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Always a pleasure to read ur takes, always level headed and succinct. A few thoughts, I dont think suddenly Marc is public enemy number one, I think u'll find those like myself whose opinion is that the kid has a disconnect with the potential consequences of his MO on the track are in the minority. Second, I dont think its entirety unjustified, as we shouldn't make the mistake of taking this incident as isolated. His reputation is not something that has suddenly been formulated without any basis. And thirdly, this point is, I believe, the crux of the matter, the unforseen consequences (even if its a propensity for "mistakes") can have serious repercussions! (Oddly Pov has argued he took the extra bonsai risk knowing the run off wouldn't ruin 'his' race as some kind of reasonable justification, accordingly a calculated risk. Though we can see how this ended for Pedro). Its this point of unforseen repercussions when taking excessive risk that is getting lost here! (Incidentally, for others reading, the operative word is "excessive".) I agree that other contacts between riders can be more 'blunt'; however im not sure this statement is relevant (with all due respect), though if it is then it serves to advance the point that "slight" contact can result in a serious crash just the same. Very few seem to see past what 'happens' and cant imagine what 'might have happened'. Earlier this year he came extremely close to Pedro's rear wheel and overshot. (Many argued his fine control was on display because he didn't actually torpedoed Pedro). U know it only takes "slight contact" from wheel to wheel to result in a spectacular crash. Keep in mind today's "slight contact" was perceivable on screen, so im not totally buying as Marc said "I touch him a little bit". Btw if guys keep coming in contact with Marc (2 this year, last couple of years many more incidents) we cant keep calling it "bad luck", as a pattern has developed. When Marc torpedoed Lorenzo, again the minority opinion was it was dangerous. Many argued: Nobody died so it must not have been dangerous, nobody crashed so it must have not been dangerous, it was the last lap for the win so it must not have been dangerous. All these being rationalization, as dangerous is in fact dangerous. And as we can see today, overshooting ur breaking and making slight contact resulted in one crash. Taking out another rider (irrelevant of how rare the reason) highlights the point that unforseen consequences can have serious repercussions. Lets for a moment imagine this had happened to Stoner, how might he have reacted? Ok, so Marc is a 'rookie', does this exonerate him from his ambition outweighing his talent? When VR was talking after the race, it appeared he mentioned the moment he had to avoid Pedros machine lying on the tarmac as perilous. Quite easily another rider could have smashed into it, or worse into Pedro. But like Jerez, because it didnt happen we cant be made to imagine it as a realistic possibility. I think this is a mistake on our part. It has been argued that nobody would tell Marc to be mindful on track as this might "steifel" his aggression. This doesn't give this kid enuf credit. I think he is smart enuf to harness his great talent while being mindful of fellow competitors. Its not unreasonable. Ive often said after press conferences, the kids seems likeable. And I believe Baturro whos opinion is he is down to earth. But as MikeM asserts, as nice as the kid may be, (I dont think he has ill will) the incidents he causes (lets not sugar coat it, there is cause and effect here) keep landing peeps in dire situations. Its not more thab a couple of weeks he still expressed a disconnect between what he causes and the consequences that result-fact. Is it unreasonable to point this out?
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