MotoGP: 2015 Round 13 - Gran Premio TIM di San Marino (SPOILERS)

J-Lo seems to be pissed at Rossi for impeding him during qualifying. Says it cost him 2 tenths.

I suppose if it was intentional, this is as good a time as any to start the mind games.

Qualifying 2:
1. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 1m 32.146s [Lap 5/8] 288km/h (Top Speed)
2. Marc Marquez ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 1m 32.252s +0.106s [7/8] 286km/h
3. Valentino Rossi ITA Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 1m 32.358s +0.212s [7/8] 286km/h
4. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 1m 32.434s +0.288s [7/9] 289km/h
5. Michele Pirro ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP15) 1m 32.736s +0.590s [6/7] 290km/h
6. Bradley Smith GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1) 1m 32.801s +0.655s [6/9] 288km/h
7. Andrea Iannone ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP15) 1m 32.821s +0.675s [6/7] 294km/h
8. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP15) 1m 32.934s +0.788s [7/7] 294km/h
9. Danilo Petrucci ITA Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP14.2) 1m 33.169s +1.023s [7/7] 289km/h
10. Aleix Espargaro ESP Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) 1m 33.187s +1.041s [4/8] 281km/h
11. Cal Crutchlow GBR LCR Honda (RC213V) 1m 33.220s +1.074s [6/7] 287km/h
12. Pol Espargaro ESP Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1) 1m 33.222s +1.076s [2/2] 288km/h

Qualifying 1:
13. Scott Redding GBR Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V) 1m 33.340s 284km/h
14. Maverick Viñales ESP Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR)* 1m 33.439s 283km/h
15. Yonny Hernandez COL Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP14.2) 1m 33.710s 290km/h
16. Loris Baz FRA Forward Racing (Forward Yamaha)* 1m 34.093s 279km/h
17. Jack Miller AUS LCR Honda (RC213V-RS)* 1m 34.137s 282km/h
18. Hector Barbera ESP Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP14 Open) 1m 34.296s 288km/h
19. Stefan Bradl GER Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) 1m 34.333s 281km/h
20. Alvaro Bautista ESP Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) 1m 34.368s 282km/h
21. Eugene Laverty IRL Aspar MotoGP Team (RC213V-RS)* 1m 34.468s 278km/h
22. Mike Di Meglio FRA Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP14 Open) 1m 34.722s 283km/h
23. Nicky Hayden USA Aspar MotoGP Team (RC213V-RS) 1m 34.732s 276km/h
24. Claudio Corti ITA Forward Racing (Forward Yamaha) 1m 35.385s 277km/h
25. Karel Abraham CZE AB Motoracing (RC213V-RS) 1m 35.406s 279km/h
26. Alex De Angelis RSM E-Motion IodaRacing (ART) 1m 35.684s 275km/h

Pretty amazing how much anticipitatory tension there is amongst the fans at this stage of the season. There are still 6 races to run and so much can happen in the course of six races. Let's hope it stays this way till the end. Gotta say Lorenzo keeping MM at bay (barely) is really impressive. A lot of people are holding their breath. If Rossi pulls a rabbit out of his hat here - it will be huge.

JPSLotus said:

J-Lo seems to be pissed at Rossi for impeding him during qualifying. Says it cost him 2 tenths.

I suppose if it was intentional, this is as good a time as any to start the mind games.

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I think this is just another textbook case of Rossi making a small error, completely unintentionally getting under someones skin, genuinely pleading ignorance, but as he's such a goofy imp everything he says seems so insincere.

Not knowing if it was deliberate will total grate Jorge however, he's so highly strung I imagine it isn't too difficult to disturb his equilibrium.

Won't make any difference come race time...

ratdeal said:

I think this is just another textbook case of Rossi making a small error, completely unintentionally getting under someones skin, genuinely pleading ignorance, but as he's such a goofy imp everything he says seems so insincere.

Not knowing if it was deliberate will total grate Jorge however, he's so highly strung I imagine it isn't too difficult to disturb his equilibrium.

