VOL. 50 ISSUE 26 JULY 2, 2013
P51
Briefly...
zo faced fresh tests before being
allowed to race. Both neurological
and physical tests were part of the
program, explained racer director
Mike Webb. But unlike some other
sports MotoGP did not have a fixed
policy regarding suspension after
concussion or anesthetic. "To satisfy me, all I need to hear from my
medical director is that he is satisfied - it is a purely medical question.
He confers with the circuit medical
officer, who makes the final decision. We took the time yesterday to
speak with the chief medical officer
and confirm it is his call; there is
zero pressure from the organization
one way or another," he said.
teammate Marc Marquez (who
narrowly managed to fend off
Cal Crutchlow's Monster Tech 3
Yamaha for second), and as importantly only one place ahead
of his title rival Lorenzo - gaining
only two points on a day where
he would surely have expected to
be able to make capital.
Beside all these, the worsening
slump afflicting Ducati passed almost unnoticed. Both factory riders were beaten not only by both
satellite Hondas – Stefan Bradl's
LCR bike a lonely sixth behind
Lorenzo, then a cautious Alvaro
Lorenzo was one of a number of
victims of the tricky weather at a
tricky circuit, the downfall of many
a fine rider in the past. The highest profile on the post-qualifying
crash list was Marc Marquez, in
a somewhat sparsely supported
third free practice on Friday morning, on a very iffy drying track. He
went down on the following corner
– the entry to Ramshoek, a notorious spot that has claimed Valentino
Rossi and Mick Doohan among
many high-profile past fallers there.
It was a thumping high-sider and
Marquez ended up half under his
bike as they slid to the gravel, but
was able to walk away, and ride later in the day in spite of a fractured
finger and toe, as well as a painful back. Later in qualifying Dani
Pedrosa also tumbled after losing
the front – but it was relatively innocuous. "You have to push," was
his explanation. Pol Espargaro and
Karel Abraham both fell in the same
session as Lorenzo; Yonny Hernancontinued on next page
