US MOTOGP

It was run early this morning AEST. And from the lights onwards it was between two protagonists. Casey Stoner and Valentino Rossi.

The Australian, Casey Stoner, is the current World Champion, a title he earned more off the back of Ducati's superfast machine than his ability. (That said, the young chap clearly has ability, I don't question that...).
Italy's Valentino Rossi currently leads the World Championship and if this race is anything to go by, fully intends on recapturing it.

Stoner had been the fastest throughout all the practice sessions by a cool half second, which as anyone who's ever raced would know, is a fair amount (for example, times 32 laps is a sixteen second lead on the last lap).

Right from the get go these two raced away from the rest of the field, opening a seven second gap in as many laps. In a league of their own, they were never more than a few bike lengths apart (and often not even that).

Stoner on Pole, had a trademark fast start; Rossi, from second, too (albeit not so trademark - not that it matters a whole lot as he simply carves his way to the front regardless...).

Over the next laps they each overtook one another, Stoner clearly attempting to break the tow, and aware of his practice time advantage, took the lead.
Immediately Rossi backed it in and retook the lead.
Again stoner.
Again Rossi.

This went on all race, at times fairings and elbows touched as one (Rossi) through sheer will forced his way through. It was tight - so very tight, and is generally considered to be exciting, nay thrilling racing to watch ('s pretty bloody good to take part in too actually - woohoo!)

Anyway, in short, Rossi did to Stoner, the same thing he did to Gibernau some years ago (when on the final corner he just stuck it up the inside forcing his competitor wide. Note: In point of fact, Gibernau did "leave the door open" as they say. I saw it). Time after time. And eventually, demonstrating perhaps his true ability, Stoner cracked, and overshot, ending up in the gravel. Race over, for first at least - he remounted and finished second such was the lead they had.
To Stoner, Rossi's moves weren't quite as vicious, more...determined. (There's a mentality in sport where one's mindset is more vital than physical or machine ability).


That didn't however, stop Stoner crying like a baby after the race. Boo-hoo, those moves were too tough, he whined.
Yes they were, but

a. they weren't dangerous, and
b. if the "wheel's space" wasn't there, the move couldn't've been attempted.

So...

Away back to your dollies wee lad if you can't hack it.
Or toughen up because this is exactly what broke Gibernau's career. He couldn't hack the constant pressure from the undisputed world's best rider. (He didn't win 7 world championships by being nice (Heh heh, thataboy!)

Fact is, there are few, if any, who can defeat Rossi in a head to head. It's not unheard of, but his trademark is to apply serious pressure when he's right on the shoulder of the leader, trying to force an error - and almost always succeeds.
This isn't a gentleman's club - it's a bike race, and if you leave an inch...well, all one needs is a front tyre width. That's enough.