Won't make any difference come race time...

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Rossi mind games intentional or not are always effective. Just Rossi being on the front row is a mind .... for Jorge.

MdubSTYLIE said:

Rossi mind games intentional or not are always effective. Just Rossi being on the front row is a mind .... for Jorge.

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The scene is set for a big showdown tomorrow. These "mind games" will certainly add an edge.

If the battle does commence I doubt we'll see any quarter asked nor given between the two of them. Then MM will prematurely ejaculate seeing the battle porn up front and end up in the gravel, hopefully sans Yamaha.

MdubSTYLIE said:

Rossi mind games intentional or not are always effective. Just Rossi being on the front row is a mind .... for Jorge.

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Absolutely agree. I'll even say this is VRs race to lose. He is exactly were he wants to start. He doesnt risk first 3/4 of race, he lets Lorenzo and Marquez chase each other then with saved tires has a go last 1/4. Pedro will be a non factor as usual. Marquez will be the real danger, as if I had to say that. Marquez will help Rossi inadvertently as has been the case all season.

Still: VR 2015 champ elect to lose.

Jumkie said:

Absolutely agree. I'll even say this is VRs race to lose. He is exactly were he wants to start. He doesnt risk first 3/4 of race, he lets Lorenzo and Marquez chase each other then with saved tires has a go last 1/4. Pedro will be a non factor as usual. Marquez will be the real danger, as if I had to say that. Marquez will help Rossi inadvertently as has been the case all season.

Still: VR 2015 champ elect to lose.

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I had initially disagreed with you on VR being in the running for the title a month or so ago, but I have to agree now.

There's something so surgical in his approach, that if he does win the title, I will give him tremendous credit. I'd say that it would easily be his most deserving title of them all since he would have done it against brutal competition at this age.

I think J-Lo is going to be in panic mode for this race, and he's going to cut his own throat. If Rossi gets off the line cleanly and can split MM and J-Lo before turn 1, I'm going to say he will likely win the race.

ratdeal said:

I think this is just another textbook case of Rossi making a small error, completely unintentionally getting under someones skin, genuinely pleading ignorance, but as he's such a goofy imp everything he says seems so insincere.

Not knowing if it was deliberate will total grate Jorge however, he's so highly strung I imagine it isn't too difficult to disturb his equilibrium.

Won't make any difference come race time...

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Agree. IMO Jorge sees himself as having the measure of Rossi at this stage and believe (probably rightly) the fogged helmet is the only reason he's not leading in the points. He can do a lot of damage in six races. As has been said MM is the Joker in the pack. It's been sort of painful watching Rossi struggle with the 15 minute qualification system. Of all the "Aliens" he seems to be the one least able to come to terms with it. And his starts haven't improved measurably - while Lorenzo's have dramatically.

JPSLotus said:

I think J-Lo is going to be in panic mode for this race, and he's going to cut his own throat. .

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Lorenzo has been in "must win" mode for a while and its got him dick. The pressure is on Jlo not Valentino. This is another must win situation. Coming second is not good enough as VR will finish on the podium. Baring any odd outcomes, this season is over, only the illusion remains.

Keshav said:

Agree. IMO Jorge sees himself as having the measure of Rossi at this stage and believe (probably rightly) the fogged helmet is the only reason he's not leading in the points. He can do a lot of damage in six races. As has been said MM is the Joker in the pack. It's been sort of painful watching Rossi struggle with the 15 minute qualification system. Of all the "Aliens" he seems to be the one least able to come to terms with it. And his starts haven't improved measurably - while Lorenzo's have dramatically.

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I think if anything, JL will use these frustrations to his advantage.

Rossi will struggle to improve in these areas IMO. I think he is near enough at capacity and is just trying to maintain his current level. The one thing that I think is surprisingly obvious, is just how much VR is leveraging his experience. He may be lacking that final little bit in speed but he is just about making up for it in nouse and race craft.

