What Marquez did was despicable but Rossi has himself to blame.

"In another race they would have tried to overtake but not in this one, We are Spaniards and it was right that the title remain in Spain".

That sentence from Jorge Lorenzo after the race in Valencia is really all you need to know.

A shameful day for MotoGP.  A sad day for a segment of Spanish sport and yet another opportunity to keep his trap shut missed by Jorge Lorenzo.
The now three time champion (who announced his happiness  at  having joined the ranks of 3 timers like Ayrton Senna.....?) claimed the only reason Rossi was ever leading was because of his own bad luck.   Presumably like when he blamed his fogging helmet for his poor riding in the rain at Silverstone.

Whatever.

Few liked this man before, despite his enormous talent.  Even less will like him in the future, not after he tried to get his teammate banned after Malaysia... except maybe for Max Biaggi.

Marquez.   If this is the future of the sport then perhaps it's time to tune out.

He once again rode to protect Lorenzo's rear.  Check out the time sheets sometimes, look how his lap time dropped after Pedrosa tried to attack.    In that brief moment Marquez, who had been content to sit staring at Lorenzo rear for 28 laps, suddenly looked like the rider who gave Rossi  no quarter in Malaysia.

But in the final analysis, it is Rossi who needs to look at himself in the mirror.    Marquez has acted in pathetic, petty, bitchy way but Valentino is pushing 40, he should have know better than to stir the pot and fall into Marquez' trap.

That most other riders offered Rossi little resistance as he sliced though the field today speaks volumes on how many were calling bullshit of Marquez's behavior in Phillip Island and Malaysia.   Everyone was obviously onto the Spaniard.  
Rossi may come out of this season as the "People's Champion" but how he thought it a good idea to continue to pound on it leading into the final race where he knew his only chance was a an honest race by Marquez, more of a mystery.

A self fulfilling prophecy.

MotoGP is the big loser despite the enormous interest in today's race.   There will forever be an asterisk next to Lorenzo's third title, mud on Marquez,  regret for Rossi and a question for all fans:

How amazing would the season finale had been as a straight fight?

The Moto GP Melodrama explained...

It's a soap opera the likes of which has never been seen before and it will come to a head this week end in Valencia, the final race of the season.

You probably read about the Moto GP drama in the past week or so but unless you are a rabid fan, you might have missed some of the crazy nuances of this epic confrontation so, let Axis help:

The Players:

Valentino Rossi, Marc Marquez, Jorge Lorenzo

Valentino Rossi isprobably the most successful racer of the current century. Only the legendary Giacomo Agostini has more championships, 15 won in an era where riders competed in multiple classes in the same years.
Rossi has grown from 17 year old brat 125cc. Champion in '97 to elder statesman of MotoGP, leading the championship in 2015 aged 36.

2015 has been an incredible year for Rossi, after a disastrous two seasons at Ducati and a return to a Yamaha dominated by Jorge Lorenzo,  the Italian rider has had an incredible season that has seen him lead his rivals going into the last race of what has been arguably the best MotoGP season of the last 20 years.

...but it's not that simple.

Marc Marquez is the most exciting rider since, well, since Valentino Rossi.  Marquez's idol as an up and coming rider was Valentino, whose career Marc shadowed through the junior classes. His dream is to best Rossi's 9 championships.   That was the trajectory after two consecutive MotoGP championship onboard the Repsol sponsored Honda.
Unfortunately, 2015 would not be good year for Marquez, the Spanish rider came up against his idol first in Argentina...



and then in Assen...



What happened in Assen?    Rossi, 20 seasons of racing and many similar moves under his belt, knew Marquez would try on the final corner and put himself in a position where Marquez could do nothing but bump him.   In essence he played the youngster for a sucker, humiliated him and got the win.

This is the root of the current saga.

Marquez has been resentful ever since, his riding in 2015 has been inconsistent,  his championship hopes evaporated. The Spaniard has been plotting his revenge:  Rossi would not win his 10th championship,  Marquez would do whatever he could to help fellow Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo catch and beat "the Doctor".

