MotoGP: Lorenzo reigns in the wet!

Spain is home to several riders on the MotoGP grid including defending World Champion Marc Marquez and former World Champion Jorge Lorenzo. At the previous round at Misano, Italy, home-court advantage, fell into multiple World Champion, Valentino ‘The Doctor’ Rossi’s lap. The tenacious competitor in Rossi shone brilliantly and he brought the hammer down on the stunned grid. He rode a maestro’s race, which I am certain, compelled some to think back to a time when he ruled the world.

But that was then. It was Spain’s turn to look to their heroes and with the firepower they wield on the grid it was not far fetched to think that at least one of the chosen warriors would defend the kingdom’s honor. Marc Marquez continues to amaze – he pummeled the field and sat a P1 after qualifying. Spanish fans were hopeful.

The race began without major incident but it was evident from the red lights lost their hue that the battle for glory at Aragon would attain monumental heights. Movistar Yamaha has been riding a wave of resurgence recently and their riders, Lorenzo and Rossi appear as if they have turned the corner and are now riding comfortably, a few millimeters from the rear wheel of the dominant Repsol Honda.

At Aragon, Lorenzo and Rossi were obviously not in the wait and see mood. On the contrary, they were in locked and attack mode! Rossi, possibly still riding the wave from his victory at Misano, went for glory too early and went gravel- hunting. DNF but ok.

Lorenzo kept his machine focused on P1, but he faced relentless opposition from an unyielding Marquez. Their punch, run and punch again bout was waged for several laps and while Marquez led Dani Pedrosa joined the festivities.

Pedrosa was also motivated and he brought the fight to his compatriot’s door. And if that drama was inadequate, the weather hurled rain into the mix. The Honda-boys were locked in several stages of battle with multiple implications for both and possibly the ‘red mist’ obscured their judgement.

Several riders seized the moment and switched their machines but the Honda-boys remained defiant and stayed on-track. They paid a huge price! Pedrosa embraced the asphalt and Marquez – leading the GP –  copied Pedrosa’s shortly after.

Lorenzo who choose to adopt the cautious approach went for machine number 2 and when Marquez went gravel-surfing he inherited the lead. The rest was easy. Lorenzo hit his marks and rode to victory on Spanish soil.

What is it about rain, switching bikes and Marquez?

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer