Again another strawman argument. I said if there'd been another lap. That's IF - I believe Pedrosa could have passed Lorenzo. And I never implied Pedrosa let Marquez beat him. Why do you so tirelessly insist that I argue about things I didn't say?
And since when do the fiercest competitors in the highest form of bike racing become legends and win races (let alone championships) by taking the minimum amount of risk? On what planet is that "racing"? Members on this forum who insist that Marquez was merely being conservative in his efforts are the same ones who are always praising riders who give "110%" That's what made Stoner a legend. Riding past the limits of a wildly idiosyncratic machine, continually on the edge of crashing is what made hims such a heroic figure in racing.
Hopefully - this will be the last post by you asking me to refute things I did not say. And if it's not - understand that life is just too short to waste refuting things one did not say. So if I don't reply to any more of your posts it's because you're continuing to rehash the same old stuff, which doesn't gain merit simply by virtue of volume.
Getting bogged down again.
To summarise:
You think what Rossi claims is correct. Marquez followed Lorenzo
knowing, and this is the crucial point, he
knew he was faster and at any time he could have have passed and won the race. But rather than do it, he chose to sit behind and refused to pass, because he hates Rossi and didnt want him to win the championship.
Forget % and risk etc etc, minor details.
I choose to believe Marquez was behind Lorenzo knowing he couldnt go any faster. You have raced, I ride bikes, you know what this statement means. You either know you can go quicker or you know you cant.
Basically, it was the same as Marquez following Rossi at Assen. Not one pass all race, waiting to the last corner, because he cant go any faster without crashing. Exact same situation, championship and hate for Rossi and Spanish conspiracy has nothing to do with it. Valencia was just a race, like any other race.
This is not a minor matter. This thing is going to affect Marquez reputation for the rest of his life. Is he a cheat? Rossi says he is. You agree. That's massive.
This directly affected who became world champion. If they could prove it, he must be banned, maybe for life. There is no proof, other than he didnt overtake. Not good enough, Rossi has for the second time made unfounded accusations. He has for the second time brought the sport and the integrity of another rider into disrepute. This time I say a fine is not enough. If it were up to me, I would demand Rossi either publicly retracts, or packs his bags and go.
