Win number five for Rossi – Part 2 of 2

Lorenzo Down

At the front, the heat did not subside and Rossi could not lose Lorenzo. He was attached to Rossi like heat to Africa in summer. With 6 laps to go, Lorenzo had visions of victory and took the lead entering turn 3. A re-energized Rossi found another gear and took the fight to Lorenzo. We all wanted to see a duel all the way to the finish line but it was not to be. Lorenzo pushing way too hard, to stay in front of Rossi, who occasionally destroys the competition from behind, miscalculated as Rossi took the inside line into a turn and crashed out. For the 2nd race in succession, Lorenzo was down and out, scoring no points and handed the race to Rossi with 5 laps to go.

From this point onwards, Rossi was in showmanship mode, but Elias and Dovizioso kept the fans entertained with their intense battle. With 5 laps to go Dovizioso sneaked by Elias. Elias is no slouch and the humble lion awoke. Entering one of the turns Elias passed Dovizioso, but as quickly as he did, Dovizioso pulled a trick out of his bag, took the inside line, held it and passed Elias. Dovizioso was very lucky, as the replays showed the bike wiggling and his left leg dangling as he exited the corner. Elias was not willing to surrender his position however and relegated Dovizioso to the 4th position for the final time with another bold pass. Four laps to go.
Tony Elias

Rossi started the process of rewriting the record books in qualifying and apparently his pen had ink which he wanted to use, so he continued. Rossi’s first Grand Prix win was at the Brno Circuit and 13 years later he won again with a standing ‘wheelie’ across the finish line. The win was  Rossi’s fifth of the Grand Prix season, his 102nd Grand Prix win and also one which secured his lead in the World Championship, with a 50 points lead. Pedrosa delivered a calculated ride and took 2nd.My candidate for rider of the race is Tony Elias, who for most of the race, kept the charging, British Grand Prix win- inspired Dovizioso at bay. Even when he was passed (by Dovizioso), he (Elias) was daring enough to rise to the occasion and resume duties in front of Dovizioso, thus smothering the challenge, all the way to the finish line, taking a hard fought 3rd.When Lorenzo cracked under the burden of Rossi’s pressure and crashed out, an excited commentator remarked, “Rossi is still the King, still the Doctor, still the greatest motorcycle rider of all time”. I am certain Lorenzo would not give him an interview.

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-line Writer