MOTOGP: WILL ROSSI’S RAMPAGE CONTINUE? (DUTCH GP)

Did you watch the Catalunya GP? If you did not you have a trailer load of memorable moments to be sorry for! But you are fortunate becuase modern technology allows you the opportunity to reclaim that which was lost!

Valentino The Doctor Rossi is a darling in MotoGP circles. His fan base knows no limit and his number – 46 is flown like the perennial flag at every circuit that the MotoGP space shuttle lands!

The 2015 MotoGP season was a boiling cauldron with the Yamaha teammates locked in a frantic, bruising but delicious battle – for the fans- to decide who was the greatest of them all. And if that was not enough, the new face of MotoGP, with championships to support his meteoric rise, Marc Marquez, in Rossi’s view was intervening to assist his countryman’s campaign!

Rossi would have none of it! But it is my view that if Rossi had kept his cards close to his chest and applied his mastery of MotoGP machines and ignored the sideshow chances are we would be referring to him at present as the defending World Champion!

But, fate has its own design and Rossi allowed himself to be drawn into Marquez’ shenanigans when he (Rossi) had far more to lose. The catastrophic blunder – Rossi’s ‘sit up’ and then Marquez’ mysterious fall which we all witnessed was possibly the final nail which sealed Rossi’s 2015 MotoGP championship hopes.

Those memories, despite possibly haunting him during the off season, apparently have not affected the Doctor negatively.

Ironically he appears to be even hungrier to clinch the title that has been eluding him for some time now. The Spanish GP, I am sure, reminded everyone why the fans adore Valentino ‘The Doctor’ Rossi!

LORENZO

In Lorenzo’s and Marquez’ backyard, Rossi claimed center stage and belittled everyone. His start was his usual – get mauled by the pack then recover. It was an all-Spanish front row at the end of qualifying and when the race began, Lorenzo made a run for it! It was feared that if he broke loose, the fat lady would sing rather early, but Marquez, Pedrosa and Rossi had more than a few tricks up their sleeves!

Lap one – Lorenzo , Marquez and Pedrosa. Rossi was swallowed by the whale and sunk to P8, but his recovery began immediately. He was P4 by lap 2. There was no doubt who was the force among the field.

At 37 years young, Rossi was a demon with a fire-trail behind his machine. He was the quickest on-track, setting a new lap record in the process.

It was evident that he was not only in scintillating form. He was brilliant. Within the first six laps of the 25 lap race, Rossi regrouped from 8th, out-braked, outsmarted and slithered his cunning way to P1. He displaced the Three Amigos – Pedrosa, Marquez and Lorenzo – with nonchalant ease, almost as if they were on 250 cc machines!

Bu,t we know Marquez. And at Catalunya, Marquez was not programmed to surrender. Marquez sidestepped Lorenzo and went for Rossi’s scalp. Lorenzo, like a two ton brick in the ocean, sunk rapidly from contention and 232 pounds of scotch bonnet pepper invaded Lorenzo’s wound when he was attacked by Iannone – DNF!

Pity is not extended to champions and the action was at the front. The battle that fans were expecting from 2015, like a tropical sunrise, was rapidly appearing and no one wanted to miss a millisecond!

Marquez played it cool and rode comfortably in Rossi’s shadow, posing for pics from Rossi’s rear mounted camera. Marquez pounced with less than 10 laps remaining and a bonfire engulfed Catalunya.

But a more poised, focused, determined, calculating and forceful rider was sitting on the sole Yamaha remaining in the field. Rossi, the mature version, was not unsettled by Marquez’ antics.

Rossi was a cucumber who was placed in the in the cool aisle. He showed character and supreme skill by erecting a formidable offense to disrupt Marquez’ numerous attacks! Marquez tried, as expected. His erratic Honda kept his hands full battling bronco-like twists under braking while Rossi remained like a proud oak – undisturbed.

Rossi was a man on fire in Catalunya. He burned the Spanish plantation and stole all the vault-kept jewels. Marquez had no answer for Rossi’s devices and was forced to submit to greatness. A handshake, initiated by Rossi, at the end of the race showed the level at which ‘The Doctor’ now exists. Vale! Vale! Vale!

The Dutch GP is this weekend – Will the Spaniards rise from the ash?

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer