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/658612
VOL. 53 ISSUE 12 MARCH 29, 2016 P119 More significant was the re- sponse of the small but highly partisan crowd. As the names of the riders lining up on the grid were announced over the PA, not only did Rossi get the usual host-of-golden-daffodils shouting and waving, but Lorenzo and Marquez were actually booed. The story behind Rossi's lat- est contract with Yamaha—an- other two years after this one, taking him to 39—is deeply linked with deadly rival/team- mate Lorenzo, and touches on pretty much every other rider too. Never mind the commer- cial boost to Dorna. It only came about because of Lorenzo. It was Jorge, said Yamaha Racing boss Lin Jar- vis, who'd wanted it sorted be- fore round one. He'd received "Yamaha's biggest ever offer" for two more years. The offer to Rossi was made only in the interests of fair play. "We treat both our riders equally." Rossi accepted within a week. Jorge didn't. To what extent Yamaha wrong-footed themselves remains to be seen. At this age and stage of his career, Rossi really needs to prove himself year by year. Getting two in the bag is a bonus. Though we don't know what get-out clauses might be contained. But Jorge remained a free agent, for now, saying with typical economy: "Rossi is clever to sign, because he hasn't any other options." Un- like himself. Perhaps Ducati beckons? Rossi had his own snide remark for that: "If he has the balls to do it." History refresher. During 2007 Rossi would say re- peatedly, "I want to finish my career with Yamaha." Then in in 2008 Yamaha signed team- mate Lorenzo. Rossi's dismay was made more public when (with the pair using different tires) a wall was built down the middle of the pit. Next year both were on control Bridges- tones, but the wall stayed. In 2010 Rossi broke his leg at Mugello, the only serious injury in 20 years of GP rac- ing. Jorge had the temerity to go on to win the title. And Yamaha signed him up to stay. Unforgivable. Mortified, Rossi made one of very few career blunders, joining Ducati. Even he couldn't win on an increasingly uncompeti- tive bike. He didn't exactly have his tail between his legs when he rejoined Yamaha, but his status and the scale of his fee were quite different. Lorenzo was the top dog. No wonder the atmosphere between them was toxic. Rossi redeemed himself by winning one race as Marquez romped to his first title. He's gotten better ever since, show- ing amazing adaptability in a changing technical world. He made a very convincing chal- lenge for the title last year. It ended badly, with his still puzzling attack on Marquez. I have always thought his real target was Lorenzo. When the Spaniard went on to win the title, it had a few dirty marks put there, albeit obliquely, by Rossi. The feud continued at Qatar, with icy stares in the press conference, angry gestures on the track, and a simmering tension. This will become more pronounced every time Jorge wins a race, as he did in the desert. Watch this space. And see if this time it will be Lorenzo who storms off in a huff. Well anyway, Rossi is staying on, and my personal respect for him, for his patent love of racing grows yet more. But what will happen when he goes? CN