It was an unsurprisingly emotional MotoGP weekend in Valencia with a thrilling end to the season finale – and Toby Moody, our man on the inside, has all the other stories you might not have heard, too…
A small Kia – easier to park than a BMW? (© Kia)
Who do you think you are, the head of FIM?
Walking to the commentary box on Sunday morning for the sound check, I encountered an errant KIA hire car whose driver was having an argument with a Spanish security guy. It all looked very out of place, as the little car was trying to park right next to the spanking new BMW 5-series of Carmelo Ezpeleta, the boss of Dorna. However, as I got closer, I saw that the driver was none other than the boss of the FIM, Vito Ippolito, gasping on an early-morning cigarette. Leaning through the window, I said, “You need to use the line, ‘Don’t you know who I am?’” Cue massive amounts of laughter as he did eventually win the argument and slot the budget rental into his official parking place.
Casey Stoner pips Ben Spies by 0.015s (© GEPA/Gold & Goose)
Rain didn’t stop play
Casey Stoner had rather a dramatic MotoGP race to say the least, as a 10-second lead melted away to nothing as the rain fell in the last three laps of 30. Ben Spies hit the front and rode for the victory but Stoner “took some risks” on the last lap and found a better exit from the final corner.
A moving tribute to Simoncelli (© Gresini Racing)
Ciao Marco
The weekend was obviously dominated with tributes to Marco Simoncelli, who lost his life two weeks ago in Malaysia. Team Gresini had one of his bikes in his garage all weekend with one of his helmets sitting on top of the tank.
Simoncelli's garage tribute (© Toby Moody)
Most people had armbands or badges on show, while fans in the stands made banners out of whatever they could get. The number 58 was everywhere. On Sunday was the celebration of his life with a lap for all competitors in all three classes before the 125cc race. It was led by 1993 500cc Champion Kevin Schwantz, who was close to Simoncelli, while Valentino Rossi donned a number 58 t-shirt and flag for the tribute. A massive banner was unfurled over the front of the main pit building, just as the entire paddock came out on the main straight before the bikes returned from their lap. Once they had all lined up, a two-minute firework and firecracker display was unleashed in red and white colours. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
Alessandro Tamburini's commentary box (© Toby Moody)
Another fitting tribute
Perhaps one of the best celebrations of Marco Simoncelli’s life was a private one by Alessandro Tamburini from Radiotelevisione Svizzera Italiana (RSI), a northern Italian radio station that broadcasts the races. In his neighbouring commentary box Alex had totally covered the wall with pictures of Marco. “He used to come into the box and help me during the commentary of some MotoGP races when he was in 250. He was a super nice guy, but he’s here with us in the box for this last time.”
Legend Loris Capirossi drops in to see Toby (© Toby Moody)
A great champion bows out
We’ve had all sorts of guests up in the box over the years, but Loris Capirossi on Friday afternoon was a very special one. It’s 328 grands prix since he started racing in 1990, when he won the 125cc world championship as a rookie, up to this weekend when he used the number 58 of Marco Simoncelli on his Ducati as he rode in his final race. He was as smooth and as charming as ever, going over all his highlights, particularly focusing on winning the Italian 500cc Grand Prix at Mugello in 2000. ”After 22 seasons I’m 100 per cent happy – my story has now finished.” Great times from a fantastically brave racer. Thank you Loris.
Chaz Davies (© Jared Earle/MotoRaceReports) and Chris Vermeulen (© thomasrdotorg)
A Super time in our commentary box
On Friday, Chaz Davies popped in after his recent World Superbike test and following his popular World Supersport championship victory a couple of weekends before. Former MotoGP winner Chris Vermeulen was another visitor, this time on Saturday, supposedly for five minutes – but he stayed for the whole session. Both great guys.
Yamaha motorsport MD Lin Jarvis (© Yamaha Racing)
More Sleeping Beauty than Gorgeous George
After this last race, I always take a tour of the paddock to thank people who’ve been particularly helpful over the season, may they be mechanics, hospitality staff, riders… or team managing directors. I found Yamaha’s Lin Jarvis in his private office with the lights off, catching up with what the internet had to say about Ben Spies being pipped to the line by Casey Stoner by 0.015 of a second. There was no door to knock on, so I hollered out a “Knock, knock!” only to be told in no uncertain terms to shut up! He pointed to a pair of feet lying on the bench seat on the corner. We wandered out into the main hospitality area and I asked Lin who was in there, perhaps his son having a snooze? “No, it’s Jorge. He’s been there for two hours.” Apparently 2010 MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo is exhausted even when he isn’t racing…
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