2015 Moto GP...

[cg7aa]

Originally Posted by littleman

...

He can either use Valencia to publicly apologize to the sport, his millions of fans and Marc Marquez and then ride his heart out in the race.
....

Now that would be classy. He would be right back there again pretty much.

[J Jay]

Originally Posted by chunder

For me they are both at fault...

Marquez's part does seem to have been lost in all of this. So a rider who can save a bike at over 60 degrees and 100+mph is unable to recover his bike at ~35 degrees at the second-slowest corner of Sepang? Pull the other one Marc, it hasn't interfered with the championship yet...

For clarification, I am not trying to absolve Rossi. He was wrong, he deserved a penalty and it should have been stronger than the one he received*. But because Marquez's race was ended his part in the lead-up at this race and previous ones seems to have been glossed over.

*Although a DSQ (which I would have given) would be better theoretically for Rossi's title chances than the automatic back-of-the-grid he received. In reality it's over either way, Lorenzo has enough speed over Rossi at Valencia to seal the title.

[bauble]

Right or wrong Rossi has the penalty, but I agree with those who say Marquez role in the matter has not been fully exposed. My reading of the event was that Mark allowed Lorenzo past and dropped back to Rossi, and then did his best to upset Vale's attempts to move forward. It might have been clean fair racing on track but in Marquez mind I am sure it was pure malice, his bike was clearly fast enough to pull away as Pedrosa showed at the front easily leading Lorenzo.

Rossi knew exactly what Marquez was up to, and his actions demonstrated his anger and frustration with the unsporting behaviour of the arrogant Spaniard.
Taking personal vendettas on to the race circuit has no place in MotoGP. Sadly he gets away with out censure mainly because Rossi's action was so extreme, although I find it difficult to decide just how deliberate it was.

In my opinion both brought the sport into disrepute.

Rossi deserves the Title this year he has rode a very clever season, such a shame it has to end this way.

[jodi]

"Earlier today, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) rejected a Request for Intervention filed by the Spanish MotoGP rider, Jorge Lorenzo.

On 2nd November 2015, lawyers acting for Jorge Lorenzo filed a Request for Intervention in order to participate on his behalf in the CAS arbitration between Valentino Rossi and the FIM. This afternoon, the CAS informed the parties that Mr Lorenzo's request was denied. Accordingly, the CAS arbitration will continue between Valentino Rossi and FIM only."


I really don't know why Lorenzo is bothering trying to interfere. It has NOTHING to do with him apart from the Championship.

Being a fan of both MAQ and ROS, it's hard to chose a 'side' apart from I genuinely believe Marquez leaned into Rossi, and hit Rossi's leg with his helmet, causing Rossi's natural reactions and to push him off. For those who have been a fan of this sport for a long time will know that ugly gestures isn't in Rossi's nature. I also don't believe Marquez was 'helping' Lorenzo.

Yes, the things Rossi said in PC was a little bit uncalled for, but then they all do it. Lorenzo has been an arrogant individual for pretty much his entire time within MotoGP, and is never happy unless he gets his own way. If it was anyone else apart from Valentino involved, he wouldn't care. He is the one ruining this sport crying all the time, nobody else.

[J Jay]

Originally Posted by jodi

I really don't know why Lorenzo is bothering trying to interfere. It has NOTHING to do with him apart from the Championship.

And that's exactly why he wants to make sure Rossi "gets what's coming to him". That's an entirely fabricated quote but I would put money on Jorge having said words to this effect in the last 10 days. You're absolutely right that Lorenzo has no reason to be involved - even Marquez isn't because this arbitration concerns the punishment Rossi received, not an apportion of guilt. But at this point Lorenzo has stopped caring about how he appears and just has Rossi in his sights. For what it's worth I doubt the grid drop will be revoked. Rossi was at fault and it was serious/notable enough for the FIM to not be able to sweep it under the rug, as much as Dorna may want them to.

On one level I can understand JL's immense will to win combining with the genuine hatred of Rossi in order to rationalize intervening in the arbitration as an act of fairness. However I think this is one of those times when a good core support network would have advised him otherwise. Nevermind the way he looks to the fans, what about how this is going down at Yamaha? If Rossi stays, the garage will need a bomb-proof wall erecting and the team will be almost literally split in two. If he leaves, they will have to think twice about bringing in another top rider, lest Lorenzo gets involved in his spats if a title is at stake (I think this is the biggest factor in JL's actions so I can see Jorge doing something similar even without VR).

[Dani Filth]

Originally Posted by cg7aa

Now that would be classy. He would be right back there again pretty much.

well ... some kind of regret at least it seems

[J Jay]

Don't get your hopes up, he only regrets it because it backfired so spectacularly.

With everyone coming over in various shades of diplomatic, it looks like very stern words have been said both in front of and behind the cameras. Let's see if it holds up over the weekend.

[justracing]

Originally Posted by J Jay

If Rossi stays, the garage will need a bomb-proof wall erecting and the team will be almost literally split in two. .

