you have any more than the ten or so regulars then it becomes considerably more difficult to reach agreements on important issues anyway.
With regards the view that they should have altered the track before the race, this was obviously considered and rejected at some point previously. I find it difficult to argue against this as this is the accepted procedure and don't subscribe to the "hindsight" position adopted by some. I would think it impossible to sit down at the start of a season and list the tracks and corners I would want altered without ultimately cancelling the series altogether due to a failure to imagine and guard against every eventuality.
These sad events do highlight the need for continual improvements in safety, but at what cost to the sport we love? No sport is worth dying for but we still love it warts and all.

povol said:

Kudos to Rossi for saying it like it is.

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You can become him if you want. It says right there, "become Valentino Rossi."

Plus all the "real events of 2015". Which I find interesting, I wonder if they include the press conference.

I'm kind of disappointed they didn’t just rename the game "Valentino Rossi THE PEOPLE'S CHAMPION."

Bradley Smith may need to get ready for the abuse following his comments (and I am not saying I disagree with them, but history may not be on his side)

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/124643/smith-slams-riders-who-skipped-safety-meeting

Tech3 Yamaha's Bradley Smith has expressed his disappointment that only 10 of the 21 MotoGP riders "assumed their responsibilities" and attended a safety commission meeting after Luis Salom's death on Friday.

The safety commission has a standard meeting at 5.30pm on the Friday of every grand prix, with Marc Marquez suggesting "nine or 10" riders usually attend.

That number remained the same after Salom's fatal accident during Moto2 practice, with Smith and Marquez joined by Andrea Dovizioso, Andrea Iannone, Cal Crutchlow, Aleix Espargaro, Pol Espargaro, Alvaro Bautista, Jack Miller and Tito Rabat.

"I was the first one in the room because for me it was important to turn up there," Smith said.

"That day of all days, assume our responsibility because our responsibility there is not so much as a GP rider, it's as a safety advisor.

"Everyone who turned up there assumed their responsibilities. The riders that didn't turn up there, I'm a little bit disappointed [in them] because we all know exactly what time it starts and where it is."

The group entertained the notion that the event could be cancelled and eventually reached the consensus that a switch should be made to use an adapted version of the Formula 1 layout, which has a chicane where Salom crashed.

Factory Yamaha pair Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi were among those to miss the meeting, with Lorenzo suggesting there should have been additional communication around the "special occasion" to avoid confusion and have every rider in attendance.

Rossi said he was busy at the time and while he was not in favour of changing the layout, had to accept the decision as he was absent.

When told of the Italian's comments, Smith said: "Valentino was a guy that didn't turn up at the safety commission and didn't assume his duties and hasn't assumed any of his duties throughout this season so he can't comment.

"Not once this year [has he attended], not since Malaysia [last October] so he spat his dummy.

"Why spit your dummy again when you're not doing anything, you have no foot to stand on.

"Yesterday was the day to assume the responsibility.

"He should've swallowed his pride and turned up there yesterday and done what his job is as a MotoGP rider: to look after the safety."

Smith said the decision to adopt the F1 layout in full, and not just the chicane complex instead of Turn 12, was about pre-empting any problems at Turn 10 by utilising the larger run-off area the tighter F1 version creates.

"We're just going the extra mile," he said.

"It's what we're trying to do as a safety commission. OK we missed this one [Salom's crash], we can't miss a next one.

"So we just pre-empted a situation that could arise in a million scenarios and rather than have people go, 'oh why didn't you change it because there's a Formula 1 track there', well let's just do everything."

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Will be interesting to see how Yamaha handle their main riders being criticised by their 'junior tech 3' team mates as Pol has also let loose

And from Pol

SOurce - MotoGP, Pol Espargarò attacks Rossi and Lorenzo

"There's so little humanity and respect in the MotoGP championship, I can't understand it”. Pol Espargarò's words on Twitter. The Spaniard is angry after hearing statements from Rossi and Lorenzo, the first implied changes to turn 10 were only made for personal interests while the latter complained that he wasn't invited to the Safety Commission.

“You should always go to the Safety Commission, you don't need to be invited, it's at 17.30. We also have a responibility towards the Moto2 and Moto3 riders” the Tech3 rider told Sky.

“It's rubbish to say that Honda does better through that corner, not because it's not true, but it's a question of safety, a man died yesterday - he added - Valentino can't simply say that there are many dangerous corners at different tracks that are never modified, you need to go to the Safety Commission”.

Pol concluded by commenting on Rossi's take on the turn 10 modifications.

“Did anything happen at turn 12 last year? Do we have to wait for someone to be killed to modify a section? I ride a Yamaha too and now I'm slower at that point, but you can't think that everyone's against you and that Marquez did that on purpose to win”.

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Gaz said:

SOurce - MotoGP, Pol Espargarò attacks Rossi and Lorenzo

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I have to say I was taken aback by Lorenzo's preoccupation with a possible advantage to a rival in the race in the face of a rider dying. He would seem to be just as obsessed with winning his next title as Rossi is.

If the safety meeting was held at the regular time then they can't complain about not being notified. One aspect of the safety meeting however is that Stoner who was passionate about safety and was prescient about a number of dangers including the dangers of differential speed and tarmac in the run-off areas gave up attending as he felt no-one was taking any notice of his concerns.

i beat 2013 rather quickly and of course purchased 2014 which is much much harder to control the bikes so i have yet to beat it. needless to say i never got 2015 but now maybe i should because i will never buy another installment of the game as long as its vr motogp

...., Bradley and Pol Espargaro laying it down. They're right. I was disappointed to learn Lorenzo, Rossi, and Pedrosa, didn’t go to the safety meetings. Especially after this incident. Obviously they didn’t expect such a measure to be taken, but then after you have to shut your mouth and say, oh well, I ...... up not going.

Will these two start getting booed?

Content Warning: Look ....... (.)(.)

Jumkie said:

...., Bradley and Pol Espargaro laying it down. They're right. I was disappointed to learn Lorenzo, Rossi, and Pedrosa, didn’t go to the safety meetings. Especially after this incident. Obviously they didn’t expect such a measure to be taken, but then after you have to shut your mouth and say, oh well, I ...... up not going.

Will these two start getting booed?

Content Warning: Look ....... (.)(.)

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.

Valentino Rossi said:

Ah, Junkie, you see I control-a the booing in MotoGP. I have added the Tech 3 riders to my ....-a list-a. Safety matters to me...after all I had to ride in an unsafe atmosphere caused by my ex-teammate and his partner in crime. The whole world and Carmelo saw what they-a did to me.

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I like MM's helmet.