The MotoGP in Shanghai was wet, really wet. Rossi won again but the race surprise was Olivier Jacque, a Kawasaki replacement rider for the injured Alex Hoffmann. It’s always hard to gauge the ability of a rider when the conditions are so bad, though if he rides that well in the wet, he could be outstanding in the dry. Towards the end of the race he was gaining on Rossi though again, Rossi may have been riding just fast enough to stay upright and in front. Jacque had not been on a bike in seven months and had been racing cars when he got the call. Very impressive. Whether or not Rossi was riding all out for the conditions, Jacque did beat everyone else. I hope he gets more seat time in coming races. It was also good to see Kawasaki doing well.
Mike Werner says
Don’t forget that he is afterall a former world champion (250) !! And vandenGoorberg did amazing as well !! Started in 19th, ended 6th !
kneeslider says
That’s true. I confess I don’t follow the 250’s as much these days but many of the MotoGP riders have come from the 250’s, Capriossi, Biaggi, etc. Sometimes you wonder, why doesn’t a rider like Jacque have a regular ride instead of racing cars. Maybe after Sunday, he’ll get some offers. Wouldn’t it have been interesting if it had been dry?
Mike Werner says
Problem with OJ is that he rides very inconsistently. When he was with Yamaha in the GP, he usually fell or crashed. I was expecting him to fall, but to my amazement (and I presume his), he didn’t.
Maybe after 7 months absence, he found his rythm again !! Who knows…. let’s see at the GP of France when he’s in front of his own public.
hoyt says
“in the zone”….it was fun to watch him go. As you have written, regardless if Rossi was riding just enough to stay out front or not, Jacque was improving his times as the race went on.
To make it sweeter, a new brand was on the podium.
This was good for the sport.