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MotoGP, Phillip Island GP: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Crutchlow becomes the fastest dad in the world on two wheels, Marquez falls, Rossi comes back, Lorenzo lost in the post

Phillip Island GP: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly

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Keep dreaming of Gold Coast beaches when you think of Australia, but the reality for the Grand Prix Motorcycle Championship is a beautiful track reduced to the lmits of impassability because of bad weather. The sun arrived only to watch the race on Sunday; better than nothing.

Especially for Crutchlow who waved the Union Jack over the old colony, whereas Marquez had to lower his after having terrorized the southern seas. Rossi was only smiling in the race, a satisfaction that Lorenzo did not have.

In Moto3, the usual Binder added another medal to his chest and Locatelli was back on the podium. Like Morbidelli in Moto2, beaten by Luthi on a comeback for the Championship.

THE GOOD – Making a liar of Enzo Ferrari is satisfying; doing it twice is even better. For Cal Crutchlow, his daughter Willow acts as a turbo. This year he is the fastest dad in the world on two wheels. Credit to him and Cecchinello’s team that is working like a Swiss clock. The Brit is still the usual braggart, but laughing from the top step of the podium is a whole different story.

THE BAD – More than a race, it was a process of elimination. We are speaking about Moto3 that, between crashes and assorted incidents, literally decimated the Italian lads. Eleven started and four finished, with only one in the points and on the podium, the skilful Locatelli. Hard luck decided so, but good luck decided that the consequences for all the riders would not be too serious. As for the dynamics, it could have gone worse.

THE UGLY – If tourists come to Phillip Island to see penguins and not camels, there must be a reason. It is not even that difficult to discover. Just open Google Maps and you will see how close it is to the South Pole. The cold and driving rain are fine for the Elephant Rally, but not for Grand Prix Motorcycle Racing riders who are not even allowed to keep mulled win in the garage for a minimum of comfort. Some riders complain, others pretend not to notice and no one comes to an agreement. There is much talk of safety, but no success even changing a date.

THE CONFIRMATION – Six podiums in the last nine races, three consecutive: Franco Morbidelli has flexed his muscles in this season finale. He is only missing the win in Australia, and he missed it by 10 thousandths of a second. Such a small fraction of time is difficult to measure: it is easier to measure the extreme frustration that it causes. He is missing just one last step to the top.

THE ERROR – It would be too predictable, after Marc’s crash, to think of a joke about his promise to show “the old Marquez” in the final races, but we just could not resist. The leopard cannot change its spots and an escapade can be conceded as a gift for the title. He says he is not a machine, but in qualifying he hardly seemed human either.

THE DISAPPOINTMENT – We have come to the usual bit about the number 99 Yamaha ridden by that rider that looks a great deal like Lorenzo but does not ride like him at all. As clumsy as a rookie, Jorge took his M1 out for a stroll rather than riding it. This is not the first time he has ridden like this. In Malaysia, he will need to rediscover his sprinter’s speed.

THE SURPRISE – From Switzerland with fury, while Zarco and Rins are competing to see who will lose the Championship, without fanfare, Tom Luthi placed them in his slipstream. After his Motegi and Phillip Island brace, he is 22 points from the top spot in the overall standings. Not every doughnut hole can be perfect, unlike Swiss cheese.

THE PASS – We have not forgotten about Valentino Rossi and his 13 passes. He was only one short of a masterpiece, but the painting is still worth hanging on the wall. The last shall be first, the fifteenth second.

THE INTERESTING FACT – At Phillip Island, rather than leathers, the riders would have needed a down coat. Between the cold and rain, each rider found protection in his own way. Valentino, faithful to the old school methods, uses latex gloves under his leather ones when it rains. After the most useless survey in the history of motorcycling, we discovered that he is the only one to do so. Certain information is just worth sharing.

I TOLD YOU SO – Woe unto those who do not trust Cal Crutchlow: “I said that I had come to Phillip Island to win, but nobody believed me.”

Translated by Jonathan Blosser
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