Espana
This past weekend saw the second round of the 2010 MotoGP racing season. What was originally billed to be the second round was Motegi; the Gran Prix of Japan. But unfortunately Iceland’s volcano grounded all the air traffic over Europe which meant none of the machines, teams, staff or riders where able to get to Japan. So to adjust the schedule, that race was given a new date and everyone put there sights on Spain.
This race is always a significant one. And there are three huge factors that play into that. First, this is usually the first race of the series that takes place on the European continent. With MotoGP being a European series, this event always has a ‘welcome home’ type air to it; a sort of ‘early’ homecoming so to speak. The second thing at work here is similar and equally effective as the first. Just as this is the first race in Europe; this is also the first race on Spanish soil. MotoGP is a Spanish-run series so you can see the correlation of concepts. But what tops those two elements, the last piece of this puzzle, really speaks for itself; or should I say ‘themselves’. The Spanish fans are arguably the most enthusiastic and dedicated to the sport. On raceday 122,000 fans were on hand to watch, laugh, yell, drink, curse, praise, discuss and altogether be apart of the sport they love. I wish I could have been in that environment. For some it may be difficult to understand that atmosphere through pictures. On television it’s even harder to take in. Although, this was one a race weekend where on TV you could clearly hear the reactions of the crowd over both the commentators and the sounds of the machines. The Spanish fans were that loud and had very good reason to be. With all the buildup and anticipation for this event, the racing action in each of the categories was phenomenal.
The 125cc bikes showcase themselves as the future of GP. These young riders come from all over the world put there skills to the test as they compete to further their individual dreams of racing. These kids in their category are working with top level teams, that are preparing top level machines and competing on the same weekend as the top level riders in this form of motorsport. The perfect way to cultivate talent I’d say. It’s only obvious that they’ll be giving it there all each time they ride. And they do. This weekend spoke truth to that sentiment and the racing was intense from the start through to the end. I was sad for Marc Marquez who fell early in the race. He was victim to a freak occurrence in which his exhaust pipe’s tail section came undone and tangled with his bike at probably the most inopportune time; full lean angle. He didn’t take too much damage and is looking forward to the next race, but he’s been showing really good form as of late. It’s only a matter of time before he gets his first win. But with him gone, the race went on and the Spanish contingent went on to dominate. By the time the of the cool down lap, three Spanish riders took each of the top finishing positions. Led by the 18yr. old Pol Espagaro, the young Spaniards set the tone for rest of the weekend. A distinct tone, simply stating that this was their home race and that they would not be denied.
Toni gettin' after it
The same sentiment was felt during the Moto2 event. Along with the factors listed above, add the fact that this was the first EVER racing event for this category in Europe. You see, this class came into it’s current shape during this recent off-season. All new teams, with all new machines and desperately eager riders looking to make their mark in history. That’s a lot of meaning to pack into a race. But that’s what a top level racing series provides its athletes with isn’t it?
Like the 125cc race a Spaniard took the victory here. Toni Elias finished out ahead of all those who challenged for the win, but that didn’t come easily. From the very beginning this race was to be a battle. The grid is full with well over 30 fairly similar bikes in contention. The riders of this class are gathered from racing organizations all over the world and all of them are trying to get the best result possible. That’s a recipe for epic racing; what we saw on Sunday was just that. After a scary moment that saw about 10 bikes/riders go down at the same time, the race was restarted and turned into a fierce, fierce tussle for position. Lead changes, mistakes, out-breaking, corner speeds, sliding tires, banging fairings, everything that has made racing popular in the past two decades presented themselves in the 17 laps that made up the 2010 Moto2 event at Jerez. And yes, it was a Spaniard taking victory in front of his adoring fans. An epic race ending with an important win for a fan favorite. This is an example of why racing means so much to so many.
The theme continued into the last race of the day. The big boy class; MotoGP. Yes this race was good, but this race played itself out a bit differently. Dani Pedrosa (a Spaniard) was on pole position and if you follow the GP’s then you know what that means. If you don’t follow GP’s, that means he’s going to take off and win without much of a challenge from anyone. That’s how it looked to be playing out as the healing legend of Valentino Rossi struggled to effectively challenge Pedrosa. But instead, at the mid way point of the race we saw something happening in the middle of the field.
Lorenzo 99, a cool customer that knows he's good. But he races to show the world just how good he believes himself to be.
Jorge Lorzeno (of Spain) started turning faster and faster lap times which brought him to and past the bikes ahead of him. As the laps counted down Lorenzo found himself behing his teammate and living legend, Valentino Rossi. It took some study, but he would work his way ahead and put himself second with just a few laps remaining. Only one man was ahead of him, his rival and fellow Spaniard - Dani Pedrosa. What ensued was a fight that pretty much embodies racing. Two athletes, not the best of friends, two machines from opposing manufacturers, the clock wound down, the fans screaming at the top of their collective lungs, the checkered flag and glory awaiting the first one through. You hold your breath when scenes of competition like this take place. Lorenzo went on to win the race, Pedrosa crossed the line first on every lap except the very last time across the stripe. Both are Spanish, both are loved by the fans. And the battle to declare the winner finished a perfect racing weekend for Spain. Just look at the picture of Lorenzo up there. That was taken just after he won the race, he was incredibly happy as well he should be. He put his all into to that. In the post race press conference he stated that this was probably the best race he had ever ridden. But the most impressive thing he said was this, ‘...when I overtake Vale (his teammate), I said… I don’t care if I crash, …I, I just want to win…‘
You know, I think these emotions are felt by each of the riders as they travel to their home countries and battle when they do. That would actually be true of any series or any athlete or sport for that matter. But this weekend was about Spain. About the Spanish, their racers, the fans that supported them. And as the title of this piece suggests, they weren’t playing games this weekend; they weren’t taking any prisoners.
The name of the group is, 