Nothing new there then

[Dani Filth]

as it is .. Rossi needs a 1-2 for Repsol Honda to have a chance to win the championship

[wnut]

Originally Posted by Dani Filth

as it is .. Rossi needs a 1-2 for Repsol Honda to have a chance to win the championship

I am sure that Marc will keep that in mind!

[J Jay]

Back to Moto3 ... surely Kent can't stuff it up this close to the line? But it looks like from a 70+ point lead he's going to win the title by virtue of having somebody else win the race for him. He has almost wilted under pressure.

[J Jay]

Apologies for the double post (I'd edit the first post if I could), but if you were in any doubt as to who will win the title after that qualifying session ... what a lap from Lorenzo. Rossi left the garage before it was completed but he must have known Jorge was untouchable. I wonder if it was distracting him when he low-sided; either way it was an opportunity lost for Vale to get a few minutes more setup time.

How Dorna must wish wish they could trade an iota of Lorenzo's speed for some personality, they wouldn't have anything to worry about post-Rossi if they did!

[canamman]

Rossi down in Quali to 12th. No pace or strategy?

[gtcapri]

Originally Posted by canamman

Rossi down in Quali to 12th. No pace or strategy?

Might be distracted by recent events and the backlash. I imagine that'll change when the lights go green. Particularly if Lorenzo finds himself on his backside during the race. Either way wherever he finishes, the post race interview will be interesting.

[J Jay]

Originally Posted by canamman

Rossi down in Quali to 12th. No pace or strategy?

His pace was good in free practice (in with the Hondas), but come Q2 he never got going and was already halfway down the grid before he low-sided. Lorenzo's stellar lap definitely knocked some wind out of his sails, but I think this one is more down to Rossi not using the extra edge grip of the qualifying tyres as usual.

[wnut]

Originally Posted by canamman

Rossi down in Quali to 12th. No pace or strategy?

No set up information from Jorge's side of the garage.

[canamman]

Kinda like Christmas day!

I would like to see the Dr. get the championship.

[J Jay]

Congrats to Kent for winning the Moto3 title (eventually!) and Oliveira for a stunning second half to the season. Not sure what Ono was thinking, maybe he has realized bike racing isn't for him after all?

Originally Posted by canamman

Kinda like Christmas day!

I would like to see the Dr. get the championship.

So would I, everybody on the grid (looking at Hodgson's pit walk), more than half the crowd, an even bigger percentage of worldwide viewers ... but the points don't lie. Jorge would be just as worthy a winner should the title go to him, which it probably will despite some expected heroics from VR46.

In an odd way it wouldn't affect my appreciation of his talent, because for him to win the title would require a lot of things out of his hands going his way. All he can do is race up to the back end of the factory bikes, maybe get past the Dukes looking at their pace so far.

I fear the race is going to be a dull affair up front though.

Edit - So Valentino seems to have done his job, up to 4th. But the top 3 are too far ahead so it's up to the Hondas to get with and past Lorenzo. Both of them - Marquez alone will not be enough.

[cds_uk]

Nice job Jorge, well deserved.

[wnut]

Originally Posted by cds_uk

Nice job Jorge, well deserved.

Plus 1 Great Job Jorge!

[J Jay]

The most points wins.

Well done Jorge, doubly so because nothing (on-track) has reflected badly on you.

I'll watch the race again before commenting on you-know-who and you-know-what, but I reckon anyone arguing MM's case will have a hard time convincing me!

Edit - Pedrosa deserves a mention. Classy throughout and I hope with this regained form he can finally string a season together next year.

[canamman]

Loved hearing the crowds cheer for Rossi as
he moved up. Other than that, business as usual
for the front 3 albeit a bit boring except for the
last lap or 2.

[Razzzor]

Seemed like Marquez was protecting Jorge. He must really hate Rossi to give up a win to prevent Rossi from being champion.

However, he may well have still gone for the win in the last couple laps like he said he was planning on, if Pedrosa wasn't right behind him. He'd have known Jorge only has to finish 2nd. Pedro catching up kind of ruined that.

As for Rossi, no surprise he had to continue to hammer MM in the interview, but MM's response was fairly professional. Rossi just loses more fan respect probably. Overall I think the right man won the title - Jorge was faster than Rossi this year. It didn't matter where Rossi qualified, he was always going to finish 4th in this race, he had nothing for the top 3.

Also imo Rossi has definitely won his fair share of titles. He doesn't need more.

[canamman]

Originally Posted by Razzzor

Also imo Rossi has definitely won his fair share of titles. He doesn't need more.

I wanted him to tie Agostini for most championships
alltime at 8. Time is running out. Cool to see big records
fall during your lifetime.

[HDTVKSS]

Interesting end to an eventful year! I was going for Rossi right up until PI when he tried to play mental games with Marc and found out hes not Biaggi. Sepang sealed it for me and I was firmly in Lorenzo's corner. I wonder if it has crossed Rossi's mind that if he hadn't tried to play mind games he'd probably be champ now.... He was more or less the architect of his own failure.

It is nice to see him FINALLY get pulled up for riding overly aggressively and putting people off the track. just off the top of my head Capirossi, Stoner, Gibernau and Biaggi all have cause for complaint there.