So what has happened to him?
Marquez has happened. Him and his Hon-
da. Riding with youthful abandon and the per-
ception of invincibility that comes with it, the
kid has shown that riding at 99 percent just
isn't good enough.
Let us turn back to the "brain-out" syn-
drome, adding a touch of internet psychology
about the lateralization of brain function. Left
brain versus right brain: the former thought
to be more logical, analytical and objective;
while the right is intuitive, thoughtful and sub-
jective. Scientist on the left, artist on the right.
Which part should be left in the pit? And
could Jorge be accused of not knowing his
left from his right? Got muddled, let the artist
take over?
This is not as frivolous as it might seem.
The analytical approach that Lorenzo has
taught himself with such careful deliberation
(the phrase "I learned it from a book" comes
to mind) is under major attack. On the back
foot, the brain might switch hemispheres all
by itself.
Or maybe not. The left brain-right brain the-
ory has its origins in pioneering work done in
the latter part of last century, by Nobel Prize
winner Roger W. Sperry. Sadly, however, the
theory has now been widely discredited by
further analysis. It's just not that simple. Re-
cent research shows that skills in (for exam-
ple) mathematics are at their best when both
sides of the brain work together.
What happens next?
Could be almost anything. Marquez could
fall off a lot, proving Lorenzo's assertion that
his riding errs on the wrong side of reason-
able. Lorenzo could regain his cool and that
relentless 99 percent, and (with a bit of tech
help from Yamaha) start winning again.
Or it could just carry on the same for a
while.
By then, Jorge will need an industrial-
strength self-help book. And to read it with
both sides of his brain. CN
VOL. 51 ISSUE 17 APRIL 29, 2014 P135
LOOKING BACK
40 Years Ago
May 7, 1974
We went with the pen and ink art look on
the cover 40 years ago, but our feature story
was our test of the latest 250cc CZ moto-
crosser… We covered what we titled "The
Toughest [off-road race in California] Ever,"
the Shamrock's ISDE Qualifier. The Penton
team of Bill Friant, Steve Hurd and Eric
Jensen prevailed… Mike Bast continued to
make the headlines in the world of Speed-
way.
30 Years Ago
May 9, 1984
We featured Dave Aldana's 1970 BSA triple
road racer in all its glory on the cover 30
years ago… Suzuki announced its intention
of selling a street-legal version of Randy
Mamola's GP race bike, the RG500… Bob
Hannah and Johnny O'Mara made it a
Honda sweep at the Silverdome Supercross
doubleheader in Michigan… Team America
won the Transalantic Challenge Anglo-American Match
Race Series in England.
20 Years Ago
May 4, 1994
Mike LaRocco won a thrilling Dallas Su-
percross after the two riders – Jeremy Mc-
Grath and Mike Kiedrowski - in front of him
collided on the last lap. Jimmy Button won
the 125 East main… Dave Sadowski won
the WERA road race at Road Atlanta… We
interviewed Doug Chandler and covered
the 24 Hours of LeMans and the opening
round of the World Enduro Championship in Spain.
10 Years Ago
May 5, 2004
Off-road took center stage 10 years ago with
Nathan Woods winning the WORCS round
in Utah, and Rodney Smith winning the
combined GNCC and National Hare Scram-
bles at Loretta Lynn's. Both riders shared
the cover… Supercross points leader Chad
Reed and his Yamaha teammate David Vuil-
lemin were each docked 25 points by the
AMA for running illegal fuel and were notified
of it just before the Salt Lake Supercross,
which was won by Kevin Windham… Justin and Josh Hill
were the headliners at the World Mini Grand Prix in Las Vegas.
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