MotoGP: Marquez the magnificent!

24 Hours of Le Mans

Porsche is still the King at Le Mans with 16 overall wins, but their return to the greatest race on Earth in 2014 ignored their past achievements. Porsche’s pride was not scarred by the 2014 effort. Porsche rode the unexpected horse and was in the driver’s seat – P1 – at one stage, but the team which is notorious for running rings around the competition – Audi – did what they have been doing best for the past 15 years.

Audi claimed their 5th consecutive victory and 13th overall win.  Audi welcomed Porsche’s return to the big stage, but it is obvious that they have their eyes on Porsche’s overall win target – 16. Audi’s race engineer Leena Gade is leaving a massive foot-print in a typically male-dominated field. Audi is still the master at overcoming the obstacles!

Formula 1

It is my view that the 2014 season offers Lewis Hamilton his best shot at the championship within recent time. It is also my view that he knows this and he is fully committed to giving his fans the gift that they anxiously await. But, there are IED’s along the way, the path is a minefield! Treacherous is a more appropriate term to describe the road he has to travel.

The head –honcho at Williams, Frank Williams, stated that the four essential components of a successful F1 machine are: horsepower, aerodynamics, the driver and the tyre. It is obvious, based on what has transpired thus far that Mercedes has, arguably, the best package and Hamilton is driving the wheels off the machine.

Rosberg

His teammate, Rosberg, has the same package and he is no slouch and he is also delivering of his best in the driving department. Rosberg leads the championship, 22 points ahead of the, at times, as shown in Canada, unfortunate Hamilton. If we were friends, I would FedEx some of the ‘spiritual’ water from Bath, St Thomas to him (Lewis)!

Do you think Lewis Hamilton will win the 2014 championship?

MotoGP

It is no secret that the Catalunya Round of MotoGP is the official battle of the Spaniards – Lorenzo, Pedrosa and the new kid on the block, who continues to amaze, Marc Marquez. Dani Pedrosa was in a no-nonsense mood. He came out swinging at Catalunya – he upstaged Marquez and rode away with pole!

Rossi

When the race began, the win-disease infected the front-runners! Lorenzo led briefly but the quest for glory meant the ‘crab in a barrel’ attitude was a feature for the first few laps. When the red-fury subsided, the series’ most popular face – Valentino ‘The Doctor’ Rossi was riding, foot off the pegs, in the lead. At a track that he has tasted success repeatedly, Rossi held the lead for several laps.

The battle he left behind was Sahara-desert hot! The Honda boys, Marquez and Pedrosa, kicked Lorenzo to the curb and dived into their own rivalry. Marquez is a merciless competitor and he made life a nightmare for Pedrosa. It appeared at times as if Pedrosa had a microscopic advantage, but he lacks the killer instinct that Marquez has in abundance.

At Catalunya ‘The Doctor’ did some of his best work, but Marquez is relentless. Marquez showed his hand with 7 laps to go – a drifting, 200 plus whp, Honda prototype, slid into turn 1 and passed Rossi! The 90,000 fans went wild! Pedrosa sipped some Honda courage and dissected Rossi’s effort with 4 laps to go.

Honda

The Honda war resumed in earnest at the front and both Spaniards, motivated by their bull-fighting heritage, engulfed the circuit in a fire-fight that fans will discuss for years to come. Pedrosa was a new man – he brought the fight to Marquez but he simply could not make a pass ‘stick’ and a near-miss, on the final lap, which saw his front wheel clipping Marquez’s rear wheel, opened the door for Rossi – he entered the room and was awarded 2nd!

Marquez’s elbow-dragging and knee- kissing the tarmac style, entertained thoroughly in Catalunya and on the 65th anniversary weekend of MotGP, the Spanish fans got the opportunity to see their home-grown superstars at work. Where was Lorenzo in all of this? Wandering in the wilderness – P4. Marquez the magnificent wins again!

Who will rise to topple Marquez?

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer