Tank Slap - Motorcycle Forum

Bloody hell.

Cal's move would be the talking point where it not for MM crashing out.

Awesome race.

So pleased for Cal on the rostrum.

We go to Europe with Rossi leading as we head to his stomping ground.

Going to be a classic season this year.

That was worth getting up early for!!

I suspect it will be a very very long time before we see such a complete racer as Rossi again.

Marquez has so much to learn from him in terms of thinking a race through and sometimes just accepting the second place and the points. He has done himself no favours with that rash move and it would appear that its not difficult to make him lose a bit of self control.

Very poor tyre choice too by Repsol Honda.

I'm pissed off I missed the opening laps as my laptop decided to piss about..

But what a race....

That should certainly answer the question of whether Rossi is past it and not interested in racing. It also answers the question of whether MM is invincible or not.. And as for Cal what a final corner

This is really shaping up to be one hell of a season... Bring on Europe and Rossi's favourite tracks, Honda and Ducati are really going to have to be on the ball.

Thing is Ducati were second with the same hard tyre so not sure it was a bad choice personally.

I agree Marquez is a rare talent and also very very lucky to race on the same track as a legend like Rossi when he is learning his race craft.

Personally I didn't see it as a rash move. It was a racing incident in the heat of the race. No ones fault and not rash IMO. I think Marquez has proven he is very level headed many times, but incidents like this will only make him stronger IMO, he is humble and wise enough to learn from all experiences.

I like racers who always go for the win. People like Bayliss, Edwards and Stoner are my hero's and all those guys always raced for the win, second was always first of the losers.

I realise the record books show champions not race winners but personally speaking I admire the racers who always go for the win, they are the guys that make things exciting.

Ducati riders second and third in the championship standings who would have guessed that only a few months ago

what a race! fantastic.

If you watch it you can see Rossi and MM come together on the first corner. Then as they power out, Rossi looks over his should to see which side MM is on then moves across.

Rossi knows what he's doing.

I don't know tbh, would have to watch it back again, but I did watch it back a few times last night and personal thoughts were it was a racing incident and that's how race control judged it.

I take it things look different now. Do you think Rossi was at fault then ? Or was it a case of your their but I'm committed and have no where else to go ?

They banged fairings on the corner - racing incident but Rossi letting Marquez know he's not going to be bullied.

Then the crash. Again, it was a racing incident as Marquez ran into him and we all know front wheel v rear wheel never ends well for the bike behind. I don't think Rossi intended to take him out. I reckon he was sweeping across the front of the Honda to slow him down. Marquez was going on a charge and the two collided.

I believe we saw a very experienced rider using his skills to make sure he not only took the lead but to warn off any attempt to try and overtake him.

I don't think Marquez will heed any warning and I hope I'm right as will make for very good racing and hopefully a classic season with two awesome riders going head to head at each round.

It sounds like Rossi is hoping for the same

Well bring that on, it will be amazing to watch arguably the best two racers every go head to head in a classic season long battle.

Marquez was pretty relaxed and smiling after the race in the interview I watched, so I think he knows itw as just a racing incident, and his own fault.

Do you reckon that was another of Marquez engines fecked? The bike went down pretty hard.

Good point Duke. If it is that's 3 out the 5 already used.

I really wouldn't bet against Valley doing an epic ten titles now that would be something very special indeed

I think he is still a little way off Ago's record. Certainly for Championships in the top capacity competition. I think Ago was 8 Rossi is still on 6.