P116
CN
III IN THE PADDOCK
BY MICHAEL SCOTT
T
he most intriguing thing
about Jorge Lorenzo's
failure to mesh with the
Honda is Marquez's success.
Yes, we know the rider makes
the difference. We've been told
this over the years by riders as
diverse as Valentino Rossi and,
most recently, Marquez himself.
But how much difference,
and why?
As usual this year there are
three riders on the latest factory-
spec Honda. Their varying
results are very striking.
By the end of the European
season, Marquez had yet to
finish below second, has eight
wins and one non-finish, when
he crashed in Austin. Business
as usual.
Cal Crutchlow has been nine
times in the top 10, including
twice third, with four non-finish-
es. More or less as usual.
Jorge Lorenzo, as well as four
non-starts, has one non-finish,
but has yet to finish in the top
10. Indeed, 20th place at Aragon
was not only the third time he
has finished out of the points,
previously after falling and re-
mounting, it was his worst-ever
HOW GOOD (OR BAD) IS THE HONDA?
With three great
riders aboard the
factory-spec Honda,
why the widely
different results? Is it
bike or riders?
