MotoGP: Marquez shines in the rain!

Rain or shine Marc Marquez is the MotoGP Boss! If there was any doubt about his electrifying ability, a hope that he wears the dreaded Achilles heel, Marquez seized yet another opportunity in what he referred to as “dangerous” conditions, to prove that, like Digicel, he is extraordinary!

It is accepted in motorsports that the cream of the crop rises to the fore in either changing race conditions or rain. And at Assen on Saturday, Marquez did what he has been doing all season – obliterate the competition and claim P1. But, this time was different.

At Assen, the water cycle decided to display its design and release its liquid load on the circuit. It threw a dynamite into the plans which were laid for qualifying and continued on race-day. The challenging conditions gave birth to a surprise pole-sitter – Aleix Espargaro. The Honda duo, Marquez and Pedrosa, got lucky and held on to the first row.

Rain signed the attendance register, again, on race day, so teams were forced to gamble. Additional sighting laps aided the process and teams made their decisions.

At the front, despite admitting to being “nervous”, Marquez was locked in a battle with Ducati’s sniper – Dovizioso -  who scored high marks for his brave attempt at unseating the defending MotoGP World Champion.

But, as we all know, Marquez is the thorn that knows no respite. After changing set-up on lap 7, he revealed the human element and made a mistake, but we all benefited. His misstep forced a recovery and we witnessed a maniac chasing his sanity!

Dovizioso

A gap which was as much as 4 seconds  – between Dovizioso and Marquez – was slowly chipped away and with 11 laps remaining he drop-kicked the Ducati rider. Marquez then did what he has been doing for the 2014 season thus far – he lectured!

Marquez, in what can only be described as treacherous conditions, rode on the shoulders of the giants before him and wrote more stories in the MotoGP history books – he is now 8 from 8 – a feat which Rossi, Stoner and all the great riders of the current era achieved only in their dreams!

Dovizioso made his team proud by claiming P2. Pedrosa salvaged some pride and emerged P3 after a bruising, but entertaining battle with the pole-sitter. Where was Rossi and championship hopeful, Lorenzo? Rossi, a victim of ill-advised judgement, was coerced to pull a stunt from his helmet! Riding from pit-lane, he fought valiantly and sneaked into P5. A rather comforting finish considering that the Spanish giant, his teammate, Lorenzo, was like an artifact, buried in P13!

The Repsol Honda team and their superstars will be performing next in Germany!

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer