Of course, the extraordinary
circumstances proved a great
deal more than only that. As
follows:
1 – that the rule, intended
to save riders from straying
into dangerous low-pressure
territory, is absurd. Vinales
was clearly in no such danger
whatsoever. Riders and teams
should be able to make up their
own minds. They shouldn't be
protected from themselves.
2 – that the KTM, currently be
-
set with bad results, is actually
a fully competitive
bike, when
not hamstrung by vibration and
chatter triggered by unsuitable
tire pressure. It even motored
S
o, it happened again. A
race where the final result
was different from the
order in which they crossed the
line. Worse still, a punishment
that "rewarded" a truly heroic
ride by dropping the erstwhile
race leader from a brilliant sec-
ond to a lowly 14th.
It was the dreaded
tire pres-
sure rule again, and the Qatar
GP made manifest
just what an
embarrassing disgrace this is.
If Maverick Vinales's spirited
and inspiring ride proved only
one thing, it is that the 16-sec-
ond penalty for a tire-pressure
infringement is unsporting,
bul-
lying and distasteful.
P138
CN II IN THE PADDOCK
BY MICHAEL SCOTT
SCRAP
MOTOGP'S
EMBARRASSING
TIRE RULE
Maverick Vinales
would later kiss his
trophy goodbye after
getting docked for
breaking what many
believe is a lame
rule regarding tire
pressure.
PHOTO:
GOLD & GOOSE
