Shell Malaysian GP---Spoilers

[duccarlos]

I'm still baffled with Rossi's behavior this weekend. This is whole shit is simply not like Rossi. This is a guy that spent 2 years on the shitty Duc and even though was continually baited, handled it with grace. That was not the same guy that ran directly to a pack of italian media jackals on Thursday.

[1.21GW]

I'm still baffled with Rossi's behavior this weekend. This is whole shit is simply not like Rossi. This is a guy that spent 2 years on the shitty Duc and even though was continually baited, handled it with grace. That was not the same guy that ran directly to a pack of italian media jackals on Thursday.

That's why I think a piece of the puzzle is missing.

[Speeddog]

It's just pderbyerous.

Since what, 12 years old, MM has been executing this stratagem of fabrication?

[1.21GW]

That's what I call a very very very "long play".

[duccarlos]

12 year old MM is the master of mind games.

[Triple J]

12 year old MM is the master of mind games.

I just watched it again -- overhead view, Rossi & MM views, and normal feed views. I don't see how anyone sides with Rossi. I like both guys, so I'm trying to be neutral. MM might have been messing with him, but even that isn't 100%. Even if he was though, his racing was clean.

I also believe MM when he says VR's leg hit his brake lever. MM went down too fast. I don't think it was intentional on VR's part though, and MM could have avoided contact.

[1.21GW]

I just watched it again -- overhead view, Rossi & MM views, and normal feed views. I don't see how anyone sides with Rossi. I like both guys, so I'm trying to be neutral. MM might have been messing with him, but even that isn't 100%. Even if he was though, his racing was clean.

I also believe MM when he says VR's leg hit his brake lever. MM went down too fast. I don't think it was intentional on VR's part though, and MM could have avoided contact.

Keep watching, Triple J.  It's usually on the 137th or 138th viewing that you start to adopt Rossi's view.

[Spidey]

Rossi will show up for Valencia. If he doesn't he looks like a cry baby. Besides, he still has a 7 point lead and a lot can happen in a race. He doesn't need to win the race, and actually has a good shot if JLo finishes 3rd or worse.

JLo 3rd, Rossi needs to be 6th
JLo 4th, Rossi needs to be 9th
JLo 5th, Rossi needs to be 11th

MM will still be racing as well. With VR at the back, MM won't bother with him, and will be off to win the race and show he's #1. Add in Pedro's recent pace, and Iannone wanting a podium, possibly Dovi too, and it isn't out of the question that JLo misses the podium due to conservatism and unwillingness to really battle with guys that have nothing to lose.

And . . .  Rossi's starting in the back of the grid, right?  So what's to stop him from going out in Q2 and f'n with Lorenzo's fast laps to make sure Lorenzo is at least not on the first or second row?  As long as he doesn't dramatically slow on the racing lane or otherwise do anything dangerous, he should be ok.  A strategic block pass here and there should not run afoul of the rules.    For those that would cry foul, his fans will remain his fans and everyone else will remain everyone else.  He's not going to change their minds with a "screw-with-Lorenzo" qualifying session.  

Edit:  does he even get to go out in Q2?  Maybe not.   

[duccarlos]

Keep watching, Triple J.  It's usually on the 137th or 138th viewing that you start to adopt Rossi's view.

You are getting sleeeeeeeeepy. You did not see Rossi pushing MM off the track. MM simply went wide. You also watch MM in a previous lap jump off his bike, attempt to molest Rossi and then jump back on his own bike.

[duccarlos]

And . . .  Rossi's starting in the back of the grid, right?  So what's to stop him from going out in Q2 and f'n with Lorenzo's fast laps to make sure Lorenzo is at least not on the first or second row?  As long as he doesn't dramatically slow on the racing lane or otherwise do anything dangerous, he should be ok.  A strategic block pass here and there should not run afoul of the rules.    For those that would cry foul, his fans will remain his fans and everyone else will remain everyone else.  He's not going to change their minds with a "screw-with-Lorenzo" qualifying session. 

I would have absolutely zero issues with him messing with Jorghey during qualifying. In FACT, I would welcome it. BTW, you're still alive?

[Spidey]

BTW, you're still alive?

Nope.  Ghost posting.  

[Mhanis]

I also believe MM when he says VR's leg hit his brake lever. MM went down too fast. I don't think it was intentional on VR's part though, and MM could have avoided contact.

If Rossi's leg/foot had hit Marquez's lever that would show up in the telemetry, right? If you ran HRC and saw proof that that was in fact the case, would you release it? I sure as hell would.

None of this goes toward clearing Rossi mind you (the telemetry NOT being released), I am just making further useless speculation and chatter.

Mark

[HotIce]

I re-watched PI yesterday with my GF, she hadn't seen it.
After it ended, I told her Rossi was pissed at MM for holding him up.
She laughed, said that's crazy, he should have been pissed at Iannone.

That's quite different. Iannone was fighting for a 3rd place at top of his game.
MM was deliberately trying to slow down VR to make him lose the WC. That is clear to anyone, and that's horseshit.
If MM would have played w/out trying to make VR waste time and protect JLo, we would have likely seen DP and MM fighting for 1st place, and VR and JLo fighting for 3rd, which was better for the enjoyment of motogp fans, and honesty of the race.

[Rameses]

What happens if Rossi sandbags at Valencia until he's lap traffic and then torpedos Lorenzo?

JLo doesn't score enough points to overtake Rossi in the standings, even if he gets back on the bike and finished the race. But does Rossi get points deducted?

I can't see him doing anything like that (to anyone other than Marquez, anyway).  But who knows, if he really has derailed...

[koko64]

Where does everyone think MM learned to ride the way he does in GP...VR! Like carlos said, there is a strong resemblance. MM has just taken it up a bit.

Still, VR has been getting away with roughing up his rivals for years. What is the common thread in all of Rossi's feuds? Rossi. I'm a fan, but when someone becomes a real threat to VR, the gloves come off. We haven't seen it with MM until this season because VR wasn't in the title chase. Now that he is, is anyone surprised?

The difference now, is MM fights back harder and isn't intimidated.

Not to excuse what MM seemed to be doing in Sepang, but VR called him out the week before. What did he expect would happen? It is highly debatable if MM was helping JLo, or at least trying to slow VR, in PI. After watching the race a couple times, and looking at the lap time data, I think MM was just racing. VR brought this upon himself.

Whay didn't VR call out Iannone for PI? He had just as much an impact on him as MM. Because Iannone isn't a title threat. He was just looking to wind MM up...and he did.

I think this is the truth of the matter. Rossi has been great at managing his image and tainting that of his rivals, because he is a smart businessman and media manager who has built a whole marketing strategy that makes more money than his factory paycheck. You Rossi fanboys are seeing the real Rossi under great emotional pressure. This situation is his first major mistake in this area iirc.
He is the GOAT for sure, just a bit fly blown at present. At 36, with his lifestyle since pro racing, he probably feels 56 or 66 and a bit crotchety and "Gran Torino". That was a real "get off my lawn" moment with MM. Hes the GOAT because he is still evergreen somehow.


I've got my money on MM in a post race punch up, while Rossi has the height and reach, MM is a bob weaver and will come up and under with hooks, rips and uppercuts .