Time attack, but I've been on track with cars with 300+hp over than what I had in some heats and unless you wanted to put yourself in danger for limited benefit its best to just get out of the racing line if you KNOW you have no chance to put in a good time with someone with that much power/speed behind you. Losing time on a lap is better than getting rear ended by some late braking GT3 or ZR1 Vette. Also, I didn't have a trailer and couldn't afford to crash and had to drive my car home so I HAD to be more pragmatic.
Both Lin and Rossi admitted to being way off the pace, so why not just let him go and retain your points if you are so 'scared' of being on track with someone and knew he was coming after you? Has experience not taught you that discretion is the better part of valor after so many years on track?
I agree that when Marc struck Alexis he had no excuse, he just rammed into him and barely acknowledged his mistake int he process and deserved that penalty; but if you see that additional footage with Rossi you can see Marc having to roll off the brake as he locked the front and had to roll out of it and lift himself and the bike to avoid crashing, which probably comes naturally to him by now, thus pushing Rossi onto the grass.
Was it reckless, and worthy of 'ruining the sport?' Hardly. It looked like a racing incident from someone knowing he has to do damage limitation for a championship due to committing several mistakes in a race as his closest rival was doing poorly that weekend. It was certainly foolish in hindsight, because upon reflection he would overtake Dovi in the end and could have finished 5th, but that's not what he was thinking about at the time, he's used to fighting for wins and championships.
I just cannot understand how this 'legend,' who for all his previous race aggression and subsequent polemics, which defined his 'legacy,' can stand to make such criticisms and still be taken seriously as a title contender and be given a works factory ride and not be called out on that all while still being regarded by most as the 'GOAT.'
This isn't so much an anti-Rossi thing, as much as it is a pro-young rider thing, Rossi is just the one with the biggest spotlight on him as he was the star and posterchild of the previous era. Last year, according to Rossi it was Zarco who was persona non-grata and was too much, but later admitted after he renwed his contract that that is the 'style' he would have to compete in if he were to stay on the grid. Where is the person who said that now when he's calling for protection from Race Control and FIM?
Marc, Zarco, and Petrucci were all putting out there and taking risks for title/ride contention, and it didn't exactly go to plan due to tricky weather conditions; none of them were able to just coast it home knowing you can have yet another unsuccessful year and still have a secured ride. They're hungry and willing to put on a show in the process.
I thought it was a thrilling race despite all the absurdity, and an exhibition of what talent Marc has being able to cut through the field that way and getting to the top 5 after the drive through; has anyone actually count how many overtakes there were that race?
Had he waited to pass Rossi and avoided the incident altogether I bet the story would be entirely different, but because Rossi has the power of the media to make sure he let the World know that his (P6) position was compromised no one is willing to see anything else. Including Cal's conference.
