Michael Scott | January 16, 2019
Make ’em Then Break ’em: What 2019 Has in Store
COLUMN
Optimism versus uncertainty. It is this uncomfortable combination that leads even hardened motorcycle racers to make hopelessly unrealistic New Year’s resolutions.
I am now breaking one of mine… to avoid this column being about New Year’s resolutions.
But being privy to so much inside information from the riders, from the factory race departments and from the heart of racing management, I feel obliged to pass it on.
Marc Marquez: To try to forget the truism that, “The first person you have to beat is your teammate.” That was fine when it was Dani Pedrosa. Lorenzo is a more complex challenge.
Jorge Lorenzo: To beat his teammate. Did it at Yamaha with Rossi; did it a couple of times at Ducati with Dovi. But now it’s Marquez, so it’s really important.
Valentino Rossi: Finally to accept the march of time, and retire gracefully as an honored alumni. In 2025, maybe. Or 2027. Or a few years later than that. Whenever you’re ready, maestro.
Andrea Dovizioso: To hide his emotions even better. I mean; he even let slip a bit of jubilation after getting back to winning at Brno.
Cal Crutchlow: To get the same equipment at Marquez. Because then he’ll have to find something else to talk about other than the carbon swingarm.
Jack Miller: To pray for half-wet conditions. Then he can really lord it over all the big guys who are too scared to fit slicks and wind it wide open.
Danilo Petrucci: To try to see the funny side. Again. And again, and again.
Maverick Vinales: Ditto. Oh, hang on. There isn’t a funny side. This is the World Championship.
Alex Rins: To stop saying “no?” at the end of every sentence, no?
Johann Zarco: When I was young, I always dreamed about becoming a successful racer. I would ride my bicycle, and in my mind I could almost believe that it was a powerful machine. Then when I first went to school… (Sorry, this had to be cut for reasons of space.)
Andrea Iannone: Eh, why you wanna ask me, eh? Waddya think? I wanna race. Do my best. To don’t crash. Is what?
Pol Espargaro: To avoid being on first-name terms with all the medical staff.
Aleix Espargaro: To get onto first-name terms with the officials in parc ferme.
Franco Morbidelli: To get a haircut. Or not. What does it matter really? I just like doing what I’m good at it. And trying to do it better.
Hafizh Syahrin: Don’t ask me. I’m too busy wondering why I haven’t got a Yamaha anymore. And whether I’d be better off on a Triumph back in Moto2.
Scott Redding: To hope that the guys in BSB aren’t too darned fast. There’s a big point to prove here.
Fabio Quartararo: Not to expect too much too soon. Already suffered from that in Moto3 and Moto2.
Joan Mir: To ignore people who call him, “The new Marquez.” Because one way or the other they will be disappointed. Especially if he turns out to be better.
Ducati’s Dall’Igna: To find even more spectacular ways around those restrictive aero-bodywork rules, and make the officials look even sillier than the rules.
Aprilia: To find a way to be taken seriously. Heck, the margins are small, they’re not that far behind. It’s just that the others are so far ahead.
KTM: To keep believing that it’s the other chassis designers who have got it wrong. Steel tubes forever!
Yamaha: To never need to apologize again.
Honda: To continue to help and advise our “rivals” how to get the hell out of our way.
Suzuki: To keep a low profile. Until race day, anyway.
Red Bull: To spend as much as it takes. Then double it.
Dorna: To make superbikes work as well as MotoGP. Without becoming a threat. Successful, but not too successful.
Dorna TV Commentators (or at least one of them): To learn how to pronounce LCR team boss Lucio Cecchinello’s name.
And in other classes:
Brad Binder: To forget the pain of having to defer to his teammate all last year. And to beat Luca Marini this year.
Dorna back-room statistics boys: To remember that Kork Ballington was not the last South African intermediate-class champion before Binder. That was privateer Jon Ekerold, 350cc class champion in 1981, one year later.
Triumph: To remain confident that our new Moto2 engines will be at least half as reliable as the Hondas.
Mattia Pasini: To find a ride. Not ready to stop yet.
Romano Fenati: Not to royally stuff up his second chance at a comeback from the (very) naughty step.
Sete Gibernau: To roll back the years, with battery power in the all-new MotoE.
And all the fans: To make the most of what looks like another brilliant season.CN