IN
THE
WIND
P32
FENATI OFFICIALLY BOOTED
R
omano Fenati's Moto3 Sky
VR46 KTM remained vacant
at the Brno MotoGP, August 20-
21, and the 20-year-old's career
in hiatus, after his race-eve sus-
pension a week ago in Austria.
A statement from the Valen-
tino Rossi-owned team before
practice began in the Czech
Republic confirmed that the
split was permanent, after three
years, and announced that from
the next race his place in the
three-rider team would be taken
by Lorenzo Dalla Porta for the
remainder of the season.
A hasty rescue attempt by
Italian Ongetta Rivacold Honda
team came to nothing, when
HRC blocked their attempt to
offer the seven-time GP winner a
bike for the Brno race. The main
reason was contract complica-
tions, according to a
source close to Honda—
with plans put on hold
until next year.
Fenati has been
released from his con-
tract with the team, but
still has a management
contract with the VR46
empire.
More details of the
meltdown also emerged. It
seems that although no fisti-
cuffs were involved, the last
straw came in a couple of fits
of temper at the Red Bull Ring,
both in the pit and in the team's
hospitality unit.
From Fenati's side also came
denials of any violence, along with
allegations that the arguments
had concerned the team "not
fulfilling contractual obligations."
Fenati, known to be a volatile
character and an uneasy mem-
ber of Rossi's so-called "magic
circle," was already under
warning from the team for earlier
displays. One major cause of
trouble was having to share his
crew chief with team rookie
Nicolo Bulega, who then turned
out to be as quick or quicker
than the experienced Fenati.
Michael Scott
MARQUEZ AND HIS MIRACULOUS MOTOGP SAVE
M
arc Marquez made a fair claim for "Save of the
Century" on Friday at Brno, losing the front
at the top of the hill, and to all appearances hav-
ing actually embarked on a typical low-sider crash
when he managed to pick the bike up with his knee
and shoulder, and escaping down pit road.
The rider admitted that he also thought he had
crashed, but pointed out that this save was in
some ways less miraculous than one captured on
still photography in testing at Brno in 2014. The
advantage this time was it had been captured on
HD video.
"The slide this time was very long, but the angle
of the bike was 67.5 degrees," he said. "In 2014 it
was more than 68 degrees."
To see the save in action, click HERE.
Michael Scott
Romano Fenati's hot
head has caused him
to lose one of the Mo-
toGP paddock's most
prized seats.
Marquez's cat-like
reflexes saved
his backside yet
again.
