Valencia MotoGP

[chrisb]

please forgive me Rene but just thought I would mention the above GP as it really is an end of an era, one of the greatest I have ever known finishes this stage of his career - there was a wonderful tribute yesterday with all of his 9 world championship winning bikes on display - from the 125 Aprilla to the Honda's to Yamaha's, and then fans paid their tribute followed by his peers who were there in force, 

One of the many things Rossi answered was his 'best' [fiercest?] competitor, Max of course, which is now entering its next phase with both being team bosses, this should be fun. 

I have no idea who was quickest as it just seemed a bit immaterial in MotoGP [ I think it was Jack] and Moto3- however Moto2 was nail-biting - with the two protagonists quickest - this is going to be special  - very special, hopefully all will be fair in competition 

[mikael]

I always thought it was a pity that Valentino Rossi didn't do like John Surtees, Mike Hailwood, and others: give Formula One a try. If I understand correctly, Ferrari were interested "in earnest" in giving him a chance there. When he had the chance, he was at the height of his powers. It could have been really interesting!

[René]

Thank you Chris!

[chrisb]

you are more than welcome Rene,

Mikael I do think Rossi would have gone very well in the car but would have serious doubts how he would have coped with life outside the car,

Actually Mikael I think you raise a really good point, which motorcyclists have gone on and done very well in a car?

Obviously Rosemayer, Varzi and Nuvolari, weren't bad on both, neither was Alberto Ascari, Jean Behra and of course the obvious John and Mike, but I am struggling to think of anyone else who was successful,

whereas the likes of Geoff Duke didn't fare so well, neither did Barry Sheene, or Johnny Cecotto - would Jean Pierre Beltoise be considered a success. yes in my mind,

others like Bill Ivy had obvious speed in a car but tragedy intervened, Bob Anderson was tragically taken in a testing accident, and Gary Hocking was seen as a potential winner, as were the Rodriguez brothers,

I am sure to have missed some obvious ones but it is an interesting point and one that I feel needs further thought

[René]

I believe the Rossi-Ferrari deal was very close. Ferrari (and all of Italy) wanted this to happen and Valentino loved the challenge. But in the end his love for two wheels was bigger than four wheels. But it's a big 'what if' because he was competitive in the car.

As for other riders/drivers switching machines, I only know Lewis loves having a go on a racing bike and so did Michael. But of course never in official/professional races.

[charleselan]

Not sure I agree about Johnny Cecotto Chris, he not only drove in F1 and had his career there ruined by a very serious leg injury. He then went on to become a top line touring car racer as part of the Schnitzer factory BMW team in ETC and GTC. I also recall he was very competitive in a works March in F2 when it was an ultra competitive series.

Barry Sheene did not shine in his touring car attempts and neither did Ago when he ran in the Aurora F1 series in the UK, I don't think either of them could cope with the car sliding around.

Rob Walker really rated Gary Hocking very highly and he could have been a big star but for his tragic accident. Sad to note that at that time we lost two other highly rated and talented youngsters who never reached their potential in Timmy Mayer and Riccardo Rodriguez. Timmy of course not a former bike racer but highly rated.

Another guy who seldom gets mentioned is the Argentinian Benedicto Calderella who won his first and only motorcycle GP in his own country in 1962. He rode a Gilera "4" that had more or less been brought out of mothballs and actually beat the greatest of all time Mike Hailwood who was on the MV "4". He did not win another race but had several podiums that year. Later he returned on four wheels as Carlos Reutemann's team mate in the Argentine run Brabham BT30's in 1970. 

[charleselan]

Quite an emotional day of racing today (Sunday 14th Nov) with Valentino Rossi bowing out of MotoGP and so good to see him have a such a good ride. OK tenth place doesn't sound great but it was far more than that as he was often lapping at the same pace as the leaders and with the field so close in 2021 it was an impressive ride.

Another fine win by Pecco Bagnaia who led home an all podium for Ducati, which was a first for the Italian marque.

In Moto2 it was so good to watch Remy Gardner win the title but he made everyone sweat a bit as he played it very safe, I might have tended to have gone a little harder and kept the leading group in sight rather than play so safe riding against guys he doesn't normally compete with. He is only the second son of a former champion to lift a motorcycle title, the other of course being Roberts son and father.

[René]

Grazie Valentino! 46

[chrisb]

As I was out on a memorial motorbike rideout for Armistice day and I kid you not there were literally hundreds of bikes, if I can remember how to do it I will post some pictures, needless to say the car drivers weren't amused as over 200 bikes somewhat dominated the road - I didn't watch the race 'live' but on the excellent 'spoiler free' segment and it was nail biting 

what a wonderfully emotive end of the season, the tributes to Vale is just something else, my word has this guy been an incredible icon, one can forget just how good he was and why it was so good to see him back up to speed, ok courtesy of Pecca in practice but to anyone who intimated that he was just trundling around was very much mistaken. I will admit to getting a bit choked up with all what was happening, one could have easily forgotten the race itself.

Four Ducati's in the top 6, blocking out the top 3, whilst impressive it is a bit scary for next year with 8 bikes on the grid. The Suzuki's finally looked good only for Alex to fall down again, must to Suzuki's management disappointment, will Alex be offered an extension to his contract or will all benefit if Maverick returns in 2023. Honda had a pretty awful weekend, no Marquez and Pol had an awful accident and is really bruised and battered and with the tests to determine their engine choices fo rnext year imminent they chose to miss the GP so in order to focus on the testing. Fabio finished a credible 5th but yamaha needs to find a great deal of power,

Moto2 was the most stressful of races, my word do those bikes sound good - I do like that triple engine, I should do as I am on my 4th Triumph three cylinder bike, but many many congratulations to Remy but my word did he make us sweat - I think Tech 3 with Remy and Raul next year will spring a lot of surprsies,

Moto3 was exciting adn it was ironic to see the champion tumbling out, given what had happened to D Binder who high sided in the fisrt lap, not an auspicious way to end your 7 years with one win in Moto3 and leap on the Yamaha GP bike.

To Vale, thank you - you really have lifted MotoGP to the stratosphere,