I have been a fan of motorcycle racing since the early 1970's, and have many happy memories of travelling to race meetings at various circuits around the country (Mallory Park, Brands Hatch, Oulton Park, Silverstone etc) not to mention a memorable holiday one year, based around the Dutch TT at Assen and the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa Francorchamps. This was the heyday of many of my heroes such as (the late, great) Barry Sheene, Kenny Roberts, Giacomo Agostini, Phil Read and many more. I saw many great races - too many to mention - during what was, for me, the golden age of Grand Prix motorcycle racing.
But few (if any) of them could surpass the amazing Moto GP de Catalunya yesterday, during which the lead changed many times, including at least 3 times on the last lap, with Valentino Rossi beating his Yamaha team mate Jorge Lorenzo with the most audacious (not to mention brave) overtaking manouvre on the very last corner
Valentino Rossi trails team-mate Jorge Lorenzo - but not for long........
What can I say about Valentino Rossi? Despite the fact that so many truly great riders were at the height of their powers in the 1970's and 1980's, Rossi is quite probably the greatest of them all. Let's face it - he isn't called the "GOAT" for nothing! If you want proof (and if you want to see why Moto GP makes Formula 1 look like a high-speed funeral procession) then I urge you to watch yesterday's race and see for yourself. It really was the most heart-stopping and exciting race I have ever seen - Rossi, at the height of his powers, seeing-off the young pretender Lorenzo (who may himself, one day, be counted amongst the greats).
You can see the race for the next 6 days or so on BBC iPlayer. Don't miss it!
3 comments:
OMG!!!!
What a fantastic last lap...unbelievable riding!
Indeed, David. I can't stress highly enough how exciting such a sport is for me. To be honest, it is a bit like wine - the SMELL of motorcycle racing is something so evocative and I still recall it to this day (even after so many years not actually being there). But how anybody can watch Formula 1 and call it exciting, when Moto GP offers such close (often, though not always) and exciting (always) action is beyond me.
And, of course, Valentino Rossi is to motorcyling what Federer is to tennis and Woods is to golf - the best ever. We are well blessed with sporting greats in this particular era of ours, and should consider ourselves very fortunate. :-)
Leon:
I like Moto GP but would prefer side cars.
On Formula 1's funeral procession I think the current leader should start from the back.
See my post "upside down thinking required" http://bit.ly/57Fuy
Best
Warren
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