MoTM. Round 16. Phillip Island.

[phil]

It's difficult to not give Casey this one.
Congradulations to our 2011 World Champion.
But, in the spirit of things..
MoTM: I guess Marco Simoncelli for managing to keep her upright where others failed and bringing her home on the second step ahead of 2 Repsol Honda factory riders.

DoTM: Lorenzo, Spies, Bautista, Rossi, Abraham, Crutchlow..

Obviously Stoner will be never be World Champion again (except possibly on the Pro Barramundi Tour).

My lips are sealed Lucy honestly!
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[Oscar]

Yep, - as soon as Lucy made that comment, my little Aussie heart soared - I knew it might not happen overnight, but it would happen..

I think I'm going to break with tradition etc. for this thread and go for Stoner - he's had so much crap thrown at him by 'experts' in the media about 'lack of mental toughness' and all things considered that must have been a really, really mighty effort in all the circumstances not to do something silly. And when he looks back on the last five races at Phillip Island, he has the niggling feeling that there were two laps he could have improved his position...

VHM - Marquez - no supertrick bike and he rode to the ragged edge the whole way.

And (with suitable humility on my part) - HM to Singlecelli

[Tourn46]

Well I think it's fair to make an exception with this round and give the HM to the champion. Perfect weekend for him.

DotM - Has to go to Rossi this time, pushing hard in uncertain conditions, should have been more patient... the only upside is that he was brave enough to try.

[Kropotkin]

MotM: Marquez, for that charge through the field, plus the maturity to settle for 3rd and hold Corti off to ensure he kept it.

HM: Stoner (obviously) and Simoncelli. He's got his game together in the second half of the season.

DotM: The Australian V8 Supercars, for wrecking a fantastic track with all those bumps. At least, I'm blaming the Supercars for it.

[Richo]

MOTM - I can't go past Stoner for this. Bit of a dream come true for him, World Champion at your home track on your birthday.

HM - Simoncelli, much more mature racing in the second part of this season, well done.

DoTM - Phillip Island weather, although I guess its hardly a disappointment as we actually expect it to be like this.

DM - Those bumps on the circuit. Must have been the V8 cars as I don't remember them being there earlier in the year when I did a track day there. Although that could be just because I was going so slow the weren't so noticeable.

[Kropotkin]

DotM - Has to go to Rossi this time, pushing hard in uncertain conditions, should have been more patient... the only upside is that he was brave enough to try.

I think that's a bit unfair. In previous years, Rossi has owned that part of the track. If you had Rossi behind you on the way into Lukey Heights, you knew he'd be ahead by the time you came out of MG. That crash was illustrative of what is wrong with the Ducati, the lack of feel and feedback it provides.

[Oscar]

I think that's a bit unfair. In previous years, Rossi has owned that part of the track. If you had Rossi behind you on the way into Lukey Heights, you knew he'd be ahead by the time you came out of MG. That crash was illustrative of what is wrong with the Ducati, the lack of feel and feedback it provides.

Er, except for '09, if you were Stoner! BUT - Rossi's '03 ride is still THE definitive P.I. ride as far as I am concerned - and we know my pro-Stoner stance! You have to say, though, that for consistency - Stoner has it: of the last 135 racing laps of P.I. in motoGp, Stoner has led 133. Even by his standards I think he'd forgive himself for the lack of perfection there...

AND he caught a trout this weekend, AND (and I am no judge of this I know), I reckon his wife set a pretty impressive style for baby bumps on the grid. I wonder how the Pebble will feel when the parents trot out the video of parc ferme at her/his 21st birthday party and announce to the assembled multitude: 'you were there!'

I still feel sorry for Lorenzo, I hope he knows how many people missed him from the race.

(edit - oops, lap number wrong for Stoner, I have fired my calculator. D'oh...)

[raisinberry777]

MotM - Marquez (for Sunday only). Friday was a total brain fade and he was incredibly lucky not to do some serious damage to Wiliarot, but I think the penalty given was spot on - IMO there was no reason for exclusion (note that the kid's still young, and this is only Moto2). If it was the premier class then exclusion wouldn't be out of the question, but I do hope he's learnt his lesson. Moving on from that though, he really put his head down today and did exactly what he needed to do. It could've been the day where he threw it all away, but that was a champion's ride.

