P104
CN
III IN THE PADDOCK
BY MICHAEL SCOTT
O
ptimism versus uncer-
tainty. It is this uncom-
fortable combination that
leads even hardened motorcycle
racers to make hopelessly unre-
alistic New Year's resolutions.
I am now breaking one of
mine… to avoid writing a column
about New Year's resolutions.
But being privy to so much in-
side information from the riders,
from the factory race depart-
ments and from the heart of rac-
ing management, I feel obliged
to pass it on.
Marc Marquez: To try to
forget the truism that, "The first
person you have to beat is your
teammate." That was fine when it
was Dani Pedrosa. Lorenzo is a
more complex challenge.
Jorge Lorenzo: To beat his
teammate. Did it at Yamaha with
Rossi; did it a couple of times
at Ducati with Dovi. But now it's
Marquez, so it's really important.
Valentino Rossi: Finally to
accept the march of time, and
retire gracefully as an honored
alumni. In 2025, maybe. Or
2027. Or a few years later than
that. Whenever you're ready,
maestro.
Andrea Dovizioso: To
hide his emotions even better.
I mean; he even let slip a bit of
jubilation after getting back to
winning at Brno.
Cal Crutchlow: To get the
same equipment as Marquez.
Because then he'll have to find
something else to talk about
other than the carbon swingarm.
Jack Miller: To pray for
half-wet conditions. Then he can
really lord it over all the big guys
MAKE 'EM THEN BREAK 'EM:
WHAT 2019 HAS IN STORE
If you were
Jorge Lorenzo,
what would
your New Year's
resolution be?
