Well, a bit of mixed bag of weather made for some challenging decisions and racing at Valencia, with a mixed bag of results. With the championships all decided there was just pride to race for.
Unfortunately I missed the Moto3 race, having been roped in to help score a cricket match between Phuket and a team from Singapore...... it was a wet race that saw Briton Danny Kent emerge the winner for the second time in 2012. He looks to be one to watch in future.
I did see two thirds of the Moto2 race, which had all sorts of drama, and a Champion's ride from Marquez. He started last on the grid, but carved through the lot to win the race. The replay of much of his first lap, as seen from the helicopter camera, is something to watch. Watch that man when he takes over from Stoner in MotoGP next season.
Pedrosa was a worthy winner of the MotoGP race. He had pole position, and came out on rain tires as the race was declared wet. Some others came out on slicks. After the warm-up lap he, and three others decided to change to bikes on slicks, which meant starting from the pit lane. Still Pedrosa managed to find his way through the field, some of whom changed to bikes on slicks during the race. He was second when Lorenzo crashed out of the lead. From then on it was just a high speed cruise to the checkered flag, and his seventh win of the season.... one more than the champion, Lorenzo.
Wlldcard Nakasuga from Japan bought the Yamaha team home second, riding in place of the injured Ben Spies. Stoner bowed out of MotGP with a final podium. His pit board declared that he was going fishing.
In all there were just three winners in the MotoGP class of 2012. There were five in the Moto2 class, with Marquez taking nine of the races. The Moto3 class has had some of the most interesting racing, producing eight winners. Champion Cortese won five of the races.
Roll on Quatar in March 2013. With a bit of a reshuffled pack there could be some intrigue in the making.
__________________ there are old motorcyclists and bold motorcyclists,
but you seldom meet an old bold motorcyclist
Bump... I was thinking that maybe the "2012" could be removed from the title of this thread, so that it can be seen as the ongoing chronicle for all things MotoGP.
Unless anyone has objections to the idea, I'll ask Luke if this can be done.
__________________ At any given moment in America, 100,000 idiots are texting while driving... it's the new drunk driving.
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Bump... I was thinking that maybe the "2012" could be removed from the title of this thread, so that it can be seen as the ongoing chronicle for all things MotoGP.
Unless anyone has objections to the idea, I'll ask Luke if this can be done.
My original thought was that someone would start a new thread for 2013, but continuing this one to keep things all together makes sense.
Unfortunately timing and other commitments means that I have not been able to watch a single race for 2013 so far (nor a Super Rugby League game). Hopefully that will change for the next round (for both).
__________________ there are old motorcyclists and bold motorcyclists,
but you seldom meet an old bold motorcyclist
My original thought was that someone would start a new thread for 2013, but continuing this one to keep things all together makes sense.
Unfortunately timing and other commitments means that I have not been able to a single race for 2013 so far (nor a Super Rugby League game). Hopefully that will change for the next round (for both).
Michael, don't forget about our Formula One thread... there are a few of us keeping that one going as well, and your past participation has added a great deal to the discussion... hope you get to catch some of the races, and add your thoughts and insight to that thread.
Cheers,
Mike
__________________ At any given moment in America, 100,000 idiots are texting while driving... it's the new drunk driving.
MotoGP 2013 is a hot topic over here right now for all the wrong reasons. Sky TV NZ failed in their attempt to secure broadcasting rights and as a result many Sky subscribers, who happen to own motorcycles are cancelling their contracts. Instead, they are subscribing online and watching the racing via the web. As rightly pointed out in the recent issue of Kiwi Bike Rider magazine, Sky would never have dreamt of dropping Super 15 Rugby or even, for that matter V8 Motorsport.
Yeah, I know it's the commercial realities of life but it sucks. We still have WSBK though.
2012 season's done