Stoner of course absolutely dominated that race too, so he gets the honourable mention. Along with Simoncelli for finally putting in a decent ride and sticking it to the factory boys.

DotM - The camera director. So many incidents missed, and stayed on useless shots for way too long (I know Elias is last, and on his own, do I really want to watch him for half a lap?). Either that or Bautista for throwing away a good position again.

[gco0307]

motm - hard to separate Stoner & Simoncelli in my mind. Stoner did what we know he can do but also had to contend with the pressure of the championship, being a local, the Lorenzo incident (as they do seem to get on well) and of course the race itself with the last few wet laps. Simoncelli raced well, contended with Dovisioso, Hayden and to a lesser degree Pedrosa and then had to contend with the wet weather, all the time remaining cool, calm and collected. Sorry, can't split them


Dotm - Tough this one but go with Pedrosa. Something there just did not impress me this weekend and he did not look comfortable or settled the entire weekend.

HM Dotm - Crutchlow. Talent yes, but get it together man

[yzr750]

Along with Simoncelli for finally putting in a decent ride and sticking it to the factory boys.

D

You do know Sic is "one of the factory boys" don't you? He has a factory bike the same as the repsol ones.

[Cam D]

MOTM - Casey
DOTM - Bautista. He's fluffed a few opportunities now.

Hey Oscar... didn't Marc end up getting the 2012 chassis?

[Cam D]

Along with Simoncelli for finally putting in a decent ride and sticking it to the factory boys.

D

You do know Sic is "one of the factory boys" don't you? He has a factory bike the same as the repsol ones.

Even Nick Harris needed reminding of that by Gavin.

[Oscar]

Hey Oscar... didn't Marc end up getting the 2012 chassis?

Did he? - I thought he'd destroyed that one and they only had one. If so, then perhaps only ONE gold elephant stamp - but he still rode the wheels off the thing..

[L34]

Hey Oscar... didn't Marc end up getting the 2012 chassis?

Did he? - I thought he'd destroyed that one and they only had one. If so, then perhaps only ONE gold elephant stamp - but he still rode the wheels off the thing..

They mentioned (commentators) said that he borrowed a 2012 chassis from another team (cant remember which team) ..... well there goes the myth that
he was the only rider getting that special chassis.

[Cam D]

Hey Oscar... didn't Marc end up getting the 2012 chassis?

Did he? - I thought he'd destroyed that one and they only had one. If so, then perhaps only ONE gold elephant stamp - but he still rode the wheels off the thing..

He certainly did!

[Faster1]

,, persistently sticking to my over and above expectations recognitions

MOTM - Simoncelli - When you have a point to prove to quiet the nay-sayers and you actually pull it off, that's something special. He was going to win or bin that second place. Honda chose well

Honorable mention
Properly and relentlessly trying, and being the best of Ducati ,,, again (pulling in to change bikes doesn't count for me)

DOTM
The weather gods, for once again, ruining another race.
Honda - Was special livery for the obvious heir apparent, birthday boys inaugural home race on a Honda, to dam difficult? No class HRC!

Dishonorable mention - ,, hate to pile on but, Elias getting lapped without changing bikes

** I had an entirely different and more relevant list before the pseudo rain spoiler the whole thing. Something like Bautista - rider of the year.. I ultimately couldn't fault any of the riders for falling. most of them were in their own proper battles and I respect the effort to defy physics.

[Faster1]

MotM: Marquez, for that charge through the field, plus the maturity to settle for 3rd and hold Corti off to ensure he kept it.

He got his "special" bike ,,, and I watched that start again,, It's like they gave him a 650. I'm sorry but I'm not convinced. His special treatment simply smells bad, and is masking his actually abilities. He could very well be the best, but who knows.

I'm pissed because this is supposed to be a CONTROLLED class, and the only control is who is supposed to win,,

[Kropotkin]

MotM: Marquez, for that charge through the field, plus the maturity to settle for 3rd and hold Corti off to ensure he kept it.

He got his "special" bike ,,, and I watched that start again,, It's like they gave him a 650. I'm sorry but I'm not convinced. His special treatment simply smells bad, and is masking his actually abilities. He could very well be the best, but who knows.