Last month at Phillip Island, Marquez put his plan into action. He let Lorenzo go and started slowing Rossi and Ducati's Andrea Iannone.   Lap charts showed Marquez riding consistently 1 second a lap slower than his usual pace when in front of Rossi and Iannone, only to speed up when behind.
On the final lap, he was able to pass both Iannone and Lorenzo with ease. The reason why he did not let Lorenzo win?   A number of past GP riders have said it was not to give away the game.

Rossi, saw all of this coming and launched the accusation on the eve of the Malaysian race. "Marquez will deliberately try to help Lorenzo".   Headlines across the planet.

In retrospect not the best move for Rossi because it only helped to provoke Marquez and make Spanish media bristle.

Come race day, Valentino's predictions come true, Marquez after letting Lorenzo go in the lead does everything he can to stay ahead of Rossi. At this point Marquez is not in contention for the championship any longer so his manic riding has only one goal.



The insane battle between Rossi and Marquez culminated with a frustrated Rossi leading the Honda rider wide, Marquez responding by leaning into him with his helmet and body before falling.



Rossi was penalized, three points taken away and condemned to start the title deciding race this week end from the back of the grid.  

These pieces of film have been subjected to Zapruder level of scrutiny in the past weeks.  Most commentary has not been kind to Marquez.  It's obvious from overhead shots Rossi did not kick him as claimed and that Marquez leaning in was the reason for the fall.  

It has not stopped much of the Spanish media from losing the plot or Repsol from issuing statements about quitting MotoGP sponsorship if Rossi was not punished and Honda claiming it had proof Rossi kicked Marquez' front brake lever causing the fall (even though there was a brake guard in place!).

But possibly worst of all, Jorge Lorenzo first gave his teammate the thumbs down on the podium and later asked for stiffer punishment.    Very convenient.

The internet has not been kind to Lorenzo and Marquez, the Spanish duo becoming the subject of many unpublishable homoerotic memes.   Rossi has never been a saint but Marquez and Lorenzo probably lost the respect of a large number of fans.

If Lorenzo wins the championship,  and it's hard to to imagine how he will not,  the biggest loser will be MotoGP.    By issuing the penalty they did,  a fantastic season has been destroyed.  

Unless Valentino pulls off a miracle...  pass the popcorn.

You be the steward: Track Limits

Valentino Rossi had led from the start of the Dutch TT at Assen this past  but lost the lead to Marc Marquez with with eight laps to go.

The Doctor go it back with three laps remaining but everyone knew Marquez would have a go at him:   it happened in the last quarter mile of the race.

Marquez made a lunge on the inside of the chicane,  Valentino turned in on him but then bailed  cutting across the gravel, possibly avoiding a collision and winning the race.

Moto GP, has regulations regarding track limits but like many other series, the enforcement of that regulation is open to subjective interpretation.

Moto GP decided to let the results stand,  Honda, no surprise, protested.

After the race, Rossi said he was bumped,  video shows there was no contact.  Marquez said he would have won had Valentino not cut the corner, video and logic would seem to be against him.

The only thing that's certain is Valentino cut across the gravel,  a riding feat one might argue worthy of the win in and  of itself but certainly, beyond track limits.

How would you have called it?

Donuts were made: Valentino Rossi, faster than Ken Block but not as fast as Robert Kubica.

The yearly Monza Rally Show is a lot of fun: a combination rallycross and WRC special stage, it's run by repurposing various parts of the historic Monza track, including the banking.

Most of the competitors are from Italy but as it's a Monster Energy sponsored event, some big international names dropped in. Valentino Rossi, who would probably show up Monster or no Monster,  was joined by fellow energized drivers, Ken Block, NASCAR's Kurt Bush and Lewis Hamilton.  Hamilton just did a demo in a Mercedes A 45 AMG,  as a demo it was pretty lame but the crowd did not seem to mind and gave him a warm welcome.  Lewis was not the only F1 driver in attendance, Robert Kubica was also in with his current ride, a WRC Ford Fiesta.



