MotoGP: 2013 Round 06 - CATALUNYA (SPOILERS)

thedeal

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Im not  convinced ,it looks like he is starting to ride shotgun.

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I agree. But then, shotgun at that pace is a great effort from a rookie. I think he's been surprised at how hard the likes of Peddy are going and learning that lunge passes aren't that effective when you're dealing with Top3 pace. There's not much excess grip st thst speed.

Sorry, Lyria, Jum, with the greatest respect I believe you're wrong - I agree with Phill. Catalunya is a very tricky circuit to make up even a small deficit. The display we were treated to in the last few laps of 2009 was exceptional in some respects unusual - a consequence of two brilliantly ridden well functioning and dialled in motorcycles. (To a certain extent I agree with Big Jorge's assertion that the race was won from the first corner with Lorenzo managing the gap throughout). Marquez flung everything he had at Dani. Watch the race again, and watch his reaction when he crossed the line. He was disgusted with himself. He knows he can match Dani's speed..perhaps at this stage not always his poise, rythym or finesse..and certainly not his guille. Like I said, that will come. Had he not locked and almost lost the front to avoid tagging Dani given his higher closing speed, I believe he would have finished second yesterday.


 


Marquez...riding shotgun???????????!!!!!!!????????? That has to be one of the most fanciful assertions I've seen this season. I'm not even going to debate it..just go away and think about it given everything you know about the kid. A loaded cannon is a more fitting description. I would not be in the slightest bit surprised to see the imposition of team orders late in the season if - and only if Marc is out of the championship hunt and it's down to the wire between Dani and Jorge.


 


 




 
Frizzle

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Not a race for the ages, but I suspect the tyres had a fair bit to do with that.



Or did someone have a crash magnet at turn 10?



JLo was his usual brilliant consistent self. I don't know why but the whole race I knew he was going to hold off the Honda's



Bit of a moment for Marc when trying to get by his team mate. Luckily they both stayed up.

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Possible that in each case the grip of the rear was pushing the front excessively - perhaps overworking it - hence the frequency of lowsides - although all left handers! Nicky's was just bizarre.


 


Regarding Bautista, Ha! Spalders speculated that he actually saw Rossi this time, and possibly tucked too tight a line too early as a consequence - crashing out in the process.
BBSB

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Hey, take it easy! Nobody said JLo wasn't good. He's the only Yamaha rider showing the true merits of their bike. He's a great rider but finishing 1st is expected since he's on the best ever motogp bike. The other M1 riders should be up there as well, if they aren't it's not the bike's fault.


I just find it amusing that every time JLo wins a race everybody seem to fall over themselves to let everyone know how great or superior he is but when another rider wins, like ex. little shy Dani - even if laps the field, he gets little credit if any. "Yeah that Honda's a rocket, poor Jorge, look what he has to face", "little fella did fine... but did you see how fast he was on the straight?", "he has an unfair weight advantage!". "wow!!! nobody saw which way he went, Lorenzo will regret for years to come not to take Honda's offer", "...Honda", "..."


Like I said, fantastic rider but put him on the same bike as the other 2 speed freaks (or vice-versa) and if he beats them in the same way I'll be the first to admit he's the dominant rider of moto gp. Until then I say there's very little between the 3 amigos.

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Regarding Lorenzo, yeah, there's a lot in what Big Jorge was saying that the start was so crucial. Unthinkable that Dani wouldn't be leading this into turn 1...but watch how much later Jorge was able to brake. Jorge rides to his strengths very, very well. Those strengths are in complete harmony with the M1 and the way he and Forcada are able to set it up. The last thing Lorenzo wanted was to consistently encounter two Honda's mid turn - exactly where he is strongest and faster. Leading from the first turn allowed him to control the race through the turns and exploit exactly why this circuit favours the Yamaha and his style. I have said before..Dani intrinsically has..or had a very similar style which is now adapted/attuned to the Honda -  a harder motorcycle to tame and ride but and with very different characteristics / idiosyncracies to the M1 over the course of a selective individual race or an entire season. This year - undoubtably the superior package..in fact it has been since 2011 - just robbed of its potential for almost half of last season by the tyre change.