I'm pissed because this is supposed to be a CONTROLLED class, and the only control is who is supposed to win,,

Remember the old hippy saying "just because you're paranoid, it doesn't mean they're not out to get you?" That's like this. Yes, Marquez had a 2012 chassis, but then so did Redding and a couple of others (Luthi, I think). And he still blitzed them. Marquez has every advantage, but he has it for a reason, he really is that special.

[kneedragon]

... At least, I'm blaming the Supercars for it.

I'm agreeing with you. They've wrecked Qld Raceway.

[motomania]

MotM - Simoncelli - He did what he needed to top his rival and did so in questionable conditions. That was great fun to watch, especially on the last lap. He and Dovi were 2 seconds quicker than Stoner on the last lap and 5 seconds quicker than the rest of the field. Well done lads. It seems that Simo has learned something since earlier in the season.

HM - Stoner - well done Casey. You deserve every bit of the accolades being given currently. A true champ.

DotM - The group that owns and operates the track. It's been awhile since I've seen a track so bumpy that there were constantly bikes going down throughout the sessions. I can't imagine what it's going to be like next year after another season of the V8s pushing the tarmac around more.

[motomania]

IMO there was no reason for exclusion (note that the kid's still young, and this is only Moto2). If it was the premier class then exclusion wouldn't be out of the question, but I do hope he's learnt his lesson.

So, you feel that there should be different rules when it comes to on track actions by riders? Track safety for the MotoGP class is more important than it is for Moto2??

One thing that surprises me a bit is that it seems there's quite a few here that feel it's OK that Marquez seems to be getting preferential treatment because of his talent. He somehow has earned leniency & other things such as extra track time, etc. because he's got more talent than others. That sure makes for a nice level playing field to compete on now doesn't it?

[Kropotkin]

One thing that surprises me a bit is that it seems there's quite a few here that feel it's OK that Marquez seems to be getting preferential treatment because of his talent. He somehow has earned leniency & other things such as extra track time, etc. because he's got more talent than others. That sure makes for a nice level playing field to compete on now doesn't it?[/color]

There are no testing limits in Moto2. Marquez has a powerful and rich sponsor behind him because of his talent, and so he can test to his heart's content. So yes, in a way, he has earned extra track time through his talent.

[Gustav O]

One thing that surprises me a bit is that it seems there's quite a few here that feel it's OK that Marquez seems to be getting preferential treatment because of his talent. He somehow has earned leniency & other things such as extra track time, etc. because he's got more talent than others. That sure makes for a nice level playing field to compete on now doesn't it?[/color]

As a person that have been around the game so long you know it is never equal. The best riders end up in the best teams that get the most out of the bikes. That´s the way it is and the way it will always be. As for Marquez I think Kropotkin sums it up really well.

[Rusty Bucket USA]

Dotm - Tough this one but go with Pedrosa. Something there just did not impress me this weekend and he did not look comfortable or settled the entire weekend.

I disagree with this, completely. After Friday's reports of the severe bumps on all the lines on the track, I knew that's why Pedrosa was down the charts. There are no settings for a dangerously bumpy racetrack, and judging by what happened to Lorenzo, Spies, and everyone else who fell off, Pedrosa did exactly the right thing. Nobody was going to catch Stoner, bumps or not.
As the guy who can least afford to fall off at speed, I'm impressed as hell that he was competing for the Podium... until it started raining.

[Cam D]

One thing that surprises me a bit is that it seems there's quite a few here that feel it's OK that Marquez seems to be getting preferential treatment because of his talent. He somehow has earned leniency & other things such as extra track time, etc. because he's got more talent than others. That sure makes for a nice level playing field to compete on now doesn't it?[/color]

There are no testing limits in Moto2. Marquez has a powerful and rich sponsor behind him because of his talent, and so he can test to his heart's content. So yes, in a way, he has earned extra track time through his talent.

I don't think Mick was just talking about the track time though Dave. The talent explains the parts and track time.

Maybe some of us are a little confused about what Moto 2 is trying to represent within the GP circus. Myself and others have obvioiusly seen it as a tightly controlled class so that costs were cut, so things like riders getting preferential treatment doesn't sit so well. And Gustav, you're spot on when you say "it's never equal".