Just a random thread to bring up something about 2020 that probably doesn't deserve its own thread.
1. Without Marquez domination the championship wasn't anymore interesting. I put that down to the championship protagonists never fighting for the championship with each other. The second half of the seasons championship fight was Mir gaining/extending his lead while Dovi, Maverick and Fabio ...... up. I know it's not over yet but it's hard to imagine Mir not taking 14 points in the last two races. There's been some good races as there is every year.
2. Marquez's absence showed a lot of other riders weaknesses IMO. This was probably going to happen either way when Fabio's championship charge against Marquez faltered.
3. VR46 going to the big class in 2022. Still remains to be seen if he will race in 2022. But I think everyone has won from the scenario because:
Herve got full factory support and sponsorship at tech 3 taking his first win and essentially being at KTM what he always wanted at Yamaha.
Yamaha got Petronas on board, whether their relationship will evolve into Petronas being the title sponsor for both teams or not is yet to be seen. But Petronas have the money to buy full spec current factory bikes. Something that Tech 3 never had.
Suzuki getting VR46 is great for them, a well funded satellite team is the only thing missing for the champion elects.
4. Rossi paying for Marini's GP rise is hilarious given all the complaints that the Valeban had over Alex going to Repsol Honda, claims of nepotism etc. At least Alex is a 2x champ. It's even funnier if it comes at the expense of his moto3 outfit.
5. Every rider should learn from Marquez's experience this year. Some injuries you shouldn't rush back from.
6. Marquez should probably never see the doctors who said he would be, could be or might be ok attempting to come back 4 or 5 days after his surgery. Marquez like other great athletes was always going to attempt to comeback as soon as possible but I have to think a Dr with balls would have dug in and told him that if he sits out a race he will be much better off. IIRC Puig said that they weren't correctly informed about the potential hazards of attempting to come back so soon. At the end of the day, IMO one of the main roles of being in any kind of coaching or athlete management role is saving athletes from themselves. I've spoken about playing through pain and injuries before here. After my second knee reconstruction my coach who is also a good mate of mine, kept a close eye on me, managed me very well and was one of the main reasons I didn't get injured while I was rehabbing and healing. All athletes need someone like that, yes men are the worst thing for any athletes career, Mike Tyson is perhaps the best example.
7. Mir and Suzuki winning the title is the best outcome for the sport. Brivio said it best, if Yamaha riders were punished (as they probably should have been) it puts an asterisk next to whoever won the title. If a Yamaha rider won the title it also puts an asterisk next to the win.
8. Yamaha seems to attract riders who ..... and moan incessantly. I found it funny that Vinales had said maybe with Cals outspoken personality Yamaha would fix the bike. It's not like Rossi and Vinales have been bitching and moaning for the past 4 seasons or anything.
9. Mir is extremely likeable.
10. Michelin still sucks. It is what it is. But they're not consistent. This isn't an excuse for Yamaha and/or their riders. It's the same for everyone and most experience the highs and lows that Yamaha and its riders do.
11. Its been weird without the fans but I haven't missed them at all. If anything its been great not to hear a bunch of ......s cheering for crashes.
1. Without Marquez domination the championship wasn't anymore interesting. I put that down to the championship protagonists never fighting for the championship with each other. The second half of the seasons championship fight was Mir gaining/extending his lead while Dovi, Maverick and Fabio ...... up. I know it's not over yet but it's hard to imagine Mir not taking 14 points in the last two races. There's been some good races as there is every year.
2. Marquez's absence showed a lot of other riders weaknesses IMO. This was probably going to happen either way when Fabio's championship charge against Marquez faltered.
3. VR46 going to the big class in 2022. Still remains to be seen if he will race in 2022. But I think everyone has won from the scenario because:
Herve got full factory support and sponsorship at tech 3 taking his first win and essentially being at KTM what he always wanted at Yamaha.
Yamaha got Petronas on board, whether their relationship will evolve into Petronas being the title sponsor for both teams or not is yet to be seen. But Petronas have the money to buy full spec current factory bikes. Something that Tech 3 never had.
Suzuki getting VR46 is great for them, a well funded satellite team is the only thing missing for the champion elects.
4. Rossi paying for Marini's GP rise is hilarious given all the complaints that the Valeban had over Alex going to Repsol Honda, claims of nepotism etc. At least Alex is a 2x champ. It's even funnier if it comes at the expense of his moto3 outfit.
5. Every rider should learn from Marquez's experience this year. Some injuries you shouldn't rush back from.
6. Marquez should probably never see the doctors who said he would be, could be or might be ok attempting to come back 4 or 5 days after his surgery. Marquez like other great athletes was always going to attempt to comeback as soon as possible but I have to think a Dr with balls would have dug in and told him that if he sits out a race he will be much better off. IIRC Puig said that they weren't correctly informed about the potential hazards of attempting to come back so soon. At the end of the day, IMO one of the main roles of being in any kind of coaching or athlete management role is saving athletes from themselves. I've spoken about playing through pain and injuries before here. After my second knee reconstruction my coach who is also a good mate of mine, kept a close eye on me, managed me very well and was one of the main reasons I didn't get injured while I was rehabbing and healing. All athletes need someone like that, yes men are the worst thing for any athletes career, Mike Tyson is perhaps the best example.
7. Mir and Suzuki winning the title is the best outcome for the sport. Brivio said it best, if Yamaha riders were punished (as they probably should have been) it puts an asterisk next to whoever won the title. If a Yamaha rider won the title it also puts an asterisk next to the win.
8. Yamaha seems to attract riders who ..... and moan incessantly. I found it funny that Vinales had said maybe with Cals outspoken personality Yamaha would fix the bike. It's not like Rossi and Vinales have been bitching and moaning for the past 4 seasons or anything.
9. Mir is extremely likeable.
10. Michelin still sucks. It is what it is. But they're not consistent. This isn't an excuse for Yamaha and/or their riders. It's the same for everyone and most experience the highs and lows that Yamaha and its riders do.
11. Its been weird without the fans but I haven't missed them at all. If anything its been great not to hear a bunch of ......s cheering for crashes.