 


You claim the opposite, that in comparison with the other riders, Jorge is the only one showing the superiority of the bike. Firstly Valentino prefers a shorter swing arm setting than Jorge. This shorter wheelbase allowed him to turn instantly and very quickly, to flick the motorcycle in an instant to devastating effect as opposed to the high speed arcs inscribed and favoured by Jorge - smooth as butter indeed. Two years down the line and reuinited with the M1, Vale has restored his old faithful settings but much like getting back with an ex much has moved on since...and so has she. The new Bridgestone's don't favour this approach which


was so suited to the more rigid carcass of two years ago. Cal meatime has simply said...when he tries to brake as late as Jorge or match his lean angle he crashes. Nonetheless, instead of trying to ride the motorcycle his way, he is trying to dissect and intrinsically understand Lorenzo's method.


 


Barring injury, this is Dani's year..absolutely no doubt. Everything is favouring him going forward. The Honda's overall strength over the Yamaha, the abundance of Honda friendly circuits, durability..the hallmark of HRC particularly against the dire engine situation at Yamaha and above all..he is riding better than I've ever seen him and getting exponentially stronger with age. For me Brno 2012 was a watershed when he cut the TC mid race and 'rode it like Stoner'. He is the 'complete' article. For so long known as a 'confidence rider' he's riding high on just that and knows he has the package beneath him and the metal fortitude to deliver this year. The contention arises over the fact that he's had eight attempts, eight chances which wouldn't have fallen to any other rider less favourably placed and entrenched in the benefits conferred by Repsol sponsorship in conjunction with HRC.

Perhaps we have different definitions of 'Shotgun'.

Let's just say I thought he had the pace, was following but with very, very little in reserve. Too little to challenge. As observed, when he did, it nearly went tits up.


Edit to add: good post, A1.

Arrabbiata1

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Sorry, Lyria, Jum, with the greatest respect I believe you're wrong - I agree with Phill. Catalunya is a very tricky circuit to make up even a small deficit. The display we were treated to in the last few laps of 2009 was exceptional in some respects unusual - a consequence of two brilliantly ridden well functioning and dialled in motorcycles. (To a certain extent I agree with Big Jorge's assertion that the race was won from the first corner with Lorenzo managing the gap throughout). Marquez flung everything he had at Dani. Watch the race again, and watch his reaction when he crossed the line. He was disgusted with himself. He knows he can match Dani's speed..perhaps at this stage not always his poise, rythym or finesse..and certainly not his guille. Like I said, that will come. Had he not locked and almost lost the front to avoid tagging Dani given his higher closing speed, I believe he would have finished second yesterday.

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Sorry Arabb, and I don't usually do this but I'm going to disagree and argue my point here. I've watched racing long enough to understand what I saw.


 


Sure, you're right, Marquez was desperate to get by Pedrosa and I'm sure he was furious that he hadn't made it by him at the end. That I totally agree with you about. However, he's known as a rider who will take risks and barge by other riders, yet although he was clearly faster and probably could have caught Lorenzo if Dani wasn't in his way, he didn't barge by him simply because it was his team mate in front of him, anyone else and he would have just gone for it as he did when he and Lorenzo came together a few races back.  He knows he has to make a clean move on his team mate, if he doesn't the team will make him sorry for it, so with Dani he has to be that bit more careful. I truly believe that is what I saw him doing.


 


Of course that is a matter of opinion and that's mine, I'm not saying you're wrong, just we don't agree on it, you and Phill see it in a different way is all.

