Valencia MotoGP 2011: Perfect ten for Casey

TRIBUTE: Marco Simoncelli was remembered all weekend in Valencia

ON A tricky and poignant weekend for motorcycle racing, Casey Stoner produced the perfect finish to win the final round of the season in Valencia.  This weekend’s events were the first chance for MotoGP to remember the life of Marco Simoncelli, the charismatic Italian who lost his life at the last event in Malaysia.  Stoner produced a finish that Marco would have been proud of, by out accelerating the Yamaha of Ben Spies out of the final corner to snatch the win by 0.015seconds.  Third place for Honda’s Andrea Dovizioso saw the Italian wrap up third place in the point’s standings.

     This morning saw a fitting tribute to Simoncelli as all the riders from MotoGP, plus junior categories went out on a parade lap to pay their respects.  Former champion, Kevin Schwartz led them out on Simoncelli’s No.58 bike.  They met Marco’s family on the grid, before on the family’s request; a fireworks display was put on by the organisers.  In his final event after 22 years in the premier class, Loris Capirossi took the No.58 plate on his Premac machine.  Many of the other riders had tributes on their bikes and racing overalls to Simoncelli, who will never be forgotten in the paddock.

      However, the show must go on, but one thing that wasn’t required was a startline accident and that’s exactly what happened.  In tricky conditions, Alvaro Bautista dropped his Suzuki in the first bend and took out Randy de Puniet and both works Ducati’s of Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden.  Bautista blamed Dovizioso for squeezing him into the first bend but more importantly, it was a relief that all four riders got up from the gravel and walked away unscathed after recent events.  For Rossi, it cements him in seventh place in the finishing positions; his worst championship position since moving into the premier form of motorcycle racing in 2000. 

      Having started from his 12^th pole of the season, equalling Mick Doohan’s record yesterday, Stoner opened up a massive lead.  The crowd were entertained by a thrilling dice for second place between Honda team-mates Dovizioso and Dani Pedrosa and Spies.  Pedrosa backed out of the battle when conditions worsened, mindful of not picking up another damaging injury with testing for 2012 beginning on Tuesday.  Spies, nursing injuries from a spate of recent tumbles, moved into second place and closed in on the new world champion, who was taking it easy himself in the drizzle.  With three laps to go, Stoner selected neutral by mistake, ran wide and was passed by Spies.  However he had one final attack on the exit of the final corner and the horsepower of the Honda took him over the line just ahead of the American.  Dovizioso, who has been given his marching orders by Honda next season, came home in third, pleased to beat Pedrosa in the final standings.

       Not only did he take the rookie of the year prize, but Cal Crutchlow held off Karel Abraham and a slowing Pedrosa to take a career best fourth place finish.  In desperation to beat the fellow newcomer, Abraham crashed on the last lap, but still remounted to finish eighth.  An emotional Capirossi came through to finish ninth in his final motorcycling event, which has seen him finish with 329 Grand Prix, 99 podiums, 29 wins and 3 world championships, nine of those victories coming in MotoGP.

     For many personnel within MotoGP, 2011 will be a season that will never be forgotten, sadly for the wrong reasons.  Casey Stoner's dominance is my personal highlight and the struggles of Valentino Rossi surprised me.  However, it will be the legacy that Marco Simoncelli has left on motorcycling racing and his presence in the paddock will be sorely missed by everyone.  Hopefully, 2012 will produce a stronger and happier season for all.


Ciao Marco!