P116
CN
III IN THE PADDOCK
BY MICHAEL SCOTT
I
t takes time to get to know
somebody new. Things that
first attract might, before too
much longer, prove irritating
instead. A smile, perhaps, that
is too easy, or a shallow, over-
eager laugh.
Quirks and wrinkles by con-
trast can become more alluring.
Call it character.
Unless, of course, you are a
perfectionist. Like Jorge Lo-
renzo.
This is all by way of trying to
get some early assessment of
the most interesting of several
rider switches for 2017, after the
first round of tests at Sepang.
Vinales to Yamaha is alluring
enough. He's the brightest of
bright boys and could easily win
the title. Some observers (I am
one) think he'll be the guy to give
Marquez a serious run, and pre-
vent him from a spell of Doohan-
like domination.
Iannone to Suzuki is another
high point. A mad crasher on the
dippy Ducati, he has plenty to
prove after being sacked, and a
sweet bike to do it on. By no co-
incidence he shined at Sepang,
fastest on day two and second
overall.
And it'll be great to see how
the Moto2 big guys adapt:
JORGE AND THE CASEY FACTOR