"Barring injury, this is Dani's year..absolutely no doubt. Everything is favouring him going forward. The Honda's overall strength over the Yamaha, the abundance of Honda friendly circuits, durability..the hallmark of HRC particularly against the dire engine situation at Yamaha and above all..he is riding better than I've ever seen him and getting exponentially stronger with age. For me Brno 2012 was a watershed when he cut the TC mid race and 'rode it like Stoner'. He is the 'complete' article. For so long known as a 'confidence rider' he's riding high on just that and knows he has the package beneath him and the metal fortitude to deliver this year. The contention arises over the fact that he's had eight attempts, eight chances which wouldn't have fallen to any other rider less favourably placed and entrenched in the benefits conferred by Repsol sponsorship in conjunction with HRC."


 


 


While the Suzuki wasn't top of the heap in that era - it's notable that Schwantz didn't cop a lot of flack because it took him a while to win his single championship. Dani has not proved himself to be a media darling and antipathy toward him over the whole Spanish passport issue hasn't helped. But in the long run, looking back, I expect the more objective observers of the sport will count him as a guy who stayed the course in spite of public opinion, a vast number of injuries and bad luck with regards to being taken out by other riders. Were it not for the fact of Marky Mark waiting in the wings - I expect Pedrosa might be capable of winning two championships during his career.

Good point lyria , I would have to agree that from the front end wobble onwards marquez probably went from simoncelli to normal mode .he sure gave it his all (like hes supposed to) but had it been someone other than dani we could have seen another jerez like move or worse , just a couple of races into the season is by far not enough for me to expect differently.

Awesome stuff arrab

thedeal

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Im not convinced ,it looks like he is starting to ride shotgun.

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Very witty sir.


Arrab, perhaps our difference in description is degree? I agree that Marc isnt under classic team orders not to pass his teammate as in F1, but I think he was extra 'cautious' (or as Lyra describes it "tip toeing") around Pedro. I say this given Marc's history and propensity to not give a .... about making contact during overtaking. My point is, he thought better of barging past rather than his usual dive bombarding MO. Even then, he still managed to make a mistake/save and almost took out both riders. Dani did good to ride defensively.


Btw if this means he is maturing, good for him and his competitors. Im hoping this is the case because I was rooting for him to pass Pedro (take note Krops).


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Lyria

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Sorry Arabb, and I don't usually do this but I'm going to disagree and argue my point here. I've watched racing long enough to understand what I saw.


 


Sure, you're right, Marquez was desperate to get by Pedrosa and I'm sure he was furious that he hadn't made it by him at the end. That I totally agree with you about. However, he's known as a rider who will take risks and barge by other riders, yet although he was clearly faster and probably could have caught Lorenzo if Dani wasn't in his way, he didn't barge by him simply because it was his team mate in front of him, anyone else and he would have just gone for it as he did when he and Lorenzo came together a few races back.  He knows he has to make a clean move on his team mate, if he doesn't the team will make him sorry for it, so with Dani he has to be that bit more careful. I truly believe that is what I saw him doing.


 


Of course that is a matter of opinion and that's mine, I'm not saying you're wrong, just we don't agree on it, you and Phill see it in a different way is all.

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In spite of the rampant censorship of late, the entire rationale of this forum is to air opinions. As a firm believer in the marketplace of ideas we should be free to trade them..some are easier to discredit that others and you make some valid points.


 


As I say, Catalunya is a tough circuit to make a pass but I also think we need to give Dani some kudos here. Jorge was able to control the race very well and when Dani closed him down, he responded. Towards the end it was less about catching Lorenzo..(far less passing him) and more about taking defensive lines which Dani does brilliantly. It is no coincidence that the rider in the current field regarded as the most difficult to pass aside from Vale is Dani. In fact ask the Doctor himself and that's the response you'll get in spite of the fact that two years ago Rossi only had to show him a wheel and he'd crumble like a polverone.