Now the Rally Show is supposed to be more fun than competition but racers will be racers.   Both Block and Rossi made almost identical, spectacular passes for the pleasure of the huge crowd in attendance.

Valentino



and KB



Many donuts were made...

It was the first time in a rally(-ish) competition for Bush so it's not surprising he came in last in class, 35th overall.   Block  came in second to last in class, 29th overall, 7 minutes and 25 seconds behind the winner.  I imagine he probably crashed or something.

Rossi finished second in class and overall,  7 minutes and 10 seconds faster than Block and he races motorcycles for a living!

But the Doctor was no match for Robert Kubica, who for once did NOT crash and pretty much obliterated the competition, finishing the final stage over 12 seconds ahead of Rossi.

It's worth remembering Kubica has lost most of the use of his right hand.

Check out the video, Rossi is quick but you can see how much more momentum Kubica carries through the switchbacks.

Well done Robert!



In attendance also historic rally cars,  clip included your viewing pleasure

Human after all

Marquez and Iannone getting physical 

Marc Marquez could not break the record with an eleventh consecutive win this year.
Marquez, said it's a weight off his back.   Maybe but I think all sportsmen are lying when they say they don't know or care about records.

It's not impossible the weight of expectations finally got to Marquez at Brno and if that's the case, it only makes him more likable,  nobody likes a robot.

Giacomo Agostini is probably happy, his record (of consecutive wins) is equalled but not broken.

After the race, attended by almost 140000 spectators,  it was always a pleasure to see Rossi, who was racing with tendon exposing road rash on his pinky because of a practice crash,  smile and be happy even with third.  "...and it was great to beat Marquez... finally...for once".

You got to love the guy.

Let Valentino Rossi show you how to lose like a true champion

Post by Axis of Oversteer.

Let the Doctor explain 350 km/h on a bike for you.

Photo: Movistar Yamaha MotoGP

Top drivers and riders when they are interviewed tend to spout boring, predictable PR speech so it's a special treat to hear Valentino Rossi explain the sensations and technique of approaching Mugello's  San Donato corner at 220 mph, on two wheels.

In qualifying, Andrea Iannone on a privateer Ducati marked the highest ever officially recorded speed in MotoGP history  349.6 km/h , 217.2 mph on that straight.  That was at the speed trap, in reality Brembo measured riders hitting 361km/h, 224mph at the braking point there.  Think about that for a moment,  think about the size of the front tire contact patch...

Wouldn't it be great is F1 drivers occasionally shared their craft rather than just thank the team and sponsors if they are winning or complain about how they need more aero updates if they are not?

Bravo Valentino and well done BTSport!

The Doctor Gets A Taste Of His Own Medicine

Marc Marquez was just a 15 year old boy when Valentino Rossi made his epic dirt track pass on Casey Stoner plunging down Laguna Seca's Corkscrew turn in 2008.

He never forgot it and, when he got the chance to race against Rossi fro the first time at the California track, gave medicine back to the Doctor.   For his part, Valentino looks like he took it with his usual good humor.
Marquez won the race over Stefan Bradl and Rossi.

Rossi Wins After Three Years. Lorenzo Races With a Broken Collarbone

Valentino Rossi's long awaited win overshadowed by Jorge Lorenzo's epic determination.

After the painful years of the failed challenge with Ducati, after a difficult return to Yamaha alongside Jorge Lorenzo,  the 34 year old Valentino finally was finally back on top at the Assen TT.  

Bur Rossi's comeback win is overshadowed by Jorge Lorenzo's heroics.    Lorenzo, who was trailing Dani Pedrosa in the Championship coming into the Dutch race, had a nasty fall on practice on Thursday braking his collarbone.  
He flew to Spain, was operated in the early hours of Friday and was back on a plane to Assen on Friday afternoon.   Saturday morning he was given the OK to race and finished the race fifth,  losing just two points to Pedrosa who finished fourth.

