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To prove how unpredictable sport can be, look no further than the MotoGP race at Jerez last weekend, writes Abu George.
The practice rounds and qualifying had been largely as expected with a front row identical to the last race in Qatar. However, a sharp rainfall before the race and intermittent rain throughout made it one of the most exciting and interchangeable races in memory.
The man who occupied most positions was Valentino Rossi. Starting in 12th place on the grid, he eased his was to fourth and then third. However, in attempting to out-break Championship leader, Casey Stoner, at the end of the main straight, he lost the front end and took out his main rival.
With the help of the marshals (who largely ignored Stoner), he kept the engine running and was able to rejoin at the back of the pack. Again he showed his love of the wet conditions to move his way back through the field.
Benefitting from other fallers he finished in fifth. Dani Pedrosa initially moved the other way, dropping from second on the grid to ninth, before gaining confidence and pace, to finish second.
The calmest rider throughout was the ultimate winner, Jorge Lorenzo. The world champion, in an attempt to celebrate in front of his own fans, slipped into one of the course lakes. Fortunately, following his dive into the same lake last year, it was equipped with some life buoys! His Yamaha team was, at one stage, hoping for a one-two finish, although teammate Ben Spies crashed having done the hard work in passing Pedrosa.
Stoner, winner of the race in Qatar, was magnanimous, at least outwardly, that his crash with Rossi was a racing accident, although inwardly he must have been fuming as Rossi had little realistic chance of overtaking at that point, and at the marshalls who went to Rossi's aid while ignoring him!
There is now a four week break before the next race at Estoril.