 


A circumspect Marquez??!! There weren't a great many opportunities to make a 'lunge'..unlike the way he capitalised on Pedrosa's mistake at COTA, Dani had seen to that. So given Pedrosa's defensive stance combined with the highly difficult nature of this circuit we saw more sporadic 'stabs' at the lead. He may be less inclined as you say to unceremoniously barge past his team mate and perhaps might have ruthlessly dispatched anyone other than Pedrosa a la Jerez, had the opportunity arisen....but it didn't. Similarly, I've watched racing long enough to understand what I saw..if you can't win the race, finish instead ahead of your team mate. Like I say, watch his reaction when he crossed the line. He knew he was faster overall but a clean pass was practically impossible. Had he been able to execute one of his last ditch 'barge passes' which have over the year become his modus operandi, had the chance arisen...make no mistake..Dani or no Dani - he wouldn't have hesitated. 


 


If anything, the team mate significance made him more determined to get by. I would suggest if, in the unlikely event anything was as you say holding him back, it was the unthinkable prospect of ending up on his arse again in the process!

Arrabi, I was editing my post as u wrote urs. As I said, I think we agree overall (or more accurately) I agree with u overall, and as I said, perhsps its a matter of degree. I too waited to see MMs reaction at the finish as I was looking for clues. It actually gave me great satisfaction to see him shake his head! In FACT its this kind of reaction that made me a fan of NH in the AMA.

I just feel MM held back a bit despite his "stabs".

Arrabbiata1

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In spite of the rampant censorship of late, the entire rationale of this forum is to air opinions. As a firm believer in the marketplace of ideas we should be free to trade them..some are easier to discredit that others and you make some valid points.


 


As I say, Catalunya is a tough circuit to make a pass but I also think we need to give Dani some kudos here. Jorge was able to control the race very well and when Dani closed him down, he responded. Towards the end it was less about catching Lorenzo..(far less passing him) and more about taking defensive lines which Dani does brilliantly. It is no coincidence that the rider in the current field regarded as the most difficult to pass aside from Vale is Dani. In fact ask the Doctor himself and that's the response you'll get in spite of the fact that two years ago Rossi only had to show him a wheel and he'd crumble like a polverone.


 


A circumspect Marquez??!! There weren't a great many opportunities to make a 'lunge'..unlike the way he capitalised on Pedrosa's mistake at COTA, Dani had seen to that. So given Pedrosa's defensive stance combined with the highly difficult nature of this circuit we saw more sporadic 'stabs' at the lead. He may be less inclined as you say to unceremoniously barge past his team mate and perhaps might have ruthlessly dispatched anyone other than Pedrosa a la Jerez, had the opportunity arisen....but it didn't. Similarly, I've watched racing long enough to understand what I saw..if you can't win the race, finish instead ahead of your team mate. Like I say, watch his reaction when he crossed the line. He knew he was faster overall but a clean pass was practically impossible. Had he been able to execute one of his last ditch 'barge passes' which have over the year become his modus operandi, had the chance arisen...make no mistake..Dani or no Dani - he wouldn't have hesitated. 


 


If anything, the team mate significance made him more determined to get by. I would suggest if, in the unlikely event anything was as you say holding him back, it was the unthinkable prospect of ending up on his arse again in the process!

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You're right, in any form of racing your team mate is the first person you want to pass and the main person you have to do so without taking out. That's pretty much a given.  I also agree Dani made that bike almost impossible to pass, he showed us the art of defensive riding and he had me hooked. I was in part hoping Marc would have a go just to see if he could actually make it, but at the same time applauding Dani's ability to keep him behind. That in itself is a skill which is admirable.


