MotoMatters.com | Kropotkin Thinks

That Marquez seems to be involved in these incidents... or is it down to his uber aggresive style when things are close. During the race he was still doing the swerve cross to the outside when passing under brakes.
These guys have to be aggressive to get to the point in the sport where they are. But leaving enough room for each other on the track is more than professional coutesy at these speeds.
I'd like to see the incident again from the overhead shot..I thought that Espargaro would have been visible on the inside when Marquez moved across.. but maybe not? Pol looked pissed anyway.

There is no doubt Marquez is fast, but he also has a well funded team behind him with access to the latest equipment and data.

He should be at or near the front, but I begin to wonder if he is starting to believe the hype about his ability and future and expects fellow competitors to get out of his way.

He reminds me of Lorenzo in his 250 days.

Hopefully he either cleans up his act and gives his competitors room or one day he is going to be involved in a huge accident where either he or worse, someone else, does not walk away unaided.

Looking a the replay of the incident I reckon Espargaro can thank whatever god he believes in that he is still walking and talking.

FWIW,

IMO, you can't do that w/o looking.
When you make a mistake and get slow and off line, you damn well better LOOK before re-joining. No exceptions.

The nasty part of me is whispering that it was a deliberate chop, but since the dude on the outside usually comes off worse in those situations, that seems unlikely. Just simple target fixation and bloody-mindedness; and a big dose of sheer Bad Luck that Asparagus got launched.

Got to think the penalty was more about all the other incidents MM has been involved in recently. Is it safe to assume that the stewards have had some nice little chats with Marky over the last few races, and that this incident possibly represents the 'last straw?'

As many of you will already have read, Marquez was assessed a 1 minute penalty for the incident with Espargaro after all (Mr. Emmett will likely have updated the above post by the time you read this). In my silly attempt to pretend I'm Race Direction I've reviewed the 'tapes' and below is a link to a screen capture of the two racers a fraction of a second before the collision takes place. My apologies for the big "play" button ghosted over top of the picture.

Watching the video footage building up to the screen capture it looks to me like both of these riders are in complete control of their bikes (Marquez having just recovered from a loss of control) and are both holding the line you see them on. Then Marquez changes his line and moves swiftly to the inside, knocking Espargaro off his bike. I have no idea how Marquez could not have known Espargaro was there based on the position of their bikes prior to the collision.

http://thetrainingcoop.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/screen-shot-2012-06-…

I'm not sure if it's purely a racing incident or not, but this is the second time
now when peripheral vision (or lack thereof) could have played a role in the
actions of MM, the first this season being the incident with Luthi a couple races back.

Maybe race direction should have MM's vision checked again by a 3rd party.

He didn't see him, or hear him.

MM is a great talent (tho' - I too am starting to wonder if "he's all that").

If it was anyone else in moto2 but Marquez, I am sure the penality would have stuck and then some.

He should have a 1 race suspension so he does'nt "not see" another competitor on the track....

There conculsions are different then mine.... so I will defer on this one;-).

http://www.gpone.com/index.php/en/201206037127/I-big-della-MotoGP-assol…

Of course this decision has already generated a fair amount of controversy, and we spoke with several top riders from MotoGP to get their view on what happened.

"I'm not in agreement with the penalty – said Valentino Rossi – His move in Qatar was dirty, and it was right for him to receive an official warning on that occasion, because he left no space for Luthi and forced him off the track. Today, however, was not his fault. Espargaró tried to get into a space that wasn't really open, and then Marquez couldn't see him. As a rider you can't be worried about who is behind you, especially in the last two laps of a race."

Of the same opinion was Jorge Lorenzo.

"I don't think he did it on purpose - the Spaniard declared - He simply didn't see him. He made a harder move in Qatar, but here it was Espargaró who took the risk, and unfortunately he crashed. Sometimes this happens in racing."

Less diplomatic in his response was Casey Stoner.

"I've seen worse, and I can't understand how he was given a penalty. It's just further proof that this sport needs to change."

Taking a more moderate tone was Andrea Dovizioso.

"I think the blame is 50/50. Our helmets really limit your lateral vision: Marquez was in front and couldn't see that Espargaró was there, and Pol couldn't react when Marc changed his line."

I think it is ridiculous to penalize Marquez for this. Espargaro is the one who could oversee the situation and he dived for the brief gap. He could expect (and see) Marquez turning back into the corner, so it was a risk that he took. Understandable yes, in that late phase in the race, but still a risk he willingly took. Marquez just saved a near crash, then got back on his line as quickly as he could. And after losing some speed, this tighter, straighter line was also the fastest through that corner.
Stoner sums it up pretty well. Again.

Im confused :S was it not just a few weeks ago that Johnny Rea took out Leon H. at Donington? a rider went wide and he stuffed it on the inside, sending Leon to the pavement, only this time Marques torpedoed Pol from the out side. and what did all the riders say about Rea I think the general comment was "As a racer if you see an opening like that you take it" so Pol took it and Marques took him out, I am a bit taken aback by the riders comments after how much critisium there was for Marco. to me this incident was a blatent move on Marques behalf, but i only watch from the side line.