Concerns for the condition of Jorge Lorenzo’s shoulder, which he injured earlier this week while riding a mini bike, all but faded after he showed blistering speed during the first day of practice for the Motegi round. Lorenzo topped both Free Practice sessions on Day 1 at Motegi, and was nearly a full second quicker than teammate Valentino Rossi (who was 8th quickest).
This will be an interesting race for a number of reasons. Both Ducati and Suzuki seem quite quick here, and Marc Marquez is uncharacteristically outside the top 5 on Day 1 as he recovers from a broken finger that was surgically plated just last week.
As a reminder, with four races remaining, Lorenzo is trying to close a 14 point gap to Yamaha teammate Valentino Rossi, the current championship leader.
Let’s consider this sceneario:
Rossi takes it on a wet track, clinches the title, then in the off season gets an invitation from Honda to test it’s 2016 bike. Subsequent team leap once again, takes yet another GP Title to match Agustini.
For career wins
Then, as Rossi goes for another title in 2017, he gets beat handily by Mike Ditka (Daaaa Coach) on a Honda Ruckus!
“Jorge starts the race with a perfect launch and is already creating a gap from the rest of the field…” Kind of a pattern with him. While it shows his clear track speed I would really like to see him start in 3rd place and pass Rossi and Marquez in an epic battle for me to give him the same respect I had for Pedroza last race. Also it’s better viewing as well.
You know what’s poignant? If our dream comes true, and our beloved Rossi snags #10, this season may be his swan song, his last as a professional motorcycle racer.
We need to really take this in and enjoy it. This could be a rare season in the Premier Class Championship.
MM broke the record for youngest ever to win the Premier Class Championship. If Rossi bags this trophy, his record for the oldest winner could last longer than most reading this, if not forever.
re: “If our dream comes true, and our beloved Rossi snags #10, this season may be his swan song, his last as a professional motorcycle racer.”
no worries, he’s already stated he’s hanging around for the neutered bikes of the 17″ Michelin era.
+1
It is already ONE of the best seasons I can remember!
I would love to hear the sound of jaws hitting the floor if Lorenzo could pull off a win in the wet. That would be f’n glorious.
Yes, I’d really like to see Rossi snag his 10th. But I think it would make my season even more if Lorenzo wins Motegi in the rain and then the next takes the next race after fighting his way up from mid pack to take the lead.
Lol…suppose anything can happen. I’m going to go buy some lottery tickets in your honor Jeremy.
lol. Hey, a guy can dream right? That would be pretty epic.
Certainly would brother
It’s gonna be a fun race once again if it rains! The wet moonsoon is still around Japan and its surrounding region.
Atta boy JLo!
Too bad they’re not racing mini bikes! 🙂
OK VR46. Get it. It is time to quit futzing about and just put your stamp on this damn thing (championship).
Hope it rains.
Lol
=1
Weather.com has 100% chance in Motegi on Sunday. This thing’s not over. (Rossi being downfield on Friday never means anything anyway… 😉
http://www.weather.com/weather/5day/l/JAXX0113:1:JA
Too right Curtis, Lorenzo has taken pole but only 0.081 seconds in front of Rossi – this race could be epic. Anyone remember Rossi trading paint with Lorenzo here a few years ago prior to Rossi going to Ducati ? They were hard at it and each other !!