Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/122010
VOL. 50 ISSUE 15 APRIL 16, 2013 brake protector vertically: but if not for that the wheel would have locked and he'd have crashed. He went flying off to the outside, instantly losing four places. His fightback was at first gladdening as he got to the front of his group and then increasingly astonishing as he scythed a gap of close to four seconds down to nothing. Crutchlow was an early victim, missing his own braking even as he admired the old guy's aggression. Pedrosa likewise was cleanly dispatched. Now it was the two of them, and Grand Prix racing at its finest, as they changed places three times in the last couple of laps. Rossi's riding also was inspiring: simultaneously fast and loose while also smooth and collected, as is the Yamaha's way. The crowd, the fans worldwide, were electrified. How will this play out over the year? Rossi has lost nothing: he clearly feels just as invulnerable as he did as a teenager. Aggression and accuracy, an addiction to the fight. Marquez stands to gain, however, as his understanding of the big Honda deepens. Rossi is still the alpha male, but he's going to need all his fighting fervor if his experience and skill are going to keep him at the head of the pack. Oh, by the way, though not many people noticed, something else was also happening while this was all going on. Jorge Lorenzo was winning the race. His was an immaculate performance. He started from pole and led away, never to be troubled by another rider. His consistency was creamy, his lap times metronomic. A real class act. Jorge's triumph is his self-will and discipline. He's carefully considered in everything he does, and also happens to be a perfectionist. It showed again at Qatar. Who cared? That is his tragedy – the Sadness of King Jorge. Racing is Rossi's game, and that's how we like it. But perhaps Jorge will get over it, when he walks away with the championship. CN P121 LOOKING BACK 40 Years Ago May 1, 1973 We tested the production version of the 250cc Bultaco Pursang, which had recently carried Jim Pomeroy to victory in Spain, and was featured in action on the cover… Jarno Saarinen pocketed the big cash at the Imola 200… Gary Scott set the lap record at Ascot. 30 Years Ago April 27, 1983 Fast Freddie Spencer was featured on the cover 30 years ago for winning the French GP... Mike Bell topped Bob Hannah to win the Dallas Supercross… Bubba Shobert went from third to first on the last lap at the Sacramento Mile… Mike Baldwin won the AMA Superbike round at Riverside International Speedway. 20 Years Ago April 14, 1993 The KTM 400 LC4 graced the cover 20 years ago to accompany our test of the all-new off-roader… Wayne Rainey scored a wire-towire win at the Malaysian Grand Prix… Greg Albertyn won the 250 MX GP in Holland… Rodney Smith took top honors at the Shasta Damn Grand Prix National Hare Scrambles. 10 Years Ago April 16, 2003 Valentino Rossi made front-page news once again, this time for winning the MotoGP opener in Japan… We reported the passing of two-time Daytona 200 winner Ben Campanale… Chad Reed won the Pontiac Supercross and clinched the World SX GP title.