 


See after his mistake when they almost touched wheels Marc dropped back but was on the back of Pedrosa's bike again so damn fast it proved he was the much faster rider at that point. I was waiting for the banzai move on the last corner but it didn't happen. Was it because it was his team mate ahead and he's thinking of the championship and the reaction of the team if he took them both out? Or was it because he was scared of landing up in the gravel again? I suppose only he will ever know the answer to that, could have been a bit of both I suppose. I still tend to believe if it had been anyone else he might just have gone for it, only the fact it was Pedrosa stopped him for whatever reason but unless Marc says different, that's my view and I'm sticking to it

Lyria

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You're right, in any form of racing your team mate is the first person you want to pass and the main person you have to do so without taking out. That's pretty much a given.  I also agree Dani made that bike almost impossible to pass, he showed us the art of defensive riding and he had me hooked. I was in part hoping Marc would have a go just to see if he could actually make it, but at the same time applauding Dani's ability to keep him behind. That in itself is a skill which is admirable.


 


See after his mistake when they almost touched wheels Marc dropped back but was on the back of Pedrosa's bike again so damn fast it proved he was the much faster rider at that point. I was waiting for the banzai move on the last corner but it didn't happen. Was it because it was his team mate ahead and he's thinking of the championship and the reaction of the team if he took them both out? Or was it because he was scared of landing up in the gravel again? I suppose only he will ever know the answer to that, could have been a bit of both I suppose. I still tend to believe if it had been anyone else he might just have gone for it, only the fact it was Pedrosa stopped him for whatever reason but unless Marc says different, that's my view and I'm sticking to it

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If you haven't already seen it, which I'm sure you have, watch Valentino on his team mate Lorenzo at that corner in 2009. A clinical diagnosis and dissection of the opponent by the Doctor - executed with surgical precision. One of the greatest - if not the greatest last lap/corner moves I have ever seen in the history of motorsport because it was so beautifully planned, exquisitely timed and so incredibly difficult to deliver. Plus, Jorge left a slight opening..Dani did not. This is not the last corner at Jerez. You do not make desperate lunges or simply 'barge past'. Like you say, Marc easily redressed the gap that he created by locking the front..he clearly had the speed and even at times seemed stronger on the brakes than Dani. He lacked the rythym and ultimately the cumulative drive to get by. At Jerez - a much slower corner, Jorge left the door wide open - and Marc stuck his foot in it. Forget the last corner..on Sunday Dani slammed it resoundingly shut...it wasn't possible to as you say 'go for it' without crashing..Marc knew that - but I might be willing to concede, perhaps rued earlier missed opportunities where he had closed Dani down.

Good analysis.... You know MM learned a lot sitting behind Pedrosa, he will take that and apply them to his repertoire.

Lyria

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Sorry Arabb, and I don't usually do this but I'm going to disagree and argue my point here. I've watched racing long enough to understand what I saw.


 


Sure, you're right, Marquez was desperate to get by Pedrosa and I'm sure he was furious that he hadn't made it by him at the end. That I totally agree with you about. However, he's known as a rider who will take risks and barge by other riders, yet although he was clearly faster and probably could have caught Lorenzo if Dani wasn't in his way, he didn't barge by him simply because it was his team mate in front of him, anyone else and he would have just gone for it as he did when he and Lorenzo came together a few races back.  He knows he has to make a clean move on his team mate, if he doesn't the team will make him sorry for it, so with Dani he has to be that bit more careful. I truly believe that is what I saw him doing.


 


Of course that is a matter of opinion and that's mine, I'm not saying you're wrong, just we don't agree on it, you and Phill see it in a different way is all.

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Lyria i agree and will go further, he was so obviously faster than Danny but failed to pass i am convinced he is under team orders and will help Danny win the title,the sham of a race on sunday between the team mates was so obvious Stevie Wonder could see it,HRC have done this before (Taddy/Mick) and to be honest it sucks,unless Danny has a crash or a very bad day Mark will not go for the win,i fully expect to get a .... fest for this but lets look at it at the end of the season.

thedeal

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Lyria i agree and will go further, he was so obviously faster than Danny but failed to pass i am convinced he is under team orders and will help Danny win the title,the sham of a race on sunday between the team mates was so obvious Stevie Wonder could see it,HRC have done this before (Taddy/Mick) and to be honest it sucks,unless Danny has a crash or a very bad day Mark will not go for the win,i fully expect to get a .... fest for this but lets look at it at the end of the season.