Ironman.

Alpinestars  released data streamed from the built in accelerometers built into the airbag suit worn by Lorenzo.  Observe the speed at which the safety system deploys and the..."flight time".   The initial crash force is somewhere above 20g,  the suit without a doubt saving the rider from more serious injuries.

Valentino Rossi back in a Ferrari

Rossi in the Kessel Racing Ferrari 458 GT3 at Monza

Valentino Rossi adds two extra wheels next week in Germany where he will race in fifth round of the Blancpain Endurance series at the Nürburgring.

The Doctor will be onboard a Monster Energy sponsored Ferrari 458 GT3 (number 46, of course) prepared by  Kessel Racing.

The soon to be "ex-Ducati" rider had driven  the same car at Monza earlier this year where he placed 18th overall.

Valentino Rossi: Back to the Future with Yamaha

Back to the future for the Doctor after his disastrous time at Ducati.  Promises of Audi endurance seats could not keep the seven time champion in Borgo Panigale,  Valentino will ride a Yamaha for 2013-14.

Rossi won four world championship on a Yamaha YRZ M1 and frankly,  as cool as it was to see an Italian champion on an Italian bike, watching him struggle was not much fun and probably bad for the sport's popularity.

2011 Monza Rally Show

Every year the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza gets turned into a labyrinth of chicanes and slaloms, a Ken Block Gymkana minus the special effects and editing! The really cool parts is that rally cars get to run on the old banked track...at night!

Above is Danni Sordo in a Mini WRC, Below Dindo Capello, out of his usual environment driving a Citroen DS3 WRC And Valentino Rossi tearing it up in the Monster Energy Ford Focus WRC




More after the jump.

FASTEST!

I dare not to get goosbumps watching the brilliantly edited first five minutes of Mark Neale's latest insanely great Moto GP documentary, FASTEST.

Neale has made the seminal Faster in 2003, The Doctor, the Tornado and the Kentucky Kid in 2006 and Charge, about electric bike racing.

Fastest is a movie I can best summarize like this: if you are involved with or have any interest in any form of competition, you need to own a copy. You'll understand once you watch, trust me on this one, there are unexpectedly profound life lessons to be learned.

A chronicle of the 2009 and 2010 MotoGP seasons, focusing on the rivalry between Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo, it rivals Senna in power and craftsmanship. But MotoGP offers so much more drama than F1, certainly Rossi is a much more engaging character than anyone on the current four wheel lineup. You might come away from watching Fastest wondering why you spend time watching any F1.

There is a chilling moment in the movie when Marco Simoncelli describes his fall at the 2010 Malaysian GP, a year before his fatal crash at the same track. Stunning in retrospect, check it out after the jump.

Holidays coming up, get copies of "Fastest" for your friends and yourself HERE! . It's an Axis must have.

One Minute Of Noise: Moto GP's Tribute to Marco Simoncelli

It was his father's wish that Marco Simoncelli be honored not with a minute of silence but with a minute of chaos, "un minuto di casino" in Italian.
How cool of MotoGP to allow it to happen at this week end's Valencia race..

Riding Simoncelli's #58 San Carlo Honda is 1993 World Champion Kevin Schwantz. The flag is carried by Valentino Rossi with all Moto GP, Moto 2, and 125cc. .

2011 MotoGP: it's Stoner under the lights of Quatar

Casey Stoner was the man in the inaugural 2011 MotoGP under the lights of the Losail circuit in Quatar. He beat out Jorge Lorenzo on the Yamaha and Dani Pedrosa on the other Honda. Valentino Rossi, after a great start ended up seventh, fighting a nasty handling Ducati and pain from his recent shoulder operation.

