The opening day of practice for this weekend’s Brno MotoGP race saw extremely hot and slippery track conditions for practice session 2 in the afternoon. Several riders went down, but only Dani Pedrosa (Honda) appears to have an injury of any significance.
Pedrosa experienced a huge high-side when fluid leaking from his fork caused him to lose traction with the rear tire. Pedrosa appears largely okay, except that he is complaining of severe pain in a foot he injured in Australia several years ago. Apparently the foot still has several screws or plates, and Pedrosa landed hard on that foot. We will see tomorrow how he is feeling in the first practice. Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) had his first crash of the year when he slipped in fluid leaked from Pedrosa’s bike. Marc Marquez (Honda) went down twice today.
Lorenzo was quickest on the day, and his favored tires, with enhanced edge grip, are available for this round. He is already described as the favorite here by both Rossi and Marquez. Stay tuned for weekend coverage from MD.
JLo prefers the soft edge tires. Why doesn’t Bridgestone supply them every race?
Probably so we don’t to have to watch this year’s Brno race replayed at every circuit.
“…fluid leaking from his fork caused him (Pedrosa) to lose traction with the rear tire…”
Sorry to nitpick: Pedrosa did not “loose traction,” but rather Pedrosa’s rear tire lost traction.
Thank you for a) your heart-felt apology and b) your substantive contribution to this piece.
(not really)
Seriously?
LOL. I’ll jump on, too. It’ “lose traction,” not “loose traction.” A tire gets “loose” when it loses traction.
Yeah, that’s my second-favorite dumbass error. (First would be people who, even when the guy’s name is in the headline AND they are pro-Buell to boot, STILL can’t spell “Erik” correctly.)
“have not seen him beating the guys he needs to beat”
Fwiw, he’s won a race more recently than Jorge has.
Edit: That post was supposed to be a response to mickey’s comment, below. Don’t know why it ended up here.
I knew who it was for VLJ… Lol
Watch the race today VLJ? Do I need to say it? Lol
That race was over by the midway point of the first lap, especially when it was revealed that Jorge chose the Mediums and Rossi chose the Hards. There was no way Jorge wasn’t going to open a big gap, and sure enough….
“Lorenzo was quickest on the day, and his favored tires, with enhanced edge grip, are available for this round.”
Doesn’t everybody want “enhanced edge grip” tires?
And for every race, too.
I’m ready to see a non factory guy on the podium this round!
I agree with Rossi pulling a 10th out of his hat being a tough proposition. Not because he crashed out today because of a problem beyond his control, but because Marc and Jorge are so damn relentless and talented. The second half of last season saw Lorenzo put up more points than either MM93 or VR46. That’s what has me the most worried for our hero. Not to mention Jorge just destroys on the tires with the ‘edge treatment’. How many more races will bridgestone supply those tires to? Nervous trembling and fear…
Rossi has been on the podium at every race and not suffered a single DNF so far. That will be incredibly hard to repeat all season, not to mention more first place finishes. In addition, it seems like he’s playing catch up constantly from Friday to Sunday race time with practice sessions and qualifying. Always on the back foot, always the last to the gate. He’s got to ramp up his efforts earlier and I’m just not so sure he has it in him. If only he could channel all the will, prayers and hope his fans have for him to win another championship into energy, reflexes, and endurance, he might have a chance, but as it stands… it has been an interesting season… can he do it….?
It’s Valentino Rossi after all. I hope he can.
“I hope he can” – god yes, me too. Agreed on all your points though…
They don’t let them run Qualifier tires anymore do they? I think he’s just not going to run qualifying times on green tires. He’s still the best racer on shagged tires. It’s a shame that the championship is gonna come down to who is willing to risk a season for a half a tenth in qualifying.
And the Vulture circles Pedrosa once again. That poor guy.
Lorenzo is on smoking, but Marquez can burst into flames any time the lights go out.
Still hoping Rossi can pull of a 10th Championship but it’s not looking good at this point
I think writing off Rossi because he ran though oil is a tough judgment.
Pacer I’m not writing off Rossi and in fact pulling for him, but have been watching his lead dwindle lately, have not seen him beating the guys he needs to beat, he’s only qualified in well in one race. Those are not good omens for someone wanting to win a championship. Lets hope he can qualify on the front row tomorrow, but if he qualifies on the third row chances are after tomorrow he is going to be playing catch up.
His crash today had nothing to do with my comment.
I can’t argue your concerns, especially the poor qualifying. That said it was not to long ago (Assen) that Marquez stalked Rossi all day. When Marquez thought the time was right he made his move. Rossi fought back and passed him. Then on the last chicane Marquez made a bold move. In hindsight Rossi should probably have conceded. He didn’t. Lorenzo has proven to be as good as anyone on any given day, and Marquez is the new bench mark, but Rossi is a survivor. He has proven he can go fast, over come the bad times, and fears no one on the track. He may not win, but he won’t concede.
I watch FP3 with concern, but Rossi popped one good lap. Not the consistency one would like to see, but he’s there. Unfortunately Lorenzo got there a half second quicker 🙁 lol.
Good news Rossi made front row with his nemesis’s. Now he has a chance. You’re right he is a survivor, and a strategist, and a multi time champion with the most experience and many tricks up his sleeve. Going to be an interesting race. I wish him the best.