MotoGP Crowned A Champion Today
Sunday, October 29th, 2006 at 8:20 pm by angrybob
See how nice that was not to spoil the news for all those who were doing something else today. If you have not seen the race, click the back button NOW.
How fitting and timely was this starting grid image to the left. I have to say again, that this has been the greatest sporting series I have watched, surpassing the Red Wings first Stanley Cup in decades back in the mid-90’s. My wife had a mini-triatholon today and honestly speaking, her race wasn’t really on my mind 100% of the time. In fact, I said afterwards “how long are we hanging out here?”, not wanting to risk a DVR glitch. I needed to be home by 1:30pm to catch the action live.
I had an idea of the outcome before the race. See, as a powerful and influential moto-blogger (as are all other moto-bloggers) that has industry-wide clout, I made some calls. I talked to HRC and told them that today was my 35th birthday and that a Hayden vistory would make a good present. My request was to have a hot chic with bolt-ons flash Rossi right at the starting grid so that he would bork the launch. Perfectly executed. I had nothing to do with the other Rossi incident.
After the outcome set in for a couple minutes, I went and looked at the forums to witness the jawing. Heh - some of you Euro-fans are sore losers. ;) Two weeks ago, the Rossi faithful were saying “part of racing”, yet this week its, and I quote, “Hayden won the Championship by default”.
NOTE: I have taken great pain to not spoil the outcome in the first few paragraphs. If you have not seen the race yet and this wrecked surprise outcome, I am not sorry. Rather, you are dumb.
To be honest, after Rossi recovered from the Juggies, he wasn’t looking all that great. That said, he is the doctor and can win any race at a moment’s notice. The fact is that he was jockeying between 6th & 7th place when he tucked the front end and Nicky was starting to reel in Bayliss. It was only after Rossi’s crash and a full lap plus to get a pit board that reflected Rossi’s new 19th place that Hayden chilled out. He didn’t need to win.
I wanted Hayden to win for the following reasons:
- Because I am a sucker for the underdogs being an MSU Spartan alum + eternal (and secret) Detroit Lions fan.
- I think the US has the most fan-base growth potential for the sport as a whole, and what better way…
- Nicky is a class act. Period.
- Earl.
- And finally, because he proved that it requires a whole team effort, consistency, and a little luck to win a championship. “Never quit”.
I would not have been upset if Rossi would have won. He is the reason I was sucked in to the viewership a couple years back when MotoGP went away from two-strokes. He is an excellent role model and ambassador for the sport. And true, he is the best rider in my opinion and his gutsy finish today proves he too has a ‘never quit’ attitude common among all champions.
Vale, as I like to call him when we talk one-on-one, I am sorry about the big boobs thing at the grid. I didn’t think they’d really do it, but it made for an excellent birthday present. I hope you understand.
EDIT - I forgot to officially ‘un-damn’ Pedrosa. He is no longer on the short list for purgatory. Nice teamwork this time.
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The difference between champions: Hayden - rubberside up, cries at press conference, got it in points but presented a lackluster season. Rossi - rubberside up, praises Hayden, acknowledged “this is racing,” presented a championship style season. And, yes, bad things happen to good people too. As Rossi said, it’s part of being human. To the Hayden fans, I congratulate your racer as graciously as Rossi has, but Rossi will always be a real champion in my eyes. Bring on the 800 season - let’s go racing!!!!