(motoGP.com)

Results - 22 laps:

Pos  Rider             Team/Bike         Time/Gap
 1.  Casey Stoner      Honda           42m38.569s
 2.  Jorge Lorenzo     Yamaha            + 3.440s
 3.  Dani Pedrosa      Honda             + 5.051s
 4.  Andrea Dovizioso  Honda             + 5.942s
 5.  Marco Simoncelli  Gresini Honda     + 7.358s
 6.  Ben Spies         Yamaha           + 10.468s
 7.  Valentino Rossi   Ducati           + 16.431s
 8.  Colin Edwards     Tech 3 Yamaha    + 26.293s
 9.  Nicky Hayden      Ducati           + 27.416s
10.  Hiroshi Aoyama    Gresini Honda    + 28.920s
11.  Cal Crutchlow     Tech 3 Yamaha    + 34.539s
12.  Hector Barbera    Aspar Ducati     + 34.829s
13.  Karel Abraham     Cardion Ducati   + 37.957s

Retirements:

     Toni Elias        LCR Honda          18 laps
     Loris Capirossi   Pramac Ducati        1 lap
     Randy de Puniet   Pramac Ducati       0 laps

end of post

Valentino Rossi tests the Ducati Desmosedici

Valencia, November 8. Love the question mark helmet. (photo: REUTERS/Heino Kalis )




end of post

Valentino Rossi will ride for Ducati, writes love letter to his Yamaha

The worst kept secret of the MotoGP season has been made official today: The Doctor will ride a red Ducati for the next two seasons. In parting Valentino hand wrote a "love letter" to his Yamaha M1 and the team.

"It's hard to explain in a few words what my relationship with Yamaha has been for the past seven years. Many things have changed since that far away 2004 but especially her, my M1. At the time she was forlorn mid field MotoGP, derided by most riders and experts. Now, after having helped her grow and improve you can see her there, smiling in her stall, sought after and admired, treated like the belle of the ball...."

You could say it might be a parting note to Jorge Lorenzo too, enjoy the bike I made for you buddy, see you next year!end of post

MotoGP blows your mind with new gyroscopic camera mount

Can MotoGP get any cooler? Perhaps you were marvelling at the return of Valentino Rossi, only six weeks after having a bone stick out of his shin, to score a fourth place finish at the Geraman GP this past Sunday. The Doctor came vary close to scoring a podium but for Casey Stoner taking back third on the final corner, still an amazing performance.

Yeah but MotoGP was not done, Dorna Sports, the Spanish marketing company behind the sport, deputed a fantastic new gyroscopically mounted camera on Rossi's bike. In case MotoGP had not sufficiently blown your mind, this new prospective will.

MotoGP, is way ahead of Formula1 not just, because of the nature of the machinery, with on track action, but also in its content delivery systems available: Dorna offers various levels of online access, season to daily passes, in high and low definition, at around $10 per race week end. You can find details HERE

We wonder when Formula1 will wake up.
(thanks to Rick Lopez!)



end of post

Ironman 2: Rossi tests at Brno

Valentino Rossi was back in the saddle of a Yamaha Superbike again, this time at the Brno circuit in the Czech Republic . it was the second test in just a few days for Valentino who, despite doctors prognosis of a three month recovery following his compound leg fracture just over one month ago, wants to be back on a MotoGP this coming week end in Germany.

Rossi, in the interview, says pain sets in after six or seven laps. He did forty eight. A medical visit tomorrow will asses his condition further but either way, that a nine time world champion would try so hard pretty much says it all.


(Gazzetta dello Sport video)

end of post

Ironman!

WLF!

Nine-time MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi steers his Yamaha YZF-R1 during a practice at the Misano circuit, in Misano, Italy, Wednesday, July 7, 2010. Rossi has made a remarkable return to action just over a month since breaking his leg in a crash. The Italian rider tested a Yamaha YZF-R1 bike at a private testing session at the Misano circuit on Wednesday. Rossi broke his right leg on June 5 during practice for the Italian Grand Prix. Following the accident he underwent surgery for two-and-a-half hours to repair a displaced and exposed fracture of his right tibia. (AP Photo/Albano Venturelli)

photo Ap