MotoGP Phillip Island 2013: Pirates hoist the Black Flag

"Menebrio" (menebrio)
10/20/2013 at 11:12 • Filed to: MotoGP, Phillip Island, Jorge Lorenzo, Marc Marquez

I'm going to try and gather my thoughts, because I just woke up to the news that Marquez was Black flagged last night at the Australian MotoGP race on a stupid technicality.

“We made a big mistake in the plan with the team,” said the 20-year-old, speaking in the Phillip Island paddock. “It was a big confusion because we thought that we could [stop before the end of the eleventh lap] and I followed what the team said with the pitboard and when they said 'box' I went in, but it was too late. We thought it was possible to go in on that lap but we'll learn from that and go on to Japan."

This only intensifies the battle for the Championship as it might increases the chances of Jorge Lorenzo retaining his crown (these still remain a bit slim given the Honda's performance); with only 18 points separating them and 3 races to go.

Although it's great for the championship battle (as in, it still remains open); I mostly think its a shamble and a [damn] shame what happened. We where robbed of a great race, and it wasn't a driver error, a la Hamilton in 2007 [Chinese GP] that threw it open, or that gives us the chance of a Hamilton 2008 [Brazil GP] finale. it was a decision based on a rule technically on a race that given the safety concerns, should not have happened. And that in my opinion is what will tarnish Lorenzo's Crown defend, if he does indeed retain it.

DISCUSSION (4)

itsnothere > Menebrio
10/20/2013 at 11:51

you never explain why he was black flagged.

I get from the quote that he pitted when he should not have done so.

How about including a bit about the "stupid technicality"?

Fred (FreddsterExprs) > Menebrio
10/20/2013 at 11:59

Well Lorenzo was always whining about how lucky Marquez was as he wasn't injured the whole season. Now that Marc was robbed everything is more than even.

Menebrio > itsnothere
10/20/2013 at 12:14

Sorry, Rennsport and I covered it yesterday;

http://rennsport.kinja.com/outrageous-and…

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http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/jorge-lorenzo-…

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Then Prior to the race, the rules where changed once more;

Instead of a 26-lap distance (one less than the original length) and a maximum of 14 laps on one set of tyres, the race has now been reduced to just 19 laps, with no more than 10 laps before riders must pit and swap to their spare bike.

The technicality resides in the fact that Marquez did complete the 10 laps, and then came in. So when he came into the pits he was on his way to completing lap 11.

yourunclejim > Menebrio
10/20/2013 at 12:56

It was a clear direction to only do 10 laps, Marquez did 11. Doesn't mean I'm not pissed.