As a self-confessed Marc Marquez fan even I couldn’t summon up the energy to get up at 0400 to watch the race from Indianapolis yesterday morning. Despite the fact that he breaks records every time he races (or it seems that way), my enthusiasm for a good night’s sleep won out over my enthusiasm to see him do so. I guess that makes me a bad fan, eh?
However, win he did, making it ten in a row, the first time that this feat has been achieved since the heady days of Mick Doohan, back in 1997. And the thought that was just a whisper at the start of the season is now getting louder the longer the season goes on. Could he win all 18 races? well, the answer is, yes, he could. WILL he? I strongly doubt it. Though he seems to have the ability to win despite all adversities, it seems inevitable that, somewhere between now and Valencia, there will be a hiccup and someone else will win. His opponents aren’t helping their cause by tripping themselves up in all manner of ways just when it seems like they are in a position to threaten, either.
Though at least ONE race win should come from Lorenzo, Pedrosa and maybe even Rossi, their seasons are progressing in fits and starts, characterised by the inability of any of them to seriously duke it out with MM93 when the chips are really down.
At the moment, most pundits seem to believe that the fight for the championship will be over by Aragon, next MONTH, believe it or not. Marquez’s points lead is so vast that he could take a few rounds off and still win, but, of course, that isn’t going to happen.
Familiarity usually breeds contempt, but, in this case, the superlatives keep flowing and what was grudging admiration from his peers is now growing into admiration that no elite athlete is supposed to have for someone against whom he/she is competing.
In other news, the rumours are growing in intensity that Aussie Moto3 star, Jack Miller, will be leap-frogged straight into MotoGp at the behest of Repsol who, it appears, is prepared to pay a handsome sum to Mark VDS to buy out his contract with them for next year. Given that all seats in the “works” teams are taken, the most logical place seems to be on the second LCR bike (most likely an Open Class machine) with considerable Repsol backing. Is it a wise move to bypass the traditional career path? I don’t know. I must admit that, if it were me, I’d like to see him spend a year in Moto2, but I’m not making the decisions. Time will tell as always.
As you know, I have been suffering from the “lurgy” for the last week or so so I haven’t ridden at all. I am hopeful that I will be able to get out on Sunday and go to The Famous Robertson Pie Shop where one of my friends will be selling cupcakes in support of the RSPCA. This has become an annual event and the money raised goes to a good cause. If you can get up there, please do so, between 1000 and 1200. You can also order online by following the link below.
Keliy’s cupcake stall. TFRPS Sunday 17th August
Further to the White Van saga, Helena and I went away for the weekend to Green Patch (just south of Nowra) and did a shakedown run. All went well and we have roughed out what needs to be done in order to make the van more suitable for more extended drives. All quite exciting, actually.
Oh, one more thing. I don’t really follow dirt bike racing, there’s so much happening in road racing that I can’t even get my head around all of that, but this does bear reporting.
Congratulations to Aussie motocross young gun Jett Lawrence (11) of the KTM Junior Motocross Racing Team, who earned himself the distinction of becoming Australia’s youngest ever World Motocross Champion at the weekend’s 2014 FIM Junior Motocross World Championship at Lierneux in Belgium after carding 2-1 results in the 65cc class. 🙂
jeffb says
He’s ‘special’ (Marquez) that’s for sure, Phil.Would have loved to see him race Casey but that’s not going to happen. Hope you are feeling better- loved your van pick up! Who’d have guessed?? jeff
Phil Hall says
Yeah, we’re privileged to be able to watch him race, that’s for sure. A little better this week, Jeff, but some others tell me that tis big hangs around for quite a while; I hope not. Yes, the van, well, that is interesting, for sure. Thanks, mate.
small e says
I too Phil couldn’t raise myself at 4am to watch the GP..not when the result is so predictable. As good as it is to have a maestro showing his amazing talent I wonder if his success isn’t hurting the overall spectacle. This season has seen me become a tad apathetic to the GPs through lack of that quality we all spectate for..an unpredictable result with a dose of paint swapping here and there at the pointy end. As good as it was to see Doohan running away with everything, his time was also a bit on the mediocre for racing interest in my book. I wonder if the pencil squeezers at the FIM are going to start interfering with the rules to try to inject some closer competition if Marquez scoops the pool this year. But as you say, the chances are slim. It only takes a simple mechanical malady to rain on his parade. His fan base may be devestated in that case but I’m sure there will be a lot like me who’ll be glad to see some more compelling competition. Such a shame Stoner isn’t still there to match him on the same bike.
Phil Hall says
Have to agree. Too much of even the best thing can be too much, can’t it?