P138
CN
III IN THE PADDOCK
BY MICHAEL SCOTT
T
here is a tradition in engi-
neering that goes back far
into the days of tall ships
under masts and canvas, and
continued unabated through the
age of steam into modern times.
Vehicles are feminine.
I wonder if the same rules ap-
ply in our modern, liberated and
politically correct times? I wonder
if it is safe, or even appropriate,
to continue the sexist analogy?
Actually I don't wonder. Of
course they are still feminine.
Especially motorcycles.
Especially to anyone who
has ever pushed one up a long
hill, only to discover that he (or
indeed she) had failed to switch
on the fuel tap.
Of course racing bikes don't
have fuel taps, and they are a
feisty breed of female. But that
doesn't make them any less
feminine. And what a variety of
fems they are in 2017, ever since
the great dancing master Car-
melo Ezpeleta decreed that they
should all have access to the
same tutus and dancing shoes.
Making the bikes more equal
has only underlined their differ-
ent personalities.
Two races in, and Maverick Vi-
nales has won both of them—the
first Yamaha rider to do so since
FAST WOMEN
