We saw a true champion in action this weekend during the Dutch TT in Assen didn’t we – welcome back Mr Rossi! Now I’ll hold my hands up straight away as I was more than happy to state only a few weeks ago that maybe the time had come for Valentino Rossi to hang-up his leathers, but if there is one way to respond to your critics this is certainly THE way to do it!
Although us British fans were really hoping to see another on-fire Yamaha rider take the top podium position, I do not think there will be a Moto GP fan out there who would deny Rossi his 80th GP win.
Starting the race from fourth position, Rossi was always in contention to have a good race, but after Pedrosa’s flying start which saw him get to the front of the pack by the first corner from his start in fifth, I personally thought that there would be no stopping the Honda rider from claiming his third victory of the year.
After steadily progressing through the front riders however, Rossi’s overtake of Pedrosa on lap six saw Rossi take the lead and this is where he stayed for the rest of the race. The cheers from the sea of yellow were immense as Rossi took the lead and it was as much a victory for the faithful fans who have not witnessed their hero win in the Moto GP series since 2010.
Rossi’s sneaky look over his shoulder at the last corner, followed by some seriously elated celebrating was fantastic to see and it has certainly been missed by all. Although I do not think Rossi can go on and win the championship, I really do hope this is the turning point for the team and that Rossi is back in contention round after round.
It was still however a wonderful day for the British riders with two riders starting in the top six. Cal Crutchlow had an excellent qualifying session to see him start his first GP from pole position and Bradley Smith also started the grid from a career-best sixth place.
Although Cal had a good start by all accounts, he was quick to admit after the race that he needs to improve the way his races begin and to bring his riding in-line with later stages if he is going to convert his chances into all important wins. I am sure however that he will be more than pleased to have a another chance to stand on the podium even if it is in third place and it was therefore a good days work by all accounts.
Young Marc Marquez went on to finish the podium line-up in second place, which leaves the riders standings after Round 7 as follows:
- Dani Pedrosa – 136 points
- Jorge Lorenzo – 127 points
- Marc Marquez – 113 points
- Cal Crutchlow – 87 points
- Valentino Rossi – 85 points
Surprisingly though, even after Rossi’s fantastic win and Cal’s start from the front of the grid, the hero of the day award has to go to Jorge Lorenzo. After a terrible off during practice on Thursday that resulted in a broken collarbone and surgery on it in the early hours of Friday morning, it was truly amazing to see him not only start the race, but to finish it in fifth place was something else altogether.
The sheer pain and exhaustion was clear to see after the race, but the grit and determination of the Spanish rider is truly remarkable. I don’t think anyone expected to see him on the grid at all for Sunday’s race, and fellow Spaniard Pedrosa must have been thanking his lucky stars at the prospect of gaining a healthy lead over Lorenzo. But it’s things like this that are making this years championship unmissable, and Lorenzo’s stunning fifth place finish has left him well and truly in the hunt for this years crown.
So onwards and upwards to Round 8 of the Moto GP at the Sachsenring in Germany in a few weeks time where the action continues – it truly cannot come some enough!