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It will certianly be interesting to see if Marquez gets in front of Danny at the start how the race will progress between them.

Arrabbiata1

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...Marquez flung everything he had at Dani. Watch the race again, and watch his reaction when he crossed the line. He was disgusted with himself. He knows he can match Dani's speed..perhaps at this stage not always his poise, rythym or finesse..and certainly not his guille. Like I said, that will come. Had he not locked and almost lost the front to avoid tagging Dani given his higher closing speed, I believe he would have finished second yesterday.

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I wish I had your ability to dissect the race, but despite years of watching, mostly I sit there with mouth open, stuffing pizza n to catch the drool .


 


I do wonder, watching Pedrosa this year, whether he learned something from Stoner, with regard to putting the RC into 'strange' shapes, and by seeing just what the bike can do in the hands of someone that didn't read the rulebook? In previous seasons he took the 'right' line, trying to make the perfect lap and if fast enough, he would win. This year (and towards the end of last season), he seems to be able to step it up when needed - to pull a move that might have been risky and that he would have avoided in the past.


 


I guess what I am trying to say is, he seems to have thrown caution a bit windward. Whereas in previous years he would play the statistical game of hitting the right line and managing his race through consistancy, now he seems to be willing to make a bad corner, in order to be tactically 'better' (if that makes sense?). With someone like Marquez chewing at his heels, it may be his salvation.

thedeal

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Lyria i agree and will go further, he was so obviously faster than Danny but failed to pass i am convinced he is under team orders and will help Danny win the title,the sham of a race on sunday between the team mates was so obvious Stevie Wonder could see it,HRC have done this before (Taddy/Mick) and to be honest it sucks,unless Danny has a crash or a very bad day Mark will not go for the win,i fully expect to get a .... fest for this but lets look at it at the end of the season.

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I'm not willing to say that team orders are not the case, but I can't honestly say that I saw that Marquez was "so obviously faster' - it hasn't stopped him passing him before. It looked to me like Pedrosa had his measure. He certainly got the thing pointed and shot out of those corners like a bullet.

Lyria

3540121371471186

Sorry Arabb, and I don't usually do this but I'm going to disagree and argue my point here. I've watched racing long enough to understand what I saw.


 


Sure, you're right, Marquez was desperate to get by Pedrosa and I'm sure he was furious that he hadn't made it by him at the end. That I totally agree with you about. However, he's known as a rider who will take risks and barge by other riders, yet although he was clearly faster and probably could have caught Lorenzo if Dani wasn't in his way, he didn't barge by him simply because it was his team mate in front of him, anyone else and he would have just gone for it as he did when he and Lorenzo came together a few races back.  He knows he has to make a clean move on his team mate, if he doesn't the team will make him sorry for it, so with Dani he has to be that bit more careful. I truly believe that is what I saw him doing.


 


Of course that is a matter of opinion and that's mine, I'm not saying you're wrong, just we don't agree on it, you and Phill see it in a different way is all.

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Good takes on the subject everyone.


 


Lyria I agree with you for the most part up until the bolded statement.  I don't think marquez had that much more of a pace than pedro to have caught up to lorenzo.  Marq did show a bit of restraint IMO, but he was not that much faster than Pedro.  In fact, I think that if marq did pass pedro in those last laps, dani would have stayed with him for the most part.  Too bad tho, because that was the most exciting part of the race and it would have made the end more exciting.


 


 


Also, Bautista said he was being held up, anyone else read this? Which is why he pulls these ....... moves, anyone else think he is jumping the gun a bit?  He doesnt even make it a lap.  

thedeal

3540301371485896

Lyria i agree and will go further, he was so obviously faster than Danny but failed to pass i am convinced he is under team orders and will help Danny win the title,the sham of a race on sunday between the team mates was so obvious Stevie Wonder could see it,HRC have done this before (Taddy/Mick) and to be honest it sucks,unless Danny has a crash or a very bad day Mark will not go for the win,i fully expect to get a .... fest for this but lets look at it at the end of the season.

