F1 is easily the most popular form of Motorsport in the world and I don't think anyone can discount that. But if anyone watched last weekend's MotoGP from Silverstone you will know why MotoGP has suddenly the in thing with riders putting everything on the line to fight for the championship. I am not sure that there is any competitive sport in the world where competitors participate despite having broken collarbones, dislocated shoulders, broken legs, hands etc. This year in MotoGP the three leading contenders are so desperate to win the championship that they are willing to ride at all costs, putting their bodies on the line.
MotoGP has always been competitive, like any other racing category, with two guys always fighting it out for the championship. The last 6 years has seen Stoner vs Rossi, Rossi vs Lorenzo, Stoner vs Lorenzo and Lorenzo vs Pedrosa. But this year the interest in MotoGP has gone up ten fold because of one man, Marc Marquez. The 20 year old Spaniard is in his rookie season in MotoGP and has gone on to not only exceed expectations but is currently leading the riders championship by 30 points, with 6 races to go.
Marc Marquez battled for the 2011 Moto 2 (level below MotoGP) championship but eventually lost out to current LCR Honda rider Stefan Bradl, after not participating in the last two rounds. Marquez decided to stay in Moto 2 for another year rather than move to MotoGP with an average team. His second season in Moto 2 gave him the experience and maturity he needed as he won the title with 9 wins and only 3 races off the podium. He has had to fight from last on the grid in quite a few races and this has helped him improve greatly.
This year's MotoGP title was always going to be between Lorenzo and Pedrosa but Marquez has been brilliant in almost every weekend. Race by race he has improved greatly and is now totally comfortable on his Honda. Most people expected him to crash regularly but it is actually his more experienced rivals that have done so. He took full advantage of injuries to his rivals to win 4 races in a row and lead the championship. Injury or no injury Marquez slides the bike all through the race and it is always great to see a rookie kicking ass!!
Which brings us back to the Silverstone MotoGP race. Marquez drove out of his skin to put his HRC on pole after Lorenzo also put in one of the greatest laps of his career. Marquez then dislocated his shoulder in Sunday morning warm-up and looked very doubtful for the race. The medical team managed to the 'pop the shoulder back in' and he was confirmed to race an hour before the start. After Lorenzo jumped him at the start they stayed together for the whole race. Marquez got ahead with 3 laps to go before Lorenzo got him back. The last lap saw one of the greatest finishes ever with 4 lead changes before Lorenzo got Marquez in the second last corner to take a brilliant win. The Yamaha team have been struggling to find pace behind the Honda's so Lorenzo's win makes it even more special.
Lorenzo broke his collar bone earlier in the year at Assen and rode after putting a steel plate in there. He crashed again the following week damaging the steel plate. Pedrosa also got injured but raced despite being injured. The three title contenders are willing to put everything on the line to win this year and with 6 races to go it is all to play for. In my view if I had a MotoGP race and F1 race at the same time, this year it is MotoGP for me.
MotoGP has always been competitive, like any other racing category, with two guys always fighting it out for the championship. The last 6 years has seen Stoner vs Rossi, Rossi vs Lorenzo, Stoner vs Lorenzo and Lorenzo vs Pedrosa. But this year the interest in MotoGP has gone up ten fold because of one man, Marc Marquez. The 20 year old Spaniard is in his rookie season in MotoGP and has gone on to not only exceed expectations but is currently leading the riders championship by 30 points, with 6 races to go.
Marc Marquez battled for the 2011 Moto 2 (level below MotoGP) championship but eventually lost out to current LCR Honda rider Stefan Bradl, after not participating in the last two rounds. Marquez decided to stay in Moto 2 for another year rather than move to MotoGP with an average team. His second season in Moto 2 gave him the experience and maturity he needed as he won the title with 9 wins and only 3 races off the podium. He has had to fight from last on the grid in quite a few races and this has helped him improve greatly.
This year's MotoGP title was always going to be between Lorenzo and Pedrosa but Marquez has been brilliant in almost every weekend. Race by race he has improved greatly and is now totally comfortable on his Honda. Most people expected him to crash regularly but it is actually his more experienced rivals that have done so. He took full advantage of injuries to his rivals to win 4 races in a row and lead the championship. Injury or no injury Marquez slides the bike all through the race and it is always great to see a rookie kicking ass!!
Which brings us back to the Silverstone MotoGP race. Marquez drove out of his skin to put his HRC on pole after Lorenzo also put in one of the greatest laps of his career. Marquez then dislocated his shoulder in Sunday morning warm-up and looked very doubtful for the race. The medical team managed to the 'pop the shoulder back in' and he was confirmed to race an hour before the start. After Lorenzo jumped him at the start they stayed together for the whole race. Marquez got ahead with 3 laps to go before Lorenzo got him back. The last lap saw one of the greatest finishes ever with 4 lead changes before Lorenzo got Marquez in the second last corner to take a brilliant win. The Yamaha team have been struggling to find pace behind the Honda's so Lorenzo's win makes it even more special.
Lorenzo broke his collar bone earlier in the year at Assen and rode after putting a steel plate in there. He crashed again the following week damaging the steel plate. Pedrosa also got injured but raced despite being injured. The three title contenders are willing to put everything on the line to win this year and with 6 races to go it is all to play for. In my view if I had a MotoGP race and F1 race at the same time, this year it is MotoGP for me.
Great Write up Murali. Watched this kid Marquez when i was travelling and happened to stumble upon Moto GP on some random TV..... made me think of Rossi did to all of us when he won at the age of 17... Will be watching this weekend... thanks for reminding me how much i loved this sport!
ReplyDeleteJust watched the last three laps of Silverstone.... Nuttttsss!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteJust watched the last three laps of Silverstone.... Nuttttsss!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteJust saw the last three laps of Silverstone... NUTTTSSS!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks..now you understand why MotoGP these two guys went mad those last three laps.. mind you Marquez dislocated his shoulder that morning and Lorenzo is the only Yamaha rider close to the Hondas..brillianr stuff
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