Heard Kevin Schwantz interviewed on the BBC of all places after qualifying. He still thinks Valentino will win the championship.
Joined Apr 2008
7K Posts | 3K+
Out of Nowhere
Sod MotoGP - there's a British Championship at stake here.
So once again Danny Kent ruins his Sunday morning with yet another debacle during qualifying. 18th on the grid?
- I'm not worried. I've repeatedly read in the last fortnight that there is an 'unwritten rule' which states you should not race a potential World Champion. So even if Oliveira wins, I'm safe in the assured knowledge that the entire field will let him through to allow him to finish in second, if not the two points he needs.
God forbid anyone attempts to race him. If so I think I'll start the online petition here - because that'll be at least 200 signatures for starters.
So once again Danny Kent ruins his Sunday morning with yet another debacle during qualifying. 18th on the grid?
- I'm not worried. I've repeatedly read in the last fortnight that there is an 'unwritten rule' which states you should not race a potential World Champion. So even if Oliveira wins, I'm safe in the assured knowledge that the entire field will let him through to allow him to finish in second, if not the two points he needs.
God forbid anyone attempts to race him. If so I think I'll start the online petition here - because that'll be at least 200 signatures for starters.
Joined Oct 2006
25K Posts | 4K+
Your Mom's House
Joined Aug 2007
11K Posts | 3K+
Pomona NY
Lorenzo said in the post quali presser that it was essentially a freak, unrepeatable lap. I wouldn't put all my money on Lorenzo just yet.
Didn't say that. I think Jorge can win the race, but he is 7 points behind, not 4.
Joined Oct 2006
25K Posts | 4K+
Your Mom's House
Don't understand your point, regardless, I think it's all advantage Rossi. And that was by absolute design. I said, I bet Lorenzo would trade with VR in an instant if it meant a 7 point advantage starting from the rear. For me VR "champ" is a foregone conclusion.
I am agreeing with you, and posted the Kevin Schwantz comment for that reason.
I thought before qualifying that 2nd and 3rd was on the cards. 1st and 2nd obviously gives a similar championship result. Even without scripting the Yamahas look to have better race pace and to be more stable on the tyres and in the conditions. Maybe Valentino will put on "his" hard tyre and beat Jorge at the end of the race even.
If it is scripted then there is already an excuse for the Hondas fading, the tyre heat thing. You and I spent the best part of 2 weeks railing against Valentino's conspiracy theory in regard to the PI race, however.
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Joined Jul 2006
11K Posts | 291+
Texas
Joined Oct 2006
25K Posts | 4K+
Your Mom's House
Jlo needs to beat the only two riders who have the package to race him. While VR needs to cruise to the front of a field that neither has the package to challenge nor the mandate, unwritten rule and all. Allow me to quote the official HRC rationale: 'our goal is to arrive 1-2 so as not to attract any suspicion we have impacted the championship.' (See the muzzled conference where they said, sorry, we decided not to reveal our telemetry so as not to cast doubt on our intentions. Even though we had announced this press conference to offer openly the information, sorry, we've had a change of mind, last minute). Think about this statement for a minute. Even HRC are on pins and needles to avoid they may be painted in a negative light in regards to Rossi. Otherwise why would they be so afraid?
VR will be 10th before end of first lap. He only needs to arrive in 7th. What riders do u expect to beat Rossi? Marquez, Pedrosa, and Lorenzo would beat Rossi even if VR were on pole. But who else? Tech3, Suzuki, Ducati? Haha, yeah right. Keep in mind, VRs seat will be available at some point. Memories are long.
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Joined Oct 2011
248 Posts | 112+
Adelaide
I have this nagging feeling that the race will be stopped at some point caused by disruptive fans, yellow smoke obscuring vision for example. I sincerely hope not. Please let them race DORNA.
Joined Apr 2015
6K Posts | 5K+
NJ
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Joined Jul 2006
11K Posts | 291+
Texas
Joined Oct 2011
248 Posts | 112+
Adelaide
Rossi said Race Direction has already given him the exact hold time of lights. What an incredible start he will have.
Joined Jul 2015
812 Posts | 336+
Hurricane, WV
I totally disagree.. I am not saying Rossi doesn't have a good chance, but it has to be less than George.
I say 70/30 George after today. If he gets 1st or 2nd, it is over. Third or forth, to quote Williski, "interesting". When was the last time he finished below that without a DNF?
I would pick Georges spot over Rossi's tomorrow anytime. Specially since it isn't going to rain...
Joined Oct 2006
25K Posts | 4K+
Your Mom's House
Maybe Donna can mess with that so that Lorenzo gets a ride-through penalty