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HRC did deploy Okada but Mick hardly needed the buffer. Actually, you'll find that today the contrary is true....and more characteristic of Ducati. I remember Xaus was given team orders and at Imola told to directly to ride shotgun to Bayliss...he shot his bolt too early and couldn't match the pace of either Colin or Troy so it was in the event a fairly pointless plan. Colin definitely was under instructions to ride shotgun for Vale on several occasions at Yamaha and also for Sete at Gresini. Dani's brief at Valencia '06 was to assist Nicky. That said HRC don't favour what would be a rider centric approach - it's the machine that counts remember?...unless it goes right down to the wire between Jorge and Dani I can't see it happening.


 


The premise that after five races such a dictat would be made, even by HRC....after FIVE races is preposterous. That Marc's rookie year is all about shielding Pedrosa is utterly ludicrous. Sorry. 


 


I say again - Marc was quicker than Dani in spurts and putting in faster lap times throughout stages of the race - I'll have to see the comparative sector split times between he and Dani. But Deal - you know this sport well...you can be visibly faster than the guy in front as Marc was, but ultimately making that pass stick against one such as Dani, on a circuit as technical as Catalunya in this class, requires great finesse...which as I've said Marc is finding out fast. 


 


Riding shotgun? he almost put a bullet in the back of Dani's head...right now, Dani is a higher calibre.


 


If your assumption is correct then far from beating Pedrosa in an out and out battle, we are therefore unlikely to see him attempt to so much as pass him for the rest of the season. 

Arrabi, agree about Catalunya 09 (and I've said as much though vastly less eloquent); but i humbly submit, its the difference between Marc & VR that I'd like to point out. Where as VR has no problem making contact (see Catalunya 09 again), Rossi still attempts these moves with more precision (as u said). Perhaps 08 was the last time VR would have been willing to make such criminal barging typical of Jerez 05. Where Marc is still at the barging stage. Im saying Marc's surgical tools are blunt instruments (Jerez on Lorenzo) where as VR have becoming increasingly of the knife's edge variety.


 


Im not so sure MM was thinking at Jerez this year, 'this is a slow corner and so less risk'. I'll add, i humbly submit the supposed "wide open gap" by Lorenzo's trajectory has been used more for the purpose of  justifying Marc's move rather than what actually existed (if executing a pass properly is considered). The point im trying to make, which Lyria described in her observation, is that Marc's attempts didnt seem of the 'usual' variety I've come to expect from him. Which I admit, I hadnt detected immediately given Marc's more 'measured' attempts this race until Lyra pointed it out. My first reaction was, are u kidding "tip toeing" no way, he tried to take DP out. But I thought about it a bit more and concluded Lyria does have a point, though with the caveat that no classic "team orders" were in place (as HRC are not in the custom, see Estoril 06). In Lyras defense, being fairly new to MotoGP vs F1 (where team orders are shocking to me) perhaps she is not familiar with HRC's custom of not employing such "team tactic". But she did detect a more 'measured' race tactic by Marquez. Perhaps we can chalk this up to my personal bias on Marquez. I just figure had it not been a teammate but a more 'proper' rival like Lorenzo, that he wouldn't have gave much thought to a riskier attempt.

I honestly think MM has matured. He felt a little heat at Jerez, when he wasn't even in the wrong. No matter what he says, he intends to win the championship this year and doesn't want any asterisk.


 


And...Bautista has an inferiorority complex that is making him push stupid hard. He's likely justified, as he won't have that ride next year.


 


BTW, I finally posted pics from Austin. Sadly, only a few good ones and a cloudy pic of curve.


http://powerslide.net/forum/index.php?/topic/15383-austin-gp-2013-its-not-just-a-party/page-20