Jumkie said:

Lorenzo has been in "must win" mode for a while and its got him dick. The pressure is on Jlo not Valentino. This is another must win situation. Coming second is not good enough as VR will finish on the podium. Baring any odd outcomes, this season is over, only the illusion remains.

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The HJC thing is just bizarre.

A year ago I was looking for a full face helmet, and the bike shop kept telling every time I would go in, "You have to try the HJC, great helmet, great price."

So I finally try the HJC helmet the guy kept raving about.

Was the most uncomfortable full face helmet I've ever tried.

Felt cheap as ...., and like my head was in a vise.

Wound up going with a Shoei that I was able to get on closeout for $350 instead of $500. I just ride for pleasure, so I cannot fathom relying on a helmet made by HJC if my livelihood is dependent on racing motorcycles. Such a garbage company.

Jumkie said:

Absolutely agree. I'll even say this is VRs race to lose. He is exactly were he wants to start. He doesnt risk first 3/4 of race, he lets Lorenzo and Marquez chase each other then with saved tires has a go last 1/4. Pedro will be a non factor as usual. Marquez will be the real danger, as if I had to say that. Marquez will help Rossi inadvertently as has been the case all season.

Still: VR 2015 champ elect to lose.

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Sounds about right. Marc will be there to be make things interesting until his posV causes him make a giant mistake hopefully only ruining his own race. Rossi also know this track and the tarmac better than anyone.

Just watched the press conference...

Journo: "Valentino, it looked like on your last lap that you looked up at the screen and could see behind you. Could you see Jorge or not"?

I have to say, Valentino was extremely uncomfortable/awkward when explaining his version of events. He had the look of a man who has been rumbled!

That was the way I saw it anyway...

Other way around brother, That was a journo gift to VR. Who's feathers was that question going to ultimately ruffle?

In the motorhome VR is laughing, while Lorenzo (if anything) might be seething. If we have learned anything throughout the years, it's that excessive emotion kills rider performance.

I'm going to have to disagree with you there. IMO it just serves to confirm what I believe Lorenzo may have suspected. But there was no rise from JL at all, in fact I'd say he looked quite satisfied. Of course there is no way for us to know how they are actually feeling. Perhaps we are both seeing more than there is to see....

ratdeal said:

I'm going to have to disagree with you there. IMO it just serves to confirm what I believe Lorenzo may have suspected. But there was no rise from JL at all, in fact I'd say he looked quite satisfied. Of course there is no way for us to know how they are actually feeling. Perhaps we are both seeing more than there is to see....

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I have to agree more with Ratdeal and that the "mind ...." from Rossi is bunk. JL has won a few races and a championship or two. Not like he is a rookie and hasn't been here before. It will be another day at the office.

Someone did mention something about Rossi running down JL and MM later in the race. Now to me, that is more likely. JL is the best off the line out three of them, followed by MM. IMO, JL and MM jump out in front with Rossi a little ways back. I think the key to the race will be how hard MM pushes JL and how the new surface effects the tires. The new surface eats JL and MM tires up, Rossi could run them down late. Ducati's are a wild card with all the testing they did there.

Whatever happens, I will bet it will be an exciting race. Can't wait.

But, my opinion doesn't mean ........

Why do you keep saying "my opinion doesn't mean ...."? You've had some excellent takes. Are you referring to 'predictions? Because nobody's predictions mean squat. Hahaha

No reason. Just goofing off.. And yes, my prediction are always ....!! Lol

ratdeal said:

I think if anything, JL will use these frustrations to his advantage.

Rossi will struggle to improve in these areas IMO. I think he is near enough at capacity and is just trying to maintain his current level. The one thing that I think is surprisingly obvious, is just how much VR is leveraging his experience. He may be lacking that final little bit in speed but he is just about making up for it in nouse and race craft.

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Sure his qualifying could be better, but based on what we have seen this season, he's shown qualifying doesn't necessarily matter if you know what you're doing. A race isn't won on one lap, by the cumulative laps combined. Something MM hasn't come to grips with, and something JL gets when the conditions are correct.