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You go from the desert to the Argentinian springs and you sill find rain and the same winners. The cold facts don't do justice to a Grand Prix that had enough plot twists to satisfy any thriller writer. While the culprit was once again Vinales, Valentino went after him after having kept us in suspense for two days. They weren't the only two stars though, as Crutchlow, Zarco, Folger, Bautista and Petrucci were more than just support acts.
The other classes also had their fair share of celebrations and disappointment, with Morbidelli and Mir shining bright once again. Those who start strong are already half way there...
THE GOOD – Italy and Brazil play together in motorcycling and have given birth to Franco Morbidelli, one who dances the samba with the throttle, dribbles through the turns and feeds off spaghetti and engines. Living in Tavullia, but born around the corner from the Colosseum, he's a citizen of the world but particularly of the racetracks: in Argentina ha scored the double and now aims to become the main striker by the end of the season. Good job!
THE UGLY – It's said that as soon as anyone as much as mentions ‘Argentina’ in Borgo Panigale, they start with the incantations. Termas de Rio Hondo, over the last two years, has brought Ducati no luck at all, but while last year disaster struck before a double podium, this time things were actually worse. Dovizioso suffered in a way he couldn't have expected, Lorenzo claimed to have found the way but there was no proof of this. It's better to look ahead to Texas.
One more thing: it was great to see Aleix Espargarò hug Dovi while apologising for having knocked him down.
THE BAD – The MotoGP spy story involves dusty customs offices, far from secret meetings and suspect loads. Tyres that disappear, reappear, hide, don't show up. There are those who swear they tested them, those who say there weren't any and in the end a simple matter becomes incredibly confused. What was needed? For Race Direction to take an official position, with just two lines they could have put an end to the chaos that only resulted in wasted time and words.
THE DISAPPOINTMENT – Three hundred of them, young and strong and who didn't reach the podium. The Italian fleet has failed to get the job done during these first two Moto3 races. While the Italian contingent isn't lacking in quality or quantity, the results on track are embarrassing. With the exception of Migno and Arbolino, the latter having score his first points.
THE CONFIRMATION – Maverick Vinales and Valentino Rossi are like Batman and Robin, though it's not yet clear which one is which. What is certain is that the pair of masked avengers win every battle with their made in Japan technological gadgets. The Spaniard almost risks becoming boring in his perfection, while the Italian prefers the 'coup de theatre'. Two different approaches, but it's the end result that counts.
THE MISTAKE – We now know that the two Marquez brothers couldn't have had high marks in physics at school. Alex crashes out while fighting for the win, Marc while leading the race. A trouble shared is a trouble halved they say, but it's not true.
THE SURPRISE – Karel Abraham on the front row, Alvaro Bautista just missing the podium, the used Ducati bikes achieve very satisfying results. A great comeback for two riders who are too often undervalued, but capable of battling against the big guns. In these cases, the satisfaction is doubled.
THE PASS - From 16th to 1st with a breath-taking performance, Joan Mir's path to the win was far from boring. A tough nut for everyone to crack.
THE INTERESTING FACT – Not since 1992 had the same three riders won the first two races of the season across all three classes. On that occasion it was Ralf Waldmann, Luca Cadalora and Mick Doohan, in order of engine size.
I TOLD YOU SO – Jorge Lorenzo prepares his strategy after qualifying: “I can't repeat the Qatar mistake at the first corner" . Napoleon said something very similar before Waterloo.
